Although this is a series continuation of sorts, No Offemse more than adequately stands on its own ... As in No Judgement the real attraction of this cozy yet steamy romance are the quirky secondary characters. From the soon-to-retire children’s librarian of John’s youth to the benefactress of the new library to the lonely teenager who is both Molly’s favorite patron and her most frustrating, these characters continue to enrich and expand Cabot’s well-developed milieu ... Although No Offense might seem to be a sweet and sunny romance, it doesn’t shy away from hard topics, which include financial insecurity, irresponsible parenting and racial profiling. At the end of the day, though, it offers readers a feel-good story with a heartwarming romance at its center --- and a most unusual dance number to cap it all off. Before this summer is over, you will want to pay a visit to the Florida Keys with Meg Cabot as your guide.
Longtime fans of Cabot may find this second Little Bridge Island book (No Judgment, 2019) less engrossing than her Heather Wells mysteries and the romance less alluring than those in her Boy books. But for readers in the market for a quick, fun read—and especially for librarians who will appreciate the in-jokes—Cabot, reliably, delivers.
Though Cabot’s prose is characteristically lively in her second Little Bridge Island novel ...the cookie-cutter characters and anticlimactic mystery make this a rare stumble ... Cabot’s characters are winsome but predictable, and the hasty plot leaves little room for either satisfying mystery or romantic depth. Still, the charming small-town setting and cheerful tone will please Cabot’s die-hard fans.
