Tag: contemporary romance

Book Review: Happy Place by Emily Henry

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Emily Henry
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: April 25th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A couple who broke up months ago make a pact to pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends in this glittering and wise new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.

Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t.

They broke up six months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.

Which is how they find themselves sharing the largest bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blue week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.

Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week…in front of those who know you best?

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for an eARC.

RELATABLE.

I didn’t know how I was going to feel about this one. I do think it’s Henry’s heaviest book and that you should definitely be aware going in! Not in a lengthy list of trigger warnings way, just the real life can bring you down way. The happy place ideal is oddly ironic for this book and by the end I liked how it was all portrayed.

The romance is a little more at the forefront than Book Lover (but not as much as BR/PWMOV). I liked seeing more of it and watching Harriet and Wyn’s story unfold. There was just the right amount of flashback chapters to add to the plot without feeling like everything was stuck in the past. Harriet and Wyn had some great banter, truly tender moments and I was loving the raw communication and anger that came out in the end.

Friendships are another main focus and, at times, over shadowed Harriet’s journey. The last 20% really hit me in the feels though with the many sentiments expressed. Life is hard, feelings are hard, and the parents you have truly play a part on how you view your future self and relationships. I am satisfied with how all of the friendships worked out too though. It’s something special to have that type of bond with others.

An impactful read that had me thinking and reflecting a lot. Do I still wish the romance was even more at the front? Yes. And there were a few scenes here and there that I thought slowed down progression. A glory days atmosphere I could have been cool without.

I loved the core of the story and the messages it left me with. And I thought Harriet really came into her own in the end and I LOVED that journey for her.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: one full open; medium explicit + some almost scenes and fade to black
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: losing a parent, grief depression and anxiety depictions, use of recreational drugs, alcohol use

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Book Review: A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 416 pages
Author: Tashie Bhuiyan
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Release Date: May 10th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Mina Rahman has a plan for her future:
• Finally win the Golden Ivy student film competition
• Get into her dream school across the country
• Leave New York City behind once and for all

Mina’s ticket to winning the competition falls into her lap when indie film star—and known heartbreaker—Emmitt Ramos enrolls in her high school under a secret identity to research his next role. When Mina sets out to persuade Emmitt to join her cause, he offers her a deal instead: he’ll be in her short film…if she acts as a tour guide to help him with a photography contest.

As Mina ventures across the five boroughs with Emmitt by her side, the city she grew up in starts to look different and more like home than it ever has before. With the competition deadline looming, Mina’s dreams—which once seemed impenetrable—begin to crumble, and she’s forced to ask herself: Is winning worth losing everything?

EXHAUSTING.

I adored this author’s first book and have been very excited to read book two. Unfortunately, this book left me feeling nothing but exhausted.

I was exhausted with the hateful parents (that we didn’t even get an ending or some kind of wrap up with??). A lot of this book was spent fighting. Over everything. And I thought the focus could have been a bit broader so character growth on all sides could be found.

Aaaand the romance. D*ickhead is not a term of endearment. I will not be accepting other opinions at this time. Full stop. I’ve overlooked smarta** in some books that have used it sparingly as endearing, buuut I can not even with d*ckhead. What started off as a name used when Mina and Emmitt get off on the wrong foot somehow turned into a “charming” word and I cringed every time I heard it. AND SHE WAS SO MEAN. That’s not how enemies/rivals/whatever to lovers is supposed to go.

It’s fast paced and they’re some good conversations about culture, expectations and passions. The small pieces in there kept this rating at a three star. I needed so much more from this than I was given and I too tired to continue.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: emotional parental abuse, depression, grief/loss depiction, death of a father mentioned

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ARC Book Review: Desire or Defense (Hooked on a Feeling #1) by Leah Brunner

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Sports Romance
Length: 275 pages
Author: Leah Brunner
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 18th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I’m not the hero in this story.

I’m the villain…

The notoriously angry, grouchy, D.C. Eagles defenseman that just can’t keep his temper in check. The temper that leads to a fifteen game suspension from the NHL.

As if that’s not bad enough, I’m forced into a short term youth-hockey coaching gig. Which my manager swears will “rebuild my image.”

But what I didn’t expect was for a gorgeous, spunky blonde to stomp onto the ice on day one and lecture me about being rude to her little brother.

Something about this spitfire of a woman, and the boy she’s so protective of, has my defenses melting.

And if I’m not careful, I’ll burst into flames, forever melting the ice I’ve carefully kept around my heart.

Thank you to the author for an eARC!

ABSOLUTELY LOVED.

This book has my whole heart and is Leah Brunner’s best book yet.

I LOVED Mitch. I loved his grumpy nature and his cinnamon roll center. The positive mental health conversations and therapy discussions were amazing and one of my favorite aspects. I also loved Andie. She was a wonderful FMC who did her best to look for things to be grateful for and was just someone I really wanted to be friends with.

All of the hockey dynamics were woven just right and I couldn’t get enough. Alongside the games was the best cast of side characters and teammates. I love them all and I loved every time they popped up. I’m already excited for the next book.

Noah was one of the sweetest kids I’ve read. I loved him too (see a theme?). He added so much to the story and I loved his placed between Andie and Mitch.

I need to address the third act too!!! It was PERFECT. Instead of a breakup that wouldn’t make sense it was more of a *take a breath* moment. I could rave all day just about this scene and the follow through. GAH THIS WHOLE BOOK WAS MAGNIFICENT.

Read and love it with me!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Sports Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of parents, scenes involving therapy, parental abandonment, an incarcerated parent, brief physical altercations, bullying

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Book Review: Funny Feelings by Tarah Dewitt

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 392 pages
Author: Tarah Dewitt
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 28th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Farley Jones is being forced to date Meyer Harrigan, the man she has come to love, in order to make all of her stand-up dreams come true.

It’s agony— a tragedy, even. In lieu of flowers, please send cash…

Meyer and his daughter Hazel have been everything to her since they came into her life three years ago. So, all joking aside, the stakes really are high when it’s not only her career, but both of those relationships on the line.

A former stand-up star himself, Meyer has helped the trajectory of her career take off since he began managing her… Since he became her closest and most treasured friend, in the process.

This is the only reason why, when the biggest opportunity of Farley’s career includes thrusting him back into the spotlight to stir up publicity, he agrees— despite his grumpiness, his protectiveness over Hazel, and his disdain for public attention.

When helping her includes taking those barriers down, all those funny feelings start coming out into the open, and it quickly begins to feel like anything but a joke.

Funny Feelings is a swoony story about friendship, love, and looking for the laugh in life. It touches on the creative spirit and all that comes with sharing that gift, and how oftentimes the comedians in our lives are the most sensitive, or struggling. It features two friends, one incredible little girl, and a kaleidoscope of feelings along the way.

WONDERFUL.

I had mixed feelings towards Dewitt’s first book Rootbound. Funny Feelings on the other hand? This was an easy mark for the win column. The writing was better, the tension was sweeter and the story itself just had a lot of great aspects.

The grump and sunshine trope was awesome. I loved the dynamics between Farley and Meyer. Fiery banter and unrequited love that had me aching to know what would happen next. Also, Hazel???? OMG LOVED HER. Single Dad trope and his adorable daughter were AMAZING. I loved the deaf rep and I thought everything was handled well.

It was a bit crude/crass for me at times. Some of the jokes just weren’t my cup of tea (and that’s okay). I did truly laugh at others though! I liked the comedian angle and haven’t come across that in a romance read so learning about some of those dynamics was a nice touch too.

Third act conflict wise, meh. I don’t think Meyer and Farley needed it? It felt out of place, then dragged a little too long, with a super quick resolution. Not the end of the world, just not my favorite either. MEYER was my favorite though. Still swooning over many lines that man said.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: multiple open door; medium explicit
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: grief and depression depiction, therapy, loss of a loved one, bullying

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