The Good Ones
by Jenn MicKinlay
My Rating: ⭐⭐
Ryder Copeland is an accomplished architect and one heck of a father…not to mention tall and sexy. He’s everything a hero should be, and Lord knows, Maisy Kelly has read enough of her great-aunt Eloise’s romance novels to recognize one when she sees one. But like all fairy tales, Maisy can’t help but wonder if this Prince Charming is too good to be true…
Ryder is drawn to the shy, curly haired professor who hires him to convert the Victorian house she’s inherited from her aunt into a romance bookstore. Attracted to a woman for the first time since his divorce, Ryder finds himself wishing for a future with Maisy that he knows is impossible. Ryder has never wavered from his plan to leave the small town of Fairdale, North Carolina, so he can give his daughter the life she deserves. But suddenly he’s not so sure. And the closer he gets to Maisy, the harder it’s going to be to walk away…
This was my first read from Jenn McKinlay and it also looks like it was her first western romance. I hope this doesn’t come off a bit overcritical, but this needed some work.
Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t terrible. I’ve read WAY worse cowboy romances. The characters were likable, the plot was good, and the romance was fine. I felt like the writing and the way the author told the story together could have been better.
I liked the idea and premise of the story. However, I couldn’t find myself getting invested in it or the characters. Maybe it was the execution? The writing seemed to be very telling instead of written in a way to make a reader feel if that makes sense. I knew Maisy and Ryder liked each other because it was written that way, but I didn’t feel the chemistry between them really.
I didn’t love this one, it was okay for me. I won’t be continuing with this series but I do hope as the series progresses her writing and the storyline will get better with time.
*ARC was provided via NetGalley for an honest review.
Bummer. Sorry this one needed some work. I bet the series will get better (hopefully) like you want as it goes on.
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I hope it gets better as well. She normally writes mysteries, so I can see how this one would be less than stellar.
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Ahhhh I was waiting for this review. Storytelling like you are describing causes a disconnect with the characters. I wonder if I felt the same way. Great review, Kayla, well explained.
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thank you Astrid! 🙂
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Oof, sorry to hear you didn’t like this one! Here is to hoping that her writing gets better and your next read is a banger! ❤
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I always wonder the same things when I’m not connecting with the characters or feeling the chemistry between them… is it because of my mood? Because of the writing? Because of the story-telling? Because the author is telling instead of showing? It’s so hard to tell!
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I think it could be all those things. There are sometimes I’m not connecting and I’ll come back to it and it’s fine. However, this one was just too much telling instead of showing.
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