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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an enjoyable, easy read. I particularly enjoyed the inciting incident that led to Brynn having to return to her hometown, but did struggle with the many pop culture references throughout this book - I didn't get a lot of the references and they took me out of the story somewhat. I also expected more from the "hate to love" aspect of this book but it felt like they fell for each other very quickly. However, I did enjoy Brynn's relationships with some of the secondary characters and her attempts to reconcile with the townsfolk, and I thought the mountain town setting was well-realised.
This was an enjoyable, easy read. I particularly enjoyed the inciting incident that led to Brynn having to return to her hometown, but did struggle with the many pop culture references throughout this book - I didn't get a lot of the references and they took me out of the story somewhat. I also expected more from the "hate to love" aspect of this book but it felt like they fell for each other very quickly. However, I did enjoy Brynn's relationships with some of the secondary characters and her attempts to reconcile with the townsfolk, and I thought the mountain town setting was well-realised.
I absolutely loved this book. The beginning was a bit hard to get through because Brynn was not very likeable, and I kept wanting to yell at her to stop saying the first thing that came to her mind. However, that completely changed when her and Sebastian started bantering and opening up to each other. Their love story felt so natural and authentic. I’m hoping that we eventually get a story about Cole and Laila
I listened to this audio book on NetGalley. I wanted to love this book but I had to DNF at around 60%. Unfortunately, I just have to many books on my TBR to continue with one that I’m really not vibing with. That is not to say I think it’s a bad book, I just don’t think it was a good fit for me. I do love a small town romance, slow burns, and enemies to lovers is my favorite trope ever. It also was supposed to be a grumpy sunshine but it was grumpy and grumpy. No sunshine. I commend the author for trying to have a unique execution for these tropes, but it just wasn’t for me. There are certain beats and qualities that I personally need from a romance. For example, good pacing, likable characters (or at least ones that start to show growth sooner than the half way point), showing attraction and/or sexual tension between the characters much sooner. I need to see more chemistry much sooner in order to be emotionally involved.
I also am not a fan of Brynn at all still 60% through the book. This is too long for me to continue hating a character in a romance. This woman is so insufferable and stupid in so many ways. 1) just google this dude that everyone keeps telling you is a big deal! 2) just stop and think before you just say stuff. 3) listen when people try to warn you to not do stupid things. Brynn is supposed to be a grown professional. Her personality reminds me of a whiny spoiled teenager.
Another thing I typically love is a dual POV, but I struggled with the way it was done in this book. It felt so choppy. The FMC POV is written in first person past tense and the MMC POV is written in third person past tense. Each chapter ends with someone laying out a truth bomb or an insult and then just cuts to the other person’s POV. I personally just would have liked to see an inner monologue reaction to those. Sometimes the writing did back track a little so that you can see that when the POV switched back but by then I had moved on from caring. The narrator was great but I think I would have liked it better if there was a male narrator for the male POVs
I’m giving it 3 stars because I think objectively, the book is fine. Subjectively from my own opinion, I didn’t like it.
I also am not a fan of Brynn at all still 60% through the book. This is too long for me to continue hating a character in a romance. This woman is so insufferable and stupid in so many ways. 1) just google this dude that everyone keeps telling you is a big deal! 2) just stop and think before you just say stuff. 3) listen when people try to warn you to not do stupid things. Brynn is supposed to be a grown professional. Her personality reminds me of a whiny spoiled teenager.
Another thing I typically love is a dual POV, but I struggled with the way it was done in this book. It felt so choppy. The FMC POV is written in first person past tense and the MMC POV is written in third person past tense. Each chapter ends with someone laying out a truth bomb or an insult and then just cuts to the other person’s POV. I personally just would have liked to see an inner monologue reaction to those. Sometimes the writing did back track a little so that you can see that when the POV switched back but by then I had moved on from caring. The narrator was great but I think I would have liked it better if there was a male narrator for the male POVs
I’m giving it 3 stars because I think objectively, the book is fine. Subjectively from my own opinion, I didn’t like it.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I listened to it quickly, it wasn't bad. But it didn't have the effect of making me sit and listen to it. Nice enemies to lovers, nice grumpy&sunshine, but that's it - nice, but not special, which I wouldn't stop thinking about🫣
lighthearted
slow-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
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Kind of cute story, just fell a little flat. I didn’t feel much emotional depth from the characters. The “love story” just kind of bumped along awkwardly.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Genocide, Infidelity, Sexual content, Death of parent, War