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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Where to even start with this beautiful, big-hearted indie romance debut?? I absolutely LOVED Jo and Jack and their slow-burn, STEAMY, grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers to fake dating vacation romance (with only one bed). ALL the best tropes were (somewhat) crammed into this book but I didn't mind one bit!
The best part for me was just how REAL, RAW and VULNERABLE both these messy, flawed characters were - the mental health focus in this book is EXCELLENT! Both Jo and Jack have past relationship trauma they're working through in therapy (and it was beautiful to see therapy so normalized in a romance book!). I also really enjoyed Jack's friend gang and how supportive they were whenever he needed emotional guidance/help.
Also great were the deliciously steamy open door scenes! This was a slow burn but once things got heated up phew!! It got HOT friends! Both characters were child-free by choice too and I so loved seeing more love stories that don't just end with marriage and a baby!! Big applause for that!
Jo, oh dear Jo - she may be one of my favorite female romance characters to date (and not only because we're both red-heads!). Used to be told she's too much or too crazy, Jo is very self-conscious about sharing her OCD tendencies or embracing her sexual desires/fantasies. It was lovely to see Jack help her understand she was perfect just as she is!
If you haven't read this wonderful debut yet you are missing out and I HIGHLY recommend it for fans of authors like BK Borison or Emma Grace. I'm excited for Henry's story coming later this fall!!
⚠️CW: intimate partner physical/emotional abuse, depression, suicidal ideation/attempt
The best part for me was just how REAL, RAW and VULNERABLE both these messy, flawed characters were - the mental health focus in this book is EXCELLENT! Both Jo and Jack have past relationship trauma they're working through in therapy (and it was beautiful to see therapy so normalized in a romance book!). I also really enjoyed Jack's friend gang and how supportive they were whenever he needed emotional guidance/help.
Also great were the deliciously steamy open door scenes! This was a slow burn but once things got heated up phew!! It got HOT friends! Both characters were child-free by choice too and I so loved seeing more love stories that don't just end with marriage and a baby!! Big applause for that!
Jo, oh dear Jo - she may be one of my favorite female romance characters to date (and not only because we're both red-heads!). Used to be told she's too much or too crazy, Jo is very self-conscious about sharing her OCD tendencies or embracing her sexual desires/fantasies. It was lovely to see Jack help her understand she was perfect just as she is!
If you haven't read this wonderful debut yet you are missing out and I HIGHLY recommend it for fans of authors like BK Borison or Emma Grace. I'm excited for Henry's story coming later this fall!!
⚠️CW: intimate partner physical/emotional abuse, depression, suicidal ideation/attempt
Just not in the right mood. Will likely try again in the future.
Jo andJack have a mutual hate for each other and are in a constant battle of besting the other. When both are chosen to attend a conference for work they’re forced to get along for a weekend. Individually they’re battling their past and that past comes out in how they treat each other. At first I was annoyed with their banter. It was rude & they were both awfulto each other but their friendship then relationship turns beautiful and they are really there for each other. The pining and slow burn is definitely there and the 3rd act conflict was something was actually realistic. TW they do bring up past abuse multiple times from Jo’s past.
An Unexpected Paradise • Chelsea Curto ⭐️ - 5
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I was beyond excited when Chelsea announced she was publishing her own book! I knew I had to read it so I jumped on the opportunity to be an ARC reader.
I am so glad I did! Because I LOVED IT!! While reading AUP I realized 2 things (well one I already knew) I love some good banter (already knew it) and I can’t help but swoon anytime the guy takes care of the girl!
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I was beyond excited when Chelsea announced she was publishing her own book! I knew I had to read it so I jumped on the opportunity to be an ARC reader.
I am so glad I did! Because I LOVED IT!! While reading AUP I realized 2 things (well one I already knew) I love some good banter (already knew it) and I can’t help but swoon anytime the guy takes care of the girl!
OH, GOSH, MY NOTES ARE FULL OF THE BANTER BETWEEN THESE TWO.
REVIEW TO COME.
... and who am I kidding? Probably an Insta Reels for the quotes.
REVIEW TO COME.
... and who am I kidding? Probably an Insta Reels for the quotes.
Jack raised the book boyfriend bar to the ROOF
Dragged on too long. Writing was so cheesy in parts. Dont think it needs dual POV tbh.
This was HARD to finish.
The switch from hate to love within 10% was just painful.
The constant odes of love and agonised adoration from the male protagonist written so clearly by a woman with the words she thinks women want to hear from a man
Men speaking and texting like Carrie, Miranda and the gang
A one dimensional antagonist written.
Literally skipping through the paragraphs of self reflective therapy droning on and on. We get it, they’ve struggled.
The sorry, although already done, could have been an enjoyable romp, but it was just too forced, particularly the dialogue from Jack.
The switch from hate to love within 10% was just painful.
The constant odes of love and agonised adoration from the male protagonist written so clearly by a woman with the words she thinks women want to hear from a man
Men speaking and texting like Carrie, Miranda and the gang
A one dimensional antagonist written.
Literally skipping through the paragraphs of self reflective therapy droning on and on. We get it, they’ve struggled.
The sorry, although already done, could have been an enjoyable romp, but it was just too forced, particularly the dialogue from Jack.
I read 10 pages last night, and then got home today and could not put this down. I LOVED Jack. Absolutely devoured this book and loved every second of it.
Cannot wait to start another one of Chelsea’s books tomorrow
Cannot wait to start another one of Chelsea’s books tomorrow
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
9/10
Favorite Quote: “I truly think everything happens for a reason. Even the shitty parts. It's like we have to wade through the mud, puddles, and persistent rain to find the rainbows, you know?"
"What if we don't have an umbrella?"
"You find someone who will share."
Wow! Wow! Wow! This book was so cute!!!!!!! (Sorry everyone I cheated and this was the book to get me out of my slump) Workplace rivals who end up going on a work trip together that changed their lives! I’m always a sucker for when the guy falls first (just like in real life with my boyfriend
9/10
Favorite Quote: “I truly think everything happens for a reason. Even the shitty parts. It's like we have to wade through the mud, puddles, and persistent rain to find the rainbows, you know?"
"What if we don't have an umbrella?"
"You find someone who will share."
Wow! Wow! Wow! This book was so cute!!!!!!! (Sorry everyone I cheated and this was the book to get me out of my slump) Workplace rivals who end up going on a work trip together that changed their lives! I’m always a sucker for when the guy falls first (just like in real life with my boyfriend