Photo credits: Emily (pexels), Azim Islam (pexels), AKuptsova (pixabay) Edited by Vaishali Title: Talk Wordy To Me Series: His Curvy Librarian #1 Author: Frankie Love Publisher: Self published Year of Publication: 2021 Format: E-book/kindle app Genre/Themes: Contemporary romance, Adult fiction, Women's fiction, novella/short story Review... The title of this book did indeed talk wordy to me. With a punnily christened name that gives off the same vibe as Teagan Hunter's Textual series, I couldn't look at this book and not give it some of my time. Talk Wordy to Me is a quickie drama-less, complication-free, bookish-backsplashed romance designed for an easy, prompt and simple reading experience. With short stories you're bound to expect a story appropriated for nimble entertainment, so you'll have to take the speedy transition, curt development and fast path lust-to-love as par for the course. Talk Wordy To Me is my first time trying a Frankie Love romance and it's a very sweetly straightforward bite of romantic fiction that indulges an expedited romance between a real estate success and a curvy librarian, neither of whom are interested in a long-term commitment, and both of whom who want all the pleasure without all the promise. A bit about the story: Cassidy's a young early-twenties librarian who runs the senior book club division at Golden Creek Library. Affectionately dubbed 'Cookie' by one of her spiffy septuagenarian book club goers, she's constantly refusing to entertain a blind date with his grandson. Until she doesn't. Wanting to explore and open herself up to a bit of adventure, she readies herself for a blind date and is stunned by the man who shows up. The grandson in question is Chuck McArthur, and also not expecting a woman who'll wow him, he's surprised by a librarian who has some style, flair and admittedly a bit of a dirty mouth. They both express an interest in a casual bit of fun, but when fun turns feverish, so do feelings. There isn't a particular emotional development here but there is a scene that Introduces and fills in the 'lean on me' ingredient when Chuck has to face an emergency involving the only living family he has left, and Cassidy becomes that support. In places, the chemistry's good, but in others it does leave one wanting for a bit of a better designed connection. I did anticipate a wittier story with Talk Wordy to Me. There are a few bookish puns and references sprinkled about but I did feel a bit bamboozled that the hero - who's suggested as being a major bookworm - wasn't really a bookworm? He's more a man who now reads his fair share of non-fictional essentials, and their love of books isn't something that Chuck or Cassidy particularly bond over bar asking and answering a few questions. Pacing is a tricky thing to tangle with when drafting a short read. It's not easy to whip up a flammable connection and a believable chemistry In such a short space, and this story doesn't do that extraordinarily, but I think the authors tie up a nice, enjoyable little story here, even if the resulting HEA is a little too perfectionist for what's proffered. This is a 50+ page standalone novella so I'd expect something elementary over something comprehensive. It's a small, sweet, smutty mini-confection to pass some time and to sample these authors like an amuse bouche. Also something worth a mention is this is one of the few times where I actually like the celibacy representation; it wasn't overblown, it wasn't condescending, it was reasonably mentioned and accepted, Cassidy decided on making her own choices and it didn't play into the role of a male chest thump. Cassidy was surprisingly bold with her wants and confident with her body and Chuck was awed by it all without minimising her. Despite her inexperience, I like how forthcoming Cassidy was with Chuck. It's beautiful to see a woman taking what she wants and enjoying it because she can. My only gripe would be that in regards to their first sexual encounter (which happens on the first night they meet), and I have to assume the same with every other thereafter casual encounter off-page, that they have unprotected fun. That was perhaps a bit overlooked, especially if neither of them give voice to the right protocols in that situation. It's not quite tantamount or selling the right message for a first-time - casual - sexual experience. There aren't any stringent rifts or shifts here but you'll get a curvy librarian with her own style and a penchant for vintage apparel, a non-commitment hero who finds it in himself to broaden his pool of people, a matchmaker grandad whose persistence results in a blind date and some bakes, book talk and two added epilogues. Talk Wordy to Me is a very light read. With easy writing and an easy story, it's very sweet, appealing, adorable, sexy and trouble-free in just about every way. I am looking forward to trying a full-length romance from Frankie Love, and hopefully I'll get all the good stuff bound in a bigger book-lovers package! I gave this book 3 stars - Content warning: sex scenes (unprotected sex). Minimal swearing. Family member that has a stroke. Past parent deaths. --------------------------------------- M Y R A T I N G S Y S T E M: ★ - 1 star: I did not like the book ★★ - 2 stars: The book was okay ★★★ - 3 stars: It was a good, solid read ★★★★ - 4 stars: A great book ★★★★★ - 5: A phenomenal read --------------------------------------- I love interacting with fellow readers, reviewers, bloggers and writers. Hearing about reader opinion is the fuel to my reader appetite, so get in touch and comment below! SHARE ON FACEBOOK Leave a comment and let's talk about |
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February 2024
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