ACT Your Age, Eve Brown: 3 (Brown Sisters, 3): A Novel (The Brown Sisters)

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This book features noble pining, accidental kissing in the kitchen, and realistically chaotic children. This book features a drunken proposition that is gently rejected, a shared hotel room with only one bed, and a Kiss That Changes Everything. Of course, this book also has the dreaded miscommunication trope, because why wouldn’t it? Just the icing on the cake that we needed! Why, I ask, why must so many romance novels do this??? I genuinely do not get it. To make matters worse, the one in this book could SO EASILY have been avoided had Jacob heard Eve out for more than 5 seconds. Eve is clear about who she is, and also knows how she falls short in certain areas. She wants nothing more than to stop being a source of embarrassment to her family. I listened to the audio version. (Which I have for all three books in this series). And highly recommend that format.

The main reason why the enemies-to-lovers trope works so well is the banter. They’re never enemies in the literal sense. The fact that they’re attracted to each other hinders the full-blown hate. And Talia Hibbert writes dialogue like no other.My other problem with this book was the romance element. I think I really burned myself out reading about straight couples this month - I just wanted a gay, bi, pan character in this story with a proper storyline so I could easy my mind for a few scenes. Jacob and Eve have zero chemistry and their relationship is one of the most unrealistic ones I’ve read - it was blatant insta-love, there’s no way around it. And this is coming from the same person who read and loved Amelia Unabridged which has two characters that have known each for like a week but end up falling in love. The difference is that in that book there was a genuine, organic connection between them and they didn’t act like they knew everything about each other, as if they met a long time ago, which is what happens in Eve Brown. There are many instances of this: Eve is a young woman presented with a very important decision. She has to adjust her unhealthy lifestyle. A lifestyle where she seemed unwilling to commit to a single job. Even almost actively jeopardizing herself and her prospects.

Eve Brown is a certified hot mess. No matter how hard she strives to do right, her life always goes horribly wrong. So she’s given up trying. But when her personal brand of chaos ruins an expensive wedding (someone had to liberate those poor doves), her parents draw the line. It's time for Eve to grow up and prove herself—even though she's not entirely sure how…Who do I think should read this book? If you loved both Chloe and Dani’s books, I believe you would also enjoy this one, although, in my view, those ones are better. Also, if you like smutty romances and a quirky protagonist, you should give it a chance. If those two don’t appeal to you and if you dislike insta-love too, then give this book a pass. What’s especially lovely is that this conversation leads to discovery and revelation for both characters, even though Eve is the primary focus. After her latest screwup, Eve‘s parents have had enough: they freeze her bank accounts and challenge her to find a job, and keep it for -GASP- one year. One whole year! This book features a mildly exploitative contract, supposed enemies holding hands in bed, and a plot to take down the (abusive) monarchy. Can Eve meet the expectations of her family? Will her new path be the best one for her? And, what about Jacob?

Jacob wasn’t reacting like one of those people, though. He was simply sitting quietly, watching in silence, letting her speak. Because he was like that, when it mattered. He was like that. I was so enjoying this story that I was surprised when I had tears in my eyes near the end: the emotions really crept up on me. I felt my heart squeezing and squeezing, and I couldn't put it down in the last 20%.Eve and Jacob were a great example of a soft enemies-to-lovers story with a sizzling initial attraction that doesn't detract from the relationship development. Sometimes, the author leads with insta-lust and it stunts the relationship development between the two MCs. However, though the chemistry was there from the start with Eve and Jacob, it was given time to slow-burn. I loved how their relationship grew and changed over time, and how their attraction simmered until it boiled over. Nevertheless, this sweet book brought me joy, and I flew through it! I have seen that there is a spin off called Untitled,and I am desperately hoping it is about the Montrose siblings!