Dishonestly Yours by Krista and Becca Ritchie Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

5/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Angsty

➮ Grumpy x grumpy

➮ If he can't have her no one can

➮ Best friend's brother

Synopsis

Phoebe grew up where deception and seduction are commonplace. The Graves and her best friend Hailey's family have been on the run their whole lives. After a high-stakes con goes south, Phoebe and Hailey decide to start over. The biggest flaw in their plan is Hailey's brother, Rocky, who insists on coming with them. Living honestly isn't in his DNA, and his past with Phoebe is messy. He's everything she wants, but nothing she can have. Phoebe worries that Rocky will tempt them into their old ways. She doesn't want him to mess up their new life. The longer she stays in town, the more she realizes what it means to have a reputation--and what a normal life with the man she loves could look like.

Best Quote From the Book

“If I fuck you, it won't be for power or for the money or for them. It'll be because I love you and every ounce of my being couldn't contain the love I have for you, no matter how much I should've."

LGBTQ+ Representation

4/5 🌈

There is some minor but included lesbian representation in this book. It is positively portrayed in a casual way. 

My Thoughts

Oh my goshhhhh! This book is INCREDIBLE. It is fighting for my top book of this year with The Trouble with Love and Ink. Super super easy 5-star to give! I've never read any books from these sisters before but that is clearly going to have to change. You already know I'm looking to their backlist to get holds at my local library. Please inject this story into my veins. Everything about this story is purely incredible and just what I needed. 

This book is super angsty, dark, and drama-filled and I am here for it. This book was in the trenches pulling me out of a potentially major slump. This story had the depth and action-packed elements I have been craving. This was a perfect start to reading a few stories on the darker end of things. 

This book absolutely flew by! I had to break it up into chunks due to being busy but I know I would've totally binged this if I were less busy. I totally ate it up and adored every moment. This factor is a good part of why I knew this gave me the 5-star feeling. 

I want to take a moment to just appreciate the strawberry motif throughout the story. It really humanized Phoebe and was a nice thing to continually circle back to. It felt like how someone actually passionate about something would have it as a small part of their life all of the time. 

Every single one of the characters in this book is fantastically written. They are all morally grey and create an interesting love-hate relationship with the reader. Even during conning moments, I am tempted to root for the characters. They are all just so addictive. I want to be in their inner circle (hopefully not by being conned lol). Not just Phoebe and Rocky, absolutely all of the kids and even the side characters and parents. Some of them are more devilish than others which made them even more appealing. Their various complicated relationship dynamics and inherent trust (or distrust) in one another made them perfect for the plot. There genuinely wasn't a character I didn't like. I really really want to see more from this group.

There were a ton of moments when I was genuinely laughing out loud and reading parts out loud to people I was around. The banter and quips the boys had in particular were especially amusing. The blend of humorous moments with more serious moments was totally perfect. If I ever write my own book, I hope I can achieve this balance. 

Speaking of wanting more, that cliffhanger at the end has me foaming at the mouth for this to become a major series and never end. I was shockingly satisfied with the answers that were given in the story versus the things that are still secret to perfectly set up for a continuation. I need more. Krista and Becca, I am begging for the next installment to come out as soon as possible because I need it. 

This book is definitely a dark romance. There are violent and graphic moments that may be triggering to some readers. There is also open door spice of various levels. If those are not your vibe, sadly this is not the book for you. 

If you couldn't tell from the extreme ranty length of this review, I adored it! I will probably skip the blub on Instagram for this one so I can squeeze in more review. If you can handle it, you need to read this. Just go, go get the book for yourself, it is worth every penny. 

I received this book as an arc from Valentine PR. This review is honest and voluntary

Love on the Scottish Summer Coast by Beatrice Bradshaw Review

* This review is spoiler-free *

4/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Second chance

➮ Grumpy x sunshine

➮ Forced proximity

➮ Childhood sweethearts

➮ Slow burn

➮ Sibling rivalry

➮ Miscommunication

Synopsis

Kirsty Munro unexpectedly returns to her Scottish hometown to run her parents' café, only to collide with her first love and heartbreaker, Connor Bannerman. In the scenic Scottish town of Cairnhaven, old sparks reignite amid unresolved tensions. Thrust together, they face a crucial choice: can they forgive and give love a second chance?

LGBTQ+ Representation

4/5 🌈

While the representation in this book was brief, it did feel significant. Kritsy's best friend identifies as bisexual and has dated both men and women. This aspect of her identity is relevant to her character and does help propel the story a bit. Overall this was a nice hint of rep without being too overt but portrayed as completely normal and okay.

My Thoughts

There were a few little nods in this book that made me smile. For example, the characters in the book listened to my favorite Bon Jovi songs. These little touches added a lot to the reading experience to help ground it in the real world and the current zeitgeist. 

For adults coming back together, I would've loved to see more communication from Kristy and Connor. There were more than a few moments I wished they would just be honest about how they were feeling instead of bottling everything up. That said, their banter was absolutely great. Honestly, their best communication is through banter. 

A lot of my negative feelings about this book were because I simply wasn't in the mood for it. If I had been, it would've been a higher rating most likely. The pacing of this book is superrr slow which I just wasn't looking for as I am feeling a bit slumpy lately. The slow burn was slowly burning, that is for sure. 

I felt like this book felt even more Scottish in terms of slang and attitudes than the previous books in this series. The beauty of the coast was very apparent. That said, there was almost too much description of the visuals and facial expressions and whatnot. All of this description minorly bogged down the plot. I found myself skipping through to the dialogue to get through with it if I am being honest. 

I do applaud Bradshaw for writing characters that actually help each other and bring each other to a new form of growth. It was refreshing compared to a number of books I have read lately. There needs to be more books where both of the characters actually help each other grow, not just get together because that is allegedly the thing to do. 

This book is definitely spicy which is the point of the story. If you don't like reading spice, this is not the book for you.

Overall, this book was not the right book for me at the time which definitely impacted my thoughts about it. The pace is slow, there is a lot of description, and the miscommunication was a bit much. If you are up for a slow-paced story, this would be a better fit for you. 

June 2024 Reads

  June 2024 Reads 

This month I read 10 books 

These books were 90% fiction

The most popular genres were contemporary, romance, and LGBTQ+

My average rating was 4.08 stars

The Books

➽ Desolation and Epiphany by James W.A.

➽ Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley

➽ Single Dad Billionaire Boss by Evie Sterling

➽ Something Sacrificed by Erin FitzGerald

➽ Pillow Forts and Hurricanes by Margherita Scialla

➽ Pucker Up Cowboy by Zee Irwin

➽ Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

➽ Protective Billionaire Boss by Evie Sterling

➽ Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez

➽ Flying by Jordana Blake

Protective Billionaire Boss by Evie Sterling Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

3.75/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Instalove

➮ Surprise pregnancy

➮ Love after death

➮ Opposites attract

➮ Dual POV

Synopsis

Warren DuPont sets off alarms I never knew existed. After my husband’s death, I wasn't expecting love. “Love has a way of finding us when we least expect it.” Turns out, it’s true. I also was not expecting to be pregnant. Unmistakably handsome and protective, Warren gives me a sense of comfort that is surprisingly intoxicating. Each encounter brings our relationship to heightened levels of connection. As our bond deepens, Warren might understand the pregnancy. But will he forgive me when he finds out I am not who I pretended to be?

Best Quote From the Book

“Emily's jaw drops. I didn't realize that was something that happened in real life. I thought that was only for movies. 'You have your own private elevator?'"

My Thoughts

While some of these tropes are very much not my thing, I will always give Evie a chance. Her short and sweet clean romances have become a staple of my reading this year. I was pleasantly surprised how a story that would typically not be for me turned out pretty good. I will say the provided synopsis is basically the entire plot so you know exactly what to expect going in. The story as a whole just flew by. I would sit down for a few minutes with it and suddenly I was 10% further in the book. 

Both Warren and Emily are grieving when they meet. Their different approaches to handling grief are both quite realistic. Many people will just try to push on like Warren. Many people struggle with what is and isn't allowed when a significant person is in your life like Emily. I would've loved to see more of both of them helping each other navigate that to help the instalove aspects seem less jarring. 

It was genuinely amusing to see Emily's reactions to the rich lifestyle. Especially her worries about taking Warren to Target. I have definitely felt that fish out of water experience before when in a situation where I was among a higher status. As dumb as it may sound, I did not know how to act or not feel bad when other people did things for me to that level just like Emily. Warren's "it's the least I can do" adage also adds to the humor of their dynamic. Bro will causally buy you a house at the minimum if he is fond of you. 

