it's notoriously challenging to pull off a second chance romance especially when two characters have alove the premise, disappointed by the execution.
it's notoriously challenging to pull off a second chance romance especially when two characters have a past. you have to show us the past imo to really set the stage for why the characters should be together. and then in the present you have to convincingly rekindle old feelings and have characters connect in the here and now. it's fucking hard to do.
this book didn't really succeed at either component. the heroine is reeling from a bad breakup and when she comes to town and is faced with her college crush he's a total dick to her. over time, he's a lil nicer as they collaborate on a fixer upper house project. and then they take a GIANT leap and start boning. and then poof they're in love.
no flashbacks to their past. just random mentions of growing up in the same town. no present development of shared interests or complimentary personalities.
don't get me wrong, it was a totally pleasant read. but it was missing the spark i really crave.
(also note: there's infertility as a plot point here and no the heroine doesn't get miraculously pregnant. but i'm not sure i love how it was handled.)...more
and i think this is the last time i'm going to read a book from this author. clearly her stuff works fornot to spoil sunday's vlog but this was not it
and i think this is the last time i'm going to read a book from this author. clearly her stuff works for so many, and i love that! but it seems unfair to continue to pick up stuff that is just not meant for me. but let me tell you why real quick:
a dual timeline story is meant for impact, typically to elicit emotion. i'm supposed to understand why two characters liked each other in the past and why they should get a second chance in the future. i should feel that sense of longing. that did not happen here. and it didn't happen in the last, similarly formatted, book by this author. instead i get linear but also meaningless flashback scenes devoid of emotional connection. and a heroine in the present who is immature and hard to root for. oh and also no emotional connection between love interests.
it's baffling honestly. the premise was interesting and the dual timeline format could have REALLY worked but it's like all of the important bits were left out. because you could have the COOLEST premise in the world but if you have flat characters and aren't going to flesh out the relationship what's the point?
also i don't like musicals but even if i was wondering why more details weren't included.
also using the word breast in the heat of passion? i should be entitled to compensation for having to read that with my eyes. i'm a lady not a chicken dinner....more