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taylynnmazz's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a sweet romance that follows Jenna and Marcus on their journey to their summer research fellowship, but also on their personal journeys to love.
If you like: OWN Voices, friends to lovers, closed door romance, chronic pain rep, women empowerment, and all things Nature and Science, then you’ll love this book!
While I did think the story was sweet and I absolutely love Jenna, the romance between Marcus and Jenna just wasn’t for me.
I loved seeing Jenna stand up for herself and say what’s on her mind, the journey she travels to figure out what her career path, and her resilience (even seeing her interact with her brothers warmed my heart).
But I didn’t love Marcus. He was sweet and so caring to Jenna at times, but there were moments I felt that he came off as condescending and rude that made me shirk away from him.
Overall, I liked the book, the topics covered, and Megan’s research and attention to detail to this story was spectacular (I’m a sucker for seeing the research that goes into books and Megan hit the nail on the head with all the research that went into this one!).
While this wasn’t the best story for me, the author has created some wonderful characters in the Hutchinson family and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for this series!
mysticforestcrafts's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
I have been so incredibly lucky to meet the author twice at signings at my local independent bookstore. The kindness shown in her characters come directly from her and the love of family truly is a representation of her own family who are as kind and sweet as she is.
I’ve had people ask me if they’ll like the books if they aren’t into sports or science and I can say with certainty you will. Nothing is done in a dry technical way and everything always relates back to the characters and the plot. You can go in knowing nothing about either and come out with some info but most importantly feeling happier because these books, while handling real world issues always come to a close with the happiest of endings.
What can you expect?
STEM representation without man bashing
Grumpy/ Sunshine dynamics
Friends to lovers
Disability rep done with respect without making it the only quality of the character
Strong family ties
Clean romance so you can read with you child or grandmother without blushing
Pros:
The characters are beautifully real with strengths and weaknesses they have to work with. I love that you see characters handle chronic pain in this book and the first but in different ways. It’s important to remember that everyone handles pain differently and I love that the author has captured two different styles and personally I was thankful this one involved less crying. I agree there is nothing wrong with crying it out but I know many pain sufferers who find it increases their pain so they fight it with everything they have.
The family dynamics in this book are amazing. You get to experience strong family ties as well as broken ones in need of repair.
I struggled with other STEM stories always focusing on men being evil and the women man bashing. I really appreciate that while it is discussed and the issue of misogyny in the field is addressed that Jenna never puts blame on issues with work on her gender and she never once holds Marcus’ success against him because he is male. I love seeing him stand up for her and seeing her stand up for herself even more. This was much more successful in showing how such things should be handled than major releases aimed at STEM lovers.
Cons:
I have very few to no complaints with this story. If anything I almost wanted to see Jenna break a trail rule when she sees her first bears but that would break character terribly so it is best it didn’t happen.
I’ve had people ask me if they’ll like the books if they aren’t into sports or science and I can say with certainty you will. Nothing is done in a dry technical way and everything always relates back to the characters and the plot. You can go in knowing nothing about either and come out with some info but most importantly feeling happier because these books, while handling real world issues always come to a close with the happiest of endings.
What can you expect?
STEM representation without man bashing
Grumpy/ Sunshine dynamics
Friends to lovers
Disability rep done with respect without making it the only quality of the character
Strong family ties
Clean romance so you can read with you child or grandmother without blushing
Pros:
The characters are beautifully real with strengths and weaknesses they have to work with. I love that you see characters handle chronic pain in this book and the first but in different ways. It’s important to remember that everyone handles pain differently and I love that the author has captured two different styles and personally I was thankful this one involved less crying. I agree there is nothing wrong with crying it out but I know many pain sufferers who find it increases their pain so they fight it with everything they have.
The family dynamics in this book are amazing. You get to experience strong family ties as well as broken ones in need of repair.
I struggled with other STEM stories always focusing on men being evil and the women man bashing. I really appreciate that while it is discussed and the issue of misogyny in the field is addressed that Jenna never puts blame on issues with work on her gender and she never once holds Marcus’ success against him because he is male. I love seeing him stand up for her and seeing her stand up for herself even more. This was much more successful in showing how such things should be handled than major releases aimed at STEM lovers.
Cons:
I have very few to no complaints with this story. If anything I almost wanted to see Jenna break a trail rule when she sees her first bears but that would break character terribly so it is best it didn’t happen.
ahaslb1's review
lighthearted
medium-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
3.25
lariscorrea's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I liked it.
This was a friends to lovers book about Jenna and Marcus, and I loved their relationship and how sweet Marcus was with Jenna and wanted to help her.
I loved seeing the family relationship, especially with Jenna's brothers, the scenes with all of them were always fun.
However, I think the writing style gave to many details that were not necessary, about their job and the place, that were too specific.
I also think that the conflict came to early and the story didn't have the angst we expect from a friends to lovers.
I do like the family in the book, and will be reading the books about the other brothers.
*I've received an ARC of this book, from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
This was a friends to lovers book about Jenna and Marcus, and I loved their relationship and how sweet Marcus was with Jenna and wanted to help her.
I loved seeing the family relationship, especially with Jenna's brothers, the scenes with all of them were always fun.
However, I think the writing style gave to many details that were not necessary, about their job and the place, that were too specific.
I also think that the conflict came to early and the story didn't have the angst we expect from a friends to lovers.
I do like the family in the book, and will be reading the books about the other brothers.
*I've received an ARC of this book, from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
jillkaarlela's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
Taylor Swift songs: “you are in love”!!!
everyone, stop what you’re doing and read this book NOW. This book made me feel so loved and seen and understood, I cried so many times. The MC, Jenna, has Arthritis, just like me. I have had severe/“end stage” arthritis for coming on 4 years now. This closed door Romcom had such a real representation of arthritis that it felt like the author, Meg Cousins, took some of the lines straight from my brain. I cannot count the amount of times and though, “how did she know that was exactly how I felt?” The daily struggle that comes with not only horrible mind-numbing pain, but also the fact that it’s invisible. No one around me knows the pain that I’m going through, but I still have to go through the day like everyone else. I have read one book where the MC had arthritis, but it fails in comparison to this. I highly recommend those looking for an insight to what people like me have to struggle with on a daily basis. Can I just say, Jenna is my hero. She is not only battling Arthritis with such grace, but she is a hike-loving STEM-queen. I cannot put into words how much this book meant to me. I loved everything about this book. Not only was this so healing for me, but the romance was actually the sweetest. This book is friends to lovers, closed door, and forced proximity!!! Marcus and Jenna’s relationship is the most precious thing ever, and it made my heart so full and so happy reading about them. I may or may not have cried at the end too (happy tears), which is really rare for me because I don’t cry a lot at books, but I had such a strong emotional connection to this book!! I received this book as an Ebook ARC but I WILL be buying it as soon as it comes out. There is not a single thing that I would change about this book, it is truly one in a million.
Age rating: 13+ (Adult characters put completely closed door, and no foul language)
everyone, stop what you’re doing and read this book NOW. This book made me feel so loved and seen and understood, I cried so many times. The MC, Jenna, has Arthritis, just like me. I have had severe/“end stage” arthritis for coming on 4 years now. This closed door Romcom had such a real representation of arthritis that it felt like the author, Meg Cousins, took some of the lines straight from my brain. I cannot count the amount of times and though, “how did she know that was exactly how I felt?” The daily struggle that comes with not only horrible mind-numbing pain, but also the fact that it’s invisible. No one around me knows the pain that I’m going through, but I still have to go through the day like everyone else. I have read one book where the MC had arthritis, but it fails in comparison to this. I highly recommend those looking for an insight to what people like me have to struggle with on a daily basis. Can I just say, Jenna is my hero. She is not only battling Arthritis with such grace, but she is a hike-loving STEM-queen. I cannot put into words how much this book meant to me. I loved everything about this book. Not only was this so healing for me, but the romance was actually the sweetest. This book is friends to lovers, closed door, and forced proximity!!! Marcus and Jenna’s relationship is the most precious thing ever, and it made my heart so full and so happy reading about them. I may or may not have cried at the end too (happy tears), which is really rare for me because I don’t cry a lot at books, but I had such a strong emotional connection to this book!! I received this book as an Ebook ARC but I WILL be buying it as soon as it comes out. There is not a single thing that I would change about this book, it is truly one in a million.
Age rating: 13+ (Adult characters put completely closed door, and no foul language)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness
courtsbooknook's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Thank you to Megan Cousins for sending me a copy of this book to read and review! I know this series is only two books so far but both have my entire heart. I loved Jenna and Marcus. Their friends to lovers transition was so well done and I loved how long they'd been a part of each other's lives. This can be read as a standalone, but I enjoyed seeing the cameos from book one so it helped for context. I also think that Cousins nails the real and vulnerable aspects of her characters. Learning more about arthritis and the struggles that came along with it was really interesting and I think it's important to discuss things that might be difficult sometimes. The scientific backgrounds were also really cool. I loved how strong the characters were and how they gave me so many warm and fuzzy feelings. I also think these books are structured a but differently and I enjoyed the relationship development when it was like this. Overall, I love these siblings and I'm so excited to keep reading the rest of the series!
claracavanaugh's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
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