Tag Archives: Contemporary

One Cruel Wedding Night by K.A. Linde

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: One Cruel Wedding Night
Author: K.A. Linde
Series: Cruel #5.5
In: Wrap Me Up (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

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.

<- A Very Dare ChristmasSkating on the Stars ->

Image source: Amazon

Make Me Beg by Tawdra Kandle

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Make Me Beg
Author: Tawdra Kandle
Series: The Anti-Cinderella Chronicles #3.6
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This short story felt like a bit of a prologue to a longer second chance love story. Although, I don’t think that that’s what it actually was. But, even if I have to live with that disappointment, I love that this is part of a series that I get to dive into. Particularly since the Anti-Cinderella Chronicles features some of the fun side characters from this short story.

For all that this was a fun romance, it might just be the puppy yoga that was my favourite and most memorable part of this story. Mostly because it’s something I’ve always wanted to try. And then I would probably adopt all of the dogs… I’m not really sure how Daisy didn’t decide to take home every single dog she possibly could!

There is something so dang Hallmark about Christmas stories, and a lot of them don’t quite poke fun at this. I love that Kandle spent the whole time poking fun at the similarities. It made the story not only a little more approachable, but gave me a good giggle throughout. Now I can’t wait to dive more into the writings of Tawrda Kandle.

<- Too Nice to be NaughtyDecidedly with Paws ->

Image source: Goodreads

Her Pretend Christmas Date by Jackie Lau

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Her Pretend Christmas Date
Author: Jackie Lau
Series: Cider Bar Sisters #2.5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2020

Thoughts

Her Pretend Christmas Date was a really fun little Christmas novella. I mean, I do love a bit of that whole fake relationship trope. But the fact that Julie asks the absolutely horrible blind date to be her fake boyfriend made it all that much better. Plus, it’s just fun to read about a couple that on paper don’t work at all. But, in reality, are actually a really phenomenal match.

I did feel kind of bad for Julie in this story, I mean, having your family constantly question your decisions and choices must be exhausting. I may not love the idea of lying to ones family to get them off your back. But, in Julie’s case, I completely understand. Particularly when the desperate request actually ends up in a pretty wonderful happily ever after.

To contrast Julie’s love of life and chaos, Tom was a wee bit of a stick in the mud. Again, total opposites attract story line. But I did love how, even though he is fairly inflexible, he absolutely adores how Julie constantly drags him out of his comfort zone. And the different ways in which she does that. Personally, I also kind of love when someone drags me out of my comfort zone, but I’m also someone who is a little bit off kilter at times.

This novella was completely predictable, but seriously enjoyable. I mean, it had all of the fun Christmas vibes and the sweet romance. But, add to that it also had just enough spice and action to keep in interesting. I also loved reading about how different people from different parts of the world celebrate Christmas. Something I’m always fascinated by.

<- His Grumpy Childhood FriendThe Professor Next Door ->

Image source: Goodreads

Under the Stars by Kris Jayne

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Under the Stars
Author: Kris Jayne
Series: Lone Star Crossed Saga #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2023

Thoughts

The concept of this – the Maid of Honor and Best man at a Christmas wedding was way too cute. Particularly when it was a bit of an enemies to lovers story alongside that. It was such a joy to read about the conflict between the two characters from both points of view. It just highlighted how all of the conflict came from perceptions and prejudice. Rather than either of them having an actual reason for their antagonism toward one another.

Most of the romances that I’ve read lately might have an antagonist, but generally its more of a situational antagonist, or a point of internal conflict. I love that in the case of this Christmas romance, the biggest hurdle is actually the mother. She is truly horrible, and I can’t wait to see how all of the hints at her depravation unfold throughout the rest of this series. This novella definitely introduced the mother as a villain, but then there was no revenge or comeuppance – because I think she’ll be a series long villain!

As with many of the Christmas romances that I’ve read lately – I loved the setting of this story. I mean, being stuck in the honeymoon suite at a winter wonderland? As someone who has never had a white Christmas, it is definitely something that seems dreamy and like a departure from reality. Exactly the setting you want when two people get to slowly fall in love. Add in that they’re getting ready for a wedding… delicious.

<- More Kris JayneCross My Heart ->

Image source: Goodreads

Ruff Day for the Rockstar by Christina Hovland

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Ruff Day for the Rockstar
Author: Christina Hovland
Series: Mile High Rocked #3.5
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I like that this is a short story that features a rockstar and an actress in a happy marriage – the drama within this is more external than internal, something that is refreshing every now and then. I did get the idea that this is almost a little bit of an epilogue, so that kind of helped with the joy and contentment of the characters. And I love that they figure that adopting a dog is a really lovely next step. It’s incredibly cute and sweet.

I love that there is that moment of serendipity in this story – Knox always wanted a dog named Waffles, so Irina finds one. It’s an incredibly cute and sweet moment of fate. And I absolutely loved that they find a way to complete their little family at an adoption drive – without quite planning to.

Irina and Knox are both really fun characters. I look forward to reading more about their love story and discovering how they got to this happy place. It might not have been a very Christmassy short story, but it was definitely a sweet one.

<- Snaps with SantaToo Nice to be Naughty ->

Image source: Goodreads

Snowbound by Catherine Cowles

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Snowbound
Author: Catherine Cowles
Series: Tattered & Torn #0.5
In: Wrap Me Up (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This was a much shorter story than I was anticipating from the opening. There was a lot of drama and information – so I thought that it would be a much longer story. But it worked really well being so short. There was a lot of drama and action, so you can’t help but turn the pages as quick as possible as you rush to the end. Plus, since there’s a whole heap of backstory that is shown in a very short amount of time, you pretty much jump straight into the drama and romance. Which is sometimes nice.

Although this is set at Christmas, it’s not really much of a Christmas story. Honestly, if I hadn’t read it in a Christmas collection (Wrap Me Up), I wouldn’t have even realised that it was based at that time of year. Mostly the whole Christmas thing lends itself to the atmosphere and the snow, not really anything else. Whilst I would have loved a whole heap more Christmas celebrations, it still worked wonderfully.

It scares me how often I read stories about women who, to start the drama are on the run from a stalker. It’s honestly not a surprising trope as it happens more often than I want to think about. I also found that the stalker in this was particularly unpleasant and upsetting. I don’t know what it was about Cowles’ writing of the bad guy that was so creepy, but I was definitely grateful for the ending and intrigued to see if Cowles can get the goosebumps raised with her other works…

<- Christmas Shopping for a BillionaireA Very Dare Christmas ->

Image source: Amazon

Songbird by L.H. Cosway & Penny Reid

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Songbird
Author: L.H. Cosway & Penny Reid
Series: Rugby #4.5
In: Wrap Me Up (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This short story really didn’t do what I expected. I thought, that, being Cosway and Reid, that it would be a complete and contained happily ever after. Instead, it was really a story full of possibilities. It did have its own beginning and end (because all stories kind of have to). But it felt more like a prologue leading into the possibility of a relationship, not the formation of one. Honestly, I just felt a whole lot of hope when I finished this short story. which was kind of incredibly beautiful.

I’ve always loved the idea of Christmas as a time of change and miracles. Songbird is very much about that one perfect Christmas eve. One that makes you truly believe that change is on the horizon and that miracles can (and do) happen. Even writing this review, I have a slightly dreamy look on my face as I think about all of the happy little feelings that this short story inspired in me.

There was something ridiculously romantic about this story. Even though it was just a moment in time, I think the setting, the timing and just the beautiful writing made for an incredibly romantic tale. You’ll definitely be left hoping for another story in this universe, one in which these two find their happily ever after and eventually get to meet again.

<- Wrap Me UpNeanderthal Seeks Illusionist ->

Image source: Amazon

Neanderthal Seeks Illusionist by L.H. Cosway & Penny Reid

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Neanderthal Seeks Illusionist
Author: L.H. Cosway & Penny Reid
Series: Hearts #0.5, Knitting in the City #0.5
In: Wrap Me Up (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I am a huge, huge, huge fan of the Knitting in the City series. And, thus far, I’ve loved the Rugby series by Cosway and Reid. So, I was really pleasantly surprised that there was a crossover short story between the KITC series and the Hearts series. I may not have quite started Six of Hearts yet, but now I’m chomping at the bit to do so. I mean, if this short story is enough to go by (and I’m betting it is). I’m going to love it just as much as I’ve loved everything else by these two authors.

As someone who is already madly in love with Janie and all of her intricacies, I love that this was her before she met Quinn. You can already feel the cracks that are opening up in her happiness with her current life. And, I’m sure that it’s some great hints into who Jay was before his happily ever after. Again, it hints at some of the cracks in Jay’s life and the things that he’s wishing for. A great way to introduce two characters and their potential growth to new readers.

As someone who is built a little bit like Janie, I can completely understand how she spends most of this story just wanting to figure out how the illusionist does his tricks. In fact, I look forward to reading Six of Hearts to figure it out for myself. So now I have yet another book on my to read pile…

<- SongbirdMaking Her Melt ->

Image source: Amazon

Tess’ Tasty Treats by Kameron Claire

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Tess’ Tasty Treats
Author: Kameron Claire
Series: Veteran K9 Team #8.5
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This was a really sweet little short story, and a nice bit of a prequel to another book. I mean, I’m not entirely sure which of the Veteran K9 Teams books this is a prequel to. Which, just means that I will have to read the whole series. I like that this is the beginning of Tess and Logan’s relationship, but there is so much more that is going to happen. After all, this is just the Meet Cute and the first moments of attraction…

This might be a short story that is based around Christmas time, but, like most of the other short stories in the Chasing Holiday Tail collection, it was more about the charity event. Which, I suppose, most people want to give back at that time of year. I would have liked a little more Christmas to the story, but it was still seriously enjoyable.

Although I enjoyed this story, I did find it a little instalove with how quickly Logan focuses in on Tess. And then, just decides that she’s the one. I mean, it’s a nice little story, but I would’ve liked the two characters getting to know each other a little more before deciding that they were meant to be. All in all though, this was a fun introduction to Claire’s writing and definitely encourages me to want to read more of her work!

<- Lady and the ScampSanta Claws is Coming ->

Image source: Goodreads

Make Me Wilder by Serena Bell

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Make Me Wilder
Author: Serena Bell
Series: Wilder Adventures #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: 2021

Thoughts

Gabe and Lucy, like all of the couples in Bell’s books were really cute and sweet. I love that they both find it really hard to trust (for different reasons) and are a little removed from everyone else. I know quite a few people like this, and it’s a fun adventure to go on with them both learning to open up and trust others again. Not just each other, but their families and loved ones. Lucy in particular is a pleasure to watch actually except friendships and a life beyond the closed off one she’s been living.

This has one of the more sweet Meet Cutes that I’ve read recently – I mean, it’s a couple meeting in the rain and rescuing ducklings together. How is that not ridiculously adorable and sweet? I also love that there’s the instant attraction which then leads them straight to a date of sorts. Which, because this is a contemporary romance novel, is immediately unravelled by the fact that she’s consulting on his company. Against his wishes. This adds that perfect amount of antagonism that doesn’t ensure their happily ever after, but not enough to truly threaten it.

Wilder Adventures is a really cool business idea, and definitely something that I’d personally have an interest in. But, I loved how Lucy encourages the Wilders to actually expand on their business. It was fun reading about a company and experience that I would love to go on, but wouldn’t actually book because I’d be worried about inaccessibility and sexism. Lucy’s view was kind of brilliant at removing that issue. It also perfectly opens up the rest of the series to the remaining brothers. And seeing how they are going to adjust to all of the changes as they find the women that they get their happily ever after.

Make Me Wilder is a great contemporary romance. I mean, it’s a small town romance with rugged mountain men as the male leads. Add to that that Bell writes positive female friendships that don’t pit women against each other. Yes please! Sign me up for more!

<- More Serena BellWalk on the Wilder Side ->

Image source: Goodreads