lindaunconventionalbookworms's review
5.0
*I received a free copy of Waylaid. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review which is honest and unbiased.*
Waylaid is a very emotional story - as per usual with Ms Bowen's books. Rickie and Daphne had met in the past, but Rickie just didn't remember that at all. When they met again, there's an instant attraction that Daphne does her best to resist.
Because of a horrific year at uni, and an ex who is as unpleasant as possible, Daphne is trying her best to stay away from Rickie, even if the chemistry between them is hotter than any I have seen for a very long time.
The Shipley family was as lovely as always, and it was so nice to visit with them again and see all their friendly interactions. I especially enjoyed seeing how they all rallied behind Daphne when things got heated for her, and she finally asked for their help!
The romance between Daphne and Rickie was so very sweet, I loved them together. Even when Rickie was struggling with his past and his memories, he was so very good to Daphne. There are so many quotes I could share that made me swoon, but I really don't want to spoil anything. Just - if you love romance, you should pick up this book on release day.
Waylaid is a very emotional story - as per usual with Ms Bowen's books. Rickie and Daphne had met in the past, but Rickie just didn't remember that at all. When they met again, there's an instant attraction that Daphne does her best to resist.
Because of a horrific year at uni, and an ex who is as unpleasant as possible, Daphne is trying her best to stay away from Rickie, even if the chemistry between them is hotter than any I have seen for a very long time.
The Shipley family was as lovely as always, and it was so nice to visit with them again and see all their friendly interactions. I especially enjoyed seeing how they all rallied behind Daphne when things got heated for her, and she finally asked for their help!
The romance between Daphne and Rickie was so very sweet, I loved them together. Even when Rickie was struggling with his past and his memories, he was so very good to Daphne. There are so many quotes I could share that made me swoon, but I really don't want to spoil anything. Just - if you love romance, you should pick up this book on release day.
kfriend's review
5.0
I’m not super well versed in the True North series (or Heartland, the book where others met Rickie), but I’ve loved the Sarina Bowen books I’ve read, and I’m a sucker for bad boy-good girl story lines, so I dove right in- and I just adored it.
Waylaid had all that I’ve loved about other Sarina Bowen stories- it’s got depth, a real emotional complexity, while also being highly consumptive and deliciously sexy. And, the story was just so well written- told with ease and charisma. This is the kind of romance I like to sink my teeth into.
Rickie so YUMMY as our leading man- and full of so many layers and nuances. The quintessential flirty popular “bad boy”- but also a man struggling with an unusual challenge that has made him lose a sense of himself. He grew to be so swoony- and I loved how committed and sweet he was in his pursuit of Daphne, even if he didn’t understand at first just why she was so cold and resistant. Daphne may have been harder to love at first and was stubborn in her denial of swoony Rickie, but she won me over completely. She’s that type-A prickly stand-offish good girl, but once we understand just why she acts the way she does, we see the beauty of her heart. Their connection is delicious and so well constructed- and I loved how they found a path to vulnerability and honesty.
They are just adorably matched- despite their conflicts and on the surface differences. We have a flirty and sexy romance, but one with such a meaningful emotional underpinning. This romance is as tender and meaningful as it is fun and sexy, a romance charming and sincere. Great chemistry, fun flirty banter, that opposites attract good girl/bad boy charm, lovable side characters, and just the right amount of romantic tension. What a delightful escape!
Waylaid had all that I’ve loved about other Sarina Bowen stories- it’s got depth, a real emotional complexity, while also being highly consumptive and deliciously sexy. And, the story was just so well written- told with ease and charisma. This is the kind of romance I like to sink my teeth into.
Rickie so YUMMY as our leading man- and full of so many layers and nuances. The quintessential flirty popular “bad boy”- but also a man struggling with an unusual challenge that has made him lose a sense of himself. He grew to be so swoony- and I loved how committed and sweet he was in his pursuit of Daphne, even if he didn’t understand at first just why she was so cold and resistant. Daphne may have been harder to love at first and was stubborn in her denial of swoony Rickie, but she won me over completely. She’s that type-A prickly stand-offish good girl, but once we understand just why she acts the way she does, we see the beauty of her heart. Their connection is delicious and so well constructed- and I loved how they found a path to vulnerability and honesty.
They are just adorably matched- despite their conflicts and on the surface differences. We have a flirty and sexy romance, but one with such a meaningful emotional underpinning. This romance is as tender and meaningful as it is fun and sexy, a romance charming and sincere. Great chemistry, fun flirty banter, that opposites attract good girl/bad boy charm, lovable side characters, and just the right amount of romantic tension. What a delightful escape!
litloulou's review
3.0
Accidently, read this before Heartland but it has been too long since I read the earlier ones so I forget who is who. It kinda mattered... But it was fine. 3.5
I liked the beginning of this and it got slow after that IMO. The conflict resolution was honestly a bit dull for me. But all in all Sarina Bowen does no wrong
I liked the beginning of this and it got slow after that IMO. The conflict resolution was honestly a bit dull for me. But all in all Sarina Bowen does no wrong
duntax's review
5.0
I really loved this story. Daphne and Rickie where 2 opposites and I really liked them.
Sarina perfectly worked out this story and Rickies amnesia. I loved how the therapist was in there and how Sarina showed how the amnesia wirks. It all felt so real and was perfectly told.
Daphne really came to life. I worried a bit because I didn't have a bond with her from the other books which I did have with the other Shipleys.
The storyline is really good too and it's just a perfect addition to True North.
Which is a lot of perfects haha.
Sarina perfectly worked out this story and Rickies amnesia. I loved how the therapist was in there and how Sarina showed how the amnesia wirks. It all felt so real and was perfectly told.
Daphne really came to life. I worried a bit because I didn't have a bond with her from the other books which I did have with the other Shipleys.
The storyline is really good too and it's just a perfect addition to True North.
Which is a lot of perfects haha.
michellesantiago's review
4.0
I've been following the Shipley siblings, their relatives, and their friends since Bittersweet (book 1). I am so happy that we finally got Daphne's book, the youngest Shipley sibling and Dylan's twin. She's been in the periphery in most of the books in the True North series, and it was great getting to know her in Waylaid. Daphne's hero is Rickie, who we met in Dylan's book, Heartland. He was a fun flirt and had Dylan's back. He owns the house Dylan was living in while in school, and I was curious how a college-age guy was able to own property and was renting out rooms for so cheap. If you're like me, you'll get your answers in Waylaid.
Waylaid has a really interesting premise: a friends-to-lovers amnesia romance. I do like a good amnesia romance in my historical romances, but I hardly come across this trop in a contemporary romance. I'm not going to say more because the official synopsis doesn't really reveal much, but Sarina Bowen really did a good job making a believable story with this trope.
I really enjoyed both Daphne and Rickie's characters. They were both going through a lot, especially Rickie, who couldn't remember a year of his life and was experiencing some sort of PTSD. As for Daphne, she had to transfer from a top tier university to a state school during her senior year of college for reasons, and it's killing her because she thinks everything that happened was all her fault. Both Daphne and Rickie are spending the summer at the Shipley farms (we get some really fun and hilarious farm scenes that I just ate up!), which is unfortunate for Daphne because she's trying to avoid Rickie, who she really felt a connection with the first time they met, but he stood her up after he invited her out. Daphne and Rickie's chemistry was hot, and I really liked how their relationship developed from friends to becoming a romantic couple.
If you're a fan of the Shipley family, we see a lot of them in Waylaid. I love seeing Grandpa Shipley and Mrs. Shipley thriving, and we also get a Thursday night dinner scene, which I loved! I hope this isn't the last we'll see of the Shipleys because I love this family so much. Oh, and Violet Trevi made a cameo! Will she get her own book?! Here's hoping!
I guess my only complaint is that I wish we got a more of a permanent ending for that guy who was the reason for Daphne transferring to a different school. He's a scary guy who seemed above the law and he was NOT rational. I feel like he may cause trouble in the future--I feel like after everything that went down in the end, he's plotting his revenge. That entire situation with him in the end felt more like a "happy for now" and it's open enough that maybe he'll pop up in a future story and he'll get his just deserts.
Waylaid was a fantastic addition to the True North series! It was highly entertaining, with likable characters and a readable plot. You don't even have to read the other books in the series because Waylaid can standalone, but since a lot of characters from previous books do make an appearance and if you want context, then yes, read the series and make your way to Daphne and Rickie. The entire series is excellent so you won't regret it (just fyi, my favorite book in the series is book 2, Steadfast) Four out of five stars, would recommend you pick up Waylaid.
Waylaid has a really interesting premise: a friends-to-lovers amnesia romance. I do like a good amnesia romance in my historical romances, but I hardly come across this trop in a contemporary romance. I'm not going to say more because the official synopsis doesn't really reveal much, but Sarina Bowen really did a good job making a believable story with this trope.
I really enjoyed both Daphne and Rickie's characters. They were both going through a lot, especially Rickie, who couldn't remember a year of his life and was experiencing some sort of PTSD. As for Daphne, she had to transfer from a top tier university to a state school during her senior year of college for reasons, and it's killing her because she thinks everything that happened was all her fault. Both Daphne and Rickie are spending the summer at the Shipley farms (we get some really fun and hilarious farm scenes that I just ate up!), which is unfortunate for Daphne because she's trying to avoid Rickie, who she really felt a connection with the first time they met, but he stood her up after he invited her out. Daphne and Rickie's chemistry was hot, and I really liked how their relationship developed from friends to becoming a romantic couple.
If you're a fan of the Shipley family, we see a lot of them in Waylaid. I love seeing Grandpa Shipley and Mrs. Shipley thriving, and we also get a Thursday night dinner scene, which I loved! I hope this isn't the last we'll see of the Shipleys because I love this family so much. Oh, and Violet Trevi made a cameo! Will she get her own book?! Here's hoping!
I guess my only complaint is that I wish we got a more of a permanent ending for that guy who was the reason for Daphne transferring to a different school. He's a scary guy who seemed above the law and he was NOT rational. I feel like he may cause trouble in the future--I feel like after everything that went down in the end, he's plotting his revenge. That entire situation with him in the end felt more like a "happy for now" and it's open enough that maybe he'll pop up in a future story and he'll get his just deserts.
Waylaid was a fantastic addition to the True North series! It was highly entertaining, with likable characters and a readable plot. You don't even have to read the other books in the series because Waylaid can standalone, but since a lot of characters from previous books do make an appearance and if you want context, then yes, read the series and make your way to Daphne and Rickie. The entire series is excellent so you won't regret it (just fyi, my favorite book in the series is book 2, Steadfast) Four out of five stars, would recommend you pick up Waylaid.
excel_spreadsheet_book_nerd's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
danniellereads's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
iggyebab's review
4.0
Man I love the Shipley’s so much. Rick’s story was fascinating and had more depth than I expected. Great to see the whole family and see what Daphne would do.