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javalenciaph's review against another edition
5.0
Note: An ARC was provided by Smartypants Romance.
Heart Smart was a smart romance with a lot of heart. See what I did there? Seriously though, I quite enjoyed Emma Lee Jayne's contribution to the Work for It series. The main characters, Dr. Maximillian Ramsey and Holly Dolinsky, were a delightful breath of fresh air, and I enjoyed getting to know them as they tried to figure out how best to work with one another. The story had somewhat of a Pygmalion-esque feel to it, or maybe more of its musical counterpart, My Fair Lady, but still with the author adding her own creativity and originality, which made it more of a standout. Admittedly, it took a couple or so chapters for me to warm up to Max, but once more of his personality and his personal history came out, the more I could see why he was the perfect fit for someone like Holly, who was such a witty heroine. All in all, Heart Smart turned out to be a 4.5-starred read.
Heart Smart was a smart romance with a lot of heart. See what I did there? Seriously though, I quite enjoyed Emma Lee Jayne's contribution to the Work for It series. The main characters, Dr. Maximillian Ramsey and Holly Dolinsky, were a delightful breath of fresh air, and I enjoyed getting to know them as they tried to figure out how best to work with one another. The story had somewhat of a Pygmalion-esque feel to it, or maybe more of its musical counterpart, My Fair Lady, but still with the author adding her own creativity and originality, which made it more of a standout. Admittedly, it took a couple or so chapters for me to warm up to Max, but once more of his personality and his personal history came out, the more I could see why he was the perfect fit for someone like Holly, who was such a witty heroine. All in all, Heart Smart turned out to be a 4.5-starred read.
curly85's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nomomstayandread's review against another edition
2.0
“Go back to your ex and tell him you begged. You can tell him you blew me, if you think that will help.”
I did not jive with these characters unfortunately. I had such high hopes but alas, it was not meant to be.
The quote above is from chapter 1 during their first meeting. The ex in question is the main male character’s boss. In the words of a poet of our generation, “Ain’t no way. Ain’t no f*cking way.”
I did finish the book. I adore seeing neurodiverse people get to have their happy endings so I waited this out. How these two never met each other halfway and communicated better, I won’t ever know.
I did not jive with these characters unfortunately. I had such high hopes but alas, it was not meant to be.
The quote above is from chapter 1 during their first meeting. The ex in question is the main male character’s boss. In the words of a poet of our generation, “Ain’t no way. Ain’t no f*cking way.”
I did finish the book. I adore seeing neurodiverse people get to have their happy endings so I waited this out. How these two never met each other halfway and communicated better, I won’t ever know.
coutures1513's review against another edition
3.0
J’ai préféré ce tome au précédent. Il y a beaucoup de diversité et de représentation, plus que ce que j’ai l’habitude de voir dans les livres.
Cependant, encore une fois, je ne crois pas trop à la relation amoureuse entre les personnages. Je trouve qu’il manque de profondeur ou d’intérêts communs afin de mieux comprendre leur relation.
Cependant, encore une fois, je ne crois pas trop à la relation amoureuse entre les personnages. Je trouve qu’il manque de profondeur ou d’intérêts communs afin de mieux comprendre leur relation.
sianny's review against another edition
4.0
Adorable
Max is a genius, a scientist, a professor whose research is so incredible that he has been nominated for a prestigious award - the McPherson Fellowship. The only problem is that this year’s nominees must perform 12 filmed lectures in front of a studio audience to be in the running. And Max is not that guy. He keeps people at arm’s length, mostly due to his Asperger’s. He struggles to read people and social cues, suffers with sensory processing disorders, and hates to be pitied. As a result he has hardened himself to come across as a gruff, intimidating asshole, and uses his size to cement his monstrous demeanour.
Holly has been tasked with coaching him for these lectures. All she has to do is get his social media up and running, make him appear more professor and less vagrant, and write a speech or two for him to give. She’s done similar things for others before so it should be easy enough, right? Except Max has absolutely no interest in cooperating. No interest in spending any time with the beautiful, intelligent woman. The first woman he’s found himself attracted to in over a decade. No interest whatsoever…
And Holly can’t force this giant, brilliant, bad-tempered man to accept her help. She wants nothing to do with him. So why can’t she stop thinking about him?
I absolutely loved these two! I just wanted to wrap Max up in a hug and take care of him. For all his hardened exterior, he’s just a confused boy inside who wants to be seen and accepted for who he is. And Holly sees him. Truly sees him. She loves the underdog, people and animals that others may perceive as broken are the ones she gravitates towards. They couldn’t be more perfect together.
Also, Max’s sister is equal parts terrifying and amazing and I love her! Does she get a book?
Max is a genius, a scientist, a professor whose research is so incredible that he has been nominated for a prestigious award - the McPherson Fellowship. The only problem is that this year’s nominees must perform 12 filmed lectures in front of a studio audience to be in the running. And Max is not that guy. He keeps people at arm’s length, mostly due to his Asperger’s. He struggles to read people and social cues, suffers with sensory processing disorders, and hates to be pitied. As a result he has hardened himself to come across as a gruff, intimidating asshole, and uses his size to cement his monstrous demeanour.
Holly has been tasked with coaching him for these lectures. All she has to do is get his social media up and running, make him appear more professor and less vagrant, and write a speech or two for him to give. She’s done similar things for others before so it should be easy enough, right? Except Max has absolutely no interest in cooperating. No interest in spending any time with the beautiful, intelligent woman. The first woman he’s found himself attracted to in over a decade. No interest whatsoever…
And Holly can’t force this giant, brilliant, bad-tempered man to accept her help. She wants nothing to do with him. So why can’t she stop thinking about him?
I absolutely loved these two! I just wanted to wrap Max up in a hug and take care of him. For all his hardened exterior, he’s just a confused boy inside who wants to be seen and accepted for who he is. And Holly sees him. Truly sees him. She loves the underdog, people and animals that others may perceive as broken are the ones she gravitates towards. They couldn’t be more perfect together.
Also, Max’s sister is equal parts terrifying and amazing and I love her! Does she get a book?
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
I liked beginning but it lost me in middle. I love Green Valley but this one didn't work for me.
jschloemer's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Relatable adorable characters
Fabulous book with three-dimensional characters who really came to life to pull at my heart. I found myself rooting for Max the Mr. Darcy like grumpy guy who loved Holly, the pretty one with self-esteem issues. I cannot wait to read more from Emma Lee Jayne and hope the side characters get their own books!
Fabulous book with three-dimensional characters who really came to life to pull at my heart. I found myself rooting for Max the Mr. Darcy like grumpy guy who loved Holly, the pretty one with self-esteem issues. I cannot wait to read more from Emma Lee Jayne and hope the side characters get their own books!
sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 probably. A fun concept, and readable writing, but just too many misses in the execution. As other reviewers have also pointed out, both main characters (but especially Max) exhibit problematic behaviour and try and justify it by internally monologuing on why it's wrong.... while doing it. The heroine is meant to be a communications specialist, but we don't see enough of her doing that to make it believable. And the whole thing comes with a very healthy dose of instalove.
sznnbrgrn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
jenlynnhill's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book for the most part. Annoyed that we don't find out if he won the award or not.