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The Goode Life #1
Clean Slate
Zack
Twelve years ago, I thought I had everything figured out: I’d go off to college, get my marketing degree, come back to my charming little hometown of Finchley in California’s Gold Country, help my high school sweetheart build his carpentry business, and live happily ever after…
Ha! That’s teenage naivety for you.
Instead, on the eve of my college departure, Slater Goode (henceforth known as The Devil) ripped my heart out of my chest and stomped all over it. Figuratively.
But I don’t care about that anymore. At. All. I have a great life in Chicago… I mean, things aren’t exactly rosy right now, what with my boyfriend slash boss cheating on me, and then losing my job over that little vandalism incident… But that’s just a blip. Things will get better. They have to. I’ll be damned if I’ll be returning home to Finchley with my tail between my legs.
But then I get some news: The Devil’s grandfather, whom I love as if he were my own, has passed away in a tragic mishap of the coital nature, and missing his funeral is not an option.
Despite my desperate prayers, when I return home I’m appalled to find The Devil has not been the victim of some disfiguring flesh-eating disease. Nope, if anything he’s even hotter. And he’s sweet, and funny, and everything I remember falling for back in high school. But he’s still The Devil who shattered my heart and there’s no way I’ll give him the chance to do it again.
Exes with benefits, though? Now that could be an idea…
Come visit Finchley, CA, where the sun’s always shining, the locals are always gossiping, and you won’t walk two steps without bumping into a member of the Goode family. If you’re lucky, you might find gold; or, even better…true love.
Twelve years ago, I thought I had everything figured out: I’d go off to college, get my marketing degree, come back to my charming little hometown of Finchley in California’s Gold Country, help my high school sweetheart build his carpentry business, and live happily ever after…
Ha! That’s teenage naivety for you.
Instead, on the eve of my college departure, Slater Goode (henceforth known as The Devil) ripped my heart out of my chest and stomped all over it. Figuratively.
But I don’t care about that anymore. At. All. I have a great life in Chicago… I mean, things aren’t exactly rosy right now, what with my boyfriend slash boss cheating on me, and then losing my job over that little vandalism incident… But that’s just a blip. Things will get better. They have to. I’ll be damned if I’ll be returning home to Finchley with my tail between my legs.
But then I get some news: The Devil’s grandfather, whom I love as if he were my own, has passed away in a tragic mishap of the coital nature, and missing his funeral is not an option.
Despite my desperate prayers, when I return home I’m appalled to find The Devil has not been the victim of some disfiguring flesh-eating disease. Nope, if anything he’s even hotter. And he’s sweet, and funny, and everything I remember falling for back in high school. But he’s still The Devil who shattered my heart and there’s no way I’ll give him the chance to do it again.
Exes with benefits, though? Now that could be an idea…
Come visit Finchley, CA, where the sun’s always shining, the locals are always gossiping, and you won’t walk two steps without bumping into a member of the Goode family. If you’re lucky, you might find gold; or, even better…true love.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2021
266 people are currently reading
674 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
January 8, 2024
3.5*** stars
The story was fine, truly. Pretty mediocre and underwhelming, but fine and sweet on the second-chance romance.
And listening to Kale Williams is always a treat and I actually only went through this real quick so can get to the second book and didn’t want to miss anything. Which I honestly think I didn’t anyway. *lol
*************
The Goode Life Series
Book 1 - Clean Slate - 3.5 stars
Book 2 - Web of Lies - tbr
Book 3 - Rule of Law
Book 4 - Taken by Chance
The story was fine, truly. Pretty mediocre and underwhelming, but fine and sweet on the second-chance romance.
And listening to Kale Williams is always a treat and I actually only went through this real quick so can get to the second book and didn’t want to miss anything. Which I honestly think I didn’t anyway. *lol
*************
The Goode Life Series
Book 1 - Clean Slate - 3.5 stars
Book 2 - Web of Lies - tbr
Book 3 - Rule of Law
Book 4 - Taken by Chance
May 13, 2021
2.5 ⭐️ This was a cute beginning to this series. It features a small town, a funny FB group with lots of gossip, a large family all up in each other’s business.
Grandpa died and Zack is coming back for the funeral. He is dreading seeing his ex Slater, who broke his heart years ago. Second chance with the guy who broke your heart? I’M IN!!! HOLD THE DOOR!
It was cute and funny. But it was also nothing new, and it was lacking in depth and feelings. I didn’t buy the broken heart part, and their reconciliation was so quick my head was spinning. And while it was funny, I was a bit annoyed that everything (including grandpa’s death) was a joke.
If you are looking for light, funny, sexy entertainment, you’ll definitely get it here. Just don’t expect more and don’t ask too many questions.
Grandpa died and Zack is coming back for the funeral. He is dreading seeing his ex Slater, who broke his heart years ago. Second chance with the guy who broke your heart? I’M IN!!! HOLD THE DOOR!
It was cute and funny. But it was also nothing new, and it was lacking in depth and feelings. I didn’t buy the broken heart part, and their reconciliation was so quick my head was spinning. And while it was funny, I was a bit annoyed that everything (including grandpa’s death) was a joke.
If you are looking for light, funny, sexy entertainment, you’ll definitely get it here. Just don’t expect more and don’t ask too many questions.
February 11, 2024
Nice, but not really worth the money.
It starts off weird: after a short prologue where we have the two MCs (Slater and Zack) waking up together after attending a funeral, we hop six days earlier.
There’s a death (obviously, hence the funeral): Slater’s grandfather dies, obviously in the throes of passion. It felt… weird. Detached. Slater’s mother informs him while he’s with his numerous siblings and cousins, and she’s so… calm. Matter of fact. Slater too, the fact that his grandfather had a heart attack during sex seems to be more important than the sudden death itself, or grieving. Same goes for the grandmother, who’s busier burning the sex toys involved in the act than - you know- actually grieving her partner of 50 years.
Actually, Zack (former neighbour and former boyfriend of Slater) seems more shocked, even if he, too, seems to focus more on HOW his former father figure died.
But ok, I know, it’s not Shakespeare. It just felt weird for me. On top of that I can’t really imagine almost-octogenarians trying to “spice up their love life” with pegging. No offence, but I’m not sure my back would be happy with stuff like that even though I’m way younger 🤪
But I digress…
The romance itself was… nice. Second chance, seeing that Zack and Slater broke up 12 years ago. And seeing that it all was based on some miscommunication (or lack of communication, because - as it turns out - the breakup wouldn’t have happened had they not behaved like the teenagers they were…) it’s a bit annoying that 12 years later they (almost) break up again because - again- they assume, and they don’t talk.
On top of that, there are a few things in the plot that I don’t understand - why did Zack only come back 2 times in 12 years, when he claims to love everyone so much? Why didn’t Slater… you know… CALL? …considering that Zack was the one and only for him.
It’s… nice, but considering it’s not on KU, I wouldn’t recommend it, unless you have a spare credit on audible and need something nice to keep you occupied, because it’s Kale Williams narrating, and Kale (the narrator, not the vegetable) makes everything better 😬
February 13, 2021
Alright...let’s dive in. Spoilers ahead!
This book had great potential. The story itself had good bones, but the execution was lacking. Here’s why:
1. There are no flashbacks nor are there any detailed insights on what Zack and Slater’s relationship was like back in high school. I normally don’t love a flashback-heavy book, but this one would have greatly benefited from some more backstory. We know they were in love and all that because they tell us, but we never actually see it. So from the very first page we’re meant to want these two to reunite...but we’re expected to do so with very little information and therefore very little emotional connection to the main pairing.
2. Supposedly heartbroken Zack forgives Slater way too easily. Actually, I can’t even say he forgives him so much as the story just moves on. With all the reading about their respective heartbreaks and the “big breakup”, I expected a bigger conclusion. It went like this:
Zack- You broke my heart. We could have made it work!
Slater- I did what I thought was right. My bad!
Zack- Ok!!! I don’t care anymore!
I kid you not, this all happened within the span of four pages...while reading on my phone. Those are short pages, guys!!
3. This official “reconciliation” happens 80% into the book. Now, keep in mind that this book is on the shorter side. With that said, the first 80% of the book involves some steamy “this is just sex!!” scenes between the two main characters. Again, I felt these scenes were lacking emotion and depth. The sex scenes themselves were very detailed, but that was just it—sex. We got the inner monologues of the characters during these scenes, so we were TOLD they were wrapped up in their feels for each other, but I didn’t find many (if any) tender moments during these sexy times that would encourage an official “I still love you, never leave me again” reconciliation.
4. Once they reconcile, Zack vows to stay for at least a few weeks to figure out what they are...but then he gets offered a job back in Chicago and absolutely lights up about it. He immediately gets excited and goes on about how he can’t believe he got the job and oh it’s just such short notice and he thought he wouldn’t be able to work in Chicago’s media industry anymore but wow he got it!!! Exciting!
All of this is done and said in front of Slater, and Zack has the audacity to mention that Slater has a weird look on his face. Slater is encouraging about the job, but Zack takes offense to that thinking Slater wants to ship him back to the windy city as soon as possible (DESPITE ZACK HIMSELF GOING GOO GOO GAGA OVER THE JOB OFFER A SECOND EARLIER AND MENTIONING HAVING TO RETURN TO CHICAGO) so he runs away claiming he just has to leave for Chicago right away. GASP! But don’t worry, 2 pages later and all is fixed. Sigh.
5. After they get back together around the 80% mark, the rest feels rushed. So much so that I couldn’t even enjoy the epilogue. A proposal after 4 months of being together again made me roll my eyes real hard. Truth is, the lack of details in this book made me so emotionally unattached to the couple. It’s like the first 80% dragged on and the last 20% went like BOOM back together BOOM Zack is taking a job back in Chicago BOOM just kidding he’s not anymore BOOM I love you let’s fuck BOOM will you marry me BOOM let’s slyly suggest the next book will be about Web and Jesse BOOM the end. All of that in the last 20% was wild. Way too much, way too quickly...considering the first 80% was slow.
This book HAD POTENTIAL. It had funny and steamy moments, a lot of great side characters (though hard to keep track of at times), and involved a beloved, classic romance trope.
Unfortunately, there was just way too much telling and not enough showing which viciously sucked the emotions right out of the story and left everything feeling very surface-level.
This book had great potential. The story itself had good bones, but the execution was lacking. Here’s why:
1. There are no flashbacks nor are there any detailed insights on what Zack and Slater’s relationship was like back in high school. I normally don’t love a flashback-heavy book, but this one would have greatly benefited from some more backstory. We know they were in love and all that because they tell us, but we never actually see it. So from the very first page we’re meant to want these two to reunite...but we’re expected to do so with very little information and therefore very little emotional connection to the main pairing.
2. Supposedly heartbroken Zack forgives Slater way too easily. Actually, I can’t even say he forgives him so much as the story just moves on. With all the reading about their respective heartbreaks and the “big breakup”, I expected a bigger conclusion. It went like this:
Zack- You broke my heart. We could have made it work!
Slater- I did what I thought was right. My bad!
Zack- Ok!!! I don’t care anymore!
I kid you not, this all happened within the span of four pages...while reading on my phone. Those are short pages, guys!!
3. This official “reconciliation” happens 80% into the book. Now, keep in mind that this book is on the shorter side. With that said, the first 80% of the book involves some steamy “this is just sex!!” scenes between the two main characters. Again, I felt these scenes were lacking emotion and depth. The sex scenes themselves were very detailed, but that was just it—sex. We got the inner monologues of the characters during these scenes, so we were TOLD they were wrapped up in their feels for each other, but I didn’t find many (if any) tender moments during these sexy times that would encourage an official “I still love you, never leave me again” reconciliation.
4. Once they reconcile, Zack vows to stay for at least a few weeks to figure out what they are...but then he gets offered a job back in Chicago and absolutely lights up about it. He immediately gets excited and goes on about how he can’t believe he got the job and oh it’s just such short notice and he thought he wouldn’t be able to work in Chicago’s media industry anymore but wow he got it!!! Exciting!
All of this is done and said in front of Slater, and Zack has the audacity to mention that Slater has a weird look on his face. Slater is encouraging about the job, but Zack takes offense to that thinking Slater wants to ship him back to the windy city as soon as possible (DESPITE ZACK HIMSELF GOING GOO GOO GAGA OVER THE JOB OFFER A SECOND EARLIER AND MENTIONING HAVING TO RETURN TO CHICAGO) so he runs away claiming he just has to leave for Chicago right away. GASP! But don’t worry, 2 pages later and all is fixed. Sigh.
5. After they get back together around the 80% mark, the rest feels rushed. So much so that I couldn’t even enjoy the epilogue. A proposal after 4 months of being together again made me roll my eyes real hard. Truth is, the lack of details in this book made me so emotionally unattached to the couple. It’s like the first 80% dragged on and the last 20% went like BOOM back together BOOM Zack is taking a job back in Chicago BOOM just kidding he’s not anymore BOOM I love you let’s fuck BOOM will you marry me BOOM let’s slyly suggest the next book will be about Web and Jesse BOOM the end. All of that in the last 20% was wild. Way too much, way too quickly...considering the first 80% was slow.
This book HAD POTENTIAL. It had funny and steamy moments, a lot of great side characters (though hard to keep track of at times), and involved a beloved, classic romance trope.
Unfortunately, there was just way too much telling and not enough showing which viciously sucked the emotions right out of the story and left everything feeling very surface-level.
April 8, 2021
4.5 Stars!! 💕. Loved it!! So Isla Olsen has now become my go-to author for light, fun, low-angsty reads. I have read all the books of her Love & Luck series series and they had a similar theme; large family, gay-friendly, nosy family-members, lots of humor, low on angsty-drama, steam and sizzle between MCs and a happily ever after..
I believe The Good Life series will have a similar pattern.. 😍 and the first book in the series was a fantastic start. As is the running theme in her books, there is a large family of nosy members, add to that the nosy town people who are all up in everyone's business, then there's a group of hunky men (the Goode Family) who live in this town who are either gay or probably not straight, add some funny situations and humor, mix it up with some smoking hot chemistry between the two MCs who have a past history.. AND you get a smoking hot M/M romance which makes you smile the entire time that you're reading it. 😍
Ms. Olsen also does a great job in getting you invested in the characters.. (and there are so many). So now I can't wait to read about the other Goode cousins and how they find love and their HEAs. Highly recommended to all those who are looking to escape into a pre-2020 world.. I know I'm always looking for such books.. 👍
I believe The Good Life series will have a similar pattern.. 😍 and the first book in the series was a fantastic start. As is the running theme in her books, there is a large family of nosy members, add to that the nosy town people who are all up in everyone's business, then there's a group of hunky men (the Goode Family) who live in this town who are either gay or probably not straight, add some funny situations and humor, mix it up with some smoking hot chemistry between the two MCs who have a past history.. AND you get a smoking hot M/M romance which makes you smile the entire time that you're reading it. 😍
Ms. Olsen also does a great job in getting you invested in the characters.. (and there are so many). So now I can't wait to read about the other Goode cousins and how they find love and their HEAs. Highly recommended to all those who are looking to escape into a pre-2020 world.. I know I'm always looking for such books.. 👍
June 23, 2021
This started out great but I quickly became tired of it.
I've read most of this author's work and I've slowly been liking her books less and less. This one is everything I should like. Low angst, feel good, with a lot of heart and a crazy little town. I feel like this one was lacking depth. I didn't really care about Slater and Zack. Everything felt a little over the top, a little silly. I can't help drawing parallels to this author's other series. There's a lot of similarities.
I've already bought book 2 and 3 in this series so I guess I'll read them at some point though.
I've read most of this author's work and I've slowly been liking her books less and less. This one is everything I should like. Low angst, feel good, with a lot of heart and a crazy little town. I feel like this one was lacking depth. I didn't really care about Slater and Zack. Everything felt a little over the top, a little silly. I can't help drawing parallels to this author's other series. There's a lot of similarities.
I've already bought book 2 and 3 in this series so I guess I'll read them at some point though.
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February 4, 2021https://geni.us/rAme5v4 Now available on Kindle Unlimited!
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December 7, 2021
MM Romance
Second Chance
2.5 stars
This is about a funeral bringing together ex best friends turned lovers that have been apart for 12 years. Since it was a funeral one would think the tone of the book would be sad but this was not the case since the Grandfather of the Goode family died from a sex accident. Basically Grandma was trying to spice up their sex life after 57 years together and bought a strap on for a bit of pegging action. Unfortunately, this jolt to Grandpa’s prostrate made him have a heart attack and die. Oops. As one of the characters said, “At least he went out with a BANG”. 🤦🏻♀️
Zack comes home since his ex, Slater’s Grandpa, basically raised him. They haven’t seen each other for 12 years after Slater dumped Zack the night before Zack was leaving to go to college in Chicago. That makes these two idiots 30 years old and after 12 years you’d think they would have moved on but the second they see each other all the feelings come back. Of course. This is their reunion story, sort of.
This book had so much potential but lacked the depth it needed to make it great. There were too many characters from the same family to keep track of especially for such a short book. The townspeople drove me crazy too and starting each chapter with posts from the town Facebook page was a bit distracting since it took away from the actual storyline. Both men were heartbroken by their breakup years ago and never got over the other and I would have liked some flashbacks from the past to show that so I’d give a fuck about them. The author tried to make this funny and it was at times but because it took place during a funeral it just didn’t quite work for me.
The whole time I was reading this, anytime I’d see the name ‘Slater’, I’d think of Saved by the Bell. 😂 It just occurred to me that their names are Zack and Slater just like that show 😂
Second Chance
2.5 stars
This is about a funeral bringing together ex best friends turned lovers that have been apart for 12 years. Since it was a funeral one would think the tone of the book would be sad but this was not the case since the Grandfather of the Goode family died from a sex accident. Basically Grandma was trying to spice up their sex life after 57 years together and bought a strap on for a bit of pegging action. Unfortunately, this jolt to Grandpa’s prostrate made him have a heart attack and die. Oops. As one of the characters said, “At least he went out with a BANG”. 🤦🏻♀️
Zack comes home since his ex, Slater’s Grandpa, basically raised him. They haven’t seen each other for 12 years after Slater dumped Zack the night before Zack was leaving to go to college in Chicago. That makes these two idiots 30 years old and after 12 years you’d think they would have moved on but the second they see each other all the feelings come back. Of course. This is their reunion story, sort of.
This book had so much potential but lacked the depth it needed to make it great. There were too many characters from the same family to keep track of especially for such a short book. The townspeople drove me crazy too and starting each chapter with posts from the town Facebook page was a bit distracting since it took away from the actual storyline. Both men were heartbroken by their breakup years ago and never got over the other and I would have liked some flashbacks from the past to show that so I’d give a fuck about them. The author tried to make this funny and it was at times but because it took place during a funeral it just didn’t quite work for me.
The whole time I was reading this, anytime I’d see the name ‘Slater’, I’d think of Saved by the Bell. 😂 It just occurred to me that their names are Zack and Slater just like that show 😂
February 8, 2021
Another hit for Isla Olsen
If you are looking for funny, sexy fun, you are at the right place. Isla Olsen has done it again with this book, and I am betting that the rest will be just as good, if not better.
She excels at simultaneous timelines where you know as you are reading that you are going to see events that will be occurring in other books, yet they usually don't take away from the current story.
The family and town social media exchanges are priceless.
If you are looking for funny, sexy fun, you are at the right place. Isla Olsen has done it again with this book, and I am betting that the rest will be just as good, if not better.
She excels at simultaneous timelines where you know as you are reading that you are going to see events that will be occurring in other books, yet they usually don't take away from the current story.
The family and town social media exchanges are priceless.
June 1, 2021
Fine, but I prefer the Love & Luck series so far. The FB conversations of the town were not needed and not nearly as funny as the Kelly group chat. We get that they are nosy and everyone knows everyone's else's business. Each time one popped up it just made me think of the Kellys and that I liked them better--threw me out of the story. Going to try Web of lies and see if I mellow out.
February 7, 2021
2.5 stars - I just couldn’t get into all the Facebook message board stuff and the whole town being all super quirky. We kind of barely get a romantic arc between the two MCs. I think this is another author that I’ve tried enough times to know she’s not for me.
February 5, 2021
A Sweet Romance
Another enjoyable read by Ilsa Olsen. I guess I’ve read just about every book she’s written. Their low on angst, but high on sweet romance. Slater and Zack were fun characters and the crazy side characters kept it light and funny.
Another enjoyable read by Ilsa Olsen. I guess I’ve read just about every book she’s written. Their low on angst, but high on sweet romance. Slater and Zack were fun characters and the crazy side characters kept it light and funny.
dnf
January 20, 2024DNF @ 55%
Let me preface this review by saying that Isla Olsen started with a bang with me, with her Fake it till You Make Out but things started to fizzle out after that because of how repetitive the on goings in the stories were. Pity really because she has a writing style that really matches me.
So I asked an ARC for this hoping that it wouldn't be another Kelly family, which after the 3rd-4th book the series took an unrealistic and unbelievable turn, and it was already trading the line. But alas it wasn't meant to be. Here we have the Goode family with 13 or so grand-kids so I know how it'll go especially since there were already hints up till the 55% that I read for 4 characters.
The 2 MCs here and their 2nd chance romance are Zack and Slater. Slater is from the Goode family who just lost their patriarch Ted in a sex accident, of the prostate stimulation kind that resulted in a heart attack, with his wife Nora. And that is something that the whole little town, were most of them live, knows through FB posts and messages in the town's private FB group... so that's the second WTF... the first WTF was when the members of the family of such a beloved man were more interested in that juicy bit than grieve the grandfather/father they all loved.
But ok let's say that they all grieve tremendously on the inside, so I'm guessing that's why they turned the wake into a New Year's party with tequila shots being thrown back by anyone that said the word sex or referenced anything to do with it...
Up till the 55% it was drilled into my mind from the many mentions that Zack's ex-boss that was his boyfriend as well was caught by Zack, fucking the 19yo old intern named Pietro. The times that was mentioned why Zack left the little town and why they broke up with Slater... ZERO!!!
So after Slater fingered Zack in the bathroom at the wake with nothing but spit I was out!!!
Also for a book that was already released when I got the ARC there were inconsistencies that should have been caught from the editor and the beta readers, for example Zack pushed Slater on the bathroom door, but Slater turned him around on the wall and then they were back to the door, which is something I have noticed before in Isla's books.
So anyway... I think I'll part with ways with the author.
I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
Let me preface this review by saying that Isla Olsen started with a bang with me, with her Fake it till You Make Out but things started to fizzle out after that because of how repetitive the on goings in the stories were. Pity really because she has a writing style that really matches me.
So I asked an ARC for this hoping that it wouldn't be another Kelly family, which after the 3rd-4th book the series took an unrealistic and unbelievable turn, and it was already trading the line. But alas it wasn't meant to be. Here we have the Goode family with 13 or so grand-kids so I know how it'll go especially since there were already hints up till the 55% that I read for 4 characters.
The 2 MCs here and their 2nd chance romance are Zack and Slater. Slater is from the Goode family who just lost their patriarch Ted in a sex accident, of the prostate stimulation kind that resulted in a heart attack, with his wife Nora. And that is something that the whole little town, were most of them live, knows through FB posts and messages in the town's private FB group... so that's the second WTF... the first WTF was when the members of the family of such a beloved man were more interested in that juicy bit than grieve the grandfather/father they all loved.
But ok let's say that they all grieve tremendously on the inside, so I'm guessing that's why they turned the wake into a New Year's party with tequila shots being thrown back by anyone that said the word sex or referenced anything to do with it...
Up till the 55% it was drilled into my mind from the many mentions that Zack's ex-boss that was his boyfriend as well was caught by Zack, fucking the 19yo old intern named Pietro. The times that was mentioned why Zack left the little town and why they broke up with Slater... ZERO!!!
So after Slater fingered Zack in the bathroom at the wake with nothing but spit I was out!!!
Also for a book that was already released when I got the ARC there were inconsistencies that should have been caught from the editor and the beta readers, for example Zack pushed Slater on the bathroom door, but Slater turned him around on the wall and then they were back to the door, which is something I have noticed before in Isla's books.
So anyway... I think I'll part with ways with the author.
I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
July 19, 2021
The Facebook updates made me chuckle, I had forgotten how funny Isla’s books could be. It’s been a while since I read one of her books, but I remember why I like her so much. She’s really good a building fun, steamy and sweet romances with not too much unnecessary drama and hilarious families and friends. Highly recommended
October 9, 2022
2.5⭐
This book has more holes in it than swiss cheese.
I have so many questions. The author painted a nice picture of a small town of Finchley and the Goode family, but she forgot to add so many things, that I really didn't enjoy the story.
The characters seem interesting.
The series is supposed to be good, so I'll try out the next book.
This book has more holes in it than swiss cheese.
I have so many questions. The author painted a nice picture of a small town of Finchley and the Goode family, but she forgot to add so many things, that I really didn't enjoy the story.
The characters seem interesting.
The series is supposed to be good, so I'll try out the next book.
April 12, 2021
Okay, I can see that this is going to be another big family series like the Kelly’s. If you haven’t read them, you really should! Love & Luck series is one of my favorites.
This book had the same element of that series. A huge family, lots of laughs, no WhatsApp text exchange but a Facebook group for the city of Finchley where its residents post some pretty hilarious stuff. I was cracking up at some of the posts.
Now for Slater and Zack... they were basically high school sweethearts. Zack and his brother Jesse lived next door to Slater’s grandparents and they pretty much became another pair of grandsons to them. Zack decided to go away to school and Slater ended it with him, saying they couldn’t really do long distance.
That was 12 years ago. Now Slater’s grandpa passed away and Zack is coming back home again... and of course runs into Slater. The thing is - Slater still loves him and wants him to stay.
They end up in a fwb sorta situation because Slater thinks it’s all he can get from Zack. And Zack is reluctant because Slater broke his heart so bad back then, but he just can’t resist him.
If they would’ve just talked they could’ve avoided some of the drama that came up. Funny, at about 92% one of Zack’s friends, Lawson, comes out and says:
“I think you two should try talking to each other for once, instead of always trying to guess what the other’s thinking.”
Yes! Finally someone says something useful about the importance of communication huh? 🤔
The only minor complaint that I had was that there were SO many cousins, siblings, and parents of them that I could not remember who was who. Whose parents were whose. Who was whose brother. My mind was spinning. I’m hoping as I read the series it’ll get better. It’s just... 13 damn grandchildren of the Goode family? That’s a lot of people to keep track of, not to mention other characters from the town of Finchley. Yikes!
I still reeeeally enjoyed this story though. I love a good second chance romance without any OW/OM drama and some laughs. I’m ridiculously excited to read more from the series. It feels like it’s gonna be another “Goode” one. (Get what I did there? 😝)
POV: Dual 1st person
This book had the same element of that series. A huge family, lots of laughs, no WhatsApp text exchange but a Facebook group for the city of Finchley where its residents post some pretty hilarious stuff. I was cracking up at some of the posts.
Now for Slater and Zack... they were basically high school sweethearts. Zack and his brother Jesse lived next door to Slater’s grandparents and they pretty much became another pair of grandsons to them. Zack decided to go away to school and Slater ended it with him, saying they couldn’t really do long distance.
That was 12 years ago. Now Slater’s grandpa passed away and Zack is coming back home again... and of course runs into Slater. The thing is - Slater still loves him and wants him to stay.
They end up in a fwb sorta situation because Slater thinks it’s all he can get from Zack. And Zack is reluctant because Slater broke his heart so bad back then, but he just can’t resist him.
If they would’ve just talked they could’ve avoided some of the drama that came up. Funny, at about 92% one of Zack’s friends, Lawson, comes out and says:
“I think you two should try talking to each other for once, instead of always trying to guess what the other’s thinking.”
Yes! Finally someone says something useful about the importance of communication huh? 🤔
The only minor complaint that I had was that there were SO many cousins, siblings, and parents of them that I could not remember who was who. Whose parents were whose. Who was whose brother. My mind was spinning. I’m hoping as I read the series it’ll get better. It’s just... 13 damn grandchildren of the Goode family? That’s a lot of people to keep track of, not to mention other characters from the town of Finchley. Yikes!
I still reeeeally enjoyed this story though. I love a good second chance romance without any OW/OM drama and some laughs. I’m ridiculously excited to read more from the series. It feels like it’s gonna be another “Goode” one. (Get what I did there? 😝)
POV: Dual 1st person
December 12, 2024
Rating: 3/5 🌟
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Characters: Slater and Zach
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Characters: Slater and Zach
June 23, 2021
To moje pierwsze spotkanie z Islą Olsen. I chyba, na dłuższy przynajmniej czas, ostatnie 😜
Wiedziałam, że jej książki mają być z tych lekkich, łatwych i przyjemnych, z humorem i bez dramatów. Nie spodziewałam się niczego innego. Ale do głowy nie przyszło mi, że to, co wybiorę, może być o niczym 😂
Bo tak naprawdę nic w tej książce się nie dzieje. Wszystko jest bezbarwne i płaskie, jeżeli jest tam jakieś poczucie humoru, to ominęło mnie szerokim łukiem. Chyba, że można uznać za nie to, że jeden z głównych bohaterów po pijaku zwymiotował na konia, szeryf usiłuje się dowiedzieć, czy koń nie doznał jeszcze jakiejś innej traumy (waszej wyobraźni zostawiam, co to ma znaczyć 😉), całe miasteczko o tym gada - zarówno w realu, jak i na specjalnej grupie na fejsie, a na YouTubie pojawia się filmik z zajścia. Lub może to: wysmarowanie drugiego głównego bohatera - łał, znowu, gdy był pijany - zmoczonymi wszystkimi przyprawami ze spiżarki, które przyciągnęły muchy i które po wyschnięciu zamieniły się w skorupę. A dodałam, że obydwaj główni bohaterzy mają koło 30-tki? I kumple/znajomi/kuzyni/bracia są w wieku +/- kilka lat? Hahaha... Nie uśmiałam się przy tym, ani przy innych podobnych temu rzeczach, ale kto wie, może ktoś znajdzie to zabawnym - w końcu poczucie humoru to indywidualna sprawa 😉
Również jakoś do mnie nie trafiło to, że po 12 latach rozstania, praktycznie nie widzenia się, nie rozmawiania, zaraz przy pierwszym pocałunku (tak, nie trzeba zgadywać - po pijaku również 😉) zainicjowanym przez tego, który został rzucony, czyli przez Zacka - ten, który rzucił, czyli Slater (nie trzeba również zgadywać - tak, oczywiście dla dobra Zacka i tak, oczywiście, ciągle Zacka kocha) momentalnie wkłada palec w dziurę Zacka... No cóż - nie jest to dla mnie ani oznaka szacunku, ani miłości - ale co ja tam wiem 😜 Pewnie się czepiam 😉
Sceny seksu nudne jak flaki z olejem, chemia zerowa...
I dodatkowo coś, co mi drapało nerwy przez cały czas i stosowało przemoc na moich biednych oczach - każdy rozdział zaczyna się wiadomościami z grupy miasteczka na fejsie. Czasami to tylko pół strony, czasami niemalże trzy. I ludzie - wszystko jest DRUKOWANYMI LITERAMI !!! No przecież szału można było dostać... Chyba tylko w jednym rozdziale ktoś się zapomniał i było jak trzeba.
Zatem prawda jest taka, że podczas czytania opisu z okładki można doznać więcej emocji, niż przy czytaniu książki 😂
Na pewno są osoby, dla których ta książka jest okej, albo nawet więcej niż okej - ja się do nich nie zaliczam, ale jak ktoś się zdecyduje, to trzymam kciuki, żeby mu się bardziej podobało i żeby nie zmarnował tylko na to czasu, tak jak ja 😉
Wiedziałam, że jej książki mają być z tych lekkich, łatwych i przyjemnych, z humorem i bez dramatów. Nie spodziewałam się niczego innego. Ale do głowy nie przyszło mi, że to, co wybiorę, może być o niczym 😂
Bo tak naprawdę nic w tej książce się nie dzieje. Wszystko jest bezbarwne i płaskie, jeżeli jest tam jakieś poczucie humoru, to ominęło mnie szerokim łukiem. Chyba, że można uznać za nie to, że jeden z głównych bohaterów po pijaku zwymiotował na konia, szeryf usiłuje się dowiedzieć, czy koń nie doznał jeszcze jakiejś innej traumy (waszej wyobraźni zostawiam, co to ma znaczyć 😉), całe miasteczko o tym gada - zarówno w realu, jak i na specjalnej grupie na fejsie, a na YouTubie pojawia się filmik z zajścia. Lub może to: wysmarowanie drugiego głównego bohatera - łał, znowu, gdy był pijany - zmoczonymi wszystkimi przyprawami ze spiżarki, które przyciągnęły muchy i które po wyschnięciu zamieniły się w skorupę. A dodałam, że obydwaj główni bohaterzy mają koło 30-tki? I kumple/znajomi/kuzyni/bracia są w wieku +/- kilka lat? Hahaha... Nie uśmiałam się przy tym, ani przy innych podobnych temu rzeczach, ale kto wie, może ktoś znajdzie to zabawnym - w końcu poczucie humoru to indywidualna sprawa 😉
Również jakoś do mnie nie trafiło to, że po 12 latach rozstania, praktycznie nie widzenia się, nie rozmawiania, zaraz przy pierwszym pocałunku (tak, nie trzeba zgadywać - po pijaku również 😉) zainicjowanym przez tego, który został rzucony, czyli przez Zacka - ten, który rzucił, czyli Slater (nie trzeba również zgadywać - tak, oczywiście dla dobra Zacka i tak, oczywiście, ciągle Zacka kocha) momentalnie wkłada palec w dziurę Zacka... No cóż - nie jest to dla mnie ani oznaka szacunku, ani miłości - ale co ja tam wiem 😜 Pewnie się czepiam 😉
Sceny seksu nudne jak flaki z olejem, chemia zerowa...
I dodatkowo coś, co mi drapało nerwy przez cały czas i stosowało przemoc na moich biednych oczach - każdy rozdział zaczyna się wiadomościami z grupy miasteczka na fejsie. Czasami to tylko pół strony, czasami niemalże trzy. I ludzie - wszystko jest DRUKOWANYMI LITERAMI !!! No przecież szału można było dostać... Chyba tylko w jednym rozdziale ktoś się zapomniał i było jak trzeba.
Zatem prawda jest taka, że podczas czytania opisu z okładki można doznać więcej emocji, niż przy czytaniu książki 😂
Na pewno są osoby, dla których ta książka jest okej, albo nawet więcej niż okej - ja się do nich nie zaliczam, ale jak ktoś się zdecyduje, to trzymam kciuki, żeby mu się bardziej podobało i żeby nie zmarnował tylko na to czasu, tak jak ja 😉
April 12, 2024
I’ve read quite a few books by this author and they are usually hit or miss. This one was more in the miss column. The prologue got me interested right away so I was excited to continue but then it took a different turn than I was expecting.
The first half of the book and the prologue/second half of the book almost felt like two different stories. The first half the two MCs barely talk to each other and then the second half is pretty much all sex. It was very well written sex scenes but still. I would have loved a bit more balance between the two parts of the story.
I liked both Slater and Zack as characters but really wished they would have communicated better! Would have saved them a ton of trouble (but then we wouldn’t have had a story)! There were definitely too many side characters to really get to know them. Guessing to set up for the next books in the series and will be easier to follow in the next books.
Overall if you enjoy second chances, miscommunication, lots of sex and a fairly low-angst story with some funny parts I would recommend.
The first half of the book and the prologue/second half of the book almost felt like two different stories. The first half the two MCs barely talk to each other and then the second half is pretty much all sex. It was very well written sex scenes but still. I would have loved a bit more balance between the two parts of the story.
I liked both Slater and Zack as characters but really wished they would have communicated better! Would have saved them a ton of trouble (but then we wouldn’t have had a story)! There were definitely too many side characters to really get to know them. Guessing to set up for the next books in the series and will be easier to follow in the next books.
Overall if you enjoy second chances, miscommunication, lots of sex and a fairly low-angst story with some funny parts I would recommend.
May 4, 2021
Oooooo Yes Please!
I couldn't Stop Laughing!
IO brings the funny in this low angst sweet plot.
Who knew Tequila could be so bad for you?
Poor Zone has been on the Mexican roller coaster thanks to some epic issues that are multiplying like a Catholic rabbit. He starts dating his boss(never poop where you eat) catches boss with intern TEQUILA..gets drunk tips the boss' office..then it just goes that much further over the crazy border.
Old loves..new heartbreak...oy.
The only thing that really bugged me was the whole FB chat...IO did the same for L&L series...felt stale, like she couldn't bother trying something new.
I couldn't Stop Laughing!
IO brings the funny in this low angst sweet plot.
Who knew Tequila could be so bad for you?
Poor Zone has been on the Mexican roller coaster thanks to some epic issues that are multiplying like a Catholic rabbit. He starts dating his boss(never poop where you eat) catches boss with intern TEQUILA..gets drunk tips the boss' office..then it just goes that much further over the crazy border.
Old loves..new heartbreak...oy.
The only thing that really bugged me was the whole FB chat...IO did the same for L&L series...felt stale, like she couldn't bother trying something new.
March 15, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
2.75 stars
Clean Slate starts a new series by Isla Olsen featuring the Goode family in small town California. This is a town where the locals love to gossip and everyone makes it a point to know and broadcast everyone’s business. The prologue opens with Zack and Slater hooking up after not seeing each other for years. The chemistry was good between the two of them and it seemed to set the stage for a second chance relationship. The book then goes back six days and there the story fell apart for me and never recovered.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
2.75 stars
Clean Slate starts a new series by Isla Olsen featuring the Goode family in small town California. This is a town where the locals love to gossip and everyone makes it a point to know and broadcast everyone’s business. The prologue opens with Zack and Slater hooking up after not seeing each other for years. The chemistry was good between the two of them and it seemed to set the stage for a second chance relationship. The book then goes back six days and there the story fell apart for me and never recovered.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
April 20, 2021
Just being honest here, I read this one because I really wanted to read the second in the series.
February 20, 2021
Clean Slate is the first book in The Goode Life series by Isla Olsen. I love Isla Olsen and this book wasn't an exception. Zack and Slade were so good together. Their story was sweet, sexy, fun and very well written.
February 11, 2021
Could’ve been better
It was just ok I wouldn’t read it again though. I feel like this book was more like a slice of life.
Slater broke up with Zack over a decade ago because Zack was leaving for college and they’ve been together for quite some years. What I don’t understand is how Zack forgave slater so fast it’s unrealistic I mean cmon? Slater was the love of your life you grew up together he knows you inside and out and the fact he broke your heart and never apologized or anything literally in the book he never apologized.
I felt like zack and slater relationship was more built on sex than real intimacy. I found it ironic that in the book the author talks about how one character is a author and he writes novels but his novels are lacking in intimacy because I feel like Zack and Slater are lacking real human qualities.
If I was Zack I couldn’t forgive my Ex in just a week or so I need time to really think it through like what if I got back with him would he think about himself again and no ask for my input and just end the relationship again?
Let’s not forget that Zack just got out of a relationship and lost his job so his mental capacity isn’t really in the right place.
As slater he claims he loves Zack but not once did he ever do anything to make up for the mistake of leaving him. I mean Zack literally cried his heart out when you left him and just because you couldn’t do the distance? Slater is a selfish character. The sex could be explosive but what’s the point of it if neither character gets to truly forgive one another?
This book was just really fast paced. To truly write a story of trust and learning to love again we need to feel as though slater either matured up enough to own up his mistake and Zack learning to forgive and trust again.
It was just ok I wouldn’t read it again though. I feel like this book was more like a slice of life.
Slater broke up with Zack over a decade ago because Zack was leaving for college and they’ve been together for quite some years. What I don’t understand is how Zack forgave slater so fast it’s unrealistic I mean cmon? Slater was the love of your life you grew up together he knows you inside and out and the fact he broke your heart and never apologized or anything literally in the book he never apologized.
I felt like zack and slater relationship was more built on sex than real intimacy. I found it ironic that in the book the author talks about how one character is a author and he writes novels but his novels are lacking in intimacy because I feel like Zack and Slater are lacking real human qualities.
If I was Zack I couldn’t forgive my Ex in just a week or so I need time to really think it through like what if I got back with him would he think about himself again and no ask for my input and just end the relationship again?
Let’s not forget that Zack just got out of a relationship and lost his job so his mental capacity isn’t really in the right place.
As slater he claims he loves Zack but not once did he ever do anything to make up for the mistake of leaving him. I mean Zack literally cried his heart out when you left him and just because you couldn’t do the distance? Slater is a selfish character. The sex could be explosive but what’s the point of it if neither character gets to truly forgive one another?
This book was just really fast paced. To truly write a story of trust and learning to love again we need to feel as though slater either matured up enough to own up his mistake and Zack learning to forgive and trust again.
February 23, 2021
This is a heartbreakingly sweet romance. Slater and Zack became friends as kids and became lovers in high school. But when it came time to go to college, Zack chose move to Chicago. Not believing that a long distance relationship would survive, Slater broke up with Zack, breaking both their hearts. Zack had only gone back home a couple of times over the next 12 years, never once seeing Slater. When Slater's grandfather, a man who is like his own grandfather, Zack plans to go home for just the funeral. His roommate convinces him to go early, and speak to Slater, seeing as how Zack was still in love with him. The first few times they see each other, it doesn't go well, they're both still angry and hurt. But the day of the funeral they both get drunk and end up in bed. Zack decides to stay on for a few more days, and they agree to have a fling. Slater was hoping that it would be enough time to get Zack to change his mind and stay permanently. I loved the storyline and the characters, especially all the people in town who gossip on the town's group chat. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's books.
March 9, 2021
**Spoilers splash here and there***
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2021...
Okay; so no lie I hope I don’t have to wait to long for Web and Jesse book. Because I think something happened at that Bachelor party. Plus I keep thinking that something going to happen between Lawson and George. I don’t know I am just getting this feeling because Lawson blushes and stuff around George. But George is straight!
So with that being said.. I did enjoyed this book. I wasn’t disappointed at all. But I can say both Slater and Zack was assuming things with each other instead of actually talking it out between each other. Plus, if it wasn’t for Lawson at the end. Zack would’ve left without talking to Slater. Plus Slater would’ve hurt him own self with his job with his brother. Because he didn’t want to lose Zack.
But everything work out in the end because Zack never left he went back to Slater and Chances place to talk it out with Slater and over heard him talking to chance out following Him (Zack) back to Chicago!!!!!
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2021...
Okay; so no lie I hope I don’t have to wait to long for Web and Jesse book. Because I think something happened at that Bachelor party. Plus I keep thinking that something going to happen between Lawson and George. I don’t know I am just getting this feeling because Lawson blushes and stuff around George. But George is straight!
So with that being said.. I did enjoyed this book. I wasn’t disappointed at all. But I can say both Slater and Zack was assuming things with each other instead of actually talking it out between each other. Plus, if it wasn’t for Lawson at the end. Zack would’ve left without talking to Slater. Plus Slater would’ve hurt him own self with his job with his brother. Because he didn’t want to lose Zack.
But everything work out in the end because Zack never left he went back to Slater and Chances place to talk it out with Slater and over heard him talking to chance out following Him (Zack) back to Chicago!!!!!
February 5, 2021
This was a cute and sexy 2nd chance romance. But let’s talk about the character’s names for a sec. By naming the characters Zack and Slater, it just made me think of Saved By The Bell... maybe that was only me though 😬. Anyway.. back to my review.
Even though these two had been apart for awhile, it did not take them long to get to the sexy times. They were like magnets. Always together. The only surprising thing is it took 12 years apart for them to realize they belong together.
I’m excited for the next book and I’m really looking forward to how this series will continue on. There are many side characters, so I expect many more books in this series and that will be great!
Even though these two had been apart for awhile, it did not take them long to get to the sexy times. They were like magnets. Always together. The only surprising thing is it took 12 years apart for them to realize they belong together.
I’m excited for the next book and I’m really looking forward to how this series will continue on. There are many side characters, so I expect many more books in this series and that will be great!
April 19, 2022
Chaotic at times. So many characters and so many conversations going on. Slater and Zack broke up 12 years prior, but we don't know why. Each of their families, in fact the whole town, want them to get back together, but Zack can't forgive Slater. He can, however, have tons of sex with him, but it's just while he's in town and it means nothing. Yeah right! These boys suffer from a serious 'lack of communication'. When we find out why they broke up, it's so ridiculous and could have easily been resolved with a 30 second conversation. The book was cute and fluffy, but I didn't feel a serious emotional connection between Zack and Slater.
March 6, 2021
This was a cute, short, fluffy read. The town and all the characters are amusing, and I can see the future setups already.
I did feel like their breakup and the reasons for it were never really addressed or worked through, they just sort of fucked their way back together...? I would have liked more actual relationship development rather than just sex bringing them back together.
Still a light easy read!
I did feel like their breakup and the reasons for it were never really addressed or worked through, they just sort of fucked their way back together...? I would have liked more actual relationship development rather than just sex bringing them back together.
Still a light easy read!
May 1, 2021
Sorry no
Twelve years of avoidance then you just have sex in the bathroom at a funeral I don’t see it I don’t see at all maybe after 2-3 years but not 12
Twelve years of avoidance then you just have sex in the bathroom at a funeral I don’t see it I don’t see at all maybe after 2-3 years but not 12
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