Tag: contemporary romance

Book Review: The Fine Print (Dreamland Billionaires #1) by Lauren Asher

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 448 pages
Author: Lauren Asher
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: July 8th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Rowan
I’m in the business of creating fairy tales.
Theme parks. Production companies. Five-star hotels.
Everything could be all mine if I renovated Dreamland.
My initial idea of hiring Zahra was good in theory, but then I kissed her.
Things spiraled out of control once I texted her using an alias.
By the time I realized where I went wrong, it was too late.
People like me don’t get happy endings.
Not when we’re destined to ruin them.

Zahra
After submitting a drunk proposal criticizing Dreamland’s most expensive ride, I should have been fired.
Instead, Rowan Kane offered me a dream job.
The catch? I had to work for the most difficult boss I’d ever met.
Rowan was rude and completely off-limits, but my heart didn’t care.
At least not until I discovered his secret.
It was time to teach the billionaire that money couldn’t fix everything.
Especially not us.

THOUGHTS.

In all honesty I would probably give this book three stars, but it was compulsively readable and that to me, deserves the extra star. For a big contemporary, I flew through it. Felt invested enough and at least it had a good ending.

I thought a lot of the innuendo was poorly done. It felt randomly placed and unnecessary? That might be a me thing, but I like it all to flow and this felt like some sentences were added for “spice” and that’s a big nope from me. It’s steamier overall than I usually go for. It is easily skippable and isn’t until the second half.

The grump and sunshine trope was on point though. I loved the juxtaposition between these two and the continual collisions that brought them together. I thought Rowan exhibited a ton of growth through his thick skull as this story progressed. Wanted to shake him a few times, but it’s all part of the process. Zahra was fantastic. A heroine I could easily get behind. I liked that she always stood up for herself and had a great sense of optimism.

Plot wise, I found it fun to be whisked away into a billionaire’s world. All of the things Rowan could do at the drop of a hat that I couldn’t fathom. Oh the fun of reading! Things weren’t always realistic and I like that necessary suspension for a romance. A good read, I think I’ll try the next book and see how I feel there.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: three explicit open door + innuendo
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: suicidal ideation recounted, death of a parent recounted

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Book Review: Later On We’ll Conspire (Christmas Escapes #6) by Kortney Keisel

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 338 pages
Author: Kortney Keisel
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 22nd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Everyone loves a Christmas surprise––just not when it’s a spy in disguise.
Lacee:

I’ll be home for Christmas…alone was the plan, but everything changes when I bump into a handsome stranger who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. So there’s a new plan, a plan that involves a casual holiday fling. Merry Christmas to me.

But spending the holidays with Park Bradshaw in my charming hometown turns into Mission Impossible when I find out his knife skills go way beyond carving the Christmas ham.

Now I’m on the run, living out my own Christmas version of Die Hard, where making it home in time for Christmas is the least of my worries. I just want to make it home alive ––and hopefully not lose my heart to the one man I’m not sure I can trust.

Because as the countdown to Christmas ticks on like a bomb, I’m left wondering which side he’s on.

◆ Later On We’ll Conspire is a laugh-out-loud, closed-door romance full of sizzle, chemistry, and witty banter that might require you to suspend a little disbelief.

A LOT OF FUN.

If you’re looking for a unique holiday romance, this is it. Read this book. I’ve been waiting for this one since it was announced and it did not disappoint.

I loved the hidden identities spy mystery plot. It’s still kept light and humorous, but adds that bit of an intense edge that plays off of everything else beautifully. Lacee and Park end up having to work together and you wouldn’t believe the sparks that fly off of these two.

The plot meandered just a bit for me and I think that’s why I’m feeling closer to a four star. Don’t get me wrong, LOVED this book, but there’s something holding me back.

The story itself had me speeding through it and I liked the level of Christmas feels it gives. There’s plenty of fiery banter (and faaantastic) kisses that I love, especially in categorically sweet romances. The twists are easy to guess yet so entertaining to watch unfold. I laughed out loud quite a bit and think this is one of the better Christmas books I’ve ever read. I love when things feel fresh!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, gun violence, physical altercations

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ARC Book Review: Do I Know You? by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Publisher: Berkley Books
Release Date: January 24th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When a couple starts to feel like they’re married to a stranger, a flirtatious game of pretend becomes the spark they need to reignite their relationship.

Eliza and Graham are anticipating an anything-but-sexy, weeklong getaway to celebrate their five-year anniversary. Nestled on the Northern California coastline, the resort prides itself on being a destination for those in love and those looking to find it. For Eliza and Graham, it might as well be a vacation with a roommate.

When a well-meaning guest mistakes Eliza and Graham for being single and introduces them at the hotel bar, they don’t correct him. Suddenly, they’re pretending to be perfect strangers and it’s unexpectedly…fun? Eliza and Graham find themselves flirting like it’s their first date, and waiting with butterflies in their stomach for the other to text back.

Everyone at the retreat can sense the electric chemistry between Eliza and Graham’s alter egos. But when their scintillating game of roleplaying ends, will they still feel the heat?

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the eARC.

ABSOLUTELY LOVED.

You know what got me off on the perfect foot with this book? That Graham and Eliza weren’t two bitter, mean characters where you didn’t even want to cheer them on to fix their marriage. These two LOVE each other and WANT deeply to make things work and that made me love them immediately and want the best for them.

I thought it was a fun idea to kind of “role play” to get out of their own way. It led to some good banter and to some moments that truths could be revealed. For a book set at only a resort I thought there were ample opportunities for activities that didn’t feel forced and allowed major character development.

Side note to David? CAN HE HAVE HIS OWN BOOK PLEASE? I loved him so much and how good of a friend he was! He was the perfect side character touch that brought some lightness and helped Graham by being someone he could talk too.

Eliza took the most time to really break down some barriers. What I loved though is that Graham talked and approached things with such love. There was no condemning and call outs. He voiced his thoughts and Eliza started to truly reflect on how she handles conflict and tough situations. Same went for Graham’s growth. Once Eliza was aware of what was happening for him, she went out of her way to make obvious remarks to build his confidence. I LOVE THAT SO MUCH.

There’s a beautiful focus on the fact marriages aren’t perfect, but two people who want badly enough to try and work together and stay open to communicating can make it perfect. I loved many of the dialogue surrounding communication and asking questions and finding new ways to keep loving the person that changes over time with you.

This is there best adult book yet.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: two brief open; low explicit
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: strained familial relations

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Book Review: Mr. HOA (Fake It #1) by Carina Taylor

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 216 pages
Author: Carina Taylor
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: June 30th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Bane Fox knows exactly what he wants in life: financial stability.

He does not want to be homeless.
He does not want to be the president of an HOA.

It’s rather unfortunate he is both of those things.

Oh, and did I forget to mention he has a fake wife?
Yeah, that’s me.

MOSTLY CHARMING.

All signs pointed to this being my kind of read, fake marriage, forced proximity, and more. And I did enjoy a lot of it, just had some missed connections.

Bane and Nola were super sweet together. Definitely had the instant chemistry. The banter really held the torch between them. I loooove that they were stuck in a house together and the slow movements that brought them to a real relationship. While all of that was good, I also felt like I never fully got on board with them. Maybe a lack of more moments between them or a bit more angst, I’m not sure, but something was missing.

The plot was fun too! I liked the setup. Different scenarios made me laugh. Though, SO MANY of the neighbors really irked me. I did not like their antics and it seemed really forced.

Not my favorite of Taylor’s, hoping to try another at some point.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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