scotcheroo's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I wouldn't say strong character development because this book, reading standalone, has a lot of telling instead of showing. We're told that Jethro had a bad past, that he joined the Iron Wraiths biker gang, he treated women badly including luring 2 into the club where they got hooked on drugs and the lifestyle, that he stole cars, that he pretty much looked up to his dad Darrell as the sun & the stars and wanted to be him even though Darrell was a shitty guy, that he failed as the oldest brother to protect his siblings from being beaten by their dad and in Ashley's case almost pimped out. But we don't SEE any of this. The only thing we do see is Billy's reactions and the reactions of some of the townspeople referring to these past events. In particular we see Jethro's relationship with Claire. Claire is Ben McClure's widow, he died going off to war and Jethro feels extreme guilt, that it should have been him, so for the past 5 years he has been taking care of Claire. This causes an extreme rift between him and his brother Billy who is in love with Claire but they had a falling out years ago (this is in later books) and Claire has implied she and Jethro are together which has made Billy hate Jethro even more and it's not until this book where Jethro clears that up, that nothing happened.
In Sienna's case, we're told she's a serial dater, relationships last only days or weeks. We see Hank, the guy she's renting this house from while she films in this town, has a crush on her. Her coworker actor Tom won't leave her alone. That's about it though. Sooo it's supposed to be surprising that she wants to settle down with Jethro. She's also only 25 and he's 31, he's the "first real man" she's dated. She's all ready to have his babies /eyeroll. I don't think this book even deserves spoiler tags, because as a celebrity romance you know her fame is going to come into play; what's an Oscar winning actress doing with a park ranger hillbilly. That's the main plot and 80% breakup premise - can she overcome that his past and he himself will hurt her career and is she willing to give up some of that to be with him and start a family. And can he let himself hurt her image and hold her back so that they can be together. Of course the answer is yes.
I also didn't like that Jethro is a secret millionaire. We're told offhandedly that along with inheriting this giant estate in the national park that his mom came from money and he also inherited $2 million. >.< Really? And he has a gigantic rock of an engagement ring that "has been passed down to the oldest son" for forever in their family.
There's a reason I put off reading this book in the series, it's definitely the weakest. Also notice how I didn't even mention that Sienna is Latina because it doesn't even matter. OH but I DO have to mention all the body image stuff jeez this book talked a LOT about how Sienna is currently size 14 but fluctuates between 12-16 and she considers herself "average" size which at 5'8" ehhhh maybe at the high end? But I'm pretty sure she's at least in the overweight category, if not obese, just not morbidly obese. She does yoga and lifts weights but hates cardio and she "eats what she wants." Could have done without all that in the book but whatever I guess.
If anything this book makes me want to reread Cletus and Jennifer's story which was INCREDIBLE.
In Sienna's case, we're told she's a serial dater, relationships last only days or weeks. We see Hank, the guy she's renting this house from while she films in this town, has a crush on her. Her coworker actor Tom won't leave her alone. That's about it though. Sooo it's supposed to be surprising that she wants to settle down with Jethro. She's also only 25 and he's 31, he's the "first real man" she's dated. She's all ready to have his babies /eyeroll. I don't think this book even deserves spoiler tags, because as a celebrity romance you know her fame is going to come into play; what's an Oscar winning actress doing with a park ranger hillbilly. That's the main plot and 80% breakup premise - can she overcome that his past and he himself will hurt her career and is she willing to give up some of that to be with him and start a family. And can he let himself hurt her image and hold her back so that they can be together. Of course the answer is yes.
I also didn't like that Jethro is a secret millionaire. We're told offhandedly that along with inheriting this giant estate in the national park that his mom came from money and he also inherited $2 million. >.< Really? And he has a gigantic rock of an engagement ring that "has been passed down to the oldest son" for forever in their family.
There's a reason I put off reading this book in the series, it's definitely the weakest. Also notice how I didn't even mention that Sienna is Latina because it doesn't even matter. OH but I DO have to mention all the body image stuff jeez this book talked a LOT about how Sienna is currently size 14 but fluctuates between 12-16 and she considers herself "average" size which at 5'8" ehhhh maybe at the high end? But I'm pretty sure she's at least in the overweight category, if not obese, just not morbidly obese. She does yoga and lifts weights but hates cardio and she "eats what she wants." Could have done without all that in the book but whatever I guess.
If anything this book makes me want to reread Cletus and Jennifer's story which was INCREDIBLE.
karlyloar's review against another edition
4.0
Not quite as good as the first but still great!! Can not wait for the rest of this series!! ❤️ (Jethro and Sienna)
yaaralony's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
It was ok at first, but got kinda boring and tedious.
a_stylish_bookworm's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
This was a good second story to this series. I love how protective Jethro was with Sienna and cared for her and not because of her fame. Their banter and chemistry was great. I appreciate that Sienna was a curvy MC that stood with her convictions. I enjoyed this book and will continue with the series.
qgg's review against another edition
3.75
Read Oct 2021 and Mar 2022
Mar 2022: once again, on second listening, I can give this book a better review. Penny Reid’s romance titles are more than just entertaining and fluffy. They are absorbing, have well fleshed out characters, include elements that carryover into later or earlier books, and this one (and Billy’s book) makes you think about self-forgiveness and regrets. I am critical of romance books and their formulaic tendencies, but I don’t think there are a lot of curvy-feminist-movie-star falls in love with woodworking-caretaking-forest-ranger books out there. I’d round this up
Oct 2021: Entertaining, fluffy audiobook listening.
Mar 2022: once again, on second listening, I can give this book a better review. Penny Reid’s romance titles are more than just entertaining and fluffy. They are absorbing, have well fleshed out characters, include elements that carryover into later or earlier books, and this one (and Billy’s book) makes you think about self-forgiveness and regrets. I am critical of romance books and their formulaic tendencies, but I don’t think there are a lot of curvy-feminist-movie-star falls in love with woodworking-caretaking-forest-ranger books out there. I’d round this up
Oct 2021: Entertaining, fluffy audiobook listening.
whittneyshea's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
amandablocho's review against another edition
3.0
This one is still my least favorite of the series. I think that is because more often than not, I’m not a big fan of one person being famous troupe. Just doesn’t do it for me. This entry also leaves the most unresolved storylines. I wanted some resolution with Marta, and more scenes with their respective families. I end up liking the characters more as supporting characters than main ones.
nicki_j's review against another edition
3.0
I read this series completely out of order and thus was already introduced to Jethro and Sienna through the other books. I thought for sure I would their book because I liked them so much in their cameos. Unfortunately, it fell short of expectations. I was hoping for more extrapolation behind Jethro's past and return as the prodigal son. I also didn't love Sienna. I'm not sure why. She has all the makings of a character I would like but I was mildly annoyed at her. And she never had a big blowout with her sister/manager which I definitely thought needed to happen. Finally, I hate when conflict ends in a marriage proposal. Especially one that occurs after only a few months. It's unrealistic and marriage should never be used as a band-aid.