Tag Archives: Kate Meader

Feel the Heat by Kate Meader

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Feel the Heat
Author: Kate Meader
Series: Hot in the Kitchen #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Food
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2013

Thoughts

This is probably the third Kate Meader book that I’ve read. And although I enjoyed it, it did take me a little bit longer to get into than her sports romance books. Maybe because I’m kind of hooked into the sports romance stories lately, and maybe it was just the characters. Either way, I did ultimately really enjoy this story, and once I actually got invested (a few chapters in, instead of immediately), I didn’t want to put this down. I wanted to find out how Lili and Jack were going to make their differences work and find their way to a happily ever after.

One of the things I’m really liking about Kate Meader’s stories is that there is a whole lot of character development that each of her protagonists go through on their way to finding their happily ever after. It might be all about the love connection and romance as the main driver, but the fact that this is often just a catalyst for a couple to figure out who they are individually is great. In the case of Lili, her gratefulness that her Mum is alive and role in the family as primary caregiver has seriously shaped her life and approach to relationships. I love that her relationship with Jack is what drives her to start to look at the walls and self-sabotaging behaviours that this has caused. It’s a journey throughout the entire novel, and one that made me think of my own shortcomings and walls caused by very similar circumstances.

Alongside Lili’s journey of self discovery is Jack’s. by being surrounded by Lili and her somewhat chaotic family, he is forced to think though what it is about food that he truly loves. I mean, I was going to enjoy this story with all of the Italian food and family that filled the pages anyway. But that love of food and drive to always learn that completely defines Jack made me (eventually) fall further in love with this whole story. I also love that they are both pushed from their comfort zones. And at different parts of the story, they are both chasing one another, and running. Making it a little bit less one sided with the whole courtship thing.

Aside from how much I enjoyed Lili and Jack and their journey to one another. Particularly with his snobbish beginning and her very hesitant one, I also loved Lili’s family dynamics. It shifted as the story unfolded, but I always dreamed of having a big insane family like this. I kind of have it, but we aren’t quite so in each others’ lives. Then there’s the passion for food and family businesses, the willingness to ultimately be loyal to each other, even if it takes some of them a little bit to find the right way in which to do this… a glorious romance with a great cast of secondary characters.

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Image source: Kobo

Rebel Yule by Kate Meader

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Rebel Yule
Author: Kate Meader
Series: Rookie Rebels #5.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This is the second book I’ve read in the Rookie Rebels series, and I absolutely love these sports romances. There is extra love for this story in that it is also a Christmas story. I may have read Rebel Yule way out of order, but there are honestly no regrets. It’s a fun and light read. One that I absolutely adored. And I look forward to reading more and more stories of the cinnamon roll alphas of the Rebels Hockey Team. Particularly the ones that are set around Christmas – because Christmas is always a favourite time of the year.

At first I thought that Casey’s frustration and annoyance at Erik was totally unfounded. Or at least, that it was about her attraction to him and inability to act upon it. The fact that she had a genuine reason to actually be annoyed with him? Brilliant. And the fact that Erik was actually a much better person than assumed – and that he had reasons for his behaviour, even better. Their past and the way that they move into the future together was really sweet. And I love that they are able to work past the misunderstandings from before to find a much better, and more enjoyable, life together.

I’ve actually heard of “face blindness” before, although I can’t for the life of me remember the technical term. I love that this unique condition was a really important part of the plot line. Plus, it gives Erik his insecurities and humanness. That, partnered with Casey’s need to overcorrect from the mistakes in her past relationship gave this story the perfect amount of drama and angst. I didn’t want to stop reading, and was really disappointed when the story was finished. I mean, we got the happily ever after (as expected), but I kind of wanted more of Casey and Erik, they had such amazing character journeys and I really enjoyed travelling along this path with them.

In amongst all of the fun drama and character development is the joys of Christmas. I love how all of Erik’s Swedish Christmas traditions are sprinkled throughout the story. That, and the feeling / need for family and loved ones at this season was really nice. I had a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year, and reading Casey and Erik’s story with a whole heap of different traditions left me feeling a little bit more in the Christmas mood, ready to jump into the insane, I mean, festive season, both feet first.

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Image source: Kate Meader

Good Guy by Kate Meader

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Good Guy
Author: Kate Meader
Series: Rookie Rebels #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Sports romance,
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I really like that this is a bit of a second chance romance story, and also the best friends’ girl story. I mean, Levi has been in love with Jordan from the very beginning, even though she ended up marrying his best friend. Somehow, he made something that may be frowned upon less cringey, and kind of sweet. Plus, he is just so damn stoic throughout this. Don’t get me wrong, all of the angst throughout this was a little bit difficult to read. But also completely beautiful and made me want to keep turning the pages, even when I should’ve been sleeping.

Jordan’s expose and attempt to gain equality in an inequal world is kind of fantastic. Plus, I love the journey of how she gets there and how she realises that she needs to actually write this piece. It’s terrifyingly familiar many of the microaggressions which Jordan experiences. And the battles she faces to try and change the status quo. I absolutely adored the show of strength and spine of steel that she displays in her battle to try and find a way for the world to be just a little bit more just. Particularly within the realm of a male-dominated sphere. The fact that her expose touches upon dramas that have happened in the Chicago Rebels series just made me want to read them all that much more.

There is something about a good hockey romance that I’m really into lately. I don’t even get the chance to watch the sport, but I am completely intrigued by it. I’ve literally only ever seen one game in my entire life, so I definitely want more of this in my life. But, Australia. But I digress, I love the idea of hockey players and the romances that follow. Plus, there’s the whole problematic nature of having a relationship with someone who is a professional / celebrity athlete. Like many of the stories that fill my shelves, it’s the external stressors that challenge Jordan and Levi, the nature of his celebrity and how they can fit together into the world.

Expanding on the problematic nature of celebrity athletes, I love the fact that Levi chooses to join the army instead of dealing with the celebrity. He recognises the damage that fame can do upon somebody’s growing psyche at a young age. And the fact that he realised that he needed to grow up is completely admirable. It made me absolutely adore him, even in those moments when I just shook my head at his nonsense. I mean, this is such an adorable romance, but one with a little bit of extra meat to the characters. Things like Levi joining the army to make sure he doesn’t become yet another spoilt athlete made it impossible not to love.

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Image source: Goodreads