Tag Archives: Moo U

Gametime by Jami Davenport

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Gametime
Author: Jami Davenport, Heart Eyes Press
Series: Moo U #5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Even though the beginning of this story is kind of cringe-worthy, Pax and Naomi work beautifully as a couple. I mean, the fact that it’s friends to lovers is always a story that I’m going to get behind. However, I didn’t necessarily love the fact that they first get together because Naomi thinks that Pax is his twin. Or how she handles her faux pas. It was definitely an awkward beginning. But, it very quickly became a story that I just didn’t want to put down. Fun, adorable and with so much angst that I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next.

Although throughout the story, I’m entirely on Pax’s side, it is easy to see how blindsided he made his twin, Patrick. I mean, Patrick also didn’t exactly handle things very well. But, they are also new adults who aren’t the most mature people in the world. It definitely shows what a fantastic author Davenport is, I might have entirely been on Pax’s side, but I also could completely understand the motivations behind Patrick’s behaviours. I’m such a fan of stories about contentious sibling relationships that still come from a place of love, and Davenport hit this perfectly.

It took a little longer than I would have liked for Naomi to sort out her nonsense and actually be a kind human being. But, I did enjoy the process. And, when she finally did decide to sort herself out, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and unforgettable journey. Plus, as with Pax and Patrick, you could understand where that trauma came from and why she wasn’t necessarily making the best decisions. Her grand gesture also went a long way to smoothing over the hackles raised at some of her earlier decisions.

Gametime was a fairly simple and fun college romance, with just enough angst throughout to make it interesting. It did touch on some serious issues of abuse and traumatic upbringings, but in a way that didn’t bog me down too much after I turned that final page. What an adventure of mistaken identity, friends to lovers romance, with a whole heap of family pressure and expectations thrown in. And lets not forget the hockey – so much hockey action that made me want to actually, maybe watch this sport…

<- HoldoutOvertime ->

Image source: Goodreads

Holdout by Jacqueline Snowe

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Holdout
Author: Jacqueline Snowe, Heart Eyes Press
Series: Moo U #4
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I love how this is a close-proximity / accidental roommate romance. Particularly, I love how well it works out for both of them. Not just the romance aspect, but also the way that Ryann and Jonah seem to actually fit well as roommates and friends. I mean, it’s kind of difficult to find someone that you can live with and not want to tear out your own hair (in my experience at least), so I love that aside from a romance, this was actually a positive roommate story!

Aside from the awesomeness of having good roommates, I did really love the romance between Ryann and Jonah. Yes, they both admit fairly early on that there is a physical attraction. But it’s the fact that they are great friends and companions that really made me root for them. I mean, it’s hard enough finding someone you don’t want to stab as a roommate, but then finding good, solid friendship and physical attraction? Yeah, I was seriously rooting for both of these guys from pretty much the first moment. Plus, they also help each other heal from their past and move onto a much, much better future.

Secondary to the romance and the main spanner in the works for the furthering of their relationship, both Ryann and Jonah have a lot of family drama that they must wade through. It’s kind of sad and painful in moments. And I like that they help each other to process this. Plus, they find a way to live with the complexities of family – as dysfunctional as this can sometimes look and feel. In fact, I thought that Ryann’s brother was going to be much more of a problem than he actually was. And I kind of liked that fact. Yes, he was a hurdle, but in the scheme of things, he was much smaller a challenge than anticipated.

All in all, I loved this romance, it had all of the character development and dynamics that I tend to enjoy in these kinds of stories. Plus a little bit of lust and steam. That’s not even getting me started on the fact that it’s about a bunch of athletes. I mean, I may not be insanely into hockey, but it’s definitely something that intrigues me. And I do love any sports romance I can get my hands on…

<- SlapshotGametime ->

Image source: Amazon

Slapshot by Rebecca Jenshak

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Slapshot
Author: Rebecca Jenshak, Heart Eyes Press
Series: Moo U #3
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This is my first Rebecca Jenshak novel – and I will most definitely be reading more. I fell in love with both Kaitlin and Lex from the very beginning. They were relatable and interesting, without being too overwhelming with their flaws. It was also one of those wonderful stories in which you can most definitely predict what’s going to happen, without it being a boring story. Honestly, one of my favourite things about reading a contemporary romance.

Kaitlin is a bit of an overindulged and spoilt girl, but I love that she’s actually aware of that fact. Plus, although there is the drama that led to her being at Moo U, she’s actually kind of innocent. Plus, alongside all of her flaws and spoilt ways, she’s wonderfully perky. Not in that, dear god no more kind of way, but the hopefully optimistic about the world around her. Which, of course balances out all of her thorns and trust issues perfectly.

Lex makes the perfect partner to work through Kaitlin’s trust issues. He is cockily confident, but beneath that he’s overwhelmingly kind. He also knows from the very beginning that Kaitlin (and I’m not even sure I’m spelling that right) has a whole lot of walls that he’s going to have to break down. Yet, he’s determined to show her that she is actually worth it. Alright, not necessarily the most realistic aspect of this romance, but it’s such a nice idea that someone is going to look at all of your thorns, and decide that you’re worth it anyway. There’s a reason I’ll be reading Jenshak again, and it’s those little moments of ooooooh that do it.

I most definitely predicted how the last minute hurdle was going to work out – not the exact details, but I knew it would have something to do with Kaitlin’s trust issues and her dad. But, I love how it was all resolved. I also love how Lex works on helping Kaitlin restore her relationship with her father, rather than just his relationship with her. Such an amazing novel, and I can’t wait to read not only more Jenshak stories, but more tales of the Moo U hockey team.

<- BlindsidedHoldout ->

Image source: Amazon

Blindsided by Victoria Denault

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Blindsided
Author: Victoria Denault, Heart Eyes Press
Series: Moo U #2
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: 2021

Thoughts

This is a wonderful enemies to lovers story. But almost one that’s been supercharged – I mean, enemies to lovers is one thing. But enemies to lovers when their very families are feuding? That’s a whole other level of scary and difficult. One that I seriously appreciated and enjoyed. I mean, it was also a great new adult romance with all of the growing and feelings involved, but with that whole Romeo and Juliet vibe. And none of the dying (which is always a great benefit).

Tate is wonderfully yummy, and gorgeous. I love that his role as a man maid is what kind of lands him in hot water… honestly, there is nothing sexier than a topless man cleaning your house for you while you put your feet up. He also has a wonderful attitude. Although, as seems to be the case with many of the male leads in the romances I read – he seriously needs to work on his conflict resolution. There are so many points throughout this that would be far less horrible if he just opened his mouth and COMMUNICATED. But, then, it would probably have been a much shorter story.

I love how sweet and kind of adorable Maggie is in this. Yet, she has a strength of steel when she’s challenged. She’s able to put her family first, find ways to help the farm and just be an all around wonderful woman. Her relationship with her sister and housemates was all that much more adorable. But, mostly I just love how she is able to use her brain to help her family’s business and also work towards a better future for everyone involved. The image of her green thumb and balcony garden are forever imprinted on my mind. Maybe because I’m somewhat jealous of the fact that she can actually grow things.

Although the situation and the conflict between the families is the main point of difficulty between Tate and Maggie getting together, when you discover the root of the feud, you start to understand who the real villains are. Which makes sense, the couple are bought together by Clyde and George’s immaturity, and it’s their villain-like ways that eventually helps both of the families to heal. I love the moment when the past is revealed and the truth about the grandmothers comes out. What a beautiful way to end a fantastic story.

<- BoyfriendSlapshot ->

Image source: Kobo

Boyfriend by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Boyfriend
Author: Sarina Bowen, Heart Eyes Press
Series: Moo U #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Oh man, Abbi and Weston are just too damn cute. And sweet. And all of the warm, happy, rainbows and puppies feelings. I mean, there’s a level of sweetness in every romance story’s couple, but for whatever reason, I found this couple even more adorable than usual. Or maybe it’s just the whole “fake romance” trope that sucked me right into all of the happy feels.

One of the standout moments in this story for me is the way that Abbi is able to completely hand it to Weston’s dad. I’ve never understood people who wallow and moan. I mean, life is too damn short and there is always a silver lining to be found. So, when Abbi gets up the father to tell him to enjoy what he has, I wanted to do a standing ovation. I wish I had the guts to stand up to people like this and tell them to find the joy in life. Gah! So much frustration.

Admittedly, alongside the amazingness of Abbi and Weston falling for one another, I loved all of the family dynamics. Particularly the moment when Weston highlights to Dalton how truly moronic he is. I feel like there tend to be 2 camps of men at times – those who are the creep/bastard/predators, and those who are kind of naive about the first camp. Dalton, whilst a well-meaning man, is firmly in the second camp. An absolute moron, but still a well-meaning one.

For those early morning baby feeds, I’m loving sinking into a good, easy book. And diving into the world of Sarina Bowen at the moment is incredibly rewarding. Boyfriend is yet another joyful step into that world. One that I look forward to repeating again and again.

<- More Heart Eyes PressBlindsided ->

Image source: Kobo