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Jupiter Tides #1
Recipe for Love
Nora Henderson is of the opinion that chocolate cures almost everything.
Which, among a few other reasons, is why she opened her bakery in the small town of Jupiter, Maine five years ago.
People come from miles for her chocolate peanut butter cupcakes. Customers almost come to blows over the last almond croissant. Some even say her chocolate chip cookies help ease the burn of heartbreak.
Nora’s life is good. On the surface, at least.
Underneath the frosting and the sweet décor of her bakery is a broken engagement, doubt and anxiety spirals.
In short, Nora Henderson is a mess.
Not someone Rowan Derrick would ever be interested in. He’s the gruff veteran who owns a construction company, who broods his way around town and can wear the crap out of a backward baseball cap.
He stars in almost every one of her fantasies. She expected him to stay there, to remain her imaginary boyfriend and customer … nothing else.
But Rowan Derrick has had his eye on Nora for a while. Little does she know, she stars in every one of his fantasies too. And now that the beautiful baker is no longer engaged, he’s going to make her his
Which, among a few other reasons, is why she opened her bakery in the small town of Jupiter, Maine five years ago.
People come from miles for her chocolate peanut butter cupcakes. Customers almost come to blows over the last almond croissant. Some even say her chocolate chip cookies help ease the burn of heartbreak.
Nora’s life is good. On the surface, at least.
Underneath the frosting and the sweet décor of her bakery is a broken engagement, doubt and anxiety spirals.
In short, Nora Henderson is a mess.
Not someone Rowan Derrick would ever be interested in. He’s the gruff veteran who owns a construction company, who broods his way around town and can wear the crap out of a backward baseball cap.
He stars in almost every one of her fantasies. She expected him to stay there, to remain her imaginary boyfriend and customer … nothing else.
But Rowan Derrick has had his eye on Nora for a while. Little does she know, she stars in every one of his fantasies too. And now that the beautiful baker is no longer engaged, he’s going to make her his
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 2022
2281 people are currently reading
11498 people want to read
About the author
Anne Malcom
55 books3,932 followersAnne Malcom has been an avid reader since before she can remember, her mother responsible for her book addiction. It started with magical journeys into the world of Hogwarts and Middle Earth, then as she grew up her reading tastes grew with her. Her obsession with books and romance novels in particular gave Anne the opportunity to find another passion, writing. Finding writing about alpha males and happily ever afters more fun than reading about them, Anne is not about to stop any time soon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,070 reviews
June 27, 2023
everytime he called her cupcake i wanted to slit my wrists
February 13, 2023
DNF’d @50%
It started out so promising and then I slowly realised every character had too many screws loose 💀💀
And the pacing was so inconsistent. At one point I was waiting an entire chapter for them to say like five lines?! The inner monologue needed to be cut short.
Yeah and the guy basically called her friend bitch in his head 🥰🥰
Thanks Nadia for the hilarious commentary 🤣🤣 we might’ve DNF’d this but I still had a blast reading this with you <3 (Next time I’ll choose the book lol)
It started out so promising and then I slowly realised every character had too many screws loose 💀💀
And the pacing was so inconsistent. At one point I was waiting an entire chapter for them to say like five lines?! The inner monologue needed to be cut short.
Yeah and the guy basically called her friend bitch in his head 🥰🥰
Thanks Nadia for the hilarious commentary 🤣🤣 we might’ve DNF’d this but I still had a blast reading this with you <3 (Next time I’ll choose the book lol)
July 14, 2023
I gotta be honest withya chief this one ain't for me.
Reading this was an experience of what happened to hello? how are you? my name is? what happened to that?
Three major icks in this ruined everything and made it go downhill for me. First of all the sudden burst of Rowen into his role of whatever that hell that was. One day they were staring at each other the second day he is telling her that he is staying at her house and wants to fuck her. husky eyes or not bestie that's just not how it goes. Didn't anybody tell this woman about Ted Bundy? No ma'am. Also, why does Rowen speak like Chris brown in his 2014 era? like he never uses pronouns? he just talks like he is singing or something even though he is always angry at the world and a vein is about to pop from his forehead because Nora is being Nora?
The second major ick for me was her best friend Fionna, holy god this woman. someone shut her the fuck up. she is like a fizzy drink that someone kept shaking and suddenly unscrewed the top. like babes, you are not even the main character, you talk more than Nora and Rowen combined. she goes on and on and fucking on about every useless thing for fuck's sake.
Third MAJOR, I am talking got me wanting to claw my eyeballs out, the extreme shallowness of the use of feminism in this book. Like if Rowen wants to drive her or do something for her she goes all you think women can't do and goes into a monologue of 2 pages about women being capable. or if she likes being taken care she goes into the same rampage. like the author is trying SO hard, too hard to make her characters so perfect and neat. Trust me if a man opens the door for me he ain't taking my women's rights babe. chill the fuck out.
it just wasn't for me, the writing felt so stunted and kind of really lame. I didn't like any of the characters. Nora felt like a mess, not being of her mental health issues but because of how the author wanted her to 'seem' to be versus her actual behaviors. she was never meek or shy or quiet. she mostly snapped without thinking, she jumped to conclusions and she behaved so irrationally more than once.
Reading this was an experience of what happened to hello? how are you? my name is? what happened to that?
Three major icks in this ruined everything and made it go downhill for me. First of all the sudden burst of Rowen into his role of whatever that hell that was. One day they were staring at each other the second day he is telling her that he is staying at her house and wants to fuck her. husky eyes or not bestie that's just not how it goes. Didn't anybody tell this woman about Ted Bundy? No ma'am. Also, why does Rowen speak like Chris brown in his 2014 era? like he never uses pronouns? he just talks like he is singing or something even though he is always angry at the world and a vein is about to pop from his forehead because Nora is being Nora?
The second major ick for me was her best friend Fionna, holy god this woman. someone shut her the fuck up. she is like a fizzy drink that someone kept shaking and suddenly unscrewed the top. like babes, you are not even the main character, you talk more than Nora and Rowen combined. she goes on and on and fucking on about every useless thing for fuck's sake.
Third MAJOR, I am talking got me wanting to claw my eyeballs out, the extreme shallowness of the use of feminism in this book. Like if Rowen wants to drive her or do something for her she goes all you think women can't do and goes into a monologue of 2 pages about women being capable. or if she likes being taken care she goes into the same rampage. like the author is trying SO hard, too hard to make her characters so perfect and neat. Trust me if a man opens the door for me he ain't taking my women's rights babe. chill the fuck out.
it just wasn't for me, the writing felt so stunted and kind of really lame. I didn't like any of the characters. Nora felt like a mess, not being of her mental health issues but because of how the author wanted her to 'seem' to be versus her actual behaviors. she was never meek or shy or quiet. she mostly snapped without thinking, she jumped to conclusions and she behaved so irrationally more than once.
July 13, 2023
booktok lied to me, again. the only good thing was the recipes at the end.
January 28, 2023
I really wanted to like this book but…
1.) What was the point in making Nora a Hypochondriac when that was never a real problem in the story? It felt unnecessary and misrepresentative of people with the actual condition.
2.) Insta-love is never my fave thing but it wasn’t the worst part of this book. I hated the scene with Kaitlyn, where Nora jumped to conclusions over a tiny incident.
3.) My biggest gripe was the way the author chose to make Rowan speak, because sometimes he just doesn’t use “I” in his sentences. For example:
“Know what Practical Magic is,” he interrupted gently. “Seen the movie. Coupla times.”
“Don’t have a TV but can get a laptop if you wanna watch somethin’.”
“See those wheels spinnin’ in that head of yours,”
And he’s the only one who speaks like this. It truly drove me crazy the whole time.
1.) What was the point in making Nora a Hypochondriac when that was never a real problem in the story? It felt unnecessary and misrepresentative of people with the actual condition.
2.) Insta-love is never my fave thing but it wasn’t the worst part of this book. I hated the scene with Kaitlyn, where Nora jumped to conclusions over a tiny incident.
3.) My biggest gripe was the way the author chose to make Rowan speak, because sometimes he just doesn’t use “I” in his sentences. For example:
“Know what Practical Magic is,” he interrupted gently. “Seen the movie. Coupla times.”
“Don’t have a TV but can get a laptop if you wanna watch somethin’.”
“See those wheels spinnin’ in that head of yours,”
And he’s the only one who speaks like this. It truly drove me crazy the whole time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2023
The baker and the builder
It was a cute read. The first from this author. Looking forward to exploring her backlist
It was a cute read. The first from this author. Looking forward to exploring her backlist
July 11, 2023
why did the main character have to mention that she was wearing cashmere every five pages???
this had potential, but it was just not written well. there was too much telling and not enough showing
this had potential, but it was just not written well. there was too much telling and not enough showing
July 9, 2023
This book is wattpad on crack..
There were way to many conflicts at once, if the author decided on just 2 of all of those conflicts the story would have been believable…
here‘s a list of all the different conflicts for people interested:
-annoying/aggressive ex fiancé that breaks into her home and gives her bruises & a black eye
-anxiety and a bad upbringing in trailer park for heroine
-mother of ex fiancé showing up and threatening heroine after hero drive ex-fiancé out of town
-a drunk abusive guy trying to hurt heroine after she steps in to safe abusive guys girlfriend
-a ex-hookup of the hero showing up in the middle of the night & heroine breaking up with hero
-a near death experience bc of a burst appendix during breakup/rekindling
-heroines bad mother showing up unannounced
-heroines twin brother dying because of drug overdose
-heroine fighting with mother bc of funeral arrangements
-drunk abusive guy showing up again to get revenge while heroine is alone in a bar getting drunk
And everytime the hero goes „alpha male“ (direct quote) and punches someone/goes after someone who disrespects or hurts the heroine…
Always threatening death bc he was a military guy and went to war…
So yeah as I said WATTPAD ON CRACK 😂
There were way to many conflicts at once, if the author decided on just 2 of all of those conflicts the story would have been believable…
here‘s a list of all the different conflicts for people interested:
-annoying/aggressive ex fiancé that breaks into her home and gives her bruises & a black eye
-anxiety and a bad upbringing in trailer park for heroine
-mother of ex fiancé showing up and threatening heroine after hero drive ex-fiancé out of town
-a drunk abusive guy trying to hurt heroine after she steps in to safe abusive guys girlfriend
-a ex-hookup of the hero showing up in the middle of the night & heroine breaking up with hero
-a near death experience bc of a burst appendix during breakup/rekindling
-heroines bad mother showing up unannounced
-heroines twin brother dying because of drug overdose
-heroine fighting with mother bc of funeral arrangements
-drunk abusive guy showing up again to get revenge while heroine is alone in a bar getting drunk
And everytime the hero goes „alpha male“ (direct quote) and punches someone/goes after someone who disrespects or hurts the heroine…
Always threatening death bc he was a military guy and went to war…
So yeah as I said WATTPAD ON CRACK 😂
June 14, 2024
My phase of – swooning over men who go all territorial over women they barely had any conversation with – is long gone. I just can’t with the insta love. I physically cannot. This book would have been so much better without the insta love set up. Sigh.
January 13, 2025
I have mixed feelings about this one…
First I want to say that it was an easy and technically cute read. But I just can’t get myself to give more stars.
I could not for the life of god understand the plot she was trying to make. It was like she forgot a lot of things and then remembered in the middle of the story and had to add more.
Both of their story didn’t matter and it just didn’t made sense.
Like she was an hypochondriac but it was only mentioned like three times?
He apparently had PTSD but like never suffered?
She was a Twin and only mentioned her brother maybe once and then he dies?
She also started serious topics and then let them drop within the second of them happening like the domestic violence which seemed to be ignored.
I also felt like she wanted to be special with adding a bunch of feminist quotes and statements. And while I absolutely adore that (GO WOMAN!!) I could not stand how it didn’t matter at all in a couple scenes.
Like Rowan not respecting and instead demanding she’d get undressed or asks her for a date by telling her he wants to fuck her? Wth
And although the whole „Don’t touch her she’s mine“- Trope is very popular, it was too much, too early.
It annoyed me that both of them claimed to love the other person or atleast fancy them but she was engaged and he was fucking around?
Didn’t made sense.
She was also annoying as hell with the way she talked about her body. Like once she said how she has no problem with her size but then proceeded to mention it all the time.
Smut was okay.
First I want to say that it was an easy and technically cute read. But I just can’t get myself to give more stars.
I could not for the life of god understand the plot she was trying to make. It was like she forgot a lot of things and then remembered in the middle of the story and had to add more.
Both of their story didn’t matter and it just didn’t made sense.
Like she was an hypochondriac but it was only mentioned like three times?
He apparently had PTSD but like never suffered?
She was a Twin and only mentioned her brother maybe once and then he dies?
She also started serious topics and then let them drop within the second of them happening like the domestic violence which seemed to be ignored.
I also felt like she wanted to be special with adding a bunch of feminist quotes and statements. And while I absolutely adore that (GO WOMAN!!) I could not stand how it didn’t matter at all in a couple scenes.
Like Rowan not respecting and instead demanding she’d get undressed or asks her for a date by telling her he wants to fuck her? Wth
And although the whole „Don’t touch her she’s mine“- Trope is very popular, it was too much, too early.
It annoyed me that both of them claimed to love the other person or atleast fancy them but she was engaged and he was fucking around?
Didn’t made sense.
She was also annoying as hell with the way she talked about her body. Like once she said how she has no problem with her size but then proceeded to mention it all the time.
Smut was okay.
May 23, 2023
I threw my kindle across the room and dnf’d as soon as she called him AN ALPHA and every time they kissed said “he kissed me. Claimed me” sorry????????? His pov were he swore every 6 words should have been my first clue
This was so bad (did anyone edit it ????) if I could give it a 0 I would. 1 star is too much. 2 hours of my life I’ll never get back. Goodbye.
This was so bad (did anyone edit it ????) if I could give it a 0 I would. 1 star is too much. 2 hours of my life I’ll never get back. Goodbye.
November 25, 2023
The "alpha" in this book is not as feminist as he and the author try to make me believe. If you only value "your" woman, your mom and your sisters, but otherwise used women as a substitute for therapy, there is NOTHING feminist about it.
.
This book made me roll my eyes all the way to my brain way too many times.
Rowan feels not authentic to me but I like that he doesn't talk much, know your place, red flag trash ✌🏻
.
Nora is a really likable protagonist, she literally carried the entire book, but I just felt uncomfortable with this over-emphasis on her feminism because it seemed manipulative. I just don't know who the author is trying to convince here, herself or the readers?
There were a few good lines, but it's so annoying when people seem to keep forgetting that self-determination literally IS feminist. Defend your own and also those of others, why do you have to constantly classify the extent to which an action is feminist enough?
.
Maybe just better drop the classism all in all. Poor people are poor, because rich people are rich. They are not poor because they didn't try hard enough.
.
And of course there is a cliffhanger so I have to read Fionas and Kips story too, because I'm annoyingly curious 🙄😪
.
I'm not into Army, Veterans, Patriotism (🤢) and shit so probably this was a lost cause from the beginning but IG keeps lying to me 😮💨
.
It gets two stars because I finished it but after the second book I will probably stop reading this author.
.
This book made me roll my eyes all the way to my brain way too many times.
Rowan feels not authentic to me but I like that he doesn't talk much, know your place, red flag trash ✌🏻
.
Nora is a really likable protagonist, she literally carried the entire book, but I just felt uncomfortable with this over-emphasis on her feminism because it seemed manipulative. I just don't know who the author is trying to convince here, herself or the readers?
There were a few good lines, but it's so annoying when people seem to keep forgetting that self-determination literally IS feminist. Defend your own and also those of others, why do you have to constantly classify the extent to which an action is feminist enough?
.
Maybe just better drop the classism all in all. Poor people are poor, because rich people are rich. They are not poor because they didn't try hard enough.
.
And of course there is a cliffhanger so I have to read Fionas and Kips story too, because I'm annoyingly curious 🙄😪
.
I'm not into Army, Veterans, Patriotism (🤢) and shit so probably this was a lost cause from the beginning but IG keeps lying to me 😮💨
.
It gets two stars because I finished it but after the second book I will probably stop reading this author.
June 3, 2023
don't let the cutesy little pink cover fool you
January 24, 2023
dnf 70%
I tried. I really tried. But the insta lust of this book is ruining my day. The relationship between Rowan and Nora is so shallow - I am up to the last 5 chapters of this book and I swear they haven’t had a genuine conversation yet?
This was just so boring?? They loved each-other from chapter one - there was no development or angst it was just blah.
I tried. I really tried. But the insta lust of this book is ruining my day. The relationship between Rowan and Nora is so shallow - I am up to the last 5 chapters of this book and I swear they haven’t had a genuine conversation yet?
This was just so boring?? They loved each-other from chapter one - there was no development or angst it was just blah.
dnf
August 26, 2023dnf @ 11%
Honestly I don’t have anything to say except this was just bad.
Honestly I don’t have anything to say except this was just bad.
January 11, 2024
DNFed as soon as he called her cupcake. Life is too short.
May 22, 2024
She referred to him as alpha 26 times in this book. That's 26 times too many.
December 31, 2022
I am begging authors to employ beta readers for characters that have mental health disorders. Cause this was really, really poor representation of hypochondriasis (hypochondria).
It’s written as though the FMC having this disorder is a quirk or idiosyncrasy (which is how it’s referred to in the book) instead of a crippling anxiety disorder that can literally limit your ability to function or work or go through your daily life.
It felt like the author wrote this with the best of intentions, but intentions don’t really matter when the representation is inaccurate at best or meant to be a “quirky” personality trait at worst. It would have been different if this was commentary on how misunderstood or joked about this particular condition is. But it is written as a plot device for the MMC to cure and I couldn’t forgive that.
Mental health disorders do not go away with a happy romantic relationship. Hypochondriasis is hard enough to deal with in real life. I don’t need it trivialized in works of fiction. I was excited to read an FMC that had the same diagnosis as me and came out feeling icky.
Hire beta readers, chat with folks on social media that have this disorder. at the very least, but a book (or multiple) on the topic. Cause this is just really, really poor representation.
It’s written as though the FMC having this disorder is a quirk or idiosyncrasy (which is how it’s referred to in the book) instead of a crippling anxiety disorder that can literally limit your ability to function or work or go through your daily life.
It felt like the author wrote this with the best of intentions, but intentions don’t really matter when the representation is inaccurate at best or meant to be a “quirky” personality trait at worst. It would have been different if this was commentary on how misunderstood or joked about this particular condition is. But it is written as a plot device for the MMC to cure and I couldn’t forgive that.
Mental health disorders do not go away with a happy romantic relationship. Hypochondriasis is hard enough to deal with in real life. I don’t need it trivialized in works of fiction. I was excited to read an FMC that had the same diagnosis as me and came out feeling icky.
Hire beta readers, chat with folks on social media that have this disorder. at the very least, but a book (or multiple) on the topic. Cause this is just really, really poor representation.
May 8, 2023
Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK
This was a pretty cute insta-love story. I actually liked that the heroine was more confident than she originally came off. She knew what she wanted and she didn't back down from getting it, especially when it came to the hero and I loved that. Maybe that was just me, but I really wasn't expecting the sexual confidence the heroine had based on the blurb and the more cutesy type of cover but it was a pleasant surprise.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
This was a pretty cute insta-love story. I actually liked that the heroine was more confident than she originally came off. She knew what she wanted and she didn't back down from getting it, especially when it came to the hero and I loved that. Maybe that was just me, but I really wasn't expecting the sexual confidence the heroine had based on the blurb and the more cutesy type of cover but it was a pleasant surprise.
February 19, 2024
*.·:·.✧ Recipe for Love ✧.·:·.*
💌book count: 14/75
💌rating: 1.25★
💌favorite quote: “'Who did this to you?' Rowan’s nostrils flared, his jaw was set in a rigid line."
💌thoughts: imagine me...it's a cozy Saturday and I just want something sweet and fun to read so I find this book on KU. i pick it up, read the first 60 pages and absolutely fall in love. i even make an Instagram story hyping this book up and how cutesy it is. i loved the bakery setting and how cute everything was. then, within 40 pages, everything goes completely downhill FOR ME. the instalove made me want to scream because the second time the MMC and FMC talk, he is being possessive and saying "you're mine!!!" i got the ick but continued. within their third or fourth encounter, HE WAS LIVING WITH HER!!!!!!! WHYYYYY!!!!!!! still....i continued. at around 50%, i was so so so bored. the FMC no longer had any of the traits she had at the beginning of the book (literally was a different character) and they were already in sooooo deep (literally). at this point, i dnfed/skimmed the rest. EVERYTHING ELSE THAT HAPPENS IN THIS STORY IS SOOOO WILD? i literally had whiplash during my skimming but i am glad i did not read it. very very triggering. however, with all of this being said, this is just my opinion so take it with a grain of salt. it just had everything i usually do not like in a romance book and i'm actually really sad about it considering how much i loved the first 60 pages. AND...she called him "alpha/alpha male" like 25+ times almost as a compliment??? yeah bye......!!!!! i will not be completing this series 3
🍰🫶👩❤️💋👨👷♂️🧁
💌book count: 14/75
💌rating: 1.25★
💌favorite quote: “'Who did this to you?' Rowan’s nostrils flared, his jaw was set in a rigid line."
💌thoughts: imagine me...it's a cozy Saturday and I just want something sweet and fun to read so I find this book on KU. i pick it up, read the first 60 pages and absolutely fall in love. i even make an Instagram story hyping this book up and how cutesy it is. i loved the bakery setting and how cute everything was. then, within 40 pages, everything goes completely downhill FOR ME. the instalove made me want to scream because the second time the MMC and FMC talk, he is being possessive and saying "you're mine!!!" i got the ick but continued. within their third or fourth encounter, HE WAS LIVING WITH HER!!!!!!! WHYYYYY!!!!!!! still....i continued. at around 50%, i was so so so bored. the FMC no longer had any of the traits she had at the beginning of the book (literally was a different character) and they were already in sooooo deep (literally). at this point, i dnfed/skimmed the rest. EVERYTHING ELSE THAT HAPPENS IN THIS STORY IS SOOOO WILD? i literally had whiplash during my skimming but i am glad i did not read it. very very triggering. however, with all of this being said, this is just my opinion so take it with a grain of salt. it just had everything i usually do not like in a romance book and i'm actually really sad about it considering how much i loved the first 60 pages. AND...she called him "alpha/alpha male" like 25+ times almost as a compliment??? yeah bye......!!!!! i will not be completing this series 3
🍰🫶👩❤️💋👨👷♂️🧁
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2022
Typically, I detest insta-love. Why? Because the relationships never feel genuine. The couples fall for one another too quickly, leaving their connection and emotions feeling rushed and artificial. Although the couple in RECIPE FOR LOVE, Nora and Rowan, do chronologically get together extremely quickly, I absolutely LOVED it! In typical Malcom style, the emotions the characters feel for one another are visceral!! Once you start reading this book, you won’t want to put it down!
Although it has many of the endearing qualities, this is not just a “small town romance.” RECIPE FOR LOVE isn’t sugary sweet and flowery, nor is it disturbingly dark and depraved. With veterans, laugh out loud comedy, traumatic pasts, mental health issues, loss, abuse and smoking hot sex, this truly is a story that ALL romance lovers will enjoy!!! You will laugh, you will swoon, you will get the tingles, and you may even cry. You will definitely be entertained and fall in love with Nora and Rowan!!!
Although it has many of the endearing qualities, this is not just a “small town romance.” RECIPE FOR LOVE isn’t sugary sweet and flowery, nor is it disturbingly dark and depraved. With veterans, laugh out loud comedy, traumatic pasts, mental health issues, loss, abuse and smoking hot sex, this truly is a story that ALL romance lovers will enjoy!!! You will laugh, you will swoon, you will get the tingles, and you may even cry. You will definitely be entertained and fall in love with Nora and Rowan!!!
January 16, 2023
Representation: Heroine with medical anxiety
Overall: 4-stars
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
Possible Triggers: Yes
Ending:
Overall: 4-stars
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
Possible Triggers: Yes
Ending:
January 8, 2024
I lost actual brain cells reading this book. Picked it up because I seen a scene from it on bookstagram and thought it would be a cozy read since the concept of the fmc owning a bakery in a small town was super cute. Then I met Rowan and if he has zero haters then I’m dead.
July 1, 2023
One of these days I’m going to stop listening to tiktok for book recs
June 22, 2023
when booktok is right
Loved this book so much. I relate to Nora so much and loved she got her hea … cannot wait for more
Loved this book so much. I relate to Nora so much and loved she got her hea … cannot wait for more
June 9, 2023
DNF at 50%.
Honestly I was done with this book when I reached the 30% and I decided to skip through it until I forced myself to stop.
This book seemed great, the cover is beautiful, the tropes seemed great too, and I thought “what could go wrong?”, well, let me tell you, EVERYTHING WAS WRONG.
It started with a big ass inner monologue that didn’t tell you much about the FMC or what her story was, if not that, apparently, anxiety is just a quirk and a weirdness, not something people struggle with on a daily basis.
But I kept going, because I’m such a masochist.
And that’s when our MMC comes in the picture, and it seems okay, cute meet, they talk for the first time, everything seems okay, then you go to his POV and realise what a possessive and toxic man he is, watching her for three years, getting mad because she was engaged to another guy (how dare she, when she’s “his”). But fine, let’s keep going, maybe there’s a deeper meaning to his behaviour.
So we keep going and meet the ex-almost husband of the FMC, who didn’t take very well the break up and gets a bit violent and makes our FMC run in a cabinet and smash half of her face. We have violence in this book, let’s see how it is handled then.
The next day after the “cabinet incident” she’s sporting a black eye, and of course, who notices it? The MMC who gets all “who did this to you”, that sometimes in books is “hot”, except that he then take her in the kitchen, and after she winced, asks her to take off her cardigan and shows him her arm that is sporting a bruise made by her ex, and he goes full ballistic, and here you’ll say “well, what’s wrong with it? It’s what happens in most books when there’s violence involved”, true, except that they are basically strangers who knows their names because they live in a small town and talked for the first time the day before, and now he’s there saying stuffs like “this is the beginning of us”. A complete stranger, telling you that.
But if this isn’t enough reason, he then shows up at her house and basically move in with her, a fucking stranger, again.
Maybe he does that because he wants to protect her from her ex? Could be, yes, except that he run said ex out of town already, so there’s no reason for him to be worried about the ex now, but still, he forces himself in her house.
A FUCKING STRANGER.
I despise this book.
I hate that there’s violence against women (there are other scenes involving other characters about this topic) and at the same time we are supposed to like a man who forces himself in woman life, giving orders, and then we are also supposed to forget about his toxic behaviour because look, he’s washing the dishes, no other man does that, he’s such a cutie. Hell no, he is an abuser in its own way too.
Honestly I was done with this book when I reached the 30% and I decided to skip through it until I forced myself to stop.
