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jenafyre's review against another edition
5.0
"In this scenario, her brothers were Lennon and McCartney, and she was the quiet Beatle. The one who took a while to find his stride but then went on to outdo them all.
Jules Kilroy is a single mother, she is the younger sister of the famous Jake Kilroy and Shane Doyle, she has dyslexia, and to top it all off, she is in love with her best friend, Taddeo DeLuca. After one horrifying night, when she kissed him silly and he turned her down flat, she has been trying to hide her feelings. She is use to feeling inadequate, so all her life she has aimed low, let other people fight her battles, and never taken what she wants. But with Tad, she feels like not such a screw-up, like she has control over her life, like anything is possible. Now, she needs to help her best friend to open up to her, let her in, be the rock for him that he has always been for her. If she can accomplish this, she can accomplish anything.
"I'm crazy about you and Evan - don't ever think I'm not - but if someone tried to keep me from my kid, I would do everything in my power to change that.
Taddeo DeLuca has been in love with Jules since the first minute that she walked into DeLuca Restaurant. From that moment, he has been trying to keep is simple, be her friend, help her with her bonny baby boy, Evan, and keep his hands off. But one kiss from Jules and Tad realizes that no one else will do. But losing his parents, blaming himself and building a wall around his heart make Tad a bad bet in his eyes. But as Jules begins to break through that wall, to let the light back into Tad's life, he begins to wonder if the happiness and love that he never thought he would ever find is right within he reach.
I cannot tell you how excited I was to finally see Hot and Bothered by Kate Meader released. I have followed the ups and downs of Jules and Tad for the last 2 books, and I have to say, that their story was so totally worth the wait.
There are some many wonderful scenes and so many wonderful moments in this story that really touched my heart. Jules and Tad are PERFECT together. Everyone sees it, everyone knows it.....well everyone but them. They both have quick wit, smart mouths and are not afraid to call the other out on their bull. They are also so afraid of the mistakes that they have made in the past, Jules with her baby’s father, Tad with the guilt of his parents death, that they are afraid to believe that they truly deserve to be happy. But once they move their relationship from friends to something more, once they begin to truly open up and let the other in, they begin to see a future full of possibilities that they never thought were possible. I love we got to visit with the characters from the two previous books, I love the humor, the love that these character have for each other, for their families.
"It's the Holy Trinity of how I feel about you. I want you, I need you, I love you. There will never be anyone else for me, Juliet Kilroy.
These two truly deserved a HEA, and that is exactly what they got. If you are looking for a funny, touching, family oriented series, pick up Kate Meader's Hot in the Kitchen series. You will fall in love again and again and again. I loved this book and that is why I am giving it 5 beautiful stars.
Jules Kilroy is a single mother, she is the younger sister of the famous Jake Kilroy and Shane Doyle, she has dyslexia, and to top it all off, she is in love with her best friend, Taddeo DeLuca. After one horrifying night, when she kissed him silly and he turned her down flat, she has been trying to hide her feelings. She is use to feeling inadequate, so all her life she has aimed low, let other people fight her battles, and never taken what she wants. But with Tad, she feels like not such a screw-up, like she has control over her life, like anything is possible. Now, she needs to help her best friend to open up to her, let her in, be the rock for him that he has always been for her. If she can accomplish this, she can accomplish anything.
"I'm crazy about you and Evan - don't ever think I'm not - but if someone tried to keep me from my kid, I would do everything in my power to change that.
Taddeo DeLuca has been in love with Jules since the first minute that she walked into DeLuca Restaurant. From that moment, he has been trying to keep is simple, be her friend, help her with her bonny baby boy, Evan, and keep his hands off. But one kiss from Jules and Tad realizes that no one else will do. But losing his parents, blaming himself and building a wall around his heart make Tad a bad bet in his eyes. But as Jules begins to break through that wall, to let the light back into Tad's life, he begins to wonder if the happiness and love that he never thought he would ever find is right within he reach.
I cannot tell you how excited I was to finally see Hot and Bothered by Kate Meader released. I have followed the ups and downs of Jules and Tad for the last 2 books, and I have to say, that their story was so totally worth the wait.
