Book: Proud Mary by Hannah Brixton
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 4/5
Proud Mary by Hannah Brixton
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
I really enjoyed Mary and Gus's dislike-to-lovers holiday romance. They met more than a decade ago as coworkers, and Mary has been annoyed by Gus's existence ever since. Gus LOVES pushing Mary's buttons, first to get her attention as a crushing teenager and later just because he enjoys getting her riled up. When they're snowed in together, they finally give in to the ever-growing tension between them, unleashing an explosion of feelings.
I LOVE that Mary is given the space to be "difficult"—aka independent, stubborn, and outspoken. She owns a successful business, has strong friendships (YAY for women building each other up), and isn't afraid to be vocal about what she wants in a partner. She's also learned to work with her sensory processing disorder without letting it stand in her way. In short, she's a BADASS. And Gus loves her for exactly who she is, which makes me love him even more.
Gus is a sexy firefighter who's recently gone through an amicable divorce. Yes, he loves getting Mary's goat, but he's also such a SWEETHEART. I mean, this man will feed you pie in the middle of the night. And his post-sex zoomies? ADORABLE. He has such a huge heart, and I especially love that he's focused on bringing mental health resources to his firehouse. He's also a natural caretaker, which makes him an excellent match for Mary.
Together, Mary and Gus are HOT. I loved their exploration of kink and bedroom dynamics, which really highlights the comfort and trust they've built with each other. They feel like such a believable couple, having been low-key obsessed with each other for YEARS. But as much as I enjoyed their chemistry, it's the sweeter moments that really got me. Gus taking care of Mary through a migraine? SWOON. The two of them grocery shopping together? I ATE THAT UP. Give me all the little domestic moments that show how well two people fit together.
This was a strong ending to a great series. I'm sad to say goodbye to these characters, but I'm excited to see where Hannah Brixton takes us next!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC!