ARC Review -The Frat Boy

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The Frat Boy by Nikki Sloane

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Nashville Neighborhood #4

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: December 6, 2022

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Valentine PR.

SYNOPSIS

Colin Novak is the big man on campus. Huge—if the rumors are to be believed. Nearly every girl at Davidson University has had a ride on him . . . everyone, except me.

Which is fine. This frat boy may be irritatingly hot, all carved muscle with a deceptively wholesome smile, but that’s irrelevant. He’s a Sig.

When I catch his fraternity cheating at the Greek Week tournament, he denies it—causing our rivalry between houses to escalate. Colin and I may have started the mud fight, but it grows into an all-out war, and ends with us expelled from our houses.

Now I’m homeless and it’s all his fault.

So, while answering an ad for a leading role at an adult film company wasn’t part of my career path, the work comes with a lot of perks. Steady salary. Accommodations close to campus. A safe place to explore my fantasies.

Except when I show up for my audition, my partner is none other than my new archenemy—Colin. And our sexual chemistry is explosive.

We hate how attracted we are to each other, and I despise that I want every scene to be with him. Because the longer we live together, the more I see he’s not who I thought he was.

This frat boy was so easy to hate . . . but what if he’s even easier to love?

REVIEW

Colin and Madison are rivals in every single way. Their fraternities have been rivals for years and each want to compete in the Greek Week tournament and call themselves the champions. When Madison calls out Colin’s fraternity for cheating the frat boy doesn’t believe her. This in turn causes the rivalry to escalate to the point that both Colin and Madison are kicked out of their respective houses.

With no where to go, Madison answers an ad for a leading role in an adult company. She’ll have a place to stay and she can make some extra money while she finishes school. Madison is nervous and scared, but what truly throws her is that her partner will be Colin!! Their chemistry is explosive, but will these two survive living in the house together?

Nikki Sloane’s writing is always 🔥🔥🔥 and The Frat Boy definitely brought the heat. I read nearly half of the book in one sitting. I loved the chemistry between Colin and Madison. The fact that they truly hated each other, but also had to act intimate together while on screen made their chemistry so explosive.

I also really enjoyed the secondary characters in The Frat Boy. While this maybe a taboo book in the sense that adult stars and adult film is discussed, it always felt respectful. I truly enjoyed the interactions that the characters had while they were all living in the house.

I will say that sometimes the secondary plots got to be a bit much and I found myself looking for more time with just Colin and Madison together.

If you’re looking for a fast paced book with lots of spicy scenes I would definitely recommend this book! Overall I would give The Frat Boy 3.5 – 4 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Valentine PR.

Spotlight A Dash of Salt and Pepper by Kosoko Jackson

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A Dash of Salt and Pepper by Kosoko Jackson

Genre: Contemporary Romance/LGBT

Release Date: December 6, 2022

Publisher: Berkley

Tropes you can expect to find in A Dash of Salt and Pepper : enemies-to-lovers, workplace romance, single dad and age gap! This is a perfect rom-com for foodie lovers.

When Xavier finds himself back in his home town of Harper’s Cove, Maine he doesn’t expect to be working as a prep chef for the hot single dad chef who doesn’t know how to operate his own kitchen. But soon these two find themselves heating up the kitchen – will they be able to make their relationship work?

SYNOPSIS

Sometimes two cooks in the kitchen are better than one in this swoony romantic comedy from the author of I’m So (Not) Over You.

Xavier Reynolds is doing less than stellar. He just got dumped, was passed over for a prestigious fellowship, and to top it all off he’s right back home in Harper’s Cove, Maine (population: 9,000). The last thing he wants to do is to work as a prep chef in the kitchen of the hip new restaurant in town, The Wharf. Especially since the hot, single-father chef who owns it can’t delegate to save his life.

Logan O’Hare doesn’t understand Xavier or why every word out of his mouth is dipped in sarcasm. Unfortunately, he has no choice but to hire him–he needs more help in the kitchen and his tween daughter, Anne, can only mince so many onions. It might be a recipe for disaster, but Logan doesn’t have many options besides Xavier.

Stuck between a stove and a hot place, Logan and Xavier discover an unexpected connection. But when the heat between them threatens to top the Scoville scale, they’ll have to decide if they can make their relationship work or if life has seasoned them too differently.

ARC Review – A Very Merry Bromance

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A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Bromance Book Club #4

Heat Level: 🔥🔥

Release Date: November 1, 2022

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Berkley and audiobook from prhaudio

SYNOPSIS

‘Tis the season for a Bromance Book Club matchmaking mission! This time, they’re pulling out the mistletoe for everyone’s favorite country music star, Colton, and his second chance at love.

Country music’s golden boy Colton Wheeler felt the most perfect harmony when he was with Gretchen Winthrop. But for her, it was a love him and leave him situation. A year later, Colton is struggling to push his music forward in a new direction. If it weren’t about to be the most magical time of year and the support of the Bromance Book Club, he’d be wallowing in self-pity.

It’s hard for immigration attorney Gretchen not to feel a little Scrooge-ish about the excess of Christmas when her clients are scrambling to afford their rent. So when her estranged, wealthy family reaches out with an offer that will allow her to better serve the community, she’s unable to say no. She just needs to convince Colton to be the new face of her family’s whiskey brand. No big deal…

Colton agrees to consider Gretchen’s offer in exchange for three dates before Christmas. With the help of the Bromance Book Club, Colton throws himself into the task of proving to her there’s a spark between them. But Gretchen and Colton will both need to overcome the ghosts of Christmas past to build a future together.

REVIEW

Colton Wheeler had a pretty wonderful night with Gretchen. But when he decides he wants something more from their one night stand, Gretchen flees. Colton hasn’t seen her in over a year when she finally waltzes back into his life with something akin to a business proposal.

Gretchen hasn’t had the best relationship with her family. But when her wealthy family decides that they want Colton as their ambassador for their whiskey line they turn to Gretchen to seal the deal. Gretchen doesn’t want to be back in Colton’s presence, but will do what’s necessary to secure a position on the board of her family’s business.

Colton’s no young buck, and decides if Gretchen wants to snag him as an ambassador then she has to agree to go on a few dates with him. Gretchen finally relents and that’s how these two slowly start to spend more time with one another and get to know about what makes each other tick.

A Very Merry Bromance was a fun addition to the Bromance Book Club series! It was great seeing the bro’s together again. I was laughing quite a lot whenever they’d all be on the same page.

I enjoyed the dichotomy of Gretchen and Colton. Where Colton was all shine-y and had a ton of Christmas spirit, Gretchen was grumpy and less so inclined to even give Christmas a thought. These two were perfect for each other and I loved how patient Colton was in giving Gretchen the space she needed especially considering her strained relationship with her family (and d-bag of a brother).

I also had an opportunity to listen to the audiobook of A Very Merry Bromance and really enjoyed listening to Andrew Eiden as narrator. He did a great job voicing Colton and Gretchen and I was laughing out loud whenever all the bro’s were together.

Overall, I enjoyed A Very Merry Bromance and this series as a whole!

Review – Flawless & Heartless by Elsie Silver

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Flawless & Heartless by Elsie Silver

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Cowboy Romance

Series: Chestnut Springs #1 & #2

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

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

Flawless by Elise Silver

Review

Rhett Eaton has been felled by milk.

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

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

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

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

I’m so glad I decided to read Flawless!

Heartless by Elsie Silver

Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

ARC Review – The Devil Gets His Due

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The Devil Gets His Due by Elizabeth O’Roark

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Devil #4

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: December 1, 2022

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Valentine PR.

SYNOPSIS

Keeley: Last January, I drunk-married my nemesis—hot, oversized geek Graham Tate. With no memory of how it came about, there was only one solution: run off before he woke up and pretend it didn’t happen. It would have worked perfectly if I hadn’t wound up pregnant.

Graham is the opposite of everything I want in a man—practical, disciplined, frugal—but living with him until the baby arrives has me wondering if, perhaps, I’ve been wanting the wrong things all along. And if that drunk version of me last January might have been onto something.

Graham: I never planned to have kids, and I certainly wouldn’t have planned on one with Keeley Connolly—a woman who does not believe in savings accounts or personal safety and thinks Lucky Charms is a health food because of the non-marshmallow bits.

A woman who also didn’t think twice about marrying me in Vegas and ditching me hours later.

I can’t wait to put this behind me and return to my careful, chaos-free life in New York. But the more time I spend with Keeley, the more I’m remembering the things that led me to marry her in the first place…and wondering if I can live without them when this ends.

REVIEW

What you can find in The Devil Gets His Due:
-enemies-to-lovers
-whoops we went to Vegas and now we’re married
-accidental pregnancy
-forced proximity

Keeley and Graham have been communicating over the phone for weeks and they do not like each other. But when Keeley’s best friend Gemma decides to marry Graham’s brother Ben – they have no choice but to work together to throw them a wedding party. When they finally meet face to face at the actual party – that’s where sparks fly. But their one night stand turns into two. And when Keeley wakes up with a wedding ring on her finger in Vegas (!!) and Graham Tate happens to be the groom she flees. Pretends like it never happens, except she’s keeping a big secret that she’ll have to tell Graham about much sooner than later. Will these two be able to come together to an agreement to make their situation work or are they doomed before they even try?

I’m going to start off this review by stating that accidental pregnancy is not a favorite trope of mine. BUT…Elizabeth O’Roark knows how to write great chemistry and I was immediately falling for Graham and Keeley. I also really enjoyed the fact that Keeley didn’t remember much of their drunken debauchery the night they got married and the hot flashbacks that would come to her out of nowhere were 🔥.

While this romance was definitely steamy right off the bat, I would definitely still qualify it as a slow burn. The tension between Keeley and Graham was always ratcheted up and I was itching for these two to finally realize they wanted to be together.

I also actually laughed out loud quite a lot while reading The Devil Gets His Due. Parts of this book were hilarious and I loved that in the moments of angst/tension between Keeley and Graham.

It was great to see cameos of previous couples in The Devils series.

Overall, I would give The Devil Gets His Due between a 4 and 4.5. I couldn’t stop reading the book once I started and will definitely be going back to re-read my favorite scenes.

Review – A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L Armentrout

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A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L Armentrout

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Romantic Fantasy

Series: Flesh and Fire #2

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: November 15, 2022

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

SYNOPSIS

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

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

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

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

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

REVIEW

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

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

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

Spotlight – A Cosmic Kind of Love by Samantha Young

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A Cosmic Kind of Love by Samantha Young

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 18, 2022

Publisher: Berkley

Event planner, Hallie Goodman, ends up receiving the wrong digital files from a client (they were of the client’s ex boyfriend Christopher). Hallie doesn’t mean to open them, but soon finds herself charmed by the astronaut who’s sending videos from space. Hallie ends up sending messages in return, thinking that he’ll never see them.

Christopher is back on earth and ends up getting all his missed messages and finds that he’s surprised to discover videos from a pink hair woman named Hallie. She’s funny, sweet and Christopher is eager to meet her.

Will these star crossed lovers find a way to make their relationship work?

SYNOPSIS

Space is the last thing an event planner and an astronaut need in this charming new romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young.

When event planner Hallie Goodman receives party-inspiration material from the bride of her latest wedding project, the last thing she expects to find in the files are digital videos from Darcy’s ex-boyfriend. Hallie knows it’s wrong to keep watching these personal videos, but this guy is cute, funny, and an astronaut on the International Space Station to boot. She’s only human. And it’s not long until she starts sending e-mails and video diaries to his discontinued NASA address. Since they’re bouncing back, there’s no way anyone will ever be able to see them…right?

Christopher Ortiz is readjusting to life on earth and being constantly in the shadow of his deceased older brother. When a friend from NASA’s IT department forwards him the e-mails and video messages Hallie has sent, he can’t help but notice how much her sense of humor and pink hair make his heart race.

Separated by screens, Hallie and Chris are falling in love with each other, one transmission at a time. But can they make their star-crossed romance work when they each learn the other’s baggage?

Review – Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

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Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Knockemout #1

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: September 20, 2022 (reprinted edition)

Publisher: Bloom Books

SYNOPSIS

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

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

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

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

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

REVIEW

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cover Reveal – Things We Hide From the Light

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Things We Hide From the Light by Lucy Score

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Knockemout #2

Release Date: February 21, 2023

Publisher: Bloom Books

I just started reading my copy of Things We Never Got Over (book 1 in the series) and I love all of the characters already! I’ve laughed out loud so many times and have also highlighted passages that have pulled on my heart strings. I am already looking forward to Nash’s story and look at this cover – gorgeous 😍.

SYNOPSIS

Nash Morgan was always known as the good Morgan brother, with a smile and a wink for everyone. But now, this chief of police is recovering from being shot and his Southern charm has been overshadowed by panic attacks and nightmares. He feels like a broody shell of the man he once was. Nash isn’t about to let anyone in his life know he’s struggling. But his new next-door neighbor, smart and sexy Lina, sees his shadows. As a rule, she’s not a fan of physical contact unless she initiates it, but for some reason Nash’s touch is different. He feels it too. The physical connection between them is incendiary, grounding him and making her wonder if exploring it is worth the risk.

Too bad Lina’s got secrets of her own, and if Nash finds out the real reason she’s in town, he’ll never forgive her. Besides, she doesn’t do relationships. Ever. A hot, short-term fling with a local cop? Absolutely. Sign her up. A relationship with a man who expects her to plant roots? No freaking way. Once she gets what she’s after, she has no intention of sticking around. But Knockemout has a way of getting under people’s skin. And once Nash decides to make Lina his, he’s not about to be dissuaded…even if it means facing the danger that nearly killed him.

ARC Review – Lucy on the Wild Side

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Lucy on the Wild Side by Kerry Rea

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Level: 🔥🔥

Release Date: September 13, 2022

Publisher: Berkley

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

SYNOPSIS

A charming and wildly funny new romantic comedy by Kerry Rea, author of The Wedding Ringer.

Lucy Rourke has two great loves in her life: the gorilla troop she cares for as a primatologist and the laundry list of reality TV shows she watches to escape the fact that her actual love life doesn’t exist. And like a reality contestant gunning for the final rose, Lucy’s laser-focused on one thing: getting promoted to head keeper. So when a wildlife docuseries hosted by hotshot TV personality Kai Bridges chooses her zoo as its summer filming location, she sees an opportunity to showcase her beloved gorillas to the world and land a starring role in her department.

When Kai and his film crew arrive, however, it’s obvious to Lucy that Kai cares more about sky-high ratings than the gorillas, and he considers her a camera-averse know-it-all whose wardrobe consists entirely of khaki. But she’s surprised to discover there’s more to him than his rugged good looks and cheesy catchphrases…and that maybe a promotion isn’t the only thing she wants. But when secrets from their pasts threaten to complicate everything, Lucy discovers that happiness and success aren’t the same thing—and that finding joy just might mean getting a little wild.

REVIEW

Lucy Rourke is a junior zoo keeper and loves her job taking care of her gorilla troop. If she could have it her way she’d change nothing about her job, except for getting that promotion she’s been aiming at. Soon she has an opportunity to show her boss that she is up for the promotion when TV hot shot Kai Bridges wants to film Lucy and her crew with the gorilla habitat.

Lucy and Kai start off on the wrong foot and it only gets worse from there. Lucy doesn’t have the best time public speaking and she abhors the camera. Kai and Lucy get on each others last nerves, until they realize they have a lot of similarities. Will they try to make a relationship work between them, knowing full well that Kai is set to leave at the end of filming?

After reading the synopsis of Lucy on the Wild Side I knew to expect an enemies-to-lovers rom-com, but I didn’t expect to also feel so much for these characters. I loved every secondary character in this book from Lucy’s grandmother to her half-sister. I was invested in this story and wanted these characters to end up happier than when we first met them.

Kai and Lucy had such great chemistry. And wowza (see what I did there 😉 did Kerry bring the heat in this book 🔥🔥. I loved this delicious slow burn. These two characters were so funny and likable and yet they each had so much trauma to get past. They were so patient, kind and understanding of each others feelings and that made me root for them even more!

I loved Kerry’s debut The Wedding Ringer when I read it last year and was really anticipating Lucy on the Wild Side and I have to say – if you haven’t read Kerry’s writing yet – please change that.

I had an opportunity to listen to the audiobook of Lucy on the Wild Side and overall enjoyed moving back and forth from the audio to the physical copy of the book. I will say that I didn’t enjoy the accent for Kai as much. Perhaps a South African accent is trickier to pull off? I’m not sure – but it was not my favorite audiobook.

If you’re looking for a rom-com filled with a lot of heart, I highly recommend adding Lucy on the Wild Side to your tbr!

CW: parental neglect, anxiety (public speaking), death of a beloved animal