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smoothunicorn 's review for:
Shucked
by Kate Canterbary
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
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
Listen, I don’t know how Ms. Canterbary manages to take the goofiest tropes, the most unlikely scenarios, the craziest cast of characters, and craft the most relatable, gorgeous, breathtaking love stories I’ve ever read in my life but she’s pretty much three for three now, at least in my experience, between In A Jam, Boss in the Bedsheets, and now Shucked.
I don’t even know what to say really. Sunny is one of those strong, free-spirited trope characters who manages to also be so grounded and smart - none of this “TSTL” stuff that so often happens with “strong independent women” in romance books. She makes careful decisions, thinks things through, but also manages to be fun and interesting to watch.
It’s easy to see why Beck, who initially pissed me off as the stoic, chilly, scary rich bossman, falls madly in love with Sunny from minute one. Something I love about Kate Canterbary is how HARD her male leads fall. And Beck falls so, so hard here. He also proves to have layers, deep ones that somehow feel more relatable than most of the male leads I’ve read in contemporary romance. He struggles and pushes and pulls and has a very narrow and frankly tragic view of himself that is just so painful to watch; and yet, Sunny never falls into an emotional caretaker role with him.
Despite Beck’s overprotective approach to Sunny, they both seem to have so much respect and trust in each other. They count on one another to be adults and make good choices. The banter is hilarious and dry and stunning, and it serves as such an incredible contrast to the grisly, deep, angsty, and overwhelming feelings of love that develop between them. There are moments in this book that literally took my breath away with their poignancy.
I loved this book, bizarre plot line and all. I loved the diversity in the cast of characters, too: we have racial diversity, sexual diversity, age diversity, backgrounds, education levels, life choices, neurodivergence…but none of it feels shoehorned in.
Just a delight. Can’t wait to read everything else she’s written now.
I don’t even know what to say really. Sunny is one of those strong, free-spirited trope characters who manages to also be so grounded and smart - none of this “TSTL” stuff that so often happens with “strong independent women” in romance books. She makes careful decisions, thinks things through, but also manages to be fun and interesting to watch.
It’s easy to see why Beck, who initially pissed me off as the stoic, chilly, scary rich bossman, falls madly in love with Sunny from minute one. Something I love about Kate Canterbary is how HARD her male leads fall. And Beck falls so, so hard here. He also proves to have layers, deep ones that somehow feel more relatable than most of the male leads I’ve read in contemporary romance. He struggles and pushes and pulls and has a very narrow and frankly tragic view of himself that is just so painful to watch; and yet, Sunny never falls into an emotional caretaker role with him.
Despite Beck’s overprotective approach to Sunny, they both seem to have so much respect and trust in each other. They count on one another to be adults and make good choices. The banter is hilarious and dry and stunning, and it serves as such an incredible contrast to the grisly, deep, angsty, and overwhelming feelings of love that develop between them. There are moments in this book that literally took my breath away with their poignancy.
I loved this book, bizarre plot line and all. I loved the diversity in the cast of characters, too: we have racial diversity, sexual diversity, age diversity, backgrounds, education levels, life choices, neurodivergence…but none of it feels shoehorned in.
Just a delight. Can’t wait to read everything else she’s written now.