On the day Claire gives birth to their baby, Claire's husband tells her he’s been having an affair and is leaving her. Claire returns home to her pareOn the day Claire gives birth to their baby, Claire's husband tells her he’s been having an affair and is leaving her. Claire returns home to her parents in Dublin where, one would imagine she would get her head around the idea she is now suddenly a single mother, and making some sort of plan on where she might live, how she will support herself financially etc. No. Claire is thinking about where and how she can get a new man. W.T.F.
Okay, this is chicklit, so I expected romance but, seriously, four weeks after giving birth is not an appropriate time frame (the phrase, 'getting over a man by getting under another' is literally used). It just makes Claire seem weak and desperate and a rather neglectful mother. Also, tragically, the new love interest character was controlling and quick tempered and alarm bells should have been going off and any day now there will be an official DV offence. But, whatever, he’s oh so good looking. *eye roll*
520 pages is obnoxiously long for this weak plot. Claire’s inner thoughts going on and on did not help. There were a couple of funny lines but within this 520 pages, there weren't any profound revelations. At no time did I pause and think, ‘wow’ at any of Claire’s waffling. There certainly weren’t any topical themes covered.
Looking at other reviews just now, I may continue with this series, as it appears most reviewers have similar opinions to me about this one and have mentioned that the other books are much better. This one, though, I can only rate a 1 ½ out of 5...more
I’ve just quickly read some reviews of Between Us and most readers seem to think this wasn’t one of McFarlane’s best efforts. Although I far from hateI’ve just quickly read some reviews of Between Us and most readers seem to think this wasn’t one of McFarlane’s best efforts. Although I far from hated the book, I feel like I know what they mean.
The book starts with a group of friends meeting up on a weekend away. I love this trope in books and movies - McFarlane even mentions one of my favs, Peter’s Friends. But then, it all seemed to be wasted. We only get the one character’s point of view and plot - the female lead, Roisin, and McFarlane didn’t put the spotlight on anyone else’s life/plot at all.
The main conflict is that Roisin’s de facto of around ten years, Joe, has written a screenplay for a TV show in which the MC is portrayed as a guy whose cheating on his girlfriend has become a power game for him. On watching the first episode, Roisin immediately decides Joe is writing his player narcissistic antihero more from personal experience than imagination. (Who knows what she’d think if he’d written something about a serial killer or in the horror genre.)
McFarlane then jumps around with her plot. We basically go from St Elmo’s Fire to Breakfast Club with the different conflict concerning the behaviour of Roisin’s, and another member of the group, Matt’s, parents.
The themes of the book are very topical and modern. The major ones being psychological domestic abuse and coercive control. Maybe this was a problem for me too. That is, Roisin was intelligent enough to figure out how Joe (and the parents) was manipulating her to articulate it but somehow she never had any type of epiphany earlier in their relationship.
Another (more trivial) complaint I have with the book is the chapter endings. Okay, we all love short chapters for ease of reading, but I felt that McFarlane’s new chapters had no rhyme or reason. Often the chapters ended mid conversation and started again in, what felt like, mid thought. It seemed like the editors had given McFarlane a strict page count per chapter and she had to keep to it, no matter what. It was very distracting.
There were some great things about Between Us though. I’d definitely recommend it if you are looking for a modern chicklit to while away a few hours on a weekend. 3 ½ out of 5 ...more
I thought I'd like this as something light to read in between longer mystery novels but I'm going to give it a DNF.
I think the worst thing was the narI thought I'd like this as something light to read in between longer mystery novels but I'm going to give it a DNF.
I think the worst thing was the narration. The voices of both the leads annoyed me. The dialogue they had to read too was a bit too silly for me at times.
Maybe I might come back and give the book another go when I'm in the right mood, but I don't feel like I can be bothered finishing it at the moment.
Every time Daphne meets a man, she receives a note of some sort with his name on it and a period of time which, she comes to realise, will be the lengEvery time Daphne meets a man, she receives a note of some sort with his name on it and a period of time which, she comes to realise, will be the length of their relationship. Then, one day, she receives a note with the guy’s name but no date. Presumably, he might be ‘the one’.
Expiration Dates has all the usual Serle ingredients: a sprinkling of magic, a strong modern twenty-something female main character, sad moments which pull at your heartstrings, and unexpected twists.
That last one was what I loved about this book. The plot twists I just didn’t see coming. Yet, they were all logical and made perfect sense.
I think my only issue with the book was that the character of Jake was a little bland. I think it would have been a more balanced book if he was just a bit less one-dimensional.
It’s a minor gripe though. I flew through the book and enjoyed it a lot. 4 ½ out of 5...more
I often find I struggle to like contemporary romance but I enjoyed this book.
Becca is a teacher who is writing a children’s book on the side. She meeI often find I struggle to like contemporary romance but I enjoyed this book.
Becca is a teacher who is writing a children’s book on the side. She meets Riley, a romance writer, in an online writing forum and they begin an internet friendship. When Becca’s life falls apart, Riley invites Becca to stay with her in Ireland. Only when Becca arrives, she discovers Riley is not a 'her' at all, as Becca presumed, but a gorgeous (obviously) man.
The book promotes itself as being very chicklit/romcom and I will say I definitely got movie romcom vibes as I read. In fact, more than once I was reminded of [the movie] Holiday whilst reading.
Plot Twist had all the ingredients a good chicklit/romcom needs: There is an actual conflict (so rare!) and some good misunderstandings. The minor characters were great (mostly, I was actually not a huge fan of Becca’s BFF; her scenes just seemed to indicate she was a bitchy drunk which I assume was not the intention). The leads had some nice chemistry. The Irish setting was appealing. And, oh, the hero had a cute kid.
One negative was its humour. I wouldn’t say it was hilarious at all (as claimed on the blurb). I never found Becca to be particularly funny at all, despite Riley finding her so.
Overall, Plot Twist was sweet and a pretty strong debut from Keenan. I’d recommend.
This is the first of the Improbably Meet Cute’ series, which is a collection of novellas by various authors.
In this case, the 'meet cute' was when onThis is the first of the Improbably Meet Cute’ series, which is a collection of novellas by various authors.
In this case, the 'meet cute' was when one of the main characters sends an email to the incorrect address on Valentine’s Day and subsequently starts an annual email tradition. I love epistolary novels so Christina Lauren ticked the boxes for me there. I was surprised, then, by how much more I enjoyed the book when they moved on from that style to a conventional one.
The only negative I would have is the US college talk. A lot of it went straight over my head and it made the book very new/young adult (not my fav genre).
If the point of these freebie novellas is to introduce readers to the authors, Christina Lauren have nailed this brief. I’ll definitely be reading more by them.
This is a freebie on Audible and only available in that format. It’s super cute and, for this type of short format romance, I really enjoyed it.
The maThis is a freebie on Audible and only available in that format. It’s super cute and, for this type of short format romance, I really enjoyed it.
The main couple are both likeable. Erin Richards’ lovely Welsh accent complemented Adam Demos’ Aussie one. They sounded very natural when they were narrating the radio hosting scenes.
The book was long enough that the listener had time to become invested in their lives. Plus, for me, I really became invested in the secondary romantic plot, featuring the female lead’s mother and uncle.
I do think Knight was trying to make New York another character but, to be honest, I was not won over by this aspect. It just sounded cold and expensive and ruthless. Then again, it’s not my lifelong dream to visit the place, so others might find it more appealing than me.
All in all, I’d be keen to read more by Knight (who, I'm assuming, is an Aussie herself).
So, this is part of a series of novellas featuring meet-cutes. I think Thorne did tick the boxes of the meet-cute itself. Rosie is Mmm... Yeah, nah...
So, this is part of a series of novellas featuring meet-cutes. I think Thorne did tick the boxes of the meet-cute itself. Rosie is trapped inside a float tank and Leo is a fire fighter who comes to her rescue. But... Other than that, this book was not that great.
Whatever issues I sometimes have with Thorne's books, chemistry between her leads is not usually one of them. Here, there was zero. I can't even blame the short length of the book. I don't think any more words would help.
The dialogue was silly. The humour was non-existent (even though Leo kept claiming Rosie was hilarious.... Er...). The sad back story was straight out disturbing.
Charlie is an award winning screenwriter who has agreed to write a romcom. And it’s a hot mess. So, his agent brings in Emma to help with the script. Charlie is an award winning screenwriter who has agreed to write a romcom. And it’s a hot mess. So, his agent brings in Emma to help with the script. Emma’s career has had to be put on the backburner due to a family situation and she’s determined to take this chance of a lifetime. Things go awry when she finds out Charlie is not as enamoured with the romcom idea. Cue some romance tropes - enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, forced proximity - and you have one of my favourite reads of the year.
Obviously Center focuses a lot on the romcom genre and I adored this. I love a good romcom (but, honestly, I can’t remember the last time Hollywood actually made a good one). I love Emma’s list of romcom rules. I also thought Charlie and Emma’s research into romcom cliches was great fun.
It was the sad and poignant scenes I loved the most though. Emma and Charlie’s sad back stories are genuinely sad, especially Emma’s. I won’t spoil too much but I definitely did shed tears. Through the tears, Center comes through with a lot of hopeful and heartwarming moments.
One thing Center really excels at is never taking anything too far. That is, she never goes into silly schmaltzy territory. She finds a nice balance.
Center has firmly become one of my favourite writers - 5 out of 5...more
Aiden is Liv’s brother’s best friend and they have always bickered like they are siblings themselves but, in truth, Liv was instantly attracted to himAiden is Liv’s brother’s best friend and they have always bickered like they are siblings themselves but, in truth, Liv was instantly attracted to him when they met ten years ago. Now, Aiden is moving to teach at the same university that Liv works at, and also moving into the flat she shares with her brother. Liv's always wanted to be a romance writer and, with all the forced proximity, Aiden soon becomes the inspiration for her book’s ‘love interest’.
This book went so close to being great.
The book within a book was one thing I disliked about The Love Interest. The writing for the actual book was solid enough throughout but I was put off by the style of the book Liv was supposedly writing. It sucked big time but everyone was sprouting how talented she was. Confusing.
Even though I liked the pop culture references, I didn’t think there were enough of them to make it a ‘thing’ in the book. Walters didn’t include any unique or original titles to capture my attention either. Pride and Prejudice, You Got Mail and Breakfast at Tiffany’s have been used far too many times already.
Walters also fell into the trap of making the book far too long. This golden page limit publishers seem to come up with is so annoying. Letting your authors waffle on about nothing is not doing them any favours.
I don’t want to be all negative though. The book was cute enough and the characters were likeable. It would probably be a great little read for a rainy weekend when you want something to make you feel warm and fuzzy.
3 ½ out of 5
#February read a romance for Valentine's Day challenge ...more
I’m so pleased I have some more Center books to catch up on. This, the third I’ve read now, is another winner.
I went into this completely spoiler freeI’m so pleased I have some more Center books to catch up on. This, the third I’ve read now, is another winner.
I went into this completely spoiler free and clueless to the plot, so I’ll try and keep this review similarly vague and would recommend you avoid too many details in other people’s reviews as well.
Sadie has a bit of a sad backstory but things are looking up when she becomes a finalist in a portrait competition. However, the night she is set to celebrate her success with her friends, she suffers a medical episode which leads to her chances of painting a portrait at all, let alone winning a prize for painting one, a struggle.
In the midst of her multiple setbacks, Sadie meets her dream man - Oliver Addison, a vet she takes her elderly dog to see. She also meets Joe who lives in her apartment building and, despite her initial belief that he is a bit of a player, turns out to be quite a generous and sweet guy.
To be honest, it’s not difficult to work out what’s going on with this unlikely love triangle, but I still had fun wondering how and when it would work out for Sadie, Oliver and Joe.
Once again, Center tugged at my heartstrings, and I will admit to shedding a few tears whilst reading. Hello Stranger was also heartwarming though and ultimately a feel-good read. Highly recommend.
I know I said I wouldn't read any more free Christmas audiobooks but then Cyclone Jasper happened and I've been without power and mobile data for threI know I said I wouldn't read any more free Christmas audiobooks but then Cyclone Jasper happened and I've been without power and mobile data for three days and I happened to already have this downloaded.
It actually turned out to be a pretty good little romcom. Okay, it was a bit predictable but it was cute and the leads were rather likeable.
Julia meets Sam who, it just so happens, looks exactly like the well-known actor, Hugo Turner. For Christmas, to one-up Julia's awful stepsister, Julia introduces Sam to her family as not only her boyfriend, but her boyfriend, Hugo.
I'd recommend you give it a go, especially if you're a fan of movies such as Notting Hill.
This wins my award for Most Disappointing Read of the year. This doesn’t mean it’s a bad book. It’s just that all of O’Leary’s other books have been sThis wins my award for Most Disappointing Read of the year. This doesn’t mean it’s a bad book. It’s just that all of O’Leary’s other books have been so fabulous, and The Wake Up Call didn’t live up to my high expectations.
Izzy and Lucas both work as receptionists in the same hotel. I loved the hotel setting, it was such a sweet atmosphere with a cast of cute co-workers and regular guests. Izzy and Lucas are both nice enough characters. Izzy is your typically sweet and generous rom-com leading lady, right down to her quirkily coloured hair. Izzy’s warmth and friendliness is at odds with Lucas’s standoffish and exacting standards. Despite being physically attracted, Izzy and Lucas claim to dislike each other, leading to a competitive workplace (which, tbh, is quite toxic and inappropriate at times, but is prime for the ol’ enemies to lovers trope).
One of my fav things about O’Leary’s previous books has been that something important she’s added into the plot - topical and important themes which make you stop and think, and elevates her books to something more than the run-of-the-mill chick lit. This time, this depth (for want of a better term) was missing. There was no touching moment or a punch in the guts realisation.
Another thing I've always noticed about O’Leary’s books was their universal appeal. I would recommend them to someone from late teens onwards. When I’d finished reading, I passed them onto my mother who is in her 80s. This time I won’t bother. I know she’ll probably not enjoy this one.
So, all in all, I’m really disappointed but, as I said, The Wake-Up Call was probably a hundred times better than a couple of other popular romances I’ve read of late. I guess 3 ½ out of 5 ...more
Kate is a normal twenty-something who works in advertising when she finds out she is set to inherit her great-great-something aunt’s estate on the proKate is a normal twenty-something who works in advertising when she finds out she is set to inherit her great-great-something aunt’s estate on the proviso that she publishes seven letters containing ‘steps’ on how the world should be living with the fairies.
Yes, the fairies, who the Irish peoples are so desperate to reconnect with that Kate becomes an instant internet and media sensation.
Mmm…
Okay, there’s some good things about this book. The romantic storyline is quite cute. There were some funny moments (mostly featuring Kate’s parents). But there was also the mixed messages from the fairies/letters. I thought O'Neill should have stuck to including environmental awareness, wellbeing/living in the moment etc but no, things got a little weird. Especially the ending - it all became quite disturbing.
I also think both books were just too long. This is something I whinge about constantly. I always blame publishers wanting some magical page number. This, of course, just leads to too much padding and my disinterest.
It wasn’t all bad, I guess. Maybe 3 out of 5 ...more
This is free on Audible for a couple more weeks, so I decided to give it a go before it expired.
Unfortunately I thought The Enchanted Island suffered This is free on Audible for a couple more weeks, so I decided to give it a go before it expired.
Unfortunately I thought The Enchanted Island suffered from an identity crisis. You have to say the cover implies it's a romantic chick lit but it's not really. I didn’t think it was that funny and the romance was insta-love without any huge conflict. There’s an element of fantasy/scifi and, believe it or not, a touch of horror. It's contemporary and probably should be marketed towards new adult readers, and yet I didn't think many topical themes were included (except maybe environmental awareness). It may have worked much better if O’Neill had focused on one genre.
Maeve, our lead, isn’t very likeable. Her entire life is all about looks and consumerism. Her work ethic is questionable -- even before things become utterly ridiculous when she is sent to a remote Irish island to try and secure a piece of land from a reluctant owner.
One imagines the point of the story would be that Maeve would realise her shallowness and find herself in the small community, going on to shun the big city solicitor's false botoxed lifestyle. However, that isn’t really the case, mostly due to the locals on the island being so horrible and even more unlikeable than Maeve.
Saying that, O’Neill writing flows well and I hope she just finds her niche. 3 out of 5...more
If I was only allowed to read one book this year, this would be it. To say I adored Prettier if She Smiled More would be an understatement.
Kylie is aIf I was only allowed to read one book this year, this would be it. To say I adored Prettier if She Smiled More would be an understatement.
Kylie is a forty-something control freak who, over the course of a few days, faces disasters (or mere inconveniences according to some members of her family) which cause her to change her usual routine and, subsequently, re-evaluate her life.
This book is hilarious, I could not stop laughing. In fact, the only time I stopped laughing was when Jordan managed to catch me off guard and sucker punch me with a scene.
The whole tone of the book is perfect; as I said, it’s funny and sad and poignant and subtly romantic and, obviously given the title, empowering. The supporting characters are all sublime, especially Kylie’s mother. I so want this to be made into a tv show so I can see her come to life on the screen.
This is a sequel to Dinner with the Schnabels but, as I haven’t read that one, it clearly can be read as a standalone. Of course, after enjoying this one so much, I’ll be catching up.
Highly recommend. 5 out of 5
*Thanks to BetterReadingAU and Hachette Australia for my copy
I loved Dettmann’s previous two books and recommend them both wholeheartedly. But… I was a little less enamoured with Without Further Ado.
Willa works I loved Dettmann’s previous two books and recommend them both wholeheartedly. But… I was a little less enamoured with Without Further Ado.
Willa works for a publishing firm run completely by the male members of one family: father Gladstone and his four sons. Willa oversees the romance book department where she choses manuscripts which give her the same feeling as her favourite movie, the Sir Kenneth Branagh version of Much Ado About Nothing. I too adore that movie. But… While this book references the movie quite a few times, and one of the plotlines is basically the same as the play/movie’s, I thought the romantic part of the book is not even vaguely similar to that of Benedick and Beatrice (who are definitely in my top ten list of fictional romantic couples and the whole reason I love that movie). It also annoyed me how Willa idolises and praises the movie and then suddenly, about at the 80% mark, rips it to shreds and basically declares that the movie and its storyline is not that great. Huh?
Willa tended to be fickle about many things, now I come to think about it. Her friends, babies, her job, her romances. Actually, the romantic storyline of the book was very confusing as I was never really sure which potential boyfriend I was supposed to be cheering on, if any of the candidates at all. I found I didn’t really care whom she would end up with in the end and, as it turned out as my download of the book (received via the Netgalley app which is utterly useless) crashed at the 94% mark which probably equates to the second last chapter and I never got to find out. *sigh*
One thing I won’t deny is that the book is funny. This was a real factor with her other two books and she shines with this aspect once again. It’s just a shame that perhaps Willa wasn’t as endearing as her other characters.
This is probably Center’s most popular title and it’s another cute and sweet read.
Jack is a famous movie star who has returned to his Texas home whenThis is probably Center’s most popular title and it’s another cute and sweet read.
Jack is a famous movie star who has returned to his Texas home when his mother becomes sick. Threats of a crazed stalker lead his handlers to hire a bodyguard. He’s not thrilled by the idea, or thrilled with letting his family know they could face danger from deranged fans when they’re already dealing with his mother’s illness, so he compromises by allowing his bodyguard to pose as his girlfriend.
Straight after the death of her mother, Hannah’s boyfriend dumped her. So, with her self esteem at an all time low, she doubts anyone will be convinced she could be Jack’s girlfriend. However, Jack and his family turn out to be a lot less Hollywood than she imagined and she’s soon fantasising that, even though he’s an actor, Jack is not really acting when they are together.
I always love the forced proximity, fake dating, and found family tropes, and Center includes them with more pizazz than most authors. She also includes some nice themes. I especially liked the message that looks aren’t everything and personality can count in our current overly botoxed world.
I don’t think, for me, The Bodyguard hit the same heights as Happiness for Beginners. Maybe it lacked a little depth. But it was still a cut above most of the other romances I’ve read in the last couple of years and I’m still keen to read more by Center.
I know it’s only early days, but I think The Wakes could be my favourite read for the year.
Told from multiple POVs, the plot involves characters meetI know it’s only early days, but I think The Wakes could be my favourite read for the year.
Told from multiple POVs, the plot involves characters meeting and interacting with each other over the course of four funerals.
The Wakes was funny, sad, poignant, romantic, and received bonus points for food porn. Obviously there's a focus on coping with death but there were many other thought provoking themes such as infertility, jealousy, and forgiveness.
The main characters were all likeable (and older! yay!) and I couldn’t help but cheer them on, especially the lovely Clare and Louisa, who gain independence and find a renewed purpose in their lives after they establish a funeral catering business.
I can’t believe this is a debut novel. I don’t think it’s too much of a bold prediction from me if I say Dianne Yarwood will soon be as well known as Liane Moriarty. She’s already following in Moriarty’s footsteps with The Wakes being picked up to be adapted into a TV series by the same people who made Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers. I now just have to cross my fingers they do it justice.
5 stars!
*Thank you BetterReadingAU and Hachette Australia for my preview copy ...more
Lee at ReadWriteWish
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