I entered some kind of dimension with the library where all my holds coming up were second chance plus friends to lovers. Not sure what's going on there, or if this type of book has been especially popular this year, but Joni and Ren worked very well for me overall.

The book is told in dual timelines, so you don't exactly know what happened in the first portion of the book that ruined Joni and Ren's friendship. Initially, this approach felt clunky and easy to detach from--i enjoyed both timelines but it felt like they lost momentum. However, as the book progressed and the past timeline was getting closer and closer, it added a level of suspense. Not always my favorite tactic to building a romance, but it was effective. To some extent, it smacked of People We Meet on Vacation but I liked the way this was executed better.

There were plenty of imperfections in the arc, some things unnecessary but so much was good. I loved watching Joni discover her love for Ren, and he was a very romantic lead. Maybe too much -- the risk with this kind of story and it being first person is that the hero can just be everything the main character needs, and aside from a couple of chapters, that was an issue with this book. In fact, I would have loved to be equally tortured by Ren's perspective and feel like the emotional payoff would be higher.

This was a pleasant read, I would recommend it for contemporary first person POV fans. I am looking forward to more from the author.

Structurally and emotionally, this was trending to a high 4 in the first part of this book. 60-70% maybe even. But the grudges, the feelings, and the fact that the main characters hadn't seen each other in 15 years did not make it a believable conflict toward the end of this read. It suddenly shifted to sulky, manufactured and overblown. Oddly, it didn't really happen until this point for me. I bought Nina & Quentin's bittersweet dynamic through and through until it became the obstacle. It cratered the pacing and left me wholly unsatisfied in what was a hopeful starting over book full of emotional tension and humor initially. Bummer.

Pacing was off, and though it was a pleasant and fun read for about 30% it is like reading Julie Anne Longs magical elements but having them explained so you don't miss the meaning.

The final 30% was a slog

While I always struggle with Comfort's pacing, once the books hit their stride they really do. I believe the characterization will feel careful, if not distant in some ways. In the end, I really enjoyed this unique game show opposites& rivals attract.