ARC Review & Excerpt – The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce

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The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Level: 🌶🌶

Release Date: July 16, 2024

Publisher: Berkley

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

SYNOPSIS

Estranged exes must stick close together to save their best friend’s wedding after a string of disasters in this swoony and steamy second-chance romance.

Georgia Woodward lives by her lists, none more so than the one about her ex, Eli Mora. It’s full of the ironclad dos and don’ts they’ve been following since she returned to the Bay Area after their cataclysmic breakup five years ago.

With the wedding of their mutual best friend, Adam, looming, and them about to step into their roles as best woman and man, Georgia’s never needed it more. She refuses to threaten their tight-knit friend group with her messy—and still very present—feelings. The rules on that list will keep her cool, calm, and compartmentalized.

What’s not on her list? Eli arriving from New York with a new rule-breaking attitude or the all-inclusive venue burning to the ground, leaving the bride and groom in dire straits. Nor does she anticipate Adam asking her and Eli to help him make a miracle happen. Together.

As Georgia and Eli rush up to Napa Valley to pull off the perfect wedding, their old chemistry comes back in technicolor. Somewhere between cake tastings gone wrong, disastrous DJ auditions, and Eli’s heated attention, Georgia starts recognizing the man she fell in love with before. And if she lets herself break her rules, she might find what they’re building isn’t the something old that ruined them—it’s a chance at something new.

REVIEW

What to expect in The Ex Vows:
-childhood friends to lovers
-second chance romance
-found family
-angsty 😭
-🌶🌶
-single POV

Georgia and Eli have known for a good part of their lives – having met when they were fifteen. Their relationship took its own course from friends to lovers when they both decided to move to NYC from the Bay Area. And then…the one thing that Georgia feared happened – their relationship fell apart and she lost one of her best friends. It’s been five years, but Georgia and Eli are always cordial to each other whenever they interact with their other mutual best friend Adam. With Adam’s wedding looming in the very near distance, Georgia isn’t prepared to be spending so much time with Eli. Except the wedding is literally falling apart and Georgia and Eli vow to work together to make it the most perfect wedding for Adam. Now that they are spending more and more time with each other will their feeling towards one another change with old wounds resurfacing?

Second chance romance is a favorite trope of mine. I want to feel the angst and pain of their past relationship and find out why didn’t it work – what happened to make their relationship fall apart. Eli and Georgia have so much great chemistry and their old hurts were so obviously there. Not gonna lie – I was totally crying into my pillow for a good chunk of this book. But Eli – gah – Eli was so perfect. I loved him for Georgia and the way he just knew her. And Georgia – I felt her pain. The way she always wanted to please everyone and be “on.” Even the fallout between her and Eli had me wanting to give her a big hug.

I loved Jessica’s first book You With a View and was eagerly awaiting The Ex Vows. Her writing is witty, fun and has a lot of big feelings! I look forward to reading whatever she writes next!

Overall, I would give The Ex Vows 4.5 stars, but rounding up!

EXCERPT


This wedding is cursed

“Not again,” I mutter.

To the untrained eye, this text probably looks like a joke, or the beginning of one of those chain emails our elders get duped into forwarding to twenty of their nearest and dearest, lest they inherit multigenerational bad luck.

In actuality, it’s been Adam’s mantra for the past eight months.

Adam is the brother I never had and I’m truly honored to be along for the ride on his wedding journey. But had sixth-grade Georgia anticipated I’d be fielding forty-seven daily texts from my more-unhinged-by-the-minute best friend, I would’ve thought twice about complimenting his Hannah Montana shirt the day we met.

My Spidey senses tingle with this text, though. It hasn’t been delivered in aggressive caps lock, nor is it accompanied by a chaotic menagerie of GIFs (my kingdom for a Michael Scott alternative). Whatever has happened now might actually be an emergency.

Then again, the wedding is ten days away. At this point, anything that isn’t objectively awesome is a disaster.

