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andrea_author's review
4.0
Travel blogger Maddie is excited to go on an African safari—until she gets there and discovers that the game preserve owner is her ex, Kaden.
This is a bit of a slow burn, since Maddie and Kaden have a lot of baggage to overcome. I loved these characters as well as the African setting.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This is a bit of a slow burn, since Maddie and Kaden have a lot of baggage to overcome. I loved these characters as well as the African setting.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
scoutmomskf's review
4.0
Good second chance romance. Years earlier, Maddie and Kaden were high school sweethearts planning their future together. Then Maddie's father became the center of a political scandal. Maddie's mother sent her away to protect her and refused to allow her to contact Kaden to explain or say goodbye. Afraid of what would happen if she were recognized, Maddie changed her name and looks. She became a famous travel blogger, never allowing herself to spend long in any place. When the book opens, she has received an invitation to review a luxury safari venue in Africa.
Kaden was devastated by Maddie's disappearance. After learning she went to Paris, but not where he followed and wandered the streets hoping to spot her. Eventually, his father convinced him to give up, but he never forgot her. Kaden refused to join the family business and went to vet school instead. There he made friends with Fran, and after graduation, they took their vet degrees to Africa, where they became vets at a safari animal park. Eventually, they bought the park and turned it into a luxury destination. But Fran wanted more than Kaden could give her and left before the travel writers arrived for their tours.
I enjoyed seeing the rekindling of the relationship between Maddie and Kaden. Maddie was shocked to discover that the venue she would review was Kaden's, while he was stunned to see her. Maddie still feels guilty over the way she left, but fear of rejection kept her from trying to find him later. Kaden never got over the hurt he felt at her disappearance. Though they initially agree that leaving the past in the past is their best option, it quickly becomes evident that their connection is still there. I liked that they were mature enough to talk about what happened and realize that the years have changed them.
I liked seeing them get to know each other again. Maddie's travel blog gives Kaden the excuse he needs to spend time with her. I loved the vivid descriptions of everything from the wild dogs to the giraffes to those nosy impalas. I laughed out loud at Kaden's description of treating the bull elephant and Maddie's reaction to it. Maddie's joy in each experience was contagious and brought her and Kaden closer. When the sparks they feel burst into flame, it's almost as though they've never been apart. But they each have insecurities, and when Maddie's past catches up with her, flight is her first thought. I loved seeing Kaden show her how far he'll go to prove they belong together. The ending was terrific, and the epilogue had an unexpected twist.
#netgalley
Kaden was devastated by Maddie's disappearance. After learning she went to Paris, but not where he followed and wandered the streets hoping to spot her. Eventually, his father convinced him to give up, but he never forgot her. Kaden refused to join the family business and went to vet school instead. There he made friends with Fran, and after graduation, they took their vet degrees to Africa, where they became vets at a safari animal park. Eventually, they bought the park and turned it into a luxury destination. But Fran wanted more than Kaden could give her and left before the travel writers arrived for their tours.
I enjoyed seeing the rekindling of the relationship between Maddie and Kaden. Maddie was shocked to discover that the venue she would review was Kaden's, while he was stunned to see her. Maddie still feels guilty over the way she left, but fear of rejection kept her from trying to find him later. Kaden never got over the hurt he felt at her disappearance. Though they initially agree that leaving the past in the past is their best option, it quickly becomes evident that their connection is still there. I liked that they were mature enough to talk about what happened and realize that the years have changed them.
I liked seeing them get to know each other again. Maddie's travel blog gives Kaden the excuse he needs to spend time with her. I loved the vivid descriptions of everything from the wild dogs to the giraffes to those nosy impalas. I laughed out loud at Kaden's description of treating the bull elephant and Maddie's reaction to it. Maddie's joy in each experience was contagious and brought her and Kaden closer. When the sparks they feel burst into flame, it's almost as though they've never been apart. But they each have insecurities, and when Maddie's past catches up with her, flight is her first thought. I loved seeing Kaden show her how far he'll go to prove they belong together. The ending was terrific, and the epilogue had an unexpected twist.
#netgalley
emmalb1984's review
5.0
Ella Hayes’ latest wonderful romance is a beautifully told story of second chances and starting again and is set against the backdrop of an African safari. Several years ago, Maddie and Kaden were childhood sweethearts happily planning their future when a political scandal forced Maddie into hiding, but when travel blogger ‘Lina James’ arrives on Kaden’s reserve he is shocked to discover Maddie standing before him, and sparks fly as the two tentatively begin to talk about the past and discover if the connection is still there.
Both Maddie and Kaden are likeable, well developed characters who you instantly root for as they deal with this unexpected reunion. The fact Maddie is there to review the reserve and it’s experiences for her travel blog gives Kaden an excuse to pull out all the stops for her visit and the reader can delight in the vividly written scenes as they view the landscape and wildlife that make it seem as if you are there with the characters. These scenes make for some truly memorable moments as the animals make their presence felt (there’s an interesting conclusion to a moment of passion as a herd of impala become transfixed on events in Kade’s landrover!), and there are also romantic moments within the accommodation - I know it’s fictional, but it sound a fabulous place! -and even a ride in hot air balloon.
What I love about Ella Hayes writing style is her ability to draw the reader in from the first page and keep you guessing what will happen next, all the while tearing at your heartstrings and making you truly invested in what will become of these characters.
Of course there are bumps in the road as Maddie finds the past catching up with her, and a wayward elephant threatens to ruin the reserve’s reputation (but, then again, we get to see Kade in ‘flying vet’ mode, so, if you didn’t love him already, you will do now!), and, naturally, the happy ending has to be earned, but this is one of those books you are reluctant to finish in that you want to keep finding yourself on safari and enjoying the story, so the plot works well to give both the reader and the characters what they want.
With plenty of romance, and a nice nod to the hair washing scene in ‘Out of Africa’, there is also drama and humour as the past is revisited, Maddie finds out just how far Kade was willing to go for her when the scandal broke, and Kade gets ready to put everything on the line to convince Maddie that he truly is the love of her life. The ending is everything you want it to be and tissues may be required for the grand finale and I cannot enthuse about this book enough.
Ella Hayes has been one of my go-to authors since I read her debut (if this is your first Ella Hayes, please, please go and read the previous books – you won’t be disappointed), and, if anything, she gets better with each book that comes out.
Both Maddie and Kaden are likeable, well developed characters who you instantly root for as they deal with this unexpected reunion. The fact Maddie is there to review the reserve and it’s experiences for her travel blog gives Kaden an excuse to pull out all the stops for her visit and the reader can delight in the vividly written scenes as they view the landscape and wildlife that make it seem as if you are there with the characters. These scenes make for some truly memorable moments as the animals make their presence felt (there’s an interesting conclusion to a moment of passion as a herd of impala become transfixed on events in Kade’s landrover!), and there are also romantic moments within the accommodation - I know it’s fictional, but it sound a fabulous place! -and even a ride in hot air balloon.
What I love about Ella Hayes writing style is her ability to draw the reader in from the first page and keep you guessing what will happen next, all the while tearing at your heartstrings and making you truly invested in what will become of these characters.
Of course there are bumps in the road as Maddie finds the past catching up with her, and a wayward elephant threatens to ruin the reserve’s reputation (but, then again, we get to see Kade in ‘flying vet’ mode, so, if you didn’t love him already, you will do now!), and, naturally, the happy ending has to be earned, but this is one of those books you are reluctant to finish in that you want to keep finding yourself on safari and enjoying the story, so the plot works well to give both the reader and the characters what they want.
With plenty of romance, and a nice nod to the hair washing scene in ‘Out of Africa’, there is also drama and humour as the past is revisited, Maddie finds out just how far Kade was willing to go for her when the scandal broke, and Kade gets ready to put everything on the line to convince Maddie that he truly is the love of her life. The ending is everything you want it to be and tissues may be required for the grand finale and I cannot enthuse about this book enough.
Ella Hayes has been one of my go-to authors since I read her debut (if this is your first Ella Hayes, please, please go and read the previous books – you won’t be disappointed), and, if anything, she gets better with each book that comes out.