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BOOK REVIEW: Christmas Cliche by Tara Sivec

BOOK REVIEW: Christmas Cliche by Tara SivecChristmas Cliche by Tara Sivec
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

‘Twas the week before Christmas
and all through L.A.,
Allie Parker’s famous twin sisters
were driving her cray.
She fled to the mountains
with a hostage in tow,
hoping to sleep through the holidays,
which were a sh*t-show.
A crash in a blizzard,
and a hot mountain man,
definitely wasn’t part
of her evacuation plan.
Santas, and stockings,
and creepy nutcrackers too,
everywhere she looks,
it’s a crazy Christmas zoo.
But there are hugs, and smiles,
and a beautiful view,
kisses and laughter,
and no time to be blue.
Maybe this family,
with their hot mountain man,
will make this a Christmas
Allie can actually stand.

Review:

Christmas Cliche was laugh out loud hilarious and filled with all the cliches. Celebrities, snow storms, sexy mountain men, best friends and tons of Christmasy vibes filled the pages. So if you’re looking for a Christmas story that is lots of fun, with romance in the pages, then take a look at adding this one to your tbr.

I just wanted to get away from the chaos and not think about Christmas. Was that too much to ask?

The prologue jumped 17 years into the past, when Allie’s life was simpler, and she still loved Christmas. But in present day LA, there was nothing heartwarming or loving about the holidays. Her twin sisters had a reality TV show. Christmas Eve was to be filled with an over the top celebrity party and lavish items. It felt like they were living the life of the Kardashian’s, but even crazier. And Allie was in charge of it all. Dealing with her superficial sisters and their constant schedule and needs, seemed overwhelming. So when the straw finally broke the camel’s back, Allie bolted with her best friend in tow to West Virginia. To where she used to spend the holidays with family, when she was younger.

“This isn’t Christmas magic. It’s just insane. I’m insane. I’m seriously thinking about never, ever going back to California after only being here for four days.”
I laugh, and it comes out a little high-pitch and hysterical.

I adored Allie, she was kind and down to earth. But everyone seemed to have a preconceived notion of who she was. Even the man who ended up rescuing her. Jason was the sexiest mountain man and Allie and Jason’s meet cute was one of the funnier ones I’ve read. It was so smile inducing and unique lol! And I loved Jason too. He was helpful, loving, sweet and oh so thoughtful. The two of them together were perfect. It didn’t matter that she was only supposed to stay at his parents bed and breakfast until her cousin came back home, after the holidays. It felt like they were meant to be together forever. So there was definitely an insta-attraction mixed with insta-love. And let it be known that I don’t like insta-love, but in this cliche filled story I enjoyed it so much.

“You were adorable half-dressed for a blizzard, and when you had to borrow one of my sister’s ugly Christmas sweaters,” he tells me honestly. “But you’re goddamn stunning when you’re relaxed and laughing, and I think being here in my family’s Christmas wonderland has something to do with it.”

The side characters rounded out this story so well. I loved Jason’s sister and mom, who had more game then him ha. His relationship with the both of them warmed my heart. And I loved how they played such a big part of story. But the one who continually stole the spotlight was Allie’s best friend, Millie. She was a celebrity who was over the top ridiculous and such a good friend to Allie. I’m pretty sure I said OMFG out loud a hundred times because of Millie. She shocked me! Her observations, random comments and questions killed me! Sometimes she was too much, but it was impossible not to love her. Especially as we saw her learn about life as the story progressed, heaven help her lol.

“That was so cliché.”
“This whole thing is cliché,” Millie complains, leaning over on the couch to whisper to us. “Can we just get to the part where you guys profess your undying love for each other?”

Christmas Cliche was an over the top story filled with humor, friendship and love, cliches and all. Even the titles of the chapters were hilarious. It almost felt like a crazy, outrageous Hallmark movie, that was definitely not PG lol. So I was surprised that the sexy moments weren’t descriptive. But I enjoy books with our without them, I just wasn’t the hugest fan of the location when it did happen….you’ll see what I mean lol. But all in all I enjoyed this book so much! Plus that ending was perfect! I’ll definitely be checking out Tara Sivec’s other books!

BOOK REVIEW: Roommate by Sarina Bowen

BOOK REVIEW: Roommate by Sarina BowenRoommate by Sarina Bowen
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Wanted: One roommate to share a 3-bedroom house, split the rent, and ideally not be the guy I can’t stop thinking about.
I’m a man with too many secrets, so the last thing I need is a new roommate with a sexy smile and blue eyes that see right through me. Eight years ago, Roderick left town after high school. We’re not friends. I owe him nothing. But back then, I let one of my secrets slip, and he’s the only one who noticed.
Part of me knows I should run far, far away. But the other part wants him to come upstairs and spend the night. But if I let him in, I could lose everything.

Seeking: A room to rent in town. I’m tidy, have no pets, and I will feed you homemade bread.
I should probably add: Gay AF, and has no filter. It’s no wonder my new landlord is so wary of me.
A smarter man would ignore those hot glances from Kieran Shipley. The broody lumberjack wants more from me than another homemade pretzel, but if I push my luck, I’ll end up back on the street.
Too bad I’ve never been smart with my heart ...

Review

Woooo my first book of 2021!

I had been in a bit of a rut after re-reading the ACOTAR books in preparation for ACOSF and when this eARC showed up on my Kindle, I knew this was going to be exactly what I needed. Sarina Bowen comfort reading. I will start by saying that it had been a while since I read some of the True North books (this book is a standalone so you don’t have to read them to read this) so I had been thinking that Kieran had the personality of Kyle (LOL OOPS). Don’t worry, got that straight in my head right away.

This book was definitely an emotional one. Kieran doesn’t expressly know the exact terms of his sexuality but he DOES know that when he saw Roderick Waites under the bleachers in high school performing a super steamy act of sexiness to another guy he was super turned on, and it’s something he STILL thinks about today, eight years later. Imagine his mortification when Roderick shows up around town, asking for a job at the very coffee shop he works at. Already a quiet, and VERY private guy, he’s worried Roderick is going to out him immediately.

Enter Roderick, a guy who is very secure in his sexuality but who also has just exited an extremely toxic relationship with barely his car and the clothes on his back. When he’s offered a trial run at Zara’s coffee shop, you better he’s going to be on his best behavior in order to keep that job. Especially because he’s been sleeping in his car and it’s starting to get real cold at night. He needs every last paycheck he can get.

As we all know from the synopsis and even the title of the book, the two end up becoming roommates and Kieran eventually warms up to Roderick after he realizes he’s not going to say anything about their past. Roderick teaches Kieran to cook (which is so freaking cute) and their relationship keep on progressing from there.

I think the best part of this book was seeing Kieran gain confidence in himself. He sticks it to his boss’s son at work, he becomes enrolled in school in order to take more design classes, he gives in to his attraction to Roderick, and through a series of crazy and yes unfortunate events, FINALLY sorts out some crazy family stuff that he’s been sitting on for years and years. I loved Kieran’s solid and steady presence and how he never was truly worried about anyone finding out abut his relationship with Roderick even though this was his first relationship with another man. No, his insecurities always lay in keeping things private, especially when it came to family matters based on a secret he learned when he was very young. Roderick stole the show with his bright and sunny personality and of course, since this is a Sarina Bowen novel, his FOOD. I swear I always wind up hungry after finishing her books and want to try making all these new things, lol.

P.S. The second best part of this book was learning that Grandpa Shipley now has a girlfriend named Lydia LOLLL

Huge thanks to Tuxbury Publishing LLC for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!♥

Monthly Wrap-Up: December

During our Monthly Wrap-Up, we’ll take a look at what has happened around here in the last month. That’ll include what’s happened in my life, what we’ve read, any other posts we may have had, our most popular Instagram posts, and books that I’ve added to my ever-growing TBR.

*We linked this post to the December Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up Link-Up at Feed Your Fiction Addiction*

 

Jen’s Life:

So this is kinda scary to share…..but the reason I disappeared at times and stopped doing these posts for the latter half of the year was because emotionally I was very broken.  I started and ended the year losing those I love, my Grandma who I was extremely close with my whole life.  And my little dog, who was more like a child to us for the last 14 years.  When you throw in a serious health issue that I still haven’t mentally dealt with yet.  To some of our family and friends getting scary sick from COVID.  And to me switching to being a teacher to our 2nd and 4th grader since there was no way I could subject them to distance learning again…..well I was an emotional mess to say the very least.  So this year I’m trying my best to heal or I guess start the path to healing.  This week I’m starting back up my 3+ mile walks and exercise to give myself sanity, spending all the quality time with those I love and just trying to find the joy in simple every day things like I use to.  I’m normally a person who is overly bubbly, talkative and smiles wayyyyy too much and I’d love, love, love to find that person again *fingers crossed*.  So if you’re working on yourself in 2021 too, hugs and here’s hoping we can get to where we want to go ♥.  Now onto all the bookish stuff…….

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What We Read:

5 Stars:
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
The Boss Who Stole Christmas (Reindeer Falls #1) by Jana Aston
The One Night Stand Before Christmas (Reindeer Falls #3) by Jana Aston
A Sky Beyond the Storm (An Ember in the Ashes #4) by Saaba Tahir
Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne
You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
A Crown For Christmas by Rachel Van Dyken

4.5 Stars:
The Darkest Temptation (Made #3) by Danielle Lori

4 Stars:
Holiday With You by Claudia Y. Burgoa & Grahame Claire
If You Give A Jerk A Gingerbread (Reindeer Falls #2) by Jana Aston


3.5 Stars:

Let It Snow by Cassie Cross

2.5 Stars:
Kissmass Eve by M.E. Carter & Sara Ney

DNF:
The Clause in Christmas byRachael Bloome

 

 

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Our Favorite Books of the Month:

 (Arielle’s Choice) – A Sky Beyond the Storm (An Ember in the Ashes #4) by Saaba Tahir
I can tell you with 100% certainty that these books and these characters will stick with me in my heart and soul until I die. While this isn’t a light and fluffy series that can be re-read at any time during any mood, I know that I will be revisiting them for years to come. I really hope more and more people discover these books and you had better believe that once I start being able to see library patrons face-to-face again that I will be shoving this series at anyone who asks for a fantasy recommendation.

 
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  (Jen’s Choice) In a Holidaze, The Boss Who Stole Christmas & A Crown For Christmas

I’m totally cheating by picking three, but oh my gosh I desperately needed help finding the joy in Christmas last year.  And each of those books helped me immensely.  If you ever need help finding joy and Christmas cheer around the holidays, definitely pick up one of these.

 

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Instagram:

We thought it would be fun to share our most popular posts for December. And they were….

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 

 

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Books Added To Jen’s TBR This Month:

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So this was our December….did you read any of the same books that we did? Or share the same favorite book as us? If not, then what was your favorite book? Or have you read any of the books I just added to my TBR?

Here’s hoping you all had a wonderful December. And cheers to January being fabulous for all of us!

 

BOOK REVIEW: A Crown For Christmas by Rachel Van Dyken

BOOK REVIEW: A Crown For Christmas by Rachel Van DykenA Crown For Christmas by Rachel Van Dyken
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

The first time I met Fitz or to most of the world Duke Fitzegerald Heraldo Belleville, I punched him in the throat.
I was actually aiming for his chin, but he was a few years older, clearly not wiser, but at least taller.
He started wheezing on his candy cane.
And well, the rest is history.
Hate replaced what could have been friendship, and for the rest of my teen years, I watched him flirt with every single breathing female.
I hated him.
Plotted his death with a smile on my face.
And knew that my first decree as Queen would be to chop off his head.
Except now that I'm finally old enough to inherit the title, there's one tiny little slip-up.
I need a man by my side.
The problem?
I may have accidentally scared them all away.
I have no options.
Until the devil rings my doorbell with a wicked grin on his face and revenge dancing like sugarplums in his gaze.
I hate that I need him.
It's a serious problem.
We have twelve days before we say I do.
I just pray we survive without killing each other first.


Review:

A Crown for Christmas easily became one of my favorite Christmas books! With enemies to lovers, irresistible banter, a forced marriage and snow falling how could I not fall madly in love with this story?! The prologue pulled me in and I was so addicted that I didn’t put my kindle down until I read that last page. I can’t recommend this book enough!

He stared at my mouth and then licked his lips like he wanted a taste, but that would be ridiculous. He hated me. I loathed him. It worked for us.
I shivered and looked away.

Princess Phillipa was expected to be Queen, but the law dictated that she had to be married first. Unfortunately she had run all of the possible suitors away, except one. Duke Fitzgerald Heraldo Belleville, aka Fitz. But where Fitz was concerned, there was one tiny problem. They had been enemies since they were children. We got to watch them, in the past, and the things they did and said to one another was horrifically awful. Yet I laughed so much. And in the present day, we witnessed a proposal and Phillipa being informed that a wedding would take place in twelve days. To her archnemesis. What’s a princess to do?

I hated the way he stared at me too long.
The way his perfect emerald eyes lingered like he was mentally mocking me and doing a bang up job of it.
But most of all, I hated that he was beautiful.

The story alternated between Phillipa and Fitz and I loved them both so much! Phillipa was strong and level headed. She was a generous and loving princess. And I could easily see her being a role model and someone others could look up to as their Queen. Yet the moment Fitz was around, she couldn’t help but find herself butting heads with him.

Her grin was pure evil. I had half a mind to kiss it off her face just to even the playing field, shock the hell out of her, and get to taste the peppermint all in one fell swoop. Pity her lips were probably poison.

Fitz could be such a trouble maker, but the man was as clever as he was seductive. He just had this way with people that made you instantly like him. Well except Phillipa lol. Fitz was thoughtful, witty, smart, devious and oh so quick with his replies. I was obsessed. And to Phillipa’s dismay, she started to see those qualities in Fitz too. Especially when he helped her get her way at times. It was impossible to ignore his charm, even if Phillipa was bantering with Fitz in that next moment.

My body tightened. “I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to pull someone’s hair more in my entire life, not in an effort to chase them, but to pull them so closely to my chest that all I feel is their skin, their breath, and maybe a soft moan of pleasure.”
Her eyes flickered to my mouth, and her lips parted. “This is crazy.”

Regardless of how much they hated each other, you could still feel the attraction burning between them. But when the gloves came off and they played nice, was it truly sincere? Could they really trust each other? I loved watching the intricacies of their relationship unfold. Together they were swoon worthy and I was addicted with all of their interactions. It was so easy to fall for them!

“What changed?” I hooked my arm in his as we started walking.
“Everything,” he whispered under his breath.

If you’re looking for a romantic and hilarious Christmas story, then definitely add A Crown for Christmas to your tbr! This may be RVD’s funniest book yet, but there were also a few moments I didn’t see coming…..so there was no stopping my gasps. With fabulous characters, addictive banter and a wonderful story line, this book was such a winner! I loved it so much!

BOOK REVIEW: Let It Snow by Cassie Cross

BOOK REVIEW: Let It Snow by Cassie CrossLet It Snow by Cassie Cross
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Amy Winstead is a twenty something video producer who loves Christmas more than anyone she’s ever known. This year, the holidays are gonna be a lot less happy because she can’t afford the plane ticket home to celebrate with her family, and her best and oldest friend Josh is moving halfway across the country for a new job that he couldn’t turn down.

When Josh asks her to accompany him on his road trip from Texas to Connecticut and offers to pay for her plane ticket back home, how could Amy say no? He’s promised some fun surprises on the trip, and more time with him could never be a bad thing.

One surprise Josh hasn’t planned on is the record-breaking blizzard heading their way. They decide to wait out the storm in the charming town of Holly Hill, where a little holiday magic and a lot of snow combine to help Josh and Amy realize that the something that’s always simmered between them could easily become something more...


Review:

Let it Snow was a feel good, heartwarming Christmas story. With a road trip, snow storm and a cute little town, this book was so enjoyable. If you’re looking for a friend to lovers Christmas story, with a little bit of sexy mixed in, then take a look at adding this one to your tbr.

If I didn’t know any better, I could swear that Josh wants to kiss me. But I need to get foolish thoughts like that out of my head, so I turn back to my laptop.

Amy Winstead, aka Ames, and Josh Abbott had been inseparable for the last 26 years. They were the bestest of friends who grew up together, went to same college and even got their first jobs in the same town. But with Josh moving back home to New York and Ames staying in Texas, she was emotionally struggling. They’d never been apart. On top of that, she was head over heels in love with her best friend.

“You’re woven into the fabric of my life.”

While Ames was unsure of where she wanted to go with her life, Josh seemed to know exactly what he wanted. When he surprised her with a road trip back home for the holidays, and a plane ticket to get her back to Texas, I was overjoyed. I love road trips! We got to see how strong their friendship was and how well they knew each other. I loved watching how affectionate and thoughtful they were to each other. And when they got stranded in a blizzard, things started to storm in the best of ways between the two of them.

“What do you need?” I ask, confused by the giant shift in the room, of this overwhelming sense of possibility in the moment.
He lifts his head, eyes half lidded.
“To kiss you,” he replies.

Let it Snow was a delightful book that was so easy to devour. And for those that love happily ever afters, that last chapter is for you. The story jumped ahead four years and I loved seeing how the future panned out. So with snow women building, snow ball fights and getting stranded in a hotel room with one bed, it was fun watching Ames and Josh’s relationship develop. If you’re a fan of friends to lovers, with Christmas sprinkled in the pages, then this book may be just for you!

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