A review by keytheelibrarian
The Build Up by Tati Richardson

funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

the build up was definitely a build up. ari and porter's love story gave me whip lash, beat me down, buried me under the stadium, but then revived me in a spanish resort whirl pool. after ari's first day i knew this book would be a trip. you don't start a book with that chaos and expect anything less! luckily, porter is there as the knight with a shining AMEX to come to her rescue. they're both ambitious, hilarious, hampton-alums who knew from the moment they saw each other there was sparks between them. when they're saddled on a big project together what more can you expect them to do but fall in love (after a long and winding friends-with-benefit stint of course). 

the third act breakup had me throwing my ipad and CRYING. i literally kept screaming, "WHY? WHY?" i couldn't believe it y'all! i don't want to say too much because y'all deserve to be just as angry as i was but oh my God. brace yourselves. the resolution was perfect, but rushed to me. i would have love to see more of ari with claudio and porter beating greer's ass. but that's just me! 

i enjoyed this! it's a nice, fun, steamy read that will definitely resonate with a lot of southerners and especially atliens. it was a pleasure and honor being able to launch the book with tati and carina press at harlequin! 

3.4⭐️s