Tag: contemporary romance

Book Review: All Fired Up by Dylan Newton

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Dylan Newton
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: May 17th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After one wild night together, two complete opposites plan to stay firmly in the friend zone, but life has other plans in this delightful romantic comedy, perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez.

As a successful book publicist, Imani Lewis works night and day to promote her authors.  It’s her dream job, but she’s become a total workaholic. So when her grandmother invites her to stay for the summer as she recovers from surgery, Imani happily agrees. But being back in the same small town as her one-night stand may not be quite the relaxing break she envisioned… 

Zander Matthews wakes up every day determined to enjoy the present because he knows from his time in the Marines that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. But he’s never gotten over the beautiful woman who blew through town a year ago, then disappeared. And he doesn’t want to be hurt again. So they agree to a deal: he’ll help Imani fix up her grandmother’s house as long as they stay firmly in the friend zone.

Whether it’s repairing tiles in his ceramics studio, dodging nosy neighbors, or soothing the most obnoxious parrot ever, Zander never fails to make Imani laugh. And soon their friendly banter is turning ever flirtier. But since Imani’s stay is temporary and Zander can’t be tied to anything beyond the most tenuous plans, will she be able to handle it when things get all fired up?

BETTER THAN THE FIRST.

Ohhh I loved this so much more y’all. New favorite of these brother books (because we get a third one right??!).

Zander never game up on Imani and I LOVE A MAN WHO FALLS FIRST. Probably my biggest highlight because I was full on smitten with everything he was doing to woo Imani.

I really liked a lot of the conversations throughout about growing up, stability, loss, and more. While I about found myself frustrated with the conflict, the conversations after were much more needed than I realized and I liked the switch up in the drama that usually plays out in these scenarios.

There were small tidbits throughout the plot I didn’t jive with. Nothing to go on about, but it drew me out enough to lower my rating. It was still much more enchanting than book one to me and I’m glad I took a chance on picking it up.

Fast paced and full of sweet moments (and a small dash of steam), I would easily recommend this as a good summertime romance read.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: one open door
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: PTSD, grief depiction, childbirth, loss of parents recounted

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ARC Book Review: The Enchanted Hacienda by J.C. Cervantes

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Magical Realism + Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: J.C. Cervantes
Publisher: Park Row
Release Date: May 16th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When there’s magic all around you, the possibilities are endless…

When Harlow Estrada is abruptly fired from her dream job and her boyfriend proves to be a jerk, her world turns upside down. She flees New York City to the one place she can always call home—the enchanted Hacienda Estrada.

The Estrada family farm in Mexico houses an abundance of charmed flowers cultivated by Harlow’s mother, sisters, aunt, and cousins. By harnessing the magic in these flowers, they can heal hearts, erase memories, interpret dreams—but not Harlow. So when her mother and aunt give her a special task involving the family’s magic, she panics. How can she rise to the occasion when she is magicless? But maybe it’s not magic she’s missing, but belief in herself. When she finally embraces her unique gifts and opens her heart to a handsome stranger, she discovers she’s far more powerful than she imagined.

With unforeseen twists, romance, and a heavy sprinkle of magic, The Enchanted Hacienda is a captivating coming-of-age debut exploring identity, unconditional family love, and uncovering the magic within us all.

Thank you to Park Row for an ARC.

DEFINITELY ENCHANTING.

I liked this a lot more than I could have hoped when I took a chance on reading it. It very much has Encanto vibes but make it all about flowers and adult. I thought the magical realism aspects were woven in beautifully. I loooved all of the flower discussion and gardening and learning about the uniqueness of each bloom. That itself was really charming.

This was much more romance than I was expecting (yay!). I loved Ben and his entire demeanor and sense of self. He was sweet and I thought he and Harlow had some great chemistry. It’s fast paced without feeling like insta-love and I’m so glad there was an happy ending for them.

Lots of emotions and pulling at the heart strings as Harlow had to take a long hard look at what her life was like before she came back home and the newness of things that occurred over the book. Did she always handle it in the best way? No, but I liked that and appreciated the stumbling that it took to get to where she landed. The road isn’t easy, but hopefully worth it.

I was caught up in the the bit of mystery that was added and how the third act was going to be resolved. I LOVED the whole family, sisters, cousins, aunts, etc. Strong and tight family bonds are some of my favorite things in books and this had a great group. It’s a magical, good read and one to check out!

Overall audience notes:

  • Magical Realism + Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: two almost open scenes, + 1 very brief/vague open
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: a loved one with memory loss (side character)

ARC Book Review: How to Kiss Your Enemy (Hawthorne Brothers #3) by Jenny Proctor

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 280 pages
Author: Jenny Proctor
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: May 9th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

How is it possible for the chemistry between two chefs to be hotter than a ghost pepper yet colder than liquid nitrogen?

When THE Tatum Elliott shows up to run the catering kitchen at my family’s farm and event center, I don’t trust her anymore than I did back in culinary school.

But like it or not, she’s here. On my territory. My turf. In the kitchen that shares a building with my farm-to-table restaurant.

And she can’t seem to keep her hands off my parmesan.

Our old rivalry flares to life faster than a flambé, but there’s something else flaming between us too. And it’s heating up quicker than anything we’re making in the kitchen.

But I can’t forget that Tatum is the daughter of Gordon Elliott—America’s most famous chef. She belongs in a big city, in a restaurant with her name on it. Not running the catering arm of Stonebrook Farm.

Whatever her reasons for being here now, I can’t see her permanently walking away from the fame and fortune her father can offer her, no matter how well she fits in on the farm—how well she fits with me.

She’ll leave eventually—I’m sure of it. I just have to make sure that when she does, she doesn’t take my heart with her.

It’s enemies to lovers foodie edition in this fast-paced, banter-filled romcom from bestselling author, Jenny Proctor.

How to Kiss Your Enemy is a sweet romantic comedy with all the crackling chemistry and sizzling kisses you want in a closed-door romance but no explicit scenes.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

WHAT A GEM.

Another wonderful read from one of my favorite go-to closed door romance authors. I loved this!! Lennox and Tatum had this subtle enemy/angst vibe that grew into a beautiful romance and I loved every page.

Forced proximity is my kryptonite so I loved that Lennox and Tatum both worked near each other. It caused moment after moment of them meeting, reconnecting, and both coming to some realizations about how they’ve grown up since knowing each other in culinary school. I love great character growth and Tatum’s story especially was fantastic. I LOVELOVELOVE that she found a way to stand on her own and Lennox supported every step. This is another case of we’re having an argument but not breaking up third act and I am here for it x1000.

There’s plenty of swoony moments. Cooking for each other, snow storms without power, kisses in the office. ALL THERE. I just really loved how this relationship came together. It felt authentic and true. I adored the sweet dog. And I am absolutely IN LOVE with this family!! The conversations and text messages and the way the support is always there.

Another amazing installment in the Hawthorne brother’s series. This had a cozier vibe that I can’t quite nail down but know I FELT that had me snuggled up in a blanket devouring the pages. And now I am STOKED for Flint’s story!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of loss of a mother, strained father/daughter relationship, gaslighting (not b/t main couple), mentions of past cheating

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Book Review: West Side Love Story by Priscilla Oliveras

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Rating: ★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 331 pages
Author: Priscilla Oliveras
Publisher: Montlake
Release Date: June 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A heart-stirring romance of star-crossed love, feuding familias, and the bonds of sisterhood by USA Today bestselling author Priscilla Oliveras.

Two familias in Texas, both alike in dignity, rivalries, and passion…

Having grown up in the nurturing household of Casa Capuleta, Mariana will do anything for familia. To solve her adoptive parents’ financial problems amid their rapidly changing San Antonio comunidad, Mariana and her younger sisters are determined to win the Battle of the Mariachi Bands. That means competing against Hugo Montero, their father’s archnemesis, and his band and escalating a decades-old feud. It also raises the stakes of Mariana’s forbidden attraction for a certain dark-eyed mariachi who sets her heart racing.

To Angelo Montero’s familia, Mariana is also strictly off-limits. But that doesn’t stop him from pursuing her. As their secret affair intensifies and the competition grows fierce, they’re swept up in a brewing storm of betrayals, rivalries, and broken ties. Against the odds, they vow to bring peace. But sacrifices must be made and consequences weighed for two star-crossed lovers to make beautiful music together.

BLEH.

I wanted to love this so badly y’all. SO BADLY.

The culture and setting? Absolutely loved those. The reason I gave it even 2 stars to begin with. Everything else made me wish I just hadn’t finished.

I think my biggest issue was the writing style. It was intensely focused on over explanation factors. The main plot points were repeated almost every chapter and it needed more substance than that. And anything to do with the characters was mapped out or shown many yards before the character actually did something.

The romance had some cute moments. I didn’t totally find it at fault. The love scenes (even including the kissing scenes) made me straight up cringe. Not smooth or engaging. Poor word choices that I was not a fan of.

Anyways, I’ll stop. This didn’t work for me. But that doesn’t mean it couldn’t for you.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: open door
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: gentrification, a sibling who runs away, physical altercations

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