Not a romantic comedy, starts off intense

I honestly struggled to get into this book. Maybe this is a case of 'it's me, not you' but who knows. I hadn't read any of the previous books in the series, so I had no background of the supporting characters.

It wasn't at all a romantic comedy like I expected based on the blurb. The beginning is very depressing after a disgruntled parent tries to defy a custody order and shows up at his kid's preschool to get his kid (and harm the teacher in return). That teacher was Fiona, one of the MCs of the book. After the drama and fear associated with that extended scene and the aftermath, I was really looking forward to some lightheartedness. Other than the one bear/cabin scene, there wasn't much humor to be seen.

Fiona (Feisty) is a preschool teacher who just so happens to be a dropkicking bada**. She first dropkicked Chris (Fletch) in 7th grade and that's when she got the nickname Feisty. For some odd reason, Fiona hates the name and hates Chris after he embarrassed her by giving her the name. It wasn't a nickname to be embarrassed about, so that whole reasoning was lost on me. And for a late 20-something young woman to still hold a grudge from middle school, well that said a lot about her.

And then there's the whole crystal / energy mumbo jumbo stuff that's thrown in. It was completely weird and didn't make much sense to me at all, but Fiona was obviously a firm believer in the crystal and her 'advisor' leading her ways. I mean I'm Native American and believe in the cleansing powers of sage that was mentioned in this one and also believe in convening with nature and just listening. But it was too much like her seeing a psychic and getting all in her head for me to really understand and feel comfortable with Fiona as a character.

Chris owns a boxing gym and is the biggest sweetheart. He's a sweet (and dirty) talker too. I just loved him, although there wasn't much depth to him. But after listening to Fiona's inner dialogues and her unwillingness to let go of something from middle school, I was all on board with a normal character.

The intimate scenes are just okay (and come late in the book), nothing I even remember now after finishing the book. The pace of the book was also pretty slow and seemed like there was a lot of filler thrown in without much character and relationship development. The epilogue was pretty interesting and makes me want to read the next book though. So I'll certainly add it to my 'to read' list.

5 people found this helpful

Three strikes on this series

This was the third book in a series and I just couldn’t complete it. I kept hoping the female main characters will get some backbones. These stories could have been young adult romance stories without the sex scenes. Old high school crushes, adults too immature admit their feelings, and ridiculous repeating conversations between three childish women.

4 people found this helpful

Feisty Fighter and Hot Boxer

I really enjoyed Chris and Fiona's story. They had an awesome enemies to lovers vibe throughout the first 2 books and I was happy to finally get their story. They have a bit of emotional baggage to get through thanks to Fiona's long held grudge, but I thought the plot of the book really worked to help see these two in a new light. Chris had much more depth than I previously thought and he had me swooning a time (or ten) with his sweet words and good heart. There are plenty of laughs just like in the previous books and it's always fun to catch up with the previous couples. Mallory and Will had an especially fun scene involving a bear ;) The story seemed to stall a bit once the truth was out in the open, but I liked being able to see the new relationship blossom and also all the shenanigans this group gets into. It's not necessary to read the previous books to enjoy this one, but it will definitely add to all the fun. Erin Mallon has been amazing in every book and her comedic timing continues to shine. She really is the perfect narrator for this series.

I haven't been a fan of Mallory's sister, Hastings, but I'm intrigued to find out what her story is next. Feisty starts off with a serious incident, but the rest is just romcom (sometimes ranchy) fun!

🎧AudiobookObsession

3 people found this helpful

Hilarious

“What are you doing?”

“Making a pee perimeter.”

I don’t know what else to say. This book made me laugh loud enough to wake up my husband.

3 people found this helpful

Second Chance Rom Com

We all have that one person from high school who we could go the rest of our lives never seeing again. For Fiona "Feisty" that person is none other than the creator of the nickname Chis. The story has a very tense dramatic start. It brings our two main characters together under some pretty dark circumstances. from there we have a slow burn into one fulfilling HEA.

This is a really fun listen, Feisty is little miss quirky. There will be times you want to shake her a bit. I mean Chris is just delicious and it's hard to believe anything could be so bad you wouldn't board that train immediately.

Erin Mallon is a genius and I could listen to her forever.

If you already love the series of course continue on but even if you start here you can still have a good time.

🎧AudiobookObsession🎧

2 people found this helpful

Fantastic series

Fiona has been so kissed at Fletcher since she was a kid. Now all grown up and she’s his hero to his nephew and their relationship takes on a new game. Funny sweet and lots of laughing. Great narration as always by Erin

2 people found this helpful

Go pee first before you listen!

I listened to the audio version of this book. I am loving this series! I really love a book that has me sitting outside all by myself laughing hysterically and Feisty delivered the laughs, the giggles, the "Oh, no she didn't"(s) and the times of wishing I'd peed before I started listening!
Fiona/Feisty was an incredible character. She was strong without knowing she was strong. She was someone who had to let go of previously formed perceptions of someone in order to adjust and let in present day reality and maybe even love.
Fletch was an amazing hero. After wanting Fiona for what seemed like all of eternity, he set about winning her over, but on her timeline. I really, really liked him, even if we did have to wait forever for the hottest part of the book. (By the way, that was totally Feisty's fault).
I really needed some laughs right now and Julia Kent served them up with plenty of side giggles. Thank you!
Erin Mallon is one of my favorite narrators and she did an awesome job on this book. I can't wait for the next!
I was given a complimentary copy of this audio book. All thoughts are my own.

1 person found this helpful

I’m not into soft porn

I was hoping the author was going in another direction with this book. I love the comical satire but not the soft porn element. I loathe the unrealistic instant falling in love after only one meeting. I hoping the author will just write a comical fiction with no soft porn and no unrealistic instant relationships.

1 person found this helpful

So fun

A hilarious rom-com that was great to listen to. The narrator is awesome. Can’t wait to hear more.

A Fantastic and Funny Listen

After reading the first two stories in this series, I was excited to listen to the third. Erin Mallon is one of my favorite narrators and she didn’t disappoint. This story is fun and flirty and had me laughing out loud a lot. Julia Kent and Erin Mallon sure know how to tell a story :-)