Sneak Peek: Jilted by Vi Keeland
ON OUR BOOKSHELF
Jilted
by Vi Keeland
Love will find you when and where you least expect it.
Planning our wedding was so much fun! From the spreadsheets to the powerpoint presentations of our color-coded outfits (no, I’m not kidding), we put in so much prep work to ensure the day went smoothly. And fortunately, we made it through the ceremony smoothly.
Unfortunately for Sloane (our FMC in Jilted) that wasn’t the case… *cue the beginning of Jilted*
I’m grateful to have received an advanced reader’s copy of Jilted via NetGalley!
The Sneak Peek
Wedding journalist and ex-pro rugby player (seeking to start a US expansion team) meet at his friend’s wedding. After a memorable encounter, he pitches a series for his dad’s magazine that would require Sloane to cover all of his friends upcoming weddings… because he wants to spend more time with her.
But their relationship histories keep them at bay. A man-moratorium inspired by Sloane’s ex leaving her at the altar has Wilder agreeing that he’ll partake in a “miss-moratorium” to prove he’s worthy of a chance at dating her. But for a playboy who hasn’t been in a relationship in 10 years — let alone one that lasted more than 2 months — how realistic is that goal? Especially when an ocean separates them.
What Victoria Loved
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3/5
Wilder definitely comes across as your typical happy-go-lucky charmer whose had everything he’s ever wanted handed to him on a silver platter. They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover and as easily as you could judge Wilder for his captivatingly good looks, it’s the little things you learn about him that turn him into a heartthrob — the strings he pulls to guarantee another meet-up with Sloane, the way he prioritizes his relationship with his brother, and the care in which he takes to care for Sloane’s family. It’s a testament to Sloane’s past and her will-power that she can resist him.
This is a slower burn with tons of tension and then TONS of steam. I say slower because we maybe make it to 50% but once the tap is open, there’s no stopping it. Note: This is not a complaint. The more we see of Wilder, the more you want to see of Wilder…. and it’s not just me. I mean obviously Sloane is smitten, but her family might fall for him harder and faster than she does!
Transparently, some plot points were predictable, particularly around the past relationships, but that’s not unexpected given certain events needed to have happened for Wilder and Sloane to even be together (e.g., break-ups), but it was clear from the first mentions of Whitney and Josh that we had antagonists we were going to strongly dislike! That said, I struggled with the two timelines. Not only was I not expecting it as the format of the narrative, but I also had a hard time reconciling my frustrations over Wilder’s past relationship while maintaining my optimism for his relationship with Sloane. If you’re like me and you find yourself getting the ick, just settle in for the ride and just trust that Whitney is every bit a baddie in the worst way. But that relationship also helped shape the Wilder you’ll love.
There are a few lines of dialogue that were off-putting… mostly because they go against my own personal values and they were pretty polarizing. But I guess they align with the characters’ back stories. I’m hoping there’s a larger pay-off if this turns into a series because otherwise those throwaway lines could have been omitted and I would have felt a million times better about the book.
One of my favorite things about this book is the supporting cast. They bring a whole other level of witty banter and silliness to the story. Not only do they reveal so much about Sloane and Wilder from their personalities to their values, they’re so dynamic you’ll root for their own HEAs. Personally, I’d love to learn more about Elijah’s story, maybe a second-chance romance for Will, and a childhood-friends to lovers for Lucas and Olivia set 10+ years from now (how sweet would that be!?).
Pre-order your copy of Jilted (Amazon) and read with me!
Favorite Scene
“I’ve always been on the run, trying to get somewhere. But since I met you, the only place I want to be is where you are. It scares the crap out of me, and some days I’m not sure if I’ve lost my mind for feeling this way or if I’ve finally figured out the meaning of life.”
- JILTED by Vi Keeland
Similar Reads & Recommendations
LEFT AT THE ALTAR: The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa (Amazon)
A forced-proximity, workplace romance between a wedding planner (who was just left at the altar) and her ex-fiancé’s brother, who just happened to be the best man at her not-so-successful wedding. Cheeky, steamy, easy to read.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3/5
UNFORGIVABLE EXES: Funny Story by Emily Henry (Amazon)
This book gave me a book hangover — and I think that’s just about the biggest compliment you can give a book. I had to take a second to myself after I finished. Similarly to Slipstream, the beginning of the book is a bit of a whirlwind that left me feeling a bit unsettled and frustrated. But in classic EmHen fashion, I quickly found myself immersed and intrigued by the mundanity of the characters’ lives — questioning characters, their complexity and the truth (as I perceived it).
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
“WEDDING DATES”: Happily Never After by Lynn Painter (Amazon)
Sophie and Max may have the most untraditional meet-cute and this romance is, in a way, the silliest with its anti-wedding plot. But as always, Lynn delivers a quirky, light-hearted read about two people who are hired to break off weddings, who may just fall in love. Plus, I dare you not to fall for the supporting cast.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3.5/5
BY THE AUTHOR: Stuck-Up Suit (Cocky Bastard #2) by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward (Amazon)
A little alpha-hole MMC and a spunky outspoken FMC you’ll want to call your BFF. There’s fiery banter that’ll have you doubling over with laughter. It seems like a theme with Vi’s books and I’m here for it.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3/5
Until the next chapter!
xo, Victoria
P.S. Craving more books featuring these sub-genres, tropes, and themes? Tap the links below.
