YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

A romance writer who no longer believes in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut engage in a summer-long challenge that may just upend everything they believe about happily ever afters.
Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast.
They're polar opposites.
In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they're living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer's block.
Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She'll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he'll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

I will probably start this one a bit early :) :) I'm really looking forward to this one!!

Great! I'll be starting this on Monday or Tuesday!

Chapter 6- (view spoiler)[ So far, so good...easy read and nice short introduction of the characters. I would love to know more about January's dad and his "friend" or "mistress."

I like January's character so far, and I can't wait for her and Gus to get to know each other better...I bet he's just quite and misunderstood with a bunch of walls up around himself. I can see how this is considered a hate-to-love romance, but since they already kind of know each other from college, I wonder if it was a misunderstanding or something else that kept them apart. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 7 (view spoiler)[Oh cool! I like how January and Gus already know each other from college. This will definitely make things tense and complicated. From the blurb, I thought it was hate at first sight once January arrived at the house. I have a feeling that Gus actually recognizes her despite him claiming otherwise. (hide spoiler)]

Katie wrote: "Chapter 6- [spoilers removed]"

I'm liking it too! (view spoiler)[I like how serious this book started off, with January dealing with so many emotions. I'm also curious about her father's mistress/friend because I feel like there's something missing there (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14- (view spoiler)[ I am loving their banter so, so, so much! And the ideas of "not dates" is just making me smile. The Carnival and Drive In Movie! HAHAHA! Loved it! I can already tell there are many layers to Gus. And I think January's personality is exactly what he needs.

This wasn't really a hate to love romance like I was thinking, but I'm a huge sucker of an opposites attract trope. I know they are both writers and are both a little quirky, but they are so different with their personalities. I love that she wears her emotions on her sleeve, and he's a little more guarded and a little more careful to offer information unless directly asked first. I love it. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 17- (view spoiler)[ Gus has been married!??! I think January's opinion of him about only staying with someone until the first time together must be a little wrong. He was married for 3 years and was left on his birthday...with his best friend. No wonder he has a hard time with happy endings right now. (hide spoiler)]

I can't put this down!

Ch 15 (view spoiler)[Gus was married?! That surprised me. It explains why he's so pessimistic about love. I'm actually liking how Gus and January's relationship is developing. It's almost a slow burn/friends-to-lovers type romance, not the hate-to-love romance I got from the blurb. (hide spoiler)]

Emma☀️ wrote: "Ch 15 [spoilers removed]"

I agree that it isn't a (view spoiler)[ a hate to love romance but more a friends a to lovers, which I'm loving honestly!! I love that they are able to open up to each other and be the person each other needs. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21- (view spoiler)[ I wonder who called Gus??? Was it his ex-wife?!?!? Ugh.... I still can't get over how much I love a friends to lovers story. Man, I'm loving how deep this romance book is. (hide spoiler)]

I forgot to mention (view spoiler)[ I also love Pete and Maggie's relationship. The entire cookout scene was just so cute and they are so happy and perfect with each other. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 23- (view spoiler)[ I honestly feel nervous reading this book and I have so many feelings for these characters. This, personally for me means, it's a great romance book. This is what sets my 5 star rated romance books aside from the other 3 and 4 star romance books (which I still really enjoyed), but when I can feel physical nerves and emotions for characters in a romance book it becomes a tier higher than others.

I'm nervous because I want to know more about Gus's ex wife and I want to know more about "that woman." The cult interviews are so dark as well, and hearing about Gus's family past just adds the perfect amount of tension and mystery to the plot. I'm nervous for the letter January hasn't read yet...there is just so much more that could happen, and I'm feeling it! :)

(hide spoiler)]

Finished- (view spoiler)[ I don't even know where to start...I really loved this. The letters from her dad were incredibly heart breaking. I loved that Shadi came to January right away when she needed her. I just love Gus...I don't know what else to say about him. I love how sweet he was with January and he deserves so much happiness.

I was stressed when Naomi showed up at the end... was there supposed to be a correlation to January being "that woman" in Naomi and Gus's marriage? Just like Sonya was "that woman" in her parent's marriage. I started to feel like there was a hint there, but I find the two situations to be completely different. January's mom and dad were separated when he found Sonya again. Whereas, Naomi left Gus to be with the BEST MAN. Maybe it was supposed to be a self-realization moment for January?? I don't know...maybe I was reading too much into it...

I loved the entire ending!

I loved how well developed Gus and January were. They were very believable. I felt so many emotions reading this book.

When I first started this, I was a bit surprised to see how many super high ratings this book was getting, but after finishing it, I can see the hype. I loved it. (hide spoiler)]

Emma☀️ wrote: "Ch 15 [spoilers removed]"

Yes! (view spoiler)[ I didn't know it would be more of a friends to lovers story either, which is one of my favorite tropes. I also LOVE the opposites attract trope, so with this book having both of these, this is perfect for my tastes! (hide spoiler)]

I can't wait to read your final thoughts Emma!

Ch 21 (view spoiler)[Honestly, this is becoming one of the best romances I've ever read. Gus and January's relationship is so deep and emotional - my heart bursts whenever they interact and open up to each other. The cookout was so much fun! I loved the banter between all the characters (hide spoiler)]

Katie wrote: "Chapter 21- [spoilers removed]"

Same! (view spoiler)[Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes! I also have a sinking feeling the caller was Gus's ex-wife. It's coming to the point in the book where the conflict/misunderstanding is starting to pick up haha (hide spoiler)]

I’ve got sidetracked by The Ballad... but now onto this. Really looking forward to this, but the opening chapter seems a little conflicted. Is it cute romance or serious?

Karen wrote: "I’ve got sidetracked by The Ballad... but now onto this. Really looking forward to this, but the opening chapter seems a little conflicted. Is it cute romance or serious?"

It's mostly serious but does have some cute moments

Up to ch9. Liking this so far. Both Gus and January seem a little prickly, but I’m guessing we’ll see more detail here. There’s a supportive element to their sniping that I think has a nice feel to it. Strange idea though to challenge each other to write something so out of their comfort zone.

Up to ch15. My main thought during the drive-in cinema date was totally loving the fact that someone else gets the irrational dislike you can have for someone on screen...mine is Andie Macdowell!

Hi, I just found this discussion, read the premise and got the book. I am currently in chapter 1 and love the author's way of writing. I hope I am not too late to join this discussion.

Woah just finished the book, it is awesome, it is really up and down, happy for now indeed

Finished (view spoiler)[Wow... I loved that ending! The book was definitely not what I expected. I thought it was going to be a rom-com, but this was more serious, which I loved! The last few chapters were the best - from January's father's letters to Shadi being the best friend anyone could ask for. Despite the romance being the main focus, I loved the other characters and their relationships with January. Gus's dedication to January made me tear up. I love how deep and emotional their relationship was.

I'm usually a picky reader when it comes to romance but this is one of the best books I've ever read! (hide spoiler)]

Katie wrote: "Finished- [spoilers removed]"

I see it! (view spoiler)[The author placed a strong emphasis on Sonya and January's father's relationship. I also assumed there was some correlation between January and Gus too because January kept thinking back to Gus's marriage when Sonya was explaining herself haha

I loved their relationship too! They are a perfect example of "opposites attract" and it was written so well! (hide spoiler)]

Up to ch22. Conflicted-want it to work out but got a horrible feeling about this.

Finished. Review on home page. Real mix of emotions reading this. Loved it.

Katie wrote: "Chapter 6- So far, so good...easy read and nice short introduction of the characters. I would love to know more about January's dad and his "friend" or "mistress."

I like January's character so ..."

I like the shared history, but I'm guessing things won't be quite what they thought.

Katie wrote: "Chapter 17- [spoilers removed]

I can't put this down!"

I was a bit surprised that this hadn't come up before!

Katie wrote: "Chapter 23- I honestly feel nervous reading this book and I have so many feelings for these characters. This, personally for me means, it's a great romance book. This is what sets my 5 star rated ..."

(view spoiler)[ That letter...then the others...beautiful. So much seen to be not quite what we thought. (hide spoiler)]

So glad everyone enjoyed this one! I love reading through the thoughts!!

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Date changed. Restarting September 19th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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Hey, I'm starting this one a bit early!

I didn't read a lot yesterday, but today I'm up to 15%!
(view spoiler)[Let me guess, the missing person is Gus? (hide spoiler)]

83%
(view spoiler)[ I read quite a lot! Also, I think the combination will either be her birthday, or in the letter. (hide spoiler)]

100%
I finished yesterday, but forgot to update here.(view spoiler)[ I really liked it, and I don't know if I hated the ending or not. I was more or less crying in the end, it was just really good. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[The book was really good, but I'm never reading a book with a dead parent, or just any character death ever again, because I just found it really emotional, and it makes me hate the book for making me cry and at the same time love it for being good enough to make me cry. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I honestly expected this to be a run-of-the-mill rom-com, but like this was so, so much more!! The insight into the effort that goes into writing a book, was really enlightening, and the romance wasn't bad. (hide spoiler)]

Hope you like it too!!

@Trisha I've started a bit late and could update (was too busy), sorry!

I'm currently about 60 pages into the book. And enjoying reading so far.
(view spoiler)[
I love the setting here. Small town near the ocean with all the friendly people knowing each other. I've always dreamed of living in such a place. And reading this book gives me some feelings I miss.
(hide spoiler)]

Elena wrote: "@Trisha I've started a bit late and could update (was too busy), sorry!

I'm currently about 60 pages into the book. And enjoying reading so far.

I love the setting here. Small town near the ocean..."
No need to be sorry :)
This book is big on feelings......it gives you all the feels....like all of them.

I'm very slow with this book but still reading.
Just over a half.
I was expecting something like a light romantic comedy. And this book actually surprised me a lot. It's pretty deep and filled with lots of small stories and feelings.

Elena wrote: "I'm very slow with this book but still reading.
Just over a half.
I was expecting something like a light romantic comedy. And this book actually surprised me a lot. It's pretty deep and filled with..."

Yeah, it was a real surprise......nothing in the synopsis lead me to believe this would be so......philosophical?...but I loved it for that!

@Trisha indeed the description isn't the perfect for the content. I'm still reading the book. It's good but goes really slow. I don't know why but I tend to read such books (contemporary with some issues) very slow.
I'm currently 2/3 into the book.
(view spoiler)[
I like both January and Gus characters. Their lives are interesting to read (yet not so happy). When I started reading I was craving something very happy, sunny and romantic. Maybe because the book has not much of those I read it for so long.
Reading stories of people they meet makes me sad. I don't like this feeling and I've been avoiding it all the time (that's why I never pick books heavily centered on mental issues or some illnesses, drugs, prostitutes and suicides).
(hide spoiler)]

Elena wrote: "@Trisha indeed the description isn't the perfect for the content. I'm still reading the book. It's good but goes really slow. I don't know why but I tend to read such books (contemporary with some ..."

Yeah, (view spoiler)[it was reeeeaaallly sad sometimes.
Same, I avoid those books, unless I know for a fact they have a happy ending (TFIOS was the exception, and that is not an experience I want to recreate knowingly) (hide spoiler)]

@Trisha I finally finished the book! Yay! But the only thing I really loved were letters.
When I picked this book to read I expected it to be a light rom-com and it wasn't. It seemed to be something deeper at the beginning with all those stories. (view spoiler)[And I anticipated something to happen and nothing actually happened. The first part was interesting and led to unknown. And it turned out in just an ordinary ending. (hide spoiler)] So I prefer it to be just a rom-com without all those sad moments. (view spoiler)[Which gone to nowhere, what's up to all those stories? We even didn't get much about the books they've written. And what was that trip to Eden for? To set their romantic relations? If so, it was written poorly. Not enough development. (hide spoiler)] The book has so much potential yet even the romance line turned out to be underdeveloped. I prefer better author to concentrate on one thing and make it perfect to throwing a bunch of potentially good lines with a poor development.

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Date changed. Restarting May 30th 2021. Happy Reading ☺

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I would love to join!

will start on June