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1bookobsessionconfessions's review
5.0
4.5 Glowing Stars
I definitely have a case of wanderlust myself after reading this charming romance. I’m ready to head to beautiful and magical New Zealand!
The author makes the country and people come alive, it played a big part in my enjoyment of the story.
This story starts with Claire beginning a year abroad in New Zealand working at a bar owned by the very hot, but grumpy ex-rugby star, Tane (along with his co-owner and sister who’s a very fun and warm character.)
It starts off a with the two bickering and they have those fiery enemies vibes happening that I adore!
I was just waiting for it them to erupt into sexy passion.
The story was a bit slow to get going, but once it did I appreciated the pace and character development and fell in love with the characters and their charm.
Both characters are at points in their lives that are a bit painful and transitional. I love how this plays out between them and the relationship they develop and how they encourage and support each other.
I really love these characters so much. I love their relationship, their banter and their unique personalities. They are a lot of fun, I was very entertained.
The story has serious topics that are handled with a subtle stroke. It didn’t lessen the seriousness or make light of those things, it kept the story lighter in a good way.
I loved the humor and the meddling family members. I laughed a lot because of them.
I love the adventures that Tane takes Claire in as she explores his home country. Those were some of my favorite scenes and some of the steamiest scenes, too.
The bits of Tane’s Māori culture and traditions that are included were a great touch, very beautiful and emotional moments.
I appreciated that both for the feel of the story and the inclusivity of the native people of New Zealand.
I love the authors writing style, the characters are amazing and the story was really fun and sexy. It’s slower burn and not as spicy as a lot of romance I read. I still enjoyed it so much.
The only issue I have is the ending felt a bit rushed and I would have liked more of the two as a real couple.
This is a new to me author that I plan on reading more from.
I definitely have a case of wanderlust myself after reading this charming romance. I’m ready to head to beautiful and magical New Zealand!
The author makes the country and people come alive, it played a big part in my enjoyment of the story.
This story starts with Claire beginning a year abroad in New Zealand working at a bar owned by the very hot, but grumpy ex-rugby star, Tane (along with his co-owner and sister who’s a very fun and warm character.)
It starts off a with the two bickering and they have those fiery enemies vibes happening that I adore!
I was just waiting for it them to erupt into sexy passion.
The story was a bit slow to get going, but once it did I appreciated the pace and character development and fell in love with the characters and their charm.
Both characters are at points in their lives that are a bit painful and transitional. I love how this plays out between them and the relationship they develop and how they encourage and support each other.
I really love these characters so much. I love their relationship, their banter and their unique personalities. They are a lot of fun, I was very entertained.
The story has serious topics that are handled with a subtle stroke. It didn’t lessen the seriousness or make light of those things, it kept the story lighter in a good way.
I loved the humor and the meddling family members. I laughed a lot because of them.
I love the adventures that Tane takes Claire in as she explores his home country. Those were some of my favorite scenes and some of the steamiest scenes, too.
The bits of Tane’s Māori culture and traditions that are included were a great touch, very beautiful and emotional moments.
I appreciated that both for the feel of the story and the inclusivity of the native people of New Zealand.
I love the authors writing style, the characters are amazing and the story was really fun and sexy. It’s slower burn and not as spicy as a lot of romance I read. I still enjoyed it so much.
The only issue I have is the ending felt a bit rushed and I would have liked more of the two as a real couple.
This is a new to me author that I plan on reading more from.
onceinabluemoon88's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
dunndiggity's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
I really enjoyed this read. It wasn’t too light and fluffy, but it wasn’t dark by any means. I would have liked more spice, but that’s my personal smut craving talking 😉
bbeth95's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
3.75
laurenkohout's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
So cute! Claire escaped to New Zealand to avoid a stalker back home in Boston. She gets a job working in a bar, trying to save up to pay back her sister for helping her move. One night while working, a drunk man tries to get behind the bar and Claire does her best to stop him. It turns out that drunk happens to be the co-owner and her new boss. Talk about a "meet awkward"! The only thing better than a meet cute😂
Tane, Claire's new boss, is a retired pro rugby player and a bit of a grump, mostly thanks to an injury taking him out of the game. Despite starting off on the wrong foot, the two of them eventually start to tolerate each other. When Tane needs a fake girlfriend for a wedding, his sister Nina (co-owner of the bar) and other staff members suggest he take Claire. She agrees thanks to Claire throwing in a trip to Hobbiton (I'd be sold too) and the forced proximity helps push Tane and Claire together.
🔥: These two are pretty steamy together! There's plenty of spice and dirty talk with them and we get a lot of the details in quickly paced scenes.
😆: There are some funny moments along the way as Claire learns more about New Zealand. Makes me want to visit!!
😭: Your eyes may water a bit at a couple tense points thanks to Tane's new path to sobriety and Claire's stalker. It's definitely a good thing to have a giant rugby player around when dealing with stalkers.
Liz Alden's books always make me want to travel and this one is no different! I love all the details she adds and it feels like I'm traveling along with her characters. Love it!
CW: stalker, discussion of past assault, discussions of sobriety
Tane, Claire's new boss, is a retired pro rugby player and a bit of a grump, mostly thanks to an injury taking him out of the game. Despite starting off on the wrong foot, the two of them eventually start to tolerate each other. When Tane needs a fake girlfriend for a wedding, his sister Nina (co-owner of the bar) and other staff members suggest he take Claire. She agrees thanks to Claire throwing in a trip to Hobbiton (I'd be sold too) and the forced proximity helps push Tane and Claire together.
🔥: These two are pretty steamy together! There's plenty of spice and dirty talk with them and we get a lot of the details in quickly paced scenes.
😆: There are some funny moments along the way as Claire learns more about New Zealand. Makes me want to visit!!
😭: Your eyes may water a bit at a couple tense points thanks to Tane's new path to sobriety and Claire's stalker. It's definitely a good thing to have a giant rugby player around when dealing with stalkers.
Liz Alden's books always make me want to travel and this one is no different! I love all the details she adds and it feels like I'm traveling along with her characters. Love it!
CW: stalker, discussion of past assault, discussions of sobriety
boeff78's review
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lindseysbooknook's review
4.0
The Player In New Zealand • Liz Alden ⭐️ - 4
•
•
This is the fourth book in the Love and Wanderlust series but can be read as a standalone
This is actually the first Liz Alden book and it won’t be my last! This was a very cute and fast little read that takes you all the way to New Zealand!
I loved their relationship throughout the book from the enemies to teasing and eventually lovers and they definitely bring the spice !I liked that even though this book is single POV that we got to see not only Claire grow but also saw Tane better herself throughout.
I also really enjoyed learning a little about the Mãori culture in New Zealand, just makes me want to travel there even more then I already do!
•
•
This is the fourth book in the Love and Wanderlust series but can be read as a standalone
This is actually the first Liz Alden book and it won’t be my last! This was a very cute and fast little read that takes you all the way to New Zealand!
I loved their relationship throughout the book from the enemies to teasing and eventually lovers and they definitely bring the spice !I liked that even though this book is single POV that we got to see not only Claire grow but also saw Tane better herself throughout.
I also really enjoyed learning a little about the Mãori culture in New Zealand, just makes me want to travel there even more then I already do!
lovelacebooks's review
4.0
(First of all, thank you so much NetGalley, publisher, and author, for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review)
TW:
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TW:
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tlea's review
3.0
This is the first book by this author that I've read and really had no idea of what to expect. For starters, the player refers to a former rugby player trying to navigate his post-playing life. Claire is in New Zealand for reasons which aren't immediately known. There was a lot that I liked about this story and it was great to have New Zealand as a setting. The book dealt with some heavier issues, such as alcoholism and stalking in amongst the light romance and for the most part it handled it well. However, I just couldn't connect with the characters, particularly Claire. Overall this book was an ok time filler that hasn't left any lasting impression.
donnareadathon2021's review
4.0
The story
Claire is a bartender who has moved across the globe to escape a stalker, Devon. Coming from Boston, her sister Iris helped her financially to get a visa that allows her to stay and work in New Zealand. She has found a job working for Nina in her bar, and is staying in a youth hostel. But the night when she meets Nina’s brother Tane, co-owner of the bar, it’s the opposite of a “meet cute”. Will she keep her job?
My thoughts
I adore this series! This is third book of Liz Alden’s that I have read and I feel like I am armchair traveling with her characters. I appreciated this tiny cameo appearance by Lila and Mia from two previous books, but this one is definitely a standalone read. Claire is tough without being hard, unafraid to say what she wants and needs, and is caring of Tane’s heart. She introduces Tane’s Māori culture to the reader, in a way that is respectful. I so enjoyed reading this lovely story! ❤️
I read an eARC copy courtesy of NetGalley and the author.
Claire is a bartender who has moved across the globe to escape a stalker, Devon. Coming from Boston, her sister Iris helped her financially to get a visa that allows her to stay and work in New Zealand. She has found a job working for Nina in her bar, and is staying in a youth hostel. But the night when she meets Nina’s brother Tane, co-owner of the bar, it’s the opposite of a “meet cute”. Will she keep her job?
My thoughts
I adore this series! This is third book of Liz Alden’s that I have read and I feel like I am armchair traveling with her characters. I appreciated this tiny cameo appearance by Lila and Mia from two previous books, but this one is definitely a standalone read. Claire is tough without being hard, unafraid to say what she wants and needs, and is caring of Tane’s heart. She introduces Tane’s Māori culture to the reader, in a way that is respectful. I so enjoyed reading this lovely story! ❤️
I read an eARC copy courtesy of NetGalley and the author.