Tag: contemporary romance

ARC/ALC Book Review: Ancient History Between Us by Kaitlyn Hill

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Contemporary Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Kaitlyn Hill
Publisher: Delacorte Romance
Release Date: June 23rd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Three years since they last saw each other. Two months to untangle their complicated past. One unforgettable Italian summer.

As kids, Cammie Lovett and West Jacobs ran wild on dig sites around the world with their respective archeologist parents. But they haven’t spoken since three summers ago, when their first kiss was swiftly followed by a heartbreaking goodbye . . . This summer, though, an anniversary celebration of their parents’ most famous discovery will bring them back together under the same Italian villa’s roof.

Secretly, Cammie plans to make some discoveries of her own. She has her mom’s journal from the year she was born, and she’s determined to use it to find the father she’s never met. Though West doesn’t know where he stands with Cammie, he insists on joining the search. He’s never been able to let her take on a risky scheme alone, especially not one that takes them across the southern Italian coast—from the stunning cliffs of Capri to a Naples pizza kitchen, even to the ruins of Pompeii.

As the pair digs deeper into Cammie’s mom’s past, their own can’t help but resurface. Feelings are rekindled, truths are unearthed, and maybe, just maybe, they’ll discover that their own history isn’t as ancient as it seems.

Thank you Get Underlined for the gifted copy and PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook.

FOR THE MAMMA MIA FAN.

I had a blast with this book y’all. It felt like the best kind of summer beach read. It moves effortlessly and is set in Italy and has all of these moments that just say summer romance. I loved the childhood friends to lovers / second chance romance trope use. Cammie and West are this chaotic match that just works and I liked seeing them hash out the past and find their way back to each other.

Though I was a bit grumbly about the third act. After all the work that it took to get to a good place to throw it back out so quickly for the same story? Not needed.

Cammie’s quest to find her father was definitely Mamma Mia coded. And I think they’re both set in Italy too?? Some key pieces there that were similar. I liked the travel schemes that came about and seeing history collide. And West’s anxiety rep?? SO SEEN. All of those moments were [to me] well written and a depiction that I have felt in my own life. It really endeared me to his character.

🎧: I had the easiest time listening to this book. The narrators were fantastic and I was shocked when I realized I had listened to so much in an afternoon. Highly recommend going with the audiobook.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: divorced parents, anxiety depiction

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Book Review: Sunrise Nights by Jeff Zentner

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Jeff Zentner
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Release Date: July 9th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two young artists have a chance meeting on the last night of summer arts camp in this YA novel in verse and dialogue cowritten by acclaimed authors Jeff Zentner and Brittany Cavallaro.

Jude loves photography, and he’s good at it, too. Between his parents’ divorce and his anxiety, being behind a camera is the only time his mind is quiet.

Florence is confronting the premature end of her dance career as a degenerative eye disease begins to steal her balance. She’s having a hard time letting go.

The two meet at Sunrise Night, their sleepaway art camp’s dusk-to-dawn closing celebration, and decide to take a chance on each other. Their one rule: No contact for a year after the sun has risen. Over the course of three Sunrise Nights, will Florence and Jude find a deeper connection and learn who they are—and who they could be together?

GREW ON ME.

I don’t know how to explain that something about the characters annoyed me? Maybe it was the “we’re not going to have a miscommunication but then we actually do causing the book to drag out another year” that sent me over the edge. Looking past that, the rest of the book is solid.

It’s written in a short, choppy dynamic that goes back and forth quickly between the two MC’s. I thought the whole idea was fun and all of the unique late night things they got to participate in. There’s something about those late night conversations that really creates a bonding atmosphere. And this definitely had the right person, wrong time vibe throughout.

The book is fast and easy to fly through. I thought it had good themes and reminded me of why I enjoy Jeff Zentner books so much.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: cheating/gray area cheating

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Book Review: Brighter Than Before by Courtney Walsh

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Courtney Walsh
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: June 8th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In her forties, newly single in the Windy City, and reeling from a major life shake-up, Claire Karadec finds a reset in the most unlikely of places–a dating profile set up by her adult daughter. From New York Times bestselling author Courtney Walsh comes a refreshing, lighthearted, sweet novel, perfect for fans of Annabel Monaghan and Sarah Adams.

Claire did not plan to end up mid-forties with a daughter studying in London and the unfortunate discovery that her husband is not the man she thought he was. In fact, he’s the exact opposite of a faithful, loyal, kind, and good-hearted spouse. And the discovery of his real nature and lack of remorse leads her to do what she never thought she would–divorce him.

After a year of wallowing before hitting rock bottom . . . in public, unfortunately, Claire realizes she needs to finally answer the question her therapist asked her all those months “What do you really want?” It was a question she couldn’t answer then, but now she knows it’s time to figure it out.

It’s the turning point that leads Claire to change her life. And not just a little–a lot. She sells her house in Denver and moves to the city that’s always had her heart–Chicago.

With the help of nosy neighbors, new friends, and a daughter who sets her up on a dating site from across the ocean, Claire begins to answer that big, important question by figuring out what she wants and how to live life on her own terms.

Thank you to LibroFM for the gifted audiobook and Thomas Nelson for the gifted copy.

LOVED EVERY MINUTE.

I could sing the praises of this book all day long y’all. I was smitten from the get go and the story telling was absolutely fabulous. I loved that this had an older FMC who had to unexpectedly start over. I loved the realistic journey of being angry and upset and working towards that sense of peace and belonging that comes in time. Claire’s relationship with her daughter was also magical and something I aspire towards as my kids get older. Honestly this entire book felt like an inspiration. I haven’t been in Claire’s situation but the bigger lesson of finding a passion, doing something for you, and letting go of past grievances are very relevant to everyone.

To sing some love towards the romance because STOP IT RIGHT NOW. It was amazing. I adored Miles. He was just the right type of golden retriever energy for Claire and I loved seeing their strangers to friends to lovers romance develop. It’s soft and light and really gives you the second chance love so many crave.

The audiobook is perfect. No notes. I don’t think you can go wrong with any format for this book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Content warnings: infidelity, divorce

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Book Review: Driving Maisie Crazy (Men of the Isles #2) by Deborah M. Hathaway

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 362 pages
Author: Deborah M. Hathaway
Publisher: Draft House Publishing
Release Date: March 17th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

What happens on an Irish bus tour stays on an Irish bus tour…”

This is the second book in the clean and sweet romcom Men of the Isles series by Deborah M. Hathaway. Although this clean, road trip, forbidden romance is a stand-alone novel, the books are best enjoyed when read in order.

TAKE ME TO IRELAND.

This was such a sweet read. The instant connection played out super well and I didn’t even notice how short the time frame was until it was mentioned in the book.

I adored allllll of the food and traveling content. I felt whisked away to Ireland and was totally immersed in the setting. It’s clearly well researched and a well loved area for the author.

Alongside the setting I loved the tight friendships showcased with Finn and the guys. I don’t think close relationships between men is in enough romance books and I loved getting all of the text sequences and moments with them.

I really felt the chemistry between Maisie and Finn and hot dang appreciated a realistic third act. I thought things went the way they had to and rolled around to the best kind of ending. I’m going to need all the book recs involving a guy who chases (in a romantic cute way y’all) because it is suddenly a new favorite.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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