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kkomo's review
4.0
good story
I have very much love the shenanigans that the author creates in her worlds. It almost guarantees a pre-order purchase with every single one. However, the they/them element in this installment of the late trilogy was very hard to read.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have an issue with that element of our society. I think it’s awesome that every single person in this world can be represented in such a great fictional world. It’s just actually very difficult to read. I know Pippa has done her due diligence in researching how to write this sort of character and I have the upmost respect for that. However, it’s SO distracting to try to figure out who they’re talking about when it’s a they/them person versus a group of people. It’s just confusing as a reader, and it made the story much more stilted than the typical Pippaverse adventure. That said, I can’t wait to read Emma’s story.
Also: for Meghan Quinn fans: this winter, quaint locale of this story is SO reminiscent of Port Snow, it made me weirdly nostalgic for a fictional world.
I have very much love the shenanigans that the author creates in her worlds. It almost guarantees a pre-order purchase with every single one. However, the they/them element in this installment of the late trilogy was very hard to read.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have an issue with that element of our society. I think it’s awesome that every single person in this world can be represented in such a great fictional world. It’s just actually very difficult to read. I know Pippa has done her due diligence in researching how to write this sort of character and I have the upmost respect for that. However, it’s SO distracting to try to figure out who they’re talking about when it’s a they/them person versus a group of people. It’s just confusing as a reader, and it made the story much more stilted than the typical Pippaverse adventure. That said, I can’t wait to read Emma’s story.
Also: for Meghan Quinn fans: this winter, quaint locale of this story is SO reminiscent of Port Snow, it made me weirdly nostalgic for a fictional world.
jenjenbookfan's review against another edition
5.0
The Gossip and the Grump is Book 2 in the Three BFFs and a Wedding series by Pippa Grant, featuring a hilarious one-night stand to enemies to lovers rom-com. Sabrina was having a supremely bad night after a friend’s disastrous almost wedding and a torrent of drama, so why not enjoy a spicy one-night stand and ghost him afterwards? Too bad she didn’t know he was the guy who just bought her beloved family café with an eye for revenge. The pull between them is strong, but will that connection win out over the secrets and plotting?
This book was a blast from start to finish! I loved The Worst Wedding Date, so it was fun to revisit all these compelling characters and meet some new ones! I loved the witty and feisty banter between Sabrina and Grey, as well as the angsty tension that hovers over them as they linger in a state of slow burn passion. The twists and turns of the drama were entertaining, and the emotions of the various characters felt authentic. The small town vibe was top notch, thanks to the family-like atmosphere created by the townspeople! As a small town girl myself, I am hooked on this series, and can’t wait for Emma’s story! Kudos to the author for making Jitter the dog a central character! He stole my heart!
This book was a blast from start to finish! I loved The Worst Wedding Date, so it was fun to revisit all these compelling characters and meet some new ones! I loved the witty and feisty banter between Sabrina and Grey, as well as the angsty tension that hovers over them as they linger in a state of slow burn passion. The twists and turns of the drama were entertaining, and the emotions of the various characters felt authentic. The small town vibe was top notch, thanks to the family-like atmosphere created by the townspeople! As a small town girl myself, I am hooked on this series, and can’t wait for Emma’s story! Kudos to the author for making Jitter the dog a central character! He stole my heart!
kzimm2024's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars- some spoilers ahead
Unfortunately this was a hot mess, lots going on and clarity between scenes were missing- like how did she get to serving cocoa at a booth later with nothing to lead the scene in that direction?
And Zen is a great character but to identify as they/them- it became super distracting in the story switching scenes back and forth, not realizing who "they" was when in a crowd of people. It added to the chaos.
Not a lot of chemistry, not gonna lie. Grey was great in Hawaii and I think that if their ONS had not faded to black, we would have felt more of their chemistry and connection. But this fell flat for me. Its like the characters had to be "extra" when not everyone is a billionaire inventor obsessed with bee research, kombucha brewing and vengeance. He was a bit weak for me.
Highlights:
They connect over nerdiness:
“We’re in Hawaii. No state radii.”
“It extends beyond the ocean and wraps back around the other side of the world. Also, did you just say radii? That’s adorable."
-------------
Her eyes almost light up with amusement. Almost, but not quite. “You are trouble.”
“Not generally. This has to be you.”
While she’s clearly struggling, I’m smiling broadly. Odd sensation. My cheeks will probably hurt tomorrow.
-------------
I can think of four people back home I’d introduce him to if they didn’t care that I’d slept with him first. Except for the first time in years, the idea of introducing a guy that I had a short fling with to a friend actually makes me ragey.
And this is my rant- has the author ever snowshoed through a forest carrying a person on their back and their bags and the dog on a leash? No? Why write it like you know anything about it?
But apparently Grey can:
"And I could walk like this for days."
I highlighted that just so I could remember to rant about it later. I had to suspend WAY more belief than I was prepared to there as well as that ending in San Diego. Which was so cringey. I can't. Not interested in this series, what a shame since the first one was super enjoyable.
Unfortunately this was a hot mess, lots going on and clarity between scenes were missing- like how did she get to serving cocoa at a booth later with nothing to lead the scene in that direction?
And Zen is a great character but to identify as they/them- it became super distracting in the story switching scenes back and forth, not realizing who "they" was when in a crowd of people. It added to the chaos.
Not a lot of chemistry, not gonna lie. Grey was great in Hawaii and I think that if their ONS had not faded to black, we would have felt more of their chemistry and connection. But this fell flat for me. Its like the characters had to be "extra" when not everyone is a billionaire inventor obsessed with bee research, kombucha brewing and vengeance. He was a bit weak for me.
Highlights:
They connect over nerdiness:
“We’re in Hawaii. No state radii.”
“It extends beyond the ocean and wraps back around the other side of the world. Also, did you just say radii? That’s adorable."
-------------
Her eyes almost light up with amusement. Almost, but not quite. “You are trouble.”
“Not generally. This has to be you.”
While she’s clearly struggling, I’m smiling broadly. Odd sensation. My cheeks will probably hurt tomorrow.
-------------
I can think of four people back home I’d introduce him to if they didn’t care that I’d slept with him first. Except for the first time in years, the idea of introducing a guy that I had a short fling with to a friend actually makes me ragey.
And this is my rant- has the author ever snowshoed through a forest carrying a person on their back and their bags and the dog on a leash? No? Why write it like you know anything about it?
But apparently Grey can:
"And I could walk like this for days."
I highlighted that just so I could remember to rant about it later. I had to suspend WAY more belief than I was prepared to there as well as that ending in San Diego. Which was so cringey. I can't. Not interested in this series, what a shame since the first one was super enjoyable.
noveldefine's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The writing is so confusing. I found myself rereading paragraphs to fully understand what she was trying to say. Will I read the last book in the trilogy? Yes. Of course
cssquared's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rymendelsin's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mskrisreads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
kaydanielsromance's review
5.0
"'We can be friends who not-date together. Maybe naked sometimes.' I would absolutely not-date this woman nonstop for the next week if we could do it naked." -Grey
Sabrina and Grey meet in Hawaii where the disaster non-wedding occurs from book one. What's nice is you don't necessarily have to have read book one to catch up on everything that is happening in this book because Sabrina and Grey have their own storyline that take place back in Sabrina's hometown in Colorado. Excuse me...didn't I just say these two met in Hawaii!?! Yes, yes I did. Which, makes their meet-cute adorable, funny, and just a tad steamy all on it's own, but is also part of the tension and awkwardness when they meet once again back in cold Colorado. Hence...why their book is a complete standalone if you didn't get a chance to read Theo and Laney's book.
Sabrina who has sworn off gossiping and dating, still has this way of reading people. She's a bright light in the cold, wintry landscape and people just naturally flock to her, well...Grey can see why she sparkles and as much as he wants to be the villain it's really hard where she's concerned. Trust me, he wants to be bad, he's got a great villain name and everything and even a great villain backstory, because every villain has a backstory, right!?! But, do villain's get the girl...unless you are Megamind, probably not.
Sabrina and Grey have a ton of chemistry, I mean, they did hookup for a wild, passionate night in Hawaii. However, neither of them date and neither of them thought they'd see one another again, so awkward doesn't begin to describe Grey being Sabrina's new boss now that they are back in the cold climate of Colorado. All of this makes for great comedy as they constantly find themselves in precarious positions, their heat percolating right at the surface no matter how much they try to avoid the other. Everyone is there to help, even Sabrina's dog.
Jitter, a St. Bernard puppy-almost dog is the perfect example of helping in this love match. While Jitter belongs to Sabrina, from the first moment he meets Grey, the giant dog is in love. Jitter always seems to sense Grey's presence especially when Grey needs a doggie nuzzle the most, it just never fails to be in those moments when Sabrina's trying to avoid Grey altogether, that's exactly when Jitter makes a bee line straight over to the enemy. I'd say, smart dog.
Zen is another of my favorite characters, probably aside from the triplets, but Zen, is Grey's nibling assistant who is just amazing! I don't know what to say except I love just about everything they do and leave it at that!
If you get a chance and haven't read book one, The Worst Wedding Date, this book will certainly flow better with the secondary characters, but otherwise enjoy visiting Colorado.
Sabrina and Grey meet in Hawaii where the disaster non-wedding occurs from book one. What's nice is you don't necessarily have to have read book one to catch up on everything that is happening in this book because Sabrina and Grey have their own storyline that take place back in Sabrina's hometown in Colorado. Excuse me...didn't I just say these two met in Hawaii!?! Yes, yes I did. Which, makes their meet-cute adorable, funny, and just a tad steamy all on it's own, but is also part of the tension and awkwardness when they meet once again back in cold Colorado. Hence...why their book is a complete standalone if you didn't get a chance to read Theo and Laney's book.
Sabrina who has sworn off gossiping and dating, still has this way of reading people. She's a bright light in the cold, wintry landscape and people just naturally flock to her, well...Grey can see why she sparkles and as much as he wants to be the villain it's really hard where she's concerned. Trust me, he wants to be bad, he's got a great villain name and everything and even a great villain backstory, because every villain has a backstory, right!?! But, do villain's get the girl...unless you are Megamind, probably not.
Sabrina and Grey have a ton of chemistry, I mean, they did hookup for a wild, passionate night in Hawaii. However, neither of them date and neither of them thought they'd see one another again, so awkward doesn't begin to describe Grey being Sabrina's new boss now that they are back in the cold climate of Colorado. All of this makes for great comedy as they constantly find themselves in precarious positions, their heat percolating right at the surface no matter how much they try to avoid the other. Everyone is there to help, even Sabrina's dog.
Jitter, a St. Bernard puppy-almost dog is the perfect example of helping in this love match. While Jitter belongs to Sabrina, from the first moment he meets Grey, the giant dog is in love. Jitter always seems to sense Grey's presence especially when Grey needs a doggie nuzzle the most, it just never fails to be in those moments when Sabrina's trying to avoid Grey altogether, that's exactly when Jitter makes a bee line straight over to the enemy. I'd say, smart dog.
Zen is another of my favorite characters, probably aside from the triplets, but Zen, is Grey's nibling assistant who is just amazing! I don't know what to say except I love just about everything they do and leave it at that!
If you get a chance and haven't read book one, The Worst Wedding Date, this book will certainly flow better with the secondary characters, but otherwise enjoy visiting Colorado.