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sorcha_leabharlover's review
3.0
2.75 rounded to 3 ☆
Melanie is a 42 year old, divorced, single mother & small business owner who's back living in her hometown with her daughter. Nick is 48 year old, twice divorced gym owner who grew up next door to Melanie, was married to her older sister 20 years ago and who just moved back into his family home next to her. She had a huge crush on him when they were younger and turns out she's still very much attracted to him 30 years later. Betting on their respective businesses success in the town's Battle of the Business competition, with an important piece of land at stake, their competitiveness brings them closer together. But with 3 failed marriages and other priorities to consider, is a relationship possible or can it only ever be a fling?
I did enjoy this one. I liked the build up and the tension and I found myself wanting to read on, hoping they'd finally hook up. I love the idea of a mature romance with older main characters because we don't see them a lot, and I think there's untapped potential in these stories. I enjoyed the dual POV, the small town vibes and some of the side characters, too. What I wasn't crazy about was the repetitive internal struggles, it got a bit tired and annoyed me by the end. The constant repetition of why things couldn't work was a little off-putting but also a little odd- why does them being next door neighbour's mean they couldn't be in a relationship? I felt like it was a bit drawn out and then wrapped up a little abrupty. Also, the dialogue felt a little stiff at times. All in all a nice, easy read with some good tension & spicy scenes.
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
Melanie is a 42 year old, divorced, single mother & small business owner who's back living in her hometown with her daughter. Nick is 48 year old, twice divorced gym owner who grew up next door to Melanie, was married to her older sister 20 years ago and who just moved back into his family home next to her. She had a huge crush on him when they were younger and turns out she's still very much attracted to him 30 years later. Betting on their respective businesses success in the town's Battle of the Business competition, with an important piece of land at stake, their competitiveness brings them closer together. But with 3 failed marriages and other priorities to consider, is a relationship possible or can it only ever be a fling?
I did enjoy this one. I liked the build up and the tension and I found myself wanting to read on, hoping they'd finally hook up. I love the idea of a mature romance with older main characters because we don't see them a lot, and I think there's untapped potential in these stories. I enjoyed the dual POV, the small town vibes and some of the side characters, too. What I wasn't crazy about was the repetitive internal struggles, it got a bit tired and annoyed me by the end. The constant repetition of why things couldn't work was a little off-putting but also a little odd- why does them being next door neighbour's mean they couldn't be in a relationship? I felt like it was a bit drawn out and then wrapped up a little abrupty. Also, the dialogue felt a little stiff at times. All in all a nice, easy read with some good tension & spicy scenes.
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
bookswithjax's review
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for my eArc copy. All opinions are my own.
Okay so reading the synopsis I was excited for an older couple romance and didn’t think much about it when it said he was her sisters ex. I didn’t realize they meant ex husband. A broken relationship that tore their families apart for 20 + years and the MFC and her sister have a strained relationship. So this whole falling for her ex husband thing was just weird. It’s taboo but in a rom com and I don’t buy it realistically. I get that most romance has elements of fantasy about them, but this was just not hitting the mark for me.
As a 40 something person myself I definitely understood a lot of what was driving these characters and I loved that it showed them with all their flaws and uncertainties and hang ups. That said no 42 and 48 year old with that sort of history acts like this. Not if we’re supposed to take them seriously. The stuff with their businesses and family obligations etc. I buy… the romance part not even a little bit. The chemistry is forced and the number of times he calls her brat and she refers to him as her sisters husband (ex or otherwise) was cringe. Never letting us forget that dynamic didn’t allow for me to believe they were falling for each other.
I do think there will be many people who love this story and if you’re into second chance, semi taboo, enemies to lovers lite, romances with a town full of side characters then this may be the book for you!!
Okay so reading the synopsis I was excited for an older couple romance and didn’t think much about it when it said he was her sisters ex. I didn’t realize they meant ex husband. A broken relationship that tore their families apart for 20 + years and the MFC and her sister have a strained relationship. So this whole falling for her ex husband thing was just weird. It’s taboo but in a rom com and I don’t buy it realistically. I get that most romance has elements of fantasy about them, but this was just not hitting the mark for me.
As a 40 something person myself I definitely understood a lot of what was driving these characters and I loved that it showed them with all their flaws and uncertainties and hang ups. That said no 42 and 48 year old with that sort of history acts like this. Not if we’re supposed to take them seriously. The stuff with their businesses and family obligations etc. I buy… the romance part not even a little bit. The chemistry is forced and the number of times he calls her brat and she refers to him as her sisters husband (ex or otherwise) was cringe. Never letting us forget that dynamic didn’t allow for me to believe they were falling for each other.
I do think there will be many people who love this story and if you’re into second chance, semi taboo, enemies to lovers lite, romances with a town full of side characters then this may be the book for you!!
knitplanjess's review
3.0
Melanie is a single mom living in her hometown. Then her childhood crush and ex brother-in-law waltzes back into town and becomes her next door neighbor. Let the attraction and flirting commence!
Overall, I thought it was a cute story. I loved the interaction between the characters, but I would have also loved to see more character development. The story itself felt very predictable at times - I never found myself surprised by what happened next. The “steamy” scenes could have had a little more spice but I also had to remind myself that the characters were slightly older
Overall, I thought it was a cute story. I loved the interaction between the characters, but I would have also loved to see more character development. The story itself felt very predictable at times - I never found myself surprised by what happened next. The “steamy” scenes could have had a little more spice but I also had to remind myself that the characters were slightly older
readlikethewind's review
3.0
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When Nick Campagna moves back to Lakeside, he doesn’t expect his ex-wife’s little sister, and next door neighbour, to distract him this much. He’s there to take over the family gym after his father’s retirement, not get involved with Melanie Hayes. As for Melanie, she always had a crush on her older sister’s boyfriend Nick as a kid and she’s fighting an even bigger attraction to him now. Things are getting complicated and all bets are off.
I enjoyed this story. While I did like the storyline, it took me a while to get into it. I found myself a little bit confused in the beginning as it jumped right into the story without giving much background. We just meet Melanie and all of a sudden there’s Nick who we are apparently supposed to know. I would have enjoyed a little more lead in before throwing them together.
That being said, the story was fun to read and I loved the element of the Battle of the Businesses. The build up and the tension between the two characters was good and it had one of the big tropes “bang it out of our systems” so to speak. Which, of course, never works.
Overall a good read and fun time!
When Nick Campagna moves back to Lakeside, he doesn’t expect his ex-wife’s little sister, and next door neighbour, to distract him this much. He’s there to take over the family gym after his father’s retirement, not get involved with Melanie Hayes. As for Melanie, she always had a crush on her older sister’s boyfriend Nick as a kid and she’s fighting an even bigger attraction to him now. Things are getting complicated and all bets are off.
I enjoyed this story. While I did like the storyline, it took me a while to get into it. I found myself a little bit confused in the beginning as it jumped right into the story without giving much background. We just meet Melanie and all of a sudden there’s Nick who we are apparently supposed to know. I would have enjoyed a little more lead in before throwing them together.
That being said, the story was fun to read and I loved the element of the Battle of the Businesses. The build up and the tension between the two characters was good and it had one of the big tropes “bang it out of our systems” so to speak. Which, of course, never works.
Overall a good read and fun time!
readswithgab's review against another edition
4.0
thank you to Entangled Publishing & Grey’s Promotions for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review
although i felt this book started out slow, it really picked up. and once it did, i was really enjoying it! i loved reading the little bits of banter between Melanie and Nick. i LOVED the bets. i love a good single parent trope. the writing was great, although sometimes it was confusing to me which POV i was reading — but i was able to quickly figure it out.
they’ve known each other since they were kids, but they haven’t spoken in twenty something years and already feel some kind of attraction/feelings for each other? it was cute, and i liked it, but it felt kind of fast! would have liked if it was a little slower of a buildup — but i still enjoyed it.
overall, i recommend this book! it was such a fun read. i just wish the pacing was a bit better in the beginning.
although i felt this book started out slow, it really picked up. and once it did, i was really enjoying it! i loved reading the little bits of banter between Melanie and Nick. i LOVED the bets. i love a good single parent trope. the writing was great, although sometimes it was confusing to me which POV i was reading — but i was able to quickly figure it out.
they’ve known each other since they were kids, but they haven’t spoken in twenty something years and already feel some kind of attraction/feelings for each other? it was cute, and i liked it, but it felt kind of fast! would have liked if it was a little slower of a buildup — but i still enjoyed it.
overall, i recommend this book! it was such a fun read. i just wish the pacing was a bit better in the beginning.
agrippinaes's review against another edition
3.0
Melanie used to have a crush on Nick when she was a kid, but he was her older sister’s boyfriend, then husband, and completely off-limits. But now he’s back in town. Both of them are older - both of them have been divorced and she has a child - and the attraction between them is instantaneous, and it isn’t long before they start to act on their feelings. But Melanie is determined to keep their relationship simple and casual - whilst Nick’s confident that he wants more.
I liked the romance in this book. I thought Melanie and Nick had decent chemistry and some good scenes together - there were some sexy moments and some sweet ones. The author did a good job at showing the weight in their relationship: it was clear they had known each other a long time and there was some history there. Plus, it was a nice change to have an older couple at the focus of a book.
However, I did have a few issues with the book as a whole - I thought way too many characters were introduced in the first few chapters, it became confusing and I lost track of who was who. I also found some of the dialogue a little bit stilted; some of it didn’t scan like natural conversation.
My main issue though was that the characters came across quite young to me. It was nice to have an older couple - but some of their choices, arguments, things they said in conversation, they just seemed younger than they were meant to be. I didn’t really get why some characters acted like Melanie’s childhood crush was such a big deal when it was literally 30 years ago; there was a lot of he-said-she-said going on that didn’t work for me with their ages. The conflict between them and Melanie’s older sister, Shelby, felt a bit cartoonish, as some of Shelby’s complaints felt incredibly childish.
Ultimately the book was fine - I read it in one sitting and it kept my attention. I just felt it needed tightening up a bit more; cutting back on some of the characters and making the dialogue flow a bit better would have gone a long way for me. I just struggled with some of the content as it felt a bit immature sometimes. That said, I would recommend it to someone looking for a light, fluffy read with an older couple and the sibling’s ex trope. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.
Content Notes: Single mother, neighbours, sibling’s ex / ex’s sibling.
Other:.
I liked the romance in this book. I thought Melanie and Nick had decent chemistry and some good scenes together - there were some sexy moments and some sweet ones. The author did a good job at showing the weight in their relationship: it was clear they had known each other a long time and there was some history there. Plus, it was a nice change to have an older couple at the focus of a book.
However, I did have a few issues with the book as a whole - I thought way too many characters were introduced in the first few chapters, it became confusing and I lost track of who was who. I also found some of the dialogue a little bit stilted; some of it didn’t scan like natural conversation.
My main issue though was that the characters came across quite young to me. It was nice to have an older couple - but some of their choices, arguments, things they said in conversation, they just seemed younger than they were meant to be. I didn’t really get why some characters acted like Melanie’s childhood crush was such a big deal when it was literally 30 years ago; there was a lot of he-said-she-said going on that didn’t work for me with their ages. The conflict between them and Melanie’s older sister, Shelby, felt a bit cartoonish, as some of Shelby’s complaints felt incredibly childish.
Ultimately the book was fine - I read it in one sitting and it kept my attention. I just felt it needed tightening up a bit more; cutting back on some of the characters and making the dialogue flow a bit better would have gone a long way for me. I just struggled with some of the content as it felt a bit immature sometimes. That said, I would recommend it to someone looking for a light, fluffy read with an older couple and the sibling’s ex trope. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.
Content Notes: Single mother, neighbours, sibling’s ex / ex’s sibling.
Other:
Spoiler
On-page sex, divorce (in past), infidelity / cheating (in past).itslorei's review
2.0
DNF @38%
I'm sorry but this is just weird for me? I don't know, the pairing doesn't really sit well with me especially the fact that there's no chemistry at all.
Aside from that, the plot wasn't really convincing at all
I'm sorry but this is just weird for me? I don't know, the pairing doesn't really sit well with me especially the fact that there's no chemistry at all.
Aside from that, the plot wasn't really convincing at all
aldarakamey's review
4.0
It's a good book but i feel like the author tried too hard to push the idea of a complicated relationship. The romance and the chemistry between the character are good, and their backstory sort of works. This book had so much potential and i would've loved it if the author explored other routes but the book still is good.
thaliaohh's review
3.0
It had all of my favorite Tropes!
✔️ Single Mom
✔️ Hot next door neighbor
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Forbidden Love
✔️ Small Town Romance
✔️ Age Gap
but even though it had all of this, it unfortunately, fell short.
Nick and Melanie's families have been friends since they were small. After several years, past marriages, & just overall life happening, they end up next door neighbors again, after purchasing their childhood homes. They both want the vacant lot between their homes for different reasons and their friendship starts to blossom over a serious of fun bets. Until the wager changes everything.
First off, I LOVED that both MCs were in their 40's. That peaked my interest right away. Their banter and chemistry was something I truly enjoyed. and the tension between the two (at times) was HOT!
✔️ Single Mom
✔️ Hot next door neighbor
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Forbidden Love
✔️ Small Town Romance
✔️ Age Gap
but even though it had all of this, it unfortunately, fell short.
Nick and Melanie's families have been friends since they were small. After several years, past marriages, & just overall life happening, they end up next door neighbors again, after purchasing their childhood homes. They both want the vacant lot between their homes for different reasons and their friendship starts to blossom over a serious of fun bets. Until the wager changes everything.
First off, I LOVED that both MCs were in their 40's. That peaked my interest right away. Their banter and chemistry was something I truly enjoyed. and the tension between the two (at times) was HOT!
thereadervee's review
5.0
My heart is so happy. Honestly. I couldn't put it down and read it in under 24 hours - about 5 hours total. I had the pleasure to read this as an ARC from Net Galley and Natasha Moore.
This story is written in third person BUT we get both sides still. Dual point of views have become my favorite because we get to see the feelings and stuff develop from BOTH sides. AND we get some seasoned characters, which was just so genuine and sweet.
Tropes? Second chance love. (but the good kind). Forbidden love. I mean…. could it really be a good thing for a sister to fall for her ex brother in law? HAHA. If that doesn’t hook you, trust me, you’ll be hooked quickly by this book (which releases 8/8).
The actual story? Melanie is divorced and has a 14-year old daughter AND runs her own beauty salon. Nick has been divorced twice (once from her older sister) and just moved back to his hometown to take over the family’s gym after his dad retired. Their town has decided to host a “battle of the businesses” to raise money for their local food bank. On top of that, the land between their two houses is up for win - whoever wins the bet between Nick and Melanie, gets the land.
This story is written in third person BUT we get both sides still. Dual point of views have become my favorite because we get to see the feelings and stuff develop from BOTH sides. AND we get some seasoned characters, which was just so genuine and sweet.
Tropes? Second chance love. (but the good kind). Forbidden love. I mean…. could it really be a good thing for a sister to fall for her ex brother in law? HAHA. If that doesn’t hook you, trust me, you’ll be hooked quickly by this book (which releases 8/8).
The actual story? Melanie is divorced and has a 14-year old daughter AND runs her own beauty salon. Nick has been divorced twice (once from her older sister) and just moved back to his hometown to take over the family’s gym after his dad retired. Their town has decided to host a “battle of the businesses” to raise money for their local food bank. On top of that, the land between their two houses is up for win - whoever wins the bet between Nick and Melanie, gets the land.