Monday, April 16, 2018

Maybe Someone Like You by Stacy Wise


Synopsis (via Goodreads): Katie Capwell is a bright and accomplished recent law school graduate, and she has her shiny future all mapped out. It's brimming with courtroom victories and creating change. Ryan Brincatt is a tattooed and impossibly cool martial artist, and he’s mastered a fierce roundhouse kick.

Their paths never should have crossed.

But when Katie lurks outside the kickboxing gym where Ryan works as a trainer, she’s immediately drawn to his casual confidence and playful green eyes. Without making her usual list of pros and cons, she impulsively signs up to train with him.

She never imagined that one decision would change. Absolutely. Everything. 

He’s wearing the tie he wore on the night I met him, the one that’s covered with tiny foxes. I used to think it was cute, but now it only looks useful—like something I could choke him with.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Also, the quotes I used may have changed or been altered in some way, but I am quoting from what I received.

I adored this story and it called to me in an unexpected way. Katie decides to start kickboxing with a trainer, and I fell completely in love with it. The author makes it sound both elegant and fierce. I liked the idea so much that I researched local kickboxing gyms--I start next week! I hope it's as exhilarating as Stacy Wise made it sound.

I'm curious if the author has personal experience with kickboxing, or if they just did really amazing research. I could hear the ropes pounding on the floor, and Katie's gloves hitting their target. I devoured those parts of the story, and now I'm mentally addicted to the idea of doing it myself. Let's hope I enjoy it as much in practice as I do in theory.

Maybe Someone Like You is another one of those stories where a little more communication would have saved everyone a lot of heartache, but I enjoyed their journey. It was refreshing to read about things like lawyering and kickboxing, because I've had no experience with either. There were a few phrases and some terminology I was unfamiliar with, so I had to stop and do a little research. Maybe a little more clarification within the story would have helped? Having to stop and look things up did pull me away from the book.

The setting for the book was ideal, too. It was lovely and makes me want to live in a quiet, quaint town near the beach. Even though I abhor having sand on everything, Stacy Wise made me fall in love with the idea. Running along the beach with my dog, the views at night, and the smells that are associated with sand and the ocean.

Katie is far more patient with her boss that I would have been. Kenneth was such an ass. I wanted to spit in his face and knee him in the balls. He deserves worse than that, but those two things would make me feel a little better. She put up with way more than she should have, and she should have confided in someone other than Craig. Speaking of Craig, I really liked him by the end of the book, but his initial impression was wrong. I thought he was going to be an adversary, but it's like a monster apologizing and becoming a kitten. It didn't make a lot of sense how their friendship happened, especially with how their first conversation went.

The other characters within the book were nice. I felt like I knew them on the most basic level, and I wish there had been a little more depth to them. For the most part, they sounded like interesting characters, and I wish those friendships had been built upon a little more. Instead, the book mainly focuses on the boys and her job.

The character development was a little weird, and I was never too sure of someone's importance to the story. Like, they may have seemed super involved in the beginning, but then we just stop hearing about them. Others, like her mom, were prickly one minute and kind the next. I don't know how to explain it exactly, but it felt off. However, Ryan was like banana pancakes in the morning: unexpected but utterly delicious.

Maybe Someone Like You was delightful and made me smile often. It also inspired me to try kickboxing (should be an awesome and enjoyable workout), and maybe get a new tattoo...


"Thoughts are rose petals in my head, drifting and floating, but words stick like thorns in my throat."

"His muscles are so sculpted, if I knew the names of each one, I could take a Sharpie to his skin and label them. They’re that perfect."

"My head feels like there’s a cinder block jammed in the center with one of Snow White’s seven dwarfs pounding at it with his pickax. Dear God. I think I’ve swallowed the dwarf’s wooly hat."

37 comments:

  1. it's always great to find a good romance like that! I confess that it's the first time I hear about this one

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    1. It's my first book by this author, but now I really want to read their other books!

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  2. Well dang girl. I hope you do try kick boxing after reading this! Awesome!

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    1. I have a one-on-one session with a trainer next week! They offer 65+ classes, so I think it might be impossible to get bored, lol. I'll let everyone know how it goes! My twins are 15-months now, so it's time to start working out again and getting back in shape. Plus, this forces me to actually get out of the house.

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  3. Have fun with your kick boxing. I had a personal trainer come to my house a few times a week and we did a little kick boxing. He kicked my behind but I felt good. I miss it so much.

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    1. I need someone to help kick my butt back into shape! Having twins wrecked my body. ๐Ÿคฃ

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  4. I did some kickboxing when my kids were young, their karate instructor offered classes for adults. It was a seriously fun workout. I hadn't done the Blogger follow, but did so. As for Twitter, I didn't even know you were on there. You need a follow button on the blog here :) Anyhoo I am stalking you 7 ways to Sunday now.

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    1. It's sounds so fun! I'm really excited to try! I'm happy to hear it was a serious workout--I'm counting on it.

      I didn't even realize there wasn't a Twitter follow button on here, and I've been messing with the buttons all day. I'll fix it soon! Thank you for pointing that out. I'm stalking you, too! Yay! :)

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    2. I don't know if I'll leave it like that permanently, but there is now a giant TWITTER on the sidebar, lol.

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  5. Though I do not get the they should never have met thing, they could have met anywhere. A store. A club. The courtroom ;) But yes yes I get it, two different worlds. I am glad she went for it

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    1. I don't agree when books say two people weren't likely to meet because of their social status/circles. Like you mentioned, they could have met anywhere. Fate is tricky, and you never know who you will meet or when. It's a chance encounter.

      For example, my husband and I traveled in different circles and did different things, but we ended up working at the same bookstore. We became close friends and then one day it just clicked. He wasn't the type of guy I normally dated, and I'm so happy to have met him when I did. He's made me a better person, and we've built a beautiful family together.

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  6. I love that this inspired you to try kick boxing! I have always wanted to try myself. Great review!!

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    1. I'll let you know how it goes! Maybe you'll try next!

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  7. Ah, I want to live by the beach and go running and do kickboxing! And any book that makes you smile is a winner!

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    1. Those two things sound so lovely. They even did a little kickboxing on the beach, which was pretty awesome.

      I smiled a lot!

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  8. Sorry you didn't love the characterization, but that's awesome the book inspired you to try kick-boxing. I hope you have a great time! Not sure I could pull off kick-boxing - my leg would not go that high! LOL

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. It's not all about your legs! (From what was mentioned in the book, lol) I don't think my legs will kick very high at first either, but that's why you keep practicing! You can only improve, right?

      The characters weren't bad... I just wish they had been developed a little more.

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  9. That is awesome that you want to try kickboxing now! I always have as well. Mine was from after watching the one movie with the AShley Judd, what was it Kiss the Girls? Something like that anyways.

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    1. Hmm, that movie does sound familiar, but I don't think I've seen it. If you've always wanted to try kickboxing, you should go for it! Trying new things is always fun.

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  10. Wow, it sounds like you really enjoyed this one. I've always thought kickboxing looks like a great way to work out. Hopefully you can find a place to do this!

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    1. I did find a place... I start next week! I hope it's a killer workout. :)

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  11. I have to like the characters in order to enjoy the book. I just followed you on Twitter. One of these days I'll figure out how to add a Twitter button to my blog.

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    1. You inspired me. I just figured out how to add a Twitter follow button on my blog. lol

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    2. I enjoyed the two main characters! Ryan and Katie were more fleshed out than the others. I wanted more information on the secondary characters.

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    3. Haha! So happy you were inspired, lol. I didn't realize mine was missing until Kimberly mentioned it. It's there now! I'll play around with the design and format until I find something I love.

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  12. This sounds like a fun one! And I love that it inspired you to look into kickboxing! That is so awesome! The characterization definitely sounds off (particularly with the secondary characters) but even so I’m glad it didn’t ruin the experience for you. I always love it when something in a book piques my interest enough to want to learn more. Great review, Lindsi!

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    1. I never would have considered kickboxing before reading this book! It sounds like it will be a good workout, teach me basic defensive moves, and be fun to do!

      The lack of information for the secondary characters was a bummer, but it didn't detract from what I enjoyed abut the book.

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  13. When I was younger, I did Tang Soo Do and kickboxing, and I loved it! I think I would enjoy that part of the book. The hero is so important for me in a romance, and you describe Ryan as delicious, so sign me up!

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    1. I've never heard of Tang Soo Do, but I'm going to look it up! Do you still do any of those things now? Ryan is protective of women in general, which is why he teaches them how to defend themselves. He also does it in a way that isn't condescending, but instructional and helpful. He wants them to be able to take care of themselves, but he's also not afraid to step in if some guy is been an ass.

      He was dreamy and delicious! He adopted a dog he found on the freeway, rides a motorcycle, knows sooo many forms of defense/fighting, he's super sweet, considerate, funny... I could go on forever about this guy.

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  14. Good luck with the kickboxing! Let us know how that goes for you :) This sounds like a fun book! I have to agree that the idea of the beach is great...sand everywhere is not. Great review!

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    1. I will! Yes! I love going to the beach, but I hate vacuuming the sand out of my car. It stays on your clothes and anything you take to the beach with you. I find it around the house for weeks after!

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  15. That's so cool that a book has inspired to you try kickboxing. I've heard it's a great workout so I hope you love it. The book sounds wonderful too. Great review!

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    1. I really hope I like it! I'm excited for my first class.

      The book was really enjoyable! I highly recommend it.

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  16. Ha, I love that this book actually made you want to try kickboxing! That aspect must've been really well written! I get what you mean about the nice characters though. I feel that way about characters often. They're likeable people... but not that interesting to read about. Anyway, you'll have to tell us how the kickboxing goes!

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    1. It was incredibly well-written! The kickboxing aspects were so detailed and informative... It gave me a strong desire to do it myself.

      Everyone was lovely (except some of the guys), but it was all basic information. I wanted to know more about her roommate and the relationship she had with her boyfriend. There were a few people from college they mentioned, thought about meeting up with, but then I can't really remember anything about them. There were people everywhere, but they simply existed for me and didn't LIVE.

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  17. I loveeee the way you described Katie, but I might have a LOT of trouble with this Kenneth dude. Horrible heroes always make me want to chuck the book across the room. :/ I'd love to read about the kickboxing stuff, though. I'm on the fence!

    - Aimee @ Aimee, Always

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    1. Kenneth isn't the hero! He's her boss and a mega jerk. Ryan would be the hero of the story, and he's delightful!

      I really think you should read this one!

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“Stuff and nonsense. Nonsense and stuff and much of a muchness and nonsense all over again. We are all mad here, don't you know?”
― Marissa Meyer, Heartless