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Someone You Love
Charly Johnson created a bucket list when cancer left her mother with less than a year to live. They didn't make it all the way through the list before she died, but she made Charly promise to finish it and live her life to the fullest.
Spending the summer in a coastal mountain city in Maine is next on her list. The scenic town is perfect for finding adventure, and the quirky inn owner makes her feel right at home in the guest house.
Except for the fact that her new living quarters belong to the owner's grump of a nephew.
Bryce Holden was an NFL player before sustaining a career-ending spinal injury. The people he thought would stand by his side left him when he was no longer a football star. Now, he prefers to live his life as a recluse, keeping outsiders at arm's length where his heart is safe.
The last thing Bryce needs is to fall for a beautiful woman who will leave him like everyone else. But when he sees Charly's incomplete bucket list, and the bruised heart she wears on her sleeve, he resolves to help her on her journey.
Even if it means losing her at the end of it.
Contains mature themes.
Spending the summer in a coastal mountain city in Maine is next on her list. The scenic town is perfect for finding adventure, and the quirky inn owner makes her feel right at home in the guest house.
Except for the fact that her new living quarters belong to the owner's grump of a nephew.
Bryce Holden was an NFL player before sustaining a career-ending spinal injury. The people he thought would stand by his side left him when he was no longer a football star. Now, he prefers to live his life as a recluse, keeping outsiders at arm's length where his heart is safe.
The last thing Bryce needs is to fall for a beautiful woman who will leave him like everyone else. But when he sees Charly's incomplete bucket list, and the bruised heart she wears on her sleeve, he resolves to help her on her journey.
Even if it means losing her at the end of it.
Contains mature themes.
Audible Audio
First published August 5, 2021
631 people are currently reading
7619 people want to read
About the author
Kristen Granata
19 books2,983 followersKristen Granata is a bestselling romance author known for writing inspirational, emotional stories with realistic characters who struggle through the darkest parts of life and come out stronger on the other side.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2zblG7G
Instagram: https://bit.ly/34LUfge
TikTok: https://bit.ly/3xOqPMm
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3cuvtEg
Kristen openly shares her mental health struggles with depression and anxiety. Her message is a beacon of hope to anyone who is suffering: You are not alone. She delicately weaves this theme into her writing, and demonstrates the ability of love to heal after tragedy.
When she's not teaching or writing, Kristen is reading, tripping over something, indulging in her messy love affair with popcorn, and annoying her wife and step-daughters by incessantly singing along to The Greatest Showman soundtrack.
Kristen was born in Brooklyn, New York. She currently lives in New Jersey with her wife & her two step-daughters.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2zblG7G
Instagram: https://bit.ly/34LUfge
TikTok: https://bit.ly/3xOqPMm
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3cuvtEg
Kristen openly shares her mental health struggles with depression and anxiety. Her message is a beacon of hope to anyone who is suffering: You are not alone. She delicately weaves this theme into her writing, and demonstrates the ability of love to heal after tragedy.
When she's not teaching or writing, Kristen is reading, tripping over something, indulging in her messy love affair with popcorn, and annoying her wife and step-daughters by incessantly singing along to The Greatest Showman soundtrack.
Kristen was born in Brooklyn, New York. She currently lives in New Jersey with her wife & her two step-daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 495 reviews
September 29, 2021
*** UPDATED*** Scroll down to see Edit #3 or just skip to the end to read about how she gamed Amazon's ranking system. I also have posts that outline some of the most blatant examples of her plagiarism on my Instagram account
This book is so close to plagiarism, it’s making my blood boil.
It is a carbon copy of Kristen Callihan’s, Make It Sweet.
I understand that so many contemporaries can feel the same because there are limited formulas and tropes, but almost every fucking detail and plot point is the same. Except Make it Sweet is 1000x better.
This author is going on my “never-read-again-so-I -don’t-financially-support-plagiarists” shelf.
EDIT #1:
Since I posted this, Granata has blocked me on all social media when I asked her about the similarities and when I pointed out that she had Callihan’s books (including Dear Enemy - the book that comes before Make It Sweet in the series) on her read bookshelf, she made her profile on here private. And another reader pointed out in the comments how similar her bath scene was to the one in Dear Enemy. All of these things convinced me beyond a doubt that she definitely ripped off Make It Sweet and instead of owning up to it or offering an explanation or apology to Callihan, will continue to hide from any criticism.
The issue is that this isn’t legally considered plagiarism because she did not copy the book word for word, so sketchy indie authors like Granata are able to copy an entire plot, characters, character’s names, etc., and steal from the hard work and creativity of others with no consequence.
The only thing we as readers can do is call this out when we see it, and choose not to buy any of the author’s books.
EDIT #2:
Instead of taking responsibility for her actions, Granata is of course playing the victim on social media. Her audacity and tone-deafness are breaking my brain. Callihan is the victim in this scenario - not her.
GURRRRLLL.... just apologize to Kristen Callihan, rewrite your book, and make this right already.
Link to this insane Facebook post
---------------------------------------------
EDIT #3:
I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised when I got sent a screenshot of Granata's statement today and was ready to give her props for taking responsibility and doing the right thing by rewriting her book. Then I had to reread it again and again just to make sure that I hadn't missed her apology to or any reference at all to Kristen Callihan or her book, Make It Sweet, OR any allusion to feeling even a wee bit apologetic for her actions.
But nope, I can't seem to find an apology nor an admission of guilt anywhere, can you?
SIGH.... she was sooooo close to making this right....but yeah, this ain't it.
YUP, IT DEFINITELY WAS PLAGIARISM
-----------------------
Let's address Granata's BS Claim and what so many of her fans are parroting to excuse her behavior
--> that this plagiarism we perceive is just a mirage because "books in the romance genre have many similarities and require hitting many of the same plot points."
1. Yeah no. When you copy ALMOST EVERY SINGLE FACET OF SOMEONE ELSE'S BOOK, beat for beat, that is not "hitting the same plot points," that's called PLAGIARISM. If what you are saying was true, then every possible story in the world has already been told, AND YET somehow there are original and distinctive narratives written by talented authors all the fucking time. Including the book you stole from.
It's actually really sad -- thinking writing is some simplistic formula where all you have to do is pick some tropes and then generate content to hit plot points and then cash that check, rather than it being a creative expression of imagination and human connectivity.
2. To the readers who have blindly thrown support behind Granata's book and yet, have not even read Make It Sweet...just read the book and see for yourself.
WHY IS SHE STILL DELETING COMMENTS & BLOCKING PEOPLE???
-----------------------
Alright, you may be thinking, perhaps this is being too harsh and I should give her some more credit... BUT for someone who *isn't guilty* of plagiarism and is truly sincerely sorry and ready to make this right, WHY is she deleting / filtering out ANY comment mentioning Kristen Callihan or Make It Sweet?
TONS of people are saying that their comments keep getting removed from her posts.
This was the only one that was still up as of a few hours ago, by Em and The Texas Bookworm, but I'm sure it will be deleted soon.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE & IT'S REAL BAD --> HER BOOKS ARE BEING MISCATEGORIZED TO GAME AMAZON'S RANKING SYSTEM
-----------------------
So right in Amazon's Terms and Conditions for self-publishing, it explicitly states:
Some authors miscategorize in the attempt to get greater visibility, get on Best Sellers lists, and reap the rewards in categories where their books do not belong.
So, let's take a gander at the categories that Granata's book is in, shall we?
- Demography Studies - Inaccurate AF... and no, just no. Just click on this link to the Best Seller's List in this category and see how WRONG it is for her book to be ranking high here.
- Disability Parenting - Inaccurate AF and seriously WTFF??!! This is SO SO SO WRONG
So yes, clear violations of Amazon's Terms and Conditions and yet another example of her duplicity.
I'm never going to buy or read or support an author that steals from another or tries to game the system to boost their sales via deception, and I hope that anyone who has even an ounce of integrity and an operating moral compass will join me in saying enough is fucking enough.
This book is so close to plagiarism, it’s making my blood boil.
It is a carbon copy of Kristen Callihan’s, Make It Sweet.
I understand that so many contemporaries can feel the same because there are limited formulas and tropes, but almost every fucking detail and plot point is the same. Except Make it Sweet is 1000x better.
This author is going on my “never-read-again-so-I -don’t-financially-support-plagiarists” shelf.
EDIT #1:
Since I posted this, Granata has blocked me on all social media when I asked her about the similarities and when I pointed out that she had Callihan’s books (including Dear Enemy - the book that comes before Make It Sweet in the series) on her read bookshelf, she made her profile on here private. And another reader pointed out in the comments how similar her bath scene was to the one in Dear Enemy. All of these things convinced me beyond a doubt that she definitely ripped off Make It Sweet and instead of owning up to it or offering an explanation or apology to Callihan, will continue to hide from any criticism.
The issue is that this isn’t legally considered plagiarism because she did not copy the book word for word, so sketchy indie authors like Granata are able to copy an entire plot, characters, character’s names, etc., and steal from the hard work and creativity of others with no consequence.
The only thing we as readers can do is call this out when we see it, and choose not to buy any of the author’s books.
EDIT #2:
Instead of taking responsibility for her actions, Granata is of course playing the victim on social media. Her audacity and tone-deafness are breaking my brain. Callihan is the victim in this scenario - not her.
GURRRRLLL.... just apologize to Kristen Callihan, rewrite your book, and make this right already.
Link to this insane Facebook post
---------------------------------------------
EDIT #3:
I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised when I got sent a screenshot of Granata's statement today and was ready to give her props for taking responsibility and doing the right thing by rewriting her book. Then I had to reread it again and again just to make sure that I hadn't missed her apology to or any reference at all to Kristen Callihan or her book, Make It Sweet, OR any allusion to feeling even a wee bit apologetic for her actions.
But nope, I can't seem to find an apology nor an admission of guilt anywhere, can you?
SIGH.... she was sooooo close to making this right....but yeah, this ain't it.
YUP, IT DEFINITELY WAS PLAGIARISM
-----------------------
Let's address Granata's BS Claim and what so many of her fans are parroting to excuse her behavior
--> that this plagiarism we perceive is just a mirage because "books in the romance genre have many similarities and require hitting many of the same plot points."
1. Yeah no. When you copy ALMOST EVERY SINGLE FACET OF SOMEONE ELSE'S BOOK, beat for beat, that is not "hitting the same plot points," that's called PLAGIARISM. If what you are saying was true, then every possible story in the world has already been told, AND YET somehow there are original and distinctive narratives written by talented authors all the fucking time. Including the book you stole from.
It's actually really sad -- thinking writing is some simplistic formula where all you have to do is pick some tropes and then generate content to hit plot points and then cash that check, rather than it being a creative expression of imagination and human connectivity.
2. To the readers who have blindly thrown support behind Granata's book and yet, have not even read Make It Sweet...just read the book and see for yourself.
WHY IS SHE STILL DELETING COMMENTS & BLOCKING PEOPLE???
-----------------------
Alright, you may be thinking, perhaps this is being too harsh and I should give her some more credit... BUT for someone who *isn't guilty* of plagiarism and is truly sincerely sorry and ready to make this right, WHY is she deleting / filtering out ANY comment mentioning Kristen Callihan or Make It Sweet?
TONS of people are saying that their comments keep getting removed from her posts.
This was the only one that was still up as of a few hours ago, by Em and The Texas Bookworm, but I'm sure it will be deleted soon.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE & IT'S REAL BAD --> HER BOOKS ARE BEING MISCATEGORIZED TO GAME AMAZON'S RANKING SYSTEM
-----------------------
So right in Amazon's Terms and Conditions for self-publishing, it explicitly states:
"Choose the most accurate categories based on your book's central topic or storyline. ...We do not tolerate inaccurate or unexpected categorization that misleads or manipulates our customers."
Some authors miscategorize in the attempt to get greater visibility, get on Best Sellers lists, and reap the rewards in categories where their books do not belong.
So, let's take a gander at the categories that Granata's book is in, shall we?
- Demography Studies - Inaccurate AF... and no, just no. Just click on this link to the Best Seller's List in this category and see how WRONG it is for her book to be ranking high here.
- Disability Parenting - Inaccurate AF and seriously WTFF??!! This is SO SO SO WRONG
So yes, clear violations of Amazon's Terms and Conditions and yet another example of her duplicity.
I'm never going to buy or read or support an author that steals from another or tries to game the system to boost their sales via deception, and I hope that anyone who has even an ounce of integrity and an operating moral compass will join me in saying enough is fucking enough.
September 6, 2021
Tik Tok Made Me Read It: Part 3
This is an almost-perfect, exact copy of Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan. Grumpy former sports star, excellent cook, helping out their grandmother’s inn/estate meets sunshine heroine down on her luck, love ensues. Same story, KC did it much better.
This is an almost-perfect, exact copy of Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan. Grumpy former sports star, excellent cook, helping out their grandmother’s inn/estate meets sunshine heroine down on her luck, love ensues. Same story, KC did it much better.
January 20, 2022
Plagiarizing is never okay. And this book is just that
September 7, 2021
Wanted to love this one, turns out I did love it back in February when I read Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan. The similarities were too much for me, some scenes were almost identical.
Please see this review for more details about specifics: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Please see this review for more details about specifics: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 19, 2021
***EDIT***
I original read this book and loved it. Come to find out the author completely ripped off Make it Sweet by Kristen Callahan.
5 Stars - Contemporary Romance
This book was absolutely beautifully written. One of my new all time favorite books.
Bryce is a disabled hero and Charly is someone who is abled bodied. There are very few books where I’ve felt so seen and represented in a romance book.
Not only was the romance amazingly written, but the conversations between all characters about ableism.
I’ve read a couple of book by this author but it was some of her older books and I’m blow away by this new release.
I original read this book and loved it. Come to find out the author completely ripped off Make it Sweet by Kristen Callahan.
5 Stars - Contemporary Romance
This book was absolutely beautifully written. One of my new all time favorite books.
Bryce is a disabled hero and Charly is someone who is abled bodied. There are very few books where I’ve felt so seen and represented in a romance book.
Not only was the romance amazingly written, but the conversations between all characters about ableism.
I’ve read a couple of book by this author but it was some of her older books and I’m blow away by this new release.
September 5, 2021
This book plagiarized Make It Sweet by Kristen Callahan. DO NOT SUPPORT THIS AUTHOR.
September 5, 2021
I don’t read books that are plagiarized.
September 8, 2021
Exact carbon copy of Make it sweet by Kristen Callihan but worse.
I know lot's of books have similar plots but this one is like for >80% similiar with exact similar scenes. Throw in some scene from Dear Enemy (Kristen Callihan).
And I checked the auther "Read list". She rated both Make it Sweet and Dear Enemy 5 stars...
I know lot's of books have similar plots but this one is like for >80% similiar with exact similar scenes. Throw in some scene from Dear Enemy (Kristen Callihan).
And I checked the auther "Read list". She rated both Make it Sweet and Dear Enemy 5 stars...
Read
September 9, 2021i'm removing my star rating due to the plagiarism information. i will be reading kristen callihan's books soon to see for myself, but i trust all the reviews pointing at the similarities. i enjoyed this book but i wouldn't have read it if i had known.
September 7, 2021
This author should learn a thing or two about originality because wtf is this? She really said plagiarism and went with it. A complete and utterly bad “Make it Sweet” ripoff.
September 12, 2021
IT has been brought to my attention that PLAGIARISM has taken place and this is a copy of Kristen Callihan Make It Sweet
September 7, 2021
9/6/21: Updating my review because the similarities between this book and Make it Sweet that I noted in my original review? Turns out the similarities were there because it was plagiarized. I’d read MIS in March so the details weren’t fresh in my mind but yikes, this was a disappointment. Guess I should be more cynical/skeptical the next time around. I won’t be reading any more books by Granata, that’s for sure.
******
Decided to pick this up after coming across it more than once on bookstagram and I enjoyed it. I was intrigued that Bryce was disabled - there aren't very many inter-abled romances so I'm always curious as to how the characters will navigate this additional layer of difference.
Bryce and Charly both have their own baggage - she lost her mother to cancer recently and is staying at his grandmother's B&B to finish off the items on the bucket list she started with her mother, and Bryce is an ex-NFLer who got into a bar fight that resulted in a spinal cord injury. He was told that he would never walk again but recovered enough to walk, although he occasionally needs a cane or wheelchair to get around.
Bryce reminds me of Lucian in Kristen Callihan's Make It Sweet - they are both ex-pro athletes who were sidelined because of injury (for Lucian it's the risk of another potentially life-threatening concussion) and are grumpy and angsty about it, learned to cook from their grandfathers and are using these skills in their grandmother's home businesses, and meet the woman who will bring them back to life.
They're great together - Bryce is a teddy bear who shows his love through acts of service - Charly mentions that she loves chocolate so he makes her chocolate chip pancakes; he secretly takes rumba lessons so he can be her partner after she mentions that the retiree who she was partnered with in her dance class wasn't very good; and he arranges a camping weekend to help her cross that item off her bucket list as well.
I really enjoyed this and would definitely read more of Granata's books.
CW: key secondary character dies of heart attack off page.
******
Decided to pick this up after coming across it more than once on bookstagram and I enjoyed it. I was intrigued that Bryce was disabled - there aren't very many inter-abled romances so I'm always curious as to how the characters will navigate this additional layer of difference.
Bryce and Charly both have their own baggage - she lost her mother to cancer recently and is staying at his grandmother's B&B to finish off the items on the bucket list she started with her mother, and Bryce is an ex-NFLer who got into a bar fight that resulted in a spinal cord injury. He was told that he would never walk again but recovered enough to walk, although he occasionally needs a cane or wheelchair to get around.
Bryce reminds me of Lucian in Kristen Callihan's Make It Sweet - they are both ex-pro athletes who were sidelined because of injury (for Lucian it's the risk of another potentially life-threatening concussion) and are grumpy and angsty about it, learned to cook from their grandfathers and are using these skills in their grandmother's home businesses, and meet the woman who will bring them back to life.
They're great together - Bryce is a teddy bear who shows his love through acts of service - Charly mentions that she loves chocolate so he makes her chocolate chip pancakes; he secretly takes rumba lessons so he can be her partner after she mentions that the retiree who she was partnered with in her dance class wasn't very good; and he arranges a camping weekend to help her cross that item off her bucket list as well.
I really enjoyed this and would definitely read more of Granata's books.
CW: key secondary character dies of heart attack off page.
August 7, 2021
When her mother was dying of cancer, Charly Johnson made a bucket list and now that her mother has passed, she wants to finish checking off all the items her and her mom never got to do. After catching her boyfriend cheating on her, Charly knows now is the best time to start the rest of her life. First up: spending her summer at an inn in the mountains of Maine.
The sweet inn-keeper immediately wins Charly over, but when she realizes she’ll be sharing a cottage with the owner’s grandson, Bryce, she knows the summer will go differently than she originally planned. Bryce is beyond attractive, but also a total grump, taking Charly by surprise.
Bryce Holden was an NFL player until a spinal cord injury permanently took him out of the game and Bryce didn’t know if he would ever walk again. Now he helps out around his grandmother’s inn and cooks for their guests.
Bryce isn’t happy to share his space with newcomer, Charly, but she is everything he never knew he needed and in turn, Bryce is everything Charly needs to heal, too. But at the end of the summer, they’re due to part ways and neither of them are sure if they can say goodbye…
Someone You Love by Kristen Granata is such a tender, sweet romance. It’s labeled as a “forced proximity summer romance” which is completely accurate. But this romance is so much more than that. Charly & Bryce’s romance tugged at my heartstrings from start to finish. Kristen’s commentary about life and love with disability was beyond moving and I felt myself tear up a few times. I was expecting more angst, but I found the divergence from that really refreshing. I enjoyed how sweet and tender-hearted Charly & Bryce’s romance was. And Bryce’s grandma was the cherry on top of this romance. Definitely recommend! 5/5 stars.
The sweet inn-keeper immediately wins Charly over, but when she realizes she’ll be sharing a cottage with the owner’s grandson, Bryce, she knows the summer will go differently than she originally planned. Bryce is beyond attractive, but also a total grump, taking Charly by surprise.
Bryce Holden was an NFL player until a spinal cord injury permanently took him out of the game and Bryce didn’t know if he would ever walk again. Now he helps out around his grandmother’s inn and cooks for their guests.
Bryce isn’t happy to share his space with newcomer, Charly, but she is everything he never knew he needed and in turn, Bryce is everything Charly needs to heal, too. But at the end of the summer, they’re due to part ways and neither of them are sure if they can say goodbye…
Someone You Love by Kristen Granata is such a tender, sweet romance. It’s labeled as a “forced proximity summer romance” which is completely accurate. But this romance is so much more than that. Charly & Bryce’s romance tugged at my heartstrings from start to finish. Kristen’s commentary about life and love with disability was beyond moving and I felt myself tear up a few times. I was expecting more angst, but I found the divergence from that really refreshing. I enjoyed how sweet and tender-hearted Charly & Bryce’s romance was. And Bryce’s grandma was the cherry on top of this romance. Definitely recommend! 5/5 stars.
September 7, 2021
This book is a plagiarised version of Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan
August 10, 2021
Not going to lie, the expectations were high after seeing so many 5 star reviews. But that should have been my sign since hyped books rarely do it for me. This one didn't do it for me.
I struggled to get to the end. I was dragging it out for days and the reason why this book felt boring was because of so much repetition. Such as talk about grief since heroine lost her mom, her constant questioning why her addict father left, the disability of the hero and his self pity.
The thing that didn't mostly sit with me well was insta love feeling with these characters. I would have loved more anticipation and build up, especially with tropes such as forced proximity and grump/sunshine. It was all to quick and too easy.
I didn't like how the heroine found her boyfriend cheating on her and she just straight up said sorry for interrupting and left and refused to have any conversation with him because she didn't blame him, she understood why he did it and she really wasn't that in love with him. And yet when she had sex for the first time with the hero she conveniently remembered to compare him with her ex, in her mind. Like why? Totally unnecessary.
Another gem was talking to a pregnant bride and projecting her fears of carrying the cancer gene, because the bride also lost her mom to cancer, and asking her on her wedding day if she was afraid that her baby or her will get it?😳
I don't know, I'm in minority here but this was definitely not a book for me. I'm glad it touched some heavy subjects but for me it lacked depth.
I struggled to get to the end. I was dragging it out for days and the reason why this book felt boring was because of so much repetition. Such as talk about grief since heroine lost her mom, her constant questioning why her addict father left, the disability of the hero and his self pity.
The thing that didn't mostly sit with me well was insta love feeling with these characters. I would have loved more anticipation and build up, especially with tropes such as forced proximity and grump/sunshine. It was all to quick and too easy.
I didn't like how the heroine found her boyfriend cheating on her and she just straight up said sorry for interrupting and left and refused to have any conversation with him because she didn't blame him, she understood why he did it and she really wasn't that in love with him. And yet when she had sex for the first time with the hero she conveniently remembered to compare him with her ex, in her mind. Like why? Totally unnecessary.
Another gem was talking to a pregnant bride and projecting her fears of carrying the cancer gene, because the bride also lost her mom to cancer, and asking her on her wedding day if she was afraid that her baby or her will get it?😳
I don't know, I'm in minority here but this was definitely not a book for me. I'm glad it touched some heavy subjects but for me it lacked depth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2021
DNF 66%….
I know, I know. I’m definitely in the minority here but this just felt…. Boring? Idek how to articulate it. Let me just got on a tangent and be done okay?
I felt like this book was constantly spelling out what was happening. Like it was trying way too hard to teach all these life lessons and they literally said in the dialogue how each of the characters were feeling constantly. Like part of a slow burn romance like this is not knowing exactly how the other is feeling. Or even if it’s a dual perspective, it’s the push and pull. But this felt like a game of tug of war with only one team. There wasn’t a push and pull and I felt like I couldn’t have an option because they were spelling out how I should feel constantly. It was honestly extremely odd and made me feel like a fifth grader. The writing made me feel like I couldn’t think critically and I can honestly say I’ve never read anything that made me feel this way.
I’m usually really good at finishing books and being nice even when it’s not my favorite but this book was less than 300 pages (which I usually finish in one sitting) and I had to force myself to get this far over the course of many days until I finally gave up. The pacing was soooo slow and at the same time it felt like they were jumping wayyyy too fast into a relationship. So confusing.
I don’t even remember if this is spicy but I definitely didn’t cry. :( wanted to like this. Was hoping it was like another book I read which was extremely similar in plot to this one (right down to the pool) but this let me down.
I know, I know. I’m definitely in the minority here but this just felt…. Boring? Idek how to articulate it. Let me just got on a tangent and be done okay?
I felt like this book was constantly spelling out what was happening. Like it was trying way too hard to teach all these life lessons and they literally said in the dialogue how each of the characters were feeling constantly. Like part of a slow burn romance like this is not knowing exactly how the other is feeling. Or even if it’s a dual perspective, it’s the push and pull. But this felt like a game of tug of war with only one team. There wasn’t a push and pull and I felt like I couldn’t have an option because they were spelling out how I should feel constantly. It was honestly extremely odd and made me feel like a fifth grader. The writing made me feel like I couldn’t think critically and I can honestly say I’ve never read anything that made me feel this way.
I’m usually really good at finishing books and being nice even when it’s not my favorite but this book was less than 300 pages (which I usually finish in one sitting) and I had to force myself to get this far over the course of many days until I finally gave up. The pacing was soooo slow and at the same time it felt like they were jumping wayyyy too fast into a relationship. So confusing.
I don’t even remember if this is spicy but I definitely didn’t cry. :( wanted to like this. Was hoping it was like another book I read which was extremely similar in plot to this one (right down to the pool) but this let me down.
September 7, 2021
After reading roughly a third of this book, I could have sworn that I’d read this story before.
So I came to goodreads, only to find out this author plagiarized the story from another that I had read years ago (trust me, the other one was written way better). And it appears I’m not the only one that has noticed.
I will never recommend this book, nor Granatas other books. All of her secrecy and actions to being called out on her plagiarism speaks volumes.
So I came to goodreads, only to find out this author plagiarized the story from another that I had read years ago (trust me, the other one was written way better). And it appears I’m not the only one that has noticed.
I will never recommend this book, nor Granatas other books. All of her secrecy and actions to being called out on her plagiarism speaks volumes.
September 10, 2021
originally three stars but found out this book was plagiarised. will be reading the original. i believe it’s called make it sweet by kristen callihan.
September 7, 2021
This book plagiarizes Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan almost beat for beat. Please look at other reviews to see how. Please do not support this author.
September 10, 2021
I would not have rated this so high and given it such a nice review had I known it was plagiarized.
August 27, 2021
3 ⭐'s
Bryce and Charly meet each other when she comes to stay at his grandmother's Inn. Staying there was something that was on her mother's bucket list before she died.
Bryce is very closed off and hard to get to know. Slowly, Charly breaks through that rough exterior and they start opening up to each other. However, they both have some pretty difficult obstacles and it's not something Bryce is willing to put Charly through.
I just want to say that I enjoyed this story even if it focuses on disabilities too much and takes away from the story. Unfortunately, this story is wayyyy too similar to Kristen Callihan's Make It Sweet and that was wayyyy too distracting.
This is the first time I've encountered two books like this and it's hard to believe it's a coincidence. I'm really not too sure how to feel other than disappointed.
Bryce and Charly meet each other when she comes to stay at his grandmother's Inn. Staying there was something that was on her mother's bucket list before she died.
Bryce is very closed off and hard to get to know. Slowly, Charly breaks through that rough exterior and they start opening up to each other. However, they both have some pretty difficult obstacles and it's not something Bryce is willing to put Charly through.
I just want to say that I enjoyed this story even if it focuses on disabilities too much and takes away from the story. Unfortunately, this story is wayyyy too similar to Kristen Callihan's Make It Sweet and that was wayyyy too distracting.
This is the first time I've encountered two books like this and it's hard to believe it's a coincidence. I'm really not too sure how to feel other than disappointed.
July 14, 2021
This story was absolutely amazing, beautifully written and incredibly moving. The characters are so well written and expressive that you truly feel like you know them, that they could be actual people roaming the world. The indept research and knowledge the author showed about how people with disabilities live and feel and deal with everyday tasks was beyond eye-opening.
I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it and I cried more than I want to admit. This book reached out and grabbed ahold of not only my heart but my soul and truly opened my eyes to the struggles that most people take for granted.
Charly and Bryce bring out the best in each other and are exactly what they need in a partner. They managed to make the other smile and happy again, despite all that they've been though. They truly belong together, almost like they were made for the other.
Kristen has a special way with words that makes you picture everything that's happening as if you were watching it on the big screen. I'm a truly believer that her books need to be made into big blockbuster movies, they are that good. She is that good!
I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it and I cried more than I want to admit. This book reached out and grabbed ahold of not only my heart but my soul and truly opened my eyes to the struggles that most people take for granted.
Charly and Bryce bring out the best in each other and are exactly what they need in a partner. They managed to make the other smile and happy again, despite all that they've been though. They truly belong together, almost like they were made for the other.
Kristen has a special way with words that makes you picture everything that's happening as if you were watching it on the big screen. I'm a truly believer that her books need to be made into big blockbuster movies, they are that good. She is that good!
dnf
September 1, 2021dnf sept 1, 2021 (30%)
Okay so a few things:
1. I was so hyped for this because the ratings are so high by people I have the same taste as generally. This was deff a case of overhype
2. I saw another review and I completely agree, THIS IS TOOOO SIMILAR TO Make It Sweet . We have a grump hero, sunshine heroine, forced proximity at a villa/bed and breakfast. Both heroes have a disability from the sports they played that caused them to have to quit. Both heroines walk in on their bf's cheating on them at the start. The heroine in Someone You love is suffering the loss of her mother, as well as the abandonment of her father. The heroine in MIS is suffering the loss of her career, so not the same type of loss what so ever and that right there is the ONLY difference. There's even a fucking pool scene that the heroine spies on the hero in the pool, THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED IN MIS????
I can't even get over the similarities and I'm so so irritated.
Okay so a few things:
1. I was so hyped for this because the ratings are so high by people I have the same taste as generally. This was deff a case of overhype
2. I saw another review and I completely agree, THIS IS TOOOO SIMILAR TO Make It Sweet . We have a grump hero, sunshine heroine, forced proximity at a villa/bed and breakfast. Both heroes have a disability from the sports they played that caused them to have to quit. Both heroines walk in on their bf's cheating on them at the start. The heroine in Someone You love is suffering the loss of her mother, as well as the abandonment of her father. The heroine in MIS is suffering the loss of her career, so not the same type of loss what so ever and that right there is the ONLY difference. There's even a fucking pool scene that the heroine spies on the hero in the pool, THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED IN MIS????
I can't even get over the similarities and I'm so so irritated.
August 11, 2021
This was a lot of flowery proclamations of love and deep monologues about grief. The dialogue made me cringe more often than not. But it was very short so I did fly thru it pretty quick.
August 11, 2021
Someone You Love……..
What can I say about this??
Not a whole lot, actually.
Thing is, I wanted to like this book. I really, really did. I read some great reviews on this book. I immediately put it on my 'To Read' list, pushed aside some library books that have return dates looming over my head and began reading this Someone You Love.
Turns out, I found myself very disappointed because I didn't like this story much at all. The premise of the book seemed right up my alley, but the actual story was not. There was a lot of redundancy in the writing and frankly, I wanted a hell of a lot more angst between the characters. Also, the epilogue was not to my liking.
2-ish disappointing stars.
What can I say about this??
Not a whole lot, actually.
Thing is, I wanted to like this book. I really, really did. I read some great reviews on this book. I immediately put it on my 'To Read' list, pushed aside some library books that have return dates looming over my head and began reading this Someone You Love.
Turns out, I found myself very disappointed because I didn't like this story much at all. The premise of the book seemed right up my alley, but the actual story was not. There was a lot of redundancy in the writing and frankly, I wanted a hell of a lot more angst between the characters. Also, the epilogue was not to my liking.
2-ish disappointing stars.
July 8, 2023
***UPDATE: Still 5 stars. Forever 5 stars. 💕
This is one of the most beautiful, most romantic, poignant, heartwarming, exceedingly inspiring and full of hope and true joy I’ve ever read in my life. 💕
Who decided 5 stars was the ultimate rating? There are some books that deserve more than that. They deserve all the recognition and praise and 5 stars seem too little, too basic. This book is more than perfect to be rated like this and I don’t even know how to put it into words.
A book that was written superbly, that told me a story of two broken people in need of healing but so scared of what that healing entailed. Charly and Bryce’s story took my heart out and warmed it with so much hope and true love. It made me feel every single emotion I could possibly. It made me laugh with Charly and Bryce’s banter and incredible chemistry, it made me think and analize myself and how I am helping to make this world a more inclusive place for everyone, it showed me a side of empathy and kindness I had never consider before, it made me fall in love with life, it reminded me that when you love someone, you love them as they need to be loved and cared for and not how I think they do. It taught me how important it is to have faith in love and it made me cry tears of joy reading the most beautiful and emotional happy ending.
This is a story about healing, forgiveness and the happiness that comes when we allow life to surprise us with beautiful things when we think we’ve lost it all.
I wish I could say more, but I’m still processing this!
This work of art comes out August 5th. And if I’ve ever made a difference in your reading choices, if you trust me and my recommendations, please pre-order it and read it the first chance you get. I can guarantee you will love it as much as I did.
I can’t wait to have this in paperback.
Kristen Granata, this ARC was everything. I’m honored to have read this book before the release. I meant what I said before, I hope you live a thousand lives (100 years each) so you can keep writing books like this… Thank you!
This is one of the most beautiful, most romantic, poignant, heartwarming, exceedingly inspiring and full of hope and true joy I’ve ever read in my life. 💕
Who decided 5 stars was the ultimate rating? There are some books that deserve more than that. They deserve all the recognition and praise and 5 stars seem too little, too basic. This book is more than perfect to be rated like this and I don’t even know how to put it into words.
A book that was written superbly, that told me a story of two broken people in need of healing but so scared of what that healing entailed. Charly and Bryce’s story took my heart out and warmed it with so much hope and true love. It made me feel every single emotion I could possibly. It made me laugh with Charly and Bryce’s banter and incredible chemistry, it made me think and analize myself and how I am helping to make this world a more inclusive place for everyone, it showed me a side of empathy and kindness I had never consider before, it made me fall in love with life, it reminded me that when you love someone, you love them as they need to be loved and cared for and not how I think they do. It taught me how important it is to have faith in love and it made me cry tears of joy reading the most beautiful and emotional happy ending.
This is a story about healing, forgiveness and the happiness that comes when we allow life to surprise us with beautiful things when we think we’ve lost it all.
I wish I could say more, but I’m still processing this!
This work of art comes out August 5th. And if I’ve ever made a difference in your reading choices, if you trust me and my recommendations, please pre-order it and read it the first chance you get. I can guarantee you will love it as much as I did.
I can’t wait to have this in paperback.
Kristen Granata, this ARC was everything. I’m honored to have read this book before the release. I meant what I said before, I hope you live a thousand lives (100 years each) so you can keep writing books like this… Thank you!
August 9, 2021
A beautiful story that made me cry and gave me hope.
Full review to come when I manage to put all that I'm feeling into words . <3
Full review to come when I manage to put all that I'm feeling into words . <3
September 13, 2021
5/5⭐️ 2/5🔥
💛Summer Vacation Romance
🤍Forced Proximity
💛Grumpy Disabled Hero
🤍Angsty
Bryce is a very grumpy grump man, he is now living with his grandmother helping her with her resort/hotel she owns. After his football career and dream falling apart and his girlfriend/friends are nowhere near him. It’s a heartbreaking, RAW and ANGSTY love story between Bryce and Charly.
Charly plans this trip with her mother on one of there quests to finish her mothers bucket list but that comes crashing down when she plans her funeral instead. I WAS CRYING HARD. OMG, this hit close to home in a way and it made me love this Summer Romance even more.
Kristen’s writing was amazing and you felt every word you read ❤️
The Awareness the hero disability the author brought into this read was immaculate and both Bryce and Charlie healed from that as well as there own individual demons they healed from.
💛Summer Vacation Romance
🤍Forced Proximity
💛Grumpy Disabled Hero
🤍Angsty
Bryce is a very grumpy grump man, he is now living with his grandmother helping her with her resort/hotel she owns. After his football career and dream falling apart and his girlfriend/friends are nowhere near him. It’s a heartbreaking, RAW and ANGSTY love story between Bryce and Charly.
Charly plans this trip with her mother on one of there quests to finish her mothers bucket list but that comes crashing down when she plans her funeral instead. I WAS CRYING HARD. OMG, this hit close to home in a way and it made me love this Summer Romance even more.
Kristen’s writing was amazing and you felt every word you read ❤️
The Awareness the hero disability the author brought into this read was immaculate and both Bryce and Charlie healed from that as well as there own individual demons they healed from.
October 24, 2021
Original review posted below. Updated due to accusations of plagiarism. When I confronted the author on social media they blocked me and never addressed these claims. Unacceptable and I won’t be reading anything else from this author.
4.5 ⭐️
Loveddddd this! This is the perfect summer read- equal parts sexy and emotional with characters you fall in love with. I didn’t expect this book to dig so deep, but I’m happy it did. The characters are well developed, and their problems are worked through in a very realistic way. Charly was the sweetest character, such a pleasure to read and I loved how Bryce started closed off and opened up. I loved the chemistry and flirting between Bryce and Charly. And Nana!! Honestly this book was so sweet and touched on major issues and feelings-I was happily surprised!
4.5 ⭐️
Loveddddd this! This is the perfect summer read- equal parts sexy and emotional with characters you fall in love with. I didn’t expect this book to dig so deep, but I’m happy it did. The characters are well developed, and their problems are worked through in a very realistic way. Charly was the sweetest character, such a pleasure to read and I loved how Bryce started closed off and opened up. I loved the chemistry and flirting between Bryce and Charly. And Nana!! Honestly this book was so sweet and touched on major issues and feelings-I was happily surprised!
September 8, 2021
Plagiarism.
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