Tag Archives: Contemporary romance

Tempting Talk by Sara Whitney

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Tempting Talk
Author: Sara Whitney
Series: Cinnamon Roll Alphas #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

Jake and Mabel are a great couple who work really well together – they both feel a connection from the beginning. And, although they are instantly attracted to one another, they work on building a friendship before diving into bed with one another. I’m always a big fan of a relationship that starts as a friendship and evolves into something more – the instalove, whilst cute isn’t always for me.

There was enough drama in this story to make me not want to put it down, but not enough that my emotions got heavily toyed with. I loved the simplicity of this story, and the enjoyment I got every time I turned the page. It’s also nice to read a story that is a pleasant read sometimes – life can get hectic, and I love that reading Whitney’s stories give me a nice diversion from the insanity of daily life.

Jake’s demisexualtiy was an interesting part of his person – I don’t actually think that I’ve read a book that features a demisexual. And I even had to look up what that term meant. I love when a story gives me a bit of an education about someone else’s lived experience, and the term demisexuality definitely did that for me. Yet, the fact that Jake was demisexual helped to add to the story, instead of interrupting the flow.

In continuing with the trend of different aspects to a character that I wasn’t expecting – I’ve never read a story which features a radio host. I mean, I grew up listening to morning radio in the car, and I never really gave any thought to what it was like to work in the field. The fact that Whitney worked as a morning radio host for a short time made learning the ins and outs of this career all that much more interesting and realistic. I absolutely loved this, again, new learning experiences always make me happy.

Mabel’s friendships with Dave and ultimately Thea were absolutely fantastic. I love good, strong, healthy friendships in stories – and it was Mabel’s that really helped to not only bolster her, but also the rest of the story. Particularly her friendship with Dave – they are the ultimate best friends and were really quite adorable.

<- Tempting TasteTempting Lies ->

Image source: Kobo

My Book Boyfriend by Kathy Strobos

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: My Book Boyfriend
Author: Kathy Strobos
Series: New York Spark #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: 2023

Thoughts

My Book Boyfriend was a really quick, easy and sweet read. It was kind of predictable, but had just enough of a surprise throughout that I couldn’t put it down. Plus, I like it when the story is simple and pleasant sometimes – it makes me happy and content. And it’s always nice to read about a happily ever after when the kids are driving you nuts and you have to be a responsible adult.

I was expecting a little more conflict between Lily and Rupert – after all, they are on opposing sides, and it would make complete sense for them to act against each other. Instead, even if they are on opposing sides of a political and social battle, they make it work with each other. And they don’t actually actively go against one another. I don’t know how it worked, but whilst they were fighting a battle, they were able to not fight at all. It was damn clever and adorable.

Lily’s group of friends are absolutely adorable and exactly what I love to read about in a group of girlfriends. I want to read more about each of them as they find their happily ever afters, which I’m hoping (and assuming) is down the track in this series. Plus, it’s great to read about a group of people rallying behind their community to support one another. I loved that this was all about a community garden and how important such a space was to people of all ages and genders.

Rupert’s grandfather was a bit of a piece of work, and I thought he was going to end up being far more evil than he was. I like that, ultimately, he may have been misguided, but was actually 100% supportive. Plus, it also meant that Rupert’s cousin wasn’t quite pitted against him as I had anticipated. Again, something that came as a pleasant surprise. I thought that Rupert’s role in corporate and his family would be far greater obstacles to his happiness. And I’m kind of glad that they weren’t, ultimately he got the girl and the love of his family as he wanted.

This might have been a thoroughly enjoyable romance that I look forward to reading again. And a great book to pull me into the world of Strobos, but it was also a great reminder of the importance of community and community spaces. It was a great reminder that community, in whatever shape or form it takes is incredibly important, and integral to all of our sanity and social / mental health. Even if it’s not quite what one would expect. And a great reminder to dive back into your own local community spaces.

<- More Kathy StrobosLove is an Art ->

Image source: Kathy Strobos

Love is Ale You Need by Gia Stevens

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Love is Ale You Need
Author: Gia Stevens
Series: Brews & Flings #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2024

Thoughts

This was a really cute, sweet and fun novel. It was pretty of those rash romances to read, but with enough going on that it wasn’t quite a simple story. I honestly was loathe to put it down at any point, because I just needed to know what was going to happen next!

I honestly thought that there’d be a lot more internal difficulties between Rylee and Trey. I thought they’d both have a whole lot more drama and angst to committing to each other. Yet, I kind of love that the conflicts and difficulties are far more external.

I knew Rylee’s ex was going to be a bit horrible – I mean, it’s why she has hangups from the beginning. But he was far more of an issue than I had anticipated. And an absolute piece of work. As was Chad with his attitude problems. I liked that they were an external point of contention that threatened the happiness of the couple, without overwhelming the potential happiness of the story.

The list and sex scenes in this are wonderful, and I loved the palpable tension throughout this whole story. Yet, even with that to make my toes curl, it’s the emotional connection and relationship that had me grinning like a fool throughout. I absolutely adored this story and look forward to reading my next tale by Gia Stevens.

<- More Gia StevensMake My Heart Malt ->

Image source: Gia Stevens

Show Me, Baby: A Masters of the Shadowlands Novella by Cherise Sinclair

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Show Me, Baby: A Masters of the Shadowlands Novella
Author: Cherise Sinclair
Series: Masters of the Shadowlands #9
In: 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Two (Lexi Blake, Larissa Ione, Lisa Renee Jones & Cherise Sinclair)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: BDSM, Contemporary romance, Erotica
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2015

Thoughts

I’m not normally a huge fan of BDSM stories, although, I’m trying to read more and more of them to get myself out of my comfort zone. And honestly, this was the perfect introduction into the genre. It wasn’t too intense, but still had elements of BDSM. Plus, the character connections and development were brilliant. Honestly, I loved the sexuality of the story, but I loved the characters and them finding their happily ever after even more.

Rainie’s life is incredibly tragic and the more you get to know about her, the sadder it becomes. However, throughout all of her tragedy, she grows to become a wonderful human being. One who is strong and independent, but inherently capable of a lot of love and kindness. The fact that she’s also incredibly adept at organisation and her job just drove home the wonderful nature of Rainie and how much I wanted her to have a happily ever after.

Doms might not quite be the thing that get my motor running, but Jack is… actually sexy for a Dom and definitely had me intrigued from the very beginning. He is kind and caring, and completely sweet. Although, still with that full on Dom personality that is… overwhelming, even when it’s just words on a page leaping into my brain.

I enjoyed this novella way more than I expected, and now I can’t wait to read more of Sinclair’s writing. And honestly, just exploring more of this genre of writing.

<-Need You Now1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Three ->

Image source: Amazon

Repeat by Kylie Scott

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Repeat
Author: Kylie Scott
Series: Larsen Brothers #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

For the majority of this novel, I liked it, but honestly really didn’t want to. I mean, I don’t mind the idea of amnesia as a trope to give the couple a second chance, but to the extent when you are NEVER able to remember any aspect of your past… I just found that uncomfortable and a little too tragic. Yet, in spite of that, I absolutely loved Repeat, and can’t wait to read more writing by Kylie Scott as a result.

One of the big drivers for me within this story was the fact that you get to unravel Clem’s past and the break down not long before her attack alongside her. There were hints of foreshadowing in the style of writing, but nothing was truly given away. This tactic was probably also one of the biggest reasons why I actually found this book almost impossible to put down. And had one too many late nights reading…

The aspect of Clem’s amnesia that I found most uncomfortable was actually Ed. Where you understand how Clem falls back in love and her motives, Ed’s are a little more uncomfortable. I mean, he has to not only come to terms with the drastic changes that Clem has been through, but also find a way to heal from their pretty explosive breakup. There’s part of me that needs more of Ed’s point of view to make me more comfortable with this aspect of the plot line.

I love that amongst the second chance romance and storyline, there is the romantic suspense flavour. It doesn’t quite have enough action and mayhem to tip it into that genre for me, but in moments it was close. I must admit, I did ultimately predict just who the villain was going to be. However, their involvement in Clem’s tragedies and the entire storyline was far more insidious than even I had anticipated. Which is probably what ultimately left this book lingering in my mind’s eye.

<- More Kylie ScottPause ->

Image source: Lovely Books

Something Like Hate by Piper Rayne

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Something Like Hate
Author: Piper Rayne
Series: Chicago Grizzlies #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

After reading On the Defense, I couldn’t wait to dive into Something Like Hate, Bryce and Miles’ story. I mean, they are fantastic and filled with conflict from the beginning. And they’re definitely a couple that I want to work out from the very beginning. But, they do take a little bit of time to find their feet and find their way to one another. And then, when they do and you realise that there is a whole lot more story to come… it’s definitely a bit of a battle to put the book down.

This was a fairly typical sports romance, which is what I kind of loved about it if I’m being honest. There is something easy and enjoyable about reading a sports romance, particularly when the male leads are hockey players. There is something so appealing about the sport, and I love that they encompass all of the “alpha” male traits that I enjoy without the toxicity of real life. Plus, the predictability of a good sports romance is one of the reasons it is a pleasant diversion from real life. However, Piper Rayne still managed to throw in enough curveballs to stop it from being boring, and make it hard to put down.

The biggest spicing up of this story is the conflict of interest that Bryce experiences with work. It makes it hard to figure out just how Miles and Bryce are going to make things work and have a future together. Plus, it makes the double cross at the end even more frustrating and sad. I mean, it was obvious that there was going to be something thrown up, but just what it would be was a surprise. Luckily, as with all good romances, this is resolved fairly nicely, but it still leads to some uncomfortable and worrying moments.

I absolutely adored this story, and now I can’t wait to read the next two books in this series – Miles’ two friends both deserve their own happy endings, and I really want to read their stories. Plus, there’s a whole interrelated universe with a number of romances to dive into. A whole new world of happiness and happily ever afters to dive into.

<- On the DefenseSomething Like Lust ->

Image source: Amazon

On the Defense by Piper Rayne

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: On the Defense
Author: Piper Rayne
Series: Chicago Grizzlies #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I normally enjoy a good prequel novel, but the fact that this one is the prequel to the three different romances in this series? Absolutely brilliant. As a hint to the rest of the story, and a prequel for a whole series, this is brilliant. I mean, it made me incredibly keen to dive straight into the series and find out just how each of the three couples find their happily ever after moments.

Even though there are a number of open endings and hints at the greater story throughout this, I did get particularly fixated on Miles and Bryce. Probably because they are the first story in the series and they are the ones that are right on the cusp of action. I love that it’s a hate to love dynamic with a whole heap of unexplained history. How could I not be intrigued and drawn in immediately?

This novel is filled with open endings and potential. I think that Piper Rayne is brilliant in that they are able to set up three prequels in the one storyline. And make you just want to dive right into the series without a second thought.

<- More Piper RayneSomething Like Hate ->

Image source: Barnes and Noble

The One Month Boyfriend by Roxie Noir

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The One Month Boyfriend
Author: Roxie Noir
Series: Wildwood Society #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: 2022

Thoughts

Kat and Silas are one of my more enjoyable couples of the past many, many romances that I’ve read. Probably because they are both kind of vindictive and more than a little damaged. In different ways, but they are seriously enjoyable to read about. And, the fact that they own their damage and try to become better when they realise their mistakes… adorable.

Noir did a great job of representing social anxiety and the difficulties of managing such a condition. She also did great justice to the description of PTSD and describing panic attacks. Rather than romanticising or idealising having such debilitating conditions, Noir is able to describe it in a way that both drives home how frustrating it is to live in such a way, but also the challenges that one can face. As someone who suffers from panic attacks and anxiety, I can attest that Noir does a brilliant job at describing these moments, and most poignantly, the aftermath of what these attacks can be like.

Fake relationships are always an interesting trope, and one that can have somewhat awkward beginnings. However, this was probably one of the more vindictive beginnings to a fake relationship. And I loved it. I’m not exactly sweet and innocent, and I definitely have a vindictive streak. So I can entirely understand both Kat and Silas’ motives. Predominantly Kat in the beginning. I did love though, that Kat eventually realises how cruel her actions actually are, and just… begins to move on.

From the very first page, I completely fell in love with Noir’s writing and the world that she has created. I can’t wait to dive further into her writing and be swept away with these slightly off-kilter romances. They are just beautifully written and a great departure from reality.

<- Textual RelationsThe Two Week Roommate ->

Image source: Barnes & Noble

Since You’ve Bean Gone by Lainey Davis

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Since You’ve Bean Gone
Author: Lainey Davis
Series: Farm 2 Forking #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Small town romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2024

Thoughts

Since You’ve Bean Gone is a gorgeous little second chance romance. The fact that one of the early pivotal moments occurs with Ethan passed out in a sheep pen just makes it funny as well as very, very cute. I love that not only is this a second chance story, but also one that occurs at a crossroads of change in Ethan’s life.

I’m a big sucker for romances that focus on someone whom has a chronic illness. It normalises living with chronic illness in a way little else does. But, also doesn’t glorify and romanticise it. This was the first romance, or even novel, I’ve read which features somebody living the Crohn’s Disease though. I had a friend in university who lost his twenties to this, much like Lia and it was refreshing to read about living with a chronic illness like this.

As a partnership to the difficulties of living with Crohn’s, Lia’s doctor boyfriend is just… off. I spent the whole story waiting to see if he would be revealed as an incredibly unethical horror show. Or at least, face some kind of comeuppance for his treatment of Lia. However, their relationship ends fairly calmly and, although it was definitely a healthier way for things to go, the vindictive part of me was unimpressed.

Ethan is a wonderful counterpoint to some of Lia’s struggles. He’s quite sweet, and although hurt by the past, quick to forgive and move forward. Mostly because he’s incredibly accepting and understanding of the difficulties of the past. I do love that his biggest challenge and flaw isn’t actually letting Lia back into his life, but accepting the change that she brings. It’s the changes to the farms and admitting his own past mistakes to his brothers that he struggles with. The inherent flaws that made him so damn likeable.

Alongside the romance, I love that this is a farm story about learning to diversify and change. Traditional practices across the board have begun to be less lucrative, so it’s interesting what other options are out there. Plus there’s a sheep named Baabara Streisand running free causing havoc, so why wouldn’t you love this story?

<- More Farm 2 ForkingButter You Up ->

Image source: NetGalley

Gametime by Jami Davenport

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Gametime
Author: Jami Davenport, Heart Eyes Press
Series: Moo U #5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Even though the beginning of this story is kind of cringe-worthy, Pax and Naomi work beautifully as a couple. I mean, the fact that it’s friends to lovers is always a story that I’m going to get behind. However, I didn’t necessarily love the fact that they first get together because Naomi thinks that Pax is his twin. Or how she handles her faux pas. It was definitely an awkward beginning. But, it very quickly became a story that I just didn’t want to put down. Fun, adorable and with so much angst that I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next.

Although throughout the story, I’m entirely on Pax’s side, it is easy to see how blindsided he made his twin, Patrick. I mean, Patrick also didn’t exactly handle things very well. But, they are also new adults who aren’t the most mature people in the world. It definitely shows what a fantastic author Davenport is, I might have entirely been on Pax’s side, but I also could completely understand the motivations behind Patrick’s behaviours. I’m such a fan of stories about contentious sibling relationships that still come from a place of love, and Davenport hit this perfectly.

It took a little longer than I would have liked for Naomi to sort out her nonsense and actually be a kind human being. But, I did enjoy the process. And, when she finally did decide to sort herself out, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and unforgettable journey. Plus, as with Pax and Patrick, you could understand where that trauma came from and why she wasn’t necessarily making the best decisions. Her grand gesture also went a long way to smoothing over the hackles raised at some of her earlier decisions.

Gametime was a fairly simple and fun college romance, with just enough angst throughout to make it interesting. It did touch on some serious issues of abuse and traumatic upbringings, but in a way that didn’t bog me down too much after I turned that final page. What an adventure of mistaken identity, friends to lovers romance, with a whole heap of family pressure and expectations thrown in. And lets not forget the hockey – so much hockey action that made me want to actually, maybe watch this sport…

<- HoldoutOvertime ->

Image source: Goodreads