Member Reviews
I absolutely loved this book, once I started reading I didn’t want to set it down. Lauren and Ethan were such a fabulous couple, from the moment they saw each other after 15 years you just knew these two were meant for each other. And with Lauren being such a stickler for rules and lists Ethan being a fly by the seat of his pants kind of guy was perfect for her. And her for him.
I also loved seeing the relationship between Lauren and her two sisters, Brooke and Gabby, plus their Grams. After reading this book you will definitely need stories for Brooke(Kai!!) and Gabby.
This is a small town, childhood frenemies to lovers, closed door romance. Lauren returns to her small hometown and is reunited with Ethan, her high school boyfriend’s best friend. After a one night stand with him, she finds herself pregnant. They are opposites who now have to figure out how to move forward and make things work.
I enjoyed the “tell it like it is” Grandma and Lauren’s relationship with her sisters even more than the romance. It was a very quick and easy read and I’d definitely recommend for anyone who loves a small town story!
I love an unexpected pregnancy trope, so I was happy to pick up this title from Kerri Carpenter. FMC Lauren has returned to her small hometown to help one of her sisters realign her life. Their third sister also comes in to help. All of them stay with their grandmother, a sharp tongued yet caring character who knows more than she lets on.
On her first night in town, Lauren does the unexpected and has a one-night stand with her high-school frenemy, Ethan. Ethan is coming off a bad divorce and recently bought the town bar. Lauren doesn't want anything more than the one night - she is all sorts of organized and controlled, who wants to make plans and stick to them. Ethan is much more fly by the seat of his pants - and sometimes those pants end up split. But the one night leaves a lifetime obligation in the form of a baby.
The book details how Lauren and Ethan work to come together. Lauren has to overcome deep-seated fears. Ethan has to grow up a bit. It was an enjoyable love story. The secondary characters are also entertaining, and I would read the sisters' stories once they come out. I would offer a mild trigger warning for possible domestic abuse. The loves scenes were also all closed-door, which is not totally my jam but I know others prefer them that way.
3.5 stars, rounded to 4. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions herein are my own,
**May Contain Spoilers**
I liked the plot and the unexpected pregnancy trope. I also really liked the characters up until the end. Lauren walking out and making such a huge assumption without even letting Ethan talk was ridiculously dumb. I felt like she didn't even have a good reason for jumping to that conclusion. Ethan was a pretty good character, but he had his moment of realization and still didn't go after her? I did love the talk with Gram at the end, along with her point of view. She was my favorite character along with Gabby. I do look forward to hearing the other sisters' stories.
What a good story. Three sisters that come to the small town where they were raised to stay with their grandmother. Two of the sisters were there to help the youngest as she had gotten swindled out of all her money . Lauren was a planner by nature and she felt she could help get Gabby's life back on track. The three of them did not always get along but they did love each other. And then there was Gram. She was very feisty and seemed to pick on Lauren alot, but she loved her and would do anything for her. The first night she was in town, Lauren got into it with Gram and she went down to the local bar and hooked up with Ethan who she had know since high school. They had some good and interesting times. Many misunderstandings, but eventually it got worked out.
I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review
Attraction of Opposites
Three sisters return to their hometown where their grandmother lives and so begins a new series. This is Lauren, the eldest’s story, whilst she has a successful career a committed relationship is not on her radar after the trauma of her childhood. A surprise pregnancy throws all her rules and plans out of the window, it doesn’t help than Ethan lives his life spontaneously and seems content to live his life in the moment without plans for the future. An enjoyable read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a small town, closed door romance. While it wasn’t especially gripping, it did have some cute moments. I do wish there had been a little more spice, just because I felt like the romance fell flat at times. But I liked the feisty grandmother and the relationship between Lauren and her sisters. I also like that this is a series. This is an easy read if you’re looking to escape for a couple hours.
My first time reading this author and I got the beginning of her new Seaside Cove series. The writing is engaging and I felt I flew through the book. The series focuses on three adults sisters who return a small coastal town in Maine near Kennebunkport. They are staying with their tough but loving grandmother who practically raised them after their mothers death. All sisters are introduced but the focus in their story is the oldest.
Lauren Wallace (33) is a successful social media strategist for small businesses. After clashing with Grams on her first night back in Seaside Cove she visits the local bar. She is surprised to find it owned and run by her childhood frenemy Ethan McAllister. They crushed on each other as kids but she ended up dating his best friend and he became the antagonizing third wheel. Ethan has traveled and lived by the seat of his pants before returning home and buying the bar. He also had a bad marriage that leaves him cautious.
I wouldn’t share it wasn’t in the blurb, but one night together turns into an accidental pregnancy. The big issue becomes can Lauren who lives and breaths making plans trust herself with someone who never plans beyond the present. The distinction between the two gets show a few too many times but is relevant in their circumstances. The flirting between the MCs is fun. And the sisters are bickering and supportive like sisters can be. Accidental pregnancy isn’t a trope I read often but here it was light, fun and believable. It helps for me that she has the resources to raise the baby on her own so romance and falling in love in a choice.
This is a closed door romance so it is low on the heat scale. But the author does show their chemistry and desire. Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/5 overall. Very typical small town romance type of book, except there was no spice like the books I typically read. I think some of that would have made it a little better but the relationship was sweet and a family coming together was also heart warming to read about. Super easy and fast read too which is a plus in this case. Honestly, I don't think I would read any more of this series but it is great for those that like romance without the lusty heat of a relationship. Overall pretty good, but I'm super excited to get back to my steamier novels now!
Great new series!
This is my first book by this author, and I'm already looking forward to the next. When Lauren, Brooke and Gabby return to Seaside Cove, Maine to spend some time with their grandmother and help Gabby get her life back on track, they run into a lot of challenges. Its a small town, lots of gossip, and you're always running into someone you went to high school with, maybe a friend, maybe a frenemy.
Frenemy is exactly how Lauren described her relationship with Ethan...to others, at least. They tended to get into arguments regularly, and Ethan was always a 3rd wheel in high school, but now everyone is grown up. Ethan owns a bar, Lauren is a successful social media executive living in Virginia. One thing leads to another, one argument leads to making up, and making up leads to a surprise baby!
I thought this was a very fast-paced, fun read. I enjoyed the sisterly spats between Lauren and her sisters, and the way Grams looked after them all. Watching Lauren and Ethan's relationship grow was both fun and at times, frustrating, but only because they didn't see what was in front of them. I'm hoping the next story will be Brooke..and maybe Kai?
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.
Love the small town romance trope, but Come What Maybe just didn’t hook me in like I had hoped and felt a bit generic.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing this read: a solid 3 stars!
You knew this book was going to be a cute, fun, read when it paired together a few key romantic tropes: small-town romance, small-town gossip, one night stand leads to more, and highschool frenemies turned lovers.
For me, a lot of those tropes don't translate into the most engaging stories, particularly when you pack so many together. That being said, this was cute and an easy read. It wouldn't be my first pick off a shelf, but you wouldn't be upset if you picked it up either!
This story takes us to the small Maine town of Seaside Cove where everybody knows you and most know your secrets.
Years ago three sisters lived there with their grandmother. A no nonsense woman and one hard to please. When the youngest of the sisters seems to be in trouble and now is living in town, Lauren Wallace, the eldest and a very successful media strategist, calls her sister Brooke and tells her to join her in Seaside Cove so they can find out what troubles Gabby and see how they can help.
On her first day in town Lauren goes to the local bar, never expecting see Ethan McAllister, bar owner, and once her HS frenemy. The attraction that brewed then is still there and the quick hook up leaves Lauren pregnant, and footloose Ethan shocked and uncertain.
This engaging story is one that deals with family dynamics, secrets, fears of the unknown, hope, taking chances and finding love when one least expected it.
This reader is looking forward to the next story in the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Entangled: Amara. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from entangled publishing and #NetGalley. Thank you to the publishers, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
A delightful small town love story. Lauren and Ethan are colorful, entertaining, enjoyable characters you’ll find relatable. It was a hard one to put down, so don’t!
This is a super fun book. The characters are funny and playful. Lauren and Ethan grew up together. The story is set in a small seaside town in Main. The cast of characters is delightful. Led by Lauren’s grandma who is a saucy battle axe. It is a page-turning event as Lauren and Ethan build a relationship in front of all the eyes and ears of the town. Grandma plays puppet master with all their lives as she manipulates them into doing what she wants. It all leads to a happily ever after for Lauren and Ethan.
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ARC REVIEW
Book: Come What Maybe
Author: Kerri Carpenter
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Come What Maybe is a small town love story. Lauren comes back to help her sister through her troubles and runs into Ethan who was her frenimey growing up. Lauren is a perfectionist with long lists. I be honest, her character seemed quite annoying. However, Ethan's character made up for how annoying I thought Lauren was.
Come What Maybe is the first book of series. Which I am sure the rest will be for Lauren's sister's Brooke and Gabby, and I am hoping there will possibly one for the Nosey Gram Rose as well. I will definitely be reading them as well.
Come What Maybe was a great book and quick read. Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for this ARC for my honest review.
This is a sweet and fun read, I loved the way the author narrates the story and how the romance progresses between Lauren and Ethan, despite it seeming like they can't stand each other and their constant push and pull actually they have a crush on each other, I really liked their scenes, they made me laugh and sigh.
Definitely a recommended read for fans of cute, funny, small town romances.
Everything in Lauren Wallace's life is planned down to the letter, she has her plan in place and she never strays from it... which makes her feel very predictable and boring. Just once she'd like to do something out of character, something wild. So she waltzes through the doors of the local bar, and that's where things start to go array... and not according to her plan at all!
Come What Maybe is a delightfully penned small town romance that comes with lovable characters that will easily charm their way into your heart. Lauren and Ethan have a complicated relationship, back in high school they would be friends one day and enemies the next, and that distaste has kind of stuck with them. Not to mention their complete opposites, so they very seldom agree on anything. But when Lauren marches into his bar looking for a good time, they suddenly start to agree on everything... that is of course until morning comes! Now these two find themselves in unfamiliar territory, liking each other more and disagreeing less... it's as if it's meant to be. Or is it?
Watching these two wander into unfamiliar territory and find love was a lot of fun, their story was sweet, romantic, funny at times, and good on the heart! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
Come What Maybe is book 1 in the Seaside Cove Series by Kerri Carpenter
And I can't express enough how excited I am to see that this is part of an amazing series.
My first time reading Carpenter's work which was a very easy story to get so lost in.
The writing was great. She kept me turning the pages all day.
I thought the story was realistic and fun. The small town romance is always a favorite of mine and I believe this author set the scene perfectly.
The characters grew on me and pulled me into their world immediately.
I will definitely be waiting for the second book in the series. Can't wait!
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled/Amara for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publising for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review
This was a quick read to me. If you enjoy small town romances, enemies to lovers- you will enjoy this book. No spice, but overall cute and fun read.