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Love #2
Nothing Like Love
Simone Oliver prides herself on being a realist and a cynic. A brilliant set designer for a Manhattan theater company, she thrives in the background and is perfectly comfortable in jeans, Chuck Taylors, and a paint-smeared T-shirt. That is, until Zach Hammond, the award-winning (and sexy-as-hell) British director, turns the spotlight on her. He’s clearly captivated by her and won’t take no for an answer—but Simone is determined to maintain her position that love’s not worth the risk.
A hopeless romantic who can quote Shakespeare on a whim, Zach has spent his life center stage, surrounded by world-famous actors and royalty. But nothing he’s seen can compare to what Simone can create. Before long, he finds himself as mesmerized by her brash beauty as he is by her work, and he’s determined to seduce her stubborn heart.
But while the two may have been successful at relegating romance to the wings in New York, when their production moves to a centuries-old Irish castle in County Clare, there may be just enough magic to give true love the curtain call it deserves.
A hopeless romantic who can quote Shakespeare on a whim, Zach has spent his life center stage, surrounded by world-famous actors and royalty. But nothing he’s seen can compare to what Simone can create. Before long, he finds himself as mesmerized by her brash beauty as he is by her work, and he’s determined to seduce her stubborn heart.
But while the two may have been successful at relegating romance to the wings in New York, when their production moves to a centuries-old Irish castle in County Clare, there may be just enough magic to give true love the curtain call it deserves.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2016
219 people are currently reading
565 people want to read
About the author
Abigail Strom
28 books401 followersAbigail Strom started writing stories at the age of seven and has never been able to stop. She lives in New England with her family, a variety of animals, and a towering TBR pile. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached at abigail@abigailstrom.com.
I read everything, but I especially love YA, MG, mystery, romance, sci fi, and fantasy.
I read everything, but I especially love YA, MG, mystery, romance, sci fi, and fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
March 9, 2016
ARC courtesy of publisher Montlake Romance, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
3 stars
This was a sweet and romantic story, by an author that was new to me. The writing is good, but I missed some action or suspense, which is probably the reason why it took me a while to enter in the story. It relates the encounter of two people with opposite views on romantic love and shows their journey towards finding a common ground.
Hot and wealthy Zach Hammond is a former movie star turned award-winning London theater director. He has agreed to direct the production of a play in a New York theater. Simone Oliver, the heroine of this story, is the company's set and costume designer. When they meet on the set, Zach is instantly charmed by Simone, but also intrigued by her complex personality. Both are theater geeks and I loved their witty "Shakespaerean" banter.
As they get closer, and blur the lines of a professional relationship, Simone's insecurities appear more and more. She is afraid to get attached, lives in the moment and doesn't believe in a happy future. Zach's struggle will be to make her accept to get out of her comfort zone and take a chance on love and happiness.
Overall, I liked this book, it was a light and easy read. However, I found it rather slow-paced, with an ending that felt rushed and no epilogue.
3 stars
This was a sweet and romantic story, by an author that was new to me. The writing is good, but I missed some action or suspense, which is probably the reason why it took me a while to enter in the story. It relates the encounter of two people with opposite views on romantic love and shows their journey towards finding a common ground.
Hot and wealthy Zach Hammond is a former movie star turned award-winning London theater director. He has agreed to direct the production of a play in a New York theater. Simone Oliver, the heroine of this story, is the company's set and costume designer. When they meet on the set, Zach is instantly charmed by Simone, but also intrigued by her complex personality. Both are theater geeks and I loved their witty "Shakespaerean" banter.
As they get closer, and blur the lines of a professional relationship, Simone's insecurities appear more and more. She is afraid to get attached, lives in the moment and doesn't believe in a happy future. Zach's struggle will be to make her accept to get out of her comfort zone and take a chance on love and happiness.
Overall, I liked this book, it was a light and easy read. However, I found it rather slow-paced, with an ending that felt rushed and no epilogue.
February 16, 2016
Set designer Simone Oliver doesn't believe in Happily-ever-afters, White-knights, Prince Charmings, or love conquering all. Nope. It's not for her and she is okay with that. She is okay having a lifetime of friendships and (hopefully) hot sex well into the retirement home. She's never even been tempted for more...
...until she meets her theater's temporary director (and her Hollywood crush) Zach Hammond.
Zach Hammond is the exact opposite of Simone in that he DOES believe in romance and all that it involves. He just never thought in-your-face Simone Oliver would be it for him. But what can he do when the one woman he wants to ROMANCE wants nothing to do with it??
One a side note, I didn't partially like the ending of this book. I thought it made Simone look bad. Which wasn't something that I appreciated about the Heroine of a book.
Nothing Like Love is a quick, short (kinda slow), sweet read about two people with opposing views on love and relationships coming together. I found it lacking in the "hotness" factor between Zach and Simone. But if you are looking for a sweet read, then you might be interested in Zach and Simone's story.
Rating: 3 out of 5
**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**
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...until she meets her theater's temporary director (and her Hollywood crush) Zach Hammond.
Zach Hammond is the exact opposite of Simone in that he DOES believe in romance and all that it involves. He just never thought in-your-face Simone Oliver would be it for him. But what can he do when the one woman he wants to ROMANCE wants nothing to do with it??
One a side note, I didn't partially like the ending of this book. I thought it made Simone look bad. Which wasn't something that I appreciated about the Heroine of a book.
Nothing Like Love is a quick, short (kinda slow), sweet read about two people with opposing views on love and relationships coming together. I found it lacking in the "hotness" factor between Zach and Simone. But if you are looking for a sweet read, then you might be interested in Zach and Simone's story.
Rating: 3 out of 5
**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**
OTHER PLACES TO FIND ME:
Blog: http://alysenovak.blogspot.com
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AlyseNovakBlog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/alyseypoo21
Bloglovin': https://www.bloglovin.com/alyseypoo21
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+AlyseNovak
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/alyseypoo21
September 3, 2017
Another nice book in this series. This time it is Simone's turn, who he is full of life yet terrified of love and commitment. I loved that in this book it was the hero who had to give chase at the end.
January 13, 2016
Review by Trinette Dungee
Simone Oliver may work in the theater and she may know Shakespeare like the back of her hand but she doesn’t believe in fairytales, especially fairytale romances. She doesn’t believe in Happily Ever After, Prince Charming, White Knights, or Soulmates. Nope, love is not for her. What she does believe in is hot sex, relationships with a shelf-life, living in the moment, and growing old in a nursing home. But “hottie” director Zach Hammond has entered her world and thrown everything she ever known and believed for a real loop.
Zach Hammond is everything Simone is not. Former actor turned director; he’s all about the romance. He’s about the long walks, candle-lit dinners, love of a life time. Simone is the last woman he thought he would be attracted to but he is. Her “in-your-face” style has him begging for more and wanting more, he just has to convince Simone that there actually is more.
It took me a little while to get into this particular book. I read Strom’s “Almost Like Love” which is the story of Simone’s friend Kate and loved it from the beginning. I was a little disappointed when I didn’t have the same instant reaction to this book. But as I read I started to realize that this book was different because Simone was different, she wasn’t Kate. Once I grasped that I started to appreciate Simone for who she really was and I could appreciate the story a bit more.
If you look up the word cynical it should have Simone’s face. She was so cynical that I almost didn’t like her. Honestly, the only reason I think I ended up liking her was because I felt a little sorry for her. Her outlook on love and life was so gloomy that she made me just want to lie down and take a nap. I recently watched the movie “Inside Out” with my kids and I swear all I could think about when it came to Simone was the character “Sadness”! There were a few times when I had to stop reading because she took every opportunity to turn any romantic gesture Zach made into a negative and it just annoyed me. When you dig into it, the root cause of her gloom stems from loss, watching someone else experience loss, and misunderstanding a situation. So Zach really had his work cut out from him. Zach…this guy, While I loved the romantic in him, I needed him to get his head out of the clouds a few times. Especially when it came to Isabelle, the married friend he always thought was the perfect woman for him. While there was never a relationship between the two, Zach was always there when she called. Yep, led him around like a little puppy.
Eventually Zach gets his head out of the clouds, Simone gets her head out of her butt and all is right with the world.
Although it wasn’t what I expected it was an okay read. Definitely not my favorite character but there is a character or two in this book that hope will get their own story.
Simone Oliver may work in the theater and she may know Shakespeare like the back of her hand but she doesn’t believe in fairytales, especially fairytale romances. She doesn’t believe in Happily Ever After, Prince Charming, White Knights, or Soulmates. Nope, love is not for her. What she does believe in is hot sex, relationships with a shelf-life, living in the moment, and growing old in a nursing home. But “hottie” director Zach Hammond has entered her world and thrown everything she ever known and believed for a real loop.
Zach Hammond is everything Simone is not. Former actor turned director; he’s all about the romance. He’s about the long walks, candle-lit dinners, love of a life time. Simone is the last woman he thought he would be attracted to but he is. Her “in-your-face” style has him begging for more and wanting more, he just has to convince Simone that there actually is more.
It took me a little while to get into this particular book. I read Strom’s “Almost Like Love” which is the story of Simone’s friend Kate and loved it from the beginning. I was a little disappointed when I didn’t have the same instant reaction to this book. But as I read I started to realize that this book was different because Simone was different, she wasn’t Kate. Once I grasped that I started to appreciate Simone for who she really was and I could appreciate the story a bit more.
If you look up the word cynical it should have Simone’s face. She was so cynical that I almost didn’t like her. Honestly, the only reason I think I ended up liking her was because I felt a little sorry for her. Her outlook on love and life was so gloomy that she made me just want to lie down and take a nap. I recently watched the movie “Inside Out” with my kids and I swear all I could think about when it came to Simone was the character “Sadness”! There were a few times when I had to stop reading because she took every opportunity to turn any romantic gesture Zach made into a negative and it just annoyed me. When you dig into it, the root cause of her gloom stems from loss, watching someone else experience loss, and misunderstanding a situation. So Zach really had his work cut out from him. Zach…this guy, While I loved the romantic in him, I needed him to get his head out of the clouds a few times. Especially when it came to Isabelle, the married friend he always thought was the perfect woman for him. While there was never a relationship between the two, Zach was always there when she called. Yep, led him around like a little puppy.
Eventually Zach gets his head out of the clouds, Simone gets her head out of her butt and all is right with the world.
Although it wasn’t what I expected it was an okay read. Definitely not my favorite character but there is a character or two in this book that hope will get their own story.
September 16, 2019
Apart from the theater hero always quoting romantic Shakespeare alot, i really enjoyed the book, both characters were multi dimensional and it isn't inst love more of an admiration, friendship then adoration, i have loved these book for a injection of quick romance, maybe not so much Shakespeare next time, i can take a bit, not that much though......
July 28, 2017
My Musings
Interesting plot. I loved the romantic hero. I struggled a bit with the heroine, but by the end I wanted her to have a happy ending. Happy ☺reading 📚!
Interesting plot. I loved the romantic hero. I struggled a bit with the heroine, but by the end I wanted her to have a happy ending. Happy ☺reading 📚!
September 20, 2017
Another amazing book by Abigail Strom. If you like Shakespeare I suggest you read this!
January 13, 2016
For full review see Three Chicks' page
July 23, 2021
This was fine just a little boring in parts.
The characters are both sweet and wholesome. I just didn't fancy that when I started reading it.
If you want something wholesome this is pretty good for that.
The characters are both sweet and wholesome. I just didn't fancy that when I started reading it.
If you want something wholesome this is pretty good for that.
February 14, 2016
*3.5 stars* This is a tough one to review. It's a sweet romance that's a slow build throughout the book. The H/h have very different viewpoints on love so theirs is a struggle from the start. Simone is very content being in the theater background handling all the set designs. When she's unexpectedly thrown into the spotlight by the director Zach she's not sure how to react.
The overall story was really good but it didn't seem to have that hook that would keep me glued to the pages. I was easily distracted while reading this which is rare. The pace of the story was a little slow for me too.
The overall story was really good but it didn't seem to have that hook that would keep me glued to the pages. I was easily distracted while reading this which is rare. The pace of the story was a little slow for me too.
February 18, 2016
Another really good book from Abigail Strom. I received this book from Net Galley for an honest review....& I really enjoyed it. The interaction between Zach & Simone was cool & polite at the start to steamy & hot at the end. My favorite part of the book was when they got into an insult competition on purpose at the rehearsal dinner as a bet to decide whether Simone would fly to Ireland with the rest of the theatre company(she hated flying). I have to definitely recommend this book & am looking forward to more from Abigail Strom.
Read
March 12, 2016I liked it but I felt it was more build up than actual relationship... I wanted a little bit more from the book.
February 4, 2018
Standalone/Cliffhanger: Standalone
Ages of H and h: h is 28 and H is 38?
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages:
Was There Descriptive Sex:
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM:
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup:
Contains Cheating:
Amount of Sex In The Book:
HEA/HFN/etc Ending:
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval:
Any Triggers/Warnings: No
>>Detail: N/A
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: No
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes
My Thoughts
A great read. I really liked Zach and Simone, however I found Simone's reasons of not falling in love . Asides from that o enjoyed it. Worth picking up through Kindle Unlimited.
Ages of H and h: h is 28 and H is 38?
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages:
Was There Descriptive Sex:
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM:
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup:
Contains Cheating:
Amount of Sex In The Book:
HEA/HFN/etc Ending:
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval:
Any Triggers/Warnings: No
>>Detail: N/A
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: No
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes
My Thoughts
A great read. I really liked Zach and Simone, however I found Simone's reasons of not falling in love . Asides from that o enjoyed it. Worth picking up through Kindle Unlimited.
September 9, 2021
3.5 Stars for me!
My rating range of this story... 3 - 4 Stars
If significant, why?
Main Character Ratings...
H = 7
h = 6
Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of?
Scenes with heat... A few
What point does it start? 80% mark
How much of the story? 5%
Anything beyond M/F? No
If yes, explained
Heat Rating... 7/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above
Was there so much sex or unrealistic sex that you rolled your eyes and/or skipped forward? No
The back story... The h is a play set designer trying to win the approval from the director for her sets. The H is a director who becomes smitten by the h.
The Romance... Heavy lust but slow to develop.
The drama explosion... The H runs scared when the H expresses his feelings.
Did it feel real or contrived? A bit
Was it OTT? Sort of
Separation involved? Very short
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Properly
Final Notes... Fun story and full of fluff. A relaxing read during hard times.
HEA or HFN? HEA
My rating range of this story... 3 - 4 Stars
If significant, why?
Main Character Ratings...
H = 7
h = 6
Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of?
Scenes with heat... A few
What point does it start? 80% mark
How much of the story? 5%
Anything beyond M/F? No
If yes, explained
Heat Rating... 7/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above
Was there so much sex or unrealistic sex that you rolled your eyes and/or skipped forward? No
The back story... The h is a play set designer trying to win the approval from the director for her sets. The H is a director who becomes smitten by the h.
The Romance... Heavy lust but slow to develop.
The drama explosion... The H runs scared when the H expresses his feelings.
Did it feel real or contrived? A bit
Was it OTT? Sort of
Separation involved? Very short
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Properly
Final Notes... Fun story and full of fluff. A relaxing read during hard times.
HEA or HFN? HEA
October 23, 2017
maybe 2.5 but not quite a 3 for me.
womp womp, just wasn't a fan.
i really liked simone as a secondary character in the first book so i was excited for her book, but... yeah no. not my jam. i just didn't really connect with either character, didn't really love the guy. i liked simone well enough but didn't really understand her. i never really felt anything for zach. i liked some of the secondary characters in the book - like zach's family or simone's neighbours. i didn't really care for zach and simone's relationship or how it progressed.
i'm also not a shakespeare fan at all so a lot of it went over my head or bored me. overall the book just fell flat for me.
it really wasn't awful, i didn't hate it, just not as good as the first or a very enjoyable read for me personally. i really struggled through it unfortunately. i will read the 3rd one though.
womp womp, just wasn't a fan.
i really liked simone as a secondary character in the first book so i was excited for her book, but... yeah no. not my jam. i just didn't really connect with either character, didn't really love the guy. i liked simone well enough but didn't really understand her. i never really felt anything for zach. i liked some of the secondary characters in the book - like zach's family or simone's neighbours. i didn't really care for zach and simone's relationship or how it progressed.
i'm also not a shakespeare fan at all so a lot of it went over my head or bored me. overall the book just fell flat for me.
it really wasn't awful, i didn't hate it, just not as good as the first or a very enjoyable read for me personally. i really struggled through it unfortunately. i will read the 3rd one though.
December 21, 2020
The thespian story
Simone is the set designer for a Manhattan company...and she has designs on the guest producer for the new show. But her interest in Zach is purely physical since she doesn’t believe in love. Sparks fly between the duo and, as they get to know each other, their may be more...if Simone allows. Add a trip to beautiful Ireland, a jealous ‘special’ friend and this book is rather entertaining.
Simone is the set designer for a Manhattan company...and she has designs on the guest producer for the new show. But her interest in Zach is purely physical since she doesn’t believe in love. Sparks fly between the duo and, as they get to know each other, their may be more...if Simone allows. Add a trip to beautiful Ireland, a jealous ‘special’ friend and this book is rather entertaining.
November 6, 2017
Nothing Like Love by Abigail Strom
I loved every minute of this book. It kept me enthralled from beginning to end. I'm half Irish and now I want to go there and see the beauty of the country ! I love Shakespeare's plays and all of the excitement and love that the main characters had between. them.
I loved every minute of this book. It kept me enthralled from beginning to end. I'm half Irish and now I want to go there and see the beauty of the country ! I love Shakespeare's plays and all of the excitement and love that the main characters had between. them.
August 15, 2019
Loved this
This is a nice easy story to read and get caught up in. I used the audio and listened while I did other things. Having never used audio before I wasn’t sure how it would be but I really enjoyed it. When I sat for a bit and went to read I found I missed the voices and the realism it gave the story. Thanks for a great story and making it available in audio 😊
This is a nice easy story to read and get caught up in. I used the audio and listened while I did other things. Having never used audio before I wasn’t sure how it would be but I really enjoyed it. When I sat for a bit and went to read I found I missed the voices and the realism it gave the story. Thanks for a great story and making it available in audio 😊
October 26, 2016
Incredible
I was expecting an easy read, predictable. What I got was unexpected turns throughout the story. This is the first time I've read anything from this author and I will definitely read more of her works!
I was expecting an easy read, predictable. What I got was unexpected turns throughout the story. This is the first time I've read anything from this author and I will definitely read more of her works!
June 15, 2019
A nice, quick and easy read. I didn't like the characters in this book as much as I have in the other few Abigail Strom books that I've read. But the story was still nice. I enjoyed the parts in Ireland. A lot of it just seemed very far fetched though.
July 8, 2023
Excellent Read
This was a fun read, a little quirky at times. He had issues with an unrequited love and she had issues with terminal illness and being left dying alone when the one you love leaves you because they can’t handle things. Then she finds the truth.
This was a fun read, a little quirky at times. He had issues with an unrequited love and she had issues with terminal illness and being left dying alone when the one you love leaves you because they can’t handle things. Then she finds the truth.
June 29, 2017
I liked it but I didn't love it. I think the first book was better. I liked Zach and Simone in that book but found I couldn't connect with Simone when she became the main character.
May 14, 2017
*4.5 stars*
January 15, 2018
Beautiful Romance
This was an amazing breathtaking love story with adorable characters and heartwarming moments that will touch your heart and soul.
This was an amazing breathtaking love story with adorable characters and heartwarming moments that will touch your heart and soul.
February 19, 2019
3.5 stars
May 30, 2019
this book
i have enjoyed every one of Abigails books that i have read so far
i sincerely hope that I can get to read a whole lot more she is such a lively writer.
i have enjoyed every one of Abigails books that i have read so far
i sincerely hope that I can get to read a whole lot more she is such a lively writer.
June 25, 2019
Audio book was very good, however sometimes the Irish accents were a little cringy
September 5, 2019
Amazing read!
I was sad for the book to end. I finished on my flight from Europe. I could have used that plane experience. Lol!
I was sad for the book to end. I finished on my flight from Europe. I could have used that plane experience. Lol!
November 13, 2022
This book, these characters, and the settings were all SO WONDERFUL that it was really disappointing that it was so short. I felt very cheated by the experience: it could have been so much more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews