There's a reason I'll read anything Samantha Young writes, because every once in a while she will write a book that's so deliciously angsty 5 stars!
There's a reason I'll read anything Samantha Young writes, because every once in a while she will write a book that's so deliciously angsty and perfect and it just hits you in the feels. This is the fifth book in a series and can be read as a standalone but obviously you get more if you read the four books before this one. After books 3 and 4 were three star reads, I wasn't as excited to read this one but read lots of reviews loving it so I gave it a chance and I am so glad I did.
Only You is the second chance romance between Monroe and Brodan. The two pined for each other as teenagers, but when Monroe made a mistake, they were separated for almost twenty years. Now, Monroe and Brodan have moved back to their small Scottish village, and the two cannot seem to forgive one another for past mistakes.
When I tell you this hit my angsty spot, I am not exaggerating. I devoured this book and was genuinely sad it was over even though it's almost 400 pages. If there's one thing Samantha Young does well, it's angst and pining. I wish more of her recent books were like this one. One of my favorites of 2024 and I will be reading the spinoff series asap!...more
Taking place in the present and in the past in their teen years, this is the story of Persephone and Sam. They met when they were thirteen, 4 stars!
Taking place in the present and in the past in their teen years, this is the story of Persephone and Sam. They met when they were thirteen, and over four summers they fell in love. But now, twelve years later, they haven’t spoken or seen each other until a tragedy brings Persephone back to the lake where they first met.
Even though this book was a tik tok sensation I didn’t even know it existed until a friend of mine recommended it to me. And when I finally picked it up, I devoured it in two days. It reminds me of a more grown up version of The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han with a little bit of Present Perfect by Alison G Bailey.
Second chance romance is my favorite kind of romance and this one didn’t disappoint. I did get frustrated at times when the main characters were younger because well, they acted like teens. But I thought it all came together really well. I felt the ending was a bit rushed and would have liked to see more of them as adults in the book in general, but I can see why this was such a popular book.
(view spoiler)[ For the record, I am team Charlie. I’ve seen some other reviews saying the same thing so I’m glad I am not alone in thinking that! (hide spoiler)]...more
I’ve been dying for Billy’s book since I first ever saw him on the page. I love a misunderstood brooding hero, and his story seemed filled w 4 stars!
I’ve been dying for Billy’s book since I first ever saw him on the page. I love a misunderstood brooding hero, and his story seemed filled with the angst I crave in a romance novel. Now, five years later, we get two Billy books and not just one. I was ECSTATIC. I even held off reading until the second book was published, I don’t know how I was able to practice that much self-control.
Beard With Me is the first part of a two part story about Billy and Scarlet. This takes place in their teen years when they begin to fall in love, but outside circumstances get in the way of their happiness. With all the trigger warnings going into this book, I thought it was going to be more brutal than it was, and I am very grateful that while Penny included this content, she kept the graphic details fade to black. I really appreciate that. There was one thing that happened that was too much for my reading tastes and it did take me out of the book for a while (hence 4 stars and not 5).
I also view it as a good thing that this book took as long as it did to be written because, I honestly couldn’t remember most of the family drama previously discussed in the series. Hell, I can’t remember what happened two hours ago most days. So it was like learning some things all over again. And it did want me to go back and read this series again from the very beginning.
This book reminded me of why I first fell in love with Reid’s writing: it’s compelling, well written, contains amazing characters, and is completely heart wrenching. I bought the second book right after reading and am planning on diving into it after posting this review. Wish me luck everyone!!
Why do I let TJ Klune do this to me??? I keep coming back to him like an addict begging for my next hit! His books hurt s 5 stars
Oh my god MY HEART
Why do I let TJ Klune do this to me??? I keep coming back to him like an addict begging for my next hit! His books hurt soooooooooooooooo good!!! Gah!
Heartsong is book three in the Green Creek series and yes, you do need to read books 1 and 2 before this one. Plus, you really should just read them, period. The beginning of this book is a tad bit confusing, not gonna lie I picked it up and put it down after 5% or so. It wasn’t until another book friend *cough* Christy *cough* encouraged me to pick it up again that I did and I regret not just slogging through because when this book gets going, it takes off.
I don’t want to say much about the plot because I feel most of what I would say would be a spoiler. But I will say I was so happy to be among the Bennett pack again. SO MANY friggin feels in this book, which is to be expected. ALL THE FEELS! And I am dying to read the next book and it’s going to be torture waiting for it.
TJ, you are the best. Keep writing these magical books!
An arc copy was provided but I choose to read a purchased copy for reasons that you may have already figured out.
I am going to have a hard time expressing my feelings over this book. I picked it up because many of my book friends loved it and whenever th 2 stars
I am going to have a hard time expressing my feelings over this book. I picked it up because many of my book friends loved it and whenever that happens I want to read that book asap. I’m also about trying new authors and supporting new voices and I wanted to see what Cole was all about.
That being said…….. this book really was not for me. I don’t exactly know how to express my feelings about this book without giving away massive spoilers. I do think this book should be read blind and for that, I will not share spoilers.
Despite me disliking the book, I will say I was completely invested in the story until the very end. This is a massive fucking book and I finished it in almost two sittings. It was compulsively readable. That’s about the only positive I can give this book.
This book gets two stars because while I read all of it, I have some ginormous issues with it. First off, Piper, the heroine is honest to god my nemesis. Everyone who complained about Kiera from Thoughtless? STFU because this bitch came in and stole her worst heroine crown. Seriously, she was the fucking worst. And I can’t even really say why without spoilers. But I wondered many times if she needed to get her head checked or gain access to some (or more) counseling. I also hated the sex scenes which felt like 20% of the book. I legit skimmed them all they did nothing for me.
That all being said, many of my book friends loved this. Also one reader not liking a book doesn’t mean you won’t find it to your liking. We all have different opinions and tastes, and this book was not for me. It might be for you though....more
Hart's Boardwalk is a series that has wormed it's way into my heart. I enjoyed the first two books very much, and what keeps me invested in 4 stars!
Hart's Boardwalk is a series that has wormed it's way into my heart. I enjoyed the first two books very much, and what keeps me invested in this series is the complex characters that I have grown to love.
In this third novel (which I personally think can be read as a standalone) we learn about Dahlia, a metal shop owner who makes jewelry and Michael, a cop in Boston. Years ago they had been in love, but a devastating event ripped them apart and has been haunting both of them. When Dahlia returns to Boston for the first time in 9 years to visit her father, she and Michael meet again. Sparks fly, and when Dahlia leaves for Delaware again, Michael follows her.
I love my angsty romances and Samantha Young always delivers. I haven't been reading much romance lately, so I have to be selective with the authors I choose and I always come back to Young. She writes the best stories and I find myself completely enamored with her characters and stories. If you haven't picked up this series, you need to.
PS: WE NEED A BOOK ABOUT EMERY STAT! I WANT IT NOW!
“My physical appearance was just a small fraction of who I was. I was more than a pretty bauble to hang on the tree of a man’s world.”
A 4.5 stars
“My physical appearance was just a small fraction of who I was. I was more than a pretty bauble to hang on the tree of a man’s world.”
After a horrible trip to her childhood home, Ava just wants to get the heck out of Arizona and back to her apartment in Boston. Her attempts at everything in the airport from first class upgrades to meals to the coffee cart are thwarted by a rude Scotsman…. who happens to be her seatmate on her flight. Their hatred for each other soon turns into a night neither of them will ever forget.
By chance Caleb reenters her life when Ava had thought he was just a one night stand, and the two decide to explore their physical attraction even further…
“When you were infatuated with someone, you failed to see their imperfections. When it was more than a fixation, you still cared about them in spite of their flaws.”
First off, Samantha Young is romance royalty. She delivered THE BEST ANGST in any romance novels, hands down. She’s also one of the few authors that I don’t skim sex scenes (yes I am weird and I do that most of the time). When I read a book by Young, I am enthralled from the very beginning, all the way to the last page at the end. I always say this too but I love how she manages to write characters from different countries and nails it every time, there are never cultural inaccuracies which blows my mind.
There are similarities in this book to On Dublin Street, a heroine with a messed up family past and a best friend who dies tragically (not a spoiler it’s in the beginning of both books). But the similarities end there. I loved Ava. She was such an incredible female character unlike many we see in this genre. She’s gorgeous but wants to be valued as more. She works hard but remembers to be kind. Caleb was an amazing alpha-hole, but was nice at the right points. I wish we had gotten more of his side of events but I still really loved him too.
I have two things to gripe about in this book, the first affected my rating the other did not. At the end of the book, what was done to Ava, there needed to be a lot more fucking groveling. I was actually appalled at the lack of groveling at the end considering Caleb’s words and actions. The second thing I have to gripe about, I friggin hate the cover of this book. I know it’s the newest rage in romance and we have The Hating Game to blame for it, but the cover of this book does not match the inside at all and I am looking forward to when (if) they change the cover in the future. I want to reiterate, the cover did not affect my rating.
“We’re all afraid of something, sweetheart. It’s up to us whether we stay and fight that fear… or whether we run and hide from it.”
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All quotes came from an unedited copy and are subject to change in final review.
“ A soulmate is someone who sees all the parts you’re ashamed of, and loves you anyway.”
Book editor Asha is looking for the next big thi 4 stars!
“ A soulmate is someone who sees all the parts you’re ashamed of, and loves you anyway.”
Book editor Asha is looking for the next big thing in the publishing world. While doing research for her next book to publish, she gets an idea to approach an Instagram poet who anonymously posts online. Hoping he will be the next bestseller she messages him and after some convincing he agrees. After everything is finalized, she realizes her dream man is a giant jerk, and now she has to work with him one on one.
“How do you protect yourself from the person who was born with an all-access pass to your heart?”
Leisa Rayven is a magical unicorn writer, everything she writes, I love. Professor Feelgood was a great next installment in the Masters of Love series (it can be read as a standalone) and I loved Asha and the Professor so so much. My favorite part about this book was the theme of looking inward and recognizing your mistakes. Also the power of perspective was an excellent theme of this book, one that doesn’t get covered a lot in romance.
I love Rayven’s stories and her writing. If I could I would go all Kathy Bates on her and have her write me stories all day long, I just don’t want to break her legs haha.
“You’re the one thing in this world that helps me make sense.”
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
My first SEP novel and it was oh soooo good!!!! Normally contemporary romance novels from the 90's aren't really my thing, but this was co 4.5 stars!
My first SEP novel and it was oh soooo good!!!! Normally contemporary romance novels from the 90's aren't really my thing, but this was compared to The Unwanted Wife by Natasha Anders so I had to read it.
Kiss An Angel is the story of Daisy who gets roped into an arranged marriage to a man who seems to despise her. Alex works for a traveling circus and seems to find a lot of pleasure in assigning Daisy to tasks which would humiliate her. As time goes by, sparks fly between the two and they give in to their attraction. But Alex will never love anyone, and he makes it clear he will never love Daisy.
This book started out a bit rough for me, I almost threw in the towel and I pushed on. I'm so glad I did because after 20% or so I was unable to put down this book. Then 70% hit and it was angsty AF so of course I was vomiting happy rainbows out of my mouth. I'm such an angst whore, I swear. I really liked Daisy and Alex, I liked them even more together. Another highlight for me was the relationships developed with the circus animals because I am a giant softy for animals.
“The funny thing about hate is the razor-thin line that separates it from something else entirely.”
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This 4.5 stars!
SPOILER FREE REVIEW!!
“The funny thing about hate is the razor-thin line that separates it from something else entirely.”
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This is the story of Gordo and Mark, characters we met and fell in love with in Wolfsong (the book before this one and yes, you need to read them in order). Gordo and Mark loved each other, but something happened and Gordo sent Mark away. Now years later, Gordo is again the witch of the wolf pack Mark is in, but the two of them cannot seem to work out the past. When a new threat comes to Green Creek they both race against time to save those they love.
“Here, in the dark, hearing him laugh reminded me of the way things once had been. And the way things could be…”
Not going to lie, I was a little bit apprehensive about reading Ravensong. Don’t get me wrong, I was DYING to get my hands on it, but since I loved Wolfsong so much, I was worried my expectations were too high. I needn’t have worried, because they weren’t. I loved this story, I loved the characters. Reading this book felt like coming home again. I found myself smiling a lot throughout and tearing up at other parts. Klune is an excellent writer, bordering on brilliant in my book.
I’m not going to give away any spoilers, but I will say this had less angst than the first book (which personally I could have used some more, hence the 4.5 and not 5 stars) but angst allergic people will be happy. I also loved that TJ was able to progress the overall plot of this series and didn’t just dish us the same thing twice.
A beautiful love story, one I’ll never forget. And I hope there is more to come with this series (subtext, there better be more books in this series or else!).
“I have never seen a wolf love another as much as he loved you.”
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
^^^Me during this entire reading experience. Actually, this is me whenever I re 4.5 stars
“We’re getting really good at playing our parts.”
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^^^Me during this entire reading experience. Actually, this is me whenever I read a Coho book.
It took me a long time to open this book after receiving it because I know one thing to be true: with every book I read by Colleen Hoover, she breaks me like a fucking wrecking ball. And guess what? THE BITCH DID IT AGAIN. Almost every time this woman releases a damn book, I end up a crying, sobbing mess well past the time I was supposed to go to bed like a responsible adult, and I lay there with my tears wishing I never had feelings!
And you know what? It. Was. Worth. It.
All Your Perfects is about a couple who lost their way. Loss of love isn’t the problem, but other issues make their marriage begin to crack.
“Sadness is like a spiderweb. You don’t see it until you’re caught up in it.”
Annnnnddddd that’s all I’m going to say plot wise, no spoilers. As per usual with a Coho book I think it’s best to go in blind (like I did) and see what unfolds. I do think this subject matter will be VERY difficult for some readers. But I think Hoover handled it all brilliantly.
I think what I am most in awe by with Hoover and her writing is her ability to pull out emotions I never expect to feel. I don’t always love her books, but I do always have a very emotional response to them whether good or bad, and it shows me what a talented writer she is. That and she never gives us the same story twice, I never know what to expect from her next book. And I hope I have a lifetime of books to read by her.
“If you only shine a light on your flaws, all your perfects will dim.”
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
“Hell was not a pit of fire and brimstone. Hell was waking up alone, the sheets wet with your tears and your seed, knowing the woman you h 4 stars!
“Hell was not a pit of fire and brimstone. Hell was waking up alone, the sheets wet with your tears and your seed, knowing the woman you had dreamed of would never come back to you.”
Lisa Kleypas delivers every single time!!! Book 2 in The Hathaways series lived up to my expectations, and believe me they were high. After reading the first book, this was the couple I was dying to read about. I loved Merripen and Win, they had such a beautiful and angsty story!
You know how you pick up a book and read the first page? Normally I set the book down, but with this book, I read the first page and could not tear my eyes away. I've never experienced anything like it! This book literally had me hooked from the beginning and I devoured it whole.
This is a story of unrequited love, and a story of fear of love. It was more Hathaway centric than the first book was, that one seemed to be half Wallflower series and half Hathaway. While I like being in the Wallflower world, I am loving getting to know the Hathaways and all the side characters whose books I will be reading ASAP!
I know I am late to the Lisa Kleypas train, but if you are even a wee bit curious, pick up one of her books now!
“The worst part about loving someone, Merripen, is that there will always be things you can't protect her from. Things beyond your control. You finally realize there is something worse than dying... and that is having something happen to her. You have to live with that fear always. But you have to take the bad part, if you want the good part." Kev looked at him bleakly. "What's the good part?" A smile touched Cam's lips. "All the rest of it is the good part," he said, and went.”
“Leave the past behind you so the future can find you.”
Once upon a time.... a friend recommended this book to me. Well, four years lat 4.5 stars!
“Leave the past behind you so the future can find you.”
Once upon a time.... a friend recommended this book to me. Well, four years later and I finally read it!!!!!!! See, I eventually get to books on my TBR!
Loving Mr. Daniels is about two broken people who have lost family members closest to them. When Ashlynn moves in with her dad, the last thing she expected was to fall for a Shakespearean inspired musician. And she's even more surprised when he turns out to be her teacher.
I know what you're thinking, that you've read this book already. Yes, you've read this trope, but Cherry puts her own beautiful spin on it and I loved this book. Bravo Ms Cherry! I do wish she wasn't so good at making me cry, but I think that's a testament to her writing skills.
I hope you all give this book a chance! I did, years later and I loved it! It's never too late!
“I love you slowly. I love you deeply. I love you quietly. I love you powerfully. I love you unconditionally.”
Oh Kandi. My hat is off to you. Girl, you had me ugly crying by the end of this book. Granted I was happy because MY GUY WON! But the 5 stars!
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Oh Kandi. My hat is off to you. Girl, you had me ugly crying by the end of this book. Granted I was happy because MY GUY WON! But the end still killed me and broke my heart. This is everything I look for in a book!
In this book we got what I had wanted to see in the first one, the other side of the story. I don't want to give anything away, but the other side is just as heartbreaking as the one we saw in the first book. Like I said, I had my guy I was rooting for already. What's funny is, I didn't mind the other guy in the first book, but in this book I thought he was scum. Like, he made me ragey with his entitlement and he was a jerkface. I was literally skimming some of his chapters in this because I really didn't like him.
I loved this book because it broke me and put me back together again. Kandi has a wonderful way with words and she delivers some of the best angst around. This is the book that you message your friends because you are dying to chat about it, and it's the one you throw at your friends to make them read because they need to suffer right along with you.
Kandi Steiner is an author who three times in a row has not failed me, and I need to get my butt in gear and read her backlist asap.
This duet was amazing and I highly recommend it! This book is going in my top reads of the year!
Many of you who follow my reviews should know by now my reading tastes fall under ANGST. Anything angst, I gobble it up!
So when Kandi Stein 4 stars!
Many of you who follow my reviews should know by now my reading tastes fall under ANGST. Anything angst, I gobble it up!
So when Kandi Steiner, an amazing author known for ANGST, releases a duet that revolves around a love triangle, you bet your ass I was ALL OVER THAT SHIT.
I bought the book right away, there was only one problem: the second book wasn't out yet. So, I sat on my ass and waited to start the first book until the second one was out. And I made it... almost. I made sure to preorder the second book so it would hit my kindle at 9pm (thank you PST) and I wouldn't have to wait.
Well now it's 11:30 pm, I have work tomorrow and I am DYING to start the second book! Clearly I didn't think this through.
What He Doesn't Know is about Charlie, a woman in a broken marriage who has lost herself. When a childhood friend and love Reese, returns to town and begins teaching at the same school she does, feelings are bound to blossom. But Charlie is torn, because despite everything, she loves her husband. But Reese may be the only one to turn Charlie back into the woman she was.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, Kandi Steiner is an author I am always meaning to read more of. This book hit the spot perfectly in terms of reading mood and angst. I have my favorite guy, but I don't want to say anything because I am worried he will not be picked. I desperately want to peek at the end of book 2 but also don't want to cheat, so we will see how long I'll last, shall we?
Anyways, both books are out now, so if you are intrigued go ahead and one click. There's nothing to be scared of as they are both available and no waiting!
That was so dang cute! Kasie West is the queen of YA romances, I always enjoy her books. This is the perfect escapist novel! Be sure to read 4 stars!
That was so dang cute! Kasie West is the queen of YA romances, I always enjoy her books. This is the perfect escapist novel! Be sure to read it if you want a break from reality (like meh!)
"You've gotta be the best thing I never knew I wanted."
This is the story of Iris, broke and living with her brother, she takes a job at 3.5 stars
"You've gotta be the best thing I never knew I wanted."
This is the story of Iris, broke and living with her brother, she takes a job at a tattoo parlor. Unfortunately her new boss is a total jerk. She just has to work there long enough to get another job elsewhere....
“Babe, I've handpicked everythin' and everyone in here. I know what I want and I get what I want," he breathed. "And I keep what's mine.”
The first half of this book I really enjoyed, the second half got a little bit boring for me and could have been edited down in my opinion. I love Zapata's books but this is probably my least favorite of the ones I've read by her. It's like pizza though, even if it's not great it's still good.
It’s been about two weeks since I finished reading this book and I am still having trouble wrapping my mind about how I feel about it. First 4 stars
It’s been about two weeks since I finished reading this book and I am still having trouble wrapping my mind about how I feel about it. First off I wanted to address the genre label it’s been given of “women’s fiction”. No. Just no. This was a romance through and through. Maybe those in charge want to market CL to a new audience and that’s fine, but I’ve had friends who’ve told me they love these authors but don’t want to read this book because it’s women’s fiction. Ladies, you have nothing to fear! Ignore the label and read on!
From the moment I opened up this book, I was in love with it. This was a stay up until 4 am (yes, you read that right. FOUR FRIGGIN AM) and sob your guts out kind of book. It’s so beyond compelling, I couldn’t put the damn kindle down! Second chance romance is my trope, I’ll read anything with that label. Christina Lauren did a wonderful job with it, I fell in love with Macy and Elliott and felt the ups and downs of their relationship, from the past when they fell in love as teens to the present day when they reconnect.
This was a 5 star read for me…… up until the very end. I cannot say exactly what happened as it gives away spoilers, and I do not give away spoilers. I will just say something happened that felt so completely out of character for one of the characters, and it really didn’t settle right. So much so that two weeks later I still have massive issues with it, even though it didn’t bother other people (and I would know, I have been PMing friends who read this like crazy). That being said, my issue with what happened did take away my overall enjoyment of the story and almost kind of marred what I had already read and loved and somewhat ruined it for me. But since this was a 4am-er and made me cry, I am settling with a four star rating. I do think many readers will not have the same issues I had with the book and will love it, so I encourage you if you’re curious to go ahead and read it.
This is the angsty, emotional book from Christina Lauren that will break your heart into a million pieces. If that intrigues you even a little bit, I recommend you read this book.
ARC provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Full disclosure, I only read Rerouted. Before all of you jump on me, I am allowed to read what I want to read, and I honestly was only interested in CFull disclosure, I only read Rerouted. Before all of you jump on me, I am allowed to read what I want to read, and I honestly was only interested in Chris, Jace and Aiden. Not that I have to justify my reading choices to anyone, but I have no desire to read the other two novellas because those characters don't call to me.
That being said, I LOVED Rerouted. I could read about these three men for, well, forever. I wish they had their own full length novel. It's about Chris, a bisexual man who finds himself as the extra to a married gay couple Jace and Aiden. Jace and Aiden have been together 20 years and are polyamorous, but lately they only want one man to make them a trio. When a blackout leaves the three of them stuck together, it's up to the couple to convince Chris he's perfect for them.
As I said before, I loved this story. Chris I wanted to hug the entire time, I understood all of his insecurities and where he is coming from. It's easy to want him to fall into his happily ever after, but some things needed to be worked out and I think Hassell did a great job of covering all those issues.
Citywide can technically be read as a standalone, but I think maybe you should read Third Rail a short story first to get some background.
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