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syndi3's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I like Gretchen. She is my adoptive sister. Her persistent, independence and commitment is just blown me away. I think I am in love with Gretchen. It is not often that I fall in love with the heroine instead of the Hero. I do not even care for Alex.
This is my first read by Miss Stacey and I do like Defending Hearts very much. The romance with background of small town romance with a strong heroine character. I also like the writing style. It flows perfectly well. The beginning is bit boring. After 20% the story picks up. Even though I put Alex in the background, the chemistry between Gretchen and Alex is still sizzle hot.
I am looking forward for other books by Miss Stacey.
This is my first read by Miss Stacey and I do like Defending Hearts very much. The romance with background of small town romance with a strong heroine character. I also like the writing style. It flows perfectly well. The beginning is bit boring. After 20% the story picks up. Even though I put Alex in the background, the chemistry between Gretchen and Alex is still sizzle hot.
I am looking forward for other books by Miss Stacey.
jonetta's review against another edition
3.0
Originally posted on The Book Nympho
Photojournalist Alex Murphy returns to Stewart Mills following his trip there for the football fundraiser. He plans to do a piece on the team and rents a room from Gretchen Walker and her grandmother at their farm. Gretchen and Gram need some extra money and he needs a longer-term place to stay.
What I enjoyed about the story was Alex's introspection about his life and career, examining what was really important and where he was heading. I also appreciated Gretchen's dedication to her grandmother and the farm. Her reality was enlightening and I admired her independence and skills.
What didn't work so well for me was the romance. While I thought Alex and Gretchen had chemistry, most of the focus was on why Gretchen couldn't get involved with Alex because he was her tenant. The reasoning just felt too contrived, an excuse for conflict that was just annoying. It didn't fit the character and I quickly tired of her musings about it.
While the narrator was competent, it often sounded like she was reading the story and not prepared for the connection of the sentences to the paragraph. Her voice was also fairly monotone, making a story that I was struggling with even more of a challenge.
I liked the story, didn't love it. The conflict was just too flimsy and didn't ring true. What saved the story for me was the strength of the two characters. I liked them better when they were dealing with their personal issues rather than the romance. I'm hoping the next story offers a more interesting story premise. 3.5 stars
(I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review)
Photojournalist Alex Murphy returns to Stewart Mills following his trip there for the football fundraiser. He plans to do a piece on the team and rents a room from Gretchen Walker and her grandmother at their farm. Gretchen and Gram need some extra money and he needs a longer-term place to stay.
What I enjoyed about the story was Alex's introspection about his life and career, examining what was really important and where he was heading. I also appreciated Gretchen's dedication to her grandmother and the farm. Her reality was enlightening and I admired her independence and skills.
What didn't work so well for me was the romance. While I thought Alex and Gretchen had chemistry, most of the focus was on why Gretchen couldn't get involved with Alex because he was her tenant. The reasoning just felt too contrived, an excuse for conflict that was just annoying. It didn't fit the character and I quickly tired of her musings about it.
While the narrator was competent, it often sounded like she was reading the story and not prepared for the connection of the sentences to the paragraph. Her voice was also fairly monotone, making a story that I was struggling with even more of a challenge.
I liked the story, didn't love it. The conflict was just too flimsy and didn't ring true. What saved the story for me was the strength of the two characters. I liked them better when they were dealing with their personal issues rather than the romance. I'm hoping the next story offers a more interesting story premise. 3.5 stars
(I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review)
ssejig's review against another edition
4.0
When Alex Mills came back to Stewart Mills to help raise money to keep the football program going, he discovered that he missed the town he had grown up in. So he came back. And decided that he needed to spend some time there working on a book detailing the invigoration of his town. But he'll need a place to live.
Enter Gretchen Walker who needs extra funds. Even though she works her family farm non-stop, she and her grandmother are barely hanging on. Taking in a boarder will help to cover the costs.
I liked the eventual growing of Gretchen and Alex's relationship. There was maybe some
Enter Gretchen Walker who needs extra funds. Even though she works her family farm non-stop, she and her grandmother are barely hanging on. Taking in a boarder will help to cover the costs.
I liked the eventual growing of Gretchen and Alex's relationship. There was maybe some
cleocleveland's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this and it was a quick fun read. It's just not my favorite Shannon Stacey book. I liked Gretchen and Alex and I always enjoy the realism in Stacey's books. It's a romance so you know they'll end up together but I like that people have to take jobs, houses, family, way of life, etc. into account before they end up together. Maybe it's a New England thing but I always feel like her books are populated with people I know. I liked Gretchen and Alex but they were both kind of subdued personalities so there was less, kookiness for lack of a better word, than in some of my favorite Kowalski books. But I do enjoy this series set in a very realistic small New England town and I'm looking forward to the next one.
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