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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
It was just ok. A bit boring. And all of the characters were flat.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’ve been wanting to read this book for a minute and I’m glad I did. It was a good book. A simple and easy read.
Characters:
Vanessa is a 40 year old divorcee trying her best to move on from an emotionally abusive marriage. Michael is a sheriff who wants nothing more than to protect his sister from her no good liar fiancé. Cindy irritated me which was probably on purpose.
Plot:
The plot/concept made me anxious because of the high stakes nature and because the pacing was so fast it did slow down substantially 1/3rd into the story. The romance felt lacking was all they did is mentally say how hot they found each other and nothing else for about 30% of the book. It wasn't necessary for it to be in every interaction they had and felt heavy handed.
There were also a lot of repetition of story parts. We hear their backstories in their own point of view and then we hear them tell them to each other again. It would have been better if we found all the details for the first time when they told each other.
I didn't feel invested in their relationship or want them to be together. I felt like there was so much focus on their sexual chemistry and building up to it that no real deeper connection was developed. They liked each other, even loved each other but I didn't feel it.
Rating: I give this book a 2/5
Vanessa is a 40 year old divorcee trying her best to move on from an emotionally abusive marriage. Michael is a sheriff who wants nothing more than to protect his sister from her no good liar fiancé. Cindy irritated me which was probably on purpose.
Plot:
The plot/concept made me anxious because of the high stakes nature and because the pacing was so fast it did slow down substantially 1/3rd into the story. The romance felt lacking was all they did is mentally say how hot they found each other and nothing else for about 30% of the book. It wasn't necessary for it to be in every interaction they had and felt heavy handed.
There were also a lot of repetition of story parts. We hear their backstories in their own point of view and then we hear them tell them to each other again. It would have been better if we found all the details for the first time when they told each other.
I didn't feel invested in their relationship or want them to be together. I felt like there was so much focus on their sexual chemistry and building up to it that no real deeper connection was developed. They liked each other, even loved each other but I didn't feel it.
Rating: I give this book a 2/5
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was so much more than I expected, a great surprise for the year!
I've picked this one up for my TBR challenge, expecting a nice, cute romance; and I got so much more in this tiny but mighty package. I knew the main character was older and divorce and that the book was going to deal with her finding herself and a new romance again, and I got that. But it also deals with harder topics in such a kind way. This book deals with female friendships, with past abusive relationships, with female empowerment and so much more. It also has some great spice and an amazing male main character. But the best for me was Vanessa and her trio of fiends. I can't wait to read more by this author, and it was announced that a second book in this series it's coming out in January 2026!
I've picked this one up for my TBR challenge, expecting a nice, cute romance; and I got so much more in this tiny but mighty package. I knew the main character was older and divorce and that the book was going to deal with her finding herself and a new romance again, and I got that. But it also deals with harder topics in such a kind way. This book deals with female friendships, with past abusive relationships, with female empowerment and so much more. It also has some great spice and an amazing male main character. But the best for me was Vanessa and her trio of fiends. I can't wait to read more by this author, and it was announced that a second book in this series it's coming out in January 2026!
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was an amazing read!
I initially saw the cover on Spotify and HAD to listen to it.
I wasn't sure if the story was for me at first. But I was really interested in how Vanessa would navigate such a real life experience.
I told myself I wanted to read more stories that honored lifestyles unlike my own.
Granted the reason why I kept reading wasn't as deep because... have you met Michael?! 🤭
He was definitely my favorite character in this book.
But I loooved the growth Vanessa had. Although the book itself wasn't short it didn't feel rushed.
I'm not one that loves instant attraction tropes.. but it worked for them.
This was a happy find. I will definitely look for more from this author.
I initially saw the cover on Spotify and HAD to listen to it.
I wasn't sure if the story was for me at first. But I was really interested in how Vanessa would navigate such a real life experience.
I told myself I wanted to read more stories that honored lifestyles unlike my own.
Granted the reason why I kept reading wasn't as deep because... have you met Michael?! 🤭
He was definitely my favorite character in this book.
But I loooved the growth Vanessa had. Although the book itself wasn't short it didn't feel rushed.
I'm not one that loves instant attraction tropes.. but it worked for them.
This was a happy find. I will definitely look for more from this author.
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It’s time I admitted to being immensely attracted to books with cartoon covers. They’re just so cute and they tend to have the cutest romances. This one however wasn’t just cute and seeeexxxyyy, but it had some hard topics that illustrated the characters’ growth.
I don’t get to read a romance with a woman MC who is 40+, so that alone is +1 star. She is still healing from an emotionally abusive relationship, and the main way she is doing this is by unapologetically loving herself. I love that the author emphasizes how detrimental emotional abuse is just as physical abuse. It was also really good that she was taking steps to ensure that no one ever treats her like that again, even if that man is the hot sheriff himself.
Speaking of the sheriff, he has his own struggles as well. He feels the need to manage people due to his blaming himself for what happened to his parents. This might be sexy and all but after what Vanessa has been through, she’ll be damned if she enters a relationship where someone tells her what to do. How do they work this out?
It was great that they each had their own support systems of friends. I enjoyed the balance of this story.
I don’t get to read a romance with a woman MC who is 40+, so that alone is +1 star. She is still healing from an emotionally abusive relationship, and the main way she is doing this is by unapologetically loving herself. I love that the author emphasizes how detrimental emotional abuse is just as physical abuse. It was also really good that she was taking steps to ensure that no one ever treats her like that again, even if that man is the hot sheriff himself.
Speaking of the sheriff, he has his own struggles as well. He feels the need to manage people due to his blaming himself for what happened to his parents. This might be sexy and all but after what Vanessa has been through, she’ll be damned if she enters a relationship where someone tells her what to do. How do they work this out?
It was great that they each had their own support systems of friends. I enjoyed the balance of this story.
2.5 stars. Not a fav but it grew on me and checked all the boxes for romance. Definitely was a joyful escape from reality. So many things happened "for romance reasons" that they distracted from the characters and plot. If I was the heroine, I would have told the hero "no" and the book ended at chapter one.