3.75 Stars

Fairly forgettable, but definitely a lot better than the last Annabel Monaghan book I read! Nora Goes off Script was so incredibly frustrating, and Summer Romance made the list of my highly recommended books…so I was really in the middle of deciding how I feel about her. This didn’t really provide any clarity….but I had a decent time reading it!

I really liked the romance aspects of this book. I liked the sort of enemies to lovers’s relationship with Dan. Plus the shenanigans of going to stay at his house, and sleeping in the same room… All fun. I also thought it was really sweet how it slowly built. There was no big sweeping romance moment, and don’t get me wrong I love the big sweeping romance, but there is beauty in the slow build and mundane relationship. Two people trying to accomplish a goal and falling in love while they do so.

The rest of the plot? Kind of boring. The whole idea of trying to get Jack to write this song, but constantly trying to find him and never really finding him was just kind of a snooze fest. I was way more invested in the relationship than in her career, and I would like there to be a bit more of a balance, considering how much of the book was focused on other parts of her life, but I just didn’t care about them! Especially because they kept talking about this movie that they really want to get made, but they never really let us in on what the movie was. I wanted to care about it, but I just wasn’t invested. I think a big part of me not liking it was because I didn’t really love Jane as a person. She complains a lot and gets in her way constantly. I think Dan was a lot more likable, and all of his family was so sweet. But Jane was just kind of annoying!

I think the third act breakup made sense between these two. Jane really had a lot of growth to do and I’m glad that at least that was addressed. I don’t really get what Dan SEES in her lol but hey, there’s someone for everyone.

I highly doubt I’ll remember this book in a week to be completely honest. Thankfully, it wasn’t terrible so I’m not gonna write off the author. But if you’re gonna go for an Annabel Monaghan, I would read Summer Romance.

I can’t believe we went from reading a complex, mature and deep relationship between Teddy and Gus (yes, I will not shut up about them) to Cam and Dusty’s relationship which was just… nothing…

The only time I felt good and fuzzy while reading this was the epilogue (after the actual epilogue) of Emmy’s wedding. The whole chapter of the Ryder family together was what I loved about this series and the coziness was missing from this entire book.

If you hate unnecessary and dumb reasoning third act breakups/fights, this book is not for you. I nearly threw my kobo across the room until I remembered how much I needed my emotional support ereader to survive. It frustrates me because there were a few potential conflicts that could’ve been used instead of the third act fight — Cam’s parents (what tf even happened there? felt unresolved), Graham aka the guy thAT LEFT CAM AT THE ALTAR, or even Dusty’s decision about whether to stay or continue working abroad. Idk guys, I’m just disappointed.

Full series rating and remarks in the comments 🐎✨