I pluck my phone off my desk, typing, What’s the damage?

A bubble immediately pops up, disappears, reappears, then stops again.

“Great sign.”

It’s nearly four p.m. on Wednesday, the day before my week-long PTO for the wedding starts, and I still have half a page of unchecked boxes on my to-do list, plus a detailed While I’m Away email to draft for my boss. I can’t leave Adam hanging in his moment of need, though. What kind of best woman would I be?

No better than the largely absent best man? comes the uncharitable punchline. I slam the door on that thought. It’s not like I’ve minded executing most of the best-people activities; it’s been a godsend for multiple reasons. It’s just so typical of him to-

I catch my own eye in the computer’s reflection, delivering a silent message with the downward slash of my dark eyebrows: Shut. Up. I’d rather think about curses than anything tangentially related to the subject of Eli Mora.

Not that I believe in curses at all.

Except . . . deep down, I do worry that Adam’s been hounded by bad vibes since he proposed to his fiancée, Grace Song, on New Year’s Eve. Their plans have involved a comedy of errors that have escalated from bummer to oh shit: the wrong wedding dress ordered by the bridal salon, names misspelled on their printed wedding invitations twice, and-the one that nearly got me to believe-their wedding planner quit three months ago because his Bernedoodle had amassed such a following on social media that he was making triple his salary as her manager.

For Adam, whose natural temperament hovers somewhere near live wire, it’s been a constant test of his sanity. Even Grace, who’s brutally chill, the perfect emotional foil for Adam, has been fraying.

But then, she would’ve been fine eloping. Every new disaster probably only further solidifies the urge to book it to Vegas.

Adam’s texts tumble over one another:

Georgia

Our fucking DJ

BROKE THEIR HIP

LINE DANCING AT A BACHELORETTE PARTY

IN NASHVILLE

I need to know what I’ve done in my 28 years on this dying earth that is causing this to happen

I start to type, but he beats me to it.

That was rhetorical, Woodward, DON’T

Clearly Adam’s shifting out of his panic fugue, so I shift into fix-it mode. It’s the reason he came to me out of everyone-he knows I’ll step up without hesitation.

Deep breath. Nothing’s burned to the ground, right? I text back. This is problematic but not fatal. We’ll come up with a new list.

The bubbles of doom pop up again and I wait. Again.

I wish I could say my eagerness to jump into this shitstorm is fully altruistic, but since I got back from a six-month work stint in Seattle three months ago, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen Adam, all wedding-related. This has been the only way to reliably stay in his orbit.

For now, anyway.

Excerpted from The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce Copyright © 2024 by Jessica Joyce. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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.

Spotlight & Excerpt – Isabel and the Rogue

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Isabel and the Rogue by Liana De la Rosa

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: June 4, 2024

Series: The Luna Sisters #2

Publisher: Berkley

Filled with witty dialogue, espionage, steamy tension centered around Mexican culture – this Victorian romance sounds so entertaining!

SYNOPSIS

When a Mexican heiress defies Victorian society to protect her country a British war hero makes it his new mission to protect her…

Isabel Luna Valdés has long since resigned herself to being the “forgotten” Luna sister. But thanks to familial connections to the Mexican ambassador in London, wallflower Isabel is poised to unearth any British intelligence hidden by the ton that might aid Mexico during the French Occupation. Though she slips easily from crowded ballrooms into libraries and private studies, Isabel’s search is hampered by trysting couples and prowling rogues—including the rakish Captain Sirius Dawson.

As a covert agent for the British Home Office, Sirius makes a game of earning the aristocracy’s confidence. He spends his days befriending foolish politicians and seducing well-born ladies in order to learn their secrets. But after he spies a certain sharp-tongued Luna sister lurking in the shadows where no proper debutante should venture, it’s clear Sirius is outmatched, outwitted, and soon to be outmaneuvered by the one woman he can’t resist.

Their mutual attraction is undeniable, but when Isabel discovers private correspondence that could turn the tide of political turmoil in Mexico, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect her country—even if this means ignoring her heart and courting danger…

EXCERPT


A quick peek into the hall revealed her escape route was clear, so Isabel rearranged her expression to one she hoped reflected eagerness to rejoin the festivities. Not that anyone would notice her absence. Isabel was as invisible as the wallpaper-

A hand shot out and grabbed her wrist the moment she set foot inside the ballroom. Panic clawed up her spine, and out of instinct, Isabel brought her hand up to ram it into the perpetrator’s nose, when a familiar scent wove about her. A stupidly alluring scent she’d know anywhere, for the man it belonged to was also stupidly alluring.

“Snooping again, I suppose.” Captain Sirius Dawson slid his arm around Isabel’s waist while his left hand grasped her right. “After everything, it seems you’ve yet to learn your lesson.”

Isabel bristled . . . because of his accusation or his proximity she didn’t know, for Captain Dawson had an annoying talent of leaving her decidedly off-kilter.

She almost despised him for it.

As he effortlessly spun her into the swirl of dancers, part of Isabel realized that the captain had never danced with her before, thus she’d never been this close to him. Her skin tingled with awareness at every spot he touched. Isabel hated that she was apathetic to most men but that every part of her body seemed to stand at attention whenever this man-with his golden beauty and perceptive azul eyes-appeared.

Willing her muscles to relax, Isabel allowed him to move them to the strains of a Chopin waltz. Feeling gazes pressing upon her-whether Lady Yardley’s or Gabby’s, or possibly one of the scores of Captain Dawson’s admirers-Isabel raised her chin. She’d danced a waltz with any number of gentlemen in the time she’d been in England, but never with him. For all that he was her brother-in-law’s friend, or that Isabel had spent more than a fortnight at Captain Dawson’s country estate, he had seemed to go out of his way to ignore her presence. Being shunned by such a man should not bother her half as much as it did, but her chest went tight whenever she saw him.

The amused look on Captain Dawson’s face now reminded Isabel that he had said . . . something. She was sure it was a scold, because when he did speak to her, he liked to point out her bad behavior. Isabel replayed his words in her mind.

“I don’t know what you mean. I was merely returning from the retiring room when you waylaid me into this waltz.” She arched a brow. “If you wanted to dance with me, you could have asked politely, like everyone else.”

Isabel managed not to cringe through her bluff. Everyone else? Hardly. While her dance card was never empty, for rumors of her fortune had encouraged many a cash-strapped second son to seek out her hand, her reserved nature was not particularly inviting. She’d learned quickly that if she spoke of a novel she’d read or a new scientific discovery she’d heard about, eyes would glaze over and attentions would wander. More often than not, Isabel held her silence during such dances, answering the gentlemen’s questions politely but volunteering nothing else, for truly, what was the point?

But something about the captain always made her speak without thinking. It was a very vexing thing. The captain was very vexing.

His blue eyes bored into her now, his lips a confusing slash between displeasure and amusement. Surely Isabel was reading him wrong and she fought not to squirm. She had always believed her father possessed the most intimidating stare, but she’d been wrong, for nothing made her want to share all her secrets-or confess all her sins-like Captain Dawson’s steely gaze. It was a fortuitous thing, then, that Isabel’s stubbornness was more than up for the challenge.

“I don’t see why you should care about me or what I do when you and I are not friends,” she said archly.

“We aren’t?” The captain’s brows rose. “Whatever gave you that impression?”

Her own brows dipped low over her narrowed eyes. “You did, sir. In all the months since we departed Dancourt Abbey, you’ve not spoken with me once. Nor my sister or Lady Yardley, that I am aware of.”

“Well, that’s not true,” he murmured. “I chatted with Lady Yardley in the park just the other day.”

