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theeclecticreview's review
5.0
After having a dry spell with my TBR pile I finally found a fun grumpy/sunshine romance between a Navy SEAL single dad with a resting grump face and a recovering love junkie.
Dex's new next-door neighbor is blonde, beautiful, and way too young. He's a firefighter and a divorced single dad trying to raise his precocious young girls and appease his nagging ex-wife, so he has no time for a relationship. Try telling that to his daughters who have wheedled their way into the lovely neighbor's home and her heart. And try telling that to his libido which has him acting like a teenager.
Winnie watches the new hot single guy with the surly demeanor and his adorable daughters move in next door and she is intrigued. Being the naturally friendly person she is, she introduces herself and makes quick friends with the girls. Their dad, not so much. But what does she know? Winnie is not a good judge of character considering her ex-boyfriends and one fiance all dumped her. She's a hopeless romantic who doesn't know how to pace herself so she's made a bet with her best friend to not fall in love before Christmas. Sounds easy, right? Lady luck is not on her side.
I love when the hard-headed grouchy sailor falls hard and fast. He ends up being the one who can't control his feelings around Winnie who knows what she wants and has the confidence to back it up. I'm not an age gap fan especially when it's 12 years. However, the more they spend with each other, the more I like them together. There are many funny and very hot moments between these two. The smoke alarm incident is embarrassing and funny, and Winnie's seduction of Dex on the patio is smokin'. In addition, Dex's little girls, Hallie and Luna, are freakin' adorable with their early morning shit talk about their dad calling him hairy and a snoring ogre. And the swear box is a great idea because their dad, a former Navy SEAL, has a sailor's colorful vocabulary. There is some angst and denial of feelings as Winnie gets a job and moves away, but Dex finally realizes what he could lose and performs one of the funniest grand gestures gone awry that I've seen.
Dex and Winnie's friends and family are important in the story as they give support and advice to two people truly meant for each other. And I can't wait to read Ellie and Gianni's story which will be a hoot with all the hate vibes going on there.
If you love grumpy/sunshine stories with angst, off-the-charts chemistry, and endearing characters, give this book a try.
Dex's new next-door neighbor is blonde, beautiful, and way too young. He's a firefighter and a divorced single dad trying to raise his precocious young girls and appease his nagging ex-wife, so he has no time for a relationship. Try telling that to his daughters who have wheedled their way into the lovely neighbor's home and her heart. And try telling that to his libido which has him acting like a teenager.
Winnie watches the new hot single guy with the surly demeanor and his adorable daughters move in next door and she is intrigued. Being the naturally friendly person she is, she introduces herself and makes quick friends with the girls. Their dad, not so much. But what does she know? Winnie is not a good judge of character considering her ex-boyfriends and one fiance all dumped her. She's a hopeless romantic who doesn't know how to pace herself so she's made a bet with her best friend to not fall in love before Christmas. Sounds easy, right? Lady luck is not on her side.
I love when the hard-headed grouchy sailor falls hard and fast. He ends up being the one who can't control his feelings around Winnie who knows what she wants and has the confidence to back it up. I'm not an age gap fan especially when it's 12 years. However, the more they spend with each other, the more I like them together. There are many funny and very hot moments between these two. The smoke alarm incident is embarrassing and funny, and Winnie's seduction of Dex on the patio is smokin'. In addition, Dex's little girls, Hallie and Luna, are freakin' adorable with their early morning shit talk about their dad calling him hairy and a snoring ogre. And the swear box is a great idea because their dad, a former Navy SEAL, has a sailor's colorful vocabulary. There is some angst and denial of feelings as Winnie gets a job and moves away, but Dex finally realizes what he could lose and performs one of the funniest grand gestures gone awry that I've seen.
Dex and Winnie's friends and family are important in the story as they give support and advice to two people truly meant for each other. And I can't wait to read Ellie and Gianni's story which will be a hoot with all the hate vibes going on there.
If you love grumpy/sunshine stories with angst, off-the-charts chemistry, and endearing characters, give this book a try.
gigamight's review
1.0
I just could not deal with it. Anything that happens between the two main characters, they would then spend the next two or three chapters recounting those events between them to their respective friends and family members. Nothing of actual importance ever happens in this book. The girl, even when she’s with other characters, all they do is talk about the male lead, it’s like no one has anything substantial going on in their lives.
The books spends a lot of time discussing this new restaurant that’s opening and it didn’t make any sense to me. Then I realized it’s a set up for the next book. Then I was like God! Whatever. I’m done. Bye
The books spends a lot of time discussing this new restaurant that’s opening and it didn’t make any sense to me. Then I realized it’s a set up for the next book. Then I was like God! Whatever. I’m done. Bye
hayley8191's review
3.0
Dex was giving "man written by a man" vibes, which made it hard for me to really enjoy this one. I wanted to shake the stupid out of him SO often throughout. Halle, Luna, and Piglet really carried it for me
leothil's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nicole_w03's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
4.0
margaret03'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? It's complicated
5.0
lnhstewart's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was super cute. This was also my first Melanie Harlow book. Grumpy single dad who is a firefighter, yes please. The spice was good in the beginning but was fade to black towards the end. I wish wlit would have been like a tad bit more because then I felt like the ending was rushed after the 3rd act breakup.
The best part of the whole book was the bester with Luna and Hallie. Their conversations had me giggling at how ridiculous little kids are.
4.25/5 ⭐
The best part of the whole book was the bester with Luna and Hallie. Their conversations had me giggling at how ridiculous little kids are.
4.25/5 ⭐
0kokokay's review
4.0
Most of these types of book I read it is the most cliche stories with cliche arguments and immature characters. However, I think this book is the first I've read where it actually felt like a realistic storyline.
The "fallout" didn't seem rushed because the groundwork had been laid and it made sense for it not to work out while still rooting for it.
Also, all the characters felt adults in their opinions and actions. Like this didn't have the trope of ex's hating each other or trying to ruin the others happiness. It had adults dealing with the hurt of divorce and trying to deal with co-parenting in a respectful way for everyone. Also, looking at age difference while being respectful but also mentioning all the reasons why a relationship with a bigger age gap might not work.
I really liked this book icl
The "fallout" didn't seem rushed because the groundwork had been laid and it made sense for it not to work out while still rooting for it.
Also, all the characters felt adults in their opinions and actions. Like this didn't have the trope of ex's hating each other or trying to ruin the others happiness. It had adults dealing with the hurt of divorce and trying to deal with co-parenting in a respectful way for everyone. Also, looking at age difference while being respectful but also mentioning all the reasons why a relationship with a bigger age gap might not work.
I really liked this book icl