Tag: Book Review

ARC Book Review: But He’s My Fake Fiancé (But He’s a Carter Brother #3) by Annah Conwell

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 275 pages
Author: Annah Conwell
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 4th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

My ex-boyfriend is engaged to my stepsister.

Yeah, it shocked me too. So much so, that when my ex tells me, I grab the first guy I see and pretend he’s my fiancé.

Somehow it only gets wilder from there, because the guy I grab happens to be Grayson Carter, notorious flirt and extrovert to the max. Also, the guy I turned down a month before while dating said ex-boyfriend.

Grayson surprisingly goes along with my plan, throwing pet names and flirty lines at me all while putting on this protective facade in front of my ex that makes my knees weak.

But when our little scene turns into a full-on scheme, I find myself questioning what’s real and what’s not.

The problem is, if it is real, I don’t know if I can risk loving someone like Grayson. I have a feeling if I gave him my heart, I’d never get it back.

But He’s My Fake Fiancé is a cozy fake dating romcom for fans of sweet summer love stories. It has all the sizzling chemistry you love, without any explicit scenes. Check out the third book of the But He’s A Carter Brother Series, a series based around four strong, protective brothers finding love.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

GRAYSON.

I love charming golden retriever men. Especially when the anxiety rep squeezes my heart. That hit on a few personal life levels and I love when a book can bring that kind of connection out in me.

Sloane and Grayson were the best of opposites attract. I loved the banter between them and oooooh those kissing scenes were on fire. Booking a trip to Hawaii specifically to go hiking to a waterfall ASAP. There were so many sweet moments interspersed throughout and I absolutely loved getting to see the whole Carter family again.

This is a quick read with a cozy summertime vibe. There’s not a third act break-up or too wild of drama (but that one scene SENT ME, IYKYK). It’s heavily focused on the forced proximity and romance between Sloane and Grayson. It’s my favorite kind of romance to enjoy.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: heated kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: depictions of anxiety and panic attacks, brief physical altercation

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ARC Book Review: Betrothal or Breakaway (D.C. Eagles Hockey #3) by Leah Brunner

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Hockey Romance
Length: 310 pages
Author: Leah Brunner
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 4th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

My best friend—and unrequited love—has a hole in her heart. Literally and figuratively.

First, Amber’s fiancé left her when she told him she was pregnant, and then her daughter’s birth left her with complications from a heart defect she didn’t realize she had.

I’m devastated.

Of course I offer to pay for her surgery, but Amber (stubborn woman that she is) insists on wanting to pay me back, which I don’t understand. As captain of an NHL team, I have plenty of spare cash, and I’m more than happy to help. I want to help.

So I come up with a plan.

I’ll marry Amber, my health insurance will cover her surgery, I’ll help with the baby, and the gold band on my finger will get my parents—who seem to think I’m incapable of love—off my back.

It’s a win-win for both of us.

Two years of platonically wedded bliss before we amicably go our separate ways, and remain best friends, as always.

Only, how am I supposed to let Amber go when I’m not only in love with her, but also with her baby girl… who now feels like my own.

And I might have to let her go sooner than I ever wanted to.

Betrothal or Breakaway is a dual POV, fade-to-black romance with mild langauge. This book is light-hearted, but contains themes of minor heart surgery, broken engagement, and difficult parental relationships.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

THIS WAS EVERYTHING.

I don’t even know how to write this in a way to convince y’all that this is one of my new favorite sports romance, BUT JUST TRUST ME. If you get nothing else from this review, know that this is my new favorite Leah Brunner book.

I ADORED Ford. I can’t wrap it up into once concise sentence. I just loved him. His personality and how he handled situations, the way he communicated and the fiery blushes he could not control. The absolute way he was GONE for Amber and Nella. The heated looks and longing glances, the caretaking and family relationships. He’s everything I could have dreamed up and more.

I also loved Amber. Dual POV romances always hit better. Amber was filled with strength and hope that each day was going to be a step in the direction and life she’s longed for. I loved how she realized her connection with Ford was deeper than she expected and how everything was handled between them. The fade to black scenes only enhance the story and showed how tender and passionate these two are. It had the soulmate level chemistry.

And I appreciated how many of the side situations were handled too. A lot could have been blown out of proportion and instead things were nicely wrapped up in a satisfying way. There’s so many moments I could pick out that I loved and I already can’t wait to reread this.

……the way I need the next book after surmising who it’s about…….

Overall audience notes:

  • Hockey Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: minor heart surgery, broken engagement, difficult parent relationships

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Book Review: A Companion for the Count (Clairvoir Castle Romances #2) by Sally Britton

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 250 pages
Author: Sally Britton
Publisher: Pink Citrus Books
Release Date: May 2nd, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Miss Emma Arlen’s position as a companion never included distracting her mistress’s suitors, but when a handsome Italian ambassador arrives determined to find an English bride, Emma happily takes up the cause.
Emma Arlen has spent a decade as a member of the duke’s family, in the position of companion to his daughter and ward to the duke himself. She would do anything to show her support to the ducal family for their love and kindness. When Lady Josephine begs Emma to distract a most determined Sicilian suitor, she agrees at once. How hard can it be to keep one man entertained for a few weeks?

Luca, the Conte di Atella, left his home in the newly formed Kingdom of the Two Sicilies under the direct orders of King Ferdinand I. Luca’s duty as ambassador to England includes everything from negotiating better trade agreements to strengthening the bonds between the two nations. If possible, by marrying a lady of high birth. When he optimistically sets his sights on Lady Josephine, Miss Arlen consistently disrupts his plans. The more time that passes, the more he realizes he does not mind at all.

Continually in the conte’s company, Emma recognizes in him a spirit of adventure and nobility like she has never witnessed before. When the time comes for him to go, will she be able to part with him and keep her heart intact?

As the second stand-alone novel in a new series by author Sally Britton, this story continues the Clairvoir Castle romances. This is a light-hearted, romantic series set in the Regency period.

THIS WAS CUTE.

This whole series has just been a truly light and enjoyable time. These don’t have a lot of hoopla or excess drama or super mean characters. It’s romantic and sweet and makes you smile. And I really love throwing in simple books like this (because there’s nothing wrong with a simple book).

I thought Luca and Emma had great chemistry from the beginning. I liked all of the little moments like pasta making and walks in the park where they really got to know each other. I loved seeing the differences between their lives and the connections and common ground they foudn.

It’s a quick audiobook (7 hours) and is easy to read in a day. Highly recommend for sweet regency lovers!

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Secrets and Suitors by Joanna Barker

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 256 pages
Author: Joanna Barker
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: October 1st, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Reluctantly returning to London for yet another Season, shy Nora Hamilton has nearly given up hope that she will ever find the love match she longs for. After all, the one man she does harbor feelings for—her closest friend, James—has made it perfectly clear he views her as just that: a friend. With James traveling half a world away and Nora’s father pressuring her to marry for wealth and status, Nora is forced to set aside her desire for love and accept the future she has always dreaded.
Until James returns unexpectedly and Nora’s feelings once again rush unbearably close to the surface. Determined to save what is left of their friendship, Nora ignores her own heart and allows herself to be swept up in the London Season, soon finding herself the object of two very different gentlemen’s affections. Though she should be thrilled, both men come with a glaring fault: neither is the one man who holds her heart.

But there is much more at stake than heartbreak. When long-kept secrets are laid bare, Nora must face the fears that have plagued her all her life and decide what true love is worth.

THIS WAS SWEET.

I’ve made myself a mission to read Joanna Barker’s backlist and was happy to check this one off recently! I adored this friends to lovers romance. It’s just sweet. And I love sweet so dang much.

I do wish there would have been less suitors and more James, but that was my only small tidbit. I loved the character growth in Nora and learning how to be shy and strong and that those are not mutually exclusive traits. Seeing her Father and family fight to find peace and common ground again was wonderful. I love a tight family that may struggle, but you know the love is there.

A short and tender heartfelt romance and one that I really liked on audio!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: brief gun violence, loss of a sibling

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