A review by nuggetsreads
Give & Take by Claire Wilder

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

“Calling what just happened fun is like calling the Colosseum cute. Calling the stars sweet. Fun is not the word for this.” 

This book was such a sweet and funny read. It had me laughing and swooning in equal measure. When Lana, a reserved single mom, needs a nanny for the summer, Raphael, a charismatic grad student working on his dissertation, steps in to help. Set against the charming backdrop of a small coastal beach town in Canada, the story follows their blossoming romance and individual journeys of self-discovery.

Raphael’s character is the embodiment of “when you know, you know”. One of the standout aspects was his relationship with Lana’s daughters. Watching him bond with them was heartwarming and added so much depth to the story. The author did a fantastic job building out the characters and giving them backstories that made them feel real. Their pasts weren’t just mentioned in passing —they helped shape who they were and gave their choices weight and meaning.

While the romance had a bit of an insta-lust vibe, it didn’t really bother me. It worked within the story and didn’t overshadow the emotional connection that developed between the characters. I never stopped rooting for them to get together, and was so happy watching their journey.

Overall, this was an entertaining and heartfelt story that left me smiling.

ARC provided by Claire Wilder via Luna Literary Management.