The glee I felt when Warren started interacting with his hobbies and just having a more well-rounded life was unmatched. I was so happy for him to get the happy ending he deserved. Emily also has a fitting ending for her character that gives her all she hoped for given the current circumstances. 

I also want to give Evie props for briefly noting that just trauma dumping on someone is pretty uncool without consent. Warren's cousin is pretty cool for that. 

There is one thing that irked me about the story that just kept coming up and definitely detracted from my enjoyment. There are constant "hint" drops about Emily's pregnancy. How on earth it didn't occur to her that she might get pregnant when she was trying with her late husband Caleb is totally beyond me. Every third page she is nauseous and not fitting her clothes again. It was so tremendously obvious it completely detracted from the story.

Overall while there were certain elements to this story that were not my favorite, I had way more enjoyment than I was expecting. I will be happy to continue reading the stories in this series. I think the best way to explain it is that Evie's writing is now further improved.

I received this book as part of the haylingsbookstorm street team for Evie Sterling. My review is honest and voluntary

Something Sacrificed by Erin FitzGerald Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

4.75/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Cowboy romance

➮ Friends to lovers

➮ Single mom

➮ Angst/painful pasts

➮ Age gap

➮ He falls first

➮ Small town

Synopsis

Some people would call this a midlife crisis, but I know better. Pulling up my shallow roots, I decide on a whim to move from Texas to Montana, leaving what I've known for the past three decades. The woman I cross paths with is one I've known for 20 years, someone to whom I've grown close: My best friend's widow, Genesis, who's running the family ranch after her husband's tragic death. Startled by her unexpected appearance, I create a situation I can't seem to fix. But a bigger problem is that her ranch is under threat. Can I mend what I've broken and convince her not to make the biggest mistake of her life?

Best Quote From the Book

“I'm so angry with you-furious-stop trying to confuse me with your stupid wonderful lips."

My Thoughts

Oh gosh, where do I begin? Unsurprisingly, I totally adored this story. Bestie Erin, you did it again what can I say. Y'all nobody has emotional romance mastered the way she does, truly no one. I will try to keep this review from purely being a rant about how much I adore Erin and her stories but no promises!

I have admittedly been chatting with Erin a bit about this story as part of her arc and overall support team and I wanted to share a bit she told me about this story in particular as I totally noticed it myself while reading and it added exponentially to the emotional strength of this story. Will's story is inspired by one of her close friends who wasn't in this world long enough to get a happy ending of his own. This story is a gift to him that creates a happy ending that he deserves. I could absolutely tell while reading that this story had more of a personal touch than the others in the series. There is this unspoken depth to the characters that makes this one additionally hard-hitting. I'm honored to witness both a healing experience for Erin and a lovely ending for her dear friend. There were also just general moments where it was obvious that more of Erin's personal touches were shining through. For example, as a Food Network girlie myself, I could tell Erin actually watches those shows too. Those little sparks of her are what make the book feel special. 

Now that we've gotten the sappiness out of the way I can dive into my thoughts about the story itself. The way the characters are described is particularly beautiful. I could feel Genesis and Will's pure awe towards each other. It was refreshing to see two strong characters fall for each other. Neither of them pulled any punches. Their headstrong attitudes feed into the angst perfectly. I also love how the angst is prominent but doesn't come off as juvenile. 

There were a few moments that made me fall in love and Will and Genesis. These include Will's adorable happy dance, Willa's disaster sushi fascination, Jud's brutal honesty that he knows exactly what his mother is up to, and Genesis' moments where she stands up to Ford. Ford, all I will say is that I hope you continue to have the future you deserve (no spoilers here). I also want to shout out that I am so happy to see more of the softened version of Mark. He has absolutely rounded out as a person since being with Lana for an extended period. They are from Something Lost if you were unfamiliar. I am shocked at how well Erin incorporated characters from past books this time. Every time someone we recognize met Will, it was for a legitimate reason and didn't feel forced. 

This story most definitely includes spice scenes that are very spicy. If you don't like spice, I would suggest skipping this book. The spice was giving and most definitely had me blushing while reading. 

Overall if you couldn't tell, I adored this book. Everything about it hit and felt so authentic to Erin and the series as a whole. I will be sad to read the last book and conclude the series later this year so prepare for a sob fest when that happens. I will be constantly recommending this book and the series as a whole!

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

May 2024 Reads

  May 2024 Reads 

This month I read 13 books 

These books were 92% fiction

The most popular genres were romance, children's, and contemporary

My average rating was 4.17 stars

The Books

➽ I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

➽ Playing for Keeps by Jennifer Dugan

➽ You Will Get Through This Night by Daniel Howell

➽ The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

➽ Fake Dating and Matchmaking 101 by Evie Sterling

➽ Puck Money by Dani Galliaro

➽ Falling for My Fake Kisser Neighbor by Lila Marlow

➽ The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella

➽ Geronimo Stilton 15 & 16 audio

➽ Geronimo Stilton 4-6 audio

➽ So Not My Boss Crush by Evie Sterling

➽ Smudges by Lauren Emerson

➽ Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

Single Dad Billionaire Boss by Evie Sterling Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

4.75/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Forced proximity

➮ Single dad

➮ Age gap

➮ Billionaire

➮ Off limits

➮ Gumpy x sunshine

➮ Dual POV

Synopsis

Let’s be real, a single dad billionaire looking to hire a nanny: sign. me. up. What I didn’t sign up for was a man who looks like he stepped out of a romance novel. The complaint is: that he’s off-limits. We unexpectedly get snowed in together and both of us clearly feel the connection, but this can not happen. Reality begs me to resist. My heart wants to augment reality. 

Best Quote From the Book

“Life is not about worrying and mistrusting everyone, it's about going after and cherishing the things that matter. It's okay to be afraid, but not when it gets in the way of love."

My Thoughts

I do not tend to gravitate towards books with single parents. Often times the kid is in the way, annoying, or so rarely included it makes me wonder why they were even written into the story. This book had me praying that Zoe would be a cute and sweet kid. Thankfully, Zoe blew me away. For a 5 year old she has a lot of spunk and is incredibly funny and charismatic. A lot of her lines were my favorites in the whole book. I feel like we all need to approach life a little more like Zoe sometimes. There were times that her language skills did seem a bit above what I would expect for a 5-year-old which did take me out of the story for a brief period. 

Zoe was not the only character from this story I adored. Once I got to know Ella and Jacob I was quite enamored by them too. Truly I have never met characters with such a similar sense of humor to my own. Their jokes and quips had me laughing out loud. They have immaculate jokes from cover to cover. I also love how they write notes for each other. They are already excellent communicators who have experience tackling disagreements from the moment they met. 

As is the case with all of Evie's books, this one was on the shorter side. I basically read this whole book in one sitting (minus a lunch break). The beauty of the shorter style is that any parts of a story that may have dragged on are not included. 

This one is the first I have read of her billionaire bosses series. I love how even earlier on in her writing career Evie excels at writing sweet and funny romances. Of all of the books of hers I have read so far, this is one of the funniest. I would say the humor is on par with Fake Dating and Matchmaking 101. This story is also the one that I would say is most begging for a sequel. I could absolutely see the need for another story when Zoe is older. 

The only reason this book is not a 5-star is that it includes another rushed engagement. I would've preferred that instead of them getting engaged so fast, it was left off with Ella and Jacob simply dating. 

Ella is a social worker who has a special place in my heart. As a psychology major, I took a lot of classes related to social work. It was obvious that Evie did her research about how social workers build trust with kids and how ethics work in the profession. This realism made me love the story even more. 

I received this book as part of the Haylingsbookstorm street team for Evie Sterling. My review is honest and voluntary

So Not My Boss Crush by Evie Sterling Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

4.5/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Enemies to lovers

➮ Office romance

➮ Opposites attract

➮ Reformed playboy MMC

➮ Dual POV

Synopsis

For six years, Brock Benson was the monster I worked for. The gorgeous monster—who never even said hello. Then one morning, everything changed. When Brock’s assistant quit, I had no choice. Brock approved, and gave me a promotion I didn’t want… Now I’m fielding calls from his ex, managing his schedule, and caring for his sister's dogs. I’m intertwined with Brock’s life and it’s not terrible. When he gives me a house key, my heart skips a beat. Our texts are getting more flirty by the day. Our usual morning has been replaced by stolen kisses in the break room. But Brock's go-go, and I like to stop and smell the roses. Crushing on my boss is bad enough. Falling in love with him is completely out of the question. This relationship should come with one of those coffee-cup warnings: ‘CAUTION: CONTENTS HOT.’  We have to cool it off, or else one of us will get burned

