Redge reviewed Checking the Center by Delancey Stewart
None
3 stars
Cute, but a bit too insta-lovey for me, YMMV. :)
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Cute, but a bit too insta-lovey for me, YMMV. :)
The swoon is dialled up to 11!
Just Act Natural was right up my comfort-read alley: swoony romance, lots of banter, geeky cinnamon-roll hero, fake relationship turning into something very real, meddling family and friends, small-town shenanigans.
The story gave me all the warm fuzzies served with a big dollop of ridiculous situations that frankly could happen to every indoorsy person going on their first multi-day hike / camping trip in the woods.
I found Lila to be very relatable in her fish-out-of-water (ha!) experience in the Great Outdoors. My heart broke for her several times (no spoilers), and I so appreciated Grant being there for her, trying to help her see the positive experiences and making sure she knew that a) no one is great at somethingg they try for the first time, and b) no one has to like evrything they try for the first time.
Also, If …
The swoon is dialled up to 11!
Just Act Natural was right up my comfort-read alley: swoony romance, lots of banter, geeky cinnamon-roll hero, fake relationship turning into something very real, meddling family and friends, small-town shenanigans.
The story gave me all the warm fuzzies served with a big dollop of ridiculous situations that frankly could happen to every indoorsy person going on their first multi-day hike / camping trip in the woods.
I found Lila to be very relatable in her fish-out-of-water (ha!) experience in the Great Outdoors. My heart broke for her several times (no spoilers), and I so appreciated Grant being there for her, trying to help her see the positive experiences and making sure she knew that a) no one is great at somethingg they try for the first time, and b) no one has to like evrything they try for the first time.
Also, If I hadn’t been already totally smitten with the guy, Grant reading Terry Pratchett to Lila totally would have done it for sure. I mean… come on! hearteyes swoons-in-Discworld
More, please?
Le swoon!
I really liked Lynn in the earlier books and was chuffed to bits to finally read her story. And Joey turned out to be such a cinnamon roll of a hero… Le swoon! I loved the meet-cute, and I respect Lynn’s decision to keep Joey at arm’s length at first.
Reconnecting with the extended Brooks clan (including Mango, of course ;) ) was a hoot! (I expected nothing less. :) )
Technically, “Stout of My League“ can be read as a standalone, but as the blurb says, I’d recommend reading the series in order, both for the full Brooks family experience and because… spoilers!
Wonderful introduction to this new spin-off series!
I really enjoyed Ciara and Alex’s meet-cute and I can’t wait to read their story! Gimme, please? (Okay, so I might be a tad biased, considering I’ve read Kait’s “Kilted Hearts” series and loved it. But even if you haven’t, this prequel is a lovely introduction into Kait’s Scottish storyverse.)
A truly delightful - and definitely NOT ugly! - story (potential color clashes notwithstanding).
I am a sucker for (former) friends-to-more stories, and the premise with Kenzie’s synesthesia throwing a wrench in the works drew me in from the get-go. Both Kenzie and David were so easy to root for, and I was cheering Kenzie on to overcome her preconceptions. Though I’ll admit that I can totally relate to Kenzie’s yearning for structure and a (seemingly) simple framework to help navigating her life, misguided as it might be in her case.
I also loved getting to know David’s and Kenzie’s families and friends, and I thoroughly enjoyed the banter and the family dynamics.
Overall, this was a sweet and funny (and clean) read that might have kept me up past my bedtime a time or two.
And the adventure continues!
I had so much fun following "exasparatingly capable" shero Sloane and her more-bickering-family-than-professional-crew along on this second chapter in her quest to find her uncle Vin. I'm also getting more and more invested in Gareth's search for his missing ships, not to mention that delicious slooooooow burn relationship developing between the two quite reluctant MCs.
On to book 3!
It took me a bit to feel at home in this new-to-me world, but I had so much fun with the characters, MCs and supporting cast alike, and it was a wild ride of an adventure that kept me up way past my bedtime! Good thing I already have book 2 lined up on my e-reader. :)
More, please?
If you like Kait Nolan’s romance books and are not absolutely anti-suspense, then Harper Jackson’s stories are a perfect match. (Well, duh.) I loved getting to know and explore this new world of Hatterwick and the island folk, not least of all Rios and the other Wayward Sons, and I especially adored Hoyt and Caroline. hearteyes
The suspense part kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages right until the end.
I am definitely looking forward to reading more about the Wayward Sons and the ladies who manage to steal their hearts.
"FAKE AMNESIA. REAL FEELINGS? REAL PROBLEMS. Sam Becker loves-or, okay, likes-his job. Sure, managing a bed and bath retailer isn't …
Entertaining romance with a dash of amateur sleuthing.
I had fun getting to know Emily and Owen and their story had the familiar mix of hilarious hijinx and sweet romance that I’ve come to expect from a Gigi Blume book. Bonus points for Emily apologizing after treating Owen unfairly based on bad intel. And I absolutely adored Cyrus and the relationship Owen has with his little brother.