Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
This was definitely not the book I thought it would be but it’s not a bad thing. I was expecting a cute single mom and hot guy next door story but for something much deeper and more real. Maddie worked three jobs and went to school to try and give her and her son a better life. I don’t quite understand why she didn’t live with her parents until she had a bit more of a footing. If they were close enough it seems like it would be a no brainer. I loved that her best friend moved out to stay with them I wish I had someone I was that close with.
Oh man Garrett was a grade a douche early on. He made a lot of assumptions and was not shy of voicing them out loud. I’m not entirely sure where he got the idea she didn’t work and just lazed around all day though. I mean she was always coming and going like a crazy person. I guess they had just moved to the duplex so maybe he just assumed without actually seeing her. I loved him basically getting his ass handed to him as he slowly got to know Maddie more and found out that she did in fact work hard. The one thing that really bugged me about him though was that he kept getting mad / frustrated that Maddie kept “bringing her ex into their relationship” like she had any control over it. You can’t just wake up one day and not flinch when someone raises their voice or be a bit too quick to apologize to avoid setting someone off. Those things take time and a feeling of safety to break away from and him expecting that of her before they were even a legit couple bugged me.
I wish we got a bit more of an epilogue.I love the fact that they were neighbors in a duplex but it would have been sweet to see them move in together maybe have a house together since Garrett mentioned the reason he rented was because he wasn’t sure he was staying. Also the weird pregnancy joke at the end threw me off. Turned out she was just full but the few paragraphs before made it sound like she was pregnant. Just thought it was weird.
Overall I did enjoy this a lot
Oh man Garrett was a grade a douche early on. He made a lot of assumptions and was not shy of voicing them out loud. I’m not entirely sure where he got the idea she didn’t work and just lazed around all day though. I mean she was always coming and going like a crazy person. I guess they had just moved to the duplex so maybe he just assumed without actually seeing her. I loved him basically getting his ass handed to him as he slowly got to know Maddie more and found out that she did in fact work hard. The one thing that really bugged me about him though was that he kept getting mad / frustrated that Maddie kept “bringing her ex into their relationship” like she had any control over it. You can’t just wake up one day and not flinch when someone raises their voice or be a bit too quick to apologize to avoid setting someone off. Those things take time and a feeling of safety to break away from and him expecting that of her before they were even a legit couple bugged me.
I wish we got a bit more of an epilogue.
Overall I did enjoy this a lot
emotional
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
I really liked this single-mom romance, she worked incredibly hard for everything she had, it was never downplayed that her kid was the most important thing to her, she didn't have anything handed to her, it wasn't a situation where her parents kicked her out or anything, she was just doing life on her terms. I very much enjoyed how the characters met, how they worked together, and how they fell.
What a wonderful story! I loved seeing the representation of a single mother. The hard work she put in and all of the judgments she received. All of that on top of the trauma she experienced. Towards the end she mentioned being happy with a simple life, and I felt that that was totally relatable. Of course we all want a mafia billionaire to whisk us away, but that isn’t the reality, and wanting a stable, loving home is. It was a simple but perfectly relatable happy ending. I was originally told this was a spicy book, but it’s not, it’s more of a slow burn. Don’t get me wrong, the tension is wonderful, but the one and only spicy scene doesn’t happen until Chapter 24 (88% mark). So overall I would say this book has spice, but is not spicy.
I was conflicted on this one, honestly. I loved the portrayal of an authentic single mom. She was young and balanced numerous jobs while going to school and raising her son to be the best he could be, and she felt the stigma and judgement that so often can come with that situation, and it was refreshing to read something that I think could be more relatable (not a mother so, maybe I’m wrong.) I loved the family dynamic and the best friend moving in to help story. I…liked the romance? I think? But honestly Garrett was kind of a walking red flag. He had his moments of making me swoon, but in general he was kind of a judgmental, alpha douche that I’m still not 100% sure I’m on board with. Spicy with some fluff and angst thrown in, it was an enjoyable read, but again: kind of conflicted.
Still good the second time!
I did find myself objecting to the MMC's jealousy more negatively. It was a bit much. But man I love the way he just relentlessly showed up for her.
I did find myself objecting to the MMC's jealousy more negatively. It was a bit much. But man I love the way he just relentlessly showed up for her.
This was such a cute read!
If you liked Wait For It by MZ, Ignite by Melanie Harlow, or Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score then I think this is a perfect book for you.
Single parent, slow burn, and grump-sunshine trope. It doesn't get any better.
If you liked Wait For It by MZ, Ignite by Melanie Harlow, or Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score then I think this is a perfect book for you.
Single parent, slow burn, and grump-sunshine trope. It doesn't get any better.