This was everything I asked for AND SO MUCH MORE. Oh my gosh. I loved this book so much!
When this started, I really loved April's character. She's so This was everything I asked for AND SO MUCH MORE. Oh my gosh. I loved this book so much!
When this started, I really loved April's character. She's so body positive, but she does have her moments with doubt, which I found so realistic and relatable. No matter how confident you are in yourself, the comments and doubts from society are bound to still get to you. But I loved how she would still put herself out there.
Let's get to the real reason I loved this book. MARCUS. First of all, he's dyslexic and his journey with his dyslexia hurt my heart so much. As a teacher, his parents were infuriating and I just wanted to give him a big hug. I loved that representation in here and how he was able to still be such a talented writer and figured out forms of reading that worked for him. He was also so sweet when it came to April and I loved how he was just so into April. He would call his friend for advice about what to do with their relationship and it was just adorable.
While there was some conflict near the end that I usually don't enjoy, I loved the open communication April and Marcus had and how they had serious reasons for why they were disappointed in each other or hesitant to trust each other. There was just so much I loved about this book and I am already dying for Alex and Lauren's story! Is it Spring 2021 yet!? ...more
First off, I was hesitant picking up this book. Mainly because of the cover. This didn't look like a high school new adult to me, so I was surprised wFirst off, I was hesitant picking up this book. Mainly because of the cover. This didn't look like a high school new adult to me, so I was surprised when I picked it up and found out that it was. Ava is our main character and this book starts out with her waking up in the woods after being sexually assaulted at a party. A lot of this book has to do with Ava dealing with stigma from her peers over this event and uncovering who was the one who possibly drugged her and then assaulted her. Please know that this is a huge part of the storyline.
Immediately when we meet Knox, I absolutely loved his character. He's always had a soft spot for Ava and this isn't a high school bully romance. Knox is actually very protective of Ava and so sweet when it comes to her. I really enjoyed how he was actually a nice guy and tried to be there for Ava when she needed him, even when she thought she didn't. What I also loved about this book was how it was about so much more than just the romance. Ava was trying to remember what happened that night and figure out how to support her special needs brother with no parents. Then Knox is trying to help Ava while making sure his brother was okay. I really loved the relationship between Knox and his brother and how much Knox tried to be there for him too.
The ending of this book was surprising and I appreciated how different it was from other high school new adult books. Ava needed time. And that's what she got. Overall, this book was just so good and I could not put it down. I loved the romance, the family dynamics, and the journey all of the characters took. ...more
While Eloisa James is one of my favorite historical romance authors and I loved Say No to the Duke, sadly this one was a HUGE miss for me. I had to DNWhile Eloisa James is one of my favorite historical romance authors and I loved Say No to the Duke, sadly this one was a HUGE miss for me. I had to DNF this at 70%.
In the beginning, Viola is so anxious in social situations that she always pukes and embarrasses herself. She literally pukes ON someone in the beginning of the book. For some reason, this social anxiety is just magically cured and there's not real progression to her being more comfortable in society. Then, for the romance, it was super insta-lovey and there really wasn't a lot of courting or conflict. They talked, he flirted, that's it. There were no stakes or any real action in this book.
When it came to the pacing, this book was weirdly slow and fast. NOTHING HAPPENS. The characters just sit around and talk. And talk some more. And that's it. They go to a ball. They have tea. And I was so bored. There was nothing keeping the couple apart, nothing they had to worry about...there was just not really a lot to this book. I had to force myself to read and wasn't enjoying the story, so I decided it was time for me to just put it down.
I need a lot more to the plot and the relationship dynamics in historical romances to enjoy them, so I just couldn't get into this one. ...more
I adore Kandi and every book she writes. I am so sad that this is the end of the Becker Brother series, but what a series it's been! We've had almost I adore Kandi and every book she writes. I am so sad that this is the end of the Becker Brother series, but what a series it's been! We've had almost every trope of romance within these books, so I was excited to have the workplace romance between a high school football coach and the new trainer!
Jordan is the oldest Becker Brother, adopted, and the coach of a state-winning football team. He is under an enormous amount of pressure to win again and knows that his gorgeous new trainer is going to be a distraction to the players. I absolutely loved Sydney's character and how she was finally living life the way she wanted to after divorcing her abusive husband. Her daughter was so adorable and I loved how Jordan helped her out with football since she was determined to play, even though she's a girl. Family is such an integral part to this series and I loved all of the family relationships we got.
As for the romance, it was super sweet and I enjoyed how both Sydney and Jordan had to take down their own walls to trust each other in a relationship. Was it anything special? Not really. But it was sweet. I do think that the mystery surrounding Jordan's dad that has been building all series kind of overshadowed the romance and I didn't like how it played out as more of a soap opera. It just felt too melodramatic and I wasn't a fan of that plot line that carried throughout the series.
Overall, this is just a great, sweet romance series with an adorable family that I am obsessed with. All of the books are different and if you love a book for all of the relationships within the story, you will love the Becker Brothers series. ...more
While I haven't read the first two books in this series, I was so excited when Gallery books sent a copy of this book my way. A few of my friends on IWhile I haven't read the first two books in this series, I was so excited when Gallery books sent a copy of this book my way. A few of my friends on Instagram love this series and I couldn't wait to read this friends to lovers romance!
When I first started this book, I loved how Clarke and Audrey were truly best friends who wanted the best for one another. They had never looked at each other in a romantic way and decided to put each other first and pretend to be engaged. Only when they had to pretend to be in love did feelings emerge, and I loved seeing them both deal with those newfound feelings. Both Clarke and Audrey thought they knew what they wanted out of life, but they slowly realized that those priorities can change with the right person.
While the main couple was fantastic, I also loved all of the friends of both Audrey and Clarke. Now I'm definitely dying to pick up the first two books to see those couples fall in love. They added some fun insights to Audrey and Clarke's relationship and were very protective over their friends.
If you can't tell, this was a super fun and quick read that I couldn't put down. It's also fade to black when it comes to the intimate scenes between our main couple, so if you just want an adorable, sweet friends to lovers romance, you have to pick this up. ...more
Ummm where do I start? First, thank you so much to Penelope and Social Butterfly PR for the review copy. It was an amazing surprise and I am so thankfUmmm where do I start? First, thank you so much to Penelope and Social Butterfly PR for the review copy. It was an amazing surprise and I am so thankful I get to support one of my favorite authors!
And though Penelope is one of my absolute favorite authors, I have to be brutally honest. This book is NOT going to be for everyone. And almost wasn't for me. Almost. But I honestly think it was Penelope's writing and storytelling that kept me hooked and not wanting to put this book down.
Going in, I knew this girl was moving into the mountains with three men. A dad and two sons (both over 20). We have no idea who her love interest is going to be. I was not expecting Penelope Douglas to push the envelope with this one, but boy did she. I loved the chemistry she built between Tiernan and all three of the men she was living with. I truly believed there was an attraction with every man and was fanning myself on more than one occasion when things steamed up between Tiernan and one of the guys. That being said, I do think Jake and Noah were developed much more than Kaleb's character was. I found nothing appealing about Kaleb, especially because he was characterized as this barbaric animal for so long throughout the book. We don't even meet him until about 20% in and then don't get any real growth from him until at least 70%. I felt much more connected to the two other guys, so when we followed Kaleb some more, I lost that sense of connection.
This book definitely took me out of my comfort zone, but I seriously did love it. Like I said, if any other author wrote it, I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much. But since Penelope knows how to build some angst, tension, and INSANE heat between her characters, I could not put this book down. ...more
Every time I pick up a new Kennedy Ryan book, I know that I am going to love it and I know that I am going to be hit with some intense emotion. I loveEvery time I pick up a new Kennedy Ryan book, I know that I am going to love it and I know that I am going to be hit with some intense emotion. I love the All the King's Men duet and could not wait to read Kimba's story in this standalone romance!
From the start, I loved how Kennedy Ryan built up this story. We get a couple of scenes in the past to understand Kimba and Ezra's relationship and how their souls were just connected when they were growing up. They were torn apart when they were 13 and don't see each other for another 24 years.
Kimba's character was my favorite. She is a working woman who is 37 and she is content with her life. She is working on getting a client who means a lot to her and she is trying to prove her worth without Lennox on her team. A curveball is thrown her way and Kimba has to really reevaluate her life and decide what her priorities really are. THEN, Ezra enters her life again and Kimba has no idea what to do.
The connection between Ezra and Kimba is so strong and emotional and deep. They have both created these whole lives without one another, so they have to navigate how they would fit into each other's lives without giving up who they are and what is important to them. I loved how neither one of them wanted the other to change or give up on their dreams just to be together. This book was just so realistic with the timeline, priorities, hurt they don't mean to cause each other, and communication to work through their issues. Kennedy Ryan creates real people that you feel protective over and who you just want the best for.
I absolutely loved Queen Move and the romance between Ezra and Kimba. The romances in Kennedy's books are always so complex and I cannot recommend her books enough! ...more
Holy CUTENESS. I had super high expectations going into this book. Everyone is getting early copies from Book of the Month and my fiends with ARCs havHoly CUTENESS. I had super high expectations going into this book. Everyone is getting early copies from Book of the Month and my fiends with ARCs have been raving about the story. I love books about writers and readers, so I had a feeling I was going to love this book.
January moves into a beach house and soon realizes that she's living right next door to her nemesis from college, Gus, who also happens to be a writer. I completely connected to January's character when she talked about how romance and women's fiction is looked down upon and not taken as seriously as literary fiction. As a bet, January and Gus decide to swap genres for the summer since they aren't feeling inspired and also agree to go on "research" trips with one another. These research trips were so fun and I loved how they were writing with each other and becoming friends as they spent more time together.
The first half of the book was SO CUTE and I could not stop smiling and giggling as I read. The second half did take a much more serious turn and really looked at how people change because of things that happen in their lives. January and Gus were both dealing with hurt that had happened in their pasts and were trying to navigate that pain while slowly falling for each other.
In the end, this book was just a joy to read and I was obsessed with it the entire time I was reading it. I loved the banter, the pop culture references (not too many- just enough!), and the slow burn of the romance. I definitely recommend picking up Beach Read! ...more
I am a huge historical romance fan and this cover definitely caught my eye. This sounded like it was going to be an adorable romance between a bickeriI am a huge historical romance fan and this cover definitely caught my eye. This sounded like it was going to be an adorable romance between a bickering married couple and I was excited to read their story.
When this started, I thought the romance was so cute. Something had happened four years ago, one year into their marriage, that caused Violet and James to hate each other and barely speak to each other. When Violet gets a letter that James is hurt and might never wake up, she freaks out and jumps to be by his side. When he recovers quite quickly, they're both mad at each other for their reactions, which sparks the need to toy with each other for the rest of the book. Their banter was cute, but I do wish that we knew what caused their rift a bit earlier on. It was some big mystery as to why they both felt betrayed and we didn't get the reasoning until well into the story.
As James and Violet continue to play games with each other, I definitely became annoyed by how much they refused to talk to each other. If they just had a conversation four years ago on the night they argued, this whole book would have been avoided. The rest of this book only continues because they just won't have an honest conversation with one another. If you do not like the miscommunication trope, you are going to be annoyed reading this. At the end of the book, everything wrapped up a little too neatly as both characters had their confrontations with people who have wronged them and it felt too forced for me.
While this was a cute story in the beginning, the middle and the end of this story more annoyed me than not and I just wanted the characters to talk already. Sadly, this one wasn't as endearing as I wanted it to be. ...more
I have been loving reading romances about women in business and women in tech. In this one, Samiah is in the tech industry and has always had to work I have been loving reading romances about women in business and women in tech. In this one, Samiah is in the tech industry and has always had to work harder to prove herself because she's a woman. This starts off with Samiah realizing that she's dating someone who is also dating two other girls. The girls end up becoming friends and swearing off men so that they can focus on themselves. Of course, a cute new guy ends up working at Samiah's work!
When this started, I really enjoyed the story. I like Samiah and her friendship with the two other girls and how she found Daniel really cute but didn't want to start anything. I also enjoyed how Samiah was so passionate about developing her app and finally putting herself first. When it came to the romance, though, I was a little let down. The story felt dragged out with their relationship and I was just waiting for the ending to drop because I knew exactly what the drama was going to be. The doubts on both Daniel and Samiah's parts were rehashed over and over again and I was more bored than anything.
While the set up for this book was really good and the romance was cute, I felt like the story didn't move as fast as I wanted it to. While I love having a woman in tech and a strong friendship group supporting each other, this wasn't everything I wanted. ...more
2.5 stars. I don't know if my expectations for this one were just too high, but a lot of things about this book just didn't work for me.
The first thi2.5 stars. I don't know if my expectations for this one were just too high, but a lot of things about this book just didn't work for me.
The first thing I struggled with was the writing. The writing felt very clunky to me and I feel like the author spent a lot of time telling us things instead of showing, which really took me out of the story. Some of the dialogue was clunky and unnatural, too, and I really couldn't get connected with either of the characters. Then, the storyline would switch between Jasmine and Ashton's romance and scenes of the show they were filming together. I really didn't care about the romance in the show and didn't like getting a bunch of chapters of those scenes. These more took me out of the story and made it even harder for me to care about Jasmine and Ashton's relationship.
Another reason why I couldn't really connect with the characters is because of how they were presented. Jasmine was obsessed with how the tabloids looked at her and Ashton was obsessed with the tabloids discovering his son and something happening to his son because of his fame. These two people willingly chose their careers as actors and were pursuing fame, yet they were both actively trying to stay out of the limelight. It just didn't really make sense to me.
Then, the conflict that drove the couple apart near the end was very frustrating to me. I did not like Jasmine's reaction and I was still frustrated with Ashton for sheltering his son so much. I understood he was affected by what had happened in the past, but it was still over the top and not at all fair to his family what he was doing. I just found it very hard to feel for these characters or connect with the writing. While I was super excited for this book, it was just a miss for me....more
Talia Hibbert has become one of my go-to authors for a good romance with amazing characters. I absolutely love the Brown family and could not wait to Talia Hibbert has become one of my go-to authors for a good romance with amazing characters. I absolutely love the Brown family and could not wait to read Dani's story.
All of the Brown sisters are quirky and adorable and I love them. Starting this book, I immediately loved Dani. She was curvy, quirky, passionate, and scared of getting too close to anyone. Her little friendship with Zaf was so cute and I loved how they became good friends from seeing each other every day at work. I loved how Zaf had a crush but he had no idea how Dani felt about him at all. When they started fake dating, I could not get enough of how they both were feeling things but didn't know if what the other person felt was real or not.
Of course, we got the full cast of Brown sisters and I loved seeing Chloe and how she was doing with Red. Dani would talk to her sisters and get advice from them, and I love when books have strong sibling bonds. And we can't have a Talia Hibbert book without diversity, which is one of my favorite things about her book. Zaf has anxiety after losing loved ones, which is an important part of his character and affects his relationship with Dani. Dani is a bisexual, curvy heroine and Zaf's family is from Pakistan. I think Talia Hibbert did a great job portraying Zaf's anxiety and I loved Dani's character even more as she took his anxiety in stride.
If you can't tell, I absolutely loved this book. I couldn't put it down and could not get enough of Zaf and Dani. I already can't wait to get the third Brown sister's story and watch her fall in love! ...more
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