Tag Archives: Sarina Bowen

Overnight Sensation by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Overnight Sensation
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn Bruisers #6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I love that even the name Castro implies a bit of a womaniser / ladies’ man. But, as his story unfolds, and you begin to understand just why he is not really interested in a relationship, it becomes a little less light and funny. Yet, there are still many heart lifting moments throughout this romance, that even with the sad backstory, you’ll still have a smile on your lips throughout the majority of this story.

One of my pet peeves throughout the romance tropes and frustrations is when a character makes decisions for another person. In this case, when Castro just decides for Heidi that she shouldn’t put up with his drama, past, and nonsense. I love that Castro’s friends actually call him on this and remind him that it’s actually not a unilateral decision. There are always two people in a relationship, so they both should have a damn say in how that relationship takes sense.

At the beginning of Brooklynaire, I found Heidi a wee bit too chipper. Probably because that was Bec’s original impression, and it’s written in her point of view. Yet, from the moment she enters the storyline in Overnight Sensation, I was kind of in love. The chipper, bubbly front isn’t everything that she is, although, she is still one of the most optimistic characters I’ve read in a long time.

I love that while Castro is working through his emotions and past, Heidi is going through her own dramas and challenges. And, regardless of what her father and the universe throw at her, she manages to come out on top. She is constantly having some serious obstacles to overcome, and yet she finds a way to not just deal with it, bit to thrive. In fact, I was so damn proud of how much Heidi thrives throughout this tale that I was kind of disappointed attending. I wanted an epic showdown and a reclaiming of independence with her father, instead it was very anticlimactic. But still good enough to read again and again.

<- BountifulSuperfan ->

Image source: Goodreads

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Speakeasy by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Speakeasy
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #5
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: 2018

Thoughts

This was always going to be a great romance and a wonderful story.  Because Sarina Bowen. What I especially loved about it though was that it showed how the Speakeasy came to be. Which then has its own wonderful spin-off series. Plus, it starts to tie in a bit tighter lot of threads that were kind of flapping I. The wind. Namely, the Rossi family and the Shipleys. Definitely a book that I loved reading and just drifted off into a happy world with for a while.

Alec’s anger at the Shirley’s, and Griffin in particular, is palpable all the way through the series up to this point. But particularly in Bountiful. I like that his romance with May has to make him pause and think things through a little bit better. Not just for her, but his own business sense. Plus, it seems that he also finally starts to find a way to have a relationship with Zara’s husband too. Both of which were very much needed moments in the overarching world, but Alec’s personal growth too.

May and Alec make a fantastic couple. I could honestly wax on about both of them individually enough to write a whole review, but as a couple. They will just melt your heart. I love that they are simply supportive of one another and there for one another. The idea that they begin with no expectations of each other, and it develops beyond friendship into something more is beautiful. And honestly just made me get all the happy feelings more and more for this fantastic couple.

For all of the things I love about this contemporary romance, it’s how Alec allows May to grow that I love the most. She has different issues and hang-ups from early on in the series. And you can understand why her family tries to Molly coddle and protect her. But it’s Alec who acknowledges that she can literally deal with anything. Her past issues with mental health make her strong, not weak. He reminds her family of that, and that to have a healthy relationship with this phenomenal woman, they need to acknowledge that strength. The kind of partner (whether man or woman) that I think we all kind of want. At least, it’s what I love in my partner…

<- BountifulFireworks ->

Image source: Goodreads

Bountiful by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Bountiful
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #4, Brooklyn Bruisers #5
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: 2017

Thoughts

As soon as I met Zara in Bittersweet, I knew that she was a character that I was going to love. The fact that I’ve also been reading the Brooklyn Bruisers series and that this book dovetails nicely into that… I have been incredibly keen to read this story. Zara was just as tough and prickly as I had hoped, her romantic counterpart a soft squishy mess of a man.

One of my favourite things about this story was the fact that although Zara becomes a lot her, she doesn’t suddenly become all soft and squishy. She doesn’t lose her sense of self. Alright, she does soften out some of her edges (as we all should), but she’s still pretty prickly and tough. I’m a new mother, and although I’ve mellowed in many ways, I’m still the tough, pain in the arse I was before getting pregnant.

I’ve read a few romances with the secret child suddenly found trope (I’m sure there’s a shorter way to say this, but anyway). But this is the first one that the whole secret child aspect wasn’t actually a decision. Rather, Zara does everything she can to find Dave. It’s just accident and happenstance that makes for the calamities that lead to Dave missing out on the beginnings of his child’s life. In fact, I loved how there was no real bad feelings throughout any of their relationship. Rather the hurdles to overcome were about trust and actually finding one another again.

Bountiful is ridiculously sweet and cute. Although, to distract a little from the cuteness is all of the steamy set. I mean, wow, does Bowen know how to write a scene that will make a girl’s toes curl. Zara and Dave’s chemistry just roars off the page and left me smiling very, very happily. Yet again, I can’t wait to dive into the next books in these two-overlapping series.

<- KeepsakeSpeakeasy ->

Image source: Amazon

Keepsake by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Keepsake
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #3
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: 2016

Thoughts

Zach is just a little bit too cute from his first introduction in Bittersweet. And there is a whole lot of mystery around his cult upbringing. Keepsake provides so many answers to the multitude of questions that I have. And, he is just ridiculously adorable, so I fell in love with every page I turned. Then there’s Lark, she is just as adorable and sweet. Although with a totally different and unexpected mountain of challenges to overcome.

Whilst Zach’s backstory isn’t love and puppies, Lark’s is ridiculously hard. You know from the start that it’s going to be a difficult backstory. But as things unfold and you realise how messed up her issues are… your heart will break a little. What I love though is how she is strong enough to overcome. And how Zach is happy to not only stand by her sides help her, but also to STEP BACK and let her help herself.

Although for me, it is Lark’s tale that pulled at all of the heartstrings, Zach’s background is also ridiculously heebie jeebie like. I do like that the more you got to know about his past, the more different characters are pulled into the universe. Chastity is going to be a great character to get to know, and I’m sure her story is going to be just as intense with the cult background as Zach’s.

This was a truly beautiful contemporary romance that dealt wonderfully with PTSD and the mind. Its a reminder that whilst we need people in our lives to support us, we also need to be able to stand on our own two feet. Keepsake also touches on Zara’s pregnancy and child and how that is about to unspool. And May’s issues with alcoholism. Both of which are stories that I now can’t wait to sink my teeth into…

<- SteadfastBountiful ->

Image source: Goodreads

Brooklynaire by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Brooklynaire
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn Bruisers #4
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: 2018

Thoughts

Ever since the hints of Becca and Nate’s potential relationship in Rookie Move, I’ve been hanging for Brooklynaire. I mean, who wouldn’t, they’re both kind of brilliant. And wow, this story DID NOT disappoint. It had all of the drama and fun that made me want to keep reading. With all of the sweetness and emotional cuddles that I’ve come to associate with Sarina Bowen.

I love that throughout this story, Becca’s biggest concern is how people will perceive her. It’s a good (and recurring) point – women tend to be judged a whole lot more harshly than men. Particularly when Becca is an assistant and already feels lime her job is on thin ice. I also enjoyed how Nate tried really hard to help ameliorate her concerns. It entertainingly backfired multiple times, but it was nice that he tried.

Brooklynaire also provides some great insights into the past of Becca, Nate and KTech. Another hint of a history to the Brooklyn Bruisers that I really wanted. Bowen did a brilliant job of flicking between past and present. Tying in all of the hints and moments that created such a beautiful romance. I was honestly kind of flabbergasted by Juliet’s betrayal in the past though. And although it was definitely a fairly poetic ending to her story, it was kind of heartbreaking.

This is an amazing story all on its own. But it was far more enjoyable when read immediately after Pipe Dreams. Both stories feature a lot of flashbacks to the past of both relationships. Plus, they are stories that are told in tandem with one another. So by reading them immediately following each other, you get to see how all of the little bits and pieces fit together.

<- Pipe DreamsOvernight Sensation ->

Image source: Amazon

Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Pipe Dreams
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn Bruisers #3
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: 2017

Thoughts

I’ve been intrigued by this since there were hints of Mike’s romantic past in Rookie Move. And then, there’s all of those hints about WHY alien is such an ice queen throughout Hard Hitter. I mean, it’s a pretty intense history that these two share once you start to find out the bits and pieces of it. It’s pretty heartbreaking too in moments. Hard to see any bad guys, just a whole lot of tragedy. But luckily, this is all beautiful with a happy ending.

For all of the tragedy that gets highlighted in their past (much of it based on miscommunications in the past, but I digress). I do love how Lauren and Mike are able to reconnect throughout this story. They both have some kind of silky hang-ups, but they work through them to a better future. Plus there’s the added complications of Mike’s family, and how they react. Also worked through beautifully.

Although I don’t think there are really any bad guys in this romance, I must admit that Shelly’s letters were pretty heartbreaking. They were a perfect plot piece to move the forgiveness forwards, but still pretty damn heartbreaking. Partly I think it was the whole writing to your daughter on your deathbed that did it for me, but also just the content and context. I can’t even fathom the difficulty and emotional turmoil of both of them in writing this.

Pipe Dreams is beautiful and a romance that comes with premade family. It’s definitely a second chance romance that focuses on moving forward in life and forgiving the past. But it also happens consecutively with Brooklynaire. Another Brooklyn Bruisers book I’ve been hanging to read. I love how this all dovetailed and look forward to diving in again.

<- Hard HitterBrooklynaire ->

Image source: Amazon

Roommate by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Roommate
Author: Sarina Bowen
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, LGBTQI
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Since their mentions in Sweetheart, Kieran and Roderick are just too damn cute a couple. Which, of course means that I’ve been hanging to read their romance. Plus, Kieran is such a sweet and quiet boy in all of his appearances throughout the True North series. It made me want to get to know him more. Which, as seems to be the case with Sarina Bowen stories, didn’t disappoint.

Although throughout this Kieran is discovering and acknowledging his sexuality, it’s not really the point of conflict throughout. I love that his being gay really isn’t treated as anything, well, at all in his internal dialogue. Rather, it is all of the family conflicts and his sense of self within the Shipley clan that is the main driving point of contention throughout. It’s nice to have an LGBTQI+ story that doesn’t really make any kind of deal about accepting one’s sexuality.

Then there’s Roderick. He’s a great counterpoint to Kieran’s quiet reticence. He is bubbly and cheerful. And accepting of his own crap. Accepting to the point that he is so self-aware he almost self-sabotages. Again, the point of intention doesn’t come from his crappy family or anything like that, but from his self-awareness and sense of self. For Roderick, this fact is that he worries that he throws too much of himself into a relationship.

I love that although there is initially a little resistance between these two gorgeous hunks, once they’re together, it’s the journey of self-awareness that drive the story’s conflict. Yes, other people come into this, but it’s a bit of a tangential influence. Mostly, the two figure out how to work through their own nonsense and make it work in a relationship together. Definitely a story too cute for words.

<- More Sarina BowenTop Secret ->

Image source: Goodreads

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

Steadfast by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Steadfast
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #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: 2016

Thoughts

From the moment he appears in Bittersweet, Jude’s backstory is intriguing. You get the bare bones in the first True North book, but everything is so much more tragic when you find out the intimate details. And then there’s Sophie, her story is just as tragic and honestly hurt my heart even more. Combined, their tales are kind of horrible. Yet, this was still an incredibly sweet and heart-warming romance.

There was something incredibly settling about this romance. It was very grounding and beautiful, even as Sophie and Judd find ways to fix up the mistakes of the past. I like how you slowly find out more and more information about Judd crime as the book progresses. And you slowly realise that not everything adds up. Which adds this incredible layer of “I can’t put this down” to an already wonderful story.

Bowen went kind of dark in this story, dealing with addiction, corruption, and abuse. But the unwavering nature of Sophie’s love manages to provide a lightness to the tale that would otherwise not be there. I loved how Bowen was able to balance the emotions so beautifully in this. Plus, Sophie is just so damn loyal that I fell more and more in love with her with every page turned.

Steadfast was such a beautiful tale. I freaking adored Sophie and Jude. The, there was the whole conspiracy that sat behind their reconnection. It was horrifying and made everything feel more tragic because there was so much time wasted. But ultimately it was beautiful, sweet and just too damn adorable. Definitely making True North one of my newest favourite series.

<- BittersweetKeepsake ->

Image source: Amazon

Bittersweet by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Bittersweet
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #1
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: 2016

Thoughts

The title of this novella is surprisingly well suited. There are many moments of bittersweet moments throughout, and moments of “almost” that had you leaning forward in your seat. But mostly, you have Griff (bitter) and Audrey (sweet). Rather than being a story with a great Meet Cute, this was one where the lead couple have a past. Those first getting to know you moments where still there, but with a lot more sexualising tension than other tales.

Vermont is such a stunning backdrop to this romance. It felt like the turning of the seasons and long drives down winding roads. I love when the setting to a story feels like a whole extra character, it just gives you a whole other dimension to love. Plus, how could two people not fall in love in such a glorious, small-town setting?

Living in rural Australia, the whole farm-to-table idea is fairly familiar. We have a lot of local restaurants and producers who emphasise the locality of their products. It’s not something that I’ve seen much in the stories I read though. I got pretty swept away by the food mentioned throughout this to be honest. I’m an absolute sucker for tales which involve yummy, yummy food peppered throughout. Contrasting this feeling of homeliness and comfort and locality, was the evil corporate bastards. I mean, they did good in that they are the vessel for reconnection between Audrey and Griff, but still… evil corporate bastards.

This whole story was absolutely beautiful, and as with all romances, there is that strong moment of “oh no” when everything unravels. Luckily, Griff isn’t too epically moronic when things go wrong. I mean, I was expecting the angst to be stretched out, and was incredibly grateful when it wasn’t. Sometimes it’s nice to have a good, simple read with a wonderful, happy ending.

<- More Sarina BowenSteadfast ->

Image source: Goodreads