Book Review Genre: Women’s Fiction/Contemporary Romance

Disclaimer: Reading is all about exploring new worlds, but this Book Review does not shy away from spoiling specific scenes as this is more of my free-flowing thoughts about a book.

The Analysis:

This is another old TBR pick. I had always been meaning to get around to it, and this was my first chance to give it a try. It was interesting, to say the least. But, let’s book review it. First, follow me on Goodreads.

Here’s The Blurb:

As the daughter of a hoarder, Phoenix Fuller had a tough childhood. So when the handsome, popular Riley Stinson became her boyfriend in high school, she finally felt as though she had something to be proud of. Phoenix was desperate not to lose him—especially once she found out she was pregnant. Yes, she might have acted a bit obsessive when he broke up with her. But she did not run down the girl he started dating next.

Unfortunately, there was no way to prove her innocence. Now, after serving her time in prison, Phoenix has been released. All she wants to do is return to Whiskey Creek and get to know her son. But Jacob’s father isn’t exactly welcoming.

Riley doesn’t trust Phoenix, doesn’t want her in Jacob’s life. He is, however, ready to find someone to love. And he wants a good mother for his son. He has no idea that he’s about to find both…

Cover Critique:

These covers are always beautiful, but they’ve never been a personal favorite. I feel like they don’t offer much in way of giving you a feel for the story.

Now The Story:

Book Info:
Pages: 400
Author: Brenda Novak
Available: Google Play

This is an unusual story for a romance and I was here for every minute. A convict (woman) getting a second chance at love and a relationship with her teen son. This promises all the feels and it delivered. From the moment we were introduced to the heroine, she was just a delight. We got a peek into her heart and she was just so sincerely and earnest. I just knew I wasn’t going to be able to deal with anyone calling her anything other than kind. That goes for the hero.

Unfortunately, I took a point off because I never truly warmed up to the hero. He’s not a cinnamon roll hero, but his portrayal was honest and real. Still, I never could shake the feeling that our heroine needed a fresh start. It seemed wrong to retap that well (in her case). That was only solidified for me when his mother was going off on him about her past. He stuck up for her valiantly. But it seemed like she deserved a relationship with less baggage and fewer what-ifs.

After the hero was forced to hold court at the family of the victim’s house to convince them of her innocence, maybe she needed a new town too. I cringed and grimaced through the whole thing. It was more than they deserved or needed. The lady did 17 years. When you lose someone, no amount of time seems good enough, but you would think 17 years would be enough to give the woman a break. She should at least be allowed to use the same toilet in town as everyone else. But they would’ve been more comfortable watching her shit on the side of the road. True enough, they were family friends, and maybe some explanation was in order, but it came off as an intervention and a court hearing and it gave me the creeps.

At one point, our pair talks over a hypothetical where Lori (the victim) lives and he marries her. He swears up and down that it wouldn’t have happened. I’m with the heroine. Had things turned out differently, he would totally have married her to make his family happy. Further proof that he and the love of his life were never a foregone conclusion.

Perhaps the biggest sign of that is their (the hero and son’s) treatment of the heroine’s mother while she was in prison. Her personality was a tad aggressive, but it was never quite clear if they knew that much. They only complained about her being fat and being a hoarder. The hero was firm about his need to save his son from her. Okay, so phones don’t exist anymore. A call is dangerous. The son coming around to see his mother and only “dealing” with the grandmother was shady. So, I kinda appreciated granny’s bluntness to call the father and son out on their mess when needed. Even if she stepped out of bounds with the heroine.

The book was perfectly paced, but if anyone had any arguments for why it was too long, I’d listen.

By the time, I got to the awkward group date/vacation I was ready for happily ever after. This too like everything in their courtship left me with two minds. They had chemistry, and they were cute together. But, he still gives me bad vibes for her. Especially when he looked at their first time having sex together as him getting his hooks into her. Like she can’t turn me down now because I’m in her mind and got her body.

The only thing that renewed my interest was the reappearance of the only other witness to the crime that could have done it. My eyebrow immediately went up, like what is happening here? I felt some drama coming and I was here for it. Of course, the setup for this arrangement was spotty at best. The hero nor the heroine owes anybody anything to be holding yet another community court session in somebody’s living room. Yet, this chapter or section went far too quickly. Blink and it was over. I’d certainly have shaved some scenes off the repeated I’m Embarrassed bleacher scenes to add to the ending.

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Book Review At A Glance:

Recommendation:  4 out of 5

Book Cover Appeal:

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Story & Narration:

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Romance:

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Character/(s) Personality:

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