Opposites attract in this heartfelt rom-com about overcoming your past and embracing all that life has to offer.
Britt Branch has a successful My-tube channel where she teaches all kinds of art lessons. Obsessed with the 1970s, she has a style all her own and loves yacht rock. She also has a huge problem--severe social anxiety. She lives with her mom, and while she pays her own bills, she wonders if she'll ever have the courage to move out. When her best friend announces she's getting married, Britt thinks it's time to make a change.
Gorgeous Hunter Pickett has always skated by on his model looks and applying very little effort to anything except sports, and even that was iffy at times. The third son of extremely wealthy and successful parents, he's always been the black sheep of the family and has dealt with the issue by drinking and using drugs. When he lands in jail, he turns his life around. But by his third year of sobriety, he's still dealing with aimlessness. When he catches Britt's channel, he's intrigued and ends up watching her videos even though he's not interested in art . . . at first. He reaches out to her, and they eventually become friends and make a deal--if she gives him art lessons, he'll help her with her social anxiety.
But neither of them is completely honest with the other. When all the secrets come out in the worst way possible, relationships must be rebuilt, and Britt has a decision to make--is she going to continue to hide from life, or is she going to finally start living?
i am...... somewhat disappointed. this felt very middle of the road to me. nothing really stood out. i appreciated the depictions of social anxiety, as it's clear they were handled with care and understanding, but i'm not a fan of britt's decision to get help for it just because of hunter. you gotta do it for yourself, babes.
this would have worked much better as a movie. it was written like a rom-com, but the only moderately developed character was britt, and i know her parents' points of view were included for context instead of having all the info dumped on the reader, but the backstory could have been woven in better without including unnecessary perspectives. hunter was just eh. he was there. for someone who was described as being soooo different from britt, their voices were awfully similar.
overall, this was okay. nothing memorable, but it wasn't bad, either. it's just there.
i received a complimentary copy of this book. opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
So Into You is a touching, complex story with light and heavy moments and interesting, likable characters dealing with issues in their life. Britt, a twenty-eight-year-old living with her mom. as the two have for twenty years since the parents divorced, is socially challenged and makes her living as a youtuber teaching art. Amy, her mom is a teacher, still angry at her ex-husband Daniel. So, when Daniel contacts Britt through her blog after being away for all those years, she doesn't tell her mom. Hunter Pickett found Britt's video and became a fan and even decided to try a one of her art projects after contacting her through her blog. Daniel still loves Amy and would like a second chance with her, but she doesn't know he is back in town. They are all keeping secrets to themselves out of fear. One event will bring everything out into the open. What a mess that turns into be. This one is great read that pulled me in until the end. I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review and these are my thoughts.
I really liked the beginning and the initial premise of the book. I was super interested in the idea of seeing a FMC struggling with social anxiety meeting a MMC trying to redeem himself in the eyes of his family. Ultimately, the story fell a little too flat for me and left me wishing there was more of the MCs’ relationship developing in a better way versus so much focus being put on the secondary subplot of the FMCs’ parents. I really like this story could have had so much more potential had the focus been solely on the main characters themselves. I would have liked to see more scenes of them bonding and the sweet spot of them learning to fall in love with each other instead of everything happening all at once.
Britt Branch was a step in the right direction for introducing characters with mental health disorders and illnesses. Her experience with social anxiety may not be exactly the same for everyone, but it could reflect on at least one person out there who might be feeling something so similar to her. And I think it’s important to see that more in books in general, especially contemporary new adult romance. I thought she had a cute personality with her passion for art, yacht rock, and the 70s to 80s. I did feel like she was a little childish for her age? She was twenty-eight, but sometimes her interactions with her parents made her feel like she was still a child. And it’s understandable if someone has been coddled or almost hindered by their own personal struggles, in her case her anxiety. But it never really got resolved by the end of it? Her whole motivation of the book was to get her social anxiety in check so she could do what she wanted by supporting her best friend as maid of honour at her wedding, but then she backed out completely and never made good on her promise to her.
Hunter Pickett was very interesting to read about. I’m a sucker for MMCs who try so hard to redeem themselves from their past mistakes. In his case, Hunter really did change for the better and overcome his struggles with drug use and alcoholism. He was living independently without support from his family after being practically disowned and supporting himself with his own job after getting his GED. I liked that he was always very respectful with Britt and her social anxiety, and he never pushed her to do anything she wasn’t comfortable with. He always checked in with her and all his motives behind his actions were always to make sure she was okay with it. It was very refreshing to see a very green flag of a character. That being said, there wasn’t much resolved with his character either. I really wished he was able to make real amends with all of his family. It felt very hollow seeing his conversation with his mother about how he had changed when the rest of the family’s relationship with him hadn’t been showed by the end of it. He spent so much time dwelling on making his family less disappointed in him, but he never really got closure by the end of the book with them.
The premise felt like a false advertisement of some sort; almost 50% of the story was focused solely on Britt’s mother and father’s love story despite not being mentioned at all in the blurb? There were so many unnecessary chapters about them to provide background info on Britt and Hunter. There were chapters were it showed Britt’s mother’s foray into dating as a middle-aged woman, and lots of chapters where Britt’s father tends to pine and reflect so much on what he and her mother had. It would show dates that her mother would go on, and the conversations her father would have with his boss repeatedly. I skimmed quite a lot of it. And I know it must’ve been added and expanded on to give context into Britt’s issues with attachment, but to have it completely overshadow the two MCs? Sometimes it almost felt like the two MCs were secondary characters in their own story?
Britt and Hunter had so much potential together. They started off so wholesome and pure with Hunter reaching out to Britt through her art channel, and then becoming fast friends as Britt began to give Hunter art lessons. They were very go-with-the-flow with each other and respected the others’ boundaries. But then maybe 60% through it when all the drama ensues between them and Britt’s parents’ own separate love story, there was so much miscommunication and misunderstandings that it was almost painful to read. Because both of them knew they had both lied and were expecting not to deal with the consequences properly? And then one trying hard to reach out and the other giving silent treatment back and forth was honestly a little too much that I couldn’t believe they ended up together by the end of it.
However, I think the most beautiful quote in the book that everyone deserves to hear more often is this:
“You have to give yourself the freedom not to be perfect.” ☀️
Tropes: - Shy artist/influencer FMC x reformed bad boy MMC 🎨🏍️ - Third person POV 🗣️ - Friends to lovers - Mental health rep: social anxiety 🧠 - Closed-door romance 🚪
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for my honest review!
**Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this advanced audio copy of, So Into You, in exchange for an honest review.**
Audio Narration 🎧 5/5 ✨
So Into You was my first book by this author. I was pleased with most of it. I thought the writing was pretty good and the story held my attention the whole way through. This book deals with addiction and anxiety over multiple generations. It’s listed as a Christian romance but is not at all over the top with faith themes- which given the subject matter, in this particular instance, I wish it would have had more of a faith element to it. I did like the characters and felt a connection to them although, these characters were supposed to be close to 30 and it read like they were teens or college kids and that was a bit of an annoyance. The audio narrator did an excellent job on reading it and it was told from multiple (4) POVs. If you’re looking for an easy read with a sweet romance just for enjoyment-without a whole lot of depth , I would recommend this.
So Into You explores the quiet battle of mental health through the story of Britt, a talented artist with social anxiety, and Hunter, a reformed addict. Their unlikely friendship grows into a meaningful relationship marked by personal healing. If you or someone you know has faced social anxiety or significant life changes, this book offers a compelling and relatable narrative.
Britt’s struggles with anxiety are portrayed with authenticity—her fear of judgment, discomfort in social situations, and feeling stuck in life. The book shows how anxiety can hold people back from pursuing their dreams, but Britt’s journey is one of gradual growth, full of setbacks and triumphs, especially in her interactions with Hunter.
Hunter, the reformed bad boy, is more than his past. His recovery from addiction and struggles with an estranged family add depth to his character. His journey will resonate with anyone rebuilding their life after past mistakes. Hunter’s quiet strength and patience create a safe space for Britt, reminding readers that change, even slow and messy, is possible with faith in Jesus.
Themes of second chances and forgiveness run throughout, particularly in the complex family dynamics Britt faces. The romance is sweet, but it’s the emotional journeys of Britt and Hunter that make their connection meaningful. While the story doesn’t delve deeply into surrendering your life to Jesus, Hunter’s Jesus-centered faith journey provides a quiet yet powerful message of grace and redemption.
Ultimately, So Into You is about healing, growth, and the tenderness of love. If you or someone you know has dealt with anxiety, addiction, or family struggles, this story offers both empathy and hope. Yet, marketed as Christian fiction, it misses an opportunity to deepen these themes by incorporating the transformative power of Jesus in a more substantial way. For readers who value stories that clearly center around the redemptive and transformative work of Christ, this book may leave you wanting more.
The audiobook version of So Into You is well done. It kept me engaged with the pacing and tone, making it easy to stay connected to the characters and plot.
I received digital ebook and audio ARCs of So Into You from the publisher via NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the super writing and story’s beautiful content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
This story is unlike anything I’ve ever read! The female main character, Britt, battles severe social anxiety, while the male main character, Hunter, is trying to rebuild his life after making countless poor decisions in his past. When Hunter discovers Britt’s YouTube channel, he’s immediately captivated by her. What starts with him watching her art shows soon leads to an unexpected encounter at her favorite art store. Neither of them could have anticipated their agreement: he’ll help her with her anxiety, and she’ll help him improve his art. But their connection grows deeper than that—Hunter longs for someone to see him for who he is now, not who he was, while Britt needs someone who doesn’t view her as broken or strange, but as someone worthy of support. What begins as a fast friendship quickly evolves into something more, but neither has been entirely truthful with the other. When the truth comes to light, it threatens not just their relationship but also the bonds with their families and friends. Will Britt and Hunter be able to build a future together?
Overall, this story was fantastic! I did knock off one star because, for me, the multiple storylines at times made it difficult to follow, slowing down the main characters’ journey. Additionally, the point of view felt off in certain sections, but since I was reading an eARC, it’s possible that will be fixed before the final release. Nonetheless, the story was well-crafted and incredibly sweet. The romance, along with the second-chance trope, was beautifully done—not just about a second chance at love but also at starting over in life. I absolutely loved it! ❤️
I received a complimentary copy of this book. This review reflects my own opinion.
2.5 stars // romance, clean romance, christian // 💞
arc review 💌 release date : december 3, 2024
2024.12.2
okay so my feelings for this book are complicated. i wanted to enjoy/love it bc its a christian romance and etc... but the characters and multiple pov's kept mixing me up. i did get an audiobook arc (and e-book) i loved the voices of the narrators and they made the story sound amazing.
the main plot was a good idea, but the way it was executed could've been better. i am happy with the ending tho.
britt : okay so she's our fmc and she has a major anxiety disorder, not social, artistic and has a youtube channel, super innocent. she's basically marinette in another font (older, more shy version) and i liked that. some ways she was relatable, but not completely. her not seeing herself as attractive/loveable felt very real and something that's easy to connect to.
hunter : i liked his character of reformed bad boy, him turning his life around was really nice and we don't really see this kind of representation in books that often. he felt really real and ik there's lots of people like him in the world. i feel like i didn't learn much about him in this book tbh.
to me this book felt like a short story with a bunch of people's pov's in 3rd person (maybe omniscient?) idek but like there was a part with britt's, hunter's. amy's (britt's mom), and even daniel (britt's dad) - the latter two which were completely unnecessary.
adding a bunch of storylines made it more like a movie- knowing everyones perspective and sorts and not like a novel. there was random info with her mom and dad, we only got introduced to a "second chance" over 70% into the book.
this book was easy to read overall and an okay read to start december with, there's definitely worse. this was not my fav, but if you're looking for a clean romance and are fine with many pov's and side plots i'd definitely recommend picking it up. otherwise it may not be your cup of tea
xx, joni <33
thank you netgalley and thomas nelson fiction for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review
Socially anxious art instructor Britt Branch meets recovering bad boy Hunter Pickett, and they strike a deal: art lessons for social coaching. As they navigate their secrets, Britt’s divorced parents, Amy and David, also wrestle with unresolved bitterness. When relationships crumble, Britt must decide: will she keep hiding, or finally embrace life’s messy beauty?
I started reading the physical book and decided to put it in my DNF pile around page 40. The characters just felt dry, and I wasn’t motivated to learn more about them. However, I got a copy of the audio, and I’m so glad I decided to give it a listen! The narrator brought the story to life.
I like this book a lot more when I think of it as women’s fiction rather than a romance. While almost every scene contains characters falling in love, what moves the plot along is their personal challenges—Britt’s social anxiety and Hunter’s past. You won’t find much heat or buzzing chemistry between the characters, but you will smile through meaningful moments of personal growth for a whole cast of characters. I loved how everything ties together!
Thank you @thomasnelson for the ARC and @netgalley for the ALC!
Perfect for you if you like: Women’s fiction with love stories Characters overcoming personal struggles Family/interwoven cast of characters
Similar to: Love in Tandem by Becca Kinder The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh The Bookish Bandit by Erica Dansereau & Britt Howard
⛔️kisses only romance ⚠️previous struggles with alcohol and drug abuse, social anxiety, parent abandonment, previous divorce
This book had a lot of potential with its unique premise—an anxious artist and a recovering addict finding love—but I found it a bit repetitive.
The story follows Britt, a socially anxious painter who prefers the safety of her online art channel, and Hunter, a former addict trying to rebuild his life. Their slow-burn romance is sweet, and I appreciated the book’s focus on mental health and redemption.
That said, the story started feeling a little stuck in a loop. The same issues and conversations seemed to happen over and over without much new development, which made it drag at times. Plus, there’s a subplot about Britt’s parents that took up more space than I expected, making the main romance feel a bit sidelined.
I did enjoy the emotional depth and the way Fuller handled anxiety and addiction with care, but I wish there had been more variation in the pacing. If you love heartfelt, character-driven romances and don’t mind some repetition, this might still be a good pick for you!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
It was nice to see a character not just with anxiety, but specifically social anxiety! It's a representation you don't see very often. I feel the portrayal could have delved way deeper, exploring more aspects beyond just feeling anxious around people, but there were definitely moments that resonated.
The romance itself didn’t spark overwhelming chemistry for me, but I thought Hunter was a great love interest for Britt. Their dynamic was really cute, with Hunter offering to help Britt with her anxiety in exchange for art lessons. Hunter’s backstory as a recovered alcoholic with a prison record added real depth to his character too, especially in how it mirrored the life of Britt's father.
An unexpected yet welcomed surprise was the perspective of Britt’s mother. At first, I wasn’t sure why it was included, but as the connections between characters and conflicts unfolded, I loved how it all tied together. It was clever! And the overarching theme of forgiveness and personal growth was really lovely!
Britt Branch is a successful artist and posts art lesson videos online, but her severe social anxiety has held her back her entire life. Hunter Pickett has been trying to turn his life around after spending time in jail and being excommunicated from his family, and when he finds Britt’s videos, he finally has hope that his life can change for the better. Britt and Hunter meet in person, and they both grow as individuals as their friendship progresses, but they both have secrets that could threaten any chance of a future relationship between them.🎨
So Into You is a contemporary romance that included some of my favorite story elements, and Britt and Hunter’s relationship was very sweet. The characters did seem immature at times, and I didn’t love how some things were written. There are also additional POVs and storylines that are not mentioned in the book synopsis, which was unexpected. It wasn’t my favorite romance, but it was cute and may be worth checking out!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A big thank you to Thomas Nelson for sending me a copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.📒
Such a sweet book! I loved how the main characters helped each other out as they overcame their challenges. The part about keeping secrets was challenging to read about as the reader knew that was going to be a problem. My favorite characters were the male ones in this story except for Maude!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.
When I read in the blurb for this book that the FMC had social anxiety and loved all things 1970s, I was SOLD! I read 30 pages the first night only to go back and reread from the start the very next morning because I realized that this was a story I was wanting to tab and highlight. The representation of social anxiety in this book was spot on and so relatable.
Brittany Branch is nearing age 30 and still lives with her mom. She runs a very successful YouTube channel where she teaches drawing. It’s her absolute passion. Teaching in person is something her social anxiety prevents her from doing. It prevents her from a lot of things to be honest.
The handsome and once troubled Hunter Pickett stumbles across Britt’s channel and something about her just captures his heart. He sends her a couple of messages only to realize they live near each other. They wind up meeting in person and Hunter is just about the kindest and most patient human when it comes to Britt’s anxiety. Something about Hunter calms her. She never really thought she could be in a “normal” relationship, but Hunter is different. He’s understanding, protective, and shows her the kind of respect one could only dream of. The only thing is that Hunter is holding back a BIG secret about his past. He grew up making a lot of poor choices when it comes to drugs and alcohol. Britt’s father was an alcoholic, so this is going to be a touchy subject once she finds out.
There were A LOT of jaw dropping twists and turns in this story. It was fun, sweet and incredibly inspiring. Great messages of hope and redemption. The ultimate story of second chances.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
**For more reviews and bookish content, be sure to follow me on Instagram @aliciasbooksanctuary
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing me with an e-arc, in exchange for my honest review.
I, unfortunately, had to dnf around the 20% mark. I tried multiple times to get into this book but I just couldn't. The plot was intriguing, I usually love when authors use art as a predominant part of their plots. The multiple POVs were a little overwhelming for me and, probably, made it a bit more difficult for me to connect with the different characters.
This was my first book by Kathleen Fuller so I wasn't aware of her background and the fact that she writes christian romances. It's my bad, I should've checked before requesting but that was also something that didn't help me appreciate the book. I'm okay with some references here and there, but the ones in this book weren't for me and it's alright.
This is a wonderful book! I enjoyed the topic of art and genuinely wish that I had teachers like Britt, Maude, and X. There are a few love stories that are sweet and endearing!
Britt really touched my heart. My daughter has severe social anxiety, so I could relate. It was amazing to "watch" her grow and become more confident. Hunter is 😍. He's working hard to overcome his past, but it isn't easy. His new interest in art helps him to concentrate on something instead of alcohol.
My favorite part is when Amy and Daniel give their relationship a second chance. It was a beautiful example of forgiveness. I look forward to reading more books by this author!!
Britt Branch has severe social anxiety and avoids going places because of it, she works as a YouTuber who teaches art. Hunter Pickett is a recovering alcoholic, who’s been excommunicated from his family after a stint in jail. He stumbles upon Britt’s video, and realizes that it calms him down and gives him hope to start again. They start talking via dms and soon after, meet in person, where a friendship blooms and they help each other with their problems.
Again, it was a sweet story that had me smiling to myself at times because of how cheesy it was, but some parts were immature and cringe. Not to mention there was additional POVs with Britts mom and dad, that I didn’t care about. I understand it was to give backstory to help with Britts character, but I wish it had gone without it and simply focused on Britt and Hunter POVs.
If you’re looking for a book that has a clean cheesy romance, second chances and lot of Art, this one’s for you🫶🏼
Also, the audiobook was really good! The voiceover actress was giving it her all and I appreciate it🙌🏻
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the audio in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so good! I absolutely loved it! Britt is a social media artist who lives with her divorced mom. Hunter is a ‘bad boy’ who drives a motorcycle and is changing his life away from that stereotype. The two meet through her channel, but when they meet in person they form a deal. He’ll help her overcome her social anxiety and in turn she will teach him art. We also follow Britt’s mom as she gives love a second chance. I thought this book was so delightful. I loved how the author incorporated mental illness in a way that was real and enlightening. While I’ve heard criticism for her getting better for him, I do not agree. I believe he helped her but ultimately she chose to get better for herself. The author did an amazing job writing this book! It was a sweet romance with a great plot and attraction between characters! I will be telling everyone about this book! I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in trade for my honest opinion. My thoughts are my own.
I needed a good romcom, and So Into You really came through for me! I am enjoying the "secret identity" trope lately, and these characters were great. I feel their careers and interests varied, plus a couple of age groups are covered, so there's something for every reader here. A couple of characters had rough pasts, and I loved the encouragement that came from forgiveness, compassion and new beginnings. I got goosebumps, and I was teary a couple of times, so that's 5 stars from me!
I listened to the audiobook which was well done.
I received this ARC from NetGalley. Opinions are my own.
Thank you, Net Galley and Publisher, for providing me this wonderful and super fun audiobook!!
Now that I got hang of audiobooks, i trying to get more and more because they're so convenient. I enjoyed So Into You Alot while commuting to work. Britt, the introvert artist youtuber, struggling to deal with anxiety after her parents separated but after meeting Hunter, who helped her getting through the difficult times in exchange for "art lessons". Hunter, himself, had a drinking history with bad relations with his family.
I enjoyed how much they listened to each other even though they both hiding so many things but i think they even reached that point where it was necessary to tell. They were getting to know each other slowly which was wholesome.
Now that i had been a week since i read it i feel like i forgot everything so pardon my short review. All i can think of is it was such a cute read.
So Into You is a cute enjoyable romance. I don't really have anything to critique about the book overall but it didn't have any standout moments for me. It won't be up there for most memorable of my 2024 reads.
Pertaining to the audiobook, the narrator had a nice voice to listen to but it was hard to distinguish between characters.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. So Into You is available on December 3, 2024.
A moving, heartfelt, multi-generational romance that has a divorced single mother reconnecting with her recovering alcoholic ex and her social anxious daughter falling for another recovering alcoholic as they bond over a shared love of art. Good on audio with EXCELLENT social anxiety rep, this was a feel-good love story. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
I really wanted to like this more. I liked the redemption trope and Britt’s mental health/social anxiety representation. The romance with Hunter was sweet and even though I saw the collision of all the secrets coming, I liked how that played out as well. However, the drama at the end was too over the top for me. There was so much miscommunication, false assumptions and just lengthy grudge-holding that drove me nuts for the last 25% of the book. I did like how the ending came together and that we really get 4 points of view but the undue drama made this one just okay for me.
This book is everything I want in every book! It was sweet and the main character was so relatable! I loved the MMC and how he made the FMC feel safe! This story was captivating from the beginning to end! There is no spice which I loved so much! So into you was adorable and I will reread!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, given to me by Thomas Nelson via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. An enthralling story featuring two captivating, yet wounded people, “So Into You”, by Kathleen Fuller, also shows the devastating, lingering impact of addiction on individuals and families, but ends with a HEA and the promise of redemption. Both leads are afflicted with serious issues and have been trying to overcome them. I appreciated the author’s take on these conditions and the problems, challenges, pain, frustration they bring. I liked the characters and the romance. Hunter and Britt are likeable and relatable, each wounded and tortured in their own way. Their connection and attraction are sweet. It’s easy to relate to Britt and the pain and despair her condition causes. Hunter’s life trajectory seems like so many others young people’s wasted lives. Perhaps his healing process needed to be a little harder sometimes. I also enjoyed that the older people got their story told, too. I felt there were too many coincidences, but I really didn’t mind and thoroughly enjoyed the story.
So Into You by Kathleen Fuller is labeled as a Rom-Com but I don't think this is the right label for this book. This book deals with some heavy issues like alcholism and anxiety. An alternate name for this book could be Keeping Secrets since many of the characters in this book had secrets they did not reveal to those who were close to them. The female lead character Brit has a successful youtube channel where she instructs art techniques. Despite her successs Brit has anxiety issues. She has trouble getting out in the public. Hunter PIckett happened upon her channel by accident and was intriqued so he connects with her. Later on they meet up and form a friendship. Hunter has his own issues. He is a recovering alcoholic who is estranged from his wealthy family. Brit and Hunter have a growing relationship. Brit has a low opinion of herself and finds it hard to believe a good looking guy like Hunter could be interested in her. Both are guilty of keeping secrets. Hunter does not reveal to her that he is estranged from his family because he is a recovering alcoholic. Brit has her own secrets. Her mother does not know that she has re-connected with her father who also is a recovering alcoholic. I mostly liked all the characters in this book. Even Hunter's parents won me over. They just wanted the best for their son. Brit's mother Amy was a bit overbearing. She was over-protective of Brit, treated her like a child and did not respect her daughter's decisions.
I enjoyed this books and looking forward to more contemporary stories from this author who usually writes Amish fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
So how do I put this lightly… ugh… I really didn’t like this one at all. And I did want to like it so bad!
This storyline is written as an I don't know how many people are involved POV. Which was really confusing to me. As soon as you get to know one person (kinda), you're being tossed into someone else's mind.
Have to admit, this story was predictable. Like… REALLY predictable. And it was overall just put together in a way that just didn't make sense to me. I mean… you just knew what would happen next. However, I did like the awareness of mental health in all kinds of ways. So kudos for that.
The characters were okay I guess. It’s just that I really did not connect well with the story and was rather underwhelmed. I was just hoping for so much more.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thoughts and opinions to follow are totally my own!
This book had some really good aspects. Hunter is actually really adorable for one. He seemed like a well-rounded character. Daniel? Fascinating and sweet redemption arc. Maude? Just the right amount of meddlesome! And Savannah, though a minor character (which I find extremely odd), was completely reasonable in my head. Now… the mum… she was a lot to handle. I don’t want to say I disliked her character, but I did visibly cringe at one point (as I typed that I realized it should be TWO points). Her character is flawed, but I don’t think she was written poorly if that makes sense. She is how some people act on real life, so kudos to the author for grasping that cringe-inducing protectiveness and love so well. Onto Britt. I am saddened by this character. I think the potential was sooo good, and some aspects are great, but I think she fell a little flat. There wasn’t a ton of depth in her character. On top of that, she had no understanding/empathy at times which makes no sense to me! Her decisions at some moments just made me upset.
Onto the plot. I kinda loved the concept. The execution was a little dicey at times and quite far fetched (would have been creepy IRL), and I was actually entertained. I looked forward to the scenes where they were meeting and chatting. I was also even invested in the side plot with the dad, the mum, and with Hunter’s family. I was enjoying the read. What I loved even more was that the characters were Christian, but it wasn’t super blatant, and they still went around like real people (books can get very religious when they are written by Christian authors), but this was mostly just a clean romance. The mention their faith, but it doesn’t shove it down your throat with weird conversations and such. I also really liked that they addressed their thoughts on sex. How reasonable, and so rare, for a Christian book to mention that (at least the ones I have read). I am impressed that they brought that topic up, and I think they did it well. Hunter really was a good character for it tbh. He a cutie. 😂
Tbh, I think what really solidified the 3star rating was the end. I like people having their own individual big moments. You know when someone declares life changing news at someone else’s wedding? It wasn’t that but it had that thunder-stealing vibe. It’s a no-no for me.
Overall, I was entertained though, so I am quite glad that I read it!
2.5⭐️ I felt like this was okay. The FMC & MMC had so much potential to grow together but it felt overshadowed by Britt's parents backstory. I ended up skimming through some of her parent's story because I didn't find it interesting but I'm sure it showed why she was the way she is. It felt like if the author focused less on that relationship and the relationship on the MC's, it would have been way better.
I didn't like the miscommunication aspect as it was easily avoidable and almost painful to read. I did like that both MC's were trying to improve themselves throughout but I don't think it was done as well as it could have been.
I did love the quote from the book though; "you have to give yourself the freedom not to be perfect" - I thought that was beautiful. Everyone struggles and the book was able to highlight some normal mental health struggles.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
I had high expectations for this book, but, unfortunately, I was left disappointed. My biggest issue was the characters. None were lovable, realistic or relatable. I appreciated the sensitivity with which the author handled social anxiety, but Britt was not an accurate representation of someone coming out of her shell. It was an abrupt and sudden turn. Amy was, frankly, unbearable to read. Daniel was bland. Hunter was underdeveloped as a character with flaws presented, but never resolved.
Additionally, the writing was underwhelming and simplistic. The plot was predicable and quite stagnant with repetitive plot lines masked as new complications. I ended up skimming about two thirds of the book (a generous estimate).
Overall, I was left disappointed and bored throughout.