What do you think?
Rate this book
Must Like Spinach
Jon’s future in New York should be bright. He’s on the corporate fast track as an executive problem solver, yet he can’t help feeling hollow. Yearning for a life spent outdoors makes no sense if he wants to flourish in this city, nor does losing his cool with clients when they make bad decisions. Only leaving the East Coast behind for three months can save his business reputation.
His exile in Seattle has unexpected upsides. Jon’s rented home has a garden where his true passions blossom. It’s overgrown yet idyllic—perfect if he didn’t have to share it with another tenant. Tyler might be as cute as hell, and their landlady adores him, but Jon can’t let himself fall for someone who seems lazy.
Three months could be enough time to see Tyler clearly, but choosing which to nurture long-term—love or a business career—might take Jon longer than one summer.
His exile in Seattle has unexpected upsides. Jon’s rented home has a garden where his true passions blossom. It’s overgrown yet idyllic—perfect if he didn’t have to share it with another tenant. Tyler might be as cute as hell, and their landlady adores him, but Jon can’t let himself fall for someone who seems lazy.
Three months could be enough time to see Tyler clearly, but choosing which to nurture long-term—love or a business career—might take Jon longer than one summer.
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2016
54 people are currently reading
606 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
October 9, 2016
*4.5 stars*
I went into this book with NO expectations. My last two Con Riley books were misses for me (True Brit, Recovery), and I haven't that eager to try another book from her. However, After Ben is on my all-time favorites list, so I there is always that little voice pushing me to keep giving Con Riley another go.
I'm so glad I did.
I'd classify this book as enemies-to-lovers, for those who like that theme. In truth, this book is more a lesson in not judging a book by its cover than anything else, and that theme carries over though most of the relationships in the story, not just with the romance between the two MCs.
What I really, really liked about the story is the low level of angst. It really is a simple, slow-burn romance. Nothing is rushed, and though there is a lot of focus on the plot, the romance still felt very real to me. I thought the plotline about Jon finding his place and what he wants to do with his life fit nicely within the vibe of the story.
This is a book for when you are burnt out on high drama, high angst stories. It is almost soothing in tone. However, I wouldn't classify this book as light or fluffy. It is simply... nice. A lovely romance that takes its time to get there.
I felt happy while reading this one. I read it very quickly, all in one sitting, and I was so relieved to read a romance that felt real and special and didn't rip me to shreds. Con Riley has a winner on her hands.
*Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
I went into this book with NO expectations. My last two Con Riley books were misses for me (True Brit, Recovery), and I haven't that eager to try another book from her. However, After Ben is on my all-time favorites list, so I there is always that little voice pushing me to keep giving Con Riley another go.
I'm so glad I did.
I'd classify this book as enemies-to-lovers, for those who like that theme. In truth, this book is more a lesson in not judging a book by its cover than anything else, and that theme carries over though most of the relationships in the story, not just with the romance between the two MCs.
What I really, really liked about the story is the low level of angst. It really is a simple, slow-burn romance. Nothing is rushed, and though there is a lot of focus on the plot, the romance still felt very real to me. I thought the plotline about Jon finding his place and what he wants to do with his life fit nicely within the vibe of the story.
This is a book for when you are burnt out on high drama, high angst stories. It is almost soothing in tone. However, I wouldn't classify this book as light or fluffy. It is simply... nice. A lovely romance that takes its time to get there.
I felt happy while reading this one. I read it very quickly, all in one sitting, and I was so relieved to read a romance that felt real and special and didn't rip me to shreds. Con Riley has a winner on her hands.
*Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
October 5, 2016
While I liked this story quite a bit, I never quite fell head over heels in love with it.
Jon works as a consultant for a high-profile NYC firm whose clients hire them to come in and perform an in-depth investigation into problems that are causing the loss of revenue or productivity, then make a recommendation as to how best to rectify the issue.
While that's all fine and good, the book read almost like a forensic financial accounting mystery to me, with lots of talk about the Seattle company where Jon is sent, with its two misfiring property acquisitions teams. And lots of page time devoted to Jon at work, Jon dealing with office drama or Jon simply thinking about work.
What I truly wanted was a romance, not a mystery (of sorts,) but the entire first 40% of the story wasn't about Jon dancing around his attraction to Tyler. There was little desire to get to know more about one another, to spend time together, even as budding friends. Both MC's had their own almost entirely separate lives, which would occasionally overlap, but not really ever intersect.
Please don't get me wrong, though. The characters were fun and likeable; I'm just not one for a mystery. They really aren't my thing at all.
By around the 50% mark, Jon and Tyler do begin officially dating, much to my liking; however, we still don't see them spending tons of time together on-page. The dates they have are nice and romantic, but I continued to want more actual bonding time, getting to know one another on a deeper level, which wasn't happening due to Tyler's many work commitments.
I did love Peggy, their elderly landlord. The way that she would brag about 'her boys' was very sweet and believable. She was sort of the mother figure that neither MC had in their lives at that point. It was great to feel that she needed them in her life as much as they needed her.
Regarding the big 'mystery' at Jon's work, I sort of felt that the big build-up, after that many pages devoted to it, fell a bit flat and was actually resolved off-page, between two other side characters, so I was a bit disappointed with that.
Overall, if you enjoy a good mystery (and office politics) and want 'some' romance, without the MC's being the laser focus of the plot, this would definitely be a good one, which I'd recommend.
However, due to my own lack of interest in mysteries, I felt that the "who's the weak link at work?" aspect of the story only distracted from the full court press of a romance that I was hoping for.
3 1/2 stars.
** NOTE: If you do happen to be a hardcore romance fan, you should read Con Riley's "After Ben," which is insanely good. And sad. And wildly romantic. Recommended without an ounce hesitation. : )
------------------------------------------------
My ARC copy of the story was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
Read
September 16, 2016No rating because I proof read. But...
This story is gorgeous. Not to be missed. Con is such a wonderful writer and this book is no exception. I'm so happy to see another release from her :)
Recommended.
This story is gorgeous. Not to be missed. Con is such a wonderful writer and this book is no exception. I'm so happy to see another release from her :)
Recommended.
April 23, 2018
3,25 stars
I enjoyed this book, but it moved a little too slow for my taste. I can't say I was bored exactly, but I wanted the action to speed up, especially the relationship between the main characters.
At first I didn't know what was with all the plants analogies. I got excited about Jon's new job in Seattle. My head was spinning with all the new characters, but I got pretty invested into the story. I enjoyed the writing, it threw a sort of melancholy all over the story.
I liked Peggy a lot! She was such a kind and sweet old lady. And Tyler, he was such a sweetie!! At first I was sad we don't get his POV, but I was curious to discover his story. There are a few things I would have loved to know more about, such a Tyler's past.
We get some hot scenes and I'll admit Jon and Tyler are super hot together. It was sweet how they were so tentative at first, but then couldn't keep their hands from the other. Well the hot scenes happen after the first half of the book and I would have wanted the romance to be a bigger part in the story.
We get some surprises, but not enough to make me really love this story. Once again, I think I had too high hopes about the ending. Waiting for a big finale didn't go well because I didn't get it.
I enjoyed this book, but it moved a little too slow for my taste. I can't say I was bored exactly, but I wanted the action to speed up, especially the relationship between the main characters.
At first I didn't know what was with all the plants analogies. I got excited about Jon's new job in Seattle. My head was spinning with all the new characters, but I got pretty invested into the story. I enjoyed the writing, it threw a sort of melancholy all over the story.
I liked Peggy a lot! She was such a kind and sweet old lady. And Tyler, he was such a sweetie!! At first I was sad we don't get his POV, but I was curious to discover his story. There are a few things I would have loved to know more about, such a Tyler's past.
We get some hot scenes and I'll admit Jon and Tyler are super hot together. It was sweet how they were so tentative at first, but then couldn't keep their hands from the other. Well the hot scenes happen after the first half of the book and I would have wanted the romance to be a bigger part in the story.
We get some surprises, but not enough to make me really love this story. Once again, I think I had too high hopes about the ending. Waiting for a big finale didn't go well because I didn't get it.
October 21, 2016
2br – Central Seattle Apt – Cheap, but must like spinach!
Full disclosure, I haven’t read any of Con Riley’s stories for the past four years. I wasn’t happy with her first debut series, and decided to leave it at book #2. Never really interested to pick up her latter ones. Until I saw the title for this. Must Like Spinach. An interesting catchy title for an MM romance or what? I was immediately intrigued and then requested the ARC.
I’m glad that I did.
This book starts with Jon being reprimanded for confronting his client by being sent-off from New York all the way to Seattle. Jon must prove himself to his boss that he is still worthy of his job. He needs to make an analysis on what is going wrong with a company called, Hallquist Holdings. At first, things look so perfectly clear for him, but Jon realizes that there are things going on below the surface the longer he stays.
In the meantime, Jon rents a place from a lovely old lady, Peggy, because he thinks that her other tenant, Tyler, is leeching off her. Plus Peggy has a beautiful garden, which reminds Jon of his mother and his childhood.
One joy from reading, in my perspective, is when the story surprises you, takes you to somewhere you don’t expect when you open that first page. This is what Must Like Spinach gave me. A wondrous journey where Jon (and in that sense, so did I) discovered that sometimes what you see is not all that you get; that people can still surprise you with good intention.
Because Jon then finds out who Tyler really is and why he tells Peggy that she should just sell her place. Jon also learns that the man he deems as the root of the problems at Hallquist Holdings has a lot more to offer, and that his boss might be hiding a reason that is not at all like Jon expects.
This book was just LOVELY for me – from Riley’s writing (sentences like this: Want unspools inside like a kite string, lifting his spirits steadily skyward before he’s even made it airside), to the romance (slow burn, low steam, but with beautiful connection), to the slow uncovering of what has been going on at Hallquist Holdings (I got choked up during the revelation). I thought the love declaration was grand, and the ending perfect.
My only nitpicky complaint would have to do with the plot about Tyler’s ex. I thought it wasn’t fully resolved. I guess I wanted to draw blood and for Danny to pay for what he did.
I guess I must bring back Con Riley to my author-to-watch list for next time :)
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the author for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
October 22, 2016
This was SO so good. (But its Con Riley SO expected nothing less) I loved the characters, I loved the pacing, and it was a perfect read for now bc I wasn't in the mood for major angst. It was a laid back escape. Not fluffy, but still so sweet in all the best ways. I felt like I could know these characters and go sit and have coffee with them, and those are my favorite kinds of romance stories.
May 25, 2017
*2,5 stars*
Loved the eye-catching cover.
Loved the original title.
Loved the scenario and how there's a green string of spinach running through the book.
And yet. Sigh. I hate to say it, but that book and me simply never gelled. Maybe I'm turning into a cynic old hag, but virtually all of the characters are a bit 'too ...' much:
Tyler is just a bit too good, too saintly.
Peggy is that tiny portion too sweet, too stereotype of an old dear.
And Jon is a bit too honest, too much a 'goody two shoes'.
I think what I'm trying to say is that these people felt somewhat too nice all in all. And for some reason I had a hard time connecting to them. There is nothing wrong with the MCs, but the spark between them was just a speck of light in a vast universe. And for me, their romance was pushed into second place by Peggy's and Stan and Carl's stories.
The first 45 percent was full of explanations how financial evaluations work. It was boring, sorry. I didn't really need to know THAT much about what Jon did in his job. Particularly when it comes at the cost of the MCs having on page time together.
And as the plot unfolds I kept scratching my head. It is usually not a good sign when What? Why? Never! are at the tip of my tongue again and again. I mean Stan did what to Carl??? That was the one which really had me flabbergasted.
Don't get me wrong: this book isn't badly written, and I would hate to discourage anyone to read it, but it really wasn't for me.
Loved the eye-catching cover.
Loved the original title.
Loved the scenario and how there's a green string of spinach running through the book.
And yet. Sigh. I hate to say it, but that book and me simply never gelled. Maybe I'm turning into a cynic old hag, but virtually all of the characters are a bit 'too ...' much:
Tyler is just a bit too good, too saintly.
Peggy is that tiny portion too sweet, too stereotype of an old dear.
And Jon is a bit too honest, too much a 'goody two shoes'.
I think what I'm trying to say is that these people felt somewhat too nice all in all. And for some reason I had a hard time connecting to them. There is nothing wrong with the MCs, but the spark between them was just a speck of light in a vast universe. And for me, their romance was pushed into second place by Peggy's and Stan and Carl's stories.
The first 45 percent was full of explanations how financial evaluations work. It was boring, sorry. I didn't really need to know THAT much about what Jon did in his job. Particularly when it comes at the cost of the MCs having on page time together.
And as the plot unfolds I kept scratching my head. It is usually not a good sign when What? Why? Never! are at the tip of my tongue again and again. I mean Stan did what to Carl??? That was the one which really had me flabbergasted.
Don't get me wrong: this book isn't badly written, and I would hate to discourage anyone to read it, but it really wasn't for me.
October 25, 2016
Jonathan is a high flying executive consultant from NYC and got a new assignment at Seattle for 3 months. While at Seattle, he came across a rental advert with the caption
'Must Like Spinach'
.
When Jon first met Tyler, he thought Tyler is a sleazy scumbag leeching of the old landlady. Tyler is a busy man and for almost half the book, I hardly saw him on the pages. I find myself thirsting for some tidbits on him.
I must say that this book focus too much on Jon's office drama. It just feels really dry and for someone who was never interested in anything to do with business, I find it entirely confusing. Sorry to admit that I mostly skimmed off the pages whenever Jon's at work.
What I really like to focus on is the relationship development between Jon and Tyler. I enjoy their enemies to lovers angle with Jon not liking Tyler one bit. But once Jon found out Tyler is a sweetheart with a kindred soul, he realize he is wrong about the man.
I really like Jon and Tyler together, I think the things they did together were sweet. I just wish there are more pages dedicated to them, instead of the office.
When Jon first met Tyler, he thought Tyler is a sleazy scumbag leeching of the old landlady. Tyler is a busy man and for almost half the book, I hardly saw him on the pages. I find myself thirsting for some tidbits on him.
I must say that this book focus too much on Jon's office drama. It just feels really dry and for someone who was never interested in anything to do with business, I find it entirely confusing. Sorry to admit that I mostly skimmed off the pages whenever Jon's at work.
What I really like to focus on is the relationship development between Jon and Tyler. I enjoy their enemies to lovers angle with Jon not liking Tyler one bit. But once Jon found out Tyler is a sweetheart with a kindred soul, he realize he is wrong about the man.
I really like Jon and Tyler together, I think the things they did together were sweet. I just wish there are more pages dedicated to them, instead of the office.
October 25, 2016
3.5 stars
Early on, I had mixed opinions of both Jon and Tyler. Tyler was a bit of a mystery, because we only see him through the negative impressions that Jon has, from whose POV the book is told. But Jon wasn’t winning any points either, with his taciturn attitude.
It isn’t until Jon began spending time in the garden that I got to see what was behind the public corporate persona. As much as I dislike gardening in real life, I ended up enjoying when Jon was in his element, because he was able to let his guard down and let his worries fade away.
I’m a sucker for an opposites-attract romance, and Tyler and Jon are certainly two very different men. Jon is well-polished, career-driven, and pretty uptight at the beginning of the book. Tyler is more care-free, taking life as it comes, and chose his career because he loves what does, even if it doesn’t pay much.
The one thing that unites them is their care for Peggy, their elderly landlady. Jon and Tyler can put aside their mutual distrust for Peggy, and that’s the beginning of their relationship. I really liked seeing how their attitudes towards each other slowly changed, and how they revealed more of themselves to one another bit by bit.
Also, I was a big fan of Peggy and her not-so-subtle maneuvering after she decided that Jon and Tyler would be perfect for each other. She’s a sweet old lady who wouldn’t hurt a fly, but looks out for her boys.
This is a slow-burn romance, one that only builds in small increments as the book moves along. It was very sweet seeing Jon fall for Tyler little by little, and how his hope that Tyler would reciprocate grew. Tyler does eventually come around and give in to his heart’s desire, but it takes a while for him to get there.
By the end, there’s no question that Tyler and Jon are deeply in love, and are more than ready to build their future together.
While the romance was slow-paced, what really bogged the book down at times was the focus on Jon’s work. I just wasn’t a fan of all of the business planning and company politics, particularly because it was given so much page time. It distracted from Tyler and Jon’s relationship, so I could have done with much less of it.
Overall, ‘Must Like Spinach’ is an enjoyable read. If you’re looking for a slow-burn and low-drama romance, and don’t mind following an MC around in his place of work, I’d give this book a try.
Early on, I had mixed opinions of both Jon and Tyler. Tyler was a bit of a mystery, because we only see him through the negative impressions that Jon has, from whose POV the book is told. But Jon wasn’t winning any points either, with his taciturn attitude.
It isn’t until Jon began spending time in the garden that I got to see what was behind the public corporate persona. As much as I dislike gardening in real life, I ended up enjoying when Jon was in his element, because he was able to let his guard down and let his worries fade away.
I’m a sucker for an opposites-attract romance, and Tyler and Jon are certainly two very different men. Jon is well-polished, career-driven, and pretty uptight at the beginning of the book. Tyler is more care-free, taking life as it comes, and chose his career because he loves what does, even if it doesn’t pay much.
The one thing that unites them is their care for Peggy, their elderly landlady. Jon and Tyler can put aside their mutual distrust for Peggy, and that’s the beginning of their relationship. I really liked seeing how their attitudes towards each other slowly changed, and how they revealed more of themselves to one another bit by bit.
Also, I was a big fan of Peggy and her not-so-subtle maneuvering after she decided that Jon and Tyler would be perfect for each other. She’s a sweet old lady who wouldn’t hurt a fly, but looks out for her boys.
This is a slow-burn romance, one that only builds in small increments as the book moves along. It was very sweet seeing Jon fall for Tyler little by little, and how his hope that Tyler would reciprocate grew. Tyler does eventually come around and give in to his heart’s desire, but it takes a while for him to get there.
By the end, there’s no question that Tyler and Jon are deeply in love, and are more than ready to build their future together.
While the romance was slow-paced, what really bogged the book down at times was the focus on Jon’s work. I just wasn’t a fan of all of the business planning and company politics, particularly because it was given so much page time. It distracted from Tyler and Jon’s relationship, so I could have done with much less of it.
Overall, ‘Must Like Spinach’ is an enjoyable read. If you’re looking for a slow-burn and low-drama romance, and don’t mind following an MC around in his place of work, I’d give this book a try.
October 29, 2016
Years ago my husband and I coined the term "a$$hole fiction." This described the kind of books filled with loathsome characters behaving abominably toward each other. Sadly, back then much gay fiction seemed to be about people who hated themselves doing tons of drugs, having random, meaningless sex and treating everyone around them like dirt.
I HATE stories like that. Yes, conflict is drama, but conflict doesn't have to mean behaving like a selfish jerk.
Case in point, Con Riley's Must Like Spinach. Here is a book where people make mistakes, jump to the wrong conclusion, sometimes do things for the wrong reason, and, well, act like normal people. But these people are also fundamentally decent and are trying to do the right thing as they make their way in the world. It's also touching, heartwarming, and ultimately, affirms my belief in the decency of people.
If that sounds like the kind of book you'd like to curl up with, then start reading it now!
I HATE stories like that. Yes, conflict is drama, but conflict doesn't have to mean behaving like a selfish jerk.
Case in point, Con Riley's Must Like Spinach. Here is a book where people make mistakes, jump to the wrong conclusion, sometimes do things for the wrong reason, and, well, act like normal people. But these people are also fundamentally decent and are trying to do the right thing as they make their way in the world. It's also touching, heartwarming, and ultimately, affirms my belief in the decency of people.
If that sounds like the kind of book you'd like to curl up with, then start reading it now!
September 12, 2017
Oh this was SO cute - awwwww Jon & Tyler. I have recently discovered this author and I really like the writing style. There is pace, flow and genuine chemistry between characters. It made me feel happy, a little anxious but really I felt like the cheerleader on the sidelines making sure Jon made the right decision to stay and that Tyler would trust and be saved. This story is not about heat or steamy sex, this is all about the love ! Love for each other, love for Peggy and love for cranky or perky workers ❤️it was all things warm and beautiful !
July 28, 2021
At first I was thinking WTF is wrong with Jonathan. But his past is revealed and things start make sense for both the reader and Jonathan. A heart-warming story of man discovering he doesn’t need to live to correct the wrongs of the past and or make his own way into a future with a satisfying work life balance and people who care for him and who he cares for. Satisfyingly three dimensional character development. And my mood has improved so a win all around.
February 6, 2017
I read this beautiful story while on vacation.....terrible internet connections.....I waited until I returned home and then forgot to review (Bad, bad boy!).
Much as I love Ms Riley's "British" stories, I do prefer her American novels, she writes like a native and I love them.
Light on angst, thank goodness, light on descriptive sex, thank goodness......great plot, lovely, lovely, gorgeous characters; fabulous writing, story-telling and romance........ what's not to love?
Highly recommended, loved it.
(Forgot to say....Great cover Con. No naked torso, just nicely masculine).
Much as I love Ms Riley's "British" stories, I do prefer her American novels, she writes like a native and I love them.
Light on angst, thank goodness, light on descriptive sex, thank goodness......great plot, lovely, lovely, gorgeous characters; fabulous writing, story-telling and romance........ what's not to love?
Highly recommended, loved it.
(Forgot to say....Great cover Con. No naked torso, just nicely masculine).
October 22, 2016
am a big fan of Con Riley’s writing, and I was so excited to read this, I loved the blurb and also the cover, and I really like spinach!
Once again, I was not disappointed, this book has so much warmth and love in it that it’s like being hugged while you read. Jon is doing a job he really doesn’t like, management consultant, for financial reasons. When he get’s a short term transfer to Seattle he ends up living with Peggy, a wonderful warm hearted woman, who already has another lodger called Tyler. When Jon first meets Tyler he makes assumptions about who he is and how he lives his life, basically as he does about a lot of things and people.
Through his love of gardening Jon begins to care about Peggy, and then reevaluate his views of Tyler, and then his views on the company he’s in Seattle to evaluate, and ultimately who he is. There is nothing particularly original about the story line, but this book is anything other than ordinary. Con Riley is the master of show not tell, so we take the journey with Jon as he begins to open up to life, the relationship develops slowly and communication happens on the way.
Must Like Spinach avoids the usual cliches, there is no big misunderstanding (which made me so happy) and lots of communication, and a real feeling of a person finding themself.
Although it didn’t detract from my reading pleasure at all, my only real niggle was why it was set in Seattle? As a British writer the story would have worked in the UK on every level. That being said this is a lovely warm and comforting read and highly recommended.
Originally posted at Prism Book Reviews
Once again, I was not disappointed, this book has so much warmth and love in it that it’s like being hugged while you read. Jon is doing a job he really doesn’t like, management consultant, for financial reasons. When he get’s a short term transfer to Seattle he ends up living with Peggy, a wonderful warm hearted woman, who already has another lodger called Tyler. When Jon first meets Tyler he makes assumptions about who he is and how he lives his life, basically as he does about a lot of things and people.
Through his love of gardening Jon begins to care about Peggy, and then reevaluate his views of Tyler, and then his views on the company he’s in Seattle to evaluate, and ultimately who he is. There is nothing particularly original about the story line, but this book is anything other than ordinary. Con Riley is the master of show not tell, so we take the journey with Jon as he begins to open up to life, the relationship develops slowly and communication happens on the way.
Must Like Spinach avoids the usual cliches, there is no big misunderstanding (which made me so happy) and lots of communication, and a real feeling of a person finding themself.
Although it didn’t detract from my reading pleasure at all, my only real niggle was why it was set in Seattle? As a British writer the story would have worked in the UK on every level. That being said this is a lovely warm and comforting read and highly recommended.
Originally posted at Prism Book Reviews
October 6, 2019
My first Con Riley read and I fell hook line and sinker.
A beautiful wordsmith with a gift for inspiring emotions, this book was just wonderful, it spoke to every single one of the things I love to read in a romance.
There were prickly characters, there were misunderstandings and incorrect judgements, there were apologies and some necessary forgiveness, there was low angst and lots of humour, there were surprises and there was suspense.
There was a fully fleshed out world I could picture if I closed my eyes, I could hear the bustle of city life, feel the sun on my face, taste the sweet tang of a rope of red cherry tomato.
I could feel the slow build of two men falling in love not only with each other but with life and the many different possibilities it offers. Second chances, missed opportunities and a lifetime of potential.
This book is pure wonder and I loved every bit of it all.
A beautiful wordsmith with a gift for inspiring emotions, this book was just wonderful, it spoke to every single one of the things I love to read in a romance.
There were prickly characters, there were misunderstandings and incorrect judgements, there were apologies and some necessary forgiveness, there was low angst and lots of humour, there were surprises and there was suspense.
There was a fully fleshed out world I could picture if I closed my eyes, I could hear the bustle of city life, feel the sun on my face, taste the sweet tang of a rope of red cherry tomato.
I could feel the slow build of two men falling in love not only with each other but with life and the many different possibilities it offers. Second chances, missed opportunities and a lifetime of potential.
This book is pure wonder and I loved every bit of it all.
October 25, 2016
4.5 stars
Just lovely.
Just lovely.
October 25, 2016
Loved it. So, so good. 4.5 stars from me. A well-written [well duh!! It’s Con], heart-warming and gentle tale, a slow-burn romance and it made me have a smile on my face for most of the read. I <3 Jon and Tyler, Peggy [their elderly matchmaker], and even Stan towards the end, when I discovered the real reason he wanted Jon to get Carl ‘fired’.
As for the little *coughs* misunderstanding at the end, well….I don’t suppose you could blame Tyler for jumping to his own 'way off base' conclusions when Eric innocently showed him the diagram on the whiteboard at Hallquist; after all, that’s exactly what Jon did when he first met Tyler and assumed HE was after Peggy’s money.
September 5, 2021
[3.4~3.5] the story starts off slow with not much in the romance department and a little too much about Jon and the big mystery at work (i'd say the book's general percentage of on-page action would be 75% work-related and 25% romance-centered), so don't expect too much if you're coming in for solely the romance. but it was still cute and the developments progressed as organically as organic spinach(?) 😌🥬 (<-- the closest thing to spinach i got lol)
October 24, 2016
Con Riley is one of my favorite authors. She never disappoints me and always comes up with amazing stories, I’m thinking of the Salvage Stories and Seattle Stories series, stories and characters unforgettable. Must Like Spinach soon intrigued me as soon I saw it, starting from the title. I began reading it with high hopes but I was a little disconcerted when I saw Con used the present tense. I was almost despairing, I don’t like this verbal form at all and I quite often ended with hating the whole book since I found it hard to follow the plot. So I was reading the first page on my kindle, trying to cheer me up and focus on the words and on my love for the author’s previous works. And forget about the hateful present, until I realized the writing was perfect despite it. Easy to read and really well done. Kudos to the author.
Must Like Spinach is the story of Jon, who is living in New York and working at one of the most prestigious consultant firms in the city. He’s actually not cut out for this kind of job and when the chance at working on another project in Seattle is offered to him, he’s happy to take it. Three months in another city will help him understand what he really wants for his future. What he isn’t expecting is to fall in love with the owner of the smallest and messiest garage apartment he’s never seen. And this owner is not an hot man but a lovely old lady, who in Jon’s opinion, needs to be saved from the (cute but still a leech) guy named Tyler. And Jon can’t ignore and walk away, he has to know Peggy is taken good care of. While falling in love with Peggy and her flourishing garden, in need of the same care, Jon will learn who is Tyler and what he is really doing for the lovely woman. And he will fall in love again, this time with this tireless cute guy who is slowly showing Jon a different world and future.
What caught my heart were the characters and not just the main ones. I have to say all of them were lovable and well depicted, I want all of them in my life because they can make it better like they did with Jon’s. They have a reality well balanced with a lightness and sense of community and family even where there’s no blood relations, so uncommon in the last books I read. It conquered me till the end. One more thing I like was the pacing, the story was a truly joy to read, easy, light and slow paced with no rushing through scenes after scenes while giving each chapter the right consideration.
If you like enemies to lovers, no angst and slow burn stories, I’m sure Must Like Spinach would be a winner. It’s one of my favorite of the 2016.
The cover art by Natasha Snow is good, I like it, the font, the model, the colors were all right.
Must Like Spinach is the story of Jon, who is living in New York and working at one of the most prestigious consultant firms in the city. He’s actually not cut out for this kind of job and when the chance at working on another project in Seattle is offered to him, he’s happy to take it. Three months in another city will help him understand what he really wants for his future. What he isn’t expecting is to fall in love with the owner of the smallest and messiest garage apartment he’s never seen. And this owner is not an hot man but a lovely old lady, who in Jon’s opinion, needs to be saved from the (cute but still a leech) guy named Tyler. And Jon can’t ignore and walk away, he has to know Peggy is taken good care of. While falling in love with Peggy and her flourishing garden, in need of the same care, Jon will learn who is Tyler and what he is really doing for the lovely woman. And he will fall in love again, this time with this tireless cute guy who is slowly showing Jon a different world and future.
What caught my heart were the characters and not just the main ones. I have to say all of them were lovable and well depicted, I want all of them in my life because they can make it better like they did with Jon’s. They have a reality well balanced with a lightness and sense of community and family even where there’s no blood relations, so uncommon in the last books I read. It conquered me till the end. One more thing I like was the pacing, the story was a truly joy to read, easy, light and slow paced with no rushing through scenes after scenes while giving each chapter the right consideration.
If you like enemies to lovers, no angst and slow burn stories, I’m sure Must Like Spinach would be a winner. It’s one of my favorite of the 2016.
The cover art by Natasha Snow is good, I like it, the font, the model, the colors were all right.
August 16, 2017
A warm story that is more about life choices and the costs of success than the romance. Jon is a guy on the fast track in a tough corporate job - advising companies how to improve and streamline the efficiency of their businesses. Jon was awarded his position partly through merit, but partly as a favor to his deceased mother, and he's dedicated himself to becoming the success she would have wanted for him.
Heading to Seattle for a three month stint, he ends up taking a room in a worn-out house out of a sudden desire to protect the elderly owner from her other lodger. It's mistrust at first sight. All the evidence says Tyler is a user and a slacker, sleeping away half his days, while talking to the old lady about giving him power of attorney. But first impressions are deceiving.
The job is also not what Jon expected. Rather than a simple study in efficiency, Jon finds himself trying to puzzle out his employer's psychology. Why is the man determined to put one of his oldest employees in a bad light?
As Jon tackles the work of adjusting his snap judgments to match reality, he also comes face to face with what staying in this high-flying corporate job longterm will take from him. He's really good at what he does. But can he make it a lifetime success? What are his real priorities? And maybe, who are his longterm priorities?
I appreciated the realism, the unique details, the slow progression, and the secondary characters. This was not a cookie-cutter read. Tyler was a bit too good to be true, but the rest of the crew had flaws and virtues, hidden truths, and a realistic progression I really enjoyed.
Heading to Seattle for a three month stint, he ends up taking a room in a worn-out house out of a sudden desire to protect the elderly owner from her other lodger. It's mistrust at first sight. All the evidence says Tyler is a user and a slacker, sleeping away half his days, while talking to the old lady about giving him power of attorney. But first impressions are deceiving.
The job is also not what Jon expected. Rather than a simple study in efficiency, Jon finds himself trying to puzzle out his employer's psychology. Why is the man determined to put one of his oldest employees in a bad light?
As Jon tackles the work of adjusting his snap judgments to match reality, he also comes face to face with what staying in this high-flying corporate job longterm will take from him. He's really good at what he does. But can he make it a lifetime success? What are his real priorities? And maybe, who are his longterm priorities?
I appreciated the realism, the unique details, the slow progression, and the secondary characters. This was not a cookie-cutter read. Tyler was a bit too good to be true, but the rest of the crew had flaws and virtues, hidden truths, and a realistic progression I really enjoyed.
October 23, 2016
The best book I have read in a long time.
The writing. The characters. The story. All blend seamlessly.
Loved it very much indeed.
The writing. The characters. The story. All blend seamlessly.
Loved it very much indeed.
October 31, 2016
4.5 stars.
This book is a bit enemies-to-lovers, though the main lesson here is "don't make assumptions", which is a lesson both MCs and some of the supporting characters have to learn.
There's little angst inside, except for that one nail-biting scene at the end, where Tyler thinks... well, you read this for yourself.
Con Riley's characters aren't handed their happy ending on a silver platter - no, they have to fight for it, grow for it, and stop making assumptions based on outward appearances.
The plot points are well made here, and each word, each sentence, is carefully chosen for full impact. There is no fluff here, no filler. Each scene has a purpose, to further the plot, to explain the characters' actions and mindset.
Jon is focused on his career as a management consultant, working for a high-powered firm in NYC. What Jon struggles with however is when the companies for whom he's doing the analysis, the consulting, don't take his suggestions to make changes. After the last job gone sour, he's being sent to Seattle to do an analysis on a company which invests and makes money in real estate. Needing a place to stay, he stumbles upon a rental ad where one of the requirements reads "Must Like Spinach". Intrigued, he overlooks the rundown exterior of the house, and the filth of the studio apartment above the garage, because the house has something he's been missing - a garden to grow things, vegetables, flowers. See, Jon remembers a time where he wasn't so career-driven by guilt, when things were easier, when he grew things in a garden much like this one, with his mom.
Tyler is barely hanging on, working multiple jobs and looking after the owner of the home, who is a very nice lady with a bit of a memory issue. Having put his trust in the wrong person, Tyler is now paying the price. However, pride keeps him from letting anyone, including Jon, know the strain he's under.
I really liked how the author made her characters alike in some aspects, and so very different in others. They fit well together, even if both of them initially think that their fling will be just that - a fling, since Jon is supposed to return to the east coast after the job is done.
There are complex relationships in this book, not just between the MCs, but also with the people who work for the company where Jon is consulting. The author cleverly explores what someone might do out of fear of losing someone they care about, and how someone gets stuck in an office, again out of fear, instead of doing something they love most.
And it's about second chances, too, of regretting the past and finding the strength to fix it.
I sniffled on occasion, and I was emotionally attached to the MCs, rooting for them to get what they wanted most.
Which, this being a romance novel, they do. But their happy ending doesn't come easy, and they have to time and again reassess their first impressions, and fight for each other.
Well done, Con Riley. I loved this.
** I received a free copy of this book from its author as part of a review tour. A positive review was not promised in return. **
This book is a bit enemies-to-lovers, though the main lesson here is "don't make assumptions", which is a lesson both MCs and some of the supporting characters have to learn.
There's little angst inside, except for that one nail-biting scene at the end, where Tyler thinks... well, you read this for yourself.
Con Riley's characters aren't handed their happy ending on a silver platter - no, they have to fight for it, grow for it, and stop making assumptions based on outward appearances.
The plot points are well made here, and each word, each sentence, is carefully chosen for full impact. There is no fluff here, no filler. Each scene has a purpose, to further the plot, to explain the characters' actions and mindset.
Jon is focused on his career as a management consultant, working for a high-powered firm in NYC. What Jon struggles with however is when the companies for whom he's doing the analysis, the consulting, don't take his suggestions to make changes. After the last job gone sour, he's being sent to Seattle to do an analysis on a company which invests and makes money in real estate. Needing a place to stay, he stumbles upon a rental ad where one of the requirements reads "Must Like Spinach". Intrigued, he overlooks the rundown exterior of the house, and the filth of the studio apartment above the garage, because the house has something he's been missing - a garden to grow things, vegetables, flowers. See, Jon remembers a time where he wasn't so career-driven by guilt, when things were easier, when he grew things in a garden much like this one, with his mom.
Tyler is barely hanging on, working multiple jobs and looking after the owner of the home, who is a very nice lady with a bit of a memory issue. Having put his trust in the wrong person, Tyler is now paying the price. However, pride keeps him from letting anyone, including Jon, know the strain he's under.
I really liked how the author made her characters alike in some aspects, and so very different in others. They fit well together, even if both of them initially think that their fling will be just that - a fling, since Jon is supposed to return to the east coast after the job is done.
There are complex relationships in this book, not just between the MCs, but also with the people who work for the company where Jon is consulting. The author cleverly explores what someone might do out of fear of losing someone they care about, and how someone gets stuck in an office, again out of fear, instead of doing something they love most.
And it's about second chances, too, of regretting the past and finding the strength to fix it.
I sniffled on occasion, and I was emotionally attached to the MCs, rooting for them to get what they wanted most.
Which, this being a romance novel, they do. But their happy ending doesn't come easy, and they have to time and again reassess their first impressions, and fight for each other.
Well done, Con Riley. I loved this.
** I received a free copy of this book from its author as part of a review tour. A positive review was not promised in return. **
November 11, 2016
I love some of Con Riley's books with all my heart. But some of them don't work for me at all; unfortunately, "Must Like Spinach" is one of those. It's not that I disliked something about this book (so I don't think anyone else will have problems with it) - it's just that I didn't like anything about it. I didn't feel any connection with Jon. The parts about his work were boring. The parts about gardening... well, it was reading about a character who liked doing something, looking at him from outside, without his passion transferring to me as a reader. I didn't feel any chemistry between him and Tyler, there was no spark there at all. And I didn't like Peggy... I think I like sweet infantile old ladies as little as I like cocky precocious children :( So well... nothing.
April 24, 2018
Where do I begin?
While this began slow and not a whole lot of note happened, I still was enjoying the beginning to this story. It wasn't heart-pounding adventure but there seemed to be a subtle mystery developing that held my interest. Unfortunately, the more I read, what at first seemed like an intricately woven web being spun started to fall apart and faded into dull and boring events. And it never produced much more than a lazy stroll through a few hot scenes and a predictable conclusion. Maybe I have too much of an imagination and began drawing extravagant conclusions that ended in disappointment but I had begun to hope for much more than an average story.
Overall, I had high hopes that weren't fulfilled so I wouldn't recommend this one.
Better luck next time.
While this began slow and not a whole lot of note happened, I still was enjoying the beginning to this story. It wasn't heart-pounding adventure but there seemed to be a subtle mystery developing that held my interest. Unfortunately, the more I read, what at first seemed like an intricately woven web being spun started to fall apart and faded into dull and boring events. And it never produced much more than a lazy stroll through a few hot scenes and a predictable conclusion. Maybe I have too much of an imagination and began drawing extravagant conclusions that ended in disappointment but I had begun to hope for much more than an average story.
Overall, I had high hopes that weren't fulfilled so I wouldn't recommend this one.
Better luck next time.
October 22, 2016
4.5 Stars ~ Con Riley’s Must Like Spinach reads like a guide on how to live your best life. It’s a precious gem of a story, not flashy or pretentious but gentle and unassuming, about a man who’s going through the motions of a fast-track corporate program, only to learn that the most important strategy on the road to success is to first let go of expectations and then to embrace what makes you happy.
Jonathan’s arrival in Seattle is a rather inauspicious one. He’s attempting to paint a silver lining around the cloud that caused his exile from New York to the PNW, though in his most private thoughts, he knows it’s a stay of execution–more ostracizing than opportunity. On the hunt for a place to live for the three months he’ll be in Seattle to help streamline Hallquist Holdings and put them back on track, he answers an ad that’s piqued his curiosity: “2br—Central Seattle Apt—Cheap, but must like spinach!” Though the ad includes few pictures of the apartment in question, one of the photos is of a backyard garden, complete with a man whose beautiful smile captures Jon’s attention. It’s not the smile or the man, though, that compels Jon to have a look at the place, but the pull of childhood memories.
What he finds there will change the course of his life forever.
The property is in shambles, the apartment a filthy dung heap, but Peggy… How does one resist an adorable garden sprite of a woman who radiates cheer and loves her home so much that she’ll do anything to stay there, even if that includes lowering the already dirt-cheap rent if Jon will take the apartment? His agreeing to live there, in the end, has a lot to do with the things his mother had instilled in him—the love of growing and nurturing a garden, the peace found in working the soil, and the satisfaction of watching things grow from little more than seeds, dirt, water, sunshine and tender loving care. It’s a love that begins to paint a clear picture of who Jon is and how unsuited he is for a cut-throat corporate career path, but like fostering those plants from seedlings, it takes time and care and attention for him to realize it.
Apart from the garden and the elderly woman who steals hearts so effortlessly, Jon’s decision to take the apartment also has a little something to do with a protective sort of disgust he develops for Peggy’s “boy”, Tyler, and the assumption that this Tyler person is not only a lazy pig but must also be out to swindle the dear woman six ways to Sunday. Even if Tyler pretends like he cares and is one of the most gorgeous men Jon has ever seen.
Jumping to conclusions… Well, sometimes that can lead to taking a leap of faith.
Con Riley’s writing style is such a complement to this story. The prose itself is sweet and gentle and nurtures readers along, planting the seeds of romance and tending to it with warmth and TLC, and then, we get to watch it all blossom into something beautiful. Tyler is nothing like Jon had assumed, and their mutual love of Peggy and the protectiveness they feel for her is a true prize, one Jon can’t put a price on: a home and family. Though, it is nearly all forfeited when Jon’s professional and personal life collide.
Must Like Spinach is about building and repairing important life foundations. And, of course, those foundations are set on a solid bedrock of love, friendship and family. Jon begins his journey leading with his head and ends it by listening to his heart, gifting readers with a warm and wonderful story, one I wholeheartedly recommend when you’re in the mood for a feel-good read with a cast of thoroughly charming characters.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach Reviews
Jonathan’s arrival in Seattle is a rather inauspicious one. He’s attempting to paint a silver lining around the cloud that caused his exile from New York to the PNW, though in his most private thoughts, he knows it’s a stay of execution–more ostracizing than opportunity. On the hunt for a place to live for the three months he’ll be in Seattle to help streamline Hallquist Holdings and put them back on track, he answers an ad that’s piqued his curiosity: “2br—Central Seattle Apt—Cheap, but must like spinach!” Though the ad includes few pictures of the apartment in question, one of the photos is of a backyard garden, complete with a man whose beautiful smile captures Jon’s attention. It’s not the smile or the man, though, that compels Jon to have a look at the place, but the pull of childhood memories.
What he finds there will change the course of his life forever.
The property is in shambles, the apartment a filthy dung heap, but Peggy… How does one resist an adorable garden sprite of a woman who radiates cheer and loves her home so much that she’ll do anything to stay there, even if that includes lowering the already dirt-cheap rent if Jon will take the apartment? His agreeing to live there, in the end, has a lot to do with the things his mother had instilled in him—the love of growing and nurturing a garden, the peace found in working the soil, and the satisfaction of watching things grow from little more than seeds, dirt, water, sunshine and tender loving care. It’s a love that begins to paint a clear picture of who Jon is and how unsuited he is for a cut-throat corporate career path, but like fostering those plants from seedlings, it takes time and care and attention for him to realize it.
Apart from the garden and the elderly woman who steals hearts so effortlessly, Jon’s decision to take the apartment also has a little something to do with a protective sort of disgust he develops for Peggy’s “boy”, Tyler, and the assumption that this Tyler person is not only a lazy pig but must also be out to swindle the dear woman six ways to Sunday. Even if Tyler pretends like he cares and is one of the most gorgeous men Jon has ever seen.
Jumping to conclusions… Well, sometimes that can lead to taking a leap of faith.
Con Riley’s writing style is such a complement to this story. The prose itself is sweet and gentle and nurtures readers along, planting the seeds of romance and tending to it with warmth and TLC, and then, we get to watch it all blossom into something beautiful. Tyler is nothing like Jon had assumed, and their mutual love of Peggy and the protectiveness they feel for her is a true prize, one Jon can’t put a price on: a home and family. Though, it is nearly all forfeited when Jon’s professional and personal life collide.
Must Like Spinach is about building and repairing important life foundations. And, of course, those foundations are set on a solid bedrock of love, friendship and family. Jon begins his journey leading with his head and ends it by listening to his heart, gifting readers with a warm and wonderful story, one I wholeheartedly recommend when you’re in the mood for a feel-good read with a cast of thoroughly charming characters.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach Reviews
October 28, 2016
First impressions are not always accurate. Sometimes they are even flat-out wrong. Jon makes some assumptions and finds himself questioning them again and again.
But how could….??
Isn’t he…?
I don’t understand why…??
