October came and went in the blink of an eye, it feels! I started off the month strong, but didn’t end up reading a lot this month. Work, Halloween, activities with my kiddos during the day kept me pretty busy! I did a lot of re-reads this month because that’s what I felt most like reading. Favorites books included The Rebel King by Kennedy Ryan and a re-read of The Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan (moved my rating up from 4🌟 to 5🌟).
Following The Heiress Hunt, beloved author Joanna Shupe continues her new Fifth Avenue Rebels series with a scandalous romance about a good girl desperate to rebel and the rebel desperate to corrupt her.
A first-rate scoundrel.
A desperate wallflower.
Lessons in seduction.
The woman no one notices . . .
Shy heiress Alice Lusk is tired of being overlooked by every bachelor. Something has to change, else she’ll be forced to marry a man whose only desire is her fortune. She needs to become a siren, a woman who causes a man’s blood to run hot . . .and she’s just met the perfect rogue to help teach her.
He’s the life of every party . . .
Christopher “Kit” Ward plans to open a not-so-reputable supper club in New York City, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to hire the best chef in the city to guarantee its success. Even if it requires giving carnal lessons to a serious-minded spinster who has an in with the chef.
Their bedroom instruction grows passionate, and Alice is a much better pupil than Kit had ever anticipated. When the Society gentlemen start to take notice, Kit has to try to win Alice in other ways . . . but is he too late to win her heart?
REVIEW
Heiress Alice Lusk needs a teacher. Specifically someone to teach her the art of seduction. Her mother thinks that Alice will have no problem finding a suitor – especially with her large dowry. But Alice wants to marry for love. So she finds the one person who she thinks would be perfect in helping her become a vixen – Kit Ward.
Christopher “Kit” Ward is a known scoundrel. He likes to keep his relationships on the surface and is definitely not the settling down sort. So when Alice comes knocking at his door with a proposal to teach her how to seduce a man… he’s at a loss for words. But Alice and Kit just happen to be at the same place at the same time – a house party thrown by Kit’s friend Maddie. And Maddie has forbidden Kit to seduce any of the young women at the soiree.
But when Alice has a proposal for Kit – he has a hard time turning her down. She will help Kit with written recipes for the opening of his supper club and he will help her with her lessons. What could possibly go wrong?
Oh how I loved The Lady Gets Lucky. Kit and Alice had so much chemistry together and I loved every single scene where they were together. Their interactions always left a grin on my face. But with the sweet and funny was also the perfect amount of angst. I wanted these two to end up together right from the beginning of the book.
I will admit, I wasn’t a fan of The Heiress Hunt, but absolutely loved the second book in the The Fifth Avenue Rebels series. I can’t wait to find out who is getting their story next!
CW: parental verbal abuse, alcoholism, death of a friend by alcoholism
August was a really good reading month! Somehow I managed to read 11 books – which is the most I have read in a month this year. I think it was a combination of reading really good books, audiobooks and my kids being back in school that allowed me to read so much. Standouts from this month included Hook, Line, and Sinker from Tessa Bailey (which doesn’t release until next spring), Electric Idol by Katee Robert, Lease on Love by Falon Ballard (another spring release) and The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe which releases next month!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey (ARC)
The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe (ARC)
Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas (reread via audiobook)
Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas (reread via audiobook)
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
SYNOPSIS
When Dillion Stitch left her hometown, she had no intention of going back. But when her brother gets into trouble, Dillion reluctantly agrees to return home to take her place at the family business.
Being back in Pearl Lake after all these years feels familiar, but also brings a few surprises. She’s quick to notice that someone new has shown up at the cottage next door. Dillion gets more than an eyeful when she goes to check out the newcomer and meets Donovan “Van” Firestone—her beloved neighbor’s grandson—in all his unclothed glory.
Having gotten off to a rocky start, it’s not long before they begin bickering with each other all over town. All that back and forth inevitably sparks an undeniable attraction. But Dillion’s family has issues, Van’s family resents him, and neither Dillion nor Van feels truly at ease in the small town. For these Pearl Lake exiles, home isn’t just where the heart is—it’s where things get complicated.
REVIEW
Dillion Stitch is back in Pearl Lake. Not really where she’d like to be, but after a series of circumstances all happen at once, she’s needed back home to help her family with their business. Dillion couldn’t wait to get out of the small town life and severed a lot of connections on her way out of Pearl Lake. Will she be able to handle small town life again where everyone is up in each other’s business?
Donovan Firestone has his own reasons for escaping to Pearl Lake. At first he was only coming to manage his grandmother’s estate. But soon he’s planning on staying a while. He doesn’t realize that Dillion and his grandma were close and that she has been keeping up with the estate when his beloved grandmother passed. These two don’t exactly hit it off, but soon they’re in each others spaces more and more often. Will they eventually act on their passion?
I really enjoyed Love Next Door. Having grown up in a small town myself, I remember thinking that I couldn’t wait to leave. I didn’t end up going very far and still visit often and am so grateful for small town living! I also really related to Dillion as being the eldest sibling and really having to take charge of situations sometimes. Family life can be hectic and lovely at the same time and I love how Helena showcased those circumstances.
Van and Dillion had such great chemistry and I loved their sparks right from the beginning. Yes they both make mistakes, but their open and honest communication really added to their relationship. They truly were there for one another and I adored them.
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series – hopefully it’s Teagan’s story.
I received a complimentary copy and of this book from the publisher.
SYNOPSIS
Olivia Shore, international opera superstar, is a driven diva with a passion for perfection, a craving for justice, too many secrets—and a monumental grudge against the egotistical, lowbrow jock she’s been stuck with.
It’s Mozart meets Monday Night Football as the temperamental soprano and stubborn jock embark on a nationwide tour promoting a luxury watch brand. Along the way, the combatants will engage in soul-searching and trash talk, backstage drama and, for sure, a quarterback pass. But they’ll also face trouble as threatening letters, haunting photographs, and a series of dangerous encounters complicate their lives. Is it the work of an overzealous fan or something more sinister?
This is the emotional journey of a brilliant woman whose career is everything and a talented man who’ll never be happy with second place. Tender and funny, passionate and insightful, this irresistible romantic adventure proves that anything can happen…when two superstars collide.
REVIEW
What happens when two stars from opposite spectrums collide? Renowned opera singer Olivia and NFL football quarterback Thad are both brand ambassadors for an upscale watch. Immediately they start off on the wrong foot. Olivia doesn’t want anything to do with jock Thad. Thad thinks Olivia is an uptight diva after she repeatedly freezes him out.
But the more time Thad and Olivia spend with one another, the more they realize how much they like each other. But soon enough Olivia’s life is being threatened and protective quarterback Thad will go to any length to keep Olivia safe. How long can these two before their passion ignites. And once that happens, how can they realistically make a relationship work between the two of them? They are both career driven and independent personalities.
I have read each and every single one of the Chicago Stars books and love the world that SEP has created! It was so much fun revisiting with some of the characters that we loved in previous books. I do feel like I had a harder time connecting with Thad and Olivia as a couple in When Stars Collide. There was often so much other stuff happening in the story and I wanted just a little more of their romance.
Audiobook: Story: 3 Narration: 4 Overall: 3
The audiobook of When Stars Collide was narrated by Nicole Poole and I truly enjoyed the audiobook! I was laughing along Olivia and Thad while listening to Nicole narrate both of their voices. She did a wonderful job expressing each characters feeling and I won’t hesitate to pick up another audiobook narrated by Nicole!
While not my favorite book out of the series, When Stars Collide had a ton of fun and hilarious moments thrown in with some mystery and suspense to round it out!
I received a complimentary copy and audiobook of this book from the publisher and TLC Book Tours
SYNPOSIS
Critically acclaimed author Cat Sebastian makes her trade paperback debut in a stunning historical romance about a reluctantly reformed highwayman and the aristocrat who threatens to steal his heart.
Kit Webb has left his stand-and-deliver days behind him. But dreary days at his coffee shop have begun to make him pine for the heady rush of thievery. When a handsome yet arrogant aristocrat storms into his shop, Kit quickly realizes he may be unable to deny whatever this highborn man desires.
In order to save himself and a beloved friend, Percy, Lord Holland must go against every gentlemanly behavior he holds dear to gain what he needs most: a book that once belonged to his mother, a book his father never lets out of his sight and could be Percy’s savior. More comfortable in silk-filled ballrooms than coffee shops frequented by criminals, his attempts to hire the roughly hewn highwayman, formerly known as Gladhand Jack, proves equal parts frustrating and electrifying.
Kit refuses to participate in the robbery but agrees to teach Percy how to do the deed. Percy knows he has little choice but to submit and as the lessons in thievery begin, he discovers thievery isn’t the only crime he’s desperate to commit with Kit.
But when their careful plan goes dangerously wrong and shocking revelations threaten to tear them apart, can these stolen hearts withstand the impediments in their path?
REVIEW
Percy, Lord Holland finds himself in an usual predicament. He is being blackmailed and needs an item from his father. Not just any item, but a particular book that his father keeps on his person at all times. Percy and his father do not have a good relationship and Percy needs to find a way to get this book – at all costs!
Reformed highwayman Kit Webb now runs a coffee shop. He’s not exactly the nicest barista, but he makes do with what he has. When aristocrat Percy shows up at his coffee shop with a proposition, Kit’s first instinct is to turn him down. But the more he thinks about it the more it excites him. Maybe he can teach Percy his tips and tricks instead? Is this going to be a complete disaster? And them more time Percy and Kit spend together – their sizzling chemistry seems to only get stronger.
I adored The Queer Principles of Kit Webb. Percy and Kit were just so fun! I loved their banter, their sarcastic quips and their respective backstories. These two had more in common than they initially thought. Audiobook:
Story: 4.5 Narration: 5 Overall: 4.5
The audiobook for The Queer Principles of Kit Webb was narrated by Joel Leslie and I truly enjoyed this audiobook so much! I loved the way Joel was able to voice both Percy and Kit. The way he was able to convey humor, sadness or excitement was perfect! I hope to be able to listen to more audiobooks from Joel Leslie in the future!
If you’re looking for a M/M historical romance that is funny, romantic and tender I would definitely pick up The Queer Principles of Kit Webb! I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
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 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.
I received a complimentary audiobook and copy of this book from the publisher.
SYNOPSIS
He lives in secret service to the Crown—a man of duty, deception, and an undeniable attraction to a woman who threatens to tear his whole world apart.
They call him the Devil of Dorset. He stands alone, a man of undeniable power. Moving in and out of shadows, back alleys and ballrooms, he is unstoppable and one of the Crown’s most dangerous weapons. However, when he sets his sights on the undeniably beautiful Countess of Mont Claire, Francesca Cavendish, he doesn’t realize that he has met a match like no other.
TRUE LOVE WEARS NO DISGUISE
Francesca is a countess by day and stalks her prey—those responsible for the death of her family—by night. What she does not expect is to be thrown into the path of the devil himself, the Earl of Devlin. She has secrets of her own and he seems determined to lay them bare. Can her heart survive finding the love of her life and losing him when all is revealed?
REVIEW
Lady Francesca is out for one thing and one thing only – revenge. After her family was massacred the only thing that kept her going was the end goal – to kill everyone that ever harmed her family. Chandler – also known as the Devil of Dorset has his own secrets and for now he’s after one thing – Lady Francesca. When both of them realize that they are after the same goal – will their attraction to one another cause issues for them?
I loved the relationship between Francesca and Chandler. They had so much simmering sexual tension between them and I enjoyed how raw their attraction was to one another. In a sense The Devil in Her Bed was also a fated mates romance, and I loved how Francesca and Chandler’s past was intertwined with their future. The suspenseful parts of the book also had me hooked and I loved the way everything played out.
It was great to see how every single one of these characters came together for the last book in the series. I only wish there was an epilogue!
Audiobook:
Story: 4 Narration: 5 Overall: 4.5
I am a fan of Derek Perkins and he did a wonderful job narrating The Devil in Her Bed. I could always tell when either Chandler or Francesca was happy, mad, frustrated or sad. He always does a great job conveying the different emotions in the characters in the book. And his accents were always so good!! I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and I think it definitely amplified how much I enjoyed The Devil in Her Bed.
If you’re looking for a suspenseful, sweet and sexy romance definitely give the Devil You Know series a try!
I received a complimentary copy/audiobook of this book from the publisher.
SYNOPSIS
In Act Your Age, Eve Brown the flightiest Brown sister crashes into the life of an uptight B&B owner and has him falling hard—literally.
Eve Brown is a certified hot mess. No matter how hard she strives to do right, her life always goes horribly wrong—so she’s given up trying. But when her personal brand of chaos ruins an expensive wedding (someone had to liberate those poor doves), her parents draw the line. It’s time for Eve to grow up and prove herself—even though she’s not entirely sure how…
Jacob Wayne is in control. Always. The bed and breakfast owner’s on a mission to dominate the hospitality industry—and he expects nothing less than perfection. So when a purple-haired tornado of a woman turns up out of the blue to interview for his open chef position, he tells her the brutal truth: not a chance in hell. Then she hits him with her car—supposedly by accident. Yeah, right.
Now his arm is broken, his B&B is understaffed, and the dangerously unpredictable Eve is fluttering around, trying to help. Before long, she’s infiltrated his work, his kitchen—and his spare bedroom. Jacob hates everything about it. Or rather, he should. Sunny, chaotic Eve is his natural-born nemesis, but the longer these two enemies spend in close quarters, the more their animosity turns into something else. Like Eve, the heat between them is impossible to ignore—and it’s melting Jacob’s frosty exterior.
REVIEW
Eve Brown has held a few different jobs over the past few years. The latest one being a kind of disaster – oops! Eve’s parents are a bit harsh and decide to cut Eve off for a while until she can hold down a job.
Eve is upset, but understands (kinda) her parents reasoning for cutting her off. While taking a long drive she happens upon a charming Inn. This is where she meets Jacob Wayne – owner of said Inn. Jacob and Eve immediately do not get a long. Jacob just happens to be interviewing for a cook and Eve just happens to be looking for a job. The interview doesn’t go so great and while leaving, Eve manages to hit Jaco with her car (yikes!). And now Eve kind of has to stay to help out Jacob because – she did kind of hit him with her car.
What starts off as a rocky working relationship slowly turns into a tentative friendship. I loved the relationship between Eve and Jacob. They are literally the definition of sunshine and grump with Jacob even nicknaming Eve “Sunshine” (swoon 😍). I loved the slow growth of their relationship and how they didn’t ever shy away from hard subjects for both of them.
I really liked the fact that Jacob was very outright and forthcoming with his autism. And that he felt at ease with Eve. Eve hasn’t always had the best relationships with friends either and so it was a joy watching their friendship bloom. They were always free to be each other when they were together.
As always, Talia is such a talented author. There are always specific lines that stick with me when reading her books and I definitely highlighted parts of Act Your Age, Eve Brown that I will be going back to revisit.
Audiobook:
Story: 4.5 Narration: 5 Overall: 5
I had an opportunity to listen to the the audiobook of Act Your Age, Eve Brown and it was so good! The audiobook was narrated by Ione Butler and I feel that she did a wonderful job narrating Eve, Jacob and all of the secondary characters in the book. I was laughing so hard while listening to this book and that just goes to show you how amazing and talented the author and narrator are!
Grab Act Your Age, Eve Brown if you’re looking for an enemies-to-lovers/grumpy sunshine romance that will have you laughing and swooning in equal measures!
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