Tag: contemporary romance

Book Review: Love Unexpected: A Sweet Romantic Comedy (Some Kind of Love #2) by Jenny Proctor

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Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 265 pages
Author: Jenny Proctor
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: April 21st, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A famous boss. A secret identity. And a hilarious road trip to love. 

Yes. Yes, Rosie does have a crush on Isaac, her YouTube-famous boss.

Does she ever talk to him?

Absolutely not. Crippling social anxiety can do that.

But Rosie is nothing if not tenacious. Ignoring her friends’ advice to just talk to him already (Nope, that’s way too hard), she instead opts to pursue a virtual relationship with Isaac using a secret identity.

The plan is genius. Online, Rosie has social skills she’d never dream of having in person. She’s possibly even cool. If Isaac can just get to know her, he’ll see how amazing she is.

But then a spontaneous road trip throws Rosie and Isaac together, and their virtual and in-person lives collide. (Eleven hundred miles in a seventy’s era VW hatchback? What could possibly go wrong?)

Much to Rosie’s surprise, she doesn’t constantly humiliate herself. Conversation is easy, and their chemistry? It’s pretty much off the charts.

But every road trip is bound to hit a speed bump or two.

Will Rosie’s secret identity be the thing that brings them together? Or the thing that tears them apart?

FRUSTRATING PLOT.

What I initially enjoyed turned into meh when I understood the plot. Then, it did get better towards the end, but alas, this was not my favorite.

The plot was based off of a purposeful miscommunication. One of the main characters chose to hide their identity and I just couldn’t stand by it (or how long it went on…OR how EVERYONE IN THE OFFICE KNEW AND DIDN’T TELL THE OTHER SOUL the entire book). I mean, come on, I felt so bad for them by the time things finally came out.

There is a sweet story here. Coping with social anxiety and realizing that life is more than being apart of social media. I did like those aspects. There’s some great banter here too that would make me smile. It’s kind of a fun combination of an internet star and an introvert soul.

I really liked everyone of these characters (besides the communication issue). They were invested and really brought the book to life. I loooove good side characters that actually add to the story. A case of, not really for me, but definitely could be for you.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Content Warnings: depictions of social anxiety

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ARC Book Review: Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter

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Rating: ☆☆☆ 1/2
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Lynn Painter
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: March 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Things get textual when a steamy message from a random wrong number turns into a thrilling anonymous relationship in this hilarious rom-com by Lynn Painter.

Bad luck has always followed Olivia Marshall…or maybe she’s just the screw-up her family thinks she is. But when a What are you wearing? text from a random wrong number turns into the hottest, most entertaining–albeit anonymous–relationship of her life, she thinks things might be on the upswing….

Colin Beck has always considered Olivia his best friend’s annoying little sister, but when she moves in with them after one of her worst runs of luck, he realizes she’s turned into an altogether different and sexier distraction. He’s sure he can keep his distance, until the moment he discovers she’s the irresistible Miss Misdial he’s been sort of sexting for weeks–and now he has to decide whether to turn the heat up or ghost her before things get messy.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.

WITTY & SMILE INDUCING.

I really enjoy Lynn Painter’s books. I love the pacing and how when I look down at how far I’ve read I’m shocked at the rate the pages flew by. Better Than the Movies is still my all-time fav, Mr. Wrong Number was good, but left me wanting in some areas.

Olivia was relatable and ridiculous all in the same breath. I laughed at some of her antics, yet just like Colin, I saw the deeper layers of her personality too. She brought in comedic relief and I smiled many times throughout my read. I ADORED Colin. I’m realizing I love a good brother’s best friend trope. This delivered in that department. Plenty of angst, amazing banter, and heartfelt confessions.

Some of what I struggled with were the other tropes: friends with benefits/this is just a fling kinda vibe. I’ve never loved those plot choices and this was no different. I wish there was a bit more of true relationship dynamic before they jumped between the sheets. If you like a faster burn, this one’s for you! Once we got some feelings established, I was really attached to these two.

There were two miscommunications as the primary romance conflicts. And *sigh* this was not my jam. I understand Olivia’s reaction, but wish she had taken a moment to be upset, and then another moment to go, maybe I should actually let him explain first. It caused unnecessary fights and drama. Don’t get me wrong, the bit of groveling and grand gestures near the end were sweet, there just should’ve been a different angle.

An enjoyable read for me even through the thick of things I didn’t love. I adore Painter’s writing style with dual POV and the humorous quality she adds. I love grinning at my book and swooning over a love interest with dreamy eyes (and a Ryan Gosling look-a-like). I’m excited to read the next story in this world!!

Overall Audience Notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: a lot, strong
  • Romance: multiple brief open door scenes
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: catfishing

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Book Review: From Lukov With Love by Mariana Zapata

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Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5)
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 538 pages
Author: Mariana Zapata
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: February 1st, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

If someone were to ask Jasmine Santos to describe the last few years of her life with a single word, it would definitely be a four-letter one.

After seventeen years—and countless broken bones and broken promises—she knows her window to compete in figure skating is coming to a close.

But when the offer of a lifetime comes in from an arrogant idiot she’s spent the last decade dreaming about pushing in the way of a moving bus, Jasmine might have to reconsider everything.

Including Ivan Lukov.

BRB SWOONING.

AHHH.

Every dang time Ivan Lukov started talking to Jasmine you bet I was SWOONING. Holy cow that man can give a loving speech. He can hype me up any day. I loved him. I loved his support and sweet and small ways he cared for Jasmine. Building up that friendship and partnership into something more. My heart can’t handle that many skips in one book!

In typical MZ fashion there’s a long wait for the pay-off with this one. Dare I say a bit too long? At least for me the first 100-200 pages were a bit slower than usual. There was a loooot of hatred and disgruntlement that were the crux of Jasmine’s life. And at last, once she started taking small steps back towards her ultimate goals things started to open up.

Wow do I love a sports romance and this was no different. I love that this was about figure skating!! I felt like I learned a lot about the sport and it was the perfect counter balance against the romance. One didn’t outshine the other. Another wonderful MZ read. I’m slowly working through her books and now that this has been my fifth, I’m still in awe at how addicting these stories are.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very strong and often
  • Romance: one open door
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: fatmisia and body shaming, misogyny, sexual harassment, stalking, bullying

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Book Review: Sunkissed by Kasie West

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Contemporary + Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Kasie West
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: May 4th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A lighthearted and swoony contemporary YA romance by fan-favorite author Kasie West about a girl who finds that a summer spent at a family resort isn’t as bad as she imagined…and that falling in love is filled with heartache, laughter, and surprises!

After being betrayed by her best friend, Avery is hoping for a picture-perfect summer. Too bad her parents have dragged her and her sister to a remote family camp for the entire summer. And that’s not even the worst part. Avery also has to deal with no internet, a cute but off-limits staff member, and an always-in-her-face sister.

But what starts as a disaster turns into a whirlwind summer romance as Avery embarks on an unexpected journey to figure out what she truly wants and who she wants to be.

HIT HOME.

This made me want to relive some of my high school years and figure out some aspects of my life. I love how this was approached. Watching Avery find her passion and owning her truths to her family and friends really resonated. I have been deeply reminded why I love Kasie West’s books and the way she’s able to captivate and fill my cup.

Avery was a great teenage main character. Not over the top dramatic, but honest in her faults, and struggling to remember her strengths. I loved her character progression and how she took a chance on her summer to try new things.

Add in a sweet romance with Brooks and I was smitten. Teen, summer love! Oh how cute. I liked their relationship a lot too. From being honest with one another, and learning (and admitting) about communications issues felt true. This whole book was a warm summer hug.

I read it in a day and it was super cute and relatable to my soul.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Contemporary + Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: a parent in a care home (unable to care for themselves after a stroke)

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