Book Review: The Even Odder Couple (Apple Valley Love Stories #4) by Julie Christianson

July 24, 2023August 5, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 362 pages
Author: Julie Christianson
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 25th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Spencer Crane thinks I’m a human tornado.

I think he’s a calendar app come to life.

While he schedules? I spin-out.

When I spontaneously combust? He overcompensates.

And this is why convincing my new boss to hire him is a completely brilliant idea.

You see, workplace romance is forbidden, but attraction between total opposites like Spencer and me is a non-issue.

I repeat: Non. Issue.

I only wish I hadn’t discovered Mr. Clark Kent Glasses is (secretly) scorchingly hot. Even worse, he’s funny and chivalrous, and shoving me straight out of my Tess the Mess comfort zone.

But we both need this job. Like, a lot. And if our boss catches wind of any fraternization, we’ll be fired. Not to mention my heart’s already at risk of being axed.

So when Spencer starts treating me like I’m a magnet and he’s a fistful of iron, I’ve got a tornado-sized problem on my hands.

Starting now, I’m doubling down. I absolutely cannot fall for Spencer Crane.

Even if my total opposite might be everything I need …

This heartwarming, hilarious romantic comedy has all the sizzle and swoon, but no explicit content. The entire Apple Valley series can be read in any order, so grab The Even Odder Couple today and get ready to fall in love!

SILLY.

I know there’s a line for everyone on what’s too silly in a romance book. This one crossed that line for me in multiple facets and I think I’ve come to accept that this author isn’t for me. Her stories are sweet and there’s goodness here, just some frustrating things I’ve found that keep me from being fully immersed.

Spence was wonderful. I liked his nerdy and kind ways. He had that charming level of jealousy that I like he was clearly smitten with Tess. All good things for me.

Tess on the other hand? Would not shut up about some other woman that she thought (and then when was told otherwise, still forced) Spencer was into. It was annoying and relentless and I couldn’t handle one more mention of Kayla. Along with that, I thought the mayor was an odd character who didn’t quite fit either. You can fulfill the tropes you’re going after without a wild emphasis from other characters.

Anyways, I don’t know. The setting was fun too. I do love a camp setting and liked seeing that Tessa had found her element. The miscommunication running RAMPANT is about the only thing I keep circling back to when I think about this book. Oh well.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: snakebite

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Book Review: The Reigning and the Rule (Surviving Time #2) by Calia Read

July 19, 2023August 3, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Time Travel Romance
Length: 479 pages
Author: Calia Read
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 17th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Étienne Lacroix and I had a fire I thought would never die.
Our love was timeless.
An irreversible decision sent me back to the present day with a family I barely recognize, but I am determined to find a way back to Étienne.
I can survive time. But I can’t survive life without him.
Time bends to no one’s demands, so I must fight with everything I have to return to the past. However, I am terrified that the past I once knew might not look the same, and the man who once called me his surviving trace will no longer be waiting for me.

Time bends to no one’s demands but sometimes love does.

OH THE DRAMA.

I still stand by this series could have probably been one book, maaaaybe two. But I just finished book two and I’m invested enough to see this through to the end.

This did once again, go outside my spice comfort level (didn’t affect my rating but wanted to note). Things once again get steeeeammyyyy. So if that’s your thing, here ya go!

I liked that there was a bit more explanation behind the magic working with Serene as she goes back and forth between time. I like having a general explanation of the rules of the world and this gave me more answers I was seeking. I love the historical aspects and seeing how things continue to change as Serene makes life changing decisions around and around.

That ENDING was wild. I have a million plus questions and NEEEEEED to know where it goes so I’m hoping to get back to finish this series ASAP. This book is a bit long, yet it does have a decent pace that will keep you moving. And if you love high angst moments, this delivers on them.

Ovearll audience notes:

Time Travel Romance
Language: some strong
Romance: multiple open door; high explicit
Violence: medium
Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, near death experiences, loss of life, mentions of domestic abuse

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Book Review: The Blameless (The Blameless #1) by E.S. Christison

July 18, 2023May 19, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: MG Fantasy
Length: 300 pages
Author: E.S. Christison
Publisher: Wildling Press
Release Date: July 7th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Briana, Princess of Predonia, has lived a happy and sheltered life. Then, in a single night, her kingdom is overthrown and centuries of peace are abruptly shattered. Fleeing for her life as her kingdom burns, Brie is rescued by Flinton, Derek, and Kove, three powerful protectors who pledge to teach her how to fight and use the powerful magic that has awakened within her. Brie finds sanctuary in the mountain stronghold of the Blameless, people who receive magical gifts from the gods after performing acts of unparalleled selflessness. Among them, Brie’s grieving heart slowly learns to live and laugh again. With the help of her new friends, she strives to master her growing powers so she can avenge her family, take back her place as the rightful heir to the throne, and free her people from the clutches of a tyrant. But can one girl change the tides against an evil that has conquered an entire kingdom?

Thank you to the author for sending me a gifted copy.

SOLID MIDDLE GRADE.

I know this isn’t my usual fantasy grade level, but I was sold on the idea and I think it is great for this age group. Keeping that in mind as I read led to a good reading experience and I’m excited for book two.

Briana, our lovely FMC, was wonderful. I loved that she acted and responded appropriately for her age group, but that it also didn’t bring on any annoyance. She’s going through a lot of growth and processing very hard things. I also loved that she wasn’t immediately good at everything, I liked seeing her learn new things and how to handle her power.

Her found family group was full of the kindest souls. I loved seeing them all together and enjoyed the lighter dynamics they brought to the table. There’s great father-like figures and friends Briana’s age that she’s able to connect with.

I enjoyed the plot and getting some snippets of the antagonists point of view to see inside his mindset too. There’s plenty of action and moments that keep those pages turning.

Overall audience notes:

Middle Grade Fantasy
Language: none
Romance: none
Violence: low-moderate
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of family, small battle themes, weapons, physical and magical violence

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Book Review: Class Act (The Thornback Society #1) by Aspen Hadley

July 17, 2023August 2, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 288 pages
Author: Aspen Hadley
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: July 18th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It started out innocently enough . . .

Hailey Thomas is perfectly content living a quiet life as a second-grade teacher. She’s definitely not looking for a husband. But when one of her students can’t stop bragging about her single dad, she decides to do some sleuthing and what she finds turns her into a part-time internet stalker, complete with daydreams she can never admit to.

When the object of her research shows up at her school and accuses her of scheming with his eight year-old daughter, she vows to put an end to all of it and avoid him at all costs. Ford Whittaker may be a wealthy businessman and ridiculously handsome single dad, but he’s definitely not the man she’d imaged he was.

Only, avoiding Ford is becoming impossible thanks to her honorary uncle, her four best friends, and the daughter that actually is a schemer. Every week it’s something new, and the more they get thrown together, the more Hailey wonders if maybe she’d been a little bit lonelier than she realized.

And maybe Ford was too.

Class Act is a closed-door, sweet and swoony romance, with all the sizzle and no explicit content.

SWOONY.

I looooove a good swoony love interest and Ford hit all of those marks for me. I could not get enough of every single time he and Hailey were forced together (because forced proximity is one of the best tropes out there). There was fantastic relationship development. And the best part? NO THIRD ACT BREAK-UP. We’re all adult here folks.

My one eh thing is that I basically skipped over any of the (too long) scenes of Hailey talking to her friends. It was setting up for the future books and I think when that is written more subtly it comes across better. This was a bit much and made things drag out too long.

I adored Ford’s kids too. They were a nice charming touch. This book had me smiling and chuckling at some of the scenes and I always adore a book that can bring out those kind of feel good emotions. I look forward to more stories!

Overall audience notes: