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A review by readclever
Mad About Ewe by Susannah Nix
4.0
I rounded up my review for Goodreads up to 4 stars when my blog only had 3 stars. But it was so close.
Here's what I loved:
- Dawn and Angie's friendship that's lasted over 30 years. Angie was honest with Dawn when needed but completely there when Dawn never asked. Vital for a caregiver role since it's hard to ask for help. And Angie gave the best gift ever for a middle-aged woman.
- Dawn's love for her yarn shop. I love to see women passionate about something outside the love interest in a romance. And Dawn started the shop on her own, with her own drive, and is succeeding. It's not easy to start over.
- Dawn's determination to not accept less than what she deserves. Doesn't matter in marriage or business. She's not going to settle. Gotta love that.
- Dawn really seemed to have created a community with her patrons, be it stars or feisty older ladies who say no thanks to immature. And she trusts her friends when a medical emergency comes up. Cancer is no joke. (I wish we had heard more about her recovery in that sense, too.)
What I didn't love:
- Mike, the hero. Look, he reminded me too much of a guy who never left his parents' basement. Even though he obviously did with two divorces under his belt. Unfortunately, he never seems to grow beyond petulance. (Seriously, his existence docked at least half a star.) His comments on his high school girlfriend alone.
- The romance. Too forced in most areas because Mike wasn't ready to date. Not until he got over his insecurities. It felt too much like Dawn was tasked with making him feel better while he was a gigantic whiner.
But I did appreciate his step up when she needed him. It was unexpected given his previous dashes away from responsibility.
- Did I mention Mike?
Overall, I liked the writing style and the community around Dawn. She clearly has a system that loves her. Romance and Mike dropped it to just below four stars but rounded up on here since it was a minor quibble. (Note: I rarely give out five stars.) Solid book with middle-aged protagonists who've come a long way since high school. Or have they?
Here's what I loved:
- Dawn and Angie's friendship that's lasted over 30 years. Angie was honest with Dawn when needed but completely there when Dawn never asked. Vital for a caregiver role since it's hard to ask for help. And Angie gave the best gift ever for a middle-aged woman.
- Dawn's love for her yarn shop. I love to see women passionate about something outside the love interest in a romance. And Dawn started the shop on her own, with her own drive, and is succeeding. It's not easy to start over.
- Dawn's determination to not accept less than what she deserves. Doesn't matter in marriage or business. She's not going to settle. Gotta love that.
- Dawn really seemed to have created a community with her patrons, be it stars or feisty older ladies who say no thanks to immature. And she trusts her friends when a medical emergency comes up. Cancer is no joke. (I wish we had heard more about her recovery in that sense, too.)
What I didn't love:
- Mike, the hero. Look, he reminded me too much of a guy who never left his parents' basement. Even though he obviously did with two divorces under his belt. Unfortunately, he never seems to grow beyond petulance. (Seriously, his existence docked at least half a star.) His comments on his high school girlfriend alone.
- The romance. Too forced in most areas because Mike wasn't ready to date. Not until he got over his insecurities. It felt too much like Dawn was tasked with making him feel better while he was a gigantic whiner.
But I did appreciate his step up when she needed him. It was unexpected given his previous dashes away from responsibility.
- Did I mention Mike?
Overall, I liked the writing style and the community around Dawn. She clearly has a system that loves her. Romance and Mike dropped it to just below four stars but rounded up on here since it was a minor quibble. (Note: I rarely give out five stars.) Solid book with middle-aged protagonists who've come a long way since high school. Or have they?