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amylauren36's review against another edition
2.0
I think I lost interest after the fifth or six time the main characters accidentally fall into each other
anuja_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This story focuses on Sam a quirky librarian and Duncan a former colleague who takes a job at Sam's school as the head Principal. It follows their journey through a school setting in a small town in Texas. This was everything I was expecting and hoping from a Katherine Center novel. It gave me a warm fuzzy feeling all the way through. There are a couple of rough themes discussed within the book, but I loved it the most as it focused on finding the JOY! The romance wasn't a surprise but still had me rooting for them up until the end. The writing was beautiful and the characters normal and relatable.
It was a great pick me up book and a super quick read. Definitely recommend this one.
suzanne2712's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
everydaylindsey's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5
kelly_inthe419's review against another edition
4.0
Who even am I?! This is the second romance in a row that I’ve really enjoyed. It centers around Samantha, a school librarian in a small island village outside of Galveston, and the new school principal, Duncan, Sam’s former crush from a prior teaching job. But the Duncan she meets is nothing like the Duncan she remembers.
I really enjoyed watching Sam try to pull Duncan from his rigid ways using everything she learned from mentor, friend, and school founder Max. The themes of finding joy and reasons to celebrate seem to be perfectly fitting for our world these days. “You’ll never fix all your problems,” Max tells Sam. “The point is to be happy anyway.” Whether it’s a flower hat or a hug, we can often find small joys in everyday living.
Sam and Duncan and many of the characters, were likable and well developed. I did feel that Duncan’s back story was somewhat predictable, however, and am rather surprised no one thought to Google him or look up his past school before or even as he arrived at the school. But his reactions, if extreme, are well founded. And I enjoyed watching him and Sam reconnect and develop a stronger bond, this time with Sam bringing joy and life. Some of the side characters, especially Sam’s friend Alice the math nerd teacher, and young student Clay, were so fun and engaging.
Like Things You Save in a Fire, this romance is definitely not a romcom as it addresses important issues of balancing tough realities without losing our humanity. I highly recommend this as another great offering from @katherinecenter. Have you read this one or is it on your TBR? What brought you joy today or in the past few days?
Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC!
I really enjoyed watching Sam try to pull Duncan from his rigid ways using everything she learned from mentor, friend, and school founder Max. The themes of finding joy and reasons to celebrate seem to be perfectly fitting for our world these days. “You’ll never fix all your problems,” Max tells Sam. “The point is to be happy anyway.” Whether it’s a flower hat or a hug, we can often find small joys in everyday living.
Sam and Duncan and many of the characters, were likable and well developed. I did feel that Duncan’s back story was somewhat predictable, however, and am rather surprised no one thought to Google him or look up his past school before or even as he arrived at the school. But his reactions, if extreme, are well founded. And I enjoyed watching him and Sam reconnect and develop a stronger bond, this time with Sam bringing joy and life. Some of the side characters, especially Sam’s friend Alice the math nerd teacher, and young student Clay, were so fun and engaging.
Like Things You Save in a Fire, this romance is definitely not a romcom as it addresses important issues of balancing tough realities without losing our humanity. I highly recommend this as another great offering from @katherinecenter. Have you read this one or is it on your TBR? What brought you joy today or in the past few days?
Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC!
mendylewis's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The overuse of the word “epic” drove me nuts, as well as a few other redundant terms and phrases. The story was fine, but I never really connected. I like Katherine Center, but this wasn’t her best
loesje_kr's review against another edition
2.0
This isn't an objectively bad book -- it is just so intensely cheesy and cheerful. Usually I enjoy Center's books as a fun escape from the real world but this one missed the mark. This book lacks the balance between cheesiness and real life that her previous books have. Maybe I'm just not in the same mindset and this couldn't enjoy it. Perhaps others will like it.
jenniferbowman's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual content
brittanya's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0