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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
Jewel E. Ann's writing has been so good lately! She manages to write books that push my boundaries but still leave me wanting more. The Apple Tree was not quite boundary pushing as Sunday Morning for me on the forbidden love aspect, but it still had me a little on edge. Eve felt like the classic middle child. One moment she was very mature, the next still childish. She had problems I should have seen coming, and yet somehow was surprised by. Eve totally bewitched Kyle. She shouldn't have been his match but was. Kyle was a man with strong convictions who couldn't stay away from someone he felt a big connection and chemistry to. They fit together surprisingly well. I also loved Eve's connection to little Josh. They made a sweet family. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. I'm curious to find out how the youngest sister fairs in her book next and how the family reacts.
Good grief..these are incredible. This is book 2 of the series and although you can read them individually, I would recommend reading Sunday Morning first. Eve’s older sister Sarah, is the FMC in book 1 and her story is similar in ways. Both are them are captivating from the first chapter to the end.
Speaking of Sunday Morning, if you read it, then you know that the sister’s parents are..let’s say complicated. The dad is the town pastor so the mom has to live up to the expectations of the preacher’s wife and the girls have to live up to the preacher’s daughters standards. Those standards? Perfection. Much like Sarah, Eve has a rebellious side. She’s 18, an adult, and her pet peeve is being treated like a child. (We’ve all been there, right?) Side note, keep in mind when you read, that Eve is 18, that explains a lot.
Now, her father’s best friend’s brother, yep get that..moves in next door. Kyle. He is the new math teacher/football coach, 28 years old, and a single father to his 5 year old son, Josh. And Eve is smitten and infatuated from the first moment their eyes meet. Complicated! As Eve tries desperately to prove to everyone she is an adult, she’s been hiding some secrets from everyone and must face them at some point.
Honestly, this is the 3rd book I’ve read from JEA. The other 2, Sunday Morning and From Air. From No Where will be next and I have to say, that after reading those first 2 books, now 3, I looked up everything JEA has ever written and made a list. I want to go back and read everything. If these are anything like the feet of her books, I want to read them all.
Speaking of Sunday Morning, if you read it, then you know that the sister’s parents are..let’s say complicated. The dad is the town pastor so the mom has to live up to the expectations of the preacher’s wife and the girls have to live up to the preacher’s daughters standards. Those standards? Perfection. Much like Sarah, Eve has a rebellious side. She’s 18, an adult, and her pet peeve is being treated like a child. (We’ve all been there, right?) Side note, keep in mind when you read, that Eve is 18, that explains a lot.
Now, her father’s best friend’s brother, yep get that..moves in next door. Kyle. He is the new math teacher/football coach, 28 years old, and a single father to his 5 year old son, Josh. And Eve is smitten and infatuated from the first moment their eyes meet. Complicated! As Eve tries desperately to prove to everyone she is an adult, she’s been hiding some secrets from everyone and must face them at some point.
Honestly, this is the 3rd book I’ve read from JEA. The other 2, Sunday Morning and From Air. From No Where will be next and I have to say, that after reading those first 2 books, now 3, I looked up everything JEA has ever written and made a list. I want to go back and read everything. If these are anything like the feet of her books, I want to read them all.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3/5 - I will probably keep reading this series, but the 18/28 age difference plus religious parents plus addiction issues just didn’t come together for me. The parents in this series are so annoying. Loved the Grandma though. I like Jewel E. Ann as a writer, this just wasn’t my favorite story.
“I’m not lying. I told you years ago that when you were ready to spread those beautiful wings of yours, I would move heaven and earth to let you fly.”
Jewel E. Ann is my Roman Empire. It’s done and decided. I have laughed, I have cried, and I have absolutely loved every book of hers that I have read. And every book I wish I could read for the first time all over again.
Kyle is a 28-year-old, single dad next door, new to town, math teacher, and football coach. Eve is a FIERY, 18-year-old, freshly graduated, middle child, pastor’s (who is also Kyle’s brother’s best friend) daughter... and the new babysitter. Kyle’s son, Josh, was just the sweetest little boy. His obsession with Eve was up there with his dad’s. Their relationship may have been frowned upon, but they were perfect for each other. Their banter and chemistry was top tier. I laughed out loud so many times. This story was also full of so much angst and emotion, and does touch on some heavy topics like addiction and abortion.
I cannot wait for Gabby’s story, but this series is already an absolute favorite of mine. Thank you to Jewel and Valentine PR for an ARC. I am forever and ever grateful. Read if you love single-dads, age gap, forbidden romance, small towns, teachers and preacher’s daughters.
Jewel E. Ann is my Roman Empire. It’s done and decided. I have laughed, I have cried, and I have absolutely loved every book of hers that I have read. And every book I wish I could read for the first time all over again.
Kyle is a 28-year-old, single dad next door, new to town, math teacher, and football coach. Eve is a FIERY, 18-year-old, freshly graduated, middle child, pastor’s (who is also Kyle’s brother’s best friend) daughter... and the new babysitter. Kyle’s son, Josh, was just the sweetest little boy. His obsession with Eve was up there with his dad’s. Their relationship may have been frowned upon, but they were perfect for each other. Their banter and chemistry was top tier. I laughed out loud so many times. This story was also full of so much angst and emotion, and does touch on some heavy topics like addiction and abortion.
I cannot wait for Gabby’s story, but this series is already an absolute favorite of mine. Thank you to Jewel and Valentine PR for an ARC. I am forever and ever grateful. Read if you love single-dads, age gap, forbidden romance, small towns, teachers and preacher’s daughters.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I freaking love this story. I how they were friends from the beginning to the end of the book but they fell in love with each other as time went on. I how she got help that she need to make her life easier for her and them she hold on to much for a young girl should when it came to keep secrets about what her parents were talking about years ago. I like they never gave up on each other when everybody thought it was wrong but at the end of the day you can’t break up to people that are madly in love with each.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
I am absolutely LOVING this series by Jewel E. Ann. The sheltered daughters of a small town preacher, the 80’s setting, the forbiddeness, the cheekiness, the FMC’s having the MMC’s wrapped around their finger, all the banter. Guys, I’m having a great time!
After reading a little bit about Eve in Sarah’s book, Sunday Morning, I knew I was going to love her. She was mischievous and I knew she was going to be an absolute firecracker. Jewel did not disappoint. Eve had me cracking up with her wit and sassiness. Kyle is the ultimate MMC. The way he cares for Eve and steals his kisses before she goes home to be mad at him? I swoon. And their chemistry?? SO good. The build up was done very well and Jewel had me kicking my feet and smiling ear to ear throughout!
There’s a few heavier topics discussed in this book and I feel Jewel navigated them very well. Eve’s parents kind of suck, but learning about their own past troubles put some things into perspective. And Eve’s plot twist toward the end? I did not see that coming. My heart broke for her and Kyle. I don’t blame Kyle at all for not noticing the signs. Ugh, he loves her so damn much.
Ok, I can’t wrap up this review without shouting out Kyle’s son Josh. Was a freaking cutie! I loved his character and his relationship with Kyle and Eve. I appreciate when the child is actually shown in a single parent trope and interacts with the characters. It’s important to actually see the character as a parent. It’s the whole point of the dang trope! Jewel has written a couple books with a single parent and she has killed it every time. If you’re looking for another, Look The Part is one of my favs!
Tropes
- Single Dad
- Nextdoor Neighbor
- Age Gap
- Preacher’s Daughter
Spice Level
🌶️🌶️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, Grief
Minor: Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Forced institutionalization
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
I thought I wasn’t going to enjoy it as much as the first when during the first half but it really ramped up in the second half and once again covered topics that were a lot more serious then you might expect there to be in the book. It was beautifully written and Josh was an adorable child.