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A review by kfriend
Knocking Boots by Willow Winters
4.0
I knew just looking at the beautiful cover of this delightful story that this story would feel different than other Willow books- we have brightness, light, joy staring back at us instead of the darker, mysterious, brooding tone her beautiful covers normal set. And it is different- Knocking Boots is a charming, sweet small town, fake-relationship gem. This a great feel good, quick read.
Our characters Charlie and Grace have crossed paths at the bar Charlie owns-and have a bit of a budding friendship. We have dual POV so we both know they are interested, but they want very different things out of relationships, but he’s not at all interested in the serious type relationship she desires in her life. Serendipity strikes and Charlie is in need of a date for his sister’s wedding - all that mom pressure- so the two agree to pretend to date to get his family off his back.
Grace is my kind of heroine. She’s sweet, willing to be vulnerable, patient, more understated- she’s more agreeable, less dramatic- not an all up in your face kind of girl, which I LOVE. (I love me some sassy ballbusters, but we got lots of those!) I love this kind of heroine paired with someone like Charlie, too- a swoon worthy, sexy and confident guy who underneath everything has loving and genuine heart that’s just been slightly wounded. Both have their personal baggage- and I related to Grace’s so much, I was reliving my own fears and challenges through her eyes. The flirting is adorable, the tension carefully mounts, and their chemistry sparkles. And the steam, as always with Willow, is hot hot hot.
For the most part, I appreciated that this story isn’t too complex- we have a straightforward will-they won't they without a lot of distraction or too much angst. Some of the secondary characters were actually distracting and grating, but our core couple I adored. The plot is more of a steady tempo throughout- I kept waiting for the usual dramatic explosions Willow usually sprinkles in. While we don’t know the full ins and outs of this couple, that’s okay- this book is designed to charm you, lift your heart, and give you some warm fuzzies- and it does.
(As for the re-write, I have NOT read the original, so I can’t speak to the changes other than what Willow has shared- updating the writing style to more of her current style and a twaked ending.)
Our characters Charlie and Grace have crossed paths at the bar Charlie owns-and have a bit of a budding friendship. We have dual POV so we both know they are interested, but they want very different things out of relationships, but he’s not at all interested in the serious type relationship she desires in her life. Serendipity strikes and Charlie is in need of a date for his sister’s wedding - all that mom pressure- so the two agree to pretend to date to get his family off his back.
Grace is my kind of heroine. She’s sweet, willing to be vulnerable, patient, more understated- she’s more agreeable, less dramatic- not an all up in your face kind of girl, which I LOVE. (I love me some sassy ballbusters, but we got lots of those!) I love this kind of heroine paired with someone like Charlie, too- a swoon worthy, sexy and confident guy who underneath everything has loving and genuine heart that’s just been slightly wounded. Both have their personal baggage- and I related to Grace’s so much, I was reliving my own fears and challenges through her eyes. The flirting is adorable, the tension carefully mounts, and their chemistry sparkles. And the steam, as always with Willow, is hot hot hot.
For the most part, I appreciated that this story isn’t too complex- we have a straightforward will-they won't they without a lot of distraction or too much angst. Some of the secondary characters were actually distracting and grating, but our core couple I adored. The plot is more of a steady tempo throughout- I kept waiting for the usual dramatic explosions Willow usually sprinkles in. While we don’t know the full ins and outs of this couple, that’s okay- this book is designed to charm you, lift your heart, and give you some warm fuzzies- and it does.
(As for the re-write, I have NOT read the original, so I can’t speak to the changes other than what Willow has shared- updating the writing style to more of her current style and a twaked ending.)