I’ve read several books by Ashley Poston and A Novel Love Story is my favorite. Magical realism can be hit or miss for me, but the concept o4.25 stars
I’ve read several books by Ashley Poston and A Novel Love Story is my favorite. Magical realism can be hit or miss for me, but the concept of getting stuck in the town where your favorite romance series takes place… well, that concept was too good to pass up.
Elsy has a fairly tight-knit group of book club friends who meet at a cabin in the summer. Something she looks forward to but this year no one can make it but her. At first, she doesn’t think she’ll go, but then she changes her mind. She’s almost there when her car breaks down in the middle of a storm. Elsy ends up in Eloraton, the imaginary small town where her favorite book series occurs.
As book lovers, I’m sure we’ve all daydreamed about ending up in our favorite book, so reading about Elsy experiencing this and meeting her favorite characters was so fun. Then there is Anders. Bookstore owner, a loner/grump, and the only person in town she can’t place. I liked the mystery aspect of Anders and trying to figure out who he was. By the end, I had a decent idea and I was in the right direction at the very least.
I adored Elsy and watching her come into her own and figure her life out. I also liked Anders, mint eyes and all. I wish I had the Kindle version so I could search that word and see how many times she says it LOL. Overall this was sweet, charming, and a lot of fun. The ending was great and I enjoyed it so much!
Audio book source: Libby Story Rating: 4 stars Narrators: Dorothy Dillingham Blue Narration Rating: 4 stars Genre: Romance/Magical realism Length: 10h 56m
I’m always here for a fake dating romance, and I enjoyed this sweet romantic suspense book. The couple went from fake to real very fast and t3.5 stars
I’m always here for a fake dating romance, and I enjoyed this sweet romantic suspense book. The couple went from fake to real very fast and the ending felt rushed to me, but overall I enjoyed Declan and Addie’s story.
Audio book source: Hoopla Story Rating: 3.5 stars Narrators: Lorana Hoopes Narration Rating: 4 stars Genre: Romance Length: 5h 57m
This was interesting but not what I expected. I’m not sure if I loved the format and it said some bizarre things (trauma doesn’t exist… hmm) bu3 stars
This was interesting but not what I expected. I’m not sure if I loved the format and it said some bizarre things (trauma doesn’t exist… hmm) but it had some parts I liked. Overall a mixed bag for me.
Audio book source: Libby Story Rating: 3 stars Narrators: Noah Galvin, Graeme Malcom, & January LaVoy Narration Rating: 4 stars Genre: Nonfiction Length: 6h 29m
Come As You Are was my first Jess K. Hardy book but I’ll be checking more out from her! Honestly, I’m not sure if I saw someone talk about this4 stars
Come As You Are was my first Jess K. Hardy book but I’ll be checking more out from her! Honestly, I’m not sure if I saw someone talk about this book, or just saw it when browsing Hoopla, but either way I’m so glad I picked it up.
Matthew Madigan runs a sober living home and Ashley Cooke is trying to save her family’s ski hill. They end up helping each other out, and falling for one another along the way. I loved that both of the characters were older. Their story was romantic, sweet, emotional, and fun. Overall, this one was great!
Audio book source: Hoopla Story Rating: 4 stars Narrators: Stephen Borne & Andi Arndt Narration Rating: 4.5 stars Genre: Romance Length: 10h 16m
One More Day was a great start to the Alexanders series. I liked all the brothers, so I’ll definitely continue on. I didn’t love the heroines3.5 stars
One More Day was a great start to the Alexanders series. I liked all the brothers, so I’ll definitely continue on. I didn’t love the heroines secrecy throughout the book, but aside from that it was great!
Audio book source: Audible Story Rating: 3.5 stars Narrators: Eva Kaminsky Narration Rating: 4 stars Genre: Romance Length: 9h 33m
I love a hockey romance, and this one was enjoyable! It did bring up an interesting question… if you need ‘space’ or are on ‘a break’ is it o3.5 stars
I love a hockey romance, and this one was enjoyable! It did bring up an interesting question… if you need ‘space’ or are on ‘a break’ is it okay to sleep with other people? I would say no so that part of the book really didn’t work for me. I liked Hayden and Brody together and by the end, I had a smile on my face.
Audio book source: Hoopla Story Rating: 3.5 stars Narrators: Samantha Cook Narration Rating: 4 stars Genre: Romance Length: 8h 14m
After reading the first book in this series, I was so curious about Killian and couldn’t wait to read his story with Laura. I liked this one3.5 stars
After reading the first book in this series, I was so curious about Killian and couldn’t wait to read his story with Laura. I liked this one, but there was a lot of push and pull and the timelines through me off. The next book seems like it’s going to be messy in a good way and I’m here for it!
Audio book source: Hoopla Story Rating: 3.5 stars Narrators: Isabelle Turner & Chase T. Walker Narration Rating: 4 stars Genre: Romance Length: 10h 24m
I’m so surprised that Yours, Unexpectedly was a debut novel. I had so much fun with the banter, the family dynamic, and it was such a grea4.25 stars
I’m so surprised that Yours, Unexpectedly was a debut novel. I had so much fun with the banter, the family dynamic, and it was such a great brother’s best friend romance.
Bex is in her senior year of college and Anders a TA in one of her classes. He’s also her older brother, Gabe’s best friend and roommate. Bex has been crushing on Anders for the longest, but he’s also been crushing on her. I adored these two together. It was a blast, and so sweet how into each other they were.
I’m fairly certain this is a standalone but I would love some books for Bex’s brothers. I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author either way! ...more
I loved listening to Hootie and the Blowfish growing up, and I enjoy Darius Rucker’s country music as well, so I was excited to get to his memo4 stars
I loved listening to Hootie and the Blowfish growing up, and I enjoy Darius Rucker’s country music as well, so I was excited to get to his memoir. It was interesting seeing his life and how he got his start with Hootie as well as in country music. It was fast paced and fun, but also had emotion and some serious topics. Darius is a fast talker which I appreciate. I slowed the book down a little bit compared to my normal listening speed, but he does a great job narrating.
Audio book source: Libby Story Rating: 4 stars Narrators: Darius Rucker Narration Rating: 4 stars Genre: Memoir Length: 6h 12m
I really liked the second book in this series and had high hopes for this one, but it was much the same as the first one for me. Not enough plo3 stars
I really liked the second book in this series and had high hopes for this one, but it was much the same as the first one for me. Not enough plot and too much steam. I loved the hero in this one but as a whole wasn't my favorite. ...more
This was really cute. I love to bake so I’m always down to read a baking romance. I loved the bakery aspect and the fact that Donovan owne3.5 stars
This was really cute. I love to bake so I’m always down to read a baking romance. I loved the bakery aspect and the fact that Donovan owned it. I enjoyed this one as a whole, but honestly, the ending fell a little flat for me.
Audio book source: Libby Story Rating: 3.5 stars Narrators: Kassiopia DeVora Narration Rating: 4 stars Genre: Romance Length: 9h 56m
I was excited to read the next Carmichael book and I loved Jess Carmichael! This book reminded me of the last book in a lot of ways. They bo3.5 stars
I was excited to read the next Carmichael book and I loved Jess Carmichael! This book reminded me of the last book in a lot of ways. They both had that falling in love on a fun trip vibe. It felt too similar to me. I still love this family and the book as a whole was pretty good. I’m excited to read this one because I know Banks’ book will be the most hilarious!
Audio book source: Audible Story Rating: 3.5 stars Narrators: Samantha Brentmoor & Ryan West Narration Rating: 4.5 stars Genre: Romance Length:
A Bit of Earth is a Secret Garden retelling and it was a cute middle grade book. There was nothing wrong with it, unfortunately I just had 3.25 stars
A Bit of Earth is a Secret Garden retelling and it was a cute middle grade book. There was nothing wrong with it, unfortunately I just had trouble connecting/engaging with the book.
Audio book source: Story Rating: 3.25 stars Narrators: Subhadra Newton Narration Rating: 4 stars Genre: Middle Grade Length: 6h 47m
...Different faces for every role, and those are the faces the world sees. But I see him as himself.
I love Emma Scott’s writing and I missed5 stars
...Different faces for every role, and those are the faces the world sees. But I see him as himself.
I love Emma Scott’s writing and I missed her words so much. I was thrilled to get to her newest release, Falling Like Stars. Rowan and Zach’s romance was stunning. The romance and watching them fall in love was wonderful, but even better was watching them both heal and grow.
