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dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m not going to give a plot summary since the book description gave away most of the book, so I’m just heading straight to my thoughts on the book.
This novella isn’t too bad. I know that this is the second book I read by Jenn McKinlay, but this feels a bit different from the other book I read by McKinlay and something tells me that novellas aren’t her strongsuit.
While Royal Valentine had an interesting plot concept and there was a consistent pacing throughout the book (which makes for a good narration since I was listening to the audiobook), McKinlay’s character work wasn’t her greatest. From too many characters introduced in the first two chapters (which ended up in too many characters to decipher which were actually important side characters as well as mixing up their names) to actual side characters with little depth to them. Additionally, Molly, while a somewhat relatable MC, she definitely seems full of contradictions (but not in a good way). I felt that she overreacts over the smallest of things and jumps to conclusions, so much so that it ends up making her kind of a jerk in the second half of the book.
As for the relationship itself, it’s fine… but it almost felt too insta-love. I can’t exactly go over why it was necessarily so without revealing spoilers, but I felt that between Molly’s somewhat unpredictable nature over the status of their relationship and Jamie trying to break down the stone walls that Molly continues to put up, it’s a bit hard to read on-page.
With this, I wasn’t a huge fan of this book. I know this isn’t reflective of McKinlay’s work, but I don’t think I would be reading any more of her novellas.
This novella isn’t too bad. I know that this is the second book I read by Jenn McKinlay, but this feels a bit different from the other book I read by McKinlay and something tells me that novellas aren’t her strongsuit.
While Royal Valentine had an interesting plot concept and there was a consistent pacing throughout the book (which makes for a good narration since I was listening to the audiobook), McKinlay’s character work wasn’t her greatest. From too many characters introduced in the first two chapters (which ended up in too many characters to decipher which were actually important side characters as well as mixing up their names) to actual side characters with little depth to them. Additionally, Molly, while a somewhat relatable MC, she definitely seems full of contradictions (but not in a good way). I felt that she overreacts over the smallest of things and jumps to conclusions, so much so that it ends up making her kind of a jerk in the second half of the book.
As for the relationship itself, it’s fine… but it almost felt too insta-love. I can’t exactly go over why it was necessarily so without revealing spoilers, but I felt that between Molly’s somewhat unpredictable nature over the status of their relationship and Jamie trying to break down the stone walls that Molly continues to put up, it’s a bit hard to read on-page.
With this, I wasn’t a huge fan of this book. I know this isn’t reflective of McKinlay’s work, but I don’t think I would be reading any more of her novellas.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Bullying
theverycraftyvegan's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.0
This was a nice little audio book and I will continue the series. The characters had an immediate attraction with the most awkward meet cute ever. Actually, it wasn’t cute. But they met and as a human with bre@sts, I don’t understand how or why it happened that way. But it turned into a whirlwind month long romance and ended because of poor communication. Wrapped up nicely at the end.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
emhaze's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Car accident, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
mcz's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
sarahmae531's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
A cute story, but not my thing. As someone who loves a slow burn and isn’t a fan of insta love, this book just wasn’t for me. It was predictable (though most romance books are) and moved SO fast. I understand it’s a novella and we have to work with only so many pages, but there seemed to be no character building, and I didn’t find myself rooting for the two main characters.
The “conflict” was something that could’ve been easily resolved and didn’t feel like this big heartbreaking thing that I think the author was maybe trying to do.
Also…. Al?!? That’s the sexy name you’re gonna pick for your leading man? Oof.
The “conflict” was something that could’ve been easily resolved and didn’t feel like this big heartbreaking thing that I think the author was maybe trying to do.
Also…. Al?!? That’s the sexy name you’re gonna pick for your leading man? Oof.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident and Death of parent