Mini Thoughts
Hello, all!
I've enjoyed all Solomon's other YA books, but this one didn't do it for me. I don't think Groundhog Day tropes are for me. I expected it to be very repetitive, seeing as how the characters are reliving the same day over and over, so that wasn't an issue. My problem with this was that it was way too long. It's over 400-pages and for what? There was no reason for it to be that long. I think if it were 50-100 pages shorter, the story would've worked better. I also didn't love Barrett. There were times I found her so obnoxious and annoying. However, I did like her relationship with Miles and thought it was cute watching them grow closer while stuck in the loop, but it wasn't enough to make up for the subpar plot. Sadly, this whole thing was a disappointment for me.
Maggie Moves On- Lucy Score: Maggie Nichols has amassed quite the following from hosting a home renovation show on YouTube. She's always on the hunt for her next fixer-upper, which is how she lands in a small town in Idaho. Maggie is ready to tackle her biggest job by restoring a crumbling Victorian mansion in four months or less. Maggie's on a tight schedule and doesn't have time for the charming landscaper, Silas Wright. Smooth-talking Silas is not afraid of Maggie and seems to have made it his mission to break through her walls, but Maggie isn't looking to lay down roots. But the more time they spend together, the more they can't deny their attraction to one another. With the end of the project looming, Maggie must decide to either pack up and move to the next or stay and follow her heart.
I was hesitant to pick this up because I believe romances shouldn't be longer than ~350-pages. I don't see the reasoning behind dragging a story out to where you're teetering over the 400+ page mark. I'm happy to report that this wasn't the case here. The story never felt slow, and I was entertained the entire time. I liked Score's writing style and thought the flirty banter between Maggie and Silas was spot-on. There were moments when I thought Silas came off a little too possessive and arrogant, but I liked him nonetheless (his adorable dog helped.) I liked how taken he was with Maggie right from the start, and it was cute watching their playfulness turn into something more. I also loved the family Maggie found in all the other townspeople. It added another layer to the story. I liked watching as they all chipped in to redo the house and the subsequent treasure hunt. Overall, I thought this was super fun and steamy, and I'd be interested in picking up more of her books.
The Lady Gets Lucky- Joanna Shupe: Alice Lusk has always been shy, but she knows she has to be bold if she wants to snag a husband after more than just her dowry. Alice doesn't know the first thing about the opposite sex, but she has a plan to find out. Christopher “Kit” Ward is a known playboy looking to open up a supper club in New York City, but he needs the best chef in the city to guarantee its success. When Alice proposes a trade of recipes from her famous chef friend in exchange for lessons on seduction, Kit reluctantly agrees. Soon, their secret nighttime lessons grow heated, and neither can deny the attraction forming between them. Kit has sworn off marriage, but when the gentlemen start calling on Alice, will he change his tune?
I love the trope of a shy wallflower propositioning a rake for bedroom tips. It always leads to a fun time, and this was no exception. I loved Alice and Kit right from the beginning. Alice was very quiet and, thanks to her mother (who I hated), had zero self-esteem, so watching her blossom with every interaction with Kit was delightful. I loved how she transformed into such a confident person around him. He took such care of her and always made she was okay. It was so sweet. I also liked watching him shed his layers and open up to Alice in return. This felt a bit tame at times, but the slow build-up was satisfying in the end. I've already ordered the other books in the series and can't wait to start them.
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| Pub Date: 5-17-22 YA - Contemporary |
See You Yesterday- Rachel Lynn Solomon: After ending high school on a disastrous note, Barrett Bloom is looking forward to a fresh start in college. But then her ex-best friend is her roommate, she botches her interview for the school paper, is humiliated by a cute know-it-all in her physics class, and if that wasn't enough, she accidentally sets a frat house on fire. All Barrett wants to do is go back to her dorm, fall asleep, and forget about her terrible first day, but of course, she's locked out, forcing her to sleep in the common room. The next morning, Barrett finds herself back in her dorm room, reliving the first day of school all over again. And again, and again, and again. Somehow Barrett's found herself in a time loop, but that's not the worst part. Trapped along with her is Miles, her physics bully, who's been stuck for months. The pair begrudgingly work together to find a way out, only to discover that spending countless days in each other's company isn't that bad. But what will happen to them once they finally get to tomorrow?
I've enjoyed all Solomon's other YA books, but this one didn't do it for me. I don't think Groundhog Day tropes are for me. I expected it to be very repetitive, seeing as how the characters are reliving the same day over and over, so that wasn't an issue. My problem with this was that it was way too long. It's over 400-pages and for what? There was no reason for it to be that long. I think if it were 50-100 pages shorter, the story would've worked better. I also didn't love Barrett. There were times I found her so obnoxious and annoying. However, I did like her relationship with Miles and thought it was cute watching them grow closer while stuck in the loop, but it wasn't enough to make up for the subpar plot. Sadly, this whole thing was a disappointment for me.
Rating: 2/5
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| Pub Date: 6-21-22 Adult - Contemporary |
Maggie Moves On- Lucy Score: Maggie Nichols has amassed quite the following from hosting a home renovation show on YouTube. She's always on the hunt for her next fixer-upper, which is how she lands in a small town in Idaho. Maggie is ready to tackle her biggest job by restoring a crumbling Victorian mansion in four months or less. Maggie's on a tight schedule and doesn't have time for the charming landscaper, Silas Wright. Smooth-talking Silas is not afraid of Maggie and seems to have made it his mission to break through her walls, but Maggie isn't looking to lay down roots. But the more time they spend together, the more they can't deny their attraction to one another. With the end of the project looming, Maggie must decide to either pack up and move to the next or stay and follow her heart.
I was hesitant to pick this up because I believe romances shouldn't be longer than ~350-pages. I don't see the reasoning behind dragging a story out to where you're teetering over the 400+ page mark. I'm happy to report that this wasn't the case here. The story never felt slow, and I was entertained the entire time. I liked Score's writing style and thought the flirty banter between Maggie and Silas was spot-on. There were moments when I thought Silas came off a little too possessive and arrogant, but I liked him nonetheless (his adorable dog helped.) I liked how taken he was with Maggie right from the start, and it was cute watching their playfulness turn into something more. I also loved the family Maggie found in all the other townspeople. It added another layer to the story. I liked watching as they all chipped in to redo the house and the subsequent treasure hunt. Overall, I thought this was super fun and steamy, and I'd be interested in picking up more of her books.
Rating: 4/5
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| Pub Date: 10-26-21 Adult - Historical Romance |
The Lady Gets Lucky- Joanna Shupe: Alice Lusk has always been shy, but she knows she has to be bold if she wants to snag a husband after more than just her dowry. Alice doesn't know the first thing about the opposite sex, but she has a plan to find out. Christopher “Kit” Ward is a known playboy looking to open up a supper club in New York City, but he needs the best chef in the city to guarantee its success. When Alice proposes a trade of recipes from her famous chef friend in exchange for lessons on seduction, Kit reluctantly agrees. Soon, their secret nighttime lessons grow heated, and neither can deny the attraction forming between them. Kit has sworn off marriage, but when the gentlemen start calling on Alice, will he change his tune?
I love the trope of a shy wallflower propositioning a rake for bedroom tips. It always leads to a fun time, and this was no exception. I loved Alice and Kit right from the beginning. Alice was very quiet and, thanks to her mother (who I hated), had zero self-esteem, so watching her blossom with every interaction with Kit was delightful. I loved how she transformed into such a confident person around him. He took such care of her and always made she was okay. It was so sweet. I also liked watching him shed his layers and open up to Alice in return. This felt a bit tame at times, but the slow build-up was satisfying in the end. I've already ordered the other books in the series and can't wait to start them.
Rating: 4/5
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