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reeyabeegale's review against another edition
I'm so disappointed with this book. I had to DNF it at 67%. One of the things I avoid doing is not finishing a book, no matter how boring or how bad it gets, I power through it. Sadly, this is one of the rare cases where I just can't.
I didn't like any of the characters. Initially, I thought this was a grumpy-sunshine trope but it didn't read that way. To me, it read like a Bully romance [in a bad way].
I don't think I've ever disliked a hero as much as I do Jake. From the beginning, since the inheritors of the farm was announced, he was a douche through and through. There was too much hostility, and I found it disgusting. How someone can feel so entitled, making feel other people like sh*t, and acting as if it was your birth right to own any of it. I understand that he felt "responsible", thankfully I read more than halfway to figure that out, but still. The attitude was just too much, I can't feel any remorse or love for him.
As for the romance, I don't like it. Probably because I already despise the Hero, that's why no matter what happens, I don't it will ever work out.
I was so excited to pick up this book. I thought I was in for a cute countryside/small-town romance with a grumpy Hero. But what I got was a half-hearted bully romance (like it never intended to go in that direction, but couldn't help how the character was written in that way) with a boring plot. Or maybe it wasn't a boring plot, my feelings towards the plot might be entirely clouded by my dislike for Jake. This is the reason why I never enjoyed bully romance or an extreme enemies-to-lovers -- I can't be expected to fall in love with someone who has shown me too much animosity.
No disrespect or judgment to anyone who loves bully romance/enemies-to-lovers tropes. I'm just saying it's not for me, and detecting the same story vibes from this book, affected my ability to enjoy this book. This is still just my first Staci Hart book so I'm hoping I'll enjoy her other books in the future.
Regardless of my review, I hope if you end up picking this book, that you enjoy it more than I did.
I didn't like any of the characters. Initially, I thought this was a grumpy-sunshine trope but it didn't read that way. To me, it read like a Bully romance [in a bad way].
I don't think I've ever disliked a hero as much as I do Jake. From the beginning, since the inheritors of the farm was announced, he was a douche through and through. There was too much hostility, and I found it disgusting. How someone can feel so entitled, making feel other people like sh*t, and acting as if it was your birth right to own any of it. I understand that he felt "responsible", thankfully I read more than halfway to figure that out, but still. The attitude was just too much, I can't feel any remorse or love for him.
As for the romance, I don't like it. Probably because I already despise the Hero, that's why no matter what happens, I don't it will ever work out.
I was so excited to pick up this book. I thought I was in for a cute countryside/small-town romance with a grumpy Hero. But what I got was a half-hearted bully romance (like it never intended to go in that direction, but couldn't help how the character was written in that way) with a boring plot. Or maybe it wasn't a boring plot, my feelings towards the plot might be entirely clouded by my dislike for Jake. This is the reason why I never enjoyed bully romance or an extreme enemies-to-lovers -- I can't be expected to fall in love with someone who has shown me too much animosity.
No disrespect or judgment to anyone who loves bully romance/enemies-to-lovers tropes. I'm just saying it's not for me, and detecting the same story vibes from this book, affected my ability to enjoy this book. This is still just my first Staci Hart book so I'm hoping I'll enjoy her other books in the future.
Regardless of my review, I hope if you end up picking this book, that you enjoy it more than I did.
becksgoesbookish's review against another edition
3.0
y’all this set up had so much potential but it did not deliver the way I hoped. There’s a difference between being the grumpy hero and just being an A-hole (and not in a fun alpha hole kind of way).
Our FMC, Olivia, is a great character for the large majority of the book. She is strong and confident and doesn’t back down in the face of Jake being a massive jerk. But at a certain point the hero/MC should shift from being ornery to lovable right? For me, that just didn’t happen with Jake and by the end Olivia was willing to give up everything she worked for to save the farm just for this wet blanket Brian?! Umm no girl, don’t do that.
Each time I though Jake would make a positive turn, bam backslide city. He literally never fought FOR her, just against her despite her making proven and measurable improvements to the viability of the farm.
Sadly i just wasn’t feeling their romantic connection at all. I’ve had cold brew coffees hotter than their dynamic
Our FMC, Olivia, is a great character for the large majority of the book. She is strong and confident and doesn’t back down in the face of Jake being a massive jerk. But at a certain point the hero/MC should shift from being ornery to lovable right? For me, that just didn’t happen with Jake and by the end Olivia was willing to give up everything she worked for to save the farm just for this wet blanket Brian?! Umm no girl, don’t do that.
Each time I though Jake would make a positive turn, bam backslide city. He literally never fought FOR her, just against her despite her making proven and measurable improvements to the viability of the farm.
Sadly i just wasn’t feeling their romantic connection at all. I’ve had cold brew coffees hotter than their dynamic
figgyflake's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
kelliejohnson19's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
3.0
hmperera's review against another edition
lighthearted
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
555quin's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? No
3.75
efleisch's review
1.0
This definitely wasn't the worst thing I've ever read —I mean I read books from authors that sometimes can't string a whole sentence together. But, it definitely isn't something I would EVER read again.
When I say the chemistry was lacking, I mean it. The two characters couldn't even communicate with one another. They spent 70% of the book yelling and at each others throats. The other 30 was spent with either cute animals or them relying on a physical attraction. Honestly, they need some counseling if they want any chance at making their relationship work long term.
10 out of 10 would NOT recommend.
When I say the chemistry was lacking, I mean it. The two characters couldn't even communicate with one another. They spent 70% of the book yelling and at each others throats. The other 30 was spent with either cute animals or them relying on a physical attraction. Honestly, they need some counseling if they want any chance at making their relationship work long term.
10 out of 10 would NOT recommend.
natleesaurusrex's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, I enjoyed Hart's writing style. There were quite a few times I laughed out loud at a conversation or Olivia's internal dialogue, even while out walking the dogs with my headphones on.
I seldom rank anything 5 stars and this one fell just short of a 4 star rating namely because the MMC was quick to point fingers at anyone other than himself. His "deal breaker" in the last quarter of the book was that Olivia hadn't mentioned the check she'd received that she had no intention of cashing--meanwhile, she had to find out through her own research of the farm's books that the current financial situation wasn't because of anything the farm had done or not done, but because of the circumstances of his citizenship battle. That's not to say it's his fault, but how hypocritical can one person be?
I seldom rank anything 5 stars and this one fell just short of a 4 star rating namely because the MMC was quick to point fingers at anyone other than himself. His "deal breaker" in the last quarter of the book was that Olivia hadn't mentioned the check she'd received that she had no intention of cashing--meanwhile, she had to find out through her own research of the farm's books that the current financial situation wasn't because of anything the farm had done or not done, but because of the circumstances of his citizenship battle. That's not to say it's his fault, but how hypocritical can one person be?
gailalison's review against another edition
3.0
This was a cute grumpy sunshine rom-com. It was pretty average, but still a fun read.
gwendolyn_kensinger's review against another edition
3.0
Olivia Brent has one summer to save the dairy farm she just inherited. But there's one problem: Jake Milovic. The brooding farmhand who inherited fifty percent of Brent Farm. He's convinced the city girl can't work the land, so he wagers a bet that she can't save it in a summer.
Olivia went in guns blazing. She was happy to leave the city and return to farm life but she had no idea she would be sharing the farm with Jake. Regardless, she brainstormed and got to work opening her grandmother’s old farm store, taking to social media, and bringing the farm back to life. Jake on the other hand was grumpy and wanted nothing to do with the changes. While some might understand his reasoning I thought it was childish because he could have easily let her know his “why” and they could have worked through it, rather than him being an ass the entire time. I loved the supporting cast of characters and all the animals, and I appreciated that the farm itself played a big role in the story. Once Olivia figured Jake out, and she basically forced him to talk to her, things evened out and I was able to enjoy the rest of the story. It had its cute moments for sure.