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A review by katemc7
What It Should Be by Grayce Rian
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
4.0
I had the first book in this series on my radar when I was luck enough to get an ARC for this one! Now I can't WAIT to go back and read book 1. This was easy to read as a standalone and my understanding is that the timelines are parallel to the events that occur in book 1. I liked the twist on the nanny in this one. Normally it's the nanny and the dad, but in this case it was the nanny with the uncle- gasp! I liked the age gap between Dakota and Carson. Carson was just the freaking CUTEST! He was enthralled with Dakota from day one and was not afraid to say it. He showed her in every way possible however she would hear him that he was there for her. He helped her through a dark time and showed her what real love could be like. Dakota meanwhile was a woman on the run. She had a past that made her jumpy and mysterious. This book helped to show that if you are surrounded by the right people under the right circumstances, you will flourish and that is what happened with Dakota. I loved their tension and build up. I will say this was a slow burn in the true sense of the word. I don't think anything happened until 60% of the book BUT it did make sense with the story AND killed me at the same time haha.
Dakota is looking for a change of pace. Her husband doesn't know it yet but she is secretly working on getting a divorce and in order to do that she needs some money. Which is how she has found herself here applying for a nanny position. She is planning on working with McKenna but it is her brother Carson who she finds herself really drawn to. There is something about him that she can't stop thinking about. Now that Dakota has the job she is around him all the time. She loves the freedom and flexibility this job is giving her. So when things explode between her and her soon to be ex she turns to Carson. And he shows up for her like no one has before. He holds her hand. He tells her how strong she is. He helps her recognize what she is capable of. And that is how she now finds herself living with Carson while getting divorced. McKenna has reconnected with her daughter's dad so not only is Dakota living there but it is just the two of them. They do all the things "friends" do- watch movies, talk about everything and yet Dakota thinks that maybe more could happen between them. Maybe she should give in to this thing. When Carson offers a trip to Europe all expenses paid to help a dream of Dakota's come true she finds herself saying yes. She finds herself saying a lot of things like she's ready to see where this thing goes. She cares for Carson. She wants a future with him. She is HAPPY. But the past has a way of rearing it's ugly head when you least expect it. Dakota just hopes Carson will be patient with her as she works through it because now that she has him- she doesn't want to let him go.
Carson has a new outlook on life. That will happen when your twin sister has a baby and the dad is not in the picture. So Carson is doing all of his uncle duties to the fullest. But when his sister, McKenna, suggests getting a nanny he doesn't know what to think until he meets her. Dakota. The woman he finds himself having a reaction like he never has before. Even when he finds out that she is married he finds himself telling he will wait however long he needs to. As long as he is in her life in whatever capacity it's perfect. Now McKenna has reconnected with her ex Griffin and Carter feels himself thinking about his future. And it all circles back to Dakota. So when she calls him after the unthinkable has happened, he is there for her. He will go to war for her if it will help. The least he can do is offer her a place to stay while she works through what has happened. Which is how he finds himself with a new roommate that he wants more with. But first he wants to help her heal. Which is what he does. He gives her the freedom she needs and supports her however she needs him. When the perfect getaway comes up, he offers Dakota a trip to Europe. He wants to help her become successful in this new career she is looking into. He feels things have shifted between them but he wants to make sure she is all in. So when she says she is- he almost doesnt believe his ears. He is BEYOND ecstatic. His dream girl is now a reality. Though it seems they are moving fast, he has been pining for her for a year! So when her past comes back to bite them, he realizes he has to fight more than he thought he would to help her understand his intentions. Because she is his future period.
I don't think I have read a book where the MC is this enamored with the FMC throughout the WHOLE book- it was ADORABLE and PERFECTLY Carson. I liked how this transitioned from strangers to friends to almost best friends to move. The way that Carson helped Dakota work through her struggles was just chef's kiss. Also can we talk about that chess scene YALL?! IYKYK. I almost blew out my drink when Griffin asked about playing with that set haha. I liked the cast of supporting characters here and can't wait to go back and read McKenna and Griffin's- I know that one is going to be heavy but worth it. Also can't wait to see how Bennett folds for his attraction to Scarlett. And who is Jackson going to end up with? This is why I love series yall!! I definitely recommend picking this one up if you are looking for a spicy friends to move with a splash of sports and fun family banter.
Thank you to Luna Literary and Grayce for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Dakota is looking for a change of pace. Her husband doesn't know it yet but she is secretly working on getting a divorce and in order to do that she needs some money. Which is how she has found herself here applying for a nanny position. She is planning on working with McKenna but it is her brother Carson who she finds herself really drawn to. There is something about him that she can't stop thinking about. Now that Dakota has the job she is around him all the time. She loves the freedom and flexibility this job is giving her. So when things explode between her and her soon to be ex she turns to Carson. And he shows up for her like no one has before. He holds her hand. He tells her how strong she is. He helps her recognize what she is capable of. And that is how she now finds herself living with Carson while getting divorced. McKenna has reconnected with her daughter's dad so not only is Dakota living there but it is just the two of them. They do all the things "friends" do- watch movies, talk about everything and yet Dakota thinks that maybe more could happen between them. Maybe she should give in to this thing. When Carson offers a trip to Europe all expenses paid to help a dream of Dakota's come true she finds herself saying yes. She finds herself saying a lot of things like she's ready to see where this thing goes. She cares for Carson. She wants a future with him. She is HAPPY. But the past has a way of rearing it's ugly head when you least expect it. Dakota just hopes Carson will be patient with her as she works through it because now that she has him- she doesn't want to let him go.
Carson has a new outlook on life. That will happen when your twin sister has a baby and the dad is not in the picture. So Carson is doing all of his uncle duties to the fullest. But when his sister, McKenna, suggests getting a nanny he doesn't know what to think until he meets her. Dakota. The woman he finds himself having a reaction like he never has before. Even when he finds out that she is married he finds himself telling he will wait however long he needs to. As long as he is in her life in whatever capacity it's perfect. Now McKenna has reconnected with her ex Griffin and Carter feels himself thinking about his future. And it all circles back to Dakota. So when she calls him after the unthinkable has happened, he is there for her. He will go to war for her if it will help. The least he can do is offer her a place to stay while she works through what has happened. Which is how he finds himself with a new roommate that he wants more with. But first he wants to help her heal. Which is what he does. He gives her the freedom she needs and supports her however she needs him. When the perfect getaway comes up, he offers Dakota a trip to Europe. He wants to help her become successful in this new career she is looking into. He feels things have shifted between them but he wants to make sure she is all in. So when she says she is- he almost doesnt believe his ears. He is BEYOND ecstatic. His dream girl is now a reality. Though it seems they are moving fast, he has been pining for her for a year! So when her past comes back to bite them, he realizes he has to fight more than he thought he would to help her understand his intentions. Because she is his future period.
I don't think I have read a book where the MC is this enamored with the FMC throughout the WHOLE book- it was ADORABLE and PERFECTLY Carson. I liked how this transitioned from strangers to friends to almost best friends to move. The way that Carson helped Dakota work through her struggles was just chef's kiss. Also can we talk about that chess scene YALL?! IYKYK. I almost blew out my drink when Griffin asked about playing with that set haha. I liked the cast of supporting characters here and can't wait to go back and read McKenna and Griffin's- I know that one is going to be heavy but worth it. Also can't wait to see how Bennett folds for his attraction to Scarlett. And who is Jackson going to end up with? This is why I love series yall!! I definitely recommend picking this one up if you are looking for a spicy friends to move with a splash of sports and fun family banter.
Thank you to Luna Literary and Grayce for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!