5* ( )

This was kind of a disappointment. The first 20% of this book was hilarious, off the walls crazy, and the sexual tension was off the CHARTS. Loved it. The rest of the book felt like a completely different story, and I can't help but wonder if the author wrote the first part and then had to figure out how to make a whole book out of it and bring it to a resolution. It wasn't bad, per se, but the two sections of the book just did not mesh. Specifically and most importantly, it felt like the Aiden at the wedding was not Aiden in New York. Frankie felt pretty consistent and I enjoyed her brothers. They felt pretty fleshed out, while Aiden fell kind of flat after the wedding. ( )

DNF at 11% due to petty assholes (it’s in the blurb) and unlikable mains...and mainly ennui

I am at a bit of a loss here. The first portion of the book was almost a wash for me. If it hadn't been for the heroine, Frankie, I am not sure I would have kept reading it. Her witty comebacks were hilarious. However, once the wedding was done and they were back at home the book took on new meaning. I LOVED it from then on. The connection between Aiden and Frankie as they progressed into something more was one of my favorite things about this book. The scene with Frankie's family had me laughing out loud. I could HEAR them as if I was in the room. The author nailed the Brooklyn thing.

It was refreshing to see a heroine like Frankie. She definitely wasn't afraid to speak her mind. I think it was her Brooklyn upbringing and it showed. She was fiercely loyal, took no crap from anyone, wasn't some shy naive virgin. She was authentic and real AND hilarious. I also liked the banter that Aiden had with her. He understood her as she also understood him. They needed each other. This had a little of that Pretty Woman feel to it. Except Frankie wasn't a prostitute and this wasn't Beverly Hills. Maybe that is why I liked it so much.

So my advice, if the beginning is a bit messy for some of the readers out there, just skim it. Until they get back in New York and then become avid readers again for the rest of the book because trust me when I say that the rest of the book is fantastic.

I have to take off a star for the beginning because it was just a hot mess with the debacle of vapid vain women and a kidnapping problem that just seemed to be out of place here. I hate to even say that considering that this author has put so much work into this story. I Still love you, Lucy! ( )

4 stars and a half

I read the whole book in one go and overall I really liked it. I was expecting the beginning due to the plot, but was pleasantly surprised with the way it turned out afterwards. I didn't expect it to follow the romance part and see the bumps in the road the characters hit. The characters are not unidimensional so that was nice as well. The plot wasn't overly complicated or hard to decipher, but I got surprised a few times so that's definitely a plus. And Frankie's sassy comebacks are just was I needed to have a grin on my face.

It isn't a 5-star book from my point of view because there were still a few things I think should have been dealt with a bit more smoothly and some scenes didn't make much sense to me. Otherwise, it got me to relax completely and the writing style is easy to read and get absorbed into, so I would definitely recommend it if you're looking for a light read! ( )