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A review by erica_flores
Smoky Darling by S.J. Tilly
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
♦️ small town romance
♦️ age gap (an issue when younger; not as adults)
♦️ possessive/protective hero
Eloise Hall has been infatuated with Beckett Stoleman since she was 7. He was her brother’s bestfriend’s older brother. She ran jnto him several times through her younger years, but felt heartbroken when he didn’t feel the same (she was a child so obviously that’s a good thing, but still hurt!). Beckett never saw her that way because she was so much younger but runs into her again many years later (he is 38; she is 30) and feels drawn to her. She has never gotten over her crush, but can now see he shares the attraction with her. As they try to start to see what exists between them they hit several bumps very quickly but Beckett does a great job working with her through them.
I thought it was a cute, easy read. S.J. Tilly frequently writes insta-love so I expected that going into it and it didn’t bother me. I liked the way the age gap was handled (they were both grown adults before they were together; no barely a legal adult scenarios). I loved Beckett. He was sexy, possessive, protective, sweet, understanding, commanding in a delicious way. A bit of a strange turn of events toward the end, but I get how she was using it within the story to push the “no need to wait just because others might find it too soon” storyline. Overall I liked it. I have already read Maddie’s story and really like it too.
Tropes:
♦️ small town romance
♦️ age gap (an issue when younger; not as adults)
♦️ possessive/protective hero
Eloise Hall has been infatuated with Beckett Stoleman since she was 7. He was her brother’s bestfriend’s older brother. She ran jnto him several times through her younger years, but felt heartbroken when he didn’t feel the same (she was a child so obviously that’s a good thing, but still hurt!). Beckett never saw her that way because she was so much younger but runs into her again many years later (he is 38; she is 30) and feels drawn to her. She has never gotten over her crush, but can now see he shares the attraction with her. As they try to start to see what exists between them they hit several bumps very quickly but Beckett does a great job working with her through them.
I thought it was a cute, easy read. S.J. Tilly frequently writes insta-love so I expected that going into it and it didn’t bother me. I liked the way the age gap was handled (they were both grown adults before they were together; no barely a legal adult scenarios). I loved Beckett. He was sexy, possessive, protective, sweet, understanding, commanding in a delicious way. A bit of a strange turn of events toward the end, but I get how she was using it within the story to push the “no need to wait just because others might find it too soon” storyline. Overall I liked it. I have already read Maddie’s story and really like it too.