Book Review: The Matchmaker by Catherine Walsh

November 18, 2024October 10, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 346 pages
Author: Catherine Walsh
Publisher: Bookouture
Release Date: April 18th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Katie Collins has barely ever left her tiny Irish village of Ennisbawn. Why would she? With its tightknit community, friendly local pub, surrounded by rolling hills and perfectly mysterious forests, it’s a place of peaceful beauty.

Or it was peaceful. Until Callum Dempsey turned up. A hot-shot (and, Katie has to admit, hot is annoyingly apt for him…) developer with zero eye for beauty or charm, in spite of his chiselled jaw. He’s not only building some hideous hotel just outside the village, but now he’s also planning to knock down Ennisbawn’s only remaining pub, to make way for a good view from the golf course.

It’s the final blow to the village and the last straw for Katie, who refuses to see her home disappear. Not to mention that the pub is the last connection to her parents, who had met at Ennisbawn’s once-famous matchmaking festival, both throwing coins into the wishing well that sits in the pub garden.

In an instant, Katie knows what to do. She’s going to uncover the now disused wishing well, she’s going to revive the matchmaking festival, and she’s going to single-handedly bring the town back to life again.

She might even help her two best friends find love as well. Since, heck, what’s another project when you’re taking on the world’s hottest, evilest man?

But what Ireland’s newest matchmaker doesn’t know is that even when someone’s really not your type on paper, love might be a little bit more than just a formula…

WAS THIS A ROMANCE?

I don’t feel like I had too high of expectations when I picked this up. I was just looking for a cute romance to entertain myself for an evening. And I feel like that romance was missing.

Most of this book was dedicated to Katie trying to stop a resort being built her in her small town. And while I was behind her trying to do so, it took over any other plot points and I got bored. I wasn’t interested in the multiple side scenes and kept waiting for things to actually happen.

Maybe in the second half there were a few good moments, but when you’re already feeling meh I wasn’t connecting to much at all.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: some strong
Romance: 2-3 low explicit open door
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of parents (recounted)

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Book Review: An Improper Proposal (Improper Agreements #4) by Audra Wells

November 17, 2024September 21, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 268 pages
Author: Audra Wells
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 13th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She had sworn to never fall in love, but one man changed all the rules . . .

Louisa Morgan never intended to fall in love, so when the stuffiest of men offers to marry her for the sake of convenience, it feels like an offer from heaven itself. Things change, however, and the rigid Duke of Boroux begins to wax poetic, doing his best to win her hardened heart. But love was never to be on the table, and Louisa isn’t sure she wishes to play his risky game.

Robert, the Duke of Boroux, tired of society and its demands, decides to take matters into his own hands. Instead of a silly wife only after his title, he will ask a lady who knows her own mind and may just be the perfect woman to become his duchess. But when things beyond his control change his perception of what a marriage should look like, his entire world is turned upside down. Now his greatest struggle is to convince the woman he is falling in love with to love him back.

What will happen when two obstinate people are on opposing sides and neither will relent?

RATHER OBSESSED.

I loved this book y’all. It lines up there with book one in this series as a favorite. Audra Wells deserves way more hype and love for her historical fiction books. I have enjoyed this entire series and I can’t wait to hear about future books.

I looooooved that Robert was a stoic man who had to learn to let people in. I loved that he fell first and worked to actually show who he was and how he and Louisa could have a good and loving life together. Louisa did frustrate me a smidgen with how stubborn she was being over something that didn’t make total sense, buuut this book caught me at a good time for reading and I let it be. I loved all of the pugilism aspects and the protectiveness, the kissing scenes, the forced proximity, GIVE IT ALL TO ME.

It’s a short and fast paced book that really brings the heated swoon. I loved many of the quotes and general themes. I adored these characters and this one just stole my heart.

Overall audience notes:

Historical Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low

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Book Review: Wisteria (Belladonna #3) by Adalyn Grace

November 16, 2024August 31, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Adalyn Grace
Publisher: Little Brown Books
Release Date: August 20th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace delivers a sensational conclusion to the deathly and decadent Belladonna trilogy, with dramatic twists and a seductive new romance that will set readers’ hearts ablaze.

Blythe Hawthorne has never let anyone tell her what to do—not society, not her overprotective father, and certainly not the man she’s bound herself to, no matter how rude and insufferable he is. In fact, she’s determined to be a thorn in his side for the rest of her days, even as he ensures that her life in his palace is anything but a fairytale. But as Blythe discovers a new side of herself linked to his past, she’ll have to decide if she’s willing to let an unexpected spark ignite…and to discover the truth about who she really is.

DON’T COME AT ME.

Four stars is totally a valid rating and it also hurts me to feel more inclined to give this one four stars rather than five. I did physically read this installment vs. audiobook like I did for the previous books. I don’t know if that changed my perception but it must have to some degree.

My issues that I noticed were around some of the plot aspects. I feel like there were a few holes and things that kind of sprung up out of nowhere.

But. That aside, I loved the enemies to lovers romance. It was top tier. I loved the slow build and growth between Fate and Blythe. I loved getting to see Signa and Death again. The story line was good in the grand scheme. I liked picking this up and reading. I look forward to whatever stories Grace writes next.

Overall audience notes:

NA Fantasy Romance
Language: low-moderate
Romance: one vague open door
Violence: moderate
Content Warnings: loss of life, attempted murder

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Book Review: The Holiday Mix-Up by Ginny Baird

November 15, 2024October 18, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Ginny Baird
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: October 10th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Lonely-hearted waitress Katie Smith has nowhere to go for Christmas, and a huge crush on her gorgeous diner patron Juan Martinez. So when Juan asks Katie to pose as his girlfriend for holiday festivities at his family’s winery, Katie leaps at the chance… that is, until an accident lands Juan in a coma right after giving his folks the “news.”

Katie knows she should tell the Martinezes the truth, but when they immediately embrace her, Katie is reluctant to let her fantasy of a family holiday go. And then there’s Juan’s brother, Mateo, whose smile tugs at her heartstrings just right—and who tells her perfect Juan might not be everything he seems.

Second son Mateo Martinez loves his brother, but Juan’s plan to “rebrand and expand” Los Cielos Cellars has cost their family too much and put its entire tradition in jeopardy. Katie seems to understand, but she’s still committed to Juan… even when Mateo starts to wish her gentle heart and beautiful smile were committed to him instead.

With the winery at stake, secrets on all sides, and Juan due to wake up any day, can Katie and Mateo follow their hearts to a Christmas miracle, or will this mix-up ruin their chances?

IT WAS FINE.

I think this book could work for a good amount of people, I just didn’t have intense feelings about much of this. I thought the initial premise was intriguing. I thought it would go one way and it went another and I rolled with it. I thought most scenes were sweet and I did like the couple.

There were also LOTS of holiday cheer. I liked all of the activities and traditions throughout. Really brought that winter atmosphere. I also adored the tight knit family and learning their story too.

The third act did make me quirk my head a bit and I thought things were slightly blown out of proportion. Otherwise, that’s kind of it. It’s a short read and maybe for you??

Overall audience notes: