lindaunconventionalbookworms's review
5.0
Speakeasy was such a tender and tentative romance, with two unlikely protagonists who fell for each other even if they were sure that was the wrong thing to do.
toddie09's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ladysadiereads's review against another edition
4.0
May is the Hot Mess Shipley and that only gets worse after her disaster of a girlfriend is found making out in a small town bar and May nearly starts a bar fight. She is rescued by the most unlikely of heroes - Alec Rossi. Party boy, bar owner, and all-around wild man. Could there be a more unlikely pairing? Not in his opinion.
I am a huge Sarina Bowen fan so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I adored this book. Once again she captured so much of the essence of small-town and family politics but this had two really special elements. One, May deals with struggling with her sobriety and making her sobriety a priority despite her emotions and frustrations. It is honest and raw and brilliantly handled. Two, this is my favorite part - May is bisexual! She discusses it openly and has dated both men and women and even really speaks to how people tend to not... get bisexuals or exclude them if they are dating someone of a different gender. I love it. Alec also is an absolute sweetie who really didn’t see feelings coming as a good time guy but does what he needs to and is awesomely supportive and a cutie to boot!
I really wish I had read these in order - it is so unlike me not to! - but if you wanted I guess you could read them as standalones.
I am a huge Sarina Bowen fan so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I adored this book. Once again she captured so much of the essence of small-town and family politics but this had two really special elements. One, May deals with struggling with her sobriety and making her sobriety a priority despite her emotions and frustrations. It is honest and raw and brilliantly handled. Two, this is my favorite part - May is bisexual! She discusses it openly and has dated both men and women and even really speaks to how people tend to not... get bisexuals or exclude them if they are dating someone of a different gender. I love it. Alec also is an absolute sweetie who really didn’t see feelings coming as a good time guy but does what he needs to and is awesomely supportive and a cutie to boot!
I really wish I had read these in order - it is so unlike me not to! - but if you wanted I guess you could read them as standalones.
chelyely's review against another edition
5.0
So wholesome
It's a perfect contemporary retell of ACOSF.
This is small town small business oriented in a good way.
The characters stay true to themselves and the story develops nicely. While it does deal with triggering subject [drug OD and living as an alcoholic] it is still a feel good story.
It's a perfect contemporary retell of ACOSF.
This is small town small business oriented in a good way.
The characters stay true to themselves and the story develops nicely. While it does deal with triggering subject [drug OD and living as an alcoholic] it is still a feel good story.
cherryredsreads's review
4.0
As soon as I started this book, I could not put it down.
Author Sarina Bowen just gives 100% when it comes to giving us memorable characters.
As soon as you are introduced to Alec and May, you are sucked into their lives.
Both are complex characters who have issues that they need to solve on their own as well as learning to take from one another.
Loving, gripping and a perfectly balanced romance that was relatable to what us readers deal with in our everyday lives.
I enjoyed this book.
Author Sarina Bowen just gives 100% when it comes to giving us memorable characters.
As soon as you are introduced to Alec and May, you are sucked into their lives.
Both are complex characters who have issues that they need to solve on their own as well as learning to take from one another.
Loving, gripping and a perfectly balanced romance that was relatable to what us readers deal with in our everyday lives.
I enjoyed this book.
duntax's review
4.0
I love how May gets vulnerable and how Alec gets to know a whole different Alec. They slowly learn stuff about themselves and each other which is beautifully told
chelyely's review
5.0
So wholesome
It's a perfect contemporary retell of ACOSF.
This is small town small business oriented in a good way.
The characters stay true to themselves and the story develops nicely. While it does deal with triggering subject [drug OD and living as an alcoholic] it is still a feel good story.
It's a perfect contemporary retell of ACOSF.
This is small town small business oriented in a good way.
The characters stay true to themselves and the story develops nicely. While it does deal with triggering subject [drug OD and living as an alcoholic] it is still a feel good story.