So disappointed because I loved Mr. Wrong Number, which made me laugh out loud from page 1. But from page 1 of Maid for Each Other, I did not like AbiSo disappointed because I loved Mr. Wrong Number, which made me laugh out loud from page 1. But from page 1 of Maid for Each Other, I did not like Abi.
Abi was judgmental, prejudiced, and small minded toward Declan (and anyone deemed "wealthy" by her) (view spoiler)[until all the way at the very end of the book when she only changed her mind after learning about his job with Roman (hide spoiler)] despite the fact he had proved over and over again that he was thoughtful and kind. Honestly, I didn't understand why Declan fell in love with her.
The premise was also a bit of a stretch, but I could have gotten behind it had Abi had any redeeming qualities. But Abi was too rigidly written without enough development. I just could not root for her at all. The threads were there—her compelling backstory, growing up relatively poor with a narcissistic mother. But those threads were never really fleshed out enough to provide her with any growth. As the story continued, I kept wondering how old Abi was because it felt like she was a teenager based on her snotty comments.
I also felt there were too many internal dialogues, each character living in their respective heads far more than interacting with each other. It got a bit boring. Abi spent so much time condemning Declan in her head that she failed to see all the considerate and kind things he did.
So sadly, this is a 2 star read for me mostly because I liked Declan and actually rooted for Declan to find someone else....more
My first Melissa Foster book. Overall, I enjoyed it. The writing was solid and I’ll definitely pick up another MF books
So why only 3 stars? First, ClaMy first Melissa Foster book. Overall, I enjoyed it. The writing was solid and I’ll definitely pick up another MF books
So why only 3 stars? First, Clay was a bit too perfect because other than him avoiding making a career decision, he seemingly had no flaws. I love that he was thoughtful and caring when pursuing Piper, but I also want to see a character that feels real and Clay just felt too ideal boyfriend, a dream list of qualities. His nickname, Mr. Perfect, was a bit too spot on.
As for Piper, I didn’t care for Piper at first (she was a bit too one-dimensional as she came across as all judgement). I almost DNF’d it because of her. While she did have some decent development, it never felt like her story really got there. Her entire development was built on Clay’s influence and she never really had that self-reflection growth. And given how much she talked about her twin & how close they were, Sable was barely on the page. I would have thought her twin would’ve been more in it.
Same for Ravi. He’s supposed to be her BFF, but he has one main scene giving her advice. It felt his character was just a convenient plot tool instead of an actual secondary character. I get that some of the characters had been introduced in other books, but too many were too flat and just seemed as easy ways to make the plot move.
Second, the break-up act, if i can even call it that, was far too late in the story and it was barely even a page—instantly resolved. Anti-climatic and really a waste. That was tied into what I had thought was going to be the conflict: Piper’s previous relationship with an athlete. I thought something would come of that, especially when Piper admitted he also had gone pro. But again, it came w-a-y too late and was really another blip where nothing really happened.
So a fun story overall with a dreamy male MC, but didn’t quite make it to be a 4-star read.
Savannah Peachwood & Christian Fox did a good job narrating. ...more
There were some things about Piper and Kaine that I didn’t like. The story had some seriously heavy topics and the resolutions felt maybe a bit too eaThere were some things about Piper and Kaine that I didn’t like. The story had some seriously heavy topics and the resolutions felt maybe a bit too easy. And I didn’t care for Jillian Macie’s narration. ...more
The concept was interesting but this one quickly failed.
First, the set-up might have worked, but the whole going on the local morning show and being "The concept was interesting but this one quickly failed.
First, the set-up might have worked, but the whole going on the local morning show and being "surprised" by your muse was a bit far fetched. Especially with the morning show host cast as the stereotypical mean-girl high school villain. Except she's in her mid-30s. And then I couldn't understand how Mason "interviewed" her and apparently the mean-girl host just sat there letting him? And why was this host still so obsessed with high school? Girl, you have your own morning show. Grow up.
But that pretty much set the tone for the entire book. Flat characters who were incredibly immature for people in their mid-30s. There was no real character development, just stereotypes and they weren't particularly memorable beyond their bad qualities.
Mason's whole careless audacity didn't improve enough to become a romantic lead. And he wasn't sympathetic enough to make me root for him. He was an oblivious asshole. Sure, he wasn't a mean or calculating asshole, just oblivious. And he ignored any and all conflict, like a child, including speaking to the team therapist. Then wanted Gemma to be his "tutor" to stop being an asshole. Um, if he really wanted to stop being an asshole, then stop making the same damn mistakes. And maybe actually apologize. How hard is that? He was just completely clueless about everything. I get that he clearly had trauma from the verbal abuse from his father constantly demeaning him when he was a child (huge red flag that he actually needed therapy). But despite that Gemma saying that he was smart, Mason was just written as a dumb jock. Nothing, NOTHING in this story contradicted the dumb jock stereotype. And the hockey metaphors for romance, please stop.
Gemma, well, Gemma was a contradiction too. Apparently, she had been a badass when she was younger, but now she just comes across as a doormat. Exhibit one, she answers phone calls from her EX-husband who not only demeaned and controlled her (which she *acknowledges*), but also cheated on her. Even her mom made the comment that her family noticed but didn't intervene, but wouldn't make that mistake again. So WTF? Why answer the ex's phone calls? Either block his number or get a new number. For her to answer his calls made NO sense at all. And why did the ex even need time on the page? And yet, Gemma was constantly portrayed as confident and bold.
Seriously, OMG, a simple conversation would have solved 90% of their problems. The entire getwaway was so far-fetched, I rolled my eyes. This book had no real plot or substance. Neither of the characters' behavior and communication were stuck in high school. There was zero chemistry, just cringy juvenile lust.
And why, when the reader already knows what happened between the two in high school, did the author have to write out the entire high school flashback scene? Because it's not the prologue, it's a good 30 or 40% of the way through the book. I got to that point in the story and was so confused. I *almost* DNF'd it right there and I wish I had because it did not get better.
I do love a hockey romance and a good second chance romance, but this wasn't one.
Both narrators, Patricia Santomasso and Sean Patrick Hopkins, were great and delivered solid performances. ...more
2.5 rounded up mostly because Andie Arndt's narration. But overall, the story is meh and really rather boring.
This is a single POV, only hearing from2.5 rounded up mostly because Andie Arndt's narration. But overall, the story is meh and really rather boring.
This is a single POV, only hearing from the female MC, Norah. Honestly, this book would have benefited from a dual POV. First, a lot of this book is Norah's internal thoughts and dialogue, which she then basically repeats to Patrick "Patty" Walsh. (As an aside, I hate the nickname "Patty" for Patrick. But that's a personal preference.) Second, Patrick is basically a stump throughout. He has limited reactions. Even the sex scenes were boring.
This story is mostly forgettable and feels more like the author's dream/journal entry on how she'd like to meet, be fake romanced, and then fall actually in love with a celebrity. The characters have no real personality, no spark. The best scene was when Patrick met Norah's grandmother—now there was a character I would've like to have seen more of.
The story lacked drama. There is no third act break-up and the ending felt rather abrupt and there is no epilogue. Really, there is no conflict, even though there were plenty of opportunities (Cole, Jack, Liv, the paparazzi). But nothing, nothing at all happened. Even the scene with Liv, in which I did appreciate Norah's spunk, fell flat because nothing really happened. There was a slight build-up for potential, but then zilch, zip, nada. People had there say and then exited stage left. It was as if Patrick just shrugged and said, okay then.
So many missed opportunities to add some spark, some drama. But this just was just fake dating romance that had all the personality of drying mud.
This is the third book of Scott's I've tried, and so far I'm not impressed. So this will probably be the last.
That being said, 5 stars for Andie Arndt's narration. She rocked it as usual, which is only why I'm giving this 3 rounded up stars. ...more
How refreshing to read a romance where the male MC not only has his own toxic baggage, but it's baggage that he has gotten counseling about and actualHow refreshing to read a romance where the male MC not only has his own toxic baggage, but it's baggage that he has gotten counseling about and actual made strides to overcome instead of acting like an a**hole. Damien was a breath of fresh air who wanted to actually talk about his feelings and actually supported Charlotte. While he did get a bit petulant initially about the ad campaign, I thought he came around really well. (view spoiler)[Although the fact that the male team "won" the ad campaign over the female team felt like it took a bit a way from the whole female power message (hide spoiler)]
I also appreciated that the author also connected the toxicity to Damien and his father with his mother. And that he dropped everything to go help his mom. I thought it was well done and well placed in the story,
I loved that Charlotte had a strong group of “found family” females to rely on and support her. And I loved that Damien increased that found family. Although I will say that at times I did want to slap Charlotte. I applauded when Penelope said what she said.
Teddy Hamilton is one of my fave narrators. Samantha Brentmoor isn't my favorite (I dislike her male voices as she has a slight off cadence) but she is a solid narrator. ...more
I thought the story got bogged down in the middle when Sloane and Davis just kept going in their circles aMeh. Not my favorite. 2.5 stars rounded up.
I thought the story got bogged down in the middle when Sloane and Davis just kept going in their circles about she would never be with another man and that he couldn't date anyone. I just wanted to get out of that revolving door. Then between the issue with Sloane's family, the pirate treasure search, and the pirate secret, it got a bit much.
Also, the plot itself kind of fell apart. At the end, it came out that (view spoiler)[Sloane's grandmother supposedly used Patrick at first to ruin Sloane's love of Shipwreck. But when he "couldn't get the job done" (although he seemed to have some other rather flimsy motivations), she sent Nigel to "finish the job". Except that Nigel showed up in the first chapter. (hide spoiler)] So that reasoning was seriously weak. And clearly Sloane's therapist needs to do a better job of helping her to set boundaries and understanding what love versus toxic control and manipulation through the guise of love. Because seriously no with her grandma.
Then Davis's whole need t0 constantly have a project or "bad things happen". Um, really? So his friends/chosen family who all know the "bad thing" that happened, which led to the break up Bro Code tries to protect him except do everything but stage an intervention to get him the mental professional help he desperately needed because of all the guilt he's been carrying around for 10 years.
Finally, I just never felt the chemistry between Sloane and Davis. I really just thought that both of them each needed an intervention and a whole lot more therapy. But as a couple? Nope, I just didn't see it.
This series went from Cash's not quite 4-hour audiobook to Davis's being nearly 12 hours. What that says to me is that this one needed a lot more editing. A lot, A LOT of the middle could have been cut out and nothing would have been lost except the merry-go-round of listening to the two MCs constantly remind the reader of their barriers to relationships. This might be my least fave Pippaverse story....more
I don't remember why I got this book, but I didn't realize it was book #7 in a series. But it is a stand-alone, as you don't have to have read the othI don't remember why I got this book, but I didn't realize it was book #7 in a series. But it is a stand-alone, as you don't have to have read the other 6 to dive into this one. This is a reverse grumpy-sunshine where the hero is the sunshine, romance-loving reader and the heroine is the grumpy cynic. Sadly, I got bored with the story—I phased out of the story several times and never got lost. I think this one would have worked better as a novella because it felt that the story was dragged out just to get to a full-length novel. Overall, this was just okay. Maybe if you've read the series from book 1, and therefore, are familiar with Viggo and hist family, this installment will be more enjoyable.
I do enjoy listening to Nelson Hobbs. CJ Bloom is decent as well....more
A rather over-the-top fake dating trope. I felt this story wanted to be a comedy of errors, but it didn't quite get there. The lying became farcical, A rather over-the-top fake dating trope. I felt this story wanted to be a comedy of errors, but it didn't quite get there. The lying became farcical, and it all was resolved almost too easily. While I liked Hugh and mostly like Minerva, I also never felt the spark between them. I think some better editing would've helped this story. 2.5 stars rounded up....more
I got this, thank goodness, on an audible B1G1 sale because I would've been upset had I paid a credit for this one. I am a bit surprised by all the hiI got this, thank goodness, on an audible B1G1 sale because I would've been upset had I paid a credit for this one. I am a bit surprised by all the high ratings because I don't get it. The story isn't that great and the writing is just okay. I almost DNF'd it several times because some of the writing was so cheesy.
First, the whole "I accidentally hit your truck with a bat." Really? You accidentally hit a truck with a bat. I was expecting a mistaken truck situation. But an accident? Because your friend is sick and you dug through her car to see what's there and pulled out a random bat and started swinging it around. Nope, not completely believable and lame at best. I also didn't care for Sienna. Some of that may have to do with the narrator—she was not good. Not awful, but not good either. But my main issue is that Walker's backstory [ (view spoiler)[ although separated, he's still married and didn't want to file for divorce until he met Sienna, and no one says a thing. (hide spoiler)] ] doesn't come out until the third act. There are hints at some drama with him, mostly about him giving up his football scholarship and something about dating. But waiting until the third act dragged it out too long. Even though her sister points out that their brothers would have done the same, it's still lying by omission. Lying, even by omission, about that is a big no-go for me....more