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The Catch
Poignant and powerful, The Catch is a retro Gen X second chance romance with an angsty love triangle. Told in nonlinear fashion between 1993, 2006, and 2012, it captures the nostalgia of young love, along with the relatable trials of motherhood and responsibility.
Julia Dunphy’s husband just left her for the second time, her thirteen-year-old won’t stop swearing in public, and to top it all off, her four-year-old just asked to buy condoms. Needless to say, this isn’t how she expected her life to pan out.
As a teen in the nineties, Julia had bold plans to study marine biology far from home. Not even William Quinn, the working class boy-next-door, could derail her dreams. Not with his blue eyes. Not with his quiet brilliance. Not even with his loyal heart.
Still, despite time, distance, and marriage to another man, Julia’s most tender memories revolved around William. Then, after eleven years and countless broken dreams, Julia and William got an unexpected second chance when they imagined a whale-watching business together – until that, too, ended in a rupture too big to heal.
Now, amid the wreckage of her marriage, and despite a fresh start in her own aquarium shop, Julia knows a third chance with her first love is wishful thinking. But when she uses her training as a paralegal to save William's whale-watching business, and he shows up to thank her, she dares to wonder - are third chances possible, after all?
Equal parts witty, heartwarming, and heart-wrenching, The Catch is perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover and Christina Lauren, and reminiscent of classics like Jane Austen's Persuasion. It offers a guaranteed Happy For Now ending, with a Happily Ever After in its sequel.
Julia Dunphy’s husband just left her for the second time, her thirteen-year-old won’t stop swearing in public, and to top it all off, her four-year-old just asked to buy condoms. Needless to say, this isn’t how she expected her life to pan out.
As a teen in the nineties, Julia had bold plans to study marine biology far from home. Not even William Quinn, the working class boy-next-door, could derail her dreams. Not with his blue eyes. Not with his quiet brilliance. Not even with his loyal heart.
Still, despite time, distance, and marriage to another man, Julia’s most tender memories revolved around William. Then, after eleven years and countless broken dreams, Julia and William got an unexpected second chance when they imagined a whale-watching business together – until that, too, ended in a rupture too big to heal.
Now, amid the wreckage of her marriage, and despite a fresh start in her own aquarium shop, Julia knows a third chance with her first love is wishful thinking. But when she uses her training as a paralegal to save William's whale-watching business, and he shows up to thank her, she dares to wonder - are third chances possible, after all?
Equal parts witty, heartwarming, and heart-wrenching, The Catch is perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover and Christina Lauren, and reminiscent of classics like Jane Austen's Persuasion. It offers a guaranteed Happy For Now ending, with a Happily Ever After in its sequel.
- GenresWomens FictionRomance
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2023
65 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Miles
4 books26 followersJenna Miles is becoming JENNA MALABY! Totally Gen X author of THE CATCH, THE HOLD, and THE COMPASS. Been there, done that, burned the T-shirt. 90% cat hair.
Jenna Malaby (formerly Jenna Miles) writes contemporary romance and literary fiction that’s swoony, funny, and sometimes angsty. An avid author since she first picked up a crayon, Jenna is a Texas native and still says y’all without warning, despite living in California since 2008. Prior to having a midlife crisis, piercing her nose, and quitting to be a writer, she provided nutrition counseling to people living with HIV. When Jenna is not dreaming up the next drama for her fictional characters, she and her husband stay busy improvising voices for their cats and unintentionally embarrassing their three daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 6, 2023
Favorite Quotes:
That guy has probably been inside more vaginas than a gynecologist.
She lifted the pendant to take a closer look, and smiled. “A mermaid. Now why on earth would that make you think of me?” He squeezed her around the shoulders. “I’ll never forget that night as long as I live. I was so in love with you, and when I saw you, I really thought I could have died a happy man, right then and there.” Her chest flooded with a familiar warmth. She laced her fingers through his and kissed him. “You make me so happy,” she whispered. “Good,” he said, touching the pendant. “Wear it as long as you still feel that way.”
My Review:
Regardless of whether it was her first or her tenth published novel, and it was her first, the crafty minx calling herself Jenna Miles has blown me away. Her storylines were unusually compelling, unpredictable, and thorny, while populated with primary and secondary characters who were recognizable yet realistically authentic, aggravating, struggling, smart, troubled, deeply annoying, and magnetic. Their ongoing issues kept me tethered to my Kindle. I was ensnared, nettled, and captivated by this angsty tale, which is quite a rare occurrence for me as I am no fan of self-inflected misery, but I couldn’t bear to put this one down.
I adored and was completely enamored with William, yet I cannot recall a more vexing main character than Julia, I wanted to give her and her narrow-minded family a few good swats with my crocs to dislodge their craniums from their colons, and it would have taken effort as they were really wedged up there. Julia broke my heart, gave me hope, and shredded it yet again. I see on Ms. Miles’s website that she is penning a sequel. There must be something wrong with me as all my fingers and toes are crossed that she hurries.
That guy has probably been inside more vaginas than a gynecologist.
She lifted the pendant to take a closer look, and smiled. “A mermaid. Now why on earth would that make you think of me?” He squeezed her around the shoulders. “I’ll never forget that night as long as I live. I was so in love with you, and when I saw you, I really thought I could have died a happy man, right then and there.” Her chest flooded with a familiar warmth. She laced her fingers through his and kissed him. “You make me so happy,” she whispered. “Good,” he said, touching the pendant. “Wear it as long as you still feel that way.”
My Review:
Regardless of whether it was her first or her tenth published novel, and it was her first, the crafty minx calling herself Jenna Miles has blown me away. Her storylines were unusually compelling, unpredictable, and thorny, while populated with primary and secondary characters who were recognizable yet realistically authentic, aggravating, struggling, smart, troubled, deeply annoying, and magnetic. Their ongoing issues kept me tethered to my Kindle. I was ensnared, nettled, and captivated by this angsty tale, which is quite a rare occurrence for me as I am no fan of self-inflected misery, but I couldn’t bear to put this one down.
I adored and was completely enamored with William, yet I cannot recall a more vexing main character than Julia, I wanted to give her and her narrow-minded family a few good swats with my crocs to dislodge their craniums from their colons, and it would have taken effort as they were really wedged up there. Julia broke my heart, gave me hope, and shredded it yet again. I see on Ms. Miles’s website that she is penning a sequel. There must be something wrong with me as all my fingers and toes are crossed that she hurries.
December 27, 2022
The Catch is a heartwarming, sometimes frustrating second (more like third) chance romance set in the San Franciso wharf area.
Not written in the linear timeline, we come in on Julia as her husband, Kevin, has left her for the second time. As she returns to her family’s home and the plans she had to open an aquarium shop, she also runs into William Quinn.
Julia and William share a past. It began as teenagers when they fell in love and had big dreams and plans. As the story unfolds, we learn that Julia and William’s hearts can’t ever seem to let go of each other, but will they ever surrender to each other?
I became very engrossed in Julia and William’s journey and love story. The story also touches on issues such as addiction, mental health, parenting, and several relationship issues.
Thank you to the author and #novelcause for this gifted copy.
Not written in the linear timeline, we come in on Julia as her husband, Kevin, has left her for the second time. As she returns to her family’s home and the plans she had to open an aquarium shop, she also runs into William Quinn.
Julia and William share a past. It began as teenagers when they fell in love and had big dreams and plans. As the story unfolds, we learn that Julia and William’s hearts can’t ever seem to let go of each other, but will they ever surrender to each other?
I became very engrossed in Julia and William’s journey and love story. The story also touches on issues such as addiction, mental health, parenting, and several relationship issues.
Thank you to the author and #novelcause for this gifted copy.
August 14, 2023
I really enjoyed this book so much. I connected with both main characters. The 1993 timeline was my favorite of all 3 timelines - it drew me in immediately and I couldn’t put it down. This book made me happy, frustrated, happy again, sad, happy. So many happy moments but also so many set backs that were frustrating. I also enjoyed the relationship she had with her uncle in the early timeline.
While I really liked this book, I was so frustrated by Julia. Her immaturity was very clear in their younger days, but when I think about it, no one really knows who they want to be or what they want forever when they are 18. Young love is beautiful but can be heartbreaking as well. William described Julia best when he said “you’ve always run hot and cold on me. Decide what you want from me and let me know.” William knew what he wanted and was constantly there for her. Julia was constantly doing what would make everyone else happy - her ex, her kids, her parents, etc. but not herself and was flip flopping on what she wanted. It’s a tough place to be in for a people pleaser. She made a lot of decisions I’m not sure I was ok with but I was happy with the ending and I ultimately loved their relationship. This book also deals with loss and mental Illness as well.
While I really liked this book, I was so frustrated by Julia. Her immaturity was very clear in their younger days, but when I think about it, no one really knows who they want to be or what they want forever when they are 18. Young love is beautiful but can be heartbreaking as well. William described Julia best when he said “you’ve always run hot and cold on me. Decide what you want from me and let me know.” William knew what he wanted and was constantly there for her. Julia was constantly doing what would make everyone else happy - her ex, her kids, her parents, etc. but not herself and was flip flopping on what she wanted. It’s a tough place to be in for a people pleaser. She made a lot of decisions I’m not sure I was ok with but I was happy with the ending and I ultimately loved their relationship. This book also deals with loss and mental Illness as well.
January 17, 2023
3.5 rounded up. Review to come
December 27, 2022
A life can be comprised of many aspects, but common among them are following dreams, first loves, setbacks, and second chances, which are explored through the lens of one woman’s experiences in The Catch by Jenna Miles.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Julia’s life hasn’t quite gone as she once envisioned it would from her youthful plans to get a degree and career in marine biology: her husband has disappeared for the second time, her thirteen-year-old daughter is going through a troublesome defiant streak, and her sweet four-year old son’s curiosity in stores creates some embarrassing situations to navigate upon returning yet again to her hometown. Her teenage relationship with the multi-skilled and captivating William was one that they both thought would last but his jealousy and her dogged pursuit of her dreams wound up separating them, though he remained in their hometown working for her father’s restaurant, and when Julia returned after her husband left the first time she and William reconnected relatively easily, dreaming up a whale-watching business they could partner on. After pressured to make a decision that was thought to be best for her daughter’s well-being, Julia goes back to her husband, driving William, and their replanned future, from her once again. Years pass and on her second return home, and fully separated from her husband, Julia learns that William turned their business idea into a successful reality and while she would like to reconcile with him and unburden herself of the secret she’s kept for the past few years, she accepts that it may not happen; when her knowledge and connections as a paralegal offer an opportunity to for her to help save William’s business and his family’s fishery business, she does so without a second thought, all the while hoping that there might just be another chance for them.
In an immersive and relatively swiftly moving story depicting the highs and lows of first loves and second chances, the narrative is split between Julia and William’s current day (2012) and two portions of their past, first beginning in 1993 when they met and got together and later in 2006 when they first reconnect. In addressing some of the issues that got between them and were influential parts of their lives while apart, heavier topics of mental health and addiction play a role and are balanced with more mundane, yet still challenging, topics of motherhood and familial responsibility; though there are communication issues present in the relationship between Julia and William it’s more misunderstanding the other’s expression of their thoughts and feelings than actively choosing not to communicate about major things that impact their relationship (apart from one frustrating element undermining that, though there’s an excuse offered for why and one character is far too forgiving). While following a standard storyline of the genre with expected pitfalls and some satisfying symmetry to the dynamic of support between Julia and William throughout the years, the writing engenders a tangible sense of their heightened and prolonged emotional journey, building the tension between them and the reader’s desire for things to work out happily in the end.
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Julia’s life hasn’t quite gone as she once envisioned it would from her youthful plans to get a degree and career in marine biology: her husband has disappeared for the second time, her thirteen-year-old daughter is going through a troublesome defiant streak, and her sweet four-year old son’s curiosity in stores creates some embarrassing situations to navigate upon returning yet again to her hometown. Her teenage relationship with the multi-skilled and captivating William was one that they both thought would last but his jealousy and her dogged pursuit of her dreams wound up separating them, though he remained in their hometown working for her father’s restaurant, and when Julia returned after her husband left the first time she and William reconnected relatively easily, dreaming up a whale-watching business they could partner on. After pressured to make a decision that was thought to be best for her daughter’s well-being, Julia goes back to her husband, driving William, and their replanned future, from her once again. Years pass and on her second return home, and fully separated from her husband, Julia learns that William turned their business idea into a successful reality and while she would like to reconcile with him and unburden herself of the secret she’s kept for the past few years, she accepts that it may not happen; when her knowledge and connections as a paralegal offer an opportunity to for her to help save William’s business and his family’s fishery business, she does so without a second thought, all the while hoping that there might just be another chance for them.