This book seemed great, the cover is beautiful, the tropes seemed great too, and I thought “what could go wrong?”, well, let me tell you, EVERYTHING WAS WRONG.
It started with a big ass inner monologue that didn’t tell you much about the FMC or what her story was, if not that, apparently, anxiety is just a quirk and a weirdness, not something people struggle with on a daily basis.
But I kept going, because I’m such a masochist.
And that’s when our MMC comes in the picture, and it seems okay, cute meet, they talk for the first time, everything seems okay, then you go to his POV and realise what a possessive and toxic man he is, watching her for three years, getting mad because she was engaged to another guy (how dare she, when she’s “his”). But fine, let’s keep going, maybe there’s a deeper meaning to his behaviour.
So we keep going and meet the ex-almost husband of the FMC, who didn’t take very well the break up and gets a bit violent and makes our FMC run in a cabinet and smash half of her face. We have violence in this book, let’s see how it is handled then.
The next day after the “cabinet incident” she’s sporting a black eye, and of course, who notices it? The MMC who gets all “who did this to you”, that sometimes in books is “hot”, except that he then take her in the kitchen, and after she winced, asks her to take off her cardigan and shows him her arm that is sporting a bruise made by her ex, and he goes full ballistic, and here you’ll say “well, what’s wrong with it? It’s what happens in most books when there’s violence involved”, true, except that they are basically strangers who knows their names because they live in a small town and talked for the first time the day before, and now he’s there saying stuffs like “this is the beginning of us”. A complete stranger, telling you that.
But if this isn’t enough reason, he then shows up at her house and basically move in with her, a fucking stranger, again.
Maybe he does that because he wants to protect her from her ex? Could be, yes, except that he run said ex out of town already, so there’s no reason for him to be worried about the ex now, but still, he forces himself in her house.
A FUCKING STRANGER.
I despise this book.
I hate that there’s violence against women (there are other scenes involving other characters about this topic) and at the same time we are supposed to like a man who forces himself in woman life, giving orders, and then we are also supposed to forget about his toxic behaviour because look, he’s washing the dishes, no other man does that, he’s such a cutie. Hell no, he is an abuser in its own way too.
August 6, 2023
Lo he tenido que dejar al 66%
No me gusta dejar libros sin terminar, por mucho que no me estén enganchando procuro terminarlos, pero cuando no se puede, no se puede. Me pasó con Maldito Karma y me ha pasado con este.
Me da mucha rabia porque la ambientación me parecía increíble: small town costero, la prota es una pastelera de renombre que tiene una pastelería toda rosita y se dedica a hornear dulces y a beber vino, tiene representación de una prota que no tiene un cuerpo delgado... Pero el romance, madre mía menuda mierda. Se supone que si es un libro de romance, el romance debería estar bien. Pues no. Era muy poco creíble, pasa demasiado rápido, el prota Rowan (vaya manera de desperdiciar ese nombre) era súper tóxico y súper posesivo, la prota femenina se comporta como si tuviera 16 años y se supone que tiene 30 y pico...
Además, ocurre todo como muy rápido. Entiendo que pueda haber una atracción sexual muy fuerte al principio, pero de ahí a pensar ya a los 2 días que te estás enamorando y que podríais tener hijos juntos... Girl.
El nota muy machote en plan mira nena que soy ex-militar y tengo muchos traumas entonces permíteme actuar como un unga unga. Lo único bueno de este Rowan es que tenía una librería en su casa.
También la autora como que intenta meter con calzador todo el rato que las mujeres del libro son super feministas no se qué y es como chica, no hace falta que te estés intentando justificar todo el rato.
En fin, nada recomendable. Mucho potencial mal aprovechado.
No me gusta dejar libros sin terminar, por mucho que no me estén enganchando procuro terminarlos, pero cuando no se puede, no se puede. Me pasó con Maldito Karma y me ha pasado con este.
Me da mucha rabia porque la ambientación me parecía increíble: small town costero, la prota es una pastelera de renombre que tiene una pastelería toda rosita y se dedica a hornear dulces y a beber vino, tiene representación de una prota que no tiene un cuerpo delgado... Pero el romance, madre mía menuda mierda. Se supone que si es un libro de romance, el romance debería estar bien. Pues no. Era muy poco creíble, pasa demasiado rápido, el prota Rowan (vaya manera de desperdiciar ese nombre) era súper tóxico y súper posesivo, la prota femenina se comporta como si tuviera 16 años y se supone que tiene 30 y pico...
Además, ocurre todo como muy rápido. Entiendo que pueda haber una atracción sexual muy fuerte al principio, pero de ahí a pensar ya a los 2 días que te estás enamorando y que podríais tener hijos juntos... Girl.
El nota muy machote en plan mira nena que soy ex-militar y tengo muchos traumas entonces permíteme actuar como un unga unga. Lo único bueno de este Rowan es que tenía una librería en su casa.
También la autora como que intenta meter con calzador todo el rato que las mujeres del libro son super feministas no se qué y es como chica, no hace falta que te estés intentando justificar todo el rato.
En fin, nada recomendable. Mucho potencial mal aprovechado.
June 17, 2023
i was halfway through the book when i realized who the author was and remembered i don’t like her or her writing
July 3, 2023
I couldn't have cared less about any single one of these characters.
Nora- Honestly was weird, just a weird character. A supposed hypochondriac even though it was only mentioned like three times so I didn't care. (Yet it's meant to consume her daily and was a deal breaker in past relationships?!?) Supposedly a doormat, but had no problems standing up to a character very early on in the book. Supposedly didn't want a man taking care of her, but ignored all of Rowan's red flags. Nothing was interesting about her, as bland as flour and was a bit of an idiot.
Rowan- he was an army veteran and yet his big darkness in the end was that he killed people. Like, obviously. Also, this man was allergic to starting his sentences with the "I" pronoun. He had no depth other than that he was protective of Nora and would beat people up for her. He was also supposedly in love with her for 3 years before they dive right in to a serious relationship, that's just never developed or talked about so what's the point of having it there.
Ansel- was just randomly dead halfway through (by a drug overdose?!?) but honestly I couldn't have cared less because I did not know this character at all and I didn't care. He's mentioned a bit in passing but she only has like 2 proper conversations with him about nonsense so there is no build up or depth of him, so how would I have known that he had demons and why would I find his death shocking.
Her mother- I think we're supposed to hate her because she left her children defenceless and practically let them raise themselves, which I get. But then her son dies and suddenly she's got a past that explains her choices and we're meant to care about her because she had a hard life too, whereas in reality, just a terrible person and I honestly couldn't have cared about her tragic backstory.
Nothing is fleshed out, nothing is thought through. The pacing is all over the place, I honestly had no idea if days or minutes had passed in the book. Random plot points thrown in just for the hell of it, it seemed. Nora's hypochondria, Nora breaks up a couple arguing (which was physically abusive?!?), the burst appendix, the greenhouse, the brother dying, the guy from earlier in the book randomly attacking her in a bar. None of it made cohesive sense and the inner monologue went on waaaayyyy too long.
As a final thought, what really irked me about this book was a fact that very serious and very difficult topics were brought up as an almost throw away plot point without doing them service. It felt very gimmicky and lazy writing to just throw in these issues.
Nora- Honestly was weird, just a weird character. A supposed hypochondriac even though it was only mentioned like three times so I didn't care. (Yet it's meant to consume her daily and was a deal breaker in past relationships?!?) Supposedly a doormat, but had no problems standing up to a character very early on in the book. Supposedly didn't want a man taking care of her, but ignored all of Rowan's red flags. Nothing was interesting about her, as bland as flour and was a bit of an idiot.
Rowan- he was an army veteran and yet his big darkness in the end was that he killed people. Like, obviously. Also, this man was allergic to starting his sentences with the "I" pronoun. He had no depth other than that he was protective of Nora and would beat people up for her. He was also supposedly in love with her for 3 years before they dive right in to a serious relationship, that's just never developed or talked about so what's the point of having it there.
Ansel- was just randomly dead halfway through (by a drug overdose?!?) but honestly I couldn't have cared less because I did not know this character at all and I didn't care. He's mentioned a bit in passing but she only has like 2 proper conversations with him about nonsense so there is no build up or depth of him, so how would I have known that he had demons and why would I find his death shocking.
Her mother- I think we're supposed to hate her because she left her children defenceless and practically let them raise themselves, which I get. But then her son dies and suddenly she's got a past that explains her choices and we're meant to care about her because she had a hard life too, whereas in reality, just a terrible person and I honestly couldn't have cared about her tragic backstory.
Nothing is fleshed out, nothing is thought through. The pacing is all over the place, I honestly had no idea if days or minutes had passed in the book. Random plot points thrown in just for the hell of it, it seemed. Nora's hypochondria, Nora breaks up a couple arguing (which was physically abusive?!?), the burst appendix, the greenhouse, the brother dying, the guy from earlier in the book randomly attacking her in a bar. None of it made cohesive sense and the inner monologue went on waaaayyyy too long.
As a final thought, what really irked me about this book was a fact that very serious and very difficult topics were brought up as an almost throw away plot point without doing them service. It felt very gimmicky and lazy writing to just throw in these issues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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