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the_kara_kara's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking
elvang's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this slow and easy romance by Aurora Rey. The author takes her time building this love story and I was in the mood for a leisurely Big Easy read. I expected she would include mouth watering food descriptions and would let her readers see New Orleans through the eyes of both newcomer Sam and New Orleans native, Tess. What I did not expect was how much growth I see in her storytelling since her debut novel. She has added depth to her characters and given them more to do than eat and have sex. There is still plenty of both to keep Rey’s fans happy but now she is a writer who gives her two mains others to talk to and friends and family who help give Tess and Sam dimensions which were lacking in her early work.
Both women lead interesting full lives. I liked that Sam was a disappointment to her Cuban family not because she was lesbian but because she hid her brilliance as a novelist behind a pen name, a male pen name. The parallels with JK Rowling and her Robert Galbraith novels made me smile. Tess has her Cajun roots, her musical talent, her skills as an oyster shucker and her fearless nature which combined make her irresistible to Sam. I liked her wariness when Sam first started coming in to the restaurant where she worked. I liked the way both women took their time building a relationship.
The mystery aspect of this novel is the weak link in an otherwise pleasurable read. It was too easy to identify who the person adding conflict to this couple's HEA was going to be. I know the couple needed some form of drama to force them to face their obvious attraction but this was an aspect of the novel Rey still needs to work on and refine. I admit to being a hard-core thriller reader when I am not reading lesfic romances so I was hoping for more buildup, more tension for both Tess and Sam leading up to the dramatic finale. The drama did serve its purpose so I won't grumble over much.
This slow and easy relationship build reminded me of other authors who take their time building strong foundations. The care Rey takes to flesh out her mains made for a memorable read and points to a bright future for this author.
4 stars
ARC received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for review.
Both women lead interesting full lives. I liked that Sam was a disappointment to her Cuban family not because she was lesbian but because she hid her brilliance as a novelist behind a pen name, a male pen name. The parallels with JK Rowling and her Robert Galbraith novels made me smile. Tess has her Cajun roots, her musical talent, her skills as an oyster shucker and her fearless nature which combined make her irresistible to Sam. I liked her wariness when Sam first started coming in to the restaurant where she worked. I liked the way both women took their time building a relationship.
The mystery aspect of this novel is the weak link in an otherwise pleasurable read. It was too easy to identify who the person adding conflict to this couple's HEA was going to be. I know the couple needed some form of drama to force them to face their obvious attraction but this was an aspect of the novel Rey still needs to work on and refine. I admit to being a hard-core thriller reader when I am not reading lesfic romances so I was hoping for more buildup, more tension for both Tess and Sam leading up to the dramatic finale. The drama did serve its purpose so I won't grumble over much.
This slow and easy relationship build reminded me of other authors who take their time building strong foundations. The care Rey takes to flesh out her mains made for a memorable read and points to a bright future for this author.
4 stars
ARC received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for review.
theamandashelby's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second book I have read by Aurora Rey. The first was Built to Last and it was also a 4 star read for me. I liked Built to Last better, but this was still a solid read. It took me a while to really get into the book, but once it started going I really enjoyed it.
This book will make you want to visit New Orleans if you have never been. I enjoy descriptive writing and Rey does a really wonderful job of creating the setting. You actually feel like you know the place. She does write about a lot of food in this book, so read on a full stomach. I just enjoyed the writing so much, that even if I hadn’t enjoyed the characters this one would have been worth it for me.
Fortunately, I really enjoyed the characters. Sam I liked a lot. I typically do fall for the more butch characters so of course Sam was my favorite. Tess was likable as well though. I did feel like this was a “happy for now” instead of a “happily ever after.” I think that is okay though. I still enjoyed their story and would be willing to read another one later where they break up and are now friends. Sam could then find her ever after. I just didn’t feel like these two were the perfect match. ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review.
This book will make you want to visit New Orleans if you have never been. I enjoy descriptive writing and Rey does a really wonderful job of creating the setting. You actually feel like you know the place. She does write about a lot of food in this book, so read on a full stomach. I just enjoyed the writing so much, that even if I hadn’t enjoyed the characters this one would have been worth it for me.
Fortunately, I really enjoyed the characters. Sam I liked a lot. I typically do fall for the more butch characters so of course Sam was my favorite. Tess was likable as well though. I did feel like this was a “happy for now” instead of a “happily ever after.” I think that is okay though. I still enjoyed their story and would be willing to read another one later where they break up and are now friends. Sam could then find her ever after. I just didn’t feel like these two were the perfect match. ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review.
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