Nicole

(Sewing in SoCal book 3)

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Pub Date 07 Jan 2021 | Archive Date 15 Jan 2021

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Description

Who has time to date when she’s trying to raise a miniature human by herself AND save the planet from its irresponsible inhabitants? Not to mention my winning personality (snort) and my curves-have-curves figure (eyeroll) don’t exactly attract the opposite sex. Unfortunately, none of these reasons have stopped my best friends and SoCal sewing sisters from taking on the archaic role of matchmakers, and they’re not beneath a little bribery if that’s what it takes to get my cooperation. Let’s just say everyone has their weak spot, and donations to my favourite charities is mine.

If I were to consider a romantic relationship, my dream guy certainly wouldn’t be immature, everything-is-a-game Dr. Drew Bauer. The man raises my body temperature faster than global warming does the Earth’s! But life seems determined to keep throwing us together, especially now that one of my SoCal sewing sisters is engaged to his best friend, in which case there can only be one of two outcomes: 

1. I kill him in a fit of annoyance. 

2. My common sense escapes me, and I fall in love with him. 

Honestly, I'm not sure which would be worse.

Who has time to date when she’s trying to raise a miniature human by herself AND save the planet from its irresponsible inhabitants? Not to mention my winning personality (snort) and my...


Advance Praise

“This absolute adorable book will have you weak at the knees, in a good way. The quips, the humor, encompassing hard topics without drama all throughout, I fell in love.”

“This absolute adorable book will have you weak at the knees, in a good way. The quips, the humor, encompassing hard topics without drama all throughout, I fell in love.”


Available Editions

ISBN 9781944638122
PRICE $3.99 (USD)

Links


Average rating from 98 members


Featured Reviews

This is not your normal romcom. It is so much better, but that's not a bad thing... And, it isn't an insult, I've loved nearly every romcom I've read.

Dealing with topics like not having the supposed perfect body, and illnesses, Nicole will pull you in for a humorous ride of ups and downs!

I love Sarah Monzon's awesome sense of humor, her way of keeping serious topics light hearted without taking away from the harshness of the seriousness.

I am so looking forward to the next books in the series!

Recommendation: 16/18 up due to romance.

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Nicole by Sarah Monzon is the third book in her "Sewing in SoCal" series, and the first one I read by this author.
It can be perfectly read as a stand-alone, it does refer to events in the previous 2 books, but it doesn´t feel as if one needs to read them to get this story.

This book focuses on Nicole, a sassy single mom with a zeal for saving the Earth.
A bit self-deprecating, good sense of humour, and (most of the time) sure of herself, a picturebook example of today´s strong women. The author, however, still managed to portray her in such a way that she felt real.
The men in the story might have been a bit too perfect (except the a** Nicole has a date with at the beginning of the book, but he served his purpose too).


I was hoping for a light and airy read, and didn´t find it in this book. Mainly because one or two of the themes hit too close to home for me.
But that is okay, it is still a lovely read, and even though it wasn´t what I expected, it touched me.

Definately worth to put on your want-to-read list. (You´ll have to wait only a short time, expected publishing date is January 7th 2021).

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Nicole is a divorced mother who is taking care of her eight year old daughter Sierra and trying to carry all the problems of the world on her shoulders. She gets some of it from her Christian faith and some of it from her mother who is quite scary in her demands. Drew is a doctor and Sierra's football coach who starts out annoying her deliberately because he thinks she could use some lightening up. Of course the annoyance turns into attraction.

I quite enjoyed this book because some of the dialogue is hilarious but other bits struck me as somewhat speechifying, not like organically developing conversations that people would naturally have. Nicole and her eight year old daughter have memorized charitable quotes and cite them at each other while shopping. What with climate change, domestic violence, systemic racism, body positivity, homelessness, deadbeat dads, childhood cancer and infertility,. among other things, there are so many issues crammed into one book that I thought maybe a little less would have sufficed to make the author's point.(Nicole is a do-gooder who worries about problems that she can't solve alone, and while Drew might occasionally seem like a jerk he cares about important things too.). . But it is still quite a light and pleasant read.

I read an advance reading copy that I got via Netgalley. The editing is good, I only marked one clear error when someone starts pining when they should be pinning. At some point Nicole muses that her relationship with Drew must be on an advanced level because she knew what his schedule was on a Monday afternoon. This struck me as nonsensical because I am sure that any number of people who are not in love with me will be able to guess that on a Monday afternoon I'll be at work.

Steam level: kissing and chaste touching with clothes on. This is part of a series that I haven't read but it looks like Nicole's friend .Amanda has secrets that might get revealed in the next book.

The post-review-to-goodreads button gave me an error message.

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I could not wipe the smile off of my face while reading this book! This is the first time that I have read this author and I can't wait to read more.

Drew and Nicole are like oil and water. She is a divorced mom who is pretty straight laced. Drew is a physician who is super laid back and silly. Will Nicole keep up her walls around her heart?

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

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I really love this series! I will admit to being worried about reading Nicole's book, given her opinionated views and somewhat judgmental comments in the other books. I was worried I wouldn't like her. Thankfully I did, even though she really frustrated me at times. Bless Drew. That guy is literally perfect. So swoony. Overall, a great continuation to the series and I can't wait to read the next installment.

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Nicole is the third book in the "Sewing in SoCal" series. I downloaded the book on a Sunday night, and I had it finished before I went to bed. Definitely an enjoyable read! While this book could be read without the other two, I highly recommend that the books are read in order.

In the first two books, Nicole is rather pushy and almost abrasive. When she finally gets to tell her story, the reader understands her motivation. By the end of the book, I came to really enjoy this character. She is honest. Nicole is a curvy single mom who feels that perhaps she is too much. The growth and transformation that occur as she is finally appreciated for her fine qualities is stunning. This conveys into confidence as she begins to accept herself.

This book is told from two different points of view. The author kept switching back and forth in each chapter, so the reader never had to wonder who was speaking. This made it easy to follow.

Drew is the other main character. He made an appearance in the previous books. At first he seems childish and almost annoying because he loved to jab at Nicole. There was enough chemistry that the reader could not help but want them to have a story together. As much as I liked Nicole, I really, really liked Drew as her love interest. His back story was powerful. The parts about his medical practice and even his family add so much to the story.

Nicole is a single mom. She is portrayed as a caring mom, but by the end of the book, she becomes a better parent because she tries to temper some of her overpowering qualities (such as trying to save the planet) that have caused her daughter to perhaps be more of a little adult rather than a child. I liked the fact that Nicole was shown that she was raising a kind girl - moms definitely need reassurance like that.

Drew's friend caution him to take starting a relationship with a single mom. They do not discourage him, but they remind him to take it seriously because a child is involved. I cannot imagine how challenging it would be to try to find a new relationship with children in tow. Care does need to be taken to protect everyone's hearts.

Friendship is definitely an important aspect of this series. The sewing friends do get together to work on projects and to support each other in community. I have definitely reading about the Sewing So-Cal girls, and I cannot wait to read book 4. Thank you to the author for letting me read this one early on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

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I have loved every book written by Sarah Monzon and this one is no different. They are always light hearted reads and a fun escape for me. I had a little trouble trying to like Nicole in this one though. I can see where she is coming from, but I just wanted her to lighten up a little bit, which, I guess, was the point of the whole thing. Even in the earlier books where we saw glimpses of Nicole, I thought she was just a little too much and she needed to tone it down a little bit with all of her volunteer activities. But it was still a delightful read, and I enjoyed it very much. You do not need to read the early books in the series in order to follow this one, but it does help.

I received a complimentary copy of the this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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This book was a great read. I had a hard time putting it down. It focused on exactly the right points and didn't linger or draw anything out. I enjoyed that Nicole didn't have the "perfect body" and that she had so many commonalities with the real world: single mom, vegan, clear air vehicle. Perhaps the books build on each other (I believe there are two previous to this one), however, I would have appreciated more background on the sewing gang. Without much background on those characters, some of the issues discussed (e.g. racism) felt a bit forced/out of place. Overall, it was a refreshing read.

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As a divorced mom busy raising a daughter on one hand and trying to save Planet Earth on the other, Nicole hasn't got time for dating. But her sewing-sisters circle insists on playing matchmakers, even if Drew, a doctor who annoys Nicole out of her skull, isn't exactly what the sisters have in mind in Nicole by author Sarah Monzon.

Admittedly, I can only do a few contemporary romances a year nowadays. I tend to burn out on some of the unsurprising elements that show up in a lot of them, so I have to be selective. The expressive, vibrant, and thoroughly fun illustrated cover on this ChristFic romantic comedy, with a bespectacled and stylish heroine I heard is a plus-size gal, convinced me to give this read a go.

Now, while the switch from the serious to the more frivolous comes off as rather insensitive at one point in the story, I appreciate that this author doesn't avoid addressing serious issues even in a story that's on the lighter side overall.

Nicole and Drew are interesting characters with contrasting sides to them. And to be frank, I especially like how this romance doesn't take the "jumping to huge conclusions and overreacting" route to contrive a dramatic climax.

This read is sure to please fans of sweet contemporary romance.
____________
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley for an honest review.

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I came to this book by the cover but fell in love with the content.

She tells the story of Nicole, who after separating, struggles to raise her daughter, run her business, contribute to her friend's wedding, and save the environment in the process.

Nicole meets Drew, the best friend of her best friend's fiancé, and at first he seems unpleasant but soon she will discover that Drew is much more than he seems.

I loved the author's way of narrating, it is easy and light without many ornaments but it manages to hook you to the story.

The characters seem fantastic to me: Drew the doctor who is handsome but is not stereotyped and Nicole a normal woman who is proud of being the way she is (although sometimes she doubts a bit, but who has not?).

I melted with this story and it carried a quality feeling in my heart.

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Hilarious, adorable and socially conscious!

Nicole is the 3rd book in this series and having not read the first two, I know I will be purchasing them after this!
A single mother with a bad track record with guys, and a passion for saving the world meets a guy who likes to push her buttons... Typical playground behaviour, he obviously likes her. The story follows the pair of them as they develop in their friendship, leading to more, perhaps?

Almost every chapter brought up a different social issue, from racism, to the environment, to body shaming, to childhood cancer and so on. Its all covered! It might have been overwhelming but I think it was balanced just right with the humour and emotion of the story. The relationships are lovely and I'm looking forward to more of the same from the authors other books in the series.

One of my favourite books this year!

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Sarah Monzon's Sewing in SoCal series has enough laugh-out-loud moments to qualify it as comedy fiction, and enough depth in the characters to qualify it as women's fiction, AND enough swoony moments to qualify it as romance. Whatever you call it, I'm glad I picked this up.

The opening scene in Nicole is worth the price of the book! Nicole Applegate is a curvy, tree-hugging activist whose friends have bribed her into a blind date. IF she makes it through without walking out, they will contribute to one of her favorite causes. How hard can it be? The ensuing mayhem is hilariously funny, and yet, Nicole's hurting heart shines through. She's been judged for her size, for the causes she supports - you name it - but when her "date" orders extra fries (because he's SURE the chubby girl will be stealing some from his plate) she lets fly and takes no prisoners.

Enter Dr. Drew Bauer. Handsome, hunky Dr. Drew could have any woman he wants with no more than a wink their way. Why then, does he show up to rescue her "date" from the dumpster? He's the best friend of her friend Molly's fiancé and will be best man in their wedding. When she discovers he's also her daughter's football coach, Nicole begins to look at him with a bit more respect. He's always been the "life of the party" but is there a more serious side that he hides from everyone?

Drew has had a thing for Nicole since he met her. He LIKES the curves. He LIKES her passionate activism for causes most would deem nuts. Her "Save the Chubby Unicorns" bumper sticker makes him smile. Unfortunately, he can't get her to take him seriously. He's been badly hurt in the past so it's hard to trust another woman with his heart, but if anyone could protect it, it's the fierce Nicole. His pain hides behind his smile. Can he get Nicole to see past her own hurt to the man who just might be her match?

I. LOVED. THIS. STORY!! I can't recommend this series enough.

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This third book in the Sewing in SoCal series centers around Nicole, mother of Sierra, and outspoken environmentalist vegan. She's just trying to raise her daughter well and to convince others that her passionate stances are valid, and maybe use her friends' insistence on matchmaking to her causes' benefits. However, when Drew continues to show up in her life and push her buttons repeatedly, she may find that her passion has other outlets as well.

Nicole was definitely my favorite of this series so far! While I enjoyed Molly and Jocelyn, Nicole herself is so relatable - between her passion for God's creation, which comes off as radical environmentalism to some, and her vulnerability about her size, she is a well-crafted, deeply engaging character. Drew was also an easy character to love, as the reader gets to watch him enjoy Nicole for every bit of who she is, and as he draws out what some see as her weaknesses, he frames them as strengths, and complements them with his own personality. The multiple viewpoint format of this book really helps highlight the growth in the characters and their growing feelings for each other.

I also enjoyed getting to keep in touch with the Sewing Circle of friends, as well as the men they've been adding to their group along the way. They're such an eclectic collection, and I can't wait to see what happens with Amanda's and Betsy's stories!

I give this quirky, yet deep story 5 stars.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

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This one is a little "different" than a traditional romcom, but I loved it. If you're looking for something G rated and wholesome, definitely check this one out. I love a good enemies to lovers storyline and I loved how Drew always supported Nicole from the very beginning, even when she didn't realize it. I LOVED that Nicole is portrayed as she is - she is a woman who is self-conscious in her body, passionate about her views, and passionate about her daughter!


*Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Monzon, and BooksGoSocial for my free ereader ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!*

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When I first met the character Nicole (way back when I was reading Molly)  she struck me as a crusader. She was always on some cause lambasting those who did not feel, or react, as passionately as she did.  But then I read this book...

Sarah Monzon did a great job fleshing out Nicole's character. She was more than a woman passionate about many causes. She had hurts, fears, and insecurities like every woman. She second-guessed some of the choices she made and had wrong views about people.

What started as a clash of wills between her and Drew, mellowed into something sweet and true and you couldn't help smiling as you watched their relationship turn into something that looks as though it could stand the test of time.

One of the themes explored in Nicole is our social responsibility.  As stewards of God's creation what have we done to protect--or destroy--this earth? How have we made life better for someone else?

Nicole is book 3 in the Sewing in SoCal series. It may be read as a standalone but is better in sequence as each book builds on the ones before. I look forward to reading the rest of the series (please let there be other books in the series) as I thoroughly enjoy the characters and their stories.

I received an advanced reader's copy from the publishers through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.

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I requested this book because I was attracted to the cover, frankly. And the blurb.
I am glad to say that the book didn't let me down.

Nicole is a single mother and trying her best to raise her daughter the right way while managing her business. I loved Nicole. She is a total badass woman but not without her vulnerabilities.

The writing is awesome with some humor sprinkled at all the right places.

This book seems to be a part of a series that I didn't know earlier. But now I will pick up the first book ASAP.

Thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC.

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Environmentalist, single mom, Nicole, has always done things a certain way and is fine on her own. Drew is a fun, goofy guy who knows how important it is to enjoy life and have a little fun every once in a while. He thinks Nicole and her daughter need some fun in their lives. And if Drew and Nicole end up falling in love then that is okay, too.

This is a cute story! A fun cast of characters that make me want to read the previous books in this series and curious about the next ones. Nicole and Drew have really fun banter and I love how he gets her to loosen up and have some fun. Their love grows in a realistic way and still satisfies your romantic heart while not making you roll your eyes at the impossibility of it all. There are a few kids in this story and I’m not always a fan of kids in my romance stories, but all these kids were great. This book has a Christian element to it, but it’s not in your face or too much. It’s part of their lives and Nicole’s life mission to save our planet.

If you like spunky characters and a sweet single mom romance then this is a book for you.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read and review this book. The opinions are all my own.

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Nicole is a strong heroine who can come across as mean or insensitive in the beginning. By the end of the book she softened up a bit. I appreciate how she stayed true to her character and once I viewed the book from that lens, Nicole is a good rom-com.

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I love real women empowerment in books! Not the kind that tells us we are not weak at all, but rather the one that encourages us to seek the power within our weaknesses. This book is all that!

I'm already curious about the bad reviews this book will get, because I know people will not like Nicole Applegate! She's strong, independent, resilient, and has a heart of gold, but she's all the way into her passions.
As a believer who's been struggling with the teachings, social views and practices of modern Christianity, I was completely stoked by Nicole's approach to it. It's not about me, it's about others. It's about loving your neighbor, being a good steward of God's creation, caring for others, caring for animals, caring for the earth. The fact that she was passing that onto her daughter with her example and not just with her words was incredibly touching. I was happy and touched by how the author approached so many different topics that would be labeled as “political” or “controversial” for modern Christians but that in the end are areas where Christianity has a responsibility and should take action! That alone would've made the book so good to me! But as a Romance, it had to check other boxes too, and it did, all the way!

First and foremost, this book just crowned the Single Parent trope as one of my favorites. It’s one of the most realistic ones ─in my opinion─ since it requires so much respect, patience, and acceptance to make that kind of relationship work, and maybe that’s why books with this trope can get very emotional. This book wasn’t an exception.
​Drew and Nicole were genuinely hilarious! I laughed out loud from the opening line to the last page. Drew and Nicole's sarcasm was flirtatious but not insulting nor objectifying way. The dialogue flowed naturally and it didn't feel as though the author was trying too hard to sound funny, making the chemistry between them so intriguing that made me keep turning the pages.
​Now Drew! The guy had me smiling from start to finish. He didn’t crumble her walls, he melted them with the reassurance she didn’t get too often. Although he made many mistakes trying to win her trust, he always had the best intentions at heart. He never diminished her works and efforts, he encouraged her and admired her for being such a great mom and loving human being. He never implied Nicole’s efforts for advocacy were ridiculous or pointless, he just wanted her to have a safe place to rest when it became too much. I loved how he always put Sierra in the first place. He loved and admired both of them equally and fell in love with them as a family and wanted to be part of the team, because he also had a giving heart in his own way. He might’ve not been so vocal about what he was doing for others as Nicole, but he sure knew how to pour out love to others. That’s the point of advocating for change after all… Love on your neighbor, love for animals, love for the earth.
I can’t wrap up this review without talking about Sierra! A lovely girl and a warrior! I believe moms like Nicole deserve daughters like Sierra. She was obedient and respectful but also knew exactly what she was capable of and what she wanted. She is an example of what this society needs to be teaching little girls. We can do everything but sometimes we need a little help! I loved how she looked up to her mom and wanted her to be happy. Her relationship with Drew was exactly what she needed to cope with all the issues with her absent dad and I loved how in the end Drew stood up for her.
This sweet romantic comedy was all that and more! I haven’t read the rest of the series but every single second character was appealing to me, so I know I will definitely be reading more of this author.

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I came for the cover honestly but loved the story. It was a super fun, easy book and had me smiling too much.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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I loved Nicole. I didn’t realize this was part of a series. Now I have to go back and read the others! This was so cute! I loved Nicole’s attitude. Though I can see why some might not— she was just what I was looking for in a heroine. I thought the book actually could have been just a little bit longer. Some characters need more fleshing out, but then again I haven’t read the other books in the series so maybe that would help. I would definitely recommend this one!

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Who has time to date when she’s trying to raise a miniature human by herself AND save the planet from its irresponsible inhabitants? Not to mention my winning personality (snort) and my curves-have-curves figure (eyeroll) don’t exactly attract the opposite sex. Unfortunately, none of these reasons have stopped my best friends and SoCal sewing sisters from taking on the archaic role of matchmakers, and they’re not beneath a little bribery if that’s what it takes to get my cooperation. This was a great book and thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. An overall great read.

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Super quick, easy read! I flew through this in a day, and if it weren’t for having to go to work I would have finished it in one sitting!

Loved all the characters, Nicole especially, she made me laugh a lot. Her whole friend group was a hoot. Also loved the part with her daughter playing football, that was great. I was mainly drawn to this by the cover and I’m glad I got to read it!!! Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

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Thank you NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and Sarah Monzon for gifting me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This was my first Sarah Monzon book, and it will not be my last! I was sucked into this laugh out loud, chemistry packed romance from the get-go. This book is not your typical light and fluffy romance, Sarah Monzon tackles everything from BLM to the judgement we pass on others without giving them a chance. There were some heavier topics, for sure, but everything was written in a way that made it easy to digest and didn’t weigh the overall book down! Dr. Drew Bauer. YUM. Who doesn’t love a handsome man who’s confident in himself and has the ability to make you feel confident in yourself? He was the perfect match for uptight Nicole! Their witty back and forths had me laughing out loud and Drew had me swooning more than once!
This was the 3rd book in Sarah Monzon’s Sewing in SoCal series, but I had no problem reading this as a standalone. This book does mention characters from the past books though, so if you’re someone who likes to read series without any spoilers, read these in order!

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Sarah Monzon’s new book “Nicole” is a masterfully written story of a single mother (Nicole Applegate) who is trying to raise her daughter to be a responsible Christian, while at the same time navigating the circumstances of single life. Dr. Drew Bauer is the man who shows us that the best way to a woman’s heart is sometimes getting just under her skin. Her serious nature and his sense of humor combine to entertain the reader as the book itself deals with serious relationship issues. This book is a great reminder that the answers we are looking for are so very often placed in our immediate vicinity by God, and we can find them if we open our hearts and minds to His possibilities.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and was not required to write a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

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"But just as a man needs to give a woman support to shine, he needs to protect her so no one else can blow out her light."

Oh, when I thought I couldn't love these sewing circle sisters any more than I already do, Nicole and Drew step into the spotlight and make me fall in love with them even more! With her trademark wit and humor, Sarah Monzon brings another well-written and enchanting romcom to delight our senses. As with all of her other books, there is depth to the plot with serious topics and painful events that shape and mold the characters woven throughout. Nicole's struggle with body image and Drew's defeated resignation about his lot in life were heart-breaking and so real. Nicole, though still passionate in her quest to make the world a better place, learns to let go a little to enjoy life and Drew's deep, thoughtful, tender and compassionate nature surfaces to overshadow his veneer of happy-go-lucky nonchalance. Drew's relentless pursuit of Nicole is quite romantic and his absolute, unwavering commitment to Nicole and her daughter Sierra is swoon-worthy.

I also enjoyed catching up with Ben and Molly, Malachi and Jocelyn, and the rest of the sewing circle sisters. Drew's sister and her family added another layer of fun and comedy to the plot. If you enjoy romantic comedy, this book is a must-read!

I received a copy of the book from the author and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

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So this is what is considered a Christian Romance. This entire series is to be honest but if you're looking for an adult romantic comedy with some profound words about God and environmental concerns, I would check this out. Trigger warnings for verbal abuse, cancer, body shaming and absent father. I loved the dynamics with everyone especially when it came to the children and the adult dynamic. I think the only issue I really had with this book that I didn't have with the other book I read in this series was that it just abruptly ended with no true closure. I also would recommend you read the first book Molly before you read this one that way you know what is happening in this book and how everyone is connected. Because of these points, I have to give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars

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Cute sweet little romance. I really liked Thai book a lot and I’m glad I got to read it. Thanks Netgalley!!

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This was my first read by this author and I really enjoyed it. The story is fast paced and full of humor. I loved Drew's character and how there were hidden depths there. I wasn't a fan of Nicole for most of the book. There were things I liked about her and I definitely was rooting for her. There were several times where her judgemental behavior was offputting though.
I liked the cast of characters and am interested in reading previous books in the series. Though this read great as a standalone. I will absolutely read this author again. I truly enjoyed the writing style.

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I've never read anything by this author, or any of the books in this series, though I've heard good things about both. This isn't my usual genre to read, but I'm glad I gave it a try.

The cover is what first caught my attention. After reading the blurb, I thought this might be a good book to start out the year. I had problems keeping my focus to read in 2020, but I was able to do so with this enjoyable read.

Nicole is a well-rounded character: a single mom and environmentalist who is determined to do things her way ... and she knows she doesn't need a man by her side. Drew is a goofy guy that can let go and enjoy life. He's the opposite of Nicole.

This is a cute story with a an enjoyable cast of characters. I may check out the prior books to get caught up and gain a greater appreciation for everyone. The dialogue is fun and made it easy to stay engaged. I also liked how Drew was determined to get Nicole to loosen up (something I've in need of doing myself, after last year!). The relationship develops at a realistic pace.

I look forward to reading other books by Monzon in the future.

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"It is a truth universally unacknowledged that not every woman who is single is in want of a husband"
This series of books on the Sew Cal girls are so fun! This group has such an incredible friendship and I love getting to know each of them more thru their own books! Nicole and Drew are such strong characters with lots of depth. Their personalities are fun and I love that Nicole isn't the typical size 2 model that are in most books. Mom bod is real and a lot of us struggle with that. It was encouraging her outlook and his reaction towards her body.
Nicole and Drew have been hurt in the past and gained strength from that, yet each others reassurances and love make them even stronger. Drew is a fun-loving guy and it was neat when he listened to Nicole and asked the right questions to understand what makes her tick. Nicole is a strong independent woman who knows what she's about and an incredible mom. It's nice to know I'm not the only one that thinks God is up there giggling when things go opposite my plan!
I look forward to getting to know the rest of the group and get to see glimpses back into the lives of the girls that I've already read about!

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upcoming release delivered everything I’ve come to expect from this wonderful author: toe-curling romance, witty banter and humor. Furthermore, there’s a way in which Monzon weaves her story that grounds them, makes the reader believe they are real.
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If you have read the previous books in the #SewingInSoCal series, you’re probably sure Nicole has Drew wrongly figured out. And sure, she does... thing is, Drew doesn’t completely know her either. And it was quiet entertaining watch them fall for each other as they got know one another better 💙 moreover, it was refreshing how Drew never tried to change Nicole but respected her, even when he fully didn’t understand her.
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Nicole by Sarah Monzon is the third book in the Sewing in SoCal series. When I received this as an arc from the publisher through NetGalley, I was super excited about it based on the blurb. As I read it, I honestly kept rolling my eyes or wanting to through my hands in the air over some of the situations. Once I got done reading this, I honestly didn’t know how to feel about it or what to write. As I thought about it though, I realized that’s what a book should make you do. It should make you have all these feelings, explore what you take away from a story and what you thought about what happened and how you can relate or not relate. Since Nicole is what I would expect of a California hippie basically, you could tell she hated how her mom acted towards and treated her yet she raised her daughter the same way. With Drew in her life, he turns her whole world on its axis and has her learning how to be herself yet learn how to view things differently for not only her daughter but her other relationships. I also have not read the first two books in this series and wish I would have before reading this one. I will definitely go back and read them now though. With that in mind, I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to others.

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The story starts with the Blind Date. You know the one. Set up by your friends who are worried about you and you agree to go under protest – and here because they promise to make a donation to your favourite charity.
And you are curvy and your date doesn’t believe you don’t eat a lot – especially fatty fried food – and orders for you. Food you don’t want.
And he flirts with the waitress, makes derogatory remarks and implications about your shape and size and then leaves.
The story is told by both characters, Nicole and Drew, so we learn early on that he really likes her in an sort of she irritates him and he keeps thinking about her sort of way – and so the trope begins.
I liked the storyline. I liked Nicole and her values and her daughter and her other too. I approve of environmental concerns and definitely saving the whale and reducing plastic use.
Nicely written and fun to read.

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Nicole (Sewing in SoCal book 3) by Sarah Monzon was such a fun read. Nicole is independent, strong, and fiercely caring, especially when it comes to her daughter. This book is humorous and engaging. The romance is between two real people who have fun with each other. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.

***** I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. *****

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In the latest by Ms. Monzon, this book is based on Nicole’s story. This is the third book in the Sewing in SoCal Series. Having read the previous two books, I highly recommend them as well. This series is a fun, laugh out loud read. Each book is based on one of the friends. Nicole is a single mom raising her daughter and doesn’t really have time for dating. Her friends, however, have other ideas for her. Drew is best friends with her friend’s fiancé. They see each other at times due to this. As you read this hilarious interchange between the two, you will be engaged in this romantic comedy. This book was well written and I enjoyed this book! Ms. Monzon wrote in such a way that readers will definitely see the realistic side of Nicole’s life. This book and series are fantastic reads for those who enjoy romantic comedy and just want a fun, escape from reality. I highly recommend this book and know you will not be disappointed!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.

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This was a nice, comfortable and relaxing read. It's pretty formulaic but I think that's the intention and Nicole is a relatable character overridden with the insecurities and inner conflicts that many people face today.
Her experiences as a single parent and relationship with her daughter are a highlight as well as her development into being more relaxed and accepting of fun.
The main male character complements Nicole's characterisation well and the story moves along at a nice pace.
A good rainy day or holiday read.

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Love this series so much! Every new heroine is my favorite, but I really love Nicole and all of her quirkiness. Eagerly awaiting the next book from Monzon!

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If you enjoy romantic comedy with depth and lots of heart, then do yourself a favor and be sure to snag a copy of Author Sarah Monzon’s newest release Nicole. All of the stories in this collection are page-turning delight.

At first glance Nicole comes across as a zealous environmentalists, a serious, no non-sense kind of woman. As a single mother with a young daughter, she rarely lets her hair down to have fun. Honestly, the word fun isn’t even in her wheel-house. Nicole has a heart of gold and as the story progresses and Nicole’s heart softens even more.

Authentic and realistic these characters found their way into my heart. More than once I found myself talking to them, as if they could hear me. I laughed out loud on more several times, startling my family and garnering strange looks.

I especially appreciated the Biblical truths artfully sprinkled through the story and tucked not just into the lines, but into the very hearts of the characters. They not only lived Christian lives, but they had hidden in their hearts a light that shined out to others.

Far better than any Hallmark movie, this book is one you won’t want to pass up! I’m eagerly anticipating more delightful stories from Sarah Monzon!

(I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)

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This was an entertaining and funny book. The main character I liked and enjoyed reading this.

I would recommend to others looking for an entertaining and light read. I great way to sit back and read on a rainy day.

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I didn't realize this was the third book in a series but it does a good job of covering background information. Nicole and her sewing group are helping her best friend prepare for her wedding. Drew, the best friend of the groom, keeps popping up in unexpected places and doing his best to annoy her. He accuses her of being too opinionated, too serious, and her personality is an example to her daughter Sierra. He offends Nicole by telling her she and her daughter need to have more fun. But when her daughter joins the football team with Drew as one of the coaches, they start spending more time together and Nicole discovers there's more to him than she thought.
This was good clean Christian romance. Drew turned from an annoying character to a really great guy and his relationship with little Sierra is so sweet.
Thank you to Sarah Monzon and Radiant Publications for the opportunity to read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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I’ve really enjoyed the Sewing in So Cal series and I want more of these friends. Author Sarah Monzon has written the best of the three with Nicole’s story, and that’s saying a lot. You could read this as a stand alone but don’t. You’ll miss out on a lot of nuances if you do. Plus, Molly and Jocelyn have great stories of their own.

The characters in this story grew on me. I wasn’t even sure I could like Nicole at first. She’s very strong willed and opinionated. And not afraid to share that opinion. But I grew to love her as she dealt with being body shamed and showed her vulnerable side. A great reminder not to judge by the cover! And Dr. Drew had some maturing to do but I liked him. He tried so hard to win Nicole. All of the characters are great and it was fun to have the “people” from books 1 and 2 present in book 3.

If you enjoy a good rom-com with depth then I highly recommend Nicole. You won’t be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

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Nicole by Sarah Monzon is book 3 in the Sewing in SoCal series. Why haven't I read these books sooner?!? After finishing this book, I immediately made sure that I purchased the earlier books in the series. I need to know the whole backstory of Nicole's other friends! Wow-- what can I say about this book? I loved everything about it. I loved the cast of characters and the true bond they shared. I loved Nicole's quirky personality and the lessons she learns about life in this book. I love how realistic this book is and how it is full of hope that love can be found a second time. And I think this is one of the most romantic (yet still clean) books I have read in a long time. It was a delight to read and I highly recommend it. I received a digital copy of this book with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

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I have loved the whole Sewing in SoCal series! First there was Molly, the compulsive truth-teller. Then Jocelyn, the Black accountant out of her element vacationing on a dude ranch. Nicole rounds out these very fun and distinct ladies, and I hope there are more books planned in this series. I would be in line to read them!

Nicole is a tightly strung single mother and environmentalist. She has no time for goof-offs like Dr. Drew Bauer, but unfortunately their paths keep crossing. Somehow she's going to have to avoid killing him if she doesn't want to end up in jail. Who would take care of her daughter then?

A survivor of childhood cancer, Drew has dedicated his life to serving the children around him, both as a pediatrician and a youth football coach. Everything about Nicole Applegate drives him crazy—in a good way. Getting a rise out of her is worth every dagger in her gaze. Can he possibly convince her that his feelings are true and genuine, or is it impossible for her to ever see anything in him beyond the pain other men in her life have caused?

This book was so fun and engaging. I appreciated Nicole and my heart ached for Drew. While I've seen other reviewers complain about an "agenda" the author had in writing about a vegan, Earth-conscious heroine (which you have to admit is rare in Christian fiction!), I personally found the different viewpoint refreshing and honest. Will all readers agree with Nicole? No. But it's a brave choice by the author, and I thought it was fantastic.

I received my copy of the book from NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

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Hairstylist Nicole Applegate is a single mother and vegan with a social conscience. But her friends think she should have a man, so set her up on what turns out to be a bad blind date. She is rescued by Drew, who she knows socially, but who she is not interested in romantically. Ha. Famous last words, because this is their romance story.

Nicole finds Drew is the assistant coach for her daughter’s football team. My bad, but my initial thought was that football meant soccer, but no. It meant American football, and Sierra is the team’s quarterback–and the only girl on the team. But she’s her mother’s daughter, so that doesn’t phase her at all.

Despite being a doctor, Drew always has time for football practice, friends, and for Nicole. I’m not sure how realistic that, but it made for a good story. It meant that there were plenty of opportunities for Drew and Nicole (and Sierra) to spend time together, and to overcome Nicole’s hesitance about another relationship.

Nicole is the third book in Sarah Monzon’s Sewing in So-Cal series. I’ve read the first (Molly), but haven’t read the second (Jocelyn, although it’s on my Kindle to-read pile). However, I don’t think I missed anything in Nicole from not having read Jocelyn. After all, they’re romantic comedy. We know the hero and heroine are going to end up together. We’re reading to be entertained as we watch them get their happy-ever-after.

And Nicole is certainly entertaining. The writing is funny without bringing in the cringe factor, the characters are excellent, and the story touches on relevant contemporary issues, such as taking a knee in sport (something this non-American 100% doesn’t understand. Isn’t kneeling supposed to be a sign of submission?). I also loved seeing a main character on the plus-size side of humanity, but who wasn’t continually wishing she was a size 2.

Recommended for anyone who enjoys a good romantic comedy with a little bit of real life thrown in.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

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Heartwarming and humorous. Both are great descriptions for Nicole.

I loved Drew's playfulness and the way he enjoyed finding ways to push her buttons. Not unkindly - he just knew the subjects she was passionate about and brought them up in conversation - taking the opposite side than she would. Sure, in some ways he was like the kid dunking the girl's braids into the inkwell, but it worked. Especially as I got more glimpses of the deeper layers to this man.

Any woman who has struggled with insecurity related to her appearance will relate to Nicole. Hurt badly by her ex-husband, she assumed everyone saw her as he did. Which made Drew's attraction to her such a surprise to Nicole. It was refreshing to have a less-than perfect-looking heroine. Due to the lesson learned about beauty being in the eyes of the beholder, there was perhaps more of an emphasis on physical attraction than is normally seen in books by Sarah Monzon. I believe it was necessary for the story, though.

Readers who enjoy a sweet romance will want to read Nicole and the entire Sewing in So. Cal series.

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This book was so much fun!

Talk about a clash of personalities--staunch anti-climate change, electric car driving, vegan activist Nicole meets goofball with a heart of gold (and a MASSIVE gas-gussling SUV) Drew, and...as the saying goes...sparks fly! :)

As a conservative myself, it was so interesting to read the perspective of a Christian with a more liberal attitude. And while I did not agree with everything Nicole staunchly championed, I still had so much fun reading this story and following the love story of two drastically different characters.

Four stars!

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What a cute story! I loved Drew, Nicole, and Sierra. Not surprising because I'm usually a sucker for kids in romance books. They always add a fun dynamic and make the relationship that much more serious and committed.

There were so many things I loved about Drew. His compassion was a major quality I loved. But I also loved his football coaching and his ability to drive Nicole crazy.

I loved Sierra. Who doesn't love a girl that isn't afraid to play with the boys.

Nicole drove me a little crazy with her quirks, but I really did like her.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

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A light-hearted, feel good read.
Nicole is a single mom, vegan, environmental activist who is fed up with dating and men in general. After a disastrous almost-date, she finds herself sharing dinner with Drew - her friends' fiancés best friend. Who she doesn't like at all.
As time passes they discover that the things that they thought would drive them apart, are actually the things that would bring them together.
I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book.

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This was a super sweet enemies to lovers romance between Dr. Drew Bauer the cool guy who takes nothing too seriously and Nicole, single mom who carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. Their banter was great and their chemistry was on point but this was a very soft and adorable romcom not a steamy story.

I loved every member of sewing group and I found the support and camaraderie to be an excellent addition to the overall storyline. I also enjoyed the male friend group and their influence over Drew as well Drew's interactions Nicole's daughter.

The only parts that I had a hard time were the heavy references to the bible and specifically quoted scripture. This isn't for me but the overall story was so good that I'm sure for the right reader it is exactly right. I think if there were slightly less quotes and references I could have gotten on board and felt this had wider appeal but unfortunately I'm not the target demographic for this particular romance.

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Um...I think I've found my new best friend. Nicole is by far my favorite read of the series, which I have said about both previous reads, but seriously. Nicole is the BEST! First of all, she has curves. And while many readers may not care about that, this curvy read is always look for leading ladies that are not the "Hollywood-norm". I want some curves, I want some meat on their bones! LOL. For that reason alone I instantly connected with her.

Now, Nicole did have some quirks about her. At first, I almost felt like she was one of those over-doers when it came to conservation and saving the planet. But then Monzon surprises me with an explanation that kind of took my breath away. I have never looked at it from this perspective (sorry not spoiling it here for ya), but now I kind of do. Talk about an eye opening experience I wasn't expecting, or ready for!

That aside, wow I loved the chemistry between Nicole and Drew. OH. MY. GOODNESS. ***swoon*** I just love it when characters banter, push each other's buttons, and get riled up. It is my favorite kind of romance story. But then you add in Nicole's sweet daughter, and you see this whole other side of Drew that I honestly didn't expect to find. Yeah, he's a hunky hero alright. On Sarah Monzon, you make it so hard for guys in real life lol!

Okay, I can't really say any more with totally spoiling the storyline, so I am just going to stop right here. You need to read this book. In fact, you need to read this series. It is fantastic!!! Highly recommend. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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another great read in the Sewing in SoCal series, the characters were fun and I enjoyed reading this book. I hope there is more in the series.

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I came for the cover but stayed for Nicole. Damn! She's my type of person. Quirky, quick-witted and she doesn't beat around the bush. What a breath of fresh air! This book had so much witty banter that I absolutely loved. It was my first read in this series and I ended up reading the rest immediately afterwards. What a great story!

Thank you NetGalley and the author for an eARC of this book, in exchange of a honest review.

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This was an amazing book, I could not put it down! I was hooked from the first chapter, I loved the writing and the characters!

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Such a fun story! I absolutely loved Drew and his teasing nature. He sure knew how to rile Nicole up. They develop some sweet chemistry after Nicole lets down her guard and begins to acknowledge that there's more to Drew than she gave him credit for. It was nice to see her realize with each layer she uncovers how great of a guy he is, even if his car isn't electric ;)

The only reason I didn't rate this book five stars was how difficult it was for me to connect with Nicole. She's passionate about the environment and social issues, which is great, but her attitude of superiority was a pretty big turn off. Chapter three is full of preachy "woke" perspective disguised as normal conversation, which would have made me ditch the book if it wasn't one I'd signed up to review. Drew helps soften Nicole's rough edges over time and she begins to relax, but then she made comments in her narration toward the end of the book that still showed that same attitude of condescension, which made me roll my eyes. I think it helped that the author included Nicole's crazy mom to show the influences that affected her upbringing, but it made me wonder why Nicole embraced her mother's philosophies when she resented her and recognized how unhealthy it was. The biggest favor Drew did for Nicole was point out how she was doing the exact same thing to her own daughter Sierra.

Overall, I enjoyed the romance and Drew's personality, but felt that Nicole would have been a more relatable character if she was portrayed as an advocate without the elitism.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

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Nicole is my first book by Sarah Monzon. An almost enemy to more relationship between Nicole and Drew kept me laughing! Nicole says and does what she wants and Drew is around for all of it! Such a fun read! Now I have to read the other books in the series!

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A delightful enemies to lovers romance, filled with heart and friendship.

Nicole is an environmentally conscious single mom, a blind date gone wrong puts her in the path of Dr. Drew Bauer a man who is her opposite in almost every way. Spark fly, but will their differences bring them together or tear them apart?

A charming rom-com, with endearing characters, strong themes of friendship, faith and forgiveness, as well as humor. I loved every scene with both Nicole and Drew together, they have great chemistry and I liked how they liked to push each other's buttons.

Overall, this was such a fun read. I loved seeing characters from previous books, as well as getting to know Sierra who is one smart cookie. I liked how protective Drew is of others, as well as his heart for helping children. I can't wait to read more in the series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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