You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.19 AVERAGE
3.19 AVERAGE
There are 3 novellas in this collection. The first one...2 stars for me...I didn't like this one and ALMOST set down the collection. But...I pushed through and finished that one...and really liked the second and third novellas in this collection. Second one was 4 stars...could have been 5 but it started to get a little repetitive...which shouldn't happen in a novella. The last story was 5 stars. Predictable...but I really loved it and thr characters.
I did enjoy that all 3 stories share a setting and all take place at Halloween...but I could have done without the first story. I'm not quite sure WHY it didn't work for me...mostly I didn't enjoy the writing style and never really connected with the characters so it felt painfully slow. But the basic plot of it was fine. But if you find that story not to your liking...try the next two. That's where this collection shines and I would read both of those stories again.
I did enjoy that all 3 stories share a setting and all take place at Halloween...but I could have done without the first story. I'm not quite sure WHY it didn't work for me...mostly I didn't enjoy the writing style and never really connected with the characters so it felt painfully slow. But the basic plot of it was fine. But if you find that story not to your liking...try the next two. That's where this collection shines and I would read both of those stories again.
E-ARC received thanks to the publisher and Netgalley.
Charmed by You by Kate Angell
3 stars
It took a while to warm up to this story because I distinctly felt like being dropped in the middle of a story without a beginning, but once I got into it I couldn't stop. Love the tension between Grace and Cade, especially after the memorable jeans-ripping *smirks*
Mesmerized by You by Jennifer Dawson
4 stars
TWO WORDS: BFF-TO-LOVERS TROPE (that's totally two words)
also I'm crowning Jen Dawson queen of writing sexy times because Chloe and Jack's This is IT moment is one of the best sex scenes I've ever read yes there I said it.
Enchanted by You by Sharla Lovelace
3.5 stars
Damn son I didn't expect a second chance story! Sawyer and Sidney's first meeting after 12? years had me in tears I didn't know why I was so emotional...everything about this story makes me emo.
Overall, 4 stars.
Charmed by You by Kate Angell
3 stars
It took a while to warm up to this story because I distinctly felt like being dropped in the middle of a story without a beginning, but once I got into it I couldn't stop. Love the tension between Grace and Cade, especially after the memorable jeans-ripping *smirks*
Mesmerized by You by Jennifer Dawson
4 stars
TWO WORDS: BFF-TO-LOVERS TROPE (that's totally two words)
also I'm crowning Jen Dawson queen of writing sexy times because Chloe and Jack's This is IT moment is one of the best sex scenes I've ever read yes there I said it.
Enchanted by You by Sharla Lovelace
3.5 stars
Damn son I didn't expect a second chance story! Sawyer and Sidney's first meeting after 12? years had me in tears I didn't know why I was so emotional...everything about this story makes me emo.
Overall, 4 stars.
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
The yearly Halloween costume party at Rose Cottage is THE event of the year in Moonbright, Maine. The B&B is booked solid and everyone in town wants to attend. It is an amazing party, but that's not the only reason for its popularity. According to town lore, anyone who stays overnight at the B&B will find their forever love.
The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine is the first book in the Moonbright, Maine series. It is an anthology of three contemporary romance novellas. I read the third book in the series first. In general, I find that the writing in book one is stronger than the writing in book three. There is a lot more showing and a lot less telling. Book three, however, is sweeter and this book leans more heavily on lust. All three stories center around the yearly Halloween costume party hosted by Amelia Rose, owner of the town’s B&B, Rose Cottage. They take place the day before, the day of, and the day after the party. Although these stories are romances if I’m being honest, my favorite character was Amelia Rose. I loved how she was a fully fleshed character who could have been written as the stereotype of the kooky old lady. I would totally read her origin story because she is fascinating.
Like all anthologies, however, some of the stories are stronger than others. In the case of this one, it had a downright awful one. If you read the reviews, a lot of people DNF'd this book because of the first story, Charmed by You, and I don't blame them. It was awful. The MCs were unlikeable. The author might have been trying for the "enemies to lovers" trope but fell flat. Don't even get me going on the misogyny. It was gross. The only reason I’m glad I read it is because this is the story that introduces us to Amelia Rose, and Rose Cottage
The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine is the first book in the Moonbright, Maine series. It is an anthology of three contemporary romance novellas. I read the third book in the series first. In general, I find that the writing in book one is stronger than the writing in book three. There is a lot more showing and a lot less telling. Book three, however, is sweeter and this book leans more heavily on lust. All three stories center around the yearly Halloween costume party hosted by Amelia Rose, owner of the town’s B&B, Rose Cottage. They take place the day before, the day of, and the day after the party. Although these stories are romances if I’m being honest, my favorite character was Amelia Rose. I loved how she was a fully fleshed character who could have been written as the stereotype of the kooky old lady. I would totally read her origin story because she is fascinating.
Like all anthologies, however, some of the stories are stronger than others. In the case of this one, it had a downright awful one. If you read the reviews, a lot of people DNF'd this book because of the first story, Charmed by You, and I don't blame them. It was awful. The MCs were unlikeable. The author might have been trying for the "enemies to lovers" trope but fell flat. Don't even get me going on the misogyny. It was gross. The only reason I’m glad I read it is because this is the story that introduces us to Amelia Rose, and Rose Cottage
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
lighthearted
slow-paced
Three cute stories. I liked how they all focused on Rose cottage being magical. Amelia Rose was in every story and I absolutely adored her by the end, I wish the cottage was real because I'd love to see it all decorated.
Besides that the stories were okay. I wasn't overly found of any other characters. Some of the love stories were a bit to quick, didn't quite make sense at times.
Besides that the stories were okay. I wasn't overly found of any other characters. Some of the love stories were a bit to quick, didn't quite make sense at times.
funny
lighthearted
fast-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:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-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:
No
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
REVIEW OF THE COTTAGE ON PUMPKIN AND VINE
AUGUST 27, 2016 | SASCHA DARLINGTON | EDIT
28109706
THE COTTAGE ON PUMPKIN AND VINE BY KATE ANGELL, JENNIFER DAWSON AND SHARLA LOVELACE
PUBLISHED BY: KENSINGTON BOOKS
PUBLICATION DATE: AUGUST 30, 2016
I used to read romance novels all of the time. It was my guilty pleasure in between reading more serious books or writing. And, then I kind of fell away from it and then when I wanted to read again, I kept finding some really mediocre reads and felt that maybe romance books had taken a tumble.
In the past few months, since I’ve started blogging, I’ve picked up some. A few haven’t been very good, but some have been really, really good, thus restoring my faith in my guilty pleasure.
One such romance read is The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine, which is a compilation of three novellas that center around Moonbright, Maine and a B&B, which is, of course, the cottage on Pumpkin and Vine. Each novella takes place on or around Halloween and includes Amelia Rose, the owner of the B&B and a huge amount of magic.
read more here: https://saschadarlington.wordpress.com/2016/08/27/review-of-the-cottage-on-pumpkin-and-vine/