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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you so much to Mary Warren for the ARC!
The second book in the Mystic Falls series was absolutely the most Hallmark movie I’ve ever read in book form. It’s so cozy. Our girl Poppy doesn’t think that small town living is for her, neither is the single life. She jumps at the opportunity to perform a love spell and once she realizes that maybe what she needs is right in front of her, starts to see that there’s more to life than what she thought she wanted.
Poppy was a little flighty and frustrating but when you’re unsure of your direction in life, I get it. Especially if you had this plan in your head that hasn’t actually gone the way you wanted it to. It simply gets carried over to other areas (work, relationships, etc) without meaning to. Josh was probably one of the most perfect book boyfriends I have ever been given the pleasure to read about and I really want to read the first book in the series to learn more about Hannah!
The author (FatGirlsInFiction) makes sure to put her plus sized characters as leading ladies and it’s so refreshing to see that the story isn’t about weight or loving yourself. Poppy is fat and that’s that. The story is pretty simple and without much conflict but you know what? Sometimes that’s what we need. We watch movies or read books with these perfect looking characters so why shouldn’t a fat girl have the same?
If you’re looking for a low stakes, no conflict, cozy little Hallmark book with the cutest small town vibes, absolutely give this a chance!
The second book in the Mystic Falls series was absolutely the most Hallmark movie I’ve ever read in book form. It’s so cozy. Our girl Poppy doesn’t think that small town living is for her, neither is the single life. She jumps at the opportunity to perform a love spell and once she realizes that maybe what she needs is right in front of her, starts to see that there’s more to life than what she thought she wanted.
Poppy was a little flighty and frustrating but when you’re unsure of your direction in life, I get it. Especially if you had this plan in your head that hasn’t actually gone the way you wanted it to. It simply gets carried over to other areas (work, relationships, etc) without meaning to. Josh was probably one of the most perfect book boyfriends I have ever been given the pleasure to read about and I really want to read the first book in the series to learn more about Hannah!
The author (FatGirlsInFiction) makes sure to put her plus sized characters as leading ladies and it’s so refreshing to see that the story isn’t about weight or loving yourself. Poppy is fat and that’s that. The story is pretty simple and without much conflict but you know what? Sometimes that’s what we need. We watch movies or read books with these perfect looking characters so why shouldn’t a fat girl have the same?
If you’re looking for a low stakes, no conflict, cozy little Hallmark book with the cutest small town vibes, absolutely give this a chance!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you for the arc.
I was really torn on how to rate this book because the things I loved; the plus size rep, the open communication, the golden retriever energy, & the excellent spice just couldn't quite overcome the elements I didn't enjoy.
I felt like Josh and Poppy were supposed to always have been into each other, and been ships passing in the night, never quite the right time or place, but outside of the bar-room & bedroom, I couldn't find their chemistry. I kept waiting for their banter to feel warm instead of awkward and it didn't happen.
Spotlight on Poppy is a cute story and the epilogue was very sweet, but overall it wasn't my favorite contemporary romance.
I was really torn on how to rate this book because the things I loved; the plus size rep, the open communication, the golden retriever energy, & the excellent spice just couldn't quite overcome the elements I didn't enjoy.
I felt like Josh and Poppy were supposed to always have been into each other, and been ships passing in the night, never quite the right time or place, but outside of the bar-room & bedroom, I couldn't find their chemistry. I kept waiting for their banter to feel warm instead of awkward and it didn't happen.
Spotlight on Poppy is a cute story and the epilogue was very sweet, but overall it wasn't my favorite contemporary romance.
From the friends to lovers trope to the SMUT of this book I loved Poppy and Josh finding each other. Josh being a pleasure Dom is honestly what Poppy deserves and she learned that sometimes love happens in the oddest of places.
lighthearted
lighthearted
slow-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
This book was given to me as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
After watching her best friend fall in love and get married Poppy also wants that magic and seeks it in the form of a magic potion. The fortune teller that Poppy gets the love potion from also tells her to 'follow her heart' which has significance throughout the book and I felt was an underlying theme.
I would describe this as a small town romance, childhood friends to lovers, slight glimpses into a soft Dom, strong plus size FMC and golden retriever energy MMC.
It was a dual POV which of course I love, I really enjoy reading how the MMC falls in love and feels about the FMC. It also adds to the story by gaining both POVs as well as pushing the character development.
The story was such an easy read for me with loveable characters, so much romance, fluff and some spicy scenes.
The spice was a nice read and explored Josh having a soft dominant side, which was enjoyable to read. Although my only gripe was, it was mentioned a few times about punishment and spanking but not a lot of this was explored. I would have liked to have seen more of it.
Not only did I enjoy the romance and falling in love but I liked the 'follow your heart' sentiment, where you and your heart truly know what you want, you just need to open your eyes/ears and listen to it.
Towards the end of the book we got some time skips, one year later which was nice to see what that short period of time had entailed for our couple. Then one which was 25years, this one had me running for the tissues. The MMC had a difficult childhood so for him to finally be in a position that he craved growing up and then achieving this was heart warming.
I've loved both books so far and look forward to the next installment. As the story progresses I feel the next book maybe center around Josh's sister Lexi. But I can't wait to find out!
After watching her best friend fall in love and get married Poppy also wants that magic and seeks it in the form of a magic potion. The fortune teller that Poppy gets the love potion from also tells her to 'follow her heart' which has significance throughout the book and I felt was an underlying theme.
I would describe this as a small town romance, childhood friends to lovers, slight glimpses into a soft Dom, strong plus size FMC and golden retriever energy MMC.
It was a dual POV which of course I love, I really enjoy reading how the MMC falls in love and feels about the FMC. It also adds to the story by gaining both POVs as well as pushing the character development.
The story was such an easy read for me with loveable characters, so much romance, fluff and some spicy scenes.
The spice was a nice read and explored Josh having a soft dominant side, which was enjoyable to read. Although my only gripe was, it was mentioned a few times about punishment and spanking but not a lot of this was explored. I would have liked to have seen more of it.
Not only did I enjoy the romance and falling in love but I liked the 'follow your heart' sentiment, where you and your heart truly know what you want, you just need to open your eyes/ears and listen to it.
Towards the end of the book we got some time skips, one year later which was nice to see what that short period of time had entailed for our couple. Then one which was 25years, this one had me running for the tissues. The MMC had a difficult childhood so for him to finally be in a position that he craved growing up and then achieving this was heart warming.
I've loved both books so far and look forward to the next installment. As the story progresses I feel the next book maybe center around Josh's sister Lexi. But I can't wait to find out!
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oooh i really don’t know how to feel about this. The fat girl i am wants to give it 5 stars purely for the glorious fat rep here, it’s done fantastically, i love how it’s no part of the plot or Poppy’s personality, it’s just how she looks. Josh is super likeable as our mmc, he’s gorgeous golden retriever personified. I also loved the fact that pretty much the second half of this book was Poppy and Josh getting together and we saw the whole beginning of their relationship. Most romance books end with the couple getting together and it was really refreshing to actually see the first few months and weeks of the relationship. Also I liked the spice in this book, Josh does a total 180 and is dominant in the bedroom and we love to see it.
However, the pacing is quite off and the passing of time doesn’t flow amazingly. There are grammar and spelling mistakes, but i presume these will be ironed out before the book is officially published. The writing isn’t incredible, there’s lots of telling and no showing. Everything just felt stiff and awkward somehow. I would’ve liked more of a backstory for Poppy and Josh as they’ve had difficult childhoods, especially traumatic for Josh, and we don’t dive very deep into it and the effects it’s had on them as adults.
But, i will always support this author as we need more fat girls in fiction ;) and Mary executes it marvellously!
However, the pacing is quite off and the passing of time doesn’t flow amazingly. There are grammar and spelling mistakes, but i presume these will be ironed out before the book is officially published. The writing isn’t incredible, there’s lots of telling and no showing. Everything just felt stiff and awkward somehow. I would’ve liked more of a backstory for Poppy and Josh as they’ve had difficult childhoods, especially traumatic for Josh, and we don’t dive very deep into it and the effects it’s had on them as adults.
But, i will always support this author as we need more fat girls in fiction ;) and Mary executes it marvellously!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes