becksgoesbookish's review against another edition
4.0
This book was very different to my normal reads, and definitely wasn’t what I was expecting. But I couldn’t put it down!
It was somehow both a light rom-com and a heavy emotional story, and these two tones were weaved through the story perfectly.
Giovanni and Erin both have past (and present) demons that they are trying to work through, but that keep creeping back into their lives. So be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster. But seeing them leaning on each other through the ups and downs was very much worth it.
I haven’t read any other books from the Jasper Fall series, but I definitely will now.
*Thank you to Valentine PR and Lydia Michaels for an ARC in exchange for my honest and voluntary review*
It was somehow both a light rom-com and a heavy emotional story, and these two tones were weaved through the story perfectly.
Giovanni and Erin both have past (and present) demons that they are trying to work through, but that keep creeping back into their lives. So be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster. But seeing them leaning on each other through the ups and downs was very much worth it.
I haven’t read any other books from the Jasper Fall series, but I definitely will now.
*Thank you to Valentine PR and Lydia Michaels for an ARC in exchange for my honest and voluntary review*
mommasaystoread's review against another edition
4.0
This series is full of emotion from laughter to tears and everything in between. Lydia Michaels has also touched on some hard topics whether meeting them head-on or touching on issues in the periphery. My Funny Valentine goes full steam ahead and parts of this one feel all too real and are hard to get through. If you're familiar with the series and read the last book, then you'll remember Erin but not in a good way. I'll admit that I wasn't at all sure how this one was gonna go because I really wasn't sure I could warm up to Erin. She was pretty nasty in Pining for You, and I didn't think I could be convinced of a reason for her actions. Honestly, I'm still not sure about a reason, but my heart broke for her circumstances. Then there's Giovanni, and the more time he spent with Erin, the more I liked her. His patience and persistence with Erin were absolutely swoony, especially when they were coupled with his more outrageous moments. My own momma always told me to find a man who could make me laugh, so Giovanni is my kind of guy. There's also something about a couple who are so good for each other that one brings out the best in the other and vice versa. Erin and Giovanni are that couple, and I loved Erin's journey. I've loved this series from the beginning, but this story is one that really hit me in the feels, one that will stick with me.
Amber Battaglia gave voice to the characters, and she was just right for Erin. She captured the emotions so well, all the emotions. Even Erin's personal growth and the anguish she dealt with on her journey come through in Battaglia's performance.
I don't know if Lydia Michaels has anything else planned for Jasper Falls, but I hope so because these characters have found their way into my heart. Like the rest, this fifth book in the series can be read as a standalone. Past characters do pop in and out, but it doesn't cause any confusion. That said, I'd recommend starting at the beginning because you don't want to miss out on any of these great couples.
Amber Battaglia gave voice to the characters, and she was just right for Erin. She captured the emotions so well, all the emotions. Even Erin's personal growth and the anguish she dealt with on her journey come through in Battaglia's performance.
I don't know if Lydia Michaels has anything else planned for Jasper Falls, but I hope so because these characters have found their way into my heart. Like the rest, this fifth book in the series can be read as a standalone. Past characters do pop in and out, but it doesn't cause any confusion. That said, I'd recommend starting at the beginning because you don't want to miss out on any of these great couples.
lianareadsblog's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first book by the author and I actually won an arc of it on an IG giveaway.
It’s a quick read and the writing makes it easy to follow along the story.
Can’t say I actually got to like any of the characters especially the heroine, I just couldn’t get why she was like that in the beginning but after she started to tell bits of her back story, it made a bit more sense.
They are both dealing with insecurities and each is reacting differently to any given situation.
Will look up for other books by the author in the future.
It’s a quick read and the writing makes it easy to follow along the story.
Can’t say I actually got to like any of the characters especially the heroine, I just couldn’t get why she was like that in the beginning but after she started to tell bits of her back story, it made a bit more sense.
They are both dealing with insecurities and each is reacting differently to any given situation.
Will look up for other books by the author in the future.
kayreereads's review against another edition
4.0
I always really enjoy reading the story of those characters that everyone has loved to hate in the series! To finally see things from their perspective and figure out why they ended up the way they do is so worth the wait. I guess I just love a good redemption arc.
This one was a great read, and although all the other books in this series try to make you hate her, I've always had a soft spot for Erin so I was ready for her to blossom. I was really happy with how her story ended up going!
Amber Battaglia did a wonderful job narrating this one! Her voice is so soothing, but not in the way that makes you want to fall asleep, more in the way that makes you want to listen longer, which is good for an audiobook.
This one was a great read, and although all the other books in this series try to make you hate her, I've always had a soft spot for Erin so I was ready for her to blossom. I was really happy with how her story ended up going!
Amber Battaglia did a wonderful job narrating this one! Her voice is so soothing, but not in the way that makes you want to fall asleep, more in the way that makes you want to listen longer, which is good for an audiobook.
_sharmaekta's review against another edition
4.0
Two anti-hero's, a story about overcoming one's daemons.
This is my first time reading a by Lydia Michaels, and I was pleasantly surprised. From the title one would imagine that it's a sweet, light-hearted, love story. But oy, was I wrong.
This book has it all, the angst, the passion, the simple need of wanting to be loved and accepted for who we are.
Erin and Giovanni are both fighting their own daemons, putting up a mask for the world. When one snow storm keeps bringing the two together, they peel back the layers and learn to trust, love and grow together as individuals.
booksonstereo_o's review against another edition
4.0
My Funny Valentine is an incise discussion of the trauma of familial abuse and neglect in the context of a romance. Micheals deftly manages to handle the light with serious is a exquisite manner.
bookish_jeanie's review against another edition
4.0
First and foremost check your trigger warnings. There is some content that may be uncomfortable or upsetting to some.
“She always assumed if she got out of Jasper Falls she could find someone but her fear of being undesirable everywhere held her back from trying. It wasn’t a comfortable thought but an honest one. Maybe it wasn’t her reputation as much as it was simply her.”
My Funny Valentine is the fifth book in the Jasper Falls series by Lydia Michaels. Each book in the series is a standalone, so even though you come across some of the characters in previous books you can pick this one up without having read the rest. I do recommend reading the rest, but only bc I really enjoyed them.
Erin is the town outcast (for lack of a better word) and works for her father at the only hardware store in town. Everyone loves her father but believes her to be mean and rude to everyone but what they don’t know are the secrets she hides. Giovanni is chasing his dream of being a standup comedian and is back in his hometown of Jasper falls. The two have a confrontation during his show at the local bar while the entire town (basically his entire family) is in attendance.
I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this book, but I loved it. the characters, the town, the storyline, everything. Erin and Giovanni have so much growth throughout the book that it’s wonderful to follow along with them. They are so good for each other and to each other… after a few mishaps and forced proximity. Giovanni’s family is endearing (especially Finn) but Erin definitely has some issues when it comes to her own family.
If you’re a fan of
- Forced proximity
- Enemies to lovers
- Personal growth and healing
- Swoon worthy heroes
Then this is the book for you. I am definitely excited to see where the next book and Erin’s brother, Harrison, takes us.
“She always assumed if she got out of Jasper Falls she could find someone but her fear of being undesirable everywhere held her back from trying. It wasn’t a comfortable thought but an honest one. Maybe it wasn’t her reputation as much as it was simply her.”
My Funny Valentine is the fifth book in the Jasper Falls series by Lydia Michaels. Each book in the series is a standalone, so even though you come across some of the characters in previous books you can pick this one up without having read the rest. I do recommend reading the rest, but only bc I really enjoyed them.
Erin is the town outcast (for lack of a better word) and works for her father at the only hardware store in town. Everyone loves her father but believes her to be mean and rude to everyone but what they don’t know are the secrets she hides. Giovanni is chasing his dream of being a standup comedian and is back in his hometown of Jasper falls. The two have a confrontation during his show at the local bar while the entire town (basically his entire family) is in attendance.
I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this book, but I loved it. the characters, the town, the storyline, everything. Erin and Giovanni have so much growth throughout the book that it’s wonderful to follow along with them. They are so good for each other and to each other… after a few mishaps and forced proximity. Giovanni’s family is endearing (especially Finn) but Erin definitely has some issues when it comes to her own family.
If you’re a fan of
- Forced proximity
- Enemies to lovers
- Personal growth and healing
- Swoon worthy heroes
Then this is the book for you. I am definitely excited to see where the next book and Erin’s brother, Harrison, takes us.
caffeinatedchapters's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you so much to the author and their team for deciding to send me an arc
I had so much fun reading this book and i really enjoyed the authors way of telling the story and making it flow. I usually try to stay away from 3rd person because it impacts how much i relate to/can get into the story—this was far from the case with My Funny Valentine.
Going into the story, I could relate to Erin and her emotional struggles so much. I loved seeing her grow and unlearn her habits that she felt kept her safe in the environment she grew up in. I love who she slowly became around Gio—and vice versa. they were a match made in heaven tbh.
definitely worth the read if you enjoy small town romances too
I had so much fun reading this book and i really enjoyed the authors way of telling the story and making it flow. I usually try to stay away from 3rd person because it impacts how much i relate to/can get into the story—this was far from the case with My Funny Valentine.
Going into the story, I could relate to Erin and her emotional struggles so much. I loved seeing her grow and unlearn her habits that she felt kept her safe in the environment she grew up in. I love who she slowly became around Gio—and vice versa. they were a match made in heaven tbh.
definitely worth the read if you enjoy small town romances too
meaganreynoso's review against another edition
3.25
"Careful, it's frightening in my head at times"
"I don't scare easily. Besides, I like figuring you out. I know you're tough, but you can be so incredibly soft. Your softness is a secret. I like that no one suspects it's there. I want you all to myself."
Don't let the title fool you, My Funny Valentine was such an emotional and beautiful romance story about two unexpected lovers. Now listen, I am personally not a huge fan of third person pov but Lydia kept me so engaged throughout the entire book. I felt so strongly for Erin and I loved how strong her character was. I so enjoy reading about how Giovanni slowly but surely fit into her heart.
This story has it ALL, some good spice, loveable characters, a small town, etc. It also had characters like Erin who have an extremely dark past.
Yes, this is in a series however this book can be read as a standalone as well! Well done Lydia, I absolutely LOVED this!
"I don't scare easily. Besides, I like figuring you out. I know you're tough, but you can be so incredibly soft. Your softness is a secret. I like that no one suspects it's there. I want you all to myself."
Don't let the title fool you, My Funny Valentine was such an emotional and beautiful romance story about two unexpected lovers. Now listen, I am personally not a huge fan of third person pov but Lydia kept me so engaged throughout the entire book. I felt so strongly for Erin and I loved how strong her character was. I so enjoy reading about how Giovanni slowly but surely fit into her heart.
This story has it ALL, some good spice, loveable characters, a small town, etc. It also had characters like Erin who have an extremely dark past.
Yes, this is in a series however this book can be read as a standalone as well! Well done Lydia, I absolutely LOVED this!
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