Three for Thursday - Beloved Romance Authors

Three For Thursday // Mini Reviews 

I have 3 mini reviews for 3 romance authors that need no introduction . . . 

—Abby Jimenez

—Emily Henry 

—Katherine Center

▪️Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

This book raises the bar on what we’ve come to expect from Abby Jimenez.  Not only does she have animals in this story, but our MMC Xavier, is a Vet!  She writes with her usual bantering, almost a rambling style, including pop culture.  The writing feels casual, but the plot is deep!  Samantha meets Xavier when she finds a kitten and takes it to his veterinarian clinic.  Xavier is grumpy, and Samantha is a ray of sunshine.  I thought this was going to be the book’s trope, but then these two go out on a date that they don’t want to end and it feels like insta-love.  The problem?  Samantha is moving back to CA from MN the next day to help her family care for her mom who is suffering from dementia.  I really liked Samantha’s family.  Insta-love and long distance dating aren’t necessarily my favorites, but this one is a solid read and winner!  Thank you @librofm for the ALC.  4 stars - Out Now!

▪️Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

This book is a little different from EH’s usual style.  Alice is sunshine and Hayden is grumpy, but honestly once you peel back the layers of these characters you realize they are both shaped out of experiences, particularly from their childhoods.  The romance is a slow burn and initially feels secondary to the plot of both of these writer’s auditioning for the opportunity to write the memoir for a recluse octogenarian heiress.  It initially gave me Evelyn Hugo vibes, but the way it comes together is so different and brilliant—you’d expect nothing less from EH!  I loved Alice, Hayden, Margaret, Alice’s friend group and the Alice reconnecting with her mother. Thank you @prhaudio for the audiobook narrated by the beloved Julia Whelan! Out 4/22 - 5 stars.

▪️The Love Haters by Katherine Center

The thing to know about KC is no matter what she writes about, it’s motivation is always going to be about joy!  Katie and Hutch are Love Haters.  Katie because she’s been burned in the past by a musician boyfriend who went big, cheated and left her behind.  She’s also been subjected to bullying about her image, first from an impressionable young age having a stepmother tell her ‘suck in your stomach’ and online bullying from being with somebody famous.  I thought Katie was a realistic woman struggling to love her body.  I’m flabbergasted by many early reviews that didn’t like or understand her.  Hutch has some baggage, and keeps to himself as a Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer.  These two end up spending a lot of time together when Katie, a videographer, is sent to produce a promotional video for the Coast Guard.  There is so much to love in this story, my only quibble keeping it from a full five stars, is the conflict around 65% that keeps these two from dating—so silly!  Hutch’s rescue Great Dane, George Bailey, is the best!  Narrated by the lovely, Patti Murin, thank you @macmillan.audio for the listen.  Out 5/20 - 4.5 stars.