Tag: contemporary romance

Book Review: Simply Starstruck by Aspen Hadley

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Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 256 pages
Author: Aspen Hadley
Publisher: Sweetwater Books
Release Date: November 13th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Kate Evans never imagined she’d be a young widow and single mom, staying in her aunt’s guest cottage. She also never imagined she’d live next door to Jess Sullivan, an actual movie star. Struggling to put herself back together, Kate gets swept up in a whirlwind of dating, but can she keep ignoring what her heart really wants?

KINDA STARSTRUCK.

This book was neither here nor there. It’s a very positive three stars and I’m not upset I read it. There were just some pieces that missed the mark and caused me to lower my rating.

I liked Kate as the main character. She was witty and had a pretty funny inner monologue. What bothered me was how long some of her growth took until the very very end of the book. It was drawn out wayyy too much. Kate flounced around dating a bunch of different men (which was fine initially, but didn’t need to take up 75% of the book). So instead of feeling like this book was about her and Jess, it became an odd episode of a dating game.

I loved Jess. Really really did. Anytime he was on screen I was excited. Jess and Kate bantered well and had some tender moments that made me want to swoon. This was the best part of the book and I wish there was a whole bunch more. Jess and Kate were a great match and I loved how Kate’s son was apart of everything too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: car accident
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a spouse, cancer, car accident

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Book Review: The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomn

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Rachel Lynn Solomon
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: January 26th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Public radio co-hosts navigate mixed signals in Rachel Lynn Solomon’s sparkling romantic comedy debut.

Shay Goldstein has been a producer at her Seattle public radio station for nearly a decade, and she can’t imagine working anywhere else. But lately it’s been a constant clash between her and her newest colleague, Dominic Yun, who’s fresh off a journalism master’s program and convinced he knows everything about public radio.

When the struggling station needs a new concept, Shay proposes a show that her boss green-lights with excitement. On The Ex Talk, two exes will deliver relationship advice live, on air. Their boss decides Shay and Dominic are the perfect co-hosts, given how much they already despise each other. Neither loves the idea of lying to listeners, but it’s this or unemployment. Their audience gets invested fast, and it’s not long before The Ex Talk becomes a must-listen in Seattle and climbs podcast charts.

As the show gets bigger, so does their deception, especially when Shay and Dominic start to fall for each other. In an industry that values truth, getting caught could mean the end of more than just their careers.

SWEET & STEAMY.

A charming read that kept me page turning. It was such a FUN read. I loved all of the flirting and banter. It was a great workplace romance that did feel a little competitive, but never over the top.

I adored Shay and loved her real life self. I laughed and connected with many scenes about trying to be an adult. She was still trying to figure out herself and where she wanted to be and I loved watching her work through those emotions. Add in Dominic (with his sexy forearms) and I became utterly smitten. I LOVED THEM TOGETHER. They just worked. I love when I feel so invested in a relationship. Shay being older was a touch that I thought was relevant and fitting. It added another layer to their relationship that definitely had some steam.

The surrounding plot was pure entertainment and it was so unique to have this set up at a public radio broadcasting company! I feel like I got the inside scoop on how these shows work. And convinced me I should look up more podcasts to listen to. I’m glad that things worked out there because I was all sorts of enraged reading about Shay having to deal with a crappy boss. The drama was amped up towards the end and maybe somethings weren’t completely worked out. It’s such a sweet happy ever after though.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: kisses to open door scenes
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent (past, but often brought up)

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Book Review: Throw Like a Girl by Sarah Henning

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Sarah Henning
Publisher: Poppy
Release Date: July 20th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Friday Night Lights meets Morgan Matson’s The Unexpected Everything in this contemporary debut where swoonworthy romance meets underdog sports story.

When softball star Liv Rodinsky throws one ill-advised punch during the most important game of the year, she loses her scholarship to her fancy private school, her boyfriend, and her teammates all in one fell swoop. With no other options, Liv is forced to transfer to the nearest public school, Northland, where she’ll have to convince its coach she deserves a spot on the softball team, all while facing both her ex and the teammates of the girl she punched… Every. Single. Day.

Enter Grey, the injured star quarterback with amazing hair and a foolproof plan: if Liv joins the football team as his temporary replacement, he’ll make sure she gets a spot on the softball team in the spring. But it will take more than just a flawless spiral for Liv to find acceptance in Northland’s halls, and behind that charismatic smile, Grey may not be so perfect after all.

With lovable characters and a charming quarterback love interest, Throw Like a Girl will have readers swooning from the very first page.

SUPER CUTE SPORTS ROMANCE.

Okay, read this in a day (via audio, great narrator!!). Really enjoyed. Highly recommend.

I could probably leave it at that, but I’ll go in a little bit deeper.

I loved these characters. Everyone felt like they actually belonged in high school, but that it wasn’t rudely dramatic. Liv (and others) learned to apologize and accept mistakes and consequences. New friendships formed and the girl vs. girl hate was tamped down to appropriate levels. I just love that this team felt real, and Liv’s family felt real. Fantastic characters who really sold my love for this book.

The rooooomance was one you wanted to root for. Grey and Liv hit it off with a bit of banter and a whole lot of swoon. There was a natural flow to their story and the sweet kisses gave me all the heart eyes. I love the support Grey gave Liv and the trust they showed in each other. All around a wonderful YA love story.

You never know how a sport is going to come off in a book. For the football aspects, I thought this did a great job. I don’t remember glaring inaccuracies that took me out of the plot. And it never overshadowed either. Those final scenes with Liv on that field were those magical movie sports moments you love to see. I found myself cheering alongside everyone else.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: recount of drunk driving accident (only involving the driver, no one else harmed), sports injuries (bruises, concussions, etc.), homophobic remarks, school expulsion, parent with cancer

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: September 2021

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Kept busy with September. It went a lot better than August!

Favorite Reads: These Hollow Vows, Beasts of the Frozen Sun, Love Lists, and Fancy Ships, With You Forever, and The Love Hypothesis

Least Favorite Reads: The Last Legacy and The Star-Touched Queen

  • Throw Like A Girl by Sarah Henning
  • These Hollow Vows (These Hollow Vows #1) by Lexi Ryan
  • [Novella] Elevator Pitch by Jennifer Griffith
  • Beasts of the Frozen Sun (Frozen Sun Saga #1) by Jill Criswell
  • [ARC] The Keeper of the Night (The Keeper of the Night #1) by Kylie Lee Baker
  • The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle
  • Made in Korea by Sarah Suk
  • Crystal Caged (Air Awakens: Vortex Chronicles #5) by Elise Kova
  • Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
  • Battle Royal (Palace Insiders #1) by Lucy Parker
  • [Novella] Dawnshard (The Stormlight Archives #3.5) by Brandon Sanderson
  • Illusionary (Hollow Crown #2) by Zoraida Cordova
  • Losing Hope (Hopeless #2) by Colleen Hoover
  • [ARC] Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
  • Kingdom of Ice and Bone (Frozen Sun Saga #2) by Jill Criswell
  • The Last Legacy by Adrienne Young
  • With You Forever (Bergman Brothers #4) by Chloe Liese
  • The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
  • Defy the Night (Defy the Night #1) by Brigid Kemmerer
  • The Star-Touched Queen (The Star-Touched Queen #1) by Roshani Chokshi
  • Small Favors by Erin A. Craig
  • The Widow and the Highlander (Tales from the Highlands #1) by Martha Keyes
  • The High King’s Tomb (Green Rider #3) by Kristen Britain
  • [ARC] Starling by Isabel Strychacz
  • [ARC] Steelstriker (Skyhunter #2) by Marie Lu
  • Maid of Dishonor by Gracie Ruth Mitchell
  • The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
  • The Hawthorne Legacy (The Inheritance Games #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

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