Book Review: But He’s My One Regret (But H’es a Carter Brother #2) by Annah Conwell

February 18, 2024January 1, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 267 pages
Author: Annah Conwell
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 26th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I like to live my life with no regrets. The only exception? Levi Carter.

Five years ago we met on vacation and fell into an innocent flirtationship.

And like all the women in cliche romance novels–I’d know since I read them obsessively–I fell in love.

Then I promptly chickened out of admitting my way-too-soon-red-flag-feelings and left Levi behind, with nothing but his first name to remember him by.

I thought I’d never see him again, but then I walk into my new job as a police department therapist and … there he is.

He’s tall, handsome, and totally off-limits. Dating detectives is definitely against the rules, but Levi seems determined to break them.

But He’s My One Regret is a second chance, forbidden love romcom. It has all the sizzling chemistry you love, without any explicit scenes. Check out the second book in the But He’s a Carter Brother Series, a series based around four strong, protective brothers finding love

SWEET, BUT

I enjoyed this one, it’s got a good instant connection vibe and I am smitten with Levi. I thought the flashback chapters were sweet and helped show case the beginning of their relationship before they found each other again.

But I did struggle with some of the plot aspects. And even as I’m writing this I’m realizing a few other things that were never fully explained. The forbidden romance wasn’t all the way there (especially with how easy everything worked out) and I was confused by Dahlia being so incredibly stubborn. The book needed a bit more length for some explanations.

I like Annah Conwell’s writing style and I love this whole cast. I love a big family who look out for each other. There’s good friendships, a good sister relationship and some sweet moments that bring the swoon.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: very brief gun violence, grief depiction, mentions of loss of parents

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: The Duet (Falling for Franklin #3) by Hailey Gardiner

January 20, 2024December 6, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 350 pages
Author: Hailey Gardiner
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 8th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Connor Cane is strictly off-limits.

Which is terribly unfortunate, because I’ve had a crush on him for years. What’s a girl supposed to do when her brother’s best friend also happens to be an insanely handsome country music artist?

When we cross paths again at a friend’s wedding, I jump at the chance to write a song with him. Purely for professional reasons that have nothing to do with his good looks and charisma. Getting a cut on a Connor Cane album is just the leg up I’m needing in my songwriting career.

As our song gains traction leading up to the release of his record, so does the undeniable chemistry between us. But there’s a dark side to fame, and I become a target by association.

Flirting? Fine. Singing together? Necessary.

Falling in love with Connor Cane? A very bad idea.

A laugh-out-loud, brother’s best friend, sweet romance with wild chemistry and heart-stopping kisses. Books in the Falling for Franklin series are full length stand-alone novels and can be read in any order.

THE MUTUAL PINING.

I was a smitten puddle of goo after finishing this book y’all. I feel like I am officially a Hailey Gardiner fan girl. I love the way she writes stories and conveys love in such a beautiful and positive light.

The combination of mutual pining and banter was my favorite. Oh they way they battled with wits and charm and clearly I’m so into you vibes. GAH. It was everything. It was light but with the right level of passion and concern. The song writing aspects were great and I was just really invested in this whole thing.

I wouldn’t dub this an off limits romance with how a few things panned out in the story but that’s a minor issue. The grand gesture at the end WAS EVERYTHING I NEEDED AND MORE. I love a well placed moment like this and I just can’t get enough.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Christmas After All by Cece Louise

December 4, 2023December 2, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 216 pages
Author: Cece Louise
Publisher: Jabberwocky Tales
Release Date: November 8th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

As if ruining my life wasn’t enough, now he’s back to ruin my Christmas.

Melissa

The only thing I hate more than Christmas is Tucker James—the guy who wrote a song about me after I turned him down in high school.

He became famous. I became infamous.

With Tucker back in town to play at the annual winter festival, this Christmas is shaping up to be one of the worst. Everyone in Halften loves the hometown country music star who put our town on the map.

Everyone except me.

Tucker

Years ago, I wrote a not-so-flattering song about the girl I had a crush on in high school.

It became my first number-one hit. And made her the laughingstock of our hometown.

Now I’m back in Halften, and it’s pretty clear the only thing Melissa Ellis wants for Christmas is me out of her life.

But in a town this small, it’s going to take a miracle for either of us to make it through this holiday season unscathed.

STARTED STRONG.

I was enjoying a lot of this for a long time. I liked the second chance dynamics and the love interest was really sweet. And I noticed some character growth from the FMC and those are all things I look for in a great read.

Enter in some miscommunication that just brought this down for me. I know that doesn’t bother everyone but to me, I get easily frustrated by this.

Otherwise, I thought this was a good holiday romance. And I’d still recommend giving it a go even if I thought a little differently because of personal preference. There’s some good forced proximity, taking care of someone when they’re sick, and cute holiday activities.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Holiday Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: child abuse (physically recounted), a parent with alcoholism (off-page), loss of parents, bullying

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Back to Class (The Thornback Society #3) by Aspen Hadley

September 10, 2023June 21, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 334 pages
Author: Aspen Hadley
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Aryn Murphy loves her family and friends, sports, and teaching school. What she doesn’t love is all the wrong attention she receives from men who don’t know the first thing about her.

When her childhood friend Wesley moves to town and lands a job working at the same school where she teaches, she has the perfect idea – he can be the decoy that keeps all the men away while she focuses on her otherwise perfect life. After all, Wesley has always been someone she’s felt safe with.

Wesley Baker harbored a secret crush on Aryn in high school, and when he arrives at his new job to find Aryn there too, that crush comes raging back. Now she wants him to play the part of doting boyfriend by night, and forgotten coworker by day.

But he had enough of playing pretend all those years ago. This time, he’s looking to play a different game – one with high stakes, and the potential to make them both winners.

Back To Class is a kissing only, sweet and clean romcom, with all the swoon but no explicit content.

LOOOOVED.

First and foremost I have to talk about one of my favorite aspects of Aspen Hadley’s writing and the way she crafts a character. I love that we can see the flaws of her FMC’s. Aryn has things she needs to work on and issues that are weighing her down. And what I appreciate most is that when the conflict comes up in the end it doesn’t turn into miscommunication. It turns into an argument and talking and communicating needs and wants. Compromise and speaking with respect. IT IS MY FAVORITE. I love these kind of conversations and they make my heart absolutely melt.

I looooved the opposites attract, reverse jock/nerd tropes. They worked so well. I just adore Aryn and Wesley. The chemistry was continually flying and all of those little moments really added up to a wonderful romance. I love all of the friendships and family and traveling that happened. The volleyball games were fun and this book was a delight to read.

Overall audience notes: