ARC Review: "LOVE SONG" by Elle Kennedy

Dearest gentle reader, 

welcome back! Today I'm here for talk about the newest Elle Kennedy's book: Love Song. 

Title: Love Song

Author: Elle Kennedy
Publishing Date: 17th March 2026
Publisher: Bloom Books
Pages: 540
Price: $19,99

Synopsis: After a brutal breakup, college junior Blake Logan escapes to her family's lake house in Tahoe, determined to shut out the world. Her plan is simple: no men, no drama. Until Wyatt Graham shows up. Four years older and far too good at getting under her skin, Wyatt is the living embodiment of a "bad idea," and the guy who shattered her pride when she confessed her crush at sixteen.

With his music career stalled, Wyatt has come to Tahoe for inspiration. The last thing he expects is to find it with Blake. He's spent years keeping his distance, convinced he's all wrong for her, but she's no longer the innocent girl he once knew. She's confident, captivating, and impossible to ignore. And the slow-burning tension between them? It's catching fire fast.

They both know this can't last, but one reckless kiss turns into another, and soon they're tangled in something that feels dangerously like more. Just as they finally give in to the pull, tragedy tears them apart, leaving their hearts in pieces.

But forgetting that one, nearly perfect summer? Not a chance. And when fate brings them together again, Blake and Wyatt must decide if this is a second chance…or the final verse.

Review:

4 stars!

Elle Kennedy is back and with a book that made me feel everything. Love Song is the perfect mix of funny, romantic, and even sad moments. Plus, it is full of drama, something I love with all my heart.

I really enjoyed Blake’s character; she is like a breath of fresh air and the perfect blend of Grace and Logan. I see myself in her, and I totally understand her worry about not being great at anything, but simply average. Her journey toward acceptance is wonderful, and I love how she doesn’t change herself or find the thing that she is better than anyone, but she just accepted who she is with all her amazing average qualities. 

For Wyatt, on the other hand, I have mixed feelings. At the beginning of the book, he has so much anger for the fact that he’s not where he wants to be in his career that he’s not the most pleasant person to be around. Let’s just say that he’s totally Garrett in The Legacy, and that is not our favorite Garrett. But while we’ve had the chance to meet Garrett before that, so we already loved him and understood him, this is the first real time that we meet Wyatt, and he is an asshole (sorrynotsorry). As the story progresses, he begins to open up about his feelings, and I appreciate him more, especially with Blake. But in the last part of the book, there are some things that I was not a big fan of. I can understand what Elle was doing, but I think she could have shown them differently. Some of his thoughts just didn’t resonate with me and made me not appreciate him completely.

Their relationship was a rollercoaster. For me, the start was more about the sexual attraction between the two, and I didn’t really understand why they felt anything more. But as the story progressed, fortunately, their relationship deepened. They began to open up to each other, and this gave us a lot of tender moments that made me remember why I love Elle’s writing so much. Don’t worry, there are also some sexy times, but I always appreciate more the cute interactions.

If you love the drama, then be ready because this one is amazing. I screamed several times. Between the dad group chat, the tension between Wyatt and Logan, and the other children’s drama, you will find yourself on the edge of your seat for more than half of the book. 
I loved seeing the Off Campus characters on the page again. All their interactions and Easter eggs were fantastic and made me really emotional.
And could Elle have even started some plot threads that will be the basis for a new series? Who knows… but Elle, I will buy these books right now because I need to know what will happen.

While the beginning was good, the middle is where the book really shines and made me fall in love with the characters while also breaking my heart with some very difficult scenes that demonstrate Elle’s talent as a writer. But then, towards the end, my interest waned. Actually, I did not appreciate some of the choices for Wyatt’s thoughts, and in other moments, I felt some of the reactions weren’t entirely accurate based on what we know about the characters.

Love Song is a book that enchanted me. At a time when I couldn’t find the interest in reading, it kept me up until 5 a.m. because I couldn’t let go of these characters, and I needed to know what would happen to them. The summer vibes mix with those of The Mistake; in fact, there are some moments where Blake and Wyatt made me think of Logan and Grace, and I loved it.
It was definitely worth the wait.

- Camilla

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ARC Review: "ON GUARD" by Kels & Denise Stone

Hello readers!
Today's article is about a new sport romance I read the last month thanks to @valentine_pr who send me the digital arc. Are you ready to be On Guard? 😏

Title: On Guard
Author: Kels and Denise Stone
Publishing Date: April 9, 2025
Publisher:  Between the Sheets Publishing
Pages: 452 (paperback)
Price: 18,99 $
This book is available on KU!

Synopsis:

DANTE HASTINGS
You might have heard of me.

I was the defending Olympic champion—until I used my fist instead of my sabre during a match. Needless to say, I was suspended. Which means no competing for a year…and cleaning up my image.
So, instead of continuing to dominate the fencing world, I’m working on a film that’s poised to be next year’s blockbuster action flick.
The upside? Working with Reese Sinclair, my celebrity crush whose poster was on my wall growing up. Spending time with her will help wash the tabloids of my suspension and convince the league that I’m reformed.
But America’s sweetheart is nothing like I imagined. She’s stubborn, ambitious, and struggling to prove herself in a role that no one thinks she can handle. Still, her determination runs red-hot, and I can’t help but admire her.
When our late-night training sessions turn into something more, I start to realize that I’m outmaneuvered by feelings I never saw coming.

REESE SINCLAIR
The girl next door. The best friend. The love-struck heroine.
I’ve played them all.
But with thirty creeping closer, I need to prove to myself that I can be more than Hollywood’s darling. And this movie is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for, the project I can use to break out of my typecasting.
The problem? I’m not cut out for action-packed stunt work.
Enter: Dante Hastings. He’s hedonistic, insufferable, infuriatingly gorgeous—and my last shot at making this career move work.
I should stay away. His reputation alone could sink mine. But the more time we spend together, the more I see past all his tabloid exploits and rule-breaking. He knows what it means to fight for something.
But a leading lady doesn’t simper over her co-workers, right?
Yet as much as I try to resist, part of me wants to let Dante put the sin in Sinclair.

Review: 

Rate: 3.25 stars ⭐

Family standalone series and sport romance are two of my favorite elements in a novel, and after loving Close Knit so much I was eager to keep going with The Hastings series.

On Guard has new main characters, Dante and Reese, and focuses on several serious topics which include being able to freely express without the restraints created by the image that people or society depicts on us, the woman's right to fight for being respected and treated as professionals; the importance on believing in someone and don't give up on them just because they're "difficult" to deal with, especially if we're talking about children and teens.

I really appreciated how Reese starts to get back her voice and strength not only against misbehavior and sexism, but also against all the lies media can create and weave around a person without a concrete reason. In fact, the book shows clearly how often people start spreading false information about someone just for the chance to stay in the spotlight, no matter the costs their “victims” would pay. Moreover, On Guard stresses the problematic issue of the "good girl" label and the unrealistic expectations related to that. Society created this idea of perfection that includes determined physical appearance, look, way to behave, interests and precise kind of people to be associated with, and choosing something different from that only causes to switch to the "bad girl" label, or similar not very cute nicknames. How unhealthy is that? That’s why I was more than happy to see Reese understands that she could be more than that, and she doesn’t need to fit in a certain category to be appreciated, she can be just herself.

I really suffered for all the pressure Reese and Dante are put under, but they are always mature enough to have each other back, without overstepping. And talking about Dante, his growth path is my favorite: I loved the way his self-centered ego leaves space to his true nature, showing the caring and dedicated man he is. He respects Reese in such a loving way, more focused on her than maybe himself (and in that I missed a little bit of balance, if I have to be honest), and he believes so much in Em she succeeds in expressing her true potential in fencing. After a comprehensible rough start, he was always there for her, challenging her but also trying to keep her away from the wrong track. It was cool seeing him in a coach position, even if Lev remains iconic. It reminds me a little of coach Jensen from the Off Campus series (if you don’t know it, what are you waiting for?).

Plus, Dante exudes charm like a very dangerous weapon, and I love his confidence in certain open doors moments, it indeed made certain moments even steamier. At the same time, I admit I was a little bit confused about his preferences, whether he enjoys have or give control to the partner. That is still an open question for me.

I was also expecting to see more of the Hasting family, but nonetheless the text exchange with Dante and his sisters were so hilarious I really loved them! And that moment with Dante and his parents? It moved me so much.

Furthermore, every mention of fencing and saber's swordplay were absolutely so interesting to hear I would have loved to have more of it in the story than the Robin Hood part. That was cute and I understand its use in the general plot, but I think some moments could have been left out or rewritten in a more captivating way. Especially, I was curious about the water scene, given Reese’s trauma, but in the end it was just mentioned. It was a pity, because it would have been good to see her overcome her fears.

In all truth, if I compare it with Close Knit, I feel there’s something off.

I’m aware that we have two wealthy main characters, but everything seemed to be a little bit exaggerated. And it's not only about Dante’s rich and decadent attitude, because thankfully he is so much more, but the majority of things he and Reese do together is always (or have something to do with) something special, reserved or luxurious. I'm sure that people can go out of their comfort zone or enjoy new things even if not expensive, “prohibited” or peculiar. Maybe what was missing in On Guard is the value of little and small things, while in Close Knit I found more balance in that sense. Same as per the fact of Reese doing bad girl's things. Isn't it a cliché itself, especially while we're stressing the issues around the "good girl label"? Where’s the “bad” in what she does with Dante? Clearly, we’re not talking about tea time with some ladies in a country club and the majority of that was oriented to making media talks, but this whole point felt flat. Plus, thinking about the idea Reese gave me in the initial part of the book, she doesn’t seem a person that has a certain look and aspect only for some third party’s requests, so even if I understand what lead to certain moments, those as well seemed a little bit exaggerated, instead of cherishing her rediscovering herself, embracing all the changes she felt she needs.
So, probably some things could have arranged better, but with its pros and cons On Guard is still a lovable and enjoyable romance I really suggest you to savor and try. I’m sure Dante Hasting won’t disappoint you.

To the next review!

Chiara

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ARC Review: "THE EX VOWS" by Jessica Joyce

Hello readers!
Today we're talking about an upcoming release for this summer which, thanks to Random House UK, I've read in advance: The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce. Please, be aware there will be spoilers because I can't talk about the themes discussed in the story without revealing some aspects of the book.

Title: The Ex Vows
Author: Jessica Joyce
Publishing Date: July 16, 2024
Publisher:  Berkley/Penguin Random House UK
Pages: 484
Price: $19.00 (paperback)

Plot: Estranged exes must stick close together to save their best friend’s wedding after a string of disasters in this swoony and steamy second-chance romance from the USA Today bestselling author of You, with a View .
Georgia Woodward lives by her lists, none more so than the one about her ex, Eli Mora. It’s full of the ironclad dos and don’ts they’ve been following since she returned to the Bay Area after their cataclysmic breakup five years ago.
With the wedding of their mutual best friend, Adam, looming, and them about to step into their roles as best woman and man, Georgia’s never needed it more. She refuses to threaten their tight-knit friend group with her messy—and still very present—feelings. The rules on that list will keep her cool, calm, and compartmentalized. 
What’s not on her list? Eli arriving from New York with a new rule-breaking attitude or the all-inclusive venue burning to the ground, leaving the bride and groom in dire straits. Nor does she anticipate Adam asking her and Eli to help him make a miracle happen. Together.
As Georgia and Eli rush up to Napa Valley to pull off the perfect wedding, their old chemistry comes back in technicolor. Somewhere between cake tastings gone wrong, disastrous DJ auditions, and Eli’s heated attention, Georgia starts recognizing the man she fell in love with before. And if she lets herself break her rules, she might find what they’re building isn’t the something old that ruined them—it’s a chance at something new.

Review:

Rate: 5 stars!⭐

**ATTENTION** SPOILERS

First of all, again, I huge thank you to the publisher for the free book. 

Secondary, together with Funny Story and From Lukov with Love, THIS goes absolutely at the first place of my book of the year chart.

I've discovered Jessica Joyce last year, when I spotted You, with a view between the summer new releases, and I fell in love with it. It wasn't just an enemies to lovers summer trip novel, but a story of multiple love relationships, some lost, others ready to bloom, in a perfect picture of life: not always happy, with painful moments, but real. I really enjoyed the depth Jessica put in her book, that's why I asked for The Ex Vows arc, and she didn't disappoint me at all.

Even if I appreciated YWAV and this author's writing style, I wasn't prepared to love this book SO much. Because it's so GOOD, readers, believe me. So good I can't stop myself being emotional thinking about it.

I honestly thought I would have read a more light-hearted story; instead, I found something that I'll cherish in my heart forever. I was already in love at the end of the prologue, really. As I've already told Jessica, maybe it was just the right time to read it, but this romance resonated so much with myself I couldn't not be affected by Eli and Georgia's journey.

We start at a point we readers know so well: the upcoming wedding of their best friend - and the phantomatic curse that seems determined to ruin everything - forces the exes Eli and Georgia to work together to save the event from an easy disaster. The main reason of their breakup is explained in the early chapters of the book, but it hides so much more, and we unravel it during the whole story.

From an external point of view, it's clear as day they love each other, and while it was so frustrating seeing Georgia pull Eli toward her and then push him away, Jessica was a master to make us taking time to understand why the path that will lead them back to each other isn't so easy as it seems. Because some inner wounds don’t totally heal, even after years, and the fear to be left heartbroken again isn't easy to ignore. And again, that’s not all. While Eli has already started a journey to be better for himself and the people he loves, Georgia has yet to face her faults in the ending of their relationship and her inner fears, before making another try.

I really appreciated that, after her comprehensible anger and hurt toward Eli, Georgia gradually acknowledges she could have reacted differently and that could have made a difference, both for her boyfriend and herself. But they were both spiraling in different kinds of anxiety and uncertainty and didn’t know how to get out those conditions, stop being miserable and see the person they love the most suffering. Their walls came up and, nonetheless they were a couple, they became lonely even before their breakup. That until Georgia decided to choose herself over a life of unhappiness. And my heart broke, not only because she felt she wasn’t worth Eli’s time and attention and not enough to push his resolution to stop an unhealthy working situation that was ruining his life, but also (and above all) for Eli's understanding her decision to escape that "dark whole" that their relationship became, at the point he didn't stop her precisely because he was choosing her happiness too, and it was with him.

How couldn’t I not love this guy?

Finally a male character who isn’t afraid of his feeling and is so good to communicate them (underlining the importance of therapy, of course), but at the same time always respects Georgia, waiting for her to be ready for a real confrontation. And that’s not all, because we’re talking about Eli Mora. He always gives Georgia space and time to express what she wants and, most of all, he searches her consent in every physical approach. He’s so patient with her and kind, as much as sexy in closed-doors situation I can’t complain AT ALL – thanks, Jessica.

The surprise for me was the more I read, the more I appreciated Georgia too. Her fierce love for her friends, her tenaciousness to do everything she can to save Adam and Grace’s wedding, the way she wanted to protect her group of people because she doesn’t want to make them suffer for her (or Eli’s) choices. Someone could have just been selfish and jump into this second chance without looking back, but it’s clear that a part of her puts the happiness of her loved ones even before hers. And if this isn’t already enough, her people pleaser attitude and the constant idea of not being enough for the people she loves wrecked me, reminding to much about myself. I could see and feel her fears to be left alone and put aside clear as mine, and I adored how, thanks to Eli, she arrives to show this part of herself to her friends, plus their reactions. This book has clearly one of the best healthy friendship relationships I’ve ever read about – not to mention Adam and Eli. Their little gestures toward the other were so sweet and true they made my heart clench. 

And then, there’s Georgia’s terror toward her feelings for Eli. I think that what terrifies her the most was to feel hope about her and Eli together again, just to face a reality where he would still put work before her, back to spiraling in its anxiety, shutting her out, and she would feel small and too emotionally dependent on him. I totally understand it and I loved the fact that Jessica underlined the fact that someone have to be happy with themselves first to be ok, because if there’s something wrong (work related or not), if not faced and resolved, it could affect other aspects of their life, relationships included. Plus, several times during the story Jessica draw the attention to the importance of communication between partners. Georgia wasn’t able to express her unhappiness with Eli, because she felt she would become another burden on him so he’ll eventually leave her for someone better as her mother did in the past. At the same time, Eli didn’t face their problems with Georgia, focusing on keeping his job with the idea that the situation would become more bearable in the future. They didn’t talk, really, and so the only choice left was to break up.

Fortunately, Eli’s love for Georgia was stronger than what they both thought.

So, it’s obvious that to overcome all those elements, these two needed time (and tons of Eli’s patience). I won’t tell you how the novel ends, but I can say that for once an author gave her main characters the proper time and pages to arrive to an appropriate closure without rush.

At last, I also appreciated the idea of work presented: having a job is essential to live, we’re aware of that, but it couldn’t and mustn't become our entire life. Doing something we love is also a great bonus, and we should try new opportunities if they feel right to us, even if they imply some changes. Who knows what they could bring us.

Aaand that’s it. Thanks again to the publisher for this free book and Jessica Joyce for this heartwarming story. I needed it. And then thanks to you, dear readers, if you gave me some of your time to read this long review.

 

To the next one!

Chiara

 

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SADIE ON A PLATE by Amanda Elliot (International Blog-Tour)

Hi readers! How are you?💙

Today I'm joining the Sadie on a Plate Blog Tour. I'm really happy to talk about one of my most interesting reading of February, and for that I have to thank Berkley Publishing Group for the free copy and the invitation.

So, here some infos about this book:

Title: Sadie on a Plate
Author: Amanda Elliot
Publishing Date: March, 15th
Publisher:  Berkley Trade Paperback
Pages: 352
Price: 17,62 €
Plot: A chef’s journey to success leads to discovering the perfect recipe for love in this delicious romantic comedy.

Sadie is a rising star in the trendy Seattle restaurant scene. Her dream is to create unique, modern, and mouthwatering takes on traditional Jewish recipes. But after a public breakup with her boss, a famous chef, she is sure her career is over—until she lands a coveted spot on the next season of her favorite TV show, Chef Supreme. 

On the plane to New York, Sadie has sizzling chemistry with her seatmate, Luke, but tells him that she won't be able to contact him for the next six weeks. They prolong their time together with a spontaneous, magical dinner before parting ways. Or so she thinks. When she turns up to set the next day, she makes a shocking discovery about who Luke is....

If Sadie wants to save her career by winning Chef Supreme, she’s going to have to ignore the simmering heat between Luke and her. But how long can she do that before the pot boils over?

 

The Author:

Amanda Elliot is the author of several young adult and middle grade books as Amanda Panitch. Sadie on a Plate is her first adult novel. She lives in New York City, where she owns way too many cookbooks for her tiny kitchen. Learn more online at amandapanitch.com

 

 

 

 author photo by Cassie Gonzales 2021

Review:

Rate:  4.5 stars ⭐

First of all: 

Happy release day, Amanda!

I was so curious when Berkley contacted me to join this Blog Tour, because I never heard about this book before. So, convincted by the plot, I decided to read it asap and.. it was love. Since the first lines the writing style of Amanda Elliot captured me. It's entertaining, fresh and so vivid that you can't love it and feel the urge to keep going.

The story itself is quite simple, but I've ADORED it. As a fan of cooking tv shows like Masterchef or Bake Off, it was really interesting to see this kind of competitions described in a book. It's a treaky element to use in a novel, because you can fail being too boring for presenting too many details, or being excessively superficial, just mentioning some aspects without being able to create the right atmosphere for the reader. That is extremely important, because if there's a competition who reads needs to feel it and being involved (in this case) in the creation of the plates, in the rush to finish all on time and in the anticipation to see who will win and who will go home. Amanda Elliot has been very good in this. The scenes are not extremely long, but at the same time I was completely absorbed. I rooted for Sadie (and other partecipants) since the very beginning and it was fun but also interesting to see her growth through her plates.

Talking about the main character, I've appreciated Sadie with her strengths and weaknesses. She's a spontaneous and an easygoing person, but at the same time she struggles with the idea of not being liked or not sparkle enough, missing the fact that her gentleness and presence are something that can't be ignored by other people. Plus, she often forget she has a strong personality, that make her fight not only for what she wants, but also for what she thinks it's right. That's why, even person she doesn't like or with whom she's not particularly friendly, appreciate her. And talking about that, one of the things I've loved the most about her it's the fact she's not perfect. She misunderstands situations, she misreads people and she makes mistakes, but that allows her to mature and become a better person.
I have also to mention what has happened to her in the recent past, an event that is so disgusting just thinking about it but that unfortunately is something that in real life happens. Taking advantage of someone and their insecurities and then discrediting them in front of everyone is disgusting, and Amanda Elliot has portraited well, without speculating in drama (something I hate to see in a book).

Another figure I have to mention is Luke. I fell hard for him, really. He's an amazing character and every interaction with Sadie kept me hooked on the book. Easygoing, kind and very concrete, I enjoyed his presence in the story like a sort of "solid and safe haven" for Sadie, even when things between them were cold. I really liked his background too, and the only thing I missed was more time (and so pages) to see him to mature his own decisions - and yes, more romantic moments. I craved them!

All the other characters create a sort of colorful pattern that gives more authenticity to this story, and I've found myself affectionated to some of them too. I've also really appreciated the choice to give to all of the contestants different kinds of cuisine that are influenced by their personal tastes, their origins and backgrounds. Sadie, for example, presents her personal reinterpretation of Jewish cuisine and it was really interesting to imagine all those beautiful plates (I envied the judges A LOT) that could be different from a "tipical" starred cooking style. 

What can I say more?
Since, as I said, I missed some more scenes with Luke, and I would have loved to have him as main character too, I'm really hoping Amanda will gift us with another book (or short novellas?). In the meantime I absolutely suggest you to read this beautiful romantic comedy, amazingly written, that will entertain you and keep you company with laughs and more thoughtful moments.

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REVIEW: "You and Me on Vacation"/ "People We Met on Vacation" by Emily Henry

Hi readers! How are you?
I've promised we've kept writing something in English too and what better occasion than write about a book I've loved so much?
I'm sure you already know Emily Henry, writer of ya and adult fiction, fantasy, sci-fi and contemporary novels, but in case you don't, I really suggest you not to loose this book.

 

Title: You and Me on Vacation (People We Met on Vacation)
Author: Emily Henry
Publishing Date: July 8th 2021 (May 11th 2021)
Publisher:  Penguin UK (Berkley Books)
Pages: 368 (384)
Price: 9,72 €

Plot: TWO FRIENDS
TEN SUMMER TRIPS
THEIR LAST CHANCE TO FALL IN LOVE

12 SUMMERS AGO: Poppy and Alex meet. They hate each other, and are pretty confident they'll never speak again.

11 SUMMERS AGO: They're forced to share a ride home from college and by the end of it a friendship is formed. And a pact: every year, one vacation together.

10 SUMMERS AGO: Alex discovers his fear of flying on the way to Vancouver.
Poppy holds his hand the whole way.

7 SUMMERS AGO: They get far too drunk and narrowly avoid getting matching tattoos in New Orleans.

2 SUMMERS AGO: It all goes wrong.

THIS SUMMER: Poppy asks Alex to join her on one last trip. A trip that will determine the rest of their lives.

You and Me on Vacation is a love story for fans of When Harry Met Sally and One Day. Get ready to travel the world, snort with laughter and - most of all - lose your heart to Poppy and Alex.

Review: 

Rating: 5 stars! ⭐

** I've received this arc copy in exchange of an honest review. So, first of all thanks to @prhinternational and @netgalley for the free book, that was, of course, one of my most anticipated release of the entire 2021! **

 

This book kept me hanging until the very end!

Last year I fell in love with Beach Read and since then I knew Emily Henry would become one of my favorite contemporary authors. I was right, because "You and me on vacation", (I'm honest, I prefer the "People We Meet on Vacation" 's title) is even more amazing.

I was a little bit nervous to read it due to my high expectations, but like when you find the right pair of shoes for you, all it took were just few pages to be immediately tangled in this new story.

If I adore Augustus and January, I have to admit Poppy and Alexander stole my entire heart, Poppy with her sparkling joy and Alexander with his kindness and steadiness, quiet but with a witty humor I find so lovely. In fact, they are both lovable and so supportive with each other I wanted to hug them most of the time.

The story follows them through two lines: we have the present situation, where we don't know what happened two years ago to divide them, and Poppy is trying to find a way to be newly inspired in her work and to be happy again, thing that seems to be related to Alexander's absence in her life. So, she plans a vacation not sponsored by her work (without telling Alex) and, taking advantage of one of his brother's wedding, she  invites him to join her, so she can remind him the old times she misses so much and she hopes he hadn't completely forgotten. The other line follows flashbacks that take the readers in the past, from the first day they met to every single vacation they had together, in an intricate network of beautiful places, people met randomly, laughs, pillow talks and moments so full of emotional tension that I hold my breath more than once. As such, you see the present's events and gradually understand better their backgrounds as individual and together. The flashbacks are little flashes, of course, but they show the important moments of every occasion and, in a certain sense, they easily become a memory the reader will cherish too.

Besides the entertaining way this author has to write a story, I think the key of this book is the way we can see and even feel how Alex and Poppy's love for each other grows and takes root during all those years, even if they live in different places and have made different life's choices. That love is so full that fills the readers too (and moved me more than once), but it doesn't seem enough to make that jump to change things between them, blocked by different fears Alex and Poppy consciously and unconsciously have.

Bad timing, other people in their lives, wrong ideas about what the other may or not feel in return.. all reflects how sometimes life could be easier and without so many turns and twists if we just could be able to make that right step, to say and explain what we think or feel, so we can prevent misunderstandings and hurt. However, life doesn't flow like this, in an idyllic and perfect way. Sometimes we need more time, sometimes we make mistakes, we fix them, it's human. Sometimes, we need really to understand ourselves before being capable to be honest with the others, even with the people we love or care the most. This story is a reminder that even if we can do or say something wrong, sometimes the solution is not going back before that, but change the prospective and understand what the real problem is.

More than that, to quote Alex and Poppy, this book "speaks to me!" I totally understand the loneliness that characterizes them: the feeling to be alone even in a group of people, where you can't find a real connection because, no matter how hard you try, they still consider you different (or laugh at you behind your back) and, at the same time, the necessity to always behave good and responsible because that's what other people expects you to do, expectations that make you stuck in a figure that in a certain way describes you, but not entirely fits with your person. It's something that hurts, a lot, but that doesn't mean you have something wrong. Even more, it doesn't have to stop you to find your happiness and it doesn't mean that, out there, there isn't someone that will love and appreciate you entirely, someone you can be yourself with, without fears or restrictions about what they could think. Maybe it needs time, but we have just to jump and take the risks, if they're worth, so we can find our true "home".

So, I think I'll talk endlessly about this book (and if you have read it, PLEASE, write me because I would love to chat about it!!), but the simple truth is that at the beginning of the book Emily said "This book is for you", and it really is.

If you ever read this little review, thank you, Emily. I've laughed, I was moved and I became so much  affectionate to those characters, because they're so concrete I can figure them in real life with their strength and weaknesses, and just as they are, they don't deserve anything but happiness.

 

Thanks again to @prhinternational and to you, readers, if you found the time to read it until the end! Have you read it? Will you? Let me know! 💓

- Chiara

 

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Review: "TWICE SHY" by Sarah Hogle

Hi readers!!💙 How are you?
I know, our blog is mainly written in Italian but we think, from time to time, to add something in English too, especially when it comes to books that stole our heart or we really want to talk about! 

What has moved me, this time?
Well, this year I made a list of ALL the books I wanted to catch up (new or from the last year) and since I was enamoured of "You deserved each other" by Sarah Hogle - which I totally recommend if you haven't read it yet, I was eager to get my hands on her second novel. So, thank you so much @prhinternational for the free book in exchange of an honest review. 

But first, some practical informations: 

Title: Twice Shy

Author: Sarah Hogle

Publishing Date: April, 6th, 2021

Publisher:  Putnam Pub Group

Pages: 308

Price: 15,07 €

Plot:Maybell Parrish has always been a dreamer. But living with her head in the clouds has always felt preferable to dealing with reality, whether it's managing her panic attacks, navigating the wild world of dating apps, or getting her coworkers to show her a little respect. So when Maybell inherits a stately old Tennessee manor from her eccentric Great Aunt Violet, she realizes it's the perfect opportunity to make a fresh start, and finally take control of the life that's making her increasingly unhappy.
 

But when she arrives at her new home, it seems her troubles have only just begun. Not only is the manor practically falling apart around her, but its handsome yet reclusive groundskeeper, Wesley Koehler, who lives in a cabin on the property, seems to want nothing to do with her. Worse still, Great Aunt Violet left Maybell a bucket list of tasks she has only six months to complete if she wants to retain control of the estate--and Maybell won't be able to tick off all the items without Wesley's help.

Convincing the taciturn Wesley to stop avoiding her is a task more formidable than anything on Great Aunt Violet's list. But when Maybell discovers that beneath his brooding exterior lies an anxiety that exceeds her own, she realizes they might have more in common than she ever dreamed. And as the two slowly begin to let down their guards, they just might learn that sometimes the smallest steps outside one's comfort zone can lead to the greatest rewards.

 

 Review: 

Rating: 5 stars! ⭐

I don't know how Sarah is capable of that, but she seems to create characters and stories that link immediately with me intimately and hit me hard for their concreteness.

I've adored this story.

It's completely different from “You deserve each other”, but it's still special in its unique way.

It's less hilarious, but it’s absolutely an enjoyable, sweet and tender journey that leads the reader to the path that links Maybell and Wesley together, and it’s SO adorable. It’s a twist of destiny that helps both to face their doubts and fears about themselves and the way to relate with another person.
It seems an easy thing to say, “I’m a shy person” or “I’m anxious”, but few people understand and really know what it really means. Sarah has been amazing to depict it in front of the reader without pity or faux stereotypes.

She shows Maybell’s fears, daydreaming (I’m so happy not to be the only one doing it!) and the growth of her self-confidence to express what she wants to do and what she feels, stopping to be overwhelmed by others personality and toxic presences. And then there’s Wesley. As per “You deserved each other” I ached for his point of view, but Sarah has been perfect in making us understand him step by step as our main character does. And he’s so sweet, so caring, he listens (thing not so obvious) and remember us that the male figure hasn’t always to be expansive, self-confident, and invincible to be a good person even before someone to fall in love. For me it’s impossible not to love him, and feel the heart tighten itself seeing his personal struggles.
The point is, you can empathize with them, you can see yourself in those two people, but even if you don’t because you have a different personality, this author has been amazing in making all of their feelings and worries tangibles through motions, words, actions.

Maybe it's stupid to say, but I'm proud of them both. They're two amazing people that have a big heart and they just needed the right push and time to understand they are two loving people, that deserve attention and care. They deserve someone that really look and listen to them and it has been amazing to see how gradually they came nearer and fell in love.

It's a slow story and someone could see there's not a climax. Well, maybe not in the usual way, but if I've learned something in the last years about books, you don't need an epic event to make a book work. Here there is a constant crescendo: even in moments you could see a potential fracture in their relationship, both choose the mature way to face the situation (and that is, in my opinion, something really peculiar because often drama is preferred) permitting their bond to grow stronger, so they can have the time and space (on the pages) to face other ghosts of theirs.

And then, the final chapters, left me in tears. I won’t make any spoilers, but let me say just other few things:

1.       the tension between those two has nearly killed me!

2.       I’m a Violet and Victor fan. Their story is so romantic!

    3.       I'm so curious about what will happen next!! The ending is so open-ended I'm biting my nails to            know more! :'(  
           Anyway, it's a price I'll pay forever if I can have and read another Sarah's book. 

 

Thank you Sarah, again, for another beautiful book. It will be another story that takes place in my heart, absolutely. 

And you, readers? Have you already read it? You would like to? Let me know and let's chat about it! 💓 And most of all, would you like to see more reviews in English? Let us know!

Chiara

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