Tag Archives: Midlife romance

After Care by L.B. Dunbar

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: After Care
Author: L.B. Dunbar
Series: Sexy Silver Foxes #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Midlife romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I did wonder if reading this story was going to be a little bit triggering for me. I mean, it’s a romance which features a breast cancer survivor as the female love interest. And yeah, I did wonder if it was going to be highly triggering to read, having just lost a family member to cancer. But, somehow, it was incredibly joyful and kind of cathartic at moments to read. I found After Care to be absolutely adorable and totally unforgettable. This was a great “silver fox” romance that had me smiling, frowning and just all around enjoying this in every moment that I could.

Although Tommy helped Edie in a lot of ways, he was also completely a knob to her at times as well. I love that he found her sexy as is, and is constantly all about pleasing her and making her happy. However, when he was actually tested and needed to demonstrate that he actually has faith in her… well, he failed miserably. I mean, the man spends the entire story telling Edie that she needs to trust him. But then, when she needs the benefit of the doubt, he just… walks away. What an absolute fool. He kind of redeemed herself, but not enough for my satisfaction. It made the “happily ever after” portion a little more difficult to swallow than usual.

In amongst Edie’s relationship with Tommy, she also manages to create her own Found Family. Honestly, I actually think that her relationships within this were more powerful to me than the actual romance. I love a good Found Family story, and the fact that Edie is able to do this after a series of huge things have run her life off course made it all that much better. Plus, it highlights how wonderful her children are in supporting her through everything. I loved the entire secondary cast dynamic and how powerful this was to forming Edie’s happily ever after.

I can’t wait to read more stories of Dunbar’s Silver Foxes. I’m not quite in my own midlife romance, but I’m probably heading closer to that end of the scale than the new adult stories. Although I wanted Edie to give Tommy a bit more pushback when he messed up, I also loved her forgiving nature. It made for a fun and sweet story. One that I will most probably read again, and has definitely made me intrigued to read more from this series as the next midlife romance couple takes centre stage.

<- The Sex Education of M.E.Midlife Crisis ->

Image source: Goodreads

Raising a Demon by Amy Cissell

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Raising a Demon
Author: Amy Cissell
Series: Eden Valley #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Midlife romance, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

As someone with a strong willed and independent daughter, I really enjoyed reading this. I mean, Evie and Liliana are absolute goals for parenting – they have a healthy, happy and cheerful relationship. Sometimes it’s more of a friendship, but when necessary, Evie is able to enforce her rules and reduce the chaos that Liliana is able to reign on the world. There’s also a whole lot of love, and even when the Evie and Liliana don’t necessarily get along, they are able to work through it and come back all that much more stronger. Plus, even if this is a paranormal romance, it’s also a love story about mother and daughter, and the lengths that a mother will go to to protect and care for her child.

Luc turning up, and back into Evie’s life is kind of intense. I love that his daughter accidentally summoned him, and that he is just as thrown and confused by the change in their lives as Evie and Liliana. Even though I would probably hold more of a grudge than Evie, I love that she just… goes along with his presence and works with it. Yet, she is also a little reluctant to let him into their lives – she might not be holding a grudge or any bitterness, but she also makes sure that if he decides to be a part of their lives, it’s going to be healthy and happy for all of them.

It wasn’t until my late twenties that I managed to find myself a Girl Squad. And Bev and Viv are absolute goals for this. I may have my girls behind me, but I love the insanity and the Ride or Die vibe that the girls give off. The trio of woman are unapologetically supportive of one another, but they also don’t hesitate to share harsh truths. I can’t wait for Bev and Viv to find their own happily ever afters. And to see how many more butt kickings they can dole out. The fact that this lead trio is all in their forties and not on the cusp of adulthood just made me love them all that much more.

Liliana’s grandfather is truly horrible and annoying. I love that, at the end of the day, both Evie and Liliana tell him exactly what he can do with his attitude. He’s definitely not a figure that has had anyone stand up to him in the past, and the fact that the two mortal women are able to do so? Priceless. Then, there’s the fact that their going toe to toe with him sets up a whole lot more story and drama to come. And, I for one, can’t wait to read more of the dramas that are going to unfold in the lives of these strong women.

<- Match Made in HellDevil and the Deep Blue Lake ->

Image source: Goodreads

Rose with My Fake Fiance by Liz Alden

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Rose with My Fake Fiance
Author: Liz Alden
Series: Aged Like Fine Wine #1
Rating Out of 5:  (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Midlife romance, Travel
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

There is something so joyful and simple about Alden’s writing, but, unlike the Love and Wanderlust series, this isn’t about people who are travelling. Rather, Rose with My Fake Fiance is the beginning of a great new series about four women who have decided to upend their lives and move overseas. I am actually so jealous of their independence and willingness to take the plunge into something entirely new. The fact that they are also women who are that little bit older (in their forties) and still believe in finding love, just made me love it all that much more. I loved the trio of women, and I can’t wait for each and every one of their stories.

Tessa spends most of this story being really reluctant to let Luc in, and I can completely understand why. At first it felt like her burning in her last relationship wasn’t that intense, but the more you get to know the ex, the more I can jump completely onboard her reluctance to commit. Although, I do love that her ex of a jerk ultimately gets his just desserts – all because of his own behaviours and decisions. There is nothing like having the jerky ex-boyfriend get what’s coming to him, as the couple I fell in love with got to ride off happily into the sunset.

Luc is a great counterpoint to Tessa. She is confident and willing to take risks, but, she’s also a little hesitant to take the plunge when it comes to relationships. Luc, on the other hand, is all in from the very beginning. He has absolutely no hesitation on trying to see where his and Tessa’s spark takes him. Plus, he’s all just too damn smokey and cute. I love that his primary restriction and burden is one that he’s managed to place upon himself. He believes that he is responsible for taking care of his grandmother, and doesn’t quite realise that she can take care of himself. When the burden is lifted, there is a whole world opened to both of them that was beautiful to dive into.

I love that Rose with My Fake Fiance finishes on the beginning of the happily ever after, not part of the way through it. They are still enjoying the first blushes of their relationship. And Luc and Tessa have a whole lot more of the ever after part to enjoy and live. It felt like a beautifully optimistic and cheerful ending to a really sweet story about change and falling in love all over again.

<- More Liz AldenRiesling with My Roommate ->

Image source: Kobo