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ARC Book Review: Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter

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Rating: ☆☆☆ 1/2
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Lynn Painter
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: March 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Things get textual when a steamy message from a random wrong number turns into a thrilling anonymous relationship in this hilarious rom-com by Lynn Painter.

Bad luck has always followed Olivia Marshall…or maybe she’s just the screw-up her family thinks she is. But when a What are you wearing? text from a random wrong number turns into the hottest, most entertaining–albeit anonymous–relationship of her life, she thinks things might be on the upswing….

Colin Beck has always considered Olivia his best friend’s annoying little sister, but when she moves in with them after one of her worst runs of luck, he realizes she’s turned into an altogether different and sexier distraction. He’s sure he can keep his distance, until the moment he discovers she’s the irresistible Miss Misdial he’s been sort of sexting for weeks–and now he has to decide whether to turn the heat up or ghost her before things get messy.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.

WITTY & SMILE INDUCING.

I really enjoy Lynn Painter’s books. I love the pacing and how when I look down at how far I’ve read I’m shocked at the rate the pages flew by. Better Than the Movies is still my all-time fav, Mr. Wrong Number was good, but left me wanting in some areas.

Olivia was relatable and ridiculous all in the same breath. I laughed at some of her antics, yet just like Colin, I saw the deeper layers of her personality too. She brought in comedic relief and I smiled many times throughout my read. I ADORED Colin. I’m realizing I love a good brother’s best friend trope. This delivered in that department. Plenty of angst, amazing banter, and heartfelt confessions.

Some of what I struggled with were the other tropes: friends with benefits/this is just a fling kinda vibe. I’ve never loved those plot choices and this was no different. I wish there was a bit more of true relationship dynamic before they jumped between the sheets. If you like a faster burn, this one’s for you! Once we got some feelings established, I was really attached to these two.

There were two miscommunications as the primary romance conflicts. And *sigh* this was not my jam. I understand Olivia’s reaction, but wish she had taken a moment to be upset, and then another moment to go, maybe I should actually let him explain first. It caused unnecessary fights and drama. Don’t get me wrong, the bit of groveling and grand gestures near the end were sweet, there just should’ve been a different angle.

An enjoyable read for me even through the thick of things I didn’t love. I adore Painter’s writing style with dual POV and the humorous quality she adds. I love grinning at my book and swooning over a love interest with dreamy eyes (and a Ryan Gosling look-a-like). I’m excited to read the next story in this world!!

Overall Audience Notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: a lot, strong
  • Romance: multiple brief open door scenes
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: catfishing

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Book Review: A Proper Charade (Proper Scandals #2) by Esther Hatch

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 224 pages
Author: Esther Hatch
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: May 1st, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Lady Patience Kendrick was born to a life of privilege, and with the London Season looming, she finds herself facing unprecedented pressure to adhere to the rules of society. Unfortunately, the free-spirited young woman is anything but proper. Patience’s elder brother, a former military man, bemoans his sister’s antics – but when he accuses her of incurable frivolity, it is simply more than she can bear. Determined to prove her brother wrong, Patience undertakes a drastic experiment: she will disguise herself as a maid and demonstrate her ability to work as hard as anyone.

Taken on as household staff by her brother’s former general, Patience soon learns that willingness and ability are two very different things. While her plan sounded promising in theory, the reality is that she is out of her depth – and the irresistibly charming son of the house isn’t helping matters. Patience soon finds herself embroiled in a charade far more complicated that she imagined. With both her pride and her heart at stake, she is determined to prove her brother wrong – even as her plans spiral delightfully out of control.

A DELIGHTFUL GEM.

Another great Esther Hatch read. Wow do I lover her books!! This was definitely no exception and I found myself continually smiling throughout.

I loved Patience! She was charming and boisterous. I thought the whole charade concept was humorous. I liked that Patience was full of heart and wanting to find growth within herself. She showcased a lot of great characteristics and this all played out so well.

Add in an admirable, just wanting to be loved hero, Anthony and I was smitten. They were able to be genuine with each other and both worked towards finding their place in the world. I was unsure how everything would work out between them, but I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t overdone. I actually thought it was all very romantic, and very Anthony (IYKYK).

So much of this was intensely sweet and made my heart want to gush. The only thing I didn’t like was how long a certain ex stuck around for longer than necessary [which is a reading pet peeve of mine]. Besides that, I love these characters, I love these unique regency stories and I’m so excited to read the next in this series.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Tokyo Ever After (Tokyo Ever After #1) by Emiko Jean

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Emiko Jean
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Release Date: May 18th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Izumi Tanaka has never really felt like she fit in—it isn’t easy being Japanese American in her small, mostly white, northern California town. Raised by a single mother, it’s always been Izumi—or Izzy, because “It’s easier this way”—and her mom against the world. But then Izzy discovers a clue to her previously unknown father’s identity… and he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. Which means outspoken, irreverent Izzy is literally a princess.

In a whirlwind, Izzy travels to Japan to meet the father she never knew and discover the country she always dreamed of. But being a princess isn’t all ball gowns and tiaras. There are conniving cousins, a hungry press, a scowling but handsome bodyguard who just might be her soulmate, and thousands of years of tradition and customs to learn practically overnight.

Izzy soon finds herself caught between worlds, and between versions of herself—back home, she was never “American” enough, and in Japan, she must prove she’s “Japanese” enough. Will Izumi crumble under the weight of the crown, or will she live out her fairytale, happily ever after?

A NEW FAVORITE GEM.

I don’t know why I DNF this book the first time I picked it up, because it was AMAZING. OH MY GOODNESS. Maybe the audio really brought it to life to me, I just know everyone else needs to read this too.

Izumi was one of the best YA main characters I’ve ever read. I adored her positive outlook and her pure nature. She was kind to everyone around her and not afraid to apologize, learn, and do better. Izumi was passionate about learning her Japanese heritage and I liked the conversations about being Asian-American in the US and balancing cultures as she lived in Japan.

Talk about an absolutely PRECIOUS romance between the princess and bodyguard!! It was everything. I loved all of the tiny moments they got together, that ending had me absolutely swooning and I just couldn’t get enough.

Also, Izumi’s Dad was amazing??? I had big fears he was going to be closed-off, upset, whatever it may be after finding out about having a daughter. BUT NO, HE WAS SO WONDERFUL. I loved the way he loved Izumi and how they both worked through getting to know one another and all that entails as a parent/child relationship.

I could truly keep going. I have nothing but good things to say about this absolute gem and will be talking it up for awhile.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Contemporary + Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: bullying, racism, stereotyping

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Book Review: From Lukov With Love by Mariana Zapata

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Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5)
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 538 pages
Author: Mariana Zapata
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: February 1st, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

If someone were to ask Jasmine Santos to describe the last few years of her life with a single word, it would definitely be a four-letter one.

After seventeen years—and countless broken bones and broken promises—she knows her window to compete in figure skating is coming to a close.

But when the offer of a lifetime comes in from an arrogant idiot she’s spent the last decade dreaming about pushing in the way of a moving bus, Jasmine might have to reconsider everything.

Including Ivan Lukov.

BRB SWOONING.

AHHH.

Every dang time Ivan Lukov started talking to Jasmine you bet I was SWOONING. Holy cow that man can give a loving speech. He can hype me up any day. I loved him. I loved his support and sweet and small ways he cared for Jasmine. Building up that friendship and partnership into something more. My heart can’t handle that many skips in one book!

In typical MZ fashion there’s a long wait for the pay-off with this one. Dare I say a bit too long? At least for me the first 100-200 pages were a bit slower than usual. There was a loooot of hatred and disgruntlement that were the crux of Jasmine’s life. And at last, once she started taking small steps back towards her ultimate goals things started to open up.

Wow do I love a sports romance and this was no different. I love that this was about figure skating!! I felt like I learned a lot about the sport and it was the perfect counter balance against the romance. One didn’t outshine the other. Another wonderful MZ read. I’m slowly working through her books and now that this has been my fifth, I’m still in awe at how addicting these stories are.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very strong and often
  • Romance: one open door
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: fatmisia and body shaming, misogyny, sexual harassment, stalking, bullying

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