Zip, Zero, Zilch

3.5 stars — OK, I’m going to start by saying that when I started this book I was super confused and lost. I honestly thought perhaps I had missed a previous book with our two MCs (Sam and Peck), because it felt like I was expected to know stuff about their relationship up to this point. Looking through, best I can tell, I think I needed to read the novella Beautiful Bride first to get the full story. I really wish that authors would note those things, or at least note when books can’t be read as a standalone. So I recommend that you either don’t jump in in the middle at all and start at the beginning of the series (which is what I would have done if I hadn’t been trying to get a Z book for my Alphabet Challenge), or at *least* check out that novella first. I still need to read it, I pushed through instead of stopping. So the book didn’t start off on a great foot for me, b/c it truly was like jumping in the middle. But once I settled in with Sam and Peck, I started to get a feel for their connection. I definitely enjoyed large parts of this story, but there were other parts that left me with reservations. I wasn’t always a big fan of the way Sam pushed Peck, especially on the intimacy front. It made me uncomfortable, because he kind of railroaded her. Now, of course, she didn’t have regrets…and he had genuine great feelings for her…but still. Otherwise I thought their chemistry was actually pretty good — great balance of sweet and steamy. Peck was an interesting heroine, because she’s steeped in this self-doubt and insecurity that stems a lot from her speech impediment, but also seems to extend to her opinions on her body. I kind of wish that part was less there, because I felt like it wasn’t necessary. Her past and her struggles with that, as well as her stutter, were enough for her to deal with. But if they were going to be a big part of her, I kind of wanted her to grow in that way…I wanted her to learn to accept herself. But apparently I can’t have everything I want. Sam was kind of a fun hero, because he was just very light and positive and he shirked male stereotypes, which I appreciated. I loved his passion for cooking, I loved his love for his brothers, and I felt for him struggling to figure out his life. I also appreciated how he was drawn to Peck exactly as she was, and tried his hardest to show that to her. I was NOT a fan of his dumb moment at the end (it felt cliche), and I was not a fan of her making the big gesture, when I kind of felt like it should have been him. I mean yeah, he did eventually apologize, but I wanted more. I really loved the scenes with the Reed family and with the Zeroes. Lots of great secondary characters, and I can tell that if I’d read in order, I would have gotten a LOT more out of this one. So a lot of my rating comes from having jumped in to the middle of this book, because their was so much where I felt like I was missing something (even just missing pieces about Peck and her sisters). I eventually settled out, but I know I would have enjoyed the story more if I’d read in order. So that’s a warning for you.

I can not stand this book. It's without a doubt my least favorite one of the series. Peck has Zero ( hahaha, see what I did there) backbone, absolutely no spine, she basically let Sam treat her like the brown stuff that comes out of my dogs butt, then she goes a forgives him so easily just because she read some letter from some teacher???? NO NO NO!!!! Give the girl some lady balls Tammy. You just made her a door mat. And that I can not stand. I don't like heroines who are pushovers. I like my leading ladies with some strength, power, and leadership. And Peck ended up having none of that. Just a weak character in my opinion. Tammy could have done so much better, the other 3 couples are way way better books.

Another excellent story from this series... It's great that Tammy was able to give different twists for each Reed story. By best part ever - Logan & Paul during the implant activation. Yeah, right in the feels....