3.49

I am wholeheartedly against reading books out of order and when the female protagonist Jilly mentions early on that her brother and his girlfriend met “through a strange set of circumstances” without much, or really any further explanation, I knew I was walking into an existing series. Unfortunately, the one preceding book, “Love, Naturally” was not available to me, and since I had promised to read and review the new book by the rapidly-approaching release date, I did my breathing exercises and plowed on.

This is a sweet rom-com, and if you were looking for a slow-burn, fraught, drawn-out romance, you won’t really find it here. Most of my nervousness was about things that I anticipated rather than what actually happened. Ollie, as with most only-child characters in books it seems, is remarkably adorable and adept. The biggest annoyance was really that local breakfast diner owner was supposedly celebrating his 30th year in business, but the collection of treasures that represented his career were classic diner fixtures like it was Arnold’s or the Frosty Palace of the 1950s and 60s. If they hadn’t talked about social media, I would have thought this was not quite modern day.

I guess that is one of the takeaways: the settings and story, not to mention the very much glossed-over “romantic” scenes, are somewhat in the spirit of the past. Levi and Jilly are sweet and not too annoying (usually at least one behaves like an cringe-worthy idiot), so if that’s your type of romcom and you have read the first or don’t mind jumping into a second, this is probably for you. Besides, who among us wouldn’t like to think that a childhood crush, especially the friend of an older sibling, didn’t pine for us as much as we did for them?

I assume there will be a third book about the third sibling since the theme of the three siblings is mentioned constantly.

Thank you to Sophie Sullivan, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book for my unbiased review.

To start, big thank you St Martins Press for the eARC of this book! I am a big Sophie Sullivan fan so I was stoked to get an early copy.

Sadly, this one wasn’t for me. While Get Lost With You had a sweet premise and a promising start, it fell flat due to a lack of conflict and emotional depth.

Jilly was a great lead character - I loved her role as a mom and really wish we had gotten more of her backstory. Levi was also a solid love interest, but (and I can’t believe I’m saying this) he was too easy. He was 100% all-in with Jillian from the start, without a moment’s hesitation or doubt. It left me craving more tension and uncertainty in their relationship.

The story would have benefited from a stronger "will they/won’t they" element or by giving more weight to the existing subplots. Jill’s ex had the potential to bring some much-needed drama, and Levi’s strained relationship with his dad felt like an afterthought rather than a real hurdle for his character.

At times, it felt more like a spoof of a romance, with corny moments that had me cringing...especially for a book releasing so close to Valentine’s Day! I will give credit where it’s due: the story offers hope for rekindling childhood crushes and finding love after a divorce. There were definitely some sweet, heartwarming moments but they weren't enough to sway me.

Turns out, after all my complaining about wanting characters to just talk to avoid drama... I actually missed the drama!

If you're looking for a book that is calm and low-stakes then look no further than Get Lost With You. While I didn't read the previous book in this series, I feel that this book can be read as a standalone.

Jilly runs into Levi who has recently moved back to their small town and sparks immediately fly as the two reconnect. Levi is trying to find his place in Smile, while Jilly is leery to get back out there after how her previous marriage ended.

The story is sweet but I found it kind of boring. Levi and Jilly are cute together but there was no angst or tension between the two. Levi moved back and bam, insta love. Which, to be fair, they had crushes on each other as kids, but nothing had happened between the two of them until they were adults. It didn't feel realistic to me. There was more tension between themselves and their families than with each other.

I did appreciate how each character was straight forward with each other and made it clear what they wanted.

If you want a nice pallet cleanser with a low-stakes, sweet story then you will probably enjoy this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third book that I've read by this author the first one I thought was meh and the second one (the first one in this series) I really enjoyed and we have now added another one that was meh. I got insanely bored after a while reading this one. I felt like nothing was really happening in the middle of this book, I believe I basically skimmed three chapters where literally nothing of importance happened. I couldn't wait for the part with the ex-husband to come up so there could be some drama to come and that was kind of a let down for me.

I would give this author another try since I did enjoy one of her books but this one didn't really do it for me. I assume we will get at least one more in this series so I would give that one a chance.

2.5 stars rounded up

Sophie once again delivers a charming and heartwarming romance, following Jillian, who is struggling to move on from a bad marriage while focusing on her daughter, Ollie. When Levi, Jillian’s childhood crush and a friend of her brothers, returns to town after pursuing his culinary dreams, the two reconnect, and old feelings quickly resurface. The story beautifully explores themes of starting over and finding happiness, though the subplot with Jillian’s ex-husband feels unnecessary and adds unnecessary conflict to an otherwise sweet and clean romance.

I found this book to be much more engaging than the first book in the series. It has good pacing along with the wonderful characters I remember from that first story.

Levi and Jilly are great together, which is obvious from the start. Levi is very aware that Jillian is a mom and that her kid comes first. Jill is afraid of being let down by love again, but cannot resist the pull between them. While these two are trying to figure out being together, Levi is also trying to mend fences with his dad and figure out what he wants to do now that he’s back to stay in his hometown.

I wasn’t crazy about the way Jill stuck her head in the sand about a certain issue, knowing it would end up being the catalyst for something big happening. Yet the issues that came up helped Levi to better understand Jill’s insecurities and it helped Jill to see she didn’t have to always do everything on her own.

While I missed seeing the quirky guests at the Get Lost Lodge, this story taking place in the off-season, I still loved all the people in town.

First and foremost as always thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. Second chance love stories always get me in the feels. The reason they split the first time and then coming back to find each other? Ugh, when written right, really gets you in the feels! This was an incredibly good read! The story was beautifully written and the characters were flushed out really well! Definitely worth the read!

Another great Sophie Sullivan book! In this one, we meet Jillian and Levi. Two people who are friends, but wishing for more. Levi returns to his small town after making it as a successful chef, ready for love and new business ventures. Jillian recently has come home, following a messy divorce, now trying to navigate life as a single mom. They once were friends, now they both realise their feelings for each other all those years ago never went away. Sophie’s books always make me feel cozy, this book was no exception. Overall, I really liked it!

I really enjoyed this, it was such a sweet love story with a lot of substance. I really loved the characters as well as the setting. Small towns and small families always make me happy in books and this really nailed both. I cannot wait to read more from this author, this was so cozy!

4.5/5 🌟

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC!

I love a good Sophie Sullivan book and this one did not disappoint! It read like a solid romance movie and the tropes featured were written with a desired 'smoothness'. I am not the biggest fan of the single-mom trope but I did not mind it so much in this book, partially because of the MMC and because I love Sophie Sullivan.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jillian is living with her parents and working with her brothers when her long-time crush and brother’s best friend returns to town. It does not take long for Levi and Jillian to have sparks fly. Levi is even enamored with Jilly’s daughter. But romance can be hard when one in the pair is afraid to open up to love. The town is a delightful added ambiance and the side characters add a lot of humor to the story.

I did not read the book about Jilly’s brother and his partner but it was not really needed. I found myself really enjoying this one. I would read more from this author!

Thank you to Net Galley, St. Martin’s Press, and St. Martin’s Griffin for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

4/5

Get Lost with You by Sophie Sullivan, book two in the Rock Bottom Love series, is an enjoyable, heartwarming, emotional, small town, second-chance romance. Levi is a chef returning home to Smile to help his dad after a surgery and put down some roots. Jilian is a single mom to Ollie, a jerk for an ex-husband, and sister to Beckett and Grayson, from the first book, helping them with the Get Lost resort in Smile, Michigan. Levi and Jilly had crushes on each other growing up but nothing came of it thanks to a two year age gap, he being her brother’s best friend and his leaving for culinary school out east. Seeing Levi back in Smile affects her more than she expected; the walls around her heart are crumbling. Talking, getting reacquainted allows them to both realize they still have feelings for each other. Levi fears that he could ruin their friendship so he is comfortable taking things slowly; knowing Jilly was deeply hurt by her ex-husband and needs to learn she can trust him. Levi also doesn't want to hurt her daughter either as he builds a relationship with Ollie.

Shortly after they finally define that they are in a relationship, several big changes are looming; especially the fact her ex-husband tries to come back into her life. Jilly is unable yo handle all of the changes at once and wants to protect her daughter from being hurt. She will have to decide whether to stay together with Levi, or end the relationship for good. She will also need to determine how to handle all of the changes coming her way; possibly willing to accept the support her family offers.

The love story of Jillian and Levi is heartwarming and tender, with a wonderful cast of secondary characters that you will fall in love with, and Jilly's close-knit family gives lots of cozy vibes. The town of Smile lives up to its name, and its residents can sometimes be grumpy but mostly endearing. Jilly and Levi were perfect for each other as was the way Ollie and he got along. I cannot wait to return to Smile for Grayson’s story; hopefully one for Lainey too.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #GetLostWithYou

Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Sullivan, and St. Martin's Press for a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

The Plot:
Jillian is back in Smile, Michigan with her daughter, Ollie, working at her brother's lodge.
Levi is back in town looking for his original roots after taking on the big city as a talented chef.
In high school, they both had crushes on each other, but when Jillian made a move, it didn't end the best.
Now they're adults and that spark is still there.

My Thoughts:
Overall, I thought this book would have a bit more conflict. The romance was cute and I always like when characters can just be honest about their attraction. This read more as a slice of life for me. It was too perfect and happy too often. There's an ex-husband character that's mentioned for a few pages, but that resolves itself quick and the third act breakup felt forced. I think it should have just stayed a happy, cozy, slice of life and I would have added a star.

4⭐
.25 🌶️
Tropes/Themes: Single mom, coming home, it’s always been you, second chance, fade to black, small town
Dual POV 3rd person

Sophie Sullivan has done it again! This feel-good story is so sweet and swoony and such a good read. It is important to know this is the second book in a series (which, again, I didn’t pay attention to lol) and while it’s mostly a standalone and I didn’t feel too lost, it’s probably best to read the first book before this one.

I really love how Sullivan brings her characters to life- you really feel immersed in their world. Like I was ready to pack up and move to the island. The chemistry between Levi and Jilly was perfect and the supporting characters were just…perfect. I feel like I’m being vague and cliche but I kept thinking about how I wanted to go back and read the first book because I wanted to know more of their stories.

The only complaint I have is the reason for Levi’s conflict with his dad was not clear. Even after his mom explained it to him I still felt like I was missing something.

Jilly and her daughter Ollie have made themselves at home again in Smile over the last few years, living with her parents and working at the family lodge. She’s learned to take charge of her own life and to do things for herself because her past romantic relationship let her down in ways she thinks she’ll never recover from. Levi Bright returns to Smile to help his recuperating father, and instantly reconnects with the Keller family. His teenage crush on Jilly resurfaces in a big way and now that they’re adults, pursuing a relationship with her and getting to know her daughter is something he can’t stop thinking about. If only Jilly would open her heart to love again and let Levi show her that their history and friendship and burgeoning love could give her a happily ever after she never expected in her life again.

———————————

This book made me smile, laugh, cry, and kick my feet with giddiness. I ended it feeling like my heart was full. What a lovely story. It was incredibly sweet and fun and flirty. I looove when two adults that have already lived a bit of life find each other again. Jilly and Levi have great communication and are gentle with each other’s feelings. This book had a lot of really nostalgic “coming home” vibes to it. Small and loving communities, friends and family nearby, everyone knowing your business but loving you…it was what Levi wanted for himself after being away so long and it’s what made the book extra special.

Thank you to Sophie Sullivan, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advance eARC of this book for review.

I enjoyed this sweet and sweet romance and would recommend! Thank you so much to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Sophie Sullivan for an arc of this book!
This was a cute and lighthearted read that i had fun with. i loved the setting of the small town and camp lodge. some parts of the setting kind of reminded me of Canada and then i found out that the author’s actually a fellow Canadian!
Overall, I enjoyed the story, but however, I found the plot and characters to be lacking at times. I think we could have used more depth and angst to create something more. I did enjoy the themes of embracing change and not being afraid of it.
I loved Levi’s character. the fact that he is a chef and is good with kids did it for me. he was patient with jillian and waited for her, and showed how he would be there no matter what, which was sweet!
i thought the childhood-friends-to-lovers trope was well done and i enjoyed how our two main characters learned to lean on each other eventually. i wish it could have been a little more of a slow burn though; i just feel like their relationship moved unrealistically fast. like i feel like they could’ve spent more time to get to know each other again, but it seemed like they already did bc they were childhood friends, except it’s been years since then. but the proposal with the note was adorable :)

I thought the book was very cute and heartwarming. I think there are a lot of readers out there who will adore it. I admit, I hated that the town/island was named Smile. However, I sure wanted to live there.

This is a fun second chance romance. The characters are fun - all of them. I loved both Jill and Levi. I enjoyed every moment of the book. It was a feel good story. Each story set her makes me want to visit! I really like the author's style of writing. Her stories have a lot of heart and are infused with the right amount of humor. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This one was a sweet low angst romance. I loved the small town vibes of it and I’m a sucker for a big family and strong family dynamics. I felt like the romance was a little fast for me. I know this is technically a second chance and both characters are in their 30s and aren’t looking to waste time, but it just felt like it moved A bit fast. But overall a fine romance.

Content Warnings: divorce, strained relationship with parent
Fade to Black

Happy pub day to this wonderful book! It was everything I’ve come to love and expect from Sophie Sullivan. This time, it was a second chance romance with a single mom. I loved the missed chance between Jillian and Levi when they were teens and the feeling of rekindling now that they’re adults. There was lots of maturity, sweetness, and confidence that comes from being older. I loved all the yummy cooking, being back in Smile, and seeing all the Keller siblings. I thought the third act conflict was done so well and with such tender care. She really honored each of her characters as they struggled to figure out the right thing. This also had a great exploration of parental expectations and disappointments. The romance is swoony, and I can't wait for what she writes next!