I love that throughout this short story, Charlie is trying to figure out how his school and personal life fit together. He also has the added challenges of racism to contend with and people’s assumptions. And there’s a bit of a paranormal aspect that he also has to figure out how to balance.
In his journey to figure out how to move in the world, I love that Charlie’s attention switches from racist Helen to lovely Andie. I also love that Andie is not only interested in engaging with his family and culture, but also that she just jumps onboard the supernatural train and tries to help him.
The Slender One is not just about growing up and figuring out your own identity, there is also the spirits of the departed an dhow they try to move on to the next life. I love that in this it’s food which is a vessel for comfort and happiness. And using this, those who have left this world with unfinished business are able to move on.
Title: Nuts About You Author: Sylvie Stewart Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Contemporary romance Pace: Fast Format: eBook, Novella Year: 2023
I must say, that I’m really, really disappointed that I didn’t get to read the whole collection that this originally appeared in. I mean, it’s a whole collection of testicular stories. And, if Stewart is anything to go by, there would’ve been a HEAP of ball jokes. Which, I’m an adolescent at heart at times, so I would’ve found that absolutely hilarious. Having said that, even by itself, I really, really enjoyed this novella. And most definitely spent an obscenely long time laughing at all of the many little puns throughout.
Not to focus in too much, but I definitely enjoyed the ball jokes throughout a lot more than I maybe should’ve as a grown ass woman. A bit like the lead female in this – totally inappropriate sense of humour. One that is, luckily, slightly appreciated by her friends and loved ones. Even if it sometimes leads to awkward silences. I completely understand being the awkward girl that just verbal vomits on everyone and is a somewhat quirky individual. I just hope that my quirkiness is a little bit cute, just like it is in this novella.
I love that this is a romance that is set up by friends. It’s a fake heist that turns into a real one. One filled with a whole lot of fun. I loved each and every chaotic moment of this short story, and I can’t wait to read more of Stewart’s writing!
I love that this short story is all about soul food made from the soul. It’s also about family and love. And the ways in which food reminds us of who we are. Leo’s love for his family and the catharsis of cooking his love for them is beautiful and drew me in from the very beginning.
Even though this story focuses on a cooking competition, I wasn’t’ convinced that Leo would actually win in the end. It was fun spending the whole time trying to figure out if Leo’s food would actually win the day, or if he would just find a way to be closer to his mother and grandma.
Although this was a fairly simple and enjoyable story, I also enjoyed the fact that there was a little commentary about the cost of life and medical care in the US. It hit a little close to home as I currently have a parent fighting cancer, but, unlike in the US, I live in a country that makes it a lot more affordable to live.
The Hungry Heart Row cooking competition, quite honestly, just sounds delicious. And it definitely made me salivate while I read this.
Title: Electric Blue Love Author: Rebecca Jenshak Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Contemporary romance Pace: Medium Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2018
I honestly thought that the age gap in this romance was going to be one of the sticking points for the whole relationship. I was seriously surprised when it wasn’t. In fact, other than the fact that the age gap left one half of the couple in college, whilst the other is well established in the business world, there wouldn’t have been anything of note about the whole age gap romance thing. I love that most of the conflict to this couple is the past and present colliding, and both Court and Bianca being forced to figure out how to negotiate their lives with all of the challenges that they both face.
Electric Blue Love is a little bit more serious than the other Jenshak books that I’ve read. And I kind of liked that departure from the lighter books I’ve read by her so far. It’s still a new adult romance, one that is based at that turning point in life. The one where you figure out who you are going to be in life. But, between Court and Bianca’s family, there are a number of more adult concerns occurring throughout the story. I really enjoyed Court and Bianca’s ability to finally overcome their challenges, and find a new happily ever after.
I don’t have a whole lot of mentor / mentee type romances on my shelves. And I love how Court and Bianca are able to build their relationship not so much on a friendship, but a friendship of sorts. It’s also refreshing that although Bianca is originally using Court as a relationship guru of sorts, she very quickly realises her own feelings and acts on them. It meant that the angst was so much more based on the external influences, than both Court and Bianca just not admitting what they mean to one another. It also acted as a nice reminder as to why Bianca works so well in an age gap romance – she’s mature and not prone to the hysterics and nonsense others can sometimes be drawn to.
As much as I love the fact that Bianca and Court were less whiney and angsty about their feelings, it did freak me out a little when they got together halfway through the story. It just meant that for the second part, I was anticipating the worst to happen. I mean, this story was going to have them torn apart in one way, shape or form. And it did almost make me cry when they do face their hurdles. But, it also meant that I absolutely demolished this book – I raced to find them together, and then I raced to see how Jenshak was going to tear them apart.
As a counterpoint to Court, Todd is a bloody idiot. I mean, a lot of his actions and decisions are just damn painful and cringey. Although, he does manage to have some redeeming qualities throughout. Regardless, I really don’t see how Bianca managed to fall for the fool in the first place… I like him as the mild villain in this though. Whilst the stakes are high, and there are plenty of emotions, Todd manages to be a low cost challenge to the relationship.
Grumpy-sunshine romances are always a well-loved trope in my bookshelves. And I love that this is a Scrooge-Christmas lover romance. I’m absolutely obsessed with the idea of someone who is Christmas obsessed ending up with someone who is completely against it. It might be the final book in this series (currently), but it was a great introduction to the Harbor Highlands for me. One that has made me dive into the rest of the series with gusto.
On top of the wonderful tropes in this story that I seriously appreciated, is the fact that the male lead is a hidden rockstar. It’s an intriguing plot device, although at first, it does make him act like a bit of a douche canoe. I mean, he is an absolute tosser to Tatum when they first meet. But, luckily, reading this from his point of view, lets you understand just why he is such a fool.
Tatum’s relationship with her sister is absolutely brilliant. I love that her and Olivia are obviously best friends, and they constantly have each others’ back. Plus, both the sisters have a whole lot of attitude and spunk. It’s always nice to read a book that has well-written female relationships. Ones that aren’t competitive and negative, but rather, the ones that are supportive and loving.
I always like to spend my December reading Christmas stories – it is helpful to get into the spirit. But, this was definitely the most Christmassy story that I’ve read in a while. It was fun and light. Filled with characters I couldn’t help but feel connected with. And now I want to know more about the other characters that make up the Harbor Highlands series, and their romances.
I was wondering how Liana would finally commit to her best friend, particularly since the hints of their infatuation with each other are there from the very beginning. The driver that made Liana finally take the plunge really wasn’t a good thing, and there is a bit of a trigger warning attached. However, it was nice how that moment was built up to. So, although it was not a great situation, it was a really good story.
I really enjoyed reading the falling of this couple from both points of view. Particularly that, throughout this novella, they both slowly realise their feelings. Instead of having one part of the couple pining after the other the whole time – they both slowly realise that their friendship is worth something slightly different. It also introduces Liana’s brother, the hero of Flirting with the Playboy, who I can’t wait to read more about.
This was a really cutesy little college romance with all of the fun vibes. There are so many aspects of this story that left me smiling, and it was a really lovely way to spend the evening.
I read Riley and Ian’s story a little while ago, and although time has made some of the details fuzzy, I really enjoyed visiting them a few years after the fact. This short story does give away a few parts of the series that I haven’t yet read, but not enough that I’d call spoilers. And, honestly, it was just really nice to read about the Dare clan and their happily ever afters. Particularly since it is set at Christmas.
With two young children of my own, and reading this at Christmas, I can completely sympathise with Riley’s level of exhaustion. Particularly around the holidays when you are trying to juggle extra familial obligations and making that time of year magical and beautiful. Honestly, the moment when Ian just decides that they should have an extra set of hired helping hands around the house… man, I wish we had that kind of money.
This was a cute, fun, short look back into the lives of all of those in the Dare to Love series. I also love that it was a reminder of what Christmas can look like for those with a big, chaotic family. Mine might not be quite that big, but that chaotic, joyful feeling is still captured perfectly within the pages of this story.
Reading this, it’s really obvious that Wyatt should’ve told Andie his feelings years ago when he first had them. Because, bleugh, so much angst and silliness. Plus, you know, the fact that he made decisions that weren’t actually great for his mental health because of the whole not telling her thing. However, then I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of reading this absolutely amazing story. One that was really, really cute and sweet. And that I enjoyed ridiculously. There’s a reason I’ve been loving Susannah Nix books.
Andie and Wyatt are that perfect friends to lovers, best friend’s brother trope. I love that they grew up together and had feelings for each other pretty much forever. Plus, there’s the whole keeping things secret drama that works perfectly. I mean, it leads to some bone headed moments from Wyatt, but that’s exactly what I love about reading romances – there are some doubtful moments that make you smile and appreciate the battles we all have to face over our own stupidity. Plus, the bone headed moments often remind me that I don’t actually make the dumbest decisions in the whole, wide world. Even if sometimes I don’t make the smartest decisions…
Even though there is a lot of external conflict (hiding the relationship, Andie’s brother, etc.) most of the conflict that threatens the relationship throughout this novel is actually Wyatt’s own issues. His self-confidence, which has been beaten down by his horrible father top the list. That, and the fact that others’ accidentally reinforce this idea. It made it a little bit sad to read in moments when he obviously doesn’t feel that he deserves to be loved and cared for. That, and the fact that his own self-confidence is what’s constantly holding him back in life in general. I love that Andie is quickly able to recognise this and help him find his own way in life and work towards some goals that he actually wants to accomplish.
My Cone and Only is the beginning of the King Family series, and I can’t wait to find out more about the King brothers. Particularly as the King patriarch is an absolute douche. And I look forward to finding out more about how his self-centred nature has negatively impacted his children. And how they all find their own happily ever afters to completely ignore his influence…
I’m not going to lie, the idea of a New Year’s Eve proposal is kind of cliché. And thus, reading about them also often feels a little cliché. However, I did really like this one. I mean, it involved a dog, a quickie in the closet and a fair amount of chaos. Why wouldn’t I enjoy such a tale? Plus, it’s a wonderful reminder of just how easy it can be between two people who are perfect for one another.
Decidedly with Paws sets up the storyline for Kelsey in Decidedly Off-Limits, and I’m already completely intrigued as to how her love story is going to go. I loved reading this short story as an introduction to a new author and new series. This was incredibly cute and easy to read, which made it perfect for my frame of mind lately. And, bumped it up my wanting to read portion of my TBR.
Erin and Darren are incredibly cute together. And I love that, although the ex showing up and the communication difficulties, there is ultimately no question of their eventual happiness. Rather, the challenges just up the stakes and change Darren’s timeline a little. Seriously, this was an incredibly cute and fun short story, and now I can’t wait to read more in the world of Lindenblatt.
As with a few of the stories in the Wrap Me Up Collection, I’m not entirely sure how this fits in as a Christmas story. I mean, it was a good story. And it was in the right time of year, but there really wasn’t any kind of Christmas theme. Rather, it was a bit of a visit into the Cruel world. One that I do look forward to visiting again, even if it feels like a lot of the people in this universe are kind of arseholes.
Although I plan to read Cruel Money and more of the Cruel series, I am a little on the fence about how I felt about this short story. I absolutely loved the writing, but I didn’t love the characters. I also felt like this story was a little bit unfinished. I mean, there are hints that both of the characters are going to get their happy endings. But can’t quite reach it yet. Again, it makes me want to try out the series and see how it unfolds.
This was a great marriage of convenience story with a bit of a twist. There isn’t an immediate moment of clarity and joy between the two characters. In fact, you finish this short story with both of them still kind of hating on one another. With just one or two walls crumbling. I’m fascinated to read more of their tale in Cruel Marriage.
Earth and Skye 