Hockeyboy is a second chance rom-com following Aiden, a recently engaged hockey player, and Lennox, his old high-school sweetheart and new wedding plaHockeyboy is a second chance rom-com following Aiden, a recently engaged hockey player, and Lennox, his old high-school sweetheart and new wedding planner. When Aiden and Lennox reunite, Aiden instantly ends his engagement and sets his sights on getting Lennox back. I really wanted to love this, but I just couldn't get into the story and romance! My main issue was it felt like everything was happening and tropes were just thrown in the story to add more and more when the dozens of chaotic side characters were steamlining the book and throwing it off balance. I think the almost 500 pages was a little overkill and I wanted more emotion and angst from Lennox and Aiden. The way they fell into bed together and then things just worked themselves out felt very forced and while I can get behind a sweet and simple rom-com, this just wasn't for me. I am definitely in the minority here and I can see this book working for so many people, if you're a fan of Meghan Quinn, I see so many similarities!
~Many thanks to Hambright PR for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. ...more
Bridesmaid Undercover is a rom-com in the truest sense, full of banter, hilarity, and so much sweet romance! The story follows Everly, who after beingBridesmaid Undercover is a rom-com in the truest sense, full of banter, hilarity, and so much sweet romance! The story follows Everly, who after being contacted by Hardy, to help plan pre-wedding festivities for his college friend's upcoming nuptials, is caught up in a scheme to win back his ex-girlfriend along the way. However, as Everly and Hardy begin working together and the two develop a friendship; Everly can't help but think how nice it would be if Hardy looked to her instead of his ex.
Meghan Quinn just has a way of writing the most fun romances! I laughed so much, the banter between Everly and Hardy is unmatched. Not to mention, their friendship was so cute, the way the two could joke and talk about everything under the sun was absolutely sweet. I loved that they became friends and while Everly was secretly crushing on Hardy, he was entirely unaware that he was falling for her too. While this does have a dreaded third-act breakup, I think it was necessary to pull Hardy from his thoughts and force him to feel the pining Every felt for him. If you are a fan of Meghan Quinn or completely goofy and sweet romances, this book is for you!
~Many thanks to Meghan Quinn and Hambright PR for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review....more
A quick and dirty novella following Luna, who was recently released from prison and reunites with her best friend and new roommate, Adriel. When the tA quick and dirty novella following Luna, who was recently released from prison and reunites with her best friend and new roommate, Adriel. When the two begin living with each other, Adriel explains the only rule of the house is to keep her door locked at night as he suffers from sexsomnia. However, when Luna realizes he won't remember their time together and it won't risk their friendship, she decides to use his condition to help them both out.
Wowee. This was so much fun to read, I loved how dirty it was! I honestly love somnophilia in books and this was done so well, the tension and pining were so amped up with how bad Adriel wanted Luna and how much she wanted to tell him about their late-night sessions. While there is no plot, the sex and kinks make this the perfect filler book for anyone wanting a good time and who enjoys dirty talking, dubious consent, and rough sex all wrapped up in friends to lovers romance....more
The Game Changer is a lighthearted romcom following Delilah, a sunshiny baker, and Ian, a pro hockey player returning to his home team. With Delilah’sThe Game Changer is a lighthearted romcom following Delilah, a sunshiny baker, and Ian, a pro hockey player returning to his home team. With Delilah’s baking show struggling and Ian’s constant negative press, the two childhood friends team up to put on a show for the public and lean into their supposed romance. However, as they start to spend more time together, the lines begin to blur and they quickly find themselves unable to pretend and keep their feelings at bay.
This romance was so fun and flirty! Every page and interaction was so sweet and kept me engaged to the very end. Ian and Delilah were absolutely adorable together, I loved that they didn’t hold back from each other and yet took the time to find their footing before putting a label on their relationship. The plot was super playful and I ate up every morsel of family drama, I loved that there was something more substantial to offset the unserious nature of the romance. I completely recommend this sweet and steamy romcom, full of chemistry, quirky banter, and so much charm.
~Many thanks to Berkley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review....more
The Truth According to Ember follows a young native woman tired of being rejected for job after job. Determined to find steady work as an accountant, The Truth According to Ember follows a young native woman tired of being rejected for job after job. Determined to find steady work as an accountant, Ember decides to embellish her resume and leave out her Indigenous background. However, when she finally gets hired, Ember ends up befriending Danuwoa, the only other native at the company; and worse, she finds herself falling for him when there is a no-fraternization rule. Unable to keep up with all her white lies, Ember must decide if being open and honest with the man she is falling in love with is worth losing her job.
This was a great debut romcom, full of banter, drama, and so much diversity! The romance was completely adorable, I loved how sweet and enamored Danuwoa was with Ember. The workplace environment was very central to the plot and I liked that it was a little messy and daunting to Ember; it felt very genuine and raw which can be hard to find in a romcom. I also appreciated how much insight there was into native culture and community, I loved getting to know Ember's family and how they came together to rally for her was so sweet. I will absolutely be reading more from Danica Nava in the future; we need more native and #OwnVoices romances out there!
~Many thanks to Netgalley and BerkleyRomance for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review....more
Love and Other Conspiracies is an adorably refreshing friends-to-lovers workplace romance! The story was so fun and sweet, I loved how Hallie and HaydLove and Other Conspiracies is an adorably refreshing friends-to-lovers workplace romance! The story was so fun and sweet, I loved how Hallie and Hayden were so unabashedly charmed by each other despite their opposing views. The way their relationship unraveled as the two got to know one another and become best friends was so sweet. Hayden was a major green flag in every way, the man deserves a medal for his healthy communication and vulnerability. Beyond the romance and characters, the story went by so fast with conspiracies and monster hunting as the perfect breakup to the central workplace setting and drama. I will absolutely be on the lookout for more from Mallory Marlowe, I cannot wait to read her next book!
Talia Hibbert is 2 for 0 at delivering devastatingly beautiful romances and making me ball my eyes out and I wouldn't have it any other way!Talia Hibbert is 2 for 0 at delivering devastatingly beautiful romances and making me ball my eyes out and I wouldn't have it any other way!...more
Next to You is an emotional and warm romance following two friends, Matt and Lane as they get even closer working on Lane's skoolie bus conversion. HaNext to You is an emotional and warm romance following two friends, Matt and Lane as they get even closer working on Lane's skoolie bus conversion. Hannah Bonam Young has a way with words! It blows my mind how emotional books can make you and let me tell you, I definitely ran through a box of tissues... or two. Every moment of this book was like a warm embrace, the deep topics and emotional moments perfectly balanced the sweet and steamy relationship between Lane and Matt. Matt is by far one of my favorite book boyfriends, the acts of service and words of reassurance he constantly offered Lane was like a balm on my heart that tethered my love for this book even deeper.
I have to admit that I'm not the biggest fan of second chance romances... they have to deliver on so many factors for me to consider them a win, and TI have to admit that I'm not the biggest fan of second chance romances... they have to deliver on so many factors for me to consider them a win, and The Ex Vows did not do that for me. The single POV really put a damper on the whole story and emotional side, I love angst and pining but only being able to read about it from one side of a couple when there were two very emotional journeys in the story definitely impacted my reading. Regardless of the romance, I was also just bored. There's a lot of internal monologue and coming to grips with feelings, that were not balanced out well enough with the humor and banter I needed to stay engaged in the book. Not to mention I expecting some drama and groveling, and there was absolutely none! By no means is this a bad story, I can see so many people liking this, but it just wasn't for me.
~Many thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review....more
Birding with Benefits is a sweet and steamy romance following Celeste, a recent divorcee, and her journey of living life to the fullest as she begins Birding with Benefits is a sweet and steamy romance following Celeste, a recent divorcee, and her journey of living life to the fullest as she begins fake dating John, an avid bird watcher, and agrees to become his partner for a birding competition. As the two get closer, Celeste and John find themselves falling for each other but are unwilling to take the next step as they are healing from their previous relationships. I loved this romance and how both John and Celeste grew for themselves. They truly brought out the best in one another and it was so sweet to read about them slowly falling despite their hesitance. The romance was light, airy, and fun being centered around birding and I loved diving into a world I knew almost nothing of. Sarah T Dubb did a wonderful job with this warm and inviting romcom and I will absolutely be exploring her next book!
The Friendship Study is an emotionally charged romance featuring friends to lovers, hurt/comfort, friends w benefits, queer rep, grumpy x sunshine, anThe Friendship Study is an emotionally charged romance featuring friends to lovers, hurt/comfort, friends w benefits, queer rep, grumpy x sunshine, and lots of steam. The story follows Lulu, a young college professor who feels lost in her life after moving back to her hometown, and Jesse, a former firefighter who is struggling to find direction in his life after a car accident left him jobless. When the two are set up on a blind date by their mutual friend, they spend the night awkwardly engaging, only to go their own ways. However, when they both join an experimental study on how to make friends, they quickly fall into step and find themselves falling for each other despite the studies' rule against dating.
This book tore me apart, body and soul. Flayed me, red and raw. And stitched me back together again more flawlessly than before. While that may sound dramatic, I swear everything about this book conspired to lay me bare and open me up to fall for Ruby Barrett's writing and the beautiful romance she concocted between the two hopelessly frail yet resilient characters that are Lulu and Jesse. The two had so much character development and I loved how they encouraged one another and grew for themselves before getting into a relationship. While there were some heavy moments throughout the story, they were perfectly balanced with the sweet and sensual romance; Lulu and Jesse just felt like they were in their own bubble and fell for each other so organically. This was my first Ruby Barrett book but it most certainly will not be my last, I'm going to have to read her whole catalogue!
~Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Books for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review....more
Untamed is a small town cowboy romance with fun tropes including former friends to lovers and second chance! The story follows River and Hayes, best fUntamed is a small town cowboy romance with fun tropes including former friends to lovers and second chance! The story follows River and Hayes, best friends who haven't seen each other since a big fight ten years prior. When River ends up visiting Hayes' family ranch to get to know the dog she's adopting, the two make a truce that they be friendly when she visits. Slowly, as they spend more time together, they become friends again. However, Hayes is determined to show River he is not the same man he used to be and he wants to explore the history between them.
This is a super cute and fast paced cowboy romance! I am in the thick of my yeehaw era and sometimes I just need something light and refreshing and that's exactly what Untamed is. River and Hayes were so adorable together, I loved how they reconnected and became friends again. The way Hayes was all about River and so dedicated to making her his, was so sweet. I will say there was a decent amount of miscommunication I could have gone without, however, it wasn't too bad with the apology Hayes delivered. I absolutely can't wait for the next book, I'm so excited for Wells to find his match and to see how the rest of the series goes!
~Many thanks to Ivy Jackson for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review....more
Call You Mine is a charming and emotional second chance, small-town, friends-to-lovers, holiday romance with dual timelines. The story follows Sylvia Call You Mine is a charming and emotional second chance, small-town, friends-to-lovers, holiday romance with dual timelines. The story follows Sylvia and Kieran, childhood best friends who are absolutely inseparable. After meeting and sticking by each other since they were seven years old, the two develop feelings early on in their friendship; but aren't willing to risk their relationship by confessing. When Sylvia goes off to college and Kieran stays in their hometown, their friendship shifts. Both Kieran and Sylvia manage by making frequent calls to each other and visiting when they can, but things don't stay the same. After a blow-up, the two go separate ways and Sylvia and Kieran don't reunite for another four years until Sylvia returns to their hometown for the holidays after losing her job.
I had such a good time reading Call You Mine, it was a very cute and engaging story! The book starts out when they are only seven years old and each chapter switches between then and now, with the two getting older as the book goes on. I absolutely loved the alternating chapters, and getting to see Kieran and Sylvia growing. They had such a beautiful connection that was ever-evolving as the story progressed. I also loved how the story built up to the ending and the two coming together, the development was slow but so worth it in the end. I do have to say that I knocked down a whole star because of the big reveal towards the end of the book. I was so frustrated and confused when we found out why they stopped being friends; if they had just communicated with each other everything would have worked out. Overall, Call You Mine is a very sweet and cozy holiday read that showcases such a beautiful connection between two childhood best friends; it was lovely to see how they grew for each other and themselves.
~Many thanks to NetGalley and Kendra Mase for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review!...more
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