Tag Archives: Contemporary

Heartwood by J.H. Croix

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Heartwood
Author: J.H. Croix, Heart Eyes Press
Series: Speakeasy Taproom #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: 2021

Thoughts

Belle and Ty are a fun couple, and I found this to be a wonderful, easy contemporary romance. Plus, Phoebe, Audrey, Zara and so many others were constantly reappearing in this story. Heartwood was great and introduced me to a wonderful new author who has now been added to my shelves.

I loved that throughout this story, Croix constantly highlights that we all have our crap. That everyone is bringing some complexities and difficulties to the table. And that fact doesn’t make us unlovable. Although on the surface Belle’s issues are pretty full on, it’s actually Ty’s which almost torpedo their whole relationship. Again, everyone has their own nonsense and it’s sometimes just a little bit difficult moving through it.

I think this is my first book that features someone with bipolar disorder. I did absolutely love that fact. However, it was a very brief and broad mention. Yes, it’s Belle’s biggest challenge throughout the book. But it was more of a challenge in the fact that it made her rethink her life and thought she was letting down her loved ones. The people I’ve known living with bipolar (and there’s been many) take years to figure out their new baseline, and years to figure out their medications. On one hand, I loved that Belle’s story was so happy, but on the other, I think it oversimplified things a little.

All in all, Heartwood was a fantastic romance with a great happily ever after (as they all do). I love that mostly it’s about two people figuring out how to accept themselves and that they are worthy of love. It’s sweet and an easy read, with some really great issues at its heart. I’m definitely looking forward to reading some more J.H. Croix in the future.

<- TouchstoneHomecoming ->

Image source: Amazon

Speakeasy by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Speakeasy
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #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: 2018

Thoughts

This was always going to be a great romance and a wonderful story.  Because Sarina Bowen. What I especially loved about it though was that it showed how the Speakeasy came to be. Which then has its own wonderful spin-off series. Plus, it starts to tie in a bit tighter lot of threads that were kind of flapping I. The wind. Namely, the Rossi family and the Shipleys. Definitely a book that I loved reading and just drifted off into a happy world with for a while.

Alec’s anger at the Shirley’s, and Griffin in particular, is palpable all the way through the series up to this point. But particularly in Bountiful. I like that his romance with May has to make him pause and think things through a little bit better. Not just for her, but his own business sense. Plus, it seems that he also finally starts to find a way to have a relationship with Zara’s husband too. Both of which were very much needed moments in the overarching world, but Alec’s personal growth too.

May and Alec make a fantastic couple. I could honestly wax on about both of them individually enough to write a whole review, but as a couple. They will just melt your heart. I love that they are simply supportive of one another and there for one another. The idea that they begin with no expectations of each other, and it develops beyond friendship into something more is beautiful. And honestly just made me get all the happy feelings more and more for this fantastic couple.

For all of the things I love about this contemporary romance, it’s how Alec allows May to grow that I love the most. She has different issues and hang-ups from early on in the series. And you can understand why her family tries to Molly coddle and protect her. But it’s Alec who acknowledges that she can literally deal with anything. Her past issues with mental health make her strong, not weak. He reminds her family of that, and that to have a healthy relationship with this phenomenal woman, they need to acknowledge that strength. The kind of partner (whether man or woman) that I think we all kind of want. At least, it’s what I love in my partner…

<- BountifulFireworks ->

Image source: Goodreads

Bountiful by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Bountiful
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #4, Brooklyn Bruisers #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: 2017

Thoughts

As soon as I met Zara in Bittersweet, I knew that she was a character that I was going to love. The fact that I’ve also been reading the Brooklyn Bruisers series and that this book dovetails nicely into that… I have been incredibly keen to read this story. Zara was just as tough and prickly as I had hoped, her romantic counterpart a soft squishy mess of a man.

One of my favourite things about this story was the fact that although Zara becomes a lot her, she doesn’t suddenly become all soft and squishy. She doesn’t lose her sense of self. Alright, she does soften out some of her edges (as we all should), but she’s still pretty prickly and tough. I’m a new mother, and although I’ve mellowed in many ways, I’m still the tough, pain in the arse I was before getting pregnant.

I’ve read a few romances with the secret child suddenly found trope (I’m sure there’s a shorter way to say this, but anyway). But this is the first one that the whole secret child aspect wasn’t actually a decision. Rather, Zara does everything she can to find Dave. It’s just accident and happenstance that makes for the calamities that lead to Dave missing out on the beginnings of his child’s life. In fact, I loved how there was no real bad feelings throughout any of their relationship. Rather the hurdles to overcome were about trust and actually finding one another again.

Bountiful is ridiculously sweet and cute. Although, to distract a little from the cuteness is all of the steamy set. I mean, wow, does Bowen know how to write a scene that will make a girl’s toes curl. Zara and Dave’s chemistry just roars off the page and left me smiling very, very happily. Yet again, I can’t wait to dive into the next books in these two-overlapping series.

<- KeepsakeSpeakeasy ->

Image source: Amazon

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