Tag Archives: Contemporary romance

Keepsake by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Keepsake
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #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: 2016

Thoughts

Zach is just a little bit too cute from his first introduction in Bittersweet. And there is a whole lot of mystery around his cult upbringing. Keepsake provides so many answers to the multitude of questions that I have. And, he is just ridiculously adorable, so I fell in love with every page I turned. Then there’s Lark, she is just as adorable and sweet. Although with a totally different and unexpected mountain of challenges to overcome.

Whilst Zach’s backstory isn’t love and puppies, Lark’s is ridiculously hard. You know from the start that it’s going to be a difficult backstory. But as things unfold and you realise how messed up her issues are… your heart will break a little. What I love though is how she is strong enough to overcome. And how Zach is happy to not only stand by her sides help her, but also to STEP BACK and let her help herself.

Although for me, it is Lark’s tale that pulled at all of the heartstrings, Zach’s background is also ridiculously heebie jeebie like. I do like that the more you got to know about his past, the more different characters are pulled into the universe. Chastity is going to be a great character to get to know, and I’m sure her story is going to be just as intense with the cult background as Zach’s.

This was a truly beautiful contemporary romance that dealt wonderfully with PTSD and the mind. Its a reminder that whilst we need people in our lives to support us, we also need to be able to stand on our own two feet. Keepsake also touches on Zara’s pregnancy and child and how that is about to unspool. And May’s issues with alcoholism. Both of which are stories that I now can’t wait to sink my teeth into…

<- SteadfastBountiful ->

Image source: Goodreads

Brooklynaire by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Brooklynaire
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn Bruisers #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: 2018

Thoughts

Ever since the hints of Becca and Nate’s potential relationship in Rookie Move, I’ve been hanging for Brooklynaire. I mean, who wouldn’t, they’re both kind of brilliant. And wow, this story DID NOT disappoint. It had all of the drama and fun that made me want to keep reading. With all of the sweetness and emotional cuddles that I’ve come to associate with Sarina Bowen.

I love that throughout this story, Becca’s biggest concern is how people will perceive her. It’s a good (and recurring) point – women tend to be judged a whole lot more harshly than men. Particularly when Becca is an assistant and already feels lime her job is on thin ice. I also enjoyed how Nate tried really hard to help ameliorate her concerns. It entertainingly backfired multiple times, but it was nice that he tried.

Brooklynaire also provides some great insights into the past of Becca, Nate and KTech. Another hint of a history to the Brooklyn Bruisers that I really wanted. Bowen did a brilliant job of flicking between past and present. Tying in all of the hints and moments that created such a beautiful romance. I was honestly kind of flabbergasted by Juliet’s betrayal in the past though. And although it was definitely a fairly poetic ending to her story, it was kind of heartbreaking.

This is an amazing story all on its own. But it was far more enjoyable when read immediately after Pipe Dreams. Both stories feature a lot of flashbacks to the past of both relationships. Plus, they are stories that are told in tandem with one another. So by reading them immediately following each other, you get to see how all of the little bits and pieces fit together.

<- Pipe DreamsOvernight Sensation ->

Image source: Amazon

Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Pipe Dreams
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn Bruisers #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: 2017

Thoughts

I’ve been intrigued by this since there were hints of Mike’s romantic past in Rookie Move. And then, there’s all of those hints about WHY alien is such an ice queen throughout Hard Hitter. I mean, it’s a pretty intense history that these two share once you start to find out the bits and pieces of it. It’s pretty heartbreaking too in moments. Hard to see any bad guys, just a whole lot of tragedy. But luckily, this is all beautiful with a happy ending.

For all of the tragedy that gets highlighted in their past (much of it based on miscommunications in the past, but I digress). I do love how Lauren and Mike are able to reconnect throughout this story. They both have some kind of silky hang-ups, but they work through them to a better future. Plus there’s the added complications of Mike’s family, and how they react. Also worked through beautifully.

Although I don’t think there are really any bad guys in this romance, I must admit that Shelly’s letters were pretty heartbreaking. They were a perfect plot piece to move the forgiveness forwards, but still pretty damn heartbreaking. Partly I think it was the whole writing to your daughter on your deathbed that did it for me, but also just the content and context. I can’t even fathom the difficulty and emotional turmoil of both of them in writing this.

Pipe Dreams is beautiful and a romance that comes with premade family. It’s definitely a second chance romance that focuses on moving forward in life and forgiving the past. But it also happens consecutively with Brooklynaire. Another Brooklyn Bruisers book I’ve been hanging to read. I love how this all dovetailed and look forward to diving in again.

<- Hard HitterBrooklynaire ->

Image source: Amazon

Mr. Mayfair by Louise Bay

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Mr. Mayfair
Author: Louise Bay
Series: Mister #1
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: 2019

Thoughts

Another story in the amazing Beach Reads Box Set Vol. 2. It’s cute, fun, and light. And just all round an incredibly easy read. One that has introduced me to yet another author that I’m definitely adding to my shelves. Mostly this is just a wonderfully easy and cutesy contemporary romance with two wonderfully flawed lead characters.

To start with, there’s Beck. I’m going to be honest, he’s that kind of typical, kind of painful driven knob from the beginning. He doesn’t see the roses and just tries to plot on through everything. Which matches him kind of well with Stella, because even though this story starts with an incredibly embarrassing and painful moment, she finds a way to be optimistic. Maybe not the sunshine and the grouch, but still works as a pairing.

Stella is some unbelievably sympathetic in her journey. It’s easy to say that you wouldn’t fall for the trap that she found herself in. But it’s such a simple one to fall into. Her ex is honestly the douchiest of the douchiest. And then there’s that ex-best friend. Talk about toxic relationships. It creates a great point of antagonism from the very beginning. One that is external to the couple finding their feet. It also makes it harder to put the book down.

Some of the wedding scenes in this romance were kind of painful to read. I mean, why wouldn’t they be? Potential for embarrassments galore. But somehow, they work. And as the story unfolds, they build upon the storyline beautifully. Making it just that little bit less painful to read. My only disappointment in this was the fact that the exes don’t get any kind of comeuppance. I mean, the natural ending is kind of good, but I wanted SO MUCH MORE humiliation.

Now, I’m looking forward to getting to know the rest of the Misters more. They were all introduced to varying degrees in Stella and Beck’s story, but there are many more tales to unfold. Another fun series that has been added to my shelves.

<- More Louise BayMr. Knightsbridge ->

Image source: Amazon

Roommate by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Roommate
Author: Sarina Bowen
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, LGBTQI
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Since their mentions in Sweetheart, Kieran and Roderick are just too damn cute a couple. Which, of course means that I’ve been hanging to read their romance. Plus, Kieran is such a sweet and quiet boy in all of his appearances throughout the True North series. It made me want to get to know him more. Which, as seems to be the case with Sarina Bowen stories, didn’t disappoint.

Although throughout this Kieran is discovering and acknowledging his sexuality, it’s not really the point of conflict throughout. I love that his being gay really isn’t treated as anything, well, at all in his internal dialogue. Rather, it is all of the family conflicts and his sense of self within the Shipley clan that is the main driving point of contention throughout. It’s nice to have an LGBTQI+ story that doesn’t really make any kind of deal about accepting one’s sexuality.

Then there’s Roderick. He’s a great counterpoint to Kieran’s quiet reticence. He is bubbly and cheerful. And accepting of his own crap. Accepting to the point that he is so self-aware he almost self-sabotages. Again, the point of intention doesn’t come from his crappy family or anything like that, but from his self-awareness and sense of self. For Roderick, this fact is that he worries that he throws too much of himself into a relationship.

I love that although there is initially a little resistance between these two gorgeous hunks, once they’re together, it’s the journey of self-awareness that drive the story’s conflict. Yes, other people come into this, but it’s a bit of a tangential influence. Mostly, the two figure out how to work through their own nonsense and make it work in a relationship together. Definitely a story too cute for words.

<- More Sarina BowenTop Secret ->

Image source: Goodreads

Happy-Go-Lucky by L.H. Cosway

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Happy-Go-Lucky
Author: L.H. Cosway
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

The whole sunshine and grump romance trope is honestly one of my favourites. Maisie is such a lovely sunshine character, although she does admit that her level of sunshine is a bit of an issue. And Cameron is a ridiculously cute and rude grump. If this was a Christmas story, I’d say “bah humbug” every time he made an appearance. It was fantastic how these two characters complemented each other so much.

In fact, Maisie and Cameron are such a great match that throughout their whole courtship, they constantly help to change each other for the better for Maisie, it’s with Cameron’s support that she figures out how to stand up for herself. And stops herself from people pleasing so damn much. Cameron on the other hand needs to stop being such a cantankerous, unapproachable grump to everyone, and Maisie helps him to open and up let people in. Both changes that they KNEW they each needed to make but needed the help with.

Woven throughout this romance is a great mystery. As it should since this office romance is based in a PI company. Although I spent most of the time focused pretty intently on the character development, I did enjoy trying to untangle the web of the mystery. I mean insurance fraud, stolen identities, and a mob connection? It was all very intriguing, and hard to figure out just where that side quest was headed.

This was a fantastic, easy read and a great office romance. I loved that this storyline included the typical office bullshit and bitchiness. Pettiness, jealousy, and squabbles actually take up quite a bit of this story. But they don’t take up any emotional space, which made it feel that little bit more realistic and tangible.

<- Beyond the SeaThe Nature of Cruelty ->

Image source: Goodreads

Wilde One by Janelle Denison

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Wilde One
Author: Janelle Denison
Series: Wilde #1.2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2003

Thoughts

This was just a yummy, yummy novella. Nice and steamy. Completely predictable and a whole lot of fun. Adrian and Chayse are a fun couple. I like that they’re both damaged, but find a way to deal with their crap. I am reading this series a little out of whack, so some of the mentions of the established relationships were confusing. But it was still fun.

The photography angle and artistry provided me with a lot of entertainment. I love when Chayse shows Adrian her profile, like all art, the insights it gives into her character are phenomenal. I also love how her very passion is the very vessel through which she is able to accept her own flaws.

