So Not Meant to Be is the second book in Meghan Quinn’s Cane Brothers series. It’s a sweet and spicy romance that follows Kelsey and JP’s relationship from coworkers to enemies to more. It’s an easy and light read. I enjoyed the witty banter. 

My first opinion of JP was that he was a cocky jerk. I really didn’t see a redemption arc possible for him, but, wow, was I wrong about that. And when he finally tells Kelsey his real name? I swooned. I still just love the relationship Kelsey has with her sister. I could’ve done with more romance and less friend-zoning, but we finally got there in the end so it all works out. 

Kelsey had her insecurities that got to be a bit too much sometimes and was also judgemental of JP who made it his mission to get under her skin any chance he could get. But JP was such a sweetheart and a great leading man that it greatly made up for Kelsey’s annoying qualities. His tendency to donate to a pigeon rescue when he got drunk was endearing and funny and I loved the “When Harry Met Sally” references woven into the story. There’s even a hilarious role-reversed restaurant scene in the story that had me laughing out loud. JP was attentive and the pain he felt when Kelsey went on dates with other men broke my heart and made me fall in love with the fictional man even more.

The duo narration matched perfectly to each character and did a great job enhancing the story.

A funny romcom that activates a melting heart and turns up the heat, So Not Meant to Be is an endearing novel that I won’t soon forget about.

Thank you Bloom Books for the gifted copy. Thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

I wanted to read this book because everyone and their mother has been talking about this series. It has been on my TBR for a while and when Michael Penguin Publishing sent me the last book in the series. I thought this was a sign to jump right in and I ordered book one and two. I didn’t mind book one, but was wanting more . . . and I'm still waiting for that itch to be scratched. 

This book has two points of views. The first one is the middle Cane brother named JP. He and his brothers own and run Cane Enterprises. He is the face of the business, he does all the PR stuff and does the jobs that no one wants to do. He is unhappy in this workplace but doesn’t want to let his brothers down. The second point of view is Kelsey, she is Lottie’s sister and she is determined to keep things professional between her and JP. So professional that even though she sees JP outside of work, she is refusing to be his friend. Huxley have told JP and Kelsey to go to San Francisco for two weeks to work on a very important project and both are not happy with this arrangement, especially when they must share the penthouse together. JP is the kind of guy who doesn’t believe in love and like to have a friend with benefits arrangement, where Kelsey is looking for her soulmate and won’t stop until she finds him. This is just one of the ways that JP and Kelsey are not meant to be. 

Okay, this book gave me whiplash and I didn’t know if I liked it or not. One minute JP all I don’t like you that way Kelsey, go on as many dates as you want and we are friends, to I'm going to kill anyone that breathe in her director. Just like the last book I think 50 or so pages could have probably been cut off if the monologues from JP and Kelsey weren’t so repetitive and confusing. But then at the same time, he is wanting Kelsey to open the doors to her sexual fantasies and let her explore and there was still a storyline throughout. I wanted Kelsey to be stronger, I get we all have our insecurities, but she judged JP as much as JP judged her yet she lost her cool about it.  

 Even though I am saying it was okay, it was addictive, I want to marry into a rich family with multiple brothers just for all the banter and laughs. I didn’t like the third act break up especially over something as small as JP doing something and not telling Kelsey his exactly location and the miscommunication side of that breakup just drove me nuts. I also would have preferred Kelsey to grovelling a bit – JP didn’t do anything wrong but protect Kelsey yet JP was the one that was grovelling. It felt a bit rushed. 
 
I loved the banter between the brothers and I’m already excited to read about Breaker and his romance. I love how much shit they give each other but they can also have serious conversation, you seen them all grow up within this book. 

I liked this book. 
The drama towards the end made me want to rip out my hair and cry my eyes out at the same time. I'm normally not a fan of much drama but this was good.

book 2 at times made me dislike the main characters from the previous book. But that seems to be a common problem with the series I chose to read lol.

3,6/5 🌶Smut was gooood but well wished there was a bit more yk instead of telling the reader they shagged the whole night make the scenes longer 🙏🏼

There were times where I didn't like the fmc but she had her reasons and it only made the characters more relatable. The book made sure to tell the reader that the characters are not perfect they have insecurities, issues, make mistakes and I love it. It shows realness but still immerses the reader/me in the book. 

But besides that, this was a good read.
Oh and this is a roller-coaster book definitely. 
Enjoy!

Okay I loved Kelsey and JP. If Huxley and Lottie were cute, Kelsey and JP are freakin’ adorable. Such a good sequel that I might’ve actually liked more than the first one.