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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
finals delayed the finish of this one for a while, but only five star books this christmas
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was so looking forward to this book, because I LOVED {Give Me Butterflies}. Unfortunately, I could not get into this book and it felt like a slog to get to the end. For a number of reasons...
1. The conflict between Lena and Gavin felt absolutely forced. These two are grown ass adults who should be able to make a consensual decision to be together. This was a conflict I could see if the characters were each a decade younger. But Gavin being almost 40 and Lena being almost 30 just made this a ridiculous conflict. I get that he's her brother's best friend and she's his best friend's little sister, but again...they're adults. The brother doesn't get a say in this relationship.
2. Lena's anger was completely at odds with her interactions with Gavin. And Gavin was so hot and cold with her it was exhausting.
3. He disappeared for three years because she hooked up with one guy after he turned her down?? Ridiculous.
4. The conflict wasn't the only thing that felt forced. The chemistry between these two didn't seem organic to me either.
5. Why did him moving back have to be a secret from her? He could have protected her brother's surprise while being up front with everyone else. This seemed like another forced conflict. No need for it to be an issue. Same with the fact that he spent the last few Christmases in town but not with her family. She seemed so angry and then nothing came of it. This was an emotional rollercoaster and not in a good way.
Ultimately, I felt disappointed in this book after looking forward to it for so long. I'm hoping that the next Oaks Sister's installment will better.
1. The conflict between Lena and Gavin felt absolutely forced. These two are grown ass adults who should be able to make a consensual decision to be together. This was a conflict I could see if the characters were each a decade younger. But Gavin being almost 40 and Lena being almost 30 just made this a ridiculous conflict. I get that he's her brother's best friend and she's his best friend's little sister, but again...they're adults. The brother doesn't get a say in this relationship.
2. Lena's anger was completely at odds with her interactions with Gavin. And Gavin was so hot and cold with her it was exhausting.
3. He disappeared for three years because she hooked up with one guy after he turned her down?? Ridiculous.
4. The conflict wasn't the only thing that felt forced. The chemistry between these two didn't seem organic to me either.
5. Why did him moving back have to be a secret from her? He could have protected her brother's surprise while being up front with everyone else. This seemed like another forced conflict. No need for it to be an issue. Same with the fact that he spent the last few Christmases in town but not with her family. She seemed so angry and then nothing came of it. This was an emotional rollercoaster and not in a good way.
Ultimately, I felt disappointed in this book after looking forward to it for so long. I'm hoping that the next Oaks Sister's installment will better.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5 rounded up. Read a bit like it was a novella gone long and a little repetitive. The characters were a bit immature especially given the fact Gavin was 39 and had been in therapy at least in the past. The reasons they were not together did not really make sense—he met her when she was 19 and they’d known each other for a decade. They were openly admitting they’d been pining after each other for years. Her family was totally aware that they had feelings for each other.
Don’t Mind If I WRECK the Plans
A spicy book with a happy ending (literally!)
Gavin & Lena are hot, but I loved their love story beneath the heat too, especially because it finally took place during Christmas time.
I loved their banter, their flirting, and their love.
Sign me up for all the bonus epilogues too!
A spicy book with a happy ending (literally!)
Gavin & Lena are hot, but I loved their love story beneath the heat too, especially because it finally took place during Christmas time.
I loved their banter, their flirting, and their love.
Sign me up for all the bonus epilogues too!
A perfectly sweet and spicy Christmas novella
Tropes:
Brother's Best Friend
Age Gap (10 years)
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Mr. & Mrs. Claus Hijinks
Hot Tub Hanky Panky
Tropes:
Brother's Best Friend
Age Gap (10 years)
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Mr. & Mrs. Claus Hijinks
Hot Tub Hanky Panky