Tag: contemporary romance

Book Review: Not You Again by Ingrid Pierce

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Ingrid Pierce
Publisher: Alcove Press
Release Date: July 9th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Wedding gown designer Andie Dresser is hanging on by a thread. Gaining a following on TikTok for her one-of-a-kind fairytale gowns has earned her a spot at Atlanta’s Fashion Week, but the time and upfront costs to design a full bridal line have stretched her to her limit. When her best friend suggests she sign up for a reality show with a potential $100,000 prize, she realizes the money could allow her to hire some desperately needed help. All she needs to do is marry a stranger—sight unseen—and opt for divorce at the end of filming. No big deal, right?

Architect Kit Watson just returned to Atlanta to help his loving but stubborn mother through a health crisis. However, she’ll only accept his help if he agrees to settle down, insisting he sign up for the matchmaking reality show that’s filming in the area. Willing to do anything for his mom, he finds himself at the altar—on camera—staring at Andie, the woman he abruptly left without explanation seven years ago.

In the blink of an eye, Kit and Andie tie the knot on TV for the world to see. Now, they must live together for eight weeks with cameras following their every move. But as the newlyweds reconnect and sift through their past, old feelings females spark…and old grudges cast a shadow over their “marriage”. With decision day looming, Andie must decide if forgiving Kit for his mistakes—past and present—is worth more than her dreams of success.

MOST FRUSTRATING MMC.

I rarely have any big issues with the MMC/love interest in a romance book. But Kit became increasingly more frustrating as the pages went on and I wanted to shake some sense into him so badly. The third act had me banging my head against a wall and I honestly felt bad for Andie having to jump through so many hoops for him. How are we letting history repeat itself???

I loved the plot set up though. As someone who used to watch Married at First Sight, I thought this was a fun play on that show and I liked that it was a second chance romance without flashback chapters too.

Things started off well, but ultimately fell a part. The spice felt kind of forced too. I don’t know that I’ll pick up another book by this author.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3+ open door
  • Content Warnings: loss of a parent (recounted), a mother with breast cancer

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: August 2025

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IT’S FOOTBALL SEASON. But also, here are all the books I read in August! I’m still on track to hit 400, just need to stay focused.

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  • [ARC/ALC] For the Record by Emma Lord
  • [ARC] The Legacy of Ophelia (The Curse of Ophelia #5) by Nicole Platania
  • The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam (Hart and Mercy #3) by Megan Bannen
  • In the Veins of Drowning (The Siren Mage #1) by Kalie Cassidy
  • The Americana Playbook by Cathryn Carter
  • [Novella] Devotion of the Heart by Nichole Van
  • Problematic Summer Romance (Not in Love #2) by Ali Hazelwood
  • Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
  • [ARC] You & Me, For Real by Hayley Elliot
  • [ARC] A Sea View Christmas (On Devonshire Shores #3.5) by Julie Klassen
  • The Jasad Crown (The Scorched Throne #2) by Sara Hashem
  • Isles of the Emberdark (Cosmere) by Brandon Sanderson
  • A Promise So Bold and Broken (Compelling Fates Saga #2) by Sophia St. Germain
  • Glorious Rivals (The Grandest Game #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
  • A Summer Without You by Caitlin Moss
  • Accomplice to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain #3) by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
  • Between These Broken Hearts (These Hollow Vows #4) by Lexi Ryan
  • Anywhere With You by Ellie Palmer
  • Deadwood (Secrets of the Serpentine #1) by Karley Brenna
  • Wrath of the Dragons (Fear the Flames #2) by Olivia Rose Darling
  • A Beguiled Gentleman (The Bradley Brothers #1) by Audra Wells
  • Immortal Consequences (The Souls of Blackwood Academy #1) by I.V. Marie
  • One More Made Up Love Song (Midnight Rush #2) by Jenny Proctor
  • [ARC/ALC] Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson
  • [ARC/ALC] If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry
  • The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold (Blonde Identity #2) by Ally Carter
  • [ARC] Darkness Births the Stars by Sarah Lee Wohn
  • [ARC/ALC] Wild Reverence (Letters of Enchantment #0) by Rebecca Ross
  • [ARC] Stuck With You (Cal’s Garage #1) by Stacy Williams
  • The Dragon Wakes with Thunder (The Night Ends with Fire #2) by K.X. Song
  • Love is a War Song by Danica Nava
  • A Love Most Fatal (Morelli Family #1) by Kath Richards
  • [Novella] A Churn in the Virtual Society (Into the Churn #3.5) by Hayley Reese Chow
  • [ARC] What Fury Brings by Tricia Levenseller

ARC Book Review: One More Made Up Love Song (Midnight Rush #2) by Jenny Proctor

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 341 pages
Author: Jenny Proctor
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 29th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Rule #1: Do not fall in love with your very famous boss. Rule #2: See Rule #1.

As the personal assistant of rockstar Freddie Ridgefield, Ivy Conway knows most women would love to have her job. It definitely has its perks. She gets to travel, the pay is great, and she’s among the first to hear Freddie’s new music.

The only problem? When she got the job, Ivy promised herself she would never fall in love with her boss. And it’s taking everything in her to stay true to her word.

Then Freddie kisses Ivy—an impulsive move to save himself from a little bit of bad press—and everything changes. Now, the whole world thinks they’re in love.

Even more Ivy could swear Freddie felt the same fireworks she did when he pressed his lips to hers.

What starts as an accidental publicity stunt quickly turns into something more, but fame makes everything more complicated. As Freddie’s spotlight grows to include her—and her family—Ivy starts to wonder if the life Freddie can offer her is worth the life she’ll give up. And how she’ll ever survive without him if it isn’t.

One More Made Up Love Song is a fake-dating rockstar romance with all the crackling chemistry and tension you want in a closed-door romcom. Perfect for fans of romance with a little less heat.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

MY NEWEST OBESSION.

GOSH I LOVED IT SO MUCH. This was exactly what friends to lovers, boss x assistant trope romance that I WAAAAAANT. The subtle moments about took me out because it was beautifully nuanced and left this sense of longing and yearning that I CRAVE. CRAVE Y’ALL. Bring back these kind of romances and I will be a happy camper forever.

I can’t even begin to list all of the scenes I loved. The pining was intense and I could not get enough of the glances and touches and the KISSES THAT LIT MY KINDLE ON FIRE.

And I really appreciated the strong friendships for both Freddie and Ivy. There’s something magical about the side characters adding genuine connection to the story that makes it even better. One of my new favorites from Jenny Proctor.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Content warnings: loss of a sibling from drunk driving (recounted)

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ARC/ALC Book Review: Falling Into Place by Allison Ashley

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Allison Ashley
Publisher: Montlake
Release Date: August 19th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Finding a date for a reclusive bachelor is her job. It’s also a risk when she becomes the perfect match in an emotional and hopeful romance by the author of If Tomorrow Never Comes .

Accountant and freelance personal stylist Carly Porter, daughter of a compulsive gambler, knows the personal cost of a bad bet. But when she partners with her best friend, Sasha—publisher of a floundering fashion magazine—Carly can’t resist. The highly publicized makeover of an Oklahoma City bachelor could boost sales and be Carly’s ticket to her dream profession. The bachelor in question is none other than Sasha’s older brother, Brooks.

Hardly the party boy Carly remembers from high school, Brooks is now an antisocial, work-obsessed physician still struggling with a devastating loss. But if it means helping his sister, he’s in. It’s Carly’s job to get him out of those lived-in scrubs, style him to the nines, and bring Brooks back to life. But so far, the only real connection is between Brooks and Carly—and falling for a client could cost Carly the career she’s worked so hard for.

To move forward, they’ll both have to overcome their painful pasts. And whatever the risk, maybe even take a chance on love.

Thank you to BookSparks and Montlake for the gifted ARC.

ADORED.

Oh yes, this was everything!! I loved how sweet this story was. Gosh it was adorable. The low angst books are really hitting right now and I can’t get enough of them. I loved the set-up for this book. It was realistic and charming and there’s something about two people finding their passion and pursuits for the future that soothe the soul.

Carly and Brooks feel like soul mates. They have this beautiful chemistry that constantly brought them near each other and an undeniable need to be together. I think the heaviness of this book was balanced well between the flirting and dates and all of the sister moments. I didn’t feel weighed down by reading Falling Into Place, rather it brought hope that love (from family or a partner) can help us be better and accept that love in our lives. I sincerely loved Carly and Brooks as separate characters and together.

The audiobook narrator was good but it did bug me that this book didn’t have two because it was dual POV. I would occasionally have to remind myself who’s POV chapter I was listening to because it wasn’t obvious.

Anyways, another Allison Ashley book I just loved!!!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: 2-3ish vague/brief open door
  • Violence: low
  • Content Warnings: loss of loved ones (multiple mentioned, on page and recounted), grief depiction

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