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krisalexcole's review
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Cursing
Minor: Violence, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Child abuse, Bullying, Physical abuse, and Gaslighting
lakeh's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I do like this series and the growing family of couples, but everything since the first book has felt a little too easy? If that makes sense? The "grand gesture" at the end is getting a little more disappointing each time.
I skipped over Vlad's book to read this one, and will go back for it. I don't feel like I missed anything huge by doing so.
I liked Colton, but was hoping to dive more into his family and his past and have that reflected in his relationship with Gretchen. Yes, Gretchen's family is abhorrent and her childhood sucks, but so did Colton's! I always get a little upset that everything in Adams' books caters towards the woman in the relationship, and even if she hurts the guy it's okay, and the guy needs to fix everything because that's his job! It sucks.
Also bummed that Adams' dropped the book they were both reading, I really want more of that and how it connects to the main characters' situations. In this book - you could take out that meta book entirely and nothing at all would change.
The end threw me for a bit of a loop and was resolved way too easily, but overall this was pretty enjoyable despite my complaints. I did tear up a few times and found Gretchen and Colton understandable and likeable. It just could have been BETTER.
I skipped over Vlad's book to read this one, and will go back for it. I don't feel like I missed anything huge by doing so.
I liked Colton, but was hoping to dive more into his family and his past and have that reflected in his relationship with Gretchen. Yes, Gretchen's family is abhorrent and her childhood sucks, but so did Colton's! I always get a little upset that everything in Adams' books caters towards the woman in the relationship, and even if she hurts the guy it's okay, and the guy needs to fix everything because that's his job! It sucks.
Also bummed that Adams' dropped the book they were both reading, I really want more of that and how it connects to the main characters' situations. In this book - you could take out that meta book entirely and nothing at all would change.
The end threw me for a bit of a loop and was resolved way too easily, but overall this was pretty enjoyable despite my complaints. I did tear up a few times and found Gretchen and Colton understandable and likeable. It just could have been BETTER.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
kponturo's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
death_by_cliffhanger's review
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? It's complicated
4.0
Look - these books are what they are and I fricken love them. Lol. I am here for the "big romantic gestures" that they work so hard on at the end of every book and the way these men hold each other accountable. (I explained it to a coworker who was skeptical as it was kind of like self-guided group therapy the men were participating in!) I will read every book in this series and not be ashamed. Vlad's little comments on the side always make me smile. Sometimes I find the dialogue has a bit too many pop culture references but I also enjoy some of the snark (and this particular book had lots of it and decent banter between the characters) and find myself giving a little giggle every once in a while.
I will say I thought this one was a bit of the weakest in the series but still loved it. I found the plot tried to a get bit twisty with the corporate drama. I also just find the amount of angst around the "I'm so bad for this person" trope to be a bit much - let that person decide for themselves - especially when they've seen the "drama" that you think is not good for them. There were also some very large meaningful conversations that happen around the brother's behaviour as a child that I feel like just wasn't addressed at all? And they were pretty big topics that I thought could have been addressed a bit more thoroughly. I found the ending to be a bit rushed as well, but I've said it before and feel like that is often a complaint when I read romance so I think I might just have unrealistic expectations for how books should end. I think I am always just looking for some more insight into their HEA. More than just the quick epilogue.
But overall I love this series and have borrowed all of them from the library and will definitely be buying copies for myself as a comfort read.
I will say I thought this one was a bit of the weakest in the series but still loved it. I found the plot tried to a get bit twisty with the corporate drama. I also just find the amount of angst around the "I'm so bad for this person" trope to be a bit much - let that person decide for themselves - especially when they've seen the "drama" that you think is not good for them. There were also some very large meaningful conversations that happen around the brother's behaviour as a child that I feel like just wasn't addressed at all? And they were pretty big topics that I thought could have been addressed a bit more thoroughly. I found the ending to be a bit rushed as well, but I've said it before and feel like that is often a complaint when I read romance so I think I might just have unrealistic expectations for how books should end. I think I am always just looking for some more insight into their HEA. More than just the quick epilogue.
But overall I love this series and have borrowed all of them from the library and will definitely be buying copies for myself as a comfort read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
cover2covertx'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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Toxic relationship
tsked_off's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
kathigh86's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not great. Felt rushed. Really got into the family trauma. Basically the same plot as the other books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity
infectiousreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was cuuuute; I love grump + sunshine so much and I did love Colton and Gretchen's relationship. The beginning 50% is a struggle, however, to get through; I loved Colton, felt bogged down by Gretchen, and then when the 50% mark hits and they begin "dating," it gets better. Much better in so many ways. We also get more about Gretchen and her family dynamic which I wish was in the first half of this novel.
I loved the banter, the cuteness, and the Colton!!! The fucking COLTON!!! I loved everything about his swag, his love, and the way his heart was described. Gretchen was very much me about 5-7 years ago, so I also did enjoy her elevation to get to where she was at the end. She learned, sacrificed, and understood what it meant to have to choose your family and those that surround you. It is about who you associate with that can change your mood entirely.
I love a good HEA, of course, and this was perfect for my pick-me-up from the smutty-eroticism I read. There is not a ton of spicy sex in it, but enough to wet my palette. They had some really sensual and nice lovemaking between the two and that part I enjoyed. Even when it was forceful, it was hot and sensual. Loved that it felt so caring and sweet.
I loved the banter, the cuteness, and the Colton!!! The fucking COLTON!!! I loved everything about his swag, his love, and the way his heart was described. Gretchen was very much me about 5-7 years ago, so I also did enjoy her elevation to get to where she was at the end. She learned, sacrificed, and understood what it meant to have to choose your family and those that surround you. It is about who you associate with that can change your mood entirely.
I love a good HEA, of course, and this was perfect for my pick-me-up from the smutty-eroticism I read. There is not a ton of spicy sex in it, but enough to wet my palette. They had some really sensual and nice lovemaking between the two and that part I enjoyed. Even when it was forceful, it was hot and sensual. Loved that it felt so caring and sweet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
le3713's review
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
4.0
Lots of fun returning to this cast of characters (even if I can't keep them entirely straight). The Christmas setting of this one was charming, and I love the interactions of the friend groups. I found the external conflict in this one somewhat over the top, but enjoyed it nonetheless. Quick seasonal romance with some emotional substance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Gaslighting
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Bullying, and Child abuse
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Child abuse and Blood