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A review by wils7501
To Hive and To Hold by Amy Crook
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book was highly recommended to me by a friend. I read it, and then read reviews and I can multiple sides to this book. This book was one of the most relaxing and comforting things I've read in a long time. It is very mellow and very slice-of-life. There are no major conflicts, no angst, and it's a slow burn.
One thing I like about this author and the books I've read is the way the reader is just placed into a new world. There really is no explanation, no info dumps, it just is. When done right the characters and society are there to unfold as the book progresses and it is well done here. There are some areas of the larger society and history that I would love to have explored more, but think those things could make their own tales - like the Tech areas and what happened to change the world into its current state.
For the romance aspect, it is slow burn and sweet. I've seen some reviews say that there are parts that are unrealistically quick and they have issues with that. and yeah, I do understand those. At the same time, I've read plenty of insta-love and insta-lust stories that insta-friends/family, isn't outside the box and is rather a nice change. Arthur and Jade know they have a connection almost from the first. They take things slow. Arthur is starting to learn to open up and let others in closer and Jade has made a major life change and is learning to be who they really are and the process is nice. It is sweet and calm and comfortable.
A few points that were a bit tedious were all the repetition of some words and also of food, eating and tea making/drinking. I like learning about other foods and cultures through books but at the same time, there is a huge amount of eating in all the books I've read by the author It's gets to feel like a bit much when half of a book if about food, either obtaining it, cooking it or eating it. That being said, the food portions often do show the more cohesive "family" feel that the books have, but there are soooo many of them.
Overall a good, comfortable and happy read. I hope that the books by this author will eventually be on audio with a good narrator. They are perfect for curling up with on a chilly day with a craft project and hot beverage.
One thing I like about this author and the books I've read is the way the reader is just placed into a new world. There really is no explanation, no info dumps, it just is. When done right the characters and society are there to unfold as the book progresses and it is well done here. There are some areas of the larger society and history that I would love to have explored more, but think those things could make their own tales - like the Tech areas and what happened to change the world into its current state.
For the romance aspect, it is slow burn and sweet. I've seen some reviews say that there are parts that are unrealistically quick and they have issues with that. and yeah, I do understand those. At the same time, I've read plenty of insta-love and insta-lust stories that insta-friends/family, isn't outside the box and is rather a nice change. Arthur and Jade know they have a connection almost from the first. They take things slow. Arthur is starting to learn to open up and let others in closer and Jade has made a major life change and is learning to be who they really are and the process is nice. It is sweet and calm and comfortable.
A few points that were a bit tedious were all the repetition of some words and also of food, eating and tea making/drinking. I like learning about other foods and cultures through books but at the same time, there is a huge amount of eating in all the books I've read by the author It's gets to feel like a bit much when half of a book if about food, either obtaining it, cooking it or eating it. That being said, the food portions often do show the more cohesive "family" feel that the books have, but there are soooo many of them.
Overall a good, comfortable and happy read. I hope that the books by this author will eventually be on audio with a good narrator. They are perfect for curling up with on a chilly day with a craft project and hot beverage.