Deepa > Recent Status Updates

One hand I love original conflict and background. I think it’s cool our lead is a gardener and he’s trying to save his community garden. I was little uncomfortable that we’re ignoring the garden was in danger for low income housing. Like that’s actually really important. If it was for gentrifiers I would have been on their team —I have reservations.

Humility. Yes he has some soul searching to do and I am not trying throw him over the rails or be judgy but it is important. I guess the contrasting case someone actually wiling to be humbled and apologetic. I think it’s harder to have you’re kid be so unrelenting non contact. That I can understand more. Not sure how much more differently but to some degree.

The thing is I am uncomfortable by Lucas’s actions and I do judge him for that. I wish I didn’t but commitment i something I value a lot. It’s harder that he’s a nice guy. He could be nice to someone else but not his partner. I’m aware of his remorse and intentions but it’s just genuinely hard. So when Rosie says hers is the forgiveness he shouldn’t seek. I don’t I think it’s true but she’s at the least owed that

being stubborn with a parent and withholding because you’re angry or disappointed this being thing that goes on for years.

I learned the hard way that I regret it most in my life. That after real stakes you are ( in non sappy way tho I am usually am) able to see it clearly again.

It felt like something blocking my vision. So I’m all for this arc.

prediction. He drops his phone into a pond or marina cuz he lives on a boat. He wasn’t paying attention and suddenly sunk. It’s think he’s going m.i.a. Sophie is going to freak she thinks he’ s ghosting her again. Guilt factor which is inconvenient but not malicious. Lucas met Sophie and realized he didn’t like his fiance as much. Left both of them. Nothing happened. It’s something he feels shame for.

The q that go through mind are they flirting with someone else. I would feel guilty unless all the boundaries of the situation. There’s also the part of vulnerability. Lucas god bless him but it’s easy for him to do this but I totally feel landmine situation.

What does it mean is me all the time. Somebody tell me. I don’t. know. Revelation truly.

I’m really enjoying this but I also remembered that oh I am not able to enjoy uncertain flirting. I totally forgot how stressed out this would be. When you don’t know that they would take ownership of it as pursuer. Or you don’t know where it could lead with certainty. I wouldn’t feel comfortable flirting back if I didn’t have info. I feel stress for Sophie to receive the flirting. Hard to relax

I forgot I think Sophie did not know he was engaged in the past at all and I think that’s why’s avoiding talking about his past or why he’s so different now in their catchups.

(This is bringing some anxiety to me. I am avoidant person when I have fears and hurts. It’s just little to close to my neck right now. not my situation rn and not my misery today. Im just feeling behind with my to dos amid other things.)

So far my assessment I like it but I’m already kind of muggy today so the dancing around each other and past hurt feelings is just wringing my general self issues.

We will just have to see. I am loving the book so far. I am mega careful about reading new authors and new styles. I can say the writing has passed my first sentence level preference check. ( sometimes it can go really wrong. strangely needed for me. )

She does half agree to represent him. But with some caveats which are the title i.e rules. 1) no personal q. 2) I think the other one is no flirting. Lucas says he is staying away but he flirts lot with her and uncannily he’s not usually a flirt.

Soft non pointed individual flirting just the way he may banter or things. There are some other potential things in background.

What happened in the past isn’t something Lucas wants to talk about with Sophie and after her initial confrontation she doesn’t want to hear out what she thinks is potential let down. She also drops topic.

This is the groundwork for their reunion. The local politicians want to demolish Lucas’s community garden. Sophie is assigned his case as his lawyer for her probono make up assignment.

Reunion: He tries to pretend he doesn’t recognize which only messes with her more and pisses her off. She doesn’t let him off the hook for that or the past.

In the years since, the last year in particular she was engaged to Henry. She left Henry at the altar in Scotland. That’s why she’s behind. She just couldn’t marry him as we know he never quite gave her the same chemistry as our guy Lucas who ghosted her. And other things in her relationship with Henry that we’re turning over slowly but not fully yet.

Cut to present day. Things are quite changed. Lucas really left the hustle bustle life behind and has since started a thriving community garden that means a lot to him and gives him purpose. Sophie is a lawyer for big firm. They are trying to lift their reputation. The firm requires everyone do probono work quarterly. Sophie is a bit behind. The why she is behind is just coincidence

They had exchanged numbers. Sophie does try to contact him. He GHOSTS HER out of guilt. It really hurts her because Sophie is a very internal person. Complicated parent issues the cheating parent (if I remember correctly) this was big deal for her. She’s never really stepped out in big way. This just confirmed her worst fears that she’s not likeable and so on.

We follow Lucas and Sophie as they meet again approximately 8 years later or something. They met once at a bar. They really hit it off. Talked all night. Both povs outline this is out of the ordinary. But…Lucas was engaged. Nothing happened but talking he knew that he never felt the same way about his fiancé. So he breaks up with fiancé. Upends his whole life. It had been dissatisfying he just hadn’t noticed before

I am really enjoying the book but I myself am in a miserable adjacent mood. Pining, yearning, and waiting is not something that is compatible for my state of mind. Both of my romance reads which are priority rn are in that same boat. This might be the chiller version of that.

I repeat this is great so far. But it’s not quite warding off the blues.

These are the kind of circumstances, characters, and stakes that immediately pull me in!

Zahra: Things are immovable with her family part 1. This meet cute is fast but really charming.

Theo: His dad. My greatest fear in life these days. Got me for sure.

Part 1: Very good at setting up. I wholeheartedly didn’t expect a leap years forward. Peaked to find out more.

Rounding it out: 5 stars. Polished. Filled in more. New directions and open doors. Seasoned. Steady. Ready to lead just like Brett.

I don’t think readers need to read Portland Storm but I kinda wish they would.

5. Newbies== I am loving having new relationships, bromances, mentees, and just the whole roster. I have got theories. I love opening that up past Portland. ( I will say I was so shocked PS would drop Brett like that. But it did pay off. )

4. Portland Storm- I love Portland Storm so much. I am not a hockey reader dude. I started this series after the Business of Pleasure series. I think the author is seasoned. I just loved her dynamics, fights ( arguments —that’s where it’s really at for me, and the romance. I remember how different how each of the heroines of Portland Storm are. This was my first hockey series. I stay picky.

2. Chelsea gets more filled in back story. I think seeing Andrew in the picture is something I’m looking forward. Hey everyone is finding love. I kinda wanna know what’s up with Ruby and his life.

3. Shanna —I gave her such a hard time round 1. I loved the fight and it’s still here. I think it’s the kind of real prob I wanna see. Friends are afraid to change in front of each other. Talk about it.

1) I think the series feels more grown up than the first rendition of the book. Like I remember both our leads being more nervous and emotional and coming in with that in tow. ( And I loved it . They were my people. Still are.) This rendition is less nerves more settled in. They’re both kinda calmer. If that’s a thing. I think it is.

I’m officially done with the reread. But I’m saving the sneak peak for tonight. Yes it’s great. Yes I missed the kids. ( They’re the kids because I’m assuming they’re younger than me as I expect to be Lainey’s age. Also because Brett will never not be a younger brother. But…very poised, dashing and all grown up he is. ) I’m gathering my thoughts: I have few key directions that feel on my mind.

Overall, really educational , thorough, and practical.

I am officially done. It’s pretty strong. The writer is gastroenterologist and hepatologist. First chapter feels more terminology, mechanism, and scientific—which is great. But it is challenging and not breezy chapter. The following chapters include an intro explanation how x thing works to reduce liver inflammation but relatively spread out with easy non technical language.

Just starting to feel a little confident in what I'm picking up. Saris, kameez, churidars love to see it!! Bhuten wives. Legend of 9. Carrier. Livening it upm

It’s alright but I’m not in love. I think it’s less about the book or more just my being busier. whenever I come back to a book after a longer period of time, it only amplifies what I already feel. If I am very midline about a character then that bleeds into the story in general. A+ the conflict being guardianship x wanting to be worthy vs perfect. I respect good conflicts.

It started off great. I like the prologue. I don’t trust chain man. I am enjoying part 2 a lot. Captain Elari is my fave pov out of everyone. I def think Lyra is not Lyra. Is she Temi? Is she someone else? Father Boleo also a great pov I am little shakey am I getting this correctly. I really wanted to love this but so far I like it but I don’t know if I am comprehending correctly.

Like drama grump. It’s been to be grumpy but it’s like villain voice. That’s a me thing with audiobooks. I can’t say if it’s written like that or just performed that way.

Overall, the tension is tense. The nieces and family vibes is delivering. The simmer is level. So far we’re not at conflict spaces.