This was super cute, but not compelling enough to hold my interest the whole way through. If you’re looking for a low angst, sweet, closed door romance (a few sexy kisses that we know lead to more), then this might be right up your alley. There’s nothing that I didn’t like about the story, there just wasn’t enough to keep me hooked. The vibe is light and playful, with likable characters and a friendly feud between new neighbors. I think I liked this one better than the first book in the series (not required reading), and I was close to giving a 4-star rating. All in all, a sweet yet forgettable read with romance at the heart of it.
The story follows Grace, an aspiring interior designer who is finally ready to move into the house she inherited. It needs plenty of renovations, but Grace is up to the challenge – and excited to make it her own. The only problem? Her sexy and infuriating new neighbor, Noah, a wealthy suit and tie kinda guy who wants to buy Grace’s new home. The two clash over renovations and differences of opinion, but it’s not long before these neighbors become fast friends with the hint of something more. As they work on renovating their respective houses, the two realize that it takes more than a redesign to make a home.
I really enjoyed the low angst, easy feel, though it gets a little TOO low angst after awhile. Typically, an enemies to lovers romance has more tension and bickering, while this was all lighthearted. Not necessarily a bad thing, but there wasn’t enough friction to keep things interesting. Really, the only things keeping these two apart were their own hangups, so it was a low stakes romance. I did love Noah and how sweet he was, and I liked that he wasn’t the typical broody businessman. There are so many cute scenes, and the romance was kinda swoony. I found myself bored and it was easy to put down, but I enjoyed the book as I was reading it – and there was nothing major standing in the way of a higher rating. It’s the kind of book that I’ll probably forget about sooner rather than later, but sometimes that’s the kind of low angst romance readers are looking for.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IagVt9
Audio Note:
The audio was kind of like the plot – easygoing and forgettable. It’s single narration, with a female narrator who mostly sounds like she’s just reading the book. Not much of a “performance,” but her voice was nice and enhanced the read a bit. Since the book is dual perspective, dual narration certainly would’ve been the better choice, but this was well done. No major issues here either. The story lends itself well to a weekday listen – there’s nothing steamy about the book, it’s light and fun, and the runtime is just right for a day at the office. I listened while working, and it certainly made the day go faster.
Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3GAuNN7
Blurb:
Enemies-to-lovers meets HGTV in this frothy, effervescent romantic comedy from Sophie Sullivan, author of Ten Rules for Faking It.
Interior Design School? Check. Cute house to fix up? Check.
Sexy, grumpy neighbor who is going to get in the way of your plans? Check. Unfortunately.
Grace Travis has it all figured out. In between finishing school and working a million odd jobs, she’ll get her degree and her dream job. Most importantly, she’ll have a place to belong, something her harsh mother could never make. When an opportunity to fix up—and live in—a little house on the beach comes along, Grace is all in. Until her biggest roadblock moves in next door.
Noah Jansen knows how to make a deal. As a real estate developer, he knows when he’s found something special. Something he could even call home. Provided he can expand by taking over the house next door–the house with the combative and beautiful woman living in it.
With the rules for being neighborly going out the window, Grace and Noah are in an all-out feud. But sometimes, your nemesis can show you that home is always where the heart is.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IagVt9
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What happens when your love life becomes the talk of the town?
As birthdays go, this year’s for radio producer Everly Dean hit rock-bottom.
Worse than the “tonsillectomy birthday.” Worse than the birthday her parents decided to split (the first time). But catching your boyfriend cheating on you with his assistant?
Even clichés sting.
But this is Everly’s year! She won’t let her anxiety hold her back. She’ll pitch her podcast idea to her boss.
There’s just one problem.
Her boss, Chris, is very cute. (Of course). Also, he’s extremely distant (which means he hates her, right? Or is that the anxiety talking)?
And, Stacey the DJ didn’t mute the mic during Everly’s rant about Simon the Snake (syn: Cheating Ex).
That’s three problems.
Suddenly, people are lining up to date her, Bachelorette-style, fans are voting (Reminder: never leave house again), and her interest in Chris might be a two-way street. It’s a lot for a woman who could gold medal in people-avoidance. She’s going to have to fake it ‘till she makes it to get through all of this.
Perhaps she’ll make a list: The Ten Rules for Faking It.
Because sometimes making the rules can find you happiness when you least expect it.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WOnNa6
About the Author:
SOPHIE SULLIVAN is a Canadian author as well as a cookie-eating, Diet Pepsi-drinking, Disney enthusiast who loves reading and writing romance in almost equal measure. She writes around her day job as a teacher and spends her spare time with her sweet family watching reruns of Friends. Ten Rules For Faking It is her romcom debut novel, but she’s had plenty of practice writing happily ever after as her alter ego, Jody Holford.
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