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Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle


Rating:

4 Stars


Themes:

Romance, Contemporary, GrumpyxSunshine 



Thoughts:

This book is soo cute. The setting of Violet’s manor in Falling Stars is so mesmerising with a sprawling grounds that could be creepy in a different story but instead gives us the romantic feeling of nobody in the world but you. I think it’s almost as magical as ‘Maybell Coffee Shop AU’ which adds an interesting layer with Maybell being able to wander off into her own world when it all gets too much. Maybell herself has such a beautiful heart and is definitely a ray of sunshine throughout, even when trying to bicker or dig at Wesley. It also instantly made me hate Gemma and think she is a POS, as who would do something like that to another human and no wonder Maybell is ‘Twice Shy’ after being (once) bitten like that. Her trying to take some form of credit like she did a good thing later showed a huge lack of growth in her character but then again some people never change their ways. Wesley is a complex character and his grumpiness seems understandable at the beginning with Maybell being basically thrust upon him but through the story we see more of why he is how he is and he was soo cute at some points making me happy when they finally got their happy ever after. I also liked the interwoven historical love story with Great-Aunt Violet and Victor through the little discoveries made while cleaning out the house making the story even cosier. The mental health representation in the story was also great to see and made the ending that much sweeter.


Favourite Quote:

“Not to be dramatic, but I would rather drink battery than be in the throes of a crush.

Crushes are fun in theory (ask me about my many dreamland husbands), but in reality, they're energy vampires that are more trouble than they're worth. The preoccupation is exhausting. I get sick to my stomach from swallowing too many butterflies, I lose sleep, my already intrusive penchant for fantasizing levels up a thousand degrees. I start worrying too much about whether my hair looks perfect or if I'm talking too loud, and prescription-strength deodorant becomes the safety pin holding my precarious shit together. All this emotional work, only to a always end up being hurt by it? When I drag a glance over my dating history, the polls conclusive. Nothing good ever comes from a crush.”


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