I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.
40-Love was my first book by Olivia Dade and I enjoyed it so much! You know how sometimes there are characters that you just really relate to? Well I related to Tess Dunn so very much. Maybe it’s because I’m almost 40 and overweight, but I loved the way she was written 💕
Tess who is celebrating her 40th birthday in Florida happens to cross paths with 26 year old Lucas Karlson in the most perfect meet-cute. Lucas ends up helping Tess out in a precarious situation (she’s lost her bikini top) and in that brief amount of time you could feel the sparks flying between these two!
Lucas turns out to be a previous professional tennis player that teaches tennis to resort guests. Tess just happens to have a few sessions booked with him while on vacation. Their tennis matches were some of my favorite parts of the book! I loved how both Tess and Lucas got to know one another while playing tennis.
40-Love was such a charming book. This was my first book by Olivia Dade, but will most definitely not be my last. I loved the raw vulnerabilities in both Lucas and Tess. You don’t often see an overweight, 40 year old heroine in romance books and yet Olivia writes Tess so perfectly. I related so much to this wonderful character. At the same time I also related to Lucas Karlson. The 26 year old swede who seems so carefree and perfect on the outside, but is hurting on the inside.
I will be honest and say that I’m not usually a fan of age-gap romances and the insta-love that happens in some romances, but it really worked for me in 40-Love! Both Lucas and Tess communicate with one another and that was so refreshing. They have their own scars and wounds that need to be healed, but they each lay out their vulnerabilities so that they can understand one another.
40-Love is the perfect summer read and look at that gorgeous cover! To me that cover really captures Tess and Lucas so perfectly! I can’t wait to go back and read the rest of the series.
Do you enjoy a slow burn in a romance book? I had so many book friends recommend The Wall of Winnipeg and Me and I immediately bought it, but hadn’t gotten a chance to read it yet. I enjoyed the book in the beginning, but them somewhere around 40% I started getting bored because the pace was so slow. I really wanted to love this book, but sadly I don’t think I really enjoy the really drawn out slow slow burn that Mariana Zapata is known for.
Vanessa has been an assistant to football player Aiden Graves for a few years now. He’s moody, bossy and doesn’t talk much. Vanessa eventually reaches her breaking point and quits. She’s done. She doesn’t need to be around an undeserving boss anymore. And then….then Aiden is back in Vanessa’s space begging her to come back.
Going in to The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, I knew that it was going to be a slow burn. But wow was this book a slooooooow burn. I don’t mind a slow burn, but for some reason I just wasn’t connecting with Aiden and Vanessa as a couple in this book.
There was just so much other stuff going on in the book that I feel like it took away from the couple and the slowly developing romance between Aiden and Vanessa.
I realize that so many people (including a lot of my friends) loved The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, so it might have just been me or the mood that I was in. I did enjoy listening to the audiobook (I listened on Audible Escape) though!
Do you re-read books? And if you do re-read what makes you want to re-read a particular book? I re-read a lot and always have. There are just some books that really stick with me and I love to re-visit them. Sometimes I will only go back to certain parts that I loved and other times I will re-read the whole book.
With The Hating Game – I have re-read this book at least three times. Each time I re-read this book I love it just as much or more. I think there’s something to be said for re-reading a book. You know what’s going to happen and it’s familiar. And in a time like today where a lot of us are stressed out or don’t have the mental capacity to read a new book a re-read can be something akin to a warm hug.
This time around I listened to the audiobook of The Hating Game and Katie Schorr has such a wonderful voice. She embodies Lucy so perfectly and I love the different ways she can portray happiness or sorrow or regret.
At the hart of The Hating Game is an enemies-to-lovers story and I am a sucker for enemies-to-lovers. Lucy and Josh LOVE to HATE each other. Lucy’s password is IHATEJOSHUA4EV@ – I mean she even hates him in her passwords!
I loved every single game that Lucy and Josh played with one another. The feelings they have for each other are so palpable. But then…then Josh goes and turns Lucy’s worlds upside down and she doesn’t know which game they’re playing anymore.
There are so many little things that makes this book perfect! Sally Thorne does such a great job writing both Josh and Lucy. This book has the perfect amount of angst, steam and sweetness. Even after re-reading it multiple times there are still parts of this book where I had tears streaming down my face (and not always because I was feeling sad). If you love a great enemies to lovers romance please run to pick this book up!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.
Do you enjoy reading sports romances? I absolutely LOVE sports romances and especially hockey romances! One of my favorite hockey series is the Brooklyn Brusier/Brooklyn series by Sarina Bowen. So when I found that there was going to be a fourth book in the series I couldn’t wait to read it! Sure Shot definitely stands on it’s own and you don’t necessarily have to read the other books in order to understand everything that happens in the storyline.
