**spoiler alert** The Princess and the Player is the second installment in the Strangers in Love series by Ilsa Madden-Mills. This story follows Tuck **spoiler alert** The Princess and the Player is the second installment in the Strangers in Love series by Ilsa Madden-Mills. This story follows Tuck Avery, a NFL wide receiver past his prime, and Francesca Lane, an artist feeling lost.
After an unconventional meet-cute, Tuck and Francesca can't seem to avoid each other. In a city of millions, there seems to be a tether drawing them together. Is it fate? Or coincidence? In each other, they recognize a kindred spirit, leading them on a path neither anticipated traveling. A journey that is both amazing and terrifying.
Overall, this was a quality read. From the moment they met, it was clear Tuck and Francesca had great chemistry and an easy dynamic. Their romance was charming and spicy and moving. There was a nice balance.
If you are a fan of side characters with big personalities and even bigger hearts, this is the book for you! A great group of friends surrounded Francesca and Tuck, offering them so much love as they navigated a new relationship and various other life changes. Most of my favorite books showcase friendships that feel genuine and warm and constructive and that was on display here.
And as a lover of a good epilogue, my reader heart was shining during this one. You're going to want to stick around to see where these characters end up!
Potential Spoilers:
What I didn't love: I struggled with the length of time one character in particular was kept in the dark about something important. While I could understand the justification to some extent, the secrecy did invalidate some aspects of the romantic development for me unfortunately.
→ Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC...more
Following in the big footsteps of A Brush With Love and Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake, The Plus One proved to be a worthy conclusion to one of the best Following in the big footsteps of A Brush With Love and Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake, The Plus One proved to be a worthy conclusion to one of the best series I read this year, solidifying Mazey Eddings as one of my favorite authors!
In The Plus One, Indira finds herself an unlikely ally in Jude, her older brother’s best friend. In order to get back at her cheating ex-boyfriend, Jude and Indira plan to fake a relationship in the months before her brother’s wedding. Though they have known each other since childhood, they’ve never been particular fond of each other, making this master plan of theirs a bit trickier than expected.
Similar to her handling of Harper’s anxiety and Lizzie’s ADHD, I was impressed by the way Eddings tackled such heavy topics in this book. In particular, Jude’s struggles with trauma and guilt. Those feelings felt so intense and raw to me as the reader. To witness the journey he made back to himself, back to a place of healing and acceptance was wonderful.
Truthfully, I was never to say goodbye to this world and these characters that I have loved so much, but this farewell was perfect. I loved Indira and Jude’s growth and connection so much and can’t wait to see what Mazey gifts us with next!
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Mazey Eddings for this eARC in exchange for a honest review....more
The third book in the Sweet Mess series, Booked on a Feeling follows Lizzy and Jack, childhood friends who are both feeling unfulfilled by their careeThe third book in the Sweet Mess series, Booked on a Feeling follows Lizzy and Jack, childhood friends who are both feeling unfulfilled by their careers. However unexpected, their mutual discontent gifts them a few weeks to spend together in their hometown. Ready or not, their relationship as they know it will never be the same.
As they work to save a struggling business, Jack and Lizzy begin to discover each other in new and confusing ways. After decades of friendship, Lizzy's sudden awareness of Jack's body and his many, many muscles has her feeling both puzzled and horny. Ironically, just as the woman he's harbored a decades-long crush for begins to view Jack as more than a friend, he's left wonder if it might finally be time to move on.
Overall, Booked on a Feeling was a nice read. It felt like a love letter to the beauty of friendship and those of us who maybe don't have it all figured out just yet! The writing is top notch and the romance was especially sweet. As Jack and Lizzy's connection evolved, I definitely had butterflies in my stomach a few times. In particular, I loved Jack's perspective. His love for Lizzy, his devotion to her, all of it gave me warm and fuzzy feelings.
I think my main complaint was that it took some time for the plot to get going and I didn't necessarily connect to the romance like I anticipated. Though there were moments I loved, I struggled to feel invested overall. Considering how much was made of Lizzy and Jack's long-lasting friendship, I kept waiting for them to communicated more, potentially avoiding some of the conflict they later faced.
→ Thank you to NetGalley, Jayci Lee and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review...more
When Bettie accidentally conjures the Holiday Spirit, or Hall for short, the two begin a journey that is equal Such a truly charming and joyful read!
When Bettie accidentally conjures the Holiday Spirit, or Hall for short, the two begin a journey that is equal parts humorous and touching. With the help of Hall’s magic and a touch of time travel, Bettie is set on impressing her loud and dysfunctional family this Christmas despite being the black sheep. She wishes for luxury items and expensive gifts, thinking that must be what will make her happy. But it’s not long before Hall is teaching her what actually matters in life. With his contagious enthusiasm for caroling and decorating and so much more, Hall gifts Better the best Christmas of her life. Now, if only she could find a way to keep him, that would be the best present of them all.
Just Like Magic was every bit the kooky and crazy story I expected it to be based on the synopsis, with Sarah’s trademark swoon-factor that had me crushing on Hall as he displayed his tender heart over and over again! This book had such a unique premise and it was such a fun ride to go on.
I think what I enjoyed most was the commentary on the human experience. Through Hall, now finally in a human form, the reader is given the opportunity to view the world in its simplicity. He felt honored and privileged to have human feelings and experience things most of us likely take for granted. In the short period of time he had, Hall planned to do it all, to experience so many things just once. And it was so heart-warming to watch him have that childlike nature, where the world is so big and full of wonder.
Bettie and Hall, though slow to start, had me so invested by the halfway point. Hall had the softest soul and Bettie came to appreciate him in such a loving way and I just really loved them! Some of the moments they shared were so tender and romantic and I truly did expect to be drawn in by them like I was.
“You deserve only the best, do you understand me?” He holds me close. “I need you to internalize that. I want you to treat yourself as I would, with kindness and respect. Promise me.”
Like, are you kidding me? I am crying!
With a touch of hallmark movie magic, a love interest who was an absolute cinnamon roll and a splash of chaos, Just Like Magic should be a must-read this holiday season!
→ Thank you to NetGalley, Putnam Books and Sarah Hogle for this eARC in exchange for an honest review...more
He kisses you like it's destiny. Like that's what always happened. Like there's no other conceivable version of the story. And you kiss him back the sHe kisses you like it's destiny. Like that's what always happened. Like there's no other conceivable version of the story. And you kiss him back the same way. And your whole body feels like fireworks. And so does your soul.
original rating: 5 stars reread rating: 4.5 stars
original review: I will recommend this book to everyone I know until the end of time! It was flawless.
This is the perfect romcom, the beach read that will have you so engaged, you will lose track of time and become a victim to the sun (SPF people, it's our friend). The Bodyguard made me laugh (a lot) AND shed some tears - just perfection from beginning to end!
Hannah Brooks is great at her job. As a bodyguard, her list of skills and talents is long and endlessly impressive. She can even drive backwards on the freeway, thank you very much. Throughout her career, Hannah's extensive training has served her well, helping her to protect many over the years. Still, nothing could have prepared her Jack Stapleton. The very definition of heartthrob, Jack suddenly becomes her latest assignment and only fake boyfriend.
Yes, you read that right! There's fake dating in this one and It. Is. Glorious.
Packed full with all the best tropes, The Bodyguard is utterly charming, a story full of heart and scenes that made me actually laugh-out-loud. Based on the way I raced through this book, you would have thought someone was was threatening to take it away. I never wanted it to end! I would happily sign up for 500 more pages of Jack and Hannah goodness IN A HEARTBEAT! I adored the main characters, the way they were that both a bit broken, but able to find a home and comfort in each other.
Definitely a new comfort read for me, a book that I will happily go back to again and again in the future. Everything was just so well done!
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Katherine Center for this eARC in exchange for an honest review....more
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