Not so Bad: A small-town coming-home story

by Tudor Robins

"A new horsey, small-town rom-com that is just the right amount of sweet mixed with a dash of country vibes and family shenanigans," - Amazon Reviewer

"I’ve thoroughly enjoyed everything I’ve read by this author and this book is no exception." - Amazon Reviewer

Being nice doesn’t get you ahead. At least that’s what Hazel’s mother always told her.

And it’s true, Hazel didn’t get her pricey condo, or snag her high-profile job handling difficult clients, by being nice. Her ambitious fiancé didn’t fall for her because she was sweet.

So far, Hazel’s edgy personality has gotten her everything she’s wanted.

Until a conflict with an unhoused person makes Hazel realize she’s on a one-way track to becoming the person she never wanted to be (her mother).

Hazel leaves her life, her friends, and her job and lets nostalgia pull her home, halfway across the country.

Once there, her charming nieces and nephew, long-lost horse, and a guy who’s just as hot as he is kind, make Hazel think maybe it’s nice to be nice after all.

But can a road trip really lead to redemption? Does Hazel know how to be a success without the snark?

Let the summery vibes of this laugh-out-loud small-town romance remind you that nice people can finish first.

Genres: Contemporary

329 pages, Hardcover

Published November 10, 2022

Reviews

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hazel is great. She is so funny and so helpful. She is trying to help people and always gets the short end of the stick. But then things are good.

[Lee Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story started off kind if slow but got better as it went along. The characters are well written and I liked meeting each one.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tudor Robins is back with a new horsey, small-town rom-com that is just the right amount of sweet mixed with a dash of country vibes and family shenanigans. Our MC, Hazel, has always been convinced she's a little less than nice. When it crystalizes for her how terrible her life is with her terrible fiancé and terrible friends, she drops everything and drives home to Ontario, where a trailer on her brother's financially strapped farm is waiting for her. There are also three tween nephews/nieces, a sister-in-law, a mother who is comically horrible, and a man who may help her put aside her past with her terrible fiancé if she'll let him. But first Hazel has to decide if she's willing to realize she's worth letting good people close and if she'll forgive herself for the sins of her past.

True to form, Tudor Robins writes with such an easy style it's simple to get hooked by her characters and their problems. The romance is a nice subtle undercurrent to this story that is mostly about coming home, family, and self-discovery. This is a quick, satisfying read that will call to horse people as well as rom-com readers looking for their next small-town romance fix.

[Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny small town romance. Hazel realizes she doesn't like the person she has become and dumps her horrible fiance and fake friends to move back home. During her stay she reconnects with her family and meets someone who can show her what real happiness can be.. I received this book for free and am happy to leave a review

[Ariana Feldberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tudor Robins has an amazing way of making her characters come to life, and bring you right alongside as part of wherever they may be. This book has a more serious tone with more of todays’s sensitive topics. Not as light hearted as some of her other books, but I loved it!

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more of an adult story with adult issues. There are not as many kids, teens, or horses as in other books.
A woman from rural Ontario runs away from her awful mom to Vancouver, where she finds herself working for, surrounded by, and engaged to be married to jerks. After one unpleasant incident too many, she gives in to nostalgia for home, and hops on the highway, leaving several loose ends unresolved.
She hides out at her family farm, sorts out her issues, and finds happiness there.

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. Hazel had a lot of decisions to do in her life and trying to decide what she really wanted. She was a relatable character and was a good person, even if she didn't see it. Gus was so cute, I loved it

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, Quick Read

Not So Bad was a good quick, feel-good read.. Sweet romance story and believable characters. I am not a huge fan of the first person story telling but that appears to be pretty common these days.

[Ellen Feagin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. More adult than her usual stories but I loved the characters.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5