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chanelle_traseyy2's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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
4.5
lmrivas54's review
3.0
Liked, not loved. Sweet story about a widower with a precious little girl and a single mom with twins, boy and girl. Nathan Bell lost his wife two years ago to suicide. When it happened, he checked out and spent two years between booze and work. He neglected his little girl, leaving her bringing up to his parents. Until one day his father had enough and gave him a “come to Jesus” talk and left him in charge of his two year old daughter, who he didn’t know at all. So, the first impression I got was that Nathan had no balls and he was an irresponsible dude.
Next we have Jenna, who got pregnant at eighteen, had twins, and had to do it all alone, since the twin’s father checked out and resigned his parental rights. With a little help from her parents and brother, she studied, and is working as a paralegal. During the summer months, she works from home, so she can be there for her twins. Her kids, Olivia and Oliver, are eight y/o and totally adorable. They’re precocious and extroverted and very emotional.
One day Jenna took her kids to eat and happened to go to Nathan’s restaurant. There she sees this beautiful toddler wandering barefoot around the place and one of the servers, Tori, introduces them. Jenna fell in love with the little girl, her kids also liked her and when she learned about Nathan’s predicament, she immediately offered to babysit during the summer. Here I had an incredulity moment. Granted, this is a small town and everybody knows everybody else. Jenna knew about Nathan, two of her best girlfriends work as servers, and they are sorta related since Tori’s boyfriend is best friends with Jenna’s brother. But to immediately offer to babysit for the whole summer and at Nathan’s house? It was mind boggling for me, especially the salary that Nathan offered.
On with the story! As Nathan gets to know Jenna and her kids, he starts to like them and needs them to be happy. He feels centered when Jenna is with him, so he starts to depend on her. Likewise, the kids start to love him and his little girl and they love spending the day at his house, he has lots of space, beachfront terrain and a basketball court. Plus, he used to play football in high school and college and practices with Oliver, who wants to be a quarterback. This feels like a ready-made family, except that Nathan has issues and Jenna wants everything.
Now we get to the part where the story drones on and on. They get to a sticky part, then sort of drift a little apart, then they make up and get to another sticky point. It got to a moment where I was wondering if it would ever end. This is not one of those page turner stories where you’re expecting a flashy explosion and then a great make up finale. This was more of a wandering around story with little skirmishes and soul searching that leads to more talking about feelings and opening up and sharing.
I loved Jenna and all the kids, they were adorable. Jenna is a strong woman, faces all her troubles head on, and is generous to a fault. She’s always considerate of everyone’s feelings and sometimes puts hers on second place. In fact, she sometimes acted a little like a doormat with Nathan when I think he needed a swift kick in the butt. Nathan I saw as an emotional coward; every time he neared an emotional meltdown he closed down on himself and separated from everyone. He was very inconsiderate with Jenna, curt and distanced. He didn’t consider the hurt he was causing Jenna’s kids when he acted like a chump.
Eventually we get to our HEA, and there are some brilliant moments where the dialogue is witty, the kids are hilarious, Nathan gets his moment of triumph where he finally grew emotionally and all was well with the world. It was long and heartfelt but I still felt like Nathan is a wimp. It took an ear pull from his father both times to get him cracking. I can’t imagine how he would act in future crisis, and can only hope he gets good counseling. Jenna I like and would love to have a Jenna as a friend!
Next we have Jenna, who got pregnant at eighteen, had twins, and had to do it all alone, since the twin’s father checked out and resigned his parental rights. With a little help from her parents and brother, she studied, and is working as a paralegal. During the summer months, she works from home, so she can be there for her twins. Her kids, Olivia and Oliver, are eight y/o and totally adorable. They’re precocious and extroverted and very emotional.
One day Jenna took her kids to eat and happened to go to Nathan’s restaurant. There she sees this beautiful toddler wandering barefoot around the place and one of the servers, Tori, introduces them. Jenna fell in love with the little girl, her kids also liked her and when she learned about Nathan’s predicament, she immediately offered to babysit during the summer. Here I had an incredulity moment. Granted, this is a small town and everybody knows everybody else. Jenna knew about Nathan, two of her best girlfriends work as servers, and they are sorta related since Tori’s boyfriend is best friends with Jenna’s brother. But to immediately offer to babysit for the whole summer and at Nathan’s house? It was mind boggling for me, especially the salary that Nathan offered.
On with the story! As Nathan gets to know Jenna and her kids, he starts to like them and needs them to be happy. He feels centered when Jenna is with him, so he starts to depend on her. Likewise, the kids start to love him and his little girl and they love spending the day at his house, he has lots of space, beachfront terrain and a basketball court. Plus, he used to play football in high school and college and practices with Oliver, who wants to be a quarterback. This feels like a ready-made family, except that Nathan has issues and Jenna wants everything.
Now we get to the part where the story drones on and on. They get to a sticky part, then sort of drift a little apart, then they make up and get to another sticky point. It got to a moment where I was wondering if it would ever end. This is not one of those page turner stories where you’re expecting a flashy explosion and then a great make up finale. This was more of a wandering around story with little skirmishes and soul searching that leads to more talking about feelings and opening up and sharing.
I loved Jenna and all the kids, they were adorable. Jenna is a strong woman, faces all her troubles head on, and is generous to a fault. She’s always considerate of everyone’s feelings and sometimes puts hers on second place. In fact, she sometimes acted a little like a doormat with Nathan when I think he needed a swift kick in the butt. Nathan I saw as an emotional coward; every time he neared an emotional meltdown he closed down on himself and separated from everyone. He was very inconsiderate with Jenna, curt and distanced. He didn’t consider the hurt he was causing Jenna’s kids when he acted like a chump.
Eventually we get to our HEA, and there are some brilliant moments where the dialogue is witty, the kids are hilarious, Nathan gets his moment of triumph where he finally grew emotionally and all was well with the world. It was long and heartfelt but I still felt like Nathan is a wimp. It took an ear pull from his father both times to get him cracking. I can’t imagine how he would act in future crisis, and can only hope he gets good counseling. Jenna I like and would love to have a Jenna as a friend!
bookbae96's review
5.0
Oh, my gosh, I freaking loved this book! I forget sometimes how J. Daniels absolutely sucks me right the heck in with her books, and, man, I was ALL in for Jenna's and Nathan's story. I mean, everything, just EVERYTHING, about this book. I see a book hangover in my future...
It's hard not to sound repetitive, but, man, I am SO in love with Nathan Bell. My heart just hurt for this man that was so mired in his own grief that he had never been able to look beyond it to connect with his daughter, Marley. When Jenna Savage shows up, she is just the lifeline he's been missing. Jenna hasn't had it particularly easy herself, but the circle that she casts is pure light, and Marley and Nathan can't help but be drawn into it. It's not long before these two are changing each other in all the best ways.
J. Daniels always writes the perfect mix of angst, steam, and pure unadulterated love, and DOWN TOO DEEP showcases this very well. I was drawn into the story, into the family and friend circle, into the intensity, from the very start, and I did not want to stop reading until the very end. This is what makes a book a 5 star read for me, and DOWN TOO DEEP is not only that, but one of my favorite books of this year.
Nate, Jenna, and their beautiful family will stay with me for a very long time, and I can't wait to go back and catch up with the earlier books. DOWN TOO DEEP is one for the TBR, reader friends, and I guarantee, it will not disappoint. Make sure to get this one, and enjoy. ❤️
taniamg's review
4.0
Get the tissues ready. Nathan and Jenna will have you feeling all the feels in this emotional single parents romance. They connected thru their kids after Jenna started helping him with his toddler. Her twins were amazing so was Nathan’s daughter. The kids played a big role in this story and it was beautifully incorporated. They both went thru things and while Jenna was coming out on top Nathan still had lots of baggage to overcome. This was beautifully written and I loved how everything played out and how Jenna and the kids helped Nathan with his emotions.
booknerd_1107's review against another edition
5.0
Down to Deep
**received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Just when I think that J. Daniels can’t get any better, she does. Down to Deep had me hooked from the start and I couldn’t help but get caught up in the budding romance between the surly but lovable Nathan and the sweet but determined Jenna. They both become vulnerable again with one another and will have to face things that are tough, but together they can make it through. I love that they are a blended family that has had there own set of issues but will fight for what they want. Jenna and her twins help Nathan come out of his shell and live again. They also help him see his daughter as the beautiful gift she is and not just a painful reminder of what he lost. Nathan and his daughter help Jenna see that you can have a second chance on love and the happily ever after.
**received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Just when I think that J. Daniels can’t get any better, she does. Down to Deep had me hooked from the start and I couldn’t help but get caught up in the budding romance between the surly but lovable Nathan and the sweet but determined Jenna. They both become vulnerable again with one another and will have to face things that are tough, but together they can make it through. I love that they are a blended family that has had there own set of issues but will fight for what they want. Jenna and her twins help Nathan come out of his shell and live again. They also help him see his daughter as the beautiful gift she is and not just a painful reminder of what he lost. Nathan and his daughter help Jenna see that you can have a second chance on love and the happily ever after.
lotusross's review against another edition
5.0
“I wanted to be the first person she thought of at any given moment, because she was quickly becoming mine. I wanted to know her better than anyone else, and I wanted people aware of it—everyone. I wanted it recognized that I had that privilege and they didn’t.”
Easily THE best book in this series and my favorite no doubts and no hesitation! I loved Jenna and Nathan so much, and I loved their children and their relationship with them! I loved how naturally their literally family formed! I was hesitating between a 4 stars and a 5 but there was genuinely not a single thing about this book I didn't love, I almost pulled an all nighter just to finish it and had it not been for me having to wake up at the butt-crack of dawn, I would've, and I haven't felt this way about a book in a long time. Jenna, Nathan and their kids did THAT, they deserve all the 5 stars, I'm obsessed!
bookmaniacforever's review against another edition
5.0
⭐️ 5+ Stars ⭐️
Since Down Too Down was announced, I’d been dying to get my hands on this story! When I received the news that I got an ARC, I was overjoyed! There’s something so magical about J. Daniels’s books and Down Too Deep is another one of those little gems! As much as I treasured the previous novels in the Dirty Deeds Series, this one is without a doubt my new favorite! This story is charged with all the feels and I had a constant smile on my face throughout my read from the beauty of it! Days after, I just can’t stop thinking about Nathan, Jenna and the kids!
Jenna is such a beautiful and good person! She’s an amazing mom for her twins, Olivia and Oliver! She’s been raising them alone for eight years truly enjoying being a mother, but there’s something missing in her life: romantic love! She’s really caring and when she sees Nathan struggling with his work versus father duties, she jumps to save the day by offering to babysit little Marley! She soon grows attached to that sweet girl and her daddy.
Nate had me swooning and completely charmed by his personality! But I also shed some tears for this grieving man! The tragic loss of his wife two years earlier damaged him and his almost non-existent relationship with his daughter touched me deeply! Nate wants to know Marley, but his sorrow made him withdraw from her for her first two years of life and he doesn’t know how to break this distance. I loved how Jenna helps him develop a beautiful connection with his daughter!
The twins, Olivia and Oliver also bring another dimension to this story! They’re amazing children and effortlessly grow an attachment to Nate that is mutual! Their relationship is adorable and made me so happy for them.
Jenna and Nathan have an undisputable magnetism that is pure perfection! I enjoyed how they build a stunning friendship that smoothly blossoms into love! Seriously, the tension between those two from all the sexual frustration had me breathless. The flirty and playful discussions between them are everything! Their relationship is mostly sweet and gorgeous, but when they finally unveil their feelings and desire they’re scorching hot and it’s also emotional! This couple left me covered in goosebumps with my heart beating so fast in my chest! All their scenes together are remarkable !
Down Too Deep is a must read that put me in a bubble of bliss for this couple and the kids! I enjoyed seeing the gang of Dogwood Beach, even if I would have liked to see them a little more! J. Daniels enraptured me with this lovely romance bursting with emotion that got to me profoundly! This is without a doubt a top read for me in 2019!!!!
** ARC received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review **
megankyle's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75