anielabooks's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was entertaining, but I wasn’t hooked. The narrating that Maybel does can sound a bit cringy at times. However, I really like Wesley’s character and the mental illness representation. As someone that experiences panic attacks, I felt it was handled very respectfully. While I wasn’t in love with this book, Hogle’s other work, “You Deserve Each Other” is one of my all time favorite contemporary romances. If you were disappointed with this one, I recommend to still give the other a chance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, Sexual content, and Death
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, and Racism
leahfoko's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book was very cute. It was a quick read for me because I always read romances fast because I need to know what happens next with them. This book was really gratifying to read as a very anxious person. It spoke to me and made me feel seen because while my anxieties are not the same as either Maybell or Wesley’s, a lot of their anxieties cross over with mine and it was nice to see characters who weren’t extremely confident or outgoing and have them get their happy ending as well.
Some of the descriptions were sometimes a little much for me and it of course didn’t feel perfectly realistic because there are too many coincidences that brought them together, it is a book after all. But it had that fun whimsical feel, the grumpy male lead who has to open up to show he is sweet underneath, and a sweet happy ending in Scotland. What more could you want?
Some of the descriptions were sometimes a little much for me and it of course didn’t feel perfectly realistic because there are too many coincidences that brought them together, it is a book after all. But it had that fun whimsical feel, the grumpy male lead who has to open up to show he is sweet underneath, and a sweet happy ending in Scotland. What more could you want?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, and Grief
Minor: Car accident, Sexual content, and Cursing
jillkaarlela's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
(4.5⭐️) Taylor Swift Songs: “sweet nothing”, “everything has changed (tv)”!! I’m switching it up and adding a taylor-adjacent song (from the Hannah Montana movie that she was in), but the song “Dream” by Miley Cyrus perfectly describes this book.
Holy crap how did I wait this long to read this book?? If you love slow-burn, grumpy/sunshine, and forced proximity you will LOVE this!! I instantly fell in love with the premise and the characters! Maybell inherits her aunt’s old house, but she has to share it with the groundskeeper who the aunt also left it to. They have to learn to live with each other, despite their completely different dreams and aspirations for the property. This book is full of character growth and overcoming grief as well as being such a sweet romance/Romcom. This book was giving such Hannah Montana movie/Miley Cyrus summer vibes!! It made my heart melt and I wanted to cry happy tears!!
I LOVED Maybell and her journey of sticking up for herself and not accepting people who hurt her or treat her poorly. It was so empowering to see her character arc, where she completely girlbossed and cut the toxic people out of her life. There is something so incredibly satisfying and saccharine-sweet about seeing the male lead, Wesley, slowly open up to Maybell. As someone with intense social anxiety, I found this portrayal of it to be so honest. It is comforting to know that someone struggles with the same things that I do, and seeing him slowly go on a journey of acceptance and letting himself know that he is worthy of love exactly how he is, was heartwarming. This book is healing me, it was like a warm hug, so thank you Sarah Hogle. I adore this book, and anything that Sarah Hogle writes, and I regret taking this long to read it.
Age rating: 13+ (adult characters but not steamy/smutty)
Holy crap how did I wait this long to read this book?? If you love slow-burn, grumpy/sunshine, and forced proximity you will LOVE this!! I instantly fell in love with the premise and the characters! Maybell inherits her aunt’s old house, but she has to share it with the groundskeeper who the aunt also left it to. They have to learn to live with each other, despite their completely different dreams and aspirations for the property. This book is full of character growth and overcoming grief as well as being such a sweet romance/Romcom. This book was giving such Hannah Montana movie/Miley Cyrus summer vibes!! It made my heart melt and I wanted to cry happy tears!!
I LOVED Maybell and her journey of sticking up for herself and not accepting people who hurt her or treat her poorly. It was so empowering to see her character arc, where she completely girlbossed and cut the toxic people out of her life. There is something so incredibly satisfying and saccharine-sweet about seeing the male lead, Wesley, slowly open up to Maybell. As someone with intense social anxiety, I found this portrayal of it to be so honest. It is comforting to know that someone struggles with the same things that I do, and seeing him slowly go on a journey of acceptance and letting himself know that he is worthy of love exactly how he is, was heartwarming. This book is healing me, it was like a warm hug, so thank you Sarah Hogle. I adore this book, and anything that Sarah Hogle writes, and I regret taking this long to read it.
Age rating: 13+ (adult characters but not steamy/smutty)
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing and Sexual content
readerette's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Two gripes, but that's it: sometimes the "head in the clouds" side of Maybell is super distracting and a little hard to believe, and Wesley is difficult to read at times, which is part of portraying his anxiety and awkwardness, but makes his sweeter moments seem out of character.
That said, Maybell is infectiously charming and quirky, and Wesley a gentle counterbalance to her daydreamy ways. I wish there had been a bit more about how the 'house project' worked out (that's a weird way to put it but I don't want to give it away), but it's okay because that was not the point of the story, really. These characters are also quite different from the characters in You Deserve Each Other, which shows the author's range and keeps things fresh.
Some kissing and a tame sex scene. The sex scene is very relatable--not suave and smooth and magical like one often finds in romance novels, and neither partner is an "expert", so they're exploring and being vulnerable in a realistic way. This story seemed to me to be more about attraction and connection than desire.
That said, Maybell is infectiously charming and quirky, and Wesley a gentle counterbalance to her daydreamy ways. I wish there had been a bit more about how the 'house project' worked out (that's a weird way to put it but I don't want to give it away), but it's okay because that was not the point of the story, really. These characters are also quite different from the characters in You Deserve Each Other, which shows the author's range and keeps things fresh.
Some kissing and a tame sex scene. The sex scene is very relatable--not suave and smooth and magical like one often finds in romance novels, and neither partner is an "expert", so they're exploring and being vulnerable in a realistic way. This story seemed to me to be more about attraction and connection than desire.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Cursing, Death, Bullying, and Sexual content
booknerdbetty's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexism, Mental illness, Death, Car accident, Animal death, Cursing, and Sexual content
emily_mh's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was the sweetest romance I've read in a while - it was so comforting and I finished it off in one sitting. I really liked how there was no conflict and just a lot of fluff as it was exactly what I needed. I wish the setting existed for real!
Maybell was a funny narrator, but it was Wesley who really shone for me. I literally fell in love with him and now no man will compare. Also, I loved Victor and Violet's love story and definitely shed a tear for them. This book just did love so well.
Maybell was a funny narrator, but it was Wesley who really shone for me. I literally fell in love with him and now no man will compare. Also, I loved Victor and Violet's love story and definitely shed a tear for them. This book just did love so well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Gore, Vomit, Ableism, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Animal death, Death, Car accident, Blood, and Cursing
samchase112's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
AHHHHHHH THESE CHARACTERS ARE CINNAMON ROLLS AND I WANT THE WORLD FOR THEM. ESPECIALLY WESLEY. HE DESERVES ALL THE LOVE GIVE HIM ALL THE LOVE.
I adored the quirky vibes of this romance, the sweet relationship the main characters shared, the fall from bickering to loving, the natural hurdles to their relationship that don't feel contrived or forced, it all works brilliantly. I am so glad this book exists, if only for picture of anxiety, social anxiety, and claustrophobia it presents. Wesley and Maybell are the sweetest characters on the planet, and if someone comes for them I will hurt them. Seriously, this romance is all sweetness and laughter and loveliness - I highly recommend it, and know I will want to be coming back to it myself :)
I adored the quirky vibes of this romance, the sweet relationship the main characters shared, the fall from bickering to loving, the natural hurdles to their relationship that don't feel contrived or forced, it all works brilliantly. I am so glad this book exists, if only for picture of anxiety, social anxiety, and claustrophobia it presents. Wesley and Maybell are the sweetest characters on the planet, and if someone comes for them I will hurt them. Seriously, this romance is all sweetness and laughter and loveliness - I highly recommend it, and know I will want to be coming back to it myself :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Grief, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, and Sexism
Minor: Animal death and Medical content
spearly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
And I am weak. My spine was manufactured by Charmin. I want to be commanding, stern, intimidating, but I am raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. My resolve is dandelion fluff. When he looks at me like that, my inner vocabulary bursts apart like a piñata of candy conversation hearts.
When Maybell’s great-aunt Violet passes, Maybell is shocked to find out that she’s inherited her estate. Only, when she shows up to the manor, it’s nothing at all like she remembers; walls need painting, appliances need replacing, and the place is FILLED with… stuff. Everything from old magazines, most-ridden clothes, to pretty much everything an old woman can buy from an infomercial. What’s worse: she runs into the grumpy groundkeeper, who, to her dismay, shares a face with the tinder profile that had been used to catfish her for months. And worse still: according to Violet’s will, they are equal-inheritors of the estate.
Holy. Flipping. Cow.
This book is like a warm cup of hot chocolate on a rainy day. I want to wrap myself up in it like a cocoon and live in it forever. Maybe I can make my own Maybell’s Coffee Shop AU and just live in the universe of Twice Shy.
I can’t get my thoughts together. I adored everything about this.
The writing. The characters. The setting. The romance. The pining. The neuro-divergent representation. I could feel my heart inflating like a balloon with Maybell’s. There it goes.
I’m convinced men written by women is the reason I find men in real life diappointing. Cause Wesley!? Holy Mackerel, did my heart flutter for him. I loved how Maybell made him feel safe, loved, understood, how he did the same for her. I loved how healthy the relationship was. I loved Hogle never relied on silly conflicts and childish misunderstandings for needless turmoil.
Some people have written in their reviews that this book is slow. I’ve complained about that myself in a number of other reviews. But pacing wasn’t an issue for me here. Twice Shy didn’t need some large, overly-complicated melodrama, some big elephant-in-the-room climax for our characters to overcome. This is a story of acceptance. Of understanding. Of unconditional love. Of feeling worthy. Everything else is just noise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual content, Vomit, Death, Sexism, Grief, and Cursing
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