The Opposite of You

Super cute rom-com read where enemies turn to lovers.

***4 Stars*** ⭐⭐ARC copy provided by the author in am exchange for a honest review. Vera has had it rough for the 26 years she has been on this earth. From her mom dying when she was little, to a dad who worked his butt off to take care of her and her brother, to a very bad relationship that took away her dreams of owning her own restaurant, and being the amazing chef she is. After spending a year in Europe to not only get away from the bad relationship, Vera returns to her hometown to live with her father who is very ill. She decides to open her own business with a food truck that she will park in the parking lot of her brother's bicycle shop. Which also happens to be across the street from a well known restaurant that employs none other than Chef Killian Quinn. Killian Quinn may seem like a cocky asshole, but he is one of the best chefs around. When Vera opens up, he finds himself intrigued by her and her business. It starts off with them sorta in competition, but slowly turns into something more. This was my first book by this author and I will be perfectly honest, I didn't know if I would like it at first. It took me a minute to get into it because the writing for me threw me off at first. It is very descriptive and the main character was in her head a lot more than I am used to. But once I got past that, I really enjoyed the story. I liked the slow burning love between Vera and Killian. It is a breath of fresh air from the whole insta love we always see. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters as well. I look forward to the next book in this stand alone series, and reading more from this author.

Reread #1: I was looking for my next audiobook on Hoopla when this book caught my eye. I remembered reading it and loving it a few years ago (three, to be exact) and decided since rereads are my 2020 comfort food, I would dive in. I've read a lot of books since this one, so I was a little surprised by just how much of this book I remembered as I listened to it. Sometimes books I loved in the past don't exactly hold up, but I'm thrilled to say that was not the case with The Opposite of You. I loved Vera and Killian's enemies to lovers romance. The simmering slow burn was as amazing as I remembered, so was the banter and the back-and-forth between them. I have to give a shoutout to the narrator, Elizabeth Hart, for doing an amazing job giving life to this story. It's five stars again from me and I'm putting this book into my regular reread rotation. ------ Find this review and more at kimberlyfaye reads. Y'all, I loved this book. I loved every little thing about it. I know there's no way my words will do it justice, but I can't NOT review it. It started off as one of those "Eh, I'll just read a few pages before bed" books that ended in a late night as I attempted to read as much as possible before I could no longer keep my eyes open. The writing was beautiful. I swear I highlighted half the book. The characters were real and believable, and their growth was wonderful. The build up for the romance was perfection. I can't say enough positive things about this one. It's easily one of my favorite books of 2017 and a new entry on my all-time favorites list. Vera and Killian were absolutely amazing. While I may not have been through some of the things Vera has, I found it so easy to relate to her. She was talented, but vulnerable. Her self-doubt was almost overwhelming at times. It was a beautiful thing to watch her begin to overcome it. She might not have recognized it sometimes but she was so very strong and smart. Killian was the perfect person to help make her believe in herself and her talents again — even if he went about it in a rather unconventional way at times. Killian himself was incredible. I'll admit I side-eyed him and questioned his intentions in the beginning, but it didn't take long before I was swooning and singing his praises. It probably comes as no surprise that I was rooting for Vera and Killian from the very beginning. I'm such a shipper. I mean, I don't read this much romance for nothing. I loved their antagonistic banner early on in the book. They made me laugh and smile as they picked at each other. When that turned into an unlikely friendship, with a hint of something more, I was happy. When their true feelings came out, I was there for it. I loved watching them grow individually while they realized how special what they had together was. It was swoony, sexy and romantic,with a delicious slow burn that had to rival Vera and Killian's creations. I couldn't get enough of them, but I also didn't want the book to end. This is the first of Rachel's books that I've read, but it absolutely won't be the last. I've already pre-ordered the second book, The Difference Between Us, and it can't get here soon enough. I'm dying for more of the story between Vera's best friend Molly and Killian's brother Ezra. I was intrigued by both characters in this book and I NEED more of them. In the meantime, I'll be adding all of Rachel's books to my wishlist and reading them when I can make time. I have a new author to love! FAVORITE QUOTES A dirty look from a hamster could send me into a tailspin of self-hate and tears these days. My self-confidence was fragile.  God, he was so tempting. Not just the offer... but him. Everything about him. The playful look in his eyes, the lift of his melt, the fullness of his beard. It simply wasn't fair that he looked the way he did and acted the way he did.  "Oh, right. Sorry. Sometimes I get so sucked into the drama here, I can't remember what's real and what's foreplay between two insane chefs." The meal wasn't simply sustenance. It wasn't even as simple as a memorable experience. This was a work of art, the masterpiece in front of me reaching all five senses and even further than that, down into my soul where I would remember this meal for the rest of my life.  He threatened everything. My business. My sanity. My vow of celibacy. The carefully constructed walls I'd built around my heart. My fragile courage I'd only just regained. My past had damaged me. This was something I was well aware of. But for whatever reason, Killian Quinn felt like healing.  "You're meant to shine, Vera. I saw it the first time I met you. You shine so fucking bright." It was like we'd been doused in gasoline, and someone had throw a lit match on us. We exploded in hunger and passion and the familiar push and pull we'd always had.