bubblewombat's review
4.0
Finn and Mina have been best friends for two decades and they've both harboured a crush on the other ever since they first met. Over the years neither believed the other thought of them as more than a friend and they dated other people.
But now, Finn decided he's tired of waiting and he's going to tell Mina how he feels. The opportunity presented itself when he got a job offer close to home which he accepted and moved back. But will everything go smoothly for them? What about Mina's father who seemingly dislikes Finn for reasons unbeknownst to her? Will he stand in the way of their happiness?
This was a super cute and comfortable read. It feels kind of familiar in a way, with the vibes matching Hallmark movies. All we're missing is a Christmas setting.
The writing style is just about perfect, not too much of anything. The dual POV was done well.
I liked the steamy scenes, but I still felt like their romance started too fast, even for a short book. The build up was a bit lacking.
And then we have that slight miscommunication trope (which I don't like)...It was unnecessary.
Keith annoyed me until I learned the real reason for his "dislike". Towards the end he starts to get cool.
I liked Finn more as a character than Mina. I don't exactly know why. Maybe he was more believable to me? Or no, I think I know what it is. He had more time to grow up, so to say, while Mina's been stuck in the store forever. So as an adult she's still somehow immature.
As for the length I don't mind it. Could've ben shorter, could've been longer. I still had fun reading it.
*Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with an e-ARC for which I'm leaving a review voluntarily*
But now, Finn decided he's tired of waiting and he's going to tell Mina how he feels. The opportunity presented itself when he got a job offer close to home which he accepted and moved back. But will everything go smoothly for them? What about Mina's father who seemingly dislikes Finn for reasons unbeknownst to her? Will he stand in the way of their happiness?
This was a super cute and comfortable read. It feels kind of familiar in a way, with the vibes matching Hallmark movies. All we're missing is a Christmas setting.
The writing style is just about perfect, not too much of anything. The dual POV was done well.
I liked the steamy scenes, but I still felt like their romance started too fast, even for a short book. The build up was a bit lacking.
And then we have that slight miscommunication trope (which I don't like)...It was unnecessary.
Keith annoyed me until I learned the real reason for his "dislike". Towards the end he starts to get cool.
I liked Finn more as a character than Mina. I don't exactly know why. Maybe he was more believable to me? Or no, I think I know what it is. He had more time to grow up, so to say, while Mina's been stuck in the store forever. So as an adult she's still somehow immature.
As for the length I don't mind it. Could've ben shorter, could've been longer. I still had fun reading it.
*Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with an e-ARC for which I'm leaving a review voluntarily*
emjhs's review
3.0
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. I love that connection is already established and that they have a deep history and connection to draw from and Finn and Mina were no exception. I enjoyed their relationship as childhood friends with something more bubbling on the surface. I felt there could have been stronger development of some of their motivations or even drama at times and I thought the conflict Keith could have been developed better, it was confusing rather than suspenseful.
I liked that while Finn was a successful person, it felt realistic. It wasn’t this outsized story of an overnight billionaire who went from nothing to obscenely wealthy overnight but rather just worked hard, kept a job and was more than comfortable.
For being a relatively short book, I thought there were too many side references to characters that weren’t key to the story and it was hard to track who they were. Personally they didn’t add anything for me. This felt more like a novella and could have been focused all over the three main characters, with much fewer sub plots in my opinion.
I enjoyed the steam in this book and thought there could have been a little more. The author wrote it well!
Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. I love that connection is already established and that they have a deep history and connection to draw from and Finn and Mina were no exception. I enjoyed their relationship as childhood friends with something more bubbling on the surface. I felt there could have been stronger development of some of their motivations or even drama at times and I thought the conflict Keith could have been developed better, it was confusing rather than suspenseful.
I liked that while Finn was a successful person, it felt realistic. It wasn’t this outsized story of an overnight billionaire who went from nothing to obscenely wealthy overnight but rather just worked hard, kept a job and was more than comfortable.
For being a relatively short book, I thought there were too many side references to characters that weren’t key to the story and it was hard to track who they were. Personally they didn’t add anything for me. This felt more like a novella and could have been focused all over the three main characters, with much fewer sub plots in my opinion.
I enjoyed the steam in this book and thought there could have been a little more. The author wrote it well!
currant7's review
4.0
This review can also be found in Currant7 Recommends.
Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Finn Bowen is coming home to choose happiness. He left California for a better life after senior high school and has not looked back. Not until a call from an old friend brought him back to town. This time, Finn no longer will be "on the sidelines" as the childhood best friend for Mina. This time, he will be brave and let her know how he truly feels about her. Will Finn be able to overcome his past in a town that does not easily forget and win the girl? Or will he be sequestered in the "friends zone" as Mina decides whether to stay or leave California?
I was excited to have gotten hold of this book. The synopsis got my interest piqued, and it did not disappoint. I did not put the book down until the very end!
The formula may be the same - two childhood best friends who kept in touch, though they lived far apart after high school, then one homecoming changes everything. This summary may be the "lead up" to the story, but many more things were going on for Mina and Finn as the story progressed. Each one has their kept secrets and "hang-ups."
Told from both Mina and Finn's perspectives, the writing is easy to relate to and empathize with the main character's hesitation and plight. Each kept "secrets" between each other without realizing that it's the one that might tear them apart. When the secrets do implode in the end, these complications turned into misunderstandings that drove them apart. It took an unlikely character - someone unexpected - that will push their pride aside and start acting like adults.
In summary, I highly recommend All This Time for readers who love their sweet yet complex storylines, childhood crushes/second chances, and coming back home feels. This book will make readers cheer for the "underdogs." The theme of "seizing the day" is very prevalent in Mina and Finn's situation. Without Finn's determination, I do not think Finn would be worthy enough to deserve Mina in the end.
Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Finn Bowen is coming home to choose happiness. He left California for a better life after senior high school and has not looked back. Not until a call from an old friend brought him back to town. This time, Finn no longer will be "on the sidelines" as the childhood best friend for Mina. This time, he will be brave and let her know how he truly feels about her. Will Finn be able to overcome his past in a town that does not easily forget and win the girl? Or will he be sequestered in the "friends zone" as Mina decides whether to stay or leave California?
I was excited to have gotten hold of this book. The synopsis got my interest piqued, and it did not disappoint. I did not put the book down until the very end!
The formula may be the same - two childhood best friends who kept in touch, though they lived far apart after high school, then one homecoming changes everything. This summary may be the "lead up" to the story, but many more things were going on for Mina and Finn as the story progressed. Each one has their kept secrets and "hang-ups."
Told from both Mina and Finn's perspectives, the writing is easy to relate to and empathize with the main character's hesitation and plight. Each kept "secrets" between each other without realizing that it's the one that might tear them apart. When the secrets do implode in the end, these complications turned into misunderstandings that drove them apart. It took an unlikely character - someone unexpected - that will push their pride aside and start acting like adults.
In summary, I highly recommend All This Time for readers who love their sweet yet complex storylines, childhood crushes/second chances, and coming back home feels. This book will make readers cheer for the "underdogs." The theme of "seizing the day" is very prevalent in Mina and Finn's situation. Without Finn's determination, I do not think Finn would be worthy enough to deserve Mina in the end.
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