Happy Thursday! I Wish We Had Forever released today. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this small town, brother’s best friend, fake marriage romance! We found out at the end of I Wish You Were Mine that Jen and Abel had eloped and now we get to see what happened from their point of view. I was so excited to find out what happened and it did not disappoint! Abel’s my favorite kind of MMC, he’s grumpy, broody, protective, and a bit broken but still soft for his lady. And man did he have a dirty mouth on him! Jen was a great FMC, she’s strong and I loved watching her to learn to stop people pleasing and ask for what she wants. They were such a cute couple, I loved how supportive they were of each other, and I loved all the chemistry between them after years of longing and pining. It’s a Jessica Peterson book so of course it’s super spicy, with lots of food and friendships as well. I’m sad this series is over, I’ve loved every book including this one!
Wild Card is out today and I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Staci Hart has written pure romcom gold here and I loved it. This book is so horny!
It’s a small town, forced proximity, opposites attract, fake dating romance between Jessa, who’s in town for her best friend’s wedding, and Remy, her best friend’s cousin who is forced into hosting Jessa at his house when all other beds fall through. Jessa’s been in love with a childhood friend Henry her whole life, so Remy agrees to fake date her to make him jealous, only things turn real pretty quickly.
Remy is totally outrageous- an unrepentant flirt, cocky and full of southern charm but also sweet to his mama and hiding his soft side. Jessa starts as a prim and proper lady and quickly devolves into playing horny games with Remy and I loved watching her let loose.
The banter between them had me cackling, the spice had me sweating (this is SERIOUSLY spicy), and the romance had me swooning.
Staci’s back and her books are hornier than ever and I’m here for it! I can’t wait for more from this world because that last epilogue had me gasping and clutching my pearls.
I really enjoyed Done and Dusted but I loved Swift and Saddled. I thought this was delightful. I find Lyla Sage’s writing to be so charming and easy reading in the best way. It’s easy to pick up her book and read the whole thing without moving or even realizing time has passed.
This returns us to Rebel Blue, and this time it’s Wes’s turn to fall. Wes is the easy going Ryder, the middle child peacekeeper who finds his match in Ada, the interior designer he hires to make over the house he’s turning into a guest ranch.
I loved their golden retriever/black cat vibes. Wes is so laid back and kind, while Ada is not quite as easy going. She’s had a rough patch and needs to take this job and herself seriously.
Wes falls first and hard and I loved how he carefully won Ada over. He was so patient and loving and supportive. Ada had a journey to go on to accept love and friendship into her life, and I appreciated that we really got to know the characters and their motivations so it was easier to understand why she struggled so much.
I loved being back in this world and seeing all the Ryders and Teddy and Luke and I’m dying for books three and four!
Only and Forever is out today! Thank you to the publisher for the advanced review copy.
Can you believe it? The final book in the Bergman Brothers series is here and I am distraught that it’s over 😩
For four years we’ve laughed and cried along with this family as they’ve grown up and fallen in love.
This time it was sweet Viggo’s turn, our ultimate cinnamon roll romance lover. We’ve seen him interfere in his sibling’s lives throughout the series, always pushing romance novels and rooting for their HEAs. He’s been waiting for a real life romance like he reads in his romances, but that doesn’t seem to be working for him. It’s okay because he’s busy opening a bookstore, being the best uncle ever, and adopting a whole lot of animals.
His life is shaken up when Tallulah Clarke, the girl he once had a big crush on, re enters his life and the two make an agreement. Tallulah needs help with her latest thriller from a romantic perspective, and Viggo needs help with his new bookstore. They agree to live together and exchange their skill sets, just as platonic friends, of course.
The forced proximity does as it always does and the roomies start to feel more, but both have a lot of baggage to work through. It was a slow burn, and the tension built most excellently.
I loved Viggo, he’s always been one of my favorite Bergmans and I loved getting to know him better. Tallulah was a little harder for me, not necessarily because she’s a ‘chilly cynic’ but because she was kind of mean to Viggo and since I already loved him, it felt kind of like she was being mean to my friend.
She comes from a toxic family with a lot of drama, but I felt like we never really got to understand what that drama was. We’re told her parents were bad, but I didn’t understand why. Her brother is a handful and enters rehab, but that happens in the background. I guess I just felt like her family stuff could have been expanded on so we could see it instead of just telling us they were toxic.
Another thing I felt like could have been explored more was Viggo’s ADHD. We know he has it but it doesn’t really seem to affect his life all that much, at least not that we see on page.
Overall it was a good read and ending to the series, just one I felt needed to be fleshed out a little more in some parts so we are shown more than told.
Just For the Summer is out today! Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy.
Abby continues her streak as World’s Best Romcom Author! She has the ability to make me laugh and cry at the same time like no other author I’ve ever read. I’ve loved every book she’s written and this is no exception.
This is a book about two people who both have the same love curse – everyone they date meets the love of their life after they break up. They decide to short term date each other (just for the summer) and pouf! Their curses will be canceled out. We follow them on a series of dates, and of course real feelings develop along the way.
We first met Justin in Yours Truly as a supportive side character so I was so glad to watch him get his HEA. He was truly just a good dude, always there for everyone else even when it’s to his detriment. I love an upstanding, big hearted man who’s not afraid to talk about his feelings.
Emma is a travel nurse, moving around from destination to destination, never settling or putting down roots. She had a rough upbringing which affects her in every way, the only person who’s ever had a piece of her heart is her BFF. She had a real journey to go on here to accept love into her life, and though I found her frustrating at times, I appreciated her character arc and growth.
Together they were adorable. I loved their dates, planned and otherwise, and how they quickly became part of each other’s lives. They had such a great easy going relationship, it just felt so right. The full cast of supporting characters were excellent. I loved both the ones we got to revisit from previous books, and the new ones we were introduced to.
There also were plenty of easter eggs to her previous books, but I think you could read this one okay as a standalone if you wanted. It might be slightly less impactful if you haven’t read at least her two last books though.
This was a soft and gentle story that I don’t quite know how to categorize. It’s an intriguing family drama, interwoven with a mystery, but it’s also a tender romance. The prose is beautifully written, quietly beautiful in a way that had me pausing often to reread.
The family drama is the main event to me, and I loved the relationship between Jess and her sister and how it grew and changed over the course of the book. My heart broke for them both, the walls they’ve had to build and how complicated their relationship had become.
Though it’s somewhat the background story, I have to rave about the romance between Jess and Adam. Adam is such a gentle giant, so fully committed to supporting Jess however he can. Their relationship unfolded so softly, so gently, so tenderly. I just loved Adam so much!
All that being said, it was a little on the slow side for me. The mystery unfolded slowly, the romance developed slowly, I was ready for something, anything, to happen. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it, because I did! I’m not sure the story would have worked as well at a faster pace anyway. I realize this is contradictory.
Overall though I thought it was really good, especially if you love more of a quiet, understated, thoughtful story!
Happy Thursday! Storms and Secrets is out today and I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. What a sweet small town romance! This is book two in the Haven brothers series, and unlike book one, this isn’t so much a romantic suspense as it is a romantic domestic thriller (is that a thing??) We’ve seen Marigold in other books as the best friend, the girl who’s waiting on her own HEA while all her friends all fall in love. She’s secretly been crushing on Zachary Haven, her best friend’s older brother, but he doesn’t seem to notice her existence, or worse, bolts from whatever room she’s in. After a near death experience, Zachary realizes he’s actually in love with Marigold, but the timing is off as she’s just started dating a handsome new-in-town stranger. Zachary is determined to win her over and I love a determined man! They were so cute together, it felt almost like young love even though they’re in their 30s. Marigold was a sweetheart of a character, always helping everyone else out so I loved watching her finally get her HEA. Zachary made some mistakes along the way but I loved how he learned and grew and became the man Marigold needed. This is an odd thing but I loved that they had normal jobs – he’s an electrician and she’s a salon owner/hair stylist. It fits the small town setting so well, and of course it was great to be back in Tilikum. There is a bit of a love triangle but not one where I didn’t know exactly who she’d end up with. There’s also a secondary plot of a local girl gone missing and we do get to see what happened to her and how it comes around full circle to Marigold and Zachary’s doorstep. While it wasn’t a really suspense filled whodunnit type story, it was interesting to see it all unfold. Overall this was a cute, sweet, easy reading romance that I read in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down!
This Could be Us is out today! Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have said it before and I’m sure I will say it again, Kennedy Ryan is one of the most gifted storytellers I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Her writing is lyrical and tender and emotional and always transports me to another place.
Though there is dual POV, this is Soledad’s story. We first met her in Before I Let Go, though you could definitely read this as a standalone. After a series of devastating betrayals from her husband, she has to find a way to stand on her own for the first time in her adult life. She has three daughters to support, a career to build, and needs to find herself outside of married life. She finds herself very attracted to Judah, a man who for a lot of reasons she shouldn’t be with.
Because the majority of the story is Soledad finding herself, this was definitely in the women’s fiction territory. There is a romance for sure but it’s not the primary focus. Soledad’s journey was a great one and I loved watching her figure her place out. The way she cared for her girls, her friendships, her sisters, it was lovely.
Judah was an excellent character, so steady and sure in liking of Soledad. He’s a man who knows what he wants and is willing to be patient and play the long game to win. He wasn’t afraid to admit his feelings, or engage in a little light internet stalking to learn more about her and honestly, it was so great. What’s better than a man who shows he cares and is interested?
He’s a father to neurodiverse twin sons and their story was so beautifully told. I think the rep was so important and it was so interesting to read about how autism presents itself differently in his boys.
The two had such great chemistry from the beginning, I would have loved to see more of them together. They had an immediate attraction, then they’re not together for most of the book, then together just at the end – again, I think it’s more of a women’s fiction book so that makes sense but it did make it a little slow for me in parts.
Overall though this was such a great book from one of the best! It’s definitely going to stick with me for a long time.
I was so excited to see Tessa Bailey had a golf romance! Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. This was such a solid romcom! I know what to expect from Tessa Bailey at this point and it delivered on exactly what I wanted from her. It’s low angst, hilarious, and spicy. I can’t say it was hugely different from a lot of her other books, aside from the golf stuff, but I can’t say I really want anything different from her either. I found myself laughing out loud often, especially at Wells’ befuddlement over his feelings for Josephine which is my favorite hallmark of Tessa’s books. He fancied himself a cold jerk with a juicy booty but he was so so so soft for his lady and I loved how he was so protective but also knew she was a badass and treated her like an equal, while also being growly and possessive. He cared in such big and small ways and it was a delight. Josephine was a great character, and I loved the Type 1 diabetes rep. I feel like I learned some new things so that was great! She didn’t want to be only known for her T1D diagnosis and I loved how strong she was on her own. She really tamed the beast in Wells while also not letting herself get walked over. The two had great chemistry, it had the fan-yourself spice and dirty talk I expect from Tessa 🍑 and I just really had a great time reading it! It’s funny, it’s spicy, it’s entertaining. Definitely recommend for Tessa fans!
Ready or Not is out now! Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.
Well, this was a delight. I know surprise pregnancy is a controversial trope but I actually love it and this was such a good spin on it.
Eve discovers she is pregnant after a one night stand and everything in her life begins to change (as pregnancy is wont to do). Her best friend is taking the news weird, her baby daddy is torn, and her best friend’s brother starts showing up for her when no one else is. The story carries us through her pregnancy as all these relationships start to grow and change.
Eve was an excellent heroine. She didn’t always get it right but it was admirable how she kept picking herself back up and trying. Life was not going the way she expected, she didn’t have her dream career and then to be impregnated by a bartender she hooked up really wasn’t in her plan but I loved how she just kept going. It’s told only in her POV so it’s really her story, and one I thoroughly enjoyed.
Shep might have been the most perfect MMC I’ve ever read. I loved Shep. He is everything I don’t normally love in a MMC – blond, golden retriever, good guy. Such a good good guy. He has pined for Eve for years, so when his chance came to be there for her he took every opportunity to grow closer to her but also to be there for the baby.
The way their relationship progressed had me downright giddy. It wasn’t all that steamy, but it was intimate and adorable. It’s a relationship of small touches and acts of service. There’s a scene where he massages her hand that made me take a sip of water because I was getting overheated. I just loved them!
I loved not just Eve and Shep but also the supporting characters. Willa is the best friend anyone would want, she would do anything for you even if it was hard for her. Ethan, the baby daddy, was struggling in such a very realistic way. He didn’t handle everything perfectly but in such a real feelings way.
I will say there were parts that felt perhaps a bit over the top about motherhood and how magical it is (one of the side characters, to summarize, said you’re self centered until you become a mother, then you become other centered and care about other people once you have children which had me blinking in confusion) but I tried not to let that bother me.
Overall though, I loved this book. I loved it so much. It’s a top read of the year for me and I know these wonderfully flawed characters will stick with me for a long tim
Romance Reviewed 