I liked this book, but it wasn't love for me. The concept was great - Sarah inherits a B&B in a very serious state of disrepair from her grandmother. The B&B is in the town where she grew up - and she has a lot of history their. Including with hometown football hero Wes. Sarah tutored Wes throughout his junior and senior year of high school - which pretty much allowed him to graduate. Sarah had a pretty major crush on Wes - but he had a girlfriend (who later became his wife). Since then, Sarah has gone on to have a career in developing and marketing apps - but when she inherits the inn she takes Wes up on his offer to renovate it, in hopes of selling for the best price.

She and Wes ( now a widower with a 9 year-old) connect. Sarah and Marissa especially find common ground with their love of technology - especially in the face of Wes's technophobia.

All of this would be more than enough for the plot of the book - but there was a lot more going on. There are subplots involving A high school frenemy who returns to town to host a family reunion, a lost love story based on letters between Sarah's grandmother and her first love, Wes trying to rebuild his business, and more. I think in the face of all the subplots - the main plot got a little lost. I also didn't love Wes. He is a devoted single dad - but his wishy washy behavior towards Sarah just didn't do it for me.

I also found Marissa to be wayyyyyy more mature than any 9 year old I know. I think maybe if she had been 11 or 12, even, I would have found her a more believable character. There was also one scene that just really really bothered me - and I almost DNF'd the book at that point - <spoiler> Sarah and Wes go skinny dipping in a sort of re-creation of an event that happened in high school that Sarah is still very salty about. After things get hot and heavy between them - Sarah runs back to the beach, gets dressed steals Wes's clothes, and leaves him naked on the beach without a way to get dressed or get home. Truthfully - Sarah's behavior was incredibly childish and really vindictive. It really wasn't funny - and I actually was shocked they were able to come back from that as a couple. Leave him alone in the water fine - but to steal his clothes and leave him naked in public was just really awful. Maybe I'm being too sensitive - but if the tables had been turned - we would never wanted Sarah to end up with Wes. </spoiler>

So yeah - I wanted to love this book - but I think it needed more focus and less childishness on the part of the main characters.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

This is the first novel in Jennifer Snow’s new Blue Moon Bay series and the first I have read from this author. A Lot Like Love is a second chance romance telling the story of Sarah and Wes. Sarah returns to Blue Moon Bay after the death of her grandmother where she inherits a rundown B&B that Wes helps her restore. Sarah is a professional in her field and renovating the Inn takes her well out of her comfort zone. Wes is a widowed single dad trying to make his construction business work.

I loved the characters as they felt real, the dialogue was catchy and overall the story made me feel like I was “coming home”. The story was really well written and sweet. I loved Sarah’s character and found her really relatable. Wes was sweet but a little pig headed at times. I really loved Marissas character as well. The relationship between Sarah and her best friends (Jessica and Whitney) were really fun. The only things I really disliked or felt were missing was the lack of an ending with Jack and no resolution with Wes’ previous in-laws regarding Sarah.

Definite a book that I couldn’t put down!

Can’t wait to read the next in the series and see whether Whitney or Jessica gets the next story!

The last place Sarah thought she would find herself was back in Blue Moon Bay. She just inherited her grandmother's old B& B and the place was a ram shackled mess! Her best bet would be to sell the place as, is and cut and run! However she's convinced to restore the place to get more bang for her buck. The one doing the convincing is her old high school crush.

Wes really want's to see the B & B restored for 2 reasons: he hates the way the place has run into disrepair AND he could really use the job to support himself and his daughter. He didn't know that Sarah, his old high school tutor would have turned into such a gorgeous ,self assured woman.

This book has so many wonderful elements, a long slow burn, friends to lovers, single dad. I just could not put it down and devoured the story in one reading. When children are added to a story , it can take a delightful turn and this one does, with a precocious, genius daughter.

All the elements fit together seamlessly and created a charming story.

Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced copy.

A great beach read! I love feel good romances and loved the story and the characters. I finished it in one sitting and stayed up past my bedtime reading it! Love!

I loved this second chance romance between Sarah and Wes. The first chapter throws you into the story, but it works really well once I read more.

