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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Back to September is a romance between a bookstore owner and a romance novelist. Sold!
Hannah owns a bookstore, has a small, close group of friends, and prefers spending the night in with her cats. Parker is a famous romance novelist and internet personality. When Parker does a book signing at Hannah's store, the two feel an immediate connection. Despite connecting romantically, the two begin a long-distance friendship that ultimately leads to more, enduring many ups and downs on the way.
I could really identify with Hannah (introverted book nerds, unite!), although I found Parker mildly irritating. The supporting characters were quirky and fabulously fleshed out.
This was an enjoyable romance that I couldn't stop reading!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the opportunity to read and review this title.
Hannah owns a bookstore, has a small, close group of friends, and prefers spending the night in with her cats. Parker is a famous romance novelist and internet personality. When Parker does a book signing at Hannah's store, the two feel an immediate connection. Despite connecting romantically, the two begin a long-distance friendship that ultimately leads to more, enduring many ups and downs on the way.
I could really identify with Hannah (introverted book nerds, unite!), although I found Parker mildly irritating. The supporting characters were quirky and fabulously fleshed out.
This was an enjoyable romance that I couldn't stop reading!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the opportunity to read and review this title.
Melissa Brayden has such a wonderful writing style. I really enjoy her way of writing in the first person to tell a story. Back to September is brilliant in the way the characters get together and battle different obstacles in their way to finally being together. Hannah owns a small-town bookstore in Providence. She isn't really into romance novels or romance at all for that matter, that is until one of her employees pushes her to feature Parker Bristow's newest release in the store window. Further conversations result in Hannah contacting Bristow's publicist about having her do a signing at the store. When the two meet, there is an automatic connection. Hannah's real-life romance novel has begun. Without spoiling the rest of the story, the couple goes through a lot of on-again, off-again moments in their relationship until they realize just how much in love they are and that they can't be apart.
There were times that I really didn't like Parker and the way she would put up walls to protect herself, even though it is a very real thing that is done in relationships. Hannah is just the sweetest character and I found myself engrossed in the story, wanting her to reach her HEA. I think a major plus of the novel is how it looks at an evolving relationship and the different stages, the difficulties that couples go through, and how they are able to work through those things and risk their hearts for the person that they can't live without.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the sweet romance between Hannah and Parker.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
There were times that I really didn't like Parker and the way she would put up walls to protect herself, even though it is a very real thing that is done in relationships. Hannah is just the sweetest character and I found myself engrossed in the story, wanting her to reach her HEA. I think a major plus of the novel is how it looks at an evolving relationship and the different stages, the difficulties that couples go through, and how they are able to work through those things and risk their hearts for the person that they can't live without.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the sweet romance between Hannah and Parker.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
emotional
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
This book was sadder than I expected but not in a bad way. I liked the characters and how different their problems were.
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Looking for a sort of fluffy, sort of emo sapphic romance?
This is that. It’s mostly lighthearted, and the MCs have a metric shit ton of chemistry. It’s not the most amazing romance novel, but it also mostly doesn’t suck. The secondary characters are pretty cute and charming in their own ways, and this could totally spawn an interconnected series of other queer stories. Basically this could be an R-rated Hallmark movie and it would fun and fine.
This is that. It’s mostly lighthearted, and the MCs have a metric shit ton of chemistry. It’s not the most amazing romance novel, but it also mostly doesn’t suck. The secondary characters are pretty cute and charming in their own ways, and this could totally spawn an interconnected series of other queer stories. Basically this could be an R-rated Hallmark movie and it would fun and fine.
4.5 stars
Hannah Shepard's current goal is to save her failing bookstore, so she hosts a book-signing with bestselling romance novelist Parker Bristow, despite not being a fan of the genre herself. Fan or no fan, sparks fly between the two of them. But Parker has misgivings of her own that might keep them from getting their happily ever after. Can Parker and Hannah beat the odds and stay together, or is that kind of love simply too good to be true?
Ahh! Okay, I need to gush for a bit. I almost always enjoy Melissa Brayden's books, but this one really hit the spot for me. This was so good. I was hooked from the moment Parker and Hannah met. The chemistry was off the charts. Okay, now on to the analysis:
Characters - Hannah is a really down-to-earth character, used to living an ordinary life, so when celebrity Parker Bristow takes an interest in her, it's hard for her to believe. And Parker, despite her current fame, had a rough upbringing which has caused her to shy away from deeper relationships with others. Although neither woman is a romantic, they hit it off immediately. Brayden does a great job of showcasing their instantaneous connection. I couldn't help but cheer for them all the way through. The story is told from Hannah's first-person POV, so we can really understand Hannah's conflicted feelings—in her doubts about and her draw to Parker.
I also like what Brayden did with the side characters. While they weren't totally fleshed out, they all added a little something to the story.
Writing - Yes! I can always count on Melissa Brayden to deliver quality writing. Everything flowed smoothly, the dialogue was witty and touching and heartbreaking and heartfelt.
Loss of .5 stars - If I could change anything at all, I'd wish for a bit more action in the storyline and more angst at the end, but that's just a matter of personal preference. (Don't worry, this book never drags, and it will still get to you emotionally.)
This was a really entertaining, really cute and sweet read. I would absolutely recommend.
*** I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***
Hannah Shepard's current goal is to save her failing bookstore, so she hosts a book-signing with bestselling romance novelist Parker Bristow, despite not being a fan of the genre herself. Fan or no fan, sparks fly between the two of them. But Parker has misgivings of her own that might keep them from getting their happily ever after. Can Parker and Hannah beat the odds and stay together, or is that kind of love simply too good to be true?
Ahh! Okay, I need to gush for a bit. I almost always enjoy Melissa Brayden's books, but this one really hit the spot for me. This was so good. I was hooked from the moment Parker and Hannah met. The chemistry was off the charts. Okay, now on to the analysis:
Characters - Hannah is a really down-to-earth character, used to living an ordinary life, so when celebrity Parker Bristow takes an interest in her, it's hard for her to believe. And Parker, despite her current fame, had a rough upbringing which has caused her to shy away from deeper relationships with others. Although neither woman is a romantic, they hit it off immediately. Brayden does a great job of showcasing their instantaneous connection. I couldn't help but cheer for them all the way through. The story is told from Hannah's first-person POV, so we can really understand Hannah's conflicted feelings—in her doubts about and her draw to Parker.
I also like what Brayden did with the side characters. While they weren't totally fleshed out, they all added a little something to the story.
Writing - Yes! I can always count on Melissa Brayden to deliver quality writing. Everything flowed smoothly, the dialogue was witty and touching and heartbreaking and heartfelt.
Loss of .5 stars - If I could change anything at all, I'd wish for a bit more action in the storyline and more angst at the end, but that's just a matter of personal preference. (Don't worry, this book never drags, and it will still get to you emotionally.)
This was a really entertaining, really cute and sweet read. I would absolutely recommend.
*** I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***
This book was not at all what I expected, and for a little bit there at the beginning, I didn't think it was going to work for me. But oh my, the angst! And the feels! By the end, I was ugly crying. Any book that can make me laugh and cry is an auto 5 star!
This was solidly sweet and a quick read. Not among my favs of Brayden’s I think, but a great time nonetheless.
I was expecting a cute, yet slightly ditzy lesbian love story. Instead I met two well-rounded, fleshed our characters with flaws and problems. I got all the angst and mixed up feelings, and boy I’m happy about that! Melissa Brayden is definitely my new favorite “lesfic” author!
Hannah Shephard owned a struggling bookstore and loved books but maybe not romance novels. When her employee Luna suggested having the famous romance author Parker Bristow hold a book signing at the bookstore as an attempt to save the shop, she reluctantly made the phone call to Bristow's publicist. To her surprise, Parker came. As Hannah and Parker got to know each other, they quickly became a little more than friends. Would their story turn out to be as incredible as Parker's romance books?
Hannah and Parker were great people, but their relationship was messy. Far from being straightforward and keeping things between them simple, they managed to avoid each other while also being unable to get each other out of their systems. The fact that their story was closely tied to the bookish world made it hard not to enjoy, and Back to September is officially my favorite Brayden books.
I loved their tension and vulnerabilities. Though the mishaps in this story were slightly too random for my taste and hence the loss of one star, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Hannah and Parker overcome their insecurities and follow their hearts. My heart ached with theirs.
All their conflicts and miscommunications were either misguided coping methods or honest mistakes. Nothing was too cringey and everything was relatable. Also, can I just give a shoutout to Hannah's amazing sister Bo? I always appreciate awesome secondary characters.
Back to September is a beautiful story of learning to trust each other despite a bumpy ride. And that I read this on leap day made it even better.
Hannah and Parker were great people, but their relationship was messy. Far from being straightforward and keeping things between them simple, they managed to avoid each other while also being unable to get each other out of their systems. The fact that their story was closely tied to the bookish world made it hard not to enjoy, and Back to September is officially my favorite Brayden books.
I loved their tension and vulnerabilities. Though the mishaps in this story were slightly too random for my taste and hence the loss of one star, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Hannah and Parker overcome their insecurities and follow their hearts. My heart ached with theirs.
“Matters of the heart are nothing to leave to chance. Gotta put some thought into it.” – Wally
All their conflicts and miscommunications were either misguided coping methods or honest mistakes. Nothing was too cringey and everything was relatable. Also, can I just give a shoutout to Hannah's amazing sister Bo? I always appreciate awesome secondary characters.
Back to September is a beautiful story of learning to trust each other despite a bumpy ride. And that I read this on leap day made it even better.