This was my first book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised by it. It took me a bit to get into but I'm definitely going to pick up the next one

Tw: child death, cancer, mentions of sexual abuse (off page) and domestic violence (off page, implied)
(insert disclaimer bout this being a gifted copy from netgalley here)
I initially requested this bc the cover was pretty. I didn't know it was age gap, which is something I typically don't care for, but I ended up really liking it anyway.
Thayer and Salem have my whole heart. Poor Caleb got done so dirty though. I also don't care for cheating in romance usually and I low-key hate that she waited so long to tell him bc no one deserves to be cheated on. It's so shitty to do. But Thayer and Salem have such chemistry and 🥺🥺🥺 so I was able to look past it. I ended up buying the series bc I know for a fact I'm gonna read them all.
If you like grumpy x sunshine, single parent, age gap and friends to lovers you'd prob like this. It really had me a mess in the breakroom from about 80% forward.

I will say it was kinda tasteless to add the pregnancy thing at the end, especially after Thayer literally just lost his kid. I personally wouldn't have done that bc it's like replacing the dead kid with a new one.

I enjoyed this story in terms of plot. It was engaging and held my attention. I wanted to know where it was going to lead and was not prepared for the last 15%. I didn't enjoy the age gap aspect as much as I hoped. I love an age gap romance when you don't feel like there is an age gap and it doesn't feel icky. I didn't feel the chemistry between Thayer and Salem and she just came across as very young (yes I'm aware she's 18) and that made it feel a little icky for me. I would definitely try more by this author as I did enjoy the writing.

I liked the engaging storytelling and relatable characters. The author skillfully explores themes of self-discovery and resilience. However the pacing was a little slow sometimes. If you enjoy character-driven narratives with a focus on personal growth, this book is worth considering.

Please check out the trigger warnings!
This book made me SOB. It is so incredibly sad, holy shit.
It contains a couple of my favourite tropes, such as small town romance, single dad and grumpy sunshine. I felt these where written really well.

The story centers on Salem, a young woman standing at the precipice of adulthood, who finds her path veering in an unexpected direction. Thayer Holmes, her neighbor, emerges as a grumpy yet captivating presence, offering her a job as a nanny to his son. It is here that the narrative blooms into a poignant and passionate love story that defies the constraints of societal norms.

What resonates with me the most is Smeltzer’s ability to flesh out characters that are authentic and deeply human. Salem, with her youthful spirit and old soul, radiates resilience and warmth, inviting readers to cheer for her every step of the way. Thayer, though we only glimpse him through Salem's eyes, is a character sculpted with depth and complexity; his transformation from a man haunted by emotional scars to one who seeks comfort in Salem’s company is both touching and profound.

The emotional tapestry of the novel is rich and varied, with Smeltzer’s writing navigating the peaks and troughs of the characters’ feelings with a deft hand. The connection between Salem and Thayer is drawn with a delicate and assured touch, lending their bond an air of authenticity and depth.

Yet, the book does not shy away from the tumultuous nature of life. Smeltzer steers the narrative through an emotional rollercoaster, replete with unexpected plot twists and a cliffhanger that leaves one yearning for resolution. This emotional complexity is the novel's hallmark, showcasing Smeltzer's skill in evoking a powerful response from her readers.

Despite its strengths, there are moments where the pacing stumbles, particularly at pivotal junctures that would benefit from a more detailed exploration of the characters’ emotional landscapes. Moreover, the central theme of the age gap occasionally feels underexplored, with moments where Thayer’s actions belie the maturity expected of his age.

While it has its share of narrative imperfections, the novel shines in its portrayal of characters who find strength and self-assurance in one another. This book is a heartfelt journey that will make you laugh, cry, and sit in quiet contemplation long after the final page is turned. It’s a rollercoaster that I, for one, am glad to have boarded.

Damn that was NOT what I expected……
please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: no – and a cliffhanger
spice: several open-door spicy scenes
TWs: divorce, cheating, cancer diagnosis, trauma, grief, sexual assault, continued sexual abuse of a child, death, child abuse, emotional abuse, death of a child (on page), (implied) surprise pregnancy
standalone: book 1 in the Wildflower series
final thoughts: WHAT. A. ROLLERCOASTER. This was absolutely NOT the book for me. The first like 65% was so good- angsty, slow burny, steamy, adorable, everything I wanted. The last 35% was (for me) a dumpster fire of insane proportions. READ THOS TRIGGER WARNINGS PEOPLE because I wouldn’t’ve read this had I known some of the triggers and that this is not an HEA.
However I know there are lots of people who don’t need an HEA and re just here for a good story so this is for you.

read this book if you love

💓 slowburn
😬 angst
🔢 age gap (18/31)
🌀 plot twists
👩‍👦 single parent
🤐 miscommunication
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 great side characters
🤫 hidden secrets
🏝️ forced proximity (neighbors, one bed)
😳 forbidden lovers (nanny/parent)
😡 grumpy/sunshine
👮 blue collar MMC (owns landscaping company)

This book was such a great quick read! The emotional roller coaster, the longing, the tension was perfect.

Absolutely LOVED this book, read it within a couple of hours and just bought the second book to read straight away! So emotional, my heart broke more than once, I just can’t wait to find out what happens next!

It's a cliffhanger and book one of a trilogy. I got suckered into reading it and invested in Thayer's story. So, I ended up purchasing the other two in the series to get closure. Honestly, had I know this, I would have passed on the whole thing. I felt tricked. However, I wanted to know how it ended, so two more books and a binge-reading Saturday and I know how it ends...

Sadly, this was a hard no for me. Salem I found to be immature, selfish, and her relationship with Thayer lacked chemistry and any real substance. Thayer was sweet, but unless Salem was super hot, not sure why he went for her.
I didn’t hate it as much until I came to the twist at the last 10% of the book, and that was completely unnecessary. Heard the sequel is way worse so this is the end of the road for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I honestly don’t know how to rate this book. I went into it blind and usually have no triggers. I can confidently say I do have at least one and will read trigger warnings from now on! I really loved this book but wasn’t expecting that ending. I am utterly heartbroken and don’t know how to move on from it. Yes, I know it is fiction but when you connect with characters and feel like you are a part of them, it seems real and the emotions are real for me. Would I have read this if I had know the ending? No, I wouldn’t have. I just don’t see how things can become better between these characters and them be able to move on. The writing was good but this book just ended up not being for me.

The emotions this book brought out. So incredible but be prepared. You can not go into this not prepared to roll right into the next one too or else you will be shattered.

I’m sitting at almost two weeks on this one and I’m about halfway, unsure if I’ll finish it. I had high hopes, especially from all the online hype, but I’m bored. It’s all too simple, too easy, too cliché and so far I haven’t found a great reason to keep reading. This may be more for a reader that likes these sort of tropes, but it’s not holding my interest.


Update: finished reading and I am very conflicted

-I received a digital review copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.-

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc copy of this book.

It was an overall successful read. I loved the character interactions. But found the dialogues took up a lot of the story. Which is great if you enjoy that type of writing. I found the main character to be personable and look forward to reading more.

Wow! This is one of the easiest five stars I’ve given this month. And there was a few things I never saw coming! I finished the book in a day, and by the end, I felt absolutely heartbroken. But also hopeful, happy, and annoyed that I didn’t read this sooner.

The details are fantastic. Usually hate a third act break up, but this one fit perfectly. I instantly downloaded the second book and can’t wait for the third to come out.

OMG, I absolutely love love and loved this book! I'm a bug fan of this author and can't wait to see what's next. Thanks for the ARC

I absolutely loved this book! This age gap, grumpy neighbor masterpiece is now one of my favorite reads of the year. Can’t wait to read the next 2 of the series!

This book put me through it! Definitely check the trigger warnings before reading.
I enjoyed the majority of the book, however I don't know how to feel about the last 25%. There wasn't a lot going on up until that last quarter of the book, and then everything happened all at once. I will say, I liked the age-gap and Thayer in general. I also liked the nanny/single-dad trope. However, I kinda wish the FMC wasn't only 18. Due to her age she made a couple of immature choices, which were annoying at times.

i had already heard such good things about this book and it did not disappoint. tropes include: forced proximity, one bed, age gap and
single dad. the banter and steamy scenes were perfection. the ending was heart wrenching. can't wait for the next one.