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lost_n_booked 's review for:
Steady Now
by Liberty Stowe
funny
tense
fast-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
ARC REVIEW
When Wren’s car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, Vogel Springs, Texas, she meets Hud, a single dad and the only mechanic in town. He has a fixer mentality but ironically can’t seem to fix himself. What follows is a story about two people falling in love while navigating the complexities of adulthood: land lawsuits, child custody battles, and emotional baggage.
The premise pulled me in right away, it was engaging and had a lot of potential. There’s some light flirtation between the two leads, all set against the charming backdrop of a small town that felt warm, cozy, and alive through Wren’s perspective. I really enjoyed the depth added by their individual stories, which gave more dimension to both characters.
That said, I feel like the book tried to do too much at once and lost focus along the way. The romance didn’t quite land for me. There were cute, sweet, and even steamy moments, but stepping back, it felt like Wren and Hud barely knew each other. Their emotional connection didn’t have enough time to fully develop, and what we got felt like insta-love, which isn’t really my thing.
After about 50% into the story, their interactions became minimal as each dealt with their own struggles (especially Hud). I thought the pause in their romance would allow for more natural development, but instead, several chapters passed with little to no interaction between them. Hud’s early protectiveness felt unjustified and, at times, possessive. While he clearly cared for Wren, his actions were often self-centered. The miscommunication between them was frustrating. Just talk to each other! You’re adults. Don’t make assumptions and decisions in your head without even having a conversation.
We also didn’t get enough meaningful insight into Wren’s life before she ran away, and what little we got felt shallow. In contrast, Hud’s backstory was more developed, but the way it wrapped up felt rushed.
And one final note: if Wren, a grown woman, calls her estranged father “daddy” one more time, I will gladly sell my soul to Matilda.
Overall, this is a decent debut. I enjoyed it for what it was: a feel-good and funny novel with cozy vibes and heavier themes sprinkled in. I especially appreciated that it wasn’t just a fluffy romance, instead it touched on real-life issues. I just wish that everything had been more balanced.
When Wren’s car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, Vogel Springs, Texas, she meets Hud, a single dad and the only mechanic in town. He has a fixer mentality but ironically can’t seem to fix himself. What follows is a story about two people falling in love while navigating the complexities of adulthood: land lawsuits, child custody battles, and emotional baggage.
The premise pulled me in right away, it was engaging and had a lot of potential. There’s some light flirtation between the two leads, all set against the charming backdrop of a small town that felt warm, cozy, and alive through Wren’s perspective. I really enjoyed the depth added by their individual stories, which gave more dimension to both characters.
That said, I feel like the book tried to do too much at once and lost focus along the way. The romance didn’t quite land for me. There were cute, sweet, and even steamy moments, but stepping back, it felt like Wren and Hud barely knew each other. Their emotional connection didn’t have enough time to fully develop, and what we got felt like insta-love, which isn’t really my thing.
After about 50% into the story, their interactions became minimal as each dealt with their own struggles (especially Hud). I thought the pause in their romance would allow for more natural development, but instead, several chapters passed with little to no interaction between them. Hud’s early protectiveness felt unjustified and, at times, possessive. While he clearly cared for Wren, his actions were often self-centered. The miscommunication between them was frustrating. Just talk to each other! You’re adults. Don’t make assumptions and decisions in your head without even having a conversation.
We also didn’t get enough meaningful insight into Wren’s life before she ran away, and what little we got felt shallow. In contrast, Hud’s backstory was more developed, but the way it wrapped up felt rushed.
And one final note: if Wren, a grown woman, calls her estranged father “daddy” one more time, I will gladly sell my soul to Matilda.
Overall, this is a decent debut. I enjoyed it for what it was: a feel-good and funny novel with cozy vibes and heavier themes sprinkled in. I especially appreciated that it wasn’t just a fluffy romance, instead it touched on real-life issues. I just wish that everything had been more balanced.