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jackiehorne's review
3.0
Growing up on the wrong side of the river in Gauthier, Louisiana, Paxton Jones is suitably proud of her career success as a project manager for a company that works on flood prevention projects. But she has trouble shaking the major chip on her shoulder about her underprivileged upbringing, especially when it comes to town golden boy Sawyer Robertson. But now that Paxton is back in town, working on a flood control project that might save Gauthier from a future disaster, Paxton has to swallow her pride if the project is to be a success. Because the Army Corps of Engineer Civil Works Department has assigned no one but Sawyer Robertson to work with her on it.
But Sawyer, who has had a crush on Paxton ever since high school, grows ever-more determined to make the one-night stand he shared with Paxton three years ago into something more. And to prevent the flood project from overlooking any detail, no matter how seemingly insignificant—and no matter how much extra time such detail work may take. But Paxton's job may be on the line if she doesn't bring the project in on time and on budget...
Rochon is a strong writer, and the set-up here had the potential to work well. But the reason for Paxton's reluctance to give in to her attraction to Sawyer makes absolutely no sense, at least in terms of what we're shown in the story. Paxton's class-based issues could also have made for interesting drama, but the novel shows us absolutely no reason why Paxton should hold them—though the narrative talks about class differences existing in the town, no one treats her or her mother differently or slightingly. So it ends up feeling like Paxton's nursing a grudge against the town, and against Sawyer, for absolutely no reason.
But Sawyer, who has had a crush on Paxton ever since high school, grows ever-more determined to make the one-night stand he shared with Paxton three years ago into something more. And to prevent the flood project from overlooking any detail, no matter how seemingly insignificant—and no matter how much extra time such detail work may take. But Paxton's job may be on the line if she doesn't bring the project in on time and on budget...
Rochon is a strong writer, and the set-up here had the potential to work well. But the reason for Paxton's reluctance to give in to her attraction to Sawyer makes absolutely no sense, at least in terms of what we're shown in the story. Paxton's class-based issues could also have made for interesting drama, but the novel shows us absolutely no reason why Paxton should hold them—though the narrative talks about class differences existing in the town, no one treats her or her mother differently or slightingly. So it ends up feeling like Paxton's nursing a grudge against the town, and against Sawyer, for absolutely no reason.
shannanh's review
4.0
This was a cute romance and I enjoyed it, especially the chemistry between the two main characters
alikath's review
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This is was a fun quick read!
This is a sort of second-chance romance. Paxton and Sawyer slept together three years together and now they're back in their hometown working on a job together. I liked this set up but I could not get over how much lingering on high school there was. These two are 37 years old and they talk about high school far too much for people who are that age. I thought their careers were really interesting. having them work on civil engineering projects is something I've never seen before and it made for really interesting conflicts. However, the conflict at the end, which was introduced in the last ten pages, wrapped up way too quickly. And was introduced way too close to the end!
I did enjoy the romance, though I thought the reason that they separated three years before was a bit contrived. I enjoyed some of their banter, though some of the work arguments did annoy me. Even though this was a short book, I did feel like we saw them reconnect. I would have liked to have heard more about Paxton's mom and the bar but generally the characters in this book were enjoyable to read.
I know Rochon has more recent releases and I would be interested in reading a book where she has more room to flesh out the story. This was a good introduction to this author and I'll probably read more soon!
This is a sort of second-chance romance. Paxton and Sawyer slept together three years together and now they're back in their hometown working on a job together. I liked this set up but I could not get over how much lingering on high school there was. These two are 37 years old and they talk about high school far too much for people who are that age. I thought their careers were really interesting. having them work on civil engineering projects is something I've never seen before and it made for really interesting conflicts. However, the conflict at the end, which was introduced in the last ten pages, wrapped up way too quickly. And was introduced way too close to the end!
I did enjoy the romance, though I thought the reason that they separated three years before was a bit contrived. I enjoyed some of their banter, though some of the work arguments did annoy me. Even though this was a short book, I did feel like we saw them reconnect. I would have liked to have heard more about Paxton's mom and the bar but generally the characters in this book were enjoyable to read.
I know Rochon has more recent releases and I would be interested in reading a book where she has more room to flesh out the story. This was a good introduction to this author and I'll probably read more soon!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
olive2read's review
2.0
Meh. No real character development and the main characters' whining - hers about how she's from the wrong side of the tracks and they're just too different and his about how he's rich but humble, not privileged - got old long before the end.
readincolour's review
3.0
I loved Stay with Me Forever so much that as soon as I finished it, I downloaded the first five books in the Gauthier series. I joked with the author on Twitter that I was packing my bags and moving to Gauthier as soon as possible. Rochon has created a magical town full of compassionate and caring people. Her characters feel real and fleshed out. Though I'm not normally a huge fan of romance books, I love her work. The way she throws in historical references and uses New Orleans as a character in her stories makes for great reading. I'll definitely be on the look out for more from the author.
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