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Swizzle Stick Romance #2
On the Rocks
No straight women. No parents of students. Nobody under thirty-five. Vanessa Martini makes no apologies for her dating checklist. She’s been up close to enough messy breakups to know what havoc they wreak in life. Just because people see her as fun and happy, and just because she loves her life in general, that doesn’t mean she can’t be careful. Or discerning. Or, okay, fine, super picky.
Grace Chapman is tired of being judged by her boss, by the husband she’s divorcing, by her parents. All she cares about now is her six-year-old son, Oliver. The divorce is making him act out in school, and she just needs to find a way to help him so they can start again. What she does not need is the silent judgment she gets from his teacher. His wildly attractive, super sexy, annoyingly gorgeous teacher.
Grace ticks all Vanessa’s Do Not Date boxes. Vanessa is yet one more person who disapproves of Grace. Of course, they’re never going to fall in love.
Grace Chapman is tired of being judged by her boss, by the husband she’s divorcing, by her parents. All she cares about now is her six-year-old son, Oliver. The divorce is making him act out in school, and she just needs to find a way to help him so they can start again. What she does not need is the silent judgment she gets from his teacher. His wildly attractive, super sexy, annoyingly gorgeous teacher.
Grace ticks all Vanessa’s Do Not Date boxes. Vanessa is yet one more person who disapproves of Grace. Of course, they’re never going to fall in love.
Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2021
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485 people want to read
About the author
Georgia Beers
57 books1,513 followersLambda and Golden Crown Literary Award-winning author Georgia Beers lives in Rochester, New York. She has been writing for as long as she can remember, and published her first lesbian novel in 2000.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
June 18, 2024
Enjoyable read!
A much much better storyline in this book #2 of 'Swizzle Stick Romance' ongoing chronicle. This focuses on another of the cousins, this time it's Vanessa (a teacher) who meets one of student's (Oliver) mom, Grace. They become friendly, hook-up, have a little misunderstanding, talked, then fall in love, is introduced to all the families --- the end.
Recommended book!
A much much better storyline in this book #2 of 'Swizzle Stick Romance' ongoing chronicle. This focuses on another of the cousins, this time it's Vanessa (a teacher) who meets one of student's (Oliver) mom, Grace. They become friendly, hook-up, have a little misunderstanding, talked, then fall in love, is introduced to all the families --- the end.
Recommended book!
December 17, 2021
This book made me so happy! And kept me awake way too late.
Despite liking the characters a lot, I didn’t enjoy the first book in the Swizzle Stick series as much as I hoped I would. This one, however, I loved. It’s perfectly fluffy but not empty, fairly low angst with characters I loved at first sight.
At thirty-three, Vanessa is the youngest of the three Martini cousins (the others are Julia, the star of the first book, Shaken or Stirred, and Amelia, whose story I can’t wait to read). A second-grade teacher, she loves the kids but wouldn’t mind not having to deal with parents. A couple of months into the school year, she meets with the mother of one of her students, Oliver, who went from being a delight to acting out. Turns out his parents are going through a divorce. Because of her own parents’ divorce, Vanessa has opinions on how Grace, the child’s mum, should deal with the situation. Grace isn’t as clueless as Vanessa seems to believe, and she’s tired of everyone – from her mother to her son’s teacher – judging her. Yet when they keep bumping into each other in all sorts of unexpected places, Grace and Vanessa find it very hard to fight the attraction.
Vanessa has a lot of rules on who not to date and a student’s mother is at the top of the list. She’s sweet and smart and funny but she also tends to run at the first sign of trouble. She’s lucky to have her cousins (and Julia’s girlfriend Savannah) to point out when she’s being an idiot. At one point in the story, her running really hurts Grace and it’s a turning point. Watching Vanessa learn from her mistakes was very satisfying.
Grace, on the other hand, seems a lot more mature, even though she’s a few years younger, which I felt came from being a mother. All she wants is for her son to be happy. I ached with her for all the firsts without her son. In classic divorced-dad moves, her soon-to-be ex-husband isn’t helping her feel less overwhelmed, but even though she’s not on the receiving end of the Martini cousins wisdom, she gets really good advice (I’m biased, I’ve given it more than once) from her best friend: if you’re happy, your kids are happy.
One of the reasons Shaken or Stirred didn’t entirely work for me was the writing, which didn’t flow as well as it could have. Beers fixed it in this one, it reads very easily. There’s a lot of laughing through noses, and usually, the repetition would bother me but this book is so lovely, the characters are so charming that I didn’t mind. It actually made me smile even more.
On the Rocks is instalust at its best. And the best kind of instalust, when it’s not just physical but the body being smarter and quicker than the mind and heart. Every time Grace and Vanessa touch is so damn hot. I also really appreciate that Grace’s bisexuality is just a fact, not an issue. It just is.
And I think it every time I see it but I don’t remember writing it in a review yet: whisper is such a sexy word.
I also loved the way the author describes the cocktails Julia works on. I’m not a fan of cinnamon but that Cinnamon Roll drink at Martini’s? I’d love to taste it, just because of how she makes it sound.
One of the secondary characters compares Vanessa and Grace’s romance to a Netflix miniseries and I’d definitely watch it. I’ll end this review by mentioning the pets, because of course there are wonderful pets in a Georgia Beers book. Delilah stole my heart…
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Despite liking the characters a lot, I didn’t enjoy the first book in the Swizzle Stick series as much as I hoped I would. This one, however, I loved. It’s perfectly fluffy but not empty, fairly low angst with characters I loved at first sight.
At thirty-three, Vanessa is the youngest of the three Martini cousins (the others are Julia, the star of the first book, Shaken or Stirred, and Amelia, whose story I can’t wait to read). A second-grade teacher, she loves the kids but wouldn’t mind not having to deal with parents. A couple of months into the school year, she meets with the mother of one of her students, Oliver, who went from being a delight to acting out. Turns out his parents are going through a divorce. Because of her own parents’ divorce, Vanessa has opinions on how Grace, the child’s mum, should deal with the situation. Grace isn’t as clueless as Vanessa seems to believe, and she’s tired of everyone – from her mother to her son’s teacher – judging her. Yet when they keep bumping into each other in all sorts of unexpected places, Grace and Vanessa find it very hard to fight the attraction.
Vanessa has a lot of rules on who not to date and a student’s mother is at the top of the list. She’s sweet and smart and funny but she also tends to run at the first sign of trouble. She’s lucky to have her cousins (and Julia’s girlfriend Savannah) to point out when she’s being an idiot. At one point in the story, her running really hurts Grace and it’s a turning point. Watching Vanessa learn from her mistakes was very satisfying.
Grace, on the other hand, seems a lot more mature, even though she’s a few years younger, which I felt came from being a mother. All she wants is for her son to be happy. I ached with her for all the firsts without her son. In classic divorced-dad moves, her soon-to-be ex-husband isn’t helping her feel less overwhelmed, but even though she’s not on the receiving end of the Martini cousins wisdom, she gets really good advice (I’m biased, I’ve given it more than once) from her best friend: if you’re happy, your kids are happy.
One of the reasons Shaken or Stirred didn’t entirely work for me was the writing, which didn’t flow as well as it could have. Beers fixed it in this one, it reads very easily. There’s a lot of laughing through noses, and usually, the repetition would bother me but this book is so lovely, the characters are so charming that I didn’t mind. It actually made me smile even more.
On the Rocks is instalust at its best. And the best kind of instalust, when it’s not just physical but the body being smarter and quicker than the mind and heart. Every time Grace and Vanessa touch is so damn hot. I also really appreciate that Grace’s bisexuality is just a fact, not an issue. It just is.
And I think it every time I see it but I don’t remember writing it in a review yet: whisper is such a sexy word.
I also loved the way the author describes the cocktails Julia works on. I’m not a fan of cinnamon but that Cinnamon Roll drink at Martini’s? I’d love to taste it, just because of how she makes it sound.
One of the secondary characters compares Vanessa and Grace’s romance to a Netflix miniseries and I’d definitely watch it. I’ll end this review by mentioning the pets, because of course there are wonderful pets in a Georgia Beers book. Delilah stole my heart…
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 13, 2021
Another Martini cousin.
We have the queer cousins of the Martini family again and after Julia's story, we now have Vanessa's. Vanessa is a second grade teacher and Grace is the mother of one of her students, Oliver. There is a lot of focus on Grace in this one as she faces a lot of judgement for her recent divorce and stress for having a son with behavioural issues. And I like the premise. Mostly because I recognise those behavioural issues in a real life kid whom I know even though his circumstances are different from Oliver's. And Beers never disapoints when it comes to romance. I love the flirting between teacher and parent. The sex scenes are fantastic and there are some sex against the wall / countertop passionate ones.
But I hate that Vanessa pulls away at the first signs of trouble, especially when I didn't realise that she even had that flaw to begin with until things happened. And I also wish that there had been a better resolution to things like Grace's relationship with her parents and with Oliver, all of which seemed like important issues at the start. Particularly Oliver, who was literally at the centre at one point but seemed to fade into the background after a while.
This is the second book of A Swizzle Stick Romance. I love what the couple have romantically a lot but I'm less in love with some of the other stuff.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
We have the queer cousins of the Martini family again and after Julia's story, we now have Vanessa's. Vanessa is a second grade teacher and Grace is the mother of one of her students, Oliver. There is a lot of focus on Grace in this one as she faces a lot of judgement for her recent divorce and stress for having a son with behavioural issues. And I like the premise. Mostly because I recognise those behavioural issues in a real life kid whom I know even though his circumstances are different from Oliver's. And Beers never disapoints when it comes to romance. I love the flirting between teacher and parent. The sex scenes are fantastic and there are some sex against the wall / countertop passionate ones.
But I hate that Vanessa pulls away at the first signs of trouble, especially when I didn't realise that she even had that flaw to begin with until things happened. And I also wish that there had been a better resolution to things like Grace's relationship with her parents and with Oliver, all of which seemed like important issues at the start. Particularly Oliver, who was literally at the centre at one point but seemed to fade into the background after a while.
This is the second book of A Swizzle Stick Romance. I love what the couple have romantically a lot but I'm less in love with some of the other stuff.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 15, 2021
This book has quickly risen on my list of favourite Georgia Beers books
On the Rocks is book number 2 in Beers' Swizzle Stick Romance series. This one follows Vanessa Martini, the cousin of our protagonist from book one, as she finds herself falling for a student's parent. The parent in question is Grace Chapman. Grace is going through a divorce and is sick and tired of everyone judging her, including her son. Said son starts misbehaving in school prompting Vanessa to call in Grace and soon enough Vanessa is seeing her everywhere.
I've always admired the way Georgia Beers makes the most entertaining stories out of the most basic plots and this book is a prime example. The perfect amount of angst, romance, humor and drama. Vanessa is a bit of a stubborn character but very considerate and caring. Grace is kind of a mess but a good character either way. Together they made a hot couple. I especially like how even though Grace was getting divorced from a man, her sexuality was not a problem. It's refreshing when the book just slides into it without the whole dramatic queer realization.
The writing in this book is easy flowing, I can see this being a casual read on a busy day. Just a regular feel good romance.
If I had to sneak in a critique here it would be the underwhelming solution that Grace came to with her son. Struggling with his parents divorce, Oliver, has become to poster problem child. Random fits of anger and disrespect to his mom, he becomes a pain in the ass. The solution to this was Grace having a talk with his dad but I can't help but feel like the book was missing her having a talk with Oliver himself. No where in this book did she ask him how he felt.
All in all, I do recommend this book as much as I recommend almost every Georgia Beers book.
I received an ARC from Netgalley and the publishers in exchanged for a honest review.
On the Rocks is book number 2 in Beers' Swizzle Stick Romance series. This one follows Vanessa Martini, the cousin of our protagonist from book one, as she finds herself falling for a student's parent. The parent in question is Grace Chapman. Grace is going through a divorce and is sick and tired of everyone judging her, including her son. Said son starts misbehaving in school prompting Vanessa to call in Grace and soon enough Vanessa is seeing her everywhere.
I've always admired the way Georgia Beers makes the most entertaining stories out of the most basic plots and this book is a prime example. The perfect amount of angst, romance, humor and drama. Vanessa is a bit of a stubborn character but very considerate and caring. Grace is kind of a mess but a good character either way. Together they made a hot couple. I especially like how even though Grace was getting divorced from a man, her sexuality was not a problem. It's refreshing when the book just slides into it without the whole dramatic queer realization.
The writing in this book is easy flowing, I can see this being a casual read on a busy day. Just a regular feel good romance.
If I had to sneak in a critique here it would be the underwhelming solution that Grace came to with her son. Struggling with his parents divorce, Oliver, has become to poster problem child. Random fits of anger and disrespect to his mom, he becomes a pain in the ass. The solution to this was Grace having a talk with his dad but I can't help but feel like the book was missing her having a talk with Oliver himself. No where in this book did she ask him how he felt.
All in all, I do recommend this book as much as I recommend almost every Georgia Beers book.
I received an ARC from Netgalley and the publishers in exchanged for a honest review.
November 21, 2021
I did not read the first book in this Swizzle Stick Romance series but didn’t feel like I was that far behind understanding cousin Vanessa’s story without reading Julia’s story first. The three Martini cousins act as a support system for each other and have Julia’s bar to celebrate and commiserate together as needs arise. Grace Chapman is not so fortunate. A newly divorced single parent, Grace has to juggle an inflexible boss at work, a son who is acting out at school and a mother who blames her for “not trying hard enough” to keep her marriage together. You can feel the pressure Grace lives with on the day to day. When Oliver’s school calls Grace at work to say he has been in a fight and will be expelled your heart goes out to Grace. Her first meeting with his judgy teacher Vanessa doesn’t improve Grace’s mood.
I loved this setup for the romance to come and Georgia Beers succeeds once again in turning sour grapes into sweet wine. Several meet cutes later along with a clear attraction for one another we get to watch Vanessa and Grace fall in love and yes, there is lots of steam in this book so enjoy the ride. When I read the blurb for the book I assumed Grace was straight so was pleased to see her bisexuality not being a factor at all in their budding relationship. I did worry about the parent/teacher relationship and this was a complicating factor in their HEA. I went in thinking this would be Vanessa’s story but found I was team Grace, cheering for her happiness and not happy with Vanessa’s behaviour when trouble began brewing in romancelandia.
This is a fairly low angst read where the romance overshadows the dark times and like many Beers books we’ve enjoyed, a lot of light hearted warm and fuzzy moments. A nice December read to get you in the holiday spirit. Time for me to read the first book in the series, Shaken or Stirred before the third book is released. I’m looking forward to Amelia’s book not just for her new business but as an older lesbian, I’m excited to see who she will meet and (hopefully) fall in love.
4.5 stars
An ecopy of this book was received with thanks from the publisher via NetGalley for review.
I loved this setup for the romance to come and Georgia Beers succeeds once again in turning sour grapes into sweet wine. Several meet cutes later along with a clear attraction for one another we get to watch Vanessa and Grace fall in love and yes, there is lots of steam in this book so enjoy the ride. When I read the blurb for the book I assumed Grace was straight so was pleased to see her bisexuality not being a factor at all in their budding relationship. I did worry about the parent/teacher relationship and this was a complicating factor in their HEA. I went in thinking this would be Vanessa’s story but found I was team Grace, cheering for her happiness and not happy with Vanessa’s behaviour when trouble began brewing in romancelandia.
This is a fairly low angst read where the romance overshadows the dark times and like many Beers books we’ve enjoyed, a lot of light hearted warm and fuzzy moments. A nice December read to get you in the holiday spirit. Time for me to read the first book in the series, Shaken or Stirred before the third book is released. I’m looking forward to Amelia’s book not just for her new business but as an older lesbian, I’m excited to see who she will meet and (hopefully) fall in love.
4.5 stars
An ecopy of this book was received with thanks from the publisher via NetGalley for review.
December 24, 2021
3.75 stars. The second book in the series starring the Martini cousins. These books are excellent if you need a cute romance. I enjoyed this book, it has some serious topics, but is still lighthearted and an easygoing read.
The storyline in this book revolves largely around divorce. Grace is in the middle of a divorce (although her marriage has long been over) and her son Oliver is acting out because of it. And with acting out I mean really acting out, boy, he’s a menace. Vanessa is Oliver’s teacher and has to sit Grace down for a serious talk about her son.
I liked seeing how Grace and Vanessa get together, they have some hurdles to overcome. Vanessa is judgmental about Grace due to personal experience with divorce and Grace’s life is a mess due to the divorce and Oliver acting out, and then she receives Vanessa’s judgement on top of it. So, of course there is lots of flirting and they fall in love.
We also get more of Martini cousins, Julia and Amelia, and also Savannah, Julia’s girlfriend from book one. Their friendship is quite special and it is fun to see how they are all different and not afraid to be very direct with each other. And not to forget, there are cuddly pets! One thing that I didn’t really notice in book one, but that threw me a couple of times in this book, was the similarity in the names Vanessa and Savannah, for some reason I kept mixing them up. I’m wondering if I’m the only one here.
The book was good and I enjoyed it a lot, but I do have some minor points concerning the last 25%. It lost its strength a bit for me. Some people acted out of character all of the sudden. Vanessa takes an easy way out leading to a dark moment, which was luckily quickly resolved. Grace’s ex-husband makes a turn that I did not fully believe could be that fast or easy considering they are in a divorce situation where feelings can be deep rooted and not easy to let go. And Oliver, who is so important during the most part of the book, appears to be forgotten. I would have liked to see what happened with him in the end.
All in all, this is a cute low angst romance. It’s well written, as can be expected from Beers, and fans of her books and of the Swizzle stick romance series will most likely enjoy this book. The last book in the series will be about Amelia and from the first book I read in this series I’m most curious about her story. We are promised lots more cute pets in the third book and I’m looking forward to reading it!
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The storyline in this book revolves largely around divorce. Grace is in the middle of a divorce (although her marriage has long been over) and her son Oliver is acting out because of it. And with acting out I mean really acting out, boy, he’s a menace. Vanessa is Oliver’s teacher and has to sit Grace down for a serious talk about her son.
I liked seeing how Grace and Vanessa get together, they have some hurdles to overcome. Vanessa is judgmental about Grace due to personal experience with divorce and Grace’s life is a mess due to the divorce and Oliver acting out, and then she receives Vanessa’s judgement on top of it. So, of course there is lots of flirting and they fall in love.
We also get more of Martini cousins, Julia and Amelia, and also Savannah, Julia’s girlfriend from book one. Their friendship is quite special and it is fun to see how they are all different and not afraid to be very direct with each other. And not to forget, there are cuddly pets! One thing that I didn’t really notice in book one, but that threw me a couple of times in this book, was the similarity in the names Vanessa and Savannah, for some reason I kept mixing them up. I’m wondering if I’m the only one here.
The book was good and I enjoyed it a lot, but I do have some minor points concerning the last 25%. It lost its strength a bit for me. Some people acted out of character all of the sudden. Vanessa takes an easy way out leading to a dark moment, which was luckily quickly resolved. Grace’s ex-husband makes a turn that I did not fully believe could be that fast or easy considering they are in a divorce situation where feelings can be deep rooted and not easy to let go. And Oliver, who is so important during the most part of the book, appears to be forgotten. I would have liked to see what happened with him in the end.
All in all, this is a cute low angst romance. It’s well written, as can be expected from Beers, and fans of her books and of the Swizzle stick romance series will most likely enjoy this book. The last book in the series will be about Amelia and from the first book I read in this series I’m most curious about her story. We are promised lots more cute pets in the third book and I’m looking forward to reading it!
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2021
‘Call the Cousins’ This is a wonderful, amusing rally cry for the Swizzle Stick Romance series. The Martini cousins are a close knit group who do not hold back on their opinions or their love for each other. Vanessa is the cousin in the limelight in On the Rocks. She falls for the parent of one of her students. The parent who is going through a divorce from her husband.
Lambda and Golden Crown Literary award winning author Georgia Beers has over thirty novels to her credit and she knows how to entertain her readers. The Swizzle Stick Romance series is Beers at her best.
The story is based on the effects of divorce on children whether seven years old or thirty. It changes all participants involved. The security you have as part of a family unit feels ripped from your grasp. It forever changes how you view your world.
On the Rocks is an enjoyable read with just the right balance of humour and angst. The writing is top notch with characters who are unforgettable. The biggest drawback for me is waiting for book three and Amelia’s story.
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and Bold Stroke Books and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Lambda and Golden Crown Literary award winning author Georgia Beers has over thirty novels to her credit and she knows how to entertain her readers. The Swizzle Stick Romance series is Beers at her best.
The story is based on the effects of divorce on children whether seven years old or thirty. It changes all participants involved. The security you have as part of a family unit feels ripped from your grasp. It forever changes how you view your world.
On the Rocks is an enjoyable read with just the right balance of humour and angst. The writing is top notch with characters who are unforgettable. The biggest drawback for me is waiting for book three and Amelia’s story.
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and Bold Stroke Books and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
January 4, 2022
“On the Rocks” is the second instalment in the Swizzle Stick series by Georgia Beers. “Shaken or Stirred” is the first in the series and I do recommend reading them in order if you’re going to read the whole series. However, they’re standalones so you’re not missing out on a lot if you decide to read them out of order. Beers also does a pretty nice summary of “Shaken or Stirred” if you decide to give it a miss.
Vanessa Martini is an elementary school teacher. She starts having some issues with a normally good student, Oliver, and calls a meeting with his parents. She meets Grace Chapman, Oliver’s mom, who explains how she’s going through a divorce. Vanessa has a rule to never date a student’s parent but she can’t seem to stay away from Grace. They start running into one another all over town and soon enough their attraction sparks.
This is a pretty typical read from Georgia Beers. It feels like a romantic comedy with a light dash of angst, but mostly it’s funny and sweet with a lot of family and heart. Vanessa and Grace have an instant pull to one another despite their reasons for not wanting to give the other a chance. I liked all the flirty banter between the two and how natural they were together. Also, they actually went on dates and I thought that was super cute and fun. It seems like there isn’t a whole lot of actual dating in sapphic romances these days so I enjoyed it this time. This has some steamy scenes and there’s a lot of physical chemistry between them. I do wish there had been a better emotional connection because it felt a little on the lighter side in comparison to their physical connection.
Even though I liked how it dealt with divorce and the impacts it can have on a child. I wish Oliver and his storyline had been a little more involved because it seemed as though it got dropped once Vanessa and Grace got together. I also wasn’t completely sold on Grace’s ex and his sudden 180 on Vanessa and Grace’s relationship. I didn’t buy his new attitude and felt it kind of came out of nowhere. I know these aren’t big things but they took this from being a 5 star down to 4 for me.
Despite those couple of things, I still recommend this if you’re looking for a fun, sexy romantic comedy.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Vanessa Martini is an elementary school teacher. She starts having some issues with a normally good student, Oliver, and calls a meeting with his parents. She meets Grace Chapman, Oliver’s mom, who explains how she’s going through a divorce. Vanessa has a rule to never date a student’s parent but she can’t seem to stay away from Grace. They start running into one another all over town and soon enough their attraction sparks.
This is a pretty typical read from Georgia Beers. It feels like a romantic comedy with a light dash of angst, but mostly it’s funny and sweet with a lot of family and heart. Vanessa and Grace have an instant pull to one another despite their reasons for not wanting to give the other a chance. I liked all the flirty banter between the two and how natural they were together. Also, they actually went on dates and I thought that was super cute and fun. It seems like there isn’t a whole lot of actual dating in sapphic romances these days so I enjoyed it this time. This has some steamy scenes and there’s a lot of physical chemistry between them. I do wish there had been a better emotional connection because it felt a little on the lighter side in comparison to their physical connection.
Even though I liked how it dealt with divorce and the impacts it can have on a child. I wish Oliver and his storyline had been a little more involved because it seemed as though it got dropped once Vanessa and Grace got together. I also wasn’t completely sold on Grace’s ex and his sudden 180 on Vanessa and Grace’s relationship. I didn’t buy his new attitude and felt it kind of came out of nowhere. I know these aren’t big things but they took this from being a 5 star down to 4 for me.
Despite those couple of things, I still recommend this if you’re looking for a fun, sexy romantic comedy.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2021
3.5 stars rounding up.
This is the second book I’ve read this month featuring an elementary school teacher main (the other one is Marry Me by Melissa Brayden; my review here), and gosh, why aren’t there more books with frazzled teachers and trouble-making kids?
Vanessa Martini (33) knows what she wants in a woman: not her students’ mom, not under 35 years old. But when she met Grace Chapman (29, bisexual), mother of the headache named Oliver, they connected better than expected. Too good, actually. Could the worst timing of Grace going through divorce while Oliver is in Vanessa’s class turn out to be the best time for them to date?
On the Rocks was so cute and funny! Beers certainly made me crack up multiple times with her clever dialogues and writing. The previous book, Shaken or Stirred (my review), was the first book on the Martini cousins. The overall tone in that one was heavier and more dramatic. On the Rocks is fluffier, especially since there are two adorable fur babies Delilah and Rudy. There are a lot of chance meetings though, but even though I am sometimes bothered by too much coincidence in a plot line, I thought they were really cute in this book.
I enjoyed getting to know more about Vanessa and Grace. Their interactions are fun and sometimes frustrating, and with the story taking place over fall and winter, we get to see a lot of holiday scenes from Thanksgiving to Christmas to the New Year.
One of the heaviest theme of On the Rocks is divorce. Grace is going through it with Michael with Oliver as the collateral damage, and Vanessa’s parents divorced when she was thirteen. I appreciate the storyline about the parents’ parenting style and how family dynamics are affected by the split. While Vanessa’s father and her no longer have much of a relationship, I’m glad to see Grace and Michael working out on the best way to co-parent Oliver.
Some major plot lines did not wrap up as nicely as probably should have. Yes, it is crucial to leave some parts of the story open-ended, but when the reason of the conflict doesn’t get fully addressed, I feel worried for the romance. I was disappointed that we didn’t get to see Vanessa and Grace and it was a little bit suspicious how Michael . Also, I am very sad that in the epilogue; she could’ve just declared or something.
On the Rocks is a mostly light-hearted romance with adorable pets. While I didn’t feel a lot of chemistry between the main characters, I did root for them to be together. Now, I’m looking forward to the third book on Amelia Martini (48), and it looks like there will be a lot more dog content, too!
content warnings: graphic sex, alcohol (recreational), past cheating, death of a minor character, mention of infertility, divorce
Buddy read with Gabriella! Check out her review here!
I received a digital review copy from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the second book I’ve read this month featuring an elementary school teacher main (the other one is Marry Me by Melissa Brayden; my review here), and gosh, why aren’t there more books with frazzled teachers and trouble-making kids?
Vanessa Martini (33) knows what she wants in a woman: not her students’ mom, not under 35 years old. But when she met Grace Chapman (29, bisexual), mother of the headache named Oliver, they connected better than expected. Too good, actually. Could the worst timing of Grace going through divorce while Oliver is in Vanessa’s class turn out to be the best time for them to date?
On the Rocks was so cute and funny! Beers certainly made me crack up multiple times with her clever dialogues and writing. The previous book, Shaken or Stirred (my review), was the first book on the Martini cousins. The overall tone in that one was heavier and more dramatic. On the Rocks is fluffier, especially since there are two adorable fur babies Delilah and Rudy. There are a lot of chance meetings though, but even though I am sometimes bothered by too much coincidence in a plot line, I thought they were really cute in this book.
I enjoyed getting to know more about Vanessa and Grace. Their interactions are fun and sometimes frustrating, and with the story taking place over fall and winter, we get to see a lot of holiday scenes from Thanksgiving to Christmas to the New Year.
One of the heaviest theme of On the Rocks is divorce. Grace is going through it with Michael with Oliver as the collateral damage, and Vanessa’s parents divorced when she was thirteen. I appreciate the storyline about the parents’ parenting style and how family dynamics are affected by the split. While Vanessa’s father and her no longer have much of a relationship, I’m glad to see Grace and Michael working out on the best way to co-parent Oliver.
Some major plot lines did not wrap up as nicely as probably should have. Yes, it is crucial to leave some parts of the story open-ended, but when the reason of the conflict doesn’t get fully addressed, I feel worried for the romance. I was disappointed that we didn’t get to see Vanessa and Grace and it was a little bit suspicious how Michael . Also, I am very sad that in the epilogue; she could’ve just declared or something.
On the Rocks is a mostly light-hearted romance with adorable pets. While I didn’t feel a lot of chemistry between the main characters, I did root for them to be together. Now, I’m looking forward to the third book on Amelia Martini (48), and it looks like there will be a lot more dog content, too!
content warnings: graphic sex, alcohol (recreational), past cheating, death of a minor character, mention of infertility, divorce
Buddy read with Gabriella! Check out her review here!
I received a digital review copy from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 28, 2021
I’ve been looking forward to reading On the Rocks, (A Swizzle Sticks Romance #2) by Georgia Beers ever since I read the first book in the series. I enjoyed the first story, and this one is equally delightful.
This series is about the three Martini cousins; three women who grew up together as family and as best friends. The first book in the series told us about Julia Martini falling in love. This novel is the story of Vanessa Martini, an elementary teacher (teaching 2nd grade this year) and her very complicated romance with Grace Chapman, the mother of one of her students. Oliver, Grace’s son is acting out in class and Vanessa believes it is because Grace is currently in the middle of a divorce. Vanessa has a rule about dating parents of her students. The divorce only adds to the complications with Grace, but the heart doesn’t always follow the rules.
You can tell when an author really loves what they are writing. It shows in their words, the way they treat the characters, and in the overall feel of the story. It is easy to see that the author loves these characters. They are vibrant, realistic, and easy to connect with.
The setting for this story is familiar since it is in the same universe as the first novel. Julia’s bar, Martini’s and the Bar Back, a place where the cousins often meet features prominently in this tale. It is really fun seeing these familiar places, and people we already know from before. That’s one of the terrific things about a series.
I had a lot of fun reading this book and learning about Vanessa and Grace’s tale. It was also great to see more of Julia and Samantha from the first novel. Now it is time for Amelia Martini’s story, and I’m really looking forward to that.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections: https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
This series is about the three Martini cousins; three women who grew up together as family and as best friends. The first book in the series told us about Julia Martini falling in love. This novel is the story of Vanessa Martini, an elementary teacher (teaching 2nd grade this year) and her very complicated romance with Grace Chapman, the mother of one of her students. Oliver, Grace’s son is acting out in class and Vanessa believes it is because Grace is currently in the middle of a divorce. Vanessa has a rule about dating parents of her students. The divorce only adds to the complications with Grace, but the heart doesn’t always follow the rules.
You can tell when an author really loves what they are writing. It shows in their words, the way they treat the characters, and in the overall feel of the story. It is easy to see that the author loves these characters. They are vibrant, realistic, and easy to connect with.
The setting for this story is familiar since it is in the same universe as the first novel. Julia’s bar, Martini’s and the Bar Back, a place where the cousins often meet features prominently in this tale. It is really fun seeing these familiar places, and people we already know from before. That’s one of the terrific things about a series.
I had a lot of fun reading this book and learning about Vanessa and Grace’s tale. It was also great to see more of Julia and Samantha from the first novel. Now it is time for Amelia Martini’s story, and I’m really looking forward to that.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections: https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
January 12, 2022
Perfect!
Vanessa can’t help but keep bumping into Grace, the mother of Oliver, a pupil she teaches. Grace is going through a divorce and with Oliver making things difficult for her, the last thing she expected was to be attracted to her son’s teacher. When Vanessa and Grace share a moment as a result of one their continuous chance meetings, Grace can’t help but carried away with falling for Vanessa but since Vanessa hasn’t been overly approving of her, she is convinced it will come to nothing.
I adored this second book in the Swizzle Stick Romance series so much! Everything about it was perfect, from the plot, to the characters, to the moments shared between Grace and Vanessa. I was hooked form the very first chapter and unable to put it down. I was desperate to know if Vanessa would give in to all she was feeling for Grace or if she would continue on her ‘no dating’ pathway. When it came to Grace, I just hoped she would be happy again because she was genuinely just having a difficult time that she really did not deserve.
In this story, it was Rudy, Delilah, and Oliver that made it for me. Without them it wouldn’t have been as good, they really were the cherry on top. The initial tension between Vanessa and Grace was brilliant, it worked so well as they both were left conflicted after their first meeting but for very different reasons. What made it so exciting was how that continued, even after they had both admitted there might be something there to their friends and families and yet when it came to one another, they were doing that awkward dance between not crossing a line and wanting to cross it all the same.
The whole story was just a lot of fun and each chapter held a new exciting moment. Georgia packed in some great moments of comedy, sometimes whole chunks, others more subtle, but I laughed, could relate to thoughts and feelings and genuinely just had the best time ready this story and can’t wait to read it again.
Vanessa can’t help but keep bumping into Grace, the mother of Oliver, a pupil she teaches. Grace is going through a divorce and with Oliver making things difficult for her, the last thing she expected was to be attracted to her son’s teacher. When Vanessa and Grace share a moment as a result of one their continuous chance meetings, Grace can’t help but carried away with falling for Vanessa but since Vanessa hasn’t been overly approving of her, she is convinced it will come to nothing.
I adored this second book in the Swizzle Stick Romance series so much! Everything about it was perfect, from the plot, to the characters, to the moments shared between Grace and Vanessa. I was hooked form the very first chapter and unable to put it down. I was desperate to know if Vanessa would give in to all she was feeling for Grace or if she would continue on her ‘no dating’ pathway. When it came to Grace, I just hoped she would be happy again because she was genuinely just having a difficult time that she really did not deserve.
In this story, it was Rudy, Delilah, and Oliver that made it for me. Without them it wouldn’t have been as good, they really were the cherry on top. The initial tension between Vanessa and Grace was brilliant, it worked so well as they both were left conflicted after their first meeting but for very different reasons. What made it so exciting was how that continued, even after they had both admitted there might be something there to their friends and families and yet when it came to one another, they were doing that awkward dance between not crossing a line and wanting to cross it all the same.
The whole story was just a lot of fun and each chapter held a new exciting moment. Georgia packed in some great moments of comedy, sometimes whole chunks, others more subtle, but I laughed, could relate to thoughts and feelings and genuinely just had the best time ready this story and can’t wait to read it again.
February 1, 2022
Another great read by another great author. Low on the angst, high on the chemistry and don’t get me going on the first few kisses Vanessa and Grace shared….. which really had me swooning. Ms Beers writes really great kissing scenes not only in OTR but in many of her other books 😊
November 17, 2021
Vanessa Martini has strict rules about who she allows herself to date but when she keeps running into Grace Chapman she finds those rules matter a little bit less each time they see each other. Grace has just gotten a divorce and is having a hard time with everyone’s judgement on the state of her life. When she runs into Ms. Martini, her son’s teacher who can’t seem to hide what she thinks of Grace’s parenting skills, she is inexplicably drawn to the stern teacher. As they spend more time running into each other around town they find themselves edging closer to a relationship but aren’t sure if they can really make it work with all the obstacles in their way.
Georgia Beers is consistently one of the best and this one is no exception. I love series like this where we get to see family members falling in love, but as Georgia says in the foreword, it just isn’t realistic to have sisters all be WLW, so this series with a large Italian family that includes these three cousins was an excellent substitute. These three are hilarious together, I loved the first in the series and equally liked this one but I truly can’t wait for Amelia’s turn in the next one so I hope Georgia is writing quickly! This is a series and I would recommend reading them in order, they could be read independently but I don’t think you’d really want to miss all the fun in book 1. Overall great read, can’t wait to get my hands on the next one!
Georgia Beers is consistently one of the best and this one is no exception. I love series like this where we get to see family members falling in love, but as Georgia says in the foreword, it just isn’t realistic to have sisters all be WLW, so this series with a large Italian family that includes these three cousins was an excellent substitute. These three are hilarious together, I loved the first in the series and equally liked this one but I truly can’t wait for Amelia’s turn in the next one so I hope Georgia is writing quickly! This is a series and I would recommend reading them in order, they could be read independently but I don’t think you’d really want to miss all the fun in book 1. Overall great read, can’t wait to get my hands on the next one!
April 28, 2022
WOOHOO! Who knew sweet Vanessa would be so daring?! That first kiss between her and Grace was fire! This was so bloody good. The update on Julia and Savannah was just... *chef's kiss*
December 12, 2021
I'm enjoying the Martini series by Georgia Beers! While I liked the first book, Shaken or Stirred, it honestly hasn't been my favorite among Beers' other work , but I was excited for the potential in the other books in the series. And I did enjoy this one more!
On The Rocks follows the youngest Martini cousin, Vanessa, as she is a school teacher with a troublesome student named Oliver. Well it turns out that Oliver's parents are divorcing causing him to act out. This brings Vanessa into contact with Oliver's mother, Grace Chapman and there is an instant connection between them. After Vanessa and Grace keep managing to run into each other, that has to be a sign of something more to come right?
This was really cute overall. Vanessa and Grace had some serious vibes between them and it was palpable from the start. My favorite thing about Beers' writing is how she brings characters together, creates chemistry, and then we watch those feelings grow over time- and this book is a perfect example of that. The flirting is fantastic and this book is hot as well!
I also really dug how Grace's bisexuality was treated in the book and how it was a total and complete non-issue. Everyone in Grace's circle knew she was getting divorced but when she started seeing a women in Vanessa it wasn't a *shock* to anyone. They just rolled with it. I liked that.
Additionally, I didn't realize going in that this book is set around the holidays so this is a nice time to read it.
And usually that would lead to a perfect rating in a contemporary romance novel for me (I'm not the hardest grader) but this book did also have some issues for me, particularly unresolved storylines by the ending. I'm not the only one with these complaints as I've read some other reviews so I won't harp on them too long, but I would have liked some resolve about Oliver's handling of his Mom's relationship, as well as Grace dealing with her family.
This was a very enjoyable book overall and Beers' definitely brings the charm (and adorable animals) we all know and love in her books. 4/5
thank you to Bold Strokes Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
On The Rocks follows the youngest Martini cousin, Vanessa, as she is a school teacher with a troublesome student named Oliver. Well it turns out that Oliver's parents are divorcing causing him to act out. This brings Vanessa into contact with Oliver's mother, Grace Chapman and there is an instant connection between them. After Vanessa and Grace keep managing to run into each other, that has to be a sign of something more to come right?
This was really cute overall. Vanessa and Grace had some serious vibes between them and it was palpable from the start. My favorite thing about Beers' writing is how she brings characters together, creates chemistry, and then we watch those feelings grow over time- and this book is a perfect example of that. The flirting is fantastic and this book is hot as well!
I also really dug how Grace's bisexuality was treated in the book and how it was a total and complete non-issue. Everyone in Grace's circle knew she was getting divorced but when she started seeing a women in Vanessa it wasn't a *shock* to anyone. They just rolled with it. I liked that.
Additionally, I didn't realize going in that this book is set around the holidays so this is a nice time to read it.
And usually that would lead to a perfect rating in a contemporary romance novel for me (I'm not the hardest grader) but this book did also have some issues for me, particularly unresolved storylines by the ending. I'm not the only one with these complaints as I've read some other reviews so I won't harp on them too long, but I would have liked some resolve about Oliver's handling of his Mom's relationship, as well as Grace dealing with her family.
This was a very enjoyable book overall and Beers' definitely brings the charm (and adorable animals) we all know and love in her books. 4/5
thank you to Bold Strokes Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
December 29, 2021
Review of On the Rocks by Georgia Beers, narrated by AJ Ferrarro
This is book 2 in the Swizzle Stick Romance series which features three cousins from a big Italian family: Julia, Vanessa, and Amelia Martini. Despite the three cousins being different in age and personalities, they are close like a group of friends or sisters. Julia, the protagonist of book one, is the owner of Martini's, the bar she inherited from her family and the usual meeting place for the three of them.
Vanessa Martini has strict rules about dating, especially no parents of her second-grade students. Grace Chapman has recently divorced and is trying to manage her new life with her seven-year-old son Oliver, a demanding job, a complicated relationship with her ex-husband, and her parents' disapproval of her separation. She doesn't need her son's teacher's judgment about her parenting skills and Oliver's behaviour. It doesn't matter that Ms. Martini is super hot and they keep meeting in the most unexpected places. They won't definitely fall for each other...
I'm hooked on this series from the start, I like the main premise of the lesbian cousins, a big Italian family, and a welcoming bar as the background. Each one of the Martini's women is likable and I can't wait for the last installment which will feature Amelia, the oldest and most guarded of the cousins.
This book tells the story of Vanessa, an elementary school teacher who finds love in the most unexpected circumstances. I liked the idea of a teacher/student's parent relationship, I don't recall having read another book about it. Apparently, it's not legally forbidden but it's frowned upon, which doesn't stop Vanessa and Grace from feeling the force of their mutual attraction and, at the same time, having hesitations to act on their feelings. Their meet-cute is a bit tense and antagonistic which made perfect sense considering the situation, so there isn't an instant attraction between them. That's why I thought that the first kiss scene felt a bit forced and unrealistic, even with alcohol involved. But I haven't heard other people complain about it so take this comment with a pinch of salt.
Apart from that minor complaint, I really enjoyed the story, it's sweet and hot at the same time. Ms. Beers builds the sexual tension really well and the intimate scenes are hot, as it's usual in her books. Even though the reader can guess where the conflict is heading to, I thought it was written well and made sense in the context of the story.
The audiobook version is narrated by AJ Ferrarro. I really enjoyed her performance of Maggie Cummings's Bay West Social series but I wasn't completely convinced about her choice of voices for the main characters in this book. I know it's a matter of personal taste, she's a good performer but personally, my dislike of the voices didn't allow me to enjoy the story as much. 4 stars.
Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
This is book 2 in the Swizzle Stick Romance series which features three cousins from a big Italian family: Julia, Vanessa, and Amelia Martini. Despite the three cousins being different in age and personalities, they are close like a group of friends or sisters. Julia, the protagonist of book one, is the owner of Martini's, the bar she inherited from her family and the usual meeting place for the three of them.
Vanessa Martini has strict rules about dating, especially no parents of her second-grade students. Grace Chapman has recently divorced and is trying to manage her new life with her seven-year-old son Oliver, a demanding job, a complicated relationship with her ex-husband, and her parents' disapproval of her separation. She doesn't need her son's teacher's judgment about her parenting skills and Oliver's behaviour. It doesn't matter that Ms. Martini is super hot and they keep meeting in the most unexpected places. They won't definitely fall for each other...
I'm hooked on this series from the start, I like the main premise of the lesbian cousins, a big Italian family, and a welcoming bar as the background. Each one of the Martini's women is likable and I can't wait for the last installment which will feature Amelia, the oldest and most guarded of the cousins.
This book tells the story of Vanessa, an elementary school teacher who finds love in the most unexpected circumstances. I liked the idea of a teacher/student's parent relationship, I don't recall having read another book about it. Apparently, it's not legally forbidden but it's frowned upon, which doesn't stop Vanessa and Grace from feeling the force of their mutual attraction and, at the same time, having hesitations to act on their feelings. Their meet-cute is a bit tense and antagonistic which made perfect sense considering the situation, so there isn't an instant attraction between them. That's why I thought that the first kiss scene felt a bit forced and unrealistic, even with alcohol involved. But I haven't heard other people complain about it so take this comment with a pinch of salt.
Apart from that minor complaint, I really enjoyed the story, it's sweet and hot at the same time. Ms. Beers builds the sexual tension really well and the intimate scenes are hot, as it's usual in her books. Even though the reader can guess where the conflict is heading to, I thought it was written well and made sense in the context of the story.
The audiobook version is narrated by AJ Ferrarro. I really enjoyed her performance of Maggie Cummings's Bay West Social series but I wasn't completely convinced about her choice of voices for the main characters in this book. I know it's a matter of personal taste, she's a good performer but personally, my dislike of the voices didn't allow me to enjoy the story as much. 4 stars.
Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
November 30, 2021
Aww, this is so adorable! I loved Vanessa in Shaken or Stirred and was happy to finally read her book. The Martini cousins are at it again with their love, support, and humor, making me wish I was part of a tight-knit group of gay cousins!
Vanessa Martini (33, lesbian), the sunshine of the Martini cousins, is teaching second grade for the first time, and one student, Oliver, keeps acting out in class. When Vanessa meets Oliver’s mom Grace Chapman (29, bi) for the first time, she’s inclined to dislike the other woman, even though the attraction is undeniable. As Grace finalizes her divorce from Oliver’s father, the last thing she needs is Vanessa’s judgment about how the divorce is affecting Oliver. Nor does she need to think about dating her son’s teacher, of all people!
This book is just really, really cute. Unlike with Shaken or Stirred, I don’t think too much page time is spent on non-romantic sub-plots, and the romance gets to truly shine. Vanessa and Grace have palpable chemistry, and dang, this is one of the best first kiss scenes I’ve read from Beers! Grace is going through so much at this point in her life, and I love how being with Vanessa allows her to embrace her fun, playful side. Knowing Vanessa from the previous book, we know that she won’t stay cold toward Grace for very long, and it’s beautiful when she lets Grace into that big heart of hers. The date scenes in this book are top-tier as well, one of them which will stay in my mind for a long time (hot damn!). Adding to the cuteness level, this book has something that I thought the first book was missing: pets! The furry friends introduced are absolutely adorable, and once again it’s clear Beers is an animal lover and advocate for animal adoption.
One complaint I have is that some of the main lines of non-romantic conflict are either wrapped up shockingly fast or skipped over entirely, which makes me think this book should have been a bit longer. Also, Vanessa and Grace end up in the same place at the same time quite a lot, and I’m on the fence about whether I liked that or not. Sure, it’s cute, but I also got a bit tired of it. On the plus side, the 80% conflict actually didn’t irk me like some of Beers’ other conflicts do.
In short, I recommend this book if you’re looking for a lighthearted, if predictable, romance with the tiniest bit of angst. Now I’m anxiously awaiting Amelia’s book, which I’m sure will have snark and animal cuteness in abundance!
Buddy read with Hsinju! Check out her review here!
content warnings: alcohol (recreational), divorce, graphic sex, guilt, infidelity (minor character, past),
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Vanessa Martini (33, lesbian), the sunshine of the Martini cousins, is teaching second grade for the first time, and one student, Oliver, keeps acting out in class. When Vanessa meets Oliver’s mom Grace Chapman (29, bi) for the first time, she’s inclined to dislike the other woman, even though the attraction is undeniable. As Grace finalizes her divorce from Oliver’s father, the last thing she needs is Vanessa’s judgment about how the divorce is affecting Oliver. Nor does she need to think about dating her son’s teacher, of all people!
This book is just really, really cute. Unlike with Shaken or Stirred, I don’t think too much page time is spent on non-romantic sub-plots, and the romance gets to truly shine. Vanessa and Grace have palpable chemistry, and dang, this is one of the best first kiss scenes I’ve read from Beers! Grace is going through so much at this point in her life, and I love how being with Vanessa allows her to embrace her fun, playful side. Knowing Vanessa from the previous book, we know that she won’t stay cold toward Grace for very long, and it’s beautiful when she lets Grace into that big heart of hers. The date scenes in this book are top-tier as well, one of them which will stay in my mind for a long time (hot damn!). Adding to the cuteness level, this book has something that I thought the first book was missing: pets! The furry friends introduced are absolutely adorable, and once again it’s clear Beers is an animal lover and advocate for animal adoption.
One complaint I have is that some of the main lines of non-romantic conflict are either wrapped up shockingly fast or skipped over entirely, which makes me think this book should have been a bit longer. Also, Vanessa and Grace end up in the same place at the same time quite a lot, and I’m on the fence about whether I liked that or not. Sure, it’s cute, but I also got a bit tired of it. On the plus side, the 80% conflict actually didn’t irk me like some of Beers’ other conflicts do.
In short, I recommend this book if you’re looking for a lighthearted, if predictable, romance with the tiniest bit of angst. Now I’m anxiously awaiting Amelia’s book, which I’m sure will have snark and animal cuteness in abundance!
Buddy read with Hsinju! Check out her review here!
content warnings: alcohol (recreational), divorce, graphic sex, guilt, infidelity (minor character, past),
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 15, 2021
4/5 stars
I was so excited when I saw that Georgia Beers was releasing another book following a Martini cousin, this time the youngest cousin Vanessa. Beers is definitely one of my go-to authors, and coming back to her romance stories truly feels like a warm hug. I am truly glad she is such a prolific writer because it helps feed my growing addiction to her character-driven and chemistry-filled stories. Earlier this year I read and enjoyed her first book in the Swizzle Stick series, although I admit that it isn't my favourite from Beers. Despite this, I fell in love with the characters, a so I was very excited to jump back into their lives. I especially loved the cameos that we got from some old favourites, like Savannah, Julia and Amelia. It added a certain warmth to the story, making it feel like I was coming home and joining in with a group of my friends. Her loveable side characters, especially the Martini cousins, means that I am looking forward to reading all the books in the series.
This book was full of instant and steamy attraction between our main characters, flirty banter, and a fair few heartwarming moments. Grace, a recently-divorced mother of her young son Oliver, is sick of feeling judged by others as she tries to handle parenting the best she can. Vanessa, Oliver's teacher, feels that his recent bad behaviour in class might be because of his mother's inability to handle her divorce and its impact on her son. The poor footing that these characters start off on is immediately contradicted by the intense attraction that they feel for each other. Their dislike for each other at the start of the novel and the frowned-upon nature of parent-teacher relationships added a great deal of tension and intrigue to their relationship. The almost 'forbidden' and reluctant nature of their attraction for each other just emphasised the immediate chemistry and tension in the earlier interactions of our characters. This grew exponentially throughout the novel, with chemistry and sparks that seemed to fly of the page, and only grow as the book progressed. I think this is one of the reasons why I loved this book so much, the chemistry between Vanessa and Grace, despite their circumstances, was just so tangible. It was also a lot steamier than some of Beers other novels, which was a pleasant surprise.
Overall, I fell in love with the chemistry and the romance first and foremost in this book, but also stuck around for the fun and loveable side characters. I am not surprised that I once again love a Georgia Beers books, but as always I am looking forward to reading more from her.
I was so excited when I saw that Georgia Beers was releasing another book following a Martini cousin, this time the youngest cousin Vanessa. Beers is definitely one of my go-to authors, and coming back to her romance stories truly feels like a warm hug. I am truly glad she is such a prolific writer because it helps feed my growing addiction to her character-driven and chemistry-filled stories. Earlier this year I read and enjoyed her first book in the Swizzle Stick series, although I admit that it isn't my favourite from Beers. Despite this, I fell in love with the characters, a so I was very excited to jump back into their lives. I especially loved the cameos that we got from some old favourites, like Savannah, Julia and Amelia. It added a certain warmth to the story, making it feel like I was coming home and joining in with a group of my friends. Her loveable side characters, especially the Martini cousins, means that I am looking forward to reading all the books in the series.
This book was full of instant and steamy attraction between our main characters, flirty banter, and a fair few heartwarming moments. Grace, a recently-divorced mother of her young son Oliver, is sick of feeling judged by others as she tries to handle parenting the best she can. Vanessa, Oliver's teacher, feels that his recent bad behaviour in class might be because of his mother's inability to handle her divorce and its impact on her son. The poor footing that these characters start off on is immediately contradicted by the intense attraction that they feel for each other. Their dislike for each other at the start of the novel and the frowned-upon nature of parent-teacher relationships added a great deal of tension and intrigue to their relationship. The almost 'forbidden' and reluctant nature of their attraction for each other just emphasised the immediate chemistry and tension in the earlier interactions of our characters. This grew exponentially throughout the novel, with chemistry and sparks that seemed to fly of the page, and only grow as the book progressed. I think this is one of the reasons why I loved this book so much, the chemistry between Vanessa and Grace, despite their circumstances, was just so tangible. It was also a lot steamier than some of Beers other novels, which was a pleasant surprise.
Overall, I fell in love with the chemistry and the romance first and foremost in this book, but also stuck around for the fun and loveable side characters. I am not surprised that I once again love a Georgia Beers books, but as always I am looking forward to reading more from her.
December 12, 2021
I love almost everything Georgia Beers writes and this second book in the Martini cousins series is no exception.
In this book we get know Vanessa, the fun and creative elementary school teacher. Vanessa is the youngest of the cousins and I was expecting her story to be fun ants lighthearted. Her story is, but her love interest, Grace, actually has a bit more of a story and I find her to be the more interesting character. Vanessa is Grace’s son’s second grade teacher. Owen is a bit of a handful ever since his dad moved out. Grace is dealing with her divorce and Vanessa is very judgmental about how she handles it with her son. Some 20 odd years after her parents split she still has heartache about it.
Aside from the physical attraction they share I feel like I’m missing a bit of connection in general. Vanessa and Grace don’t really communicate with each other, they talk to their friends/ family about what’s happening but not each other. I do like how the conflict is handled, Grace stands up for herself and doesn’t take Vanessa’s petty shit.
I appreciate the catch up with Julia and Savannah and of course Amelia. I have a feeling Amelia’s story will be my favourite in the series so I can’t wait to read that one. For this one I just needed more communication between the mains and not just the fun and hot physical stuff.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
In this book we get know Vanessa, the fun and creative elementary school teacher. Vanessa is the youngest of the cousins and I was expecting her story to be fun ants lighthearted. Her story is, but her love interest, Grace, actually has a bit more of a story and I find her to be the more interesting character. Vanessa is Grace’s son’s second grade teacher. Owen is a bit of a handful ever since his dad moved out. Grace is dealing with her divorce and Vanessa is very judgmental about how she handles it with her son. Some 20 odd years after her parents split she still has heartache about it.
Aside from the physical attraction they share I feel like I’m missing a bit of connection in general. Vanessa and Grace don’t really communicate with each other, they talk to their friends/ family about what’s happening but not each other. I do like how the conflict is handled, Grace stands up for herself and doesn’t take Vanessa’s petty shit.
I appreciate the catch up with Julia and Savannah and of course Amelia. I have a feeling Amelia’s story will be my favourite in the series so I can’t wait to read that one. For this one I just needed more communication between the mains and not just the fun and hot physical stuff.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
March 5, 2022
I know I say this every single time, but the fact remains unchanged: Beers’ books are like comfort food. The characters are deliciously layered and complex. The stories are piled high with relatable tastiness. The whole package is always scrumptious. Why? Because Beers understands the connections people share with one another. She “gets” big complicated families and tight friendships, and she translates it all onto the page incredibly well. The sights, the sounds, the feelings of love and connectivity—they all flow freely from her pen and onto the page. That’s the meat and potatoes of romance writing, and Beers serves it up warm and gooey every time.
Warm, fuzzy feelings are important to romance storytelling, but they don’t just happen. It’s facilitated through creative storytelling and strong character development, two strong suits for Beers. Additionally, reader connectivity must happen, and she masters this with ease. She bonds her readers to her characters by creating sympathetic, likable characters, characters readers care about. She accomplishes this by showing readers who her characters are through their actions and words. These well-scripted scenes illuminate each character’s inner character, their heart and soul, if you will. This is where Beers’ storytelling excels; she not only engages the readers’ minds, but their hearts as well.
There is a pivotal scene between Grace and Vanessa that showcases this perfectly. It’s where Vanessa’s fear and indecision finally takes a toll on Grace and Grace lets Vanessa know she’s done with it. It cranks up the ‘will they/won’t they moment’ superbly. Readers definitely feel the heat and tension in this scene. It’s so relatable and believable; it just jumps off the page. This is vintage Beers and it’s why she’s garnered a large and dedicated fan base.
Final remarks…
This is a story readers can get behind. Vanessa and Grace are believable, sympathetic characters that readers want to cheer for. Furthermore, there’s a lot of truth within the pages of this book. Beers nails the function and familiarity of large, complex families and tight-knit friend groups. It’s relatable, genuine, and very yummy!
Strengths…
Heartfelt and tender romance
Complex, but inviting characters
Well-scripted, believable dialogue
Engaging, enjoyable plot
Wonderful secondary characters
Warm, fuzzy feelings are important to romance storytelling, but they don’t just happen. It’s facilitated through creative storytelling and strong character development, two strong suits for Beers. Additionally, reader connectivity must happen, and she masters this with ease. She bonds her readers to her characters by creating sympathetic, likable characters, characters readers care about. She accomplishes this by showing readers who her characters are through their actions and words. These well-scripted scenes illuminate each character’s inner character, their heart and soul, if you will. This is where Beers’ storytelling excels; she not only engages the readers’ minds, but their hearts as well.
There is a pivotal scene between Grace and Vanessa that showcases this perfectly. It’s where Vanessa’s fear and indecision finally takes a toll on Grace and Grace lets Vanessa know she’s done with it. It cranks up the ‘will they/won’t they moment’ superbly. Readers definitely feel the heat and tension in this scene. It’s so relatable and believable; it just jumps off the page. This is vintage Beers and it’s why she’s garnered a large and dedicated fan base.
Final remarks…
This is a story readers can get behind. Vanessa and Grace are believable, sympathetic characters that readers want to cheer for. Furthermore, there’s a lot of truth within the pages of this book. Beers nails the function and familiarity of large, complex families and tight-knit friend groups. It’s relatable, genuine, and very yummy!
Strengths…
Heartfelt and tender romance
Complex, but inviting characters
Well-scripted, believable dialogue
Engaging, enjoyable plot
Wonderful secondary characters
January 23, 2022
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is book 2 in the Swizzle Stick series featuring the Martini cousins. This book features Vanessa Martini, a second grade teacher and Grace, the mother of one of Vanessa’s students.
I really enjoyed book 1 Shaken or Stirred and loved Vanessa in that, so had high hopes for this, but it fell kind of short.
Vanessa and Grace separately are interesting characters, and I once again loved any scene that featured one or more of the cousins, or Savannah, all of their scenes were great and I loved that once again the cousins have no trouble telling it like it is and don’t automatically side with Vanessa when she’s being an idiot. When the two MCs really interact (not counting the judgey crap Vanessa was doing at the start) they have great chemistry and their banter is fun. I also liked both of the other side characters, Vanessa’s co-worker Danika and Grace’s friend Courtney, who help provide further perspective. There’s also a couple of cute as animals, Delilah was especially a treat.
But there were a lot of other aspects I had trouble with. First, Vanessa is really judgemental about Grace and her situation based on her own experience with her parent’s divorce. While her Dad is mentioned a lot, he doesn’t feature and I feel like if she’d resolved some stuff with him she’d have been a more well-rounded character, I also found it weird that while she says she’s ‘tight’ with her two sisters one barely features and the other doesn’t feature at all.
On the other side is Grace’s mother, who harps at Grace and takes her ex-husband’s side, but no reason is really given for this. Grace’s ex is also written like a 2-dimensional git until close to the end when he has an abrupt about face. But my main issue with the book is how much of it revolves around Oliver, Grace’s seven year old son. He spends the book acting out and many scenes are devoted to his behaviour and the resulting affect on Grace, yet the end of the book holds no resolution regarding Oliver and the divorce, or Grace’s new relationship, even with an epilogue, it was just weird. I also saw the resolution to Grace’s career aspirations coming from early on in the book and found that rushed too, it would have had more impact if it wasn’t crammed into the epilogue.
I think this would have been better if more time had been spent on the relationship and less on the kid (usually I don’t mind kids in books, Beer’s Starting from Scratch is a favourite of mine, but a little of Oliver went a long way). There’s also the requisite drama toward the end, where Vanessa is a complete ass and blows everything way out of proportion, and given how much focus is put on the parent/teacher aspect, it’s barely a ripple when all is said and done, so much ado about nothing. I did like that both the cousins and Grace called Vanessa on her crap and thought the reconciliation was earned.
Overall, this is an ok follow up and I’m looking forward to Amelia’s story, and seeing if my guess about who she’ll be paired with is correct, but this wasn’t as good as I’d hoped it would be. 3.5 stars
This is book 2 in the Swizzle Stick series featuring the Martini cousins. This book features Vanessa Martini, a second grade teacher and Grace, the mother of one of Vanessa’s students.
I really enjoyed book 1 Shaken or Stirred and loved Vanessa in that, so had high hopes for this, but it fell kind of short.
Vanessa and Grace separately are interesting characters, and I once again loved any scene that featured one or more of the cousins, or Savannah, all of their scenes were great and I loved that once again the cousins have no trouble telling it like it is and don’t automatically side with Vanessa when she’s being an idiot. When the two MCs really interact (not counting the judgey crap Vanessa was doing at the start) they have great chemistry and their banter is fun. I also liked both of the other side characters, Vanessa’s co-worker Danika and Grace’s friend Courtney, who help provide further perspective. There’s also a couple of cute as animals, Delilah was especially a treat.
But there were a lot of other aspects I had trouble with. First, Vanessa is really judgemental about Grace and her situation based on her own experience with her parent’s divorce. While her Dad is mentioned a lot, he doesn’t feature and I feel like if she’d resolved some stuff with him she’d have been a more well-rounded character, I also found it weird that while she says she’s ‘tight’ with her two sisters one barely features and the other doesn’t feature at all.
On the other side is Grace’s mother, who harps at Grace and takes her ex-husband’s side, but no reason is really given for this. Grace’s ex is also written like a 2-dimensional git until close to the end when he has an abrupt about face. But my main issue with the book is how much of it revolves around Oliver, Grace’s seven year old son. He spends the book acting out and many scenes are devoted to his behaviour and the resulting affect on Grace, yet the end of the book holds no resolution regarding Oliver and the divorce, or Grace’s new relationship, even with an epilogue, it was just weird. I also saw the resolution to Grace’s career aspirations coming from early on in the book and found that rushed too, it would have had more impact if it wasn’t crammed into the epilogue.
I think this would have been better if more time had been spent on the relationship and less on the kid (usually I don’t mind kids in books, Beer’s Starting from Scratch is a favourite of mine, but a little of Oliver went a long way). There’s also the requisite drama toward the end, where Vanessa is a complete ass and blows everything way out of proportion, and given how much focus is put on the parent/teacher aspect, it’s barely a ripple when all is said and done, so much ado about nothing. I did like that both the cousins and Grace called Vanessa on her crap and thought the reconciliation was earned.
Overall, this is an ok follow up and I’m looking forward to Amelia’s story, and seeing if my guess about who she’ll be paired with is correct, but this wasn’t as good as I’d hoped it would be. 3.5 stars
December 12, 2021
3.5 stars
Book 2 of a 3 book series. You could read it as a stand alone but you will enjoy it much better if you read book one first.
I enjoyed the first half a lot. Very steamy with lots of chemistry between the two main characters. But then it started to slow down and got a bit repetitive. And I felt like the angst was a bit contrived. The distance between the 2 mains lasted too long. It was one incident and that was going to break them up? Nope, that part didn't work for me. I felt it was out of character for Vanessa to have reacted like that. I would have expected a sarcastic retort or even just brushed it off.
And the ending was predictable but it left so much unresolved.
The problem with Grace's son was never resolved. The way he reacted throughout the story, did not make me think he would warm up to his mother's new relationship. I see real trouble there. And Grace's mother is a whole other issue. What would she say. No, this story is far from over and the epilog should have addressed those problems. There is the real angst. Not the one comment that caused the separation.
I enjoy the 3 cousin's meetings in the bar back and their camaraderie. But not as cute as the first book. But I am interested in how Ms. Beers will deal with Amelia's romance since she's the older of the 3 cousin's.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Book 2 of a 3 book series. You could read it as a stand alone but you will enjoy it much better if you read book one first.
I enjoyed the first half a lot. Very steamy with lots of chemistry between the two main characters. But then it started to slow down and got a bit repetitive. And I felt like the angst was a bit contrived. The distance between the 2 mains lasted too long. It was one incident and that was going to break them up? Nope, that part didn't work for me. I felt it was out of character for Vanessa to have reacted like that. I would have expected a sarcastic retort or even just brushed it off.
And the ending was predictable but it left so much unresolved.
The problem with Grace's son was never resolved. The way he reacted throughout the story, did not make me think he would warm up to his mother's new relationship. I see real trouble there. And Grace's mother is a whole other issue. What would she say. No, this story is far from over and the epilog should have addressed those problems. There is the real angst. Not the one comment that caused the separation.
I enjoy the 3 cousin's meetings in the bar back and their camaraderie. But not as cute as the first book. But I am interested in how Ms. Beers will deal with Amelia's romance since she's the older of the 3 cousin's.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2022
Lovely story, characters making welcome return from Book 1. Loved the chemistry and the interaction and even the angst was acceptable. Recommended and can't wait for book 3.
July 20, 2022
After finishing book 1 in Georgia Beers' Swizzle Stick Romance series, I grabbed book 2 as quickly as I could. Book 2 features Vanessa Martini, Julia's younger cousin and one of her two cousin-best friends.
Vanessa is sweet and optimistic on the outside, but she yearns for that life-lasting love that has, so far, been elusive. She doesn't have a great example from her parents, who divorced when she was in adolescence. But Vanessa also doesn't want to settle for just anyone and she doesn't want a casual fling. So she has rules that help her stay away from complications in relationships because if she's going to invest any time with someone, she wants it to have the chance of lasting.
Grace Chapman's middle name is Complicated. Okay, it's not really. But she is full of complications, including being the mother of one of Vanessa's students--and one who is causing issues in the class. She's also going through a divorce from her husband, and, well, Vanessa isn't impressed when they first meet. She knows Grace is beautiful, of course, but beauty isn't everything.
The problem is, once they do meet, they keep running into each other. It's as if the universe is laughing at Vanessa and is adding even more complications onto Grace's plate. But Vanessa is attracted to Grace, despite all the red flags, and Grace seems interested in Vanessa, too.
Book 2 has a lot to live up to after book 1, and I can report that Beers' Good-in Angie's-Book streak continues with book 2. Vanessa and Grace have great chemistry, but it's not easy for them to navigate all the obstacles in their way, and there are stumbles--major ones. I think I liked in as much as I liked the first book, to be honest. Although Grace has become my favorite character in the series.
Vanessa is sweet and optimistic on the outside, but she yearns for that life-lasting love that has, so far, been elusive. She doesn't have a great example from her parents, who divorced when she was in adolescence. But Vanessa also doesn't want to settle for just anyone and she doesn't want a casual fling. So she has rules that help her stay away from complications in relationships because if she's going to invest any time with someone, she wants it to have the chance of lasting.
Grace Chapman's middle name is Complicated. Okay, it's not really. But she is full of complications, including being the mother of one of Vanessa's students--and one who is causing issues in the class. She's also going through a divorce from her husband, and, well, Vanessa isn't impressed when they first meet. She knows Grace is beautiful, of course, but beauty isn't everything.
The problem is, once they do meet, they keep running into each other. It's as if the universe is laughing at Vanessa and is adding even more complications onto Grace's plate. But Vanessa is attracted to Grace, despite all the red flags, and Grace seems interested in Vanessa, too.
Book 2 has a lot to live up to after book 1, and I can report that Beers' Good-in Angie's-Book streak continues with book 2. Vanessa and Grace have great chemistry, but it's not easy for them to navigate all the obstacles in their way, and there are stumbles--major ones. I think I liked in as much as I liked the first book, to be honest. Although Grace has become my favorite character in the series.
December 21, 2021
How good was this?
The Martini family are back! Shaken or Stirred is the first in the series, which was such a good book. and a definite must-read... I was absolutely over the moon to find out there is a second instalment, On the rocks. This didn't disappoint either. This book is focused on Vanessa, who falls for one of her student's mums.
I didn't want to put this book down, it's well written and completely engrossed me. The characters are both very likeable and the slow burn/chemistry between the two is there from the onset.
I'm really hoping for a number 3 :)
I've given On the rocks a 4 star,
The Martini family are back! Shaken or Stirred is the first in the series, which was such a good book. and a definite must-read... I was absolutely over the moon to find out there is a second instalment, On the rocks. This didn't disappoint either. This book is focused on Vanessa, who falls for one of her student's mums.
I didn't want to put this book down, it's well written and completely engrossed me. The characters are both very likeable and the slow burn/chemistry between the two is there from the onset.
I'm really hoping for a number 3 :)
I've given On the rocks a 4 star,
December 9, 2021
This is the second book in Georgia Beers' A Swizzle Stick Romance trilogy and I've yet to read the first novel. To be honest though, I think this could definitely be read as a standalone as I didn't feel as though it was difficult to engage with the setting or characters.
I really liked this book, which features a chemistry-packed romance between Vanessa and Grace. Both are devastatingly good-looking, and although Vanessa is physically attracted to Grace from the get go, she's not as enthused in following the attraction due to the fact that Grace's son is in her class and she disagrees with the way Grace is parenting her kid in amongst the break up of Grace's marriage. This wasn't the strongest start to their pairing, even I can admit that, but once these two let go of their prejudice and act on their attraction, this romance is fast-paced and charming.
I loved the way Vanessa woo'd Grace back after being a butthead near the end, but think there are a few unresolved parts of the plot.
I’m looking forward to the third book, which will feature Amelia and her new love interest. I thought she was a very interesting character and I'm really excited to read her story once it's out.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this book, which features a chemistry-packed romance between Vanessa and Grace. Both are devastatingly good-looking, and although Vanessa is physically attracted to Grace from the get go, she's not as enthused in following the attraction due to the fact that Grace's son is in her class and she disagrees with the way Grace is parenting her kid in amongst the break up of Grace's marriage. This wasn't the strongest start to their pairing, even I can admit that, but once these two let go of their prejudice and act on their attraction, this romance is fast-paced and charming.
I loved the way Vanessa woo'd Grace back after being a butthead near the end, but think there are a few unresolved parts of the plot.
I’m looking forward to the third book, which will feature Amelia and her new love interest. I thought she was a very interesting character and I'm really excited to read her story once it's out.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2021
Another great read from this author. Vanessa is a second grade teacher with a problem child. The child’s mother, Grace is juggling her demanding job, her divorce and the mood changes in her child while being judged at every corner, including her own mother. Their initial meet is not exactly something either of them wants to repeat but they keep running into each other in different and the chemistry between them is undeniable. This is a fun, sweet, steamy in places, read that will keep you entertained from start to finish. Can’t wait from the next one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for sending an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for sending an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2021
This is the second installment of the Martini cousins series revolving around Vanessa Martini The cousin/ blest friend dynamic works well as a nice backdrop to the love story installments.
This story revolves around Vanessa meeting the recently separated mother of one of her students. The connection isn’t instant but the attraction is realized over several coincidental run ins
The characters felt authentic and fallible but work together. The two characters work through their hang ups of having to deal with dating with the baggage of their past and challenges of their current circumstances to find their way together.
Looking forward to reading the third cousin find her way to romance.
This story revolves around Vanessa meeting the recently separated mother of one of her students. The connection isn’t instant but the attraction is realized over several coincidental run ins
The characters felt authentic and fallible but work together. The two characters work through their hang ups of having to deal with dating with the baggage of their past and challenges of their current circumstances to find their way together.
Looking forward to reading the third cousin find her way to romance.
December 6, 2021
This book is my favourite of the series so far. I loved Vanessa and Grace's story, loved the complications that they faced in the relationship. Loved the cousin group and their usual hangout, making me think of Friends. The chemistry between the two was off the charts adding to my inability to put the book down. I can't wait for the next book in this series, assuming it is about Amelia.
Another winner by Georgia Beers with great characters!
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review.
Another winner by Georgia Beers with great characters!
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review.
November 12, 2021
Reading a Georgia Beers book is like grabbing a hot chocolate and snuggling into your couch with your favorite plush throw and just going “mmmm”. You know you’re going to get a nice mushy story, MCs that have issues that they need to get over, nice flirty banter and some downright sappy “aww” moments. With “On the rocks” Georgia Beers certainly doesn’t disappoint on all those fronts.
This book is obviously part of a series and I missed reading the first book when it came out and some of the earlier characters do make a fun appearance - so much so it actually made me go and purchase the prior one (just for continuity sake you understand :) ) but really this can be read on its own. One difference I did notice was this seriously had way more steam than I’ve read in any other book by Georgia Beers. Don’t know whether it’s characteristic of the series - but it was a welcome surprise.
I liked Grace’s character, very relatable and I liked how her persona evolved as the story went on. I think Vanessa’s character could have been fleshed out a little more - it feels like that maybe some of that may gotten edited out perhaps? This book did feel shorter - I was just getting invested and then before I knew it “epilogue” which was a bummer I could have hung around for a few more chapters.
I liked this series and the end signaled the premise of the next one - which I will definitely wait for. Worth a read 4.5 stars!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for sending an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is obviously part of a series and I missed reading the first book when it came out and some of the earlier characters do make a fun appearance - so much so it actually made me go and purchase the prior one (just for continuity sake you understand :) ) but really this can be read on its own. One difference I did notice was this seriously had way more steam than I’ve read in any other book by Georgia Beers. Don’t know whether it’s characteristic of the series - but it was a welcome surprise.
I liked Grace’s character, very relatable and I liked how her persona evolved as the story went on. I think Vanessa’s character could have been fleshed out a little more - it feels like that maybe some of that may gotten edited out perhaps? This book did feel shorter - I was just getting invested and then before I knew it “epilogue” which was a bummer I could have hung around for a few more chapters.
I liked this series and the end signaled the premise of the next one - which I will definitely wait for. Worth a read 4.5 stars!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for sending an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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