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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
Listen this book is fantastic! Give me more books with heroes like these who are charming, sensitive and communicative. Imma eat it up! I also want to say I LOVE THIS BACKGROUND CHOICE FOR THE HERO. GIVE ME MORE PEOPLE CHANGING THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES (sometimes with the help of friends & family) AND FINDING LOVE. I AM OBSESSED!
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:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I dove into this book because I wanted a lighthearted escape from reality, and just wanted a good ride. I got that, and it was enjoyable...
But it loses points because the lead character, whom I was loving due to her sense of business, leadership, and dedication to her father's memory suddenly made a decision that was pure "overemotional woman" trope and not in line with any of the character traits previously conveyed. It made me frustrated that the choice was out-of-character and felt dropped in to create conflict because the author didn't know how to get it any other way.
I know I shouldn't have expected more from a sweet romance, but I felt like it was a cheap trope that didn't need to be there.
But it loses points because the lead character, whom I was loving due to her sense of business, leadership, and dedication to her father's memory suddenly made a decision that was pure "overemotional woman" trope and not in line with any of the character traits previously conveyed. It made me frustrated that the choice was out-of-character and felt dropped in to create conflict because the author didn't know how to get it any other way.
I know I shouldn't have expected more from a sweet romance, but I felt like it was a cheap trope that didn't need to be there.
fast-paced
fast-paced
I loved loved loved this book! MCs were late 40s and early 50s. Ex-grunge rocker and drug addict with a heart of gold and doing everything to turn his past around to help other ex-addicts. She's a ski resort princess in financial distress who takes a chance on hiring ex-addicts to help get her resort back to its former glory.
The perfect book when you're snowed in and need to by cozied up by a fire with a cup of cocoa.
I honestly want to re-read this every year.
The perfect book when you're snowed in and need to by cozied up by a fire with a cup of cocoa.
I honestly want to re-read this every year.
4.5 stars rounded up for all the feelings
Come as You Are is a romance with somewhat older than typical main characters (the h is 46 and the H is 53). More importantly though, it's a romance that focuses on character development, growth, redemption, and emotional elements I can't put into words. This story wasn't perfect, but it touched my heart, while also having some hilarious moments and bringing some major heat. Ashley (h) is the owner of a failing ski hill. She's divorced, has a contentious relationship with her mother, her daughter is away at college, and her ex is trying to buy out her business to bring it under a giant conglomerate. Ashley has some flaws and internal fears, but she grows significantly throughout the book. Madigan (H) arrives in the picture when Ashley's mom suggests that Ashley hire the residents of his sober living house to work on the mountain. Madigan's an ex-con, ex-rock star, and generally amazing man who's put in the work to better himself following his own addictions and now works with recovering addicts to try and help others. He also has his flaws and insecurities, mainly surrounding new opportunities and the new feelings Ashley inspires that make him worry about losing control.
This book heavily features themes of recovering addiction. I cannot stress that enough that even though the characters are currently in recovery, there are mentions of past troubles, everyday struggles, concerns about new situations arising, and fears about relapse. None of these consume the story, I'd argue that they enhance it because the story felt fuller with this particular aspect, but addiction recovery in the real world is a major plot line. This particular group is overall positive and doing well though.
Written in third person, dual POV. No ow drama and slight om drama from the ex who does want the h back (she would never). Neither are virgins and both have been celibate for years. I did not love how sometimes comparisons to their pasts would be brought up, like h thinking about her ex (in a negative way) in comparison to H while they were getting frisky. The H also was a manwhore while he was in his rockstar phase and doing drugs/alcohol. I didn't mind this because it was very clear that he had a lot of regrets over his past lifestyle, he hated that he couldn't remember everything he'd done, and his whole life was different than who he used to be. He still had a couple of thoughts, like the h, that I wished hadn't been there, but ultimately didn't impact my overall enjoyment or their relationship. The h is very understanding of how past-Madigan is not present-Madigan.
Madigan and Ashley have insta-chemistry and attraction, but it's a slow burn into physical and emotional intimacy, which they talk about. They're not always the best at communicating all of their feelings throughout the book, but there are some complicated emotions and situations that arise and I loved how emotions were addressed and felt. There are tears shed by both Madigan and Ashley at different points. Emotions running high and having to keep a pulse on them is true for the group of men as well, who have group time and have to work one-on-one at times. They do snowga (snow yoga) at one point. There was a deep vein of feelings involved in the story for not just the main characters but also the side characters. It wasn't just feelings though. I loved all the details of how Ashley and the men worked on the ski hill. She had to teach some of them to ski and the men thrived in the outdoor environment and doing hard work. Madigan worked with Ashley's rescue dog, who'd failed at rescue training, and was forced to learn to ski as well, which brought them closer together.
Both Ashley and Madigan had concerns about their attraction and feelings for each other. It felt very relatable to see these characters wade through their personal frustrations and fears, but come out the other side and choosing to trust themselves and each other. They have some very cute and sweet moments too showing how much the other one means to them and offering support. As Ashley and Madigan pursued their interest for each other, this book gets very steamy. I don't even remember how many steamy scenes there are but even though they happen after the 50% mark (I think), there are several.
Conflict-wise, drama happens from a couple of different sources, but the source of conflict comes from Ashley's ex's pursuit of buying the mountain from her. Some of these details didn't make sense to me honestly and felt forced at times or contrived. Interpersonal drama and conflicts are also part of the story related to the main characters' pasts, the men's histories and Ashley's family. Some of the smaller moments of conflict were painful to read, but they also made sense given the characters. I didn't always agree with what characters were choosing to do and sometimes I was internally yelling at someone or begging someone not to do something. I loved Ashley's daughter and I wonder since this is the first book in the series if the daughter will also get a book. Ashley's mother was not a character I liked, not even by the end. I also loved every single one of Madigan's men that were featured, their struggles and worries and camaraderie with each other. Madigan has a support system of his own and the calls he has with his dad were amazing. I could feel the love and wisdom flowing, it made me miss my mom.
By the end of the book, all the major plot lines and minor threads were tied up and there was a great sense of satisfaction for these characters. I was so happy for them at the end. I'm kind of teary typing that, which isn't the first time I got teary during this story, I cried multiple times. I think it was a HEA ending where it was established that Madigan and Ashley were in love and together, and making big plans for the future. The author offers a bonus epilogue at the end as well, that is steamy, but may be further into the future. I liked where this left off and also how it allows for stories to continue for potentially future main characters. I would absolutely recommend this, just be prepared to go through all the feels.
Come as You Are is a romance with somewhat older than typical main characters (the h is 46 and the H is 53). More importantly though, it's a romance that focuses on character development, growth, redemption, and emotional elements I can't put into words. This story wasn't perfect, but it touched my heart, while also having some hilarious moments and bringing some major heat. Ashley (h) is the owner of a failing ski hill. She's divorced, has a contentious relationship with her mother, her daughter is away at college, and her ex is trying to buy out her business to bring it under a giant conglomerate. Ashley has some flaws and internal fears, but she grows significantly throughout the book. Madigan (H) arrives in the picture when Ashley's mom suggests that Ashley hire the residents of his sober living house to work on the mountain. Madigan's an ex-con, ex-rock star, and generally amazing man who's put in the work to better himself following his own addictions and now works with recovering addicts to try and help others. He also has his flaws and insecurities, mainly surrounding new opportunities and the new feelings Ashley inspires that make him worry about losing control.
This book heavily features themes of recovering addiction. I cannot stress that enough that even though the characters are currently in recovery, there are mentions of past troubles, everyday struggles, concerns about new situations arising, and fears about relapse. None of these consume the story, I'd argue that they enhance it because the story felt fuller with this particular aspect, but addiction recovery in the real world is a major plot line. This particular group is overall positive and doing well though.
Written in third person, dual POV. No ow drama and slight om drama from the ex who does want the h back (she would never). Neither are virgins and both have been celibate for years. I did not love how sometimes comparisons to their pasts would be brought up, like h thinking about her ex (in a negative way) in comparison to H while they were getting frisky. The H also was a manwhore while he was in his rockstar phase and doing drugs/alcohol. I didn't mind this because it was very clear that he had a lot of regrets over his past lifestyle, he hated that he couldn't remember everything he'd done, and his whole life was different than who he used to be. He still had a couple of thoughts, like the h, that I wished hadn't been there, but ultimately didn't impact my overall enjoyment or their relationship. The h is very understanding of how past-Madigan is not present-Madigan.
Madigan and Ashley have insta-chemistry and attraction, but it's a slow burn into physical and emotional intimacy, which they talk about. They're not always the best at communicating all of their feelings throughout the book, but there are some complicated emotions and situations that arise and I loved how emotions were addressed and felt. There are tears shed by both Madigan and Ashley at different points. Emotions running high and having to keep a pulse on them is true for the group of men as well, who have group time and have to work one-on-one at times. They do snowga (snow yoga) at one point. There was a deep vein of feelings involved in the story for not just the main characters but also the side characters. It wasn't just feelings though. I loved all the details of how Ashley and the men worked on the ski hill. She had to teach some of them to ski and the men thrived in the outdoor environment and doing hard work. Madigan worked with Ashley's rescue dog, who'd failed at rescue training, and was forced to learn to ski as well, which brought them closer together.
Both Ashley and Madigan had concerns about their attraction and feelings for each other. It felt very relatable to see these characters wade through their personal frustrations and fears, but come out the other side and choosing to trust themselves and each other. They have some very cute and sweet moments too showing how much the other one means to them and offering support. As Ashley and Madigan pursued their interest for each other, this book gets very steamy. I don't even remember how many steamy scenes there are but even though they happen after the 50% mark (I think), there are several.
Conflict-wise, drama happens from a couple of different sources, but the source of conflict comes from Ashley's ex's pursuit of buying the mountain from her. Some of these details didn't make sense to me honestly and felt forced at times or contrived. Interpersonal drama and conflicts are also part of the story related to the main characters' pasts, the men's histories and Ashley's family. Some of the smaller moments of conflict were painful to read, but they also made sense given the characters. I didn't always agree with what characters were choosing to do and sometimes I was internally yelling at someone or begging someone not to do something. I loved Ashley's daughter and I wonder since this is the first book in the series if the daughter will also get a book. Ashley's mother was not a character I liked, not even by the end. I also loved every single one of Madigan's men that were featured, their struggles and worries and camaraderie with each other. Madigan has a support system of his own and the calls he has with his dad were amazing. I could feel the love and wisdom flowing, it made me miss my mom.
By the end of the book, all the major plot lines and minor threads were tied up and there was a great sense of satisfaction for these characters. I was so happy for them at the end. I'm kind of teary typing that, which isn't the first time I got teary during this story, I cried multiple times. I think it was a HEA ending where it was established that Madigan and Ashley were in love and together, and making big plans for the future. The author offers a bonus epilogue at the end as well, that is steamy, but may be further into the future. I liked where this left off and also how it allows for stories to continue for potentially future main characters. I would absolutely recommend this, just be prepared to go through all the feels.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated