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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
The writing style is fun and energetic, the characters have a lot of life, and the setting feels genuine. The plot is a little predictable but in a nice comfortable way. But most importantly: the heroine verbally shreds her pathetic tech bro ex (not the hero to be clear) until he cries, TWICE, which was to me genuinely better than the sex 🤣🤣🤣 Love to see a tech bro realize he's worthless.
The blurb doesn’t for this justice - it’s a classic romance, sure, but she’s also just a heck of a writer. So many great lines and touching scenes and a lot of great humor. Fun and breezy and romantic without being over the top - this is attainable real-life love and relationship stuff. I can’t wait for more of this series and to check out some of her other books.
I liked the humor and Avalon, the female lead. The big reveal of why they split up when they were young that we finally got at the end of the story made me dislike Mac, the male lead.
Three and a half stars. Read this book as a stand alone, ie, I didn't read #1 &2 of the series.
Skimmed some parts. The ending was rushed but sweet.
Don't judge a book by its cover, or title.
Skimmed some parts. The ending was rushed but sweet.
Don't judge a book by its cover, or title.
I liked it just fine. I definitely enjoyed the main characters and how they challenged each other and respected each other. But it just didn't particularly grab me.
Two mostly bland people overcome a simple misunderstanding from their past. I have a soft spot for "fixing up a large old house" stories, but I barely managed to finish this one. Our hero is the son of a white collar criminal, a military veteran, and organic farmer but still doesn't have enough personality to make you root for him (aside from one memorable scene). Our heroine has even less back story, and is even less compelling. I really wanted to like it more than I did, so I'll probably check out more by the author.
I loved this book. I laughed out loud at times, and once had tears in my eyes and could. Not. Stop. Laughing. And "Get the paddles!" has now become a phrase in my own family.
But this story is not all fun and games. Mac and Avalon hurt each other badly, and it takes them a very long, difficult time to get past that.
I can't wait for Eden's story. I suspect that her hero will be the father of her child. Just a guess...
Merged review:
I loved this book. I laughed out loud at times, and once had tears in my eyes and could. Not. Stop. Laughing. And "Get the paddles!" has now become a phrase in my own family.
But this story is not all fun and games. Mac and Avalon hurt each other badly, and it takes them a very long, difficult time to get past that.
I can't wait for Eden's story. I suspect that her hero will be the father of her child. Just a guess...
But this story is not all fun and games. Mac and Avalon hurt each other badly, and it takes them a very long, difficult time to get past that.
I can't wait for Eden's story. I suspect that her hero will be the father of her child. Just a guess...
Merged review:
I loved this book. I laughed out loud at times, and once had tears in my eyes and could. Not. Stop. Laughing. And "Get the paddles!" has now become a phrase in my own family.
But this story is not all fun and games. Mac and Avalon hurt each other badly, and it takes them a very long, difficult time to get past that.
I can't wait for Eden's story. I suspect that her hero will be the father of her child. Just a guess...
Loved it... Though now there's a song stuck in my head. The one that Mac HATES... I kinda like it. I do however, tell ya'll to look it up on YouTube with a bit of caution. The main video for it is a little disturbing, lol. Great book, can't wait for the next one in the series!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a delicious setup: Avalon Harwood and Mac Coltrane were close as teenagers, but then he said something that propelled her out of Hellcat Canyon and into San Francisco as the cofounder of a game company with her boyfriend, who is not Mac.
Years later, after her bf cheats on her, Avalon goes back to Hellcat Canyon and beats Mac in an auction of his family’s old summer house. And it turns out that Mac not only lives next door but is also the groundskeeper for her new house. FORCED PROXIMITY, BABY.
This is enemy to lovers in the best way. The conflict is real and important, and even when they’re being so hilariously mean to each other, it’s obvious that they’re LOVING it. They are just having the best time. And we are too.
What do I always say about JAL? She writes the perfect blend of heart, humor and heat. Literally this should be boilerplate on every single one of my reviews of her books.
I love both Avalon and Mac because they’re spiky and smart and funny and hot. And the sense of place is beautiful, as always. Loved it.
Years later, after her bf cheats on her, Avalon goes back to Hellcat Canyon and beats Mac in an auction of his family’s old summer house. And it turns out that Mac not only lives next door but is also the groundskeeper for her new house. FORCED PROXIMITY, BABY.
This is enemy to lovers in the best way. The conflict is real and important, and even when they’re being so hilariously mean to each other, it’s obvious that they’re LOVING it. They are just having the best time. And we are too.
What do I always say about JAL? She writes the perfect blend of heart, humor and heat. Literally this should be boilerplate on every single one of my reviews of her books.
I love both Avalon and Mac because they’re spiky and smart and funny and hot. And the sense of place is beautiful, as always. Loved it.
Julie Ann Long's Hellcat Canyon series hits a specific comfort spot in my reading life. The characters are specific, their conflicts are well motivated, and the relationships mutually respectful. The Northern California setting is evocative. The sex scenes are well written and hot - except for the fact that in a modern setting they never talk about birth control or use condoms! I find this really distracting in a contemporary romance. That is all.