Tag Archives: Contemporary

Friendzoned by Rachel Blaufeld

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Friendzoned
Author: Rachel Blaufeld, Heart Eyes Press
Series: Busy Bean #4
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This is an incredibly cute second chance romance. An easy read and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. I also love that it’s about more than a second chance romance, but about a second chance at life and the joys of finding ones own feet. I love that Murphy is finding her own feet and confidence throughout this tale. It’s a reminder that even when we get a second chance at love, sometimes its our second chance at living the life we want that is also important.

I liked Ben as a lead, but not as much as I loved Murphy as a lead. Mostly because Murphy is trying to find her own feet, fix the mistakes of the past and figure out what it is that she wants, without the pressures of her family. Again, a tough battle to overcome. And on the other hand, there is Ben who is not really great with his insecurities. And is really not working on overcoming them.

I might be just a little bit obsessed with maple syrup. And the yum yum treats that have been made from maple syrup. I kept getting distracted from the romance and the relationships to dream about the delicious food throughout this. I mean, honestly, who wouldn’t?

The way that Murphy is finally able to stand up to her family (and her insecurities) is freaking brilliant. I love how she is able to finally put her foot down and show what she wants in life. Again, it shows that Murphy works hard to get over her issues, and Ben just doesn’t. It’s also a reminder that for some people, family might not actually be worth much. And it’s okay to tell them that their toxic behaviours are really not okay.

I did really like all of the hints at the relationship between Brenna and Scott. I’m kind of hoping that one day they will get their own story – one that will be just as much fun as Murphy and Ben’s!

<- CakewalkStudfinder ->

Image source: Amazon

Cakewalk by Claire Hastings

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Cakewalk
Author: Claire Hastings, Heart Eyes Press
Series: Busy Bean #3
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I wanted to love this book a whole lot more than I did. So far, I have really enjoyed everything in the Heart Eyes Press world created by Sarina Bowen. But this one… I just couldn’t enjoy it.

I think that I might just not have been quite in the right headspace to enjoy this, but it was also the main characters. They were both a little bit negative and although I completely understand it, it was frustrating to read. But, mostly I found GiGi really annoying. I mean, it’s great that she escaped an abusive marriage. But taking a job as a baker when you can’t bake? And then setting a house on fire because… YOU CAN’T BAKE… it was just… to frustrating.

All in all, this wasn’t my favourite book and not one that I enjoyed overly much. Maybe I’ll reread it again in the future and my attitude will change.

<- CowboyFriendzoned ->

Image source: Amazon

Before and After You by Hope Ellis

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Before and After You
Author: Hope Ellis, SmartyPants Romance
Series: Leffersbee #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: 2021

Thoughts

I thought that this would be a book that I would just completely rip through. I mean, I absolutely loved Been There Done That. And I loved the idea of Walker and Leigh from Been There Done That. But, it did take me a little while to actually sink into this. I think because whilst it is obvious that Walker and Leigh need to end up together, and that they will, they were really beating around the bush to get there. Plus, there wasn’t a whole lot of action and conflict to be dropped into straight away. Once I got past the first quarter though, and the romance part really started… I couldn’t put this down.

I think one of the reasons that I found this a little bit more difficult to get into was the fact that Leigh and Walker both continuously get in their own damn ways. Sometimes that’s a fun trope, but when I’m just so excited for a couple to get together, I find it kind of seriously painful. And I was really excited about Leigh and Walker getting together. It probably doesn’t help that Ellis left a bit of a Red Herring in the end of Been There Done That. One that was seriously misleading and made me think that I was getting dropped further into a relationship than I actually was… yeah, I tried to say all of that without giving away any major spoilers… I’m not sure that I did so well there.

Leigh’s hangups, although a little bit painful at times, were also completely understandable. I mean, she has a father who was a serial cheater, and then married a man who ended up doing the same. To top it all off, her family has effectively chosen him over her repeatedly and decided that she’s actually in the wrong for walking away from a sham of a marriage. I mean, just one of those aspects in her life as part of her history would have made her reticence to be with Walker understandable, but all three? It was pretty hard to read about. And then there’s her battles at the hospital. I love Leigh’s strength and ability to stand up for what she believes in when it comes to her professional life. It just takes most of this book for her to figure out how to carry that same strength and courage into her personal life.

Then there’s Walker’s battles with his health and his family. I mean, the battle between Leigh and Walker (and honestly, there are so many shots fired that it’s a serious battle), is intense enough. But add in Leigh’s family and past, and her fight to keep the hospital a safe place… there’s a lot going on already. And then you realise that there is something seriously hinky going on with Walker’s health. It takes most of the story to unravel just what that is. Even in the happy moments, you have that health diagnosis hanging over their relationship, the sword that is about to drop. Finally, there’s Walker and Zora’s sister – the one with a whole lot of hidden agenda and baggage. I was kind of hoping she would get her own spin off tale to be honest, but it’s been a while since this book was published, so I’m not too hopeful.

It might have taken me a little while to truly sink my teeth into Before and After You, but once I committed, man did I love this. There is just something special about any of the SmartyPants Romance stories and the Leffersbees hold a fairly special place in my heart…

<- Been There Done ThatMore SmartyPants Romance ->

Image source: Goodreads

Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend by Lauren Blakely

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend
Author: Lauren Blakely
Series: The Guys Who Got Away #2
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

This is a book that come in a bundle of ebooks on my ereader. So, I’ve looked at reading it a few times – but then I was kind of put off by the synopsis at the front. And, like everyone in this story – I mistook the name and the tone for something entirely different. Because this isn’t actually about an ex-boyfriend. It’s about two friends, who love each other. And the tone of the letter is far less cringy and more sweet than anything I’ve read in quite a long time. To the point that I read this cover to cover and just couldn’t put it down!

There is something incredibly graphic (and gratifying) about starting a novel with a hot brit in a swimsuit. Something entirely drool-worthy and really enjoyable. I seriously loved this idea. And the image that it left in my mind was… delicious. Not normally my type of yum, but Blakely’s wonderful writing definitely made it incredibly tantalising. There’s also all kinds of humour and cuteness in the interaction that just makes it all that much better.

I love that Oliver and Summer are true and dear friends to each other. Before anything starts in the storyline – their entire relationship is built on years of trust and care for one another. They make such an adorable and sweet couple just for the friendship goals alone. Then, there’s the fact that throughout their history together, they have frequently posed as each others’ significant others. Again, an absolutely adorable and wonderful interaction with one another.

I always love the fake fiancée trope. There is something great about it which makes me smile and laugh. Add in the whole best friends sister / best friends to lovers tropes… and honestly, this was just a romance perfectly tailored to me. It was adorable and light hearted. Incredibly cute and just all around wonderful. Definitely the kind of romance that I wanted to dive right into with some of my own mental load at the moment.

<- Birthday SuitThe What If Guy ->

Image source: Amazon

Rain by Sangu Mandanna

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Rain
Author: Sangu Mandanna
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Family, Food
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

This is a beautiful and touching short story about the grief of losing a loved one. And the long process that people go through to start moving on from that. Father and daughter are constantly struggling to find a way to say goodbye, and to find their way back to one another. And a beautiful change of pace in Hungry Hearts Row is just what they need to get themselves back on track.

Food is a pretty potent love language in my family – it comes from marrying a Maltese man and being a little food obsessed myself. It made the idea of father and daughter reconnecting over their mother / wife’s favourite food all that much more meaningful. I mean, what better way to remember someone? I myself tend to bake cakes and bread when I’m missing my grandfather – it was something that we shared and I still heavily associate with him.

Food is not only a great love language, but it is also great for healing and stirring up memories. It’s nice that in this, the first attempts to get the well-remembered curry right go epically wrong. And it is in slowly getting it right that father and daughter are able to reconnect and begin to talk to one another again. It’s only when they finally start to find laughter again that they also find the secret ingredient to the recipe.

For me, this story was all about food and love and healing. And the power of food in that healing. But, there was also the great symbolism of rain throughout that made me smile. I mean, every key moment throughout this journey is symbolised by rain, and it’s a great metaphor for the overwhelming emotions that are being experienced. Many nuances and moments throughout this that I seriously enjoyed. Definitely an author I will be reading again in the future.

<- Hungry HeartsKings and Queens ->

Image source: Goodreads

Kings and Queens by Elsie Chapman

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Kings and Queens
Author: Elsie Chapman
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, Family, Food
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I really wasn’t expecting this short story to be about gang life to be quite frank. I’m not quite sure what I anticipated. But I think, from the cover of this collection (I know, you should never judge a book by its cover), I was expecting something a little bit more… cuddly. And I love that this wasn’t. I mean, I loved this short story completely. And part of that was because it was such a surprise, but it was also brilliantly written.

One of the things that I loved about this is that it is a story, at the centre, about family. And food, but mostly family. I really enjoyed how the mother manages to get her final revenge, in an incredibly symbolic and surprising way. I figured that this story was going to end in death, but I actually thought that it might be the death of the narrator as she tried to enact her revenge.

Whilst I really enjoyed reading this story, it was also kind of difficult. I can’t imagine the pain of having a brain dead child. Particularly when this brain death was caused by the actions of someone you love and respect. And then you have to look at her killers face and smile… I understand the anger that just seeps out of this storyline.

This is a fairly serious storyline, with a whole lot of anger and death. I love that there was delicious food that acted as a counterpoint to this more serious storyline. In fact, there was a lot of food in this that I kind of want to try my hand at making. Or at least, its inspired a few dishes in my mind…

<- RainThe Grand Ishq Adventure ->

Image source: Goodreads

Play Smart by Aly Stiles

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Play Smart
Author: Aly Stiles, SmartyPants Romance
Series: Work For It #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: 2022

Thoughts

I love how Play Smart manages to build not only on Street Smart and touches on the rest of the Work For It series, but it also builds further upon the Elements of Chemistry series. There were so many easter eggs in this story that I noticed and absolutely loved. I can’t imagine how many more there will be when I do a reread. It’s always fun when you read series that are interconnected and notice all of those little nods to other stories. But when it’s the SmartyPants Universe and all of these nods are to other peoples’ works… priceless.

But to the actual book (I could go on forever about how amazing the whole SmartyPants Universe is). Play Smart is wonderful. It follows Marcus’ (from Street Smart) roommate as he too tries to enter the corporate world. I’m looking forward to another tale about the third roommate, but again, I digress. I love that Nash is kind of ridiculously sexy. Intelligent, moody, musician who is forced into the corporate world because… money. Although, as with all of the wonderfully flawed characters that I love, there are many moments when he kind of needs to get over himself and act like an adult.

Contrastingly, Paige is actually a little bit stuck up. She is pretty quick to judge, which makes the conflict between her and Nash from the beginning kind of priceless. But, I love that she is willing to try and see things from another point of view. In fact, as she realises how wrong her initial impressions were, she is able to correct her thinking. And eventually save the day. I can’t wait to see how this benefits Martin and has major impacts in the future.

Chad is a character that you love to hate from Street Smart, as is Reedwether. I loved their bumbling reintroduction in this tale. I mean, there isn’t a moment that they’re in that didn’t have me giggling and smiling. I mean, honestly, it concerns me that they actually reminded me of people who are that truly clueless in real life. Stiles has created these characters that are kind of scary in the fact that they hold power and are morons, but are also just wonderfully hilarious. They act as a great counterpoint to the intensity of Nash and Paige’s developing relationship and all of the espionage that is occurring to drive the rest of the storyline. Honestly, this whole story was just brilliant and wonderful. Thoroughly enjoyable and one of my favourite reads this year.

<- Smart MouthLook Smart ->

Image source: BookBub

Dewey Belong Together by Ann Whynot

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Dewey Belong Together
Author: Ann Whynot, SmartyPants Romance
Series: Green Valley Library #7
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: 2021

Thoughts

This was an incredibly and wonderfully different spin on the enemies-to-lovers trope. For starters, the enemies have only ever met online and never in person. For another thing, only one of the couple believes that they are enemies – Maxine is sure that “Wrath” is her mortal enemy. But it’s definitely a one-sided feeling of antagonism. Mostly though, I love that this story is one that features two people who have spent ten years getting to know one another and being a part of each others’ lives, only to find that in person they are vastly different to what they expected. Definitely a romance for the modern day.

Not only was this a fun and unique romance, but I also love how Whynot addresses the sexism in the gaming community (one of many). I mean, just because she’s good, everyone assumes that Max is a man, and when she does actually correct those misconceptions and assumptions, there are a lot of people who are actually mad. Because she doesn’t have a penis. I mean, seriously? What is with everyone’s obsession with genitalia? Whynot makes some wonderful commentaries on just how people try and negotiate this space and how ridiculous it is.

On the topic of gender and sexuality and all of that nonsense, I love that Jonathan actually goes through his own journey of discovery before even meeting Max. I mean, someone who grew up in a small-town acknowledging that they have feelings for another (they think) man, and just… dealing with it. Is phenomenal. In fact, there is a great discussion in this about being pansexual, and also the pointlessness of actually labelling your sexuality. You like who you like.

Lastly, Whynot does a great job of talking about bipolar disorder. There is such a negative stigma attached to any mental health, and she is able to address it in a way that is realistic and accepting. A reminder that, honestly, we all have our own battles to fight, and bipolar is no different in that sense. But also the challenges of living with a condition that is chronic forever, you might be able to treat it and deal with it, but it is always there.

I loved this SmartyPants Romance book, not just because I thought that it was a fantastic modern day romance, but also because I love how Whynot deals with some pretty serious issues. She deals with bipolar, mental health, abuse, sexism, and so many different things. But in a way that maintains the seriousness of the issues, whilst also giving you a light and happily ever after kind of read.

<- Love in DeedHotshot and Hospitality ->

Image source: Amazon

Love in Deed by L.B. Dunbar

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Love in Deed
Author: L.B. Dunbar, SmartyPants Romance
Series: Green Valley Library #6
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

Bev and Jedd, with their future romance and it’s place in the SmartyPants Romance world was touched upon in Love in Due Time. So I’ve kind of been intrigued to see how it would unfold. Having said that, Bev wasn’t exactly the kind of heroine that I was chomping at the bit to read about. But then you finally get to their story. And you know what? Whilst I didn’t still fall completely in love with Bev, her story is heartbreaking and you can begin to understand just why she acts the way she does. Although this story doesn’t necessarily feature my favourite characters, it actually is some of my favourite growth of characters.

Bev’s bitterness, whilst limiting and kind of horrible, is also amazing. I knew that it would be a bit more difficult to read (there’s a bit of a note in the front from the author, and things are hinted at it Love in Due Time). I really wasn’t expecting the depth of abuse and nastiness though. But, again, it was actually Bev’s growth that I loved the most. She finally begins to come to terms with her past decisions and actions and takes back her own life. The nasty and bitter cycles that she’s fallen into pretty much just fall away and she finds her inner strength again. It was also fun contrasting the current Bev to the Bev that Jedd remembers – how that backbone and steel spine have always been there and it just takes a bit of a push for her to find it.

For me, this story was mostly about Bev and her growth, the fact that she falls in love on the wayside is just a nice bonus. And I really loved the fact that Jedd’s presence is the catalyst for her change, not the cause. As much as I’m a big believer in love, I don’t enjoy the idea that it takes love to actually fix us. That’s a personal journey and a personal decision, but love can be a great catalyst. Jedd’s constant pushing is a great catalyst and it made me appreciate all of the character dynamics in this even more. It was most definitely beautiful.

I don’t read many contemporary romances (or, for that matter, many books) that have differently abled leads. I love that this is a romance that feature two differently abled individuals. Ones who have to overcome the change in their circumstances to move forward with their lives. And, at the beginning you have someone who is still dwelling on the past which has led to her restrictions, and one man who has just embraced it and decided to move forward and embrace life. Sure, there’s been a process for both of them, but I love how people’s first impressions of them are not glossed over and ignored. Rather, it is acknowledging that people will jump to conclusions and that’s on them, not the person they are judging.

This is a fantastic romance that has a whole lot of character growth. Dunbar brilliantly works with her characters in this story to give a textured tale that I look forward to reading again and again. On every rereading, I feel that I will appreciate the phenomenal characterisation on a whole other level. Something that wonderful authors are able to do.

<- Carpentry and CocktailsDewey Belong Together ->

Image source: Amazon

No Whisk No Reward by Ellie Kay

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: No Whisk No Reward
Author: Ellie Kay, SmartyPants Romance
Series: Donner Bakery #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I thought that Joel and Sophie were a really lovely couple, although there is definitely the instant attraction moment for them, there is also a nice, slow build of their relationship. It’s the way that they slowly get to know one another that I truly enjoyed and found kind of adorable. I mean, the attraction and yumminess in their relationship is brilliant, but I love how they get to know one another slowly.

Although the relationship is built on Joel and Sophie slowly getting to know one another, there Meet Cute is incredibly, well, cute. Not only is it because Sophie has an accident (and is also the reason that she ends up stuck in Green Valley for a little while), but it’s also Sophie’s reactions to their first meeting. I mean, who wouldn’t worry that the tall, handsome stranger walking towards you on an abandoned road isn’t a serial killer? It would definitely be one of the first thoughts that crossed my mind.

In fact, all of Sophie’s inner dialogue throughout this had me smiling and laughing out loud. It sounded a little bit too close to my own at times, the rambling, the disjointed-ness and the sheer humour of her inner cynic. Plus, interwoven throughout all of this was the many different bits of yummy food. Food that made me constantly want to go and bake while reading this – I didn’t, because I also didn’t want to put my book down.

I used to watch some of those competition cooking shows – not many, but a few. And I never really thought about what happened to those who flamed out. I mean, they’ve done it on national tv, so surely there’s going to be ramifications. But I never really thought all that much about it. No Whisk No Reward actually made me consider what, not only the social and job-related ramifications can be, but also just how that impacts the psychological health and wellbeing of the individual too. It was a really nice moment towards the end when Sophie finds a way to move beyond this.

Although Sophie and Joel’s romance is a Green Valley story, I love that it wasn’t about a couple that was ever going to stay. Rather, it was a moment in time for them that they’ll always remember, but they decide to move on to the next steps in life. A lot of familiar, wonderful faces to while away the time, but also a nice reminder that sometimes small town romances aren’t about stagnating in a small town.

<- More SmartyPants RomanceDough You Love Me? ->

Image source: Amazon