Zachary Butler is the internet’s boyfriend and is quickly turning into Hollywood’s newest leading man after a slew of popular supporting roles. Rowan Walsh is working as a PA in a movie he’s filming.
Zach comes from a wonderful family, but is just now crawling out of an unhealthy relationship with his ex. Rowan’s family is almost non-existent. She’s lost most of the people she’s loved. Her father, her boyfriend, and eventually her mother. Even though Rowan and Zach hit it off right away, Rowan is not one who easily trusts or falls. And for good reason.
What I loved about Rowan and Zach is that they brought out the best in one another. Rowan was supportive of Zach and all he had going on, and Zach was patient with Rowan as she dealt with her grief. This book had sweet moments and moments that made me smile big, but it also was heavy at times and was emotional.
Falling Like Stars pulled on my heartstrings, made me laugh and cry, and was one of the best Hollywood romances I’ve read. I loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamic so much, and honestly everything about this book was great!...more
What an impactful historical fiction! Take My Hand takes place in the 1970’s following a nurse in Alabama named Civil Townsend. It also follows4 stars
What an impactful historical fiction! Take My Hand takes place in the 1970’s following a nurse in Alabama named Civil Townsend. It also follows two younger sister’s Civil gets attached to. This was a heartbreaking book and the fact it was based on true events made it all the more difficult to read.
Audio book source: Libby Story Rating: 4 stars Narrators: Lauren J. Daggett Narration Rating: 4 stars Genre: Historical Fiction Length: 10h 57m
Flying in Love was my first Chalon Linton book and I’ll definitely read more. I enjoyed the writing and I liked the hero. The only major iss3.5 stars
Flying in Love was my first Chalon Linton book and I’ll definitely read more. I enjoyed the writing and I liked the hero. The only major issue I had was that the heroine was frustrating as can be.
Audio book source: Audible Story Rating: 3.5 stars Narrators: Noah Wall Narration Rating: 4 stars Genre: Romance Length: 6h 26m
Kelsey Kingsley is one of those authors who can bring the feels. This one had me crying into my pillow late last night. I read this book fai4.25 stars
Kelsey Kingsley is one of those authors who can bring the feels. This one had me crying into my pillow late last night. I read this book fairly quickly for how long it was because I couldn't wait to see what would happen next in Charlie's story. Let me tell you... it didn't go how I thought it would.
If you're looking for a light and happy romance this is not the book for you. It's full of heartache, trauma, and emotion. It does have some lighter moments and I would say the ending is happy as a whole, but there is a lot of heartbreak to get to the happy. It's not relationship angst, it's just Charlie's life story.
Charlie Corbin is a character I won't be forgetting any time soon. I loved him and his girl, Stormy. I was happy he finally found his special person, just like his brother said he would. If you've read 'Saving Rain' and 'Warrior Blue' there are some fun tie-ins and you get to see those characters again which was really cool. Overall I really enjoyed this one, just be prepared going in- you will cry! ...more
Laura Pavlov writes the small town romances of my dreams! Beating Heart had a single dad, a small town doctor, and the most charming little boy5 stars
Laura Pavlov writes the small town romances of my dreams! Beating Heart had a single dad, a small town doctor, and the most charming little boy. I adored it.
Nash Heart is a devoted single father to a six year old named Cutler. He wasn’t looking for love or romance, as he gives most of his time to his son, but then Emerson comes into the picture. Emerson Chadwick is a pediatrician. Cutler’s new pediatrician to be exact. Also the Heart’s new neighbor.
I honestly think my favorite thing about this book was watching Emerson and Cutler together. My heart melted. I adored that little boy and seeing the bond those two shared was beautiful. Of course, the romance was epic as well. Both Emerson and Nash needed someone they could count on and could trust again after being let down/hurt and they were that for each other.
‘Magnolia Falls’ has such a great found family theme and I can’t wait to get the final book of the series. I’ve loved this friend group so much! I also hope we get books for Emerson’s brothers/cousins. After meeting them, it’s a need!
This was one of those books that made me laugh, made me smile, and gave me all the feels. I highly recommend the audiobook as well. The narration was fantastic!
Audio book source: Book Funnel Story Rating: 5 stars Narrators: Savannah Peachwood & Teddy Hamilton Narration Rating: 5 stars Genre: Romance Length: 8h 17m