Tag: contemporary romance

Book Review: Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Ellie Palmer
Publisher: GP Putnam’s Sons
Release Date: August 6th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A tender, laugh-out-loud debut romance about a woman who ends up in over her head after a little white lie . . .

When thirty-year-old post-double-mastectomy BRCA 1 carrier and reluctant thrill-seeker Alison Mullally arrives at her ex-boyfriend Sam’s funeral to find that no one knows he dumped her, she agrees to play the grieving girlfriend for the sake of the family and pack up Sam’s apartment with his prickly best friend, Adam Berg. After all, it’ll only take four weekends . . .

But Adam doesn’t want Alison anywhere near him. Forced to spend long hours with the grump, and his monosyllabic demeanor, Alison decides she must put her people-pleasing abilities to the test. She will make him like her. And after awkward family affairs and packing up dilemmas, the two form a tenuous friendship . . . if “friendship” means incredible chemistry and tension between them. Can Alison come clean and finally embrace the life and love she’s always wanted? Or will her little white lie get in the way of her new, unexpected romance?

NEW FAN.

I will officially be reading Ellie Palmer’s next book because this hit all the right notes for me. It was a well balanced romance and I loved the themes and story too.

It’s just a romantic read. I loved listening to the audio and was heavily invested in Alison and Adam’s story. The slow burn was incredible and I loved seeing these quiet moments they got together and the joy they found in each other’s company.

There’s good character growth in Alison’s story too. Her story line packed an emotional punch that had me teary eyed at the grocery store. The journey was beautiful and swoony and impactful on many levels.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Content Warnings: themes surrounding breast cancer (throughout), loss of a friend, grief depiction

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Book Review: Morbidly Yours (Love in Galway #1) by Ivy Fairbanks

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 328 pages
Author: Ivy Fairbanks
Publisher: Lassen Press
Release Date: July 25th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Callum Flannelly would rather dive into an open grave than take a stranger to dinner and a movie. But he can only inherit the family undertaking business and carry on their legacy under one condition: He must marry before his 35th birthday. So it’s out of the mortuary and into the dating scene.

Lark Thompson would rather get crushed by a falling anvil than stay next to a funeral home during her stay in Galway, Ireland. The vivacious American cartoon creator and animator came here to embrace life, not be reminded of losing her husband.

When Lark learns of Callum’s dilemma and aversion to marrying out of necessity rather than love, she agrees to help the introverted mortician. Although sworn off love herself, she is optimistic that Callum can find The One and secure his inheritance.

But as the dating project progresses and their friendship grows, so does a mutual attraction. The more time she spends with serious, sarcastic Callum, the more she dreads finding him a match. And the more disastrous dates he endures, the more he dreads Lark’s imminent return to the states.

If they think it’s possible to ignore their connection, they’re dead wrong.

I LIKED THIS!

This was my first book by this author and it was a good read. I loved the audiobook too and thought the narrators did a great job with the accents. The general set up of this book is not one I’m drawn to (because death terrifies me) BUT, I loved the way this was handled and discussed throughout. I had no anxious moment from listening and loved seeing Callum’s perspective throughout.

I loved how these two slowly came together. There’s a building friendship that spirals into more and I loved how Callum and Lark grew to communicate with each other and be the sense of peace they needed. I do think the spice got to be a little much for me in the second half (but hey, if you love spice, read it).

There were a few things that bugged me throughout and the third act wasn’t my favorite. It’s a good book though and I might look into reading the next one.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: multiple open door
  • Content Warnings: loss of a spouse (recounted), discussions around death

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Book Review: The Island House (Getaway Bay Romance #1) by Elena Johnson

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Rating: ★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 256 pages
Author: Elena Johnson
Publisher: AEJ Creative Works
Release Date: July 20th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Charlotte Madsen’s whole world came crashing down six months ago with the words, “I met someone else.”

Thirty-seven, recently divorced, and childless. That’s Charlotte when she disembarks from the plane in Getaway Bay. She wants to get away, that’s for sure. She thought the best way to do that was to buy a run-down house overlooking the bay, knowing she’ll need all her fixer-upper skills to get it in shape. Which is just fine. She’s hoping as she overhauls the house, she’ll get a life makeover too.

She was not expecting a tall, handsome man to be under the kitchen sink when she arrives at the supposedly abandoned house. She wasn’t expecting to get drenched when the non-plumber twists something the wrong way. And she certainly wasn’t expecting her heart to be well enough to feel anything for anyone.

But former Air Force pilot, Dawson Dane, has a charming devil-may-care personality, and Charlotte could use some carefree laughter in her life. But everything with Dawson isn’t sunshine and unicorns. He’s estranged from his family, though he does speak to one of his brothers. And he’s never committed to anything except his career, even choosing flying over an engagement years ago.

Can Charlotte navigate the healing process as she renovates the island house? Can Dawson finally make a commitment to a woman? Or will he and Charlotte decide a relationship is just too hard?

DID NOT WORK FOR ME.

Well y’all. This wasn’t it. It’s a short read so luckily it only took up about an hour and a half of my day (I listen to audiobooks fast, don’t judge me).

This started out as the typical beach read book. Which I didn’t mind!! I love that vibe and was hopeful about where it was going to go. The plot set-up worked for me. Plenty of forced proximity, a woman moving on from divorce and the hot guy who happens to be at her house. It works!

BUT. The insta-love does not. For someone who can’t stop mentioning not being ready for a relationship, Charlotte sure does jump in fast. Dawson, right along with her. I really would have loved more build-up. There’s some sweet moments of connection and communication between them but it all felt a little tainted by time. Not to mention, the third act made me cranky so it just fell apart.

Any who. Not sure I’ll read anymore books by this author.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Content Warnings: divorce

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Book Review: Twenty-Four Seconds from Now… by Jason Reynolds

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 256 pages
Author: Jason Reynolds
Publisher: Atheneum
Release Date: October 8th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds tackles it—you know…it—from the guy’s perspective in this unfiltered and undeniably sweet stream of consciousness story of a teen boy about to experience a huge first.

Twenty-four months ago: Neon gets chased by a dog all around the parking lot of a church. Not his finest moment. And definitely one he would have loved to forget if it weren’t for the dog’s owner: Aria. Dressed in sweats, a t-shirt, hair in a ponytail. Aria. Way more than fine.

Twenty-four weeks ago: Neon’s dad insists on talking to him about tenderness and intimacy. Neon and Aria are definitely in love, and while they haven’t taken that next big step…yet, they’ve starting talking about…that.

Twenty-four days ago: Neon’s mom finds her—gulp—bra in his room. Hey! No judging! Those hook thingies are complicated! So he’d figured he’d better practice, what with the big day only a month away.

Twenty-four minutes ago: Neon leaves his shift at work at his dad’s bingo hall, making sure to bring some chicken tenders for Aria. They’re not candlelight and they definitely aren’t caviar, but they are her favorite.

And right this second? Neon is locked in Aria’s bathroom, completely freaking out because twenty-four seconds from now he and Aria are about to…about to… Well, they won’t do anything if he can’t get out of his own head (all the advice, insecurities, and what ifs) and out of this bathroom!

Thank you Simon Teen for the gifted copy.

I LIKED IT.

I do admit, that the central premise of this book isn’t my favorite. So I didn’t know what to except going in for how I’d feel. It was a surprisingly quick read with a lot of good woven in.

I loved how loving and supportive Neon’s family was. The conversations are embarrassing and sometimes hard to hear, but it always came from a place of love and I loved the security of his family. The sibling banter was great and I thought the all of the small side characters shown well too.

The twenty four concept was unique and I loved the backwards glimpses into each moment. I think Aria and Neon were cute and I would have loved even more of their relationship too.

This wasn’t on my radar but I’m grateful I got the chance to read it!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: closed door

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