Tag: sweet romance

ALC Book Review: Autumn On My Mind (Falling for Autumn) by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 378 pages
Author: Gracie Ruth Mitchell
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: August 19th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

What happens when two exes find out their parents are dating?

When Reese and Dominic secretly dated and then broke up years ago, they knew they’d have to see each other again. They were from the same small town of Autumn Ridge, Vermont. Their families still lived there. It was inevitable.

What Reese didn’t expect was to see Dominic across the table from her, being introduced as the son of her mother’s latest boyfriend.

Dom and Reese can be exes. They can be neighbors. They could even maybe someday be friends. What they cannot be is siblings.

But Reese’s mother has her eyes on the prize, and she’s not walking away without a ring on her finger. So even though part of Reese’s heart still hurts from the past they share, she and Dominic agree to team up and separate their parents.

Spying? A necessity. Sneaking around? Obviously. And sabotage? Well…never say never.

But the further apart they attempt to push their parents, the closer Reese and Dom get—until the lines between past and present begin to blur, and they find themselves with the stickiest conundrum of owning the truth of what really happened between them…and deciding if their love deserves a second chance.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC.

PRETTY CUTE.

The second book I have happened to read in this series and it was a sweet read too! I am seriously in love with the setting. Maybe I’m desperately craving all things fall and small town right now (as I’m sitting here in 100+ degree weather with a massive highway under construction nearby BUT ANYWAYS).

I adored the audiobook! You can’t go wrong with it. It’s only about nine hours and flies by. She did a fantastic job with the narration for Reese.

I’m not sure I ever fell in love with the larger plot of Dominic and Reese trying to break up their parents dating. It wasn’t a bad concept perse, it just didn’t work for me? I think the focus kept tilting to what the parents were doing and I wanted more of the focus back on the Dom & Reese. They did have some great moments together and I loved the tender touches and glances and realizing that they both weren’t quite over each other. I did enjoy having the flashback chapters because that gave needed context to the present storyline.

There’s some shenanigans and quirky humor I have come to love from Gracie Ruth Mitchell. I do think these two were a match and I liked seeing them fall in love [again and again].

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: none
  • Content warnings: loss of a parent (recounted)

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Book Review: I’m Only Me When I’m With Him (Sweeter Than Fiction #3) by Amanda Schimmoeller

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 305 pages
Author: Amanda Schimmoeller
Publisher: ABS Publishing
Release Date: April 15th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Firefighters are supposed to be the ones putting out fires, not causing sparks.

I thought I stifled everything I felt for Connor Porter over a decade ago. But now he’s back home, and I’m hit with those old feelings again, stronger than a firehose to the face.

Feelings I most certainly should not be having for my best friend’s older brother.

I’m trying to push all thoughts of Connor aside and focus on opening a flower truck when his sister persuades him to help me get my business off the ground.

Now, I’m spending more time with my childhood crush than can be considered healthy. And it’s difficult to get him out of my mind when I’m constantly being distracted by his muscular arms and thinking about how they feel when they’re wrapped around me.

My attraction to him grows into a roaring inferno, but I don’t think Connor’s ever seen me as anything other than his little sister’s friend. I need to extinguish these feelings before I’m in too deep.

It’s like that old saying if I keep playing with fire, I’m bound to get burned.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

SOFT & SWEET.

Oh this book was off the charts with sweetness y’all. If you’re needing something low key and light (aren’t we all???) you should absolutely pick this one up. And if you love all things floral (me, it’s me) you’ll love all of the flower content throughout. I really need a Daffodil in my life now.

I looooved the dynamic between Shayna and Connor. It’s low angst with this genuine, strongly built over time connection. That one that shows up regardless of how long you’ve been apart. It was interesting seeing the MMC as less confident than the usual romantic male lead and I liked that arc for him as he grew and found peace with Shayna.

As often Schimoeller’s books there’s incredible friend groups and supportive and loving families. Another highlight to picking up her stories. Sometimes I really don’t want all of the excess drama and I love how fast these flow and showcase such light.

And are you kidding me…we get a baseball romance next?????

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: workplace fire, verbally abusive ex (recounted)

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Book Review: Just a Football Star (Tate Brothers #1) by Deb Goodman

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 260 pages
Author: Deb Goodman
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 29th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He’s a competitive ex-athlete. Which is code for “He’s gonna break my heart.”

When I started my career as a sports trainer for professional football players, I didn’t understand the dangers involved. I thought my knowledge and next-level love for the game would be all I needed to treat and motivate the guys.

Now? It’s all gone. I’m unemployed, unboyfriended, and I’ve rage-booked a week’s stay at a fancy, remote resort to try to heal from the havoc.

Enter Alec. Not only did he used to play for the exact team I’ve gone running and screaming from, but the frustratingly handsome man is harboring a jumbo-sized chip on his shoulder from his career-ending injury.

He’s so broken, I can’t not help him with his knee while I’m here. I’ve always loved a good project.

Except, after awhile, I find myself in irresponsibly close quarters with him. I’m getting glimpses of his goodness and suddenly, I want to know all about him.

What makes him tick?

There is one thing I know.

When I finally figure him out, everything will change.

Just a Football Star is a sweet, small-town, closed-door romantic comedy with all of the sizzle and none of the spice! It lightly touches on the death of a significant other in the past and an addiction in a former relationship. However, there’s also an adorable puppy named Jerry, the meddlesome antics of Aunt Stella, and no one cheats on anyone. Plus, mysteries surrounding those intriguing Tate Brothers will begin to unravel.

MMM.

First, I didn’t like this interpretation of athletic training. Some aspects were correct and other discussions made me cranky.

Secondly, I wanted very much to like this, and did at first, and things slowly went downhill. There were some writing and commentary quirks with jokes that didn’t land. And the continual repetitive nature of Alec and Oakley’s thoughts made me want to skim to actually move the story along (and it’s not even 300 pages). And the balance of heaviness in it didn’t fit either???

I liked the brothers, and the resort setting, and it ended just fine. There wasn’t a whole lot going for me though otherwise. Oakley ran away from her problems instead of having a brief chat with Alec that would have solved all of the problems. And at that point I was through. I don’t think this is the author for me.

AND FINALLY. I can’t count it as a sports romance when not a single game is played. Yes, Alec is a FORMER NFL player, but besides some high school football, that’s all you’re going to see.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a girlfriend (recounted, grief depiction), mentions of gambling addiction,

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Book Review: A Royal Arrangement (Royal Hearts #3) by Amanda Schimmoeller

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Modern Royalty Romance
Length: 300 pages
Author: Amanda Schimmoeller
Publisher: Indie Published
Release Date: March 4th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A king forced to take a new bride.
A princess determined to win him over.

Princess Rosalie is a hopeless romantic who believes in happily-ever-afters. When she discovers her country is nearing financial devastation, her parents deliver news that will change her life forever—they have secured an arranged marriage for her to King Colin of Edgemont.

It’s not the love match she hoped for, but Rosalie attempts to make the best of the situation and find her place in Colin and his daughter’s lives. When Colin remains grumpy and distant, she takes it as a challenge—she will do whatever it takes to make her husband fall in love with her.

King Colin never planned on remarrying after unexpectedly losing his first wife, but when he’s presented with an offer he can’t refuse, he finds himself with a new bride. Colin plans on living their lives separately and staying focused on raising his daughter… but Rosalie keeps inserting herself into their lives.

Not falling in love with his wife was going to be more difficult than he ever expected.

A Royal Arrangement is Book 3 in the Royal Hearts series. This is a sweet, closed-door romance and can be read as a standalone.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

THIS WAS SWEET.

I loooove marriage of convenience. And this was a very sweet one. I loved the age gap relationship between Colin and Rosalie. They had a good balance of push and pull as both had some things to work through and solve. And when they found that connection with each other it was heart melting.

There were many cute scenes of that brought lots of sunshine and wholesome goodness to the pages. It’s a low stakes, comfort kind of book. I love the modern royalty aspects. And I’m always here for all things forced proximity. I enjoyed the swoony scenes and small moments where the chemistry was heating up.

Overall audience notes:

  • Modern Royalty Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a spouse (recounted), loss of a sibling (recounted)

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