Early Book Review: The One Who Loves You by Pippa Grant

The One Who Loves You by Pippa Grant is currently scheduled for release on July 12 2022. If the Upper East Side had an evil twin, it would be Tickled Pink, Wisconsin. This run-down, backwoods town isn’t worthy of the footprint of my Louboutins, never mind all of me. But when my grandmother has a near-death experience and realizes we Lightlys can’t buy our way into heaven, she relocates the family to Tickled Pink to work on improving our souls. And that’s how I trade my heiress existence for gigantic bugs, dishwater coffee, and a cranky single dad named Teague Miller. Teague spends his days fishing, raising his spunky teenager, and after an unfortunate incident involving cheese curds, living rent-free in my head. The one thing he and I can agree on is that I don’t belong here. He’s willing to help me escape—until the unexpected happens. I kind of like him. I might even more than like him. But am I ready to give up the life I adored for a man I love to hate?

The One Who Loves You is an introduction to a whole new set of characters and a new small town for fans of Pippa Grant, which honestly threw me for a minute. I kept trying to remember where I might have seen the town or some if the characters before, since I have read a great deal from the author, but it was all new for me. I also admit that it took me a minute to warm up to Phoebe, which was likely intentional because of her personal story and character growth. I was glad to have gotten the story from  the heads of both Phoebe and Teague, I don't think the relationship building and story of the town would have felt quite so real and intense with out both aspects of the story. They each had issues, secrets, and things to work on- even if it looked or felt one sided. I thought the reveal was mildly expected by the time the twist came along, but I liked the was it was done and the way the resolution played out.  I also really liked that we got to know the whole town, and that even the secondary characters felt very real and multi dimensional. 

The One Who Loves You is the same blend of laugh and character growth that fans have come to expect from the author. 

Book Review: By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate

By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate is a contemporary romance. With a successful career as a romance editor, and an engagement to a man who checks off all ninety-nine boxes on her carefully curated list, Lanie's more than good. She's killing it. Then she’s given the opportunity of a lifetime: to work with world-renowned author and her biggest inspiration in love and life—the Noa Callaway. All Lanie has to do is cure Noa's writer's block and she'll get the promotion she's always dreamed of. Simple, right? But there's a reason no one has ever seen or spoken to the mysterious Noa Calloway. And that reason will rock Lanie’s world. It will call into question everything she thought she knew. When she finally tosses her ninety-nine expectations to the wind, Lanie may just discover that love By Any Other Name can still be as sweet.

By Any Other Name has a fun premise, and I liked a great deal of the set up and Lainie's character. I liked that she had a full background and significant character growth through out the story, even if I thought many of her decisions and reactions were less than ideal. I thought some of the secondary characters had great moments, but could have used more fleshing out. I would have liked more from Noah as well, sometimes it felt like he was more of a prop or plot device in the story moving things along than a character. Many of the big reveals, conflicts, and important moments were more than a little predicable beyond the 'this is a romance things will come together' way. I greatly enjoyed some moments, and had some smiles and sentimental moments along the way. However, while the book is also a bit of a celebration of romance I felt it got a little too corny for me on occasion. I am all for the awww moment, but Lainie's inner dialogue felt a bit much, and while I understand a romance book editor to often think about and dwell on the subject of her work, she could have diversified a bit. I did enjoy the read, and I think many readers will enjoy it more than me, but I just never connected with the story and characters. 

By Any Other Name is a solid contemporary romance, and I think fans of the author will enjoy it.

Book Review: Burning Up (Prescotts) by Tara Wyatt

Burning Up is the sixth book in The Prescotts series by Tara Wyatt. The books do not need to be read in order, and each can stand well on its own. Returning readers will have some advantage with understanding some of the characters and their motivations and connections but the lack will not ruin the read for newcomers. 

Nearly two years after her divorce, Felicity Hawthorne is ready to date again. At least, she thinks she would be, if the idea of dating wasn’t so freaking terrifying. But then she wins a date with sexy, swoony firefighter Noah Prescott at a charity bachelor auction, and everything changes. FDNY captain Noah isn’t looking for a relationship. Since losing his father as a teenager, he’s spent the past twenty years shouldering heavy responsibilities, and he knows he doesn’t have the time or energy to be anyone’s boyfriend. But one date with sweet, charming Felicity has him wanting things he shouldn’t want. Which is why Noah suggests Felicity practice her budding dating skills with him. He wants more of her, and practice dates are as close as he can come to having her in his life without hurting her. But then dating practice turns into practice of another kind—the kind that involves moans and sighs and orgasms—and Noah knows he’s going to fall. Hard.

Burning Up is a fun and engaging read that has a good mix of heat and heart. Felicity and Noah each have hang ups and issues they need to work through. I loved seeing the honesty and communication as they admited to themselves, and each other, how they felt and how they thought they could move forward at aech stage of the relationship. I also loved the support system that they each had, and how they each looked perfect from the outside, but bshowed their vulnerablity to those that mattered to them. I did think that there were moment when one or the other strayed to far into 'too good to be true' territory, but generally normal insecurities or their personal traumas would reign them back in. I think fans of the series andt he author will love this read, and other contemporary romance fans will enjoy it as well. 

Book Review: Boss Witch (Fix-it Witches) by Ann Aguirre

Boss Witch by Ann Aguirre is the second book in the Fix-it witches series. While returning readers will have a better understanding of the characters and set up, I think it can also be enjoyed as a stand alone. 

Clementine Waterhouse is a perfectly logical witch. She doesn't tumble headlong into love. Rather she weighs the pros and cons and decides if a relationship is worth pursuing. At least that's always been her modus operandi before. Clem prefers being the one in charge, always the first to walk away when the time is right. Attraction has never struck her like lightning, until the witch hunter comes to town.  Gavin Rhys hates being a witch hunter, but his family honor is on the line, and he needs to prove he's nothing like his grandfather, a traitor who let everyone down. But things in St. Claire aren't what they seem, and Gavin is distracted from the job immediately by a bewitching brunette with a sexy smile and haunting secrets in her eyes. Can the bossiest witch in town find a happy ending with the last person she should ever love?

Boss Witch is a great follow up to Witch Please. I like that we get to see Clem's story, even as returning readers will see the overlaps of Danica's love story as well. I thought the dual points for view from Clem and Gavin was very well done. It gave the reader a much bigger picture of what was happening and what insecurities and outside complications were impacting the relationship. I liked the depth of the story, and the way the hunter versus witch dynamic played out, and I thought the resolution was a little too perfect, but I really enjoyed it. Just like in the first book, I enjoyed the support system in the town, magical and not. The community of St Claire is written so well that I rather want to move there. I also enjoyed Clem setting boundaries and figuring out how to balance what she wants and needs from the people in her life without being too nice or harsh about it. I think we all need to take a page from her book and do the same.

Boss Witch is an engaging read that fans of the author are going to need to read. 

Early Book Review: Book Boyfriend by Kris Ripper

Book Boyfriend by Kris Ripper is a contemporary romance that is currently scheduled for release on April 26 2022. There are three things you need to know about Preston "PK" Harrington the third: He’s a writer, toiling in obscurity as an editorial assistant at a New York City publishing house. He is not a cliché. No, really. He’s been secretly in love with his best friend, Art, since they once drunkenly kissed in college.When Art moves in with PK following a bad breakup, PK hopes this will be the moment when Art finally sees him as more than a friend. But Art seems to laugh off the very idea of them in a relationship, so PK returns to his writing roots—in fiction, he can say all the things he can’t say out loud. In his book, PK can be the perfect boyfriend. Before long, it seems like the whole world has a crush on the fictionalized version of him, including Art, who has no idea that the hot new book everyone's talking about is PK’s story. But when his brilliant plan to win Art over backfires, PK might lose not just his fantasy book boyfriend, but his best friend.

Book Boyfriend is a book that hooked me right away, and then had me anxious through the entire read. I could relate to PK, but his choices and worries had me fidgeting as I read in nervous sympathy. I thought the story was well told, and I completely understood why PK made the choices he did- even when I disagreed with them. I liked the character building for Art and the secondary characters as well, and was glad to get to know them. I love when characters get a whole life on the page, not just moments specifically related to the romance.The family and friend dynamics and moments helped give a more rounded look at PK and Art as friends and more and their history.  I would have liked to have seen inside Art's head now and then, I would have like to know what they were really thinking on several occasions in the story. That being said, if I knew what Art had been thinking then I would not have been quite so nervous for how PK's choices would play out. I really enjoyed the read, and think others will as well. 

Book Boyfriend is a well written romance. Fans of the author will definitely want to pick it up. 

Book Review: Getting His Game Back by Gia De Cadenet

Getting His Game Back by Gia De Cadenet is a contemporary romance about a man struggling to be his perfect self and a woman who is ready to break her “rules” for him. Khalil Sarda went through a rough patch last year, but now he’s nearly back to his old self. All he has to do is keep his “stuff” in the past. Real men don’t have depression and go to therapy—or, at least they don’t admit it. He’s ready to focus on his growing chain of barbershops, take care of his beloved Detroit community, and get back to being the ladies’ man his family and friends tease him for being. Vanessa Noble is too busy building a multimillion-dollar tech career as a Black woman before age thirty to be distracted by a relationship. Not to mention, she’s been burned before, still dealing with the lingering hurt of a past breakup. Besides, as her friends often remind her, she’ll never find a man who checks all the boxes on her famous List. Yet when she desperately needs a shape-up and happens upon one of Khalil’s barbershops, the Fade, he makes her reconsider everything. Khalil is charming, intelligent, sexy, and definitely seems like he’d treat a woman right, but he’s not Black. Vanessa may be willing to take a chance on Khalil, but a part of him is frustratingly closed off, just out of her reach. Will old patterns emerge to keep them apart? Or have they both finally found a connection worth throwing away the playbook for?

Getting His Game Back covers a variety of tough topics. I could understand and empathize with Vanessa's worries, both professionally and with relationships. I enjoyed the slow burn of Vanessa and Khalil getting to know each other and come together, complete with the insecurities and missteps. I really enjoyed the community and support system of friends and family they each had, even when they failed to make use of them. I loved the honest way depression is talked about, both in how it feels and the worries of other people's perceptions of us if it becomes known. The way masculinity can play such a strong role in the perception and expression of such strong emotions was so truthful and real to me that it really struck home. The amount of personal growth and introspection for both Khalil and Vanessa was very well done, and my only problem with the book is that I wanted more. I wanted more about everyone's past, especially some of the secondary characters, and I really want to know where all of them go from here. I am fully invested in these characters even after I finished the read, and I cannot wait to explore more from this author. 

Getting His Game Back is a honest look at love and depression with a great deal of heart, hope, and growth.

Book Review: Sink or Swim (Shore Leave) by Annabeth Albert

Sink or Swim is the second book in the Shore Leave series by Annabeth Albert. You do not need to read the series in order to fully enjoy each read. 

Navy chief Calder Euler loves to win big. His latest score? A remote mountain cabin. Checking it out is supposed to be a quick trip, but Calder’s luck abruptly turns when a freak injury and a freakier snowstorm leave him stranded. Oh, and the cabin isn’t empty. A silver fox caring for two young girls claims that the property is his, but Calder’s paperwork says otherwise. Felix Sigurd is on a losing streak, and his ex-husband risking the cabin in a reckless bet is only the latest in a series of misfortunes. He’ll tolerate the handsome stranger for a couple nights--even care for his injuries—but that’s it. Calder doesn’t know a damn thing about kids, but making pancakes for Felix’s girls is a surprising delight. Trapped in the cabin, the four of them slip easily into the rhythms of a family. But when the ice melts, they’ll have to decide if a future together is in the cards.

Sink or Swim is another romance with complex characters that grow in the process of unexpectedly finding love from Albert. I thought Calder and Felix each had their hang up, but were great guys from the beginning, and I enjoyed being along for the ride as they each made self realizations about who they were and what they wanted, and how to get there. I really loved Felix's nieces, and thought the quirky comments, personalities, and worries were very realistic. I loved the open and honest discussions between Calder and Felix, in and out of the bedroom,  and that the amount of care and concern for each other and the bigger picture with the girls was always considered and often reevaluated to stay on top of issues and concerns. As always, I loved the secondary characters and how the author makes the support systems of friends and family an important part of the story. I would love to see more from many of the secondary characters and get a kick out of them in every book from Albert. I really enjoyed this read and think other fans of the author will as well. 

Sink or Swim is an emotional and rewarding romance. 

Book Review: The Dating Dilemma (Mile High Firefighters) by Mariah Ankenman

The Dating Dilemma is the third book in the Mile High Firefighters series by Mariah Ankenman. You do not need to read the books as a series to enjoy them, but returning readers will enjoy seeing favorites make an appearance and understand the references to relationship woes in the previous books. 

Lexi’s Reminders:  Work, Don’t think about your birthday tomorrow. Or debt, your crappy apartment, and nonexistent social life. Re-stock wine and ice cream because that’s coming. Die in a raging blaze of humiliation when the super-hot and very delicious fireman waiting in your office is not in fact the strip-o-gram birthday present you suspected. Reschedule the fire safety inspection you 100 percent failed because of said humiliation. Figure out how you, in fact, agreed to fake dating Mr. Not a Strip-O-Gram Fireman to help him with a bet. Oh yeah, and do not fall for this guy. Seriously, they call him One Night O’Neil. Red flags all over the place.  Remember, this is fake dating, even though his very talented, very real lips are doing some sexy things you definitely like. Realize bending one tiny rule can’t be that bad, can it? Except bend too far, and something breaks. Something you can’t get back.

The Dating Dilemma is a contemporary romantic comedy that had me dealing with sympathetic embarrassment on several occasions. I liked that Dyson and Lexi are both not looking for romance, and feel some intense sparks right away. I got a huge kick out of the fact that they both knew going into the fake dating scheme that it rarely works out as intended- and since they were already deep into lust their story would most likely take the rom com track. I will say that Lexi's thing about speaking her thoughts out loud lent itself to several moments of second hand embarrassment, there were also moments when I really was not sure what exactly she had sad- because of how much she had going on in her head at any given moment. I loved the secondary characters, and think that they added a special layer of interest for me. The new characters  were just as interesting and complex as the main characters and the other secondary characters that I remembered from the first book (I somehow missed the second). I enjoyed the read and will be keeping an eye out for more. 

The Dating Dilemma is a fun romance with self aware characters and some serious second hand embarrassment. 

Audio Book Review: Hot for You by Marie Harte, Narrated by Tatiana Sokolov

Hot for You, written by Marie Harte and narrated by Tatiana Sokolov , is a contemporary romance. Firefighter Reggie Morgan is done with love, done with relationships, and done with complications. But when he's called to the scene of a hit-and-run, he finds a scared little girl, a butt-ugly stray puppy, and an unconscious woman he can't get out of his mind. The girl and the puppy are a handful, but the girl's mother, Maggie, might just be the woman to melt his icy heart. He’s loved and lost before, and the pain nearly broke him. But when they can't ignore their unquenchable desire for each other, Maggie, a teacher by trade, is confident she can show him all about falling—and staying—in love.

Hot for You gave me exactly what I expect from this author. The characters are complex, each with flaws and an openness about them that I love. The secondary characters were just as complex and interesting as Maggie and Reggie. I thought the journey to HEA for Maggie and Reggie was well done, and I liked the frank and honest way they discussed problems, the past, and the work that could be involved in creating a future. I could tell that the book is part of or at least related to a series or maybe two- but while I have read several books by the author none of the characters were ones I remember. Newcomers to Harte will not miss anything by not knowing the characters either. I think fans of Harte and and new readers alike can really enjoy this read in their preferred format. The narrator did a great job and I enjoyed her tone and inflections. My only issue with the audio edition comes down to editing. I found the pauses between chapters to be slightly too long. I checked my phone and connection several times thinking something had gone wrong when it was simply a long pause.

Hot for You is a solid romance with great characters and a high heat factor. 

Early Book Review: How to Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan

How to Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan is the follow up to Ten Rules for Faking It, and is currently scheduled for release on January 18 2022. You do not need to read the books in order, but returning readers will be glad to see cameos and have a prior understanding of our hero and his brothers. 

Grace Travis definitely has it all figured out. In between finishing interior design school and working a million odd jobs, she’ll get her degree. She’ll have her dream job. And most importantly, she’ll have a place to belong, something her cold, manipulative mother could never make for her. When an opportunity to fix up—and live in—an adorable little house on the beach comes along, Grace is all in. Until her biggest roadblock moves in next door. Noah Jansen knows how to make a deal. A real estate developer with a knack for betting and winning big, he’s not one to let a good opportunity slip away. So when a beachside house with great bones is ripe for a remodel and flip, Noah doesn’t hesitate. Except in order to spruce it up properly (is it even a beach house if it doesn’t have a pool?), he’ll need to take over the house next door. The house with the willful and combative and way-too-intriguing woman living in it. With the rules for being neighborly going out the window, Grace and Noah are in an all-out feud. But sometimes, your nemesis can turn out to be the person who shows you that home is always where the heart is.

How to Love Your Neighbor is a romance that starts of with a favorite trope of mine, enemies to lovers, but quickly loses the enemies bit. Grace is an independent woman, working hard to make it on her own and with more than a little difficulty accepting help. All of that is something I can relate to. I liked her drive, and the way she looked for the silver lining in just about every situation. Noah is struggling with settling into a new place, figuring out what he wants from life, and getting out from his father's control. The battle between Noah and Grace over selling her house quickly sparks other fires, and the book quickly goes down that path. I did not really get the grumpy neighbor or bickering that I expected. However, their friendly banter and open communication was well done and fun to read. I liked the design descriptions and watching them grow closer, but I will admit to waiting for a big conflict to spur things into action, but when it all came to a head I was a little underwhelmed. For those interested in heat level, I will let you know while the chemistry between the pair is very well done and sizzling but all intimate moments are closed door or fade to black. 

How to Love Your Neighbor is a sweet book with some charming and humorous moments. Fans of the author will not want to miss it. 

Book Review: Not a Love Song by Veronica Albright

Not a Love Song by Veronica Albright is a contemporary, second chance romance. It is the debut novel from Veronica Albright, a pseudonym of Jess Michaels.

International pop star Bree Lane needs a break. After a wildly successful album release and a year of grieving, she just wants to spend the holiday by herself in a friend’s swanky penthouse in New York. But a blow up at a morning show brings up old pains and a topic no one can ever seem to leave alone: her actor ex-boyfriend, Colin Gabriel. Her angry reaction sends the internet wild and her into hiding. When Colin sees the interview, he can’t resist coming to check on Bree, telling himself it’s just about her welfare. But the results are explosive, passionate and utterly unexpected after hearing her talk about how little the relationship meant for the last eight years. But he’s never been able to resist her and he isn’t about to start now. Reunited lovers, exploring every desire together as they hide away in a secret world…only there are undercurrents of emotion that are always waiting to change everything…including their future together.

Not a Love Song is a solid romance, with a good set up. The characters are good, even if Colin seems a little too perfect at times. I love that consent, birth control, and if tastes have changed are brought up and discussed at several points. I find checking to and that kind of respect to be very sexy and something that should be the norm rather than something of note. The amount of caring between Bree and Colin, even when they wont admit it is nice and well written. I thought the emotional conflict and resolution as well done as well, and I liked the way it all come together. However, for some reason I just never connected with the characters and became invested. I cannot point to anything wring with the writing, it could very well be it just was not the right book at the right time for me. I think fans of honest, high heat romance will really enjoy this read. Particularly is second chances is a favorite trope. 

Not a Love Song is a sweet second chance romance with a nice balance of heat and emotion.

Book Review: Acoustics (Portland Symphony) by London Price

Acoustics is the first book in the Portland Symphony series by London Price. My sister told me to stay away from her roommate. I promised I would. But I didn’t. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I mean, yeah, maybe it was predictable when I started asking about his AI research and finding reasons to hang out, even when my sister wasn’t home. Looking back, we never should've slow danced alone like that. But with Chance, goofing around melted into messing around easier than butter on hot bread. It’s not fair to keep our relationship a secret, but how can I tell my sister I betrayed her trust? And when the truth comes out, how can I keep both the people I care about most?

Acoustics is a trans romance series set in Oregon. It contains robot talk, found family, and a happily ever after. It’s not intended for readers who don’t want to read explicit LGBTQ sex scenes. CW for the death of a fish. I really loved the characters in this book, including the main and secondary characters. Colby knows better than to date his sister's roommate. He does not want to hurt her, but cannot seem to stop himself. Chance is a fantastic character, and I love the balance of shy tech guy and dominant nature in the bedroom. My favorite part of the book is the frank and honest discussions Chance and Colby have. They  talk about everything I think most people should before getting intimate- covering what they are comfortable with, hard limits, and so on- even holding themselves to that when other choices could have been made. I loved the caring and thoughtful nature of their relationship, even when they were trying to 'just be friends'. The support and honest caring between all of the characters made me want to be part of this circle of friends and family. I cannot wait to see what comes next in the series so I can see them all again. My only big complaint was that it ended too soon.

Acoustics is a wonderful romance with well written characters, I look forward to the next book in the series. 

Book Review: Protect Me Not ((Un)Professionally Yours) by Natasha Anders

Protect Me Not is the second book in the (Un)Professionally Yours series by Natasha Anders. I did not read the first book, and do not think that the lack negatively impacted my reading experience. 

Victoria Hollingsworth does not need a surly, uncommunicative bodyguard cramping her style, following her everywhere, and intimidating any would-be male callers. She’s a florist for goodness sake, not a princess or a pop star. Having a massive, mysterious bodyguard always hovering is an inconvenience. And yet… there he is, Tyler Chambers, her unwanted protector, ultra-serious, no-nonsense, and off-the-charts hot. Vicki doesn’t want, or need, him as a bodyguard. Yet, disturbingly, he may be everything she wants, and needs, in a man.Ty hates his current long-term assignment. It’s mind-numbingly tedious. Vicki Hollingsworth is a pain in the butt who talks too much, laughs a lot, and frequently tests his patience. And her life isn’t exactly filled with intrigue and action. Ty is ready for this job to be over. He has just a couple of months left before reassignment. He’s mere weeks away from being out of here. The last thing he needs is to find his cute-as-a-button charge irresistibly attractive. She’s not his type. Wholesome, adorable, and sweet, Vicki is the kind of woman who needs long-term commitment. And all Ty has to offer is a few short weeks of far-from-wholesome pleasure.How much chaos can one little florist introduce into his regimented life? 

Protect Me Not is a contemporary romance. I liked the connection and back and forth between the characters, and thought a great deal was done right with the characters. Vicki is a little too trusting and naive but also seems aware of her privilege and the love of those in her life. Tyler has problems with letting people in, but also seems to be aware of it on some level, but not necessarily ready to make adjustments. I liked the honest discussions that are had, even when they know they are lying to themselves on some level. I think the way Tyler's walls ad past are handled, and how the support system is always there and playing their role even what it is not blatantly obvious. I enjoyed the secondary characters, and the hints as to who might be the next pairing off in the series that are included here. I enjoyed the read, and I thought the slow burn and forbidden romance aspects were very well done, although I will admit to getting a little bored and eager for an ending at some point. I did like that emotional issues had to be recognized and dealt with rather than ignored, which is too often the case, particularly for male characters. 

Protect Me Not is a solid romance with well written characters.

Book Review: The Life Revamp (Love Study) by Kris Ripper

The Life Revamp is the third book in the Love Study series by Kris Ripper. It can be read on its own, but returning readers will have more knowledge of Mason and most secondary characters. 

All Mason wants to do is fall in love, get married and live happily ever after. The hunt is beginning to wear him down…until he meets (slightly) famous fashion designer Diego. Everything sparks between them—the banter, the sex, the fiery eye contact across a crowded room. There's just one thing: Diego is already married and living his happily-ever-after, which luckily (or not) for Mason includes outside courtships. But not quite in the way he'd always imagined. Mason thought he knew what would make him happy, but it turns out the traditional life he'd expected has some surprises in store.

The Life Revamp is a wonderful addition to the Love Study series, and a charming romance as a stand alone. I loved Mason's character, but while the author does a good job of describing his backstory and friend group, I think returning readers will not be as invested or understand all the history and connections Mason has. I liked the way non traditional relationships were discussed and shown, helping those that have never known anyone in a poly relationship understand at least one way it can all happen and work, since like any kind of relationship each can be different. I loved the emphasis on communication and understanding what you really want versus what we have pictured for ourselves since the two do not always match up. The secondary characters were very well done, and as usual I want more of them. I loved the support systems, family, and found family here. I wish everyone had the kind of support these characters did. The only thing I wanted but did not get from this book is multiple points of view. I really wanted to see the story from the eyes of Diego or even Claris at certain points of the story to get a bigger picture view of what people were thinking and feeling.  However, I know not all readers like the switching viewpoints so I get why they might not be used. 

The Life Revamp is a wonderful romance with complex characters. 

Book Review: Love, Only Better by Paulette Stout

Love, Only Better by Paulette Stout is a contemporary romance. For Rebecca, sex is a joke missing a punchline. No crashing waves. Only pangs of inadequacy. At twenty-eight, shouldn’t she have had one by now? Her snickering ex thought so. As did every guy who came before him. No way she’s dating anyone again. At least, until she can take “clueless in bed” off her dating resume.  When Kyle moves in across the hall, his blue eyes and black motorcycle are magnetic. Sparks flew from the moment he rescued her takeout dinner from hitting the lobby floor. It’s the worst time for Rebecca to meet someone this dreamy. But how can she resist love notes taped to her apartment door? Hallway kisses? Sitting behind his hotness as the world zips by? It’s risky, though. To get past whatever’s blocking her in bed, Rebecca needs expert help. Sure, it’s unorthodox, but she’s desperate for answers. Rebecca doesn’t expect anyone to understand—least of all Kyle. If he learns her secret, he’ll think she’s a freak and bolt. Just once, Rebecca wants to get the guy and everything that comes along with it. Would she forever have to choose between feeling whole and being loved?

Love, Only Better left me with mixed feelings. I enjoyed the set up, and thought there was so many ways this story could go. I loved the frank discussion of sexuality and how much more complicated achieving satisfaction can be for some people. I think this is a very important topic, and one that is left behind for a variety of reasons. I think the entire book could have been about Rebecca's journey in that arena and have been a wonderful book. I found the characters in general to be a little one dimensional, and many of the interactions to be pro functionary rather than interesting. So much more could have been done with Rebecca and her circle of friends, more could have been done to build the relationship with her and Kyle as well. It felt more like the other character were after thoughts rather than important to the story, which is why I think it could have been more about just Rebecca or given us more depth to the other characters (especially Kyle). There were some really good moments, but as a whole the read left me a bit meh. 

Love, Only Better is a good book about a woman understanding her own sexuality and needs. 

Book Review: My Next Play (On My Own) by Carrie Ann Ryan

My Next Play is the third book in the On My Own series by Carrie Ann Ryan. It can be read on its own, but returning readers will have a head start on understanding the characters and relationship dynamics. 

What happens when you fall for your best friend, but they fall in love with someone else? Nothing is what it seems in this unrequited love, new adult romance. Miles knew Nessa never had eyes for him. Only when someone new tries to hurt her, he knows he can’t stand back any longer. It’s time she finds out the man he is behind the glasses and beneath the shell he wrapped himself in. But now he has to hope that once she sees the real him, she’ll stay. Because he doesn’t want to let go, even if someone else tries to make that choice for them both.

My Next Play is a contemporary romance with dynamic characters and high tension on a number of levels. I have not read the previous books in this series, but I have read other books by the author set in the same area, and recognized some of the secondary characters. I think that dedicated readers of the author in general, and series in particular, will already know about the tension between Nessa and the guy roommates in the series as well as some of the more serious issues that are mentioned. However, the author does a good job of giving enough information to remind returning readers with out rehashing past plots too much and giving new readers the information they need to get context for current story lines. This balance can be hard, but Ryan nailed it here. I liked the tension between Nessa and Miles, and really enjoyed the use communication, consent, and heat between them. The worries and issues they each had to face, not even including their relationship, were hard and a big part of their characters even when they tried not to share it. The character depth and growth was very well done. I thought the tension level of the book was high, I spent most of the book waiting for the big moment, and there were a couple time jumps that had me going back a page worried that I had missed a clue or big moment. I also loved the secondary characters, and now I want to go back and catch up on what I missed, and see what happens next with the whole group.

My Next Play is a highly engaging romance with great characters.

Book Review: Next Door Nightmare (Shut Up and Kiss Me, Book 3) by Jaqueline Snowe

Next Door Nightmare is the third book in the Shut Up and Kiss Me series by Jaqueline Snowe. You do not need to read this series in order, but there are references and characters from the previous stories so returning readers will get a bit more from the experience than newcomers. 

Leanora “Nora” Atwood has never grocery shopped or taken public transportation, but to access her trust, she’s required to live in the real world for three months—or marry. Nora has no interest in love, so a paper-only marriage is the obvious solution. And she knows the perfect groom—Anthony Carter, a fellow heir who owes her a huge favor. Fritz, rarely known as Anthony these days, takes advantage of his beard and Nora Atwood’s cluelessness when she mistakes him for a chauffeur. The eccentric socialite thinks her plan to cash in her chip with Anthony and marry him is brilliant, but Fritz almost got trapped in a loveless marriage once before, and it’s not going to happen again. Letting her think he’s someone else seems harmless until she turns out to be his neighbor. Nora, a total fish out of water, suckers Fritz into helping her navigate her newfound independence, and he learns the hard way that opposites attract, but if he doesn’t tell her his true identity before she stumbles on the truth, he’ll risk losing her forever.

Next Door Nightmare is a romance that started off great for me. I liked the quirky Nora, and the wounded Fritz. I liked the initial slow burn and actually really getting to know both of the characters. I liked that Nora general stood up for herself and that Fritz is very thoughtful and so close to the women in his life. I thought he was also a little manipulative, on occasion pushing for something Nora or others just were not comfortable with. The story had some really wonderful moments, and some that fell a little flat for me. I think fans of the series will enjoy it, and I am glad I read it because of the moments that I did love. However, I do not think I will go looking for more.   

Next Door Nightmare is a fun romance.