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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was very pleasant and mature. It was well-written and engaging.
I didn't always want to read it, it's not that there wasn't drama but it was a book of people who knew who they were and well on their way to communication nirvana (heh).
I loved the Gen X-y ness of it all, but I always like to remind people grunge existed because of greedy establishment assholes. So what Hardy did here against selling out to corporate real estate was fitting. I look forward to reading more of her books, since she treats her characters with such respect and such a smooth read overall.
I didn't always want to read it, it's not that there wasn't drama but it was a book of people who knew who they were and well on their way to communication nirvana (heh).
I loved the Gen X-y ness of it all, but I always like to remind people grunge existed because of greedy establishment assholes. So what Hardy did here against selling out to corporate real estate was fitting. I look forward to reading more of her books, since she treats her characters with such respect and such a smooth read overall.
Heart wrenching, steamy, emotional and beautifully written. Come as you are had me completely invested in Ashley and Madigan’s stories. This book addresses some really heavy and complicating topics like grief and addiction but does so wonderfully.
If you’re looking for a heartfelt read about overcoming struggles, finding a second chance at love, becoming confident with yourself and just so happens to be full of 80s references I highly recommend this book!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Pinkity Publishing, and the author for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!
If you’re looking for a heartfelt read about overcoming struggles, finding a second chance at love, becoming confident with yourself and just so happens to be full of 80s references I highly recommend this book!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Pinkity Publishing, and the author for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!
Mad About This
Amazing Story full of second chances, bitter exes, and hearty romances.
Our FMC - Ashley - is trying to keep her families legacy afloat and is not doing so well. She has a few icy hurdles and rickety lifts to maneuver in order to come out on top, securing the much deserved second chance, not only for her.
Our MMC - Madigan - is in the middle of writing his own second chance while juggling the additional chances of a group of men who are all in recovery. That in & of itself is quite the delicate situation.
But the strength & power that the author wrote on these pages, as the two worlds collided, was truly beautiful.
Amazing Story full of second chances, bitter exes, and hearty romances.
Our FMC - Ashley - is trying to keep her families legacy afloat and is not doing so well. She has a few icy hurdles and rickety lifts to maneuver in order to come out on top, securing the much deserved second chance, not only for her.
Our MMC - Madigan - is in the middle of writing his own second chance while juggling the additional chances of a group of men who are all in recovery. That in & of itself is quite the delicate situation.
But the strength & power that the author wrote on these pages, as the two worlds collided, was truly beautiful.
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gen X isn’t the only generation going wild for this book…
I absolutely adored this book! Matthew Madigan is ::chef’s kiss::, and Ashley Cooke is the ski lodge owner I never dreamed I’d be able to relate to? When do I get to go to Bluebird Basin?
Jess K. Hardy certainly didn’t hold back with this steamy romance, and I can’t wait (I guess I have to) for her next book so I can come home to these characters.
I absolutely adored this book! Matthew Madigan is ::chef’s kiss::, and Ashley Cooke is the ski lodge owner I never dreamed I’d be able to relate to? When do I get to go to Bluebird Basin?
Jess K. Hardy certainly didn’t hold back with this steamy romance, and I can’t wait (I guess I have to) for her next book so I can come home to these characters.
*I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This was a fabulous book! A later-in-life romance between two people who have experienced the worst that life has to offer and still choose to face each day with love. I adored our two MCs, especially Madigan who absolutely won my heart. There were a lot of heavy themes in this book, but what I loved most was how much optimism there was. There were also some fantastic 'real' moments that this book didn't shy away from, which in the end made everything feel more realistic.
I'm really looking forward to the next books in this series, I'm hoping we see some of the side characters from this book get their own HEAs.
This was a fabulous book! A later-in-life romance between two people who have experienced the worst that life has to offer and still choose to face each day with love. I adored our two MCs, especially Madigan who absolutely won my heart. There were a lot of heavy themes in this book, but what I loved most was how much optimism there was. There were also some fantastic 'real' moments that this book didn't shy away from, which in the end made everything feel more realistic.
I'm really looking forward to the next books in this series, I'm hoping we see some of the side characters from this book get their own HEAs.
4/5 stars!
Come As You Are is an emotional, inspiring romance novel about love, forgiving yourself, and second chances.
Ashley is stressed and heartbroken and above all, trying her best. After inheriting a ski hill from her father, Ashley finds herself at odds with her ex-husband as she tries to make sure her small, local ski hill can compete with the commercial hill he manages. She finds the answers to her problems in the most unexpected of places.
Mad Madigan, or Matthew, is a former rock star turned sober living manager. As part of their reintroduction to society, his men need to find work and what could be better than spending their days outside on a ski hill?
I absolutely loved the way this book portrayed the painful reality of addiction and the road to recovery. There is still an incredible stigma around addiction, and Hardy did a great job humanizing the disease.
Read Come As You Are for:
- an "older" FMC + MMC (upper 40s - lower 50s)
- excellent communication
- 2/5 peppers of spicy content
- a lovable rescue dog
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Come As You Are is an emotional, inspiring romance novel about love, forgiving yourself, and second chances.
Ashley is stressed and heartbroken and above all, trying her best. After inheriting a ski hill from her father, Ashley finds herself at odds with her ex-husband as she tries to make sure her small, local ski hill can compete with the commercial hill he manages. She finds the answers to her problems in the most unexpected of places.
Mad Madigan, or Matthew, is a former rock star turned sober living manager. As part of their reintroduction to society, his men need to find work and what could be better than spending their days outside on a ski hill?
I absolutely loved the way this book portrayed the painful reality of addiction and the road to recovery. There is still an incredible stigma around addiction, and Hardy did a great job humanizing the disease.
Read Come As You Are for:
- an "older" FMC + MMC (upper 40s - lower 50s)
- excellent communication
- 2/5 peppers of spicy content
- a lovable rescue dog
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use
Ashley is the owner of Bluebird Basin ski resort. The resort is on its last legs and she may have to sell to her cheating ex, Chuck. Ashley finds out that her impractical mom signed a contract for the men from Little Timber sober living to start working for the resort at a cheap price for the season. Ashley is furious that her mom hired people with criminal records with very little ski experience. The "Boss" of Little Timber is ex-con, recovering addict, Matthew Madigan. Ashley is intrigued by Madigan and him by her, what they don't expect is the spark to fly between each other.
This story is a second chance at new love, but more than that, it is about believing in yourself enough to take the leap into love after past choices made you doubt yourself. Madigan and Ashley had such a wonderful, tender relationship. They both battled their own demons and own worries, and even when they thought of letting them win, they prevailed and fell in love. Also, three cheers for an author that gives a man real emotions. Madigan laughed and cried, and it was wonderful! These characters were also older characters (late 40s, early 50s) and there just aren't enough romance books about middle aged men and women, I loved that!
I loved the ski resort setting and even more I loved the men from Little Timber sober living. The author gave all the characters such real and vibrant back stories. I found myself laughing with them and crying with them. I was worried there would be shaming of criminal backgrounds and addiction, but the author dealt with these storyline respectfully and honestly. This is not often seen in novels and I appreciated it.
This was my first Jess K. Hardy book, but I do look forward to checking more out in the future! Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing Co-op for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.
This story is a second chance at new love, but more than that, it is about believing in yourself enough to take the leap into love after past choices made you doubt yourself. Madigan and Ashley had such a wonderful, tender relationship. They both battled their own demons and own worries, and even when they thought of letting them win, they prevailed and fell in love. Also, three cheers for an author that gives a man real emotions. Madigan laughed and cried, and it was wonderful! These characters were also older characters (late 40s, early 50s) and there just aren't enough romance books about middle aged men and women, I loved that!
I loved the ski resort setting and even more I loved the men from Little Timber sober living. The author gave all the characters such real and vibrant back stories. I found myself laughing with them and crying with them. I was worried there would be shaming of criminal backgrounds and addiction, but the author dealt with these storyline respectfully and honestly. This is not often seen in novels and I appreciated it.
This was my first Jess K. Hardy book, but I do look forward to checking more out in the future! Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing Co-op for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.