This story spoke to the part of me that loves the heavily produced drama of The Bachelor, but also wants4.5 stars
What a delight this ended up being!
This story spoke to the part of me that loves the heavily produced drama of The Bachelor, but also wants to believe that people can find a true love fairytale on a reality TV show. It had a mix of fun drama (“can I steal you for a bit?” ...more
This was such a cute and lighthearted, low steam, hockey romcom!
The characters were more green flags than realistic people, but I really e3.75 stars
This was such a cute and lighthearted, low steam, hockey romcom!
The characters were more green flags than realistic people, but I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook.
Colby was crushing hard on Noel, and resorted to using their dating lessons as a way to woo her. Meanwhile, she thought the flirting was just his personality, plus she’d sworn off hockey players because of a bad ex.
I’m surprised by some of the average reviews for this book, because I loved it!
In case it makes a difference, I listened to the audiobook a4.5 stars
I’m surprised by some of the average reviews for this book, because I loved it!
In case it makes a difference, I listened to the audiobook and the narrator (Ann Marie Gideon, who also did The Boyfriend Candidate by Ashley Winstead, which I also loved) absolutely killed this. Her comedic timing was PERFECT and made me giggle (ok, chortle) so many times.
Story itself is a friends/roommates-to-lovers situation where they have FWB pact (i.e. we’ll be fuck buddies if we’re both still single at 40), except well before that happens Graham (a firefighter) is injured in a serious accident and Claire (an ER nurse) moves into his bed to help him recover. (Yes, I thought that sounded contrived when I read the blurb, but my eyebrows were less raised when it came up in the story.)
The chemistry and banter were excellent and immediately hooked me (note: there is sex but it’s closed door), but I also really enjoyed the journey both characters went on. The way we were shown Graham slowly becoming more vulnerable and wanting a real relationship was clever. Claire’s character development was a little rushed, but there was still enough to make their story really satisfying.
Historical romance. Kitty is an unabashed fortune hunter, and Lord Radcliffe (the older brother of her unwitting target5 stars - that was DELIGHTFUL!
Historical romance. Kitty is an unabashed fortune hunter, and Lord Radcliffe (the older brother of her unwitting target) sees right through her (hilarious) schemes.
I *loved* Kitty’s character — she was smart, charming and quite frankly a feminist ahead of her times. She reminded me of Amy from Greta Gerwig’s version of Little Women. Radcliffe was her only equal in the book (how this plays out in the story was very clever), and their interactions were hilarious. I loved all the scenes of them trading barbs (zing! zing! zing!), but also the ones when Radcliffe was kind of like “what have I gotten myself into…?”
The steam level (it’s not even closed door/fade to black), but that did not affect my enjoyment of this book at all. I listened to the audiobook and highly, highly recommend.
Adding it to my top tier books because I will definitely be re-reading/listening to this! ...more
This closed door hockey romance novella was ridiculously cute!
Older brother’s best friend trope, a whole lot of mutual pining, and flirty vib4 stars
This closed door hockey romance novella was ridiculously cute!
Older brother’s best friend trope, a whole lot of mutual pining, and flirty vibes (the narrators did this very well on the audiobook - I was trying to stop myself from grinning while listening… in public).
It started with a majorly embarrassing moment for the FMC (she sent the MMC a video declaring her love for him, while hopped up on pain meds) but I found that kind of charming rather than cringey (ymmv).
I will definitely be checking out other books by Leah Brunner. ...more
I’ve had mixed experiences with other books written by Julia Quinn, but I really enjoyed the “eeek, he knows t4 stars
What a cute historical romance!
I’ve had mixed experiences with other books written by Julia Quinn, but I really enjoyed the “eeek, he knows that I know that he knows I’ve been spying on him!” vibe in this story. Olivia and Harry’s banter and the way needled each other made me smile, and I *loved* the proposal scene.
I have to admit that Sebastian (Harry’s cousin) really stole the show at one point though, that part had me crying with laughter!...more
I love a fake dating romance, and this set up (shy school librarian FMC + aspiring politician MMC + fake dating to preserve his reputation 5 stars!!!
I love a fake dating romance, and this set up (shy school librarian FMC + aspiring politician MMC + fake dating to preserve his reputation after their attempted one night stand gets in the papers) was catnip for me.
I loved Alexis and Logan - they were both super likeable - and their chemistry was off the charts. I would 100% read another 500 pages of them being charming together. The “it was real for me all along” vibes were strong. I legit squealed with happiness/giddiness while listening to the audiobook and did that weird thing where I hold my fist to my chest (it translates to heart eyes).
The narrator also has great comedic timing. I laughed out loud at so many points during this book.
As an aside, this is the second low-to-medium steam book that I have really loved recently (the other one being The Bodyguard by Katherine Centre). I think I need a whole new shelf for this. ...more
Hannah Brooks is a bodyguard who is assigned to protect world famous actor Jack Stapleton from his sweater-knitting stalker. Except he doesn’4.5 stars
Hannah Brooks is a bodyguard who is assigned to protect world famous actor Jack Stapleton from his sweater-knitting stalker. Except he doesn’t want his family to know that he’s got a stalker, so they have to pretend they’re dating.
I loved this! It was funny, heartwarming and romantic. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did such a great job. It’s one of those books where you’re really in the FMC’s head the entire time, so you’ll know pretty quickly if it’s your thing, but I really enjoyed the conversational storyteller vibe.
Oh, this was *wonderful* and had all my favourite tropes/archetypes in a historical romance: a kind and brave FMC, a stoic and reclusive MMC, 5 stars
Oh, this was *wonderful* and had all my favourite tropes/archetypes in a historical romance: a kind and brave FMC, a stoic and reclusive MMC, and a marriage of convenience to help her escape an unwanted betrothal to a dangerous man.
I loved both of the main characters and the care they had for each other - Philly was so supportive and considerate of Arthur’s injuries, Arthur was so protective over Philly. Something about the book felt so simple (the walks in the park were some of my favorite scenes) but deeply romantic at the same time. The mystery/danger plot was also done really well.
A Mimi Matthews book narrated by Alex Wyndham is seriously a winning combo. And for a closed door romance, it managed to be quite sensual and swoonworthy.
I have zero complaints about this book and have already relistened to parts of it. SO GOOD....more
I really love Mimi Matthews’ books. I don’t know if it’s the writing or Alex Wyndham’s narration on the audiobook, or a combination of the t4.5 stars
I really love Mimi Matthews’ books. I don’t know if it’s the writing or Alex Wyndham’s narration on the audiobook, or a combination of the two, but there is this gentle *yearning* throughout that makes me sigh at how romantic I find it — despite there being zero steam.
The set up: Maggie (daughter of a wealthy country squire) is in love with the stable boy Nicholas Seaton, who escapes after he’s been framed by Maggie’s neighbour for theft. Years later Maggie meets John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare, who she is certain is Nicholas.
There was more external plot than the other 2 books I’ve read (being A Holiday at Gaslight and The Work of Art), with a bit of mystery, secrets and intrigue sprinkled throughout, but the romance was still the centre of the story. I also really liked how the story wrapped up, it was a very satisfying ending that bumped the book from 4 stars to 4.5 stars for me. ...more
This was ridiculously romantic and the main characters didn't do anything other than kiss, but what a swoonworthy kiss it was! I thought I wa4.5 stars
This was ridiculously romantic and the main characters didn't do anything other than kiss, but what a swoonworthy kiss it was! I thought I was in a reading slump, but maybe I’ve just been overdosing on smut?
I loved the dynamic between Sophie and Edward (Ned). Sophie is the practical and dutiful type (one of my favourite HR heroines), and Ned is a hard-working and newly rich merchant. It starts off with her calling off their courtship because he’s taciturn (she says his favorite topic is silence! ...more
Historical romance about a single mother who has a sick child and is trying to get by despite a leaking roof and exorbitant rents, and the sch4 stars
Historical romance about a single mother who has a sick child and is trying to get by despite a leaking roof and exorbitant rents, and the school teacher who is a bit stoic but just wants ease her troubles and woo her with chocolates.
This was slower-paced than I usually prefer, but I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The story was really sweet and focussed a lot on domestic moments rather than big drama. There was still drama, but I’d call it ‘quiet drama’. The plot was well-constructed, didn’t rely on (any?) tropes, and I really liked Eve Pendle’s writing style.
One nitpick: I didn’t love how the money troubles were resolved, because it felt like a side character signalled to be the villain didn’t end up being that villainous. But that choice made more sense after I realised who the main characters in the first book were....more
5 stars - this is such a good book! It ticks so many boxes for my ideal *romance* novel including great writing and dialogue (I enjoyed the wry humour5 stars - this is such a good book! It ticks so many boxes for my ideal *romance* novel including great writing and dialogue (I enjoyed the wry humour), likeable characters (Lainie is sweet but snarky and Richard is an arrogant grump with a gooey centre), and a story/relationship that unfolds in a believable way. Sure, there are some events which are convenient, but the main characters’ reactions always felt realistic and the connection between them felt genuine. Steam level is probably a 2/5, but I don’t think the book suffered for it. The narrator was also great, I highly enjoyed this. ...more
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