November was a good reading month! It helps that I discovered Hoopla recently and listened to a lot of audiobooks on my daily walks. After the last few reading slumps, I’m glad that I was able to get lost in books (not counting election week – because that was an anxiety induced week where I feel like I was a zombie). Here’s to hoping that December will be another great reading month and that 2021 will be better than 2020!
I realize that I didn’t even update the blog for the books I read in September (whoops!). Probably because I hardly read in September. It was a really hard reading month for me and I know that a lot of us are feeling the same way!
October was really great though and I tried to read a lot of ARC’s for #ARCtober – a bookstagram challenge. I still haven’t gotten to two of my ARC’s, but they’re holiday romances and I figure I’ll get to them in November!
I ended up listening to quite a bit of audiobooks this month and I think that’s really helped me get me out of my slump. I listened to the first four books in the Billionaire’s of Manhattan series by Annika Martin and I would highly recommend the audiobooks!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Little Lies by H Hunting
The Billionaire’s Wake-up-call Girl by Annika Martin
Shortcake by Lucy Watson
Breaking the Billionaire’s Rules by Annika Martin
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Home for the Holidays by Sara Richardson
The Rogue of Fifth Avenue by Joanna Shupe
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
I Promise You by Ilsa Madden-Mills
Simmer Down by Sarah Smith
The Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée by Annika Martin
The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Most Eligible Billionaire by Annika Martin
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Love is a Rogue by Lenora Bell
I received a complimentary copy of some of the books listed above by the author or publisher. All opinions are my own.
I received a complimentary audiobook copy of this book from the author.
Ryan sees a girl on the subway and immediately feels a connection with her. He decides he better make a move to talk to her, but before he gets his chance she’s gone. All her remembers are little details – a pink beanie and an English accent.
Ryan is determined to find her and even creates a website to find this mysterious Subway Girl. That’s how he ends up being contacted by a celebrity gossip website – to see if they can help Ryan find The Subway Girl.
I won’t reveal too much more of the plot, because I don’t want to spoil the book! But everyone in the story is vested in Ryan to find the Subway Girl. What we slowly come to understand are the motives why – and some of them definitely ended up surprising me.
I enjoyed the way Lisa was able to highlight both the wonderful aspects of social media/celebrity gossip as well as the pitfalls. Through Ryan’s journey, we are able to see what motivates the different characters in The Subway Girl and if their motivation is out of the goodness of their heart or something more sinister.
While the sexy times in The Subway Girl were hot (so hot), I wasn’t really invested in the main romance. I do feel like sometimes there were too many voices in the book and those took away from the romance for me.
Audiobook:
Story: 3 Narration: 4 Overall: 3
I’m a big fan of Erin Mallon and I think she did a wonderful job narrating the various characters in The Subway Girl. I could always fell the different emotions that a character was going through.
I enjoyed the audiobook of The Subway Girl! Mystery, romance and a bit of reality TV all combined for an entertaining romance.
Kailyn and Daxton literally run into each other the first time they meet in law school. Daxton Hughes was a teen hearthrob when he was acting and one of his biggest fans was Kailyn. So when she fangirls over Daxton when they first meet, she’s a bit mortified.
Fast forward to a few years later when Daxton and Kailyn run into each other again (although not literally this time). Kailyn doesn’t really care for Daxton, especially since she believes that he betrayed her in law school. Circumstances have Daxton asking Kailyn to help him in a legal matter. Turns out Dax is guardian of his teenage sister and he’s at a loss of how to gain full custody of her.
Kailyn decides to step in and help Dax with his sister Emme as much as she can. What Kailyn doesn’t expect is to develop a close relationship with not only Emme, but Dax as well. But what is at stake if Kailyn and Dax decide to pursue a romantic relationship? Ultimately who will it harm and will the relationship be worth it?
I love Helena Hunting’s writing, but Meet Cute is not a lighthearted romantic comedy as the cover may suggest. There are serious issues being discussed in this book including grief and loss of a loved one. I do feel that Helena did a wonderful job navigating these issues and you could feel how desperate Daxton felt at times with having to be a guardian to a teenager.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Daxton and Kailyn. These two had great chemistry and I loved their banter. Helena always brings the heat and I loved the slow sensual burn between Dax and Kailyn. I appreciate the fact that Dax and Kailyn went slow with their relationship – especially since they were both career driven and both wanted what was best for Emme.
Audiobook:
Story: 4 Overall: 4 Narration: 5
I am such a huge fan of Teddy Hamilton and I think he did such a wonderful job narrating Daxton and the other cast in Meet Cute! I could always feel the various emotions that each character is portraying through his narration. Holly Warren was such a great choice to narrate Kailyn. I could immediately feel the distrust that Kailyn had with Dax when she first met him again. But I also felt how much she cared for Dax and Emme when she got to know both of them. This was a great audiobook and I really enjoyed listening to Meet Cute!
**As well as listening to the audiobook of Meet Cute I simultaneously read an ARC of Meet Cute that was given to a friend from the publisher.
After seeing Well Met all over Bookstagram and Twitter I finally ordered myself a copy (yay for Target buy 2 get 1 sales). Well Met was highly recommended from a few friends, so I was really excited to read it. My library audiobook hold for Well Met came in at the same time I was about to pick up the book so I ended up listening/reading this book. I have to say that the narrator of the audiobook did such a tremendous job! If you’re considering reading/listening to Well Met – the audiobook really did enhance the experience!
Emily has recently relocated to Willow Creek, Maryland to help out her sister and niece. Her sister, April was recently in a car accident and needs some help around the house. When Emily’s niece decides to volunteer at the local Renaissance Faire, Emily gets roped into participating too.
This is where Emily meets high school teacher Simon. Simon is a bit rough around the edges and very strict with his faire rules. Emily and Simon quickly develop a tumultuous bond. But when the two of them are in character – sparks fly!
The description around the faire, truly had me imagining I was there. I felt that Jen DeLuca did a wonderful job setting up the scene of the faire and I felt just like Emily – left in awe when the woods transformed into the faire.
I loved the push and pull of Simon and Emily’s relationship. I do wish that Simon had his own POV chapters, because his character came across as very brash/rude on occasion. I also wish that he would have done a bit more groveling in the end. Overall I did really enjoy Well Met and am looking forward to April and Stacey’s stories!
Audiobook:
Story: 4 Narration: 5 Overall: 4
I really enjoyed the audiobook of Well Met! Usually when I listen to an audiobook for the first time I like to read along as well, but I found myself wanting to listen to this audiobook because Brittany Pressley does such an excellent job! I loved it when Emily would switch to Emma the tavern wench! The various accents absolutely make the book even that much more enjoyable.
So many friends recommended Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon to me and I am so glad that I finally picked this book up! It was HOT and sweet and everything that I was looking for. I ended up listening to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration.
Rafe Whitcomb is a male nanny and has decided to look into doing something else career-wise since the family he currently takes care of is moving. Dr Sloan Copeland is having a hard time finding a nanny. Her current nanny up and left while Sloan was still at work. She’s a single mom and needs a nanny desperately. When Rafe is highly recommended Sloan doesn’t hesitate to meet with him.
The chemistry between Rafe and Sloan was smoking from the first moment they met each other. I really liked the open communication between the two of them. Of course it has to be a given because Rafe is Sloan’s nanny. But I also really enjoyed how they communicated their feelings with one another. Both of them were so mature and that is so refreshing in romances.
Audiobook
Story: 4 Narration: 4.5 Overall: 4
I listened to Rafe without reading along and I feel like Lacy Laurel did a wonderful job narrating. I do wish that there was a male narrator, but understand that it’s not necessarily needed as the book is told in third person. I had no problem discerning the different characters that Lacy was trying to portray and honestly LOVED it when she narrated Xeni! Those were some of my favorite scenes and I cannot wait to read Xeni next.
If you’re looking for a romance between two mature adults that’s low on the drama and high on the steam, pick up Rafe!
Do you enjoy a slow burn in a romance book? I had so many book friends recommend The Wall of Winnipeg and Me and I immediately bought it, but hadn’t gotten a chance to read it yet. I enjoyed the book in the beginning, but them somewhere around 40% I started getting bored because the pace was so slow. I really wanted to love this book, but sadly I don’t think I really enjoy the really drawn out slow slow burn that Mariana Zapata is known for.
Vanessa has been an assistant to football player Aiden Graves for a few years now. He’s moody, bossy and doesn’t talk much. Vanessa eventually reaches her breaking point and quits. She’s done. She doesn’t need to be around an undeserving boss anymore. And then….then Aiden is back in Vanessa’s space begging her to come back.
Going in to The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, I knew that it was going to be a slow burn. But wow was this book a slooooooow burn. I don’t mind a slow burn, but for some reason I just wasn’t connecting with Aiden and Vanessa as a couple in this book.
There was just so much other stuff going on in the book that I feel like it took away from the couple and the slowly developing romance between Aiden and Vanessa.
I realize that so many people (including a lot of my friends) loved The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, so it might have just been me or the mood that I was in. I did enjoy listening to the audiobook (I listened on Audible Escape) though!
Do you re-read books? And if you do re-read what makes you want to re-read a particular book? I re-read a lot and always have. There are just some books that really stick with me and I love to re-visit them. Sometimes I will only go back to certain parts that I loved and other times I will re-read the whole book.
With The Hating Game – I have re-read this book at least three times. Each time I re-read this book I love it just as much or more. I think there’s something to be said for re-reading a book. You know what’s going to happen and it’s familiar. And in a time like today where a lot of us are stressed out or don’t have the mental capacity to read a new book a re-read can be something akin to a warm hug.
This time around I listened to the audiobook of The Hating Game and Katie Schorr has such a wonderful voice. She embodies Lucy so perfectly and I love the different ways she can portray happiness or sorrow or regret.
At the hart of The Hating Game is an enemies-to-lovers story and I am a sucker for enemies-to-lovers. Lucy and Josh LOVE to HATE each other. Lucy’s password is IHATEJOSHUA4EV@ – I mean she even hates him in her passwords!
I loved every single game that Lucy and Josh played with one another. The feelings they have for each other are so palpable. But then…then Josh goes and turns Lucy’s worlds upside down and she doesn’t know which game they’re playing anymore.
There are so many little things that makes this book perfect! Sally Thorne does such a great job writing both Josh and Lucy. This book has the perfect amount of angst, steam and sweetness. Even after re-reading it multiple times there are still parts of this book where I had tears streaming down my face (and not always because I was feeling sad). If you love a great enemies to lovers romance please run to pick this book up!
This past month has been strange to say the least. I haven’t really had the emotional capacity to deal with life + keeping up my blog and I apologize for that. Between the news on social media, having to work and trying to help homeschool my daughter at home I truly felt very stretched thin. But as we are gradually getting used to our “new normal” I realize how therapeutic I find not only reading books, but blogging and talking about them in general. So thank you for listening to ramble on for a bit 💕.
As with a lot of other book bloggers/bookstagrammers I haven’t been able to pick up a lot of new books lately, but rather I have been reading and/or listening to favorites. One of my favorite books last year was Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas and I recently decided to listen to it on audiobook. I can honestly say that I loved this book even more the second time around!
Dr Garret Gibson – a female physician – has been featured throughout the Ravenel series before. As soon as detective Ethan Ransom came on the scene I knew that there was a story there between Garret and Ethan.
Both Ethan and Garret are so feisty and together their chemistry was just perfect! I LOVED the witty banter between the two and how Garret wouldn’t back down on anything she was so passionate about.
I also loved visiting with characters that we have seen throughout the series. The appearances by Winterborne, Devon, Helen and of course Weston (swoon) were ingrained so perfectly in this book.
The chemistry between Garret and Ethan was blazing hot!! The slow way that these two became acquainted with each other really paid off and I loved every second of it.
Hello Stranger had a really great suspenseful plot that kept me hooked throughout the book. I would say it was slightly more suspenseful than other Lisa Kleypas books I have read in the past, but it completely worked!
Audiobook:
Story: 5 Narration: 5 Overall: 5
This was the first time I had the opportunity to listen to Mary Jane Wells, but it most definitely will not be my last. Mary Jane Wells did such a wonderful job portraying Garret and Ethan.
I loved the way she was able to narrate Ethan and his Irish accent. The accent accentuated everything that Ethan said and I was completely charmed by it.
If you’re looking for a romantic, suspenseful historical romance then definitely listen to this audiobook. I have a feeling I will be listening to this again in the very near future.
Hi readers! Do you listen to audiobooks? I will admit that prior to joining the book community I had maybe listened to two audiobooks and wasn’t really sure why so many people enjoyed them.
Let me tell you – that has all changed in the past year. I absolutely love listening to audiobooks now. I listen to audiobooks when I’m taking a walk or working out. I listen to audiobooks when I’m doing mundane chores around the house like washing dishes or tidying up. And I always have an audiobook going when I’m on long commutes.
I feel like sometimes a lot of people are weirded out by the notion of listening to a romance book on audio, but honestly I love it. Sure you might feel the need to lower the volume on your headphones when a particular sexy scene is playing, but I don’t find that it takes away or distracts me from the audiobook.
I do feel like the narrator of an audiobook really adds to the experience for me. If i’m not really feeling the narrator then I usually will stop listening completely and switch over to reading instead. Other times I wish the book would never end because I love the narration.
Who are your favorite narrators? I really enjoy listening to books narrated by Erin Mallon, Susannah Nixon, Zachary Webber, Jason Clarke and Jacob Morgan. I’ll leave a few of my favorite audiobook recommendations below and would love to hear which audiobooks are your favorites!
The Hating Game by Sally | Thorne Narrated by Katie Schorr
I first read The Hating Game and completely fell in love the enemies to lovers story involving co-workers Josh and Lucy. I decided to listen to the audiobook a few months later and loved the narration by Katie Schorr. If you love a great enemies to lovers romance please run to get the audio!
Hooking Up by Helena Hunting | Narrated by Jacob Morgan and Muffy Newton
If you haven’t listened to an audiobook narrated by Jacob Morgan, please change that ASAP! Jacob Morgan and Muffy Newton do such a wonderful job narrating Lexington and Amalie in this audiobook. This book is one of my favorites and I listened to the audiobook on a re-read and enjoyed it so much. If you want a steamy but super sweet love story then this is the book!
Man Hands by Tanya Eby and Sarina Bowen | Narrated by Luke Daniels and Erin Mallon
When a friend recommended that I listen to Man Hands and then gifted it to me I knew that it was going to be a great audiobook. I can honestly say that this is maybe my favorite audiobook. I was laughing right from the beginning and didn’t stop pretty much until the book ended. I loved the sizzling chemistry between Tom and Brynn! Even though I was laughing so hard throughout a majority of the book, the tender, sweet moments really had me sighing and rooting for these two.
Brooklynaire by Sarina Bowen | Narrated by Zachary Webber, Virgina Rose and Joe Hempel
I actually started with the book in audiobook format and immediately fell in love with the voices of Nate and Rebecca. I also really appreciated that the past scenes were narrated by Joe Hempel. It made the transition between past and present seamless. I am a huge fan of Zachary Webber and as always he does a wonderful job bringing Nate to life. But I also really loved Virginia Rose as Rebecca! I could immediately tell when Rebecca was excited or doubtful (one of my favorite scenes was when she had a bit too much alcohol to drink!)
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