Tag Archives: Contemporary

Single and Ready to Jingle by Piper Rayne

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Single and Ready to Jingle
Author: Piper Rayne
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

There is always something about grumpy/sunshine romances that I love. That goes extra for when those romances are grinch/sunshine romances. I mean, who wouldn’t love a romance that is based on someone who hates Christmas falling for someone who loves Christmas? The fact that it starts with a blind date that goes epically wrong in a very short amount of time just made it so much better and more entertaining. I mean, who rocks up to a blind date in an elf costume?!?!

Single and Ready to Jingle is an incredibly sweet and easy to read romance. It’s one of those happy reads that makes it nice to have a bit of a break from reality and a cuppa. It also had the unexpected benefit of the best friend’s sister / brother’s best friend trope. I didn’t quite expect it, because it was approached in a slightly different way. But, it was still a light hearted and sweet read. One that I will probably dive into again next Christmas.

One of the reasons I’m particularly a fan of the grinch/sunshine trope is because I married a man who is a bit of a grinch. I absolutely adored that for the entirety of this story, it was about trying to get the grinch-man to fall back in love with Christmas. It’s definitely a battle that I’ve fought over the years and it made me incredibly happy to know that it is probably some other peoples’ experience as well. Plus, it was a really nice way for Piper Rayne to highlight all of the things that they love about Christmas.

It was kind of surprising how late into the story the conflict hit. I was expecting, with the personality differences, the tragic first date and all of the other challenges this couple faces for the conflict to occur much, much earlier. As a result, I spent a lot of the time reading this book in a feeling of unrelenting suspense. Which worked really well, I would have enjoyed this writing regardless, but keeping me in suspense for the point of conflict ended up making me read this a whole lot quicker. In fact, I barely put this down from the moment I cracked it. Because suspense.

I absolutely adored Single and Ready to Jingle, not only is it one of the catchiest titles in my collection, but it was also a really sweet story. This was one of those tales that just works well at Christmas. But, it also had the conflict and the character development that I always crave in a really good read.

<- Claus and EffectMore Piper Rayne ->

Image source: Amazon

In Rover My Head by Sylvie Stewart

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: In Rover My Head
Author: Sylvie Stewart
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

I love the voices of both Mindy and Hugo – they were great characters and flicking between their points of view was a nice way to dive into this short story. Both Mindy and Hugo are completely relatable, and I love how they both have some serious misconceptions about one another on their first meeting. But, when you get to know each of their points of view, you can actually understand their reactions.

I love that both of the lead characters are single parents. Although you don’t get to know all of their children, it is still fun to read about their experiences of being a parent. The fact that this story also involves a missing child just highlights their parental roles and identities. I mean, having one of my children go missing is literally my worst nightmare, and something that I can’t even fathom.

This was a fun short story with a great couple and a very sweet storyline, missing child and all. I had a lot of fun reading it and enjoyed being taken away by such a simple tail.

<- Mutts About YouChasing Holiday Tail ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Howliday Contract by MK Meredith

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Howliday Contract
Author: MK Meredith
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

There’s always been that whole idea that you shouldn’t mix business with pleasure, and I love that Niko and Sybil kind of show just why that shouldn’t happen in this short story. I mean, ultimately it does work out. Because it’s a cute contemporary romance, but it’s still nice to have that whole don’t miss business with pleasure challenges highlighted.

This wasn’t exactly my favourite romance, but it was still very cute. I enjoyed the story though. I just didn’t find the characters to be the kind that I tend to connect to. Sybil was fairly independent and driven, which I normally love in a lead female, but I think I’ve just been reading characters of a totally different calibre, and this just didn’t quite compete.

All in all, I seriously enjoyed reading this short story. But, I must admit, that it’s really Marley the husky who is my favourite character. There is just something about a fun and energetic dog that always steals the show.

<- Decidedly with PawsDoggy Style ->

Image source: Goodreads

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Love and Other Words
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

This novel, whilst being a romance and seriously sweet, also completely broke my heart and made me cry. There are so many moments of tragedy throughout that make your breath catch and your heart fragment just a little. But, luckily there is a happy ending, so it was totally and utterly worth reading. Plus, you know that the authors are good when they are able to totally shatter your heart and make you fall that in love with characters and hopeful for a happy ending.

I love that you realise fairly early on that both Elliot and Macey have made mistakes in their past that tore them apart. But, as you read more and more of the story, you realise that the fuck ups were just compounded by total accidents of fate. And honestly, it was that which was really tragic. I mean, everyone makes mistakes, but the past shows that sometimes fate just stops you from being able to heal from them. And honestly, that was the bit that was the most heartbreaking for me.

I love that this story is written with two different timelines, both from Macey’s point of view. It lets you find out more and more about the tragic past of the couple, as you hope for a beautiful future. Honestly, mostly I found myself spending most of this story just hoping for a really good happily ever after. Plus, having the two timelines means that you get to find out more about Elliot and Macey as they grow up together and turn from childhood friends to romantic soul mates. It was just too damn cute and sweet.

There was something about Sean and Macey’s weird relationship with him that made me seriously want to hate him. I mean, after all, he’s one of the obstacles in the way of the couple’s happily ever after. However, there was something about him that meant that I actually couldn’t hate him. I didn’t necessarily like or love him, but there was no hate. It was just this whole awkward bundle that worked as an excellent symptom for Macey’s heartbreak.

This is my second ever Christina Lauren novel, and I have seriously fallen in love with this writing team. The romances are beautiful and heartfelt, but there is so much more angst and challenges to overcome than some other romances. But, honestly, they have moved to the top of my TBR pile. And I can’t wait to read more of their novels!

<- Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not DatingMy Favourite Half-Night Stand ->

Image source: Amazon

Doggy Style by Tracey Pedersen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Doggy Style
Author: Tracey Pedersen
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

The Meet Cute in this short story was kind of funny – I mean, it’s two people who’ve ended up with borrowed dogs meeting at a dog park. And then said dogs decide to go at it… doggy style. I mean, serious awkwardness would ensue. And I don’t necessarily think much of people who don’t desex their dogs and then take them to dog parks. But, as a story, this was quite a funny way to begin.

As someone who has taken people to dog parks as a way to socialise, I totally get that both Viv and Cooper are kind of using their close ones’ dogs to do so. The way that they connect quickly is kind of fun and cute in a short story too. Although, unlike some of my favourite short stories, I was quite content when this finished. It was a fun tale, but not one that I ended up super connected to. It was pleasant, but not memorable.

I think that my favourite part of this story and journey was the fact that this is written by an Australian author. And, the fact that it was based in Melbourne. I might be across the border in SA, but it was still so familiar to me. I love that familiarity in reading, and I’m glad that I got to go on this little adventure.

<- The Howliday ContractRescued Beats ->

Image source: Goodreads

Code of Matrimony by April White

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Code of Matrimony
Author: April White, SmartyPants Romance
Series: Cipher Security #2.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

It’s been a long time since I read Code of Honor, and I kept meaning to pick up this novella. I mean, it’s a wedding between Anna and Darius (giving them the ultimate happily ever after). But it’s also about her twin finding her own partner and fairy tale ending. It might have taken me a little while to get to this, but now that I’ve dived back into the SmartyPants Romance world, and Cipher Security, I’m trying to remember why I left in the first place.

So far in my readings of April White and the Cipher Security series, I’ve liked that the point of view is from between the two main leads. Yet, since this novella deals with two couples, it has three different points of view. It was fun to read the same storyline and flicker between the different perspectives. It was also nice to see that each of the characters have ulterior motives for throwing a party. Yet, all three (Darius, Anna and Colette) are motives which are inspired by their love for one another.

Although I loved finding out that Colette gets her own happily ever after moment, my favourite aspect of this was the wedding of Anna and Darius. Namely, the gift that they are given from all of their loved ones. It literally bought a tear to my eye, the idea of everyone sharing something from their lives and themselves. And then sharing these stories. It has got to be the single coolest gift and idea that I’ve read in a long while.

<- Code of HonorCode of Ethics ->

Image source: Amazon

Kilt to Order by Susannah Nix

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Kilt to Order
Author: Susannah Nix
Series: Kilt Trip #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: 2023

Thoughts

I loved, loved, loved this book! Which is no surprise because I have thus far loved all of the Susannah Nix books that I’ve read. This was a great, fun friends to lovers romance. The fact that the catalyst is Casey trying to lose her virginity and the pair of them making a somewhat unconventional pact made it all that much more enjoyable.

There was something kind of simple about this story while also being a little bit complicated. It’s a pretty easy read. But it still has such great character development that I wouldn’t call it a bland storyline. I mean, there’s a reason I’ve been loving Nix, and the very sweetness and predictableness of this storyline is EXACTLY why.

Normally I find stories that feature a virgin and discussions about virginity to be a little bit painful. But, again, Nix touches upon this wonderfully. Casey’s obsession with the concept is kind for frustrating. But in the way that it’s sucky that there is such a focus on the concept within society as a general rule. It was also nice that although their relationship started put with Casey being the vulnerable one, she manages to find her own confidence. And then she ends up being the one who is protective towards Gareth.

Quite often I find the male in a contemporary romance to be a bit of a bone head. Because, well, men can sometimes be incredibly dumb. But, where I would normally find Gareth’s ‘good guy’ hangups to be frustrating, I actually found myself liking him even more. Yeah, there’s still some wilful ignorance, but it’s kind of endearing.

I loved that this was a start to a new series. And I can’t wait to see who else of the amazing Highland Games cast will fall next. Now I just have to wait until Nix actually writes the next book!

<- More Susannah NixTBC ->

Image source: Amazon

All This Time by Annabelle McCormack

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: All This Time
Author: Annabelle McCormack
Series: Brandywood #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I’m a bit of the fence about how much I liked this story. I actually almost DNF’d it about a third of the way through. I liked the characters and could kind of see where this was going. But it was taking a bit too long to get to any action and drama… at about the halfway point there was FINALLY enough drama to actually hook me. So it was definitely worth reading, I just wish that there was less lead up.

I have to admit, Garrett and Sam’s interconnectivness was a little bit cringe factor for me. I mean, they’ve each been HEAVILY involved with each other’s best friends. Alright, it turns out that both of those ‘friends’ are kind of knobs. But still, I can’t even imagine doing that to someone I care deeply about. Because both Eli and Katie turn out to be kind of knob-like, you eventually lose the cringe factor. But honestly, that was another reason why I almost DNF’d this.

Katie turns out to be my favourite character in this. Not in the I like her way, but that love to hate you should always have with a good villain. She’s obviously a manipulative, self-centred creature from the very get go. And I like that Sam is immediately uncomfortable with a lot of her actions. Honestly, until that halfway point when I really got invested, I was mostly reading this, waiting for Katie to get her poetic justice…

All in all, though I’ve probably highlighted the flaws of this book more than what I liked about it, I did really enjoy this read. It was a nice little Christmas story. And by the end, I was completely rooting for Sam and Garrett. There was also the added bonus of Christmas cookies, which is always a lovely bonus in my books…

<- More Annabelle McCormackI’ll Carry You ->

Image source: Amazon

The Tip-Off by Rebecca Jenshak

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Tip-Off
Author: Rebecca Jenshak
Series: Smart Jocks #3
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I knew that Zeke and Gabby were going to end up together from their first meeting in The Assist. They had immediate chemistry, and Jenshak made no secret of how they are likely to end up as a couple. Yet, even knowing that they were going to end up together, I enjoyed the journey. Also, the discoveries of the people’s personalities and strength along the way. A nice, easy adventure that left me smiling.

I honestly thought that there would be more about Gabby’s scarring. I mean, it’s obviously mentioned, but in reality, her character journey was more about what it means to experience college. The misconceptions, enjoyments and milestones that are associated. I love that Gabby’s idea of what she wants to experience is kind of off-kilter, and involves her doing some pretty random things. All of which Zeke just goes along with. None of which were things that I experienced at my university… but it’s interesting how the American collegiate system can be seen through others’ eyes (I’m Australian, I have no idea how it works in America).

As is typical, it takes Zeke takes a little bit to actually realise he has feelings for Gabby. The lust and the attraction is there from the very beginning – for both of them. But actually realising that you have emotions for someone and acting on them, it takes just a little while. In fact, it does take a bit for both of them to recognise that what they have is real. Introducing that nice conflict that made me want to rush to the end. When they realise that preconceived notions aren’t always correct. And if it’s the right person, then they’ll fit into your plans.

So far, this is the only one of this series to end with any ideas of matrimony. It makes sense, Zeke and Gabby are definitely the most mature couple of the series. And their journey is about the idea that permanency and falling in love can happen to anyone at anytime. Regardless of whether or not you think that it’s the “right time”.

<- The FadeawayThe Fake ->

Image source: Amazon

The Catch by Rebecca Jenshak

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Catch
Author: Rebecca Jenshak
Series: Smart Jocks #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I knew Vanessa and Mario had a simple origin story compared to the others. But it was still incredibly sweet. And I seriously enjoyed reading it. As I’ve been slowly making my way through the series, I’ve wanted to get to know the original couple just that little bit more. And, finally I signed up for this free novella. And I was NOT disappointed.

I love that throughout this story, Mario works hard at earning Vanessa’s trust. Not by doing anything over the top and insane, but by charging through all of her time objections and just spending time with her. He doesn’t push Vanessa, just let’s her come around to him in her own time.

The Meet Cute of Mario and Vanessa was also brilliant. I love how it’s just a simple misunderstanding that is quite memorable. It also perfectly sets up the tone for the rest of the story… both Vanessa and Mario have memorable first impressions and work hard at finding space in their lives for one another.

Not only is this a fun novella, it provides hints to Blair’s challenges. It’s a great introduction to the series with a lot of tantalising hints about the basketball boys. Definitely a great romance series all about smart jocks.

<- More Rebecca JenshakThe Assist ->

Image source: Instagram