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readlovereviewblog's review against another edition
4.0
This book isn't your typical contemporary romance; the storyline delves into book lovers and quirky characters. Lacey is scared of love; she has a regrettable history of rejection and shies away from being close to anyone until she meets Beckett; his tall, dark, broody, but sensitive nerdy guy personality wins you over very quickly. The author plays with role reversal in this opposites attract millionaire romance. This book is steamy, heartbreaking, and sometimes just interesting enough to keep you turning pages. I enjoyed the story and loved the ending.
This story intrigued me from the blurb, but when it opened, I needed clarification about the book's format. Instead of a prologue, we get book recommendations. While I admire the thoughts and suggestions, these are better suited for the end of the book, especially if they have nothing to do with the story.
As I read the book, the reviews make more sense as it is one of the main character's jobs. Lacey Donovan is a bookworm who loves coffee and a few simple things in life. She is a tatted-up dog whisper who likes to move around a lot and experience all sorts of things. A chance meeting with a doggy icebreaker at a park leads us into this storyline.
Apparently, her mantra of "book boyfriends are much better than the real thing "is blown out of the water when she meets Beckett. He is tall, dark, and broody and gets her pheromones dancing. Her book club is comical. This book is from her pov mostly.
I find it comical the big sexy Beckett is also a nerd just a little. He is all grumpy, broody, and hot as hell. Beckett is more than meets the eye, but you must get past the exterior to find out more about him. I like that the author has a quirky female and an equally profound male character. This book speaks to the bibliophile and authors with characters that we can relate to.
So this book is complicated for them both, but I appreciated Beckett making an effort. The book reviews on the story make much more sense now. Beckett is definitely swoony when he is trying too hard. This book gets steamy with lust overriding their brains; they can't help but satisfy their carnal desires. Will Beckett make her believe in love again and risk her heart?
The ending of this book was sweet, and I enjoyed the storyline. I do enjoy the twist the author throws into this story. I find the role reversal in this romance intriguing. I like how open Beckett is and how easily he communicates later in the story. Lacey, on the hand, it is heartbreaking to watch her stumble threw this whirlwind romance and deny her own feelings.
This story intrigued me from the blurb, but when it opened, I needed clarification about the book's format. Instead of a prologue, we get book recommendations. While I admire the thoughts and suggestions, these are better suited for the end of the book, especially if they have nothing to do with the story.
As I read the book, the reviews make more sense as it is one of the main character's jobs. Lacey Donovan is a bookworm who loves coffee and a few simple things in life. She is a tatted-up dog whisper who likes to move around a lot and experience all sorts of things. A chance meeting with a doggy icebreaker at a park leads us into this storyline.
Apparently, her mantra of "book boyfriends are much better than the real thing "is blown out of the water when she meets Beckett. He is tall, dark, and broody and gets her pheromones dancing. Her book club is comical. This book is from her pov mostly.
I find it comical the big sexy Beckett is also a nerd just a little. He is all grumpy, broody, and hot as hell. Beckett is more than meets the eye, but you must get past the exterior to find out more about him. I like that the author has a quirky female and an equally profound male character. This book speaks to the bibliophile and authors with characters that we can relate to.
So this book is complicated for them both, but I appreciated Beckett making an effort. The book reviews on the story make much more sense now. Beckett is definitely swoony when he is trying too hard. This book gets steamy with lust overriding their brains; they can't help but satisfy their carnal desires. Will Beckett make her believe in love again and risk her heart?
The ending of this book was sweet, and I enjoyed the storyline. I do enjoy the twist the author throws into this story. I find the role reversal in this romance intriguing. I like how open Beckett is and how easily he communicates later in the story. Lacey, on the hand, it is heartbreaking to watch her stumble threw this whirlwind romance and deny her own feelings.
elbow1227's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to Jill Brashear for allowing me to read a copy of this book. The reviews from Lacey and the mixed media at points throughout this book was such a nice touch. And Beckett's personality was so wholesome, and he was just a perfect match for Lacey. The story was amazing, although I would go into this book with caution because there is a topic that is covered that may be triggering to some readers. I cannot wait to read more from Jill Brashear in the future.
rcrg's review
3.0
This was a sweet small town love story. I enjoyed the characters and the relationships they formed. However, I did feel Lacey's betrayal would have caused a bigger problem then it did in this book. That might have been a deal breaker for me. And no it wasn't cheating for all those who get all crazy with the C- word.
dontbechey20's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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? No
5.0
chelsss_ann's review
3.5
Ok, so a little while back, I posted a review about Blue Collar Crush. I didn't love it as a standalone, but it got me so amped up to read the series it was a novella for. It was a prequel for an ARC I have, Sincerely, Thatcher Hayes, but I knew I needed to start this series from the beginning before it hit my Kindle. Well, I didn't start it before it hit my Kindle, but I have flown through the first book in the Blue Ridge Book Club series, Love, Lacey Donovan (and the second book, because I started it on a flight and have already half of it).
So we have a spitfire FMC who doesn't believe in love outside of her romance novels. And then we have Beckett, who is all work and no fun, supposedly. The two are thrown together when Lacey finds the dog Beckett's sister has adopted has destroyed his house and she blames Beckett. She finds him working out to give her a piece of his mind, but all she can think of is she wants a piece of him. Anyways, they end up bonding over books and Lacey finds herself falling for Beckett. And there's a twist I did not see coming, but I'll leave that for you to read and find out.
Anyways, I loved the characters in this book and that each main character of each book in the series is part of a close-knit book club. And Jill Brashear's writing just grabs your attention from the get go and keeps you reined in. And while I did find Lacey's lamenting about how love doesn't exist in real life a bit too much sometimes, I enjoyed how the romance between her and Beckett was fast-paced but also believable and real. They communicated and realized that love comes with ups and down and being vulnerable.
I really liked this book, but I'm loving the second one in the series, XOXO, Valentina. You get a bit of glimpse into what her story is about toward the end of Love, Lacey Donovan and it just leads so well into the second book. I'm flying through these books, so I'll probably be writing a review on XOXO, Valentina by tomorrow!
So we have a spitfire FMC who doesn't believe in love outside of her romance novels. And then we have Beckett, who is all work and no fun, supposedly. The two are thrown together when Lacey finds the dog Beckett's sister has adopted has destroyed his house and she blames Beckett. She finds him working out to give her a piece of his mind, but all she can think of is she wants a piece of him. Anyways, they end up bonding over books and Lacey finds herself falling for Beckett. And there's a twist I did not see coming, but I'll leave that for you to read and find out.
Anyways, I loved the characters in this book and that each main character of each book in the series is part of a close-knit book club. And Jill Brashear's writing just grabs your attention from the get go and keeps you reined in. And while I did find Lacey's lamenting about how love doesn't exist in real life a bit too much sometimes, I enjoyed how the romance between her and Beckett was fast-paced but also believable and real. They communicated and realized that love comes with ups and down and being vulnerable.
I really liked this book, but I'm loving the second one in the series, XOXO, Valentina. You get a bit of glimpse into what her story is about toward the end of Love, Lacey Donovan and it just leads so well into the second book. I'm flying through these books, so I'll probably be writing a review on XOXO, Valentina by tomorrow!
merrycain's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book but most of the book I found myself looking forward to the end. Maybe it’s just me.
bookdrgn's review against another edition
5.0
I was so stoked to get an ARC of this from the author. I mean, really, book boyfriends are the bomb and do make regular guys we encounter seem lacking. But isn’t that part of the reason we love romance novels?
I love Lacey Donovan. The book reviews by Lacey give readers insight into Lacey’s sharp mind and witty personality. She has a love affair with matching lingerie sets, books, and dogs. She doesn’t lack for quirks. Scarred by a young heartbreak, she finds her solace in the men between the pages of books. She’s understandably wrapped her broken heart around her like a protective cage and only gives it to fictional characters. She doesn’t get close to people, even the friends she’s made in Mossy Point, and is always prepared to run again. I wonder if some closure from her ex would help. The end of their relationship came via a third party who admittedly didn’t like Lacey. Maybe it would help her to hear it from the horse's mouth so to speak, even all these years later.
I can’t believe her father is making her pay him back for the money he chose to spend on her education. I really wish she’d stood up to him and told him to shove it, even more if we’d got the read that scene.
Lacey’s penchant for authentic, honest living is admirable except when she judges others for their use of pen names or not wanting to keep things private. It’s contradictory to her run away from life when it gets too serious nature. It’s one flaw in her character that both adds to her overall realism and frustrated me into wanting to shake her and tell her to stop judging others for choices she wouldn’t make for herself because she doesn’t walk in their shoes.
This book made me laugh out loud and feel for these characters
I love Beckett’s limericks and Beckett as a character. He is a mystery for sure, but it adds to the fun of his character. He’s determined when he wants something, and he wants Lacey. He’s physically attractive, knows his grammar, and wears glasses. He is why book boyfriends are the best. He’s not afraid to turn a syrupy phrase or pet name to show Lacey how he feels at the same time being stoic and confident with the rest of the world. The revelations about his careers made his character make more sense, especially on an emotional level.
His response when Lacey was drugged at the vineyard is one that would send many a knee quivering. Except for Lacey. Her reaction to the entire incident baffled me. Anger at Beckett for defending her and acceptance of Xan’s denial confused and irritated me.
I wish the issue had been explored more and the culprit found, even if it was Xan. I feel like Lacey should have been angrier about that than some of the things she got irate about. Maybe it’ll come around again in a future book and Lacey’s friend Mia will take them to court.
The secondary characters are all wonderful. I especially enjoyed Beckett’s niece Summer, and after reading a snippet from Beckett’s pov I hope she finds some peace. Pressly is not as predominant, but I am hoping she gets a book with Thatcher soon. Gabi, Kennedy, Mia, and Sloane; the other members of the Blue Ridge Book Club added wisdom and support to Lacey, but Thatcher ultimately came through calling out on her emotions and giving her the push she needed. I would absolutely read books about each of these characters though.
Love, Lacey Donovan was a fun book to read and Jill has quickly become one of my must-read authors.
I love Lacey Donovan. The book reviews by Lacey give readers insight into Lacey’s sharp mind and witty personality. She has a love affair with matching lingerie sets, books, and dogs. She doesn’t lack for quirks. Scarred by a young heartbreak, she finds her solace in the men between the pages of books. She’s understandably wrapped her broken heart around her like a protective cage and only gives it to fictional characters. She doesn’t get close to people, even the friends she’s made in Mossy Point, and is always prepared to run again. I wonder if some closure from her ex would help. The end of their relationship came via a third party who admittedly didn’t like Lacey. Maybe it would help her to hear it from the horse's mouth so to speak, even all these years later.
I can’t believe her father is making her pay him back for the money he chose to spend on her education. I really wish she’d stood up to him and told him to shove it, even more if we’d got the read that scene.
Lacey’s penchant for authentic, honest living is admirable except when she judges others for their use of pen names or not wanting to keep things private. It’s contradictory to her run away from life when it gets too serious nature. It’s one flaw in her character that both adds to her overall realism and frustrated me into wanting to shake her and tell her to stop judging others for choices she wouldn’t make for herself because she doesn’t walk in their shoes.
This book made me laugh out loud and feel for these characters
I love Beckett’s limericks and Beckett as a character. He is a mystery for sure, but it adds to the fun of his character. He’s determined when he wants something, and he wants Lacey. He’s physically attractive, knows his grammar, and wears glasses. He is why book boyfriends are the best. He’s not afraid to turn a syrupy phrase or pet name to show Lacey how he feels at the same time being stoic and confident with the rest of the world. The revelations about his careers made his character make more sense, especially on an emotional level.
His response when Lacey was drugged at the vineyard is one that would send many a knee quivering. Except for Lacey. Her reaction to the entire incident baffled me. Anger at Beckett for defending her and acceptance of Xan’s denial confused and irritated me.
I wish the issue had been explored more and the culprit found, even if it was Xan. I feel like Lacey should have been angrier about that than some of the things she got irate about. Maybe it’ll come around again in a future book and Lacey’s friend Mia will take them to court.
The secondary characters are all wonderful. I especially enjoyed Beckett’s niece Summer, and after reading a snippet from Beckett’s pov I hope she finds some peace. Pressly is not as predominant, but I am hoping she gets a book with Thatcher soon. Gabi, Kennedy, Mia, and Sloane; the other members of the Blue Ridge Book Club added wisdom and support to Lacey, but Thatcher ultimately came through calling out on her emotions and giving her the push she needed. I would absolutely read books about each of these characters though.
Love, Lacey Donovan was a fun book to read and Jill has quickly become one of my must-read authors.