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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
I'm a big fan of enemies to lovers, and I've had this one on my radar for a while. So yay! I finally got to it! It definitely had some laugh-out-loud moments and some adorable moments, and I loved how David and Isa complement each other. Their trip to Peru was so great, and I wish there was more of it instead of going back to Kansas so soon.
I didn't really connect with the side stories and all the family stuff going on, and I kinda wish it was more focused on just our leading couple. If I'm reading a romcom, I want them to be together in as many scenes as possible and not have so many scenes with them apart and talking about each other to other people. That said, I still loved the overall feel and flow of this book.
One thing keeping me from a five-star review was how fast everything happens. It wasn't insta-love by any means, but it was just fast... It wasn't rushed (well the ending kinda was), but things just go quickly. Don't know if that makes sense haha.
Plus, there were moments with too much detail. This isn't a direct quote, but there were quite a few moments like this: "I put on a light purple tank top and matched it with a pair of my favorite white shorts. Then, I added some pink lip gloss to my plump lips and brushed out my long, dark brown locks." And it went on like that several times. If a story is told in first-person (as was this), I think those details are a bit much... I don't go around monologuing to myself what I'm wearing and describing my own features to myself. Since this story is told in first-person, we get to be in the characters' heads, and reading all those details seems... unnatural, you know? It threw me off.
Anyway, I've said a lot. This is a super cute story and a fun read. Might not make it to the top of the top of my faves, but it was pleasant enough to merit a solid four stars.
Content
Minor swearing throughout (d--n, a-s, s--t, h--l) and nothing more than kisses, but there is some mild innuendo and suggestiveness.
I didn't really connect with the side stories and all the family stuff going on, and I kinda wish it was more focused on just our leading couple. If I'm reading a romcom, I want them to be together in as many scenes as possible and not have so many scenes with them apart and talking about each other to other people. That said, I still loved the overall feel and flow of this book.
One thing keeping me from a five-star review was how fast everything happens. It wasn't insta-love by any means, but it was just fast... It wasn't rushed (well the ending kinda was), but things just go quickly. Don't know if that makes sense haha.
Plus, there were moments with too much detail. This isn't a direct quote, but there were quite a few moments like this: "I put on a light purple tank top and matched it with a pair of my favorite white shorts. Then, I added some pink lip gloss to my plump lips and brushed out my long, dark brown locks." And it went on like that several times. If a story is told in first-person (as was this), I think those details are a bit much... I don't go around monologuing to myself what I'm wearing and describing my own features to myself. Since this story is told in first-person, we get to be in the characters' heads, and reading all those details seems... unnatural, you know? It threw me off.
Anyway, I've said a lot. This is a super cute story and a fun read. Might not make it to the top of the top of my faves, but it was pleasant enough to merit a solid four stars.
Content
Minor swearing throughout (d--n, a-s, s--t, h--l) and nothing more than kisses, but there is some mild innuendo and suggestiveness.
funny
lighthearted
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I really liked the tropes in this book (grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, one bed kind of). Though, I do think the romance was rushed. I feel like because of how much they rushed through their relationship (only going on one date before getting engaged and getting married the day after getting engaged) it is unrealistic to think that they would stay together in the long run but what do I know? I also noticed a few grammatical errors/typos that kind of bothered me. Overall, I liked this book but not as much as the first two in this series.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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:
Complicated
lighthearted
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes
The third book in the Under Kansas Skies series, Check Mate is a story of enemies-to-lovers between a grump and a sunshine.
David Windell is the grump, organised, typical A person, while Isabella Romero is his exact opposite; living for the moment, loving adventures, animals, and travelling. The two of them are neighbours and they love pranking each other. David decides to be spontaneous for once in his life and joins an excursion in Machu Picchu. However, what he didn't expect is to see Isabelle in the same trip. During this trip, they get to know each other more. And, this is enough. Even though, the two of them are complete opposites, they somehow click.
There are some great rom-com moments, some nice images, and I really couldn't wait for David's story, since you see him in the previous books as well. I just felt that I needed a bit more. The second part of the book felt a bit rushed and I would like to see more from the evolution of their love.
It is a fun book, but not my favourite so far in the series.
David Windell is the grump, organised, typical A person, while Isabella Romero is his exact opposite; living for the moment, loving adventures, animals, and travelling. The two of them are neighbours and they love pranking each other. David decides to be spontaneous for once in his life and joins an excursion in Machu Picchu. However, what he didn't expect is to see Isabelle in the same trip. During this trip, they get to know each other more. And, this is enough. Even though, the two of them are complete opposites, they somehow click.
There are some great rom-com moments, some nice images, and I really couldn't wait for David's story, since you see him in the previous books as well. I just felt that I needed a bit more. The second part of the book felt a bit rushed and I would like to see more from the evolution of their love.
It is a fun book, but not my favourite so far in the series.
I am in love with the Windell family. David feels like the odd duck in the family. He is boring and predictable, likes planning and organizing, and is an introvert. His neighbor, Isabella, is the totally opposite: spontaneous, adventurous, and disorganized. The pranks they pull on each other at the beginning are hilarious. After making a bet with his brother, David finds himself on the same foreign adventure with Isabella. They are forced to sleep in the same tent and they can’t help their attraction. I loved the llamas, Mo the cat, and both families.
Clean romance with kisses and minimal swearing
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy!
Clean romance with kisses and minimal swearing
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy!
This book is a cute, contemporary take on the enemies to lovers trope. Because it is contemporary, the enemies part is a stretch but David and Isabella definitely have it out for each other in the beginning as they prank each other mercilessly so I think it fits.
I knew David had to be a secret cinnamon roll as we have gotten to know him in the other Windell family books and boy was I right. I loved the tender moments between him and Isabella - Comforting her during a storm, supporting her dream even if it meant losing her in his life and of course, his secret love for her pesky cat!
As the story progressed, I was afraid miscommunication (which I really hate) would enter the picture but it didn’t and the defining the relationship part was well done.
The ending was over the top with swoony gestures and I loved it. I still am really enjoying the Windell Family and am looking forward to Brooks’ story in Cabin Mate.
Romantic Content: Kisses
I knew David had to be a secret cinnamon roll as we have gotten to know him in the other Windell family books and boy was I right. I loved the tender moments between him and Isabella - Comforting her during a storm, supporting her dream even if it meant losing her in his life and of course, his secret love for her pesky cat!
As the story progressed, I was afraid miscommunication (which I really hate) would enter the picture but it didn’t and the defining the relationship part was well done.
The ending was over the top with swoony gestures and I loved it. I still am really enjoying the Windell Family and am looking forward to Brooks’ story in Cabin Mate.
Romantic Content: Kisses