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alexa_mcternan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
laney_a_wells's review against another edition
3.0
ok, i kind of live for how the author finished the last 25% with conflict bc it makes you a little pisssed at all the characters and then it feels like they have to make themselves up to the reader as well as eachother. im obsessed with this series.
this book was definitely a little repetitive but i like to think of it as re-enforceing ideas
this book was definitely a little repetitive but i like to think of it as re-enforceing ideas
natreadsalot14's review against another edition
1.0
Okay this rating hurts me more than you, okay? I love the Springbrook hills series and this one had a lot of the same aspects from the previous three that has ticket all my “small town romance checklist”.
So, you may be wondering why I rated it so low? Well, the thing that bother me about this book was the misogynistic ideology that Kate “needed” a man AND that Cal needed a father figure.
It all started around 17% in the book and it was subtle comments from previous characters that we have fallen in love with in the series. It reminded me of the conservative mindset that single mothers need a man but single fathers are praised for doing all the hard work.
There were phrases that hinted towards a binary parental role model that kind of put me off. Kate and her community were strong, she didn’t need a man or a partner to help her. Kate didn’t need to be in a relationship for Cal to see what a man is like. He was already seeing it with people in the community, his grandfather and his teachers.
I also did not really feel the romantic feelings between Kate and Dean. Although Cal’s relationship with Dean was probably the reason I kept reading this.
It just wasn’t for me, unfortunately.
So, you may be wondering why I rated it so low? Well, the thing that bother me about this book was the misogynistic ideology that Kate “needed” a man AND that Cal needed a father figure.
It all started around 17% in the book and it was subtle comments from previous characters that we have fallen in love with in the series. It reminded me of the conservative mindset that single mothers need a man but single fathers are praised for doing all the hard work.
There were phrases that hinted towards a binary parental role model that kind of put me off. Kate and her community were strong, she didn’t need a man or a partner to help her. Kate didn’t need to be in a relationship for Cal to see what a man is like. He was already seeing it with people in the community, his grandfather and his teachers.
I also did not really feel the romantic feelings between Kate and Dean. Although Cal’s relationship with Dean was probably the reason I kept reading this.
It just wasn’t for me, unfortunately.
imjuliaany's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This dude is the worst man in this series!
So fucking manipulative with not just Kate but also with Cal, omg I hate him with a burning passion!!
He manipulated Kate into a relationship when he was well aware that she was a packet deal and he couldn't be in one place because bo-hoo he has trauma like everyone else.
And then he had the nerve to say she was holding him back, that her kid was holding him back.
He's abusive, period.
And Kate kept saying "What?". All the damn time she kept asking the same question, like, girl, are you dumb or something?
So fucking manipulative with not just Kate but also with Cal, omg I hate him with a burning passion!!
He manipulated Kate into a relationship when he was well aware that she was a packet deal and he couldn't be in one place because bo-hoo he has trauma like everyone else.
And then he had the nerve to say she was holding him back, that her kid was holding him back.
He's abusive, period.
And Kate kept saying "What?". All the damn time she kept asking the same question, like, girl, are you dumb or something?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, and Gaslighting
bigbooksandicannotlie's review against another edition
5.0
One of the only 5 star non-fantasy reads of the year. I connected with this book being a single mom of a 7 yr old. I am praying for my Dean! While the quantity of the spice could have been more, the quality was perfection
books_with_mrs_barcelo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
macymcbeth's review against another edition
4.0
This book was addicting; I zoomed through it. I think Morgan Elizabeth has found her writing stride with this one (and the book before this). It's a single mom romance set in a small town. It's also got a touch of forced proximity.
I loved Kate and Dean, and Cal too. They have a great dynamic and their dialogue was really well written. I'll admit, I wasn't totally on board with the whole "he's a camp counselor" thing at the beginning, but once Dean's backstory is revealed, it made more sense. Kate and Dean had some well developed backstories that really complimented each other.
The pacing is consistent and there are fewer typos and errors (but they are still there). Perfect for small town romance lovers– plus there's a super cute kid in the story, and he is worth at least one star just by himself!
I loved Kate and Dean, and Cal too. They have a great dynamic and their dialogue was really well written. I'll admit, I wasn't totally on board with the whole "he's a camp counselor" thing at the beginning, but once Dean's backstory is revealed, it made more sense. Kate and Dean had some well developed backstories that really complimented each other.
Spoiler
I do feel like we needed a little more closure with Dean's history: his hometown, his relationship with his mom, and dealing with his grief over Jesse.The pacing is consistent and there are fewer typos and errors (but they are still there). Perfect for small town romance lovers– plus there's a super cute kid in the story, and he is worth at least one star just by himself!