Checking You Out

d'Ann Whynot (2022) - SmartyPants Romance

Résumé : Lois Washington is at the end of her rope. Struggling as a single mother in an apartment the size of a closet is not the New York City adventure she dreamed of in her starry-eyed youth. When her job goes on the chopping block, she is ready for a major life change. Joining her best friend in Tennessee to become the newest employee at the Green Valley Public Library isn't exactly where she thought life would take her, but she feels up for the challenge. Only this relocation comes with more than she bargained for.

Norman Grant has had a string of online dating disasters back in Florida. Dealing with chronic pain, he's concluded that finding a woman who is understanding about his war wounds just isn't in the cards. That is, until he becomes quite taken with the single mother who's also a new arrival in Green Valley. The catch? Things are not quite what they seem.

When the past and present collide, Norman and Lois must face painful reminders from their youth. Now, at twenty-seven, Norman's about to find out just how deeply the wounds he left behind cut.


De tous les livres du lot de cette année, je crois que c'est celui qui m'a le moins emballé et que j'ai trouvé un poil ennuyeux et convenu -_- (Désolée Ann !). Aussi, je comprend pas trop pourquoi ce livre et le précédent font partie d'une série intitulé "Green Valley Librairy", alors certes le job des héroïnes est à la bibliothèque, mais bon à part, y'a pas vraiment de place spéciale réservée à cette bibliothèque. Ces deux livres auraient pu constituer une série unique autour du point commun entre tous les personnages : le jeu de MMRPG Magecraft où ils se sont tous rencontrés et qui tient une place de choix dans l'intrigue... bref.

Cette romance a zéro suspense : on part quand même sur une intrigue qui aurait pu durer un peu plus longtemps, à savoir que Lois et Norman se connaissent virtuellement depuis leur adolescence, ils avaient prévu de se voir après le lycée et commencer leurs études supérieur ensemble mais Norman a brisé le coeur de Lois au dernier moment en ne venant pas, ils se retrouvent 10 ans plus tard dans la vraie vie cette fois, Lois le reconnait, mais Norman non (faut dire qu'elle a bien changé de look depuis ses 16 ans). On aurait pu avoir une espèce de tension autour de Norman découvrant la vérité, mais ce détail est balayé dès les premiers chapitres, bon bah ça, c'est fait xD

L'intrigue est donc autour d'une seconde chance pour Norman de gagner le coeur de Lois (spoiler alert : ça sera pas super difficile), et pour Lois d'avoir confiance que Norman ne l'abandonnera pas une 2e fois, surtout qu'elle n'est plus toute seule dans cette affaire : elle a une fille de 6 ans nommé Elsa.

J'ai eu l'impression que l'auteur, sachant son histoire un peu moyenne, nous a rajouté un problème de garde d'enfant avec le père biologique d'Elsa, problème résolu aussi vite qu'il est apparut, et la catastrophe de la fin était-elle vraiment nécessaire ? Pas sûre.

Il y a quand même de jolies choses dans ce livre : revoir Max et Jonathan, le premier couple de gamer, j'avais beaucoup aimé leur histoire ♥ ; la complicité des jeunes avec Rose (la maman de Max qui héberge Lois et Elsa) et ce petit groupe devenant une famille qui se choisi ; le traitement du handicap de Norman (une grave blessure pendant son service militaire qui lui donne des douleurs et le contraint à marcher avec une canne), la façon dont il se perçoit et dont les autres le perçoivent.

Voilà, ce livre était bien mais sans plus, trop prévisible et trop guimauve peut-être.

Of all the books in this year's bundle, I think this was the one that I was least excited about and found a bit boring and conventional -_- (Sorry Ann!). Also, I don't really understand why this book and the previous one are part of a series called "Green Valley Library", yes the heroines' job is in the library, but apart from that, there's not really a special place reserved for this library. These two books could have been a unique series around the common point between all the characters : the MMRPG game Magecraft where they all met and which holds a place of choice in the plot... Anyway.

This romance has zero suspense : we have a plot that could have lasted a little longer, namely that Lois and Norman have known each other virtually since their teen years, they had planned to see each other after high school and start college together but Norman broke Lois' heart at the last moment by not coming, they meet again 10 years later in real life this time, Lois recognizes him, but Norman doesn't (I must say that her look has changed a lot since). We could have had some kind of tension about Norman discovering the truth, but this detail is swept away in the first chapters, well you got it xD

The plot is therefore around a second chance for Norman to win Lois' heart (spoiler alert : it won't be too difficult), and for Lois to trust that Norman won't abandon her a second time, especially since she is no longer alone : she has a 6-year-old daughter named Elsa.

I had the impression that the author, knowing her story was somewhat average, added a child custody problem with Elsa's biological father, a problem solved as quickly as it appeared, and was the disaster of the end really necessary? Not sure.

There are still some nice things in this book : seeing Max and Jonathan again, the first gamer couple, I really liked their story ♥ ; the complicity of the young people with Rose (Max's mother who accomodate Lois and Elsa) and this small group becoming a family that chooses itself ; the treatment of Norman's disability (a serious injury during his military service which gives him pain and forces him to walk with a cane), the way he perceives himself and how others perceive him.

Here, this book was good but nothing more, too predictable and too sappy perhaps.

 

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Not Fooling Anyone

d'Allie Winters (2022) - SmartyPants Romance

Résumé : The deal is simple—pretend to be Ethan’s girlfriend for a psych study and we each get a nice payday. Despite him being a dumb jock who willingly gets punched for fun at my dad’s boxing gym, I can handle it. I’ve mastered the art of keeping others at a distance. Especially after… Well, never mind that.

Except, I didn’t count on him not understanding the definition of boundaries. Suddenly, we’re having to fake being in love all over campus to keep up the ruse. And when he tries to slip under the barriers I’ve worked so hard to create? Yeah, that’s not happening. Even if it turns out he’s surprisingly understanding… and funny… and charming… and smarter than I ever would have given him credit for. Not to mention that muscled body from all that boxing…

No, that’s irrelevant. I may have misjudged him, but that doesn’t mean I’m interested. He has no idea what kind of baggage I’m carrying. A relationship is the last thing on my mind.

Even if I’m not fooling anyone.


Lexie n'a pas une vie facile, elle du mal à joindre les deux bouts, son job de barmaid ne paie pas assez... Sa relation avec son père est moyennement bien, alors quand il lui propose de venir bosser comme comptable au club de boxe où il travaille, elle se dit que c'est mieux que rien.

Dans la salle de sport, elle va croiser rapidement un jeune boxer, Ethan, qui essaie de flirter gentiment avec elle. Lexie n'a pas le temps ou la motivation pour lui. Manque de pot, Ethan assiste au même cours de psychologie qu'elle, il la reconnait et insiste pour lui parler. Lexie s'en serait bien passé, mais voilà que leur professeur cherche des volontaires pour une étude rémunérée, le hic c'est qu'il faut être en couple. Lexie a besoin de l'argent, alors sans même y réfléchir, elle recrute instantanément Ethan comme fake boyfriend.

Ethan est un garçon cool, posé, facile à vivre, Lexie a piqué son intérêt et il décide de jouer le jeu du faux couple. C'est important pour Lexie et il va pouvoir passer du temps avec elle et apprendre à mieux la connaitre.

Ce qu'aucun d'eux n'avait prévu, c'est que jouer au faux couple, ça rapproche. Et quand on se rapproche, ça devient compliqué. Lexie et Ethan ont chacun des soucis, des choses trop compliquées pour les partager de but en blanc avec l'autre. C'est toujours difficile de commencer à faire confiance à l'autre quand on on pas encore confiance en soi.

Heureusement, malgré les quiproquos et coup d'émotions, Allie Winters nous présente deux jeunes gens qui arrivent à communiquer et faire face à leurs difficultés. Lexie et Ethan sont tout mignons ♥

Lexie doesn't have an easy life, she's struggling to make ends meet, her job as a bartender doesn't pay enough... Her relationship with her father is not that good, so when he asks her to come and work as an accountant at the boxing gym where he works, she thinks it's better than nothing.

In the gym, she meets a young boxer, Ethan, who tries to flirt kindly with her. Lexie doesn't have the time or the motivation for him. Bad luck, Ethan attends the same psychology class as her, he recognizes her and insists on talking to her. Lexie would have prefered to avoid him, but now their teacher is looking for volunteers for a paid study, the catch is that you have to be in a relationship. Lexie needs the money, so without even thinking about it, she instantly recruits Ethan as her fake boyfriend.

Ethan is a cool, calm, easy-going boy, Lexie has piqued his interest and he decides to play the fake couple's game. This is important for Lexie and he will get to hang out with her and know her better.

What neither of them had expected is that playing the fake couple brings people together. And when you get closer, it gets complicated. Lexie and Ethan each have worries, things too complicated to share outright with the other. It's always difficult to start trusting others when you don't trust in yourself yet.

Fortunately, despite the misunderstandings and sudden emotions, Allie Winters introduces us to two young people who manage to communicate and face their difficulties. Lexie and Ethan are so cute ♥

 

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Book Smart

d'Amanda C. Pennington (2022) - SmartyPants Romance

Résumé : Melanie Hirsch is tired of watching life pass her by…
I’ve spent the last few years watching my dreams of a writing career and true love fade away, settling for a dead-end job and denying my feelings for my best friend - until I find a list of dating advice for single women to “find a husband” in the 1950s. I decide to experiment: try out the 1950s advice on my 21st-century dating pool and write about the results. If love is timeless, some of the dating advice still holds value. Maybe my experiment will launch my writing career. Maybe I’ll get over my best friend and meet someone new. Either way, I’m done watching from the sidelines.

Cameron Whitacre can’t wait forever…
I’ve spent the last few years in love with my best friend, hoping she’ll notice my friendly overtures have more than friendly intentions - but before I realize what’s happening, she declares me her wingman for a dating experiment. This idea could launch her writing career, so I’m trying to be supportive. But her experiment turns my life into a desperation-fueled dumpster fire. I need to show her how I feel without jeopardizing our friendship, all before she falls for someone else.


Ce livre m'a beaucoup frustrée, je l'ai bien aimé, mais je suis aussi mitigée sur les choix de l'auteur.

Le principal élément qui m'a légèrement irritée peut être vu comme un spoiler, mais je vais quand même tout déballer xD, c'est le fait que les héros ne se mettent ensemble qu'à la fin. La romance se termine littéralement quand ils s'avouent enfin qu'ils s'aiment. On a un petit épilogue qui nous fait jeter un coup d'oeil juste l'après... Mais moi, je préfère les romances où l'après Happy Ending fait partie de l'histoire au lieu d'être en bonus à la fin ^^

Cela dit, l'idée de départ, que Mélanie teste de vieux conseils des années 50 pour se trouver un mari, est plutôt sympa, surtout qu'elle embarque Cameron, son meilleur ami, pour l'aider. Cameron, lui étant amoureux d'elle depuis le début, il souffre le martyr de la voir se lancer dans des pseudos situations sensées favorisées les rencontres. Certaines scènes sont assez rigolotes (le débat sur Superman ou le fou du volant), surtout quand il s'agit de moderniser des recommandations vieillottes.

Niveau intrigue romantique, on est ici avec deux meilleurs amis, qui n'ont jamais osé faire de premiers pas ne voulant pas que cela change leur amitié si jamais ça ne marchait pas. Ca fait 5 ans qu'ils se tournent autour quand même !

Donc voilà, une lecture pas trop mal, mais passer tout le livre sur un "j'y vais j'y vais pas", pas mon style préféré...

I was a bit frustrated with this book, I liked it, but I also have mixed feelings about the author's choices.

The main thing that irritated me slightly can be seen as a spoiler, but I'm going to unpack everything anyway xD, it's the fact that the heroes only get together at the end. The romance literally ends when they finally confess their love to each other. We have a little epilogue that gives us a look to what happen next... But I prefer romances where the relationship after is part of the story and not just a bonus at the end ^^

That said, the initial idea, that Mélanie tries old advices from the 50s to find a husband, is quite nice, especially since she asks Cameron, her best friend, to help her. Cameron, being in love with her from the beginning, he suffers the martyrdom of seeing her throw herself into dates, and some scenes are quite funny (the Superman debate or the crazy driver), especially when she has to put those dated advices in the now.

In terms of romantic intrigue, we have two best friends, who have never dared to take the first steps, not wanting it to change their friendship if it ever doesn't work out. It's been 5 years that they circle each other really !

So a nice reading, but having all the story around a "will they, won't they" is not my favroite.

 

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