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kjnrose's review
4.0
Another good book in the series. It was sweet, funny, and low angst, great end to the series. Love the brotherly bond shown here too.
dutchtreat's review
4.0
No one does clueless slow burn like Anyta Sunday! Zach is a fluffy, slobbery golden retriever of a man, and it is a very sweet romance between him and responsible studio owner Brandon.
Noah and Wade’s story is the one I expected to love more, because that’s the part I love in Sense and Sensibility… but for me it was overshadowed by Zach and Brandy. I needed a little bit more from them, and just a touch more about Noah’s journey - there was some backstory in previous books, and perhaps I will find more now that I know what to look for.
Again, the Love, Austen series has been a lovely Kiwi appreciation of the timeless intersection of society and love.
Noah and Wade’s story is the one I expected to love more, because that’s the part I love in Sense and Sensibility… but for me it was overshadowed by Zach and Brandy. I needed a little bit more from them, and just a touch more about Noah’s journey - there was some backstory in previous books, and perhaps I will find more now that I know what to look for.
Again, the Love, Austen series has been a lovely Kiwi appreciation of the timeless intersection of society and love.
iam's review
4.0
Another lovely addition to this series.
I was intrigued by the idea of having two love stories in one book, and it make sense for the brothers Noah and Zach. They were very different despite being very close, and while their stories were inseparably tangled, they both had very different vibes.
I didn't realize at first that the brothers had appeared in several of the previous books. As usual, it can still be read as a standalone though, though as always, the connections to previous books is delightful.
Noah being trans was a delightful surprise, and mostly handled well, meaning it wasn't made a big deal at all. The only thing I thought was a bit strange was how vague yet detailed the sex scenes were. It was awkward because it felt like there was some tiptoeing around Noah's genitals.
Noah's story was a lot calmer, but the bigotry and terribleness-of-people central to his plotline was hard to read. Zach's was a lot more lighthearted and made me laugh, but it was also over-the-top in a groan-out-loud way. Not too bad to not still be enjoyable, but toning down his obliviousness at least a little would have been appreciated.
Lastly, the usual disclaimer: This is a retelling of a Jane Austen novel. I have not read that original inspiration, and cannot comment on that aspect at all.
I have received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I was intrigued by the idea of having two love stories in one book, and it make sense for the brothers Noah and Zach. They were very different despite being very close, and while their stories were inseparably tangled, they both had very different vibes.
I didn't realize at first that the brothers had appeared in several of the previous books. As usual, it can still be read as a standalone though, though as always, the connections to previous books is delightful.
Noah being trans was a delightful surprise, and mostly handled well, meaning it wasn't made a big deal at all. The only thing I thought was a bit strange was how vague yet detailed the sex scenes were. It was awkward because it felt like there was some tiptoeing around Noah's genitals.
Noah's story was a lot calmer, but the bigotry and terribleness-of-people central to his plotline was hard to read. Zach's was a lot more lighthearted and made me laugh, but it was also over-the-top in a groan-out-loud way. Not too bad to not still be enjoyable, but toning down his obliviousness at least a little would have been appreciated.
Lastly, the usual disclaimer: This is a retelling of a Jane Austen novel. I have not read that original inspiration, and cannot comment on that aspect at all.
I have received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
skienight's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia and Homophobia
itssarahc's review
5.0
Anyta Sunday is one of those authors that I pick up knowing that whatever I'm about to read is going to be amazing. A Dashwood of Sense and Sensibility was no different.
What was different about this book from the rest of the Love Austen books is that it covered two love stories - much like Austen's Sense and Sensibility. The four main characters were each wonderfully written and there were cameos from all of the other couples from the Love Austen series. There were cameos from side characters in other books as well and as such, I fully believe that this book is best enjoyed after having read the rest of the series. It can be read as a standalone, but I'd definitely recommend reading the others.
Our first couple is Noah and Wade. They meet when Noah thinks his twin brother, Zach, has broken into their childhood home. The attraction is immediate between them. The entire first quarter of the book is dedicated to Wade and Noah getting to know one another. This couple, in their first part, had me hooked immediately. It also had me pleasantly surprised by the lack of usual slow burn that is a cornerstone to Anyta Sunday's works.
She really had me in the first half, not gonna lie. Because the rest of the book? They were infuriating with the will-they-won't-they parts.
The second couple is the carefree Zachary Dashwood with the handsome owner of Austen Studios - Brandon. They meet when Zach accidentally gets locked into the studio. He doesn't realize at first who Brandon is but slowly figures it out. They follow a more traditional Anyta Sunday path of slow burn, miscommunication, obliviousness, and generally making me want to whack one character (Zach in this instance) over the head with a clue by four.
Of the two couples, Zach and Brandy were my favorite. They were more entertaining and there was just something about them that was magical. It was a magic shared with Wade and Noah, but to a lesser extent.
This book was a perfect cap to the Love Austen series. Unlike the other books in this series, it was a dual POV - but between the Dashwood brothers, leaving Wade and Brandon's thoughts visible only through their actions. It was sweet and moderately low angst and an amazing read.
** ARC PROVIDED BY GRR FOR HONEST REVIEW **
What was different about this book from the rest of the Love Austen books is that it covered two love stories - much like Austen's Sense and Sensibility. The four main characters were each wonderfully written and there were cameos from all of the other couples from the Love Austen series. There were cameos from side characters in other books as well and as such, I fully believe that this book is best enjoyed after having read the rest of the series. It can be read as a standalone, but I'd definitely recommend reading the others.
Our first couple is Noah and Wade. They meet when Noah thinks his twin brother, Zach, has broken into their childhood home. The attraction is immediate between them. The entire first quarter of the book is dedicated to Wade and Noah getting to know one another. This couple, in their first part, had me hooked immediately. It also had me pleasantly surprised by the lack of usual slow burn that is a cornerstone to Anyta Sunday's works.
She really had me in the first half, not gonna lie. Because the rest of the book? They were infuriating with the will-they-won't-they parts.
The second couple is the carefree Zachary Dashwood with the handsome owner of Austen Studios - Brandon. They meet when Zach accidentally gets locked into the studio. He doesn't realize at first who Brandon is but slowly figures it out. They follow a more traditional Anyta Sunday path of slow burn, miscommunication, obliviousness, and generally making me want to whack one character (Zach in this instance) over the head with a clue by four.
Of the two couples, Zach and Brandy were my favorite. They were more entertaining and there was just something about them that was magical. It was a magic shared with Wade and Noah, but to a lesser extent.
This book was a perfect cap to the Love Austen series. Unlike the other books in this series, it was a dual POV - but between the Dashwood brothers, leaving Wade and Brandon's thoughts visible only through their actions. It was sweet and moderately low angst and an amazing read.
** ARC PROVIDED BY GRR FOR HONEST REVIEW **
florcis512's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
jeyjey's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0