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wrensandroses's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
cabc's review against another edition
5.0
I honestly don't know what to say for this book because I LOVED IT SO FREAKING MUCH! The romance is sweet and hot (seriously, it has all the dirty talk you'll ever want). The side characters are a ton of fun, especially Max's grandmother. You get to learn more about Hawaii's different cultures.
I love that friendship is always the core of Lacy's stories. Her men develop these really genuine friendships and they build their romantic relationship off of that. This book does have some really steamy scenes as they work through defining their relationship, so that's probably why I liked this book so much. It was just a wonderful mix of everything ... plus Stephen being all hot and bossy.
This series is a must-read!!!
I love that friendship is always the core of Lacy's stories. Her men develop these really genuine friendships and they build their romantic relationship off of that. This book does have some really steamy scenes as they work through defining their relationship, so that's probably why I liked this book so much. It was just a wonderful mix of everything ... plus Stephen being all hot and bossy.
This series is a must-read!!!
alextweetsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
*I received the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review*
Obviously, this is the second book in Oahu Lovers Series, but it can also function as a standalone. Still, the first book is also amazing and should be read 😉 (buy links for book one are under the next two teasing pictures 🙂 ).
While I liked the first book, Brave for You, I absolutely adored this one. There wasn’t as much cooking in it as in Brave for You, but given Stephen and Max’s jobs, and Max’s grandmother, that is understandable. Who can convince grandmother not to cook for her grandson? 🙂 And Stephen often does not have time to do more than his job, much less cook.
I loved the characters here from the beginning and at one point I just wanted to bang their heads together and knock some sense into them. I loved Stephen and Max, and Max’s grandmother because she is amazing, but I absolutely hated the boss in Stephen’s office.
The dynamic between Max and Stephen was also masterfully done. Despite the fact that Stephen is much higher in the hierarchy of the office, with Max being the intern, there was absolutely no question of abuse of power in the relationship. It was wonderful to see Stephen’s progression from completely career driven and lonely to what he was in the end 🙂
I should probably stop before I get too spoilery, but I adored this book. It was sweet and just complicated enough. And An and Nate do have a cameo in the book, which just made it more amazing.
If you want a sweet romance to make you feel better, these two books by Crystal Lacy are a great choice! 🙂
Obviously, this is the second book in Oahu Lovers Series, but it can also function as a standalone. Still, the first book is also amazing and should be read 😉 (buy links for book one are under the next two teasing pictures 🙂 ).
While I liked the first book, Brave for You, I absolutely adored this one. There wasn’t as much cooking in it as in Brave for You, but given Stephen and Max’s jobs, and Max’s grandmother, that is understandable. Who can convince grandmother not to cook for her grandson? 🙂 And Stephen often does not have time to do more than his job, much less cook.
I loved the characters here from the beginning and at one point I just wanted to bang their heads together and knock some sense into them. I loved Stephen and Max, and Max’s grandmother because she is amazing, but I absolutely hated the boss in Stephen’s office.
The dynamic between Max and Stephen was also masterfully done. Despite the fact that Stephen is much higher in the hierarchy of the office, with Max being the intern, there was absolutely no question of abuse of power in the relationship. It was wonderful to see Stephen’s progression from completely career driven and lonely to what he was in the end 🙂
I should probably stop before I get too spoilery, but I adored this book. It was sweet and just complicated enough. And An and Nate do have a cameo in the book, which just made it more amazing.
If you want a sweet romance to make you feel better, these two books by Crystal Lacy are a great choice! 🙂
lillian_francis's review
5.0
This was excellent.
Unlike Brave for you, which was a very slow burn, strangers to friends to lovers story, this one started with a sexual relationship that developed into something more.
This is an age difference story that didn't actually focus too much on that aspect, focusing more on their social differences and Stephen's belief that he isn't 'relationship material' or good enough.
I cried for a good portion of the last third of the book, as Stephen talked himself into 'doing what's best' and things fell apart.
I loved Stephen and Max as a couple. And I also appreciated that the author made no attempted to cure Stephen's grumpiness just because he fell in love, and that Max embraced that part of him.
I listened to the audio for this book and the narrator did an excellent job.
Unlike Brave for you, which was a very slow burn, strangers to friends to lovers story, this one started with a sexual relationship that developed into something more.
This is an age difference story that didn't actually focus too much on that aspect, focusing more on their social differences and Stephen's belief that he isn't 'relationship material' or good enough.
I cried for a good portion of the last third of the book, as Stephen talked himself into 'doing what's best' and things fell apart.
I loved Stephen and Max as a couple. And I also appreciated that the author made no attempted to cure Stephen's grumpiness just because he fell in love, and that Max embraced that part of him.
I listened to the audio for this book and the narrator did an excellent job.
punkgodofthestraightrazor's review
5.0
Sweet and steamy
I absolutely loved this book. It was sweet, sexy, and well-written. There is a dearth of romance novels with interracial romances, let alone ones with an Asian lead. I'm ecstatic to be able to recommend this to everyone.
I absolutely loved this book. It was sweet, sexy, and well-written. There is a dearth of romance novels with interracial romances, let alone ones with an Asian lead. I'm ecstatic to be able to recommend this to everyone.
alextweetsbooks's review
5.0
*I received the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review*
Obviously, this is the second book in Oahu Lovers Series, but it can also function as a standalone. Still, the first book is also amazing and should be read 😉 (buy links for book one are under the next two teasing pictures 🙂 ).
While I liked the first book, Brave for You, I absolutely adored this one. There wasn’t as much cooking in it as in Brave for You, but given Stephen and Max’s jobs, and Max’s grandmother, that is understandable. Who can convince grandmother not to cook for her grandson? 🙂 And Stephen often does not have time to do more than his job, much less cook.
I loved the characters here from the beginning and at one point I just wanted to bang their heads together and knock some sense into them. I loved Stephen and Max, and Max’s grandmother because she is amazing, but I absolutely hated the boss in Stephen’s office.
The dynamic between Max and Stephen was also masterfully done. Despite the fact that Stephen is much higher in the hierarchy of the office, with Max being the intern, there was absolutely no question of abuse of power in the relationship. It was wonderful to see Stephen’s progression from completely career driven and lonely to what he was in the end 🙂
I should probably stop before I get too spoilery, but I adored this book. It was sweet and just complicated enough. And An and Nate do have a cameo in the book, which just made it more amazing.
If you want a sweet romance to make you feel better, these two books by Crystal Lacy are a great choice! 🙂
Obviously, this is the second book in Oahu Lovers Series, but it can also function as a standalone. Still, the first book is also amazing and should be read 😉 (buy links for book one are under the next two teasing pictures 🙂 ).
While I liked the first book, Brave for You, I absolutely adored this one. There wasn’t as much cooking in it as in Brave for You, but given Stephen and Max’s jobs, and Max’s grandmother, that is understandable. Who can convince grandmother not to cook for her grandson? 🙂 And Stephen often does not have time to do more than his job, much less cook.
I loved the characters here from the beginning and at one point I just wanted to bang their heads together and knock some sense into them. I loved Stephen and Max, and Max’s grandmother because she is amazing, but I absolutely hated the boss in Stephen’s office.
The dynamic between Max and Stephen was also masterfully done. Despite the fact that Stephen is much higher in the hierarchy of the office, with Max being the intern, there was absolutely no question of abuse of power in the relationship. It was wonderful to see Stephen’s progression from completely career driven and lonely to what he was in the end 🙂
I should probably stop before I get too spoilery, but I adored this book. It was sweet and just complicated enough. And An and Nate do have a cameo in the book, which just made it more amazing.
If you want a sweet romance to make you feel better, these two books by Crystal Lacy are a great choice! 🙂