4 Stars Rock and a Hard Place is the first novel I’ve read by Juliana Smith, though it is the third book in a series and, thankfully, can be read as a standalone. Marigold and Liam Wells have been divorced for almost seven years when their ten year old twin sons devise a Parent Trap-style plot to bring their parents back together. Marigold and Liam can’t be in each other’s presence for long before they start trading jabs and needing each other, but they have to set that aside to complete a project for their sons’ school’s spring festival. Determined to prove others wrong, they agree to set aside their issues for the sake of their sons. Spending so much time together after all these years apart reminds them of how they fell in love in the first place and the lingering love that never went away.

This one absolutely pulled at my heartstrings, especially reading about their relationship just before they split and their longing for each other. The twins, Dallas and Miles, were absolutely adorable as they pushed their parents back to each other. Loved it!

If Juliana Smith writes it, you best believe that I'll be reading it! I genuinely loved every second of this book, Marigold and Liam have a special place in my heart.

Marigold and Liam, my loves. . . . I'm such a sucker for second chance romances and this book perfectly executed that trope. I also adore having both POVs because I LOVE knowing the thoughts of both the FMC and MMC, it really ties the story together when you can get the full picture of what happened and what caused them to fall apart. I also ADORE the way Liam describes Marigold. . . HELLO THE NICKNAME??? Goldie. . . stop it I might actually cry.

I have so many quotes to share but I can't do that just yet, but just be prepared to swoon, cry, and giggle! :)

“What was it with people telling young moms that we couldn’t pour from empty cups? Watch me. My cup was dry as a desert, but the water was flowing anyway.”

This series just keeps getting better with each book.
I loved Per My Last Email and Signed, Sealed, Delivered- but this one got me in my feels like no other!
The characters were absolutely amazing. I loved Marigold and how she constantly put her twins before anything else, even herself most of the time. She was such a strong character. I loved Liam to pieces and how much you knew he still loved “Goldie” regardless of the years they’d been apart. I loved that he didn’t let his relationship, or lack thereof, with their mother come between him and his sons. He was always the best dad to them. I loved seeing characters from the previous books and loved how close they all are. 💗

Marriage is hard. Parenting is hard. It’s easy to lose yourself when going through the “trenches” of newfound parenthood- whether that be ignoring your needs to take care of your children and family or burying yourself in work to provide for your family. I loved how REAL the problems this couple faced were. It made the book so much more enjoyable being able to relate or empathize because you are familiar with those struggles. Seeing this divorced couple find their way back to each other after all that they faced was everything I didn’t know that my heart needed.

“What makes you so sure you could fall in love with me again?”

“What makes you so sure I ever stopped?”

*cue tears* 🥹

As sucker for second chance romance, I was totally hooked for this book! The story follows Liam and Marigold, childhood best friends, turned lovers, dealing with marriage, kids, and a seven-year split.

Reading about these characters slowly rebuild their relationship after it got lost in life's craziness was just beautiful. Liam was doing EVERYTHING to get a reaction from Marigold, even if it meant making her mad, was just awesome. I truly fell in love with him!

The highlight for me was Liam's heartfelt gesture of completely renovating his home (which he bought because it was HER dream home) based on Marigold's Pinterest board from their time together. He did all of this even after they had divorced. He was so sure they were endgame. 😭

And even during their time apart Liam and Marigold stayed true to each other 👏not 👏 messing 👏 around 👏 with 👏 other 👏 people.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for the ARC!

I adored this book. This is my second read from Juliana and I loved it so much.
Anyone who knows me knows second chance romance is my favourite trope. As soon as I read the plot for this book I know I needed to read it ASAP.
This was a cute and sweet second chance romance with mischievous twin brothers who are on a parent trap like plan to get their parents back together. It is romantic and full of angst and humour I just really enjoyed it.
It was nice to see other characters from previous books make an appearance and I really liked the little easter eggs for the final brother and his potential romance (hopefully coming soon)

This book was absolutely perfect. Juliana is one of my favorite authors and I’m always excited for her new releases. This was her best book yet!

I’m always a sucker for a second chance romance and when it’s a second chance within a marriage/divorce, I feel like it’s even better 🥺 I cried multiple times reading this because it just felt so real and raw and beautiful. Her witting was just extra good, so many amazing quotes I highlighted!

The way Liam would do absolutely anything for Marigold has me 😭 the boys are also just so adorable and funny.

The angst and the pining! She is so good at chemistry even w no spice. Like you’re itching to keep reading because the slow burn is just too good!

This is a new favorite book of all time and I cannot wait to get my physical copy and annotate it when it comes out 🥹

Also loved seeing the characters from the first two books in this series and I cannot wait for the next one 😩 it was just perfect. I want to reread it already.

Absolute perfection! Juliana’s books are always like getting a big hug and RAAHP delivers! I fell in love with Liam, Marigold (that name 😍), and their boys and it was so fun to see characters from books past pop up in scenes. This book is sweet, swoony, funny, and one you don’t want to miss!