apagetoturn's review
4.0
Second chance and Rom Com!? I'm down! I loved the chemistry with these two main characters, Nathan and Naomi! These characters are so diverse in their personal lives, but that didn't stop them from letting their hearts open up again for love. It was beautiful to watch happen. There were mysteries and secrets and past hurts that changed the paths of these characters years before, but put them on a path to find each other when they were more mature, close to 40. Also, she's a LIBRARIAN. I love her because of that alone! HA!
pnwdermnrs's review
3.0
Eh. I really wanted to love this one. Unfortunately, so much about it fell short for me. There were a few sweet moments, and I liked Nathan's character and his daughter Clem. Mostly, I appreciated the homage paid to Bethany Winston.
That said, the writing style felt awkward and clunky. Several attempts at humor fell way flat for me, and I felt zero chemistry between Nathan and Naomi. The whole "capture the witch" subplot is pretty weak, and It's a bit of a stretch to believe that she's been pining, celibate, for 18 years for a one stand. Yes, I understand there are other emotional ties to that night, but come on...That, plus her pretty unbelievable awkwardness and self-pity made Naomi hard to relate to. It wasn't endearing, it was cringy.
Honestly, this is probably a 2 star book for me, but I added one star for Bethany Winston and Green Valley. I wanted to DNF it a few times, but pushed through because I love this world so much. The ending was satisfying enough, so I'm glad I finished it. This is my first book by this author, and I probably won't seek her out in the future.
That said, the writing style felt awkward and clunky. Several attempts at humor fell way flat for me, and I felt zero chemistry between Nathan and Naomi. The whole "capture the witch" subplot is pretty weak, and It's a bit of a stretch to believe that she's been pining, celibate, for 18 years for a one stand. Yes, I understand there are other emotional ties to that night, but come on...That, plus her pretty unbelievable awkwardness and self-pity made Naomi hard to relate to. It wasn't endearing, it was cringy.
Honestly, this is probably a 2 star book for me, but I added one star for Bethany Winston and Green Valley. I wanted to DNF it a few times, but pushed through because I love this world so much. The ending was satisfying enough, so I'm glad I finished it. This is my first book by this author, and I probably won't seek her out in the future.
kjanie's review
2.0
2/5 stars
I didn't dislike this book by any stretch of the imagination, but it was definitely my least favourite from the SmartyPants world so far. This book just perpetuated so many tropes that I dislike in romance books. I really just couldn't buy into the whole story that Naomi and Nathan had a one night stand EIGHTEEN YEARS AGO and she never got with anyone after that. It was like the author was trying to still have the virginal trope with a more mature (she was 39) heroine. On top of that, I just couldn't connect to the romance. Because this backstory was such a big part of the book, I found it hard to ever fully commit to the relationship. It was still sweet and enjoyable in many parts, but I found the writing hard to connect to, it was repetitive and the romance was quite unbelievable.
I didn't dislike this book by any stretch of the imagination, but it was definitely my least favourite from the SmartyPants world so far. This book just perpetuated so many tropes that I dislike in romance books. I really just couldn't buy into the whole story that Naomi and Nathan had a one night stand EIGHTEEN YEARS AGO and she never got with anyone after that. It was like the author was trying to still have the virginal trope with a more mature (she was 39) heroine. On top of that, I just couldn't connect to the romance. Because this backstory was such a big part of the book, I found it hard to ever fully commit to the relationship. It was still sweet and enjoyable in many parts, but I found the writing hard to connect to, it was repetitive and the romance was quite unbelievable.
mindlessmartyrr's review against another edition
4.0
This book is fantastic. It’s mature romance. It’s just so good! There’s a library in it. Plus, it’s set in the same universe as The Winston Brothers so you know it’s going to be fabulous. Naomi and Nathan are a wonderful second chance couple. This is the first book I read by LB Dunbar, but it’s not going to be my last. I’m planning on reading all of the books set in the universe of Green Valley along with finally finishing The Winston Brothers so I will just be doing short reviews or I’ll never have time to read all these books! I’ll just say I love this book... read The Winston Brothers first to avoid spoilers. Just... they’re on Kindle Unlimited so read them!
aduchene's review against another edition
3.0
This was a cute read. It was nice to be in the world of Green Valley. The characters were fun and different. The narration and voice wasn’t quite as gripping as the original series but that could have also been that I love the Winston brothers too much. Their cameos are always welcome.
aedgeworth27's review against another edition
3.0
I will read anything from the Green Valley universe because I'm obsessed with the Winston Bros. While I haven't connected with Dunbar's writing in the past, I liked this one just a bit more. I appreciated having an older heroine, especially one who was more assured of her lot in life, while still not being entirely confident. She felt normal to me. I wasn't sure how I would feel about the extensive talk about the character being Wiccan but I learned a lot and found a lot of my misconceptions were corrected.
jaime_fiction_fangirl's review
4.0
4.5 Stars
This is my first time reading an LB Dunbar book and also my first read in the Smartypants universe and I am not disappointed!! I’ve clearly been missing out by not reading this author before.
I am a big fan of learning something new while reading and I feel like I’ve learned so much about the Wiccan religion through this book, so I’m especially appreciative for that aspect of the story. I’m also really glad to read about older (my age) characters falling in love.
I really enjoyed seeing Nathan and Naomi reconnect and being able to slowly piece together what they’ve been through since their first time together 18 years ago and what exactly happened to separate them in the first place. My heart was broken for both of them but especially for Naomi and how her parents treated her for so long and just how much it effected who she was vs. who she became.
This story was a fantastic journey of discover, truth, forgiveness and love (both family and romantic) and I throughly enjoyed the whole experience. I can’t wait to read more about the Winters sisters, particularly a certain sister and her sexy renter.
This is my first time reading an LB Dunbar book and also my first read in the Smartypants universe and I am not disappointed!! I’ve clearly been missing out by not reading this author before.
I am a big fan of learning something new while reading and I feel like I’ve learned so much about the Wiccan religion through this book, so I’m especially appreciative for that aspect of the story. I’m also really glad to read about older (my age) characters falling in love.
I really enjoyed seeing Nathan and Naomi reconnect and being able to slowly piece together what they’ve been through since their first time together 18 years ago and what exactly happened to separate them in the first place. My heart was broken for both of them but especially for Naomi and how her parents treated her for so long and just how much it effected who she was vs. who she became.
This story was a fantastic journey of discover, truth, forgiveness and love (both family and romantic) and I throughly enjoyed the whole experience. I can’t wait to read more about the Winters sisters, particularly a certain sister and her sexy renter.
hammock_and_read's review
3.0
I really wanted to love this book and it might click for some of you, but it didn’t for me. There were words and phrases that were repeated just way to much. To the point it drove me a little nuts and skipping parts. I was a little surprised as I have read the middle books for this series and it was nice to learn Naomi story but it just didn’t flow as well. I don’t know if it was too much backstory of other things it just seemed like we missed the whole romance part of the book until the very very end.
I will try another of L.B. Dunbar as I do love the mature love stories but this setting and character just didn’t work out for me.
It is in kindle unlimited
I will try another of L.B. Dunbar as I do love the mature love stories but this setting and character just didn’t work out for me.
It is in kindle unlimited
gwensreading's review
1.0
I just can’t. I’ve never read this author before and I was pumped for the Green Valley world. Naomi is wishy washy and weak. Nathan tried to be an alpha but comes off as condescending. The intimate scenes were so awkward. I skimmed for a bit and I’m throwing the towel in at 51%.
wellactjoally's review
3.5
Second chance romance set in Penny Reid’s world. Motorcycle club. Single father. Wiccan woman. Librarian.