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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
More Garrick? Makes this an immediate win.
But take that away, and you have an awesome novella about what the stress of meeting your future in-laws can be like. (Luckily I never had to go through this since my in-laws are great, but you get what I'm trying to say!)
But take that away, and you have an awesome novella about what the stress of meeting your future in-laws can be like. (Luckily I never had to go through this since my in-laws are great, but you get what I'm trying to say!)
This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland
After being disappointed in my re-read of Losing It I wasn't sure I would actually read Keeping Her (the reason I re-read Losing It in the first place). I didn't care for either of the characters in the first book, but I thought I have it might as well give it a try. I was surprised to find that it was much better than the first book.
*some spoilers ahead*
Garrick and Bliss have been dating for a while now and plan on getting married. The only thing left to do is take Bliss to London to meet Garrick's parents. Bliss is very stressed out about this. Garrick's mom is very overbearing and Bliss is worried she will hate her. If she does what will that do to them?
Garrick is so much sweeter in this book. I actually liked him. I saw why Bliss might be with him, and not just because he has an accent. He was wonderful.
Bliss though turns into this weak girl when she gets around his family and friends. At least at first. She is so worried about doing something wrong, and about what she has already messed up, that she is kind of a mess. She does quickly pull it together though and is a formidable foe for Garrick's mom. Of course standing up to his mom wins her over and quickly they are like the best of friends. I buy that one. Yeah.
The rest of the story is just Bliss thinking she might be pregnant and freaking out. I was reading and noticing I only had a few more pages left and thought really? This is over already? It didn't really feel like a full story, just a short chapter that should be in a longer work. Not sure what else I was expecting, but it just seems to end suddnely. It was just like yey! Bliss and mom are bff, she is not pregnant, hooray! End of story. It was just missing something to make it really complete. Or maybe the end was too rushed. Something was off for me. Oh well, it was much better than the first book.
After being disappointed in my re-read of Losing It I wasn't sure I would actually read Keeping Her (the reason I re-read Losing It in the first place). I didn't care for either of the characters in the first book, but I thought I have it might as well give it a try. I was surprised to find that it was much better than the first book.
*some spoilers ahead*
Garrick and Bliss have been dating for a while now and plan on getting married. The only thing left to do is take Bliss to London to meet Garrick's parents. Bliss is very stressed out about this. Garrick's mom is very overbearing and Bliss is worried she will hate her. If she does what will that do to them?
Garrick is so much sweeter in this book. I actually liked him. I saw why Bliss might be with him, and not just because he has an accent. He was wonderful.
Bliss though turns into this weak girl when she gets around his family and friends. At least at first. She is so worried about doing something wrong, and about what she has already messed up, that she is kind of a mess. She does quickly pull it together though and is a formidable foe for Garrick's mom. Of course standing up to his mom wins her over and quickly they are like the best of friends. I buy that one. Yeah.
The rest of the story is just Bliss thinking she might be pregnant and freaking out. I was reading and noticing I only had a few more pages left and thought really? This is over already? It didn't really feel like a full story, just a short chapter that should be in a longer work. Not sure what else I was expecting, but it just seems to end suddnely. It was just like yey! Bliss and mom are bff, she is not pregnant, hooray! End of story. It was just missing something to make it really complete. Or maybe the end was too rushed. Something was off for me. Oh well, it was much better than the first book.
Full review to come on release day launch August 13th! I NEED MORE GARRICK AND BLISS OMG. This was so perfect. How does Cora do it EVERY. SINGLE. TIME? AND ALL THE HARRY POTTER REFERENCES OMG!
---
“You make me happy.”
Keeping Her definitely is at the top of my list for being one of the sweetest books I’ve ever read. As a huge fan of Carmack’s debut, Losing It, this follow-up novella to Bliss and Garrick’s story is one I’d been pining for since the end of Losing It really… And when Carmack announced that she’d be writing this novella to give us a glimpse into their “happily-ever-after” I was jumping for joy. After finishing this, all I can say is: ALL THE FEELS AND I NEED MORE!
More than a year after Bliss and Garrick’s meeting, it’s time for Bliss to meet the parents and be introduced to Garrick’s life before he arrived in the States. Which means Keeping Her is set in London, England and I just imagined everybody speaking with an English accent which was incredibly hot and I just really want to go to London more than ever now. To say that Garrick’s life prior to moving to the US was different is an understatement.
Bliss Edwards is one of the funniest, most relatable MCs I’ve ever read and I just love the voice Carmack’s created for her. I adore her clumsiness and the way she thinks – her freak-outs are hilarious and very relevant in the light of events. Her insecurities were something I could really relate to and portrayed realistically. She’s definitely matured since Losing It, allowing herself to feel a lot more rather than analysing everything – all thanks to Garrick. I loved how she’s still got that little streak of over-analysis in her though as it’s what makes Bliss who she is.
“Wait… did they have stairs? I should have made him detail it all for me. Maybe I should wake him up and ask him now about the stairs. And for a description of the entire house.”
*Swoons* Garrick Taylor omg being in his head is AWESOME! Seeing and FEELING his love for Bliss just moved me so much. Oh oh oh and he talks dirty and it’s insanely hot. Most other books I read, guys talking dirty sometimes gets a cringe from me but from Garrick it was so sexy. I think the beauty of that is because he doesn’t do it all the time, Carmack doesn’t exploit it so when he does say those things, it’s a shock and very exciting to see this other side to him. And going on from that I’m bowing down to Carmack for not using any swearing to make her point that it’s a guy POV. I get so annoyed when books (especially “new adult”) with male POVs have excessive swearing or crude/vulgar language like they have to make a point that guys need to swear to appear masculine/manly. NO JUST NO. There are heaps of great guys out there that don’t swear every 5 seconds. So thank you Cora Carmack for not doing that with Garrick’s POV. I’ll admit I wondered what his thoughts would be like and although there is some profanity it’s not excessive and I really felt like I was in Garrick’s head.
“I never would have thought I could feel such peace while my heart hammered and my skin burned, but that’s what she brought me.”
Despite Keeping Her only being a novella, I thought Carmack delivered the plot perfectly. The challenges of meeting the future in-laws, the difference in lifestyles, the worries of whether Garrick’s family/friends would accept Bliss, problems that Garrick and Bliss would face themselves in the future. They all fit comfortably in the 100 pages. But left me wanting for more *sigh* I was also happy to see Carmack’s writing had improved. While Losing It had great writing style, there were some inconsistencies with flow, but I think those got smoothed out in Keeping Her. Also, any author that manages to incorporate multiple Harry Potter references and use them as snark is a winner in my eyes.
“You’re right. Realistically, I’m a Ravenclaw.”
Now all I have to say is… WHY COULDN’T THIS BE A WHOLE BOOK? Oh wait Carmack would probably have to put them through some angst/turmoil which my feels probably wouldn’t have been able to handle BUT STILL I want more Garrick *sobs*
“I could imagine each one of them wrapped up in their thoughts, contemplating their dreams, falling in love, getting news that changed their entire world.”
---
“You make me happy.”
Keeping Her definitely is at the top of my list for being one of the sweetest books I’ve ever read. As a huge fan of Carmack’s debut, Losing It, this follow-up novella to Bliss and Garrick’s story is one I’d been pining for since the end of Losing It really… And when Carmack announced that she’d be writing this novella to give us a glimpse into their “happily-ever-after” I was jumping for joy. After finishing this, all I can say is: ALL THE FEELS AND I NEED MORE!
More than a year after Bliss and Garrick’s meeting, it’s time for Bliss to meet the parents and be introduced to Garrick’s life before he arrived in the States. Which means Keeping Her is set in London, England and I just imagined everybody speaking with an English accent which was incredibly hot and I just really want to go to London more than ever now. To say that Garrick’s life prior to moving to the US was different is an understatement.
Bliss Edwards is one of the funniest, most relatable MCs I’ve ever read and I just love the voice Carmack’s created for her. I adore her clumsiness and the way she thinks – her freak-outs are hilarious and very relevant in the light of events. Her insecurities were something I could really relate to and portrayed realistically. She’s definitely matured since Losing It, allowing herself to feel a lot more rather than analysing everything – all thanks to Garrick. I loved how she’s still got that little streak of over-analysis in her though as it’s what makes Bliss who she is.
“Wait… did they have stairs? I should have made him detail it all for me. Maybe I should wake him up and ask him now about the stairs. And for a description of the entire house.”
*Swoons* Garrick Taylor omg being in his head is AWESOME! Seeing and FEELING his love for Bliss just moved me so much. Oh oh oh and he talks dirty and it’s insanely hot. Most other books I read, guys talking dirty sometimes gets a cringe from me but from Garrick it was so sexy. I think the beauty of that is because he doesn’t do it all the time, Carmack doesn’t exploit it so when he does say those things, it’s a shock and very exciting to see this other side to him. And going on from that I’m bowing down to Carmack for not using any swearing to make her point that it’s a guy POV. I get so annoyed when books (especially “new adult”) with male POVs have excessive swearing or crude/vulgar language like they have to make a point that guys need to swear to appear masculine/manly. NO JUST NO. There are heaps of great guys out there that don’t swear every 5 seconds. So thank you Cora Carmack for not doing that with Garrick’s POV. I’ll admit I wondered what his thoughts would be like and although there is some profanity it’s not excessive and I really felt like I was in Garrick’s head.
