Tag: contemporary romance

Book Review: Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Sarah Adler
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: May 23rd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A starry-eyed romantic, a cynical writer, and (the ashes of) an elderly woman take the road trip of a lifetime that just might upend everything they believe about true love.

Millicent Watts-Cohen is on a mission. When she promised her elderly best friend that she’d reunite her with the woman she fell in love with nearly eighty years ago, she never imagined that would mean traveling from D.C. to Key West with three tablespoons of Mrs. Nash’s remains in her backpack. But Millie’s determined to give her friend a symbolic happily-ever-after, before it’s (really) too late—and hopefully reassure herself of love’s lasting power in the process.

She just didn’t expect to have a living travel companion.

After a computer glitch grounds flights, Millie is forced to catch a ride with Hollis Hollenbeck, an also-stranded acquaintance from her ex’s MFA program. Hollis certainly does not believe in happily-ever-afters—symbolic or otherwise—and makes it quite clear that he can’t fathom Millie’s plan ending well for anyone.

But as they contend with peculiar bed-and-breakfasts, unusual small-town festivals, and deer with a death wish, Millie begins to suspect that her reluctant travel partner might enjoy her company more than he lets on. Because for someone who supposedly doesn’t share her views on romance, Hollis sure is becoming invested in the success of their journey. And the closer they get to their destination, the more Millie has to admit that maybe this trip isn’t just about Mrs. Nash’s love story after all—maybe it’s also about her own.

THIS WAS SO GOOD.

I didn’t really have plans to pick this up and a friend’s raving review convinced me to give it a go. AND I LOVED IT. I’m so happy I read it!

THE EMOTIONS. I felt them all throughout. The flashback chapters hurt my heart and when a reveal happened that I wasn’t expecting I was almost in tears. The writing just brought out all of the feels.

The romantic banter was amazing. I was laughing and swooning Hollis and Millie. They really had this enigmatic chemistry and the road trip antics were well placed. I’m not usually a road trip fan, but I love the way this story worked in its favor. I do think the physicality of their relationship surpassed what I love seeing, that’s a me thing though.

It’s a wonderful audio book. A deeply heartfelt story and I was in love from all sides.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 3-4 open door
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one

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Book Review: A Royal Promise (Royal Hearts #4) by Amanda Schimmoeller

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Modern Royal Romance
Length: 274 pages
Author: Amanda Schimmoeller
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 9th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two best friends.
One promise that could change everything.

Prince Andrew has been in love with his best friend, Bri, for as long as he can remember. Of course, he would never actually tell her that. When his parents try to force him into a marriage of convenience, Drew decides to enact the marriage pact he made with Bri when they were kids. While she might think he’s faking everything with her for the public eye, Drew finally has the chance to show his best friend how much he loves her and why they would make the perfect couple. Drew can only hope that their forced time together will show Bri what has been right in front of her all along.

Princess Brielle agrees to be her best friend’s fake fiancée to save him from a desperate situation. Emphasis on the word fake. But the more time she spends with Drew pretending to be a couple, Bri begins to see him in a new light. He’s no longer the scrawny, awkward kid he used to be. Drew is an attractive, confident man who makes their charade look effortless and has her heart racing on more than one occasion. As the lines of their fake engagement and her feelings begin to blur, she’s left with the biggest decision of her life–Bri can either allow herself to fall in love with Drew or potentially lose her best friend forever.

A Royal Promise is Book 4 in the Royal Hearts series. This is a sweet, closed-door romance and can be read as a standalone.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

SUCH A SWEET STORY.

Friends to lovers and I have an up and down history and I can easily mark this in the win column. It was such a sweet story. I adored Drew and Bri and watching them realize how their deep feelings had turned into everlasting love.

There were many tender scenes and I loved how the fake dating played out. The dates were fun and I enjoyed the lighter vibes of this book. It was exactly what I was needing when I picked it up.

I didn’t love the Clarissa plot line, but that was the only thing that stood out to me. I love that this is a modern royal romance story and it had one of my favorite tropes he falls first and he’s fallen HARD. All of the small elements came together for such a lovely romance read. I’m sad to see this series go but excited for what Amanda writes next!

Overall audience notes:

  • Modern Royal Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Just a Football Star (Tate Brothers #1) by Deb Goodman

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 260 pages
Author: Deb Goodman
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 29th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He’s a competitive ex-athlete. Which is code for “He’s gonna break my heart.”

When I started my career as a sports trainer for professional football players, I didn’t understand the dangers involved. I thought my knowledge and next-level love for the game would be all I needed to treat and motivate the guys.

Now? It’s all gone. I’m unemployed, unboyfriended, and I’ve rage-booked a week’s stay at a fancy, remote resort to try to heal from the havoc.

Enter Alec. Not only did he used to play for the exact team I’ve gone running and screaming from, but the frustratingly handsome man is harboring a jumbo-sized chip on his shoulder from his career-ending injury.

He’s so broken, I can’t not help him with his knee while I’m here. I’ve always loved a good project.

Except, after awhile, I find myself in irresponsibly close quarters with him. I’m getting glimpses of his goodness and suddenly, I want to know all about him.

What makes him tick?

There is one thing I know.

When I finally figure him out, everything will change.

Just a Football Star is a sweet, small-town, closed-door romantic comedy with all of the sizzle and none of the spice! It lightly touches on the death of a significant other in the past and an addiction in a former relationship. However, there’s also an adorable puppy named Jerry, the meddlesome antics of Aunt Stella, and no one cheats on anyone. Plus, mysteries surrounding those intriguing Tate Brothers will begin to unravel.

MMM.

First, I didn’t like this interpretation of athletic training. Some aspects were correct and other discussions made me cranky.

Secondly, I wanted very much to like this, and did at first, and things slowly went downhill. There were some writing and commentary quirks with jokes that didn’t land. And the continual repetitive nature of Alec and Oakley’s thoughts made me want to skim to actually move the story along (and it’s not even 300 pages). And the balance of heaviness in it didn’t fit either???

I liked the brothers, and the resort setting, and it ended just fine. There wasn’t a whole lot going for me though otherwise. Oakley ran away from her problems instead of having a brief chat with Alec that would have solved all of the problems. And at that point I was through. I don’t think this is the author for me.

AND FINALLY. I can’t count it as a sports romance when not a single game is played. Yes, Alec is a FORMER NFL player, but besides some high school football, that’s all you’re going to see.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a girlfriend (recounted, grief depiction), mentions of gambling addiction,

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Book Review: Best Friends, Backups & Something More by Ranee S. Clark

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 180 pages
Author: Ranee S. Clark
Publisher: Sweetly Us Press
Release Date: August 18th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A sweet sports romance inspired by Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility .

If “best friends at first sight” were really a thing, Eli Dash would say that’s how his friendship with the new private school teacher, Court Edwards, began. She’s the only person who understands his determination to prove himself as the new L.A. Rays quarterback. She, and nobody else, completely relates to his drive to make everyone forget about last year’s disastrous season with his old team. She’s also stolen his heart and run off with it, faster than any running back he’s ever met.

The problem is, she’s secretly dating another teacher who also happens to be her department head. She’s completely clueless about Eli’s feelings and seems content to keep him in the friend zone forever.

For those reasons alone, Eli should take a sideline bench. Speaking up may risk their friendship, and then he could lose her altogether. But Eli Dash isn’t the sidelines type. It’s the most critical season of his life, and he refuses to let others call the shots this time—not with their happily-ever-after barely within reach. Can the new QB take them from friend zone to the end zone? Or is it game over for them both?

NEEDED DEPTH.

This was much shorter than I expected and it showed. While a cute and sweet story, I wish it would have been a regular novel length to really feel the connection between Eli and Court.

And a lot of it was filled with adults handling issues like high school drama. A bit he said/she said, not being forthright with feelings and such. Just not what I was hoping for. Eli bugged me the most as is CONTINUALLY put himself down and argued that he was a terrible football player. I get it, but also, where’s the character growth?

It’s dual POV and friends to lovers, and he falls first which were my favorites aspects. And if you are looking for something short, maybe this is for you?

I will continue my quest for sweet/closed door football romances that I would love to recommend. This one just didn’t click for me.

Overall audience notes:

  • Sports Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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