Why was I so surprised that I liked this book? Maybe because age gap and single parent aren't my favorite trope (sorry, not sorry). Normally, I don't Why was I so surprised that I liked this book? Maybe because age gap and single parent aren't my favorite trope (sorry, not sorry). Normally, I don't seek out this type of book, but Oh. My. Gosh. This book made me like those two trope (but just specifically this book). The age gap was done right and I didn't have the grossed out feeling with the age gap.
The writing is addictive, and I might've said that before, but it's true. I speed through these books at an alarming rate, while enjoying most of the book. Don't get me wrong, this book had it's flaws *cough, cough* the use of the word "panties" and the "spice" (sorry, smut makes me uncomfortable). Even though this book does have spice, the story developed a lot without really relying on the smut making the book. It didn't carry the romance, it kind of just enhanced it.
THE ANGST AND TENSION?! I couldn't get enough of it. You could cut the tension between Cade and Willa with a knife. They were yearning for each other, but with their age gap, they believed it was a problem. Clearly it wasn't a problem. Willa being Luke's nanny was adorable. Their relationship was wholesome and Luke warmed my heart. Cade being the overprotective dad he is, warmed up and relaxed so much with Willa around. Cade and Willa might seem like polar opposites, but they fit together so well, ironically.
This book gave more insight on the side characters in this book, and I cannot wait until I read their books. This series is comforting in a way. I loved the pacing of this book and how it flowed so effortlessly together. My favorite part of this book though is the characters. If I could live in this world with these characters, I would. There is a found family aspect in this book, and I seek those types of books out. This series earns another checkmark ✅. Age rating - 15+ (search TW)...more
In theory, this book would be an immediate 5-star read for me because of the premise and let's not forget about Jasper, but unfortunately, I was kind In theory, this book would be an immediate 5-star read for me because of the premise and let's not forget about Jasper, but unfortunately, I was kind of disappointed. I expected to love this book because Jasper was this mysterious and broody character, which don't get me wrong, I thought Jasper was perfect, but the execution of this book disappointed me. I loved the all the characters. They were perfect in my eyes no matter their past and complicated emotions, but I'm sorry, I couldn't get past the execution of this book.
This book started strong, but it just went downhill from there. Their story was so interesting because childhood friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, but it wasn't done that well. At times, it got boring and I started skimming through the book while at other times, I was flying through this book. Jasper and Sloane were the perfect couple, but weren't all that interesting to read about. They had their ups and downs. To be honest, I believe that the mixed up and complicated feelings could've been solved much faster if they communicated with each other candidly and not with ambiguous answers (if that makes sense).
I think I missed the country vibes that I got from the other books, but I understood the switch up. Sloane was an absolute ray of sunshine but was fierce and strong. Jasper has my heart even though I didn't love this book. I just wish that the author delved further into Jasper's past when it was spoken so much about. His dark past was getting built up, but when it was revealed, it was quite vague. I could figure what happened, but I only knew the basics when I would've liked more.
Will I still recommend this book even though it wasn't my favorite? Yes, because this series is absolutely amazing, despite having a mediocre book. 3-stars for Jasper and Sloane (plus the side characters) and for how addictive these books were (Yes, I was still addicted to this book). Sorry if this review is chaotic! Age rating - 15+ (search TW)...more
I was put on an emotional rollercoaster. Too many emotions, so many tears...I honestly can't express how I feel while reading these books. There is suI was put on an emotional rollercoaster. Too many emotions, so many tears...I honestly can't express how I feel while reading these books. There is such a whimsical and lyrical way Jessa Hastings writes that just sucks you in. I wasn't particularly excited to read this because I just wanted to read BJ and Magnolia's book, but boy I was wrong. I loved this book yet hated it. It physically pained me to read all this drama and miscommunication, but I was eating it up nonetheless. I just couldn't look away.
Daisy and Christian's relationship was so toxic, but I could feel the love between them. They wanted to be together but there were so many obstacles that they caused that threatened their relationship. I was rooting for them at times, but at other times, it was complete agony reading their interactions. The things Christian did pissed me off, but he was so sweet at times. He did care for Daisy, but he was conflicted with his emotions because of other underlying feelings, which caused him to be emotionally unstable. Daisy was a much more lighthearted person than I expected her to be. I honestly loved Daisy so much. She had her problems though as well with both her emotions and actions.
This whole series has my heart (and I have only read the first 2 books). The emotional attachment I have to these characters is unmatched. I want to strangle them at times but at other times, I want to console them. Jessa Hastings executes phenomenal books. The one take away of this book is the pacing. It felt slow at times, which isn't ideal, but other than that, I loved everything else. I have to pace myself out while reading these books because I don't want this world to end.
Was this book better than Things We Never Got Over? No, it wasn't, but it was almost about the same rating, not by a long shot. I will give this book Was this book better than Things We Never Got Over? No, it wasn't, but it was almost about the same rating, not by a long shot. I will give this book a decent 2.5 stars (but I will round it up for the sake of GoodReads not having half-star ratings). Unfortunately, I wasn't left giggling and smiling throughout the book. At times, I was cringed out and had no strong thoughts or feelings about this book. It was a small-town romance with a subplot of mystery that was not at all interesting to me at least. The relationship wasn't my favorite. There wasn't anything that made me want to continue, except for the Lucian and Sloane crumbs that I got. I apologize for who I will be once Lucian and Sloane's book comes out, so please don't disappoint!
Nash and Lina's relationship felt very insta-lovey and lust based. Every interaction they had, somehow one of them got turned on. Keep your pants on, please. You will be doing everyone a favor. Throughout the book, they kept mentioning how they barely knew each other, which is quite true! Their relationship progressed at an alarming rate if they barely knew each other. To be honest, I liked Naomi and Knox's relationship better in this book than in their book...I don't know if that's wrong of me.
This book was about 200 pages too long. It felt like the "mystery" subplot was getting dragged on and on, which I didn't care about. The relationship didn't keep me going, but I pushed through. There were points in this book where I somewhat binged-read, but at other times, I was slowly making my way through the book. A plus in this book was the slow burn and use of non-cringe-worthy terminology. Sure, the slow burn wasn't the best in my opinion, but it was still good nonetheless. There were still other aspects of this book that I did enjoy. The family and friend relationships throughout this book were wholesome. Will I be recommending this book/series? Yes, because this book does have the potential to be an extraordinary book in other people's eyes, just not mine. Age rating - 15+...more
Was this book genuinely good or was this book just a good book because it got me out of my reading slump? Honestly, although this book is somewhat cliWas this book genuinely good or was this book just a good book because it got me out of my reading slump? Honestly, although this book is somewhat cliche, I was immersed. I was flipping through the book at an alarming rate trying to unveil their secrets. I will say though, I did guess a somewhat major plot twist 40 pages into the book. It might've been a very obvious plot twist though, but I don't really know.
How does someone come up with this horrific yet captivating story? I was reading this book at night and that was not a good idea. I had sleepless nights because, 1) I didn't want to put this book down and 2) because I was CREEPED out. I have seen people compare this book to Verity by Colleen Hoover, which I loved (don't hate on me), so I obviously had to check this out. I can understand why people are comparing the two, but don't go into the book thinking they're the same.
I can't say I loved absolutely everything about this book, hence the 4-star rating. What I will take away from this book is that some situations felt unresolved in a way, that might just be me though. The ending felt super rushed and I wish I got a little bit more information. Other than that, I don't believe I have any other critiques. The writing was easy to understand, along with the plot. The plot twists made sense, and they weren't absurd. I would recommend this book to anyone. It's a super easy and fast paced book to read, which is a bonus for people in a reading slump (Me) and for people beginning to dip their toes into this genre or hobby (or lively hood). Age rating: 14-15+ (search TW)...more