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Book Review: Clean Out of Luck (Only Magic in the Building) by Carina Taylor

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance + Magical Realism
Length: 264 pages
Author: Carina Taylor
Publisher: Lit and Write LLC
Release Date: April 2nd, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Six months to find love. One overprotective menace (who’s way too handsome for his own good). And a building that might have the final say.

Scarlett Fernsby holds the world record for shortest relationships. Mostly thanks to overprotective parents and an interfering brother, every attempt at dating has been a disaster.

When her whole family is out of town for six glorious months, she knows it’s time to find love.

What she didn’t count on was Wade Hendrix. Her older brother’s best friend.

He’s even worse than her brother. He’s soon crashing every date of hers, and Scarlett’s beginning to wonder if he’s made it his life’s mission to annoy her.

Wade is a firefighter with a hero complex; she doesn’t want to be his pity problem. Especially when she’s starting to misinterpret those fiery looks of his.

Scarlett doesn’t know what to do with this newfound attraction to him, and though she’d like to scrub him out of her life, the building she lives in has a very different plan.

Wade Hendrix has a problem. His best friend asked him to keep an eye on his little sister. But Wade has trouble keeping his eyes off of her.

What starts out as a favor for his best friend soon turns into pure torture: watching Scarlett date other men right in front of him.

Wade would love to tell her how he feels—but he knows she doesn’t feel the same.

Or does she?

After an especially disastrous date that Wade ruins—and with the help of a very special mop that likes to grant wishes—Scarlett tells Wade that he owes her a goodnight kiss.

But one kiss isn’t enough. Wade wants forever. Now he just has to convince Scarlett that just maybe, love has been right in front of her all along.

SO FLIPPIN’ CUTE.

This book just made me happy. I had a giddy little smile on my face because I was smitten with Wade (who’s a firefighter, you can’t resist) and Scarlett. They had insane chemistry and the banter was incredible. It’s cheeky and humorous while also being laced with attraction and heat.

My one small thing is the plot lacked something more. It was basically Scarlett going on a bunch of dates…that’s it. Minus that, I was charmed. There’s many swoony moments and the kissing scenes will light your kindle on fire.

I also loved all of the friendship moments too. I loved the sense of kindness and helpfulness that was woven throughout. It’s a short read and will absolutely brighten your day!!

(And if you’re not a big magical realism fan this book of the series had the least amount so far, the *mop* in question was barely mentioned/used).

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance + magical realism
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Content warnings; mentions of a past car accident

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Book Review: Of Song and Darkness by Jessica Spruill

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance Retelling
Length: 297 pages
Author: Jessica Spruill
Publisher: Night Pirate Publishing
Release Date: June 3rd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Poseidon has fallen. The world won’t be far behind. Unless she can stop the rising darkness.

The world beneath the waves is in chaos.

Without Poseidon to hold it at bay, Dark Water is slowly spreading, devouring anything it touches. Even the mighty King Manta has given up hope.

But his daughter hasn’t. Rhea, the siren princess of Aquarius, will do anything to save her world. Even if it means hunting down the mythical Medusa—and partnering with a notorious pirate captain.

Blackheart Kai has more dangerous secrets than Rhea can fathom. He’d rather kill her than help her save her people. She knows he can’t be trusted. But knowing that doesn’t stop her from needing him…or wanting him.

With the survival of the seven seas hanging in the balance, can Rhea and Kai overcome their hatred and work together when it matters most? Or are they destined to share Poseidon’s dark fate?

ENDED AS A MISS.

Alright, I had some high hopes for this one based off of friends reviews and the fact that it’s a closed door adult fantasy (I’m always on the search for good books in this category!). And this book was not BAD, but it missed the mark and took me out of the story enough that I was a bit disappointed by the end.

I thought I was reading a full fantasy book and in my mind that means the world building is completely made up. This book referenced real world continents and locations that took me out of the story when everything else was fantasy. I also thought the romance was too fast for me (as is my struggle with standalone romantasy).

The little mermaid retelling + a handsome pirate idea was great though. I did like that idea and most of the execution worked well. There were some good banter moments and a few tropes I enjoyed seeing. I thought the writing style worked well enough for me, I’m just undecided if I will pick up another book from this author.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance Retelling
  • Language: none (maybe low)
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Taken With Trouble (Caught in Chaos #2) by Jenessa Fayeth

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 263 pages
Author: Jenessa Fayeth
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: December 10th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Serena Cruz

Being taken hostage by a criminal was not on my agenda for the week. The plan was to catch Liam Hawthorne, the billionaire con artist, and finally prove myself and gain the attention of my boss.

Liam caught me instead.

Forget the bounty, I’m killing him. However, it’s proving a rather difficult task–especially when he convinces me to help him.

He’s trying to con me, but I won’t be falling for it.

Unfortunately, ignoring his flirtations and kindness is getting harder. It’s possible the conman is…more than he seems.

Falling for him would be stupid, especially with bullets flying and lives in danger. So why do I melt every time he touches me?

Only one of us will make it out of this mess a free person, and it’s going to be me.

Liam Hawthorne

I’ve stolen many priceless and beautiful things, but nothing compares to FBI Agent Serena Cruz. I rather enjoy the company of the feisty woman intent on killing me…clearly I’ve been on the run for too long. Or has pulling guns on someone always been this seductive?

I digress. I took her to save her, though she doesn’t believe that. I can’t say I blame her when there’s someone trying to kill us at every turn.

It’s all my fault. I tried to be better, but instead, I dragged her into this mess and now our lives are both in danger.

I was fine when it was only my life on the line.

Serena Cruz has stolen my heart.

OKAY THIS WAS GREAT.

My first book by this author but certainly not my last. This really grew on me and by the end I was glued to my screen because I had been utterly charmed.

I WILL NOTE NOW, please read the first book in this series before this. My original understanding was that these were standalones. But the whole time I was reading Taken I thought I was missing some information and lo and behold, that shows up in book one.

Liam is such a golden retriever puppy. And I adored his energy. Apparently I really love this dynamic. The flirting and protectiveness and the history?? Stop it right now. The banter was great and I appreciated the fast paced that kept things moving. I want more spy rom-coms like this now. Fun and sweet with some hold your breath moments. Looking forward to more!

Overall audience notes:

  • Spy Rom-Com
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: physical violence, weapons violence, kidnapping, attempted murder

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Book Review: We Redeemed the Rain (Meadowbrook Ranch #1) by Ashley Dill

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 438 pages
Author: Ashley Dill
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 19th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

“Everyone should find someone to share their story with.”

Exhausted and burnt-out, singer-songwriter, Bea Thompson, needs a break and some space from her once-promising career as an indie musician. Seeking refuge from the crushing pressures of the industry, she books a last minute stay at a special childhood sanctuary, the birthplace of her most treasured friendship, Meadowbrook Ranch. She only hopes the boy she found in the hayloft all those years ago still lives there.

Over the years, lone cowboy, Samuel Taggart (Tag), has built a name for himself as a stock contractor for the rodeo circuit. Shackled by the trauma of childhood sexual abuse, he’s resigned himself to a life of solitude at Meadowbrook Ranch, working around the clock for the only family he’s ever been able to count on—the horses.

But one stormy night, an unexpected visitor upends his quiet life. The girl from the hayloft—his long term pen pal—is back, covered head to toe in mud, and excited to see him.

After spending years pouring his heart out through letters to Bea, finally seeing her again face-to-face sends his heart into lockdown.

Will he trust his old friend with the painful storms of his past, or will the rain prove that some souls are too far gone for love?

We Redeemed the Rain, is a contemporary romance set in Central Texas and the first installment of Meadowbrook Ranch—an emotional series about trauma, healing, and love amid crisis.

BEAUTIFUL READ.

This was a heavy hitter and an emotional read that also brought the infused sense of hope and healing. I thought the tough conversations and themes were handled with care and were genuine to the story and creating a beautiful romance between two people who deserved each other.

I loved the Texas ranch setting. Going to rodeos, riding horses and taking care of all of the things that pop up in-between. I enjoyed seeing Bea and Tag work together and how Bea constantly met Tag where he was, yet also let him know she was a safe place to land. This was one of those reads that had me shouting for them to kiss. The near moments were tangible and I loved loved loved the way the slow burn was crafted around needed conversations and rough and tender moments.

Incredible writing, all the cowboy content, and just a book I could NOT put down. I loved everything about this story and the message it created. I could comment on so many little plot decisions that made this book sing. It’s those small moments that bring a story home for me and gosh dang, I love Tag and Bea.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: mild – moderate
  • Content Warnings: child sexual assault, child abuse, PTSD (including dissociative episodes), suicide attempt (recounted), substance abuse

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