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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
Not sure how I feel about the cougar trope tbh. Men are immature enough in the same age range.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
All Grown Up is about a 37-year-old divorcee trying to get back into the dating scene and ends up meeting a hot 25-year-old on Match who just so happens to be the the kid next door who used to babysit her son over the summer as they had neighboring beach houses. Yeah, guess how surprised she was when she goes into the restaurant and recognizes him. She immediately ends it then and there, but, hey, summer’s right around the corner and she has plans to head to the beach house and Ford has plans that involve Valentina (and also making sure his sister doesn’t get into trouble).
I love slow-burn relationships and this was the definition of slow-burn. It took forever before Valentina conceded and took Ford up on his offer to go on a date. She had many reservations and fears when it came to dating someone twelve years younger. Ford, on the other hand, didn’t give two shits about what others thought of their relationship. I honestly wish I had that ‘devil may care’ attitude. It would make life much easier at particular times. Still, it took some persuasion, a few carefully placed truths, and a hella lot of “mistakes” before the relationship progressed (and also during the relationship).
What I loved most about Ford was his charisma, humor and drive. He never let Valentina’s fears stop him from pursuing her because he could care less about their age gap. For him, the age gap was meaningless. His attraction to Valentina physically and emotionally was 100% there. It was the real deal. But Valentina was thinking about the logistics which, let’s face it, is never good. We all do it (most of us at least), so I completely understand Valentina’s mindset. If I was her, I’d probably have the same thoughts running through my mind.
If you have read a Vi Keeland novel before and you enjoyed it, you should DEFINITELY give All Grown Up a try. And if you haven’t read any of her books before, I recommend trying Bossman. That book is off-the-charts comical. You’ll be holding in your laughter if you’re in an area where it’s inappropriate to crack up. I wouldn’t say All Grown Up is quite as funny as Bossman, but it does have its moments.
All in all, if you’re in the mood for an older woman and younger guy romance, I hands down recommend All Grown Up. Ford and Valentina being a fresh take to the trope while also lessening the stigma surrounding this type of relationship. I mean if older guys can do it without any raised brows and judgmental thoughts, so can women. (Not that there haven’t been older guys who have been judged).
I love slow-burn relationships and this was the definition of slow-burn. It took forever before Valentina conceded and took Ford up on his offer to go on a date. She had many reservations and fears when it came to dating someone twelve years younger. Ford, on the other hand, didn’t give two shits about what others thought of their relationship. I honestly wish I had that ‘devil may care’ attitude. It would make life much easier at particular times. Still, it took some persuasion, a few carefully placed truths, and a hella lot of “mistakes” before the relationship progressed (and also during the relationship).
What I loved most about Ford was his charisma, humor and drive. He never let Valentina’s fears stop him from pursuing her because he could care less about their age gap. For him, the age gap was meaningless. His attraction to Valentina physically and emotionally was 100% there. It was the real deal. But Valentina was thinking about the logistics which, let’s face it, is never good. We all do it (most of us at least), so I completely understand Valentina’s mindset. If I was her, I’d probably have the same thoughts running through my mind.
If you have read a Vi Keeland novel before and you enjoyed it, you should DEFINITELY give All Grown Up a try. And if you haven’t read any of her books before, I recommend trying Bossman. That book is off-the-charts comical. You’ll be holding in your laughter if you’re in an area where it’s inappropriate to crack up. I wouldn’t say All Grown Up is quite as funny as Bossman, but it does have its moments.
All in all, if you’re in the mood for an older woman and younger guy romance, I hands down recommend All Grown Up. Ford and Valentina being a fresh take to the trope while also lessening the stigma surrounding this type of relationship. I mean if older guys can do it without any raised brows and judgmental thoughts, so can women. (Not that there haven’t been older guys who have been judged).
Good read
I enjoyed this well enough. I've read similar in this sub genre which made it a tad predictable but then again what's not these days.
I liked both characters. They were relatable and neither annoyed me.
It was a sweet, hot romance but nothing really new.
I enjoyed this well enough. I've read similar in this sub genre which made it a tad predictable but then again what's not these days.
I liked both characters. They were relatable and neither annoyed me.
It was a sweet, hot romance but nothing really new.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Questo libro mi è piaciuto molto più di quanto mi aspettassi. Dalla trama non gli avrei dato neanche mezzo centesimo - tendo a non apprezzare particolarmente le storie in cui si fa tutto un dramma attorno all'age gap - ma ha saputo stupirmi in positivo, quindi decisamente complimenti. Mi sono piaciute varie cose a partire dalla scrittura, che ho trovato coinvolgente e comunque nell'insieme ben curata - non è una cosa da dare per scontata, con questo tipo di libri.
Fino ad un certo punto ero addirittura convinta che avrei dato ad "All Grown Up" ben quattro stelle, ma devo ammettere che forse qualcosa è mancato. Sebbene, come dicevo, la storia di per sé mi sia piaciuta - non so, trovo ci sia comunque qualcosa che manca. Non saprei neanche dire cosa. (Una cosa che so, però, è che per la prima volta da quando leggo erotica non ho preferito il pov maschile. Vedere le cose dal punto di vista di Ford mi ha anche un po' annoiata, alle volte. Assurdo.) "All Grown Up" mi è piaciuto, sì, ma comunque non abbastanza da essere il mio unico pensiero - non mi ha davvero mai, se non il primo giorno, fatto provare quella smania di non voler fare altro che leggere. Dunque tre stelle sia.
Fino ad un certo punto ero addirittura convinta che avrei dato ad "All Grown Up" ben quattro stelle, ma devo ammettere che forse qualcosa è mancato. Sebbene, come dicevo, la storia di per sé mi sia piaciuta - non so, trovo ci sia comunque qualcosa che manca. Non saprei neanche dire cosa. (Una cosa che so, però, è che per la prima volta da quando leggo erotica non ho preferito il pov maschile. Vedere le cose dal punto di vista di Ford mi ha anche un po' annoiata, alle volte. Assurdo.) "All Grown Up" mi è piaciuto, sì, ma comunque non abbastanza da essere il mio unico pensiero - non mi ha davvero mai, se non il primo giorno, fatto provare quella smania di non voler fare altro che leggere. Dunque tre stelle sia.
I love a good reverse age gap, unfortunately this was not one for me. Started off good but then Val’s constant lack of faith in moving forward with Ford made me start believing they shouldn’t be together either.
It was so exhilarating to read about an older woman falling for a younger man for once. I think I've only read one other. Need to find some more to dive into, I reckon.
Vi Keeland and her amazing storytelling has brought such a fun, sexy, heartwarming story of a woman trying to get back in the saddle after a divorce from her high school sweetheart.
I really adored this story and highly recommend it!
Vi Keeland and her amazing storytelling has brought such a fun, sexy, heartwarming story of a woman trying to get back in the saddle after a divorce from her high school sweetheart.
I really adored this story and highly recommend it!