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Book Review: Just Go With It (Just Us #1) by Madison Wright

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 243 pages
Author: Madison Wright
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: April 25th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

My life is, to put this delicately, a hot mess right now. I’ve lost my job and my home all in one summer. To top it all off, I have a chronic illness and no health insurance.

Did I mention that the world now thinks I’m dating one of the Internet’s hottest stars—all because someone snapped a photo of us at our friend’s wedding? Seriously, guys? One dance, and now we’re in love? HA! Isn’t that funny? Weston King, famous YouTuber, would never date me. In fact, when given the chance six years ago, he moved two thousand miles away.

Dating Wes is off the table, but…is marrying him? He might just be the only one who can help me get my life together, and after getting hit with some really bad press, he needs me just as much. 

Marrying Wes just might be the answer to my prayers, but it also opens the door to a whole mess of problems—a door I’d rather keep tightly shut.

The whole thing would probably be a huge mistake and end in disaster. 

Should I just go with it?

I LOVE THE COVER.

Smitten for a book that draws me in by the cover and this one had that, what it didn’t have was enough substance to call this book a romance.

The first 40% started off really strong, I’m a sucker for marriage of convenience tropes and this one had all of that critical things I’m looking for in that kind of plot. I wish it would have happened sooner so that there was more interaction between the main love interests. There were so many plot holes related to the entire story that I don’t know where I’d begin.

Wes was a gem. I loved him. A good love interest with an even better heart. I enjoyed every moment he was on the page and he carried a lot of this book for me. I wish Lo had been more…*something*. I loved the own rep for fibromyalgia and learning more about the day to day effects of this disease. What I didn’t love is how she handled everything related to Wes. At times it felt high schoolish and I especially think the drama at the end had me wanting to be done reading.

So a mixed bag, but not a bad debut. I’m curious about future books from this author.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: closed door
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: fibromyalgia (own voices)

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ARC Book Review: Betting on the Boy Next Door (Betting on Love #1) by Melanie Jacobson

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 308 pages
Author: Melanie Jacobson
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 7th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I’m a nurse who wants to be a rock star—a secret I don’t even tell my best friends and roommates. So when one of them—Ruby—gets it into her head to find me a man, I can’t explain why I don’t have time for her matchmaking. Ruby turns it into a bet to make sure I go along with it. I say yes, but won’t matter. My ex taught me the most important thing about men: you can’t count on them.

When Ruby picks the worst possible guy for me, I know I’ve got this in the bag. Sure, our brand-new neighbor, Josh, is hot, but he’s the privileged scion of an Austin family whose money is so old, it’s dusty. Been there, done that, and I’m not going back.

The thing is, Josh isn’t easy to shake, especially not after he discovers my secret double-life. With the help of a fake dating scheme, a cursing parrot, and our late-night balcony talks, I’m starting to think he’s a risk worth taking—even when all the evidence says I better run.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

JUST WHAT I NEEDED.

I enjoyed this book so much. It turned out to be what I needed when it dropped in my inbox and I stayed up way too late to finish it because I was loving every page.

Josh and Ruby has great chemistry from the get-go. I looooved the banter. I found myself smiling and swooning and when a few fake dating antics got thrown in I was INVOLVED. Little heated glances, the small touches, leaning in to whisper in someone’s ear? GIMME ALL OF IT. This had a very natural flow to the relationship with some push and pull, but ultimately realizing a HEA is in front of you.

Even when I found myself a little frustrated with how Sami was allowing past issues to completely fuel her decisions in the present I did see a lot of growth. Sami allowed herself to be open about her fears, spoke to others and even did some big gestures of her own to show Josh she’s as invested as he is. Josh definitely fell first (my fav) and I adore a guy who shows up, regardless of what that means.

And I thought the plot was fun. I’m hit/miss on music themes and I thought this was wonderfully written. I wanted to see the best for Sami and loved her level headedness about following her dreams and making those happen. It’s a great book. It’s super swoony, it’s on the lighter side and it’s perfect for spring time.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a grandparent, multiple mentions of older people passing away (Sami works as a nurse at a care facility), brief mention of going to rehab, absent father

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Book Review: Obsidian Throne (The Lochlann Feuds #4) by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 434 pages
Author: Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: December 26th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

No matter how I had tried to avoid it, there was no escaping what we had: The kind of love you went to war for.

And that’s exactly what I intended to do.

Obsidian Throne is the fourth and final book in the Lochlann Feuds Series. Don’t miss this stunning conclusion to Rowan’s story!

FINALLY FINISHED.

This series started out so promising and while the last book was good, I’m left feeling meh about everything as a whole. I think condensed to a trilogy would have been the biggest boost here, but it’s been a bunch of mixed thoughts and speed reading over here.

I liked that I got to see Evander and Rowan really work for their relationship. It’s nice when a book doesn’t throw a couple apart for the drama, but allows them to work within the plot for solutions. Rowan really held her own and I liked her tenacity and not backing down at slight provocations. Evander learned to be more open and to lean one someone allowing him moments of peace. This couple was truly a match. And that deserves all the praise.

The plot was better here. A bit more intrigue, some actual battle scenes, the story thickened with intent as the war for the throne ensued. I like that Theo made some appearances (and wasn’t a nuisance) and that we got to see some other side characters too.

I don’t think I loved this series because I needed more world building. That was the puzzle piece missing. I STILL don’t know why Rowan had fae blood and others didn’t and why that gave her miniscule power? Things like that just didn’t make sense and constantly took me out of the book.

Anyways, take what I say as you will. This might be a hit for you!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: closed door (married couple)
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, branding, whipping, murder, near death experiences, war themes

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Book Review: Final Offer (Dreamland Billionaires #3) by Lauren Asher

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 592 pages
Author: Lauren Asher
Publisher: Bloom Books
Release Date: January 31st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Callahan
I’m the Kane brother everyone gossips about behind closed doors.
Trust fund brat. Washed-up athlete. High-functioning alcoholic.
No one knows the real me but her.
Lana Castillo—my childhood best friend and the only woman I ever loved.
When I broke her heart six years ago, I promised to never return to Lake Wisteria.
I kept my word until my grandfather’s will changed everything.
To receive my inheritance, I was tasked with spending a summer at the family lake house before selling it.
The request was simple in theory until my entire plan blew up on the very first day.
Turns out Lana doesn’t just live at the house, but she claims to own it, too.

Alana
Falling in love with Callahan Kane was a mistake.
He told me so before destroying my heart and our friendship six summers ago.
When he promised never to come back, I foolishly believed him.
But then Cal showed up again, intending to sell his grandfather’s lake house.
The biggest flaw in his plan?
My name is on the deed.

FAVORITE OF THE BUNCH.

This book had me in a chokehold for the two days it took me to read it. GOOD HEAVENS Y’ALL. I aaaabsolutely loved Cal and Alana’s story so dang much. All of the heartache and strength and emotions it took to get to this ending.

I really liked the way Cal’s alcohol issues were handled. I was curious how the third act would be used with it and am very much pleased with the way Asher approached the story. There was a lot of two steps forward, one step back and that very much felt real and raw as Cal worked towards finding his why.

Alana was such a force and was full of deep compassion and love while also creating boundaries and a safe space for her family. I loved this balance and the support she provided Cal without enabling.

This was full of plenty of swoony quotes and moments. I love soft scenes and what they provide to connecting with the relationship. With Cami as well, it was all just SWEET. I couldn’t put this book down. I know billionaire romances come with their own kind of dramatics but that is also the best part of this too. I love the way Asher crafts these romances and cant wait for whatever is next.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 3-5 open; high explicit
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: alcoholism, mentions of substance abuse, loss of a parent

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