Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
This story will make you feel the emotional wheel from beginning to end. Astrid is a widow with two kids trying to make her dream of owning her own bakery a reality. Penn is her husband’s best friend and he’s the do all happy time that wants to support everyone. He’s the type of person that runs it all the time from both ends to make sure everyone around him is took care of.
The above and beyond that you see the two main characters go for each other is a remarkable thing to watch. The side characters throughout the story always give it a pop of love and family. I absolutely fell in love with the audio for this story, their voices bring this story to life.
The above and beyond that you see the two main characters go for each other is a remarkable thing to watch. The side characters throughout the story always give it a pop of love and family. I absolutely fell in love with the audio for this story, their voices bring this story to life.
Someone You Deserve is the 2nd book in this series and I enjoyed it just as much as the 1st book.
Astrid was married to Penn's best friend, who passed away 5 years ago. Since he passed away Penn has made it a point to be there for Astrid and her 2 kids. They both end up developing feelings for each but each has their own hesitations. Penn feels guilty and almost like he is betraying his best friend. Astrid on the other hand was hesitant for much different reasons. Unbeknownst to anyone but her mom and her deceased husband, was divorcing him at the time of his death. She is hesitant because Penn has shown up for her and her kids in ways Brandon never did, and she is afraid if it does not work out her kids will suffer.
Penn was a great MMC, a true golden retriever. I really liked Astrid too. She was a strong FMC and despite her issues with her ex, she made the choice not to bad mouth him to others.
I am excited for the next one in the series.
Astrid was married to Penn's best friend, who passed away 5 years ago. Since he passed away Penn has made it a point to be there for Astrid and her 2 kids. They both end up developing feelings for each but each has their own hesitations. Penn feels guilty and almost like he is betraying his best friend. Astrid on the other hand was hesitant for much different reasons. Unbeknownst to anyone but her mom and her deceased husband, was divorcing him at the time of his death. She is hesitant because Penn has shown up for her and her kids in ways Brandon never did, and she is afraid if it does not work out her kids will suffer.
Penn was a great MMC, a true golden retriever. I really liked Astrid too. She was a strong FMC and despite her issues with her ex, she made the choice not to bad mouth him to others.
I am excited for the next one in the series.
Once I found out this was going to be a best friend's widow story, I had really high hopes for this story. Harlow did not let me down! In the beginning we see Astrid and Brandon married, but not very happily. Astrid feels like she has lost a bit of herself and she isn’t as happy as she should be. Then we fast forward a few years after Brandon has passed away. I enjoyed this time jump and how we slowly found out some things that happened in the years prior.
Penn is one of those book boyfriends that you will absolutely fall in love with! He was Brandon’s best friend so he was also close with Astrid, and now he has become a huge part in her and her kids life. Penn has developed feelings for Astrid but it just doesn’t feel right to act on it. Astrid still has mixed emotions about Brandon’s death but now she is ready to make her dreams come true. Her plan is to open a bakery and she has hired Penn to help with the remodel. Spending all this time together makes it harder and harder to ignore the chemistry that is pulling them together. When they give in to their feelings, everything just feels so perfect. They are so cute together but they also are smokin hot! There is still a lot of emotions to be dealt with but they fight hard to get their happy ending.
What a spectacular audio! Thank you Aiden & Vanessa for the incredible performances. I think it really made me feel all the emotions so much more. Vanessa nailed Astrid and made her this strong determined woman. Aiden turned Penn into the swoon worthy boyfriend with a side of a filthy mouth.
Penn is one of those book boyfriends that you will absolutely fall in love with! He was Brandon’s best friend so he was also close with Astrid, and now he has become a huge part in her and her kids life. Penn has developed feelings for Astrid but it just doesn’t feel right to act on it. Astrid still has mixed emotions about Brandon’s death but now she is ready to make her dreams come true. Her plan is to open a bakery and she has hired Penn to help with the remodel. Spending all this time together makes it harder and harder to ignore the chemistry that is pulling them together. When they give in to their feelings, everything just feels so perfect. They are so cute together but they also are smokin hot! There is still a lot of emotions to be dealt with but they fight hard to get their happy ending.
What a spectacular audio! Thank you Aiden & Vanessa for the incredible performances. I think it really made me feel all the emotions so much more. Vanessa nailed Astrid and made her this strong determined woman. Aiden turned Penn into the swoon worthy boyfriend with a side of a filthy mouth.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
Complicated
FMC: Astrid Cooper, Bentley (11) & Lily (7)
MMC: Penn Sheppard
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Pages: 347
Tropes: Single Mom, Best Friend’s Ex, Friends to Lovers, He Falls First, Small Town Romance, Mutual Pining, Secret Relationship
Setting: Carrington Cove, NC
Thoughts: I have mixed feelings about this book. While I loved the characters and their HEA, a lot of this book frustrated me. Penn was so solid and dependable and I really hated some of the things Astrid did to him. She may have pushed Penn’s romantic advances away three years ago, but I thought it was inconsiderate of her to talk about and accept a date right in front of him. While it did end up being the catalyst that propelled Penn to finally make a move, it still felt slimy to me. From that point on Astrid and Penn learned how to navigate their new relationship and what that would/could look like. Penn was exactly the man Astrid needed and he lived up to every expectation.
Penn and Astrid love story is a lot of emotions and I loved the slow burn. He was there after her husband died unexpectedly and you could feel the guilt he was carrying knowing that he was falling in love with best friend, who passed away, wife. It was a great read!
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
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
ARC/ALC Review
Someone You Deserve by Harlow James
Carrington Cove - Book 2
Narrated by: Aiden Snow & Vanessa Edwin
Someone You Deserve is an interconnected standalone in the Carrington Cove series that tells the poignant story of Astrid, a widowed mother of two, and Penn, her late husband's best friend. In their small town, it's no secret that Astrid and Penn share an undeniable connection, yet both grapple with the complexities of taking their relationship to the next level.
Harlow James masterfully weaves intricate emotions throughout this narrative, immersing readers in the characters' experiences. I felt Astrid's overwhelming guilt and grief so intensely that I sometimes wanted to shake her for holding everything inside. The raw anger and longing were palpable, leaving me on the edge of my seat, heart aching for both characters.
The audiobook format truly brings this story to life, thanks to the talented narrators, Aiden and Vanessa. Their performances capture the depth of emotion in Harlow's writing, making every moment resonate deeply.
Pick this one up if you enjoy:
◻ best friends to lovers
◻ mutual pining
◻ widowed mom
◻ bakery owner x contractor
◻ small town romance
◻ close knit friend group
Someone You Deserve by Harlow James
Carrington Cove - Book 2
Narrated by: Aiden Snow & Vanessa Edwin
Someone You Deserve is an interconnected standalone in the Carrington Cove series that tells the poignant story of Astrid, a widowed mother of two, and Penn, her late husband's best friend. In their small town, it's no secret that Astrid and Penn share an undeniable connection, yet both grapple with the complexities of taking their relationship to the next level.
Harlow James masterfully weaves intricate emotions throughout this narrative, immersing readers in the characters' experiences. I felt Astrid's overwhelming guilt and grief so intensely that I sometimes wanted to shake her for holding everything inside. The raw anger and longing were palpable, leaving me on the edge of my seat, heart aching for both characters.
The audiobook format truly brings this story to life, thanks to the talented narrators, Aiden and Vanessa. Their performances capture the depth of emotion in Harlow's writing, making every moment resonate deeply.
Pick this one up if you enjoy:
◻ best friends to lovers
◻ mutual pining
◻ widowed mom
◻ bakery owner x contractor
◻ small town romance
◻ close knit friend group
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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