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Learning to Love
Meet Me Halfway
"A realistic romance following a single woman trying to balance love with motherhood." (BookLife⚡️)
Madison gave her heart to a boy at the age of sixteen, but all she got in return was a broken heart and a swollen belly.
Alone with a baby and desperate for the love she hadn’t found, she turned to a man who sealed his claim of devotion with a diamond ring.
He promised her a family. A life. A future. But his lies had only been a cover for the personal hell he introduced her to daily.
Now, at twenty-five, Madison has long since stopped believing in love. Balancing single parenthood, three jobs, and online courses, she doesn’t have the time anyway.
So when the broody neighbor living in the other side of her duplex leaves a rude note on her door, she’s not interested.
Not in his dark hair, not in his physique, and definitely not in the dimples she’s only seen a hint of. She’s one hundred percent, absolutely, not interested.
Not even a little.
**Author's This novel is for readers age 18+ and contains sensitive content that some readers might not wish to read. Please head to the author's website for a more detailed content description.
REVIEWS
"Readers will live vicariously through Madison’s trials and tribulations and demand more of this gripping romance." (BookLife⚡️)
“It’s about the struggles of being a single mother, the triumphs of love, and not forgetting who you are amidst it all.” – Escape.Among.The.Pages (Blogger + Reviewer)
Madison gave her heart to a boy at the age of sixteen, but all she got in return was a broken heart and a swollen belly.
Alone with a baby and desperate for the love she hadn’t found, she turned to a man who sealed his claim of devotion with a diamond ring.
He promised her a family. A life. A future. But his lies had only been a cover for the personal hell he introduced her to daily.
Now, at twenty-five, Madison has long since stopped believing in love. Balancing single parenthood, three jobs, and online courses, she doesn’t have the time anyway.
So when the broody neighbor living in the other side of her duplex leaves a rude note on her door, she’s not interested.
Not in his dark hair, not in his physique, and definitely not in the dimples she’s only seen a hint of. She’s one hundred percent, absolutely, not interested.
Not even a little.
**Author's This novel is for readers age 18+ and contains sensitive content that some readers might not wish to read. Please head to the author's website for a more detailed content description.
REVIEWS
"Readers will live vicariously through Madison’s trials and tribulations and demand more of this gripping romance." (BookLife⚡️)
“It’s about the struggles of being a single mother, the triumphs of love, and not forgetting who you are amidst it all.” – Escape.Among.The.Pages (Blogger + Reviewer)
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,182 reviews
September 17, 2024
NO BECAUSE WHY DID I LOVE THIS???? WAY MORE THAN I THOUGHT I WOULD??
i’m obsessed. if anyone would’ve told me this was a SLOWWWBURNNNNN— i would’ve jumped at this book way quicker. unpopular opinion, but i love it when it takes forever for the couple to actually get together. i adore seeing the foundation really build and the tension GIVEEEE until it explodes. and this book DELIVERED 😮💨 + it was one of those where i had butterflies the entire time 🦋🦋🦋
Maddie was such a strong single mom. Garrett was everything & more. Jamie made the entire book even more enjoyable. AND CAN WE TALK ABOUT LAYLA??? queen shit.
goodbye. this was amazing.
“maybe we can meet halfway” <3
i’m obsessed. if anyone would’ve told me this was a SLOWWWBURNNNNN— i would’ve jumped at this book way quicker. unpopular opinion, but i love it when it takes forever for the couple to actually get together. i adore seeing the foundation really build and the tension GIVEEEE until it explodes. and this book DELIVERED 😮💨 + it was one of those where i had butterflies the entire time 🦋🦋🦋
Maddie was such a strong single mom. Garrett was everything & more. Jamie made the entire book even more enjoyable. AND CAN WE TALK ABOUT LAYLA??? queen shit.
goodbye. this was amazing.
“maybe we can meet halfway” <3
July 12, 2023
The caveman energy in this book is disturbing
May 10, 2022
Ummm... this is actually complicated for me to rate, because I loved it and hated it at the same time.
I loved... The representation of a single young mother, the author at the beginning explains that she wanted to see someone like Maddison, a single mom who was really young, the stigma and difficulties that go with it, the struggles and the lack of support they have sometimes. And I think she nailed that, Maddison and James made it worth it to me.
What I hated... The love interest, Maddison it's a woman that has had two men in her life when we meet her: the first one got her pregnant and ran away, the second one was abusive.
So, she hasn't picked a good man ever, then we have Garret, he is supposed to be the opposite of those men, the knight in shining armor but he was a walking red flag all the way:
- He kept looking at her body everytime they met, like a creep, sometimes it was just to check on her, most of the time it was to see the goods. Creepy, they didn't know each other.
- He judged her without knowing her, just from a conversation he overheard. Hence, he started growling and scowling her way (alpha bullshit).
- He didn't think she was capable of a job that it's considereded as mostly for male people (security), he also tried to scare her into not doing it, frightening her son in the process.
- He went to said job to look after her with the excuse of apologizing.
- He kept looking at her and no saying shit, I think the author wanted to imply that he had an intense look, I just felt creeped out.
- He got alpha on her a lot, he got mad ar her past and said: not mad at you, mad at this dude for what he did to you. Fuck u man!
- Her ex was a stalker, but the author felt it was ok to make Garret a stalker too. I mean: Someone was watching me. I could feel it. I’d always been able to, like a sixth sense guarding my back
Who was it at the end? The love interest, what the fuck?!
I had more reasons, but I forgot. He is a no no, so when they went to have sex, I couldn't go there, it made me cringe and even though I applaud Maddison for doing what is right for her (she still got the job even though he didn't want her to), and no paying attention to him. I still think she deserved better. 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️❤️
I still enjoyed the other relationships though. 🤭🤭🤭
I loved... The representation of a single young mother, the author at the beginning explains that she wanted to see someone like Maddison, a single mom who was really young, the stigma and difficulties that go with it, the struggles and the lack of support they have sometimes. And I think she nailed that, Maddison and James made it worth it to me.
What I hated... The love interest, Maddison it's a woman that has had two men in her life when we meet her: the first one got her pregnant and ran away, the second one was abusive.
So, she hasn't picked a good man ever, then we have Garret, he is supposed to be the opposite of those men, the knight in shining armor but he was a walking red flag all the way:
- He kept looking at her body everytime they met, like a creep, sometimes it was just to check on her, most of the time it was to see the goods. Creepy, they didn't know each other.
- He judged her without knowing her, just from a conversation he overheard. Hence, he started growling and scowling her way (alpha bullshit).
- He didn't think she was capable of a job that it's considereded as mostly for male people (security), he also tried to scare her into not doing it, frightening her son in the process.
- He went to said job to look after her with the excuse of apologizing.
- He kept looking at her and no saying shit, I think the author wanted to imply that he had an intense look, I just felt creeped out.
- He got alpha on her a lot, he got mad ar her past and said: not mad at you, mad at this dude for what he did to you. Fuck u man!
- Her ex was a stalker, but the author felt it was ok to make Garret a stalker too. I mean: Someone was watching me. I could feel it. I’d always been able to, like a sixth sense guarding my back
Who was it at the end? The love interest, what the fuck?!
I had more reasons, but I forgot. He is a no no, so when they went to have sex, I couldn't go there, it made me cringe and even though I applaud Maddison for doing what is right for her (she still got the job even though he didn't want her to), and no paying attention to him. I still think she deserved better. 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️❤️
I still enjoyed the other relationships though. 🤭🤭🤭
August 12, 2023
Recent reread 19/12/22 I just fell in love with this book all over again.
4.5 stars
AHHHH I LOVED THIS BOOK SOOOO MUCH!!!!
After reading One Percent Of You I've struggled with finding a single parent romance I liked.
This book has got to be my favourite read of the month. Single Mom, grumpy/sunshine, small town romance...all my favourite tropes.
Definitely recommend reading this book. I finished it all in one go. Looking forward to reading more from the author.
4.5 stars
AHHHH I LOVED THIS BOOK SOOOO MUCH!!!!
After reading One Percent Of You I've struggled with finding a single parent romance I liked.
This book has got to be my favourite read of the month. Single Mom, grumpy/sunshine, small town romance...all my favourite tropes.
Definitely recommend reading this book. I finished it all in one go. Looking forward to reading more from the author.
December 31, 2023
INFINITY FUCKING STARS. stop what you’re doing and go read this book rn😭😭😭😭guys i need to go through every single book that i rated a five star and ask myself if it made me feel the way all my infinity star rated books made me feel because if not those need to be changed to 4 stars immediately. this man garrett rowe still has me swooning. everything about that man was fucking perfect. my stomach is still🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋i loved all of the characters except for 2 ofc (search up trigger warnings before reading). the writing in this book was amazing, guys i’m still smiling i cannot get over this book. every single little thing he did for her in this book🥺this was honestly one of the best slow burns i’ve ever read…usually most slow burns have like spicy scenes that lead up to it but no omg this was so different and i absolutely loved it. you just have to read it to understand😭the epilogue was everything and more to me…not your typical happily ever after where they get engaged and have kids ugh i adored the ending so much. when the author added in a bonus chapter with his pov omg i died, i couldn’t breathe i literally wished that chapter was in his pov and i ended up getting it. this book has easily moved to my favorite romance book literally nothing tops this for me. garrett rowe will forever own a huge chunk of my heart. don’t even get me started on my girl madison. i fucking loved her character. she’s so strong, so brave, and so fucking hard working i admire her so fucking much. working three jobs sometimes 4 and working 65 hours a week while being a single parent to her son…..baddest bitch i know. i literally never wanted to finish this book, i want to cling onto this feeling this book made me feel, forever. lilian t james i WILL be buying all your books😭🫶🏼
SPOILERS BELOW book besties stop reading now if you haven’t read the book🫶🏼
this grumpy man that turned out to be not so grumpy😭in his fucking pov he said that he needed to check on this little family that was intent on stealing his heart🦋🦋🦋🦋guys the way this slow burn was written, you really didn’t get any spicy scenes until the very end of the book it was literally just him treating maddie like the fucking queen she is. when he formed a relationship with her son omg. can we just talk about the scene where garrett got upset finding out maddie was going to be working alone as campus security and he was making sure she could defend herself and jamie ran out and pushed garrett thinking he was hurting her and he was literally defending his mom. my heart😭i couldn’t fucking handle it. and then he apologized to garrett and garrett told him to never apologize for defending his mom😭😭😭😭and then when he calls him “j-man”….swooning. also maddie went through so much in her life :( from being pregnant and abandoned at 16 to then getting married at 18 to a man who ended up physically and emotionally abusing her to then this perfect man sent from god it was so fucking good i ate this plot up. also the sexual harassment/assault from that disgusting man she was working with who then got fired….i was so sick to my stomach for her and then on that same day she had to deal with her crazy fucking ex husband too but we all know garrett mf rowe handled that🤭🤭🤭guys the shower scene when she had food poisoning was everything to me…the way he washed her curly hair and did her whole curly hair routine y’all I’m so easy i instantly knew this was going to be a five star read just based on this man and what he was doing. the spicy scenes👀👀👀👀👀it was expected but what i wasn’t expecting was it to be THAT fucking good omg. the slow burn was so worth it. I can’t get over how good garrett was to her🥹it literally made me cry because maddie and jamie were finally being treated the way they deserved to be. i’ll be thinking about their little family forever🫶🏼🥹also the scene where he was sitting on the porch with her and he slipped his hoodie on her and she kept it for DAYS and wore it every night because she found comfort in it. ugh yes. and when she laid out on a blanket to stargaze and she dozed off and he came out and covered her up because it was cold and then he laid down with her🤭🦋this book will now be my comfort read. i can’t wait to reread this book over and over and over again.
SPOILERS BELOW book besties stop reading now if you haven’t read the book🫶🏼
this grumpy man that turned out to be not so grumpy😭in his fucking pov he said that he needed to check on this little family that was intent on stealing his heart🦋🦋🦋🦋guys the way this slow burn was written, you really didn’t get any spicy scenes until the very end of the book it was literally just him treating maddie like the fucking queen she is. when he formed a relationship with her son omg. can we just talk about the scene where garrett got upset finding out maddie was going to be working alone as campus security and he was making sure she could defend herself and jamie ran out and pushed garrett thinking he was hurting her and he was literally defending his mom. my heart😭i couldn’t fucking handle it. and then he apologized to garrett and garrett told him to never apologize for defending his mom😭😭😭😭and then when he calls him “j-man”….swooning. also maddie went through so much in her life :( from being pregnant and abandoned at 16 to then getting married at 18 to a man who ended up physically and emotionally abusing her to then this perfect man sent from god it was so fucking good i ate this plot up. also the sexual harassment/assault from that disgusting man she was working with who then got fired….i was so sick to my stomach for her and then on that same day she had to deal with her crazy fucking ex husband too but we all know garrett mf rowe handled that🤭🤭🤭guys the shower scene when she had food poisoning was everything to me…the way he washed her curly hair and did her whole curly hair routine y’all I’m so easy i instantly knew this was going to be a five star read just based on this man and what he was doing. the spicy scenes👀👀👀👀👀it was expected but what i wasn’t expecting was it to be THAT fucking good omg. the slow burn was so worth it. I can’t get over how good garrett was to her🥹it literally made me cry because maddie and jamie were finally being treated the way they deserved to be. i’ll be thinking about their little family forever🫶🏼🥹also the scene where he was sitting on the porch with her and he slipped his hoodie on her and she kept it for DAYS and wore it every night because she found comfort in it. ugh yes. and when she laid out on a blanket to stargaze and she dozed off and he came out and covered her up because it was cold and then he laid down with her🤭🦋this book will now be my comfort read. i can’t wait to reread this book over and over and over again.
May 1, 2022
This author pretty much took everything from wait for it by Mariana Zapata. I’m disappointed that someone would do this. Next time write something more original please. For those who know what I’m talking about this book had the knitting hero, the confrontation at the kids game, the abusive ex, the older ex military hero, younger heroine, the neighbor trope, the first kiss car scene, and more! This book walks the plagiarized line.
July 22, 2022
Why do I feel like the only person who didn’t enjoy this book as much🕴🏻
April 13, 2022
“But I will follow you anywhere, baby. I’ll run a never-ending race for you. Name the distance. I’ll go at whatever speed you let me. I’ll sprint, walk, or crawl to get to you. I will never give you up.”
Sorry I can't write a review ..
I'm out here trying to manifest a single, hot, former-military, future husband who just so happens to live right next door.
Wish me luck 😌
November 15, 2022
Seeing him felt like a sun was settling inside me.
single mum romances featuring a sexy, grumpy next-door neighbour hero are my kryptonite. Wait for It, River Wild and One Percent of You are some of my favourite books, period.
so by default, i was gonna love this. it really gave me everything this trope does so well— the cute kid, the sexy neighbour who’s a grump but a big softie, the sweet heroine, the slow pining and tension, the fun best friend... yeah, this one just hit.
it was also single POV (plus a little bonus chapter at the end of an earlier chapter from Garrett’s, the H’s, POV). now, for a single POV romance, i need the narrator to be entertaining and funny, i need them to have a distinct and unique voice. without that, instantly im out. but luckily, Madison (h) was wonderful.
immediately i was rooting for her— she was charming and funny, a little sad and struggling, fierce and loyal. i just loved her a lot.
and yes, this was a romance. but more than that, this was Madison’s journey as a single mother doing the best she could in a society who had already judged her as unworthy.
Happily ever after didn’t always mean pregnancy and a diamond ring. Sometimes it also meant only working forty hours a week and discovering who I was as an adult and as a woman. Who I was as Madison, outside of who I was as a mother and a friend.
she was a wonderful mother. i adored her bond with Jamie. she wasn’t always dealt the best cards, the world dead-set against her, but she fought fiercely for Jamie and the life she wanted to build for him.
the scene where Jamie told Madison wanted to play football actually broke me, wtf. Madison’s pain and exhaustion was filtered so effortlessly into the narrative that you didn’t notice it often. it wasn’t until the smallest thing happened that was painfully fierce enough to shatter her facade.
everything was just written with such nuance and subtly that i couldn’t help but love it. her past, the trauma and abuse, weren’t portrayed in a gratuitous way— it’s not grossly detailed to shock you. it’s just explained why Madison acts and thinks the way she does, laying everything out so you can piece it together.
He looked untouchable. Unattainable. The kind of man your mama warned you about, but the kind you’d willingly crawl on your hands and knees for anyway.
i will scream it from the rooftops, every damn time, but 📢 single mum romances >>>>>>>>>>>>>> single dad 📢 allll day everyday, baby.
single dad romances always end up with three people in that relationship— the hero, the heroine and the hero’s dead wife. single mum romances never seem to play into the dead spouse trope so im all for it. i don’t really wanna read about the hero pining for his dead wife while the heroine is competing with a ghost.
while the single mum trope usually has a sexy guy coming into her life who adores the shit out of her kid(s) and sweeps her off her feet. there is zero contest for me.
It was even more surreal when Jamie brought his book out, and he and I read on the couch while Garrett stretched out on the floor, eyes closed and hands behind his head, listening.
Garrett Rowe. Garrett Rowe. Garrett Rowe.
Garrett gave what i like to called “the Jack Hawthorn” treatment.
“I told you, you’re not in charge in this room, Maddie. You want my cock buried in your throat, you’re going to do it my way.”
“Bite down on the comforter.”
“Then I’ll shove your panties in your mouth to keep you from waking Layla next door and fuck you into oblivion anywhere and everywhere you want.”
heroes who shock tf out of you are always the best kind, honestly. Garrett is your typical stoic, grumpy hero who melts for the right woman and is actually a big ole’ softie on the inside. and sets the bar waaaay too high.
get you someone who...
⟡ quits smoking (for your son, a child he doesn’t even know) but will still sit outside with an unlit cigarette because it gives him an excuse to hopefully catch a glimpse of you.
⟡ paints your fence for you while you’re at work and pretends it was the landlord and it wasn’t him.
⟡ knows you love fuzzy socks and tells you to put some on when you’re sad.
⟡ finds you asleep in your front garden in the evening and lies beside you to keep you safe from anyone who passes by while you nap.
⟡ sits and stares at the part of his body you just touched, no matter how casually you did it, like what trying to ingrain it into his memory.
⟡ waits for you by his car while you’re working to keep an eye on you, to make sure you’re safe.
⟡ tries to knit baby blankets for you to donate to the local women’s shelter you help out at because you’ve been struggling to find the time to make them yourself.
⟡ skips work to look after you when you’re sick but can flirt with you at the same time???????? washing your hair????? the hair that has your vomit in?????? hair that’s super curly and this man knows how to maintain???????? i– then watches over you while you sleep?????
“I’ll puke all down your back,” I threatened, not sounding nearly as strong as I wanted.
“No, you won’t. From the sounds of it, you got nothing left in the tank. You’d just gag, and I gotta tell you, baby, gagging doesn’t bother me.”
idk how a man makes the threat of vomiting into a sexual innuendo but that takes skill. my man said ✨versatility✨
Garrett was just my kinda man, hmmm.
and did i mention the slowburn????
this was the best kinda slowburn. it was immaculate. it was juicy. it was full of tension and pining. they didn’t even kiss until 79% but did i care???? erm no, i did not. everything between them before being intimate was so worth it, on top of the side plot of Madison navigating motherhood.
but my main (maybe only?) complaint is that this kinda had a Mariana Zapata-style ending. you don’t get to see them much as an actual couple when they finally make it official and i wanted more :( i was definitely a little unsatisfied and it solidified my rating of a solid four stars rather than five. sometimes with a slowburn, you just want a little bit more out of the ending, you know? since you’ve waited so long for them to be together.
”In here, I will take control because you and I both know you need it that way in order to turn your mind off. I will learn your body better than my own and have you writhing and begging me for more. [...] But outside this room, Maddie, you fucking own me. I will worship the very ground you walk on if you’ll only let me.”
i know it’s a kinda weird thing to notice but i also loved the parallel of Garret touching her ears when he washed her hair vs Rob, her coworker, touching her ear when he was playing with her hair— the former consensual, the latter non-consensual. idk, it just showed how she willingly gave herself to Garret; to be loved and taken care of, to be respected and adored.... without there being strings attached or ulterior motives.
their love was just wonderfully soft and organic. i loved the pacing and the way Garrett took care of Madison but didn’t stifle her or “fix” her. he was her companion and equal. the perfect fit.
”No, baby, I won’t wait for you.”
[...] He tilted my head back, forcing me to stand flush against him. “But I will follow you anywhere, baby. I’ll run a never-ending race for you. Name the distance. I’ll go at whatever speed you let me. I’ll sprint, walk, or crawl to get to you. I will never give you up.”
i want Layla to have a book now, pretty pretty please🤲🏻
so if you have any good single mum romances, send them my way because it is the superior trope.
”I’m not going anywhere, Maddie. I want you; I want everything about you, the good parts, the bad parts, and the annoying as fuck parts, I want it all.”
April 28, 2022
This book is similar to Wait For It by MZ but not similar at all either if that makes senses. Also there’s no third act break up.
The grumpy neighbor and her being a single mother of an eight year boy since she was 16. She has an abusive ex-husband who showed up drunk and of course, Garrett, being the next door neighbor, is a hero for saving the night(s) and days
The grumpy neighbor and her being a single mother of an eight year boy since she was 16. She has an abusive ex-husband who showed up drunk and of course, Garrett, being the next door neighbor, is a hero for saving the night(s) and days
April 27, 2022
thank you to everyone who recommended it, especially kim because THIS BOOK JUST MADE MY DAY?!!!! i started it today and finished it today because you can't stop reading tbh each chapter is fab and the couple??? *CHEF KISS*
sickbed scene, he gets easily jealous, he calls her a good girl in bed, he basically tells her he will worship the ground she walks on 24/7, she's a single mom who lives next door to this grumpy guy, he wrongly misjudged her and soon realizes he messed up!!! he wants to take care of her (brings her lunch at her night job, mows her lawn, fixes her dishwater, etc). GARRETT IS UNREAL yeah wish i had one tbh
everyone should be reading this if you love slow burn romance!!! they take their sweet time, but the in-between is filled with sexual tension, soft touches, quality time, beautiful actions and stolen glances LIKE IT'S REALLY A GOOD SLOW BURN.
sickbed scene, he gets easily jealous, he calls her a good girl in bed, he basically tells her he will worship the ground she walks on 24/7, she's a single mom who lives next door to this grumpy guy, he wrongly misjudged her and soon realizes he messed up!!! he wants to take care of her (brings her lunch at her night job, mows her lawn, fixes her dishwater, etc). GARRETT IS UNREAL yeah wish i had one tbh
everyone should be reading this if you love slow burn romance!!! they take their sweet time, but the in-between is filled with sexual tension, soft touches, quality time, beautiful actions and stolen glances LIKE IT'S REALLY A GOOD SLOW BURN.
April 24, 2022
SO GOOD
IM IN AWE MY GOODNESS THIS WAS AN AMAZING READ I WAMMA CRY AND THROW UP I LOVED IT SO MUCH
IM IN AWE MY GOODNESS THIS WAS AN AMAZING READ I WAMMA CRY AND THROW UP I LOVED IT SO MUCH
October 3, 2022
I probably would have enjoyed this book more if I didn’t notice that it felt way too similar to Wait For It by Mariana Zapata mixed with a bit of One Percent of You by Michelle Gross — and yes, obviously a lot of books can feel similar to each other, especially when you’re dealing with similar topics and tropes… but the amount of similarities I found between these three books were a bit much to seem coincidental and therefore it gave me a bad vibe.
WAIT FOR IT/MEET ME HALFWAY PARALLELS:
[for the general plotline] Single mom who has an abusive ex and falls in love with her neighbor that’s an ex military man who’s much older than her, lost his dad when he was young and had very similar ex gf/wife situations.
[scenes and moments] misjudging her at the beginning and then becoming friends after she gives him an ultimatum, him giving her his hoodie/jacket, them having a heart to heart on the front porch, their first kiss being in a car after he drives her home from a bar, the multiple very specific confrontations at the kids sports game, both men knitting… do I need keep going??? I hope you see my point here…. and same goes for the laundry list of parallels that I have for One Percent of You… but I’ll spare you the details.
But even besides for all that… I also got weird vibes off Garrett… he kept blatantly checking out her body and low-key giving off stalkerish vibes the entire book… and it didn’t help that the only other two relationships Madison has ever been in was with her baby daddy who was controlling and stalkerish and ended up running off, and then an ex that was abusive and can you guess? has stalker tendencies … (I think Madison might just have a type…) so all that history just played even more into the uncomfortable vibe I was getting from Garrett.
So my point is that it wasn’t necessary a bad book, and I see why people have been enjoying it… but I just recently re-read wait for it so all the ultra specific similarities were jumping out at me like a red flag and I felt like Garrett was just a worse version of Dallas… so if I want this type of story again, I’ll just revisit MZs version.
WAIT FOR IT/MEET ME HALFWAY PARALLELS:
[for the general plotline] Single mom who has an abusive ex and falls in love with her neighbor that’s an ex military man who’s much older than her, lost his dad when he was young and had very similar ex gf/wife situations.
[scenes and moments] misjudging her at the beginning and then becoming friends after she gives him an ultimatum, him giving her his hoodie/jacket, them having a heart to heart on the front porch, their first kiss being in a car after he drives her home from a bar, the multiple very specific confrontations at the kids sports game, both men knitting… do I need keep going??? I hope you see my point here…. and same goes for the laundry list of parallels that I have for One Percent of You… but I’ll spare you the details.
But even besides for all that… I also got weird vibes off Garrett… he kept blatantly checking out her body and low-key giving off stalkerish vibes the entire book… and it didn’t help that the only other two relationships Madison has ever been in was with her baby daddy who was controlling and stalkerish and ended up running off, and then an ex that was abusive and can you guess? has stalker tendencies … (I think Madison might just have a type…) so all that history just played even more into the uncomfortable vibe I was getting from Garrett.
So my point is that it wasn’t necessary a bad book, and I see why people have been enjoying it… but I just recently re-read wait for it so all the ultra specific similarities were jumping out at me like a red flag and I felt like Garrett was just a worse version of Dallas… so if I want this type of story again, I’ll just revisit MZs version.
January 9, 2023
meet me halfway 🍝📌🚪🧶🧦🎒🥯🍓🕹️⚽️
“what are you thinking then?”
— “that maybe we can meet halfway”
5 ⭐️ book one in the learning to love series by lilian t. james
it’s no surprise that my favorite trope is small town + single parent so i knew i would like this book but i ended up loving it so much more than i thought i would!!
madison: balancing single parenthood, three jobs, and online courses
garrett: her broody neighbor living on the other side of her duplex (he has dimples!!)
i loved seeing them go from garrett leaving a rude note on her door to garrett forming a bond with madison and her son jamie 🤍
this book portrays real aspects of what it’s like to be a single parent, have children young, and rediscover yourself after an abusive relationship, so i found it to be truly eye opening.
also!! i read this back in november when i was in the worst slump ever, this book got me out of it so i recommend it with all my heart 💖
“what are you thinking then?”
— “that maybe we can meet halfway”
5 ⭐️ book one in the learning to love series by lilian t. james
it’s no surprise that my favorite trope is small town + single parent so i knew i would like this book but i ended up loving it so much more than i thought i would!!
madison: balancing single parenthood, three jobs, and online courses
garrett: her broody neighbor living on the other side of her duplex (he has dimples!!)
i loved seeing them go from garrett leaving a rude note on her door to garrett forming a bond with madison and her son jamie 🤍
this book portrays real aspects of what it’s like to be a single parent, have children young, and rediscover yourself after an abusive relationship, so i found it to be truly eye opening.
also!! i read this back in november when i was in the worst slump ever, this book got me out of it so i recommend it with all my heart 💖
October 20, 2022
3.5 stars
I picked this book up because I heard it had similar vibes to ‘One Percent of You’, which I really loved. While I did enjoy this one for the most part, and I thought the other one was done so much better and I couldn’t help to compare them. I loved the heroine and her son, the hero grew on me, but the ending felt a bit lackluster to me. If it would have had a stronger ending I could have maybe given it a 4. If you are looking for a single mom book with a grumpy hero, this might be the perfect read for you :)
I picked this book up because I heard it had similar vibes to ‘One Percent of You’, which I really loved. While I did enjoy this one for the most part, and I thought the other one was done so much better and I couldn’t help to compare them. I loved the heroine and her son, the hero grew on me, but the ending felt a bit lackluster to me. If it would have had a stronger ending I could have maybe given it a 4. If you are looking for a single mom book with a grumpy hero, this might be the perfect read for you :)
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Krys Janae & Zacahry Johnson
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 9h 34m
May 12, 2022
there’s just something about romances with a stressed single mom who never puts herself first and her grumpy neighbor who basically adopts her kid, starts taking care of her, and becomes so whipped that he would literally move heaven and hell just to see a smile on her face. ALWAYS a hit never failed me once. <333
June 5, 2022
This was recommended to read by algorhythms after One Percent of You by Michelle Gross which shares the single mom/grumpy neighbor romance trope and while I enjoyed the later A LOT, Meet Me Halfway was a complete fail for me. I made it to 93% (with some light skimming) and decided to DNF. Isn't it the worst?
Nothing truly grabbed me in this story, the pace was odd, it started with some arduous 30% of reading where the main characters barely interacted and the little interaction given didn't make me curious or hope for more. I found everything so very cliché. Don't get me wrong, I'm a lover of tropes and emblematic romantic gestures, but an author has got to bring their own thing to the romance moves textbook. Here it felt like a mod-podge of romance scenes. Nothing felt organic but forced.
(The shower scene was SO RANDOM)
The male character gave me major creep vibes and I didn't feel his creeper/asshole behavior was redeemed in any way. We just witness him make a one-eighty. More over, he kinda congratulates himself for realizing how amazing the heroine is and at the same time wonders why no one else can see that. Am I supposed to forget how he basically hated her guts on principle and with passion at the beginning of the book?
The heroine was TIRING. I mean it, I was this close to take a nap by proxy. She has 3 full time jobs—with extra shifts— and also online classes for full scholarship and also is a single mom and also has time to romance her next door neighbor and also has time to crochet baby blankets for an association close to her heart. I'm not gonna lie, I felt a little worthless for a second.
I could have done with the ex-drama. The coworker drama. The soccer moms drama. `The morning after drama. THE DRAMA. Ugh.
The sex scenes. Pass. The coming out nowhere dominant bullshit in bed and the male character psycho-babbling nonsense to claim control in the bedroom, GTFO with this BS. The sex talk was a bit ridiculous?
"...something tells me an independent woman like you wouldn't appreciate being treated as though you were breakable."
"In here, I will take control because you and I both know you need it that way in order to turn your mind off. I will learn your body better than my own and have you writhing and begging me for more."
"The next time you get wet over me you better sit on my fucking face until I feel my soul leave my body and tap out." Mkay, lol.
To conclude, this has many similar elements to many many books I've read (lover of tropes here) but the execution was not it. It seems it's a well loved book to some, so don't let my review keep you from trying it, it's currently enrolled in #KU, by the way.
Speaking of algorhythms, I was almost expecting a recommendation for "Wait For It" by Zapata on my paperwhite at the end, this story is truly reminiscent of it, but nope.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
Nothing truly grabbed me in this story, the pace was odd, it started with some arduous 30% of reading where the main characters barely interacted and the little interaction given didn't make me curious or hope for more. I found everything so very cliché. Don't get me wrong, I'm a lover of tropes and emblematic romantic gestures, but an author has got to bring their own thing to the romance moves textbook. Here it felt like a mod-podge of romance scenes. Nothing felt organic but forced.
(The shower scene was SO RANDOM)
The male character gave me major creep vibes and I didn't feel his creeper/asshole behavior was redeemed in any way. We just witness him make a one-eighty. More over, he kinda congratulates himself for realizing how amazing the heroine is and at the same time wonders why no one else can see that. Am I supposed to forget how he basically hated her guts on principle and with passion at the beginning of the book?
The heroine was TIRING. I mean it, I was this close to take a nap by proxy. She has 3 full time jobs—with extra shifts— and also online classes for full scholarship and also is a single mom and also has time to romance her next door neighbor and also has time to crochet baby blankets for an association close to her heart. I'm not gonna lie, I felt a little worthless for a second.
I could have done with the ex-drama. The coworker drama. The soccer moms drama. `The morning after drama. THE DRAMA. Ugh.
The sex scenes. Pass. The coming out nowhere dominant bullshit in bed and the male character psycho-babbling nonsense to claim control in the bedroom, GTFO with this BS. The sex talk was a bit ridiculous?
"...something tells me an independent woman like you wouldn't appreciate being treated as though you were breakable."
"In here, I will take control because you and I both know you need it that way in order to turn your mind off. I will learn your body better than my own and have you writhing and begging me for more."
"The next time you get wet over me you better sit on my fucking face until I feel my soul leave my body and tap out." Mkay, lol.
To conclude, this has many similar elements to many many books I've read (lover of tropes here) but the execution was not it. It seems it's a well loved book to some, so don't let my review keep you from trying it, it's currently enrolled in #KU, by the way.
Speaking of algorhythms, I was almost expecting a recommendation for "Wait For It" by Zapata on my paperwhite at the end, this story is truly reminiscent of it, but nope.
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
December 23, 2022
garrett gave me major small dick energy tbh. like why is that man so pressed about the way madison’s deals with her trauma it’s embarrassing honestly
August 22, 2022
Single Mom
Neighbour
Slow Born
Hace tiempo había visto la sinopsis y no me llamó la atención pero me mandaron un TikTok y me convencieron y no me arrepiento de haberlo leído, está muy bonito.
El principio es muy lento, casi no hay interacción con ellos, la autora narra bastante la vida cotidiana de ella pero conforme avanza la historia, ellos empiezan a interactuar todo mejora.
La historia es sobre Maddison una mamá soltera que tuvo a su hijo adolescente, se divorció de hombre abusivo y violento pero ella quiere una segunda oportunidad en la vida quiere darle lo mejor a su hijo y quiere superarse, tiene tres trabajos a lo largo de la semana y es estudiante universitaria en la noche, hace malabares para ser buena madre, estudiante y empleada por lo tanto un hombre no entra en sus planes pero el vecino gruñón, sexy de alado la va a ser cambiar de opinión.
Me gustó mucho la historia es muy bonita y por el pasado de Maddie tiene una gran carga emocional pero no hay tanto drama.
Hay una gran química en los protagonistas y hacen una pareja linda.
Por separado también me gustaron, aunque a veces Maddie me desesperaba por su indecisión y su miedo, pero era entendible y Garret es un amor de verdad yo necesito un Garret en mi vida.
Amé la escena de Garret con el niño, eran divertidas y tiernas.
Si hay fueguito y del calientito, pero tengan paciencia porque no es luego luego.
Eso sí el epílogo no me gustó tanto yo esperaba uno más cursi.
Neighbour
Slow Born
Hace tiempo había visto la sinopsis y no me llamó la atención pero me mandaron un TikTok y me convencieron y no me arrepiento de haberlo leído, está muy bonito.
El principio es muy lento, casi no hay interacción con ellos, la autora narra bastante la vida cotidiana de ella pero conforme avanza la historia, ellos empiezan a interactuar todo mejora.
La historia es sobre Maddison una mamá soltera que tuvo a su hijo adolescente, se divorció de hombre abusivo y violento pero ella quiere una segunda oportunidad en la vida quiere darle lo mejor a su hijo y quiere superarse, tiene tres trabajos a lo largo de la semana y es estudiante universitaria en la noche, hace malabares para ser buena madre, estudiante y empleada por lo tanto un hombre no entra en sus planes pero el vecino gruñón, sexy de alado la va a ser cambiar de opinión.
Me gustó mucho la historia es muy bonita y por el pasado de Maddie tiene una gran carga emocional pero no hay tanto drama.
Hay una gran química en los protagonistas y hacen una pareja linda.
Por separado también me gustaron, aunque a veces Maddie me desesperaba por su indecisión y su miedo, pero era entendible y Garret es un amor de verdad yo necesito un Garret en mi vida.
Amé la escena de Garret con el niño, eran divertidas y tiernas.
Si hay fueguito y del calientito, pero tengan paciencia porque no es luego luego.
Eso sí el epílogo no me gustó tanto yo esperaba uno más cursi.
August 6, 2022
Obsessed would be an understatement when it comes to this book. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. Slow burns aren’t usually my favorite but this one just hits different. I really loved getting to see the foundation build between Garrett and Maddie. Their chemistry and tension was off the charts.
I haven’t read a lot of single parent books but this one has to be my favorite! Also her best friend Layla and her son Jaime just made the book even more amazing.
Maddie is the definition of a hero, she is so strong after everything and she is the best mom! Please read this book asap!
“But I will follow you anywhere, baby. I’ll run a never-ending race for you. Name the distance. I’ll go at whatever speed you let me. I’ll sprint, walk, or crawl to get to you. I will never give you up.” 💛
I haven’t read a lot of single parent books but this one has to be my favorite! Also her best friend Layla and her son Jaime just made the book even more amazing.
Maddie is the definition of a hero, she is so strong after everything and she is the best mom! Please read this book asap!
“But I will follow you anywhere, baby. I’ll run a never-ending race for you. Name the distance. I’ll go at whatever speed you let me. I’ll sprint, walk, or crawl to get to you. I will never give you up.” 💛
June 6, 2022
5/5 ✰
- check tw’s !
this is the first lilian t james book ive ever read, and i have to say i’m absolutely HOOKED. this book was amazing, & i loved every single second of it.
not only did it have the single mom trope (a personal fav) but also grump x sunshine !! in a slowburn romance, lilian t james creates such a heartwarming story while also tackling the truths of single parenthood.
madison is one of the strongest characters i’ve ever read. she managed to raise, jamie, a young boy with such a passion heart, while also balancing multiple jobs to make sure her son can live comfortably. i just want to give her a big hug, she doesn’t deserve any of the things she had to go through.
garrett. i am in love with this man. granted, i did want to slap him at first, but i’m glad mads confronted him on his behaviour! the second he changed tho…wow. no words for this man. not only did he treat maddie (WHEN HE CALLS HER THAT🫠🫠) with the love and care she deserves but his care for jamie too had me sobbing.
i love them so much. everyone go read this NOW.
- check tw’s !
this is the first lilian t james book ive ever read, and i have to say i’m absolutely HOOKED. this book was amazing, & i loved every single second of it.
not only did it have the single mom trope (a personal fav) but also grump x sunshine !! in a slowburn romance, lilian t james creates such a heartwarming story while also tackling the truths of single parenthood.
madison is one of the strongest characters i’ve ever read. she managed to raise, jamie, a young boy with such a passion heart, while also balancing multiple jobs to make sure her son can live comfortably. i just want to give her a big hug, she doesn’t deserve any of the things she had to go through.
garrett. i am in love with this man. granted, i did want to slap him at first, but i’m glad mads confronted him on his behaviour! the second he changed tho…wow. no words for this man. not only did he treat maddie (WHEN HE CALLS HER THAT🫠🫠) with the love and care she deserves but his care for jamie too had me sobbing.
i love them so much. everyone go read this NOW.
June 22, 2022
dnf @ 80% (before the smut even 😱)
MADISON >>>> ᵍᵃʳʳᵉᵗ
MADISON >>>> ᵍᵃʳʳᵉᵗ
August 25, 2022
The beginning was so freaking long, I was contemplating Dnfing it until I’ve met the love of my life: Garett Rowe.
This book should be a 5 stars only for the fact that this guy is definitely the BEST BOOK BOYFRIEND EVER WRITTEN ( when he stopped being a judgmental assh*le before really knowing the Female MC of course).
This story was just so sweet and everything I was looking for without really knowing about it!
✔️ Single Mom
✔️ Neighbors to lovers
✔️ Enemies to lovers
✔️ Found family
✔️ Age Gap
✔️ Father Figure
✔️ Smart Child
✔️ Cavemen/ Possessive Hero
✔️ Slow Burn
✔️ Dirty talk (🥵)
This book should be a 5 stars only for the fact that this guy is definitely the BEST BOOK BOYFRIEND EVER WRITTEN ( when he stopped being a judgmental assh*le before really knowing the Female MC of course).
This story was just so sweet and everything I was looking for without really knowing about it!
✔️ Single Mom
✔️ Neighbors to lovers
✔️ Enemies to lovers
✔️ Found family
✔️ Age Gap
✔️ Father Figure
✔️ Smart Child
✔️ Cavemen/ Possessive Hero
✔️ Slow Burn
✔️ Dirty talk (🥵)
Read
January 12, 2023dnf at 40%
i really wanted to like this because it sounds like everything i adore in a book, but i genuinely felt so bored i couldn’t force myself to push through any longer
i really wanted to like this because it sounds like everything i adore in a book, but i genuinely felt so bored i couldn’t force myself to push through any longer
August 14, 2022
2/5⭐
I didn't enjoy this book mainly because I hated both main characters and I didn't like the romance at all. The only good part of the book was her best friend and son, and that's it.
I thought this book had a really good premise and these types of romances about overcoming past toxic relationships are something that I completely love, however, it all started wrong when I started hating the main character in the first 10% of the book because of this:
“Can I put ‘looking for sugar daddy’ in my bio?”
She spread her hands out in the air, mimicking a banner, “Must have a big dick and deep pockets.”
And when her neighbor called her out,
“Is it honest to sit there objectifying men for their bank accounts and dick sizes knowing tomorrow you’ll be the first to ridicule men online for objectifying women for the size of their tits or homemaker status?”
She responded like this...
“We were just joking,” I said, hoping to prevent his face from growing any angrier. It did the opposite. “If a man said that, you’d call it an excuse and tell him to do better.”
Sis is a huge hypocrite and he's right! She excuses herself saying that she's joking, but girl, jokes have to be funny, and objectifying men, or well, people in general, isn't funny or a thing to joke about. AND SHE CONTINUED JOKING ABOUT IT!
“However, he’s also a fucking, judgmental asshole.” “
Seems so.” She sucked on her teeth.
“I bet he’s quick on the mark. Shame. Those arms are delicious.”
“Careful,” I said, my voice muffled by the cushion smashed against my face. “You’re objectifying him.”
Also, her boss is a complete creep and is always harassing her and getting in on her personal space. Then she did the same thing to Garrett (her neighbor and love interest) and thought it was completely fine (he might have been okay with it, but they barely knew each other and she shouldn't have done that). By that, I mean that she got into his personal space trying to... seduce him? Embarrass him? I honestly don't know.
"Gracing him with the most insincere expression I could muster, I stepped into his personal space, just shy of straddling his knee. The side of my pinkie brushed the top of his hand as my fingers wrapped around his beer."
And then, this guy became the love interest because he's hot, so why not? I thought I was going to like him after putting her in her place, but oh my god. Sadly, I got so tired of the book that I stopped highlighting the toxic behavior and all the possessiveness. The author tried to make him all mysterious and a little grumpy, but he was just an asshole and didn't show personality throughout the entire book, he was just there. He also made some terrible assumptions about the protagonist at the beginning, about her being a gold digger (when she's far from it, working like three jobs and being a single mom) and never apologized for that.
The book was also SO LONG. I could've spent that extra hour reading, sleeping, or eating instead of suffering through this. There are like 4 toxic men in the mc's past/ present (and I'm obviously counting Garrett cause that relationship is going to last as long as my patience). FOUR. And honestly, it's not that I believe that this isn't possible in real life, because it obviously is, but it seemed over the top for me. The author could've focused a lot more on overcoming past relationships/ trauma, rather than ADDING more to it, which felt unnecessary.
Basically really didn't like this and don't recommend it, but I've seen some reviews saying that this is a knock-off version of Mariana Zapata's Wait for It and I love MZ so I'm gonna read it and share my thoughts.
I didn't enjoy this book mainly because I hated both main characters and I didn't like the romance at all. The only good part of the book was her best friend and son, and that's it.
I thought this book had a really good premise and these types of romances about overcoming past toxic relationships are something that I completely love, however, it all started wrong when I started hating the main character in the first 10% of the book because of this:
“Can I put ‘looking for sugar daddy’ in my bio?”
She spread her hands out in the air, mimicking a banner, “Must have a big dick and deep pockets.”
And when her neighbor called her out,
“Is it honest to sit there objectifying men for their bank accounts and dick sizes knowing tomorrow you’ll be the first to ridicule men online for objectifying women for the size of their tits or homemaker status?”
She responded like this...
“We were just joking,” I said, hoping to prevent his face from growing any angrier. It did the opposite. “If a man said that, you’d call it an excuse and tell him to do better.”
Sis is a huge hypocrite and he's right! She excuses herself saying that she's joking, but girl, jokes have to be funny, and objectifying men, or well, people in general, isn't funny or a thing to joke about. AND SHE CONTINUED JOKING ABOUT IT!
“However, he’s also a fucking, judgmental asshole.” “
Seems so.” She sucked on her teeth.
“I bet he’s quick on the mark. Shame. Those arms are delicious.”
“Careful,” I said, my voice muffled by the cushion smashed against my face. “You’re objectifying him.”
Also, her boss is a complete creep and is always harassing her and getting in on her personal space. Then she did the same thing to Garrett (her neighbor and love interest) and thought it was completely fine (he might have been okay with it, but they barely knew each other and she shouldn't have done that). By that, I mean that she got into his personal space trying to... seduce him? Embarrass him? I honestly don't know.
"Gracing him with the most insincere expression I could muster, I stepped into his personal space, just shy of straddling his knee. The side of my pinkie brushed the top of his hand as my fingers wrapped around his beer."
And then, this guy became the love interest because he's hot, so why not? I thought I was going to like him after putting her in her place, but oh my god. Sadly, I got so tired of the book that I stopped highlighting the toxic behavior and all the possessiveness. The author tried to make him all mysterious and a little grumpy, but he was just an asshole and didn't show personality throughout the entire book, he was just there. He also made some terrible assumptions about the protagonist at the beginning, about her being a gold digger (when she's far from it, working like three jobs and being a single mom) and never apologized for that.
The book was also SO LONG. I could've spent that extra hour reading, sleeping, or eating instead of suffering through this. There are like 4 toxic men in the mc's past/ present (and I'm obviously counting Garrett cause that relationship is going to last as long as my patience). FOUR. And honestly, it's not that I believe that this isn't possible in real life, because it obviously is, but it seemed over the top for me. The author could've focused a lot more on overcoming past relationships/ trauma, rather than ADDING more to it, which felt unnecessary.
Basically really didn't like this and don't recommend it, but I've seen some reviews saying that this is a knock-off version of Mariana Zapata's Wait for It and I love MZ so I'm gonna read it and share my thoughts.
May 12, 2022
i am irrationally upset this book didn't live up to my expectations.....
July 14, 2022
This book is a new release and it hits all my favourite tropes! Next door neighbours? Check. Grumpy hero? Check. Single mother who works extra hard to provide for her kid? Check. Heroine out of a toxic relationship? Check. Miscommunications and assumptions on the side of the hero? Cheeeck.
This book is a perfect slow burn romance, and I loved, loved, loved every page of it. It reminded me a lot of One Percent of You by Michelle Gross, which is an absolute favourite of mine, that hits all the same tropes up above. If you’re a fan of that book, definitely check this one out!
The entire story is told from Madison’s POV (except for a surprise chapter from Garrett’s pov at the end of the book that answers a burning question many of us likely had while reading the story). I loved this approach, and that coupled with the slow burn, really gave me Mariana Zapata vibes, even though it’s a lot shorter than her tomes tend to be.
Madison and Garret are new next-door neighbours in a duplex, and I loved how the beginning of the book there’s a graphic of what their two mirror-image apartments look like.
All in all, I absolutely loved this book, and I can’t wait to check out more by the author!
This book is a perfect slow burn romance, and I loved, loved, loved every page of it. It reminded me a lot of One Percent of You by Michelle Gross, which is an absolute favourite of mine, that hits all the same tropes up above. If you’re a fan of that book, definitely check this one out!
The entire story is told from Madison’s POV (except for a surprise chapter from Garrett’s pov at the end of the book that answers a burning question many of us likely had while reading the story). I loved this approach, and that coupled with the slow burn, really gave me Mariana Zapata vibes, even though it’s a lot shorter than her tomes tend to be.
Madison and Garret are new next-door neighbours in a duplex, and I loved how the beginning of the book there’s a graphic of what their two mirror-image apartments look like.
All in all, I absolutely loved this book, and I can’t wait to check out more by the author!
October 9, 2022
5/5 ⭐️ Goddamn. Wow. Let me begin by saying I did not think I was gonna love this as much as I do. The things I would do for mfing Garret Rowe. I’m not even exaggerating but he’s one of the hottest men I’ve EVER read about. First off, this had my favorite tropes ever: Single parent, small town, grumpy/ sunshine-ish, slow-burn and forced proximity. This book was everything I didn’t know I needed. The CHOKEHOLD this man has on me..lord. Jamie, Madison, and Garret have my heart and soul. Maddie, you are a queen. Jamie is adorable. Might have a shed a few tears when he admitted that he wanted to play soccer scene. And Garret is so freaking hot. OMG THE CROCHETED BABY BLANKETS THAT WAS SOO CUTE!! This reminded me a lot of Wait for it by MZ, they had the same tropes and it was very similar. Both are fantastic books but in my opinion, this one was a tad bit better. Also this doesn’t have many spicy scenes, tbh I think it was only one, but goddamn that first time scene..good lord 🥵I really don’t know what to say but plssss read this.
“But I will follow you anywhere, baby. I’ll run a never-ending race for you. Name the distance. I’ll go at whatever speed you let me. I’ll sprint, walk, or crawl to get to you. I will never give you up.”
“But I will follow you anywhere, baby. I’ll run a never-ending race for you. Name the distance. I’ll go at whatever speed you let me. I’ll sprint, walk, or crawl to get to you. I will never give you up.”
August 30, 2023
this was cute!! garrett taking care of maddie when she was sick and learning how to crochet to help her make baby blankets🤭 so adorable.
December 28, 2022
** One of my Top 20 of 2022 Picks on www.JeevesReads.com! **
I'd heard good things about this, but it far exceeded my expectations - I absolutely loved it! It felt so original, focusing on the strength and determination of the single mom heroine and the issues with making assumptions. There's a great neighbors to lovers romance, and seeing the subtle shifts in the dynamic was immensely satisfying. Our hero is a grumpy jerk who isn't all that likable at the start, but he had totally and completely melted my heart by the end. Major swoons. It's a torturous slow burn with some definite sizzle towards the end, and there was never a dull moment for me. Sure, it's heavy on the single mom element and the story tackles difficult subjects like domestic violence, abuse, and sexual harassment, but that just made it feel richer and more unique. The build in intimacy was incredible, and it's the kind of story that will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended.
The story follows Madison, a 25-year-old who got pregnant at 16. Her son is the best thing in her life, but he does make it more complicated. Madison works three jobs to provide for her son, and that means she has zero time in her life for anything else. So when she moves into a new place and her new neighbor assumes that she's a lazy twenty-something with no ambition... well, it stings. Garrett (36) judged Madison before he got to know her, and as the two neighbors continue to run into one another, he soon realizes that he spoke too soon. The grumpy jerk seems to want to lighten Madison's load, and the two slowly develop a friendship. Madison has experienced so much bad in her life that it's a breath of fresh air to have someone truly get to know her, and that leads to some unexpected feelings.
Told exclusively from Madison's point of view, we see her struggles and the toll it takes on her firsthand. This isn't some uplifting romance where the heroine just so happens to be a single mom; the story is all about how becoming a mother has changed Madison's life - for better and for worse. We get to know Garrett one step at a time, and I loved peeling back his layers to find the genuinely good man inside. Having him be mysterious for so much of the story added a little something extra, and I couldn't help but turn the pages late into the night to see how it all played out. The tone isn't overly heavy or angsty, but the complexities of the storyline certainly added plenty of depth. The relationship between Madison and Garrett is front and center, and I loved their connection. Even when they were feuding, I wanted them together - and I was SO ready when they finally crossed that line. It's a compelling, one-of-a-kind romance that kept me hooked the whole way through, and one of my recent favorites.
I'd heard good things about this, but it far exceeded my expectations - I absolutely loved it! It felt so original, focusing on the strength and determination of the single mom heroine and the issues with making assumptions. There's a great neighbors to lovers romance, and seeing the subtle shifts in the dynamic was immensely satisfying. Our hero is a grumpy jerk who isn't all that likable at the start, but he had totally and completely melted my heart by the end. Major swoons. It's a torturous slow burn with some definite sizzle towards the end, and there was never a dull moment for me. Sure, it's heavy on the single mom element and the story tackles difficult subjects like domestic violence, abuse, and sexual harassment, but that just made it feel richer and more unique. The build in intimacy was incredible, and it's the kind of story that will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended.
The story follows Madison, a 25-year-old who got pregnant at 16. Her son is the best thing in her life, but he does make it more complicated. Madison works three jobs to provide for her son, and that means she has zero time in her life for anything else. So when she moves into a new place and her new neighbor assumes that she's a lazy twenty-something with no ambition... well, it stings. Garrett (36) judged Madison before he got to know her, and as the two neighbors continue to run into one another, he soon realizes that he spoke too soon. The grumpy jerk seems to want to lighten Madison's load, and the two slowly develop a friendship. Madison has experienced so much bad in her life that it's a breath of fresh air to have someone truly get to know her, and that leads to some unexpected feelings.
Told exclusively from Madison's point of view, we see her struggles and the toll it takes on her firsthand. This isn't some uplifting romance where the heroine just so happens to be a single mom; the story is all about how becoming a mother has changed Madison's life - for better and for worse. We get to know Garrett one step at a time, and I loved peeling back his layers to find the genuinely good man inside. Having him be mysterious for so much of the story added a little something extra, and I couldn't help but turn the pages late into the night to see how it all played out. The tone isn't overly heavy or angsty, but the complexities of the storyline certainly added plenty of depth. The relationship between Madison and Garrett is front and center, and I loved their connection. Even when they were feuding, I wanted them together - and I was SO ready when they finally crossed that line. It's a compelling, one-of-a-kind romance that kept me hooked the whole way through, and one of my recent favorites.
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