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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
Thank you Net Galley and Victory editing for providing me with a copy of this book for a honest review.
If I had to describe this book it would be: Come as you are is a story about giving yourself a second chance. In this story we follow Ashley as she’s struggling to make ends meet at her family’s ski hill. She employed through her mom, Madigan a recovered addict and his men to help through the season. Through ski lessons will feelings bloom? And will Ashley and Madigan save the ski hill?
Ashley was quite a good main character, but Madigan stole the show for me. He was so caring and nice and so open about his feelings that he blew me away.
I loved also the growth of Sam in particular. And Kev, Davis, Maude Alice and Clay also stole the show for me, the whole cast was great to follow through and the banter they brought, especially Kev, was chef’s kiss.
I loved the setting as well, as a mountain lover this was perfect. It really made me long for winter in the middle of summer.
This was such a nice story of moving on, giving yourself a second chance and letting yourself love again.
I recommend this if you’re into found family, mature relationship, great banter.
If I had to describe this book it would be: Come as you are is a story about giving yourself a second chance. In this story we follow Ashley as she’s struggling to make ends meet at her family’s ski hill. She employed through her mom, Madigan a recovered addict and his men to help through the season. Through ski lessons will feelings bloom? And will Ashley and Madigan save the ski hill?
Ashley was quite a good main character, but Madigan stole the show for me. He was so caring and nice and so open about his feelings that he blew me away.
I loved also the growth of Sam in particular. And Kev, Davis, Maude Alice and Clay also stole the show for me, the whole cast was great to follow through and the banter they brought, especially Kev, was chef’s kiss.
I loved the setting as well, as a mountain lover this was perfect. It really made me long for winter in the middle of summer.
This was such a nice story of moving on, giving yourself a second chance and letting yourself love again.
I recommend this if you’re into found family, mature relationship, great banter.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I started this book at 3:00PM and I finished it at 10:15PM of the same day. I had it in my hand while I was making supper. While I folded laundry. I used text-to-speech so I could listen while I was driving and taking my dog for a walk. I was HOOKED.
Maybe it was the age of the characters. Maybe it was the mountains and the ski hill. Maybe it was the humanizing of addicts and ex-criminals. Maybe it was the mixtape. Maybe it was the St. Bernard. But there was *something* about this book that had me hooked and kicking my feet by page 22 (I literally made a note at page 22 that this was a highly potential 5-star read).
I will recommend this book to everyone that is looking for a light and captivating romance. Is there spice? Yes. But this is one of the few books that I can say the spice truly added to the story. There is character growth that happens within those scenes, they aren't just spice for spice's sake.
BIG THANK YOU to NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
Maybe it was the age of the characters. Maybe it was the mountains and the ski hill. Maybe it was the humanizing of addicts and ex-criminals. Maybe it was the mixtape. Maybe it was the St. Bernard. But there was *something* about this book that had me hooked and kicking my feet by page 22 (I literally made a note at page 22 that this was a highly potential 5-star read).
I will recommend this book to everyone that is looking for a light and captivating romance. Is there spice? Yes. But this is one of the few books that I can say the spice truly added to the story. There is character growth that happens within those scenes, they aren't just spice for spice's sake.
BIG THANK YOU to NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I’m a tropical girl, I have never seen snow in person - much less been skiing. However, these characters and this story felt so REAL, with all their flaws and charms. The story felt very much like a ski lift, it picks you up and carries you away.
For a lot of people (sometimes me included), too-real characters feel too close for comfort and don’t provide the escapism most of us readers crave.
This is where my five stars come in because that is the genius of this book. The realness of it simply grounds the evolving and blossoming of this sexy and cute story. It feels like you’re being swept away in the sexual tension, and much like in a ski lift, you have something to hold on to.
The story flows beautifully, with just the right balance of fun, seriousness, wit and banter.
The way the characters are written, so nuanced and full of depth, it’s impossible not to root for them. Their quirks and moments are sometimes unexpected and refreshing, going against what you would usually see in this type of book. Even the dog is intertwined in the story beautifully and without being cliché. The topic of addiction is elegantly and respectfully done, while still highlighting the issues it brings to the addicts as well as those around them.
The 80’s/90’s references were so much fun to stumble into! Even that wasn’t done in a way that a young reader wouldn’t relate or appreciate, it very much is a steamy love story for all (18+) ages. Being a reader from a very young age and now being 40, I have a deep appreciation for books that can grow with me, that see me, that reflect to me my own experiences so I can see myself in those characters and not forget that after 35 we are still very much sexual beings worthy of respect, growth, boundaries and hot, spicy pajama parties 😉.
For a lot of people (sometimes me included), too-real characters feel too close for comfort and don’t provide the escapism most of us readers crave.
This is where my five stars come in because that is the genius of this book. The realness of it simply grounds the evolving and blossoming of this sexy and cute story. It feels like you’re being swept away in the sexual tension, and much like in a ski lift, you have something to hold on to.
The story flows beautifully, with just the right balance of fun, seriousness, wit and banter.
The way the characters are written, so nuanced and full of depth, it’s impossible not to root for them. Their quirks and moments are sometimes unexpected and refreshing, going against what you would usually see in this type of book. Even the dog is intertwined in the story beautifully and without being cliché. The topic of addiction is elegantly and respectfully done, while still highlighting the issues it brings to the addicts as well as those around them.
The 80’s/90’s references were so much fun to stumble into! Even that wasn’t done in a way that a young reader wouldn’t relate or appreciate, it very much is a steamy love story for all (18+) ages. Being a reader from a very young age and now being 40, I have a deep appreciation for books that can grow with me, that see me, that reflect to me my own experiences so I can see myself in those characters and not forget that after 35 we are still very much sexual beings worthy of respect, growth, boundaries and hot, spicy pajama parties 😉.
emotional
hopeful
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
I loved this book. The hero is 53. The heroine is 46. He is a former rock star, recovering addict, ex con, and owner of a sober living home for excons.
She owns a failing ski resort, has a dirtbag ex, a college age daughter, and a mom who acts like a teenager.
There are so many interesting characters. The banter is spectacular. Especially between all the men.
There are complicated conversations. Excellent sexy times and just an overall stellar story.
She owns a failing ski resort, has a dirtbag ex, a college age daughter, and a mom who acts like a teenager.
There are so many interesting characters. The banter is spectacular. Especially between all the men.
There are complicated conversations. Excellent sexy times and just an overall stellar story.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Really enjoyed the characters in this book. The bad guy was really despicable, the good guys and gals were kind and lovely. I especially appreciated that the two main characters were gen X, right around my age, and had some baggage coming into their relationship, including recovery from addiction for one of them. A really nice read.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
I was not planning on liking this book as much as I did. I am normally not into romances, but needed something that wasnt dark. I am very happy this was the happy tale I picked. It was a heartwarming story. There was romance, but in written in a way that made uncomfortable or that seemed overally cheesy. It was definitely a slow burn story, but well worth the wait. I won it in Goodreads Giveaway. I will definitely be back if the author write more of Ashley and Madigan's story.
hopeful
inspiring
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:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
This was so stinking cute, and definitely steamy!
My favorite thing about this book: the “will they won’t they” was never drawn out - they get together relatively quickly with enough build up that it feels satisfying; they hit a rough spot, it’s resolved quickly and like adults. It isn’t “oh finally, they’re together!…..crap, 6 chapters of fighting…..together again!….rinse repeat”. It was just a genuinely adorable, heartwarming, often sexy story.
I really enjoyed this, especially since romance isn’t my primary genre. I’ll for sure plan to continue with Hardy’s books on Bluebird Basin!
My favorite thing about this book: the “will they won’t they” was never drawn out - they get together relatively quickly with enough build up that it feels satisfying; they hit a rough spot, it’s resolved quickly and like adults. It isn’t “oh finally, they’re together!…..crap, 6 chapters of fighting…..together again!….rinse repeat”. It was just a genuinely adorable, heartwarming, often sexy story.
I really enjoyed this, especially since romance isn’t my primary genre. I’ll for sure plan to continue with Hardy’s books on Bluebird Basin!
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes