BOOK REVIEW: Afterglow (Busy Bean #10) by Aria Wyatt

September 17, 2021 / Arielle / 0 Comments

Afterglow (Busy Bean #10)
by Aria Wyatt
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
I’m a numbers girl.

Or at least I thought I was, until my formula fell apart. Back home in Vermont, with my dream on hiatus, I’m working at the Busy Bean and taking online classes. As long as I keep my focus, I’ll be back in New York City next semester. Hopefully.

When Declan O’Shaughnessy storms into the café, all muscles and tattoos, wielding his sexy Irish brogue like a weapon, the only equation I can solve is one that lands me in his bed. Even more dangerous, is my growing affection for his cherub-faced little boy.

But Declan has complications of his own. He’s cagey, but I’ll win him over.

Yeah, about that focus… mine is all on him. Can we have a harmless fling without getting hurt?

Review

“You good with a tongue bath?”
Wait, what? I stop short and blink a few times. “Excuse me?”
“Jaysus.” He claps a hand to his forehead. “Moira. She’ll probably lick you to death.” His cheeks and neck flush deep crimson as I burst out laughing.

OKAYYY I 100% KNEW going into this that Declan was Irish. Yes. I did know that. BUT WHAT I DIDN’T KNOW was that he was going to exceed each and every one of my expectations as being one of the sexiest characters I’ve EVER READ ABOUT IN ALL OF MY LIFE. His dirty talk–unparalleled. I wanted to add a few quotes but nahhh I think I’ll let you all read them in real time. His dominance in the bedroom–perfect level. LOL In all seriousness though, it was a beautiful thing to see him come alive once Solana came into this life. Sure, he had been living his life just fine before she came along, but after the first time he saw her at the Bean, he lit UP. She was the perfect amount of sunshine to help him grow in a better person, a better partner, and possibly even better father (though he was doing his damn best already).

He suddenly pulls back. Gasping, he drags both hands through his sopping wet hair. “We should stop before I lose my fuckin’ mind.”
“We can’t stop.” I’m breathing just as hard, drenched in every sense of the word. “I need you to help me lose my mind.”

That five stars though, isn’t just because Declan is the sexiest man in the entire world (fictional or not). No, it’s so much more than that. This book hit me in the feels on so many different levels. I loved that while Solana (I ALSO LOVE HER TO DEATH) is a literal ray of sunshine, she also has some deep depths of darkness to walk through. The amount of pain and tragedy that she’s already been through in her young life and the fact that she can still be the beautifully kind person that she is, really speaks to her character.

That’s what made the two of them together so special. The two had such explosive chemistry, Solana helped Declan be a better person, Declan protected and cared and LISTENED to Solana, the two eventually spill their guts to one another and fight for one another. They just fit so perfectly.

Honestly you guys, I’m just going to say it. This is my TOP, TOP favorite book in ALL of The World of True North series. I just really am going to need everyone to run and go read the entire series BUT ESPECIALLY this one. I could honestly gush all day. There is not a single part of this book that I didn’t like and you better believe that once there is an audio of this I will be SPRINTING to buy it so I can listen to Declan’s sexy Irish brogue in my ear holes. *shivers*

Huge thanks to Heart Eyes Press for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!♥

BOOK REVIEW: Footnote (Busy Bean #9) by Alexa Gregory

September 16, 2021 / Arielle / 1 Comment

Footnote (Busy Bean #9)
by Alexa Gregory
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
A moving second-chance romance where hope can turn history into a footnote.

Sasha Covey needs a rewrite. Or a really big eraser. Her past doesn’t belong in the life she’s trying to rebuild. Her future—and her recovery—depend on a fresh start. Moving to Colebury seems like the perfect test until Penley Brooks waltzes into the Busy Bean. The handsome veterinarian is just as charming as when she fell for him a decade ago. Memories come flooding back, and their connection is as potent as ever.

Trouble is, Sasha has good reason to keep her distance. Her recovery is still new, and the single dad has wounds of his own. After years of being an afterthought, Penley’s goals are finally within reach. As much as she aches to reconnect, Sasha won’t stand in the way of his dreams.

Somehow, that all melts away whenever she’s with Penley. Together, dreaming is a little easier.

But dreams don’t always survive in the real world. Not when the past comes knocking.

Footnote is a standalone small-town romance set in the World of True North.

Review

I always love a good second chance romance, especially when the couple knew each other and had a deep connection when they were younger. At the very beginning of this book, we catch a glimpse of young Penley and Sasha. His dad was dating her mom and they lived together for a short period of time. It was clear that the two had a strong bond, especially when Penley opted to stay in with Sasha to watch movies instead of attending a Halloween party with his girlfriend.

Flash forward a bunch of years and Sasha deferred a year of school to deal with some health issues, (she has dealt with bulimia for some time) is now in recovery and living back in Colebury with her mom and another Step, and working at Busy Bean. As luck and a slight change in routine would have it, Penley walks in to get his daily coffee during of her shifts and BAM. It’s almost like no time had passed.

Only it did. Penley now is divorced with a six year old boy and Sasha has been really through the ringer lately dealing with her illness and the dark space she had been in before her best friend’s family helped her get out of it. Regardless of all that, the two can’t stay away from one another and it’s very evident that the strong connection they once shared NEVER went away.

I really did love how these two interacted. Like they just couldn’t help but be close and touch even while they were dealing with their own issues at different times. I think the only reason I didn’t rate this higher is because there were parts of this that were emotionally hard to read. I am SO glad that so many different illnesses and disabilities are now being portrayed in romances because, well, that’s real-fucking-life. Sometimes though, when I want to read a romance it’s because I want pure, uncomplicated fluff that isn’t going to hurt me lol. Do I know it’s unrealistic in the highest sense? Yes. But I still want it anyway. Despite that though, this truly was a great story and I was so happy when these two finally got their HEA together.

Huge thanks to Heart Eyes Press for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review!♥

BOOK REVIEW: Fireproof (Busy Bean #8) by Delancey Stewart

September 15, 2021 / Arielle / 1 Comment

Fireproof (Busy Bean #8)
by Delancey Stewart
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The newest barista at the Busy Bean is about to steam the place up...

Former Marine Mason Rye can make a cappuccino with military precision, but he finds it much harder to serve up a smile. It’s not that he doesn’t like people. But he knows from experience that once you let someone in, it hurts like hell when you lose them. And Mason’s lost too many people already.

So it’s pretty damn inconvenient when his old Marine buddy shows up on Mason’s goat farm with his younger sister in tow. Heather’s work in Washington D.C. has turned dangerous, and she needs a safe place out of town.

Mason doesn’t need a new roommate, especially not a pretty, single one who insists on rearranging his spice rack and giving his chickens cute names. Although there’s no denying the haunted look in her blue eyes. Every time her fear shows its face, he wants to reach for her.

The problem is that she wants him, too. And when Mason breaks all his rules, they practically burn down his bed together. But her life is in D.C. And the threat against her is over.

Unfortunately, neither of their hearts is fireproof...

Warning: this stand-alone novel contains cute goats, bossy Marines and small town charm.

Review

Sooooooo. I have learned something after reading this and Stargazer….romances featuring grumpy retired/ out-of-active-duty military men are my new bread and butter. I honestly have, up to this point, avoided books involving people in the military (active especially) because I don’t like the thought of danger and them having to leave their S/O. That kind of stress and anxiety just isn’t for me. HOWEVER. When they’re out of active duty or retired and still big and tough and they are….let’s say, watching over their best friend’s sister who may have gotten into a political mess back in D.C. Well. Let’s just say there isn’t much that sounds better.

As of right now, this is standing in as my favorite in the Busy Bean series. I loved everything about Heather’s love of education and how she was an actual ray of sunshine on the farm for both Mason and his uncle. She immediately took to his way of life, helping him harvest fruits and veggies, milking the goats, making cheese, going to farmer’s markets. I know she wasn’t a city girl her whole life but still!

And Mason….well, I was obviously so curious about what event he lived through in order to become the closed off and hard person that he was. What we find out hurt soooo badly and I just wanted to dive into the book to give both young Mason and present day Mason a huge hug. Even though it took him good and long to be able to finally express himself to Heather it didn’t bother me because that kind of change doesn’t just happen overnight in a person, especially one who clearly has a lot of unresolved trauma to deal with. Loved how everything ended up working out for them AND NOW I NEED A BOOK ABOUT KEVIN AND AMELIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Huge thanks to Heart Eyes Press for allowing me to read a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. ♥

BOOK REVIEW: Sidetracked (Busy Bean #7) by R.L. Kenderson

September 14, 2021 / Arielle / 0 Comments

Sidetracked (Busy Bean #7)
by R.L. Kenderson
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
“Sometimes, not knowing where you’re going will lead you to where you need to be.”

CHARLI

My workplace eliminated my position the same month my relationship ended. With nothing keeping me in Richmond, Virginia, I get in my car and head northeast, unsure of where I’ll end up.

Until I walk into The Busy Bean Café.

With the Help Wanted sign and the quote on the wall meant for me, I know I’ve found my new home.

GABE

I gave up my executive job in Boston to come home to help run my family’s hardware store and to open my own handcrafted furniture business. I have specific plans for my life.

Those plans don’t include the coffee shop’s new flighty barista even if she is cute as hell.

But when I become Charli’s landlord, I find it harder than ever to stay away from her. And soon, I don’t want to.

Review

Lately I feel like I have been reading quite a few romances with the guy being a major ~grump~ and I realized….I eat that shit up. LOL Apparently there is just something about an uber grumpy, rough-around-the-edges type guy meeting a happy, chill, laid back woman that eventually melts said grump into a puddle of molten love that really does something to me. I think a big part of it is that it makes their initial interactions, especially the sexual ones, that much more intense. The guy doesn’t WANT to be feeling these things but BAM, the woman worms her way in and the next thing we know she’s up against the wall, on the receiving end of the most passionate kiss OF HER LIFE. Sounds like a great time to me *shrugs*.

And that’s almost exactly what happens here. Charli leaves home when her job is nixed and her boyfriend breaks up with her. She literally drives until she feels like stopping, walks into Busy Bean, sees the “Help Wanted” sign and apt inspirational quote on the wall and stays. All of that basically goes against everything Gabe stands for as a person. He’s a real dick to Charli at first, especially after finding out she’s going to be living next to him in the other half the the duplex he and his family is renting out.

The one part of this story that I wasn’t sure of was how quickly the end seemed to come. The two obviously had feelings for one another (hello, that bookshelf that was made?!?!?!) but I felt like one minute they were just having sex BARELY any strings attached and then all of a sudden BAM, a certain something happens and then they are like oh….well yeah…we really are attached aren’t we? Obviously I am GLAD it all worked out like it did, it all just really snuck up on me fast (this could also be because I finished while buzzed, putting my kid to sleep during my sister’s wedding this past weekend bahahaha)!

Huge thanks to Heart Eyes Press for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!♥

BOOK REVIEW: Doubletalk (Busy Bean #6) by Teralyn Mitchell

September 13, 2021 / Arielle / 0 Comments

Doubletalk (Busy Bean #6)
by Teralyn Mitchell
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Basketball has always been his one love, until now . . .

Zeke Armstrong never imagined he’d be back in Vermont, but here he is, living in Colebury and trying to rehab an injury that could mean an early retirement from pro basketball. Running into his former classmate, Mallory Barrett, shouldn’t be a distraction. It shouldn’t mean anything, so why is he accidentally on purpose showing up at the coffee shop where the beautiful writer spends her time?

Mallory Barrett has met a guy. Well, she hasn’t met him yet, except for on the dating app she almost refused to download. “Coby” sparks her interest and gets her jokes--and gives the romance-novel heroes she loves so much a full-court run for their money. When their first date doesn’t work out, she decides to give him another shot . . . just as a man she despises reenters her life. While her interest in the mystery man on the app grows, she clashes constantly with Zeke in real life. She can’t forgive him for humiliating her in high school, yet she can’t deny she’s drawn to him now.

She’s somehow gone from confirmed bachelorette to the tie-breaker between two men. Meanwhile Zeke has a secret--one that will cost him the game if Mallory finds out . . .

Review

I am SUPER bummed to say this book was a case of ~it’s not you, it’s me~. You see, when I went to request the final books in both the Busy Bean and the Speakeasy series, I became so nostalgic thinking about how we were finally coming to a close in The World of True North, that I requested ALL of the final books without reading their summaries. Honestly, most of the time that has worked out in my favor because then you go into them not knowing what to expect and every little thing is a wonderful surprise. This one though had be wishing I would have checked first.

The trope in this book that I personally am not a fan of is where the two find each other on a dating app with fake names and click instantly. One of them finds out who the other person is in real life but keeps that secret until it’s too late and the whole thing momentarily blows up in their faces. I did like that this one had an added layer of complexity due to the fact that Mallory and Zeke had actually known each other since they were little kids but had a falling out in high school and haven’t talked since then. Mallory is one to not forgive easily so it made things even more hard when she DOES finally forgive Zeke only to eventually find out that he had been keeping this secret. It was actually a little funny because in my last review for Safeguard I talked about how I can’t handle that kind of drama anymore and then I started this and went, oops. lol IT’S FINE

Mallory and Zeke did have good chemistry, I enjoyed their characters as a whole, and I liked the writing so I’m sure most other people who read this will love!

Huge thanks to Heart Eyes Press for allowing me to read an eARC of this book exchange for my honest opinion!♥