Tag: cindy steel

ARC Book Review: Rebel Summer (Falling for Summer) by Cindy Steel

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 364 pages
Author: Cindy Steel
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 31st, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Every good summer has a little bad…

I wasn’t supposed to be in Sunset Harbor for more than a weekend. But thanks to, let’s just call it—an unforeseen act of stupidity on my part—I’m here for the whole summer. And for the first time in my life, I’m in a whole lot of trouble.

The sentence? Community service paid toward the person I accidentally wronged.

The problem? That person happens to be Dax Miller. The guy who always spent more time fighting the law than obeying it. He’s also the guy I once told to have a nice life amounting to nothing.

So…it’s been fun being court-ordered to serve him now.

Except the more time I spend with Dax fighting and fixing what was broken, the more I remember that sizzling…something…that’s always been between us. Or that smile of his that can get me to do just about anything. Let me be clear, with a politician for a father, I don’t do trouble. But what happens when the temptation to embrace that inner rebel becomes too strong to resist?

And what do I do when the guy who has only dated trouble his entire life, has his sights set on me?

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

*INCOHERENT SCREECHING*

I wish y’all could have seen me read this book. I truly had a giddy little grin on my face the entire time (sorry to those who watched me reading at the gym). BUT IT WAS TOO GOOD NOT TO ENJOY WITH MY WHOLE HEART. Cindy Steel is one of my favorites and she delivered another swoony romance again.

There were many key moments in here that will make you squeal. I loved the immediate banter and chemistry between Dax and Ivy. They are EVERYTHING. The tension filled push and pull will bring you to your KNEES. Every single interaction felt tangible. I melted at each kissing scene and I loved how they brought out another side in each other. You can see the growth from their separation Dax and Ivy have had a for a few years and I loved the slow dismantling of their walls and seeing all the love that was between them.

This was the perfect adult summer romance book. I can’t beg y’all enough to pick it up. It is swoony and heated (kisses only!), has this perfectly tuned nostalgic quality and gosh dang DAX Y’ALL. I am not over this man. I’m just not over this book. The soft and tender moments combined with the fun and joy of falling in love squeezed my heart. A new all time favorite.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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ARC Book Review: The One with the Kiss Cam by Cindy Steel

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 317 pages
Author: Cindy Steel
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 16th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It was just one date.

My friend told me I needed more fun in my life, so I reluctantly said yes. Fun wasn’t exactly in my wheelhouse. After watching my own mother’s love life implode time and time again it’s only natural that I have a few rules to protect myself.

Actually, it’s just one rule…
Avoid relationships with men so I don’t get attached.

I wasn’t worried. Getting attached has never been a big problem for me. This guy was just a warm body in a chair. I was here for the basketball game. I was absolutely NOT here for my date.

Or the kiss cam.
Or the kiss.
Or the impromptu evening with the one man who seems bent on throwing my tidy world off of its axis.

But when my life takes a nose dive, he’s also the man who seems bent on proving to me that good men do exist, dreams can come true, and sometimes throwing out the rule book is when the magic really starts to happen.

★ The One with the Kiss Cam is the first in a series of standalone romantic comedies by Cindy Steel. It is a sweet, closed-door romance full of sizzle, witty banter, and chemistry, but without explicit content.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

THIS BOOK.

Cindy Steel really is absolutely incredible at creating beautiful rom-coms. Books that make you smile, swoon, squeeze your heart and cheer on the characters. I loved this one so much. The meet cute was clever and the story that followed brought out all the feels.

The banter and dialogue between Duke and Nora had me grinning like a fool for most of the book. This had reverse grumpy x sunshine vibes and it was immaculate. The office setting had me waiting for any moment that would force them together and it did not disappoint. Add in some eccentric and sweet side characters and this was a recipe for a five star book from the get go.

One of my favorite (more subtle) aspects was that Duke and Nora argued. I actually enjoy seeing this in romances. When things need to be said and discussed and really letting those walls come down, and that they also worked together too!! Some of those closing scenes sent me. Nora finally got the break and love she deserved and Duke just being completely gone for Nora from the get-go is everything I could hope for.

READ THIS BOOK Y’ALL.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: manipulative parenting situations

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ARC Book Review: Faking Christmas (Christmas Escape #3) by Cindy Steel

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Cindy Steel
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 2nd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

One little white lie.

That’s all it took. Now I’m suddenly having to fake-date my work nemesis to get me through a week at a Vermont Christmas lodge with my family.

The problem? I can’t stand Miles Taylor. Not only that, but I don’t date people I work with. But I can handle it. I’ve had practice faking my emotions for years. So it shouldn’t matter that Miles never lets me get away with anything. And that he happens to boil my blood hotter than a steaming pot of wassail. So when he throws his annoying grin my way or forces me on dates he knows I’ll hate, I’ll just grit my teeth and smile.

Or maybe not. Did I mention that Miles is the one person in the world I can’t seem to fool?

When my emotions begin feeling less like a sham and his arms feel way too comfortable, it makes me think that maybe Miles had a plan of his own. And I’m starting to like it a lot more than mine.

★ Faking Christmas is a sweet, closed door romance full of sizzle, witty banter, and chemistry, but without explicit content.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

NEW CHRISTMAS ROMANCE FAVORITE.

I am a flat puddle of emotions over this book. It is a new favorite and I want to read it every Christmas now. I AM IN MY FEELS. I don’t think I’ll be able to accurately convey how much I adored it so please GO READ IT.

ALL OF THE KISSING. There was so much and I loved every single moment. Ohhhmygosh Cindy Steel knows how to bring the heat without bringing the spice and it is impeccable. Miles and Olive were perfect for each other. It was always you is strong in this book.

The flirting and banter was flawless. I loved that Miles was relentless and so dang kind is in his pursuit of the fake dating scheme. All of the Christmas activities were wonderful and I now would like to plan an immediate trip to Vermont for the winter break.

There was a natural flow to everything happening and the third act was handled AMAZINGLY. It was charming and had me just as giddy as Miles and Olive.

I also loved the discussions about grief and valid emotions. Everything was handled beautifully and I got misty eyed with the impact of the story.

I am in bookish heaven over this book y’all. It is a MUST read for anyone needed something to bring them joy this holiday season.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: depictions of grief, loss of a girlfriend (recounted), loss of a parent (from cancer, recounted), snowmobile crash

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ARC Book Review: Double or Nothing: A Sweet Romantic Comedy (A Pride and Pranks Romance #2) by Cindy Steel

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Cindy Steel
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: April 8th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

My best friend’s older brother is back in town.

Do I care? Not one bit. Logan may have been my childhood crush, but I’ve always been little Tessa to him. Not to mention, he’s turned into a shallow flirt and I’m not looking to get played again.

What’s the problem, you ask? (Besides all the flirting.)

Thanks to a scheming mutual friend, Logan and I find ourselves embroiled in a bet of absurd proportions. Now, instead of ignoring Logan and keeping my heart safely locked away, we have a date every Saturday night and a kiss looming on the horizon.

And the line between us is getting… muddy.

As long as Logan stays the shallow flirt, I’ll be fine. My heart is safe from the player. It’s the man underneath giving me a run for my money.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

LOVE.

I just loved this book. Simple as that.

There’s fantastic banter and teasing. The passionate kisses hidden in the dark. Dancing in sprinklers and laying underneath the stars. a one tent & angry moose situation. Allllll the baked goods, sweet friends and more. I just couldn’t get enough of Logan and Tessa.

I adored both of them separate and together. Both are working through relationship trauma of the past and [thanks to Jake] are pushed into a forced proximity situation that allows them to face fears and stumble together. I loved the deep conversations and acknowledgement of choices inside and outside of their control.

The antics were humorous, and the quiet moments WERE SO SOFT. The amount of times I found myself all filled up with swoonyness because of the simple, yet intense moments Logan and Tessa shared. This author just has a way with words y’all. Highly recommend.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: past cheating recounted

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