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lilyelisabeth511 's review for:
Come As You Are
by Jess K. Hardy
“You are the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. I’ve never felt like this with anyone before. I don’t understand how I even lived before I met you, like my world was in black and white until you showed me color, and now everything just…glows.”
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Listen. This book has become my new personality. I want to reread this over and over and over again. It was so good, so sweet, so spicy, so honest, so warm and so cozy! I L.O.V.E.D. everything about it. And I must say, the COMMUNICATION in this was *chefs kiss.* It was perfection. Madigan and Ashley had struggles and there was a bit of 3rd act drama but it felt real and honest and not overdramatized just for the sake of having drama. These two characters KNOOOOW how to fucking talk and make up and be champions for each other. Ugh, so good.
This is classified as a "Gen X romance" and tbh I had no idea that was a thing but I really just want to books in that "genre" forever. I am obsessed with characters who have LIVED and have had lives and are wise and seasoned and know what they are doing. It is so damn refreshing in CR. Lucy Score is a really great example of writing older characters and I am adding Jess K Hardy to that list. Like people over the age of 35 have love stories too! Love doesn't just end when you turn 30.
There are so many loveable side characters (Maude Alice, Davis, Kev, Clay, Sam, Brian, Tex, Shannon, Mace, MURPHY THE DOG) and they all have individual stories that you are INVESTED in. Like, I was sobbing for Sam at the end. And I would beg on my hands and knees for a book about Kev and Davis. And was there a lil ~something~ between Clay and Maude Alice? Shannon and Tex? See what I'm talking about? Everyone was so amazing.
Ashley Cooke is 46. She owns and operates Bluebird, a local mom and pop ski resort. She is also a mom to a college student, divorced and constantly trying to dodge her dick ex husband, Chuck, who can't quite get the memo that him and Ashley are divorced and have been for 8 years. Bluebird is unfortunately failing. They are losing money year over year due to the "corporate" ski resorts with much fancier and newer amenities. Her ex also just happens to work for one who is constantly trying to buy her out. She is desperate to cut costs, save Bluebird and honor her Dad's legacy.
Maude Alice, Ashley's mom, presents Ashley with an idea - hire the men of Little Timber - a sober living home for men who are recovering addicts - to work at the resort for the season. Their labor is cheaper, and even though risk-averse Ashley is hesitant, she knows it's her only option.
Matthew Madigan is 53. He owns and operates Little Timber. He used to be the lead guitarist in a very popular grunge band in the 90's and he himself is a recovering addict who has been sober for 20+ years. When he learns about an opportunity to bring his guys to a local ski resort, Bluebird, for work over the winter, he jumps at the chance. He loves the work he does and he loves the guys he takes care of, but he doesn't let himself envision a future of anything but Little Timber - 100% devoted to that alone.
Ashley and Madigan can't stay away from each other but they're scared and timid - both of their lives have given them scars and ghosts - but they know there is something special between them that cannot be ignored. And over the course of the winter, not only do Madigan and Ashley fall in love - but Little Timber's men fall in love with Bluebird Basin, and Bluebird Basin falls in love with them right back.
•
•
Listen. This book has become my new personality. I want to reread this over and over and over again. It was so good, so sweet, so spicy, so honest, so warm and so cozy! I L.O.V.E.D. everything about it. And I must say, the COMMUNICATION in this was *chefs kiss.* It was perfection. Madigan and Ashley had struggles and there was a bit of 3rd act drama but it felt real and honest and not overdramatized just for the sake of having drama. These two characters KNOOOOW how to fucking talk and make up and be champions for each other. Ugh, so good.
This is classified as a "Gen X romance" and tbh I had no idea that was a thing but I really just want to books in that "genre" forever. I am obsessed with characters who have LIVED and have had lives and are wise and seasoned and know what they are doing. It is so damn refreshing in CR. Lucy Score is a really great example of writing older characters and I am adding Jess K Hardy to that list. Like people over the age of 35 have love stories too! Love doesn't just end when you turn 30.
There are so many loveable side characters (Maude Alice, Davis, Kev, Clay, Sam, Brian, Tex, Shannon, Mace, MURPHY THE DOG) and they all have individual stories that you are INVESTED in. Like, I was sobbing for Sam at the end. And I would beg on my hands and knees for a book about Kev and Davis. And was there a lil ~something~ between Clay and Maude Alice? Shannon and Tex? See what I'm talking about? Everyone was so amazing.
Ashley Cooke is 46. She owns and operates Bluebird, a local mom and pop ski resort. She is also a mom to a college student, divorced and constantly trying to dodge her dick ex husband, Chuck, who can't quite get the memo that him and Ashley are divorced and have been for 8 years. Bluebird is unfortunately failing. They are losing money year over year due to the "corporate" ski resorts with much fancier and newer amenities. Her ex also just happens to work for one who is constantly trying to buy her out. She is desperate to cut costs, save Bluebird and honor her Dad's legacy.
Maude Alice, Ashley's mom, presents Ashley with an idea - hire the men of Little Timber - a sober living home for men who are recovering addicts - to work at the resort for the season. Their labor is cheaper, and even though risk-averse Ashley is hesitant, she knows it's her only option.
Matthew Madigan is 53. He owns and operates Little Timber. He used to be the lead guitarist in a very popular grunge band in the 90's and he himself is a recovering addict who has been sober for 20+ years. When he learns about an opportunity to bring his guys to a local ski resort, Bluebird, for work over the winter, he jumps at the chance. He loves the work he does and he loves the guys he takes care of, but he doesn't let himself envision a future of anything but Little Timber - 100% devoted to that alone.
Ashley and Madigan can't stay away from each other but they're scared and timid - both of their lives have given them scars and ghosts - but they know there is something special between them that cannot be ignored. And over the course of the winter, not only do Madigan and Ashley fall in love - but Little Timber's men fall in love with Bluebird Basin, and Bluebird Basin falls in love with them right back.