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Some Kind of Famous: A Novel
In this steamy and emotional small-town romance, a disgraced ex-musician and a local handyman try to resist their growing attraction for each other—until a house renovation forces them together—from the author of How to Fake It in Hollywood and Will They or Won’t They
“Real, raw, and deeply romantic.”—Ashley Herring Blake, USA Today bestselling author of Dream On, Ramona Riley
It’s been a decade since Merritt Valentine’s height as a celebrated singer-songwriter . . . and her subsequent career-ending mental breakdown. In the following years, she’s abandoned the glitz of Los Angeles to move in with her sister, Olivia, in the sleepy Colorado ski town of Crested Peak, hoping to heal her lingering emotional wounds somewhere out of the spotlight.
Life in Crested Peak would be uncomplicated if not for Merritt’s inconvenient crush on the local contractor and handyman, Nikolaos Petrakis. Niko is disarmingly handsome and too kind-hearted to ever be right for the complex and prickly Merritt. Though tempting, a fling with Niko would only invite the kind of drama Merritt has vowed to leave behind.
After his last heartbreak, Niko is done dating his fellow townies. Still, he can’t shake his fascination with the brilliant Merritt, even as he heeds their mutual friends’ warnings to steer clear of her chaos. But when Merritt needs help fixing up a house of her own, Niko is glad to be the only man for the job.
As the two spend more time together, their mutual attraction sparking a deeper connection than either one expects, they’re forced to confront the idea that they may have underestimated each other—and themselves.
“Real, raw, and deeply romantic.”—Ashley Herring Blake, USA Today bestselling author of Dream On, Ramona Riley
It’s been a decade since Merritt Valentine’s height as a celebrated singer-songwriter . . . and her subsequent career-ending mental breakdown. In the following years, she’s abandoned the glitz of Los Angeles to move in with her sister, Olivia, in the sleepy Colorado ski town of Crested Peak, hoping to heal her lingering emotional wounds somewhere out of the spotlight.
Life in Crested Peak would be uncomplicated if not for Merritt’s inconvenient crush on the local contractor and handyman, Nikolaos Petrakis. Niko is disarmingly handsome and too kind-hearted to ever be right for the complex and prickly Merritt. Though tempting, a fling with Niko would only invite the kind of drama Merritt has vowed to leave behind.
After his last heartbreak, Niko is done dating his fellow townies. Still, he can’t shake his fascination with the brilliant Merritt, even as he heeds their mutual friends’ warnings to steer clear of her chaos. But when Merritt needs help fixing up a house of her own, Niko is glad to be the only man for the job.
As the two spend more time together, their mutual attraction sparking a deeper connection than either one expects, they’re forced to confront the idea that they may have underestimated each other—and themselves.
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First published October 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 958 reviews
June 21, 2025
✨✨4.5/5 stars (rounded down to 4) ✨✨
Thank you to NetGalley, author Ava Wilder, and Random House Publishing/Dell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Some Kind of Famous releases October 28, 2025! 💖🥰
This is officially my favorite Ava Wilder book… raw, emotional, and full of healing 🫶🏻❤️🩹
Some Kind of Famous follows Merritt Valentine as she works through pain, trauma, and growth while building a life in Crested Peak, Colorado. Her contractor, Niko, is a quiet, kind soul and is the steady, compassionate presence Merritt didn’t know she needed. Their connection starts off with a strong insta-love vibe (which isn’t usually my favorite), but as the story unfolds, their relationship deepens in such a moving way. They challenge each other to grow, and watching their emotional walls come down felt so real!
I’ll be honest….. Merritt was hard to connect with at first. She’s judgmental, closed off, and makes some frustrating choices. But once we learn her story and see the work she’s doing to better herself, it really hit for me. She’s in therapy, reflecting, taking accountability and that growth made me root for her hard. Her relationship with Sadie was also a standout. It was protective, heartfelt, and brought much needed awareness to real-world issues that often get overlooked in romance.
One of the most painful (and beautiful) parts of this story was how the characters often couldn’t fight for what they wanted, not because they didn’t care, but because of trauma, fear, and outside circumstances. That broke my heart more than any dramatic argument ever could. It was emotional survival and that made everything feel more grounded and honest.
The book also shines in its mental health representation.. it’s thoughtful, reflective, and deeply compassionate. The characters are self-aware, flawed, and trying, which felt incredibly authentic. There’s also strong and affirming LGBTQIA+ representation, woven in naturally without feeling performative or surface-level ♥️
⚠️ Trigger/content warnings include ⚠️: addiction, past death of a parent, parental abandonment/estrangement, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, abortion, predatory relationships, and discussion of a past suicide attempt. TW list is available on the author’s website as well.
If I had one main frustration, it was with some of the side characters, especially Merritt’s sister, Olivia. While she starts to redeem herself by the end, she was emotionally unsupportive during Merritt’s most vulnerable moments, and that left a mark.
That said, this book is full of heart, growth, and painful but powerful hope. I wanted to sob in the last few chapters 😭
You don’t want to miss this one!! 💖
Thank you to NetGalley, author Ava Wilder, and Random House Publishing/Dell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Some Kind of Famous releases October 28, 2025! 💖🥰
This is officially my favorite Ava Wilder book… raw, emotional, and full of healing 🫶🏻❤️🩹
Some Kind of Famous follows Merritt Valentine as she works through pain, trauma, and growth while building a life in Crested Peak, Colorado. Her contractor, Niko, is a quiet, kind soul and is the steady, compassionate presence Merritt didn’t know she needed. Their connection starts off with a strong insta-love vibe (which isn’t usually my favorite), but as the story unfolds, their relationship deepens in such a moving way. They challenge each other to grow, and watching their emotional walls come down felt so real!
I’ll be honest….. Merritt was hard to connect with at first. She’s judgmental, closed off, and makes some frustrating choices. But once we learn her story and see the work she’s doing to better herself, it really hit for me. She’s in therapy, reflecting, taking accountability and that growth made me root for her hard. Her relationship with Sadie was also a standout. It was protective, heartfelt, and brought much needed awareness to real-world issues that often get overlooked in romance.
One of the most painful (and beautiful) parts of this story was how the characters often couldn’t fight for what they wanted, not because they didn’t care, but because of trauma, fear, and outside circumstances. That broke my heart more than any dramatic argument ever could. It was emotional survival and that made everything feel more grounded and honest.
The book also shines in its mental health representation.. it’s thoughtful, reflective, and deeply compassionate. The characters are self-aware, flawed, and trying, which felt incredibly authentic. There’s also strong and affirming LGBTQIA+ representation, woven in naturally without feeling performative or surface-level ♥️
⚠️ Trigger/content warnings include ⚠️: addiction, past death of a parent, parental abandonment/estrangement, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, abortion, predatory relationships, and discussion of a past suicide attempt. TW list is available on the author’s website as well.
If I had one main frustration, it was with some of the side characters, especially Merritt’s sister, Olivia. While she starts to redeem herself by the end, she was emotionally unsupportive during Merritt’s most vulnerable moments, and that left a mark.
That said, this book is full of heart, growth, and painful but powerful hope. I wanted to sob in the last few chapters 😭
You don’t want to miss this one!! 💖
January 10, 2026
This book is a tender, emotionally layered small-town romance that blends the quiet charm of a Notting Hill-esque trope with a refreshingly down-to-earth depth. It offers a sweet, slow-burning connection between two flawed, healing people who never expected love—especially not with each other. If you’re a fan of introspective love stories that focus on growth, intimacy, and soft vulnerability, this one’s for you.
We meet Merritt Valentine, a once-famous singer-songwriter who’s been living in the shadows of her former fame after a highly publicized mental health crisis sent her fleeing the spotlight. Now tucked away in Crested Peak, a sleepy Colorado ski town, she’s been quietly rebuilding herself—emotionally, if not yet physically. When her sister’s pregnancy nudges her to finally leave the guest room she’s been occupying for far too long, Merritt decides to renovate her own fixer-upper with the help of Niko Petrakis, the town’s trusted (and infuriatingly handsome) contractor.
Niko is younger, creative, and a little bruised from his own past relationship scars. He’s also completely not the type of person Merritt sees herself with. Their mutual attraction simmers beneath layers of awkward tension, snappy banter, and heartfelt vulnerability. The chemistry? Absolutely undeniable—but the emotional baggage? That’s what truly sets this story apart. It’s not just about falling in love; it’s about two people learning how to make space for each other’s pain, and eventually, joy.
While the plot moves gently—definitely more character-driven than event-heavy—it feels intentional and authentic. The pacing reflects real emotional growth, and Ava Wilder doesn’t rush the journey. Readers looking for action-packed twists won’t find them here, but those who appreciate a well-developed emotional arc and nuanced characters will feel right at home.
There’s a beautiful softness to this book that reminds me of Sarah Adams’ When in Rome, particularly in the way it plays with the idea of a “famous outsider” finding comfort and connection with someone rooted in a quieter life. But Some Kind of Famous leans more into the complexities of mental health, creative burnout, and the pressure of past expectations. Merritt’s journey is especially poignant as she slowly reclaims her voice and confronts the pieces of her identity she left behind.
And Niko? One of the kindest, most quietly swoon-worthy heroes I’ve read in a while. He listens, paints, builds, and lets his walls down piece by piece. The romantic moments—especially his confession in Greek!—are both tender and satisfying without ever feeling overly saccharine.
While the book may not have the dramatic highs of Ava Wilder’s previous novels, the emotional payoff is still incredibly rewarding. It’s comforting, warm, and reflective—a love story that feels like a deep breath and a soft place to land.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine | Dell for the opportunity to read this heartfelt romance early. I’m so grateful to be approved for titles from one of my favorite romance authors—Ava Wilder continues to deliver stories that feel honest, hopeful, and deeply human. This one was a beautiful reminder that healing isn’t linear, but love can absolutely bloom along the way.
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We meet Merritt Valentine, a once-famous singer-songwriter who’s been living in the shadows of her former fame after a highly publicized mental health crisis sent her fleeing the spotlight. Now tucked away in Crested Peak, a sleepy Colorado ski town, she’s been quietly rebuilding herself—emotionally, if not yet physically. When her sister’s pregnancy nudges her to finally leave the guest room she’s been occupying for far too long, Merritt decides to renovate her own fixer-upper with the help of Niko Petrakis, the town’s trusted (and infuriatingly handsome) contractor.
Niko is younger, creative, and a little bruised from his own past relationship scars. He’s also completely not the type of person Merritt sees herself with. Their mutual attraction simmers beneath layers of awkward tension, snappy banter, and heartfelt vulnerability. The chemistry? Absolutely undeniable—but the emotional baggage? That’s what truly sets this story apart. It’s not just about falling in love; it’s about two people learning how to make space for each other’s pain, and eventually, joy.
While the plot moves gently—definitely more character-driven than event-heavy—it feels intentional and authentic. The pacing reflects real emotional growth, and Ava Wilder doesn’t rush the journey. Readers looking for action-packed twists won’t find them here, but those who appreciate a well-developed emotional arc and nuanced characters will feel right at home.
There’s a beautiful softness to this book that reminds me of Sarah Adams’ When in Rome, particularly in the way it plays with the idea of a “famous outsider” finding comfort and connection with someone rooted in a quieter life. But Some Kind of Famous leans more into the complexities of mental health, creative burnout, and the pressure of past expectations. Merritt’s journey is especially poignant as she slowly reclaims her voice and confronts the pieces of her identity she left behind.
And Niko? One of the kindest, most quietly swoon-worthy heroes I’ve read in a while. He listens, paints, builds, and lets his walls down piece by piece. The romantic moments—especially his confession in Greek!—are both tender and satisfying without ever feeling overly saccharine.
While the book may not have the dramatic highs of Ava Wilder’s previous novels, the emotional payoff is still incredibly rewarding. It’s comforting, warm, and reflective—a love story that feels like a deep breath and a soft place to land.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine | Dell for the opportunity to read this heartfelt romance early. I’m so grateful to be approved for titles from one of my favorite romance authors—Ava Wilder continues to deliver stories that feel honest, hopeful, and deeply human. This one was a beautiful reminder that healing isn’t linear, but love can absolutely bloom along the way.
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November 24, 2025
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an early copy in exchange for an honest review!*
4.5 out of 5 stars!
I’d been looking forward to Some Kind of Famous for years, so when an ARC landed in my hands I was genuinely beyond excited. It felt like getting early access to something I already knew was going to be special — and Ava Wilder absolutely delivered.
This book has everything I adore about her writing: heartfelt emotion, sharp yet gentle humor, and characters who feel layered, real, and impossible not to root for. The romance is tender and nuanced, the chemistry sparkles, and the emotional beats land with that signature Ava Wilder warmth that always stays with you.
My expectations were sky-high, and somehow Some Kind of Famous still managed to outshine them. It’s beautifully written, deeply satisfying, and easily one of my standout reads of the year.
A new favorite — and completely worth the years of anticipation. I'm definitely going to read this again very soon.
_____________________
This is so bizarre!!! I cannot believe that I was approved of an early of a book that I had been dreaming of it coming out for years!!!!
4.5 out of 5 stars!
I’d been looking forward to Some Kind of Famous for years, so when an ARC landed in my hands I was genuinely beyond excited. It felt like getting early access to something I already knew was going to be special — and Ava Wilder absolutely delivered.
This book has everything I adore about her writing: heartfelt emotion, sharp yet gentle humor, and characters who feel layered, real, and impossible not to root for. The romance is tender and nuanced, the chemistry sparkles, and the emotional beats land with that signature Ava Wilder warmth that always stays with you.
My expectations were sky-high, and somehow Some Kind of Famous still managed to outshine them. It’s beautifully written, deeply satisfying, and easily one of my standout reads of the year.
A new favorite — and completely worth the years of anticipation. I'm definitely going to read this again very soon.
_____________________
This is so bizarre!!! I cannot believe that I was approved of an early of a book that I had been dreaming of it coming out for years!!!!
October 9, 2025
Some Kind of Famous had all the right ingredients for a story I thought I’d fall head over heels for—a quiet mountain town, a once-famous musician trying to rebuild her life, and a kind, steady handyman who sees more in her than she sees in herself. It’s the kind of setup that promises slow-burn tension, emotional depth, and the hope of a second chance at both love and self-worth.
Merritt, once a rising star in the music world, is still piecing herself together after a very public breakdown. She’s been living with her twin sister, Olivia, and her husband in a small ski town in Colorado, trying to find her footing again. Two years later, she’s finally nudged into fixing up the old house she bought—a house she’s avoided since she bought it—and that’s where Niko comes in. He’s the town’s go-to handyman, charming and quietly grounded, and the one person Merritt can’t quite stay away from (even if she’s been trying to)
I actually thought their dynamic was really cute. There’s something about two adults in their late twenties or early thirties blushing around each other, fumbling through conversations, and hiding crushes like teenagers. It made me smile more than once. Their chemistry felt natural and shy in a way that made their connection believable, even when things got complicated. 🤭🫶🏼
But as much as I wanted to love this story, some parts held me back. Merritt’s relationship with her sister, Olivia, was one of the MOST frustrating things in the book. I went in expecting a supportive twin bond, but instead, I got tension, judgment, and moments that honestly made me dislike both Olivia and her husband, Dev. They came across as dismissive and even cruel at times, constantly undermining Merritt’s progress instead of cheering her on. (like seriously what kind of family acts like that 😭 i hate you Olivia) Even when things were “resolved,” it didn’t feel earned to me. The way they treated Merritt left a bad taste that never really faded.
And then there were the parts that just… gave me the ick. A lot of them were small details or specific choices, but they piled up enough to pull me out of the story. 🥲🥲🥲 Some of it is purely personal taste, and I know certain moments might not bother other readers at all, but for me, they were hard to look past. Nothing major enough to ruin the book entirely, but enough to make me pause and grimace or roll my eyes.
Still, I appreciated how raw Merritt’s healing journey felt and how the story didn’t shy away from showing the messy, uneven parts of recovery. And Niko? Ugh, my soft spot. He’s that quiet, dependable guy who shows up, fixes things (literally and emotionally), and never tries to “fix” her as a person. Just… chef’s kiss 🤌🏼🤌🏼
In the end, this story had flashes of warmth and vulnerability that I really liked, but it just didn’t fully click for me. A tender premise and sweet romance couldn’t quite balance out the frustrating family dynamics and moments that missed the mark.
❗️PLEASE make sure to read the trigger warnings before reading the book. There is some very sensitive content throughout the story.❗️
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-favorite quotes-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
She'd sworn to him earlier that she didn't make music anymore, but there was no other word to describe it. He could get drunk on that laugh, live off it for weeks.
─────
"I want to know, though. I want to know about everything that matters to you."
─────
"Everything you've been through... everything you've done… that's what made you who you are now." He kissed the corner of her jaw. "It brought you to me."
─────
"I came back because I was done pretending I could live without you."
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
things to know about the book ↓
🎶 healing after fame
🖌️ he falls first
🎶 cozy small town
🖌️ yummy tension 🔥
🎶 mental health themes
🖌️ third person POV
A huge thank you to Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Ava Wilder for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.
──────────
・❥・⁀➷ pre-read
the blurb sounds so good on this one! i can’t wait!! and im just in love with the cover! so cute!!
Merritt, once a rising star in the music world, is still piecing herself together after a very public breakdown. She’s been living with her twin sister, Olivia, and her husband in a small ski town in Colorado, trying to find her footing again. Two years later, she’s finally nudged into fixing up the old house she bought—a house she’s avoided since she bought it—and that’s where Niko comes in. He’s the town’s go-to handyman, charming and quietly grounded, and the one person Merritt can’t quite stay away from (even if she’s been trying to)
I actually thought their dynamic was really cute. There’s something about two adults in their late twenties or early thirties blushing around each other, fumbling through conversations, and hiding crushes like teenagers. It made me smile more than once. Their chemistry felt natural and shy in a way that made their connection believable, even when things got complicated. 🤭🫶🏼
But as much as I wanted to love this story, some parts held me back. Merritt’s relationship with her sister, Olivia, was one of the MOST frustrating things in the book. I went in expecting a supportive twin bond, but instead, I got tension, judgment, and moments that honestly made me dislike both Olivia and her husband, Dev. They came across as dismissive and even cruel at times, constantly undermining Merritt’s progress instead of cheering her on. (like seriously what kind of family acts like that 😭 i hate you Olivia) Even when things were “resolved,” it didn’t feel earned to me. The way they treated Merritt left a bad taste that never really faded.
And then there were the parts that just… gave me the ick. A lot of them were small details or specific choices, but they piled up enough to pull me out of the story. 🥲🥲🥲 Some of it is purely personal taste, and I know certain moments might not bother other readers at all, but for me, they were hard to look past. Nothing major enough to ruin the book entirely, but enough to make me pause and grimace or roll my eyes.
Still, I appreciated how raw Merritt’s healing journey felt and how the story didn’t shy away from showing the messy, uneven parts of recovery. And Niko? Ugh, my soft spot. He’s that quiet, dependable guy who shows up, fixes things (literally and emotionally), and never tries to “fix” her as a person. Just… chef’s kiss 🤌🏼🤌🏼
In the end, this story had flashes of warmth and vulnerability that I really liked, but it just didn’t fully click for me. A tender premise and sweet romance couldn’t quite balance out the frustrating family dynamics and moments that missed the mark.
❗️PLEASE make sure to read the trigger warnings before reading the book. There is some very sensitive content throughout the story.❗️
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-favorite quotes-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
She'd sworn to him earlier that she didn't make music anymore, but there was no other word to describe it. He could get drunk on that laugh, live off it for weeks.
─────
"I want to know, though. I want to know about everything that matters to you."
─────
"Everything you've been through... everything you've done… that's what made you who you are now." He kissed the corner of her jaw. "It brought you to me."
─────
"I came back because I was done pretending I could live without you."
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
things to know about the book ↓
🎶 healing after fame
🖌️ he falls first
🎶 cozy small town
🖌️ yummy tension 🔥
🎶 mental health themes
🖌️ third person POV
A huge thank you to Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Ava Wilder for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.
──────────
・❥・⁀➷ pre-read
the blurb sounds so good on this one! i can’t wait!! and im just in love with the cover! so cute!!
dnf
October 25, 2025dnf @ 53% ..
Merritt is so unlikable and i really don’t want to witness Niko get walked all over by her.. i mean, she literally referred to herself as an “emotional terrorist” and that told me all I needed to know. i was trying so hard to get through this but i just don’t care to anymore. no thanks.
➝ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Random House- Ballantine for the arc, all opinions are my own.
Merritt is so unlikable and i really don’t want to witness Niko get walked all over by her.. i mean, she literally referred to herself as an “emotional terrorist” and that told me all I needed to know. i was trying so hard to get through this but i just don’t care to anymore. no thanks.
➝ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Random House- Ballantine for the arc, all opinions are my own.
April 6, 2025
4.5⭐️
This blew me away. I loved every second of it, specially how tender and heartfelt Niko and Merritt's connection was portrayed though the entirety of this novel. There were so many sweet moments between them that had me smiling like an idiot. Also, this was SO sexy!!! I was foaming at the mouth the entire time. So good.
Thank you so much Dell Romance for the advance reader copy.
This blew me away. I loved every second of it, specially how tender and heartfelt Niko and Merritt's connection was portrayed though the entirety of this novel. There were so many sweet moments between them that had me smiling like an idiot. Also, this was SO sexy!!! I was foaming at the mouth the entire time. So good.
Thank you so much Dell Romance for the advance reader copy.
September 13, 2025
I wanted to like this but it just didn’t work for me. I didn’t find the main characters redeeming at all and failed to find any connection and that was a bummer. Their relationship didn’t feel sincere to me. While they did cover serious topics, it just felt performative after a while. Olivia’s treatment of Merritt made me want to close the book and move on. This will be great for somebody but just not for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the advanced copy!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the advanced copy!
October 28, 2025
3.75⭐
Merritt used to be a well-known singer-songwriter, but she hasn’t sung in ten years. After a painful divorce, she moved in with her sister and bought a house, though she never got around to renovating it. When she finds out her sister is pregnant, she realizes it’s time to move into her own place—and hires Niko, a local contractor and her sister’s husband’s friend she happens to be attracted to, to do the renovations.
This was my first book by the author, and the bright cover immediately caught my attention. I didn’t expect the story to explore so many important topics—and I really liked that!
I love when characters act like real, reasonable people, and this book delivered exactly that. I understood their fears and believed in them. Both carry the weight of complicated pasts and relationships, and they find healing in each other. I really liked Niko, and I was so glad Merritt chose him despite her sister’s opinion.
For me, this was such a comforting story, and the ending was just perfect!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓small town
✓mental health rep
✓opposites attract
✓just for the summer
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine (Dell) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Merritt used to be a well-known singer-songwriter, but she hasn’t sung in ten years. After a painful divorce, she moved in with her sister and bought a house, though she never got around to renovating it. When she finds out her sister is pregnant, she realizes it’s time to move into her own place—and hires Niko, a local contractor and her sister’s husband’s friend she happens to be attracted to, to do the renovations.
This was my first book by the author, and the bright cover immediately caught my attention. I didn’t expect the story to explore so many important topics—and I really liked that!
I love when characters act like real, reasonable people, and this book delivered exactly that. I understood their fears and believed in them. Both carry the weight of complicated pasts and relationships, and they find healing in each other. I really liked Niko, and I was so glad Merritt chose him despite her sister’s opinion.
For me, this was such a comforting story, and the ending was just perfect!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓small town
✓mental health rep
✓opposites attract
✓just for the summer
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine (Dell) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Currently reading
January 3, 2026Pre-read: Eep… the ratings & reviews for this one aren’t looking good... I got this from a book box, so hopefully I’ll enjoy it more than others seem to be. Here goes!
October 25, 2025
3.75 / 5 Stars
There was a lot of great writing in this book and I think this solidified for me that I don’t love the “just for the summer” trope.” After a particularly horrible breakup and a harrowing singer-songwriter career, Merritt swore that she’d just crash on her twin sister’s couch in Crested Peak in Colorado for a week to recover. One impulse house buy, no renovations, and twenty seven months lived with her sister later, her sister is pregnant and Merritt finally needs to move out and into her own house. She hires Niko, the resident contractor who is hunky, fun, exceptionally kindhearted, and beloved in the community, and the opposite of Merritt who is closed off and quiet (everyone staring at you because you’re famous will do that to you). Both have sworn off relationships but that doesn’t stop the sparks from flying. Deciding to just have some fun for the summer, Merritt and Niko may be in over their heads as a deeper connection starts to form.
You will probably like this book if you like:
🎶 Opposites attract
🎨 He falls first
🎶 Just for the summer romance
🎨 Small town setting
🎶 Healing after fame
🎨 Complicated family relationships
🎶 LGBTQ+ representation
🎨 Mental health representation
As someone who reads a ton of contemporary romcoms, I liked that this one had some heavier themes woven throughout (highly recommend checking the content warning beforehand). Both Merrit and Niko have been through some shit in their lives and it was nice that we didn’t get the trope of “she’s so traumatized and he’s a stoic pillar of strength for her.” Both of them helped each other and their backstories were complex without being overwritten or confusing. The exploration of the cost of fame was done well and I like that the characters approached each other’s pasts with curiosity instead of judgement. We also get some very candid discussion of mental health challenges, which I appreciated.
I also think Ava Wilder did a great job of writing characters who were physically attracted to each other without it turning into insta-lust. I often read books where, in the very beginning, the two main characters can’t stop thinking of each other purely in sexual terms which is fine but I much prefer this: where they are attracted to each other and we do hear about that upfront BUT we also hear about the other aspects that they like about each other. It’s sexual without feeling superficial which is truly a skill.
I thought Merritt and Niko had great chemistry and I also kind of loved that they acted like shy teenagers in the beginning. Again, it was a nice change of pace to get two people who are kind of circling each other, dipping a toe in, retreating, figuring out each other’s boundaries until they feel comfortable with each other. Of course, I love great banter up front but I think it made perfect sense that Merritt would be more closed off and ready to bolt anytime anyone made a sudden move because of her trauma in the music industry and as a famous person. It served the story well and added to the authenticity of their connection.
Having read a few books with the “just for the summer” trope, I feel like I have enough data points to say, it is just not for me. I just want to look around the room and say, “we all know this won’t be just for the summer and feelings will get involved and this will end poorly, right?” (There’s no one in the room with me. I am talking to myself). I feel like this trope leads the characters to cut off every feeling and every piece of potential relationship growth before it can develop because “what’s the point? It’s just so summer fun.” They end up being left with blunt edges that just hurt themselves for reasons that don’t feel necessary. I also didn’t love that Niko proposed so summer fun right after Merritt had just told him about her mental health challenges. It just felt like a cheap plot device to get her to agree to something more and build trust IN a relationship instead of building trust BEFORE the relationship. The approach felt like: she doesn’t trust herself in relationships so let’s just have her jump into the deep end of the proverbial relationship pool because it’s just for the summer instead of having her start in the shallow end and work her way up. I just didn’t love that as a choice.
Also, Merritt’s sister and brother-in-law sucked. Sorry, not sorry. I know that there were lots of complicated sisterly dynamics and they end up getting to the crux of their issues, but man, does her sister, Olivia, cause some damage in the meantime. And Dev is a shitty brother-in-law. To tell Niko, “I don’t want to gossip about her behind her back but I hope she doesn’t ruin your life” is diabolical and insensitive especially when you find out about Merritt’s past and about how much work she has done on herself. Please, see yourself out, Dev.
Overall, I think this is a really smartly written book with complex characters that have a real spark and connection just with a few tropes that I don’t love. I will definitely read Ava Wilder’s other books though.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: October 28, 2025
_________________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: Due to my own actions (namely, not reading ARC due dates well enough 🤦♀️), I have two books that are romances involving musicians that both come out on October 28. So I present to you: The Battle of the (Romance) Bands™️!
First Contenders: "Some Kind of Famous." An opposites attract, small town romance where she is an ex singer-songwriter and he is a blue collar handy man. Let's. Do. This.
Tell me your favorite romance with musicians!
There was a lot of great writing in this book and I think this solidified for me that I don’t love the “just for the summer” trope.” After a particularly horrible breakup and a harrowing singer-songwriter career, Merritt swore that she’d just crash on her twin sister’s couch in Crested Peak in Colorado for a week to recover. One impulse house buy, no renovations, and twenty seven months lived with her sister later, her sister is pregnant and Merritt finally needs to move out and into her own house. She hires Niko, the resident contractor who is hunky, fun, exceptionally kindhearted, and beloved in the community, and the opposite of Merritt who is closed off and quiet (everyone staring at you because you’re famous will do that to you). Both have sworn off relationships but that doesn’t stop the sparks from flying. Deciding to just have some fun for the summer, Merritt and Niko may be in over their heads as a deeper connection starts to form.
You will probably like this book if you like:
🎶 Opposites attract
🎨 He falls first
🎶 Just for the summer romance
🎨 Small town setting
🎶 Healing after fame
🎨 Complicated family relationships
🎶 LGBTQ+ representation
🎨 Mental health representation
As someone who reads a ton of contemporary romcoms, I liked that this one had some heavier themes woven throughout (highly recommend checking the content warning beforehand). Both Merrit and Niko have been through some shit in their lives and it was nice that we didn’t get the trope of “she’s so traumatized and he’s a stoic pillar of strength for her.” Both of them helped each other and their backstories were complex without being overwritten or confusing. The exploration of the cost of fame was done well and I like that the characters approached each other’s pasts with curiosity instead of judgement. We also get some very candid discussion of mental health challenges, which I appreciated.
I also think Ava Wilder did a great job of writing characters who were physically attracted to each other without it turning into insta-lust. I often read books where, in the very beginning, the two main characters can’t stop thinking of each other purely in sexual terms which is fine but I much prefer this: where they are attracted to each other and we do hear about that upfront BUT we also hear about the other aspects that they like about each other. It’s sexual without feeling superficial which is truly a skill.
I thought Merritt and Niko had great chemistry and I also kind of loved that they acted like shy teenagers in the beginning. Again, it was a nice change of pace to get two people who are kind of circling each other, dipping a toe in, retreating, figuring out each other’s boundaries until they feel comfortable with each other. Of course, I love great banter up front but I think it made perfect sense that Merritt would be more closed off and ready to bolt anytime anyone made a sudden move because of her trauma in the music industry and as a famous person. It served the story well and added to the authenticity of their connection.
Having read a few books with the “just for the summer” trope, I feel like I have enough data points to say, it is just not for me. I just want to look around the room and say, “we all know this won’t be just for the summer and feelings will get involved and this will end poorly, right?” (There’s no one in the room with me. I am talking to myself). I feel like this trope leads the characters to cut off every feeling and every piece of potential relationship growth before it can develop because “what’s the point? It’s just so summer fun.” They end up being left with blunt edges that just hurt themselves for reasons that don’t feel necessary. I also didn’t love that Niko proposed so summer fun right after Merritt had just told him about her mental health challenges. It just felt like a cheap plot device to get her to agree to something more and build trust IN a relationship instead of building trust BEFORE the relationship. The approach felt like: she doesn’t trust herself in relationships so let’s just have her jump into the deep end of the proverbial relationship pool because it’s just for the summer instead of having her start in the shallow end and work her way up. I just didn’t love that as a choice.
Also, Merritt’s sister and brother-in-law sucked. Sorry, not sorry. I know that there were lots of complicated sisterly dynamics and they end up getting to the crux of their issues, but man, does her sister, Olivia, cause some damage in the meantime. And Dev is a shitty brother-in-law. To tell Niko, “I don’t want to gossip about her behind her back but I hope she doesn’t ruin your life” is diabolical and insensitive especially when you find out about Merritt’s past and about how much work she has done on herself. Please, see yourself out, Dev.
Overall, I think this is a really smartly written book with complex characters that have a real spark and connection just with a few tropes that I don’t love. I will definitely read Ava Wilder’s other books though.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: October 28, 2025
_________________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: Due to my own actions (namely, not reading ARC due dates well enough 🤦♀️), I have two books that are romances involving musicians that both come out on October 28. So I present to you: The Battle of the (Romance) Bands™️!
First Contenders: "Some Kind of Famous." An opposites attract, small town romance where she is an ex singer-songwriter and he is a blue collar handy man. Let's. Do. This.
Tell me your favorite romance with musicians!
May 21, 2025
1.5⭐
DNF @ 50%
What the freakery freak! Why am I reading about a cheater FMC and a doormat MMC??
0% chemistry, 100% nothingness...... This unfortunately is not for me. I don't know where the story is!
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the free eARC 💕 💕 all thoughts are my own
Find my review on Instagram
DNF @ 50%
What the freakery freak! Why am I reading about a cheater FMC and a doormat MMC??
0% chemistry, 100% nothingness...... This unfortunately is not for me. I don't know where the story is!
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the free eARC 💕 💕 all thoughts are my own
Find my review on Instagram
April 25, 2025
This small town romance has it all! This is a very emotional, medium paced, lighthearted read. It made me feel joyful, hopeful and reflective. I enjoyed the complex characters in the story as well as the scenery. This is a slow burn, spicy romance! I can tell the author put a lot of thought into writing this. It’s easy to read and well written. I enjoyed the opposites attract trope in this book! I found it to be unique and cozy! I give this a 4 out of 5 stars rating!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Ava Wilder and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This book is expected to be published on October 28, 2025!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Ava Wilder and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This book is expected to be published on October 28, 2025!
July 14, 2025
I thought I wrote a review of this?! I loved it!!!!!
Absolutely gorgeous setting and follows a fallen from grace former popstar who needs to move out of her twin sister's home (finally) so hires the local golden boy to help renovate her new place. Everyone thinks she's a train wreck and warns her not to hurt him, but they tumble into a summer romance with an expiration date any way.
the exploration of grief (over expectations, of life dreams), trauma, and what it means to make a home was so lovely. I will absolutely be re-reading soon and pre-ordered an audio.
Also, sign me up to make out under the stars with a sexy, hairy chested carpenter who can whisper greek sweet nothings in my ear.
Absolutely gorgeous setting and follows a fallen from grace former popstar who needs to move out of her twin sister's home (finally) so hires the local golden boy to help renovate her new place. Everyone thinks she's a train wreck and warns her not to hurt him, but they tumble into a summer romance with an expiration date any way.
the exploration of grief (over expectations, of life dreams), trauma, and what it means to make a home was so lovely. I will absolutely be re-reading soon and pre-ordered an audio.
Also, sign me up to make out under the stars with a sexy, hairy chested carpenter who can whisper greek sweet nothings in my ear.
October 28, 2025
This beautiful cover peaked my interest right away. Thought the story itself was interesting and well paced. I will say there were some hiccups here and there. Along with some moments/ characters I didn't vibe with. The two main characters are dealing with personal trauma. It shows them trying to heal the best way they could. Even mending some wounds comforting one another. So please check the trigger warning ⚠️.
I want to thank Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell, and Ava Wilder for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I want to thank Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell, and Ava Wilder for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
September 24, 2025
There are some types of characters I am having difficulty with lately, and that is those who are depicted as painfully shy, overly insecure, or awkward in their own skin.
As readers, we accompany them on their journey as they learn how to converse and rejoin society. Much of it has to do with feelings and the love/hate emotions as the author slowly starts to change them into someone who can accept love and give love.
This book reminds me of that exactly. A slow-burning romance that includes a ton of growing emotionally and the realization that you are not who you used to be. You can open your eyes and heart to enjoy life again.
Some Kind of Famous offers complex personalities and a slow-to-grow romance that at times seemed torturous. However, Niko is the most patient person ever, even when he doesn’t understand the complexities of Merritt’s life.
Wilder pours her heart into her characters and takes us on a journey with highs and lows. Complex family entanglements add another layer of guilt and issues. Love tugging on the heartstrings and enough growth to allow yourself to love and be loved.
This book is a journey for all of the characters as we discover their sensitive soft sides and their passion for each other.
*Be aware of triggers in this one – mental health, pregnancy loss, abortion, addictions, and more.
~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/some-kind-of...
As readers, we accompany them on their journey as they learn how to converse and rejoin society. Much of it has to do with feelings and the love/hate emotions as the author slowly starts to change them into someone who can accept love and give love.
This book reminds me of that exactly. A slow-burning romance that includes a ton of growing emotionally and the realization that you are not who you used to be. You can open your eyes and heart to enjoy life again.
Some Kind of Famous offers complex personalities and a slow-to-grow romance that at times seemed torturous. However, Niko is the most patient person ever, even when he doesn’t understand the complexities of Merritt’s life.
Wilder pours her heart into her characters and takes us on a journey with highs and lows. Complex family entanglements add another layer of guilt and issues. Love tugging on the heartstrings and enough growth to allow yourself to love and be loved.
This book is a journey for all of the characters as we discover their sensitive soft sides and their passion for each other.
*Be aware of triggers in this one – mental health, pregnancy loss, abortion, addictions, and more.
~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/some-kind-of...
September 22, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Some Kind Of Famous is an emotional, opposites attract, small town romance. I don’t always enjoy the rockstar/celebrity trope, especially when the character is like Merritt. But I came to enjoy it and found it to be a cute romance at the end. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Some Kind Of Famous is an emotional, opposites attract, small town romance. I don’t always enjoy the rockstar/celebrity trope, especially when the character is like Merritt. But I came to enjoy it and found it to be a cute romance at the end. 3.5 stars rounded up.
November 24, 2025
the one of us is famous trope doesn’t always work for me but i loveeeee merritt 🥹 best part of this book hands down, rtc!
thank you to netgalley and dell romance for the arc!!
thank you to netgalley and dell romance for the arc!!
November 25, 2025
3.75🌟 olivia and dev’s #1 hater… ride or die for niko & merritt (duh)
October 2, 2025
“Who’s afraid of little old me” by Taylor Swift (I don’t even think Ava’s a Swiftie but I am and this song really hits for Merritt) + small town charm a la Gilmore Girls + a handyman artist golden retriever??? You’re so joking.
Ava Wilder is back with a banger in SKOF, and there’s a reason this book swept with starred trade reviews. The nuanced, oh so careful character development here, the way Ava doesn’t shy away from messy relationships or difficult topics with longstanding implications — this is what I come for when I read her work, but I love to stay for the romance too.
Merritt and Niko’s was achey and quiet and tender, a true acceptance and “come as you are” mindset. I loved them. I loved this book.
Ava Wilder is back with a banger in SKOF, and there’s a reason this book swept with starred trade reviews. The nuanced, oh so careful character development here, the way Ava doesn’t shy away from messy relationships or difficult topics with longstanding implications — this is what I come for when I read her work, but I love to stay for the romance too.
Merritt and Niko’s was achey and quiet and tender, a true acceptance and “come as you are” mindset. I loved them. I loved this book.
Want to read
February 28, 2025I need this book in my life immediately.
November 20, 2025
This was such a beautiful book! Ava Wilder is such an incredible author and is so good at creating compelling characters!
Merritt and Niko are so cute together and I love the relationship that Olivia and Merritt were able to have 🫶🩷
Also the cover art??? absolutely stunning!! this book is gorgeous inside and out!!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Merritt and Niko are so cute together and I love the relationship that Olivia and Merritt were able to have 🫶🩷
Also the cover art??? absolutely stunning!! this book is gorgeous inside and out!!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
October 17, 2025
4.25/5
bring back men who build furniture !!!
the amount of good things i have heard about ava wilder's writing led me to this story and let me just say, the people are right! truthfully i am not the biggest fan of hollywood/moviestar romances so i have steered clear of her books. this story had the perfect amount of small town heart to even out the celebrity aspects and i loved that.
merritt used to be a singer/songwriter but some troubles with fame led her to leave that life and she wound up in this small town with her sister, olivia. when said sister gets pregnant , merritt has to leave the room she's been staying in and finally fix up the house she has. niko is the perfect man for the job, he's ridiculously nice and a contractor, the issue is merritt is very attracted to him so she's been avoiding him. i absolutely loved seeing this relationship grow from reluctant friends to the most beautiful couple. they each have so much healing to do in relationships and seeing them find solace and home in each other was amazing. every moment between them was tension filled and sweet, ava wilder truly is an excellent writer. the build up of them getting together nearly had me on my knees!!!
the only real issues i had with the story were olivia's issues with her sister and the trope in the third act. olivia was just a bit to rude with her delivery for the entire book and i wasn't her biggest fan. then in the third act, spoiler, we get the i came to you but you came to me trope which i can't stand. thats a personal reading taste issue though so don't let it stop you from picking this book up. the romance truly was spectacular and i can't wait to dive into this authors backlist!
*thank you dell and netgalley for the copy!*
bring back men who build furniture !!!
the amount of good things i have heard about ava wilder's writing led me to this story and let me just say, the people are right! truthfully i am not the biggest fan of hollywood/moviestar romances so i have steered clear of her books. this story had the perfect amount of small town heart to even out the celebrity aspects and i loved that.
merritt used to be a singer/songwriter but some troubles with fame led her to leave that life and she wound up in this small town with her sister, olivia. when said sister gets pregnant , merritt has to leave the room she's been staying in and finally fix up the house she has. niko is the perfect man for the job, he's ridiculously nice and a contractor, the issue is merritt is very attracted to him so she's been avoiding him. i absolutely loved seeing this relationship grow from reluctant friends to the most beautiful couple. they each have so much healing to do in relationships and seeing them find solace and home in each other was amazing. every moment between them was tension filled and sweet, ava wilder truly is an excellent writer. the build up of them getting together nearly had me on my knees!!!
the only real issues i had with the story were olivia's issues with her sister and the trope in the third act. olivia was just a bit to rude with her delivery for the entire book and i wasn't her biggest fan. then in the third act, spoiler, we get the i came to you but you came to me trope which i can't stand. thats a personal reading taste issue though so don't let it stop you from picking this book up. the romance truly was spectacular and i can't wait to dive into this authors backlist!
*thank you dell and netgalley for the copy!*
November 7, 2025
I love Ava Wilder's writing and famous girl + regular guy trope - I didn't fully connect with the characters and did not feel much chemistry. However, I will definitely read more of her work. Her writing is easy to follow and this was still a fun, quick read.
August 7, 2025
This was my first book by Ava Wilder, but it won't be my last.
SOME KIND OF FAMOUS is a slow burn romance, but both its storyline and characters quickly grew on me, even if our protagonist, Merritt, is a tad prickly at times. Once a famous singer-songwriter, Merritt now lives in a small Colorado town with her twin, Olivia, and Olivia's husband. But it's time for Merritt to move out into her own home, which requires her to hire local handyman, Niko. He's attractive and kind and competent and just far too stable for Merritt to get involved with.
But even Niko has to admit he's pretty fascinated with Merritt. And working on her home offers him a steady paycheck that he just can't turn down. Despite both sides being warned off each other, Merritt and Niko keep getting thrown together--and liking it. But Niko's coming off a terrible breakup and Merritt... well, she's coming off her life. Can they make it work?
This story has plenty of fun sexual tension and laughs, but overall, it's a rather serious romance that explores mental health, Merritt's tough issues as a teen rock star, sexual assault, and more. Both Merritt and Olivia are difficult characters to love: Merritt has been through a lot and she holds people at arm's length while Olivia can be awfully mean and lashes out at her sister in cruel ways. The more we learn about their past, the easier it is to understand their actions. As for Niko, he's one of those trope-filled romance teddy bears that you can't help but love. And he's handy!
This is a really witty story, but it's also insightful and poignant. Both Merritt and Niko have plenty of family drama and there's tons of sexual tension to propel the story forward. Also I'm just a sucker for stories that involve a famous person and a regular person falling for each other, even if some of Merritt's glory days are behind her.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Dell in return for an unbiased review.
SOME KIND OF FAMOUS is a slow burn romance, but both its storyline and characters quickly grew on me, even if our protagonist, Merritt, is a tad prickly at times. Once a famous singer-songwriter, Merritt now lives in a small Colorado town with her twin, Olivia, and Olivia's husband. But it's time for Merritt to move out into her own home, which requires her to hire local handyman, Niko. He's attractive and kind and competent and just far too stable for Merritt to get involved with.
But even Niko has to admit he's pretty fascinated with Merritt. And working on her home offers him a steady paycheck that he just can't turn down. Despite both sides being warned off each other, Merritt and Niko keep getting thrown together--and liking it. But Niko's coming off a terrible breakup and Merritt... well, she's coming off her life. Can they make it work?
This story has plenty of fun sexual tension and laughs, but overall, it's a rather serious romance that explores mental health, Merritt's tough issues as a teen rock star, sexual assault, and more. Both Merritt and Olivia are difficult characters to love: Merritt has been through a lot and she holds people at arm's length while Olivia can be awfully mean and lashes out at her sister in cruel ways. The more we learn about their past, the easier it is to understand their actions. As for Niko, he's one of those trope-filled romance teddy bears that you can't help but love. And he's handy!
This is a really witty story, but it's also insightful and poignant. Both Merritt and Niko have plenty of family drama and there's tons of sexual tension to propel the story forward. Also I'm just a sucker for stories that involve a famous person and a regular person falling for each other, even if some of Merritt's glory days are behind her.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Dell in return for an unbiased review.
July 23, 2025
I don't have much to say about this one! Parts of it were great, certain characters were written well, I just didn't feel any connection to the story and had very little interest in the main relationship...
Wasn't for me, but try it if you like heartwarming, cozy, small town romance!
Thank you to Ballantine & NetGalley for sending me an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
Wasn't for me, but try it if you like heartwarming, cozy, small town romance!
Thank you to Ballantine & NetGalley for sending me an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 20, 2025
ava wilder’s BACK and guess what? i’ve found my FAV book written by her and yes now u’ll have to read about my thoughts because trust me if u’re a fan of notting hill and the when in rome vibes well u should totally add this one to your tbr 🥰
merritt and niko’s story’s set in a cozy small town as u can see from the gorgeous cover and from the start i could feel the chemistry between them and it was adorable to read about them being shy and awkward about it because it was obvious that there was something between them and that something obviously lead to their love story!
a story that was heartfelt, lovely and emotionally healthy seriously i really loved to read about merritt and niko started and their relationship because yes they were truly cute together but also their communication was everything and more!
plus don’t let me start with the acts of service that niko did because he was always thinking about her and also showing it without expecting anything from her and merritt’s development as a character? i truly cheered it!
these two really deserved each other :”) 💗💐
besides from these aspects i truly appreciated how ava wilder portrayed the themes of mental health and the family dynamic in a such cozy but at the same time reflective way :)
so in the end what can i say more? just go for it and u’ll have the chance to live a some kind of cozy and lovely time in a small town where a love story’s waiting for u :)
a LOT of thanks to headline eternal and netgalley for the possibility to read the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!
merritt and niko’s story’s set in a cozy small town as u can see from the gorgeous cover and from the start i could feel the chemistry between them and it was adorable to read about them being shy and awkward about it because it was obvious that there was something between them and that something obviously lead to their love story!
a story that was heartfelt, lovely and emotionally healthy seriously i really loved to read about merritt and niko started and their relationship because yes they were truly cute together but also their communication was everything and more!
plus don’t let me start with the acts of service that niko did because he was always thinking about her and also showing it without expecting anything from her and merritt’s development as a character? i truly cheered it!
these two really deserved each other :”) 💗💐
besides from these aspects i truly appreciated how ava wilder portrayed the themes of mental health and the family dynamic in a such cozy but at the same time reflective way :)
so in the end what can i say more? just go for it and u’ll have the chance to live a some kind of cozy and lovely time in a small town where a love story’s waiting for u :)
a LOT of thanks to headline eternal and netgalley for the possibility to read the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!
October 26, 2025
I always admire the choices that Ava Wilder makes in her stories. Merritt and Niko made for a lovely story, and challenging backstories - a ton of charm and some doses of humor.
As usual, Wilder's writing is great, tight, and lovely. I sadly do not have profuse words for this book, however, because for whatever reason the couple kept me at a distance. Niko felt much less distant in than Merritt, who felt both known but kind of fuzzily-drawn to me. I can't quite put my finger on it.
If you enjoy Wilder, you should read it. If you don't like her brand of difficult, know I find this softer. Maybe it was that, but for this reader, it just didn't click the same for me-and investment felt far too long coming - and maybe it was that Merritt's central struggle was just that, and it's so effective a story I didn't get attached either.
I cannot, however, say enough of Wilder's choices (suspected/possible BPD in a herione? Obsessive behaviors? Highly emotional past? Good, different stuff).
Thank. you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC, which has not affected my review. 3.5
As usual, Wilder's writing is great, tight, and lovely. I sadly do not have profuse words for this book, however, because for whatever reason the couple kept me at a distance. Niko felt much less distant in than Merritt, who felt both known but kind of fuzzily-drawn to me. I can't quite put my finger on it.
If you enjoy Wilder, you should read it. If you don't like her brand of difficult, know I find this softer. Maybe it was that, but for this reader, it just didn't click the same for me-and investment felt far too long coming - and maybe it was that Merritt's central struggle was just that, and it's so effective a story I didn't get attached either.
I cannot, however, say enough of Wilder's choices (suspected/possible BPD in a herione? Obsessive behaviors? Highly emotional past? Good, different stuff).
Thank. you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC, which has not affected my review. 3.5
April 10, 2025
ava wilder is kind of at emily henry’s level to me, officially and isn’t that a crazy thing to say
Want to read
April 12, 2025this cover is to die for omg 😍.
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