Bess Berringer is a busy woman. She has her own company and is a sports agent. She recently moved to Brooklyn and the last person she expects to run into is a past hookup and a new Brooklyn Brusier – Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz.
I love a great second chance romance and Sarina did such a wonderful job re-introducing us to Bess and Tank. The chemistry is sizzling from the moment that they set eyes on each other again. Bess tries to keep it a one-time deal, but she is drawn to Tank and can’t stay away.
Bess and Tank have different long term goals. Tank has just separated from his wife and the media is having a field day of why he divorced. Bess has a five-year plan that is color-coated and all mapped out. Will Bess and Tank find a way to compromise and settle down together, or are they not meant to be?
I loved Bess and Tank together. I have so many parts between the two highlighted (a text chat had a smile on my face). Sure Shot had me laughing out loud, but also moments that had me crying into my pillow. There are some sensitive topics that are discussed in Sure Shot and I feel like Sarina did a wonderful job including the reader into the discussions and decisions that Bess and Tank make.
Bess is so strong and I LOVE that about her! The meetings between Bess, Georgia and Rebecca were some of my favorites. It’s always so great re-visiting with past characters. As always, I loved the camaraderie between the hockey players. Although Tank was an “outsider,” he won the hearts of his teammates eventually.
I really enjoyed Sure Shot and hope that Sarina lets us come back to this world!
Do you read paranormal romance or books in a sub-genre that is typically outside of your comfort zone? Last year when Wolf Gone Wild was released so many bookstagram friends were raving about how much they enjoyed this paranormal rom-com. I still hesitated because it had been years since I had read a book featuring witches or vampires. I am so glad that I decided to pick up Wolf Gone Wild – it surprised me in the best way!
Mateo Cruz is a werewolf, but he hasn’t been able to shift in a few months and he fears it’s because of a spell that’s been cast on him. He seeks out a hex-breaker witch and that leads him to Evie, a local witch in New Orleans who typically doesn’t deal with werewolves.
I loved the chemistry that was so evident between Mateo and Evie as soon as they met. Cross knows how to write a sensual slow burn. I would definitely classify Wolf Gone Wild as a slow burn, and I loved the way that Mateo and Evie developed their relationship. It was the perfect amount of sweetness and sexy.
I didn’t expect Wolf Gone Wild to be so funny, but I loved the internal dialogue between Mateo and his wolf who is aptly named Alpha. These two had some of my favorite parts of the book and I absolutely loved their parts!
I also really enjoyed Evie’s relationship with her sisters. Sometimes when there are so many secondary characters in a book they can get lost, but in Wolf Gone Wild I was invested in all of the characters and want a story on each of Evie’s sisters!
The suspenseful/mystery part of the book was also intriguing. I was hooked immediately from the beginning and was left stunned with the final reveal. So many parts of this book played out like a movie for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
If you’re looking to try a paranormal romance I think Wolf Gone Wild is the perfect book to start with. It was funny, sweet and sexy! I really really enjoyed this book and can not wait for the next book in the series
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
As soon as I saw there was a romance about Indian characters I couldn’t wait to read it!! There’s not very many romances featuring Indian characters (although that has been changing more and more) so I was super excited to read The Trouble With Hating You. I definitely relate to characters on a different level (being Indian myself) and love how Sajni Patel sprinkled in Indian words and phrases throughout the book 💕. Do you enjoy reading books about different cultures or books told by own-voices authors?
Liya Takkhar is a self made woman and she likes her independence. She is a successful engineer and has just moved up the ladder at work. What she doesn’t want is her parents meddling in her life. Being Indian though, that’s exactly what they do! So when Liya is ambushed with a surprise setup by her parents she does what she’s always wanted to do – bolt before meeting the elusive Jay Shah. Turns out Jay is the lawyer hired by Liya’s new company and there’s no escaping him!
I love reading own-voices author books and being Indian myself, I really enjoyed the way the culture was represented in The Trouble With Hating You. I could relate a lot to Liya’s character. But at times Liya was a bit hard to like – she was a bit too rough around the edges. The more Jay and Liya were able to connect throughout the book, the more I was able to understand Liya. I really loved Jay’s character! He was so sweet and patient with Liya. But the relationship between Liya and Jay did seem forced at times and the chemistry was a bit lacking for me.
Although the cover is super cute, this book had some pretty heavy themes including sexual assault. Being Indian, I can say that the way the culture was portrayed was fairly accurate. I loved the way Sajni Patel was able to discuss the ways our culture is trying to change and equal out the balance between men and women.
The Trouble With Hating You was a great slow-burn (closed door), office romance told by an own-voices author!
I’ve already read Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen and I can’t wait to share my review in a few weeks! In the mean time enjoy this excerpt 💕
EXCERPT FROM SURE SHOT BY SARINA BOWEN
The driver looks over his shoulder, and then unleashes a torrent of fan-boy ramblings. “Holy fuck! I got Mark Tankiewicz in my cab! You play for Dallas, da?”
“Yessir. Recently.”
“You know my countrymen, Sergei and Igor Petrov?”
“Of course,” Tank says. “Good guys. I was taking care of Sergei’s dogs this summer. He keeps vodka in the freezer that will scramble your brain.”
The cab driver laughs uproariously and demands an autograph.
Tank agrees. He isn’t even looking at me, but his naughty hand slides slowly up my thigh and under my skirt. I hold my breath.
The cab pulls up to the hotel, and Tank’s hand vanishes as the bellhop opens the cab door. Tank pays the cabbie and autographs his newspaper. I’ve almost recovered my wits when Tank hops onto the curb beside me and tucks an arm around my waist.
“Spasiba!” the cabbie calls. “Thank you!”
Tank doesn’t bother responding. He’s following the bellhop into the hotel lobby, tugging me along. He marches me toward the elevator, and the doors part as if he’s commanded them to.
“Well, you have one fan in Brooklyn,” I say, trying for nonchalance.
“Only one?” he asks. Then he takes my face in his hands and gives me a smoldering look.
I gaze back at him in wonder. I’d forgotten how it feels to have Tank’s undivided attention. The heat in his eyes gives me a high like no drink or drug ever will. I stare at him until he says, “The elevator is here, Bess. Get in.”
Jesus. My heart is racing. I have to get a grip. “Look…” I clear my throat as we step inside. The doors slide shut as he punches one of the buttons. “I’m sorry about the party. I’m sorry I implied that I didn’t remember you.”
“Oh I know you remember me.” He smirks. “That was never in doubt.”
Right. “Here’s something you don’t know, though. I remember something you said to me the first night I met you. And I never forgot it.”
“Was it, ‘Oh baby, don’t stop’?”
I’m trying to make a point. So I step forward, squaring my shoulders to his, and look directly into his eyes. “Shut up a second, would you? I’m trying to pay you a compliment.”
His eyes widen.
“That night we met at Sparks, I was new to the city and new at the agency. I read your file before dinner so I could memorize facts, but I didn’t know what the heck I was doing. I was terrified of screwing up. But you sat across the table from me with that fifty-dollar glass of wine in your hand, looking as comfortable as a king…” I can still picture the whole scene like it was yesterday. “And even though I knew you were just a rookie in a strange city, you didn’t show any fear. In fact, you told the whole table that your motto was: ‘What can I get away with?’”
His smile turns wicked. “That sounds like something I would say. Not that I remember saying it.”
“Well, I never forgot. And I’ve been saying it to myself on and off for the last nine years. When I don’t know what to do, or I don’t understand the rules, sometimes it just comes to me. ‘What can we get away with?’ So…” I clear my throat. “Thank you for that.”
His expression softens. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me in a long time.”
“You’re welcome,” I say, feeling a little more rational. A little more like myself.
But when the elevator doors open on the twentieth floor, and Tank waits for me to step out, I’m back to goosebumps and a fluttery tummy. At the end of the hallway, he pulls out a key card and swipes us into his room. Against my better judgment, I follow him inside.
BLURB
On the eve of her thirtieth birthday, successful sports agent Bess Beringer is ready to make some changes. Armed with a five-year plan—indexed and color coded—she’ll tackle a few goals in her personal life.
A big, tall, ripped hunk of hockey player who’s just been traded to the Brooklyn Bruisers is not a part of that five year plan. Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz has a lot of baggage. He’s a ride-or-die loner. He’s on the rebound. He’s also the sexiest thing on two legs, and for some crazy reason it’s Bess that he wants.
She knows better. But then she falls stupid in love with him anyway. And for a while it seems like maybe he’ll do the same.
Until she asks him for the one thing he can never give her…
I recently saw a Twitter post that asked what was the saddest book you ever read or a book that made you ugly cry? Immediately a few books came to mind. Now most days I’m not looking for a book that makes me cry. I’m all about my rom-coms that are equal parts funny and equal parts sexy romance. But sometimes you pick up a book on a whim and don’t really read too much about it and it ends up almost breaking you because it’s that beautiful.
These books are usually books that stay with me long after I have read them. I have no problem recommending them to romance reading and non-romance reading friends because I feel like there’s so much relatable content. The books that immediately came to mind were: Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren, The Simple Wild by KA Tucker and then my most recent read which was Beach Read by Emily Henry.
What do all three of these books have in common? All three women in these books have a relationship with their father that is central to the story. That connection for some reason really resonates with me. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m really close to my dad and always have been or if it’s the way the story was woven around the delicate relationships that we have with our fathers.
These stories have stayed with me long after I’ve read them. Have you read any of these books? If you haven’t read them – what was the saddest book you ever read/book that made you ugly cry?
I received a complimentary advance audiobook of this title from the publisher and e-book from the author.
After reading A Lie for a Lie and A Favor for a Favor I could not wait to read more about Kingston! I will admit that when I got my ALC of A Secret for a Secret – it could not have come at a better time. With the current state of the world, I needed a book that would a) make me laugh and also b) a book that I could not put down. Helena Hunting’s brand of humor is always so so good and it was no different in A Secret for a Secret. I listened to a majority of the book at work and I was internally laughing out loud so much!
After being introduced to Kingston in A Favor for a Favor, I couldn’t wait to read more about him! A milk loving, sweetheart from Tennesse – yes please!
Kingston ends up meeting a woman at a bar named Queenie. They meet at a particular low point in both of their lives. Kingston and Queenie end up getting drunk together, have a one night stand and don’t see each other for a number of years.
Fast forward a few years and Kingston is now a NHL hockey player in Seattle. Queenie has decided to take a job as an assistant for her dad, who is the coach of the NHL hockey team.
The first interaction between Queenie and Kingston was hilarious! I will admit that it took me a while to warm up to Queenie and Kingston together. But as usual I never should have doubted Helena Hunting’s writing style. There were certain parts of the book that had me seriously laughing out loud.
As usual the steamy scenes were so HOT! The chemistry between Queenie and Kingston was amazing and I loved how she was the chaos to his calm. Kingston is THE PERFECT boyfriend and I loved how sweet he always treated Queenie.
I have loved loved loved this series and can’t wait to see what HH has in store next!
Audiobook:
Story: 4 Narration: 4 Overall: 4
I truly enjoyed listening to the audiobook of A Secret for a Secret. The audiobook was narrated by Jason Clarke and Stella Bloom. Both Jason and Stella did an amazing job portraying Kingston and Queenie.
I could always tell if Kingston or Queenie was anxious or happy. And the various characters making appearances in the book (hi Violet!) were always portrayed perfectly. I am so happy I had a chance to listen to audiobook in addition to reading A Secret for a Secret.
I’ve bookmarked so many parts that had me laughing out loud or had me sighing over how cute Queenie and Kingston are together.
Definitely pick up your copy of A Secret for a Secret when it releases May 12, 2020!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tasty Book PR and the publisher.
If you are a fan of friends-to-lovers in a small town setting, then She Loves Me is the perfect book for you! Although She Loves Me is part of the Harmony Pointe series, I read it as a standalone and had no problem following along with the secondary characters.
Piper Dalton works construction and her best friend in town is Harley Dutch, a local bartender. Piper and Harley have been flirting with each other for years, but never took the next step.
Piper has been hurt in the past, and she’s not willing to risk her heart in a serious relationship. Harley has had feelings for Piper forever and only wants her to see how much he cares for. When Harley gets into an accident and hurts his ankle, Piper has to help care for him as well as his nieces.
I loved how Piper and Harley slowly came around to each other. Their interactions were funny, sweet and sexy all at the same time. These two individuals care so much about each other, but each have their own hang ups that they have to get past.
Harley is gruff manly man on the outside but a total teddy bear on the outside. I admired how he always wanted to take care of everyone around him. Piper is a bit more prickly, but once you find out her back story it makes more sense. But when Harley wants more than Piper can give him, will their love be enough?
I enjoyed this sweet small town friends to lovers romance.
Blurb:
What are two besties willing to risk for something more?
Something is off in Piper Dalton’s life, and she has a feeling it might just be her. All her siblings are blissfully settled with their forever loves. But while her sisters were dreaming of white weddings, Piper was left heartbroken and commitment phobic by her first love, her best friend’s younger brother. As a woman dominating the male-driven construction industry, Piper has no interest in turning in her hammer for an apron—even if hot and hilarious Harley thinks otherwise.
Burly bar owner Harley Dutch has a bum ankle and two preteen nieces to take care of, and having his best friend, tough-as-nails and sexy-as-sin Piper Dalton, come to his rescue is just the remedy he needs. Piper is her snarky self, and she kind of sucks at caregiving, but she’s owned his heart for years, she’s got a way with the girls, and Harley would sure like to have his way with her…
As things heat up between Piper and Harley, she warns him not to fall in love with her because she’ll only break his heart. Harley is the right man for that challenge—until he makes the biggest mistake of his life, and they begin to wonder if true love really can conquer all.
**This book is published by Montlake (an Amazon imprint) and won’t be available on other ebook retailers, but you can download a FREE Kindle ereader app to read it (link below) or order the paperback.
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