G. Bianco, 2019
Falon Ballard returns to the romance scene with her newest novel Right on Cue. Set to be released on February 27th, this celebrity romance you need to pick up! Emmy Harper is no stranger to Hollywood, having penned some of the most popular movies of the past few years. But her latest project has hit a standstill—unable to find the perfect leading lady, Emmy’s been recruited to take on the role herself, dusting off acting skills she hasn’t used in over a decade. Things take a turn for the worse when she's left with the one costar she can’t trust: Grayson West. A blockbuster action hero known for his megawatt smile and impossible abs, Grayson is anyone’s dream of a romantic lead. Too bad Emmy still blames him for her disastrous first movie and the early end to her acting career. The friction between the two risks tanking the movie, and no one knows if it’s lingering awkwardness from their youth or unresolved sexual tension. But if they want to save the production—and their own careers—they need to get their acts together quickly, both on and off camera. I honestly had such a fun time reading this book! This was my first Falon Ballard book and I’m honestly really excited to explore her backlist after reading this one! Watching these two characters go from enemies to costars to FWB to lovers was just so endearing! Plus, having a real love story occur while filming a fake love story in a small town was the kind of romcom inception I didn’t know I needed! While I did find the ending a bit predictable, I still appreciated these characters learning to overcome their insecurities and finally just allow themselves to fall in love. Fans of celebrity romances, enemies to lovers trope, or seeing behind the scenes of Hollywood are going to love this book! *I received an ARC from Putnam Books in exchange for my honest opinion.
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I coincidentally started reading Till There Was You by Lindsay Hameroff on a day when I ate blueberry pancakes. Considering there are blueberry pancakes on the cover and there’s a whole plot line about it, I think it was a good sign that this book was going to be a good one! Culinary student Lexi Berman, 24, has one goal: to make her late mother proud by becoming an executive chef in a Michelin-star restaurant. And she isn’t going to let anything–or anyone–get in the way. But when she meets Jake Taylor, a dive bar musician who charms her with show tunes, she makes a rare exception to her no-dating rule. After a steamy weekend together, Jake leaves for L.A. to record his demo, and Lexi never expects to see him again. And she definitely doesn’t expect him to become an overnight celebrity, with a breakout single that’s almost certainly about her famous blueberry pancake recipe. As Jake’s star rises and the world speculates about the subject of his song, Lexi keeps the affair to herself. After all, she’s finally found her footing at her new restaurant job, and even has a prospective romance with her coworker. But when a distraught Jake turns up on her doorstep late one night, her carefully-laid plans are thrown for a loop. Though she and Jake try to be friends, things between them soon reheat faster than a bowl of Lexi's matzah ball soup. But a relationship with Jake means risking her face in tabloids, withstanding cruel internet comments, and worst of all, jeopardizing her career. As Jake’s upcoming tour approaches, and rumors swirl about him and another pop star, Lexi has to decide if holding onto her meticulously-planned future is worth walking away from what could be the perfect recipe for love. I binge read this book in one day and I do not regret it! Not only were the food descriptions in this book making me hungry, but I loved the references to actual NYC landmarks and spots. I also loved the Broadway/musical references sprinkled throughout the plot. This book was super descriptive overall while not taking away from the actual romance. Both Lexi and Jake have to learn how to adapt and change their dreams to fit their dream careers and it was so nice to see both of them grow throughout the novel. Seeing an inside look at what it’s like being in culinary school and working in a kitchen juxtaposed with what it’s like to be famous and in the public eye at all times really showcased how similar and different these high-pressure careers are and how the characters cope with it. Additionally, we see these characters grapple with grief, finding a home, and learning to trust each other after a span of time away from each other. Seeing these real life emotions play out made these characters that much more relatable and the love story that much sweeter! If you like rockstar romances, insta-love/second chance romances, or books that highlight iconic geography, definitely check this debut novel!! *I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest opinion. In case you can’t quite tell from the title, When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein is new UK-set grumpy x sunshine romance! However, what I thought was going to be an opposites attract romance slowly turned into something different. When grumpy ex-footballer Alfie Harding gets badgered into selling his memoirs, he knows he’s never going to be able to write them. He hates revealing a single thing about himself, is allergic to most emotions, and can’t imagine doing a good job of putting pen to paper. And so in walks curvy, cheery, cute as heck ghostwriter Mabel Willicker, who knows just how to sunshine and sass her way into getting every little detail out of Alfie. They banter and bicker their way to writing his life story, both of them sure they’ll never be anything other than at odds. But after their business arrangement is mistaken for a budding romance, the pair have to pretend to be an item for a public who’s ravenous for more of this Cinderella story. Or at least, it feels like it’s pretend―until each slow burn step in their fake relationship sparks a heat neither can control. Now they just have to decide: is this sizzling chemistry just for show? Or something so real it might just give them their fairytale ending? I feel deceived by the summary of this book. Not in that it’s inaccurate, but that I was so excited for this book and had such high hopes for a cute romcom and instead I started reading a book I was thoroughly confused by… Ok so these two people who are supposed to be a ex-professional soccer player and a prolific ghost writer are having a conversation that’s giving off the same energy as two socially awkward chimpanzees interacting for the first time...? And somehow cleaning someone’s eyes of the pepper spray that you sprayed them with is erotic??? Color me confused! Additionally, the flow of this novel felt very disjointed. For example, some chapters were just 3-4 pages of Mabel’s thoughts during a 30 seconds moment and then the next sentence was like “and then we ate dinner for 3 hours and went home.” Why there were inconsequential moments being stretched out and major plot points being glossed over is beyond me and it made the flow of this novel very bizarre. Aside from all of that, there were a few steamy scenes that I enjoyed and the last chapter/ending was kind of satisfying? But it just took so long to get to any good parts (no joke: I got to a fake dating trope at the 50% mark of this ebook) that I almost gave up on this book a few times. I’m not sure I’d necessarily recommend this book to anyone, but you’re welcome to read this book if it strikes your fancy! *I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest opinion. Lasairiona McMaster, aka the queen of hockey romances, returns with her latest installment in the Cedar Rapids Raccoons Series, Lighting the Lamp! This sports romance, which is set to come out on February 1st, is the quick steamy read you need to add to your TBR! Tori is offended that Raffi act like they’ve never met! She thought they connected, but after a steamy one night stand, the hockey hot shot ghosted her, leaving her with nothing but wounded pride and two pink lines on a stick. And not the hockey kind. Well, she’s determined to stay away from him and never giving him a second chance to fool her again. Raffi knows Tori’s not a forgettable woman, but is confused as to why she insists she knows him? But then one look at her son and it hits him like a slap shot to the chest. The resemblance is undeniable. But how can he convince the mother of his child to let him be part of their lives, when he doesn’t even remember her? While I don’t normally like accidental pregnancy books, I really enjoyed this one! Maybe it’s because it wasn’t as “oopsy” as the trope tends to be for me or because it was wrapped into a series I already really like, I found myself loving Raffi and Tori’s story! It was also a mix of second-chance and fated mates in my opinion which was just so heartwarming to read. I’m also a sucker for the found family trope and this book not only has that in the biological sense, but in the metaphorical sense as well. As I’ve enjoyed in past books in this series, I love when the hockey guys rally around each other in support no matter what’s going on and so I loved seeing that trend continue in this book. If you like hockey romance, found family, and second-chance romance, then this is the book for you! *I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. So I thought A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft was coming out today, but it turns out it came out on January 2nd… whoops! Well you’re getting my review of it today anyway so enjoy! Niamh Ó Conchobhair has never let herself long for more. The magic in her blood that lets her stitch emotions and memories into fabric is the same magic that will eventually kill her. Determined to spend the little time she has left guaranteeing a better life for her family, Niamh jumps at the chance to design the wardrobe for a royal wedding in the neighboring kingdom of Avaland. But Avaland is far from the fairytale that she imagined. While young nobles attend candlelit balls and elegant garden parties, unrest brews amid the working class. The groom himself, Kit Carmine, is prickly, abrasive, and begrudgingly being dragged to the altar as a political pawn. But when Niamh and Kit grow closer, an unlikely friendship blossoms into something more—until an anonymous gossip columnist starts buzzing about their chemistry, promising to leave them alone only if Niamh helps to uncover the royal family’s secrets. The rot at the heart of Avaland runs deep, but exposing it could risk a future she never let herself dream of, and a love she never thought possible. This novel was basically Bridgerton but with a bit of magic and political intrigue thrown into it! I thought Niamh was a great character and all of the supporting characters were just as likable in their own ways. It took me a good number of chapters to really get into the book, but I thought the romance was cute and the court dynamics just added an extra layer of depth to this YA novel and it helped me get more invested in the story as it went on. I ended up enjoying this book and I think fans of Bridgerton will enjoy it! *I received an ARC from Wednesday Books in exchange for my honest opinion. Get your gym shoes on and grab your headphones because Work It Out by Eva Siedler is out today (January 29th) which shows what happens when an actor meets his match while training for a new role! With the lead role in a huge action film up for grabs, actor Jake Newman has ninety days to get in shape. How does a man grow abs without the tabloids watching his every move? By sneaking off to a high-end health resort in his Arizona hometown to supersize his biceps…Thor style. Oh, and hope no one discovers the real reason he bailed from Los Angeles—or the teeny little health issue he’s hoping to keep from everyone. Especially his cute, sunshiny, and absolute hard-ass new trainer. Former gymnast Rayah Summers has poured everything she has into her desert a full-service resort that helps people transform their bodies and lifestyles. But a run of bad luck has her on the brink of bankruptcy —and the Hollywood hunk with insanely sexy dimples is all that’s standing between her and disaster. Now everything depends on her future, her roof over her head, and especially her trainers—who are more family than employees. Rayah can’t afford for anything to go wrong… and no one’s able to explain why Jake Newman keeps collapsing during even the lightest workouts. Now it’s a balance beam nightmare, with Rayah trying to keep her business afloat—all while managing her staff’s drama, keeping her celebrity client a secret, and not falling for him or his devilishly sexy grin. And it’s just a matter of time before Jake’s secrets threaten not only her dreams, but the chosen family she’s found… This novel wasn’t my favorite… it genuinely feels like the author just cut out classic romcom tropes and pasted them into this book without really fleshing them out at all. The insta-love felt too fast and more lusty than any true affection. Like honey, you can’t feel betrayed by a man you met 3 days ago. This isn’t Romeo and Juliet… None of the characters were all that likable, except for maybe Jake’s grandparents. Everyone else just felt like very flat characters with not much substance or that their personalities were almost bipolar/went from one extreme to the other. The amount of plot lines that just got thrown in a third of the way into the book with no background was very bizarre and made the main plot of the novel even more confusing, especially with the timeline of the novel. Literally, the first half of the book takes place over the course of like 3 days or something. The author attempts to add some depth to the novel by adding in a characters who have disorders or have dealt with domestic and/or sexual abuse, but the novel just gets so bogged down with frivolous plot lines in the beginning that by the time I got to the heavier topics, I wasn’t all that interested in the novel anymore. Overall, this book wasn’t terrible, but it didn’t blow me away either… *I received an ARC from Entangled Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion. One of my most anticipated reads of the year was It Takes A Rake by Anna Bennett and it did not disappoint! This third and final book in the Rogues to Lovers Series is the perfect historical romance book to add to your TBR! Since she was a girl, Miss Kitty Beckett has been adept at finding trouble: sneaking brandy, running away, and getting under the skin of the boy who, like her, was an apprentice to an architect. Now Kitty’s a talented heiress who can take a dry building plan and breathe life into it with her pencils and paints. Also? She can spot a rake at a hundred yards―and she won’t be tricked or charmed into marriage. Certainly not by a man who might interfere with her dreams. When Bellehaven Bay announces its first ever architectural design contest, she vows to win―with a little help from her childhood rival. Leo Lockland, a hardworking architect with a gift for numbers, has returned home after a few years in London, and he has secrets. The biggest? He’s been in love with Kitty since they were both apprentices. She refuses to give her heart to any man, but Leo’s determined to beat the odds―even if it means learning how to be a rake. Fortunately, Kitty’s willing to tutor him in the nuances of fashion, flirtation, and seduction in exchange for his help with the contest. But the whole plan would fall apart if she knew how he felt, so he’ll have to be very convincing. Leo proves to be a surprisingly quick study in the ballroom, on the beach, and in the bedchamber. Before long, he’s softening Kitty’s hard edges with his wicked words and kissing his way past all her defenses. Perhaps she’s a bit too skilled at teaching, because her lessons are threatening to backfire, putting her closely guarded heart in grave danger… As if I couldn’t adore Anna Bennett’s writing even more, Kitty’s story just solidified my love for this series! I absolutely adored this historical romance! Both Kitty and Leo were fabulous characters and I loved the trajectory of their story! From childhood nemeses to reluctant friends to lovers, I could not get enough of this book. And having it all set in Bellehaven Bay and having the Bellehaven Belles making cameos in the story makes this novel even more delightful! Honestly, Leo might be my new favorite book boyfriend! His unwavering love for Kitty was so adorable and quite a few scenes had me fanning my face! The way both Kitty and Leo grew in this story both with their own insecurities and in their feeling for one another, was so enjoyable to read about and I was so sad to have this book end. Whether you’re reading this as a standalone novel or reentering Bellehaven Bay, this novel is perfect for any fans of historical romance! *I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest opinion. Listen, I know almost everyone has already read/reviewed Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score, but I still wanted to share my review of it because hey why not! 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. While this book wasn’t my favorite of the Knockemout Books, I still adored Lucian and Sloane’s story! The miscommunication between Sloane and Lucian and their stubbornness about hating each other for 20+ years over what was basically a misunderstanding seemed a little dragged out in the beginning; however, that didn’t stop me from both laughing and tearing up at certain moments of this book. And ultimately, I think Lucy Score did a great job of wrapping up the plot lines in this series and giving Sloane and Lucian the happy ending they deserved! This was a great read once again from Lucy Score and I cannot wait to read more of her books in the future! Jayne Denker kicks off 2024 with the release of her newest romcom, Hedging Your Bets. What was my first read of the new year ended up being just what I needed to start 2024 off right! Gillian has been happily divorced for several years and, after trying a few dating apps, prefers to stay that way. Navigating her way through dates with fat shamers and lackluster men has left her with no desire to do anything other than work in her garden in her spare time. Noah West has just moved to Willow Cove. After a rough breakup that leaves him looking to get far away, he relocates to the same small town he spent summers in as a teen—and moves right next door to Gillian. A big believer in minimalist design and that the best kind of plants are non-flowering, he knows as soon as he meets his neighbor that they are going to clash on just about everything. Now if only he could keep his eyes off her too. When a gardening contest brings out the competition in Gillian and Noah, dueling plant arrangements and fiery banter ensues. But is it possible that beneath all their differences, they might just be perfect for each other? I really related to Gillian’s struggle with online dating and her desire for a real connection with someone (although unfortunately for me, I do *not* have a hot new neighbor that I can pine over lol) but I loved how Denker shows the realities of the modern dating world in a humorous, but also sobering light. Denker also does a good job of giving a snippet of what it’s like to end a relationship when there’s a child involved. It’s not gone into great detail, but even the little bits of Noah grappling with missing Aiden shows more realities when dating. I also really enjoyed the small-town trope mixed in with enemies-to-lovers! It’s a classic, but not overdone, story aspect that I will never get enough of! If you’re a fan of fade-to-black romances then I highly recommend this book enough! *I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest opinion. Renée Ahdieh’s The Beautiful Series comes to its conclusion today (December 5th) with the release of the fourth book in the quartet. The Ruined picks up where its predecessor left off and drops readers right back into the world of the Fae and other supernatural beings! The Sylvan Vale and the Sylvan Wyld are at war. Now that the unsteady truce between them has been broken, lines must be drawn. In an effort to protect the weakened Winter Court, Bastien rallies powerful allies and friends in New Orleans to come to their aid. Meanwhile, under protection alongside her injured mother in the Summer Court, Celine is uncertain of whom to trust. She cannot get word to Bastien, and does not understand why he has not returned. When she realizes war between the fey courts is imminent, she journeys with Ali in an effort to find the time traveling mirror and change their fate. But when Celine’s rivals realize Bastien has rallied his allies in the mortal world, they decide to take the fight to him. I honestly felt my expectations for this novel were pretty moderate, but unfortunately, the book ended up falling a bit flat. I liked how fast-paced the story was and how easy it was to fall into the plot again. I also enjoyed seeing all of our favorite characters again and seeing how the events in The Righteous would all combine into a masterful conclusion. However, there wasn’t any clear ending to certain plot lines and half of the minor characters became completely obsolete as the story went on. The story got bogged down with so many random bits of plot that nothing seemed fleshed out enough to leave any real impact on me as a reader. I feel like this book could’ve been much longer and allowed for a more robust story with a great ensemble cast of characters rather than trying to squeeze so much plot into 400 pages and casting aside what could’ve been amazing subplots for the sake of a bizarre and semi-inconclusive ending. I can understand what Ahdieh was trying to achieve with this book and the themes of love, loss, trust, and sacrifice; however, I feel like many fans of this series, including myself, would’ve preferred a more adventurous, thrilling, and more romantic ending for a book that is branded as a YA vampire/supernatural fantasy romance. While I enjoyed my time with this series, I was just hoping for this story to play out in a different way. Ahdieh had the potential to create a wonderful conclusion to this ethereal series, but I ended up finishing the series with way more questions than answers. *I received an ARC from Penguin Teen 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
February 2023
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