Speakeasy: A Forbidden Romance

*I received an Advanced Readers Copy, but it didn't effect my opinion.* I love this fifth book in the True North-series. I was curious about May since book 2 or something, but really after book 4, so I'm really happy this book is about May. I didn't know Alec, but I like him as well. And grandpa... why did I miss he is such a funny dude? There are a couple of plot twists and I love one in particulair. Didn't see that one coming, but I liked it. It was perfect for the story.

This is not up to standard. I didn't like either one of these people, individually or together. The standard of writing is still up there, but there's no way these two people are good for each other. There was zero spark. I only finished it because I pretty much finish everything I read.

4.5 stars — Isn’t it amazing how you can find an author that just works for you? Which is not to say that every book is going to be a mega hit for you, but that you can be guaranteed an enjoyable experience at minimum? It was so refreshing to read another Sarina Bowen book and experience some magic that had been missing in my last few reads. I can 100% say that the True North series is my favourite by this author as well. Each story is so unique, but it blends interesting and deep issues with humour and sass. I LOVE that. And Speakeasy was just another great addition. I ADORED Alec and May. Both individually, but especially together. They both had their own vulnerabilities, and I felt like I truly got to see them work through them. Their love story was a strange one, both in the manner in which their relationship started, and how it progressed. But I believed it all along the way, even as they occasionally frustrated me. They had so much chemistry — both as friends and definitely in the steamy department — that I rooted for them every step of the way. I really loved that their bumps along the road were not typical of so many romance stories. I truly felt for May and how wrapped up in her own “hot mess” she was… I worried that I wouldn’t connect with her as quickly based on who I saw in previous books, but even as she was the EXACT same girl, seeing inside her head helped. I loved how strong she was, even if she couldn’t see it herself. I loved how determined she was. And she truly cared about others, despite sometimes getting wrapped up in her own head. I really connected with her quickness to cry and vulnerability. I just truly loved her. Alec was honestly a star for me. He was just so…vibrant and goofy and honest and FREAKING ADORABLE…and yet he hid behind this confident facade, and not many people saw the struggles he faced in how he saw his own worth. I truly loved him. I loved how while he couldn’t always articulate what made May different from other girls, he wasn’t afraid of his feelings…just confused. I loved how passionate he was about his bar and his trade. I loved that he went after that even while believing that he wasn’t smart enough. And I love love LOVED how once he knew about May’s alcoholism, he just jumped right on board trying to be there for her…but in different ways from her family. As always, the secondary cast was fantastic. As a fan of the series, it was so great to revisit so many characters. But even if I hadn’t met them, I would still love them. And OMG, some of Grandpa’s one-liners totally stole the show. I even appreciated the brief glimpses of a few new secondary characters. Makes you wonder who will show up in future books. As an aside, I will admit that having never seen In Living Color (or at least not that I can recall), I totally didn’t understand the three snaps reference, even as it amused me. I had to Google that shiznit, and now it comes full circle. So yeah. After a string of trying out new authors, and not always succeeding, it made this reader’s heart happy to be able to go back to a tried and true favourite and have another success.