This story made me really sad – it was a soulless town filled with soulless people. And, even though there was no hopeful notes to this story, I was still hoping for a more positive and promising ending than I got. It was a bit disheartening and sad to read – and honestly, I like stories that have at least a glimmer of hope in them. I didn’t find that in this story.
The decision made at the end of this wasn’t all that surprising – there’s a reason that it’s the decision many make in reality. But it was still really sad. I mean, the boy has so much hope at the beginning of this story, and potential. But then, he decides to join his brother in a gang and say goodbye to all of the potential doors that were in front of him. Sometimes I wonder if that’s a metaphor for life – saying goodbye to dreams because sometimes they are just unattainable.
I think that saddest part of all of this for me was that at the very end, Sophie recognises the path chosen. And recognised the betrayal that that decision denotes. Absolutely heart breaking and hard to read about. Love doesn’t necessarily conquer all, and this is kind of a reminder of that fact.
Title: About That… Author: Sylvie Stewart Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Contemporary romance Pace: Medium Format: Book, Novella Year: 2019
Cal and Sofia are an incredibly cute couple, and I love that all of the difficulties in their relationship stem from a number of misunderstandings. Mostly misunderstandings and assumptions on Sofia’s behalf – she jumps to a few conclusions. But, I also would’ve jumped to the same conclusions, so it’s entirely justifiable and made for an even more interesting novella.
Sofia is a really fun and light character. Her passion for working with kids is adorable, and she has a passion for life that I seriously wish I could have. She is also incredibly excited by her life and those she chooses to share it with. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to teach children, and her happiness in doing so was absolutely adorable.
I love that although there is an instant connection between Cal and Sofia, they spend quite a bit of time getting to know one another. I mean, there are still so many sparks I almost had to fan myself while I was reading this, but it was also a relationship based on mutual respect and liking of one another – it was fun reading about them falling for one another.
About That…was such a cute and beautiful little novella. I really enjoyed diving into Stewart’s writing yet again. There is some wonderful humour and wit in her words, partnered with heartfelt connections and happily ever afters. Just the type of romance I like to read.
I always love a good second chance romance story. Particularly those that feature a couple who were separated by youth and circumstance. But, the fact that although they were separated, they were able to become amazing adults. Of the type that they maybe wouldn’t have been able to if they hadn’t gone their separate ways in the first place. Plus, this is a Cinnamon Roll Alpha story. And they’re just generally cute anyway – big manly, grunt men who are actually totally adorable and smitten when in love.
At the very beginning of this story, Faith’s parents are cast as the villains of the piece – they separated Faith and Leo through some not-so-nice actions. And as a result, Faith has been estranged from them ever since. I like that, instead of continuing to cast them as the villains, Faith is able to find a way to move on with her family. That their actions, although seriously wrong, were actually based in good intentions. And that, even if they are a bit broken and silly, her parents are able to own up to their mistakes and try to make amends. It’s a bit of a departure from other stories of this vein, were the catalyst for the break up is often incredibly villainized and unloveable.
Although I really liked Leo as the male lead, I mean, cinnamon roll alpha, come on. I did find him a bit of a hard headed fool at times. He doesn’t really treat Faith all that well at the very beginning. And, although its understandable why he’s such a dick, it does make it that little bit harder to connect. And I feel like, as a result, it takes Faith that little bit longer to actually trust him and move forward in her relationship with him. Having said that, many of his actions are kind of understandable, so you can’t hate him. And, he is a fun lead to read about. Particularly with his career background and personal goals – making the world a better, more sustainable place.
Normally I don’t love mean girls, or any kind of story that perpetuates how nasty women can be (and are often taught to be) to one another. However, I absolutely adored how Leo’s sisters go to bat for him. They’re not overly nice about it, but, the moment he tells them to back off and that Faith is back in his life – they do. It’s the perfect blend of sticking up for someone you love, but also respecting their decisions. And, ultimately they return to being good friends with Faith and making her welcome into their family yet again.
I knew that there would be a final barrier to Faith and Leo’s relationship in this story. And, I kind of figured it would have something to do with privilege and money. But, it was actually quite a bit nastier than I had anticipated. And very heartbreaking. I love how it actually kind of blindsided me. Although, since this is a happy romance, it all still worked out beautifully in the end.
I’ve been meaning to get to North for quite a while – it’s in my Dating the Boss box set, and Vanessa Vale is suggested by quite a few of the authors’ emails that I receive. But, as with everything, I kept putting it off and getting distracted. Well, I’m glad that I eventually got around to this, because I seriously enjoyed this story! It might not have quite been the novel I was expecting, but it was probably a little bit better. A somewhat adult contemporary romance, but one that has made me excited to dive into the rest of the Vanessa Vale books on my ereader.
