Tag Archives: Penny Reid

Attraction by Penny Reid

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Elements of Chemistry: Attraction
Author: Penny Reid
Series: Hypothesis #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2015

Thoughts

I wasn’t sure how I’d like this story, since it starts with a girl hiding in a closet, overhearing a drugging and exploitation plot. And then you meet Martin, and it doesn’t necessarily get easier to spend some literary time with him. Although, because it’s Penny Reid, once Martin makes his appearance, you are unequivocally pulled in. I might still be a bit iffy on him after reading this novel, but I’m also completely pulled in – I NEED to find out just WHY he is such a royal dick.

Kaitlyn is a fantastic counterpoint to Martin. She’s incredibly sweet and reserved. And although not comfortable with the “Bunsen burner in her pants” (what a great description), she does seem quite comfortable with herself. That doesn’t mean there is an iota of self-confidence there, but there is comfort and like of oneself.

There is a warning with this story that it does end on a cliff-hanger, so I was expecting that. But the cliff-hanger that it ended on? Wow. I wasn’t expecting that. Or the emotional intensity. I should have expected that from one of my favourite authors. Let’s be honest here. It makes it incredibly difficult not to pick up the next boom immediately. I lasted less than 24 hours before diving into Heat…

I must admit, Sam is an absolutely amazing beat friend. She makes sure Kaitlyn is safe and cared for. She looks out for her and stands up for her. She is the kind of best friend that I think every woman deserves. She’s also willing to set aside her own prejudices so that Kaitlyn is able to experience her own life without a strong, independent, female best friend to cramp her style. The support but willingness to have someone make their own mistakes is just gorgeous.

<- More Penny ReidHeat ->

Image source: Amazon

Heat by Penny Reid

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Elements of Chemistry: Heat
Author: Penny Reid
Series: Hypothesis #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2015

Thoughts

Like Attraction, this novel had a pretty untended cliff-hanger. Unlike Attraction, it was kind of horrible. And heartbreaking. And I actually felt my heart break a little bit. I mean I know that Martin and Kaitlyn are going to end up together eventually because… well, romance novel. But it still hurt to read this, and there’s that bit you think is the sad, cliff-hanger ending… and then it just gets worse.

I’m not going to lie, Martin’s background is kind of tragic, and it does hurt your heart. But that really doesn’t excuse his assholery behaviour. And some of his behaviour is seriously not okay. I’m seriously hoping that in Capture all of his mistakes make him realise that maybe he needs to pull back on his damn attitude. Having said that, I still completely loved him. He’s that bad boy trope that you can’t help but love.

To be fair, Kaitlyn’s family isn’t all that great either. At least there’s love there, but it is somewhat neglectful. I don’t love how the inability to communicate causes the horrible badness that ends this story either. But, there’s already moments of Kaitlyn figuring out who she is, so hopefully that continues in Capture. Actually, I probably look forward to Kaitlyn coming into her own more than I look forward to her and Martin finding their way back to each other.

As much as the breakup in this story sucks, I’m 100% behind Kaitlyn’s decision. It’s hard to imagine the heartbreak that she goes through, but Martin breaks so many unwritten relationship rules, it’s hard not to understand why she does it.

<- AttractionCapture ->

Image source: Amazon

Totally Folked by Penny Reid

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Totally Folked
Author: Penny Reid
Series: Good Folk: Modern Folktales #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Even though Jackson is a bit of a douche from the moment you meet him in Beauty and the Mustache, I always found it kind of hard to dislike him. He definitely has his idiot quotient, but underneath, there’s always this sense of decency about him. That definitely shines through in Totally Folked. And shows me that I had reason to think good, happy thoughts about the man with his many appearances throughout the Winston Brothers series.

Aside from the romance, one of the things that stuck out the most to me was Jackson’s rationale for his approach to the Winston’s. In particular, there is a moment when he talks about Duane and his many, many speeding tickets. It’s kind of cool to see so much of that story and courtship from both sides. And yeah, I think that both sides had a lot of validity.

Reid also doesn’t shy away from the realities of being an emergency service worker and the horrors that they see. Something that I really appreciated. After all, sometimes being an emergency service worker is romanticised and glorified. It’s an amazing calling and I could wax poetic about the wonderful people who choose to pursue this, but it’s not all sunshine and roses. In fact, one of my favourite moments is when, towards the end of the book, Jackson finally admits that everything is not okay, and it was a sucky day.

Raquel and Jackson are a wonderful couple. And I love that when they both realise that this is REAL, they genuinely try to make compromises. It’s a fear I have for some people in my life, that that unwillingness to give a little will result in losing everything. Which, it almost does in this story, but, as with all good romances, it all ends up okay. With compromise!

<- Just Folking AroundFolk Around and Find Out ->

Image source: Amazon

Just Folking Around by Penny Reid

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Just Folking Around
Author: Penny Reid
Series: Good Folk: Modern Folktales #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I knew that Raquel and Jackson start out as a fling night, and then there’s the reception. But honestly, knew no more than that. Because you know, I like to avoid spoilers. I kind of thought that this fling moment would be hashed out in a short prologue that gives you the bare bones of the interactions. Instead, Reid granted us with this amazing novella that gives us SO MUCH MORE than I expected.

Rachel and Jackson are, indeed an incredibly cute couple. I love that Raquel is a little bit off kilter. Like most of us who are slightly odd, she is constantly censoring herself. I love how neurotic she is (kindred spirit much?) The constant censoring is way too familiar and incredibly sweet. But, I also love how she is able to release some of that control around Jackson.

This was a beautiful novella, one that I’m likely to read again and again. In part because I really loved the whole set chess thing. I might have to suggest this for my next date night…

<- More Penny ReidTotally Folked ->

Image source: Amazon

Live and Let Grow by Penny Reid

Book Review, ,
Overview
Live and Let Grow by Penny Reid

Title: Live and Let Grow
Author: Penny Reid
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 30th October 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: SmartyPants Romance
Year: 2021
5th sentence, 74th page: Yeah.

Synopsis

Alice is in love with her best friend.

Now all she has to do is tell him.

Best buds Milo Manganiello and Alice Hooper have been the one constant in each other’s lives for over fifteen years. The charismatic and compassionate physics professor was there when Alice got married, and he was there ten years later when she got divorced. Likewise, the candid and kind computer science professor has always been there for Milo. She babysits his apartment and plethora of houseplants when he’s traveling and they share breakfast together every day he’s in town.

Alice wasn’t always in love with Milo, but the feeling has grown, and when Milo returns from his latest globe-trotting adventure, Alice decides it’s time to spill the seeds. 88 Does Alice have the grit to confess? And will feelings take root? Or is hers a love destined never to bloom?

Thoughts

For such a short story. This was just too damn cute. I mean, two people who are completely in love with each other, not quite ready to let each other know. And just generally having a whole heap of misunderstandings that could lead to total tragedy.

Alice is such a quirky lead. I know how hard it is to tell the person you love of your feelings. But the multitude of ways that she’s tried to do this… just way too cute for words. Actually, I would have probably enjoyed it far more if the first scene of her attempt to tell Milo of her feelings continued. Her sister was a bit of a killjoy with the whole romance thing. And kind of strongly putting down poor Alice when she was “looking out for her”.

The part that I’m most jealous of in this story is the fact that Alice is able to keep plants alive! I mean, I’m sure I should be jealous of the amazing romance in this tale. But since I don’t tend to even be able to keep cacti alive… I’m mostly just incredibly jealous that Alice can.

This was a fantastic visit back into the world of Penny Reid’s mind and writing. It was a short read. But one that I loved and will read again and again and again.

<- More Penny ReidMore contemporary romance ->

Image source: Goodreads

Marriage and Murder by Penny Reid

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Marriage and Murder by Penny Reid

Title: Marriage and Murder
Author: Penny Reid
Series: Solving for Pie #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Cozy mystery
Dates read: 24th – 29th October 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: SmartyPants Romance
Year: 2021
5th sentence, 74th page: The lie.

Synopsis

The Devil is in the details…

Cletus Byron Winston wishes to marry Jennifer Anne Donner-Sylvester (aka The Banana Cake Queen) posthaste! He’s spent the last year wanting nothing more than for the celebrations to be brief, libations flowing, and BYOB (bring your own blueberries). His future mother-in-law has other plans, plans his intended has been willing to indulge, much to Cletus’s chagrin. Therefore, so must he. To a point. But truth be told, he wouldn’t mind if the meddlesome matriarch disappeared, at least until the nuptials are over.

On the night of Cletus and Jenn’s long-awaited engagement party, just when the surly schemer is of a mind to take matters into his own hands, a shocking events upends everyone’s best laid plans and sends the small hamlet of Green Valley into complete disarray. The final months leading up to Cletus and Jenn’s matrimonial bliss are plagued with chaos and uncertainty. Will Cletus and Jenn finally make it to the altar? Or will murder and mayhem derail their happily-ever-after?

And most importantly, who done it?

Thoughts

After the most enjoyable of moments in Engagement and Espionage, I couldn’t wait to pick up Marriage and Murder. Luckily, this was one of those times that I actually had it sitting on the shelf, ready to go. So, of course, I dived right in. And I most definitely was not disappointed. This was an amazing story. love the contemporary mystery feel. Loved the story line. And, as always, loved Cletus and Jenn.

This may make me a slightly bad person… but, personally I love the fact that Kip dies in this story. I mean, death is bad and all. But he is the kind of villain I most fear. The sort that is so deliriously self-righteous that you just… can’t even reason with them. Or bribe them. Or really in anyway do anything. And they’re also the type of person that I fear the most in the world. I mean, someone who has no logic and you can’t have an open, safe and frank conversation with? Yup. That’s scary. So in this story, I appreciated that he can no longer quite torture Jenn and Cletus. Once his murder is solved anyway.

I always love a good mystery in which you can’t quite guess what / who the guilty party is. The facts of this get more and more blurred as there are potentially two different murder methods / villains. I loved trying to piece together all of the bits and pieces as Cletus and Jenn rush to try and do the same thing. I mean, I would love this story just because of the amazing lead couple. But the fact that there is a mystery I spent the whole time trying to piece together? Completely priceless.

This is most definitely one of my favourite books to have read recently. Again, mostly because, well, Cletus and Jenn are awesome. They’re fun and quirky, they’re completely unique and they just leave me with a huge smile on my face from the very beginning. Definitely an impossible couple to forget. And not one that I would want to. I’m so glad that this story ends in their marriage. Now I get to find out about the next part of their relationship when I save up the money to buy Home and Heist.

<- Engagement and EspionageHome and Heist ->

Image source: Goodreads

Engagement and Espionage by Penny Reid

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Engagement and Espionage by Penny Reid

Title: Engagement and Espionage
Author: Penny Reid
Series: Solving for Pie #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Cozy mystery
Dates read: 22nd – 24th October 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: SmartyPants Romance
Year: 2020
5th sentence, 74th page: What am I going to do about those cows?

Synopsis

Jennifer Sylvester made her deal with the devil… and now they’re engaged!

But all is not well in Green Valley. A chicken choker is on the loose, 61 dead birds most “fowl” need plucking, and no time remains for Jennifer and her devilish fiancé. Desperate to find a spare moment together, Jenn and Cletus’s attempts to reconnect are thwarted by one seemingly coincidental disaster after another. It’s not long before Cletus and Jenn see a pattern emerge and the truth becomes clear.

Sabotage!

Will an undercover missions unmask the culprit? Or are these love-birds totally plucked?

Thoughts

I already know that Penny Reid can write an amazing romance and a wonderful story. Plus, I did fall stupid in love with Cletus and Jenn in Beard Science. But, I was a little intrigued as to whether she could write a decent cozy mystery or not. It turns out, she can. And, like everything else I have read by her. It’s brilliant. And fun. And just all around a really good read.

I love that throughout this story, there is not only the question of who is out to get Jenn, but how Cletus is going to propose. I love that he is sweet enough to have multiple rings and to want to try again and again to get the exact right proposal. He’s incredibly dense, but also completely adorable. A nice balance in my opinion. I mean, I don’t know many people who aren’t kind of dense in at least one area. And the fact that for Cletus, it’s how relationships work… loved it.

One of the hardest things I’ve found about being in a relationship is trying to juggle everything when things get a little hectic. I know that my partner is always in my corner, but I also know that I need to make the time and space to show him that I’m also in his corner. I love that Cletus and Jenn very much go through this. They are madly in love and completely understanding of one another, but they’re not quite meshing completely throughout this story. Something that, realistically, I think most relationships go through at some point.

Jenn and her mother have a contentious and difficult relationship from the very moment that you meet them. I like that Reid acknowledges this and works towards finding a more satisfactory way to live with one another. It’s a difficult line to walk and I found the way that they try and negotiate this to be absolutely brilliant. It’s a reminder that no one is perfect, and all relationships need work – particularly those that have been dysfunctional for far too long.

There are a number of cute moments throughout this, but the part that, of course takes my attention the most – the battle that Jenn and Cletus face. The way that they are racing against the clock to try and figure out who, exactly, is trying to sabotage them. The relationships and the negotiation of their worlds’ just makes this all that much better. And, of course so much harder to put down.

<- More Penny ReidMarriage and Murder ->

Image source: Goodreads

A Beardy Bonus by Penny Reid

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
A Beardy Bonus, Bonus & deleted scenes from the Winston Brothers series by Penny Reid | 9781942874652 | Booktopia

Title: A Beardy Bonus
Author: Penny Reid
Series: Winston Brothers Companion
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 22nd October 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Collection
Publisher: SmartyPants Romance
Year: 2020
5th sentence, 74th page: Time.

Synopsis

Beards and bonus scenes, oh my!

All the Winston Brothers bonus scenes and deleted excerpts all in one place!

Thoughts

After the emotional intensity of Beard Necessities, this was a great way to come down and just flow out of the Winston Brothers series. It’s not intense, but it is enjoyable and easy.

The short stories in this collection are just fun. There’s not anything huge or life shattering in it. And you’d be more than filled in on the Winston Brothers if you didn’t read this. But, as I mentioned, it is a bit more of a mellow finish than Beard Necessities provides. But you kind of expect that with Billy and Scarlet as leads in that.

Like the Knitting in the City collection, I didn’t love Beardy Bonus like like did the rest of the series. That’s not to say anything bad about it… I just didn’t quite NEED this in my life as much.

Overall this is a fun, easy and engaging story that had me smiling and giggling as I got to revisit some favourites.

<- Beard NecessitiesMore Penny Reid ->

Image source: Booktopia

Beard Necessities by Penny Reid

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Beard Necessities (Winston Brothers, #7) by Penny Reid

Title: Beard Necessities
Author: Penny Reid
Series: Winston Brothers #7
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 22nd October 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: SmartyPants Romance
Year: 2019
5th sentence, 74th page: “Then why are you drunk?”

Synopsis

Beards, brothers, and bears! Oh my!

Billy Winston’s family is going to see him happy and in love if it’s the last thing they do.

No one deserves happily-ever-after quite as much as the second oldest Winston brother and his lady love, Claire McClure (aka Scarlet St. Claire). Cruelty and circumstance tore them apart almost twenty years ago. Secrecy and bitterness kept them separated.

But you know who’s tired of their separation and stubbornness? Everyone. Especially billy Winston’s family. And now they’re going to do something about it.

Well-meaning interference means the star-crossed lovers can’t stop tripping over each other in the hills of Tuscany, the catacombs of Rome, and the waterways of Venice. Billy and Claire find themselves thrown together and at the mercy of the Winston siblings’ shenanigans.

But will their forced proximity bring them together? Or push them even further apart?

Thoughts

It’s taken me a while to get to this story. I’ve been attached to the idea of Scarlet and Billy from fairly early on in my reading of this series. But, it’s taken this long to actually get to this book. Partly because I obviously read all of the other books in this series first. But, mostly because I knew that they had the most tragic of backstories. And sometimes I really struggle with the sad backstories. They’re just so… sad.

Having said that, I did get the worst of the “sadness” over during my reading through of Beard in Mind. But I was worried about how long Reid was going to prolong the pain. I mean we’re talking a love story that is decades in the making and filled with lots of tragedy. I was still feeling tentative reading this. Luckily, it was NO where near as painful as I was expecting.

In fact, Scarlet seems to jump on board with the whole plan fairly quickly. And she’s able to stick with Billy as all of the secrets of the oast unravel. Don’t get me wrong, she’s no dishrag – she most definitely gives him what for when she finds out what he’s been keeping secret. But, her willingness to finally get over her crap and finally try made the hard parts so much more pleasant.

I loved the plotting and scheming of the Winston family throughout this. Surprisingly, nothing hugely backfired on them. And it filled this story with many, many beautiful, lighthearted moments. Finally, the epilogue helped to tie in all of the Winston family’s happily ever afters. Leaving me feeling grateful and at peace. Now onto the next series in my Penny Reid pile…

<- Beard with MeA Beardy Bonus ->

Image source: Goodreads

Beard with Me by Penny Reid

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Beard with Me (Winston Brothers, #6) by Penny Reid

Title: Beard with Me
Author: Penny Reid
Series: Winston Brothers #6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 19th – 21st October 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: SmartyPants Romance
Year: 2019
5th sentence, 74th page: How’re we going to pay for all this stuff?

Synopsis

Beards, brothers, and bears! Oh my!

‘Beard With Me’ is the origin story of Billy Winston and Scarlet St. Claire (aka Claire McClure) and is just the beginning of their epic love story.

No one is better at surviving than Scarlet St. Claire and making the best out of circumstances beyond her control is Scarlet’s speciality. In an apocalyptic situation, she’d be the last person on earth, hermitting like a pro, singing along to her CD Walkman, and dancing like no one is watching.

Scarlet is clever, Scarlet is careful, and Scarlet is smart… except when it comes to Billy Winston.

No one is better at fighting than Billy Winston and raging against his circumstances – because nothing is beyond his control – is Billy’s speciality. In an apocalyptic situation, he’d be the first person on earth to lead others to safety, overcome catastrophe, or die trying.

Billy is fearless, Billy is disciplined, and Billy is honorable… except when it comes to Scarlet St. Claire

Thoughts

I have been putting off reading this book for ages. I knew that it was going to be sad and heartwrenching. And that it was probably going to make me cry. Turns out, it wasn’t ANYWHERE near as bad as I expected. It wasn’t happy, and I still cries. But less tears than expected.

One of the reasons I think this destroyed my heart a little less than expected was probably the fact that I had Beard Necessities ready to go. Knowing that regardless of how sad I found this, the part ending was RIGHT THERE most definitely helped. But, more than that it was Scarlet. She was able to take hold of all this horribleness and be filled with joy. And humour. I seriously loved all of her jokes.

That’s not to say that there wasn’t tragedy and Scarlet was always happy in this. She had so many battles to face. And at fourteen. Then, considering what else she faces after the conclusion of this story. Seriously tragic. Not to mention Billy. I think it was Billy’s ending that completely destroyed my self control. To love someone that truly and deeply… I’m not sure I can even fathom it.

Yes, this story was less soul destroying than I had expected. But it was still completely heart wrenching. It was the kind of story that helped me to completely invest in the couple (even though I WAS already invested). And it is obvious that it was very much needed. But wow. Make sure you have tissues handy.

<- Dr. Strange BeardBeard Necessities ->

Image source: Goodreads