Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An enjoyable but completely predictable read in a way that had me wanting to strangle both the main characters. They are two of the densest humans in the written world of this book. I would read a sequel about Cecily and Clayton though - at least to give it a chance. When I read the authors bio and saw that she had accolades in mystery writing though, I gotta say, I was highly surprised. Apparently the romance and the mystery parts of her writing didn't coexist which is a shame because I didn't hate the premise of the book, just the execution of the love story.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Julie Hatcher has knocked it out of the park on her first pass at Women’s Fiction. It’s not a genre I typically pick up, but Julie is one of my favorite author’s so I will follow her anywhere (Julie, please don’t ever venture into horror… I don’t think I could follow you down that path).
While I was dying for more romance, I loved the character growth/exploration of the main character: Emma Rini. I related to her character so much! I swear Julie was hiding under my bed and wrote this story based on my life lol J/k, but seriously…*looks under bed* “Julie, are you under here?”
The relationship growth between Emma and her parents, as well as, Emma and her sister was really profound. Not all problems were fixed in a day, but conversations were had and the trip to become her best Emily was a success even if it wasn’t in the ways Emma had intended.
For a full review of my thoughts, watch Birdie and the Books’ discussion with the author here: https://www.youtube.com/live/EqwDC7sYYQw?si=N0yzjAWJMsmRz0Yb
Please Note: I received an advance copy for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley, Julie Hatcher, and Lake Union Publishing 🤓
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a quick and cozy read. I want to like it more, truly. It's not that I didn't enjoy it, I just think it could use some fixes. I loved the infusion of literature and poetry and history. But, there were parts that dragged a bit and honestly, I really wanted more from the romance. It's one thing to build tension but a whole different story of that tension causes the story to fizzle and the reader to get bored. The end felt rushed as well... and left me wanting more. Again, the romance, for all the build up, fell pretty flat at the end. It was a cute story and was a mostly fun read. Emma was pretty funny at times, as were her friends. I just wish there was more there to connect with.