Thursday, April 28, 2022

Baby Got Pack by Xavier Neal {a review}


Baby Got Pack is the brand new release from Xavier Neal. This small town, opposites attract romantic comedy takes place at a family owned campground, and introduces us to some amazing characters. Be prepared to laugh and swoon, because Torrance and Fynn are going to take you on a wild ride.

If you know me, you know that I have read numerous books by Xavier Neal. Some I have absolutely loved, some that were just okay, and a couple that were just a miss. I went into Baby Got Pack with an open mind, knowing that it was going to be a rom-com. I've enjoyed her Hockey Gods series, and those are rom-coms, so I had high hopes. As I finished up reading Baby Got Pack, I had mixed feelings about the book. I went back and forth in my head about the rating, and ultimately settled upon 3.5 stars. 

Moving on...

Friends we are headed to a campground that is owned and operated by the Harrington family. Their business is struggling a bit, and they have hired Fynn Fischer to turn things around. He will help breathe a fresh breath into the business. Or that is their hope. The Harrington's are also enlisting the help of their daughter Torrance. She'd rather not be there, but she struggles to say no to her family. So that is how she finds herself moving to the campground to help save the business, all while working her full-time job remotely. She was not expecting to meet Fynn, fall for him, and have him flip her world upside down. It isn't all sunshine and rainbows though. There are plenty of ups and downs that these two will have to work through, both from a business perspective and a personal one.

Let's dive into my thoughts...

The beginning of the book felt a bit strange to me, and it took me a bit to get into it. The elder Harrington's were rubbing me the wrong way, and I didn't care for how they were treating their daughter. That being said, once I was invested, I found myself absolutely loving Torrance! She is a character that I can easily relate to, and I found myself captivated by her. Her social awkwardness and her disbelief that a relationship with Fynn was even a possibility drew me in, and had me unable to put the book down. Not to mention her dislike of nature, and feeling like mother nature was out to get her. 🤣

Fynn confused me. Plain and simple. I could not, and cannot, wrap my head around how he's been able to do what he done. This life he's lived just does not seem believable. I was definitely doubting him. As I was reading, I was waiting for the truth to be revealed, and that it was all a dreamworld. I know, I know, this is a work of fiction, so his achievements could absolutely happen. But since it is a contemporary romance, it should be believable. Right?

Then there was Tor and her backpacks. Which is what I'm thinking the title of the book was based upon. (well that and a song lyric) I don't get it. We didn't really "see" that fascination appear all that much. I don't know I guess I had envisioned something similar to Hayley's obsession with kitchen gadgets in Squeeze Play from Aven Ellis. 

As much as I loved Tor, I didn't 100% love her relationship with Fynn. And that's all me. I know it is. Fynn was too far out there for me, and not at all relatable. Don't get me wrong, I loved what he did for Tor, as well as her family business, but relationship wise, it wasn't there. It felt more vacation fling vs long term relationship.

Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts on Baby Got Pack. It was an easy read, which is what you tend to expect with rom-coms. All in all I enjoyed the majority of the story. I got a kick out of both Tor and GamGam. Those two made the book for me. Yet I found myself wanting something a bit different in Torrance's love interest, and how their relationship occurred.

Happy Reading,
Laura


Cover Designer: Dana L, Designs by Dana

Torrance
I like backpacks, and I cannot lie...
Now, people?
I can deny.
But whenever the consultant walks in with a smile on his face, encouraging me to find my place, I damn near lose a lung.
Ugh.
Asthma.
I swear, if I was an average lady, or if Mother Nature didn't hate me...then I might fit in, in the role I'm in, and the consultant would want more with me.

Fynn
One of my best mates tried to warn me...
That falling in love might be on my journey.
But with the business I'm in and the way I live, falling for a client just isn't my way.
Except I find myself wanting to hold her.
Make her bolder.
Let her lean on my shoulder.
See, she's not the average lady, plus her beautiful soul just drives me crazy.
This should've been a fling, yet now I'm looking at rings.
Because I'm ready to make this a forever thing.


Baby Got Pack is a standalone, opposites-attract, laugh-out-loud rom com from the same author who brought Hike, Hike, Baby and The Hockey Gods Series.



One Click NOW!
Add to your Goodreads TBR!


About the Author


Xavier Neal is a best-selling romance author who enjoys hopping from sub genre to sub genre like a game of Hopscotch she can't resist.

In between writing, she loves to read (everything from romance to self improvement books), watch movies (old and new), eat too much Tex-Mex (her Chuy's t-shirt collection is out of control), and watch AHL hockey games LIVE (preferably against the glass whenever possible). 

She currently resides happily in Texas with her bearded husband "Lumberjack" and their two fur babies.


Connect with Xavier


Hosted by:

Thank you to Xavier Neal, and Candi Kane PR, for providing me with an advanced review copy of Baby Got Pack.