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bitterblue7's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Honestly, up until the 200-page mark, the book was going fine. Not great, but at least it was enjoyable and light.
Then Frannie got even more unbearable than before, completely ruining the book. The third-act break-up was so ridiculous, over the top and I just wanted to shut her up.
James was an okay lead, not fantastic but adorable in his own way, but he was a bit of a doormat: followed her like a puppy (it wasn't cute) and would bend over backward to cater to her needs. Everything was only at her pace and time, and he could only follow.
Then Frannie got even more unbearable than before, completely ruining the book. The third-act break-up was so ridiculous, over the top and I just wanted to shut her up.
James was an okay lead, not fantastic but adorable in his own way, but he was a bit of a doormat: followed her like a puppy (it wasn't cute) and would bend over backward to cater to her needs. Everything was only at her pace and time, and he could only follow.
dnwarren24's review
4.0
Frannie has a crush on the local bartender James. They had a disappointing one night stand months ago, but for some reason Frannie can not seem to move on. James seems to be showing up in all the right places at just the right time. Frannie is not sure she wants a committed relationship but she will soon have to decide if she is all in?
joskypay's review
5.0
This is quickly becoming one of my new favorite series! So cute and fun and sweet with some really HOT parts as well. I LOVE James! Poor sweet virgin James (well, not anymore, but yeah)! I really got Frannie, such a good person deep down, same insecurities so many of us share. Facing her flaws, owning them, is a big part of this story. I think this new to me author is quickly becoming a one-click and I absolutely can't wait for Eliza's story! I might wish I was Frannie, but I'm a realist and I know deep down I'm an Eliza, so I can't wait for her much deserved HEA.
mommasaystoread's review
4.0
Cut Loose is an entertaining romance with engaging characters and witty dialogue. Having not had the pleasure of reading previous books in the series, I wasn't sure what I would find, but this one works well as a standalone and I had no problem following the story or the characters. It's impossible not to fall for the great mix of sweet and sexy that is James. In fact, there were a couple of times that I really wanted to give Frannie a good shake and help her see what a great guy she had right in front of her. The story is a bit longer than I felt it needed to be given the relatively low angst level, but the author does keep it moving along with some wit and humor. Overall, the story is a good mix of sweet and steamy and we get the added bonus of a few chuckles along the way.
gwensreading's review
3.0
I gave this 3 stars but it’s really through no fault of the author. I actually read this one first and then picked up the previous books in the series. I just couldn’t really like Frannie. I couldn’t relate to her much and to be honest I don’t know that I’d want to be her friend. She was a real person with lots of faults that didn’t always outweigh her good. On the other hand, I LOVED James. He was so sweet and lovable and I gushed about him to my husband (who nodded politely). There is a lot to like about this story, especially the dancing, but Frannie was kind of a buzzkill.
beckiebookworm1974's review
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️STARS
ARC BOOK REVIEW
Release Date-31/5/18
"Cut Loose" by Julia Wolf was such a sweet emotive read.
I bloody adored James like so much; he was just so god damn adorable in his whole un-surety and inexperience.
I felt almost like we had reversed the roles here; with Frannie taking the part of the take what you want man with the fucking and chucking and James being just that much younger; Twenty-three to her twenty-nine and lacking the social skills and life lessons to maybe quite keep up with Frannie's matter a fact attitude to all things romantic.
Now It was really nice to see James emerge from his shell and find his confidence and voice.
He was so eager to absorb everything Frannie had to teach him a ready and willing student.
And in my opinion, his masculinity was only enhanced by his inexperience; he was such a fast learner and it wasn't long before he was taking the lead reins with Frannie which she really digged.
It was also quite ironic to see Frannie flounder in confusion as she realises she's in deep for the first time in her life and watching her running scared and in self-sabotage mode was like observing everything to not do if you want to succeed in the matters of the heart.
Frannie was her own worst enemy; take about shitty logic this girl had it in spades.
To be on the other side of those pesky feelings is something she was ultimately struggling with.
I thought James seemed more than a match for his girl; his overall personality made him seem much more mature than his actual age and at times he definitely had more logic and wisdom than she had in her entire body.
I read so many alpha male books that this was such a lovely refreshing change to just kick back and appreciate the sweet simplicity offered up here.
And I especially loved the contrast between James manly size and his gentleness; a real-life gentle giant.
What else can I tell you about this great read; erm Frannie is a former dancer and now hair stylist.
James is a bit of a computer nerd slash bartender; he also had an especially well-conditioned beard; that Frannie really likes to sniff a lot; well I didn't say she was quite normal now did I folks.
This was dual POV fiction which is my favourite; there was a fantastic cast of great supporting characters and though "Cut Loose was part of a series this can definitely be read as a standalone; which I did fine.
My only slight criticism here was that I thought Frannie was a bit OTT when it came to her deciding James had lied to her; come on now; pfft they were slight omissions at best; hardly the crime of the century; get a grip girl.
I think its more likely she was just creating reasons to condone her own unreasonable and illogical behaviour.
So with "Cut loose" Frannie may have started things initially but its safe to say James definitely caught up and then some, and though there are no great shocks in the narrative here I still enjoyed this ever so much.
"Cut Loose" at its heart was a fantastically easy read that pulled you into its warm gooey centre; a truly positive. fun and at times humorous experience.
And on a final note; just go to say; my heart went pitter patter every instance these two uttered the repetitive words of Hi Frannie; hi James; it wasn't what was said it was the way it was delivered.
I was like Aww; how awkwardly cute; and that is where I'm going to leave it.
Thank You to the Author for providing me with an ARC of "Cut Loose (The Sublime Book 3) " of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
becsa's review
4.0
Francisca "Frannie" Rivera is a hair stylist and former competitive dancer. Six months ago she had the worst sex of her life with the handsome bartender who works at one of her favorite hangouts but for some strange reason she still can't get him out of her head.
James O'Malley is a quiet guy who keeps to himself but is very attracted and drawn to Frannie. But he holds things very close to him and when she discovers who he is will she still give him the second chance he desperately wants?
Will Frannie get over her own insecurities and hang ups to give James a second chance and when she learns what he is hiding will she be able to get over it?
I really liked Frannie yet at times I must admit that I was frustrated with her as she had hr own insecurities when it came to relationships. I was proud of her for following her own dreams and ambitions when she had been under so much pressure from her mom to be the perfect ballerina. I loved her friendships with Laurel, Eliza and Rachel and how the girls really supported each other.
James was an interesting character as we begin to learn more and more about him as the book goes on and I was totally surprised by most of the revelations. I absolutely loved how he "improved" himself in the bedroom.
Frannie was mad at James several times in the book for not being forthcoming but I completely understood why as some things never came off and he never wanted to frighten her off. James was innocent enough but I was on his side for sure as Frannie went off the deep side.
I really liked the development with Eliza and I hope she gets even stronger in the next book.
The end was awesome and I look forward to more in this series!
James O'Malley is a quiet guy who keeps to himself but is very attracted and drawn to Frannie. But he holds things very close to him and when she discovers who he is will she still give him the second chance he desperately wants?
Will Frannie get over her own insecurities and hang ups to give James a second chance and when she learns what he is hiding will she be able to get over it?
I really liked Frannie yet at times I must admit that I was frustrated with her as she had hr own insecurities when it came to relationships. I was proud of her for following her own dreams and ambitions when she had been under so much pressure from her mom to be the perfect ballerina. I loved her friendships with Laurel, Eliza and Rachel and how the girls really supported each other.
James was an interesting character as we begin to learn more and more about him as the book goes on and I was totally surprised by most of the revelations. I absolutely loved how he "improved" himself in the bedroom.
Frannie was mad at James several times in the book for not being forthcoming but I completely understood why as some things never came off and he never wanted to frighten her off. James was innocent enough but I was on his side for sure as Frannie went off the deep side.
I really liked the development with Eliza and I hope she gets even stronger in the next book.
The end was awesome and I look forward to more in this series!
abi_reads_'s review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable, light hearted story and I love how different James is from a lot of the male characters I normally read.