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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
Kylie Scott is an auto-buy author for me. She's done age differences before - in [b:Lick|17983690|Lick (Stage Dive, #1)|Kylie Scott|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1421855031s/17983690.jpg|25216800], which I liked, and [b:Deep|18461986|Deep (Stage Dive, #4)|Kylie Scott|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1397676461s/18461986.jpg|26116275], which I really didn't like. This book sadly closely mirrors the latter.
I'm sorry but I find it a little bit disconcerting that a 31 year old man would be BFFs with a 16 year old girl. Other than the fact that the heroine had a teenage crush on the hero, I don't get his appeal to her at 25. The man is more hot and cold than unevenly microwaved leftover Chinese food. He has mood swings, is emotionally constipated and can't form meaningful relationships. Yet somehow she's desperate for him even after being burned over and over again. Homegirl you can do better!
And then at 80% we have to bust out thesurprise baby trope. I fucking HATE this trope when it's used to make a man-child grow up. The worst!!!1!
Kylie Scott has a weird thing with babies. Her heroines need to learn about long term birth control. IUDs are government subsidised in Australia for fucks sake.
So sadly, this one didn't work for me at all.
I'm sorry but I find it a little bit disconcerting that a 31 year old man would be BFFs with a 16 year old girl. Other than the fact that the heroine had a teenage crush on the hero, I don't get his appeal to her at 25. The man is more hot and cold than unevenly microwaved leftover Chinese food. He has mood swings, is emotionally constipated and can't form meaningful relationships. Yet somehow she's desperate for him even after being burned over and over again. Homegirl you can do better!
And then at 80% we have to bust out the
Kylie Scott has a weird thing with babies. Her heroines need to learn about long term birth control. IUDs are government subsidised in Australia for fucks sake.
So sadly, this one didn't work for me at all.
To be clear: my dislike of this book does not stem from the "forbidden" romance or the age-gap. I have no problem with either of those.
My problem is that Pete was an emotionally constipated man-child, and I have no idea what Adele saw in him. I understand that we don't always choose who we like or attracted to, but he was horrible to her. He treated her like she was 5 (or still 17), even though she was 25. And if she wanted that, then good for her, do you Adele! But she didn't! And told him repeatedly! I really, really don't understand.
Maybe if we had gotten a glimpse into what Pete was thinking, then this romance would have made more sense. But all you get from Pete is: grunting, brooding, drinking, angry sex, cold shoulders, half-assed apologies, rinse and repeat. Nooo thank you.
And the resolution was incredibly questionable.
My problem is that Pete was an emotionally constipated man-child, and I have no idea what Adele saw in him. I understand that we don't always choose who we like or attracted to, but he was horrible to her. He treated her like she was 5 (or still 17), even though she was 25. And if she wanted that, then good for her, do you Adele! But she didn't! And told him repeatedly! I really, really don't understand.
Maybe if we had gotten a glimpse into what Pete was thinking, then this romance would have made more sense. But all you get from Pete is: grunting, brooding, drinking, angry sex, cold shoulders, half-assed apologies, rinse and repeat. Nooo thank you.
And the resolution was incredibly questionable.
I really didn't enjoy this book. I tried, and it just wasn't good.
The age gap was too big at too young of an age for the h. Seriously, it was repeated that they were best friends, but what does a 16 yr old girl have in common with a 31 year old man?
So the Dad catches her exposing herself and throwing herself at the H, hits him, then becomes H's new best friend and business parter. Then, 7 years later lets the h stay at the H's house instead of cleaning off the couch or the guest room. Oh, and the H is mad at the h for some stupid reason.
It just didn't add up.
Add to this the excessive amount of sarcasm and one liners from the h.
It's sad, because I used to really like this author's books, and I'd really like to again, but something's changed.
The age gap was too big at too young of an age for the h. Seriously, it was repeated that they were best friends, but what does a 16 yr old girl have in common with a 31 year old man?
So the Dad catches her exposing herself and throwing herself at the H, hits him, then becomes H's new best friend and business parter. Then, 7 years later lets the h stay at the H's house instead of cleaning off the couch or the guest room. Oh, and the H is mad at the h for some stupid reason.
It just didn't add up.
Add to this the excessive amount of sarcasm and one liners from the h.
It's sad, because I used to really like this author's books, and I'd really like to again, but something's changed.
Kylie Scott is, hands down, one of the authors I like that have most improved/grown since I started reading her books. I really enjoyed it and it charts over 4.5 stars for me, but not quite 5 stars. Though, I have to say, she mashed together my favourite trope (one I'm suuuuch nitpicky about) and the one other trope I HATE, and I finished this book. Yep, I finished and quite enjoyed the ride. Good, fleshed out characters go a long way.
The H coud have groveled SO much more, though. SO much more.
The greatest truth of this book, however: BTS IS important to everyone. EVERYONE.
#TheAnswerIsComing
The H coud have groveled SO much more, though. SO much more.
The greatest truth of this book, however: BTS IS important to everyone. EVERYONE.
#TheAnswerIsComing
If Pete had been in love with Adele the whole time, this situation would have made sense. He's a heterosexual man in his early 30s and his best friend is a 16-year-old girl; he'd better be crushing his heterosexual interests in a little ball in the pit of his soul or the situation is even weirder. Also, when they were respectively 17 and 32, were they telling people they were best friends? She was, but was he??? Then, when she's all of age and sexy-tempting, why does he insist he only fell in love with her several days after they banged it out on the kitchen floor? Pete and Adele need to be together because they both have a fetish for boinking on hard surfaces.
This book is thoroughly Australian but Andi Arndt doesn't even bother trying to do an Australian accent, which is a pity because her Wesconian accent is perfect. Love her, even if this book was meh.
This book is thoroughly Australian but Andi Arndt doesn't even bother trying to do an Australian accent, which is a pity because her Wesconian accent is perfect. Love her, even if this book was meh.
It wasnt as great as I expected. It had some surprising things I did like though
One word to describe it is Steamy
This is the taste of romance book of the month. It a book club where a different author gives a free book which would be read and discussed at the end of the month
I usually have issues with books that have relationships with such a tremendous age gap but this one was done well enough.
I wasnt exactly blown away and it wasnt really a new idea but I did enjoy it
This is the taste of romance book of the month. It a book club where a different author gives a free book which would be read and discussed at the end of the month
I usually have issues with books that have relationships with such a tremendous age gap but this one was done well enough.
I wasnt exactly blown away and it wasnt really a new idea but I did enjoy it
This was hilarious, addicting, cheesy, a whirlwind, and I loved every moment of it!
Happy reading!
Happy reading!
Adele’s dad runs his own construction company out in Queensland, Australia and she goes to stay with him for the summer every year after her parents’ less than amicable divorce. One summer, when she’s in town, she meets Pete, who works with her dad at his construction company and well, she’s 16 and he’s 31, so let’s not go there...yet.
They develop a friendship that flourishes over time and she falls in love with him, to predictably disastrous results. When things go to hell in a handbasket, it goes so badly that she literally goes all the way to Sydney, only to return to town for her dad’s wedding... 7 years later. She’s got some life (and relationship) experience under her belt, but you never forget your first love and you guessed it, the friendship (and feelings) that Adele had for Pete (and Pete for Adele?) spark to life, deepen and yes, romance happens.
The Good
Lawd, this is just what I needed this weekend. I was on abad slide with some less than impressive reads, but this book? Yes BookJeezus, YES.
I mean, it’s got the mix of heat, feels and humor that that I expect from Ms. Scott, but add in that age gap that rides that “forbidden love” edge?
I devoured this thing like it was a Ritz cracker after a 30 day fast.
The story is split between the past and the present, and a good balance is struck between the titillation of that big age gap, without crossing the line into creepster. I loved the setting in Australia and I could almost hear their accents in my ear as I read this, which I adored. The way the story’s structured really made sense and Ms. Scott’s writing style is fun and witty with good command of sexy and emotional scenes, so I think she really did well in conveying their connection and making me understand how they could be friends, and then eventually, more. Adele and Pete’s friendship is built on the page, and allows the reader to understand how these two grew so close and why it was destined to break down so badly.
This is told strictly from Adele’s POV, but she’s a strong character who is believably young, yet surprisingly mature with a healthy dose of self-deprecation that makes her easy to empathize and connect with. Their Firsts are smoking, and Ms. Scott works their chemistry while keeping me happily rooting for them to work it out. I mean, I was right there…
The (Mildly) Bad(ish)
I was sooooo close to a five star rating. I really was. Then the story breaks down a little towards the end, and there’s a big moment where I was hoping for something more from Pete that would have set this whole story over the top....but it doesn't happen. And yes, the Price is Right horn played in my head. *shrugs*
Ok yes, while I think Ms. Scott’s command of the first person narrative is pretty damn strong, I was still hungering for just a little bit of time in Pete’s head to give some hint of his thought process, especially during that breakdown.
Everything in Between
There is a little diversity (Shanti kicks ass!), but it doesn't really matter since the relationships outside of the main romance are there strictly to propel the story. It’s a quick read though and it wraps up how I was hoping it would, so overall I still closed my kindle with a smile.
Adele and Pete’s romance was the perfect way for me to while away my Sunday and I enjoyed this little slice of forbidden love. If you’re into a character driven, humorous romance featuring a big age gap between your hero and heroine, I happily recommend this.
**ARC provided by publisher via InkslingerPR for review**
For more reviews, visit
They develop a friendship that flourishes over time and she falls in love with him, to predictably disastrous results. When things go to hell in a handbasket, it goes so badly that she literally goes all the way to Sydney, only to return to town for her dad’s wedding... 7 years later. She’s got some life (and relationship) experience under her belt, but you never forget your first love and you guessed it, the friendship (and feelings) that Adele had for Pete (and Pete for Adele?) spark to life, deepen and yes, romance happens.
The Good
Lawd, this is just what I needed this weekend. I was on abad slide with some less than impressive reads, but this book? Yes BookJeezus, YES.
I mean, it’s got the mix of heat, feels and humor that that I expect from Ms. Scott, but add in that age gap that rides that “forbidden love” edge?
I devoured this thing like it was a Ritz cracker after a 30 day fast.
The story is split between the past and the present, and a good balance is struck between the titillation of that big age gap, without crossing the line into creepster. I loved the setting in Australia and I could almost hear their accents in my ear as I read this, which I adored. The way the story’s structured really made sense and Ms. Scott’s writing style is fun and witty with good command of sexy and emotional scenes, so I think she really did well in conveying their connection and making me understand how they could be friends, and then eventually, more. Adele and Pete’s friendship is built on the page, and allows the reader to understand how these two grew so close and why it was destined to break down so badly.
This is told strictly from Adele’s POV, but she’s a strong character who is believably young, yet surprisingly mature with a healthy dose of self-deprecation that makes her easy to empathize and connect with. Their Firsts are smoking, and Ms. Scott works their chemistry while keeping me happily rooting for them to work it out. I mean, I was right there…
The (Mildly) Bad(ish)
I was sooooo close to a five star rating. I really was. Then the story breaks down a little towards the end, and there’s a big moment where I was hoping for something more from Pete that would have set this whole story over the top....but it doesn't happen. And yes, the Price is Right horn played in my head. *shrugs*
Ok yes, while I think Ms. Scott’s command of the first person narrative is pretty damn strong, I was still hungering for just a little bit of time in Pete’s head to give some hint of his thought process, especially during that breakdown.
Everything in Between
There is a little diversity (Shanti kicks ass!), but it doesn't really matter since the relationships outside of the main romance are there strictly to propel the story. It’s a quick read though and it wraps up how I was hoping it would, so overall I still closed my kindle with a smile.
Adele and Pete’s romance was the perfect way for me to while away my Sunday and I enjoyed this little slice of forbidden love. If you’re into a character driven, humorous romance featuring a big age gap between your hero and heroine, I happily recommend this.
**ARC provided by publisher via InkslingerPR for review**
For more reviews, visit