bekacrook's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
4.5
Another fantastic book by Talia Hibbert, the last related to the Brown sisters and I honestly think it may be my favourite!
I loved Eve, who felt really relatable and real. Who in their mid twenties doesn't feel like they are failing at everything and don't know what they want to do with their life? She was a fun and enjoyable character without feeling childish and I liked how she grew in confidence and in her abilities and as a person without changing who she is at her core. I really liked Jacob as well, he was different to the usual romance male main characters but in a way that made him an interesting and rounded character. I liked that he was at his core the sweetest guy and that his reactions to different situations and people were honest. He didn't feel two dimensional. I also like the neurodivergent representation and the easy acceptance all the characters had of him and Eve. They liked them because of who they were, not in spite of it. A positive representation in a happy story which is much needed.
The simplicity of the story complimented the focus on the characters and the relationships. Again, I enjoyed that the characters from the other books were brought back and had a bit more of a role in this one but still not overwhelmingly so. It was nice to see more of the family's dynamics.
Spoiler
I loved that the making up/apology was in character and wasn't something drastic and dramatic just to make it bigger. It really felt like an action both characters would make, it felt honest to them and fit in what we already knew about them. Also loved the epilogue and how it wasn't a proposal, or marriage or a baby epilogue instead it focused on their progress (especially Eve's) and still hinted at their future through Jacob's list.A great book!
page_vee's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
cosmicmamallama's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chanelt01's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
3.5
jaywithwhiskey's review
4.0
Talia Hibbert could write on the back of a receipt and I'd pay money for it.
Loved this book, adored Jacob and Eve. I pre-purchased this book and held off on reading it for ages because I didn't want the series to end, and yet here we are. I'm sure I'll recover.
Loved this book, adored Jacob and Eve. I pre-purchased this book and held off on reading it for ages because I didn't want the series to end, and yet here we are. I'm sure I'll recover.
libra_riannn's review
5.0
I am a huge fan of The Brown Sisters series and this latest installment exceeded my already high expectations. Talia Hibbert is an expert on writing about multifaceted Black women who are on journeys of personal growth and finding love.
The best thing about Hibbert's novels isn't the romance (although that is so, incredibly well done). It's the well-rounded characterization of her main characters. Every Brown sister is an intelligent, strong, and confident Black woman but they still have their own vulnerabilities and fears to overcome. It is such a satisfying and joyful experience watching them grow and seeing them get their happily ever afters.
Eve Brown is a self-described hot mess who quits careers at the first sign of failure, much to the dismay of her highly successful family members. A series of unexpected events leads Eve to become a chef at a small town B&B where she learns a lot about herself while also falling for Jacob, the uptight but passionate B&B owner.
Eve and Jacob's relationship was an interesting take on the enemies-to-lovers trope. Jacob is determined to ignore his positive feelings towards Eve in order to protect himself and Eve is determined to see the man behind all of his emotional walls. It's more like a trying-to-be-enemies-but secretly-finding-each-other-irresistibly-charming situation. Their relationship progression from being "enemies" to developing a passionate, intense relationship is an absolute thrill to read.
Also, I loved that the author explored neurodiversity in the novel without using harmful stereotypes. It was clear that Hibbert understands that people on the autism spectrum are very much capable of having passionate romantic relationships and close friendships, despite what stereotypes may lead people to believe.
Overall, "Act Your Age, Eve Brown" was another joyful and compulsively readable installment in The Brown Sisters series. It's possibly my favorite Talia Hibbert book of all time. I can't wait to see what she writes next!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
The best thing about Hibbert's novels isn't the romance (although that is so, incredibly well done). It's the well-rounded characterization of her main characters. Every Brown sister is an intelligent, strong, and confident Black woman but they still have their own vulnerabilities and fears to overcome. It is such a satisfying and joyful experience watching them grow and seeing them get their happily ever afters.
Eve Brown is a self-described hot mess who quits careers at the first sign of failure, much to the dismay of her highly successful family members. A series of unexpected events leads Eve to become a chef at a small town B&B where she learns a lot about herself while also falling for Jacob, the uptight but passionate B&B owner.
Eve and Jacob's relationship was an interesting take on the enemies-to-lovers trope. Jacob is determined to ignore his positive feelings towards Eve in order to protect himself and Eve is determined to see the man behind all of his emotional walls. It's more like a trying-to-be-enemies-but secretly-finding-each-other-irresistibly-charming situation. Their relationship progression from being "enemies" to developing a passionate, intense relationship is an absolute thrill to read.
Also, I loved that the author explored neurodiversity in the novel without using harmful stereotypes. It was clear that Hibbert understands that people on the autism spectrum are very much capable of having passionate romantic relationships and close friendships, despite what stereotypes may lead people to believe.
Overall, "Act Your Age, Eve Brown" was another joyful and compulsively readable installment in The Brown Sisters series. It's possibly my favorite Talia Hibbert book of all time. I can't wait to see what she writes next!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
solxthere's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
theanachronismreads's review against another edition
5.0
Have now read this book, AND listened to it. I love how Evie grew. How she found herself. I love the song, and the purple hair, and the silly shirts, and the million details and awesome representation of neurodiversity.