Tag Archives: Contemporary

Not Your Valentine by Jackie Lau

Book Review, ,
Overview

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

Thoughts

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.

<- More Jackie LauThe Unmatchmakers ->

Image source: Goodreads

Moments to Return by Adi Alsaid

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Moments to Return
Author: Adi Alsaid
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Death, Food
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

At least to a degree, everyone is aware of death knocking at the door. At least, that’s how I’ve always felt. And I really enjoyed the fact that this story focused on that fear. And took it to a whole new level. There’s knowing in an abstract way, and then having an existential crisis over it.

This whole short story is about finding a ‘cure’ for the fear of death. I really like that although there wasn’t a complete cure for this fear, it was also hinted at. Particularly as the story closes – just an idea of curing a paralysing fear.

Part of the ‘cure’ found throughout this is all about stolen moments in time. I like that instead of not being afraid of death, there is a focus on the moments in life that make it worth living. The moments that you return to when you’re having a moment of fear.

This was a beautiful short story. One that reminds you to stop and take in the world around you. The fact that it’s done through food just made it all that much more tantalising.

<- Sugar and SpiteThe Slender One ->

Image source: Goodreads

Maybe This Christmas by Susannah Nix

Book Review, , ,
Overview

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

Thoughts

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!

<- More Susannah NixMore Christmas ->

Image source: Goodreads

Kiss Me This Christmas by Cynthia Eden

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Kiss Me This Christmas
Author: Cynthia Eden
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2022

Thoughts

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.

<- It’s a Wonderful WerewolfMidnight Bite ->

Image source: Amazon

Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

Book Review, ,
Overview

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

Thoughts

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.

<- In a HolidazeLove and Other Words ->

Image source: Amazon

Habibi by Tochi Onyebuchi

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology by Dhonielle Clayton

Title: Habibi
Author: Tochi Onyebuchi
In: A Universe of Wishes (Dhonielle Clayton)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Race, Young adult
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Crown
Year: 2020

Thoughts

This was one of those shorts stories with a very open-to-interpretation endings. Or at least, because I kind of want to envision a bit of a happy ending, I chose to take it that way. However, realistically, it feels like the final words of this story were just the final words of the person in general. It definitely had me thinking and hurting through every moment of this tale.

I loved that this is a slightly unconventional tale in that it was letters between two young, teenage boys. Both of whom are incarcerated and both of whom are facing some pretty overwhelming challenges. The letters might have been received in a less than conventional manner, one which hints at magic. But, honestly, I never really questioned the why of this. I just spent the whole time I was reading having all of the feelings.

The two boys from this help to highlight the contrasts between Palestinians and African Americans – the differences and the similarities. It talks about some pretty hefty issues such as hunger strikes and racism. But also has a whole lot of hope, in the way that only the young can generally feel.

<- Longer Than the Threads of TimeA Universe of Wishes Collection ->

Image source: Goodreads

In at the Deep End by Penelope Janu

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: In at the Deep End
Author: Penelope Janu
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

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!

<- Clouds on the HorizonOn the Right Track ->

Image source: Goodreads

Hands On by Jaci Burton

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Hands On
Author: Jaci Burton
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2005

Thoughts

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I did enjoy the storyline and wanted to actually get through this novella. On the other, I found some of the writing a little bit clunky and more of a challenge to get through. I’ll still read more of Jaci Burton, but this definitely wasn’t one of my favourites.

I really enjoyed the idea of a sex specialist who is somewhat awkward. I loved the disconnect between real life experience and academic intelligence. Alright, it hit a few too many clichés, but Lara was still a fun character to get to know.

I didn’t like Mark as much as Lara. He was kind of a dick and user. And yes, he was redeemed by love. But in the end, he gave up pretty much nothing to get what he wanted. The stereotypical sexy journalist that I just didn’t get excited by.

Whilst this was a fun story, it hit a lot of clichés and was a bit tedious at points. Whilst I enjoyed the hour it took to read this, it’s definitely not one that I would read again.

<- Garden of EdenHousebroke ->

Image source: Amazon

Going Under by Sonia Henry

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Going Under
Author: Sonia Henry
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Contemporary, Medical, Mental health
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I bought this thinking that it was a memoir about a woman who worked as a doctor in Australia. Turns out it’s actually a fictional work. But it still had the tone that j was looking for. After all, it is incredibly obvious that Henry is a doctor and that the story line pulls from her own experiences. I should also mention that although I seriously enjoyed this book, it is NOT a happy story. You finish it feeling kind of content, but it’s not a roses and rainbows kind of finish…

I remember considering medicine when I finished up with high school, but ultimately decided that I didn’t have the patience with people required to do so. Reading this just made me all that much more certain that I made the right call there. Kitty (the lead character of this) sounds the entire story burnt out, exhausted and overwhelmed. She definitely enjoys her career to a degree, but that level of exhaustion and stress? Definitely not a career path I would ever be happy in.

The aspect of this story that strikes me the most is dealing with sex, and assault. There are some pretty hefty trigger warnings in this. And Henry quite bluntly talks about a broken system in which junior staff are constantly abused in a number of fashions. And the incredibly serious consequences that can be felt because of such abuse. It will break your heart, but it’s also worth really thinking about the price that some people pay for their profession. And why this should never be the case.

Although there is a lot of very serious messages in this novel, there is also a lot of humour. The day-to-day existence of these junior doctors may be difficult, but they manage to temper that with some kind of bizarre shenanigans. Plus, the tightness and love found in their relationships reminds you that even in the most adverse situations, things can turn out for the best. And sometimes all you need to stop from going under is a good friend by your side.

<- More Australian authorsMore medical ->

Image source: Allen & Unwin

Fake It Till You Make It by Leigh Donnelly

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Fake It Till You Make It
Author: Leigh Donnelly
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Food
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I loved this WAY more than I expected. Admittedly, I didn’t have huge expectations going into it, but still. This was far, far more enjoyable than I was anticipating. Probably in part because both the leads in this romance were involved in the food industry. And, as a lover of all things food, I’m preprogrammed to enjoy any story with such a theme.

I’m such a lover of relationships that start with a fake ruse and forced proximity. I love that the beginning of this was even more awkward – asking a man you just met to pose as your fiancé. And pretty much yelling in his face every time she felt awkward… although you kind of know exactly how it will all work out; the pure awkwardness was brilliant and enjoyably cheesy.

Both the leads in this novel have incredibly narcissistic exes. Both act out in different ways. And the male ex is not just narcissistic, but abusive. It made for a great challenge to the romance – not so much in getting over the damage of the past (which there is some of). But in getting over their constant manipulations and insanity in the presence. The narcissism is actually kind of scary in moments.

In fact, the narcissistic exes take such centre stage throughout this story as conflict that I was expecting a bit more of them in the epilogue. I kind of liked that although they are so central to the conflict, they’re effectively forgotten about in the ending. The best punishment ever for these horrible individuals.

<- More Leigh DonnellyIgnore Scott ->

Image source: Amazon