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wendys_lit's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Really just needed a fun, light, smutty romance to get back into audiobooks and was really happy I picked this one up!!
Vanessa is a black, beautiful and independent woman in her forties who’s just gotten out of an awful marriage to the world’s biggest scum bag. Two decades she was stuck with asshole and she’s finally free. But her life of course, is a little too much of a mystery now, and she’s not sure where to go from here. She’s got two girlfriends who are also fellow divorcees who help her every step of the way, but Vanessa can’t help but cling to old habits.
Enter Michael! Sexy Korean-American sheriff to the tiny town of Monroe Hills. His younger sister is now attached to Vanessa’s now ex-husband, and he contacts her in hope of getting this slime bag away from his little sis, but finds some inevitable desire there when he meets Vanessa. The two kind of hit it off, and the passion and drama ensues.
SOOO I really liked that this was such a diverse romance, that the characters were all sweet (albeit one note), and that it was what I was looking for—light hearted and fun.
However, it was a little too quick with the conclusion/climax situation, and there were a NUMBER of cornball lines that made me roll my eyes. Also, it is kind of weird to me to see someone who isn’t Korean just kinda use four or five words in here?? I’m sure they’re correct and she researched but it just felt…a little token to be honest. A couple characters were also so quickly introduced that they seemed so two-dimensional to me, not really worth mentioning.
Still a sweet and steamy read. Loved the audiobook :3
Vanessa is a black, beautiful and independent woman in her forties who’s just gotten out of an awful marriage to the world’s biggest scum bag. Two decades she was stuck with asshole and she’s finally free. But her life of course, is a little too much of a mystery now, and she’s not sure where to go from here. She’s got two girlfriends who are also fellow divorcees who help her every step of the way, but Vanessa can’t help but cling to old habits.
Enter Michael! Sexy Korean-American sheriff to the tiny town of Monroe Hills. His younger sister is now attached to Vanessa’s now ex-husband, and he contacts her in hope of getting this slime bag away from his little sis, but finds some inevitable desire there when he meets Vanessa. The two kind of hit it off, and the passion and drama ensues.
SOOO I really liked that this was such a diverse romance, that the characters were all sweet (albeit one note), and that it was what I was looking for—light hearted and fun.
However, it was a little too quick with the conclusion/climax situation, and there were a NUMBER of cornball lines that made me roll my eyes. Also, it is kind of weird to me to see someone who isn’t Korean just kinda use four or five words in here?? I’m sure they’re correct and she researched but it just felt…a little token to be honest. A couple characters were also so quickly introduced that they seemed so two-dimensional to me, not really worth mentioning.
Still a sweet and steamy read. Loved the audiobook :3
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse
jessg1014's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, and Infidelity
dsgirlie's review
funny
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Car accident
alysereadsbooks's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
Listened on audiobook and overall enjoyed it. Loved the representation and the characters. It was a bit cheesy at times, but still fun and entertaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Car accident
luizalikesbooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Gaslighting and Death of parent
Minor: Toxic friendship
bookbuyingwithkatie's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent
annavdn's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
Themes: AMBW romance, romance between older adults (40+ divorcée and Michael, whose age I do not remember), insta-lust, insta-love
Pretty cute and enjoyable romance with good spice. My only issue was that Michael is a cop and that he's dutiful to a fault.
Pretty cute and enjoyable romance with good spice. My only issue was that Michael is a cop and that he's dutiful to a fault.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
kennadis's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Emotional abuse
scoodle42's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Okay. So I ran hot and cold about this book. It never felt like I was on an even keel. There were some parts of it that were so good I was hungry for more, and other parts that were so cringey I put the book down.
So first, I love reading about women my age. Especially getting another chance at love. I love that Vanessa had a support system (they had a corny name though, lol) and that they had such a great bond. Vanessa and Michael were so very hot and I loved that too. Them falling together was sweet and very lovely. This book had a BUNCH of great highs.
*This next part of the review is completely my fault* I didn't read the synopsis, so the reason they ended up in each other's orbit threw me off a lot. But as a plot point, it was interesting enough. That ex-husband of hers was a doozy. Mess.
And Vanessa's introspection spoke a lot on therapy and the things she overcame (which I love. I love when we get the help we need), but her actions sometimes would have you believe she wasn't putting any of her breakthroughs into practice. Like, she was realizing things without actualizing them. And it was like the book wanted to give you Hallmark vibes but didn't quite make it in some places. I hate the way she looked down on their small town, but I also hated the way everyone there was so smug and the tiniest bit condescending.
Overall though, I liked it. The banter, the sex, the lusting--all great. The laughs and friendship--great too. The total Countdown to Christmas ending--wonderful, lol.
Also, fair warning--there's a third act breakup. Hated that. But I know some people don't mind.
So first, I love reading about women my age. Especially getting another chance at love. I love that Vanessa had a support system (they had a corny name though, lol) and that they had such a great bond. Vanessa and Michael were so very hot and I loved that too. Them falling together was sweet and very lovely. This book had a BUNCH of great highs.
*This next part of the review is completely my fault* I didn't read the synopsis, so the reason they ended up in each other's orbit threw me off a lot. But as a plot point, it was interesting enough. That ex-husband of hers was a doozy. Mess.
And Vanessa's introspection spoke a lot on therapy and the things she overcame (which I love. I love when we get the help we need), but her actions sometimes would have you believe she wasn't putting any of her breakthroughs into practice. Like, she was realizing things without actualizing them. And it was like the book wanted to give you Hallmark vibes but didn't quite make it in some places. I hate the way she looked down on their small town, but I also hated the way everyone there was so smug and the tiniest bit condescending.
Overall though, I liked it. The banter, the sex, the lusting--all great. The laughs and friendship--great too. The total Countdown to Christmas ending--wonderful, lol.
Also, fair warning--there's a third act breakup. Hated that. But I know some people don't mind.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting and Emotional abuse
Minor: Grief
thechristinereads's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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? No
5.0
First of all, the spice was hot!
One thing I was excited about was the book didn't so much as focus on Vanessa's divorce but instead on her growth as an individual, which showed how she was learning to love herself after a marriage filled with emotional abuse. It was a really good thing to see.
But when the sheriff steps into her space, everything changes — for both of them. They both are attracted to each other but find it hard to come to terms with it until they are forced to act on it.
The tension, the pacing, and the chemistry, everything was top-notch. I will definitely be looking out for book 2.
One thing I was excited about was the book didn't so much as focus on Vanessa's divorce but instead on her growth as an individual, which showed how she was learning to love herself after a marriage filled with emotional abuse. It was a really good thing to see.
But when the sheriff steps into her space, everything changes — for both of them. They both are attracted to each other but find it hard to come to terms with it until they are forced to act on it.
The tension, the pacing, and the chemistry, everything was top-notch. I will definitely be looking out for book 2.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse