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Book Review: I’ll Pretend You’re Mine by Tashie Bhuiyan

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Tashie Bhuiyan
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: June 3rd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Summer Ali has been making a name for herself in the music industry for years, slowly but surely climbing the charts—but the world doesn’t know her stage parents are the ones who molded her entire public persona. Finally eighteen, Summer breaks free of their control and focuses on creating her own path.

Upon running into writer’s block, Summer grows eager to take any opportunity to shake things up—even if it means agreeing to a PR stunt with child-actor-turned-playboy, Jules Moradi, famous for his tabloid escapades.

At first, Jules keeps his distance, maintaining professional boundaries. But as time passes, his walls come down, and Summer uncovers who he is beyond his reputation, and it’s someone more like her than she ever realized. As the lines blur between fake and real, Summer begins questioning who she is and what she wants—and if her dreams are worth sacrificing her heart.

CELEBRITY ROMANCE WIN.

Celebrity romances are hit or miss for me in the romance department and I am happy to report this one was a great read for me. I loved the audiobook, it really brought the book to life for me.

I loved the coming of age theme and the journey Summer went on to find herself and the strength it took to make some hard and big decisions. I loved the close relationships Summer had with her sisters and her friends. I love seeing the balance of positive relationships between the heaviness of Summer’s parents and other circumstances. And I found the anxiety rep to be very relatable.

Jules and Summer had the sweetest chemistry. From a fake dating vibe to the slow friendship build to lovers. I loved all of the tender moments they shared and how you could see them slowly opening up and pulling away from toxic situations.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: racism, homophobia, anxiety, parental abuse/neglect

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Book Review: A Convenient Fiction (Parish Orphans of Devon #3) by Mimi Matthews

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Release Date: October 22nd, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She Needed a Husband…

It’s been three years since Laura Hayes’s father died, leaving her and her invalid brother to subsist on the income from the family’s failing perfume business. But time is swiftly running out. What she needs is a husband, and fast. A noble gentleman who can rescue them all from penury. When a mysterious stranger arrives in the village, he seems a perfect candidate. But Alex Archer is no hero. In fact, he just might be the opposite.

He Wanted a Fortune…

Alex has no tolerance for sentiment. He’s returned to England for one reason only: to find a wealthy wife. A country-bred heiress in Surrey seems the perfect target. But somewhere between the village railway station and the manor house his mercenary plan begins to unravel. And it’s all the fault of Laura Hayes—a lady as unsuitable as she is enchanting.

From the beaches of Margate to the lavender fields of Provence, a grudging friendship slowly blossoms into something more. But when scandal threatens, can a man who has spent his entire life playing the villain, finally become a hero? Or will the lure of easy riches once again outweigh the demands of his heart?

SWOON.

My Mimi Matthews back list quest continues! I loved this one. The romance was utterly swoony and had me in a chokehold with the angst. I liked the way it was set up and how explosive the chemistry was between Alex and Laura. There were fantastic character arcs and I loved seeing Alex come to terms with his past. The epilogue brought about all of the happy feelings because I loved seeing where this journey took him.

I adored Laura and her ability to say what she means and to pursue her goals. I loved how she kept pushing forward even when the next thing kept falling apart. There were so many beautifully sweet sentiments between Laura and Alex that I was left in a puddle again and again.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: low

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ARC Book Review: Roots of Darkness (The Ashen #2.5) by Demi Winters

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance Novella
Length: 178 pages
Author: Demi Winters
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 10th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Traveling the Road of Bones was only the start of Hekla’s troubles.

The Bloodaxe Crew have arrived at the village of Istré—beleaguered and missing three of their members. They might be down in numbers, but Hekla ‘Rib Smasher’ is determined they’ll complete their job all the defeat the evil mist with a heartbeat and keep the citizens of Istré safe. What she didn’t expect is for Istré’s bull-headed chieftain to block her every move.

Exasperated, Hekla throws caution to the wind for a single passion-filled night. But to her horror, the mysterious, red-cloaked warrior to whom she’d spilled her deepest secrets, is the Bloodaxe Crew’s new temporary leader and ally—Eyvind Hakonsson.

Hekla must now learn to play by Eyvind’s rules while guarding her heart. But when it becomes clear that his plans align with the chieftain’s, Hekla takes matters into her own hands.

Nothing will stop her from keeping the innocent people of Istré safe—not even the man who haunts her thoughts.

Join Hekla and the remnants of the Bloodaxe Crew as they battle the evil, poisonous mist threatening the citizens of Istré—and perhaps all of Íseldur. This Ashen Series novella should be read after Kingdom of Claw.

Thank you to The Nerd Fam and the author for a gifted copy.

SUCH A GOOD STORY.

This was a novella I didn’t know I needed. I loved getting this deeper glimpse into Hekla and the way this excited me for book three. Hekla is a fierce FMC who has walked a hard road and I think getting her back story made me fall in love with her more. It made her character feel layered and complex and I hope we get to see more of her POV.

The romance was heated and a good example of making a one night stand trope work well for a short story. I am highly invested in these two and them finding a way to work together as the mist starts closing in. This is one of my favorite active fantasy romance series and I beg of you to pick it up.

Note this is a companion novella and must be read after book two!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance Novella
  • Language: molderate
  • Romance: 3ish open door scenes
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Content warnings: spousal abuse (recounted), ableism

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Book Review: An Improper Scheme (Improper Agreements #3) by Audra Wells

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 292 pages
Author: Audra Wells
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: October 10th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sleep—something Henry longs for yet cannot seem to attain. It had never been the case before, but since his younger sister Louisa has been out in society, he is plagued by dreams of failure. And to top it all off, an old acquaintance has asked for his assistance in watching out for another young lady during her first season. He should say no. But his good nature will not allow it.

Violet dreams of lords and balls, and is all that is innocent and naive. Soon after arriving in town, she finds out her brother-in-law has arranged for another man to keep an eye on her. In a moment of boldness, she turns the tables and asks for a favor of her own. But when she sees how much Lord Wood does for others, and not for himself, she decides to help him instead. Only, he does not know of her secret scheme, and would likely not approve of her methods if he did.

But what happens when they gain feelings for the one they are supposed to be helping?

An Improper Scheme is a clean Regency romance and the third in Audra Wells’ Improper Agreements series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but it best enjoyed in order.

CHARMING.

This was another fun read in the Improper series. I adore Audra Wells writing style and I’m happy that I finally decided to pick them up. I love that they are shorter, lighter reads that bring plenty of swoon and heart. I loved Henry and Violet. They had a great opposites attract vibe and lots of good forced proximity moments.

I enjoyed the plot. I didn’t looove the shenanigans Violet and Louisa got up to, but that’s okay. I liked the growth from Henry and Violet and that they both got resolutions to things they were working through.

A cute read and I’m looking forward to the next book!

Overall audience notes:

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

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