A sweet contemporary romance between a matchmaker and the app creator of a dating service, both centered around Chinese zodiac traits. The beginning oA sweet contemporary romance between a matchmaker and the app creator of a dating service, both centered around Chinese zodiac traits. The beginning of this book started off rocky for me as I didn't love the deceit taking place, but the plot quickly changed for the better and I enjoyed the book a lot more after about 40%. I thought this covered a lot of great topics such as family, loyalty, Chinese zodiac, mixed race heritage, and what makes people compatible. I would definitely try another book by this author in the future....more
So, I am actually really mad at whomever decided to market this book as Romancing the Stone/Indiana Jones because it was neither of those things. ThosSo, I am actually really mad at whomever decided to market this book as Romancing the Stone/Indiana Jones because it was neither of those things. Those are adventure stories with lots of action: this was a boring archeological dig where not much action (other than sexual) happens.
I think this book had a lot of potential, and Jo Segura is a decent writer, but this story itself and the execution of the plot was lackluster. We had two such great characters that had decent chemistry (aside from some ick sex scenes, at least ick to me) and yet the actual story was not good! How do you take the really cool story of what these characters were looking for and then make it boring, I don't know. But after not much happening throughout 80% of the book and then a super-dramatic over the top turn in the last 20% is what brought the book down from 3 to 2 stars for me.
An ALC was provided via the Librarian ALC program at Libro.fm ...more
Christa is a scientist working on a remote island studying sea snails when she gets the call: her father who famously disappeared in a plan 3.5 stars
Christa is a scientist working on a remote island studying sea snails when she gets the call: her father who famously disappeared in a plane crash over 20 years ago has been found... and he's alive. Rushed back to Los Angeles, she is reunited with her mom and two sisters and childhood friend Nate. Her father's story of survival seems farfetched, but the family wants to forgive him. Until some things don't add up and Christa needs to re-evaluate her life and relationships.
This was such a fun and interesting premise, like if Steve Irwin was presumed dead and then came back to life. Christa was a really interesting character and there were lost of interesting family dynamics and growth moment. This is my third book by Abbi Waxman, and while I really do enjoy her books for the most part, plotwise they always seem to lack that big punch. There were lots of missed opportunities between the characters to really dig deeper and Christa almost always ran away from it all. So this book is solidly 3.5 stars because it's better than a 3 but not quite there for a 4 star rating.
Review copy provided by Berkley, thank you. I also listened to audiobook via public library ...more
While driving to a vacation destination, Elsy gets lost in a rainstorm and ends up in a small town. After staying the night, she wakes up to discover While driving to a vacation destination, Elsy gets lost in a rainstorm and ends up in a small town. After staying the night, she wakes up to discover she's driven into her favorite book series. Now Elsy gets to meet all of her favorite characters and see all the places she's read about. As Elsy gets to know everyone, she notices the characters seemed to be stuck, but Elsy's arrival has changed everything.
This book hit me at the exact right time and I absolutely loved it. It reminded me a lot concept wise of that British TV miniseries Lost in Austen where the main character entered the world of Pride and Prejudice. There's something very endearing about this book with Elsy getting to know her favorite characters and realizing not everything is as it seems. Elsy getting over her past trauma was a big part of this book and I thought it was done very well. I also loved the romance with Anders: I did guess the twist early on because there was a huge hint, but knowing that just enhanced the story for me and didn't take anything away from it.
I've read three books by Ashley Poston and all of them have been a hit for me. I really cannot wait to see what she writes next, she's an auto-buy author now.
Thank you Berkley for my finished copy of this book for review! ...more
The story of a con-artist fake medium Gretchen who is paid to go and complete an exorcism for a farmer named Charlie on his land. Once there, 4 stars
The story of a con-artist fake medium Gretchen who is paid to go and complete an exorcism for a farmer named Charlie on his land. Once there, Charlie rejects Gretchen as a fraud, but a funny thing happens: Gretchen sees her first ghost. Everett is Charlie's distant relative and warns Gretchen that if Charlie sells and leaves the farm he will die and be stuck in the afterlife. So now, Gretchen has to save the farmer who hates her and think's she's full of it.
I picked up this book as it fits the bingo square for Diners, Drive Ins and Dives for the 2024 Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo challenge, and I am very glad I did. I never would have picked up this book otherwise and it was so good!! I loved the whole story with Everett the ghost and Gretchen's romance with Charlie which was slightly angsty and the perfect amount of sweet. As strong as the romance was with Charlie, I thought the friendship between Gretchen and Everett was the best part of the book. There was a really good amount of character development for all of the characters which I really appreciated as often that seems to be left out of romance. Also Mara Wilson was a great narrator, she really made the book and characters come to life....more
The first 50 pages were really strong, but the lack of worldbuilding or character development made it fall flat for me. Very glad we DNF at about 50%.
The first 50 pages were really strong, but the lack of worldbuilding or character development made it fall flat for me. Very glad we are getting more queer romantasy, especially a FFA one....more
My first book by Meryl Wilsner (who I've been meaning to read ever since I saw them at LA Festival of Books in 2023). This book follows two soccer plaMy first book by Meryl Wilsner (who I've been meaning to read ever since I saw them at LA Festival of Books in 2023). This book follows two soccer players, one a stoic team captain, the other an outspoken newbie. Attraction sparks right when they meet, but playing on the same team means some conflict and tension.
I enjoyed this book but it was solidly in the "it's just okay" category for me. I had it on my list for a while and it counts for a reading bingo square for "Olympics" so I pushed this to the front of the tbr. There was just a lot of internal monologuing for me, it was endless to the point that it was either that or sex scenes. Which is fine! But I wanted more the character development earlier in the book (with some more plot) rather than the dump we got later. Otherwise it's a fun sports romance and it was nice to see women's soccer in the mix.
An ALC was provided by libro.fm via the librarian ALC program ...more
A romance between bodyguard Walker and housekeeper Sloane. Sloane has a mysterious past, but has been able to hide in Scotland employed at a private cA romance between bodyguard Walker and housekeeper Sloane. Sloane has a mysterious past, but has been able to hide in Scotland employed at a private club retreat for the rich and famous. Walker is a guard that works at the estate. Sparks fly between the two, but Walker is wary of getting serious with the sweet, single mother.
Maybe it's just me, but as I've been reading the Adair series by Samantha Young, and now this spinoff series... these books have become a little bit too formulaic for me. I'll still read anything Young writes as she's one of my favorite authors, but this book felt overly long and I predicted just about every major event that happened. I'm curious about North and Aria's story, so hopefully that one will be good....more
I was very excited about this book when I heard about it: marriage of convenience, didn't actually get divorced, have to pretend to really 3.5 stars
I was very excited about this book when I heard about it: marriage of convenience, didn't actually get divorced, have to pretend to really be married, only one bed? It had all the markings of a book I would usually love. And I enjoyed it for the most part, but we ended up with a Succession like family story and that's where this fell a little bit flat for me.
I really loved the parts with Anna and West falling in love. But if you're going to dive in hard with toxic familial relationships I need a bit more closure on that in the end, more than what we got in this book. I liked this book, but felt pacing and story were a bit off. But Christina and Lauren always write a good time so I'm still glad I read this one. More glad I checked it out from my local library....more
A romance between wedding planner Lear and divorce attorney RJ. I liked this book, but it also didn't wow me. I really loved Denise Williams' first boA romance between wedding planner Lear and divorce attorney RJ. I liked this book, but it also didn't wow me. I really loved Denise Williams' first book How to Fail at Flirting, but I've read 3 other books by her and none of them have blown me away. Hopefully her next book knocks it out of the park!...more
A forbidden romance between a scientist and the man on the team trying to take over her company. Rue doesn't want relationships, she's just looking foA forbidden romance between a scientist and the man on the team trying to take over her company. Rue doesn't want relationships, she's just looking for a one night/good time. After meeting Eli, she finds out the man she was meant to hook up with is one of the people trying to take over her company. What ensues is a forbidden romance they must keep secret.
It pains me to write this, but this book was not good. In that I mean there is way to much science talk of things I don't understand, a lackluster romance between the main characters, and I hate to say it but the worst of all: this book was boring. And I am really sad about this because I loved Hazelwood's last few books! Bride and Love Theoretically were so good and this book was pretty bad; it took me several days to read and I had to force myself to finish it.
The authors note at the beginning said this book was more like erotica than her usual and imo she did not lean in hard enough to the erotica aspects of the book. It might have been better! But what we got to me read like a jumbled mess and while I always saw the attraction between Rue and Eli, I never really felt the love between them.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley. This did not affect my opinion when reading this book or writing my review ...more
I don't have much to say about this one except I didn't love it as much as I expected to. I found the beginning of this book disjointed and confusing I don't have much to say about this one except I didn't love it as much as I expected to. I found the beginning of this book disjointed and confusing (probably because I didn't read the book that came before this one even though this is a standalone) and I didn't always feeling the yearning between the two main characters.
I thought Catherine/Ying Ying was an outstanding heroine, she was so interesting and had many qualities you don't normally read in a historical romance. I wish I saw more heroines like her in my romance novels....more
A second chance romance between a Hollywood director and his production assistant.
I think Myah Ariel is a wonderful writer and I am very excited to seA second chance romance between a Hollywood director and his production assistant.
I think Myah Ariel is a wonderful writer and I am very excited to see what else she writes in the future. For me, second chance romance is a genre/trope close to my heart. This book, the author didn't sell me on the couple's previous romance enough for me to really feel why they were drawn to each other years later. This book was a good example of when authors tell you things instead of showing you.
Lots of really great moments, Kaliya was an outstanding main character. I wasn't the biggest fan of Danny, but side characters Neha and Bella were also amazing and I loved them....more
I'm not sure what deal with the devil Abby Jimenez, made but her last three books have all been amazing!! Also this book is the epitome of "If he wantI'm not sure what deal with the devil Abby Jimenez, made but her last three books have all been amazing!! Also this book is the epitome of "If he wanted to, he would".
Justin and Emma both suffer from the same curse: every person they date finds their soulmate after they've broken up with them. So Emma and Justin come up with a great idea, the two should date each other, and when they break up both of them will find their soulmates. But life has more in stock for them and soon Justin and Emma realize there's more to this relationship than a deadline.
Abby Jimenez has become one of those authors I get really excited about with every new release. And it's funny, because I hated The Friend Zone and almost never read another book by her again until a friend (thank you, Christy!) promised me I'd love Part of Your World, and she was right! Abby packs such an emotional punch in her books peppered with her own unique sense of humor. I was laying in bed listening to the last 90 minutes of this book because I couldn't wait until the next day on my commute to find out what happened.
And for those who want to know, Nadia cakes mention count in the spoiler tag (view spoiler)[ She only mentions it once in the first 15% and then never again! Those of you who hate this are spared! (hide spoiler)]...more
When Lady Dane's husband unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself in a predicament with the her late husband's family and custody of her 3.5 stars
When Lady Dane's husband unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself in a predicament with the her late husband's family and custody of her children. To resolve this, she enters into a fake relationship with Nathaniel Travers who owes her a favor. But as the two spend time together, and Nate spends time with Cora and her children, the entire family begins to become attached as outside forces threaten to tear them apart.
One of those solid I liked it but didn't love it kind of books. I feel like the author could have shaved off a good 50-100 pages of this book and it would have been a 4 or 5 star read, but stretches of this book felt like a bit of a slog to get through. I really liked Nate as a romantic hero because he was flawed but did his best to learn and grow and improve upon himself. Cora was also solidly okay in that I didn't have strong feelings about her either way. Overall one of those books where I enjoyed it, but it didn't hit me as hard as it did other readers (as I can see by the reviews)....more
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
A fun and spicy queer hockey romance, MUCH better than the first book. Not a complete 5 star read because of some issues with it (view spoiler)[ casuaA fun and spicy queer hockey romance, MUCH better than the first book. Not a complete 5 star read because of some issues with it (view spoiler)[ casual racism in descriptions of a character (hide spoiler)] and this is definitely like, a fantasy hockey league that does not follow real life rules (for obvious plot reasons).
Not sure if I would read the rest of the series though....more
Wildfire is about Aurora and Russ who had a one night stand with each other at a party, only to discover the nOkay this one was actually pretty good.
Wildfire is about Aurora and Russ who had a one night stand with each other at a party, only to discover the next day they're working at the same camp all summer. At first, things are awkward between the two of them. But as they work beside each other every day, sparks begin to fly.
One of my biggest issues with Icebreaker was it took place during college but we saw like, no actual college. Not the case with Wildfire! We got hot AND plot *gasp*. We got romance and the camp counselor experience which was a lot of fun to read. I especially loved that we got a quiet and shy nice guy as the hero instead of some alpha male and that Russ and Aurora made each other better and lifted each other up. This book has redeemed Hannah Grace for me and I look forward to reading her next book...more
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