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Small Town, Big Sky Romance #1
A Longtime (and now NFL player) Nemesis
“You’ll basically be my prisoner,” Carson said with one of his smooth smiles. “Sort of like Belle in Beauty and the Beast, but without the singing dishes or the library.”Olivia fiddled nervously with her purse strap. “The lack of a library is a drawback in a prison.”When Olivia’s brother embezzles money from work, she’s left to plead his case to his boss and beg for leniency. The only problem? Her brother’s boss is Olivia’s old high school nemesis, Carson Clark. He’s not known for leniency. He’s tall, handsome, and unhappy to be back in his small hometown, taking a break from the NFL while he recovers from an injury. Olivia offers to work in her brother's place and help Carson renovate a luxury cabin in the mountains. How bad can the job be? Turns out, pretty bad. She’s tired, sore, and deeply in need of a massage. And she’s stuck with Carson 24/7 until the project is finished. If you like your romcoms with swoon, swagger, and happily ever after, snatch this full-length sweet romance up today! It's the first book in the Small Town, Big Sky romance series.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 23, 2023
190 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
Janette Rallison
74 books1,994 followersCheck out my awesome book trailers!
My Unfair Godmother:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AlRg0...
My Fair Godmother: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up1jF8...
Just One Wish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP1Nce...
My Double Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzuswp...
Janette Rallison has five children who keep her well supplied with plot ideas, sometimes even making cameo appearances in her novels. She likes to write romantic comedy because there is enough angst in real life, but theres a drastic shortage on both humor and romance.
Playing the Field was named Society of School Librarians International Best Book Award Honor Book, and both Alls Fair In Love, War, and High School and Love, Life, and the Pursuit of Free Throws were included on YALSAs Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults list. Fame Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List, was just chosen for IRAs YA Choices list for 2007
"
My Unfair Godmother:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AlRg0...
My Fair Godmother: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up1jF8...
Just One Wish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP1Nce...
My Double Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzuswp...
Janette Rallison has five children who keep her well supplied with plot ideas, sometimes even making cameo appearances in her novels. She likes to write romantic comedy because there is enough angst in real life, but theres a drastic shortage on both humor and romance.
Playing the Field was named Society of School Librarians International Best Book Award Honor Book, and both Alls Fair In Love, War, and High School and Love, Life, and the Pursuit of Free Throws were included on YALSAs Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults list. Fame Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List, was just chosen for IRAs YA Choices list for 2007
"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
November 8, 2023
This is first in a romance series, but was published a decade after the second. That's not what a prequel is, but it's like that timing-wise. There's barely any crossover (we meet Kye who is a coworker of Olivia's, like, once). So it doesn't matter if you read in order. Um. This being the first means... I think I got lost in this somehow...
I really liked how this played out with the enmity between them from high school. Carson trashed a project that had deep meaning to Olivia, but was teen-boy ignorant of his effect on her. So when she retaliated, he felt it came out of the blue and any persecution of each other from there was the kind of thing that sticks out to teens, but isn't actually malicious. So I was free to like them as adults just fine and got to look forward to them straightening out their conflict.
And I'm impressed with how reasonably that played out as well. Some authors will drag that conflict out if they feel it's the only thing keeping their protagonists apart. So it was nice when they had adult-style communications about things. There was a bit of a character flaw for Olivia being a bit quick to pull away, but again, adult-style communication happens because by then she's important enough to Carson that he couldn't let things sit without clarification and making things right.
There was some minor friction pulling at my engagement with Olivia being such an appeaser to her deadbeat family. And a little more from Carson (and his dad) having some judgmental moments that sat poorly with me. But overall I liked them and enjoyed seeing them come to appreciate, and eventually love, one another.
The book is just slight-enough, and has just enough friction that I'm going to round 4½ stars down to four. Overall a solid romance, though.
A note about Missing Faith: Chaste contemporary romances need a bit of work to pull off the lack of sex. This one does a fair job making it reasonable. Not just that Olivia is explicitly not a fling kind of girl, but there's a short window they were together enough for intimacy to happen and Carson's mom pulls a chaperone move. This might not have worked except that his mom had been strongly established as religious and everybody knew that to be exactly the kind of thing she would do. It's a little questionable that they didn't explicitly chafe under the restriction, but I can let that go as a good effort so no missing-faith tag.
A note about Chaste: As the section above notes, there's no sex, explicit or otherwise. There's some great kissing, but that's as far as they go on-page. I consider this very chaste.
I really liked how this played out with the enmity between them from high school. Carson trashed a project that had deep meaning to Olivia, but was teen-boy ignorant of his effect on her. So when she retaliated, he felt it came out of the blue and any persecution of each other from there was the kind of thing that sticks out to teens, but isn't actually malicious. So I was free to like them as adults just fine and got to look forward to them straightening out their conflict.
And I'm impressed with how reasonably that played out as well. Some authors will drag that conflict out if they feel it's the only thing keeping their protagonists apart. So it was nice when they had adult-style communications about things. There was a bit of a character flaw for Olivia being a bit quick to pull away, but again, adult-style communication happens because by then she's important enough to Carson that he couldn't let things sit without clarification and making things right.
There was some minor friction pulling at my engagement with Olivia being such an appeaser to her deadbeat family. And a little more from Carson (and his dad) having some judgmental moments that sat poorly with me. But overall I liked them and enjoyed seeing them come to appreciate, and eventually love, one another.
The book is just slight-enough, and has just enough friction that I'm going to round 4½ stars down to four. Overall a solid romance, though.
A note about Missing Faith: Chaste contemporary romances need a bit of work to pull off the lack of sex. This one does a fair job making it reasonable. Not just that Olivia is explicitly not a fling kind of girl, but there's a short window they were together enough for intimacy to happen and Carson's mom pulls a chaperone move. This might not have worked except that his mom had been strongly established as religious and everybody knew that to be exactly the kind of thing she would do. It's a little questionable that they didn't explicitly chafe under the restriction, but I can let that go as a good effort so no missing-faith tag.
A note about Chaste: As the section above notes, there's no sex, explicit or otherwise. There's some great kissing, but that's as far as they go on-page. I consider this very chaste.
December 11, 2023
I enjoyed this book. Olivia and Carson's story is like no other and it's an effortless read. It flowed beautifully and the characters were written well!
Thank you to Booksiren for this Read
Thank you to Booksiren for this Read
November 15, 2023
Chaste, contemporary, "enemies to lovers" romance
Olivia Travers is a lovely, slender, 5'10" woman who has lived her whole life, other than while attending college, in the fictional, small, mountain town, Lark Springs, Montana. She has behaved like a second mother to her younger brother, Matt, since the day their alcoholic father abandoned their family 14 years ago, when she was 11 and Matt was 10. Similar to their father, Matt has not pursued higher education and works in construction. Fortunately, though, unlike their father, he is not an alcoholic, but he does periodically engage in gambling. As a result, Olivia has been codependently digging Matt out of financial trouble since his late teens. She has also been, during all of these years, acting maternally toward her mother, who suffers from depression and is as emotionally dependent on Olivia as Matt is.
Olivia is a talented artist, who has dreams of having an art show someday, but the closest she's gotten to producing professional level works of art is teaching art at the Lake Springs High School. However, given the fact that she comes from an impoverished, dysfunctional family background, it is a huge accomplishment that she earned a college degree, is gainfully employed, and lives independently, if frugally, with two fellow female teachers in a small apartment in Lake Springs.
Carson Clark is a 26-year-old, 6'6", ripped NFL player with the Denver Broncos. It is never overtly spelled out, but he is most likely a tight end like Taylor Swift's current boyfriend, Travis Kelce. He fractured a bone in his foot while playing, and only recently went from a cast to a boot. It is unclear at the start of the novel if his foot will ultimately heal well enough for him to regain his career. He has purchased a multi-million-dollar, fixer-upper, vacation "cabin" with a fantastic mountain view, with the ambitious goal of fixing it up and flipping it. He has a handshake deal with his coach that he and his wife will purchase the mansion from Carson as a vacation home. Carson has a strong sense of urgency to make this project pan out, because Carson's father has invested his life's savings in the project along with all of Carson's own savings.
Among a whole team of local construction workers, Carson has hired Matt to work on the project, as well, and has, inexplicably, trusted unbonded Matt with $60,000 in cash to purchase extremely expensive wooden flooring. The first Olivia hears about Matt's job with Carson is when Matt calls her up, desperate for her to save him for the umpteenth time, from the worst imbroglio he has ever been involved in. This time he has broken the law and could face a prison sentence if Carson presses charges. Matt has embezzled $20,000 of the cash Carson entrusted him with for a get-rich-quick investment scheme that went bust. He did not look at it as stealing at the time, but rather temporarily borrowing the money and gambling on a sure thing. He tells Olivia that he is scared to face Carson and is running away to Bozeman to work construction with his father. He wants her to intercede with Carson for him. He says he will send regular payments from his paychecks, and that's the best he can do.
Olivia and Carson had an adversarial relationship in high school, and she had hoped to never see him again as long as she lived. But her desire to keep her brother out of jail leads her to go see him and offer to take Matt's place on his construction crew and work for free, until she has earned enough to pay back whatever Matt doesn't repay. With great reluctance, because he is up against a tight deadline for his coach's wife to view the house and decide if she definitely wants it, Carson agrees to not call the cops on Matt and accept Olivia as a substitute, after she assures him her father trained her to do construction work in her childhood. But he takes away her car keys and declares that she will have to live on the construction site so he can keep his eye on her. Now that he has wised up and realized he never should have trusted Matt, he is equally unwilling to trust the crook's sister, whom he still resents due to the bad blood between them in high school.
Naturally enough, their relationship is initially quite rocky. But as the days pass, and Olivia incontrovertibly proves herself to be a hard-working, decent human being, and Carson shows himself to be nothing like the wealthy, entitled jock she knew in high school, they both begin to revise their previous poor opinion of each other.
This is an entertaining, chaste, contemporary, "enemies to lovers" romance, with no booze and no foul language. It could technically be categorized as a small town romance, but since the vast majority of its scenes take place at the construction site, we do not get much of a feel for the town itself.
Olivia Travers is a lovely, slender, 5'10" woman who has lived her whole life, other than while attending college, in the fictional, small, mountain town, Lark Springs, Montana. She has behaved like a second mother to her younger brother, Matt, since the day their alcoholic father abandoned their family 14 years ago, when she was 11 and Matt was 10. Similar to their father, Matt has not pursued higher education and works in construction. Fortunately, though, unlike their father, he is not an alcoholic, but he does periodically engage in gambling. As a result, Olivia has been codependently digging Matt out of financial trouble since his late teens. She has also been, during all of these years, acting maternally toward her mother, who suffers from depression and is as emotionally dependent on Olivia as Matt is.
Olivia is a talented artist, who has dreams of having an art show someday, but the closest she's gotten to producing professional level works of art is teaching art at the Lake Springs High School. However, given the fact that she comes from an impoverished, dysfunctional family background, it is a huge accomplishment that she earned a college degree, is gainfully employed, and lives independently, if frugally, with two fellow female teachers in a small apartment in Lake Springs.
Carson Clark is a 26-year-old, 6'6", ripped NFL player with the Denver Broncos. It is never overtly spelled out, but he is most likely a tight end like Taylor Swift's current boyfriend, Travis Kelce. He fractured a bone in his foot while playing, and only recently went from a cast to a boot. It is unclear at the start of the novel if his foot will ultimately heal well enough for him to regain his career. He has purchased a multi-million-dollar, fixer-upper, vacation "cabin" with a fantastic mountain view, with the ambitious goal of fixing it up and flipping it. He has a handshake deal with his coach that he and his wife will purchase the mansion from Carson as a vacation home. Carson has a strong sense of urgency to make this project pan out, because Carson's father has invested his life's savings in the project along with all of Carson's own savings.
Among a whole team of local construction workers, Carson has hired Matt to work on the project, as well, and has, inexplicably, trusted unbonded Matt with $60,000 in cash to purchase extremely expensive wooden flooring. The first Olivia hears about Matt's job with Carson is when Matt calls her up, desperate for her to save him for the umpteenth time, from the worst imbroglio he has ever been involved in. This time he has broken the law and could face a prison sentence if Carson presses charges. Matt has embezzled $20,000 of the cash Carson entrusted him with for a get-rich-quick investment scheme that went bust. He did not look at it as stealing at the time, but rather temporarily borrowing the money and gambling on a sure thing. He tells Olivia that he is scared to face Carson and is running away to Bozeman to work construction with his father. He wants her to intercede with Carson for him. He says he will send regular payments from his paychecks, and that's the best he can do.
Olivia and Carson had an adversarial relationship in high school, and she had hoped to never see him again as long as she lived. But her desire to keep her brother out of jail leads her to go see him and offer to take Matt's place on his construction crew and work for free, until she has earned enough to pay back whatever Matt doesn't repay. With great reluctance, because he is up against a tight deadline for his coach's wife to view the house and decide if she definitely wants it, Carson agrees to not call the cops on Matt and accept Olivia as a substitute, after she assures him her father trained her to do construction work in her childhood. But he takes away her car keys and declares that she will have to live on the construction site so he can keep his eye on her. Now that he has wised up and realized he never should have trusted Matt, he is equally unwilling to trust the crook's sister, whom he still resents due to the bad blood between them in high school.
Naturally enough, their relationship is initially quite rocky. But as the days pass, and Olivia incontrovertibly proves herself to be a hard-working, decent human being, and Carson shows himself to be nothing like the wealthy, entitled jock she knew in high school, they both begin to revise their previous poor opinion of each other.
This is an entertaining, chaste, contemporary, "enemies to lovers" romance, with no booze and no foul language. It could technically be categorized as a small town romance, but since the vast majority of its scenes take place at the construction site, we do not get much of a feel for the town itself.
October 24, 2023
(4.5 stars) - the story I didn't know I wanted 💕
I've read & re-read "A Longtime & at One Point Illegal Crush", but I never once wondered about Carson & Olivia's relationship. So when I read that Janette Rallison was writing their story, I was surprised & even a little dubious. I should have known better - it was totally entertaining with that particular kind of humor she has that I so enjoy! (And for those who were frustrated by the brevity of the 1st book, you'll be happy to know this one is full length)
*Romance level: passionate kisses, but nothing graphic
I've read & re-read "A Longtime & at One Point Illegal Crush", but I never once wondered about Carson & Olivia's relationship. So when I read that Janette Rallison was writing their story, I was surprised & even a little dubious. I should have known better - it was totally entertaining with that particular kind of humor she has that I so enjoy! (And for those who were frustrated by the brevity of the 1st book, you'll be happy to know this one is full length)
*Romance level: passionate kisses, but nothing graphic
October 25, 2023
A very good book to read while sick.
Yep, I read this book while sick. It is very delightful read. Easily to get into. You won’t be disappointed at all by it.
It is a clean chick lit, to relax to trying to recover.
Yep, I read this book while sick. It is very delightful read. Easily to get into. You won’t be disappointed at all by it.
It is a clean chick lit, to relax to trying to recover.
March 7, 2024
Overall, good characters and cute romance
I really loved this until about three-quarters in, and then the heroine's self-doubt got pretty strong. Everyone has the voice in their head - but this got a little repetitive for me. Otherwise, this had great characters, fun humor, and swoony romance.
Content: Closed door. Triggers with depression, self-doubt, child as parent relationships, and alcoholism.
Language: Clean
Religious: No
Happy reading!
I really loved this until about three-quarters in, and then the heroine's self-doubt got pretty strong. Everyone has the voice in their head - but this got a little repetitive for me. Otherwise, this had great characters, fun humor, and swoony romance.
Content: Closed door. Triggers with depression, self-doubt, child as parent relationships, and alcoholism.
Language: Clean
Religious: No
Happy reading!
November 25, 2023
I thought this was a cute story! It has similarities to Beauty and the Beast, but without the library, much to Olivia’s dismay. She and Carson knew each other in high school, but they were far from friends, especially after he ruined her chances getting a project she was passionate about up and running, and she got him suspended from the football team. Although I felt the ending was a bit rushed, I enjoyed reading this enemies to lovers romance!
November 21, 2023
ARC Book Review
A Longtime Nemesis
A Novel Written By Janette Rallison
Fiction - Romance
Published October 2023
246 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is Book 1 in the author’s Small Town, Big Sky Romance. The story takes place in Lark Springs, Montana. It is an enemies to lovers romance with many humorous moments between the two main characters.
Olivia Travers is a high school art teacher living and working in her hometown of Lark Springs. Carson Clark is a professional football player playing for the Denver Broncos. He is back home in Lark Springs recovering from a foot injury. His NFL career is on the line depending on how well he recovers from his injury. Olivia and Carson knew each other in high school and do not like each other. To avoid her brother, Matt, going to prison for embezzlement, Olivia must spend the summer helping Carson rehab a cabin he is trying to flip.
Spending time and working together opens both of their eyes about their high school feud. Can Olivia cut the ties that are binding her to her hometown to have a relationship with Carson in Denver?
The Beauty and the Beast references were a sweet addition to this story.
“Sort of like Belle in Beauty and the Beast, but without the singing dishes or the library.”
A Longtime Nemesis
A Novel Written By Janette Rallison
Fiction - Romance
Published October 2023
246 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is Book 1 in the author’s Small Town, Big Sky Romance. The story takes place in Lark Springs, Montana. It is an enemies to lovers romance with many humorous moments between the two main characters.
Olivia Travers is a high school art teacher living and working in her hometown of Lark Springs. Carson Clark is a professional football player playing for the Denver Broncos. He is back home in Lark Springs recovering from a foot injury. His NFL career is on the line depending on how well he recovers from his injury. Olivia and Carson knew each other in high school and do not like each other. To avoid her brother, Matt, going to prison for embezzlement, Olivia must spend the summer helping Carson rehab a cabin he is trying to flip.
Spending time and working together opens both of their eyes about their high school feud. Can Olivia cut the ties that are binding her to her hometown to have a relationship with Carson in Denver?
The Beauty and the Beast references were a sweet addition to this story.
“Sort of like Belle in Beauty and the Beast, but without the singing dishes or the library.”
October 24, 2023
Having her brother embezzle from his boss was bad enough, but it only got worse. His boss, Carson, was Olivia's high school nemesis, and Matt expects Olivia to approach Carson for him to intercede. Still worse, the only way Carson will agree not to put Matt in jail is if Olivia works for him in Matt's place. And that involves working closely with Carson for weeks - not to mention living on the same property. The one thing she can't do is ask how bad it can be - she's scared of the answer!
I was in need of something light when I picked this up, and this fit the bill perfectly. It's a great escape from real life - good clean fun but more than just fluff. The conclusions Olivia finally came to about her relationship with her family were much needed, but I loved the caring behind her actions, even if they were at times misguided. She's a little too ready to give up on things, but I appreciated the way that Carson gave her space when needed but was there for her when she needed it. The misunderstandings that started it all were also a great reminder that sometimes we need to be ready to listen to the other person's side of the story - even if they don't seem to deserve it. Some great humour, interesting characters, and heart-warming relationship development. Recommended.
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
I was in need of something light when I picked this up, and this fit the bill perfectly. It's a great escape from real life - good clean fun but more than just fluff. The conclusions Olivia finally came to about her relationship with her family were much needed, but I loved the caring behind her actions, even if they were at times misguided. She's a little too ready to give up on things, but I appreciated the way that Carson gave her space when needed but was there for her when she needed it. The misunderstandings that started it all were also a great reminder that sometimes we need to be ready to listen to the other person's side of the story - even if they don't seem to deserve it. Some great humour, interesting characters, and heart-warming relationship development. Recommended.
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
December 8, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I ended up reading this book in one day. I was easy to read and it was very enjoyable I didn’t want to put it down. I would recommend this book and I would read another book by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Voracious Readers Only
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Voracious Readers Only
August 8, 2024
really cute. love carson. he’s so sweet. the ending was perfect!
October 8, 2023
What would you do to protect your siblings? Well, Olivia apparently would do quite a lot! And she finds herself working her summer away for her nemesis! She's basically stuck at a cabin in the woods with him and his crew working off a debt her brother ran away from and asked her to step in and save him from.
Carson and Olivia have been enemies for years! They both have some pent up frustration and anger from some different instances that happened in high school. Olivia raises the white flag and Carson is very hesitant. Why accept help from the one girl who ruined several things for him? But Carson doesn't realize Olivia is just as hesitant due to things he did to her. So maybe, just maybe this whole forced proximity will work in their favor to clear the air and move forward as, not friends-definitely not friends-but maybe not enemies....fingers crossed!
Oh my heavens! This book was so much fun! I was giggling and laughing out loud, sometimes cringing and some of their antics, and most definitely sighing over the swooniness!!! A brilliantly funny enemies to lovers story that you won't want to set down until you've read it all.
The chemistry is building and Carson can't leave Olivia alone with the work crew, she's just too cute for her own good. That's why he's shooing everyone away. There's no other feelings than making sure she can get her work in to pay back her brother's debt. Right...riiiiiight! Keep telling yourself that Carson! ;-)
I really enjoyed the more serious side of this novel as well. I loved watching Olivia and Carson figure out their frustrations from the past and talking about it and moving past it. It's refreshing when characters can solve problems and are open to understanding!
I can't wait for more books in this series! Especially if the characters are as delightful as Carson and Olivia. Janette Rallison, I'm putting my request in for more of your fantastic humor and excellent sweet and swoony romance please!!!
Content: Clean. Some kisses but nothing further.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Carson and Olivia have been enemies for years! They both have some pent up frustration and anger from some different instances that happened in high school. Olivia raises the white flag and Carson is very hesitant. Why accept help from the one girl who ruined several things for him? But Carson doesn't realize Olivia is just as hesitant due to things he did to her. So maybe, just maybe this whole forced proximity will work in their favor to clear the air and move forward as, not friends-definitely not friends-but maybe not enemies....fingers crossed!
Oh my heavens! This book was so much fun! I was giggling and laughing out loud, sometimes cringing and some of their antics, and most definitely sighing over the swooniness!!! A brilliantly funny enemies to lovers story that you won't want to set down until you've read it all.
The chemistry is building and Carson can't leave Olivia alone with the work crew, she's just too cute for her own good. That's why he's shooing everyone away. There's no other feelings than making sure she can get her work in to pay back her brother's debt. Right...riiiiiight! Keep telling yourself that Carson! ;-)
I really enjoyed the more serious side of this novel as well. I loved watching Olivia and Carson figure out their frustrations from the past and talking about it and moving past it. It's refreshing when characters can solve problems and are open to understanding!
I can't wait for more books in this series! Especially if the characters are as delightful as Carson and Olivia. Janette Rallison, I'm putting my request in for more of your fantastic humor and excellent sweet and swoony romance please!!!
Content: Clean. Some kisses but nothing further.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
October 17, 2023
This was such a cute enemies to lovers sweet romance!
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
November 6, 2024
Needed a little bit more?
Ok. I liked it. Obviously I finished the book in about one day. The banter between Olivia and Carson chef kiss! I also really liked that they didn’t shuffle around the past but addressed things head on. That was super refreshing. I was expecting a lot of bitterness and snide comments but they worked through their past pretty fast. The soft kisses/apology scene…SWOON!
BUT here’s where my problems lie:
The slave girl comment? Gave me the ick. BIG TIME!
Olivia somewhat wishes for Carson recovery not to go good and her disappointment when he gave the news really ruined her for me. Okay let’s be real, we can love people and celebrate them with all our heart and still be selfishly scared, I get that. But to wish something like that on about someone’s dream was really really lame. What she should have done was put her big girl panties on and simply communicated her fears instead of harboring such a hateful wish. Or like write in a journal? Self process? Anything but that!! We all have ugly thoughts but I would have fought that one.
Also, her negative talk was soooo bothersome at times which was really conflicting for me because I related to it. Her character definitely helped me be reminded of what I always say - our emotions may be valid but we can’t stay there. It may be a honest place but also an unattractive one too. I did like that Olivia tried to be rash and not just jump heart first.
Next, is Carson. He wanted Olivia to make a BIG decision after three months and seemed to get really frustrated with her when she hesitated. I wished Carson was more empathic and eased her fears instead of making it feel like an ultimatum. His lack of understanding made his five stars go to four in my head.
All in all - I was hoping for a little bit more? Maybe more changes of scenery. A little bit more romance. I would have loved to see her mix with his football life. I think I was expecting a deeper dive into their life/romance together and with a few extra pages I think we could have had really fallen in love with Olivia and Carson.
Anyways this is a sweet and quick read! If you are looking for something easy to read with a nice mix of banter go for it!!
Ok. I liked it. Obviously I finished the book in about one day. The banter between Olivia and Carson chef kiss! I also really liked that they didn’t shuffle around the past but addressed things head on. That was super refreshing. I was expecting a lot of bitterness and snide comments but they worked through their past pretty fast. The soft kisses/apology scene…SWOON!
BUT here’s where my problems lie:
The slave girl comment? Gave me the ick. BIG TIME!
Olivia somewhat wishes for Carson recovery not to go good and her disappointment when he gave the news really ruined her for me. Okay let’s be real, we can love people and celebrate them with all our heart and still be selfishly scared, I get that. But to wish something like that on about someone’s dream was really really lame. What she should have done was put her big girl panties on and simply communicated her fears instead of harboring such a hateful wish. Or like write in a journal? Self process? Anything but that!! We all have ugly thoughts but I would have fought that one.
Also, her negative talk was soooo bothersome at times which was really conflicting for me because I related to it. Her character definitely helped me be reminded of what I always say - our emotions may be valid but we can’t stay there. It may be a honest place but also an unattractive one too. I did like that Olivia tried to be rash and not just jump heart first.
Next, is Carson. He wanted Olivia to make a BIG decision after three months and seemed to get really frustrated with her when she hesitated. I wished Carson was more empathic and eased her fears instead of making it feel like an ultimatum. His lack of understanding made his five stars go to four in my head.
All in all - I was hoping for a little bit more? Maybe more changes of scenery. A little bit more romance. I would have loved to see her mix with his football life. I think I was expecting a deeper dive into their life/romance together and with a few extra pages I think we could have had really fallen in love with Olivia and Carson.
Anyways this is a sweet and quick read! If you are looking for something easy to read with a nice mix of banter go for it!!
January 6, 2024
Thanks to booksirens and the author for the copy of this book.
I’m a fan of sports romance and the cover of this jumped out of me. I enjoyed the fact that the drama of the was ‘normal’ and believable, often in these books there’s some crazy issue that the characters have to deal with.
The characters were well rounded although at times felt slightly immature despite being functioning adults with careers.
Tha biggest thing I struggled with was the pacing. It just felt… off. They hated each other and then thought each other were hot so had one kiss and then all of a sudden were talking about whether they should tell their families that they’re in a relationship. I’m not sure my mum would remember the names of the guys I didn’t get on with at school and I certainly wouldn’t be bringing my new boyfriend to family dinner after 2 weeks. They supposedly hated each other but seemed to be ‘all in’ incredibly quickly.
From that point on the story seemed to come in fits and starts and it was difficult to get through to the end and still be invested. I’m also not entirely sure I know what we’re supposed to think about the nature of their relationship. I’ve read closed door romance before and love that it gives a chance for the relationship to develop but normally we’re at least aware that characters have been intimate. This read as though they still hadn’t when he left to go back to Denver but they were supposedly pretty serious at the time so I’m not entirely sure.
It was just missing something I can’t put my finger on. The premise was good and the characters nice but it just wasn’t for me.
I’m a fan of sports romance and the cover of this jumped out of me. I enjoyed the fact that the drama of the was ‘normal’ and believable, often in these books there’s some crazy issue that the characters have to deal with.
The characters were well rounded although at times felt slightly immature despite being functioning adults with careers.
Tha biggest thing I struggled with was the pacing. It just felt… off. They hated each other and then thought each other were hot so had one kiss and then all of a sudden were talking about whether they should tell their families that they’re in a relationship. I’m not sure my mum would remember the names of the guys I didn’t get on with at school and I certainly wouldn’t be bringing my new boyfriend to family dinner after 2 weeks. They supposedly hated each other but seemed to be ‘all in’ incredibly quickly.
From that point on the story seemed to come in fits and starts and it was difficult to get through to the end and still be invested. I’m also not entirely sure I know what we’re supposed to think about the nature of their relationship. I’ve read closed door romance before and love that it gives a chance for the relationship to develop but normally we’re at least aware that characters have been intimate. This read as though they still hadn’t when he left to go back to Denver but they were supposedly pretty serious at the time so I’m not entirely sure.
It was just missing something I can’t put my finger on. The premise was good and the characters nice but it just wasn’t for me.
December 28, 2023
This was an enemies to lovers small town romantic comedy.
I loved this sweet and hilarious story. The characters were relatable, realistic and complex. The story of Olivia growing outside her comfort zone and going after who & what she wanted was heartwarming. Highly recommend! Must read!
Olivia Traders is a high school art teacher in the small town she grew up in and has a dysfunctional family. She has a younger brother Matt who embezzled money from his boss Carson. Carson was her high school nemesis.
Carson Clark is a professional football player who is recovering from a foot injury. He bought a house to renovate and potentially sell to one of his coaches. He grew up in the small town as the golden boy jock.
Matt skips town and asks Olivia to talk to Carson to tell him he is sorry and he will pay Carson back. She volunteers to work on the renovation during her summer vacation. He takes her car hostage and tells her she has to live in the reno house. As they spend time together they discuss and forgive past issues. They have a paint sprayer fight that ends with them showering fully clothed together and later kissing. They start a relationship but keep it quiet so as not to cause issues on the job site. His ex-girlfriend shows up with his coach's wife and causes problems. They reconcile and go public with their relationship right before he has to return to Denver to try to make the team roster. She moved to Denver and they get their HEA.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved this sweet and hilarious story. The characters were relatable, realistic and complex. The story of Olivia growing outside her comfort zone and going after who & what she wanted was heartwarming. Highly recommend! Must read!
Olivia Traders is a high school art teacher in the small town she grew up in and has a dysfunctional family. She has a younger brother Matt who embezzled money from his boss Carson. Carson was her high school nemesis.
Carson Clark is a professional football player who is recovering from a foot injury. He bought a house to renovate and potentially sell to one of his coaches. He grew up in the small town as the golden boy jock.
Matt skips town and asks Olivia to talk to Carson to tell him he is sorry and he will pay Carson back. She volunteers to work on the renovation during her summer vacation. He takes her car hostage and tells her she has to live in the reno house. As they spend time together they discuss and forgive past issues. They have a paint sprayer fight that ends with them showering fully clothed together and later kissing. They start a relationship but keep it quiet so as not to cause issues on the job site. His ex-girlfriend shows up with his coach's wife and causes problems. They reconcile and go public with their relationship right before he has to return to Denver to try to make the team roster. She moved to Denver and they get their HEA.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 31, 2023
If you love a good enemies to love romance with some humor thrown in you should read this book. Olivia and Carson have been enemies since high school. He did and said some things, she did something that ended up causing consequences she didn't foresee and they've been sworn enemies ever since. Present day: her brother's done something really stupid and owes Carson A LOT of money and has tasked with asking Carson for a favor. Carson's demands put them in close proximity until the job is completed--maybe this help make them lesser enemies? One can only hope.
This is a super fun enemies to love with close proximity romance. Carson can't accept that his crew is nice to Olivia and does silly things like forbidding them to help her or show her how to do a task which means he has to do it. One thing leads to another and the enemies find out some of their animosity towards each other all started with a misunderstanding.
Of course this has Janette Rallison's humor thrown in there and I'm always here for that!! There were several scenes that had me laugh out loud which is always a good thing. I don't think I'll look at apple pie quite the same again. (IYKYK) It's not all fun and games as both main character show growth as the story progresses. I definitely recommend this book for those who love clean rom coms.
I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
This is a super fun enemies to love with close proximity romance. Carson can't accept that his crew is nice to Olivia and does silly things like forbidding them to help her or show her how to do a task which means he has to do it. One thing leads to another and the enemies find out some of their animosity towards each other all started with a misunderstanding.
Of course this has Janette Rallison's humor thrown in there and I'm always here for that!! There were several scenes that had me laugh out loud which is always a good thing. I don't think I'll look at apple pie quite the same again. (IYKYK) It's not all fun and games as both main character show growth as the story progresses. I definitely recommend this book for those who love clean rom coms.
I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
October 23, 2023
Book Review: Sweet romance between enemies to lovers and power tools…oh my!
A LONGTIME (AND NOW NFL PLAYER) NEMESIS
SMALL TOWN, BIG SKY ROMANCE
By Janette Rallison
In this enemies-to-lovers sweet romance, author Janette Rallison creates lovable characters that carry the reader through a thoroughly enjoyable Rom-Com.
Carson and Olivia have a nod to the Beauty and the Beast love story, which is laugh-out-loud at times and equally frustrating at times, but most of all, worth the time to follow their journey.
Miscommunication is a key-ingredient, and past high school words still have consequences from when they were in a jock vs. honor-roll rivalry. Years later, Olivia has to set aside her resentment to keep her brother out of jail. With the animosity in the forefront, will she swallow her pride to grovel for Carson’s mercy? Will Carson be the arrogant jock he was in high school now that he is in the NFL?
There are so many humorous moments, for example, the spray painting shower scene brings many laughs, and the reader will never see an apple the same way again.
It is Beauty and the Beast-esque but not with a library of books; it is a designer cabin renovation with power tools. Readers will love a woman who can wield a jackhammer at the precise moment to shut up the mansplaining man. It's such a fun, enjoyable read.
A LONGTIME (AND NOW NFL PLAYER) NEMESIS
SMALL TOWN, BIG SKY ROMANCE
By Janette Rallison
In this enemies-to-lovers sweet romance, author Janette Rallison creates lovable characters that carry the reader through a thoroughly enjoyable Rom-Com.
Carson and Olivia have a nod to the Beauty and the Beast love story, which is laugh-out-loud at times and equally frustrating at times, but most of all, worth the time to follow their journey.
Miscommunication is a key-ingredient, and past high school words still have consequences from when they were in a jock vs. honor-roll rivalry. Years later, Olivia has to set aside her resentment to keep her brother out of jail. With the animosity in the forefront, will she swallow her pride to grovel for Carson’s mercy? Will Carson be the arrogant jock he was in high school now that he is in the NFL?
There are so many humorous moments, for example, the spray painting shower scene brings many laughs, and the reader will never see an apple the same way again.
It is Beauty and the Beast-esque but not with a library of books; it is a designer cabin renovation with power tools. Readers will love a woman who can wield a jackhammer at the precise moment to shut up the mansplaining man. It's such a fun, enjoyable read.
November 19, 2023
'A LONGTIME (AND NOW NFL PLAYER) NEMESIS' was entertaining. The delightful plot was filled with past high school angst, a dysfunctional family, an immature brother, a major renovation project, a misunderstanding, jealousy, realizing one's self-worth, and love. Carson and Olivia, the protagonists, worked hard to overcome their past and tried to achieve their HEA. I liked the humor the author provided such as, "High school students didn’t do well without supervision, and if she so much as turned her back on a few of them, they’d be flicking paint at each other. The little darlings. Bless their overly hormonal hearts," and, “What about teaching school?”
“I’ll tell them they’ll have to get a new teacher. They won’t be happy, and they’ll think I’m flakey and irresponsible. Fortunately, my family has already set a precedent of being flakey and irresponsible, so they won’t be all that surprised." Moreover, I liked the figurative language as well, "A thought occurred to her, a life raft in her sea of emotion." Additionally, I liked the allusion, “You’ll basically be my prisoner,” Carson said with one of his smooth smiles. “Sort of like Belle in Beauty and the Beast, but without the singing dishes or the library.” Overall, I liked the amusing narrative.
I received a copy for free and am voluntarily giving my honest review.
“I’ll tell them they’ll have to get a new teacher. They won’t be happy, and they’ll think I’m flakey and irresponsible. Fortunately, my family has already set a precedent of being flakey and irresponsible, so they won’t be all that surprised." Moreover, I liked the figurative language as well, "A thought occurred to her, a life raft in her sea of emotion." Additionally, I liked the allusion, “You’ll basically be my prisoner,” Carson said with one of his smooth smiles. “Sort of like Belle in Beauty and the Beast, but without the singing dishes or the library.” Overall, I liked the amusing narrative.
I received a copy for free and am voluntarily giving my honest review.
January 7, 2024
I really enjoyed this fun book and happily recommend it. It’s a great enemies to love story. Olivia, an art teacher, and Carson, an injured professional football player, have a complicated history stretching back to high school conflict. When she agrees to live and work at Carson’s property in order to pay off her brother’s debt and keep Carson from going to the police, essentially becoming his “Construction slave”, they learn a lot about each other and the misunderstandings in their past. They also face growing feelings. Definitely a little Beauty and the Beast vibe. It was fun watching their relationship change and all they went through. the banter was great. I loved the characters. Olivia had a difficult life growing-up (“Her white trash bingo card was just about full.”) and still carried the world on her shoulders. “Olivia had known since sixth grade that she was the thread that stitched her family together. She hadn’t allowed herself to break back then and wouldn’t do it now.” The families on both sides were interesting and added a lot of depth to the story. The book touches on alcohol abuse, mental illness, embezzlement, underage drinking, and dyslexia. This is a closed door romance with mild innuendo and no harsh language.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 22, 2024
A Long Time (and now NFL) Nemesis by Janette Rallison (4.5 stars)
Olivia’s growing up years as the responsible member of her family, helping her divorced mom through her depressive episodes and helping her brother out of scrapes, have left little time for herself and her own dreams.
When her brother gets into the most serious trouble he has ever been in, and expects her to make it right, she does what she always does. She tries to fix it.
Carson is recovering from a football injury and isn’t sure whether or not his career with the Broncos is over. Meanwhile, to keep busy during his rehab, he’s renovating a luxury cabin for his coach, who has promised to buy it. Carson has sunk his savings, plus money from his father, plus a bank loan to buy the cabin and pay for the renovations.
Anita’s brother’s embezzlement force Carson and Anita to work with each other on a daily basis.
As they get to know one another, the attraction both have felt, combined with truly getting to know one another’s characters, makes for the beginnings of possible love.
The author’s sense of humor comes through in some funny situational comedic moments, but there are also moments of heartbreak and difficult decisions.
A sweet, clean romance with relatable characters and deeper themes running through it.
Olivia’s growing up years as the responsible member of her family, helping her divorced mom through her depressive episodes and helping her brother out of scrapes, have left little time for herself and her own dreams.
When her brother gets into the most serious trouble he has ever been in, and expects her to make it right, she does what she always does. She tries to fix it.
Carson is recovering from a football injury and isn’t sure whether or not his career with the Broncos is over. Meanwhile, to keep busy during his rehab, he’s renovating a luxury cabin for his coach, who has promised to buy it. Carson has sunk his savings, plus money from his father, plus a bank loan to buy the cabin and pay for the renovations.
Anita’s brother’s embezzlement force Carson and Anita to work with each other on a daily basis.
As they get to know one another, the attraction both have felt, combined with truly getting to know one another’s characters, makes for the beginnings of possible love.
The author’s sense of humor comes through in some funny situational comedic moments, but there are also moments of heartbreak and difficult decisions.
A sweet, clean romance with relatable characters and deeper themes running through it.
January 13, 2024
A LONGTIME NEMESIS By Janette Rallison
When Olivia’s brother embezzles money from work, she’s left to plead his case to his boss and beg for leniency.The only problem? Her brother’s boss is Olivia’s old high school nemesis, Carson Clark. He’s not known for leniency.He’s tall, handsome, and unhappy to be back in his small hometown, taking a break from the NFL while he recovers from an injury.Olivia offers to work in her brother's place and help Carson renovate a luxury cabin in the mountains. How bad can the job be?Turns out, pretty bad. She’s tired, sore, and deeply in need of a massage.And she’s stuck with Carson 24/7 until the project is finished.
😊What i liked -
✔ Sports/Enemies To Lovers/Small Town/Forced Proximity..
✔ Individually I loved Olivia and Carson's characters.
✔ Olivia's group of students cracked me up a bit.
✔ Okay the banter bit is top notch.
✔ It was a nice, cute quick read.
🤔What could have been better -
✔ Though I liked Olivia she did disappoint me a bit.
✔ I felt the lack of chemistry between them from time to time.
📚Who Should read :
👶Beginners
💝Romance Lover
💕Forced Proximity Romance
💞Enemies To Lovers Romance
📈My Rating : 3/5
Thank you, Janette Rallison, for a copy.
When Olivia’s brother embezzles money from work, she’s left to plead his case to his boss and beg for leniency.The only problem? Her brother’s boss is Olivia’s old high school nemesis, Carson Clark. He’s not known for leniency.He’s tall, handsome, and unhappy to be back in his small hometown, taking a break from the NFL while he recovers from an injury.Olivia offers to work in her brother's place and help Carson renovate a luxury cabin in the mountains. How bad can the job be?Turns out, pretty bad. She’s tired, sore, and deeply in need of a massage.And she’s stuck with Carson 24/7 until the project is finished.
😊What i liked -
✔ Sports/Enemies To Lovers/Small Town/Forced Proximity..
✔ Individually I loved Olivia and Carson's characters.
✔ Olivia's group of students cracked me up a bit.
✔ Okay the banter bit is top notch.
✔ It was a nice, cute quick read.
🤔What could have been better -
✔ Though I liked Olivia she did disappoint me a bit.
✔ I felt the lack of chemistry between them from time to time.
📚Who Should read :
👶Beginners
💝Romance Lover
💕Forced Proximity Romance
💞Enemies To Lovers Romance
📈My Rating : 3/5
Thank you, Janette Rallison, for a copy.
March 17, 2025
I absolutely loved this romcom! The characters and story were so well done that Janette Rallison even convinced me to briefly like football in this novel (me, being an American woman in my thirties who has successfully avoided an actual understanding of football).
I loved getting to know Olivia and Carson as adults with glimpses of what they were like as teens; the juxtaposition of their characters as teens versus in maturity was excellent for showing character development. It also made for a great enemies-to-lovers dynamic. I think everyone is more inclined to make enemies/have a nemesis as a teenager, and for those feelings to hang on longer when they’re attached to the emotions and challenges of those years. It’s also very realistic for said enemies to grow up and realize that the other person is actually just a regular human in adulthood.
The dialogue - As per usual for Rallison - was filled with excellent banter and plenty of wit. This aspect is generally my favorite part of her books, and this one was no exception. I laughed so often while reading this book!
Highly recommend to all romcom lovers! And everyone who loves witty dialogue. Thank you to Janette Rallison for the review copy! All opinions are my own.
I’m off to read the next book in the series!
I loved getting to know Olivia and Carson as adults with glimpses of what they were like as teens; the juxtaposition of their characters as teens versus in maturity was excellent for showing character development. It also made for a great enemies-to-lovers dynamic. I think everyone is more inclined to make enemies/have a nemesis as a teenager, and for those feelings to hang on longer when they’re attached to the emotions and challenges of those years. It’s also very realistic for said enemies to grow up and realize that the other person is actually just a regular human in adulthood.
The dialogue - As per usual for Rallison - was filled with excellent banter and plenty of wit. This aspect is generally my favorite part of her books, and this one was no exception. I laughed so often while reading this book!
Highly recommend to all romcom lovers! And everyone who loves witty dialogue. Thank you to Janette Rallison for the review copy! All opinions are my own.
I’m off to read the next book in the series!
October 31, 2023
At 18 Olivia was glad that she did not need to see Carson. She had a crush on him until they clashed over various things in junior and senior year. Carson went on to play for the Denver Broncos and was renovating a nice cabin near his hometown. Oliva’s brother, Matt, was the project manager until he gambled some of Carson’s money. After being injured it looked like Carson needed that money back and insisted Olivia come work for him in place of Matt. The cabin had not sold yet. Seven years later Olivia finds herself in the company of Carson rather than have him put her brother in jail. I loved the insights into the two families. Oliva was poor, her mother had emotional issues, her father was a drunk and left the family, and her brother was a gambler. Theirs was not an ideal family and Olivia tried to take care of the adults that were a mess. Carson had a loving family; mother, father, and siblings all who supported each other and had money to do what they needed to do. It was fun to watch the relationship change with Olivia and Carson. It wasn’t long before he wasn’t sure he had made a mistake. Great book with wonderful characters and insights into what is important.
January 20, 2024
A Longtime (and now NFL Player)
Nemesis
Olivia Travers is an Art teacher at her old High School.
Her younger brother, Matt, got into financial difficulties after spending money that belonged to his boss.
Carson Clark is Matt’s boss, but after realising the situation he was in, runs out of town to stay with his father, and asks Olivia to explain to Carson that he will repay him once he gets the money together.
Olivia is not keen on taking Matt’s message to Carson, as they couldn’t stand each other in school. Carson is now an NFL player, but has an injury, so he decides to renovate a property with a view to selling it.
Matt was working on the renovation, and when Olivia takes the message to Carson, Carson insists on Olivia taking Matt’s place or else he’ll send Matt to jail.
This is a great read, with a cast of believable characters, and is very well plotted. I enjoyed it very much, and as Olivia and Carson grew closer to one another and put their differences behind them, I became very invested in their future, and whether they could move on, with or without each other.
I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Nemesis
Olivia Travers is an Art teacher at her old High School.
Her younger brother, Matt, got into financial difficulties after spending money that belonged to his boss.
Carson Clark is Matt’s boss, but after realising the situation he was in, runs out of town to stay with his father, and asks Olivia to explain to Carson that he will repay him once he gets the money together.
Olivia is not keen on taking Matt’s message to Carson, as they couldn’t stand each other in school. Carson is now an NFL player, but has an injury, so he decides to renovate a property with a view to selling it.
Matt was working on the renovation, and when Olivia takes the message to Carson, Carson insists on Olivia taking Matt’s place or else he’ll send Matt to jail.
This is a great read, with a cast of believable characters, and is very well plotted. I enjoyed it very much, and as Olivia and Carson grew closer to one another and put their differences behind them, I became very invested in their future, and whether they could move on, with or without each other.
I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
February 4, 2024
Carson, an injured NFL player, os renovating a house while he's out of the Game, now Olivia's brother owes him money and she has to work for him for free during the summer to help pay his debt.
Olivia is the sister that always gets the heavy load, being overprotective of her brother. She was ok.
Carson is trying to make the most of his injured time not knowing if he could finally go back to play. I didn't really understand that he was doing part of the construction job instead of doing training sessions must of the time.
Carson and Olivia's history in high school is one of those where both reacted knowing just part of the story. The step from nemesis to lovers was just ok.
The book didn't get to me, I found some parts of the story quite flawed, but I think It is because I didn't connect with It. I've read book that I loved that had parts quite farfetched, but as I connected with them, I just selectively forgot they were there. The problem appears when you don't Connect with the book, you see the flaws all the time.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Olivia is the sister that always gets the heavy load, being overprotective of her brother. She was ok.
Carson is trying to make the most of his injured time not knowing if he could finally go back to play. I didn't really understand that he was doing part of the construction job instead of doing training sessions must of the time.
Carson and Olivia's history in high school is one of those where both reacted knowing just part of the story. The step from nemesis to lovers was just ok.
The book didn't get to me, I found some parts of the story quite flawed, but I think It is because I didn't connect with It. I've read book that I loved that had parts quite farfetched, but as I connected with them, I just selectively forgot they were there. The problem appears when you don't Connect with the book, you see the flaws all the time.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 2, 2023
Olivia spends her summer working on a home renovation for Carson Clark, an NFL player, to keep him from calling the cops on her brother. Olivia has spent her whole life supporting her mom and brother emotionally and, often, financially. Now, her brother, Matt, invests money from his boss, Carson Clark, that he was supposed to use to purchase construction materials. When he realizes it was a lousy investment, Matt flees the state, leaving what money he has left and a note for Olivia asking her to talk to Carson. To complicate matters, Olivia and Carson went to high school together and have been nemeses since junior year.
A Longtime Nemesis was the perfect closed-door, enemies-to-lovers romance. This is an all-around feel-good book without being cheesy or “hallmark-y.”
Olivia, the FMC, is genuinely a good person but in an authentic way, with flaws, misunderstandings, and mistakes. I’m drawn to books with main characters like her.
This is perfect for fans of Sarah Adams and clean rom-coms.
I received a digital arc for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A Longtime Nemesis was the perfect closed-door, enemies-to-lovers romance. This is an all-around feel-good book without being cheesy or “hallmark-y.”
Olivia, the FMC, is genuinely a good person but in an authentic way, with flaws, misunderstandings, and mistakes. I’m drawn to books with main characters like her.
This is perfect for fans of Sarah Adams and clean rom-coms.
I received a digital arc for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 23, 2023
Funny, Sweet, Awkward, and All of the Feels!
First, even though I’d reread A Longtime (and at one point illegal) Crush recently, it took me an embarrassing long time to realize that this book was connected. This book is about Elsie’s big brother, Carson, but it comes before the Illegal Crush story so you can read them in any order.
I loved Carson and Olivia’s story! It has a Beauty and the Beast flair with Olivia offering herself up to take her brother’s place when he runs off with the money from a construction job and leaves the job unfinished. Olivia is loyal to an almost unhealthy degree, but it brought her into Carson’s orbit so I’m not complaining.
There were moments of growth, and plenty of humor. My favorite scenes were with the paint sprayer and Thanksgiving dinner with a Psychiatry student. So funny! So awkward!
Read it, and be forewarned that it will probably make you laugh out loud!
First, even though I’d reread A Longtime (and at one point illegal) Crush recently, it took me an embarrassing long time to realize that this book was connected. This book is about Elsie’s big brother, Carson, but it comes before the Illegal Crush story so you can read them in any order.
I loved Carson and Olivia’s story! It has a Beauty and the Beast flair with Olivia offering herself up to take her brother’s place when he runs off with the money from a construction job and leaves the job unfinished. Olivia is loyal to an almost unhealthy degree, but it brought her into Carson’s orbit so I’m not complaining.
There were moments of growth, and plenty of humor. My favorite scenes were with the paint sprayer and Thanksgiving dinner with a Psychiatry student. So funny! So awkward!
Read it, and be forewarned that it will probably make you laugh out loud!
November 14, 2023
It was a light, fun, easy read, and (especially earlier in the book) the tension between the main characters was great. That made it hard to put down.
However, it felt like there was a lot of the characters telling the reader how they felt rather than showing us what they were going through, which made them hard to invest in, especially later on.
And maybe it's just me, but I'm finding it harder to like stories where we are expected to like the smart girl (who happens to be pretty but "doesn't know it") and hate the gorgeous, vapid rival who does dumb/mean things. It makes the main character actually come across as very judgemental and petty, particularly towards other women.
Women have enough burdens to bare and enemies to face in this world. I'd prefer to see better developed rivals who are worthy opponents, and also less women hating women, but women who have each other's backs, even if they are rivals in love. But that's me. I've become old and cynical.
However, it felt like there was a lot of the characters telling the reader how they felt rather than showing us what they were going through, which made them hard to invest in, especially later on.
And maybe it's just me, but I'm finding it harder to like stories where we are expected to like the smart girl (who happens to be pretty but "doesn't know it") and hate the gorgeous, vapid rival who does dumb/mean things. It makes the main character actually come across as very judgemental and petty, particularly towards other women.
Women have enough burdens to bare and enemies to face in this world. I'd prefer to see better developed rivals who are worthy opponents, and also less women hating women, but women who have each other's backs, even if they are rivals in love. But that's me. I've become old and cynical.
January 6, 2024
3.5⭐️
Romantic, sweet, predictable, and is genuinely a good read if you're looking for something light or in my case a quick break from fantasy
The first 60% of the book were amazing just them bantering and questioning why they didn't get to know each other sooner it was cute
But then they get together and it was wholesome and all but it kinda got boring afterwards you know ..like some drama & a little misunderstanding and then they had to deal with their relationship being long distance yk the usual stuff
I didn't hate the last 30% of the book I just didn't like it that much. I kinda of forced myself to finish it but it wasn't that hard you get ?
I loved the ending it was super sweet and fitting :)
Overall it was lovely & didn't take much effort to get into so I recommend it if you want sweet romance a hint of banter and a kinda of predictable story (which is comfy in the right mood)
Romantic, sweet, predictable, and is genuinely a good read if you're looking for something light or in my case a quick break from fantasy
The first 60% of the book were amazing just them bantering and questioning why they didn't get to know each other sooner it was cute
But then they get together and it was wholesome and all but it kinda got boring afterwards you know ..like some drama & a little misunderstanding and then they had to deal with their relationship being long distance yk the usual stuff
I didn't hate the last 30% of the book I just didn't like it that much. I kinda of forced myself to finish it but it wasn't that hard you get ?
I loved the ending it was super sweet and fitting :)
Overall it was lovely & didn't take much effort to get into so I recommend it if you want sweet romance a hint of banter and a kinda of predictable story (which is comfy in the right mood)
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