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agrippinaes's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 4 stars
What I Liked: This was a lovely little book. The writing and descriptions are absolutely gorgeous. Parts of it were sugary sweet and adorable, with a central romance that’s adorable. I really liked both main characters, Maybell and Wesley. Maybell was a dreamy ray of sunshine, so cute and funny, and I was so happy to see her grow into herself. And Wesley was a sweetheart, for all of his initial gruffness: his actions in this book are some of the sweetest, loveliest, most considerate I’ve ever read in a romance novel, and his clear adoration of Maybell was so cuteI loved the idea of him seeing her as ‘inevitable’ - as if there was nothing he could do once he met her except fall in love.
Their relationship is the definition of a slow burn. The way their story is told, the way their romance develops, is really good - the notes, the sketches, the little games they played together. This book isn’t very high heat, but there is still a good amount of sexual tension between them throughout, and when they finally act on their feelings it is really hot. And some of the build up was so evocative -the part in the tent where they reach out their hands at the same time and let them touch, as if it’s an accident; it made me feel that breathlessness you get when you’re alone with someone you like, someone you think likes you back, and wanting to act on it. I also liked how supportive they both were of each other, particularly towards the end. This part, when he has revealed the extent of his social anxiety and how Maybell reacts to it, is lovely: “I’ve listened to everything you just said and I love you. Do you hear me? I’ve heard all of it, and it’s the easiest thing in the world to love you. You don’t have to hide anything from me, because I love all of it, every little bit. You have to let me love it all, okay? I love you. Say it.”
However... I almost gave this a five star rating but there was just something about it that made me lower the rating. It’s not really something I disliked, either, it just wasn’t for me. Whilst the majority of this book is lovely and cute and sweet, there is a pervasive sense of sadness that runs through the core of it. It doesn’t feel like an angsty book, mainly because the romance is so gentle, and the tone is so whimsical, but there are so many desperately sad ideas in it:
Overall: This is a gorgeously written, adorable, dream of a book. It’s so whimsical and the romance is so cute and fun. Its depiction of grief and anxiety are beautifully done, but for me personally, I found the sadder aspects of this book a little upsetting and I don’t think it’s one I would reread for that reason. But the book itself is just lovely - there’s a lot of skill on display in the writing, the construction of the story, the characters and so on. I’m very glad I read it.
Would I Recommend It?: Yes, if you want a whimsical, sweet, grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, forced proximity, slow burn romance.
Would I Read Something By The Author Again?: Yes.
Content Notes:
Other: On page sex (non explicit, very vague), virgin hero.
What I Liked: This was a lovely little book. The writing and descriptions are absolutely gorgeous. Parts of it were sugary sweet and adorable, with a central romance that’s adorable. I really liked both main characters, Maybell and Wesley. Maybell was a dreamy ray of sunshine, so cute and funny, and I was so happy to see her grow into herself. And Wesley was a sweetheart, for all of his initial gruffness: his actions in this book are some of the sweetest, loveliest, most considerate I’ve ever read in a romance novel, and his clear adoration of Maybell was so cute
Their relationship is the definition of a slow burn. The way their story is told, the way their romance develops, is really good - the notes, the sketches, the little games they played together. This book isn’t very high heat, but there is still a good amount of sexual tension between them throughout, and when they finally act on their feelings it is really hot. And some of the build up was so evocative -
However... I almost gave this a five star rating but there was just something about it that made me lower the rating. It’s not really something I disliked, either, it just wasn’t for me. Whilst the majority of this book is lovely and cute and sweet, there is a pervasive sense of sadness that runs through the core of it. It doesn’t feel like an angsty book, mainly because the romance is so gentle, and the tone is so whimsical, but there are so many desperately sad ideas in it:
Spoiler
the sadness of Maybell’s aunt, Violet, fading away in this crumbling house, wanting Maybell to come back, grieving her husband alone; Maybell’s guilt over not being in contact with her aunt, of not replying to her letters; Maybell’s life before inheriting the house, how lonely and closed off she was; Wesley’s struggles with his anxiety and how they have impacted his ability to form relationships. It is beautifully done, but it left me feeling achingly sad, especially early on. For all of the sweetness, there was a very lonely and desolate side to this book. I was very glad that both Maybell and Wesley found each other, and found the companionship they both craved so much, but I can’t say I really enjoyed some of the sadder aspects of this. I think some of these topics hit too close to home for me, as well. That’s why I’m not putting this under the heading of stuff I didn’t like. It just upset me.Overall: This is a gorgeously written, adorable, dream of a book. It’s so whimsical and the romance is so cute and fun. Its depiction of grief and anxiety are beautifully done, but for me personally, I found the sadder aspects of this book a little upsetting and I don’t think it’s one I would reread for that reason. But the book itself is just lovely - there’s a lot of skill on display in the writing, the construction of the story, the characters and so on. I’m very glad I read it.
Would I Recommend It?: Yes, if you want a whimsical, sweet, grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, forced proximity, slow burn romance.
Would I Read Something By The Author Again?: Yes.
Content Notes:
Spoiler
Warnings: Death of a loved one, grief, mentions of racism, panic attacks (on page), anxiety, mentions of animal death, claustrophobia, depiction of hoarding disorder.Other: On page sex (non explicit, very vague), virgin hero.
indyyy22's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Cute but both the mcs were kinda doormats and I have no clue how Maybell went from having no money to being able to renovate a 400000000000000 sq foot house
Cute but both the mcs were kinda doormats and I have no clue how Maybell went from having no money to being able to renovate a 400000000000000 sq foot house
reyca's review against another edition
4.0
Super cute, fluffy, and maybe it’s just me: super relatable. A quick and happy read.
phoebeneedsalife's review against another edition
2.0
…i’ll pretend i didn’t read this overly saccharine book.
alexreadsthebooks's review against another edition
4.0
What do Princess Bride and the grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity tropes have in common? Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle.
Ok, the tropes are pretty clear (she even calls herself out on them). I mean, there's Maybell, the eternal optimist despite everything life has thrown at her, and then there's Wesley, the quiet groundskeeper who co-inherits Maybell’s great aunt Violet’s estate.
They didn’t see that “CO” part coming until it was too late.
And by too late, I mean Maybell had quit her terrible job at a Tennessee mountain resort, left her shitty “friend” behind (more on that in a sec), packed all her possessions in her car, and took off for the estate to restart her life. She expected the well loved and cared for manor house of her childhood that she’d have all to herself.
Wesley has been caring for Aunt Violet in the groundskeeper’s cottage for last few years because Violet had developed a #hoarding problem after the death of her husband, Victor. He expected to have the manor house all to himself to restore and start an animal sanctuary.
Do you see where this is going?
Ok, the tropes are pretty clear (she even calls herself out on them). I mean, there's Maybell, the eternal optimist despite everything life has thrown at her, and then there's Wesley, the quiet groundskeeper who co-inherits Maybell’s great aunt Violet’s estate.
They didn’t see that “CO” part coming until it was too late.
And by too late, I mean Maybell had quit her terrible job at a Tennessee mountain resort, left her shitty “friend” behind (more on that in a sec), packed all her possessions in her car, and took off for the estate to restart her life. She expected the well loved and cared for manor house of her childhood that she’d have all to herself.
Wesley has been caring for Aunt Violet in the groundskeeper’s cottage for last few years because Violet had developed a #hoarding problem after the death of her husband, Victor. He expected to have the manor house all to himself to restore and start an animal sanctuary.
Do you see where this is going?
sage_alexandra's review
lighthearted
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was really cute.
Maybell has a very vivid and whimsical imagination that she uses to escape her subpar, mundane, and sometimes sad life. When her great aunt Vivian dies and leaves Maybell her entire property, Maybell finally gets the fresh start she deserves. Pair that with a broody, grumpy dude (Wesley) who might have a hard exterior, but is actually squishy soft, and you get an adorable enemies to lovers romance.
I loved learning bits and pieces of Vivian and Victor's (her husband who passed about 2 decades prior) love story and experiencing Maybell's memories through rose-colored glasses (literally).
Maybell has a very vivid and whimsical imagination that she uses to escape her subpar, mundane, and sometimes sad life. When her great aunt Vivian dies and leaves Maybell her entire property, Maybell finally gets the fresh start she deserves. Pair that with a broody, grumpy dude (Wesley) who might have a hard exterior, but is actually squishy soft, and you get an adorable enemies to lovers romance.
I loved learning bits and pieces of Vivian and Victor's (her husband who passed about 2 decades prior) love story and experiencing Maybell's memories through rose-colored glasses (literally).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Confinement, Racism, Vomit, Car accident, and Abandonment
The only racism mentioned in the book is in regards to Vivian and Victor's romance. Victor was black, I'm not positive on the timeline, but they were together years before they were allowed to legally marry. The two faced a lot of discrimination, leading them to purchase their remote property to escape.rl28's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
mariakureads's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
This was way more adorable than I thought it was going to be.
I absolutely fell in love with Maribel and her inner monologues and day dreaming. Girl only knows how to dream but it makes sense considering her current situation at the start of the book and where she's been.
ok the MMC, Wesley, is adorable. Shy thanks to his social anxiety but he's adorbs once you get to know him. I was rooting for him halfway through the book, once I got passed his taciturn ways. He is a shy sweetheart under that anxiety.
I love that this was a slow burn because it highlighted both Maribel and Wesley's anxiety's, their dreams, wants, and they were able to communicate them and to each other which added to the overall cuteness of this book for me. Because it's not something I get a lot of lately in romance reads and I miss it
Plus the dialogue was really good between them, even the arguments, were not just valid but helped push the storyline and had them opening up and figuring out a lot together.
I absolutely fell in love with Maribel and her inner monologues and day dreaming. Girl only knows how to dream but it makes sense considering her current situation at the start of the book and where she's been.
ok the MMC, Wesley, is adorable. Shy thanks to his social anxiety but he's adorbs once you get to know him. I was rooting for him halfway through the book, once I got passed his taciturn ways. He is a shy sweetheart under that anxiety.
I love that this was a slow burn because it highlighted both Maribel and Wesley's anxiety's, their dreams, wants, and they were able to communicate them and to each other which added to the overall cuteness of this book for me. Because it's not something I get a lot of lately in romance reads and I miss it
Plus the dialogue was really good between them, even the arguments, were not just valid but helped push the storyline and had them opening up and figuring out a lot together.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship