As I Grow by Elle Rivers

As I Grow was a wonderful third installment of the Strawberry Springs series. I’m a sucker for a one night stand turned accidental pregnancy, and I absolutely adored how Elle Rivers executed this controversial trope.

Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand why pregnancy, especially surprise pregnancy, in books turns readers off. It can kill the romance, take away the FMC’s agency, and make the plot stutter to a stop. However, in As I Grow, Grace’s pregnancy jump starts the plot and facilitates the romance. I don’t think Grace and Dean would have seen each other again after their one night stand without the pressure and responsibility of a baby on the way.

I also really enjoyed watching Dean and Grace heal from their family wounds. Grace learned that just because someone is technically family doesn’t mean that they’re good for her or worth her time, and Dean learned that just because he was left once before doesn’t mean he’ll be left again.

The one thing I thought could have been executed better was Dean’s backstory. I felt his emotions and his pain, but I don’t think there was strong enough reasoning for the level of pain Dean was dealing with. The rejection by a girl in high school causing him to swear off dating fell especially flat for me. I think if seeing how the loss of his dad affected his mom was played up more and the rejection was left out, that would work better as the cause for his attachment issues. I did love meeting Dean’s mom. She was so wonderful to Grace, and she held Dean accountable and helped him address and move on from his issues.

As I Grow was emotional, swoony, and heartwarming–it made me fall even more in love with Strawberry Springs.

Thanks for reading with me,

Katie