



Twice Shy
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4.0 • 191 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Can you find real love when you've always got your head in the clouds?
Maybell Parish has always been a dreamer and a hopeless romantic. But living in her own world has long been preferable to dealing with the disappointments of real life. So when Maybell inherits a charming house in the Smokies from her Great-Aunt Violet, she seizes the opportunity to make a fresh start.
Yet when she arrives, it seems her troubles have only just begun. Not only is the house falling apart around her, but she isn't the only inheritor: she has to share everything with Wesley Koehler, the groundskeeper who's as grouchy as he is gorgeous--and it turns out he has a very different vision for the property's future.
Convincing the taciturn Wesley to stop avoiding her and compromise is a task more formidable than the other dying wishes Great-Aunt Violet left behind. But when Maybell uncovers something unexpectedly sweet beneath Wesley's scowls, and as the two slowly begin to let their guard down, they might learn that sometimes the smallest steps outside one's comfort zone can lead to the greatest rewards.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Hogle's excellent sophomore novel (after You Deserve Each Other) is an endearing take on the enemies-to-lovers trope. For Maybell Parrish, inheriting a house from the beloved great-aunt she hasn't seen in 20 years is the perfect excuse to leave her crowded apartment and toxic workplace behind. But when she arrives, she's shocked to learn that she must share the Falling Stars estate with Wesley Koehler, her aunt's groundskeeper who also happens to be the man she thought she was in a long-distance relationship with before discovering that her co-worker was catfishing her. Both refusing to be bought out, they must work together to rehabilitate Falling Stars to its former glory. But grumpy, stubborn Wesley is nothing like the man who's starred in Maybell's wildest daydreams ever since she "met" him online. They immediately butt heads, disagreeing on every decision—but while working and living in close proximity, Maybell begins to see beyond Wesley's gruff facade. Particularly moving are both characters' struggles with mental health issues, as in the standout scene in which Wesley, who suffers from anxiety, helps Maybell through a panic attack. Readers are sure to be enchanted by this couple and their deeply felt struggle to open their hearts.
Customer Reviews
Epitome of Romance!
I love that this book shows love beyond looks. It shows that what you consider a flaw can be seen as beautiful to anyone. Not to mention Sarah Hogle’s writing is beautiful! This is my first book by her and 1/2 though all I could do was thank the literature gods I came across a book from someone who is phenomenal with her words. Bravo! Keep being you, I love it here
Really good but too short and fast
At that end, I really wanted more. Maybe more development with the relationship, and more obstacles for the story - either between the couple, or maybe with Maybell’s mom popping up and wreaking havoc.
Slowwwwww
Ugh! I really should have followed my first instinct after reading a sample of this book. It was too “dreamy” and way off in la la land for me. It confused me how they miraculously came up with the funding for what read like a dump and all of the “treasures” they found were monetarily worthless. There was a mention of selling a coin collection, but to turn this into a hotel would cost hundreds of thousands at least.
Both characters came across super juvenile and not like near 30 year olds. This book was just super slow, very wordy, and I couldn’t wait for it to be done. I gave it 2 stars because there were some good parts, but it only deflated my hopes when it fizzled out again. Hard pass in this one for me.