I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
Marcus Caster-Rupp is a hot shot movie star. He’s currently shooting the final season of his hit show Gods of the Gates. Fans love his easy going laid back charm. He’s easy on the eyes and the ladies love him! But what the world doesn’t know is that he’s also a writer – specifically a fanfic writer where he’s known as Book!AeneasWouldNever (BAWN).
April Whittier is a geologist and absolutely loves her job. What her friends and family don’t know is that she is also a fanfic writer known as Unapologetic Lavinia Stan(ULSIE) and loves cosplay! When she decides to go “live” on Twitter and show the the world who she really is in full cosplay – she’s nervous and afraid. April never imagined that her tweets would go viral though and wonders why. Turns out Marcus Caster-Rupp commented on her tweet by asking her out when trolls started commenting on her plus-size figure. Should she go out with Marcus? Would they even have anything in common?
As soon as I started reading Spoiler Alert, I had a huge grin on my face. I am/was (depending on the season) a huge fan of Game of Thrones and I loved the way Olivia Dade mirrored some parts of the show in Spoiler Alert. I always find it amazing how when you’re a celebrity, sometimes it’s hard to show the world who you really are – because you’re constantly scrutinized. I really felt for Marcus in this regard and how he was hiding this huge secret because he didn’t want to get hurt.
Marcus and Apil are both such complex characters and I feel like Olivia Dade did a wonderful job showing us their vulnerabilities. Their conversations both while chatting under their fanfic names and when they actually meet were so heartfelt. Olivia Dade did an absolutely amazing job merging the two worlds together in this book and I loved so many little details about it.
I could go on and on about how much I loved this wonderfully written romance! Grab yourself a copy of Spoiler Alert – you won’t be disappointed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
Home for the Holidays was my first Christmas holiday read for the year and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy all over!
The Buchanan sisters – Rose, Dahlia and Magnolia haven’t been back to Juniper Inn – their aunt’s inn- since they were little girls. Each has their own life now – with all of their own grown up issues. They each receive a letter from their Aunt Sassy informing them that they must spend one last Christmas at Juniper Inn together.
When the sisters arrive at the inn they realize why Aunt Sassy wanted all three sisters together one last time – she wants to gift them Juniper Inn. Do the sisters try to work it out if they want to keep the inn, or is it too much with all of them spread out so far?
I really enjoyed how the various chapters were told from the three sisters point of view. Home for the Holidays immediately made me feel warm and cozy – with all of the holiday decor descriptions and small town vibe. Rose, Magnolia and Dahlia had a lot of time for self reflection during their stay at Juniper Inn, but I also enjoyed how they also were eventually able to rely on one another. The bond of sisterhood was so important in this book and I loved that all of the sisters eventually were able to share not only their joys in life but also their lows.
If you’re looking for a wonderful book that tests the bonds of sisterhood, but also has you getting into the Christmas spirit – pick up Home for the Holidays!
Are you a fan of romances with fake relationships? These romances are some of my favorites! It’s so much fun reading about a couple who try to pretend like their relationship isn’t real. They are usually so attracted to one another and yet try so hard to fight their attraction! I love the delicious build up and how the lines of their relationship start to blur between what is real and fake. I’m a sucker for this trope!
Travis Ford and Georgie Castle come to an understanding – they pretend to date so that a) Travis Ford doesn’t come across as a player or “two bats” as he’s often called and he can maybe land a gig as a commentator b) the town starts treating Georgie as an adult and not the “youngest Castle sister.” What could possibly go wrong??
I loved this fake relationship between Travis and Georgie so much! It was sweet, sexy and oh so romantic!
Audrey and Tate have been best friends since they were little. They’re always there for each other – hassling one another about everything including their latest flings. Audrey doesn’t ever plan on marrying – especially after a married man completely fooled her into falling for him. Marriage is completely off the table…that is until Clarke tells his mom Audrey and him are engaged!
I love a fake relationship trope so much and LL did such a good job with not only a fake relationship but friends to lovers as well. Clarke and Audrey are under the assumption that they’ll stay friends while being fake engaged, but as lines start to blur – it becomes harder to maintain a distance and not truly act like an engaged couple in love!
Americal royalty and British royalty clash in Red, White & Royal Blue. Alex and Henry haven’t always been on the best of terms. They tolerate each other at events when Alex’s mom – Madam President and Prince Henry’s family are present. Doesn’t mean they like one another. When snafu over a toppled wedding cake lands both Alex and Henry in hot water, they must pretend to be friends.
What starts off as a fake friendship, slowly morphs into something more. I adored this swoony romance so much. I loved not only Henry and Alex as a couple, but also the world that they lived in and all of the struggles that both of them go through respectively.
Stella isn’t a fan of dating or kissing or anything that comes after that. She’d rather try to figure out her mathematical equations. She decides to hire professional escort Michael to help her with her situation.
What starts off as a “professional” relationship, slowly starts to turn into something more. Both Michael and Stella were such likable characters. Michael because of his depth of love for his family and the great lengths he goes to keep them happy. I loved being inside of Stella’s head and her heart. Her vulnerabilities were so relatable, but I loved watching her blossom as the book progressed. The love story between Michael and Stella was definitely unconventional but so so sweet and of course steamy!
This is perhaps one of my favorite Christina Lauren books! The Unhoneymooners kept me laughing throughout so much of the book and I could not put this book down until I had finished it.
Olive and Ethan’s siblings – Ami and Dane happen to be getting married. What no one anticipated is that the entire wedding party would get food poisoning. Except, of course Olive and Ethan. They decide to take the place of Dane and Ami so that they could enjoy the honeymoon that has already been paid for. Only one teeny, tiny problem – they have to pretend to be on their honeymoon too!
I’ve re-read The Deal so many times since first reading it last year! A fake relationship and a sports romance all in one – my favorite! Garrett Graham is failing his ethics course and to continue being on the hockey team he needs to bring his grades up.
Hannah Wells has a big crush on the school football quarterback but doesn’t know how to get him to notice her. When Garrett proposes a trade – he’ll get her noticed by the quarterback if she helps him with his ethics class – they make a deal!
What starts off as a fake relationship/helping each other out turns sizzling pretty quick! I love everything about this book – definitely a favorite fake relationship romance!
I listened to the audiobook of Boyfriend Material and could not stop laughing! The dialogue in this book was hilarious – reminded me of Gilmore Girls with the amount of pop culture references that were thrown in!
Luc is in need of a fake boyfriend. He’s just a tiny bit famous – being that his mom and dad are famous rockstars and he can’t really go out without getting recognized. After a recent pic paints him in an unfavorable light, Luc’s work has recently informed him that he needs to get his act together or risk of getting fired. This is where Luc meets Oliver. Where Luc is a bit spontaneous, Oliver is the exact opposite. But both are in need of a fake boyfriend and so their fake relationship begins.
I love a great fake relationship trope and Oliver and Luc were so damn cute together! These two clearly have feelings for one another and yet they are also vulnerable and their relationship felt real. They had some miscommunication, moments when they weren’t their best and also times when they were there to support one another no matter what – I enjoyed this book so much!
Dani Brown doesn’t do emotional relationships. She’s been burned in the past and doesn’t want a repeat performance. Dani is also a practicing witch and asks the universe to send her the perfect no-string-attached partner. Zafir Ansari and Dani work at the same place and Zaf has kind of had a crush on Dani for some time now. When Zaf ends up rescuing Dani from a stalled elevator (super cute scene), they go viral with the hashtag #DrRugbae!
I absolutely love a fake relationship trope and Dani and Zaf are faking it for the cameras constantly pointed at them – but how long does the faking last? I love a strong heroine and Dani Brown was amazing! She was so sure of herself – from her sexuality (bi-sexual) to her work on intersectionality in feminist literature.
And Zaf…swoon! Zaf was so perfect. Not only was he a rugby player, but he also teaches kids on how to work through their anxiety. He has dealt with loss and anxiety over the years and there’s no one better to teach young athletes on how to manage that. Take a Hint, Dani Brown was such a great fake relationship romance (with a romance reading hero) and I loved every page!
Cassius Ramsay deals in black and white. Either you’re innocent or guilty and he persecutes you as such. Being Lord Chief Justice of the High Court it is his duty after all. Ramsay also happens to be the half brother of Piers the Duke of Redmayne. Ramsay has been on occasion in the same vicinity of Cecelia and finds himself watching her and a growing attraction to her.
Although part of the Red Rogues along with Alexandra and Francesca, Cecelia felt deep loneliness and sadness growing up. She was an orphan and the person she had thought was her father treated her so cruelly. She suddenly finds herself owner of a gambling establishment – an establishment that Chief Justice Ramsay wants nothing more than destroy. When Cecelia’s life becomes endangered, Ramsay has no choice but to keep her safe while they figure out who is trying to destroy her establishment and hurt her in the process.
I had a hard time feeling the chemistry between Ramsay and Cecelia. There was simply too much going on in the plot for me to fully enjoy their romance. The last quarter of the book dragged for me, and I honestly had a hard time staying interested in the story.
I really enjoyed How to Love a Duke in Ten Days, and although All Scot and Bothered fell short for me, I am looking forward to Francesca’s book – The Devil in Her Bed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
Summer nights and star-crossed lovers! From USA Today bestselling author Sarina Bowen.
Once upon a time, he gave me a summer of friendship, followed by one perfect night. We shared a lot during our short time together. But he skipped a few crucial details.
I didn’t know he was a rock star.
I didn’t know his real name.
Neither of us knew I’d get pregnant.
And I sure never expected to see him again.
Five years later, his tour bus pulls up in Nest Lake, Maine. My little world is about to be shattered by loud music and the pounding of my own foolish heart.
I watched Kira ride off, wondering what the hell had just happened. Sure, she probably guessed that I wrote that song about her. But she’d only heard the first few bars before sprinting away like I was the devil himself.
Spinning around, I located the lodge’s bike shed. I rolled a bike out and hopped on. The seat was too low for me, so I had to stand up on the pedals.
But no matter. I rode off after Kira, my first time on a real bike in years.
The road curved around to the left, and Kira’s house soon came into view. She was sitting on the front steps. She didn’t look all that surprised to see me biking toward her, but the look of pain on her face was so vivid that I could feel it in my gut. Something was wrong, and I still didn’t know what.
“Feel any better?”
She shook her head, and I thought I saw fear in her eyes.
“Kira,” I said softly. “I know you want me to leave you alone right now, but I can’t—our conversation isn’t over. In twenty-four hours I’ll be back on that bus. Honestly, you’re scaring me. When I last saw you, things seemed like they were on the upswing for you. When I said I think about you all the time, I didn’t mean to be a creeper. I meant that I was picturing a happy ever after for you.”
“Mama!” a little voice called from beyond the screen door.
At the sound of it, Kira’s whole body went rigid. And then tears spilled down her cheeks.
I heard little footsteps pounding onto the screened porch. And then a small set of hands became visible against the door just behind Kira. Quick as a flash, Kira leapt to her feet and spun around, darting through the door. It closed with a bang behind her.
“Whoa,” a man’s voice said. “Deep breaths, Kiki. What did he say?”
The hair stood up on my neck. I dropped the bicycle and covered the distance to the stoop in three paces. Leaping up, I opened the screen door. A little girl stood there, with fair, curly hair and blue-green eyes. I was no good with kids’ ages. She wasn’t an infant, but she wasn’t school-aged either. There was a babyish fullness to her face. She was three? Four? Five? I looked up at Kira.
“I’m so sorry,” she squeaked.
That’s when I finally understood. And I almost couldn’t draw breath to speak again. “I… She… What the fuck, Kira?”
“That’s a very bad word,” the little girl said, accusation in her voice.
“Sorry,” I said automatically. I raised my eyes to Kira’s. “You… She…”
I couldn’t think. There was pressure in my ears, and my pulse was ragged. Dizzy, I thought, absently, putting one hand on the door jamb for support.
“Breathe, man,” the guy behind Kira said. He wore a bright pink polo shirt and an expression of concern. “Sit down. Seriously, before you crash.”
I bent over and grabbed my knees. “Oh my God.” The only thing I could hear was my own ragged breathing and Kira’s choked sobs.
“Mama!” a little voice said, full of alarm. “Don’t cry!”
The scary moment stretched on, until I heard yet another bicycle approaching outside. A moment later, another male voice called out, “Knock-knock!”
The pink-polo-shirt guy answered him, his voice full of false cheer. “Hi, Luke!” Under his breath he added, “Wow. It’s raining men.” Then he scooped the little girl up in his arms, stepped around me, and walked out the screen door. It closed behind him with a bang.
I just stood there, staring at my shoes, trying to catch my breath. Kira’s shoes moved into my visual field, but I wasn’t ready to talk to her yet. Not until my head could clear. Which would probably be sometime next week.
We stood here, awkward and quiet for a couple of long minutes. There was some low-key chatter outside, and then I heard the sound of the bicycle departing.
The guy in the polo shirt came back inside, alone.
“You’re her brother.” I coughed, trying to reconstruct the world into a rational place.
“Yup,” the guy said. “Uncle Adam.”
“Where is Vivi?” Kira asked, her voice raw.
“Luke is taking her for a little bike ride. There may be ice cream involved.”
“Really, Adam?” Kira moved quickly to peer through the screen. “But that’s awkward.”
“Oh, honey. We have first class tickets on the HMS Awkward today. And the ship has sailed. Luke even had a pink helmet for her, Kiki. Just go with it, okay? I told him you were having a moment.”
I straightened up. “She’s having a moment,” I spat out. “Is that what this is?” My pulse was still pounding in my ears, but now from anger instead of shock.
Kira was as pale as a sheet. “I was going to tell you today.” She pulled a photo out of her pocket. “Here. I was trying to find a way.”
I snatched the picture from her hand. “She’s, what, four?” The photo shook as I tried to look at it. The little girl smiled up at the camera, a stuffed animal in her hands. It was purple. Somehow this detail made it all the more real. The little girl in the photo was clutching the purple cat I’d won at the fair all those years ago.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
At the age of twelve Azere promised her dying father that she would make him proud, grow up and marry a Nigerian man to preserve her culture. Azere is now no longer living in Nigeria and has migrated with her family to Canada where she has gone to school is currently working at a firm.
Azere’s mother loves to interfere with Azere’s life and sets her up on dates with men who she thinks would be a good fit for her daughter. But the men that Azere’s mother has in mind do not usually line up with Azere is looking for in a man.
Until one evening when a date gone wrong leads Azere to Rafael. Rafael is nothing like the men that Azere’s mother has been setting her up on. He’s sweet, funny and most importantly not Nigerian. Azere believes that her night with Rafael was just that – one night together. When Rafael ends up working at the same firm Azere works at, Azere has to decide if she wants to try to make a relationship work with Rafael or obey her fathers wishes and marry a Nigerian man.
I’m going to preface this review by stating that I am a second generation Indian-American. My mom migrated to America from India when she was in high school and my dad migrated in his early twenties. I completely understand what Azere is going through and how she is being pulled into two directions. On one hand she wants to obey her parents wishes and do as they say, and yet she’s had to assimilate and now has her Canadian culture mixed in as well. In the Indian culture this person is often referred to as a “pardesi” – which roughly translates to foreigner or “other country”.
There were parts of this book where I had to stop and share passages with my husband because we related so much to what Azere was going through. Azere did make a promise to her father, but at what cost? Will she ever be able to make her own choices – even if her choices may possibly have her lose part of her culture and alienate her from her family?
Jane Igharo is such a talented writer. I loved the way she wove the story from Azere’s past and present. And the way she incorporated rom-coms into the book was a delight!
Read Ties That Tether if you’re looking to learn more about a culture that may be different than your own. I loved learning about Azere’s Nigerian heritage and her struggles with assimilating to her new Canadian culture.
Ties That Tether was a great debut by Jane Igharo! I look forward to reading more of her work!
I Promise You, an all-new swoony sports romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is coming October 12th!
Synopsis of I Promise You by Ilsa Madden-Mills
Dillon McQueen: Babe. I promise. You want me.
Serena Jensen: Um, who are you?
There’s a legend at Waylon University: the first girl you kiss freshman year at the bonfire party is the one you’ll never forget. She’ll crawl under your skin and never leave. She’ll spark a passion so fierce you’ll burn the world down to possess her.
You might even put a ring on it.
As in all things with fate, timing is everything. That kiss can go horribly wrong. She might run in the opposite direction. And boy, did Serena run.
Dillon is Waylon’s hotshot quarterback with something to prove. All he wants is to graduate and make it to the NFL. What he doesn’t need is to finally meet the mystery girl he kissed at the bonfire freshman year. Isn’t it enough that she’s haunted his dreams for more than a thousand nights?
Fate laughs in his face when he runs into the quirky girl at the Piggly Wiggly. Surrounded by his entourage, he’s got all the Oreos in his cart; she gets revenge by buying every six-pack of his favorite beer.
Obviously, that legend is a curse. She’s not his type and hates him. Worst of all, how can she not remember him when she left a Serena-shaped hole in his heart for the past three years?
So why can’t he stop trying to win her?
Will this quarterback score the girl or make the biggest fumble of his life?
Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies.
Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You #2; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain #8; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise, #4.
A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.
She’s addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.
Jack Mulligan has one rule he lives by Qui n’avance pas, recule – who does not advance retreats. He is the Kingpin in New York – ruling over his territory ruthlessly. Jack has everyone he needs in his pocket and he doesn’t do anything without a favor in return.
When Justine Greene crosses paths with Mulligan – she is in dangerous territory. She knows how dangerous Mulligan can be, but still she is left with no choice but asking him for help in solving a case that she is working on on behalf of her charity. Mulligan is willing to help Justine, but he doesn’t offer his services freely and of course there will be a favor in return.
This favor is what starts the unusual relationship between “do-gooder” Justine and Kingpin Mulligan. When their dalliances with one another become more frequent and they begin to long for each other – will either of them stand a chance to be with one another?
I absolutely LOVED The Devil of Downtown. The chemistry between Mulligan and Justine was explosive from the moment they met with one another. The sexy times between the two were next level hot hot hot.
The way Justine was able to see underneath Jack’s tough exterior and not be judgmental about his upbringing said a lot about her character. But how long do they have with one another before they realize that their worlds do not align. How could a Kingpin possibly have a future with a woman who is set on doing good in the world.
There were quite a few times where this book brought me to tears. And I ached for both Jack and Justine. I wanted there to be a way that these two made it work and I was rooting for them until the very end.
I’ve read a quite a few historical romances and honestly this was one of the first ones that I have read that was set in America. I truly enjoyed learning about New York in the 1800’s and it was a refreshing change in scenery from typical historical romances that are set in London or Europe.
This was my first novel by Joanna Shupe, but most definitely won’t be my last! I can’t wait to go back and read the rest of the series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.
Isadora, a Conduit witch, is sweet and shy. She loves to use her healing powers to help anyone that she can. She doesn’t expect to be hit with a car while bicycling on her way home. Turns out that the person who ran into her is no one other than Stygorn vampire Devraj Kumar.
Where Isadora is sweet and shy, Devraj is the complete opposite. A Bollywood star and flashy vampire – he doesn’t shy away from the limelight. Devraj is immediately intrigued by Isadora and she in turn wants nothing to do with him.
But these two must work together to solve a mysterious case in the supernatural world taking place right in New Orleans. The closer they work together the tighter the sexual tension between the two of them become.
I really enjoyed Don’t Hex and Drive! The simmering sexual tension between Isadora and Devraj was palpable. Devraj was immediately smitten by Isadora, but still he wanted to get to know her better and I loved their friendship.
Isadora and Devraj were sweet and kind – both of them slowly peeling back each others layers and vulnerabilities. Both had their own fears, but the trust they had with one another was so sweet and pure. And the sexy scenes were HOT HOT HOTphew! Although I would classify Don’t Hex and Drive as a slow burn, Juliette Cross knows how to bring the heat!
I find it hard sometimes to connect with Indian characters, being South Asian/Indian myself, but I feel that Juliette Cross did a wonderful job nailing down Devraj’s character. And I truly enjoyed his backstory.
While reading both Don’t Hex and Drive and Wolf Gone Wild (book 1 in Stay a Spell), in my mind both of these books played out like movies. They had the perfect suspense that tied with romance. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the Stay a Spell series!!
JULIETTE is a multi-published author of paranormal and fantasy romance & the co-host of the podcast Smart Women Read Romance. She is represented by Rachel Brooks at BookEnds Literary Agency. She is a native of Louisiana, living in the heart of Cajun land with her husband, four kids, black lab named Kona, and kitty, Betty. When she isn’t working on her next project, she enjoys binge-watching her favorite shows with her husband and a glass (or two) of red wine.
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.
Readaholic Book Reviews 