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theeclecticreview's review against another edition
5.0
I can always count on Jennifer Millikin to give me a range of emotions while reading her books and this one is no exception. I adore Jake and Colbie's story. It's so raw and tangible as it explores parenthood, blended families, and feeling like you belong.
Colbie Jones is a successful businesswoman who co-owns a number of dance studios with her best friend. She has a tolerable relationship with her manipulative and bitter mother. She's been dumped by a cheating boyfriend. And she has agreed to run her estranged father's construction company while he recovers from an accident on the job. She's always felt betrayed by her loving dad when he left her behind and started a new family, but she's ready to start a new leaf at the expense of her mother's wrath and her dad's grumpy and tempting foreman, Jake. Can she protect her heart from more hurt and the least amount of awful?
Jake Whittier is a single dad to a wonderful kid and the foreman for Jones Construction. Emmett Jones, owner of Jones Construction who helped him out many years ago. Jake would do anything for Emmett so when Emmett was injured on the job and decided to put his daughter in charge, it hurt, but he went with it. After all, the feisty attractive woman was bound to choke because what did she know about construction?
There is so much emotion in this book from Colbie's daddy abandonment issues to Jake's insecurities about making the right choices for his adorable son, Robbie. To say nothing of Colbie's dad, Emmett, who clearly adores his oldest daughter, but has a hard time convincing her of that. The characters in this book are people I would love to be friends with. Colbie is so selfless and kind and she has a wicked sense of humor. My heart broke for both Colbie and her dad when she finally talked with him about her feelings of not being enough for him. And let's not forget Colbie'ssacrifice for Jake and Robbie...it was the most selfless and giving thing anyone could do for someone they loved unconditionally. Jake has had much heartache in his life with a beloved father who fell on hard times and died, as well as Jake raising a newborn baby by himself at the tender age of twenty-one years old after the mother walked out on them. What I loved most about Jake was his relationship with Robbie. My heart burst with the way he would drop Robbie off at school and hope his son would turn and wave just one more time. Sigh! What an awesome dad. As for Colbie and Jake's chemistry? It's off the charts with their hilarious and sexy verbal banter and their stolen moments because, well,...single dad.
The growth of the characters in this book is profound. Colbie's courage to finally face her feelings for her dad is notable. Jake faces his past with the help of Colbie. And Colbie's sweet dad, Emmett, makes amends with Colbie by owning his mistakes.
I loved Emmett. I teared up more than once while he worked so hard to show Colbie he loved her. Colbie's best friend Christina is so supportive as she battles her own personal issues. Victoria, Colbie's stepmom gets a bad rap at first, but she bonds with Colbie over Emmett's health issues. Colbie's half-sister Greer is a good catalyst to bring her family closer. My favorite character though is the charming and precocious Robbie who, with some ingenuity and matchmaking skills, steals the show.
I am so delighted to recommend this breathtaking romance that will make you laugh, cry, and seriously not want it to end. Pick it up, you won't be disappointed.
Thank you to Ms. Millikin for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Colbie Jones is a successful businesswoman who co-owns a number of dance studios with her best friend. She has a tolerable relationship with her manipulative and bitter mother. She's been dumped by a cheating boyfriend. And she has agreed to run her estranged father's construction company while he recovers from an accident on the job. She's always felt betrayed by her loving dad when he left her behind and started a new family, but she's ready to start a new leaf at the expense of her mother's wrath and her dad's grumpy and tempting foreman, Jake. Can she protect her heart from more hurt and the least amount of awful?
Jake Whittier is a single dad to a wonderful kid and the foreman for Jones Construction. Emmett Jones, owner of Jones Construction who helped him out many years ago. Jake would do anything for Emmett so when Emmett was injured on the job and decided to put his daughter in charge, it hurt, but he went with it. After all, the feisty attractive woman was bound to choke because what did she know about construction?
There is so much emotion in this book from Colbie's daddy abandonment issues to Jake's insecurities about making the right choices for his adorable son, Robbie. To say nothing of Colbie's dad, Emmett, who clearly adores his oldest daughter, but has a hard time convincing her of that. The characters in this book are people I would love to be friends with. Colbie is so selfless and kind and she has a wicked sense of humor. My heart broke for both Colbie and her dad when she finally talked with him about her feelings of not being enough for him. And let's not forget Colbie'ssacrifice for Jake and Robbie...it was the most selfless and giving thing anyone could do for someone they loved unconditionally. Jake has had much heartache in his life with a beloved father who fell on hard times and died, as well as Jake raising a newborn baby by himself at the tender age of twenty-one years old after the mother walked out on them. What I loved most about Jake was his relationship with Robbie. My heart burst with the way he would drop Robbie off at school and hope his son would turn and wave just one more time. Sigh! What an awesome dad. As for Colbie and Jake's chemistry? It's off the charts with their hilarious and sexy verbal banter and their stolen moments because, well,...single dad.
The growth of the characters in this book is profound. Colbie's courage to finally face her feelings for her dad is notable. Jake faces his past with the help of Colbie. And Colbie's sweet dad, Emmett, makes amends with Colbie by owning his mistakes.
I loved Emmett. I teared up more than once while he worked so hard to show Colbie he loved her. Colbie's best friend Christina is so supportive as she battles her own personal issues. Victoria, Colbie's stepmom gets a bad rap at first, but she bonds with Colbie over Emmett's health issues. Colbie's half-sister Greer is a good catalyst to bring her family closer. My favorite character though is the charming and precocious Robbie who, with some ingenuity and matchmaking skills, steals the show.
I am so delighted to recommend this breathtaking romance that will make you laugh, cry, and seriously not want it to end. Pick it up, you won't be disappointed.
Thank you to Ms. Millikin for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
lindellions's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
3.75
I can't pinpoint what exactly didn't work for me here. The last 80% of this felt really, really rushed. I appreciated the way family dynamics were looked out but it pisses me off that Colbie's mom wasn't even confronted about all her bullshit. I don't know, I'm not as forgiving as Jake or Colbie
moonieals's review against another edition
2.75
2.7 stars. It was kinda boring? I was expecting a lot more because everyone keeps comparing it to The Simple Wild. I thought it was too tropey. It didn’t hit like it should’ve. But I enjoyed it at times, especially the father/daughter moments.
largessofliterature's review
4.5
You think it’s a cute little romance book and then you find yourself tearing up constantly through the last 100 pages. 🙄
sambailey96's review
5.0
I have no words for how much I loved this book. It was pure perfection. Colbie and Jake’s love, their love for Robbie, and what Colbie did for Jake and Robbie ugh I can’t
1bookobsessionconfessions's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a beautifully written, emotional story that explores the complexity of parents & children’s relationships.
maddypaiger's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
jejeshere_'s review against another edition
4.0
4⭐️
My first Jennifer Millikan novel, and now I'm a fan! The Least Amount Of Awful was a slow-burning tale with the cutest kid that was incredibly emotional, passionate, warm, and heartbreaking.
Within the first few chapters, I was hooked. Their story was heartfelt and beautifully written. Some of my favorite tropes are in this book, and they were all executed really well. Although I've read stories like this before, this felt refreshing and was really enjoyable. All of the individuals were wonderful.
Colbie and Jake were a perfect match because they talked openly about how to solve problems, recognized each other's strengths and weaknesses, and sacrificed their own desires to put each other's accomplishments first. Robbie was the perfect final touch to their relationship.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, , and I really hope this turns into a series of interconnected standalone books. Can't wait for Georgia and Rhodes book!
Thank you Jennifer Millikin and Valentine PR for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
My first Jennifer Millikan novel, and now I'm a fan! The Least Amount Of Awful was a slow-burning tale with the cutest kid that was incredibly emotional, passionate, warm, and heartbreaking.
Within the first few chapters, I was hooked. Their story was heartfelt and beautifully written. Some of my favorite tropes are in this book, and they were all executed really well. Although I've read stories like this before, this felt refreshing and was really enjoyable. All of the individuals were wonderful.
Colbie and Jake were a perfect match because they talked openly about how to solve problems, recognized each other's strengths and weaknesses, and sacrificed their own desires to put each other's accomplishments first. Robbie was the perfect final touch to their relationship.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, , and I really hope this turns into a series of interconnected standalone books. Can't wait for Georgia and Rhodes book!
Thank you Jennifer Millikin and Valentine PR for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
niniwags's review against another edition
5.0
I stayed up way too late to finish this book but it was SOOOO worth it!!
It’s so much more than a love story between Jake and Colbie. It’s about learning to love yourself and realizing that things aren’t always what you believed them to be. Robbie is absolutely adorable!!
And I loved the Easter Eggs with The Hayden’s!!
It’s so much more than a love story between Jake and Colbie. It’s about learning to love yourself and realizing that things aren’t always what you believed them to be. Robbie is absolutely adorable!!
And I loved the Easter Eggs with The Hayden’s!!