Book Review: Fake It Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

June 12, 2023July 9, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Jamie Wesley
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Release Date: June 21st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A reality star and a cupcake-baking football player pretend to be a couple in order to save his bakery in this sweet and sexy romance from Jamie Wesley, Fake It Till You Bake It.

Jada Townsend-Matthews is the most reviled woman in America after turning down a proposal on a reality dating show. When she comes home to lick her wounds, Jada finds herself working at San Diego’s newest cupcake bakery, Sugar Blitz, alongside the uptight owner and professional football player Donovan Dell.

When a reporter mistakenly believes Jada and Donovan are an item, they realize they can use the misunderstanding to their advantage to help the struggling bakery and rehabilitate Jada’s image. Faking a relationship should be simple, but sometimes love is the most unexpected ingredient.

Fake it Till You Bake It is a sweet confection of a novel, the perfect story to curl up with and enjoy with a cupcake on the side.

SECOND HALF MELTDOWN.

I thought this book started off pretty strong. I liked the initial banter between characters. There’s a cupcake shop for goodness sake’s and the author threw in fake dating. Who wouldn’t be charmed?! Things were sweet and good and I thought I had a good read on my hands.

And then.

The second half of the book started. What.

There were some sub-plot lines that I wasn’t wholly a fan of, but luckily weren’t drawn out more than necessary. BUT what was truly the last straw was a BREAK UP at 94%. WHY THO. I already hate conflict break-ups in their usual placement, this was obscene. Of course they get back together pages later, I was too soured to care. It made no sense and I’m still sitting here trying to figure it out.

The love scene had some cringy moments too. Some of the commentary had me giving this a hard nope.

Meh, I thought I would say I recommend this, but instead I’m going to tell you to bake your own cupcakes and read a different book.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: some strong
Romance: one open door
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: cyber harassment, gambling addiction mentioned

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Book Review: Love Songs Suck by Becky Monson

June 11, 2023June 3, 2023 GoodeyReads2 Comments

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 317 pages
Author: Becky Monson
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 2nd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A reluctant woman, a determined popstar, and the song that started it all.

After growing up in Nashville with two musician parents, I promised myself one thing—I would never, ever fall in love with anyone who had anything to do with the music scene. I will take my stable, albeit boring, accountant boyfriend, thank you very much, and live securely ever after. At least that was the plan. Who knew one ridiculous party where boy band sensation Finn Thatcher showed up would turn my life completely upside down.

How dare he write a song about me. A song that went straight to number one. A song that messes everything up with his band. And who gets the blame for that? That’s right, me. I’m the new Yoko Ono. The only way to fix it is to, well . . . give the world what it wants—a love story. We are talking the whole freaking fairy tale. Nothing says true love like a fake relationship. But what if it’s not so fake? What if I want the happily ever after? Or am I just another love song to Finn?

Thank you to the author for a gifted audiobook!

GREAT AUDIO.

I love a good audiobook and the narrator did an amazing job. I felt fully immersed in the story and I think that also really helped my thoughts overall.

I tend to struggle with rock star romances. I don’t know why, but I keep trying because I know I’ll find some good ones out there. And I consider this a good one (and a sweet one for my sweet romance fans!). I liked the soulful connection between Louella and Finn. The instant chemistry was played off really well and I liked the slow burn strangers to friends to lovers that occurred over months together. I didn’t LOVE that Louella was dating someone for 75% of the book (but I know that’s a preference thing and I just prefer the break-up to happen much sooner).

Finn fell first and HARD and he was just so dang sweet. I liked his personality and how hard he worked to be a good friend, musician and someone you actually wanted to be friends with. I loved all of the late night texts and phone calls and the smooth lyrics that were clearly showing all of Finn’s feelings.

This was my first Becky Monson book and it convinced me that I would love to read another. I liked her writing style and story telling. This was a good read and I think fantastic for summertime!

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low

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ARC Book Review: The Pocket Pair (Graham Brothers #3) by Emma St. Clair

June 9, 2023June 4, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 322 pages
Author: Emma St. Clair
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 9th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Do I have feelings for my sister’s best friend? Of course not.

That would be stupid, considering my sister once threatened to castrate me if I ever hurt Val.

Hurting her is the last thing I want to do, which is all the MORE reason I can’t have feelings for her. Val deserves the world, and I’m NOT the man who can give it to her.

But when Val announces she’s leaving town (and the country), I’m suddenly confronted with some very capital-F Feelings–ones that refuse to stay stuffed down deep where I’ve hidden them for more years than I care to admit.

Having her crash in my guest bedroom until she leaves only makes things worse.

Little by little, Val chips away at my defenses, and despite all the solid reasons I have, my resolve starts to crumble.

The thing is–none of the circumstances have changed.

Val is still planning to leave the country. And I … well, I might have gotten more in touch with my feelings, but I’m still the same man.

NOT a man who can promise things like life-long commitment. NOT a man Val can count on. NOT the good guy everyone seems to think I am.

If only I could get Val and the rest of this nosy, meddling matchmaking town to believe me–and if my own stubborn heart wasn’t trying to convince me otherwise.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

VAL & CHEVY.

This might be my new favorite in the series. I’m sure I probably say that about each book, but I just sincerely love each book that much. I love Emma St. Clair’s writing. I love the way she tells a story and the romances she creates. They are simultaneously funny and full of heart and make my day brighter when a new one drops on my kindle.

I adored Chevy. That sweet man trying to handle his daddy issues (and not doing such a great job). I loved his growth and acknowledgement of wrong doings. How he did work to be better and to be open. And OH MY GOSH he left me in a puddle with some of his moments.

“Good.” He pauses. “Because if I kiss you, it won’t go down like this. It won’t be quick. It won’t be sweet. And it won’t be with an audience. You got that?”

Val is one of the genuinely good souls type of characters. I loved her heart and mind and how good of a friend she was and everything in between. Val and Chevy have many moments that will have the angst turning up and you shouting KISS KISS KISS.

I love this small town, I love all of the glimpses of past book characters and new characters to come. I laughed, I cheered, I was giddy like a fool with the grand gesture. Another Sheet Cake winner!!

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent, parental abandonment, physical injuries

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Book Review: Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho

June 7, 2023July 9, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 338 pages
Author: Kat Cho
Publisher: Disney
Release Date: May 17th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

What would you do if the world’s biggest K-pop star asked you to prom? Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sandhya Menon, this hilarious and heartfelt novel brings the glamour and drama of the K-pop world straight to high school.

Elena Soo has always felt overshadowed. Whether by her more successful older sisters, her more popular twin brother, or her more outgoing best friend, everyone except Elena seems to know exactly who they are and what they want. But she is certain about one thing – she has no interest in going to prom. While the rest of the school is giddy over corsages and dresses, Elena would rather spend her time working to save the local community center, the one place that’s always made her feel like she belonged.

So when international K-pop superstar Robbie Choi shows up at her house to ask her to prom, Elena is more confused than ever. Because the one person who always accepted Elena as she is? Her childhood best friend, Robbie Choi. And the one thing she maybe, possibly, secretly wants more than anything? For the two of them to keep the promise they made each other as kids: to go to prom together. But that was seven years ago, and with this new K-pop persona, pink hair, and stylish clothes, Robbie is nothing like the sweet, goofy boy she remembers. The boy she shared all her secrets with. The boy she used to love.

Besides, prom with a guy who comes with hordes of screaming fans, online haters, and relentless paparazzi is the last thing Elena wants – even if she can’t stop thinking about Robbie’s smile…right?

WELL.

I didn’t love this y’all. An auspicious start with the whole, I don’t like Prom, kind of vibe and then when the love interest showed up and was a bit of a punk. I was seeking out better grass on the other side.

And things did get marginally better. There were some sweet moments between Elena and Robbie. I loved the K-Pop aspects and a bunch of the background that occurs within those circles.

I think most my issues stem from the general plot. There’s a LOT going on for a 300 page book and not enough time to truly dive into many of those. There was a good discussion about the community center. Talks about reconnecting with friends. Dealing with difficult parent situations. And a looooot of room for growing up. Each of these were approached yet I don’t think I ever felt satisfied.

This is the second book I’ve tried a book by this author and it was once again only okay.

Overall audience notes: