Making Up by Lucy Parker
My Review:
Beatrix has serious issues with Leo Magasiva…
He was still looking at her, his expression enigmatic.
She grimaced. “You’re like a less particular version of Beetlejuice,” she said flatly. “I don’t even need to say your name. One passing thought and you materialise out of nowhere.”
A gleam flickered to life in the almost black irises. “On your mind, was I, Tinker Bell?”
Leo Magasiva. Top London makeup artist. Wizard of special effects. Possessor of beautiful voice and aggressively hipster beard.
Pop-up dickhead.
Leo hasn’t a great opinion of pink-haired aerialist Beatrix Lane either, he considers her “the extremely short bane” of his existence.
Problem is they are forced to work together…
The plot has very low drama and low angst, both main leads have a past but no intimacy with OM/OW is mentioned.
The story is well paced, the MC’s chemistry and the way their relationship develops is beautifully written.
From hate to lust, then like and deep love.
Trix was deeply hurt by a previous relationship that shattered her confidence and her trust in men, she is not the same girl Leo knew as teenagers.
Leo narrates their story in his own way through his drawings:
His drawing style had matured hugely over the past decade. He’d done a full-colour job as well, a professional wash of paint over the bold black lines. The saga of Superhero Leo and Superhero Trix continued. In his instalment, the Trix figure had just knocked illustrated Leo off his feet. Instead of Monday’s rugby ball, she balanced a minutely detailed globe on one hand. She was launching into a grand jeté to leap across a ditch towards another patch of land that was signposted as Welcome to Conclusions—Population: 1.
He’d drawn her jumping to conclusions.
And with the world at her fingertips.
I adored how he put his feelings out there without emotional bargains or drama.
She took a deep breath, which caught as he continued, “I thought about this all afternoon. What to say to you.” He reached out and touched her cheek. “And I guess, in the end, it’s not that complicated after all. You make me happy. It’s as simple as that.” He held her gaze. “And I make you happy. Whether you’re ready to acknowledge that or not.”
She tasted salt and realised that tears were sliding into the corners of her mouth.
Leo made another abbreviated movement, as if he couldn’t just sit still and watch her cry. “You’re it for me, Tinker Bell. I think my heart probably went ‘Yes. Her. This.’ when I was sixteen years old and an immature prick, and nowhere near ready for you, and it took the rest of me over ten years to shut up and listen. But there’s no ultimatum here. The stars seem to have aligned for us recently, but I don’t believe fate is giving us a now-or-never moment. This is our choice, yours and mine, and there’s no deadline. If you want me to wait, I’ll wait.” She saw his knuckles flex, and realised he wasn’t nearly as confident as his words.
“I’ll crash on Allie’s couch tonight. Give you some space to just…be. If you can, stuck in the flat alone with the Beagle Boys.” The tinge of humour dissipated. “If you decide that this is making things too hard right now, I will step back,” he said quietly. “But not away. Not out. I’m not giving up on us without a hell of a fight. And don’t underestimate yourself. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met. That’s never going to change.”
I know the quote is long but I couldn’t bring myself to leave any of it out.
This is probably THE BEST confession I’ve ever read.
He chooses her and he’s ready to wait as long as she needs.
He knows clearly the man he wants to be and the woman he wants at his side.
Crouching so they were at eye-level, he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “It doesn’t have to be perfect, sweetheart.” His thumb caught a last tear. “I’d say we’re all works-in-progress, probably until the day we die, and possibly after that. I wouldn’t be surprised if we keep stumbling around the unknown, doing stupid shite and hoping for the best, ever after.” She closed her eyes as he murmured against her skin, “But I still think we’ve got as good a chance as anyone at making it work, and better than most, because we’re both stubborn as fuck. Hand’s out, Trix. You just have to meet me halfway. Reach out and take it.” He pressed his mouth to her ear. “Fight for me, too.”
These words are just perfect!
I loved the banter, the humor, the characters, the plot… , I loved EVERYTHING about this book!
Beautiful HFN ending…cuteness overload ♡_♡
⭐ 5 Stars ⭐
~ My Ratings ~
Plot: 5 /5
Hero: 4.5/5
Heroine: 4/5
Secondary Characters: 4 /5
MC’s chemistry: 4.5/5
Steam: 3.5/5
Triggers: No major triggers, both main leads have a past and heroine has suffered emotional abuse in her previous relationship but there’s no OM/OW drama
Recommended to: Contemporary Romance Readers looking for a great romance with an hate to love plot.
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