Started off just fine, I loved the Wyoming ranch setting and it felt like it was going to be super cute.
But there was so much freaking exposition thaStarted off just fine, I loved the Wyoming ranch setting and it felt like it was going to be super cute.
But there was so much freaking exposition that I started to get uneasy, and then at least three times the momentum was lost in a significant moment because the story goes off on a tangent. And THEN it somehow it turned into a typical, nearly-every-single-NA-box-checked New Adult/indie romance novel, down to the same litany of tired phrases, annoying nicknames, and pseudo-dominant sex that seems to reproduce itself over and over in those categories. There might’ve been a cute book in here somewhere, but it is completely obscured by the writing.
The light-hearted romance + occasionally awkward smut thing doesn’t feel entirely natural as written, either. And his whole vibe was off, as he’s supposedly a reformed manwhore with random details thrown in to prove it (some of the sex, the icky sleeping with his childhood first kiss’ mom thing) but he never acts that way except when it’s supposed to be shocking or exciting you.
I was absolutely floored to look at the book editions and find that this was apparently published by Dial, a division of Penguin? After finding so many NA language and situational markers, I thought this was an independently published book, not one with the benefit of editorial help, especially a publisher as big and well-respected as that. (Explains the cover, though.) So annoyed by this, and am disappointed I can’t rely on the name being synonymous with quality any longer.
Not the author’s fault—I don’t know what this book’s path was to publishing, I can see why it sparked interest (I so hoped it would be another Amy Barry-type western series), but this was taken on, acquired, and released way before it was ready.
1.5 stars Docking it an extra half star for writing and editing that should have been way better. Concept + quirky cover aren’t enough to cut it....more
I love Keeley to pieces, but the pregnancy trope is just not my favorite and a lot of this felt heavier than I was in the mood for.
It does get betterI love Keeley to pieces, but the pregnancy trope is just not my favorite and a lot of this felt heavier than I was in the mood for.
It does get better later on and is still funny with lots of chemistry, but it’s just not the delight from beginning to end that books 1 and 3 were. And I expected, after learning early on what's made Keeley live her life with such abandon, that it would be more poignant.
I’ve read so many great indie romances lately—how is this happening? Story, sex, characters, humor, all done well and without the usual boost (from agI’ve read so many great indie romances lately—how is this happening? Story, sex, characters, humor, all done well and without the usual boost (from agents, editors, etc.) you’re supposed to get from traditional publishing. Such a nice surprise after being so underwhelmed by Not in Love.
First chapter is a little jumbled, but the rest of it is pretty much a funny, flirty dream....more
Unusually, the sex is well-written and so is the FMC. Otherwise I kind of hate him and there is a whole lotta laughing, grinning, giggling, and smirkiUnusually, the sex is well-written and so is the FMC. Otherwise I kind of hate him and there is a whole lotta laughing, grinning, giggling, and smirking that goes on. It's okay to just say "said."...more
4.5 stars I haven’t felt this immersed in the life of a romance heroine in a long time. Her family and friend life felt real, their banter is super fu4.5 stars I haven’t felt this immersed in the life of a romance heroine in a long time. Her family and friend life felt real, their banter is super fun, and their chemistry is ...more
Beginning was a bit chaotic, but this ended up being such a great enemies to lovers story. Because:
— he’s a genuine grump, but so is she, kinda! — theBeginning was a bit chaotic, but this ended up being such a great enemies to lovers story. Because:
— he’s a genuine grump, but so is she, kinda! — their arguments felt genuine. They are cutting, they are clever, and they are committed to winning (but they’re never mean). They continue to fight after they get together, because it’s in their nature. — their dynamic, within a hospital setting, felt a bit Ali Hazelwood, except less scattered and zany. — both of them deal matter-of-factly with her disordered eating — a fun, supportive friend group —these friends also have a group text in the middle of his despairing, mopey angst over her not knowing whether she wants to commit to him, and they refer to him as Eyeore. — sexy sex — the best use of exasperated, affectionate nicknames I’ve ever read, the best of which is his referring to her as his screech owl.
Then they reach the point when he is completely and utterly smitten with her; he takes care of her when she’s sick, he stands up for her, he sees her. His feelings are described so well and so endearingly, and the book sidesteps mistakes of the usual nonsense over misunderstandings and such.
Anyway. I’ve read Kate Canterbary before, but I had no idea she had this in her! Imma have to add some additions to my TBR. ...more
Somehow this weird combo of zany British rom com + obsessive grumpy billionaire erotica works. It’s stuffed with a lot of tropes, the miscommunicationSomehow this weird combo of zany British rom com + obsessive grumpy billionaire erotica works. It’s stuffed with a lot of tropes, the miscommunication is a bit annoying, and it is a little too long, but I enjoyed her work stuff and various friendships, the power dynamics aren’t too bad, and the sex is pretty damned sexy. Overall, fun!
But. Dreamworks has never been involved with Bond as far as I know, so…research, please.
This is a tricky one to review, but I’ll just say that I hope this is taken in the spirit with which it’s meant.
This started off pretty well with theThis is a tricky one to review, but I’ll just say that I hope this is taken in the spirit with which it’s meant.
This started off pretty well with their office dynamic as she demonstrates her smarts, but the plot is all over the place after that. It goes fairly in depth into the burlesque job she takes when she loses the internship she was counting on, and then it goes into even more batshit territory with family drama and (view spoiler)[an incest scare (hide spoiler)] subplot. I know people like their dark romances, but this felt like a whole lotta plots stuffed into one book.
Overall, it’s a weird mix of solid angst porn/erotica combined with extremely melodramatic, cliché romance scenarios and occasional purple prose and clunky language. I’ll have to admit that that a good part of this was done convincingly enough (their chemistry, most of his faith in her abilities, and the his devastating emotional fallout over the part in the spoiler), but there’s just as much material that is cringey, if not more.
Perhaps the most tactful way to put this is that it feels as though the author is still early in her writing and reading career. But there are sparks of genuinely interesting things here—honestly, some of the hardest parts were the most well-written. It’s a case where it feels as though the technical skills and self-editorial eye haven’t quite caught up with the emotional intelligence yet. I’d keep an eye on this author, though—it’ll be interesting to see what happens with time.
And PSA: a lot of people already literally cringe at karaoke IRL or on tv. (Seriously, I’m hunched down in my seat trying to make myself smaller in case someone notices the subject coming up.) I cannot adequately describe to you the acute flaying agony of reading about it in a book, especially in a work outing/boss performance scenario. Staaaaahpp. I beg of you, please, please, please stop the madness....more
Wendy Darling
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contemporary-romance
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