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Rain Delay
Lucas Abbot is finally ready to put on the breaks.
After a lifetime of privilege, Lucas is ready to make something of himself–for himself, by himself, without handouts, or the legacy of his father’s name nipping at his heels. And if everything goes as planned, he’ll get to do it with his best friend, Rachel, by his side.
Rachel Rowe is ready to spread her wings and take flight.
After growing up all over the globe with her nomadic parents, Rachel thought that she was finally ready to settle down. Finally ready to put on the brakes. Finally ready to tell her best friend, Lucas, how she really feels.
When work moves them both to Chicago, Rachel sees the opportunity to lay her heart on the line. But the second Rachel and Lucas sign a six month lease, heartbreak collides with her brand new roommate, and she watches all of those plans crumble at her feet in the middle of their shared living room. In light of her heartbreak, Rachel forms a new plan: take off the parking brake, live on the road again, and crush any feelings she has for Lucas beneath the tires as she goes.
But while Rachel is dead set on putting her best friend in the past, Lucas is more determined than ever to pick up the fragments and piece them back together.
After years of avoiding their feelings, and one fateful night that has tape lines drawn between them, a break for rain will either drown them, or be exactly what they need to repair the damage before the clock runs out.
After a lifetime of privilege, Lucas is ready to make something of himself–for himself, by himself, without handouts, or the legacy of his father’s name nipping at his heels. And if everything goes as planned, he’ll get to do it with his best friend, Rachel, by his side.
Rachel Rowe is ready to spread her wings and take flight.
After growing up all over the globe with her nomadic parents, Rachel thought that she was finally ready to settle down. Finally ready to put on the brakes. Finally ready to tell her best friend, Lucas, how she really feels.
When work moves them both to Chicago, Rachel sees the opportunity to lay her heart on the line. But the second Rachel and Lucas sign a six month lease, heartbreak collides with her brand new roommate, and she watches all of those plans crumble at her feet in the middle of their shared living room. In light of her heartbreak, Rachel forms a new plan: take off the parking brake, live on the road again, and crush any feelings she has for Lucas beneath the tires as she goes.
But while Rachel is dead set on putting her best friend in the past, Lucas is more determined than ever to pick up the fragments and piece them back together.
After years of avoiding their feelings, and one fateful night that has tape lines drawn between them, a break for rain will either drown them, or be exactly what they need to repair the damage before the clock runs out.
- GenresRomanceFriends To Lovers
390 pages, Paperback
Published March 25, 2023
4 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 22, 2023
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I thought this was a cute story with lots of swoon-worthy moments, well-written descriptions, and a good amount of spice.
I have actually only read Apple of My Eye from this author. I enjoyed that so much and was subsequently excited to sign up for an ARC of Rain Delay. After reading this I will need to go back and read the other two books in the series; however, this is fine as a stand-alone.
If you don’t like miscommunication this book might not be your cup of tea. There were moments when I wanted Rachel and Lucas to just talk it out and stop making assumptions about the other’s feelings. So much was resolved when they finally listened to each other and had an actual conversation.
I liked the side characters and the epilogue was lovely. 🥰 Overall I enjoyed this book and really appreciate Allie’s writing style! ☔️
I thought this was a cute story with lots of swoon-worthy moments, well-written descriptions, and a good amount of spice.
I have actually only read Apple of My Eye from this author. I enjoyed that so much and was subsequently excited to sign up for an ARC of Rain Delay. After reading this I will need to go back and read the other two books in the series; however, this is fine as a stand-alone.
If you don’t like miscommunication this book might not be your cup of tea. There were moments when I wanted Rachel and Lucas to just talk it out and stop making assumptions about the other’s feelings. So much was resolved when they finally listened to each other and had an actual conversation.
I liked the side characters and the epilogue was lovely. 🥰 Overall I enjoyed this book and really appreciate Allie’s writing style! ☔️
March 26, 2023
Rain Delay by Allie Marie ☔️
Lucas is finally ready to make something of himself - for himself, by himself, without any handouts. And if everything goes as planned, he'll get to do it with his best friend, Rachel, by his side. Meanwhile, Rachel is ready to spread her wings again after growing up all over the globe with her nomadic parents. She thought she was finally ready to settle down, finally ready to tell her best friend how she really feels. When work moves them both to Chicago, heartbreak immediately collides with her and Lucas along with her plans to tell him how he feels. But while Rachel is dead set on putting her best friend in the past, Lucas is more determined than ever to pick up the fragments and put them back together.
I really enjoyed this! If you enjoyed Love & Other Words or The Roughest Draft I think you will like this one. There's lots of angst and you know something happened between these two best friends that caused them to stop talking abruptly.
There's groveling from Rachel and Lucas, which I enjoyed seeing as they both deserved it. We got some flashbacks as well that added so much to the story, getting to see bigger moments in their friendship all the way back to when they first met.
I wasn't expecting the spice from this book! Holy moly, it was so good. There's a perfect balance between spice and tender moments. I adore Allie's writing style so much. It's written in third person, where I usually prefer first person, but this was fantastic. I'd only read third person if it was all in Allie's writing style.
The only thing that prevented this from being a 5 star is that the miscommunication between Lucas and Rachel drove me a little crazy. However, that said this was probably the best miscommunication trope romance I've read.
This is the third in a series but can be read as a standalone. Allie does a good job teasing the other couples from the first two books and I added both to my tbr.
"She was his sunshine. The center of his universe."
Thank you Allie for the eARC! Rain Delay releases on 3/30.
dual POV
4/5 stars ⭐️
3/5 spice level 🌶️
Lucas is finally ready to make something of himself - for himself, by himself, without any handouts. And if everything goes as planned, he'll get to do it with his best friend, Rachel, by his side. Meanwhile, Rachel is ready to spread her wings again after growing up all over the globe with her nomadic parents. She thought she was finally ready to settle down, finally ready to tell her best friend how she really feels. When work moves them both to Chicago, heartbreak immediately collides with her and Lucas along with her plans to tell him how he feels. But while Rachel is dead set on putting her best friend in the past, Lucas is more determined than ever to pick up the fragments and put them back together.
I really enjoyed this! If you enjoyed Love & Other Words or The Roughest Draft I think you will like this one. There's lots of angst and you know something happened between these two best friends that caused them to stop talking abruptly.
There's groveling from Rachel and Lucas, which I enjoyed seeing as they both deserved it. We got some flashbacks as well that added so much to the story, getting to see bigger moments in their friendship all the way back to when they first met.
