The characters are so lovely in this series. Well rounded, complex, relatable and easy to cheer for. I was iLoved this darling second chance romance!
The characters are so lovely in this series. Well rounded, complex, relatable and easy to cheer for. I was invested in June and Tucker and their love story from the first pages of this one. Loved the characters surrounding them too -- June's dad (stubborn, healing in more ways than one and so loyal), Nellie (mother figure, feisty, second chance on love for her too), Tucker's family especially his mom who I love (loved seeing her work through forgiveness and grace in this one) also I would love a book for Colt -- the baby brother!! Loved seeing Lauren and Jack in this one and seeing how happy and content they are in their future.
I just adore this small town of Arcadia Creek! Love the quirks and the endearing moments in this small town. Especially loved Bakers Books and June's journey with the book store. I want to join her book club and come in for a drink while I browse their collections.
Loved the second chance romance between June and Tucker! They both made mistakes and are healing together. Seeing them give their love a chance again and fight for their love was so beautiful!
I adored this third book in the Arcadia Creek series! Please write more books in this series, Kasey! I don’t want it to end!
Absolutely loved Nova and I adored this third book in the Arcadia Creek series! Please write more books in this series, Kasey! I don’t want it to end!
Absolutely loved Nova and Dusty! Loved their banter. Loved their rivalry. Loved their love. The way they both fall for each other so quickly is so beautiful. And I love how they build each other up and help each other see their value and worth. Dusty cares for Nova in the sweetest ways and I loved how he protects and cherishes both her and her kids. Nova is a fantastic single mom protagonist. I loved getting to know her and admired her strength, patience and incredible work ethic for her kids. Her motherhood is authentic and beautiful.
There are some heavier topics in this one including a manipulative husband, discussions of drug addiction and overdose and domestic abuse. All of these are incorporated into the story with grace and tact. Kasey does a beautiful job including difficult topics without having them overpower her story. And I loved the beautiful messages of faith and hope throughout this one.
This is a poignant and well written memoir meets academic paper. The connections and opinions about Austen and her novels were plentiful and specific.This is a poignant and well written memoir meets academic paper. The connections and opinions about Austen and her novels were plentiful and specific. Janet obviously knows her Austen and that knowledge shines throughout the work. This book screams Austen and I loved that.
At times a bit heavy and a bit boring. But I enjoyed the many quotes from Austen's works and the descriptions of her characters. I would have liked more connections to the author's own experiences. Sometimes, it got heavy on this history of Austen's time.
Overall, a worthwhile read especially this year in celebration of Austen's 250th birthday....more
This little story is everything I would expect from Lewis Carroll -- silly, witty and sometimes just strange.
I think this is the first time I have reThis little story is everything I would expect from Lewis Carroll -- silly, witty and sometimes just strange.
I think this is the first time I have read this sequel to Alice in Wonderland but I was surprised by how much I recognized in the story. The Disney movie brings some of these parts into their adaptation like Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, the Walrus and the Carpenter, talking flowers and more. Also the Jabberwocky was familiar -- I didn't realize it was in this story.
Alice is a fun protagonist. I enjoy following her adventures a second time. The adventures themselves are a bit crazy at times. Like the first one, this story has all sorts of little anecdotes and mini stories within the larger story. She meets a colorful cast of characters like Humpty Dumpty, the red and white queens, a knitting sheep, a unicorn and more. They are not often connected or building on each other. They simply exist. And the stories flow into each other with very little obvious connection. And they end much like the first one as well.
I enjoyed the audiobook I listened to. A fun narration of the story. ...more
The magic flower is so fun in this story. Loved the subtle ways the magic works and how Peter and SophieA darling addition to my new favorite series!
The magic flower is so fun in this story. Loved the subtle ways the magic works and how Peter and Sophie react so differently to it. The ending with the flower is so sweet!
Sophie is easy to love. I enjoyed getting to know her better after meeting her in The Serendipity. And seeing Archer and Willa was a treat as well! Sophie is so warm and friendly. I loved how she brings people together in the garden and how she loves flowers and plants. Seeing her relationship with Peter grow to something more was so satisfying.
Peter was so endearing and easy to cheer for. He’s the classic best friend who has been pinning after Sophie basically the whole time they’ve known each other. I enjoyed getting to know him and learning what brought him and Sophie together. He takes care of her so well!! I appreciated that he wanted to tell her how he felt from the start of this story. And seeing them get there happily ever after was so sweet!
Best friends to lovers isn’t my favorite trope. And there were definitely moments that were frustrating in this one as they didn’t communicate or fought their obvious feelings and great chemistry. But the ending is truly beautiful and I loved how they fought for each other and how their friendship could grow into a beautiful love story.
Another absolute classic from Courtney Walsh! I knew I would love this book. A multiple author series starting with two of my absolute favorites?! YesAnother absolute classic from Courtney Walsh! I knew I would love this book. A multiple author series starting with two of my absolute favorites?! Yes, please!
I just loved Iris. I loved her optimism, her loyalty, her determination, her humor, and all her "not-too-much-for-the-right-person-ness". She was so fun to get to know. She certainly has experienced difficult things with her parents' divorce and feeling like she's never fit in. But I love how she still has such optimism and compassion and love for people. Seeing her interact with the people the newspaper puts in her path was a delight. And seeing her fall for Matteo and bring joy and connection to his world was so beautiful.
Matteo is a fantastic MMC. First, he can cook! My mouth was watering reading about his homemade pasta dishes, the fanciest french toast, and everything he made (and his kitchen staff created!) at his restaurant. He is a classic grump with a heart of gold. It was so fun to see his true self begin to come back. I loved getting inside his head and behind the brick walls he has built around his heart. He has known unspeakable pain and loss. And for many years, that has been what defines him. Seeing Iris help him live and laugh and enjoy life again was so beautiful. I loved how she brought him back to life and how he falls for her.
The magical elements are so fun and clever. The newspaper feels like its own character and I enjoyed seeing how it brought Matteo and Iris together to help their neighbors. Seeing the connections they make with others and the ways they help them were so sweet. Often it was helping people find love, but the newspaper also helped them create friendships, serve others, and give people second chances. I loved this whimsical and unique way of bringing Iris and Matteo together.
I really enjoyed this first book in Kasey’s Arcadia Creek series. An enemies to lovers meets forced proximity meets fake dating Rom com that has me soI really enjoyed this first book in Kasey’s Arcadia Creek series. An enemies to lovers meets forced proximity meets fake dating Rom com that has me so excited to read the full series!
Lauren was such a great character to get to know. She has a difficult and complicated past. She’s had to grow up faster than kids should. And she is now successful. But is she happy? I loved seeing her open up to Jack and realize her own worth and value. I loved seeing how easily she fits into Jacks family and how much meaning she finds in her life once she is connected to him and to Arcadia Creek.
Jack was probably my favorite character in the book (besides his daring mom!). I loved how he isn’t the enemy Lauren thinks he is. His side of the story from their disastrous first date was the first step in really getting to know him. He is kind, loyal and tender hearted. I loved watching him take care of Lauren and show her how amazing she is. I loved the scenes on the cruise when he tucks her in (for the first time in her life!), helps her after a panic attack, and helps her relax. They are so great together!
Lauren and Jack are surrounded by such a fun cast of characters. I loved Jacks small town Texas family especially his sweet mom and his relationships with his brothers (already started Tuckers story!). I also enjoyed getting to know Lauren’s sister and her husband (who is also Jacks best friend). Seeing those sisters, who have been through so much, really understand each other and build a stronger relationship was so lovely. Some of Amelia’s friends were sure toxic though.
I love a fake dating story and this is such a fun one! From their initial agreement, it’s obvious they both feel the tension and chemistry. I loved how quickly the fake dating becomes real. Their banter is fantastic. And I loved how they help each other find true purpose in their lives and fulfillment in their work. Their love story is so beautiful!...more
Such a delightful start to a new series that I can't wait to experience every single book in! Emma St Clair continues to be one of my favorite authorsSuch a delightful start to a new series that I can't wait to experience every single book in! Emma St Clair continues to be one of my favorite authors period. Her wit, her characters, her love stories. They are all fantastic. And no one writes a surprisingly hilarious and horrific encounter with an animal like Emma. I laughed out loud and cringed at the same time ;)
I loved this whimsical romance about Archer and Willa -- a surprisingly magical meet cute that leads to fantastic enemies to lovers banter and ultimately to love.
Willa is such a delight. I loved getting to know her and understanding her challenges and dreams. She has dealt with some hard things especially with her mental health. But I loved how she is vibrant, positive, and fun not despite those challenges but alongside them. Her relationship with Sophie is so fun. I am dying to try her cookies! And her banter with everyone around her (especially Archer) is absolute gold. From her first magical meeting with Archer, I was rooting for her to be the one to get beyond his intense exterior. I loved seeing their romance unfold.
