Tag Archives: Contemporary

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Dial A for Aunties
Author: Jesse Q. Sutanto
Series: Aunties #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Humour, Mystery
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Holy crap, this book was freaking amazing. And totally unforgettable. There was just something about it that made me fall head over heels in love from the very first page. I mean, it is pure insanity and hilariously unhinged. But, I love that in a good book. Unhinged in real life isn’t great, but reading about it. Particularly when that unhinged comes from a place of love? That works wonderfully. Which, considering this is really a love story about four aunts and their niece, meant that I thought this was the most delightfully and chaotically unhinged story that I’ve read in a long while.

As I mentioned, there is the romance between Meddy and her past flame, but for me, the biggest love story is Meddy and her aunties. They just don’t hesitate to dive right in and help her out, regardless of just how bad the situation is. Which is particularly hilarious when they are literally trying to hide a dead body. I mean, honestly, the incredibly foolish and ill-conceived decisions just keep coming. And they had me laughing outloud throughout the entire novel. But, the fact that this all came from a place of love and care? It made what was actually quite macabre to be absolutley beautiful and kind of heart melting.

To begin with, there are the multiple timelines in this novel. Starting with the chaotic choices made by Meddy’s mum and leading to the whole body situation. But then, you flash back to Meddy’s past. This doesn’t happen throughout the entire story, but it occurs enough to giv eyou a background not only into Meddy’s past relationship, but also to just where some of her discontent sits. I love though, that when that smaller arc from the past is completed, you are just plunged into the present full time. driven along with the knowledge of some of Meddy’s past, and the reasons why she is not quite happy in life the way it is.

Dial A for Aunties crossed a whole lot of genres in the most enjoyable manner. It felt a little like a mystery, a like sattirical, a little contemporary / contemporary romance and a whole lot of familial love. I basically spent the entire time reading this laughing and giggling – there was just something ridiculously fun and light about this. Which was particularly surprising when there was literally a dead body at the centre of this story…

<- More Jesse Q. SutantoFour Aunties and a Wedding ->

Image source: HarperCollins

Fresh Brewed Murder by Emmeline Duncan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Fresh Brewed Murder
Author: Emmeline Duncan
Series: Ground Rules Mystery #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Cozy mystery, Food
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this book – I’ve never read anything by Emmeline Duncan, and I really only read this for the Popsugar 2025 Reading Challenge. And boy am I glad that I did, I pretty much read this from cover to cover and loved every single minute of it. There was something fun and light about it, even whilst dealing with murder and mayhem. The fact that this cozy mystery also centred on coffee in a lot of ways just made it all that much better. I freaking love coffee, and I seriously enjoyed the process of creating and making throughout. Duncan has such an attention to detail within this, and it was just absolutely fantastic and drool-inducing.

One of the aspects of this cozy mystery that I absolutely adored was the detail which Duncan was able to impart throughout. She created this world and structure to her story that you are plunged into immediately. Then, as the story unfolds, you get drawn deeper and deeper into the world of coffee and a fledgling food truck business. I could almost smell all the different foods in the Rail Yard. I know that the focus of the story is really the mystery aspect, but I definitely focused in on the food aspect a whole lot.

I loved how, throughout this, there are so many Red Herrings. The murderer could have literally been any one of a number of characters within the Rail Yard. Not only was the victim someone who had wronged or annoyed a number of those characters, then there’s Sage’s family and all of the complications there. I was not really sure who the villain was going to be right up until the reveal. Duncan just did such a brilliant job at entangling literally everything, so that it was almost impossible to figure out what was actually going to happen. Which is probably why I just adored reading this cozy mystery so much – I just couldn’t guess what was going to happen next.

This would’ve been an amazing story without the complications of Sage’s family. But there are so many more nuances and hints of more complications and horrors in the future. I mean, Sage’s Mum is quite possibly insane, and I have a feeling that there will be more surprises in the shape of Gabby in the future. I may be wrong, but I love that there is so much potential layered into this story, what a brilliant way to start off a series! I can’t wait to dive in again and read more!

<- More Emmeline DuncanDouble Shot Death ->

Image source: Kobo

Checking You Out by Ann Whynot & SmartyPants Romance

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Checking You Out
Author: Ann Whynot & SmartyPants Romance
Series: Green Valley Library #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

Meeting Norman and getting hints of Lois in Dewey Belong Together meant that I was incredibly excited when I started reading Checking You Out. I love how their whole story is interconnected with Max and Jonathan, but they also have their own start. They meet online, create a relationship, and then Lois gets a Dear Jane letter to completely break her heart. As with most second chance romances, on the surface, the initial break up / misunderstanding seems incredibly harsh, and I still question Norman a little. But, ultimately, they are a gorgeous couple and I really enjoyed reading this story!

Not only do Lois and Norman reconnect through kismet and their mutual connections, but I love how Max, Jonathan, Lois and Norman manage to make a pretty unstoppable foursome. They are wonderfully suited to each other as a group. And the fact that this all takes place around Christmas just makes it all that much better. I love that they manage to celebrate together, and make the festive season particularly special for Agoraphobic Rose, and Lois (who is missing her daughter a whole lot). The romance between the two leads might be the main driver of this story, but the building of the community between the four of them is all that much more special to my mind.

With all of the space between Norman and Lois’ first and second chance, there is obviously going to be a whole lot of other history. I love how realistic Whynot is about Lois’ feelings towards her ex husband. Rather than it just being about him realising that he’s gay and being true to himself, she has a whole mess of other feelings. Feelings of abandonment, rejection and betrayal all due to the ways in which he goes about it. I love that towards the end, when she finally confronts him for some of his less than stellar behaviour, she highlights that it’s actually not about him coming out – it’s about the way in which he chose to go about it. Her ex made a choice, and there are consequences to it.

I love when romance authors deal with chronic conditions which have an impact on someone’s everyday experiences and lives. In the case of Checking You Out, Whynot is able to emphasise the ways in which chronic pain can have a daily impact. The risks (and often experiences) of substance abuse to deal with the pain. And then the multitude of ways in which to live with such a condition. The fact that a chronic condition can change your daily experiences and impact every decision you make. The realism is wonderful and I seriously enjoyed taking this walk in someone else’s shoes.

<- Dewey Belong TogetherMore SmartyPants Romance ->

Image source: Amazon

Sisters of Sorrow Volume 1. by Kurt Sutter, Courtney Alameda & Heonjin Kim

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Sisters of Sorrow Volume 1
Author: Kurt Sutter, Courtney Alameda & Heonjin Kim
Series: Sisters of Sorrow #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Feminism, Graphic novels
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Graphic novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

Sisters of Sorrow Volume 1 is a seriously dark and twisty graphic novel. I mean, it starts with a domestic violence homicide and then just… spirals from there. And honestly, this is exactly how I seem to like my graphic novels. Dark, twisty and filled with a surprising amount of violence. It also left me thinking. A lot. After I turned the final page. And I think that that too is the mark of a good graphic novel for my shelves.

At its core, Sisters of Sorrow Volume 1 is all about women who are filled with feminist rage. Honestly, there’s a reason why I liked it so much – these are women who are 1000% done with the system and the lack of protection that it offers. It is about a group of women who have been so brutalised that they have zero fucks left to give. And, honestly, I was right there beside them. The feminist rage that screamed and yelled in the pages, I felt that down to my very soul.

Even though I loved how this feminist rage was displayed, it did make me kind of sad to read this. Because I feel like it is such an accurate reflection of the world as we know it at the moment. I wish that this felt like a fantasy. But honestly, the older I get, the more society seems to be moving into a direction that protects the aggressors. And, as much as I enjoyed this, it made me sad to read this story. People senselessly losing their lives because of a system and social injustices that are rife in the world.

To match the incredible darkness of this story, the images and artwork in this graphic novel is gloriously dark. There is a little gore, and everything is done in dark tones. I can’t wait to read more in this story to see how this gorgeous artwork continues to tell this dark tale.

<- More Courtney AlamedaSisters of Sorrow Volume 2 ->

Image source: Head Hunters Holo Suite

Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Tastes Like Shakkar
Author: Nisha Sharma
Series: If Shakespeare Was an Auntie #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Immigrant, South-East Asian
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

Tastes Like Shakkar is funny, clever and full of heart. I really enjoyed reading Dating Dr. Dil. But, if anything, I enjoyed Tastes Like Shakkar even more. Maybe because Dating Dr. Dil was introducing me to a whole world and viewpoint that I have had literally no experience with, but I felt more enmeshed in this reality upon this read through. It might also just have been because I absolutely adored Bobbi and her many spitfire ways. Her level of drive and commitment, not just to her work, but also to holding a grudge, was fantastic. And I really loved how she went toe to toe with the many challenges thrown into her path. Without backing down or showing any kind of fear.

I’m always a big fan of a prequel that shows a couple’s first interactions, and then dives forward into the present day. In this case, it jumps from Bobbi and Bunty’s first meeting during Kareena and Prem’s courtship, and then dives headfirst into their frequent interactions in their wedding preparations. I loved this jump around as it perfectly sets up the initial animosity between the couple. But, rather than painting either of them as the fool, or the person who is at fault for their difficulties getting along, it is obvious just how they have both ended up in this position. Then, there’s the fact that this also helps to round out more of Prem and Kareena’s story.

As with Dating Dr. Dil, I’m not familiar with the original Shakespeare that this story was based upon. But, it made me actually halfway interested to read some more of Shakespeare’s works. Not necessarily because I’m excited by The Bard’s words, but because Sharma does such an amazing job of retelling the tale in a way that colours me intrigued. Plus, she’s not chosen Macbeth, King Lear or Romeo and Juliet – the three that I feel like are constantly retold and rehashed. The fact that this story also helps to tell of Sharma’s only reality as part of an immigrant family makes it even better and more enjoyable.

Although I loved reading about Bobbi and Bunty falling in love, as with Kareena and Prem’s story, it’s really the aunts that steal the show. I mean, they are hilarious, powerful and just all around joyful. Everyone needs Aunties like this in their lives to help them out of a tough spot. And although I haven’t had women of this calibre involved in my own life, I love the thought of them being involved in my daughter’s life. Plus, they might be considered Kareena’s Aunties, but they are also 100% there for Bobbi. This kind of love reminds me that there are so many good things in the world. Good people and a whole lot of love. Plus, they’re just outright hilarious to read about.

Amongst all of the other multiple joyous parts of this book, I really liked getting to know how a South-East Asian wedding take place. I spent the entire time trying to guess just who the Shaddi Saboteur was, and this, along with the new experiences left me feeling intrigued and happy. I absolutely adored this RomCom inspired insight into an entirely new world. And now I can’t wait to round out my reading of this trilogy with Marriage and Masti.

<- Dating Dr. DilMarriage & Masti ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Two Week Roommate by Roxie Noir

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Two Week Roommate
Author: Roxie Noir
Series: Wildwood Society #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This was not the story I was expecting to be completely honest, I knew that it was a forced proximity romance and had a bit of a second chance romance vibe. But what I got was, quite honestly, even better. For starters, the second chance aspect of reconnecting as adults was due to entirely unexpected factors. Primarily, in Gideon feeling that he had betrayed Andi, and Andi moving far away as a consequence of childish actions. I do love though that they very quickly are able to reconnect as best friends, and then build on this to the romance and lust filled portion of the story.

As the story unfolds, and Gideon’s past comes to light, it became a whole lot of emotionally wow. Gideon’s parents and their use of religion to justify abuse was truly horrifying. I don’t often see individuals as “evil” in a black and white sense, but in this circumstance, I 100% did. It also gives a very unique conflict in their past – a lot of Gideon’s guilt at the past is viewed through the lens of an adult. As a child, it is completely justifiable to see where his actions came from. But it would most certainly be harshly judged as an adult. I also love that his love for Andi and their growing relationship is what finally allows him to put some better boundaries in place with his family.

The more I found out about Gideon throughout this story, the more I loved him. He took a traumatic and guilt-ridden event from his past and decides to change his ways. Rather, he comes full circle and supports his two younger brothers in their own gender and sexual identities. Those which would make many of this religious insanity absolutely baulk. I just found this whole situation to be beautiful. Normally I connect really strongly with the women in a story, but in writing this review and thinking back on the story, my focus is solely on Gideon. Andi is also an amazing female lead and I really loved her. But it’s easy to be kind and accepting when that’s what you’ve grown up with. It’s so much more powerful to shuck a lifetime’s worth of prejudice, and be a better human off your own back.

I was expecting this story to be filled with conflict caused by Gideon’s family. I thought he would be likely to have a massive crisis of identity, and then finally come full circle at the end. I love that this is not the case at all. Gideon and Andi have both already done all of the work as individuals and become better people. Finding each other and ending up together is really about forgiving themselves (internally) for the past and enjoying their future together. It also meant that the character development (which is something I always love Noir for) is seriously focused on their own issues and letting go of the toxicity in their lives. Not about the conflict between the couple.

Not only was this a wonderful story, I also just loved the reMeet Cute. Andi is chained to a tree in a blizzard and seriously questioning her own sanity. Gideon is wondering why he has to go and save the crazy woman and questioning her decision making. It makes for a hilarious start to a story. And all of the light moments throughout help to diffuse the intensity of some of the more emotionally fraught moments. I adore Noir’s work and this is a perfect example of why.

<- The One Month BoyfriendThe Three Night Stand ->

Image source: Amazon

Volatile by Carina Alyce

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Volatile
Author: Carina Alyce
Series: MetroGen After Hours #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Romantic suspense
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Brandon and Jennifer have a great Meet Cute in Volatile. It is full of flirty, somewhat lustful banter. And it makes you think that they are immediately going to connect in a very intimate way. Until he arrests her for having bombs in her car. Which is the beginning of this story, and a beginning I completely adored and could get behind. Volatile then continued to keep building from there in a way that made it almost impossible to put down. I absolutely adored this adventure, and it has made me really keen to read the other Carina Alyce series, and also Burn Card, the next book in this MetroGen series.

I really enjoyed Jennifer as a character, she was the absolute sunshine in this sunshine – grump romance, but she was also the aggressor. I love that she spends the entirety of this story pushing Brandon outside of his comfort zone. Rather than just letting his excuses slide, he is constantly encouraging and pushing him into new territories. Not in an overbearing way, but in the format that she is helping him expand his horizons. The end of this story and the point of highest conflict is a great example of this. Jennifer is able to help Brandon reach his full potential, with a healthy push, one that really makes him stop and think.

Although Jennifer is the aggressor, Brandon is a great support for her. He does eventually become a little more aggressive with his own romantic / sexual intentions. But, I love that, professionally, Brandon has no issue with standing back and letting Jennifer lead the investigation. Rather than being all macho and moronic about it. He happily follows her lead, and also consistently reminds others that she is the lead. Particularly in a situation in which he could very easily take over (it’s his town and his people), he still supports Jennifer and hands the reigns over.

I was really intrigued to how the romance / sexuality of this story was going to play out. I’ve read two Carina Alyce novellas, and I know that she’s been involved in writing Grey’s Anatomy (because of her bio). But I wasn’t sure how that would translate into on-page intimacies. This was definitely well written. And there were some scenes that I most definitely would not be reading in a public space. It was not vanilla sex and it was the kind of writing that had me fanning myself a few times whilst reading it. Which just makes me want to dive into some more of Alyce’s works – there was great steam, and great character development, and a really gorgeous relationship at the centre of it all.

<- CycloneBurn Card ->

Image source: Goodreads

The What If Guy by Lauren Blakely

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The What If Guy
Author: Lauren Blakely
Series: The Guys Who Got Away #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

From the title of this, I knew that there was going to be a bit of a “What If” vibe to this romance, and from the beginning, I was wondering how Logan would end up being the What If guy. What I did not expect was that it would also be a bit of a workplace romance and one that I would seriously enjoy. I mean, I knew that I’d enjoy this book, because I really like Blakely’s romances, but I didn’t realise this would so quickly turn into a workplace romance. Or that Logan and Bryn would have a whole lot of baggage to unpack before they manage to come together for their happily ever afters.

One of the things that both Bryn and Logan must overcome in their journey to each other is the fact that they are both learning how to move on from their divorces. And that they were both cheated on in their marriages. Whilst Logan has to negotiate this as a single father, Bryn is doing this as a strong and independent career woman. Different roles in their lives, but with some of that same baggage. Plus, there is just something ridiculously yummy and fun single dads who dote on their daughters. Actually, any time a father is an amazing father, it’s going to make me (and most other women) feel all the warm and gooey feelings about them.

The in-balance for Bryn of her wanting to date her boss, and how this often reflects poorly on the woman (regardless of the circumstances). Yet, rather than pushing the issue, Logan does a great job of backing down and then spending the time to try and figure out how he can actually have all the things. Without negatively impacting Bryn and how her employees view her. I thought that this balance and negotiation, which took up a fair portion of the book and conflict, was really well handled. I mean, women are often perceived in a more negative light regardless of the circumstances, so it’s a greater risk for us. But, in admitting this and trying to work with Bryn, Logan does a great job of supporting her.

Ultimately, as much as I loved this story and the romantic journey it took me on, I loved Bryn the most. There is so much crackling wit and sassy dialogue, which I for one, would never have because I am not that quick. But, it was also the fact that Bryn is her own Boss Bitch. And, by the end of her character journey in this story, she decides how she wants to be her own Boss Bitch. Doing something that is terrifying and brave, all on her own. Something which I admire and would love to have the guts to do myself one day.

<- Dear Sexy Ex-BoyfriendThanks for Last Night ->

Image source: Barnes & Noble

Second Chance in the Mediterranean by Liz Alden

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Second Chance in the Mediterranean
Author: Liz Alden
Series: Love and Wanderlust #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Travel
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I’ve been looking forward to reading The Second Chance in the Mediterranean after reading the short prequel The Night in Lover’s Bay, and then getting to know some of the characters that Marcella spent time with in the interim. Which meant that I ended up reading this story from cover to cover. It was really hard to put down, and such a light and enjoyable read. One that had me smiling and the heart beating at all of the right moments. There wasn’t too much angst (rather, the past was filled with angst, the future with hope). And I love that Marcella and Seb were able to find their happily ever after.

Even though the past for Marcella and Seb is filled with plenty of drama and misunderstandings, they reunite pretty quickly and happily. I love that, even though it takes a while for the drama to truly see the light of day, they have all kinds of chemistry and “adult fun” in the lead up. In fact, one of my favourite scenes is actually when Marcella has a massive panic attack due to being “caught” and all of her complex feelings of the past rise up. I also love that it’s highlighted what a horrible man their last captain was. And just how they’re going to be able to move forward with their lives aboard the superyachts they both enjoy spending so much time on.

I spent the majority of this romance thinking about food and what kind of food I would want to eat and cook on a boat. Which makes sense, since Marcella is a chef, and a lot of this story revolves around her job. And time in the kitchen. I also love how she is constantly pushed to be better and better by Natasha (the owner of their yacht). Natasha and her family also start the hints of what is going to happen in The Rival in South Africa. Which I’ve already read, because I’m a shocker for reading romance series out of order.

I love that all of this story is formed by reality – Liz Alden has travelled and sailed around the world herself. And, travelled extensively. This is obvious from her writing and the realness of this story. I also completely related to working in the service industry. I didn’t quite have the intense experience of the crew in this story – the people I’ve served and dealt with aren’t quite this rich and entitled, but I still felt those twinges of sympathy I always do when I read about insane clients. I loved this entire romance, and part of that was loving the realness of this entire story.

<- The Slow Burn in PolynesiaThe Player in New Zealand ->

Image source: Goodreads

Gimme Some Sugar by Molly Harper

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Gimme Some Sugar
Author: Molly Harper
Series: Southern Eclectic #3
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

Duffy and Lucy are such a cute friends to lovers, second chance romance. I love that they both had crushes on each other as children, but never acted upon them. But, as their lives built them and allowed them to grow, both decide that they still have feeling for one another. Plus, their decisions of the past led them both into not great marriages. And, even though they are traumatic and somewhat scarring, both Duffy and Lucy are able to find a way forwards and to move on from the horrors of the past. Plus, it adds such a great extra dimension of drama – personal traumas and ex-spouse drama. Brilliant.

For Lucy, the biggest complication from her ex comes from her in-laws. And I love that although she handles them with spine and a lot of confidence, she also does so with understanding and grace. Throughout this whole story, I was expecting Lucy to just completely blow up at her Mother-In-Law in particular. But, instead, she manages to handle her in a completely dignified manner. I can guarantee that I wouldn’t be able to be that calm and sane with somebody crossing that many boundaries with me and my kid. Plus, she is able to rebuild her life in a way that I can’t even begin to fathom.

Duffy’s entire family is amazing and adorable. They all come together to support one another, although they each have their own difficult and somewhat irritating quirks. I am absolutely in love with them, and, even though I’m sure it would be annoying at times, I kind of wish I had those close connections with my own family. To contrast, Duffy’s ex is kind of a complete and total psycho. Duffy might know that he’s being manipulated, but I still kind of found him incredibly frustrating and weak-willed where she’s concerned. I’m sure that these types of people actually exist. But I just can’t imagine it.

As much as I enjoyed the romance and the reconnecting of Duffy and Lucy, I think it was when they both stand up for themselves at the end which was truly beautiful. They might be able to stand by one another and up for each other. But, it’s when their relationship gives them both the confidence to actually stand up for themselves that is truly beautiful. It’s a great way to show their character growth, and highlight how healthy a relationship can be for somebody’s mental wellbeing.

<- Ain’t She a Peach?More Molly Harper ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster