A Life Worth Living

Monica McCallan is one of those authors that I drop everything and read their latest for. So I was very excited to get a copy of A Life Worth Living. I thought this was a fun story. The obvious trope here is the melting of the ice queen that falls for the girl that gets along with everyone. I honestly don't think that Nora really is an ice queen, but rather just had her shields up to keep everyone at arm's length (she had good reasons). And that's probably why I liked this story so much – that she made the choice to not keep holding up this façade about herself (so, to me anyway, it wasn't a real personality makeover, but rather, just allowing for others to see her true self). I loved her, and how when she makes a decision, she executes and is all in– even when it's about herself living openly and true to herself.

The trip to Bermuda was sweet. Pulling Gray and Nora together setting up a foundation, and really allowing themselves to see the other person bit by bit. I think that one of my favorite things about this story is that there was no real pulling teeth with the MCs exposing themselves to each other. Be it the dark, or of storms. Or of them acknowledging their attraction to each other versus tiptoeing around it because they work together and it's ‘such a bad idea.' This definitely was a breath of fresh air. Sure, Gray had a freak out or two (and with her backstory, it wasn't surprising)— but when she asked for mea culpa, it wasn't an instant ‘it'll never happen again' – but really an acknowledgment that she f'd up, that Nora deserves better from her, and would earn her trust instead of an instant HEA. I love that Nora doesn't take Gray's sht. Sure she obviously feels for Gray, but knows what she needs in a partner and a lover. Gray's pushing Nora away anytime there was conflict got a bit annoying, but being someone that used to do that, having someone see through the sht and making you want to open yourself up more and trust- well, that's life changing. Nora allowed Gray room to breathe, but didn't forget about herself and her needs. It's funny how I imagined Nora would be the one retreating. I think this is the first time in a long while, I didn't make correct predictions about a storyline, which is something because a lot of lezfics definitely follow a formula.

The secondary characters were great and didn't take away from the story. I love how much of a mother figure Nora's boss is to her, and how Callie and the crew embrace Nora (even if hesitant at first). I hope to never experience someone warming up fish at work. And I do wish that Nora had hunted a certain someone down and punched them in the face for starting/promulgating a rumor about Gray, but I suppose things got resolved the proper way. Let's be honest, Nora can throw down, and I think she definitely would for those she loves.

Free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Merged review:

Monica McCallan is one of those authors that I drop everything and read their latest for. So I was very excited to get a copy of A Life Worth Living. I thought this was a fun story. The obvious trope here is the melting of the ice queen that falls for the girl that gets along with everyone. I honestly don't think that Nora really is an ice queen, but rather just had her shields up to keep everyone at arm's length (she had good reasons). And that's probably why I liked this story so much – that she made the choice to not keep holding up this façade about herself (so, to me anyway, it wasn't a real personality makeover, but rather, just allowing for others to see her true self). I loved her, and how when she makes a decision, she executes and is all in– even when it's about herself living openly and true to herself.

The trip to Bermuda was sweet. Pulling Gray and Nora together setting up a foundation, and really allowing themselves to see the other person bit by bit. I think that one of my favorite things about this story is that there was no real pulling teeth with the MCs exposing themselves to each other. Be it the dark, or of storms. Or of them acknowledging their attraction to each other versus tiptoeing around it because they work together and it's ‘such a bad idea.' This definitely was a breath of fresh air. Sure, Gray had a freak out or two (and with her backstory, it wasn't surprising)— but when she asked for mea culpa, it wasn't an instant ‘it'll never happen again' – but really an acknowledgment that she f'd up, that Nora deserves better from her, and would earn her trust instead of an instant HEA. I love that Nora doesn't take Gray's sht. Sure she obviously feels for Gray, but knows what she needs in a partner and a lover. Gray's pushing Nora away anytime there was conflict got a bit annoying, but being someone that used to do that, having someone see through the sht and making you want to open yourself up more and trust- well, that's life changing. Nora allowed Gray room to breathe, but didn't forget about herself and her needs. It's funny how I imagined Nora would be the one retreating. I think this is the first time in a long while, I didn't make correct predictions about a storyline, which is something because a lot of lezfics definitely follow a formula.

The secondary characters were great and didn't take away from the story. I love how much of a mother figure Nora's boss is to her, and how Callie and the crew embrace Nora (even if hesitant at first). I hope to never experience someone warming up fish at work. And I do wish that Nora had hunted a certain someone down and punched them in the face for starting/promulgating a rumor about Gray, but I suppose things got resolved the proper way. Let's be honest, Nora can throw down, and I think she definitely would for those she loves.

Free ARC in exchange for an honest review.