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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
This, my friends, is how you write a debut!
First Person
Dual POV
This book was so sweet and everything my small town loving heart needed. There was spice and swoon and representation that was done so beautifully, it made me cry. Watching these two find their way back to each other was just stunning.
What you'll get:
- Second Chance
- Childhood friends to lovers to strangers to lovers
- Mental health representation
- Single dad
Ronnie, congrats my friend. I am so so so proud of you. You have absolutely made it!
First Person
Dual POV
This book was so sweet and everything my small town loving heart needed. There was spice and swoon and representation that was done so beautifully, it made me cry. Watching these two find their way back to each other was just stunning.
What you'll get:
- Second Chance
- Childhood friends to lovers to strangers to lovers
- Mental health representation
- Single dad
Ronnie, congrats my friend. I am so so so proud of you. You have absolutely made it!
DNF at 55%. It's not a bad book by any means. It just didn't work for me. I hated how they went from serious mental health representation and this "we were just kids who shared one night together", which absolutely worked, to the first time they're together as adults it's like super raunchy and on a pool table. It just didn't work for the deeper story that was being built. I also kept looking for chemistry but never found it.
Tropes:
-small town
-second chance
-no third act break up
-childhood friends
-mental health rep
-single dad
“For tonight, that’s her side, and damn, does she look perfect there.”
Those Two Words is the debut book for Ronnie and this does not feel like a debut at all! This is Patrick and Johanna (Jo)’s story.
Patrick and Jo were childhood friends and their parents own a restaurant together. Jo finds herself back in town after leaving six years prior. She comes back to help save the restaurant. Patrick finds it hard to accept that she’s back because there are so many things that were left unanswered.
Johanna is a great FMC and the anxiety rep was very relatable. Patrick, being a single dad to a little girl, is caring and tries his best to be a good dad. These two are the definition of second chance, even if the road to get there wasn’t the easiest. The tension and pining were really palpable.
This story is so well done and the main characters had depth and the side characters added nicely to the story. The chemistry and spice were also a nice touch.
Releasing August 22, 2024. I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
-small town
-second chance
-no third act break up
-childhood friends
-mental health rep
-single dad
“For tonight, that’s her side, and damn, does she look perfect there.”
Those Two Words is the debut book for Ronnie and this does not feel like a debut at all! This is Patrick and Johanna (Jo)’s story.
Patrick and Jo were childhood friends and their parents own a restaurant together. Jo finds herself back in town after leaving six years prior. She comes back to help save the restaurant. Patrick finds it hard to accept that she’s back because there are so many things that were left unanswered.
Johanna is a great FMC and the anxiety rep was very relatable. Patrick, being a single dad to a little girl, is caring and tries his best to be a good dad. These two are the definition of second chance, even if the road to get there wasn’t the easiest. The tension and pining were really palpable.
This story is so well done and the main characters had depth and the side characters added nicely to the story. The chemistry and spice were also a nice touch.
Releasing August 22, 2024. I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Loved this debut from Ronnie Mathews 🥰
⭐️ rating: 4.5/5
🌶️ spice: open door, a few scenes
💭 overall thoughts:
Second chance is one of my favorite tropes, and I love that we got flashbacks to Johanna & Patrick’s past.
We don’t find out for quite a while what exactly broke them apart, or why Johanna left town. The pain is so evident for both of them, in their grief in losing a parent (Patrick’s dad and Johanna’s mom - not at the same time), and in the relationship they never got to have.
Loved all the side characters, getting to know their families + Quinn - can’t wait to see who’s up next in the series!
read if you love:
💖 childhood friends to lovers
🥈 second chance with flashbacks & mutual pining
👔 single dad who braids his daughter’s hair 🥹
🔗 forced proximity/workplace (family restaurant)
🌊 return to (coastal small town) hometown
🫶🏼 family + found family
🧠 grief & mental health rep (anxiety)
🙅🏻♀️ No 3rd act breakup
💞 dual 1st person pov
✨ books with similar vibes:
♡ Crossroads by Devney Perry (second chance, workplace/forced proximity, small town)
♡ Final Offer by Lauren Asher (second chance, childhood friends to lovers, single parent, small town)
Thank you so much to author Ronnie Mathews for an advanced copy.
All opinions are my own.
⭐️ rating: 4.5/5
🌶️ spice: open door, a few scenes
💭 overall thoughts:
Second chance is one of my favorite tropes, and I love that we got flashbacks to Johanna & Patrick’s past.
We don’t find out for quite a while what exactly broke them apart, or why Johanna left town. The pain is so evident for both of them, in their grief in losing a parent (Patrick’s dad and Johanna’s mom - not at the same time), and in the relationship they never got to have.
Loved all the side characters, getting to know their families + Quinn - can’t wait to see who’s up next in the series!
read if you love:
💖 childhood friends to lovers
🥈 second chance with flashbacks & mutual pining
👔 single dad who braids his daughter’s hair 🥹
🔗 forced proximity/workplace (family restaurant)
🌊 return to (coastal small town) hometown
🫶🏼 family + found family
🧠 grief & mental health rep (anxiety)
🙅🏻♀️ No 3rd act breakup
💞 dual 1st person pov
✨ books with similar vibes:
♡ Crossroads by Devney Perry (second chance, workplace/forced proximity, small town)
♡ Final Offer by Lauren Asher (second chance, childhood friends to lovers, single parent, small town)
Thank you so much to author Ronnie Mathews for an advanced copy.
