e-Audio, 07:24:43
Narrated by: Chandler Gregoire
Release Date: January 21, 2025
Published by: Books on Tape
Read from: January 20-21, 2025
Stand-alone
Source: PRH Audio App (I received a copy of this e-ALC from the publisher in exchange for a just and honest review.)
Content Warning: N/A
For Readers Interested In: Books about Books, Sparkly Cover, Racial/Ethnic Diversity, Realistic Fiction, Romance, YAFrom the author of You Bet Your Heart comes a heartfelt romance about two aspiring teen novelists finding love, good food, and a little bit of mystery at an exclusive writers’ retreat. Perfect for fans of K.L. Walther!
The daughter of two prestigious writers, Macy Descanso has decided to take her own writing seriously. So what if her mother pulled some strings to get Macy into a prestigious writing retreat? Macy belongs here. But when she arrives, she learns that the theme has been changed to romance, per the bequest of the late, prolific romance author Betty Quinn. Though a cynic, Macy lives for a challenge.
What she’s not prepared for is to be partnered with Caleb Bernard, also the child of two prestigious writers. The Descansos and Bernards notably have beef—a rivalry that has lasted generations. With something to prove, Macy and Caleb decide to put their family squabbles aside to work together as critique partners.
But this retreat is anything but ordinary. According to lore, every year, authors leave easter eggs behind for new students to find. Macy and Caleb are eager to solve Betty Quinn’s mystery. And in the process, Macy and Caleb find that they have a lot in common. Still, will their connection be enough to surpass their families’ feud? Can the relationship they’ve built continue after the retreat?
*MY THOUGHTS*
This is one of the books that I was so desperate to love that I kept reading it even when I knew I shouldn’t have. It had everything that I would normally love tho so I just kept reading. It did in fact, not do anything for me.
The thing that stood out the most and honestly the reason I didn’t DNF this was because I HAD to know how the mystery ended. I really don’t remember a single thing other than this part. The mystery aspect was good because it involved everyone and at some point. It ended up being really cute and I was glad I stuck around for that part at least.
However, that was the only thing I really enjoyed. I’m not sure if it was my mood or the narrator or what, but I fell asleep every 30 minutes of this audiobook. I thought that maybe I was just tired because my cycle was coming, but I ended up listening to the one before and after this one with no problem. Idk, I just couldn’t get into it and I tried multiple times.
The romance was cute but unfortunately it wasn’t memorable. I can’t say that I remember anything besides the fact that their parents didn’t like each other. And then they stopped liking each other and I was like eh ok by that point. Y’all know I’m not a huge fan of enemies/rivals to lovers. So basically I lost interest. And no it’s not because its a teen book. I understand that sometimes books can just be HFNs. But this one just didn’t seem memorable TO ME. I don’t think I would have even realized if it was a HEA or not.
The relationships that I thought were more important that the romance was the one with her mother. I was glad that that got a lot of time and some explanation, but at the same time, it HAD to because it was the main plot point. It really made this feel more like a coming of age book instead of a romance. But I was glad that she got the answers from her mom. The other people she got answers from was kind of weird, but I had to admit it was kinda cool.
This usually would be something that I would have loved, but I just didn’t vibe with it. And that’s ok. Maybe someone else will. And when it finds its readers, I hope they genuinely love it.
Overall, I give this
