ALC/ARC Book Review: The Rival by Emma Lord

January 21, 2025January 7, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Emma Lord
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Release Date: January 21st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Rivals-to-lovers gets an academic send-up in this charming and irresistible romantic comedy from Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author of Tweet Cute and Begin Again!

At long last, Sadie has vanquished her lifelong academic rival — her irritatingly charming, whip smart next door neighbor, Seb — by getting the coveted, only spot to her dream college. Or at least, so she thinks. When Seb is unexpectedly pulled off the waitlist and admitted, Sadie has to compete with him all over again, this time to get a spot on the school’s famous zine. Now not only is she dealing with the mayhem of the lovable, chaotic family she hid her writing talents from, as well as her own self doubt, but she has to come to terms with some less-than-resentful feelings for Seb that are popping up along the way.

But the longer they compete, the more Sadie and Seb notice flaws in the school’s system that are much bigger than any competition between them. Somehow the two of them have to band together even as they’re trying to crush each other, only to discover they may have met their match in more ways than one.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio for my gifted copies.

THE NOSTALGIA.

Emma Lord does an incredible job of making me feel nostalgic for my college aged years. Where things are confusing, live has a lot of new turns and you’re just trying to find out where you want to be and the goals you have to achieve to get there. I adore this setting so much and love that it’s set in college but still YA appropriate.

I loved the dynamic between Sadie and Seb. The banter was fantastic. The quips and pranks back and forth really sold me on how much they care about each other even though they have been ignoring those feelings for so long. The cute pancake dates and tender quiet discussions were sweet and impactful for the storyline.

It’s a genuine and fun read. I also adored the complex family relationships. That there was support and love but issues too. It’s not all sunshine, yet you know who’s in your corner. I love the authentic nature of these kinds of plots.

If Emma writes it, I’m going to read it and this is no different. Another gem and one I am so grateful I got my hands on early.

Overall audience notes:

New adult contemporary romance
Language: low
Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens

January 18, 2025December 26, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Sophie Cousens
Publisher: GP Putnam’s Sons
Release Date: November 19th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A hilarious love story about a disillusioned divorcée who agrees to let her children play matchmaker.

Columnist Anna Appleby has left her love life behind after a painful divorce. Who needs a man when she has two kids, a cat, and uncontested control of the TV remote? Besides, she’d rather be single than subject herself to the hell of online dating. But her office rival is vying for her column, and no column means no stable source of income. In a desperate attempt to keep her job, Anna finds herself pitching a unique angle: seven dates, all found offline, chosen by her children.

From awkward encounters to unexpected connections, Anna gamely begins to put herself out there, asking out waiters, the mailman, and even her celebrity crush. But when a romantic connection appears where she least expected it, will she be brave enough to take another chance on love?

I LOVED THIS.

This was my first book by this author, and I see myself reading more of them in the future. This was a GEM. I found it had this beautiful balance of wit and humor and strength, all mixed in with a heated romance I was obsessed with. I’m not going to say much about who becomes the romantic lead, but I will say again, OBSESSED. The dynamic between them was perfect.

Also this is my favorite kind of spice level. Where things get heated and then fade out (aka fade to black if that wasn’t obvious). It fit well into the story line and made that connection feel all the deeper. I loved understanding the depth of character and background and all of these small moments where you see the pieces start to click together.

It was a true delight. I loved the audiobook and I will keep my eye out for all new releases form Sophie Cousens.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: mild
Romance: fade to black
Content Warnings: divorce

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ALC Book Review: The Favorites by Layne Fargo

January 16, 2025January 3, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Genre: Sports Romance
Length: 448 pages
Author: Layne Fargo
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: January 14th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

To the world, they were a scandal. To each other, an obsession.

An epic love story set in the sparkling, savage sphere of elite figure skating about a woman determined to carve her own path on and off the ice

She might not have a famous name, funding, or her family’s support, but Katarina Shaw has always known that she was destined to become an Olympic skater. When she meets Heath Rocha, a lonely kid stuck in the foster care system, their instant connection makes them a formidable duo on the ice. Clinging to skating—and each other—to escape their turbulent lives, Kat and Heath go from childhood sweethearts to champion ice dancers, captivating the world with their scorching chemistry, rebellious style, and rollercoaster relationship. Until a shocking incident at the Olympic Games brings their partnership to a sudden end.

As the ten-year anniversary of their final skate approaches, an unauthorized documentary reignites the public obsession with Shaw and Rocha, claiming to uncover the “real story” through interviews with their closest friends and fiercest rivals. Kat wants nothing to do with the documentary. But she can’t stand the thought of someone else defining her legacy either. So, after a decade of silence, she’s telling her story: from the childhood tragedies that created her all-consuming bond with Heath to the clash of desires that tore them apart. Sensational rumors have haunted their every step for years, but the truth may be even more shocking than the headlines.

Inspired by the powerful love and hate that fuel Emily Bronte’s classic, Wuthering Heights, The Favorites is an exhilarating dance between passion, ambition, and what it truly means to win.

Thank you LibroFM (LibroFM Parnter) for the gifted audiobook.

DRAMA BE DRAMAING.

I FULLLLLLLY admit that I usually hate books like this. I am not a drama drama drama kind of gal when it comes to my contemporary reads, but when I tell y’all this book had me in a CHOKEHOLD, you would not believe. It took every turn you can imagine and I was gasping over and over again every time the next hit came. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. Which obviously means I gave it five stars because the chaos was beautifully crafted and these unlikable characters had my full attention.

I loooooved that this was a full cast with excerpts from a documentary style (so lots of narrators and it read really awesome over audio). I’m curious to see how it looks in printed format. I think that’s what made it all the more exciting and intense too. The narration was just expertly done and I could not stop listening.

Will people hate this book? Absolutely. But I think it’s going to be a popular one too. There’s something about the insane drive to succeed and be the top contender that makes you put away any moral compass that becomes fascinating to watch. Read it and then come find me to talk about it.

Overall audience notes:

Sports Romance
Language: moderate
Romance: closed door, quick fade to black
Violence: mild
Content Warnings: cheating, mentions of past child abuse, loss of life

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Book Review: Technically Yours by Denise Williams

January 15, 2025December 8, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Denise Williams
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: December 5th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Seven years ago, he fell in love with a stranger he couldn’t have—today, she’s back in his life and the sparks between them threaten to set her career on fire.

Pearl Harris has learned the hard way to be careful in work and in love. When she is appointed acting director of OurCode, a nonprofit aimed at inspiring high schoolers to code, she has a chance to make lasting change for the organization, but a scandal has put their reputation at risk. Further complicating matters, Pearl didn’t expect the one man she hasn’t stopped thinking about in seven years to be the newest member of her board of directors.

Cord Matthews fell for Pearl when they met in an elevator seven years ago. She’s just his type: smart, capable, and makes him laugh, but when she broke his heart, he decided love wasn’t for him. After five years with no contact, their connection is immediate despite the many roadblocks in their way and Cord must consider breaking his ban on serious relationships. But going public with a romance between them might derail Pearl’s career and the progress she’s made at OurCode.

Pearl and Cord both are hesitant to trust their feelings and take a risk as they grow closer, but it becomes impossible to keep ignoring the electricity between them. Cord is a skilled programmer, but a workplace romance might spell disaster for both of them, and love isn’t easily debugged.

NOT MY FAVORITE.

I kept wanting to love this book and then I kept struggling with the FMC. My biggest hold up is this idea that a woman can’t handle being in a relationship (that she wants to be in) AND have the career she want too. So when the inevitable third act breakup happens I get cranky. Are you truly not able to balance both things? It’s okay to be in love!

Cord was a golden retriever gem though. I loved his unwavering support and the fact that he was just gone for Pearl from the get go. I thought the flashback chapters did enhance the story and we got to see this fated side of their romance. Though I could have done without the benefits vibe for most of the book.

It’s a very quick read, there’s some good themes (and as mentioned, frustrating ones). Not my favorite book by this author, but I am hopeful about the next!

Overall audience notes: