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The Name Curse
Ever since her father died, Bernie’s life has been stagnant. When concerned friends and family suggest she join a hike through Alaska to gain new perspective, Bernie reluctantly agrees to go, even though she’s never been the adventurous type, unlike her namesake, Great-Aunt Bernice.
Matthew is a struggling screenwriter who needs a week off the grid to gain some inspiration for a new project and to process the reappearance of his absent father.
When the two meet at the trailhead, it’s annoyance at first sight. He’s dismayed to discover that he’ll have to share a tent with Bernie, who doesn’t know the first thing about camping, while she finds he’s a little too into “roughing it” to be a reasonable human being. But as they’re forced to hike through the wilderness together, their relationship becomes a surprising source of empathy and inspiration…and maybe other feelings too. Can the two adversaries find the path to breaking the curse of family expectations—and each other?
Matthew is a struggling screenwriter who needs a week off the grid to gain some inspiration for a new project and to process the reappearance of his absent father.
When the two meet at the trailhead, it’s annoyance at first sight. He’s dismayed to discover that he’ll have to share a tent with Bernie, who doesn’t know the first thing about camping, while she finds he’s a little too into “roughing it” to be a reasonable human being. But as they’re forced to hike through the wilderness together, their relationship becomes a surprising source of empathy and inspiration…and maybe other feelings too. Can the two adversaries find the path to breaking the curse of family expectations—and each other?
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First published August 31, 2021
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About the author
Brooke Burroughs
2 books97 followersBrooke Burroughs is an award winning writer of fun love stories about women with a heart for adventure. Brooke lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, who she met on one of her own real life adventures living in India. When she's not writing, she conducts experiments in vegetarian cooking, performs with a Bollywood dance troupe, travels whenever she can, and is frequently seen at the dog park with her Great Dane which is often mistaken for a horse.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
October 22, 2021
Set in Alaska during a hiking retreat, this story is filled with forced proximity goodness as Bernie and Matthew are paired to be tent mates. Clashing immediately upon introduction, I loved the gradual bonding that developed between them as they live life in nature.
While this story was plenty lighthearted and funny, it also included a lot of tender discussions such as grief, estranged family, and being burdened by expectations. Rediscovering her sense of adventure, I adored the growth Bernie experiences over the course of the story.
As the story left the hiking adventure, it lost its spark for me, though. This was somehow simultaneously a slow-burn romance while also being an insta-love romance. It felt incredibly rushed towards the end. But this was still enjoyable, especially with the backdrop of the Alaskan wilderness!
While this story was plenty lighthearted and funny, it also included a lot of tender discussions such as grief, estranged family, and being burdened by expectations. Rediscovering her sense of adventure, I adored the growth Bernie experiences over the course of the story.
As the story left the hiking adventure, it lost its spark for me, though. This was somehow simultaneously a slow-burn romance while also being an insta-love romance. It felt incredibly rushed towards the end. But this was still enjoyable, especially with the backdrop of the Alaskan wilderness!
June 18, 2021
The Name Curse is an adventurous and flirty romance that will make you want to pack up your bags, go on a hike, and hope you have a gorgeous tentmate. Brooke Burroughs delivers with her bold and charming writing.
Bernie is a woman who is going through the motions. After her father passed away, she hasn't been the same. Her mom and friends are always encouraging her to explore the world but she pushes it off. But when her boss 'forces' her to take some time off she thinks this may be the one opportunity that she has. Her mom steps in and buys her a Groupon to go hiking in Denali. She isn't much of an outdoorswoman like her namesake, Great Aunt Bernice, but she will give it a try.
Matthew is a screenwriter who writes comedy. He has been struggling to find inspiration so he decided to go look for it. That takes him to Alaska to hike in Denali. He loves taking trips like these so h can clear his head and write. His trip should be fun and go as planned...or so he thought.
When Bernie arrives in Alaska, her guide informs her that she will have a male tentmate becase he assumed she was a man based on her name. So, she meets Matthew. They don't get off on teh right foot and their personalities clash. I don't know if they will be able to survive this trip but it sure made for one fun and wild experience.
I loved that Bernie and Matthew are so different yet alike in so many ways. Matthew may be a more experienced hiker but they both have been through their fair share of tough times. I think those hardships really make them grow closer together, be more vulnerable, and it also helped them heal. I also appreciated the laugh out loud moments. I was crying because I was laughing so hard. You will know what I am talking about when you read it. There's a perfect balance of romance, comedy, and drama.
I give The Name Curse 5 stars. It is a wonderful, captivating read. It gave me all the feels. I laughed, cried, and rooted for Bernie and Matthew the entire time. I hope you all get to read it when it releases becauase its moving, charismatic, and inspiring. Definitely one of my favorite reads this year!
Bernie is a woman who is going through the motions. After her father passed away, she hasn't been the same. Her mom and friends are always encouraging her to explore the world but she pushes it off. But when her boss 'forces' her to take some time off she thinks this may be the one opportunity that she has. Her mom steps in and buys her a Groupon to go hiking in Denali. She isn't much of an outdoorswoman like her namesake, Great Aunt Bernice, but she will give it a try.
Matthew is a screenwriter who writes comedy. He has been struggling to find inspiration so he decided to go look for it. That takes him to Alaska to hike in Denali. He loves taking trips like these so h can clear his head and write. His trip should be fun and go as planned...or so he thought.
When Bernie arrives in Alaska, her guide informs her that she will have a male tentmate becase he assumed she was a man based on her name. So, she meets Matthew. They don't get off on teh right foot and their personalities clash. I don't know if they will be able to survive this trip but it sure made for one fun and wild experience.
I loved that Bernie and Matthew are so different yet alike in so many ways. Matthew may be a more experienced hiker but they both have been through their fair share of tough times. I think those hardships really make them grow closer together, be more vulnerable, and it also helped them heal. I also appreciated the laugh out loud moments. I was crying because I was laughing so hard. You will know what I am talking about when you read it. There's a perfect balance of romance, comedy, and drama.
I give The Name Curse 5 stars. It is a wonderful, captivating read. It gave me all the feels. I laughed, cried, and rooted for Bernie and Matthew the entire time. I hope you all get to read it when it releases becauase its moving, charismatic, and inspiring. Definitely one of my favorite reads this year!
June 1, 2025
I really liked the idea of this one. This gifted trip for Bernie to get out. But I knew right from the start that this one would not be for me.
Right from the get-go, I found the hike a little silly. Bernie is wildly unprepared and she's a bit of a crap about it. She just thinks everyone's being dramatic about the bears and how she hasn't trained for this or has any idea what she's getting into. I find it hard to believe any adult would approach a huge hike in Alaska like this.
Then Matthew. Right from the start, almost from the first chapter, I really didn't like him. His disdain for everyone - his eye roll and disgust at how he would never go shopping with a woman. I mean, if you hate women, just leave us alone then.
So from there, I really struggled. Sure, they are both redeemed. They grovel, grow and become better people (kinda). I wish I had been able to jump right in and find all the fun and romance but I just didn't quite mesh with it. I also flipped to audio, just for ease, and I really struggled with the narrator's voice for Bernie.
If you like the enemies to lovers, the forced together with 1 bed/room, and a silly and quirky FMC, you just might love this one. It just wasn't for me.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Right from the get-go, I found the hike a little silly. Bernie is wildly unprepared and she's a bit of a crap about it. She just thinks everyone's being dramatic about the bears and how she hasn't trained for this or has any idea what she's getting into. I find it hard to believe any adult would approach a huge hike in Alaska like this.
Then Matthew. Right from the start, almost from the first chapter, I really didn't like him. His disdain for everyone - his eye roll and disgust at how he would never go shopping with a woman. I mean, if you hate women, just leave us alone then.
So from there, I really struggled. Sure, they are both redeemed. They grovel, grow and become better people (kinda). I wish I had been able to jump right in and find all the fun and romance but I just didn't quite mesh with it. I also flipped to audio, just for ease, and I really struggled with the narrator's voice for Bernie.
If you like the enemies to lovers, the forced together with 1 bed/room, and a silly and quirky FMC, you just might love this one. It just wasn't for me.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
October 2, 2021
This was a light book set in Alaska.
It was nice but a bit cliched
It was nice but a bit cliched
August 25, 2021
This was a very entertaining, absorbing read. Matthew took a while to grow on me--he wasn't in a good place and definitely started out as a jerk, but as he grew and we learned more about him he became a very appealing character. And, speaking of characters, Bernie was easy to cheer for as well. She's a vivacious, smart woman who has been thrown for a loop and gotten a little lost. Watching her come into herself is gratifying.
The chemistry between the MCs definitely comes across, though the romance is closed door, for the most part. It was fun to read their story and I was very happy for their happiness!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
The chemistry between the MCs definitely comes across, though the romance is closed door, for the most part. It was fun to read their story and I was very happy for their happiness!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
October 9, 2021
Thank you so much @BookSparks & the author for gifting me this finished copy as part of the Fall Reading Challenge (#FRC2021) in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 31 August 2021)
SYNOPSIS | Bernie has been going through the motions since her father passed away & her once adventurous spirit has been squished as she holds a lot of guilt about not being with him to say goodbye. She is forced to take some vacation & prodded by her mother to go on a multi-day hiking trip in Alaska where she meets (& is forced to share a tent with) a screenwriter called Matthew.
WHAT I LIKED:
- the setting of a multi-day hike in Alaska
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I sadly wasn't invested in the romance at all
- the pacing of the romance was not my cup of tea. They've literally known each other 4 days (& they didn't even like each other for all of that time) & are confessing their love.
- the reason for the "enemies" wasn't strong enough & I thought the conflict was overly dramatic
- I wanted more conversation around the mother / daughter relationship & coping mechanisms for their grief
SYNOPSIS | Bernie has been going through the motions since her father passed away & her once adventurous spirit has been squished as she holds a lot of guilt about not being with him to say goodbye. She is forced to take some vacation & prodded by her mother to go on a multi-day hiking trip in Alaska where she meets (& is forced to share a tent with) a screenwriter called Matthew.
WHAT I LIKED:
- the setting of a multi-day hike in Alaska
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I sadly wasn't invested in the romance at all
- the pacing of the romance was not my cup of tea. They've literally known each other 4 days (& they didn't even like each other for all of that time) & are confessing their love.
- the reason for the "enemies" wasn't strong enough & I thought the conflict was overly dramatic
- I wanted more conversation around the mother / daughter relationship & coping mechanisms for their grief
August 28, 2021
Charming, heartwarming, and fun!
This enemies to lovers, forced proximity romance set in Alaska and the Pacific NW is just the right blend of adventure, sass, and self-discovery. I was expecting to enjoy it, but I didn’t expect to connect to Bernie and Matthew and their struggles in a way that really had me pulling for them! There are some great laughs and supporting characters as well, and a rift that (even though you see it coming) creates the most gratifying resolution. I really enjoyed this trek with Bernie and Matthew!
Thanks to Montlake for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
This enemies to lovers, forced proximity romance set in Alaska and the Pacific NW is just the right blend of adventure, sass, and self-discovery. I was expecting to enjoy it, but I didn’t expect to connect to Bernie and Matthew and their struggles in a way that really had me pulling for them! There are some great laughs and supporting characters as well, and a rift that (even though you see it coming) creates the most gratifying resolution. I really enjoyed this trek with Bernie and Matthew!
Thanks to Montlake for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
August 30, 2021
Why am I not hearing more about this book?? The name curse is so damn funny and swoony.
Love the Alaskan wilderness backdrop!
Love Bernie and her quirkiness!
Love that we have dual POV, something I’ve been missing in the last couple of books I read!
Love Matthew and how has starts out super broody but slowly opens up the more you read!
This is just a super fun and enjoyable rom-com.
TW: Death of a parent (off page), cancer (off page)
Love the Alaskan wilderness backdrop!
Love Bernie and her quirkiness!
Love that we have dual POV, something I’ve been missing in the last couple of books I read!
Love Matthew and how has starts out super broody but slowly opens up the more you read!
This is just a super fun and enjoyable rom-com.
TW: Death of a parent (off page), cancer (off page)
September 21, 2021
4.5 stars / 5.
I read The Name Curse at the perfect time, just before we left for a short trip to a National Park to go hiking for a few days. While we weren’t in the part of the country where this story takes place, it was the perfect romantic comedy and adventurous story to get me into the mindset of our trip.
We’re introduced to Bernie at the beginning of the story, a woman who’s life has come to a halt. When her mother signs her up for a hike through Denali in Alaska, she agrees to go. When she arrives at the hotel to begin the trip, an assumption with her name puts her sharing a tent with Matthew, a screenwriter who’s looking for inspiration while on the hiking trip. I’m not going to go into the plot any more than that, but the development of the relationship between these characters was so much fun.
This story is perfect for nature lovers and armchair adventurers alike who enjoy stories of opposites attract, enemies-to-lovers, the forced proximity trope, and slow burn romance.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I read The Name Curse at the perfect time, just before we left for a short trip to a National Park to go hiking for a few days. While we weren’t in the part of the country where this story takes place, it was the perfect romantic comedy and adventurous story to get me into the mindset of our trip.
We’re introduced to Bernie at the beginning of the story, a woman who’s life has come to a halt. When her mother signs her up for a hike through Denali in Alaska, she agrees to go. When she arrives at the hotel to begin the trip, an assumption with her name puts her sharing a tent with Matthew, a screenwriter who’s looking for inspiration while on the hiking trip. I’m not going to go into the plot any more than that, but the development of the relationship between these characters was so much fun.
This story is perfect for nature lovers and armchair adventurers alike who enjoy stories of opposites attract, enemies-to-lovers, the forced proximity trope, and slow burn romance.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 2, 2021
I gobbled this up rather quickly and think it's the perfect romance adventure read. If The Simple Wild and Enjoy the View had a baby, this might be it. The combination of tropes is delightful - opposites attract, grump/sunshine, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and insta-love? While writing that, it seems hectic, but I swear it works!
I know Brooke has another book out in the wild. (It's sitting on my shelves and has been sadly neglected among my stack of TBRs.) This is my first though and will not be my last. I love her writing voice and characterizations. The supporting cast added a great background to Bernie and Matthew's love story. Right off the bat, they drive the other bananas, but one tent and a secluded hike forces them to compromise.
This title is perfect. I mean, I wouldn't want to walk around named Bernice either, but popular names like Ashlee aren't that much better.
Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
I know Brooke has another book out in the wild. (It's sitting on my shelves and has been sadly neglected among my stack of TBRs.) This is my first though and will not be my last. I love her writing voice and characterizations. The supporting cast added a great background to Bernie and Matthew's love story. Right off the bat, they drive the other bananas, but one tent and a secluded hike forces them to compromise.
This title is perfect. I mean, I wouldn't want to walk around named Bernice either, but popular names like Ashlee aren't that much better.
Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
October 12, 2021
I don't know if it's just me, but the cover gave me vibes that it's a young adult or a middle school novel.
But no. It is a hate-to-love romance. They were tent-mates in their hiking trip in Denali, Alaska. He saw her as a city girl who knows nothing about the outdoors or camping, taking the trip for social media pictures, and he's stuck with her. She thought he's an asshole, know-it-all with all his mansplaining.
Bernie was named after her great-aunt Bernice. And adventurer who lived her life to the full. But Bernie hated her name and felt pressured to live her life like her name-sake did, but Bernie didn't leave her house in five years!
Yeah! I definitely like all kinds of hate-to-love romances.
P.S. I received this e-book thanks to NetGalley and the publisher in exchange of a review.
But no. It is a hate-to-love romance. They were tent-mates in their hiking trip in Denali, Alaska. He saw her as a city girl who knows nothing about the outdoors or camping, taking the trip for social media pictures, and he's stuck with her. She thought he's an asshole, know-it-all with all his mansplaining.
Bernie was named after her great-aunt Bernice. And adventurer who lived her life to the full. But Bernie hated her name and felt pressured to live her life like her name-sake did, but Bernie didn't leave her house in five years!
Yeah! I definitely like all kinds of hate-to-love romances.
P.S. I received this e-book thanks to NetGalley and the publisher in exchange of a review.
January 1, 2022
I really wanted to like this. As a hiker myself, I love fiction that takes place in the outdoors. Any genre.
But this was just a sappy romance story that was slapped in a setting that didn’t seem realistic, with main characters who weren’t all that believable. The overused trope of the hopeless girl trying to “find herself” outdoors and of course, the even more overused trope of the “dark and handsome, brooding, doesn’t-know-he-likes-her-and-then-realizes-he-does”. I just can’t.
Matthew’s character was not believable for a guy. Most people, regardless of gender, would be pissed beyond the point of falling in love if their tent mate came so unprepared and so damn entitled and obnoxious. Especially in Denali. It’s not “cute” to be a clumsy, opinionated and spoiled brat on a backpacking trip. And Bernie is the epitome of a Mary Sue that needs to stay in her office, not go on an advanced backpacking trip to prove a point.
But this was just a sappy romance story that was slapped in a setting that didn’t seem realistic, with main characters who weren’t all that believable. The overused trope of the hopeless girl trying to “find herself” outdoors and of course, the even more overused trope of the “dark and handsome, brooding, doesn’t-know-he-likes-her-and-then-realizes-he-does”. I just can’t.
Matthew’s character was not believable for a guy. Most people, regardless of gender, would be pissed beyond the point of falling in love if their tent mate came so unprepared and so damn entitled and obnoxious. Especially in Denali. It’s not “cute” to be a clumsy, opinionated and spoiled brat on a backpacking trip. And Bernie is the epitome of a Mary Sue that needs to stay in her office, not go on an advanced backpacking trip to prove a point.
October 23, 2021
Bernie is not the same after her father's death & is forced to take a vacation by her manager. Her mom arranges a hiking trip to Denali, Alaska for her to become more outgoing, adventurous & free spirited like her namesake, aunt Bernice.
Mathew is a screenwriter who is in search of peace after various failed shows & to get away from his dad-drama. He books a trip to Denali in search of inspiration.
This book caught me by surprise, I really liked it more than I had expected to.
This has got all my favorite elements:
- Alaska
-Hate to Love, snarky banter
-Camping
-One tent
I loved how Bernie & Mathew were so alike each other yet felt so different. Their snooty banter kept me chuckling everytime. The awkward conversations, sharing a tent, inside butt-joke, the flirting; everything went with the flow & felt real.
Their journey whether it be hiking or taking turns by being there for each other at the hospital was comic, vulnerable & lovely.
And I loved the subplot of how they bonded with their parents, one step at a time.
Mathew is a screenwriter who is in search of peace after various failed shows & to get away from his dad-drama. He books a trip to Denali in search of inspiration.
This book caught me by surprise, I really liked it more than I had expected to.
This has got all my favorite elements:
- Alaska
-Hate to Love, snarky banter
-Camping
-One tent
I loved how Bernie & Mathew were so alike each other yet felt so different. Their snooty banter kept me chuckling everytime. The awkward conversations, sharing a tent, inside butt-joke, the flirting; everything went with the flow & felt real.
Their journey whether it be hiking or taking turns by being there for each other at the hospital was comic, vulnerable & lovely.
And I loved the subplot of how they bonded with their parents, one step at a time.
Read
January 9, 2023This probably should have been a DNF for me, because I lacked connection from the start, and I had serious bad vibes when Matt started planning a series based on Bernie, which he literally titles CHRONICLES OF BERNIE. Nor did I find their chemistry particularly compelling. The basic hiking set up is fun, but I've seen it done more effectively.
November 15, 2021
I really liked this book! It had a great story with Bernie going on a hiking trip in Alaska. I loved the mix up and how Bernie has to share a tent with Matthew. The tension is everything between them! This was a dual POV and I really liked reading both points of view! This is a closed door romance and for the most part pretty clean with just kisses.
If you like enemies to lovers or only one tent tropes you’re gonna like this book!
If you like enemies to lovers or only one tent tropes you’re gonna like this book!
September 25, 2022
What a cute story! I was expecting more of a “curse” from the story synopsis, but it was really fun and cute. Bernie was my favorite! Her quirky personality and strength was so endearing. I loved her spirit and her fight. Matthew was the perfect book boyfriend. Oh boy! I enjoyed his 3 dimensional character. This story was filled with cute banter, funny camping mishaps, “one bed” trope, and life lessons learned. Super cute read!
June 15, 2022
surprised
This is a fun summer read that way exceeded expectations. Bernie and Matthew are real people and it was a pleasure to meet them.
This is a fun summer read that way exceeded expectations. Bernie and Matthew are real people and it was a pleasure to meet them.
September 16, 2021
What do you get with a broody sitcom writer who ends up sharing a tent with a quirky novice hiker on a week long mountain hike? This lovely book. It all hinges on a name. Bernie has always felt straddled carrying the name of her wild and adventurous aunt when she is quite the opposite. She enjoys safety and routine. Her boss is forcing her to take a vacation. Her best friend is trying to dig out the fun Bernie from their youth. And her mom buys her a Groupon for the trip. Loved how broody and moody Matthew was until he started appreciating Bernie’s quirks. They begin to feel an attraction and fondness until a secret comes to light.
This was so cute and fun. Love both the main characters. The writing was great. Highly recommend for rom-com lovers.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review.
This was so cute and fun. Love both the main characters. The writing was great. Highly recommend for rom-com lovers.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review.
August 25, 2021
The Name Curse is Brooke Burroughs’ 2nd novel and just like The Marriage Code, this book blended great characters and an epic landscape to create an emotional, fun, and sweeping romance.
The story follows Bernie and Matthew who could not be more different. She is a rigid homebody that never steps out of line. He is a comedy sitcom writer who takes an adventure trip every year to generate ideas for his writing. For hilarious reasons they end up sharing a tent and supplies on a group camping trip / hike through Denali.
Their snap judgements lay the foundation for their early interactions and made for some very biting and funny banter. These two get to know each other in unusual circumstances and through some of their worst moments which opens them up to a lot of soul searching and harsh realities. With that said this book was funny. So funny in fact that I could not contain my laughter through an entire chapter. I had to try to re-read it a few times and it got me every time so when you get there you know certainly agree with me that Brooke Burroughs’ mind is a treasure. She also turned me into a blubbering mess of emotion for a while there but that’s ok because the happily ever after was totally worth it.
The author did a spectacular job of making the beauty and harsh realities of the hike jump off the page! She also created extremely relatable characters that were both likable and frustrating at at the same time! Not only were the two romantic leads engaging but so were the entire cast on the hike and in their personal lives and I'd be happy to dig deeper into any of their stories in a follow up but again, this book was perfect as is. I'm excited to recommend this book to my friends and look forward to reading anything Brook Burroughs writes next!
July 31, 2021
This book pleasantly surprised me with how much I enjoyed it! I'm new to this author and wasn't crazy about the title or cover art, but I'm not one to judge a romance by its cover and the premise sounded cute. I will say I enjoyed the first half of this book more than the second half (there's a very distinct delineation), and the end conflict was easy to predict very early on, but the story still managed to bring some unexpected twists that I appreciated as a reader. The story really takes you for a ride and I enjoyed being on the journey!
June 23, 2021
Bernie, named after her great-aunt Bernice, is sort of a workaholic. After her family, friends, and even her boss encourage her to take some much needed vacation, she finds herself accepting a hiking adventure trip to Alaska, compliments of her mother. Though her namesake was quite the adventuress, Bernie isn't really the outdoorsy or adventurous type. But, vacation is vacation, so she decides to make the best of it.
Matthew, a struggling screenwriter, is looking forward to a week in nature to unplug and recharge his battery. An avid outdoors-man and lover of nature, Matthew takes a trip annually. He looks forward to hiking Denali, while he ponders a huge decision involving his always absent father and his sudden reappearance. When he arrives to meet the hiking group, Matthew is surprised to meet his tent-mate, Bernie. When has the name "Bernie" ever belonged to a female? And Bernie is not just any female...she is beautiful, completely clueless about camping, and aggravating to a fault.
As the week long hiking trip commences, readers will be treated to all sorts of hilarious characters, right alongside Matthew and Bernie. If you are thinking that a wilderness trip with its lack of plumbing, sweaty bodies, bugs, boring campfire food, blisters and bears is not the best place for a romance to bloom, think again, my friends! The forced proximity of a shared tent between two attractive, single strangers gives this novel a bit of angsty romantic sizzle, and I am totally here for it. I loved the characters, the story line, and the slow burn romance in this delightful sophomore novel from Brooke Burroughs.
Fans of Christina Lauren and Abby Jimenez will delight in this romantic comedy romp through the wilderness!
Matthew, a struggling screenwriter, is looking forward to a week in nature to unplug and recharge his battery. An avid outdoors-man and lover of nature, Matthew takes a trip annually. He looks forward to hiking Denali, while he ponders a huge decision involving his always absent father and his sudden reappearance. When he arrives to meet the hiking group, Matthew is surprised to meet his tent-mate, Bernie. When has the name "Bernie" ever belonged to a female? And Bernie is not just any female...she is beautiful, completely clueless about camping, and aggravating to a fault.
As the week long hiking trip commences, readers will be treated to all sorts of hilarious characters, right alongside Matthew and Bernie. If you are thinking that a wilderness trip with its lack of plumbing, sweaty bodies, bugs, boring campfire food, blisters and bears is not the best place for a romance to bloom, think again, my friends! The forced proximity of a shared tent between two attractive, single strangers gives this novel a bit of angsty romantic sizzle, and I am totally here for it. I loved the characters, the story line, and the slow burn romance in this delightful sophomore novel from Brooke Burroughs.
Fans of Christina Lauren and Abby Jimenez will delight in this romantic comedy romp through the wilderness!
September 22, 2021
4.25 stars. Thank you to Booksparks, Montlake Romance, and NetGalley for my gifted copies of this one!
This dual POV, enemy-to-lovers romance, was just what I needed. I didn’t know what to expect for this one (partly because I didn’t read the synopsis😂) and I was surprisingly shocked at how much I couldn’t put this one down. The banter between our MCs, Bernie and Matthew made me laugh out loud throughout the book. Bernie’s journey to find herself, and her sense of adventure along the way, was heartwarming and fun to follow, especially with her sense of humour.
I could definitely see this one turning into a movie adaptation, and my oh my did this book also really made me want to go hiking🚶🏻♀️🍂
Content warnings: cancer, grief, hiking accident, unsolicited pics
This dual POV, enemy-to-lovers romance, was just what I needed. I didn’t know what to expect for this one (partly because I didn’t read the synopsis😂) and I was surprisingly shocked at how much I couldn’t put this one down. The banter between our MCs, Bernie and Matthew made me laugh out loud throughout the book. Bernie’s journey to find herself, and her sense of adventure along the way, was heartwarming and fun to follow, especially with her sense of humour.
I could definitely see this one turning into a movie adaptation, and my oh my did this book also really made me want to go hiking🚶🏻♀️🍂
Content warnings: cancer, grief, hiking accident, unsolicited pics
July 7, 2021
I loved this novel! It had a little bit of everything. It is a slow burn enemy to lovers but the slow burn is worth the outcome. Bernie and Matthew are complete opposites when it comes to adventure amongst other things, but time proves that that doesn't matter. They also both are going through some hardships in which they had each other to lean on. Such a delicate story with tons of laughs, tears that will temporarily make you want to trade in your regular summer beach plans to go hiking. You never know, you may just get shacked up with a hottie 🥰 Groupon for the win! 😉
I also really enjoyed hearing all about Great Aunt Bernice. It was a special yet unique spin on the story!
I also really enjoyed hearing all about Great Aunt Bernice. It was a special yet unique spin on the story!
June 28, 2021
What a perfect summer (or any season, really!) read. The Name Curse drew me in with the first line: "...Great Aunt Bernice had been haunting Bernie Purcell ever since she departed this world fifteen years ago with a whiff of Chanel No. 5 and a reputation..." This fun, witty, well-written novel by Brook Burroughs has it all--adventure, romance, and some brilliant laugh-out-loud moments. The chemistry between Matthew and Bernie sparks, and it had me racing to find out how it ends, but also had me wanting to savor each page. This book will definitely leave you smiling.
November 19, 2021
One of the reviews said it was good for the first half (when hiking) then the second half really went downhill. Yeah, I totally agree.
It was weird. The first half I was thinking it was such a nice story. A nice, slow paced story of two people who annoy each other slowly finding out the other is not so bad. Then the trip is cut short and BAM - it's insta love and a whole bunch of stupidity.
First of all they can't talk seriously (even when they are talking seriously). It's all jokes and banter. The jokes and banter in the first half of the book were interspersed with them getting annoyed at each other, or with conversations with other characters. With that gone, it's non-stop banter. Good lord, that gets old fast.
At one point Matthew is having a serious conversation about how he feels about his father . Bernie interrupts him to make a joke. Yup, in the middle of this serious conversation, she makes a joke, then makes a joke about how she just had to get that out there so now he can continue. Matthew laughs, then just goes back to talking about his feelings.
There's also stupid things being done in the name of lust. Bernie has broken 2 bones in her ankle and is in a lot of pain. The ankle can't be cast until the swelling goes down so she has a boot on it for the night. So what do they do? They make out in her hospital room. She tries to climb on top of Matthew (!) but is stopped by the awkward boot. Not stopped by the pain she would obviously be in by trying to climb on top of someone with TWO broken bones that aren't even cast yet. It also wasn't the only time. The depictions of pain were realistic until the author wanted them to make out and suddenly it was gone. No pain at all after that, just awkwardness because of the boot. It was utterly ridiculous.
Then we have stupid (seriously) scenes of him racing her down the hall in a wheelchair (again, with 2 broken bones that haven't been set yet - this is somehow quirky and fun instead of nervewracking). And then a scene of him stealing a hospital gurney (because it's quirkier than a wheelchair?) to roll Bernie down the street to the Starbucks drivethrough. (again, two broken bones that aren't even set yet). I mean, I know he's a comedy writer who writes crap because that's what the people want (he thinks this himself - apparently the only show he's proud of got canceled), but this really did sound like an episode of a quirky show that will be canceled quickly because it's too stupid.
Then they break up because she finds the notebook he was writing really cruel notes about her in (not really a spoiler, I mean, you saw that coming from the first time it was mentioned). And somehow we are to believe that her being upset was part Bernie's fault for not dealing with the grief from her father's death? I mean . . . what? He also tries to explain it away as not *really* being about her when it obviously was. Down to using her name for goodness sake.
Finally, this was one of those books where the characters apparently don't like contractions. So it's all "I cannot" and "we do not" and "When we get home we will", etc. Just awkward.
Ugh. I didn't intend to sound so mean. I think I just feel let down because the first half of this book was actually really nice and enjoyable. And then it all went to crap. I want a resolution to the nice romance I was reading for the first half, not the mess it became.
It was weird. The first half I was thinking it was such a nice story. A nice, slow paced story of two people who annoy each other slowly finding out the other is not so bad. Then the trip is cut short and BAM - it's insta love and a whole bunch of stupidity.
First of all they can't talk seriously (even when they are talking seriously). It's all jokes and banter. The jokes and banter in the first half of the book were interspersed with them getting annoyed at each other, or with conversations with other characters. With that gone, it's non-stop banter. Good lord, that gets old fast.
At one point Matthew is having a serious conversation about how he feels about his father . Bernie interrupts him to make a joke. Yup, in the middle of this serious conversation, she makes a joke, then makes a joke about how she just had to get that out there so now he can continue. Matthew laughs, then just goes back to talking about his feelings.
There's also stupid things being done in the name of lust. Bernie has broken 2 bones in her ankle and is in a lot of pain. The ankle can't be cast until the swelling goes down so she has a boot on it for the night. So what do they do? They make out in her hospital room. She tries to climb on top of Matthew (!) but is stopped by the awkward boot. Not stopped by the pain she would obviously be in by trying to climb on top of someone with TWO broken bones that aren't even cast yet. It also wasn't the only time. The depictions of pain were realistic until the author wanted them to make out and suddenly it was gone. No pain at all after that, just awkwardness because of the boot. It was utterly ridiculous.
Then we have stupid (seriously) scenes of him racing her down the hall in a wheelchair (again, with 2 broken bones that haven't been set yet - this is somehow quirky and fun instead of nervewracking). And then a scene of him stealing a hospital gurney (because it's quirkier than a wheelchair?) to roll Bernie down the street to the Starbucks drivethrough. (again, two broken bones that aren't even set yet). I mean, I know he's a comedy writer who writes crap because that's what the people want (he thinks this himself - apparently the only show he's proud of got canceled), but this really did sound like an episode of a quirky show that will be canceled quickly because it's too stupid.
Then they break up because she finds the notebook he was writing really cruel notes about her in (not really a spoiler, I mean, you saw that coming from the first time it was mentioned). And somehow we are to believe that her being upset was part Bernie's fault for not dealing with the grief from her father's death? I mean . . . what? He also tries to explain it away as not *really* being about her when it obviously was. Down to using her name for goodness sake.
Finally, this was one of those books where the characters apparently don't like contractions. So it's all "I cannot" and "we do not" and "When we get home we will", etc. Just awkward.
Ugh. I didn't intend to sound so mean. I think I just feel let down because the first half of this book was actually really nice and enjoyable. And then it all went to crap. I want a resolution to the nice romance I was reading for the first half, not the mess it became.
May 2, 2022
2 stars always looks so low, but this really was just *ok* to me.
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Hate to Love, Hurt/Comfort or Nursed Back to Health, Vacation
Genres, settings, categories, themes: contemporary romance (M/F), Alaska, parent-child dynamics/relationships, women's fiction, travel/camping/hiking
POV: third person
Series/Sequencing Style: standalone, no cliffhanger
Overall ratings
Heat level: Sweet (from Susanna Carr's categorizations – wholesome/clean, sweet, sensual, sexy, erotic)
Heroine (Bernie) started at 1/5, by the end 3-3.5/5
Hero (Matthew) 3/5
Side characters 4/5
Pacing 2/5
Plot 3/5
Romantic connection 2/5
Writing & grammar 3/5
Reading enjoyability & fun 2/5
Depth & meaningfulness (light & fun --> more serious, addresses heavier topics?) 3/5
Diversity & representation: nothing in particular that I can remember
Angst level: 3/5
Sadness level: 2/5
CW/Triggers: death of a loved one, surgery
Review/Notes
I think after The Marriage Code and this one, maybe this author just isn't for me. Neither book was bad; rather, they both had a lot of elements that I would normally like, yet somehow they both fell short. With this one, I didn't like Bernie at all in the beginning, although she ended up more interesting in the end. In addition to not being too fussed with her character, I found myself bored and losing interest a couple of times and kind of ready to be done by chapter 25 (63% through the book). I'm honestly not sure what was missing for me, because it should have been good with elements of adventure in Alaska, forced proximity with MCs who didn't like each other at first, etc. Sadly, I just wasn't that into it and came out of it feeling a big *shrug*.
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Hate to Love, Hurt/Comfort or Nursed Back to Health, Vacation
Genres, settings, categories, themes: contemporary romance (M/F), Alaska, parent-child dynamics/relationships, women's fiction, travel/camping/hiking
POV: third person
Series/Sequencing Style: standalone, no cliffhanger
Overall ratings
Heat level: Sweet (from Susanna Carr's categorizations – wholesome/clean, sweet, sensual, sexy, erotic)
Heroine (Bernie) started at 1/5, by the end 3-3.5/5
Hero (Matthew) 3/5
Side characters 4/5
Pacing 2/5
Plot 3/5
Romantic connection 2/5
Writing & grammar 3/5
Reading enjoyability & fun 2/5
Depth & meaningfulness (light & fun --> more serious, addresses heavier topics?) 3/5
Diversity & representation: nothing in particular that I can remember
Angst level: 3/5
Sadness level: 2/5
CW/Triggers: death of a loved one, surgery
Review/Notes
I think after The Marriage Code and this one, maybe this author just isn't for me. Neither book was bad; rather, they both had a lot of elements that I would normally like, yet somehow they both fell short. With this one, I didn't like Bernie at all in the beginning, although she ended up more interesting in the end. In addition to not being too fussed with her character, I found myself bored and losing interest a couple of times and kind of ready to be done by chapter 25 (63% through the book). I'm honestly not sure what was missing for me, because it should have been good with elements of adventure in Alaska, forced proximity with MCs who didn't like each other at first, etc. Sadly, I just wasn't that into it and came out of it feeling a big *shrug*.
Read
September 9, 2021The Name Curse is a sweet and flirty romance with a side of adventure. Bernice "Bernie" Purcell has been living under the shadow of her namesake, great-aunt Bernice her entire life. Great-aunt Bernice had a reputation for living her life to the fullest and was known to have many adventures - something Bernice is decidedly not doing. In fact, her life seemed to shrink in on itself a few years ago after her father died. Needing to take a mandatory vacation from her job, her plan for a staycation is upended by her well-meaning but infuriating mother, who books her on a week-long hike... in Alaska... Even though she's never been the adventurous tight, she reluctantly agrees, hoping to get a new perspective and figure out what she wants from life, figuring what's the worst that can happen? When she gets to Alaska, she meets Matthew Hildebrandt, a burnt-out screenwriter who's struggling with family issues and finding inspiration, and is hoping that this latest adventure will give him a spark of an idea and settle his internal battles. The two definitely do not see eye to eye from the start and things only go downhill when they learn they are being forced to share a tent. She thinks he's a haughty know-it-all, and he thinks she's a ridiculous fool. But being forced to spend time in each other's proximity means they might starting learning some things that has them reevaluating their first impressions... can they put those impressions aside for the hope of something greater?
With a nice cast of characters behind Bernice and Matthew, especially scheming matchmakers and fellow hikers Diana and Shalini, this was an overall enjoyable read. A little predictable, but no one reading rom-coms right now can probably handle much in terms of emotional devastation - I can't for sure. So knowing everyone's gonna get their HEA and all the issues will be settled is reassuring.
With a nice cast of characters behind Bernice and Matthew, especially scheming matchmakers and fellow hikers Diana and Shalini, this was an overall enjoyable read. A little predictable, but no one reading rom-coms right now can probably handle much in terms of emotional devastation - I can't for sure. So knowing everyone's gonna get their HEA and all the issues will be settled is reassuring.
September 9, 2021
The Name Curse was such a sweet, fun, hilarious book. I really enjoyed it.
Bernice "Bernie" is still reeling from her father's death. She's living in a house that holds too many memories that she refuses to let go. Her life has become stagnant. And despite the urging of her mom and her friends, she isn't going anywhere or taking any chances in her life. Her namesake, her great-aunt-Bernice was the real adventurous type. To help give her a push her mom buys her a Groupon for a hiking adventure through the Alaskan wilderness. Bernie decides to give a chance (hoping there will be some indoor plumbing ha ha) and take the trip.
Matthew on the other hand is a struggling screenwriter who keeps writing these exciting scripts but everyone wants the next "Friends" and he feels stuck. His difficult relationship with his father has added a new level of stress to his life. To get away and get some inspiration he decides to take a hiking trip to Alaska.
When Bernie gets to the trip she is told she is paired with a male "tent mate" because they thought Bernie was a guy. Of course, she is paired with Matthew and hilarity ensues. It is definitly "annoyance at first sight" with these two but as they are forced to traverse the wilderness together and start sharing more about their lives and experiences they find that they have more empathy and shares experience than they expected.
This book was so funny and sweet. This was the first book I have read by Brook Burroughs and I cannot wait to read more from her. I definitely recommend this one for a sweet, funny romance.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an EARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Bernice "Bernie" is still reeling from her father's death. She's living in a house that holds too many memories that she refuses to let go. Her life has become stagnant. And despite the urging of her mom and her friends, she isn't going anywhere or taking any chances in her life. Her namesake, her great-aunt-Bernice was the real adventurous type. To help give her a push her mom buys her a Groupon for a hiking adventure through the Alaskan wilderness. Bernie decides to give a chance (hoping there will be some indoor plumbing ha ha) and take the trip.
Matthew on the other hand is a struggling screenwriter who keeps writing these exciting scripts but everyone wants the next "Friends" and he feels stuck. His difficult relationship with his father has added a new level of stress to his life. To get away and get some inspiration he decides to take a hiking trip to Alaska.
When Bernie gets to the trip she is told she is paired with a male "tent mate" because they thought Bernie was a guy. Of course, she is paired with Matthew and hilarity ensues. It is definitly "annoyance at first sight" with these two but as they are forced to traverse the wilderness together and start sharing more about their lives and experiences they find that they have more empathy and shares experience than they expected.
This book was so funny and sweet. This was the first book I have read by Brook Burroughs and I cannot wait to read more from her. I definitely recommend this one for a sweet, funny romance.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an EARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2021
If you're looking for a cute, funny, witty, overall feel good romance, I would recommend this one!
While I enjoyed this book as a lighthearted romance novel, there are some reasons I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5. One is there is no real conflict in the book until the very end it seems. I spent alot of my reading time wondering when the climatic conflict that would challenge the characters' feelings would take place. I honestly feel it was a bit too late in the story. Second, it drove me a bit crazy how the main characters' thoughts and the dialogue were written, especially when talking about the other one. They kept talking like they had known each other for months or years, but they had only known each other for a few days! That drove me a bit crazy the way the author had them talk to and about each other like they were old buddies! I felt it didn't quite go along with the storyline. Thirdly, I was let down by the synopsis. It made it sound like the conflict Matthew had with his dad was a bigger storyline than it actually was. Very misleading and that was a bit of a disappointment. Fourthly, I almost was not rooting for Bernie towards the end. She let a month go by before reconciling with Matthew, despite his numerous efforts to apologize. A part of me wanted to scream at her to talk to him!! I'm glad she did.
Overall, this story was good & cute! I liked the setting and most of the interactions between the two main characters here. I would recommend to anyone wanting to read a lighthearted romance with some adventure in it!
While I enjoyed this book as a lighthearted romance novel, there are some reasons I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5. One is there is no real conflict in the book until the very end it seems. I spent alot of my reading time wondering when the climatic conflict that would challenge the characters' feelings would take place. I honestly feel it was a bit too late in the story. Second, it drove me a bit crazy how the main characters' thoughts and the dialogue were written, especially when talking about the other one. They kept talking like they had known each other for months or years, but they had only known each other for a few days! That drove me a bit crazy the way the author had them talk to and about each other like they were old buddies! I felt it didn't quite go along with the storyline. Thirdly, I was let down by the synopsis. It made it sound like the conflict Matthew had with his dad was a bigger storyline than it actually was. Very misleading and that was a bit of a disappointment. Fourthly, I almost was not rooting for Bernie towards the end. She let a month go by before reconciling with Matthew, despite his numerous efforts to apologize. A part of me wanted to scream at her to talk to him!! I'm glad she did.
Overall, this story was good & cute! I liked the setting and most of the interactions between the two main characters here. I would recommend to anyone wanting to read a lighthearted romance with some adventure in it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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