Showing posts with label contemporary romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label contemporary romance. Show all posts

Early Book Review: Donut Fall in Love by Jackie Lau

Donut Fall in Love 
by Jackie Lau is a contemporary romance currently scheduled for release on October 26 2021. Actor Ryan Kwok is back in Toronto after the promotional tour for his latest film, a rom-com that is getting less-than-stellar reviews. After years of constant work and the sudden death of his mother, Ryan is taking some much-needed time off. But as he tries to be supportive to his family, he struggles with his loss and doesn't know how to talk to his dad—who now trolls him on Twitter instead of meeting him for dim sum. Innovative baker Lindsay McLeod meets Ryan when he knocks over two dozen specialty donuts at her bakery. Their relationship is off to a messy start, but there’s no denying their immediate attraction. When Ryan signs up for a celebrity episode of Baking Fail, he asks Lindsay to teach him how to bake and she agrees. As Lindsay and Ryan spend time together, bonding over grief and bubble tea, it starts to feel like they’re cooking up something sweeter than cupcakes in the kitchen.

Donut Fall in Love hooked from the very beginning. I really enjoyed Ryan and Lindsey as characters, they were each complex and dealing with their own issues before they even meet. Family, identity, friendships, grief, racism, and more are all part of the story. These issues come together to show a realistic experience; good and bad all wrapped up together like in the real world. The complications of grief and family in this book really hit me hard, and I appreciated the open way it was discussed and dealt with. I think the story did a great job of balancing the hope and dream chasing with the realities of coping with public perception, family, and grief. I also liked the emphasis that is placed on communication,  because as much as most of us dread the hard conversations they need to be had, and even if the results are unexpected they can still have a needed impact. I was engaged through the entire read, and rooting not only for our main couple, but their friends and family as well. I will be looking to read more from this author. 

Donut Fall in Love is a fun romance that also tackles some serious topic. It is a well balanced and enjoyable read.

Book Review: Unperfect by Susie Tate

Unperfect by Susie Tate is a contemporary romance. I believe it is number four in the Beg Borrow, or Steal series, as there are some cameos from characters I recognize, but it is not labeled as such. Content warning, there is significant domestic violence content.

When Mia shows up for the interview at a well-known architecture firm, she only has 27p, a squashed loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter to her name. She needs this job. Even if she is scared to death of the owner of the company. Max has made a name for himself as that grumpy northern architect off Dream Homes (the most popular house design programme in the UK).  It turned out that the whole gorgeous-but-rough-around-the-edges-Yorkshire-man vibe was just what the country was looking for – the episode had gone viral and Max was the new, extremely reluctant, pin-up of the building industry. But to Mia, huge, grumpy men weren’t sexy, they were simply terrifying. She knows from experience that even men of average size can be dangerous. If she wasn’t so desperate, she’d run. She’s used to running. Running away is Mia’s special talent, together with invisibility – survival techniques she’s perfected over the years. So, she’ll put up with Max and his moods, ignore him calling her a teen emo freak (he’s not to know that her black hair used to be honey blonde or her heavy eyeliner isn’t by choice) and just bloody well jog on. It’s easy to hide when nobody really sees you. But what happens when Max finally opens his eyes?

Unperfect is a romance that hit me hard on several levels. It is not an easy read, but it was so worth it. Mia is trying to survive, trying to hide in plain sight, until she is safe and can move forward. Max is a grumpy guy with a heart of gold and a penchant for protecting and helping those around him. The dance these two do around each other- with trust, safety, and health issues is highly engaging. It was certainly not easy to read- the abuse and related recovery is hard to read but very realistically handled- which made it hit especially hard. Seeing the character arch for both Max and Mia, and how they interacted with others, was very well crafted and multi dimensional. The heart and honesty in this book is off the charts. I liked that even though so much of the book is based around heavy themes and healing, there are enough lighter moments and some joy to keep everything well balanced. I think there are definitely some people that might not be in the right place to read this, especially if they are  dealing with issues of violence and fear, but I think it might offer the hope and understanding that other people might need to help them heal.

Unperfect is not necessarily an easy or fun read. However, it is touching and engaging. I think it will strike a chord with many readers. 

Book Review: Sailor Proof by Annabeth Albert

Sailor Proof 
by Annabeth Albert is a contemporary romance, and the start of a new series. It’s petty, but Naval Chief Derrick Fox wishes he could exact a little revenge on his ex by showing off a rebound fling. His submarine is due to return to its Bremerton, Washington, home base soon and Derrick knows all too well there won't be anyone waiting with a big, showy welcome. Enter one ill-advised plan. Arthur Euler is the guy you go to in a pinch—he's excellent at out-of-the-box solutions. It's what the genius music-slash-computer nerd is known for. So when he finds out Derrick needs a favor, he’s happy to help. He can muster the sort of welcome a Naval Chief deserves, no problem at all. Except it is a problem. A very big problem. When Arthur’s homecoming welcome is a little too convincing, when a video of their gangplank smooch goes enormously viral, they're caught between a dock and a hard place. Neither of them ever expected a temporary fake relationship to look—or feel—so real. And Arthur certainly never considered he'd be fighting for a very much not-fake forever with a military man.

Sailor Proof is a contemporary romance that uses some of my favorite tropes to great effect. The friend's sibling romance, the kind of friends to lovers, fake romance turned real, and my favorite twist- there's only one bed! Derrick and Arthur were each great characters with their own personal issues to work out. I empathized with Arthur as he struggled with family dynamics and his perceptions of the past and his place in the present. I felt for Derrick as he noticed Arthur's discomfort and his gifts even as he had to come understand some of those dynamics and what he wanted from life at the same time. Seeing them both struggle and then find their way hit just the spot I needed it to.  I absolutely love Arthur and Derrick together, they hit the perfect blend of communication, chemistry, and charm that had me rooting for them right from the beginning. 

Sailor Proof is another great read from this author. I cannot wait to see what they write next.

Book Review: Witch Please by Ann Aguirre

Witch Please
 by Ann Aguirre is a contemporary, witchy romance. Danica Waterhouse is a fully modern witch—daughter, granddaughter, cousin, and co-owner of the Fix-It Witches, a magical tech repair shop. After a messy breakup that included way too much family "feedback," Danica made a pact with her cousin: they'll keep their hearts protected and have fun, without involving any of the overly opinionated Waterhouse matriarchs. Danica is more than a little exhausted navigating a long-standing family feud where Gram thinks the only good mundane is a dead one and Danica's mother weaves floral crowns for anyone who crosses her path. Three blocks down from the Fix-It Witches, Titus Winnaker, owner of Sugar Daddy's bakery, has family trouble of his own. After a tragic loss, all he's got left is his sister, the bakery, and a lifetime of terrible luck in love. Sure, business is sweet, but he can't seem to shake the romantic curse that's left him past thirty and still a virgin. He's decided he's doomed to be forever alone. Until he meets Danica Waterhouse. The sparks are instant, their attraction irresistible. For him, she's the one. To her, he's a firebomb thrown in the middle of a family war. Can a modern witch find love with an old-fashioned mundane who refuses to settle for anything less than forever?

Witch Please is a romance that had its ups and down for me. I really liked the different components, but I do not think they all came together quite right. First off, I did like the characters, and thought that their banter with each other and their larger circles was well done and entertaining. There were some issues with the alternating voices, occasionally leaing me confused about who said or thought something.  I really enjoyed most of the secondary characters, and would love to see more of them. This includes family and friend of both Danica and Titus.  I liked the set up for Danica's power and family drama. I thought the drama of Titus's family was a little unnecessary, and kept waiting for there to be some kind of magical connection or issue there with how strange some aspects felt. I honestly expect one or more additional magical twists. I liked all of the individual parts, but it felt like we were getting an information dump for a series starter built into this story. There were just more story threads than really needed to be there to tell Danica and Titus's story. I do kind of want this to be a series starter because I have several questions left that I want answered about the secondary characters and their possible relationships, the neighbor's cat, the witch hunter, the grandmother, and more. That being said, I liked the characters and the world building but the book felt a little disjointed. If there are follow up books, I will be giving them a chance. 

Witch Please is a book with some great potential that might lead to even better follow ups.

Book Review: The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon


The Dating Playbook
 by Farrah Rochon is a contemporary romance. When it comes to personal training, Taylor Powell kicks serious butt. Unfortunately, her bills are piling up, rent is due, and the money situation is dire. Taylor needs more than the support of her new best friends, Samiah and London. She needs a miracle. And Jamar Dixon might just be it. The oh-so-fine former footballer wants back into the NFL, and he wants Taylor to train him. There's just one catch -- no one can know what they're doing. But when they're accidentally outed as a couple, Taylor's game plan is turned completely upside down. Is Jamar just playing to win or is he playing for keeps?

I absolutely adored the last book I read from Rochon, so I have no idea why it took me so long to read The Dating Playbook. It is another great book, and I look forward to giving it a second read. I love the set up for the series, and the friendlies and support between Taylor, Samiah, and London always makes me happy. Taylor is at the end of her rope and doing the best she can to stay afloat. Jamar is desperate to save his football career, and working with Taylor seems like his best shot. I really enjoyed the honesty between the pair about their attraction between them, and why it is not a good idea to go from fake dating to real dating. The conflicts and stumbling blocks felt every real, and I could empathize and relate to many aspects and could understand where they stood even when I could not relate. I thought the internal battles they each needed to face were realistic and I enjoyed their banter and they way they worked toward a better future, even when things were hard and they thought they would be alone. They each grew as people, and were not only better because of the relationship. I really love when a romance takes every character on a growth journey rather than attaching all good things to the state of the couple. I cannot wait for more from Rochon. 
 
The Dating Playbook is a fantastic read on several levels. This author is now on my must read list, and I am eager to see what they do next.

Audiobook Review: You May Kiss the Groomsman (Meet me at the Altar) by Samantha Chase, Narrated by Avery Reid

You May Kiss the Groomsman is the third book in the Meet me at the Altar by Samantha Chase, but can be read and enjoyed on its own. The audiobook is narrated by Avery Reid.


When Josie Sullivan agrees to marry her friend Tyler, it’s just so he’ll get a promotion at work. That’s what friends do, right? But what should have been a quick, quiet affair starts to look like the real thing when his family shows up in the middle of the “proposal.” Now, it’s no longer a quick stop at the courthouse during a lunch break but a full-blown wedding, and there’s nothing Josie can do to stop it. Daniel Alexander hasn’t been home in years. After fifteen years as a Navy SEAL, he’s more than ready to return to civilian life. Being away for so long, he’s missed a lot of his younger brother’s life, and it seems like he’s back just in time to stop him from making the biggest mistake of his life. No matter how he breaks it down, something’s just not adding up about this wedding, and he’s determined to figure out why. And he’s not just trying to stop it from happening because he’s finding himself wildly attracted to the bride-to-be. Josie had given up on finding her own happily ever after, and as her attraction to Daniel keeps growing, she’s suddenly regretting her decision to help out a friend. Now she just needs to decide if she wants to kiss the groom…or the groomsman.

You May Kiss the Groomsman is a romance with plenty of feels and ethical dilemmas. Josie is starting to feel left behind as those around her find their happy ever afters, and wants one of her own. However, a marriage of convenience seems her best option until a chance meeting- and then things really get complicated for her. I have to say, that while I empathized with Josie as someone that tends to go too far in helping friends and family without  considering what I want, there was more than one occasion that my frustration with her overwhelmed my concern and hope. I started dreading what would happen next. I really hated Tyler for most of the book. However, I really enjoyed Daniel's character and thought even when he was in the wrong that he was doing the best he could and owned up to his mistakes and took steps to do better. I liked the idea of the book, and I liked the secondary characters and the banter between the main players. I thought the support and friendship through out the book for everyone involved was wonderful. I think the book has a great deal going for it, however my frustration with Josie just made it hard for me to fully engage with the read. I think it will be a great read for many, but it fell a little flat for me. 

You May Kiss the Groomsman is a romance that fans of the author, and particularly this series, will want to read.

Audiobook Review: The Introvert's Guide to Online Dating by Emma Hart Narrated by Savannah Peachwood, Tim Page

The Introvert's Guide to Online Dating is a contemporary romance written by Emma Hart. The audiobook is narrated by Savannah Peachwood and Tim Page.  It is part of a series, but can be read on its own.


With all my best friends off the market, it’s time that I, Tori Sussex, join them. So where better to find my future husband than the internet? It’s great. I get to get all the awkward stuff out of the way and already know if I’m going to like the guy before we meet in person. It’s a shame nothing's ever that simple. My relationship with Colton Lane, my best friend’s brother, is the very definition of complicated—dirty little no-strings-attached hook-ups we’ve somehow managed to keep secret from all our friends for the past six months. We’re bound to get caught, and if I’m serious about dating, I only have one choice: call it quits; end our little covert booty calls for good; tell him my parking space is off-limits to him. It should be easy. It should be simple. And I’m sure it would be, if only I wasn’t in love with him.

The Introvert's Guide to Online Dating is a frenemies to lovers romance. I think the dual narrators was a nice touch, and I like the alternating perspectives. I liked Tori to an extent. I liked her sarcasm and sardonic moments, but her stubborness and faking being angry annoyed me a few times. I really liked Colton. Of the two characters I felt like he was more in touch with, and honest about, what he felt and wanted. I really enjoyed the secondary characters, and was highly entertain by their support and antics. I am not sure if it was because of the format, since I do not normally listen to romance audiobooks, or what but I did not really connect with Tori's character. I am much more interested in what is going on with her grandmother than the future between Tori and Colton- but that is more because I found the elderly characters in the book to be fantastic. Maybe returning readers will feel more of a connection, since the friend group is tightly bound. 

The Introvert's Guide to Online Dating is a fun and entertaining read, or listen.


Book Review: Weekend Girl by Alex Powell


Weekend Girl 
by Alex Powell is a contemporary romance. Ashley Kingston is a gender fluid university student with a major crush on attractive and charming Nolan. He seems just too perfect to be true. What happens when Ash meets Nolan while dressed as both a man, and a woman? And even more confusing, what happens when Nolan seems enamored of both versions of Ash? A twisty-turny romance filled with fun and shenanigans.

Weekend Girl is a book that entertained, while also leaving me wanting more from the whole friend group. I really enjoyed getting to know Ash, and going along with them on their journey of self discovery and realization. I could relate to their anxiety and avoidance, and it was great to get a personal understanding of how one person experienced being genderfluid- since like most everything each individual's path is unique. I thought t was very well written, giving me a better understanding of how some individuals feel and what they experience without ever feeling performative- which sometimes happens. I liked the group of friends here, and the amount of support they offer each other, even when they are not necessarily getting along. There were so many times that I thought something big and bad was about to happen, but was thrilled with the reality and the solutions that Ash and Nolan discuss and work out together.  The only thing that I wanted but did not get from this book was some of the story from Nolan's perceptive. There were several moments when how he felt was pivotal, and I thought I knew but would have loved confirmation. 

Weekend Girl is an engaging read that had me rooting for Ash, and feeling some significant sympathy anxiety. 


Early Book Review: Playing It Safe by Amy Andrews


Playing It Safe 
by Amy Andrews is currently scheduled for release on September 6 2021. Donovan Bane loves playing rugby for the Sydney Smoke. And if that means he has to keep his sexuality a secret, that’s a sacrifice he’s prepared to make. At least until after he retires, anyway. He doesn’t want to be the first pro rugby player in Australia to officially come out while still playing. The team doesn’t need the media shit storm and he’d rather be known for his footy skills. Which means no dating, no relationships, no sex. Nothing but playing ball. Until one man suddenly changes everything. Beckett Stanton is out and proud, and not looking for a guy who isn’t. Been there, done that, complete disaster. Unfortunately, on the first day of his new job working for the Sydney Smoke, he locks eyes with Donovan Bane and he’s a goner. Big, gruff, and athletic isn’t usually Beck’s type, but for some reason this man is ticking all his boxes. And it’s clear the feeling is mutual. It’s also clear that Donovan is not out, and doesn’t plan to be anytime soon. Still, Beck can’t resist being the man to show Donovan everything he’s been missing. For the first time, Donovan doesn’t play it safe and allows himself to indulge in things with Beck he knows he can’t have. But when their relationship gets serious, he knows he has to choose between the career he loves and the man he loves, because how can he possibly have both?

Playing It Safe is a book that had some great moments and some that just did not work for me. I think the set up was great, and the characters were interesting. I have to admit that I almost did not make it past the first page when one of the main characters waxes poetic about how great women are, and that his lack of attraction to us has nothing to do with how absolutely fabulous we all are.  For some reason that just hit me wrong, and every now and then through the rest of the book there would be moments of introspection that just seemed too much. There were conversation I wanted to be in the room for, but instead got basic 'this happened'.  However, other people really enjoy that in their reading, so this is more a matter of personal preference rather than it being a flaw in the work. I did like the story arch of the romance, and the secondary characters. I enjoyed the team and friend group interactions, and could have stood for more of that, and the actually bonding time between Donovan and Beck. I still enjoyed the read, and think others will enjoy it. I can think of a few fellow readers that will absolutely love it, and whom I will be recommending it to.   

Playing It Safe is an engaging read with good characters.

Early Book Review: The Meeting Point by Olivia Lara

The Meeting Point by Olivia Lara is a contemporary romance currently scheduled for release on September 2 2021. What if the Lift driver who finds your cheating boyfriend's phone holds the directions to true love? 'Who are you and why do you have my boyfriend's phone?' 'He left it in my car. You must be the blonde in the red dress? I'm the Lift driver who dropped you two off earlier.' And with these words, the life of the brunette and t-shirt wearing Maya Maas is turned upside down. Having planned to surprise her boyfriend, she finds herself single and stranded in an unknown city on her birthday. So when the mystery driver rescues Maya with the suggestion that she cheers herself up at a nearby beach town, she jumps at the chance to get things back on track. She wasn't expecting a personalized itinerary or the easy companionship that comes from opening up to a stranger via text, let alone the possibility it might grow into something more. 

The Meeting Point is a book that had me in sympathetic cringes at several turns. I liked the set up, and I thought Maya's character development was well done. I liked her journey of self discovery and toward romance. I thought the secondary characters and Maya's writing were great aspects of the story, and I was fully invested in the stories presented. I really liked that the places visited are real, and that the author offers an opportunity to retrace Maya's steps and share pictures via social media. However, I cannot count the number of times I wanted to yell at her for her choices and her blindness towards facts I thought fairly obvious early on in the book. There were so, so many moments when Maya (or others) completely missed or destroyed moments that would have cleared up everything and made everything less stressful for all involved. However, I also know that people often miss the obvious in real life, and that honest conversations can be hard to have so are often avoided so it was realistic in that respect. That visceral frustration and second hand embarrassment sometimes made me hesitant to  turn the page, but my investment in the characters and their story kept me engaged and turning those pages to see how it all resolved. 

The Meeting Point is a well written book with engaging characters.

Book Review: An Unexpected Kind of Love by Hayden Stone


An Unexpected Kind of Love
 by Hayden Stone is currently scheduled for release on August 9 2021. Bookstore owner Aubrey Barnes likes his quiet, orderly London life, thank you very much. His shop may be struggling, his only employee is a menace, and his plumbing is one creaky pipe away from disaster, but he can handle it. Maybe. He cannot, however, handle the film company that’s thrown his Soho street into chaos. And he definitely can’t handle the charismatic American actor Blake Sinclair. Which is why he’s extremely reluctant to lease out his shop as a set for Blake's film, but it’s his one opportunity to save his business. Now he can’t get away from the distractingly hot actor. Then Aubrey finds himself alone with Blake in a trailer, and what happens next turns London’s heat wave into an inferno that leaves him breathless. Aubrey is not cut out for the high-profile life of dating a celebrity, especially an American actor who’s not even out yet. Good thing their tryst is absolutely not going anywhere. Of course, when you expect nothing, that’s exactly when it starts to mean everything.

An Unexpected Kind of Love is a romance with well developed characters and a solid setting I could understand and empathize with Aubrey. He is awkward and more loved by his friends than he realizes, and just trying to be the best person he can under a lot of stress. I understood every moment of his worries and self doubt. Blake is well written as well, but since we do not get his point of view I connected much more with Audrey. I thought the set up, the secondary characters, and the problems everyone faces are all realistic and well written. I was intrigued by some of the secondary characters, and while some are definitely not my favorite (looking at you Eli) I would love to see more about Ryan, Gemma, and Lily. I think they were all well developed past the role they needed to play in this story.

An Unexpected Kind of Love is a sweet contemporary romance with plenty of heat and feels.


Early Book Review: Hot Days, Heated Nights by Renee Roman


Hot Days, Heated Nights 
by Renee Roman is currently scheduled for release on August 10 2021. Cole Jackson’s promise to her dying father has left her destined for a solitary life in the small town of Inlet, NY. After Lee Walker's employer goes bankrupt, her world crumbles, and she’s forced to move in with her uncle. When Cole and Lee meet, instant attraction quickly flares into uncontrollable passion, but their connection might be short-lived. Lee’s identity is tied to her life in the city, and she’s worked hard to make it on her own terms. Inlet, NY, is just a way station on her trip back to the world where she belongs. It will be up to Cole, and the heated nights they share, to give her a reason to stay.

Hot Days, Heated Nights took me on quite the ride. Cole and Lee are independent women that struggle with balancing who they are and what they want with the fear of being rejected, left behind, or humiliated. The story is as much about them coming together are it is about them resolving their individual issues and communicating. I enjoyed seeing the pair come to trust themselves, ad each other, as the story went on. I also liked that they issues they faced in the past were addressed, but did not overtake the other aspects of the story. The past events set the stage, but the damage was not the point, the growth made to foster love, communication, and trust is the point. I felt like the character development was very realistic, and I liked the secondary characters as much as the main characters. So much so that I would not mind getting more of the whole cast of characters at some point.

Hot Days, Heated Nights is a steamy and emotional romance with all the feels.


Book Review: Inked Obsession (Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins) by Carrie Ann Ryan

Inked Obsession is part of the Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins series world by Carrie Ann Ryan but can be read as a stand alone. When men in uniform showed up on Eliza Wilder-Strong’s doorstep, she knew her life would be irrevocably altered. She not only lost her husband, but the future she’d carefully planned. A year later, she’s looking to start over—beginning with a solo healing vacation. Only she never expects to see a familiar, tempting face along the way. Beckett Montgomery refuses to want his little sister’s best friend—especially because she’s a widow. Yet there’s no stopping the connection between them. As the temptation to give in intensifies, so do the reasons they shouldn’t stay together. Painful ghosts from both of their pasts stand in their way and sometimes it’s the living that can haunt you when you’re not looking.

Inked Obsession is a romance that deals with second chances, grieving, secrets, family, lies, and so much more. Fans of the related series and the world Ryan has created will have a head start in understanding the characters and some of the issues the main and secondary characters are going through. However, the new (or sporadic ) readers of the authors work are not left in the dust and can fully enjoy the ride- and it is quite the ride. Eliza and Beckett each have big issues in their lives to deal with, and they seem to only get bigger as the story unfolds. The emotions and complications are high, and I loved watching them discover each other and figure out how to handle it all. The book also holds some of my favorite tropes- friends to more and forced or accidental proximity. I loved these aspects. I also loved the characters and the family and support system they have- and I wish that everyone had that many people in their corner. The amount of drama, hurdles, and danger seemed a bit over the top for me- as I just wanted all these people that have been through so much to have a good day, some peace and quiet. However, fans of the related series know that that is not likely to happen soon, as more Montgomerys and Wilders find their happy endings.

Inked Obsession is an emotional contemporary romance. Fans of the author will definitely want to give it a read. 


Early Book Review: Weekend Arrangement by Sophie Penhaligon


Weekend Arrangement
 by Sophie Penhaligon is a contemporary romance currently scheduled for release on August 1 2021. When opposites attract, sparks fly … Aspiring travel writer Olivia Jefferson has a penchant for tequila and an interesting dress code. When she discovers her live-in boyfriend in a compromising situation, she realizes she will either have to face poverty or buckle down and get a proper job. A call from a prestigious publishing house interested in her travel guides appears to be the golden opportunity she’s been waiting for, along with a proposition she wasn’t expecting. Suave & sophisticated businessman Daniel Lane has been living his life on autopilot. When circumstances force him to take over the family publishing business, he finds himself living a life that lacks the adventure he so desperately craves. That is until Olivia walks into his life and turns it on its head. He finds himself drawn to this rather unconventional girl, but can he have his cake and eat it too, or will he have to sacrifice his well-ordered lifestyle in order to live the life of his dreams?

Weekend Arrangement is a book that left me with mixed feelings. In fact, there were moments when I almost put it aside and marked it as DNF. I thought Daniel came off a bit creepy on the beginning, verging on stalker and more than a little arrogant. The creepy, stalker vibe got worse rather than better as the story continued. He was sneaky and controlling- and things that should have come off as caring or thoughtful only made him feel more manipulative to me. On the other hand, I liked Olivia but then she was framed as the sterotype of the perfectly imperfect girl that everyone wants but does not recognize her own worth.  I love an honestly quirky character, but I felt that that's not what she turned out to be. The innocent but crazy drunk and seductive dichotomy just did nothing for me. I thought the set up and story line really could have worked, I liked the secondary characters for the most part, and the occasional commentary from their thoughts that came into the story worked fairly well.   However, I felt so weary of Daniel through the whole book- like it was an instruction guide for falling into an emotional and financially abusive relationship rather than a romance. 

Weekend Arrangement is a romance I found to be a bit problematic, but others might enjoy it.


Book Review: Bad Intentions (The Prescotts) by Tara Wyatt

Bad Intentions is the fourth book in The Prescotts series by Tara Wyatt. You do not need to read them as a series, but having some prior knowledge about the characters makes the read more engaging.


Everyone in Manhattan thinks they know everything there is to know about Lucian Prescott. In his mid-forties, he’s a successful businessman, the founder and CEO of one of Manhattan’s largest hospitality companies, the Prescott Group. He’s also the head of the Kings of Hell’s Kitchen, a small, elite group of former mob members who are the lynchpin in Manhattan’s underground organized crime scene. But Lucian has more secrets than just his criminal ties—like the fact that he’s been in love with Olivia Walsh for the past five years. Olivia, who is eighteen years younger than him and happens to be the daughter of Prescott Group’s biggest, most important investor. She’s completely off-limits, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting her. In his arms. His bed. His life. He knows he needs to stay away from her, no matter how he feels about her—or how she feels about him. But staying away becomes impossible when Olivia’s ex—a man almost as dangerous as Lucian—begins stalking her, and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. He’ll burn down the entire city to protect the only woman he’s ever loved.

Bad Intentions is a book that wraps of the romantic interests of the Prescott family nicely. Lucian has been working hard behind the scenes trying to keep the piece and help those he cares about find happiness and security. I liked the set up, and I thought Lucian was a well written character. His efforts on behalf of everyone else makes him a very sympathetic character, even as he pulls the strings between mob families. I liked seeing thing from his perspective, and from Olivia's. I thought she was a little less dynamic, but still I rooted for them both. The suspense and action of the story was very well done, and the book was very steamy. Plenty of sex on and off screen, but I did feel like the only connection between the two was lust. There was no real relationship progression that hooked me, it was more like the flip of a switch,  but wondering how the danger aspect would play out kept me reading. I know part of that was because oft he way they had danced around each other for years, but I still felt like something was missing there.  Honestly, at a certain point I was more interested in Lucian and his team in the Kings than in his relationship with Olivia. 

Bad Intentions is a contemporary romance with high heat and suspense. A must read for fans of the series. 


Book Review: The Hate Project (Love Study) by Kris Ripper

The Hate Project is the second book in the Love Study series by Kris Ripper. You do not need to read the series in order to enjoy the read, although returning readers will have a head start in understanding the characters and the friend group dynamics. 
Oscar is a grouch. That’s a well-established fact among his tight-knit friend group, and they love him anyway. Jack is an ass. Jack, who’s always ready with a sly insult, who can’t have a conversation without arguing, and who Oscar may or may not have hooked up with on a strict no-commitment, one-time-only basis. Even if it was extremely hot. Together, they’re a bickering, combative mess. When Oscar is fired (answering phones is not for the anxiety-ridden), he somehow ends up working for Jack. Maybe while cleaning out Jack’s grandmother’s house they can stop fighting long enough to turn a one-night stand into a frenemies-with-benefits situation.  The house is an archaeological dig of love and dysfunction, and while Oscar thought he was prepared, he wasn’t. It’s impossible to delve so deeply into someone’s past without coming to understand them at least a little, but Oscar has boundaries for a reason—even if sometimes Jack makes him want to break them all down. After all, hating Jack is less of a risk than loving him. 

The Hate Project is another winner from Ripper. I loved getting to know Oscar and Jack- and the honest and open way their personalities and issues are part of the story and never felt like elements added to the story to tick check marks or create unnecessary drama. Oscar's anxiety and depression were very well described, as was the reality that everyone reacts to stimuli differently, and that medication has good and bad aspects including the difficulty of finding the right prescription. Evelyn is a great character, and I enjoyed seeing the group I came to care for in The Love Study again. The character interactions and growth had me fully engaged in the story and wanting more, I really want to know where the whole group goes from here. My only complaint is that I would have like to see at least some of this from Jack's point of view- because there a more than a few moments in the book were I really wanted to know where he was thinking and where he was coming from. 

The Hate Project is a solid romance with great characters. 

Early Book Review: Out of Character by Annabeth Albert

Out of Character by Annabeth Albert is the second book in the True Colors series and is scheduled for release on July 6 2021. You do not have to have read the previous book in order to enjoy this one, but knowing the characters and some history does make it even more enjoyable. 

Milo Lionetti is not a gamer. Not even close. But when a stupid bet costs him his brother's prized cards, he'll do anything to replace them before anyone notices they're gone. To do that, he'll need a little help from the best gamer he knows, who also happens to hate him. Jasper Quigley is known for moonlighting on a popular gaming blog, but he's eager to stop playing the sidekick. The last thing he wants is to help out Milo and dredge up feelings he'd rather forget. But helping Milo comes with some perks, including getting his help running a cosplay event at the local children's hospital. All that forced proximity was not supposed to come with kissing, and definitely not falling in love.

Out of Character is an enemies to lovers romance that hit just the right notes for me. I like that both Milo and Jasper grew in the story- it was not all Milo's changing after not being the greatest guy in the past. They both had to come to terms with their past, their present, and what they wanted from the future. Sometimes in these enemy to lovers stories only one of the characters needs to change for things to work, and I simply loved that growth was seen on all sides. I also adore the depth the author gives to secondary characters- everyone is well fleshed out even if they do not seem to have a big role to play in this story. It makes me want to know even more about them and hope that some might have a role to play in future book in this series- or maybe in one of the author's other series (which I badly need to catch up on). 

Out of Character is exactly what I wanted from this read. It is a must read for fans of the author and series, and a good read for just about everyone else. 


Book Review: Hooked on You (Maple Falls) by Kathleen Fuller

Hooked on You 
by Kathleen Fuller is a sweet contemporary romance, and the first in the Maple Falls series. Riley McAllister is living the dream in New York City, if the dream means being a struggling mixed-media artist, part-time food delivery driver, and having a carefully curated social media to hide all of the above. She refuses to admit defeat and move back to small-town Maple Falls, but when her grandmother breaks her leg sliding into third base during a softball game (she was safe, by the way), Riley reluctantly agrees to go home and help the woman who raised her—while secretly hoping she can convince Mimi to sell her house and yarn shop and move in with a good friend. Then Riley can return to her new life in NYC, on her own and for good. But Mimi has her own plans, which include setting Riley up with local baseball star Hayden Price, who returned to Maple Falls after an injury ended his major league career. Now he works at his father’s hardware store, coaches the church softball team, and worries about the declining town. It’s not the life he dreamed of having.

With a little meddling and a lot of kindness from the town, Hayden and Riley find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other as they discover the true meaning of home. 

Hooked on You is all about the feels. Riley has some issues, thanks to a less than happy childhood, and has spent most of her life pushing people away so they do not ask questions or have a chance to hurt her. The only person she let in was her grandmother, so when she called looking for help and not taking no for an answer Riley does as asked. I liked that there is a solid slow brewing relationship growing between Riley and Hayden through the story, they each do some personal growth and soul searching as well. Love does not instantly make everything better, but gives them reasons to try. I like that the issues Riley and Hayden face are real, challenging issues and that therapy, friendship, and communication are what helps everyone move forward and figure things out. I liked the characters and thought even the secondary characters were well fleshed out and interesting. I think there will be many readers eager to continue this series in order to see their favorites find happiness, and to see Riley and Hayden again. There is a christian romance feel here, and super low heat  (kissing and thoughts of attraction only ). Fans of the author might expect this, but it was my first time reading their work.

Hooked on You is a romance with low heat, and high emotions.


Book Review: Definitely Not Dating (Love Lottery) by Christi Barth

Definitely Not Dating by Christi Barth is the second book in the Love Lottery series. I have not read the first book in the series, but the prologue gives a good run down of how the new inn owners got where they are, so newcomers to the series and author will not feel lost or left behind. 

Everleigh Girard always dates the wrong men at the worst times. The last debacle cost her a job and an apartment. But thanks to a crazy lottery win, she and her friends have a fresh start restoring a historic inn. Determined to make it a success, Everleigh swears off the dangers of dating entirely. Except, the town’s police chief is distractingly hot. So how much trouble could friends with benefits really cause? Police chief Matt Halliday always puts protecting his town first. He’s blindsided when his house mysteriously burns down, and grateful his friends rent him a room at their inn while they finish renovations. It’s a great deal. Mostly. It’s hard to resist the very beautiful Everleigh. Love is permanently off the table for him—but lust is definitely on. After their first red-hot kiss, keeping it casual is impossible. Can Everleigh teach Matt to trust again—especially when he’s keeping a secret that may put him and his new friends at risk?

Definitely Not Dating is a romance that balances humor, heat, and heart very well. Ever is dealing with confidence issues and rarely trusts her own judgement- something that many of us can relate to on some level. She needs to prove to herself that she can do the right things, make the right choices, and help the inn succeed. Matt is still focused on not getting hurt again, while trying to figure out who burned down his house. The best relationships form when no one is looking, and sometimes when you are actively trying to deny the exist. That is definitely the case here.  I loved that Matt and Ever were open and honest (mostly) with each other from the very start- and the level of sass and fun that was a part of almost every interaction really made me smile as I read the story. I love when characters are real, flawed and dealing with real life issues that readers can relate to, or can at least see as possible. The feeling of found family and supportive friends is also something I love to see in romance novels- the main couple have other people and responsibilities in their lives, and this book did a good job of showing a nice balance with that, and how romantic relationships can find a happy balance with friend groups and even the most demanding jobs as long as communication and caring are at the heart of it all.  

Definitely Not Dating is a contemporary romance with plenty of character growth, heat, and feels.