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3.5 stars!
If you're in the mood for a Big City Guy and a Small Town Girl romance with a bit of a love at first sight/he falls first, this one may be right up your alley! I've read a number of Nicholas Sparks' books over the years, and I've found his books are perfect if you're looking for a quick beach read romance. A lot of his books end up being sad, but there are some with happy endings, this one included (although I may have peaked ahead to the second book in this series, and think if you want some sadness, the next book is for you).
Our MMC Jeremy is a NYC journalist who is famous in his circle for using science to debunk anything that could be seen as supernatural or magical. He's invited to small town in North Carolina to see if he can determine the source of "mysterious lights" that occasionally appear in an abandoned cemetery. Once he arrives, Jeremy meets an interesting cast of characters in the town, but most importantly, he meets Lexie, the local librarian who assists him with his research into the local legends. Jeremy immediately is drawn to Lexie and the story goes from there, intermixing the "ghost story" and him falling head over heels. Lexie is cautious of Jeremy due to failed past relationships, and does a lot of pushing away, but ultimately, his grand gestures win her over and we end the first book on a happy note.
Stray thoughts:
- This is a slow to start book, but also is a quick read, if that makes sense.
- I never trust anyone who says they love someone they just met a few days prior, especially when it's during their first time sleeping together (ick). But I do appreciate that Lexie and Jeremy had actual conversations (both professional and personal) before him confessing his love.
- This book is definitely rom-com movie material if it hasn't been turn into one already.
- Lexie definitely sent some mixed signals throughout the book, but Jeremy also didn't take no for an answer, which I have mixed feelings about. There's a fine line between showing your feelings, and disregarding the other person's feelings/what they're saying. I definitely side with Lexie on being cautious with her previous relationships, and also rational since she just met Jeremy and he lived in another state. But knowing how he felt about her probably should have been a sign that hooking up was a bad idea. And her continuously pushing him away and making it very final a relationship couldn't work -- well girl, you can't continue to be all mopey that he left. And what's with Grandma Doris, who isn't in great health, flying to and from NYC in one day to meddle in their business?
- Along those lines, I can't tell if Jeremy's big gesture of finding Lexie at the lighthouse cottage extremely touching or creepy.
- Somebody tell Rachel she is worth more than someone's second choice. I'm also glad that Rodney finally learned to read the room and not spend more time pining over Lexie (although again, Lexie and her mixed signals), but the idea that him and Rachel should end up together is stupid.
- That ending --- I normally dislike this trope. HOWEVER, I give this one a pass because Jeremy thought it wasn't in the cards for him, and it was a happy ending to see it was possible with the woman he loved.
If you're in the mood for a Big City Guy and a Small Town Girl romance with a bit of a love at first sight/he falls first, this one may be right up your alley! I've read a number of Nicholas Sparks' books over the years, and I've found his books are perfect if you're looking for a quick beach read romance. A lot of his books end up being sad, but there are some with happy endings, this one included (although I may have peaked ahead to the second book in this series, and think if you want some sadness, the next book is for you).
Our MMC Jeremy is a NYC journalist who is famous in his circle for using science to debunk anything that could be seen as supernatural or magical. He's invited to small town in North Carolina to see if he can determine the source of "mysterious lights" that occasionally appear in an abandoned cemetery. Once he arrives, Jeremy meets an interesting cast of characters in the town, but most importantly, he meets Lexie, the local librarian who assists him with his research into the local legends. Jeremy immediately is drawn to Lexie and the story goes from there, intermixing the "ghost story" and him falling head over heels. Lexie is cautious of Jeremy due to failed past relationships, and does a lot of pushing away, but ultimately, his grand gestures win her over and we end the first book on a happy note.
Stray thoughts:
- This is a slow to start book, but also is a quick read, if that makes sense.
- I never trust anyone who says they love someone they just met a few days prior, especially when it's during their first time sleeping together (ick). But I do appreciate that Lexie and Jeremy had actual conversations (both professional and personal) before him confessing his love.
- This book is definitely rom-com movie material if it hasn't been turn into one already.
- Lexie definitely sent some mixed signals throughout the book, but Jeremy also didn't take no for an answer, which I have mixed feelings about. There's a fine line between showing your feelings, and disregarding the other person's feelings/what they're saying. I definitely side with Lexie on being cautious with her previous relationships, and also rational since she just met Jeremy and he lived in another state. But knowing how he felt about her probably should have been a sign that hooking up was a bad idea. And her continuously pushing him away and making it very final a relationship couldn't work -- well girl, you can't continue to be all mopey that he left. And what's with Grandma Doris, who isn't in great health, flying to and from NYC in one day to meddle in their business?
- Along those lines, I can't tell if Jeremy's big gesture of finding Lexie at the lighthouse cottage extremely touching or creepy.
- Somebody tell Rachel she is worth more than someone's second choice. I'm also glad that Rodney finally learned to read the room and not spend more time pining over Lexie (although again, Lexie and her mixed signals), but the idea that him and Rachel should end up together is stupid.
- That ending --- I normally dislike this trope. HOWEVER, I give this one a pass because Jeremy thought it wasn't in the cards for him, and it was a happy ending to see it was possible with the woman he loved.
