Tag Archives: Serena Bell

Wilder With You by Serena Bell

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Wilder With You
Author: Serena Bell
Series: Wilder Adventures #3
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: 2022

Thoughts

I’m absolutely loving Serena Bell and the Wilder brothers. But I did find Jessa and Clark’s to be a little bit sad. I mean, it’s one thing to have hang ups from.past relationships, everyone does. But Clark’s hangup being that his wife died? And then finding out how it happened? It was REALLY extra sad as far as I was concerned.

Jessa’s ex is an absolute douche nugget, and I love how everyone else is just immediately against him. Plus, he’s a great catalyst for the fake dating trope that ends in a little bit of heartbreak. And the one tent. And just all of the happy, fun feelings that this story imparted on me.

Like all good romances, there comes that final hurdle at the end of this that needs to be overcome. I love that for Jessa and Clark, they both are at fault for the breakdown. And they both realise their mistakes before it is too late. Plus, they enjoy gathering around their family and the Wilder siblings definitely help Clark realise his own foolishness.

Alongside this gorgeous romance is the setting of Wilder Adventures. I love that Clark and Jessa originally connect camping in the wilderness. And the many ways in which the Wilder brothers have had to make the wilderness a whole lot more accessible. This is definitely one of those books I’ll be rereading for a sweet comfort read.

<- Walk on the Wilder SideA Little Wilder ->

Image source: Goodreads

Make Me Wilder by Serena Bell

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Make Me Wilder
Author: Serena Bell
Series: Wilder Adventures #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: 2021

Thoughts

Gabe and Lucy, like all of the couples in Bell’s books were really cute and sweet. I love that they both find it really hard to trust (for different reasons) and are a little removed from everyone else. I know quite a few people like this, and it’s a fun adventure to go on with them both learning to open up and trust others again. Not just each other, but their families and loved ones. Lucy in particular is a pleasure to watch actually except friendships and a life beyond the closed off one she’s been living.

This has one of the more sweet Meet Cutes that I’ve read recently – I mean, it’s a couple meeting in the rain and rescuing ducklings together. How is that not ridiculously adorable and sweet? I also love that there’s the instant attraction which then leads them straight to a date of sorts. Which, because this is a contemporary romance novel, is immediately unravelled by the fact that she’s consulting on his company. Against his wishes. This adds that perfect amount of antagonism that doesn’t ensure their happily ever after, but not enough to truly threaten it.

Wilder Adventures is a really cool business idea, and definitely something that I’d personally have an interest in. But, I loved how Lucy encourages the Wilders to actually expand on their business. It was fun reading about a company and experience that I would love to go on, but wouldn’t actually book because I’d be worried about inaccessibility and sexism. Lucy’s view was kind of brilliant at removing that issue. It also perfectly opens up the rest of the series to the remaining brothers. And seeing how they are going to adjust to all of the changes as they find the women that they get their happily ever after.

Make Me Wilder is a great contemporary romance. I mean, it’s a small town romance with rugged mountain men as the male leads. Add to that that Bell writes positive female friendships that don’t pit women against each other. Yes please! Sign me up for more!

<- More Serena BellWalk on the Wilder Side ->

Image source: Goodreads

Hot Under the Collar by Serena Bell

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Hot Under the Collar
Author: Serena Bell
Series: Hott Springs Eternal #1.5
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Small town romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

Reggie and Ford are a really nice couple, and a great way to introduce me to the world of Hott Springs Eternal, and even the Wilder Adventures series. Both of which I’m now going to dive right into and just… inhale. I mean, Reggie and Ford were just too damn cute, and they were a little bit older too. I enjoy my young adult stories, but sometimes I just need something that is a little bit more mature. With more mature couples who have experienced life.

I love that Reggie and Ford manage to go on their first date… because Reggie bought a puppy. And accidentally also purchased a date with a hot firefighter. The fact that his grandmother kind of orchestrated it all just made me laugh all that much harder. I mean, she is totally the kind of older woman that I want to be when I grow up. I’m sure that most people would read this short story and dream about the hot firefighter, band I totally did. But I also just love Nan all around. I’m looking forward to her popping up more and more in the rest of the Hott Springs Eternal and Wilder Adventures series.

I really enjoyed all of this little romance, but I must admit, the part that I enjoyed the most of it all was the Meet Cute. I mean, Reggie manages to set her house a little bit on fire. And when the sexy firefighter Ford gets there, he sees evidence of her self love and, you know, penis candles. Its definitely not the desired outcome of spending time by yourself. But it was definitely a Meet Cute that had me laughing out loud, to the surprise of my little family…

<- Hott ShotLady and the Scamp ->

Image source: Goodreads

Hott Shot by Serena Bell

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Hott Shot
Author: Serena Bell
Series: Hott Springs Eternal #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: 2023

Thoughts

Hot Under the Collar introduced me to Quinn and Sonya as a couple. Then I realised that I had their story on my shelves. And wow, was I excited! I mean, they seemed like fun secondary characters, but finding out about their romance and falling for one another… this was so damn cute and fun. It’s also a fun start to a whole new series, one that I’m itching for the next one to come out!

