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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
emotional
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
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A slow burn involving Xander, the last uninvolved member of Bertha Boys, and Derek, a Nurse that Xander frequently turns to in a crisis.
It’s a difficult story, Xander has a serious mental health issue and it also involves the idea of a medical professional becoming involved with a patient.
Xander has a lot of struggles and fears and it’s played a significant role in his friend's lives, but also in Derek’s who has put his life on hold to be there for him, which is sweet and also disturbingly co-dependent. It was great that they found a way forward and some healing, but I have to admit, I don’t really like Xander. He’s a bit of jerk and extremely manipulative and it’s not just because of his mental health diagnosis. Of course, he does grow on you, especially once he decides to address his issues.
But I will miss these boys and of course Bertha.
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-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
Xander is one of my favorites of Big Boned Bertha’s boys. He was right from the beginning.
His mental health issues are major and do have an impact on his everyday life.
Derek is a total sweetheart, too sweet for his own good. He’s understanding and ever so patient.
Xander’s development throughout this book was a pleasure to read. Saxon shows his journey with all facets. She does not shy away from painful conversations and heartbreaking truths. The road to healing / getting better is a rough and long one but Xander has his family by his side all steps of the way.
Derek is gentle yet firm when needed with Xander and is exactly what Xander needed in his life.
The final instalment of this series is the cherry on top
His mental health issues are major and do have an impact on his everyday life.
Derek is a total sweetheart, too sweet for his own good. He’s understanding and ever so patient.
Xander’s development throughout this book was a pleasure to read. Saxon shows his journey with all facets. She does not shy away from painful conversations and heartbreaking truths. The road to healing / getting better is a rough and long one but Xander has his family by his side all steps of the way.
Derek is gentle yet firm when needed with Xander and is exactly what Xander needed in his life.
The final instalment of this series is the cherry on top
I enjoyed this book. It was a very satisfying conclusion to the series. I absolutely adore Xander and getting to finally see his story was fantastic. Look… I was nervous about a nurse/patient relationship because it often gives me the ick but it handled very delicately, and starting with the immediate termination of the nurse/patient interactions. This book was overall very fluffy and feel good with a little bit of angst (it is Xander after all!).
- Age gap (28/35)
- Medical anxiety
- Nurse/patient
- Found family
- Virgin MMC
- Size difference
This one definitely would not be fully enjoyed as a standalone so I would highly recommend reading the other books in the series for the full experience.
At times the plot dragged but I didn’t mind so much because I was enjoying the characters too much! As always we got some great cameos of the Bertha boys, and a particularly touching scene with Seven that made me bawl my eyes out.
I absolutely loved this. This whole series might be my favorite overall series…
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 star review for upcoming release Not Catching Love by Saxon James!
I’ve been waiting for Xander’s book since the first not catching love book came out and it did not disappoint. Xander holds a place in my heart and this book just made me love him more. Derek doesn’t make it easy for Xander, he is the best sort of guy for him and he’s such a strong character.
The book made me happy, sad, a little irritated on behalf of the characters 🫣
To see the journey and hurdles Xander constantly has to overcome, was eye opening.
The plot was smooth and very well written, the character development was inspiring and love was not easy but it’s worth it.
Constantly impressed and in love with Saxons work, I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
The Bertha Boys are one of my favorite found families, and while I'm sad it's over, I'm so happy it happened.
Xander has always been my favorite since the start. I've been looking for any mention of him in the previous books, so to get the chance to spend a whole book with him, I was so excited to take it. I know Z isn't for everyone, I know he might not be relatable to the masses. But I've always had a special connection with him in our anxieties. He is such a unique character and I was worried about his story doing him justice, but this was better than I could imagine. Ever since meeting Derek, I knew they had to end up together, and I'm so happy to be able to read their happy ending.
This book was a long time coming, I know we were waiting for it, and it sure was a slow burn! I understand why and think it makes the most sense, but don't go in expecting a quick and easy relationship.
Derek and Xander are perfect for each other. Both experiencing feelings early and having to navigate what that means, from the start when they're only patient and nurse, to how they can develop a friendship and, eventually, a relationship.
It touched hard topics in a kind way and really allowed Xander the growth he needed. We got lots of Molly & Seven, and a bunch of the other Bertha Boys, but this story was so truly Xander's. We get an insight into his head, his flawed logic, and how he knows it's not rational, but he also can't necessarily stop. We get insights into his past and how that's shaped him, and how he won't let that continue further.
Derek is so gentle and patient with Xander and really shows his love, even if it's not in the way Z can see in the start. Getting to really understand Derek, after only seeing glimpses of him, was great, but getting in Xander's mind really is the star of the show.
This book was everything I could have asked for, and while I'm sad the series is over, this is the perfect ending.
Xander has always been my favorite since the start. I've been looking for any mention of him in the previous books, so to get the chance to spend a whole book with him, I was so excited to take it. I know Z isn't for everyone, I know he might not be relatable to the masses. But I've always had a special connection with him in our anxieties. He is such a unique character and I was worried about his story doing him justice, but this was better than I could imagine. Ever since meeting Derek, I knew they had to end up together, and I'm so happy to be able to read their happy ending.
This book was a long time coming, I know we were waiting for it, and it sure was a slow burn! I understand why and think it makes the most sense, but don't go in expecting a quick and easy relationship.
Derek and Xander are perfect for each other. Both experiencing feelings early and having to navigate what that means, from the start when they're only patient and nurse, to how they can develop a friendship and, eventually, a relationship.
It touched hard topics in a kind way and really allowed Xander the growth he needed. We got lots of Molly & Seven, and a bunch of the other Bertha Boys, but this story was so truly Xander's. We get an insight into his head, his flawed logic, and how he knows it's not rational, but he also can't necessarily stop. We get insights into his past and how that's shaped him, and how he won't let that continue further.
Derek is so gentle and patient with Xander and really shows his love, even if it's not in the way Z can see in the start. Getting to really understand Derek, after only seeing glimpses of him, was great, but getting in Xander's mind really is the star of the show.
This book was everything I could have asked for, and while I'm sad the series is over, this is the perfect ending.
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I would be sadder about this series ending if Saxon hadn't given us the perfect epilogue. It's not a long one, it's not detailed, but it's perfect nevertheless.
Xander was the most intriguing bertha boy since day one; clingy, knew no boundaries, struggled so much. When I realised he was going to get with the nurse who treated his panic attacks I was doubtful. It wasn't about the morals or ethics, it was more about wanting them to have a balanced love story, not one where there's a carer and the cared one. I was so happy when I started reading the book because Saxon found a way to give them the romance they deserved. She did it making us go through pining, months and months of will they won't they, they shouldn't but I want them to. It was a struggle! I knew it was the right decision for them, for the story, but I'm a fragile creature, I can't be too sad while reading and the first part of the book made me sad. But it was all so worth it. Derek ended up being one of the sweetest characters, and Xander found out he was way stronger that the evil voices in his head. Things might not be always perfect, but the support they have, they all have, the bertha boys, their support, their found family is just perfect and it brought me so much joy witnessing all of them getting their love story. Even if I'm really extremely sad about saying goodbye. I'm going to miss them a lot.
Xander was the most intriguing bertha boy since day one; clingy, knew no boundaries, struggled so much. When I realised he was going to get with the nurse who treated his panic attacks I was doubtful. It wasn't about the morals or ethics, it was more about wanting them to have a balanced love story, not one where there's a carer and the cared one. I was so happy when I started reading the book because Saxon found a way to give them the romance they deserved. She did it making us go through pining, months and months of will they won't they, they shouldn't but I want them to. It was a struggle! I knew it was the right decision for them, for the story, but I'm a fragile creature, I can't be too sad while reading and the first part of the book made me sad. But it was all so worth it. Derek ended up being one of the sweetest characters, and Xander found out he was way stronger that the evil voices in his head. Things might not be always perfect, but the support they have, they all have, the bertha boys, their support, their found family is just perfect and it brought me so much joy witnessing all of them getting their love story. Even if I'm really extremely sad about saying goodbye. I'm going to miss them a lot.