Tag Archives: Contemporary romance

A Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: A Princess for Christmas
Author: Jenny Holiday
Series: Christmas in Eldovia #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I have to start this review with the point that I swear to god I’ve seen this movie on Netflix. But, as I don’t have Netflix anymore, I’m not entirely certain. But, I swear it feels like I’ve seen this before. The fact that it is Jenny Holiday’s version of a Hallmark Christmas movie might be why it seems so familiar though… but I digress. This was a fun and entertaining Christmas read that had me smiling and just generally enjoying the feeling of the season. A great way to get myself mentally prepared for the insanity that hits around December 25th.

Although this was a wonderfully cute and funny story, it did take me a little while to get into it. Leo and Marie are a nice couple, but I didn’t immediately fall in love with either of them, so it was hard to start barracking for the couple. Eventually though, I started to actually want to know that they were going to find their happily ever after. Particularly since this was a romance that was built primarily on friendship, rather than the insta-love tale that sometimes fills my shelves. I love how Leo and Marie slowly get to know each other and just enjoy each other’s’ company for the first half of the book. In my opinion, there is nothing better than a romance that is built upon a friendship first.

If you read the author’s commentary on why she wrote this book, she points out that this was supposed to be her version of a Hallmark Christmas movie. There are so many sassy little references to this throughout the book that leave you smiling and laughing. I love how Holiday is able to poke fun at the genre even as she is writing within it. Yet, there is also something wonderful about the idea of the picturesque country and town of Eldovia where hot chocolate competitions are considered completely normal and there is snow everywhere. Definitely a book I will reread next year in the lead up to Christmas.

Leo and Marie are a somewhat cute couple, one that I did enjoy getting to know. But, I must admit, that there are moments when Gabby steals the show a little. She’s such a happy chatterbox and sweetheart. I hope that she at least makes a bit of an appearance in the next two books in this fun Christmas trilogy.

<- More Jenny HolidayDuke, Actually ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

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Sideways by Lisa Hughey

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Sideways
Author: Lisa Hughey, Heart Eyes Press
Series: Speakeasy Taproom #4
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: 2021

Thoughts

I found the society girl meets cute chef a really fun angle to this story. Particularly since cute chef immediately judges the society girl for wanting to alter the menu. Which she does because she has dietary concerns, not because she’s a princess and pain in the butt. It was definitely a really fun and wonderful approach to a very unique pairing. In fact, Tracey and Colton are some of my favourite Heart Eyes Press couples so far. Although, admittedly that may change when I read the next book in this world…

There is just something about a good food romance that makes me particularly happy. Probably because I love food and I love cooking, so it hits me right in all of my sweet spots. The fact that Colton manages to find his mojo for cooking again as this story unfolds. In a tiny, picturesque cottage… at some points I didn’t even need the romance. Just the cooking. I’m admittedly a little bit food obsessed at times. I love that this story also highlights all of the ways in which sometimes the hospitality culture can be kind of toxic. I used to work in hospitality – it wasn’t abnormal for someone to do a ten hour shift on a broken foot (not even kidding). Colton’s issues with alcohol and the ways in which such a high pressure environment really hit a cord with me. Again, having worked in front of house and kitchens myself – I know a whole lot of chefs and kitchen staff who had some very questionable addictions. Colton’s strength in recognising his problems and staying away from them was wonderful.

Although Tracey starts out as incredibly naïve at the beginning of this story, I love how she is able to grow throughout. She manages to consistently learn from her mistakes. And, although most of these mistakes come from a place of privilege, she’s able to admit to these flaws and find a way to be better. In fact, by understanding more of her privilege, she’s actually able to completely overhaul other aspects of her life to better suit those who aren’t quite so privileged. The personal growth of both Colton and Tracey is wonderful in this, but I particularly enjoyed and respected how much Tracey is able to grow throughout.

Tracey’s friends in the BBC (Billionaire’s Breakfast Club) are wonderful, and all the time that I was reading this, I couldn’t help but think that I wanted more of them. Which, made me incredibly happy when I realised that Hughey actually wrote this as a series… just some more wonderful books to add to my ever expanding TBR…

<- HomecomingWildflower ->

Image source: Amazon

Blindsided by Victoria Denault

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Blindsided
Author: Victoria Denault, Heart Eyes Press
Series: Moo U #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: 2021

Thoughts

This is a wonderful enemies to lovers story. But almost one that’s been supercharged – I mean, enemies to lovers is one thing. But enemies to lovers when their very families are feuding? That’s a whole other level of scary and difficult. One that I seriously appreciated and enjoyed. I mean, it was also a great new adult romance with all of the growing and feelings involved, but with that whole Romeo and Juliet vibe. And none of the dying (which is always a great benefit).

Tate is wonderfully yummy, and gorgeous. I love that his role as a man maid is what kind of lands him in hot water… honestly, there is nothing sexier than a topless man cleaning your house for you while you put your feet up. He also has a wonderful attitude. Although, as seems to be the case with many of the male leads in the romances I read – he seriously needs to work on his conflict resolution. There are so many points throughout this that would be far less horrible if he just opened his mouth and COMMUNICATED. But, then, it would probably have been a much shorter story.

I love how sweet and kind of adorable Maggie is in this. Yet, she has a strength of steel when she’s challenged. She’s able to put her family first, find ways to help the farm and just be an all around wonderful woman. Her relationship with her sister and housemates was all that much more adorable. But, mostly I just love how she is able to use her brain to help her family’s business and also work towards a better future for everyone involved. The image of her green thumb and balcony garden are forever imprinted on my mind. Maybe because I’m somewhat jealous of the fact that she can actually grow things.

Although the situation and the conflict between the families is the main point of difficulty between Tate and Maggie getting together, when you discover the root of the feud, you start to understand who the real villains are. Which makes sense, the couple are bought together by Clyde and George’s immaturity, and it’s their villain-like ways that eventually helps both of the families to heal. I love the moment when the past is revealed and the truth about the grandmothers comes out. What a beautiful way to end a fantastic story.

<- BoyfriendSlapshot ->

Image source: Kobo

Cowboy by L.B. Dunbar

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Cowboy
Author: L.B. Dunbar, Heart Eyes Press
Series: Busy Bean #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I like that this novel had a little bit of gender flipping in that it is Bull who is the serial dumpee. And Scarlet is the one who isn’t entirely sure of how much she wants to commit. The fact that these two meet and anticipate a one-night stand as a bit of a palate cleanser for both of them, and then can’t quite move on is also gorgeous. And then they get their gorgeous surprise. I might not be a huge fan of pregnancy as a driver to keep a couple together, but it really worked for this story. After all, it’s made very clear that these two really want to be together from the get-go. Which makes the pregnancy a convenient excuse, not a point of pressure.

Scarlett is an incredibly feisty pregnant woman, and this made me ridiculously happy. I don’t actually know many women who were totally mellow in their pregnancies (although my husband is convinced that I was actually the calmest I’d ever been). The final scene when she gives birth is actually my favourite of the whole book. I mean, everything in this is fantastic. But her feistiness and willingness to yell at just about everyone in that moment had me genuinely laughing out loud. It makes me wonder if Dunbar has had experience with feisty pregnant women in her history – she writes passionate and strong women with a heavy dose of sass so well.

I love that Bull completely lives up to his name in this book. There’s a few more sexually charged “living up to the name” aspects. But it was his bullheadedness that made me smile. Instead of confronting Scarlett head on and trying to gently sway her to his way of thinking, he just continues to silently work on her. This stubbornness is brilliant and a lot of fun to read. I seriously enjoyed how he is able to be patient and work with Scarlett’s insecurities and issues. Plus, when her ex appears, he continues to be kind of steadfast in his commitment to Scarlett. I also love that although the ex is sinister and causes a whole heap of uncomfortable issues, it ends up being Bull who really gets in his own damn way. There’s nothing like a character who makes silly decisions and ends up (sometimes hilariously) harming his own plans.

This was a fantastic read. It was fun, light and easy. But there was also just enough angst and trouble that it was impossible to put down. I had a lot of fun reading this. And the many sneaky cow / pregnant woman comparisons had me giggling. Since I’ve recently been through all of the joys of pregnancy, I was able to find this even more relevant and entertaining – a lot of laughter and smiles throughout this very sweet and cute romance.

<- SweetheartCakewalk ->

Image source: Goodreads

Crazy Old Money by Kilby Blades

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Crazy Old Money
Author: Kilby Blades
Series: Gilded Love #6
In: Worst Holiday Ever (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2018

Thoughts

Jada and Marsh are an absolutely gorgeous couple. One that I look forward to reading more about in their full-length novel, Loaded. They have such a wonderfully comfortable way of being together. The glances and non-verbal communication that great indication of a healthy, understanding relationship. It’s made me want to dive right back into the Gilded Love series and get to this story…

I love that although Jada and Marsh have a clearly happy and healthy relationship, there are still a lot of secrets between them. Throughout this short story, there is a slow unveiling of these secrets. Mostly on the behalf of Marsh, and the way that they deal with this conflict works well. Particularly how Jada puts up with all of the nonsense that is thrown her way during the course of meeting Marsh’s family.

All family is kind of batty and insane, but Marsh’s definitely takes the cake. Every moment in this story unveils a moment of just pure insanity. I spent most of the time reading this shaking my head in bemused horror. I can’t imagine what it would feel like to walk unprepared into such a ridiculous situation.

Ultimately, I loved this whole story, particularly the ending. Especially the way in which there was poetic justice and a whole lot of happy comeuppance to the painful characters throughout this story. It had that nice feeling of poetic justice at the end and a happily ever after journey into the sunset.

<- A Perfect FitStealing Christmas ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Snapdragon by Kilby Blades

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Snapdragon
Author: Kilby Blades
Series: Gilded Love #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

I’m not normally a fan of romances that don’t contain their happily ever after in the one book. I mean, I read them as a sense of escapism so the whole happily ever after bit is kind of important to that. However, there is something about Snapdragon that made me appreciate the time and place for such a split narrative. That, and I didn’t actually realise until about halfway through that Michael and Darby’s relationship is told in two books.

I love how this story starts with Darby being frustrated with the assumptions her old friends were making. Not every woman wants children, a family, and a husband. But, as Darby does recognise throughout, everyone wants companionship (but that’s another story). It’s fantastic how as this story unfolds, it’s emphasised that Darby’s choices still focus on work. She is incredibly and admirably driven; at moments I was actually so deeply hooked into this story because I wanted to know what happened next in her professional life.

Michael is a very yummy male lead. The sex scenes are just a little (alright a lot) bit toe curling. But I get the feeling that there is so much more to him than hasten revealed. I can’t wait to find out more in Chrysalis. After all, so many things about Michael’s personality and life are only revealed to Darby right towards the end. But it definitely feels like he is enough to go up against the Big Bad that is Darby’s father in the next part of their story.

Honestly, this romance kind of has it all. It has the steaminess of a really good, late night read. Then there’s two great characters, one of which is a woman who is phenomenally career driven in a field that is not only fascinating, but so damn important. Finally, there’s all sorts of mysteries thrown up. Not just by Michael’s inability to share with Darby, but her past with her father. And now there’s all so much political, romantic and social potential ready to unfurl in Chrysalis.

<- More Kilby BladesChrysalis ->

Image source: Amazon

A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: A Very Merry Bromance
Author: Lyssa Kay Adams
Series: Bromance Book Club #5
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

I always love a good grinch and sunshine trope. I mean grumpy and sunshine is brilliant, but when you add in the Christmas grinch factor? It makes it just that much better and more enjoyable. At least for me. The fact that the grinch in this was the woman, and the sunshine person was the man, made it all that much better in my books. Normally I find that it’s the woman who is all bright and shiny, so I enjoyed having Gretchen as such a wonderfully cantankerous character. And although I most definitely am not that grumpy myself, I completely fell in love with all of her grumpiness and grinch-like ways… maybe she reminded me a little strongly of my own partner…

I loved both Colton and Gretchen in this story. They were a fantastic pair and wonderful couple. But Gretchen’s family? I’ve read plenty of stories with horrible families as part of the characterisation, but Gretchen’s really took the cake. My blood actually boiled a little bit when I was reading about the way that they treat her. And that’s not even including some of the family history reveals that come later in the book! Suddenly a lot of her grumpiness and inability to be vulnerable makes tragic sense. And although it bothered me to no end, it also made for a great read. Plus, when Colton decides to get involved, you fall for him that much more…

Where Gretchen is forced to give up some of her Grinchiness to make space for others in her life, Colton is also forced to give up some of his sunshine characteristics. I like that Gretchen isn’t expected to be suddenly happy, friendly, and cheerful, although she does thaw a bit towards Colton. But I also loved that Colton drops some of his cheerful façade and just acts as himself. He manages to stop fearing that if he’s not sunshine all the time, people will still actually love him. I love that they both had to thaw a little bit in their “tropes” to become a happier and healthier versions of themselves.

All in all, this was a wonderful Christmas story. I love that throughout Colton is constantly trying to help Gretchen feel the joys of Christmas. And to gain those experiences that she has woefully missed out on. It was a good reminder of all of the little traditions and moments that you have in your own families, and how nice it is to share these things with your partner.

A Very Merry Bromance is my first book in the Bromance Book Club series, even if it isn’t actually the first in the series. Now I just desperately want to read more of these stories. I love the idea of having a book club of men reading romance novels. And how they all try and support each other in a way that is very rarely seen in media of any form. It’s a great idea, and Lyssa Kay Adams manages to write it in such a way that is heartfelt, but also incredibly witty, funny, and charming. Definitely a series that is moving up on my list of books that I love.

<- Isn’t It Bromantic?Courting the Countess ->

Image source: Booktopia

Touched by Fate by Preslaysa Williams

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Touched by Fate
Author: Preslaysa Williams
In: Worst Holiday Ever (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2018

Thoughts

This was not the story that I was expecting at all. For starters, I thought there would be a whole lot romance in this story than there was. And I kind of loved the fact that there wasn’t. I mean, romance and particularly holiday romances are wonderful, but holiday stories about discovering yourself in spite of romance… that’s even better.

There are a thousand red flags in this story that make you ridiculously happy when Analyn doesn’t get married. Ones that kind of had me clenching the sides of my seat in the hopes that she would take damn notice of them. And then, instead of ending with a date (which I was expecting), it is all about her freedom. I don’t know if there is any better way to end a story – love is all well and good, but self-respect and freedom? Gorgeous.

Even though this was a short story about Analyn, it was the grandmothers that I fell in love with. They were a damn hoot. And had me laughing out loud. I couldn’t believe how much humour Williams was able to install in them in such a short amount of time. Yet another author to add to my shelves if she could have me laughing this much in such a short amount of time…

<- Stealing ChristmasRinging in the Reefer ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

The Thanksgiving Parade from Hell by R.L. Merrill

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Thanksgiving Parade from Hell
Author: R.L. Merrill
In: Worst Holiday Ever (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, LGBTQI
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Year: 2018

Thoughts

Dalton and Orrie are a ridiculously cute couple. They are completely adorable and so damn sweet together. My heart definitely beat faster in the hope for their future. And because this was a wonderfully sweet and gorgeous story, they get it. Not without a lot of issues along the way though.

My husband and I decided a long time ago that Christmas would be about one event… no running around like headless chickens all day long. And that is just between two families. I can’t imagine jumping between four! That to start with just sounded and felt ridiculously difficult and complex. And, as it unfolded, it was even worse than I had anticipated.

This was a fun, chaotic story evolving into a beautiful ending. With the one family portion that the couple actually got along well with. I love that in the one day they not only run the gambit of their four families, but they also had to deal with their own insecurities. A brilliant holiday story.

<- Ringing in the ReeferThankful in Perdition ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Thankful in Perdition by Erin St. Charles

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Thankful in Perdition
Author: Erin St. Charles
In: Worst Holiday Ever (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Year: 2018

Thoughts

AJ and Jasmine are an incredibly sweet couple, the kind that is easy and enjoyable to read about in a short story, but maybe doesn’t have enough drama going on for a long tale. It’s a nice way to imagine a settled and happy couple getting through the insanity of the festive season (because there is ALWAYS insanity). St. Charles did a great job of telling you the background to this couple, without getting too bogged down in the details. Certainly an enjoyable holiday short story.

Although this is a simple and easy story, and you can tell from the first instant that the couple is very much in love, the moment that Jasmine realises she loves AJ is probably my favourite. That moment of somewhat everyday life when you just look at someone and know is fantastic. But, the humorousness of this moment was even better. Particularly since this entertaining, but still very sweet moment involves a frozen turkey and an axe…

This short story was one calamity after the other. It was seriously funny reading one chaotic moment after the other and waiting for the next thing to go seriously wrong. Had me giggling out loud quite a bit, and wanting to add a bit more of this fun flavour to my shelves.

<- The Thanksgiving Parade from HellFeliz Chanukah! ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction