Romance Quick Reviews

Mad About Ewe by Susannah Nix (2021)

Thirty years after her crush Mike rejected her in high school, Dawn is divorced and running her own yarn store when he walks in one day.  He's back in town after two divorces to help out his widowed mother.  Will these two get a second chance at love?  I really enjoyed this book!  I love that the two main characters are a bit older than most romances I read; they're more experienced and know more of what they're looking for in a partner.  Both Dawn and Mike are rebuilding their lives after divorces, so it was interesting to see how that played out for each of them.  I really enjoyed the perspective Mike had on the person he was in high school, how he was a bit ashamed of the way he acted towards Dawn, and his unabashed adoration of her now.  They were so cute together!  Probably my only issue with this book is that there are a lot of things going on, some really quite heavy, so I don't think that the proper attention got paid to all of them.  It felt like there might be some loose ends.  4 stars

Give Love a Chai by Nanxi Wen (2021)

 

Ten years ago, childhood friends Tia and Andrew got married on a whim, but a series of miscommunications led to their separation.  Now, Tia is getting married to someone else and needs a divorce, but upon seeing her again, Andrew wants another chance.  I really enjoyed the characters of Tia and Andrew.  Tia has a complex relationship with her parents, and I liked the Chinese representation.  Andrew has worked really hard and overcome a difficult childhood to become the success he is today.  Seeing the chemistry these two still have together after so many years apart and their willingness to try again after the problems they had was nice, but at the same time, so many of Andrew's decisions were problematic for me.  Knowing how he felt about Tia, I couldn't understand why he couldn't just commit 100% and be open and honest with her.  His actions and words didn't mesh.  Their continued miscommunications were frustrating, and the last part of the book went a little off the rails for me.  3.5 stars

Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover (2020)

 

After Beyah's mom passes away, she decides to spend the summer before college at her dad's house, where she meets her neighbor, Samson.  At first, they seem like complete opposites, but they have an inexplicable connection, but is it enough to overcome the challenges they will face?

 

Ok, unpopular opinion time: sorry, guys, but I just didn't like this book.  I understand Beyah had a difficult childhood, but she's so bitter and willing to throw it in everyone's face that she was poor.  It was uncomfortable.  I didn't like the way she treated her dad; she blamed him for things that were out of his control and never even questioned anything.  Maybe if she had kept better in touch with him, she would have realized how her mother was manipulating them both.  On to Samson: I just couldn't get behind this insta-love.  He barely tells her anything about himself and (spoiler) everything he does tell her ends up being a lie - and Beyah doesn't care!  She's ready to give up her life for a guy she's known for a few weeks that she literally knows nothing about.  I don't understand how someone can just overlook that.  The only redeeming part of this book was Beyah's stepfamily, Alana and Sara, who welcomed her in, no questions asked, and made her feel loved.  2.5 stars

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