Best Quote From the Book

“Brock Benson's Sizzling, Scandalous Dating Life"

My Thoughts

I will admit at first I was nervous about how quickly Gwen and Brock began to fall for each other. It felt like a bit of a breakneck pace for people who barely interacted previously. That said. the longer it went on, the more realistic it felt. At first, it was like okay he's hot and actually talking to you now but he is incredibly belligerent. Eventually, it became more like, wow that is a genuine connection. I have seen such an instant connection in my own life before, so it was just an oddly portrayed version of that. Granted Brock isn't any better, he was head over heels just because she was pretty and genuinely nice. 

Brock is so tone-deaf about how he comes off. How did he not notice how much of a jerk he sounded when talking to most people? It felt more like a caricature than an actual person when we first met him. It was like Gwen reminded him to act like a decent human being. 

There are so many wonderful meddling characters in this book. Among them are Brock's sister, Gwen's best friend, and even Gwen's mother. Knowing all of them were rooting for the duo made the book have a nice and comfy vibe. They were all also an excellent source of giggles. 

The part of the book that really surprised me was the plot twist. It truly felt like it suddenly came out of left field. I would've loved to have seen a few foreshadowing moments leading up to the climax of the story. 

The part about the castle room was truly beautiful. I loved seeing Gwen's spirits become lifted as she remembers her grandmother's legacy. I wish I could've had an experience like that of my own. This entire series is really making me want to visit that castle if I am honest.

Overall, this story is a pretty lighthearted romance. There are some instalovey vibes but I do suggest you give it a chance. The side characters are what really made this story shine. Their meddling and genuine nature was a refreshing element to the story. 

I received this book as an arc and am part of the haylingsbookstorm street team for Evie Sterling. My review is honest and voluntary

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

4.75/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Fake dating

➮ Professor x student (not in a class)

➮ STEM romance

➮ Grumpy x sunshine

➮ BIPOC FMC

Synopsis

Olive doesn’t believe in lasting romantic relationships–but her best friend does. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. Like any biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees. That man is Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor. Olive is floored when Stanford’s reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep a secret and be her fake boyfriend. When a science conference goes haywire, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding abs. Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.

Best Quote From the Book

“I'm starting to wonder if this is what being in love is. Being okay with ripping yourself to shreds, so the other person can stay whole."

LGBTQ+ Representation

5/5 🌈

Two notable side characters end up in a gay relationship. Said relationship is totally accepted and even celebrated. While minor, their representation is very positive. In addition, Olive considers herself demisexual. This part of her identity is explored within the story and shapes her view on romance. 

My Thoughts

This is my first dive into Ali Hazelwood's books and I can say with passion that I was not disappointed. This book wonderfully balances comedy, science, and romance in such a way that kept me entranced from beginning to end. 

Hazelwood does an excellent job of covering the challenges involved with being a BIPOC woman in science. Olive struggles to be taken seriously and constantly has to prove herself worthy of being in the field with many white older men. This book provides the depth of day-to-day challenges that help make the representation worthwhile and rewarding. This book is excellent at the concept of being a mirror for some and a window for others. (If you have not heard of this concept let me know and I will gladly explain it in more detail).

The tension Hazelwood is able to create feels palpable. I truly adored the moments when Olive and Adam were forced together. Their passion and chemistry (pun intended) worked so well. By the end, they became a functioning couple with communication and all. Seeing the moments where Anh encourages them to act lovey-dovey was incredibly hilarious. Particularly the sunscreen scene (I seriously almost listened to that one twice). 

Every character in this book was fantastically written. From best friends to the antagonist, they all contributed to the plot and entertainment value of the story. I wish I could've seen even more of them and how their presence and meddling impacted things for the fake couple.  

The one area I thought was lacking was more of Adam's feelings. At first, he was not particularly expressive so it was hard to get a read on how he felt. There is a lot of getting to know Adam with everything except for how he feels about things. 

This book had way more actual plot than I was expecting. As I was listening to the audiobook I kept assuming I must be near the end because so much had already happened but no. There was more! I love that Olive and Adam had to really go through some trials and tribulations to get to the point where they knew they needed to address everything.  

One of my favorite parts was the great roasting of Tom by all of the characters. I found myself quite literally laughing and fist-pumping because all of it was so well-deserved. I won't dive into why he is so unlikeable but trust me, he absolutely is!

This book does contain open-door spice. That said, it can be skipped without missing anything particularly important to the plot. 

Overall, this is one of the top romances in my eyes. While not quite at the level of giving me that 5-star feeling, I highly highly recommend it. All of the characters are fantastic and there is so much plot for readers to immerse themselves in. It is also genuinely funny a lot of the time which adds to the appeal!

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuinston Review

 

3/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ LGBTQ+ rep

➮ Romantic mystery

➮ Miscommunication

➮ Childhood friends to lovers (not the FMCs)

Synopsis

Chloe is close to winning. After her moms moved her from SoCal to Alabama for high school, she spent four years dodging gossipy classmates at Willowgrove Christian Academy. Her only rival: prom queen Shara Wheeler. A month before graduation, Shara kisses Chloe and vanishes. On a hunt for answers, Chloe discovers she’s not the only one Shara kissed. There’s also Smith and Rory. Thrown into an unlikely alliance, Chloe suspects there might be more to this small town than she thought.

Best Quote From the Book

“Shame is a way of life here. It’s stocked in the vending machines, stuck like gum under the desks. Spoken in morning devotionals. She knows now that there’s a bit of it in her. It was an easy choice not to go back in the closet when she got here, but if she’d grown up here, she might never have come out at all. She might be a completely different person."

LGBTQ+ Representation

5/5 🌈

This book has a large variety of LGBTQ+ rep in it. For all of the characters being in a Christian school, I was surprised with how many people were chill with the LGBTQ+ community. Some of the representations include lesbian, nonbinary, genderqueer, gay, and bisexual. All of these attributes heavily shape the characters and their actions within the story. This book does a great job showing both the inherent community amongst LGBTQ+ people and the varying scope that people are comfortable and safe to come out. 

My Thoughts

I will be honest, my reading experience with this story wasn't great. I have seen a lot of mixed reviews of this book over the years and I think said reviews are warranted. A lot of my not-so-great feelings are because I could barely stand both of the FMCs. There is also just no worthy plot. The entire book could've been one page of Shara just communicated. I will try to keep my commentary for this review constructive and not just a rant. 

The entirety of this book's plot is centered around finding Shara who ran away and is now leaving clues. If this happened to me in real life, I am not going on such a wild goose chase, whether she kissed me and dipped or not. Chloe has zero real reason to put up with this massive tomfoolery from Shara and yet she does. It seems at some points the reader is supposed to feel bad for Shara. I am not sorry that I will never feel bad for a spoiled rich girl throwing a tantrum. 

The whole book reads quite stereotypical. There are mean homophobic jocks, many of the queer kids have dyed hair, the pastor's daughter is a disappointment, etc. This aspect of it takes away from the message and diminishes the unique elements of the book. A girl going missing of her own accord could've been transformed into a greater mystery with more depth and important discussions about mental health. 

The only characters I liked in this book were the two primary side characters. Watching them interact and see their strained relationship morph into a budding romance should've just had a book of its own and cut the girls out entirely. I will also say Chloe's moms are lovely and deserve a shoutout for the maturity they bring in an attempt to share the story. 

Overall, while I did stick around to finish the story, I would not suggest others do the same. The entire premise is purely ridiculous and the FMCs are barely tolerable. I want a rewrite of this book that focuses on Smith and Rory.

When in Rome by Sarah Adams Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

4.75/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Mental health rep (depression)

➮ Enemies to lovers

➮ Forced proximity

➮ Found family

➮ Dual POV

Synopsis

Amelia, aka Rae Rose, is burned out from years of maintaining her "princess of pop" image. Inspired by her favorite Audrey Hepburn film, she drives off in the middle of the night for a break in Rome... Kentucky. When Noah finds Amelia on his front lawn in her broken-down car, he makes it clear he doesn't have time or patience for celebrity problems. He's running the pie shop his grandmother left him. Despite his better judgment, he lets her stay in his guest room. Noah starts to see a different side of Rae Rose, kindhearted and goofy, yet lonely from years in the public eye. Soon she'll have to return to her glamorous life on tour, but until then, Noah will show Amelia all the charming small-town experiences she's been missing, and she'll help him open his heart. Amelia can't resist falling for the cozy town and her grumpy tour guide, but even Audrey had to leave Rome eventually.

Best Quote From the Book

“I think we'll get hurt a lot in this life, but maybe it's worth it because sometimes we will experience really amazing things, too. Maybe not everything will end in hurt. But we'll never know if we don't try."

My Thoughts

I will be honest, I don't have a ton to say for this one beyond expressing that I really enjoyed it. I loved Noah and Amelia, especially when they were together. All of the side characters were amazing. Particularly the nosy neighbors and Noah's even nosier sisters. Mabel in particular is so funny. My mom and I listened to this story together and found ourselves giggling at her commentary and meddling multiple times. They all fit so well together naturally. You could tell Rome is a small town where the love and protection run deep. 

I think what kept this book from being a 5-star was that Noah's perspective didn't seem that realistic. It didn't feel like it was a guy talking. Not to be promoting gender norms but it really felt like both perspectives were written with a similar way of thinking and receiving the world which doesn't fit two characters who are clearly very different. Particularly the high level of detail Noah uses to describe Amelia's appearance at many points. If he was so wrapped up in his feelings, he wouldn't be overanalyzing her makeup or sweater especially given he is a guy who claims to not care about any of that.

Every other character and aspect of this story felt realistic. Of course, Amelia is going to be burnt out and in a rut. Of course, his sisters are going to want in on every detail of his love life. It all just fits so well together. 

Noah has officially landed himself on my book-boyfriend list. He is so adorable and you gotta love a man who cares deeply about his choice of sleepwear (if you know, you know). He also loves to bake and read so we would get along swimmingly.  His bluntness was often quite amusing to witness and added exponentially to his charm.

This book only has closed-door intimacy. 

Overall I really loved this story for its characters and interconnectedness. If Noah's POV was more realistic, it would've been perfect. I highly recommend this book to all romance fans and cannot wait to dive into book two!

Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

3.5/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Neighbors to lovers

➮ Slice-of-life

➮ Forced proximity

➮ Instalove

Synopsis

When Laura Costello moves to LA to escape her overprotective family and the memories of an accident, she doesn’t expect to be homeless after a week. She also doesn’t expect to find herself adopted by a rogue bookseller, installed in a lovely but completely illegal boardinghouse, or challenged to save a losing trivia team… but that’s what happens. Add a regretful landlady, a gorgeous housemate, and an ex-boyfriend determined to put himself back in the running and you’ll see why Laura is so frazzled. Luckily for her, her new friends Nina, Polly, and Bob aren’t sure either, but maybe if they put their heads (and hearts) together they’ll be able to make it work.

Best Quote From the Book

“Someone once told me that anxiety lives in the unknown future, depression lives in the unforgettable past, and peace lives in acceptance of the present moment"

LGBTQ+ Representation

3.75/5 🌈

Every single character in the book is incredibly chill about people being LGBTQ+. Polly in particular is incredibly supportive of anyone and will ask about your sexuality and not just assume. It was refreshing to see a group of potentially straight people just be such open allies.

My Thoughts

This book feels like it truly does not know what genre it wants to be in. Most of the book honestly just feels like general fiction, a slice-of-life type story. Then it shifts back and forth to being a romance story. It is too much romance to be a subplot but not enough to really feel like a romance story. For some reason, this ambiguity really diminished my reading experience. I have seen this book described as chick-lit lit which is the best term I've seen to describe it so far.

The best part of this book was the Winnie the Pooh reference. For context, I absolutely adore Winnie the Pooh. Any moment it is so much as alluded to makes my heart very happy. It got at least a bonus quarter-star just for that. (Another example of my ratings being highly subjective). 

My favorite character in this story is Polly. She is just a hoot! I love her eclectic vibe and overall calm nature. She adds some much-needed kookiness to the story. I wish I could befriend her myself!

The family drama in this book feels quite generic. I would've loved to see some element of it to make this book more unique. Laura acts like her relationship with her parents is incredibly stilted and full of bad memories. Honestly, it just seemed like they were poor communicators. That said, it is very realistic for that reason. It is a delicate balance between uniqueness and realism.

I found myself getting frustrated when it was incredibly obvious Laura and Bob fancied each other. Neither of them was willing to make a move or even outwardly convey their feelings to the other. The plot couldn't propel forward because the characters did not have the guts to say anything. 

Overall, this story was quite cute. The side characters are what drew me in and made me want to keep reading. The romance elements and the story as a whole just didn't hit.

Puck Money by Dani Galliaro Review

 

* This review is spoiler-free *

4.25/5 ⭐

Tropes

➮ Hockey romance

➮ Workplace romance

➮ Friends with benefits

➮ LGBTQ+ rep

➮ Spicy lessons

Synopsis

You can be at the top of your game with no game? Nick Oberbeck is the young star goalie for the LA Princes. With money and prestige, he should be able to get anyone he wants. Why can’t the golden boy seem to make the connections he craves? Nick’s path collides with golden girl Annie Markham when they’re both at their friends’ wedding. Lucky for him, Annie’s fresh off a heartbreak involving a coworker. Nick tries his best to bag Annie and succeeds... kind of. They go their separate ways until Annie has a work opportunity in LA: an opportunity to be Nick’s sports agent. Neither of them wants to repeat their mistakes, but Nick asks Annie for a big favor. The catch? No one can know.

Best Quote From the Book

“I was so taken by the beauty of both your scars and your resilience"

LGBTQ+ Representation

5/5 🌈

Both MCs are LGBTQ+. This is discussed in earnest and heavily impacts their characters. Nick has to handle the struggle of being a pansexual hockey player. As a result, he keeps his identity hidden. There is still a lot of discrimination towards LGBTQ+ people in sports so it is often not safe to openly come out without risking your career. He also discusses how his parents had different reactions to him coming out. This book discusses the importance of relationships where a person is supportive of you but still doesn't really understand your identity. There are lots of people in that situation so it is amazing to see it represented with literature.

Annie identifies as bisexual. These experiences with people of various gender identities have shaped who she is today and how she approaches potential relationships. She is generally more open than Nick due to being in a safer situation but she does discuss the struggles of being unsure if/when to mention your identity when meeting new people while being out as a general concept. 

My Thoughts

At first, I truly did not like Annie's character. She continued to stay in a relationship with a married man even after discovering he was married. It was then a struggle to root for her for the first quarter of the book. After that, I started to like her a lot more and that aspect of her character became less irritating. 

I loved the little Scarlett Letter reference. It was the perfect little nod. Not too overt or forced but enough to be widely recognizable. 

These days I am really a sucker for any books at least partially set at a wedding. I'm not sure what it is about that setting that is so appealing right now to me but this book definitely hit the spot. Their blunder of a hookup at the wedding was quite funny and is what got me to start liking the characters more. 

Nick is one of the most pure characters I have seen in a spicy book. He well and truly had no idea how to please a woman and it somehow added to his charm. He was also a FANTASTIC babysitter which was heartwarming to see. Truly Nick is just so much better than Annie. He is such a simp for her I love it! He would change the rotation of the Earth for her if she asked. 

This book is very spicy. It is the plot, not just a big part, it is honestly most of the plot. No, this book is not erotica. If you are not comfortable with a healthy portion of open-door spice, this is not the book for you. I will say I was very happy the spice elements did not read in a pornographic way and truly developed the characters. 

If anything, I feel like this book could've been trimmed down a bit to be shorter. I'm not sure what exactly contributed to the slightly dragged-down feeling. It just felt like I was constantly wanting to fast-forward to the next plot point I suppose. 

A few of the dates Annie and Nick went on were so cute. Such as the Venice Beach-themed date or when they bonded over books. The moments they actually let themselves act like a couple flowed very well. 

Overall, this book was enjoyable if you like a spicy read that isn't dark. The hockey elements came into play at some points. I would've loved to see it be a tad bit shorter and to give Annie a redemption arc earlier on in the story. 

I received this book as an arc through Happily Booked PR. My review is honest and voluntary.