Business Casual (Lovelight #4) by B.K. Borison

 

4*

Minor spoilers

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I’ve enjoyed reading all the books in the Lovelight series, but this is definitely my favorite of the four. I’m a huge fan of the frenemies-to-lovers trope, and the relationship between Stella’s (Book 1) half-brother Charlie and Beckett’s (Book 2) youngest sister Nova is wonderful. Charlie is such a sweet cinnamon roll of a boyfriend, and his insecurities make him even more endearing. On the surface, it seems like opposites attract, but there’s just something about these two together that defies the stereotype. I really appreciate the dual POV because it gives readers the opportunity to really see into Charlie’s huge heart, very much in evidence with the relationships he builds with people like Caleb (Book 3) and Alex’s abuela, assorted townspeople, the owners of the farm ad and their significant others, and, most importantly, Nova’s family. He is so starved for affection, acceptance, and the embrace of a family he never had that it just really warmed my heart to see it come to fruition, providing a balance to his narcissist, hypocritical, and cruel father.

The couples from the first three books are very much present in this one, and the opening scene is of Luka and Stella’s (Book 1) wedding on the farm. It’s also where Charlie lures Nova to the dance floor where the spark between them catches fire. What starts as a one-night-stand ends up becoming a friends with benefits arrangement that they dub “business casual,” both of them knowing that New York-based Charlie, a frequent visitor to the small town of Inglewood, MD who is helping out at the farm while the newlyweds are on their honeymoon, will be returning home after a month.

It's very obvious, even before Charlie confirms it, that he has ADHD and that his father’s disdain during his childhood helped foster the low opinion he has of himself and drives his need to be the positive person who just wants to make everyone happy. However, Nova, who may also be autistic like Beckett and can be prickly, provides a figurative soft place for Charlie to land, so that he can be vulnerable and honest about his feelings. It’s not all heaviness between them, though, because Borison does a great job of balancing strong emotions with snarky banter and very sexy scenes.

Nova has her own insecurities as well. In previous books, we learned how protective and supportive Beckett is of his sister, but it’s very interesting to see how much his belief in her drives her need for perfection. The difficult but illuminating conversation the two eventually have is heart-wrenching but cathartic.

Although this can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the other books in the series so that you have the back stories of the couples who feature so prominently in this one. Recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Savor It by Tarah DeWitt

 

4*

I gave this 4* instead of 5, only because I struggled to get into it. There’s not a lot of action or twists and turns, so I had to focus more on the dialogue. When I did, and thought about DeWitt’s choice of a dual POV, I was so thankful. This romance wouldn’t have been nearly as compelling and heartwarming if readers hadn’t been privy to Fisher’s thoughts. I can’t think of any love story I’ve read in the past few years that comes close to Sage and Fisher’s honesty and vulnerability. It is so refreshing to witness two people who have faced tragedy and its subsequent damage to the mind and soul, and who care enough to help each other overcome their personal challenges and navigate the way to a better, mentally healthier way of living.

Yet, despite this description sounding like this is an emotionally heavy story, it’s actually not. Over the summer they get to know each other, Sage and Fisher share a plethora of punny comments (many with sexual innuendo), bond over a bunch of unique and engaging adopted farm animals, cook and share some amazing meals (doesn’t hurt that he is an award-winning and 3 Michelin-starred chef), train for the small town’s annual festival competition, and create ephemeral sand labyrinths that the town is famous for and which are a metaphor for the impermanence of their relationship (before Fisher and his orphaned niece Indy return to New York City), but the enjoyment it can bring in the meantime.

Set is the fictional Spunes, OR, DeWitt mostly avoids the small town cliche of everyone being in everyone else’s business by focusing on the colorful and ever-evolving life on Sage’s hobby farm, Fisher’s struggle navigating his new role as parent to a hurting and angry teen, and the inherent goodness and selfless concern and caring of the two main characters. There’s plenty of steamy scenes between Sage and Fisher as well. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from St. Martin’s Griffin through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.