“How nice for you.” Isabel pinned her gaze on a perfect blond curl near the nape of his neck. “Yet the fact remains that we have never been friendly, Captain Dawson, even while my sisters and I were at Dancourt Abbey that summer. You have never taken any interest in me-” Isabel clamped down on her tongue so hard she tasted copper. She had no intention of hinting at her hurt feelings over his disregard. She never wanted any man to think he could maim her pride. Especially this man.

His chest rose and fell with a sigh, and Captain Dawson shifted his gaze from her face to a spot over her shoulder. “That’s not true. I assured Fox I would keep an eye on you and Miss Gabriela-“

“And I assure you, Capitán, that my sister and I do not need anything from you.”

Isabel did not raise her voice, nor did her tone hint at the anger his indifference had sparked within her. But Captain Dawson seemed to know anyway, for the angular planes of his face softened. Just a tad.

She refused to soften in return. The captain may be her brother-in-law’s close friend, and he may have sheltered her and her sisters from Mexico’s enemies after Ana María and Gideon were wed. But Captain Dawson had shown her time and time again that she was not worth his notice.

Being a wallflower had its benefits, but Isabel was so very tired of being overlooked.

Excerpted from Isabel and The Rogue by Liana De la Rosa Copyright © 2024 by Liana De la Rosa. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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.

ARC Review – Into the Dark by Jessa Hastings

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Into the Dark by Jessa Hastings

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Series: Magnolia Parks Universe #5

Genre: New Adult

Heat Level: 🔥 (closed door)

Release Date: February 13, 2024

Publisher: Dutton

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Dutton & audiobook from PRHAudio.

After reading the entire Magnolia Parks Universe series back to back I was so excited to get the opportunity to read Into the Dark. I knew that this would be a heavier book, but I was looking forward to the conclusion of Magnolia + BJ. I loved this book, just as I have loved the previous books. Jessa’s writing is so beautiful and I was often left reeling at my feelings for these characters.

I absolutely cannot wait for the next Daisy books! The little crumbs that Jessa left us were not enough and I need to know what is going on!!!

Loved this entire series and can’t wait to continue. If you’re looking for something unconventional – I’d highly recommend this series.

SYNOPSIS

Book five in the sensational Magnolia Parks Universe series!

How many loves do you actually get in a lifetime? Everyone knows by now that Magnolia and BJ are in the stars, but is that enough?

Magnolia and BJ are reeling from a devastating loss as they try to plan what’s been dubbed “the wedding of the century”. As family tensions mount and their respective pasts begin catching up to them, they finally have to look the truth in the Can they learn to trust and be with one another again, or will they die trying?

REVIEW

From the first moment I started Magnolia Parks I felt the instant connection between BJ and Magnolia. Their relationship was one filled with anger and hurt, but also one with such loving tenderness. Yes, both Magnolia and BJ are deeply flawed and that’s where Into the Dark shined for me. These two had such character growth – both separate and together in this book and witnessing their journey made me so happy (and okay yes also shed some happy tears 🥲).

After reading The Long Way Home I wasn’t sure what to expect with the way that book ended. Bridget has been such a huge part of Magnolia’s life and also for us as the reader. We connected with her no bs attitude and the way she so clearly rooted for BJ and Magnolia. The levels of grief that Magnolia experiences were heartbreakingly beautiful. I had tears in my eyes on more than one occasion 😭

Magnolia and BJ’s journey to finally be together was a long time coming. Yes, they had to take the long way around to get there – but they got there and I couldn’t have been happier 🥹. I’ll be the first to admit that I wasn’t always a BJ fan. I hated him and loved him throughout this series, but the way this man is so gone for Magnolia made me definitely love him. Their relationship wasn’t easy, but the fact that they are aware of it and are taking the steps to grow together was so profound 🥰

I also had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook for Into the Dark. I was looking forward to the audiobook – as these books have been some of my favorite audiobook narrations. BUT! The male narrator was switched from Benjamin Noble to Adam Hugill. And it was hard for me to reconcile Adam Hugill as BJ because in this series he’s been Christian. And I love him as Christian – it’s just hard for me to have him play multiple characters in the same series. I still love Magnolia’s chapters as she is still narrated by Ella-Rae Smith who I think is the perfect Magnolia! Overall I still liked the audiobook, but I was struggling with the BJ chapters.

I’m so so so happy that BJ and Magnolia got the ending they deserved.

As a Daisy Haites girl, I couldn’t help but love the snippets of Christian/Daisy/Julian and cannot wait for the next Daisy Haites book 🌼

Overall a wonderful conclusion to BJ and Magnolia – can’t wait to reread the entire series from beginning to end. Jessa’s writing is so damn beautiful and I can’t get enough.

ARC Review – Bride by Ali Hazelwood

~ Tej ~ Leave a comment

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Level: 🔥🔥

Release Date: February 6, 2023

Publisher: Berkley

I received a complimentary copy and audiobook from publisher.

SYNOPSIS

A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance.

Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again…

Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….

Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she’s ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.

REVIEW

Add Bride to your tbr if you love
-were x vampyre
-marriage of convenience
-mystery & drama
-slow burn
-lots of “my wife” moments
-🌶🌶

Misery is a vampyre that’s been living in the Human world for years now. She feels like she blends in as much as a vamypre can. She has a human best friend, she files down her canines and doesn’t hunt humans to drink their blood – she grabs blood from a blood bank of course.

When extenuating circumstances force Misery into accepting an alliance with the Were’s by marrying their alpha Lowe Moreland she tries to make the best out of a not so ideal situation. Misery’s father may be using Misery as collateral for this makeshift alliance, but Misery has her own agenda. Her best friend Serena went missing weeks ago and the only clue she left behind had to do with the Were alpha. Misery has to try to figure out what if anything Lowe knows about Serena’s disappearance.

The Were pack have each other’s back and they all listen to their Alpha. They don’t have any love for a Vamypre living among them even if she is Lowe’s wife. But soon enough Misery finds that her only friend might be a little girl who just happens to be Lowe’s sister. The more time Misery finds herself spending with the pack, the more she ends up liking them and their fearsome, protective Alpha. Will Lowe and Misery learn to trust each other while they are contracted to stay married for at least a year?

I also had the opportunity to listen the audiobook of Bride and really enjoyed it! The narration was performed primarily by Thérèse Plummer with the chapter introductions done by Will Damron. I enjoyed Thérèse Plummer’s narration as Misery. Her voice was perfect for Misery and I could always feel the depth of emotions from her narration – everything from humor and sarcasm to sadness and longing. If you’re a fan of audiobooks I highly recommend listening to this one.

I loved loved loved Bride. While this book felt completely different from Ali’s previous contemporary novels, I couldn’t stop reading it fast enough. It was darker and yet had all of the same traits I love about Ali’s books – smart heroines with plenty of sass and wit and a hero who loves her unconditionally. I love Misery and Lowe together and didn’t want this book to end. And that ending?! I definitely need more books in this universe.

Magnolia Parks Universe Series Review

~ Tej ~ Leave a comment

Magnolia Parks Universe series by Jessa Hastings

Genre: New Adult

Heat Level: 🔥 (mainly closed door)

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I picked up Magnolia Parks on a whim. I tried to read it a few months (maybe a year ago?) when it was on Kindle Unlimited, but couldn’t get into it. Then I kept seeing it all over social media and decided to give it another go. And this time I was fully invested. I think it’s because I let myself want to read a messy book. There’s no clear HEA at the end of these books and the characters come across as shallow and often self absorbed. But they know this and that’s what makes me love them. Lots and lots of content warning if you decide to pick up these books so be warned. I’ll list them down below. If you do pick up the Magnolia Parks books let me know what you think! I’m fully invested and am dying to read the next book in the series. Each of these books was five star read for me.

Series Reading Order:

  1. Magnolia Parks
  2. Daisy Haites
  3. Magnolia Parks: The Long Way Home
  4. Daisy Haites: The Great Undoing
  5. Magnolia Parks: Into the Dark (releasing February 13, 2024)

This books reads as a true series so it’s really important to read the books in order! I believe there are still two more Daisy Haites books, but I don’t think anything has been announced yet!

p.s. if you’re looking for the og covers I bought them from Blackwell’s. The new updated shoe covers are available at most retailers.

Content Warnings: drug use/abuse, overdose (on page), cheating (on page), death of a loved one, threats/attempted kidnapping.

**thank you to Dutton Books and PRH Audio for the gifted books and audiobooks.

Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize the purchase.

REVIEWS:

Magnolia Parks (book 1)

I’m going to start off this review by stating that Magnolia Parks is a book/series that is not for everyone. It’s messy in so many ways and the characters are all deeply flawed with a multitude of issues. CW: substance abuse, cheating, overdose, co-dependency. That being said, I absolutely loved it because at the moment I’m loving messy romances and this book was M E S S Y 🫠

BJ Valentine and Magnolia Parks have constantly been in each others orbit. They’ve known each other forever, dated for a bit but are at an impasse. BJ cheated on Magnolia three years ago and both of them cannot move on from that betrayal. This is a book about both of them trying to move on with their lives, but not really because they can’t. They have that kind of love that’s destructive and they can’t function without each other. Yet, all the people they bring in their orbit end up getting hurt 😞.

This was my first book by Jessa Hastings and I love her writing style! It’s eccentric and fun, but then there will be certain scenes or chapter that just gut me and leave my heart crying on behalf of these characters. I have so many highlighted sections of this book 🥲🥹

If you are a fan of audiobooks – I highly highly recommend the audiobook of Magnolia Parks. The narration was done by Benjamin Noble and Ella-Rae Smith and they were amazing. They embodied BJ and Magnolia perfectly.

If you’re looking for an unconventional romance book that’s angsty and swoony and full of heartbreak I would suggest Magnolia Parks. I’m already looking forward to the next book.

You can purchase the book here

Daisy Haites (book 2)

What you can expect to find in Daisy Haites:
-witty dialogue
-a love…square? (messy messy messy)
-swoony scenes that leave you with tears in your eyes
-angsty scenes that leave you with tears in your eyes
-CHRISTIAN HEMMES

After finishing Magnolia Parks I was reeling. I needed to find out what happened with BJ and Magnolia. And so when the book starts off with Daisy…I was internally thinking wtf? Don’t ask why even though the book literally says Daisy Haites I was still expecting Magnolia to narrate 🙈. So yeah, I was kind of like what is going on?

And then…and then I started reading this book and completely fell head over heels in love with Daisy Haites 😍. Because she’s Daisy Haites and I love her inner monologue and dialogue with every single person in this book. But especially Christian Hemmes 🫠. Gah! The scenes between these two always left me feeling something…giddy, happy, heartbroken, excited…you name it.

So basically the gist of this book is that it’s kind of happening at the same time as Magnolia Parks, but we see it from the point of view of Christian, Daisy and her brother Julian. Julian was briefly mentioned in Magnolia Parks, but we learn more about him, his empire and his sister Daisy. A lot of shit goes down and I won’t really say much without giving the book away. I will say that this was one book I literally could not put down. I read it every chance I got.

I also had an opportunity to listen to the audiobook of Daisy Haites and this audiobook is literally one of my most favorite audiobooks of all time 🥹. I loved the narration done by Adam Hugill, Sabrina Bartlett and Michael Shelford. The audio narration was absolute perfection. I especially loved Sabrina Bartlett and Adam Hugill’s portrayals of Daisy and Christian – so much emotion in their performances! I can’t wait to go back and re-listen to the audiobook.

Daisy Haites is one of my favorite books of the year. I loved every single thing about this book ❤️. Yes, the characters are still messy. Yes, there are a lot of content warnings. And yes, each and every one of these characters is fucked up in some way. But they know that and that’s what makes me keep wanting to come back into this universe and picking up these books.

I literally cannot wait to read the next book.

You can purchase the book here

Magnolia Parks: The Long Way Home (book 3)

“How’s the weather, Parks?”

When this line has you crying 😭 6% into the book you know it’s going to be The Long Way Home for BJ and Magnolia to reunite. But you’re hoping against all hope that they get there some how.

I’ve been obsessed with this series since I started it roughly a week ago. The way Magnolia Parks ended, I wasn’t too keen on BJ and the way Parks and him separated. But I loved BJ’s character growth in Long Way Home. He is trying to be better – not only for Magnolia but also for himself and it made me love him more than I did previously 🥹.

Yes, there were certain parts where I was screaming at BJ and Magnolia 😫 I wanted more than anything for them to get their happy ending, but their pain runs deep and wasn’t easy to fix with a bandaid. Still – I love these two, their history and the way they so obviously love each other.

Other things I loved about Long Way Home:
-Julian … also I can’t wait to get his POV in the next book
-seeing Daisy and Christian again 🥲
-why December 3rd was so special to Magnolia and BJ 😭
-the funny scenes that had me laughing out loud!

Once again, the audiobook was fantastic and I can’t recommend it enough.

And I should have known that Jessa Hasting’s was setting us up for heartbreak when the ending seemed to be tied up too perfectly…what just happened?!?!?! 😮

I can’t wait to read The Great Undoing, but I’m going to try to pace myself so I can be ready for Into the Dark

You can purchase the book here

Daisy Haites: The Great Undoing (book 4)

I should have known going into Daisy Haites: The Great Undoing that this book would leave my heart in pieces when it ended 💔😭

Like the previous Daisy Haites book, The Great Undoing takes place at the same time as Magnolia Parks: The Long Way Home except that it’s told in the POV of Daisy, Julian and Christian. In the end of Daisy Haites we know that:

1. Daisy wants a “normal life”
2. Daisy and Christian break up ☹️
3. Julian has broken Daisy’s rules and is going down a dark path.

I won’t recall what happens in the book because *spoilers* but I will break down why I love these characters so much.

Daisy:
I’ve always been a Daisy girl – her fierceness, her bluntness, her love and loyalty are what make her so amazing in this series. I loved to see the character growth of Daisy in this book. She wants “normal,” but her normal has always been wherever her brother is. Is she truly happy now…living with Tiller? Or is this the life she desperately thinks she wants. And at what cost? The cost of losing her brother, the cost of losing the love of her life? Daisy always breathes so much life into her character and it was hard reading some of these chapters. But also – really funny? lol I love her humor.
My favorite moments of Daisy are always those with Christian. These two are just meant to be. I won’t accept anything else. And a Daisy + Magnolia friendship – I was lol’ing A LOT.

Christian:
This man and the way he loves Daisy 😮‍💨 Yes he was an idiot in the first Daisy Haites book but I loved him then and in this book I loved him even more 😍😍😍 I lived for the moments that he had with Daisy. But also his character was so much stronger and emotionally present in this book. I loved to see how far he’s come from the last book.

Julian:
Okay first of all I am a Magnolia + BJ girlie – because their love is something unique and special. Yes they hurt each other and do all sorts of messed up things – but they’ve loved each other their whole lives. BUT seeing how untethered and how in love Julian was with Magnolia made my heart break for him. Like full on tears streaming down my face because ugh Julian 🥹 He deserves to be loved and by someone who will love him as fiercely as he does them. But with him being who he is – how is that ever going to be possible….poor Julian.

This ending left me broken 😭. I need more more more books with these three characters. I am SO excited for Magnolia Parks Into the Dark and I just hope for some snippets of these three characters so it can hold me over until we get another book with them.

p.s. as always the audiobook of Daisy Haites: The Great Undoing was fantastic. This series has my favorite audiobook hands down.

