They say opposites attract, but can they make it work? That’s the question here! As always with Jimenez’s love stories, there’s a richness and layered feel that builds and develops throughout, slowly cranking up the angst until our couple’s worlds seem so far apart. This is probably her least “fun” book so far; typically her books start out light and bubbly before punching you in the gut with angst, but this has more of a slow simmer of heartache that’s central to the storyline. You always know that the other shoe is going to drop at some point, and that adds a heaviness to the whole story. It took awhile for me to find my bearings with this one; while I ADORED this sweet cinnamon roll of a hero, I had a tougher time with the heroine. It really is just sex for her at the start, and I didn’t like the way she treats her guy. But as she slowly grew and changed, I found myself connecting to the story better, and it had such a nuanced, complex, unique feel by the end.
The story follows Alexis, a doctor (37) who has a mountain of family expectations to live up to… and she’s sinking under the weight. Following a recent breakup from the “perfect” boyfriend who emotionally abused her, Alexis is dealing with some tough things in her life. She isn’t in the right headspace to date. So when she has car trouble while passing through a small town and a sexy stranger comes to her rescue, Alexis isn’t thinking about love or connections. And when she wakes up in his bed the next morning, that hasn’t changed. But… there’s something about Daniel (28) that keeps reeling Alexis back in. Spending time in his close-knit community and letting Daniel care for her feels like an essential vacation from the real world. Unfortunately, every minute they spend together makes their feelings run deeper, and that makes a hearty dose of reality come crashing into their fantasy world.
The best part of this book? Daniel, hands down. I never really warmed up to Alexis, but Daniel was AMAZING the whole way through. I loved how much he truly cared for Alexis, and he was willing to put his heart on the line for a chance to make things work. That’s probably why it rubbed me the wrong way every time Alexis treated him poorly – it’s like it never even occurred to her that a 28-year-old man might have feelings and expectations. The other winner here is the small town feel, with a great community and a cast of characters that enhances the story without overwhelming it. It’s easy to see how Alexis would fall for this little slice of perfect, and I liked the distinct feel of the story. Jimenez shies away from the intimacy at the start – we barely experience their first few interactions – but it becomes an integral part of the story later on. Yes, there were still things that I wish had happened differently, but seeing these characters grow together was really fulfilling.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3L9f0Hr
Audio Note:
Excellent on audio! I definitely recommend listening to this, it was a great experience. With dual narration and two skilled narrators (Julia Whelan and Zachary Webber), this was easy to listen to and entertaining. The runtime is just over 10 hours, so it was right for a day at the office. Daniel and Alexis hook up early and often, but the steam is mostly closed door or quick – still a good choice for a workday listen. The vibe worked well for the audio format as well, never getting TOO heavy or complicated and maintaining its charming small town feel for much of the story. I’m a fan of Webber’s voice, and Whelan always does a good job as well, so this was a very solid audio experience.
Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3JMbNvT
Blurb:
The New York Times bestselling author of Life’s Too Short delivers a refreshingly modern fairy tale perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Emily Henry.
After a wild bet, gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich, and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come—the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable.
While her ultra-wealthy parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, Alexis doesn’t need glory or fame. She’s fine with being a “mere” ER doctor. And every minute she spends with Daniel and the tight-knit town where he lives, she’s discovering just what’s really important. Yet letting their relationship become anything more than a short-term fling would mean turning her back on her family and giving up the opportunity to help thousands of people.
Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. With so many differences between them, how can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3L9f0Hr
About the Author:
Abby Jimenez is a Food Network winner and New York Times bestselling author. She founded Nadia Cakes out of her home kitchen back in 2007. The bakery has since gone on to win numerous Food Network competitions and has amassed an international cult following. Abby’s wry literary wit was spotlighted as the admin behind the hilarious viral comments on the now-famous Nadia Cakes Vageode ® cake.
Abby loves a good romance, coffee, doglets, and not leaving the house.
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