Having read “Just Fake Married” by Marty, I have a true appreciation for her female protagonists. The personalities they project and the inner turmoil make them such well-rounded and relatable characters. Hazel was no exception in “Hazel and Elijah Find Out.” I feel that this was more established in the prequel, “Hazel and Elijah Don’t Get Caught,” and I will reference the importance of reading it first several times, as it may have an impact on how this story appeals to you. Being invisible in the small town of Grand Ridge is a life to which Hazel had become accustomed. That was until a gorgeous pair of green eyes turned her world upside down. For one blissful night, the man she had coveted since high school was hers. Fifteen months later, despite seeing Dennis and attempting to move on, Elijah was still the only man she wanted. If it weren’t for his father, Dr. March, they could have had something. Instead, to protect her acquisition of the vet clinic, he skipped town. Holding onto his number, which she had gotten from his friends, she still hadn’t found the courage to contact him. Little did she know, Elijah couldn’t let her go either, and despite the animosity of his so-called hometown, he was willing to face the consequences to see her again. The problem is, was invisibility so bad when all eyes are on you, the legendary bad boy, and the only option left to save your business is a bachelor auction? Thrust into the spotlight, Hazel has to decide if the feelings she had for Elijah are worth the scrutiny she now has to endure or if it was better being the good girl everyone knew and loved. There were so many things I loved about this book: the role reversal between Hazel and Elijah, the focus on how we don’t always know what is best, the notion that letting others in isn’t the end of the world, the insightful approach to perspectives and judgment, and the portrayal of the turmoil involved in standing up for what is right. This book made excellent points without being preachy. I will warn that without reading the prequel, you will feel like you have been dropped in the middle of a story already in progress. This creates some detachment from the characters as they continuously reference events that happened between them or around them. I highly recommend reading the prequel first, then diving into this story. I found a huge shift in my attitude towards the book when I stopped, read the prequel, and then reread the book. I felt like I understood the characters, their connection, and became more invested in the story. The references had more meaning, small moments were more significant, and character growth was clearer with a more laid-out before and after view. While the humor in the book was mild, the auction brought tears to my eyes! It indirectly built interest in additional characters, paving the way for a potential book two about a certain veterinary assistant. The overall feel of the book was not side-splittingly hilarious; it was more insightful, somewhat dramatic, and reflective, but that chapter was a fantastic pause from the feelings invoked by the rest of the book. As mentioned above, this book was an ode to introspection – demonstrated by the effects of the past on the present. Again, it is really important to read the prequel because it helps create a better understanding of the rift between Elijah and his father when witnessed firsthand, instead of a rehashing. Marty definitely turned up the heat in this one. The prequel was already on fire, but this took Hazel and Elijah to a whole new level. The chemistry and fire between these two would burn the e-reader right out of your hands! Even the buildups and anticipation were electric. There was never a doubt how much these two desired each other or the “damage” they would do once they got their hands on each other. If it were possible to place “Hazel and Elijah Don’t Get Caught” inside of “Hazel and Elijah Find Out” as a prologue or Part One, I think this would greatly improve the readers’ experience. Otherwise, the book on its own, while enjoyable, may leave some feeling a little disjointed but still entertained. I can’t wait to see what else Marty creates within this series. She has piqued my interest with the possibility of Nora and Brooks, so hopefully, we have more fascinating tales from Grand Ridge coming soon. This Review is Spoiler-Free. Full Review Available Here: https://romcombc.com/book/hazel-and-elijah-find-out/

Posted by romcombc at 2024-07-14 08:25:54 UTC