Category: ARC

Neon Gods ARC Review

~ Tej ~ Leave a comment

Neon Gods by Katee Robert

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: Romantic Fantasy/Mythology

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥

Series: Dark Olympus #1

Release Date: June 1, 2021

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

SYNOPSIS

He was supposed to be a myth. But from the moment I crossed the River Styx and fell under his dark spell… he was, quite simply, mine.

Society darling Persephone Dimitriou plans to flee the ultra-modern city of Olympus and start over far from the backstabbing politics of the Thirteen Houses. But all that’s ripped away when her mother ambushes her with an engagement to Zeus, the dangerous power behind their glittering city’s dark facade.

With no options left, Persephone flees to the forbidden undercity and makes a devil’s bargain with a man she once believed a myth… a man who awakens her to a world she never knew existed.

Hades has spent his life in the shadows, and he has no intention of stepping into the light. But when he finds that Persephone can offer a little slice of the revenge he’s spent years craving, it’s all the excuse he needs to help her—for a price. Yet every breathless night spent tangled together has given Hades a taste for Persephone, and he’ll go to war with Olympus itself to keep her close…

A modern retelling of Hades and Persephone that’s as sinful as it is sweet.

REVIEW

Persephone wants nothing more than to leave Olympus. With its toxic environment and people always putting on a show, she’s never sure what’s real and what’s fake. She has a few more months left before she can access her trust fund and then it’s see ya later Olympus! Of course nothing is ever that easy and Persephone’s plan get a wrench thrown in it when her mother ambushes her with an engagement to Zeus. Zeus is perhaps the worst one of them all. He’s only out for power and of course wants beautiful Persephone at his side as his bride.

Without thinking Persephone runs away from the engagement and straight into the arms of Hades. Hades and Zeus have a tumultuous relationship. Zeus doesn’t venture to the lower city and Hades doesn’t set foot in the upper city. But when Persephone literally falls at his feet, Hades sees so many way to use her to gain an upper hand. What starts off as a mutual agreement to get back at Zeus, slowly turns into something more. Is the charade only that – or is it slowly turning into something more. And when Persephone has access to her funds and leaves Olympus, will Hades be able to let her go?

Neon Gods was my first book by Katee Robert and I was told her books are steamy. Neon Gods was definitely hot Hot HOT HOTTTT! But underneath the sensuality of Persephone and Hades relationship was always an understanding. They were first allies fighting the same fight, then friends and then of course something more than lovers. Although Neon Gods had an insta-love/lust, the storyline was believable and I enjoyed not only the romantic parts, but also Persephone’s relationship with her sisters and Hades relationship with this city. The suspense parts of Neon Gods also had me on my toes and I couldn’t stop reading.

Although this was my first book by Katee Robert, it will definitely not be my last. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series (I wonder which sister will be next??).

A Kiss for a Kiss ARC Review

~ Tej ~ 2 Comments

A Kiss for a Kiss by Helena Hunting

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Sports Romance

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥

Series: All In #4

Release Date: May 27, 2021

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.

SYNOPSIS

I’m Jake Masterson, single dad, and the General Manager of Seattle’s NHL team. I walked away from a career as a player so I could raise my daughter. For the last twenty-plus years, Queenie has been my main priority, but now she’s getting married.

And there’s a small complication.

A beautiful, sexy complication named Hanna.

She’s my son-in-law’s older sister. Or at least that’s how they were raised. The truth is a little more scandalous than that.

I’ve been drawn to her from the moment I laid eyes on her. And I spent months trying to keep a lid on that attraction.

Until we finally give in.

It starts with one searing kiss, but quickly ends with us between the sheets—and in the shower, and the hot tub, you get the picture—and turns into months of sneaking around.

Here’s the problem: we live on opposite ends of the country. It can’t be anything but casual. And as I’ve already said…it’s complicated.

But when Hanna finds out she’s pregnant…suddenly things get real serious.

REVIEW

After finishing Kingston and Queenie’s book I have been looking forward to Jake & Hanna’s story! Jake is beyond happy that his baby girl is getting married. Wedding planning is a lot, and Jake is ecstatic that he gets to spend time with Hanna – Kingston’s sister/momster while they both plan the wedding. What starts out as a few scorching looks here and there turns into them having an affair. It’s not always easy as Jake lives in Seattle and Hanna’s life is in Tennessee. But what starts of as a mutual attraction towards one another turns into something a lot more than either of them expected. How will they handle this curveball thrown at their relationship?

Helena’s writing is always amazing and A Kiss for a Kiss was no exception! The emotional depth that both Jake and Hanna exhibit really added to their characters. When Hanna finds out that she’s pregnant – I totally sympathized with both Jake and Hanna’s feeling. While the pregnancy trope isn’t one I seek out, I knew I had to read this book especially being set in the All In world which I love!

Seeing the gang again was seriously so much fun! I love that Helena is able to incorporate past characters into the storyline – especially Kingston, Bishop, Stevie and Queenie. Their interactions were always so much fun and brought some comedic relief in a sometimes serious book.

I felt so much for Hanna. The fact that she was so young when she had her first baby definitely makes it a more emotional story for her, and her vulnerability was always at the forefront. Some of my most favorite moments of the book were Hanna and Kingston’s conversations ♥.

While A Kiss for a Kiss can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading A Secret for A Secret before picking it up!

Hang the Moon ARC Review

~ Tej ~ 2 Comments

Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥

Series: Written in the Stars #2

Release Date: May 25, 2021

Publisher: Avon

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and audiobook courtesy of Harper Audio & Libro.fm

SYNOPSIS

In a delightful follow-up to Written in the Stars, Alexandria Bellefleur delivers another #ownvoices queer rom-com about a hopeless romantic who vows to show his childhood crush that romance isn’t dead by recreating iconic dates from his favorite films…

Brendon Lowell loves love. It’s why he created a dating app to help people find their one true pairing and why he’s convinced “the one” is out there, even if he hasn’t met her yet. Or… has he? When his sister’s best friend turns up in Seattle unexpectedly, Brendon jumps at the chance to hang out with her. He’s crushed on Annie since they were kids, and the stars have finally aligned, putting them in the same city at the same time.

Annie booked a spur-of-the-moment trip to Seattle to spend time with friends before moving across the globe. She’s not looking for love, especially with her best friend’s brother. Annie remembers Brendon as a sweet, dorky kid. Except, the 6-foot-4 man who shows up at her door is a certified Hot Nerd and Annie… wants him? Oh yes.

Getting involved would be a terrible idea—her stay is temporary and he wants forever—but when Brendon learns Annie has given up on dating, he’s determined to prove that romance is real. Taking cues from his favorite rom-coms, Brendon plans to woo her with elaborate dates straight out of Nora Ephron’s playbook. The clock is ticking on Annie’s time in Seattle, and Brendon’s starting to realize romance isn’t just flowers and chocolate. But maybe real love doesn’t need to be as perfect as the movies… as long as you think your partner hung the moon.

REVIEW

Annie has made a plan. She’s going to move from Philadelphia to London where a career advancement awaits her. But before she does that she decides to spend some quality time with her best friend Darcy in Seattle. Except… Darcy isn’t there – she’s on vacation with her girlfriend Elle. Darcy decides Annie will have to get to know Seattle better with her brother Brendon! Annie remembers Brendon as a sweet dorky kid – so she doesn’t think anything of it. Except Brendon isn’t so dorky now – he’s actually smoking hot and there is a definite attraction between the two of them.

Brendon is a big fan of love. He loves love and everything that goes along with it. The grand gestures, the romance movies – everything! Annie is the opposite and doesn’t see love lasting after the happily ever after. Brendon decides to show Annie that romance is real by taking her on romantic outings in and around Seattle. Will he eventually get her to believe in love and stop her from moving halfway across the globe and settle in Seattle instead?

After reading Written in the Stars last year I couldn’t wait to read Hang the Moon ! Annie and Brendon were so cute together. Their scenes either had me laughing out loud or I had hearts in my eyes. I loved how swoony their romance was. And although I’m not a big fan of insta-love, I did believe in the romance between Annie and Brendon.

I loved seeing Darcy, Elle and Margot again too! The easy dynamic between all of the characters really added to the storyline for me. Not only did I love Brendon and Annie together, but I also loved how deep Annie and Darcy’s friendship was.

Audiobook:

Story: 4.5
Narration: 5
Overall: 5

Hang the Moon was narrated by Lauren Sweet and I think she did a wonderful job narrating both Annie and Brendon. I switched back and forth between the audiobook and the e-book version of Hang the Moon and I loved how easily Lauren was able to take me to Annie and Brendon’s world. I listened to the audiobook on my runs, on my commute and any other chance I got! I feel like the audiobook really added to Annie and Brendon’s characters.

Add Hang the Moon to your TBR if you’re looking for a funny, swoony and sweet romance. I would rate Hang the Moon 4.5-5 stars (rounding up).

I can’t wait for Margot’s story next!

Dial A for Aunties ARC Review

~ Tej ~ Leave a comment

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q Sutanto

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Murder Mystery

Heat Level: 🔥 (closed door)

Release Date: April 27, 2021

Publisher: Berkley

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

SYNOPSIS

A hilariously quirky novel that is equal parts murder mystery, rom-com, and a celebration of mothers and daughters as well as a deep dive into Chinese-Indonesian culture, by debut author Jesse Q. Sutanto.

1 (accidental) murder
2 thousand wedding guests
3 (maybe) cursed generations
4 meddling Asian aunties to the rescue!

When Meddelin Chan ends up accidentally killing her blind date, her meddlesome mother calls for her even more meddlesome aunties to help get rid of the body. Unfortunately, a dead body proves to be a lot more challenging to dispose of than one might anticipate, especially when it is accidentally shipped in a cake cooler to the over-the-top billionaire wedding Meddy, her Ma, and aunties are working, at an island resort on the California coastline. It’s the biggest job yet for their family wedding business—“Don’t leave your big day to chance, leave it to the Chans!”—and nothing, not even an unsavory corpse, will get in the way of her auntie’s perfect buttercream cake flowers.

But things go from inconvenient to downright torturous when Meddy’s great college love—and biggest heartbreak—makes a surprise appearance amid the wedding chaos. Is it possible to escape murder charges, charm her ex back into her life, and pull off a stunning wedding all in one weekend?

Story Locale: Southern California

REVIEW

Meddy is the good girl in her family. Amongst her cousins – she’s the only one to go into business with her mom and her meddling aunts. She’s the photographer for her family’s wedding business and they’ve been pretty successful so far!

One part of working with her family that Meddy isn’t too fond about is how they love to get into her business about everything. Including her love life (or lack of one). When a blind date (hilariously set up by Meddy’s mom & her sisters) goes horribly wrong – and Meddy ends up killing him (whoops) she’s going to need as much help as she can get from her family. With a looming wedding the next day that they have to prepare for and an ex that Meddy can’t stop thinking about showing up at the same time – Meddy is way in over her head. Will she find a way to clear herself of the mess she’s in?

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what kind of book Dial A for Aunties was going to be. Was it a thriller? A murder mystery? A romance? I guess the best way to describe Dial A for Aunties is that it was a mix of all of these and throw in some humor that had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions. Think Weekend at Bernies + friends-to-lovers second chance romance. And while the plot line was a bit out there – I found myself enjoying it so much. Especially the scenes where Meddy talks about her heritage and culture. I identified with so much of the Indo-Chinese culture that Meddy discusses in the book and that made me really connect with her character and the storyline.

I am so excited that Dial A for Aunties is going to be made into a Netflix movie! I kept on stopping to share funny passages with my husband and I can’t wait to watch the movie. Definitely add this book to your TBR if you’re looking for an own-voices book to make you laugh with just the right amount of romance sprinkled throughout!

Hana Khan Carries On ARC Review

~ Tej ~ 2 Comments

Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction

Heat Level: Closed Door

Release Date: April 13, 2021

Publisher: Berkley

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

SYNOPSIS

From the author of Ayesha at Last comes a sparkling new rom-com for fans of “You’ve Got Mail,” set in two competing halal restaurants

Sales are slow at Three Sisters Biryani Poutine, the only halal restaurant in the close-knit Golden Crescent neighbourhood. Hana waitresses there part time, but what she really wants is to tell stories on the radio. If she can just outshine her fellow intern at the city radio station, she may have a chance at landing a job. In the meantime, Hana pours her thoughts and dreams into a podcast, where she forms a lively relationship with one of her listeners. But soon she’ll need all the support she can get: a new competing restaurant, a more upscale halal place, is about to open in the Golden Crescent, threatening Three Sisters.

When her mysterious aunt and her teenage cousin arrive from India for a surprise visit, they draw Hana into a long-buried family secret. A hate-motivated attack on their neighbourhood complicates the situation further, as does Hana’s growing attraction for Aydin, the young owner of the rival restaurant—who might not be a complete stranger after all.

As life on the Golden Crescent unravels, Hana must learn to use her voice, draw on the strength of her community and decide what her future should be. 

REVIEW

Hana’s family’s halal restaurant Three Sisters Biryani Poutine has seen better days. Hana waitresses there part time while also working as a intern for the local radio station. But what she loves doing the most is podcasting where her identity is kept anonymous. Her listeners really enjoy her content and she also forms a friendship with one “bot” in particular.

Hana’s mom enlists on some help from relatives in India. Soon Hana is sharing her house not only with her immediate family, but also her aunt as well as teenage cousin. Hana’s work/life balance is about to get even more hectic when direct competition moves into the neighborhood. The mysterious Aydin is about to open a halal restaurant across the street from Three Sisters. Hana needs to be clever to outmaneuver the clever Aydin! Will her family’s restaurant survive and can Aidyn and Hana ever act on their growing attraction to one another?

Hana Khan Carries On was the first book I have read written by Uzma Jalaluddin and it was such a delight! Being a second generation Indian American desi woman, I related to so much of what Hana goes through in the book.

Perhaps one of my favorite things about Hana Khan Carries On is the multifaceted way Jalaluddin tells the story. You feel how vulnerable and true Hana feels when she’s recording her podcasts and her relationship with her anonymous listeners. Hana wants to move up in the world of broadcasting, and yet she keeps feeling like she’s stuck with no where to go. And most of all you feel the anguish and heartbreak of knowing that her family’s restaurant might not make it if she doesn’t fight for it alongside her family.

I absolutely loved the You’ve Got Mail style of romance set in Hana Khan Carries On. And while the romance is essential to the story, it isn’t the only focus of the book. If you’re looking for a sweet romance filled with some (mild) family drama, and a sense of community – definitely pick up Hana Khan Carries On!

I have so many passages highlighted of this beautifully written book. I can’t wait to go back and revisit my favorite passages. Overall I’d give Hana Khan Carries On 4.5 stars!

Second First Impressions ARC Review

~ Tej ~ 2 Comments

Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction

Heat Level: 🔥

Publisher: William Morrow

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and audiobook courtesy of Harper Audio & Libro.fm

SYNOPSIS

Distraction (n): an extreme agitation of the mind or emotions.

Ruthie Midona has worked the front desk at the Providence Luxury Retirement Villa for six years, dedicating her entire adult life to caring for the Villa’s residents, maintaining the property (with an assist from DIY YouTube tutorials), and guarding the endangered tortoises that live in the Villa’s gardens. Somewhere along the way, she’s forgotten that she’s young and beautiful, and that there’s a world outside of work—until she meets the son of the property developer who just acquired the retirement center.

Teddy Prescott has spent the last few years partying, sleeping in late, tattooing himself when bored, and generally not taking life too seriously—something his father, who dreams of grooming Teddy into his successor, can’t understand. When Teddy needs a place to crash, his father seizes the chance to get him to grow up. He’ll let Teddy stay in one of the on-site cottages at the retirement home, but only if he works to earn his keep. Teddy agrees—he can change a few lightbulbs and clip some hedges, no sweat. But Ruthie has plans for Teddy too.

Her two wealthiest and most eccentric residents have just placed an ad (yet another!) seeking a new personal assistant to torment. The women are ninety-year-old, four-foot-tall menaces, and not one of their assistants has lasted a full week. Offering up Teddy seems like a surefire way to get rid of the tall, handsome, unnerving man who won’t stop getting under her skin.

Ruthie doesn’t count on the fact that in Teddy Prescott, the Biddies may have finally met their match. He’ll pick up Chanel gowns from the dry cleaner and cut Big Macs into bite-sized bits. He’ll do repairs around the property, make the residents laugh, and charm the entire villa. He might even remind Ruthie what it’s like to be young and fun again. But when she finds out Teddy’s father’s only fixing up the retirement home to sell it, putting everything she cares about in jeopardy, she’s left wondering if Teddy’s magic was all just a façade.

From the USA Today  bestselling author of The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine comes the clever, funny, and unforgettable story of a muscular, tattooed man hired as an assistant to two old women—under the watchful eye of a beautiful retirement home manager.

REVIEW

Ruthie Midona loves working at the Providence Luxury Retirement Villa. She feels safe and loves taking care of everyone at the retirement home. From the little golden endangered tortoises to the residents who live there – Ruthie doesn’t ever want to leave the comfort of being there.

That is, until she meets Teddy Prescott. Teddy is the opposite of Ruthie. He is brash, bold and a lady’s man. Where Ruthie is buttoned up, Teddy is tattooed and moves from place to place at a moments notice. Turns out Teddy is the son of the owner of the retirement home. But Teddy’s father is tired of him not being reliable and tells Teddy he can have a place to stay at the retirement home if he earns his keep.

Thus begins Teddy’s job as an assistant to two cranky 90 year old women. Teddy has run all of their errands and do everything they ask him to. Ruthie doesn’t think he’ll last a week! Will Teddy show Ruthie that there’s more out there than the comfort of the retirement villa. And can Teddy stand to be in one place too long or will he bolt as he keeps saying he will.

Second First Impressions was one of my most anticipated books of this year. Sally Thorne is an amazing author and she has a way with her words that just make you feel. But sadly Second First Impressions missed the mark for me. I had a really hard time connecting with Teddy or Ruthie and definitely did not feel the chemistry or attraction between them. Where Ruthie was so charming and sweet, Teddy was abrasive and hard to like. His jokes fell flat and I really couldn’t see why Ruthie was so charmed by him.

While I loved Ruthie’s friends and the people who reside at the retirement home, I just felt like there was a lot going on without really anything happening. I did eventually enjoy the friendship between Teddy and Ruthie, but the romance aspect of it wasn’t working for me.

Audiobook:

Story: 3
Narration: 4
Overall: 3

This was the first book that I listened to narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya. I thought she did a wonderful job voicing Ruthie. I could always tell when other characters were being voiced by the change in her voice!

While Second First Impressions isn’t my favorite book by Sally Thorne, I did enjoy Ruthie’s character and her growth by the end of the book.

People We Meet on Vacation ARC Review

~ Tej ~ 3 Comments

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Romance/Women’s Fiction

Heat Level: 🔥

Release Date: May 11, 2021

Publisher: Berkley

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

SYNOPSIS

Poppy and Alex. Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. She’s a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay home with a book. And somehow, ever since a fateful car share home from college many years ago, they are the very best of friends. For most of the year they live far apart–she’s in New York City, and he’s in their small hometown–but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together.

Until two years ago, when they ruined everything. They haven’t spoken since.

Poppy has everything she should want, but she’s stuck in a rut. When someone asks when she was last truly happy, she knows, without a doubt, it was on that ill-fated, final trip with Alex. And so, she decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together–lay everything on the table, make it all right. Miraculously, he agrees.

Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong?

REVIEW

Popply and Alex have been constants in each others lives since they first met at college. She’s quirky and sarcastic, he’s shy and a bit on the quiet side. But they understand each other and are the best of friends (strictly platonic).

An annual tradition for them is to take The Summer Trip. A trip that they’ve been taking since after they met in college. They didn’t always stay at fancy or luxurious places. But now that Poppy works for a travel magazine – the options for travel are limitless. In between relationships and break ups, Poppy and Alex have always made time for their Summer Trip. That is until two years ago when their friendship started to fall apart. Poppy misses Alex and decides to see if he’s up for another summer trip. Will they be able to mend their friendship?

People We Meet on Vacation is the story of how the lives of Poppy and Alex have always been intertwined. Told from Poppy’s point of view, the book alternates between the current summer trip and trips of summer past. I really don’t know how to put into words how much I loved this book. The longing, the angst, the sweetness of their relationship – really everything in this book was perfect.

I’ve highlighted so many passages and am looking forward to going back to re-read People We Meet on Vacation. Definitely add this book to your TBR list if you love a slow burn, friends to lovers romance and pre-order before it releases in May!

Life’s Too Short ARC Review

~ Tej ~ Leave a comment

Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Level: 🔥

Release Date: April 6, 2021

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

SYNOPSIS

A brilliant and touching romantic comedy from the USA Today bestselling author of The Friend Zone and The Happy Ever After Playlist.

Vanessa lives life on her own terms — one day at a time, every day to its fullest. She isn’t willing to waste a moment or miss out on an experience when she has no idea whether she shares the same fatal genetic condition as her mother. Besides, she has way too much to do, traveling the globe and showing her millions of YouTube followers the joy in seizing every moment.

But after her half-sister suddenly leaves Vanessa in custody of her infant daughter, she is housebound, on mommy duty for the foreseeable future, and feeling totally out of her element.

The last person she expects to show up offering help is the unbelievably hot lawyer who lives next door, Adrian Copeland. After all, she barely knows him. But as they get closer, Vanessa realizes that her carefree ways and his need for a structured plan could never be compatible for the long term. Then again, she should know better than anyone that life’s too short to fear taking the biggest risk of all. . .

REVIEW

There’s something amazing about Abby’s writing style. Every time I pick up one of her books it plays out like a movie. Life’s Too Short was no different and I literally could not stop reading this book once I picked it up.

Vanessa is a famous YouTuber. She has a huge following and lives by one motto – life’s too short – so get out there and live your very best life. Vanessa hasn’t had an easy life, she lost her mother at a young age and then her sister to ALS. Her younger sister leaves her newborn in Vanessa’s care and vanishes – so on top of everything Vanessa is now a caregiver to a little baby girl too. But Vanessa tries not to let anything slow her down and she loves her little niece. She tries to always have a sunny disposition and a positive attitude.

Adrian views most things in black and white. He relies on facts – he is a lawyer after all. When these two meet each other for the first time – I had a huge grin on my face. Abby knows how to write the perfect “meet cutes” and this one was no different. Suddenly Adrian and Vanessa start spending all of their free time together. Both of them state that they’re not looking for a romantic relationship – but being in such close proximity to one another that’s bound to happen, right?

The thing I loved most about Life’s Too Short was that Abby really incorporated mental health into her book in a way that we can all relate. We all process grief, sadness and anger in our own ways, but it’s what we decide to do with those feelings that sometimes make or break us. Life’s Too Short can sometimes be a bit heavier to read with topics such as ALS, mental health and addiction discussed, but in between those topics is an amazing love story.

I absolutely loved and enjoyed reading Life’s Too Short. Overall I would give it 4.5 stars – so many amazing parts of the book highlighted and quotes that resonated with me so deeply!

Meet Me in Paradise ARC Review

~ Tej ~ 4 Comments

Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: Women’s Fiction/Romance

Heat Level: Closed door

Release Date: March 23, 2021

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

SYNOPSIS

Marin Cole has never:
Seen the ocean
Climbed a mountain
Taken a risk on love
….But if her sister’s plan works, she just might do all three.

Ever since her journalist mother died on assignment, Marin has played it safe, refusing to set foot outside the state of Tennessee. Her wild-child younger sister, Sadie, has trotted the globe as a photographer, living off of art and adrenaline.

When Sadie returns from a tough assignment abroad and looks a little worse for wear, Marin reluctantly agrees to a sisters’ spa weekend on the tropical island of Saba. But her lifelong fear of travel is affirmed when Sadie misses the flight, Marin’s luggage gets mixed up with another passenger’s, and an episode of turbulence sends her hurtling into the lap of Lucas Tsai, the handsome stranger who stole her sister’s seat.

For the first time in a long time, Marin has to step outside of her comfort zone as she explores the island with Lucas and learns what she’s been missing out on. With each breathtaking new experience, Marin gets closer to her real self, the man she’s falling for, and the heart-wrenching truth about why she’s there in the first place.

Review

CW: Death of a loved one (on and off the page), Cancer

Marin Cole has always been the caretaker. After her mother passed away when she was younger, Marin had no choice but to be the strong one for her younger sister. Her dreams and ambitions got put on hold while she literally had to become the adult/responsible one. Marin loves her sister, Sadie something fierce though. When Sadie wants some sister bonding time and books them a trip to the tropical island of Saba, Marin is so excited! What a great time they’ll have. Except…Sadie misses the plane and Marin boards it all by herself. She’s anxious and nervous and hates flying as it is. Her charming (know it all?) seat mate just happens to be handsome hotelier Lucas Tsai and from that tumultuous plane ride they form a rocky friendship.

I really loved all of the relationships in Meet Me in Paradise. Sadie and Marin had a very complex relationship, but I liked that the chapters were told from both of their point of views. I will admit that it took me a while to really get into the book, but as the story progressed I became more invested in all of the characters. I really enjoyed the banter and chemistry between Marin and Lucas. Although they were both a bit closed off and standoffish, they were both grieving a huge loss in their lives. I enjoyed the way they came together and how those shared feelings solidified their relationship.

Be forewarned that Meet Me in Paradise is not as light as the cover may have you believe. This is a very heavy story. There were a lot of parts that had tears streaming down my face. Libby Hubscher is a very talented writer. I have so many passages highlighted that were written so beautifully. Although Meet Me in Paradise has some romantic elements to it – I would categorize it more as Women’s Fiction. I do feel like the ending wrapped up maybe a bit too quickly, but I still enjoyed Meet Me in Paradise.

If you’re looking for a book that delves into the bonds of sisterhood, family and community with a side of sweet romance definitely grab Meet Me in Paradise!

Twice Shy ARC Review

~ Tej ~ 2 Comments

Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Level: 🔥

Release Date: April 6, 2021

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

SYNOPSIS

Can you find real love when you’ve always got your head in the clouds?

Maybell Parish has always been a dreamer and a hopeless romantic. But living in her own world has long been preferable to dealing with the disappointments of real life. So when Maybell inherits a charming house in the Smokies from her Great-Aunt Violet, she seizes the opportunity to make a fresh start.

Yet when she arrives, it seems her troubles have only just begun. Not only is the house falling apart around her, but she isn’t the only inheritor: she has to share everything with Wesley Koehler, the groundskeeper who’s as grouchy as he is gorgeous–and it turns out he has very different vision for the property’s future.

Convincing the taciturn Wesley to stop avoiding her and compromise is a task more formidable than the other dying wishes Great-Aunt Violet left behind. But when Maybell uncovers something unexpectedly sweet beneath Wesley’s scowls, and as the two slowly begin to let their guard down, they might learn that sometimes the smallest steps outside one’s comfort zone can lead to the greatest rewards.

REVIEW

After reading and absolutely LOVING You Deserve Each Other last year I couldn’t wait to read more from Sarah Hogle. I honestly was unsure if I would love Twice Shy as much as I love YDEO, but if you could describe a book giving you a big gentle hug – then that is exactly what Twice Shy is.

Maybell Parish is a dreamer and maybe she likes to live in her pretend world more than the real world sometimes. She’s not very happy with her current job, even though she did get a promotion. She’s pretty sure her friend/co-worker isn’t really her friend at all. So when she finds out that her Great-Aunt Violet left her the manor she so fondly remembers from her youth she jumps at the chance to go live there.

Only the manor is now tattered and beat down. Not only is the manor unlivable, but she has to share it with the grouchy groundskeeper Wesley Koehler. He grunts, isn’t very talkative and just largely ignores her. Both have entirely different plans for the estate and are often arguing with one another. How will they every learn to live together?

I loved both Wesley and Maybell so much. I could often imagine the scenes playing out as a movie while I was reading them. The dynamic and chemistry between these two was evident right from the beginning. While Twice Shy was told from Maybell’s perspective, I still felt like I could always relate to Wesley and what he was going through.

I have so many passages highlighted in this book and I honestly need to go back and re-read it again to savor those moments. Sarah does such an effortless job of conveying how Wesley and Maybell are going through grief and anxiety while also writing such beautiful prose. Twice Shy had the perfect mix of angst, longing, sadness and hope.