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Take a Chance on Me
Moving to Hicklam is the last thing Gloria Benedetti wants to do, but it's her final hope at having a normal life. After spending almost a decade as a near recluse and virtually paralyzed by crippling panic attacks, an alternative therapy might be her only shot at regaining her life after trauma. Trauma that forced her to give up everything, including a promising career on the stage.
Staying in Hicklam is the last thing Grayson Keene planned on doing, but The Edison Theater has been in his family for generations, and he can't let it sink on his watch. Unfortunately, things with The Edison have gone from bad to worse, and Grayson needs all the help he can get to save the old girl. He needs one successful season to make things work, and then maybe, just maybe, he can get his life—and his Broadway career—back.
As Gloria's on the verge of the health and healing she's been working toward, the one thing that will save The Edison may just break her once and for all. If she protects herself, it'll cost Grayson everything. This may be the one chance that's too big to take.
Staying in Hicklam is the last thing Grayson Keene planned on doing, but The Edison Theater has been in his family for generations, and he can't let it sink on his watch. Unfortunately, things with The Edison have gone from bad to worse, and Grayson needs all the help he can get to save the old girl. He needs one successful season to make things work, and then maybe, just maybe, he can get his life—and his Broadway career—back.
As Gloria's on the verge of the health and healing she's been working toward, the one thing that will save The Edison may just break her once and for all. If she protects herself, it'll cost Grayson everything. This may be the one chance that's too big to take.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
404 pages, ebook
First published May 21, 2020
62 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn R. Biel
27 books374 followersKathryn R. Biel writes low-to-no spice contemporary romance, rom-com, sports romance, and women’s fiction full of humor, heart, and happily-ever-afters. Her books balance the drama and challenges of real life with witty banter, strong heroines, and swoony cinnamon-roll heroes. Whether she’s writing laugh-out-loud romantic comedies, emotional women’s fiction, or heartfelt sports romances, Kathryn delivers stories where resilience, love, and laughter take center stage.
Kathryn is the author of more than 20 books, including the award-winning Live for This, Made for Me, and The UnBRCAble Women Series (Ready for Whatever, Seize the Day, and Underneath It All).
Kathryn is the author of more than 20 books, including the award-winning Live for This, Made for Me, and The UnBRCAble Women Series (Ready for Whatever, Seize the Day, and Underneath It All).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
September 1, 2020
Rating: 3.5/5.0
An emotional read from page one, ‘Take a Chance on Me” is a raw and poignant tale of modern issues.
Read full review in the 2020 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
An emotional read from page one, ‘Take a Chance on Me” is a raw and poignant tale of modern issues.
Read full review in the 2020 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
June 15, 2020
I keep hearing about Kathryn Biel's books and have been wanting to take a chance on her for a while. I'm glad I started with this one. While it is your general formulaic romance, it has such a unique twist to it and delves into some much bigger topics that are very rarely discussed in romances. But it does so in a caring and non-stereotypical way that actually subtly educates the reader at the same time.
Gloria is suffering from PTSD from an awful violation that occurred during her college years. And I can't say that I blame her one bit. She's been struggling for a decade, trying to survive, and therapies have not been helping. She comes to town to try out EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) as a sort of last-ditch effort. As she is searching for a job, she ends up meeting Grayson, who has come back home to try to save his family's theatre.
Neither one of them is in the right place to pursue a relationship. They both have tremendous amounts of baggage. Yet at the same time, they are absolutely perfect for each other and have an undeniable chemistry. As they work on improving their personal situations, they also find themselves helping out each other and growing both as individuals and as a team.
I liked Gloria a lot and empathized with her anxiety. Grayson is amazing, and I really felt for him trying to appease his family. Neither one of them is perfect, and that is okay. And I appreciated how Biel approached the mental illness topic. I would like to see more of that in books. While Gloria's case was unique and perhaps a bit extreme, it is still a real issue that we need to talk about.
Thank you to the author for fulfilling my review request. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Gloria is suffering from PTSD from an awful violation that occurred during her college years. And I can't say that I blame her one bit. She's been struggling for a decade, trying to survive, and therapies have not been helping. She comes to town to try out EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) as a sort of last-ditch effort. As she is searching for a job, she ends up meeting Grayson, who has come back home to try to save his family's theatre.
Neither one of them is in the right place to pursue a relationship. They both have tremendous amounts of baggage. Yet at the same time, they are absolutely perfect for each other and have an undeniable chemistry. As they work on improving their personal situations, they also find themselves helping out each other and growing both as individuals and as a team.
I liked Gloria a lot and empathized with her anxiety. Grayson is amazing, and I really felt for him trying to appease his family. Neither one of them is perfect, and that is okay. And I appreciated how Biel approached the mental illness topic. I would like to see more of that in books. While Gloria's case was unique and perhaps a bit extreme, it is still a real issue that we need to talk about.
Thank you to the author for fulfilling my review request. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 26, 2020
It's only fitting that I listen to the Chicago soundtrack as I review Kathryn R. Biel's latest novel, "Take a Chance on Me." Not pictured - me breaking out into off-key singing and awkward dance movies. Now that you have some rather unfortunate (or funny?) visuals in your head, let's get on to the real showstopper -
This book.
Within the pages of this book, Biel tackles some heavy stuff - mental illness (depression, anxiety, and PTSD), domestic abuse, the perils and pitfalls of technology. And then there are the other relevant topics for today's twenty- and thirty-somethings: chasing your dreams, running out of money, living with your parents, the death of a parent...
And she does it so well. The protagonists, Gloria 'Ria' Benedetti and Grayson Keene, are rich characters, full of depth as they grapple with where they are in life, how they ended up there, and what it means for their futures. Their chemistry is like a spotlight on any scene they are in together. *fanning myself*
I was particularly taken with Biel's portrayal of PTSD and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. It was raw, real, and at times a bit uncomfortable in just how vivid it felt to me while reading.
This book.
Within the pages of this book, Biel tackles some heavy stuff - mental illness (depression, anxiety, and PTSD), domestic abuse, the perils and pitfalls of technology. And then there are the other relevant topics for today's twenty- and thirty-somethings: chasing your dreams, running out of money, living with your parents, the death of a parent...
And she does it so well. The protagonists, Gloria 'Ria' Benedetti and Grayson Keene, are rich characters, full of depth as they grapple with where they are in life, how they ended up there, and what it means for their futures. Their chemistry is like a spotlight on any scene they are in together. *fanning myself*
I was particularly taken with Biel's portrayal of PTSD and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. It was raw, real, and at times a bit uncomfortable in just how vivid it felt to me while reading.
June 3, 2020
Take a Chance on Me
A very different love story which shines a light on mental illness. After tragedy and heartache there is a happy ending and a new beginning.
A very different love story which shines a light on mental illness. After tragedy and heartache there is a happy ending and a new beginning.
June 19, 2020
5 stars
It's the first book of this author that I'm reading, but boy am I glad I got to read it!
This book tackles deep stuff, mostly involving how a trauma and the ensuing depression, anxiety and PTSD can have a long-lasting effect on one's life. Ria has been through hell and back, and it sure isn't an easy journey. She doesn't make a miraculous recovery all at once. She's lived with it for years, tried countless therapies, and even now that she's starting to get a little better, it still takes time, and I really like that this book portrayed it that way. I also love that we got to see a dual pov, hers and Grayson, who doesn't know about any of this for most of the book, but has so many things to deal with on his own that it's also incredible he's able to take on all of his stuff and still be a rock for Ria.
It's nice and beautiful, I didn't always understand the choices they made and it seemed a little bit rushed towards the end, but that's also understandable and you get that Ria, even after the book is over, will still have to work on things. It didn't happen overnight either.
So all in all, I can say that I really liked this book, even if I'm not really fond of the last page, but it's really minor and I'm still happy that I read it, almost all in one go. It's a definite recommend, go and try it out!
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy from Hidden Gems.
It's the first book of this author that I'm reading, but boy am I glad I got to read it!
This book tackles deep stuff, mostly involving how a trauma and the ensuing depression, anxiety and PTSD can have a long-lasting effect on one's life. Ria has been through hell and back, and it sure isn't an easy journey. She doesn't make a miraculous recovery all at once. She's lived with it for years, tried countless therapies, and even now that she's starting to get a little better, it still takes time, and I really like that this book portrayed it that way. I also love that we got to see a dual pov, hers and Grayson, who doesn't know about any of this for most of the book, but has so many things to deal with on his own that it's also incredible he's able to take on all of his stuff and still be a rock for Ria.
It's nice and beautiful, I didn't always understand the choices they made and it seemed a little bit rushed towards the end, but that's also understandable and you get that Ria, even after the book is over, will still have to work on things. It didn't happen overnight either.
So all in all, I can say that I really liked this book, even if I'm not really fond of the last page, but it's really minor and I'm still happy that I read it, almost all in one go. It's a definite recommend, go and try it out!
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy from Hidden Gems.
January 29, 2021
This was a great book. If I could give it more stars, I would. I don't know much about mental illness and PTSD so this helped open my eyes to some of the problems that people face. They know something is wrong, and rationale tells them there is nothing to fear, but they literally cannot stop themselves from feeling/thinking these things. They want to get better, to be better, but fear is a powerful thing. It will control you if you let it. If someone was suffering from PTSD, this would be a great book for you. One, it shows that you are not alone, and two, even when you are on the road to recovery, there will be bad days. But if you keep trying and don't give up, the good days will eventually outweigh the bad ones. It's a light at the end of the tunnel. Grayson's and Ria's relationship is a really beautiful and tells everyone that anyone is worthy of love, no matter how broken you are. There is someone out there who will support and love you no matter what.
June 27, 2020
An absolutely amazing read:
This book has feeling and heart and while it may bring a tear to your eye, there are also light hearted and humorous moments to balance it all.
Poor Gloria has PTSD and moves to town for specialized therapy. Unwittingly she ends up getting a job at the local community theater where Grayson is desperately trying to keep the family business going. They end up being just what the other person needed and you could really feel their connection and chemistry. I just wanted to wrap Gloria in my arms and give her a great big hug. I also loved the way that Grayson was patient and kind, yet he was relatable as he had his own faults and fears to deal with.
I thought the author did a great job of highlighting mental health challenges and did so in a sympathetic and non- judgmental way. I also liked how it highlighted the importance of integrity and it challenges one to consider what you'd be prepared to sacrifice or do for the person you love.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
This book has feeling and heart and while it may bring a tear to your eye, there are also light hearted and humorous moments to balance it all.
Poor Gloria has PTSD and moves to town for specialized therapy. Unwittingly she ends up getting a job at the local community theater where Grayson is desperately trying to keep the family business going. They end up being just what the other person needed and you could really feel their connection and chemistry. I just wanted to wrap Gloria in my arms and give her a great big hug. I also loved the way that Grayson was patient and kind, yet he was relatable as he had his own faults and fears to deal with.
I thought the author did a great job of highlighting mental health challenges and did so in a sympathetic and non- judgmental way. I also liked how it highlighted the importance of integrity and it challenges one to consider what you'd be prepared to sacrifice or do for the person you love.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
June 1, 2020
Author Kathryn R. Biel promises books with humor, heart, and a happy ending--and she does not disappoint. Biel tackles heavy topics like PTSD, anxiety, and mental health without posturing or lecturing. She draws her readers in through her resilient female characters includong Gloria "Ria" Benedetti in Take A Chance on Me.
Suffering for years with PTSD, Ria arrives in Hicklam, NY to start an alternative therapy program and, hopefully, take back her life. Will this be a new beginning for her or will her connection to Grayson Keene and the Edison theater destroy all of the progress she has made?
As in all her books, Biel's characters are funny, warm, and easily relatable--they could easily be your relative, co-worker, or college roommate. You will find yourself crying with them, laughing with them, and cheering them on from the wings as they face whatever life throws at them.
Suffering for years with PTSD, Ria arrives in Hicklam, NY to start an alternative therapy program and, hopefully, take back her life. Will this be a new beginning for her or will her connection to Grayson Keene and the Edison theater destroy all of the progress she has made?
As in all her books, Biel's characters are funny, warm, and easily relatable--they could easily be your relative, co-worker, or college roommate. You will find yourself crying with them, laughing with them, and cheering them on from the wings as they face whatever life throws at them.
May 31, 2020
I really enjoyed this funny and cute romantic read. The characters are relatable but also dealing with some heavy topics. Ive never read anything by this author but im glad i was given the opportunity to read this ARC.
July 18, 2020
This book is as every bit adorable and happy and romantic as you’d want it to be. Our heroine Ria is lovable and resilient and grows so much throughout the novel and Grayson is a true gentleman. It’s a book that will put a smile on your face.
May 31, 2020
A lovely romantic easy read book. The chapters glide into on another perfectly and has perspectives form both main characters. I read this in a day as I couldn't put it down.
June 1, 2020
I loved this book. The plot is different than any book I've read. Biel tackles anxiety and trama in such a realistic way that you feel you are right there experiencing it yourself. Same story with the stage. I appreciate the way she switches between Gloria and Grayson, you are never confused with who is speaking, and you get to know each characters' thoughts as if you were in their mind. I was a little worried at first with the voice being first person, because so few authors can pull it off, but Biel nailed it.
Book does contain heavy issues of trama, anxiety, mental illness, and on the page sex-scene.
Book does contain heavy issues of trama, anxiety, mental illness, and on the page sex-scene.
June 4, 2020
I've really enjoyed reading this book. I loved that even when Ria was in a dark place she realize that there's always people around who cares about her and that no matter how bad the situation may appear there is hope. Take a chance on this book, you will not regret it.
July 18, 2020
I loved this book. It was my favorite by this author so far. I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it!!!
June 20, 2021
Great read!
Wonderful romance and theatre story - really vivid characters and a very realistic and well written story. I never buy books for more than.99 but I am buying this sequel as soon as it is available!
Wonderful romance and theatre story - really vivid characters and a very realistic and well written story. I never buy books for more than.99 but I am buying this sequel as soon as it is available!
June 30, 2021
Refreshing!
A lovely story that touches on some heavy topics, but told just right with humor and seriousness balanced nicely. I laughed, I cried, can't wait to read the next one!
A lovely story that touches on some heavy topics, but told just right with humor and seriousness balanced nicely. I laughed, I cried, can't wait to read the next one!
May 30, 2020
Kathryn R. Biel's new book Take a Chance on Me did not disappoint.
Gloria (Ria) Benedetti has been dealing with anxiety, depression and PTSD for 10 years. It has robbed her of her passion. She travels to Hicklam NY to meet with a renowned therapist specializing in EMDR to help her reclaim her life, and meets Grayson Keene. Grayson is working to save his family's Edison Theater and to get back to his life in the big city.
Strong characters and a well written storyline make this a book you can't put down.
Gloria (Ria) Benedetti has been dealing with anxiety, depression and PTSD for 10 years. It has robbed her of her passion. She travels to Hicklam NY to meet with a renowned therapist specializing in EMDR to help her reclaim her life, and meets Grayson Keene. Grayson is working to save his family's Edison Theater and to get back to his life in the big city.
Strong characters and a well written storyline make this a book you can't put down.
June 12, 2020
What I loved about this book, in addition to a great story, was that it helps normalize mental health care. I was rooting for the main character the whole time. I also love how the story is told by the male and female main character.
June 2, 2020
I honestly loved this book. The story has fantastic details. I had a hard time putting this book down, I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next.
June 24, 2020
This is a new Author to me, and I will be looking for more by her. A story that handles with care Mental illness, PTSD, depression, domestic abuse, and anxiety. Gloria Benedetti and Grayson Keene's story is well worth reading. I received a copy of this book via Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 19, 2022
I took a chance
Characters I really wanted to know. I just didn't like how long it took to get to the, what happened..... You know a thing happened but more info was needed. Lots of show little tell.
Characters I really wanted to know. I just didn't like how long it took to get to the, what happened..... You know a thing happened but more info was needed. Lots of show little tell.
June 6, 2021
Misgivings
Gloria is shell shocked. Grayson is the hero. I'm not into musicals, so it was a little hard at first. But alas, always a happy ending. Not giving anything away.
Gloria is shell shocked. Grayson is the hero. I'm not into musicals, so it was a little hard at first. But alas, always a happy ending. Not giving anything away.
July 19, 2020
Super good
Great book. Loved the kindness of the main characters in the story. Strange family story, but eye opening. Will read more by this writer.
Great book. Loved the kindness of the main characters in the story. Strange family story, but eye opening. Will read more by this writer.
December 7, 2020
Absolutely loved this book. The author was able to handle subjects which are surrounded by stigma, beautifully. As someone that works in the mental health field it was refreshing to see a book, a romance book, be able to handle the stigma around mental illness and show what it is like for some who has PTSD, anxiety and depression. For the author to show that it is a every day fight for people with a mental illness even once they work through their trauma, will hopefully help people to understand better. I barely set this book down to sleep, I could not stop reading. I’m excited to check out more books by Kathryn R. Biel, if they are going to be as well written and engrossing as this book was.
June 10, 2020
Thank you to Kathryn Biel for allowing me a preview of this book. I found it an easy read and enjoyed the style of writing.
Unfortunately I did find the book repetitive at times, it lacked substance on occasions by repeating itself so many times. It was also pretty predictable, you knew from the outset what the ending was going to be.
That said I continued to read it and on the whole enjoyed it. I shall look forward to reading more of this authors work.
Unfortunately I did find the book repetitive at times, it lacked substance on occasions by repeating itself so many times. It was also pretty predictable, you knew from the outset what the ending was going to be.
That said I continued to read it and on the whole enjoyed it. I shall look forward to reading more of this authors work.
November 2, 2023
I wish I could just say go read Take A Chance on Me by Kathryn R. Biel and leave it at that … but I want to insure that people read this book so I will tell you why you should read this captivating story !
Take A Chance on Me focuses on two main characters, Gloria and Grayson, and how they came together. Life has not been fair to either of them, each for their own separate reasons, but they needed to find each other in order to begin to live again.
Gloria was used and basically stabbed in the back when she was young and in college. This betrayal caused her to check out of life, barely living with her parents. Her last resort is to move to Hicklam for two months to work with a therapist who specializes in an intense therapy.
Grayson has given up his career and dream in New York City to come home and help his mother run the family’s business, The Edison Theater, after his father loses his battle with cancer. The theater is hanging on by a thread and Grayson has no idea how they are going to have it up and running for the summer season.
Grayson and Gloria, who goes by Ria now, meet at Dean’s Beans, the coffeehouse in town. After a few awkward encounters Grayson hires Ria to help with renovations on the building that will house the actors when they are in town. Ria misinterprets things and thinks that she is helping to reopen a hotel. As the two work side by side with each other for hours a day, they begin to open up about themselves……
One thing that I love about Take A Chance on Me is that the story starts off chapter one being all about Gloria and her viewpoint, then chapter two introduces Grayson into the story and then the chapters flip back and forth. This provides each character’s side of the story and really helps the reader concentrate on things easily. Another thing that I love about this story is that it reads like a movie on the Hallmark channel … you can totally see the story unfold in your mind as you read. I am in awe of Kathryn R. Biel and hope that this is not the only book of hers that I read.
Take A Chance on Me focuses on two main characters, Gloria and Grayson, and how they came together. Life has not been fair to either of them, each for their own separate reasons, but they needed to find each other in order to begin to live again.
Gloria was used and basically stabbed in the back when she was young and in college. This betrayal caused her to check out of life, barely living with her parents. Her last resort is to move to Hicklam for two months to work with a therapist who specializes in an intense therapy.
Grayson has given up his career and dream in New York City to come home and help his mother run the family’s business, The Edison Theater, after his father loses his battle with cancer. The theater is hanging on by a thread and Grayson has no idea how they are going to have it up and running for the summer season.
Grayson and Gloria, who goes by Ria now, meet at Dean’s Beans, the coffeehouse in town. After a few awkward encounters Grayson hires Ria to help with renovations on the building that will house the actors when they are in town. Ria misinterprets things and thinks that she is helping to reopen a hotel. As the two work side by side with each other for hours a day, they begin to open up about themselves……
One thing that I love about Take A Chance on Me is that the story starts off chapter one being all about Gloria and her viewpoint, then chapter two introduces Grayson into the story and then the chapters flip back and forth. This provides each character’s side of the story and really helps the reader concentrate on things easily. Another thing that I love about this story is that it reads like a movie on the Hallmark channel … you can totally see the story unfold in your mind as you read. I am in awe of Kathryn R. Biel and hope that this is not the only book of hers that I read.
June 6, 2020
Thank you to Kathryn R. Biel for a review copy of this book, and to Becky Monson for recommending it! This book was not the light-hearted rom-com I was expecting when I began reading. Romance? Yes *cue blushing and swooning over leading man, Grayson.* Comedy? You bet (witty banter abounds). Light-hearted? Oh no, this book packs a PUNCH. Exploring situations dealing with financial woes, mental health, and sexual assault, Take a Chance on Me by Kathryn R. Biel has developed characters that make the reader want to root for in some cases and slap across the face in others.
The book begins with Gloria making one last effort to find peace with the panic attacks and anxiety that have become a part of her life a decade earlier by moving to the small town of Hicklam. If the treatment of Malachi Andrews works, she may finally be able to find a passion since her first love, theater, was torn from her in a cruel twist of fate. In Hicklam, she meets Grayson when he is searching for a construction crew to help renovate his family’s financial strapped theater. As someone who knows the utter paralyzing effects of panic and anxiety attacks, Gloria was a fairly relatable character. Although my anxiety is nowhere near the level of Gloria’s, I still saw myself in her and could empathize with her emotions as well as her desire to not have those emotions. I loved the allusions to spectacular musicals, and the glimpse of theater life. I was enamored with Grayson and his constant acceptance of Gloria. I felt strengthened by the assertions that attacks are not always physical and validation of feelings is the first step toward healing. READ THIS BOOK. You can thank me for recommending it after you thank Kathryn R. Biel for writing it!
The book begins with Gloria making one last effort to find peace with the panic attacks and anxiety that have become a part of her life a decade earlier by moving to the small town of Hicklam. If the treatment of Malachi Andrews works, she may finally be able to find a passion since her first love, theater, was torn from her in a cruel twist of fate. In Hicklam, she meets Grayson when he is searching for a construction crew to help renovate his family’s financial strapped theater. As someone who knows the utter paralyzing effects of panic and anxiety attacks, Gloria was a fairly relatable character. Although my anxiety is nowhere near the level of Gloria’s, I still saw myself in her and could empathize with her emotions as well as her desire to not have those emotions. I loved the allusions to spectacular musicals, and the glimpse of theater life. I was enamored with Grayson and his constant acceptance of Gloria. I felt strengthened by the assertions that attacks are not always physical and validation of feelings is the first step toward healing. READ THIS BOOK. You can thank me for recommending it after you thank Kathryn R. Biel for writing it!
September 10, 2022
I'm a theatre nerd, and I picked this book up when I heard it was centered around musical theatre. I'm so glad I did. It was a very entertaining women's fiction romance. The dual POV of Ria and Grayson helped move the story along and let us get to know each of them so well, and I thought the author chose great places to switch back and forth. Grayson is so kind and does his best to be sympathetic to Ria's trauma. His amount of patience and tenderness with her is so dear, and I adored this character. Even when he went to ask the impossible of her, his struggle over it was clear. Ria was a little harder for me to understand, but Biel did a great job of helping the reader comprehend how the incident in her past cause such tremendous damage to her and why she needs the help to come back to herself. The incorporation of all the musical theatre references delighted me to no end. And while romances are always a little fortuitous and predictable, the only thing that struck me as truly unbelievable was that after 10 years of not singing a single note, Ria can belt out a song better than ever. (It didn't actually bother me, and I write this with a bit of levity. Still, her voice would be a little rough and probably need some exercising.) Anyway, the book has one fairly spicy romance scene and a little language, but other than that I think it's a solid read. I'm eager to read more of Biel's novels.
July 28, 2022
This is an author I will definitely be reading more from!
This book follows Gloria and Grayson. Gloria is suffering from PTSD, anxiety and depression from an something that happened 10 years ago. She comes to a small town to see a therapist who is well known in his field and is her last hope to return somewhat to her past self. As the story progresses you slowly learn more about what happened to her and I like how you learn more as she heals and learns to open up about it. i felt the portrayal of mental illness was accurate and her healing journey is not a magic thing but takes time and work.
Grayson runs the theater in the small town where gloria ends up and though he had Broadway dreams he came home after his father died to help run the business but with his dads medical costs he’s trying everything to keep it afloat
They meet when Gloria (going by Ria) needs a job and Grayson needs help renovating the theater and the theater dorms where the cast stays after his mom fires the contracting crew bc they’re charging too much.
Characters:
Both characters are well rounded because this is first person pov and dual pov we get an inner look into both their minds and their individual stories.
They had me invested in the story. I’m a sucker for character driven romance/stories in general. I wanted to see if Gloria recovered and how she dealt with her recovery as well as if Grayson could save the theater that’s been in his family for generations. I wanted to see if they could make it together. Their stories and the authors writing voice had me thoroughly enjoying it
Also Grayson was giving me major Jeremy Jordan vibes with his sense of him our and love of theater and enthusiasm and charm. and I was here for it
Writing
It was fun and full of life and easy to read and enjoy. There were a few typos but nothing I couldn’t read around and it didn’t keep me from enjoying the story
Overall, this is the type of romance I love reading. One that focuses on characters and their journey and isn’t over saturated with spicey scenes. Although I don’t mind the spicier romances I do much prefer when character interactions and chemistry is built up with conversations and flirting where it builds naturally to something more whether it’s fade to black or one medium spice scene. This has an on the page sex scene that’s descriptive enough but also leaves some things up for the imagination.
This book follows Gloria and Grayson. Gloria is suffering from PTSD, anxiety and depression from an something that happened 10 years ago. She comes to a small town to see a therapist who is well known in his field and is her last hope to return somewhat to her past self. As the story progresses you slowly learn more about what happened to her and I like how you learn more as she heals and learns to open up about it. i felt the portrayal of mental illness was accurate and her healing journey is not a magic thing but takes time and work.
Grayson runs the theater in the small town where gloria ends up and though he had Broadway dreams he came home after his father died to help run the business but with his dads medical costs he’s trying everything to keep it afloat
They meet when Gloria (going by Ria) needs a job and Grayson needs help renovating the theater and the theater dorms where the cast stays after his mom fires the contracting crew bc they’re charging too much.
Characters:
Both characters are well rounded because this is first person pov and dual pov we get an inner look into both their minds and their individual stories.
They had me invested in the story. I’m a sucker for character driven romance/stories in general. I wanted to see if Gloria recovered and how she dealt with her recovery as well as if Grayson could save the theater that’s been in his family for generations. I wanted to see if they could make it together. Their stories and the authors writing voice had me thoroughly enjoying it
Also Grayson was giving me major Jeremy Jordan vibes with his sense of him our and love of theater and enthusiasm and charm. and I was here for it
Writing
It was fun and full of life and easy to read and enjoy. There were a few typos but nothing I couldn’t read around and it didn’t keep me from enjoying the story
Overall, this is the type of romance I love reading. One that focuses on characters and their journey and isn’t over saturated with spicey scenes. Although I don’t mind the spicier romances I do much prefer when character interactions and chemistry is built up with conversations and flirting where it builds naturally to something more whether it’s fade to black or one medium spice scene. This has an on the page sex scene that’s descriptive enough but also leaves some things up for the imagination.
September 20, 2022
ive never read any books by Kathryn before and i picked this one up from the free section on books and i was not disappointed
i was unsure on what to expect as i hadn’t read the synopsis - just saw the cute cover and i was a goner
this was an amazing book that had so many tropes i just love (small town romance + theaters)
it followed the story of a girl called Ria who had a heartbreaking story and decided to move to the small town in order to seek therapy where she meets Grayson who requires help to open his family’s theater
the MCs were great and i fell in love with their love story and the chemistry between was unmatched
i definitely want to read more of Kathryn’s books as my expectations were very much reached
i was unsure on what to expect as i hadn’t read the synopsis - just saw the cute cover and i was a goner
this was an amazing book that had so many tropes i just love (small town romance + theaters)
it followed the story of a girl called Ria who had a heartbreaking story and decided to move to the small town in order to seek therapy where she meets Grayson who requires help to open his family’s theater
the MCs were great and i fell in love with their love story and the chemistry between was unmatched
i definitely want to read more of Kathryn’s books as my expectations were very much reached
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