Tag: contemporary romance

Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: November 2021

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Birthday month was a success! Lots of great reads, and plenty of holiday books too.

Favorites of the Month (there were a lot!): When You Get the Chance, The Fastest Way to Fall, Echoes and Empires, The Hating Game, The Flight Girls, Aurora’s End, A Cross-Country Christmas, The Song of the Marked, The Off-Limits Rule, The Inadequate Heir, A Twist of the Blade, and Cytonic

Least Favorites: Jade Fire Gold, What Are Friends For?, Lovelight Farms, and A Convenient Christmas

  • [ARC] When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord
  • [Novella] ReDawn: Skyward Flight (Skyward #2.2) by Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson
  • Jade Fire Gold by June C.L. Tan
  • The Fastest Way to Fall by Denise Williams
  • [ARC] Echoes and Empires (Echoes and Empires #1) by Morgan Rhodes
  • The Great Hunt (The Wheel of Time #2) by Robert Jordan
  • [Reread] The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
  • The Flight Girls by Noelle Salazar
  • Gilded (Gilded #1) by Marissa Meyer
  • What Are Friends For? (Love in Fenton County #1) by Sarah Sutton
  • [ARC] A Song Among the Silence (The Rhythmist Cycle #1) by Julie Janis
  • Aurora’s End (The Aurora Cycle #3) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
  • A Cross-Country Christmas by Courtney Walsh
  • The Song of the Marked (Shadows and Crowns #1) by S.M. Gaither
  • [ARC] The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
  • Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
  • Vespertine (Vespertine #1) by Margaret Rogerson
  • One Way or Another by Kara McDowell
  • [ARC] Edgewood by Kristin Ciccarelli
  • [Reread] The Off-Limits Rule (It Happened in Nashville #1) by Sarah Adams
  • The Inadequate Heir (The Bridge Kingdom #3) by Danielle L. Jensen
  • Duke, Actually (A Princess for Christmas #2) by Jenny Holiday
  • [Novella] A Holiday by Gaslight by Mimi Mathews
  • A Twist of the Blade (Shadows and Crowns #2) by S.M. Gaither
  • A Convenient Christmas (Isn’t It Sweet #1) by Jody Holford
  • [ARC] Beyond the Lavender Fields by Arlem Hawks
  • [Novella] Christmas in Love by Karen Thornell
  • The Burning God (The Poppy War #3) by R.F. Kuang
  • Cytonic (Skyward #3) by Brandon Sanderson
  • A Very Grumpy Christmas by Jerica MacMillan
  • These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
  • [Novella] Merry Hearts (Poplar Falls #4.5) by Amber Kelly

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Book Review: A Hand-Me-Down Heart (Texas General Cases of Romance #1) by Becki Willis

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Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 148 pages
Author: Becki Willis
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: November 24th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Grace Stavenaugh has lived her life in the shadow of her older sister. Even as children, Hope was always the talented one and Grace the smart one. Hope received the attention, the boyfriends, and the beautiful clothes; Grace received the hand-me-downs.

The leftovers never bothered Grace, until it came to one boy. Her sister went through boyfriends and their affections like she did her clothes, carelessly tossing one aside in favor of another. Often left to stall her sister’s adoring public, Cruz Colton was the one boy Grace never objected to entertaining. As their friendship grew and Grace found herself falling for the boy with the quiet sense of humor, she began to imagine he really came to see her, and not her sister. But one fateful night changed that perception, and she realized his was only a hand-me-down heart, after all. Long ago, Grace banished thoughts of Cruz from her mind, even if her heart was reluctant to let his memory go.

Ten years later, their paths cross again. Grace is living her dream as a registered nurse, Hope is a brilliant concert violinist, and Cruz has a distinguished career in the military. Recently discharged from service, Cruz checks in at Texas General Hospital where Grace works.

And just like that, Grace’s heart picks up where it left off.

She tells herself she’s over him. These sparks between them are nothing but leftover embers from bridges burned, a decade past. The adult Cruz is a changed, hardened man. The shadows in his dark eyes speak of hidden secrets and the horrors of war. Is Grace strong enough to help him battle his inner demons? And with Hope back in town, can Grace stand up to her sister’s domineering presence?

Grace may have been content in the shadows as a girl, but she’s a woman now, and she knows what she wants. It’s time to let her own light shine, because Cruz Colton’s is definitely a hand-me-down heart worth fighting for.

From the best-selling author of Texas General Cozy Cases of Mystery, The Sisters, Texas Series, and Forgotten Boxes, don’t miss this first book in the series! 

FULL OF HEART.

This was a quick and well-written tale of second chances. I was impressed that within 150 pages that I felt some emotion and attachment to these characters. The set-up for their second chance worked out really well for them.

It’s a cozy read with two characters coming to terms with a lot from their pasts. I thought the banter was cute and made for an enjoyable read. There’s not a lot here to dive down into but it is engaging. Some aspects were a bit silly (i.e. what the main issue was from their past). Overall though I’m happy with this simple, romantic read and am curious of the authors other novels.

The side characters made me laugh, and completely roll my eyes. I did like the charm they added to the book and helped round out some of the situational aspects. If you’re looking for something light to get lost in for the afternoon it’s a satisfactory choice.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warings: PTSD (from being a war veteran)

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ARC Book Review: Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Sarah Grunder Ruiz
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: November 23rd, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sometimes a yacht, a bold bucket list, and a kiss with a handsome stranger are all a person needs to dive into the deep end of life.

For the last year, yacht stewardess Jo Walker has been attempting to complete a bucket list of thirty things she wants to accomplish by her birthday. Jo has almost everything she’s ever wanted, including a condo on the beach (though she’s the youngest resident by thirty years) and an exciting job (albeit below deck) that lets her travel the world.

Jo is on track until a family tragedy turns her life upside down, and the list falls by the wayside. But when her two nieces show up unannounced with plans to stay the summer, they discover her list and insist on helping Jo finish it. Though the remaining eight items (which include running a marathon, visiting ten countries, and sleeping in a castle) seem impossible to complete in twelve weeks, Jo takes on the challenge.

When she summons the courage to complete item number five–kiss a stranger–and meets Alex Hayes, all bets are off. As her feelings for Alex intensify and Jo’s inability to confront difficult emotions about her family complicates her relationships, she must learn to quit playing it safe with her heart before she loses what matters most.

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the eARC.

ABSOLUTELY LOVED.

I called a five-star from chapter ONE. That’s how convinced I was this was going to be a great read and y’all, IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. It gave me allllllll the Below Deck vibes minus without being over the top dramatic (like the show). I am here for the romance between a stewardess and a Hot Yacht Chef.

There were many themes at play here and they interconnected beautifully throughout Jo’s story. Jo is working through the grief of losing her nephew. When her two nieces show up for the summer she struggles to approach the topic and discussions surrounding him. Jo made some mistakes in this arena, but also really grew as a character. The dialogue and open apologies had me tearing up and loving Jo all the more.

Jo is approaching 30 and has a difficult time opening up and letting in others. Allowing herself to love and be loved as she deserves. ENTER ALEX. From kissing a hot stranger in a bar to finding out he’s your co-worker, BRING ON THE FORCED PROXIMITY. The tension from these two are wild. I don’t know how many times I shouted to KISS HER ALREADY. Then I got one of those arguments turning into confessions of love and I am swooning. Absolutely done for. There’s no spice and I didn’t miss it for one second. Alex and Jo were this charming, real-life couple I dream for. Did I mention Alex is a single Dad to an amazing teen Greyson? I loved this duo and how seamlessly they fit into Jo and her nieces lives.

Y’all. I couldn’t get enough of this South Florida love story. Weaving many plot lines together that had me laughing, tearing up, and devouring this story. Consider this a must add to your TBR. I am off the roof excited for the next story!!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some
  • Romance: kisses/make-outs
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: death of a teen (off page, but is discussed often), loss of a parent (prior to book, but again, discussed), parental abandonment, intense guilt, depictions of grief and depression

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Book Review: How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Denise Williams
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: December 1st, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

One daring to-do list and a crash course in flirtation turn a Type A overachiever’s world upside down.

When her flailing department lands on the university’s chopping block, Professor Naya Turner’s friends convince her to shed her frumpy cardigan for an evening on the town. For one night her focus will stray from her demanding job and she’ll tackle a new kind of to-do list. When she meets a charming stranger in town on business, he presents the perfect opportunity to check off the items on her list. Let the guy buy her a drink. Check. Try something new. Check. A no-strings-attached hookup. Check…almost.

Jake makes her laugh and challenges Naya to rebuild her confidence, which was left toppled by her abusive ex-boyfriend. Soon she’s flirting with the chance at a more serious romantic relationship—except nothing can be that easy. The complicated strings around her dating Jake might destroy her career.

Naya has two options. She can protect her professional reputation and return to her old life or she can flirt with the unknown and stay with the person who makes her feel like she’s finally living again.

REALLY GREAT READ.

I thought this book was fantastic. It covered a very heavy topic that was difficult to read about, yet the infused sense of hope and strength from the main character gave this book shining colors.

Naya and Jake really do hit it off pretty well. Some cringe-worthy awkward scenes to get you going and then some truly sweet moments to make you swoon. I looooved Jake. The amount of support and communication he gave right off the bat was amazing. It allowed Naya to open up to him as she was ready and to explore herself dating again. They were goofy together and the banter was on point. Steaminess was too much for me, but past those scenes is a story worth reading.

There’s a lot of series subject matters discussed. It’s not a fluffy and light romance. Naya struggles to balance the aspects of work, and her previous abusive ex. I loved her determination to find her happy ending. The miscommunication that generally arises between the couple didn’t send me into a tailspin because it fit into the story. Naya had a lot to hold on too, and fighting to figure out where Jake fit of course led to some complications.

This was a strong debut and I look forward to what the author writes next. I loved the hopeful aspects at the end. Moving on, seeking therapy (and self defense classes!), getting to be with a partner who values and treats you as they should. It was all very rewarding.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: very open door scenes
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: partner violence (physical, emotional, and verbal) — there are detailed flashback scenes; gaslighting, attempted sexual assault, blackmail (specifically revenge porn)

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