This book has all the wonderful pinning and friends to lovers, plus a meddling matchmaker (but so cute!). It's interesting to see how Wes and Sarah had two entirely different perspectives on something that happened in high school, but I liked the resolution once they finally cleared the air about it. The characters are flawed and have to work through things on their own, but their friends and family have them encouragement to figure it out and work on things together.

Once I got to about 25%, I couldn't put this book down and read the rest all the way through. This was the first book I've read from this author, and I'm excited to read more from her.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

I really liked this story. Sarah and Wes are fun to read about and his daughter makes the story more lively. Everyone has a past but they manage to go beyond that.

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

I have always liked this authors books and this was no exception. Great story

I enjoy Snow’s novels. Sarah and Wes are reunited. Wes has been floundering for several,years and never knew of Sarah’s love for him from high school. Sarah has been left a huge albatross of a B& B amd hires Wes to update it. I liked the interaction between them. When they get their heads straight, the intimate scenes are pretty steamy. I did enjoy all the scenes with shirtless Wes in his tool bet. I thought the WWII journal of Dove just didn’t fit with the overall story. I liked it, I just thought it was inserted as an afterthought. I loved the beach setting as well.

A Lot Like Love is a series and is book one.... This was my first by Snow read and it sure won't be my last.... I'm invested now and can't wait for book two to one now!!!! Hurry up pretty please!😂
I felt this to be more on the line of a contemporary romance which are my absolute favorite! And this sure did not disappoint!
What I enjoyed most was the writing just amazing and very well done!
Next I just adored the chemistry between Sarah and Wes.... It was fire!
Overall a wonderful, quick, amazing love story that will leave you wanting more!
Thanks NetGalley, Entangled Publishing and Mrs.Snow for this advance e~arc!
I simply can't wait for the second book in the series!

A lot Like Love by Jennifer Snow follows Sarah who returns to her childhood home after her grandmother leaves her the rundown B&B. There she reunites with her childhood crush Conran who persuades her to renovate before selling. But does she sell? And do Conran and Sarah become more than just friends.

This is a sweet little story, but way to predictable for my taste. It followed all the usual will they, won't they routine. And was very graphic at times.

However, you can easily relate to the characters, especially Sarah, and her budding relationship with young Mariska. There were a few laugh out loud moments, and more than a few when you might want to clobber Conran!!!

Overall not a bad summer read.

This was a very enjoyable story. The characters were engaging and interesting and of course,, the chemistry between Sarah and Wes was off the charts, even though they tried to ignore tit. Marissa was a sweetheart and I loved how Sarah and Marissa had similar interests (even though she was only 9). As a widow, Wes was very protective of Marissa and it did cause issues - mostly because he didn't understand how her mind worked. She loved coding and computers and he thought she should be more active outside.
As good as the story was, the part about Jack and her grandma made me cry. It was so heartbreaking..
An excellent story that I recommend

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Book – A Lot Like Love
Author – Jennifer Snow
Series – Blue Moon Bay #1
Cliffhanger? - No
Publication Date – June 29, 2021
Genre – Contemporary Romance
Rating – 4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Complimentary copy generously provided by Entangled through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My Thoughts - Story

This was such an awesome start to a new series by Jennifer Snow. First book in the series, we are introduced to the little coastal town of Blue Moon Bay...and after reading this first book, I can't wait to see what Ms. Snow has in store for us next! She has already starting introducing characters who will be getting their own books which made the story even more interesting!

I loved the relationship that Wes and Sarah had and how it all stemmed from a crush Sarah had on Wes back in high school. The relationship between Wes' daughter, Marissa, and Sarah was heartfelt and developed nicely by Ms. Snow's writing.

A B&B, a secret back lost love story, a sexy construction worker, a technological klutzy, pretty girl, and a 9 year old matchmaker and you have A Lot Like Love

Reason for Reading – NetGalley Review
Story – 5 out of 5 Stars
Steam – 4 out of 5 Stars
Angst – 5 out of 5 Stars
Writing – 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Content Flow – 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Would Read More from Author? Yes
Recommend To – Lovers of a touching romance

I really enjoyed reading A Lot Like Love. I loved how the author showed both main characters perspectives throughout the book. It's a feel good romantic story that will keep you turning the pages.

I received an advance copy of, A Lot Like Love, by Jennifer Snow. I love beach reads, and this is a great one. Family, friends, changes, and love.

I received A Lot Like Love as part of a NetGalley giveaway.

The inheritor of her late grandmother's coastal B&B, Sarah returns to her childhood home of Blue Moon Bay to renovate and sell it, intending to return to her high-powered career in the tech industry. But upon (re)meeting her teenage crush (and the contractor in charge of the renovation), Wes, she hesitates...ever so slightly. For his part, Wes is struggling to raise his bright-but-quirky nine year old daughter Marissa, while attempting to build a reputation in construction management followed a failed professional football career. While they butt heads initially over the direction of the renovation, the two old friends quickly discover a spark between them. As both their relationship and the construction progresses, Sarah must make a decision: a life with Wes and Marissa operating Dove's Nest, or a return to the anonymity of LA and a successful career.

I had mixed feelings on A Lot Like Love. I was pleasantly surprised that some of Wes' quirks that annoyed me--for instance, dictating the features the renovated B&B should and should not have--were acknowledged and presented as overreaching later on. Those are the kind of personality traits that can be presented as "right," particularly in small-town romances where there's a strong emphasis on tradition and old-fashioned values. In other ways, I felt like it fell into some typical romance tropes (the insanely fast pace of the relationship, the cartoonishly evil boss), and I felt like the subplot involving her grandmother's lost love was underdeveloped. I felt like there was an opportunity to push back and provide a bit more nuance, but it didn't take the bait.

Thanks to Netgalley for the digital ARC for my honest review!

This is a beautiful read! It reminds me of the movie Love, Rosie, but so much more heartwarming. Because that movie somehow makes me sad. This one however is so lovely! And it happened in a small coastal town. Wonderful summer beach read. The whole vibe of the book is just relaxing and cute.

Highly recommend!

I'm not entirely sure what I want to say about this book, as I am finding myself unable to be eloquent in writing this review. But I think the biggest accolade that can be given is that I read this book in one day (sun up to sun down) and genuinely enjoyed the experience, which is still relatively rare for me with romance/romance adjacent novels. The dynamic of this book was captivating and relatable, even in its most unrelatable parts.

Wes and Sarah have a decade+ of history, and are being brought back together under less than ideal circumstances, where unresolved feelings and misunderstandings can be brought to light. This can all be done in a very awkward manner, and I am one who gets major second-hand embarrassment reading books, but the awkward & uncomfortable conversations were handled with a level of class and dignity that I really appreciated. Marissa is a loveable character, and the bond & understanding she shared with Sarah was just wonderful. The lessons of acceptance Wes went through in order to better understand Marissa's interests, and then how they paralleled interactions between Sarah & her parents, were emotions that I think anyone can understand if they have had a hobby that maybe isn't completely mainstream. This book has so many layers of relationship building and development, getting to know people you think you already know, and peeling back the layers of peoples' personalities to gain a new understanding and perception of them - it is really wonderful.

There were a couple timeline/continuity issues I had, but nothing so major that it felt like the plot became unhinged. Usually it was just something not lining up (one page it says last week and then another page it says two weeks ago, things like that), and then the epilogue timeline felt rushed, albeit understandable in context. Many of the littler things I'm sure could have been me misreading something due to the speed at which I was devouring this book.

It seems that this is the first book in a series of books set in this world, and if that is true I am looking forward to the next book. I have some ideas as to who the characters involved might be if they are carried over from this one, and if they are all brand new characters that will be exciting too. This world that was built is a lovely place to visit. If you are looking for a contemporary romance with a lot of heart, this is definitely a good choice.

Sarah is backin town after inheriting a B&B from her grandmother. She wants to renovate it and ends up having to take time out of her busy job to try and get the work underway. help arrives in the form of Wes, who she always had a crush on in school. Now he is a widower and a single parent.
Sarah bonds with his daughter and is soon falling for Wes too, but can he let her in?

A great read.