Second First Impressions is Sally Thorne's third novel and it is delightful. Ruthie has worked at the Providence Retirement Villa for six years and plans to stay forever. When she's mistaken for an elderly person (and she's 25) but a hot guy on a motorcycle, she begins to think she needs to change up her safe lifestyle. Teddy, the motorcyclist, happens to be the son of the man who owns Providence, as well as the black sheep of his family. I loved how sweet and vulnerable the characters are in this novel and how friendships just bloom. This is the epitome of a great rom com- it has quirky characters, fun banter between the two leads, but a vulnerability and depth to it that moves it beyond just a fluff piece. I've loved all three of Sally Thorne's novels, so she's now one of my automatic reads. I can't wait to see what she writes next!

Sally Thorne’s stories are always entertaining and very well-paced to hold my interest from beginning to end. Second First Impressions is one such fun story. She is such a versatile writer. She has written three entirely different books in: The Hating Game, 99 Percent Mine, and now, Second First Impressions. The voice, the style of writing, the choice of words, the type of people, the very narrative — they are all different and unique to the stories she is telling. I can’t wait to find out what she will do with her fourth book.

Full Review: https://frolic.media/book-of-the-week-second-first-impressions-by-sally-thorne/

Such a cute romance! The supporting characters really added so much to this story! I loved tattooed Teddy with his charm, humor and resistance to being put off by the older ladies as well as by Ruthie herself. There is really only one complaint I have and that was Ruthie's innocence and naivete. That being said, it made sense given her past. 100% recommend!

I really liked this romcom, although I don’t think the description of the book does it justice, because it doesn’t really reflect the themes of self-acceptance and personal growth that underpin the humor and romance.

Ruthie is only in her mid-20s, but she dresses and acts more like one of the residents of the retirement villas that she helps manage. (It doesn’t help that she lives on site and rarely encounters people her own age.) Ruthie focuses on being responsible and virtuous, as her preacher father expects her to be, so much so that she feels guilty for even leaving the villas and their residents temporarily. That leaves her feeling dull and undesirable, and she knows life is passing her by. When a coworker promises to help her find a man who will fall in love with her, Ruthie decides to take the chance to reach for something more.

Then Teddy comes to live at the villas, after a disastrous first meeting in which he completely insults Ruthie. Definitely not a meet cute! On the face of it, Teddy isn’t a good match for Ruthie. He’s her opposite in many ways, with his wealthy family and completely irresponsible behavior. But although Ruthie initially assumes that Teddy is simply a gorgeous man who charms everyone to get whatever he wants from them, Teddy is actually kind and caring, as well as achingly insecure in some ways.

So, Ruthie and Teddy turn out to be a good fit after all, because they both need someone who can make them feel good about themselves while supporting them in making positive changes in their lives. Teddy wants to run a tattoo shop, and Ruthie helps him believe that he can achieve that goal, that he’s more than a feckless charmer. Teddy makes it clear that to Ruthie that she is desirable just as she is, although he cheers on her attempts to remake herself. Teddy also gently encourages her to broaden her horizons beyond her work and the expectations of her parents. In addition to being each other’s biggest cheerleaders, they are really cute together, and the teasing banter between them keeps things from getting too sweet.

The ending was just a little too perfect for my tastes (real life is much too messy for that happy an ending), but I really enjoyed the book overall. Recommended!

A copy of this novel was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

#thoughtsafterreading #afterthebook

🐢 Second First Impressions
✏️ @sallythorneauthor

🐢 Pub. Date: 4/13/21

I really wanted to have a plate of cheese 🧀 or turtles 🐢 in my book picture #iykyk 😂

Ruthie is a 25 yo who works and lives in a retirement home. (Yes, you read that correctly... lives) Teddy is the sorry sap who has taken over as the assistant to the eccentric Parloni sisters and who has moved in next door whose dad happens to be the owner of the building. Ruthie’s life plan is to work hard and hopefully take over for her boss someday as the new manager. Can Ruthie deal with her new tattooed, nosy neighbor, keep Providence Villa alive and maybe even date a boy?

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC for this book! I was so excited to be able to read this one! I am new to #sallythorne books but have heard many good things about this one! My favorite relationship in this entire book has to be the playful banter between the Parloni sisters. I ended up literally LOL many times during their dialogue! This is such a fun #romanceread guaranteed for some laughs!

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #mnreader #aprilreads #2021publishedbook #netgalley #netgalleyreads #netgalleyreview #secondfirstimpressions #williammorrowbooks #williammorrow #99percentmine #thehatinggame #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookshelf #reading #readingbooks

@williammorrowbooks

Ruthie Midona is only twenty-five, and is already living like the elderly folks she caters to at her job with Providence Retirement. She lives on-site in a cottage and barely leaves the property, knowing that she is needed to provide support to her very crotchety clients. Despite the fact that it’s independent, and not assisted living, they make a lot of demands on her time. Ruthie’s boss Sylvia is taking a cruise, and Ruthie hopes that stellar management during her absence will put her in the best position for Sylvia’s job when she retires. Ruthie’s office temp, Melanie, has other ideas: she thinks Ruthie needs to get a life and start dating. She promises to help Ruthie meet someone and find the comfortable, safe relationship she craves, if Ruthie agrees to make some little changes.

Enter Teddy Prescott, gorgeous, long-haired, and looking like trouble. He is a tattoo artist currently short of funds, and also the errant son of Providence’s new corporate overlord, Jerry Prescott. Prescott Development makes Ruthie a little shaky in her sensible shoes, since they won’t reveal their plans for Providence’s future. But Jerry asks Ruthie for a favor; to put up Teddy in the cottage adjacent to hers, and help him get some kind of employment. Ruthie reluctantly agrees to help get Teddy a job, despite the fact that she and Teddy have only met briefly and he managed to insult her in less than thirty seconds.

Given time and Teddy’s irrepressible charm, he eventually manages to worm his way into Ruthie’s life, and her heart. But she knows he’s off-limits, for a good many reasons. Firstly, Ruthie has only ever had one relationship, and she has no idea how to handle a smooth guy like him. Secondly, Teddy isn’t sticking around. He’s only there temporarily, and Ruthie knows how much it hurts when people leave. She knows Teddy’s admiration of her is all flattery; he’s a gorgeous guy and gorgeous guys date gorgeous women. Given all that, Ruthie decides to just enjoy her new friendships, and live a little. After all, there’s nothing to remind you you’re young like a flock of octogenarians asking you to run their errands!

One of the strongest things about this story is the characters – they’re all stellar. Ruthie is excellent, Teddy is perfect, Melanie is amazing. Some of my favorites are the Parlonis, two elderly ladies who live to annoy the young’uns – they are a delight. Melanie actually really surprised me, because I thought she might fall into the unfortunate archetype of ‘ethnic best friend/fairy-godmother’ but she develops into a fully-rounded character it’s easy to become invested in. I really appreciated that every character has intrinsic motivations and characteristics, they feel natural and necessary to the story. Ruthie also isn’t your stereotypical self-depreciating type, she has self-esteem and confidence. Despite having little life experience, and not much of a personal life, Ruthie does demand to be treated with respect and that really endears her to the reader.

The story is pretty stellar, the plot is substantial and has a clear trajectory, and the chemistry between the main characters has room to blossom. The best kind of plot seems to flow naturally from the presence of characters together and driving the action, and this book has that. The main obstacle to things moving forward in the story is Ruthie herself, and I liked that. She is in her own way a lot of the time, which is both in character and something she needs to grow and move past. Other details that really stand out are Teddy’s tattoos and the Parloni’s fashion choices; both are described in striking, individual detail that really brings them to life.

There are some small issues with the book, which mostly come into play towards the end of the story. The family issues Ruthie is dealing with mostly manifest off-page, but the emotional damage of those events seriously affects her throughout the story. Ruthie’s family problems are not sufficiently dealt with towards the end, especially given how present her past trauma is in the narrative. While the reader does get some reassurance, for a problem that dogs Ruthie in day-to-day life, it wasn’t really addressed to my satisfaction.

Second First Impressions is a sweet love story and coming-of-age novel about a young woman meeting someone who, on paper, looks totally wrong for her, but who turns out to be exactly what she’s looking for.

After being on a bit of a thrillers bender recently, this is just what I needed! The Hating Game is one of my all time favourite RomComs so I was extremely excited to read this one and Sally Thorne did not disappoint!

I absolutely devoured this book! I adore when love stories are full of laughter and this read was such a great balance of laugh out loud and tender moments. And don’t worthy, there was also a tonne of fun sexual tension!

I easily fell in love with all of the well developed characters of a lovable and quirky Ruthie, a swoon worthy Teddy and a hilarious supporting cast of coworkers and residents!

Josh Templeton (Hating Game) is still my #1 fictional crush but Teddy gave him a run for his money!

New auto-buy author alert! 💕

Out now! Make sure you don’t miss out on this one! 🐢

WOW I loved this book! If you're looking for something soft and warm and charming, this is definitely the book!

When Teddy and Ruthie first meet, it doesn't go great. She pays for his gas, and he mistakes her for an elderly woman. Not the most flattering, but also not too far off the mark. Ruthie is 25, but she feels 125. As the live-in office manager for a retirement villa, she spends her days caring for the residents and the complex, as well as the endangered turtle species that cohabits the area. When Teddy is thrown into her world, Ruthie begins to learn what it is to actually feel and act her age.

I've really enjoyed Sally Thorne's previous two works, but this is by far my favorite. Both characters are so likable and funny. Their banter is fantastic and the other supporting characters were incredible. I love Melanie and Renata and Aggie all so much.

This book is very low on the angst spectrum, so if you're looking for a soft, but still a little steamy romance that won't break your heart along the way, this is definitely it. The atmosphere is great, the characters are so wonderfully developed, and the plot is fast paced and fun. I can't wait to read what Sally writes next!

*Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

This dellightful rom-com pairs oh-so-careful Ruthie Midona, administrator at a retirement home, with bad-boy and owner's son Teddy Prescott. Except neither one of them is exactly what they seem. There's also a pair of over-the-top "sisters" and endangered tortoises involved. It's a lovely slow build romance that had me laughing, sighing, and cheering them on. Definitely a feel-good read.

**mild spoilers**

This was so charming! It took me a bit to get into it, but I liked the characters so much I stuck with it - and I'm glad I did. My only (small) complaint is that this was a slowwwwww burn...and while I'm a fan of the anticipation, I felt like I was robbed a bit of the chance to enjoy the love story because it didn't really come together until the end. I still had a ton of fun reading this one, though! Also: turtles!

I adore a good enemies-to-lovers romance with plenty of banter and tension, so Sally Thorne's first two books were big wins for me, especially her first. This brand-new release features a sweet heroine and made for a pleasant reading experience, but I was hoping for a little more zing. While working at the Providence Luxury Retirement Villa, earnest and responsible Ruthie meets immature party boy Teddy. Both need a little change, and a lot of growing up—and their romance serves to make them both better. The side characters in the retirement community add needed sparkle and humor. Previous fans of Thorne's contemporary romance novels will find plenty to appreciate in Ruthie and Teddy's love story.

Actual Rating: 3.5, rounded up to 4

Second First Impressions is a contemporary romance following Ruthie Midona, a routined, responsible twenty five year old who has let work take over her life. Ruthie is in charge of the Providence Retirement Villa while her boss is on vacation. When the Villa’s owner comes to town with his son in tow, Ruthie doesn’t have much choice but to give Theodore lodging and find him work on site. As Ruthie handles her work, and gets to know Theo, she also agrees to let Melanie, her bubbly temp co-worker, get Ruthie ready to date again.

Ruthie is a character who gives a lot more than she gets. At the start of the novel, she’s living a very limited life. She is focused on doing her best for the Villa and it’s residents. As we meet the wonderful characters in this book, we start to see Ruthie get back the love and care she gives to others. The cast of characters is diverse, and fully realized. We have Renata and Aggie Parolni, residents at the Villa, who fill the story with hi jinks and adventure. Melanie is Ruthie’s romance side-kick. Then there's Theo, the tatted, and wild hero that needs some stability in his life. All of these characters are easy to love and it was so nice seeing all of them love Ruthie for who she is, but also push her to live her life for her own happiness.

The romance is pretty slow burn, but it’s friends to lovers excellence. Theo is such a sweet hero. Both Theo and Ruthie work through a lot over the course of the novel and they are complete opposites in many ways, but every moment they share is lovely. Sally Thorne really excels at writing small moments that stick with you long after you’ve finished reading. Second First Impressions reminded me of The Hating Game in that way.

There were some bits of dialogue that were a bit strange to me, but it was nothing that hindered my enjoyment.

Second First Impressions is a very enjoyable romance. Thorne filled this story with wonderful characters and she can make even the smallest moments in the story super special. If you enjoyed Thorne’s previous work, I definitely recommend checking this out. I would also recommend this to anyone who loves slow burn romance or super sweet heroes.

*Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow and Custom House for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Ruthie Midona has worked at Providence Retirement Villa for the last six years and her plan is to never leave. When her boss goes on vacation and leaves her in charge she’s got everything handled until the new owner’s decide to rock the boat by dumping Teddy Prescott on the premises. Teddy, is young, tattooed, hot, and charmed. He’s the owner’s son and needs a place to stay for a couple of months while he earns the money to buy into a partnership on his own tattoo shop. To earn that money Ruthie has him interview with the Perloni sisters, two of Providence’s long time residents, and two of the most difficult. Sharing the space beside her own residence she and Teddy build a friendship that may change one of their long term plans.

Second First Impressions was the follow up novel I have been waiting for from Sally Thorne. As author of the critically acclaimed and beloved The Hating Game I was hugely disappointed in her follow up novel 99 Percent Mine. THIS novel, aptly named Second First Impressions, is my own second first impression of this author and the talent she obviously has to write a story that touches our hearts. Ruthie is the struggling awkward heroine that most of us ladies always felt we were and Teddy is that untouchable guy who seems like he has it all together but actually needs that one person to believe in him to help him overcome his own insecurities. They are my new favorite friendship and I definitely want to read this novel again to see what I missed the first time.

You know when you are reading a novel and the pace, setting, and characters just seem to give off that golden, magical glow? That was this novel for me. Ruthie, despite her uncertainty in how to respond to this gorgeous guy had this persona of certainty in how she responded to his attempts at seduction. Keeping him at arms length when she really wants to wrap him in her arms and hold him for as long as she has him. The way these two gave each other strength was magical and I’ll admit to finding myself reaching for that box of tissue quite a few times as they navigated their way through adulting.

Truly great novels also have a cast of characters that add to the story and help round out our protagonists. Melanie, Ruthie’s office assistant is one of those characters that help add definition and depth. She is the third party in Teddy and Ruthie’s budding friendship adding humor and likability to their small gatherings while also giving Ruthie a reason to stretch her wings by signing her up on a dating site to help her meet people outside the retirement community. The other two awesome characters that add some light-hearted humor to the story are the Perloni sisters. As their assistant, Teddy is put through the wringer of what should be embarrassing errands all of which he handles with aplomb and good humor. Those two ladies rounded out the cast of what is a wonderful novel.

I loved the way Second First Impressions made me feel as I read it. It was magical, made me laugh, cry, and generally I just felt good reading this novel. These characters were able to have their own second first impressions with each other but it also enabled me to give this author another glance and another chance. I am so glad I did. Sally Thorne has some serious writing skills and I am again waiting eagerly for her next novel. After I read this one again, and again, and again.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and it was honest.

I LOVED this super swoony love story between Ruthie and Teddy who seemed like total opposites but had so much more in common once we got to peel back their layers. I could not put this book down and pretty much devoured it in two days.

Ruthie literally lives & works at a retirement home. She doesn’t get out much and she dresses like one of the residents she looks after. She needs a major change to help overhaul her trajectory. Teddy is a poor little rich kid who doesn’t quite fit the mold so he ends up in very close proximity to Ruthie with the most hilarious job ever. There was something almost poetic about Teddy and his tortured self restraint when it came to Ruthi that I could not stop reading.

Even though their first meeting was a total dumpster fire, against all odds, their chemistry builds in a lovely slow burn romance with an extremely satisfying happily ever after. I loved how this story kept telling us one thing but doing another and how many little details made the whole thing work so brilliantly from the turtles to the retirees. Honestly those retirees were gold in terms of setting up some ridiculously fun moments as well as some really tender ones.

Ruthie is in her mid-twenties and a bit stuck. She has worked and lived in a retirement community for several years, and has so acclimated so well to the setting that she is mistaken for being in costume (dressed as an old lady) while trying to lend a helping hand to someone. She takes that as a sign that she needs to do something different. Fortunately she has a temporary office worker who is overjoyed at the idea of helping Ruthie date. She creates a hilarious series of activities (a method she names after herself) to ease Ruthie back into the dating world.

While Ruthie is contemplating her dating life and her future, guess who shows up? None other than the guy who mistakenly thought she was a much older lady. Turns out his dad owns the retirement community and he has permission to stay in the other half of the cottage where Ruthie lives.

Tommy believe in the good of people (apparently she's not the first good samaritan to help him out) and he's willing to work as the errand boy for a couple of demanding and endearing residents. His presence and perspective challenges Ruthie's way of life and its fun to be a part of both her metamorphosis and their evolving relationship.

This book is full of quirky fun and heartfelt moments. You won't want to miss it!

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ruthie has dedicated the last 6 years of her life to the retirement community she works for, rarely even leaving the property. One day when she does leave (to get gas for one of the residents) she meets a man who makes fun of her immediately. However she quickly discovers this man is the party-boy son of their property developer who recently acquired the retirement community. Now that son, Teddy will be living and working on the property as well and Ruthie can’t imagine anything worse.

This was a fun slow-burn romance but beyond that it was a story about Ruthie finding herself and coming into her own, which I loved. I also adored the characters in this book, especially the secondary characters. They added so much fun to to story. I do wish some of the subplots were given more closure, but other than wanting more I loved this book.


Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review! Second First Impressions will be released tomorrow!

Have you ever become close with someone after a TERRIBLE first impression?

This was definitely fun to read. The Hating Game is one of my all-time favorite books. It's no wonder that I'll read anything by Sally Thorne.

Ruthie, our main character, has been working at a retirement villa for six years. That being said, she didn't really have the time to meet or form new relationships, especially of the romantic kind. Until Teddy, the son of the property developer, is sent over to help and work at the resident home. Things became even more interesting when Teddy outshines just about any task given to him. He's not what Ruthie expected or heard him to be, and that complicates things.

Even though I love the spark and the interactions in this one, there was simply something missing. I wish it was as magical and entertaining as THG. Don't get me wrong though, this is still enjoyable and the dreamy atmosphere is there. Even Sally's writing is great. I think my rating just has to do with me encountering this kind of story before. It's still a solid read and I'd recommend it to people who love their romance books to be a little lighter and more focused on the characters.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for the earc!

Sally Thorne is a pretty safe bet for contemporary romance, and this was no exception. Ruthie is a 25-year old administrator at a fancy retirement community. The community has been acquired by a development company, and while Ruthie's boss is away and she's put in charge, that company suddenly shows an interest in the Providence Retirement Villa. The owner brings his wayward son and asks Ruthie to find him some work on the premises while the site review is taking place. Ruthie's first impression of the son, Theodore/Teddy Prescott, was a pretty bad one - they came across each other at a gas station, where Ruthie paid for his gas because Teddy had lost his wallet and had no way to pay. Super handsome Teddy hurts Ruthie's feelings by asking her if she's on her way to a costume party dressed as one of the Golden Girls - he had mistaken her for an elderly person from behind based on her clothing. This embarrasses Ruthie but gives her the motivation she needs to get help from her temp, Melanie Sasaki, who considers herself an expert on dating and decides to come up with a full curriculum for Ruthie called The Sasaki Method. While all this is happening, Providence is being reviewed, Ruthie and Teddy are becoming friends, and Teddy is working for two elderly ladies who make him do truly outrageous tasks as their "assistant." Ruthie and Teddy get closer and closer (and not just because they share a duplex) but Ruthie is afraid she'll get hurt when Teddy earns the money he needs to buy a share in a tattoo studio. He's a gifted tattoo artist, working for his father temporarily only so that he can do what he really wants, and as he and Ruthie get closer he tries to convince her that she can leave Providence and find a life elsewhere. The best part of all of this is Ruthie learning to trust herself and see herself as someone worth loving while she develops her friendship with Melanie and relationship with Teddy. This is relatively closed door compared to Thorne's other romances.

An opposite-attract, meet-cute love story involving a buttoned-up office manager, a messy tattooed artist, and their developing connection, all set at a retirement village populated by glamorous, demanding residents and heaps of endangered tortoises. It's all great fun, very sweet and surprisingly touching, and a terrific choice for a light, uplifting spring or summer read.

If there were ever two people who needed a ‘do over’ were the main characters in Sally Thorne’s new book, ‘Second First Impressions.’ Rutthie works as the almost assistant manager of the Providence Retirement Development, a wealthy enclave of stately private homes. Although only twenty-five years-old, she has evolved into looking and acting more like her charges than her peers. She is aware of this but seems in no real hurry to change.

On a chance encounter at a gas station and mini-mart she runs into Teddy, a handsome, young guy on a motorcycle looking like all the guys’ girls dream about, as the ‘bad boy’ they would love to date and bring home to Daddy. Ruthie, in her dreamy reverie, pays for his gas, assuming he cannot afford to himself, or worse, he will rob the station. She goes on with her day, pleased with herself and her good deed.

She goes back to her office and just thirty minutes later the motorcycle with the ‘bad boy’ drives up and parks in front. He gets off the bike, takes off his helmet and shakes his head of the most gorgeous, full, dark, shiny hair, Ruthie has ever seen on anyone. And of course, he’s handsome in that rebel sort of way, and yes, he has tattoos over most of his body that’s visible. Ruthie can only stare with her mouth gapping open. Oh no, she thinks, he is not coming in here! Yes honey, he is.

Unknown to Ruthie in this moment, Teddy, the handsome guy with ‘the hair,’ is the son of the owner of the development. He is not really poor, but he is down on his luck because his father will not give him any more money. Let’s say Teddy has exhausted his benefits from his father by dropping out of college, trying to set up a few businesses, you know, things like that. Teddy is smart and he does have a plan to open his own tattoo place, but his Dad is done helping.

In the interim, we meet the ‘Parloni Sisters,’ here, pause and think of that old TV show the “Golden Girls’ living their best, hilarious lives in Florida. Renata and Aggie Parloni, ages close to maybe 90, love to joke and kid around at the expense of much younger people. Especially younger men that they employ as helpers, or say errand boys to do, well their errands, and laundry, cooking, cleaning, to their hilarity. They also like these young men to be handsome and they do pay them very well. Although they don’t seem to last but a month or two. It just happens they need one now.

The premise of this book is that almost no one makes a good first impression. If given the opportunity, we would all make better second, first impressions. And that is exactly what will happen for our characters in this funny, heartwarming story. When we look a little deeper maybe Ruthie needs a little more self-confidence, maybe Teddy is charming and handsome but really needs someone to believe in him. And maybe the Parloni sisters are strong together for other reasons than family ties. Almost all the other characters need a second look, or a second chance too.

I recommend that everyone give this unique story a chance as well. You won’t be sorry.

Thank you Netgalley, William Morrow Books, and Sally Thorne