chelsss_ann's review
3.5
Ok, so a little while back, I posted a review about Blue Collar Crush. I didn't love it as a standalone, but it got me so amped up to read the series it was a novella for. It was a prequel for an ARC I have, Sincerely, Thatcher Hayes, but I knew I needed to start this series from the beginning before it hit my Kindle. Well, I didn't start it before it hit my Kindle, but I have flown through the first book in the Blue Ridge Book Club series, Love, Lacey Donovan (and the second book, because I started it on a flight and have already half of it).
So we have a spitfire FMC who doesn't believe in love outside of her romance novels. And then we have Beckett, who is all work and no fun, supposedly. The two are thrown together when Lacey finds the dog Beckett's sister has adopted has destroyed his house and she blames Beckett. She finds him working out to give her a piece of his mind, but all she can think of is she wants a piece of him. Anyways, they end up bonding over books and Lacey finds herself falling for Beckett. And there's a twist I did not see coming, but I'll leave that for you to read and find out.
Anyways, I loved the characters in this book and that each main character of each book in the series is part of a close-knit book club. And Jill Brashear's writing just grabs your attention from the get go and keeps you reined in. And while I did find Lacey's lamenting about how love doesn't exist in real life a bit too much sometimes, I enjoyed how the romance between her and Beckett was fast-paced but also believable and real. They communicated and realized that love comes with ups and down and being vulnerable.
I really liked this book, but I'm loving the second one in the series, XOXO, Valentina. You get a bit of glimpse into what her story is about toward the end of Love, Lacey Donovan and it just leads so well into the second book. I'm flying through these books, so I'll probably be writing a review on XOXO, Valentina by tomorrow!
So we have a spitfire FMC who doesn't believe in love outside of her romance novels. And then we have Beckett, who is all work and no fun, supposedly. The two are thrown together when Lacey finds the dog Beckett's sister has adopted has destroyed his house and she blames Beckett. She finds him working out to give her a piece of his mind, but all she can think of is she wants a piece of him. Anyways, they end up bonding over books and Lacey finds herself falling for Beckett. And there's a twist I did not see coming, but I'll leave that for you to read and find out.
Anyways, I loved the characters in this book and that each main character of each book in the series is part of a close-knit book club. And Jill Brashear's writing just grabs your attention from the get go and keeps you reined in. And while I did find Lacey's lamenting about how love doesn't exist in real life a bit too much sometimes, I enjoyed how the romance between her and Beckett was fast-paced but also believable and real. They communicated and realized that love comes with ups and down and being vulnerable.
I really liked this book, but I'm loving the second one in the series, XOXO, Valentina. You get a bit of glimpse into what her story is about toward the end of Love, Lacey Donovan and it just leads so well into the second book. I'm flying through these books, so I'll probably be writing a review on XOXO, Valentina by tomorrow!
merrycain's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book but most of the book I found myself looking forward to the end. Maybe it’s just me.
bookdrgn's review against another edition
5.0
I was so stoked to get an ARC of this from the author. I mean, really, book boyfriends are the bomb and do make regular guys we encounter seem lacking. But isn’t that part of the reason we love romance novels?
I love Lacey Donovan. The book reviews by Lacey give readers insight into Lacey’s sharp mind and witty personality. She has a love affair with matching lingerie sets, books, and dogs. She doesn’t lack for quirks. Scarred by a young heartbreak, she finds her solace in the men between the pages of books. She’s understandably wrapped her broken heart around her like a protective cage and only gives it to fictional characters. She doesn’t get close to people, even the friends she’s made in Mossy Point, and is always prepared to run again. I wonder if some closure from her ex would help. The end of their relationship came via a third party who admittedly didn’t like Lacey. Maybe it would help her to hear it from the horse's mouth so to speak, even all these years later.
I can’t believe her father is making her pay him back for the money he chose to spend on her education. I really wish she’d stood up to him and told him to shove it, even more if we’d got the read that scene.
Lacey’s penchant for authentic, honest living is admirable except when she judges others for their use of pen names or not wanting to keep things private. It’s contradictory to her run away from life when it gets too serious nature. It’s one flaw in her character that both adds to her overall realism and frustrated me into wanting to shake her and tell her to stop judging others for choices she wouldn’t make for herself because she doesn’t walk in their shoes.
This book made me laugh out loud and feel for these characters
I love Beckett’s limericks and Beckett as a character. He is a mystery for sure, but it adds to the fun of his character. He’s determined when he wants something, and he wants Lacey. He’s physically attractive, knows his grammar, and wears glasses. He is why book boyfriends are the best. He’s not afraid to turn a syrupy phrase or pet name to show Lacey how he feels at the same time being stoic and confident with the rest of the world. The revelations about his careers made his character make more sense, especially on an emotional level.
His response when Lacey was drugged at the vineyard is one that would send many a knee quivering. Except for Lacey. Her reaction to the entire incident baffled me. Anger at Beckett for defending her and acceptance of Xan’s denial confused and irritated me.
I wish the issue had been explored more and the culprit found, even if it was Xan. I feel like Lacey should have been angrier about that than some of the things she got irate about. Maybe it’ll come around again in a future book and Lacey’s friend Mia will take them to court.
The secondary characters are all wonderful. I especially enjoyed Beckett’s niece Summer, and after reading a snippet from Beckett’s pov I hope she finds some peace. Pressly is not as predominant, but I am hoping she gets a book with Thatcher soon. Gabi, Kennedy, Mia, and Sloane; the other members of the Blue Ridge Book Club added wisdom and support to Lacey, but Thatcher ultimately came through calling out on her emotions and giving her the push she needed. I would absolutely read books about each of these characters though.
Love, Lacey Donovan was a fun book to read and Jill has quickly become one of my must-read authors.
I love Lacey Donovan. The book reviews by Lacey give readers insight into Lacey’s sharp mind and witty personality. She has a love affair with matching lingerie sets, books, and dogs. She doesn’t lack for quirks. Scarred by a young heartbreak, she finds her solace in the men between the pages of books. She’s understandably wrapped her broken heart around her like a protective cage and only gives it to fictional characters. She doesn’t get close to people, even the friends she’s made in Mossy Point, and is always prepared to run again. I wonder if some closure from her ex would help. The end of their relationship came via a third party who admittedly didn’t like Lacey. Maybe it would help her to hear it from the horse's mouth so to speak, even all these years later.
I can’t believe her father is making her pay him back for the money he chose to spend on her education. I really wish she’d stood up to him and told him to shove it, even more if we’d got the read that scene.
Lacey’s penchant for authentic, honest living is admirable except when she judges others for their use of pen names or not wanting to keep things private. It’s contradictory to her run away from life when it gets too serious nature. It’s one flaw in her character that both adds to her overall realism and frustrated me into wanting to shake her and tell her to stop judging others for choices she wouldn’t make for herself because she doesn’t walk in their shoes.
This book made me laugh out loud and feel for these characters
I love Beckett’s limericks and Beckett as a character. He is a mystery for sure, but it adds to the fun of his character. He’s determined when he wants something, and he wants Lacey. He’s physically attractive, knows his grammar, and wears glasses. He is why book boyfriends are the best. He’s not afraid to turn a syrupy phrase or pet name to show Lacey how he feels at the same time being stoic and confident with the rest of the world. The revelations about his careers made his character make more sense, especially on an emotional level.
His response when Lacey was drugged at the vineyard is one that would send many a knee quivering. Except for Lacey. Her reaction to the entire incident baffled me. Anger at Beckett for defending her and acceptance of Xan’s denial confused and irritated me.
I wish the issue had been explored more and the culprit found, even if it was Xan. I feel like Lacey should have been angrier about that than some of the things she got irate about. Maybe it’ll come around again in a future book and Lacey’s friend Mia will take them to court.
The secondary characters are all wonderful. I especially enjoyed Beckett’s niece Summer, and after reading a snippet from Beckett’s pov I hope she finds some peace. Pressly is not as predominant, but I am hoping she gets a book with Thatcher soon. Gabi, Kennedy, Mia, and Sloane; the other members of the Blue Ridge Book Club added wisdom and support to Lacey, but Thatcher ultimately came through calling out on her emotions and giving her the push she needed. I would absolutely read books about each of these characters though.
Love, Lacey Donovan was a fun book to read and Jill has quickly become one of my must-read authors.
lisaluvsliterature's review against another edition
3.0
The book started out really pretty good for me. I liked the story a lot, but had some issues with some of the writing or way things were written. Like during the steamy moments, there was a lot of non-sex words, I don’t even know how to explain it. Just things that didn’t seem to fit in and keep me in the moment. Like thinking about stuff that had nothing to do with what was actually going on. I actually fast forwarded through a couple of those scenes because of that. And if you know me, I don’t fast forward through those parts. Then, her thoughts and problems with pen names was rude and wrong for any good romance reader to have. There are reasons why people use pen names, and it has nothing to do with the complaints she had. I liked her reviews a lot for awhile, but then towards the end, she reviewed what sounded very similar to some of my favorite authors – Christina Lauren and/or Jana Aston, and gave very bad reviews to them. So that made me dislike that character even more. And I think her issue was ridiculous in the end. So I was loving the book till the end really. I gave it 3 stars, but that was kind of nice really for how many problems I had with it in the end.
hm08's review against another edition
1.0
The heroine's selfish and drove me nuts from start to finish. I've never read a less self-aware and naive main character. She turned me off so much I'll probably never read something from this author again.
totallycarly's review against another edition
4.0
Cute, fun, and easy read. A great palette cleanser.
thebookfling's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first time reading a book by Jill Brashear, and I absolutely love her writing style. The storyline was interesting and captured my attention within the first chapter. I was a bit disappointed with how predictable the ending got. I will be on the look out for future books though!
bellarhysreads's review against another edition
3.0
This book left me confused in many ways…
I’m not quite sure how to structure my review, so, I’m just going to list the pros and cons and let you decide if it’s something you’re into….
Cons
It started off well, went down hill in the 2nd half of book.
I don’t understand why Beckett liked Lacey; they barely knew each. The romance moved too fast, not really insta love, but, still a bit too fast; One minute they’re meeting and going on one date, next thing, he apparently loves her?
Lacey’s whole jealously didn’t make sense. And her judgement about Beckett (& other authors) using pen names was wrong and not her place to judge.
I did not understand her whole reaction to the incident where she got spiked at the bar. It made no sense why she was defending Xan, whom she had only just met, so much. But, was mad at Beckett for actually caring and not trusting Xan’s explanation (as they shouldn’t, they don’t know him well). Also, we never actually got a conclusion to that plot; we still don’t know what really happened that night at the bar. So, that was disappointing.
I was also disappointed that her whole ordeal with her dad (and having to pay him back for her education) was also not explored further. I would have loved it if she had actually stood up for her self against him.
That all brings me to my main issue with this book. Lacey was unlikeable and had messed up priorities. Things she should have cared about, she didn’t. Instead, focusing on the wrong things…sigh.
Pros
I actually liked the bookish references.
Beckett was actually a sweetheart. I loved him (he deserved better than Lacey…smh).
The side characters were fun and I loved the banter they had.
A previous review stated the book was packed with sweetness. I actually liked that aspect of the book, it’s refreshing to read a book that is, at its core, a really sweet romance.
Conclusion
With all those cons, it might sound like I didn’t like the book. But, I actually did. Overall, even though the heroine was mostly unbearable, the book was pretty fun to read/listen to. It was also well written.
I’m not quite sure how to structure my review, so, I’m just going to list the pros and cons and let you decide if it’s something you’re into….
Cons
It started off well, went down hill in the 2nd half of book.
I don’t understand why Beckett liked Lacey; they barely knew each. The romance moved too fast, not really insta love, but, still a bit too fast; One minute they’re meeting and going on one date, next thing, he apparently loves her?
Lacey’s whole jealously didn’t make sense. And her judgement about Beckett (& other authors) using pen names was wrong and not her place to judge.
I did not understand her whole reaction to the incident where she got spiked at the bar. It made no sense why she was defending Xan, whom she had only just met, so much. But, was mad at Beckett for actually caring and not trusting Xan’s explanation (as they shouldn’t, they don’t know him well). Also, we never actually got a conclusion to that plot; we still don’t know what really happened that night at the bar. So, that was disappointing.
I was also disappointed that her whole ordeal with her dad (and having to pay him back for her education) was also not explored further. I would have loved it if she had actually stood up for her self against him.
That all brings me to my main issue with this book. Lacey was unlikeable and had messed up priorities. Things she should have cared about, she didn’t. Instead, focusing on the wrong things…sigh.
Pros
I actually liked the bookish references.
Beckett was actually a sweetheart. I loved him (he deserved better than Lacey…smh).
The side characters were fun and I loved the banter they had.
A previous review stated the book was packed with sweetness. I actually liked that aspect of the book, it’s refreshing to read a book that is, at its core, a really sweet romance.
Conclusion
With all those cons, it might sound like I didn’t like the book. But, I actually did. Overall, even though the heroine was mostly unbearable, the book was pretty fun to read/listen to. It was also well written.