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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
This made it to my top top list - it was just really ...lovely. A literary warm embrace, if you will. I haven't read Melanie Harlow in a while; I read the first book in Cherry Tree Harbor & then sort of forgot about the series (no other reason than I got distracted) -- and this book reminded me why she is absolutely one of my top 5 fav authors.
Mabel & Joe - random encounter on a flight which results in a mutually agreed upon one-night stand - which in turn ends up with a bun in the oven - and the rest is about them trying to build a friendship & co-parenting situation, when the mutual attraction that resulted in aforementioned bun continues to sizzle under the surface.
No.1 reason I loved this book - they were just mature, non-dramatic, human being characters who were figuring their sh*t out. Mabel - outside of the original panic - isn't prone to theatrics. She's a smart, balanced, wholesome FMC who is making the best of a situation that she wasn't quite prepared for - but wants anyway. There isn't a lot of angst or painful conversations, and she is quite determined to be gracefully independent and is very clear on boundaries. Joe - he's a gentleman through & through and while this baby was absolutely not on his dance card, he takes his time to go on the journey of finally realizing that THIS is what he wants. He is sweet, generous and kind - but protective & feral when anyone messed with Mabel. Only the best kind of MMC to exist.
The banter & conversation is really funny and entertaining. There's obviously a bigger cast of characters involved - families on both sides - and there are group chats where parallel conversations converge. Now, normally - my guard goes up with group chats because it's usually not very funny and can just be cringe-worthy sometimes. Ari is just brilliant, sharp & supportiveHowever, it's all good in the hood here - even the secondary characters are mature, have a good sense of boundaries and there isn't any painful group chats. It's a really good time for all.
It's such a cozy story and one of my favorite tropes with 2 MCs that are so beautiful and relatable. Melanie weaves such a compelling narrative and I found myself constantly rushing home to get back to this story. Definite must read.
Mabel & Joe - random encounter on a flight which results in a mutually agreed upon one-night stand - which in turn ends up with a bun in the oven - and the rest is about them trying to build a friendship & co-parenting situation, when the mutual attraction that resulted in aforementioned bun continues to sizzle under the surface.
No.1 reason I loved this book - they were just mature, non-dramatic, human being characters who were figuring their sh*t out. Mabel - outside of the original panic - isn't prone to theatrics. She's a smart, balanced, wholesome FMC who is making the best of a situation that she wasn't quite prepared for - but wants anyway. There isn't a lot of angst or painful conversations, and she is quite determined to be gracefully independent and is very clear on boundaries. Joe - he's a gentleman through & through and while this baby was absolutely not on his dance card, he takes his time to go on the journey of finally realizing that THIS is what he wants. He is sweet, generous and kind - but protective & feral when anyone messed with Mabel. Only the best kind of MMC to exist.
The banter & conversation is really funny and entertaining. There's obviously a bigger cast of characters involved - families on both sides - and there are group chats where parallel conversations converge. Now, normally - my guard goes up with group chats because it's usually not very funny and can just be cringe-worthy sometimes. Ari is just brilliant, sharp & supportiveHowever, it's all good in the hood here - even the secondary characters are mature, have a good sense of boundaries and there isn't any painful group chats. It's a really good time for all.
It's such a cozy story and one of my favorite tropes with 2 MCs that are so beautiful and relatable. Melanie weaves such a compelling narrative and I found myself constantly rushing home to get back to this story. Definite must read.
fast-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
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐¼ (4.25 stars)
This was such a fun read. Mabel and Joe had great chemistry, and their meet-cute on the plane had me laughing. The surprise pregnancy trope was handled well, with plenty of emotion, as well as lots of humour and sweet moments.
Joe took a little too long to figure out his feelings, but his growth by the end made up for it. Mabel was a fantastic heroine, smart, independent, and not about to settle for less. The spice was🌶️🌶️, and the romance had just the right mix of tension and heart.
A little predictable at times, but honestly, that was part of the charm.
This was such a fun read. Mabel and Joe had great chemistry, and their meet-cute on the plane had me laughing. The surprise pregnancy trope was handled well, with plenty of emotion, as well as lots of humour and sweet moments.
Joe took a little too long to figure out his feelings, but his growth by the end made up for it. Mabel was a fantastic heroine, smart, independent, and not about to settle for less. The spice was🌶️🌶️, and the romance had just the right mix of tension and heart.
A little predictable at times, but honestly, that was part of the charm.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book surprised me! Not that I expect anything less from MH, but this was super cute and sweet. I actually really enjoyed seeing the slow progression of Joe's internal struggle with the direction he wanted to go in - seemed well paced and realistic. Overall a great addition to the series.
Not sure why some of these reviews are so bad. Sounds like they didn’t actually read the book. It was a cute easy read! Loved how they met, how their relationship developed! Joe lupo, I’d sit next to you on any plane!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced