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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
2.5 stars -- *sigh* And so my reading slump continues. Which is weird, b/c I thought this would be a sure thing since I love other works by this author. I will definitely be taking the rest of this series off my wishlist, just in case....
I probably should have DNF'd this one from the first moment our heroine acted all judgey and rubbed me the wrong way. But there were parts of the romance I was enjoying, and I wanted to see if she would grow up a bit. Unfortunately, that just didn't happen. And then I thought about DNFing it at 60% when she was getting beyond judgey mcjudgerson and I still didn't...I definitely regret that.
So yeah. My main issue was with Jenny. And it was a huge issue. Sam kept talking about how kind she was, but she was only kind to *her* kind of people. I mean, the guy has one beer with lunch and she gives him a dirty look and then says "men will have their vices"?? It wasn't in a playful manner either. She was really put out and just put up with it barely. Sam was always feeling guilty for the life he led. It would be one thing if he just wasn't happy with that life anymore (which he wasn't), but she actually made him feel bad for his previous choices. For someone who is supposed to be so kind hearted and religious, that was awfully mean. Example #2 -- she was disgusted and heartbroken when she found out he lived with Pepper. He's a 29 year old man who was in a relationship!!! For realz??? And then there was how she treated Tess (who granted, was making moves on Sam while he was with her, but holy hateful). It just felt like everything about Sam and his lifestyle was wrong and evil and her only issues were supposedly her fear of leaving her family...because apparently no one else saw the other flaws in her character.
I just kept waiting for them both to grow up. I understand that they were going to fight and have differences, but the way they argued was so selfish and immature...I guess I just wasn't expecting that. Or at least it would have been nice to see some growth.
And it wasn't just Jenny that felt judgmental and holier than thou....the whole book had a judgmental feeling towards "big city life" and non-pure relationships. I don't mind if that's not who *you* are, but I enjoy all kinds of romance stories, and I don't appreciate being made to feel as though others are wrong.
My other main issue was the hugely drawn out ending. It felt very repetitive and contained a lot of rehashing of the previous story from both of their perspectives. It really wasn't necessary, and made the book feel ridiculously long and boring. Combine that with the judgemental feel of the book, and it just was a recipe for badness for me.
And there's my not so nice review. I hate reviewing books I don't enjoy....it makes me feel like a mean person, and I don't want to be a mean person. Obviously I am in the minority in this opinion, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. But if you start feeling disgusted with Jenny like I was, then take my advice and DNF. It doesn't get better enough to make the little bits of fun and romance worth it. (At least in my opinion).
I probably should have DNF'd this one from the first moment our heroine acted all judgey and rubbed me the wrong way. But there were parts of the romance I was enjoying, and I wanted to see if she would grow up a bit. Unfortunately, that just didn't happen. And then I thought about DNFing it at 60% when she was getting beyond judgey mcjudgerson and I still didn't...I definitely regret that.
So yeah. My main issue was with Jenny. And it was a huge issue. Sam kept talking about how kind she was, but she was only kind to *her* kind of people. I mean, the guy has one beer with lunch and she gives him a dirty look and then says "men will have their vices"?? It wasn't in a playful manner either. She was really put out and just put up with it barely. Sam was always feeling guilty for the life he led. It would be one thing if he just wasn't happy with that life anymore (which he wasn't), but she actually made him feel bad for his previous choices. For someone who is supposed to be so kind hearted and religious, that was awfully mean. Example #2 -- she was disgusted and heartbroken when she found out he lived with Pepper. He's a 29 year old man who was in a relationship!!! For realz??? And then there was how she treated Tess (who granted, was making moves on Sam while he was with her, but holy hateful). It just felt like everything about Sam and his lifestyle was wrong and evil and her only issues were supposedly her fear of leaving her family...because apparently no one else saw the other flaws in her character.
I just kept waiting for them both to grow up. I understand that they were going to fight and have differences, but the way they argued was so selfish and immature...I guess I just wasn't expecting that. Or at least it would have been nice to see some growth.
And it wasn't just Jenny that felt judgmental and holier than thou....the whole book had a judgmental feeling towards "big city life" and non-pure relationships. I don't mind if that's not who *you* are, but I enjoy all kinds of romance stories, and I don't appreciate being made to feel as though others are wrong.
My other main issue was the hugely drawn out ending. It felt very repetitive and contained a lot of rehashing of the previous story from both of their perspectives. It really wasn't necessary, and made the book feel ridiculously long and boring. Combine that with the judgemental feel of the book, and it just was a recipe for badness for me.
And there's my not so nice review. I hate reviewing books I don't enjoy....it makes me feel like a mean person, and I don't want to be a mean person. Obviously I am in the minority in this opinion, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. But if you start feeling disgusted with Jenny like I was, then take my advice and DNF. It doesn't get better enough to make the little bits of fun and romance worth it. (At least in my opinion).
As a new blogger imagine my excitement when my first review request from an author comes through my email. It also just so happens that the description of the book includes my two favorite things, Romance and Christmas. Oh did I mention it features a military couple, which is obviously close to my heart because I am an Army spouse. I'll admit I was nervous because what if this book is bad and I can't give a new author love? I love giving love....
Now imagine me as I do a happy dance because the book turns out to be anything but a disappointment!! Yay!!
I love a well-written sweet romance and this is definitely that.
Sam & Jenny meet under strange circumstances but are instantly drawn to one another. They end up having to spend the weekend together but quickly decide to make the best of it. They both realize pretty quickly that the weekend just might not be enough but neither of them is willing to give up their lives in very different cities. Sam can tell that Jenny isn't completely happy in Gardiner but she lets him know pretty adamantly that she isn't meant for big city living and doesn't want to leave her family behind. Sam sees this as a declaration that they simply aren't meant to be. After a heated argument they part ways. Will the love they've discovered with each other be enough to sacrifice their old lives or are they destined to give up on the most real thing they've ever had?
I'm looking forward to the next books in this series. I'd love to read more about Lars, Erik and Nils (& Maggie) and maybe even an HEA for Paul? *hint*
If you love sweet romances set in small towns (ie Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis, Fools Gold series by Susan Mallory, Lakeshore Chronicles by Susan Wiggs) then this is the book for you.
PS. I LOVE the cover!
*I received and ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
Now imagine me as I do a happy dance because the book turns out to be anything but a disappointment!! Yay!!
I love a well-written sweet romance and this is definitely that.
Sam & Jenny meet under strange circumstances but are instantly drawn to one another. They end up having to spend the weekend together but quickly decide to make the best of it. They both realize pretty quickly that the weekend just might not be enough but neither of them is willing to give up their lives in very different cities. Sam can tell that Jenny isn't completely happy in Gardiner but she lets him know pretty adamantly that she isn't meant for big city living and doesn't want to leave her family behind. Sam sees this as a declaration that they simply aren't meant to be. After a heated argument they part ways. Will the love they've discovered with each other be enough to sacrifice their old lives or are they destined to give up on the most real thing they've ever had?
I'm looking forward to the next books in this series. I'd love to read more about Lars, Erik and Nils (& Maggie) and maybe even an HEA for Paul? *hint*
If you love sweet romances set in small towns (ie Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis, Fools Gold series by Susan Mallory, Lakeshore Chronicles by Susan Wiggs) then this is the book for you.
PS. I LOVE the cover!
*I received and ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
Jenny just couldn’t say no, when your best friend who is stationed overseas asks for a favor you do it. So she took off work and is sitting in a courthouse on a Friday afternoon waiting for Kris’s cousin to arrive. Kris and Ingrid are using a Montana law that would allow overseas military to marry by double proxy. Sam, Kris’s cousin rushes in but in the end is too late to meet with the judge to complete the ceremony so the two must make an appointment for Monday morning.
I loved how true to herself Jenny is, and I enjoyed how her honest approach to life had Sam reevaluating his own choices. This book has a great small town feel, and in a Christmas book a small town feel is one that warms your heart. I enjoyed this book, and better yet - I got interested in all the secondary characters and I want to read more about them. This is a definite series I will follow.
I received this book from the author for my honest review.
I loved how true to herself Jenny is, and I enjoyed how her honest approach to life had Sam reevaluating his own choices. This book has a great small town feel, and in a Christmas book a small town feel is one that warms your heart. I enjoyed this book, and better yet - I got interested in all the secondary characters and I want to read more about them. This is a definite series I will follow.
I received this book from the author for my honest review.