A review by karina_dreamsinwords
The One I Stood Beside by Piper Rayne

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is the second book of the ๐™‹๐™ก๐™–๐™ž๐™ฃ ๐˜ฟ๐™–๐™ž๐™จ๐™ฎ ๐™๐™–๐™ฃ๐™˜๐™ series featuring the grumpy oldest brother of the Noughton family, and his best friend since childhood. 

Jude and Sadie have been the best of friends since they were kids & have only gotten closer over the years. When tragedy strikes, Sadieโ€™s family farm is put in jeopardy leaving Jude to help in the most noble way he knowsโ€” by proposing to enter into a fake marriage in order to save the farm. Will forced proximity & secret feelings for each other allow their friendship to blossom into more? 

Jude is very stoic by nature, yet only opens up for his best friend Sadie. She is the sunshine to his grumpy, and will not let anyoneโ€™s unwarranted opinions thwart her dreams of having a chicken farm coming true. The thing I loved about this dynamic is how Jude was so supportive of Sadieโ€™s future dreams and (without giving spoilers), even helped get the journey started for her. I also really adored the snippet of their childhood and seeing Jude take comfort with Sadie after experiencing tragedy. Fast forward 27 years and we get to see the roles reversed. Tug on my heart strings, why donโ€™t you! 

If youโ€™re looking for your next emotional yet heartwarming read with lots of humor, self discovery, and second chances- LOOK NO FURTHER and pick up this series immediately! I absolutely cannot wait for Emmett's book because I already know heโ€™s going to steal my heart.

๐Ÿฃ๐”€๐“ฑ๐“ช๐“ฝ ๐“ฝ๐“ธ ๐“ฎ๐”๐“น๐“ฎ๐“ฌ๐“ฝโ€”
grumpy x sunshine 
fake marriage of convenience
childhood friends to lovers 
mutual pining
forced proximity 
band of brothers 
small town
 
โ€œ๐“Žโ„ด๐“Š ๐“โ„ด๐“‹โ„ฏ ๐“‚โ„ฏ?"
"๐’พ๐“ˆ๐“ƒ'๐“‰ ๐’พ๐“‰ โ„ด๐’ท๐“‹๐’พโ„ด๐“Š๐“ˆ?" ๐Ÿฅน๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿผ

Thank you to Valentine PR & Piper Rayne for an advanced copy to review ๐Ÿฉต

Expand filter menu Content Warnings