He’s the hot owner of a home construction business who wants to build a family.
I’m the Doctor of Obstetrics who wants to deliver anything but.
Can two total opposites learn to play house?
I help couples create the families of their dreams. Which is perfect, since I’ll never have a family of my own.
But then I meet James. Tall and lean, with sun-kissed hair and skin…and those hands. I can’t keep my eyes off his hands.
He’s everything I’m not — too kind, too compelling, and too cute for words. It doesn’t take long before his warm charm is melting my heart.
My world is turned upside down when I find myself the temporary guardian to a niece I never knew I had. And James is ready and willing to help. Building bunk beds together is easy when he’s used to building houses. (Did I mention his hands?)
When I learn how much he wants to have a family of his own, I remember why a man as good as James should never be with a girl like me.
He might be a builder.
But he’s tearing down my walls.
If I’m not careful, I’ll be the one left in ruins.
*This story is told in first person, dual POV and is a complete stand alone.
Anything That You Want is a sweet, funny, opposites attract, slow-burn, heartwarming, closed-door romance with a touch of past pain set in the fictional southern town of Merit, North Carolina. If you like fabulous best friends, found family, and the most incredible book boyfriend you’ll ever meet, this book is for you. One-click to read it today!
Mary likes her chocolate salted and her romance sweet.
She writes sweet and funny romance with a kiss, and you won't be embarrassed to gift her books to your mom. (Well, not too embarrassed. Sometimes those kisses can get pretty steamy!)
Find her on Insta @MaryCarsonBooks and through her emails - she promises to only send the good stuff. Get it at www.MaryCarsonBooks.com
what a waste of time 😔 the writing was dull, heroine was coldest person i've ever read, hero was ok but a doormat for her so i didn't enjoy this.
why did i finished? because i wanted to see the niece she was taking as a foster parent but it didn't happened until epilogue 🤨 which was bad because all we read about was her 🤨
You literally rejected that guy and called him kind of immediately cause you need a favor. What kinda bitch are you? It wasn't even that big of an emergency so .... She dumps him anytime she's close to upset. And it doesn't take much to upset her with her woe is me attitude. And the hot and cold way she's going with fostering EB also makes me question if she deserves to do that as well. It's someone's life ffs. You can't keep changing your mind on every whim. And you know what they say about who forces their Dr title everywhere?.......yeah exactly. I couldn't believe that was our main character. Idk why I thought we'll actually see the kid. But she only appeared in the epilogue and didn't even uttered a word. I thought we hated mike without any reason but thn why make jasmine date him? How it affects the story if the next thing we know is they broke up. Why add him there? And btw did they just add the surrogacy/adoption for the sake of diversity? Cause I thought Ellie mentally didn't want kids she never mentioned physically.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I liked the main characters, especially James and I loved the side characters. I really loved the cooking lesson scenes, they were so fun! And I also think it was nice how the main character met and were always seeing each other before they actually met.
I did think there relationship progresses really fast and I would have liked to see Ellie taking care of her niece, but all we see is the the preparation for her arrival and for Ellie being a foster parent.
I loved how supportive James was i really liked how it all worked out and the ending.
I'll be waiting for Jasmine's book now.
*I've received an ARC of this book, from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
Romance level: kissing; a LOT of innuendos, really.
James was the sweetest! He was always patient, lovely and willing to help. He was such a solid ground for her rocky life.
Ellie was a truly complex character. She is strong & independent. A little bit stubborn and made assumptions too fast for her own good. But she also had a troubled past that was filled with uncertainty & knowing she only had herself and Jas.
This book definitely opened up my eyes to how delicate the process of adoption & the whole system is. I think a proper background was provided. I wanted a little bit more of when EB is finally with them, but I was glad she got there safe.
Ellie had a long path of character development. She needed to learn how to ask for help & accept it when given. James' family was everything! Their kiss was amazing 🔥. I was truly hoping to see more of them together though. More of their romance. However, I was glad of how everything in the epilogue happened. I also can't wait for Jasmine's story.
I was a super fan of the whole cooking concept! That was really funny.
⚠️TW: estranged & deserted family members; adoption discussion; negative foster care experience; death of a family member (addiction).
* I was kindly gifted an ARC from the author. This doesn't influence in any form my review/opinion of the book*
“Real relationships take effort. They don’t just magically work. But when it’s the right person, the work is worth it.” 🧡 When Dr. Eleanor wins a ticket to a singles’ cooking class at a charity auction, she decides to go- mostly to get better at cooking, and maybe because she’s starting to feel like work is her life. While there she meets James, who she had a not so great meet cute, but is happy to see he’s not who she first thought he was. When her world is turned upside down, she begins to try to lean on James, and her best friend, Jasmine, even though trusting in others doesn’t come naturally. Can she find a way to trust in others and let them in, or will she decide to take what seems like the safe option and be alone and independent for the rest of her life? 🧡 This was such a great debut love story! I enjoyed how realistic it was- that they faced some real struggles and had to choose to have faith in each other in spite of them. James was all a swoony hero should be- kind, patient, giving and he was a builder which my own swoony hero is, so I couldn’t help but love him! 🥰 The secondary characters- Jasmine, the people they meet at the cooking class and James’ family- were stars 🤩 They added so much to the story! 🧡 I would recommend adding this one to your want to read list for sure! 💞 I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This heartwarming story is a wonderful debut novel for Mary Carson. If you love Hallmark romance movies, then you'll enjoy this book. I wouldn't put this with classic Hallmark movies, but would place it on the Drama and Mystery channel because of the seriousness it has at times. This story talks about the foster care system and loss of family. However, it's not a sob story or heavy in these elements. Overall it's light and well, romantic.
This is a clean rom-com, but it is an adult story. I was definitely blushing at times with all the food innuendos. The Srg. Peppers Lonely Hearts cooking class was fun and very flirty. And I enjoyed James and Ellie's chemistry.
I do wish we could have met EB sooner. I'm not super familiar with the foster care system, but I just felt Ellie could have seen her sooner. It bothered me, but maybe that was the point. It was supposed to bother me.
I got this book as an ARC in return for a review. And can I just say that I love being a part of this reading community.
Funny and sweet read. Knocking down a star because I hated how the 3rd act breakup was handled (overreaction), and the epilogue was both too long and too short... It was way to expeditive and I wouldve loved to some of what was presented in there to be developed more into the plot.
I really just did not vibe with this style of writing and the ‘childish’ feel of the book. Ellie is so immature and inconsistent and James is a pushover.
Read it for the: -Cooking/matchmaking class -Found family -2 meet cutes! -Foster care / adoption representation -Strong, Career drive FMC -Noble, loyal MC
TW: talk of substance abuse Romantic content: kissing, mild innuendo
A debut novel that balances difficult topics like foster care, realistic relationships with ups and downs, and a matchmaking cooking class? Yes!
I loved the fact Ellie was headstrong and driven but also sentimental under the walls she built (see what I did there?). She did have her issues, overcoming a difficult past to eventually allow herself to love and be loved. James on the other hand was sweet and steadfast, the opposite of Ellie in many ways. He was an overall great lead, and I loved seeing his unending support of Ellie as she worked through her insecurities.
Another aspect that I enjoyed was the fact that the author did not shy away from bringing harsher tones into the plot and story. I could see many not relating to Ellie not wanting the reasonability of being a mother, as well as her personality, she is not your cookie-cutter female main character but it was refreshing to see that!
The adoption and foster care processes and experiences in the story were well described and researched. I was impressed Carson was able to address both sides of the system well. The under laying message and conclusion were positive and well executed. However, also discussed are the difficulties children face in the system in a very real tone without darkening the plot.
I cannot wait to see what Mary Carson writes next.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
This book hit really close to home with me, as 4 of our children were adopted from foster care. It's hard for me to put all my thoughts into words because of that, so I'm going to take some quotes and tell you what they mean for our family, without telling our kids' stories.
Whew. Now where to start...just reading some of these quotes I took are bringing tears to my eyes.
Here we go:
"When you moved from foster home to foster home, stuff was just a burden. Or someone was going to take it away from you in the end, anyway, so why bother."
~for our kids, when they came to us from the different homes they'd been in, the amount of stuff was shocking. Two of them came with literally a van load of things, one came with bags and bags of junk. Literal junk, and this child's expensive Christmas gift that had been gifted to him/her was taken when said child moved out of the previous home, and given to a different child in that home. The fourth child came with almost nothing. I don't believe any of them had a suitcase; it was all in bags and boxes.
"I spent eight years in foster care so I know exactly what this can do to a kid."
~The pushing away when someone gets too close is hard. Because our kids feel like they can't let down their guards, they also don't let anyone get too close. In their minds, who can they trust?
"Jasmine placed a hand on my arm. "I would never hurt you on purpose. And I'm not going anywhere.""
~The trauma carries over. It never completely goes away, and in the backs of their minds, our kids are always wondering what we'll do next to hurt them, and also if they're really and truly never leaving. Wondering if this is the last home they'll be in until adulthood.
This wasn't an easy read for me, just because of our experiences, but I do think it's one that can be eye-opening to those who aren't familiar with foster care and a trauma background.
Now the caveats: I wouldn't feel comfortable with my teens reading this, as there are a LOT of innuendos.
The kiss was a little too detailed for my taste, but nothing inappropriate; I just don't like lots of detail about stuff like that.
I would read this book again in a heartbeat, and I'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
*I received a free review copy of this book from the author. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.*
I can’t believe this is Carson’s first book! This was an amazing and adorable romcom that I loved. The characters were endearing and touching, and they felt real, especially Ellie. I cannot wait for the next book in the series! I loved Ellie. She had so many layers to her, and it was refreshing to have a more reserved female main character. Romcom characters are generally quirky, awkward, and almost pixie-like, and while Ellie was definitely full of her own quirkiness, she also was very stiff and sometimes overly formal. She didn’t trust people, and she could be a bit standoffish without meaning too. I loved watching her learn to open up and trust people. As she went through the process of fostering her niece, she was able to heal some of her old wounds too. James was such a sweetheart! Oh my gosh, definitely an adorable book boyfriend. He literally dropped everything to help Ellie so much, and I think it was cute that the “normal” romcom roles were kinda of reversed in this story. Ellie made the dramatic apology to James, and James was the super nice, almost perfect human being. I think he felt a bit too perfect at times though, and I would have loved to see his arc about not actually trying to be fulfilled. But he was honestly an amazing guy! I loved the plot of this too. It felt interesting and funny, and I liked how there wasn’t a ton of drama. The conflict felt realistic because of Ellie’s past trauma without being too dragged out. I would definitely recommend this sweet romcom! It is a clean read with a couple of innedos. So I would recommend it to any lovers of clean romcoms!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
Our FMC is that character that doesn't know her worth and when she thinks she is the failure of everything happening around her, she thinks the best thing is to let go everything. When someone tells her she can do it! she thinks the message being delivered is she doesn't need anyone, she can do it herself, and she can only trust in herself. From not knowing her worth and not knowing you can trust and count on others is a big change that she needs to go through. While she goes through these needed changes, she hurts the people close to her without knowing it. But at least she knows when she's done someone wrong and her groveling/apology is sincere. She's lucky the people around her love her and have the patience to help her see her need for growth. I just didn't quite get why she couldn't have children (did I miss that info?). I just remember her saying she couldn't be a mother, but I don't think it was relieved why (was it physically impossible for her?) I was also expecting to meet more of EB, there was such a build up of this character throughout the whole book and we only got a few lines with her in the Epilogue. I kept wondering how our FMC was going to be a foster parent when her schedule as a doctor was so full. There was no mention that she was changing her work load, unless she expected the MMC's parents to take care of EB all the time.
Overall: - This is a clean drama/romance, with great kisses and chemistry. - It is a fast and easy read. There were some serious topics but they were lightly dealt with so not to make it too dramatic (like foster care). - Our FMC has trust issues that will make her go hot and cold. - Our MMC is the sweetest, I love a guy who gives hugs to comfort the FMC.
I had the privilege to review an early copy of Anything That You Want by Mary Carson. A debut sweet romcom that is funny and sweet was the perfect recipe for this delectable dish. Told in dual point of view, we meet Ellie and James who are strangers turned possible friends turned fake boyfriend. These opposites attract each other as they both participate in a cooking class. Life is swirling around them as Ellie learns she is the guardian of her niece. The ever available and helpful James jumps in to help.
I really enjoyed the cooking class that Ellie and James participated in together. Their banter was hilarious and I loved the other people in the cooking class. While this is a slow-burn, closed door romance, I did find the level of innuendos to be a little more than my liking. While that portion may have detracted from my reading experience, I did appreciate their level of honest and open communication. It was refreshing to read a romcom with two adults communicating as such and expressing their insecurities and past experiences in a mature manner. Communication is always key and a book that highlights the importance of kindness and respect is one I will always stand behind.
I also appreciated the authors note alerting the readers to some potential sensitive material within the pages. There is discussion of estranged and deserted family members, mention of negative foster care experiences, mention of family members who have lost their lives to drug addiction, and discussion of adoption.
Overall I enjoyed this debut romcom by Mary Carson. I'm grateful for the privilege to receive an early copy. All opinions within this review are my own.
– this is told from Ellie & James’s points of view
– there is some innuendo
– this book deals with characters knowing people who overdosed, estranged/deserted family, and poor foster care experience (past event)
Review:
I took off a star because of how much innuendo there was during the cooking classes (it was a bit too much for me).
I really enjoyed quite a bit of Ellie and James’ story! I loved Ellie’s best friend and how she didn’t let Ellie get away with closing her out of a part of her life. I also loved her friend’s personality, I found her to be quite funny! I loved that James was willing to help Ellie with preparing her house for her niece. I loved that James was patient with Ellie when trying to get her to open up to him. I enjoyed the banter between James and Ellie and the other group that was by them in the cooking class. My favorite scene was towards the end with James’ family.
Ellie is an obstetrician who enjoys bringing joy to families, especially since she plans to not have a family of her own. With her past, she believes that it wouldn’t be a good idea. But when Ellie discovers that she was entrusted with her niece on her sister’s passing, Ellie agrees to temporarily house her. As she changes things to make room for her niece and acclimates to the changes, Ellie begins to realize that maybe she could want that kind of life. Especially if it includes the man she met in cooking class, James.
James would love to have a family, sooner rather than later. He just hasn’t found the right woman. But after attending a cooking class for charity, James wonders if the woman next to him could be the one to change all of that. As he learns more about Ellie, the more he wants to spend time with her. Even if that means helping her set up some bunk beds in preparation for her niece. But Ellie keeps going hot and cold and choses not to communicate with him for a time, could this be the end of James’ hope of a loving future with Ellie?
I know, you're looking at my rating like WTF???? But, I gave it 3.8 stars only because I don't usually take 3 days to read a book this short. At the time I was traveling and I was busy. I don't want that to affect the overall rating. However, if that had not happened I'd give it a 4. Which is why I decided to put 4 instead of 3.
I really enjoyed the book. Ellie and James were adorable. And I love love the opposites attract trope! I also feel like there's some reverse grumpyxsunshine since Dr. Ellie is a workaholic and is closed off until, you guessed it, James. You know what could've made it better? SINGLE PARENT trope!!!! Sadly, there's not much of that until the epilogue so that's a downer.
James is so sweet and caring and just wants to find love. Although for a grown ass man who should know better he was a bit naive. I mean, he really thought you didn't have to work for a relationship??? It's not just easy peasy. Then there's Ellie... I don't want to be a women hater, but I didn't like her character that much. Not only would she overreact over the tiniest things, but just the way she wanted one-sided friendships???? That didn't sit right with me. Her friends constantly gave her attention, trust, loyalty, and here she was saying she wants friends but doesn't work for it. That's just me. Hehe but together they're cute or whatever.
When OB/GYN and fertility specialist Dr. Eleanor "Ellie" Dumont learns that her estranged sister has died of a drug overdose, naming her as the guardian of her 7-year-old daughter Emily Beth ("EB"), she panics and tells social services she can't do it. As much as she loves helping others build their families, she's never planned on being a mother herself. Once the news sinks in, however, she agrees to care for EB until a permanent placement can be found. Before that can happen, Ellie will have to pass a background check and prepare her apartment for her niece's arrival, which puts her in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable position - having to ask for help. She turns to builder James Cross, a new acquaintance from the cooking class she won at a hospital charity gala, who's more than up to the task of assembling the set of bunk beds that frustrated Ellie on her own. He also awakens feelings in her that she never thought she'd experience. The problem is that, unlike Ellie, James wants a big family. Can they overcome their differences and find a path forward together?
Ellie was a very complex character who struggled with more than her fair share of emotional baggage from a tough childhood growing up in and out of foster care. As an adult, she was something of a loner, with only one close friend, Jasmine, a nurse at the hospital where she worked. When she met James, she had a tough time letting down her walls so that he could get to know her. I completely understood James's frustration with Ellie's hot and cold behavior, but I'm so glad that he was patient with her as she worked through her issues. They made a great couple and I loved cheering them on to their HEA.
Overall, "Anything That You Want" was a funny, sweet, and heartwarming story that I'd recommend for all fans of sweet contemporary romance. I look forward to Ellie's friend Jasmine's story next!
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
This story is so many things. Touching. Fun. Frustrating. Emotional. Satisfying. And romantic. With each chapter I learned a little more about at least one of the characters. Ellie was strong and independent, but stubborn and difficult. James was the best thing to happen in her life, but she was either too blind to see it or too stubborn to accept it.
Ellie's history explains a lot about who she is and why she is the way she is. She had a difficult time growing up. Parents who essentially abandoned her and her sister. Foster homes that didn't really care for her. And having to do things on her own at a very young age. James on the other hand seemed to have had it pretty good. Handsome and popular, sought after by lots of girls.
Ellie is also very attractive and when they first meet, it's ironic how they both seem captured. However, it takes a long time and a sequence of events to actually get them together. Of course the building of their relationship is not easy or smooth. Both have some baggage and hesitation. This makes the story both interesting and frustrating, but adds to the overall enjoyment. Happy reading!
This is one of those books that is so fun, I read it in less than 24 hours! As a foster parent I’m always fascinated by stories of former foster youth. I definitely try to provide a much better experience than Ellie had, and this book showed me I’m on the right track for trying to go above and beyond. To read Ellie’s journey from workaholic to open to love was a delight. If you love reading about second chances, a hunky construction worker, a smart doctor, an awkward first meet, and a touching ending, this book is for you!
What I loved about this book: - I didn’t see the ending coming like that. I always love it when authors surprise me. - The subjects of foster care, infertility, drug use, and adoption come up often. Mary Carson treated each subject sensitively and with respect.
What I didn’t love about this book: - One chapter had some crude humor, the book didn’t need it in order to be funny. As a result, I wouldn’t give this book to teenagers.
I received an Advance Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
FAVORITE QUOTE(s): -- “I especially like kids that belong to other people.” - Dr. Eleanor (Ellie) -- “My mother always said ‘don’t hide your light under a bushel’. I took those words seriously.” -Ellie -- “My dress felt like a straight jacket, testing both my lungs and my sanity.”
THOUGHTS: I actually really loved this book. James and Ellie have such a cute story and this author (Mary Carson) does such a great job of building it up. There are also twists thrown in that I certainly did not expect, which is awesome. I also love each of the occupations they each have and how they relate to who they are. Also, THE COOKING CLASS! Yes, it is all caps. I loved that part. It was super funny and I just really enjoyed having that.
Final REVIEW: I think this would be a great book for really anyone to read. It was a great story and I loved it. I love the way the author wrote it and the way the story progresses. I also love the twist of having a child involved in the story as well (read the book, you will find out what I mean here 🙂).
Read this if you like: 💖 Mistaken identity 💖 Forced proximity 💖 Foodie romance 💖 Foster care 💖 Whirlwind romance
This story was a fast read. It touches on some topics such as foster care experiences from Ellie's childhood, her estranged sister and difficulty opening up to others. James enters the picture and turns everything Ellie thought she knew and wanted on its head. This was a sweet and somewhat insta-lovey story since most of the story happens over the span of a couple weeks. James was a sweet and caring guy who was very patient and supportive of Ellie's challenges with preparing for her niece's arrival. At times it felt like Ellie was taking advantage of James' kindness, but we do see growth for both of these characters as the story progresses. Overall, a short, sweet and fast read. Reads more like a regular contemporary romance instead of a romantic comedy to me.
Many thanks to the author for an advanced copy of this story. All thoughts are my own.
Content: mentions of foster system, siblings separated, parental neglect, drug abuse
In Anything That You Want, we meet Lizzy's (from the prequel) older brother James who signs up for a singles cooking class and is partnered with Ellie, a hardworking Obstetrician with little time for anything else. As they bond over their cooking, walls drop and James proves that he will be there for Ellie during the major life change she's about to experience... even if she doesn't tell him quite everything.
Mary is such a brilliant Author and I really enjoy the way that she writes her sweet romances. All of the MCs were very relatable, and I love the clear communication and honesty between each couple. Reading each story, there is no doubt that they're each mature adults ready and willing to take that next step with each other which is very refreshing!
I've previously read the second book in the series, Anything I Can Do, and am looking forward to the third book in the series, Anything That You Need, which releases on the 16th of November 2023 🥳
Some themes to be aware of that may be triggering for some people: addiction, overdose, foster care & active duty.
In reading this book, I had to keep reminding myself that Ellie didn't have a "normal" upbringing or the best role models. I kept thinking...she's a doctor for goodness' sake. Why can't she navigate these obvious situations? But due to growing up in the foster care system, relationships are her crux, and she often reacts to things in a way that is irrational, difficult to understand, and sometimes immature.
I can't begin to understand the lasting affects being in foster care most of one's childhood can have. But the care the author took in writing that aspect in this book was beautiful.
Ellie's found support system, which she rejected often before she realized the gift she had, was so sweet. James and his family were lovable and kind. James was relentlessly patient with Ellie and saw the person she was behind her strange reactions. (And their meet-cure was priceless). He was there for her and she trusted him. Their chemistry was perfect, seamless and even steamy at times.
❤️ Overall, I enjoyed this story and all its awkward sweetness.
This was a cute and easy read. I enjoyed the character development of Ellie and I liked the relationship between her and James. I found the plot line intriguing because I really hadn’t read a book like this before. I loved the themes of love, friendship and found family. At some points I wish we got to get to know the niece more etc… I feel like the ending was almost rushed and it was just like trying to tie a bow on the ending. But I wanted more.. I wanted to get to know the niece more and maybe a couple more chapters of life with the niece and Ellie etc… Needless to say I was thoroughly wrapped in the story and invested in the characters. My heart felt for Ellie, but also sometimes I was just so frustrated with her because she was almost self-sabotaging herself and I hated to see her go through that. All in all this was a sweet and cute read of newfound family and opening up to love!!
Ellie is a successful obstetrician. While she loves helping others build their families, a tragic past keeps her from wanting children of her own. After Ellie receives a startling phone call she is forced to recalculate her carefully laid plans. A chance meeting brings James, a handsome construction company owner who is ready to settle down, into her life and she begins to question what she really wants.
This book took me by surprise in the best way possible. While there is a sweet undertone of romance between the MCs, a majority of the storyline revolves around Ellie’s journey into dealing with her past. I appreciate the thoughtful and realistic way in which the author portrays the foster care system. Ellie is written in a very honest way and she shows the real concerns and complications that can arise. I also like the depiction between Ellie and her best friend. The author shows how a lack of communication really affects different types of relationships not just romantic but also regular friendships.
