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creativelifeofliz's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Honestly, the first half the book I really struggled to care. However, I did enjoy the second half and seeing them really start to open up.
amyreadsandsails's review
2.0
Tropes:
Best friend's brother/sisters best friend
Second chance
Fake relationship
This book moved a bit slow for me. I also didn't connect very well with the hero, Bran. He's kind of a jerk to his best friend, his brothers are all jerks to him, and I'm confused by the choices he makes. He wanted to sell the Annapolis house 4 years ago but then yelled at Geneva when she wanted to throw out tuperware?
I appreciated the Filipino culture and how Bran had been in therapy for four years. But I wonder, if Bran had trouble taking to his brothers, dealing with storms, and sharing his feelings with Geneva now, what was he like four years ago? Did he grow between then and now?
Very slow burn (80%), the end wrapped up a bit too fast for me, low heat level. I found the side plot of Eden injecting the romance novel plot points a bit too heavy handed.
Best friend's brother/sisters best friend
Second chance
Fake relationship
This book moved a bit slow for me. I also didn't connect very well with the hero, Bran. He's kind of a jerk to his best friend, his brothers are all jerks to him, and I'm confused by the choices he makes. He wanted to sell the Annapolis house 4 years ago but then yelled at Geneva when she wanted to throw out tuperware?
I appreciated the Filipino culture and how Bran had been in therapy for four years. But I wonder, if Bran had trouble taking to his brothers, dealing with storms, and sharing his feelings with Geneva now, what was he like four years ago? Did he grow between then and now?
Very slow burn (80%), the end wrapped up a bit too fast for me, low heat level. I found the side plot of Eden injecting the romance novel plot points a bit too heavy handed.
rachelslacey's review against another edition
5.0
I just adore Tif's writing! Her books always feel like being welcomed into a new family, and I loved getting to know the Pusos. And what could be more perfect for your next summer read than than a second chance romance set on a heart shaped island resort? Bump this one to the top of your reading list!
brandypainter's review
3.0
This book had some major pacing issues that made it hard to want to keep going at times. I think another problem was the lack of noticeable chemistry/banter between the two main characters. I love the sibling construct and their business, so I may give at least one more of the series a try. This one was largely forgettable though.
spowers2627's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
I wanted to like this book, the premise was interesting-a love resort promised to be a wonderful setting. However I found myself pushing through to finish, and not looking forward to reading. The characters lacked depth. It felt like I started in the middle of a movie and missed the introductory details about the characters, I kept thinking it would make sense soon, but it never came together cohesively and I truly didn't care about the outcome.
I wanted to like this book, the premise was interesting-a love resort promised to be a wonderful setting. However I found myself pushing through to finish, and not looking forward to reading. The characters lacked depth. It felt like I started in the middle of a movie and missed the introductory details about the characters, I kept thinking it would make sense soon, but it never came together cohesively and I truly didn't care about the outcome.
brandece1's review against another edition
2.0
This book sounded very much like a family soap opera that I would love. I was excited to read about the Filipino culture, the big family and the family business. I was hoping it would leave me wishing it was a show I could binge. Unfortunately while I thought it was cute it didn't wow me. The book started off strong for me. I loved the wedding and seeing the tension between the MC's, but eventually it slowed a lot for me. This book was full of some of my favorite troupes (second chance, sisters best friend, there was a "stuck together in a storm" scene), again I liked them enough but there was nothing there that was incredibly memorable for me. One of the reasons I picked this book is because it looks like it's going to be a series and I will definitely read them, but I won't rush out to do it.
kellyjk's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
Thank you for gifting me this book.
I enjoyed watching this sweet romance reblossom.
Thank you for gifting me this book.
I enjoyed watching this sweet romance reblossom.
hugbandit7's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first book in a new series about a Filipino-American family that has opened a resort in the Outer Banks of NC aimed at helping couples that are drifting apart come back together.
The book starts at a wedding 4 years previously and there is a hook up between Brandon and Geneva that didn't last too long. Perhaps it was expectations, or lack thereof, or that they were too close since they were family friends. But whatever the cause, it takes time for them both to realize that maybe they shouldn't have given up so soon.
While billed as a romance, the romance portion was very light in my opinion. I think it is more of a second chance at romance and Brandon and Geneva working out their issues with each other and on their own. Of course, keeping all of this a secret from their families....who aren't as clueless as you might think. And what better place that the resort for couples that they are helping rebuild after a hurricane took down part of the buildings. Outside of the chemistry between the two, they have their own issues to work through including a lack of commitment and fear of the unknown.
I enjoyed the back and forth between all of the families but I have to say that Chris needs to lighten up. He is the oldest brother of the Puso family and runs the resort and he is a bit of a control freak. I had to laugh at some of the dialogue that involved his wife, Eden. She is an author and I think the funniest part when she said that her characters were not following the outline and were going rogue! I have heard this from many authors that they have a plan and then the character decides to go down another path.
The book does go back and forth in time so that we can see what happened between Brandon and Geneva in the past. The book did feel longer than normal and while I enjoyed the book, it didn't draw me in as much as other books. I did enjoy the story and the family and am curious what might happen for other siblings in this series. I did learn some new words that are Filipino which I really enjoyed. And of course the food discussions...left me hungry for more!
We give this book 3 paws up.
The book starts at a wedding 4 years previously and there is a hook up between Brandon and Geneva that didn't last too long. Perhaps it was expectations, or lack thereof, or that they were too close since they were family friends. But whatever the cause, it takes time for them both to realize that maybe they shouldn't have given up so soon.
While billed as a romance, the romance portion was very light in my opinion. I think it is more of a second chance at romance and Brandon and Geneva working out their issues with each other and on their own. Of course, keeping all of this a secret from their families....who aren't as clueless as you might think. And what better place that the resort for couples that they are helping rebuild after a hurricane took down part of the buildings. Outside of the chemistry between the two, they have their own issues to work through including a lack of commitment and fear of the unknown.
I enjoyed the back and forth between all of the families but I have to say that Chris needs to lighten up. He is the oldest brother of the Puso family and runs the resort and he is a bit of a control freak. I had to laugh at some of the dialogue that involved his wife, Eden. She is an author and I think the funniest part when she said that her characters were not following the outline and were going rogue! I have heard this from many authors that they have a plan and then the character decides to go down another path.
The book does go back and forth in time so that we can see what happened between Brandon and Geneva in the past. The book did feel longer than normal and while I enjoyed the book, it didn't draw me in as much as other books. I did enjoy the story and the family and am curious what might happen for other siblings in this series. I did learn some new words that are Filipino which I really enjoyed. And of course the food discussions...left me hungry for more!
We give this book 3 paws up.
mimireadsromance's review against another edition
2.0
It Takes Heart is all about second chances-those with romantic partners, and the second chance to repair broken familial relationships. I thought this was a romance, but the focus is more on the Puso family and the Heart Resort, and less about the slow-burn second chance romance between Brandon and Geneva. I struggled with a lot of the story, because the lack of communication between Brandon and his siblings was so glaring. The sibling relationships were dysfunctional and I never quite understood why the Puso kids would invest so much in a resort when they didn't work well together.
I think this story is most suited to readers that like a story heavy on family backgrounds, with several plot threads running at a time. Fans of most Hallmark movies would likely enjoy this book. Sadly, it just wasn't for me.
I think this story is most suited to readers that like a story heavy on family backgrounds, with several plot threads running at a time. Fans of most Hallmark movies would likely enjoy this book. Sadly, it just wasn't for me.
mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
(Free review copy) I have really enjoyed a lot of Marcelo’s other stories but this one was pretty forgettable for me. There was SO much backstory and SO much family angst that I couldn’t quite figure out if it was supposed to be a second chance romance or a family drama. Mediocre.