Reviews with content warning for Body shaming - Second First Impressions

It took a lot for me to get into at the beginning. It was quite slow. But when Teddy and Ruthie’s relationship started it really went from 0 to 100 real quick and I fell in love with their characters and their relationship. If you’re a sucker for

happy endings

then this book is for you. Would’ve gotten a 5 star if it wasn’t so much of a slow burn.

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jenkneebee's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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theespressoedition's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I'm beginning to question everything I thought I knew. Years ago, I read The Hating Game and loved it. Last year, I read 99 Percent Mine and violently hated it. Now that I've read Second First Impressions... I don't know where I stand anymore. I think I need to go back and read The Hating Game again to gauge what I actually enjoy when it comes to contemporary romance, because maybe Sally Thorne's writing just isn't for me now?

I found this book to be repetitive, slow, and kind of forgettable. I liked the premise a lot and even related to the main character on a pretty regular basis. But I'm sitting here now and I've already forgotten her first name... and I finished the book last night. That's not the best sign, right?

A slow burn is something I've never minded, but this can't even be considered that... it was just slow. And also confusing. I found it really strange that the entire time that Ruthie (her name is Ruthie - I had to look it up) was trying to find a man, she was flirting with Teddy and he wasn't just flirting back, he was literally offering himself to her. At one point, she wonders about what it would be like to kiss him and she wishes she could do so when the night before he - no joke - asked to kiss her and she turned him down.

She also had a very intense kinky, lusty thing going for his hair which kinda freaked me out. I get it, he has nice hair. Mention it once or maybe twice as a joke and move on. But all I know about him now is that he had nice hair and tattoos. I remember little else.

Also... the "sisters" plot twist at the end? Not a plot twist. Totally obvious. How on EARTH did Ruthie not notice it? And are we not gonna go into how awfully Mel was treated the whole time? Ah, the more I talk about this, the more I want to give it a lower rating. Just... not a great book.

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spearly's review

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

SALLY!!! HOW DO YOU KEEP WRITING SUCH INCREDIBLE CHARACTERS!!!!

_______

One of the “benefits” of working in the front office of Providence Retirement Villa is I receive feedback on every aspect of my lifestyle and appearance, whether I want it or not. (I do not.) Here are the three questions the residents always have for me:

•How old are you? (Twenty-five)
•Do you have a boyfriend? (No)
•Why not? (Miscellaneous reasons, none of which will satisfy them)

Sally Thorne does it a-fucking-gain. I could not put this down. She gets all the stars for:

• An incredible, well-rounded group of characters
• Drama and conflict that made SENSE and wasn't centred on a trivial misunderstanding
• A quirky, fun MC that I just wanted to give a big hug to
• An adorable male love interest (guys, I have a problem. I keep falling in love with men written by women, so no real man ever measures up)
• TORTOISES
• WICKEDLY FUN OLD LADIES

Honestly, I would have read the novel for the side characters alone. Renata was NEXT LEVEL. Melanie was the best friend I never had. Teddy was the sort of hot class clown you can't help but fall in love with. His bits with Aggie and Renata were my favourite. (Hey Sally, could you write a period piece on Ren and Aggie? Thanks!)

What a setting, too! Thorne certainly can paint a picture. I have thought, more than once, that I would be very happy living in a retirement community, and Sally's convinced me I'm right. Quiet neighbours! Who are probably hard of hearing! And go to bed at 8! Sounds like a dream. I don't know how she managed to make a retirement facility seem romantic, but she did.

I could gush about this forever, probably. I enjoyed it nearly as much as The Hating Game, which comes out on top because I'm trash for enemies-to-lovers. Still, I love a guy who pines, so I am a happy, happy girl.

4.5 stars rounded up. Sally, I love you, but PLEASE GET YOUR BUTT IN GEAR AND WRITE ANOTHER BOOK ALREADY. This one just came out and I'm already starving for one.

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