Tag: Book Review

Book Review: The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Sarah Chamberlain
Publisher: Griffin
Release Date: September 24th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Love could be a recipe for disaster, or the best thing they ever cooked up…

Kieran O’Neill should be on top of the world. He’s just won a cooking reality TV show, he’s on track to open his own restaurant before he turns thirty, and he’s even got a high-paying cookbook deal. Still he can’t impress his stuck-up family, his ADHD makes planning ahead impossible and, worst of all, his ghostwriter is the most uptight, humourless woman he’s ever met. But to be seen as a serious chef like he’s always wanted, he needs to finish this book…

Ellie Wasserman is barely holding it together. She’s a thirty-year-old widow living with her needy in-laws, her little brother won’t adult without her help, and instead of working on her own cookbook, she’s ghostwriting one for the chaotic, impulsive Kieran O’Neill. Or would be, if he’d ever answer her emails. But to own her own home like she’s always dreamed of, she needs to finish this book…

As their deadline gets closer and the heat between them builds, can these two driven, lonely people let go of their past hurts and make something truly sweet together? Or will their fragile new love go up in smoke?

The ultimate will-they-won’t-they, enemies-to-lovers romance that readers everywhere are falling in love with!

DIDN’T HOLD UP.

I was intrigued and hopeful going in and then within an hour of listening I almost DNF. It didn’t feel romantic, I wasn’t very interested in the story but I kept going. And it did get better…for a bit.

The middle section was good and had some true developmental moments and the slow burn was working for me. I didn’t mind that it took months to move the relationship along. It felt natural and I was charmed. And I did enjoy Kieran a lot. I loved the ADHD and dyslexia rep too.

I was frustrated with Ellie more often than not. I understood the arc path she was moving on but it took a long time to get to those moments. They came so close to the end by that time I was kind of over the book and wanting to wrap things up.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3-4 brief; low explicit open door
  • Violence: low
  • Content Warnings: loss of a husband (FMC is a widow), mentions of alcoholism, grief, neglectful parenting

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ARC Book Review: The Prince of Mourning by Jenn Bennett

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Upper YA Historical Fantasy Romance
Length: 464 pages
Author: Jenn Bennett
Publisher: Simon Teen
Release Date: October 28th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace meets A Study in Drowning in this sizzling gothic romantasy that follows the forbidden romance between a young nurse and a mysterious young man imprisoned by a dangerous occultist.

After receiving a strange summons, eighteen-year-old nursing student Molly O’Rinn finds herself the private live-in nurse for a wealthy young man in his haunting Hudson Valley mansion. But after arriving at his secluded estate, Molly discovers that her handsome employer is not what he seems, and most surprising of all is what rests deep inside the mansion’s walls.

Perhaps not what, but who…

A young man about Molly’s age—at least in appearance—is a prisoner of the estate, locked behind magical barriers. Nin is royalty, the son of a legend. He is not human, not of this world…and not like anyone Molly has ever met.

Molly should stay away from him. But Nin is a terrifying yet strangely attractive being, and soon both Molly and Nin find themselves drawn to each other, sparked by a connection neither of them can deny. But as the two become entangled in a forbidden affair, outside forces start to press in.

Because Nin’s legendary father is looking for his son, and he’s not the only one.

To keep Molly safe, Nin must find a way back to his realm or suffer the consequences. Even if it means choosing his princely duty over love.

Thank you to Simon Teen for the eARC.

WENT ROGUE.

Well I think calling this one adjacent to Belladonna is where this all went wrong. These two books are not on the same level.

I thought things started out fine and I was intrigued. There’s a good atmosphere and spooky gothic vibes throughout. That note did hit the best.

But a few things didn’t make sense. One of those being the dialogue. Some of it felt extremely modern and I get that it’s a young adult book but it threw me out of the story the way Molly would phrase somethings.

The cover lends itself to some kind of haunting ball vibes right? Those aren’t there either. The plot meanders and slows to excruciating lengths. Molly, “I’m a nurse I know what to do” (though she hasn’t even completed her training), wasn’t that fun to be around. And then adding in so many gods, possession, curses, etc. in the late second half had me quirking my head. It did not need all of that. Once again, the lack of focus for the story is when it really went off the rails.

It looks like there will be a sequel, but I don’t know how I feel about it or if I’ll read it [yet].

Overall audience notes:

  • Upper YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: vague fade to black
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content warnings: those dying of tuberculosis, loss of loved ones

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ALC Book Review: Never Ever After (Never Ever After #1) by Sue Lynn Tan

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Sue Lynn Tan
Publisher: Little Brown Books
Release Date: October 28th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Not all fairy tales end happily ever after in this Cinderella-inspired fantasy by the bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess—for fans of Renée Ahdieh, Tahereh Mafi, and Stephanie Garber.

Life in the Iron Mountains is harsh and unforgiving. After the death of her beloved uncle, Yining has survived by becoming a skilled thief and an even better liar. When she acquires an enchanted ring that holds the key to a brighter future, it is stolen by her step-aunt, and Yining must venture into the imperial heart of the kingdom to seize it back.

Amid the grandeur of the palace, Yining catches the eye of the ruthless and ambitious prince, who tempts her with a world she’s never imagined. But nothing is as it seems, for she’s soon trapped in a tangle of power, treachery, and greed—her only ally the cunning advisor from a rival court who keeps dangerous secrets of his own. To break free, she must unravel the mystery of her past and fight for a future that both frightens and calls to her.

This sweeping fantasy romance inspired by Cinderella and a Chinese fairy tale is the first in a breathtaking new series by the acclaimed author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ALC.

GIMME BOOK TWO.

I enjoyed this one so much! Honestly, Sue Lynn Tan never disappoints and I have been anxious to get my hands (and headphones) on this book. It felt very classic to her style of story telling and I thought the young adult world was executed well.

I loved Yining as the FMC. She’s ambitious in her own right and learns to stand firmly on her boundaries. I loved the push and pull in the romantic love triangle (it’s giving Daughter of the Moon Goddess…maybe…or maybe I have that all wrong BUT MAYBE). SLT is one of the few author’s who I don’t mind reading love triangles from.

I’m not sure I caught many Cinderella nods but that could be that I haven’t watched that movie in 20+ years? So if you’re worried about that aspect I can’t really comment on it.

There were some beautifully crafted reveals and I thought the audiobook narrator did an amazing job. I love the enchanting vibes of Tan’s stories and am begging to get my hands on book two ASAP.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild

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Book Review: Not a Thing (The Seddledown #2) by Susan Henshaw

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 290 pages
Author: Susan Henshaw
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 1st, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A small town principal rewriting her future. A big city lawyer running from his past. The secret that could tear them apart.

After getting dumped, Christy Thornbury has zero intentions of setting foot on Seddledowne soil ever again. But when the school board begs her to be their high school principal, she packs up her car and leaves her toxic family in the dry, Wyoming dust.

Serial dater, Holden Dupree, sprints faster than any woman can catch him. But when Christy’s sisters devise a humiliating scheme to find her a husband, Holden breaks the one self-imposed rule he’s lived by for the last decade. And now he’s stuck in a frustrating, all-cuddling, no-kissing, fake relationship with his brother’s gorgeous ex.

With chemistry hotter than a branding iron, can Christy keep her heart on lockdown while tucked safely in a playboy’s embrace? And will Holden finally lasso his demons, fight for the love he never thought he’d find, and come home to Dupree Ranch for good?

Perfect for readers who enjoy a love story with sizzle but no spice. Get ready for fake dating and forbidden love, dark pasts and daring rescues. But always a hard-earned happily ever after.

I HAVE SO MANY THOUGHTS.

This book was maddening to read while also being addictive and I found myself downloading book three immediately after (granted, I have been most looking forward to book three so it tracks).

ANYWHO. My issue here is how immature so many of these adults were. The book is set in high school and it felt like most of the antics were high school based too. And I don’t know how I feel about how some of the heavier themes were used and handled.

There were some good swoon moments and I actually didn’t mind Holden and Christy as a couple. They had this off-beat chemistry that worked well for them. And I can’t deny that I love a great heated make-out scene.

I went up and down as I read on this book and while it’s not my favorite, I’m not upset I read it either.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: heated make-outs; light innuendo
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: su!cide (mentioned and brought up throughout), bullying, stalker

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