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heabooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
40-LOVE was a joy to read and I especially loved Tess and Lucas as our couple. While they have a pretty large age gap, they've both lived a lot in their lives, from the highs to the lows. I especially enjoyed how confident and self-assured Tess was; she knows who she is, what she wants, and isn't afraid to speak her mind. I've always found this to be one of the best parts of reading a romance with older characters. While Tess has some reservations about a fling with a younger man it's not because she doesn't think she's good enough, it's more that she doesn't want to get emotionally hurt after the fallout from her engagement. Tess is used to controlling her life and looking at things practically and that means she's a little slower to trust her heart over her brain.
Luckily, Lucas is determined to prove he's perfect for Tess and he's pretty much the perfect hero. The way he cared for, supported, and spoiled Tess was really sweet and sexy. Lucas is young but he also grew up fast on the professional tennis circuit and while he misses playing professionally he doesn't miss the loneliness. Tess was exactly what Lucas needed to help him center his life and find his next passion. They each bring out the better qualities in each other as well as inspire each other to go after what they want.
I really enjoyed Olivia Dade's writing style and I'm curious to go back and read the previous book in the series.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
Luckily, Lucas is determined to prove he's perfect for Tess and he's pretty much the perfect hero. The way he cared for, supported, and spoiled Tess was really sweet and sexy. Lucas is young but he also grew up fast on the professional tennis circuit and while he misses playing professionally he doesn't miss the loneliness. Tess was exactly what Lucas needed to help him center his life and find his next passion. They each bring out the better qualities in each other as well as inspire each other to go after what they want.
I really enjoyed Olivia Dade's writing style and I'm curious to go back and read the previous book in the series.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
radianest's review against another edition
3.5
Olivia Dade is one of my must read authors, even if I don't know exactly what I am getting into plotwise. I listened to this one and it was so intriguing! The use of the age gap as a hindrance got old fast, but at some point, the characters called it out and it wasn't used too much anymore.
cmuscoe's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
dearbookshelves's review against another edition
4.5
"Love couldn't solve everything, but without love, there was nothing to solve."
Tess is on a trip for her fortieth birthday when she has a topless meet-cute with twenty-six year old former pro tennis player, Lucas. Everything about this screams short-lived fling at most but is it more than that?
After seeing Challengers in theaters twice, I couldn't justify going again so I was in the car googling tennis romances and when found 40-Love by Olivia Dade. To be clear, this isn't the messy, morally questionable type of story Challengers is but regardless, I had so much fun reading this. It's rare I find myself smiling and kicking my feet while reading a romance but this one got me good! I didn't think I would be super into the age gap because I was afraid Tess would be a bit "I'm so old poor me" but she wasn't at all and Lucas has it together. I enjoyed the banter and seeing them figure out what they can be to each other. The only thing that kept this from being a full five stars was a "conflict" between Tess and her best friend who was on the trip with her. It made sense as far as moving the plot along but I was just ready for that to be resolved so I could get back to the other conflicts and fun.
Tess is on a trip for her fortieth birthday when she has a topless meet-cute with twenty-six year old former pro tennis player, Lucas. Everything about this screams short-lived fling at most but is it more than that?
After seeing Challengers in theaters twice, I couldn't justify going again so I was in the car googling tennis romances and when found 40-Love by Olivia Dade. To be clear, this isn't the messy, morally questionable type of story Challengers is but regardless, I had so much fun reading this. It's rare I find myself smiling and kicking my feet while reading a romance but this one got me good! I didn't think I would be super into the age gap because I was afraid Tess would be a bit "I'm so old poor me" but she wasn't at all and Lucas has it together. I enjoyed the banter and seeing them figure out what they can be to each other. The only thing that kept this from being a full five stars was a "conflict" between Tess and her best friend who was on the trip with her. It made sense as far as moving the plot along but I was just ready for that to be resolved so I could get back to the other conflicts and fun.
theweatherwriter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
catgeee's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars, I didn’t care for the main character Tess, and the insta-love wasn’t believable
emorymcc's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
shelbymarie516's review against another edition
4.0
3.75
Older leading lady (not 16-25 (thank goodness)). Age gap (gasp!) Vacay boyfriend!
Honestly this would have been 3.25-3.5 for me but that last chapter bumped it up. Enjoyed it but it didn't leave me wanting all that much more.
Older leading lady (not 16-25 (thank goodness)). Age gap (gasp!) Vacay boyfriend!
Honestly this would have been 3.25-3.5 for me but that last chapter bumped it up. Enjoyed it but it didn't leave me wanting all that much more.
jennharrott's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5