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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
Okay, FIRST OF ALL, props to the author for giving us a romance with older MCs! Too often we see twenty somethings featured as MCs, and this was such a refreshing break from that!
This story was so emotionally beautiful, and so love that it shone a light on life after addiction and provided a window into what recovery looks like. Not only that, but the story also showed us the difficulties brought about by divorce, and what it looks like to find love again.
This was sweet and spicy and real and raw and I really enjoyed it!
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op. All opinions are my own.
This story was so emotionally beautiful, and so love that it shone a light on life after addiction and provided a window into what recovery looks like. Not only that, but the story also showed us the difficulties brought about by divorce, and what it looks like to find love again.
This was sweet and spicy and real and raw and I really enjoyed it!
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op. All opinions are my own.
I loved this Gen X romance. Mix tape memories! Come as you are by Jess K Hardy is perfect read for Gen Xers!
I love romance/chicklit/women's fiction books, but for the most part they feature 20-30 year old main characters, which is great - I was that age too once, but I'm not now.
Our two leads, Ashley and Madigan are in their 40s and 50s, they've been through a lot between them and so their hesitation in pursuing a new relationship and the internal monologue that we're privy to is familiar. Overthinking, reading too much into things but also in a very realistic way a misunderstanding about one side of an overheard phone conversation was resolved quickly with a quick chat and clarification, I was so glad it didn't become a plot point that lasted a few chapters!
The description of the characters was great, I could imagine them all and with a lot of the 80s references, Chuck, in my mind, was definitely a jock that I'd seen in many John Hughes and similar movies. And Madigan...super hot I imagine!
The book had a couple of spicy parts that were quite realistic in terms of writing used around them, no random similes that take you out of the moment!
To begin with I did think the time frame of the book happened quite quickly, but then I remembered that I met my husband, he moved in within a week and we were married within a year so it was great to have this when you know you know feeling with Ashley and Madigan.
I also really enjoyed the Spotify link that had some amazing music in it.
Finally I really hope this book is the start of a series, whether about the same characters, some of the side characters, or other couples within the Gen X age group.
I love romance/chicklit/women's fiction books, but for the most part they feature 20-30 year old main characters, which is great - I was that age too once, but I'm not now.
Our two leads, Ashley and Madigan are in their 40s and 50s, they've been through a lot between them and so their hesitation in pursuing a new relationship and the internal monologue that we're privy to is familiar. Overthinking, reading too much into things but also in a very realistic way a misunderstanding about one side of an overheard phone conversation was resolved quickly with a quick chat and clarification, I was so glad it didn't become a plot point that lasted a few chapters!
The description of the characters was great, I could imagine them all and with a lot of the 80s references, Chuck, in my mind, was definitely a jock that I'd seen in many John Hughes and similar movies. And Madigan...super hot I imagine!
The book had a couple of spicy parts that were quite realistic in terms of writing used around them, no random similes that take you out of the moment!
To begin with I did think the time frame of the book happened quite quickly, but then I remembered that I met my husband, he moved in within a week and we were married within a year so it was great to have this when you know you know feeling with Ashley and Madigan.
I also really enjoyed the Spotify link that had some amazing music in it.
Finally I really hope this book is the start of a series, whether about the same characters, some of the side characters, or other couples within the Gen X age group.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
This was a cute, quick wintry read. There were a few more serious topics like addiction, manipulative relationships etc so just a heads up on that. I enjoyed the adorable mischievous rescue dog and that it was an later in life romance.
Come As You are is a fabulous generation X romance. I adored the dual points of view of Ashley and Madigan as they navigate a new relationship both professionally and romantically. Ashley is trying to save her family’s ski mountain and Madigan is trying to find work for the members of his sober home. Insert some shenanigans from Ashley’s mother and the banter, second chances and some steam ensue. I really adored this story and can’t wait to read more from this author.
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, Pinkity Publishing for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review. It was truly enjoyable!
I loved this so much! I couldn’t put it down. It was such a fantastic Romcom that left me swooning. The chemistry and the story were perfect. Just like the characters were perfect together!
I loved this so much! I couldn’t put it down. It was such a fantastic Romcom that left me swooning. The chemistry and the story were perfect. Just like the characters were perfect together!
Thank you Net Galley for giving me an ARC copy of this book!
Rating 4.5/5
This story was so heartfelt and I felt every emotion in the words with every page. I loved the ski setting, as I sat here boiling in 95 degrees weather, I loved Ashley and Madigan, I loved everything about this book. I laughed, cried, all of it. This book had me invested from start to finish and I wish I could read it for the first time all over again. Fantastic job! I can't wait to read even more from this author in the future.
Rating 4.5/5
This story was so heartfelt and I felt every emotion in the words with every page. I loved the ski setting, as I sat here boiling in 95 degrees weather, I loved Ashley and Madigan, I loved everything about this book. I laughed, cried, all of it. This book had me invested from start to finish and I wish I could read it for the first time all over again. Fantastic job! I can't wait to read even more from this author in the future.
The story
Ashley is 46, divorced with a daughter at college. She is running the ski slope property in Montana that belonged to her late father. She’s struggling to keep afloat, up against her ex-husband Chuck who would love to buy the business from under her and manage it as he thinks it should be done. When he extrovert mother raises the idea of having the men from the local sober living home come work for the season, Ashley doesn’t think it’s a good idea, but the financials make sense. And there is that ex-rockstar, ex-con, ex-junkie running the home Matthew Madigan that makes it all worthwhile.
My thoughts
I read the author’s The 7 Rules for Moving On in January 2022, and this story has a similar small town vibe. Come As You Are is an ode to older couple romance, Madigan is 53 and Ashley is 46, both are worldly wise, having lived through the ups and downs of life, both have been alone for a long time. They need time to trust each and they certainly don’t always get it right. But, they get full marks for their amazing communication skills - hallelujah! When they have a fight or say bad things, they follow this up with an honest discussion and share they things they appreciate about the other person. There is enough description of the spicier moments to not miss any detail, and it’s all dealt with lots of discussion and consent. This is just an all round beautiful story with lots of feelings, emotion but never a dull moment in life on the ski slopes! ⛷
Read an eARC copy courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher
My rating 4.5/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Ashley is 46, divorced with a daughter at college. She is running the ski slope property in Montana that belonged to her late father. She’s struggling to keep afloat, up against her ex-husband Chuck who would love to buy the business from under her and manage it as he thinks it should be done. When he extrovert mother raises the idea of having the men from the local sober living home come work for the season, Ashley doesn’t think it’s a good idea, but the financials make sense. And there is that ex-rockstar, ex-con, ex-junkie running the home Matthew Madigan that makes it all worthwhile.
My thoughts
I read the author’s The 7 Rules for Moving On in January 2022, and this story has a similar small town vibe. Come As You Are is an ode to older couple romance, Madigan is 53 and Ashley is 46, both are worldly wise, having lived through the ups and downs of life, both have been alone for a long time. They need time to trust each and they certainly don’t always get it right. But, they get full marks for their amazing communication skills - hallelujah! When they have a fight or say bad things, they follow this up with an honest discussion and share they things they appreciate about the other person. There is enough description of the spicier moments to not miss any detail, and it’s all dealt with lots of discussion and consent. This is just an all round beautiful story with lots of feelings, emotion but never a dull moment in life on the ski slopes! ⛷
Read an eARC copy courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher
My rating 4.5/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
*read this book as an arc but i'm alittle late and it's already out* LOL
while this book didn't give me the five star feel, it was good. I loved ashley and madigan together, I loved davis and kev together too. Chuck can literally eat dirt tbfh but that's besides the point LOL. This isn't your usual fluffy romance, both ashley and madigan struggle with trust and letting people in, alot of issues from their past but tbh i feel like that gives you a deeper connection to them and helps you understand more about them
the spice was definetly spicin' thoroughly enjoyed that. Overall i would def recommend <3
while this book didn't give me the five star feel, it was good. I loved ashley and madigan together, I loved davis and kev together too. Chuck can literally eat dirt tbfh but that's besides the point LOL. This isn't your usual fluffy romance, both ashley and madigan struggle with trust and letting people in, alot of issues from their past but tbh i feel like that gives you a deeper connection to them and helps you understand more about them
the spice was definetly spicin' thoroughly enjoyed that. Overall i would def recommend <3