Tag: contemporary romance

Book Review: Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

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Rating: ★★
Audience: Magical Realism Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: September 12th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Legend goes that long ago a Flores woman offended the old gods, and their family was cursed as a result. Now, every woman born to the family has a touch of magic.

Sage Flores has been running from her family—and their “gifts”—ever since her younger sister Sky died. Eight years later, Sage reluctantly returns to her hometown. Like slipping into an old, comforting sweater, Sage takes back her job at Cranberry Rose Company and uses her ability to communicate with plants to discover unusual heritage specimens in the surrounding lands.

What should be a simple task is complicated by her partner in botany sleuthing: Tennessee Reyes. He broke her heart in high school, and she never fully recovered. Working together is reminding her of all their past tender, genuine moments—and new feelings for this mature sexy man are starting to take root in her heart.

With rare plants to find, a dead sister who keeps bringing her coffee, and another sister whose anger fills the sky with lightning, Sage doesn’t have time for romance. But being with Tenn is like standing in the middle of a field on the cusp of a summer thunderstorm—supercharged and inevitable.

NOPE.

I wanted to enjoy this, I really did, but this entire book just felt ANGRY. Which then made me angry and then I wanted it to be over quick. I thought that the main character spent so much energy being upset over so many aspects of her life that it was draining her and that made it a pill to read.

There were some moments of the romance that I liked and parts of the second half were better than the first. But nothing stands out as truly something I enjoyed. I didn’t understand why some of the side plots were there. I don’t think the witchy/magic system played into the story well. And now I’m ready to move on to another book and not think about this one again.

Overall audience notes:

  • Magical Realism Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 2-3 open door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: Threats of revenge pornography, domestic abuse recounted, parental abandonment, death of a parent/sibling recounted

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ARC Book Review: Pictures of You by Emma Grey

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 416 pages
Author: Emma Grey
Publisher: Zibby Books
Release Date: November 12th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

If you knew then what you know now, would you make the same choices? Imagine having a second chance with the one you never forgot.

From the author of the global breakout bestseller The Last Love Note comes the story of a young woman struggling to piece her life back together in the wake of a tragic accident, and the man who gives up everything to help her.

When Evie Hudson wakes in an unfamiliar hospital room, she thinks she’s fresh out of a teenage party with her best friend, Bree. Except, Bree isn’t around anymore and high school was years ago. Evie had just survived the crash that killed her husband, Oliver—whom she can’t remember either. After suffering a traumatic loss of memory, she’s left to connect the dots. But how?

Drew, a promising photographer whose chance encounter with Evie unravels the elusive details of her marriage and her husband’s death. As Drew watches Evie stitch the story of her life together, secrets emerge that might shatter both of their worlds.

This tangled second-chance romance leads Evie to question every decision she ever made. This time around, she’s seeing all the things she missed–and the life she gets to choose…again.

Thank you Zibby Books for the gifted ARC.

HOLY TWIST.

This book took me on a JOURNEY. I’m quite confident this is my new favorite book involving amnesia. I usually struggle with the handling but this hit all of those spots so well. The romance was angsty and filled with incredible tension as you start to unravel Evie’s life and what memories she is missing.

The flashback sections were exactly what I was hoping for. Adding in the notes to build those reveals at the end. If you think you can guess EVERY single place this book will go I am impressed because I was blindsided plenty.

I loved the intensity of feelings, the themes of forgiveness, and just how complicated the cycle of abuse can be. There’s many moments that squeeze your heart and make you yearn for that elusive HEA.

My one little 1/2 star issue was that the ending was a bit abrupt. I was hoping for something else to close off a few things.

But anyways, two books in and I’m an official Emma Grey fan girl.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: low – moderate
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: low
  • Content Warnings: abuse is the main theme (mainly psychological and emotional), loss of a parent (cancer), grief depiction, mentions of suicide ideation

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ARC Book Review: Five Stolen Rings by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 272 pages
Author: Gracie Ruth Mitchell
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 11th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

FIVE stolen rings, FOUR calling birds, THREE French kisses, TWO falling in love, and a Partridge in a pear tree…
Stella Partridge never expected to move back to her hometown. She never expected to be a house-sitter for the twelve days leading up to Christmas as a desperate bid to earn some extra money. And she definitely never expected to recognize the thief that breaks into the house she’s Jack Piorra, her childhood best friend, the one who turned cold and distant overnight and never told her why.
Jack insists there’s something in this house that belongs to him. But Stella’s not going down without a fight–not in house-sitting, and not in love. If only locking the windows and doors could keep Jack from stealing her heart…
.
FIVE STOLEN RINGS is a wacky romcom mashup of Home Alone and Twelve Days of Christmas, perfect for fans of love, laughter, and holiday warm fuzzies!

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

IN LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

Oh this book is utterly charming and an absolute delight for the holiday season. If you don’t have time for many this year, LET THIS BE ONE OF THEM. I loved it so much. It had the perfect level of holiday shenanigans and let me tell y’all, it had one of my all time favorite tropes, a man who is gone for the FMC. I dare you to not swoon during his POV.

I loved all of the banter, it’s cheeky and sassy and incredibly flirtatious. The little flashback moments did a great job of setting up the present story line and I liked that the high school drama didn’t become an overwhelming issue as adults. Communication was key and I loved the way that Stella and Jack found their way back to each other.

This book reminded me of why I love reading holiday romances. The spirit of the season, some amazing heated kisses and sweet family and friends moments too. Five Stolen Rings has it all, it’s under 300 pages which I know is a highlight for many seeking something engaging and quick for this time of year.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low

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Book Review: How Jenna Became My Dilemma (Famously in Love #2) by Kortney Keisel

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 302 pages
Author: Kortney Keisel
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 22nd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I’m fake dating a man I don’t even like. When a tabloid breaks a false story that I’m in a relationship with my co-star, Cody Banner, I’m positive my acting career is over before it’s even begun. I’m Done. Finished. But approval ratings skyrocket overnight, putting the rumors on the front page of every news outlet. Now I’m forced to make a deal with Hollywood’s most notorious bad boy and chain dater. It’s either go along with the fake-dating charade or single-handedly bring down both our careers. No, big deal. If only the lines between fake and real weren’t starting to blur, leaving my heart wondering if Cody’s just a really good actor or if he’s starting to fall for me too. How Jenna Became My Dilemma is a celebrity fake dating romantic comedy. It brings all the banter, sizzle, and chemistry while keeping the romance closed door. This is the second book in the Famously in Love Series.

ENJOYABLE.

I liked this one a lot. It’s a really fast read and I loved how easy it was to fly through. I love how Kortney Keisel writes a sensual/steamy type of read without being spicy. It was written so well in that vein and I love that vibe.

I really liked Jenna and Cody. The enemies banter was there and there were many great celebrity moments that allowed for that kind of forced proximity I love. Even the fake dating was fun to venture into to as well.

What I didn’t love was what felt like forced promotion of the authors other books through Jenna and Cody acting in movies of them. I don’t know, to me it came off kind of odd and took me out of the story multiple times.

Otherwise, an honestly good read. There were many swoony moments I loved and I thought the ending was wonderful.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of previous custody battle/divorced parents

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