BOOK DETAILS
Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle
Pub Date: April 06, 2021 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons
[Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph]
Synopsis
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 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.
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Initial Thoughts 😍
Okay, Twice Shy seals the deal.
Sarah Hogle is an auto-read author for me now! I truly enjoyed her debut novel, You Deserve Each Other, and I even gave a review for it. But this one felt a hundred times better!
I read this book in one sitting, for about three hours straight. I just couldn’t put it down because it’s so cute and funny! The banter between Maybell and Wesley is to die for!
Once Bitten, Twice Shy 💟
Twice Shy starts with a daydreaming Maybell and her Coffee Shop AU! That right there was downright relatable. As she daydreams about her alternate universe with her imaginary boyfriend, Jack, she receives a message that she’s inherited her Great Aunt Violet’s Manor.
A fresh start might be on Maybell’s mind, but it wasn’t that easy. Enter Wesley Koehler, the groundskeeper, and apparently Maybell’s co-inheritor. Wesley was the grumpy old man to Maybell’s ball of sunshine. And I really dig this trope so much!
Maybell and Wesley both had issues they had to work on, and they did both as individuals and as partners. Obviously, it wasn’t easy for them at first as they both had different personalities and clashing ideas as to what to do with the Manor.
The passive-aggressive quips really made me fall in love with both of them! I most particularly enjoyed them exchanging notes, as they’re both shy. Maybell was an introvert but a big ball of sunshine and she’s been a victim of catfishing, while this big, shy and grumpy Wesley has social anxiety all along.
I think the aspect of Wesley having social anxiety was handled really well. The way he slowly peeled away his layers one by one and shown himself to Maybell was such a delight to see. Maybell, on the other hand, may emanate positivity at all times, but deep down she was just a lonely gal who was living in her made-up reality.
Romance Done Right 💓
As we progress along, we see both characters work their way with their issues together. They both opened up with each other in their own different ways. I truly enjoyed seeing even the little things that made their relationship work.
I think one of the strongest suits of this novel was how even the little tender moments made it super heartwarming and this book was full of those little moments! This was such a cute and fluffy romance, I couldn’t stop smiling at all. Wesley was also a virgin, if that matters, but it kinda worked well with the story so I think it’s a little worth noting. BUT YEAH, I COULD LITERALLY PUNCH A WALL BECAUSE THEY’RE SO CUTE I WILL FIGHT FOR MAYBELL AND WESLEY! 💕
Both characters have their reasons for not “believing in love”, but forced proximity always wins! And this is why it’s one of my favorite tropes! Okay, but honestly the way mental health was tackled and weaved into the story was truly amazing and I commend Sarah Hogle for that.
This is what you and I do. We take turns being brave.
TWICE SHY BY SARAH HOGLE
I can’t shut up about this book being a fluff fest. I’m literally just doing a word vomit, but it’s true, Wesley and Naomi’s personalities complement each other very much. I really enjoyed how they supported and helped each other be better, especially towards the end, where both characters were sort of figuring things out and making amends.
Final Thoughts 💡
Sarah Hogle’s sophomore novel is not shy of showing how mature and tender relationships work well with constant and healthy communication, may it be oral or written.
Twice Shy is mainly a character-driven story and it really worked well. It’s a well-paced mix of romance and comedy, and I think the author has crafted this sweet and fluffy story perfectly. The banter and sense of humor is on point, and the romance was done really well!
I truly enjoyed reading this gem of a book and I definitely recommend reading it if you’re looking for a lighthearted and sweet read!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Hogle is a mom of three who enjoys trashy TV and provoking her husband for attention. Her Dream is to live in a falling-apart castle in a forest that is probably cursed. You Deserve Each Other is her debut novel.
Let’s Chat!
- Have you read any of Sarah Hogle’s novel?
- What was the last book you read that made you smile the entire time?
- Do you have any romance book recommendations? 💌
Aw this book sounds so cute and I can not wait to read it! Glad to hear you enjoyed it! Great review!
It’s so cute!!!! It’s one of the best ones I’ve read so far for this year.