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reeyabeegale's review against another edition
3.0
Everything was going great, until Ava and Reed started "working" on closure.
I've had similar concerns with Sarina Bowen's books before, not all, but it's something I've noticed. Often she would pick a theme or storyline that is emotionally heavy and deep, but it always end up reading surface level.
This involves grief and distraught relationships between parents and children. My first thought was, wow this would be heavy and emotional, but the way the characters were written when handling their emotions, trauma and grief didn't match the solemnity of the situation. It seemed as if the character just failed a test in a quiz, and would wave it off immediately.
I also expected groveling. Honestly, I can't believe this will happen in real life -- accepting the person who left you in your most vulnerable state that easily??! Sorry, but no.
I guess handling grief and emotional traumas are different for everyone, but still, I needed depth when it comes to this book, and I didn't get it. The author seems to downplay the most emotional moments and heartbreaking situations. I'm getting extreme emotional whiplash reading the jumping moods of the characters.
It's a good start to a series and I would still recommend it to people, but like I said, there's a need to lower expectations. There are times when you need a good cry and so you'll pick a book that can make that happen, this is not it.
I hope other readers will enjoy this more than I did.
I've had similar concerns with Sarina Bowen's books before, not all, but it's something I've noticed. Often she would pick a theme or storyline that is emotionally heavy and deep, but it always end up reading surface level.
This involves grief and distraught relationships between parents and children. My first thought was, wow this would be heavy and emotional, but the way the characters were written when handling their emotions, trauma and grief didn't match the solemnity of the situation. It seemed as if the character just failed a test in a quiz, and would wave it off immediately.
I also expected groveling. Honestly, I can't believe this will happen in real life -- accepting the person who left you in your most vulnerable state that easily??! Sorry, but no.
I guess handling grief and emotional traumas are different for everyone, but still, I needed depth when it comes to this book, and I didn't get it. The author seems to downplay the most emotional moments and heartbreaking situations. I'm getting extreme emotional whiplash reading the jumping moods of the characters.
It's a good start to a series and I would still recommend it to people, but like I said, there's a need to lower expectations. There are times when you need a good cry and so you'll pick a book that can make that happen, this is not it.
I hope other readers will enjoy this more than I did.
1bookobsessionconfessions's review
5.0
4.5 STARS
Ava and Reed’s story is a sweet and steamy second chance romance with great secondary characters.
It’s small town meets the big business snakes circling Reed’s family’s ski resort.
It’s a total comfort read, it felt like I was wrapped in a warm blanket of wonderful characters and amazing scenery. The ski resort and townspeople added big heart to the story. It felt cozy and safe.
It’s everything good about small town romance.
Reed’s been estranged from his family, they lost his mother young and it ripped the family apart.
It’s a story of attempting redemption and healing old emotional wounds.
Ava and Reed’s college relationship was true love, it ended badly and she’s struggling to forgive him.
Their journey is really great, I loved the emotions and the tension of the attraction that’s lasted a decade.
It’s on the lighter side and it’s a pretty quick read.
I loved the slight mystery of what the potential buyers of the ski resort were up to.
I loved all the emotions that get exposed and fingers crossed dealt with;)
Such a fun, entertaining and beautiful story.
Ava and Reed’s story is a sweet and steamy second chance romance with great secondary characters.
It’s small town meets the big business snakes circling Reed’s family’s ski resort.
It’s a total comfort read, it felt like I was wrapped in a warm blanket of wonderful characters and amazing scenery. The ski resort and townspeople added big heart to the story. It felt cozy and safe.
It’s everything good about small town romance.
Reed’s been estranged from his family, they lost his mother young and it ripped the family apart.
It’s a story of attempting redemption and healing old emotional wounds.
Ava and Reed’s college relationship was true love, it ended badly and she’s struggling to forgive him.
Their journey is really great, I loved the emotions and the tension of the attraction that’s lasted a decade.
It’s on the lighter side and it’s a pretty quick read.
I loved the slight mystery of what the potential buyers of the ski resort were up to.
I loved all the emotions that get exposed and fingers crossed dealt with;)
Such a fun, entertaining and beautiful story.
kirbyj_'s review against another edition
5.0
when reed found his ex at his family's ski resort i expected a little more psycho but i'm glad it wasn't there. it felt like an authentic way that this situation might happen.
fairbanks916's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
freckleduck's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book a tad not realistic which normally I am okay with but insane money just felt odd.
stephaniesbookreviews's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was a pretty enjoyable read. A little romantic and slightly angsty. I liked the ski resort setting and the characters. I probably won't bother with continuing the series, though.
wunderlichkind's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
solid but not very memorable Sarina Bowen romance