There are some many wonderful scenes and so many wonderful moments in this story that really touched my heart. Jules and Tad are PERFECT together. Everyone sees it, everyone knows it.....well everyone but them. They both have quick wit, smart mouths and are not afraid to call the other out on their bull. They are also so afraid of the mistakes that they have made in the past, Jules with her baby’s father, Tad with the guilt of his parents death, that they are afraid to believe that they truly deserve to be happy. But once they move their relationship from friends to something more, once they begin to truly open up and let the other in, they begin to see a future full of possibilities that they never thought were possible. I love we got to visit with the characters from the two previous books, I love the humor, the love that these character have for each other, for their families.
"It's the Holy Trinity of how I feel about you. I want you, I need you, I love you. There will never be anyone else for me, Juliet Kilroy.
These two truly deserved a HEA, and that is exactly what they got. If you are looking for a funny, touching, family oriented series, pick up Kate Meader's Hot in the Kitchen series. You will fall in love again and again and again. I loved this book and that is why I am giving it 5 beautiful stars.
jbarr5's review against another edition
4.0
Hot and Bothered
Jack's sister Jules has had a baby by Simon, he's on his way back to London.
She's hooked up with Tad and their past they do share, over time, the hard times and memories.
Hot steamy sex scenes.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Jack's sister Jules has had a baby by Simon, he's on his way back to London.
She's hooked up with Tad and their past they do share, over time, the hard times and memories.
Hot steamy sex scenes.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
jaimejustreadsromance's review against another edition
5.0
This is my first time reading a full novel from Kate Meader, I had previously only read her short story, Rekindling the Flame from the Baby, It's Cold Outside anthology, and swore after reading it that I needed to read ALL of her books. So when I had the opportunity to review this book I jumped at the chance.
From the prologue to the final page I was enamored. I couldn't stop reading. I stayed up until 4 a.m. to finish the story and I have zero regrets about it.
This isn't a story full of twists and turns, there is little to no angst yet somehow I managed to feel just about every emotion possible. The story was funny, a little sad, inspiring and a whole lot romantic. I'm not ashamed to admit that tears were shed during one of the more poignant scenes.
Tad is a perfect example of the ideal book boyfriend. The way he is always there for Jules and Evan from day one had me swooning. The way he encouraged Jules to follow her dreams and to make her own decisions proved that he is the perfect guy for her.
I loved how Kate wrote it so that while Jules was insecure in her own ways, Tad was the more insecure/vulnerable one. I'm so over the woman always being the weaker of the characters. Not that either Jules nor Tad were weak but rather they had weaknesses that kept them from believing they were worthy of the happiness they felt with each other.
The secondary characters and the Italian family atmosphere help to round out this story in all the right ways. The story flowed naturally and felt honest and real. It's the type of story that I'll feel for days. It's the type of story that has me shoving aside the other books on my TBR so that I can read the previous books in the series.
*I received an ARC from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review
From the prologue to the final page I was enamored. I couldn't stop reading. I stayed up until 4 a.m. to finish the story and I have zero regrets about it.
This isn't a story full of twists and turns, there is little to no angst yet somehow I managed to feel just about every emotion possible. The story was funny, a little sad, inspiring and a whole lot romantic. I'm not ashamed to admit that tears were shed during one of the more poignant scenes.
Tad is a perfect example of the ideal book boyfriend. The way he is always there for Jules and Evan from day one had me swooning. The way he encouraged Jules to follow her dreams and to make her own decisions proved that he is the perfect guy for her.
I loved how Kate wrote it so that while Jules was insecure in her own ways, Tad was the more insecure/vulnerable one. I'm so over the woman always being the weaker of the characters. Not that either Jules nor Tad were weak but rather they had weaknesses that kept them from believing they were worthy of the happiness they felt with each other.
The secondary characters and the Italian family atmosphere help to round out this story in all the right ways. The story flowed naturally and felt honest and real. It's the type of story that I'll feel for days. It's the type of story that has me shoving aside the other books on my TBR so that I can read the previous books in the series.
*I received an ARC from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review
textandtunes's review against another edition
2.0
Danke an NetGalley und den Piper Verlag, die mir ein Rezensionsexemplar zur Verfügung gestellt haben. Meine Meinung ist davon unabhängig.
1,5 Sterne
Alle guten Dinge sind drei, dachte ich mir wohl, als ich auch diesen Band als Rezensionsexemplar angefragt habe. Aber "gut" war das hier LEIDER auch nicht. Ja, leider. Denn ich habe viel Potential gesehen. Das ist nur zwischen den Sex-Szenen verloren gegangen...
Okay, ich erklär das noch etwas ausführlicher:
1. Ich hatte ein paar Probleme, anfangs rein zukommen. Auch wenn ich alle Charaktere schon kannte - oder vielleicht grade deshalb?
2. Mir haben DIALOGE gefehlt. Also das, wo Leute miteinander reden.
3. Inkonsequente Protagonisten. Tad und Jules sind von der ganzen Bande eigentlich meine liebsten zwei. Aber es war zwischendurch echt seltsam... erst bezichtigt Jules Tad dem Slut-Shaming (berechtigt, wie ich finde), und im nächsten Kapitel bezeichnet sie sich selbst als Schlampe...Ganz ehrlich: dann muss man sich nicht beschweren (okay, muss man doch. Aber wenn sie sich selbst so bezeichnet... dann brauch sie andere nicht dazu belehren).
Und Tad... der war die meiste Zeit auf Jules' Körper fokussiert. Genauer gesagt: ihre Brüste und ihrem Hintern. Äh, Frauen haben auch noch andere Körperteile, zum Beispiel EIN GESICHT.
4. Sex. Erst heulen sie rum, und eine halbe Seite später werden Unterhosen zerrissen. Das ist kein emotional gesundes handeln.
Sex-Szenen KÖNNEN gut in den Handlungsverlauf eingesponnen werden, aber das war hier nicht der Fall.
Am Ende gibt es noch ein bisschen Familiendrama und eine Schwangerschaft - total vorhersehbar.
Leider hat dieser Band mir noch weniger gefallen als seine Vorgänger. Schade.
1,5 Sterne
Alle guten Dinge sind drei, dachte ich mir wohl, als ich auch diesen Band als Rezensionsexemplar angefragt habe. Aber "gut" war das hier LEIDER auch nicht. Ja, leider. Denn ich habe viel Potential gesehen. Das ist nur zwischen den Sex-Szenen verloren gegangen...
Okay, ich erklär das noch etwas ausführlicher:
1. Ich hatte ein paar Probleme, anfangs rein zukommen. Auch wenn ich alle Charaktere schon kannte - oder vielleicht grade deshalb?
2. Mir haben DIALOGE gefehlt. Also das, wo Leute miteinander reden.
3. Inkonsequente Protagonisten. Tad und Jules sind von der ganzen Bande eigentlich meine liebsten zwei. Aber es war zwischendurch echt seltsam... erst bezichtigt Jules Tad dem Slut-Shaming (berechtigt, wie ich finde), und im nächsten Kapitel bezeichnet sie sich selbst als Schlampe...Ganz ehrlich: dann muss man sich nicht beschweren (okay, muss man doch. Aber wenn sie sich selbst so bezeichnet... dann brauch sie andere nicht dazu belehren).
Und Tad... der war die meiste Zeit auf Jules' Körper fokussiert. Genauer gesagt: ihre Brüste und ihrem Hintern. Äh, Frauen haben auch noch andere Körperteile, zum Beispiel EIN GESICHT.
4. Sex. Erst heulen sie rum, und eine halbe Seite später werden Unterhosen zerrissen. Das ist kein emotional gesundes handeln.
Sex-Szenen KÖNNEN gut in den Handlungsverlauf eingesponnen werden, aber das war hier nicht der Fall.
Am Ende gibt es noch ein bisschen Familiendrama und eine Schwangerschaft - total vorhersehbar.
Leider hat dieser Band mir noch weniger gefallen als seine Vorgänger. Schade.
desertbookworm's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
deamer26's review against another edition
4.0
Wow wow, this was amazing :) ^_^ Bang On!
In my words - "A family angst salty & best friends sweet romance "
In my words - "A family angst salty & best friends sweet romance "
coala's review against another edition
4.0
Wenn aus Freundschaft mehr wird
Es handelt sich hier um den dritten Teil der Love Recipes Rehe von Kate Maeder. Das Buch kann gut ohne Vorwissen gelesen werden, es tauchen jedoch bekannte Gesichter aus den Vorbänden auf.
Tad und Jules sind schon lange sehr gute Freunde. Also die Single Mama jedoch beschließt, endlich den Mann fürs Leben zu finden und sich bei einer Online Plattform anmeldet, erwachen in Taddeo die Beschützerinstinkte und lang unterdrückte Gefühle werden wieder präsenter.
Ich kannte die Charaktere schon aus den anderen Bänden und habe mich auf ihre Geschichte gefreut. Jules ist eine tolle Frau, die sich liebevoll um ihren Sohn Evan kümmert. Dabei ist jedoch ihr Selbstbewusstsein etwas auf der Strecke geblieben und sie verlässt sich zu sehr auf ihren Bruder und den besten Freund Tad. Tad wiederum erlebt so einen typischen Werdegang, das Gefühle erst so richtig erwachen beziehungsweise bewusst werden, wenn es schon fast zu spät ist. Manche brauchen eben so einen Aufweckruf. Die Autorin hat sich schön Zeit genommen, die Gefühle von beiden und den Weg zu Freundschaft zu mehr zu beschreiben. Man merkt von Anfang an sehr schön, dass an dieser Freundschaft doch mehr sein muss, so wie es zwischen den beiden knistert. Dabei kommt jedoch auch das freche erfrischende der Autorin nicht zu kurz, die es schafft, eine schöne Balance zu finden zwischen amüsanter Unterhaltung und tollen Gefühlen. Das Ende ist sicherlich bei dieser Art der Romane schon vorab bekannt, der der Weg war wieder sehr unterhaltsam. Das Zusammenspiel mit den anderen Familienmitgliedern war zudem wieder herrlich unterhaltsam und wie bei dem Reihentitel zu vermuten ist, spielt auch köstliches Essen wieder eine wichtige Nebenrolle. Eine mehr als köstliche Kombination.
Ein schönes Wiedersehen mit bekannten Charakteren der Reihen und eine sehr schön gefühlvolle Geschichte um zwei Freunde, die endlich zu ihren wahren Gefühlen finden. Der Humor und die köstlichen Gerichte kommen auch in diesem Buch wieder nicht zu kurz, sodass auch mit diesem dritten Band wieder gute Unterhaltung garantiert ist.
Es handelt sich hier um den dritten Teil der Love Recipes Rehe von Kate Maeder. Das Buch kann gut ohne Vorwissen gelesen werden, es tauchen jedoch bekannte Gesichter aus den Vorbänden auf.
Tad und Jules sind schon lange sehr gute Freunde. Also die Single Mama jedoch beschließt, endlich den Mann fürs Leben zu finden und sich bei einer Online Plattform anmeldet, erwachen in Taddeo die Beschützerinstinkte und lang unterdrückte Gefühle werden wieder präsenter.
Ich kannte die Charaktere schon aus den anderen Bänden und habe mich auf ihre Geschichte gefreut. Jules ist eine tolle Frau, die sich liebevoll um ihren Sohn Evan kümmert. Dabei ist jedoch ihr Selbstbewusstsein etwas auf der Strecke geblieben und sie verlässt sich zu sehr auf ihren Bruder und den besten Freund Tad. Tad wiederum erlebt so einen typischen Werdegang, das Gefühle erst so richtig erwachen beziehungsweise bewusst werden, wenn es schon fast zu spät ist. Manche brauchen eben so einen Aufweckruf. Die Autorin hat sich schön Zeit genommen, die Gefühle von beiden und den Weg zu Freundschaft zu mehr zu beschreiben. Man merkt von Anfang an sehr schön, dass an dieser Freundschaft doch mehr sein muss, so wie es zwischen den beiden knistert. Dabei kommt jedoch auch das freche erfrischende der Autorin nicht zu kurz, die es schafft, eine schöne Balance zu finden zwischen amüsanter Unterhaltung und tollen Gefühlen. Das Ende ist sicherlich bei dieser Art der Romane schon vorab bekannt, der der Weg war wieder sehr unterhaltsam. Das Zusammenspiel mit den anderen Familienmitgliedern war zudem wieder herrlich unterhaltsam und wie bei dem Reihentitel zu vermuten ist, spielt auch köstliches Essen wieder eine wichtige Nebenrolle. Eine mehr als köstliche Kombination.
