You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
3.75. I think what may have been missing for me was a bit more interaction between Jason and his parents to show how destructive that relationship was. I did love how the couple got together and I truly loved how he made his grand gesture. I especially loved how Tessa describes how challenging it is to date a single mother who got pregnant as a teen.
After her super-supportive brother moves away, single mom Tessa finds herself struggling. Thankfully her brother’s best friend, Jason, is always on hand to help, something that shocks them all considering Jason’s reputation as a commitment-phobic player. Jason, for his part, has begun to see Tessa in a new light now he’s spending more and more time with her, and it isn’t long before a romance blossoms between the pair. Unfortunately, though, Jason’s got a problem - his very rich parents are threatening to cut him off unless he agrees to finally take the reins working for his father’s company. The closer he gets to Tessa and her daughter, Haley, the more Jason can see how unhappy a future working for his father would make him. But his conflict with his family isn’t his only problem - as Tessa is starting to worry that Jason’s feelings aren’t genuine.
This was cute. The writing is nice and engaging and it was entertaining to read. The bond between Tessa and Jason was really nice, and I liked watching their relationship develop, including how he became a father figure to Tessa’s daughter. There were some really lovely domestic scenes in this book and as a trio they were quite adorable.
I also thought they had good chemistry. The sex was a lot steamier than I expected and there were some really hot, well-written sex scenes between them. I really enjoyed the romance aspect of this book - that was very solid and came to a satisfying end, with a good, cute grovel. I also liked some aspects of this take on the brother’s best friend trope; I liked that the conflict between them and Haley’s brother wasn’t the main focus and that the ultimate conclusion was it wasn’t her brother’s business.
However, I didn’t really like the external plot, specifically the one involving Jason’s family. I didn’t really get it; I found his motivations really weak, and there was way too much back and forth over his choice for me. I began to feel like it detracted from the romance, which was a shame. I think the plotline could have been cut from the book, easily, and certain other aspects reworked, and still come to the same sort of conclusion. It just didn’t work for me.
I really did enjoy reading this and it was very cute, but I found this subplot really annoying and it did sour my enjoyment of the book overall. Still, it was a well-written romance and if you’re looking for a cute single mom, friends-to-lovers, best friend’s sister / brother’s best friend romance, this could be for you.
Content Notes:
Other: On-page sex, mild OW dramaGirls flirt with hero, there’s 1 girl he flirts back with but doesn’t go any further except from helping her home safely because she’s drunk. , mild OM drama .
This was cute. The writing is nice and engaging and it was entertaining to read. The bond between Tessa and Jason was really nice, and I liked watching their relationship develop, including how he became a father figure to Tessa’s daughter. There were some really lovely domestic scenes in this book and as a trio they were quite adorable.
I also thought they had good chemistry. The sex was a lot steamier than I expected and there were some really hot, well-written sex scenes between them. I really enjoyed the romance aspect of this book - that was very solid and came to a satisfying end, with a good, cute grovel. I also liked some aspects of this take on the brother’s best friend trope; I liked that the conflict between them and Haley’s brother wasn’t the main focus and that the ultimate conclusion was it wasn’t her brother’s business.
However, I didn’t really like the external plot, specifically the one involving Jason’s family. I didn’t really get it; I found his motivations really weak, and there was way too much back and forth over his choice for me. I began to feel like it detracted from the romance, which was a shame. I think the plotline could have been cut from the book, easily, and certain other aspects reworked, and still come to the same sort of conclusion. It just didn’t work for me.
I really did enjoy reading this and it was very cute, but I found this subplot really annoying and it did sour my enjoyment of the book overall. Still, it was a well-written romance and if you’re looking for a cute single mom, friends-to-lovers, best friend’s sister / brother’s best friend romance, this could be for you.
Content Notes:
Spoiler
Warnings: Difficult relationship with parents, controlling parents, death of a parent (in past).Other: On-page sex, mild OW drama
Spoiler
Heroine goes on dates with OM, but nothing happens between them.
Hopefully you'll already have read the first excellent instalment of this series - Caged in Winter - and therefore already be familiar with the characters of Tessa (Cage's younger sister) and Jason (his best friend). But don't worry if not, you'll easily be able to read this as a standalone.
Jason is a notorious player. Not usually the type of character I would find endearing, but bare with him...there's more to his story. And Tessa is a 22 year old single mom with the most adorable little girl ever written.
Jason was asked by Cage to check in on his little sister and niece from time to time while he was off doing his chef thing in Chicago, but perhaps if he knew of his changing feelings towards Tessa, he may not have!
I really enjoyed watching Tessa and Jason's relationship change. I loved how strong Tessa was and how she always thought of her daughter first in all things. And Jason's evolution was rocky but supremely satisfying.
My favourite parts were definitely all the sweet moments featuring Jason, Tessa and Haley and the little family unit there were creating, whether or not they knew it at the time. Like I said - Sweetest. Kid. Ever.
4 Stars ★★★★ A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Jason is a notorious player. Not usually the type of character I would find endearing, but bare with him...there's more to his story. And Tessa is a 22 year old single mom with the most adorable little girl ever written.
Jason was asked by Cage to check in on his little sister and niece from time to time while he was off doing his chef thing in Chicago, but perhaps if he knew of his changing feelings towards Tessa, he may not have!
I really enjoyed watching Tessa and Jason's relationship change. I loved how strong Tessa was and how she always thought of her daughter first in all things. And Jason's evolution was rocky but supremely satisfying.
My favourite parts were definitely all the sweet moments featuring Jason, Tessa and Haley and the little family unit there were creating, whether or not they knew it at the time. Like I said - Sweetest. Kid. Ever.
4 Stars ★★★★ A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Maybe all the high expectations I set got the best of me because even though I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I can't say that I loved it. Sigh. Tessa and Jason have a great chemistry, yes, but I felt that the story dragged on too much when everything could've been solved if it didn't take Tessa being away from Jason for him to realize that Tessa and Haley are the family he really needs. Oh well, we wouldn't have had a story if it went that way though. Nonetheless, I still think that Brighton Walsh is a great writer and I will always be looking forward to whatever she writes next.
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This was just…. bad. So so bad. This book had too much women-shaming for my liking (bad mouthed women who wear ‘too much makeup’, one-night stands etc.) and the quality of writing was just poor. So sad I wasted my time on this book. Oh well!