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annabananadel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.25
“It’s not always about the next thing you do. Sometimes it’s about what you already did.”
I got my copy from Afterlight and that's really the only reason why I subscribed to it - to get a copy of this wonderful Tessa Bailey book. Usually, her books are a hit and miss but this time for sure, it was a definite hit. So I'm really glad I paid a lot of bucks for this wonderful exclusive edition.
This book was just a cute book - I think that's the best way to simply describe this book. I was having all sorts of emotions throughout my reading journey. Mostly though, I was just smiling pretty hard because I was swooning. I think the last time I was like this with a Tessa Bailey book was with Brendan from IHOS but this time, with Wells. To be honest, Wells is a biiiiiiig walking red flag but I'm blind when it comes to bad boys turned semi-good boys. That's Wells for me. For some reason, he got good after actually acknowledging Josephine, who's been a fan for years. There's that big plot hole but let me look another way. When Wells actually got together with Josephine, I was just a goner. All those sexual scenes they got together was so hot. Usually, it's cringey when guys talk during the sex scenes but when Wells was doing it, I was totally fine with it. I'm not sure why but it must have been because he was just so honest during those intimate moments and he's just thinking out loud. Either way, I was living for it. I love how it also focused on Josephine's condition. It showed how people are treated differently once people found out that they have a certain condition.
What really decreased the rating for me is the ending. It was an unnecessary fight, maybe the author just didn't want a third-act break up (which I usually hate so I was fine with this ending). The epilogue was cutie though. I don't usually care about the epilogue but this one was necessary. I just love Wells so much and I'm glad he turned a new leaf and got Josephine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Chronic illness, and Abandonment
Minor: Violence
anna_maria_wirth's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Chronic illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Medical content
vaguelyredhead's review against another edition
funny
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Chronic illness
Moderate: Sexism and Violence
Minor: Medical content and Alcoholism
antidietleah's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Violence
koistyfishy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
4.0
4 Giraffe Pajama Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
No ifs, ands, or putts. This was adorable. I quite frankly, couldn't putt it down. The story is absolutely tee-riffic and hits below par of my expectations of a Tessa Bailey Book. (If you don't know you are meant to score par or under to do well).
I was sceptical going into this because the only other Tessa Bailey book was neither here nor there for me. But when I saw SK raving about how this is probably the best book from her, I knew I had to read it for my contemporary fix.
Josephine is Wells Whitaker's biggest fan. And every time Wells comes past her town, she is on the side of the green, cheering him on. She also recently won a competition for Lunch with Wells and is super excited about spending one-on-one time with him. Unfortunately, Wells has lost his drive. His career has taken a nosedive and while he was once a rising star, now due to his temper and personality, almost no one wants to touch him. He's lost most of his support and subsequently hurts Josephine's feelings by being pretty mean to her. However, something from their conversation sticks with him. And after a devastating hurricane hits her pro shop, he makes a deal with her, that he will help her with the funding if she becomes his caddie.
Wells is a super grumpy bad boy. He is also super self-destructive and he's lost his way. He makes awful decisions, is quick to anger, and lets his temper get the better of him. While being a total grump and taking the hole (yes that is another golf pun) - "Hates everyone but her" stereotype way too seriously, he is also a gushy sweetheart when it comes to her. He takes care of her but also doesn't see her illness as a disability. He doesn't coddle her but challenges her and is just putterly perfect!
Josephine is a ray of sunshine. She is so positive and so optimistic in life. It does seem a little bit strange being a fan of golf. She is Well's biggest cheerleader and his complete opposite. She hasn't always had it easy but is tired of people being cautious around her. She suffers from type 1 diabetes and just wants to be taken seriously. She wants to be seen as someone who can take care of herself and be treated like an adult. She is so over everyone treating her as fragile because of her chronic condition and just wants the chance to live a normal life like everyone else and experience things everyone else does. She is also adorable, and witty and I loved that she was able to speak her mind. She has the distinct challenge of being a woman in a primarily male-driven sport but doesn't let her gender hold her back and can stand her own.
The relationship between these two shines off the page - Josephine not only guides Wells on the course but also off. She helps him navigate his emotions and issues and helps him find love in his game and himself. And I absolutely love their chemistry, attraction, their flirting, their banter, their heartfelt moments and their funny moments! There were moments where I squealed and giggled and moments where I had to stop and take a moment and just be real.
The one thing that did detract a little from this being fantastic is that I did think that while the romance was written very well in terms of their feelings, I felt that it progressed very quickly. They were only together for a couple of days before they started acting on their feelings. I kept wondering if the situation had been, that one of them didn't reciprocate those feelings, that would cross SERIOUS professional boundaries. Given that this is a workplace and how quickly Wells made the first move.
Now I admit, a big part of me picked up this book because I have my own grumpy golfer to cheer on, and I had hoped that I would learn a thing or two about the game. Unfortunately, I already knew everything that was mentioned, but I think this helped with the book's enjoyment because I could feel their passion and love for the sport and how seriously they took it in the pages!
So while I didn't learn anything new about golf, this book was a complete and utter delight that I would recommend everybody take a chance on.
Trope Summary:
▶ Grumpy X Sunshine
▶ She Falls First, He Falls Harder
▶ Golf Romance
▶ She's his biggest Fan
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Workplace Romance
▶ Hate's Everyone But Her
Microtropes:
▶ HE FIXES HER HAIR AND LOOKS AFTER HER
▶ Steamy Shower Scene
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
No ifs, ands, or putts. This was adorable. I quite frankly, couldn't putt it down. The story is absolutely tee-riffic and hits below par of my expectations of a Tessa Bailey Book. (If you don't know you are meant to score par or under to do well).
I was sceptical going into this because the only other Tessa Bailey book was neither here nor there for me. But when I saw SK raving about how this is probably the best book from her, I knew I had to read it for my contemporary fix.
Josephine is Wells Whitaker's biggest fan. And every time Wells comes past her town, she is on the side of the green, cheering him on. She also recently won a competition for Lunch with Wells and is super excited about spending one-on-one time with him. Unfortunately, Wells has lost his drive. His career has taken a nosedive and while he was once a rising star, now due to his temper and personality, almost no one wants to touch him. He's lost most of his support and subsequently hurts Josephine's feelings by being pretty mean to her. However, something from their conversation sticks with him. And after a devastating hurricane hits her pro shop, he makes a deal with her, that he will help her with the funding if she becomes his caddie.
Wells is a super grumpy bad boy. He is also super self-destructive and he's lost his way. He makes awful decisions, is quick to anger, and lets his temper get the better of him. While being a total grump and taking the hole (yes that is another golf pun) - "Hates everyone but her" stereotype way too seriously, he is also a gushy sweetheart when it comes to her. He takes care of her but also doesn't see her illness as a disability. He doesn't coddle her but challenges her and is just putterly perfect!
Josephine is a ray of sunshine. She is so positive and so optimistic in life. It does seem a little bit strange being a fan of golf. She is Well's biggest cheerleader and his complete opposite. She hasn't always had it easy but is tired of people being cautious around her. She suffers from type 1 diabetes and just wants to be taken seriously. She wants to be seen as someone who can take care of herself and be treated like an adult. She is so over everyone treating her as fragile because of her chronic condition and just wants the chance to live a normal life like everyone else and experience things everyone else does. She is also adorable, and witty and I loved that she was able to speak her mind. She has the distinct challenge of being a woman in a primarily male-driven sport but doesn't let her gender hold her back and can stand her own.
The relationship between these two shines off the page - Josephine not only guides Wells on the course but also off. She helps him navigate his emotions and issues and helps him find love in his game and himself. And I absolutely love their chemistry, attraction, their flirting, their banter, their heartfelt moments and their funny moments! There were moments where I squealed and giggled and moments where I had to stop and take a moment and just be real.
The one thing that did detract a little from this being fantastic is that I did think that while the romance was written very well in terms of their feelings, I felt that it progressed very quickly. They were only together for a couple of days before they started acting on their feelings. I kept wondering if the situation had been, that one of them didn't reciprocate those feelings, that would cross SERIOUS professional boundaries. Given that this is a workplace and how quickly Wells made the first move.
Now I admit, a big part of me picked up this book because I have my own grumpy golfer to cheer on, and I had hoped that I would learn a thing or two about the game. Unfortunately, I already knew everything that was mentioned, but I think this helped with the book's enjoyment because I could feel their passion and love for the sport and how seriously they took it in the pages!
So while I didn't learn anything new about golf, this book was a complete and utter delight that I would recommend everybody take a chance on.
Trope Summary:
▶ Grumpy X Sunshine
▶ She Falls First, He Falls Harder
▶ Golf Romance
▶ She's his biggest Fan
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Workplace Romance
▶ Hate's Everyone But Her
Microtropes:
▶ HE FIXES HER HAIR AND LOOKS AFTER HER
▶ Steamy Shower Scene
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Chronic illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Misogyny, and Sexism
vagaybond's review
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Violence, Misogyny, Abandonment, Cursing, Vomit, and Alcohol
shelvedbygrace's review
funny
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Violence
tamsterdam_reads's review against another edition
funny
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
4.25
My first Tessa Bailey book read was a hit! Fangirl Down was fun, entertaining, hilarious and steamy. The main characters, grumpy, struggling golfer Wells and happy-go-lucky fangirl Josephine were the perfect blend of grump-sunshine who oozed attraction at its finest. I loved that Jospehine was already trying to get Wells to look on the bright side and who can’t love Wells' protectiveness of this ball of light that forced her way into his life. Also, I loved the uniqueness of this sports romance being about a golf athlete! Overall, this book made me laugh with the antics the two got themselves in, their banter and supportiveness for each other and it delivered on the happy feelings.
Not to forget, Callie Dalton was an awesome narrator and creating distinctive voices for each character were excellent. She helped me indulge in this book in one day!
Thank you LibroFM for the alc. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
Not to forget, Callie Dalton was an awesome narrator and creating distinctive voices for each character were excellent. She helped me indulge in this book in one day!
Thank you LibroFM for the alc. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Chronic illness
Minor: Violence
sdupont's review against another edition
funny
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
3.75
This book is wacky but I can’t say I didn’t enjoy reading it. Josephine is a hardcore fan of professional golfer Wells who eventually becomes his caddie for his comeback tour. Wells is a certified obsessed MMC. He has it down bad for Joey, his pining/internal monologue is unreal. I found the pacing for this book to be odd. It has a slowish start then hits the gas hard. He’s in love despite never paying her mind for years. The pacing and absurdity that runs through prevents me from rating it higher. That being said I did enjoy reading this book, I couldn’t put it down. I recommend this for anyone looking for a fun cotton candy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Abandonment
Moderate: Misogyny, Violence, and Sexism
beckyyreadss's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
I wanted to read this book because anything that Tessa Bailey writes, I’ll read. It’s simple as that. Tessa Bailey was my top read author was 2023 and I instantly re-ordered both books in the series and I was waiting for this since the new year.
This book has two points of view. The first point of view is Wells Whitaker. He was once golf’s hottest rising start, but lately, all he has to show for his promising career is a killer hangover, a collection of broken clubs and one remaining supporter. No matter how bad he plays, the beautiful redhead is always on the sidelines. He curses, he cheers. He scowls, she smiles. But when Wells quits in a blaze of glory and his fangirl finally goes home, he knows he made the greatest mistake of his life. The second point of view is Josephine Doyle, and she has believed in this gorgeous and grumpy golfer, even when he didn’t believe in himself. Yet after he throws in the towel, she begins to winder if her faith was misplaced. After a hurricane wrecks her family’s golf store, she is feeling hopeless, until a determined Wells shows up at her door with a wild proposal - be his new caddy, help him turn his game around and split the prize money. And considering how much her life is in shambles, she could really use the money.as they travel together, spending days on the green and nights in neighbouring hotel rooms, sparks fly. Before long, they’re inseparable, Wells starts winning again, and Josephine is surprised to find a sweet, thoughtful guy underneath his gruff exterior. The hot man wants to brush her hair, make sure her blood sugar is okay and take bubble baths together? Is this real life? But Wells is technically her boss and an athlete falling for his fangirl would be ridiculous . . . right?
I love this book. It was amazing and had me hooked from the start. I love sports romance and I never thought I could love a golf romance, but I did. I never even watched golf. I love the whole opposite attract – she's all sunshine and he’s grumpy and possessive and wants to kill everyone for looking at her the wrong way – it was done brilliantly. I loved the character development that both of these characters go through. Wells went from not giving shit and just wanting to drink himself to death to wanting to live and wanting to win and wanting to help people and be kind. Josephine went from this shy girl who loved to follow Wells and not having money for her health or her store to being able to be this confident woman who knows what she wants and to have enough money to look after herself. I love that both were fully denying their relationships and then Wells was just thinking about her all the time and then Josephine had painted her nails to match his uniform like damn you both knew what you were doing. The way that these two were winding each other and giving each other incentives to do well and then it worked. I was cackling so hard at some of these chapters.
I don’t have anything to hate about this book, I was sat in work thinking about this book, I was sat at home thinking about this book. The book was living in my brain rent-free, completely. Like I’m not going to shut up about this book for a while.
I’m so excited for the next book in this series but I might need to read another Tessa Bailey before the summer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Abandonment, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Medical content, and Pregnancy