The idea of a guy who is tied completely into his scientific endeavours having to work at a beauty salon was a great premise to begin with. Then, there was the actual reality of this – it shows that a lot of our misconceptions about who and what we are are often wrong. It also showed that Quinn didn’t need to conform to Sonya’s idea of kindness and welcoming – he was able to fumble his way to his own style and confidence. One that worked beautifully and highlighted that we are all kind in our own ways. Plus, it was a nice way to dispel that whole stereotypical myth that nerds can’t socialise. We can! But I’m an introvert, and sometimes I just don’t want to.

Sonya only contrasts Quinn superficially. I mean, on the outside, a scientist and a beautician don’t necessarily work, but like with many people, that difference is only skin deep. They are both fiercely independent individuals who strive to make their own way in life. However, I particularly loved how Sonya’s independence acted to her own detriment – she is incredibly strong, but we all need help sometimes. And I loved that the moment when she finally realises that she can ask for help was kind of hilarious. It was definitely one of the most memorable scenes of the book.

The catalyst for this series is the fact that Quinn’s grandfather dies, and, being a bit of an asshole, decides to leave his grandchildren with a challenge each. I absolutely loved this premise. Yeah, it doesn’t reflect nicely upon the old man, but I also like to think that he’s actually doing it to benefit his grandchildren. And, it sets up the rest of this series brilliantly, so now I’m excited to see what happens with the next brother in line for a not-so-grandfatherly challenge.

<- More Serena BellHot Under the Collar ->

Image source: Amazon

Chasing Holiday Tail by miscellaneous

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Overview

Title: Chasing Holiday Tail
Author: Amy Award, Serena Bell, Kilby Blades, Kameron Claire, Dylann Crush, Hope Ellis, Christina Hovland, Melonie Johnson, Tawdra Kandle, Stina Lindenblatt, MK Meredith, Tracey Pedersen, Arell Rivers, Brenda St John Brown & Sylvie Stewart
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance, Short story collections
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology, eBook
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This might not have been my absolute favourite anthology, but it was still one that I enjoyed. I think most of my lack of serious love came from the fact that I loved the idea of a Christmas, animal anthology. But it wasn’t all that Christmassy. One of those moments, that expectations destroyed some of the enjoyment, because I just didn’t get the Christmas feel from these stories. But, they were still enjoyable.

The main theme that threads through every single one of these short stories is the idea of adoption and charity drives. Which makes sense since this is a charity anthology. All of the fifteen stories take place at Christmas, but they are heavily focused around the animal charities that are talked about. And, often, the animal adoption drives that are being organised. They are actually a lot of fun and reminded me to look at adopting when I next add a fur baby to the family.

I enjoyed all of the stories in this collection, although I did find some just a little bit forgettable. My favourite aspect of this anthology though was all of the very many dogs. I mean, they completely steal the show and are just too damn cute throughout. It still might not be an anthology that I will read again in the future, but it was one that was well worth the money I spent.

<- In Rover My HeadBear Naked with the Bearded Baller ->

Image source: Goodreads

Do Over by Serena Bell

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Do Over
Author: Serena Bell
Series: Under One Roof #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: 2018

Thoughts

I’m not going to lie, I spent this whole book trying to figure out just HOW Jack and Mandy went wrong. I mean, they’re adorable together from the very first moment. And you can just feel the connection that they have. So, of course, you have to figure out just WHY they need a Do Over (see what I did there). And, I’m not going to lie, Bell just doesn’t disappoint when the big reveal happens.

I thoroughly enjoyed how not just Mandy and Jack’s past as a couple, but also the years of companionship that they have, is slowly drizzled out throughout this story. The fact that they have a gorgeous four year old stealing the show and tying everyone in knots. It just makes it Al, that much better. There is history upon history with this couple, stuff that gives so much context to the difficulties that they face now.

Bell is one of those authors that I picked up on the suggestion of another well loved author (I can’t remember which one though). And there were literally zero regrets. Her writing has just the right amount of drama and sass, but it is still just so damn sweet. Jack is definitely a hit of a scarred fool, and when you finally understand just what went wrong… you just want to reach through the pages and give everyone a hug.

I loved the romance in this story, I loved the characters and the plot line. But I think the thing that had the most meaning for me was the way Jack’s attitude to parenthood changed. At first he’s a bit of a bumbling fool, but then he starts to get into the swing of things. And, finally, he genuinely would rather be a family man at home than one put with his mates – that’s what seriously melted my heart at the end.

<- More Serena BellHead Over Heels ->

Image source: Goodreads