I knew Vanessa and Mario had a simple origin story compared to the others. But it was still incredibly sweet. And I seriously enjoyed reading it. As I’ve been slowly making my way through the series, I’ve wanted to get to know the original couple just that little bit more. And, finally I signed up for this free novella. And I was NOT disappointed.
I love that throughout this story, Mario works hard at earning Vanessa’s trust. Not by doing anything over the top and insane, but by charging through all of her time objections and just spending time with her. He doesn’t push Vanessa, just let’s her come around to him in her own time.
The Meet Cute of Mario and Vanessa was also brilliant. I love how it’s just a simple misunderstanding that is quite memorable. It also perfectly sets up the tone for the rest of the story… both Vanessa and Mario have memorable first impressions and work hard at finding space in their lives for one another.
Not only is this a fun novella, it provides hints to Blair’s challenges. It’s a great introduction to the series with a lot of tantalising hints about the basketball boys. Definitely a great romance series all about smart jocks.
I didn’t realise that this was technically the last book in the Holiday Fun series when I picked it up. I got about 2 chapters in before I realised that this was the case, and by that point I was already completely hooked and didn’t want to put this down. I mean, it starts off with a wedding with a runaway bride. Although, I’m going to use the term thoroughbride henceforth because I think that that’s a brilliant name! Which, considering this kind of stands on its own anyway, just means I have four other contemporary romances to jump into… ain’t life tough?
Everyone has their breaking point, within any relationship in their life. And, speaking from experience, that breaking point with family often comes much, much later than anyone else. But, I love that where this story starts with organising a wedding with a thoroughbride, it very quickly careens into the unknown. Hope reaches her breaking point with her brother, and rather than just getting annoyed with everyone, she just yells ‘f**k it’ and leaves behind literally everything. I can’t even imagine the bravery and strength it takes to completely start afresh, and I love that Hope does this with as much sass and attitude as possible.
There might be a great love interest and a beautiful period where the two love interests get to know one another before falling for one another. But, my favourite aspect of their relationship is their two dogs and cat. I’m a sucker for animals, and the fact that their relationship kind of starts to gain traction because of Hope’s obsession with Rick’s dog is beautiful. And totally understandable, I would be friends with someone just because of their adorable dog. Hope definitely says and does a lot of the things that I would want to do when striking up a new friendship, but I’m never quite confident enough to do so…
I love that Hope is an accountant who somehow gets wrangled into being a wedding planner. I found both aspects of her to be fascinating. I love the idea of being a forensic accountant, particularly when some of that involves male prostitutes, but I digress. Then there’s her ability to organise the wedding from hell, times two. Because both weddings she organises are completely insane. I honestly spent most of this story laughing and grinning. It is cute and funny. And definitely a story that I look forward to reading again… now I just have to go back to the beginning of the series…
Title: The Real Deal Author: Lauren Blakely Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Contemporary romance Pace: Medium Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this contemporary romance, although I didn’t find it as difficult to put down as I’ve found others of this genre. Or even the one other Blakely book that I’ve had the privilege to read. It was fun and easy to read. A light-hearted romance with some great character development. But it also didn’t get my heart racing like some of the other books I’ve had the privilege to read.
April’s job was one of those that really intrigued me. I mean, I suppose you need body painters for adds and shows and things that I’ve seen. But it wasn’t something I ever considered in depth. I love how Blakely describes this career. And the passion and artistry that goes into it. I know a few people who make their living through art, and I love how this creativity just jumps off the pages.
All the way through this story, it was obvious that Theo’s omitting of the truth was going to be the bump in the road for April and Theo. But I really like how it came about. That, and how parts of Theo’s history only get teased out slowly for the reader. It’s not all dealt out in one large splash. Not only do Theo and April manage to overcome some of this, but I also love that Theo finds some solutions to his own drama.
One of my favourite things that got me a little flustered in this romance was the fantasy Theo and April structure. The way they engage with each other and spin tales that make your toes curl was brilliant. It just goes to show the power of the written word (and spoken) can have to curl one’s toes…
Title: The Peppermint Tree Author: Kristy McCaffrey Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Christmas, Contemporary romance Pace: Medium Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2020
I love cute Christmas romances. Particularly at this time of year, I swear if everyone read a Christmas romance, even the biggest scrouge would start to believe in the Christmas spirit. In fact, I loved reading this curled up in front of the cheesiest, simplest Hallmark-esque Christmas movies. It just had a whole feel to it. With the Christmas lights on… and yeah, it was just a really nice way to spend an evening.
It was kind of weird reading a story featuring a lead character named Skye. Since that’s my name. But, once I got over the slight weirdness of that, I thoroughly enjoyed this. Particularly since it’s also a second chance romance. Everyone seems to have one what if person in their history, and Joe and Skye were the rare few who got to try again. Plus, it’s just nice to think that sometimes people are just fated to be together.
The idea of decorating a ginormous pine tree every year for Christmas is something I’d love to do. Although with a gum tree, and, lets be honest, no one actually trusts me to get up that high, so it’ll never happen. The added mysticism of fated couples meeting at the Peppermint Tree was just perfect. Christmas time, a beautiful tree, and an unexpected inheritance… it’s a kind of typical Christmas story. But one that I would definitely read again and again.
Title: OMG Christmas Tree Author: Stephanie J. Scott Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this) My Bookshelves:Christmas, Contemporary romance Pace: Slow Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2021
Whilst I liked this short novel, I probably won’t be diving down the Stephanie J. Scott rabbit hole anytime soon. It was a good, enjoyable Christmas romance. And I did have a fair amount of fun reading it. But it’s also one that I’ll probably forget about. Fun, but not memorable.
The Meet Cute in this story was kind of serendipitous. I mean, Nick wants to find the woman who took the Christmas tree he wants. So, he finds her in a ditch… because the tree is top big. Alright, I don’t love how he tries to manipulate her. But it was still kind of a nice Meet Cute. I even like that Megan acknowledges that no matter what, she’ll probably run into the guy she’s crushing on.
Both Megan and Nick need to do some serious growing up. It’s nice that they push each other to do this throughout the story. Both are privileged and kind of naive, and I like that they manage to push each other to be better. In particular, I love that Megan finally finds her own path. One that is fulfilling, but not necessarily the traditional route.
With Christmas trees, decorating and ham. This is a fun and endearing Christmas story. Not in my top 10. But still one that I enjoyed. And I’d definitely suggest it to someone who wanted to dive into an easy Christmas read.
Title: Not Your Valentine Author:Jackie Lau 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
I’m always up for a good friends-to-lovers trope. I mean, what better way to find your perfect match, then to be with someone who has already shown that they know you and like you? Plus, Lau also fully embraces the fake dating trope. Which is another bit of insanity that I always enjoy. Two tropes I love, centred around Valentine’s Day… of course I was going to just devour this short novel.
I love that both Taylor and Helen don’t just fall in instalove. And although one of them has had feelings for a little bit longer, there isn’t that unrequited love aspect either. Instead, it’s two friends spending a lot of time together. Getting to know one another more deeply. And just generally going together and as a couple.
Along with the two tropes I mentioned above, this is also the sunshine grump trope. Although, I love that the grumpy is Helen and she’s kind of valentines hating. Contrastingly, Taylor is all about the love hearts and confetti. They work so well together, even though I found Helen’s constant feeling that she was unlovable a little bit difficult at times.
Thus was a really cute and fun romance. But it was also a great journey into how some immigrant American family dynamics work. Probably one of the reasons I’m loving Lau. She writes beautiful and fun romances. But she also introduces me to a family dynamic that is entirely foreign to me.
Title: Maybe This Christmas Author: Susannah Nix 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: 2019
It’s not all that often that I love the premise of a story, and then I end up loving the execution too. But the idea of a couple and their developing relationship over 10 years was already a great premise. The fact that it’s just the Christmas day every year that is written about… beautiful and seriously sweet. And, at this time of year, who doesn’t go gaga for a Christmas love story?
Not only is this a very cute Christmas story, it’s also a great coming of age tale. Alex and Lucas start out this story as two people leaving high school and on the cusp of adulthood. Although they actually get together in the first chapter, the whole story is honestly just about two people getting to know who they are. And then returning to one another.
I loved the tradition of a group of friends getting together every year at Christmas. The fact that over the 10 years of this story, each of the group still manage to find a way back every Christmas is beautiful. This might be a story about Alex and Lucas falling in love, but it’s also about all of the friendships along the way.
I absolutely adored this story. The uniqueness of taking one day a year and using that chapter to explain all of the happenings of the past year is great in and of itself. But the fact that this is also a really sweet coming of age romance made it all that much better. I’m definitely looking forward to rereading this next Christmas!
This was such a cute and festive little Christmas novella. There was a touch of danger and suspense to it that helped get the heart pumping. But overall, it was just a nice, predictable, and enjoyable read. Set at Christmas, when all the wishes can come true.
I did like that the lead female character in this romance was named Noelle. I mean, it’s a little cliche, but also very enjoyable. That and, it really fits with the whole sunshine falls for the grinch trope that is going on. Noelle is also just a really great character, and I love how all she wants to do is spread the cheer around.
Brady is kind of an idiot in a lot of ways… mostly the fact that he keeps making decisions for Noelle based on his own assumptions. But I also love that he is fiercely protective of her. And that the other trope he fits is the brother’s best friend… and that Brady’s best friend is blatantly playing matchmaker here…
This is a wonderfully cute Christmas romance novella. The suspense of the stalker raises the stakes. But overall, it is just an incredibly sweet little story.
Title: Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating Author: Christina Lauren 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: 2018
Hazel is most definitely my favourite kind of calamity walking. She’s funny and cute, but, she also is uncoordinated and tends to put her foot in her mouth. Frequently. With great gusto. But, the bit that I love most about this is that l, although Hazel is off kilter and not exactly mainstream on her actions, she doesn’t change a thing about herself. Throughout this whole story, there isn’t one instance in which she tries to change herself.
Josh as a counterpoint to Hazel is kind of a quiet, vanilla sort of lead. He isn’t the normal male lead that I enjoy, bit too quiet and straight laced for my tastes. But, I enjoyed him a lot regardless. He was sweet and easygoing. Plus, his calmness was the best balance for Hazel’s insanity. That, and the fact that his easygoing nature meant he loved Hazel for exactly who she is. There is not one moment, from friends to lovers, when Josh doesn’t accept Hazel and revel in her uniqueness.
I have to admit, that the start of this story, and the way that Josh and Hazel’s first meet is one of the best meetings I’ve read in a romcom in a long time. I mean, she walks up to him, says she wants to have sex… then throws up on his shoes. If that’s not memorable, then what is? I literally laughed out loud at this, and it made me sink right into these words without wanting to put the book down.
Friends to lovers is one of my favourite romance tropes. The fact that, as friends, they go on a bunch of double dates together just cemented their wonderful friendship. I like that each of these didn’t really end well, so although there were flashes of jealousy, it was more about Josh and Hazel’s getting to know one another better and better. Plus, the humour in each and everyone of these fiascos… made me love this story all that much more.
This was one of those novels I bought because it was on sale, and it was suggested in one of the many author emails that I receive. Other than the fact that I liked the blurb and the cover, I really didn’t know what to expect from this. Which, of course mean that I was pleasantly surprised and happy to find out that I really enjoyed this.
The idea that this is a romance centred on an adventurer who goes out on boats, but can’t swim is kind of interesting. At first, I kind of questioned that whole creation of a character’s flaws and wondered at it. And then I started to find out more about the backstory. Suddenly, the whole afraid of the water, but on a ship thing made sense. And it kind of broke my heart – also just made me freak out because the way that Harry’s mum died is pretty much one of my worst nightmares…
Although Harry’s backstory is really sad, one of the things that really got my goat in this story was how she is constantly overlooked by others. Not just by Per, but people who actually work with her and know her family. I mean, the sad backstory part was a great aspect of this story. But, the part that I found really hard to deal with (because from experience, it is reality), when Harry is constantly ignored and overlooked because of her gender and lack of degree. Yet, she’s this amazing woman who has some serious strength to overcome her challenges.
I did want there to be a moment of realisation at the end of this for those who have completely overlooked Harry and taken the word of Per (a man with a degree) over her, even with years of experience. Alas, that doesn’t happen. Even slightly. At first, I was frustrated that there was no moment of understanding, but then I recognised that this, again, is more like reality. I mean, people don’t recognise their own biases generally – it takes something pretty drastic. And although it annoyed me (and eventually Per in this book), I loved that it was actually kind of more realistic. Again, it also showed Harry’s strength in that she recognises all of this nonsense, but just decides to do what is best, even with challenges.
Per is kind of a knob to begin with. I mean, he literally decides he can dictate the life of a woman he has just met. And, he doesn’t really change his heavy handed ways throughout this story. Again, there is no moment of understanding and changing of ways. Although, as he gets to know Harry, he does obviously start to respect her. And there is a little bit of improvement in his mannerisms, but just to our heroine, because, again, people don’t actually change. Yet, for all of his knobbishness, I actually really liked Per. Even from the beginning when he was behaving pretty crappily. Definitely a book that I look forward to reading again. And now I get to find more about Janu’s writing!
Earth and Skye 