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megkstyler's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was engaging from the very beginning, so much so I pretty much read it in one sitting. I’m not usually a fan of third person writing style. It makes it sometimes hard for me to connect to the story and find it distracting. Especially when you get many different points of views. I didn’t have that problem with this book at all. This is a book that shows that sometimes the people you can count on the most and call family are the people you choose, with some surprises along the way. I would definitely recommend this book!
Received an arc for an honest review
Received an arc for an honest review
books_and_a_cuppa's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
lisastein's review against another edition
4.0
3 1/2 stars.
Fun, fast read. Jill Shalvis never disappoints. I need to check to see what I have and haven't read in this series.
Fun, fast read. Jill Shalvis never disappoints. I need to check to see what I have and haven't read in this series.
danielleoleary's review
3.0
A good get back into reading book. Good story but the writing made it a little difficult to tell the point of view at any given time.
sierraslaughter's review
3.5
This book was a quick read which I desperately needed. Didn’t feel too connected to any of the characters or relationships but I really like how often people had to apologize and work through issues it wasn’t all flowers and rainbows.
the_clavicule_of_ac's review against another edition
3.0
3.25 ⭐️
Brynn Turner & Kinsey Davis are longtime summer camp frenemies. Brynn just returned home to Wildstone, CA looking for a fresh start. Kinsey has been living with kidney failure just trying to survive one day to the next. But when Brynn’s longtime crush, Eli, offers her a room to rent in his house - where Kinsey just happens to live- things are bound to get dicey. Especially since Kinsey has a secret. She has a sister. And it’s Brynn.
Three themes are woven through this story. We have the idea that families are not one size fit all, but come in many different forms. The idea that someone can be loved despite their faults and imperfections. And last, secrets can’t keep friends. A secret always has a way of coming out. Brynn is trying to assert herself and learn who she can, and should, trust. Kinsey is trying to get over her fears and let people in. Eli is trying to love and save everyone. All of the perfectly imperfect characters in this story felt authentic, and the relationships- though rushed- felt real. I especially loved Brynn’s quirky and sweet two moms.
Each chapter starts with a journal entry from Brynn and Kinsey’s time at summer camp, which I found to be a cute way to get to know the ladies and Eli of the past.
All of the pieces of this sweet story of romance and family dynamics fell together almost too easily, with little drama, and though predictable, with an ending that felt rushed with some things in the story just forgotten, it was still a light and refreshing read.
Brynn Turner & Kinsey Davis are longtime summer camp frenemies. Brynn just returned home to Wildstone, CA looking for a fresh start. Kinsey has been living with kidney failure just trying to survive one day to the next. But when Brynn’s longtime crush, Eli, offers her a room to rent in his house - where Kinsey just happens to live- things are bound to get dicey. Especially since Kinsey has a secret. She has a sister. And it’s Brynn.
Three themes are woven through this story. We have the idea that families are not one size fit all, but come in many different forms. The idea that someone can be loved despite their faults and imperfections. And last, secrets can’t keep friends. A secret always has a way of coming out. Brynn is trying to assert herself and learn who she can, and should, trust. Kinsey is trying to get over her fears and let people in. Eli is trying to love and save everyone. All of the perfectly imperfect characters in this story felt authentic, and the relationships- though rushed- felt real. I especially loved Brynn’s quirky and sweet two moms.
Each chapter starts with a journal entry from Brynn and Kinsey’s time at summer camp, which I found to be a cute way to get to know the ladies and Eli of the past.
All of the pieces of this sweet story of romance and family dynamics fell together almost too easily, with little drama, and though predictable, with an ending that felt rushed with some things in the story just forgotten, it was still a light and refreshing read.
lamullikin14's review against another edition
3.0
Audio was definitely the way to go and was an interesting turn of events. Some wit and banter and bringing these frenemies together over circumstances. Wildstone is a great time.
allingoodtime's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I renewed this book from the library so many times and kept forgetting to actually read the darn thing before I’d have to take it back. Then, I was lucky enough to get an eARC of the next full-length book in this series and, although there really isn’t crossover and the books in the Wildstone series can truly be read as standalones, I knew I had to get cracking. I have some idiosyncrasies, like everyone else, and one of mine is the inability to skip books in a series. Here I was, still far down the list for my e-library, with a big hardcover copy waiting for me. Ever since I started wearing reading glasses, it’s really a lot harder for me to find the time to read paper books. I tend to read in bed a lot. So it says a ton about this book that I was able to read it so quickly. Usually, even when I love a story, I just don’t have the time to dedicate to getting it read. Especially coming up on Christmas!
In case you didn’t get the gist from the above paragraph, I really enjoyed this book. All of the characters were wonderful and had me rooting for them. Even Kinsey, who I wanted to dislike. Really, I did. To be fair, there were things she did I didn’t like. And moments I wanted to scream at her. But as a human being, I couldn’t dislike Kinsey. She had her reasons for doing the things she did, even the terribly witchy things.
Brynn and Eli have great chemistry. I love the way they reconnect and the hoops Brynn jumps through in order to seem so chill and laid back when it comes to her memories of Eli. Brynn has amazing parents but has a hard time really setting boundaries with her moms. Sure, they are pushy and smothering to their only child and have a hard time giving her the space she needs. Brynn is such a pleaser that she just doesn’t speak up as often as she should. In her mind, if her moms are wonderful people and so loving, how can that be a bad thing? Even if it’s holding her back, or even hurting her in a way.
Like I said, this series really has a bunch of stand-alone books that happen to touch on the same small town in California. But I’d love to see more with Eli’s brother. I adore Eli and how hard he works to protect those he considers his. His brother, Kinsey, and even Brynn. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t been hurt and that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his own issues. Eli’s issues are deep and festering. With Brynn, those wounds have to be allowed to come to the surface before either of them can truly find their happiness.
As usual, Jill Shalvis has given us a heartwarming and funny tale with lots of chemistry. Both romantic and familial chemistry.
One last quick note, because it’s something I’ve been noticing happening more and more lately. I love the cover of this book, but it really doesn’t fit with this story at all. The three main characters went to summer camp together for a few years, but the scene depicted is not something that would have been their truth. I know the job of the cover is to get the reader to pick up the book, but it’s just curious to me when the covers are so off from the story. At least, in my opinion.
You can find more of my reviews, from this author and others, at All In Good Time.
I renewed this book from the library so many times and kept forgetting to actually read the darn thing before I’d have to take it back. Then, I was lucky enough to get an eARC of the next full-length book in this series and, although there really isn’t crossover and the books in the Wildstone series can truly be read as standalones, I knew I had to get cracking. I have some idiosyncrasies, like everyone else, and one of mine is the inability to skip books in a series. Here I was, still far down the list for my e-library, with a big hardcover copy waiting for me. Ever since I started wearing reading glasses, it’s really a lot harder for me to find the time to read paper books. I tend to read in bed a lot. So it says a ton about this book that I was able to read it so quickly. Usually, even when I love a story, I just don’t have the time to dedicate to getting it read. Especially coming up on Christmas!
In case you didn’t get the gist from the above paragraph, I really enjoyed this book. All of the characters were wonderful and had me rooting for them. Even Kinsey, who I wanted to dislike. Really, I did. To be fair, there were things she did I didn’t like. And moments I wanted to scream at her. But as a human being, I couldn’t dislike Kinsey. She had her reasons for doing the things she did, even the terribly witchy things.
Brynn and Eli have great chemistry. I love the way they reconnect and the hoops Brynn jumps through in order to seem so chill and laid back when it comes to her memories of Eli. Brynn has amazing parents but has a hard time really setting boundaries with her moms. Sure, they are pushy and smothering to their only child and have a hard time giving her the space she needs. Brynn is such a pleaser that she just doesn’t speak up as often as she should. In her mind, if her moms are wonderful people and so loving, how can that be a bad thing? Even if it’s holding her back, or even hurting her in a way.
Like I said, this series really has a bunch of stand-alone books that happen to touch on the same small town in California. But I’d love to see more with Eli’s brother. I adore Eli and how hard he works to protect those he considers his. His brother, Kinsey, and even Brynn. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t been hurt and that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his own issues. Eli’s issues are deep and festering. With Brynn, those wounds have to be allowed to come to the surface before either of them can truly find their happiness.
As usual, Jill Shalvis has given us a heartwarming and funny tale with lots of chemistry. Both romantic and familial chemistry.
One last quick note, because it’s something I’ve been noticing happening more and more lately. I love the cover of this book, but it really doesn’t fit with this story at all. The three main characters went to summer camp together for a few years, but the scene depicted is not something that would have been their truth. I know the job of the cover is to get the reader to pick up the book, but it’s just curious to me when the covers are so off from the story. At least, in my opinion.
You can find more of my reviews, from this author and others, at All In Good Time.
rebeccagatzlaff's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
For him, family and a sense of belonging came from where he made the, which was why he'd gathered Max and Kinsey here, with him. But if he was being honest with himself, there was still a part of him that secretly yearned... to be the one picked.
rachnreads's review
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0