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strangelynormal's review
4.0
Sophie is an optometrist that loves love and is just a little too caring. It is how she founds her in her current predicament. Her free loading ex-boyfriend with a sob story refuses to believe their relationship is over and he needs to move out of her house. Oh, and she is pregnant with a baby that is not hers or his. Sophie is aware that she often allows people to take advantage of her good nature but it is part of her being. So, she is taking some time to focus on herself and not date. And isn’t that always when one finds their perfect match?
Enter Shep, recently divorced pet store owner and dog daddy co-parent. Shep and Sophie have a funny meet cute and spark, but Sophie cannot have a relationship. But she could use a friend, so they agree to a friendship that only includes the happy. They will not share anything that does not bring them joy. Of course things progress and this is not a maintainable reality.
Although, this is a romantic comedy, you know Jewel E. Ann is going to bring some major feelings. Sophie and Shep are not your typical leading role characters, they are sweet and caring people that truly want the best for others. This can lead them to overlook their best interests. Even though you love them you also want to hit them upside the head often. I struggled with them not knowing each other completely and it did become their biggest conflict. However, I absolutely loved the growth and conversations they have while they are separated. There is really no “bad guy” persay in this story, rather feelings and boundaries that need to be discussed and understood. That is what life is and it is best lived with one’s best friend.
Enter Shep, recently divorced pet store owner and dog daddy co-parent. Shep and Sophie have a funny meet cute and spark, but Sophie cannot have a relationship. But she could use a friend, so they agree to a friendship that only includes the happy. They will not share anything that does not bring them joy. Of course things progress and this is not a maintainable reality.
Although, this is a romantic comedy, you know Jewel E. Ann is going to bring some major feelings. Sophie and Shep are not your typical leading role characters, they are sweet and caring people that truly want the best for others. This can lead them to overlook their best interests. Even though you love them you also want to hit them upside the head often. I struggled with them not knowing each other completely and it did become their biggest conflict. However, I absolutely loved the growth and conversations they have while they are separated. There is really no “bad guy” persay in this story, rather feelings and boundaries that need to be discussed and understood. That is what life is and it is best lived with one’s best friend.
lizkatiereads's review
4.0
✨ARC Review✨
What Lovers Do was my first Jewel E. Ann book and it absolutely did not disappoint! I feel like I need to start reading her backlist immediately! It has been quite sometime since I have read a romance book and was legit laughing so hard and so often that I thought my face would be numb!
Read If You Love:
-friends to lovers
-friends with benefits
-laugh out loud moments
-dogs
-TONS of flirting
-“phone dating”
-golf
-pools
-weekend getaways
This one hits all the marks for giving you warm fuzzy feelings all the while thinking you will pee yourself from laughing so hard! Shep and Sophie are quite the dynamic duo! A divorced pet store employee meets optometrist with a pain in the butt roommate. They navigate being friends, BEST friends, lovers, and then circle back. They put on the page the true meaning of friendship, and exactly what that entails along with muddying the waters.
✨Swipe to see book description from Goodreads✨
✨Rating✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Steam Factor
What Lovers Do was my first Jewel E. Ann book and it absolutely did not disappoint! I feel like I need to start reading her backlist immediately! It has been quite sometime since I have read a romance book and was legit laughing so hard and so often that I thought my face would be numb!
Read If You Love:
-friends to lovers
-friends with benefits
-laugh out loud moments
-dogs
-TONS of flirting
-“phone dating”
-golf
-pools
-weekend getaways
This one hits all the marks for giving you warm fuzzy feelings all the while thinking you will pee yourself from laughing so hard! Shep and Sophie are quite the dynamic duo! A divorced pet store employee meets optometrist with a pain in the butt roommate. They navigate being friends, BEST friends, lovers, and then circle back. They put on the page the true meaning of friendship, and exactly what that entails along with muddying the waters.
✨Swipe to see book description from Goodreads✨
✨Rating✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Steam Factor
kkimlyreads's review
4.0
This book was funny. I read 90% of it in one sitting. Though our main character is full of red flags and make frustrating choices, we have so much funny banter it stays light.
kristisam's review
5.0
This story was frustratingly delicious with the perfect mix of sweet and funny. I loved all of the witty banter and cringe worthy moments. It was an entertaining read and I enjoyed watching the character’s chemistry slowly evolve while they struggled to find their footing in this complicated friends to lovers tale.
readwithrach's review
5.0
This is the first book I’ve read from Jewel E. Ann and I’m wondering what I was waiting so long for. I loved this book! Sophie and Shep were so much fun. I couldn’t put this down. This is definitely one of my favorite books of this year!
gracethruchaos's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the banter between the H and h but I hated that she couldn’t get her ex out of her house, that part of the story just made me feel gross and I hated reading it.
profromance's review
5.0
Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
“Just his hidden sunshine on a cloudy day. You’re good with being felt, but not always seen,” Shep says.
I nod.
He closes his eyes. “I feel you.”
Jewel E. Ann’s newest story, What Lovers Do, is disarmingly charming. It’s a surprise read in the sense that you find yourself lost in it. Before you know it, you’ve laughed, sighed, and lost a bit of your heart and soul to it. I proofread for Jewel’s stories. Usually, I determine the number of pages or chapters towards completion and break out a certain per day so I keep fresh eyes on it. What Lovers Do is the first book that I couldn’t step away from. Unlike her other stories, even her other “rom-coms,” you need to take a break because Jewel E. Ann loves to torture her readers with lert turns, curveballs, and angst-filled stories. It isn’t a conscious choice (or maybe I’m wrong); it’s simply the types of stories she weaves. But What Lovers Do is different. Yes, as is the case with any story, there is a moment when the hero, Shep, and the heroine, Sophie, are separated, even though you hate any moment on the page without the two of them. Yet, through that time, Ann uses the space to bring her protagonists to important epiphanies. Their time apart is necessary for the impact of their happy ending. And that’s the ultimate promise of Ann’s What Lovers Do: that her lovers live a happily-ever-after.
So what’s to love about this story? What makes it “disarmingly charming?”
In a word, Shep. Don’t come at me for starting with him instead of Sophie. Trust me. She has her appeal, and we’ll get to it because this story doesn’t steal your heart simply on Shep’s ministrations. But Shep allows Sophie to be the best version of herself because they are suited in ways that her former, “snake-like” boyfriends aren’t. Shep allows Sophie to escape life with him in a place she calls “Shep World.” He’s doting, insightful, and shows her the importance of living life now even if the timing seems wrong. One of my favorite things about Shep is his constant need to push her glasses up her nose on her face. That’s a swoon worthy action because it suggests his care of her. And Sophie doesn’t need care in a traditional female/male consideration. No. Shep partners with Sophie, loving her beyond measure and living to make her day lighter and brighter. Everyone who reads this story will want to live in Shep world because it’s a place where people are loved deeply and encouraged to be the best version of themselves.
“‘He’s the best guy at the worst time…’”
“I will never get enough of Sophie Ryan. My sun. Always the brightest star. Warm and comforting. I miss her when she’s not with me. And every day, she’s the first thought in my head, my sunrise.”
However, Shep’s magic only exists because Sophie is his soulmate. It’s clear from their meeting. Sophie has aspects of Ann’s other rom-com heroines: a bit quirky, disarming, independent, but focused on the wrong thing. She is accomplished, loves dogs (as does Shep), but her past experiences with men shade her sense of self. She internally berates herself for much of the book because she hasn’t chosen boyfriends well in the past. She thinks her heart is too big, and she is too compassionate that it makes her gullible. While she is sacrificial in her love for others, family, friends, boyfriends, the issue isn’t Sophie; it’s the people who have taken advantage of her. And that’s the part of Sophie that requires her to do some hard work to move past. But every moment Sophie and Shep are on the page together, it is pure Jewel E. Ann magic. Their banter, their chemistry, and their love catapult you through What Lovers Do. It’s the reason I couldn’t stop reading, blowing through my daily reading goals. Reading Shep and Sophie’s story is a salve to a soul ravaged by my out-of-control life and our world.
“This is the version of me that’s truly me. The woman who loves life, friendship, and laughter. I love to laugh. I don’t like taking life too seriously unless I’m forced to play that part. With Shep, I don’t have to play it.”
What Lovers Do is probably my favorite Jewel E. Ann rom-com. If you are looking for a romance that will truly allow you to escape, this is the book for you.
“Just his hidden sunshine on a cloudy day. You’re good with being felt, but not always seen,” Shep says.
I nod.
He closes his eyes. “I feel you.”
Jewel E. Ann’s newest story, What Lovers Do, is disarmingly charming. It’s a surprise read in the sense that you find yourself lost in it. Before you know it, you’ve laughed, sighed, and lost a bit of your heart and soul to it. I proofread for Jewel’s stories. Usually, I determine the number of pages or chapters towards completion and break out a certain per day so I keep fresh eyes on it. What Lovers Do is the first book that I couldn’t step away from. Unlike her other stories, even her other “rom-coms,” you need to take a break because Jewel E. Ann loves to torture her readers with lert turns, curveballs, and angst-filled stories. It isn’t a conscious choice (or maybe I’m wrong); it’s simply the types of stories she weaves. But What Lovers Do is different. Yes, as is the case with any story, there is a moment when the hero, Shep, and the heroine, Sophie, are separated, even though you hate any moment on the page without the two of them. Yet, through that time, Ann uses the space to bring her protagonists to important epiphanies. Their time apart is necessary for the impact of their happy ending. And that’s the ultimate promise of Ann’s What Lovers Do: that her lovers live a happily-ever-after.
So what’s to love about this story? What makes it “disarmingly charming?”
In a word, Shep. Don’t come at me for starting with him instead of Sophie. Trust me. She has her appeal, and we’ll get to it because this story doesn’t steal your heart simply on Shep’s ministrations. But Shep allows Sophie to be the best version of herself because they are suited in ways that her former, “snake-like” boyfriends aren’t. Shep allows Sophie to escape life with him in a place she calls “Shep World.” He’s doting, insightful, and shows her the importance of living life now even if the timing seems wrong. One of my favorite things about Shep is his constant need to push her glasses up her nose on her face. That’s a swoon worthy action because it suggests his care of her. And Sophie doesn’t need care in a traditional female/male consideration. No. Shep partners with Sophie, loving her beyond measure and living to make her day lighter and brighter. Everyone who reads this story will want to live in Shep world because it’s a place where people are loved deeply and encouraged to be the best version of themselves.
“‘He’s the best guy at the worst time…’”
“I will never get enough of Sophie Ryan. My sun. Always the brightest star. Warm and comforting. I miss her when she’s not with me. And every day, she’s the first thought in my head, my sunrise.”
However, Shep’s magic only exists because Sophie is his soulmate. It’s clear from their meeting. Sophie has aspects of Ann’s other rom-com heroines: a bit quirky, disarming, independent, but focused on the wrong thing. She is accomplished, loves dogs (as does Shep), but her past experiences with men shade her sense of self. She internally berates herself for much of the book because she hasn’t chosen boyfriends well in the past. She thinks her heart is too big, and she is too compassionate that it makes her gullible. While she is sacrificial in her love for others, family, friends, boyfriends, the issue isn’t Sophie; it’s the people who have taken advantage of her. And that’s the part of Sophie that requires her to do some hard work to move past. But every moment Sophie and Shep are on the page together, it is pure Jewel E. Ann magic. Their banter, their chemistry, and their love catapult you through What Lovers Do. It’s the reason I couldn’t stop reading, blowing through my daily reading goals. Reading Shep and Sophie’s story is a salve to a soul ravaged by my out-of-control life and our world.
“This is the version of me that’s truly me. The woman who loves life, friendship, and laughter. I love to laugh. I don’t like taking life too seriously unless I’m forced to play that part. With Shep, I don’t have to play it.”
What Lovers Do is probably my favorite Jewel E. Ann rom-com. If you are looking for a romance that will truly allow you to escape, this is the book for you.
profromance's review against another edition
5.0
Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
“Just his hidden sunshine on a cloudy day. You’re good with being felt, but not always seen,” Shep says.
I nod.
He closes his eyes. “I feel you.”
Jewel E. Ann’s newest story, What Lovers Do, is disarmingly charming. It’s a surprise read in the sense that you find yourself lost in it. Before you know it, you’ve laughed, sighed, and lost a bit of your heart and soul to it. I proofread for Jewel’s stories. Usually, I determine the number of pages or chapters towards completion and break out a certain per day so I keep fresh eyes on it. What Lovers Do is the first book that I couldn’t step away from. Unlike her other stories, even her other “rom-coms,” you need to take a break because Jewel E. Ann loves to torture her readers with lert turns, curveballs, and angst-filled stories. It isn’t a conscious choice (or maybe I’m wrong); it’s simply the types of stories she weaves. But What Lovers Do is different. Yes, as is the case with any story, there is a moment when the hero, Shep, and the heroine, Sophie, are separated, even though you hate any moment on the page without the two of them. Yet, through that time, Ann uses the space to bring her protagonists to important epiphanies. Their time apart is necessary for the impact of their happy ending. And that’s the ultimate promise of Ann’s What Lovers Do: that her lovers live a happily-ever-after.
So what’s to love about this story? What makes it “disarmingly charming?”
In a word, Shep. Don’t come at me for starting with him instead of Sophie. Trust me. She has her appeal, and we’ll get to it because this story doesn’t steal your heart simply on Shep’s ministrations. But Shep allows Sophie to be the best version of herself because they are suited in ways that her former, “snake-like” boyfriends aren’t. Shep allows Sophie to escape life with him in a place she calls “Shep World.” He’s doting, insightful, and shows her the importance of living life now even if the timing seems wrong. One of my favorite things about Shep is his constant need to push her glasses up her nose on her face. That’s a swoon worthy action because it suggests his care of her. And Sophie doesn’t need care in a traditional female/male consideration. No. Shep partners with Sophie, loving her beyond measure and living to make her day lighter and brighter. Everyone who reads this story will want to live in Shep world because it’s a place where people are loved deeply and encouraged to be the best version of themselves.
“‘He’s the best guy at the worst time…’”
“I will never get enough of Sophie Ryan. My sun. Always the brightest star. Warm and comforting. I miss her when she’s not with me. And every day, she’s the first thought in my head, my sunrise.”
However, Shep’s magic only exists because Sophie is his soulmate. It’s clear from their meeting. Sophie has aspects of Ann’s other rom-com heroines: a bit quirky, disarming, independent, but focused on the wrong thing. She is accomplished, loves dogs (as does Shep), but her past experiences with men shade her sense of self. She internally berates herself for much of the book because she hasn’t chosen boyfriends well in the past. She thinks her heart is too big, and she is too compassionate that it makes her gullible. While she is sacrificial in her love for others, family, friends, boyfriends, the issue isn’t Sophie; it’s the people who have taken advantage of her. And that’s the part of Sophie that requires her to do some hard work to move past. But every moment Sophie and Shep are on the page together, it is pure Jewel E. Ann magic. Their banter, their chemistry, and their love catapult you through What Lovers Do. It’s the reason I couldn’t stop reading, blowing through my daily reading goals. Reading Shep and Sophie’s story is a salve to a soul ravaged by my out-of-control life and our world.
“This is the version of me that’s truly me. The woman who loves life, friendship, and laughter. I love to laugh. I don’t like taking life too seriously unless I’m forced to play that part. With Shep, I don’t have to play it.”
What Lovers Do is probably my favorite Jewel E. Ann rom-com. If you are looking for a romance that will truly allow you to escape, this is the book for you.
“Just his hidden sunshine on a cloudy day. You’re good with being felt, but not always seen,” Shep says.
I nod.
He closes his eyes. “I feel you.”
Jewel E. Ann’s newest story, What Lovers Do, is disarmingly charming. It’s a surprise read in the sense that you find yourself lost in it. Before you know it, you’ve laughed, sighed, and lost a bit of your heart and soul to it. I proofread for Jewel’s stories. Usually, I determine the number of pages or chapters towards completion and break out a certain per day so I keep fresh eyes on it. What Lovers Do is the first book that I couldn’t step away from. Unlike her other stories, even her other “rom-coms,” you need to take a break because Jewel E. Ann loves to torture her readers with lert turns, curveballs, and angst-filled stories. It isn’t a conscious choice (or maybe I’m wrong); it’s simply the types of stories she weaves. But What Lovers Do is different. Yes, as is the case with any story, there is a moment when the hero, Shep, and the heroine, Sophie, are separated, even though you hate any moment on the page without the two of them. Yet, through that time, Ann uses the space to bring her protagonists to important epiphanies. Their time apart is necessary for the impact of their happy ending. And that’s the ultimate promise of Ann’s What Lovers Do: that her lovers live a happily-ever-after.
So what’s to love about this story? What makes it “disarmingly charming?”
In a word, Shep. Don’t come at me for starting with him instead of Sophie. Trust me. She has her appeal, and we’ll get to it because this story doesn’t steal your heart simply on Shep’s ministrations. But Shep allows Sophie to be the best version of herself because they are suited in ways that her former, “snake-like” boyfriends aren’t. Shep allows Sophie to escape life with him in a place she calls “Shep World.” He’s doting, insightful, and shows her the importance of living life now even if the timing seems wrong. One of my favorite things about Shep is his constant need to push her glasses up her nose on her face. That’s a swoon worthy action because it suggests his care of her. And Sophie doesn’t need care in a traditional female/male consideration. No. Shep partners with Sophie, loving her beyond measure and living to make her day lighter and brighter. Everyone who reads this story will want to live in Shep world because it’s a place where people are loved deeply and encouraged to be the best version of themselves.
“‘He’s the best guy at the worst time…’”
“I will never get enough of Sophie Ryan. My sun. Always the brightest star. Warm and comforting. I miss her when she’s not with me. And every day, she’s the first thought in my head, my sunrise.”
However, Shep’s magic only exists because Sophie is his soulmate. It’s clear from their meeting. Sophie has aspects of Ann’s other rom-com heroines: a bit quirky, disarming, independent, but focused on the wrong thing. She is accomplished, loves dogs (as does Shep), but her past experiences with men shade her sense of self. She internally berates herself for much of the book because she hasn’t chosen boyfriends well in the past. She thinks her heart is too big, and she is too compassionate that it makes her gullible. While she is sacrificial in her love for others, family, friends, boyfriends, the issue isn’t Sophie; it’s the people who have taken advantage of her. And that’s the part of Sophie that requires her to do some hard work to move past. But every moment Sophie and Shep are on the page together, it is pure Jewel E. Ann magic. Their banter, their chemistry, and their love catapult you through What Lovers Do. It’s the reason I couldn’t stop reading, blowing through my daily reading goals. Reading Shep and Sophie’s story is a salve to a soul ravaged by my out-of-control life and our world.
“This is the version of me that’s truly me. The woman who loves life, friendship, and laughter. I love to laugh. I don’t like taking life too seriously unless I’m forced to play that part. With Shep, I don’t have to play it.”
What Lovers Do is probably my favorite Jewel E. Ann rom-com. If you are looking for a romance that will truly allow you to escape, this is the book for you.
codewoo10's review against another edition
4.0
almost dnf but kinda glad I did
This review contains spoilers.
I enjoy this author’s books immensely , but this on was a little hard. I really liked the male lead Shep. He was kind, sexy and sweet and I really loved when he removed Jimmy from Sophie’s house. Sophie was difficult to like because some of her actions were stupid! How did her ex who would not get out of her house have access to her credit card? That would never happen in my world! I understand that Sophie was a too nice doormat, but the things Jimmy was doing to her was taking it too far yo the point of not being funny. I enjoyed Sophie finally being honest with herself and Shep so the stupid cycle stopped. The couple got together and lived happily ever after.
This review contains spoilers.
I enjoy this author’s books immensely , but this on was a little hard. I really liked the male lead Shep. He was kind, sexy and sweet and I really loved when he removed Jimmy from Sophie’s house. Sophie was difficult to like because some of her actions were stupid! How did her ex who would not get out of her house have access to her credit card? That would never happen in my world! I understand that Sophie was a too nice doormat, but the things Jimmy was doing to her was taking it too far yo the point of not being funny. I enjoyed Sophie finally being honest with herself and Shep so the stupid cycle stopped. The couple got together and lived happily ever after.
nicandbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Friends shouldn’t have to play mind games like lovers do.
This rom-com by Jewel E Ann was just such a great read!! There were plenty of laughs, lots of heat, the angst was high but manageable and I fell hard for Sophie and Shep!! Such a great book that I could not put down!! Highly recommend!!
This rom-com by Jewel E Ann was just such a great read!! There were plenty of laughs, lots of heat, the angst was high but manageable and I fell hard for Sophie and Shep!! Such a great book that I could not put down!! Highly recommend!!