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Moonflower Cove #1
State of Grace
Blake Calloway has spent decades thinking her mother didn’t want her, but letters found in a chest tell a very different story. Determined to find the truth, Blake hops on a plane and heads for Moonflower Cove, Maine, searching for answers. The last thing she expects to find is Alexis.
Alexis Holland has watched Blake’s hit sci-fi TV show for years and is surprised when the actress shows up at the bar where she works. Despite the chemistry between them, she’s convinced it’s all in her head. After all, she’s a single mom with more baggage than a booked airplane. What could Blake possibly see in her?
Will they be able to overcome their past mistakes and traumas to embrace the new love before them? Or will Alexis push Blake away and retreat back to her safe world?
Content Warning: This novel references a rape that occurred off-page and is mentioned as backstory with no graphic detail.
Alexis Holland has watched Blake’s hit sci-fi TV show for years and is surprised when the actress shows up at the bar where she works. Despite the chemistry between them, she’s convinced it’s all in her head. After all, she’s a single mom with more baggage than a booked airplane. What could Blake possibly see in her?
Will they be able to overcome their past mistakes and traumas to embrace the new love before them? Or will Alexis push Blake away and retreat back to her safe world?
Content Warning: This novel references a rape that occurred off-page and is mentioned as backstory with no graphic detail.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2021
180 people are currently reading
670 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
September 11, 2022
**'You cannot fake the nuance or the art of telling a good story just like cannot fake being a skillful storyteller. Good writers are born with repertory characters and words in their head so become skillful at casting them..'
Mediocre read!
Could have been a much better book #1 if the author stop with making readers feels as if there's a real revealing secret that was not -- then omit some of those moments with those annoyingly overbearing interference of best friends plus develop much needed chemistry between the two leads.
Mediocre read!
Could have been a much better book #1 if the author stop with making readers feels as if there's a real revealing secret that was not -- then omit some of those moments with those annoyingly overbearing interference of best friends plus develop much needed chemistry between the two leads.
November 5, 2022
Family.
This is the 1st book of the Moonflower Cove romance series set in a small town with a tight-knitted homosexual community. It has a fantastic storyline that keeps it interesting, but there was too much going on and not enough pages to tell it well.
There are two main storylines. The first is about family and it starts with Blake, a Hollywood actress, discovering letters after her father's death, from a mother she has been kept away from since five. She decides to take a break from the famous life she has grown to detest to visit the small town of Moonflower Cove where her mother and sister reside with their new family, to reconnect with them. The second storyline is a romance. During Blake's extended stay, she falls for Alexis, the manager of her mother's bar.
The first storyline had potential but was very weak. The impression I had was that the family was great but Blake barely interacted with any of them. She had a couple of superficial exchanges with her mother, sister and her mother's wife and literally zero conversations with her half-siblings.
A lot of attention went to Blake and Alexis instead, but even that storyline had to be worked on. They are a sweet couple but fell for each other hard and fast and I wasn't entirely comfortable with that considering at that point, Alexis was still avoiding discussions about her past and Blake hardly interacted with Alexis' five year old, Harper. I also thought it was a bit much how everyone kept pushing them together, only to have some people backtrack about whether Blake is good for Alexis after progress was actually made.
To be frank, I read this only because I was interested in the series' 3rd book and I didn't want to read out of order. But that book is about Alexis' best friend, Sophia, whom I didn't enjoy in this book so I don't know how I'd feel about it now.
This is the 1st book of the Moonflower Cove romance series set in a small town with a tight-knitted homosexual community. It has a fantastic storyline that keeps it interesting, but there was too much going on and not enough pages to tell it well.
There are two main storylines. The first is about family and it starts with Blake, a Hollywood actress, discovering letters after her father's death, from a mother she has been kept away from since five. She decides to take a break from the famous life she has grown to detest to visit the small town of Moonflower Cove where her mother and sister reside with their new family, to reconnect with them. The second storyline is a romance. During Blake's extended stay, she falls for Alexis, the manager of her mother's bar.
The first storyline had potential but was very weak. The impression I had was that the family was great but Blake barely interacted with any of them. She had a couple of superficial exchanges with her mother, sister and her mother's wife and literally zero conversations with her half-siblings.
A lot of attention went to Blake and Alexis instead, but even that storyline had to be worked on. They are a sweet couple but fell for each other hard and fast and I wasn't entirely comfortable with that considering at that point, Alexis was still avoiding discussions about her past and Blake hardly interacted with Alexis' five year old, Harper. I also thought it was a bit much how everyone kept pushing them together, only to have some people backtrack about whether Blake is good for Alexis after progress was actually made.
To be frank, I read this only because I was interested in the series' 3rd book and I didn't want to read out of order. But that book is about Alexis' best friend, Sophia, whom I didn't enjoy in this book so I don't know how I'd feel about it now.
August 26, 2022
3+ ⭐️
Liked it enough. Celebrity + regular Jane romance with a kid in the mix. Got kind of slow somewhat but our 2 MCs reached their destination…finally
Liked it enough. Celebrity + regular Jane romance with a kid in the mix. Got kind of slow somewhat but our 2 MCs reached their destination…finally
did-not-finish
January 26, 2022DNF @ 70% in. Just too much drama and angst, and while it's an insta-attraction it's a slow burn, but they're not really getting to know each other on a deeper level - so what's the point? There's a lot of back and forth and interpersonal issues that irritated me, and far too involved friends and a secret that's obvious - but being leeched out across the entirety of the book before it gets revealed.
Kindle Unlimited.
I think the author just tried to pack wayyyy too much into the storylines here, and yet none of them got enough reverence or attention that is deserved. There's a shitload of characters, that I honestly struggled to keep them all straight and how they were connected. I'd go over it all, but honestly I'm exhausted just trying to think of the recap.
It's like a soap opera with so many layers of issues, and while I get many are into that - and I myself was open to it - the fact remains none of them are well utilized well enough to form care or showcase the characters. It's disappointing, because I was engaged but then it just kept going around in circles and the back and forth, and more and more friends were adding their opinions and issues in, and the ensemble just wasn't cohesive and more antagonistic.
When I dropped it at 70% it was because another dramatic thing happened and a friend was overbearing and overstepping. I just had enough at that point. And we still haven't exposed the obvious yet much talked about 'secret'.
Kindle Unlimited.
I think the author just tried to pack wayyyy too much into the storylines here, and yet none of them got enough reverence or attention that is deserved. There's a shitload of characters, that I honestly struggled to keep them all straight and how they were connected. I'd go over it all, but honestly I'm exhausted just trying to think of the recap.
It's like a soap opera with so many layers of issues, and while I get many are into that - and I myself was open to it - the fact remains none of them are well utilized well enough to form care or showcase the characters. It's disappointing, because I was engaged but then it just kept going around in circles and the back and forth, and more and more friends were adding their opinions and issues in, and the ensemble just wasn't cohesive and more antagonistic.
When I dropped it at 70% it was because another dramatic thing happened and a friend was overbearing and overstepping. I just had enough at that point. And we still haven't exposed the obvious yet much talked about 'secret'.
May 3, 2023
I waffled quite a bit between 3 and 2 stars, here, but I’m feeling a little more generous. It’s rlly in the 2.75 realm, for me.
It’s just, this had all the potential to be smth I loved. Complicated mother/daughter stuff, sapphic romance, found family, a Hollywood angle, etc, but the execution left smth to be desired, for me. It all just felt very surface level. We didn’t sink into many scenes where it felt like we should, lots of interactions and development of relationships happened off page. We literally never even see Blake interact with her younger half siblings, they don’t show up at all. I wanted more. I REALLY wanted more of Blake and her family, and tbh, the romance felt kinda glossed over a little bit too? Not totally, it wasn’t terrible, but it had a lot more potential. The friends kind of got on my nerves, everyone IMMEDIATELY pushing Blake and Alexis to be together in the beginning felt a little strange, idk. I got this one and I think two others in the series on 99c sales, so I’ll probably check the others out, but I wanted to like this more than I did.
Trigger warning for past rape, nothing is explicitly spoken abt, but it is referenced.
It’s just, this had all the potential to be smth I loved. Complicated mother/daughter stuff, sapphic romance, found family, a Hollywood angle, etc, but the execution left smth to be desired, for me. It all just felt very surface level. We didn’t sink into many scenes where it felt like we should, lots of interactions and development of relationships happened off page. We literally never even see Blake interact with her younger half siblings, they don’t show up at all. I wanted more. I REALLY wanted more of Blake and her family, and tbh, the romance felt kinda glossed over a little bit too? Not totally, it wasn’t terrible, but it had a lot more potential. The friends kind of got on my nerves, everyone IMMEDIATELY pushing Blake and Alexis to be together in the beginning felt a little strange, idk. I got this one and I think two others in the series on 99c sales, so I’ll probably check the others out, but I wanted to like this more than I did.
Trigger warning for past rape, nothing is explicitly spoken abt, but it is referenced.
August 25, 2023
2.5 ⭐️
Everything was ok with this book until the conflict near the ending 😒😒
It was SO UNNECESSARY! I mean Alexis know dating Black would eventually lead to someone snapping pictures of them together! She is an actress for godsake? So to break up with her because of it was uncalled for, it isn’t her fault 😒
And I don’t know what’s the deal with Sophia? One minute she’s encouraging Alexis to be with Black the next she’s fighting with Black? Like what the fuck is the matter with you women??????????
Everything was ok with this book until the conflict near the ending 😒😒
It was SO UNNECESSARY! I mean Alexis know dating Black would eventually lead to someone snapping pictures of them together! She is an actress for godsake? So to break up with her because of it was uncalled for, it isn’t her fault 😒
And I don’t know what’s the deal with Sophia? One minute she’s encouraging Alexis to be with Black the next she’s fighting with Black? Like what the fuck is the matter with you women??????????
August 18, 2021
Nice debut novel! Cute story. Slow-burn with medium angst. Good secondary characters that are frustratingly protective but in the end the character development worked all that out. Looking forward to more from Addison Clarke!
August 13, 2022
Really enjoyed this - first one of AC I’ve read and will certainly look for more. The previous trauma highlighted in the book was very sensitively and well dealt with. Recommended.
December 16, 2021
I enjoyed the slow burn in this book, but it could have done with a bit tighter editing. For a self published book and a first one it certainly is a great effort.
Blake is tv star who comes to find her mother in Moonflower Cove after her dead died. She never expected to find something that she longed for all her life. A loving mother, who has a big loving family, and a partner. Alexis is closed off because of her past. Once we learn about her past it is totally understandable. I like how patient Blake is with her, maybe a bit too patient, forgiving and understanding. Especially when they basically know nothing about each other.
I wouldn’t normally say this, but family plays such a big role in these characters’ life that I do feel like the family feeling is what I’m missing. This is the first book in a series, but it had me doubting if I missed other books in the series because of the established couples, the many unspoken events. And as I mentioned at the beginning of this review, the editing just needed to be a bit tighter, made for some strange reading at times in my opinion.
Still it was enjoyable and the couple is fun and I’d read another book published by this author.
Blake is tv star who comes to find her mother in Moonflower Cove after her dead died. She never expected to find something that she longed for all her life. A loving mother, who has a big loving family, and a partner. Alexis is closed off because of her past. Once we learn about her past it is totally understandable. I like how patient Blake is with her, maybe a bit too patient, forgiving and understanding. Especially when they basically know nothing about each other.
I wouldn’t normally say this, but family plays such a big role in these characters’ life that I do feel like the family feeling is what I’m missing. This is the first book in a series, but it had me doubting if I missed other books in the series because of the established couples, the many unspoken events. And as I mentioned at the beginning of this review, the editing just needed to be a bit tighter, made for some strange reading at times in my opinion.
Still it was enjoyable and the couple is fun and I’d read another book published by this author.
July 28, 2023
Really enjoyed this read, but felt like the ending was a bit rushed. Reading the other books in the series, so to see more of the MCs from this one!
Read
January 10, 2024Dnf 20%
I really liked the idea of a fanfic writer and the actor in a show she loves and writes about. My biggest complaint was that it seems quite slow, and 20% of the way in the paired characters have had one formal meet and one longing look across a room. That would be less of a problem if this wasn't being sold as a romance.
The other thing is that I have been introduced to way too many people in this book already. Every introduction follows the exact same pattern. It feels a little cardboard and too formal for me. I have also noticed this with certain paragraphs throughout the read, also seeming to follow a very formal pattern.
There is some neat inclusion, and I liked that the book doesn't take itself too seriously identifying all the sapphic couples in the small town. But it just wasn't for me.
I really liked the idea of a fanfic writer and the actor in a show she loves and writes about. My biggest complaint was that it seems quite slow, and 20% of the way in the paired characters have had one formal meet and one longing look across a room. That would be less of a problem if this wasn't being sold as a romance.
The other thing is that I have been introduced to way too many people in this book already. Every introduction follows the exact same pattern. It feels a little cardboard and too formal for me. I have also noticed this with certain paragraphs throughout the read, also seeming to follow a very formal pattern.
There is some neat inclusion, and I liked that the book doesn't take itself too seriously identifying all the sapphic couples in the small town. But it just wasn't for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2021
This is a nice back-to-your hometown romance with a few other tropes for good measure. The main characters make a likeable pair and there is an interesting supporting cast. There is a fair amount of angst; some of it a reasonable response to circumstance and some of it simply melodrama. An okay read with a dramatic final scene and the anticipated HEA.
Read
November 1, 2023parece que eu fiquei uma vida lendo esse livro...
August 29, 2021
Upon reading the first chapter, I had to investigate if I was missing another book. It turns out this is Addison Clarke's debut. This story had me feeling all sorts of ways. I want to hear more of the characters that already exist as couples within the town of Moonflower Cove. I wish I had better words to describe how impressed I am/was with State of Grace.
September 3, 2021
This title is a first publication for the author, and a self publish as well, I do believe. That being said there were a few minor spelling/grammar errors.
But…
It was actually very impressive. A lot of time and love went into this book and I could feel when the authors own personality shines through her words. I’m my personal opinion that always makes a difference between a good and a great book.
I fell for the characters, their pain and fears… I found myself getting lost in who they are and the progress that was made from the beginning to the end. There was fighting, confusion, and risk taking that can only be found in the pages of a good storyline. Supporting characters with their own flare for drama as well, which I highly enjoyed. It wasn’t overwhelming, it was an easy read. My heart broke and was sewn back together like any good romance novel should entail.
I’m giving it five stars - an authors first book is probably the hardest to write. I was highly impressed with the authors abilities and strengths.
I recommend this book to fellow readers, it’s even floating on the top 100 lesfic books at the moment and that also says a lot for a good author.
Can’t wait to receive my paperback copy, already ordered and I’m excited to add this into my personal collection.
Excellent work, Addison Clarke. I look forward to your future stories and hope that you’ll revisit Blake and Alexis someday.
But…
It was actually very impressive. A lot of time and love went into this book and I could feel when the authors own personality shines through her words. I’m my personal opinion that always makes a difference between a good and a great book.
I fell for the characters, their pain and fears… I found myself getting lost in who they are and the progress that was made from the beginning to the end. There was fighting, confusion, and risk taking that can only be found in the pages of a good storyline. Supporting characters with their own flare for drama as well, which I highly enjoyed. It wasn’t overwhelming, it was an easy read. My heart broke and was sewn back together like any good romance novel should entail.
I’m giving it five stars - an authors first book is probably the hardest to write. I was highly impressed with the authors abilities and strengths.
I recommend this book to fellow readers, it’s even floating on the top 100 lesfic books at the moment and that also says a lot for a good author.
Can’t wait to receive my paperback copy, already ordered and I’m excited to add this into my personal collection.
Excellent work, Addison Clarke. I look forward to your future stories and hope that you’ll revisit Blake and Alexis someday.
November 1, 2023
I started this book because I read The Christmas Inheritance and I really wanted to read Chase's story. Anyway, here we are. Blake & Alexis there was so much to unpack that seemed a lot at time and I was expecting something to blow up but it didn't.
One aspect that did overwhelmed at moments was how many characters were introduced at once.
Overall I liked this book, was a great introduction to a great group of people.
One aspect that did overwhelmed at moments was how many characters were introduced at once.
Overall I liked this book, was a great introduction to a great group of people.
Read
October 6, 2021Unfortunately I lost interest about a third of the way in. Too much internal monologuing, not enough things happening, maybe?
August 7, 2024
I have thoughts! so many thoughts.
this started out as a very fun read for me, I was so intrigued and I definitely thought it’d be a four star read if not five but alas! something fell short for me
I loved the moonflower cover community, and how they were all one big/small family, absolutely lovely
but Blake felt so out of place, I was feeling left out on her behalf, I wished she had a person of her own in the story, a best friend or ANYONE back home that she could talk to!
and then Alexis was such a wonderful character with her traumas and the walls she’s built because of it, and my heart ached for her throughout
REGARDLESS of that, I absolutely could not get on board with how much she walked out on Blake at the slightest hint of anxiety or trouble! Bro would shut her down so hard, push her away and off a cliff if she could, and I was like come on now?
and it would’ve been OKAY and completely understandable for me, if she was ever the one to reach out and apologize! but in my opinion, Blake was always the only one being understanding or making efforts! which I GET, but also not really felt completely on board with.
SOPHIA amongst the other people Alexis has in our life was wonderful and fiercely protective of Alexis and Harper (her daughter) and truly, it was lovely
BUT AGAIN, the way Sophia would talk to Blake, was so demeaning and so like one would talk to the ex who has upended your best friend’s life? and not like someone who is making effort every step of the way. it was not it for me unfortunately.
stepping away from the romance, Blake’s feelings about reconciling with her family and feeling left out because they’ve built this perfect life with one another but she wasn’t a part of it, and she didn’t even get to make that decision WAS SO VALID
but somehow that didn’t come to fruition either, a tough conversation would have helped but instead we get the whole at least we have each other now! AGAIN, which I get, but it doesn’t, it literally cannot rid you of the pain that she felt by the whole thing.
agh, anyways, I clearly have a lot of emotions about this! it’s because I was enjoying it so much but some things just felt short for me!
having said that, looking forward to other books in the Moonflower Cove world! and I am sure this’s be a 5 starrer for a lot of people!
this started out as a very fun read for me, I was so intrigued and I definitely thought it’d be a four star read if not five but alas! something fell short for me
I loved the moonflower cover community, and how they were all one big/small family, absolutely lovely
but Blake felt so out of place, I was feeling left out on her behalf, I wished she had a person of her own in the story, a best friend or ANYONE back home that she could talk to!
and then Alexis was such a wonderful character with her traumas and the walls she’s built because of it, and my heart ached for her throughout
REGARDLESS of that, I absolutely could not get on board with how much she walked out on Blake at the slightest hint of anxiety or trouble! Bro would shut her down so hard, push her away and off a cliff if she could, and I was like come on now?
and it would’ve been OKAY and completely understandable for me, if she was ever the one to reach out and apologize! but in my opinion, Blake was always the only one being understanding or making efforts! which I GET, but also not really felt completely on board with.
SOPHIA amongst the other people Alexis has in our life was wonderful and fiercely protective of Alexis and Harper (her daughter) and truly, it was lovely
BUT AGAIN, the way Sophia would talk to Blake, was so demeaning and so like one would talk to the ex who has upended your best friend’s life? and not like someone who is making effort every step of the way. it was not it for me unfortunately.
stepping away from the romance, Blake’s feelings about reconciling with her family and feeling left out because they’ve built this perfect life with one another but she wasn’t a part of it, and she didn’t even get to make that decision WAS SO VALID
but somehow that didn’t come to fruition either, a tough conversation would have helped but instead we get the whole at least we have each other now! AGAIN, which I get, but it doesn’t, it literally cannot rid you of the pain that she felt by the whole thing.
agh, anyways, I clearly have a lot of emotions about this! it’s because I was enjoying it so much but some things just felt short for me!
having said that, looking forward to other books in the Moonflower Cove world! and I am sure this’s be a 5 starrer for a lot of people!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2023
I got this for free this past year probably from a promotion in the I Heart SapphFic newsletter. I finally took the opportunity to read it. It is the first book in the Moonflower Cove series. The story begins with actress Blake Calloway finding out that the mother that she thought abandoned has really been lovingly writing to her for years and following her career. She flies to Moonflower Cove to reunite with the mother she hasn’t seen in 25 years. She is on hiatus from filming while the future of her series is up in the air. So she has months to meet her moms new family and friends. One of those is Alexis Holland who works at the bar Blake’s mother owns. She is beautiful and has an adorable five year old named Harper.
This book introduces a lot of characters but the romance between Blake and Alexis is the focus. It develops gradually with time jumps. I thought the pacing was uneven. One minute it is a big deal that Alexis is doing community theater and a few pages later weeks have passed and the show is almost a non event. Same thing with the relationship. They have a first kiss and then it is a week before they talk again. Alexis is busy working and being a mom. I never understood what Blake was doing with her time. I am going to continue with the series mostly because I have KU at the moment.
This book introduces a lot of characters but the romance between Blake and Alexis is the focus. It develops gradually with time jumps. I thought the pacing was uneven. One minute it is a big deal that Alexis is doing community theater and a few pages later weeks have passed and the show is almost a non event. Same thing with the relationship. They have a first kiss and then it is a week before they talk again. Alexis is busy working and being a mom. I never understood what Blake was doing with her time. I am going to continue with the series mostly because I have KU at the moment.
May 3, 2023
State of Grace
This is the first book I've read by this author. It was fun and engaging. I loved the community and chemistry. I'm glad that this is a series. I look forward to the next.
This is the first book I've read by this author. It was fun and engaging. I loved the community and chemistry. I'm glad that this is a series. I look forward to the next.
February 8, 2022
Heartbreaking, Heartwrenching, Heartwarming!
This book had me feeling something for each and every character in it. That is an accomplishment. The story affects a few people at once and they each are trying to navigate it. Blake is a tv star, her father died who was her manager. She was taken by her father when she was young, he wanted her to be famous. Told her her mother didn’t want her. But after cleaning out her fathers house, she finds a chest with a child blanket she remembers from her mom and many unopened letters addressed to her from her mother. She opens one and cries. Then she opens them all and is so mad at her father. Her mother loved her. Her mother remarried with a woman and they had kids. Her mothers wife wrote to her. Wanting her to be part of their life. What was going on? The only way to find answers is to go to Moonflower Cove where her mom and her sister who she hasn’t seen is. Her tv show is on hiatus and might not even be picked up so she had the time. When she gets there. She settles in with her mother and her wife and kids and she is still trying with her sister but then she meets Alexis. Alexis has a daughter Harper and works in Blake’s mothers bar. There seems to be an instant attraction. Not because Blake is a star but something else. But Alexis has closed off her heart. Too much bad memories for a life time. Can Moonflower Cove have the answer that Blake so desperately needs. This was such a sweet heartfelt story. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Must Read!
This book had me feeling something for each and every character in it. That is an accomplishment. The story affects a few people at once and they each are trying to navigate it. Blake is a tv star, her father died who was her manager. She was taken by her father when she was young, he wanted her to be famous. Told her her mother didn’t want her. But after cleaning out her fathers house, she finds a chest with a child blanket she remembers from her mom and many unopened letters addressed to her from her mother. She opens one and cries. Then she opens them all and is so mad at her father. Her mother loved her. Her mother remarried with a woman and they had kids. Her mothers wife wrote to her. Wanting her to be part of their life. What was going on? The only way to find answers is to go to Moonflower Cove where her mom and her sister who she hasn’t seen is. Her tv show is on hiatus and might not even be picked up so she had the time. When she gets there. She settles in with her mother and her wife and kids and she is still trying with her sister but then she meets Alexis. Alexis has a daughter Harper and works in Blake’s mothers bar. There seems to be an instant attraction. Not because Blake is a star but something else. But Alexis has closed off her heart. Too much bad memories for a life time. Can Moonflower Cove have the answer that Blake so desperately needs. This was such a sweet heartfelt story. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Must Read!
September 2, 2021
Good Story
This is a sweet story about finding love when you least expect it. Both Blake and Alexis have been through a lot in their lives but hopefully have found their HEA. The author has a really good way of writing her characters in a way that makes you feel you know them! Well done!
This is a sweet story about finding love when you least expect it. Both Blake and Alexis have been through a lot in their lives but hopefully have found their HEA. The author has a really good way of writing her characters in a way that makes you feel you know them! Well done!
August 16, 2021
I want to move to Moonflower Cove. I loved Alexis and Blake’s story. It was easy to fall in love with both of them okie all the amazing side characters who added a lot of depth to the story.
It was a wonderful debut novel! I can’t wait for the next one in the series.
It was a wonderful debut novel! I can’t wait for the next one in the series.
June 15, 2022
Full transparency, guys! I started reading the second book in the Moonflower Cove series before I started reading State of Grace. I was so sucked into the second book that I was almost disappointed I had to return to its predecessor. But, State of Grace more than made up for my temporary upset.
Blake Calloway, a television reality star seems to have it all. A successful career as an actress, a hit sci-fi show — fame, money, success, she has it. But what she doesn’t have is a relationship with her mother. After her father passed, the lies he has told her for her entire life begin to come unraveled. Her mother did want her — she didn’t just give up on her and start a new family! Between shows, and feeling more than a bit listless, she does the unthinkable and goes to Moonflower Cove to reconnect with her mom. What Blake couldn’t have anticipated was meeting Alexis Holland. A single mom, a huge fan of hers, and she works at her mom’s bar. In a way, the stars had aligned for them to meet. But it’s up to them to make it work. Blake knows a day will come that she has to leave, but she couldn’t have prepared for how many reasons she’d have to stay in Moonflower Cove.
I love a good slow burn. I like there to be tension. I want it to be dragged out until I’m screaming for something. Anything. A brush of a hair, or a private smile. I want to be at the edge of my seat making squeezing motions to smash their faces into each other so they can just kiss.
Clarke did a wonderful job in establishing a slow burn. There was plenty of attention to detail, and just as many reasons for them not to give in to temptation. As a story, it was incredibly sound.
Clarke’s writing style is beautiful. It’s simple with just the right amount of poetry thrown in to make you swoon.
Further, her side characters were incredibly likable. Even when you wanted to scream and shake them, they were memorable. I felt like I knew them — not just that they reminded me about someone I knew, but like I knew them. Which, in itself is wonderful.
With first novels, there are often “growing pains” that the writers have to go through. It’s almost always the pacing — Hell, some established authors with fifty years of experience struggle with pacing. This book was no exception. It did move a bit slower at the beginning than I would have liked (an issue that I know, for a fact, was corrected with Someday, Maybe, the second installment of the series).
There was a substantial amount of “telling” and “not showing.” Meaning that the bulk of the feelings we were seeing/feeling was manufactured through internal dialogue, and less with the couple. The only reason this book isn’t a five-star from me is because I wished for just a bit less description. I wanted an air of mystery — I wanted their dialogue and mannerisms to twist my insides. Though, I suspect that most of my grievances were remedied in Clarke’s later works!
Overall, Addison Clarke did a stunning job with this book, and I greatly look forward to reading the rest of the series!
Blake Calloway, a television reality star seems to have it all. A successful career as an actress, a hit sci-fi show — fame, money, success, she has it. But what she doesn’t have is a relationship with her mother. After her father passed, the lies he has told her for her entire life begin to come unraveled. Her mother did want her — she didn’t just give up on her and start a new family! Between shows, and feeling more than a bit listless, she does the unthinkable and goes to Moonflower Cove to reconnect with her mom. What Blake couldn’t have anticipated was meeting Alexis Holland. A single mom, a huge fan of hers, and she works at her mom’s bar. In a way, the stars had aligned for them to meet. But it’s up to them to make it work. Blake knows a day will come that she has to leave, but she couldn’t have prepared for how many reasons she’d have to stay in Moonflower Cove.
I love a good slow burn. I like there to be tension. I want it to be dragged out until I’m screaming for something. Anything. A brush of a hair, or a private smile. I want to be at the edge of my seat making squeezing motions to smash their faces into each other so they can just kiss.
Clarke did a wonderful job in establishing a slow burn. There was plenty of attention to detail, and just as many reasons for them not to give in to temptation. As a story, it was incredibly sound.
Clarke’s writing style is beautiful. It’s simple with just the right amount of poetry thrown in to make you swoon.
Further, her side characters were incredibly likable. Even when you wanted to scream and shake them, they were memorable. I felt like I knew them — not just that they reminded me about someone I knew, but like I knew them. Which, in itself is wonderful.
With first novels, there are often “growing pains” that the writers have to go through. It’s almost always the pacing — Hell, some established authors with fifty years of experience struggle with pacing. This book was no exception. It did move a bit slower at the beginning than I would have liked (an issue that I know, for a fact, was corrected with Someday, Maybe, the second installment of the series).
There was a substantial amount of “telling” and “not showing.” Meaning that the bulk of the feelings we were seeing/feeling was manufactured through internal dialogue, and less with the couple. The only reason this book isn’t a five-star from me is because I wished for just a bit less description. I wanted an air of mystery — I wanted their dialogue and mannerisms to twist my insides. Though, I suspect that most of my grievances were remedied in Clarke’s later works!
Overall, Addison Clarke did a stunning job with this book, and I greatly look forward to reading the rest of the series!
April 13, 2023
I would give it 3.5 stars, compared to other KU books i read the quality of this one is very good. The storyline is nothing super new, hot and loved Hollywood starlet meets normal average girl. Add in thad said girl is a mom and comes with lots of Bagage and man supportiv and close friends. Blake, the hollywood starlet grew up without her mom after Had overarchiving dad took her away to Hollywood at a very young age only to learn the truth after her dad died.
This alone for me would have been a story i want to see unfold in 1 book and the getting to know a love interesst just as a sidestory, which unfoldes in a 2nd book. I loved that we got a glimps into the backstory of these characters, which have them deepth, i just wish there was more to it.
Sometimes I feelt like stuff doesnt add up. Like Blake beeing introduced to Alexis in a Café at the very begining a few days later they met again and Blake asks who this woman is...some smaller backstory informations were interessting and could have been a great add on to the story, bur were just ignoriert after one short mentioning for example Alexis beeing a fanfiction writer, writing a well know lesbian fanfiction about Blakes character, starting a discussion about it first time they properly meet at family dinner, even ending in a fight...and Blake after THIS questioning if Alexis is gay. Instead of keeping this a topic and using it (so it makes sense that we were told) for the book somehow, Alexis gets a new passion within the book she acts and sings at a musical for their towns summer concerts. Alexis at first was for me very unlikable how she reacted to Blake about her TV Shows storyline not beeing LGBT, was uncalled for and No Fan (which she obviously was because she writes fanfiction) would react this way. She warmed up to me quickly because her character after this was very likable. The pace of the book was a bit off for me from im a mom with a dark past, that Made her closed of and long time single to engaged within a very very short amount of time.
All in all looking over a few thinks its a okay read, maybe something i shouldnt think to deep about stuff that doesnt add up perfectly. I just wished there were not so many great ideas thrown into thi book but not really worked with over the lenght of the book.
This alone for me would have been a story i want to see unfold in 1 book and the getting to know a love interesst just as a sidestory, which unfoldes in a 2nd book. I loved that we got a glimps into the backstory of these characters, which have them deepth, i just wish there was more to it.
Sometimes I feelt like stuff doesnt add up. Like Blake beeing introduced to Alexis in a Café at the very begining a few days later they met again and Blake asks who this woman is...some smaller backstory informations were interessting and could have been a great add on to the story, bur were just ignoriert after one short mentioning for example Alexis beeing a fanfiction writer, writing a well know lesbian fanfiction about Blakes character, starting a discussion about it first time they properly meet at family dinner, even ending in a fight...and Blake after THIS questioning if Alexis is gay. Instead of keeping this a topic and using it (so it makes sense that we were told) for the book somehow, Alexis gets a new passion within the book she acts and sings at a musical for their towns summer concerts. Alexis at first was for me very unlikable how she reacted to Blake about her TV Shows storyline not beeing LGBT, was uncalled for and No Fan (which she obviously was because she writes fanfiction) would react this way. She warmed up to me quickly because her character after this was very likable. The pace of the book was a bit off for me from im a mom with a dark past, that Made her closed of and long time single to engaged within a very very short amount of time.
All in all looking over a few thinks its a okay read, maybe something i shouldnt think to deep about stuff that doesnt add up perfectly. I just wished there were not so many great ideas thrown into thi book but not really worked with over the lenght of the book.
August 23, 2024
This was a fun read… but might have been nicer if it just focused on Blake, Alexis, and Harper. They were generally the highlights of the story: it was fun to see them get to know each other. Every time it happened naturally, it was great (except when Alexis freaked out — somehow this was not to be expected ?).
So my reservations were mostly about the side characters. It was kind of confusing how most of the cast was trying to throw these two people together from the moment they met. They didn’t at all seem like an obvious pairing, so I’m not even sure where that came from? Why would they think that when a TV star shows up in their small town, the appropriate thing to do is to throw eligible women at her? And what the heck is with Sophie, motto: Like, what? Finally, I’m not really sure why the reconnecting with family storylines were in there when the families seemed pretty reluctant to have anything to do with the characters and only the slightest of progress was made over the course of the book. Maybe this is developed more in future books in the series?
So I don’t know, I just griped maybe more than the story deserved. It was fun to read, and seems like it’s probably a good intro to the series. There’s definitely potential for characters and plot threads to explore in subsequent books. I think I’ll try another and see where things go.
So my reservations were mostly about the side characters. It was kind of confusing how most of the cast was trying to throw these two people together from the moment they met. They didn’t at all seem like an obvious pairing, so I’m not even sure where that came from? Why would they think that when a TV star shows up in their small town, the appropriate thing to do is to throw eligible women at her? And what the heck is with Sophie, motto: Like, what? Finally, I’m not really sure why the reconnecting with family storylines were in there when the families seemed pretty reluctant to have anything to do with the characters and only the slightest of progress was made over the course of the book. Maybe this is developed more in future books in the series?
So I don’t know, I just griped maybe more than the story deserved. It was fun to read, and seems like it’s probably a good intro to the series. There’s definitely potential for characters and plot threads to explore in subsequent books. I think I’ll try another and see where things go.
February 6, 2023
A solid 7.5 to 8 out of 10. I actually enjoyed reading this book. It had me smiling a lot of times and I like that. However, I don’t know if it just me but I didn’t like that the author didn’t really expand on the relationship between Blake, her mum and most especially her sister. There were only a few parts of the book where we saw Blake and Mason together and I wished the author had made it evident that they were working on their relationship.
It just felt like Blake moved to this new place in the hopes of having a relationship with her mum and especially her little sister and then found Alexis and just forgot all about that. I really wished the author showed more scenes with jokes between Blake and Mason and even a talk between the two of them and their mum, which I think was really needed.
The author really neglected Blake’s relationship with her family who she came there to find and focused it entirely on Alexis, who has multiple friends that all have opinions and barely any standing in the book except Sofia(who says she wants them to be together one minute and then says she knew she didn’t trust Blake the next minute) and Emily (who I don’t really have much problems with)
Even tho I didn’t see that, I still enjoyed the book. I think the author may have rushed the book a little bit, there were two storylines with wonderful potential but too little pages to really develop those story lines into what they should have become. It’s not a bad story.
It just felt like Blake moved to this new place in the hopes of having a relationship with her mum and especially her little sister and then found Alexis and just forgot all about that. I really wished the author showed more scenes with jokes between Blake and Mason and even a talk between the two of them and their mum, which I think was really needed.
The author really neglected Blake’s relationship with her family who she came there to find and focused it entirely on Alexis, who has multiple friends that all have opinions and barely any standing in the book except Sofia(who says she wants them to be together one minute and then says she knew she didn’t trust Blake the next minute) and Emily (who I don’t really have much problems with)
Even tho I didn’t see that, I still enjoyed the book. I think the author may have rushed the book a little bit, there were two storylines with wonderful potential but too little pages to really develop those story lines into what they should have become. It’s not a bad story.
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December 14, 2022I came to this book after reading the Christmas Inheritance. I enjoyed that book, though it was quite short. This book i didn't read fully so i didn't give it a star rating. For some reason, i had the feeling it was going to switch into a trope i didn't like. Though many people do like it, so don't let my review stop you from reading it.
August 16, 2025
This is the start of a long series (16 books so far of which I own 12) so I really wanted to love it, or at least really like it. But it just fell flat for me in not exploring numerous issues in more detail e.g. I wanted to know more about Blake’s relationship with her father; how the relationship between her father and mother imploded (we know that now her mother is married to another woman but there is no information whatsoever about how that came about and what her father’s reaction to it was); Isla and Vera’s other children are mentioned but there is zero interaction with them; I wanted some rebuilding of the relationship between Blake and Mason; what about Alexis’ fractured relationships with her own family? etc. So many issues were raised but then just dropped. I appreciate that some matters appear to be covered in future books but I felt that this was the right place for some more explanation to have been included eg. Alexis’ volte face from ‘I can’t possibly expose my daughter and me to this kind of media scrutiny’ to suddenly being ‘all in’ was just bizarre and unexplained. Future books may fill in more background, so my fingers are crossed, but it may be a while before I move on to book 2…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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