Book Review: You First by Caitlin Moss

July 24, 2024June 15, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 378 pages
Author: Caitlin Moss
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: May 30th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He’s her brother’s best friend…
…she’s his biggest regret.

Genevieve Michaels didn’t realize how much emotional preparation she needed to do for her brother’s wedding. But when Leo Bishop walks into the bar five days before the big day, she’s reminded of exactly why she can’t stand her brother’s best friend…and exactly why she plans to steer clear of him all week.

But within minutes, Leo and Genevieve are back to their usual childish antics. They grew up together, and they have a lot in their love for basketball and her brother, along with their innate ability to pick a fight with each other. But not this week. This week Genevieve is determined to play nice and avoid him as much as possible.

When wedding chaos ensues, Leo and Genevieve are forced to work together to ensure the wedding goes off without a hitch. As they eliminate each disaster, they uncover all the reasons they can’t stand each other, and all the reasons they once thought it could be love.

I LIKED THIS ONE.

New to me author and I am happily hear to say I’d read another book by Caitlin Moss.

This was a really solid friends to lovers, brother’s best friend & second chance romance. The combination of tropes worked well for me and I could feel the tension from the get-go. I liked the chemistry between Leo and Genevieve a lot. The flashback chapters weren’t overwhelming and added the necessary back story to feel all the things throughout this book.

There were a few plot choices that just weren’t my favorite. And a forced sense of drama that I didn’t connect with. Otherwise though, LOVED all of the basketball content, the HORSE concept was cute and I like how that was woven throughout. I sincerely enjoyed this story and look forward to more.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: strong
Romance: 3+ open door
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: brief mention of miscarriage, loss of a mother (theme throughout), cheating (Gen’s ex)

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Book Review: Heavenly Bodies (Heavenly Bodies #1) by Imani Erriu

February 13, 2024August 24, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 620 pages
Author: Imani Erriu
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 14th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

“I defy the stars.”

In a world where no entities exist but the Stars, cruel and merciless gods that watch over the world, Elara has been cursed by fate. A prophecy that promises she will fall for a Star, and it will kill them both.
But when one descends to wreak havoc on Elara’s Kingdom, she is forced to flee into the arms of her enemy in the neighbouring country.
As she learns more about her own magic, and the depth of the Stars’ deceit, she also finds herself learning more about the country she is forced to take refuge in, and the enemy prince forced to train her into a weapon.
Something dark brews within her, a power made of night and shadows that begs to be broken free.

DO I READ BOOK TWO?

I’m so conflicted. I’m aware I gave this four stars, but it’s a confusing thought process to get here.

I thought that this was an easy read. It’s 600 pages and honestly, most of it flies right by. I love that. I loved the found family aspects and the side characters shown well. The romance grew on me and I felt very much invested by the end.

BUT. Okay, WHERE WAS THE PLOT? I know the whole idea is that she’s been ousted from her kingdom and needs to win it back, but that never really got going?? I can’t believe I’ll say this, it felt like there was too much romance and the rest of the story to fill everything out was missing. The antagonist was weak and I wasn’t connected with the heart of Elara and Enzo’s character arcs. [I did love Enzo though].

Now the meddling gods were great. That is one of my favorite fantasy tropes. And even when you could see it coming I loved the way the fated romance played out. I’m genuinely curious what will happen next, and at the same time, not sure I should keep going?!

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance
Language: some strong
Romance: 3-4 open; high explicit
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: torture, loss of life, murder, weapons violence, magical violence, nightmares, child abuse, executions

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Book Review: Things We Left Behind (Knockemout #3) by Lucy Score

December 30, 2023September 19, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 650 pages
Author: Lucy Score
Publisher: That’s What She Said Publishing
Release Date: September 5th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

There was only one woman who could set me free. But I would rather set myself on fire than ask Sloane Walton for anything.

Lucian Rollins is a lean, mean vengeance-seeking mogul. On a quest to erase his father’s mark on the family name, he spends every waking minute pulling strings and building an indestructible empire. The more money and power he amasses, the safer he is from threats.

Except when it comes to the feisty small-town librarian that keeps him up at night…

Sloane Walton is a spitfire determined to carry on her father’s quest for justice. She’ll do that just as soon as she figures out exactly what the man she hates did to—or for—her family. Bonded by an old, dark secret from the past and the dislike they now share for each other, Sloane trusts Lucian about as far as she can throw his designer-suited body.

When bickering accidentally turns to foreplay, these two find themselves not quite regretting their steamy one-night stand. Once those flames are fanned, it seems impossible to put them out again. But with Sloane ready to start a family and Lucian refusing to even consider the idea of marriage and kids, these enemies-to-lovers are stuck at an impasse.

Broken men break women. It’s what Lucian believes, what he’s witnessed, and he’s not going to take that chance with Sloane. He’d rather live a life of solitude than put her in danger. But he learns the hard way that leaving her means leaving her unprotected from other threats.

It’s the second time he’s ruthlessly cut her out of his life. There’s no way she’s going to give him a third chance. He’s just going to have to make one for himself.

WORTH THE WAIT.

I know we have been all waiting for this story and for me, IT ABSOLUTELY WAS EVERYTHING I COULD HOPE FOR. Oh my gosh I was in love with Lucian and Sloane from the beginning and I loved how this wrapped up everything.

They have the perfect contemporary enemies to lovers banter. You actually felt the hatred, but also the passion and intensity in the emotions both of them are trying to hide. I loved watching them battle it out and also let go. And some of those second half scenes?? Where everything was finally being laid out?? I AM A PUDDLE NOW. I love endearing moments. I also love possessive moments. This had both. ALL THE MOMENTS.

I love this small town and all of the characters. I loved getting to see everyone from previous books again. I was laughing, swooning and on the edge of my seat throughout the story. 650 pages blew by before I could even blink because this is an addictive read.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance + Suspense
Language: strong
Romance: 4+ open
Violence: moderate-high
Trigger/Content Warnings: domestic abuse, gun violence, murder, attempted murder

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Cait’s Greats 2023: Contemporary Romance

December 26, 2023December 27, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

I’m actually surprised by how many I loved this year from this genre. I’m notoriously cranky about reading them. BUT HEY. That means that these truly are top notch. I hope you find a book for your TBR next year.

Scroll down to see which books are open, closed or sweet romances!

Note: I didn’t count any rereads on this list.