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ARC Book Review: We Are Never Getting Together by Janette Rallison

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Rating: ★★
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 304 pages
Author: Janette Rallison
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: April 7th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In this reverse Parent Trap, two feuding teenagers pretend to be in love to keep their parents apart, but love has other plans. A clean YA rom-com from USA Today best-selling author, Janette Rallison.

Madeline and Cooper have had bad blood since junior year when she beat out his sister for the lead in the school play. Ever since, it’s been one petty escalation after another—plastic-wrapped cars, glitter bombs, and even a derogatory viral video. When their latest prank lands them in the principal’s office with their single parents in tow, Madeline and Cooper are shocked to find that their parents have hit it off and now have plans for a dinner date.

Horrified by the prospect of their parents falling in love, Madeline and Cooper reach a truce. To keep their parents apart, they’ll pretend their feud is over and that they’re in a relationship. They’re positive that by fake dating, their parents will realize their relationship is a terrible idea and stop seeing each other. But the longer their fake relationship continues, the more they discover that there may be things they actually like about each other. How long are Madeline and Cooper willing to keep up the ruse before they have to face the consequences of their actions?

Thank you Shadow Mountain for the gifted copy.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

This made me incredibly cranky. On so many levels y’all. Lets get into it.

I did not like the writing style. Some things seemed out of pocket and haphazardly thrown in. The “banter” was weak and the drama was eye roll worthy x1000. I understand these are high school aged characters but I’ve read many books with the same age that still have them act their age and have the right kind of drama aligned for the novel. I wouldn’t give this to my kids to read because they wouldn’t get anything out of it.

I didn’t like that they were fake dating each other, while dating other people. I didn’t like how the parents relationship was “resolved” or how Madeline and Cooper’s relationship was “resolved.” It was all very gimmicky and like I was watching a bad Disney Channel movie.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Scars Beneath a Serpent’s Scales (The Fatesworn Saga #1) by Nicole Platania

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 650 pages
Author: Nicole Platania
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 26th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

What is inevitable?
Emmeline DeLeoste has always talked to the stars. As a member of a fortune-telling warrior clan, her exceptional magic allows her to read the Fates, earning her a prestigious Academy job. But it has also cost her everyone she loves.
Roremar Silventa has more responsibilities than any man should. Combined with his Reckless reputation haunting his every step, it’s left him burdened in more ways than one.
When women start disappearing from the drug-infested Isle of Lyra, Emmeline and Roremar are tasked with finding the culprit due to their unique skillsets. In return, each is offered the one thing they can’t refuse. There’s only one problem: the pair couldn’t be more different.
Amid mounting threats from the Fates, and with a murderer creeping closer, Emmeline and Roremar strike up an alliance only to realize that, despite their differences, or perhaps because of them, they may understand each other in a way no one else can.
Can they unveil fated pasts and catch a killer before they lose their lives–or their hearts?
Everyone on Lyra has a secret, and some things may be inevitable after all.
Scars Beneath a Serpent’s Scales is the first book in an Adult Romantic Fantasy series full of celestial magic, murder mystery, and sizzling, star crossed love. It is recommended for fans of Chloe C. Peñaranda, Sarah A. Parker, and Kayla Edwards.

Thank you to Tantor Audio for the gifted audiobook.

GOOD START.

I read and highly enjoyed NP’s previous series so I’ve been excited to see what other stories she’d write. I thought this was a great start to a new series and I’m excited to continue. I also listened to the audiobook and loved that format. The narrators (dual POV) did a great job with Emmeline and Roremar.

This had a murder mystery vibe but make it fantasy. Reluctant allies, Emmeline and Roremar, struggle to get along as they work towards the same goal of finding out what’s happening in their city. I super appreciated how much of a genuine slow burn this was and that the plot > spice. I liked the world system and the magic system. Things didn’t feel info-dumpy and slowly unveiled as the book went on. I also loved that Roremar took care of all of his siblings. He’s a protector at his core and it showed in multiple ways.

I know NP does a great job with reveals and twists (I’ve read her previous series) and that was no different here. I sat in stunned shocked for multiple chapters trying to figure out what the heck just happened. It was devastating and wild and made me even more excited for book two.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: murder, kidnapping, torture, loss of life

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Book Review: Out With the Tide (Never Harbor #2) by Julie Olivia

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 353 pages
Author: Julie Olivia
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 28th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

This isn’t her idea of home, but she’s quickly becoming mine.

I’m Never Harbor’s neighborhood best friend. Along with being the middle child in a loud family of seven, I’m accustomed to being everything to everyone. But after moving into my new townhouse by the sea, my world has suddenly grown too quiet.

But then she moves back to town.

Marina Starkey is my landlord’s daughter with nowhere to go. She needs a place to stay for the summer, and thankfully I’m just the kind of guy to offer.

Hello there, new roommate.

She’s gorgeous and cheeky with a stubbornness that matches my own. (Don’t get me started on the shared bed situation.) Summer days pass in soft touches and afternoon swims, and my heart sinks deeper with every stroke.

I’m not a temporary fling kind of guy, and Marina has no intention of staying past the summer.

She doesn’t want to fall in love with her hometown, and I’m basically Mr. Never Harbor himself.

But my home is quickly becoming wherever I’m with her.

THIS AIN’T IT.

After really enjoying the first book in this series I have no idea why this one fell completely off the rails??? I wanted to love it and there were definitely some good and charming scenes but the extreme lack of character and plot consistency ruined this for me.

Cassidy is an absolute sweetheart and made me smile throughout the book. I liked his optimistic nature and the way that he took little notes on the people he loves to remember their favorite things. It was kind and heartfelt.

Marina on the other hand couldn’t decide what she wanted to be. She hid unnecessary information, ran away instead of having one conversation and seemed clueless at times when her education would have led me to believe otherwise.

And then the whole relationship was very physically focused. It kind of became the only thing about them. Add in a plot that never made sense and this one lost me.

I’m hoping book three is better???

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 4+ open door
  • Violence: low

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ARC/ALC Book Review: The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Cozy Fantasy
Length: 384 pages
Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Publisher: Delacorte
Release Date: March 31st, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After a devastating heartbreak, a teen girl decides to spend her summer helping her eccentric great aunt manage her quaint Vermont inn–but this fixer-upper is hiding a magical secret–in this cozy and irresistable new fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop.

Sixteen-year-old Calisa is desperate for a change of scenery after her lying ex ruins her perfect Brooklyn summer. When her parents suggest she head to rural Vermont to help her great-aunt run her cozy bed and breakfast for a few months, she jumps at the chance.

But when Calisa arrives at the B&B, she’s shocked to find a rundown inn with only a handful of guests. And to make matters worse, upon meeting with her great-aunt it quickly becomes clear that Calisa was not invited. Auntie Zee is determined to keep anyone from messing with her beloved inn…even if it is clear she needs the help.

To earn her keep, Calisa sets to work fixing up the inn, enlisting extra help from the groundskeeper’s (handsome) son. But the longer she stays, the more it becomes evident that there is something strange about the B&B—and its residents. Something almost…otherworldly.

The inn is keeping a magical secret—but to protect the place she’s come to love, Calisa must unravel the truth of it, and her aunt, before it’s too late.

Thank you PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook and Get Underlined for the gifted copy.

NICE AND COZY.

One of these days I might give a five star to a cozy fantasy but at least I’m still overall liking them. I’m continuing to enjoy SBD’s writing style and the themes she adds to her stories.

The pacing was my only issue here. I think I just really like an edge to my fantasy books. But if you’re someone who’s all in with cozies, don’t miss this one. I appreciate that it is good for a young adult audience and kept themes in the same tone. I liked seeing Calisa work hard and be open to the ideas and world around her. She’s caring and well-meaning and found an escape by staying at the Inn.

I liked the soft romance and personality of Jack was just right. He’s so dang sweet and I adored watching them figure things out together. I’m glad that Jack got his moments for his character arc too. The family dynamics worked for me and I think the push and pull between Calisa and Auntie Zee made sense. They had to butt heads a lot to break down some walls and find a way to reconnect.

All of the characters who stayed at the inn were charming and added a delightful little touch throughout. I loved the idea of the different realms converging at the inn and the importance of having a place to rest.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Cozy Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild

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