Tag Archives: Lainey Davis

Since You’ve Bean Gone by Lainey Davis

October 2, 2024Book ReviewContemporary, Contemporary romance, Farm 2 Forking, Lainey Davis, Small town romanceskyebjenner

Title: Since You’ve Bean Gone
Author: Lainey Davis
Series: Farm 2 Forking #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: 2024

Since You’ve Bean Gone is a gorgeous little second chance romance. The fact that one of the early pivotal moments occurs with Ethan passed out in a sheep pen just makes it funny as well as very, very cute. I love that not only is this a second chance story, but also one that occurs at a crossroads of change in Ethan’s life.

I’m a big sucker for romances that focus on someone whom has a chronic illness. It normalises living with chronic illness in a way little else does. But, also doesn’t glorify and romanticise it. This was the first romance, or even novel, I’ve read which features somebody living the Crohn’s Disease though. I had a friend in university who lost his twenties to this, much like Lia and it was refreshing to read about living with a chronic illness like this.

As a partnership to the difficulties of living with Crohn’s, Lia’s doctor boyfriend is just… off. I spent the whole story waiting to see if he would be revealed as an incredibly unethical horror show. Or at least, face some kind of comeuppance for his treatment of Lia. However, their relationship ends fairly calmly and, although it was definitely a healthier way for things to go, the vindictive part of me was unimpressed.

Ethan is a wonderful counterpoint to some of Lia’s struggles. He’s quite sweet, and although hurt by the past, quick to forgive and move forward. Mostly because he’s incredibly accepting and understanding of the difficulties of the past. I do love that his biggest challenge and flaw isn’t actually letting Lia back into his life, but accepting the change that she brings. It’s the changes to the farms and admitting his own past mistakes to his brothers that he struggles with. The inherent flaws that made him so damn likeable.

Alongside the romance, I love that this is a farm story about learning to diversify and change. Traditional practices across the board have begun to be less lucrative, so it’s interesting what other options are out there. Plus there’s a sheep named Baabara Streisand running free causing havoc, so why wouldn’t you love this story?

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Image source: NetGalley

Sweet Distraction by Lainey Davis

July 22, 2024Book ReviewContemporary, Contemporary romance, Lainey Davis, Stag Brothersskyebjenner

Title: Sweet Distraction
Author: Lainey Davis
Series: Stag Brothers #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

After reading Lesson Plans, I really wanted to know more about Alice and how she goes about her happily ever after. Particularly since she’s only a teen in the opening novella, and it was interesting to think of who she would become when she reached adulthood. Alice is so bright and full of life, whereas Tim(ber) is a great counterpoint to this, a little more serious and less willing to grab life and dive right in. I love how engaging they were as a couple, but also how they balanced each other out.

I love that throughout all of Tim dealing with his emotions, it’s Alice that is his safe place. And she is willing to help him and be there for him when she realises this. Davis describes having that one person who is the ‘safe space’ incredibly well – having that one person who you can let your guard down around and actually open up to. One of the most memorable scenes in this book is when Tim and Alice are sitting on a park bench and he is able to just relax and unwind.

At first, I wasn’t all that confident of Alice and Tim as a couple, he was a bit controlling, and she’s such a free spirit. But, it turns out that they are a fantastic couple. Tim just needed to realise that he doesn’t get to unilaterally call the shots. Once he manages that, he’s actually really sweet and you can understand all of the emotion and love behind the insanity of his behaviour and questionable decision making.

There is something enjoyably and beautifully simple about Davis’ writing. It is always a couple that somehow work perfectly together. There are a few hurdles, and then a great happily ever after. I love reading her work and just… living in a happy world with enough complications to keep it interesting. Now, I’m looking forward to reading the next in the Stag Brothers series.

<- Lesson Plans

Filled Potential ->

Image source: Amazon

Lesson Plans by Lainey Davis

May 28, 2024Book ReviewContemporary, Contemporary romance, Lainey Davis, Stag Brothersskyebjenner

Title: Lesson Plans
Author: Lainey Davis
Series: Stag Brothers #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2022

Doug and Amy are way too cute of a couple. I mean, they are both actually really sweet and fun. Although, Amy is a little bit rougher around the edges than Doug. But, I do love prickly women with a heart of gold.

This might be a teacher, student romance. But it does have a slight twist. It played into the trope, without being so forbidden and, well, icky. I also love how they’re both finding their feet throughout the short course Doug teaches.

Doug learning about his privilege and being willing to understand and change because of this was amazing. I seriously wish more people were willing to recognise their privilege and see how it influences everything we say and do. The growth of him during this novella was amazing.

Amy is a fairly angry and feisty lead. But, I completely understand why. And I loved that she is also able to enjoy life and the moment when she needs to. They’re a fantastic couple and I can’t wait to spend more time with them as secondary characters.

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Sweet Distraction ->

Image source: Goodreads

Foundation by Lainey Davis

May 19, 2023Book ReviewBrady Family, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Lainey Davisskyebjenner

Title: Foundation
Author: Lainey Davis
Series: Brady Family #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

I love that this is a romance in which two people fall in love while training for a marathon. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a huge fan of running, but, I can understand how two people going through some pretty intense training can get to know each other quite quickly. Plus, there’s the whole sex immediately after running endorphins thing which is amazing. And the uniqueness of falling in love when marathon training – a pathway that I haven’t often seen throughout my many, many, many contemporary romance readings.

I do need to read more about The Stags though. I love that this is the beginning of the romances for the Brady Family, but there were so many allusions to the Stag family and how they all fell in love. Since Nicole is a peripheral character in some of their lives, I can’t wait to get to know that family all that much more. Plus, it just gives me yet another rabbit hole to dive into with my reading… because I don’t have enough of them already.

Isaac is so completely damaged by his mother’s abandonment and his perceived outside status in his own family. As with all of the flawed characters, there were times that this was incredibly frustrating. But I love how he manages to eventually find a way to work past his crap. In fact, he finally realises that a lot of what he is feeling is projected by himself, not caused by the people who actually love him the most. I’m so wonderfully glad that ultimately he doesn’t let this totally ruin his relationship with his family.

Nicole is an absolute supreme boss woman. Something that is incredibly difficult to be if I’m being honest. I particularly love the moment when she decides to actually take back control of her professional life. Yet, unlike many of the boss woman tropes I come across, Nicole isn’t nasty or totally closed of from others. She’s assertive and confident in herself, and uses that to stop people from completely railroading her. I also love that Isaac isn’t intimidated by this at all. In fact, he actually admires her power and encourages it, without finding it threatening in any way, shape or form.

Foundation is a wonderfully sweet and endearing story. It left me smiling and feeling incredibly comfortable when I turned that final page. The perfect late night read for when your brain isn’t quite firing on all cylinders. And one that has added a whole new author to my TBR.

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Suspension ->