This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Published by Gallery Books
Released on March 24, 2020
Pages: 320
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
The Delight
The anticipation of a new book from this author duo is the delight here for me. Their books have garnered almost all 4 and 5 stars from me, although I still have more to read of theirs, especially the oldest books. I honestly can’t say this book was a favorite this time however. But, even so, it still was a pretty good read.
Review
Carey Douglas is the right hand man(woman)for a couple that star on a reality show about redoing homes and decorating them. Initially reminiscent of Joanna and Chip Gaines of HGTV fame, this couple has zero in common with them as far as their personal life is concerned. James McCann is now the right hand man for Rusty Tripp the male half of the couple. Educated as an engineer, James took the job thinking he was going to be an engineer on the show, instead he is now practically babysitting the sometimes hard drinking and womanizing Rusty. Melissa Tripp, the female half of the couple, is the controlling business person behind their success. She’s also supposedly the designer, while Rusty is the carpenter. Carey has worked for the couple since she was sixteen(ten years) and has risen to be the brains behind most of the design part of the show. Totally unsung of course. The Tripps have a new book being released on how to stay in a good marriage. The kicker is that the Tripps are on the verge of divorce. Carey and James are tasked with going on the road with the two and keeping them from killing each other or otherwise causing the public to find out about their rift. In the process, will Carey and James find some common ground and realize how right they are for each other?
I mostly enjoyed the young couple. I did think Carey was kinda clueless about how much of the fame and money earned by the Tripps really did belong to her. I think she was too afraid to lose her health insurance because of an ongoing illness, but still she needed to speak up and that made her almost a weak heroine for me. I understand they were like family to her, but Melissa just treats her like dirt and she takes it, time and time again. Just a no for me. And James was a really good guy, still new to the job, but even he has realized how much he’s been played and he’s not a happy man. The Tripps were just a train wreck. The only one I sort of liked was Rusty and I really disliked his drinking and womanizing.
I’m usually fairly game for most fun road trip books. This trip was pretty much the opposite of fun. I did enjoy the sparks that were flying around the young couple, but all the fighting between the older couple really took away from the book. Where’s the humor usually involved in these author’s books?
I wish I could say that I loved this book as I have with so many others by these authors. I just can’t. However, I did like lots of things about the read so 3 stars seems to be about right. For adult readers of contemporary romance.
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Oh it’s too bad it wasn’t more for this one. I didn’t realize that they had a new book
Yes, I always get the arc if possible every time they release a book. I usually really love their work.
the title made me curious. sorry it wasn’t what you were hoping.
sherry @ fundinmental
I normally love these author’s work. Thanks!
Oh no, that does sound like a rather flat story, Lorna. Guess this was their one dud. 🙁
Yes, I guess so, although there was one other that I only gave 3 stars to. Mostly though they are amazing.
I enjoyed this one but the road trip part was a little meh for me too.
Yes, it wasn’t exactly fun was it?
I liked this more than you. I think it’s because I adjusted my expectations. I realized this wasn’t going to be the romance I was expecting, but rather went more women’s fiction. Once I accepted that, I found it easier to laugh at the funny bits, and appreciate Carey’s journey
You are right, I wanted a fun romance and this definitely wasn’t that. Weird I just got the email saying you commented, 11 days later.
Their books are always hit or miss for me. I LOVED Josh and Hazel but a few others have been meh. I’m guessing this would be in the meh camp.
A friend of mine really liked it though because of the HGTV connection.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
I thought I was going to love it because of the HGTV connection too, but not really in the end.
I have only read one book by this writing pair and I liked it but didn’t love it. I do want to read more of their work but I think I might pick up a different one. I don’t think I would enjoy the fighting from the older couple either.
My favorites are Sweet Filthy Boy, Love and Other Words and Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating. Although, I’ve loved some others. I’ve still not read their Beautiful series.
3 stars isn’t terrible. 🙂 Seems to fit this
I don’t rate many books under 3. Or 1 star at all. Usually just DNF if they are that bad.
I am sorry to hear that this one was such a disappointment at times. I love a good road trip adventure but I have struggled with this duo author writing team. But I know many other readers love them. Its good to hear it had its redeeming qualities.
Great review Lorna.
Thank you. Sometimes it’s harder to write a review for a book that just doesn’t do it for you but could be a good read for someone else. I want to be fair. They’ve had books I’ve loved so much, this is only the second one I’ve given less than 4 stars to.
I liked this one a bit more than you but I agree with your points. Melissa and Rusty were a train wreck and completely annoying. Carey and James were almost enemies to lovers but it was a very slow burn on their romance. I think there was less humor in this story than most of their work. I waited for the audio so my review is tomorrow. (So now I can read other reviews as I have written mine)
Sometimes I like an audio version of a book more than if I read it. I think it just makes it better if the narrator is good. It was definitely a slow burn, I agree.
It is a shame that one of your favourite authors didn’t deliver this time…
Mostly they do deliver with their books. I read Love and Other Words recently and gave it 5 stars. It was wonderful.