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mandyreads's review against another edition
5.0
Gahhh it was perfect. Every single word. Full review to come on blog tour.
missbookreader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
annesurelyreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
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
4.0
heavenlyi's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve been waiting for Riley’s book for what seems like forever! Back when I first read Matt’s story (Underneath It All), and fell in love with the Walsh family. I absolutely FLOVE this series. The writing is impeccable, the characters are raw and real, and the family dynamics are endearing. Preservation was another stellar entry, and I am so sad to see this series come to a close…I refuse to admit it’s over.
If you haven’t read the previous books in the series, you are going to want to do that ASAP! Each book builds on the next, which creates this full and rich world of the Walsh siblings. I swear each book is better than the last, and they are all fantastic. Riley is the second to youngest sibling, and has carved out his own path among his overachieving clan. He’s been privy to all of the inner workings of what has transpired in each book, and with Preservation, the tables are now turned.
I loved Riley! I have loved him from the beginning. He’s a grown man-child, with a heart of gold. Throughout the previous books, we get hints of what Riley struggles with, not the least of which is his father’s past abuse towards him. Each Walsh has carried those scars in their own way, and Riley is no exception. He also is carrying quite a bit of guilt and shame over some very particular feelings he has towards someone close to him (don’t want to spoil it!). I was a bit shocked, once we saw inside his head, at the depth of his feelings. They have the potential to blow up his entire life, including his relationship with his family. So he keeps everything bottled up.
One of the biggest things I love with KC books is that there is always a bit of mystery. You never know what you are going to get and with whom. I thought I knew who Riley would end up with, but I didn’t know at all!! The way they come together is perfect. I enjoyed their dynamic, and how they come to get to know each other. She’s wounded from past relationships, and he is still harboring feelings he shouldn’t have. Their “arrangement” opens the door into their hearts, and they have to decide whether to walk through.
I love how we can come back to this family with every tale and it’s like saying hello to old friends. The humor, and witty banter are just brilliant. We’ve watched this family grow and come together with each new installment, and they are finally able to close the final chapter on their past. Even with this series ending (OMG I can’t believe it!), I am a Kate Canterbary fan for life. She weaves a story like few others, and I can’t wait to read what she comes up with next. I know the Walsh’s will continue to hold the spot as one of my favorite series of all time.
If you haven’t read the previous books in the series, you are going to want to do that ASAP! Each book builds on the next, which creates this full and rich world of the Walsh siblings. I swear each book is better than the last, and they are all fantastic. Riley is the second to youngest sibling, and has carved out his own path among his overachieving clan. He’s been privy to all of the inner workings of what has transpired in each book, and with Preservation, the tables are now turned.
I loved Riley! I have loved him from the beginning. He’s a grown man-child, with a heart of gold. Throughout the previous books, we get hints of what Riley struggles with, not the least of which is his father’s past abuse towards him. Each Walsh has carried those scars in their own way, and Riley is no exception. He also is carrying quite a bit of guilt and shame over some very particular feelings he has towards someone close to him (don’t want to spoil it!). I was a bit shocked, once we saw inside his head, at the depth of his feelings. They have the potential to blow up his entire life, including his relationship with his family. So he keeps everything bottled up.
One of the biggest things I love with KC books is that there is always a bit of mystery. You never know what you are going to get and with whom. I thought I knew who Riley would end up with, but I didn’t know at all!! The way they come together is perfect. I enjoyed their dynamic, and how they come to get to know each other. She’s wounded from past relationships, and he is still harboring feelings he shouldn’t have. Their “arrangement” opens the door into their hearts, and they have to decide whether to walk through.
I love how we can come back to this family with every tale and it’s like saying hello to old friends. The humor, and witty banter are just brilliant. We’ve watched this family grow and come together with each new installment, and they are finally able to close the final chapter on their past. Even with this series ending (OMG I can’t believe it!), I am a Kate Canterbary fan for life. She weaves a story like few others, and I can’t wait to read what she comes up with next. I know the Walsh’s will continue to hold the spot as one of my favorite series of all time.
sarahpalys's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
4.0
kirbyj_'s review against another edition
5.0
shambles, riley, all shambles.
the first chapter had me stressed, i was ready to murder writerlady for the what she was putting me through.
but my god, i adored riley and all his shambles and shenanigans. i loved the chemistry between him and alex.
the first chapter had me stressed, i was ready to murder writerlady for the what she was putting me through.
but my god, i adored riley and all his shambles and shenanigans. i loved the chemistry between him and alex.
magnafeana's review against another edition
2.0
I just…
Let’s work our way bottom to top.
This story of the Walshes features MMC Riley Walsh a goofy loyal brother of the Walsh family who harbors a delusional crush on his older brother’s wife. When he and a rusty nail don’t get along, he meets the FMC Dr Alexandra “Alex” Emmerling, a sharp gastroenterology surgeon who has had her fair share of being second place in life.
See where this goes?
The fake dating trope ensues for plot reasons that revolve around the maturity of teenagers. But Fake Love becomes I Got the Feelsvery quickly. Yet when Alex puts it together Riley sees her as second to Matt’s wife Lauren dubbed “Ms Honey” affectionately by Riley, the Big Break Up doesn’t necessarily happens but the Ross and Rachel Big Break does instead.
And here is where my complaints come in.
(1) Riley gives Alex the nickname “Honeybee” which, considering he nicknamed Lauren “Ms Honey”, that’s a
Let’s work our way bottom to top.
This story of the Walshes features MMC Riley Walsh a goofy loyal brother of the Walsh family who harbors a delusional crush on his older brother’s wife. When he and a rusty nail don’t get along, he meets the FMC Dr Alexandra “Alex” Emmerling, a sharp gastroenterology surgeon who has had her fair share of being second place in life.
See where this goes?
The fake dating trope ensues for plot reasons that revolve around the maturity of teenagers. But Fake Love becomes I Got the Feelsvery quickly. Yet when Alex puts it together Riley sees her as second to Matt’s wife Lauren dubbed “Ms Honey” affectionately by Riley, the Big Break Up doesn’t necessarily happens but the Ross and Rachel Big Break does instead.
And here is where my complaints come in.
(1) Riley gives Alex the nickname “Honeybee” which, considering he nicknamed Lauren “Ms Honey”, that’s a
lifeinthebooklane's review against another edition
5.0
I have been waiting so long and so anxiously for Riley's story. Now I've finished it I'm equal parts sad (because I love the Walshes) and happy (because who doesn't want Riley to love and be loved in return).
I'm not sure if I was almost expecting too much, or in strange mood, but I just didn't get into this at first. I just wasn't getting the feels for his unrequited love of Miss Honey. I put the book to one side, and came back to it later in the day and, from that point, just couldn't stop reading it. I think I was also so much on team #Riley-getting-his-HEA that I didn't want any part of things that stood in his way.
This was everything and nothing like I expected. You think you know Riley? Think again. That man (I wanted to say boy but there is nothing of a boy about him) is a walking contradiction. And if I thought he was special before reading this I know he is all that and more after reading it. In fact my life will forever be defined as before Riley and after Riley.
His special other? You'll love her.
And the banter between them was wonderful.
There were so many false starts, misread signals, misconceptions, lustful thoughts one of which wasn't this
There was of course the wonderful interactions between the siblings
And then towards the end I totally changed my mind on the Miss Honey thing. And I know this is much less of a review than a series of odd and disjointed ramblings but a day in the company of the massively sexy Riley and his pocket-rocket soul mate has totally scrambled my brains and left me in a daze.
Kate Canterbary is one amazing author who has a very unique style of writing that just puts you in right there in the story. You live the moments not only with the characters but almost as if you were them. I'm from the UK but feel as though I know Boston, and whilst I'd love to visit there I know I would be disappointed in not meeting the entire Walsh clan.
I may have to re-read the book and then write another review because I'm fairly sure I haven't done proper justice to either. Read the book, in fact if you haven't done so read the ENTIRE series because you are seriously missing out if you don't.
Never in my life had one woman robbed me of my game.
I'm not sure if I was almost expecting too much, or in strange mood, but I just didn't get into this at first. I just wasn't getting the feels for his unrequited love of Miss Honey. I put the book to one side, and came back to it later in the day and, from that point, just couldn't stop reading it. I think I was also so much on team #Riley-getting-his-HEA that I didn't want any part of things that stood in his way.
This was everything and nothing like I expected. You think you know Riley? Think again. That man (I wanted to say boy but there is nothing of a boy about him) is a walking contradiction. And if I thought he was special before reading this I know he is all that and more after reading it. In fact my life will forever be defined as before Riley and after Riley.
"Shenanigans", he repeated. He stared at me, his eyes twinkling like I'd spoken a secret incantation.
His special other? You'll love her.
It's understandable that the sonogram was wrong. My balls are pretty big.#Shades-of-Shannon-but-so-not-Shannon.
And the banter between them was wonderful.
Riley: This attitude of yours ......
GIRL: It's a handful
Riley: Good job I have two hands
There were so many false starts, misread signals, misconceptions, lustful thoughts one of which wasn't this
It was indecent, really, watching this man tend to me from his knees. I didn't want him to stop. "It's fine," I said, reaching for his shoulder. "I don't even like those shoes. Obviously. They're beige."And there is a whole tale itself in the word 'shoes'.
There was of course the wonderful interactions between the siblings
We knocked the fun right into dysfunctional.. There was amazing chemistry and one heck of an emotional ride, some amazing adventures and a fair few Riley mishaps along the way. You may just die laughing when you get to
"Andy, for f**k's sake, don't zoom in," Patrick cried.but then you'll want to get alongside Shannon and cuddle the heck out of him.
And then towards the end I totally changed my mind on the Miss Honey thing. And I know this is much less of a review than a series of odd and disjointed ramblings but a day in the company of the massively sexy Riley and his pocket-rocket soul mate has totally scrambled my brains and left me in a daze.
Kate Canterbary is one amazing author who has a very unique style of writing that just puts you in right there in the story. You live the moments not only with the characters but almost as if you were them. I'm from the UK but feel as though I know Boston, and whilst I'd love to visit there I know I would be disappointed in not meeting the entire Walsh clan.
I may have to re-read the book and then write another review because I'm fairly sure I haven't done proper justice to either. Read the book, in fact if you haven't done so read the ENTIRE series because you are seriously missing out if you don't.
meggiecole's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing ... worth the wait!
Kate Canterbary has done it again. Every time I read a story of hers, I fall more in love. I always think I can't love a book more than the last and yet she proves me wrong every single time.
Riley and his special someone are perfect for one another. Watching Riley "grow up" over the past 6 books and then reading his finale was wonderful. The slow burn of this book was amazing and the trials and tribulations the couple went through were real issues. I love reading the little snippets into the other families lives.
Highly recommend this book and every single other one Kate has written. My heart is full and breaking at the same time to see this era come to an end. Amazing work - as always, Kate! ❤️
Kate Canterbary has done it again. Every time I read a story of hers, I fall more in love. I always think I can't love a book more than the last and yet she proves me wrong every single time.
Riley and his special someone are perfect for one another. Watching Riley "grow up" over the past 6 books and then reading his finale was wonderful. The slow burn of this book was amazing and the trials and tribulations the couple went through were real issues. I love reading the little snippets into the other families lives.
Highly recommend this book and every single other one Kate has written. My heart is full and breaking at the same time to see this era come to an end. Amazing work - as always, Kate! ❤️
wilwarinde's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
2.75
I liked the characters and their slow build a lot, Riley was funny and was great to see him through his siblings and then how Alex saw him. Really liked the dates at the start
Lost a few points because I found myself skipping the awkward third act conflict, just felt too cringe and really not necessary in comparison to the mature and open comms earlier
Lost a few points because I found myself skipping the awkward third act conflict, just felt too cringe and really not necessary in comparison to the mature and open comms earlier