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clarab12's review against another edition
5.0
Another fantastic book from Holly Martin!
I must say I have yet to read anything from her that I haven’t enjoyed. A lovely romance story, the perfect beach read. I must say I have fallen for Isaac!
This is such a feel good and fun story that I would recommend it to anyone looking for romance!
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
I must say I have yet to read anything from her that I haven’t enjoyed. A lovely romance story, the perfect beach read. I must say I have fallen for Isaac!
This is such a feel good and fun story that I would recommend it to anyone looking for romance!
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
zoeeswift's review against another edition
5.0
Another gorgeous story from this fantastic author - I can't stop reading her books!
A beautiful setting and two unlikely lovers make this story one to remember. The way that Bella and Isaac meet is so unconventional and imaginative, it really had me hooked to find out more.
Of course we all know that they are going to fall in love and live happily ever after but it's the getting there and all of the twists and turns in this story that make it different to other romances that I have read. Bella is very real and honest and not your average 'damsel in distress' - I love her confidence and the way that Isaac is hooked on her from the very start.
When the plot twists and you think that it could be all over for the characters you have fallen for, I must have read the last few chapters in record timing as I was desperate to see them happy again!
An uplifting and interesting tale that is definitely a must for a holiday read!
A beautiful setting and two unlikely lovers make this story one to remember. The way that Bella and Isaac meet is so unconventional and imaginative, it really had me hooked to find out more.
Of course we all know that they are going to fall in love and live happily ever after but it's the getting there and all of the twists and turns in this story that make it different to other romances that I have read. Bella is very real and honest and not your average 'damsel in distress' - I love her confidence and the way that Isaac is hooked on her from the very start.
When the plot twists and you think that it could be all over for the characters you have fallen for, I must have read the last few chapters in record timing as I was desperate to see them happy again!
An uplifting and interesting tale that is definitely a must for a holiday read!
leona_omahony's review against another edition
4.0
This is a feel good romance and one that will have you at times crying tears of laughter. I found it a very easy read and yes it was predictable but I loved it.
krisandburn's review against another edition
2.0
The tagline tells me that this is supposed to be ‘an utterly feel good romantic comedy’. Well, it’s not that… And neither does it feel very spring-y. So that is two strikes against this book. It was not what I expected it to be, or what I wanted it to be.
This is a romance book, but there are too few comedic elements in it to put it in the romantic comedy genre for me. In fact, at times it deals with pretty heavy topics such as abandonment and resultant trust issues. and it hammers those issues into the reader to excuse all the stupid things the main characters do.
Honestly, the main characters are not the brightest crayons in their respective boxes and they both annoyed me quite a bit, especially our special snowflake girl Bella. No, just no, girl! She was just too ridiculous for words and I feel her issues were purely created to make us feel sorry for her.
The worst thing is that I don’t mind the author’s writing style at all and I feel she could write a romance book I could really enjoy, but this one missed a few too many marks. The only redeeming feature in the story was Bella’s relationship with her family.
I definitely did not hate this book (honestly), but I did not really like it either. I guess I am just a bit miffed that I had wanted a light spring read and what I got was a condom-riddled romance novel that really did not feel that romantic. Having said that, kudos to the author for reiterating the fact that condoms were used by our leading couple!
This is a romance book, but there are too few comedic elements in it to put it in the romantic comedy genre for me. In fact, at times it deals with pretty heavy topics such as abandonment and resultant trust issues. and it hammers those issues into the reader to excuse all the stupid things the main characters do.
Honestly, the main characters are not the brightest crayons in their respective boxes and they both annoyed me quite a bit, especially our special snowflake girl Bella. No, just no, girl! She was just too ridiculous for words and I feel her issues were purely created to make us feel sorry for her.
The worst thing is that I don’t mind the author’s writing style at all and I feel she could write a romance book I could really enjoy, but this one missed a few too many marks. The only redeeming feature in the story was Bella’s relationship with her family.
I definitely did not hate this book (honestly), but I did not really like it either. I guess I am just a bit miffed that I had wanted a light spring read and what I got was a condom-riddled romance novel that really did not feel that romantic. Having said that, kudos to the author for reiterating the fact that condoms were used by our leading couple!
alice_thompson's review against another edition
4.0
It was a good book, very satisfying. The downside is a lot of second-hand embarrasment...
forsan's review against another edition
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Bella lives on über-cute Hope Island and is a bit down on her luck. She's applied for a position at the Umbrella Organization, which provides resources to the homeless... and what do you know: a (super hot) homeless man appears on her doorstep! The two hit it off, and (surprise surprise) this "homeless" man is actually her future boss and head of Umbrella, here to "test" her goodwill/desire to help the homeless. Romance ensues.
This book won't be memorable for me, but it was enjoyable enough. It strayed a little bit saccharine/twee for my tastes--the juxtaposition of the super-cute locale and cast with steamy times was definitely not what I'd anticipated. I also thought that the third-act conflict, though it did fit with the rest of the book, flared up and then resolved itself a little too quickly; and I was a bit weirded out by the whole fake-homeless test setup. I'm not mad at this book, though--for a quick romance, this wasn't a bad option.
This book won't be memorable for me, but it was enjoyable enough. It strayed a little bit saccharine/twee for my tastes--the juxtaposition of the super-cute locale and cast with steamy times was definitely not what I'd anticipated. I also thought that the third-act conflict, though it did fit with the rest of the book, flared up and then resolved itself a little too quickly; and I was a bit weirded out by the whole fake-homeless test setup. I'm not mad at this book, though--for a quick romance, this wasn't a bad option.
hanghuhn's review against another edition
4.0
"Spring at Blueberry Bay" is about Bella, who is scared of love and lost her old job at a charity company because the owner took the founded money. Now she has almost nothing left but there is a job interview at another charity company coming.
A few days before this interview she finds a (of course good looking) homeless guy in front of her house and, because she likes helping others, she takes him in. I wondered, "wtf? She lets a strange guy into her house? That is a bit dangerous!" But (only) the reader soon finds out who this man is: Isaac Scott, the CEO of the company wheere Bella will have the job interview. Than I asked myself why he would do that? I mean, sure, that way he gets to know applicants and if they are willing to help at all. But it's a very unorthodox way.
You can guess what will happen, right?
Although it all happens really fast, it's lovely to read how Bella develops and also how Isaac is handling the complicated Bella. Bella loves her new job and she is there for Isaac when he loses his home. Isaac is a really nice guy and I can see why Bella falls in love with him. But it has to get a bit complicated because otherwise it would be boring, right? When a family secret is revealed Bella runs away from her problems - and she pushes Isaac away.
There are some things that made me think. Isaac codes an app for Bella and the charity in 2 weeks. It's similar to Pokémon Go, as it is also said in the book. But I think you aren't able to design an app like that in nearly two weeks. Isaac learned how to do this stuff at university and hasn't done it in years. I don't think that it's possible to do this during a short time. But okay, this is fiction, not reality.
If you have a problem with books including some sex scenes than you should probably skip this book. But if you like reading a good romance with two cute dogs and lovely people in it, than you should go for it. I was a bit sad when I reached the end of the book. I hope to read more of Bella and Isaac and maybe of Eden and Dougie?
A few days before this interview she finds a (of course good looking) homeless guy in front of her house and, because she likes helping others, she takes him in. I wondered, "wtf? She lets a strange guy into her house? That is a bit dangerous!" But (only) the reader soon finds out who this man is: Isaac Scott, the CEO of the company wheere Bella will have the job interview. Than I asked myself why he would do that? I mean, sure, that way he gets to know applicants and if they are willing to help at all. But it's a very unorthodox way.
You can guess what will happen, right?
Although it all happens really fast, it's lovely to read how Bella develops and also how Isaac is handling the complicated Bella. Bella loves her new job and she is there for Isaac when he loses his home. Isaac is a really nice guy and I can see why Bella falls in love with him. But it has to get a bit complicated because otherwise it would be boring, right? When a family secret is revealed Bella runs away from her problems - and she pushes Isaac away.
There are some things that made me think. Isaac codes an app for Bella and the charity in 2 weeks. It's similar to Pokémon Go, as it is also said in the book. But I think you aren't able to design an app like that in nearly two weeks. Isaac learned how to do this stuff at university and hasn't done it in years. I don't think that it's possible to do this during a short time. But okay, this is fiction, not reality.
If you have a problem with books including some sex scenes than you should probably skip this book. But if you like reading a good romance with two cute dogs and lovely people in it, than you should go for it. I was a bit sad when I reached the end of the book. I hope to read more of Bella and Isaac and maybe of Eden and Dougie?
hollyholymummy's review against another edition
5.0
Great spring read
If you're reading this review then you're considering reading this book, my advice just go for it. This book will make you want to go to the coast and fall in love with the characters. You won't regret it.
If you're reading this review then you're considering reading this book, my advice just go for it. This book will make you want to go to the coast and fall in love with the characters. You won't regret it.
alysfifi's review against another edition
3.0
Bella has been unfortunate in her life; family, her love life and even her career. As she’s trying to repair her reputation, she meets Isaac. Isaac is supposedly homeless but there’s a connection there. What happens when Bella discovers the truth?
So I loved the premise of the story; the idea that class, privilege, money played no role – you love who you love. However, once the reveal is made, everything does happen fairly fast, almost like an instant love connection which is sometimes hard to read as I usually love the angst, the slow burn relationship forming. Although, that isn’t to say, the characters were not loveable as they were as I love small community-based books as there isn’t so many characters and they all have a personality!
It was a quick, easy, enjoyable read and it won’t be the last Holly Martin book that I read as I have so many questions about the side characters that I just need to know how it ends for them!!! The only downside to this book, for me, was the emphasis on the relationship. The majority of the book focused on their relationship when I would have loved to see more about the charity that Bella worked at, with working with the homeless, as they discussed the fundraisers they held (as this was Bella’s job) but I would have liked to see them help someone, meet people they’ve helped before. However, this is probably me just wishing the book was longer to fit even more content in!!!
So I loved the premise of the story; the idea that class, privilege, money played no role – you love who you love. However, once the reveal is made, everything does happen fairly fast, almost like an instant love connection which is sometimes hard to read as I usually love the angst, the slow burn relationship forming. Although, that isn’t to say, the characters were not loveable as they were as I love small community-based books as there isn’t so many characters and they all have a personality!
It was a quick, easy, enjoyable read and it won’t be the last Holly Martin book that I read as I have so many questions about the side characters that I just need to know how it ends for them!!! The only downside to this book, for me, was the emphasis on the relationship. The majority of the book focused on their relationship when I would have loved to see more about the charity that Bella worked at, with working with the homeless, as they discussed the fundraisers they held (as this was Bella’s job) but I would have liked to see them help someone, meet people they’ve helped before. However, this is probably me just wishing the book was longer to fit even more content in!!!
alwaysivy's review against another edition
2.0
DNF because it was just not very good
The writing was mediocre and a lot of the characters pouring their whole story onto the page. It was unrealistic.
The whole setup seems very unrealistic.
The writing was mediocre and a lot of the characters pouring their whole story onto the page. It was unrealistic.
The whole setup seems very unrealistic.