Tag: contemporary romance

ALC Book Review: Not Safe for Work by Nisha J. Tuli

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Nisha J. Tuli
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: May 20th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Rival engineers dabble in personal chemistry while at a tropical company retreat in this smart, zippy romcom.

Engineer Trishara Malik once dreamed of being the first woman of color to smash the glass ceiling at WMC Purcell, but after years of dealing with white male privilege and blatant nepotism, she watches her hard-earned promotion go to her nemesis, Rafe Gallagher—the boss’s son. Teetering on the edge of burnout, Tris is stunned when she’s picked to attend WMC’s corporate leadership retreat in Hawaii. It’s a chance to revive her stalled career and compete for a coveted spot in an executive training program—plus, three weeks in paradise! The only downside? Rafe is her co-attendee.

Tris plans to avoid Rafe entirely, but when she arrives in Maui, a booking error has them stuck sharing the honeymoon suite. Sure, it’s not all torture. Rafe is a smoldering ten—okay fine, an eleven—but after years of competition, they can barely stand being in the same time zone. As they vie against each other during aptitude tests and team-building exercises, Tris begins to realize Rafe might not be the villain after all. With her dreams at stake, can she learn to trust the man who might have been standing in her corner all along?

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ALC.

WELL I AM SURPRISED.

I did not like the fantasy series by this author. And so picking up the contemporary made me hesitant, but you know what, I’m not mad I read it. I actually liked more of this than I thought. A soft four stars feels like an apt rating for me.

It’s very much a summer romance type of read. On location in Hawaii there were many beach activities, hanging out on boats and more. The idea behind having a three week work conference seemed a little far fetched, but I could be wrong, maybe they are that long. At least there was an intense amount of forced proximity thanks to a hotel snafu (IYKYK).

I did find the FMC quick to complain a lot (mostly about the hotel situation, it got repetitive. But I did love her tenacity in other areas. Trishara had a great character arc where she found the best ways to fight for what she deserved and the way to do so. I thought the themes were very obvious but I didn’t think they were heavy handed.

The romance was super swoony. I loved the slow burn (though when the spice hit, watch out). I just adored Rafe. He communicated [mostly] well and was sweet and protective and broody while rolling out good banter and heat too. The ex-girlfriend drama though? I hated it. It’s just a plot device that I don’t love seeing and I also find goes a step too far. That was my biggest gripe.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 4ish open door
  • Content warnings: sexism, misogyny, racism, nonconsensual touching, blackmail

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Book Review: The Escape Plan (Only Magic in the Building) by Katie Bailey

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance + Magical Realism
Length: 310 pages
Author: Katie Bailey
Publisher: Eleventh Avenue Publishing
Release Date: April 23rd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When there’s no escaping the plans life has for you…

Beckett McCarthy’s beloved Gran always taught him to find magic in mundane, everyday things. But since she died, he no longer feels any magic.

In fact, he feels nothing at all.

So, when he has an opportunity to spend a summer abroad in Serendipity Springs, he’s expecting little more than a change in scenery.

Until Keeley Roberts—quite literally—falls into his life.

From their first chaotic encounter in a stuck elevator, Beckett and Keeley can’t seem to stay apart.

Not that Becks is complaining. He’s enchanted by his beautiful, feisty new neighbor; drawn to her in a way he can’t explain… until they discover an invisible string that’s been connecting them all this time.

It’s as if fate itself has conspired to bring them together.

But with Beckett soon returning to Ireland and Keeley’s dream job hanging by a thread, is fate enough to keep their love alive… or will they need a little magic?

SEND ME TO IRELAND.

I enjoyed this book so much. I thought it was a good wrap-up to the series (and can still totally be read alone, the epilogue in this one just highlights the previous couples a little).

I loved the magical realism aspect. I thought it was subtle and made the moment just right. All of the times they ended up locked in together caused an incredible amount of chemistry and connection to form. It was swoony and heated and I think Katie Bailey has some of the best kissing scenes around.

The journey was good and I looooved Beckett and his family. A rambunctious bunch who loved so big and I appreciated how they helped Beckett realize he needed to start living his life for him. And I loved Keeley’s arc too. She is spunky and fun and learned to let go of some past hurt to have a fulfilling relationship with Beckett.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance + Magical Realism
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Only and Forever (Bergman Brothers #7) by Chloe Liese

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Chloe Liese
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: April 2nd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It’s a room-mance for the books in this tender, steamy story about unexpectedly finding love and being brave enough to let it revise life’s narrative in the final book in the beloved Bergman Brothers series.

Viggo Bergman, hopeless romantic, is thoroughly weary of waiting for his happily ever after. But between opening a romance bookstore, running a romance book club, coaching kids’ soccer, and adopting a household of pets—just maybe, he’s overcommitted himself?—Viggo’s chaotic life has made finding his forever love seem downright improbable.

Enter Tallulah Clarke, chilly cynic with a massive case of writer’s block. Tallulah needs help with her thriller’s romantic subplot. Viggo needs another pair of hands to keep his store afloat. So they agree to swap skills and cohabitate for convenience—his romance expertise to revive her book, her organizational prowess to salvage his store. They hardly get along, and they couldn’t be more different, but who says roommate-coworkers need to be friends?

As they share a home and life, Tallulah and Viggo discover a connection that challenges everything they believe about love, and reveals the plot twist they never saw happily ever after is here already, right under their roof.

IT’S OVER.

I thought that overall, this was a good conclusion to the series. This family is one of my favorites and I love all of their dynamics and the way they take care of each other. There’s such hope and tenderness in the Bergman family that soothe something in my soul every time.

The romance was better for me in the second half. I felt the chemistry was lacking a bit in the start and it took me awhile to love Viggo and Tallulah together. I enjoyed them as separate characters and I wish the lust aspect wasn’t so heavily leaned on. The themes of jumping into scary things and being open to new experiences and relationships was beautifully woven in. I loved the therapy conversations and how Viggo and Tallulah truly found each other.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 4+ open door; moderate innuendo

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ALC Book Review: The Love Haters by Katherine Center

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Katherine Center
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: May 20th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It’s a thin line between love and love-hating.

Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past—now she may be lighting her career on fire. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West.

The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim—but fakes it that she can.

Plus: Cole is Hutch’s brother. And they don’t get along. Next stop paradise!

But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good looking man she has ever seen . . . but also a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful Aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two.

Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ensue—along with chances to tell the truth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook.

HIT ME IN THE FEELS.

The body image content and themes in this book found their way to the depths of my soul. It was hard to read at times but gosh I loved the truths explored and the conversations that were had. This felt like more than a romance and truly impacted the way I think about myself.

But don’t worry, I was obsessed with the romance too. And the fact that this is about the Coast Guard?? Give me more stories with them!!! I loved Hutch’s demeanor and quirks. The goodness radiated from him and it was just the sweetest romance.

And I loved the quirky nature of Katie. She’s spunky and lacking in some self-awareness and I loved her journey. Her quips made me laugh out loud multiple times and she was an easy character to love and support. There were man y side characters that earned my love and strong friendships that I appreciated seeing too.

If you’re curious about my 1/2 star deduction. I think Hutch’s storyline with his brother took over a bit too much in the second half (with some specific moments that had me flustered). The closing scenes and moments were great though and I had a good time listening to this book today.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: themes surrounding body image (with mentions of disordered eating), loss of loved ones (recounted)

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