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A review by koistyfishy
Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey
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? Yes
4.0
4 Giraffe Pajama Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
No ifs, ands, or putts. This was adorable. I quite frankly, couldn't putt it down. The story is absolutely tee-riffic and hits below par of my expectations of a Tessa Bailey Book. (If you don't know you are meant to score par or under to do well).
I was sceptical going into this because the only other Tessa Bailey book was neither here nor there for me. But when I saw SK raving about how this is probably the best book from her, I knew I had to read it for my contemporary fix.
Josephine is Wells Whitaker's biggest fan. And every time Wells comes past her town, she is on the side of the green, cheering him on. She also recently won a competition for Lunch with Wells and is super excited about spending one-on-one time with him. Unfortunately, Wells has lost his drive. His career has taken a nosedive and while he was once a rising star, now due to his temper and personality, almost no one wants to touch him. He's lost most of his support and subsequently hurts Josephine's feelings by being pretty mean to her. However, something from their conversation sticks with him. And after a devastating hurricane hits her pro shop, he makes a deal with her, that he will help her with the funding if she becomes his caddie.
Wells is a super grumpy bad boy. He is also super self-destructive and he's lost his way. He makes awful decisions, is quick to anger, and lets his temper get the better of him. While being a total grump and taking the hole (yes that is another golf pun) - "Hates everyone but her" stereotype way too seriously, he is also a gushy sweetheart when it comes to her. He takes care of her but also doesn't see her illness as a disability. He doesn't coddle her but challenges her and is just putterly perfect!
Josephine is a ray of sunshine. She is so positive and so optimistic in life. It does seem a little bit strange being a fan of golf. She is Well's biggest cheerleader and his complete opposite. She hasn't always had it easy but is tired of people being cautious around her. She suffers from type 1 diabetes and just wants to be taken seriously. She wants to be seen as someone who can take care of herself and be treated like an adult. She is so over everyone treating her as fragile because of her chronic condition and just wants the chance to live a normal life like everyone else and experience things everyone else does. She is also adorable, and witty and I loved that she was able to speak her mind. She has the distinct challenge of being a woman in a primarily male-driven sport but doesn't let her gender hold her back and can stand her own.
The relationship between these two shines off the page - Josephine not only guides Wells on the course but also off. She helps him navigate his emotions and issues and helps him find love in his game and himself. And I absolutely love their chemistry, attraction, their flirting, their banter, their heartfelt moments and their funny moments! There were moments where I squealed and giggled and moments where I had to stop and take a moment and just be real.
The one thing that did detract a little from this being fantastic is that I did think that while the romance was written very well in terms of their feelings, I felt that it progressed very quickly. They were only together for a couple of days before they started acting on their feelings. I kept wondering if the situation had been, that one of them didn't reciprocate those feelings, that would cross SERIOUS professional boundaries. Given that this is a workplace and how quickly Wells made the first move.
Now I admit, a big part of me picked up this book because I have my own grumpy golfer to cheer on, and I had hoped that I would learn a thing or two about the game. Unfortunately, I already knew everything that was mentioned, but I think this helped with the book's enjoyment because I could feel their passion and love for the sport and how seriously they took it in the pages!
So while I didn't learn anything new about golf, this book was a complete and utter delight that I would recommend everybody take a chance on.
Trope Summary:
▶ Grumpy X Sunshine
▶ She Falls First, He Falls Harder
▶ Golf Romance
▶ She's his biggest Fan
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Workplace Romance
▶ Hate's Everyone But Her
Microtropes:
▶ HE FIXES HER HAIR AND LOOKS AFTER HER
▶ Steamy Shower Scene
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
No ifs, ands, or putts. This was adorable. I quite frankly, couldn't putt it down. The story is absolutely tee-riffic and hits below par of my expectations of a Tessa Bailey Book. (If you don't know you are meant to score par or under to do well).
I was sceptical going into this because the only other Tessa Bailey book was neither here nor there for me. But when I saw SK raving about how this is probably the best book from her, I knew I had to read it for my contemporary fix.
Josephine is Wells Whitaker's biggest fan. And every time Wells comes past her town, she is on the side of the green, cheering him on. She also recently won a competition for Lunch with Wells and is super excited about spending one-on-one time with him. Unfortunately, Wells has lost his drive. His career has taken a nosedive and while he was once a rising star, now due to his temper and personality, almost no one wants to touch him. He's lost most of his support and subsequently hurts Josephine's feelings by being pretty mean to her. However, something from their conversation sticks with him. And after a devastating hurricane hits her pro shop, he makes a deal with her, that he will help her with the funding if she becomes his caddie.
Wells is a super grumpy bad boy. He is also super self-destructive and he's lost his way. He makes awful decisions, is quick to anger, and lets his temper get the better of him. While being a total grump and taking the hole (yes that is another golf pun) - "Hates everyone but her" stereotype way too seriously, he is also a gushy sweetheart when it comes to her. He takes care of her but also doesn't see her illness as a disability. He doesn't coddle her but challenges her and is just putterly perfect!
Josephine is a ray of sunshine. She is so positive and so optimistic in life. It does seem a little bit strange being a fan of golf. She is Well's biggest cheerleader and his complete opposite. She hasn't always had it easy but is tired of people being cautious around her. She suffers from type 1 diabetes and just wants to be taken seriously. She wants to be seen as someone who can take care of herself and be treated like an adult. She is so over everyone treating her as fragile because of her chronic condition and just wants the chance to live a normal life like everyone else and experience things everyone else does. She is also adorable, and witty and I loved that she was able to speak her mind. She has the distinct challenge of being a woman in a primarily male-driven sport but doesn't let her gender hold her back and can stand her own.
The relationship between these two shines off the page - Josephine not only guides Wells on the course but also off. She helps him navigate his emotions and issues and helps him find love in his game and himself. And I absolutely love their chemistry, attraction, their flirting, their banter, their heartfelt moments and their funny moments! There were moments where I squealed and giggled and moments where I had to stop and take a moment and just be real.
The one thing that did detract a little from this being fantastic is that I did think that while the romance was written very well in terms of their feelings, I felt that it progressed very quickly. They were only together for a couple of days before they started acting on their feelings. I kept wondering if the situation had been, that one of them didn't reciprocate those feelings, that would cross SERIOUS professional boundaries. Given that this is a workplace and how quickly Wells made the first move.
Now I admit, a big part of me picked up this book because I have my own grumpy golfer to cheer on, and I had hoped that I would learn a thing or two about the game. Unfortunately, I already knew everything that was mentioned, but I think this helped with the book's enjoyment because I could feel their passion and love for the sport and how seriously they took it in the pages!
So while I didn't learn anything new about golf, this book was a complete and utter delight that I would recommend everybody take a chance on.
Trope Summary:
▶ Grumpy X Sunshine
▶ She Falls First, He Falls Harder
▶ Golf Romance
▶ She's his biggest Fan
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Workplace Romance
▶ Hate's Everyone But Her
Microtropes:
▶ HE FIXES HER HAIR AND LOOKS AFTER HER
▶ Steamy Shower Scene
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Chronic illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Misogyny, and Sexism