Cover Image: Out of Love

Out of Love

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Member Reviews

So excited for Scott’s story! After getting to know Scott’s life in the first installment, along with the great cliffhanger about his own storyline, I was so excited to finally get this from Ruth – and the story did not disappoint! Switching places with his secret twin brother, Scott was given specific instructions to not go anywhere, but his personality can’t do that and instead he heads into his brother’s office where he is met by Monica, a client of his brother who is not happy and demanding to speak with him. Monica has grown up in a cold family environment after the death of her mother, and her father looks at her as an employee rather than family, although he is very overprotective. Unable to continue to keep his secret, he tells Monica everything about who he is, and the aftermath of that causes him to get hurt, but it shows Monica that she feels the same way about him, and together they build a life similar to his brother and the love he found on Scott’s farm. Per usual, the cliffhanger Ruth gave us about Thane in this book has me itching to get ahold of his story now too!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

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Follows the he typical twin switching identities concept- basically and easy read you can finish fairly quickly. A few parts got a bit jumbled and I had to go back and focus a bit more to follow but majority of the book was your usual romance. Type of book you can read while listening to the ballgame on tv or hanging out at the poolside.

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This book was… a lot.

Scott discovers he has an identical twin called Jesse. They decide to switch lives for a few hours so Jesse can save Scott´s farm. Things get complicated when Scott uncovers sabotage of the project Jesse´s working on, and not to mention, when he meets Monica.
It´s an interesting enough plot, but it almost tried to do too much at once. It became a bit confusing and a bit much at times. There were a couple moments where I simply thought “that´s a stretch, but go off i guess”.
The characters were deliberately flawed, which made them more real and believable. The writing-style had some of the dialogue feeling a bit “choppy” and rushed at times. There were also some elements, tropes if you will, that I thoroughly did not enjoy (I won’t discuss it furter as to not spoil anything).
I didn’t realize that this was the second book in a series, and although it definitely works fine as a standalone, I believe I would have gained a lot from reading the first book before this one. But that´s on me.

All in all, this was an okay book with a unique plot. It’s a quick and fun read, but nothing to write home about. My favorite quote: “Trust intelligently”.

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This is a quick and easy read from this author. While I miss her earlier works where the plot was more involved and developed, this is a good "summer read."

The plot is a "twin switch" scenario and gives the reader the HOA.

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I really enjoyed this book. Our main male character Scott, switches places with his twin brother and ends up meeting out main girl Monica. Scott is your typical golden retriever, always joking, optimistic and showing love to everyone. Monica is very guarded, extremely work orientated and believes she must constantly be achieving in order to have a successful and worthy life. I really liked the tension between the two when they first meet and how Scott playfully challenges Monica to think outside of what she’s always known and is comfortable with. The progression of their relationship was enjoyable, watching them face their issues, and it was fun to read about both of these characters growth and how they fit so well with each other. The scenes between Scott and his brothers are heartwarming and watching them become closer had me smiling. The side characters really added to the story, I am so in love with aunt Bibi (I wish I could have an aunt like that) and the little side story we got with her and Donny made me feel all warm and fuzzy.

I will say the first few chapters definitely throw a lot of information at you about the characters and their backstories that I did sometimes find myself getting lost and having to go back over info to fully absorb it. Overall the story was a fun one to read and I definitely want to see what happens to Thane after finishing that last chapter.

*I received an ARC of this book thanks to NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

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4.25 ✨ 2.5 🌶

Finding out you have a twin and switching places… rule number one, don’t fall in love! But these twins don’t listen. Lol.

I read the excerpt and had to read! What I didn’t know was this was a second book in the series so of course I read book one in two days so I could enjoy this one

I absolutely fell in loved with the characters! Scott is such a sweetheart with a big heart full of love ready to give and Monica is our workaholic who’s scared to love! She thinks she’s talking to Jesse who is Scott’s twin. She’s attracted to him and can’t think when around him but find him so confusing cause he’s not who she thought he was. While Scott can’t get enough of the guarded women that he can see through and wants to break down her walls! .

I throughly enjoyed this book and find it to be a good read. If you enjoy characters switching places, a strong women for our lead, and our farmer hero with a big heart then you won’t be disappointed! But make sure you read book one.


Omg Omg Omg, that ending! All.I know is there has to be a third book!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

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Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the chance to read ‘Out of Love’! When I read the blurb I was immediately hooked. The idea is so original and fun and it was well written fortunately. ‘Out of Love’ is however a second book in a series, which I would have liked to know before I started reading. I think one would enjoy this book more if they have read the first book. I didn’t read the first book and I had some questions on certain parts of the book. I could understand everything and the book was fine reading without have read the first book, but to receive the full experience I would absolutely recommend to read the first book (‘Strictly Business’).

It was fun and easy read and I have enjoyed it, but there were some things I couldn’t really get past? The chemistry between the hero and heroine was not really well written. I didn’t feel the attraction and the relationship between the two of them went way to fast, especially to the end. All though the end is pretty sweet and charming, I didn’t really believe it anymore, unfortunately.

The switch is well written, but everything about the work the main characters do? I didn’t understand anything of it. And it was not completely necessary for me to enjoy the book, but the work is a pretty huge part of the story, so I would have enjoyed the story more if I would have understood everything a little better.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t really a book for me. The idea is fun, but the lack of chemistry and good relationship building was a no for me.

2,5 star

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Quick Summary: Twinning gone wild!

My Review: Out of Love by Ruth Cardello was all kinds of fun to read. It was twinning gone wild, to be sure. It was a fast-paced, slow burn romance that offered a fresh take on the concept of family.

About the Characters: They were gems! Every cast member played his or her part well.

- M and S had such powerful chemistry. They were both solid leads who realized that trusting the heart was all about faith and courage. I loved how they each got to experience family in such profound ways. I also liked how they each were strong, successful, and accomplished as professionals.

- Aunt B, D, & D were extremely protective of M. I really appreciated how they showed their hearts for her. Also, their friendship showed how peace can be made with the past.

- J & C were certainly an opposites attract/chance encounter couple. Seeing how they both rallied around and accepted M into the fold was beautiful. Also, reading how they supported M and S's relationship, once they were fully clued in, was all heart goals. (I cannot wait to read their story.)

- T was the triplet in the family. I really liked him as a support character. He was loyal, driven, protective, and considerate. There is something about him that makes him captivating. (And that ending!!! This is when things got interesting for him. His story is beckoning me.)

- Bella stole the show with her cuteness.

- Mr. B was not the surly sourpuss I thought he was. He was a hard man. He needed the ending with his research lead in order to connect with his daughter. (The "I love you" did me in.)

- Remy was a complicated character. I felt sympathetic towards him. What he allegedly did was wrong, but it sounds like he was acting out of desperation. (Did he really do the deed or was he framed? Was he covering for someone? Was he being blackmailed? S couldn't have been that wrong about the guy, could he?)

- LJ is puzzling. I want to know his intentions. (The verdict is still out on this guy. He appears to want what is best, but I wonder. I'm thinking he's connected to the twins past somehow.)

The Conflict: Where do I begin? Both brothers targeted...that was genius. I was not expecting the story to go in that direction.

The Unexpected: I was blown away by the intrigue associated with this story. It existed on every front. (Well played, Ms. Cardello.)

The Farm seems to be a magical place. Everyone that goes there walks away changed.

Favorite Quote: "Hold-my-purse-while-I-fan-my-face-and-wipe-drool-from-my-chin level of good looking." (Lol. Still laughing at this one. This was a most memorable line.)

Favorite Scenes:

- Aunt B & D's life-is-too-short moment

- The first meeting between M and S

- B acting like man's best friend

- The mention of mom's drawer (bahahaha 😂)

- The projectile situation

- The unplanned reveal before the executive assistant

- The kitty connection

My Final Say: The overwhelming story theme that kept circling around was, ultimately, about family. With its crazy, mixed up, topsy turvy messiness, family is what or where we choose for it to be. If attraction, romance, and true love occur along the way, then that's just extra frosting.

Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A

Access to a digital ARC was granted in exchange for an honest review. The words expressed are my own. Thank you to those who provided clearance.

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Scott is now the lead, after having switched places with his twin brother. I liked how the twins had their similarities, even though they were raised separately, but their differences were really what made for a fun story. Monica's background left her to question everyone's motives and loyalty, as well as her own ability to be loved. There was a mystery to solve as well as the romance to enjoy, which are two of my favorite things in a book. Needless to say, I was not disappointed on either score. I look forward to Thane's book and the possibility of more mysteries. Highly recommended.
#netgalley

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Ruth Cardello brings us another installment in The Switch series. We meet Scott who has found out that he has a twin brother who is there to help him out on his farm posing as him. That leaves Scott at the family business posing as his brother. The problem is that he meets Monica who thinks that he is his brother, Jesse. What should have been a few hours of hiding out at Jesse's apartment is turning into a few weeks on not being about to leave in fear of finding out that there is more than one. Is there hope for Monica and Scott especially when the truth comes out? Will Jesse and Scott be able to risk it all for love, or will it be too late?

Ruth Cardello brings us the second story in this series of twins switching places. Find out how things fare for Scott who must pose as his businessman brother as he steps away from his farm and the animals he has brought in. I look forward to seeing what this author will bring next.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Montlake for this privilege.

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This is the second book in the series. Scott and Jessie are twins separated at birth. When they find each other, Jessie believes he can help Scott in a dealing with a company trying to buy Scott’s farm. Scott then steps into Jessie’s life and he meets a very interesting woman,Monica. What will happen with Scott and Monica? Will Jessie’s company have negative impacts from the things Scott has been doing?

Very easy read. Read in one day! Could not stop until the very end. Thank you to Netgalley for complimentary copy.

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Thoroughly enjoyed the book Out of Love by Ruth Cardello! Had enough of every element to keep me entertained on the beach 😃. Family drama, romance, some thrill elements and strong females all came together in this fun read. Would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys modern romance stories!

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Out of Love, the second book in The Switch series by Ruth Cardello, is the an imaginative journey to uncover scientific espionage, while at the same time revolving around romance. With a varied cast of characters, a smooth flowing dialog, wry and witty humor, and familial repartee, there are a varied range of intrigue and secrets, woven together seamlessly, that keep the pages turning. The premise of the series is quite captivating, driving the storyline and drawing the reader in and through in a manner that is both entertaining and engaging.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

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Loved this book! Got gripped straight away. The main characters are such a good pairing too. This book shows the sacrifices between a couple and how they think they should overcome obstacles compared to how they should’ve communicated better and came up with a better solution.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book!

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This is a fun book. Scott finds out he has a twin brother named Jesse. Scott agrees to switch identities with Jesse thinking it was for only a couple of hours. As you can imagine there are several things that go wrong. I enjoyed the story and I loved Scott’s farm animals. There are a lot of mystery and lies to uncover. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

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Not a fan...premise is totally unbelievable. The author's early books were wonderful but her current ones seems to lack cohesiveness, believability and is just too long and boring. I have decided to move on from this author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Scott and Monica were so completely adorable together. Their relationship was full of passion and fun, and they pushed each other to be the best versions of themselves. They really complemented one another. Scott was a particularly endearing character with his deep love for his family and animals, vulnerability, and optimism. The side characters were enjoyable as well with the humor and emotional depth they added to the story.

There were some parts that were a bit slow. Sometimes the emotions and internal monologue were focused on so much that the plot dragged a bit. Nonetheless, the story was exciting and surprising with an intriguing premise. I think the ending was perfect, and I can’t wait to see what comes next. The conclusion was satisfying but intriguing enough to leave you wanting more.

Overall, this was a supremely sweet and funny romance that truly came to life. I highly recommend it.

*I received an ARC of this novel. This is my complete and honest review.*

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I liked the first half of this well enough. The set-up was fun, there was humor, and I thought it was setting up a steamy second half. I grabbed this from read now on NetGalley because the premise seemed fun and I wanted a little sexy sex. I tried to turn off my critical brain and just go along for the ride. Spoiler alert: I was not successful.

I can’t help but feel like this book was a first draft. The first chapter was all clunky exposition telling you what happened in the previous book. Useful, yes, but it bogged me down. It was all thrown at you at once, rather than revealed naturally throughout the progression of getting to know these characters.

I think part of it had to do with the simple absurdity of the first book’s set up, as well as this one. I mean we have corporate espionage, beans, space stations, farming, beans, the end of world hunger, farm espionage (?), twin switch, beans, attempted murder (x2), hit men, hush jobs, targets on head on the dark web, and did I mention beans?

The book started out as plausible as I would need my contemporary romances to be—yes, I understand it’s fiction but I at least like most things to make sense—but quickly devolved into a crazy experience. By the end, everything was just so nutty that the book said screw it and had it all wrapped up off page.

But I think the most troubling aspect of this romance was…the romance. The book got so caught up in trying to explain to the reader just what the fuck was going on, that it forgot to give you on-page development of Scott and Monica’s relationship. By the time Scott confessed to Monica that he’s not actually Jesse, she’s legitimately angry and heartbroken. But they barely knew each other before that. There was absolutely no reason in my mind that she should’ve been so upset because she barely knew the man. Yes they were flirting but they knew nothing about each other, no commitments were involved, and it was their first date?

Then once they got over that (all pretty much while not together on the page), she went to his farm had randomly quick sex, and then time jumped to weeks later. In those skipped over weeks, ALL of their relationship development happened: she settled into the farm life, met his friends, and did all of the things a romance book should show you???

Every scene after the one sex scene was so fade to black it hurt my soul. Seriously, this book is not steamy. Their first kiss wasn’t even described it was like: “He leaned into kiss me, the kiss was so passionate, he’s done kissing me now.” I was very confused. The second kiss at least had detail but not much.

Then there were more time jumps, skipping over other critical growth because all we cared about by the end were the fricken BEANS. Legitimately, solving world hunger beans that I truly just don’t even know how to begin to cover here. They didn’t even solve all of the issues with the beans by the end of the book. Un-bean-lievable.

Overall, I wanted to like this book and I did for parts of it, but it really didn’t make sense as a romance, or anything else really. So many things were told not shown or skipped right over and summarized.

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Out of Love continues Ruth Cardello’s delicious series about twins that exchange places. Adopted separately they only recently became aware of each other…and the initial swap was to be for just an afternoon. Fate had other plans, however. This story focuses on bean farmer Scott now pretending to be hard nosed businessman Jesse and Monica, the woman spearheading a space station project Jesse’s company is working on. The story has humor, intrigue, lust, heat, and wonderful supporting characters dealing with their own issues. The book begs to be read in one sitting and Ms. Cardello throws a big curve at readers at the end. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

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This is one of my favorite trope: identical twins switching places. This is the second part of the series but can be read as a standalone. The first one features the other twin- the businessman who moves to the farm. This one features the farmer who becomes the businessman.

It's light-hearted fun. Love both characters and enjoyed the humor very much. I liked the chemistry and banter. A fun book!

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

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