Twice Shy is a charming, cozy romance perfect for fans of grumpy/sunshine dynamics and forced proximity tropes. If you love stories about shy, awkward, and beautifully flawed characters - especially ones with slow-burn chemistry and heartfelt growth - you'll root for Maybell and Wesley as they renovate a crumbling manor in the Smokies and find healing together. Sarah Hogle's writing is witty, whimsical, and often laugh-out-loud funny, blending real issues like anxiety and grief with lighthearted escapism. Recommended if you enjoyed The Hating Game, You Deserve Each Other, or are in the market for an uplifting, cinnamon roll hero and a heroine who escapes into sweet daydreams.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers found the plot stretches believability, particularly around the inheritance setup and the ease of the manor renovation, and the overall story may feel a bit too sweet or lacking in tension for fans of high-drama romances. Maybell's frequent fantasy sequences and her at-times flighty nature, as well as Wesley's initially standoffish personality, may grate if you prefer more grounded or assertive protagonists. If you’re after steamy scenes, heavy angst, or complex side character plots, this one might not scratch that itch.

A heartwarming, quirky romance that feels like a much-needed hug - ideal for readers who want low angst, lots of sweetness, and authentic portrayals of anxiety and second chances at love.

About:

Maybell Parrish, a dreamer and romantic at heart, inherits her Great Aunt Violet's mansion, Falling Stars, along with Wesley Koehler, the former groundskeeper. Despite their initial clashes and differing visions for the property, they must work together to fulfill Violet's wishes and renovate the house. As Maybell and Wesley navigate their shy and introverted personalities, they slowly build a relationship that goes beyond just being shy, evolving into a lovely and charming story. The novel explores themes of overcoming social anxiety, building healthy relationships, and finding the courage to pursue one's dreams, all set in a whimsical and heartwarming atmosphere.

The story is a light-hearted romance with quirky characters, humorous moments, and a unique twist on the trope of renovating a shared property to find true love. Through Maybell's daydreams and Wesley's struggles with anxiety, the author, Sarah Hogle, beautifully depicts their growth and transformation as they navigate their past traumas and insecurities to create a new future together at Falling Stars.

Characters:

The characters include Maybell, a dreamer burdened by her past, and Wesley, a grumpy yet sensitive groundskeeper. Their contrasting personalities lead to growth and connection throughout the story.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is whimsical and character-driven, employing humor while exploring internal emotions. The narrative is often descriptive, with creative transitions that reflect the protagonist's imaginative thoughts.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on Maybell's inheritance of a house she must share with her co-inheritor, Wesley. As they navigate their differing visions for the property, they also embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth, leading to a romantic connection.

Setting:

The story is set in a dilapidated mansion located in the Smoky Mountains, adding a whimsical quality to the narrative.

Pacing:

The pacing begins slowly but picks up as the romantic tension builds, with character development unfolding gradually.

I AM UP IN THE clouds now, drumming my fingernails on a countertop. Outside the window, in an ever-swirling fog, there’s a pink neon sign that spins at an all-the-time-in-the-world tilt, which reads: ...

Notes:

The main characters, Maybell and Wesley, inherit a house together after Maybell's Great Aunt Violet passes away.

Maybell is a hopeless romantic, while Wesley is grumpy and socially anxious, leading to a 'grumpy sunshine' dynamic.

The house they inherit is in shambles, requiring significant renovations.

Maybell daydreams frequently, envisioning a life as a coffee shop owner, which contrasts with her actual life.

Wesley has an unexpected soft side that emerges as the story progresses.

The book deals with themes of social anxiety, caregiving, and grief, although it maintains a lighthearted tone.

It's a slow-burn romance, with the tension coming from their need to work together despite their clashing personalities.

The writing style is often humorous and whimsical, making it a cozy read.

The romance features elements of opposites attract, with the characters' differences leading to deeper connections.

Many readers find Wesley to be a 'cinnamon roll' hero, which indicates he's sweet and wholesome beneath his gruff exterior.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings may include themes of social anxiety, panic attacks, childhood trauma, and grief.

Has Romance?

The romance is central to the story, characterized by emotional depth and growth between the characters.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

Can you find real love when you've always got your head in the clouds?

Maybell Parish has always been a dreamer and a hopeless romantic. But living in her own world has long been preferable to dealing with the disappointments of real life. So when Maybell inherits a charming house in the Smokies from her Great-Aunt Violet, she seizes the opportunity to make a fresh start.

Yet when she arrives, it seems her troubles have only just begun. Not only is the house falling apart around her, but she isn't the only inheritor: she has to share everything with Wesley Koehler, the groundskeeper who's as grouchy as he is gorgeous-and it turns out he has a very different vision for the property's future.

Convincing the taciturn Wesley to stop avoiding her and compromise is a task more formidable than the other dying wishes Great-Aunt Violet left behind. But when Maybell uncovers something unexpectedly sweet beneath Wesley's scowls, and as the two slowly begin to let their guard down, they might learn that sometimes the smallest steps outside one's comfort zone can lead to the greatest rewards.

April 2021

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324 pages

Ratings (61)

Incredible (6)
Loved It (19)
Liked It (19)
It Was OK (11)
Did Not Like (5)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (231):

Read It (65)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (122)
Did Not Finish (3)
Not Interested (40)

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Twice Shy?

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About the Author:

Sarah Hogle is a mom of three who enjoys trashy TV and provoking her husband for attention. Her dream is to live in a falling-apart castle in a forest that is probably cursed. She is also the author of You Deserve Each Other.

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Twice Shy

Sarah Hogle

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