Second First Impressions audiobook

I got off to a bit of a rough start with Second First Impressions, but once I got invested in the story, Teddy and Ruthie snuck themselves right into my heart and I ended up SO charmed by this sweet little book. Thanks to Sally's signature dreamy writing style, Teddy really shined in all of his tattooed, long-haired glory and I swooned SO HARD anytime he was on the page. I mean, THE DRESSING ROOM SCENE?????? HELLO?????? 🥵 This book was just a delight. An absolute delight. I am so happy that I loved this!!!!!!! CW: animal injury, fatphobic comments, dieting, death of a loved one

This was so perfectly charming, quirky, and adorable. Basically, everything I wanted in a Sally Thorne romance. I went into this with high expectations after loving The Hating Game and actually enjoying 99 Percent Mine, and I'm happy to say Sally Thorne didn't let me down! My heart was just so HAPPY reading this lovely story. I'm already putting Second First Impressions on my 'best of 2021' list!The thing I loved most about SFI was how unique it was. It's set in a retirement home, the heroine works there as a manager (she's 25 going on 80, which, relatable), there are two 90-year-old residents/menaces in need of an assistant to torture, and the hero is a dorky, tattoo-artist airhead in need of some lessons in responsibility, so he takes the position.Ruthie is like a grandma in a 25-year-old’s body who’s trying to come out of her shell of anxiety and monotony. She's sweet but shy and doesn't know her full potential. I loved seeing her learn more about what she wants out of life and seeing her grow to love herself. Teddy is a precious sweetheart (dare I say teddy bear) who, even though he has some growing up to do, worships the ground Ruthie walks on. And honestly, what more could I ask for from a hero? There are all these little moments and little things that Teddy does that show how hard he falls for Ruthie, how much he respects and cherishes her. Even though this book is told only from the heroine's POV, we get to see all of that so clearly and I LOVE when an author is capable of illustrating a hero this way.This romance is just so wholesome, funny, and precious - it was exactly the heartfelt and feel-good romance I was looking for from Sally Thorne. I know it's hard not to compare this to THG or even 99% Mine, but I truly feel like a lot of people would enjoy SFI whether or not they loved her previous books. I literally finished it with a smile on my face. I loved it!*****I loved THG and I was one of the few people who enjoyed 99% Mine, so I have some high hopes for this!

5 stars This is one of the sweetest, most charming, feel good romances I’ve ever read. It felt like getting a giant hug and I was in just the right mood to read a book like this, which is probably why I loved it so much. Going into this, I tried so hard not to compare this book to ‘The Hating Game’ because it’s in a league of its own and it’s easy to not compare it, because this is totally different than THG. What I love about Sally Thorne is that she’s written three different novels and they are all so very different. Though I think THG will always be the favorite of hers for me, this is a very close second! Ruthie Midona works at a Luxury Retirement Villa and has for six years. She’s 25 and has less of a life than some of her residents. Her job is her life and she’s mostly content with that. Until Teddy Prescott comes along . Teddy is the owner/property developer’s son and appears to be a tattooed, long haired, bad boy, but in reality- he’s a charming sweetheart you can’t help but love. I couldn’t get enough of Rutie and Teddy’s friendship. They genuinely liked each other and even though they seemed so opposite, it was obvious they belonged together. Teddy all the things about Ruthie she thinks she needs to change, and for once, Teddy finds someone who believes in him and his dreams. It’s a game changer for him. Not only was I completely enamored with Teddy and Ruthie, but the side characters were so lovable, eccentric, and fun. Ya’ll this one was just truly delightful. I can’t think of a better way to put it than that. I can definitely see why some people wouldn’t love this book, it might not be for everyone, but it was very much for me. I completely adored both of the main characters, the premise, the writing style, and all the happy feels it gave me. If you’re looking for a slow burn, friends to lovers, feel good romance, I can’t recommend this enough! Audio book source: Audible (Purchased)Story Rating: 5 starsNarrators: Jennifer Jill ArayaNarration Rating: 4 starsGenre: Contemporary RomanceLength: 10 hours and 20 minutes 


This was SO CUTE! If you love a "I'm annoyed with you" to "I'm friends with you" to "I'm in love with you," you'll enjoy this book. From the beginning, I really loved Ruthie's character from the moment we met her and Teddy was just impossible not to love. It was so cute how Ruthie slowly let her walls down with Teddy and they became such close friends before anything happened. Ruthie is kind of stuck in a rut in her life and Teddy pushes her to take chances and think about what her true dreams are. Is she really happy or is she just content and scared to make any changes in her life? The two residents that Teddy ended working for were amazing and I swear that all of the main characters were just so lovable. Ruthie's coworker was fun and I just loved how much everyone loved and cared for Ruthie and wanted her to be happy. I loved how there were turtles that lived in the retirement community and just how fun and quirky this story was. Definitely precious and something I could recommend!

theodore prescott i am free on thursday night if you want to give me a call on thursday night when i am free

this was good. Not as good as The Hating Game, but then again few things are. I liked it. All the problems at the end were resolved very conveniently, anticlimactically, and quickly. Generally though, a pretty good read,Rating: 3.5

Ruthie and Teddy were the softest, goofiest, lovable opposites-attract couple I’ve read in a long while. Sigh. That was a good one. More thorough review to come.

Unlike any Contemporary Romance I have ever read How does Sally Thorne come up with these ideas? Second First Impressions is an extremely unique and quirky book about Ruthie Midona (the 25-year-old reverend's daughter) stand-in manager at Providence - a high-end retirement villa. Ruthie is methodic and high strung and she has an immense fear of messing up. She dresses and acts like she's 125 instead of 25. Even the residents around the villa seem more lively than she is. Besides making sure the place runs smoothly, her only other hobby is taking care of the many Golden Bonnet Tortoises she rescued and brought to live around the place.Everything changes when she unexpectedly meets Theodore Prescott, the long-haired, motorcycle riding, full of tattoos son of the owner of Providence. Circumstances lead to Teddy having to share a cottage with Ruthie and work as the personal assistant of the most eccentric residents in the villa.Yes, this premise is insane for a romance novel, but it absolutely works. Sally Thorne managed to write something beautiful and heartwarming within such a strange concept. And it's also completely different than anything she's written before. It's a bit moodier (maybe even darker) than The Hating Game and 99% Mine. But it works and it manages to stand on its own.This is a very slow burn book, but I didn't mind the build-up because Teddy is such a charismatic character. He completely stole the scene every single time. I also appreciated how he was such a cinnamon roll, in contrast to his hard exterior.I really enjoyed the reading experience, but the ending was a bit of a letdown. Not because of the content, but the way it all unraveled. Every resolution came in the last 10% of the book. It was extremely rushed compared to how the book was leisurely telling its story. And there was a loose end with Ruthie's parents, her grievances with them were such an important plot point and we didn't get to experience the much-needed confrontation with them.Everything else was just super cute, and even with the rushed ending I still managed to finish the book with a huge smile on my face.Thank you so much HarperCollins for approving me for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. More reviews in the Blog Bookstagram

4 stars! Guys, this book was actually VERY cute! Ruthie is a woman in her twenties, but her wardrobe and daily activities mirror that of the elderly residents in the retirement home she works in. Ruthie has sheltered safely in the walls of her work and has avoided any other kind of human interaction outside the community. This all changes when the son of her boss, Teddy, is moved into the accommodation site next to hers. After a meeting that doesn’t go well between the two of them, Ruthie exacts her revenge by recommending him a job for the notorious, eccentric residents in her home. Second First Impressions is a bit of an unconventional romance. I’ve definitely never read anything like it. There are a ton of negative reviews for this book, so I went in with an open mind. I didn’t expect The Hating Game going into this book and I’m glad I did, because I really enjoyed it. I loved the banter between Teddy and Ruthie, and his relentless pursuit of her, even when it only seemed to be a pursuit of friendship. But what I loved most about this book was how it was a story of two people who had lost the ability to be confident in their abilities and how they taught each other over time that they were capable of more than what they expected. So my recommendation would be to go into this book with zero expectations, and just enjoy the ride. I hope you do!

Second First Impressions is a delightfully funny love story between unlikely people. Ruthie works at a retirement community and her life revolves around her job. Her only social life is her online friends and the resident events. Teddy is attractive and the owner’s son, but Ruthie’s first impression of him wasn’t good. Teddy is a reckless partier. Now Teddy is living next door to Ruthie. Ruthie finds him a job that will be entertaining for everyone, but Teddy surprises everyone. Ruthie and Teddy quickly develop an unexpected friendship and start to get to know each other. I loved this story and was entertained throughout the book. The characters are all great with unique personalities and very realistic. I loved Teddy’s interactions with the residents. Second First Impressions is a must read for Sally Thorne fans. I loved The Hating Game and second First Impressions lived up to my expectations.I listened to the audiobook narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya and enjoyed her narration. She is the perfect voice for Ruthie and did great narrating Teddy’s parts too.Thank you William Morrow and Harper Audio for Second First Impressions.Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...

SALLY!!! HOW DO YOU KEEP WRITING SUCH INCREDIBLE CHARACTERS!!!!_______ One of the “benefits” of working in the front office of Providence Retirement Villa is I receive feedback on every aspect of my lifestyle and appearance, whether I want it or not. (I do not.) Here are the three questions the residents always have for me:•How old are you? (Twenty-five)•Do you have a boyfriend? (No)•Why not? (Miscellaneous reasons, none of which will satisfy them) Sally Thorne does it a-fucking-gain. I could not put this down. She gets all the stars for:• An incredible, well-rounded group of characters• Drama and conflict that made SENSE and wasn't centred on a trivial misunderstanding• A quirky, fun MC that I just wanted to give a big hug to• An adorable male love interest (guys, I have a problem. I keep falling in love with men written by women, so no real man ever measures up)• TORTOISES• WICKEDLY FUN OLD LADIESHonestly, I would have read the novel for the side characters alone. Renata was NEXT LEVEL. Melanie was the best friend I never had. Teddy was the sort of hot class clown you can't help but fall in love with. His bits with Aggie and Renata were my favourite. (Hey Sally, could you write a period piece on Ren and Aggie? Thanks!)What a setting, too! Thorne certainly can paint a picture. I have thought, more than once, that I would be very happy living in a retirement community, and Sally's convinced me I'm right. Quiet neighbours! Who are probably hard of hearing! And go to bed at 8! Sounds like a dream. I don't know how she managed to make a retirement facility seem romantic, but she did. I could gush about this forever, probably. I enjoyed it nearly as much as The Hating Game, which comes out on top because I'm trash for enemies-to-lovers. Still, I love a guy who pines, so I am a happy, happy girl.4.5 stars rounded up. Sally, I love you, but PLEASE GET YOUR BUTT IN GEAR AND WRITE ANOTHER BOOK ALREADY. This one just came out and I'm already starving for one.

Ruthie Midona is in her mid-twenties, she’s worked as an office assistant at the Providence Luxury Retirement Villas for six years and she lives in a cottage on the property. Dedicated to her job, Ruthie is efficient and extremely hard working. But, she’s living a life of a much older person, she dresses like an old lady and a very frugal one. Melanie Sasaki starts working with Ruthie as a temp, she’s determined to change Ruthie’s single status and the way she dresses.Theodore is the son of Jerry Prescott the owner of Providence and he’s very different to his successful businessman father. Teddy’s a bit of a rebel, he rides a motorbike, he has no fixed address, has long hair and lot of tattoos. He’s a tattoo artist, he needs to earn some cash and starts working as a personal assistant for a couple of rich quirky ladies living at the retirement village. Ruthie doesn’t think Teddy stands a chance and Renata and Aggie have had as many personal assistants as Teddy has had addresses in the last year. Much to her horror, Teddy moves in next door to Ruthie and sets about proving her wrong. He picks up dry cleaning, cuts up burgers into bite size pieces, wears silly costumes and does it all with a dazzling smile. Teddy’s rather good looking, he’s charming and he starts to get under Ruthie’s perfect skin. When she discovers that Jerry is considering selling Providence, Ruthie is horrified and is Teddy as nice as she thought? Second First Impressions is a wonderful entertaining story, I was hooked from the start and I loved all the characters. Ruthie is so sweet, she became more confident, less uptight and she blossomed. Teddy’s totally an inked spunk, he’s funny, kind and the perfect person to ruffle Miss. Ruthie’s feathers. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, it’s the first book I have read by Sally Thorne, I’m very keen to read more and five stars from me.https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/

I was so thrilled to receive an ARC for Second First Impressions. I absolutely loved Sally’s debut novel, The Hating Game, and also enjoyed 99 Percent Mine which received mixed reviews. I would highly encourage fans of Sally who didn’t love 99 Percent Mine to rest assured and give Second First Impressions a chance because it really is Sally’s perfect “second first impression.”Ruthie Midona is a 25 year old living and working in a retirement community. She is the oldest 25 year old alive who prefers to spend her time with the retired residents than bother venturing outside the Providence Retirement Villas to find a life in the real world. Her newest coworker, Melanie Sasaki is determined to get Ruthie back into the dating world going as far as to invest her own method, The Sasaki Method. Things begin to get interesting in the retirement village when Teddy Prescott, son of the Villas owner, arrives with his father. His father tells him he can live there next to Ruthie as long as he gets a job. The only available job is working as an assistant to the hilarious sisters, Aggie and Renata. Their ad read “Two ancient old women residing at Providence Retirement Villas seek male assistant for casual exploitation and good-natured humiliation.” Reneta and Aggie were a major highlight for me. They were hilarious and you couldn’t help but love them. Sparks quickly fly between Ruthie and Teddy as they migrate from enemies to neighbors to friends to falling in love. I really loved both Ruthie and Teddy. Ruthie is was so likable and it was so fun to watch her come out of her shell and start to build a real life for herself. Teddy was a major book boyfriend. He was so lovable and funny. Ruthie and Teddy had great chemistry and the sparks were flying off the pages. All the supporting characters were great. I read this endearing romance in one sitting and will be counting down the days to Sally Thorne’s next novel. Second First Impressions is sure to join The Hating Game on my short list of novels I reread annually. Thank you to Edelweiss+, William Morrow and Custom House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved, loved, loved this book. The writing was phenomenal, I laughed out loud at least a dozen times. The story was adorable too, I loved all of the characters. 10/10. (:

"I've helped enough handsome boys with their homework to know that the moment you get that studio key, the exam's over and I will no longer be required."Thorne is back with another hit in this quirky romcom about a young woman learning to take risks and fall in love.*ARC sent by publisher, thoughts and opinions are my own* REVIEW Well, I absolutely adored this book. I will admit that the ending is quite rushed and I wished that the resolution between Teddy and his family was more fleshed out, but I loved everything else so much that I decided to stick with my 5-star rating. The star of this story is Ruthie. When I first met her, I wasn't sure if I would connect to her—but I did on so many levels, and I think that is why I loved the book so much. Ruthie is an introvert to highest caliber. She hates leaving the retirement community and has a lot of anxiety (mainly pertaining to locking doors and making sure everything is in line). Her anxiety stems from a past-trauma that I won't delve into for spoilers, but reading about it broke my heart. Ruthie is a pastor's kid, but when her dad lost faith in her, she lost faith in the church. Ruthie is so used to the people around her leaving after they get what they need, and I felt that pain in my bones. A lot of Ruthie's inner-struggles are ones I have and I really appreciated seeing her work through them. This is a story about Ruthie learning to let people into her life and trust them without the fear that they may leave her. This is a story about Ruthie learning to let go of her past and learning to embrace the future she has always wanted. Ruthie has always chosen the safe option, the simple option, but when Teddy comes barreling into her life everything changes. Teddy was hilarious. I will admit, there were times when he was hella cheesy and a little stalker-ish, but it made sense for his character. Teddy is the love-child that broke up his father's marriage, and he has been fighting for the approval of his father and four half-sisters ever since. Teddy likes to act blasé about life, he likes to seem as though he is never taking anything seriously—but that is because he cares so much about what people think of him, that he feels like if no one expects anything from him that he can't let them down. I loved peeling back the layers and learning more about Teddy, seeing that he had so much depth to him. Oh the romance! This is probably one of the sweetest romances I have read all year. Teddy is instantly interested in Ruthie, and while Ruthie is attracted to Teddy, she doesn't want to open her heart up to someone who may leave her. As a result, they end up forming a friendship first and that then slowly turns into a romance. I loved the progression over the book and how Ruthie grew to realise that there would never be anyone like Teddy. My favourite scene is when Ruthie realises that Teddy is also a huge fan of the tv-series she runs a fansite for, and they curl up on the couch and marathon episodes! A dream come true. Also, look at this quote from Teddy:"You're the thousand-dollar dress on the rack in this thrift store and I can't believe no one's picked you up yet."The book is set at a wealthy retirement village, which I was wary of, but I ended up loving it. The Parloni sisters were two of my favourite characters in the entire book. They are both exceedingly rich and love hiring assistants (normally young men) to harass with obscene tasks. Teddy ends up as their assistant and Renata Parloni makes him bury a white blouse that he bought her under a tree because it is so ugly. Additionally, the retirement village is the home to an endangered species of turtles—so cute!Lastly, I really enjoyed Melanie's character. She is this sweet, young temp-worker at the retirement village and she manages to befriend Ruthie. Their female friendship is adorable and Melanie's quirks were hilarious. I could see myself having a friend like her. I don't think it will happen, but I would love to see her get her own novel and romance. Overall, while I only gave 99% Mine three-stars, I can confidently say that Thorne is back on the mark with her third romcom! I cannot wait for more.TW: Anxiety, panic-attacks, animal injury, dieting, death of a loved one

Sally Thorne is BACK! Thank goodness. I feared we'd never recover after 99 Percent Mine. But here we are. Second First Impressions is considerably more than a light hearted romance between two quirky, unusual people (though it is that too). It's a deep dive into the long-lasting effects of family trauma faced during adolescence on a woman's ability to establish herself in adulthood, to take herself seriously, and to create a life for herself. I'm impressed with all the layers and different elements Sally Thorne successfully includes, the strongest being the cast of multi-faceted, fascinating characters. And the turtles. The romance element is the weakest of the story- it feels a bit like the author decided Ruthie and Teddy should be in love... and so they are. I don't know that it's 100% believably developed. But I also decided that it doesn't matter. I had a lot of fun and am excited (again) for anything Sally Thorne writes!4 starsThanks to netgalley and William Morrow for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!