valerie_amanda09's review
5.0
Amazing
This was such a good story to read. I didn't want it to end. You couldn't elp but get invested into the story and the characters. The characters were so well written you couldn't help but to fall in love with them. The story was so well written you felt like you were a background character, observing them.
This was such a good story to read. I didn't want it to end. You couldn't elp but get invested into the story and the characters. The characters were so well written you couldn't help but to fall in love with them. The story was so well written you felt like you were a background character, observing them.
brooke4's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
poppyandonslow's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
readingwithgee_'s review
4.0
I have seen a lot of people talking about this book so it was already on my radar, but I asked for book recs on insta for my 12 book challenge and was recommended it by Natalia (@njkl_x on instagram) and I'm so glad I added it to the list and read it, it was soo good!
I will say that Skylar was VERY whiney, which I'm not heartless I can totally see why. But girl stop moaning and do something about it! There was very much a lack of communication which was needed to solve a lot of this couples problems. But there ends my negativity.
I love Skylar, I love Jude and I love how determined he is to help her, even when he technically isn't getting anything out of their situation. Skylar's home situation is beyond sad and I was so happy for her that she got an out.
Learning more and more about the characters definitely made me ship them more and more, I feel like they are definitely two characters who were truly right for each other, especially at this moment in time.
I didn't even put the pieces together when Asher was introduced that he was the dad from Torn and when I realised it was a nice surprise!
I think Carian cole is becoming a favourite author of mine!
I will say that Skylar was VERY whiney, which I'm not heartless I can totally see why. But girl stop moaning and do something about it! There was very much a lack of communication which was needed to solve a lot of this couples problems. But there ends my negativity.
I love Skylar, I love Jude and I love how determined he is to help her, even when he technically isn't getting anything out of their situation. Skylar's home situation is beyond sad and I was so happy for her that she got an out.
Learning more and more about the characters definitely made me ship them more and more, I feel like they are definitely two characters who were truly right for each other, especially at this moment in time.
I didn't even put the pieces together when Asher was introduced that he was the dad from Torn and when I realised it was a nice surprise!
I think Carian cole is becoming a favourite author of mine!
jlynnautumn's review
5.0
"Don't Kiss the Bride" by @cariancole_author was a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ beautiful story. I love Jude and Skylar and how from the very beginning I was rooting for them. I laughed at their witty banter and loved watching their relationship develop from friends to something more.
I'm totally a classic cars, motorcycles, and old music fan so seeing all of that in the story was really fun too.
I'm totally a classic cars, motorcycles, and old music fan so seeing all of that in the story was really fun too.
sandizzlereads's review
5.0
In an unforgiving, unimaginable world two fractured souls find each other. Carian Cole has written a beautiful story of two broken people.
Skylar is an 18 year old girl who has had to live a life no one should have to endure. She just needed a way out.
Jude is a 34 year old man who just wants to help and be there for this girl. What he wasn’t prepared for was the emotions that Skylar would bring out in him.
This story has everything and will make you feel everything. There are some triggering moments that you need to be prepared for, but in the end those moments just add to the real story. This story will gut you and make you care for these characters, they become real people and not just words on a page.
Carian Cole paints a picture with this story that you won’t be able to take your eyes off of. Do not miss out on this one!
Skylar is an 18 year old girl who has had to live a life no one should have to endure. She just needed a way out.
Jude is a 34 year old man who just wants to help and be there for this girl. What he wasn’t prepared for was the emotions that Skylar would bring out in him.
This story has everything and will make you feel everything. There are some triggering moments that you need to be prepared for, but in the end those moments just add to the real story. This story will gut you and make you care for these characters, they become real people and not just words on a page.
Carian Cole paints a picture with this story that you won’t be able to take your eyes off of. Do not miss out on this one!
whatlaurenreads's review
slow-paced
5.0
Give me age-gap romances any time any day and I'll devour it.
The writing was so good and I'm now itching to reread.
The writing was so good and I'm now itching to reread.
andros35's review
2.0
Age gap trope is just not for me unless both characters are like over 30. I’m going to stop trying to convince myself otherwise
belle13's review
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Tropes: Marriage of Convenience, Age Gap, Friends to Lovers
Amount of spice: 🔥🔥🔥
Explicitness: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Setting: Brookline, New Hampshire
POV: Dual, 1st Person
My Thoughts
This was so much better than I was expecting. I had pretty low expectations going into this because I’m never completely sold on age gap romance when the FMC is really young but I was pleasantly surprised. It did remind me of Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas but just a little more cheesy and it was just the tiniest bit too sickly sweet for me.
I seem to keep picking up books where the FMC has a strained relationship with their mother and at this point I think the universe is just vibing with me because reading these relationships has been massively validating for me. Both MCs were lovable and there was a lot of depth to their characters. I did momentarily gag 🤢 when Jude talks about liking ‘natural women who don’t wear all that makeup’ but I’ll forgive him because nothing else about his character screamed ‘I’m a complete idiot’ and it was never mentioned again.
I really wanted this to be a five star read but firstly, it was a little too long and drawn out and secondly, it isn’t something I would re-read which is usually what I base my five star ratings on. Overall, I would absolutely recommend it if you’re looking for a warm fuzzy, romantic read.
Characters
I really felt for Skylar. Her situation was pretty heartbreaking and I don’t know how anyone would have managed that and not come away with a number of mental health issues. She was level headed, mature and kind despite her dire situation. I also want to point out that she binge watches Outlander so how could I not like her?! I liked Jude too. He was extremely caring and selfless and went out of his way to support the people in his life that he loved.
The Romance
This is one of the biggest age gap romances I have read with the FMC being 18 and the MMC being 34 and yet it didn’t make me feel as weird as I was anticipating. They never had any unnecessary drama and Skylar didn’t act like a teenager in that she never acted out of spite and communicated well. They had a really sweet, romantic relationship and I would very much file this under ‘friends to lovers’
Supporting Characters
There were some brilliant supporting characters in this book. Skylar’s friend Meg was great. She was so lovable and loyal to Skylar, just the kind of friendship I love to read in a book. Also, props to Rebecca for being a bit of a mother figure for Skylar and also calling out Jude because she was the only one who didn’t seem to think it was all good for a 34 year old to marry a highschool student.
Plot
It was sweet and romantic but it was a little repetitive and they seemed to repeat the same cycle over and over again. I would think ‘this is a really good place to wrap up the book’ and then the cycle would just repeat itself. They went from I like you to hooking up and then back to thinking it was wrong and they shouldn’t do it right back to liking each other again. I wish we had a little more closure when it comes to their families and how that was all wrapped up.
Amount of spice: 🔥🔥🔥
Explicitness: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Setting: Brookline, New Hampshire
POV: Dual, 1st Person
My Thoughts
This was so much better than I was expecting. I had pretty low expectations going into this because I’m never completely sold on age gap romance when the FMC is really young but I was pleasantly surprised. It did remind me of Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas but just a little more cheesy and it was just the tiniest bit too sickly sweet for me.
I seem to keep picking up books where the FMC has a strained relationship with their mother and at this point I think the universe is just vibing with me because reading these relationships has been massively validating for me. Both MCs were lovable and there was a lot of depth to their characters. I did momentarily gag 🤢 when Jude talks about liking ‘natural women who don’t wear all that makeup’ but I’ll forgive him because nothing else about his character screamed ‘I’m a complete idiot’ and it was never mentioned again.
I really wanted this to be a five star read but firstly, it was a little too long and drawn out and secondly, it isn’t something I would re-read which is usually what I base my five star ratings on. Overall, I would absolutely recommend it if you’re looking for a warm fuzzy, romantic read.
Characters
I really felt for Skylar. Her situation was pretty heartbreaking and I don’t know how anyone would have managed that and not come away with a number of mental health issues. She was level headed, mature and kind despite her dire situation. I also want to point out that she binge watches Outlander so how could I not like her?! I liked Jude too. He was extremely caring and selfless and went out of his way to support the people in his life that he loved.
The Romance
This is one of the biggest age gap romances I have read with the FMC being 18 and the MMC being 34 and yet it didn’t make me feel as weird as I was anticipating. They never had any unnecessary drama and Skylar didn’t act like a teenager in that she never acted out of spite and communicated well. They had a really sweet, romantic relationship and I would very much file this under ‘friends to lovers’
Supporting Characters
There were some brilliant supporting characters in this book. Skylar’s friend Meg was great. She was so lovable and loyal to Skylar, just the kind of friendship I love to read in a book. Also, props to Rebecca for being a bit of a mother figure for Skylar and also calling out Jude because she was the only one who didn’t seem to think it was all good for a 34 year old to marry a highschool student.
Plot
It was sweet and romantic but it was a little repetitive and they seemed to repeat the same cycle over and over again. I would think ‘this is a really good place to wrap up the book’ and then the cycle would just repeat itself. They went from I like you to hooking up and then back to thinking it was wrong and they shouldn’t do it right back to liking each other again. I wish we had a little more closure when it comes to their families and how that was all wrapped up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
mirandao78's review
5.0
This is how you do an age gap! I love the fake marriage trope but have never been a huge fan of age gap. But this was slow burn in all the best ways. It will definitely make my favorites list this year.