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A review by jadesarah
Hideaway by Rachel Lacey
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
“So I’m asking you for a fresh start. Let’s just enjoy our time here together, and if we have something worth fighting for when it’s time for me to leave, then let’s fight for it.”
Taylor and Phoebe were friends in their teens and also had a summer of love when they were 16 until Phoebe got scared and essentially ran away. Around a decade later, Phoebe is back in the small town that Taylor lives in. There's a second chance story of friendship and love. Both women are more comfortable in who they are now.
I can't lie, I struggled with this one. The second half definitely was much better for me. In the beginning I struggled. The writing felt awkward and stilted and I was struggling to connect with it. I kind of felt meh. I almost gave up but I think the audio helped - although with the audio I didn't like the "voice" of Phoebe from Taylor's perspective, it came across as constantly whispery/breathy/high pitched.
Here's what didn't work for me:
- The second chance. It just didn't ring true for me. I am not saying what they had in their teens wasn't important or valid but the fact that there was such an importance on it but it felt more like "told not shown" so it didn't work for me. Also the fact that Taylor never truly moved on even though she wanted to find someone. I just don't think their teenage love was THAT strong.
- There's repetitive mention of chemistry and honestly I didn't feel much of that until the second half of the book. There was little to no feeling/chemistry for me. Same with their friendship as adults. Felt awkward. The dogs brought them together but felt forced. There were times I just didn't buy into them as friends or as a couple.
- I understood Taylor's caution but omg. In the beginning she's pushy with the dogs and the cabin. Then even at the end she's unfair to Phoebe who is trying to make it work. She apologises but it was still Taylor being an asshole honestly. I didn't like it.
- The easy out of the point of conflict they had. I feel like Taylor was putting all the responsibility on Phoebe to sacrifice and that wasn't fair.
What I liked:
-There are lighthearted/funny moments. I genuinely laughed out loud a time or two.
-Puppies!! Dogs!! Although a warning that there is a touch and go situation for one of the pups (but it works out)
- Where I struggled with Taylor, I really liked Phoebe!
- The balance of sweet and steamy was good.
- Later in the book, when Phoebe and Taylor are falling back into each other, the little bit of relationship development we see is enjoyable.
- The communication. There end up being an easy out but it did feel like Phoebe didn't give everything up all of a sudden for her relationship with Taylor, she was trying to balance her life before and her life now.
This book is a romance which is mostly contained to a small town, it's about Phoebe and Taylor getting to know each other as adults. Figuring out if they should be together while looking after dogs. I guess for me the development wasn't truly there and there's a lack of connection. I'm glad I stuck with it though.
Taylor and Phoebe were friends in their teens and also had a summer of love when they were 16 until Phoebe got scared and essentially ran away. Around a decade later, Phoebe is back in the small town that Taylor lives in. There's a second chance story of friendship and love. Both women are more comfortable in who they are now.
I can't lie, I struggled with this one. The second half definitely was much better for me. In the beginning I struggled. The writing felt awkward and stilted and I was struggling to connect with it. I kind of felt meh. I almost gave up but I think the audio helped - although with the audio I didn't like the "voice" of Phoebe from Taylor's perspective, it came across as constantly whispery/breathy/high pitched.
Here's what didn't work for me:
- The second chance. It just didn't ring true for me. I am not saying what they had in their teens wasn't important or valid but the fact that there was such an importance on it but it felt more like "told not shown" so it didn't work for me. Also the fact that Taylor never truly moved on even though she wanted to find someone. I just don't think their teenage love was THAT strong.
- There's repetitive mention of chemistry and honestly I didn't feel much of that until the second half of the book. There was little to no feeling/chemistry for me. Same with their friendship as adults. Felt awkward. The dogs brought them together but felt forced. There were times I just didn't buy into them as friends or as a couple.
- I understood Taylor's caution but omg. In the beginning she's pushy with the dogs and the cabin. Then even at the end she's unfair to Phoebe who is trying to make it work. She apologises but it was still Taylor being an asshole honestly. I didn't like it.
- The easy out of the point of conflict they had. I feel like Taylor was putting all the responsibility on Phoebe to sacrifice and that wasn't fair.
What I liked:
-There are lighthearted/funny moments. I genuinely laughed out loud a time or two.
-Puppies!! Dogs!! Although a warning that there is a touch and go situation for one of the pups (but it works out)
- Where I struggled with Taylor, I really liked Phoebe!
- The balance of sweet and steamy was good.
- Later in the book, when Phoebe and Taylor are falling back into each other, the little bit of relationship development we see is enjoyable.
- The communication. There end up being an easy out but it did feel like Phoebe didn't give everything up all of a sudden for her relationship with Taylor, she was trying to balance her life before and her life now.
This book is a romance which is mostly contained to a small town, it's about Phoebe and Taylor getting to know each other as adults. Figuring out if they should be together while looking after dogs. I guess for me the development wasn't truly there and there's a lack of connection. I'm glad I stuck with it though.