Book Review: Maybe This Time by Cara Bastone

June 25, 2025May 17, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 5h 45 min audiobook
Author: Cara Bastone
Publisher: Audible Originals
Release Date: May 2nd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Finding true love is only a matter of time in this heartfelt and hilarious romantic comedy, starring Zoë Chao (The Afterparty), Noah Reid (Schitt’s Creek), and a full cast!

Romance can be a little complicated when you get sucked into a wormhole. Just ask high school English teacher June Flint. One little solar flare happens and suddenly you find yourself 85 years in the future. Eighty-five years from your dream job. Your ailing mother whose only companion in this world is you. Your favorite stuffed-crust pizza from DeLucia’s on Sunday nights.

But when June’s cell phone inexplicably picks up a signal, she’s able to call back to the present—more specifically, four weeks before she accidentally time traveled. Problem is, the phone can only call one number: her work nemesis, gym teacher Mikey Shannon.

Now future June must help Mikey befriend present-day June to keep her from disappearing. But present-day June doesn’t even want to be in the same room as Mikey, let alone become besties. And Mikey isn’t exactly…talkie. Yet he’s spending hours a day with future June on the phone, and even more time trying to befriend present-day June. Volunteering with June at school, check. Facing his fear of roller coasters to make June smile, check. Adopting a puppy and letting her name it. Check.

But what does succeeding in the present mean for future June, and for the serious feelings she and Mikey are starting to catch for one another? Stopping time travel is one thing—but can they stop themselves from falling in love?

FUN AND QUIRKY.

I’ve come to really enjoy Cara Bastone’s audiobooks. They are fun and light and bring a smile to my face. I thought the concept of this one was unique and brought in a bunch of quirks that worked for the story being told.

I liked the dynamic between Mikey and June. Their phone calls were sweet and I loved the way they go to know each other on different levels and at different times. Things came together exactly as they should and this is a quick read if you’re needing something new to listen to.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: low
Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Can’t Get Enough (Skyland #3) by Kennedy Ryan

June 24, 2025May 29, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 448 pages
Author: Kennedy Ryan
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: May 13th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Hendrix Barry lives a fabulous life. She has phenomenal friends, a loving family, and a thriving business that places her in the entertainment industry’s rarefied air. Your vision board? She’s probably living it.

She’s a woman with goals, dreams, ambitions—always striving upward. And in the midst of everything, she’s facing her toughest challenge caring for an aging parent.

Who has time for romance? From her experience, there’s a low ROI on relationships. She hasn’t met the man who can keep up with her anyway. Until…him.

Tech mogul Maverick Bell is a dilemma wrapped in an exquisitely tailored suit and knee-melting charm. From their first charged glance at the summer’s hottest party, Hendrix feels like she’s met her match. Only he can’t be. Mav may be the first to make her feel this seen and desired and appreciated, but he’s the last one she can have. Forbidden fruit is the juiciest, and this man is off limits if she plans to stay the course she’s set for herself.

But when Maverick gives chase—pursuing her, spoiling her, understanding her—is it time to let herself have something more?

Thank you to LibroFM for the gifted audiobook.

OH I LOVED THIS SO MUCH.

This was FANTASTIC. What a conclusion. Gosh I am in loooooove. I loved the audiobook too. The narrators are incredible and bring this story to life. BLESS DUAL POV ROMANCES.

I loved the loyal and loving friendships. The bond these women have is incredible. I love the way they raise each other up and show up during the hard and easy moments.

AND THE ROMANCE? Maverick was a man OBESSED and I am here for it. I loved his pursuit that was not over done. He cared and showed that time and time again. The trust and build was swoony and heated. And I loved that he was this strong support for Hendrix. Hendrix can do all the things and is fiercely independent and intimidating so the push and pull between them really brought out so many layers to their relationship.

All of the Alzheimer’s content was deeply moving and brought out all of the emotions. I wasn’t expecting this book to hit as hard as it did and I am blown away.

(My only small thing was that the spice was SPICY, I had to skip more than I like).

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: strong
Romance: 5+ open door
Violence: mild
Trigger/Content Warnings: a parent with Alzheimer’s (strong theme throughout story)

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Book Review: The Winter Companion (Parish Orphans of Devon #4) by Mimi Matthews

June 23, 2025May 15, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 318 pages
Author: Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Release Date: February 11th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She needed to be seen…

As a lady’s companion, Clara Hartwright never receives much attention from anyone. And that’s precisely how she likes it. With a stormy past, and an unconventional plan for her future, it’s far safer to remain invisible. But when her new employer is invited to a monthlong holiday at a remote coastal abbey, Clara discovers that she may not be as invisible as she’d hoped. At least, not as far as one gentleman is concerned.

He wanted to be heard…

Neville Cross has always been more comfortable with animals than people. An accident in his youth has left him with a brain injury that affects his speech. Forming the words to speak to his childhood friends is difficult enough. Finding the right things to say to a lovely young lady’s companion seems downright impossible. But Miss Hartwright is no ordinary companion. In fact, there may not be anything ordinary about her at all.

During a bleak Devon winter, two sensitive souls forge an unexpected friendship. But when Clara needs him most, will Neville find the courage to face his fears? Or is saying goodbye to her the most heroic thing he can do?

CHECK.

Another Mimi Matthews series is complete! I really enjoyed this whole series and this book specifically was super sweet. I loved the romance between Clara and Neville. It was incredibly tender and they continually found small ways to connect with each other. It showcased the effort and love that goes into taking care of someone else and allowing that love to be in your life.

This was a quick audio read and another charming story. I adore this entire cast and seeing how things came around for everyone. I enjoyed the plot of this book and watching the growth in spirit of both Neville and Clara.

Overall audience notes:

Historical Romance
Langauge: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low
Content Warnings: mentions of previous child abuse

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Book Review: I’ll Pretend You’re Mine by Tashie Bhuiyan

June 21, 2025June 15, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Tashie Bhuiyan
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: June 3rd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Summer Ali has been making a name for herself in the music industry for years, slowly but surely climbing the charts—but the world doesn’t know her stage parents are the ones who molded her entire public persona. Finally eighteen, Summer breaks free of their control and focuses on creating her own path.

Upon running into writer’s block, Summer grows eager to take any opportunity to shake things up—even if it means agreeing to a PR stunt with child-actor-turned-playboy, Jules Moradi, famous for his tabloid escapades.

At first, Jules keeps his distance, maintaining professional boundaries. But as time passes, his walls come down, and Summer uncovers who he is beyond his reputation, and it’s someone more like her than she ever realized. As the lines blur between fake and real, Summer begins questioning who she is and what she wants—and if her dreams are worth sacrificing her heart.

CELEBRITY ROMANCE WIN.

Celebrity romances are hit or miss for me in the romance department and I am happy to report this one was a great read for me. I loved the audiobook, it really brought the book to life for me.

I loved the coming of age theme and the journey Summer went on to find herself and the strength it took to make some hard and big decisions. I loved the close relationships Summer had with her sisters and her friends. I love seeing the balance of positive relationships between the heaviness of Summer’s parents and other circumstances. And I found the anxiety rep to be very relatable.

Jules and Summer had the sweetest chemistry. From a fake dating vibe to the slow friendship build to lovers. I loved all of the tender moments they shared and how you could see them slowly opening up and pulling away from toxic situations.

Overall audience notes: