romancebookaffair's review against another edition
5.0
Hometown Troublemaker is a hot and steamy romance. Rory is newly divorced and trying to make a fresh start on her own with her girls. Nash is her sister's best friend and 8yrs her junior.
I loved watching Rory evolve and discover who she is and what she wants. All she needed was to find someone to support her in what she wants to do, not what she thinks she should do. And that's where Nash comes in, seeing the real Rory and helping her be that person. He has to be the most swoon worthy hero! He doesn't give up on Rory and their relationship even though Rory does.
There is depth to the characters and you see some of that with both Nash and Rory struggling with the shadow their fathers have cast on their lives.
I loved watching Rory evolve and discover who she is and what she wants. All she needed was to find someone to support her in what she wants to do, not what she thinks she should do. And that's where Nash comes in, seeing the real Rory and helping her be that person. He has to be the most swoon worthy hero! He doesn't give up on Rory and their relationship even though Rory does.
There is depth to the characters and you see some of that with both Nash and Rory struggling with the shadow their fathers have cast on their lives.
abicaro17's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Rory and Nash are an adorable couple and their age difference seems almost non existent unless mentioned. I think the only downside was Rorys downright refusal to talk to anyone in a real manor until the end. I understand how it happened but it was kinda annoying. Also she never resolved her shit with her husband and friend. Very cute and fun book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Grief, Classism, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Body shaming, Child abuse, and Alcohol
elle1991's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
swirlnswing's review
4.0
Brighton Walsh strikes again
Oh, Nash and Rory, you lovely things.
In this universe, Finn still holds my heart, but the growth that both characters showed was both subtle and relatable. Looking forward to the third installment here!
Oh, Nash and Rory, you lovely things.
In this universe, Finn still holds my heart, but the growth that both characters showed was both subtle and relatable. Looking forward to the third installment here!
thefox22's review
5.0
*eARC kindly provided by the author*
HOT DAMN! It feels like I’ve been waiting forever for a new book from her even though Second Chance Charmer was out last year, so I was stoked when she dropped it in my inbox like SURPRISE. I’m a lucky reader. *heart eyes* Anyway, Brighton’s always been a favorite of mine, but this one hit it out-of-the-park!
I honestly cannot remember how I felt about Rory in book one, when it was a younger Haven front and center. All I could remember was that she was a bit of a snob, super judgmental, and didn’t have the best relationship with her sisters. And tbh, some of that is still true. But I LOVE HER!!! I have mad respect and admiration for people who rebuild their lives after they’ve burned to ashes. After her husband cheated and she got divorced, Rory had to come to grips with A LOT of things, and her insecurity could get the best of her. But I loved seeing messy, confused, and I don’t give a fuck Rory. She spent so long shoving her dreams down and doing what everyone else expected of her, but she found her footing eventually, even if she stumbled along the way. And I could understand her determination to do everything herself, to be independent. But I also hated seeing how she beat herself up over things, how she stayed humble when she should’ve bragged about her accomplishments, damn it, and how she wouldn’t let people in and see who she really was. Because who she really is a damn good mother, sister, daughter, and friend, and she deserved to know that she was perfect just as she is.
But it’s okay, because Nash had zero problems telling her that often, and reminding her that she didn’t have to have it all together, that it was okay to break apart sometimes. He was there to catch her when she fell and needed a hand up, and he was so incredibly supportive of her. Fuck, this boy!! I love him so goddamned much. At first I wasn’t sure if he’d be another of those “I’m a lone wolf, I don’t need to be tied down to one woman, hooooooowl” heroes, but he proved me wrong. He fell head over heels for a woman eight years older, and he didn’t give a fuck about the age difference or about how badly he could get hurt. He just wanted her. He had to work through some things too, though. He grew up almost like an outsider, and it burrows into him, that sense of not-belonging, and the judgment people shoved onto his family name. Just because his dad is trash, it doesn’t mean he is!!! Nash needed to understand that he was good enough as he is, that he has done so well for himself and he should be so proud of what he’s accomplished. The family business boomed when he took over, and it’s all he’s ever wanted in life. Well, that, and Aurora Haven, the town princess.
They were SO GOOD together and omg this was hot. Nash has got a dirty, dirty mouth. I love it. But not only was the romance aspect delicious, but their relationship was just so solid. It was super fun and passionate. And Nash adored taking care of Rory, even when she insisted, no really, that she was fine and didn’t help, he wouldn’t force her or step into her space. He gave her room, but stayed at her side just in case. And Rory was a bright spot for him, the person he could trust to have his back and make him take needed breaks. I also loved that Nash got to know her kids, that they grew to care for him too. omg when he was teaching Ella how to fix the front porch, my heart just fucking MELTED. I’m not a big fan of kids in books (I’m just not a kid person), but somehow Brighton is the exception. I’ve loved her books with a mom MC the most out of them all!! Go figure! Of course, it was hard watching Rory almost self-sabotage their relationship, but Nash was right there telling her not to give up. And she didn’t, but she did need time to figure out who she was and what she wanted. Her ex really did a number on her, but Nash was patient and kind, and gah. *more heart eyes*
Another aspect I adored about this was the relationship between the Haven women. Rory was always at the top of the tier, and so she didn’t know her sisters well for most of her adult life. She didn’t really care to, and that was on her. But she’s growing as a person, and throughout the story, it shows that she’s put in time for Mac and Willow, and even Natalie, who just absolutely refuses to take her calls. The book had such a huge focus on what it means trying to keep up with friendships and relationships as an adult, on what it means having to put in the energy and time to cultivate them. And just how fucking complicated family is, and how sometimes, you’re still dealing with childhood trauma and insecurities. I still hate Mayor Haven, to be honest. I don’t care that he’s finally being called out for his shit, he’s a terrible person and he’s really screwed with his daughters’ heads and made them feel worthless time and time again. But their mom is trying, and their grandma is AWESOME, and Rory finally feels like she has people in her corner. People who will drop everything to make sure she is okay, and if she isn’t, to be there for the hard stuff and kick the asses of those who dare to hurt her.
While I don’t love big age differences like this, it totally worked for me. Because I loved this one! It was the perfect mix of angst and sweetness, and I adore the characters so much. Not just Nash and Rory, but all of them. And I can’t fucking wait for the next one! I need all of their books, but especially Mac’s, and Drew’s.
Rating: 4.5 Paw Prints!
HOT DAMN! It feels like I’ve been waiting forever for a new book from her even though Second Chance Charmer was out last year, so I was stoked when she dropped it in my inbox like SURPRISE. I’m a lucky reader. *heart eyes* Anyway, Brighton’s always been a favorite of mine, but this one hit it out-of-the-park!
I honestly cannot remember how I felt about Rory in book one, when it was a younger Haven front and center. All I could remember was that she was a bit of a snob, super judgmental, and didn’t have the best relationship with her sisters. And tbh, some of that is still true. But I LOVE HER!!! I have mad respect and admiration for people who rebuild their lives after they’ve burned to ashes. After her husband cheated and she got divorced, Rory had to come to grips with A LOT of things, and her insecurity could get the best of her. But I loved seeing messy, confused, and I don’t give a fuck Rory. She spent so long shoving her dreams down and doing what everyone else expected of her, but she found her footing eventually, even if she stumbled along the way. And I could understand her determination to do everything herself, to be independent. But I also hated seeing how she beat herself up over things, how she stayed humble when she should’ve bragged about her accomplishments, damn it, and how she wouldn’t let people in and see who she really was. Because who she really is a damn good mother, sister, daughter, and friend, and she deserved to know that she was perfect just as she is.
But it’s okay, because Nash had zero problems telling her that often, and reminding her that she didn’t have to have it all together, that it was okay to break apart sometimes. He was there to catch her when she fell and needed a hand up, and he was so incredibly supportive of her. Fuck, this boy!! I love him so goddamned much. At first I wasn’t sure if he’d be another of those “I’m a lone wolf, I don’t need to be tied down to one woman, hooooooowl” heroes, but he proved me wrong. He fell head over heels for a woman eight years older, and he didn’t give a fuck about the age difference or about how badly he could get hurt. He just wanted her. He had to work through some things too, though. He grew up almost like an outsider, and it burrows into him, that sense of not-belonging, and the judgment people shoved onto his family name. Just because his dad is trash, it doesn’t mean he is!!! Nash needed to understand that he was good enough as he is, that he has done so well for himself and he should be so proud of what he’s accomplished. The family business boomed when he took over, and it’s all he’s ever wanted in life. Well, that, and Aurora Haven, the town princess.
They were SO GOOD together and omg this was hot. Nash has got a dirty, dirty mouth. I love it. But not only was the romance aspect delicious, but their relationship was just so solid. It was super fun and passionate. And Nash adored taking care of Rory, even when she insisted, no really, that she was fine and didn’t help, he wouldn’t force her or step into her space. He gave her room, but stayed at her side just in case. And Rory was a bright spot for him, the person he could trust to have his back and make him take needed breaks. I also loved that Nash got to know her kids, that they grew to care for him too. omg when he was teaching Ella how to fix the front porch, my heart just fucking MELTED. I’m not a big fan of kids in books (I’m just not a kid person), but somehow Brighton is the exception. I’ve loved her books with a mom MC the most out of them all!! Go figure! Of course, it was hard watching Rory almost self-sabotage their relationship, but Nash was right there telling her not to give up. And she didn’t, but she did need time to figure out who she was and what she wanted. Her ex really did a number on her, but Nash was patient and kind, and gah. *more heart eyes*
Another aspect I adored about this was the relationship between the Haven women. Rory was always at the top of the tier, and so she didn’t know her sisters well for most of her adult life. She didn’t really care to, and that was on her. But she’s growing as a person, and throughout the story, it shows that she’s put in time for Mac and Willow, and even Natalie, who just absolutely refuses to take her calls. The book had such a huge focus on what it means trying to keep up with friendships and relationships as an adult, on what it means having to put in the energy and time to cultivate them. And just how fucking complicated family is, and how sometimes, you’re still dealing with childhood trauma and insecurities. I still hate Mayor Haven, to be honest. I don’t care that he’s finally being called out for his shit, he’s a terrible person and he’s really screwed with his daughters’ heads and made them feel worthless time and time again. But their mom is trying, and their grandma is AWESOME, and Rory finally feels like she has people in her corner. People who will drop everything to make sure she is okay, and if she isn’t, to be there for the hard stuff and kick the asses of those who dare to hurt her.
While I don’t love big age differences like this, it totally worked for me. Because I loved this one! It was the perfect mix of angst and sweetness, and I adore the characters so much. Not just Nash and Rory, but all of them. And I can’t fucking wait for the next one! I need all of their books, but especially Mac’s, and Drew’s.
Rating: 4.5 Paw Prints!
drache's review
Dnf @50%.. same old, same old. Maybe another time I'll pick it up again.
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