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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
It's just not my kind of story. Between this book, the first few chapters of The Princess Trap, and reviews on Hibbert's other books, I've come to assume that Hibbert writes 1) a lot of instalust and 2) Very Good People Being Good To Each Other, both of which are perfectly fine and dandy for other people but generally bore me to tears. I mostly liked Ruth and I really liked Hannah, but Evan was a big old nothingburger and the villains/antagonists of the book were so cartoonishly evil that I couldn't buy into it.
I really was going to give it another star - I try to be very aware of it's-not-you-it's-me situations while reading genres that aren't always my favorite. The more I thought about it, though, the more I do think the pacing of the actual romantic relationship was very... off. I just finished another romance by Cat Sebastian where I had the exact same problem, but in that book, there were other plot elements that kind of eased the romance along; here, the romance is really the only thing that's going on, so there was a lot more opportunity for me to notice and dislike the (lack of) relationship development.
I really was going to give it another star - I try to be very aware of it's-not-you-it's-me situations while reading genres that aren't always my favorite. The more I thought about it, though, the more I do think the pacing of the actual romantic relationship was very... off. I just finished another romance by Cat Sebastian where I had the exact same problem, but in that book, there were other plot elements that kind of eased the romance along; here, the romance is really the only thing that's going on, so there was a lot more opportunity for me to notice and dislike the (lack of) relationship development.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Yes
I'm ashamed to say I don't think I've read any novels where the main character was on the autism spectrum. There are theories about Reed Richards and Maya Hansen, but I'm not sure if that was confirmed.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this. I found the main character, Ruth, relatable (although, if I met her, I would have to preach about the virtues of Captain America). She enjoys reading comics, only really talks to her family and apparently finds most social interactions exhausting. Highly relatable.
Once again, the love interest, Evan, is amazing. He's tall, tattooed, extremely considerate and understanding. He's thoughtful and takes care of the people he sees that need help. Ironially (or perhaps intentionally?) Ruth refers to a character Evan likes, Captain America, as an annoying do gooder... and that's what Evan is? So, I'm thinking that might have been intentional. Not sure.
The romance was well paced, as usual. The sex scenes were incredibly hot *fans self*. This is the first of Hibbert's works that I've read where the epilogue is a sex scene. Very, very much appreciated.
It's a recommend from me, honestly. I enjoyed it, I love Evan and Ruth together and I read through it rather quickly.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this. I found the main character, Ruth, relatable (although, if I met her, I would have to preach about the virtues of Captain America). She enjoys reading comics, only really talks to her family and apparently finds most social interactions exhausting. Highly relatable.
Once again, the love interest, Evan, is amazing. He's tall, tattooed, extremely considerate and understanding. He's thoughtful and takes care of the people he sees that need help. Ironially (or perhaps intentionally?) Ruth refers to a character Evan likes, Captain America, as an annoying do gooder... and that's what Evan is? So, I'm thinking that might have been intentional. Not sure.
Spoiler
As with the other novels, there's a reveal. This one, like "Work For It", featured a main character in a small town where everyone seems to hate them. Daniel is a real piece of work and I'm really glad the ending involved Ruth standing up for herself and refusing to let Evan save her. I appreciated that it was her words that finally made Daniel stay away.The romance was well paced, as usual. The sex scenes were incredibly hot *fans self*. This is the first of Hibbert's works that I've read where the epilogue is a sex scene. Very, very much appreciated.
It's a recommend from me, honestly. I enjoyed it, I love Evan and Ruth together and I read through it rather quickly.
I loved this book.
Update: Sept. 2022
I reread this as a comfort read and it did not disappoint. It was even better than I remembered. The writing is so clever, and Ruth is so delightful and quirky and prickly, and I felt like the book really got inside the autistic experience. I highlighted a bunch of passages because they were hilarious. So good!
Update: Sept. 2022
I reread this as a comfort read and it did not disappoint. It was even better than I remembered. The writing is so clever, and Ruth is so delightful and quirky and prickly, and I felt like the book really got inside the autistic experience. I highlighted a bunch of passages because they were hilarious. So good!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
CW: abusive relationships
This book contains an impressive amount of shunning, gossip, and guilt. Also, a truly reprehensible, abusive liar.
Ruth is isolated, the town pariah, and she's not trying to change anything when Evan moves next door. But he's not going to listen to what people say about the woman he finds intriguing, and his persistence starts to wear down her walls.
Like a lot of romances, the conflict involves, in part, miscommunication and some thoughtless decisions. The story is engaging, with interesting characters, and writing that pulls you in. I'm curious to see what happy ever afters other characters get.
This book contains an impressive amount of shunning, gossip, and guilt. Also, a truly reprehensible, abusive liar.
Ruth is isolated, the town pariah, and she's not trying to change anything when Evan moves next door. But he's not going to listen to what people say about the woman he finds intriguing, and his persistence starts to wear down her walls.
Like a lot of romances, the conflict involves, in part, miscommunication and some thoughtless decisions. The story is engaging, with interesting characters, and writing that pulls you in. I'm curious to see what happy ever afters other characters get.
emotional
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So far, I love every book I've read by Talia Hibbert and this is certainly no exception. She never shies away from hard topics, but also makes it clear that there is so much more to her characters than a traumatic experience or a diagnosis. It was great watching Ruth navigate the world with ASD, find someone who loves all the sides of her that she was previously told to hide, and find her voice in standing up for herself after years of trying to make herself small.
These characters will leave you wanting to know all their secrets... and then cheering them on as they conquer their barriers.
These characters will leave you wanting to know all their secrets... and then cheering them on as they conquer their barriers.