petite_bumblebeebooks's review
4.0
Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Madeline's Park by Ellen Mint
After a messy divorce, Everett moves from his small Southern town to the big city, where he encounter an old friend, a childhood crush, Madeline Prix. Spark flies immediately as they meet again, and Madeline can't believe would ever be interested in her. All their dreams are about to come true until an ex enters back into the picture. While old patterns threaten their chance at happiness will they ever make their way back each other a second time?
CW: Bullying, intimate partner violence (past and present)
This story of mutual pinning on their childhood crush was absolutely delightful. Madeline and Everett were so perfect for each other, I love seeing two gentle and kind souls being in love, hiding it and not finding the right time to fully explore their feelings, but still be good to each other. I loved how two kind people made their way to each other. The sub-plot story about cat rescuing and building a rescue center was perfect, and I really enjoyed seeing them collaborate together. This third book in the series was a modern Mansfield Park reimagination and it such a breath of fresh air to see this "black sheep" of Austen's novels see the light of day. Mansfield Park is my second favourite after Pride and Prejudice and it's so often dismissed. I really love Ellen Mint's adaptation. I also really loved Madeline's friend Beth, she was a great supporting character and an amazing friend, I loved seeing them together and Beth sticking up for Madeline.
Thank you so much @ellen_mint_author for gifting me a free ARC of this book. As always, all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.
After a messy divorce, Everett moves from his small Southern town to the big city, where he encounter an old friend, a childhood crush, Madeline Prix. Spark flies immediately as they meet again, and Madeline can't believe would ever be interested in her. All their dreams are about to come true until an ex enters back into the picture. While old patterns threaten their chance at happiness will they ever make their way back each other a second time?
CW: Bullying, intimate partner violence (past and present)
This story of mutual pinning on their childhood crush was absolutely delightful. Madeline and Everett were so perfect for each other, I love seeing two gentle and kind souls being in love, hiding it and not finding the right time to fully explore their feelings, but still be good to each other. I loved how two kind people made their way to each other. The sub-plot story about cat rescuing and building a rescue center was perfect, and I really enjoyed seeing them collaborate together. This third book in the series was a modern Mansfield Park reimagination and it such a breath of fresh air to see this "black sheep" of Austen's novels see the light of day. Mansfield Park is my second favourite after Pride and Prejudice and it's so often dismissed. I really love Ellen Mint's adaptation. I also really loved Madeline's friend Beth, she was a great supporting character and an amazing friend, I loved seeing them together and Beth sticking up for Madeline.
Thank you so much @ellen_mint_author for gifting me a free ARC of this book. As always, all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.
thetattooedbooklady's review
5.0
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really felt for this book. It really hit home, I can totally relate to the herone Madeline. It felt like this was me and her story just hit home.
Madeline has always been made fun of growing up whether in school or by others saying mean things about her weight and or about her frizzy red hair. Madeline has loved Everett Berry as long as she has known him. She sees him fifteen years later and he asks her on a date. They go on this date and it gets hot and heavy really fast they end up sleeping together. After that night she doesn't hear from in a while and she texts him and always small answers like he is brushing her off. She finds out his ex is in the picture, she feels hurt. She doesn't think she is worthy of a man's love cause of the way she looks. He keeps on messing up and he has such low self esteem first his ex wife who use to raise her hands to him and his ex Kathy who ended up showing up and taking over his house. Nothing was ever good enough for her. She is always putting him down and breaking him down to make him see like he isn't good enough for any woman. Meanwhile Madeline meets another firefighter that Everett knows Hayden that seems worse than how Everett acts cause he can't help hurting Madeline he isn't meaning to do it. I also loved the friends Madeline keeps and always wants to help her. There's definitely a lot in this story to keep you interested kitties, animals, friendship, hot firefighters, action. Learning to accept yourself and knowing what is good for you and learning not to hurt others cause you were hurt. Like I said definitely a book that isn't boring and very relatable to issues that go on everyday.
I really felt for this book. It really hit home, I can totally relate to the herone Madeline. It felt like this was me and her story just hit home.
Madeline has always been made fun of growing up whether in school or by others saying mean things about her weight and or about her frizzy red hair. Madeline has loved Everett Berry as long as she has known him. She sees him fifteen years later and he asks her on a date. They go on this date and it gets hot and heavy really fast they end up sleeping together. After that night she doesn't hear from in a while and she texts him and always small answers like he is brushing her off. She finds out his ex is in the picture, she feels hurt. She doesn't think she is worthy of a man's love cause of the way she looks. He keeps on messing up and he has such low self esteem first his ex wife who use to raise her hands to him and his ex Kathy who ended up showing up and taking over his house. Nothing was ever good enough for her. She is always putting him down and breaking him down to make him see like he isn't good enough for any woman. Meanwhile Madeline meets another firefighter that Everett knows Hayden that seems worse than how Everett acts cause he can't help hurting Madeline he isn't meaning to do it. I also loved the friends Madeline keeps and always wants to help her. There's definitely a lot in this story to keep you interested kitties, animals, friendship, hot firefighters, action. Learning to accept yourself and knowing what is good for you and learning not to hurt others cause you were hurt. Like I said definitely a book that isn't boring and very relatable to issues that go on everyday.
rickybobbie's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Madeline’s Park is the third installment of Ellen Mint’s Happily Ever Austen series. It was a fabulous, lighthearted adventure that I would gladly read again. I had a hard time putting it down. If you love quirky, bighearted heroines and sensitive alpha heroes, you will definitely enjoy this book.
Madeline’s Park is the third installment of Ellen Mint’s Happily Ever Austen series. It was a fabulous, lighthearted adventure that I would gladly read again. I had a hard time putting it down. If you love quirky, bighearted heroines and sensitive alpha heroes, you will definitely enjoy this book.
More...