He was the love of my life. But he left to join the military. Now he’s back and living right next door…
Grace
I’m known as a matchmaker in Snowflake Falls. But the truth is I’m interested in everyone else’s love life so they don’t talk about mine. There’s only ever been one guy for me and that’s Apollo. He was named after a god and he was like one at high school. But he left our small town and I thought he’d forgotten me. Now he’s back and he’s my next door neighbor. We’re friendly but I want so much more…
Part of the Curvy Girls Date series featuring curvy women and the men who fall head over heels for them. Short, steamy reads with no cheating and always a HEA!
| Title: | Curvy Girl & The Military Guy Next Door |
| Author: | Jessa Joy |
| Series: | Curvy Girls Date (Book 5) |
| Pages: | 52 |
| Category / Genre(s): | Contemporary |
| Trope(s): | Small Town Romance Military Romance Second Chance (ish) |
| Point of View: | First Person, Present Tense, Dual Viewpoint (H & h) |
| Location: | Snowflake Falls, USA |
| HEA: | ✔️ |
| Release Date: | 11th May, 2023 |
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Didn’t hit the mark for me
Who doesn’t love an insta-love type story that’s light on pages but heavy on heat? You know pretty much what you’re getting with this type of book and that’s exactly what I was looking for. Unfortunately, this book really didn’t give me what I want from this type of story.
Our heroine, Grace, is a librarian in the small town of Snowflake Falls and is a failed matchmaker – if you can even call it that. She obnoxiously attempts to throw people together and genuinely, it gave me second-hand embarrassment. Then that aspect of her character never gets mentioned again which I was both grateful for and left me wondering why it was ever broached to begin with.
Apollo left to join the army the day after prom and now he’s back in the small town he grew up in. He’s got some family drama about whether his Dad thinks his top-secret role in the army is worthwhile but that’s quickly sorted due to a video game. Again, it felt like something that really didn’t need mentioned. Apollo’s a a decent enough guy but there’s not much substance to him.
“Jessa Joy… does write in an engaging and likeable way. It’s certainly no chore to read one of her books…”
If I’m honest, the chemistry between Grace and Apollo was virtually non-existent. With the anger that Grace has for Apollo, I at least expected that they had a teenage hookup. But nope. They went to prom as part of a group, they had never even kissed and Apollo hadn’t even realised Grace was into him. Red flag, Apollo, red flag. They sleep together – both virgins – and then he has to leave for, you know, top secret stuff and can’t even tell Grace a lie to appease her of his leaving. So she’s mad again and gives him an ultimatum about third chances, blah, blah, blah. Lock up your bunnies around this woman.
I know not to expect a great level of characterisation, back-story or detail with a short insta-love story but this one just didn’t give me enough of anything to really enjoy it. There were lots of elements loosely taped together, and detail of things that didn’t need detailing where we could have had detail in things that actually mattered – like a deeper understanding of Grace and Apollo.
The only reason that I gave this story 3 stars instead of something lower was because I do like Jessa Joy’s writing style and she does write in an engaging and likeable way. It’s certainly no chore to read one of her books and pick it up to read just a bit more – even if the story itself doesn’t capture my interest like in this case. A little bit of honing in this story could have made it so much more than it was, but it’s just 3 stars from me.
I’m Jessa Joy and I write about curvy women and the alpha men who can’t resist them. Short, steamy and upbeat is the name of the game. I hope you (like me) enjoy a guaranteed Happy Ever After! Whether you’re into office, holiday or second chance romance, hot billionaires, small town shenanigans or enemies to lovers intrigue, I’m here to fulfil your reading desires!
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