Camera Shy (Lessons in Love) Paperback – July 21, 2023

If I’m being honest this read probably wasn’t a 5 for me but I love supporting newer authors especially ones who write about diverse MCs. I really liked the healthy communication and boundary setting that was talked about in this book. I enjoyed the overall story but there were a few things that I didn’t love, SPOILERS: I didn’t enjoy the best friend secretly being really terrible, I don’t like when the MFC only has one friend, I thought the MFC insecurities about her body were mostly done well but not great, and I thought the sex scenes were fine but not great. Also, this is my own weird thing and would not affect a rating but bonds are never high risk and no company has revenue or profit of 100 billion (maybe that was a typo and was supposed to be million). Anyways, I would definitely read more from this author.

From the jump, let me say I enjoyed this book. It was cute, the spice was very nice, and the characters were likable. I gave it 4 stars. I say that because the rest of this review is going to be me complaining about it.The ex relationships (and one friendship) in this book were realistic to the point of being uncomfortable for me. Obviously that’s a personal problem and nothing wrong the author has done but jfc I felt seriously called out. Multiple times.Avery’s body issues, while being believable and relatable, got tiring over time. I get it. I know from experience what it’s like to be big in a Pretty City. I also know that Avery’s journey to accept herself was the main focus of the book. Still. It got repetitive and predictable.Also, while the story skirts around the actual miscommunication trope, it definitely comes close and it is ridiculously frustrating. Honestly if they’d both been even slightly more communicative, this book would be fifty pages shorter and my hair considerably less gray.Personally, I found the Queen nickname a little cringe inducing and I had a hard time not reading it in a patronizing way. Maybe that’s just me.When all is said and done, all of this is just nitpicking and it’s a damn good story with a damn good (albeit heavy handed) message.

Loved loved loved this story! Thought I was signing myself up for some fluffy smut feel good romance, and while it had all of that, what I ended up getting was way more substantive than I expected! The FMC is understandably complex and conflicted and confusing. She feels like a real human and a real woman—which sadly, even for female writers, isn’t a guarantee. And our boy Finn!! I usually go for something a bit darker but this cinnamon roll walked the line of sexy, respectful, J/P, empowering, and sweet. It felt like the healthiest love story I’ve read in AGES…and it starts as an exchange of spicy favors 🙈Loved the realistic depictions of toxic relationships, both romantic and platonic, and the moments of gentle self love, reflection, and self acceptance. It was just unexpectedly beautiful and moving. Can’t wait for Lennox’s story!!

I loved every second of this book. Avery and Finn stole my heart on their journey to find real love with each other and most importantly loving themselves. Avery is so many girls and her journey to find love and confidence in her own beauty and be a complete boss b$tch in every part of her life was BEAUTIFUL. I felt all the feelings with her from her negative self image to losing her (so called)best friend. And Finn my god FINN was everything a book boyfriend should be and more. He had me from the start of the book hyping up the older woman in her boudoir shoot. I can’t not say enough about this book. Plus the spice between these two was so good!!! First time reading Kay Cove and will not be my last.

I’ll be honest, I only read this book because my book club chose it. With that said, it was a good book about learning to love yourself. It was fun and spicy but a little too self deprecating for me.

- contemporary romance-standalone-HEA-Trama bondingThis was a sweet and spicy romance. This book speaks to all girls who have gone through the comparing of others to themselves. For the ones who don't feel enough. The ones with body issues and so much more.This book will have you laugh and cry at the same time. The characters were relatable, and their chemistry was good. Finn was the MMC, and he was sweet and sexy with his own issues, but he wanted to help Avery after her broke relationship. Avery is a smart insecure woman who had just had one person after the next walk on her and she just wants space and understands and propositions Finn into making her and helping her understand me , sex and so much more.

I’ve been in a reading slump but this story has definitely pulled me out of it. I couldn’t put this book down and I didn’t want to either way! I could really relate to Avery in the sense that confidence is hard to achieve when the world can constantly over look you and put you down, but with the right tools and people around you it’s achievable. The bonus was Finn in this storyline he’s a dream and we all deserve a Finn in our life and to be treated nothing short of a queen.

This is by far THE BEST BOOK I have ever read. And I was introduced to reading again about ten years ago,by a friend at work. First bought second hand books then found the glory that is Kindle. You, Miss Cove, have made me a true believer in the power of the written word, and I am74 years young. Thanks for Avery and Finn and Lennox and Cherry.

Simplemente lo ame , nunca me había sentido tan identificada con los sentimientos de la protagonista como ahora , leer a alguien con mis mismas inseguridades y ver como va evolucionando en libro su amor propio es mágico, el avance de cada protagonista es hermoso y ver como cada uno se completa ❤️❤️

Pra quem gosta de romances, esse é o livro certo. É meio previsível, mas ainda é bem gostoso de ler. E pra quem tem problemas em encontrar livros com mulheres de auto estima baixa, achei ele fantástico. Aprendi muita coisa que eu não tinha ideia. Com certeza sai diferente depois de ler esse livro.

I honestly lost the amount of times that I physically swooned during this read. As a curvy woman myself, I loved reading all the body positivity that was placed in this book. Avery hasn’t had it easy in a society that likes to turn their noses up at individuals who don’t live up to their expectations of perfect. She thought that she found her happy ending, until her boyfriend breaks up with her while the engagement ring is stuck on her finger.I would do what she did and flee for the summer. She takes a house sitting position which takes her to Vegas and she meets her next door neighbors, Finn. The attraction is quick but Avery’s confidence was shattered when her ex made some remarks about their intimacy. While this was a really sweet read, it was also a little difficult. I resonated with Avery and have had some struggles with my appearance and the way that she goes about finding herself was a beautiful journey to follow.Mr Finn, where have you been all my life. This photographer sees the beauty that lies inside the person and appreciates all sorts of beautiful things. He sees how battered Avery is and he knows that with the proper care and attention, she would thrive and that is what he does. He builds her back up while she is gathering the will to speak for herself, and boy she does it in such a classy way.I loved seeing them fall for each other.Now not only is this a sweet story but man does it bring the spice. Finn likes to take a very hands on approached and let’s just say that my kindle steamed up a few times. I really hope that she continues in this world because there are some people I want to see again (but a couple that I can do without).

Wow what a story I was hooked from start to finish and wanted more. Loved every minute of this story

It was amazing to see how this girl develops herself and how she grew in love with this man but also herself. I loved it.