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clem_mathieu's review
2.0
I almost DNF'd this one before the first chapter was done. The description of Olivia as a main character was frustrating: a skinny, normal girl who eats SUPER healthy 80% of the time, is borderline OCD, has a incredible metabolism and her best friend is absolutely perfect. Will was a stereotypical jock with an ego so big he thought no one would ever not know him or refuse anything for him. The premise was interesting, but everything felt either too easy or overreacted.
meezcarrie's review
4.0
The Thirteenth Chance is hilarious! And swoony. And sweet. So… in short… it’s my kind of book!
Olivia gives new meaning to the term “crazy cat lady”. I mean… describing her as neurotic doesn’t even really break the surface. She’s delightfully quirky though despite the fact that there are some sad reasons for her quirks, reasons that Matayo develops tactfully and in a way that gives Will a chance to really shine as a hero. That cat, though. Hysterical. I never thought I would say this where a c-a-t was concerned, but Perry stole every scene he was in.
Will is cocky and full of himself in a lot of ways, especially at first. But Olivia brings out a desire in him to be a better man, to treat her better than his standard M.O. He doesn’t always succeed but his heart is in the right place. n the meantime, before he really gets a grasp on what treating Olivia differently looks like, they have some really great battles of “will” (the pun works) and words. Terrific banter going on here because Olivia can certainly hold her own. She IS a school teacher after all...
Which brings me to another aspect of the book I wanted to mention. THE SWOON FACTOR. Clean romance doesn’t have to be boring, y’all! It can be sexy and smoldering without straying into smutty. Amy Matayo has achieved this in spades so make sure you have a fan, fainting couch, and freezer handy. WHEW. Will is just too sexy for his (and our) own good, and Olivia – despite her best efforts at resistance – just can’t quite help herself. (There was a scene that raised my eyebrows a bit; nothing that crosses any lines necessarily, but not something I’m used to encountering in the books I typically read.)
It did take me a while to get into the first-person present tense narratives; first Olivia, then Will. But after a few chapters, I became so captivated by these characters and their stories and their relationship that I barely even noticed the POV or the tense. Instead, I lived the story with them. I heard it in their voices. I felt as though we were all friends sitting down for a chat so I could get caught up on their lives.
Bottom Line: Cute, sexy, quirky, funny – The Thirteenth Chance is all of these things and more! This isn’t Christian fiction per se, but that’s ok. It’s clean fiction and it works. It more than works. Matayo has crafted two great characters, both a little nuts in their own ways, which makes for many laughter worthy moments throughout the book. I think I even snorted a couple of times, something Nicole Deese warned would happen. It will make you smile and swoon and maybe even crave a baseball game. It will for sure satisfy the romcom fan in you and leave you waiting eagerly for Matayo’s next book! Or stalking her backlist, which I may or may not be doing now (totally am).
(I received this book for free. No review was required, favorable or otherwise, and all views expressed are my own.)
Read my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
Olivia gives new meaning to the term “crazy cat lady”. I mean… describing her as neurotic doesn’t even really break the surface. She’s delightfully quirky though despite the fact that there are some sad reasons for her quirks, reasons that Matayo develops tactfully and in a way that gives Will a chance to really shine as a hero. That cat, though. Hysterical. I never thought I would say this where a c-a-t was concerned, but Perry stole every scene he was in.
Will is cocky and full of himself in a lot of ways, especially at first. But Olivia brings out a desire in him to be a better man, to treat her better than his standard M.O. He doesn’t always succeed but his heart is in the right place. n the meantime, before he really gets a grasp on what treating Olivia differently looks like, they have some really great battles of “will” (the pun works) and words. Terrific banter going on here because Olivia can certainly hold her own. She IS a school teacher after all...
Which brings me to another aspect of the book I wanted to mention. THE SWOON FACTOR. Clean romance doesn’t have to be boring, y’all! It can be sexy and smoldering without straying into smutty. Amy Matayo has achieved this in spades so make sure you have a fan, fainting couch, and freezer handy. WHEW.
It did take me a while to get into the first-person present tense narratives; first Olivia, then Will. But after a few chapters, I became so captivated by these characters and their stories and their relationship that I barely even noticed the POV or the tense. Instead, I lived the story with them. I heard it in their voices. I felt as though we were all friends sitting down for a chat so I could get caught up on their lives.
Bottom Line: Cute, sexy, quirky, funny – The Thirteenth Chance is all of these things and more! This isn’t Christian fiction per se, but that’s ok. It’s clean fiction and it works. It more than works. Matayo has crafted two great characters, both a little nuts in their own ways, which makes for many laughter worthy moments throughout the book. I think I even snorted a couple of times, something Nicole Deese warned would happen. It will make you smile and swoon and maybe even crave a baseball game. It will for sure satisfy the romcom fan in you and leave you waiting eagerly for Matayo’s next book! Or stalking her backlist, which I may or may not be doing now (totally am).
(I received this book for free. No review was required, favorable or otherwise, and all views expressed are my own.)
Read my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
bambi_idk's review
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bekaaaah's review
5.0
Amy Matayo once again gives us a story to remember! I knew I was going to love it before I even cracked open the cover, and I was right. Doesn't hurt that it also happened to be about BASEBALL, only the best sport ever. And that sizzling romance between Olivia and Will. Oh yeah, that was pretty perfect. ;) Can't recommend enough!
betherin02's review
5.0
Full review on Faithfully Bookish http://wp.me/p7ngfE-jt
Olivia is a real peach! Believe it or not, she's even more neurotic than I am. In addition to Olivia's quirky personality and sometimes compulsive behaviors, she is a compassionate and dedicated teacher.
Will asks Olivia to pose as his fake girlfriend in order to bolster his reputation. If you ask me, he crosses the crazy line when he claims her as his new good luck charm and begs her to attend all his games.
They are both nuts and they're perfect for each other. I adore this book! Flirty, fun, quirky, and heartwarming, Amy hit this one out of the park!
I requested the opportunity to read and review this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
Olivia is a real peach! Believe it or not, she's even more neurotic than I am. In addition to Olivia's quirky personality and sometimes compulsive behaviors, she is a compassionate and dedicated teacher.
Will asks Olivia to pose as his fake girlfriend in order to bolster his reputation. If you ask me, he crosses the crazy line when he claims her as his new good luck charm and begs her to attend all his games.
They are both nuts and they're perfect for each other. I adore this book! Flirty, fun, quirky, and heartwarming, Amy hit this one out of the park!
I requested the opportunity to read and review this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
meganericson's review
5.0
The Thirteenth Chance novel tells the story of baseball pitcher Will Vandergriff and his adorably neurotic neighbor Olivia. Don’t worry. Olivia has valid reasons for her neurosis which makes her even more lovable. Will’s level of self consumption is what you would expect from, well, a professional baseball player. He’s used to getting his way with the ladies, unless that lady’s name is Olivia.
Olivia’s refusal to play the swooning girl card baffles Will. And, Will’s overall Will-ness sets Olivia’s teeth on edge, but she can’t seem to shake him. The character’s playing off of one another is delightful to read as they send each other into adult-toddler rages, masterfully pushing each other’s buttons like a concert pianist at the keys.
What I love about Amy’s writing is you’re engrossed in the story, reading merrily along, and then she throws these crazy-deep truth bombs at you. I found myself stopping to contemplate them, testing to see if they mirrored my own life. Here are a few of my favorites:
“It’s funny how sometimes it takes just the right set of eyes to begin to see things a bit differently.”
“I’m having trouble dealing with the idea that reality does indeed bite. It bites hard.”
“Maybe it takes a soft shell to protect a strong woman.”
My official recommendation: Don’t wait! Get your own copy (because I’m not sharing).
Note: I was provided with an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. And I honestly loved it. #crossmyheart
Olivia’s refusal to play the swooning girl card baffles Will. And, Will’s overall Will-ness sets Olivia’s teeth on edge, but she can’t seem to shake him. The character’s playing off of one another is delightful to read as they send each other into adult-toddler rages, masterfully pushing each other’s buttons like a concert pianist at the keys.
What I love about Amy’s writing is you’re engrossed in the story, reading merrily along, and then she throws these crazy-deep truth bombs at you. I found myself stopping to contemplate them, testing to see if they mirrored my own life. Here are a few of my favorites:
“It’s funny how sometimes it takes just the right set of eyes to begin to see things a bit differently.”
“I’m having trouble dealing with the idea that reality does indeed bite. It bites hard.”
“Maybe it takes a soft shell to protect a strong woman.”
My official recommendation: Don’t wait! Get your own copy (because I’m not sharing).
Note: I was provided with an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. And I honestly loved it. #crossmyheart
sassybookishmama's review
4.0
This book has all the feels! I laughed, got upset and cried a little! I literally finished this book in a day! Couldn’t put it down. I needed to find out what would happen between Olivia and Will. I of course am a greedy reader that wants to know what will happen to these characters and their friends! I hope the author writes a sequel! It would be awesome to return to this story again!
It’s a clean read with some innuendos but nothing distasteful. If clean reads aren’t your thing bypass this book!
If you love sweet stories with happy endings go grab it!
It’s a clean read with some innuendos but nothing distasteful. If clean reads aren’t your thing bypass this book!
If you love sweet stories with happy endings go grab it!
readfineprint's review
5.0
I loved the slow romance of this book. It is so much fun to watch a romance unfold slowly, to observe every nuance of two people attracted to each other, to see them make the tiny decisions that cause them to fall in love. I don't think this is portrayed enough in movies or books! Will and Olivia portray how real love is forged in something besides just sex, and also how much fun the suspense of a first kiss can be!
I like when books take me somewhere I didn't expect-- like shaving a cat, for instance, or breaking a glass you were listening through against a wall (hypothetical examples). Funny stuff! The characters' personalities were exaggerated a bit but it definitely made the book funnier.
Also, I don't like cats. I'm allergic and they just annoy me. But I liked Perry a lot.
I like when books take me somewhere I didn't expect-- like shaving a cat, for instance, or breaking a glass you were listening through against a wall (hypothetical examples). Funny stuff! The characters' personalities were exaggerated a bit but it definitely made the book funnier.
Also, I don't like cats. I'm allergic and they just annoy me. But I liked Perry a lot.
ela_35's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
I was bored and this book dragged because the author was mostly telling instead of showing.
Will was fine and Olivia was ok but I didn’t get why she kept lying. Also, their relationship wasn’t developed at all. I didn’t see when they stopped being strangers and then when they started liking each other.
Will is a baseball player but the only way that that’s shown is that Olivia goes to some of his games. Olivia is a schoolteacher and that wasn’t shown at all. For most of this book it was summer but at the beginning and at the end of the book she was teaching again so why wasn’t any of that shown? Because that wasn’t shown I didn’t see why she went to such lengths to help one of her students.
I didn’t like this book as nothing happened.
aleighaemilee's review
3.0
I liked the idea of this book, but there were absolutely glaring baseball mistakes.