NetGalley Review: “Tinkering with Love” by Aliyah Burke

Series: Rock Falls #1

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨

Steam: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: June 20th, 2022

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CW: fatshaming, mentions of drug use

Dawson Shay could never be accused of being a bubbly ray of sunshine. Like, not ever. But her outlook on life has only gotten worse since she moved across the country for her dream job rebuilding motorcycles…only to lose the job to someone else. Now her run of bad luck includes a wilderness retreat with the entire company—including the asshat who stole her job. Fortunately, Tully Faulkner’s bearded, tattooed hotness is pretty much the perfect distraction.

Except, Tully isn’t just Mr. Hometown Hero, he’s also said asshat who stole her job. And if he thinks he can win her over with his ability to charm the pants off everybody else, he’s got another thing coming. But Dawson can’t avoid him forever… or the seriously hot sparks between them. Somewhere between the breathtaking northern lights and teaming up to win their company’s scavenger hunt, Dawson starts to think that Tully’s magic touch might be just what she’s been missing.

But even sexy gearheads have their secrets. And Dawson’s about to discover that falling for the too-perfect-to-be-true Tully might just backfire on her completely…

 

There was so much to love about this book, but there was also something missing as I read the book. Tinkering With Love had a really interesting premise and the setting of the first half of the book was so much fun. To keep it simple, I’m going to break it down a little.

What I did like:

— I really loved that she was the grump and he was the sunshine, especially since he was all rough and tumble with tattoo sleeves and a wild attitude.

— I enjoyed the friendships that were built through the leads and some of the supporting characters

— Most of the book is set at a team building camp and that was really fun. I loved the challenges and the activities that the characters were put through.

— Dawson and Tully were interesting characters with a lot to offer. I enjoyed how Dawson battles body shaming and the struggles of being a big Black woman, but also how she accepts who she is without looking to change herself for other people

What I didn’t like:

— This is an entirely personal reason: but I do not care for insta love and Tully falls for Dawson the minute he meets her and he claims that she’s the one pretty early on

— Another personal note: I don’t always like enemies to lovers, but I liked this one. However, I think Dawson and Tully should have talked about this issue early on, instead of it dragging on for so long and getting so complicated.

— Also, oof. There’s a bet. And while it’s addressed once and forgotten about and then suddenly brought back, it still exists and it’s still icky. I think it’s childish and silly to make a bet with friends that you’ll make someone like/love you.

— Reiterating point 2, the lack of communication really drove me insane. I think so many of their issues and concerns could have been avoided if they just talked to each other!

Even though I had some issues with this book, I did enjoy it for the most part. I read through it pretty fast, the scavenger hunt and the group activities were entertaining. The friendships that were built were fun and all in all, it was a fun read. I am certainly curious about the next book in the series to see what we’re gonna get!

Thanks to Entangled and NetGalley for generously providing me with an advance copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.