Author Harper Jones prides herself on the impeccable research she does for her novels, so when early reviews come pouring in claimer her romance reeks of inauthenticity, her editor suggests pulling her nose out of her books and getting some real-life smooching experience. But her plans to do just that are thwarted by her archnemesis from high school who has recently returned to town. Now she’s … left with an impossible decision—kiss her worst enemy or kiss her three-book contract goodbye.
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Possibly the best of the series, I loved the characters, the plot, and the delightful way Sarah Monzon wormed her way into my heart with this one.
I love everything about Novelly Upon a Time. The characters. The witty repertoire. The love-hate trope and the wisdom from secondary characters. Sarah Monzon is an expert at packing novellas with enough meat to fulfill your love for reading and humor to entertain you in between tough issues. Add to the fact I reread this novella and you’ll realize just how much I loved it.
*I received a complimentary copy and bought my own copy.
4.5 Stars
I loved, LOVED, Sarah Monzon’s first two rom com novellas but due to an overly packed review schedule, haven’t been able to make it to book three. Since Monzon is a author sponsor in this month’s CFSRS (Christian Fiction Summer Reading Safari), it was the perfect excuse to bump it up on my TBR! And let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
Monzon has a knack for juxtaposing humor along side some pretty deep and heavy issues. For Harper, it’s trusting others. She’s experienced loss and hurt from the most important people in her life and shuts herself off from deep relationships.
And then there’s the fun hate him to love him trope. Kyo is great and, by the way, the way they meet up again is something you won’t forget!
These three books are available separately on eBook or you can get them all in one collection for your keeper shelf (go check out the cover of Book Nerds and Boyfriends and tell me you don’t NEED it NOW).
Novelly Upon a Time: A Novella, by Sarah Monzon, is the third book in the Book Nerds and Boyfriends Collection. It is a sweet and slightly sassy little book full of wit and charm. Written in the first person point of view, it is truly an engaging story right from the start. The quick pacing, unique plot, and entertaining characters easily grabbed and held my attention page after page.
The humorous scenes within this novella are refreshingly funny and endearing, but this book also contains authentic, meaningful themes of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. There were certainly scenes that made me laugh out loud, but there were also moments of deep feelings and relevant emotions that truly touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
I especially appreciate the diverse characters that Ms. Monzon faithfully and naturally includes in her stories. In Novelly Upon a Time, she thoughtfully explores the experiences of Japanese Americans in the United States during and after WWII. I am always thankful to have books that include characters and cultures that differ from me and my own experiences. This is one reason, among many, that Ms. Monzon’s novels and novellas consistently appeal to me and enrich my experience as a reader.
Ms. Monzon is a gifted writer, and her storytelling talent is on full display in Novelly Upon a Time. This delightful work of fiction has everything many readers desire: laughter, tears, second-chances, romance, and faith. Even though the page count may be slim, this story is remarkably full and unforgettable. I eagerly recommend it.
*I was given a copy of this novella by the author. A review was not required. The review I have written contains opinions that are entirely my own.
Sarah Monzon’s got the recipe for fangirling book nerds down pat! Harper and Kyo are the perfect haters to friends to lovers story! If you want a quick shot of HEA, this one is a winner!
Awww this one was JUST as adorable and amazing as the other two novellas.
I absolutely loved the troupe used in this one. And the culture that was brought in.
4/5 stars!
This book kept me giggling. The way Harper Jones handled writing and life was quite amusing. It also made me think about some things. Like not being afraid to be adventurous, as Harper and her friend get into one scrape after another.
This book is not all fluff and giggles. Author Sarah Monzon tackles forgiving someone we’ve seen as our enemy, Japanese internment camps, and forgiveness. There is definitely depth under the fun.
A cute rom com, I recommend it if you’re looking for something fun to read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
This super fun, light-hearted novella is the perfect story to reach for when you are in need of a fast-paced, chic-lit story to devour in one sitting! With loveable, quirky characters this is sure to delight the senses.
Sarah Monzon is fabulous at crafting stories with substance and multi-layered intrigue and compacting them into nuggets of sheer pleasure and laugh-out-loud fun. You won’t want to miss out on this latest story!
(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)
A fun novella combining wit and wisdom
My rating is 4.5 stars
Once again, author Sarah Monzon has packed a whole lot of story into a short novella, combining wit and wisdom in a way that simply works.
Harper has carried around pain related to the death of her mother, her father’s leaving, and the loss of a scholarship that would have allowed her to get out of Seattle. Immersing herself into her writing and avoiding relationships has worked well for her up until now. But some things just can’t be researched effectively on the internet.
Several things that Harper did for research were pretty funny. The TSA incident was quite clever! Having an uncle who was the chief of police may have gotten her out of legal trouble but it didn’t keep her from being put on a form of torture . . . um probation . . . with her arch-nemesis.
Something else that I thought was cute in the story was a reference to the types of books that Harper had written. Being familiar with this author’s works, I noticed Harper’s list included a summary of books that she had written: treasure hunting, having a friend arrange a marriage. . .
The story was quite believable. I really loved Kyo’s grandparents and the way a visit with them changed so many things. Learning the motives behind the behavior of several people who had hurt Harper in the past changed her perspective and helped to bring healing where it was needed. It also helped her to realize that she had been so focused on her own problems, she hadn’t seen others around her that were also hurting.
While the end result was expected, the route taken was not. The author made the choice to have the story told solely from Harper’s perspective which kept it more interesting due to the unknown thoughts and motives of the others in the story.
Read with a Preview at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.