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teasilly's review
3.0
Overall, it's an okay book! It isn't a page turner, but it also didn't make me wish the author was within reach so I could strangle her. *cough cough* Sarah J. Maas. It's a little cheesy at times, and one of the lovemaking scenes made me roll my eyes a little, but overall, it's an okay read!
I think in general, since I'm used to reading books where romance is a subplot instead of the main plot, I might've been a little hard on this book. But I didn't have any issues with the prose itself or the writing style. Osburn seems to possess a good handle of language.
However, one thing -- okay, two, now that I'm thinking about it -- that I could've done without is the unfulfilling dropping of hints about her past throughout most of the book. It made Will's paranoia hard to sympathize with, because she said things and acted (sometimes unfairly) because of her past. And since I, as the reader, only had a vague inkling of things, it lessened my potential liking of her. (To be honest, I think I like Sid more than I like Will, and it isn't even Sid's book! I think I may go and read about Sid after this, though.) And as such, the ending was more than a little anticlimactic. I expected something big to happen, like a confrontation of some sorts, but nope! Everything's solved, happy ending, and there's even a bonus of cash at the end.
The second thing I have a problem with is that Randy seems like this incredibly attractive man with no flaws: he's kind, he knows when to push and when to back off, he's understanding, he's physically appealing -- he's basically the perfect man. And though Will has emotional baggage and there were slights about the size of her hips and boobs at points in the book, Will's pretty much perfect too. I didn't see many character flaws or personal growth between them, and the problems that arose were circumstantial.
Am I being too hard on this book? Maybe. Are my standards too high? Maybe. (I am an English major, after all.) I did enjoy Sid as a character. She intrigued me. She seems like she has quite a bit of depth, and her own romance might be right up my alley. Will was just... okay for me, I suppose. Nothing stood out!
All in all, an okay read.
I think in general, since I'm used to reading books where romance is a subplot instead of the main plot, I might've been a little hard on this book. But I didn't have any issues with the prose itself or the writing style. Osburn seems to possess a good handle of language.
However, one thing -- okay, two, now that I'm thinking about it -- that I could've done without is the unfulfilling dropping of hints about her past throughout most of the book. It made Will's paranoia hard to sympathize with, because she said things and acted (sometimes unfairly) because of her past. And since I, as the reader, only had a vague inkling of things, it lessened my potential liking of her. (To be honest, I think I like Sid more than I like Will, and it isn't even Sid's book! I think I may go and read about Sid after this, though.) And as such, the ending was more than a little anticlimactic. I expected something big to happen, like a confrontation of some sorts, but nope! Everything's solved, happy ending, and there's even a bonus of cash at the end.
The second thing I have a problem with is that Randy seems like this incredibly attractive man with no flaws: he's kind, he knows when to push and when to back off, he's understanding, he's physically appealing -- he's basically the perfect man. And though Will has emotional baggage and there were slights about the size of her hips and boobs at points in the book, Will's pretty much perfect too. I didn't see many character flaws or personal growth between them, and the problems that arose were circumstantial.
Am I being too hard on this book? Maybe. Are my standards too high? Maybe. (I am an English major, after all.) I did enjoy Sid as a character. She intrigued me. She seems like she has quite a bit of depth, and her own romance might be right up my alley. Will was just... okay for me, I suppose. Nothing stood out!
All in all, an okay read.
setaian's review against another edition
5.0
Willow was forced into a life on the run by her violent and abusive ex. Having arrived on Anchor Island a little over twelve months earlier, she has taken on every cash-in-hand job the small tourist town can give her and found herself a measure of peace with a small group of friends. But with her ex still looking for her, she can never get too comfortable and needs to be ready to run at a moments notice.
Randy owns the town’s gym and like Will’s ex, he is a big guy. Her nervousness around him is obvious to all, but despite his similar stature, he has a gentle and protective nature. With a little persistence he manages to break down her walls and they tentatively begin to explore their attraction.
When a travel reporter visits Anchor Island and recognises Will, her safe harbour is suddenly threatened and she realises it might be time to hit the road. Randy is determined to protect her and build a life with her, but for that to happen she will need to trust him.
There aren’t too many new ideas in this genre and I’ve read stories similar to this one before, but I don’t think I’ve read one that’s as good as this. The characters, especially the female characters really are kind of wonderful. I mean any book that has me rereading sections just because they were so much fun is kind of special.
Honestly there are a handful of authors who just make me so happy I could jump. Laini Taylor, Carolyn Crane, recently Marilyn Pappano, Faith Hunter…and Terri Osburn.
So yeah, this book gets 5 well deserved stars.
Many thanks to Terri Osburn for providing me with this ARC
Randy owns the town’s gym and like Will’s ex, he is a big guy. Her nervousness around him is obvious to all, but despite his similar stature, he has a gentle and protective nature. With a little persistence he manages to break down her walls and they tentatively begin to explore their attraction.
When a travel reporter visits Anchor Island and recognises Will, her safe harbour is suddenly threatened and she realises it might be time to hit the road. Randy is determined to protect her and build a life with her, but for that to happen she will need to trust him.
There aren’t too many new ideas in this genre and I’ve read stories similar to this one before, but I don’t think I’ve read one that’s as good as this. The characters, especially the female characters really are kind of wonderful. I mean any book that has me rereading sections just because they were so much fun is kind of special.
Honestly there are a handful of authors who just make me so happy I could jump. Laini Taylor, Carolyn Crane, recently Marilyn Pappano, Faith Hunter…and Terri Osburn.
So yeah, this book gets 5 well deserved stars.
Many thanks to Terri Osburn for providing me with this ARC
danilatrice87's review against another edition
5.0
Thus story was great from beginning to end. The only thing I can say I didn't really care for is that it took so long for Will and Randy to finally be together. I understand that Will was running from and dealing with things from her past, but it annoyed me that she still considering leaving the island if her pay every caught up with her even with Randy saying he wouldn't let anything bad happen to her. I'm glad they eventually got things together and I'm looking forward to reading the second part of this book.
ccoleman813's review against another edition
4.0
A very cute traditional love story.
I received Home to Stay as one of my monthly gifts for being apart of Amazon Prime.
With secrets in her past that keep her on her toes, Willow is trying everything in her power not to get too attached to anyone in the small town of Anchor.
Before she realizes it, she has come to friend two best friends, Sid and Beth, and being the proud manager of the local bar and grill.
Sid's big brother, Randy, has a special eye on Willow, especially as of late.
Beth and Joe, who happens to be Randy's best friend, are getting married so Willow and Randy seem to find more and more reasons to run into each other.
I love traditional love stories. I get so hooked on paranormal and erotica and so distracted by them that I find I miss reading about every day love, about butterfly's in your stomach nerves, and silly excitement.
I was very sad that I realized about a quarter way through that this was a series book. Not that they needed to be read first to follow along, but I just wish this would have been labeled Book #3, and not just 'An Anchor Island Novel'. Now that I know the twists that happened in the previous books, I doubt I will actually go back to read them.
But I really did enjoy Home to Stay. A very cute story and very lovable characters.
I received Home to Stay as one of my monthly gifts for being apart of Amazon Prime.
With secrets in her past that keep her on her toes, Willow is trying everything in her power not to get too attached to anyone in the small town of Anchor.
Before she realizes it, she has come to friend two best friends, Sid and Beth, and being the proud manager of the local bar and grill.
Sid's big brother, Randy, has a special eye on Willow, especially as of late.
Beth and Joe, who happens to be Randy's best friend, are getting married so Willow and Randy seem to find more and more reasons to run into each other.
I love traditional love stories. I get so hooked on paranormal and erotica and so distracted by them that I find I miss reading about every day love, about butterfly's in your stomach nerves, and silly excitement.
I was very sad that I realized about a quarter way through that this was a series book. Not that they needed to be read first to follow along, but I just wish this would have been labeled Book #3, and not just 'An Anchor Island Novel'. Now that I know the twists that happened in the previous books, I doubt I will actually go back to read them.
But I really did enjoy Home to Stay. A very cute story and very lovable characters.
amethyst5621's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! Another great read
I'm so enjoying this series. Ms. Osburn writes strong characters you fall in love with...Luke you've been friends for life. I love Randy and Willow's story and can't wait to delve I to the next book. Highly recommend Ms. Osburn's books.
I'm so enjoying this series. Ms. Osburn writes strong characters you fall in love with...Luke you've been friends for life. I love Randy and Willow's story and can't wait to delve I to the next book. Highly recommend Ms. Osburn's books.
attytheresa's review against another edition
2.0
Finally finished my 3rd visit to Anchor Island. Even got to attend the wedding of the couple from the first in the series. I enjoyed Willow and Randy's romance but it just didn't wow me.
We have known for a while 3 things about Willow (Will) Parsons:
1. She's the Island's superbtemp worker.
2. She is nervous around big burly muscular men.
3. No one knows anything about her past.
Woman on the run and in hiding from an abuser, clearly. So of course her romance is with the biggest most muscular guy on the Island. Of course, Randy is the kindest, gentlest dude ever to be born. A vegetarian no less!
Yawn. Even Will's final release from her past was ho hum. Randy & Will finally burning up the sheets was fun and pretty hot. What really saved this though was the side stories. Sweet Beth from the first in the series going all bridezilla and tough f-bomb throwing Sid from the second turning into a mushy matchmaker and throwing a bridal shower for Beth.
We have known for a while 3 things about Willow (Will) Parsons:
1. She's the Island's superbtemp worker.
2. She is nervous around big burly muscular men.
3. No one knows anything about her past.
Woman on the run and in hiding from an abuser, clearly. So of course her romance is with the biggest most muscular guy on the Island. Of course, Randy is the kindest, gentlest dude ever to be born. A vegetarian no less!
Yawn. Even Will's final release from her past was ho hum. Randy & Will finally burning up the sheets was fun and pretty hot. What really saved this though was the side stories. Sweet Beth from the first in the series going all bridezilla and tough f-bomb throwing Sid from the second turning into a mushy matchmaker and throwing a bridal shower for Beth.
worldsokayeststepmom's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
allingoodtime's review against another edition
4.0
I'm going to admit that I wasn't crazy about Will or Randy in the previous two books. I didn't dislike them, but they also weren't characters I was eager to learn more about. This book changed all that. I fell in love with them pretty quickly. Especially Randy. What a patient man!
Although the author tied Will's problems up with a nice bow at the end, I like how Randy's reactions to Will's story played out. And also, vice versa. They didn't push each other and were extremely supportive, which was wonderful to read.
I hope Ms. Osburn intends to continue writing, whether in this series or something totally different. I'm happy I found her books and look forward to reading more.
Although the author tied Will's problems up with a nice bow at the end, I like how Randy's reactions to Will's story played out. And also, vice versa. They didn't push each other and were extremely supportive, which was wonderful to read.
I hope Ms. Osburn intends to continue writing, whether in this series or something totally different. I'm happy I found her books and look forward to reading more.
kaylapoe13's review against another edition
2.0
I don't know, this one just really didn't do it for me. Maybe it was the couple?
aimee70807's review
4.0
The conclusion felt a bit too simple, but the book was a bit weightier than your average romance, and thus better. Plus, it was fun to have a book set on Ocracoke Island, even if the author renamed it for the sake of the story.