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The Queen's Cove Series #3
In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes
The deal is simple: he’ll wipe out my debt if I find him a wife.
Holden Rhodes is grouchy, unfairly hot, and has hated me for years. Now we own an inn together. As we renovate the inn and practice his dating skills, I see a different side of him, though, and wonder if I was all wrong.
When we add ‘friends with benefits’ to the deal, our chemistry is so hot the sparks could burn down the inn. Holden’s a secret romantic, and I’m secretly falling for him.
I’m terrible at bartending, a video of a bear stealing my toy went viral, and everyone in this small town knows my business, but Holden Rhodes is so much more than I expected, and now I’m not sure I want to leave.
A grumpy-sunshine friends-with-benefits spicy small town romantic comedy with an HEA. This is book 3 in the Queen's Cove series, but can be read as a standalone.
Holden Rhodes is grouchy, unfairly hot, and has hated me for years. Now we own an inn together. As we renovate the inn and practice his dating skills, I see a different side of him, though, and wonder if I was all wrong.
When we add ‘friends with benefits’ to the deal, our chemistry is so hot the sparks could burn down the inn. Holden’s a secret romantic, and I’m secretly falling for him.
I’m terrible at bartending, a video of a bear stealing my toy went viral, and everyone in this small town knows my business, but Holden Rhodes is so much more than I expected, and now I’m not sure I want to leave.
A grumpy-sunshine friends-with-benefits spicy small town romantic comedy with an HEA. This is book 3 in the Queen's Cove series, but can be read as a standalone.
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2022
About the author
Stephanie Archer
10 books8,369 followersStephanie writes spicy, hilarious rom-coms. Her books feature sharp banter, stubborn women, lots of laughs, and guaranteed HEA’s. She lives in Vancouver, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,266 reviews
August 7, 2023
3.5!!!! Favourite in the series so far
May 21, 2023
something i absolutely did not know i needed was a grumpy, soft-spoken man who’s secretly a huge romantic who just wants to be loved and have a family 🥹
holden rhodes is something else man 😭
sadie’s aunt passing brings sadie back to the small town where she summered as a teenager and was very unliked by holden, a local. now that she’s back, holden seems to have the same disdain for her but when they find out they now co-own her aunt’s inn, they’re stuck together.
first off, the SPICEEEEEE. phew. do not let the cover fool you and remember what i always say: it’s always the quiet ones!!!!
holden… i simply have no words. not only was he hot, he was like secretly the sweetest hero ever. i am a dirty little sloot for acts of service and this was truly acts of service corn-with-a-p
their banter was so good. i love romcoms in any form but sometimes romcom books are just not funny with peace and love but this whole series has actually had me laughing out loud and smiling to myself. the banter and antics are so so good.
this series is an absolute must
holden rhodes is something else man 😭
sadie’s aunt passing brings sadie back to the small town where she summered as a teenager and was very unliked by holden, a local. now that she’s back, holden seems to have the same disdain for her but when they find out they now co-own her aunt’s inn, they’re stuck together.
first off, the SPICEEEEEE. phew. do not let the cover fool you and remember what i always say: it’s always the quiet ones!!!!
holden… i simply have no words. not only was he hot, he was like secretly the sweetest hero ever. i am a dirty little sloot for acts of service and this was truly acts of service corn-with-a-p
their banter was so good. i love romcoms in any form but sometimes romcom books are just not funny with peace and love but this whole series has actually had me laughing out loud and smiling to myself. the banter and antics are so so good.
this series is an absolute must
August 29, 2023
In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes is an adorable small-town, grumpy x sunshine, friends w benefits romcom! After Sadie's fiancé stole their 200 thousand dollar loan, she is left to pay it back. With nothing to her name, she is shocked to discover that she has inherited her aunt's inn after her recent passing. The only catch is that her aunt also left half of it to Holden Rhodes, the boy she never got along with growing up. Holden is just as surprised that Sadie is back and they own the inn together. Wanting to pay off her debt, Sadie offers Holden her share. Holden agrees to buy it from her if she stays on to help renovate it and she helps him find a wife. The two begin going on practice dates and they soon find themselves enjoying their time together. After an explosive kiss, the two agree to drop the wife search and spend the rest of their time together while Sadie is still in town helping with the inn.
This story is another great installment in the Queens Cove series, I don't know how Stephanie Archer writes such charming books, but she nails it every time. Holden has my heart! He is such a sweet and romantic grump, the perfect combination in my book. He is absolutely my favorite Rhodes brother, however, because of the third-act breakup and how that was handled on Sadie's part, this is not my favorite book in the series. I don't understand how one minute Sadie was talking about how she has been feeling emotional and raw from her failed engagement and she needed to get ahold of herself to then jumping to conclusions right away and breaking Holden's heart. It was just so out of place in the book and felt like it was added to make the plot longer or different from the previous stories. Despite the third-act breakup, I loved every minute of reading this. I can't get enough of the series, it has me in a chokehold!
This story is another great installment in the Queens Cove series, I don't know how Stephanie Archer writes such charming books, but she nails it every time. Holden has my heart! He is such a sweet and romantic grump, the perfect combination in my book. He is absolutely my favorite Rhodes brother, however, because of the third-act breakup and how that was handled on Sadie's part, this is not my favorite book in the series. I don't understand how one minute Sadie was talking about how she has been feeling emotional and raw from her failed engagement and she needed to get ahold of herself to then jumping to conclusions right away and breaking Holden's heart. It was just so out of place in the book and felt like it was added to make the plot longer or different from the previous stories. Despite the third-act breakup, I loved every minute of reading this. I can't get enough of the series, it has me in a chokehold!
May 7, 2023
MALEWIFE MALEWIFE MALEWIFE MALEWIFE MALEWIFE MALEWIFE MALEWIFE MALEWIFE
November 8, 2022
That scene at the bar 🥵I would like to have Holden Rhodes in my life
He made her a TREEHOUSE IN THE WOODS FOR HER
He made her a TREEHOUSE IN THE WOODS FOR HER
March 15, 2023
Sadie flew from Toronto to Queen Cove because her aunt had passed away. She later found out that her aunt left an inn for her and Holden.
Holden has been living his whole life in Queen Cove, is socially awkward, and pretty much has a "tiny" (he said) big crush on Sadie.
Holden is a big control freak who is suddenly looking for a wife (literally, Google how to find a wife) because he's tired of seeing his brothers with their wives and kids and just wants to settle down. Sadie, who of course found out about this, helped him find a wife.
But well, did she?
and, uh, I don't really like this😔
I'm tired of the whole, "Oh, I don't want to commit, but I love you, and I'm sure I'll hate who you end up with, but no, I don't want to be with you." AND IT'S BEEN REPEATING EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER LIKE STOP-🥴
Also the long ass sex scenes, chapters long!! and him calling her honey the whole time, no-
And the third-act conflict was just so ridiculous anyway. It's just been so painfully long with nothing going on.
Such a shame, because I thought I would like this because I liked the second book.
2⭐
Holden has been living his whole life in Queen Cove, is socially awkward, and pretty much has a "tiny" (he said) big crush on Sadie.
Holden is a big control freak who is suddenly looking for a wife (literally, Google how to find a wife) because he's tired of seeing his brothers with their wives and kids and just wants to settle down. Sadie, who of course found out about this, helped him find a wife.
But well, did she?
and, uh, I don't really like this😔
I'm tired of the whole, "Oh, I don't want to commit, but I love you, and I'm sure I'll hate who you end up with, but no, I don't want to be with you." AND IT'S BEEN REPEATING EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER LIKE STOP-🥴
Also the long ass sex scenes, chapters long!! and him calling her honey the whole time, no-
And the third-act conflict was just so ridiculous anyway. It's just been so painfully long with nothing going on.
Such a shame, because I thought I would like this because I liked the second book.
2⭐
November 12, 2022
4.25⭐️ I can’t tell if I love Wyatt or Holden better… and that’s saying something!
Premise:
Sadie is an interior designer who's just had the most horrific experience of her life… Not only is her favourite aunt dead, but her fiancée turned out to be a conman who’s left her 200k in debt. Leaving her life in Toronto behind for a couple of days to attend the reading of her aunt’s will, she takes her anxiousness and packs it with her to Queen’s Cove. There, sitting between the lawyer, her aunt’s best friend Elisabeth and her son Holden, Sadie learns that her favourite aunt's left her her one and only love: the inn she spent her life working in. But there was a catch: the inn is divided equally between her and Holden Rhodes, the man who can’t seem to stand her since he met her at sixteen.
Holden, with his grouchy ways and looks, has always put his job and his responsibilities first. Not being very good with people, his teenage crush - the beautiful Sadie Waters - thinks he hates her, and he’s sure she doesn’t like him at all either. Not wanting her to find out about his mild obsession with her pretty brown hair and gorgeous dark green eyes, he either gets defensive or ignores her when she’s around. And now he’s stuck in an inn-shaped trap with her.
Thoughts:
This book was so amazing! It was enemies-to-friends-to-lovers but with underlying insta-lust which is an explosive combo in my opinion. It was all I needed after having a less than ideal week, both irl and with my prior book choices. Holden and Sadie completely blew it out of the park, though.
Holden was a bit of a romance-focused control freak; Sadie was a bit of a sceptic trying to heal from past trauma – and together they make the for most delicious story. I really want more books where the MMC is the one pushing for marriage and a family life and the FMC is the one who’s iffy about it all. Also, the talk and emphasis on consent in this book was wonderful to read, and the spice… Melting into the ground hot! I know winter is coming, but this book’s heat made me forget all about it.
I deducted some brownie points because of the lack of POC/diverse characters and a bit because of the ending. But, overall, I'm really happy with this book.
Great small town, enemies-to-lovers with amazing spice!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ .25 / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/ 5
Premise:
Sadie is an interior designer who's just had the most horrific experience of her life… Not only is her favourite aunt dead, but her fiancée turned out to be a conman who’s left her 200k in debt. Leaving her life in Toronto behind for a couple of days to attend the reading of her aunt’s will, she takes her anxiousness and packs it with her to Queen’s Cove. There, sitting between the lawyer, her aunt’s best friend Elisabeth and her son Holden, Sadie learns that her favourite aunt's left her her one and only love: the inn she spent her life working in. But there was a catch: the inn is divided equally between her and Holden Rhodes, the man who can’t seem to stand her since he met her at sixteen.
Holden, with his grouchy ways and looks, has always put his job and his responsibilities first. Not being very good with people, his teenage crush - the beautiful Sadie Waters - thinks he hates her, and he’s sure she doesn’t like him at all either. Not wanting her to find out about his mild obsession with her pretty brown hair and gorgeous dark green eyes, he either gets defensive or ignores her when she’s around. And now he’s stuck in an inn-shaped trap with her.
Thoughts:
This book was so amazing! It was enemies-to-friends-to-lovers but with underlying insta-lust which is an explosive combo in my opinion. It was all I needed after having a less than ideal week, both irl and with my prior book choices. Holden and Sadie completely blew it out of the park, though.
Holden was a bit of a romance-focused control freak; Sadie was a bit of a sceptic trying to heal from past trauma – and together they make the for most delicious story. I really want more books where the MMC is the one pushing for marriage and a family life and the FMC is the one who’s iffy about it all. Also, the talk and emphasis on consent in this book was wonderful to read, and the spice… Melting into the ground hot! I know winter is coming, but this book’s heat made me forget all about it.
I deducted some brownie points because of the lack of POC/diverse characters and a bit because of the ending. But, overall, I'm really happy with this book.
Great small town, enemies-to-lovers with amazing spice!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ .25 / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/ 5
January 10, 2024
HOLDEN RHODES FOREVER!!!!!!
August 5, 2023
**2.5/5 stars** DNF 70%
Honestly couldn't be bothered finishing this book. Too many things got on my nerves and the plot was getting nowhere. I also didn't like the characters who kept going in circles, having the same inner monologues over and over. The humor was garbage, way worse than the other two I've read before this one (which were somewhat tolerable). The same joke kept coming back, doubling down, and it was just not funny.
When it comes to Sadie, I disliked her from the start. She was super mean and unlikable. She made fun of Holden, his celibacy, his wish to have a wife and so on. She calmed down a bit once they became friends but in general, she was just not an agreeable heroine. I also disliked how she always compared Holden to her ex-fiancé. They were obviously two different people, and one was clearly taking care of her while the other used her and stole from her.
As for Holden, I thought I would love him but he was too bland to really be interesting. He was super serious, was a control freak and lacked personality. I was expecting something else. I guess his crush on Sadie was cute at first, but after a while, I didn't see why he even had feelings for her to begin with.
I didn't find any chemistry between them. Also I got sick of their inner monologues, especially Sadie's. She was falling in love, but she couldn't stay. She imagined Holden with a different woman, with kids and a happy home and she felt sad about it. She tried to convince herself times and times that it could never be her because her life was in Toronto, and she didn't want to get married because she feels jaded now. But she still wanted Holden and ugh... I had to stop reading. I just decided to skip the last 30% and go straight to the epilogue. I honestly believe I didn't miss much other than some quick drama and miscommunication regarding their respective goals in life.
!! SAFETIES UP TO 70% !!
✔️HFN
✔️Standalone
✔️Dual POV
✔️Enemies to lovers ish
✔️Friends with benefits
✔️Opposites attract
✔️MC's age
✔️Protective/Control freak H
✔️Mean/Outgoing h
✔️No OW/OM
✔️No cheating
✔️Push and pull
🔥 Steam level: 2/5
⚡Content warning
Definitely my least favorite out of the bunch so far. I had some high expectations at first because I really like broody and serious male lead, but everything just fell flat. Also I couldn't stand the heroine and her indecisiveness. Oh well...
PS: That recurring alien dildo joke really killed this book for me. Not my type of humor at all.
Honestly couldn't be bothered finishing this book. Too many things got on my nerves and the plot was getting nowhere. I also didn't like the characters who kept going in circles, having the same inner monologues over and over. The humor was garbage, way worse than the other two I've read before this one (which were somewhat tolerable). The same joke kept coming back, doubling down, and it was just not funny.
When it comes to Sadie, I disliked her from the start. She was super mean and unlikable. She made fun of Holden, his celibacy, his wish to have a wife and so on. She calmed down a bit once they became friends but in general, she was just not an agreeable heroine. I also disliked how she always compared Holden to her ex-fiancé. They were obviously two different people, and one was clearly taking care of her while the other used her and stole from her.
As for Holden, I thought I would love him but he was too bland to really be interesting. He was super serious, was a control freak and lacked personality. I was expecting something else. I guess his crush on Sadie was cute at first, but after a while, I didn't see why he even had feelings for her to begin with.
“I want someone to choose me.”-Holden
I didn't find any chemistry between them. Also I got sick of their inner monologues, especially Sadie's. She was falling in love, but she couldn't stay. She imagined Holden with a different woman, with kids and a happy home and she felt sad about it. She tried to convince herself times and times that it could never be her because her life was in Toronto, and she didn't want to get married because she feels jaded now. But she still wanted Holden and ugh... I had to stop reading. I just decided to skip the last 30% and go straight to the epilogue. I honestly believe I didn't miss much other than some quick drama and miscommunication regarding their respective goals in life.
!! SAFETIES UP TO 70% !!
✔️HFN
✔️Standalone
✔️Dual POV
✔️Enemies to lovers ish
✔️Friends with benefits
✔️Opposites attract
✔️MC's age
✔️Protective/Control freak H
✔️Mean/Outgoing h
✔️No OW/OM
✔️No cheating
✔️Push and pull
🔥 Steam level: 2/5
⚡Content warning
Definitely my least favorite out of the bunch so far. I had some high expectations at first because I really like broody and serious male lead, but everything just fell flat. Also I couldn't stand the heroine and her indecisiveness. Oh well...
PS: That recurring alien dildo joke really killed this book for me. Not my type of humor at all.
The Queen's Cove Series
1. That Kind of Guy
2. The Wrong Mr. Right
3. In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes*
4. Finn Rhodes Forever
November 29, 2022
2.5 stars.
While this book had a lot going for it, I couldn’t get past 3 things:
1) The alien dildo joke dragged on and was really stupid and immature. It did not warrant so much attention and wasn’t funny the first time it was mentioned, let alone all the subsequent times.
2) This story dragged on and on with the same internal dialogue over and over. I was bored to tears. Same for the sex…she had never ever orgasmed with a partner (at almost 30? Jesus, what a life), but one touch from Holden and she’s suddenly going off like a rocket and blacking out. Alrighty then.
3) I really didn’t like Sadie and I genuinely didn’t understand how everyone thought he was wrong at the end and “let her get away”. She swore off marriage because of a shitty ex, Holden treats her like she walks on water and wants to marry her, she freaks out because she never wants to get married and Holden is so “controlling” for saying he wants to get married eventually. Huh? Because he wants to spend his life with her? And he believes in the institution of marriage? I almost threw my phone at the wall out of frustration that his family thought he was wrong. And then he chased her!! And for what? So she could IMMEDIATELY tell him she wants to marry him. Honestly I just didn’t like her as a heroine and thought Holden deserved better. She was immature and annoying. And let’s all keep in mind that he also PAID OFF HER $200,000 DEBT AFTER SHE LEFT HIM FOR DARING TO MENTION MARRIAGE. God I hated her.
While this book had a lot going for it, I couldn’t get past 3 things:
1) The alien dildo joke dragged on and was really stupid and immature. It did not warrant so much attention and wasn’t funny the first time it was mentioned, let alone all the subsequent times.
2) This story dragged on and on with the same internal dialogue over and over. I was bored to tears. Same for the sex…she had never ever orgasmed with a partner (at almost 30? Jesus, what a life), but one touch from Holden and she’s suddenly going off like a rocket and blacking out. Alrighty then.
3) I really didn’t like Sadie and I genuinely didn’t understand how everyone thought he was wrong at the end and “let her get away”. She swore off marriage because of a shitty ex, Holden treats her like she walks on water and wants to marry her, she freaks out because she never wants to get married and Holden is so “controlling” for saying he wants to get married eventually. Huh? Because he wants to spend his life with her? And he believes in the institution of marriage? I almost threw my phone at the wall out of frustration that his family thought he was wrong. And then he chased her!! And for what? So she could IMMEDIATELY tell him she wants to marry him. Honestly I just didn’t like her as a heroine and thought Holden deserved better. She was immature and annoying. And let’s all keep in mind that he also PAID OFF HER $200,000 DEBT AFTER SHE LEFT HIM FOR DARING TO MENTION MARRIAGE. God I hated her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2023
4.5 Stars
Holden Rhodes is the ultimate book boyfriend. The things this man did for Sadie are just…unreal. (Well obviously, it’s a book and he doesn’t exist. BUT I WISH HE DID). Holden is the definition of “if he wanted to he would.” He bought her a fricken rain coat and proper boots for all the rain so they could walk in the forest. Like…COME ON.
Also the fact that the alien dildo just would not die and kept respawning had me cracking up every time. I have loved the humor woven into all of these books so far, but this one is easily my favorite.
Holden Rhodes is the ultimate book boyfriend. The things this man did for Sadie are just…unreal. (Well obviously, it’s a book and he doesn’t exist. BUT I WISH HE DID). Holden is the definition of “if he wanted to he would.” He bought her a fricken rain coat and proper boots for all the rain so they could walk in the forest. Like…COME ON.
Also the fact that the alien dildo just would not die and kept respawning had me cracking up every time. I have loved the humor woven into all of these books so far, but this one is easily my favorite.
September 16, 2023
lowkey holden deserves better
April 1, 2023
така легенька-солоденька історія. мила, ніжна, я в захваті. третя книжка в серії і вона мені подобається ще більше, чим попередні.
отже, книжки дуже схожі між собою, але от чесно, не можу до цього придертися, бо мені це подобається. книжки Стефані Арчер витягували мене з нечитуна і захоплювали своєю легкістю, стабільністю і рожевими відтінками. навіть у момент, коли я була перенасичена любовними романами.
головні герої, які зустрілися одне з одним через, бляха, 15 років!!! сумно те, що він – СПОЙЛЕР – був закоханий у неї, але уникав, як міг.
книжка кумедна, багато цікавих моментів. мені подобається, що присутні герої з попередніх книжок. приємно спостерігати, що у них все гаразд, я навіть радію цьому.
щодо другорядних героїв, то я не знала, що мене може щось так вивести з себе, аж як Мірі! така паскудна людина, господи прости.
всю книжку я насолоджувалася Холденом. прямо потіха для серця. під кінець він лише трішки засмутив мене, але всі ми люди 💁🏼♀. він виправився. і тут Еммет показав себе з доброї сторони, прийшов на поміч брату)
5/5 ⭐️
отже, книжки дуже схожі між собою, але от чесно, не можу до цього придертися, бо мені це подобається. книжки Стефані Арчер витягували мене з нечитуна і захоплювали своєю легкістю, стабільністю і рожевими відтінками. навіть у момент, коли я була перенасичена любовними романами.
головні герої, які зустрілися одне з одним через, бляха, 15 років!!! сумно те, що він – СПОЙЛЕР – був закоханий у неї, але уникав, як міг.
книжка кумедна, багато цікавих моментів. мені подобається, що присутні герої з попередніх книжок. приємно спостерігати, що у них все гаразд, я навіть радію цьому.
щодо другорядних героїв, то я не знала, що мене може щось так вивести з себе, аж як Мірі! така паскудна людина, господи прости.
всю книжку я насолоджувалася Холденом. прямо потіха для серця. під кінець він лише трішки засмутив мене, але всі ми люди 💁🏼♀. він виправився. і тут Еммет показав себе з доброї сторони, прийшов на поміч брату)
5/5 ⭐️
May 1, 2023
dnf at 30% because life is too short and this book is too boring
March 25, 2023
I was unfortunately v underwhelmed by this one. Holden was too grumpy and Sadie was too commitment-phobic.
The third act breakup (which happened and resolved super fast) irked me.
I’ve heard the latest book in the series is phenomenal so I won’t let this one deter me.
The third act breakup (which happened and resolved super fast) irked me.
I’ve heard the latest book in the series is phenomenal so I won’t let this one deter me.
February 23, 2023
My heart gave a sharp tug, listening to her order dinner for us. She had insisted I eat dinner, like she was taking care of me.
my man was so pathetic he was so hungry to be loved 😭😭
holden rhodes deserves everything nice in the world my precious grumpy baby 😭 i love stephanie archer books so it wasn't a surprise i loved this but he's so lovely 😭😭 and sadie was a dream 🤌🏼 she's so sassy and also sweet they deserve everything
i'm just leaving this quotes because i can't even describe how much i love this man;
✨“Holden.” Her chest shook with laughter, her eyes shone bright, and I wanted to marry her. Tomorrow. Tomorrow evening at the very latest.
✨“I want to fuck you with my tongue so bad.” My gaze pinned her. “Please, Sadie. Let me go down on you. I want to taste you and make this sweet little pussy feel good.” 😳🧎🏼♀️
✨I was head over fucking heels, stars in my eyes, head in the goddamned clouds in love with Sadie Waters. 🤭
✨“Never, Sadie. I’ll break my own heart before I break yours. I’d never hurt you.”
time for olivia and finn LET'S GOOOO🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️
my man was so pathetic he was so hungry to be loved 😭😭
holden rhodes deserves everything nice in the world my precious grumpy baby 😭 i love stephanie archer books so it wasn't a surprise i loved this but he's so lovely 😭😭 and sadie was a dream 🤌🏼 she's so sassy and also sweet they deserve everything
i'm just leaving this quotes because i can't even describe how much i love this man;
✨“Holden.” Her chest shook with laughter, her eyes shone bright, and I wanted to marry her. Tomorrow. Tomorrow evening at the very latest.
✨“I want to fuck you with my tongue so bad.” My gaze pinned her. “Please, Sadie. Let me go down on you. I want to taste you and make this sweet little pussy feel good.” 😳🧎🏼♀️
✨I was head over fucking heels, stars in my eyes, head in the goddamned clouds in love with Sadie Waters. 🤭
✨“Never, Sadie. I’ll break my own heart before I break yours. I’d never hurt you.”
time for olivia and finn LET'S GOOOO🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️
January 3, 2024
Ok, terminé este libro hace como 4 días y dije que luego haría la reseña (porque sencillamente no tenía ni ganas ni tiempo amix) pero ahora ya se me fue todo lo que quería poner jajajajj.
Idk, de los 3 que he leído es mi menos favorito hasta el momento y casualmente era el que más estaba esperando porque la personalidad de Holden me causaba cierta curiosidad.
No es que el libro no me haya gustado, pero no conecté tanto. Con los 2 anteriores me pasó que el romance lo sentí bastante fluido y con este no me pasó tanto. Porque aparte siento que a veces solo era pura atracción sexual y eso me llegaba a fastidiar un poco... Anyway, el libro no me falló, cumplió su cometido y me hizo disfrutarlo y mi interés por la autora sigue creciendo 💋
3,7 ⭐️
Idk, de los 3 que he leído es mi menos favorito hasta el momento y casualmente era el que más estaba esperando porque la personalidad de Holden me causaba cierta curiosidad.
No es que el libro no me haya gustado, pero no conecté tanto. Con los 2 anteriores me pasó que el romance lo sentí bastante fluido y con este no me pasó tanto. Porque aparte siento que a veces solo era pura atracción sexual y eso me llegaba a fastidiar un poco... Anyway, el libro no me falló, cumplió su cometido y me hizo disfrutarlo y mi interés por la autora sigue creciendo 💋
3,7 ⭐️
February 19, 2024
hated the 3rd act breakup but holden is the perfect romantic grumpy king <3 i love this series!
January 31, 2023
cant wait for finn and olivia's book omg
January 12, 2024
Going into this novel, honestly, I was nervous. I'm pretty wary of recently released rom-coms, as I find a lot of them to feel the same, but In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes is entirely its own. Just reading the synopsis, there is a lot going on, so I was worried this book was going to be all tropes and no substance, but I was pleasantly surprised. The book starts slow, but once it picks up its great. The characters, their connection, and the setting are all wonderful. Additionally, I loved Holden. Not just because he was pining after Sadie, but because of how real his dreams are. He simply wishes to be loved, which is a very real and touching motivation. Overall, I had a really good time with this.
November 9, 2023
Another good book in this series.. and even though you can read them out of order, I still recommend not skipping the first two books because they are, in my opinion, the best ones in the series..
There is a little bit of confusion about what happened in the past for them to have this animosity toward each other and it was just glossed over with them being "oh yeah we actually like each other".. it is giving instant switch to "we in love now" ...
There is a little bit of confusion about what happened in the past for them to have this animosity toward each other and it was just glossed over with them being "oh yeah we actually like each other".. it is giving instant switch to "we in love now" ...
November 11, 2024
Not exactly enemies-to-lovers, more like a hero who’s been nursing a teenage crush this whole time. It’s not the worst friends-with-benefits book, but it’s definitely not the best. Pretty average, maybe even a bit below average, and took me days to finish, so it definitely didn’t grab me. The terms of endearment were cringe, and I found myself eye-rolling every time they came up. The bonus epilogue, though, was actually fun.
October 28, 2022
This is my first review ever where I’m able to start with: I RECEIVED THE ARC FROM THE AUTHOR…… omg I’m so happy and honored 💖
Am I in love with Stephanie Archer? Maybe. Maybe I love her and this is me unable to be objective about her writing.
Or maybe she is just incredible creating some of the richest and more realistic characters I’ve ever read.
The first time I read something written by her was on kindle and I was loving it so so so much that I stopped and bought the book.
I’m not a romance novel reader, I’m more of dark romance / fantasy / thriller kind of gal BUT she knows how to bring out the romantic in me (dead person before I discovered her writing). This books makes me smile, laugh out loud, cry (good cry)… I don’t think there are really so many authors who put so much depth on their characters, both the female and the male. We are so deep in all the “strong female character” that in my opinion at this point we don’t even question it anymore. The female character hates men? God, she is so strong. That’s it. Seems to me sometimes that’s all people demand now. There is this depth in ALL of Archer’s characters, they are always questioning them selfs and trying to understand where their boundaries start and end, what things they really want, they made constant reflections about their feelings, their fears… they try to change and is so damn satisfying to read about how sometimes you want to feel or think some way but you are unable to… I think she is so smart in the way she creates people who feel so real.
Another thing I enjoy about her books is the sense of humor she has. Feels really fresh and actual, u connect with her 100% and I’m pretty sure it’s a generational thing. The references are just *chef kiss*
It’s pretty fucking clear and THANK YOU STEPHANIE FOR THIS, this author is determined to talk about women sexuality, about its importance, about how important it is to feel comfortable with a sex partner and how different things are when people talk about it and support each other without feeling judged. Wow. Also, I’m sorry but along the book we’ll have a number of “issues” with what locals will call “alien dildo” and it came to a point where I laughed so hard I cried, more than once. People in this small town are really the best. And I love it about these books too. Yes, this is a small town romance book, but people in this town are far from closed minded and the way they so hard (too hard sometimes) try to show everyone everything is fine, the funnier things get.
Despite not being a regular romance books reader I tend to read all the most known ones, you know just to be up to date and don’t lose myself inside the dark side too much. I’ve read most of then like The love hypothesis and so, and I wished this author books were as hyped as some of these are. Because I’m confident she uses her books to make a point about a lot of important things and she does it so well. In my opinion her books are important. She’s making A LOT of valid points and pointing out a lot of thing I’m grateful to read in romance.
Wow, look at all I’ve said and I didn’t even mention Holden 😏
To sum up… I hope Stephanie Archer continues writing and I will support her because she is smart, super talented and I think she’s using all her smartness for good. I kind of love her a bit as a friend like the creepy fan I am. And I’m grateful for her. I think she’s amazing. K bye, I’ll stop fangirling all over here.
Am I in love with Stephanie Archer? Maybe. Maybe I love her and this is me unable to be objective about her writing.
Or maybe she is just incredible creating some of the richest and more realistic characters I’ve ever read.
The first time I read something written by her was on kindle and I was loving it so so so much that I stopped and bought the book.
I’m not a romance novel reader, I’m more of dark romance / fantasy / thriller kind of gal BUT she knows how to bring out the romantic in me (dead person before I discovered her writing). This books makes me smile, laugh out loud, cry (good cry)… I don’t think there are really so many authors who put so much depth on their characters, both the female and the male. We are so deep in all the “strong female character” that in my opinion at this point we don’t even question it anymore. The female character hates men? God, she is so strong. That’s it. Seems to me sometimes that’s all people demand now. There is this depth in ALL of Archer’s characters, they are always questioning them selfs and trying to understand where their boundaries start and end, what things they really want, they made constant reflections about their feelings, their fears… they try to change and is so damn satisfying to read about how sometimes you want to feel or think some way but you are unable to… I think she is so smart in the way she creates people who feel so real.
Another thing I enjoy about her books is the sense of humor she has. Feels really fresh and actual, u connect with her 100% and I’m pretty sure it’s a generational thing. The references are just *chef kiss*
It’s pretty fucking clear and THANK YOU STEPHANIE FOR THIS, this author is determined to talk about women sexuality, about its importance, about how important it is to feel comfortable with a sex partner and how different things are when people talk about it and support each other without feeling judged. Wow. Also, I’m sorry but along the book we’ll have a number of “issues” with what locals will call “alien dildo” and it came to a point where I laughed so hard I cried, more than once. People in this small town are really the best. And I love it about these books too. Yes, this is a small town romance book, but people in this town are far from closed minded and the way they so hard (too hard sometimes) try to show everyone everything is fine, the funnier things get.
Despite not being a regular romance books reader I tend to read all the most known ones, you know just to be up to date and don’t lose myself inside the dark side too much. I’ve read most of then like The love hypothesis and so, and I wished this author books were as hyped as some of these are. Because I’m confident she uses her books to make a point about a lot of important things and she does it so well. In my opinion her books are important. She’s making A LOT of valid points and pointing out a lot of thing I’m grateful to read in romance.
Wow, look at all I’ve said and I didn’t even mention Holden 😏
To sum up… I hope Stephanie Archer continues writing and I will support her because she is smart, super talented and I think she’s using all her smartness for good. I kind of love her a bit as a friend like the creepy fan I am. And I’m grateful for her. I think she’s amazing. K bye, I’ll stop fangirling all over here.
November 1, 2022
Disappointing.
I had hope when it started out. But there was just too much, it was too convoluted. If it had just been the forced proximity trope it would have been better. The added layer of matchmaking/friends with benefits was weird and unnecessary.
All of the characters in these books are supposed to be in their thirties but they all have the maturity of a 22 year old. If I let myself remember they’re 30+ it just makes the book worse to me.
There were so many lines that just hurt to read lol
“My soul evaporated into the atmosphere” because of a hug.
“Fed his cock into me” 🤢
“Changed my DNA”
“Worked my soul out through my cock” 🤣
Just what?
The smut scenes were painfully long. I can usually dismiss my issues with the smut in books, but good lord some were like 3 chapters long here.
I think I started being really bored with it once Sadie jumped to the conclusion that Holden loves her. It was a bit annoying before that because of their whole “he doesn’t want me he wants a wife” and “she doesn’t want me cause she said who would when they could have one of my brothers.” 🙄 But once they proclaimed their love I was just bored and wanted it to be over. Because obviously the conflict was going to be something stupid. And it was. Also, her saying the thing about his brothers was made into such a big deal for Holden but when it’s brought up they spend less than a paragraph talking about it.
I had higher hopes for this because I enjoyed book 2 so much. But with how bad this was I’m second guessing if book 2 was even good or if I just happened to be in the better headspace for it at the time. This book was on par with book 1, which I absolutely did not enjoy. And book 4 had potential to be so good but with how she’s set it up it’s just gonna be annoying. It coulda been best friends to lovers and now it’s gonna be enemies to lovers and I guarantee Finn will be as childish as Emmett.
I had hope when it started out. But there was just too much, it was too convoluted. If it had just been the forced proximity trope it would have been better. The added layer of matchmaking/friends with benefits was weird and unnecessary.
All of the characters in these books are supposed to be in their thirties but they all have the maturity of a 22 year old. If I let myself remember they’re 30+ it just makes the book worse to me.
There were so many lines that just hurt to read lol
“My soul evaporated into the atmosphere” because of a hug.
“Fed his cock into me” 🤢
“Changed my DNA”
“Worked my soul out through my cock” 🤣
Just what?
The smut scenes were painfully long. I can usually dismiss my issues with the smut in books, but good lord some were like 3 chapters long here.
I think I started being really bored with it once Sadie jumped to the conclusion that Holden loves her. It was a bit annoying before that because of their whole “he doesn’t want me he wants a wife” and “she doesn’t want me cause she said who would when they could have one of my brothers.” 🙄 But once they proclaimed their love I was just bored and wanted it to be over. Because obviously the conflict was going to be something stupid. And it was. Also, her saying the thing about his brothers was made into such a big deal for Holden but when it’s brought up they spend less than a paragraph talking about it.
I had higher hopes for this because I enjoyed book 2 so much. But with how bad this was I’m second guessing if book 2 was even good or if I just happened to be in the better headspace for it at the time. This book was on par with book 1, which I absolutely did not enjoy. And book 4 had potential to be so good but with how she’s set it up it’s just gonna be annoying. It coulda been best friends to lovers and now it’s gonna be enemies to lovers and I guarantee Finn will be as childish as Emmett.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2023
After the extroverted and eternally positive interior designer and artist Sadie is seduced by a con artist under an assumed name in Toronto (who bilks her out of $200,000, under the guise of wanting to start a design business with her, proposes to her, and then leaves her alone, broke and unemployed, while he escapes to parts unknown), her life is mired in debt and uncertainty.
However, there are two things that our heroine knows for sure: (1) she will never fall in love again; and (2) she will never EVER again agree get married. Famous last words . . .
Shortly thereafter, Sadie’s beloved Aunt Katherine dies. In her will, the older woman leaves her beloved, but desperately in need of renovation, Queen’s Cove Inn jointly to Sadie and her best friend’s taciturn, workaholic middle son, Holden, a successful small-town real estate developer.
As teens, Sadie and Holden did not get along, with Holden seemingly rebuffing Sadie’s every friendly overture, and Sadie making unkind comments about Holden in private that he unfortunately overheard.
Wanting nothing to do with the inn, but needing cash, Sadie initially proposes to Holden that he buy out her interest in the inn for the $200,000 she lost. But Holden, knowing the inn is worth way more than $400,000, refuses for ethical reasons.
When Sadie learns that the perpetually single and romantically challenged Holden is eager to marry and settle down like his now happily married older siblings, a new deal is struck. Sadie will help Holden to find a wife during the six-month probate period of Katherine’s will, in exchange for $200,000 and her divesting a value-appropriate amount of shares in the inn. To this offer, Holden agrees.
There is only one problem. Holden has been desperately in love with Sadie since they met over a decade ago., but has been too shy to tell her. How can Holden find himself a wife, when the only person he has ever loved is spending so much time with him (renovating the inn and going on fake dates), while also making it clear that she will not marry anyone at all, least of all Holden?
In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes, the novel, was . . . fine.
The premise was super cute. The small town that served as the setting for the romance, and its winsome and colorful side characters, were homey and enjoyable. The opposites-and-diverse-values attract situation, with a hint of the grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity tropes, thrown in for good measure, were a nice touch. The mutual pining and kind gestures on the part of both romantic leads throughout the novel were very sweet and heartwarming.
I really did enjoy the first quarter of this book. But then I guess I got a bit bored? Since Holden had always secretly loved Sadie, and wasn’t nearly as uncommunicative about this fact, as the premise of the novel suggested he would be, the whole “enemies to lovers” aspect of the tale was resolved almost immediately.
Once Holden and Sadie get into a sort of “friends with benefits, but Holden is still trying to find a wife . . . except not really” sort of situation, the plot sort of stalls for the bulk of the middle of the novel. The novel then proceeds as follows: Holden and Sadie will do some work on the inn, go out on a “fake date,” have sex that lasts for three chapters (I’m not kidding), which was great at first, but then became weirdly redundant? Then, each character will have an internal monologue in their respective POV chapter that goes like:
Holden: Oh no! I love Sadie! But her life is in Toronto, and she will never marry me. What shall I do? I guess have sex with her some more and not talk to her about it.
Sadie: Oh no! I think I love Holden! But he really wants a wife, and I will never EVER get married! What shall I do? I guess I will have more sex with him and not talk to him about it.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
This literally goes on for three quarters of the novel, roughly 200 pages.
Then, of course, we get a very frustrating third-act break up that made little-to-no sense. This gets resolved when ONE of the romantic leads gives up on all of his / her supposed lifelong dreams and principles, while the other gets absolutely everything they want. I’ll give you one guess as to which side “wins.”
*grumble*
I don’t know . . . I didn’t HATE In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes. I may even read more novels in this series at some point. I just wish it was a bit better paced, more evenly plotted, and allowed both romantic leads a “win,” in the face of the compromise needed to ensure their happily ever after.
However, there are two things that our heroine knows for sure: (1) she will never fall in love again; and (2) she will never EVER again agree get married. Famous last words . . .
Shortly thereafter, Sadie’s beloved Aunt Katherine dies. In her will, the older woman leaves her beloved, but desperately in need of renovation, Queen’s Cove Inn jointly to Sadie and her best friend’s taciturn, workaholic middle son, Holden, a successful small-town real estate developer.
As teens, Sadie and Holden did not get along, with Holden seemingly rebuffing Sadie’s every friendly overture, and Sadie making unkind comments about Holden in private that he unfortunately overheard.
Wanting nothing to do with the inn, but needing cash, Sadie initially proposes to Holden that he buy out her interest in the inn for the $200,000 she lost. But Holden, knowing the inn is worth way more than $400,000, refuses for ethical reasons.
When Sadie learns that the perpetually single and romantically challenged Holden is eager to marry and settle down like his now happily married older siblings, a new deal is struck. Sadie will help Holden to find a wife during the six-month probate period of Katherine’s will, in exchange for $200,000 and her divesting a value-appropriate amount of shares in the inn. To this offer, Holden agrees.
There is only one problem. Holden has been desperately in love with Sadie since they met over a decade ago., but has been too shy to tell her. How can Holden find himself a wife, when the only person he has ever loved is spending so much time with him (renovating the inn and going on fake dates), while also making it clear that she will not marry anyone at all, least of all Holden?
In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes, the novel, was . . . fine.
The premise was super cute. The small town that served as the setting for the romance, and its winsome and colorful side characters, were homey and enjoyable. The opposites-and-diverse-values attract situation, with a hint of the grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity tropes, thrown in for good measure, were a nice touch. The mutual pining and kind gestures on the part of both romantic leads throughout the novel were very sweet and heartwarming.
I really did enjoy the first quarter of this book. But then I guess I got a bit bored? Since Holden had always secretly loved Sadie, and wasn’t nearly as uncommunicative about this fact, as the premise of the novel suggested he would be, the whole “enemies to lovers” aspect of the tale was resolved almost immediately.
Once Holden and Sadie get into a sort of “friends with benefits, but Holden is still trying to find a wife . . . except not really” sort of situation, the plot sort of stalls for the bulk of the middle of the novel. The novel then proceeds as follows: Holden and Sadie will do some work on the inn, go out on a “fake date,” have sex that lasts for three chapters (I’m not kidding), which was great at first, but then became weirdly redundant? Then, each character will have an internal monologue in their respective POV chapter that goes like:
Holden: Oh no! I love Sadie! But her life is in Toronto, and she will never marry me. What shall I do? I guess have sex with her some more and not talk to her about it.
Sadie: Oh no! I think I love Holden! But he really wants a wife, and I will never EVER get married! What shall I do? I guess I will have more sex with him and not talk to him about it.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
This literally goes on for three quarters of the novel, roughly 200 pages.
Then, of course, we get a very frustrating third-act break up that made little-to-no sense. This gets resolved when ONE of the romantic leads gives up on all of his / her supposed lifelong dreams and principles, while the other gets absolutely everything they want. I’ll give you one guess as to which side “wins.”
*grumble*
I don’t know . . . I didn’t HATE In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes. I may even read more novels in this series at some point. I just wish it was a bit better paced, more evenly plotted, and allowed both romantic leads a “win,” in the face of the compromise needed to ensure their happily ever after.
June 25, 2024
3 ⭐️
im so weird because i didn’t like this series by her but I LOVED LOVED ❤️♾️❤️ Behind the net and the Fake out by her. idk why maybe it’s the trope or the setting of the book. idk guys idk 😭. also something i would like to add that the weight of the responsibility of his having to work hard and to be the source of income for his company’s employees makes perfect sense to me. BECAUSE I WOULD FEEL THE SAME THING (my dream is to start a company). this is something that i could relate to COMPLETELY. but yeah overall an ok-ok read
im so weird because i didn’t like this series by her but I LOVED LOVED ❤️♾️❤️ Behind the net and the Fake out by her. idk why maybe it’s the trope or the setting of the book. idk guys idk 😭. also something i would like to add that the weight of the responsibility of his having to work hard and to be the source of income for his company’s employees makes perfect sense to me. BECAUSE I WOULD FEEL THE SAME THING (my dream is to start a company). this is something that i could relate to COMPLETELY. but yeah overall an ok-ok read
November 12, 2023
I had such a high hopes for holden's book my grumpy cinnamon roll.😭
unfortunately i didn't like sadie. i think he deserved a better h who'd put him first as she should. she was immature and also annoying. the way she mocked him at the begining when he didn't even do anything was gross. and holden being that insecure and chasing her around was not what i thought his chacaracter would do. I was not the biggest fan of the constant push and pull.
unfortunately i didn't like sadie. i think he deserved a better h who'd put him first as she should. she was immature and also annoying. the way she mocked him at the begining when he didn't even do anything was gross. and holden being that insecure and chasing her around was not what i thought his chacaracter would do. I was not the biggest fan of the constant push and pull.
June 4, 2023
I love this story! It's just my perfect cup of tea!
March 13, 2024
4.75 stars
Holden Rhodes is the love of my life. Am I sleep deprived because of this book? why yes I am, but no regrets. This one was so close to a 5 star and Stephanie is forever an autobuy author for me.
Holden Rhodes is the love of my life. Am I sleep deprived because of this book? why yes I am, but no regrets. This one was so close to a 5 star and Stephanie is forever an autobuy author for me.
November 9, 2022
Oh hell no.
I was already going through a reading slump, and then Holden’s bland ass personality made it so much worse. Sadie carried this book, and honestly if I ever met Holden in real life i would fight him. I had to skim the end of the book because I was furious.
I was already going through a reading slump, and then Holden’s bland ass personality made it so much worse. Sadie carried this book, and honestly if I ever met Holden in real life i would fight him. I had to skim the end of the book because I was furious.
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