Tag: contemporary romance

Book Review: Only in Your Dreams (The Mountains Are Calling #2) by Madison Wright

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 358 pages
Author: Madison Wright
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 27th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Finley Blankenship is tired of always coming up short. When her long time boyfriend dumps her because he isn’t ready to commit, only to announce his engagement to someone else months later, she’s had it. So when her now ex comes to her flower shop to check how she’s doing after hearing the news, she lies and tells him she’s moved on. Only for her brother’s best friend to walk in at the same time and get roped into her story. Committed to playing the part, she reluctantly agrees to pretend to be in a relationship with the one man in their small town that would never actually date her.

Grey Sutton has been in love with Finley for fifteen years, but he’s never thought he had a chance. After all, he’s an honorary member of the Blankenship family because his own is so dysfunctional. He has no idea how to give Finley what she wants. Especially since he was offered a job out of state, and Finley is as rooted in this town as the trees.

But as their relationship starts to feel less and less like a charade, it leaves them with more uncertainty than ever. Lines start to blur, and Grey and Finley have to decide if they’re willing to risk their hearts to have everything they’ve ever dreamed of.

SWOONY.

I love a man obsessed (and with a secret tattoo no less) and Grey’s dedication to Finley was everrrrrything. I loved their relationship. It’s a delicious slow burn with a lot of soft and heated moments throughout. I loved being back in this small town. There’s something really comforting about this writing style.

I did struggle a bit with Finley’s aspect of the third act. But that was my only issue. The book is short and the audiobook narration is great. I’m officially a fan of Madison Wright books and look forward to continuing her stories.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC Book Review: How to Kiss on Christmas Morning by Jenny Proctor

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Christmas Romance Novella
Length: 150 pages
Author: Jenny Proctor
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 25th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s merry and bright. He’s… not. But something between them is warming up.

Megan Sheridan just landed the perfect holiday a quiet week in the mountains house-sitting an event venue while the owners are away. Check the mail, answer the phone, keep the pipes from freezing—easy.

The only trouble? No one told Megan she’d be sharing the farmhouse with a very grouchy, very handsome farmhand.

Noah Hawthorne is a cousin of the owner, so she can’t exactly ask him to leave. But if he scowls at her one more time, she’s tempted to pack her own bags. She’s not about to have her Christmas ruined by a grump, hot or not.

But then a snowstorm knocks out the power, and Megan is forced to rely on her begrudging housemate. She quickly learns there’s more to Noah than terse replies and guarded looks.

But trusting a man with secrets is tough, and Megan isn’t sure she’s willing to gamble on someone who won’t open up.

When the magic of the holiday fades away, will she be holding her future? Or nursing a broken heart?

How to Kiss on Christmas Morning is a standalone, grumpy/sunshine holiday novella connected to the How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother series. Read for forced proximity, snowed in at Christmas vibes and a closed door heat level with chemistry and tension but only kisses on the page.

Thank you Jenny Proctor for the eARC.

WELL THIS WAS ADORABLE.

The holiday season really lends itself towards fast paced novellas in the midst of all of the chaos of the month. I loved picking this up and being back in Jenny Proctor’s universe and seeing all of the connections and moments with previously loved characters.

I loved the banter between Megan and Noah. They have that moment of kismet and were sweet on each other. It was a quiet and soft holiday together and it just makes you feel good. It has quintessential hallmark moments perfect for the season.

Overall audience notes:

  • Holiday Novella
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC Book Review: The Bodyguard Affair by Amy Lea

GoodeyReads1 Comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 432 pages
Author: Amy Lea
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: December 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A secret romance writer discovers that the hottest story of summer might just be the one happening between her and the Prime Minister’s bodyguard, from the international bestselling author of Set On You.

Andi Zeigler lives a double life. By day, she’s the no-nonsense, steadfast personal assistant to the Prime Minister of Canada’s wife. By night, she slips out of her heels and writes romance novels under a top-secret pen name. But when her steamiest book, The Prime Minister & Me, unexpectedly becomes a bestseller, rumors of a real-life affair between her and the PM start swirling out of control.

Enter Nolan Crosby, the PM’s new close protection officer (aka bodyguard) – and Andi’s failed one-night stand from three years ago. Nolan’s in town very temporarily to care for his mother, who’s battling early-onset Alzheimer’s. But when the scandal erupts, Andi ropes him into a fake-dating plan.

As loyal employees, they’ll pretend to date for the summer, just long enough to put the scandal to bed and save their boss’s reputation. In an unexpected plot twist, Andi and Nolan discover that keeping their romance strictly fictional might be easier said than done.

Thank you Berkley Romance for the gifted eARC.

I JUST ADORED THIS.

I’m an easy to please reader when it comes to Amy Lea’s books. I love the way she crafts stories. The main characters (duel pov y’all!!) are genuine and effortless and seeing the plot unfold always makes me feel something.

I thought the plot was engaging and covered a variety of topics well. While some heavier content is present the overall mood is hopeful and Nolan and Andi are meant to be. i could not get enough of Nolan’s constant support. It was endearing in all the ways. I thought the plot > spice which is always a pro for me.

I genuinely binged this in a day. I just couldn’t get enough. It’s sensual and swoony and full of heart. All of the hallmark romance moments were there and each one made me giddy [not to mention, no out of pocket third act nonsense either!!].

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: mild-moderate
  • Romance: 3-4ish open door
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: a parent with Alzheimer’s

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: How He Got the Girl (Sweeter Than Fiction #2) by Amanda Schimmoeller

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 327 pages
Author: Amanda Schimmoeller
Publisher: ABS Publishing
Release Date: October 9th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A fake dating contract with the man who took me on the best date of my life and then ghosted me…what could possibly go wrong?

I’ve spent the past three years trying to forget Griffin Reynolds. But that’s become impossible to do when his infuriatingly handsome face starts popping up everywhere.

After a coffee shop mishap, I find myself in the arms of Hollywood’s hottest new actor. Now, my face is next to his on every tabloid, and his agent suggests a fake relationship to keep the publicity going since he’s up for his dream movie role.

I’d love nothing more than to tell Griffin where he can shove his money. But I’d be a fool to refuse the salary he’s offering me to post a few pictures on social media. It doesn’t give me back the last few years of my life, but at least he’ll be paying me back in some way for the damage he did when he disappeared without a trace.

I do my best to maintain my stone-cold demeanor on our dates. But Griffin must be as great of an actor as everyone makes him out to be with his love-sick looks and lingering touches.

At least, that’s what I have to believe. Because the alternative is that Griffin has real feelings for me…and I refuse to let him hurt me a second time.

How He Got the Girl is a fake dating, celebrity romcom with sizzling chemistry but no explicit content. It’s the second book in the Sweeter Than Fiction series, following four best friends finding love.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

HOW SWEET.

Amanda’s books just always bring a sense of soft joy to my reading world and I love that. I also love that this book felt like stepping into winter and even had some soft holiday vibes too.

Y’all know I’m down bad for a man down bad and Griffin fit that marker to a T. I loved his dedication and sense of self and was a genuinely good human. I loved the banter and all of the winter activities. The TS references are fun to catch throughout too.

I love good family dynamics and strong friendships and this book brought those out in full force. I love the support and the care. It sings to my soul every dang time.

A beautiful romance with true communication and making the hard things work because they are worth working for. Definitely a book to pick up y’all!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph