While I enjoyed this book from it's opening chapter, I'll admit, I wasn't initially getting the all-encompassing awe of it's gorgeous prose that I felt from the very first word in her previous book, Love Lettering. Granted, the opening chapter of LL was one of the best I've ever read. The writing in Love at First was, of course, as stellar as always, but the story was a sly little thing. It built ever so subtly into this crescendo of emotions, heart-heaving romance AND friendships, as well as all the beautiful prose (without crossing into purple) that I’ve come to expect from this author. I really need to remember not to underestimate her. She brings it. Every. Time.
I'd like to note that Kate Clayborn’s books are not for those who want a swiftly moving romance that then moves quickly to sexual intimacy. They aren’t for those who crave melodrama and lots of angst. They aren’t for those who want to leave the cerebral to another genre. Also, no alphas here. And all this is why her books are absolutely perfect for me. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the occasional quickie and alpha hero, but they don’t sustain me for the long haul. I need thoughtful dialogue, meaningful insight, realistic conflict and story progression. I need to respect the intellect of my characters and understand their decisions. Empathize with them. In this story and every one before, Clayborn writes:
✔️ exceptional dialogue
✔️ realistic and non-redundant internalizations
✔️ lovely independent and intelligent females (albeit, not perfect)
✔️ non-toxic, female empowering, role-model heroes (again, not perfect)
✔️ (and because it's worth mentioning again) beautiful prose
The gentle wording and pacing in this story was just as luscious and compelling as every prior book, but her books also read completely different than each other. I love that I don't get the same story twice and to always expect a distinct experience.
As for the story itself, Love at First had achingly realistic romantic development. The slow burn enemies—to friends-to love loaded me up with those bosom-heavy feels. No less surprising were the original ideas for character conflict, how that conflict manifested itself within both mc's, and how it evolved throughout the story and was eventually confronted and worked through. This author not only utilized the character back stories, but the numerous and sometimes surprising (I'm looking at you Gerald - cue tears #1) secondary characters that fit seamlessly into the flow of the overall story. None were overly developed, but I felt that I really understood their placement and enjoyed them all.
In the end, I think I've doted more heavily on the author, rather than this particular piece of work. At the same time it's the author that I can count on to consistently deliver. The story is almost secondary, because I'd already known from past experience that I was going to be immersed into a seemingly simple romance that ends up being So Much More. This book was an easy 5 stars and I may even add it to my all-time favorite list in the near future, surpassing Love Lettering as my favorite KC book. I'll have to see how it resonates over time, but right now, I'm kind of sad to let it go.
I'd like to note that Kate Clayborn’s books are not for those who want a swiftly moving romance that then moves quickly to sexual intimacy. They aren’t for those who crave melodrama and lots of angst. They aren’t for those who want to leave the cerebral to another genre. Also, no alphas here. And all this is why her books are absolutely perfect for me. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the occasional quickie and alpha hero, but they don’t sustain me for the long haul. I need thoughtful dialogue, meaningful insight, realistic conflict and story progression. I need to respect the intellect of my characters and understand their decisions. Empathize with them. In this story and every one before, Clayborn writes:
✔️ exceptional dialogue
✔️ realistic and non-redundant internalizations
✔️ lovely independent and intelligent females (albeit, not perfect)
✔️ non-toxic, female empowering, role-model heroes (again, not perfect)
✔️ (and because it's worth mentioning again) beautiful prose
The gentle wording and pacing in this story was just as luscious and compelling as every prior book, but her books also read completely different than each other. I love that I don't get the same story twice and to always expect a distinct experience.
As for the story itself, Love at First had achingly realistic romantic development. The slow burn enemies—to friends-to love loaded me up with those bosom-heavy feels. No less surprising were the original ideas for character conflict, how that conflict manifested itself within both mc's, and how it evolved throughout the story and was eventually confronted and worked through. This author not only utilized the character back stories, but the numerous and sometimes surprising (I'm looking at you Gerald - cue tears #1) secondary characters that fit seamlessly into the flow of the overall story. None were overly developed, but I felt that I really understood their placement and enjoyed them all.
In the end, I think I've doted more heavily on the author, rather than this particular piece of work. At the same time it's the author that I can count on to consistently deliver. The story is almost secondary, because I'd already known from past experience that I was going to be immersed into a seemingly simple romance that ends up being So Much More. This book was an easy 5 stars and I may even add it to my all-time favorite list in the near future, surpassing Love Lettering as my favorite KC book. I'll have to see how it resonates over time, but right now, I'm kind of sad to let it go.