All opinions are my own.
What a debut novel this was! I honestly feel like I’ve been waiting forever to read this as I remember when Ronnie first teased that she was writing her own book, and she’s always been one of my favourite bookstagrammers so it was great to finally get to read it!
It was the perfect second chance romance for me, you could feel that childhood best friends to lovers history that cemented that they were made for each other right from the very beginning, I loved the way that there was glimpses into their past and how deeply rooted they were in one another’s lives.
Also we know I’m a sucker for a single Dad so on top of Patrick obviously being everyone’s ideal man he’s a single girl dad too?? He was swoony with a filthy mouth and I was absolutely here for it! The way he showed all his emotions and was all in pretty much as soon as he stopped attempting to avoid her made me love him even more!
My heart hurt for Johanna so much, the way Ronnie portrayed her Depression and Anxiety was handled with such care and really highlighted just how well someone can hide what they’re going through, even from those closest to them.
I absolutely loved this book and I can’t wait to see what’s next in Sutton Bay! I feel like we got a couple of hints and if it’s who I think it is I’ve got a feeling Patrick’s going to have some competition
It was the perfect second chance romance for me, you could feel that childhood best friends to lovers history that cemented that they were made for each other right from the very beginning, I loved the way that there was glimpses into their past and how deeply rooted they were in one another’s lives.
Also we know I’m a sucker for a single Dad so on top of Patrick obviously being everyone’s ideal man he’s a single girl dad too?? He was swoony with a filthy mouth and I was absolutely here for it! The way he showed all his emotions and was all in pretty much as soon as he stopped attempting to avoid her made me love him even more!
My heart hurt for Johanna so much, the way Ronnie portrayed her Depression and Anxiety was handled with such care and really highlighted just how well someone can hide what they’re going through, even from those closest to them.
I absolutely loved this book and I can’t wait to see what’s next in Sutton Bay! I feel like we got a couple of hints and if it’s who I think it is I’ve got a feeling Patrick’s going to have some competition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“For all the unspoken words, it took only two to put us back together.”
Those Two Words by Ronnie Matthews 🧩🌲🤍
A few months ago an Amazon package showed up at my door with this book. I checked my orders and sure enough, I’d bought this book a few days prior and had no recollection 😂 Best. Accidental. Purchase. EVER.
I spent last night and this morning getting cozy with this story and let me tell ya - so. should. YOU.
If I had to pick one song to describe this book it would be This Love by Taylor Swift. Basic, I know, but read the book and you’ll get it! Johanna and Patrick are childhood besties to lovers who get a second chance at their love story after 6 years apart 🥹
The author not only captures their love beautifully, but Ronnie does an amazing job capturing the reality of grief, trauma, and panic attacks. I found myself feeling like I was in the room with the characters watching everything unfold. Such talent!
Those Two Words is also a gazillion peppers level of spicy, but can be skipped over if that’s not your thing. 🌶️
Those Two Words by Ronnie Matthews 🧩🌲🤍
A few months ago an Amazon package showed up at my door with this book. I checked my orders and sure enough, I’d bought this book a few days prior and had no recollection 😂 Best. Accidental. Purchase. EVER.
I spent last night and this morning getting cozy with this story and let me tell ya - so. should. YOU.
If I had to pick one song to describe this book it would be This Love by Taylor Swift. Basic, I know, but read the book and you’ll get it! Johanna and Patrick are childhood besties to lovers who get a second chance at their love story after 6 years apart 🥹
The author not only captures their love beautifully, but Ronnie does an amazing job capturing the reality of grief, trauma, and panic attacks. I found myself feeling like I was in the room with the characters watching everything unfold. Such talent!
Those Two Words is also a gazillion peppers level of spicy, but can be skipped over if that’s not your thing. 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent
emotional
hopeful
sad
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Writing was stilted, especially early on. Got okay throughout. Some scenes were heavier than the author’s CW let on…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy
Author’s CWS on website - Sudden death of parent (off-page), discussion of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and depression, discussion of panic attacks, one on-page panic attack. Sexually explicit scenes including: spanking, public sex, praise.
*4.5
This was really sweet. Jo and Patrick are so clearly made for each other. They had time apart but I think it was good for them. She was so cute with Lottie and I wish there was more of that. Also the book told us that they talked a lot but I wanted to see it more. I enjoyed the sex scenes but I want a balance of those to domestic scenes.
I received an arc through netgalley.
This was really sweet. Jo and Patrick are so clearly made for each other. They had time apart but I think it was good for them. She was so cute with Lottie and I wish there was more of that. Also the book told us that they talked a lot but I wanted to see it more. I enjoyed the sex scenes but I want a balance of those to domestic scenes.
I received an arc through netgalley.
4.5 ⭐️
Release Date: 22/8/24
Some of you may recognise Ronnie from @wordstoescape
Release Date: 22/8/24
Some of you may recognise Ronnie from @wordstoescape