Megan & Archer Their meet cute was cute except that Megan went into anaphylactic shock ~ I have a child with nut allergies, so that was a scary part to read.
So this installment was interesting in that we go back in time and find out Megan and Archer's relationship was going on behind the scenes in the previous books, instead of beginning where the last book left off. We got introduced to our old friends Kenni and Wils and attended Patrick and Avery's wedding, which was fun and I don't feel like I was reading the same stuff again.
I was frustrated with one or the other a time or two, but they were so sweet when they were together. Megan was able to rise up from a tough past and become a strong woman who brought some sass to Archer's life. I loved Archer's big family and especially what George admitted to doing towards the end. The sweet letters and epilogue was a great ending to this story.
We've got our set up for book 4, so I'm looking forward to reading more about Tallyn and Tackett.
*Thanks to the author and BookSirens for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Avery & Patrick They have both been hurt in the past, which makes them hesitant with their feelings towards each other, making it a slow burn in that aspect, but then boom it was super quick and you'll know what I mean if you read it. I really liked Patrick. He was so down to earth, sweet and showed his emotions at times. I could just tell how much he cared for Avery's son, Jackson. It was cuteness overload when the Mashed Potato Eater and Little Man were together.
For being a super smart therapist, Avery came across very insecure at times. I was not feeling her not thinking she was good enough or looked good enough. Also, I know she must have been really hurt losing Jack when they were 16, but it's been 8 years so I was ready for her to move it on along and see what was right in front of her ~ a super sweet guy who wants nothing more than to be a family man, with smooth abs as an added bonus.
All of the side character were great, except Melissa. I still liked Wils and Kennie and how they adored Jackson.
Overall, I didn't love this one as much as I did Stealing a Second Chance, but still enjoyed it well enough.
Side note ~ I prefer my cover model to resemble the character info I was given and this guy does not look like he has blond hair.
*Thanks to the author and BookSirens for my ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Trigger warnings from the author ~ suicide, thoughts of suicide, homophobia, drug addiction, death of a lov3.5⭐
Book 1 in the Ohana Surfing Club series
Trigger warnings from the author ~ suicide, thoughts of suicide, homophobia, drug addiction, death of a loved one, explicit language and sex
Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, LGBTQ ~ MM & BI, surfing, suicide, escort services, fake relationship, age gap (35 & 46), cancer, grief, steamage
Kel & Anders Chapter 1 begins very heavy in 1997 with Kel (11) and Keo (17) finding their mom after she committed suicide. Flash forward 24 years and Kel is the owner of the Ohana Surfing Club. When he finds himself in financial strain with the business, and due to medical bills from his father's cancer, he turns to escorting to make ends meet. *Kel never felt like a grown man to me, maybe because he was first introduced to us when he was 11 and then boom he was 35. It was odd to me when he referred to the kids he provides housing to as 'his kids' too.
Anders was married to a woman for 20 years, but realized he wasn't happy and wanted to explore his sexuality as bi~sexual. Months after the divorce is finalized he contacts an escort service for his first gay encounter. They have an instant attraction, but Kel walks away and avoids seeing him again until Anders walks into the surf shop weeks later trying to buy his business. They come up with a plan that works for both of them, begin fake dating and spending a bunch of steamy time together. After only a few weeks together their relationship is tested and Anders stepped up to the 'boyfriend' plate in a big way.
This one is a heart string yanker, so it wouldn't hurt to have some tissues nearby. Although Kel and his fathers story line was a sad one it was also heartwarming as you could feel their love for each other. One thing that bugged me though was that so many people would say to them "oh I didn't know you were gay" and then they'd go on to say they were bi or pan ~ like what business is it of yours nosy pants, mind your beeswax.
*Thanks to Courtney_W_Dixon and Booksirens for my copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, meddling mothers, fake relationship, best friend's brother, sisters best friend, forced proximity, op4.5⭐ rounded up.
Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, meddling mothers, fake relationship, best friend's brother, sisters best friend, forced proximity, opposites attract, steamage, references to an abusive relationship, second chance at love
Heath & Alicia Heath and his 3 siblings own a bar together. There is no rivalry between these 4 and their relationship is great. Alicia is a romance author who is fun, confident and independent. She's an only child and her relationship with her mother is strained and she can be down right mean to her daughter.
One thing Heath and Alicia have in common, besides being workaholics ~ meddling mothers who want them to settle down (this bugs me!), so they begin fake dating in hopes of getting their mothers off their back. Both have a sad and emotional past that make them reluctant to love again, but I'm so happy they found each other because I really liked them together.
One bit bugged me about Alicia and how instead of just talking things out she just shut down and pushed Heath away at one point. I have mixed feelings about how she fixed things ~ didn't love it, it was just alright.
All of the characters were pretty great, but there's always one pill and this time it's Tiffany, and her mother too ~ they were awful. Trent on the other hand was a delight! I really liked his friendship with Alicia and Emily and I would totally be down with reading a story just about him.
I enjoy series that follow siblings and look forward to reading about the next sibling, Emily. I LOVED the bonus scene that sets us up for Let Me Stay.
*Thanks to Aria Bliss and Booksirens for my copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
4⭐ Genre ~ contemporary romance Setting ~ England Publication date ~ May 17, 2022 Est Page Count ~ 239 (45 chapters +e) POV ~ dual 1st Featuring ~ character4⭐ Genre ~ contemporary romance Setting ~ England Publication date ~ May 17, 2022 Est Page Count ~ 239 (45 chapters +e) POV ~ dual 1st Featuring ~ characters in their 60's, cooking competition, social media feud, no steamage
Eliza & Lorenzo are thrown into a cooking competition and neither is particularly thrilled about it.
It's not often (maybe never) that I read a romance about people in their 60's and I'm pleased to say I did not get ewww gross vibes, since they're around my parents age. There was a little bit of romance, but nothing too crazy or steamy. They didn't really act their age at times in my opinion, as there were some immature moments.
I liked the recipes they made from unconventional ingredients. Maybe not unconventional for professionals, but for someone who makes the same chicken and pork dishes every week it is. I loved Giovanni as a side character ~ he was very supportive and fun to be around. Robin was awful and I could take or leave Ben.
This story gives hope that there can be love and success after a divorce and heartbreak later in life. All wrapped up as perfectly as I knew it would.
So overall I enjoyed this story, I really did, but I have a few gripes: ~ Callista the cat is allowed on the counter, in a chefs house no less ~ there is a lot of giggling going on ~ Ben (view spoiler)[how can she call him loyal when he was blabbering her business to Robin! multiple times! (hide spoiler)]
There was a bit of repetition with the way the dual pov was written. For instance, a chapter would be Eliza's perspective and let's say there's a text exchange, then the next chapter is Lorenzo and we have the same text written again and his thoughts about it. And sometimes it would flashback to the beginning of what we already read about in the previous chapter.
*Thanks to Joy Skye and BookSirens for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Book 2 in the Sweet Nothings Bake Shop series ~ I suggest they be read in order as the MC's from book 1 are heavily involved here.
Fea4.75⭐ rounded up.
Book 2 in the Sweet Nothings Bake Shop series ~ I suggest they be read in order as the MC's from book 1 are heavily involved here.
Featuring ~ mostly single 1st person POV (one chapter has a different narrator), small town, sweetness, cuteness, possible infertility, no steamage
Daphne is totally crushing on the hot Brit that is in town on business. But why risk getting close when he'll be moving on to the next job soon enough. Daphne ends up winning a trip for 4 and Jasper comes along. As they spend more and more time together their feelings grow and grow, but could one phone call change everything for their budding romance?
Daphne and Jasper are both so friendly and so sweet. Jasper is the most gentlemanny of all gentleman's. I was really rooting for them to get together.
I really enjoy Daphne and Bea's friendship. They are always there for each other as best friends should be. Celia is a great side character too. There's a set up for the next book in the series and I'm looking forward to it.
Side note ~ anyone watch General Hospital? I know he's Australian and not British, but I was picturing Jasper Jax as the Jasper here.
*Thanks to Kristen Dixon and BookSirens for the copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, baseball, brothers best friend, best friends sister, childhood sweethearts, friends to lovers, slow burn, death 4.25⭐
Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, baseball, brothers best friend, best friends sister, childhood sweethearts, friends to lovers, slow burn, death of a sibling, characters in their early 20's, second chance
Wils is an All Star baseball player on the injured list. He had a contract drafted to do his rehab close to his former girlfriend, Kenni. (I didn't love some of the things written in his contract, but I suppose I see why he did it.) He is the cinnamoness of all cinnamon rolls. He's so down to earth for being a celebrity in the baseball world. In fact all the baseball players in this book give off the same vibe.
Kenni has a great job as the PR rep for the Sarasota Sharks, a minor league team. She is still hurting 8 years after her brother, Jack's, death. Grief had her ghosting her only love, Wils, so she's shocked to see him step into her office after all this time.
I loved these two so much. They were adorable and totally meant to be. They seemed very mature for their ages of 22 and 24, and they drink wine. At that age you could find me shooting Alabama Slammers, not sipping a bold Cabernet.
What happened to Jack is HEARTBREAKING and what Wils and Kenni do to honor him is amazing! There was a delightful surprise that happened towards the end that really brought the whole story to home plate.
A wonderful start to a series. All the side characters were a great addition to the story and I can't wait to read more about them. Next up ~ Patricks's book, which was set up perfectly at the end of this one.
*Thanks to Kristin Lee and BookSirens for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, secret crush, best friend's brother, sister's best friend, friends to lovers, no steamage
Super cute! Super clean! SFeaturing ~ single 1st person POV, secret crush, best friend's brother, sister's best friend, friends to lovers, no steamage
Super cute! Super clean! Super sweet!
Bea has had a crush on George since she was 7. Unfortunately George does not reciprocate her feelings. Or at least that's what she thought until he started dropping hints when they spent the day making deliveries together. Could he actually be half in love with her like she is with him? There's only one problem ~ Daphne has deemed them off limits to each other. She can't risk her friendship and date her best friends brother. Or can she?
I really loved everything about this friends to lovers story. Every character was likable and fun. George is totally book boyfriend material. He is like the sweetest southern gentleman ever! Those cookies at the end, gah, adorable!! And now I'm craving a blueberry muffin too.
I'll definitely be on the lookout for more books from Kristen, especially when I need a quick, wholesome read that'll be sure to make me smile.
*Thanks to Kristen Dixon and BookSirens for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Once in a while I'll judge a book by its cover, but this one I judged by the cutesy title and I'm so glad I did. It was super cute!
Featuring ~ dual 1sOnce in a while I'll judge a book by its cover, but this one I judged by the cutesy title and I'm so glad I did. It was super cute!
Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, characters in their 20's, summer fling, cute, under 100 pages
Lucas is a local working at Sundae Dreaming (another cute name) with Ben. He has book boyfriend potential with his sweetness and snack making abilities ~ his hair is too long and he's too young for me, but definitely has potential for someone in their 20's.
Kari is in town for the summer working at the local sea-doo rental place with Sammie. She's off to college in just a few shorts weeks. There's little time for a relationship, but perhaps a summer fling is just what she needs.
Get your tan on while you read this quick one. It's perfect to read while lounging at the beach or pool. There was a little sad mystery that Lucas solved that made it a little more than just a fling story. It was all wrapped up perfectly.
I am a little upset that I didn't read Ben and Sammie's story first, but I don't think it took away from this one as this one is totally a stand-alone.
*Thanks to Sofia Aves and BookSirens for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Featuring ~ dual 3rd person POV, dual timeline, characters in their 20’s, parental infidelity
Avgust & JasmineI am around at 2.90-3.15 ⭐ for this one.
Featuring ~ dual 3rd person POV, dual timeline, characters in their 20’s, parental infidelity
Avgust & Jasmine drove me absolutely batty! They were back and forth, up and down and all over the place and in between. Their story was told between the past and present following both of their lives. It was interesting to have the mini-chapters within the chapter. I did find the day they met in the coffee shop sweet. Each talking to themselves about the other was kind of cute.
Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, fake relationship, slow burn, no steamage
Alivia is a social media beauty influencer who finds herse3.65⭐ rounded up
Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, fake relationship, slow burn, no steamage
Alivia is a social media beauty influencer who finds herself in the midst of an unwarranted scandal involving her BFF since childhood, pro baseball player, Dan. In hopes of getting herself out of the scandalous spotlight and into more of a beneficial one for her career, she agrees to fake date, Moe, a fitness guru influencer. Moe is a bit over the top with his workouts.
Usually, I am a fan of the fake relationship trope, but this one is not your typical one when the couple inevitability gets together for real. These two never seemed to click, which makes sense since she falls for his friend, Travis.
I liked the reasoning behind how Alivia got her career off the ground and her and Travis were super cute together. Some parts were funny. The man that owned the Emporium was good stuff. I did not like Donna and how Dan handled the situation, and obviously, Melanie. I don't know why I thought this was supposed to be geared toward YA, but it isn't. Maybe the cover looks YA-ish? This was a slow burn, on the PG side, fun debut novel and I will probably read more in the series.
*Thank you BookSirens and Shellee Marie for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review *
2.5⭐ rounded up. For the most part I enjoyed Juniper and Eric's love story. BFF's since birth. Families close-knit. Eric has been in love with her fore2.5⭐ rounded up. For the most part I enjoyed Juniper and Eric's love story. BFF's since birth. Families close-knit. Eric has been in love with her forever and she is oblivious. He is such a sweetheart and would do absolutely anything for her! He's #highschoolboyfirstlovegoals. Juniper, however, was a mess ~ back and forth, up and down ~ and not really ever grieving for her mother and brother. At times, I found the words chosen for the teenagers to say very unlikely in real life.
Things I liked: ~ dual point of view writing ~ Granny ~ Eric's demeanor, patience and love for Juniper ~ Strong bond and friendship between the Taylor's and the Hampton's
Things I did not like: ~ Juniper seemed to push herself too far, especially when injured ~ excessive underage alcohol use ~ the parents lack of interest in their 16 year old's drinking and partying
I received an advance review copy for free via BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
4.5 ceramic Santa stars! What a feel good holiday read. I love Adam and Holly's story so much! The dual point of view writing really showed what a swe4.5 ceramic Santa stars! What a feel good holiday read. I love Adam and Holly's story so much! The dual point of view writing really showed what a sweetheart Adam is and how much of a Christmas fanatic Holly is. I had a permanent smile on my face while reading this sweet and cute romance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
Heather Adores Books
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