Tag: sweeter than fiction

Book Review: I Wish He Would (Sweeter Than Fiction #4) by Amanda Schimmoeller

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Rating: ★★★★.25
Audience: Sports Romance
Length: 301 pages
Author: Amanda Schimmoeller
Publisher: ABS Publishing
Release Date: September 1st, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I hit it out of the park in the friend department. The dating department? Not so much.

After a series of horrible first dates, I’m convinced it’s time to give up on my search for love. But when my best friends convince me to try out a list of twenty questions to fall in love, I decide to give it a shot.

I go on a date and test out the questionnaire, but it seems the only answers I get are the ones leading me back to my friend, Austin Bradford, who also happens to be the star shortstop for the Louisville Mustangs.

Despite all my desperate attempts to convince my best friends otherwise, I’ve had feelings for Austin since we met three years ago. Which also happened to be the same night he friendzoned me.

When I have to attend my cousin’s destination wedding—who, might I add, is marrying my jerk of an ex-boyfriend—Austin insists on going with me. I tell myself it will be fine, just a friendly vacation. Maybe I can even bury all my feelings for him on the beach.

Except, the time I spend with Austin has me questioning if the heated looks he’s sending my way are real, or if the Caribbean sun is making me hallucinate.

I wish he would give me a clear sign, because I refuse to put my heart on the line and risk our friendship without knowing if our love story will be a grand slam or a strikeout.

I Wish He Would is a friends-to-lovers baseball romcom with sizzling chemistry but no explicit content. It’s the fourth book in the Sweeter Than Fiction series, following four best friends finding love.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

ADORED.

I think this is my new favorite of the series. I just had a blast reading it and flew right through it. I continue to enjoy this friend group and the way they show up for each other. It’s filled with kindness and saying the hard thing even when you don’t want to hear it.

I’m usually on a struggle bus when it comes to friends to lovers romances, and YAY, this was not the case here. I liked the realizations for Austin and Alyssa. It wasn’t riddled with miscommunication and focused on the intentional choices needed to see if their could be a romance relationship between them.

My small issue was some of the antagonists came off a little ridiculous in demeanor and such. But otherwise nothing major.

I loved that this had a dash of fake dating and baseball games mixed in with a destination wedding (+ a few of my favorite tropes popped up too!). I loved the baseball content!!! There were multiple swoony moments that had me gushing. The banter is fun and the whole lighter vibe of the book just feels right.

Overall audience notes:

  • Sports romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: none that I remember

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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: How He Got the Girl (Sweeter Than Fiction #2) by Amanda Schimmoeller

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 327 pages
Author: Amanda Schimmoeller
Publisher: ABS Publishing
Release Date: October 9th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A fake dating contract with the man who took me on the best date of my life and then ghosted me…what could possibly go wrong?

I’ve spent the past three years trying to forget Griffin Reynolds. But that’s become impossible to do when his infuriatingly handsome face starts popping up everywhere.

After a coffee shop mishap, I find myself in the arms of Hollywood’s hottest new actor. Now, my face is next to his on every tabloid, and his agent suggests a fake relationship to keep the publicity going since he’s up for his dream movie role.

I’d love nothing more than to tell Griffin where he can shove his money. But I’d be a fool to refuse the salary he’s offering me to post a few pictures on social media. It doesn’t give me back the last few years of my life, but at least he’ll be paying me back in some way for the damage he did when he disappeared without a trace.

I do my best to maintain my stone-cold demeanor on our dates. But Griffin must be as great of an actor as everyone makes him out to be with his love-sick looks and lingering touches.

At least, that’s what I have to believe. Because the alternative is that Griffin has real feelings for me…and I refuse to let him hurt me a second time.

How He Got the Girl is a fake dating, celebrity romcom with sizzling chemistry but no explicit content. It’s the second book in the Sweeter Than Fiction series, following four best friends finding love.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

HOW SWEET.

Amanda’s books just always bring a sense of soft joy to my reading world and I love that. I also love that this book felt like stepping into winter and even had some soft holiday vibes too.

Y’all know I’m down bad for a man down bad and Griffin fit that marker to a T. I loved his dedication and sense of self and was a genuinely good human. I loved the banter and all of the winter activities. The TS references are fun to catch throughout too.

I love good family dynamics and strong friendships and this book brought those out in full force. I love the support and the care. It sings to my soul every dang time.

A beautiful romance with true communication and making the hard things work because they are worth working for. Definitely a book to pick up y’all!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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