Chick Magnet
Author: Emma Barry
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: A
What I’m Talking About:
Nic is a social media influencer, popular for raising chickens. After being publicly dumped and humiliated by her boyfriend, she moved 1,000 miles from California to her Granny’s home town in Yagerstown, VA. Will is a small town vet who is finding it hard to recover after the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. He thinks he’s a failure and refuses to share his burdens with friends and family, feeling like he’s all alone.
Will and Nic start off with preconceived ideas about the other based on history. Nic had a horrible experience with a vet which lead to one of her chickens dying. Will has seen the downside of recreational backyard chicken raising, made popular by people like Nic. He’s actually a bit mean to Nic; however, she has an inner light and she tends to see the good in people, even after all she’s been through. I love how the author brings up real problems with chicken care without feeling preachy.
Chick Magnet is an amazing romance that left me so warm and fuzzy on the inside. It’s a feel-good, well-written love story from beginning to end. There is humor, pain, forgiveness, and growth. I loved watching the pair find their footing and fall in love. What makes the story wonderful is that each had to find a solid place of their own so they could grow from past pain before they can truly fall in love. They help make the other the best versions of themselves.
The author creates a wonderful balance of self-reflection and relationship building. There are some heavier moments. My heart broke when Nic reaches out to her long-time best friend who distanced herself from Nic because of the ex. I appreciate that Nic needs to mend fences with her friend more than she needs to see her ex fail. Meanwhile, Will suffers from anxiety and depression (he does seek professional help), and he has an unhealthy relationship with members of his family. He sees himself as a failure and not worthy of love. He struggles with his feelings, which causes problems for the pair. I shed a few tears with words such as “She’d already given him everything, and it hadn’t been enough.” There are so many beautifully crafted lines: words that portray genuine moments of raw pain and joy.
Chick Magnet is fun, swoon-worthy, and a must read. It’s an enjoyable journey from start to finish.
My Rating: A Loved It
Jen
About the Book:
Nicole Jones needs a fresh start. “Chick Nic” to millions of internet fans, the social media star and her flock of chickens bask in the spotlight—until she’s publicly dumped by a YouTuber for clout. She has no choice but to round up her birds and move on.
But when one of her hens has an emergency, Nic gets her first taste of her new stomping grounds—and it isn’t good. Veterinarian Will Lund is wildly attractive, yes, but he’s also surly. In fact, he comes right out and calls her a menace for parading her chickens on social media.
As neighbors, Nic and Will can’t exactly avoid each other. Then again, maybe they don’t want to. The two can’t deny their smoldering attraction, and it isn’t long before late-night confessions lead to backyard shenanigans.
Is this the start of a neighborly relationship—or could something more be hatching?
Release Date: January 24, 2023
Publisher: Montlake
Series: Standalone
Genre: here
Format(s): paperback (301 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: NetGalley
Purchase Info:
Amazon (affiliate link)