Heartwarming debut novel gracefully highlights real issues while also focusing on the love story1/25/2022  In her debut romance novel, Getting His Game Back, Gia de Cadenet weaves together a wonderful love story while also racing head-on to talk about tough issues. Set to be released on January 25th, this novel shows both the ups and downs of a relationship and how the ones who truly love you are always there to lift you up. Khalil Sarda went through a rough patch last year, but now he’s nearly back to his old self. All he has to do is keep his “stuff” in the past. Real men don’t have depression and go to therapy—or, at least they don’t admit it. He’s ready to focus on his growing chain of barbershops, take care of his beloved Detroit community, and get back to being the ladies’ man his family and friends tease him for being. It’ll be easy . . . until Vanessa throws him completely off his game. Vanessa Noble is too busy building a multimillion-dollar tech career as a Black woman before age thirty to be distracted by a relationship. Not to mention, she’s been burned before, still dealing with the lingering hurt of a past breakup. Besides, as her friends often remind her, she’ll never find a man who checks all the boxes on her famous List. Yet when she desperately needs a shape-up and happens upon one of Khalil’s barbershops, the Fade, he makes her reconsider everything. Khalil is charming, intelligent, sexy, and definitely seems like he’d treat a woman right… but he’s not Black. Vanessa may be willing to take a chance on Khalil, but a part of him is frustratingly closed off, just out of her reach. Will old patterns emerge to keep them apart? Or have they both finally found a connection worth throwing away the playbook for? From the title and cover of this book, you would think it was a fun sports romance; however, you’d be wrong. Yes, there may be mentions of basketball scattered throughout the story, but this book’s main focus is on a growing relationship between two people who try to deny their attraction to one another initially and the ups and downs that relationship brings. This wonderfully-written novel focuses on not just a blossoming relationship, but what happens when that relationship is tested by outside forces. Be warned: this book deals with some heavy topics like race, toxic masculinity, societal expectations, and mental health, but de Cadenet handles all of it with grace. The incorporation of the tough topics with Vanessa and Khalil’s romance is done very well and adds such depth to this fabulous story. I legitimately binge-read this novel in a day and I adored it! Despite wanting more closure at the end of the story, I still enjoyed this book. To be honest, if the epilogue would’ve been just a little more robust, this would’ve been a five star read for me. However, I still highly recommend this fantastic and touching book to anyone looking for a potential top read of 2022! *I received an ARC from Ballantine Books in exchange for my honest review. 
0 Comments
 From the bestselling author of Ten Rules for Faking It comes another romance book that is perfect for fans of home renovations shows and fluffy romance! Sophie Sullivan’s How to Love Your Neighbor, which comes out on January 18th, shows how love can find you in the most unlikely of ways and sometimes all it takes is a little labor to make it work. Grace Travis has it all figured out. In between finishing school and working a million odd jobs, she’ll get her degree and her dream job. Most importantly, she’ll have a place to belong, something her harsh mother could never make. When an opportunity to fix up—and live in—a little house on the beach comes along, Grace is all in. Until her biggest roadblock moves in next door. Noah Jansen knows how to make a deal. As a real estate developer, he knows when he's found something special. Something he could even call home. Provided he can expand by taking over the house next door--the house with the combative and beautiful woman living in it. With the rules for being neighborly going out the window, Grace and Noah are in an all-out feud. But sometimes, your nemesis can show you that home is always where the heart is. This romance was super sweet and cute! Despite its lack of steam, I still really liked the plot and the characters! Plus, I’m a sucker for home renovation shows so this story felt like one in book form plus a little romance! I loved the characters in addition to the plot! Grace’s strength and determination matched with Noah’s wish to stay true to himself pair beautifully and makes their romance even cuter. This book also deals with topics like social classes, the concept of family and dealing with terrible parents, and opening yourself up to love. While I wish I would’ve read Ten Rules for Faking It prior to this (since the main characters from that book make a minor appearance in this one), this standalone romance is adorable and is the perfect fluffy read! If you're looking for a flirty and sweet romcom, then this is the book for you! I know I’ll be on the lookout for Sullivan’s next book! *I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.  Katee Roberts returns to her Dark Olympus series on January 18th with another Greek myth retelling that’s sexy and sweet. Electric Idol, a modern take on the story of Psyche and Eros, shows how truly powerful and dangerous love can be. In the ultra-modern city of Olympus, there's always a price to pay. Psyche knew she'd have to face Aphrodite's ire eventually, but she never expected her literal heart to be at stake...or for Aphrodite's gorgeous son to be the one ordered to strike the killing blow. Eros has no problem shedding blood. But when it comes time to take out his latest target, he can't do it. Confused by his reaction to Psyche, he does the only thing he can think of to keep her safe: he marries her. Psyche vows to make Eros's life a living hell until they find a way out of this mess. But as lines blur and loyalties shift, she realizes he might take her heart after all...and she's not sure she can survive the loss. I was unfamiliar with the original Psyche/Eros Greek myth prior to reading this book, so I thought I wouldn’t enjoy this book as much as I did Neon Gods, but I was very wrong! This book was fantastic!! If you're a fan of the I-was-sent-to-kill-you-but-ended-up-falling-for-you-instead trope then this is the book for you! It’s steamy, it’s heart-breaking, it’s twisty, but all in the best way possible! As I said in my review for Neon Gods (Book One in the series), I loved the setting of Olympus and the inner workings of the rulers there and the fact that we get to see the Dimitriou Family again is just a pleasure. But to further get to know Eros, a seriously dangerous man who is secretly so broken, just fall for Psyche just made my heart melt. This pairing was so well done and I loved reading about the hot hitman who doesn’t know love falling for the plus-sized socialite/influencer who doesn’t let fear stop her from doing anything to protect herself and her family. I seriously can't recommend this series enough for my fellow spicy romance fans! This retelling needs to be added to your 2022 TBR immediately! *I received an ARC from Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.  From bestselling romance author, Katee Robert, comes a Hades and Persephone retelling that is enthralling as it is steamy! The first in a new series, Neon Gods will have you hooked from start to finish! Society darling Persephone Dimitriou plans to flee the ultra-modern city of Olympus and start over far from the backstabbing politics of the Thirteen Houses. But all that’s ripped away when her mother ambushes her with an engagement to Zeus, the dangerous power behind their glittering city’s dark facade. With no options left, Persephone flees to the forbidden undercity and makes a devil’s bargain with a man she once believed a myth... a man who awakens her to a world she never knew existed. Hades has spent his life in the shadows, and he has no intention of stepping into the light. But when he finds that Persephone can offer a little slice of the revenge he’s spent years craving, it’s all the excuse he needs to help her—for a price. Yet every breathless night spent tangled together has given Hades a taste for Persephone, and he’ll go to war with Olympus itself to keep her close… The story of Hades and Persephone was always one of my favorite Greek myths growing up, so I was already super excited about reading this book. But the fact that it was written by one of the best smutty romance writers currently writing? Sign. Me. Up! This book was such a fabulous retelling and I loved the setting of Olympus being a mafia/gang-style territory rulership. The characters were super well-developed and the modern setting made this retelling even better. But once you get to the actual romance between Hades and Persephone, this story just gets better! Their dynamic and blossoming love is wonderful to read about and who doesn’t love a dark broody character who hates everyone but his love interest? Overall, I loved this book, and am eager to start Electric Idol, the next book in the series (which I was fortunate to get an ARC of)! If you haven't read this, or any other Katee Robert book, then I highly recommend you do!  Get ready for your next fantasy obsession! New York Times bestselling young adult author, Morgan Rhodes, starts off a new series with a book about a snarky seventeen year old who gets thrust into the world of forbidden magic. The first in a new duology, Echoes and Empires is stunning, enthralling, and will have you on the edge of your seat. Josslyn Drake knows only three things about magic: it’s rare, illegal, and always deadly. So when she’s caught up in a robbery gone wrong at the Queen’s Gala and infected by a dangerous piece of magic—one that allows her to step into the memories of an infamously evil warlock—she finds herself living her worst nightmare. Joss needs the magic removed before it corrupts her soul and kills her. But in Ironport, the cost of doing magic is death, and seeking help might mean scheduling her own execution. There’s nobody she can trust. Nobody, that is, except wanted criminal Jericho Nox, who offers her a deal: his help extracting the magic in exchange for the magic itself. And though she’s not thrilled to be working with a thief, especially one as infuriating (and infuriatingly handsome) as Jericho, Joss is desperate enough to accept. But Jericho is nothing like Joss expects. The closer she grows to Jericho and the more she sees of the world outside her pampered life in the city, the more Joss begins to question the beliefs she’s always taken for granted—beliefs about right and wrong, about power and magic, and even about herself. In an empire built on lies, the truth may be her greatest weapon. This was my first read of 2022 and what a way to start off the year! This book was so well-paced and developed that I literally hinged this book within 2 days! I loved the world-building in this book and how this fantasy book was set in an empire where modern technology exists, but also magic! Additionally, I loved the character development! Between Josslyn, Jericho, and all of the other major players in this book, shifting loyalties and secrets run abound that will have you guessing who Joss can really trust. Add in a sprinkling of romance and you have an enthralling YA fantasy book. Basically, go pick up this fabulous book so we can eagerly wait for the next book together! Trust me, this YA fantasy book should definitely be on your radar this year! *I received an ARC from Penguin Teen in exchange for my honest opinion.   