Tag: contemporary romance

ARC Book Review: First Impressions of You by Gabriela Graciosa Guedes

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 330 pages
Author: Gabriela Graciosa Guedes
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 25th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that an immigrant woman, in possession of no green card, must be in want of a husband.

Luiza Bento will do anything in her power to stay in the United States, except follow what everyone seems to consider the best strategy: a marriage of convenience for the green card.

She’s determined to find a job that will get her to stay, but finding an acting job as a plus-size Latina is hard enough. One that will sponsor her visa? Almost impossible.

After months of working at a theme park, an opportunity to audition for their theater department finally comes around. The only problem? She’s starring opposite Winter Davis, a high-and-mighty snob, who seems to think his past as a child star makes him better than everyone.

How can they play long-lost friends madly in love if their first impressions of each other were anything but friendly?

Brazilian author Gabriela Graciosa Guedes’s debut, FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF YOU, is a modern-day Pride and Prejudice retelling set in Los Angeles, with a theme park as the backdrop.

Prepare to fall in love with your next brooding book boyfriend in this delicious slow burn filled with banter and steam! 2023

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

IT WAS OKAY.

I feel like this hit that middle ground of reads for me. I liked some things, and did not like others. Lets get into it.

What I struggled with was the surface level feeling the book gave me. And the chaotic drama that I never got on board with. The beginning felt forced between Winter and Luiza and when the relationship started I just wasn’t into the chemistry between them.

The setting is fun with the Movieland concept and performing shows. I enjoyed Luiza as a main character. She felt authentic and was someone that I wanted to cheer on and hope that they got what they were after. Luiza was passionate about being an actress and I loved that for her. Things do wrap up well and I admit the second half was better. There’s some good quotable confessions from Winter and you get to see his soft side break through.

It very much is a Pride and Prejudice retelling and I liked noticing those aspects too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 2-3 open door; low-moderate explicit

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Book Review: The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Fiction + Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Courtney Walsh
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: June 13th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s out to prove that there’s no such thing as choosing happiness.

Isadora Bentley follows the rules. Isadora Bentley likes things just so. Isadora Bentley believes that happiness is something that flat-out doesn’t exist in her life—and never will.

As a university researcher, Isadora keeps to herself as much as possible. She avoids the students she’s supposed to befriend and mentor. She stays away from her neighbors and lives her own quiet, organized life in her own quiet, organized apartment. And she will never get involved in a romantic relationship again—especially with another academic. It will be just Isadora and her research. Forever.

But on her thirtieth birthday, Isadora does something completely out of character. The young woman who never does anything “on a whim” makes an impulse purchase of a magazine featuring a silly article detailing “Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy”—which includes everything from smiling at strangers to exercising for endorphins to giving in to your chocolate cravings. Isadora decides to create her own secret research project—proving the writer of the ridiculous piece wrong.

As Isadora gets deeper into her research—and meets a handsome professor along the way—she’s stunned to discover that maybe, just maybe, she’s proving herself wrong. Perhaps there’s actually something to this happiness concept, and possibly there’s something to be said for loosening up and letting life take you somewhere . . . happy.

Thank you LibroFM for the gifted audiobook.

HIT ME IN THE FEELS.

I wasn’t expecting this book to hit on so many personal things in my own soul. As someone who’s always struggled to connect and make lasting friendships, I could not get enough of Isadora’s journey and loved seeing her grow and struggle and ultimately find the happiness she had been searching for.

It’s not heavy on the romance, but it is there, and it is SWEET. I adored the relationship and even with the third act break-up, it worked. I loved all of the sweet, soft moments and how they learned to be there for each other.

And I LOVED all of Isadora’s new friends, young and old. It was absolutely heart-warming and made me misty eyed over and over again.

The audiobook was stellar and I’m so grateful I got to listen to that option.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Fiction + Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of loss of a loved one (side character), an emotionally manipulative/gaslighting ex, strained parental relationship

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ARC Book Review: How to Kiss a Movie Star (Hawthorne Brothers #4) by Jenny Proctor

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 325 pages
Author: Jenny Proctor
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 18th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He’s Hollywood’s biggest star. She wouldn’t know him from the pizza delivery guy.

I’m a wildlife biologist in a tiny mountain town, not some kind of law-breaking celebrity stalker. At least not on purpose.

It was an accident when I wandered onto the property of one of Hollywood’s hottest movie stars. Five minutes ago, I’d never even heard of Flint Hawthorne. I definitely didn’t know he lives in Silver Creek.

When I’m detained for trespassing, the last thing I expect is to trade my handcuffs for a designer gown. All I wanted was permission to conduct my research on a remote corner of his estate.

Now I’m walking the red carpet of a Hollywood movie premiere as Flint’s (very fake) girlfriend.

At least, the relationship is supposed to be fake. But the way he slips his arm around me, his breath tickling my ear, the chemistry feels like something real.

The trouble is, I’m not really built to handle his fast-paced celebrity life. Most days, I prefer the company of squirrels to people. I should be glad we’re only pretending.

I’m just not sure my heart got the memo.

Perfect for fans of swoony romantic comedy, this series finale from bestseller Jenny Proctor hits all the right notes!

Books in the How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother series are connected but can be read in any order.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

MY NEW FAVORITE EVER.

I don’t know how to be coherent when I really want to shout I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH GO READ IT RIGHT NOW. It was everything I could have hoped for in closing out this series and I am a puddle of emotions over the ending.

FLINT AND AUDREY. I think what really sells me on an amazing romance is when I love the characters separate AND together. The chemistry was well timed and the banter was on point. AND HE FELL FIRST. AND FELL HARD. Oh my gosh, Flint Hawthorne. And I adored Audrey. She was brave and so very brilliant and I love how these two opposites came together.

The plot had all of the little moments I could have hoped for. And while being closed door/sweet it still brought that little bit of heat you could feel burning off the pages. I love an intense kiss scene and this one had multiple. And the third act was beautifully and realistically handled and I’m all in my feels again just writing this review.

Not to mention I LOVE the whole Hawthorne family. Getting to see where they are, the text conversations and just the SUPPORT.

I love Jenny Proctor’s books! Incredibly excited to see what’s next.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: unwanted grabbing, harassment by media

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Book Review: Back to You (San Diego Marines #1) by Jess Mastorakos

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Rating: ★★☆
Audience: NA Contemporary Romance
Length: 362 pages
Author: Jess Mastorakos
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Biggest mistake I’ve ever made? Kissing my best friend.

I’ve never been a relationship guy. Sure, I have Ellie—my best friend since middle school who’s been by my side through the good and the very bad—but with girls who aren’t Ellie? One date is enough.

Then when I get back from boot camp, one kiss changes everything. But also, nothing’s changed. Ellie still wants to settle down with a picket fence and kids, and she knows I don’t.

And now there’s heat when she looks at me in my new uniform. It makes me wonder if I didn’t want that kind of life, or if I didn’t want it with anyone but her.

But I’ve made one mistake after another with Ellie, so now I have to convince her that it’s okay to want me too.

Back to You is a sweet romance told from alternating POVs, set in the world of The San Diego Marines. Each book can be read as a standalone but are fun to read in order.

BOO.

I just didn’t love this one at all. I went in with hope and came out wondering if I’d give this author another go.

Most of the story just involved drama. Drama over here, drama over there. Not actually building the plot or developing the characters just DRAMA. It was kind of like a formulaic hallmark movie, but not the kind you enjoy reading.

Things got off to a fine start. I liked the friends to lovers idea and the kiss scenes were great too.

I wanted to love this and wish it had worked out better for me. I don’t want to sit here and bash though so I’ll leave this as strike in the miss column and move on to the next.

Overall audience notes:

  • New Adult Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent recounted

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