In an immersive and relatively swiftly moving story depicting the highs and lows of first loves and second chances, the narrative is split between Julia and William’s current day (2012) and two portions of their past, first beginning in 1993 when they met and got together and later in 2006 when they first reconnect. In addressing some of the issues that got between them and were influential parts of their lives while apart, heavier topics of mental health and addiction play a role and are balanced with more mundane, yet still challenging, topics of motherhood and familial responsibility; though there are communication issues present in the relationship between Julia and William it’s more misunderstanding the other’s expression of their thoughts and feelings than actively choosing not to communicate about major things that impact their relationship (apart from one frustrating element undermining that, though there’s an excuse offered for why and one character is far too forgiving). While following a standard storyline of the genre with expected pitfalls and some satisfying symmetry to the dynamic of support between Julia and William throughout the years, the writing engenders a tangible sense of their heightened and prolonged emotional journey, building the tension between them and the reader’s desire for things to work out happily in the end.
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Read
August 10, 2023❝ You have every part of me. My heart, my body and my soul. And you always will. ❞ 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘮
𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
Let’s start with the title, it’s perfect. Yes it’s a play on words in that our main character is a whale watcher and commercial fisherman, but I gather it’s also a call to the phrase, “What’s The Catch”, as in what’s the hidden cost or hidden trap of the characters actions and reactions. Miles successfully took readers on this journey as this idiom replays throughout their history 1993-2012, years of them pining yet waiting for the other shoe to drop.
The words/phrases, Destiny..What’s meant to be will be…Fate…All come to mind as I write this review. I felt all the emotions, visceral at times.
We follow our main characters in the early stages of their adolescent love all the way through to their, second and third chance love story in adulthood. I felt it somewhat reminiscent to one of my favs, the Before Sunset Movie Trilogy starring Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke. I was reminded that life and love are unpredictable.
Self sabotage laced with regret also plagued our characters and they just couldn’t catch a break. The characters trying to find their way was further fleshed out in the symbolism of certain items in the book like the compass tattoo, mermaid, and Saint Peter pendant.
I was fully invested in the characters and I’d recommend this to readers that enjoy stories with deep seeded emotions.
Readers please be mindful of the content warnings, as this read contains heavy topics. CW: cancer, grief, abortion, mental illness, drug/alcohol abuse, divorce, abandonment, self harm, bullying
𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
Let’s start with the title, it’s perfect. Yes it’s a play on words in that our main character is a whale watcher and commercial fisherman, but I gather it’s also a call to the phrase, “What’s The Catch”, as in what’s the hidden cost or hidden trap of the characters actions and reactions. Miles successfully took readers on this journey as this idiom replays throughout their history 1993-2012, years of them pining yet waiting for the other shoe to drop.
The words/phrases, Destiny..What’s meant to be will be…Fate…All come to mind as I write this review. I felt all the emotions, visceral at times.
We follow our main characters in the early stages of their adolescent love all the way through to their, second and third chance love story in adulthood. I felt it somewhat reminiscent to one of my favs, the Before Sunset Movie Trilogy starring Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke. I was reminded that life and love are unpredictable.
Self sabotage laced with regret also plagued our characters and they just couldn’t catch a break. The characters trying to find their way was further fleshed out in the symbolism of certain items in the book like the compass tattoo, mermaid, and Saint Peter pendant.
I was fully invested in the characters and I’d recommend this to readers that enjoy stories with deep seeded emotions.
Readers please be mindful of the content warnings, as this read contains heavy topics. CW: cancer, grief, abortion, mental illness, drug/alcohol abuse, divorce, abandonment, self harm, bullying
January 31, 2023
✨ Review ✨
A big thank you to @jennamilesauthor for this #gifted copy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Catch by Jenna Miles
Julia’s life hasn’t turned out how she planned, however; when an old passion is reignited and a lost love resurfaces she has a chance to make things right.
What it has to offer:
💋 Romance
🎭 Drama
❤️🩹 Second Chances
🌱 Growth
Quick thoughts:
✨ Time jumps, which I love!
✨ A very bold leading character.
✨ Love from many angles.
✨ Many types of relationships and the drama that goes with.
An interesting dissection of love over time.
Overall thoughts:
📝 I liked the writing style. The story flowed nicely and at a good pace.
💋The romance was a nice slow burn playing out over time. It felt very real and relatable.
🌶 There is a little bit of spice in this one but it’s pretty mild.
🎭 There were definitely some dramatic moments throughout that propelled the story forward and kept me turning the pages.
❤️🩹 The idea of second chances and what we do with them was very interesting and heartbreaking at times.
🌱 Getting to watch the characters grow and change over time made their love story more meaningful in the end.
💜 I really enjoyed the time jumps and getting to see the characters at different stages in life.
If you’re looking for a second chance romance then this would be a good pick for you!
A big thank you to @jennamilesauthor for this #gifted copy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Catch by Jenna Miles
Julia’s life hasn’t turned out how she planned, however; when an old passion is reignited and a lost love resurfaces she has a chance to make things right.
What it has to offer:
💋 Romance
🎭 Drama
❤️🩹 Second Chances
🌱 Growth
Quick thoughts:
✨ Time jumps, which I love!
✨ A very bold leading character.
✨ Love from many angles.
✨ Many types of relationships and the drama that goes with.
An interesting dissection of love over time.
Overall thoughts:
📝 I liked the writing style. The story flowed nicely and at a good pace.
💋The romance was a nice slow burn playing out over time. It felt very real and relatable.
🌶 There is a little bit of spice in this one but it’s pretty mild.
🎭 There were definitely some dramatic moments throughout that propelled the story forward and kept me turning the pages.
❤️🩹 The idea of second chances and what we do with them was very interesting and heartbreaking at times.
🌱 Getting to watch the characters grow and change over time made their love story more meaningful in the end.
💜 I really enjoyed the time jumps and getting to see the characters at different stages in life.
If you’re looking for a second chance romance then this would be a good pick for you!
October 11, 2023
When I had a spare moment during the flurry of life, I found myself seeking out 'The Catch' so I could lose myself in the characters and see what happened next. A solid story of life's twists that push and pull love, family, friendship and forgiveness, challenging the generic 'happily ever after' without abandoning it completely. I was especially appreciative of the idea that love comes in many forms and the love of a child is as important as the love of a partner. I was grateful for the author's sensitivity in writing about Julia's daughter with real issues, without allowing those issues to be the whole of the child. I enjoyed this book for its realistic conversations, interactions and sacrifices, as well as the challenges presented through conflicting obligations and promises - to ones self and to others.
'The Catch' inhabits a refreshing space between those writers who are prudishly hesitant to write of intimacy and those that are gratuitous and unrealistic (there are many shades of this). These intimate moments were both sensual and consensual.
There were only a few writing glitches which interrupted my reading as I had to either re-read a sentence or found a single word used too many times in close proximity. But these were far between and few, so it was easy to jump back into the rhythm of the story. I did have some issue with the ease of forgiveness offered up almost too quickly for what were life-altering decisions. But perhaps remembering that love and forgiveness often go hand in hand is part of the process of growth.
All in all, this is a fun first self-publication for Jenna Miles. I would recommend this book as an excellent travel companion as it flows quickly and easily, giving a satisfying ending. I look forward to learning what happens next for Julia and William.
'The Catch' inhabits a refreshing space between those writers who are prudishly hesitant to write of intimacy and those that are gratuitous and unrealistic (there are many shades of this). These intimate moments were both sensual and consensual.
There were only a few writing glitches which interrupted my reading as I had to either re-read a sentence or found a single word used too many times in close proximity. But these were far between and few, so it was easy to jump back into the rhythm of the story. I did have some issue with the ease of forgiveness offered up almost too quickly for what were life-altering decisions. But perhaps remembering that love and forgiveness often go hand in hand is part of the process of growth.
All in all, this is a fun first self-publication for Jenna Miles. I would recommend this book as an excellent travel companion as it flows quickly and easily, giving a satisfying ending. I look forward to learning what happens next for Julia and William.
July 28, 2023
4.5 stars!
Thank you to my partner, Kate Rock Book Tours, and the author. I appreciate the gifted paperback,and I am leaving this review voluntarily!
1. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏 - It is front and center in this story - how troubles within parental relationships really take a toll on the children. As a teacher, it is something we see everyday 😢
2. 𝑫𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔 - Even the smallest changes can have drastic effects on everyone’s lives. It’s crazy to me how easy it is for some people like Kevin in 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 to only consider themselves….especially when they have to know that, most importantly, the kids will suffer.
3. 𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒔 - There is the saying that if it’s meant to be, it will all work out. With Julia and William, I sure found myself cheering for them. So many ups and downs throughout their lives and the reader just has to hang on to see if it will actually prevail or not.
4. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑲𝒊𝒅𝒔 - Paige and Robert are everything to Julia and she proves it time after time throughout the story. When Paige struggled, I felt like I was right there with her and praying for her to overcome. And then along comes Robert…..what a twist that is!
5. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 - I love the metaphor of the title. With the ties that Julia and William have to the water and their dreams, they truly seem to be “the catch” for one another.
Thank you to my partner, Kate Rock Book Tours, and the author. I appreciate the gifted paperback,and I am leaving this review voluntarily!
1. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏 - It is front and center in this story - how troubles within parental relationships really take a toll on the children. As a teacher, it is something we see everyday 😢
2. 𝑫𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔 - Even the smallest changes can have drastic effects on everyone’s lives. It’s crazy to me how easy it is for some people like Kevin in 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 to only consider themselves….especially when they have to know that, most importantly, the kids will suffer.
3. 𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒔 - There is the saying that if it’s meant to be, it will all work out. With Julia and William, I sure found myself cheering for them. So many ups and downs throughout their lives and the reader just has to hang on to see if it will actually prevail or not.
4. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑲𝒊𝒅𝒔 - Paige and Robert are everything to Julia and she proves it time after time throughout the story. When Paige struggled, I felt like I was right there with her and praying for her to overcome. And then along comes Robert…..what a twist that is!
5. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 - I love the metaphor of the title. With the ties that Julia and William have to the water and their dreams, they truly seem to be “the catch” for one another.
August 3, 2023
The Catch 🐳
By: Jenna Miles
First off... this cover!! I LOVE it! The art and colors are just perfect! 😍
I binged this in a day!! It is very well written and kept me turning the pages to know what choices Julia would make. I was interrupted for about an hour with 45 pages left. 😩 And all I thought about was how it would end during that time.
There is a lot packed into this book. There were definitely some triggers, but it was all handled well. Though I was not a huge fan of 2006 Julia, I don't know how I would have handled things in her position so I don't judge her. There was so much thrown her way, and I just wanted her back to her silly teen self. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Jenna!
Thank you, Jenna & Kate Rock Book Tours!
By: Jenna Miles
First off... this cover!! I LOVE it! The art and colors are just perfect! 😍
I binged this in a day!! It is very well written and kept me turning the pages to know what choices Julia would make. I was interrupted for about an hour with 45 pages left. 😩 And all I thought about was how it would end during that time.
There is a lot packed into this book. There were definitely some triggers, but it was all handled well. Though I was not a huge fan of 2006 Julia, I don't know how I would have handled things in her position so I don't judge her. There was so much thrown her way, and I just wanted her back to her silly teen self. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Jenna!
Thank you, Jenna & Kate Rock Book Tours!
August 8, 2023
This was such a cute second chance romance book. I love a good second chance romance trope and I loved that you got to see the whole evolution of their love story. You get the whole background and not just a quick synopsis. The book shifts in time perspectives so you know how they started out, where they are now, and how they got to where they are now. I also have to say, the cover on this book is super adorable!
Thanks so much to Kate Rock Book Tours and Jenna Miles for the gifted copy of the book!
Thanks so much to Kate Rock Book Tours and Jenna Miles for the gifted copy of the book!
Read
December 14, 2022Julie Dunphy's husband has left her for the second time. She and her angry teenage daughter and raucous son move to her hometown, where she must face her ex-fiancee, their families, and career ambitions she thought she had buried long ago. This contemporary second-chance romance has well-developed characters whose love for the sea is contagious. The dialogue is great, with just the right amount of spice for this reader and tensions that kept the pages turning.
August 15, 2023
This book had me at the cover! The story drew me in and had my heart racing as the beautiful and complicated lives of the characters unfolded. I want everyone to read this book so I can talk about it even more!
April 24, 2024
Well this book had me in a choke hold. I don’t usually like books that do teenage romance, but this one was done so well I felt 16 again. And then flipping to the present and them dealing with adult issues with that same kind of love was just… ugh so very good. Her writing is beautiful and she has romance down. If you’re looking for an achy good book this is it.
August 3, 2023
Julia and William have quite the history. They met and fell in love as teens and had grand plans for after college. But they break up and Julia goes on to marry another. After her husband leaves her for the second time, she connects with William and they try a relationship again but it's complicated with her young daughter. Then another circumstance pulls them apart again.
I liked them as teens together. I was sad when they drifted apart during college. Julia was quite stubborn at times but I could understand why. I just wish she didn't break William's heart so much.
I read this book in a day and enjoyed it a lot. I can't wait to read more from Jenna!
I liked them as teens together. I was sad when they drifted apart during college. Julia was quite stubborn at times but I could understand why. I just wish she didn't break William's heart so much.
I read this book in a day and enjoyed it a lot. I can't wait to read more from Jenna!
January 5, 2023
It's complicated... Julia and William’s journey is not an easy one. She's the girl you love to hate - and has made a mess of her life, mostly by her own hand. Will is the guy you want to shake and ask why? My emotions were all over the place but couldn't help to pick it up every night to see what was coming next. In the end, the story wrapped up nicely with no loose ends (which I appreciate). The story was told in three different periods of time but it was easy to understand where on the calendar we were. Loved the San Francisco setting and I often felt right there with them.
Contains addiction, mental health, and relationship issues.
Thank you for the copy of the book - all opinions are my own.
Contains addiction, mental health, and relationship issues.
Thank you for the copy of the book - all opinions are my own.
July 2, 2016
This is the kind of book that you can't put down once you start reading. The writing was beautifully executed and made me feel as though I were present in Julia and William's journey to reconnect and rekindle their love. I felt immersed in the story the entire time and found myself craving more for weeks after I was finished. One of the best books I've read in a very long time!
January 3, 2023
Interesting and complex storyline that kept me reading to see what would happen next. Characters were realistic and relatable, even if not always likable or making the best decisions! A couple of decent plot twists that weren’t super obvious (although in hindsight there had been some clues dropped). Overall, a great read, and I’m looking forward to see what the author writes next!
November 23, 2015
Super impressed with this first novel by Jenna Miles. Easy to read, loved the setting ( San Francisco) and interesting story line. Not my usual genre but was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it.
November 9, 2023
A second (third, fourth, fifth!) chances romance- this one is filled with many ups & downs, real life struggles, parenting issues, and ohhhhh so much relationship drama!
September 24, 2024
REVIEW
cw: HIV/AIDS, death, grief, drug overdose, mentions of child physical abuse, heroin and methamphetamine abuse, termination, homophobic and racist language, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, addiction, self-harm, attempted suicide, abandonment
When Julia Dunphy's husband leaves her for the second time, she returns to live with her parents while trying to juggle her two children. Her work brings up old memories, not only of her dream job but also of her first love, William Quinn. William has loved Juila since they were teenagers, but she's left him twice before. Could the third time be the charm?
I went on such a journey with these characters, but not in a good way, unfortunately. Told in a mixture of flashbacks from 1993 to 2006 and briefly 2012 (as their present-day), we get to witness Julia and Willaim's early courtship, her first 'split' from her husband, and finally Julia and William's third chance. William and Julia's burgeoning high school romance was so beautifully written, with all the furtive glances and awkwardness of youth, alongside a 90's backdrop that I identified with. However, as the story progressed, I became more and more frustrated with Julia as a character, and the amount of topics thrown into the story. I think I could have just about dealt with Julia's flakiness if there wasn't quite so much going on. I feel like the author decided to throw in a bit of everything, in the hope that some of it would stick. But every emotional beat felt rushed and numbed down, and the bad stuff just kept coming, so it was hard to feel anything in the moment. The plotline that I did think was well-written was related to Julia's uncle, Rob. I loved his sense of humour, even in the face of unimaginable pain. I found his story sensitively explored, yet heartbreakingly realistic.
William was a sweetheart, with such a sensitive soul. I have to admit though, I found the lead-up to the breakup VERY clunky, so the split felt predictable, yet poorly explained. Though I understood Julia's need to focus on her studies, I felt she actively ignored William and treated him incredibly dismissively. I think what frustrated me the most was that the 'ex' wasn't ever really part of the story. We were introduced to him in a completely different context, but it felt so passive and was hard to comprehend how that relationship happened. So, it was even harder to understand how Julia could have actually started a relationship with him, and completely dismissed William. While I realise this was set in a different time, there was also some casual racism that popped up, particularly from Julia's family.
As the book progressed I disliked Julia more and more, so I found it increasingly impossible to empathise with her. She was so wishy-washy and blaisé with people's feelings, including her own. While I understood her fears for Paige at seven, the apparent ease with which she (again) dismissed William made my head spin. The mental health representation was another opportunity missed to concentrate on the details, rather than just the extreme moments.
As we flashed forward, Julia was constantly surprised whenever William’s family weren't bending over backwards to be happy to see her. Ultimately, I couldn't help but feel like William deserved better. Every single time. I saw the 'twist' at the end coming (even though Robert was barely mentioned), but I HATED how blasé Julia was in her explanation, and how passive William was to such a huge secret. Even knowing there was a second book (though why?), the ending felt extremely rushed and perfunctory.
I just don't think this series is for me.
Overall Rating: ❤️❤️ (for the initial romance and Julia's uncle)
Heat Rating: 🔥
Favourite Quotes:
“He has no idea, does he?” mused Alison. “That’s so refreshing. He hasn’t been hot long enough for it to go to his head. You’re a lucky girl.”
We’re an addictive family. If it’s not a substance, it’s work, or something else.”
“Follow your heart.”
...her heart had never loved another human being more than it had grown to love William.
cw: HIV/AIDS, death, grief, drug overdose, mentions of child physical abuse, heroin and methamphetamine abuse, termination, homophobic and racist language, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, addiction, self-harm, attempted suicide, abandonment
When Julia Dunphy's husband leaves her for the second time, she returns to live with her parents while trying to juggle her two children. Her work brings up old memories, not only of her dream job but also of her first love, William Quinn. William has loved Juila since they were teenagers, but she's left him twice before. Could the third time be the charm?
I went on such a journey with these characters, but not in a good way, unfortunately. Told in a mixture of flashbacks from 1993 to 2006 and briefly 2012 (as their present-day), we get to witness Julia and Willaim's early courtship, her first 'split' from her husband, and finally Julia and William's third chance. William and Julia's burgeoning high school romance was so beautifully written, with all the furtive glances and awkwardness of youth, alongside a 90's backdrop that I identified with. However, as the story progressed, I became more and more frustrated with Julia as a character, and the amount of topics thrown into the story. I think I could have just about dealt with Julia's flakiness if there wasn't quite so much going on. I feel like the author decided to throw in a bit of everything, in the hope that some of it would stick. But every emotional beat felt rushed and numbed down, and the bad stuff just kept coming, so it was hard to feel anything in the moment. The plotline that I did think was well-written was related to Julia's uncle, Rob. I loved his sense of humour, even in the face of unimaginable pain. I found his story sensitively explored, yet heartbreakingly realistic.
William was a sweetheart, with such a sensitive soul. I have to admit though, I found the lead-up to the breakup VERY clunky, so the split felt predictable, yet poorly explained. Though I understood Julia's need to focus on her studies, I felt she actively ignored William and treated him incredibly dismissively. I think what frustrated me the most was that the 'ex' wasn't ever really part of the story. We were introduced to him in a completely different context, but it felt so passive and was hard to comprehend how that relationship happened. So, it was even harder to understand how Julia could have actually started a relationship with him, and completely dismissed William. While I realise this was set in a different time, there was also some casual racism that popped up, particularly from Julia's family.
As the book progressed I disliked Julia more and more, so I found it increasingly impossible to empathise with her. She was so wishy-washy and blaisé with people's feelings, including her own. While I understood her fears for Paige at seven, the apparent ease with which she (again) dismissed William made my head spin. The mental health representation was another opportunity missed to concentrate on the details, rather than just the extreme moments.
As we flashed forward, Julia was constantly surprised whenever William’s family weren't bending over backwards to be happy to see her. Ultimately, I couldn't help but feel like William deserved better. Every single time. I saw the 'twist' at the end coming (even though Robert was barely mentioned), but I HATED how blasé Julia was in her explanation, and how passive William was to such a huge secret. Even knowing there was a second book (though why?), the ending felt extremely rushed and perfunctory.
I just don't think this series is for me.
Overall Rating: ❤️❤️ (for the initial romance and Julia's uncle)
Heat Rating: 🔥
Favourite Quotes:
“He has no idea, does he?” mused Alison. “That’s so refreshing. He hasn’t been hot long enough for it to go to his head. You’re a lucky girl.”
We’re an addictive family. If it’s not a substance, it’s work, or something else.”
“Follow your heart.”
...her heart had never loved another human being more than it had grown to love William.
April 21, 2023
Julia is the victim of bad timing and circumstance. She meets Will, the man of her dreams, in high school.
Will and Kevin are nothing alike; Will is brooding and full of angst, from a working class family. Kevin is neither brooding nor angsty; he’s a nice guy with a trust fund who loves marine biology. The two men have some things in common though – they’re both tied to the Pacific Ocean along the California coast and they’re both in love with Julia.
The Catch is not a lighthearted, funny romance with an endearingly imperfect heroine whose embarrassing mishaps make us love her even more. Instead it’s the story of a thoughtfully drawn main character whose life didn’t quite turn out the way she expected while in high school and college – something to which many readers, this one included, can relate.
The acknowledgments at the beginning of the book are a testament to the extensive research Jenna Miles conducted, resulting in a world so detailed and believable that readers will be surprised to know that Ms. Miles grew up in Texas, nowhere near San Francisco. Add some expertly crafted dialogue and the result is a readable, enjoyable story. Readers will, almost incidentally, learn about the fishing industry, restaurant management, and the Pacific Ocean – and even a bit of legal history. Romance was never so educational!
Julia is as authentic as any romantic heroine, and Will is sufficiently angsty to play the romantic hero. Kevin is not fleshed out much, and readers might appreciate more info on his backstory. Because relationships drive events – family, romantic, and professional – it’s easy to lose sight of the subtle work Ms. Miles has done to underline the common human experience of dreams unrealized and plans uprooted. Readers, be sure to take note.
This book gets five stars for world building, prose, and dialogue, and three to four stars for a basically solid plot with a few issues that don’t much affect your reading experience – overall rating is four stars.
Thank you to the author for a complementary copy of this book, which I used to write this honest review.
Will and Kevin are nothing alike; Will is brooding and full of angst, from a working class family. Kevin is neither brooding nor angsty; he’s a nice guy with a trust fund who loves marine biology. The two men have some things in common though – they’re both tied to the Pacific Ocean along the California coast and they’re both in love with Julia.
The Catch is not a lighthearted, funny romance with an endearingly imperfect heroine whose embarrassing mishaps make us love her even more. Instead it’s the story of a thoughtfully drawn main character whose life didn’t quite turn out the way she expected while in high school and college – something to which many readers, this one included, can relate.
The acknowledgments at the beginning of the book are a testament to the extensive research Jenna Miles conducted, resulting in a world so detailed and believable that readers will be surprised to know that Ms. Miles grew up in Texas, nowhere near San Francisco. Add some expertly crafted dialogue and the result is a readable, enjoyable story. Readers will, almost incidentally, learn about the fishing industry, restaurant management, and the Pacific Ocean – and even a bit of legal history. Romance was never so educational!
Julia is as authentic as any romantic heroine, and Will is sufficiently angsty to play the romantic hero. Kevin is not fleshed out much, and readers might appreciate more info on his backstory. Because relationships drive events – family, romantic, and professional – it’s easy to lose sight of the subtle work Ms. Miles has done to underline the common human experience of dreams unrealized and plans uprooted. Readers, be sure to take note.
This book gets five stars for world building, prose, and dialogue, and three to four stars for a basically solid plot with a few issues that don’t much affect your reading experience – overall rating is four stars.
Thank you to the author for a complementary copy of this book, which I used to write this honest review.
January 5, 2024
I am an absolute sucker for second-chance love stories. From Beatrice and Benedick in “Much Ado About Nothing” to Captain Wentworth and Anne in “Persuasion” to Ross and Rachel in “Friends”. And I’m happy to now add to that list Julia and Will from The Catch. From the start I was hooked — you will understand why hooked is so appropriate when you read the book, and you must read the book. As the plot progressed and I realised it was a third-chance romance, well, my cup runneth over.
Wonderfully written, the style is witty, engaging and relatable. The characters feel real. These are people you get to know and care deeply for. Yes, they make mistakes. Some real howlers. But that’s what makes them three-dimensional. And it’s not just Will and Julia that jump off the page at you, the author has surrounded them with friends, family, and a small-town community that is instantly familiar.
This is such a feel-good book. The kind we want when real life is not so great, and we need to escape. For me, it was a welcome relief from the stresses and strains of the pre-Christmas run-up — a time when most women’s heads implode from the pressure, and I would look forward all day to sitting down after dinner and picking up the story with a sigh of relief, wondering what catastrophe was about to descend on the hapless couple.
As the plot twisted and turned, I hoped it would end happily for them but there were times when the author toyed with my emotions, like a cat with a mouse, and left me dangling in agony that maybe this was a book with no happy ever after — or perhaps had one of those weird unresolved endings that leaves the reader cross and unsatisfied. No spoilers, but the ending was more than satisfying and this reader was left very happy and with a big smile on her face. So, if you’re looking for a new comfort read and you like your books reassuring and satisfying, then look no further than The Catch which receives a heartfelt five stars from me.
Wonderfully written, the style is witty, engaging and relatable. The characters feel real. These are people you get to know and care deeply for. Yes, they make mistakes. Some real howlers. But that’s what makes them three-dimensional. And it’s not just Will and Julia that jump off the page at you, the author has surrounded them with friends, family, and a small-town community that is instantly familiar.
This is such a feel-good book. The kind we want when real life is not so great, and we need to escape. For me, it was a welcome relief from the stresses and strains of the pre-Christmas run-up — a time when most women’s heads implode from the pressure, and I would look forward all day to sitting down after dinner and picking up the story with a sigh of relief, wondering what catastrophe was about to descend on the hapless couple.
As the plot twisted and turned, I hoped it would end happily for them but there were times when the author toyed with my emotions, like a cat with a mouse, and left me dangling in agony that maybe this was a book with no happy ever after — or perhaps had one of those weird unresolved endings that leaves the reader cross and unsatisfied. No spoilers, but the ending was more than satisfying and this reader was left very happy and with a big smile on her face. So, if you’re looking for a new comfort read and you like your books reassuring and satisfying, then look no further than The Catch which receives a heartfelt five stars from me.
August 29, 2023
The overall plot was quite compelling and I definitely found myself wanting to know what was going to happen next. I liked how we got to see Julia at different stages of her life and how William fit into that. That offered a really interesting lens from which to view the characters.
I would probably give the first and second half of this book 2 different ratings and have settled on 4. I really enjoyed the first half where we meet William and Julia as teenagers. The development of that teenage love was very sweet and lovely and a solid setup for where the inevitable conflict would arise.
The second half of the book was also intriguing and compelling, and I would have liked a trigger warning for some of the content. In particular, there is discussion of self-harm from an elementary school-aged child and some of the ways that other characters engage around the child's mental health as she gets older could be quite triggering for some. There is also some discussion of substance use and overdose as well as a grey area of infidelity. I disagree with the reader who called it cheating because of the context in which it occurs in the book, however, some folks may have strong opinions on what that definition is.
When I began the book, I had anticipated a romance and definitely got that in the first half. However, I would say that this story actually fits quite firmly in the Women's Lit genre, which is an important mindset to have when reading.
Thank you for sharing this book with us Jenna! I look forward to reading more of your work.
I would probably give the first and second half of this book 2 different ratings and have settled on 4. I really enjoyed the first half where we meet William and Julia as teenagers. The development of that teenage love was very sweet and lovely and a solid setup for where the inevitable conflict would arise.
The second half of the book was also intriguing and compelling, and I would have liked a trigger warning for some of the content. In particular, there is discussion of self-harm from an elementary school-aged child and some of the ways that other characters engage around the child's mental health as she gets older could be quite triggering for some. There is also some discussion of substance use and overdose as well as a grey area of infidelity. I disagree with the reader who called it cheating because of the context in which it occurs in the book, however, some folks may have strong opinions on what that definition is.
When I began the book, I had anticipated a romance and definitely got that in the first half. However, I would say that this story actually fits quite firmly in the Women's Lit genre, which is an important mindset to have when reading.
Thank you for sharing this book with us Jenna! I look forward to reading more of your work.
August 15, 2023
This book has a non-linear timeline; when we first meet Julia and her two kids, they have moved back in with her parents after her husband left her. Returning home to the San Francisco bayside setting has her remembering her first love, William Quinn, and the whale-watching company they wanted to build together. I LOVED the flashback portion of Julia and William’s coming-of-age romance. It was furtive looks, hand holding, first-time, head over heels in love summer perfection. Their break-up after attempting long-distance was heart wrenching, but also realistic. Years later, so much has changed for both of them, but can they reconnect and finish the love story they started?
The hurdles Julia and William must overcome are real, painful, and traumatic. But so is real life and real relationships. Miles does a great job at developing complex and flawed MCs who sometimes hurt each other; whether it is from insecurities, immaturities, or a place of fear. I definitely identified with Julia and the complexities of relationships after divorce and struggling with doing what is best for your children and yourself. This book has laughs, angst, drama, soul-mates, and a happy for now (with an upcoming HEA!). Readers of contemporary second-chance romance with angst and drama will love this book.
The hurdles Julia and William must overcome are real, painful, and traumatic. But so is real life and real relationships. Miles does a great job at developing complex and flawed MCs who sometimes hurt each other; whether it is from insecurities, immaturities, or a place of fear. I definitely identified with Julia and the complexities of relationships after divorce and struggling with doing what is best for your children and yourself. This book has laughs, angst, drama, soul-mates, and a happy for now (with an upcoming HEA!). Readers of contemporary second-chance romance with angst and drama will love this book.
August 21, 2025
Book Review 🦭
Title: The Catch
Author: Jenna Miles
The book:
Set in the San Francisco wharf, this story follows Julia whom is now a single mom to a 13 & 4 yr old after her husbands Kevin has left her for the second time.
Once Julia returns home she starts planning on opening an aquarium shop. Soon after she runs into William her teenage love.
As Julia and William spend more time together and reminisce on old times they both realize they haven’t lost the love they once had for each other. Will Julia finally know what she really wants or will she continue to run hot and cold for William.
My thoughts:
The Catch is a cute 2nd chance love story to read. Julia’s character made me upset at times with her people pleasing. William I thought was adorable and I loved that he knew exactly what he wanted of Julia. In all this is a cute story that touches in relationship issues and I recommend it to you all
Title: The Catch
Author: Jenna Miles
The book:
Set in the San Francisco wharf, this story follows Julia whom is now a single mom to a 13 & 4 yr old after her husbands Kevin has left her for the second time.
Once Julia returns home she starts planning on opening an aquarium shop. Soon after she runs into William her teenage love.
As Julia and William spend more time together and reminisce on old times they both realize they haven’t lost the love they once had for each other. Will Julia finally know what she really wants or will she continue to run hot and cold for William.
My thoughts:
The Catch is a cute 2nd chance love story to read. Julia’s character made me upset at times with her people pleasing. William I thought was adorable and I loved that he knew exactly what he wanted of Julia. In all this is a cute story that touches in relationship issues and I recommend it to you all
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2023
First of all, how gorgeous is this cover! I love a good illustrated cover with flowers and loved how the cover matched the book. The Catch follows the life of Julia from her first forever love, to her husband, to her kids and back again. Through the ups and downs of her marriage, her first love, William always seems to resurface. This novel answers the question, is love ever enough? While I enjoyed the story, I found all of the characters to be pretty unlikable and at times I wanted to shake Julia, William and Kevin all equally. I think that was the point though! Love is always a bit crazy. I wish the chapters were a bit shorter but I loved how the story wrapped up and especially loved Robert the pirate :) The addition of a focus on mental health was appreciated too. Too often, mental health isn't discussed in novels and I thought Jenna did a great job on that aspect. I look forward to reading more from this author!
Read
August 10, 2023DNF @ a little over 50%. i hate this because i could not put this down, but i reached a point where i couldn’t in good conscience keep reading. spoilers ahead…..
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SPOILERS BELOW
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YOU’VE BEEN WARNED.
the heroine and hero fall in love as teenagers and it is so beautiful and epic, but it’s the wrong time and the heroine breaks the hero’s heart. fine - i can handle that as i love angst and it sets up an epic reunion…or so i thought. she gets married and then her husband leaves her and their daughter some years later. he just disappears. there is no divorce or filing of divorce. heroine reconnects with hero and starts cheating on her missing husband only to eventually break hero’s heart AGAIN and get back with her husband who she goes on to have another child with. i just can’t. william is too good for julia.
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SPOILERS BELOW
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YOU’VE BEEN WARNED.
the heroine and hero fall in love as teenagers and it is so beautiful and epic, but it’s the wrong time and the heroine breaks the hero’s heart. fine - i can handle that as i love angst and it sets up an epic reunion…or so i thought. she gets married and then her husband leaves her and their daughter some years later. he just disappears. there is no divorce or filing of divorce. heroine reconnects with hero and starts cheating on her missing husband only to eventually break hero’s heart AGAIN and get back with her husband who she goes on to have another child with. i just can’t. william is too good for julia.
April 16, 2023
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!
This was a well-written romance that follows the lives of Julia and William as they flow in and out of each other’s lives. The storyline bounces between past and present so the reader gets to experience every part of their tumultuous on-again/off-again relationship over the course of more than a decade.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, but Julia’s character was very difficult for me to like. She made terrible decisions and was emotionally immature and selfish. I honestly think William deserved a lot better. I could have used some more lighthearted scenes to break up the heaviness, but that’s just my personal preference. My favorite parts were the beautifully described whale-watching scenes. I would recommend this to fans of second-chance love stories.
My rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up)
This was a well-written romance that follows the lives of Julia and William as they flow in and out of each other’s lives. The storyline bounces between past and present so the reader gets to experience every part of their tumultuous on-again/off-again relationship over the course of more than a decade.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, but Julia’s character was very difficult for me to like. She made terrible decisions and was emotionally immature and selfish. I honestly think William deserved a lot better. I could have used some more lighthearted scenes to break up the heaviness, but that’s just my personal preference. My favorite parts were the beautifully described whale-watching scenes. I would recommend this to fans of second-chance love stories.
My rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up)
August 28, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Although, since this was originally published in 2015, I'm unclear how this was an ARC?
Non-linear, second (third?) chance love story of Julia and William, two working class kids from San Francisco.
I enjoyed the 1993 time line - the slow build relationship of Julia and William when they meet the summer before senior year of HS. I liked Julia and how precocious and sure of herself she was at 18. I liked Julia's relationships with her sister, Uncle and grandmother in the 1993 time line.
Long distance relationships are hard, but I thought Julia's reasoning for breaking up with William was hasty and flawed. I get that she was struggling and wanted to remain committed to her studies; but that reasoning becomes extremely problematic as the story progresses.
Unfortunately, the story becomes increasingly disjointed and the pacing is all over the place as the story moves back and forth between 2006 and 2012. The death of Julia's grandmother is basically a footnote. The topics of addiction, manic-depression, attempted suicides, and drug use by a 13 year old create dramatic touchpoints, but then are never clearly resolved.
I didn't hate the story, but I didn't love it either. I'm a sucker for HEA so it falls into 3 star territory, which is my "meh, it was OK" rating.
Non-linear, second (third?) chance love story of Julia and William, two working class kids from San Francisco.
I enjoyed the 1993 time line - the slow build relationship of Julia and William when they meet the summer before senior year of HS. I liked Julia and how precocious and sure of herself she was at 18. I liked Julia's relationships with her sister, Uncle and grandmother in the 1993 time line.
Long distance relationships are hard, but I thought Julia's reasoning for breaking up with William was hasty and flawed. I get that she was struggling and wanted to remain committed to her studies; but that reasoning becomes extremely problematic as the story progresses.
Unfortunately, the story becomes increasingly disjointed and the pacing is all over the place as the story moves back and forth between 2006 and 2012. The death of Julia's grandmother is basically a footnote. The topics of addiction, manic-depression, attempted suicides, and drug use by a 13 year old create dramatic touchpoints, but then are never clearly resolved.
I didn't hate the story, but I didn't love it either. I'm a sucker for HEA so it falls into 3 star territory, which is my "meh, it was OK" rating.
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