Tag: contemporary romance

Book Review: My Fault (Culpables #1) by Mercedes Ron

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 416 pages
Author: Mercedes Ron
Publisher: Bloom Books
Release Date: June 6th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Fast-paced and sizzling with a forbidden enemies-to-lovers romance, My Fault is the first book in Mercedes Ron’s Culpable trilogy. This suspenseful YA series untangles the threads of love, trauma, and secrets, perfect for fans of Ugly Love and After.

Seventeen-year-old Noah Morgan loves her quiet, normal life in Toronto. But when her mother returns from a cruise unexpectedly married to a billionaire and announces they are moving to L.A., Noah is suddenly shoved out of her comfort zone and into a glittering world of illegal street races, lavish pool parties, and spoiled rich kids.

And her new stepbrother Nicholas is the most spoiled of them all. Arrogant, aloof, and viciously attractive, Nick is everything she hates, especially when she learns his bad boy persona isn’t just a façade. She’s spent her life running from danger, and Nick is danger incarnate. Yet neither of them can prevent the powerful attraction that flares between them―enough to turn their worlds upside-down and tempt them beyond all reason.

But Noah’s past may be even more dangerous than their forbidden romance. And if he wants her, Nick will have to decide if he’s willing to risk everything.

HOLY WATTPAD.

Yeah, this book had big wattpad vibes, and I gotta say, the movie was better.

I think I would have been close to hating this had I not already watched the movie so I knew what I was getting into. Because WOW, the whole thing feels over the top, there’s not a lot of development of anyone or anything, and you are dragged along this rollercoaster. It truly did follow the movie almost to a T so leaning into that made it more appealing.

I’m not sure what else to say about this one. It was like, I didn’t mind listening to it, but also, get this away from me now? BUT I AM WHO I AM and I am going to try book two (though the reviews from friends have taken away my optimism). Stay tuned.

Overall audience notes:

  • New adult romantic suspense
  • Language: moderate – high
  • Romance: 1-2ish open door; moderate innuendo
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: gun violence, kidnapping, domestic abuse (recounted)

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Book Review: On the Slopes of Tahoe (Love Along the Way #2) by J.A. Forde

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 383 pages
Author: J.A. Forde
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: February 28th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Wanting each other is easy…
It’s everything else that’s hard.

Breck Kylie’s perfect life unravels in a squall of betrayal, leaving him and his seven-year-old daughter reeling. Choosing to retreat from the sunny shores of Sydney, Australia, they embark on an extended vacation to Lake Tahoe in hopes they’ll find a new ‘normal’ on the snowy slopes.

Rory Anderson had big dreams once, but years of living in a blizzard of impossible expectations has beaten her down. Stuck in a cycle of fear and self-doubt, she’s living a life she’s unsure she truly wants. So, when her brother asks her to help his best friend get settled in Tahoe, she agrees with a renewed sense of purpose.

When Breck’s personal hurricane meets Rory’s frozen fears, they find themselves in the eye of the storm—a quiet place where connection and clarity finally break through. For Rory, it’s a chance to focus on her own dreams. For Breck, it’s a glimpse of the future he thought was shattered.

Finding solace in each other is supposed to be a short-lived thing, but what happens when they find themselves feeling more than they bargained for?

Will they walk away, or will they fight to hold onto the peace they’ve only ever found in each other?

I LIKED IT WELL ENOUGH.

I expected to have some mixed thoughts on this one and I do but y’all know I appreciated a third act handled well (or that reasonably makes sense to the situation at hand) and I felt like this book did that. There were some genuinely big hurdles to think about and decide upon and the time and discussions actually moved the relationship forward.

What bugged me though is that this had a let’s just sleep together vibe. And I do not like those vibes. Especially since this was closed door I just don’t think it matched the energy of the story. It wasn’t necessary and the relationship could have been further without that point.

I did enjoy that it was dual POV and that both Breck and Rory stood up to those in their lives that they needed to. I love seeing relationships mended when it works best AND when relationships are severed when it’s best. This is a great winter book with all of the snow content (which cracks me up that I read it sitting at a pool).

I’ll definitely continue to read J.A. Forde’s books.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: closed door/fade to black
  • Content warnings: parental abandonment

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Book Review: Love Unwritten (Lakefront Billionaires #2) by Lauren Asher

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 624 pages
Author: Lauren Asher
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 18th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Rafael
Ellie Sinclair is a hopeless romantic who writes love songs.
I’m a struggling workaholic who could inspire a hundred breakup albums.
On paper, we have nothing in common except for my son.
For eight months, I avoid her until our summer trip.
Fourteen days. Two islands. And one nanny I shouldn’t be attracted to.
Spending time with Ellie is expected, but enjoying her company?
That isn’t part of our travel plans.
After my divorce, I swore to protect my heart at all costs.
Even if it means breaking hers in the process.
Ellie
What’s worse than working for a grumpy single dad?
Admitting that I once had a secret crush on him in high school.
Thankfully, Rafael Lopez and I have changed since we graduated from Wisteria High.
He is a billionaire with a company to run and a child to take care of.
I’m an unemployed songwriter he hired to watch his son and teach music.
We coexist without any issues until a vacation changes everything.
Lines blur and old feelings for Rafael return with vengeance as I face a new dilemma.
Being his son’s nanny is one thing, but wishing for more?
Sounds like a heartbreak song waiting to be written.

WELL HEY.

This book sat on my kindle for over a year because I didn’t love book one so I was hesitant to read book two. AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW. I picked this up in just the right mood at just the right time and I don’t have big enough complaints to mark this any less than a five.

It was an incredibly soft book. Rafael and Ellie both had a lot of backstory and trauma to work through and I loved the nuanced ways that they took care of each other. It’s my favorite kind of subtle romance. I love seeing the little pieces that brought Rafael and Ellie closer. And they continually showed the effort of giving the benefit of the doubt and trying to communicate and apologize. BLESS ALL OF THIS.

As usual, I do think it’s a touch too long, but the journey is solid. This had the romantic mood I was craving and I appreciated that it was a slow burn. This renewed my love for Lauren Asher books and I am looking forward to book three.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3-4 open door
  • Violence; mild
  • Content Warnings: PTSD, parental abuse and abandonment (recounted), self-harm (mentioned a handful of times and an on-page attempt), flight anxiety, grief

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ARC Book Review: Every Beat After by Sara B. Larson

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Sara B. Larson
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: June 2nd, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s guarding a borrowed heart. He’s locked his heart away. But the connection igniting between them might become the one thing they can’t live without.

Years after a life-saving heart transplant, Liv Karlsson lives in the fragile space between gratitude and fear—thankful for every heartbeat and afraid of when they might stop. Running her family’s cozy Swedish bakery gives her purpose, but mounting financial pressures and the shadows of her past leave her wondering: Is she truly living . . . or simply existing?

Then Hunter moves in next door. Guarded, cynical, and annoyingly attractive, he’s everything Liv avoids—and he’s also unfortunately her roommate’s cousin. But when he unexpectedly steps in to help Liv save the bakery with a new marketing plan, their reluctant partnership sparks something neither one is prepared for. He pushes her. Challenges her. Sees her. Suddenly, the girl who’s spent years protecting her heart finds it racing for someone who might just understand her better than anyone ever has.

But just as Liv begins to imagine a future worth fighting for, a devastating revelation threatens to unravel everything. Now Liv must face the ultimate test: Will she find the courage to love, or will fear take it all away?

Thank you Shadow Mountain for the gifted ARC.

HEAVY, BUT GOOD.

That would be my biggest note before going in is checking the content on it because the headspace for the story takes a lot out of you. I’m pretty sure this is my first book by SBL and I gotta say, I liked it! I would definitely read another.

Outside of the romance I loved the close friendships that Liv had. There were spaces to be argue as well as take care of all while knowing that the friendship wasn’t easily fractured. I adored her friends and maybe we’ll get a book for each of them???

The romance was very much the definition of slow burn. From enemies to maybe we’re friends to maybe I actually want more to love. I liked the tension between Liv and Hunter. It wasn’t an easy road but a path that felt worth it in the end. There’s themes surrounding forgiveness and trauma, grief and losing loved ones.

I could have used a little bit longer of an ending? I felt like some of it was wrapped up a touch too quickly compared to the slower pace of the book overall. Still a good book though and one I’d recommend when you’re in the right headspace.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: drunk driving resulting in loss of life (recounted), themes surrounding heart transplant and life changes associated, medical emergencies and hospital stays

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