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coffeeandlostinabook's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Gabi believes that love is nothing more than good timing. She believes that all her previous relationships have failed because it just wasn't the right time ignoring the fact that she wasn't with the right guy.
Until Zeke enters her life after she was assaulted during a work meeting, he's there to walk her home when her best friend can't. He's kind and everything that she least expects to walk into her life. He even comes to her rescue when her ex won't leave her door trying to get her to forgive him.
Zeke and Gabi build a friendship were they encourage each other and truly enjoy each other's presence. Suddenly they both realize that they both have some feelings that are a bit more friwndier than they should be. Gabi is still working through some past relationships and her anxiety is making her doubt everything.
Zeke is calm and patient with her and even helps Gabi work through her decision on whether or not she should open her own yoga studio as it has been her escape and her way of healing.
I love reading how their relationship grows and develops into more. Gabi and Zeke are great and I love reading about all of Gabi's amazing friends. This is the second of a five book series and I can't wait to see what else Ally writes.
Until Zeke enters her life after she was assaulted during a work meeting, he's there to walk her home when her best friend can't. He's kind and everything that she least expects to walk into her life. He even comes to her rescue when her ex won't leave her door trying to get her to forgive him.
Zeke and Gabi build a friendship were they encourage each other and truly enjoy each other's presence. Suddenly they both realize that they both have some feelings that are a bit more friwndier than they should be. Gabi is still working through some past relationships and her anxiety is making her doubt everything.
Zeke is calm and patient with her and even helps Gabi work through her decision on whether or not she should open her own yoga studio as it has been her escape and her way of healing.
I love reading how their relationship grows and develops into more. Gabi and Zeke are great and I love reading about all of Gabi's amazing friends. This is the second of a five book series and I can't wait to see what else Ally writes.
jenny_bean_reads's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I was provided a copy by the publisher, all opinions are my own.
A sweet romance that combined some of my favorite things, yoga and code. However, because I am intimately familiar with code and the nomenclature around it, I did struggle at points with the language used by Zeke, the freelance web developer in the book and the male main character. This was particularly bad for me toward the beginning of the book, and made it hard to connect with the characters and the story.
I did see a lot of myself in Gabi, but some of her attitude and personality were difficult to draw lines from her past. There is often a reason why someone is closed off that goes back farther than assault and an emotionally manipulative/abusive ex. I have a hard time believing that she changed that quickly and it was not more of a childhood experience or trait that solidifies as she experiences different types of violence from men.
Overall, I liked the story as well as the spice, and by the end I was fully invested. Zeke is a genuinely sweet guy, and at the same time feels two dimensional. Maybe this book just wasn't fully my cup of tea? But I liked it enough to finish it and get the warm fuzzies by the end of the story.
A sweet romance that combined some of my favorite things, yoga and code. However, because I am intimately familiar with code and the nomenclature around it, I did struggle at points with the language used by Zeke, the freelance web developer in the book and the male main character. This was particularly bad for me toward the beginning of the book, and made it hard to connect with the characters and the story.
I did see a lot of myself in Gabi, but some of her attitude and personality were difficult to draw lines from her past. There is often a reason why someone is closed off that goes back farther than assault and an emotionally manipulative/abusive ex. I have a hard time believing that she changed that quickly and it was not more of a childhood experience or trait that solidifies as she experiences different types of violence from men.
Overall, I liked the story as well as the spice, and by the end I was fully invested. Zeke is a genuinely sweet guy, and at the same time feels two dimensional. Maybe this book just wasn't fully my cup of tea? But I liked it enough to finish it and get the warm fuzzies by the end of the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
cmrussell's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
💞ARC Review💞
I found this to be a very quick and easy to digest read. Overall, I enjoyed it!
I found this to be a very quick and easy to digest read. Overall, I enjoyed it!
Gabi and Zeke’s story is sweet but I didn’t find myself super attached to any of the characters and the storyline seemed slightly rushed at times. The conflict of the story happens quickly and is just as quickly resolved.
I do love a friends to lovers, and a little forced proximity though! If asked if I would suggest this book, my answer would be yes! It would be a great vacay/beach read and the spice keeps you coming back for more!
Excited to see where the next in the series takes the characters!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
melissa_bsn's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Advanced Reader Copy Review- I received this as an ARC, as I did with the first of the series, so it was helpful to have some background on the friend group in focus and some of Gabi’s past.
Gabi has had a pretty traumatic history with men- especially recently- when Zeke befriends her. This is a somewhat slow burn, friends to lovers rom com that is an enjoyable read. Ally does a great job, in my opinion, of portraying how anxiety might present for some ppl and how important support can be. She also does a great job at portraying a toxic, stalking relationship. These are both things that can be difficult to write about, I’d imagine, due to hear that you could get it “wrong” and I think this story does it well. I’d give it 4.5 ⭐️. Lots of spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
audreygok17's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I got this as an ARC from the author and genuinely enjoyed it. The story line was different than other contemporary romances I've read, but the dialog and spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️ scenes were on point! Would recommend 😊
gabiandthebooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Thank you Ally for sending me a copy to read in exchange for a review!
This book picks up pretty much where book 1 finishes, but focuses on a different couple- Gabi and Zeke. To be honest, it was such an odd experience reading a book where my name was in it and spelt exactly how I spell it but that did not take away from the story. This is probably one of the only friends-to-lovers book that I like because it was a natural falling for instead of it being cliche if that makes sense. Zeke truly wants to protect Gabi and help her through her anxiety of it being more than timing and dealing with her past exes/situations. There is talk about implied SA but it is skippable if needed. I am ready for book 3 because I am so ready to see what happens with Steph now!
This book picks up pretty much where book 1 finishes, but focuses on a different couple- Gabi and Zeke. To be honest, it was such an odd experience reading a book where my name was in it and spelt exactly how I spell it but that did not take away from the story. This is probably one of the only friends-to-lovers book that I like because it was a natural falling for instead of it being cliche if that makes sense. Zeke truly wants to protect Gabi and help her through her anxiety of it being more than timing and dealing with her past exes/situations. There is talk about implied SA but it is skippable if needed. I am ready for book 3 because I am so ready to see what happens with Steph now!
cherrydarrling's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kirkbookdragon's review
lighthearted
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Cute friends to lovers story! I love that Ally Wiliams included some mental health representation into it as well! This is the kind of story that just makes you kick your feet because you’re so happy while you read it.