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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
I loved Luke and Harper’s story, from the moment they meet they both have instant attraction but Luke has baggage from his past that prevents him from acting on that attraction. This book put me on an emotional rollercoaster, one minute I’m laughing the next I’m crying. I love the small town aspect of Benevolence and how everyone accepted Harper. This was an amazing book even though it made me cry so many times. Melissa Moran did an amazing job narrating this book. Another 5 star read/listen from Lucy!
emotional
lighthearted
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
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars rounded down
2.5 chili peppers
I had so much fun reading this book. And for a book of over 400 pages- it was a quick read because it's so fast paced and so much going on. I loved everything Lucy Score does and this book is no exception.
Pretend You're Mine features Harper- a plucky, very positive former foster kid- just having recently ended a relationship and while trying to get to her friend she happens upon the cute little town of Benevolence. Harper finds herself in even more trouble and after the local bartender decides to take Harper under her wings Harper ends up staying with the local builder- Luke.
I think when you write a book of 400 pages you really have to make sure that all 400 pages are full of plot and action or the reader will grow resentful and it can taint the rest of the book but I loved the length of this book. I also know that Lucy Score tends to err on the side of the longer book. What I will say is that the book had very strange pacing for me. There is a span of time when the main characters spend 6 months apart which I had never seen happen in a romance book before. I think the separation had it's place (this was how Harper secured herself in the town and not just through a connection to Luke) but it should have been shorter and shown more character growth. During that time Harper grows, finds hobbies and put down roots while Luke seems to be even more conflicted after.
Luke was the counterpart to everything lovable about Harper and I have to say that was a struggle for me in the book. Luke was borderline emotionally abusive. I found myself a little less interested in them as a couple every time he told her he could never lover her or pushed Harper away to serve himself.
I'm already not the biggest fan of the third act break up but this one was even more enraging. I was hoping that Harper would separate herself and grown her roots to the town even more while Luke got some much needed therapy. If you are going to make the separation horrible then you have to make the reconciliation realistic and this one was not. I hate to say it but Harper and Luke remain in my 'main characters that for sure get divorced' list. One night was not enough to redeem himself but the way Harper accepted it just solidified herself in the list of some of my favorite heroines.
Harper's time spent in foster care also felt very realistic which I think it's important to note. As a former foster kid myself, this plot point being abused to create broken characters drives me nuts so I'm happy Lucy executed it so well and made Harper the more emotionally intelligent one.
I also loved that Benevolence is basically a character with how much personality and charm it has. This book nails the 'small town' trope.
Final thoughts- it was a fun read but Luke needs to get to therapy ASAP.
2.5 chili peppers
I had so much fun reading this book. And for a book of over 400 pages- it was a quick read because it's so fast paced and so much going on. I loved everything Lucy Score does and this book is no exception.
Pretend You're Mine features Harper- a plucky, very positive former foster kid- just having recently ended a relationship and while trying to get to her friend she happens upon the cute little town of Benevolence. Harper finds herself in even more trouble and after the local bartender decides to take Harper under her wings Harper ends up staying with the local builder- Luke.
I think when you write a book of 400 pages you really have to make sure that all 400 pages are full of plot and action or the reader will grow resentful and it can taint the rest of the book but I loved the length of this book. I also know that Lucy Score tends to err on the side of the longer book. What I will say is that the book had very strange pacing for me. There is a span of time when the main characters spend 6 months apart which I had never seen happen in a romance book before. I think the separation had it's place (this was how Harper secured herself in the town and not just through a connection to Luke) but it should have been shorter and shown more character growth. During that time Harper grows, finds hobbies and put down roots while Luke seems to be even more conflicted after.
Luke was the counterpart to everything lovable about Harper and I have to say that was a struggle for me in the book. Luke was borderline emotionally abusive. I found myself a little less interested in them as a couple every time he told her he could never lover her or pushed Harper away to serve himself.
I'm already not the biggest fan of the third act break up but this one was even more enraging. I was hoping that Harper would separate herself and grown her roots to the town even more while Luke got some much needed therapy. If you are going to make the separation horrible then you have to make the reconciliation realistic and this one was not. I hate to say it but Harper and Luke remain in my 'main characters that for sure get divorced' list. One night was not enough to redeem himself but the way Harper accepted it just solidified herself in the list of some of my favorite heroines.
Harper's time spent in foster care also felt very realistic which I think it's important to note. As a former foster kid myself, this plot point being abused to create broken characters drives me nuts so I'm happy Lucy executed it so well and made Harper the more emotionally intelligent one.
I also loved that Benevolence is basically a character with how much personality and charm it has. This book nails the 'small town' trope.
Final thoughts- it was a fun read but Luke needs to get to therapy ASAP.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
SPOILERS.
there was so many things that didn’t have to happen in this book. i truly believe it could’ve been like 150 pages shorter. and the male mc was so back and forth. like he was leading her on the whole time, wanting her, “can’t want her.” and kept so much from her. i understand the reasoning behind it but like come on man. you asked her to stay when you were deployed for 6 months only to destroy her when you got back wth.
there was so many things that didn’t have to happen in this book. i truly believe it could’ve been like 150 pages shorter. and the male mc was so back and forth. like he was leading her on the whole time, wanting her, “can’t want her.” and kept so much from her. i understand the reasoning behind it but like come on man. you asked her to stay when you were deployed for 6 months only to destroy her when you got back wth.
Get excited for my November wrap up video on YouTube for my full thoughts!!
I cannot begin to describe how much I enjoyed every second of this book. I started the book back in November 2023 and put it down until yesterday, March 19, 2024. I'm so glad I picked it back up because it has become one of my favorite reads. I will definitely be buying more books by Lucy Score.
emotional
hopeful
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