Only Between Us - Ellie K. Wilde ( 5 Stars!)

5 stars!

Tropes: fostered-MFC, fostered heroine, Professional-athlete-hero, Lift-each-other-up, equal-partners, supportive-partners, he falls first

This is a really sweet romance. I'm not sure how else to explain it. It is sweet without being overly sweet, although it breaches that boundary a bit. Sometimes authors go too far into the he-falls-first category and this one reaches that, but not quite.

The heroine understands the hero, doesn't hold the hero hostage for his feelings, and unlike most other heroines, is really bold and unapologetic for feeling desire for the hero. That was unusual and unique and I appreciated it. The hero acknowledges how the heroine is different than his ex. He takes care of her and wants to keep taking care of her the rest of his life. They embody partnership and that is a really sweet sentiment. Being there for the other person consistently and being open in communication is super important, and I am happy that this book highlighted that aspect.

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the e-ARC

Racing Hearts - Ann Adams (5 stars)

 

5/5 stars

Tropes: professional athlete mfc, athlete mmc, mmc coaches mfc, partnership, equality, olympics, rowing. 

This is such a sweet ( not in a sickening way) romance. The thing that struck me immediately is that the heroine knows herself, which is a novelty in romance books, honestly. She is very aware of how other people perceive her, how important rowing is for her, and how she doesn't care what others think.

Katherine is physically strong, and this is consistently demonstrated rather than just hinted at.  She is also very logical and practical about why things work/do not work for her. Her physique is also that of an athlete and she has muscles that demonstrate it. However, Adrian loves the way she looks and shows true appreciation for her. 

Adrian is a wholly sweet hero who is almost the polar opposite of Katherine, yet they seem to mesh together really well. He doesn’t disparage her, and whatever she thinks are her shortcomings, he treats them as her core personality. He thinks she is extraordinary from the very beginning, and that is also a very refreshing take. He is a true partner to her and can support her and making her a better athlete for it. Even though she scoffs at him and doesn’t seem to understand why he means ( literally), he is patient with her and gives her space to catch up. 

He was written so well that I almost forgot what he looked like and what his last name was. That’s when you know the personality outshines the looks (although I'm a sucker for green eyes, brown hair combo). He's not perfect; he has faults, and Kath can pick up on his insecurities, making their pairing that much more natural. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine for the e-ARC

Well, Actually - Mazey Eddings (3 stars for story, 4 stars for narration)

Tropes: Second chances, glasses-wearing-hero
Rating: 3/5 for story. 4/5 for narration

I'll rate it separately for the narration and the story line:

Narration:
4/5 I liked how Ms. Ariela Crow narrated it. Especially her emotions for the MFC were well spoke. Her narration for the MMC was muffled and gruff, and sounded fake (just being honest).


Story:
This had the potential to be a great story. Unfortunately, it turned out to be the biggest "Not like other girls" and 'not like other men' energy fest. It was so jarring, too. I was rooting for the MFC to be tough, but she would just lose her mind when the MMC showed up. For his part, he is shown to be a complete ass in the past, but now he's literally perfect?

Their interaction is also super weird. She hates him - no, she lusts after him, no, she hates him, no- she hates him. The fact that she can't even be honest with herself on this, shows no progress for her. She's way past growth. She has had no therapy, has not addressed her trauma. On the one hand, she literally blames her brothers and sisters for isolating her, but then she's super grateful that they were in her life.

I won't comment on how much the book focused on gender and sexual preferences.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio-ARC

Gone Country - Hunter Snow (3/5 stars)

I struggled to read this book because the writing is so contradictory from line to another.

E.g. in one paragraph the MFC says that she absolutely hates the MMC and yet she follows him to his studio to make music with him (without discussing who the song belongs to), then shows up at a bar that he asks her to go to to sing it with him, and is then surprised when he sings it at the bar?

I mean, if you hate him that much, don't do what he is asking to do? Or if you are doing it, give at least a good reason to do it ( and yes, being attracted to him counts!), but she doesn't explain it at all!!!

Also, I'm sorry but the MFC is almost an alcoholic and that makes me really uncomfortable.

Thanks to Netgalley and Tellwell Talent for the e-ARC

Game Point - Meg Jones (3.75/5 stars)

 

3.75/5

Tropes: Friends to lovers, athletes, tennis, grumpy MFC, competition.

I read this book without reading the first book in the series, so my POV is biased because the MFC is expected to be grumpy, bitchy, difficult to manage with angry issues. However, without the context of her behavior from book 1, I found her to be pretty normal. 

She has struggled with winning the finals of any of her professional matches and struggles to comes to terms with it. The reason why I gave it a 3.75 instead of 4.5 was because while some friendship moments were shown between the leads, I didn't feel like there were that many? I mean, sure they watch Twilight together, but I wish more of the banter was shown prior to Oliver becoming Dylan's coach. In my opionion the transition from friends to lovers happened really quickly, I would have liked them to have explored the friend zone more fully. 

The whiplash from the leads wanting to retire, retiring, realizing they don't want to retire, to not retiring was also a bit much, in my opinion. Also, how old were the MFC and MMC? I don't think it said and in my mind that was a thought. Sometimes, despite your best talent, and drive, injuries and age is the limiting factor. And I wondered if that would happen to the leads but I didn't get an answer to this.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the e-ARC.

 

Thrown for a Loop - A New York Legends Hockey Romance - Sarina Bowen (4.5 stars)

                                  

                 

4.5 stars

Tropes: Beta-heroes, ice-hockey, figure skater, second chance, humor

Now this is how to write a romance novel with a strong, independent female protagonist. Zoe is strong, run down, sick of her helicopter mom and ready for a change. Even if it means coming to terms with her first love, Chase.

I really liked their story, which started when they were eighteen and nineteen. Chase is now a renowned ice hockey player and Zoe was a silver medalist. FULL DISCLOSURE: I hate books with dual story lines. THEREFORE, I ABSOLUTELY SKIPPED their history chapters!!! I literally just didn't read them. I feel like the story in the present should be indicative enough of what happened in the past and to be honest, I feel like I got the gist of it. MFC's mom was a bitch and she didn't want her daughter getting distracted from getting her medal.

The female friendships were strong in this one. And I loved the camaraderie that the men's team had with each other.

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

Review of The Heir by Sophia Travers (3.75/5 stars)

3.75/5 stars

Tropes: Lost connection, old crush, rich hero, not-that-rich? heroine, angst, pining

Honestly this book deserved 5 stars. IF ONLY it had stopped when the going was good. Unfortunately, it just couldn't recognize a good thing and kept going on and on and on.... (you get the idea).

This is a book full of GOOD ANGST. You know the kind...? it makes your heart stop? The kind where you are IN IT. The only problem is... it doesn't STOP.

The story was just too long. I think a good 1/3 of it could have been edited out, and the outcome would have literally been the same. Both the MMC and the MFC are crazy about each other, had decades long crush ON EACH OTHER. TELL EACH OTHER THAT THE OTHER PERSON IS THE REASON FOR THEIR HAPPINESS AND PROGRESS. EVERYONE (including the readers!) CAN ALSO SEE THIS. And yet they distrust each other SO much that they literally act like young adults in their 20s rather than people who are 30. Also, the Hero is like The Heir and Super rich and yet the heroine DONATES 100K to the local high school. And apparently has done so many times before....SO IS SHE NOT RICH?

Also, there was no mention of the MMC and MFC going to work...? Like, Ok the MMC is a rich bastard and yet in all interactions, he's home chilling reading romance books ( I mean, no shade, because same, but I got a day job yo, so I have to manage the addiction, ya know?), hasn't left the house in a year??? I mean there is literally no mention of the winery (is that what it's called, the place where their family made whiskey?) And what happened to MMC's MOM? Did she run away? Abandon the kids - die? (Inquiring minds want to know!)

The MFC's parents are also just a means to an end. There is literally barely any interaction between her and her parents, but when the big conflict happens, they are suddenly there. And everything is ok? Also, yes, we know that the MMC and MFC love each other. That's what the whole book was about. We did not need two different Epilogues about it ( I think?)


Thanks to Netgalley and Sophia Travers for providing the e-ARC. Views are, obviously, my own.

Oaths & Vengeance Realm of Zadyra #1 by Susan Illene (4 stars)

4 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing the e-ARC. Views are my own

Tropes: other-world, elves, magic, literal-enemies, MFC is a softie, magical garden, powerful MFC, powerful MMC.

Aella is a powerful, magical elf and an orphan. She's 33 but still under the protection of her uncle, a sadistic elf who's leading the war against other elves. The story revolves around the war between the elves and their world slowly dying unless they find an artefact that gives life to their planet. This is book one.


1. The book took me a long time to read despite not being more than 400 pages long. I think it's because the author made a decent effort to make it action packed.

2. Good world building. I was not too invested in other magical creatures which don't play a role in the story. Wisps, centaurs... it didn't matter to me if they didn't move the plot in some way. I sort of skipped those paragraphs.

3. The story is intriguing. MFC who is under the control of her uncle by being cursed, she falls unconscious any time she leaves his territory. MFC who is cursed by not being able to fall in love.

4. The author allowed a world that allows both male and female elves to express themselves sexually without being judged. The rules are the same for both.

BUT
1. Despite a lot of action, I feel like the book could have been condensed. The number of times Aella went on portal trips but then nothing happened, could have been cut down.

2. The extra magical creatures didn't contribute much to the storyline. I think they could have been cut.

3. I kept thinking that according to the story, the MMC can't fall in love with the MFC, but then he was possessive of her, cared for her, craved her, listened to her limitations and followed them, allowed her liberty of his body, was gentle with her, missed her and lusted after her. What is love, if not this. I don't know what the author defines love as, but this is it.

4. Supposedly, the MFC could roam around wherever in the enemy kingdom without going unconscious so that really confused me.

I'll be anxiously waiting for the next installment when they try to reach earth.

Review of Steady Now by Liberty Stowe (3.5 stars)

3.5 stars

Tropes: rich-heroine, well-to-do-hero, texas, mechanic-hero, working-class-hero, maserati, posh-heroine, insta-lust, small-town, car-breaks-down

This is a new-to-me author, and I have to say that this book is readable. However, I'm not sure if the author got some external feedback, because the randomest things irked me and the timeline didn't make a lot of sense. We have no clue what lead to Wren running out like a bat from hell all alone. None. I know she got broken up with... but why? Who was this dude? We know she's rich, but why is she scared/irritated with her dad? No clue! No mention is made of her clothing ( e.g) so it was weird that she left her broken down car in a garage. What is she wearing? Where are her clothes?

I also feel like the MMC fell for her immediately. I mean, come on. Just cuz her name is Wren and she's petitie and she drove a sexy car? She is shown to be down to earth and friendly and that was a relief.

The hero is a mechanic/land owner who is also rich, yet grounded, yet 6 feet+ yet handsome, yet so sexy. Pretty stereotypical, I'd say. The fact that he has a son is discussed pretty late into the book. You'd think the guy thinks about his some somewhere between wanting to be with his new girl?

Thanks to Netgalley and RupertBossier for providing the e-ARC. Views are my own
 

Review of: Say It Out Loud A Novel by Ashley Schumacher (4.5 stars/5)

4.5/5 stars

Tropes: missed-connection, reconciliation, magic, regrets, life-in-a-decade, humor, celebrity, stage, acting, voice-actors, narration, twilight, twilight-is-feminist

BLURB:

"Juniper Green doesn’t believe in magic anymore. Not since her mom died, her dreams of a publishing career fizzled, and her podcast—the one bright spot in her life—was stolen out from under her. Now, at thirty-two, she’s living in her dad’s spare room and wondering if life peaked when she was a teenager with a stack of vampire books and an unhealthy obsession with enigmatic immortals.

Then comes the email: an invitation to audition for the lead role in the audio drama adaptation of The Meadow, the wildly popular vampire romance series that defined her teenage years. It’s a dream opportunity—until she learns her co-star is James Neely, the brooding, talented actor who played Romeo to her Juliet in a one-night-only college show before breaking her heart and disappearing from the stage and her life . . . right along with the magic.

To save the project (and her career), Juniper and James must revive their onstage chemistry, playing The Meadow’s star-crossed lovers for the microphones and social media alike. But as the lines between performance and reality blur, Juniper is left wondering: Can you rewrite the ending of a story you thought was over? Because love, like magic, is a fragile thing to lose . . . and to find again."

Review

Unlike other rom-coms or chick lits, this book portrays MFC in a much more realistic light and you are much more sympathetic to her plight. Usually the formula goes that the MFC is stupid and nothing has gone well her way. In this story, you can see how hard MFC has worked and she has been (somewhat) rewarded for it. She made a mistake and lost the brand she worked so hard for (unfortunate, but happens pretty frequently).

Also deals with the more realistic scenario of doing someone a solid favor and them completely dumping you when they get their chance. That's what MMC does to MFC who helps him be discovered by a talent agent during Romeo and Juliet performance. You'd think that the MFC is bitter and hates him, but she's pragmatic about it and has somewhat moved away, although she can't stop the what-ifs, especially after losing her podcast.

This book was sweet and nostalgic, not in a cloying way, but in a rather hazy summer's day way, where as a millenial, I was in sync with what the MFC felt. I feel like the pacing could have been better, especially when the two MCs meet up again ( hence the 4 stars), but perhaps the pacing is something the editor is responsible for, and not the author? As an intro to this author, this was a wonderful story.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for providing the e-ARC. Views are my own

Review of People Watching - Hannah Bonam-Young (2.5/5)

 Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine | Dell for the e-ARC. Views are my own 2.5/5 stars.

This is my first foray into HBY's books. I'm not impressed. DNF at 40%.

Tropes: virgin-heroine, experienced-hero, moustached-hero, small-town-romance, Alzheimer

This book was just a collection of stereotypes. It's like the author made a checklist and checked off all things on it, without any regards to whether they made any sense or not.

1. Bisexual hero? Check
2. Virgin heroine? Check
3. Bi hero who has had 200 partners? AND mentions it to the virgin heroine? Check?
4. Hero who is (INSTANTLY TURNED ON) by the virgin heroine? Check?
5. Hero's (slight. ahem) sexual experience attracts heroine (REALLY, she didn't think that he has commitment issues? Like, at all? She was immediately turned on?)
6. Hero has had threesomes and thinks of them at opportune times, especially when he feels some sort of way about the heroine? Check. This one really made me feel the ick.
7. He speaks russian oh-so-fluently with the heroine's dad? Check


It goes on and on. I literally DNF it at like 40%.

Lessons in Faking - Selina Mae (Rating: 4.5/5)

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Tropes: Semi-enemies-to-lovers, trauma, daddy-issues, brothers-enemy, sweet, men-who-cook, girl-needed-a-confidence-booster

This is my first book by this author, and I was hooked from the first page. This is because I have around 100+ books on my TBR list, and unless something has a strong start, I'm not invested. I read the story as a stand-alone, and only got to know about the history of the author once I finished it. Now, let's be real. Are there things out of the realm of belief in this work? Absolutely. Realistically, there are a lot of things I object to. E.g. why did the MFC start dating her brother's supposed arch-nemesis to get her BROTHER'S ATTENTION? Or why the MMC had to have beef with his dad, because that aspect was literally unexplored and unnecessary. Or that the MMC was supposedly so in love with the MFC from the start that NO ONE SUSPECTED?

However, despite these gripes, the story worked well. It did. And the reason is for that is that it is really sweet without being cloyingly so. It's just sweet enough. The chemistry between the main characters is really strong. Read this as a floating leaf in the wind, without a final destination and without too many expectations, and you will love it, especially if enemies-to-lovers is your trope of choice.(Thanks to Netgalley and LYX publishers for providing the ARC. Views are my own)

He Falls First - Jill Shalvis (3.75/5)

 

Rating: 3.75/5 rounded up to 4.

Thanks to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for providing me the e-ARC. Views are my own.

Tropes: sweet romance, beta-hero, trauma-childhood, family-values, siblings, part-of-a-series, sassy-grandma, working-class-hero, working-class-heroine.

This is a sweet romance. I wish there were any other way to describe it, but sweet really does describe it well. The hero, Ryder, is the oldest sibling, takes cares of his family and all the kids were abused by their dad. Now their dad has had 2 strokes and is the sweetest ever, but the siblings are still reeling from the past abuse of their dad. Together, they own and run Colburn Construction.

Penny's mom is unstable and has left her grandma and younger (half?) brother alone. She gives up her job to help them out. She dreams of opening up her cafe, but is so bogged down from day to day, that she can't think straight. She works for the catering company that supplies lunches and snacks to the Colburn Construction.

I will concede that there is no doubt that the hero likes the heroine. All the people around him ALSO know that he likes her. He waits for her delivery and has (supposedly) bumped into walls because he was watching her. My issue is that I wish there were a little more anticipation between the two. The conflicts that each of them took a back seat, where as a reader you sort of discard their issues (they are not highlighted much at all, in my opinion). Because they kiss so naturally and are already so in tune with each other, it seems hard to understand why they aren't together already.

The about-face that Hank (the dad) had... I'm not sure if that was necessary? The relationship between the heroine's mom and herself could also have been explored much more to give more depth.

Homebound - Meredith Trapp (4/5)

 

Many thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for providing me the e-ARC.

Tropes: Single dad, woman rodeo rider, forced proximity, childhood best friends, friends to lovers, he falls first, he falls hard, it's always been her, written in dual perspective.

Wyatt has been in love with Dakota forever, but she has always treated him like a friend over the 18 years that they've known each other. This time round, he will ensure that she sees him as more than a friend. It's a really sweet romance. Not a ton of action except that you get to see his angst and his yearning for her and that is really nice. The little baby in the book is adorable and Wyatt's anxiety about being a good dad is endearing. The heroine is very gutsy and strong although she is extremely anxious about her bull riding career and how it will be affected. 

I also liked that unlike other romances, the heroine wasn't a virgin. She had sex and a lot of it, and the hero still loved her. She wasn't emotionally involved with the other guys and it was mostly physical, but I liked that the author didn't shy away from making her really bold in this respect.

Could have been more fleshed out, but a sweet read nonetheless.

Rose In Chains - Julie Soto (Narrated by Ella Lynch) 3.5/5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Audio/Forever for providing me the Audio e-ARC.

Narrated by: Ella Lynch

Tropes: Enemies to lovers, magic users, war-torn, literal enemies, treason

Trigger warning: Human trafficking, auctioning, non-consensual sexual acts, aggression, forced nudity.

I will split this review into 2 parts, the story and the narration.

Narration:
The narration gets a 2.5/5 for me. The narrator was fine. But I feel like this book would have really done so much better with a dual narration style and the male narrator would have suited the story so much more. Any time the female narrator spoke male dialogs, it took me out of the storyline and was absolutely jarring. The narrator was also British ( I believe?) and I had understood Julie Soto be an American writer. I understand that this book was supposedly Dramione fan fic, but if it were being adapted to a wider audience, the book could have been narrated differently

The story:
The story gets a 3.5/5 for me (rounded to 4 because GR does not allow 1/2 stars). I'll share the good stuff first:

1. The outline is pretty cool: Countries fighting right now. They didn't used to. The elite kids went to school together to prevent wars ( clearly this didn't work)

2. MFC is a twin. She has magical gifts that supersedes her male twin, but she has to play nice.

3. MFC is innocent and oh-so-pure, but fantasizes about Toven, the richest boy from behind enemy lines

4. The angst between the leads is nice. There are a couple supposed explicit scenes that were done well. Language alert. Open door explicit

5. The story has a potential to be a block buster.

6. The triggering aspects of this book are thought provoking. It was physically repulsive, but a much needed reminder of how POW have been treated, especially how women have been treated. Made me physically sick to read those scenes.


Problems:
1. There was very little context. From the get-g0 you are thrown into a panic situation with the killing of Rory and the main characters are not given any chance to be developed.

2. The back and forth between present time and the past was super jarring. The panic of the present made me want it to be over and being dragged in the past was like being tortured over and over. I wish the past had been explained in the present instead of as separate chapters. I literally just skipped the past chapters because they added nothing new to the story. You still get the whole context without reading them.

3. The pacing is really, truly BAD. For like middle 1/3 of the book (around 30%), NOTHING HAPPENS to Briony except that she is TIRED, and SO EXHAUSTED, and SO SLEEPY. This literally could have been summarized in ONE PARAGRAPH. As in, "The first month, Briony only slept and BATHED"

4. Which, by the way, HOW MANY BATHS DOES THIS GIRL TAKE? AND IN CAPTIVITY!!!! Too many, if you ask me. It irked me. She is probably the reason why future generations will have a water shortage.

5. The pacing again. Because of Briony's frequent napping and bathing schedule for 300 pages, the last 1/3 of the book is action packed, and (dare I say?) RUSHED. I wish I had gotten more of the last third. It was literally like the author wrote a 2 part series and the editor said, we'll make it a 3 parter and you can insert chapters of MFC just sleeping and bathing.

6. What even is the point of introducing jealousy in the mix, when the MFC and MMC are literal enemies and MFC's life is on the line? So redundant and displeasing (also the MMC and OW is shown to be intimate in front of the MFC -so.... ew!)

7. Why was the OW auctioned? No answers to that. Initially I thought it was because she was gay, but then I guess not?



Overall, it was enjoyable. I wish the story had progressed way more than it actually did. If I had read another novel this long, I'd have expected way more progression in the storyline.

The Weekend Crashers: A Novel Jamie Brenner (3.75 stars)

3.75 rounded to 4

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me the e-ARC. Views are my own.

Tropes: Multiple story lines, knitting retreat, sweet, older MMC, older MFC, mother-daughter-bond.

BLURB:
Maggie Hodges and her daughter Piper are looking forward to a restful knitting retreat in the picturesque village of New Hope, Pennsylvania. But instead, they are surprised to find themselves sharing their charming riverside inn with a rowdy bushcraft bachelor party. Undaunted by the clash of interests and personalities, Maggie suggests a lighthearted competition—a battle of crafts—that sparks a rivalry between the two groups, and perhaps something more. But as the weekend unfolds, old mistakes and buried resentments begin to surface, threatening to destroy Maggie and Piper’s cherished connection.

Review:
This is a sweet women's fic type novel with a romantic element. And I say element because it's all closed-door and even the outcome (when it happens), is left open ended. The mother-daughter bond is very clearly outlined so if you love this trope, go in and have fun.
The older MMC is a sweet dude who's lost his wife and is ready now to move on. Overall this book wasn't high angst or suspense. It was a sweet telling of people moving on and finding love. There's technically three parallel stories running around (Trigger warning, one of them had cheating involved and that left the most bitter taste in my mouth for the remainder of the story!)

Over & Out - Claire Wilder ( 5 stars!)

5 stars!

Views are my own. Thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me the e-ARC

Part of a series but works absolutely as a stand-alone!

Tropes: independent-mfc, celebrity-hero, dual-pov, banter, battle of wills, traumatized-mfc, traumatized mmc, funny

This was a funny/sweet book. I really, really, really liked it. The banter was natural, not forced and I am a fan. My first book from this author, won’t be the last. The book has dual POV and it gives tons of soul to the story. You can feel the angst through the different perspectives and truly root for the leads. The side characters have their own stories, but it can be read a stand-alone.

The ending was a little corny ( in my opinion), I don’t personally like public declaration of love, but that may be a me thing.

Absolutely one of the best reads this year.

Thirty, Flirty, and FOREVER ALONE - Christine Riccio (3.5 rounded to 4 stars)

Many thanks to Netgalley and Montlake publishers for providing the e-ARC of this book. Views are my own.

Tropes: chance-meeting, coming-of-age-at-30, writer-MMC, writer MFC.

I give it 3.5 rounded up to 4.  This book is for idealists, those who want things to be perfect because honestly, the dialog read one sided, like the response is what the MFC wants to hear instead of what the MMC actually says. I'm not even sure if I'm making sense, but there's something about the flow of the delivery that feels unnatural. The friends not knowing how triggered the MFC would be also irked me. She's single and she doesn't want to be a spectacle, but her BF who's getting married parades her around at her wedding as the ONLY single girl? 

I mean, come on. That's disrespectful. I'm surprised no one spoke up... It's a quick read. Not the most original premise and my heartstrings were not touched extensively (no, that's not a euphemism). 

Scars of Anatomy - Nicole Alfrine (3.5/5 stars)

Thanks to Netgalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group | W by Wattpad Books for providing the e-ARC. Views are my own.

BLURB:

"Hotshot college quarterback Bronx Miller is on track to make it to the NFL, but while he’s hyper focused on football, that doesn't mean he doesn't have fun. In fact, he’s the most notorious player on and off the field. Even with a zero commitments policy, he’s never met  a girl who can resist him.

However, when he’s paired with straight-A, pre-med student Olivia McCausland as his anatomy lab partner, he realizes he may want something more. Olivia is quiet, thoughtful, and unimpressed by his big-man-on-campus status.

As the semester unfolds with study sessions and bets based on test scores, the pair grow close. Still, even as Bronx starts to let his guard down and shed his playboy persona, outside forces are determined to rip them apart.

While Bronx and Olivia may be more alike than they ever imagined, they’ll have to fight for a future together. Along the way, they’ll both learn that while scars come in various forms, they don’t decide someone’s future."

3.5/5

This is the first time I read a book completely in the guy's POV. So kudos to the author for attaining that. However, the way it was assembled really confused me because I thought the next chapter was the MFC's POV, but it wasn't.

Also, starting the book with how callous the MMC is was perhaps not the best way? Especially when he has a TON of sexual chemistry with a person who is not even the lead? I guess the author was trying to highlight how the MFC was not as beautiful as the other girl, but it actually did the opposite ( in my opinion).

The MFC was just too perfect. Straight A student, giggly, shy glances, sweet.... I mean, not that such people don't exist but they are not perfect ( unless her penchant for the MMC is taken as a character flaw, in which case, ouch!)

The Girlfriend Agreement (3.5 stars) - Rowan Croft

Thanks to Netgalley and Shire-Hill Publications for the e-ARC. The review is my own.

3.5 stars

Tropes: enemies-to-lover, multicultural, genius-lead, misunderstood hero


OK. I love stories where the lead come from 2 different perspectives, hate each other, then understand each other, and then fall in love. And this book introduces a new way to write about 'fuckboy' Damien.

The issue is that the transition between fuckboy Damian and hurt Damian is realllly abrupt. Almost to the point where it gave me a whiplash. The fact that he is so nonchalant about treating women like a commodity ( has a very, 'oh, well...' attitude about it) to being contrite doesn't feel organic.

Also...craigslist ad to advertise for a fake girlfriend? Who even goes on craigslist these days with the advent of facebook marketplace or nextdoor or whatever.

The FMC also fell victim to stereotypes: Kind, poor, genius, with a good head on her shoulders ecept when it comes to the MMC.

I wish the author had started the story from the middle half so we weren't superbly/intimately familiar with the MMC's attitude in the first half. In the 2nd half, he's perfectly fine. Pretty cool, in fact. There's a reason he's as antipathetic as he his, but I wish it had been hinted at earlier when he meets his folks for the first time ( in the book). I loved his relationship with his granma. The sense of community that he feels for his heritage.

Overall a good read.

Game Changer - Deanna Faison (3.5 stars)

3.5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for providing the e-ARC.

Tropes: Immigrant-parents, multi-cultural, anxiety, second-chance, family-ties, best friend's-brother, young-adult

The author writes well. The book had the makings of an interesting storyline. Immigrant parents. Boy falls first and hard. Multi-cultural. From the blurb, it seemed like a good fit for me, but the fact that the main leads are in college meant that that's an age group that I do not relate to at this stage of my life. It reads more like a Young-Adult novel, so if that's your jam, you'll really like it.

The miscommunication did not make me a happy camper. It created unnecessary conflict and confusion. Unwarranted angst.  I wish it had been handled more gently and with nuance. 

Overall a nice and quick read.

It's Different This Time - Joss Richard ( 3.5 stars)

 

3.5 stars

(Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine | Dell for the advanced e-ARC)

Tropes: Second-chance, longtime-friends, best-friends, friends-to-lovers, miscommunication, missed-connections, misunderstanding, beta-hero

3.5 total stars. I give it a 4.5 stars for the writing and 3 for the conflict.

This is Joss Richard's debut novel and her writing is amazing! However, I don't know if it's a new trend to market women's literature as romance but this felt more women's lit for me. Yes, there was romance, but the feelings I got were more complex and confusing. I knew that it had a happy ending but things felt a bit iffy there in the middle.

This is the kind of book where you literally want to shake the heroine/MFC and shout in her face about being dense. She behaved immaturely and it pissed me off so bad. The Hero, on the other hand, was beta but super passive too. Like, hello? Get the words out, dude. Stop fucking around with other women if you love the MFC!!!! What else is she gonna think when you are out each weekend with a different girl?

Also, from a struggling chef to a (apparently) Michelin-star restaurant owner in 5 (6?) years? It's make-belief, but come on. And why did the MFC run to LA? She could have moved out in NYC and kept working in Theatre?

Like I said, the plot and conflict was a mess. The writing and format was stellar. I wish the author had focused more on something tangible as the conflict because as a reader it was super frustrating to see all this time wasted on a non-issue.

Gloves Off - Stephanie Archer (Review: 5 stars!)

(Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing me an e-ARC. Review is my own)

Hold on to your horses, this one was really interesting.
5 STARS

Trope: true-enemies-to-lovers, marriage-of-convenience, secret-beta-hero, funny, independent-heroine, professional-heroine, strong-female-lead, hero-isn't-intimidated.

This is my first Stephanie Archer book and OH, MY. What an introduction.

The MFC is extremely independent, sporty, a medical doctor/researcher and $%^&* hates the MMC. He is a defenceman for the NHL team called Storms and ALSO $%^& hates MFC despite noticing her amazing shoe collection.


Take note authors: THIS IS A TRUE ENEMIES trope! The leads did not fall in love immediately in chapter 2. Their hate for earch other is OBVIOUS. They really go at each other. You can tell they really believe they hate each other. The MFC hates people in her space telling her what to do due to past trauma. The MMC hates rich snobby (hot) women due to past trauma.

They take their time addressing their preconceived notions about each other. The progression is AMAZING. It is Explicit open door and the writing in it is SO NATURAL yet exciting. Let's just say that the MFC is a control freak and the MMC really plays on it.


A wonderful, wonderful read. I immediately ordered all the other books in the series. One of my fave reads of the year.

Let's Make a Scene - Laura Wood ( 5 stars!)

 

(Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for providing me an e-ARC. The review is my own.)

Tropes: m-f, second-chance, long-term-love, slow-burn, humor, fiery-love, funny, friends-are-family, he-falls-hard, alpha-to-beta, beta-hero, independent-heroine.

Ok. Here it is. THIS IS A 5 STAR READ!
OMG. OMG. OMG.

From the first paragraph, I was hooked. The way Laura wrote the scenes made me feel like I was there. I have read over 150 romance books this year (to date). This book has become my favorite find yet!

Favorite things:
- The writing is impeccable. The description is so vivid that you feel it's happening right in front of you.

- The character arc of the MMC is STUNNING. Jack's growth from an asshole to a mature and understanding man is realistic. I have had so many encounters with former asshole classmates/collegues who have changed (for the better) as they have matured.

- The way this book is written, the movie, that MMC and MFC have been a part of, is a character and it acts beautifully to support the growth of our characters.

-I literally imagined Penelope Cruz and Javier because, why not? It's hard to maintain relationships in the entertainment industry and these two have ALSO worked on a movie a long time ago and reconnected and now they have a couple of kids, right? It made Jack and Cynthie's story plausible to me.

- The side characters were really well-written. I loved them all.

-No third act break up ( thank the good lord!)

- Funny, in an understated, every day. Not a deliberate, "I have to put in a joke here" way, but just naturally... pleasant.

- SLOW BURN! but not boring or draggy in ANY WAY. Everything was just sooooooo! Ooooph!


AAAAAH I love this book!!!!!

The way that the MMC and MFC looked back at their behavior was so... natural yet full of angst, that it really hits hard. It could be that I'm an older millenial but that the MFC and MMC both did therapy and destigmatized it really plays a big role. Bring in a diverse supporting characters in a very natural way ( sort of like the cast of Brooklyn 99) and you have a hit on your hands.

Going in my re-read pile.

Seven Days in June - Tia Williams 3.5 stars

3.5 stars

Tropes: Second-chance, reunion, chance meeting, young love, Millenial, person of color. 

While I loved the premise and also the discussion on what the literature at wide needs (or doesn't need) in terms of different voices, the romance aspect of this book (which is why it was recommended to me) didn't exactly wow me. It reads more like women's literature. I am glad I read it though because it still taught me stuff that I needed to know, specially the overwhelming misrepresentation of POC in genre-related literature. I hadn't thought about that ( being a POC myself) and it did make me think.

However, and I am sorry for stating this, this book will not age well. Not because of the content, but because it is choke-full of cultural references that will date badly. Add to it a 12 year old sounding like a 20 year old and I was taken out of the fantasy of writing and that was uncomfortable for me.

 

Behind Enemy Bylines: A Novel - Kathleen Fuller

 

Thanks to Netgalley for providing the e-ARC for review. All views are my own.

3.5 stars.

Tropes: Second chance; sweet romance; older main characters; older heroine; older hero; reunion; behind-closed-doors.

Blurb:
"Sebastian Percival Hudson might have a lofty name but he's as down to earth as it gets, making his living traveling around the deep South and writing slice-of-life articles for the dying newspaper in his picturesque small town. Over the years he's had run-ins with Jade Smith, a type-A former reporter..."

Premise: The story starts in the 2000's and Seb and Jade both work together in Arkansas. They have been going out for about 4 months and Seb is ready to say 'I love you' to Jade ( and does). Jade is a foster kid and has just received news that she may be able to adopt her foster brother. She feels like it's not fair to Seb and breaks things off with Seb.


The next part is about 10 years later when Seb is 40 and Jade is undetermined age.
The pluses:
- Older MMC and MFC. MMC is around 40 and has greying hair.
- The whole culture around small-town newspapers and community
- Side story line about a teenager finding her place in Arkansas (coming from CA)

The best way to describe this story is that it is sweet. It is a very cute/behind-closed-doors, reunion/second chance. There are a couple of side plots that I wish had been explored more fully ( e.g Logan's story (the foster brother). MFC's mom. MMC's sister etc. Even the secondary characters needed to be more fleshed out. As it was, they were like Hallmark versions of stereotypical with not much depth.