Tag: Book Review

Book Review: Fallen Gods (Fallen Gods #1) by Rachel Van Dyken

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 512 pages
Author: Rachel Van Dyken
Publisher: Bramble
Release Date: December 5th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The legends of the past are never truly dead and buried . . .

Liv Olson has been drawn to Norse Mythology her entire life. After earning her degree and working as a curator at one of New York’s most prestigious museums, she gets an unexpected offer for her dream job in Norway – the same place her brother disappeared months ago – after a cryptic message about finding their long-lost father.

She finds herself surrounded by superstitious townspeople who refuse to even look at the water. Liv soon realizes that the small town of Vonn is nothing like it seems. Shops close before dark, and things she’s only read about seem to suddenly exist. To top it off , her new boss, Tristan, is insultingly mean and engagingly beautiful – and, as part of the job, she must live with him in his mansion.

As her life quickly unravels into chaos, she’s left wondering who’s pulling the strings in this mysterious place where nothing makes sense, yet everything feels familiar.

Her studies have always told her the gods are who you trust. But what happens when the man who’s destined to kill you – is your savior?

Rachel Van Dyken’s Fallen Gods duology is a steamy, dramatic myth retelling.

Thank you Red Tower Books for the gifted ARC and LibroFM for the audiobook.

YEAH I’LL READ THE SEQUEL.

While initially not on my radar, I’m pleasantly surprised and will be happy to get my hands on the sequel. I haven’t read a book with Greek mythology recently. There were some unique dynamics to the basis of the story I liked and the school setting worked well.

I loved the audiobook and would easily recommend that format too.

The characters and found family worked well. I do think the dialogue and stylistic choices came across more young adult than adult (but maybe this is more new adult? still though). Which bugged me constantly. I couldn’t quite find the vibe.

And calling this enemies feels really loose with the term too. A longer slow burn would have really sold them. I did think there were some good moments between them and I appreciate that it’s not spice focused.

The ending was wild and a big cliffhanger, my favorite.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2-3ish open; low/vague explicit
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: Planes, Reins, and Automobiles (Catching Feelings #2) by Kate Watson

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 342 pages
Author: Kate Watson
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 14th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s sunshine. He’s frostbite. They’ve got 1,600 miles to go before Christmas—and he’s about to discover his new enemy might be his anonymous online soulmate.

Oliver Fletcher has one goal, and he’s not happy about it: get home for his brother’s wedding. After extreme weather cancels every flight, his only option is to share the last (and smallest) rental car with the last (and most infuriating) woman he could ever want to be stuck with.

Poppy Lewis is everything Oliver isn’t—joyful, optimistic, and prone to random acts of kindness. She finds the perpetually cynical ex-athlete totally maddening. Their only truce is found online, where Oliver (GreenArrow11) trades secrets with his anonymous confidante (GracieLou).

But Poppy IS GracieLou. And as the cross-country journey forces them together through storms, car troubles, and not enough hotel rooms, Poppy discovers her new enemy might be her anonymous online soulmate. But when her career as a sentencing advocate collides with Oliver’s family tragedy, the truth she’s been hiding could destroy everything.

Oliver demands justice; Poppy champions compassion. As their disastrous road trip pushes them closer, Oliver must confront the truth: the woman who drives him crazy might be the only one who can stitch his broken heart back together.

It’ll take planes, reins, and automobiles to get them back home to their families. But once the secrets are exposed, will they ever want to see each other again? Or never want to be apart?

Planes, Reins, and Automobiles is a forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers romance with grumpy-sunshine vibes, secret identity reveals, and sizzling slow-burn tension. This standalone closed door romance is brimming with delicious chemistry and witty banter without explicit scenes or language—perfect for readers who love You’ve Got Mail and road trip romances.

HOLIDAY CHAOS.

I’ve been enjoying this series from Kate Watson and loved reading another holiday themed romance from her repertoire. I’ve loved Oliver’s character and have been waiting to see his romantic story line at the front. I was worried from the beginning how the secret identity would play out but I think it was thoughtful and worked out well here.

Going in I knew there would be many travel related shenanigans. Absolutely made me anxious but I think Watson did a great job in execution of the chaos. It didn’t feel cheap and I started to love the adventure they were on. The sassy banter and softer moments of care mixed with alllll of the forced proximity.

This book is slightly heavier than a “rom-com.” I don’t think it weighed down the story but it was a different edge than I had initially anticipated.

I had a few small things about why I went with a four star but this is what I get for not writing my review quick enough and I have forgotten the standout ones. I’m still looking forward to Kate Watson’s next book!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: minor
  • Content warnings: a sibling with a TBI, loss of a parent, a parent who’s incarcerated, emotional manipulation and abuse

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Book Review: Ruin the Friendship by K. Sinko

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Holiday Romance
Length: 344 pages
Author: K. Sinko
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: November 6th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It was just one kiss. It wouldn’t ruin their friendship at all. Or so they thought.

Samantha Carter knew it was all her fault; she was the reason they even kissed in the first place. So when her older brother Jeff made her promise to stay away from his best friend, she agreed. She loves her brother, and would never want to do anything to hurt him. But if that truly were the case, why can’t she stop Nico from pulling her into a dark corner at the pub the night before Thanksgiving after years of staying away?

It’s been four years since Nicolas Giuliano kissed Sam, and he’s done everything he can to try and forget about it. What started out as a joke that night quickly shifted into something far more, and it obliterated his sixteen year friendship with his best friend. Now he’s home for the holidays and Jeff wants to make things right. Yet all of that hard work to fix his friendship and forget about Sam instantly crumbles at the sight of her standing in front of him after so long.

Sam knows she should listen to her brother. Nico knows his wounded friendship with Jeff is still fragile. And yet…under the magical spell of New York City during the holidays, the two of them can’t resist the magnetic force that ruined their friendship in the first place.

THIS WAS A HOLIDAY ROMANCE?

I wish that had been more clear from the things I’ve seen about this book because I think it would find its audience on that avenue. There were holiday parties, a celebration of Christmas, being snowed in and more. I could easily call this a holiday romance, so if you’re looking, here you go!!

This book was pretty good. I found it easy to read and with a pace that kept me interested. I love having dual POV and seeing just how down bad Nico truly was for Samantha. There were many genuinely good romantic moments between them that brought the swoon factor I adore.

I did nooooot like the term of endearment, baby girl (and I’m a fan of good use of the word baby in most scenarios).

Another book from K. Sinko that I enjoyed and I can’t wait for more.

Overall audience notes:

  • Holiday Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: 2 open door
  • Violence: low

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Book Review: Have Yourself a Married Little Christmas by Claire Cain

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 284 pages
Author: Claire Cain
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 20th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

My cheery little life was chugging along smoothly until one small shift sent it off track until it imploded. I lost my health, my business plans, and even my apartment—Merry Christmas to me! It’s at this low point Colonel Gruff, a man I know dislikes me, finds me.

He’s the grumpy soldier with a personality like sandpaper, but suddenly he’s offering me a solution to my problems I can’t say no to, and in a matter of weeks, I’m Mrs. Colonel Gruff.

I’m giving him what he needs too—a wife for the holidays. We’ll play pretend for his family, and even though he hasn’t said why, I know convincing them is important. And though this is all part of the agreement, those sugar plum fairies dancing around in my chest every time he gets close aren’t part of the deal.

I’m not ready to give up mistletoe kisses with my fake husband, or this glimpse of his secret soft side. But we’re only married for the holidays. I can’t keep him—even if he’s all I want for Christmas.

Have Yourself a Married Little Christmas is a closed door romance without implied intimacy.

MISSING SOME CHEMISTRY.

I thought this was a sweet marriage of convenience romance (and I love a MOC trope). But I did struggle with the chemistry between the main couple. I wanted to feel more passion by the time those closing chapters were coming around and I don’t think it ever hit that level.

The holiday aspects were good and I adore forced proximity so there were many enjoyable moments throughout. I liked the characters well enough too and did think they got along well. I was tired of hearing Gruff talk about his ex-wife though (I understand a few mentions, but this seemed constant).

So I don’t know, kind of a mixed bag for me on this read. I’m glad it was a quick story at least and I still like CC’s books. This one just missed a few marks for me.

Overall audience notes:

  • Christmas Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: closed door

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