A review by mooglebaby
The Big One by Jacob Morgan, Anne Marsh, Rose Dioro
3.0
It was cute, but not my favorite. I love the narration, which I have had make or break books. It made this one.
Lola was funny, if a bit much at times. Hunter was all grumpy until he wasn't, and I was OK with that (I clearly enjoy the broody ones with gooshy centers). The grand gestures on both their parts at the end didn't do it for me. I didn't identify with Lola, her need for attention and dramatic spirit. They weren't bad things in her, it just didn't resonate with me. So her gesture made me cringe more that awww. . They were cute together though, and in a short romance like this, that's what matters. So in the end it was ok.
The setting bothered me, but only because I'm familiar with the real Big Bear Lake in Southern California. Not the clearly fictitious version in Nor Cal. There is a lake called Big Bear Lake up north, but its small and there isn't a city by it. SoCal BBL is only 23 mi around, the water is cold even in the height of summer, and is a good 8 hour drive from the bay area.
There were a few other characters (the other fire men) that didn't feel real important until over half way through. It felt like a "Hey, I need to remember to mention these people cause the next books about them!" but it didn't feel real natural. I feel like they could have been involved sooner, even though Hunter seems to not like hanging out with anyone, at least show him spending social time with someone.
Lola was funny, if a bit much at times. Hunter was all grumpy until he wasn't, and I was OK with that (I clearly enjoy the broody ones with gooshy centers). The grand gestures on both their parts at the end didn't do it for me. I didn't identify with Lola, her need for attention and dramatic spirit. They weren't bad things in her, it just didn't resonate with me. So her gesture
Spoiler
proposing to him in front of an entire bar (eeep!)Spoiler
I also didn't understand where they ended up with his job. Did he quit, is he getting a job in the city? What?The setting bothered me, but only because I'm familiar with the real Big Bear Lake in Southern California. Not the clearly fictitious version in Nor Cal. There is a lake called Big Bear Lake up north, but its small and there isn't a city by it. SoCal BBL is only 23 mi around, the water is cold even in the height of summer, and is a good 8 hour drive from the bay area.
There were a few other characters (the other fire men) that didn't feel real important until over half way through. It felt like a "Hey, I need to remember to mention these people cause the next books about them!" but it didn't feel real natural. I feel like they could have been involved sooner, even though Hunter seems to not like hanging out with anyone, at least show him spending social time with someone.