Monday, June 8, 2020

Book Review: When the Walls Come Down


I think this might be the only book review this week for you guys. As of right this second I don't have anything lined up but you know, things could happen. 

If you're a long time reader you'll recognize Aly Martinez because I'm a big fan of hers so when I saw she was attached to this book I had to get on board and I'm so glad I did!
When The Walls Come Down  
M. Mabie & Aly Martinez
Did you ever hear the joke about the guy whose wife cheated on him with his best friend? So he quit his job, moved into his parents’ basement, and gained fifty pounds?

No? Because that wasn’t a joke. It was my life.

Four years later, I'm back with a dream job, a killer apartment, and a set of abs that are better than ever.

So, when Maggie Light, a stunning, snarky blonde moves in next door, and we spend the hottest weekend of our lives together, I think this could be the greatest comeback story ever.

That is until I realize Maggie has moved to town to do one thing—steal my job.

Maybe this isn't a comeback story after all. Maybe this is war—one I intend to win.

What I never anticipated was that maybe I’d rather win her.

Perhaps, if I’m lucky, the universe has finally run out of jokes and I can somehow win both.
You guys. I can't remember the last time I have had great sarcastic banter in a book, a romance one, and this book DELIVERED. I also have to tell you that I flew through this one in just a few hours and loved it so ridiculously much. 

In this one we have Maggie, a 20 something from Atlanta, the youngest of five children. All of her siblings are settled and have their own families but she always thinks about the mom she never knew (died when she was four). She always thought that her mom must not have had a fulfilled life since she had her children starting at age 19 and by 31 she had five of them. She died not long after and so whatever dreams and goals she had, she likely never got to them. Maggie is determined to not follow her lead so she decided to take a job all the way in California, she's leaving all alone to take the world by storm. 

Once she gets there, she quickly realizes it isn't what it's cracked up to be. As it turns out, the world doesn't come to you, you actually have to go to it. Her sister convinces her to go out one nice and see what happens. 

Enter Shane. Divorced but alone. He works as a marketing director for his brother-in-law's company, or he did until he was effectively fired in the nicest way possible. Their intent was for him to get out on his own and take the world by storm. He's wallowing in self pity when.... 

.... in walks Maggie into the Two Ships restaurant. Instead of walking out and going home, he takes his totally awkward self over to her and so starts the story of Maggie and Shane. 

They end up being neighbors in the apartment complex. It turns out she was hired to replace Shane, and they find this out after a relationship is basically started. It all gets dicey and they start to learn what they each want out of life, what is the most important, and how to navigate life with someone else. 

OK, the sarcastic banter throughout this book is so perfect and it reminds me so much of myself and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also really loved Shane and it is long overdue that we have a male character in a romance who isn't oozing with masculine confidence. We have a guy who has self confidence dips from time to time and is honest and vocal about it, he used to be overweight and has lost the weight over time and he doesn't let it define him, and he's a romantic, good guy. I'm never going to turn down a character that is sexy and confident and you know is going to rock your world, but in real life the majority of guys are not that way. They are worried they aren't going to make it past a few minutes, they want to rock her world and just isn't sure, etc. 

Secondly- when it got to a part where they were sending each other gifts that are sarcastically the best, I have to know, what showerhead did he order?! Does such a thing exist?! I mean, for research purposes, I'd like to just... check it out. Ha! 

If you are looking for a romantic book with some sexy times thrown in, this is the one you need to grab! I loved every second of it and this is definitely one I'm going to pull out again and again. 

I am so glad I was able to be on this tour, a huge thank you to Social Butterfly PR for sending me an ARC. Please read this one and we can all search for the magical showerhead together and maybe if we buy in bulk we can get a deal, OK? 
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2 comments:

Why Girls Are Weird said...

Okay I'm hooked, I need to check this book out!

Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer said...

You've made me in the mood for a contemporary romance. Adding to my list!