This was a DNF for me. I'm not sure if it's because I was listening to it instead of reading it and the woman's voice who read it was so annoying that I wanted to stab my ear with a pen to make it stop or because it's a bad story. I think it's a little of both. The main character, Sadie, is uptight, bitchy, and such a negative person that she makes me want to gag. I just did not like her and my dislike for her grew more and more until I just could not see what any man would find appealing about her. I get it, your husband was a bastard and cheated on you, this does not mean you have to shit on everyone else's cheerios and preach doom and gloom wherever you go. Plus, the writing is being cheesy. She uses so many similes and metaphors - like constantly - that are reaching to be funny but are just awkward comparisons that make me want to cringe. I could not get into this. This was the first book I've read by this author and it is a little different than the genres that I usually read. I have had it on my to-read list for quite awhile, but kept passing it by for one reason or another. I finally gave it a shot.I really liked that the characters were pretty normal people, with normal real-life problems. I love to read romance novels, but sometimes they can be a little extreme. I mean, come on, not everybody is a cutter/suicidal/abused/irreparable. Sometimes, you just want a realistic love story without the overly dramatic psychological scars. What does everybody seem to have against a hero/heroine without serious psychological scars these days??? So, thank you Ms. Brogan for giving us real characters that have managed to cope with their problems in a way that most readers can relate to.The relationship between Sadie and Des was warm and loving. The only drawback was that it wasn't something that I would consider "steamy". I liked the story and thought it was worth reading, but it wasn't the kind of book that would make me miss sleep to finish. Sadie was hilarious! That was my favorite thing about this book. I found myself smiling and laughing as I read along. When she jokes around about her ex luring his new, barely-legal girlfriend into the car by telling her he had Pop Rocks, I was doubled over laughing. Sadie had a way of voicing what most women would be thinking, but wouldn't say out loud. If you're looking for a light, sweet book to read that will make you laugh, this is a great choice!
Do You like book B00B8X2YE8 (2012)?
I read this because it was included in the Kindle Unlimited (free trial) selection and had an audiobook companion. So it was free. And I had a weekend that included 14 hours of driving. To be honest, that car ride is the only reason I bothered finishing this book. The over the top, every single gay stereotype, exaggerated, flaming, flamboyant cousin. The ditzy, messy, moron, yet so good-hearted and mysteriously attractive to older men aunt. UGH. All made much worse by an audiobook narrator I would classify as the absolute worst reader I've EVER heard, especially for those particular characters . . . though I have to wonder what producer thought her version of a Scottish accent was ANYWHERE close. It was really awful. So a novel and characters I'd file away with bad!fic paired with a horrendous narrator turned into a disappointing experience for me. I suggest steering clear from this one. There are much better reading options out there.
—dee
Generally, I liked this one. For a small town/returning home or to family type of romance (which I usually don't like), this one was pretty decent. I think that was in large part due to Ms. Brogan's great character development. Dodie is great, the son and his lover are great. Even the divorcee protagonist is growing.The only thing that fell a bit short was the actual romance development. I never really get the reason for the quick and highly developed connection between the two. He's likeable and she is too, so I suppose it works fine. But I think the story is missing a little something.That said, I'd recommend it. I finished it awhile ago and this is a series, and I haven't bothered to read more, so I think that speaks volumes.
—heena
