Single Sundays: While this blog may be focused on reviewing book series as a whole, we can’t forget about the good ole’ standalone novel! On Sundays, I will review a novel that is considered to be a standalone novel. Here is this week’s offering:
Synopsis for First Comes Love (from Goodreads):
First comes love.
Then comes marriage.
Then comes a—Hold up. You’re joking right? As if life works off a neat little list like that, moving down, checking things off before jumping to the next task. We’re not married. We’re not lovers. Hell, we’re hardly even friends. Noah Wilson isn’t exactly “life partner” material, and he sure as hell isn’t “father material”. He’s my older brother’s best friend, and has been off limits, sworn off, locked in the highest tower and out of reach since we met over ten years ago. With his devilish good looks, tattoos, motorcycle, and trail of broken hearts and tears, I’ve had good reason to stay away from the bad boy my mother warned me about.
Until one night. One stupid, regrettable night that changed both of our lives forever. And now I only have nine months to decide our fate, to see if Noah’s rebel heart is capable of anything more than a one night stand.
This isn’t a love story. This is a life story. And life doesn’t go according to plan.
Author: Emily Goodwin
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Heat Rating: really warm
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Date: Februrary 10, 2016
Source & Format: Kindle Unlimited–eBook
Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:
I found this book randomly when I was browsing the top titles in Romance when I was contemplating the Kindle Unlimited 30 day Free Trial. I was drawn by the title and the bold cover, but when I read the synopsis, I immediately added it to my list of novels to read.
Why? Not only does it have one of my favourite tropes (in love with brother’s BFF) but it also had a surprise pregnancy that throws these characters lives for a loop. Now I know accidental pregnancies can be touchy issues but what I enjoy about them is the character growth that usually results from them. So I was eager to see how this would all work out.
The Plot:
This story moved at a great pace. It’s lighter and often times fun but it got serious when it needed to be.
I thought it was a good balance between these two trying to establish a relationship and maturing themselves. There’s enough speed bumps along the way to keep you interested and keep the story moving.
The Characters:
Lauren was quirky and I thought she was funny, especially at the start. She lost some of her appeal to me as I read but I still really liked her. Noah was a sweetheart and I liked that he works through all his flaws.
Reviews I read after this commented on the slight lack of immaturity of these characters. I would agree to a certain extent. I think if you are coming into this story hoping for a deeper story with deeper characters, you’ll be disappointed. While both have great development throughout the novel, you don’t dive that deep into their layers.
The Romance:
It’s really light and fluffy. I thought it was sweet that these two have known each other forever and already have those feelings. I would have liked a little more substance to their romance. It seemed that what drew them to each other when they were teens is more implied than anything. Almost an “insta-love” connection and that’s never enough for the romance enthusiast in me.
My Rating: 4/5
If you need a sweet romance, look no further!
Read if You Like: light-hearted romance, quirky characters
Avoid if You: want a touch more maturity to your characters
- Rome by Jay Crownover (Marked Men Series #3)
- Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst (Marriage to a Billionaire Series #1)
- Trapped by Beverley Kendall (Trapped Series #1)
- Crushed by Lauren Layne (Redemption Series #2)
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