Tag: emma st. clair

ARC Book Review: A Holly Jilly Christmas (Love Stories in Sheet Cake) by Emma St. Clair

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance Novella
Length: 124 pages
Author: Emma St. Clair
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: December 9th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

My life is nothing like the movies we make at the studio where I work–especially not when it comes to relationships.
Which means that there will be absolutely NO romance between me and Case, the grumpy exec I’ve had a crush on from our very first not-so-meet-cute.
We’re simply two coworkers scouting the town of Sheet Cake, Texas as a location for filming.
That’s it.
Though, to be honest, I’m suspicious of why Case came on this trip at all.
Whatever the reason, there will be no Christmas magic, and definitely NO mistletoe kisses.
But when Case actually starts talking to me–gasp!–and reveals the humor and kindness buried beneath his gruff persona, my little crush explodes into something a lot harder to hide.
Except he’s harboring secrets of his own.
And I’m starting to wonder if his cagey behavior is because he’s planning to take credit for my (admittedly brilliant) idea to make this town our central filming hub.
He’s not that kind of man … right?
All I wanted for Christmas was a promotion, and now I’m falling for the man who might be trying to steal it.

A Holly Jilly Christmas is a grumpy sunshine Christmas novella set in the world of Sheet Cake, Texas.You’ll get all the chemistry and laughs in this closed door romance.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

LOVED SO MUCH.

I have been chomping at the bit to get my hands on this book and when it dropped in my inbox I was on cloud 9. Emma St. Clair books never disappoint and I need y’all to had this to your holiday TBR’s. It is a GEM.

I adored Jillian and Case. It was the perfect forced proximity set-up. A car break-down, small town shenanigans that lead to more? Give it all to me. ALL. This is beyond filled with the best flirtatious banter that had me grinning like a fool and swooning to a puddle. I LOVED IT. Everything was perfectly timed and I can not even with a guy falls first scenario.

There’s a small dose of the holiday season that slides in well between the romance. I loved seeing a few characters from Sheet Cake (and wow, every time I read a book in this series do I want to go make sheet cake ASAP).

This is simple, light, and full of all the feel goodness you want this time of year. I loved every dang page.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance Novella
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of loss of parents

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ARC Book Review: Eloise and the Grump Next Door (Oakley Island Romcom #1) by Emma St. Clair and Jenny Proctor

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Emma St. Clair and Jenny Proctor
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: August 15th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I’m not sure which is worse–the lawyer handling my grandmother’s estate or the attack pelican living on the screened-in porch. Just kidding–I’ll take the pelican any day.

After graduation, I thought I’d be off to grad school, doing research on my favorite poet. Instead, I’m renovating my late grandmother’s home and posting about the process on Instagram. Talk about a detour …

But here I am. Turning Gran’s beach house into a bed and breakfast–a process that would be a lot easier if I didn’t have to deal with the grumpy lawyer living next door. It doesn’t help that the night Jake and I met, I got a little tipsy, and he had to carry me back to my hotel.

But the longer I stay on Oakley Island, the more I feel a connection to my childhood and to my grandmother. This isn’t the life I dreamed of, but dreams can change. Especially when new dreams include a future with Jake. On the outside, he might be pricklier than a puffer fish, but I catch glimpses of a delicious, cinnamon roll center.

Did I mention the tattoos he hides underneath those crisp button-down shirts? Yowza.

When I’m suddenly presented with the academic opportunity of my dreams (former dreams?), my picturesque life on Oakley starts to unravel.

A part of me wants to stay. If only a certain tattooed grump didn’t seem so determined to send me away …

Eloise and The Grump Next Door is a grumpy sunshine, closed door romantic comedy. The Oakley Island Romcom series follows three very different sisters as they renovate the house they inherited and find love on the island along the way. Each book will have sizzling chemistry but no spice.

Thank you to the authors for an eARC!

ABSOLUTELY LOVED.

I expected nothing less from this duo. It is the pairing I didn’t know I needed and now want ALL THE TIME. Bless them for giving us a full series together.

The chemistry between Lo and Jake was off the charts. I am hit or miss on age gap and this one HIT. It was played so well and I loooooooooved it. And the forced proximity? THE BEST. I LIVE FOR FORCED PROXIMITY. Add in a house that needed renovated and a grandmother who has passed away and still subtly matchmaking. The rest of the charming side characters (like Jake’s nephew) won me over too.

And the KISSING SCENES? THE SIZZLING HEAT Y’ALL. This is what I love about an amazing closed door romance. The heat can still be brought with without actual spice. I loved all of the little moments watching these two fall in love.

I couldn’t put this down and easily read it in a day. I just loved everything about it. It made me feel good, happy, light. And those are the kind of reads I often reach for. I’m so excited to continue this series and can’t wait for more.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a grandmother, divorced parents

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Book Review: Falling for Your Enemy (Love Cliches #6) by Emma St. Clair

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: Unknown pages
Author: Emma St. Clair
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: July 21st, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

People who say keep your enemies closer never took a road trip with a guy who hated their guts.

A month ago, my identity as Dr. Love was a secret. A month ago, I thought I was getting engaged.

A month ago, I wasn’t stuck with the guy who hates me most in the world.;

Now… if I don’t make nice with my #1 hater, I might lose my book deal.

Without that, I’m not sure what I have left.

But when I’m forced on a publicity tour with everyone’s favorite guy, the guy who says I ruined his relationship, I didn’t know how low I could go.;

At every stop, I get roasted and he gets more revered.

You would think after a while, I would hate him too.

And you would be very, very wrong…

GREAT ENDING.

I’m so sad this series is over!! [Though low-key stoked to see what the author writes next].

I found this book beautifully chaotic (and this is a high compliment). Many antics that had me laughing and eyes widening because I couldn’t believe what hijinks were happening next. The road trip that went South fast, yet brought Sam and Rhys together was everything I could hope for.

The subtlety of the enemies to lovers dynamic worked great for these two. It wasn’t heavy on the enemies side. It definitely moved QUICK to lovers. But the way St. Clair portrayed their love story had me never second guessing the pace. It was a fantastic fast-paced romance where I was swooning right along with Sam’s friends at every turn (the pinky hold?! adorable).

It was so fun with all of the hotel changes, book tour nonsense, weddings, video chats, airplane rides, candy stops and much much more. Typing that all out I can’t believe how much happened. I love that the gang was all together and how magical to see all of the happy endings. Even better, there was an epic-logue where 40 years in the future we got to see everyone again. I love additions like this!!! I’m smitten for any epilogue I can get my hands on and this was no exception.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses/make-outs
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: assault, misogyny

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