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fairytalefootnotes's review
emotional
funny
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? No
4.0
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Tropes: Small Town, Age Gap, Single Dad, Grumpy/Sunshine, Secret Pen Pals, Fake Dating.
3rd Act Breakup?: No
The Praise: I really enjoyed the characters in this one. I also really loved Wren’s relationship with June and how Wren showed up for her when Mia didn’t. The premise of this book was really interesting and the pacing was great.
The Critique: I wish there had been more to the anonymous-friends-on-the-app part of the story. The author tells us how Wren and Holden had been talking anonymously for months but we only really see a sliver of it and it makes it hard to buy Holden’s opinion of Wren changing so quickly. I also think the story could’ve benefitted from more scenes of Wren’s impact on Fontana Ridge. The town shows up for her in a big way at the end but I didn’t really understand why. It would’ve been nice to have a few scenes of her helping out around town.
Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. The story and the characters were sweet and interesting. There were just a few things that kept it from being a 5 star read for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
abookwormspov's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
kerosenelit's review
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
I have this problem where I sometimes get bored with a romance once the characters make their relationship official. It was the complete opposite here! This didn't hook me right away, but the more I read, the more I became obsessed with Wren and Holden.
"You're like our little spot off the beaten path. You have to work to find it, but when you do, it's breathtaking."
In a nutshell, this is a super soft, tender romance about a guarded single dad finding love when he least expects. All the heart eyes for the most endearing father-daughter relationship between Holden and June! I loved the little ways Wren stepped in, supplementing their lives with consistence warmth and hopefulness.
The cozy, wintry, boots-crunching-on-the-snow vibes were so dreamy. It complimented the romance perfectly. And whew! Madison Wright knows how to write a kiss. All the heat, tension, and beard burns (I had to mention it) without any on-page spice ... exactly what I love!
(heat level: closed door)
"You're like our little spot off the beaten path. You have to work to find it, but when you do, it's breathtaking."
In a nutshell, this is a super soft, tender romance about a guarded single dad finding love when he least expects. All the heart eyes for the most endearing father-daughter relationship between Holden and June! I loved the little ways Wren stepped in, supplementing their lives with consistence warmth and hopefulness.
The cozy, wintry, boots-crunching-on-the-snow vibes were so dreamy. It complimented the romance perfectly. And whew! Madison Wright knows how to write a kiss. All the heat, tension, and beard burns (I had to mention it) without any on-page spice ... exactly what I love!
(heat level: closed door)
Content Warnings
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
turnthepages_nl's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I LOVE this book. With all my heart. I already was a fan of Madison's work. But this book exceeded all my expectations.
I was so invested in these characters. I have never read a book with the single parent trope. And it's never my fav in movies. But I absolutely loved it in this story. It works so well!
June was adorable and she really added to the story. Her relationship with Holden, her growing love for Wren. I loved it.
Holden has been hurt in the past. He is not a single parent by choice. June's mom left them when June was an infant. They got married when Mia fell pregnant. Out of duty, not love. And it just didn't work. They were never meant to be partners in this capacity. And I love the messaging around this. Marriage doesn't always work. A marriage born out of duty doesn't always work. And people should not feel forced to get married just because they are expecting a baby. Co-parenting can be beautiful, and be more beneficial to the child too! Because everyone knows where they stand and there is no awkward tension or forced closeness.
I love how the dynamic between Holden and Mia changes. His perception of her, her actions, her responsibility. Holden wants what's best for June but he learns and grows in what that looks like. And I love that for them!
Now. Wren. I ADORE her. She is sunshine incarnate. She is energetic, gives love so freely, is warm, gentle, kind. But also funny and a tease. She loves to get on Holdens nerves hahaha. And she is a curly girl! We love to see it!
Wren & Holden are neighbours. And the most interaction they have is when she deliberately gets her mail delivered at his house so he has to bring it to her. It drives him up the wall. But as their relationship develops, his attitude toward the packages changes too, lol.
Also this book has text messages!!! More specifically, anonymous texts on a dating app. This is how Wren & Holden grew close without knowing it was their neighbour. It really was a fun bonus to this already amazing story!
I can keep on rambling about this book. But let me finish with this. As a child of divorce, I really appreciate the messaging around marriage here. It doesn't always work. Forced marriage causes hurt. Some people are not meant to be together and that's okay. I also loved how protective Holden is over June and how much care he took in introducing a new person into her life. He takes care of his little girl. And later on he takes care of Wren too. And she let him. Because she knows he will catch her when she falls, console her when she's sad, rub her back when she's tired and hold her when she is scared. He is there for her. And she is there for them. Together.
I was so invested in these characters. I have never read a book with the single parent trope. And it's never my fav in movies. But I absolutely loved it in this story. It works so well!
June was adorable and she really added to the story. Her relationship with Holden, her growing love for Wren. I loved it.
Holden has been hurt in the past. He is not a single parent by choice. June's mom left them when June was an infant. They got married when Mia fell pregnant. Out of duty, not love. And it just didn't work. They were never meant to be partners in this capacity. And I love the messaging around this. Marriage doesn't always work. A marriage born out of duty doesn't always work. And people should not feel forced to get married just because they are expecting a baby. Co-parenting can be beautiful, and be more beneficial to the child too! Because everyone knows where they stand and there is no awkward tension or forced closeness.
I love how the dynamic between Holden and Mia changes. His perception of her, her actions, her responsibility. Holden wants what's best for June but he learns and grows in what that looks like. And I love that for them!
Now. Wren. I ADORE her. She is sunshine incarnate. She is energetic, gives love so freely, is warm, gentle, kind. But also funny and a tease. She loves to get on Holdens nerves hahaha. And she is a curly girl! We love to see it!
Wren & Holden are neighbours. And the most interaction they have is when she deliberately gets her mail delivered at his house so he has to bring it to her. It drives him up the wall. But as their relationship develops, his attitude toward the packages changes too, lol.
Also this book has text messages!!! More specifically, anonymous texts on a dating app. This is how Wren & Holden grew close without knowing it was their neighbour. It really was a fun bonus to this already amazing story!
I can keep on rambling about this book. But let me finish with this. As a child of divorce, I really appreciate the messaging around marriage here. It doesn't always work. Forced marriage causes hurt. Some people are not meant to be together and that's okay. I also loved how protective Holden is over June and how much care he took in introducing a new person into her life. He takes care of his little girl. And later on he takes care of Wren too. And she let him. Because she knows he will catch her when she falls, console her when she's sad, rub her back when she's tired and hold her when she is scared. He is there for her. And she is there for them. Together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Abandonment
Closed door, no spice.
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