I requested this book in the Amazon First Reads program but unbeknownst to me, it was the third book in the Jansen Brothers romance series which follows three brothers who, one by one, find their romantic partners. Readers don't have to have read the previous two books in the series but knowing the background of the other two brothers' relationships would add an extra layer.
The story started off strong and I loved the setting (a wee salad shop), but I never bought into the connection between Hailey and Wes and thought a few of the secondary characters had more personality, confidence, and funny banter than the main couple. Truth be told, there wasn't a lot going on - no big issue they had to face except for their overly contrived hang ups. For Hailey it was her obstinate refusal to ask for or accept help and Wes was overly concerned about losing Hailey's friendship.
The back and forth, 'will they, won't they' felt a bit tedious and the business aspect of the brothers' jobs was boring and took page time away from what could have been a sweet and more poignant read about strangers becoming friends becoming lovers. This is a cute idea for a romance, but it's not a story that will stay with me for long, although it did have me hankering for a salad.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to St Martin's Griffin for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
My Rating: 3 stars
Author: Sophie Sullivan
Genre: RomCom, Romance
Series: #3 in the Jansen Brothers series
Type and Source: eBook from publisher via NetGalley
Publisher: St Martin's - Griffin
First Published: January 17, 2023
Book Description from GoodReads: A playful and emotional romantic comedy from the author of Ten Rules for Faking It
Hailey Sharp has a one-track mind. Get By the Cup salad shop off the ground. Do literally everything possible to make it a success. Repeat. With a head full of entrepreneurial ideas and a bad ex in her rearview, her one and only focus is living life the way she wants to. No distractions.
Wes Jansen never did understand the fuss about relationships. With a string of lackluster first dates and the pain from his parents’ angry divorce following him around, he’d much rather find someone who he likes, but won’t love. Companionship, not passion, is the name of the game.
When Hailey and Wes find each other in a disastrous meet cute that wasn’t even intended for them, they embarrassingly go their separate ways. But when Wes finds Hailey to apologize for his behavior, they strike a friendship. Because that’s all this can be. Hailey doesn’t want any distractions. Wes doesn’t want to fall in love.
What could possibly go wrong?
"Although it did have me hankering for a salad" !! Love that
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