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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I dunno, this book was weird. First off, the use of "ex husband" in the book blurb was incredibly misleading. You do not refer to your dead husband as you ex, even if he did cheat on you . That was a rough premise to start the book from... I absolutely can see how someone would respond exactly like Gemma did, but I still kinda hated it. (That climax with the letters from Gemma's husband - of the exact same thing written to Gemma and the woman he was having an affair with was fuckin brutal)
Most of the time I liked Gemma and Zach... I liked their chemistry and them falling for each other was compelling. But sometimes the doubts they had felt out of place with all the other signals. I guess that is how gunshy hurt people second-guess themselves and their senses.
The whole book kinda felt like it was just hitting plot points and it wasn'tever fully weaved together. Can't really describe it. It was serious at times, but also cheesy in ways that felt abrupt comparatively (e.g.orgasming at the same time as a touchdown, Zach arguing for the validity of Silver Linings Playbook, proposal at halftime on the field ... It was also unbalanced in how progressive it was vs. not. Like, Zach was very self reflective about whether he was crossing Gemma's boundaries and being too pushy... and the book was pro therapy and pro men talking about their feelings. But then it also sorta shoe-horned it's pro military position in like it just needed to check a box. Then there were a number of sexualizing women jokes, which is very believable, but weird juxtaposed to the anti-toxic masculinity "embrace your emotions" messages. There were also a couple slurs in there (g***ed) - it is a lesser know slur in the US so I can give some grace to the author for ignorance, but it still was jarring.
Initially I was going to rate this as a 3 ⭐️, but in writing this review I think that's too high so dropping down to 2.75... it wasn't bad, I just don't think I'd say I liked it.
Most of the time I liked Gemma and Zach... I liked their chemistry and them falling for each other was compelling. But sometimes the doubts they had felt out of place with all the other signals. I guess that is how gunshy hurt people second-guess themselves and their senses.
The whole book kinda felt like it was just hitting plot points and it wasn'tever fully weaved together. Can't really describe it. It was serious at times, but also cheesy in ways that felt abrupt comparatively (e.g.
Initially I was going to rate this as a 3 ⭐️, but in writing this review I think that's too high so dropping down to 2.75... it wasn't bad, I just don't think I'd say I liked it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Infidelity, Sexual content
Moderate: Death
Ok this book was cute! I liked the idea of it, the storyline. I liked the characters. Zach Bowen can take me to a game and I would wear a hot dog costume for him because dang
I could barely put this story down! It was a really heartwarming romance. Gemma and Zach are definitely one of my favorite book couples! I loved watching Gemma finally accept Zach’s advances! AND GEMMA’S HUSBAND??? Oh my gosh I was so freaking mad. I’m so glad she finally got the love she deserved!
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a book I really needed to read right now. During the whole time I read it I had a smile on my face and I couldn't put it down.
The story and the characters are so funny and sweet, but yet it also has such depth about understanding and moving on with your life from heartbreak and betrayal. I just loved how it all mixed together and resulted in a wonderful book that I probably will reread in the near future whenever I want to dive into a fun, charming love story.
I just have to mention Zach. Oh my god how sweet, understanding and swoony isn't he?!
I adore him!! Honestly, he was the highlight of the book. Gemma is a character I can find parts of myself in, especially regarding all her lists and goals. It reminds me so much of myself and I could easily connect with her anxiety over things she can't control. Other than the main characters, I loved Belle and Micah, who were hilarious and made me laugh out loud several times.
The story and the characters are so funny and sweet, but yet it also has such depth about understanding and moving on with your life from heartbreak and betrayal. I just loved how it all mixed together and resulted in a wonderful book that I probably will reread in the near future whenever I want to dive into a fun, charming love story.
I just have to mention Zach. Oh my god how sweet, understanding and swoony isn't he?!
I adore him!! Honestly, he was the highlight of the book. Gemma is a character I can find parts of myself in, especially regarding all her lists and goals. It reminds me so much of myself and I could easily connect with her anxiety over things she can't control. Other than the main characters, I loved Belle and Micah, who were hilarious and made me laugh out loud several times.
Don't you just hate it when you get the perfect hero and the whole book is ruined by the extremely annoying heroine who won't stop toying with him and whining. It ruined the story for me. I didn't want them to end up together. He deserved better.
2 Stars
4 Chili Peppers
Oooph. I didn’t connect with the characters enough. There was no investment for me. I actually found myself skipping through pages to jump ahead, later realizing that nothing happened enough to even warrant back tracking. - not a good sign for the plot.
Even when the climax hit with meeting her ex-mother in law… which is such a shame because there were some super cute and great moments throughout the first 45% of the book. Then it just fell flat.
This one wasn’t for me but I’m not gonna give up on the author. I def will pick up another book to see if this was just a fluke.
If you’re looking for spice tho. This one has a few goods ones!
4 Chili Peppers
Oooph. I didn’t connect with the characters enough. There was no investment for me. I actually found myself skipping through pages to jump ahead, later realizing that nothing happened enough to even warrant back tracking. - not a good sign for the plot.
Even when the climax hit with meeting her ex-mother in law… which is such a shame because there were some super cute and great moments throughout the first 45% of the book. Then it just fell flat.
This one wasn’t for me but I’m not gonna give up on the author. I def will pick up another book to see if this was just a fluke.
If you’re looking for spice tho. This one has a few goods ones!
This book was cute, I loved the football element to it, however I enjoy sports romances more when one of them actually plays a sport. I definitely enjoyed it and I loved seeing them both open up and finally fall in love again after they were both hurt in so many ways. It was heartbreaking to hear what they both went to but it was great to see them find the love they deserve. They are both so cute and I love the fact that Zach is a proper romantic. The ending was adorable and I loved that he proposed on the field! Would recommend.
This was a cute book. It was steamy and easy to read. The characters had fun banter and the plot was somewhat original. Even though Melanie was irritating at times, her backstory was fully developed and her irritating-ness made sense.
It was a good little contemporary romance.
It was a good little contemporary romance.
Sweet, wonderful story
I got all the feels reading this book. I couldn't put it down once I started. Definitely recommend this one!
I got all the feels reading this book. I couldn't put it down once I started. Definitely recommend this one!