And that’s it. Jon didn’t understand or know what was going on at the rental house/apartment he’s considering. He only knows it is currently being held together with stubbornness and love and he would be wise to quickly walk away. You see, Jon is not on a vacation or extended holiday. He’s been sent away by his boss, far away, to straighten out his head. He’s been so focused on his career; it’s consumed his every waking hour. He is on the path to achieving his career goals but he’s lost focus of the golden rule. The customer is always right….even when they’re wrong. Due to the utter mortification of his seniors, he let his mouth override his ass. He should have been given a pink slip, but instead he is given a second chance. What will he do with it?
Jon has a chance to play by the rules and takes an easy assignment to clear his head in Seattle’s fresh air. An intriguing rental ad piques his interest. One of the requirements is a taste for spinach. Spinach? Yep, spinach. When he arrives at the potential new temporary home he is flabbergasted. He is revolted. No one should be living in such a state. And yet, he discovers he wants to know more about the sweet little old lady and her shifty ‘boy’. If he has to reside in this ramshackle to do it, so be it. He yearns to dig his fingers in the dirt of the massive garden. He can't allow an elderly woman be taken advantage of. He will stay. After all, it's only for the summer. Soon he unearths many surprises and the biggest one of all is about himself.
What's to like: It kicks off at a quick clip in the Big Apple and slows down to a slow stroll in the country. However, I found the flow perfectly balanced. I liked the taste of scenery as well as the layers in the characters. Tyler has more layers than anyone and watching Jon pull them away was glorious. Home cooked meals with fresh produce from the garden, crossword puzzles and admirable dreams were some of my favorite parts. There is a lot to like here!
What's to love: This is a feel good story. I enjoyed the writing and breezed through it ignoring life's busy distractions. It isn't super mysterious or full of angst. It isn't action packed or filthy naughty. What is it? Tender. Sweet. Full of contagious goodness. I felt the sunshine on my face and it left me with a happy heart. Those are my favorite stories! I loved witnessing the renovation of both men and buildings. Second chances and second impressions gave us fresh beginnings. All in all, it is simply a lovely romance. Ohh, and the ending...gahhhhh! I loved it!
Beware of: Attitudes. Stress, pressure and unhappiness brings out the worst in us. Expect a bit of a snobby attitude early on but know that in turn, happiness brings out the best in us. It's a slow burn but it heats up nicely before too long. And be prepared for a little old lady that will steal your heart.
This book is for: If you are looking for a relaxing but fulfilling story, this might be the perfect fit. And picky eaters never fear, you don't really have to like spinach.
4.5 stars
Book UNfunk
But how could….??
Isn’t he…?
I don’t understand why…??
And that’s it. Jon didn’t understand or know what was going on at the rental house/apartment he’s considering. He only knows it is currently being held together with stubbornness and love and he would be wise to quickly walk away. You see, Jon is not on a vacation or extended holiday. He’s been sent away by his boss, far away, to straighten out his head. He’s been so focused on his career; it’s consumed his every waking hour. He is on the path to achieving his career goals but he’s lost focus of the golden rule. The customer is always right….even when they’re wrong. Due to the utter mortification of his seniors, he let his mouth override his ass. He should have been given a pink slip, but instead he is given a second chance. What will he do with it?
Jon has a chance to play by the rules and takes an easy assignment to clear his head in Seattle’s fresh air. An intriguing rental ad piques his interest. One of the requirements is a taste for spinach. Spinach? Yep, spinach. When he arrives at the potential new temporary home he is flabbergasted. He is revolted. No one should be living in such a state. And yet, he discovers he wants to know more about the sweet little old lady and her shifty ‘boy’. If he has to reside in this ramshackle to do it, so be it. He yearns to dig his fingers in the dirt of the massive garden. He can't allow an elderly woman be taken advantage of. He will stay. After all, it's only for the summer. Soon he unearths many surprises and the biggest one of all is about himself.
What's to like: It kicks off at a quick clip in the Big Apple and slows down to a slow stroll in the country. However, I found the flow perfectly balanced. I liked the taste of scenery as well as the layers in the characters. Tyler has more layers than anyone and watching Jon pull them away was glorious. Home cooked meals with fresh produce from the garden, crossword puzzles and admirable dreams were some of my favorite parts. There is a lot to like here!
What's to love: This is a feel good story. I enjoyed the writing and breezed through it ignoring life's busy distractions. It isn't super mysterious or full of angst. It isn't action packed or filthy naughty. What is it? Tender. Sweet. Full of contagious goodness. I felt the sunshine on my face and it left me with a happy heart. Those are my favorite stories! I loved witnessing the renovation of both men and buildings. Second chances and second impressions gave us fresh beginnings. All in all, it is simply a lovely romance. Ohh, and the ending...gahhhhh! I loved it!
Beware of: Attitudes. Stress, pressure and unhappiness brings out the worst in us. Expect a bit of a snobby attitude early on but know that in turn, happiness brings out the best in us. It's a slow burn but it heats up nicely before too long. And be prepared for a little old lady that will steal your heart.
This book is for: If you are looking for a relaxing but fulfilling story, this might be the perfect fit. And picky eaters never fear, you don't really have to like spinach.
4.5 stars
Book UNfunk
February 16, 2017
Must Like Spinach
By Con Riley
Four stars
It’s been a while since I read Con Riley’s Seattle series, so I was happy to pick up another Seattle-based novel.
“Must Like Spinach” is a conventional romance in some ways…it follows the m/m rules nicely. But, while the romance between Jonathan and Tyler is at the core of the narrative, it really is a story about the choices one makes along the path of life that determine one’s future happiness.
Jonathan Fournier is a twenty-something hotshot at a cutthroat NYC financial office, in fact a glorified intern fighting for a top position. He’s good at what he does, but he has just messed up in a big way by letting his heart get in the way of his business brain. He gets sent off to Seattle for a second chance, far enough away that nobody in the business world will have heard of his screw-up. Jon is determined to redeem himself in memory of his mother, who sacrificed everything to make a life for him.
However, once he starts apartment-hunting in Seattle, Jon finds himself drawn not to the hard-headed business that happens in the skyscrapers of the city on Puget Sound, but on the oddball, nature-filled life that goes on in the forgotten places, where cozy neighborhoods still flourish as they did before Seattle went high-tech. For all Jon’s skill at analyzing the foibles and weaknesses of a corporation, it is the gardens of his happy childhood he keeps remembering as he settles into his temporary home.
One of those gardens is owned by a quirky old lady named Peggy, and her tenant Tyler Waitt. At first, Peggy and Tyler seem like the antithesis of what Jon wants in life. Gradually, however, Jon begins to understand the little world they inhabit with the same careful observation he brings to the corporate workplace. As Jon learns how Peggy and Tyler fit into their Seattle, he begins to question everything he thinks he knows.
Riley brings a richness to the characters, both the MCs and the secondary players, that makes them jump off the page. Because it’s all from Jon’s viewpoint, the reader only knows what Jon knows, and thus we experience the gradual reveals in the various characters’ personalities just as he does. This is what makes the book so much fun to read. There are no cardboard people here, and as Jon discovers their motifs and emotions, his own outlook changes.
This is not a new story; there is a certain classic structure that guides the entire premise of the book—the young careerist who begins to question the rightness of what he’s doing. But Riley doesn’t keep it simple. She probes, and helps the reader discover that the path to happiness depends on the person walking it.
By Con Riley
Four stars
It’s been a while since I read Con Riley’s Seattle series, so I was happy to pick up another Seattle-based novel.
“Must Like Spinach” is a conventional romance in some ways…it follows the m/m rules nicely. But, while the romance between Jonathan and Tyler is at the core of the narrative, it really is a story about the choices one makes along the path of life that determine one’s future happiness.
Jonathan Fournier is a twenty-something hotshot at a cutthroat NYC financial office, in fact a glorified intern fighting for a top position. He’s good at what he does, but he has just messed up in a big way by letting his heart get in the way of his business brain. He gets sent off to Seattle for a second chance, far enough away that nobody in the business world will have heard of his screw-up. Jon is determined to redeem himself in memory of his mother, who sacrificed everything to make a life for him.
However, once he starts apartment-hunting in Seattle, Jon finds himself drawn not to the hard-headed business that happens in the skyscrapers of the city on Puget Sound, but on the oddball, nature-filled life that goes on in the forgotten places, where cozy neighborhoods still flourish as they did before Seattle went high-tech. For all Jon’s skill at analyzing the foibles and weaknesses of a corporation, it is the gardens of his happy childhood he keeps remembering as he settles into his temporary home.
One of those gardens is owned by a quirky old lady named Peggy, and her tenant Tyler Waitt. At first, Peggy and Tyler seem like the antithesis of what Jon wants in life. Gradually, however, Jon begins to understand the little world they inhabit with the same careful observation he brings to the corporate workplace. As Jon learns how Peggy and Tyler fit into their Seattle, he begins to question everything he thinks he knows.
Riley brings a richness to the characters, both the MCs and the secondary players, that makes them jump off the page. Because it’s all from Jon’s viewpoint, the reader only knows what Jon knows, and thus we experience the gradual reveals in the various characters’ personalities just as he does. This is what makes the book so much fun to read. There are no cardboard people here, and as Jon discovers their motifs and emotions, his own outlook changes.
This is not a new story; there is a certain classic structure that guides the entire premise of the book—the young careerist who begins to question the rightness of what he’s doing. But Riley doesn’t keep it simple. She probes, and helps the reader discover that the path to happiness depends on the person walking it.
November 16, 2016
3.5 stars
Overall a nice read, although I had a few niggles: first I found Jonathan's negative thoughts disturbing, they were based on his prejudices and then it changed rather abruptly. I also found the relationship going from not liking to loving a bit fast, especially as there were not very many interactions between Jon and Tyler. Finally the whole job stuff was, for me, rather abstruse.
Funny, that I nevertheless liked it:)
Overall a nice read, although I had a few niggles: first I found Jonathan's negative thoughts disturbing, they were based on his prejudices and then it changed rather abruptly. I also found the relationship going from not liking to loving a bit fast, especially as there were not very many interactions between Jon and Tyler. Finally the whole job stuff was, for me, rather abstruse.
Funny, that I nevertheless liked it:)
November 6, 2022
3,25 gwiazdki
Myślę sobie, że gdyby autorka odeszła trochę od zużytych już schematów romansów mm, wyszłoby to książce na dobre, Must Like Spinach zasługiwałaby pewnie co najmniej na 4 gwiazdki.
Historia opowiadana jest w czasie teraźniejszym z POV Jona, początkującego konsultanta biznesowego. Jon szczerze nienawidzi swojej pracy, nie ma do niej predyspozycji ani obowiązkowej "elastyczności" etycznej, a mimo to trzyma się jej, jakby od tego zależało jego życie. Kiedy nieuchronnie nawala, zostaje wygnany do Seattle z zadaniem ostatniej szansy, gdzie wynajmuje mieszkanie w rozpadającym się domu z ogrodem i zakochuje się.
Romans zaczyna się bardzo późno i dość nieoczekiwanie. Zanim to nastąpi, autorka dużo miejsca poświęca pracy Jona, co jest zaskakująco interesujące. Historia zadania, które realizuje Jon w firmie deweloperskiej, została nakreślona starannie i ciekawie, podobnie jak relacja Jona z Peggy, staruszką, od której wynajmuje mieszkanie, a także z jego współpracownikami, Carlem i Erickiem. Najmniej przekonującą częścią jest niestety romans z Tylerem. Dziwnie sztuczne dramaty (scena z Dannym, pod koniec scena z "wielkim ujawnieniem" w pracy) nie zrobiły dla tej historii niczego dobrego. Dlatego myślę, że gdyby z książki wyciąć wszystkie sceny erotyczne i dramy, a w zamian skupić się na warstwie obyczajowej, która wychodzi autorce świetnie, opowieść znacząco by zyskała.
Czytało mi się nierówno, trochę dobrze, trochę nudno, stąd taka ocena.
Myślę sobie, że gdyby autorka odeszła trochę od zużytych już schematów romansów mm, wyszłoby to książce na dobre, Must Like Spinach zasługiwałaby pewnie co najmniej na 4 gwiazdki.
Historia opowiadana jest w czasie teraźniejszym z POV Jona, początkującego konsultanta biznesowego. Jon szczerze nienawidzi swojej pracy, nie ma do niej predyspozycji ani obowiązkowej "elastyczności" etycznej, a mimo to trzyma się jej, jakby od tego zależało jego życie. Kiedy nieuchronnie nawala, zostaje wygnany do Seattle z zadaniem ostatniej szansy, gdzie wynajmuje mieszkanie w rozpadającym się domu z ogrodem i zakochuje się.
Romans zaczyna się bardzo późno i dość nieoczekiwanie. Zanim to nastąpi, autorka dużo miejsca poświęca pracy Jona, co jest zaskakująco interesujące. Historia zadania, które realizuje Jon w firmie deweloperskiej, została nakreślona starannie i ciekawie, podobnie jak relacja Jona z Peggy, staruszką, od której wynajmuje mieszkanie, a także z jego współpracownikami, Carlem i Erickiem. Najmniej przekonującą częścią jest niestety romans z Tylerem. Dziwnie sztuczne dramaty (scena z Dannym, pod koniec scena z "wielkim ujawnieniem" w pracy) nie zrobiły dla tej historii niczego dobrego. Dlatego myślę, że gdyby z książki wyciąć wszystkie sceny erotyczne i dramy, a w zamian skupić się na warstwie obyczajowej, która wychodzi autorce świetnie, opowieść znacząco by zyskała.
Czytało mi się nierówno, trochę dobrze, trochę nudno, stąd taka ocena.
July 18, 2017
Loved the gardening, and the way he saw everything through gardening eyes. And many of the business passages actually made sense which was a relief. Plus, Con Riley is good at emotions overall, without loading on too much angst or relying solely on sex for connection (which I'm beyond sick of elsewhere.)
Sure, ok, all of the guys parents are useless (one dead mom and three MIA.) It's largely made up for with several great older parent-aged and grandparent-aged characters with important secondary roles. Although I gotta say the elderly character was basically a plot moppet - or grandmoppet I suppose.
And yeah, I'm sick of all those stories (esp movies) where business is the bad guy, hollow and cold requiring a solitary life, while living poorer with family is held up as the big win. This is mitigated a teensy bit by two positive business-loving characters. But it's not fully mitigated and that trope's tired.
Gardening nearly makes up for it. Because earth.
Sure, ok, all of the guys parents are useless (one dead mom and three MIA.) It's largely made up for with several great older parent-aged and grandparent-aged characters with important secondary roles. Although I gotta say the elderly character was basically a plot moppet - or grandmoppet I suppose.
And yeah, I'm sick of all those stories (esp movies) where business is the bad guy, hollow and cold requiring a solitary life, while living poorer with family is held up as the big win. This is mitigated a teensy bit by two positive business-loving characters. But it's not fully mitigated and that trope's tired.
Gardening nearly makes up for it. Because earth.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews