ARC Book Review: To All the Guys I Loathed Before (Lucky in Love #3) by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

February 27, 2026February 26, 2026 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 270 pages
Author: Gracie Ruth Mitchell
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: February 27th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The man I met in the holding cell is my new boss.
Holding cell.
New boss.
Nightmare.
Roman Drake is younger than me, inconveniently gorgeous, and way too good at pushing my buttons. I don’t need a playboy like him in my life, especially because I’m already plagued by my poor taste in men.
Case in point? I’m currently working with my ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend…at a matchmaking company. To make matters worse, my first love has just dumped a pile of debt in my lap, leaving me scrambling for an extra job. Good thing I can take care of myself; I’ll shoulder this burden on my own. But when my problems keep piling up, it’s none other than Roman freaking Drake who rides to my rescue, offering a solution too tempting to resist.
So I’ll work with him for a while—just long enough to rejuvenate my bank account—and then I’ll move on, leaving him and his laughing eyes in the rearview mirror.
Except the more time I spend with Roman, the more I realize I was wrong about him. It’s not his flirting I need to watch out for; it’s the way he looks at me. Somehow he sees what I’m trying to hide. He’s delighted by the things that have scared other men away.
I’ve sworn off love, and I refuse to soften now. I’ve had too many bad experiences in the past to go down that road again. If only the man from that stupid holding cell didn’t make it so difficult to stay away…

Thank you to the author for the eARC.

LIGHT AND SWEET.

Oh I needed a book like this. Something quick, on the lighter side and filled with sweetness. I love the sibling relationship between Aurora and her sisters. I long for those kind of bonds and the way they take care of each other is just my favorite. This also included Roman and Denice’s relationship too!! Give me all the good family vibes pleeeease.

And I LOVED that she was older than Roman??? The dynamic between them was perfect. I loved how Roman played with Aurora and the slow but sure way he showed Aurora how to let her walls down a bit. The slow burn was just right and I couldn’t get enough of them in each other’s orbit. Both characters with flaws they were working through showed wonderful growth and willingness (even if stubborn willingness) to change and adapt for the better.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low

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ARC Book Review: All’s Well that Friends Well (Lucky in Love #2) by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

July 8, 2025July 5, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★.25
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 390 pages
Author: Gracie Ruth Mitchell
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 14th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

My love for Luca Slater is not unrequited. It’s just…not requited yet.

Did I break into his house? Technically yes. And did I eavesdrop on that one tiny little conversation? Also yes. But I had good reasons! Intentions matter, you know?

Unfortunately, Luca does not agree. So while I fell for him at first sight, his opinion of me is dismally low, and it’s about to get lower. Because as of today, I am officially working at his office…as the new janitor.

Cleaning toilets isn’t sexy, and I am not cut out for sanitizer and scrub brushes. But I need this job–begged for this job, in fact–so I’m going to make the best of it.

When I see Luca is having some work problems of his own, however, and when I realize I might be just the person to help, I offer my services immediately. As the new branch manager, he needs help softening his image in order to win over his employees, and if there’s one thing I’m great at, it’s people skills.

If I can prove useful, maybe Luca will finally see me as a woman instead of a silly little girl. Maybe he’ll finally realize I’m the one he’s destined to be with forever.

So I’ll help Luca win over his employees, and while I’m at it, I’ll win him over, too. I’m going to do everything I can to make this man fall for me…

One mopped floor at a time.
.
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This is Juliet Marigold’s story, book two in the Lucky in Love series! These books can be read in any order as complete standalones, but they are best enjoyed when read in order.

Thank you to Gracie Ruth Mitchell for the gifted eARC.

IT WAS SWEET.

Another GRM book I adored so much. This one really took you on a journey from strangers to friends to lovers and it was intriguing to see Juliet be the pursuer. She’s a bit unhinged in her antics and that got to me a touch, buuuut it started becoming endearing and I liked seeing the switch up in this genre.

And I adored Luca. He’s the epitome of a grumpy character who has a soft heart underneath all of the gruff. I really liked his growth and facing the hard things and slowly seeing him break his control to let himself live a little. AND LET ME TELL Y’ALL, that first kissing scene lit my kindle on FIRE. Gosh dang it was hot y’all.

I liked Juliet’s growth a lot too. I understood and could resonate with much of her inner monologue and there were many tender scenes with her and Luca that showed the strength she’s been creating to find a new and enjoyable life path for herself. There were moments that made me laugh, swoon, and squeeze my heart.

I can’t wait for the next book!!

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Content warnings: loss of a loved one (recounted), anxiety

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ARC Book Review: All’s Fair in Love and Blackmail by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

March 30, 2025March 10, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 291 pages
Author: Gracie Ruth Mitchell
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 21st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Once upon a time…I fell for my brother’s best friend.

I’m not proud of myself, okay? But these things happen when you’re young and impressionable. The point is, I got over it. I moved on.

Except now Felix Caine is back—back with his easy smile and sparkling eyes, and he’s making me an offer I (literally) can’t refuse. He needs help with a romantic article he’s writing, and he won’t take no for an answer.

The more time I spend with him, the more I remember all the reasons I fell for him before. But he’s not just my brother’s flirtatious friend this time. He’s my friend, too. And though he says he’ll never fall in love, I sometimes see his gaze linger with more than just friendship.

There’s a spark between us that wasn’t there before. And I don’t want to have any regrets in this relationship. But what’s a girl to do when the only way to follow her heart…is to give it away?

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

THIS WAS CUTE!

GRM’s books are always delightfully filled with good banter. I loved the back and forth between Felix and Indy. It’s charming and has a 2000’s romcom vibe that I can get behind.

I thought the plot was simple and effective. I loved seeing all of the little romantic places around Lucky and how Felix and India were out of their depth trying to fight feelings for each other. The little sweet moments they had to connect were swoony.

Sometimes the side characters took over the story a bit (aka her sisters) and I wish there had been more swoon, but those are minor things in an otherwise lovely book.

I adore being in GRM’s plots and schemes. And this made me smile and brought some joy into my week. Felix’s charming, flirtatious ways were my favorite and I loved seeing India get back on her motorcycle and go after the things she wanted in life. The themes woven in were exactly what this story needed.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low

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ARC Book Review: Five Stolen Rings by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

November 11, 2024November 9, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

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…
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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: