readlexread's review against another edition
It’s been a minute since I’ve read Black romance from Harlequin! This was super cute and made me laugh and smile. I love a good “meet-cute.” It was also a great set up for this new Valentine family series by Reese Ryan. I’d definitely read about the other Valentine siblings.
Something felt missing but I was also sleepy when I read it so that could have been it! I saw some folks note that it’s not really a holiday romance because the bulk of the plot takes place in the fall and ends at Christmas, so it’s more holiday themed but that honestly didn’t bother me much since I read it in January.
Something felt missing but I was also sleepy when I read it so that could have been it! I saw some folks note that it’s not really a holiday romance because the bulk of the plot takes place in the fall and ends at Christmas, so it’s more holiday themed but that honestly didn’t bother me much since I read it in January.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident
domid73's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to HARLEQUIN - Romance and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. Reese Ryan has a way of making her characters relatable and that is such a good thing. This was my first time reading one of her books and I can say I love foreword to reading more.
What I didn’t like
I did not like that the whole Chandra mother story but I do understand how it molded her into the woman she was.
What I loved
I loved Julian all together. From the first meeting of him and Chandra you got a sense of him being a loving character.
I loved that this was an age gap romance where then woman was older. It is very rare that you can read about the older woman with a younger man.
I am hoping for a story about Naya. Her character was funny.
I really enjoyed this book. Reese Ryan has a way of making her characters relatable and that is such a good thing. This was my first time reading one of her books and I can say I love foreword to reading more.
What I didn’t like
I did not like that the whole Chandra mother story but I do understand how it molded her into the woman she was.
What I loved
I loved Julian all together. From the first meeting of him and Chandra you got a sense of him being a loving character.
I loved that this was an age gap romance where then woman was older. It is very rare that you can read about the older woman with a younger man.
I am hoping for a story about Naya. Her character was funny.
hammock_and_read's review against another edition
4.0
This is just super cute and loooove it’s an older women age gap romance
domid73's review
4.0
Thank you to HARLEQUIN - Romance and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. Reese Ryan has a way of making her characters relatable and that is such a good thing. This was my first time reading one of her books and I can say I love foreword to reading more.
What I didn’t like
I did not like that the whole Chandra mother story but I do understand how it molded her into the woman she was.
What I loved
I loved Julian all together. From the first meeting of him and Chandra you got a sense of him being a loving character.
I loved that this was an age gap romance where then woman was older. It is very rare that you can read about the older woman with a younger man.
I am hoping for a story about Naya. Her character was funny.
I really enjoyed this book. Reese Ryan has a way of making her characters relatable and that is such a good thing. This was my first time reading one of her books and I can say I love foreword to reading more.
What I didn’t like
I did not like that the whole Chandra mother story but I do understand how it molded her into the woman she was.
What I loved
I loved Julian all together. From the first meeting of him and Chandra you got a sense of him being a loving character.
I loved that this was an age gap romance where then woman was older. It is very rare that you can read about the older woman with a younger man.
I am hoping for a story about Naya. Her character was funny.
readingwithtrey's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
When Chandra and Julian lock eyes in the airport, it's instant attraction for them both. After a few more chance encounters, it seems like fate has a different idea for why they both ended up in Magnolia Lake.
I'm always a little skeptical of whirlwind romance stories. When they aren't done well, the relationship can end up seeming forced. But Reese Ryan did the romance incredibly well here. I'm a hardcore believer in "when you know you know," and I think that message was clear in this novel. Julian and Chandra just clicked from the beginning and though quick, their relationship seemed genuine and real. Double POV romances are my all time favorite, and I will likely always recommend them. It really makes for a well-crafted story when you can see the feelings and love build from both sides. You just can't go wrong with double POV. There was also just the perfect amount of spice. I really appreciate when the spice isn't overdone.
I absolutely could not get enough of the Valentine siblings. Their relationship reminded me of the relationship I have with my siblings and cousins, and I couldn't help but smile during those scenes.
What I didn't really love:
I was looking for more of the holiday magic. I did appreciate that it wasn't overly Christmas-y as that makes it a book that's easy to read outside of the holiday season. But I was looking for more of the Christmas magic.
The age thing was a bit odd for me. While 30 and 39 is a gap, I don't think it was big enough for some of the comments made in the book. At one point Chandra mumbles that she was practically old enough to be Julian's mom. But the math on that is a bit cringe-y.
Overall, this was a great romance. This is my first Reese Ryan book, and I will be adding her other books to my tbr.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Desire for the opportunity to read and review this book!
I'm always a little skeptical of whirlwind romance stories. When they aren't done well, the relationship can end up seeming forced. But Reese Ryan did the romance incredibly well here. I'm a hardcore believer in "when you know you know," and I think that message was clear in this novel. Julian and Chandra just clicked from the beginning and though quick, their relationship seemed genuine and real. Double POV romances are my all time favorite, and I will likely always recommend them. It really makes for a well-crafted story when you can see the feelings and love build from both sides. You just can't go wrong with double POV. There was also just the perfect amount of spice. I really appreciate when the spice isn't overdone.
I absolutely could not get enough of the Valentine siblings. Their relationship reminded me of the relationship I have with my siblings and cousins, and I couldn't help but smile during those scenes.
What I didn't really love:
I was looking for more of the holiday magic. I did appreciate that it wasn't overly Christmas-y as that makes it a book that's easy to read outside of the holiday season. But I was looking for more of the Christmas magic.
The age thing was a bit odd for me. While 30 and 39 is a gap, I don't think it was big enough for some of the comments made in the book. At one point Chandra mumbles that she was practically old enough to be Julian's mom. But the math on that is a bit cringe-y.
Overall, this was a great romance. This is my first Reese Ryan book, and I will be adding her other books to my tbr.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Desire for the opportunity to read and review this book!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
bookswithdawn's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Chandra is traveling to Magnolia Lake to meet with her siblings and father, whom she hasn't seen in a while. Because the journey was unexpected, she is especially worried about her father. She becomes even more anxious when the passengers suffer some turbulence. Julian, her seatmate and the man that caught her eye with in the airport, suggests she listen to his Zen music when he notices she is frightened. She is calmed by Julian's demeanor for the remainder of the flight, and they connect right away.
Chandra then runs into an animal and has a mishap while traveling to her relatives. The person that comes to rescue is no one other that the sexy doctor from the plane.
This starts a beautiful love story between her and the small town’s doctor.
I was quite impressed with Chandra's goal-oriented attitude as well as her loving and caring demeanor. She was determined that the job she had chosen outside the family company would be a success. She therefore didn't currently see herself in a romantic relationship. She had already recovered from the pain of her last breakup, so she had no intention of being involved with Julian. But as she spent time with Julian and got to know him, the more she yearned for him.
Julian is the ideal partner. A knight in shining armor. Because of a deal he made, he had a reason for returning to his hometown of Magnolia Lake. Over the years, he stopped returning home to celebrate the holidays with his mother because he, too, had grown distant from his family.
I liked how he had a soothing presence and always knew how to make Chandra feel better. His behavior revealed how much he came to love her. I adored Chandra and Julian's communication throughout the novel. Julian was there to comfort and soothe Chandra whenever she expressed her worries and problems.
This book had a great balance between the romance, family elements and self growth. Overall really enjoyed this.
I was sent an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Chandra then runs into an animal and has a mishap while traveling to her relatives. The person that comes to rescue is no one other that the sexy doctor from the plane.
This starts a beautiful love story between her and the small town’s doctor.
I was quite impressed with Chandra's goal-oriented attitude as well as her loving and caring demeanor. She was determined that the job she had chosen outside the family company would be a success. She therefore didn't currently see herself in a romantic relationship. She had already recovered from the pain of her last breakup, so she had no intention of being involved with Julian. But as she spent time with Julian and got to know him, the more she yearned for him.
Julian is the ideal partner. A knight in shining armor. Because of a deal he made, he had a reason for returning to his hometown of Magnolia Lake. Over the years, he stopped returning home to celebrate the holidays with his mother because he, too, had grown distant from his family.
I liked how he had a soothing presence and always knew how to make Chandra feel better. His behavior revealed how much he came to love her. I adored Chandra and Julian's communication throughout the novel. Julian was there to comfort and soothe Chandra whenever she expressed her worries and problems.
This book had a great balance between the romance, family elements and self growth. Overall really enjoyed this.
I was sent an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Abandonment, and Death of parent
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