I wasn't expecting the spice from this book! Holy moly, it was so good. There's a perfect balance between spice and tender moments. I adore Allie's writing style so much. It's written in third person, where I usually prefer first person, but this was fantastic. I'd only read third person if it was all in Allie's writing style.
The only thing that prevented this from being a 5 star is that the miscommunication between Lucas and Rachel drove me a little crazy. However, that said this was probably the best miscommunication trope romance I've read.
This is the third in a series but can be read as a standalone. Allie does a good job teasing the other couples from the first two books and I added both to my tbr.
"She was his sunshine. The center of his universe."
Thank you Allie for the eARC! Rain Delay releases on 3/30.
dual POV
4/5 stars ⭐️
3/5 spice level 🌶️
April 18, 2023
Title: Rain Delay
Author: Allie Marie
Hero/Heroine: Lucas & Rachel
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Second Chance
✨ the good ✨
The angst! The pining! This book packed both of these things in equal measure, to the point where I was actually unsure how the story would end. That’s a good thing though, keeps me on my toes.
Lucas and Rachel have know each other since high school and have been there for each other throughout key moments of their lives. In certain ways these two were complete opposites, with Rachel loving to travel with her nomadic parents and Lucas loving his home of Beachside, Maine, however they just seemed to work. And their chemistry was seriously hot, I mean, I was even shocked by how spicy this book was. I judged a book by its cover and was pleasantly surprised, not gonna lie.
The event that seemed to bring a massive halt to their friendship made me cringe so hard. I could see why Rachel was so hurt by it, and as much as I loved Lucas’s golden retriever energy, I was like ‘bro, seriously?!’ I loved seeing how they slowly began to repair the cracks in their friendship, and the last ten chapters absolutely KILLED me they were that sweet (and a little bit heartbreaking, but in a good way if that makes any sense whatsoever).
This was a great addition to the Beachside series and I loved reading about Lucas and Rachel’s tumultuous relationship. Looking forward to what comes next from this author.
✨ the bad ✨
I wouldn’t say it was bad as such, however I really just wanted these two to open their face holes and talk to each other.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this to read. This is my honest review.
✨ overall thoughts: Sweet and super steamy, this story about friendships, relationships and everything in between was fabulous
✨ steam level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
✨ star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Allie Marie
Hero/Heroine: Lucas & Rachel
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Second Chance
✨ the good ✨
The angst! The pining! This book packed both of these things in equal measure, to the point where I was actually unsure how the story would end. That’s a good thing though, keeps me on my toes.
Lucas and Rachel have know each other since high school and have been there for each other throughout key moments of their lives. In certain ways these two were complete opposites, with Rachel loving to travel with her nomadic parents and Lucas loving his home of Beachside, Maine, however they just seemed to work. And their chemistry was seriously hot, I mean, I was even shocked by how spicy this book was. I judged a book by its cover and was pleasantly surprised, not gonna lie.
The event that seemed to bring a massive halt to their friendship made me cringe so hard. I could see why Rachel was so hurt by it, and as much as I loved Lucas’s golden retriever energy, I was like ‘bro, seriously?!’ I loved seeing how they slowly began to repair the cracks in their friendship, and the last ten chapters absolutely KILLED me they were that sweet (and a little bit heartbreaking, but in a good way if that makes any sense whatsoever).
This was a great addition to the Beachside series and I loved reading about Lucas and Rachel’s tumultuous relationship. Looking forward to what comes next from this author.
✨ the bad ✨
I wouldn’t say it was bad as such, however I really just wanted these two to open their face holes and talk to each other.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this to read. This is my honest review.
✨ overall thoughts: Sweet and super steamy, this story about friendships, relationships and everything in between was fabulous
✨ steam level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
✨ star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 27, 2023
Thank you so much to Allie Marie for the ARC. Im such a fan of her books, especially the Beachside series, that it was such a thrill to be able to spend time with Lucas and Rachel a little earlier than anticipated.
“Loving you has always been this easy. We just had to give ourselves permission”
Overall, I loved finally getting to hear Lucas and Rachel’s story. I, surprisingly, saw a lot of myself in Lucas and really connected to him and how he handled the conflict with Rachel.
In all honesty, the first half of this book was tough for me. I don’t love miscommunication and the main conflict of this story is just a whole lack of communication. That said, Allie Marie has such a way of making you fall absolutely in love with her characters and their stories that I was hanging on every chapter, waiting to see how and when these two would get their heads on straight and finally just sit down to TALK to one another. Witnessing them lay all their love on the table at the end was worth all the moments of turmoil, though.
As an added bonus, I really loved seeing our other beachside couples - especially Ollie and Owen who I love so dearly. I was pleasantly surprised when I realized rachel and Lucas’s story takes place at the same time as the second beach side book - made for an interesting look back on that book and how all the moments fit together.
No one writes a love story like Allie Marie. So realistic yet utterly magical. I’ll read anything and everything she writes.
If you are a friends to lovers fan and looking for more from Allie, I highly recommend Too Much of a Good Thing under Allie Giancarlo. I really appreciate the different ways she’s been able to explore this trope with so much love and care.
“Loving you has always been this easy. We just had to give ourselves permission”
Overall, I loved finally getting to hear Lucas and Rachel’s story. I, surprisingly, saw a lot of myself in Lucas and really connected to him and how he handled the conflict with Rachel.
In all honesty, the first half of this book was tough for me. I don’t love miscommunication and the main conflict of this story is just a whole lack of communication. That said, Allie Marie has such a way of making you fall absolutely in love with her characters and their stories that I was hanging on every chapter, waiting to see how and when these two would get their heads on straight and finally just sit down to TALK to one another. Witnessing them lay all their love on the table at the end was worth all the moments of turmoil, though.
As an added bonus, I really loved seeing our other beachside couples - especially Ollie and Owen who I love so dearly. I was pleasantly surprised when I realized rachel and Lucas’s story takes place at the same time as the second beach side book - made for an interesting look back on that book and how all the moments fit together.
No one writes a love story like Allie Marie. So realistic yet utterly magical. I’ll read anything and everything she writes.
If you are a friends to lovers fan and looking for more from Allie, I highly recommend Too Much of a Good Thing under Allie Giancarlo. I really appreciate the different ways she’s been able to explore this trope with so much love and care.
March 19, 2023
I received this book for free as an ARC for an honest review.
Rachel and Lucas are “best friends” who also hookup and are basically head over heels in love with each other until they move in together in Chicago and Lucas creates easily the worst conflict I’ve ever come across in a romance novel. The conflict is they hookup and right after Rachel is about to tell him she loves him and he FIST BUMPS her and says “thanks buddy I needed that”.
This book is basically one big third act breakup. She is so mad at him throughout the entire book until she’s not. And then they don’t even really get together until basically the very end and then she ruins it again so they “breakup” again. I just couldn’t deal with them and their lack of communication. It wasn’t even miscommunication just LACK.
The flashbacks back to when they were growing up were kind of nice to get some background, but it also left me confused about how old the characters were until the author tells us they’re thirty. I wanted like more backstory I think and less in the present because the plot in the present was not very interesting to me.
This book is pretty spicy which honestly is why I gave it two stars instead of one. Though I will say there is one scene where Lucas is thinking about how she’s doing something new he hasn’t done with her before and thinking to himself he doesn’t want to know where she learned it. But they only stopped hooking up for a handful of months if I’m understanding the timeline and they live together so like….he would’ve probably noticed if she was hooking up with someone else. Also they hit it raw the ENTIRE book until one time when he asks her if she wants him to wear a condom and she says “uh no I’m on bc” and he says “just wanted to be sure” and she swoons??! Ladies the bar is in hell.
This book just didn’t hit for me. The characters weren’t super likable most of the time, and the story being in 3rd person was a little confusing because I think at times the author was not clear at all whose thoughts we were in or who was speaking. Normally 3rd person doesn’t phase me but this book it was noticeable.
Rachel and Lucas are “best friends” who also hookup and are basically head over heels in love with each other until they move in together in Chicago and Lucas creates easily the worst conflict I’ve ever come across in a romance novel. The conflict is they hookup and right after Rachel is about to tell him she loves him and he FIST BUMPS her and says “thanks buddy I needed that”.
This book is basically one big third act breakup. She is so mad at him throughout the entire book until she’s not. And then they don’t even really get together until basically the very end and then she ruins it again so they “breakup” again. I just couldn’t deal with them and their lack of communication. It wasn’t even miscommunication just LACK.
The flashbacks back to when they were growing up were kind of nice to get some background, but it also left me confused about how old the characters were until the author tells us they’re thirty. I wanted like more backstory I think and less in the present because the plot in the present was not very interesting to me.
This book is pretty spicy which honestly is why I gave it two stars instead of one. Though I will say there is one scene where Lucas is thinking about how she’s doing something new he hasn’t done with her before and thinking to himself he doesn’t want to know where she learned it. But they only stopped hooking up for a handful of months if I’m understanding the timeline and they live together so like….he would’ve probably noticed if she was hooking up with someone else. Also they hit it raw the ENTIRE book until one time when he asks her if she wants him to wear a condom and she says “uh no I’m on bc” and he says “just wanted to be sure” and she swoons??! Ladies the bar is in hell.
This book just didn’t hit for me. The characters weren’t super likable most of the time, and the story being in 3rd person was a little confusing because I think at times the author was not clear at all whose thoughts we were in or who was speaking. Normally 3rd person doesn’t phase me but this book it was noticeable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2023
This has to be one of the BEST ARC reads I’ve read. I am not a huge lover of miscommunication but Allie nailed it perfectly for me. It was the vulnerability from Lucas that just made this book easily lovable and Rachel’s hesitancy that nailed the “but just give Lucas a try” for me.
This book was full of swooning I was not at all overloaded by both characters swooning. And the 🌶️ scenes, 🤤🥵 I was not prepared for them at all. It was thoroughly detailed, remarkably well, and delivered the hotness it deserved.
This book provided some STFUATTDLAGG vibes and I was entirely here for it! Well written and captivated me from the first page. Well done, Allie Marie 🎉 This book is available 3/30. Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC book!
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
✔️friends to lovers
✔️second chance romance
✔️miscommunication
✔️forced proximity
This book was full of swooning I was not at all overloaded by both characters swooning. And the 🌶️ scenes, 🤤🥵 I was not prepared for them at all. It was thoroughly detailed, remarkably well, and delivered the hotness it deserved.
This book provided some STFUATTDLAGG vibes and I was entirely here for it! Well written and captivated me from the first page. Well done, Allie Marie 🎉 This book is available 3/30. Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC book!
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
✔️friends to lovers
✔️second chance romance
✔️miscommunication
✔️forced proximity
March 19, 2023
3.5!
This was cute! I liked the references to the other beachside couples (love to see them again) and liked how honest they could be with each other.
Thanks to the author for an ARC copy!
This was cute! I liked the references to the other beachside couples (love to see them again) and liked how honest they could be with each other.
Thanks to the author for an ARC copy!
March 18, 2023
*I was given a free ARC and this is my honest review*
This is my first book from Allie Marie.
I felt that the story came together well, and the flashbacks helped give a broader dynamic of Rachel and Lucas' friendship and past. I really liked the character development throughout the book from both main characters. It got a bit hard to continue when it did look like Rachel did accept potential job offer. I did continue on, and the ending was done really well. The book was an easy enjoyable read.
This is my first book from Allie Marie.
I felt that the story came together well, and the flashbacks helped give a broader dynamic of Rachel and Lucas' friendship and past. I really liked the character development throughout the book from both main characters. It got a bit hard to continue when it did look like Rachel did accept potential job offer. I did continue on, and the ending was done really well. The book was an easy enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2023
I had a chance to read an ARC for this book and I’m so glad I did! Her writing has just gotten better and better with each book, and it’s very clear in how she set up the story and fleshed out the characters. The story progressed very nicely and of course the spice was 🌶️🌶️! It has some incredibly sweet moments and some
incredibly frustrating moments. But it was worth it in the end!! Can’t wait to see what she comes out with next!
incredibly frustrating moments. But it was worth it in the end!! Can’t wait to see what she comes out with next!
March 29, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This is the second book I’ve read of Allie Marie’s. I LOVED Apple of My Eye, which was an easy 5 star, so I was really excited to get an ARC of Rain Delay.
The prologue was great. Spicy, intriguing, hooked me. Then the first chapter started 2 months later with Rachel and Lucas living in Chicago and Rachel hating Lucas. However, we weren’t told why. Why did she hate him? Why were they living together? Why was there a blue line of tape splitting the apartment? It was actually frustrating to be confused for the first 22% of the book. There was so much repetitiveness of Rachel being mad at Lucas. Apparently all the characters knew about it, but she wasn’t telling anyone WHY. Especially not Lucas, or the reader.
