Peter Green has led a charmed life. Born to be Hollywood royalty, he’s a leading man with a heart of gold. All that’s missing from his life is love. But he gave his heart away twelve years ago and he doesn’t want it back. When a PR disaster on his mother’s latest film hands him his dream role, it feels like fate. The movie is shooting in Crane Cove, the hometown of the love of his life. There’s just one tiny problem: she hates him. Good thing he’s not too proud to beg for a second chance.
Sybil Morgan has spent the last seven years hating Peter Green. Ever since he was thrust back into her life when their best friends got married, she’s done everything she can to avoid him—even ignoring him when they sat next to each other at Thanksgiving. Now that he’s starring in his mother’s movie, he’s going to be spending more than a few days in town this time. Sybil is sure she can stay strong and resist his charms, but after getting an offer she can’t refuse, she’s spending a lot of more time with him than she planned and she’s not sure how much longer her resolve can last.
But with chemistry this undeniable, will they be able to keep things strictly casual? Or will Sybil’s carefully guarded heart be on the line again?
Sarah is a Pacific Northwest based romance writer who would call herself "indoorsy". When she isn't traipsing around the country for work, Sarah enjoys buying more books than she can ever read, drinking an irresponsible amount of coffee, and not respecting her bedtime.
There's no such thing as too many Happily Ever Afters. Sarah's books have humor, heat, and characters you wish could be your friends.
We finally get to learn more about movie star Peter and coffee shop owner Sybil's love story in this last of the Crane Cove Brunch Bros romance books! Peter and his three friends are close and I love that this series revolves around male friendships and men who aren't afraid to share their feelings or COMMUNICATE!!
Peter might be the biggest romantic of them all and he fell HARD for Sybil when they first met 12 years ago in London while she was there for a study abroad semester. But of course miscommunication and bad timing has them never quite finding their way back to one another until Peter agrees to be in one of his parent's films that is conveniently filming in Crane Cove.
Cue lots of (not so secret) pining, a black cat FMC x golden retriever MMC, spicy moments, tender moments, a shared love of books and a shared kitty and of course lots of cameos from past Crane Cove residents. I also loved that Peter was clearly neurodiverse with ADHD but it is just an accepted part of who he is and never explicitly mentioned in the book.
HIGHLY recommended, especially for fans of The Bromance book club series by Lyssa Kay Andrews. I really hope we get more books set in Crane Cove and this isn't the end of the charming small town!
There are some single McMahon brothers who I would love to read more about next! Many thanks to the author for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! I voluntarily read this book and all opinions are my own!
Ah, it is so good to be back in Crane Cove. And this is Peter's book!! I have been in love (I mean, literarily speaking; I am not a TOTAL freak) with Peter since Keyed Up, and I am so glad Sarah Estep stuck the landing.
Golden British acting god Peter Green and scary American cafe-owner Sybil Morgan have a Past, and in this book, we get to learn what that Past is. They have THE cutest meet-cute in a London bookshop when they're 20, and we get to see them in the pub together, and Peter lives in a shitty flat with a ton of flatmates, and if you know me, you know why this resonated with me.
Peter finds himself in Crane Cove, because everyone seems to eventually (I would, if I could), and this time it's for work: His parents are filming a movie there and he, to his mother's dismay, is one of the stars. This is awkward for Sybil, because she is cross with him for as-yet mysterious reasons, yet Peter has been gently chasing her for 12 years, despite no signs that she will ever relent.
There is a miscommunication quite early on, and even though this can be one of the worst forms of conflict in a romance, I think Estep used it well. There's also a misunderstanding later that I LOVED, because it felt absolutely true to the characters and also provided a heartbreaking turning point to their relationship. And Peter remains just the sweetest throughout; the man is a walking green flag, and he is just what cynical ol' Sybil needs.
I think Estep is best when she writes for herself rather than for her readers, and she does that here. The book is witty and earnest and gentle and gut-wrenching at just the right times. Sybil is a queen and Peter is my king (and hers, but mostly mine). There is a letter near the end that made me weep on a Sunday morning.
Other things I loved: - The running gag that Peter's mom can never find her glasses - Peter's dad, who is just as charming as Peter - The exquisite playing-doctor scene 🔥 - The story is imbued with cats, which I love, because cats are the best pet. - There is plenty of on-page time with past Crane Cove MCs, but this never felt cheap or like they took away from Peter and Sybil's story. Graham and Eloise played the biggest supporting roles, and it was great to see them again.
I’ve been waiting for this story for two books and it was so worth it. Loved it! Yes Peter is way too good to be true, but that’s why it’s fictional romance. I’ve said it before, but I really hope more people find this series bc it’s so good, goofy titles and covers aside. Here we have second chance romance w lots of feels and reverse grumpy/sunshine, which might be my favorite. Characters who act like adults, plenty of steam, just the right amount of flashback chapters, I never wanted it to end. Hopefully we’re not done w Crane Cove. Also shoutout for a side character named Charlotte Parker. Made my Sidlotte loving heart happy.
I have been dying for Peter’s story since the first book and this did not disappoint.
Peter is textbook man-written-by-a-woman character, and it was just what I needed. He’s been in love with Sybil for 12 years and instead of being aggressive and forcing her to confront the feelings between them, he did everything in his power to woo her. He never lied about his love, but also took it at her pace - it was all very refreshing to see in a MMC. His decade long love and almost pathetic devotion to Sybil could probably be too much for some, but I’m a sucker for reverse grumpy/sunshine so I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I saw a post from the author about how Babington & Esther from Sanditon were inspo for Peter & Sybil and the comparison fits them perfectly. ❤️
Since Keyed Up, Sarah has expertly been building to Sybil and Peter’s love story, leaving a trail of red sweater mentions throughout the series along with other delicious breadcrumbs. I remember asking Sarah about Peter and Sybil and she replied with 🤐… the anticipation was killing me. I had to know what went down with these two.
Peter has always been showing up for Graham, Jordy, and Sam as the hopeful romantic, encouraging each of them to seize their chance at love, all the while desperately wishing for a second chance with his first love. Peter is such a cheerleader for his friends, wanting them to chase after their joy and fulfillment, and seeing them rally around Peter and Sybil… okay, yes, I cried… a lot.
This story, like the others, is incredibly soft, vulnerable, and breathtakingly beautiful. Having already established their connection and history, Sarah zooms in on Sybil and Peter as individuals, putting those final pieces in place so we know why they’ve been apart for 12 years. I loved how Peter and Sybil had the uncomfortable conversations, knocked down walls around their hearts, and scaled walls, climbed trees, and crossed oceans to grab their second chance by the balls.
Sarah has cemented herself as one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it you want a TRUE romantic comedy complete with foot popping, magical, “I wanted it to be you” moments, Sarah Estep is who you NEED to be reading.
I'm really saddened to give this a 3 star rating when the rest of the series have all been 5 star reads for me but I think part of the problem is that when an author teases a couple for the entirety of a series, readers have such high expectations for that couple and it's really hard to meet, much less exceed those expectations. I had very high hopes for Peter and Sybil's book but sadly, it just did not pan out the way I'd hoped. The fact that it's a second chance romance makes it all the more disappointing for me because I do love that particular trope a lot. Peter is a golden retriever of a hero, pining for Sybil for 12 long years to the point that he has not slept with another woman since. Given that he's also a major movie star, this is kind of hard to believe but setting that aside, there are also a lot of clues pointing to the fact that Peter might have ADHD and yet, nothing is ever really mentioned about that. He is forgetful, easily distracted, talks excessively, can be impulsive at times, and mentions that he struggled academically as a kid. I'm certainly no expert on this matter but I am curious why he was written in such a way that it felt really like that's the path the author was taking and then....nothing. Sybil, who had a very toxic upbringing and then was abandoned by her mother, clearly has trust issues and doesn't believe in people sticking around for her. Peter is in town to film a movie and she is physically resembles the female star of the movie to the point that she is hired to be her stand in double. And yet, Sybil spends so much time in this book wondering why a guy like Peter would ever choose a girl like her and at a certain point, those endless lamentations got a little annoying. The reason that they have been apart for 12 years has to do with Sybil being angry at Peter over what turns out to be a very simple misunderstanding and I guess I just want whatever it is separating the main couple in a second chance romance to be over something more than a logistical misunderstanding. It felt very low stakes at the end and when it's all cleared up, Sybil forgives him easily enough. This very much feels like a book where Peter clearly fell first and fell harder and while I have no issues with that particular micro trope, at the end of the book, it still feels like Peter is far more invested in the relationship and Sybil is still kind of hedging her bets a little bit. Ultimately though, this book felt rushed and also dragged in certain places. I don't love when the book goes back in time randomly but I will say, I liked the 12 years ago timeline stuff more than the present day one. This felt like a first draft of a book that needed to be fleshed out in certain places and tightened up in others. And I appreciate the hints of what's to come, especially with Mallory and Connor but I just wish the last book in the Brunch Bros series had lived up to the rest of the series and given us a send off worthy of the characters. As much as the romance was disappointing, the friendships between the 4 men are still incredibly endearing. There's no toxic masculinity, just 4 adult men who know how to love and lean on each other and be there for each other and be open and vulnerable in a way that is rarely seen in cishet romances.
(4.5 Stars0 Huge thanks to @remarkablysarah for the #gifted advanced reading copy of this book! I am completely enamored with Sarah Estep’s Brunch Bros series and the wonderfully immersive world of Crane Cove she has created. This small-town romance series keeps delivering, and Coming Swoon is no exception!
Twelve years ago in London, Peter and Sybil fell in love. She was a student on foreign term; he was a struggling actor trying to land his first role. It was passionate. It was real. And then it all fell apart. Now, Peter is a Hollywood A-lister (and the son of acting royalty), while Sybil has built a quiet life as a coffee shop owner in small-town Crane Cove. They might have left each other behind, but their history never left them. When their best friends fell in love, Peter and Sybil were pulled back into each other’s orbits - this time carrying twelve years of longing, heartbreak, and unresolved feelings. And Peter’s latest film is being shot in Crane Cove. Which means Sybil has no choice but to confront the past. And if Peter has anything to say about it, define their future.
I adore this series! Sarah Estep has created such a charming small-town world, and one of my favorite things about it is how grounded it is in healthy male friendships - something we don’t see enough in romance. I had been waiting for Peter and Sybil’s story, and it was even more emotional than I expected. Their second-chance romance is packed with longing, heartbreak, and the kind of tension that keeps you turning pages late into the night.
I didn’t share my favorite quote because the second I read it, I immediately DM’d the author with an OMG!! - and she told me she had been keeping that secret for years. It was so worth the wait.
This was fine, and I'm glad I read it after skipping the third, because Peter was my favourite of the brunch bros. But I was less swept off my feet than I had expected to.
I wasn't entirely sold on their instant connection and romance. It would've helped if we had read more about the start of them, but the past timeline was very disjointed and jumped from them meeting to them already established way too quickly.
I think I maybe wanted more flashbacks or just more of the first relationship? I really liked this but it was missing the tiniest something for me to make it an all timer second chance.
I truly believe the world would be a better place if every man had his own Brunch Bros to be a part of because these men are nothing but green flags and it’s truly iconic.
Peter and Sybil finally got their story and it was fantastic! With golden retriever x black cat energy, Peter’s adoration of Sybil was absolutely adorable and I ate it up. The flashbacks to them meeting and their initial relationship really helped you to understand just how well they worked together until they didn’t and fell apart. The “it’s always been you” aspect had me smiling like a fool and the second chance romance truly shined. Plus I don’t think anyone pines quite like Peter. The whole love at first sight thing had me MELTING. I loved Peter’s parents and I love that we got to explore Mallory and Sybil’s sisterhood more too. All of the characters in this series are so well fleshed out and you truly find yourself loving them all and rooting for them equally. We got glimpses into MCs from previous books’ lives and we got the iconic small town vibes that the Brunch Bros series is known for. Sarah has truly kept us fed!
Sarah writes such great comfort stories that leave you feeling all the warm and fuzzies and I could easily read a book about every character that’s been mentioned in the books as they all have such compelling stories that leave you wanting an HEA for every side character too. I can’t wait to read Sarah’s next project!
Thank you to Sarah for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Look I’m just going to start this by saying that Sarah Estep writes a really good sex scene. If you’re looking for a bit of small-town romantic comedy with truly lovable characters and heat between the sheets then look no further than her Crane Cove series. I loved Peter. He’s a hopeless (or should I say hopeful?) romantic and the most adorable himbo out there who for twelve years has just wanted to please and love Sybil. And I’m all for a slightly rough jaded woman to balance out Peter’s sweetness. Although they have clearly fallen into the miscommunication trope, this second chance romance is pretty low-angst and highly binge worthy. So I’ll leave you with my unhinged notes as a reason for why you should DEFINITELY read Coming in Swoon:
-He comes in his pants from just kissing her -P@ssy burglar -He anonymously sends her flowers every week -Face sitting (x a bunch) -She’s in denial that she loves him, but has a trinket box of their relationship from twelve years ago -Sexy medical professional play acting for bonus BJs -Eats like a starving man; she makes him a cotton-mouth -Sex is fun and playful -Sisters working out their differences -They raise a love cat
Now go read this book! I received an early copy from the author. All ridiculous commentary is my own.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Steam: 🪭🪭🪭.5 Humor: 🤡🤡 Will it make you want to read more by Sarah Estep?: 💯
Sarah Estep rounds out her Brunch Brothers series with the perfect cinnamon roll hero, grumpy/sunshine, bookish meet cute, second chance romance for the ages. We get to see all of our favorite couples from Crane Cove… and hope there might be a Mallory/Connor book in the future!
What would you do if your first love turned into a global acting sensation? Then, how would you feel when your cousin married his best friend? Sybil Morgan chooses denial. Looking toward the past hurts too much, so she looks ahead and right past Peter Green. This gets harder to do when Peter’s next acting role is filming in Crane Cove. Soon, Peter’s presence is too much to ignore, and Sybil agrees to reconnect but keep things casual. Peter plans to *casual* her right down the aisle. Will Sybil overlook the past to give in?
If you’re ready to swoon, look no further. If you haven’t read the other books in the Brunch Brothers series, some things might be spoiled, but this can be read as a standalone romance.
The Brunch Bros are the ultimate rom-com escape, each book so fun and light-hearted. I have been eager to read Peter & Sybil’s book ever since their history was hinted at early in the series!
Sarah writes characters that are as endearing as they are entertaining. In Coming Swoon, she delivers a black cat/golden retriever dynamic that will have you laughing and swooning in equal measure. I loved reading the snippets of their shared past and also Peter’s determination to chip away at Sybil’s carefully erected walls until she was open to receiving his love.
Thank you so much to Sarah for an ARC to read and review. I will always share about this series and I am looking forward to her future projects - I’m so excited to get more from Crane Cove!
I've been waiting for these two since book one and it mostly delivered. I know in second chance you're gonna get relationship flashbacks and some of them were needed here, but I don't know that I thought all of them were. And, as always, I want a little more beyond what we got in the epilogue.
Still, I loved how absolutely smitten Peter was. And that Sybil was clearly still in love with him but afraid to trust it. And they actually let themselves have important conversations, even if they both had some emotionally driven decisions in the third act.
Also, Agatha the cat!
What a delightful series; looking forward to more from Estep.
“”What does casual look like to you?” he asked, not adding that his version of casual included not so casually marrying her.” - Coming Swoon
Coming Swoon is the fourth (and last) book in the ever wonderful Brunch Bros series by Sarah Estep. Each book has been my favorite while I was reading it, but this one might be my actual favorite because of the yearning that was happening throughout the first three books. It wasn’t prominent, but it was there, and I was waiting with bated breath. And it did not disappoint.
Peter is an actor, who is actually a golden retriever wrapped in a cinnamon roll. He’s the sweetest man in Hollywood and he only has eyes for Sybil. Sybil has been described as a coffee shop owning hedgehog, and that’s honestly super fitting. She has spiky edges to protect her sensitive underbelly, and this book is largely her healing journey.
After twelve years apart, and some misunderstandings along the way, these two reconnect in Crane Cove, Oregon, which just so happens to be a fictional town I would love to live in. (It really is its own character that you get to know throughout each book.) The two of them have undeniable chemistry and decide to try being casual, though their versions of casual are very different. Peter softens Sybil and becomes her safe space, while Sybil is fiercely protective of Peter, and they balance each other out so well. The book is their journey to maybe being not so casual, and it’s an absolute delight.
We get to see all of our Crane Cove characters from the previous books, as well as some new characters. What was really special was getting more of the relationship between Sybil and her sister, Mallory. They go through it a bit, but it’s so worth it for them.
Now to the actual Brunch Bros. These four men have such a special relationship with each other that is filled with love and respect, and I don’t think I’ll ever get over it. Seeing them each get their happily ever afters has been such a joy, and I’m going to miss them dearly. If more men treated each other like how these guys do, the world would be a much better place. Luckily, my sources tell me that we aren’t done with Crane Cove, so we will hopefully be seeing these wonderful characters again!
Special shoutout to Stardust (Sybil’s coffee shop) and the story behind the name. I bawled happy tears, while also being so heartbroken over the most years. This book was so worth the wait, and I know that Peter would agree. I could say so much more, but basically, read this book. And maybe buy yourself a red sweater to share with your partner.
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
In the first three Brunch Bros books, it was obvious that Peter and Sybil had a past but their friends (and you, the reader) don’t know the details of it. Well it turns out that they fell in love twelve years ago when she was studying abroad in England. But she had to return to the States and he stayed to take acting roles. She just didn’t want to try to maintain an international relationship despite how perfect they seemed for each other. They were just entering the adult world and needed to focus on themselves and building their careers. Told in dual timelines, in present day we find Peter in Crane Cove filming a movie. Sybil gets cast as a body double in the move which puts the two of them in closer proximity to each other than they’d been in a long time. There’s obviously still some attraction there but also a lot of lingering hurt. Sybil is caustic - we don’t know why and yet agrees to a friends with benefits situation with him while he’s in town. Peter is unabashedly, loudly still in love with her and he tells her every chance they get. This is a will-they-won’t-they, what happened in the past, why is she so pissed story.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️💫 Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Y’all know I am a sucker for a second chance romance but this one didn’t hit. There were a lot of issues. Our two MCs were painfully one dimensional: her only personality trait was that she was mean and his only personality traits were that he talked a lot and was obsessed with Sybil. When she agrees to be friends with benefits with him, it’s a bit whiplash-y and out of the blue. He’s loathed him, they share one on-set kiss and she’s like LESSGOOOO.
The first 30-50% of the book was boring. Around 50% you learn why she’s been harboring so much anger towards him for years and it’s… a pitiful miscommunication that was frustrating as a reader. There’s an underdeveloped storyline about her wanting to open a bookstore and being financially strapped. I dunno, it was a weird one.
I liked the way it ended. I actually could see this story playing out as a cheap Hallmark or Netflix romcom in my head because it’s just disjointed enough that it would come together fine onscreen. But overall, it didn’t land.
🫡 Tropes deployed: second chance, it was always you, celebrity, small town, movie star
I think I speak for all of us when I say we all fell in love with Peter from the moment he graced the pages of Keyed Up. And no one will disagree with me when I say our hopeful romantic MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS. Peter’s enthusiasm and optimism effortlessly pulled us in and made us believe in more. Add to that his complete and utter devotion? The way he never stopped looking for excuses to get close to Sybil, never stopped believing that they had a future, and never stopped waiting until she was ready. LOOK AT HIM AND TELL ME YOU DON’T LOVE HIM. Exactly, YOU CAN’T. He’s perfect… minus maybe his skills in the kitchen but he's working on it! 😂 Seriously tho, Peter is the sweetest and it's simply not possible to not love him after seeing the lengths he'll go to to make his people happy.
And Sybil. Our tough girl. I wondered what she would look like in a relationship and she surprised me in the best way. Bc when she feels safe and happy, her edges soften and I truly loved the Sybil we got to know in this book. Getting her history also brought us so much understanding and, honestly, left us feeling a little gutted at how she fell into becoming the protector for the people she loved. And god, seeing her finally achieve her dream just brought a swell of joy bc SHE DESERVED IT. After years of working her ass off, she finally did it. And I loved everything about how it finally came to fruition bc it wasn’t simply a professional milestone, it was also a personal one which meant infinitely more. For the record, we still love shear-threatening Sybil. She’s a woman of many dimensions and we love every one of them. 😁
CN: open-door romance, abandonment, past toxic parents
I will miss the Brunch Bros dearly. They are the best examples of non-toxic masculinity, so in touch with their feelings and not afraid to share them—with their partners and with each other.
Our sweet Peter finally gets his happily ever after in this book. Peter, loml. He is a hopeful romantic simp in the most complimentary, positive way I can mean those words together. He is a man who believed in love at first sight and lived his life with full belief in and devotion to that, even when time and distance and lost contact separated him from Sybil. And the man has exactly zero chill when destiny (if you ask him) finally puts the two of them in the same place for more than 24 hours. He does not have a casual bone in his body, and Sybil knows it even as she tells him that’s all it can be while he is in Crane Cove.
Sybil. I have such a soft spot for the “prickly” FMCs of the romance world. Life has pretty much told Sybil “you’re on your own, kid” time and time again, and she has channeled all her focus and determination into building something she is proud of and has even more dreams for. She keeps going no matter how the universe tries to knock her down. She’s a great friend, boss, and sister even if she can be a bit abrasive. Underneath her tough exterior is a soft heart — and Peter loves every part of her exactly as she is. That’s not to say Peter lets himself become a doormat, and the way it plays into their story was so satisfying. It leaves you feeling certain they are both all in.
This series has been such a joyful, positive, small town escape. Thank you to Sarah Estep for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The 4th book in the Bruch Bros series was so much fun. Our couple is Peter and Sybil. I have wanted to know their story since their first interaction on page in book 1! And it was soooooooo good! The perfect example of why I read romance - it was heartwarming, funny, angsty and swoony.
Peter is such a chaos muppet, golden retriever, hopeful romantic with ADHD superpowers. And when he falls, he falls hard, and irrevocably (and he’s a boob guy who loves to eat….just saying). He is precious and must be protected at all costs. Sybil is a prickly heroine, with an older sister complex, some self esteem issues and a heart of gold and she can’t possibly believe Peter could be hers. I identified with her in a lot of ways.
This second chance romance is told in flashbacks from both povs. I felt the work was done to show why things didn’t work before, and how they could now so that I could believe an HEA for these two… and I do.
I love the family and community in Crane Cove. The small town feel with it’s “peaked in HS” couple, found family, everyone knowing all your business, but at the same time, it has a storybook coastal town feel that was a welcome escape to current life. The other bros and their wives make appearances as well and it was lovely to see some of their HEAs.
Read this if you like 2nd Chance Found Family A “fuck it” moment (that’s two this month) Mens friend group (Brunch Bros) Grumpy/Sunshine - where she’s the grump Small town It’s always been you Forehead kisses A few Princess Bride lines Sisters
Thanks to Sarah Estep for the chance to read this early! It’s out TODAY, 3/13! Go grab it!
Thank you to the author for sharing a review copy.
An assortment of thoughts I have about Coming Swoon: -Perfection. Just, perfection - written for all the romance lovers. -Peter Green = Green Flag (that’s why it’s his name, obviously). Looking up the term “down bad” and you will find Peter as exhibit A. I love that he believes in fate, romance, optimism, and would do absolutely anything for his inner circle. The Peter Greens of this world need to be protected at all costs. Which leads me to… -Sybil, my fellow eldest sister with “black cat” energy. I’m so glad we get to read her story and get her POV in this book because the complications of her backstory just make me love her so much more. Reading her emotional monologue to Peter (the one where -redacted-) – I just wanted to hug both of these fools and bonk them on the head for letting things fester for so long. -The dichotomy of Sybil being the independent woman who manages everyone else’s needs first compared to Peter’s relentless pursuit of their movie-worthy, storybook romance, just made their relationship all the more charming and redeeming. -”(redacted) was a reference to (redacted) calling (redacted) (redacted)?!?!?!” (I verbally said this to Sarah in a voice memo - Mastermind level T-Swift. If you’ve read this and want to guess what it is, DM me) -THERE IS A CAT. -Crane Cove continues to be one of my favorite fictional towns - so much personality, it’s a character in the series in its own right. -The Brunch Bros may have grown up, but seeing them paired off with their partners just makes me love them and their friendship so much more. I can’t wait to reread the series on audio.
Coming Swoon is out now - KU, ebook & paperback. This series is best enjoyed in order, so do yourself a favor and start with Keyed Up but caution - you will want to read the entire series in order so plan accordingly.
I have loved this series so far and am slightly sad that this is the final book in the series (but hopefully not the last one set in the Crane Cove Universe)
This book features the last 'brunch bro' Peter and his second chance romance with Sybil (Eloise and Connors bestie)
My fave tropes: - grumpy (her) / Sunshine (him) -found family - last book in the series -past/present timelines
Rating: 4 stars spice rating: 1 / 2 chilis
Review: -I do like a good past/present timelines and this is written rally well giving us background when needed but also not too much that it gets boring.
- first off, sending her flowers every week <3, also Scrabble - i liked how we saw Sybil's relationship with Mallory and how it grows in this book and how they open a new line of communication on what their sibling relationship is. - this also has a little hint of forced proximity/ workplace romance with Sybil being a body double for Peter's love interest in the film. -The McMahon Brothers, They can cook, clean, do laundry.. and not one of them is married. (hopefully we will see what this author had planned for them) - Sybil and peter getting caught my Mallory was a LOL moment and was one of the many chuckles i had with this book. - i liked how Peter was devoted to Sybil and vice versa all these years. - i have loved this series and i believe every book has been great on each level and I cannot wait to see what else this author produces.
I loved Sybil from the moment we met her in Keyed Up with all her beautiful black cat energy. And Peter? Sure, I liked him too. He was the classically handsome British actor a la Downton Abbey. What wasn’t to like? I’m so glad Sarah saved these two for last because theirs was a happy ending twelve years in the making.
With all the feels of a 90s rom-com, Coming Swoon was the perfect full-circle ending for the Brunch Bros series. Peter and Sybil are the definition of soulmates and he, especially, is the epitome of pining. She’s the storm clouds to his sunshine, the jaded realist to his hopeful romantic. Despite his big life and her small one, they’re perfect for each other—and he’s willing to wait forever for her to realize they’re inevitable.
This series was such a breath of fresh air. Men who talk about their feelings. Who support each other through hell, high water, and all the happy moments, too. Women who are strong, smart, and fiercely independent—but are also so gone for their guys. And let’s not forget Daisy, the goodest puppy girl, and Agatha, the sweetest stray kitty ever.
Now that the Brunch Bros series is complete, we sit and wait for the McMahon brothers’ books—after all, we know she didn’t introduce a family of handsome, burly brothers just for giggles.
And this is just a preference thing, but I love books written in the third person POV, and there aren’t nearly enough of them.
I have enjoyed all of the Brunch Bros books, but I was absolutely delighted and could NOT put down this book! I feel like Sarah was able to encompass the kooky small town vibes with the delightful yearning of second chance romance and all that is Peter Alan Parker-Green(which is one of the most head over heels in love men I have read). I feel like in previous books, Peter has at times seemed over the top and it was hard to see his true character from one of the other Brunch Bro perspectives. In Coming Swoon getting his POV you get to see what a truly genuine and wonderful person he is. His love for Sybil is so pure as well as hers for him(even though she despises it). Sybil is also SO WONDERFUL. She is strong, driven, and still hopelessly in love with Peter.
I feel like in romance we see a lot of second chance romance that ended because someone was obviously at fault and it can really impact how you interpret the reconciliation of the main characters. I loved that Peter and Sybil have loved each other since they met and there wasn't a betrayal or trust issue that caused them to lose each other. There are some flashbacks to when they first met in London and I loved the glimpse into young Sybil and Peter that we got from the flashbacks.
Thank you Sarah for ARC! Loved the Brunch Bros series and highly recommend Coming Swoon!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I love Sarah Estep's Brunch Bros series, and I am *so sad* it is coming to an end. But, if it has to end, it's best to go out on a high note like "Coming Swoon." *sigh* I loved Peter and Sybil so, so much. Peter is such a hopeless romantic and is SO GONE for Sybil. He is the perfect book boyfriend: tender, funny, protective, and an amazing friend and confidant. Sybil is a tough as nails black cat, but is super sensitive on the inside. She's fiercely loyal to her friends and chosen family, but is vulnerable and doesn't want to be alone. She has big dreams, and Peter wants to help support her any way he can... if only she'll give him the time of day again. I drank up every solitary morsel of their love story. Their chemistry is undeniable! THE SWEATER!!!!!!!!! This book made me laugh, it made me tear up, it made me swoon, and it made me think about life and love. Second-chance romances are usually not my bag, but Estep has made me a fan with this tender, thoughtful, sexy, swoony story. This series displays a positive male friend group wonderfully. It was awesome to see glimpses of Graham, Jordy, and Sam and their partners again. UGH, I am going to miss this series!
Thank you to Sarah Estep for the complimentary ARC of this novel. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
*****DISCLAIMER***** It is not an exaggeration to say that I watched this book being written, if I wasn’t lurking in the google doc there was a 95% chance Sarah wasn’t writing. I started as an ARC reader for Keyed Up and have become a friend so there’s obviously some bias here but even If I wasn’t it wouldn’t change how much I ADORE this book.
It is not an exaggeration to say that I watched this book being written, if I wasn’t lurking in the google doc there was a 95% chance Sarah wasn’t writing. I started as an ARC reader for Keyed Up and have become a friend so there’s obviously some bias here but even If I wasn’t it wouldn’t change how much I ADORE this book. This has been the one I was most excited for since I first read Keyed Up. I fell for Peter the first time he appeared on page and I adored my grumpy queen Sybil from her first death threat to Graham. Their story is hard fought, 12 years of pining on Peter’s part and a mix of terrified love and fury on Sybil’s. I loved seeing how they reconnect, the parts of themselves they open up freely and the ones they hold closer to their chest – for Sybil, Peter is an OPEN BOOK. I adored seeing them younger and wistful, how easily they fall for each other no matter how much Sybil may try to fight it. If you love a second chance romance, PICK THIS ONE UP PLEASE.
Peter and Sybil first met when she was studying abroad in London. For him it was love at first sight. When their lives took them in different directions, they promised to meet again in five years, but a miscommunication leads to a missed connection. 12 years after their first meeting the two are reunited again. Nothing has changed for Peter, he’s still desperately in love with Sybil, but can he tear down the walls she’s built around her heart?
This was a lovely end to the brunch bros series. I loved the representation of positive male relationships. It was so heart warming. Peter and Sybil have a lot of chemistry and it’s clear there’s a lot of love between them. He’s all in, but Sybil isn’t so sure. There were times when I did get frustrated with Sybil because she wasn’t hearing Peter out when he expressed what he wanted. She assumed he would behave a certain way, and I didn’t understand why she didn’t believe him given his actions. She was taking away some of his agency. There was a lot of push and pull on her end even after they realized what happened those years ago. I think Sybil is a great character. She’s strong and passionate and a good complement to Peter’s happy go lucky personality. I just think she needed to trust him more.
That being said, I really enjoyed this novel and hope that Mallory and Connor get their own book!