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The Whitakers #2
Equinox
***NEW COVER; SAME FUNNY, SEXY, POIGNANT BOOK!***
“She’s like sunshine. Like anywhere she is, it’s brighter there.”
Eight years ago, Alex Whitaker crashed his car, upending his life. Since then he has struggled—with his family, with his job, with everything in his life. And has he really been living, or just passing time?
For the last few years Cecilia Byrne been making her way north in a highlighter yellow van that she calls Nina. Besides the circuitous car trip, she’s on a journey of discovery too, but doesn’t expect to find love waiting for her in a coffee shop in Detroit.
When problems keep them apart, can Alex and Cecilia overcome their differences and start a new season of their lives together?
“She’s like sunshine. Like anywhere she is, it’s brighter there.”
Eight years ago, Alex Whitaker crashed his car, upending his life. Since then he has struggled—with his family, with his job, with everything in his life. And has he really been living, or just passing time?
For the last few years Cecilia Byrne been making her way north in a highlighter yellow van that she calls Nina. Besides the circuitous car trip, she’s on a journey of discovery too, but doesn’t expect to find love waiting for her in a coffee shop in Detroit.
When problems keep them apart, can Alex and Cecilia overcome their differences and start a new season of their lives together?
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2018
64 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 14, 2019
Another fabulous read by Jamie Bennett. If you are not reading her books, you should be!
This book has the simple premise that two people with completely different backgrounds, broken in completely different ways, can find each other and help each other heal their past hurts and build a solid healthy future together.
I loved it! My only complaint is that I have run out of books by Bennett to read. It is so rare for me to find a new author that I love and hope that she publishes more books soon!
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romances.
This book has the simple premise that two people with completely different backgrounds, broken in completely different ways, can find each other and help each other heal their past hurts and build a solid healthy future together.
I loved it! My only complaint is that I have run out of books by Bennett to read. It is so rare for me to find a new author that I love and hope that she publishes more books soon!
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romances.
January 10, 2022
3.5 Stars
Parts of this book that read like a warm hug - sunshine heroine Cecilia came into hero Alex's life and shined her light everywhere (not just with him) and that was a delightful thing to read. Alex had been going through the motions for years following a traumatic brain injury, and Cecilia changed everything for him, and I loved that. The steamy scenes are brief and pretty tepid but like in other books I've read by this author I came for the story and the characters, not the steam. I was a little stressed out by some of the drama - a personal thing - but it all wraps up neatly, and really, relatively quickly, by the end. Looking forward to reading more by this author (I am systematically working my way through her books).
Parts of this book that read like a warm hug - sunshine heroine Cecilia came into hero Alex's life and shined her light everywhere (not just with him) and that was a delightful thing to read. Alex had been going through the motions for years following a traumatic brain injury, and Cecilia changed everything for him, and I loved that. The steamy scenes are brief and pretty tepid but like in other books I've read by this author I came for the story and the characters, not the steam. I was a little stressed out by some of the drama - a personal thing - but it all wraps up neatly, and really, relatively quickly, by the end. Looking forward to reading more by this author (I am systematically working my way through her books).
October 26, 2022
This author is definitely my favorite. Once again, I thought I wouldn’t love her main characters. But I fell in love with them. She has such a great ability to write unique characters- so different from each other, with special personalities…. People I wouldn’t normally understand in real life but yet come to relate to in ways while reading them. Cecelia and Alex are flawed but perfect and perfect for each other. This is a beautiful love story.
March 28, 2025
Another 2.5⭐️ book by Jamie Bennet… there are these fleeting moments of insightfulness in her work so far, but they are few and far between. The writing is still a little too unpolished and immature for me, but I since am at the very beginning of her backlist I’m willing to give her the benefit of the doubt and try a few more from her!
July 2, 2019
After reading Moon Garden, that was a bit disappointing. The story just didn't flow and was kind of all over the place. I don't think the characters were well developed and the constant typos were more than I could ignore. I really did enjoy Moon Garden, so I'll try one more book by this author.
December 12, 2018
My new One Click Author- Just Perfect!
This is now one of my favorite authors. I had just finished another of her books when I saw this one and I had to one click. It was just so good. Her writing style totally keeps you connected to these characters. Every character is so perfectly imperfect. They are strong weak fragile and just beautiful. I love her epilogues and they make me want to stay with them for decades just to see what happens in their lives. And the side characters add to the story and become just as loved as the main characters. As I stated in another review not one word or paragraph is wasted.
This is now one of my favorite authors. I had just finished another of her books when I saw this one and I had to one click. It was just so good. Her writing style totally keeps you connected to these characters. Every character is so perfectly imperfect. They are strong weak fragile and just beautiful. I love her epilogues and they make me want to stay with them for decades just to see what happens in their lives. And the side characters add to the story and become just as loved as the main characters. As I stated in another review not one word or paragraph is wasted.
November 29, 2022
I'm finding Bennett's earlier books oddly uneven, and this wasn't one of her best. The FMC is the living embodiment of a manic pixie dreamgirl, while the MMC suffered a traumatic brain injury and is a recovering alcoholic. A major theme of the book is terrible parenting - both leads had problematic mothers (MMC's was mentally ill and untreated, while FMC's was wildly neglectful) - but in the case of the FMC's mother Bennett walks it back at the end. In the end I was just left feeling uncomfortable; "guy with trust fund and traumatic brain injury meets a coffee shop barista who lives in her van and has the common sense of a gnat and they fall in love in the space of like two weeks" is discomfiting as a romantic set-up and Bennett doesn't really pull it off here.
August 23, 2025
feel good romance
ah i just loved this. i’m making my way through Jamie Bennett’s backlist, and after reading a few out of order decided to start at the beginning. These two are just perfect. Utter perfection. I loved both main characters as well as the supporting ones too. Lovely story
ah i just loved this. i’m making my way through Jamie Bennett’s backlist, and after reading a few out of order decided to start at the beginning. These two are just perfect. Utter perfection. I loved both main characters as well as the supporting ones too. Lovely story
October 3, 2025
I like how both main characters are both quirky but have real serious issues that are real and unique and original from other books.
He was an alcoholic that had a serious accident that left him with brain issues plus his mother is manic. Our female was raised feral and drives a unique van that she lives in as well.
Set in Detroit where I'm from but I live in northern Michigan.
He was an alcoholic that had a serious accident that left him with brain issues plus his mother is manic. Our female was raised feral and drives a unique van that she lives in as well.
Set in Detroit where I'm from but I live in northern Michigan.
January 1, 2023
sweet
two oddball characters fall in love.
it reminded me of 50 1st dates energy, the way they're both quite eccentric.
i enjoyed the story but not my favorite, the narration was a bit forest gump
two oddball characters fall in love.
it reminded me of 50 1st dates energy, the way they're both quite eccentric.
i enjoyed the story but not my favorite, the narration was a bit forest gump
October 29, 2023
Dual POV but I didn’t mind it. I enjoyed that Alex had challenges that were very unusual (TBI) compared to most books.
Cecilia was an endearing and very quirky FMC.
Keri was pure gold. Well done on another great side character!
Cecilia was an endearing and very quirky FMC.
Keri was pure gold. Well done on another great side character!
June 2, 2019
Another Winner
Loved the character development between Alex and Cecilia. I loved how their relationship grew, as well as the characters around them.
Loved the character development between Alex and Cecilia. I loved how their relationship grew, as well as the characters around them.
September 27, 2019
I enjoyed how optimistic and upbeat Cecilia was in Equinox. I liked her disposition and her friendships. I also liked Cecilia’s romance with Alex. The ending was happy and wonderful.
June 29, 2020
adoro a jamie bennett, ela é a minha fave, mmas esse foi romântico demais pra mim.
February 2, 2023
Writing style 5 /5
Story 3/5
Romance 5/5
Steam 3/5
Story 3/5
Romance 5/5
Steam 3/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2024
Funny!
The heroine speaks and thinks with many exclamation points! Many! On the other hand, this was laugh out loud funny, which was great.
The heroine speaks and thinks with many exclamation points! Many! On the other hand, this was laugh out loud funny, which was great.
April 10, 2026
October 2025
2 stars = It's okay.
Skimming & skipping was needed to finish.
#️⃣2️⃣ in the Recommended Reading Order.
🔙 It starts with The Moon Garden.
🔜 The next book is, Stroke by Stroke.
Books can be standalones, but previous characters may be connected. Luke and Emily (from The Moon Garden) appear briefly.
I recommend reading this because it introduces
Steve Whitaker, a side character who also appears in Tuck and other books.
☆…☆…☆…☆…☆…☆
❤️ 𝑨 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 ❤️
A sad H and a sunny h meet and fall in love. Like many of J.B.'s characters, they have terrible moms and tragic backstories.
This is one of my least favorite books. It's one of the few with dual POVs, thankfully. The MCs' voices were too similar, and the H's dull perspective added little to the story. Much of his inner thoughts, and his activities like his therapy visits, were boring. While I enjoyed a few parts and some moments made me chuckle, overall, the romance was dissatisfying.
☹️ DISLIKES:
🔻The H is described briefly, while the h is only said to be short and have curly hair.
🔻The MCs seem young and needy, and neither comes across as sexy. I skimmed over their sex scenes bc I found them off-putting. Also, I felt little connection between them and didn’t buy their insta-love.
🔻Religious swear words.
Alex Whitaker (29) is a beta male, who has needed care and support for many years. Due to his mother’s mental illness, he drank, partied and became an alcoholic. Eight years ago, he survived a car accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, leading to anxiety, depression, headaches, and difficulty concentrating.
Stephen/Steve is Alex’s older brother and CEO of Whitaker Enterprises, the family’s real estate firm. He’s spent his life caring for and worrying about Alex, even managing his finances. He put his own life on hold and never had a girlfriend. When Alex is ready to take control of his life, he struggles to let go.
Cecilia (24) was raised by an irresponsible mother who traveled around, neglecting basic care like baths or education. Growing up, she was left to fend for herself, making it hard to believe she survived intact. She also was forced to take care of her mother.
Alex and Cecilia meet at her coffee shop job. When he learns she lives in her yellow van, Nina, he invites her to move into his garage and then into his condo. Their friendship soon turns to love, and Alex’s sex drive is reignited. Cecilia brings sunshine into his sad life, making him happy. She's easily excited and often ends her sentences with exclamations. Steve is initially hesitant but eventually accepts her.
𝚃𝙷𝙸𝚂 𝙸𝚂 𝙰𝙻𝚂𝙾 𝙰𝙱𝙾𝚄𝚃:
🇦🇱🇪🇽
▪️working with his brother, which he doesn't enjoy and can't do it well b/c of his brain injury.
▪️going to his therapist appointments.
▪️wanting more freedom to live his life.
▪️eventually pursuing art as a career.
🇨🇪🇨🇮🇱🇮🇦
▪️working at the coffee shop, her friends there, and her kooky boss.
▪️searching for her father. (Due to her mom's wandering and many sex partners, he's never found.)
▪️befriending an old lady, Ms. Eubank, who makes yummy cookies.
Cecilia's quirk is saying new-age things like:
🔸If my mom's friend Dasa were here she would tell me that it was a sign.
🔸I could have given her a binding spell to use on Harrison that I learned from my mom’s friend Andre.
🔸If my mom’s friend Phillipe were there, he could have used numerology to determine if we were a love match.
🔸“If my mom’s friend Stella were here, she’d tell me that your aura is totally blue.”
😤 My least favorite part is when Cecilia rushes to California after her mom is arrested, despite Alex and Ms. Eubank's good advice not to. She prioritizes her mom over Alex, thinking he’ll be fine for however long it takes: “He would come after I got my mom all straightened out. First things first.” Alex has to fly out to assist them both. She never truly apologizes after she easily accepts his help and money.
Everything ends well as the MCs .
🤨 Cecilia’s mother appears as a better, caring person. To no surprise, the kind MCs accept her into their lives. Her past neglect and irresponsibility, however, makes her change hard to believe.
30 F's
14 J's like: "J. F'ing Christ"
2 stars = It's okay.
Skimming & skipping was needed to finish.
#️⃣2️⃣ in the Recommended Reading Order.
🔙 It starts with The Moon Garden.
🔜 The next book is, Stroke by Stroke.
Books can be standalones, but previous characters may be connected. Luke and Emily (from The Moon Garden) appear briefly.
I recommend reading this because it introduces
Steve Whitaker, a side character who also appears in Tuck and other books.
☆…☆…☆…☆…☆…☆
❤️ 𝑨 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 ❤️
A sad H and a sunny h meet and fall in love. Like many of J.B.'s characters, they have terrible moms and tragic backstories.
This is one of my least favorite books. It's one of the few with dual POVs, thankfully. The MCs' voices were too similar, and the H's dull perspective added little to the story. Much of his inner thoughts, and his activities like his therapy visits, were boring. While I enjoyed a few parts and some moments made me chuckle, overall, the romance was dissatisfying.
☹️ DISLIKES:
🔻The H is described briefly, while the h is only said to be short and have curly hair.
🔻The MCs seem young and needy, and neither comes across as sexy. I skimmed over their sex scenes bc I found them off-putting. Also, I felt little connection between them and didn’t buy their insta-love.
🔻Religious swear words.
Alex Whitaker (29) is a beta male, who has needed care and support for many years. Due to his mother’s mental illness, he drank, partied and became an alcoholic. Eight years ago, he survived a car accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, leading to anxiety, depression, headaches, and difficulty concentrating.
Stephen/Steve is Alex’s older brother and CEO of Whitaker Enterprises, the family’s real estate firm. He’s spent his life caring for and worrying about Alex, even managing his finances. He put his own life on hold and never had a girlfriend. When Alex is ready to take control of his life, he struggles to let go.
Cecilia (24) was raised by an irresponsible mother who traveled around, neglecting basic care like baths or education. Growing up, she was left to fend for herself, making it hard to believe she survived intact. She also was forced to take care of her mother.
Alex and Cecilia meet at her coffee shop job. When he learns she lives in her yellow van, Nina, he invites her to move into his garage and then into his condo. Their friendship soon turns to love, and Alex’s sex drive is reignited. Cecilia brings sunshine into his sad life, making him happy. She's easily excited and often ends her sentences with exclamations. Steve is initially hesitant but eventually accepts her.
𝚃𝙷𝙸𝚂 𝙸𝚂 𝙰𝙻𝚂𝙾 𝙰𝙱𝙾𝚄𝚃:
🇦🇱🇪🇽
▪️working with his brother, which he doesn't enjoy and can't do it well b/c of his brain injury.
▪️going to his therapist appointments.
▪️wanting more freedom to live his life.
▪️eventually pursuing art as a career.
🇨🇪🇨🇮🇱🇮🇦
▪️working at the coffee shop, her friends there, and her kooky boss.
▪️searching for her father. (Due to her mom's wandering and many sex partners, he's never found.)
▪️befriending an old lady, Ms. Eubank, who makes yummy cookies.
Cecilia's quirk is saying new-age things like:
🔸If my mom's friend Dasa were here she would tell me that it was a sign.
🔸I could have given her a binding spell to use on Harrison that I learned from my mom’s friend Andre.
🔸If my mom’s friend Phillipe were there, he could have used numerology to determine if we were a love match.
🔸“If my mom’s friend Stella were here, she’d tell me that your aura is totally blue.”
😤 My least favorite part is when Cecilia rushes to California after her mom is arrested, despite Alex and Ms. Eubank's good advice not to. She prioritizes her mom over Alex, thinking he’ll be fine for however long it takes: “He would come after I got my mom all straightened out. First things first.” Alex has to fly out to assist them both. She never truly apologizes after she easily accepts his help and money.
Everything ends well as the MCs .
🤨 Cecilia’s mother appears as a better, caring person. To no surprise, the kind MCs accept her into their lives. Her past neglect and irresponsibility, however, makes her change hard to believe.
30 F's
14 J's like: "J. F'ing Christ"
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews