Review by Booklist Review
Levi's first attempt to kiss Jilly in high school landed him with a bloody chin. But that hasn't stopped him from wanting another chance now that he's moved back to their hometown, Smile. Levi originally left town for culinary school and work, but now he wants to start a food truck in Smile and mend things with his parents. Jilly lives with her daughter and is helping her brothers get their Get Lost Lodge going. The Lodge is about to launch a team building initiative, host her daughter's class for a weekend, then start their first full summer, so Jilly doesn't have time for romance. But then the Lodge needs a chef. The chemistry between her and Levi sparks off the page and each is able to put their past to rest in order to forge a future in a new relationship. Some characters from Sullivan's previous romance, Love, Naturally (2024), reappear in this very amusing town, but this book stands alone as a satisfying second-chance romance with a terrific supporting cast.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Sullivan's unconvincing second Rock Bottom Love romance (after Love, Naturally) doesn't do enough to sell the central love story. Divorced single mother Jillian "Jilly" Keller is finally finding solid ground after returning to her hometown of Smile, Mich., to work with her brothers as the event planner at their Get Lost Lodge. Then her childhood crush, Levi Bright, comes back home to help his father recover from gallbladder surgery and hopefully start a food truck. The last time these two saw each other, just before Levi left for culinary school at 17, was when their aborted first kiss ended in disaster and injury. When they meet again, Levi is determined to get closer to Jilly regardless of what her older brothers, his lifelong best friends, might think. But Jilly is afraid to trust any man again after her marriage ended with her ex embezzling money from his company and their mutual friends. The obstacles to their relationship feel somewhat contrived, but they're overcome quickly once Jilly agrees to date. Unfortunately, it's difficult to see what, if anything, connects these two beyond intense mutual attraction-- their relationship remains very surface-level throughout. Readers will struggle to care about seeing these two reach their happy ending. (Feb.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
After a traumatic divorce, Jillian Keller and her daughter, Ollie, moved back to Jillian's hometown of Smile, on an island in Michigan. Five years later, she and Ollie are surrounded by loving friends and family, she has a job she's passionate about, and she never wants to take another chance at love. Levi Bright left Smile to enter culinary school, but pursuing his passion involves too much work and not enough relationships. When his father has minor surgery, Levi moves back home to help his parents and build a life in the small town. When Jillian and Levi reconnect, they fall fast and hard, but Jillian is leery of jumping headfirst into love again and worries that Levi will break her heart. This friends-to-lovers romance is set in a small island town with quirky characters. Everyone knows each other, and Jillian and Levi practically grew up together, as Levi was friends with Jillian's brothers. The crushes the couple had on each other then don't compare to the palpable chemistry they have as adults, though. VERDICT Fans of small-town and slow-burn romances will devour this title from Sullivan (Love, Naturally).--Heather Miller Cover
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