BOOK REVIEW: SECOND FIRST IMPRESSIONS

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Ruthie Midona has worked the front desk at Providence Retirement Villa for years, living on-site at the beck and call if the wealthy residents-and the rare tortoises that roam the manicured lawns. She has her routine, and not much ever changes. Until she lays her eyes on Teddy Prescott, the son of Providence’s new owner and her new neighbor. Tall, tattooed, and with the most magical hair on Earth (just ask him), Teddy’s in town saving up money to pursue his dream of opening a tattoo shop. He’s the definition of risky, and Ruthie’s dazzled at first sight-until he mistakes her for a little old lady.

Luckily, Ruthie has the perfect revenge for Teddy’s insulting impression. Her most eccentric residents have just placed (yet another!) ad seeking a personal assistant to torment. The Parlonis are ninety-year-old, miniature menaces, and not one of their assistants has lasted a week. Ruthie knows a quitter when she sees one and is more than happy to offer up Teddy. 

To Ruthie’s surprise, Teddy proves to be the ultimate hire, charming his way through the entire villa and into her heart with his joyful, never-serious outlook on life. But with the future of Providence hanging in balance, and Teddy’s family’s plans threatening to shatter Ruthie’s safe little universe, will Teddy be there when it really counts?

BOOK REVIEW:

Sally has been an auto-buy author for me. I’ve read her first two books, The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine. Both of which I loved.

For Second First Impressions: I was swept away by the cute, adorable and heart-warming, slow burn story of Ruthie Midona and Teddy Prescott – who are opposite in ways more than one, but fit perfectly together.

Ruthie is a tidy, organized, checklist kind of girl. Self-less in many ways, kind, compassionate, and is always a giver.

Teddy on the other hand, is messy, disorganized and clumsy kind of guy. He is careless. A tall, tattooed and long-haired guy, with a big heart and is always a taker.

I can’t get over the fact that they are just so cute together. I love how Teddy is so jealous, sweet, clingy, and transforms into a snuggle kind of guy when it comes to Ruthie. So adorable and playful. 🥰😍

“You’re the thousand-dollar dress on the rack in this thrift store and I can’t believe no one’s picked you up yet.”

Ruthie and Teddy’s story tells us that life, like love, is an endless give and take scenario. It’s okay to put yourself first, be selfish and do what you love most. Because like what Ruthie said, it is a privilege to be so young and have an entire life ahead of you. It is never too late to pursue your passion, and you are never too old to do the things you haven’t done when you were young. Life is short and we only live once.

“Seems like a lot of people have been telling you what you’re like. It’s time to decide if you believe them.”

Have you ever been caught off guard by the sound of your own heartbeat? Maybe you’ve pressed your ear weirdly on your pillow, and now all you can hear is your own proof of life. You are confronted with your mortality in a base, clock-ticking kind of way: you have an engine room, and it has a finite timeline. What a miracle and a privilege.

What a privilege, to be so young. I have my entire life to know him, to laugh at him, to let him care for me in his sweet, clumsy ways. I can teach him how to give, and he can urge me to take.

Ooooh! Before I forget, I love Aggie and Renata soooo much. In addition to that, Melanie, the creator of the Sasaki Method which I would like to try someday 🤭. The storyline was better because of these characters.

Aside from these lovable characters, I also want to give credits to the mention of the golden bonnet tortoises in the story. Definitely a plus for me. A-Okay!!! 👌👌👌

Also, Ruthie’s character got a bit personal with me. I can relate to her because we have a lot of things in common. Okay, I know that this is impossible. But it’s just so surreal seeing myself from a character in a book. If you know me personally, you know that I am also a Ruth and a Virgo. Additionally, my dad is a pastor, and was also raised in a conservative family. These, and more, are some of the things I have in common with Ruthie. 😅

Being both a Ruth and a Virgo has been my cross to bear.

This indeed, is a book I will recommend for those who likes a fun and cute, slow burn romance read. 😁👍👍👍

Thanks for reading my book review for Second First Impressions! Furthermore, if you’re interested in more book reviews, please head on to my blog page.