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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book, with my honest review below.
I was looking forward to reading Can’t Help Falling in Love due to the promise of a cute plot that reminded me of another romance I really loved. And while it was a charming story, I was left feeling like I continued to read something in between a plot blurb and a book. While Lexi, our female main character, was both someone to admire for her strength and want to root for as she learns to trust her heart again, and Will, our male main character was charming and a good guy, it seemed all the things we would want to know about them were explored at a high level. This also extended to their quick fall into love relationship.
Please don’t mistake me, this is adorable. But it didn’t hit the chords I was looking for which is so disappointing because if it had spent just a bit more time going deeper in certain areas, this could easily have become a classic in the romantic comedy genre.
I was looking forward to reading Can’t Help Falling in Love due to the promise of a cute plot that reminded me of another romance I really loved. And while it was a charming story, I was left feeling like I continued to read something in between a plot blurb and a book. While Lexi, our female main character, was both someone to admire for her strength and want to root for as she learns to trust her heart again, and Will, our male main character was charming and a good guy, it seemed all the things we would want to know about them were explored at a high level. This also extended to their quick fall into love relationship.
Please don’t mistake me, this is adorable. But it didn’t hit the chords I was looking for which is so disappointing because if it had spent just a bit more time going deeper in certain areas, this could easily have become a classic in the romantic comedy genre.
I was very charmed by the banter and chemistry and care between the two leads. This book involves themes of survivors guilt and grief, anxiety, insecurity, etc. They are handled with care but I do feel like there was a little too much going on in the book.
Lexi has had a difficult time in having to sacrifice her college scholarship and running to take care of her mother and see to the resolution of her father's debts. She has some resentment built in there for her mother who is standing still and has given her an excuse to stand still also. When she meets Will Grand when she's serving as his hapless waitress, a series of events follow that get increasingly ridiculous (not completely derogatory). The fake engagement of convenience is cute - Will clearly adores Lexi and you know there's no way she can just "have some fun" with him. She's averse to a grand love of any kind because if she loses Will she doesn't want to end up like her mother.
On Will's side of the fence, the family business succession drama was just very surface level for me. I hated his parents' attitude towards Lexi even though that's to be expected between people from ~different worlds~. I wasn't pleased at the mom's about face at the end of the novel to being so happy for Will and Lexi...I enjoyed Will's relationship with his sisters. Not sure if the option is for Kyra to be the MC in a future novel in a series but she's a lot of fun.
I loved Ethan's whole deal and could probably enjoy a book with him and Maisie being a couple if that's where signs were pointing...Lexi coming into her own through working for Ethan was good. I do feel like there was a good separation of Will actively bringing that offer into being and overstepping versus him just putting the bug in Ethan's ear but Lexi actually earning the job on her own merit too.
I did relate to Lexi's feeling of being stuck and feeling like she had nothing to show for her life. The pacing at the end was a little rushed and the Thanksgiving dinner with all of the fam read as slightly cliche to me but I did finish the book.
All in all this book was cute but not exactly for me. It's chances may have been hurt by following a book I really enjoyed.
Spoiler
Lexi has had a difficult time in having to sacrifice her college scholarship and running to take care of her mother and see to the resolution of her father's debts. She has some resentment built in there for her mother who is standing still and has given her an excuse to stand still also. When she meets Will Grand when she's serving as his hapless waitress, a series of events follow that get increasingly ridiculous (not completely derogatory). The fake engagement of convenience is cute - Will clearly adores Lexi and you know there's no way she can just "have some fun" with him. She's averse to a grand love of any kind because if she loses Will she doesn't want to end up like her mother.
On Will's side of the fence, the family business succession drama was just very surface level for me. I hated his parents' attitude towards Lexi even though that's to be expected between people from ~different worlds~. I wasn't pleased at the mom's about face at the end of the novel to being so happy for Will and Lexi...I enjoyed Will's relationship with his sisters. Not sure if the option is for Kyra to be the MC in a future novel in a series but she's a lot of fun.
I loved Ethan's whole deal and could probably enjoy a book with him and Maisie being a couple if that's where signs were pointing...Lexi coming into her own through working for Ethan was good. I do feel like there was a good separation of Will actively bringing that offer into being and overstepping versus him just putting the bug in Ethan's ear but Lexi actually earning the job on her own merit too.
I did relate to Lexi's feeling of being stuck and feeling like she had nothing to show for her life. The pacing at the end was a little rushed and the Thanksgiving dinner with all of the fam read as slightly cliche to me but I did finish the book.
All in all this book was cute but not exactly for me. It's chances may have been hurt by following a book I really enjoyed.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is my first book by this author and it is perfect for fall. Once I got into the book I had a hard time setting it down.
This is a meet cute, sweeter romance story and it was an excellent read.
This is my first book by this author and it is perfect for fall. Once I got into the book I had a hard time setting it down.
This is a meet cute, sweeter romance story and it was an excellent read.
I dove right into this book. It wasn't hard as Will and Lexi grabbed from the beginning with their meet cute.
Lexi and Will were both complex characters. Lexi has dealt with a lot of loss and grief. Will has a lot of weight on his shoulders. I liked that they were a great support for each other.
This book was fantastic and I cannot wait for Sophie's next book!
Thank you to NetGalley, St Martins Press, and Sophie Sullivan for the e-ARC of this book. This review is my own opinion.
Lexi and Will were both complex characters. Lexi has dealt with a lot of loss and grief. Will has a lot of weight on his shoulders. I liked that they were a great support for each other.
This book was fantastic and I cannot wait for Sophie's next book!
Thank you to NetGalley, St Martins Press, and Sophie Sullivan for the e-ARC of this book. This review is my own opinion.
