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pagesinkedinshadows's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
This one was a little more real and a little less humor, but I really loved it.
It was real and emotional and so sweet & fun.
It was real and emotional and so sweet & fun.
whatcha_listening_to's review against another edition
5.0
I don't think Erin will ever stop surprising me.
I liked that we got to see all three of our fierce females interact in this book and you can clearly see the difference in personalities. I LOVED that the most.
I liked that Louise is more serious but that she goes with the flow. Is she standoffish a lot yes but with reasons.
We find out those reasons and so much more. Your childhood really does shape who you are, I don't think we notice it as much until you have to take a step back and see why you do things this way or that is what Louise is finding out.
James is the sweetest part of this book for me. I loved him and his little girl, the way he and his best friend/ex are together is utterly sweet and is what I wish anyone who is co-parenting would be like. Because wow what well-adjusted people we all would be.
I am going to leave you with a favourite quote. "You make me re-think sunsets." That is a powerful quote.
I loved the dual narration; I mean anytime we get Teddy it's amazing, but I am really glad that James got to give us his POV.
I really don't need to sing Erin's narration praises, but I will because I just love her style its effortless to listen to her. And bonus we get a really awesome story as the cherry on top.
I liked that we got to see all three of our fierce females interact in this book and you can clearly see the difference in personalities. I LOVED that the most.
I liked that Louise is more serious but that she goes with the flow. Is she standoffish a lot yes but with reasons.
We find out those reasons and so much more. Your childhood really does shape who you are, I don't think we notice it as much until you have to take a step back and see why you do things this way or that is what Louise is finding out.
James is the sweetest part of this book for me. I loved him and his little girl, the way he and his best friend/ex are together is utterly sweet and is what I wish anyone who is co-parenting would be like. Because wow what well-adjusted people we all would be.
I am going to leave you with a favourite quote. "You make me re-think sunsets." That is a powerful quote.
I loved the dual narration; I mean anytime we get Teddy it's amazing, but I am really glad that James got to give us his POV.
I really don't need to sing Erin's narration praises, but I will because I just love her style its effortless to listen to her. And bonus we get a really awesome story as the cherry on top.
jennifermarie119's review against another edition
5.0
I loved everything about this story, it was awkward fun, hilarious and will hit you in the feels. I love the humor and found myself hysterical laughing several times. I loved that James threw a wrench in Louise plan to just have a fling when they find out they both have mutual friends. These two have amazing an amazing connection and I loved the banter between them. One of my favorite things about the story was James relationship with his daughter.
Erin Mallon and Teddy Hamilton were the perfect voices for Louise and James. Erin did an amazing job bringing out all of Louise’s personality and Teddy brought out how James sweet and caring is. This one was my favorite of series and would definitely recommend to all the rom-com lovers!
Erin Mallon and Teddy Hamilton were the perfect voices for Louise and James. Erin did an amazing job bringing out all of Louise’s personality and Teddy brought out how James sweet and caring is. This one was my favorite of series and would definitely recommend to all the rom-com lovers!
theaccidentalromanceblogger's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Louise, the serial monogamist marine biologist, decides it's time to try something new. What she ends up trying is a hotter-than-the-sun one night stand with a bartender she couldn't keep her eyes off. It's not like they'll meet again, right? So so wrong because he happens to be best friends with her friend Mabel's boyfriend. They keep running into each other and despite her making him promise he would would never approach her after their encounter, they're thrown together everywhere... and he's too yummy to resist. But her past makes have a hard time trusting people and James has a whopper of a secret.
This third installment in the Natural History series changes the tone a little bit. It's still a romantic comedy, but it touches some heavier topics.
It is my favorite of the three. I may be biased , as I am few credits shorts of being a marine biologist myself. I loved Melanie's storyline too. I'm also a sucker for a single dad romance and James is just the sweetest dad and book boyfriend.
I'm thrilled to know that Erin Mallon is releasing a novella collection with these couples a little further in the future. Sign me up!
Narration: What's better than Erin narrating her own words? Her comedic timing is perfect and she always brings the feels. Plus, you get Teddy Hamilton as the cinnamon roll goodness that is James. Narration heaven!
Possible triggers: child abandonment, surprise pregnancy (historical), alcoholism
lisaluvsliterature's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this final full length novel of the Natural History series. Erin Mallon’s humor in these books is perfection! Or at least it is my perfectly matched to my own sense of humor! I loved getting to be back with Calliope from Flirtasaurus and Mabel from Lovebug. And oh my gosh was Mabel definitely #unchained or whatever different craziness she was about at the time!
This book had the same crazy out there wackiness of the situations the characters found themselves in or how they reacted to people or events around them. And while the first book will always be my favorite, because, dinosaurs, this one came pretty close to being better than the first two in that I LOVED getting both sides of the story as it alternated between Louise and James. While the love interests in the first two books, Ralph (snort-laugh) and Wally, definitely had their personalities shine through with Mallon’s writing, James getting his own voice in this story just made everything even better!
Now the family issues in this one were definitely deep for Louise, Cold Brew as James nicknamed her, they made sense and I liked how they were all wrapped up in the end. I feel like it was done realistically. The single dad bit as well, what a unique situation James had that led to his daughter Iris, and it was perfect how he dealt with her and even with dating. I totally got Louise’s points about a father should put his daughter/child first. It was based on her lack of that with her own parents. But even with my own good experience with divorced and remarried parents, I have always felt that is important too.
So many things to mention that stuck out for me. One, just like one of the characters mentioned, I also always have to think when I’m trying to spell the word jeopardy. You didn’t see it of course, but I had to pause and think as I typed it for that last sentence. A line thrown in about how the rhythm is going to get you just randomly, but hilarious if you caught it. AND THEN! OH MY GOSH! The bedroom scene where one of Mabel’s praying mantises makes a guest appearance had me laughing so hard and later on googling just what or if a praying mantis might actually be able to lift anything like in this scene. A sarcastic reply to Louise from James asking if she was “inviting him into her oven”. So so good. Love love love! I think with Teddy Hamilton narrating, I’ll have to buy this on audio to listen to as well. Another hit from Erin Mallon, and I was so pleased to see she’s got some short stories coming out that will fill in some details and add some fun scenes for these characters.
This book had the same crazy out there wackiness of the situations the characters found themselves in or how they reacted to people or events around them. And while the first book will always be my favorite, because, dinosaurs, this one came pretty close to being better than the first two in that I LOVED getting both sides of the story as it alternated between Louise and James. While the love interests in the first two books, Ralph (snort-laugh) and Wally, definitely had their personalities shine through with Mallon’s writing, James getting his own voice in this story just made everything even better!
Now the family issues in this one were definitely deep for Louise, Cold Brew as James nicknamed her, they made sense and I liked how they were all wrapped up in the end. I feel like it was done realistically. The single dad bit as well, what a unique situation James had that led to his daughter Iris, and it was perfect how he dealt with her and even with dating. I totally got Louise’s points about a father should put his daughter/child first. It was based on her lack of that with her own parents. But even with my own good experience with divorced and remarried parents, I have always felt that is important too.
So many things to mention that stuck out for me. One, just like one of the characters mentioned, I also always have to think when I’m trying to spell the word jeopardy. You didn’t see it of course, but I had to pause and think as I typed it for that last sentence. A line thrown in about how the rhythm is going to get you just randomly, but hilarious if you caught it. AND THEN! OH MY GOSH! The bedroom scene where one of Mabel’s praying mantises makes a guest appearance had me laughing so hard and later on googling just what or if a praying mantis might actually be able to lift anything like in this scene. A sarcastic reply to Louise from James asking if she was “inviting him into her oven”. So so good. Love love love! I think with Teddy Hamilton narrating, I’ll have to buy this on audio to listen to as well. Another hit from Erin Mallon, and I was so pleased to see she’s got some short stories coming out that will fill in some details and add some fun scenes for these characters.
staceysippireads's review against another edition
5.0
Erin’s experience as a narrator and playwright comes through in her novel writing. Her stories have this wonderful flow and the character interactions are so conversational with fabulous comedic and/or poignant timing. It seems with each book of the series, the main characters dealt with bigger issues and more complicated situations. With the way the friend group evolved in the books, you just knew they would have the support needed. I love this crew! They are silly, kind, caring, hilarious, and perfect!
Erin writes smart, fun, flawed women that are very easy to relate to. You can see yourself in each of them. Louise was no exception. She writes supportive men who help lift up their women, fall head over heels, and keep the heroine in check when needed. I love this, and I loved James!
Something about this story tugged at me. I couldn’t get enough. This was everything I want in a modern RomCom. The perfect balance of sass, humor, growth, silly, swoon, and love. What a perfect story to close out this series!
I love listening to Erin Mallon narrate her own work. It’s like there is this extra authenticity to her story telling. It’s really a special thing. The addition of Teddy Hamilton in this audio was perfect. I swear he keeps getting better. There was this cadence and tone to his narration of James I just loved. Fabulous audio!!
Erin writes smart, fun, flawed women that are very easy to relate to. You can see yourself in each of them. Louise was no exception. She writes supportive men who help lift up their women, fall head over heels, and keep the heroine in check when needed. I love this, and I loved James!
Something about this story tugged at me. I couldn’t get enough. This was everything I want in a modern RomCom. The perfect balance of sass, humor, growth, silly, swoon, and love. What a perfect story to close out this series!
I love listening to Erin Mallon narrate her own work. It’s like there is this extra authenticity to her story telling. It’s really a special thing. The addition of Teddy Hamilton in this audio was perfect. I swear he keeps getting better. There was this cadence and tone to his narration of James I just loved. Fabulous audio!!
memull17's review
4.0
Louise and James started out hot and heavy then promptly hit the brakes thinking they would never see each other again but that changes when they realize their friend groups are connected. Slowly, Louise and James go from one night to friends to dating but there’s always been an end date. With James moving to Hawaii, Louise tries really hard to keep her feelings, insecurities and emotions in check but she feels she’s drowning and doesn’t know how to separate her need to stand on her own two feet and wanting to be with James. The minute James met Louise he just knew there was something about her and couldn’t help falling head over heels for her. James is already all in with both feet but can Louise get there or will the end date really be the end of them?
James is a sweetheart and his relationship with his daughter is perfect and the love and care he extends to those he loves is amazing. Louise has a dream job and when she finally found how to incorporate her two passions together she truly glowed just like James said. James and Louise are perfect together, their chemistry is amazing, they actually see each other, support each other and truly care about each other.
I haven’t read the first two books in this inter connected series but I’m definitely going to because Louise’s friends are hilarious and I wanna know more about their antics.
Thank you @socialbutterfly_pr_ and @mallonerin for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
James is a sweetheart and his relationship with his daughter is perfect and the love and care he extends to those he loves is amazing. Louise has a dream job and when she finally found how to incorporate her two passions together she truly glowed just like James said. James and Louise are perfect together, their chemistry is amazing, they actually see each other, support each other and truly care about each other.
I haven’t read the first two books in this inter connected series but I’m definitely going to because Louise’s friends are hilarious and I wanna know more about their antics.
Thank you @socialbutterfly_pr_ and @mallonerin for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
meganonpaper's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
_skyler's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
I liked this but it didn’t do it for me as much as the other two books. Narration was excellent though.
nikkisbooknook's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Add a water phobic Marine Biologist to an alcoholic Bar owner in recovery and you have a sure fire comedy-filled romance!
Poor Louise just wanted to cut loose and not be herself for once. A ONS with the hottie bartender seemed like the perfect plan. So why did she manage to find the one that wants to chat, get to know her and know her name! She hates the nickname he gives her - Cold Brew, but the poor lad has to call her something! When they keep bumping into each other and then Louise finds out she now has to WORK with the guy - her poor wee world implodes! All those self-imposed rules, regulations and theories are going right out the window!
James has a lot on his plate - his sobriety, co-parenting his little girls from across the country, and getting his bar in a good place so that he can finally be a full-time dad in Hawaii. he didn't need or want an attraction to the prickly Marine Biologist but that's what he got. The more he learns about Louise, the more he loves her but what can he do when their relationship already has an expiration date?
All the secondary characters are brilliant but I must admit Meilani the sea lion stole my heart! James is so devoted to his daughter and he was determined that he wasn't letting her down, even if he broke his own heart in the process. Iris is such a precocious little cherub - such big words and grown-up sense come from such a small package!
I hadn't read any of the other books in the series but I don't think that dulled my enjoyment any.
I felt such empathy towards Louise and her Jeopardy-itis! I get motormouth syndrome when I'm nervous too. All the misnomers like raw dogging had me in hysterics.
Poor Louise just wanted to cut loose and not be herself for once. A ONS with the hottie bartender seemed like the perfect plan. So why did she manage to find the one that wants to chat, get to know her and know her name! She hates the nickname he gives her - Cold Brew, but the poor lad has to call her something! When they keep bumping into each other and then Louise finds out she now has to WORK with the guy - her poor wee world implodes! All those self-imposed rules, regulations and theories are going right out the window!
James has a lot on his plate - his sobriety, co-parenting his little girls from across the country, and getting his bar in a good place so that he can finally be a full-time dad in Hawaii. he didn't need or want an attraction to the prickly Marine Biologist but that's what he got. The more he learns about Louise, the more he loves her but what can he do when their relationship already has an expiration date?
All the secondary characters are brilliant but I must admit Meilani the sea lion stole my heart! James is so devoted to his daughter and he was determined that he wasn't letting her down, even if he broke his own heart in the process. Iris is such a precocious little cherub - such big words and grown-up sense come from such a small package!
I hadn't read any of the other books in the series but I don't think that dulled my enjoyment any.
I felt such empathy towards Louise and her Jeopardy-itis! I get motormouth syndrome when I'm nervous too. All the misnomers like raw dogging had me in hysterics.
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