Tag: contemporary romance

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

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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

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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:

  • YA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: death of a father in a car accident

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Book Review: A Thousand Miles by Bridget Morrissey

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Bridget Morrissey
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: June 21st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After a decade of silence, Dee and Ben reunite for a road trip they once promised to take. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Dee Matthews is the cohost of the smash-hit podcast Did I Forget To Tell You?, where she interviews family, friends, and past lovers. Nothing is off limits, except for one man (known on the show only as Name Redacted) who happens to be her high school best friend Ben. During their senior year spring break, Dee and Ben took a road trip to visit Ben’s grandma. They buried a time capsule in her backyard, pledging to return in ten years to open it. Then their friendship fell apart in spectacular fashion. They haven’t spoken to each other since.

Ben Porter’s life since that moment has been unexciting but comfortable, until his grandma reveals a family secret that flips his whole world upside down. Her dying wish is for him to stop doing what is safest and go after what he really wants. He starts by showing up on Dee’s doorstep with every intention of fulfilling their long-ago promise. Despite her reservations, Dee can’t say no. This trip could be her chance to give her listeners the Name Redacted interview they’ve been begging for–and finally put her unresolved feelings for Ben to rest.

As the miles fly by, Dee and Ben’s friendship reignites. But the closer they get to reaching their destination, the more apparent it becomes that their attraction to each other cannot be ignored. Their last adventure ended in disaster, and they’re about to find out if any hope of a future together is in the rear view mirror.

MEH.

I’m writing this review only a few days after finishing this book and can hardly remember it. And that’s pretty much the crux of anything else I say after this point. It was fine, but not all the endearing.

I never liked the FMC, Dee. Something about her continually rubbed me the wrong way and I hated how she handled a lot of her interactions with Ben. Ben should have dropped his promise and moved right along. Admittedly, I did think there were some sweet moments. Those were very much overshadowed by everything else.

The podcast chapters were annoying. I didn’t think they added anything to the story (except for maybe the last one). It took me out and I just wanted to get back to the road trip. I did like the dual POV line-up because I love both sides of a tale.

And I think I’ve basically ran out of things to say, it was okay y’all. Moving along.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: infidelity mentioned, grief/loss depiction, death of a grandmother

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: May 2023

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My reading went out of control this month when I went on a Sanderson graphic novel/novella binge. I am DETERMINED to get caught up on all of his major works.

Pretty great reading month all around. Check it out and let me know if you spy any of your favorites!

Favorite Books this Month!

  • The Isles of the Gods
  • A Class of Her Own
  • If Only You
  • Crown of Midnight
  • How to Kiss Your Enemy
  • The Bridge Kingdom
  • Jade Shards
  • Hello Stranger
  • Heir of Fire
  • The Traitor Queen
  • Properly Kissed
  • The Inadequate Heir
  • Pier Pressure
  • From Lukov With Love
  • Appointment in Bath
  • Heir of Fire
  • The Endless War
  • When Kingdoms Fall
  • One Last Play
  • Celestial

Least Favorites…

  • To Hunt a Demon King
  • Friendshipped
  • A Sea of Blood and Sapphire
  • Winter’s Heart
  • The Last Word
  • [ALC] The Isles of the Gods (The Isles of the Gods #1) by Amie Kaufman
  • A Class of Her Own (The Thornback Society #1) by Aspen Hadley
  • [Novella] Defending Elysium (Skyward #0.5) by Brandon Sanderson
  • If Only You (Bergman Brothers #6) by Chloe Liese
  • The Secret Service of Tea and Treason (Dangerous Damsels #3) by India Holton
  • To Hunt a Demon King (King and Coven #1) by Madeleine Eliot
  • [Reread] Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas
  • The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson
  • [ARC] How to Kiss Your Enemy (Hawthorne Brothers #3) by Jenny Proctor
  • Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries (Emily Wilde #1) by Heather Fawcett
  • [Reread] The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom #1) by Danielle L. Jensen
  • [ARC] Jade Shards (The Green Bone Saga #0.75) by Fonda Lee
  • Feather (Angels of Elysium #1) by Olivia Wildenstein
  • [ARC/ALC] Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
  • [Reread] Heir of Fire (Throne Of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas
  • Iron Gold (Red Rising Saga #5) by Pierce Brown
  • [ARC] King’s Bride (The Chronicles of Urn #1) by Beck Michaels
  • [Reread] The Traitor Queen (The Bridge Kingdom #2) by Danielle L. Jensen
  • [Novella] The Original by Brandon Sanderson
  • Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher
  • Cursed Crowns (Twin Crowns #2) by Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber
  • [Short Story] The Hope of Elantris (Elantris #1.5) by Brandon Sanderson
  • [Novella] Properly Kissed (Bradwell Brothers #0.5) by Kasey Stockton
  • Friendshipped (Getting Shipped #1) by Savannah Scott
  • [Short Story] The Eleventh Metal (The Mistborn Saga #0.5) by Brandon Sanderson
  • [Short Story] Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania (The Cosmere) by Brandon Sanderson
  • A Sea of Blood and Sapphire by Florence Gray
  • [ARC] A Lady’s Promise by Ranee S. Clark
  • The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren
  • [Reread] The Inadequate Heir (The Bridge Kingdom #3) by Danielle L. Jensen
  • The Blameless (The Blameless #1) by E.S. Christison
  • [Novella] Mistborn: Secret History (Mistborn #3.5) by Brandon Sanderson
  • [ARC] The Roommate Pact by Allison Ashley
  • [Graphic Novel] White Sand Vol. 1 by Brandon Sanderson
  • [Graphic Novel] White Sand Vol. 2 by Brandon Sanderson
  • [Graphic Novel] White Sand Vol. 3 by Brandon Sanderson
  • Winter’s Heart (The Wheel of Time #9) by Robert Jordan
  • Pier Pressure (Deadlights Cove #4) by Aimee Vance and B. Perkins
  • [Reread] From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata
  • [Novella] Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell by Brandon Sanderson
  • [Novella] Sixth of the Dusk by Brandon Sanderson
  • One Night Only by Catherine Walsh
  • Beautifully Broken Pieces (Sutter Lake #1) by Catherine Cowles
  • [ARC] Appointment in Bath (Somerset Stories #4) by Mimi Matthews
  • Dust (Heirs of Neverland #1) by Kara Swanson
  • The Endless War (The Bridge Kingdom #4) by Danielle L. Jensen
  • [Reread] Iron Gold (Red Rising #4) by Pierce Brown
  • When Kingdoms Fall by Callie Dahl
  • The Stolen Throne (Dominions #2) by Abigail Owen
  • Love on Camera (The Wonder Boys #1) by Dana LeCheminant
  • One Last Play (Sweet Peach #4) by Annah Conwell
  • Celestial (Angels of Elysium #2) by Olivia Wildenstein
  • The Last Word by Katy Birchall

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