Situationship – ARC review

Situationship
by Marina Adair
Release Date: October 25, 2022
Publisher: Kensington
Standalone
Number of Pages: 349
Source:  ARC from NetGalley
Contemporary Romance
Ages 15 and up
CW: divorce, mention of addiction
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In a witty modern twist on How Stella Got Her Groove Back, New York Times bestselling author Marina Adair blends the fun of falling in love with a thoughtful and heartfelt exploration of modern family dynamics when two former teenage crushes reunite unexpectedly for a second chance at love. Complicated and steamy, Situationship shines a light on romantic and family relationships that don’t easily fit into any box.

The sand and surf of California’s coastal Pacific Cove is the charming backdrop for New York Times bestselling author Marina Adair’s fun and sexy novel about getting back on track after life makes a sharp left turn—and finding you’ve arrived in just the right place to get back your mojo . . .

Teagan Bianchi has survived a road trip with rambunctious toddler twins and a large mutt named Garbage Disposal. She clings to a tattered scrap of hope that moving into her late grandmother’s house is the best way to repair her failing business—and the sad shreds of her life—after the man who promised her forever lost everything they had. But she’s barely arrived when she finds herself face to face with her teenage crush, now an irresistible man—who still happens to live next door . . .

Veterinarian Colin West is closer to being an empty nester than a soccer dad. His marriage lasted only long enough to give him his beloved daughter, and he has no regrets. But as she readies for college, Colin contemplates his own future—which is, of course, exactly when his past shows up, as gorgeous as ever, and twice as fascinating. But Teagan torpedoed his plans once before. Is he crazy to consider letting her into his life again? Is Teagan ready to admit what she’s really afraid of? Could this unexpected “situationship” be forever?

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This story has strong women’s fiction vibes. I’d still say the romance between Teagan and Colin is a main part of the story, the other part of Teagan’s journey is just as important. I’ll be frank, there was a point in this story where I was begging the author to let Teagan and Colin find their way to each other. Not because it was a slow burn or was even taking too long. It truly wasn’t. But both of them were being put through the wringer and I wanted them to have a safe space to land with each other.

There are a lot of relationships going on here. Teagan and Colin, of course. But there are also children and siblings and exes thrown into the mix. Colin was Teagan’s first love and vice versa. Things didn’t end great and there is some resentment. It was wonderful to watch these two get over their anger and feelings of abandonment and talk. That also happens, eventually, with Teagan and her sister Harley. They used to be close but were separated by their parents and never quite understood each other after that. There is so much resentment there, but once they open up about their real feelings it’s so beautiful to see these sisters start to reconnect.

While for the most part the characters, once this story got moving, did take a step back instead of giving into their temper when things got intense, there were words said in anger that just hurt me to the core. There is also a time or two Teagan makes some poor choices, in my opinion, but she does so out of love for her children. Yet truly, some of her actions broke my heart.

This story is a bit of a roller coaster but in a good way. When Teagan and Colin are on the page as a couple, there is so much warmth and love coming off the page. This is an engaging and lovely book.

4 stars

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**