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Book Review: A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Historical Fantasy Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Angela Montoya
Publisher: Joy Revolution
Release Date: December 17th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A fledgling vampire and a headstrong vampire huntress must work together–against their better judgment—to rid the world of monsters in this irresistible romantic fantasy.

Carolina Fuentes has always wanted to join her family in hunting down the bloodthirsty monsters that plague her pueblo. But these days, her father wants her out of town with a husband of his choosing. That’s not happening. Carolina plans to show everyone that she’d make a better vampire slayer than wife. But when she runs into a sediento that is not only handsome but kind, she questions everything.

Lalo Villalobos doesn’t act on impulses. As the eldest of two, his duties were to carry on the family business, marry, and have children. But then he is turned into a sediento and must flee the city, taking lives as he goes north, where he believes the first vampire was made. Surely, the pueblo there will have the answers to reverse this curse or end sedientos altogether. Another unexpected turn? Lalo runs right into a beautiful young woman who’d gladly stake him.

Fortunately, mostly for him, they share a common enemy. They can stop these evil beasts. Together. And if along the way, Lalo and Fernanda discover what it is to truly live and love, then they’ll have won anyway.

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

LOVED THE LORE.

This was a good sophomore book to follow up Sinner’s Isle. It made me an official fan of Angela Montoya and I will continue to look forward to her new releases because I love the concepts she comes up with for each book. I loved the deep lore and historical fantasy vibes that A Cruel Thirst had. All the vampire content y’all. The time period was perfect and set a haunting atmosphere listening for what was going to go bump in the night.

The romance was a little too rushed for me though. I was hoping for a bit more development and connection between them. The banter was good and they really were sweet on each other at least.

I liked how the story wrapped up and think this is absolutely a solid standalone. I love finding fast paced stories like these. There’s complicated family dynamics, strong sibling relationships and plenty of action. The audiobook was great too and I loved the narrators!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Historical Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low – mild
  • Romance: one closed door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: loss of a loved one, murder

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Book Review: Wrapped with a Beau by Lillie Vale

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 366 pages
Author: Lillie Vale
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Release Date: September 26th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In its heyday, Piney Peaks and its beloved Christmas house were made famous by Sleighbells under Starlight, a romantic holiday movie. Fifty years later, the small town is ready for a new love story.As a successful film liaison, Elisha Rowe has her heart set on one thing and one thing putting her hometown back on the map. So, when she gets the chance to secure the long-hoped-for sequel to Sleighbells under Starlight, a beloved holiday movie, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make sure everything goes smoothly. Unfortunately, that includes claiming to have already gotten permission to film at the historic Christmas house—permission she was very much denied by the gorgeous new owner.City boy Ves Hollins is only back in Piney Peaks long enough to sell the house he inherited from his great-aunt. The holidays have always been tough for Ves, and it’s not any easier when he’s distracted by memories of a Christmas long, long ago, and the irresistible charm of neighbor Elisha. He has no plans to put down roots or fall in love…even if Elisha unravels his hesitations like a bad Christmas sweater. There’s no question the two are opposites in every way. Ves is undeniably frosty. Elisha is brimming with warmth. He doesn’t do commitment. She never runs from a challenge. But as the two grow closer, they quickly realize that the growing spark between them may be just what the season calls for.

CUTE AND FESTIVE.

I thought this was a clever set up with holiday small town vibes and a bit of Christmas movie magic too. You’ve got that woman who returns from her big time job and a man with a bit of grumpy attitude that creates a match filled with sweet banter and some spice (though I admit that it became a bit much at times and felt some what fillerish).

I loved the opposites attract and getting to see Ves have some childhood holiday moments he never got to enjoy growing up. There were all of these cute local businesses and honestly I wish I could visit this fictional place myself.

A short read that I think will bring you the holiday cheer and if you’re a spicy fan, check this one out.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance Holiday
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 3-4 open door
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: neglectful childhood

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Book Review: On a Flight to Sydney (Love Along the Way #1) by J.A. Forde

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 367 pages
Author: J.A. Forde
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 19th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

What if the very last thing you’re looking for turns out to be exactly what you need?

Joss Morgan is perfectly happy with her life in Sydney, thank-you-very-much. She may be single, have only one true friend, and live alone… but she doesn’t need a man… or more friends… or anything at all.

Wes Anderson boards a flight to Sydney intent on escaping the cinders of his life—the dreams that have all gone up in smoke. One year. One year of freedom to be anyone he wants; that is, anyone but the man he always thought he’d be.

When Joss and Wes’s worlds collide, he steals her breath—in more ways than one—and she seems to steal all the space in his already full head. Now, life is determined to throw them together and what starts as an awkward dance of unlikely friendship—each trying to contain their own emotional landmines—turns into something they never saw coming.

But can two people with enough baggage to bring down a plane help each other heal? With their pasts lurking around every corner like airport security, Joss and Wes must decide:

Is it safer to fly solo or would a life together be worth all the risk?

On a Flight to Sydney is the first book in the Love Along the Way series. It’s a swoony, laugh out loud, tug on your heartstrings, romance filled with friendship, surfing, and two people doing their best to navigate this thing called life.

I WILL READ MORE.

This (I believe) is a debut romance and y’all, I will absolutely pick up the next book in this series. I really enjoyed this one and found myself continually wanting to pick it back up.

Now, there were some writing quirks in the first half, that are hard to describe, but weren’t clicking for me. And then I did notice in the second half that seemed to have settled a bit. I could feel the progression of the writing and story as the book went on which makes me excited for future stories.

I liked Joss and Wes a lot. They were easy characters to fall for and their heated but sweet story was swoony and deep. There were many good themes and quotes throughout that I resonated with and I liked how the situations were handled.

There isn’t a third act break up (yay!) but I did feel like the last quarter dragged a little bit into this awkward extended epilogue rather than closing the story out. Kind of like it was setting up for book two more than tying up the ends to book one first. My enjoyment levels were still there though for the overall book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: low – moderate
  • Romance: heated fade to black
  • Violence: low
  • Content Warnings: panic/anxiety attacks, mentions of PTSD due to a plane crash (recounted), emotionally manipulative mother, absent father, brief scene of attempted assault

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ARC Book Review: Not in My Book by Katie Holt

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Rating: ★★★★.75
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Katie Holt
Publisher: Alcove Press
Release Date: December 10th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Hating Game meets Beach Read in this sexy and hilarious contemporary romance from a debut Peruvian-Tennessean voice.

Rosie, an idealistic and passionate Peruvian-American who has grown up without strong ties to her culture, leaves her Tennessee hometown to pursue her dream of making it in New York as a writer. But her plan is derailed when she ends up in class with her arch-nemesis and ex-crush, Aiden Huntington—an obnoxious, surly, and gorgeous literary fiction writer who doesn’t have much patience for the romance genre, or for Rosie.

Rosie and Aiden regularly go to verbal battle in workshop until their professor reaches her breaking point. She allows them to stay in her class on one condition: they must co-write a novel that blends their genres.

The reluctant writing duo can’t help but put pieces of themselves into their accidentally steamy novel, and as they slowly get to know each other, they try to put their differences aside. Meanwhile, their manuscript-in-progress provides an outlet for them to confess their feelings—and explore their attraction toward each other.

When Rosie and Aiden find themselves competing against each other for a potentially career-changing opportunity, the flames of old rivalry reignite, and their once-in-a-lifetime love story is once again at risk of being shelved—unless they can find a way to end the book on their own terms.

Thank you to Ro Romanello PR and Alcove Press for the gifted copy.

WHAT A DEBUT.

I honestly didn’t know what I would think about this book when I picked it up but it was absolutely a case of right book, right time. I devoured this in one sitting and the lack of sleep was so worth it. I loved the vibes and the NYU setting was great. I think their should be more college romances and this was fun to get a glimpse into writing classes and all of the holidays in New York.

The enemies to lovers trope was ACTUALLY enemies. I struggle to find this in contemporary books and oooo boy, these two brought the heated content. I loved that it felt true E2L but you could see those tiny little moments bringing Rosie and Aiden closer and closer together.

It is very meta with me reading a book about two characters who are writing a book that is basically about them too. And honestly, this usually bugs me a lot, and for whatever reason it didn’t here??? Big nod to the fact that I couldn’t be bothered because I was too engrossed in how the romance was playing out.

My little .25 issue was with the spice. It just wasn’t for me. The plot > spice, but I did think it was still a little much. I appreciated how much of a slow burn it was at least.

This does follow a true typical romance book with a third act that could make you cranky. I think with the whole atmosphere of the book already setting up for that, it didn’t frustrate me as much as I expected. I actually leaned into it and enjoyed waiting for that grand gesture.

It’s swoony and heated and charismatic. I loved this debut and will definitely read whatever Katie Holt writes next.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3-4 open door
  • Content Warnings: loss of a parent (recounted)

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