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tlea's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is the second book I’ve read from this author and I’m so pleased that it wasn’t just a one-off for enjoyment.
This is not your usual romance, which just works in its favour, as more than one character is living with life impacting health issues. That could make this story feel depressing, but it does the opposite. By Guin going to Hawaii she’s demonstrating that there is no reason not to do those bucket list things.
I loved this story and the way it depicted people with chronic illness as just living their life how they can. This book isn’t preachy about living with disability and I really liked that it showed the good and the bad. This is a sensitive, interesting and intelligent story about complicated characters told well and deserves to be read.
However, this is a long novel and takes commitment to get through. I struggled between about 30-50% but once over that hump I really didn’t look back.
This is a sweet romance, with some physical affection but no sex, and while I wouldn’t call it Christian romance, faith is mentioned a couple of times without it being a major theme.
“But doesn’t everyone deserve a love story and more importantly, an HEA?”
This is not your usual romance, which just works in its favour, as more than one character is living with life impacting health issues. That could make this story feel depressing, but it does the opposite. By Guin going to Hawaii she’s demonstrating that there is no reason not to do those bucket list things.
I loved this story and the way it depicted people with chronic illness as just living their life how they can. This book isn’t preachy about living with disability and I really liked that it showed the good and the bad. This is a sensitive, interesting and intelligent story about complicated characters told well and deserves to be read.
However, this is a long novel and takes commitment to get through. I struggled between about 30-50% but once over that hump I really didn’t look back.
This is a sweet romance, with some physical affection but no sex, and while I wouldn’t call it Christian romance, faith is mentioned a couple of times without it being a major theme.
“But doesn’t everyone deserve a love story and more importantly, an HEA?”
genres_with_jules's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book!
He’s a medical professional, she’s a therapist. All it took was one moment on the beach and they were cuddled together at her house later the same day. Lots of nose bumps, nuzzles, and licks later, th- OH you wanted the HUMANS’ love story, not the dog one. My bad. But how could I resist the tale of a service dog and emotional support dog falling in love at first bark?!
He’s a medical professional, she’s a therapist. All it took was one moment on the beach and they were cuddled together at her house later the same day. Lots of nose bumps, nuzzles, and licks later, th- OH you wanted the HUMANS’ love story, not the dog one. My bad. But how could I resist the tale of a service dog and emotional support dog falling in love at first bark?!
Okay so the humans: Guinevere has always loved the beach and ocean, but they don’t love her back. TODAY though she’s determined to throw herself at it anyway and hope for the best. Which…doesn’t go well. Enter Locke: Baywatch star lookalike and surfer pro. He’s used to looking out for struggling tourists, but he didn’t expect to catch a mermaid today. As their paths continue to intertwine, they realize their prickly exteriors might be hiding kindred spirits in more ways than one.
Like The Irish Fall that I reviewed last year, this story stars 2 characters broken by physical and emotional trauma who learn to love and heal together. I love how this author doesn’t make a lopsided story where one character needs saving by a “perfect” partner, instead making the romantic leads as well as side characters interdependent on each other for growth. It’s so much more realistic since we all have our issues to work through and all need people around us for support.
I also really loved the music element! If you’ve been around awhile, you know music is a light in the darkness for me, and it was so great to see a spotlight on the healing power of music-based connection.
The chronic illness and disability rep here is excellent, and I always appreciate the chance to learn about experiences other than my own. Guin and Locke both feel undeserving of love for different reasons, and it’s so beautiful to see their feelings about each other reflect back so they learn to love themselves more as a result.
I don’t personally know a lot about the Hawaiian culture, but the setting, characters, and traditions all appear to be treated with care and respect by the author with the goal of honoring and educating about their community.
TW/CW: detailed descriptions of Lupus and its side effects (including severe sunburn, fainting, dialysis, motion sickness, migraines), traumatic ocean accident, amputation, organ transplant/donation discussed, internalized ableism, depression, and anxiety; this also has brief mentions of faith, and is a firmly closed door romance, so if that’s not your thing this book won’t be for you.
kristensreadingnook's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“Music unites us in such a beautiful way. It’s one of the few things in life that welcomes people from all walks of life with open arms. No one’s a stranger and everyone is family. Music is home. Music is love.”
Brooke Gilbert has written an own voices novel featuring a protagonist with lupus who has found comfort in playing her ukelele. When Guin literally washes up on shore in Maui to be rescued by Locke, a Little Mermaid meet cute ensues even though neither of them are looking for love and instead are actively avoiding it.
I highlighted so many passages in this book, way more than I normally do. It was so hard to pick one to feature here, but I felt this one encapsulated the heart of the book so well.
This is Brooke Gilbert’s second novel that I’ve read and I have loved them both.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Read if you like:
Sweet, closed door romances
Disability rep
The Little Mermaid references
Maui setting
Brooke Gilbert has written an own voices novel featuring a protagonist with lupus who has found comfort in playing her ukelele. When Guin literally washes up on shore in Maui to be rescued by Locke, a Little Mermaid meet cute ensues even though neither of them are looking for love and instead are actively avoiding it.
I highlighted so many passages in this book, way more than I normally do. It was so hard to pick one to feature here, but I felt this one encapsulated the heart of the book so well.
This is Brooke Gilbert’s second novel that I’ve read and I have loved them both.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Read if you like:
Sweet, closed door romances
Disability rep
The Little Mermaid references
Maui setting
bookstacks_and_coffeecups's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I believe I said something similar in my review of Brooke Gilbert’s The Irish Fall, but it bears repeating that her books are not your typical romance; and this one is no different. In addition to being #ownvoices and almost a scenic guide to the books setting, her books also fold in the realities of falling in love while being chronically ill.
In this novel we have Guin (Guinevere) and Locke who have an unexpected meet cute when she visits Hawaii for a Ukulele Convention. It doesn’t take long for either of them to realize they’ve finally found the person they can be their whole selves with. With Lockes Grandmother (Tutu), his best friend and two adorable service dogs who are in puppy love of their own, there’s lots to learn about the meaning of Ohana.
I’ve also said before but again as with her other stories this book is definitely heavier content then your typical romance novel and isn’t a quick read by any means but I think it’s worth taking the time to slow down and let this story work it’s way into your heart. It’s definitely my favourite of hers so far.
Quote that touched me:
“She looked down hesitantly at her arm. “I don’t really feel like the best version of myself anymore. I feel kind of incomplete these days. I wake up every day with my body unable to do what it’s supposed to do. Already battling itself before I even start the day. Hard to feel like your best version when you wake up that way. Like you’re already at a deficit, you know?” And then she shook her head, like of course I wouldn’t know.”
For me that’s what these books are about. Seeing yourself in the words. Reading what you can’t put into words yourself. In every one of Gilbert’s characters I’ve seen a bit of myself and this quote was such a perfect reflection of everyday feelings when living with chronic pain, illness, autoimmune disease. It is a gift that Brooke Gilbert shares her own journey with us through her fiction.
Please make sure to check out the content warnings for this one before reading which has been provided for the reader at the beginning of the novel.
Thank you to the author for an advance review copy. All opinions are my own
In this novel we have Guin (Guinevere) and Locke who have an unexpected meet cute when she visits Hawaii for a Ukulele Convention. It doesn’t take long for either of them to realize they’ve finally found the person they can be their whole selves with. With Lockes Grandmother (Tutu), his best friend and two adorable service dogs who are in puppy love of their own, there’s lots to learn about the meaning of Ohana.
I’ve also said before but again as with her other stories this book is definitely heavier content then your typical romance novel and isn’t a quick read by any means but I think it’s worth taking the time to slow down and let this story work it’s way into your heart. It’s definitely my favourite of hers so far.
Quote that touched me:
“She looked down hesitantly at her arm. “I don’t really feel like the best version of myself anymore. I feel kind of incomplete these days. I wake up every day with my body unable to do what it’s supposed to do. Already battling itself before I even start the day. Hard to feel like your best version when you wake up that way. Like you’re already at a deficit, you know?” And then she shook her head, like of course I wouldn’t know.”
For me that’s what these books are about. Seeing yourself in the words. Reading what you can’t put into words yourself. In every one of Gilbert’s characters I’ve seen a bit of myself and this quote was such a perfect reflection of everyday feelings when living with chronic pain, illness, autoimmune disease. It is a gift that Brooke Gilbert shares her own journey with us through her fiction.
Please make sure to check out the content warnings for this one before reading which has been provided for the reader at the beginning of the novel.
Thank you to the author for an advance review copy. All opinions are my own
claires_loveofbooks2020's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was such an amazing read. I love how Brooke writes about different disabilities and how they shouldn't define you.
This one, I'm proud to say, had kidney failure and organ transplantation rep. I'm glad this was represented as it resonated with me so much, considering I have been through both.
Going through kidney failure was a lot like Brooke described. You honestly find out your 'value' when you get chronically ill. For me, it was my so-called friends who decided that I wasn't worth the trouble anymore and gradually stopped asking me out clubbing or to events that I had no energy for and then just stopped talking to me altogether. And I felt so much reading Guins story in regards to my own life and story.
I loved how Locke and Guin were each others 'lobsters'. How they each found each other beautiful and attractive despite their own feelings of themselves. It just goes to prove that once you find your person, it doesn't matter what you find wrong with yourself, you are always deserving of love.
Tutu and Louis, I'm so glad Tutu found her first love and managed to have a second chance at love with a man who truly loved her and wanted to be her. Listening to their story about how they first met was beautiful, and I'm not surprised Louis waited all that time to finally be with Tutu.
Penny and Sebastion, who would've known that two support dogs would fall in love and that their owners were destined for each other aswell. It was so sweet to include them, and I learned a lot from reading about them in this book aswell.
Brooke, you have seriously written another amazing novel and done such a great job on the research into the different disability reps. Guin resonated with me so much, it brought tears to my eyes. I can't wait for the next book.
I'd like to thank Brooke @brookegilbertauthor for the chance to read and review such a special and meaningful book.
This one, I'm proud to say, had kidney failure and organ transplantation rep. I'm glad this was represented as it resonated with me so much, considering I have been through both.
Going through kidney failure was a lot like Brooke described. You honestly find out your 'value' when you get chronically ill. For me, it was my so-called friends who decided that I wasn't worth the trouble anymore and gradually stopped asking me out clubbing or to events that I had no energy for and then just stopped talking to me altogether. And I felt so much reading Guins story in regards to my own life and story.
I loved how Locke and Guin were each others 'lobsters'. How they each found each other beautiful and attractive despite their own feelings of themselves. It just goes to prove that once you find your person, it doesn't matter what you find wrong with yourself, you are always deserving of love.
Tutu and Louis, I'm so glad Tutu found her first love and managed to have a second chance at love with a man who truly loved her and wanted to be her. Listening to their story about how they first met was beautiful, and I'm not surprised Louis waited all that time to finally be with Tutu.
Penny and Sebastion, who would've known that two support dogs would fall in love and that their owners were destined for each other aswell. It was so sweet to include them, and I learned a lot from reading about them in this book aswell.
Brooke, you have seriously written another amazing novel and done such a great job on the research into the different disability reps. Guin resonated with me so much, it brought tears to my eyes. I can't wait for the next book.
I'd like to thank Brooke @brookegilbertauthor for the chance to read and review such a special and meaningful book.
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