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lezreadalot's review
3.0
“No one should have to be perfect to be loved.”
2.5 stars. Cute, but ultimately disappointing. I wasn't super interested in the second book in this series, but when I realised the third book was about an f/f couple, I skipped right to it. Bria is the baker's assistant in this small town, Sully owns the coffee-shop, and they've been mutually, obliviously pining over one another for a year. Adorable setup. But only about half of this novella actually deals with their romance; the other half is small town drama, snippets from other characters, and a major third POV who happened to be involved with the conflict of the book. It was an interesting way to write it, but it took away focus from the romance, so I didn't enjoy it much. Especially since we could have easily had that same conflict, but just written in a way that put more focus on Bria and Sully, rather than that third person. There were a lot of missed opportunities for conversations between the two characters. It was also used as an opportunity to set up future books in the series, which I usually like, just not when they pull focus from the main romance. There are two epilogues in this book, and neither of them actually... involve the purported main characters. ._.
But this isn't an issue with the book, just with me and what I wanted. Because it's a good book, a story about family and trust. And the blurb does prepare you for the fact that we take a look at different people in this small town. And I don't mind that, except, again. The romance got shafted, which is a shame. Especially since it was so sexy and sweet, and I wanted more for this couple!
malus23's review
3.0
This whole series is super light fluffy escapism where you just have to let expectations go and assume that of course everything will work out precisely perfect for everyone, with great ease and very little stress along the way. And don't we all need just a touch of that once in awhile?
readerpants's review
4.0
So I read this in one sitting on the day it came out and somehow missed putting it up on goodreads!
That Katrina Jackson knows how to create a perfect small-town romance, I tell you what. I ADORE SEA PORT. The speakeasy!! Every single supporting character! The plots! I. Love. It. Random Sea Port moments pop into my head all the time, months after reading the books. Yes, they could use some tighter editing... but the bones of these stories are just so good, I love the hell out of them.
The Sea Port books are begging to be filmed, and you know Netflix would not do it justice (and it's way too steamy anyway). I have a not-very-secret dream that Shine Louise Houston will be like, hey, I need inspiration for a new series, and somebody will hand her this book and she will say YES THIS IS IT. And then she and Katrina Jackson and all the actors involved will make hecka money. If you follow me here and have the ability to put this series in Shine Louise Houston's hands, I will love you forever.
That Katrina Jackson knows how to create a perfect small-town romance, I tell you what. I ADORE SEA PORT. The speakeasy!! Every single supporting character! The plots! I. Love. It. Random Sea Port moments pop into my head all the time, months after reading the books. Yes, they could use some tighter editing... but the bones of these stories are just so good, I love the hell out of them.
The Sea Port books are begging to be filmed, and you know Netflix would not do it justice (and it's way too steamy anyway). I have a not-very-secret dream that Shine Louise Houston will be like, hey, I need inspiration for a new series, and somebody will hand her this book and she will say YES THIS IS IT. And then she and Katrina Jackson and all the actors involved will make hecka money. If you follow me here and have the ability to put this series in Shine Louise Houston's hands, I will love you forever.
scrow1022's review
4.0
Smoking hot f/f romance, with lots of small town gossip/rumor/intrigue. Old characters revisited. Mysteries solved, and new ones hinted at! Plot elements laid for future stories. Hugely satisfying.
jamietherebelliousreader's review
3.0
3 stars. As cute and steamy as the romance was between Bria and Sully there wasn’t nearly enough focus on it for me. There was way too much outside stuff going on to the point that it felt disjointed. The plot needed to be tightened up a lot and there needed to be more emphasis on the romance instead of it being placed on the back burner. Too many side characters and I’m honestly not interested in reading any of the other books in this series to get to know any of them. The writing was good though and again what little of the romance that was there was wonderful so I would pick up something else from this author outside of this series.
clericalerrer's review
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? It's complicated
3.5
minareadss's review
3.0
Okay so this story follows Sully, a cafe owner, and her crush, Bria. Bria is the town baker’s apprentice and she often delivers new specialty treats for Sully’s business. The two mutually pine and flirt with one another for ages until Sully finally works up the courage to ask Bria out.
This story is set in the minuscule southern town of, Sea Port. So it’s cute right?? Small town f/f romance sounds amazing, I was intrigued to try this after reading the author’s first installment in this series “From Scratch” which followed a polyamorous relationship.
The good:
- black women in love/like
- charming small town feels
- interesting family dynamics
-the sex scenes were nice
- the wholesome sweetness of their mutual crushes were adorable
The bad:
- the book flits around between multiple povs and not just Bria and Sully’s. Often we get a peak at other couples from the series. This wasn’t horrible but I think it took much needed attention away from Bria and Sully’s developing relationship
-the big family secret drama in my opinion was very predictable and is a very played out plotline so I was not invested at all (wasn’t bad per se but I didn’t have fun)
This story is set in the minuscule southern town of, Sea Port. So it’s cute right?? Small town f/f romance sounds amazing, I was intrigued to try this after reading the author’s first installment in this series “From Scratch” which followed a polyamorous relationship.
The good:
- black women in love/like
- charming small town feels
- interesting family dynamics
-the sex scenes were nice
- the wholesome sweetness of their mutual crushes were adorable
The bad:
- the book flits around between multiple povs and not just Bria and Sully’s. Often we get a peak at other couples from the series. This wasn’t horrible but I think it took much needed attention away from Bria and Sully’s developing relationship
-the big family secret drama in my opinion was very predictable and is a very played out plotline so I was not invested at all (wasn’t bad per se but I didn’t have fun)
bigbuttandabook's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0