The redeeming parts of the book were the flashbacks. They were interesting, told how the two main characters started their friendship and how it evolved throughout the years.
The spice was wonderfully written, and you don’t have to wait for 75% of the book to get there. It’s right there from the beginning.
The 3rd person writing was confusing in some parts. It was also frustrating since we knew they both wanted the same thing, but no one would say it. I would have preferred either dual POV with separate chapters, or just Rachel’s POV.
There’s a “miscommunication” trope, and then there’s “no communication” in Rain Delay. This whole conflict could have be resolved with a simple “I’m mad because you did xxx” from Rachel. But then there wouldn’t have been a book I guess.
If you’ve read the other Beachside Stories, you will enjoy getting to continue the side character’s story lines. Overall, this was a lovely romance with a nice HEA.
Thank you to Allie Marie for the ARC of Rain Delay in exchange for an honest review.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This is the second book I’ve read of Allie Marie’s. I LOVED Apple of My Eye, which was an easy 5 star, so I was really excited to get an ARC of Rain Delay.
The prologue was great. Spicy, intriguing, hooked me. Then the first chapter started 2 months later with Rachel and Lucas living in Chicago and Rachel hating Lucas. However, we weren’t told why. Why did she hate him? Why were they living together? Why was there a blue line of tape splitting the apartment? It was actually frustrating to be confused for the first 22% of the book. There was so much repetitiveness of Rachel being mad at Lucas. Apparently all the characters knew about it, but she wasn’t telling anyone WHY. Especially not Lucas, or the reader.
The redeeming parts of the book were the flashbacks. They were interesting, told how the two main characters started their friendship and how it evolved throughout the years.
The spice was wonderfully written, and you don’t have to wait for 75% of the book to get there. It’s right there from the beginning.
The 3rd person writing was confusing in some parts. It was also frustrating since we knew they both wanted the same thing, but no one would say it. I would have preferred either dual POV with separate chapters, or just Rachel’s POV.
There’s a “miscommunication” trope, and then there’s “no communication” in Rain Delay. This whole conflict could have be resolved with a simple “I’m mad because you did xxx” from Rachel. But then there wouldn’t have been a book I guess.
If you’ve read the other Beachside Stories, you will enjoy getting to continue the side character’s story lines. Overall, this was a lovely romance with a nice HEA.
Thank you to Allie Marie for the ARC of Rain Delay in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2023
Rain Delay is the first book that I have read by Allie Marie and I really enjoyed it! This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone.
Lucas and Rachel met when they were 13 years old and have been best friends ever since. They both had feelings for each other but never said anything.
Rachel's family lived out of a RV, traveling all over the world but she begged her parents to stay in Beachside for high school just to be near Lucas. But the feeling of always being on the go never went away for her. She left once they were in college and every time Lucas had a girlfriend so she didn't have to deal with the pain of seeing him with someone else.
Now they are 30, Rachel asked Lucas to go to Chicago for a job opportunity and he said yes! Unfortunately, they had a big fight on the first night and spent months not talking to each other. Did I mention that they share an apartment, they worked together and are partnered up for work projects? Rachel taped a line down the middle of the apartment to keep Lucas away from her but no matter how much she tried to avoid him, she couldn't!
As much as I love a little miscommunication in a book, this one was overflowing with it. I became so frustrated with the characters because so much time was wasted not telling each other how they felt! They were friends with benefits, their actions spoke louder than words, how could they not know how they felt about each other?
I kept turning the pages just to find out what happened, trying to put this puzzle together. I enjoyed the flashbacks! It is definitely sweet & spicy! I will be going back to read the other books in the series.
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤…
Miscommunication x100
Forced Proximity
Best Friends to Lovers
Thank you to Allie Marie for the ARC of this book for my honest review!
Lucas and Rachel met when they were 13 years old and have been best friends ever since. They both had feelings for each other but never said anything.
Rachel's family lived out of a RV, traveling all over the world but she begged her parents to stay in Beachside for high school just to be near Lucas. But the feeling of always being on the go never went away for her. She left once they were in college and every time Lucas had a girlfriend so she didn't have to deal with the pain of seeing him with someone else.
Now they are 30, Rachel asked Lucas to go to Chicago for a job opportunity and he said yes! Unfortunately, they had a big fight on the first night and spent months not talking to each other. Did I mention that they share an apartment, they worked together and are partnered up for work projects? Rachel taped a line down the middle of the apartment to keep Lucas away from her but no matter how much she tried to avoid him, she couldn't!
As much as I love a little miscommunication in a book, this one was overflowing with it. I became so frustrated with the characters because so much time was wasted not telling each other how they felt! They were friends with benefits, their actions spoke louder than words, how could they not know how they felt about each other?
I kept turning the pages just to find out what happened, trying to put this puzzle together. I enjoyed the flashbacks! It is definitely sweet & spicy! I will be going back to read the other books in the series.
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤…
Miscommunication x100
Forced Proximity
Best Friends to Lovers
Thank you to Allie Marie for the ARC of this book for my honest review!
March 31, 2023
Wow. I’ve so much to say about author Allie Marie and Rain Delay. First, she’s a poet. She has a gorgeous way with words, and I did a fair bit of highlighting throughout the novel. Incredible descriptions. Beautiful weaving. Perfect arc.
The characters? That is a painful and emotional ride. There’s so much history of trauma and suppressed communication that at times I wanted to strangle them both. I had to put the novel down a few times in frustration. But this is me. I’m that person who will always barge through with direct confrontation. I am not equipped for passive aggression or “too hurt to speak about it” personas. I don’t have the reserves in me. I just don’t. So this was an extra intense journey for me.
But you know what? I loved it, because it underscored the brokenness we all are at varying points in our lives. Maybe not the exact way that Lucas and Rachel are broken, but Rain Delay conveys the universal principle that we can cause our own great suffering and precious lost time by not simply being honest about how we feel and what we need. How fear is the driving force that so often robs us of our genuine freedom and joy.
Lucas and Rachel had a love story I’d not yet ever read. Allie did a stellar job of creating a uniquely painful, yet touching, journey between two people whose worlds inevitably shine brighter with each other.
Thank you, Allie, for gifting me with the chance to read this arc before it published. I'm a better person for it.
Read Rain Delay if:
1. You like getting immersed in an authentic story of love and redemption.
2. You can empathize with the those who aren’t perfect and have complex emotional baggage.
3. You enjoy the vein of universal truths in human existence.
The characters? That is a painful and emotional ride. There’s so much history of trauma and suppressed communication that at times I wanted to strangle them both. I had to put the novel down a few times in frustration. But this is me. I’m that person who will always barge through with direct confrontation. I am not equipped for passive aggression or “too hurt to speak about it” personas. I don’t have the reserves in me. I just don’t. So this was an extra intense journey for me.
But you know what? I loved it, because it underscored the brokenness we all are at varying points in our lives. Maybe not the exact way that Lucas and Rachel are broken, but Rain Delay conveys the universal principle that we can cause our own great suffering and precious lost time by not simply being honest about how we feel and what we need. How fear is the driving force that so often robs us of our genuine freedom and joy.
Lucas and Rachel had a love story I’d not yet ever read. Allie did a stellar job of creating a uniquely painful, yet touching, journey between two people whose worlds inevitably shine brighter with each other.
Thank you, Allie, for gifting me with the chance to read this arc before it published. I'm a better person for it.
Read Rain Delay if:
1. You like getting immersed in an authentic story of love and redemption.
2. You can empathize with the those who aren’t perfect and have complex emotional baggage.
3. You enjoy the vein of universal truths in human existence.
March 26, 2023
«"You hate the rain," Lucas chuckled, his voice gravelly.
"I do," she grinned, winding her arms around his waist and linking her hands together at his lower back. "But if a little rain is what we had to endure to get us to the rainbow at the end, I'd do it over and over again for you."»
My goodness, Allie… my feelings you monster! 😭
This book, y’all! This book. The perfect kind of angst and the happy ending I needed to read!
Lucas and Rachel have loved each other forever but one mistake changed the whole game for both of them, leaving them in a painful uncertainty and their friendship on hold!
Rachel, a nomad, such a dreamer and an adventurer. She was so passionate, so loving. I wanted to give her a hug and snap some sense into Lucas. His love for Rachel was the sweetest his mouth was the filthiest, I loved him so much even when he made me mad. I understood them both and felt so sad for them and couldn’t read this book any faster because I wanted them together so bad!
If you’re wondering about the steam levels? Dayum! These two had the hottest chemistry ever. I felt everything with them, their sadness and pain as they had to figure things out and work on the next step of their relationship, the angst when they were drift apart and all the love and all the swoon seeing them find their way back to each other😍
It was such a perfect book and I wanted more of them! That epilogue was the most heartwarming and romantic ever! The absolute perfect ending for such a perfect story. I can’t wait to get a paperback.
Thanks so much to Allie Marie for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"I do," she grinned, winding her arms around his waist and linking her hands together at his lower back. "But if a little rain is what we had to endure to get us to the rainbow at the end, I'd do it over and over again for you."»
My goodness, Allie… my feelings you monster! 😭
This book, y’all! This book. The perfect kind of angst and the happy ending I needed to read!
Lucas and Rachel have loved each other forever but one mistake changed the whole game for both of them, leaving them in a painful uncertainty and their friendship on hold!
Rachel, a nomad, such a dreamer and an adventurer. She was so passionate, so loving. I wanted to give her a hug and snap some sense into Lucas. His love for Rachel was the sweetest his mouth was the filthiest, I loved him so much even when he made me mad. I understood them both and felt so sad for them and couldn’t read this book any faster because I wanted them together so bad!
If you’re wondering about the steam levels? Dayum! These two had the hottest chemistry ever. I felt everything with them, their sadness and pain as they had to figure things out and work on the next step of their relationship, the angst when they were drift apart and all the love and all the swoon seeing them find their way back to each other😍
It was such a perfect book and I wanted more of them! That epilogue was the most heartwarming and romantic ever! The absolute perfect ending for such a perfect story. I can’t wait to get a paperback.
Thanks so much to Allie Marie for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2023
UGH LOVE LOVE LOVE
This book had me in my feels man. I am normally not the biggest fan of friends to lovers, but god damn did this one hit. Starting off and immediately seeing how strongly Rachel feels towards Lucas helped me realize just how fucking heartbreaking this one was going to be. To go from her so excited to share her feelings to the TAPE. OOF MY HEART WAS BEING SQUEEZED OF EVERY LAST DROP. The flashbacks were such a helpful addition as well as someone who has not finished the other Beachside stories yet. I feel as though they provided a good enough lens that this book could easily be read as a standalone (although as someone who is in the middle of reading them, you should definitely still read them lol....those ones are also great).
There were a couple things in the story that I wasn't the biggest fan of like how at times it did seem like the two were very much using one another and playing on each other's feelings. At the same time, I can understand why they were doing it in those moments. As two individuals who are so heartbroken and desperate for a strong connection that they no longer had, it totally made sense.
I loved this story with every fiber of my being. Allie Marie is starting to become one of my favorite author's, and her books continue to knock it out of the park for me.
Thank you so much to the author, publishing team, everyone and anyone that provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This book had me in my feels man. I am normally not the biggest fan of friends to lovers, but god damn did this one hit. Starting off and immediately seeing how strongly Rachel feels towards Lucas helped me realize just how fucking heartbreaking this one was going to be. To go from her so excited to share her feelings to the TAPE. OOF MY HEART WAS BEING SQUEEZED OF EVERY LAST DROP. The flashbacks were such a helpful addition as well as someone who has not finished the other Beachside stories yet. I feel as though they provided a good enough lens that this book could easily be read as a standalone (although as someone who is in the middle of reading them, you should definitely still read them lol....those ones are also great).
There were a couple things in the story that I wasn't the biggest fan of like how at times it did seem like the two were very much using one another and playing on each other's feelings. At the same time, I can understand why they were doing it in those moments. As two individuals who are so heartbroken and desperate for a strong connection that they no longer had, it totally made sense.
I loved this story with every fiber of my being. Allie Marie is starting to become one of my favorite author's, and her books continue to knock it out of the park for me.
Thank you so much to the author, publishing team, everyone and anyone that provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
April 11, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5 (rounded up to 4 stars)
This is a story of best friends to lovers, which somehow I can relate on some aspects (friendship wise). For this book, I have a couple of things that I loved while reading and I also have some parts that I didn't fully enjoy, hence, the rating.
Here are the parts that I enjoyed in this book:
- Writing style: I loved how the author writes emotions, especially Rachel's. She was able to capture Rachel's pain and confusion, and she was effective in making the readers feel how much Rachel cared and loved Lucas.
- Character development: This is the first book that I've read with a character that was raised in an RV living environment, and it was refreshing for me. I love how the author wrote parts of Rachel's childhood and teenage years (with Lucas) because it helped me understand her character more. For Lucas', meanwhile, I liked how he was written into someone who has fears and who isn't really sure on what to do but tries his best to make Rachel feel his feelings.
- Spice: Honestly, I was in shock on how much spice this book has, but what I liked the most about the spice is how those scenes were well written - they can be dirty but not filthy, and I appreciate how the author inserted the spice scenes in the chapters with context.
What I don't like much about the book:
- Miscommunication: I am not a fan of the miscommunication trope but I can endure some miscommunication in between. However, I just felt that this book can be shortened without that kind of length of miscommunication between the characters. I was particularly frustrated with how Lucas was approaching their miscommunication - I honestly felt he could've done more and better.
- Excess spice: While I understand that spicy scenes are needed for this book, I just felt that the amount of those here are excessive to my liking. There were some spicy parts that I don't think won't be necessary for the book.
- Rachel's emotions: While I understand also that Rachel is hurting, there were some parts that she keeps on repeating some of her emotions that I felt it's too much because she isn't doing anything. Maybe it's just me, but there were just moments that I felt I'm reading the same chapter again because some parts felt too repetitive already.
Overall, I enjoyed my time reading this book and I would personally recommend this to people who want a best friends to lovers romance read.
Thank you for the author for giving me a chance to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Congratulations on the book release! 💛
This is a story of best friends to lovers, which somehow I can relate on some aspects (friendship wise). For this book, I have a couple of things that I loved while reading and I also have some parts that I didn't fully enjoy, hence, the rating.
Here are the parts that I enjoyed in this book:
- Writing style: I loved how the author writes emotions, especially Rachel's. She was able to capture Rachel's pain and confusion, and she was effective in making the readers feel how much Rachel cared and loved Lucas.
- Character development: This is the first book that I've read with a character that was raised in an RV living environment, and it was refreshing for me. I love how the author wrote parts of Rachel's childhood and teenage years (with Lucas) because it helped me understand her character more. For Lucas', meanwhile, I liked how he was written into someone who has fears and who isn't really sure on what to do but tries his best to make Rachel feel his feelings.
- Spice: Honestly, I was in shock on how much spice this book has, but what I liked the most about the spice is how those scenes were well written - they can be dirty but not filthy, and I appreciate how the author inserted the spice scenes in the chapters with context.
What I don't like much about the book:
- Miscommunication: I am not a fan of the miscommunication trope but I can endure some miscommunication in between. However, I just felt that this book can be shortened without that kind of length of miscommunication between the characters. I was particularly frustrated with how Lucas was approaching their miscommunication - I honestly felt he could've done more and better.
- Excess spice: While I understand that spicy scenes are needed for this book, I just felt that the amount of those here are excessive to my liking. There were some spicy parts that I don't think won't be necessary for the book.
- Rachel's emotions: While I understand also that Rachel is hurting, there were some parts that she keeps on repeating some of her emotions that I felt it's too much because she isn't doing anything. Maybe it's just me, but there were just moments that I felt I'm reading the same chapter again because some parts felt too repetitive already.
Overall, I enjoyed my time reading this book and I would personally recommend this to people who want a best friends to lovers romance read.
Thank you for the author for giving me a chance to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Congratulations on the book release! 💛
March 29, 2023
There’s so much talk about books offering escape – and while that is often extremely true, it is not the case for “Rain Delay,” the third book in Allie Marie’s tightly interconnected Beachside series.
A heart-wrenching friends-to-lovers story that centers around the fear of being honest vulnerable, this book and the situation these characters find themselves in – incredibly in love with each other but constantly hurting one another and unable to get on the same page – felt very realistic to me.
The writing here is often very sharp and poignant, making you feel just how *much* Rachel and Lucas are carrying, how intensely they *want*, how absolutely *terrified* they are.
So yes, this is angsty — but there is a fairly saccharine subplot to balance it lit, also: it is also pretty damn spicy. Though Lucas grated on me (I’m never one for golden boys) and I wanted way, way, *way* more groveling from him…it cannot be denied that he’s also very hot. (And it must be said that Allie Marie writes very potent spice across the board🥵😌)
Ultimately, ”Rain Delay” is raw and angst-riddled and maddening at times and hard to binge and will make you feel *a lot* of things – which is to say that it’s well worth a read. Just maybe not on a rainy day.
☔️A massive thank you to Allie Marie foe the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of “Rain Delay!” It’ll be out on March 30th.🌎
A heart-wrenching friends-to-lovers story that centers around the fear of being honest vulnerable, this book and the situation these characters find themselves in – incredibly in love with each other but constantly hurting one another and unable to get on the same page – felt very realistic to me.
The writing here is often very sharp and poignant, making you feel just how *much* Rachel and Lucas are carrying, how intensely they *want*, how absolutely *terrified* they are.
So yes, this is angsty — but there is a fairly saccharine subplot to balance it lit, also: it is also pretty damn spicy. Though Lucas grated on me (I’m never one for golden boys) and I wanted way, way, *way* more groveling from him…it cannot be denied that he’s also very hot. (And it must be said that Allie Marie writes very potent spice across the board🥵😌)
Ultimately, ”Rain Delay” is raw and angst-riddled and maddening at times and hard to binge and will make you feel *a lot* of things – which is to say that it’s well worth a read. Just maybe not on a rainy day.
☔️A massive thank you to Allie Marie foe the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of “Rain Delay!” It’ll be out on March 30th.🌎
March 30, 2023
Rachel & Lucas story is the 3rd installment in the Beachside Novels.
They have been friends since 8th grade. Share kisses at midnight, countless memories, but never told each other truly how they felt.
1 word "line" can really dampen your emotions. Especially when you caused it by fist bumping your best friend after sex.
**if miss-communication isn't your thing, I suggest you keep scrolling
" What's love without a few speedbumps in the path?"
Rachel and Lucas story are full moments from their past and present.
I really liked seeing moments from their past come in. Especially the growth/timelime of Rachel and Lucas friendship. We also got to see our other couples from the previous books.
Their story may take the couple of a bit to really be honest eith eachother but they find their way.
🌶 and oh ma'am, I am the spice in here
...she does not disappoint
I love Norm and his "happies" and advice
A great addition to this series
These two make you remember that some resolutions are worth keeping. And to love forever.
They have been friends since 8th grade. Share kisses at midnight, countless memories, but never told each other truly how they felt.
1 word "line" can really dampen your emotions. Especially when you caused it by fist bumping your best friend after sex.
**if miss-communication isn't your thing, I suggest you keep scrolling
" What's love without a few speedbumps in the path?"
Rachel and Lucas story are full moments from their past and present.
I really liked seeing moments from their past come in. Especially the growth/timelime of Rachel and Lucas friendship. We also got to see our other couples from the previous books.
Their story may take the couple of a bit to really be honest eith eachother but they find their way.
🌶 and oh ma'am, I am the spice in here
...she does not disappoint
I love Norm and his "happies" and advice
A great addition to this series
These two make you remember that some resolutions are worth keeping. And to love forever.
March 26, 2023
Rain Delay is book 3 in the Beachside series and is centered around Lucas Abbott and Rachel Rowe. The two have been best friends since the 8th grade when Rachel moved to Beachside. They were both terrified to tell the other their true feelings so for over a decade they acted like they were nothing more than friends while always having each other between relationships.
Lucas and Rachel had a BOATLOAD of miscommunication and I do feel like their lives could have been simpler sooner if they had just spoken but I also understand the fear. I liked seeing precious couples and I loved Norm’s friendship with Lucas.
As a person who loves National Park trips, I’ve always wanted to go on one in an RV. Each version of Bessie sounded like the perfect RV to do that in, after reading this I only want that trip more!
Thank you @alliewrites_ for the ARC!
Release Date: March 30, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥 scene: toys
Lucas and Rachel had a BOATLOAD of miscommunication and I do feel like their lives could have been simpler sooner if they had just spoken but I also understand the fear. I liked seeing precious couples and I loved Norm’s friendship with Lucas.
As a person who loves National Park trips, I’ve always wanted to go on one in an RV. Each version of Bessie sounded like the perfect RV to do that in, after reading this I only want that trip more!
Thank you @alliewrites_ for the ARC!
Release Date: March 30, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥 scene: toys
March 21, 2023
ARC EXCHANGE FOR HONEST REVIEW
Allie Marie has done it again! I love this trope, when two people find their way back. I’ll admit, I’m not one for 3rd POV writing, but I think Allie did a really beautiful job here. The chemistry that Lucas and Rachel has is so sweet and then it becomes…VERY hot. It’s also an emotional read and there are struggles and big character developments that Lucas and Rachel have to work through. There were times I wanted to shake them both and get past the redundancies. Nonetheless, a very worthwhile read. Allie’s becoming a quick kindle click for me and I’m really excited to see her create more lovable characters.
Chemistry:4/5
Pacing: 3.5/5
Heat: 3.5/5
Overall: 4/5
Allie Marie has done it again! I love this trope, when two people find their way back. I’ll admit, I’m not one for 3rd POV writing, but I think Allie did a really beautiful job here. The chemistry that Lucas and Rachel has is so sweet and then it becomes…VERY hot. It’s also an emotional read and there are struggles and big character developments that Lucas and Rachel have to work through. There were times I wanted to shake them both and get past the redundancies. Nonetheless, a very worthwhile read. Allie’s becoming a quick kindle click for me and I’m really excited to see her create more lovable characters.
Chemistry:4/5
Pacing: 3.5/5
Heat: 3.5/5
Overall: 4/5
March 22, 2023
3.5
Rachel and Lucas have been best friends for a long time and now they are sharing an apartment in Chicago. One major misstep leaves Rachel refusing to speak to Lucas, which drives the majority of the plot of this story.
.
This is my second arc review for the beachside series and I was so excited for Rachel and Lucas's story!! That being said.... I didn't quite love this one as much as I was hoping. I love friends to enemies to lovers, but it was hard to believe the characters were 30 years old with how childish they acted sometimes. I liked the flashbacks for context, but it was a little unclear who was talking/thinking with the third person POV. Definitely read this series in order because they build on each other!
arc in exchange for honest review
Rachel and Lucas have been best friends for a long time and now they are sharing an apartment in Chicago. One major misstep leaves Rachel refusing to speak to Lucas, which drives the majority of the plot of this story.
.
This is my second arc review for the beachside series and I was so excited for Rachel and Lucas's story!! That being said.... I didn't quite love this one as much as I was hoping. I love friends to enemies to lovers, but it was hard to believe the characters were 30 years old with how childish they acted sometimes. I liked the flashbacks for context, but it was a little unclear who was talking/thinking with the third person POV. Definitely read this series in order because they build on each other!
arc in exchange for honest review
March 31, 2023
“𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓬𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓸𝓯 𝓲𝓽 𝓪𝓵𝓵, 𝓢𝓾𝓷𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓮. 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮’𝓼 𝓸𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓭𝓪𝓻𝓴𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓼 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾.”
Friends to Lovers AND the MMC calls her sunshine ✋🏻🫠💞 Lucas and Rachel struggle a bit to find their way back to each other after avoiding their feelings puts a wedge between them. These two also bring all the spice 😮💨 along with some tender moments and a bit of angst.
I loved getting a glimpse at the other ‘beachside’ couples and definitely recommend reading book 1 & 2.
“𝓑𝓮𝓬𝓪𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓘’𝓿𝓮 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓵𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓮𝓷𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱 𝓽𝓸 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓷 𝓶𝔂 𝓢𝓾𝓷𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭𝓼 𝓽𝓸 𝓱𝓲𝓭𝓮 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮𝓼.” 🫶🏻😭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ℛℯ𝒶𝒹 𝒾𝒻 𝓎ℴ𝓊 𝓁ℴ𝓋ℯ…
👩🏼❤️💋👨🏻 Friends to Lovers
🏠 Forced Proximity
🚐 Nomad life
✌🏻Second Chance
📹Workplace romance
😮💨Spicy
📚Book 3 in beachside stories
Friends to Lovers AND the MMC calls her sunshine ✋🏻🫠💞 Lucas and Rachel struggle a bit to find their way back to each other after avoiding their feelings puts a wedge between them. These two also bring all the spice 😮💨 along with some tender moments and a bit of angst.
I loved getting a glimpse at the other ‘beachside’ couples and definitely recommend reading book 1 & 2.
“𝓑𝓮𝓬𝓪𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓘’𝓿𝓮 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓵𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓮𝓷𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱 𝓽𝓸 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓷 𝓶𝔂 𝓢𝓾𝓷𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭𝓼 𝓽𝓸 𝓱𝓲𝓭𝓮 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮𝓼.” 🫶🏻😭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ℛℯ𝒶𝒹 𝒾𝒻 𝓎ℴ𝓊 𝓁ℴ𝓋ℯ…
👩🏼❤️💋👨🏻 Friends to Lovers
🏠 Forced Proximity
🚐 Nomad life
✌🏻Second Chance
📹Workplace romance
😮💨Spicy
📚Book 3 in beachside stories
March 18, 2023
Lucas and Rachel broke my heart and put it back together again over and over again. This quickly became my favorite of the series. The glimpses we got of them in the first two books left me wanting so much more and boy did Rain Delay deliver!!! I loved the flashbacks to all the different stages of their relationship. The timeline of all three books may be my favorite part of all. It’s refreshing to see an inter connected series be something other than couples from past books popping in for a meaningless scene or two. Seeing all the stories unfold alongside each other has been so fun to read. This series has become my favorite by far!
I received this book as an ARC.
I received this book as an ARC.
March 30, 2023
This was my first Beachside novel. While it’s the 3rd in a series, it’s a standalone and you don’t need to read the first two books to read this one.
I was lucky to receive an advance reader copy of this book early and I was so excited to read it! But the book fell a little flat for me.
A lot of the character feelings and plot details are repetitive. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the writing style as a lot of sentences were long. I needed to take a breath to read it!
The one thing I did love about this book was the SPICE. Lucas is a genuinely amazing guy with a filthy mouth and I loved every minute of it.
While it wasn’t my cup of tea, I do think other people would enjoy this book!
I was lucky to receive an advance reader copy of this book early and I was so excited to read it! But the book fell a little flat for me.
A lot of the character feelings and plot details are repetitive. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the writing style as a lot of sentences were long. I needed to take a breath to read it!
The one thing I did love about this book was the SPICE. Lucas is a genuinely amazing guy with a filthy mouth and I loved every minute of it.
While it wasn’t my cup of tea, I do think other people would enjoy this book!
March 30, 2023
Lucas and Rachel had that kind of friendship that you felt on page 1, but their timing for something more was just never right. I loved the idea of them both secretly pining for one another and a reverse grumpy/sunshine trope gets me every time. 🥰
I liked how the story jumped back and forth between both POVs past and present and I enjoyed hearing their different perspectives on specific situations.
My only issue with this book was me silently screaming JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER. There was chemistry and friendship but the cold war between them was frustrating because there was so much wasted time. Overall, I enjoyed this one a lot, and I loved seeing glimpses of other Beachside friends 🙌
I liked how the story jumped back and forth between both POVs past and present and I enjoyed hearing their different perspectives on specific situations.
My only issue with this book was me silently screaming JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER. There was chemistry and friendship but the cold war between them was frustrating because there was so much wasted time. Overall, I enjoyed this one a lot, and I loved seeing glimpses of other Beachside friends 🙌
April 7, 2023
📚ARC Review📚
Rain Delay☔️
Out Now✨
4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a read for an angsty rainy day. ⛈️
I really enjoy Allie Marie's writing and I like how different this book was to your everyday romances. I would even call it a slow burn to a degree. 🔥
The 3rd person POV really gave this story the dynamic it needed for the premise.
I loved the pay off of Rachel and Lucas getting to that happy ending I despretly needed for the start.
If you enjoy, forced proximity
office romance with the special touch of angst that comes with the friends to lovers trope pick this one up!
Thank-you the author for the chance to review this ARC.💖
Rain Delay☔️
Out Now✨
4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a read for an angsty rainy day. ⛈️
I really enjoy Allie Marie's writing and I like how different this book was to your everyday romances. I would even call it a slow burn to a degree. 🔥
The 3rd person POV really gave this story the dynamic it needed for the premise.
I loved the pay off of Rachel and Lucas getting to that happy ending I despretly needed for the start.
If you enjoy, forced proximity
office romance with the special touch of angst that comes with the friends to lovers trope pick this one up!
Thank-you the author for the chance to review this ARC.💖
June 7, 2023
We were set up in Book one of this series to want to see Lucas and Rachel be together. But egregious miscommunication broke both their hearts over and over and over. It had me thinking, is this what real life is like for some couples? Because this is wrenching. When romance stories touch on real life topics it can resonate in a deep way. But also with romance stories there is always HOPE. This one felt hopeless to me.
The 3rd person perspective is not for me. Maybe it kept me from connecting with the characters? It's incredibly likely I am the problem. I hope this story is well loved and makes people happy but my experience was one of pain even though we do get a sweet HEA.
The 3rd person perspective is not for me. Maybe it kept me from connecting with the characters? It's incredibly likely I am the problem. I hope this story is well loved and makes people happy but my experience was one of pain even though we do get a sweet HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2023
I was given an ARC for this book. I fell in love with the first two Beachside books. This one is another one I fell in love with. I usually lean towards dual POV romance books, so having to read in third person took me a couple of chapters to adjust. But I love the classic trope of best friends who love each other but don’t say anything until this blow up, and Allie does a great job with this writing of Rachel and Lucas. And we get ✨good girl✨ and ✨baby girl✨?!?!Melting…. I love seeing them get their happily ever after! 4.5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2023
4.5 stars
I am so very thankful that I got to be an ARC reader for this book. It was a very sweet story that is good as a stand alone or read in order with the other Beachsides stories. I have read both Keeping Score and False Start which I loved. I was so excited when Allie Marie decided to give the story of Lucas and Rachel their own book! I will totally recommend reading this book like I do the other books by Allie Marie. I really enjoyed the spicy scenes. The groveling from Lucas and Rachel was great addition to the storyline and needed.
I am so very thankful that I got to be an ARC reader for this book. It was a very sweet story that is good as a stand alone or read in order with the other Beachsides stories. I have read both Keeping Score and False Start which I loved. I was so excited when Allie Marie decided to give the story of Lucas and Rachel their own book! I will totally recommend reading this book like I do the other books by Allie Marie. I really enjoyed the spicy scenes. The groveling from Lucas and Rachel was great addition to the storyline and needed.
April 9, 2023
This book was an emotional read and so well-written. The friends to lovers trope is one of my favorites and Allie Marie wrote it with so much heart. Rachel and Lucas grew so much in this story and they became two of my favorite characters. The settings were described beautifully and I now want to travel the US in an RV finding happy adventures along the way.
Thank you to the author my gifted advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author my gifted advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2023
A sweet and swoony friends to lovers story with a good dose of steamy moments! Rachel and Lucas are delightful characters and the supporting cast is so much fun as they bring the story to life. The pair gets caught in too many miscommunications and assumptions which create frustration and enough tension to feel from the page. I loved the concept of Mabel’s Miracles and the way things were woven together.
Thanks to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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