Ein schönes Wiedersehen mit bekannten Charakteren der Reihen und eine sehr schön gefühlvolle Geschichte um zwei Freunde, die endlich zu ihren wahren Gefühlen finden. Der Humor und die köstlichen Gerichte kommen auch in diesem Buch wieder nicht zu kurz, sodass auch mit diesem dritten Band wieder gute Unterhaltung garantiert ist.
librarian_reader22's review against another edition
5.0
Love, love, love... I think this was my favorite out of the trio!!
kerrikins's review against another edition
3.0
So, this is the third in a spicy series by Kate Meader, centering around some fiery Italians who love to cook and the way they steam up the sheets in the bedroom.
I really enjoyed [b:All Fired Up|18621794|All Fired Up (Hot in the Kitchen, #2)|Kate Meader|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1380737795s/18621794.jpg|22021536] so I was excited when I saw this on Netgalley, and even more so when I was approved!
Jules and Tad are best friends, each with their insecurities and hidden secrets. The book starts off with the birth of Jules' son, Evan, and then picks up eighteen months later and goes from there.
It took me awhile to warm up to Tad, mostly because I guess I was seeing him from Jules' perspective and kept thinking that he was really a bit of a prick. Gradually we learn more about him, though, and that means learning that there's a lot he's hiding beneath his exterior, and that being incredibly sexy doesn't mean that a person doesn't have deep wounds that are just healed over enough to be presentable. Which, to be honest, just makes him hotter. ;)
Jules has her own self-doubts - she's dyslexic, and has surfed through life by being the pretty, seemingly easy girl, ready to flutter her eyelashes and pretend to not be as intelligent as she is. It's worked, but after her last relationship crashed and burned and left her with a baby, she's ready to take charge and demand respect from those around her.
I liked the sparks and the friendship between Jules and Tad. It's clear that they're close, and they trust each other - they're still learning about each other throughout the book, which I liked. That's the way it works in relationships, you never 'finish' learning about someone, imo.
Of course, as is so common in books like these, you can't help but want to knock their heads together at times! Tad thinks that she's too good for him - and that she agrees with that - and she thinks she's not hot/interesting enough for him. It leads to some frustration on the part of the reader, that's for sure, but that leads to some steamy sex when they finally get around to it.
Unfortunately, this book didn't have the same spice as the last book I read in the series. (I still need to check out the first one.) The dialogue was a bit cringe-worthy at times, too focused on being snarky and witty - I know that people want to read a crisp, fast-paced romance, but I still want to feel as though the characters are real, you know?
Also, I had one big problem with the book, which I will put behind a spoiler cut.
Then, when we first meet him he makes it clear that he looks down on Jules by the way that he talks (accusing her of running to her brother), and then is condescending and an asshole while telling her that the fact that she didn't tell him that he's the father will look bad in court and that judges are all about father's rights.
So. Let me take a deep breath here before I say that this REALLY pissed me off. So the guy is a gigantic dick to her when he dumps her, and then struts around like his cock is the centre of the universe and threatens her? Um, NO.
Then Tad has to go and fucking spoil it by telling Jules that she has to ~grow up~ and that blood will out and that basically, this guy planting his sperm in her ~means something~.
Okay, so let's just get something clear, here. My mother was adopted and her family are not at all capable of being parents. She's not so great herself. So no, I do NOT believe in the almighty power of genes and the fusion of egg and sperm. Being a parent is more than that and I really fucking hate that Tad trotted out this sort of garbage.
