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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
The romance itself was fantastic, but Brayden's problems still bother me. The writing is stilted and too wordy, overly repetitive phrases, etc. I love Brayden's romances and I'll keep reading her stuff but wow I don't think I'll ever get over her style XD
3.5/5
This was a cute enough book but I just didn’t find myself invested in it.
This story centers around Hannah and Parker. Hannah owns a bookstore in Provincetown and the bookstore is dealing with some financial issues. She’s trying to keep her business afloat and one of her employees convinces her to give Parker’s romance books a shot as the display. She’s even convinced to apply to have Parker do a signing at her store and she’s shocked when they agree. Parker is a romance novelist, at the time only writing straight romances, and the two hit it off. It doesn’t take long for things to progress between the two and then the bumps begin to appear.
I liked Hannah throughout most of the book. I think the only part I didn’t like her was when she was wallowing and that’s more because I don’t always like to read wallowing characters. She’s determined and friendly and it’s so nice to read about someone who is trying so hard to keep their dream from sinking. I didn’t really like Parker though. She seems pretty nice to fans and friends and the like but when it comes to her being with Hannah, I couldn’t stand her. She seems flakey, ready to flee at the slightest sight of trouble, and it seems almost cruel. Brayden gave her a tragic background which could excuse some of her behavior but not all of it.
I liked when the two were just friends. It was light flirting but both of them were in other relationships. It worked nicely. Part of me was kind of hoping for a complete script change and for the two to end up just being friends while dating other people.
I didn’t much care for some of the drama that Brayden wrote in. The reconciliation between the two felt forced and their first meeting after the split just felt too coincidental to be even slightly realistic. The drama that caused the split felt the most realistic and I quite enjoyed it. I kind of wish it had dragged on longer, but it worked.
I realize that I’m mentioning a lot of negative things but there were things I enjoyed about the book. I love Hannah and her bookstore and her dedication to finding everyone their “perfect match” in a book. I love her coworkers and her sister. I love the customers who come into her store. I even liked Sheila. The writing is good and Hannah is genuinely a good character to follow, I just wish Parker had been the same.
I’ve read several Melissa Brayden books and this is the first time I can remember being disappointed by one. I had hoped for something more than what I had gotten and, while I was reading it, I found myself hoping for a non-HEA ending.
This was a cute enough book but I just didn’t find myself invested in it.
This story centers around Hannah and Parker. Hannah owns a bookstore in Provincetown and the bookstore is dealing with some financial issues. She’s trying to keep her business afloat and one of her employees convinces her to give Parker’s romance books a shot as the display. She’s even convinced to apply to have Parker do a signing at her store and she’s shocked when they agree. Parker is a romance novelist, at the time only writing straight romances, and the two hit it off. It doesn’t take long for things to progress between the two and then the bumps begin to appear.
I liked Hannah throughout most of the book. I think the only part I didn’t like her was when she was wallowing and that’s more because I don’t always like to read wallowing characters. She’s determined and friendly and it’s so nice to read about someone who is trying so hard to keep their dream from sinking. I didn’t really like Parker though. She seems pretty nice to fans and friends and the like but when it comes to her being with Hannah, I couldn’t stand her. She seems flakey, ready to flee at the slightest sight of trouble, and it seems almost cruel. Brayden gave her a tragic background which could excuse some of her behavior but not all of it.
I liked when the two were just friends. It was light flirting but both of them were in other relationships. It worked nicely. Part of me was kind of hoping for a complete script change and for the two to end up just being friends while dating other people.
I didn’t much care for some of the drama that Brayden wrote in. The reconciliation between the two felt forced and their first meeting after the split just felt too coincidental to be even slightly realistic. The drama that caused the split felt the most realistic and I quite enjoyed it. I kind of wish it had dragged on longer, but it worked.
I realize that I’m mentioning a lot of negative things but there were things I enjoyed about the book. I love Hannah and her bookstore and her dedication to finding everyone their “perfect match” in a book. I love her coworkers and her sister. I love the customers who come into her store. I even liked Sheila. The writing is good and Hannah is genuinely a good character to follow, I just wish Parker had been the same.
I’ve read several Melissa Brayden books and this is the first time I can remember being disappointed by one. I had hoped for something more than what I had gotten and, while I was reading it, I found myself hoping for a non-HEA ending.
I thought it was funny Melissa referring to romance books as formulaic when hers are exactly that. Frustratingly predictable. But I still thought this one was going to be different, as I always do when I start reading anything she writes. And this one sure felt different. They were texting and talking on the phone - shocker! There was something so good growing between them, it made me forget for a while who had written it, but was kindly reminded at the 74% mark (as usual). Why does something bad always has to happen so they can be happy later? Why can't a relationship just be good? This could easily have been a healing story for Parker, but instead she needed to go through pain and suffering again. That really bothers me when I pick up Melissa's books. I know there will be unnecessary suffering. It'll either be work/family/trust-related issues and 90% of the time it will happen because people choose not to talk to each other.
That being said...
This was wonderfully written. There was definitely something in there that I didn't see in her other books. Both main characters were likable and relatable (well, as relatable as a rich and famous romance writer can be). The passion felt different. The intimate moments were captured so well. This is definitely on my top 3 Melissa Brayden books.
4.5*
That being said...
This was wonderfully written. There was definitely something in there that I didn't see in her other books. Both main characters were likable and relatable (well, as relatable as a rich and famous romance writer can be). The passion felt different. The intimate moments were captured so well. This is definitely on my top 3 Melissa Brayden books.
4.5*
Okay, so I absolutely adored Beautiful Dreamer and was stoked to read Ms Brayden's newest book. I was expecting a wonderfully sweet and endearing slow burn romance with engaging characters, witty banter, small town shenanigans, Henley shirts - hell I was expecting sunshine and unicorns. What I got was ...angst. Gloriously heart-wrenching angst. The highs were euphoric and the lows were devastating. At points I had to put the book down and take a calming breath as the story unfolded.
Hannah Shepherd an independent bookstore owner who is struggling to keep her business afloat. When she has the opportunity to host a book signing by one of the top romance writers, she jumps at the chance to bring more clients despite the fact that she's a bit of a book snob who's never read a romance. Enter Parker Bristow, bestselling novelist, internet influencer and darling of the talk show circuit. Despite her fame, Parker is down-to-earth and charming. An easy rapport develops as she invites Hannah for dinner. There's a phenomenal chemistry between the two - physically and intellectually - and their attraction quickly escalates.
This is an on and off again romance - which totally cranks up the angst-o-meter. As a reader, you know that they belong together and the more they are apart the higher the frustration - dating other people or stupid insecurities just make you want to throttle them both. Call me a book nerd, but I found the scene where the two of them are relaxing on the couch reading their books almost as hot as the sex that happens soon after. So often romances are all about the physical attraction and there's not much time for talking or spending time outside the bedroom. The level of comfort and compatibility between Hannah and Parker just amps up the raw physical attraction that the two share.
The story is told from Hannah's first person POV and you get a front row seat to the gamut of emotions she experiences. Considering herself staid and boring - she's resolved to settle for a relationship based on friendship. With Parker, she's swept up in the intensity of the attraction and the brightly burning, all encompassing passion. Parker is bewildering and addictive - and despite the pain and betrayal Hannah's unable to resist the pull of the depth of her feelings for her.
After I read Back to September I was pretty much wrecked and had to take a few days to formulate my thoughts for my review. Once the angsty high that had completely sucked me into the book wore off, I began to have some misgivings with Parker and her actions. If I had been a character in the book, I probably would have offered to knock Parker around on Hannah's behalf. Okay, I probably would have given her a really stern glare - while her back was turned - and surreptitiously played "You're No Good" on constant repeat in the bookstore. I've gone back and forth on this - and what I've settled on is that Ms. Brayden is a talented writer who is able to completely bewitch her readers. On paper, Parker's actions were cowardly and callous and put Hannah through hell; but, in Ms. Brayden's book, it freaking worked.
Postscript: I haven't read a lot of Ms. Brayden's novels, but I did notice that a plot device used (twice) in Beautiful Dreamers was used in this book as well - I'm hoping that this is coincidence and not a signature plot device as its a pretty heavy handed way to get the MCs back together.
Definitely Recommended
Hannah Shepherd an independent bookstore owner who is struggling to keep her business afloat. When she has the opportunity to host a book signing by one of the top romance writers, she jumps at the chance to bring more clients despite the fact that she's a bit of a book snob who's never read a romance. Enter Parker Bristow, bestselling novelist, internet influencer and darling of the talk show circuit. Despite her fame, Parker is down-to-earth and charming. An easy rapport develops as she invites Hannah for dinner. There's a phenomenal chemistry between the two - physically and intellectually - and their attraction quickly escalates.
This is an on and off again romance - which totally cranks up the angst-o-meter. As a reader, you know that they belong together and the more they are apart the higher the frustration - dating other people or stupid insecurities just make you want to throttle them both. Call me a book nerd, but I found the scene where the two of them are relaxing on the couch reading their books almost as hot as the sex that happens soon after. So often romances are all about the physical attraction and there's not much time for talking or spending time outside the bedroom. The level of comfort and compatibility between Hannah and Parker just amps up the raw physical attraction that the two share.
The story is told from Hannah's first person POV and you get a front row seat to the gamut of emotions she experiences. Considering herself staid and boring - she's resolved to settle for a relationship based on friendship. With Parker, she's swept up in the intensity of the attraction and the brightly burning, all encompassing passion. Parker is bewildering and addictive - and despite the pain and betrayal Hannah's unable to resist the pull of the depth of her feelings for her.
After I read Back to September I was pretty much wrecked and had to take a few days to formulate my thoughts for my review. Once the angsty high that had completely sucked me into the book wore off, I began to have some misgivings with Parker and her actions. If I had been a character in the book, I probably would have offered to knock Parker around on Hannah's behalf. Okay, I probably would have given her a really stern glare - while her back was turned - and surreptitiously played "You're No Good" on constant repeat in the bookstore. I've gone back and forth on this - and what I've settled on is that Ms. Brayden is a talented writer who is able to completely bewitch her readers. On paper, Parker's actions were cowardly and callous and put Hannah through hell; but, in Ms. Brayden's book, it freaking worked.
Postscript: I haven't read a lot of Ms. Brayden's novels, but I did notice that a plot device used (twice) in Beautiful Dreamers was used in this book as well - I'm hoping that this is coincidence and not a signature plot device as its a pretty heavy handed way to get the MCs back together.
Definitely Recommended
When the bookshop owner Hannah hosts a book signing for romance novelists Parker, sparks begin to fly. They begin to discover new things about themselves and one another. But when things get serious, they wonder if the spark is enough.
Similar to Hannah's opinions on romance novels, I'm not big on the stereotypical romance stories. However, like Parker, Melissa Brayden's writing captivated me to not put this book down. The story is different than most lesbian romances and brings the characters to life.
Similar to Hannah's opinions on romance novels, I'm not big on the stereotypical romance stories. However, like Parker, Melissa Brayden's writing captivated me to not put this book down. The story is different than most lesbian romances and brings the characters to life.
Probably a 3.5 star read - solid, enjoyable, but not blowing me away - bumped up for taking some twists and turns I didn't see coming, and for a satisfying resolution to a dark moment I thought was going to be very hard to come back from. Made me crave a good glass of red wine, so if that's your thing i highly recommend having a bottle at hand...
My rating Back to September is partly a case of it's not the book, it's me, but some of it is actually the book. So, here's the thing, I don't read much romance. You know how Hannah is a cynic at the beginning of the book, yeah, that's me, all of the time. I don't get it. I love reading f/f fanfiction, the tropier, the better. I even used to read some hetero fanfiction. But for some reason, I cannot read contemporary romance unless it's YA (and even then, I only enjoy it because, most of the time, it has some epic familial angst. But I spend a lot of my time rolling my eyes at the romance). However, I was heading into reading slump territory and of the hundreds of books I own, not a one captured my fancy. That's where Back to September comes in.
This book sounded cute. I love me some bookish heroines and this seemed seasonally appropriate (kind of), so I thought 'why not?' And it was fine. If I was a romance reader, I might even say it's good. But kudos to this book, because it's the first non-YA romance that I've actually made it through in it's entirety. So, that's good. Again, a lot of me not loving it is because I don't typically like romance, but I liked some of this. I loved that 90% of the characters were queer. I LOVED Luna. I loved the bookstore premise. I liked some of the angst.
But I also felt like the characters needed to be fleshed out more. You get to know a few things about Parker, very few things about Hannah, and the rest of the characters you don't really know anything about. I also felt like a lot of Back to September was melodramatic and I can't really handle that. I LOVE angst, but hate melodrama. But the biggest thing that bothered me was the insane breach of ethics that happened. I'm a therapist and I would NEVER hook up with a client. Not only is it unethical, but it's illegal in most states. I'm pretty sure Hannah's sister would be disbarred in the "real world." No, seriously. I wtf-ed all over that plot point.
Anyway, so yeah, Back to September was enjoyable. I do think that actual romance readers would like it more than I would, though I liked it fine. I could see myself picking up more of Melissa Brayden's books in the future and I can see myself picking up more f/f in the future.
This book sounded cute. I love me some bookish heroines and this seemed seasonally appropriate (kind of), so I thought 'why not?' And it was fine. If I was a romance reader, I might even say it's good. But kudos to this book, because it's the first non-YA romance that I've actually made it through in it's entirety. So, that's good. Again, a lot of me not loving it is because I don't typically like romance, but I liked some of this. I loved that 90% of the characters were queer. I LOVED Luna. I loved the bookstore premise. I liked some of the angst.
But I also felt like the characters needed to be fleshed out more. You get to know a few things about Parker, very few things about Hannah, and the rest of the characters you don't really know anything about. I also felt like a lot of Back to September was melodramatic and I can't really handle that. I LOVE angst, but hate melodrama. But the biggest thing that bothered me was the insane breach of ethics that happened. I'm a therapist and I would NEVER hook up with a client. Not only is it unethical, but it's illegal in most states. I'm pretty sure Hannah's sister would be disbarred in the "real world." No, seriously. I wtf-ed all over that plot point.
Anyway, so yeah, Back to September was enjoyable. I do think that actual romance readers would like it more than I would, though I liked it fine. I could see myself picking up more of Melissa Brayden's books in the future and I can see myself picking up more f/f in the future.
I had the same problem with this as I did with [b:Casting Lacey|37765959|Casting Lacey|Elle Spencer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1514551053l/37765959._SY75_.jpg|59400144], which I read a few months ago: after a certain point of the main characters hurting each other, I just can't root for their relationship, which is kind of the whole point of romance. I really enjoyed Hannah and Parker's relationship a the beginning, and even up until Parker left Hannah in the hospital . But after that, it just really seemed to me like they should move on from each other. This book was also a lot darker in places than I was expecting, which was kind of jarring at times.
CW: violent physical assault, hospitalization, discussion of past child neglect, missing person, mentions of domestic violence
CW: violent physical assault, hospitalization, discussion of past child neglect, missing person, mentions of domestic violence
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes