Abbreviations #121: Coming Up Roses, Boyfriend Material + The Switch

I love a sweet contemporary romance. And Coming Up Roses was a delight! Tess loves her job working at the Longbourne Flower Shop, which is perfect in every respect (including her boss, Mrs. Bennet!). But things are turned on their head when the Bennet siblings all end up at home to help save the flower shop, including Luke Bennet (the playboy jerk that she definitely doesn’t have a crush on). I’m sure seasoned romance enthusiasts can see where this one is going, so I’ll leave it at that! But Coming Up Roses was such a lovely read. It has a charming setting (that being primarily a flower shop in New York City that I totally wish existed because I would 100% be a regular visitor) and a lovable cast of characters (including a large family and a great support system in the form of a widower father and a great best friend), which are two things that enhance any rom-com read in my eyes. But the romance is definitely what sealed the deal on my enjoyment! I enjoyed both Luke and Tess (though I did shake my head at their choices at times), and it was sweet to watch their budding romance blossom (and yes, floral pun intended). It was easy to allow myself to go along for the ride towards their happily ever after, and it was a pleasant surprise to realize that Hart was writing certain plot points in ways I hadn’t anticipated (but fully appreciated). I definitely enjoyed Coming Up Roses and intend to read the rest of the series as well!

Series Info: Bennet Brothers #1 | Pub Info: August 1, 2019 by the author | Add it on Goodreads

My friend DJ is the person who convinced me to pick up Boyfriend Material, and I’m so glad that I did (even though it took me months to finally read it, oops). This is a delightful romance that centers around an agreement made between Luc, the son of two former rock stars who gets caught in a compromising photo, and Oliver, a nice normal barrister, to fake date to repair Luc’s reputation and ensure Oliver has a date to an upcoming big event. But what happens when the guy you’re fake dating is someone you’re falling for… for real? I honestly thought that Boyfriend Material was going to be fun; a lovely, entertaining romance that would get my mind off the stress of real life. But I was surprised to discover that it not only brought me joy, and made me swoon, but it also tugged at my heartstrings at unanticipated moments. I’ll admit that the story set-up (specifically the hilarious specificity of the shenanigans that ensue and the character work) feels overexaggerated in the way that many rom-coms do. But there was something honest about the way Luc and Oliver are both portrayed, especially when it comes to their internal struggles, and that is what drew me to the two of them. It was all too easy to see the ways in which they were good for each other, and that made it possible for me to really root for their happily ever after. And, at the end of the day, that’s really what I look for in my romance reads: a couple that I’m emotionally invested in as individuals and as a pair that deserves their happily ever after. Boyfriend Material was a wonderful, diverting read (listen, actually, since I did audio for this one)!

Pub Info: July 7, 2020 by Sourcebooks Casablanca | Add it on Goodreads

Beth O’Leary’s sophomore novel The Switch alternates between two perspectives: Eileen (nearly 80, newly single and wanting a second chance at love) and Lena (her overachieving, overstressed granddaughter). When Lena learns of her grandmother’s predicament and is ordered to take a two month sabbatical from work, she proposes that they swap places for two months. Lena will take a break and take over her grandmother’s duties in rural Yorkshire, while Eileen lives in London and looks for love. It sounds simple enough, but neither woman is expecting the complications (good and bad) that ensue as they embark on this new chapter of their lives. Honestly, The Switch is the epitome of charming. Not only does it remind me a little bit of one of my favorite films (The Holiday, if you must know), but it also reminded me of other British women’s fiction that I’d read in the past in the best way. This was one of those cozy reading experiences where it was so easy to get immersed in the story, especially with the slice of life feels that it had. The story hooked me right from the get go, and I was happy to be carried along on the current of the plot as the tale went on in a way that felt very natural and without expectations. I also really enjoyed getting to know Eileen and Lena, as well as the family, friends and neighbors that surrounded them in both locales. I had an absolute ball listening to the narration for this story (and could totally see it being optioned for film, so someone get on that already)! I’d definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR.

Pub Info: August 18, 2020 by Flatiron Books | Add it on Goodreads