I see a lot of references to this in fiction, primarily focused on the idea that women have to ~face up to what they've done~ and let the father be in their child's life. Um, why the fuck does it have to work that way? Especially when Tad wants to be in Jules' life himself! Being a father is so much more than just sex.
The way it was glossed over really made my stomach turn, too. Jules tells her brother, Jack, that she's not a big fan of Simon being in her life again - but in the meantime she's apparently met with him, arranged custody, yadda yadda yadda. I would have liked to see a hell of a lot more focus on this because it's such a monumentally huge decision. Not only that, I would have liked to see more interest in his son than just a possessive claim from the father.
So yeah, that really soured me on this book. Now don't get me wrong, this is an intensely personal reaction to this situation, and I'm fully aware of that. Hell, a lot of people do believe that blood will out and that family is important all of that. I just happen to believe that blood doesn't mean anything when the guy involved is a douchebag who cheated on his wife (and now he's divorced!) /rant
I did like how Jules takes charge of her life, though. She realises what she wants and what she deserves and she's not going to accept anything less. That I can get behind. She also calls her older brother out on being possessive and even tells Tad off for being slightly slut-shamey. Hell, yes. Feminist woman who stands up for herself, but is also written to show that she doesn't mind it when her lover is a little dominant in the bedroom? Hell yes. We need more stuff like that.
So it's a solid middle ground book for me, in the end. I liked it, and again, my personal reactions to some of the stuff in this book played a lot into the rating. It's a fun, spicy read that I think a lot of people will enjoy, though.
Disclosure: I received a copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed [b:All Fired Up|18621794|All Fired Up (Hot in the Kitchen, #2)|Kate Meader|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1380737795s/18621794.jpg|22021536] so I was excited when I saw this on Netgalley, and even more so when I was approved!
Jules and Tad are best friends, each with their insecurities and hidden secrets. The book starts off with the birth of Jules' son, Evan, and then picks up eighteen months later and goes from there.
It took me awhile to warm up to Tad, mostly because I guess I was seeing him from Jules' perspective and kept thinking that he was really a bit of a prick. Gradually we learn more about him, though, and that means learning that there's a lot he's hiding beneath his exterior, and that being incredibly sexy doesn't mean that a person doesn't have deep wounds that are just healed over enough to be presentable. Which, to be honest, just makes him hotter. ;)
Jules has her own self-doubts - she's dyslexic, and has surfed through life by being the pretty, seemingly easy girl, ready to flutter her eyelashes and pretend to not be as intelligent as she is. It's worked, but after her last relationship crashed and burned and left her with a baby, she's ready to take charge and demand respect from those around her.
I liked the sparks and the friendship between Jules and Tad. It's clear that they're close, and they trust each other - they're still learning about each other throughout the book, which I liked. That's the way it works in relationships, you never 'finish' learning about someone, imo.
Of course, as is so common in books like these, you can't help but want to knock their heads together at times! Tad thinks that she's too good for him - and that she agrees with that - and she thinks she's not hot/interesting enough for him. It leads to some frustration on the part of the reader, that's for sure, but that leads to some steamy sex when they finally get around to it.
Unfortunately, this book didn't have the same spice as the last book I read in the series. (I still need to check out the first one.) The dialogue was a bit cringe-worthy at times, too focused on being snarky and witty - I know that people want to read a crisp, fast-paced romance, but I still want to feel as though the characters are real, you know?
Also, I had one big problem with the book, which I will put behind a spoiler cut.
Spoiler
So, turns out that the guy who fathered the baby? Well, he's a bit of a dirtbag. Turns out he picked up with Jules while he and his wife were having some difficulty, and then he ditched Jules - after informing her that his wife is pregnant (again). So yeah, I was already inclined to dislike him.Then, when we first meet him he makes it clear that he looks down on Jules by the way that he talks (accusing her of running to her brother), and then is condescending and an asshole while telling her that the fact that she didn't tell him that he's the father will look bad in court and that judges are all about father's rights.
So. Let me take a deep breath here before I say that this REALLY pissed me off. So the guy is a gigantic dick to her when he dumps her, and then struts around like his cock is the centre of the universe and threatens her? Um, NO.
Then Tad has to go and fucking spoil it by telling Jules that she has to ~grow up~ and that blood will out and that basically, this guy planting his sperm in her ~means something~.
Okay, so let's just get something clear, here. My mother was adopted and her family are not at all capable of being parents. She's not so great herself. So no, I do NOT believe in the almighty power of genes and the fusion of egg and sperm. Being a parent is more than that and I really fucking hate that Tad trotted out this sort of garbage.
I see a lot of references to this in fiction, primarily focused on the idea that women have to ~face up to what they've done~ and let the father be in their child's life. Um, why the fuck does it have to work that way? Especially when Tad wants to be in Jules' life himself! Being a father is so much more than just sex.
The way it was glossed over really made my stomach turn, too. Jules tells her brother, Jack, that she's not a big fan of Simon being in her life again - but in the meantime she's apparently met with him, arranged custody, yadda yadda yadda. I would have liked to see a hell of a lot more focus on this because it's such a monumentally huge decision. Not only that, I would have liked to see more interest in his son than just a possessive claim from the father.
So yeah, that really soured me on this book. Now don't get me wrong, this is an intensely personal reaction to this situation, and I'm fully aware of that. Hell, a lot of people do believe that blood will out and that family is important all of that. I just happen to believe that blood doesn't mean anything when the guy involved is a douchebag who cheated on his wife (and now he's divorced!) /rant
I did like how Jules takes charge of her life, though. She realises what she wants and what she deserves and she's not going to accept anything less. That I can get behind. She also calls her older brother out on being possessive and even tells Tad off for being slightly slut-shamey. Hell, yes. Feminist woman who stands up for herself, but is also written to show that she doesn't mind it when her lover is a little dominant in the bedroom? Hell yes. We need more stuff like that.
So it's a solid middle ground book for me, in the end. I liked it, and again, my personal reactions to some of the stuff in this book played a lot into the rating. It's a fun, spicy read that I think a lot of people will enjoy, though.
Disclosure: I received a copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
saunnik's review against another edition
The words. All the words. So many gotdamn words. I've never read a book where the author is determined to over explain every single solitary nuance of every single thing. I can appreciate some internal monologue and back story. However it is not required for every single scene, thought, and emotion.
The book never gets a good flow because the author stops to explain every single emotion in detail. Every single scene needed some form of back story even if it was a rehash for the 100th time. I could literally count pages between actual spoken dialogue. There are only so many times one should be subjected to Jules expounding on the look & feel of Tad's forearms. It's really kind of ridiculous.
The other thing is because of all the words, it seems the author can't keep track of the character's voices. It's set in Chicago but half the time I don't know if Tad is British, Italian, or American. Why even bother to set the story in Chicago if everything is going to sound British.
And for all the words it's ridiculous how many times I had to read "bonny baby boy". We get it. Jules is a Brit but my word, there are other adjectives.
And the crazy part of all this is I only made it to 43% before I couldn't take any more of this. I felt like I read 2 books worth of words and still hadn't gotten to the point. And I guess I never will.
The book never gets a good flow because the author stops to explain every single emotion in detail. Every single scene needed some form of back story even if it was a rehash for the 100th time. I could literally count pages between actual spoken dialogue. There are only so many times one should be subjected to Jules expounding on the look & feel of Tad's forearms. It's really kind of ridiculous.
The other thing is because of all the words, it seems the author can't keep track of the character's voices. It's set in Chicago but half the time I don't know if Tad is British, Italian, or American. Why even bother to set the story in Chicago if everything is going to sound British.
And for all the words it's ridiculous how many times I had to read "bonny baby boy". We get it. Jules is a Brit but my word, there are other adjectives.
And the crazy part of all this is I only made it to 43% before I couldn't take any more of this. I felt like I read 2 books worth of words and still hadn't gotten to the point. And I guess I never will.