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My Review:Title: Hopelessly Devoted
Author: Piper Sheldon
Series: Scorned Women's Society #3.5
Published by: Smartypants Romance
Release Date: October 14, 2021
Format: eARC
Pages: 219
Genres: Contemporary, LGBT, Romance
Potential Triggers: View Spoiler »
Source: Smartypants Romance
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2021 COYER Fall, Lenoreo's 2021 Diversity Reading Challenge
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ IndieBound ✩ Book Depository
My rating:
Blurb:Skip has one goal: retrieve his romantically reckless best friend from Green Valley, Tennessee and get back to their normal life. Then Skip meets Jack. The handsome and caring stranger is just another distraction from his careful plans.
Jack has dealt with more than his fair share of troubled men and is done with letting his guard down. When he meets walking red flag, Skip, he knows he should run the opposite direction and ignore their chaotic attraction.
Only, fate seems to have other plans when they are stuck on a camping trip together. Jack and Skip are convinced they can put their attraction aside and focus on helping their friends. One quick trip, one shared tent, what could possibly go wrong?
‘Hopelessly Devoted’ is a contemporary romance novella and can be read as a standalone. Book #3.5 in the Scorned Women’s Society series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.
I received a free copy through Smartypants Romance in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
4 stars — I LOVED Jack and Skip. They were both flawed and frustrating at times, but with good hearts that deserved the love of the other. It was interesting that they both had some similarities in their upbringing, but because of other circumstances they cope in slightly different ways. But it helped them understand each other. I loved the way they met, and how instantly you could feel the chemistry. And it just built from there.
I *did* read the previous books in the series, and in particular My Bare Lady and The One That I Want that showcased these two, and initially I thought this one might not be able to stand alone, because for some reason I thought there were some key scenes from TOTIW that were not repeated here. But then I went back and searched for Skip, and I must have been crazy…for some reason I think I just had a better understanding of the relationship between Sanders and Skip, but I think that might have been in my head. Basically, you can read it on its own, but I think it’s even better if you at least read The One That I Want. And I think that’s the only reason I didn’t rate this story higher, I just felt like I needed a little something more.
In other ways, though, this felt like it was a perfect novella. It was long enough to really give us a bit of depth on the characters and see their struggles and growth…and to feel satisfied with the conclusion. I’m seriously just greedy because I really loved our heroes.
I hadn’t expected the Triple F boys, but I LOVED them! Particularly Ethan and Derek. I loved the whole camping trip, and the conversations that were had with those boys, and the growth opportunities.
So yeah. Definitely filled that hole that needed filling after becoming intrigued by these men.
COYER Scavenger Hunt #15: Read a book featuring a male protagonist.
This one does sound good! I love that cover, too.