Act Your Age, Eve Brown was the perfect final chapter to round out a very enjoyable (and inclusive) romance series.
There was much more buildup to the relationship in Act Your Age, Eve Brown than in the previous instalments. Of course, there were a few more boundaries to overcome – from vehicular assault(?!) to the employer-employee power imbalance – but it was delightful to watch Eve and Jacob circle each other, moving closer and closer. They both have very intense internal monologues, and I loved how external these monologues became as they relaxed around each other.
Once again, Hibbert’s writing was genuinely funny, the chemistry was palpable (Jacob’s ability to flip a switch from awkward conversation to incredibly suggestible was inspiring), and the kindness and generosity with which they treated each other sets a gold standard for all relationships.
I loved how Jacob brought up his autism and how easily it was accepted, how Eve considered her own place on the spectrum and came to a conclusion that worked for her, and how Jacob’s baggage around relationships came from many sources and not just his diagnosis. Similarly to how the Brown sisters addressed their weight in the entire series (it’s mentioned but never as an issue – they aren’t hung up on it, it’s never an insecurity when considering a relationship or sexual encounter, it’s not fetishised in the smut, it’s rarely described using all of the synonyms for ‘voluptuous’ as many are wont to do, and there’s no judgment about how or what they eat), Jacob’s characteristics that are ascribed to his autism are described when necessary but not in a textbook or public service announcement and often they’re mentioned but not outright linked. It’s very well done, and Hibbert showed time and time again how to write inclusive romance that is natural, believable, and pretty freaking hot.
After the Brown Sisters series, I’m a big fan of Hibbert, and I look forward to checking out more of her writing to see if it lives up to the high benchmark set here. I can highly recommend Act Your Age, Eve Brown and the entire series for anyone looking for funny, sexy reads with a little bit of depth.