You can purchase the book here

My Favorite Books I’ve Read in 2023

~ Tej ~ Leave a comment

I finished 2023 having read 122 books. A majority of these books were fantasy romances – a new favorite. A lot of my books this year were backlist books including the Shatter Me, Once Upon a Broken Heart and Folk of the Air series. These series became favorites with Folk of the Air one of my favorite series this year – the books just kept getting better as the series progressed.

I also read a lot of KU this year with Ana Huang becoming a new favorite. Her books didn’t work for me when I tried to read them a few years ago, but I loved King of Wrath and went on to read her backlist. I finished the year reading Magnolia Parks. And while these books are not for everyone (lots of CW) – I’m obsessed with this series and can’t wait to continue.

I always have a hard time narrowing down my favorite books of the year. The books I chose this year are books that I can’t get over. I’ve already reread them multiple times and own multiple copies (typically audiobook, ebook & physical book) of each book!

I can’t wait to see what books 2024 has in store!

Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize the purchase.

1. Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Multiple people have been recommending the Shatter Me series on bookstagram and booktok. I didn’t think I would enjoy a YA dystopian fantasy romance…how wrong I was! I loved everything about this series and Tahereh Mafi has quickly become a new favorite author. LOVED this series.

**Have to be read in order as it is a true series. You can see the reading order on my bookstagram.

2. The Wicked King by Holly Black

This is a series where every book got better and better. I gave all three books in this series five stars – which is rare for me. Start to finished I was intrigued. I’m so glad I read this series when it was already complete because the ending of The Wicked King left me heartbroken.

Although most people say this series is more fantasy and less fantasy romance I disagree. The romance is so swoony. Be sure to read Cardan’s letters to Jude once you finish the series.

3. The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber

I went into this book blind…not really knowing anything about it besides what I saw on booktok. And yes I was instantly intrigued with Jacks, but I absolutely fell for Evangeline too.

Think whimsical fantasy turns into Alice in Wonderland – dark and sinister but also very romantic.

4. Daisy Haites by Jessa Hastings

Listen, I know the series is called Magnolia Parks but I’m a Daisy Haites girl!

This book was perfection from the moment I opened the first page. It was so different from Magnolia Parks. Still messy and toxic, but gah I loved the angsty romance between Daisy and Christian.Did this book leave me broken? Yes. Will I read it again and again and again? Also Yes.

p.s. if you’re an audiobook fan I highly recommend listening to this book!

**please check content warnings before picking up this series.

Thank you PRH Audio and Dutton Books for the gifted copies.

5. Love, Theorteically by Ali Hazelwood

I love Ali Hazelwood’s writing and Love, Theoretically was definitely Ali at her best! The banter, the sweet slow burn and the humor was perfect. Love, Theoretically is easily my favorite Ali Hazelwood book…after The Love Hypothesis of course!

Thank you Berkley for the gifted copy

6. King of Wrath by Ana Huang

I will admit…I didn’t think Ana Huang was an author for me. I tried one of the Twisted books and had to put it down because it wasn’t working for me. But I decided to give King of Wrath a try because it has my favorite tropes – marriage of convenience and enemies to lovers. I’m so glad I did because this book became one of my favorites this year.

I’m so excited to read the next book in the series!

Thank you Bloom Books for the gifted copy

7. Happy Place by Emily Henry

Emily Henry is a favorite author – her books have been five star reads, so I was expecting Happy Place to be amazing.

What I didn’t expect was to cry so much while reading Happy Place. I love second chance romance and miscommunication (I know!) in a romance so my heart was fully invested.

Thank you Berkley for the gifted copy

8. Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Once again I was influenced to read a book after seeing a few TikTok’s. And Powerless did not dissapoint.

I loved the hunger games vibes of this book as well as the forbidden romance aspect between a girl thief + prince boy.

The banter in this book was off the charts good! I had a silly grin on my face throughout the entire book.

The next book in this series – Reckless – is easily one of my most anticipated reads of 2024!