Book Review: Faking the Fall (Sweater Weather #4) by Julie Christianson

October 21, 2023September 24, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 318 pages
Author: Julie Christianson
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: September 21st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

What’s a movie star to do when giving up the spotlight could hurt the ones he loves most?
My agent has this idea—an insanely bad idea—to reboot my Hollywood heartthrob status by having my long-lost love dump me … while I’m proposing to her on national TV.
The theory? Women everywhere will swoon over poor Lincoln James, scrambling to repair his vulnerable, shattered heart.
Trouble is, I don’t have any kind of love—long, lost, or otherwise.
To play my fake girlfriend, my agent enlists Hadley Morgan, my secret college crush. The one who dragged me to an audition that launched my career but left her in the dust.
Upping the ante, she offers Hadley a slot on the show she missed out on years ago. When the alternative publicity ploy is for reporters to dig up dirt on my family, I’ve got no choice but to go along with the ruse.
That’s why I’m in Harvest Hollow now—as one half of the dream couple HadLink—at least until Hadley explodes our relationship during a very public proposal.
Our breakup’s built into this deal. Too bad I’ve got real love for this woman.
But if I come clean, I risk Hadley’s big break, my family’s painful past, and my own rebooted heart.

A SWEET GEM.

I went into this with the best of hopes and I was gratefully charmed by the entire story. I absolutely loved the way LInk was written and how we learned more about his background and reasoning. I’m hit or miss on celebrity romances and I loved the way this one was crafted.

I also really liked Hadley too. These were both just two genuinely kind people trying to make the best decisions with the life they’ve been handed. I looooved the mutual pining and the increasingly tender moments they had as their connection reignited. It’s a sweet story with some good fake dating moments and let me tell y’all, the communication towards the end?? LOVED IT SO DANG MUCH. Exactly what I hoped for, made total sense, and really showed that Hadley and Link trusted and cared for each other. I am smitten.

The fall vibes are once again in this series, immaculate. These authors have all done a fantastic job of creating this world. I found this to be a super fast read and once that made my heart flutter.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: None
Romance: kisses
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones (happened prior to book)

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Book Review: Can’t Help Falling (Sweater Weather #3) by Courtney Walsh

October 19, 2023September 18, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 360 pages
Author: Courtney Walsh
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: September 14th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

All it takes to start a fire is one single match. . . Owen Larrabee is not my soulmate. He wasn’t when I confessed my love to him on his wedding day, and he isn’t now. I should probably say that I wasn’t the bride when that happened. I don’t have the best timing. He’s got a temper, he’s moody, and he has a history of being misunderstood and making big mistakes. I, on the other hand, make pumpkin cupcakes, spend my Friday nights curled up with a beloved romance novel and long to be kissed in the rain. Owen is my best friend’s older, off-limits brother and the only boy I ever thought I loved. Which is laughable because he only ever saw me as his kid sister’s dorky friend. But that was a long time ago. And I’m over him. Mostly. Until he comes back to Harvest Hollow like some kind of hero, showing up just in time to pull me out of my burning house and make me feel all the things I told myself I’d never feel again. Darn him and that brooding, intense way he looks at me. But I have questions. Why is Owen back? And does he remember our secret friendship or the day I’ve spent the last eight years trying to forget? I know better than to get hung up on Owen again. Especially now, when he’s sworn off relationships and thinks romance is a farce. And I’m something of an expert—at least to the people who listen to my podcast, The Hopeful Romantic . Never mind that nobody would guess their local bookshop owner is the one doling out popular weekly relationship advice. Never mind that I’m basing all that advice on the hundreds, (thousands?) of romance novels I’ve read over the years and not on personal experience. And especially never mind that Owen is making me question everything I believe about all of it. Can’t Help Falling is a best friend’s brother, childhood crush, opposites attract sweet rom-com with plenty of sizzle but none of the steam.

OWEN.

He MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS. This is definitely one of my new favorites from Courtney Walsh. I LOVED all of the fall aesthetic vibes and this small town. The Sweater Weather series is hitting it out of the park.

I loved the contrast between more practical, Owen, and romantic, Emmy. I loved all of the conversations and themes surrounding the importance of both and how each facet can fit into your life and relationship. There’s no ridiculous third act, just two people who are finally getting the chance they’ve always deserved to be together.

There were so many moments I want to highlight. I loved the firefighter aspects, the CALENDAR, the podcast, the dock, the bar scene, they were all amazing!! The amount of times I was swooning and loving every single moment y’all.

This was a gem. Read it.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: house fire, learning disabilities, bullying

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Book Review: The Lost God by Sheila Masterson

October 17, 2023June 23, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 485 pages
Author: Sheila Masterson
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 10th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two kingdoms vying for an ancient power. One witch on the verge of releasing it. But all magic requires an exchange.

Memory Witch, Cecilia, is used to sacrificing for power. She’s exchanged her blood for memories, her pride for respect at court, and her forbidden and unrequited love for her guardian, Rainer, for the sake of her duty. It will all be worth it if she can complete the Gauntlet and release the power of the Lost God.

But when the god of war attacks, sending the two kingdoms from simmering tension to open war, Cecilia and Rainer set out on one final perilous journey. They venture deeper into enemy territory than ever before, aided by a charming hunter who offers Cecilia a glimpse of the adventure and romance she’s always wanted.

As the trio encounters vicious memory-stealing hunters, enchanted illusion forests, and meddling gods who speak in riddles, they draw ever closer to the pinnacle of the Gauntlet, and the sacrifice that Cecilia has been dreading. When faced with the most important magical exchange of her life, Cecilia must choose between her kingdom, and her heart, knowing one will be left irreparably broken.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED.

I willingly went into this knowing there was a love triangle because I was feeling the angst that trope brings. What I wasn’t expecting were a bunch of other tropes/plot devices that I usually am not a big fan of to just work for me here. A true testament to Masterson’s writing ability because I was very much involved in wanting to know what was going to happen next.

There’s some good tidbits involved with the plot and magic system, but I will say there’s also a lot of plot holes. Did it bother me that much? Honestly, no. I do have questions though and would like some answers.

The insta-love here is in your face and you’ve gotta roll with it. Xander somehow endeared himself to me and everyone around him. I think I’m a bigger fan of Rainer though. There’s something there and I know it. WHY HAVE I DONE THIS TO MYSELF.

Anyways, catch me reading the second book because I’m a glutton for personal punishment.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance
Language: some strong
Romance: 4 open; low-moderate explicit
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, kidnapping, near death experiences, battle themes

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Book Review: Karma is a Witch (Deadlights Cove #5) by Aimee Vance and B. Perkins

October 14, 2023October 14, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Paranormal Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Aimee Vance
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: August 25th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Devanna Bailey has worked her way up to Boss Witch since her teens, throwing herself into her witch supply shop, Carpe Noctem, no matter how the irksome mayor has tried to stand in her way.

Equally driven, it took Orion centuries to earn his post as Mayor of Deadlights Cove. This weird little town and its quirky residents are his life’s purpose, and he might lose it all. When a local witch is murdered and the human FBI arrives, nothing will ever be the same.

Shifters have been outed to the human world. Nergal, a powerful, ancient demon, is out to destroy Deadlights Cove. The angel realm is in turmoil. And Orion can’t save this town alone.

She’s a brat.
He’s a control freak.
Neither of them know the meaning of the word yield.
The only question is, who will break first?

GREAT CONCLUSION.

What an absolutely FUN series. I loved this whole concept, the world, magic, all of the paranormal people and the romance. It was a wild ride that brought a smile to my face every time I picked up one of these books.

I loved seeing Orion and Devanna AT LAST come together. The intense heat and passion between two unmovable forces could be felt through my kindle. While the spice wasn’t my personal cup of tea I know others will enjoy the more hate love scene/dominating style. I did love how fiercely protective they became for each other and how loyal once they let down a few walls.

The plot wrapped up really well and I liked seeing those final strings tied off. Getting the end of the larger story and seeing those HEA’s was so dang sweet. I’ll miss this entire cast.

Overall audience notes: