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penandpages's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, and Infidelity
bridance's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
jfhobbit's review
The dialogue just didn't hit with me, and the whole thing felt like too much telling, not enough showing.
misha_ali's review against another edition
1.0
Loved the cover and was super keen on a series about a bunch of queer sisters each finding their person. Melissa Brayden, for example, has done this with the Lavender sisters to great effect and it's a great way to build-in close relationships and continuity in the stories.
That said, I had several problems with this one. First, we are thrust into this world full of sapphic women and no reason to care or be invested in them. I lost count around the time CeCe goes to Lovers Landing for a free stay with her days-old relationship and meets no less than three sapphic couples. I completely lost track of who was who and why a bunch of people CeCe has literally just met are so deeply invested in her relationship.
Which brings me to the other thing I absolutely hated in this book: the fact that these are forty something women (I am that age myself) and I feel like they're all actually thirteen or something because who on earth is this gossipy and invested in their friend/coworker/stranger they have just met's private life? I lost count again of the times a side character asks CeCe about her relationship or dates or make-out progress or locations with Alexis, or literal coworkers in a hospital asking Alexis about her dating CeCe because apparently her smiling at all in 15 years of working there is so rare that it merits comment. Bizarre and immature and very much indicative of nothing else really going on in the plot so that every single person is incredibly and deeply invested in the main characters.
Lastly, and this was a minor thing to start with, but the fact that we open with forty year old sisters being surprised by one of them having bought a part of a mall with three shops and then on a whim deciding on their businesses and names. Absolutely ridiculous. As the book progresses, it feels like they're a money laundering operation because nobody seems to pay for anything, just give things away to friends and special people and refuse payment. The idea of deciding on a business, making up a plan and getting it all stocked and ready in three months is laughable and then on top of that, there doesn't really seem to be any concern about those businesses breaking even or making any money. It's just a paper-thin backdrop for the sisters to exist in close quarters and be extremely nosy and also connected to literally every person the narrative tosses out.
The worst offender for me were the conversations. They're insipid and shallow and I do not for one second understand anything about anyone's character (except CeCe has low self-esteem for some reason, we GET it) and Alexis doesn't smile. Ask me to define a single characteristic of Desi, the mum, or either of the other sisters, or any of the six random sapphic women we meet for one scene in Lovers Landing? Couldn't do it.
TL:DR;
(for those who did not want to read my rant)
* Annoyingly shallow characterization
* Conversations are vapid and repetitive, revealing nothing about anyone's character
* Everyone in this story is OBSESSED with CeCe and Alexis' love life. Absolutely gagging to hear every single detail of this extremely vanilla and rushed love story.
* Apparently, businesses are just fine as long as you have family running them
* I forgot to mention: there should be a Bechdel test equivalent for romance novels where if every conversation between two characters is about nothing but their relationship, the book fails the test. This one would fail.
That said, I had several problems with this one. First, we are thrust into this world full of sapphic women and no reason to care or be invested in them. I lost count around the time CeCe goes to Lovers Landing for a free stay with her days-old relationship and meets no less than three sapphic couples. I completely lost track of who was who and why a bunch of people CeCe has literally just met are so deeply invested in her relationship.
Which brings me to the other thing I absolutely hated in this book: the fact that these are forty something women (I am that age myself) and I feel like they're all actually thirteen or something because who on earth is this gossipy and invested in their friend/coworker/stranger they have just met's private life? I lost count again of the times a side character asks CeCe about her relationship or dates or make-out progress or locations with Alexis, or literal coworkers in a hospital asking Alexis about her dating CeCe because apparently her smiling at all in 15 years of working there is so rare that it merits comment. Bizarre and immature and very much indicative of nothing else really going on in the plot so that every single person is incredibly and deeply invested in the main characters.
Lastly, and this was a minor thing to start with, but the fact that we open with forty year old sisters being surprised by one of them having bought a part of a mall with three shops and then on a whim deciding on their businesses and names. Absolutely ridiculous. As the book progresses, it feels like they're a money laundering operation because nobody seems to pay for anything, just give things away to friends and special people and refuse payment. The idea of deciding on a business, making up a plan and getting it all stocked and ready in three months is laughable and then on top of that, there doesn't really seem to be any concern about those businesses breaking even or making any money. It's just a paper-thin backdrop for the sisters to exist in close quarters and be extremely nosy and also connected to literally every person the narrative tosses out.
The worst offender for me were the conversations. They're insipid and shallow and I do not for one second understand anything about anyone's character (except CeCe has low self-esteem for some reason, we GET it) and Alexis doesn't smile. Ask me to define a single characteristic of Desi, the mum, or either of the other sisters, or any of the six random sapphic women we meet for one scene in Lovers Landing? Couldn't do it.
TL:DR;
(for those who did not want to read my rant)
* Annoyingly shallow characterization
* Conversations are vapid and repetitive, revealing nothing about anyone's character
* Everyone in this story is OBSESSED with CeCe and Alexis' love life. Absolutely gagging to hear every single detail of this extremely vanilla and rushed love story.
* Apparently, businesses are just fine as long as you have family running them
* I forgot to mention: there should be a Bechdel test equivalent for romance novels where if every conversation between two characters is about nothing but their relationship, the book fails the test. This one would fail.
women_using_words's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
Jamie Mooney is my go to for when I want something light, fun and smile worthy. Her stories are like comfort food for a romance-lover’s soul. Sweet and flirty, they give readers something to lose themselves in for a few hours, and that’s worth a lot in this crazy world!
What I appreciate most about her stories are the characters. They’re approachable, and it sets the tone for easy reading. Furthermore, they’re the kind of characters one would choose as friends. Readers are easily drawn to them and their backstories. They aren’t perfect, but that’s the beauty of them. She always manages to create women that are well-rounded, compelling individuals that readers can connect with emotionally.
I find this especially true for CeCe Sloan. She’s personable and relatable in all the ways that a main character needs to be. She’s a busy hairdresser that likes to keep things fun and simple with her clients, and it serves her well. She has one hard and fast rule though: She doesn’t date them. However, things get quite complicated when Dr. Alexis Reed sits down in her chair. Sparks fly and Alexis proves very hard to resist. Yet, CeCe knows things can get messy when you mix business and pleasure…
This is an engaging and fun romance. CeCe and Alexis have fantastic chemistry. It’s fun watching them learn new aspects of themselves as they navigate their romance. The sexual energy is off the charts and incorporated nicely into the story arc. In fact, these two just might be my favorite Moody couple thus far.
Final remarks…
I always enjoy Moody’s stories. They are solid romances with low angst and conflict. CeCe Sloan is Swooningis as advertised and doesn’t disappoint. It’s lighthearted, playful and perfect for poolside reading.
Strengths…
- Fun, easy read
- Lighthearted
- Likable characters
- Enjoyable, engaging romance
catbartram89's review
5.0
Firstly thank you, Jamey, for the ARC, this book was a fabulous read and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I loved everything about the Sloan Siaters and everything about this book!
CeCe and Alexis are hot hot hot! The immediate flirting in this book is great and their whole relationship is sexy AF, the connection is palpable and they are so hot together that I didn't want it to end.
This book is, sexy, flirty, lovely, family-oriented, and everything a Jamey Moody book encompasses! I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading it! The surprise guests were a delightful addition! I can't recommend this book enough! As always, Jamey has written a fantastic book and I can't wait to read the next story in the Slone sisters series!
This book comes out July 25th, get it in your diaries because you are not going to want to miss this one!
Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥🔥
CeCe and Alexis are hot hot hot! The immediate flirting in this book is great and their whole relationship is sexy AF, the connection is palpable and they are so hot together that I didn't want it to end.
This book is, sexy, flirty, lovely, family-oriented, and everything a Jamey Moody book encompasses! I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading it! The surprise guests were a delightful addition! I can't recommend this book enough! As always, Jamey has written a fantastic book and I can't wait to read the next story in the Slone sisters series!
This book comes out July 25th, get it in your diaries because you are not going to want to miss this one!
Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥🔥
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