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amymaltman's review
5.0
I haven't read a romance in well over twenty years, largely because I'm jaded about romance and relationships, but I heard good things about this book and decided to give it a try. The result? I have fallen back in love with love.
The characters are brought to life so well that they seem real. You can picture them perfectly, and you find yourself alternately cheering their progress and wanting to shake them with frustration over their setbacks. They have their quirks and faults and strengths and interests. Nothing feels forced or phony or overdone. The author's voice is wonderful and warm and humourous and there's great flow, plus the editing is spotless. And there are cats! And one of the characters collects Funko Pops!
I enjoyed this book so much that I'll probably start reading more romances, and I can't wait for the next one by Bixby Jones.
The characters are brought to life so well that they seem real. You can picture them perfectly, and you find yourself alternately cheering their progress and wanting to shake them with frustration over their setbacks. They have their quirks and faults and strengths and interests. Nothing feels forced or phony or overdone. The author's voice is wonderful and warm and humourous and there's great flow, plus the editing is spotless. And there are cats! And one of the characters collects Funko Pops!
I enjoyed this book so much that I'll probably start reading more romances, and I can't wait for the next one by Bixby Jones.
kaylaraereads's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
zillanovikov's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
5.0
Things that make me happy, a partial list:
- Cats
- Convoluted television plotlines that the novel’s Protagonists can't stop watching
- HEA
- There are two cats
- Hot people
- People who are doing Their Best
- Did I mention one of the cats is a kitten?
- And orange
- He was named Pumpkin by the Love Interest's daughter, Pressie
- And the Protagonist has to use her Expert Cat Detecting Skills to find Pumpkin for Pressie when he hides behind the dryer
Bixby's contemporary romance Soulmate, Stage Right is the kind of story that makes me happy. That's what this story is for. There's drama, to move the plot, but it keeps running into two Protagonists who are deeply caring people, who just need to find someone who can give back the wealth of affection they have to offer. They're going to end up together because they make each other happier, fuller people by being together, and they make a little girl and two cats happier that way too.
The plot is a delight, of course. D is a former soap opera star discovering that television and theater call for different skills, and Abby is a high school drama teacher and stage actress who is extremely committed to her craft. And to D's abs. The plot of the soap opera is as confusing and contrived as any Night Beats fan could hope for. (Though I know Bixby - we got this as an ARC - and when I asked, Bixby assured me that she's worked out the plot twists of All or Nothing for seasons to come. And she promised me more soap opera goodness in sequels!) There are well-meaning meddling mothers aplenty, not to mention the twin sisters and friends. But there's no moment where I doubted they belong together.
At its heart, this is a romance about family. It's about people looking out for the ones they love (though it's not always appreciated at the time!) It's about the family you choose, stage friends who are with you for life. Most of all, it’s about the family you make. Two adults, a kid and two cats (one of them an orange kitten named Pumpkin). No wonder this book makes me happy.
N.B. I was given an Advance Reader Copy of Soulmate, Stage Right to review.
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