Category: Forced Proximity

ARC Review – Business Casual by B.K. Borison

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Business Casual by B.K. Borison

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Series: Lovelight #4

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Level: 🌶🌶

Release Date: July 16, 2024

Publisher: Berkley

I received a complimentary copy from Berkley.


SYNOPSIS

Two opposites decide to test their chemistry with one steamy night together. But will once be enough?

Nova Porter isn’t looking for love, and she certainly has no explanation for her attraction to buttoned-up, three-piece-suit-wearing investment banker Charlie Milford. Maybe it’s his charm? Or maybe it’s his determination to help her fledgling business however he can. Either way, she’s distracted every time he’s around. With her new tattoo studio set to open in her hometown of Inglewild, she doesn’t have time for frivolous flirtations. 

In an effort to get Charlie out of her system once and for all, Nova offers a proposition. One night. No strings. They’ll kick their uncomfortable attraction to the curb and return to their respective responsibilities. But their explosive night together scatters their expectations like fallen leaves. And with Charlie in town as the temporary head of Lovelight Farms, Nova can’t quite avoid him. 

And Charlie? Well, Charlie knows a good investment when he sees one. He’s hoping he can convince Nova he’s worth some of her time.

REVIEW

What you can expect to find in Business Casual:
-golden retriever hero
-grumpy heroine
-friends to lovers
-“let’s get this out of our system”
-🌶🌶
-he takes care of her
-no third act breakup
-he falls first
-found family
-small town shenanigans

I first read Lovelight Farms last year and immediately became obsessed with the small town charm of Inglewild. As soon as Charlie was introduced I knew that I was going to love his book because I immediately loved his character. A bit goofy and funny but definitely hiding some vulnerabilities.

Business Casual had so many of my favorite tropes – friends to lovers, found family and of course “let’s just get this out of our system” because when does that ever work out 🤭. The chemistry between Nova and Charlie was so good. Their tension made for a delicious slow burn. Charlie and Nova were both so patient with one another – not letting them hide behind their feelings and always facing hard things together. I love that for them so much.

I’ll be honest – I’ve been loving books that are on the angsty side lately and (unpopular opinion) I don’t mind a third act breakup. BUT BK Borison did a wonderful job with this rom-com that didn’t have a third act breakup. There was still some angst, but it was the perfect amount for this book.

Overall, I highly enjoyed Business Casual. Definitely taking second place in the series after Lovelight Farms

ARC Review – Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

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Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: June 11, 2024

Publisher: Berkley

I received a complimentary copy from Berkley and audiobook from PRHAudio.

SYNOPSIS

A forbidden, secret affair proves that all’s fair in love and science.

Rue Siebert might not have it all, but she has enough: a few friends she can always count on, the financial stability she yearned for as a kid, and a successful career as a biotech engineer at Kline, one of the most promising start-ups in the field of food science. Her world is stable, pleasant, and hard-fought. Until a hostile takeover and its offensively attractive front man threatens to bring it all crumbling down.

Eli Killgore and his business partners want Kline, period. Eli has his own reasons for pushing this deal through – and he’s a man who gets what he wants. With one burning exception: Rue. The woman he can’t stop thinking about. The woman who’s off-limits to him.

Torn between loyalty and an undeniable attraction, Rue and Eli throw caution out the lab and the boardroom windows. Their affair is secret, no-strings-attached, and has a built-in deadline: the day one of their companies will prevail. But the heart is risky business – one that plays for keeps.

REVIEW

What to expect in Not in Love:
-dual pov 😏
-let’s get it out of our system
-grumpy/sunshine (she’s grumpy)
-STEM setting
-forbidden romance
-🌶🌶🌶 (def Ali’s steamiest)

Rue, a biotech engineer, owes her life work to her mentor and the company she created – Kline. So when a group swoops in to buy Kline and potentially put Rue and her coworkers out of a job – she’s not thrilled. And to make matters worse – the one night stand that Rue was supposed to hook up with just so happens to be…you guessed it – one of the partners wanting to take over Kline 🫣

Eli has his own reasons for wanting to take over Kline, but he clearly wanted to spend more time getting to know the elusive Rue Siebert. But Rue doesn’t do strings or repeats. And she especially doesn’t want to get entangled with Eli who she views as the enemy. But the chemistry between Eli and Rue is undeniable. Will they find a way to have a relationship with one another even though they are at a crossroads?

Everytime Ali Hazelwood writes a book I think “this is my favorite Ali Hazelwood book” and then she finds a way to write another book that I absolutely love. I know I say I love whatever current male lead Ali has written about but gah Eli 😮‍💨…he’s so swoony and sweet and sexy. AND AND AND we get his point of view (!!!)- which I love even more!

This isn’t a slow burn romance – Rue and Eli meet on an app to have a fun one night stand with no strings. Rue doesn’t do strings and Eli – while always respecting her wishes – wants more than that. While I do have a hard time with insta-love, I never felt that way with Rue and Eli. They had such an emotional connection and by the end of the books I had tears running down my face 😭

Does Not in Love have the classic Ali Hazlewood humor – yes! I was laughing out loud during so many parts of this book. But Ali also touched on heavier subjects that made me love these characters even more.

I also had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook of Not in Love and enjoyed it so much! This was a “duet style” narration performed by Callie Dalton and Jason Clarke. I loved their portrayals of Rue and Eli! I feel like their emotions really came through in their performance. I could always tell when both Eli and Rue were happy, sad or excited. And the fact that this was a duet type of narration definitely made me love this audiobook even more. Yay for more of those!!

Definitely add Not in Love to your tbr!

cw: parent neglect/abandonment, parental death, starvation.

ARC Review – The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy

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The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Series: Campus Diaries #2

Genre: Hockey Romance/New Adult

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: May 14, 2024

Publisher: Bloom Books

I received a complimentary copy of this book from GetRedPR/publisher.

SYNOPSIS

Diana Dixon has a lot going on this summer. She’s rehearsing for a ballroom dance competition, juggling two jobs, and dealing with an ex-boyfriend who can’t take the hint it’s over. Yet despite all that, she still has plenty of time and energy to tell Shane Lindley to screw off.

Shane just moved into her apartment building and seems dedicated to sleeping his way through her entire cheerleading squad. Sure, he’s a tall, gorgeous hockey player, but he’s messing with her turf. This calls for some ground rules: no parties in her apartment, leave her teammates alone, and—most importantly—leave her alone.

What Diana doesn’t realize is that Shane’s sick of hookups and tired of being on the rebound after his long-term girlfriend called it quits. He wants a relationship. And when his ex comes back into the picture, he pretends he has one to make her jealous…and who better to play the girlfriend role than his sassy new neighbor?

Despite Diana’s reluctance to break her rule, a fake relationship is the perfect solution for her own ex issues, and soon she can’t deny something is sizzling between her and Shane. Something hot and completely unexpected.

And it might just be getting a little too real.

REVIEW

What you can expect to find in The Dixon Rule:
-cheerleader x hockey player
-forced proximity – they’re neighbors
-fake dating
-slow burn
-🌶🌶🌶
-no third act breakup
-lots of references to the og hockey group (Briar U & Off-Campus)

Diana Dixon is content with her life. She’s busy getting ready for a dance competition while juggling two jobs. BUT she loves where she lives – it’s her safe haven. That is until Shane Lindley moves into the apartment next door. Why did it have to be him? The player that likes to hook up with her cheerleading team. So she sets down some Dixon Rules for him to follow . Diana can make all the rules she wants … Shane is willing to push all her buttons 😈

Shane thought he’d be loving the single life after coming out of a long term relationship. But turns out he wants the predictability that comes with being half of a couple. He doesn’t want to do one night stands anymore. Diana is over her relationship with her ex, but he doesn’t seem to get the hint. So when she proposes a fake dating situationship – Shane doesn’t have much to lose. Maybe this will get his ex-girlfriend to notice that he’s settling down. When the fake dating turns to friends with benefits and their line starts to blur will Shane and Diana take a chance on a real relationship?

Okay, I am loving the new Elle Kennedy books! They have the same humor and snark as her other previous hockey series! I loved Diana and Shane together. Their banter and chemistry was off the charts. I loved their slow fall from general acquaintances to friends to lovers. They’ve been in each others orbits for so long, but never really saw each other for their true selves.

While there were a lot of moments in The Dixon Rule that were funny and had me laughing – this book dealt with a lot of serious topics. Domestic abuse is front and center – and Diana’s struggle with it. I do felt like the last quarter of the book had some heavier topics that weighed down the book a bit for me. It definitely put me in my feels and I just wanted to give a big hug to Shane & Diana 🥹

Overall, I really enjoyed The Dixon Rule and couldn’t read this book fast enough! I literally can’t wait to see which couple the next book will be about and I have my guesses 👀.

cw: domestic abuse, death of a loved one, cancer, anxiety 

ARC Review – Funny Story by Emily Henry

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Funny Story by Emily Henry

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Romance/Women’s Fiction

Heat Level: 🔥

Release Date: April 23, 2024

Publisher: Berkley

I received a complimentary copy from Berkley and audiobook from PRHAudio.

SYNOPSIS

A shimmering, joyful new novel about a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common.

Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it…right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra.

Which is how Daphne begins her new story: Stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.

Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?

But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex…right?

REVIEW

What you can expect to find in Funny Story
-fake dating + real feelings
-forced proximity
-roommates
-slow burn 🔥
-small town
-found family

When children’s librarian, Daphne finds herself literally without a place to live because her (ex)fiancé, Peter, decided to call of their wedding on the night of his bachelor party because he still had feelings for his childhood best friend Petra – Daphne’s not quite sure what to do. She moved her whole life to be where Peter was. In a wild twist of events Daphne finds herself rooming with Miles. Miles, whose ex-fiance is non other than Petra – the same woman that Peter decided to leave Daphne for.

Miles and Daphne are both mourning the loss of their respective relationships. Daphne’s not even sure if she wants to stay in Michigan. Seems like everything she has there is because she was a part of a couple. But soon, Miles and Daphne form an unlikely friendship. He’s there to show her how great Waning Bay, Michigan can be. And if they accidentally/on purpose post pictures where it looks like they’re in a relationship – so what? But when those fake feelings start to feel really real – will both of them be able to move on from their heartache?

I ended up reading like half of Funny Story in one sitting. The writing is so captivating – balancing funny moments with heartbreaking ones is a talent that Emily Henry has in spades. I loved how enigmatic Miles once until he opened up. And the slow burn between Miles and Daphne was soooo good. Fake dating when done right is one of my absolute favorite tropes and it was done so well in Funny Story. You know you love a couple when glances, accidental touches and of course the force proximity gives you butterflies. I loved loved love Miles + Daphne.

BUT, I also love the side characters in Funny Story. Everyone from Daphne’s library co-workers to the people around town made this story that much more special. Yes, there was heartache and character growth. Did I cry? Of course I did – this is an Emily Henry book.

I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook of Funny Story and really enjoyed it! Julie Whelan is such a wonderful narrator and once again I love how she brought Daphne’s character to life. I could feel all the emotions that Daphne was going through – whether that was joy, excitement or frustration. If you’re a fan of audiobooks I highly recommend listening to Funny Story!

Funny Story was more of a rom-com compared to last year’s Happy Place. That’s another thing I love about EH’s books – they’re all slightly different. Some are more angsty while others are more like a rom-com! I love that she gives us a little bit something different each time.

Loved Funny Story and can’t wait to go back and reread my favorite parts.

Ranking Emily Henry books (they’re all 5 stars)

1. People We Meet on Vacation
2. Book Lovers
3. Happy Place
4. Funny Story
5. Beach Read

*subject to change at any moment.

Review – Powerless by Lauren Roberts

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Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Romance

Heat Level: Closed Door

Series: The Powerless Trilogy #1

Release Date: November 7, 2023

I’ve been reading a lot more YA fantasy romance this year and it’s definitely because of books like Powerless. The chemistry + the angst + the tension was so good and I could not stop reading. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a fast paced fantasy romance! **not sponsored**

SYNOPSIS

She is the very thing he’s spent his whole life hunting.
He is the very thing she’s spent her whole life pretending to be.

Only the extraordinary belong in the kingdom of Ilya—the exceptional, the empowered, the Elites.

The powers these Elites have possessed for decades were graciously gifted to them by the Plague, though not all were fortunate enough to both survive the sickness and reap the reward. Those born Ordinary are just that—ordinary. And when the king decreed that all Ordinaries be banished in order to preserve his Elite society, lacking an ability suddenly became a crime—making Paedyn Gray a felon by fate and a thief by necessity.

Surviving in the slums as an Ordinary is no simple task, and Paedyn knows this better than most. Having been trained by her father to be overly observant since she was a child, Paedyn poses as a Psychic in the crowded city, blending in with the Elites as best she can in order to stay alive and out of trouble. Easier said than done.

When Paeydn unsuspectingly saves one of Ilyas princes, she finds herself thrown into the Purging Trials. The brutal competition exists to showcase the Elites’ powers—the very thing Paedyn lacks. If the Trials and the opponents within them don’t kill her, the prince she’s fighting feelings for certainly will if he discovers what she is—completely Ordinary.

REVIEW

What to expect in Powerless:
-forced proximity
-girl thief x prince boy (they’re both morally gray)
-TENSION – gah so much tension
-secrets, lies, betrayals
-Hunger Games style setup
-top tier flirting + banter + chemistry
-close door but so much angst
-who did this to you moments
-ballroom dancing (!!!)

Ok, listen. I have been influenced on more than one occasion to pick up a book I’ve seen on social media. When I keept seeing Powerless I figured I should at least add it to my tbr and see what the fuss was about. When I tell you that I literally could not keep the grin off of my face while reading this book please believe me 🤭 I was giggling, blushing and devouring the pages. I loved loved loved Paedyn + Kai together. They have that kind of chemistry that seriously sizzles on page. Everything out of that man’s mouth was pure poetry.

I don’t want to give the plot away too much, because there’s so much going on and all of it is important. I will say that Lauren Roberts knows how to weave a story that comes full circle. I felt so much while reading this book.

I have pages upon pages of highlights between Kai and Paedyn. I mean he calls her darling as a sarcastic endearment and every time he did I was 🫠. Kai was such a complex character. He’s the future enforcer to the King, so he’s trained to be a killer and yet he would go to any length to keep Payedyn safe. The way he’s a complete golden retriever for her was giving me all the feels 🥹. He was giving Aaron Warner, Cardan Greenbriar & Rhysand vibes…swoon.

And holy shit that ending 🤯 … I did not see it coming. My heart was hurting after finishing Powerless 😭

Okay that’s enough rambling thoughts for now. I just loved this book and I cannot wait until next year for Reckless

Review – The Graham Effect

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The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance / Hockey Romance

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Series: Campus Diaries #1

Release Date: October 31, 2023

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

I was a bit hesitant going into The Graham Effect, because The Deal is easily one of my all time favorite romances. But I can honestly say that I LOVED this book and cannot wait to read the next book in the series!

SYNOPSIS

Gigi Graham has exactly three goals: qualify for the women’s national hockey team, win Olympic gold, and step out of her famous father’s shadow. So far, so good, except for two little things. Fine–a little thing and a big, grumpy thing. She needs to improve her game behind the net, and she needs help from Luke Ryder.

Ryder is six-foot five, built, opinionated, rude…and sexy as hell. But he’s still the enemy.

Briar’s new hockey co-captain has his reasons, though. The men’s team just merged with a rival program, leaving Ryder with an angry roster where everyone hates one another’s guts. To make matters worse, the summer coaching spot he’s angling for with the legendary Garrett Graham is out of reach after he makes the worst possible first impression on his hero. So, really, this compromise with Gigi is win-win. He helps her make the national team, she puts in a good word
with her dad.

The only potential snag? This bone-deep, body-numbing, mind-spinning chemistry they’re trying to ignore. It’s a dangerous game they’re playing, but the risks just might be worth it.

REVIEW

What you can expect to find in The Graham Effect:
-hockey romance
-grumpy hero
-banter for days
-spicy 🌶🌶🌶
-swoony
-dual pov
-cameo’s by Garrett and Hannah
-no third act breakup

Gigi Graham has big shoes to fill, she can’t go too far without it being mentioned that her dad is The Garrett Graham. Gigi has always wanted to be great at hockey, but being a female hockey player she has a few disadvantages. Since she can’t win the Stanley cup, she’s going for gold – Olympic gold that is. Only problem – the coach thinks she needs to improve her game. Luke Ryder has idolized Garrett Graham since he started playing hockey. His goal is to be a coach for the summer camp that Garrett has every summer. Only problem – Garrett doesn’t think too highly of Ryder after he got into a scuffle with a former hockey teammate. These two realize that they can help each other – Gigi can put in a good word with her dad and Ryder can help Gigi improve her game. It’s a win-win situation, except the more time these two start spending together the more their chemistry comes to the surface. Neither of them are looking for a relationship…will they be able to keep their feelings out of their friends with benefits arrangement?

Elle Kennedy is easily one of my favorite hockey romance writers. My first book by her was The Deal and I’ve read and reread that book too many times to count. I admit – I was a bit worried if I would like The Graham Effect – often time second generation books don’t always do it for me. BUT! I was wrong and I loved The Graham Effect so much 🥰.

Ryder and Gigi were such a fun couple. Grumpy heroes are my favorite kinds of heroes and Ryder was grumpy, sarcastic and so funny! I loved the banter between these two – I always had a grin on my face whenever they were together 😌. But underneath their tough façade, both Gigi and Ryder had their own vulnerabilities and the way they were always so honest with one another was what I loved the most about The Graham Effect. The slow fall from indifference to friends to lovers was done so well in this book. It was funny, spicy and swoony – the perfect combination!

And gah – the cameos of the OG Off Campus/Briar U characters was so fun! And yes, any scene that Garrett and Hannah was in was pure perfection – I love them together and even more as parents 🥹.

SPOILERS
*
*
*
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The twist at the end left me with a HUGE GRIN on my face. The respective my wife and my husband made me alkjf;lajdflkjaflkj 🤭. I loved Ryder for his patience with Gisele and always backing her up – even with her dad who he idolizes. Love this couple so much 

If you’re looking for a fun hockey romance with plenty of banter and spice I highly highly recommend The Graham Effect. I cannot wait to read more from this universe.

Review – Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco

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Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: October 3, 2023

I picked up this book after seeing it all over my social media. While this was my first book by Kerri Maniscalco, it definitely won’t be my last! Loved the banter and the chemistry between Prince Envy and Camilla!

SYNOPSIS

Sinner. Villain. Wicked.

The Prince of Envy has never claimed to be a saint. But when a cryptic note arrives, signaling the beginning of a deadly game, he knows it will take more than a hint of sin to win and save his falling demon court. Riddles, hexed objects, anonymous players, nothing will stand in his way, though none of his meticulous plans prepare him for her, the frustrating artist who ignites his sin like no other…

Virtuous. Darling. Liar.

The trouble with scoundrels and blackguards is that they haven’t a modicum of honor, a fact Miss Camilla Antonius learns after one desperate mistake allows Waverly Green’s most notorious rake to blackmail her. To avoid a ruinous scandal, Camilla is forced to enter a devil’s bargain with Envy, little expecting his game will awaken her true nature . . .

Together, Envy and Camilla must embark on a perilous journey through the Underworld—from glittering demon courts to the sultry vampire realm and beyond—while trying to avoid the most dangerous trap of all: falling in love.

REVIEW

What you can expect to find in Throne of the Fallen
-Historical Romance x Fantasy Romance
-morally gray hero
-independent heroine
-only one night/I’m not catching feelings
-spicy spicy spicy
-mystery

Camilla Antonius loves her life. She’s an accomplished artist in her small town, she has great friends and she doesn’t need much more. When the Prince of Envy happens to need Camilla’s artistic ability she’s not quite sure what game he’s playing. Soon these two are thrust into the Underworld where they’re playing a deadly game and only one person can be victorious.

Throne of the Fallen was my first book by Kerri Maniscalco and I honestly had no idea what to expect. I love the crossover of Historical Romance x Fantasy Romance and I feel like she did such a good job! I love both genres so it’s fun to see this happen.

The Prince of Envy and Camilla were so much fun together. Their banter had me giggling and kicking my feet! I was always left intrigued as to what was going to happen next between the two. And Kerri Maniscalco knows how to bring the spice. The warring emotions between the two – jealousy, envy, lust – were done so well. I was rooting for these two to get together from the beginning! I loved the twists and turns throughout the book.

I read this book as a complete stand alone and I felt like it read fine – I haven’t read any other books by Kerri Maniscalco.

If you’re looking for an adult fantasy romance with a bit of suspense/mystery I would definitely recommend Throne of the Fallen.

**updating my rating to five stars because I can’t stop thinking about this book and recommending it to friends!

ARC Review – Hopeless by Elsie Silver

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Hopeless by Elsie Silver

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Series: Chestnut Springs #5

Release Date: October 13, 2023

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

I have loved loved loved this series and I am so sad to see it come to an end! If you’re looking for spicy, swoony and oftentimes hilarious romances I recommend the Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver!

SYNOPSIS

Beau Eaton is the town prince, a handsome military hero with a tortured past.

I’m the outcast bartender, a shy girl from the wrong side of the tracks.

He’s thirty-five and all man, and I’m twenty-two and all… virgin.

He’s also my fiancé. Correction: my fake fiancé.

We start out as a bet. He doesn’t believe that anyone holds my last name against me. So he offers me his to prove a point.

It’s win-win. He gets a break from his concerned family’s prying, and I get a chance to shed my family’s reputation while I save up to ditch this small town.

He says all I have to do is wear his ring, follow his lead, and pretend I can’t keep my hands off of him in public.

But it’s what happens between us in private that blurs all those carefully drawn lines.

It’s what transpires behind closed doors that doesn’t feel like pretending at all.

This engagement was supposed to be for show. This agreement? It has an end date.

He once told me he’d never fall in love.

And yet here I am, head over heels for my fake fiancé.

REVIEW

What you can expect to find in Hopeless
-fake dating
-playful banter
-slow burn
-age gap (she’s 22 and he’s 35)

Beau is back from deployment and isn’t having the easiest time. His family means well but they are tip-toeing around him. Careful not to say the wrong thing, careful to always include him in the ranching lifestyle. Everyone in Chestnut Springs treats him as a hero and he’s not sure how to feel about it.

Bailey’s life has never been easy. Growing up everyone knew the Jansen’s and what trouble makers they were. Bailey tries to separate herself from her brothers, but they insist on making life a challenge for her.

Beau has always been kind to Bailey and Bailey isn’t afraid to tell him when he’s wrong or overstepped unlike the rest of the community. When Beau proposes a challenge for Bailey she’s not sure what to make of it – Beau proposes (ha!) that Bailey and him pretend to be engaged. That way maybe she’ll get better opportunities in town with his name attached to hers and he gets his family off his back. When the fake engagement starts to feel all too real – there will be some hard decisions for both of them to make, especially since Bailey wants out of the town that seems to make her life miserable.

Okay first of all if there’s a fake dating ploy involved I am going to eat it up! Second of all, this is an Elsie Silver novel so when I think “umm…I’m not sure I’m gonna like an age gap/virgin heroine” she proves me wrong. I loved loved loved Bailey and Beau. They were funny and sweet and I loved the sass that they gave each other. Their slooooooow burn romance was burning up the pages while I was reading Hopeless.

For a book that tackles some sensitive subjects like PTSD, trauma from war, parental abuse and neglect, I feel like Elsie did a good job including them in the book without making the book overtly heavy. I have to admit, I was a bit worried that this would be a heavier book, but it was actually the opposite. Beau was such a golden retriever and I love it!

I also had an opprotunity to listen to the audiobook of Hopeless and it was narrated so well. Jason Clarke is one of my favorite narrators and he did an amazing job portraying Beau! I really liked Angelina Rocca’s portrayal of Bailey. I could always tell when these narrators wanted us to be happy, excited or sad. If you like audiobooks I highly recommend you listen to Hopeless.

I am super sad that the Chestnut Springs series has come to an end – but what a series it was!!

Chestnut Springs ranking (they are all five star reads).
1. Flawless
2. Hopeless
3. Heartless
4. Reckless
5. Powerless

ARC Review – Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L Armentrout

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Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L Armentrout

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Romantic Fantasy

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Series: Awakening #1

Release Date: September 12, 2023

Publisher: Bramble

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

SYNOPSIS

SHE LIVES BY HER INTUITION. HE FEEDS ON HER PLEASURE.

Long ago, the world was destroyed by gods. Only nine cities were spared. Separated by vast wilderness teeming with monsters and unimaginable dangers, each city is now ruled by a guardian―royalty who feed on mortal pleasure.

Born with an intuition that never fails, Calista knows her talents are of great value to the power-hungry of the world, so she lives hidden as a courtesan of the Baron of Archwood. In exchange for his protection, she grants him information.

When her intuition leads her to save a traveling prince in dire trouble, the voice inside her blazes with warning―and promise. Today he’ll bring her joy. One day he’ll be her doom.

When the Baron takes an interest in the traveling prince and the prince takes an interest in Calista, she becomes the prince’s temporary companion. But the city simmers with rebellion, and with knights and monsters at her city gates and a hungry prince in her bed, intuition may not be enough to keep her safe.

Calista must follow her intuition to safety or follow her heart to her downfall.

REVIEW

What to expect in Fall of Ruin and Wrath
-fast paced word building
-🌶🌶🌶🌶
-who did this to you?
-found family
-political intrigue
…and an ending that leaves you begging for more

If Jennifer L Armentrout is writing a romantasy book I am first in line to want to read it. Which was exactly the case with Fall of Ruin and Wrath. Calista has a gift that not many know about – the foresight to see in to the future. The current Baron, Claude, realizes what a precious gift that is and is hiding Calista in his court as his courtesan. When Calista inadvertently ends up saving the life of a prince – Thorne – he takes an interest in her and wants her at his side while he is visiting the Baron. But the prince turns out to be far more intriguing and full of secrets. With an imminent danger approaching is he a person that Calista can trust?

While Fall of Ruin and Wrath started a bit slowly for me (as most fantasy romance novels do), I ended up absolutely tearing through the pages. I couldn’t get enough of Calista and Thorne. Their chemistry and banter left me with a grin on my face!

I genuinely cared about all of the characters in Fall of Ruin and Wrath – not just Thorne and Calista, but also Calista’s best friends Grady and Norma and even Claude.

I’m already hooked and can’t wait for the next book in the series!

ARC Review – The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon

~ Tej ~ Leave a comment

The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Heat Level: 🔥🔥

Series: The Hurricane Wars #1

Release Date: October 3, 2023

Publisher: Harper Voyager

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

SYNOPSIS

The heart is a battlefield.

All Talasyn has ever known is the Hurricane Wars. Growing up an orphan in a nation under siege by the ruthless Night Emperor, Talasyn has found her family among the soldiers who fight for freedom. But she is hiding a deadly secret: light magic courses through her veins, a blazing power believed to have been wiped out years ago that can cut through the Night Empire’s shadows.

Prince Alaric, the emperor’s only son and heir, has been forged into a weapon by his father. Tasked with obliterating any threats to the Night Empire’s rule with the strength of his armies and mighty Shadow magic, Alaric has never been bested. That is until he sees Talasyn burning brightly on the battlefield with the magic that killed his grandfather, turned his father into a monster, and ignited the Hurricane Wars. In a clash of light and dark, their powers merge and create a force the likes of which has never been seen.

Talasyn and Alaric both know this war can only end with them. But a greater threat is coming, and the strange new magic they can create together could be the only way to overcome it. Thrust into an uneasy alliance, they will confront the secrets at the heart of the war and find, in each other, a searing passion–one that could save their world…or destroy it.

An exquisite fantasy brimming with unforgettable characters, sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance, and richly drawn worlds, The Hurricane Wars marks the breathtaking debut of an extraordinary new writer.

REVIEW

What you can expect to find in The Hurricane Wars
-romantasy
-enemies to lovers
-marriage of convenience
-slow burn
-angst
-she’s sassy
-he falls hard and fast
-diverse characters

Talasyn a lightweaver is fighting as a soldier against the Night Empire in the Hurricane Wars. Prince Alaric is uses his Shadow magic and hasn’t met his equal until he fights Talasyn in the battle field. Soon these two discover that when their magic is combined they create something powerful. With a threat looming in the near distance these two must decide if they are willing to come together to defeat a threat larger than both of their forces.

From the moment I started reading The Hurricane Wars I was intrigued. I will say that it did take me a bit to get into the book as the word building is extensive. But what kept me coming back was the chemistry between Talasyn and Alaric – gah how I love these two! Talasyn is amazing in her own right – she doesn’t take crap from anyone and isn’t afraid to voice her opinions. And Alaric is absolutely gone for her – it was so much fun to watch!

I have to say that the writing by Thea Guanzon is so lyrical and beautiful. I had passages after passage highlighted because of the vivid imagery. And let’s be honest – nothing makes me love a book more than a marriage of convenience trope. The slow burn between Talasyn and Alaric was slooooooow, but the tension and angst was always there which I love in a romantasy.

There were so many twists and turns in this book and I am already dying to read book 2. If you’re looking for a enemies to lovers, fantasy romance with diverse characters I highly highly recommend The Hurricane Wars