Category: Reviews

ARC Review – Powerless

~ Tej ~ Leave a comment

Powerless by Elsie Silver

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Sports Romance

Series: Chestnut Springs #3

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: February 10, 2023

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

SYNOPSIS

Two childhood friends. Two broken hearts. One impromptu road trip to get away from everything. That’s all this was supposed to be. Afterall, I’ve been living in the friend zone for years now.

But hockey heartthrob Jasper Gervais isn’t looking at me like a friend anymore. And he isn’t touching me like one either.

To his fans, he’s the handsome, talented athlete on TV. But to me he’s still the lost boy with sad eyes and a heart of gold.

The man I’ve loved in secret for years.

So when my life falls apart on my wedding day, it only makes sense that he’s the one to swoop in and save me. And when his world comes crashing down around him, I’m there to return the favor.

But the more time we spend alone, the more Jasper doesn’t feel like a friend at all. He feels like everything I’ve ever wanted and thought I could never have.

Our feelings aren’t straight forward though. They twist and turn around the pain of his past and the reality of my present.

Jasper Gervais acts like he wants me.

But after years of turning me away, he’s going to need to prove it.

REVIEW

in Powerless expect to find:
-childhood friends to lovers
-angst & pining
-🔥🔥🔥
-age-gap
-sports romance
-sweet nicknames (he calls her Sunny 😍)

Jasper and Sloane have been in each others orbits since they were kids. They’ve known each other for the better part of two decades and have seen each other at their best and their worst. So when Sloane’s wedding is fast approaching, Jasper doesn’t know exactly what to feel. He’s not too keen on Sloane’s fiancée and doesn’t think she’s all that happy. And that’s all Jasper has ever wanted for Sloane – to be happy. So when Sloane’s life comes crashing down on her wedding day, it’s Jasper who saves her. Soon the two of them are on a road trip and their feelings are all coming to the surface. Will they shy away from them or face them head on?

I have been wanting Jasper’s story since he was first introduced in the Chestnut Spring series. He’s always been a bit quiet and reserved and we get to understand why in Powerless. Jasper has a lot of trauma from his past relationship with his family and Sloane has always been there for Jasper. Never one to push him, but always there to offer him comfort. So when Sloane needs that same comfort, Jasper is willing to be that rock for her.

Sloane is tired of everyone telling her what to do – especially her father. Her life as a ballerina, her upbringing and even her relationship with her fiancée have all been orchestrated for her and she’s finally had enough. Sloane is finding a way to find her voice and that voice is telling her that Jasper is the one for her, but she needs more than just longing from her side. Sloane wants to understand why Jasper never wanted to be with her when that’s all she’s ever wanted.

I loved so many aspects of this book. The longing and pining was evident from the first interaction between Sloane and Jasper. The push and pull in this slow burn was bringing out all the angst. Jasper was so swoony and Sloane was so fierce – fighting for what she wanted. Gah! I love these two and the world that Elsie Silver creates. I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next!

I also had an opportunity to listen to the audiobook of Powerless and really enjoyed it. Teddy Hamilton is one of my favorite narrators and he does such a good job portraying Jasper! I also loved CJ Bloom as Sloane! I could totally feel the tension between these two. Highly recommend the audiobook of Powerless.

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Review – Flawless & Heartless by Elsie Silver

~ Tej ~ 1 Comment

Flawless & Heartless by Elsie Silver

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Cowboy Romance

Series: Chestnut Springs #1 & #2

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

I ended up reading this series after I kept seeing these books all over booktok and bookstagram! I’m so glad I decided to pick them up because I ended up reading both books in the Chestnut Springs series in a matter of just a few days. I love the world that Elsie Silver has created with this series. I’ll be the first to say that I’m not a big fan of cowboy romances and yet I could not stop reading and being fascinated with bull riding and ranching. So yeah – big fan of Elsie Silver 😍 I can’t wait to go back and read through her backlist! If you pick up either of these books I’d love to know your thoughts.

Flawless by Elise Silver

Review

Rhett Eaton has been felled by milk.

When the media catches wind of bull riding superstar Rhett Eaton saying that he hates drinking milk – one of his biggest sponsors drops him. Not only that – Rhett manages to come under heat after punching a reporter who wouldn’t get out of his face. So when his manager assigns him an associate from his office to watch over Rhett to make sure he doesn’t get into anymore trouble, Rhett does not anticipate it being his agents daughter Summer.

Summer just graduated law school and is looking to join her dad’s firm. This seems like a test to her and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to work with her dad and stay on at the firm. If that means making sure that Rhett maintains his good boy image, then Summer is willing to do whatever it takes. He doesn’t need any more scandals before he tries to win his third golden buckle.

Flawless had so many of my favorite things in a romance
-forced proximity
-slow burn
-often hilarious text messages
-dual POV
-angst
-spicy scenes
-a hero who seems like an asshole, but is actually a sweetheart
-a fierce/independent heroine who doesn’t judge the hero

I could go and on about why I loved this book. The chemistry, the banter, the way these two needed each other. Not because they felt incomplete, but rather because they lifted each other up. They were always there for one another and their relationship was built on that foundation.

I’m so glad I decided to read Flawless!

Heartless by Elsie Silver

Review

After finishing Flawless, I knew that I had to start Cade’s story with Heartless and I loved this single dad romance so much! Cade is striking out on finding nanny’s for his son, Luke. When Summer (Rhett’s fiancee from book 1) says she has the perfect candidate in mind for Cade, he doesn’t expect for it to be her HOT best friend Willa.

Willa’s not quite sure how she got roped into being nanny to a little boy for the summer while his grumpy dad works on the ranch. But she’s been feeling restless and decides a little change for the summer will be good for her. What Willa doesn’t count on is falling for both the sweet boy she’s caring for as well as his dad.

Okay, first off – I don’t usually gravitate towards single dad romances. I’ve read them in the past and they’ve been meh – but after reading and falling completely in love with link: Flawless I knew that I had to continue with the next book in the series. And oh boy – how I loved Daddy Cade and Willa together. These two had so much chemistry and the way they flirted with one another was so 🔥. If I’ve learned anything about Elsie Silver is that she definitely knows how to write those dirty talking heroes. The scene in the kitchen – iykyk

What worked for me the most was how these two individuals didn’t want to depend on another person. Cade has been used to holding down the fort. He’s always been the one to take care of his siblings and then his son when his ex-wife ran off. So it’s hard for him to be taken care of. Willa is the same – she’s always been able to move around. I loved her growth throughout the book and how content she was even though she didn’t have her whole life figured out yet.

What I love about Elsie’s books is that she’s able to bring all the elements I love in a romance
-hilarious banter
-angst
-texting – not just between Cade & Willa, but every single character in this world
-scenes that make me laugh out loud
-scenes that make me want to cry

I could go on and on about how amazing this series is! I’m anxiously awaiting the next book in the series!

Review – A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L Armentrout

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A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L Armentrout

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Romantic Fantasy

Series: Flesh and Fire #2

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: November 15, 2022

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blue Box Press.

SYNOPSIS

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes book two in her Flesh and Fire series…

The only one who can save Sera now is the one she spent her life planning to kill.

The truth about Sera’s plan is out, shattering the fragile trust forged between her and Nyktos. Surrounded by those distrustful of her, all Sera has is her duty. She will do anything to end Kolis, the false King of Gods, and his tyrannical rule of Iliseeum, thus stopping the threat he poses to the mortal realm.

Nyktos has a plan, though, and as they work together, the last thing they need is the undeniable, scorching passion that continues to ignite between them. Sera cannot afford to fall for the tortured Primal, not when a life no longer bound to a destiny she never wanted is more attainable than ever. But memories of their shared pleasure and unrivaled desire are a siren’s call impossible to resist.

And as Sera begins to realize that she wants to be more than a Consort in name only, the danger surrounding them intensifies. The attacks on the Shadowlands are increasing, and when Kolis summons them to Court, a whole new risk becomes apparent. The Primal power of Life is growing inside her, pushing her closer to the end of her Culling. And without Nyktos’s love—an emotion he’s incapable of feeling—she won’t survive her Ascension. That is if she even makes it to her Ascension and Kolis doesn’t get to her first. Because time is running out. For both her and the realms.

REVIEW

Nyktos and Sera must continue to work together in A Light in the Flame to help save the kingdom from what Sera knew her whole life as “the rot.” The fragile bond that Sera and Nyktos had in the previous book is all but shattered when this story continues. Those closest to Nyktos do not trust Sera and yet, Sera will do anything to help defeat the false King of Gods. But to do so – Nyktos and Sera must put aside their differences and try to work together. How can they do this when their trust is broken?

After reading and loving A Shadow in the Ember I could not wait to pick up where that book left off with Nykots and Sera. And gah how I love these two SO much. A Light in the Flame was full of so much angst and tension between Nyktos and Sera and I could not stop reading. There were so many occasions where I had tears in my eyes and my heart was so heavy on behalf of these two. I just want them to be happy and I love that even though they have their differences, they truly do care so much for one another.

I am addicted to Jennifer’s writing and seriously cannot wait for the next book in this series! Highly highly recommend.

Review – Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

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Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Knockemout #1

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: September 20, 2022 (reprinted edition)

Publisher: Bloom Books

SYNOPSIS

Bearded, bad-boy barber Knox prefers to live his life the way he takes his coffee: Alone. Unless you count his basset hound, Waylon. Knox doesn’t tolerate drama, even when it comes in the form of a stranded runaway bride.

Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin to Knockemout, Virginia, a rough-around-the-edges town where disputes are settled the old-fashioned way… with fists and beer. Usually in that order.

Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected. The niece Naomi didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck in town with no car, no job, no plan, and no home with an 11-year-old going on thirty to take care of.

There’s a reason Knox doesn’t do complications or high-maintenance women, especially not the romantic ones. But since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. And just as soon as she stops getting into new trouble he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life.

At least, that’s the plan until the trouble turns to real danger.

REVIEW

Things We Never Got Over is a book that I picked up without really knowing too much about it. I know I’m a little late to the game, because I see this book on all of my social media feeds. But once I started reading it, I could not put it down.

Tropes you can expect to find in Things We Never Got Over
-small town romance
-single parent
-runaway bride
-grumpy/sunshine
-fake dating

Naomi finds herself in the small town of Knockemout, Virginia. As soon as she arrives she’s getting dirty looks and a wide berth – Naomi doesn’t have to think to hard on why. Her evil twin sister Tina has been messing with the folk of Knockemout. Turns out she also messed with Naomi when she stole her car, her cash and left her a present in the form of an 11 year old nice – Waylay – that Naomi had no idea even existed!

Naomi also has the misfortune of running into Knockemout’s bad boy Knox. Knox may look like a Viking God, but he’s rude, obnoxious and wants Naomi out of Knockemout ASAP. She’s the kind of trouble that he doesn’t like in his small town.

I have to start off this review by saying I’m not a huge fan of small town romances or romances that deal with single parents. Having said that, oh how I loved every single character in Knockemout and the relationship that Waylay has with Knox and Naomi. THIS is how small town, single parent romances should be written!

Knox…Knox…Knox…✨dreamy sigh✨. If you love a grumpy, grumbly, alpha-hole character with a heart of gold then Knox fits that description. I loved his character so much. And his relationship with Naomi was so fun, and sweet and sexy! The way he calls her Daisy 😍 These two – gah! I loved their chemistry, their banter and how swoony they were. For a person who wants her gone from Knockemout ASAP, Knox sure is good at taking care of her ❤️.

I also enjoyed the suspense surrounding Naomi’s twin sister Tina in Things We Never Got Over. Sometimes in romances the suspense can tend to go over my head, but it tied in really well in Things We Never Got Over and let us in to Knox’s troubled relationship with his brother Nash – who just so happens to be the chief of police.

Things We Never Got Over was the perfect balance of rom-com, angsty, suspense and small-town charm. I can’t wait for Nash’s book next!

CW: domestic abuse (past/not on page), parental abandonment, drug use (secondary character), kidnapping

ARC Review – Love on the Brain

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Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: August 23, 2022

Publisher: Berkley

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

SYNOPSIS

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis comes a new STEMinist rom-com in which a scientist is forced to work on a project with her nemesis—with explosive results.

Bee Königswasser lives by a simple code: What would Marie Curie do? If NASA offered her the lead on a neuroengineering project – a literal dream come true – Marie would accept without hesitation. Duh. But the mother of modern physics never had to co-lead with Levi Ward.

Sure, Levi is attractive in a tall, dark, and piercing-eyes kind of way. But Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school – archenemies work best employed in their own galaxies far, far away.

But when her equipment starts to go missing and the staff ignore her, Bee could swear she sees Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas… devouring her with those eyes. The possibilities have all her neurons firing.

But when it comes time to actually make a move and put her heart on the line, there’s only one question that matters: What will Bee Königswasser do?

REVIEW

Bee Königswasser, a scientist with NIH is given the chance of a lifetime to team up with NASA and it’s a dream come true for her! She’s so ecstatic…until she finds out that she will be working alongside Levi Ward – her arch-nemesis. Levi and Bee were in grad school together, but Levi was always so cool and reserved and hated Bee. She’s not sure anything’s changed in the past few years and is dreading working with him.

The project starts off immediately on the wrong foot. Being a woman in the STEM field, Bee should be used to it, but she was hopeful and excited. Soon, Bee’s not sure that she can put up with all the crap she’s having to deal with. Not to mention that Levi either ignores her or is trying to sabotage her every step of the way. But not everything is at is seems and soon Bee finds herself working alongside Levi. Will these two be able to work past their differences to work together?

After reading The Love Hypothesis, I was highly anticipating Love on the Brain. And oh, how I loved Levi and Bee together. Their chemistry and banter was evident right from the beginning. This enemies-to-lovers, second chance romance was equally swoony and funny. I constantly had a grin on myself while reading it.

Read Love on the Brain if you love Star Wars, cats, Marie Curie, texting ala You’ve Got Mail, nerdy jokes and lots of puns…so yeah I could go and on and on, but please add this book to your TBR!

ARC Review – Scandalized

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Scandalized by Ivy Owens

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: August 23, 2022

Publisher: Gallery

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

SYNOPSIS

A one-night stand between two old childhood friends turns into something more, but when a scandal threatens to tear them apart, they must decide how hard to fight for love—a steamy romance debut perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey and Kennedy Ryan​.

Exhausted and on deadline with a story that could make or break her career, investigative journalist Georgia Ross is on the verge of a meltdown when a cancelled flight leaves her stuck in the airport overnight. But when a familiar face appears—the older brother of her childhood friend—and offers help, Gigi seems to have caught a break.

Alec Kim is handsome, humble, and kind—exactly the sort of man that Gigi has forgotten existed after her own painful heartbreaks. An evening of reconnection followed by a night of no-strings-attached passion with Alec feels like a gift—that is, until Gigi finally realizes that their childhood connection isn’t the only reason he seems so familiar to her.

Alec is determined to prove to Gigi that he is truly the man she thinks he is, even if it means coming clean about his fame—and his family’s connection to the story Gigi’s been working so hard to break. But as their feelings for each other grow deeper, Gigi and Alec must navigate a new reality…one where both of their hard-won careers are put directly in the path of an international scandal. 

REVIEW

Georgia, better known as Gigi, is exhausted and tired after a delay in her flight from London to LA. Gigi was in London investigating a possible story that could make headlines. She wants nothing more than to get all the words floating around in her head down and move forward with her story. But the universe has other plans and Gigi is now stuck in London for a little while longer. Here’s where she runs into a friend. Alec Kim was Gigi’s best friends older brother growing up. Now he’s all grown up and even more handsome than before.

Gigi and Alec reconnect over drinks and great conversation. They soon move their night to the bedroom and decide to act on their actions – both deciding on a no strings attached one night stand. But all isn’t as it seems to be. Alec turns out to be a famous actor and keeps his life as private as possible. Soon Alec and Gigi are caught up in a scandal much larger than either of them thought. Will they keep their relationship surface level, while they both get more involved in the case and each other?

Scandalized was such a fun and fast paced read. I loved the way that Gigi and Alec reconnected. They had such a shared history even though they hadn’t seen each other in years. Ivy Owens can bring the heat and the chemistry between Gigi and Alec was explosive! One night stands and insta-love can be hit and miss for me. But it worked in this case, more so because Gigi and Alec shared a past and I loved their fond feelings for one another when they were younger.

The suspense plot of the book was fast paced and kept me on my toes. And while parts of the book could be quite heavy at times, I feel like the storyline was done well and still moved along quickly.

Overall, I really enjoyed Scandalized and am looking forward to reading more from Ivy Owens!

CW: sexual assault (off page)

ARC Review – The Devil You Know

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The Devil You Know by Elizabeth O’Roark

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Devil #3

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: June 23, 2022

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Valentine PR

SYNOPSIS

There’s a devil on my shoulder, and every Monday morning she announces herself. She’s this delicious flame in my chest, a flurry of whispered suggestions in my ear. Suggestions I ignore…because every single one of them is about Ben Tate.

Ben—Stealer of Clients, Evicter of Homeless Women, Nemesis. Sitting across from me every damn Monday with his lovely, smug smile and his too-perfect teeth, the living symbol of everything I hate.

It’s been my policy to avoid him, but when a case comes into the firm—one that could change his career and mine—I make an exception. It means weekends and evenings by his side. It means enduring his smirk and his smart mouth and never taking the bait.

Until the night Ben says, “Beg.”
And that devil on my shoulder decides to make a few demands of her own.

REVIEW

Gemma is one one singular goal – to make partner in her firm. She’s sick of the all boys club and is willing to put in her time until she makes partner. Except this time she has to put in time with the one partner that annoys her the most – Ben Tate. Ben the person who stole her client as soon as he came on with the firm, the one who is constantly teasing her and pushing all her buttons. But the more time they spend together the harder it is to ignore their growing attraction. Will Gemma be able to prove that she’s willing to make partner at the firm and have a relationship with Ben?

Gah, how I loved The Devil You Know. After getting glimpses of Ben in the previous books in this series I was so excited to finally get his story. But I have to be honest – I totally fell in love with Gemma. Gemma who’s prickly on the outside, but soft and gooey on the inside. Gemma who has been burned so many times before that she doesn’t know who to trust and definitely not sure if she can trust the one person she wants to trust the most – Ben.

These two had so much chemistry together and I loved every single moment they had together. The banter was exceptional and there was SO MUCH ANGST. The angst had butterflies in my stomach and tears streaming down my face. I’ve already read and re-read my favorite parts.

I highly recommend this entire series and this book was everything I want in a romance book. If you’re looking for a forced proximity, angsty, workplace enemies to lovers romance – I highly recommend The Devil You Know.

CW: workplace harassment, cheating (past character), depression (secondary character), parental neglect.

ARC Review – Starry Eyed Love

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Starry Eyed Love by Helena Hunting

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Spark House #2

Heat Level: 🔥🔥

Release Date: May 10, 2022

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

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

SYNOPSIS

Charming, hilarious, and emotional, Starry-Eyed Love is Helena Hunting at her very best!

Having just broken up with her boyfriend, London Spark is not in the mood to be hit on. Especially not when she’s out celebrating her single status with her sisters. So when a very attractive man pays for their drinks and then slips her his number, she passes it right back to him with a ‘thanks, but no thanks’. As the business administrator for their family’s event hotel, the Spark House, London has more important things to worry about, like bringing in new clientele.

As luck would have it, a multi-million-dollar company calls a few months later asking for a meeting to discuss a potential partnership, and London is eager to prove to her sisters, and herself, that she can land this deal. Just when she thinks she has nailed her presentation, the company’s CEO, Jackson Holt, walks in and inserts himself into the meeting. Not only that, but he also happens to be the same guy she turned down at the bar a few months ago.

As they begin to spend more time together, their working relationship blossoms into something more. It isn’t until their professional entanglements are finally over, that London and Jackson are finally ready to take the next step in their relationship. But between Jackson’s secretive past and London’s struggle with her sisters, London must question where she really stands – not just with Jackson, but with the Spark House, too.

REVIEW

London Spark is busy managing Spark House with her two sisters. Having just come off of a serious relationship, London isn’t looking for her next boyfriend. So when she gets hit on at the bar by a handsome stranger, London politely declines.

Jackson Holt is a multi-millionaire and too busy currently to think about anything besides growing his business. He was fascinated by the woman at the bar a few months ago, but expects to never see her again. So he is equally shocked when he finds London pitching her event hotel to partner with his business. Sparks fly between these two almost immediately. Will they be able to keep their hands to themselves while they work together in a more official business capacity?

Starry-Eyed Love was a cute romance that I ended up enjoying. I liked the bond that London had with her sisters and how they always had each others back. I’ll be honest – Avery was getting super annoying, but I think that was the intention here.

I enjoyed the romance between London and Jackson. I liked their second chance “meet cute” and their awkwardness around one another. While I did enjoy their relationship – I do feel like it was a really slow start to warm up to them. But once the book picked up speed, I was flying through it.

If you’re looking for a cute romance with a strong sense of family ties woven throughout I would suggest picking up Starry-Eyed Love! I am so looking forward to Harley’s story.

ARC Review – Book Lovers

~ Tej ~ 1 Comment

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Level: 🔥🔥

Release Date: May 3, 2022

Publisher: Berkley

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

SYNOPSIS

One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn’t see coming…

Nora Stephens’ life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.

Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.

If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

REVIEW

Nora Stephens loves her job as an agent in the publishing world. She works hard for her clients and is always in their corner when they need her. While Nora is happy in her professional career, she feels like the bond between her sister is not as strong as it used to be. With two little children and a third on the way, Nora’s sister Libby decides that they need some alone time together before the newest baby arrives. Libby suggest a month (!) away and Nora isn’t quite sure she can be away from work for so long. But in the end she decides to take the time off to get some girl time in with her younger sister. They decide to journey out to Sunshine Falls – an idyllic small town that one of Nora’s authors centered a previous book on.

Libby has a list of items she wants them to do together. A few including Nora going on a date with someone in the small town and helping to reform a failing business. Nora isn’t quite sure of all the things on the list, but she goes along with it anyway. This is where Nora runs into Charlie Lastra. The editor whom Nora met once and turned down a book because he didn’t think it was good enough. Every checklist that Nora tries to complete ends up with Charlie running into her. Soon they find themselves working together on a book. The more time they spend together the stronger their feelings grow. Will they be able to stay away from one another? With both of them not looking for a relationship, their convictions start to waver the longer they are in each others orbit.

Book Lovers is a story about love, family, the bonds of sisterhood and grief. I will admit that this book started off slowly for me. I wasn’t quite sure what the point of going to Sunshine Falls was and how the relationship between Nora and Libby felt so off. But the more I read the book the more I realized, that’s the way I was supposed to feel. Because when you love someone and they hide things from you – it feels stilted and you feel that hurt deep.

I loved loved loved Charlie Lastra so much! He was funny (so funny), sarcastic, a little bit jaded – but always so sweet. The chemistry between him and Nora was always so evident from the very first time they met and I was always looking forward to when these two were on the page together. I loved Charlie’s background and what made him him. In a lot of ways his grief was also similar to Nora’s and they shared the same love for publishing and big city living in New York. While their families tried to push them to the charming small town life – deep down these two knew that they’d never be happy living a life just to make their families happy.

Emily Henry has a way with words and there’s no denying that she did it again in Book Lovers. I have so many passages highlighted that either made me laugh or brought tears to my eyes. While Book Lovers started off slowly for me it picked up momentum and I couldn’t stop reading the book when I got more invested in the characters. Overall I’d give Book Lovers 4.5, but round to 5 stars because these characters will stay with me for a long time to come.

ARC Review – Part of Your World

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Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction

Heat Level: 🔥

Release Date: April 19, 2022

Publisher: Forever

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

SYNOPSIS

The New York Times bestselling author of Life’s Too Short delivers a refreshingly modern fairy tale perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Emily Henry.

After a wild bet, gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich, and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come—the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable.

While her ultra-wealthy parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, Alexis doesn’t need glory or fame. She’s fine with being a “mere” ER doctor. And every minute she spends with Daniel and the tight-knit town where he lives, she’s discovering just what’s really important. Yet letting their relationship become anything more than a short-term fling would mean turning her back on her family and giving up the opportunity to help thousands of people.

Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. With so many differences between them, how can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?

REVIEW

Alexis Montgomery has her life mapped out in front of her. Coming from a family of physicians she is the last one left to carry on the Legacy. Daniel Grant runs his family’s bed & breakfast which has been passed down from generations. He loves the memories attached to the old home and will do anything to keep the house in the family. What happens when a chance encounter between these two turns their lives upside down?

Part of Your World was such an angsty/swoony romance. I loved both Alexis and Daniel and their chemistry was undeniable from the very first time they met. I will admit that while I’m not a usual fan of age gap, the age gap between Daniel and Alexis (he’s younger) was addressed and woven throughout the book well. It definitely did not make me love Alexis and Daniel any less. This couple was pulling on my heart strings hard and definitely had me crying on more than one occasion.

Abby always does a wonderful job with serious and tough topics. Not only does Abby tackle the topic of an age gap, but also the very difficult topics of abusive relationships, depression and childhood trauma. The secondary characters in Part of Your World were so important to the story and I loved that I felt like by the end of the book I knew each and every one of them.

I highly highly recommend Part of Your World – definitely worth a pre-order!