The Wilde One was a fun and easy read. One that I seriously enjoyed. I look forward to reading more romances in the Wilde family in the future…

<- All She Wants for ChristmasThe Wilde Side ->

Image source: Goodreads

Not Fooling Anyone by Allie Winters

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Not Fooling Anyone
Author: Allie Winters, SmartyPants Romance
Series: Lessons Learned #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I’m not going to lie. I was looking forward to reading this just because of the boxing connection. Although my chosen sport isn’t boxing, that atmosphere and level of testosterone in a room is seriously familiar. And for whatever reason, it made me feel completely at home from the very first page. Plus, Ethan is just too damn cute in Under Pressure. Such a happy go lucky character who just rolls with the moody people in his life.

Like Under Pressure, Not Fooling Anyone partners someone with a pretty big grudge with someone who is cheerful. That perfect ying yang balance in a relationship. But that’s really where the similarities end. Ethan is this completely happy, cheerful, go with the flow kind of character. He’s kind of got the calmness in the world that I wish I had in fact. He just stubborn through everything and finds the light wherever he looks. Lexis on the other hand has more walls than you can count. For good reasons of course. But still, a very prickly porcupine.

I’ve had a few books come across my shelves lately with the fake relationship trope. And they’re honestly always fun. I particularly liked that this one was set up because of a psychology experiment. And, as completely predicted, their growing feelings for each other actually worked really well into the study. Plus, Lexie’s acknowledgement of her pettiness in using their “relationship” to stoke the jealousy in a girl who was horrible in the past… not going to lie, I think we’ve all imagined a similar level of petty revenge.

Not Fooling Anyone does come with a warning at the beginning. If there’s issues with drug abuse or even sexualising assault, it may not be the best contemporary romance to grace your shelves. Having said that, even though Winters deals with some pretty heavy issues, the amount of pure cuteness and emotion throughout this story stop it from being dark in any way, shape or form. A beautiful story and I can’t wait to read more by Allie Winters.

<- Under PressureMore Allie Winters ->

Image source: Goodreads

Under Pressure by Allie Winters

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Under Pressure
Author: Allie Winters, SmartyPants Romance
Series: Lessons Learned #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I’m learning that any book in the SmartyPants Romance world is going to be a huge hit for me. But the fact that Under Pressure includes psychology (which I’m currently studying) and boxing (I love martial arts) just made me all that much happier. I love how Tyler and Mia both have stress issues, and choose to study stress. But both deal with it in such different ways, although both ways were completely legit and relatable.

Tyler’s back story was kind of difficult and hard to read. It was kind of heartbreaking to read actually. Yet, even with the hard lumps he’d been dealt, he was also kind of an idiot. There were many moments throughout that I just wanted to reach through the pages of the book and give him a smack. But, unlike some of the other more annoying male leads I’ve read, I still kind of adored Tyler, in spite of his stupidity.

Mia is in contrast is an incredibly sweet and endearing lead. I loved the way that she is able to balance out Tyler’s rougher edges. That, and when she finally learns to stand up for herself, my heart kind of melted a little bit. Mia might be the perfect balance to Tyler’s rough edges, but Tyler is able to balance put Mia’s sweet nature and encourage her to be herself. In fact, the romance aside, one of my favourite parts of this is when Mia takes a stand and starts to fight for herself.

The constant mention of Hogwarts houses made me fall in love with this book even more. The fact that it’s a Hufflepuff and Slytherin? That just made me so much, much, much more happy. It’s a brilliant trope that I don’t come across super often, but definitely need more of in my life. Then there are the yummy, steamy set scenes to round out my enjoyment and happiness in this book.

<- More SmartyPants RomanceNot Fooling Anyone ->

Image source: Goodreads

Tempting Taste by Sara Whitney

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Tempting Taste
Author: Sara Whitney
Series: Cinnamon Roll Alphas #0.5
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

There is something disgustingly delicious about Erik the lumbersexual baker. I have pretty major images of a Viking-type God man who is shy, adorable, and bakes amazing cakes. Perfect for the imaginary boyfriend, but in reality? I’d probably go up like 3 clothes sizes…

In life and in literature, I’m not a huge fan of drama queens. They always seem like way too much work. But there is something about Josie that it’s just impossible not to love. In fact, I love the scene where Erik’s best friend laughs hysterically at him for falling for a drama queen. Her high passions and his steadfast patience are the perfect match. And probably a little too similar to my own relationship for my comfort. So let’s not pull too closely at that thread…

The match of marketing and baking works perfectly in this tale. Its that perfect business partnership made in heaven that really doesn’t happen in real life. I love how Josie starts out trying to prove how amazing she is at marketing, and ultimately decides that she wants to keep at it because she believes in Erik. Erik’s willingness to go with the insanity that Josie throws at him just makes it all that much better.

I picked up this book because it fit prompt for a reading challenge. And I was a bit Leary. I mean, the series is called Cinnamon Roll Alphas. It felt like it could be a little bit on the nose. But it was actually perfectly named. Erik is truly a cinnamon roll. Plus there’s actual baking of cinnamon rolls… all of which made this story beautiful, yummy and delicious.

<- Tempting HeatTempting Talk ->

Image source: Goodreads