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missbookreader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
mistwithanie's review against another edition
If this is your first Sarina Bowen book, please stop. Go and check out her North series, the first one is Bittersweet, or her MM Him series that she co-writes with Elle Kennedy. Any one of those is a better place to start. The character development, the storylines, and the love scenes are so much better.
At one point I had to check who wrote this book cause I was like, "This can't be Sarina" when compared to other novels she has written.
At one point I had to check who wrote this book cause I was like, "This can't be Sarina" when compared to other novels she has written.
kacenreads's review against another edition
4.0
I love this world
Second chance romance
Pregnancy trope
Friends to lovers
I loved their story. From friends to lovers. However it was a long journey to get to the end.
I did get frustrated because everyone could see how in love with each other they were except each other. They didn’t want to put pressure on the other so they wouldn’t disclose their feelings. Miscommunication trope is my biggest pet peeve hence the four stars. But their chemistry was amazing. I wish Matteo would’ve knocked out Rory lol but he was always the better man.
Second chance romance
Pregnancy trope
Friends to lovers
I loved their story. From friends to lovers. However it was a long journey to get to the end.
I did get frustrated because everyone could see how in love with each other they were except each other. They didn’t want to put pressure on the other so they wouldn’t disclose their feelings. Miscommunication trope is my biggest pet peeve hence the four stars. But their chemistry was amazing. I wish Matteo would’ve knocked out Rory lol but he was always the better man.
readfrenzy's review
4.0
Audiobook Review
Good as Gold features a single woman with a planned pregnancy premise—my personal catnip. As an added bonus, it’s part of the True North universe. This series has long held a soft spot in my heart, and I’m always excited to reunite with the Shipley and Rossi families in their small Vermont town.
Matteo Rossi and Leila Giltmaker were best friends growing up. Neither was aware their attraction was mutual, and Matteo let Leila slip away when he left for college. She fell in love with someone else and married, and Matteo never returned to his hometown because of it. Now, Matteo has come home for his brother’s wedding only to discover Leila is newly divorced. He decides to stay a little longer to make amends with his family and spend time with Leila. Leila is desperate to become a mother, so she asks Matteo to father her child. How could he refuse?
I loved the friends-to-lovers aspect. Leila and Matteo desperately try to compartmentalize the easy rapport of their friendship versus having hot sex solely for the purpose of making a baby. Their chemistry is too strong for that to last. I also enjoyed the roasting Matteo’s siblings give him in their text threads and how he takes it in stride.
Their small town is getting more trendy with each book. I would be a happy regular at the coffee shop and bar. And now there’s a line of craft beers created by Leila’s father that’s all the rage. The Giltmaker Brewery is quite lucrative, so I’m hopeful that the family sticks around for awhile. Maybe Leila’s brother will get his own book, and the True North universe will continue to grow.
Sarina Bowen doesn’t discard old characters and details from previous books, but instead finds ways to lovingly incorporate them into the current story. Reading this series is like comfort food for my soul.
About the audiobook:
I hate to say it, but I’m not a fan of the narration. Jason Clarke is as flawless as always. However, Lessa Lamb leaves something to be desired. She can be over the top in her delivery, but the most distracting thing is that she speaks so slowly with loooong pauses. I tried speeding up the audio so it sounded more normal, but then I had to lower the speed again when Jason narrates. It’s problematic.
Recommended for fans of:
Friends to lovers
Planned pregnancies
Snowboarding
Beer
Good as Gold features a single woman with a planned pregnancy premise—my personal catnip. As an added bonus, it’s part of the True North universe. This series has long held a soft spot in my heart, and I’m always excited to reunite with the Shipley and Rossi families in their small Vermont town.
Matteo Rossi and Leila Giltmaker were best friends growing up. Neither was aware their attraction was mutual, and Matteo let Leila slip away when he left for college. She fell in love with someone else and married, and Matteo never returned to his hometown because of it. Now, Matteo has come home for his brother’s wedding only to discover Leila is newly divorced. He decides to stay a little longer to make amends with his family and spend time with Leila. Leila is desperate to become a mother, so she asks Matteo to father her child. How could he refuse?
I loved the friends-to-lovers aspect. Leila and Matteo desperately try to compartmentalize the easy rapport of their friendship versus having hot sex solely for the purpose of making a baby. Their chemistry is too strong for that to last. I also enjoyed the roasting Matteo’s siblings give him in their text threads and how he takes it in stride.
Their small town is getting more trendy with each book. I would be a happy regular at the coffee shop and bar. And now there’s a line of craft beers created by Leila’s father that’s all the rage. The Giltmaker Brewery is quite lucrative, so I’m hopeful that the family sticks around for awhile. Maybe Leila’s brother will get his own book, and the True North universe will continue to grow.
Sarina Bowen doesn’t discard old characters and details from previous books, but instead finds ways to lovingly incorporate them into the current story. Reading this series is like comfort food for my soul.
About the audiobook:
I hate to say it, but I’m not a fan of the narration. Jason Clarke is as flawless as always. However, Lessa Lamb leaves something to be desired. She can be over the top in her delivery, but the most distracting thing is that she speaks so slowly with loooong pauses. I tried speeding up the audio so it sounded more normal, but then I had to lower the speed again when Jason narrates. It’s problematic.
Recommended for fans of:
Friends to lovers
Planned pregnancies
Snowboarding
Beer
*I received an advanced listener copy. This does not affect the content of my review.*
louu_99's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
colleen1011's review
5.0
I loved this book!! Matteo and Leila were a delightful couple. I love friends to lover romance. This was a fantastic addition to this series. I would recommend to others .
rubyelizabethrambles's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
The was a solid easy read but surprisingly emotional in parts…Satisfying with a lovely setting and a cute little HEA.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Don’t rec if you’re not into kiddos/babies. There is death of a close friend.amyreadsandsails's review against another edition
5.0
mf - contemporary romance - white MCs - moderate steam - POV: first person dual (with flashbacks in third) - childhood best friends to strangers to lovers - divorced FMC - food industry (brewery) - found family - he falls first - love triangle - mutual pining - small town - sports romance (snowboarding) - pregnancy - 5 stars. I probably wouldn’t have picked up such a pregnancy-heavy book, but it’s Sarina Bowen and I’ve read almost all of her stuff. This book was hot when it was steamy (“I’m in the mood to fuck like a beast.”) funny (his family and the small town start to call him hot Jesus on account of his beard and long hair). The MMC’s side plot with his late business partner’s family was very touching.
traceyj2850's review
4.0
The True North World is the gift that keeps giving! It was such a joy to dive back into world where I love so many characters. I don’t know it just felt like the perfect comfort read.
I loved Leila and Matteo’s story!
Friends to lovers – Check
Slow burn – check
Family drama – check
HEA – Check
I mean what else could ask for from a romance book??
I thought Leila and Matteo were great. Both have had a bit of a tough time recently, I mostly felt sorry for Matteo as he is still grieving. Leila is post-divorce and her ex-husband, what can I say, just in the bin already! Together though, the chemistry is off the charts!
I thought the story was well written and the pacing of it was great, things felt like they happened in a natural amount of time. I won’t say too much else as I don’t want to give any spoilers away.
Overall, this was lovely romance story with just the right amount of spice, and I would absolutely recommend.
I loved Leila and Matteo’s story!
Friends to lovers – Check
Slow burn – check
Family drama – check
HEA – Check
I mean what else could ask for from a romance book??
I thought Leila and Matteo were great. Both have had a bit of a tough time recently, I mostly felt sorry for Matteo as he is still grieving. Leila is post-divorce and her ex-husband, what can I say, just in the bin already! Together though, the chemistry is off the charts!
I thought the story was well written and the pacing of it was great, things felt like they happened in a natural amount of time. I won’t say too much else as I don’t want to give any spoilers away.
Overall, this was lovely romance story with just the right amount of spice, and I would absolutely recommend.