Anything That You Want is a stand-alone novel full of emotion. I look forward to reading more of Mary Carson’s work in the future.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a cute debut novel. I loved the different meet cites and the multiple run-ins the MCs had with each other. Ellie gave me some serious Temperance Brennan (Bones) vibes, and I liked that this story featured a strong, independent woman in a high powered job who learned how to ask for help. James was the sweetest of the sweetest cinnamon rolls, and I always love when the MMC falls first.
I absolutely adored the foster care representation, as it’s not something that is typically talked about in RomComs and romances, particularly the flaws in the system and what those children go through. I did wish that we got to see more of life after the process though.
Generally, this was cute, low angst RomCom. Occasionally, the story did drag, and there were some places where the plot felt incomplete. But generally, a cute debut novel.
I was given an ARC by the author. All opinions are my own.
Book review: Anything That You Want by Mary Carson . I received an eARC but all opinions are my own. . This was such a fun story! I appreciated the sensitivity warning in the beginning as this book did deal with some heave topics. It’s always good to know what to expect. I also felt like this book was really sensitive, and shed a lot of light on issues I had never thought about before. Ellie and James had such a roller coaster throughout this book. James was so endlessly patient with Ellie as she worked through issues from her past. I loved how he was such a solid rock for her. I also loved seeing how Ellie grew throughout the story. Despite a a childhood that I can’t even imagine, she was able to turn it around around and enjoy a beautiful life. I’m excited for the next book! . My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Content: A LOT of innuendo. I felt like I was in high school again with some of the jokes in this book 🙄
Dual POV. A bit of innuendo towards the beginning during a cooking class. I liked Ellie and James' chemistry and interactions. James is really sweet. Ellie has some baggage she's working through and she had some nice character growth. Her niece doesn't come into the picture really till the end of the book. But it was nicely done and a very sweet ending. Solid debut and look forward to the next one.
💕 RCRS: 2 (brief kissing)
⚠️ CW from the author: There is discussion of estranged and deserted family members, mention of negative foster care experiences, mention of family members who have lost their lives to drug addiction, and discussion of adoption.
🗨 Some Quotes: This girl. Suddenly, all I wanted was for dinner to be over, so I could get to the good night kiss. Because there was going to be a good night kiss. There had to be.
"Real relationships take effort. They don’t just magically work. But when it’s the right person, the work is worth it.”
Thank you so much to Mary Carson for the opportunity to read an ARC of "Anything That You Want"!
Overall, I rated this novel a 4.5/5 stars!
This was a wonderful novel about James & Ellie. Ellie works as a labor/delivery nurse and James works as a builder. The two of them meet in a series of cute & quirky coincidences - a work mixer opportunity, a labor & delivery room, a singles & mingle cooking class named after the Beatles. Ellie herself is struggling with the new knowledge that her sister has recently died of an overdose and guardianship of her 7 year old daughter EB has been handed down to her. It brings up a lot of unresolved and long-lasting foster care system feelings.
The only thing I wish was that this novel was longer! And I felt bad for Jasmine, Ellie's best friend whom it took her awhile to come to terms with trusting.
Heartwarming books are some of the best books! I would say “Anything That You Want,” by Mary Carson was a heartwarming book! You have a dedicated Doctor, a handsome Construction worker, and the possibility of an instant family!
I love how James and Ellie meet!! The awkwardness and the misunderstandings made for an enticing start! I loved that they were able to make mutual friends in their cooking class! It was very easy to like the characters, I especially loved Jasmine! She was such a good friend and seemed very fun! I’m excited for her story!
I also feel like the problems in the story were very realistic and added the emotional aspect to the book! Overall, I loved this Sweet Romantic Comedy! If you like love and happiness you will too!💕
*I received an E-ARC copy of the book from the author, all opinions are my own.