Staci HartReseñas
Autor de Wasted Words
Reseñas
CW's: fat phobia, manipulating a person into dating you via a bet from your dickhead friend
A highly engaging, creative and fun reimagining of P & P. I thought the characters were interesting and I loved the gender flip for some of them. Staci has created a highly recognisable retelling beautifully immersed into a modern day setting.
This got off to a strong start focusing on family scenes, Annie, her sisters, and their mom, adjusting to moving in with their Aunt and Uncle following their father’s death. The family moments, the moments that took place in the Aunt and Uncle’s home, the dinners, etc., were far more engaging than Annie’s love life which dominated this book.
Annie, having had heart issues since childhood is very sheltered and inexperienced, her thinking, her behavior, her inability to read men at all, made her seem on the young side of eighteen, more like fourteen going on eighteen, which on her own would probably be an interesting journey to read about, but pairing a heroine like Annie with a significantly older guy, it’s just difficult for me to see the charm in a fully adult man being attracted to someone who is basically still a girl. I just couldn’t buy into any chemistry there.
I also couldn’t abide by Greg’s weak reasons for not properly warning Annie about a certain someone, even if Greg didn’t know the whole truth he knew enough that it baffled me that a “hero” would let someone as vulnerable as Annie enter into a situation without all the available information.
I did enjoy a previous book by this author and will likely try another, this one just wasn’t the right fit for me.
There is something fun about the way that this author crafts a story. I can always count on her to make it flirty, fun, and authentic. I like that there is a realness about her characters and that they could be me my friends in real-life.
Another cute story from one of my favorite authors. I love how she can always bring the charm in her books and give me characters that leap from the pages.
Another great book with likable characters that manage to make small-town living larger than life. I'm in love with this cast of characters. Looking forward to what is nect.
Another issue I had was this is supposed to be book 3 of the Austens series....all of the other three books are modeled after modernations of an Austen book...but which Austen book is this modeled after? Grant it, I'm not a huge Austen fanatic, but I can usually spot an Austen themed book. If this is a modernation, which book is it? If a theme is created, follow it.
I gave this 3 stars because of the numerous indications to Cam and Tyler's height differences. At times those small indications of Cams small frame or Tyler's incredible height made it difficult for me to visualize the scene let alone the characters. I did love Cams quirkiness and sense of humor-- that alone is reason to read this book. The barbookstore gave way to numerous literary references from manga to comic books to super heroes to The Hobbit. Overall a cute light read for the summer. I highly recommended this book.
Amelia has never been properly kissed. A peck on the cheek. Quick touch of lips. Never open mouth, tongue tied kiss let alone the soul-searing, toe curling , forget-my-name kiss. She hides behind her books and editing service from everyone but her circle of friends. Amelia has only been working for USA Times for a few months, reviewing books. She is asked to attend a book signing by the infamous Thomas Bane, the bad boy of fantasy fiction and known playboy to Hollywood circles. He became famous for dating and appearing with Hollywood starlets and pop artists instead of his writing.
Tommy has been the bad boy for a bit too long. The last few times, he's gotten into trouble has been for good reasons. He was raised to take care of women not defile them. He has written numerous books, yet almost every one of them has been butchered by one blogger. Each time, she writes a scathing review--his book sales jump. Every book he writes is an attempt to satisfy or appease her--to try to address the issues that she finds with each book.
When he sees her at his book signing, it's kismet. He asks her to help him with his current writing project. He needs help with his writer's block and to strengthen his characters. He needs more than an editor...a muse...and something more. He also needs an image overhaul to prove to his publisher that he's reformed or at least calmed down a bit. Amelia can help him with everything he needs and more.
Can their fake relationship be more real to one of them than the other?
What will happen if the media finds out that the relationship isn't real?
Or worse what happens if both of them fall in love with each other?
How can they help each other?
Theo and Katherine's relationship while unconventional is the only way for Katherine to allow herself to let some of that control go. To be honest, I thought Katherine has a mental illness or was on the Spectrum for how rigid and OCD she is but once Hart gave me more insight into Katherine's character, Katherine needs the control to feel safe. Theo gives that to her but he only asks for one thing in return. Katherine can't give it to him. That's a deal breaker for him.
5 stars
I adore a second chance romance story but, I suppose, this wasn’t really that. It wasn’t really a third, fourth or fifth chance either. It was more like a first chance. Or a final chance. Or a chance at forever.
When we first meet Presley, she’s working in a diner in the town where she would spend summers as a kid. It’s the kind of diner that dreams are made of - a real 50s pink vibe with booths, squeaky vinyl, laminated menus and Elvis playing on the jukebox. Sebastian is also back in town and their first meeting is nothing short of adorable. You see in that moment that this couple are perfect for each other and since their childhood romance, have never stopped loving each other - the timing just was never right.
Presley was definitely a kick-ass character. She was strong and feisty and always did what was best for her family and those she loved. And she worked so hard to get where she wanted to go. I was in awe of her. I also liked that she didn’t put up with some of the crap she got dealt, but equally was understanding of how her actions might impact on others. If I had been in her shoes, I know I wouldn’t have been so kind.
Sebastian has a hot name. Despite that being all you need to know to love him - he actually was extremely lovable in other ways, too. He was strong, sexy, caring and kind - and he was completely, utterly smitten with Presley. His heart eyes gave me the total feels. And when he gets dealt a life-changing curveball, he takes it like a champ. I had been worried, but he was so adorable I wanted to cry.
Presley and Sebastian were so obviously soulmates but they just needed to get their stuff together and figure it out. And yet I swooned. I laughed. I all but screamed at them to hurry up! Don’t you know they’re both leaving? Who knew anticipation and aggravation could be so delightfully sexy?
I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone but can I just say yes. Yes, yes, yes to it all!
There’s something about Staci Hart’s books and her writing that really grips me and pulls me in. They’re never heavy or bogged down in emotion but it’s there, shimmering and sparkling under the surface. It feels tangible and it has you in its power. And I like it. Add to that the smart, sweet and funny romance and you have yourself a real winner.
There’s a host of secondary characters - some I liked, some I didn’t (don’t try to make me like Marnie - I wanted to hate her and I did! LOL!) and an interesting sub-plot involving saving their little town. All that makes me very happy to see that there will be another book set in this town featuring Presley’s cousin, Ivy Jo. Hopefully we’ll also see books for her other cousins.
I hugely enjoyed this story about finding the right time - and making it the right time - to make your dreams come true. It was pure, small-town romantic gold and a book I would very much recommend. 5 stars.
4 stars
I’ve read many a romance where a woman returns home to the farm upon the death of a loved one - only to fall in love with the guy that was left behind. However, this is surely the best example of any of those previous romances as it combines humour, heat and emotion with the storyline.
We start off with the reason for Olivia’s return - the death of her grandfather, Pop. And holy hell - while we readers never actually meet the man, his death cut me deep. I was bawling. Seriously. Bawling. It was pretty brutal.
During these times, we really get to know Olivia and Jake. We get to know their good bits and their bad bits. Jake is definitely a grump and while we understand why, he likes things his way. He tries hard to push Olivia away which results in him being pretty mean to her at times. Luckily, this is where you can tell that our pair are the perfect match for each other as Olivia’s upbeat, understanding nature means she always forgives Jake’s bad attitude. And the fact she gives as good as she gets is just the icing on the cake. Or, I suppose, the mud in the pig pen.
There’s definitely a build going on here with some time passing before Olivia, Jake and us readers just can’t take it anymore - and that’s when the fireworks happen. It’s high in the hayloft, all kinds of good. In fact, I was surprised the hay in the hayloft didn’t get set on fire.
I adored the teasing banter between Jake and Livi. Oh, I liked them when they were fighting (aka thinly disguised foreplay) but when they were happy and ribbing each other - it made my heart flutter. Jake’s bemused amusement when Olivia would say something cute or funny made me hands-down believe in their love. He loved her, quirks and all. And she loved him whether he was Mad Jake or not. Their love was everything.
And I also feel that it needs said that Alice survives the book. Maybe that’s a spoiler (it’s not really) but no animals - or at least no animals we know by name - were hurt in the making of this book. Believe me, it would have received 1 star if an animal kicked it. We didn’t even meet Pop and that damn near killed me as it was!
I really enjoyed this book and it was something different and I would love to read more from this world. Staci Hart’s writing is deliciously lyrical and she builds worlds that you can see, smell and hear. My only reason for giving it 4 stars instead of 5 was the pure emotion that Ms Hart brought out in me. It’s not something that everyone would deduct a star for, but for me, I just wanted to be a little bit more happier more of the time! But either way, you have to hand it to Ms Hart for her amazing writing! All in all, a fun and emotional book that I would highly recommend that you bet the farm on!
From the blurb I was a bit shocked that the idea of the marriage doesn't start til around 20% of the book. They do interact from the start though.
The issue for them is quite obvious early on, trust.
Ex drama.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine.
Heroine virgin due to her incredibly shy nature, she struggles to interact with people.
Breadcrumbs dropped for future books.
No cheating.
HEA.
Spoiler below for ex drama.
The ex drama is on his side.
She is a virgin, not even been kissed as she has major issues with shyness.
He slept with a woman a year ago, think it may have been more on his side but his huge issue is trust and it is because she tried to get close to him to use him for a story. ( the ex)
He woke to her trying to go through his computer.
There are no intimate details of them together. He's not a manwhore as such, a lot is just hype for his image concocted by his media team, his brother.
The ex turns up a few times, think she may make an offer to him, which he rejects, the ex tells the heroine a lot of lies to play on her insecurities, esp his past with women.
Spoiler.....
The heroine and the Hero have a row and the ex places a pic on Instagram of him in bed from last year, the time they were together. It makes out that after he rowed with the heroine, he went to the ex and slept with her but it's not true.
It is the 75% Mark, they row and she is feeling vulnerable, so she believes it.
There is nothing romantic between the Hero and the ex, he is never going there again.
From the blurb I was a bit shocked that the idea of the marriage doesn't start til around 20% of the book. They do interact from the start though.
The issue for them is quite obvious early on, trust.
Ex drama.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine.
Heroine virgin due to her incredibly shy nature, she struggles to interact with people.
Breadcrumbs dropped for future books.
When they have a mess up, which i was waiting for, they both play a part in the mess up, there is redemption, on both parts.
No cheating.
HEA.
Spoiler below for ex drama.
The ex drama is on his side.
She is a virgin, not even been kissed as she has major issues with shyness.
He slept with a woman a year ago, think it may have been more on his side but his huge issue is trust and it is because she tried to get close to him to use him for a story. ( the ex)
He woke to her trying to go through his computer.
There are no intimate details of them together. He's not a manwhore as such, a lot is just hype for his image concocted by his media team, his brother.
The ex turns up a few times, think she may make an offer to him, which he rejects, the ex tells the heroine a lot of lies to play on her insecurities, esp his past with women.
Spoiler.....
The heroine and the Hero have a row and the ex places a pic on Instagram of him in bed from last year, the time they were together. It makes out that after he rowed with the heroine, he went to the ex and slept with her but it's not true.
It is the 75% Mark, they row and she is feeling vulnerable, so she believes it.
There is nothing romantic between the Hero and the ex, he is never going there again.
There is a touch of The Devil Waers PRada when the assistant to the boss gets sick right before an important trip to Florence and the intern has to step in at the last minute.
The characters were smart and it was fun to watch Rin grow from an invisible nerdy intern into a strong confident woman willing to speak up for what she wanted.
What starts as a bet between Sam and his freind (not really) Ian, Sam dates Val for 1 month. What starts as a bet turns into something more and now he is dating her because he has feelings for her. You know this can't end well.
My only complaint about this book is that the Epilogue seemed to contain a little spoiler about the next book.
In this book, Work in Progress, they shyest of the 4, Amelia - a book review blogger, doesn't do well with strangers, she works from home and is the only virgin in the group. She attends a book signing with a famous author, Tommy Bane. She has been vcritical of his work and he recognized her name as soon as she tells him who she is. He has a case of writers block and thinks she will be the answer to his prayers - helping him write his overdue book.
In the meantime, Tommy gets in trouble and needs to clean up his reputation. What better way than to marry a squeaky clean angel. Watching these two interact as each helps the other is a joy to read. What starts as a business arrangement turns in to a true love story and it is a heartwarming experience.
Elliot and Wade fell in love as teenagers - their plan was for him to join the army after he graduated from High School and she would marry him and join my after she graduated the next year. It all fell apart when Wade decided they needed to get married right away. As a 17 year old, Elliot couldn't go against her families wishes even if they didn't realy care for her. Her family makes Cinderella'd stepmother and sisters look kind.
When Wade comes home after finding out that his father is dying they are thrown together again and realize that their feelings haven't changed but can they find their way back to each other. Against the backdrop of his father's dying, the two of them must try to look beyond the past to see if they can find a future.
Staci Hart did an amazing job of bringing out all the feelings from my favorite Jane Austen novel withou making it seem like a pale imitation like so many rewrites tend to be. The sadness of the father's illness makes the Happily Ever After all the more appreciated.
Lila has been using the family's florist shop, Longbourne, to provide flowers for her various events. She is working for her most important clients ever - a Kardashian type family who are planning a wedding and birthday party all under the lenses of the reality show cameras. Lila unwittingly gets caught up in their drama when she finds her boyfriend and the youngest reality star going at it in their apartment.
Looking for a rebound, she turns to Kash. Their one-night stand turns into a few nights and then becomes a regular occurrence. All the while they grow closer and just when they are about to have their Happily Ever After, everything blows up in their faces. How they handle the situation is worth the price of the book. This is another great addition to the Staci Hart collection of stories. I can't wait to read this entire series.
I received an advanced copy of this book
Katherine is a tightly wound, rule needing introvert. Luckily, Theo is good at taking care of people and he also likes to follow rules. How the two handle this unexpected pregnancy is incredible to behold. The reader can see the attraction, the two of the feel it but Love is against the rules.
The closer they get to the baby's due date the more the tension ramps up - enough to cause me to tear up through some of the later chapters.
The baby brings the couple together to the Happily Ever After they both deserve.
Cam, a bartender/bookseller, burned in the past by a popular guy struggles to leave those old hurts behind and enjoy the sparks with her roommate and former football player turned sports agent, Tyler.
In addition to self-sabotaging her own love life, Cam takes a keen interest in the love lives of her friends. The matchmaking started out as a fun element of the story, especially since the first couple are matched using books and comics, however, Cam became irate when another pairing didn’t go her way and I struggled to understand her behavior. I wasn’t clear on why Cam was so into matchmaking or so vehement about that particular couple. It felt odd that Cam believed dating out of your league ends in heartbreak yet she wanted to set up a friend in potentially that kind of relationship. It seemed by Cam’s rules, Martin would have been her likelier candidate for Bayleigh. Maybe she was using Bayleigh as a test subject for dating out of your league (or from a different shelf as Cam would say) and that’s why the stakes seemed so weirdly high for Cam? If Bayleigh’s relationship worked did Cam see that as the green light for her own relationship, so when it didn’t work out for Bayleigh, that’s why Cam became so upset? I honestly don’t know, that’s the one area of the story where I felt like I didn’t have a handle on Cam’s reasoning.
I enjoyed most of the characters in this one (Adrienne, for instance, ended up a pleasant surprise), though I kept hoping there might be a bit more complexity to Tyler’s friend, Kyle. He’s the stereotype of a famous athlete, but since it’s mentioned several times that he was there for Tyler through a tough time, I kept waiting for some of that side of Kyle to emerge, for there to be more to him, it’s not that I wanted a miraculous unrealistic turnaround for him, I just wanted him to be a little more emotionally complicated.
Cam was well-written, yes, she’ll probably get on some readers nerves, she is frustrating at times, though that’s necessary for her arc, it seemed like a fairly truthful depiction of someone battling insecurity and unfortunately not always winning that battle. Cam’s self-aware, she knows when she’s spiraling, she knows it’s taking a toll on her relationship and still she struggles to pull back, being in her head in those moments, I felt empathy more than anything else.
Lastly and probably most importantly since this is a romance, Cam and Tyler were cute together without ever being cloying, there’s a genuine like between them that makes it easy to believe in the love between them, and there’s something just right about a book playing a pivotal role in their relationship.
To say that I loved this would be an understatement. I adored everything about the characters, from Kate and her crazy logical mind and rambling of facts, to Theo and his nurturing and protective ways. They had a connection and maybe even had me believing in love at first sight.
I need to go back and read the other books because if they were anything like this book then I have a new favorite author to add to my list.
Este sitio utiliza cookies para ofrecer nuestros servicios, mejorar el rendimiento, análisis y (si no estás registrado) publicidad. Al usar LibraryThing reconoces que has leído y comprendido nuestros términos de servicio y política de privacidad. El uso del sitio y de los servicios está sujeto a estas políticas y términos.
5 stars
It’s been a few days since I finished this book and already in my mind I’m seeing this book through those lovely, soft hazy filters of movies of old. It’s become almost dream-like and I’m still basking in its wonder which is why this is my first ‘best of 2024’ read of the year.
This is the first book in what will hopefully turn into a new series and also the first book from Staci Hart in a while. And it was so worth the wait. What you get is an opposites attract, fish-out-of-water, small town romance that was both simple and sublime.
Jessa is in the small Tennessee town for her best friend’s wedding. She’s looking forward to spending time with her friend, having a relaxing break and hopefully finally getting her long-term crush to take that next step. What she’s not looking forward to is spending time with her best friend’s cousin, Remy, who, due to an accommodation mix-up, is now her roommate for the duration of the wedding.
Our Jessa is a British lady and I admit, I was expecting not to like her for a myriad of reasons. But from the moment she appeared on Remy’s doorstep, I was rooting for her. I don’t even know how to describe her other than to tell you she’s not hoity toity like I thought she’d be. She doesn’t turn her nose up when it shouldn’t be up. She’s not a bitch. There was something about her that I both could relate to and also admire. She was a strong woman and yet there was a vulnerability about her that caught at my heart. And fear not, fellow Brits - Jessa does not ‘jolly good, ol’ chap’ all over the place. It’s all very well done and I only counted 2 phrases a Brit wouldn’t say - and it was towards the end of the book when Jessa had been in Tennessee long enough to have picked up some of the lingo - so it’s all good.
Equally, Remy is quite hard to describe. Almost from the first second of meeting Jessa, he hits on her and proclaims that she will eventually give in and sleep with him. And yet I found him ridiculously charming and liked him from the first. As the story continues and we get to know him more, his appeal only increases. He’s still the roguish, boyish charmer but we, and Jessa, see the deeper side to him. He was one of those heroes that you don’t want for yourself - only because he was so perfect for Jessa that he couldn’t be anyone else’s.
There’s obviously the chemistry between Jessa and Remy that is hotter than the summers in Tennessee. Phew - this pair heated up the pages and that was when they weren’t doing anything but simply trying to make the other lose the bet they had going. When the gloves - and everything else - came off - wowza! And who knew that sex on a rooftop would become a fantasy?!
There’s a colourful cast of supporting characters who never take over but all add something to the story. As soon as we were introduced to Wilder and found a little bit more about him, I wanted to read his story (which is why I’ve got my fingers crossed for this to become a series) but I definitely didn’t expect everything to hit the fan the way it did. It played out almost like a farce and I was here for the drama. Pass me the popcorn.
There was just something about this book that pulled me in and made me fall in love. Jessa and Remy couldn’t have been from more different worlds or more different characters - but they brought something out in the other that really was magical. They realised they were happiest - more themselves - when they were with each other. It’s this kind of story that is why I fell in love with romance in the first place. The idea that someone will love you exactly as you are and for who you are and you will get your happily ever after - and your strawberry farm - well, it left me with a happy glow that I felt for days. I absolutely adored this book and will give it 5 stars all day long.