Some of the early books in this series are among my favorite contemporary romances, but these have been formulaic and chaotic for awhile now.
I do lovSome of the early books in this series are among my favorite contemporary romances, but these have been formulaic and chaotic for awhile now.
I do love the cheese ball shenanigans, the humor, and the pineapple secrets, but these feel like the few elements that distinguish this story and this couple from the others in this series. Plus the chemistry is just kinda so-so? I need a little more convincing why these two are so great and great for each other.
Really hope this series is over and we’ve moved onto other things. ...more
I don’t know, 16 minutes into the audiobook, our married heroine is already lusting over some guy she’s just met. I don’t much care for the way Nina YI don’t know, 16 minutes into the audiobook, our married heroine is already lusting over some guy she’s just met. I don’t much care for the way Nina Yndis reads this story, either....more
Really enjoyed the first third or so, but when Lydia goes on the run and all the focus shifts and we suddenly diverge into two other third person POVsReally enjoyed the first third or so, but when Lydia goes on the run and all the focus shifts and we suddenly diverge into two other third person POVs, it lost some of its shine and never quite recovered.
First of all, I liked the two other characters Henry and Rebecca, but they weren’t as interesting to me as presented, especially as we can’t fully explore everyone’s stories within a single 400 page book. These sections felt unduly long as well, with more time spent than I would have expected in the context of the much bigger story.
I also found so much of it predictable, including the betrayals and sacrifices that follow. (It was also strange to me that the characters themselves often weren’t looking out for further betrayals?!) The plotting just ended up feeling a bit simplistic, whereas I actually really liked the writing and the way magic was described.
The emotional beats also seemed a little unbalanced. The two romances (sort of) featured aren’t all that compelling, but the female friendships, mentorships, and mother/daughter connections felt deeply rooted and poignant. You feel the pull of those relationships with warmth and anguish and powerful love in a way that the “main” relationships (Lydia to Henry, Lydia to Rebecca, Rebecca to her ex) are missing.
Audio Notes: The audiobook is lovely, though, with great accents and just the right amount of feeling and urgency in Grace Gray’s performance.
And I’d try another novel by the author in the future. Liked the writing and some of the relationships, less keen on plot....more
Should have been excellent angst porn, but it’s too poorly plotted, she’s too weak and forgiving, and he is an asshat until literally the last five paShould have been excellent angst porn, but it’s too poorly plotted, she’s too weak and forgiving, and he is an asshat until literally the last five pages of the book. I don’t buy the turnabout or HEA at all.
Also, women repeatedly considering giving up their kids for no good reason to appease their controlling husbands will always make me side-eye them. ...more
This is fun in a lot of ways (so different from other HPs and HP heroines!), but eventually it’s just too convoluted, her qualities are overdone, and This is fun in a lot of ways (so different from other HPs and HP heroines!), but eventually it’s just too convoluted, her qualities are overdone, and he teeters between downright terrible and just not all that great. So much fuss for not much reward.