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Second First Impressions

Sally Thorne (Goodreads Author)

4.07 · Rating details · 194 ratings · 113 reviews

From the USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine comes the clever, funny, and unforgettable story of a muscular, tattooed man hired as an assistant to two old women—under the watchful eye of a beautiful retirement home manager.

Distraction (n): an extreme agitation of the mind or emotions.

Ruthie Midona has worked the front desk at the Providence From the USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine comes the clever, funny, and unforgettable story of a muscular, tattooed man hired as an assistant to two old women—under the watchful eye of a beautiful retirement home manager.

Distraction (n): an extreme agitation of the mind or emotions.

Ruthie Midona has worked the front desk at the Providence Luxury Retirement Villa for six years, dedicating her entire adult life to caring for the Villa’s residents, maintaining the property (with an assist from DIY YouTube tutorials), and guarding the endangered tortoises that live in the Villa’s gardens. Somewhere along the way, she’s forgotten that she’s young and beautiful, and that there’s a world outside of work—until she meets the son of the property developer who just acquired the retirement center.

Teddy Prescott has spent the last few years partying, sleeping in late, tattooing himself when bored, and generally not taking life too seriously—something his father, who dreams of grooming Teddy into his successor, can’t understand. When Teddy needs a place to crash, his father seizes the chance to get him to grow up. He’ll let Teddy stay in one of the on-site cottages at the retirement home, but only if he works to earn his keep. Teddy agrees—he can change a few lightbulbs and clip some hedges, no sweat. But Ruthie has plans for Teddy too.

Her two wealthiest and most eccentric residents have just placed an ad (yet another!) seeking a new personal assistant to torment. The women are ninety-year-old, four-foot-tall menaces, and not one of their assistants has lasted a full week. Offering up Teddy seems like a surefire way to get rid of the tall, handsome, unnerving man who won’t stop getting under her skin.

Ruthie doesn’t count on the fact that in Teddy Prescott, the Biddies may have finally met their match. He’ll pick up Chanel gowns from the dry cleaner and cut Big Macs into bite-sized bits. He’ll do repairs around the property, make the residents laugh, and charm the entire villa. He might even remind Ruthie what it’s like to be young and fun again. But when she finds out Teddy’s father’s only fixing up the retirement home to sell it, putting everything she cares about in jeopardy, she’s left wondering if Teddy’s magic was all just a façade. ...more

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Hardcover, 384 pages

Expected publication: April 13th 2021 by William Morrow

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Average rating 4.07 ·

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· 194 ratings · 113 reviews

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Jan 01, 2021 _ngallagher rated it really liked it

This book was SO SWEET! Sally Thorne’s vulnerable, quirky and hilarious writing shines again (with a little steam on the side)!! Definitely a book I’ll be picking up whenever I need to feel safe and warm. I loved Ruthie and Teddy so much 🐢

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May 07, 2019 ✨ A ✨ rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2021-release, adult, arcs-e-arcs-alcs, read-in-2020, women-s-fiction, contemporary, review-to-come

It pains me to rate a sally thorne book anything less than 4 stars. And the worst part is I might drop this rating even lower. This just wasn't what I was expecting 💔. Review to come.

« ARC received via edelweiss in exchange for an honest review »

___
Two words: SALLY. THORNE.

~~This is one of those moments I wish I had those time traveling abilities 😭😭😭~~

• Release Date: 13 April 2021 •

___
Read my review of other Sally Thorne titles:
The Hating Game
99 Percent Mine ...more

flag 169 likes · Like · see review

Jun 07, 2019 Amy marked it as to-read

Shelves: 2021-releases

yes, I hated 99 Percent Mine. yes, I'm gonna read this anyway. don't worry about it. ...more

flag 144 likes · Like · see review

Nov 15, 2019 Warda marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Oh god, the blurb...
I'm salivating! ...more

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Oct 18, 2020 Emily rated it it was amazing

Read this the right way (in one day), and miss it so badly all ready. Like being inside Sally Thorne's cute, cozy, whimsically wall-papered brain with a cheeseboard, a bubblebath, and a very soft sweater. No one writes like Sally. No one thinks like her, I don't think. I want to bottle her brain, and drink a sip every night so I can dream her books. Just. So. Sweet. ...more

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May 08, 2019 Nas marked it as to-read

Clever, funny, and unforgettable story of a muscular, tattooed man hired as an assistant to two old women—under the watchful eye of a beautiful retirement home manager.

*chef's kiss*

MY BODY IS READY

description

...more

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Apr 21, 2020 Angelica marked it as to-read

Sally Thorne:
Me: say no more!

I'm hoping this was is a little more Hating Game and a little less 99 Percent Mine ...more

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Jul 30, 2020 alluring B ❄︎ marked it as to-read

PLS DONT LET THIS FLOP LIKE 99% MINE, DEAR LORD 🤞🏻😩🙏🏻
LET THIS ONE GO THROUGH PROPER EDITING, IM BEGGING

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Dec 03, 2020 Caitlin Reads rated it it was amazing

I was so thrilled to receive an ARC for Second First Impressions. I absolutely loved Sally’s debut novel, The Hating Game, and also enjoyed 99 Percent Mine which received mixed reviews. I would highly encourage fans of Sally who didn’t love 99 Percent Mine to rest assured and give Second First Impressions a chance because it really is Sally’s perfect “second first impression.”

Ruthie Midona is a 25 year old living and working in a retirement community. She is the oldest 25 year old alive who pref I was so thrilled to receive an ARC for Second First Impressions. I absolutely loved Sally’s debut novel, The Hating Game, and also enjoyed 99 Percent Mine which received mixed reviews. I would highly encourage fans of Sally who didn’t love 99 Percent Mine to rest assured and give Second First Impressions a chance because it really is Sally’s perfect “second first impression.”

Ruthie Midona is a 25 year old living and working in a retirement community. She is the oldest 25 year old alive who prefers to spend her time with the retired residents than bother venturing outside the Providence Retirement Villas to find a life in the real world. Her newest coworker, Melanie Sasaki is determined to get Ruthie back into the dating world going as far as to invest her own method, The Sasaki Method.

Things begin to get interesting in the retirement village when Teddy Prescott, son of the Villas owner, arrives with his father. His father tells him he can live there next to Ruthie as long as he gets a job. The only available job is working as an assistant to the hilarious sisters, Aggie and Renata. Their ad read “Two ancient old women residing at Providence Retirement Villas seek male assistant for casual exploitation and good-natured humiliation.” Reneta and Aggie were a major highlight for me. They were hilarious and you couldn’t help but love them. Sparks quickly fly between Ruthie and Teddy as they migrate from enemies to neighbors to friends to falling in love. I really loved both Ruthie and Teddy. Ruthie is was so likable and it was so fun to watch her come out of her shell and start to build a real life for herself. Teddy was a major book boyfriend. He was so lovable and funny. Ruthie and Teddy had great chemistry and the sparks were flying off the pages. All the supporting characters were great.

I read this endearing romance in one sitting and will be counting down the days to Sally Thorne’s next novel. Second First Impressions is sure to join The Hating Game on my short list of novels I reread annually.

Thank you to Edelweiss+, William Morrow and Custom House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
...more

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Oct 17, 2020 Jaimie rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-stars

Sally Thorne is BACK! Thank goodness. I feared we'd never recover after 99 Percent Mine. But here we are.

Second First Impressions is considerably more than a light hearted romance between two quirky, unusual people (though it is that too). It's a deep dive into the long-lasting effects of family trauma faced during adolescence on a woman's ability to establish herself in adulthood, to take herself seriously, and to create a life for herself.

I'm impressed with all the layers and different eleme ...more

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May 07, 2019 Kilikina marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: may, new-adult, acquire-at-all-costs, contemporary, romance, 2020

EDIT: omg this sounds amazing! I can’t wait!

Another book from my queen Sally Thorne?!?!?!

description

No title, cover, or synopsis yet, but I am READY ...more

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Oct 17, 2020 Jamie rated it it was amazing

Loved it loved it loved it. Sally Thorne is the absolute best at banter mixed with the most glorious descriptions and similes. “He smells like a sweet tea bag. How obnoxiously nice.” Or later, saying someone is a pink unicorn. Not like a pink unicorn. IS one. God I loved this so much.

The ending is a TINY bit rushed with Teddy’s family, but I adored swimming in the dialogue and the ways that Thorne’s characters verbalize the things that we all think but can’t quite express, at least not as witti ...more

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Dec 10, 2020 Arielle ⭐ Cursebreaker ⭐ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc-edelweiss, romance

This was exceptional. I don't even know how else to describe Sally Thorne's writing other than to say that it just makes me feel good. Even though all three of her leading ladies are incredibly different, they were parts of them that were still somehow all relatable and warm and comforting. Sally's books are something that you can pull out on a day full of sunshine at the beach to enjoy or on a gray day filled with sadness. No matter what you're feeling when you begin them, I can guarantee you w This was exceptional. I don't even know how else to describe Sally Thorne's writing other than to say that it just makes me feel good. Even though all three of her leading ladies are incredibly different, they were parts of them that were still somehow all relatable and warm and comforting. Sally's books are something that you can pull out on a day full of sunshine at the beach to enjoy or on a gray day filled with sadness. No matter what you're feeling when you begin them, I can guarantee you will feel better when you're done.

That being said, I know a lot of people didn't like 99% Mine as much as me. This book, and Ruthie in particular is nothing like that. I REALLY think that those that didn't like Darcy's abrasiveness will fall in love with Ruthie's quiet but quick witted personality. And Teddy. Ohhhhh Teddy. Teddy is the embodiment of his name. A big, giant, teddy bear that you can't help but want to love and squeeze tight and never let go. He grew up in a wealthy family but has always been treated as the lazy one, the one who will never take grown up life seriously, and I think that has really had a big impact on actually turning him into that person. However, once he's forced to spend some time at the Providence Luxury Retirement Villa as personal assistant to the sassiest, funniest, loveliest old ladies you've ever seen and gets to know Ruthie, things change.

Ruthie, who is a quiet, keeps-her-head-down and never-leave-the-Villa type of gal really hasn't experienced much of what life has to offer. Between Melanie, her new assistant turned friend, and Teddy, that changes. She comes out of her shell (har har nod to the tortoises) and begins to quickly discover how having these two meddling in her every day life is starting to make her want things she hasn't in a long time.

This book has it's fair share of interesting plot points outside of the addicting romance, too. Finding out something from Ruthie's past that has shaped certain aspects of her life now, finding more out about Teddy's past and his tumultuous relationship with his sister, Rose, and even why Ruthie's boss won't e-mail her back. Sally Throne has hit it out of the park once again and I'm not even surprised about it.

Huge thanks to Edelweiss and William Morrow for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.♥

For more of my reviews, please visit:

...more

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Oct 22, 2019 Emily Watts marked it as to-read

Shelves: 2020-releases

please dont suck please dont suck please dont suck please dont suck

flag 18 likes · Like · see review

May 07, 2019 . (not active on this account stop adding me) marked it as unreleased · review of another edition

Shelves: anticipating

i feel like it would be a literal crime if i didn't add this to my tbr ...more

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Dec 10, 2019 julia ♥ marked it as to-read

Shelves: tbr-romance

THERE IS A BLURB!!!!! [insert pic of baby yoda reaching in the distance]

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Jul 29, 2020 shreya ☂ marked it as to-read

Shelves: anticipating

two of my most anticipated romances are coming out next april, i can already see it being a fabulous month.

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

Jul 31, 2020 mika marked it as to-read

why the fuck did they put sjm’s review on the cover ?!

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Jul 16, 2019 ariam (villain fucker) marked it as to-read

Shelves: na

i hated 99 percent mine LMAO but god please be good

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Jul 10, 2019 Iris Grace rated it it was amazing

As Darcy Barrett would say, Get - In - Me!!!!!!

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Nov 26, 2020 peachygirl marked it as to-read

Not another 99 percent mine please!! 🤞

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Oct 15, 2020 Blair Leigh rated it it was amazing

I received an ARC of this book by NetGalley. I simply loved it more than I can adequately express. My full review is coming when I can take a few days to craft the perfect way to capture how this book made me feel. 💜 Sally has outdone herself AGAIN.

EDIT: Review:

Second First Impressions

I need to start by saying that for three years now (I think), The Hating Game has been my favorite romance novel. While it holds a special place in my heart until I die, Second First Impressions has become the fro I received an ARC of this book by NetGalley. I simply loved it more than I can adequately express. My full review is coming when I can take a few days to craft the perfect way to capture how this book made me feel. 💜 Sally has outdone herself AGAIN.

EDIT: Review:

Second First Impressions

I need to start by saying that for three years now (I think), The Hating Game has been my favorite romance novel. While it holds a special place in my heart until I die, Second First Impressions has become the front runner for romances that hold my heart. I’ve even re-read scenes this weekend when I was needing something happy to occupy my mind.

Now for the actual review:

Ruthie, daughter of a Reverend and wholly predictable from the tv show she watches every night to the glasses around her neck, is acting as interim manager of a retirement community for the rich and elderly. She does her job well, but there are three hindrances:
1. Aggie and Renata, two elderly hoots that love to torture their revolving door of male assistants, leaving Ruthie in a bind every time one runs off;
2. The development company that purchased the retirement villa and stuck a vague expiration date on the whole community; and,
3. Teddy, the son of the CEO of said development company that landed himself as her neighbor when he needed a new couch to crash on.

But, Ruthie thinks she can tackle all three problems with one tied up solution. Teddy becomes the assistant to Aggie and Renata, and she can show Teddy the magic of Providence to convince his father not to shut it down.

This book had everything wrapped up in a tiny bow for the perfect Blair package. A predictable heroine with a lifelong adoration for a tv show that helped her through her roughest times. A hero who doesn’t hide his emotions but, instead, seems almost too open about his every thought and feeling. TORTOISES. Two biddies reminiscent of Grace and Frankie or Sophia Petrillo. Humor. Wit. Desire. Lust. Heart-stopping moments of raw honesty and breathtaking “awww”‘s. I clutched my chest so many times. I cried twice. I laughed constantly. And, I fell head over heels in love with Teddy Prescott in all his tattooed/long super model hair glory. The highlights I have in my ebook are insane.

I am IN LOVE with this one. Sally, you continue to be the best at the game.
...more

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Nov 30, 2020 Erika B. (SOS BOOKS) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, netgalley, spicy, favorite-boy-award, adult-read, language

4.5 glorious stars!

The Hating Game is one of my top favorite books of all time. 99 Percent Mine was a crushing disappointment. I picked up the pieces of my book-loving heart. With faith that Sally Thorne could pull herself together, I went into this book with trepidation and hope. My dear readers, SALLY. IS. BACK!!!!! I loved the characters, the setting, the banter, the lovable quirkiness that is so this author's niche. My heart did little flippity-flips in my chest because the slow burn romanc ...more

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Dec 10, 2019 Viv marked it as to-read

if this is gonna be a repeat of 99 percent [silence]

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Nov 17, 2020 Samantha rated it liked it

I received an ARC of this book via Edelweiss.

Ruthie is an old-soul: cautious, self-contained, and quiet, and she’s starting to wonder if, at 25, there’s more to life. Teddy is charming, out-going, and maybe just a bit flighty. Can they bring out the best in each other to achieve their dreams?

What I loved: that Teddy was not the alpha-male found in a lot of romance novels. He was warm, quirky, gregarious and a bit flawed in ways that aren’t stereotyped as alpha male. Ruthie is also a relatable ch ...more

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Dec 30, 2020 Topastro marked it as to-read

I will pretend 99 Percent Mine didn't happen and pray this is as good as The Hating Game. ...more

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Nov 25, 2020 Shaimaa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020, romance, arc

"I am tackling the journey just like a golden bonnet tortoise: one inch at a time."

I think that Sally's THG set a benchmark and after it I cannot help but compare her other books with it. And, well, no one measures up to Joshua Templeman. Since I am comparing, this was, for me, somewhere between 99 Percent Mine and The Hating Game.

I liked the peace and quiet about this book. I liked how the story nicely juxtaposed that with taking chances and being brave. Since the 25-year-old Ruthie Midona is ...more

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May 13, 2019 Julie marked it as to-read

13 May 2019: I know nothing about this book, but I'm so excited!! :D

15 November 2019: The title! The blurb! I. CAN'T. WAIT. !! ...more

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Sep 28, 2019 rach marked it as to-read

I will read any book this lady writes.

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Dec 21, 2020 zozo ~ marked it as to-read · review of another edition

If this isn't just as superior as The Hating Game i'm actually going to be pissed, bring the magic back Sally Thorne 😫 we all know you got it in you. ...more

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About Sally Thorne

Sally Thorne

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Sally Thorne is the USA Today bestselling author of the office rom-com The Hating Game (2016). It is her debut novel that has sold in over twenty-five countries and is being made into a major motion picture, to be directed by Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion and The Simpsons Movie director David Mirkin. It was named in the top 20 romance novels of 2016 by the Washington Post and was a top t ...more