Lisa
3.75 ⭐️
I thought this was going to be 5 ⭐️ for sure but the third act breakup really frustrated me. I loved Bennet throughout the novel, but the last 20% of the book had me exhausted and frustrated with her.
For the most part, I enjoyed this book, but if I could only pick one - I'd say read Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone instead. That is my favorite book of 2025 and it delivered where this book fell short.
The banter is soooo good. I love both characters. Sometimes a character like Olivia can become annoying with everything that happens to her, but I never tired of her; and I think what Colin realizes about her is why. It's very true to her character and I love that Lynn even put that realization into words. Colin is also A+ MMC material (and narrated by Andrew Eiden/Teddy Hamilton is a bonus).
Lynn Painter is just becoming a favorite, auto-buy author for me. I have loved literally all of her characters and books I've read so far. She's getting her own shelf on my bookcase at this point because every single book is a must own.
2.5 ⭐️ (I liked some parts of it)
Overall, the language and actions of this book felt too juvenile for the age of the characters. I enjoy YA books, but if the characters are going to act like high schoolers then leave them in high school. FMC did not act like a college student in any of her interactions.
3.5 ⭐️
For the most part I really enjoyed this book. However, the topic is not an easy one to read and enjoy. It was kind of depressing for a lot of it. The “many lives” chapter drove me nuts. It was the “it's enough slices” chapters. I was just so over it at that point.
I do really wish she had another chance with Ash in her root life. That was missing for me. Probably the romance reader in me, but he should have been her person and they should have gotten their second chance.
At 13% I was questioning my sanity because I was ready to preemptively rate this book 5 stars. Still with every page turn I was just more convinced this was a 5 star book for me. I loved every moment of this book!
(It does help I read along while listening to the audiobook and Jonathan Cole's voice had me hooked on Connor so fast!)
I loved Fizzy and Connor's story so much. I loved them individually and even more together. The chemistry, banter, and relationship felt natural and never forced or rushed. This was a fun read that kept me smiling!
3.5 ⭐️
Maeve and Asher are definitely my favorite couple of the series. The chemistry was just there. However, at 83% in they were still having their quiet thoughts and not sharing with each other how they felt about each other. It got exhausting to read that same internal dialogue over and over again. I love long romance books, but I need there to be action happening - not just the same thing occurring. This book would have benefited from 150 less pages (at least).
This book put me through the wringer! I felt all the feels and fell so in love with Caleb and Sarah. I already loved them from Out on a Limb, but I loved their story so much too! Also loved getting more of Win, Bo, and Gus! Will always be happy seeing them!
(I also realized that Abby Jimenez's The Friend Zone left me with some very real PTSD, thankfully it wasn't a repeat of that ending!)
Reread: I looooove Lukas so much - I love watching him so obviously (except to Scarlett) fall in love with Scarlett. Even with Pen being Pen, I found I loved this book even more somehow on my second read. I think this will be a comfort read for me in the years to come. It's just so good.
It didn't beat my favorite Ali (Love on the Brain) but I still enjoyed it. I loved Lukas and I'd definitely want to be best friends with Scarlett, but Penelope c*ck-blocked this entire book. I needed WAYYYY less Pen and a whole lot more Lukas. I think if this had been dual POV, it might have been stronger. I loved Lukas's POV epilogue.
The third-act breakup or whatever that was really ruined this for me. I was loving Hardy and Everly. I wish the slow-burn had been more obvious to Hardy, rather than a switch being turned on in his head. I loved him aware and nervous of his feelings, and I think it would have been nice to see that a little longer than his play for Maple. It felt like the romance was a blip in the overall story and I wanted more romance. Their date at The Beard was probably my favorite moment between them. I would have enjoyed more of that than the Maple storyline. Will say the game token was an insanely cute touch!
Loved seeing Brody again and the chaos that ensues when he is around. JP Cane is an insane bird man. Breaker and Lia's small cameo was nice. (Breaker is my favorite)
Breaker: “Out shopping with the wife. We were down at the wharf with JP and Kelsey for dinner. Then JP wanted to go sit on the pier with the pigeons—and I'm not dealing with that bullshit-so we decided to do some shopping.”
He cracks me up! I love Breaker!
Breaker is definitely my favorite Cane brother. I loved everything about him and Lia from their meet cute, to their friendship, to their romance. I only wish we could have more of them. I want their wedding (I was hoping for an elopement between them - it would have been so cute!) and I want their married life!
“I was yours first, remember?”
I've been on a Lana kick finishing up this year and this is hands down my favorite. Ian and Lila were perfect! This is how childhood friends to lovers should be done!!!!
Also, no nickname will top “brat” for a long time!
On another note, I would happily take a book based on Jack. His comedic timing was perfect! I loved his relationships with Lila and Ian and at the end while everything was heavy he was there to lighten it all back up! God, (Ian? - iykyk) this book was so freaking good!
PS If you like audiobooks, I highly recommend this one. Thank you Zachary Webber!