Love on the Scottish Spring Isle by Beatrice Bradshaw Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

4.5/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Runaway bride

➮ Dual POV

➮ International romance

➮ Travel romance

➮ Forced proximity

Synopsis

April is a runaway bride who escapes to a Scottish Isle. When she is there she runs into Euan MacLeod, a Scottish surf instructor, bartender, and infamous womanizer with a long streak of one-night-stands. Yearning for a chance at freedom April wants one of his one-night-stands. But Euan has to risk more than his beloved camper van. Will their vacation fling become an anchoring love?

Best Quote From the Book

“He kissed her hair. It was the color of  Saorsa's sand, her eyes the color of the ocean. She looked and tasted as if she were made of this isle. The place he loved most in all the world."

LGBTQ+ Representation

4/5 🌈

This book has a lot of wonderful LGBTQ+ representation sprinkled throughout the end portion of the book. I noticed a non-binary best friend, an advertisement with two fathers, and an old lesbian couple. All of these instances of representation were brought up casually and positively. 

My Thoughts

This book has an absolutely beautiful setting! I want to visit that island and see all of the amazing scenery in the book. I am impressed with how well Bradshaw wove the scenery seamlessly into the story. She is linguistically talented for this reason alone. 

My second favorite part of this book after the setting is how this book allows both main characters to grow on their own. In so many romance books the love interests only grow in the presence of the other person or do not grow at all. April and Euan learn and decide how they want their lives to proceed separately from one another. I want to see more of this!

There was one part that I did find a tad bit cringy. This is a personal grievance/ick of mine that I did not realize I had until now. April referred to Euan's butt as his peach emoji. I feel like especially in a book with spice, we are all adults here and can call body parts by their proper names.

The nicknames they both gave each other were so fun and clever. It reminded me of all of the various nicknames I have given my friends over the years. Their banter overall was quite good and funny to read.

During my reading experience, I was reading this book with a thunderstorm outside as I got to the scene with a thunderstorm. I can say this highly elevated my reading journey. It was so vibey and cool to feel extra connected to the book. I already felt connected to the setting through the writing, this just took it to another level. If you happen to be able to have the same experience, you will understand. 

I will note this book has multiple explicit sex scenes. The author has stated that she is a big advocate for sexual liberation and conveys such in her books. That said, these scenes can be skipped without missing too much plot if spicy scenes are not your cup of tea.  There is also a spicy bonus chapter available for anyone who enjoys that content. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The setting is immersive and gorgeous above all else. April and Euan's banter is amusing and flows well. Both April and Euan grow on their own which adds a lot of value to their commitment. I cannot wait to dive into future books by Beatrice Bradshaw. 

I received this book as an arc from Book Sirens. My review is honest and voluntary

Crushing on the Grumpy Best Man by Lila Marlow

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

4.25/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Grumpy x sunshine

➮ Enemies to lovers

➮ Opposites attract

➮ Forced proximity

➮ Dual POV

Synopsis

In an attempt to make peace, Max Waltons invites Jessa on a cruise back to Europe after her best friend and his brother's wedding. At the wedding, they butt heads a lot. Now that they are stuck on a cruise together, will they be able to play house and get along?

My Thoughts

This book is pretty much the definition of short and sweet. It is naturally very fast-paced. I enjoyed a fun vacationy read to get me in the warm weather mood. I would've loved to see the book slow down the pace a bit. 

It really felt like the characters barely knew each other and were suddenly in love. Readers don't get to know the characters all that much beyond their attraction. Particularly, I would've liked to see more of them before the wedding. Perhaps the other books in the series would help with that.

My favorite part of this book by far is all of the scenes where they have to play house with Emil. The little one is just so cute and sweet. He propelled the plot a lot simply by existing. 

I am a bit sad that the ruined vacation trope happened again in this book. This is really just my request for people to be able to have a nice vacation in a book. That said, I will forgive it this time because this book did need the conflict. I liked how the conflict was handled. 

Overall if you want a short, sweet, lighthearted, and vacationy read, this book is for you. It is a spice-free enemies-to-lovers story. I would've liked to see it be a tad bit longer but I appreciate that it trims out unnecessary parts of the story. 

I received this book as part of a haylingsbookstorm arc team. My review is honest and voluntary

2024 Quarter 1 Stats

 

2024 Quarter 1 Stats 

So far I have read 30 books

I have read 5,616 pages

I have listened to 130.55 hours of audiobooks

My most prevalent moods are emotional, funny, and tense

I have read 29% fast-paced, 59% medium-paced, and 12% slow-paced

I have read 97% fiction and 3% non-fiction

My most popular genres are romance, contemporary, and thriller

I have read 53% digital, 37% audio, and 10% physical

My average rating is 3.91 stars

November 2023 Reads

  November 2023 Reads 

This month I read 4 books 

These books were 100% fiction

The most popular genres were contemporary, LGBTQ+, and young adult

My average rating was 4.69 stars

The Books

➽ The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

➽ A Fabumouse Vacation for Geronimo by Geronimo Stilton

➽ The Lovely and the Lost by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

➽ People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

March 2024 Reads

 March 2024 Reads 

This month I read 12 books 

These books were 100% fiction

The most popular genres were romance, thriller, and literary

My average rating was 3.92 stars

The Books

➽ S.T.A.G.S by M.A. Bennett

➽ Hour of the Olympics (Magic Tree House #16) by Mary Pope Osborne

➽ The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros

➽ Lege et Lacrima by Alina Comsa

➽ Bunny Hunting by H.N. DeFore

➽ Maybe Once, Maybe Twice by Alison Rose Greenberg

➽ None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

➽ Catching Feelings by Maren Moore

➽ The Heart to Seek Part I by Sushidren Jayasingham

➽ Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

➽ The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton

➽ Crushing on the Grumpy Best Man by Lila Marlow

February 2024 Reads

  February 2024 Reads 

This month I read 10 books 

These books were 90% fiction

The most popular genres were romance, contemporary, and young adult

My average rating was 3.73 stars

The Books

➽ Chasing Waves by Dani Hart

➽ Something Lost by Erin FitzGerald

➽ Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

➽ The Anatomy of Matchmaking by Evie Sterling

➽ Digging Up Love With the Sheriff by Evie Sterling

➽ Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

➽ Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

➽ Something Broken by Erin FitzGerald

➽ Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant by Curtis Chin

➽ Game, Set, Matchmaker by Evie Sterling

The Heart To Seek Part I by Shushindren Jayasingham Review

* This review is spoiler-free *

3/5 ⭐

Synopsis

Creerloshin starts a journey to discover true love and kindness. In this journey, he meets 24 different women who all shape his life. How will he grow and learn about love? What will these women teach him? This book is inspired by true events.

LGBTQ+ Representation

0/5 🌈

Admittedly if anything, this book is a bit transphobic and doesn't accept the concept of there being more than two genders. I cannot say anything about the author's personal beliefs but I did think it was worth pointing out.

My Thoughts

The first thing that struck me about this story is the very poetic and thoughtful writing style. It felt like the narrator was wistfully sitting down to have a chat about how the loves in his life have gone so far. It was quite natural and reminiscent. 

Readers can clearly see the desperation in the narrator's perspective demonstrates the high value he places on love. From the beginning to the end, so much thought and contemplation is made about every relationship Creerloshin has had. 

That said the overanalyzing of every relationship he has ever had with women was a bit jarring. He seems to assess every female he meets as a potential wife. While likely unintentional, there are some parts of the book that read rather arrogant and borderline narcissistic. These women are people of their own and just because they talk to you doesn't mean they are suddenly potential wives. I would've loved to see greater acknowledgment of the importance of platonic love in friendship. For a book that places so much value on love, the different kinds of love often fall by the wayside. 

One part of this story that rubbed me the wrong way is the insinuation that there are only two genders. I realize that it was an off-handed line, but it felt very unnecessary and out of place to what was happening in the story at the time. I was tempted to take off an additional star just for this factor but decided that was a bit harsh. 

This book has absolutely zero dialogue. The author said this was a deliberate choice to respect the privacy of people's conversations. Due to this lack of dialogue, the point of view and perspective is quite one-sided. I would've loved to see more from the women's perspectives. How did they feel when getting to know Creerloshin? Were their feelings anywhere near the level of his?

This book does an excellent job of expressing the feelings associated with the rise and fall of falling in love. When Ceerloshin fumbles his relationships, a lot of depth and care is shown as to why it all went wrong. From the elation to the heartbreak, this book dives into it all.

This book inspires readers to take an in-depth look at their own relationships and what makes them thrive or fail. In the journey of searching for those who we love and who love us in return, it would be a good idea to take a page from Creerloshin's book.

Overall this book is excellent for those looking for a book that dives into what it means to love and be loved. This book sometimes comes off a bit concerning with stalking behavior or overall arrogance, so do keep that in mind. 

Catching Feelings by Maren Moore Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

5/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Enemies to lovers

➮ Roommates to lovers

➮ Forced proximity

➮ Found family

➮ Sports romance

➮ Dual POV

Synopsis

After an "accidental" hook-up, Viv is distressed to learn that she is stuck with Reese Laundry. Reese is the All-Star Catcher at Orleans University. He is rich, handsome, connected, and charming. Viv is the only girl on campus that doesn't fall at his feet. With an unfortunate curveball in life, Viv and Reese become roommates. As they get to know each other better, maybe Reese isn't so bad?

Best Quote From the Book

“I don't get what the big deal is. Everyone's so annoyed that I am being an over-the-top cat daddy, but I can't help it that I love her. I'm a proud helicopter cat dad."

My Thoughts

This book opens up with an absolutely fantastic playlist! It has songs for everyone from pop-punk to Taylor Swift. While this book isn't about music, the songs in the playlist are actually relevant to the story. It's been a while since I saw a story with a good playlist so it was a pleasant surprise when I opened the story. 

I love the combination of a writer FMC and a baseball player MMC. They naturally go together quite well and do what they can to support the other's passion. Reese's sister is also a huge reader so I love the representation of girls bonding over books. 

As a huge sucker for good banter, this book left me very satisfied. Reese and Viv's teasing felt very natural and funny. There is an inherent level of comfort in their quips that demonstrates how well the characters play off of each other. You can tell Moore took a lot of time and care to explore the dynamics of the relationships between all of the characters.

The found family in this book are all so supportive of each other and show up when they need to. Their trust and bond propel the growth in the book.

Honestly, there is almost nothing I would change about this book. The only thing I wish was different is their wonderful vacation getting quickly cut short. One of my least favorite romance tropes is when the main characters are finally having a nice time together and something comes along to quickly end their happiness. I would love to see a book with a fully played-out nice vacation, date, trip, experience, etc.

This story is absolutely spicy and is not the book for those who aren't into spice. The spice genuinely contributes to the plot and helps the story move along so I wouldn't recommend skipping it. There are also some truly funny spicy moments (all I will say is body wash, if you know you know).

In sum, I really enjoyed this book and it was an easy 5-star. Do I think it will be a book I remember forever and ever? Probably not, but at least in the short term, I found it quite excellent and well-balanced. I particularly love the character dynamics and how they shape the plot. It wasn't just that plot points were thrown onto the characters, they were actually navigating various changes.

I received this book as part of a Valentine PR arc team. My review is honest and voluntary

Lege et Lacrima by Alina Comsa Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

4.5/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Small-town romance

➮ Chosen family

➮ Strangers to lovers

➮ Dual POV

➮ Instalove

Synopsis

When Lalah finds her boyfriend in bed with another woman, she knows she has to absolutely change her life. After years of being a nomad, Lalah settles in the town of Lost Hope.  After a snowstorm, Cole and his family end up on her doorstep. The knight in shining tattoos brings his two step sisters with him as they begin to warm her heart once again. Cole makes fighting Lalah's demons his new mission. 

Best Quote From the Book

“Reading was my escape, my safe place, my protective cocoon."

LGBTQ+ Representation

2/5 🌈

Cole's little brother Blake is bisexual. This is briefly mentioned in the story and is totally accepted. Blake is not properly out at the time of the book but it is implied he has some sort of relationship with a man. 

Cole is totally supportive and is simply happy if Blake is happy. The reason this rating is not higher is because that part of his character was set up as if more would be done with it but it simply never happens. Blake does not have a book of his own planned but it does seem like things were set up with that possibility in mind. Until he gets to properly explore his bisexuality, this rating will not be higher. 

My Thoughts

When I discovered that Lalah is a reader girlie, I started to love her character. She is confident and knows what she wants. A lot of what she wants is to read in peace and avoid people. I find that dream highly relatable. When she creates her dream house, I want to steal it. I will gladly take that state-of-the-art security system and that beautiful giant library. I'm pretty sure anyone reading this review would also love that.

This book seems like it is trying a bit too hard to set up the plot and establish the characters for the entirety of the rest of the series. As a result, trying to learn about every single character relevant to the town is a lot for readers to process. It's okay to not know the characters in book five all the way from book one. Readers are confronted with a lot of backstories and a spider web of relationships to shift through. Even in a small town, not every person in town will be connected to one another directly. I would've loved to see the web built out over the course of the series instead of being aggressively peppered in throughout the first book. 

I was shocked to see how happy I was with Lalah and Cole's instalove attitude. It was quite funny during many different moments. Including the extreme caveman energy of many of the guys in town. 

Admittedly I don't really get the heavy inclusion of Latin in the story. It threw me off a bit initially because I've never seen another story employ Latin in that way. 

This book in total is over 500 pages. Surprisingly I don't think those pages were wasted. The entire book was truly filled with plot and character-building. That said, I would've loved to see it trimmed down at least 100 pages. Perhaps that is mostly due to my short attention span. 

The found and thrown-together family works incredibly well together. I love seeing the girls interact, Blake's funny moments, and how naturally Lalah lets Cole's family into her life. It truly seems like they were all destined to have a life as a family. They chose each other and supported one another in a very powerful way. 

Please do keep in mind this book does have a decent amount of spice. It would be difficult to skip so I do not recommend this book to those not interested in or uncomfortable with spice. In addition, please review the trigger warnings before diving into this book because it does cover some heavier topics. 

Overall I quite enjoyed reading this story. The fond family, funny bonds, and host of solid characters make it stand out. Going forward, I hope the rest of the series is slower to introduce new characters.

I received this book as part of an arc team. My review is honest and voluntary

S.T.A.G.S. by M.A. Bennett Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

5/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ YA thriller

➮ Isolated

➮ Estate

➮ Cult

Synopsis

Greer MacDonald has just started as a scholarship student at the exclusive St. Aidan the Great boarding school, known as STAGS. STAGS is a place where the new is avoided. The school is run by a group of students known as the Medivals. Greer is given an invitation to spend an illustrious weekend retreat by the head of the Midevals. The weekend is known as the weekend of huntin' shootin' fishin'. As the weekend begins, it is apparent that beyond the luxurious trappings, predators are lurking, and they're out for blood.

 

Best Quote From the Book

“ 'The hunter…became the hunted,' she translated haltingly. 'The hounds…were struck with a wolf’s frenzy…and tore him to pieces as they would a stag.' "

My Thoughts

This book is absolutely a thriller, but in the end, it is not too scary. Any acts of violence or moments of stark fear are not described in too much detail. In addition, this book is a young-adult thriller which means it is not too gorey or addresses any overly adult topics.

If you are a fan of many different films, you will unexpectedly enjoy this book. There are a ton of film references all throughout that cover all different genres of film. I found it quite rewarding when there was a reference to a film I had seen. It was like an additional treat to add to my reading experience.

At times the narrator becomes a bit too self-aware and breaks the fourth wall frequently, to the point of addressing the readers directly. For some readers, I know this can be a non-starter. While that is not my preference for books, it did not detract from my enjoyment of the story. I think instead of coming off as overly annoying, it felt like it was the narrator bringing it back to focus that she is looking back on what happened and telling her story about it. 

I found the entire story incredibly thrilling and hard to put down. Lately, I have been missing the feeling of getting totally lost in a book and rarely checking the page count. I actually put off reading other books with a higher obligation for me to read them in exchange for finishing this book over the weekend. Each time I would check the page count, a good chunk of the book passed. This feeling is great evidence of how naturally engaging this book is. 

I did not know this while reading, but I discovered this book is actually the first in a 5 book series. I did notice that it was totally open for a squeal but I don't love that the plot takes 5 books to wrap up. I think I might keep it as an open-ended standalone because I am not necessarily interested in following another narrator tackling the same issues. 

This book is full of entirely morally grey characters. Even the allegedly good and bad guys are a mix of both. Bennett does an excellent job of portraying how what is right and just is often very complicated. Even decidedly evil people can have positive characteristics. Many times throughout the book right and wrong are questioned. Is the natural order better or a more modern revolution. This debate is part of what catapulted this book to a 5-star for me. I like how even with a reliable narrator, Greer was never entirely in the right or entirely innocent. 

The book plays with modern vs ancient ideals very well. The school is strongly on the side of minimizing modern influence. This is shown to have benefits for all of the staff and students living more in the moment and not losing hours a day to social media. The main trio at the center of this book are more connected to the modern world than the rest of the student body. They show how modern technology in moderation can alter the course of their lives for better and for worse. It gave me a lot to think about in terms of how I want technology to be a part of my current life. Obviously, I like social media for running this blog and my bookstagram, but I had actually been almost entirely off of social media for months prior to starting this project. I have a lot to contemplate in the coming weeks thanks to this book. 

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and highly enjoyed the unique perspective of a group of students who dress and act like priests. That said, I would not classify this book as having religious theming. I highly recommend this book to those who like a medium-paced thriller that isn't too dark. 

Game, Set, Matchmaker by Evie Sterling Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

4/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Matchmaker

➮ Best friend's brother

➮ Second chance

➮ Dual POV

➮ Forced proximity

➮ Opposites attract

➮ Small town

Synopsis

Game, Set, Matchmaker is a second-chance, opposites-attract, clean romance featuring a perfectionist heroine and her bad-boy ex who's actually super sweet. This book follows their happily ever after including a basket of kittens, leaf peeping, and the swoony feeling of falling in love with a perfect match.

Best Quote From the Book

“How do you leave a postcard-worthy town, Parker Manning, apple pie, and kittens? Not easily. Not happily."

My Thoughts

I was surprised that, unlike The Anatomy of Matchmaking, this book actually includes evidence that Gemma has matchmaking skills. I liked that this book showed her passion for matchmaking instead of just telling about it and not actually including much of it at all. 

The concept for the book is very similar to The Soulmate Equation and a few other science romances. It's all about how love can be boiled down into an equation or a formula. Thankfully as this book goes on, it is shown that love is more than that. 

I would say the style of this book is more like The Anatomy of Matchmaking than Digging Up Love With the Sheriff. With a strong small-town vibe and a greater focus on other characters in the story helping to push forward the plot. 

The setting for this book was absolutely immaculate. The small-town vibe felt very realistic and connected. As a person currently living in a small town, I can confirm that once you are connected to the town you know a lot of the people in it, or at least know somebody who knows somebody. The other people in the town had just the right amount of meddling and honesty to help push Gemma and Parker together without forcing anything. 

My biggest complaint is that for a good portion of the book, the majority of Gemma's personality is her obsession with her Perfect Match program and looking exclusively at the numbers. I would've loved to see more about her other passions, interests, or even just varied facets of her personality. 

I absolutely love Gemma and Parker's dynamic. Parker's character is an excellent laid-back contrast to Gemma's uptight nature. They balance each other out and play well together. I love seeing Parker tease her and get her to come out of her shell and let loose.

I would've loved to have seen the last portion of the book be expanded a bit. From the beginning, the book has a relatively slow pace. The last 15% of the book feels very packed together and lacks depth. That 15% includes the majority of the plot and action of the book so I wish there was more detail about it. 

As is the case with all of Evie Sterling's romances, there is absolutely no spice.

In sum, I recommend this book to fans of small-town, second-chance romances with no spice. The characters are interesting, the plot is entertaining, and the relationship dynamics make the reader feel like they are watching it all unfold in front of their eyes.

I received this book as part of a release team. My review is honest and voluntary.

Something Broken by Erin FitzGerald Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

4.75/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Best friend's brother

➮ Small-town 

➮ Cowboy

➮  Second chance

➮ Single dad

➮ Only one bed

➮ It's always been you

➮  Dual POV

Synopsis

His sister's best friend wasn't supposed to upend his life. Ashley was a thunderbolt compared to Travis' slow ranch attitude. He quickly fell for her when they met years ago. After a foolish choice, he lost her for decades. His sister orchestrates them a second chance. Will they be able to reconnect?

Best Quote From the Book

“We'd always had this connection, something deep and emotional, a link from his heart to mine, and I'd thought I was going to die when he'd been the one to sever it"

LGBTQ+ Representation

3/5 🌈

There is a background character who is married to a gay partner. They play a minor role and have multiple lines. Their appearance is deemed completely normal and is portrayed in a positive light. 

My Thoughts

This book is the second in the Wolf Mountain Rancher series. This book follows the best friend and the brother of Lana from Something Lost. As such, the end result of this book is revealed in book one as well as a good bit of their journey. Even so, I found it worth reading. There were a lot of surprising caveats in Travis' point of view that helped differentiate it from the first book. In addition, reading the first book is not necessary to understand this one but there is a ton of character overlap. 

There were some rather skippable scenes because many of the days were quite repetitive. There were many instances discussing Ashley getting sad and drinking. I found myself skimming these scenes because they weren't very unique. I do understand that the reputation does demonstrate that Ashley was stuck in the cycle for a long time. 

This book goes back and forth in time a lot as the characters remember and address more of the past as the story progresses. I really appreciate that these time changes are clearly labeled throughout the chapter and at the beginning of the chapter. This clarity is highly beneficial to understanding the story. 

While I am not going to go into details to avoid spoilers, I want to shout out a hilarious scene to look out for. The scene with Ajmal and Travis was by far my favorite part of the entire book. I will be rereading that scene in the future.

At the end of the book, there is a completely adorable wedding scene. I loved seeing all of the family members interact and witness the squabbling. I absolutely had misty eyes by the end. It's impressive for a not-sad scene to incite some tears. 

I will note that there is some spice in this book. These scenes do not go into too much detail or depth. These scenes can be skipped without missing any important plot points. 

Overall, to my surprise, I felt there was still a lot to gain from this book after reading the first one. I would've liked it even more if it was a little less repetitive. There were a lot of emotional and funny scenes that help the reader see the depth and complexity of Travis and Ashley's relationship. This book was excellent at showing progress instead of telling. 

I received this book as part of a release team. My review is honest and voluntary.

Digging Up Love With the Sheriff by Evie Sterling Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

4/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Opposites Attract

➮ Small-town romance

➮ Enemies to lovers

➮ Dual POV

Synopsis

The new sheriff in town Rory McEvoy ends up meeting the town historian Constance Chaplain because a set of deer bones in Constance's museum go missing. These bones end up mixed together with a human skeleton. This quickly makes Constance a top suspect. Constance has to earn the trust of Rory to try to get her bones back. While they cross paths, they realize they act differently around each other than anyone else.

Best Quote From the Book

“Her eyes alight and... is that a smile on her face? Couldn't be. I must be imagining the upturned corners of her mouth. But to be honest, I like the thought of making her smile way more than I should."

My Thoughts

I will admit this review will probably be a bit on the shorter side for my blog because this book was such a quick and easy read. It is less than 200 pages in total so not too much happens in it. 

This book uses a lot of language that really gives it a happy quirky vibe. Some of my favorites of these words include kerfuffled, chutzpah, and chargin. That coupled with such a wacky mystery to unsolve, it was an easy read that made me laugh and smile. It gave me that comforting mystery vibe of watching Scooby Doo when I was a kid.

If any of you have watched the TV series Bones, I can say that Constance highly reminds me of Temperance Brennan from that series. They are both quite straightforward and value their jobs over most other things. I absolutely adore that show and that character so I especially admire Constance for that reason. 

If you have seen my review of Evie Sterling's other recent release Anatomy of Matchmaking, I will note this book has a very different tone, vibe, and even writing style. I have to applaud Evie Sterling for her ability to write such varied but good clean romance stories that are engaging, fast-paced, and fun to read. 

I received this book as part of Evie Sterling's street team and got access to it as an arc. My review is honest and voluntary.

The Anatomy of Matchmaking by Evie Sterling Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

4.5/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Friends to lovers

➮ Second chance

➮ Off limits

➮ Next door neighbor

➮ Dual POV

Synopsis

The Anatomy of Matchmaking is a clean and sweet romance that features a doctor and the girl he never got over. In addition, there is an adorable friendship between a large dog and a geriatric cat. As Maddison has to go back to the town she grew up in, she encounters Nick, a lost flame from her past.

Best Quote From the Book

“Here's the thing-chances are, real love won't be convenient. It'll be out of reach until you take that big leap toward it."

My Thoughts

I found that from the beginning of the story Maddie and Nick go well naturally together. They instantly click and develop camaraderie. When they are eventually reunited, that same spark is still there. I loved seeing them together and how well they naturally complement each other. They are also incredibly infatuated with each other, it seems crazy that they both deny it. 

Seeing the circumstance Maddie ended up in with Hana and Nick, it was a bit frustrating to read. Her struggle entirely comes from self-sabotage. As it goes on I am stuck between finding her in a mess of her own making and feeling bad for her. This conflict in the minds of readers inspired me to keep reading and see how she could possibly sort things out. 

I have a very love-hate relationship with Hana's character. She is very important in launching the plot forward and creating conflict but she is simultaneously quite frustrating. 

There were a few quite cheesy moments but they did an excellent job at making me smile as a result instead of groan. Honestly, the whole reading experience felt like I was watching a fleshed-out rom-com movie more than many other romances. 

Overall, I liked the refreshing clean romance with a lot of cute animal moments and family meddling. Most of the characters were quite endearing and fun to read about. I would love to see this story get turned into a movie one day. 

Wildfire by Hannah Grace Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

4.5/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ One night stand

➮ Forced proximity

➮ Hockey romance

➮ Off limits

Synopsis

Russ Callaghan and Aurora Roberts meet at a party and end up having a one-night stand. They then encounter each other once again when they are both counselors at the same summer camp. This camp has a strong rule about "no staff fraternizing." This rule doesn't seem like an issue until they keep getting pushed together. 

Best Quote From the Book

“It's no secret that I love books. I love stories about people I don't know and places I haven't been to. I've lived a thousand lives between a thousand pages."

My Thoughts

I actually ended up reading this book before Icebreaker due to library holds and I can confirm reading order for this series is not essential. It is set at the summer camp so the characters from Icebreaker aren't essential to following the events in Wildfire. 

While this is technically touted as a hockey romance, it has nothing to do with hockey. Basketball plays a bigger role in the story than hockey actually. I would've loved to see a bit more hockey but I digress given this story takes place during summer. 

This book honestly has a very YA feel with the setting and the events that take place. Sneaking around, group teasing, and camp activities all feel like a summery YA book. But there are a number of spicy scenes (not nearly as many as Icebreaker) that make it definitely not YA. 

They both bond heavily over daddy issues. They both have strained relationships with their families. These struggles are what allow Russ and Aurora to actually get to know each other on a personal level. The support they provide each other to do what they can with their family lives is the best driving force of the book. 

I was very surprised to discover that my favorite part of the book by far was the epilogue. I won't get into what specifically happens but it was just such a perfect little ending to the story. It gave a lot more depth and background to Aurora's interests and motivations in particular. 

Overall, if you are looking for a YA-esque summery romance with some spice, you will enjoy this book. The summer camp setting can feel a bit immature at first but the other counselors help to keep it from feeling too kiddy. Just prepare yourself for a bit of rocky familial relationships. 

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

5/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Enemies to lovers

➮ Hockey romance

➮ Forced proximity

➮ Found family

Synopsis

Anastasia Allen has dreamed of being a member of the Team USA figure skating team and got a scholarship to join the Maple Hills skating team. Nathan Hawkins is the captain of the hockey team. In a turn of events, both teams end up having to share a rink. When Anastasia's skating partner gets injured, they are stuck together even more. 

Best Quote From the Book

“I know you don't, but you're worth defending. Every cut, every bruise, every single pang of anger or frustration. It's all worth it. I'd throw my last puch defending you because you deserve to have someone be that person for you, and there's no one more qualified for the job than me." 

My Thoughts

Unsurprisingly, I am a huge fan of a book that combines two of my favorite sports. Figure skating and hockey together, what more could I ask for? My love for these sports also most definitely contributes to my 5-star rating. I hope later books in the series highlight more of the hockey side of the player's lives, not just the team aspects.

There were several funny moments including a scene with Despicable Me costumes that added to the charm of the story. The found family of the hockey team and Anastasia were incredibly endearing. As a reader, I could feel the trust and support that all of the team has for each other.

Anastasia and Nathan make a good pairing because they both help each other grow emotionally and ensure they can be the best versions of themselves possible. While they were connected quickly, their relationship served more purpose in their lives than just stress relief or a fling. From the beginning to the end of the story Anastasia especially grows so much as a person and finally really comes into her own. 

My only complaint is that the ending felt like it wrapped up very quickly and left a few things unanswered which frustrated me a bit. I wish it would've gone into more depth about the intentions of some of the characters. 

Do keep in mind that despite the cute cover, this book is quite spicy. These scenes are plentiful and are essentially unskippable. If you are not a fan of spice, this is not the book for you. 

In sum, I really enjoyed my time reading this book and getting to feel part of the Maple Hills community. The subjects of the book were well-aligned with my interests and I enjoyed seeing where their journey would go. I would recommend this book to hockey fans, romance fans, and figure skating fans alike. 

January 2024 Reads

  January 2024 Reads 

This month I read 9 books 

These books were 100% fiction

The most popular genres were romance, contemporary, and thriller

My average rating was 4.13 stars

The Books

➽ Y'allywood Billionaire by Terra Weiss

➽ Twisted Hate by Ana Huang

➽ The Celebrants by Steven Rowley

➽ Savage Little Games by Lane Hart

➽ Wildfire by Hannah Grace

➽ The Other Murder by Kevin Chapman

➽ Crazy Little Thing by Ellie Thornton

➽ Love Across the Stars by Chenelle Bremont

Something Lost by Erin Fitzgerald Review

 

5/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Grumpy x sunshine

➮ Small-town romance

➮ Single dad

➮ Secret admirer 

➮ Age gap

➮ Dual pov

➮ Cowboy

Synopsis

When the Senator said he'd send an aide to draft a counter to the proposed pipeline that would bisect his ranch, the last thing more expected was Lana. The pull to her is stronger than he'd like. Lana's past is shadowy. He wonders if it's the reason she wants to leave DC. When a tragic accident results in a terrible misunderstanding, both of their lives are torn apart. Mark realizes some people don't want them together. Is it possible the biggest obstacle between him and happiness... is himself?

Best Quote From the Book

“Loving someone is easy at first, because you see only the best. Real love has history. It's practiced and chosen. It sees the ugly things and stays anyway."

My Thoughts

My first 5-star read of the year! I don't think I will be forgetting this cast of characters any time soon. My favorites are Mark's sons and his housekeeper Julie. They are incredibly amusing and endearing. 

Many times in this book I was cracking a smile because of funny or cute moments. Beyond just Mark and Lana, all of the characters are excellent at being naturally funny and comedic timing. Especially how absolutely nobody in this book is subtle about pushing Mark and Lana together. If only Mark weren't so stubbornly dumb this book would've been around 100 or more pages shorter. That said, I would not desire to miss out on anything that unfolded.

This book is long. I wish this book was shorter just so I could reach a satisfying conclusion faster. Even so, there isn't a moment I would cut out. I was flat-out drinking up the drama like it was the perfect daytime tv soap opera with a cowboy twist. 

Even if this is a 5-star read, there are a few small things that bothered me that seem worth addressing. Mark abandons Lana for almost 2 years I believe. If he was simply willing to communicate so much frustration could've been avoided. There is also a child in this book who would absolutely have fetal alcohol syndrome but that isn't mentioned at all. Despite the mother drinking heavily up to 4 months in, the baby is allegedly perfectly healthy. 

This book does include spice scenes. That said, the dirty jokes sprinkled throughout are actually quite funny.  In addition please look up a full list of trigger warnings before picking up this book because it dives into a lot of potentially triggering topics. 

I received this book as part of a release team. My review is completely voluntary.