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This was cute!! I really liked getting to see an emotional side to Rafa that we didn't see in book 1. I loved the vibes and ambience in the Hawaii trip scenes and getting to see them slowly falling in love. A lot of people will think this was too long but I think it allows the characters more time to grow in their love and truly understand one another. A solid 4!
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Schlechte 3 Sterne von mir.
Ich habe die Beiden irgendwie nicht gefühlt. Sie war schon in der High School verliebt in ihn, aber eigentlich verhält er sich scheiße ihr gegenüber, sie fühlt sich aber trotzdem zu ihm hingezogen? Ich fühl das irgendwie gar nicht.
Das Positive? Es gibt keinen third act break up und die beiden kommunizieren (die meiste Zeit) ganz gut miteinander.
Ich habe die Beiden irgendwie nicht gefühlt. Sie war schon in der High School verliebt in ihn, aber eigentlich verhält er sich scheiße ihr gegenüber, sie fühlt sich aber trotzdem zu ihm hingezogen? Ich fühl das irgendwie gar nicht.
Das Positive? Es gibt keinen third act break up und die beiden kommunizieren (die meiste Zeit) ganz gut miteinander.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
It was a bit too long to being interested in the story and characters all the time. But it was better than book 1 :)
The bond between Ellie and Nico was the best part 💕
The bond between Ellie and Nico was the best part 💕
I had really high hopes for this book because I love the single dad and nanny trope, but I had such a hard time getting through this the book. I can also handle miscommunication, but Rafael was insufferable. The book is close to 600 pages and honestly could’ve been scaled down. There some random moments that definitely could’ve been cut down like Ellie writing songs. Even some of the time jumps felt unnecessary.
There needed to be way more groveling. Rafael did not treat Ellie as well as he could have. To have everything solved with just an ‘I’m sorry’ was not enough. He CONSTANTLY did things to hurt Ellie and then would apologize and say he won’t do it again. Ellie did a lot to meet him where he was at, but not once did he really do the same for her. The more we switched to his pov, the more I continued wishing he was in therapy. I understand he has deep rooted trauma, but that really needs to be redirected into therapy.
I wish Ellie was written to be a strong main character. Rafael said and did some bad things and it was dismissed because everyone said he had trauma. I understand that he was hurting, but I did not like that it was used almost as an excuse to mistreat her. He intentionally thought through things to hurt her but it was just frustrating. I was hoping to see her stand up for herself more or even set some boundaries. But it was hard to read. I hated that she was treated like such a punching bag.
Nico was my favorite part of this book. He is only 9 years old, but he seemed like the most adult character out of everyone. He kept it real with Rafael which he needed.
I had higher hopes for this book, but it was genuinely hard for me to get through it. I would read the next book because I am excited for Lilly’s book.
There needed to be way more groveling. Rafael did not treat Ellie as well as he could have. To have everything solved with just an ‘I’m sorry’ was not enough. He CONSTANTLY did things to hurt Ellie and then would apologize and say he won’t do it again. Ellie did a lot to meet him where he was at, but not once did he really do the same for her. The more we switched to his pov, the more I continued wishing he was in therapy. I understand he has deep rooted trauma, but that really needs to be redirected into therapy.
I wish Ellie was written to be a strong main character. Rafael said and did some bad things and it was dismissed because everyone said he had trauma. I understand that he was hurting, but I did not like that it was used almost as an excuse to mistreat her. He intentionally thought through things to hurt her but it was just frustrating. I was hoping to see her stand up for herself more or even set some boundaries. But it was hard to read. I hated that she was treated like such a punching bag.
Nico was my favorite part of this book. He is only 9 years old, but he seemed like the most adult character out of everyone. He kept it real with Rafael which he needed.
I had higher hopes for this book, but it was genuinely hard for me to get through it. I would read the next book because I am excited for Lilly’s book.
one extra star solely for ellie and nico being the cutest duo ever
slow-paced
...it was so boring
I should have taken me having second thoughts about the first book in the series as a sign. But these characters carried the last book so I thought their book would be better.....
I feel like a whole lot of nothing happened in the 500+ pages we got. While fmc and mmcs with trauma are inspiring and relatable I just couldn't feel that with them and it wasn't because of what they experienced but about how it was portrayed in the book.
Some interactions felt like I was 14 again reading really bad wattpad books. it such a damn shame because I had high expectations for those two.
Anywaaaays. Rafa being a dad still hit it out the park. And the fact that he bought a whole garden so that he can give her flowers for her hair was really cute>>
I should have taken me having second thoughts about the first book in the series as a sign. But these characters carried the last book so I thought their book would be better.....
I feel like a whole lot of nothing happened in the 500+ pages we got. While fmc and mmcs with trauma are inspiring and relatable I just couldn't feel that with them and it wasn't because of what they experienced but about how it was portrayed in the book.
Some interactions felt like I was 14 again reading really bad wattpad books. it such a damn shame because I had high expectations for those two.
Anywaaaays. Rafa being a dad still hit it out the park. And the fact that he bought a whole garden so that he can give her flowers for her hair was really cute>>
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The only positive thing I have to say is that I am glad that it’s over. It took me four weeks to finish this and it threw me right into my second big Reading slump of the year. I went into this knowing that it didn’t sound like something I would like but I had hopes because I really enjoyed the first book. Well, I did not enjoy this one. There is nothing that justifies that this book has over 600 pages. Nothing. At least I can say now that I have read every book Lauren Asher has published so far, except a Christmas novella which I am planning on reading in December.
Okay now I will start talking about the story (as much as I remember). It is about single dad Rafael Lopez, who we already know as Julian‘s cousin. He is a bit grumpy and anti-so I’ll, has a lot of self-doubt and feels unlovable. But at least he is really hot, even though we don’t see one scene where he talks about sport or works out. He also has kind of a lumberjack look: beard and flannels. Not my idea of hot, but okay. Ellie is equally traumatised: She works for Rafael as a Nanny since she came back to her home town after she was betrayed by her best friend. She worked as a songwriter for her friend, who took the songs and didn’t credit her for them. There is also a lot of other stuff in her past regarding domestic violence and self-harm.
So, everything is set up for a deep and emotional story about two tortured souls. Not exactly my thing. They always say that he is her boss and make it out as a serious problem. It’s not like he owns a corporate firm and she works there because it’s her dream job. Firstly, it’s not even her dream job. Her real passion is songwriting. Secondly, if she quits they could date and she wouldn’t leave them. I honestly don’t see the problem. Then there was a lot of trauma dumping and Rafael had a glow up and that’s it. Oh, they went to Hawaii for holiday but other than that…
I don’t have a lot to say about it which is not good for a book with 600 pages. I am looking forward for the next one though. Arranged marriage/engagement (not exactly sure)? Sign me up! And then the series is over and Lauren Asher can dedicate her time to the Dirty Heirs (hopefully). I really need this in my life.
3.5
No way I would go back to work for him after that bullshit.
No way I would go back to work for him after that bullshit.