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kindredbooks's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
I received a gifted copy of The Inn on Sweetbriar Lane by Jeannie Chin from Forever Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
You don't see a lot of Asian representation in romance novels and so the minute I read that Jeannie Chin is a biracial Asian and Caucasian American, I was intrigued and then delighted to have a chance to read The Inn of Sweetbriar Lane. If you follow my book reviews or bookstagram, you know that I love a good small town romance story. The Inn on Sweetbriar Lane has all the elements that I love in this subgenre of romance (found family of characters, great side characters, nosy busybody citizens of town) with a great diverse cast. I love that the main character is a Chinese American woman, June Wu, and that this plays into her character and story. As for her love interest, Clay, the veteran who arrives in town to fulfill his best friend's dream - there is a lot of character growth for him in the story that is much needed. He arrives with a lot of preconceptions and assumptions about the town and really comes off unlikeable at the start. I do feel that he grew on me and that I was on board for their relationship as he began to change for the better.
I'm looking forward to the second book in this small town romance series when June's sister, May, returns to town. A small town romance with two Asian American main characters? 100% here for that.
You don't see a lot of Asian representation in romance novels and so the minute I read that Jeannie Chin is a biracial Asian and Caucasian American, I was intrigued and then delighted to have a chance to read The Inn of Sweetbriar Lane. If you follow my book reviews or bookstagram, you know that I love a good small town romance story. The Inn on Sweetbriar Lane has all the elements that I love in this subgenre of romance (found family of characters, great side characters, nosy busybody citizens of town) with a great diverse cast. I love that the main character is a Chinese American woman, June Wu, and that this plays into her character and story. As for her love interest, Clay, the veteran who arrives in town to fulfill his best friend's dream - there is a lot of character growth for him in the story that is much needed. He arrives with a lot of preconceptions and assumptions about the town and really comes off unlikeable at the start. I do feel that he grew on me and that I was on board for their relationship as he began to change for the better.
I'm looking forward to the second book in this small town romance series when June's sister, May, returns to town. A small town romance with two Asian American main characters? 100% here for that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Violence, and Grief