2⭐️
TW: sexual assault

Reasonable Adults follows Kate Rigsby, freshly fired and taking on a new business opportunity at a luxury retreat in Muskoka. Once there, she realizes she has been set up for failure, but manages to slowly fall in love with the retreat and the family of workers there, along with one attractive worker in particular.

Being a Canadian debut author, and having the setting take place in both Toronto and Muskoka, I was really hoping to love this book. After reading the synopsis, I was anticipating a wintery camp romance, but unfortunately it did not deliver the way I thought it would.

For the first third of the book, it took me a long time to get into the story or even Kate's head, and I was not feeling connected to the plot at all. The setting and Eric the goldendoodle were great, but the pacing was not, and I could not understand why Kate would stay there.

Throughout the middle of the book, we are introduced to many staff and patrons, and I liked how they all had their own personalities and weren't just invisible side characters. There were a few entertaining interactions, but again, I was still not invested in their stories. After Matt is introduced as the love interest, I could not determine any foundation for a "spark" between Kate and Matt, she simply found him attractive and it seemed as though they just wanted to hookup.

After questioning why Kate's ex-boyfriend would even attend the retreat, an incident takes place that I reference in the trigger warning. It did catch me off guard, but what caught me even more off guard was Matt's reaction to the incident. There is essentially victim blaming, and Matt still remains the love interest afterwards (not a fan).

I fail to understand why Brooke's ex-husband would trust her with one of his companies; you can see from the start that she is not invested at all and actively destroying the business. While I questioned Kate staying, I definitely question how the staff even allowed things to get to the ending point. Along with that, the ending of the story was very convenient, and I'm not sure how I felt about it.

What I do feel for sure is that Matt and Kate are the type of couple to break up after the story is over, or they will remain together solely because of the cult-like vibes of the group. While I am not a fan of Matt, I did like how Kate had a voice and ideas, and she didn't just lie down and accept her fate. She managed to make something good out of a bad situation, and I admire her character and her attitude!

I think this author has potential, the ideas were there but just had to be buffed out more in my opinion. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Canada for the eARC!

DNF @ 25%. I liked the (idea of the) setting, but was having a hard time getting into the book itself with the strangely hard-hitting friends (“it’s not enough to work to pay the bills—it has to be something you’re passionate about!”)—especially right after she was fired(!), the frustratingly unreasonable new boss and work conditions (recording keystrokes on the work computer), and the fact that she was stuck in a portable (so not even taking advantage of the cozy resort setting). Then when I found out that there was a sexual assault I decided it probably isn’t the book for me anyway.

I went back and forth a lot on my rating for this one! Working in PR, Kate's career implodes overnight after a drunken social media post blasts her prestigious ex-boyfriend. With little options left, she lands a job at Treetops Creative Retreat, a luxury resort for artists in Muskoka.

I really liked Kate. With her signature snark and resilience, she puts so much heart and creativity into her new role as Business Development Director—a job that comes with many unexpected challenges. With her perfectly curated life out the window, I loved seeing her find exactly who she is meant to be, along with a really sweet romance with Matt, the visual arts mentor at Treetops.

This setting was so dreamy, I must say. Secluded in the wilderness, I'd love to escape to a place like Treetops. You could truly feel the connection it had on its characters. And speaking of characters, there's A LOT of them. They all felt integral to the story, which is great, but it was overwhelming at times. I struggled to remember who was who. But overall I really loved the heart of this story. I'd definitely read Robin Lefler again!

Reasonable Adults is a debut novel by Robin Lefler. Although this isn’t really a “Christmas book” it’s a winter book that does take place over the winter including the holidays so I’m counting it!

Swipe for synopsis 👉🏼

Things I loved 🥰:
•Some of the dialogue was very funny!
•Eric, the lovable dog side kick!
•Winter scenery really gets you into the wonderland feeling.
•Kate, our main character. I loved her journey with herself through the book.
•All the side characters who worked at Treetops.
•I’d call it it a mix between open and closed door romance. Like maybe your taking a peek in but seeing the whole show? Lmao that just sounds pervy. 😂

Things I didn’t love:
•Some of the drama and resolution was a bit far fetched.
•There was a lull mid way through the book that really slowed down but did pick up again as book progressed!
•I wanted more time with Matt and Kate to really be rooting for them.

The cover talks about it being a romcom but I didn’t find the main focus of the book to be romance. There was a bigger focus on self development and acceptance with a side of romance. Overall, Reasonable adults is light fun, read that is best enjoyed with a mug of hot chocolate by the fire! 🔥

Thank you Harper Collins Canada and netgalley for the ARC.

Reasonable Adults comes out Dec 13, 2022.

✨BOOK REVIEW✨
Reasonable Adults
By Robin Lefler

This book was just okay for me. It started out interesting, but then I started to lose interest in it. It felt like it had a lot of unnecessary dialogue in it.

I did enjoy the setting, but I did not feel a connection with any of the characters ….I did like the dog! The dog was my favourite character in this one lol!

And the ending! Not happy with the way it played out at all. I won’t spoil incase you read.

Sometimes a book just isn’t for you, and that’s okay. This was a cozy winter read, just not my cup of tea.

Rating: 🦴🦴🦴/5 bones for me!

This one is out now so you can judge for yourself.

Thanks to @netgalley and @harpercollinsca for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The characters Robin Lefter has created in Reasonable Adults are nothing sort of adorable. I love how every personality is unique and add so much to the story. Even Eric has a distinct personality!

This book is definitely one you will pick up and not be able to put down until you're done

I thought this book was cute, and bonus it takes place in Ontario! I like the randomness of it all, which I think might turn off some people. But for me it’s great! I like how the story unfolded and it just felt like a good read.

Reasonable Adults was one of those books I knew I was instantly going to like. The main character, Kate, had a distinct, quirky voice, and she had me laughing from the very first page. Throw in a beautiful, wintery Canadian setting, a great cast of characters with strong found family vibes, an adorable dog, and a sexy hero, and this book was a total winner for me. I’m ready to pack my bags and spend a winter making art at Treetops with Kate and the others.

I will say I feel like this book is more romantic women’s fiction than straight-up romance since the romance takes a bit of a backseat to Kate’s personal journey and growth, but I enjoyed the romance and I really liked the scenes with Kate and Matt together. It was so much fun watching Kate go from floundering after losing her boyfriend and her job to finding where she belonged and with whom. She had been coasting along in life, but when she decided to really give Treetops a chance, she found something she thrived at, and I think a lot of people will be able to relate to that.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted, fun, and cozy read that’ll make you laugh out loud, be sure to pick up Reasonable Adults this winter (or any time!).

**I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

TWs: sexual assault, toxic workplace, cheating
***
Okay… I’m going to try and avoid my vendetta against goldendoodles affect my review.

Kate Rigsby is starting life over in her early 30s after a failed relationship and career in Toronto. By happenstance, she ends up working at an artists’ retreat in Muskoka – far away from the crappy circumstances she desperately needs to leave behind, but also, totally cut off from society and reliable wifi. She and her goldendoodle (sigh) Eric are assigned stark employee cabin number 4 to make their “home.” But despite less than advertised circumstances, compensation, and accommodations, Kate commits herself to the task of turning around the money-hemorrhaging retreat – until she encounters roadblock after roadblock at the hands of uninterested boss Brooke. Alongside her new coworkers (some friends and some frenemies!), her pup, and her new flame/nepotism baby Matt, Kate prepares to do battle to protect the new home she’s come to love despite everything.

This was an enjoyable, quick read – ideal for a cozy winter vacation. I loved the side characters and their relationships, as well as Kate’s journey to finding herself post-20s. The image Lefler conjures up of a zany retreat in the woods, full of all sorts of kooky and rich artist types, was as amusing as it was compelling.

*Spoilers ahead* I didn’t care for the ending, and how the characters’ stories wrapped up. Ideally, Matt would have broken free of his nepotism baby status and gone to work elsewhere. After the events of the book, Matt still ends up working for daddy in real estate development??? Why? Additionally, the shift from artists’ retreat to corporate retreat at the end of the book was equally baffling. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t care about what business model is more profitable lol. It’s the classic romance novel formula – you SAVE the Christmas tree farm, you SAVE the failing small business – without compromising what makes it special. You don’t abandon it and relocate to a corporate retreat for tech bros.

3/5 as it’s enjoyable and charming – but doesn’t stick the landing.

3 stars. Reasonable Adults is a funny, light, and quirky rom-com with a hot mess of a heroine and hero, a lot of outdoorsy stuff, and a found family in the middle of nowhere. Kate has just been fired from her PR and marketing job, her (snobby and crappy) boyfriend cheated on her, and she has nowhere left to go. On a drunken whim, she applies for a Business Development Director job at Treetops Creative Retreat, a remote retreat for artists. When she gets there, of course, nothing is as planned - she's basically been set up to fail, the place is beautiful but needs an update, and there aren't enough staff or people staying.

Part of the reason I picked it up is because the author is local, and the Ontario stuff was delightful to read. The descriptions of fall/winter in Ontario were spot on, and I liked how much the backdrop became part of the book. I also really liked the friendships that Kate found at Treetops. The secondary cast is really interesting and every interaction with them livened up the book. The romance was definitely there as well, and Kate and Matt have a serious sizzle.

For me, unfortunately, this wasn't a very smooth read - it started off very awkwardly and it was hard getting into Kate's head and into the voice of the characters. The plotline felt very stilted as well, as the characters were thrown into situations that I felt were slightly unbelievable, and told in an awkward manner. I can't put my finger on it, but I wanted to like this more than I did. I did find it engaging, but overall, just a little too ham-fisted for me.

If you're looking for a winter romance with a found family, and you're not afraid of really bumbling characters, I do recommend this. It's a decent read, but a library one for me.

*Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC.*

Reasonable Adults is a fun, light-hearted, wintery rom-com from debut author Robin Lefler.

Yay! I cannot tell you how excited I am that I got to read a rom-com set in Canada, more specifically set in Ontario. There is something so magical about reading a book that takes place in an area you know and love. I could relate to Kate as she struggled to get through traffic on the 400 (something I have had to do many times) or how different it is to live in Northern Ontario, especially during the winter months. Reasonable Adults is a delightful and fun rom-com to read. It had all the things I expect from my romance books: swoony romantic moments, a vibrant setting, drama, and of course, humour. The overall story is fun and makes for an entertaining read. The pacing was perfect, and Robin did a wonderful job pivoting the story at just the right moments to keep her readers engaged and entertained.

The setting in this book will have you swooning and longing to pack your bags and head up north. I felt like I was being transported to this wintery paradise through Robin’s detailed and lush descriptions. I was Googling after I was done with this book to see if I could stay at a resort similar to the one in this book.

This book is full of characters that you will love. They are just so quirky and likable. All the secondary characters have such interesting backstories and add so much richness to the overall story. Kate is a wonderful romantic heroine. She just felt genuine and authentic. Her problems and struggles in life are relatable and real. We have all been in shitty relationships, worked under a jerk boss, and just felt like our lives were one big hot mess. Watching Kate find her passion and spark at the Treetop Creative Resort was great. I loved watching as she tried to navigate her way through this slightly unconventional workplace. And, of course, Kate’s journey is full of funny mishaps that will have you chuckling as you read.

I fell in love with the adorable and delightful Eric and Delilah, the cute dogs in this book. I always love it when authors include animals in their stories. Eric and Delilah have these larger-than-life personalities and add charm and humour to the overall story.

Kate and Matt’s romance is a colleagues-to-lovers love story. I am not always a fan of workplace romance, but in this case, I enjoyed it. I think it was because this isn’t your typical office romance. The setting in this book really puts a fresh spin on this trope. Working at this outdoor resort created these fun and unique moments between Kate and Matt. I love the dialogue and chemistry between these two. It felt authentic.

Reasonable Adults is a great rom-com to curl up and read on a winter afternoon.

Thank you, HarperCollins Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Reasonable Adults by Robin Lefler

Kate is desperate for a change as her life seems to be crumbling. On a whim she applies (and gets!) for a job at a trendy mountain resort that needs help attracting more guests through the winter season.

This one started out a little rough. Kate seemed so scattered and snarky, and there were so many new characters introduced at the resort that I was feeling overwhelmed. But around the halfway mark this book really finds its way. By the end I was really rooting for Kate and the resort that I would love to be able to visit in real life. I loved her chemistry with Matt and the side characters ended up being charming and clever.

Overall this was a feel good and entertaining story. If you have the patience to get through a bit of a hectic beginning I think a lot of people will be enjoying this one over the holidays.

Thank you to @harpercollinsca for my advanced copy on @netgalley! This one is out on Dec 13th.

#harpercollinsca #harpercollinsinfluencers #netgalley #ebooks #kindle #holidayreads #bookish #bookthoughts #read #reading #arc #newbookrelease #bookreview #bookrecommendations #readmore #bookworm #holidayreading #canadianbookstagrammer #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks

What a weird little story lol. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to think! The start of it was a bit slow for me and I was not too sure what to think. As I went on, though, I feel into the story and the characters lives more and quite enjoyed it!

I LOVE Kevin!!!! He is so funny and grumpy, but he’s a big softie beneath the surface. Kate is a really good main character. We see some changes in her and some maturity as the story goes on. And who doesn’t love a doodle in a story?!? Eric is a lovely boy and living the best doodle life haha.

There are many little conflicts in this story, which are all great, and what a web of connections in this one! The author did a great job bringing different people together, from Kate’s new life and her old, and it was fun, and eye popping at times, to follow along!

If you’re looking for an interesting read set in Ontario, be sure to pick this one up!

Thank you to Harper Collins Canada, Robin Lefler, and NetGalley for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!

Overall, an enjoyable read. A solid premise, perfectly described setting, and the characters are well-developed (even the secondary characters—perhaps more books about them?).

That being said, the drama was contrived and overdone, it almost derailed the book.

Would I read this author again? Absolutely. Her writing is engaging and has lots of potential.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Canada for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

If you’re looking for a romcom as sparkling, magical, and wintry as new-fallen snow, debut author Robin Lefler’s Reasonable Adults is for you. 32-year-old Kate, fresh off the losses of her boyfriend and her job, hits the snooze button of life by taking a position at a remote, quasi-spiritual artists’ retreat for the winter. On arrival, she's greeted by hostile coworkers, unsettling undercurrents, and sketchy accommodations. It will be impossible to turn the ship around – but she has to if she doesn’t want her paycheck to evaporate. Nothing about this job is as easy as it should be, especially the task of ignoring her mysterious and distracting coworker, Matt.

Reasonable Adults is a delightful, lighthearted romp, perfect for a cozy winter read. Lefler nails Kate’s comedic voice – it’s wry, dry, and laced with clever self-deprecation that reminds me of Sarah Hogle’s sharp, witty one-liners in You Deserve Each Other. Her supporting characters are beautifully drawn and layered with surprises that will charm readers. I almost love them more than the love interest himself!

In summary, I highly recommend this book for lovers of wicked-sharp prose, millennial hot messes, and classic romantic comedy tropes and set pieces.

There's just something about late fall that makes me crave a good romance especially one that is filled with witty banter. Reasonable Adults was exactly what I was looking for! It follows Kate, who lives in Toronto and has made a disastrous mistake that cost her her job. ⁠
⁠
She didn't like her job as a PR person but she still needs to live. She decides to take a job marketing Treetops Creative Retreat in Northern Muskoka, Ontario. On paper, it seems great but Kate finds out quickly that this job is a lot more difficult than she first thought. Plus it's freezing cold and she's stuck there all winter. Luckily her handsome coworker Matt is also stuck there. ⁠
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Kate reminded me a lot of Lorelei Gilmore - she's funny, doesn't make the greatest choices, and finds her passion in helping others unwind and recharge on holiday. I fell in love with all the people at Treetop and I loved that Reasonable Adults was actually Canadian. So many tv romance movies are filmed in Canada but set in the States. I loved that this was set in Ontario and that Robin uses the word toque (rhymes with duke) repeatedly for all the knit hats mentioned. 😂 ⁠
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This book is swoony with a slowburn. It does have some steam but is mostly closed door (partially open and it swings shut - if that makes any sense!) ⁠
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❄Reasonable Adults is available on December 13th❄⁠

Thank you @netgalley and @harpercollinscanada for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley for this advance copy. I really enjoyed this book. It was light and fun but had an interesting storyline that kept me wanting to know what is going to happen next. I think the career development arc was interesting and I enjoyed the supporting characters a lot. This is a fun beach read, or winter by the fire read.

What a great novel for the current season!!! I think this book should be high on your holiday / winter wishlist! loved the setting and the characters. There were parts where I laughed out loud and the characters Robin created are incredible!

Thanks to the publisher for the NetGalley!

I enjoyed this book - I liked the cast of characters, a great premise, and I always love a book set in Canada! The thing I liked most about this book were the side characters and how well though out and present they were throughout the entire book. The book did fall a little flat for me, and I tend to have a hard time connecting to characters in their 30s, since I am not..
Overall this wasn't my favourite read of the year, but I definitely enjoyed it, and would recommend for those looking for a quirky, fun, easy romance rec!
Thank you to NetGalley, Robin Lefler, Harper Collins Canada, and HarperAvenue for the eArc!

I definitely didn’t love this one. I had a hard time connecting to the characters’ love story. Though I appreciate that the side characters didn’t simply disappear into the background.