Anna Bennett is well known for her historical romance novels and her newest novel only solidifies her place as a masterful writer of the genre. Girls Before Earls, which kicks off her newest series and comes out on December 28th, features a rogue-turned-guardian and a strict headmistress who, despite their initial dislike for one another, grow to care for one another as well as grow as characters. To survive her difficult childhood, Miss Hazel Lively relied on two things:a tough outer shell and a love of books. Now, at the age of twenty-eight, she’s finally realized her life-long dream of opening a school for girls. She’s hoping that the wealthy families who flock to the shore for the summer will entrust their daughters to Bellehaven Academy―and help pay the way for less fortunate students. All Hazel must do is maintain a flawless reputation and raise a good deal of money. It’s a foolproof plan…till a sinfully handsome earl strides into her office. Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, has had a monstrous headache since the day his teenaged niece became his ward. She’s been expelled from two London boarding schools and is doing her damnedest to scare off his potential fiancée. But Blade has a plan of his own―enroll his niece at Bellehaven Academy, where she’ll be out of town and out of his hair. He just needs to convince the buttoned-up headmistress with the soulful brown eyes to take on his niece. When Blade makes a generous offer to the school, it’s impossible for Hazel to refuse. But she has one non-negotiable condition: the earl must visit his niece every other week. Soon, Blade discovers there’s much more to Hazel than meticulous lesson plans. In moonlit seaside coves and candlelit ballrooms, their sparring leads to flirtation…and something altogether deeper. But the passion that flares between them poses a threat to Hazel’s school and Blade’s battered heart. They say a good thing can’t last forever, but true love? Well, it just might… I really loved this book! It’s not a shocker that I’m a fan of historical romance novels, but this one just filled me with so many emotions. Watching Hazel and Blade fall in love, Hazel’s interactions with the girls of Bellehaven Academy, the girls becoming friends, and all of the drama that ensues made me laugh, cry, and just fall in love with this book. I am very excited to continue reading this series when the next book comes out and I will definitely be checking out the rest of Bennett’s books in the future. *I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest opinion.  In her debut romance novel, Ali Hazelwood brings readers into the world of STEM research and doctorate programs, but throws in a little fake dating to spice things up a bit! Featured as a Book of the Month choice in September 2021 and now a current TikTok sensation, The Love Hypothesis is a must-read for anyone looking for a feel-good binge read. As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn't believe in lasting romantic relationships--but her best friend does, and that's what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees. That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor--and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford's reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive's career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding...six-pack abs. Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope. I LOVED this book! I had been wanting to read this book since I saw it on NetGalley and then got nervous/excited when I saw all the hype it was getting, but let me tell you: the hype is SO WELL DESERVED!! It was so binge-worthy and not only did I love Olive and Adam (along with the other side characters), but I also loved the setting of academia and all of the science-y details! Between the banter, characters, and storyline, this story is fantastically written and is a must read for all romance fans!! This book might seriously be one of my favorite books of 2021 so if you haven’t already, GO READ IT NOW!! I am eagerly awaiting Hazelwood’s next book and I have a feeling I will be making her an auto-buy author in the future!  Renee Ahdieh Fans rejoice! The third installment in The Beautiful Series is out today (12/7) and it’s everything we’ve been waiting for! While we embark on a new adventure with some of the minor characters from this series, the hype is definitely warranted for The Righteous. Following the explosive events of The Damned, Odette faces a vampire’s final death. The Court of the Lions have done everything they can to save her but have failed. A healer from the Sylvan Vale could help her, but only Arjun Desai, as a half fey, can cross the boundary between realms. The Sylvan Vale is a world Arjun despises, but knowing it could save Odette, he returns to the Vale with all haste, leaving the mirrored tare between the two worlds open and unwittingly setting the stage for both love and war. Pippa Montrose is to wed Phoebus Devereux and become a member of his well-heeled family, offering salvation to her own. But Celine is missing. Pippa has no idea where her best friend has gone, but she’s certain it’s in the company of vampire Sébastien Saint Germain and that Arjun can lead her to them. Pippa enjoins the help of Eloise, the daughter of a powerful sorceress, to discover the gateway Arjun uses to travel between worlds. Pippa marches right through in search of her friend. But what she discovers on the other side is a dangerous, duplicitous world full of mischief and magic she doesn’t understand, and most unexpectedly, she finds love. I loved this book and really enjoyed diving back into this fabulous world of characters! I’ll admit that I was a little hesitant about this book shifting the focus to Pippa and Arjun instead of staying on Celine and Bastien, but Ahdieh did a wonderful job of using these characters to enhance the original storyline instead of just making this third book a filler book to hold over readers until the final book. I honestly think I may have liked this book better than The Damned (aka Book 2 in the series) just because of the pacing and the way that the story shifted. I enjoyed the plot and adored the romantic aspects between Pippa and Arjun. If you haven’t read this series then WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!? This YA series is amazing and I cannot wait for the final book to come out! *I received an ARC from Penguin Teen in exchange for my honest opinion.  What happens when the man of your dreams literally starts appearing in your dreams? Well, South African author, Therese Beharrie, tries to answer that question in her new romcom, And They Lived Happily Ever After, which just came out on November 30th. A lonely childhood in foster care taught Gaia Anders that the only thing she could trust was her dream life. Now a successful romance author, Gaia has the best of two worlds. Anything she dreams at night is magically written into her bestselling novels. Nothing real can compare—until she gets caught up in one utterly surprising, crazy-passionate, waking-life kiss. Workaholic businessman Jacob Scott has had a crush on his brother's best friend, Gaia, since forever, but he never expected this explosive desire. Or that living out his and Gaia's sexiest fantasies in their now-shared dreams would turn his single-minded ways upside down—and make him want all of the woman behind them. But Gaia has secrets from her past she won't reveal. And Jacob's attempts to keep the peace in his own fractured family put him up against her deepest fears. Now, they must somehow face hard truths about who they are and what they're running from. And the only way to break this spell means realizing real-life true love's power… This novel (which kicks off a new series) is cute. I appreciate the way Beharrie highlights the foster care system in South Africa and the way mental health is also discussed in this #ownvoices story. However, the romance aspect and plot overall fell a little flat for me. I just felt like it was missing something to connect everything together and I found it a bit difficult sometimes to keep track of what was a dream and what was real life. Overall, this was a good book and I’m intrigued to see how the series will continue, but I’ve read better romcoms. *I received an ARC from Kensington Books in exchange for my honest opinion.   In her debut novel, Nanny Dearest, author Flora Collins tells the story of a relationship of a babysitter and her old charge. This story, which comes out on November 30th, dives into the minds of two very different women with a unique connection that transcends time and will have you wondering just what kind of experiences shape a person. Sue Keller is lost. When her father dies suddenly, she's orphaned in her mid-twenties, her mother already long gone. Then Sue meets Annie. It’s been twenty years, but Annie could never forget that face. She was Sue’s live-in nanny at their big house upstate, and she loved Sue like she was her own. Craving connection and mothering, Sue is only too eager to welcome Annie back into her life; but as they become inseparable once again, Sue starts to uncover the truth about Annie's unsettling time in the Keller house all those years ago, particularly the manner of her departure—or dismissal. At the same time, she begins to grow increasingly alarmed for the safety of the two new charges currently in Annie's care. Told in alternating points of views—Annie in the mid-'90s and Sue in the present day—this taut novel of suspense will keep readers turning the pages right up to the shocking end. As many of you know, I usually never read thrillers… (What can I say: I’m a scaredy cat who likes romcoms better I’m sorry!) However, when I was put into contact with Flora by a friend about reading her debut novel, I knew I had to check this book out! And I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book! The plot is so engaging and the alternating POVs and times makes this story even more enthralling! These characters are all super complex and trying to figure out the depths of Sue and Annie’s relationship is riveting as a reader! So take it from a non-thriller reader that this book should definitely be added to your TBR this holiday season! I will definitely be on the look out for more of Collins’s novels in the future. *I received an ARC from the author and MIRA Books in exchange for my honest opinion. |
AuthorHi! My name is Elisa and my bookshelf is quite literally overflowing! Join me in my journey of reading as many books as humanly possible! Archives
September 2021
Categories |
RSS Feed