Archer is basically the ideal billionaire next door. He's broody but also witty and has a heart of gold beneath his serious, suit wearing exterior. I love seeing Willa surprise him and how she brings out his kind and witty side. Seeing him support her in awkward situations was so sweet. And I absolutely loved their first kiss and the climactic whimsical moment they share at the end. Most of all, I love that Willa helps Archer feel important and seen. They support each other and love each other fiercely. I loved seeing their happily ever after unfold.
This book gave this series so much potential! I am so excited to read more of the books in the series and be transported back to The Serendipity again and again. The whimsical, magical elements are such a fun part of the story. They add to the story and give this romcom a unique and fun twist. What a delight!...more
Cooper just might be my favorite Bailey brother. Except it's impossible to actually only choose one!
I absolutely loved this enemies to lovers romanceCooper just might be my favorite Bailey brother. Except it's impossible to actually only choose one!
I absolutely loved this enemies to lovers romance. The characters are fantastic. The cinnamon rolls and the pecan rolls and the orange rolls make my mouth water. The romance is slow burn and second chance and so delightful. I loved how this story brings everyone in the Bailey family together. What an ending to this series.
Cooper absolutely is a cinnamon roll. He's thoughtful, sweet, and caring. I loved seeing him with his nieces and nephew and seeing how he can sense when someone needs support or simply a listening ear. He works hard and although life has thrown him a few curve balls, he continues to try to make the world better. His connections with his family are my favorite and I loved the idea of "vulnerable together." I loved his obvious attraction to Leah and how he works to repair and deepen their relationship. Their shared history makes their happily ever after all the sweeter.
Leah is such a fantastic protagonist. I loved getting to know her and seeing her allow herself to fall in love. Leah's Sweet Swirls shop is the stuff of dreams. I want to visit and try all the rolls! I appreciated her journey and how she starts to see the past differently while making the future what she wants it to be. She's tough and witty but also sweet and deeply attached to those she loves; I loved that combination. Seeing her fall for Cooper and allow him to show her how good she can be treated was a true treat. I loved their romance from Alice's matchmaking to their hilarious shared experience with the gusset to their tender declarations of love. I was here for all of it!
Such a beautiful ending to the series! And I loved the bonus epilogue too!...more
I absolutely loved this story from Pepper. I've become a big fan of her books in the last year and this is such a beautiful addition to her collectionI absolutely loved this story from Pepper. I've become a big fan of her books in the last year and this is such a beautiful addition to her collection. I loved the Scottish setting and the clever story filled with endearing and imperfect characters. Set in a clever "Edwardian Experience" (think living inside the world of Downton Abbey for 3 weeks), this story of an American travel writer who meets a grumpy Scot is full of beautiful scenery, clever (mis)adventures, and a collection of witty puns.
One of my favorite parts of this and all Pepper novels is the beautiful, clever writing and storytelling. I always feel transported into her stories through her words. The Scottish setting in this novel is breathtaking and full of history and legend. I find myself longing to experience it for myself now! Her imagery is exquisite and her descriptions of the people are witty and profound. There is just something about the way she builds her story and describes these places and people. Reading this book was such a cozy experience. I love the way she writes. I laugh, I smile, and I may have shed a few tears in this story. The beautiful themes of family, grief, finding joy, finding God, and love were simply captivating.
Katie is such a delightful protagonist. I loved getting to know the different layers that make up the person she is -- social media superstar, loyal sister and friend, true connoisseur of stories, and a beautiful woman inside and out. She is someone you can't help but love and want to be friends with. I enjoyed reading about her (mis)adventures from her run in with the highland cow to learning to dance and cozy moments in Graeme's world. She makes life an adventure. I also enjoyed the complexities of her character. She holds deep grief alongside easy friendship for all sorts of people. She treats others with kindness first and is fiercely loyal to those she loves. I loved seeing that loyalty extend to Graeme and his family. Seeing her find home with him was so beautiful.
Graeme is everything you want to see in an ideal Scottish hero. He is certainly attractive. But he is also talented, hard working, and so very kind. I loved seeing his relationship with his nephew, Lachlan and with his mother (who are both fantastic characters as well). He has also known deep grief in his life. And seeing how that has affected him is both tragic and hopeful. Graeme comes to understand his past and his potential so much more clearly in this story. I loved seeing him open up to Katie and allowing her into his home and heart. The ways he protects her and is drawn to her and saves her are simply beautiful.
Pepper does it again! I loved this beautiful story for so many reasons. A beautiful Scottish setting. Fantastic characters that find a place in your heart. A lovely, slow burn romance that showcases enemies to lovers and grumpy sunshine vibes with truly swoony kisses. And beautiful writing that shows how love, grief, loyalty, friendship, adventure, and joy all make up life and relationships. A truly fantastic novel!...more
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