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bridgets_books's review against another edition
4.0
Rash & Rationality was a quick, fun read. I enjoyed the antics of Marty and felt the pain Brandy was dealing with after the death of her husband.
It was a refreshing spin to have the male character be the over-the-top romantic, with the female leery of moving forward. The secondary characters evoked lots of emotion as well, such as dislike, instant hate, craving to know more, etc. I hope there are more books to come about these characters, as so many deserve a book of their own.
The picturesque settings make this book special. A story set in a bookstore is a dream for a book reviewer. Marty's dating setups and Mama's birthday party stand out, but every scene is well-done.
With shorter books, I have a hard time writing a lengthier review without giving away too much plot. Let's just say this book is well worth your time to read.
I highly recommend Rash & Rationality to lovers of Jane Austen, fun romantic fiction, fun, quirky heroes, and friends to lovers stories.
You can find more information on my website review, including an interview all about Marty!
Steam level: 3/5
I received a digital copy of the book for review purposes. The above is my honest, unbiased opinion.
It was a refreshing spin to have the male character be the over-the-top romantic, with the female leery of moving forward. The secondary characters evoked lots of emotion as well, such as dislike, instant hate, craving to know more, etc. I hope there are more books to come about these characters, as so many deserve a book of their own.
The picturesque settings make this book special. A story set in a bookstore is a dream for a book reviewer. Marty's dating setups and Mama's birthday party stand out, but every scene is well-done.
With shorter books, I have a hard time writing a lengthier review without giving away too much plot. Let's just say this book is well worth your time to read.
I highly recommend Rash & Rationality to lovers of Jane Austen, fun romantic fiction, fun, quirky heroes, and friends to lovers stories.
You can find more information on my website review, including an interview all about Marty!
Steam level: 3/5
I received a digital copy of the book for review purposes. The above is my honest, unbiased opinion.
una_macchia's review against another edition
3.0
I should start off by saying I'm not really a fan of NA in general. My interest here was in the Sense and Sensibility angle, but I normally don't like the voice of NA characters in contemporary romance. This book didn't work for me as much as I would have liked for that reason (voice) but I enjoyed it overall. I liked Marty's character development especially, and how it ends with him still loving dreamy romantic gestures but also down-to-earth enough to understand that he needs the stability of a loving relationship with the right person too. Brandy doesn't change as much -- her arc is about letting herself move on from mourning her husband. I liked that they both have money struggles (though his family is more well-off), though it did stress me out at times.
Side note: I'm a little annoyed by the cover because (a) Marty described as having darker skin (and it's not a huge part of the book, but that fact is important to his self-perception and the way other people see him -- like) and (b) he should be shorter (he's only a tiny bit taller than Brandy, less than an inch).
Side note: I'm a little annoyed by the cover because (a) Marty described as having darker skin (and it's not a huge part of the book, but that fact is important to his self-perception and the way other people see him -- like
Spoiler
during his argument with Janeth in the fancy restaurant when he's perceived as the "danger"crinolinelaphroaig's review against another edition
Baking and Books - 2 of my favorite things in a Romance.
bridgets_books's review
4.0
Rash & Rationality was a quick, fun read. I enjoyed the antics of Marty and felt the pain Brandy was dealing with after the death of her husband.
It was a refreshing spin to have the male character be the over-the-top romantic, with the female leery of moving forward. The secondary characters evoked lots of emotion as well, such as dislike, instant hate, craving to know more, etc. I hope there are more books to come about these characters, as so many deserve a book of their own.
The picturesque settings make this book special. A story set in a bookstore is a dream for a book reviewer. Marty's dating setups and Mama's birthday party stand out, but every scene is well-done.
With shorter books, I have a hard time writing a lengthier review without giving away too much plot. Let's just say this book is well worth your time to read.
I highly recommend Rash & Rationality to lovers of Jane Austen, fun romantic fiction, fun, quirky heroes, and friends to lovers stories.
You can find more information on my website review, including an interview all about Marty!
Steam level: 3/5
I received a digital copy of the book for review purposes. The above is my honest, unbiased opinion.
It was a refreshing spin to have the male character be the over-the-top romantic, with the female leery of moving forward. The secondary characters evoked lots of emotion as well, such as dislike, instant hate, craving to know more, etc. I hope there are more books to come about these characters, as so many deserve a book of their own.
The picturesque settings make this book special. A story set in a bookstore is a dream for a book reviewer. Marty's dating setups and Mama's birthday party stand out, but every scene is well-done.
With shorter books, I have a hard time writing a lengthier review without giving away too much plot. Let's just say this book is well worth your time to read.
I highly recommend Rash & Rationality to lovers of Jane Austen, fun romantic fiction, fun, quirky heroes, and friends to lovers stories.
You can find more information on my website review, including an interview all about Marty!
Steam level: 3/5
I received a digital copy of the book for review purposes. The above is my honest, unbiased opinion.
writeramyshannon's review
4.0
Interesting Twist on romance
Mint pens a grand story in Rash and Rationality. I have read work from this author before, and I really enjoyed it. I liked the story had a male lead in the story. Mary is a very interesting character, and not the typical macho-I-love-myself type of guy. He's a true romantic and believes love is out there, just doesn't always realize what's right in front of him. The characters have a lot of layers and depth to them, and their own back story, which affects who they are now, and how they feel. This author is not just a writer but a great storyteller, and she writes an enjoyable journey. It's a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. This author's characters develop and interacts well with the other characters. I love that the characters are flaws and definitely not perfect, and that when romance happens, it doesn't feel like the writer forced it just for the story sake. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author. This book is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
Mint pens a grand story in Rash and Rationality. I have read work from this author before, and I really enjoyed it. I liked the story had a male lead in the story. Mary is a very interesting character, and not the typical macho-I-love-myself type of guy. He's a true romantic and believes love is out there, just doesn't always realize what's right in front of him. The characters have a lot of layers and depth to them, and their own back story, which affects who they are now, and how they feel. This author is not just a writer but a great storyteller, and she writes an enjoyable journey. It's a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. This author's characters develop and interacts well with the other characters. I love that the characters are flaws and definitely not perfect, and that when romance happens, it doesn't feel like the writer forced it just for the story sake. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author. This book is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
sonny's review
4.0
**Actually 3.5-rating**
Thank the Lord above this wasn't as bad as Bk 1. We still have a "haunting" of an Austen work--here it's Sense & Sensibility. And oddly, it's the male brothers. Not sisters. Who knew you could gender bend?!
Okay, so, it was fine and all. I think I am having a difficult time getting into poorly executed light adaptions to Austen works. I keep looking for same-ness, but all I see is badly done storytelling because the original lacks some type of fanciness and originality. Like... S&S by Austen gives you a nice blue print so why not just follow those guidelines, but still do your gender-bending spin? So to crap out on even your "inspired by" and fill in your own badly-done story is just...craziness.
The Hero was the younger sibling, who was actually quite a Beta-Hero, Marty...set to be akin to Marianne--the youngest of the Dashwood sisters. His older brother, Eldon, is a bit more staid and serious, a stick-up-his butt kind of dude. And often a mood killer.
Brandy is the heroine who is kind of just--there. She is best friends with Marty and they work together in a bookshop. Nothing too hardcore. Brandy is trying to get over the loss/death of her husband...and Marty is attempting to find love any way he can. He pretty much likes [and could love] Brandy but because of her hang-ups about her husband, he leaves her be, doesn't even consider pursuing her at all. Over time, this will flip over, and Brandy will start to see Marty in a new light in his pursuit of his True Love. He wants all the teeny-tiny bits of Romance most women do, but especially the meet-cute moment.
Even if he has to talk himself into being in love, when he obviously is not. Or when he cannot see beyond those rose-colored glasses for Romance that the woman he adores...isn't really in love with him. Just wants him for Internet points.
The story barely finds itself until the big huge moment, when Marty believes he has found his "ONE"...and she just so happens to be a social media guru...an Influencer. He, literally, has the most awesome meet-cute moment where he saves a damsel in distress from a mugging. But it will soon be clear to Marty, his "ONE" is less in love with him and simply trying to carry an "image" online for her followers.
This is when Brandy will see Marty for the wonderful man he truly is and can be for her, when she thought he was simply an awesome guy, who was a friend and co-worker.
One Plus for this whole entire book and what saved it for me...was Marty's family. But most especially is Marty's mother. Lemme give you an example of a particular scene that's had a visual which had me rolling with deep belly laughs:: The scene is a backyard family picnic. Marty's mother is of Salvadoran descent [his father is Italian] so there is a wide-berth of dual cultural evidence displayed with delicious foods and music and oodles and oodles of family around the lawn...
...and SCENE...
“Marty, could I have a moment with you?” his mother said, pulling him closer to the dance floor.
“Do I have a choice?” he asked. The hot dogs were even farther away than before. And the street corn. How did he miss that in all its buttery, cheesy goodness?
But his mom had her ‘we need to discuss something important’ look on, so he turned to her. “All right, Mamá. What is it?”
“The woman you brought to the party…?”
“Isn’t she wonderful?” Marty sighed, his gaze skipping past the clusters of cousins, aunties and uncles, to his angel leaning against the dessert table.
“I suppose. It’s only that, well, is she okay?”
That ripped him away, his head shaking. “What? Why?”
“She’s been trying to eat that churro for the past two minutes.”
A groan rattled from Marty as he watched Janeth pose with the cinnamon sugar treat perched on her lips. Her phone switched positions thrice. “Mom, it’s normal.”
“In my day, anyone who couldn’t figure out how to eat a churro estaba bayunca.”
“Mamá!” He turned on the woman he’d thought would be giddy to meet his girlfriend. Instead, Janeth had gotten a polite but cold handshake and little more. “She’s not crazy—she’s taking pictures of the party. It’s…it’s what she does.”
“Takes fifty pictures of a churro?” his mother asked slowly as if he too was bayunco.
“What’s with the negativity? Do you not like her?”
“No, she’s…fine. Rather aloof.”
Marty scoffed. “So’s Eldon, but you don’t hold that against him.”
“What am I?” said aloof man asked, striding closer. “Aside from covered in sugar. Thank you for that, Martin.”
“Doing my part to liven this party up,” he answered with a snicker at his brother.
Their mother eyed up the white handprints now decorating Eldon’s suit. “I was only inquiring about this new woman in Marty’s life,” she said to her firstborn.
“She’s quite…something, isn’t she?” Eldon said.
“Yes, very, what’s that word they use now? Bougie.”
Both men stared at their newly minted fifty-year-old mother. She glared back. “I use the internet, the same as you.”
“Look, okay. I get that she’s outside of our strange Salvadoran and Italian family loop, but I thought you of all people would welcome her.”
Their mother sighed, her arms crossed as if she had to enter her mental palace to confront him. “Of course, dear. I only was thrown off guard. You arrived with that delightful Brandy and I thought…”
“What?” Marty asked, but he turned away from her to find the new woman in question having to field a barrage of questions from Uncle Edward. She seemed to be holding her own and wasn’t going for any mace or flails in her purse.
END SCENE
So, while this book had some bobbing and weaving to do to keep me interested...there were these wonderful moments like this chunker where I am literally teary-eyed with chuckles imagining how foolish Marty's girlfriend, Janeth looks...several times posing with a sugary churro but never ONCE eating it, for real. Just for Internet points. The Mom's reactions did me in... "Is she ok? She's been trying to eat that churro for 2minutes"...and I am d-e-d...dead...
I think my biggest issue was Marty himself. While I never minded that for once we had a man who was Romantic and gung-ho about his own Wedding Day...he grated on the nerves a bit. Plus, it was easy to see how perfect Brandy was for him, even in her solitary despair. And then...when he began dating such a soulless woman...and could NOT see her flaws and fallacies...especially how she paid more attention to her phone and followers...an IMAGE...yeah, you kinda wanted to smack some sense into him.
And also, the break-up between Marty and his Internet/Influencer girlfriend almost felt like...she could have hoodwinked him from the very start. The whole "mugging in a alley way" seemed like such a set-up to catch a Dupe...and then Marty just...easily fell for it, because he so desperately wanted love and Romance, then his Wedding...marriage... perfect house with picket fence and 2.5 children and dog...ya know...yikes...
Is it possible for a Hero to be a little TSTL?
Thank the Lord above this wasn't as bad as Bk 1. We still have a "haunting" of an Austen work--here it's Sense & Sensibility. And oddly, it's the male brothers. Not sisters. Who knew you could gender bend?!
Okay, so, it was fine and all. I think I am having a difficult time getting into poorly executed light adaptions to Austen works. I keep looking for same-ness, but all I see is badly done storytelling because the original lacks some type of fanciness and originality. Like... S&S by Austen gives you a nice blue print so why not just follow those guidelines, but still do your gender-bending spin? So to crap out on even your "inspired by" and fill in your own badly-done story is just...craziness.
The Hero was the younger sibling, who was actually quite a Beta-Hero, Marty...set to be akin to Marianne--the youngest of the Dashwood sisters. His older brother, Eldon, is a bit more staid and serious, a stick-up-his butt kind of dude. And often a mood killer.
Brandy is the heroine who is kind of just--there. She is best friends with Marty and they work together in a bookshop. Nothing too hardcore. Brandy is trying to get over the loss/death of her husband...and Marty is attempting to find love any way he can. He pretty much likes [and could love] Brandy but because of her hang-ups about her husband, he leaves her be, doesn't even consider pursuing her at all. Over time, this will flip over, and Brandy will start to see Marty in a new light in his pursuit of his True Love. He wants all the teeny-tiny bits of Romance most women do, but especially the meet-cute moment.
Even if he has to talk himself into being in love, when he obviously is not. Or when he cannot see beyond those rose-colored glasses for Romance that the woman he adores...isn't really in love with him. Just wants him for Internet points.
The story barely finds itself until the big huge moment, when Marty believes he has found his "ONE"...and she just so happens to be a social media guru...an Influencer. He, literally, has the most awesome meet-cute moment where he saves a damsel in distress from a mugging. But it will soon be clear to Marty, his "ONE" is less in love with him and simply trying to carry an "image" online for her followers.
This is when Brandy will see Marty for the wonderful man he truly is and can be for her, when she thought he was simply an awesome guy, who was a friend and co-worker.
One Plus for this whole entire book and what saved it for me...was Marty's family. But most especially is Marty's mother. Lemme give you an example of a particular scene that's had a visual which had me rolling with deep belly laughs:: The scene is a backyard family picnic. Marty's mother is of Salvadoran descent [his father is Italian] so there is a wide-berth of dual cultural evidence displayed with delicious foods and music and oodles and oodles of family around the lawn...
...and SCENE...
“Marty, could I have a moment with you?” his mother said, pulling him closer to the dance floor.
“Do I have a choice?” he asked. The hot dogs were even farther away than before. And the street corn. How did he miss that in all its buttery, cheesy goodness?
But his mom had her ‘we need to discuss something important’ look on, so he turned to her. “All right, Mamá. What is it?”
“The woman you brought to the party…?”
“Isn’t she wonderful?” Marty sighed, his gaze skipping past the clusters of cousins, aunties and uncles, to his angel leaning against the dessert table.
“I suppose. It’s only that, well, is she okay?”
That ripped him away, his head shaking. “What? Why?”
“She’s been trying to eat that churro for the past two minutes.”
A groan rattled from Marty as he watched Janeth pose with the cinnamon sugar treat perched on her lips. Her phone switched positions thrice. “Mom, it’s normal.”
“In my day, anyone who couldn’t figure out how to eat a churro estaba bayunca.”
“Mamá!” He turned on the woman he’d thought would be giddy to meet his girlfriend. Instead, Janeth had gotten a polite but cold handshake and little more. “She’s not crazy—she’s taking pictures of the party. It’s…it’s what she does.”
“Takes fifty pictures of a churro?” his mother asked slowly as if he too was bayunco.
“What’s with the negativity? Do you not like her?”
“No, she’s…fine. Rather aloof.”
Marty scoffed. “So’s Eldon, but you don’t hold that against him.”
“What am I?” said aloof man asked, striding closer. “Aside from covered in sugar. Thank you for that, Martin.”
“Doing my part to liven this party up,” he answered with a snicker at his brother.
Their mother eyed up the white handprints now decorating Eldon’s suit. “I was only inquiring about this new woman in Marty’s life,” she said to her firstborn.
“She’s quite…something, isn’t she?” Eldon said.
“Yes, very, what’s that word they use now? Bougie.”
Both men stared at their newly minted fifty-year-old mother. She glared back. “I use the internet, the same as you.”
“Look, okay. I get that she’s outside of our strange Salvadoran and Italian family loop, but I thought you of all people would welcome her.”
Their mother sighed, her arms crossed as if she had to enter her mental palace to confront him. “Of course, dear. I only was thrown off guard. You arrived with that delightful Brandy and I thought…”
“What?” Marty asked, but he turned away from her to find the new woman in question having to field a barrage of questions from Uncle Edward. She seemed to be holding her own and wasn’t going for any mace or flails in her purse.
END SCENE
So, while this book had some bobbing and weaving to do to keep me interested...there were these wonderful moments like this chunker where I am literally teary-eyed with chuckles imagining how foolish Marty's girlfriend, Janeth looks...several times posing with a sugary churro but never ONCE eating it, for real. Just for Internet points. The Mom's reactions did me in... "Is she ok? She's been trying to eat that churro for 2minutes"...and I am d-e-d...dead...
I think my biggest issue was Marty himself. While I never minded that for once we had a man who was Romantic and gung-ho about his own Wedding Day...he grated on the nerves a bit. Plus, it was easy to see how perfect Brandy was for him, even in her solitary despair. And then...when he began dating such a soulless woman...and could NOT see her flaws and fallacies...especially how she paid more attention to her phone and followers...an IMAGE...yeah, you kinda wanted to smack some sense into him.
And also, the break-up between Marty and his Internet/Influencer girlfriend almost felt like...she could have hoodwinked him from the very start. The whole "mugging in a alley way" seemed like such a set-up to catch a Dupe...and then Marty just...easily fell for it, because he so desperately wanted love and Romance, then his Wedding...marriage... perfect house with picket fence and 2.5 children and dog...ya know...yikes...
Is it possible for a Hero to be a little TSTL?
More...