Reviews

A Common Bond by T.M. Kuta

kmanos's review

emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

3.5

bmbriar's review

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I read this all in one sitting! This story is clearly so personal to the author (with details about historic restoration that only someone with experience in the field could give) in a way that feels like a gift to the reader. Carneline  and Josie's story is sweet and sexy and satisfying! Loved it. 

cakt1991's review

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own. 

The Clover Hill Romance series comes to a bittersweet conclusion with T.M. Kuta’s A Common Bond. Like always, this book stands alone, but now having read all of them, there’s not one that I dislike, and I love how this shared-world allows the different authors to reference each other’s stories in a fun Easter Egg-y way, while remaining self-contained. 

I really liked both Carneline, also nicknamed Carrie by her family, and Josie. Both are very professionally minded, but the presence of the other throws them off-guard. It’s especially jarring from Carneline’s perspective, as she isn’t entirely sure what to do, and that plays a role in the third-act conflict (not a breakup per se, but it’s something that keeps the two apart and the HEA in doubt). I couldn’t help but root for them to get out of their own heads and figure out how to be together. 

I was initially worried that I wouldn’t love this one as much, given how much of this book relies on the construction aspect. Many chapters begin with very professional email exchanges, not just between the two leads, but between other characters. That, and feeling the slow build of the first half, led to my initial struggle to get truly invested. However, as I got deeper into the story, and the romance truly picked up beyond them circling each other, I ended up being satisfied with how things turned out, even if there was a bit of miscommunication involved. 

This is a satisfying conclusion for the Clover Hill Romance series and a great book in its own right. If you’re looking for a fun, lighthearted queer small-town romance, I’d recommend checking out this one, or any of the series, to see if there’s any you like. 

 

holocene10's review

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

nyama's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was an engaging story about meeting and hitting it off, but in a situation that requires consideration. There’s just enough tension in all of the relationships to keep things moving, but this is a fun and happy story. 
And I kept laughing over the relatable problems with the construction project itself. 

nika_reads's review

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I got to read an ARC and thoroughly enjoyed this sweet, sassy romcom with heart at the very center. It plays into Pride and Prejudice vibes (egos and miscommunications) but not overly so, or not unbelievable. And the cast, both the main characters and their friends and family, are all lovely. Makes you want to move a small town and grab a papusa at Josie's Tias' restaurant.