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kaitface's review against another edition
3.5
I picked this book up for a fun read during vacation. Holiday’s writing is enjoyable, the characters are entertaining, and it was a quick, easy, engrossing read - perfect for the beach and pool!
The story was predictable, which I anticipated from the genre and a quick flip through. The only truly unbelievable moment came with the reveal that Maya regularly wore her theater costumes TO THE BAR. I’ve been involved with various levels of theater for over 25 years and there are a few hard, fast, and spoken rules of theater. One of them is to never eat or drink in costume. Honestly, this moment took me completely out of the book. I can suspend disbelief for a lot of things but this is a very basic theater rule that was ignored.
The story was predictable, which I anticipated from the genre and a quick flip through. The only truly unbelievable moment came with the reveal that Maya regularly wore her theater costumes TO THE BAR. I’ve been involved with various levels of theater for over 25 years and there are a few hard, fast, and spoken rules of theater. One of them is to never eat or drink in costume. Honestly, this moment took me completely out of the book. I can suspend disbelief for a lot of things but this is a very basic theater rule that was ignored.
_ems28's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
hijinx_abound's review against another edition
2.0
** I received and ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
I love a good enemies to lover. In the prio book, i liked these two snipping at one another. I had high hopes for this story but must say that it was just an okay read. Most of the story was very good but the big moment at the end seemed too convenient for me and that diminished my enjoyment of the book.
I love a good enemies to lover. In the prio book, i liked these two snipping at one another. I had high hopes for this story but must say that it was just an okay read. Most of the story was very good but the big moment at the end seemed too convenient for me and that diminished my enjoyment of the book.
andireadsromance's review against another edition
5.0
They say you should never judge a book by it’s cover, and I’m ashamed to admit, I judged this book by its cover. Although it’s the third book in a series, I hadn’t read the first two books, but it looked cute; like something I’d see on a cable tv channel that specializes in romance. I’d seen this plot a thousand times, and it probably won’t have much steam, but I’ll give it a shot because it looks cute and I love a good enemies to lovers book. Boy, was I WRONG.
There was good backstory, a well thought out plot, witty banter, chemistry for days, ALL the meddling, and HOOBOY was there steam!
I LOVED this book. Not only was it in my favorite trope, Maya, the female MC, is a big football (soccer) supporter and loves Shakespeare. I am a big football (soccer) supporter and my favorite Shakespeare play is Much Ado About Nothing, which is the play Maya puts on to lure a former pop-star turned actor to help save her struggling theater. If you’re a fan of Much Ado, you’re going to love some of the parallels between it and our two MCs.
I loved these characters. Benjamin “Law” Lawson is the perfect cocky, swoony, cinnamon roll hero to compete with Maya Mehta’s badass, independent heroine because when the sparks fly, the really fly. The supporting cast of characters brings a lot of humor to the book as well. Gotta love me some meddling old people and friends who will put our MCs in their place.
This books left me with all the good feels and I’ve already added Jenny’s other books to my TBR because this was SO good.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There was good backstory, a well thought out plot, witty banter, chemistry for days, ALL the meddling, and HOOBOY was there steam!
I LOVED this book. Not only was it in my favorite trope, Maya, the female MC, is a big football (soccer) supporter and loves Shakespeare. I am a big football (soccer) supporter and my favorite Shakespeare play is Much Ado About Nothing, which is the play Maya puts on to lure a former pop-star turned actor to help save her struggling theater. If you’re a fan of Much Ado, you’re going to love some of the parallels between it and our two MCs.
I loved these characters. Benjamin “Law” Lawson is the perfect cocky, swoony, cinnamon roll hero to compete with Maya Mehta’s badass, independent heroine because when the sparks fly, the really fly. The supporting cast of characters brings a lot of humor to the book as well. Gotta love me some meddling old people and friends who will put our MCs in their place.
This books left me with all the good feels and I’ve already added Jenny’s other books to my TBR because this was SO good.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
scribblinaway's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
readbooks_eatapples's review against another edition
3.0
This was pretty okay, probably more of a 3.5 star situation. It's well written overall, and the characters are complex and interesting. It hit on some personal pet peeves, though. I hate it when people hold lifelong grudges, I hate it when people are unnecessarily mean (and frankly Maya is kind of a bully and asshole for at least the first half), and when surrounding characters are manipulative and portrayed as sort of omniscient. As though their manipulations are okay because of course EVERYONE intimately understands the internal journey of others, so it's cool to force things. I liked a lot of the social messaging, however, and appreciate a little diversity in the characters.
All that said, I'd read more of the series continued.
All that said, I'd read more of the series continued.
beckylewis82's review against another edition
5.0
Enemies to lovers is my all time favorite trope and when its set in a small town, you know it's going to be good. Maya runs the local theater in her small town and is also in a silent war with a local bar owner Benjamin "Law" Lawson. When the town decides to give out a grant to one local business owner, the stakes in their silent war go up as they are both wanting that money. I loved Maya and Ben's relationship, my favorite parts are when they go on temporary truces so she can watch the Premier League games on his TV upstairs. Slowly the two realize maybe there is more to them than these short truces. This was a very fun story and I loved the town so much, now I just need to go back and read the other books in this series. Thank you to Forever Publishing for my gifted copy for review.
mrsjoylovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Sandcastle Beach is a cute enemies-to-lovers romance. The story takes place in a small town in Ontario, Canada. Maya runs a community theatre and Ben Lawson runs a bar that has been in his family for generations.
I thought the story flowed really well. Their progression from frenemies to friends to more than friends made perfect sense. It’s funny, sweet, and it’s got some steam, too. Jenny Holiday is known for her “Hallmark with a spicy kick” type stories and this one had just the right amount of spice. There are nosy neighbors, a Mermaid Queen, flowers that turn into wishes, and a Shakespeare play...I mean, how much cuter can you get? Although this book was perfectly fine as a stand-alone, the characters from the previous books in the series are in it. So I’m sure it’s even more enjoyable when the reader is familiar with the two other stories. Even without reading the others, I really enjoyed Maya and Law’s story.
Sandcastle Beach is the perfect beach read, or in my case, Spring Break read.
Thank you to @netgalley and @readforeverpub for a digital arc and a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
I thought the story flowed really well. Their progression from frenemies to friends to more than friends made perfect sense. It’s funny, sweet, and it’s got some steam, too. Jenny Holiday is known for her “Hallmark with a spicy kick” type stories and this one had just the right amount of spice. There are nosy neighbors, a Mermaid Queen, flowers that turn into wishes, and a Shakespeare play...I mean, how much cuter can you get? Although this book was perfectly fine as a stand-alone, the characters from the previous books in the series are in it. So I’m sure it’s even more enjoyable when the reader is familiar with the two other stories. Even without reading the others, I really enjoyed Maya and Law’s story.
Sandcastle Beach is the perfect beach read, or in my case, Spring Break read.
Thank you to @netgalley and @readforeverpub for a digital arc and a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
aboutthatstory's review against another edition
4.0
Sandcastle Beach was such a fun, sweet read! I have wanted Maya and Benjamin’s story since they were first introduced and was not disappointed. I loved their entertaining and witty banter and verbal sparring. This was a really cute enemies to lover’s story.
Maya and Law were wonderful. I liked learning about them and their history, what their struggles were, and what they were working towards. I liked their playful bickering and the underlying chemistry they had. I adored them opening up bit by bit, and how they'd come to a truce and have these heartfelt moments. There was a nice slow burn happening as well that I really enjoyed. I loved that tension, angst, and building anticipation for them to get together.
There is a great cast of characters in this inviting little town and they're the perfect addition to the story. The meddling old folks always crack me up, they’re total instigators but in a good way. I loved seeing previous couples from the first two books and getting updates on them. I love the friendships and bonds the men and women have adding another layer of goodness to the story.
This was a fast-paced, light read with really good details. It gave me just what I needed to keep me invested and rooting for Maya and Benjamin to get to their HEA. I loved the slight bit of overlap that there was with the last book, that was awesome. This was a wonderful addition to the Matchmaker Bay series that's sure to leave a smile on your face!
Complimentary copy received from Forever Romance.
Maya and Law were wonderful. I liked learning about them and their history, what their struggles were, and what they were working towards. I liked their playful bickering and the underlying chemistry they had. I adored them opening up bit by bit, and how they'd come to a truce and have these heartfelt moments. There was a nice slow burn happening as well that I really enjoyed. I loved that tension, angst, and building anticipation for them to get together.
There is a great cast of characters in this inviting little town and they're the perfect addition to the story. The meddling old folks always crack me up, they’re total instigators but in a good way. I loved seeing previous couples from the first two books and getting updates on them. I love the friendships and bonds the men and women have adding another layer of goodness to the story.
This was a fast-paced, light read with really good details. It gave me just what I needed to keep me invested and rooting for Maya and Benjamin to get to their HEA. I loved the slight bit of overlap that there was with the last book, that was awesome. This was a wonderful addition to the Matchmaker Bay series that's sure to leave a smile on your face!
Complimentary copy received from Forever Romance.