bananatricky's review against another edition
3.0
Twelve years ago Arabella D'Angelo got pregnant at eighteen and lost the baby. Living in a small town no one ever truly lets her forget that she was that girl in high school, even though she is now a respected psychologist with her own business. When her childhood sweetheart, and the father of twelve years ago, Roman Spikonos returns to town after the death of his grandparents, determined to run their apple farm all the old feelings emerge.
This, apparently, is a cross-over novel between a series set in Mirror Lake and a new series featuring the Spikonos brothers. As a consequence I felt there was a lot of baggage/ scene building about plots past and future. For example, Roman is one of five brothers who were separated and put into foster care. One of his brothers is a famous musician and another is a Wall Street wunderkind.
I liked this but I didn't love it, perhaps because I hadn't read the preceding books in the Mirror Lake series. I'm not a fan of angry Italian fathers laying down the law or grown, professional women (a psychiatrist no less) who behave like 16 year olds and can't move on from the events of 12 years ago. Also what kind of psychiatrist allows her group to dictate their own sessions and allows a friend to believe that he has a chance with her when he clearly doesn't.
I think I might prefer the other books in either series and I will certainly keep my eye out for them.
Verdict? If you like second chances, over-bearing Italian papas and small towns where everyone knows your business this is the one for you. Reminds me a bit of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This, apparently, is a cross-over novel between a series set in Mirror Lake and a new series featuring the Spikonos brothers. As a consequence I felt there was a lot of baggage/ scene building about plots past and future. For example, Roman is one of five brothers who were separated and put into foster care. One of his brothers is a famous musician and another is a Wall Street wunderkind.
I liked this but I didn't love it, perhaps because I hadn't read the preceding books in the Mirror Lake series. I'm not a fan of angry Italian fathers laying down the law or grown, professional women (a psychiatrist no less) who behave like 16 year olds and can't move on from the events of 12 years ago. Also what kind of psychiatrist allows her group to dictate their own sessions and allows a friend to believe that he has a chance with her when he clearly doesn't.
I think I might prefer the other books in either series and I will certainly keep my eye out for them.
Verdict? If you like second chances, over-bearing Italian papas and small towns where everyone knows your business this is the one for you. Reminds me a bit of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
swancreates's review against another edition
2.0
What is this book? This was a book with a lot of nothing going on. The main conflict wasn't even that much of a conflict and the only thing that was in the way was Bella. Bella is one of the most un-likeable main characters I have ever read since she seemed to bring the men in her life misery.
I can forgive her lying to Roman when they were teenagers, but as adults, there wasn't really any real reason for them to be apart, it just didn't make sense. She made all the rules and the Ethan and Roman followed said rules, and then she gets mad at them for following said rules, like WTF Bella.
The flashback was also unnecessary since it did not add substance to the story. It was practically telling us the information we already knew and it just felt like a way for the author to extend the story more.
With that said, even with the poor story choices, the writing style of the author was very good. I kept reading the book even though absolutely nothing was happening all because the writing style was solid.
I also think that this book would have benefitted be a YA instead of an adult romance since the main characters acted like teenagers more than adults and it was really weird that the main reason they couldn't be together was because of her dad, even though I understand Italian family dynamics, it still felt wrong that the main conflict is a parent's disapproval.
I can forgive her lying to Roman when they were teenagers, but as adults, there wasn't really any real reason for them to be apart, it just didn't make sense. She made all the rules and the Ethan and Roman followed said rules, and then she gets mad at them for following said rules, like WTF Bella.
The flashback was also unnecessary since it did not add substance to the story. It was practically telling us the information we already knew and it just felt like a way for the author to extend the story more.
With that said, even with the poor story choices, the writing style of the author was very good. I kept reading the book even though absolutely nothing was happening all because the writing style was solid.
I also think that this book would have benefitted be a YA instead of an adult romance since the main characters acted like teenagers more than adults and it was really weird that the main reason they couldn't be together was because of her dad, even though I understand Italian family dynamics, it still felt wrong that the main conflict is a parent's disapproval.
ki4eva's review
5.0
I received this e-book free through Goodreads First Reads.
Such a good second chance story. I loved Roman and the group therapy meetings. It was interesting how the story jumped from the present to the past to help explain the story. It would be interesting to read more about the people in this town.
