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kara_hildebrand's review
5.0
4.5
This is the first book I've read by Lisa Becker and I really enjoyed it. Links is the story of an unrequited teenage crush that turns out to be a mutual adult attraction. Charlotte hasn't seen Garrett since she was an awkward teen with braces and glasses. Her crush is still in full force, only now, he wants to get to know her. He's attracted to her looks, but he also loves her brain and her sense of humor. Can Charlotte forget the Garrett of her youth and trust the man he's become? Will Garrett convince Charlotte he's not the same stupid teenager he was? I really enjoyed this story! I laughed out loud and loved the slow burn of the romance. It made me believe Garrett was for real. I loved that Charlotte wasn't a size two and she joked about her love for carbs and chocolate.
"No. I mean about the personal trainer and calorie counting. Body by Victor."
She lets out a laugh before moving her hand down her body. "Body by Hostess."
This is the first book I've read by Lisa Becker and I really enjoyed it. Links is the story of an unrequited teenage crush that turns out to be a mutual adult attraction. Charlotte hasn't seen Garrett since she was an awkward teen with braces and glasses. Her crush is still in full force, only now, he wants to get to know her. He's attracted to her looks, but he also loves her brain and her sense of humor. Can Charlotte forget the Garrett of her youth and trust the man he's become? Will Garrett convince Charlotte he's not the same stupid teenager he was? I really enjoyed this story! I laughed out loud and loved the slow burn of the romance. It made me believe Garrett was for real. I loved that Charlotte wasn't a size two and she joked about her love for carbs and chocolate.
"No. I mean about the personal trainer and calorie counting. Body by Victor."
She lets out a laugh before moving her hand down her body. "Body by Hostess."
karen_the_baroness's review
5.0
I recieved this book as an ARC for an honest opinion from the author.
My take on this book: Links by Lisa Becker is another wonderful book. Ms. Becker is a wonderful author that can transport you into her stories, that once you leave you just want to hop right back into it to keep on living with the amazing characters.
Speaking of amazing characters, I felt like I was best friends with both Garrett Stephens and Charlotte Windham. Granted I probably felt more like a best friend to Charlotte more than Garrett but seeing from both sides of their perspective in this book made it seem like anyone could be friends with both of them.
Charlotte Windham is the main character, and the main female lead, of this book and she, is such a wonderful character. She makes you fall in love with her and want to be her best friend. The entire time of this book she knew about Garrett’s past of being a player back in high school and thought he was the same now that they are adults especially, due to the number of girlfriends that he has had. She also changed from what she looked like in high school but she never really got over her insecurities. She was still thinking that Garrett is the same boy that she had a crush on back in high school without realizing that he was doing things with her that he has never done with any of his past girlfriends at all. She took a while to figure out that she was worth his attention and love. It was wonderful to see her open herself up to those possibilities.
Garrett Stephens is the main male lead of this book and he is also such a wonderful character. At first, you hate him for not realizing that Charlotte is there in his house and then to also not recognize her when we are in his first perspective. He would be clueless if his sister didn't tell him. The further you get into the story, though, the more you realize that oh hey he isn’t that such of a bad guy. I especially liked when he wants to protect Charlotte from all the harm that has happened to her when he wasn’t around. He tries to protect her now from anyone that doesn’t want to say anything nice to her. I also truly enjoyed Garrett changing and trying to be a good person for Charlotte. It was like I was there watching the story unfold.
The copy I received had some mistakes here and there with words being in the wrong spot or the author’s editor made a change that wasn’t taken out before it was sent as the was an ARC copy. Besides those things, which weren’t bad enough to take me out of the book. The words just fixed themselves in my head.
I am giving this book a five-star review because it was totally awesome and I am still having a little bit of a book hangover over as it was that good.
Links by Lisa Becker was such an awesome book and I can’t wait to read another book by Ms. Becker. She is an outstanding author and an even better storyteller that makes you, at least for me, feel like you are a part of the book and hanging out with her characters.
Anyways until the next time enjoy this review brought to you by
Baroness’ Book Trove.
To read other reviews like this one please visit my blog site: baronessbooktrove.com
My take on this book: Links by Lisa Becker is another wonderful book. Ms. Becker is a wonderful author that can transport you into her stories, that once you leave you just want to hop right back into it to keep on living with the amazing characters.
Speaking of amazing characters, I felt like I was best friends with both Garrett Stephens and Charlotte Windham. Granted I probably felt more like a best friend to Charlotte more than Garrett but seeing from both sides of their perspective in this book made it seem like anyone could be friends with both of them.
Charlotte Windham is the main character, and the main female lead, of this book and she, is such a wonderful character. She makes you fall in love with her and want to be her best friend. The entire time of this book she knew about Garrett’s past of being a player back in high school and thought he was the same now that they are adults especially, due to the number of girlfriends that he has had. She also changed from what she looked like in high school but she never really got over her insecurities. She was still thinking that Garrett is the same boy that she had a crush on back in high school without realizing that he was doing things with her that he has never done with any of his past girlfriends at all. She took a while to figure out that she was worth his attention and love. It was wonderful to see her open herself up to those possibilities.
Garrett Stephens is the main male lead of this book and he is also such a wonderful character. At first, you hate him for not realizing that Charlotte is there in his house and then to also not recognize her when we are in his first perspective. He would be clueless if his sister didn't tell him. The further you get into the story, though, the more you realize that oh hey he isn’t that such of a bad guy. I especially liked when he wants to protect Charlotte from all the harm that has happened to her when he wasn’t around. He tries to protect her now from anyone that doesn’t want to say anything nice to her. I also truly enjoyed Garrett changing and trying to be a good person for Charlotte. It was like I was there watching the story unfold.
The copy I received had some mistakes here and there with words being in the wrong spot or the author’s editor made a change that wasn’t taken out before it was sent as the was an ARC copy. Besides those things, which weren’t bad enough to take me out of the book. The words just fixed themselves in my head.
I am giving this book a five-star review because it was totally awesome and I am still having a little bit of a book hangover over as it was that good.
Links by Lisa Becker was such an awesome book and I can’t wait to read another book by Ms. Becker. She is an outstanding author and an even better storyteller that makes you, at least for me, feel like you are a part of the book and hanging out with her characters.
Anyways until the next time enjoy this review brought to you by
Baroness’ Book Trove.
To read other reviews like this one please visit my blog site: baronessbooktrove.com
lisaluvsliterature's review
4.0
Overall it was a very sweet and easy summer read. It had a little bit of sex, but not a ton. It really got into a lot of situations, and I feel like Charlotte was pretty realistic in how she handled it all. I loved when she got to get back at a college frenemy, as well as Chapter 48, and the very last chapter. If you're looking for a perfect summer read, this is one you should pick up.
You can check out my full review on my blog, Lisa Loves Literature
You can check out my full review on my blog, Lisa Loves Literature
vlaniganfoffimreading's review
4.75
This was a fantastic audio with dual narration plus I love a second chance romance! Charlotte has been in love with Garrett since she was a teenager tutoring him and his teen brother but he never paid her any attention except to call her “glasses”. Garrett always had a girl and as she said (which had me cracking up) “He goes through women like Hogwarts goes through defense of the dark arts teachers.” That’s an amazing line 🤣
.
Anyway, fast forward years later and Garrett has become a professional
golfer and Charlotte has written the most popular book of the year. She is a huge success but after running into a Garrett she immediately feels like that teenage girl in glasses again, but he sees her truly for the first time and knows she is the woman for him.
.
I really loved these two and their small circle of friends and family. The author did a great job of taking you back to the insecurities of being a teenager and rooting for this couple as adults.
abercrombie1986's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I’m a sucker for a romantic audiobook. I recently listened to Chance Romance and liked it, so decided to give this one a try and I liked this one even more. Not quite a second chance romance, but kindaish. Charlotte was Garrett’s tutor in highschool and they remeet as adults as Garrett realizes he might have missed out by not noticing her back then. He is a legendary golf pro and she is a writer of a popular book. So opposites attract in this one.
As I mentioned I listened to this one and the author’s style is great for an audiobook. Connor Crais and Stella Hunter are new to me as narrators, but I loved listening to them, especially Connor’s deep voice.
emilyhei's review
4.0
Charlotte Windham had a huge crush on Garrett Stephens in highschool, tutoring him was the icing on the cake but he never expressed any interest in the girl with glasses. Fifteen years later Charlotte has built a career as a world renowned author and she sees Garrett again but his usual teasing manner stir up old feelings and when Garrett realizes he did wrong he finds himself reconnecting with Charlotte in a way he never believed was possible. Garrett is dealing with a shoulder injury that could end his golfing career can he come to terms with his career and his feelings for Charlotte before he loses everything?
This was a slow build romance. I thought this was quite intriguing with the characters and the way they interacted with one another. The feelings expressed in the writing I thought was spot on and made the story more believable. Great read an I really enjoyed Charlotte, thought she was someone you could definitely look up to.
This was a slow build romance. I thought this was quite intriguing with the characters and the way they interacted with one another. The feelings expressed in the writing I thought was spot on and made the story more believable. Great read an I really enjoyed Charlotte, thought she was someone you could definitely look up to.
rachaelboyd's review
3.0
3⭐️
Tropes;
Friends to Lovers
One Bed Trope
Slow Burn
This wasn’t my favourite friends to lovers book I have ever read but i liked it and it was decent enough.
This follows Charlotte who bumps into her high school crush Garrett after 15 years. During high school Charlotte was your typical geek with braces and glasses and tutored Garret and his brother.
During their high school years, Garret was a complete player and still is. So to protect her feelings, she puts Garret straight into the friend zone.
The conflict in this book was sooo stupid that it made me mad. The way Charlotte just jumped to her own conclusion and then said some horrible things to Garret, girl no. And then he forgave her straight away as if it was nothing. She didn’t even grovel!!!
Anyway, it was a decent book but not one I will read again.
Tropes;
Friends to Lovers
One Bed Trope
Slow Burn
This wasn’t my favourite friends to lovers book I have ever read but i liked it and it was decent enough.
This follows Charlotte who bumps into her high school crush Garrett after 15 years. During high school Charlotte was your typical geek with braces and glasses and tutored Garret and his brother.
During their high school years, Garret was a complete player and still is. So to protect her feelings, she puts Garret straight into the friend zone.
The conflict in this book was sooo stupid that it made me mad. The way Charlotte just jumped to her own conclusion and then said some horrible things to Garret, girl no. And then he forgave her straight away as if it was nothing. She didn’t even grovel!!!
Anyway, it was a decent book but not one I will read again.
booksfortheliving's review
2.0
The romance genre tends to be known for their love of tropes. While I tend to shy away from blatantly tropey romances, there are some I’m willing to read; unrequited love being one of them. (Friends-to-lovers is also a favorite. And I’ve recently joined the bandwagon of marriages of convenience, too.) But back to unrequited love…
That is one of the things that got me interested in Links when I was approached about reviewing it. While there were some things I did enjoy, I found it to be repetitive at times and not a book I read with any urgency.
This is a very typical story of a dorky, (seemingly) unattractive high school girl who has a crush on the gorgeous popular high school athlete. You get a glimpse of their interaction in high school in the prologue, and then the timeline jumps ahead to their post-college life.
Charlotte is now an accomplished author having her debut novel be a runaway best seller. Garrett is a successful professional golfer, currently recovering from a potentially career-ending injury. They have an unexpected run-in one day, which sets off Garrett pursuing Charlotte. (He admits in his chapters that he basically just wants to sleep with her… honestly not the greatest way to get me rooting for the hero).
I do like how they started out as friends. They hang out a lot and build a firm foundation of friendship before ever moving into relationship territory. Charlotte is trying to protect herself from getting hurt because she still has this idea of what Garrett is like from his 14-year-old self. Now, usually I'd say that's unfair of her, but I didn't feel that way in this book. However, the reader has an advantage; we get the POV of Garrett. And he makes it fairly clear that he’s only after getting Charlotte in his bed, at least to begin with.
Now for the not so fun part of the review, there were some things with which I had issue. I mentioned Garrett pursuing Charlotte only because he wanted to sleep with her. I think it’s self-explanatory as to why that would make me not root for the hero.
There’s also a lot of talk about Charlotte’s weight. It was said so many times how she was curvy, or not thin, or how she indulged in sweets and it showed. I love seeing all types and shapes of people represented in the books I read, but I felt it was unnecessary to mention it so many times. Garrett even makes a joke about it at one point. I get that it was meant to be a lighthearted joke and that he was supposed to be complimenting her, but it still didn’t sit right with me.
Charlotte giggles… a lot. And it gets old and honestly kind of annoying. There are other ways to express oneself than giggling, and it made Charlotte seem immature.
Look, in the end, this book just wasn’t for me, but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it. That’s the great thing about books; I firmly believe there’s one out there for every reader. If you’re a voracious reader of romance, who gobbles up everything with a love story in it, give this one a try. It’s a quick read, which makes it perfect for helping you reach that Goodreads reading goal too.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
That is one of the things that got me interested in Links when I was approached about reviewing it. While there were some things I did enjoy, I found it to be repetitive at times and not a book I read with any urgency.
This is a very typical story of a dorky, (seemingly) unattractive high school girl who has a crush on the gorgeous popular high school athlete. You get a glimpse of their interaction in high school in the prologue, and then the timeline jumps ahead to their post-college life.
Charlotte is now an accomplished author having her debut novel be a runaway best seller. Garrett is a successful professional golfer, currently recovering from a potentially career-ending injury. They have an unexpected run-in one day, which sets off Garrett pursuing Charlotte. (He admits in his chapters that he basically just wants to sleep with her… honestly not the greatest way to get me rooting for the hero).
I do like how they started out as friends. They hang out a lot and build a firm foundation of friendship before ever moving into relationship territory. Charlotte is trying to protect herself from getting hurt because she still has this idea of what Garrett is like from his 14-year-old self. Now, usually I'd say that's unfair of her, but I didn't feel that way in this book. However, the reader has an advantage; we get the POV of Garrett. And he makes it fairly clear that he’s only after getting Charlotte in his bed, at least to begin with.
Now for the not so fun part of the review, there were some things with which I had issue. I mentioned Garrett pursuing Charlotte only because he wanted to sleep with her. I think it’s self-explanatory as to why that would make me not root for the hero.
There’s also a lot of talk about Charlotte’s weight. It was said so many times how she was curvy, or not thin, or how she indulged in sweets and it showed. I love seeing all types and shapes of people represented in the books I read, but I felt it was unnecessary to mention it so many times. Garrett even makes a joke about it at one point. I get that it was meant to be a lighthearted joke and that he was supposed to be complimenting her, but it still didn’t sit right with me.
Charlotte giggles… a lot. And it gets old and honestly kind of annoying. There are other ways to express oneself than giggling, and it made Charlotte seem immature.
Look, in the end, this book just wasn’t for me, but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it. That’s the great thing about books; I firmly believe there’s one out there for every reader. If you’re a voracious reader of romance, who gobbles up everything with a love story in it, give this one a try. It’s a quick read, which makes it perfect for helping you reach that Goodreads reading goal too.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
popthebutterfly's review
4.0
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own!
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: August 1, 2017
Genre: Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (love)
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Pages: 197
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Charlotte Windham, a nerdy high school prodigy who tutored classmates to earn money for college, escapes her geeky past to become a celebrated novelist. During a chance encounter at a Los Angeles restaurant 15 years after high school, she reconnects with her secret crush, Garrett Stephens, the popular star athlete and teen heart breaker. Garrett, still leaving broken hearts in his wake, is now a successful professional golfer who recently suffered a possible career-ending shoulder injury. As he and Charlotte spend time together, developing a friendship based on mutual respect and comfortable companionship, can Charlotte forgive the past and can Garrett reform his lothario ways for a chance at love?
Review: I thought this book was really good. The characters were developed and romance was cute. The writing was well done. I thought the plot was good and I think that this is a really cute book, especially for those who are excited about Valentine’s Day!
However, I do think the romance, while cute, was a bit weird too. I found Charlotte to be a bit obsessive over Garrett and Garrett to be… a bit of a douche to say the least. But I’m really hard on romances. I also thought the pacing was a bit slow.
Verdict: If you want a cute book for Valentine’s Day get this one!
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: August 1, 2017
Genre: Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (love)
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Pages: 197
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Charlotte Windham, a nerdy high school prodigy who tutored classmates to earn money for college, escapes her geeky past to become a celebrated novelist. During a chance encounter at a Los Angeles restaurant 15 years after high school, she reconnects with her secret crush, Garrett Stephens, the popular star athlete and teen heart breaker. Garrett, still leaving broken hearts in his wake, is now a successful professional golfer who recently suffered a possible career-ending shoulder injury. As he and Charlotte spend time together, developing a friendship based on mutual respect and comfortable companionship, can Charlotte forgive the past and can Garrett reform his lothario ways for a chance at love?
Review: I thought this book was really good. The characters were developed and romance was cute. The writing was well done. I thought the plot was good and I think that this is a really cute book, especially for those who are excited about Valentine’s Day!
However, I do think the romance, while cute, was a bit weird too. I found Charlotte to be a bit obsessive over Garrett and Garrett to be… a bit of a douche to say the least. But I’m really hard on romances. I also thought the pacing was a bit slow.
Verdict: If you want a cute book for Valentine’s Day get this one!