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A review by talknerdybookblog
Just One Look by Lucy Darling
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
No strong representation of diverse characters or minority identities.
Just One Look is a very cute and sweet romance; it's a classic for my 'HEA-Erotica' shelf. However last week I read Nanny Tempts the Beast, and both books have the exact same premise!
Both books have a Hero (with "r" names: Roman/Reese) whose brother has die and therefore he has to take in his nephew, who are named Ace & Ari respectively (in Nanny Tempts the Beast the Hero has a niece to take in as well).
Both books are also premised on the Hero finding a nanny for his nephew (and niece). In Just One Look the Hero discovers the Heroine and immediately decides to marry her (and manipulates/bribes her father to make it happen... like a completely normal person *sarcasm*). However, in Nanny Tempts the Beast the Heroine is hired as the nanny for a bit before her relationship with the Hero develops.
I was also surprised by how much subtle OW drama was in Just One Look. There's no actual ex-girlfriend/lover but the Heroine is misled to believe he's dated a string of supermodels in the past which is not typical for this kind of book. And, there was a scene where the Heroine thought he was with an OW (it turned out it was someone else).
Besides the above issues, I really enjoyed Just One Look. I liked how Lucy spent the time developing the Hero and Heroine's relationship with Ace; too often in romance books the kids are very much "seen not heard."
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• No OM drama
• Does have OW drama but it's all a misunderstanding
– Heroine is misled to believe Hero dated a string of supermodels in his past. The Hero tells her he never attended those events with a date; he doesn't know who he was photographed with.
– Heroine goes to talk to the Hero in his office, only to discover what sounds like sex coming through the door. She's pissed and hurt, only for the Hero to show up behind her... she realizes that the guy the Hero is meeting for business is getting it on with his secretary in there (super unprofessional but whatever).
• Does have the Hero and Heroine (briefly) pushing each other away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Heroine's father selling her to the Hero to settle debts
• Gambling addiction
• Toxic familial relationships
• Abduction
• Gun violence
Ending:HEA with Extended Epilogue
Connected Books:
– Kennedy's (Heroine's best friend) book: You Are Mine • My Review
– Knox's (Ace's future girlfriend's twin brother) book: Beauty and the Outcast • My Review
Just One Look is a very cute and sweet romance; it's a classic for my 'HEA-Erotica' shelf. However last week I read Nanny Tempts the Beast, and both books have the exact same premise!
Both books have a Hero (with "r" names: Roman/Reese) whose brother has die and therefore he has to take in his nephew, who are named Ace & Ari respectively (in Nanny Tempts the Beast the Hero has a niece to take in as well).
Both books are also premised on the Hero finding a nanny for his nephew (and niece). In Just One Look the Hero discovers the Heroine and immediately decides to marry her (and manipulates/bribes her father to make it happen... like a completely normal person *sarcasm*). However, in Nanny Tempts the Beast the Heroine is hired as the nanny for a bit before her relationship with the Hero develops.
I was also surprised by how much subtle OW drama was in Just One Look. There's no actual ex-girlfriend/lover but the Heroine is misled to believe he's dated a string of supermodels in the past which is not typical for this kind of book. And, there was a scene where the Heroine thought he was with an OW (it turned out it was someone else).
Besides the above issues, I really enjoyed Just One Look. I liked how Lucy spent the time developing the Hero and Heroine's relationship with Ace; too often in romance books the kids are very much "seen not heard."
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• No OM drama
• Does have OW drama but it's all a misunderstanding
– Heroine is misled to believe Hero dated a string of supermodels in his past. The Hero tells her he never attended those events with a date; he doesn't know who he was photographed with.
– Heroine goes to talk to the Hero in his office, only to discover what sounds like sex coming through the door. She's pissed and hurt, only for the Hero to show up behind her... she realizes that the guy the Hero is meeting for business is getting it on with his secretary in there (super unprofessional but whatever).
• Does have the Hero and Heroine (briefly) pushing each other away
• No separation
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Heroine's father selling her to the Hero to settle debts
• Gambling addiction
• Toxic familial relationships
• Abduction
• Gun violence
Ending:
Connected Books:
– Kennedy's (Heroine's best friend) book: You Are Mine • My Review
– Knox's (Ace's future girlfriend's twin brother) book: Beauty and the Outcast • My Review