“I never would have thought I could feel such peace while my heart hammered and my skin burned, but that’s what she brought me.”
Despite Keeping Her only being a novella, I thought Carmack delivered the plot perfectly. The challenges of meeting the future in-laws, the difference in lifestyles, the worries of whether Garrick’s family/friends would accept Bliss, problems that Garrick and Bliss would face themselves in the future. They all fit comfortably in the 100 pages. But left me wanting for more *sigh* I was also happy to see Carmack’s writing had improved. While Losing It had great writing style, there were some inconsistencies with flow, but I think those got smoothed out in Keeping Her. Also, any author that manages to incorporate multiple Harry Potter references and use them as snark is a winner in my eyes.
“You’re right. Realistically, I’m a Ravenclaw.”
Now all I have to say is… WHY COULDN’T THIS BE A WHOLE BOOK? Oh wait Carmack would probably have to put them through some angst/turmoil which my feels probably wouldn’t have been able to handle BUT STILL I want more Garrick *sobs*
“I could imagine each one of them wrapped up in their thoughts, contemplating their dreams, falling in love, getting news that changed their entire world.”
I am so glad that Cora Carmack brought back Garrick and Bliss for this novella. I can't even explain how much I missed them!
We get to meet up with Garrick and Bliss as they travel to London to introduce her to his parents. Bliss is a nervous wreck and as clumsy as ever! Garrick is also a nervous wreck but he does his best to keep Bliss calm and secure her in their love. Garrick is still totally HOT & well, basically perfect. Saaa-Wooon!!
His dad is a selfish prick and his mom comes off as a pretentious biotch!!
During their visit, life throws them another curveball but it's how they handle it that makes me fall in love with them both all over again. I really love that they are completely honest and forthcoming and decided to concur any obstacles together! Seriously amazing!!
My only problem with this book is that it gave me just enough more of their story that I'm already craving more. Garrick and Bliss are forever one of my favorite fictional couples!!
G & B 4-EVAH!!
**I received an ARC from Edelweiss & Ink Slinger PR in exchange for an honest review**
We get to meet up with Garrick and Bliss as they travel to London to introduce her to his parents. Bliss is a nervous wreck and as clumsy as ever! Garrick is also a nervous wreck but he does his best to keep Bliss calm and secure her in their love. Garrick is still totally HOT & well, basically perfect. Saaa-Wooon!!
His dad is a selfish prick and his mom comes off as a pretentious biotch!!
During their visit, life throws them another curveball but it's how they handle it that makes me fall in love with them both all over again. I really love that they are completely honest and forthcoming and decided to concur any obstacles together! Seriously amazing!!
My only problem with this book is that it gave me just enough more of their story that I'm already craving more. Garrick and Bliss are forever one of my favorite fictional couples!!
G & B 4-EVAH!!
**I received an ARC from Edelweiss & Ink Slinger PR in exchange for an honest review**
Nice to get a little insight into Garrick's life. Cute short read.
Bliss just sold this to me, I love her internal monologue, I love all the pop-culture references and I luuuve how neurotic and weird she is. Again this novella has rather predictable plot but I don't even care Cora Carmack's writing style is driving power behind this book(s). I'm really curious if I will like books with other main characters.
Cute little novella. Not necessary to the series but it was cute. I love this couple! They are my favorite of the three in this series :)
I always love when we get to catch up with characters after their HEA. In Keeping Her, we find Garrick taking Bliss home to London to meet his family. She's terrified she won't measure up and he's terrified his parents will be who they are and destroy everything.
Garrick and Bliss haven't done anything the easy way with their relationship, but tis little trip home to meet his parents and the potential hiccup that arises proves how much they love each other and if they can make it through this trip they can make it through anything.
A fun, quick read for anyone her loved Garrick and Bliss' story in LOSING IT.
Garrick and Bliss haven't done anything the easy way with their relationship, but tis little trip home to meet his parents and the potential hiccup that arises proves how much they love each other and if they can make it through this trip they can make it through anything.
A fun, quick read for anyone her loved Garrick and Bliss' story in LOSING IT.
I enjoyed the first book in the series as a light fluffy read but there was literally nothing to this one except imagined issues. I should have skipped it.