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gracereadsforlove's review against another edition
4.0
**Got it FREE on Kindle 08/10/2023**
So heart-warming!
I've had this book in my Kindle for a while but I kept passing over it when choosing what to read. I don't know what I was thinking but I really shouldn't have.
Zara started out as a prickly woman who became a softer version after she became a mom. She was a trooper and totally relatable when it came to her struggles. I loved that she wasn't the type of woman who refused to accept help just because of pride. And as soon as she had the opportunity to tell Dave, she told him about their kid instead of trying to hide her or something. She's my kinda gal.
Now, Dave? I loved Dave! The way he wasn't deterred by her prickliness when they first met, the way he came to grips with being a surprise father without being an asshole, and how he proved to Zara that he wants her and their baby.
The scenes where Dave left both made me tear up for some reason. It's so sad when somebody has to leave and you don't want them to.
I like that this book went over some of the struggles in parenthood - like nursing the baby, dealing with leaking nipples, a screaming sick baby in a public place, etc. I guess I could relate so much because I have a 15-month old daughter as well.
The teammates were definitely a bonus, too. There's Leo Trevi, O'Doul, and then there's Castro. Ooooh, Castro was so adorable with his babysitting know-how. He was so easy going and sweet.
I wish the book ended with 5 years or 10 down the road instead of just a happy for now. But I still totally recommend this book and will probably reread it again in the future.
So heart-warming!
I've had this book in my Kindle for a while but I kept passing over it when choosing what to read. I don't know what I was thinking but I really shouldn't have.
Zara started out as a prickly woman who became a softer version after she became a mom. She was a trooper and totally relatable when it came to her struggles. I loved that she wasn't the type of woman who refused to accept help just because of pride. And as soon as she had the opportunity to tell Dave, she told him about their kid instead of trying to hide her or something. She's my kinda gal.
Now, Dave? I loved Dave! The way he wasn't deterred by her prickliness when they first met, the way he came to grips with being a surprise father without being an asshole, and how he proved to Zara that he wants her and their baby.
“You’re it for me. I don’t care if there are gonna be earaches and lots of days missing you. I’ll take it, because you’re the best there is.”
“I love you, too, honey,” she whispered. “I think I always have.”
My heart gave a big old kick. “Thanks for finally letting me know.”
The scenes where Dave left both made me tear up for some reason. It's so sad when somebody has to leave and you don't want them to.
I lay there in my bed for a long time after that, the sheets smelling like his aftershave. Maybe another girl would have cried, but that wasn’t my style. Sadness didn’t come leaking from my eyes. It settled into my heart instead, like a weight.
I like that this book went over some of the struggles in parenthood - like nursing the baby, dealing with leaking nipples, a screaming sick baby in a public place, etc. I guess I could relate so much because I have a 15-month old daughter as well.
The teammates were definitely a bonus, too. There's Leo Trevi, O'Doul, and then there's Castro. Ooooh, Castro was so adorable with his babysitting know-how. He was so easy going and sweet.
I wish the book ended with 5 years or 10 down the road instead of just a happy for now. But I still totally recommend this book and will probably reread it again in the future.
kle105's review against another edition
4.0
I was excited to finally get to read Zara's story. You got to see her in Book 1, having just found out she was pregnant and not discussing who the father is of her baby. Now in this book you get the history. The one sizzling hot summer of how she and Dave had an agreement. Well Zara had a strict rule especially the no details about each other rule, and Dave was trying to figure out how to push past all her walls.
However when Zara finds herself pregnant, she tries to find Dave. The lack of details make it hard and she vows to make it on her own as a single parent. When Dave comes back to Vermont for the summer two years later, she runs into Zara. He is excited because he never forgot her, he just wasn't expecting to find out he had a kid.
This throws them both off, and while they still have a connection both are trying to figure out what this means for their daughter. I loved seeing how Dave jumped right in, even when he was shocked. His sister was a big help in showing him the way. While the deadline is looming for when Dave has to decide about his hockey career he pushes Zara to give him time to get to know his daughter and her all over again.
Finding their connection is just as strong as it was, didn't compare to how much love he ended up having for his daughter. I love seeing Zara gain confidence in who she was, even when she was stubborn and didn't want help but needed it. Loved these two together and seeing their undeniable chemistry.
However when Zara finds herself pregnant, she tries to find Dave. The lack of details make it hard and she vows to make it on her own as a single parent. When Dave comes back to Vermont for the summer two years later, she runs into Zara. He is excited because he never forgot her, he just wasn't expecting to find out he had a kid.
This throws them both off, and while they still have a connection both are trying to figure out what this means for their daughter. I loved seeing how Dave jumped right in, even when he was shocked. His sister was a big help in showing him the way. While the deadline is looming for when Dave has to decide about his hockey career he pushes Zara to give him time to get to know his daughter and her all over again.
Finding their connection is just as strong as it was, didn't compare to how much love he ended up having for his daughter. I love seeing Zara gain confidence in who she was, even when she was stubborn and didn't want help but needed it. Loved these two together and seeing their undeniable chemistry.
bluebottoms12's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mooreamyd's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
zaza_bdp's review against another edition
4.0
J'avais commencé il y a longtemps le premier tome de la série 'Le Grand Nord' dont cette série est un spin off, mais je n'avais jamais terminé, et croyez-le ou non, pareil, j'avais commencé le premier tome de la série des 'Brooklyn Bruisers' dont ce tome fait en quelque sorte partie, mais là non plus je n'avais pas fini. Du coup, j'ai commencé Bountiful en me demandant si j'arriverais au bout et la réponse est ... oui ! Oui donc, et en plus, j'ai bien aimé, alors que demande le peuple !
L'histoire en elle-même est assez classique, mais le cadre du Vermont apporte un vrai plus, tout comme les personnages, qui sont sympathiques. Zara est une femme de caractère, j'ai trouvé ses craintes et ses raisons de freiner des quatre fers tout à fait vraisemblables. J'ai aimé qu'elle ne change pas parce qu'un beau mec passe par là. Dave (quel prénom pourri o.O ) est attachant lui aussi, j'ai bien aimé le voir évoluer et se faire progressivement à sa nouvelle "vie". J'ai pris plaisir à suivre l'évolution de leur relation et j'ai même trouvé que la fin arrivait trop vite ! ^^ Évidemment, les passages avec la petite Nicole sont adorables, et parfaitement dosés.
Une jolie surprise pour moi donc, et il est certain que je vais continuer la série, j'ai bien envie de voir ce qui va arriver aux frères Rossi, et du coup je vais réessayer la série des 'Brooklyn Bruisers' en faisant l'impasse sur le premier tome car j'ai bien apprécié les coéquipiers de Dave, et je veux en savoir plus sur eux ! ^^
L'histoire en elle-même est assez classique, mais le cadre du Vermont apporte un vrai plus, tout comme les personnages, qui sont sympathiques. Zara est une femme de caractère, j'ai trouvé ses craintes et ses raisons de freiner des quatre fers tout à fait vraisemblables. J'ai aimé qu'elle ne change pas parce qu'un beau mec passe par là. Dave (quel prénom pourri o.O ) est attachant lui aussi, j'ai bien aimé le voir évoluer et se faire progressivement à sa nouvelle "vie". J'ai pris plaisir à suivre l'évolution de leur relation et j'ai même trouvé que la fin arrivait trop vite ! ^^ Évidemment, les passages avec la petite Nicole sont adorables, et parfaitement dosés.
Une jolie surprise pour moi donc, et il est certain que je vais continuer la série, j'ai bien envie de voir ce qui va arriver aux frères Rossi, et du coup je vais réessayer la série des 'Brooklyn Bruisers' en faisant l'impasse sur le premier tome car j'ai bien apprécié les coéquipiers de Dave, et je veux en savoir plus sur eux ! ^^
kanakosuwa's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nlfrey's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
littleworm's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It was kinda cute i guess, both protagonist fell FLAT for me. The baby didn’t have a personality (i know it’s a baby but still).
I can’t get over the fact that the FMC slapped the MMC and he just glossed past it like he didn’t have a whole abusive backstory. I know she apologized but KNOWING he had a traumatic childhood and still SLAPPED him i just couldn’t forgive that of her.
This was one of the most meh pregnancy trope book i’ve read so far.
I can’t get over the fact that the FMC slapped the MMC and he just glossed past it like he didn’t have a whole abusive backstory. I know she apologized but KNOWING he had a traumatic childhood and still SLAPPED him i just couldn’t forgive that of her.
This was one of the most meh pregnancy trope book i’ve read so far.
rustbeltcoastie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
2.75
The story was cute but I expected more hockey. The best part was the sister who’s an agent. I’m looking forward to reading her book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Car accident, Pregnancy, Child abuse, and Drug abuse
Minor: Alcoholism, Addiction, and Alcohol