Such a good second chance story. I loved Roman and the group therapy meetings. It was interesting how the story jumped from the present to the past to help explain the story. It would be interesting to read more about the people in this town.
constantine2020's review
2.0
Rating: 2.0/5.0
Romance novels might not be my favorite genre but I cannot deny that I loved many that I read in the past for all the different reasons. However, this is not the case with this novel. The story is basically about Roman and Bella who had a relationship in the past when they were high school students, They split and now it is their second chance when they are in their 30s.
I might be very critical in this review but I have to give my honest unbiased opinion. I thought the story was one dimension all the time. The secondary characters were not given any slight depth. The two main characters annoyed me a lot. I felt they are not human. They had no worries and no other feelings to their surroundings besides their feeling to each other. All what Bella was feeling was Roman Roman Roman and all what Roman was thinking about was Bella Bella Bella! I mean, there was nothing else going on except how they felt about each other all the time. This is not how people are. We fall in love but we always have other things to keep us busy and other troubles that we face.
For example Bella is a psychatist but hardly this job even interfered in her life. It would have given the story more depth if Bella had some patients and some concerns. Again the story says that Bella was looking after her little brother Joey but hardly there is anything about Joey or his relationship with Bella.
As I said the book has lots of problems, all the characters lack depth to them and I cannot recommend this book to anybody except to Romance novel lovers who like the sub genre of second chances.
Note: I have won a free copy of this book by participating in a giveaway
Romance novels might not be my favorite genre but I cannot deny that I loved many that I read in the past for all the different reasons. However, this is not the case with this novel. The story is basically about Roman and Bella who had a relationship in the past when they were high school students, They split and now it is their second chance when they are in their 30s.
I might be very critical in this review but I have to give my honest unbiased opinion. I thought the story was one dimension all the time. The secondary characters were not given any slight depth. The two main characters annoyed me a lot. I felt they are not human. They had no worries and no other feelings to their surroundings besides their feeling to each other. All what Bella was feeling was Roman Roman Roman and all what Roman was thinking about was Bella Bella Bella! I mean, there was nothing else going on except how they felt about each other all the time. This is not how people are. We fall in love but we always have other things to keep us busy and other troubles that we face.
For example Bella is a psychatist but hardly this job even interfered in her life. It would have given the story more depth if Bella had some patients and some concerns. Again the story says that Bella was looking after her little brother Joey but hardly there is anything about Joey or his relationship with Bella.
As I said the book has lots of problems, all the characters lack depth to them and I cannot recommend this book to anybody except to Romance novel lovers who like the sub genre of second chances.
Note: I have won a free copy of this book by participating in a giveaway
coraotf's review against another edition
3.0
I really hate how everyone in the town seemed to blame Roman for the whole thing when it really wasn't like that and she never set anyone straight about it. Honestly, I feel like Roman deserved a hell of a lot better.
Other than that, it was cute.
Other than that, it was cute.
cherylanntownsend's review against another edition
5.0
A feel good story of love and resistance, or, better said, resistance of love. High school sweethearts with an unfortunate past are reacquainted via a mutual friend's wedding and things start simmering slowly into a full boil. Arabella and Roman, a Romeo & Juliet, are destined to be, but an over-protective father, an enamored best friend and the 12 years since all play interference before reality sets in. And when it does ....
It is refreshing to read a story sans meanness, uncreative metaphors for sex, or drastic situations. Just enjoyable reading with a happy ending. One in a series of books involving the romancing brothers of Roman, it's a perfect afternoon delight. Winter is upon us, make the most of it!
It is refreshing to read a story sans meanness, uncreative metaphors for sex, or drastic situations. Just enjoyable reading with a happy ending. One in a series of books involving the romancing brothers of Roman, it's a perfect afternoon delight. Winter is upon us, make the most of it!
gerireads's review
4.0
Started off slow but I ended up liking this second chance romance between a fiery Italian beauty named Belle and a stubborn Greek god, inexplicably named Roman. (Go figure!)
Names aside, I enjoyed the romance, family dynamics, and the small town setting. There were moments where I wanted to throttle the heroine but I get where she's coming from.
Overall, a delightful second chance romance.
ARC provided by Montlake
Names aside, I enjoyed the romance, family dynamics, and the small town setting. There were moments where I wanted to throttle the heroine but I get where she's coming from.
Overall, a delightful second chance romance.
ARC provided by Montlake
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