Oh my Gourd!!

Parrish and Diesel, loved the meet-cute, the apology casserole, the mix ups, the lies and oh Marigold is so cute!!

This visit back to Licking Thicket is perfect and I think id love to live there ( )

I read the prequel and didn't like it much. I wasn't interested in Mal and Brooks' story either. But Parrish and Diesel seemed amusing so I picked it up. And it's not bad. It's got a quirky town, amusing characters and a cheesy love story. Depends what you're after I guess. But it was a light easy read. There was a touch of angst which dragged on for a bit too long (the whole I'm not worthy got old) and the communication issues that plague romances appeared but otherwise it was straightforward romance. 2.5 stars. ( )

I didn't enjoy this story quite as much as Fakers with its crazy thicketness. This was a more serious book. Some of Parrish and Diesel's insecurities got a bit out of hand and the courthouse craziness was over the top but they all made for a fun read. ( )

Well I practically read this in one fell swoop, and besides the questionable legalities throughout I loved it. Parrish and Diesel were pretty much instalove who took a while to properly communicate with each other, but it all worked out for them and the little baby girl who started it all. I’m enjoying this weird and improbable town with all its craziness. ( )

So, I enjoyed this one, but it was a struggle, and I'll tell you why.

The secondhand embarrassment while reading this is real. I took many breaks during Parrish's point of view scenes because good lord. I finished reading it because I liked the characters enough to wade through all the presumption & Diesel's self-deprecation (better justified, IMHO.) But I get it if some readers have to quit. It's a lot.

For me, the first book was genuinely funny; I enjoy puns and word play. And neither guy was as disruptive or presumptive as Parrish is. However, I assume this one was meant to be like a sitcom. Alas, secondhand embarrassment means I avoid those.

Will I read more in the series? Good question. Maybe, eventually.
( )