A romance book with the amnesia trope and I didn't hate it?? Sound the alarm!!
I actually liked it here because it made sense, from the start JeremiahA romance book with the amnesia trope and I didn't hate it?? Sound the alarm!!
I actually liked it here because it made sense, from the start Jeremiah didn't have his memories so we as readers didn't have to go through the pain of him having them then losing them then finding them again which is the main reason I dislike that trope (I don't mind if they're already lost and then have to be rediscovered, like here).
There was a mystery element to the book, not just in relation to who Jeremiah was prior to the memory loss, but also whether there was foul play involved. Handsome men don't just end up floating in the ocean in the middle of a storm, believe it or not.
After Remy fishes him out their story starts. They bicker and don't like each other, except they DO like each other, but there's things stopping them from getting together. Mainly Remy's past & the fact that Jeremiah doesn't have all of his memories yet, and well, his identity too.
I won't spoil any of that though, I liked the clues we got and at first I was surprised at how fast we got the reveal, but considering everything else that happened after it made sense.
I do still feel like there was a bit too much filler in the book, from the other characters. I didn't mind hearing Jude's PoV as his was the most relevant next to the two leads, and because his own book is next, but the others didn't add that much to the story.
As for the romance, I liked it, but I definitely got mad at both of them on separate occasions. But not as mad as I usually get when I'm reading contemporary romance so I'm counting that as a win. These characters actually acted like adults, and yeah Jeremiah could have his spoiled moments (especially at the start), but I wasn't rolling my eyes at either of them.
We got some cute lines between them too, for example:
“Why are you here?” “Because this is where you are.” He looked her straight in the face while gently extracting an inch- long curl of wood from her topknot. “If this is where you are, then this is the only place I want to be.”
I also liked the Wendell/Marisol side story, I'm so glad they got their happy ending.
What I had a bit of a problem with was the heavy atmosphere. It wasn't because of the mystery or because of what happened to Remy, just something that prevented me from having a fully enjoyable time with the book. It could've been the writing a bit, I'm not sure. But something was there.
The first half was more engaging than the second, this is probably because the MCs spent a lot of time apart in the second half. I was just waiting for them to meet again, then there was an opportunity, but it didn't work so the wait was even longer until the climax.
Also, I didn't guess the twist at the end, but I wasn't trying to. I think the other clues we got for the other side plots were better done than that one.
Anyhow, this was my first book by the author, and I liked it enough to give book two a try when it comes out in February. If that goes well I might go back and read some of her other books too, though this one has appealed to me the most since I saw it months ago....more
‘The theme here isn’t depression – it’s Shah Rukh Khan.’
Yes, that is my favourite quote from the book, thanks for asking.
I've been waiting to read thi‘The theme here isn’t depression – it’s Shah Rukh Khan.’
Yes, that is my favourite quote from the book, thanks for asking.
I've been waiting to read this since it was announced, then a few days before it was supposed to be out, we got the news it was getting traditionally published and the wait would be longer. I was lucky enough to be given an arc and I'm happy to report I had lots of fun with this book.
The F1 aspect of it felt accurate (and a bit exaggerated in certain parts), though I think we could've gotten more of it to balance things out. I would've preferred this to be 50% F1, 50% romance, but it's okay.
For a debut author, Soltani's writing is strong, I was easily drawn into the world and had no trouble getting through the book. I'd say it's a slower paced read though, and the romance is kind of a slow burn.
One thing about the romance that didn't really work was how scared they both were of her brother finding out, and then that happened and it wasn't a big deal at all...and trust me I'm happy it wasn't, and that we didn't get a third act breakup (that I figured was going to start off that way), but it felt a bit anticlimactic when it was all out in the open.
The rest of it was cute, especially the Bollywood movie nights (hence the quote at the top of my review, hah). It was a really light read for the most part, until that ending...
I should've seen it coming based on the beginning, but I really DID NOT. I was sitting there thinking no way is this happening and then it did and it was just so chaotic and not really something suited for the end of a book?
Unless if it had set up some sort of cliffhanger which would be continued in the next one, but this one had to have an ending so...I think it was rushed through and it would've been better if it had happened a few chapters earlier so the characters could process it properly.
Still though my overall impression is a positive one. I love the diversity included, like the food, the wedding, the way he calls her "jaanu".
I'd recommend this to both F1 fans who want a little romance, and those who aren't fans but think the book might sound interesting. Also, this has Hannah Grace vibes (but less steamy) so if you liked any of her books you'll probably like this too.
Lastly, I hope we'll get more books in this world, the potential is definitely there.
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
It seems Lauren Asher is continuing her pattern of the second book being worse than the first. But unlike Terms and Conditions which I dnfed, I at leaIt seems Lauren Asher is continuing her pattern of the second book being worse than the first. But unlike Terms and Conditions which I dnfed, I at least got through this one, as tedious as it was.
I was naively expecting this one to be better, and based on Sophie and Liam's first meeting I thought this could be a four star read because of the chemistry. But as the book went on the chemistry dulled to a zero.
Liam contributed to this for sure, because he sexualised Sophie almost every second of his own PoV. There was no real pining, and he kept pestering her until she gave in. That's really all that happened.
His love confession didn't feel all that genuine either, but that might just be because I was over it at that point.
I'm hoping book three does some of it better, because I don't know how much more of this I can take....more
I was that kid who watched F1 with her dad so a series like this is almost like a dream come true for me. Shame Lauren Asher ended up being the one toI was that kid who watched F1 with her dad so a series like this is almost like a dream come true for me. Shame Lauren Asher ended up being the one to write it though.
This is her debut novel, and I previously read The Fine Print and Terms and Conditions, but I don't think anything's changed character or writing wise.
At the start I thought this might turn out to be her best book (out of those I read so far) and in a way it is, beating The Fine Print by just a smidge. I gave that one three stars and this one gets three as well, they're kinda on the same level even if I liked this one more.
I don't think the F1 world was represented terribly, but it's not that good either. I was going to go into that, but there are a few reviews that already tackled it so I don't feel like I have to do it too.
But I'm happy Asher opened the door for more F1 romances, we need them. Now I only need someone to write a MotoGP one and I'll be set (and a better F1 one wouldn't hurt either).
I'll still be giving the rest of the series a try, hopefully that works out better than her other one....more
