Book Review: Class Clown (The Thornback Society #4) by Aspen Hadley

February 4, 2026January 25, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 345 pages
Author: Aspen Hadley
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 1st, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ruby Jenkins is obsessed with two romance novels, and making life into an adventure. She’s always up for anything, especially flirting her way to Mr. Right.

When her latest conquest ends abruptly, she finds herself in need of a summer job. In desperation, she agrees to be the on-site nurse at a sleepaway summer camp for kids, where her younger brother will be her boss.

Ruby immediately begins picturing the romantic moments she’ll create in the mountains, but none of her daydreams included bunking with her brother and his best friend – the robot.

Nico Crawford is ex-military, and while he may look like he stepped off the cover of a magazine, to Ruby he’s always been a machine with less personality than a rock, a real side character with nothing to add to the plot.

As the weeks roll by, however, Ruby’s assumptions are put to the test. And when plot twists threaten her way of thinking, only she can decide if she’s truly ready to turn the next page.

TRYING A LITTLE TOO HARD.

I have really enjoyed this series and was looking forward to this book a lot. And I feel a bit disappointed in the story as a whole. I did enjoy many of the romance aspects. It’s really sweet and I loved how reserved and kind Nico was to Ruby. He’s a gentle giant type I could easily get behind and the little soft touches and kisses absolutely melted me.

What wasn’t working for me was the humor. While I found some funny, I found most odd? I think that’s the word I’m looking for. It just wasn’t my type of humor and thus I kind of cringed at the jokes or scenes. Ruby was trying too hard with the matchmaker aspects too and I tried to hustle past those scenes.

I think the ending came together well and I did like the extended epilogue and getting to see all of the couples again. Ultimately it’s a good series even if this was my least favorite of the bunch.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low

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Book Review: Seeing Miss Heartstone by Nichole Van

January 26, 2026January 18, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 315 pages
Author: Nichole Van
Publisher: Fiorenza Publishing
Release Date: November 1st, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Miss Belle Heartstone—heiress and savvy businesswoman—needs a husband. Immediately. As in, yesterday would not have been soon enough. Her mother’s attempts at matchmaking have been disastrous. So Belle decides to solve the problem her way—survey the market and purchase the best groom available.

Colin Radcliffe, Marquess of Blake—debt-ridden and penniless—needs a large infusion of cash. Desperately. Preferably cash that does not come with a wife attached. It is no surprise, then, when he receives Miss Heartstone’s brazen proposal—her cash, his title, their marriage—that he politely declines.

But before he leaves her, Blake suggests something truly radical: Maybe before finding a husband, Belle should find herself.
His simple words send them both on an unexpected journey, spanning continents and years, entwining their lives in ways neither could have foreseen. Can two lonely souls move past societal expectations and forge a unique life together?

LOVED THE CONCEPT.

I am on a quest to finish Nichole Van’s backlist and I loved checking this one off. The premise is unique and crafted beautifully. Those starting chapters were a hoot and there was an easy dynamic between Colin and Belle. I enjoyed the progression through letters and seeing Belle really own herself and what she wants in a time period where that wasn’t always possible.

The chemistry was undeniable and I loved all of the moments that Colin and Belle found to be together. It’s one of those slowww burns that brings out all the feelings of JUST KISS ALREADY.

The audiobook is great and I had some minor quips about some plot things but otherwise, a lovely regency romance that brought the swoon I was looking for.

Overall audience notes:

Historical Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Content Warnings: loss of a parent (recounted)

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Book Review: Let You Love Me (Boys of Riverside #5) by Gracie Graham

January 14, 2026January 7, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Sports Romance
Length: 601 pages
Author: Gracie Graham
Publisher: Self Publishing
Release Date: June 30th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The first time I met Lane Turner was a stroke of fate.
The second time was a slap in the face. Turns out, she’s my coach’s daughter, completely off-limits. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting her.

Falling for Lane will be easy. Crashing through her walls, not as simple. When I find out she has a daughter? Complicated. But I’m anything if not determined, intent on dismantling the carefully constructed armor around her heart. Proving to her I’m more than just a college athlete is my number one mission in life. Showing her she’s worth it is a close second.

But everyone has their limits, the scars that bind them. Broaching the topic of her daughter’s father is a hard no. Lying is mine. So when her past comes knocking on my door in the form of retribution, I start asking questions. I’m ready to fight for us, but is she?

I FINISHED THE SERIES!

And this was a great book to end everything too. I adore Teagan and loved getting his story. I loved the college setting and all of the football content too. This book had me cheering on a love at first sight play that I wasn’t mad about one bit.

There’s the usual level of drama and chaos I’ve come to expect from this series and I loved the tangled web it wove. I was glued to my kindle waiting for that last shoe to drop and see everything hit the fan before being smoothed over. I will say that Lane frustrated me over one aspect where I thought her secrets were being held on to a little too long.

I enjoyed the swoon and heat from the romance and all of the really sweet moments with Sophie. I loved so many scenes and how they impacted the story and characters. It was fun getting to hear from the previous characters too and I will definitely be reading whatever Gracie Graham writes next.

Overall audience notes:

NA Sports Romance
Language: high (way too high, there were hundreds of f-bombs)
Romance: vague open door
Violence: mild
Content Warnings: teen pregnancy (recounted), hazing, physical altercations

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Book Review: A Kingdom of Shadows (A City of Flames #2) by Rina Vasquez

January 5, 2026December 21, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 422 pages
Author: Rina Vasquez
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 28th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Nara set out to kill dragons—now one dragon might be her only hope…

Wanted by the queen and her army, Nara and dragon shifter Darius embark on a dangerous quest. The Screaming Forests aren’t a place for the faint of heart; monsters, evil, and danger lurks in every shadow. They must reach the Isle of Elements, or forfeit everything they hold dear.
But the Elven King who controls these lands has other ideas. The couple must undertake puzzles, caverns, and wicked beings to fetch elemental stones hidden away. Tempers flare, tensions between the duo rise, and the stress and pressure threatens to tear them apart for good… or push them together in ways neither ever imagined. First, they must survive everything this adventure throws at them.

A LET DOWN.

I enjoyed book one so dang much, and then this one…I don’t think I’m going to finish this series now. I’m just not feeling it anymore.

Mostly because the plot went POOF. I’m still trying to find it honestly. And I get that it’s a romantasy, I love this genre, but I also need an actual plot to be happening to make the romance feel heightened and important. And it’s not that spice overwhelmed the story (though it did a little in the late second half), it’s just that the story meandered. I think they were supposed to be collecting stones? And it became so half effort attempt with a lot of arguing between Darius and Nara.

There were some good romantic reveals. Usually I’m obsessed with this kind of moments and that did help my enjoyment level. The banter was good and the swoon factor is there. I just got bored with everything else.

Overall audience notes: