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Wedding Novellas
Delayed Gratification: The Honeymoon
After ten years in love, Willa and Rae decide to celebrate the legalization of same-sex marriage by getting hitched and going on a dream European vacation. First stop: the final weekend of Carnevale in Venice, Italy. When the international leg of their flight is cancelled due to a fast-moving winter storm, Willa refuses to admit defeat and give up her carefully laid plans. All Rae wants is some quiet time to reconnect with her wife after months of wedding madness, but she agrees to attempt a late-night trek across the snowy midwest in a last-ditch attempt to make it to Venice before the festivities end. After surviving a near-death experience on the icy road, Willa and Rae find themselves at odds regarding the entire point of their honeymoon. Can an unexpected rescuer help them rediscover what’s really important, and each other?
103 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2016
7 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Meghan O'Brien
44 books1,159 followersBorn in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, Meghan O’Brien relocated to Northern California in 2005. As a transplant, she enjoys the moderate weather and gorgeous scenery of the Bay Area. Meghan lives with her wife, their son, three cats, three dogs, two snakes and several tarantulas. Yes, it can be just as chaotic as it sounds.
Meghan’s day job is as a software developer, but her real passion is writing. From her humble beginnings creating numerous “books” out of construction paper and crayons as soon as she learned to write, to her several published novels and various anthology contributions, writing is what makes her feel most complete. (from the author's website)
Meghan’s day job is as a software developer, but her real passion is writing. From her humble beginnings creating numerous “books” out of construction paper and crayons as soon as she learned to write, to her several published novels and various anthology contributions, writing is what makes her feel most complete. (from the author's website)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 24, 2016
Thank you Meghan for producing such a realistic setup, interesting characters, honest emotions (full disclosure, I could see my wife and I in the argument - that's what 16 years together gets you) and because it's a Meghan book red hot erotica.
Compared to the others in this series that I have read, this is far and away the best. Even if erotica may not be your thing, read this book and see how good the writing is, and skip through the last 1/3 with all the sex scenes (although I thoroughly enjoyed them :)).
Given the basic premise of these novellas, this one resonated with me (must be those 16 years) where the other books felt too forced in their central conceit.
After the Muse, which I just couldn't get into, this is a lovely return to form and leaves me waiting with anticipation for this author's next work due in October.
ARC received through Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Compared to the others in this series that I have read, this is far and away the best. Even if erotica may not be your thing, read this book and see how good the writing is, and skip through the last 1/3 with all the sex scenes (although I thoroughly enjoyed them :)).
Given the basic premise of these novellas, this one resonated with me (must be those 16 years) where the other books felt too forced in their central conceit.
After the Muse, which I just couldn't get into, this is a lovely return to form and leaves me waiting with anticipation for this author's next work due in October.
ARC received through Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
August 27, 2016
To celebrate their recent marriage after ten years in love, Willa and Rae head off on a long anticipated European honeymoon. A winter storm crushes their hopes of flying to Venice and leaves the couple stranded in Michigan. Willa's perfectly organized itinerary for the trip of a lifetime begins slipping away much to her horror. Rae has a different view of their change in travel plans. She just wants to reconnect with her life partner and now wife. Can they stop arguing long enough to remember why they are on this journey together and what this honeymoon means to their relationship?
This was a sweet read. I would also say a realistic read if we were all lucky enough to enjoy the mind blowing sex these two managed to conjure up ten years into their relationship. When you pick up a novel (or novella) written by Meghan O'Brien you know the sex scenes are going to be stellar. In this novella she gives us hot and steamy but also sweet and sentimental thanks to some role playing by this long term couple of newlyweds. I thought the idyllic setting and the welcoming Inn couple were a bit over the top but their gosh golly sweetness didn’t stop Rae and Willa from reconnecting. Multiple times.
The book feels realistic because life for Willa and Rae is not perfect. They have faced homophobic slurs in their time together. They bicker like any long term couple does and they try and sometimes fail to communicate how they are feeling. What makes the novella such a sweet read is the joy you feel for this couple when they relax, reconnect and recognize that they can celebrate their love wherever they land.
They also have the best safe word ever.
ARC received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley
This was a sweet read. I would also say a realistic read if we were all lucky enough to enjoy the mind blowing sex these two managed to conjure up ten years into their relationship. When you pick up a novel (or novella) written by Meghan O'Brien you know the sex scenes are going to be stellar. In this novella she gives us hot and steamy but also sweet and sentimental thanks to some role playing by this long term couple of newlyweds. I thought the idyllic setting and the welcoming Inn couple were a bit over the top but their gosh golly sweetness didn’t stop Rae and Willa from reconnecting. Multiple times.
The book feels realistic because life for Willa and Rae is not perfect. They have faced homophobic slurs in their time together. They bicker like any long term couple does and they try and sometimes fail to communicate how they are feeling. What makes the novella such a sweet read is the joy you feel for this couple when they relax, reconnect and recognize that they can celebrate their love wherever they land.
They also have the best safe word ever.
ARC received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley
August 29, 2016
***Novella provided by Netgalley and Bold Stokes for an honest review***
The main topic of this novella striked a chord in me. I understand how easy it is to lose yourself in mundane problems, when in a long term relationship, and to forget that love is hard work, and that sex is also an important part of that work.
The writting is good, Meghan O'Brien is a great writter, and the sex scenes are hot, funny and tender.
However character development was just forced, especially with Willa. Her attittude seems unnatural, unjustifiable and childlish, and her change of mind looks totally artificial and uncredible. The ending seemed also unnecessarily long, with too many orgasms that added little to the story. Hearing me complaining about too many orgasms is not something that happens frequently, neither in real life nor in fiction, but in this novella it seemed a bit too much.
The main topic of this novella striked a chord in me. I understand how easy it is to lose yourself in mundane problems, when in a long term relationship, and to forget that love is hard work, and that sex is also an important part of that work.
The writting is good, Meghan O'Brien is a great writter, and the sex scenes are hot, funny and tender.
However character development was just forced, especially with Willa. Her attittude seems unnatural, unjustifiable and childlish, and her change of mind looks totally artificial and uncredible. The ending seemed also unnecessarily long, with too many orgasms that added little to the story. Hearing me complaining about too many orgasms is not something that happens frequently, neither in real life nor in fiction, but in this novella it seemed a bit too much.
September 13, 2016
ARC provided by Netgalley and Bold Stokes for an honest review
A Perfect Honeymoon… made even better when disaster strikes!
My Synopsis
Willa and Rae have been to together for ten years and finally with the legalization on Same Sex marriage final had their dream wedding. On the way to their dream honeymoon, disaster strikes in the form of a almighty storm. It ruins their plans and busy itinerary but sometimes all you need is to be with the person you love and it can still be perfect… Right?
My Review
I enjoyed the story and I actually identified with the characters. I am just married and after waiting ten years… So the arguments the main characters were having felt quite like some I’ve had in the past with my now wife.
The sex was off the chart. The erotic scenes were fantastic and this didn’t surprise me as some of my favourite erotic novels are by Meghan O'Brien and her character's amazing sexual escapades.
My only criticism is it felt too rushed for me. And I think that’s why I normally prefer novels to novellas. As a reader I like to get to know the characters in the book and understand them. I would have liked more of the story from Willa and Rae. Maybe starting the day of the wedding and finishing when they arrive home and back to reality. Did it change them? Would they spend more time concentrating on each other not the wedding and honeymoon is over?
4 stars. A Overall nice little read.
A Perfect Honeymoon… made even better when disaster strikes!
My Synopsis
Willa and Rae have been to together for ten years and finally with the legalization on Same Sex marriage final had their dream wedding. On the way to their dream honeymoon, disaster strikes in the form of a almighty storm. It ruins their plans and busy itinerary but sometimes all you need is to be with the person you love and it can still be perfect… Right?
My Review
I enjoyed the story and I actually identified with the characters. I am just married and after waiting ten years… So the arguments the main characters were having felt quite like some I’ve had in the past with my now wife.
The sex was off the chart. The erotic scenes were fantastic and this didn’t surprise me as some of my favourite erotic novels are by Meghan O'Brien and her character's amazing sexual escapades.
My only criticism is it felt too rushed for me. And I think that’s why I normally prefer novels to novellas. As a reader I like to get to know the characters in the book and understand them. I would have liked more of the story from Willa and Rae. Maybe starting the day of the wedding and finishing when they arrive home and back to reality. Did it change them? Would they spend more time concentrating on each other not the wedding and honeymoon is over?
4 stars. A Overall nice little read.
June 11, 2018
I'd easily consider myself a fangirl of Meghan O'Brien's work. Consistently good quality, a palatable plot, and sex, sex, sex (imagine me dancing at the mention of sex).
So, I'll say that I'm a huge fan despite my general 'eh-ness' to this wedding installment. Unlike many reviewers on here (and I'm sure I'm in the minority), I found Willa and her itenerary bitchiness kind of cute. I wish Rae had more flaws to balance Willa's clear wrongness in handling the travel situation. I mean, Willa's been taking the reins of their big events so far and Rae's been doing what? There's another story there.
I have feelings about Paul and Lynn. (I kept reading Paul Lynde every time. God, I'm too young to ref that dude.) They were the best parents/grandparents that every not-accepted child could ask for. Free lodging at the most magical inn in the world, delicious food, ice skating, playful banter about sex, gay daughter? Yeeeeaaahhh, they're low-key serial killers. Ha. Kidding. Kinda.
And sadly, the sex scenes didn't redeem my flatlined-yet-mildly-entertained attitude throughout the story. I suppose the electric context like in Wild or Thirteen Hours suits the smutty bits more for me. The ending felt a bit abrupt.
They could have still traveled to Europe after some days at the inn! I had actually looked forward to that. It'd be Willa and Rae meeting halfway, both getting the honeymoons of their dreams.
Ah, well. I anticipate Camp Rewind!
So, I'll say that I'm a huge fan despite my general 'eh-ness' to this wedding installment. Unlike many reviewers on here (and I'm sure I'm in the minority), I found Willa and her itenerary bitchiness kind of cute. I wish Rae had more flaws to balance Willa's clear wrongness in handling the travel situation. I mean, Willa's been taking the reins of their big events so far and Rae's been doing what? There's another story there.
I have feelings about Paul and Lynn. (I kept reading Paul Lynde every time. God, I'm too young to ref that dude.) They were the best parents/grandparents that every not-accepted child could ask for. Free lodging at the most magical inn in the world, delicious food, ice skating, playful banter about sex, gay daughter? Yeeeeaaahhh, they're low-key serial killers. Ha. Kidding. Kinda.
And sadly, the sex scenes didn't redeem my flatlined-yet-mildly-entertained attitude throughout the story. I suppose the electric context like in Wild or Thirteen Hours suits the smutty bits more for me. The ending felt a bit abrupt.
They could have still traveled to Europe after some days at the inn! I had actually looked forward to that. It'd be Willa and Rae meeting halfway, both getting the honeymoons of their dreams.
Ah, well. I anticipate Camp Rewind!
September 3, 2016
The first half of the story was pretty good in characterization, plot and conflict. I liked the easy going Rae, and the hysteric Willa got on my nerves. I thought -- so far so good, especially for a novella sized story. And then suddenly, a quite unconvincing turnaround -- the conflict just disappeared (poof!), and the other half of the story was just erotica with painfully too many orgasms. Disappointingly uneven distribution.
2.5 stars, rounded down
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
2.5 stars, rounded down
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
June 11, 2017
Rae and Willa were trying to fly to Europe for their honeymoon but end up running into severe weather and cancelled flights. Giving into her wife Rae tries a risky last ditch effort driving to another airport to catch a flight hoping it also won't be cancelled.
I loved Rae but was very annoyed with Willa at first. It took her so long to get over her disappointment.
This was a quick read with lots of steamy scenes.
ARC provided from Bold Strokes Books for an honest review
I loved Rae but was very annoyed with Willa at first. It took her so long to get over her disappointment.
This was a quick read with lots of steamy scenes.
ARC provided from Bold Strokes Books for an honest review
August 30, 2016
ARC provided by NetGalley in return for a fair review.
If you've ever read a Meghan O'Brien book, you likely know what to expect here. A loose plot and some raunchy love scenes. I couldn't really warm to Willa, who was the epitome of a bridezilla even though the wedding was already over. She was a complete bitch to start and I didn't really find her about face all that believable. What she must have been like in the year leading up to the wedding boggles the mind. Makes me wonder how Rae had the fortitude to go through with it. Then there's a ton of make up sex, and well, that's pretty much the book.
I did thoroughly enjoy Lynn and Paul, and Rae was a sweetie (who seriously deserved better). I noted on a previous wedding novella review that I think this series would have been better served if they'd just used one couple for each of the stages to provide better context, and I stand by it. Maybe if we'd followed them through a relationship I'd have been able to see what Rae saw in Willa, but not so much here.
The story is well written, although I did spot a typo, and it's entertaining enough.
If you've ever read a Meghan O'Brien book, you likely know what to expect here. A loose plot and some raunchy love scenes. I couldn't really warm to Willa, who was the epitome of a bridezilla even though the wedding was already over. She was a complete bitch to start and I didn't really find her about face all that believable. What she must have been like in the year leading up to the wedding boggles the mind. Makes me wonder how Rae had the fortitude to go through with it. Then there's a ton of make up sex, and well, that's pretty much the book.
I did thoroughly enjoy Lynn and Paul, and Rae was a sweetie (who seriously deserved better). I noted on a previous wedding novella review that I think this series would have been better served if they'd just used one couple for each of the stages to provide better context, and I stand by it. Maybe if we'd followed them through a relationship I'd have been able to see what Rae saw in Willa, but not so much here.
The story is well written, although I did spot a typo, and it's entertaining enough.
September 2, 2024
3.25 stars
I found the character Willa so unlikeable that I had a hard time investing in her. It’s a short story so it had to happen pretty quickly. Once she got over herself it went straight to the hot sex that O’Brien is known for.
It was fine. Short and sweet.
I found the character Willa so unlikeable that I had a hard time investing in her. It’s a short story so it had to happen pretty quickly. Once she got over herself it went straight to the hot sex that O’Brien is known for.
It was fine. Short and sweet.
August 27, 2016
*ARC provided by Netgalley and Bold Strokes for an honest review*
I might be being a bit harsh here but Willa made me want to deck her, and I hate violence. I liked Rae I could for the life of me understandable why she would stay with someone who to me seemed so shallow and selfish.
Now I know that a lot of people who read this will enjoy it and if you are looking for steamy sex scenes then you are looking in the right place but I could get over my distaste for Willa and even if she did admit that she was wrong I don't feel like she really redeemed herself in my eyes because she still had that selfishness to her.
I feel like the author created this character that rubbed me up the wrong way and then used marathon sex to redeem all of her less than satisfactory qualities, I think that a bit more of the time that was spent on the sex should have been spent on creating a better side to Willa (although I am not complaining about those rather heated scenes as they are a signature of O'Brien's).
The only reason that I gave the book 3 stars is because the writing was excellent and I really liked Rae so much so that I had hoped their rescuer would be a tall, dark someone who would steal her away from Willa and her damn itinerary.
I might be being a bit harsh here but Willa made me want to deck her, and I hate violence. I liked Rae I could for the life of me understandable why she would stay with someone who to me seemed so shallow and selfish.
Now I know that a lot of people who read this will enjoy it and if you are looking for steamy sex scenes then you are looking in the right place but I could get over my distaste for Willa and even if she did admit that she was wrong I don't feel like she really redeemed herself in my eyes because she still had that selfishness to her.
I feel like the author created this character that rubbed me up the wrong way and then used marathon sex to redeem all of her less than satisfactory qualities, I think that a bit more of the time that was spent on the sex should have been spent on creating a better side to Willa (although I am not complaining about those rather heated scenes as they are a signature of O'Brien's).
The only reason that I gave the book 3 stars is because the writing was excellent and I really liked Rae so much so that I had hoped their rescuer would be a tall, dark someone who would steal her away from Willa and her damn itinerary.
August 28, 2016
ARC received from publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review.
This is definitely NOT my first read by O'Brien! I usually love her stuff....really enjoy her erotic writing.
So, I was a little dissapointed in this novella. In some ways it totally hit home. I definitely know how important it is to make sure those connections of intimacy remain within a long term relationship (20 years for my wife and I!!) How easy it is to let everyday life drag you down. I also totally get Willa's extreme disappointment at the well planned honeymoon fail. I've had those moments myself! But, I must admit I found everything just way too nice. The not so happy couple was NICELY found by a woman who happens to have a gay daughter AND own an inn. wow. I don't know, it just didn't quite hit the mark for me.
3 stars mainly because of the author
This is definitely NOT my first read by O'Brien! I usually love her stuff....really enjoy her erotic writing.
So, I was a little dissapointed in this novella. In some ways it totally hit home. I definitely know how important it is to make sure those connections of intimacy remain within a long term relationship (20 years for my wife and I!!) How easy it is to let everyday life drag you down. I also totally get Willa's extreme disappointment at the well planned honeymoon fail. I've had those moments myself! But, I must admit I found everything just way too nice. The not so happy couple was NICELY found by a woman who happens to have a gay daughter AND own an inn. wow. I don't know, it just didn't quite hit the mark for me.
3 stars mainly because of the author
September 23, 2017
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. When I started this book, I honestly thought I would not finish it. Willa felt like a whining child; it wasn't until the book progressed and they went into the inn where I let go of the annoyance and let the story progress. This is very well written, and if you are in the mood for a quick romance, then this is the book for you.
December 3, 2016
Delayed Gratification is written well and the sexytimes are hot when you get there. Willa’s behaviour turned me off so much that I almost stopped reading, but I’m glad I didn’t. It ended up being an excellent story, shining a light on the importance of stepping back from real life and reconnecting with your partner when you’re in a long-term relationship.
Full review: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/delay...
Full review: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/delay...
June 15, 2021
“Your biggest problem right now is the fear of falling. Just… let go and fall. It won’t be nearly as bad as you think.”
2.5 stars. This was okay. Another case of the execution not being as good as the blurb lead me to believe. I haven't really read a lot of marriage-in-trouble romance, though the idea appeals to me a lot; more than second chance romance does. This is a novella about a long-standing couple trying to have a honeymoon after finally being able to get married; things don't go as planned. Willa, the more high-strung and organised of the pair who's desperate for them to have their perfect honeymoon, is definitely a little frustrating to read in the earlier parts, but it was understandable. And I liked how they eventually talked about the actual issues. I liked them as a couple; they had sweet, though not particularly memorable, chemistry and banter.
I struggled a little with the sex scenes; I knew going in that O'Brien is known for her erotica, but these were just too long, especially given that this is a novella in the first place. Add that to the fact that there was also some stuff I'm just not personally into... I got a teensy bit bored. I really liked the first half of this, but the second half lost me, not gonna lie.
Still, not a bad way to pass the time.
September 15, 2016
Damn, Meghan O'Brien's sex scenes are totally worth it!
November 13, 2016
I first encountered the Meghan O'Brien when I read Thirteen Hours, I immediately looked for and devoured The Night Off, Endgame & Infinite Loop. Like these Delayed Gratification delivers plenty of hot sex, however, I quickly found I really didn't care about either Willa or Rae. Compared to the leading ladies in her other books, these two are just plain bland. We get minimal backstory and all we learn during the course of the novel is that Willa is a bit of a controlling bitch.
In conclusion, if you want erotica with a semblance of a plot this is for you. If you're looking for a good book with some HLA thrown in; look elsewhere.
In conclusion, if you want erotica with a semblance of a plot this is for you. If you're looking for a good book with some HLA thrown in; look elsewhere.
November 14, 2023
➬➱➫➩➪【4.25 Stars】
I went into this short story with huge expectations. I love Meghan O’Brien’s writing like her storytelling, characters, and sex scenes. She’s one of the best lesbian erotica writers for a reason!
There aren’t many curve balls thrown and it felt like another one of those happy stories, if you’re in the mood for that. Of course there are some conflicts, but nothing stood out in a negative way. I liked Willa and Rae because it felt like their characters were shaped and grew through the events in the story.
In terms of the scenes, O’Brien delivered! It was hot as heck and, um, the role-playing? H o t! If you’re looking for something short, sexy, and feel-good, I definitely recommend this.
➢Happy reading!
I went into this short story with huge expectations. I love Meghan O’Brien’s writing like her storytelling, characters, and sex scenes. She’s one of the best lesbian erotica writers for a reason!
There aren’t many curve balls thrown and it felt like another one of those happy stories, if you’re in the mood for that. Of course there are some conflicts, but nothing stood out in a negative way. I liked Willa and Rae because it felt like their characters were shaped and grew through the events in the story.
In terms of the scenes, O’Brien delivered! It was hot as heck and, um, the role-playing? H o t! If you’re looking for something short, sexy, and feel-good, I definitely recommend this.
➢Happy reading!
November 6, 2016
Wow!
Willa worked hard for this honeymoon and she wants it more than anything else. A winter storm changed everything and nothing goes according to plan. This winter storm is the beginning of a totally different trip. But can Willa handle her disappointment or is their honeymoon completely ruined? I love Rae, she is sweet and very understanding. Paul and Lynn are great supporting characters and the setting is awesome. I really enjoyed how Willa and Rae, once again experienced their past in the bedroom. It was sensual, hot and steamy. This book is full with love, lust, passion and desire and the sex was mind blowing. My first book of Meghan and I'm definitely going to read more of her.
Willa worked hard for this honeymoon and she wants it more than anything else. A winter storm changed everything and nothing goes according to plan. This winter storm is the beginning of a totally different trip. But can Willa handle her disappointment or is their honeymoon completely ruined? I love Rae, she is sweet and very understanding. Paul and Lynn are great supporting characters and the setting is awesome. I really enjoyed how Willa and Rae, once again experienced their past in the bedroom. It was sensual, hot and steamy. This book is full with love, lust, passion and desire and the sex was mind blowing. My first book of Meghan and I'm definitely going to read more of her.
September 18, 2016
Touchy
I really wanted to be a character in this story just so I could throttle Willa, but as it turns out she came to her senses soon enough. Rae was a loving and understanding partner throughout the book and kept the faith long enough to establish that yes, love conquers all, even ill tempered wives. The story evolved into a good romance in the end showing that sometimes you just have to go with the flow and that the littlest things make for the best experiences.
I really wanted to be a character in this story just so I could throttle Willa, but as it turns out she came to her senses soon enough. Rae was a loving and understanding partner throughout the book and kept the faith long enough to establish that yes, love conquers all, even ill tempered wives. The story evolved into a good romance in the end showing that sometimes you just have to go with the flow and that the littlest things make for the best experiences.
August 2, 2020
Fast paced story about a couple who just got married and are off to start their honeymoon. Well, Mother Nature had other plans in store for them. Def a lesson in patience and flexibility. I have to admit, it was hard for me to stomach one of the characters who was battling with things not going as she planned. Hard to stomach how she was treating her new bride. I get it. It’s frustrating. Months of planning, just to be snowed-in. But I suffered to make it to where she realized she was being unreasonable and her wife’s attempts to bend backwards were finally appreciated. Grant it, I was relieved to make it to that point and see their appreciation for each other unfold. Loved the older couple. They were adorable.
October 5, 2017
Rae was the angel in their relationship. Both characters were well developed and their interactions between themselves and others were engaging. I enjoyed the chapters right up till the chapters where they had sex, as the later were overbearing and excess with details. Somewhere in between orgasms and love making, they found time to do something else, which I found enjoyable to read again. All in all, I enjoyed the non-sex part, the plot, the most.
December 9, 2019
Sex. Sex. Temper tantrums. Sex.
That was basically it for this little erotic novella. I enjoyed the sex, but I particularly enjoyed watching Rae finally lose her reserve and give her bride a piece of her mind after being treated like crap. That was more satisfying than the sex. Cute story.
That was basically it for this little erotic novella. I enjoyed the sex, but I particularly enjoyed watching Rae finally lose her reserve and give her bride a piece of her mind after being treated like crap. That was more satisfying than the sex. Cute story.
August 6, 2018
Review to come!
February 29, 2020
This was short, sweet and sexy
April 25, 2023
2 stars. Very unlikable characters that I genuinely didn't care about. I like O'Brien's writing style and she's great at smut but here the sex scenes felt tedious as hell.
August 28, 2016
Willa and Rae finally get married after being together for ten years and decide to go on their dream honeymoon to their first stop of their vacation, Venice. At the Chicago airport, they find out their flight is cancelled due to the weather but Willa doesn't give in and finds an alternate way to salvage their honeymoon. However, on their way by car to another airport, they survive a near-death experience due to the icy road. Willa and Rae find themselves at odds with each other. Will they be able to salvage their honeymoon?
Willa's character was slightly harder to like, but I understood where she was coming from. Especially after putting all that hard work into planning the vacation, to have it all messed up because of a flight cancellation and bad weather.
Rae's character was easier to like and relate to more. All I would've wanted at that point was to spend time with my wife and make the best out of the situation.
Meghan O'Brien presented us with a realistic situation regarding couples' quarrels and communication, or lack thereof.
Out of all the wedding novellas, I think Delayed Gratification is my favourite amongst them. Normally I find novellas to be too short but this was just the right length. It was a nice light read.
Review also posted here: http://wp.me/p4Pp9O-pS
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Willa's character was slightly harder to like, but I understood where she was coming from. Especially after putting all that hard work into planning the vacation, to have it all messed up because of a flight cancellation and bad weather.
Rae's character was easier to like and relate to more. All I would've wanted at that point was to spend time with my wife and make the best out of the situation.
Meghan O'Brien presented us with a realistic situation regarding couples' quarrels and communication, or lack thereof.
Out of all the wedding novellas, I think Delayed Gratification is my favourite amongst them. Normally I find novellas to be too short but this was just the right length. It was a nice light read.
Review also posted here: http://wp.me/p4Pp9O-pS
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 22, 2017
Now, I love Meghan O'Brien. I still love Meghan O'Brien. This one was just hard to get into though. It basically felt like there was too much shoved into a small word count. I think it would have been better as a full-length novel. That way there would be more time to flesh out characters and plot points.
As is it felt like some of the dialogue in the beginning was only used for context, because this is a novella and there's no time to explain the background properly. Willa was also really stubbornly bitchy for half the story, which I wouldn't have minded if I had known it would be in her character to be so stubborn. (Even then it seems kind of excessive.) Also, it seems just way too perfect for them to be stumbled upon by an accepting older couple with a stunning cottage for them to stay at.
Other short stories I've read by Meghan O'Brien have been less plot/character-driven and more sex/character-driven, and I really enjoyed those. I actually can't think of the last time I read a plot-driven novella. (Is there a difference between short story and novella?)
Didn't bother reading the other entries in this series, their descriptions didn't appeal to me.
3 stars
As is it felt like some of the dialogue in the beginning was only used for context, because this is a novella and there's no time to explain the background properly. Willa was also really stubbornly bitchy for half the story, which I wouldn't have minded if I had known it would be in her character to be so stubborn. (Even then it seems kind of excessive.) Also, it seems just way too perfect for them to be stumbled upon by an accepting older couple with a stunning cottage for them to stay at.
Other short stories I've read by Meghan O'Brien have been less plot/character-driven and more sex/character-driven, and I really enjoyed those. I actually can't think of the last time I read a plot-driven novella. (Is there a difference between short story and novella?)
Didn't bother reading the other entries in this series, their descriptions didn't appeal to me.
3 stars
September 2, 2016
This is another hit for me from Meghan O'Brien. I definitely love the way she writes. This book was interesting, because I definitely did not like Willa at first. The stressed-out, rigid way she wants her honeymoon to go made me believe she was a Bridezilla in the months leading up to the ceremony. I definitely didn't like the way she treated Rae when circumstances put their European honeymoon trip in jeopardy. So I was as cautious as Rae was when Will finally came to her senses and realized how she'd treated Rae. The rest of the story is a delight from that point on, as we're along for the ride as Will first apologizes to her wife, and then makes up for how she'd acted. And the end just warms the heart. A totally feel-good, hot, sexy romp.
I obtained an ARC of this book from Netgalley with the intention to review it.
I obtained an ARC of this book from Netgalley with the intention to review it.
September 12, 2016
Wow. Okay. I think this entire series was a great idea, I just didn't feel like any of the books did a great job of making me believe in the story. This one actually felt like it had enough story to leave me satisfied. I liked how the story played out, and I liked that it felt more like a standard novel. This would have been four stars for me, except I just didn't like the characters. I mean not even a little. Willa was the most off putting. At the beginning of the story I really disliked her. After that it was a bit difficult to overcome my dislike. Rae was okay but nothing really memorable. By the end I was back to this was an okay read. Seriously if Willa would have been a more likable character for me, this would have been by far the best out of the series. ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review.
August 29, 2016
I received a copy of this book from the publisher (via Net Galley) in exchange for an honest review.
This was a sweet short story focused on a honeymoon that takes a wrong turn and eventually rights itself. While I wanted to love the story it was almost too realistic for me. I felt like I was in the middle of someone's fight and then in the midst of their make up sex. For me part of the joy of the story is a bit of fantasy. The "fantasy" of a kind, straight, older couple who own an Inn and thus save the vacation didn't feel like fantasy - it's just a part of my Midwestern reality.
That said, the story was sweet. The editing was solid. I would recommend this to someone who wanted a bit of realism and sweetness.
This was a sweet short story focused on a honeymoon that takes a wrong turn and eventually rights itself. While I wanted to love the story it was almost too realistic for me. I felt like I was in the middle of someone's fight and then in the midst of their make up sex. For me part of the joy of the story is a bit of fantasy. The "fantasy" of a kind, straight, older couple who own an Inn and thus save the vacation didn't feel like fantasy - it's just a part of my Midwestern reality.
That said, the story was sweet. The editing was solid. I would recommend this to someone who wanted a bit of realism and sweetness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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