Tag: Adult (Page 1 of 52)

BOOK REVIEW: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

BOOK REVIEW: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily HenryGreat Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: to write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years—or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the twentieth century.

When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game.

One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over.

Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication.

Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition.

But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.

And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad . . . depending on who’s telling it.

Review:

Great Big Beautiful Life was an emotional story that wove the past and the present.  With mysteries and secrets abound, I enjoyed trying to figure out where I was being led.  Yet I personally struggled, because I was never able to connect to any of the characters.  Even though the grumpy sunshine and rivals to lovers tropes were done so well!

It’s important that I play this cool.
Fact: I have never played it cool in my life.

Alice Scott and Hayden Anderson were up against each other.  They were both given the opportunity of a lifetime to write the biography of Margaret Ives.  Right away, I liked Alice.  She was funny and I adored her random thoughts and conversations.  I loved how she messed with Hayden, while at the same time I loved learning his habits….like his obsession with that back corner booth.  Hayden was such a grumpy, quiet soul.  But he could be nice when he wanted to haha.  And as they kept running into each other, I enjoyed watching a friendship start to form and turn into more.

“Alice?” he calls over the top of it.
“Hmm?”
“She lies to me too,” he says. “For whatever it’s worth, Margaret Ives isn’t telling me the truth.”

Margaret started her story back with her great-grandfather.  We watched history unfold, and it was fascinating.  We learned the stories of those before her and how it shaped the world she stepped into.  We saw how the media painted them however they wanted, and the truth was damned.  It was suffocating at times.  And through it all, there was so much guilt, struggle, broken hearts, and not ever thinking you were enough mixed in with love.

“For the one you love? Anything. You unmake the world and build a new one. You do anything to give them what they need.”

The way we slid from the past to the present was seamlessly done.  And my interest was intrigued as the book unfolded.  But through it all, I never could find that connection to Margaret, Alice or Hayden.  I’m one of those that desperately needs that connection to characters for a book to be enjoyable.  So while this book closed with a wonderful happily ever after, I don’t think I’ll be picking up another book by Emily Henry.  I dnfed Happy Place, because it pulled me down into a depression.  And this one felt lackluster to me since I missed that connection.  Here’s hoping you enjoyed this one so much more than I did!

BOOK REVIEW: A Simple Twist of Fate by April Asher

BOOK REVIEW: A Simple Twist of Fate by April AsherA Simple Twist of Fate by April Asher
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

A witch and a shifter get a second chance at love in this new paranormal romantic comedy from USA Today Bestselling author April Asher.

At the bright-eyed age of eighteen, witch Harlow “Harry” Pierce attended her first Fates Festival Finding Ceremony certain the Blue Willow Wisp would lead her to her Fated match, her cougar shifter boyfriend, Jaxon Atwood. But Fate had other plans, guiding her best friend to him instead. With a broken heart, all her belongings, and a vow to never return, Harry did the only thing a heartsick witch could do. Run.

Thirteen years later, she returns to her magical hometown―with her half-human, half-shifter goddaughter in tow―hoping that not only would the town work its magic on the troubled teenager, but that the local Alpha of the Rocky Mountain Pack could help Grace identify―and control―her fiery abilities.

Jaxon Atwood was a shifter of few words and even less patience… until his mother retired as Alpha of the Rocky Mountain Pack and left the running of things to him. It’s a headache he didn’t need, and one that brought the witch who’d ripped his heart from his chest knocking on his door.

Ever since the disappearance of the town’s Fate Witch over a decade ago, Fates Haven’s magic has been slowly going haywire. There hasn’t been a Fated Match made in thirteen years, putting the town in serious jeopardy of losing its title of Highest Fated Mates Percentage in the World. But now, something is stirring in Fates Haven, Colorado, and it smells like the past, tastes like change, and looks like A SIMPLE TWIST OF FATE.

Review:

A Simple Twist of Fate was an adorable, second chance, paranormal romance.  With found family that will warm your heart, characters that feel like home, and a storyline that was all the fun, this book was so easy to enjoy!  

Harlow Pierce possessed the ability to knock his feet out from under him without even trying, and it was clear that in her time away from Fates Haven— and him— that skill had grown more potent.

I liked and clicked with Harlow Pierce, aka Harry, right away.  She had the biggest heart ever, and I loved how her thoughts like 9pm being after her bedtime were so relatable.  After thirteen years she found herself returning to her small hometown to help her goddaughter, Grace.  And there was no avoiding her ex, Jaxon Atwood.  I loved that we also got this story from his point of view!  He was a shifter who easily had me in his clutches with just a few words.  Sigh.

Fuck Fate. Make your own.

With a fun and flirty vibe and moments that will have you giggling, this small town romance was so effortless to love!  There was a hilarious and meddling Aunt, old best friends that had Harry’s back, and tension that was delicious.  The steam was perfect, and I loved the mystery about what was going on with everyone’s magic.  The ending will have you smiling for our couple, and I love that other characters stories were left open so we can revisit this world.  I have all my fingers crossed that we’ll be back in Fates Haven.  I loved this world!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: Miranda in Retrograde by Lauren Layne

BOOK REVIEW: Miranda in Retrograde by Lauren LayneMiranda in Retrograde by Lauren Layne
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

After getting passed over for tenure and having her life upended in the process, a physics professor decides to throw caution to the wind and live by her horoscope predictions for a year in this effervescent rom-com from the New York Times bestselling author of Made in Manhattan.

As the youngest physics professor at her university, practical-minded Miranda Reed plans her life with minute precision. But that’s before she’s denied tenure and the promotion she thought was guaranteed. Suddenly, her tidy life is anything but constant.

Overdue for a sabbatical, Miranda takes some time to look towards the stars—only this time, she’s not looking for black holes. With her faith in science shaken, Miranda turns to a practice she’s long dismissed as preposterous: astrology.

Determined to figure out why her life has suddenly gone sideways, Miranda commits to a year of letting her horoscope guide her. Soon she’s taking on new home improvement projects, adopting a new pet, and studying what the stars have to say about her ideal love match. The intriguingly aloof artist living next door? Never. His Aries energy is all wrong. On the other hand, the charming father of her new tutoring pupil is Sagittarian perfection. Made for her...right?

As Miranda navigates life with new a perspective, she slowly discovers neither science nor the stars have all the answers. And that, when it comes to love, you sometimes just have to trust your heart.

Review:

Miranda in Retrograde was unique, loveable, fun, and I can’t recommend it enough!  This adult slow burn romance pulled us into its orbit with characters that were memorable, a storyline that took us on an emotional journey, and the most wonderful happily ever after! 

“I think the point, my dear girl”— Aunt Lillian pats my hand fondly—“ is that life isn’t meant to be hypothesized.”
I frown, not liking that one bit. “What’s life meant for then?”
Aunt Lillian smiles. “To be lived.”

I adored Miranda right away!  Her ex left her, she was denied tenure, and her parents and brother didn’t seem supportive.  Yet an adorable meet cute was in her future, where she met her knight in shining armor, Christian.  So while she took a sabbatical from her job, I loved watching Miranda find herself.  With living in her Aunt’s home, taking care of her plants, letting her horoscope guide her, and having a very interesting neighbor too!

But there is maybe just the tiniest part of me that can’t stop wondering:
Am I following my heart?
Or my horoscope?

This book felt so unique in that while Miranda didn’t believe in her horoscope, she went all in.  She learned everything she could, and allowed it to help her make life decisions.  Her experiment during her time off will have you smiling!  It not only helped push her into Christian and his adorable daughter, Kylee, but it also led her in other directions too.  Yet Miranda still seemed lost to what she truly wanted in life.  It felt like the times she was true to herself, was when she was around Archer.

“I was alone. Figured you were, too. Not the way one should spend a holiday if they don’t have to.”
“That’s surprisingly . . . thoughtful.”
“Just had my software updated,” he says, tapping his temple, then balls up the sandwich wrapper with a large fist and drops it into the empty bag.

Archer was Miranda’s neighbor, and he could be such a smartass.  I loved that he called her Randy!  Their first meeting was awful, but just wait because the second one was even worse haha.  Archer had no problem invading Miranda’s space, and their banter and openness with one another became everything!  But at the same time, he could be so thoughtful.  So while he kept his cards close to his chest, just know that Archer was the ultimate book boyfriend.  He was sexy, brooding and you’ll fall head over heels in love with him!

This. This is what scares me. Because whatever it is feels too big to fit into the temporariness of what this experimental, sabbatical year is supposed to be.

With sweet moments between Miranda and Christian, and moments that simmered between Archer and Miranda, I had to know what happened next.  Plus I was curious what Miranda would do when her sabbatical was up.  So with thoughtful Christmas presents, beautiful talks on the roof at night, a zipper scene, and kitchen dancing, this book had it all!  Plus, I cried all the tears later in the story, that moment was so perfect!  If you’re looking for a romance that will keep you smiling, while you’re cheering on the heroine to find her own happiness, definitely pick this one up!  

“I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I didn’t. I mean . . .” He exhales, sounding frustrated. “You did crash my solitude. But I don’t . . . mind it. As much as I thought I’d mind it. Or at all, really.”

Archer follows me out to the foyer, though when I open the front door, he places his palm on it to close it again.
I glance up in question, and his blue eyes are guarded as he briefly clenches his jaw. “Hey. Randy. You look . . . nice. Okay? You look good.”
The guarded gaze drops for a split second, revealing what I could have sworn is a flash of heat before it disappears.

BOOK REVIEW: If Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison Ashley

BOOK REVIEW: If Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison AshleyIf Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison Ashley
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Fate connects two people in life-changing ways in a deeply romantic and emotional novel about hope and second chances by the author of Would You Rather and The Roommate Pact.

Uncertain of what tomorrow brings, Elliott Holland decides to live it up—on the eve of a stem cell transplant to treat her leukemia. It’s destiny when she crosses paths with handsome and charming Jamie Sullivan. The chemistry is magic. So is a beautiful evening that ends with a bittersweet kiss goodbye and no expectations of ever seeing each other again.

One year later, Elliott’s future looks good. Her cancer is in remission. Her career in graphic design is taking off. And she’s finally met Carly, the young woman whose stem cell donation gave Elliott a second chance at life. Then, in a twist of fate both blissful and unfair, she meets Carly’s boyfriend. It’s Jamie, the man Elliott kissed like it was her last day on earth. Neither of them has ever forgotten it.

Now, the most difficult decisions of all lie ahead. Whatever risks there are to the heart, one need wins out: to grab hold of everything that can make someone feel alive again.

Review:

If Tomorrow Never Comes was a sweet and emotional romance that gave us a beautiful look at life.  With all of the messy parts mixed in with it.  This story was poignant, had the most fabulous angst, and ended with a beautiful happily ever after.  

Be something other than a cancer patient for once.

With a memorable meet cute, I loved how this story started.  Especially since it made me analyze…what is a cheesecake?  I’m ready to fight on my hill haha.  But I absolutely love the characters Allison Ashley always creates. They are vivid, memorable and shine so brightly.  So within that first chapter, I already loved both Elliott and Jamie!  They were so adorable together and their chemistry could be felt from the pages.  Then we jumped one year in the future, and everything changed.

He curled his fingers through hers and lowered his head, dragging in a shaky breath. He paused at the last second with a squeeze of her hand, making absolutely sure she wanted this, and she tilted her chin to close the final distance.

If Tomorrow Never Comes was a book that will induce all of the emotions.  I cried, laughed, and even found myself muttering to myself out loud.  This story completely pulled me in and I loved watching how fate kept pulling together these heartwarming souls.  If you’re looking for an adult romance that has second chance vibes, an adorable dog, a golden retriever male who’s so easy to love, and a heroine that you’ll instantly like, definitely add this one to your tbr!  I can’t wait to see what Ashley writes next!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: Gold (The Queen & the Assassin #3) by Lisette Marshall

BOOK REVIEW: Gold (The Queen & the Assassin #3) by Lisette MarshallGold (The Queen & the Assassin #3)
by Lisette Marshall
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

To challenge the Empire is to challenge Death...

The Queen

Uniting the Five Kingoms against the Taavi Empire was always a risk. But Tamar didn't expect the Empire to take its revenge only on Redwood. And she certainly didn't expect the Empress to make such an impossible demand: for Runo to return to Raulinna before the month is over.

The Assassin

Runo knows how the Empress's personal enemies die – slowly and painfully. A fate he has no intentions of meeting. But the Empress is not the only one who wants him dead... In the shadows of the Red Castle, Tamar's dukes are playing a dangerous game for power. And he might just be the first thing in their way.

A fight against time

Old enemies unite. Old secrets resurface. With their allies powerless and their court against them, the queen and the assassin need more than iron and bloodshed to survive. Will even their wit and ingenuity be enough to defy the Empire before time runs out?

Gold is the third and last book of The Queen & The Assassin, a steamy fantasy romance trilogy taking place in the dangerous, passionate world of the Five Kingdoms. Perfect for readers of enemies to lovers fantasy and adult fairy tale romances, it tells a story of deadly intrigue, dark secrets and sizzling forbidden love.

Review:

With betrayal, friendship, jealousy, threats, and love, Gold was a fabulous conclusion to The Queen & the Assassin Series!   Watching those we love redeem themselves, and others get the happily ever after they deserve was so much fun!  This forbidden romance will make you feel everything, and leave you smiling long after you read that last page!

‘I owe you more than my survival, do you realise that? I owe you my truth and my history and every shred of my soul that could still be salvaged– so be stubborn for me, be heartless, be every bit the Iron Queen you want to be, and I’ll still love you to death. Understood?’

With characters you couldn’t help but love, this story was so entertaining.  Runo showed us time and again how wicked smart he was!  I loved how cocky he could be, and his wicked mouth!  And I found myself clapping my hands with how bold and fierce Tamar was.  Yet Runo was to be given back to the Empress.  And Tamar had the weight of the world on her shoulders dealing with political plays and the other kingdoms.  So thank goodness for their steamy moments together.  It felt like they could finally breathe when it was just them.  Those scenes were everything.

‘You’re mine.’ Words he’d never even dared to think, and now they fell from his lips like the most self- evident of truths.

One thing I really loved about this final book was how friendships played such a large part.  While Tamar and Runo had each other, my heart was so happy that they found friendships with others around them.  I loved watching how those friends had their back, or helped them conquer their goals.  It was the best!  And the ending we were given was so fabulous.  It was not only a beautiful happily ever after, but we also got to see where Jaghar and Viviette were in their happily ever after too.  I can’t wait to read whatever Lisette Marshall writes next!

« Older posts

© 2025

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