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Southern Roots #2
An Uphill Battle
Azalea Barnes has hated Drake Collins since the day he broke her teenaged heart.
Fast forward almost seven years later and her libido still hasn't gotten the memo.
Now they're frenemies... with benefits.
Which suits Azalea just fine. She gets what her body craves while keeping her heart safe. Kind of.
Mostly.
Drake has loved Azalea since the day they met. He knows that she's his forever. Too bad she only sees him as a good time. He wants more. Needs more.
If only he could convince her that it's real this time. He's more determined than ever to prove to Azalea that chemistry like theirs doesn't exist only in the bedroom.
The odds may be against Drake, but he's prepared for an uphill battle.
Fast forward almost seven years later and her libido still hasn't gotten the memo.
Now they're frenemies... with benefits.
Which suits Azalea just fine. She gets what her body craves while keeping her heart safe. Kind of.
Mostly.
Drake has loved Azalea since the day they met. He knows that she's his forever. Too bad she only sees him as a good time. He wants more. Needs more.
If only he could convince her that it's real this time. He's more determined than ever to prove to Azalea that chemistry like theirs doesn't exist only in the bedroom.
The odds may be against Drake, but he's prepared for an uphill battle.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2018
664 people are currently reading
1,016 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
November 9, 2018
Sooo, the h in this was nothing to write home about. But what really disturbed me was that this H is a slime swilling cheating coprophagic nematode parasite. He continually communicates, shares and gets his emotional stability from another woman - then he flaunts that woman in the h's face cause she won't commit to his skanky hiney.
He will never be faithful, he will never be supportive of the woman he claims to love and the garbage he pulls by flaunting his piece of totty, (and tho they claimed it was platonic, I totally don't believe that, they will be bopping like bunnies anytime either of them has a spat with their supposed true love,) and his preschool toddler fertilizer games with his real girlfriend- the OW- made me ill.
The h at least had a good excuse to vacillate about this guy the way she did and like Maya Angelou says, "When someone shows you who they are, believe them."
What this guy kept showing her is that she is a convenient piece for a pump and dump and that she deserves no respect, communication or fidelity from him. To make it worse, once again a supposed hero putting another woman over the woman he supposedly loves is all the poor h's fault.
Even HPlandia doesn't use that pathetic piece of sewage anymore and yet I am expected to believe this is a romance?
The only reason this nematode slime sucker wants this h is because she is good in bed and he can gaslight her into believing that any time he goes for another tarty tramp she is the one at fault.
This one is a waste of time unless your seriously needing a ranty moment or want an excuse to have a Tim Tam and Triple Captain Consult and honestly, there are even better ranty moment books out there.
He will never be faithful, he will never be supportive of the woman he claims to love and the garbage he pulls by flaunting his piece of totty, (and tho they claimed it was platonic, I totally don't believe that, they will be bopping like bunnies anytime either of them has a spat with their supposed true love,) and his preschool toddler fertilizer games with his real girlfriend- the OW- made me ill.
The h at least had a good excuse to vacillate about this guy the way she did and like Maya Angelou says, "When someone shows you who they are, believe them."
What this guy kept showing her is that she is a convenient piece for a pump and dump and that she deserves no respect, communication or fidelity from him. To make it worse, once again a supposed hero putting another woman over the woman he supposedly loves is all the poor h's fault.
Even HPlandia doesn't use that pathetic piece of sewage anymore and yet I am expected to believe this is a romance?
The only reason this nematode slime sucker wants this h is because she is good in bed and he can gaslight her into believing that any time he goes for another tarty tramp she is the one at fault.
This one is a waste of time unless your seriously needing a ranty moment or want an excuse to have a Tim Tam and Triple Captain Consult and honestly, there are even better ranty moment books out there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 18, 2018DNF @49%
I think the title sums up my reading. This really didn’t hold my attention, I didn’t connect with the characters, and I didn’t feel their connection or any chemistry. Now, I didn’t read the first book in this series so maybe Azalea Barnes and Drake Collins are introduced more intriguing in that one, but here it feels as if the reader is thrown into the middle of an existing friends-with-benefits situation. And then it’s several chapters till we’re given a tidbit of their history in flashbacks.
Meanwhile, their friends are constantly commenting how these two are just made for each other, but that’s where the story suffers from tell rather than show. From my impression, she’s kinda bitchy to him; he’s kinda bossy to her. They are grown adults who met when he was 16 and she was 13. He claims he has been in love with her since the first time he saw her (again tell, definitely not show) and knew she was his future. Statements like that from the hero are seriously problematic in a romance. For one, there’s a big maturity and developmental difference between a 16 year old guy and a 13 year old girl so I’m not even going to touch on the ick factor with their initial attraction. But the other issue is him getting action elsewhere (in the past) when he claimed to be in love with her. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating them hooking up at those ages. For both of their emotional development, they probably should have seen other people, which is why insistences of ‘love at first sight’ in these scenarios just doesn’t work. So when she was 15 and he was 18 she made her move, which plays out about how a 15 year old girl with a crush and an about-to-start-college guy would probably go--a big bust. Of course, this could have been avoided if she would have 1) heard her friend out (h has a bad habit of not listening the the full story. 2) let H explain. Why many years later after they are already hooking up they still haven't talked this out, I don't know other than the communication between these two sucks! Plus, he doesn’t help matters with the way he handles things. I believed he wanted her in the present, but he was a dense shithead to put it bluntly the way he went about things with the OW. Anyways, add in some “small town” feel to this and it wasn’t appealing to me.
“‘A whole fucking lot of assumptions and nowhere near enough honesty.’”
That’s the words of one of his buddy's, and it pinpoints the problem with the nature of their immature relationship.
Update: For more details from another reviewer who completed the "uphill battle," check out Louise's review as well. She does a fab job of outlining the frustrating issues with this couple: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
*I volunteered to review this ARC. All reviews written by Book-Bosomed Book Blog are honest opinions. In the interest of providing unbiased book reviews and to avoid misleading other readers, it is the blog’s policy not to withhold or delay any reviews no matter the star rating. To the best of my knowledge, this title was presented to the blog without any conditions or stipulations.
I think the title sums up my reading. This really didn’t hold my attention, I didn’t connect with the characters, and I didn’t feel their connection or any chemistry. Now, I didn’t read the first book in this series so maybe Azalea Barnes and Drake Collins are introduced more intriguing in that one, but here it feels as if the reader is thrown into the middle of an existing friends-with-benefits situation. And then it’s several chapters till we’re given a tidbit of their history in flashbacks.
Meanwhile, their friends are constantly commenting how these two are just made for each other, but that’s where the story suffers from tell rather than show. From my impression, she’s kinda bitchy to him; he’s kinda bossy to her. They are grown adults who met when he was 16 and she was 13. He claims he has been in love with her since the first time he saw her (again tell, definitely not show) and knew she was his future. Statements like that from the hero are seriously problematic in a romance. For one, there’s a big maturity and developmental difference between a 16 year old guy and a 13 year old girl so I’m not even going to touch on the ick factor with their initial attraction. But the other issue is him getting action elsewhere (in the past) when he claimed to be in love with her. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating them hooking up at those ages. For both of their emotional development, they probably should have seen other people, which is why insistences of ‘love at first sight’ in these scenarios just doesn’t work. So when she was 15 and he was 18 she made her move, which plays out about how a 15 year old girl with a crush and an about-to-start-college guy would probably go--a big bust. Of course, this could have been avoided if she would have 1) heard her friend out (h has a bad habit of not listening the the full story. 2) let H explain. Why many years later after they are already hooking up they still haven't talked this out, I don't know other than the communication between these two sucks! Plus, he doesn’t help matters with the way he handles things. I believed he wanted her in the present, but he was a dense shithead to put it bluntly the way he went about things with the OW. Anyways, add in some “small town” feel to this and it wasn’t appealing to me.
“‘A whole fucking lot of assumptions and nowhere near enough honesty.’”
That’s the words of one of his buddy's, and it pinpoints the problem with the nature of their immature relationship.
Update: For more details from another reviewer who completed the "uphill battle," check out Louise's review as well. She does a fab job of outlining the frustrating issues with this couple: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
*I volunteered to review this ARC. All reviews written by Book-Bosomed Book Blog are honest opinions. In the interest of providing unbiased book reviews and to avoid misleading other readers, it is the blog’s policy not to withhold or delay any reviews no matter the star rating. To the best of my knowledge, this title was presented to the blog without any conditions or stipulations.
January 16, 2018
Technically the writing in this is good, and the fact that the characters elicited such deep feelings of annoyance means that in some ways they were well written. However for me reading this was very much
An Uphill Battle
.
I am genuinely saddened to be critical of the book because (a) the author will have invested a chunk of their soul in the writing of it and (b) in many ways I thought the book was quite well written. It's the second of these two points that raised this from a 0 or 1 star review.
So why did this book not work for me? Three words - Drake and Azalea. I didn't find much to like about either of the main characters. I actually preferred Azalea to Drake, and had he not been such an emotionally stunted idiot then perhaps I would have warmed to the book a little more. Other characters kept telling us how he was obviously in love with her, but Drake's words and actions never really showed her, or the reader, that he was.
The book starts with Azalea and Drake being frenemies with benefits. No explanation of how long they have been sleeping together, how often it happens, and no actual scenes of them in this situation. Again we are told when we need to be shown. They have apparently loved each other for years, although they were both too busy going out with other people to do anything about it!!!???!!! This led to the 'Kelly' incident. However the years between that and now are never mentioned, leaving me a little confused as to how/why/when they got back together, but not together.
We are told by Azalea that
However the plot is basically summed up by these two quotes
A whole book of neither main character ever actually saying what they thought/felt/meant. The pair go out for a meal, only for Azalea to later learn that Kelly recommended the restaurant. She assumes Drake went there with Kelly. Does he explain that Kelly is engaged to Brent? No he lets her sit in her car in tears, thinking the following -
Hello!!!???!! How about - "Azalea, just so you know, Kelly went to Fire with Brent 'cos they're a couple".
But no our 'hero' has his head so far up his own derriere that he lets her assume the worst. They then arrange to meet and sort things out. When she arrives (late) Kelly is again by his side.
OMG - she won't hear it if it's in your sodding head man! She isn't a mind reader - arghhhhhhh!
When Drake decides to go out with a different woman, to make Azalea jealous I put the book down as a DNF. WTF?! This was the point I realised what a stupid, childish, waste of space Drake truly was.
However curiosity got the best of me so I did finish the book - partly to see if the characters could get even more annoying or stupid. Surprisingly they didn't. The last few chapters actually worked, in it were two characters I would have liked to know and read about. However too much of the book was just repetitive and annoying.
Other memorable quotes -
I am genuinely saddened to be critical of the book because (a) the author will have invested a chunk of their soul in the writing of it and (b) in many ways I thought the book was quite well written. It's the second of these two points that raised this from a 0 or 1 star review.
So why did this book not work for me? Three words - Drake and Azalea. I didn't find much to like about either of the main characters. I actually preferred Azalea to Drake, and had he not been such an emotionally stunted idiot then perhaps I would have warmed to the book a little more. Other characters kept telling us how he was obviously in love with her, but Drake's words and actions never really showed her, or the reader, that he was.
The book starts with Azalea and Drake being frenemies with benefits. No explanation of how long they have been sleeping together, how often it happens, and no actual scenes of them in this situation. Again we are told when we need to be shown. They have apparently loved each other for years, although they were both too busy going out with other people to do anything about it!!!???!!! This led to the 'Kelly' incident. However the years between that and now are never mentioned, leaving me a little confused as to how/why/when they got back together, but not together.
We are told by Azalea that
Sometimes, when we are together, it truly feels like he wants more. He says all the right things, but only when we're in bed...Why did she feel like this? What were these actions that made her feel this way? A couple of times Drake's friends called him out on the fact that he wasn't really showing or telling Azalea how he truly felt but then he did nothing about it. The author then seemed to switch the blame to Azalea and hang it on her Daddy insecurity issues.
However the plot is basically summed up by these two quotes
"Y'all both made some really dumb choices, and y'all communicate about as well as toddlers
So much of this drama between us was nothing more than miscommunications, and totally avoidable
A whole book of neither main character ever actually saying what they thought/felt/meant. The pair go out for a meal, only for Azalea to later learn that Kelly recommended the restaurant. She assumes Drake went there with Kelly. Does he explain that Kelly is engaged to Brent? No he lets her sit in her car in tears, thinking the following -
I stand there, silent, not knowing what to say to fix this mess of a misunderstanding.
Hello!!!???!! How about - "Azalea, just so you know, Kelly went to Fire with Brent 'cos they're a couple".
But no our 'hero' has his head so far up his own derriere that he lets her assume the worst. They then arrange to meet and sort things out. When she arrives (late) Kelly is again by his side.
No matter what I try and say, she's determined not to hear it.
OMG - she won't hear it if it's in your sodding head man! She isn't a mind reader - arghhhhhhh!
When Drake decides to go out with a different woman, to make Azalea jealous I put the book down as a DNF. WTF?! This was the point I realised what a stupid, childish, waste of space Drake truly was.
"Why, Azalea, why?"I have to say I asked myself this several times, why bother with Drake - go and find yourself a man who isn't a prize bottomhole. Oh and Azalea's best friend was ok with this 'game'. Girl you need to pick better men AND better friends.
However curiosity got the best of me so I did finish the book - partly to see if the characters could get even more annoying or stupid. Surprisingly they didn't. The last few chapters actually worked, in it were two characters I would have liked to know and read about. However too much of the book was just repetitive and annoying.
Other memorable quotes -
"Don't y-you think that you should just be hon-honest?"Or even just actually talk about what you feel, think and want?
"That we've spent so much time bullshitting and pussyfootin' that we pushed ourselves past the point of honesty."What honesty?!!?
A foundation built on lies is quick to crumble
November 7, 2018
Awful, awful people and the H spends the last part of the book trying to make her jealous with an OW, after he has never been a trustworthy person in the first place. It's also one of those books where the OW lectures the h about how she's not good enough for the H.
May 21, 2018
So I just finished An Uphill Battle. I was stalling all day because I didn’t want it to end!
BUT I have to mention....there were a few times in the book where it said Drake bites down on his fist and the only thing I could picture was Lenny (from Laverne & Shirley). I would start giggling and have to go back a couple pages to read it again once I cleared my head. 😂
I said in the review for her first book that LK’s writing can only improve and I was so right. I’ll probably say it in every review from now on...I can’t wait to read more from this author! She’s one of my automatic one clicks now. ❤️
I felt more of a connection with these characters. I felt they were... I'm not sure if I'm phrasing how I really want to... but they almost felt more real. I could feel the relationship between Azalea and Drake more than I could for Cash and Myla.
I’m so ready for book #3! I feel in love with Simon in Coming Up Roses and I can’t wait to read his story!
*received through FB giveaway*
Audiobook review:
HOLY SON OF A NUN!
I’m not a fan of audiobooks unless I’m driving in the car alone for more than two hours.. but THIS. OMG THIS. I AM IN L-O-V-E.
These narrators kicked it out of the park!
Okay, so being able to listen to the two of them bicker is amazing.
And it makes me think of Sweet Home Alabama. You know, basically they can’t stand each other but they’re so on fire for one another... I didn’t ever want to stop listening to this.
BUT I have to mention....there were a few times in the book where it said Drake bites down on his fist and the only thing I could picture was Lenny (from Laverne & Shirley). I would start giggling and have to go back a couple pages to read it again once I cleared my head. 😂
I said in the review for her first book that LK’s writing can only improve and I was so right. I’ll probably say it in every review from now on...I can’t wait to read more from this author! She’s one of my automatic one clicks now. ❤️
I felt more of a connection with these characters. I felt they were... I'm not sure if I'm phrasing how I really want to... but they almost felt more real. I could feel the relationship between Azalea and Drake more than I could for Cash and Myla.
I’m so ready for book #3! I feel in love with Simon in Coming Up Roses and I can’t wait to read his story!
*received through FB giveaway*
Audiobook review:
HOLY SON OF A NUN!
I’m not a fan of audiobooks unless I’m driving in the car alone for more than two hours.. but THIS. OMG THIS. I AM IN L-O-V-E.
These narrators kicked it out of the park!
Okay, so being able to listen to the two of them bicker is amazing.
And it makes me think of Sweet Home Alabama. You know, basically they can’t stand each other but they’re so on fire for one another... I didn’t ever want to stop listening to this.
January 19, 2018
We met Drake and Azalea in Coming Up Roses. An Uphill Battle is their story and what a story it is!! This beauty arrived on my kindle last night and I have not wanted to put it down. What a story it is!! Drake and Azalea have battled their feelings for years, the question is will their hearts finally win the war?
“Just to be next to her, to have her hands on me, to get a reaction out of her...I may be playing to win, but I never said I wouldn’t play dirty.”
LK writes some swoon worthy men!! Drake....sigh. You can’t help but fall in love with him.
Azalea is headstrong, stubborn and so full of life. Her past has left her view of men jaded. Will she be able to overcome her past in order to move forward?
An Uphill Battle is a must read and I look forward to reading future books from LK. Phenomenal job!!
“Just to be next to her, to have her hands on me, to get a reaction out of her...I may be playing to win, but I never said I wouldn’t play dirty.”
LK writes some swoon worthy men!! Drake....sigh. You can’t help but fall in love with him.
Azalea is headstrong, stubborn and so full of life. Her past has left her view of men jaded. Will she be able to overcome her past in order to move forward?
An Uphill Battle is a must read and I look forward to reading future books from LK. Phenomenal job!!
April 28, 2020
I just can't with these two immature idiots. I just can't.
Talk about dysfunctional, toxic, non-communicative, and JUVENILE!! Gotta be one of the worst couples I have read lately. I have an icky feeling just thinking about them.
Borrowed via my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
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March 24, 2024
I don’t really know how to rate this one because I’m not even really sure what I just read. I have so many questions that my heads spinning at the freaking book.
First of all how is it possible that the hero if thats what you can call him holds absolutely no blame or responsibility what so ever with anything that went wrong in this book.
I have to admit the heroine was pretty hard to like or even connect with without knowing until a lot later in the book what her hangups were she just came across as an idiot. The hero was also an idiot who let people get in his head and treat the heroine like total crap. The way he dragged her out of the bar after letting Kelly speak to her and say the things she did to her was appalling and then to go back into the bar and let Kelly continue to spew horrible things about her without saying a word was a deal breaker for me. She tells him that she needs to grow up then our oh so mature hero goes and acts real mature by scheming to make the heroine jealous with another woman and everyone thinks it’s a great idea. And i mean everyone even her best friend who claims to never do anything to hurt the heroine. And what does the heroine do thinks nothing of it and plays along. Then the 2 OW who are now his besties go and confront the heroine to make sure her intentions are pure and our heroine thinks that it’s great that they are worried about the hero.
Then She just accepts them into their friendship group like they have done nothing to her.
Honestly what fucking planet am I living on right now.
So after all that we get a HEA and all is well. Well I say 2 stars for you my friend 2 stars
First of all how is it possible that the hero if thats what you can call him holds absolutely no blame or responsibility what so ever with anything that went wrong in this book.
I have to admit the heroine was pretty hard to like or even connect with without knowing until a lot later in the book what her hangups were she just came across as an idiot. The hero was also an idiot who let people get in his head and treat the heroine like total crap. The way he dragged her out of the bar after letting Kelly speak to her and say the things she did to her was appalling and then to go back into the bar and let Kelly continue to spew horrible things about her without saying a word was a deal breaker for me. She tells him that she needs to grow up then our oh so mature hero goes and acts real mature by scheming to make the heroine jealous with another woman and everyone thinks it’s a great idea. And i mean everyone even her best friend who claims to never do anything to hurt the heroine. And what does the heroine do thinks nothing of it and plays along. Then the 2 OW who are now his besties go and confront the heroine to make sure her intentions are pure and our heroine thinks that it’s great that they are worried about the hero.
Then She just accepts them into their friendship group like they have done nothing to her.
Honestly what fucking planet am I living on right now.
So after all that we get a HEA and all is well. Well I say 2 stars for you my friend 2 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2018
Life's biggest regret is having not bothered to try. That ever winding road of regret and heartache has brought Drake and Azalea to an impasse. Will she risk her heart to the man that broke it without a care? Will he forgive himself for hurting the one person, he thought would always be there? An Uphill Battle tackles the road less traveled. Youth caused him to take her for granted, maturity proved to be his wake up call. Did it come too late? L.K. Farlow has a way of bringing characters to life right before a readers eyes. With words spoken from the heart and characters that are flawed yet relatable, it's a foregone conclusion that she knows how to leave an impression.
January 5, 2018
LK has done it again! I was completely sucked into Azzy and Drake's story from the start. This frenemies to lovers romance will give you all the angsty, delicious feels the trope promises with the sweet southern flare I've come to depend on from Mrs. Farlow.
January 17, 2018
Loved Coming Up Roses by this author & couldn’t wait for Azzy Jo & Drake’s Story! And it was it worth the wait. They’ve had a love/hate relationship since they were kids. All grown and it’s all love really, but man do these two suck at communication! Watch them navigate every obstacle in an attempt to find their Happily Ever After!
December 30, 2017
ARC provided for honest review.
The quotes were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
That quote literally wraps up this whole book. Miscommunication, miscommunication, oh and more miscommunication.
I really wanted to love this book because Coming Up Roses was so good! Sadly I struggled with this book a bit.
It really was Azalea that was making it so hard to read. I couldn't bring myself to like her or root for her to have a happy ending. She was so stuck in the past that she refused to see what Drake was spelling out in front of her.
Drake earned my respect repeatedly in this book, and the secondary characters were good too.
Overall, it didn't do it for me. I just couldn't get past the unnecessary drama miscommunication.
The quotes were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
"So much of this drama between us was nothing more than miscommunications, and totally avoidable."
That quote literally wraps up this whole book. Miscommunication, miscommunication, oh and more miscommunication.
I really wanted to love this book because Coming Up Roses was so good! Sadly I struggled with this book a bit.
It really was Azalea that was making it so hard to read. I couldn't bring myself to like her or root for her to have a happy ending. She was so stuck in the past that she refused to see what Drake was spelling out in front of her.
Drake earned my respect repeatedly in this book, and the secondary characters were good too.
Overall, it didn't do it for me. I just couldn't get past the unnecessary drama miscommunication.
January 17, 2018
I loved the first half of this book but when things started getting to the childish games I couldn’t do it. I think I’m the only person that didn’t like Drake. I get the girl was all over the place but she clearly had some trust issues. Drake started to play some silly petty games with her that had me really irritated and angry. Kelly and Kasey also didn’t help the issue. Was not there biggest fan nor did I like the fact they stuck around. I just really really wish he hadn’t played those games with her and I would have loved this book! Ugh. I’m torn. I really liked the first half. The second half just didn’t do it for me. By the end though he won a few more points with me by actually saying sorry. He was always a sweet guy it was just misplaced and things weren’t handled they way they should have. The end was good. Still overall a good book and look forward to what’s next because I really enjoy this author. Loved the cover as well.
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January 20, 2020Nobody writes sweet southern charm like L.K. Farlow. I fell in love with these characters in Coming Up Roses and that love only deepened in An Uphill Battle. LK’s women are smart, her men are swoony, and her words are nothing short of beautiful. Drake and Azalea’s story was the epitome of what a friends-to-lovers novel should be…a slow burn with enough sexual tension to ignite your kindle! I can’t wait for book three!
January 16, 2018
I love me a good friends to lovers story and these two did not disappoint at all. Drake and Azalea these two were SOOOO stubborn at times and I just wanted to reach in the book and shake them! I wish that they would have had better communication with each other at times. Then when Drake would tell Azalea his feelings she was in denial and brushed him off. I was so frustrated with her but once I got her backstory it all made sense.
I still find it hard to believe that this is L.K. Farlow’s second book. Farlow writing always sucks me in and I feel like I’m right along with the gang. Farlow has created some down to earth and relatable characters that I can’t help but root for! I love that they live in a small town and everyone is in everyone’s business but they also mean well! It was nice catching up with Myla Rose, Cash and their new baby. I look forward to the upcoming story with Magnolia and Simon.
“Received an ARC for which I voluntarily provided an honest review."
For more reviews check me out at: http://www.shellysbookcorner.com
I still find it hard to believe that this is L.K. Farlow’s second book. Farlow writing always sucks me in and I feel like I’m right along with the gang. Farlow has created some down to earth and relatable characters that I can’t help but root for! I love that they live in a small town and everyone is in everyone’s business but they also mean well! It was nice catching up with Myla Rose, Cash and their new baby. I look forward to the upcoming story with Magnolia and Simon.
“Received an ARC for which I voluntarily provided an honest review."
For more reviews check me out at: http://www.shellysbookcorner.com
January 17, 2018
I usually like friends to lovers books but I struggled with this book a bit. I enjoyed the characters, especially Drake, but I felt the plot was a little lacking. It had that friends to lovers element but the way it was done seemed fake and I didn’t connect with their feelings. Also there was little suspense. I think this book had more potential if it was written with more of a suspenseful plot of either Drake’s or Azalea’s true feelings toward the other. I did not read the first book in the series about Myla and Cash so maybe some of the suspense with Drake and Azalea was in that book.
Reviewed by: Alexis B.
Reviewed by: Alexis B.
January 17, 2018
Holy moly what a roller coaster ride of emotions! I read this book in one sitting, the second it hit my kindle. There were times when I wanted to slap both Azalea and Drake upside the head for their stupidity and misunderstandings but it certainly made the story interesting!
Completely itching for the next book!
Completely itching for the next book!
January 23, 2018
DNF at approx 35%
OK, so I was really looking forward to this one and just could not read on as much as I tried. The overall premise is this is a friends to lovers/second chance/southern setting. Typically all things I love in a good romance read. Unfortunately, the heroine was everything I do not like and this coupled with the actual storytelling itself prompted me to call it quits.
I'm not one to DNF a lot of things, but the more I read, the more I know what I like. Also, this one is a Kindle Unlimited option so "technically" I didn't pay for it.
So here's my issue with the heroine: I just cannot with a story where the heroine is the source of all the conflict and has no self-esteem. I mean, she lived in her head and that's where she created the drama.
Side note: Azalea and Drake were BFFs but she was always in love with him. During their senior year, she decided to kiss him at a party and he did not stop her. After, his GF walked in and this is how he broke her heart. 8 years later she is still devastated by this and can't move on. HOWEVER, the story starts and they are sleeping together!!! And even though they're sleeping together, she still thinks he's a mega player who will never settle down and will eventually break her heart again.
I digress, so yeah, they're sleeping together and literally Drake is all about planning dates, doing super sweet things, actually telling her he wants a relationship, telling her what he loves about her. And her internal monologue every time is like "He doesn't mean those things. I don't know why he would get my hopes up when all he wants to do is sleep with me." Then she does something super immature, changes the conversation topic, then attacks him sexually.
ALSO: This story is also told in past and present. And the past is actually told in her dreams. Yes, her dreams. Because all she can dream about is a kiss gone wrong 8 years ago.
Sigh, that was ranty. The premise had a lot of potential but the execution was not for me. Happy reading.
UPDATE: Just full disclosure - I read on in the reviews and it seems like the hero, Drake, gets just as annoying as the heroine. I didn't want to put all the blame on the female. :)
OK, so I was really looking forward to this one and just could not read on as much as I tried. The overall premise is this is a friends to lovers/second chance/southern setting. Typically all things I love in a good romance read. Unfortunately, the heroine was everything I do not like and this coupled with the actual storytelling itself prompted me to call it quits.
I'm not one to DNF a lot of things, but the more I read, the more I know what I like. Also, this one is a Kindle Unlimited option so "technically" I didn't pay for it.
So here's my issue with the heroine: I just cannot with a story where the heroine is the source of all the conflict and has no self-esteem. I mean, she lived in her head and that's where she created the drama.
Side note: Azalea and Drake were BFFs but she was always in love with him. During their senior year, she decided to kiss him at a party and he did not stop her. After, his GF walked in and this is how he broke her heart. 8 years later she is still devastated by this and can't move on. HOWEVER, the story starts and they are sleeping together!!! And even though they're sleeping together, she still thinks he's a mega player who will never settle down and will eventually break her heart again.
I digress, so yeah, they're sleeping together and literally Drake is all about planning dates, doing super sweet things, actually telling her he wants a relationship, telling her what he loves about her. And her internal monologue every time is like "He doesn't mean those things. I don't know why he would get my hopes up when all he wants to do is sleep with me." Then she does something super immature, changes the conversation topic, then attacks him sexually.
ALSO: This story is also told in past and present. And the past is actually told in her dreams. Yes, her dreams. Because all she can dream about is a kiss gone wrong 8 years ago.
Sigh, that was ranty. The premise had a lot of potential but the execution was not for me. Happy reading.
UPDATE: Just full disclosure - I read on in the reviews and it seems like the hero, Drake, gets just as annoying as the heroine. I didn't want to put all the blame on the female. :)
January 7, 2018
From the start, I was hooked. Loved Azalea and Drake's hinted connection in CUR, so I was super excited to get their story.
Holy. Hell. I'm not a fan of rollercoasters, but this was one of the best rides of my life.
LK Farlow is a beautiful writer. Not only are her stories phenomenal in their plot and with their characters, but the words themselves are poetic. This is only her second book and I'm not going to lie, she puts more experienced authors to shame. There isn't a single aspect of this book that I didn't love.
The push and pull. The back and forth. The love and hate. Both between Azzy and Drake, and me and LK. I wanted to throw things at her for real. She was killing me. Taunting and teasing me with their story. And. It. Was. Perfect.
If it's possible, I love AUB more than CUR. Having the whole gang there, and it being about all of them, while still focusing on Azzy and D? I'm running out of words for how amazing this story is, and how well-written it is. But that to me is what makes an incredible writer. And an absolutely fan-freaking-tastic story. None of the characters were flat. Not the main characters, and not the side characters. They all added a little something, and even alluded to the possibility of their own individual stories. Which I am impatiently awaiting.
I love how you can tell that LK knows what she's talking about when it comes to the setting of the story and also their occupations. And I seriously hear their accents in my head as I read, which adds to the authenticity of the story.
Like I said, there isn't a single aspect about Azalea and Drake's story that I didn't love, except maybe that there wasn't an epilogue that had it end in exactly the way I wanted it to. But to be honest, the way AUB ended was perfect for them.
Totally on #TeamDrazzy for life.
Holy. Hell. I'm not a fan of rollercoasters, but this was one of the best rides of my life.
LK Farlow is a beautiful writer. Not only are her stories phenomenal in their plot and with their characters, but the words themselves are poetic. This is only her second book and I'm not going to lie, she puts more experienced authors to shame. There isn't a single aspect of this book that I didn't love.
The push and pull. The back and forth. The love and hate. Both between Azzy and Drake, and me and LK. I wanted to throw things at her for real. She was killing me. Taunting and teasing me with their story. And. It. Was. Perfect.
If it's possible, I love AUB more than CUR. Having the whole gang there, and it being about all of them, while still focusing on Azzy and D? I'm running out of words for how amazing this story is, and how well-written it is. But that to me is what makes an incredible writer. And an absolutely fan-freaking-tastic story. None of the characters were flat. Not the main characters, and not the side characters. They all added a little something, and even alluded to the possibility of their own individual stories. Which I am impatiently awaiting.
I love how you can tell that LK knows what she's talking about when it comes to the setting of the story and also their occupations. And I seriously hear their accents in my head as I read, which adds to the authenticity of the story.
Like I said, there isn't a single aspect about Azalea and Drake's story that I didn't love, except maybe that there wasn't an epilogue that had it end in exactly the way I wanted it to. But to be honest, the way AUB ended was perfect for them.
Totally on #TeamDrazzy for life.
January 26, 2018
“What we’ve got here is failure to communicate”
To quote the film from “Cool Hand Luke”, I couldn’t get over the frustration I felt over these two.
Azalea has trust issues, Drake even knows that, but each time Azalea reaches out, Kelly’s always there to put her down, and Drake doesn’t even go to bat for his girl and explain or clear the air. But to be sure, our girl Azalea goes drama queen and storms off most of the time. Rinse and repeat.
“Every time she puts herself out there, your good friend Kelly pops up and knocks her down.”
This makes Azalea crazy and only proves to her that, with Drake’s behavior, he is not serious about her.
Poor Azalea only has her past history with Drake, and daddy issues, to remind her any man’s word when it comes to relationships is unbelievable. It clearly became an uphill battle trying to read this book without me wanting to thump the heads of Drake and Azalea.
“I just wish she and I would’ve communicated better, and I think that’s the real breakdown here. A whole lot of ... assumptions and nowhere near enough honesty.”
Love LK’s writing, it is easy going and endearing. Some parts are even funny. But this story is full of angst, drama, stupid games, and total miscommunication driving most of it. Which makes me a bit unhappy and disappointed about Drake and Azalea’s immaturity.
I just couldn’t understand why Drake would intentionally use “girlfriends” though they were plutonic, and he did not clarify this fact to Azalea, making her jealous all over again. And once the bar scene happened, I really got mad at Drake and lost all respect for him. Took me a few days to pick up the book again, I was that angry. He is not hero material. So, love the author, hate the book, but I am looking forward to Simon’s story. I received and voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
To quote the film from “Cool Hand Luke”, I couldn’t get over the frustration I felt over these two.
Azalea has trust issues, Drake even knows that, but each time Azalea reaches out, Kelly’s always there to put her down, and Drake doesn’t even go to bat for his girl and explain or clear the air. But to be sure, our girl Azalea goes drama queen and storms off most of the time. Rinse and repeat.
“Every time she puts herself out there, your good friend Kelly pops up and knocks her down.”
This makes Azalea crazy and only proves to her that, with Drake’s behavior, he is not serious about her.
Poor Azalea only has her past history with Drake, and daddy issues, to remind her any man’s word when it comes to relationships is unbelievable. It clearly became an uphill battle trying to read this book without me wanting to thump the heads of Drake and Azalea.
“I just wish she and I would’ve communicated better, and I think that’s the real breakdown here. A whole lot of ... assumptions and nowhere near enough honesty.”
Love LK’s writing, it is easy going and endearing. Some parts are even funny. But this story is full of angst, drama, stupid games, and total miscommunication driving most of it. Which makes me a bit unhappy and disappointed about Drake and Azalea’s immaturity.
I just couldn’t understand why Drake would intentionally use “girlfriends” though they were plutonic, and he did not clarify this fact to Azalea, making her jealous all over again. And once the bar scene happened, I really got mad at Drake and lost all respect for him. Took me a few days to pick up the book again, I was that angry. He is not hero material. So, love the author, hate the book, but I am looking forward to Simon’s story. I received and voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
April 19, 2018
An Uphill Battle is the second book in the Southern Roots series. This novel centers around Azalea and Drake's mindfuck of a relationship.
Since ending Coming Up Roses, I've been dying to get my hands on Azalea's story. She seemed like a no-nonsense chick and given the back and forth moments in her relationship with Drake, I was excited for some sexy banter and loads of drama that, no doubt, would surround these two.
I have to say, I was a little annoyed by certain parts of this novel that occurred towards the end. I thought I was ready for the 'love war' between these two but honestly, I just wanted them to be happy and get together. These two have a serious communication issue! As for the drama....it was spot on and literally made me anxious in some moments. I absolutely hated the game's that Drake played towards the end though. My rating for Drake went down just a little. Especially given the fact that he knew Azalea had trust and commitment issues. It doesn't matter if you don't know why those issues were set in play, you don't play with a heart the way he did.
Overall, I love the friendships in this series and I still love Azalea and Drake even if this book wasn't my favorite. I think this group of friends is dynamic. I can't wait to see what Simon and Magnolia have in store, and what deep dark secrets Magnolia is hiding!!!
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Since ending Coming Up Roses, I've been dying to get my hands on Azalea's story. She seemed like a no-nonsense chick and given the back and forth moments in her relationship with Drake, I was excited for some sexy banter and loads of drama that, no doubt, would surround these two.
I have to say, I was a little annoyed by certain parts of this novel that occurred towards the end. I thought I was ready for the 'love war' between these two but honestly, I just wanted them to be happy and get together. These two have a serious communication issue! As for the drama....it was spot on and literally made me anxious in some moments. I absolutely hated the game's that Drake played towards the end though. My rating for Drake went down just a little. Especially given the fact that he knew Azalea had trust and commitment issues. It doesn't matter if you don't know why those issues were set in play, you don't play with a heart the way he did.
Overall, I love the friendships in this series and I still love Azalea and Drake even if this book wasn't my favorite. I think this group of friends is dynamic. I can't wait to see what Simon and Magnolia have in store, and what deep dark secrets Magnolia is hiding!!!
Find me here:
The Staircase Reader
July 12, 2018
Let me start by saying I was so excited for Azelea and Drake's book! Ahh the tension between the two in book 1 lead me to believe that their book would be off the charts amazing! With that being said I was so angry with this book I couldn't see straight!!!!!
Azelea is supposed to be this strong, amazing, take no shit kind of person...... While in the beginning of the book she was portrayed as being very independent by the middle of the book she was more of a weak and spineless "walk all over me" type. Drake....Drake was a fucking Asshole!! Instead of trying to convince her that he was in love with her (which the book says he did but from the reading there wasn't enough) he decided to trick her into believing he had moved on to another woman.... He did this over and over.... He even used her worst fears against her, used the woman that caused her to not trust him in the first place against her!! WHO THE FUCK DOES THAT??!?!?! Better yet after something like that is done to you...WHY THE FUCK WOULD YOU STILL WANT HIM??!!! I thought it was more of a blatant disrespect of Azelea...no matter the reason I can't believe that a strong ass woman would ever come crawling back to that.
I wanted to give this book so many stars because I loved Azelea but after reading how the characters treated her and how this book completely destroyed everything she stood for I can't even bring myself to stomach the 2 stars I gave it....which is so sad!
Azelea is supposed to be this strong, amazing, take no shit kind of person...... While in the beginning of the book she was portrayed as being very independent by the middle of the book she was more of a weak and spineless "walk all over me" type. Drake....Drake was a fucking Asshole!! Instead of trying to convince her that he was in love with her (which the book says he did but from the reading there wasn't enough) he decided to trick her into believing he had moved on to another woman.... He did this over and over.... He even used her worst fears against her, used the woman that caused her to not trust him in the first place against her!! WHO THE FUCK DOES THAT??!?!?! Better yet after something like that is done to you...WHY THE FUCK WOULD YOU STILL WANT HIM??!!! I thought it was more of a blatant disrespect of Azelea...no matter the reason I can't believe that a strong ass woman would ever come crawling back to that.
I wanted to give this book so many stars because I loved Azelea but after reading how the characters treated her and how this book completely destroyed everything she stood for I can't even bring myself to stomach the 2 stars I gave it....which is so sad!
January 19, 2018
I fell in sweet love with LK Farlow’s style in Coming Up Roses and my infatuation cranked to another level after reading An Uphill Battle. I’m extremely impressed with this talented author and cannot wait for more.
The relationship between Azalea and Drake is not effortless. It’s not meant to be. What I enjoyed most about their journey is the reality behind it. I easily empathized and rooted for Azalea because I’ve been in her shoes. Many might fault her, which I really hope isn’t the case, but she spoke to me. I believe this sassy heroine’s story and wanted to have her back.
That being said, Drake is ALL THE SWOON. Holy smokes, LK Farlow pulled out all the stops when she created this southern sexy. I fell instantly, batting my eyelashes in ridiculous fashion, but that’s the impact he has. I praise Azalea even more for having the strength to deny his charm.
An Uphill Battle captivated me from the first stunning page. I was reeled in fast and held on for the beautifully executed ride. These dynamic characters have a fantastic story to tell and I’m so glad this author shared it. The slow yet combative build-up between Azalea and Drake gave me all the feels that I long for. The pages are packed with emotional angst that made this a one-sitting read for me.
The relationship between Azalea and Drake is not effortless. It’s not meant to be. What I enjoyed most about their journey is the reality behind it. I easily empathized and rooted for Azalea because I’ve been in her shoes. Many might fault her, which I really hope isn’t the case, but she spoke to me. I believe this sassy heroine’s story and wanted to have her back.
That being said, Drake is ALL THE SWOON. Holy smokes, LK Farlow pulled out all the stops when she created this southern sexy. I fell instantly, batting my eyelashes in ridiculous fashion, but that’s the impact he has. I praise Azalea even more for having the strength to deny his charm.
An Uphill Battle captivated me from the first stunning page. I was reeled in fast and held on for the beautifully executed ride. These dynamic characters have a fantastic story to tell and I’m so glad this author shared it. The slow yet combative build-up between Azalea and Drake gave me all the feels that I long for. The pages are packed with emotional angst that made this a one-sitting read for me.
January 17, 2018
At times, I thought An Uphill Battle was an intriguing, emotional story -- but unfortunately, the main characters were just so messed up that I wanted to yell at them throughout most of this book. There is so much miscommunication between Drake and Azalea that it grew frustrating. When they should talk things out, they don't. They run away from one another rather than face their issues head-on. And it took a bit too long to get to the backstory between what happened to them all those years ago in the first place. Drake came off as such a jerk most of the time, I couldn't understand why Azalea stuck around. Nothing about their relationship SHOWED me why they were meant to be together as all of their friends claim over and over again.
I really liked the previous book in this series, Coming Up Roses, but felt that An Uphill Battle just fell a bit flat. I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
I really liked the previous book in this series, Coming Up Roses, but felt that An Uphill Battle just fell a bit flat. I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
May 3, 2018
Didn't really connect with any of these characters. By 50% I was already bored with the whole thing. Yeah, the h was kinda flighty and stubborn at times and the H was a bossy douche most of the time, so they both contributed to their own misery. BUT the H was a total jackass about the way he treated her with Kasey and Kelly. That shit didn't fly with me. I also didn't get that they were accepted into their group as friends, after the fact. WTF? And this story took place in Alabama? Not gonna happen. I'm an Alabama girl and I can tell you we wouldn't all be friends. Those girls would've had their asses kicked. Especially Kelly with her smartass mouth. So if the author was going for that whole southern belle, bless your heart vibe, she should've set this story in Georgia, not Alabama. Sorry. Just saying...
December 22, 2017
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of, "An uphill battle". Having read Kate's debut "Coming up roses", I was familiar already with the characters, Azzy Jo and Drake. The second book in this series did not disappoint. Azzy Jo and Drake, have been in love with each other, since they were teenagers. Although they have great chemistry, they are never fully able to make it work, whether it's bad timing, jumping to conclusions, past hurts or a lack of communication. This book deals with, letting go of the past, recognising the love that has always been there, and showing what an uphill battle love can be. Great read, thoroughly recommended. Enjoy!
Shelved as 'no-way-jose'
November 7, 2018Miscommunication... what a irritating word. As always, heroine ruins another book
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And one who doesn't talk or show - whatever- and the other who doesn't want to listen. And they with other people. What kind of clusterfuck is this? Those reviews (and comments) made me boil and it wasn't even the book.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And one who doesn't talk or show - whatever- and the other who doesn't want to listen. And they with other people. What kind of clusterfuck is this? Those reviews (and comments) made me boil and it wasn't even the book.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
June 8, 2021
Didn't really like how they made Azalea out to be the one causing all the problems when Drake never actually sat her down and said his feelings were serious and he actually wanted to be exclusive with her or be her boyfriend.
Even without her childhood experiences she had reason for her suspicions. And Kelly was a big problem too, with her presence at the bar never being explained and her messed up comments there.
Even without her childhood experiences she had reason for her suspicions. And Kelly was a big problem too, with her presence at the bar never being explained and her messed up comments there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2019
Giving bad reviews is something I avoid, specially when the book is well written, but the content sucks so much that I just have to do it. This book breaks all girl codes, it’s females behaving at their worst. Also, the author lays all the blame on the heroine, meanwhile the Hero is an a**hole and he never apologizes for his behavior. No just no!!!
January 21, 2018
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
This book is tough to rate because on one hand I loved it, so much that I went back and read the previous book in the series and it was FANTASTIC. This is only the 2nd book the author has ever written and while it extremely well written, I had some issues with the characters. Largely I think it was the author trying to write out of a corner than the issue was its plot because the first book had none of the issues like this book did.
At the start of this story Azalea and Drake are in love. They have been having no string sex and both have loved each other for 15+ years (they are only in their early 20's) but they have had sex and dated lots of other people, but now they are finally single together and having occasional bouts of sex.
Drake loves Azalea but well he is a HUGE idiot. I mean HUGE. He really is the issue here, he does the stupidest things and lemme tell you at times I wanted Azalea to find a different guy because while he loves her and wants to be with her, he plays a lot of games with her and he hurts her a lot. He jumps to conclusions and he sees all the issues as Azaleas and not his and he really is the problem. Not that he doesn't love her, but that he lets pride get in his way a lot.
Azalea on the other hand has loved Drake forever. And she does not play games. I loved her courage and her honesty and she constantly puts herself out there with Drake. Does she jump to conclusions? YES! But I don't blame her at all. The things Drake does in this book to her I HATED! She is jealous of this girl Kelly, and she is 100% deserving of the jealousy and instead of understanding Drake throws her at Azalea over and over and then he does the same thing with another girl. Seriously I HATED how Drake treated Azalea. But again if they didn't have this huge failure to communicate, there would not be a book and it would be a novella but still I would much rather have seen Azalea drive Drake jealous than her constantly watching him with other women.
That said I did not love Drake. He really deserved to lose Azalea. But Azalea is this really amazing character and she is why I kept reading the book. And I really enjoyed the other characters and writing which is why I went and read the first book.
I highly recommend the first book before this story as it really introduces all the characters and is a wonderful story. If you enjoy the trials and tribulations and jealousies of first love then you will love this book but for me I got tired of the games.
This book is tough to rate because on one hand I loved it, so much that I went back and read the previous book in the series and it was FANTASTIC. This is only the 2nd book the author has ever written and while it extremely well written, I had some issues with the characters. Largely I think it was the author trying to write out of a corner than the issue was its plot because the first book had none of the issues like this book did.
At the start of this story Azalea and Drake are in love. They have been having no string sex and both have loved each other for 15+ years (they are only in their early 20's) but they have had sex and dated lots of other people, but now they are finally single together and having occasional bouts of sex.
Drake loves Azalea but well he is a HUGE idiot. I mean HUGE. He really is the issue here, he does the stupidest things and lemme tell you at times I wanted Azalea to find a different guy because while he loves her and wants to be with her, he plays a lot of games with her and he hurts her a lot. He jumps to conclusions and he sees all the issues as Azaleas and not his and he really is the problem. Not that he doesn't love her, but that he lets pride get in his way a lot.
Azalea on the other hand has loved Drake forever. And she does not play games. I loved her courage and her honesty and she constantly puts herself out there with Drake. Does she jump to conclusions? YES! But I don't blame her at all. The things Drake does in this book to her I HATED! She is jealous of this girl Kelly, and she is 100% deserving of the jealousy and instead of understanding Drake throws her at Azalea over and over and then he does the same thing with another girl. Seriously I HATED how Drake treated Azalea. But again if they didn't have this huge failure to communicate, there would not be a book and it would be a novella but still I would much rather have seen Azalea drive Drake jealous than her constantly watching him with other women.
That said I did not love Drake. He really deserved to lose Azalea. But Azalea is this really amazing character and she is why I kept reading the book. And I really enjoyed the other characters and writing which is why I went and read the first book.
I highly recommend the first book before this story as it really introduces all the characters and is a wonderful story. If you enjoy the trials and tribulations and jealousies of first love then you will love this book but for me I got tired of the games.
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