North was a little bit of a dark story in that it features a woman who has been preyed upon by her own father. There is also that darker spin on the story that there is gunshots and plots and schemes. It’s almost a romantic suspense, but not quite. Not an overly light story, but I kind of liked those edges of darkness that makes the romance and the happily ever after at the end all that much better. It did mean that it took me a little bit longer than some romances to truly get into, but it was well worth it!
It’s been a while since I’ve read a romance that features sex so heavily – and it’s kind of graphic. Sometimes I felt like the sex scenes were extended out a little bit too long. They were well written and enjoyable. But honestly, there were a few chapters that I wanted the sex to be over, because I wanted to know more about the action and the characters! I figure that although it meant I had impatient moments, this was actually a good thing – after all, it was all based around the fact that I was so damn invested that I didn’t want to pause for anything I deemed as unimportant. Which is ironic, since I really read this for the romance factor.
North was a fantastic beginning to a new series and introduction (for me) to Vanessa Vale. I can’t wait to see how North’s brothers negotiate all of the truth bombs that were released in this book. And what the women I’m sure they are going to find are going to be like. And how they deal with the hard-headedness that I’m already appreciating in this great characters. This was such a fun book to read, and I look forward to reading more in this series!
As much as I enjoyed this story, and will read more Jennifer Sucevic books, I did find the start to be a little difficult. There was something about it that made me push through. But it was a little bit difficult to get through that first bit. Particularly because although there is push back against Roan’s shitty attitude, there isn’t quite enough. I wanted her to smack him down (verbally) a little bit more before the friendship started.
Even though to begin with Roan was an absolutely horrible male lead, he actually ended up being a good guy. One that I did actually like. It just took a little while to get there. And once you did, it kind of made the story a lot easier to enjoy. I almost DNF’d it because of how rude and annoying Roan was in the beginning.
I love that both of the characters in this have some pretty hefty emotional damage in their pasts. It was enough to cause friction and challenges to overcome, but not so much that there’s a moment of doubt to their happily ever after.
Once I got over the first bit of discomfort and frustration at the doucheyness levels of Roan, I actually really enjoyed thus. It ended up being a really nice and fun light read. One that makes me feel like reading more of Sucevic’s works and just departing from reality for a little bit.
Esther and Jeremy are a great opposites attract relationship. Plus, she’s also a strong, independent woman who works in STEM. With Jeremy working in the arts – a bit of a gender swap to what we more traditionally read about in romances. And I absolutely adored it. Like everything I read by Susannah Nix, I couldn’t put this down. It was such a wonderful adventure and I love that they both need to confront their issues.
Esther is kind of a prickly and harsh lead – I loved her, but even I found her harshness to be a little tough at times. Mostly because I tend to be the crazy person who loves with everything, whereas she struggles to show any kind of love. But, even with her prickly exterior, she’s also loyal and loving. Incredibly sweet, and capable of intense emotion.
Jeremy to contrast Esther works really well in that he is incredibly emotional. However, he does come across as a bit of a tool – mostly because he spends a lot of time mansplaining and being superior in his tastes. However, it very quickly becomes obvious that these behaviours come from his insecurities, not being an absolute fool. I did love that once he stops with the pretentious act, he was actually really lovely and definitely great boyfriend material.
I’m always a big fan of great female relationships in a book – even though Esther and Jinny have a massive fight. It’s not one that is about boys or any of that cliché. Rather, it is about their relationship with each other – and I honestly didn’t know which relationship I was more invested in. Probably Esther and Jinny because I love that there are women who will stick with each other through thick and thin.
Not only is this a great love story (both with Jeremy and Jinny), but it’s also a wonderful look at some of the sexism and inequality which women face in work. Particularly within the STEM fields. I also like that it’s not just the men that Esther has to contend with, but also her female boss falls into the trap of gender-based expectations. I love that Esther is able to weather all of the nonsense and come out better at the end. But, it was still a painful reminder of the crap women have to put up with on a daily basis.
Shirley’s obsession with her Prada is both funny, and not something I completely understood. I mean, it’s a damn dress. But, it did make for some entertaining scenes with Juliette, and I will forever have the image of rats nesting in her little black dress in my head. Which just made me laugh, continuously and somewhat excessively. Although, that tends to be my response to most of the works by Franklin – random laughter and much amusement.
I love that, although Shirley has multiple people trying to help her, she is determined to do things on her own. Sometimes it’s a little bit painful, and you just shake your head. But overall, it’s a great streak of independence. I also love that she’s so surrounded by people who adore her, that she has so many wanting to help. Even those who she doesn’t quite expect to want to help are willing to do so. I found it to be a great reminder that people like to help when they love you, and sometimes you should accept that love.
From his first introduction, I was kind of expecting Christopher to be super awkward. He really wasn’t anywhere near as awkward as I wanted him to be. However, he did have some kind of random and niche hobbies, and I love that both him and Lee were able to share their love of art and classics. Plus, this love lent itself to Lee playing a harp in a park in period clothing, so that’s a gorgeous image that I never want to remove from my mind’s eye.
Juliette Carter and her shenanigans are always fun and completely absurd. I mean, she is absolutely off her rocker, so it’s genuinely entertaining to read about her. However, unlike all of the other women in the series thus far, Lee is completely able to stand up to Juliette’s shenanigans. She manages to call her on her nonsense and weirdness, but in a completely loving way. I kind of want more of the two of them working together.
Doug and Amy are way too cute of a couple. I mean, they are both actually really sweet and fun. Although, Amy is a little bit rougher around the edges than Doug. But, I do love prickly women with a heart of gold.
This might be a teacher, student romance. But it does have a slight twist. It played into the trope, without being so forbidden and, well, icky. I also love how they’re both finding their feet throughout the short course Doug teaches.
Doug learning about his privilege and being willing to understand and change because of this was amazing. I seriously wish more people were willing to recognise their privilege and see how it influences everything we say and do. The growth of him during this novella was amazing.
Amy is a fairly angry and feisty lead. But, I completely understand why. And I loved that she is also able to enjoy life and the moment when she needs to. They’re a fantastic couple and I can’t wait to spend more time with them as secondary characters.
Shannyn and Ty are a fun couple that work really well together. They constantly challenge one another, but are not intensely antagonistic to each other. I love a couple who constantly challenges each other and makes one another better. They’re also a great fit in that Shannyn is able to slot into Ty’s world seamlessly and they are both able to find professional and personal fulfillment together. Absolutely adorable and seriously enjoyable.
I love that Shannyn and Ty come from vastly different backgrounds. And that, ultimately, they end up together because Shannyn decides to take a big risk and plunge. I’m a big believer that fully committing to someone is always a risk that takes a pretty big step on both peoples’ behalf’s. But, with Shannyn’s background and experience, I love the strength of self that she shows in deciding to take that plunge.
As someone who comes from a highly involved family, I love how involved all of Ty’s family is. They might be slightly overbearing and a little bit too much, but I thought they were fantastic. As was Shannyn’s mother and brother. Family comes in all shapes and sizes, and I love that they both come from supportive backgrounds. Even if this meant that Ty’s mother got a little bit too involved and presented as a bit of an obstacle to overcome.
Even though Ty’s mum was a bit of an obstacle, I thought that both she and Cassie would be far more of a challenge than they were. Particularly Cassie, it’s obvious that she had her sights majorly set on Ty. And even when she made a play for him and started to realise that it wasn’t going to work, she wasn’t as much of a challenge to Shannyn and Ty’s romance as I thought. Which I kind of liked. I get a bit fed up with women being petty and horrible to each other. That wasn’t the case in this story, rather both women had concerns about Shannyn, but bowed out to Ty’s happiness.
This romance was an incredibly easy read with a whole lot of heart. I really enjoyed it, and can’t wait until the rest of the Flatiron Five Fitness team fall in love and find their happily ever afters.
I’m absolutely loving Serena Bell and the Wilder brothers. But I did find Jessa and Clark’s to be a little bit sad. I mean, it’s one thing to have hang ups from.past relationships, everyone does. But Clark’s hangup being that his wife died? And then finding out how it happened? It was REALLY extra sad as far as I was concerned.
Jessa’s ex is an absolute douche nugget, and I love how everyone else is just immediately against him. Plus, he’s a great catalyst for the fake dating trope that ends in a little bit of heartbreak. And the one tent. And just all of the happy, fun feelings that this story imparted on me.
Like all good romances, there comes that final hurdle at the end of this that needs to be overcome. I love that for Jessa and Clark, they both are at fault for the breakdown. And they both realise their mistakes before it is too late. Plus, they enjoy gathering around their family and the Wilder siblings definitely help Clark realise his own foolishness.
Alongside this gorgeous romance is the setting of Wilder Adventures. I love that Clark and Jessa originally connect camping in the wilderness. And the many ways in which the Wilder brothers have had to make the wilderness a whole lot more accessible. This is definitely one of those books I’ll be rereading for a sweet comfort read.
Earth and Skye 