Author: GoodeyReads

Book Review: The Holiday Stand-In by Kortney Keisel

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Rating: ★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 371 pages
Author: Kortney Keisel
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 25th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He’s everything I’ve ever wanted. Too bad he’s my boyfriend’s twin brother.

When my boyfriend says he’s too busy working—again—to spend the holidays with me and my family, I’m sure Christmas is ruined.

Not only will I be alone, but my family is convinced he doesn’t love me.

So when his identical twin comes to town, I realize a swap could be the perfect way to reassure my family and give me a date for the holiday season.

But our fake-out quickly goes from the solution to THE PROBLEM.

Because falling for your boyfriend’s twin brother is never a good thing.

And when my real boyfriend finally has time for me, things get confusing.

I’ll need a Christmas miracle to get out of this twin-brother mess.

◆The Holiday Stand-In is a closed-door romantic comedy that brings all the sizzle, tension, and chemistry without explicit scenes or language.

RED FLAG.

When I read a book with a love triangle, I give some grace to the fact that the FMC might kiss both love interests at some point during the book, BEFORE any true relationship boundaries have been created.

THIS THOUGH. Already had a committed (9 month long) relationship going before the book even started. Hence where I’m going with this. I became increasingly more frustrated as this book went one and hit that rage read level by the end. Summer was way too forgiving for way too much over and over and over again.

What I did like? All of the holiday traditions. I liked Summer’s family a lot. I did also enjoy Caleb’s personality and general demeanor. I can easily say there’s a few good things in here, but the overall story made me want to throw something.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: cheating, loss of a friend (briefly mentioned)

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Book Review: Things We Left Behind (Knockemout #3) by Lucy Score

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 650 pages
Author: Lucy Score
Publisher: That’s What She Said Publishing
Release Date: September 5th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

There was only one woman who could set me free. But I would rather set myself on fire than ask Sloane Walton for anything.

Lucian Rollins is a lean, mean vengeance-seeking mogul. On a quest to erase his father’s mark on the family name, he spends every waking minute pulling strings and building an indestructible empire. The more money and power he amasses, the safer he is from threats.

Except when it comes to the feisty small-town librarian that keeps him up at night…

Sloane Walton is a spitfire determined to carry on her father’s quest for justice. She’ll do that just as soon as she figures out exactly what the man she hates did to—or for—her family. Bonded by an old, dark secret from the past and the dislike they now share for each other, Sloane trusts Lucian about as far as she can throw his designer-suited body.

When bickering accidentally turns to foreplay, these two find themselves not quite regretting their steamy one-night stand. Once those flames are fanned, it seems impossible to put them out again. But with Sloane ready to start a family and Lucian refusing to even consider the idea of marriage and kids, these enemies-to-lovers are stuck at an impasse.

Broken men break women. It’s what Lucian believes, what he’s witnessed, and he’s not going to take that chance with Sloane. He’d rather live a life of solitude than put her in danger. But he learns the hard way that leaving her means leaving her unprotected from other threats.

It’s the second time he’s ruthlessly cut her out of his life. There’s no way she’s going to give him a third chance. He’s just going to have to make one for himself.

WORTH THE WAIT.

I know we have been all waiting for this story and for me, IT ABSOLUTELY WAS EVERYTHING I COULD HOPE FOR. Oh my gosh I was in love with Lucian and Sloane from the beginning and I loved how this wrapped up everything.

They have the perfect contemporary enemies to lovers banter. You actually felt the hatred, but also the passion and intensity in the emotions both of them are trying to hide. I loved watching them battle it out and also let go. And some of those second half scenes?? Where everything was finally being laid out?? I AM A PUDDLE NOW. I love endearing moments. I also love possessive moments. This had both. ALL THE MOMENTS.

I love this small town and all of the characters. I loved getting to see everyone from previous books again. I was laughing, swooning and on the edge of my seat throughout the story. 650 pages blew by before I could even blink because this is an addictive read.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance + Suspense
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 4+ open
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: domestic abuse, gun violence, murder, attempted murder

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Cait’s Greats 2023: Fantasy Favorites

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Y’all know this is my favorite genre. I live and breath fantasy books. Below you’ll find my five stars from 2023. I hope you find some good books for your TBR! Find me on Instagram (@goodeyreads) if you have any questions about any of them!

It’s interesting to me that this is smaller than my contemporary category, though I read twice as many fantasies. It’s a coveted spot to make it on this list.

And I know some of these might lean towards dystopian or paranormal/urban, I did my what I could in putting them in the category I thought would work best.

A few things to note:

  • I don’t include rereads on this list! But I did read Divine Rivals and Fourth Wing twice this year.
  • Scroll down to see which books are open, closed or sweet romances!

Open Door:

  • Six Scorched Roses
  • Lady of Darkness
  • The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King
  • Fourth Wing
  • Jade Shards
  • The Endless War
  • Celestial
  • Spark of the Everflame
  • The Shards of Ophelia
  • The Bones of Benevolence
  • Glow of the Everflame
  • A Fate Inked in Blood
  • Heat of the Everflame
  • Two Twisted Crowns
  • The Hurricane Wars
  • Iron Flame
  • Bride

Closed Door / Fade to Black:

  • Dragonfire
  • Wildheart
  • The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
  • To Poison a King
  • Light Bringer
  • Assistant to the Villain
  • The Goddess Eye
  • The Fragile Threads of Power
  • The Unmaking of June Farrow
  • An Heir of Frost
  • Divine Rivals
  • What the River Knows
  • Bring Me Your Midnight
  • Foxglove
  • Silence & Shadow
  • Blade Breaker
  • Reign
  • The Scarlet Veil

Sweet (kisses/make-outs):

  • Tress of the Emerald Sea
  • The Jasad Heir
  • Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
  • Babel
  • The Sunlit Man
  • The Binding Season
  • Into the Churn
  • A Tournament of Crowns
  • Last Violent Call
  • The Isle of the Gods
  • Foul Heart Huntsman
  • Realm Breaker
  • Face the Night
  • Her Radiant Curse
  • Vengeance of the Pirate Queen
  • Drift
  • Sinner’s Isle
  • Lost Kingdom
  • This Dark Descent
  • Well of Dreams
  • Powerless

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Book Review: Angels of the Resistance: A WWII Novel by Noelle Salazar

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 416 pages
Author: Noelle Salazar
Publisher: MIRA
Release Date: November 29th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the bestselling author of The Flight Girls comes a story inspired by true events, about courageous women who risked everything for country, for family, and for each other.

Netherlands, 1940

As bombs fall across Europe, fourteen-year-old Lien Vinke fears that the reality of war is inescapable. Though she lives a quiet life with her mother and older sister, Elif, in their small town of Haarlem, they are no strangers to heartache, having recently suffered an immeasurable loss. And when the Nazis invade the Netherlands, joining the Dutch resistance with Elif offers just the atonement Lien craves.

Trained to shoot by their late father, the sisters are deadly wolves in sheep’s clothing. They soon find themselves entrenched in the underground movement, forging friendships with the other young recruits, and Lien even discovers a kindred spirit in a boy named Charlie. But in wartime, emotional attachments are a liability she can’t afford, especially when a deeply personal mission jeopardizes everything she holds dear—her friendships, her family, and her one shot at redemption.

GREAT AUDIOBOOK.

Another solid read from Noelle Salazar!!

This was a book I easily flew through and loved the Dutch setting. It was another facet of WWII history that I knew little about and I liked understanding more of that glimpse through these pages.

I LOVE strong sibling relationships and Lien and Elif were that personified. They were able to lean on, look out for, and take care of each other amidst the worsening conditions. I liked following the rebel group and seeing the character development across the board. There were many times I audibly gasped wondering where the book was going to go next.

The writing style keeps you engaged and the characters will bring out the emotions. I look forward to whatever Salazar writes next!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: WWII, loss of loved ones, murder, sexual assault and attempted rape

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