Tag: indie author

Book Review: From Lukov With Love by Mariana Zapata

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Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5)
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 538 pages
Author: Mariana Zapata
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: February 1st, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

If someone were to ask Jasmine Santos to describe the last few years of her life with a single word, it would definitely be a four-letter one.

After seventeen years—and countless broken bones and broken promises—she knows her window to compete in figure skating is coming to a close.

But when the offer of a lifetime comes in from an arrogant idiot she’s spent the last decade dreaming about pushing in the way of a moving bus, Jasmine might have to reconsider everything.

Including Ivan Lukov.

BRB SWOONING.

AHHH.

Every dang time Ivan Lukov started talking to Jasmine you bet I was SWOONING. Holy cow that man can give a loving speech. He can hype me up any day. I loved him. I loved his support and sweet and small ways he cared for Jasmine. Building up that friendship and partnership into something more. My heart can’t handle that many skips in one book!

In typical MZ fashion there’s a long wait for the pay-off with this one. Dare I say a bit too long? At least for me the first 100-200 pages were a bit slower than usual. There was a loooot of hatred and disgruntlement that were the crux of Jasmine’s life. And at last, once she started taking small steps back towards her ultimate goals things started to open up.

Wow do I love a sports romance and this was no different. I love that this was about figure skating!! I felt like I learned a lot about the sport and it was the perfect counter balance against the romance. One didn’t outshine the other. Another wonderful MZ read. I’m slowly working through her books and now that this has been my fifth, I’m still in awe at how addicting these stories are.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very strong and often
  • Romance: one open door
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: fatmisia and body shaming, misogyny, sexual harassment, stalking, bullying

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ARC Book Review: On Schedule (The Wedding Business #3) by Summer Dowell

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Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5)
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 279 pages
Author: Summer Dowell
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: February 17th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I’m a huge fan of love and marriage and all that gushy stuff. Just for other people. Not me.

Avery:
I’m a simple woman. All I want is for my wedding planning business to thrive. That’s it. I don’t want some annoying photographer (Okay, I’ll admit it. He’s attractive. In a guy-you-want-to-hate kinda way) that tries with moderate success to get under my skin. I don’t need some adorable stray puppy that’s just dying to make me a dog mom. I don’t want any of it. All right?


Tyler:
I mean, am I attracted to Avery? Sure. If you’re into the big brown eyes and full soft lips kinda thing. She may or may not have sneaked her way into my film roll more times than I can count this week. But as enticing as Avery is, she has a bite to go with it. Like a tiger, just waiting for you to come close and count its stripes so it can attack. But what if there’s more to her than the human checklist vibe she gives off? And what if I’m drawn to that part?

A laugh-out-loud, clean romance that is full of all the sarcasm and swoons! ♥♥♥ 

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

BEST OF THE SERIES.

Well I absolutely devoured this in a day. Without a doubt my favorite of this series.

I am usually not one to laugh at my books while reading, but this one had me laughing multiple times. The perfect amount of snark and banter between Tyler and Avery. I loved the right dose of sarcasm and the sweetness combined for chemistry from the get-go. I really loved them together and I liked all of the forced proximity (and cute puppy) aspects that helped Avery take down some of her walls.

The only small thing I could have added would be an extension to a few scenes. The book is under 300 pages and at times I felt one or two things could have been further expounded upon. But that’s a tiny complaint compared to how much I adored this.

I looooved the setting with the wedding business, the photography (that darkroom moment though!!!), and yes I’m going to mention again, A CUTE PUPPY. I love a great dual-POV sweet romcom and this delivered.

The conflict worked well into the build-up of the plot and I liked that it wasn’t overdrawn. I knew what was going to happen, but wasn’t frustrated because it made sense. I’m just happy everyone came to their senses and that a sweet epilogue was added to the end to boot. Another great read from this author!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Falling for Your Fake Fiance (Love Cliches #3) by Emma St. Clair

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary romance
Length: 312 pages
Author: Emma St. Clair
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: February 6th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

What happens when the man I love to hate becomes the man I must pretend to love?

I can’t seem to escape Thayden Walker and his infuriating charm.

Even his mother and his Great Dane seem bent on playing matchmaker.

But I’m totally immune.

Until I’m presented with an offer that puts my ability to withstand him to the test.

If I marry Thayden, all my student debt goes poof, and he’ll take over the family firm.

There’s so much more at stake than money or a job, especially when I start to see the man beneath the mask.

Playing house with Thayden is the most dangerous game of all.

And we’re both set up to lose more than we could ever win.

Unless we’ve been on the same side all along.

BEST OF THE SERIES [SO FAR].

I loooooooved this! Especially Thayden, who was hot dang precious. I love how he took the time and effort to show Delilah what kind of life she deserved. He’s very much the best part of this book. I couldn’t get enough of him. Thayden and Delilah’s chemistry was spot on. The banter was on fire and I love the way that steam is added without being steamy. It’s fantastic and now I’m even more hyped for the last two books of this series.

And by the title you can see it had one of my favorite tropes, fake fiance! I love how it played out. I didn’t realize until the end how short the timeline was, but that’s what was magical. The romance was choreographed beautifully and by the end I was begging for the actual marriage to happen.

The conflict was luckily not over the top. From what I could see coming I was hoping it wasn’t going to lead to some big roll-my-eyes miscommunication. Aaaand it didn’t. Which is fantastic. I’m grateful all parties knew what was a lie and it made me love Delilah and Thayden all the more.

These are quick, romantic reads. I love how easy they are to follow and getting everyone’s story.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses/make-outs; light innuendo
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: manipulative parents

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ARC Book Review: The Buy-In (Graham Brother Sweet Rom-Com #1) by Emma St. Clair

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 412 pages
Author: Emma St.Clair
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: January 24th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When a family of former pro football players buy a small Texas town, they didn’t intend to start a war with its residents … or to fall in love.

Ever since his career-ending injury, Pat has bounced from job to job, idea to idea, short-lived relationship to short-lived relationship. But when his father purchases the town of Sheet Cake, Pat suddenly sees his life with clear purpose: get his brothers on board with his dad’s wild idea and win back the one woman who got away.

Lindy was supposed to be traveling the world, not stuck in a small town, caring for her niece. But she would do anything to keep custody of Jo–even if that looks like a marriage of convenience with the man who already broke her heart once.

Now if she can only keep herself from falling back in love with her husband…

This is a small town, marriage of convenience romantic comedy with plenty of sizzle while keeping the bedroom door closed. It’s the first in a spinoff series following Harper’s brothers (from Falling for Your Best Friend). You don’t need to have read the Love Clichés series first to enjoy this book.

Thank you to the author for an ARC!

ALL THE CHARM.

I adore all things Emma St. Clair and this was another notch on that belt. I have been waiting for this series starter and now I want all things Graham related. ALL THE THINGS.

This was a different take for me on the marriage of convenience trope. Love was already flowing between them before vows were said and you could FEEEEEEL it. I actually really liked that and made this book just have all of the ooey-gooey things I love. Pat had me absolutely smitten and his dedication to wooing Lindy was top notch. Lindy learning to let others help her, also top notch. Here for the character growth y’all.

Not to mention, Texas high school football, meddling friends and brothers, wild squirrels, and a rain storm. Every time Pat and Lindy fired up a kissing scene the sparks FLEW. I love how St. Clair approaches and writes these scenes. Give me alllllll those heartfelt moments.

The ending wrapped up with some tender scenes that will melt you into a puddle. I liked that the miscommunication wasn’t over blown. Each character thought and approached from their side and had an actual conversation. My fav.

Already waiting impatiently for the next story because it’s sure to be as fire as this one.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: parental abandonment, caring for a parent with dementia

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