Tag: Adult (Page 14 of 48)

BOOK REVIEW: The Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner

December 28, 2023 / Jen / 2 Comments

The Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
In this unforgettable story full of charm, wit—and just a bit of magic—a woman down on her luck is given a second chance at fixing her life and trying one year all over again. Perfect for readers of Josie Silver and Rebecca Serle.

Sadie Thatcher’s life has fallen apart in spectacular fashion. In one fell swoop, she managed to lose her job, her apartment, and her boyfriend—all thanks to her big mouth. So when a fortune teller offers her one wish, Sadie jumps at the chance to redo her awful year. Deep down, she doesn’t believe magic will fix her life, but taking a leap of faith, Sadie makes her wish, opens her eyes, and . . . nothing has changed. And then, in perhaps her dumbest move yet, she kisses her brother’s best friend, Jacob.

When Sadie wakes up the next morning, she’s in her former apartment with her former boyfriend, and her former boss is expecting her at work. Checking the date, she realizes it's January 1 . . . of last year. As Sadie navigates her second-chance year, she begins to see the red flags she missed in her relationship and in her career. Plus, she keeps running into Jacob, and she can’t stop thinking about their kiss . . . the one he has no idea ever happened. Suddenly, Sadie begins to wonder if her only mistake was wishing for a second chance.

Review:

The Second Chance Year was a brother’s best friend romance that asked the question, what if you made different choices? How would your life turn out? This was an adult romance story that was so easy to read and enjoy!

What if someone had looked into a crystal ball last December and warned me about the terrible year I was about to have? Would I have done something differently?

Sadie Thatcher was at the end of her horrible year. Her boyfriend broke up with her. She was fired from her job. And she was living at her brother’s best friend’s apartment, while her parents were demeaning her life decisions. When a New Year’s party sent her back to January 1st, of the worst year of her life, she thought she could change fate. And how things worked out. Little did Sadie know she was in for a huge life lesson!

He lets out a small laugh, shaking his head, and he seems almost bitter. “I’ve wanted the same thing all my life. But…” His expression darkens. “I’ve never had the courage to reach out and grab it.”

Jacob was my absolute favorite! He was a delicious marshmallow who was smart, kind and oh so thoughtful. In the past, I loved how he noticed little things about Sadie. And in Sadie’s New Year, he was still shy, but she saw so much more of him. I loved all of her extra moments with Jacob. How their relationship grew. How there were bumps along the way. And nothing was truly easy.

I never thought I’d wish to have that year back, instead of this one.

Sadie was so easy to like. She could be rough around the edges, but she stood up for those she cared for. And in trying to fix all of her wrongs in the past, it left her a different person. She was muted and that created situations to go completely sideways. So I loved how as the year went on, we spent a chapter or few in each month, that she saw things in a different light. That she grew as a person. And realized exactly who she wanted to be.

This friendship with Jacob is a second chance I’m truly grateful for.

Rounding out this story was her amazing brother, Owen, and I adored her friendships with Zoe and Mrs. Kaminski. There were also her parents, who I severely struggled with. And Xavier and her ex whom I have so many horrible thoughts about. But what stood out was that each character was unique and made a stamp on Sadie’s life.

It’s all coming together just like I wanted it to.

The Second Chance Year was a heartwarming, adult romance that analyzes ones choices. While it dealt with heavier topics of sexism, sexual harassment and even bullying, the characters in this story and their interaction and lives added so much lightness to the pages. So while I guessed how quite a few things played out, I still enjoyed this story. And I’ll be looking forward to future releases from Melissa Wiesner.

PS I want to know which Tom Petty song please. 🙂

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

BOOK REVIEW: This Spells Love by Kate Robb

December 18, 2023 / Jen / 6 Comments

This Spells Love by Kate Robb
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
A young woman tries to heal her heartbreak by casting a spell to erase her ex from her past, but she wakes up in an alternate reality where she’s lost more than she wished for in this witty, whimsical friends-to-lovers debut.

What if one little wish changed everything?

When Gemma gets dumped by her long-term boyfriend, she reacts the way any reasonable twenty-eight-year-old would: by getting drunk with her sister, kooky aunt, and best friend, Dax. After one too many margaritas, they decide to perform a love- cleansing spell, which promises to erase Gemma’s ex from her memory. They follow all the instructions, including a platonic kiss from Dax to seal the deal.

When Gemma wakes up, she realizes that this silly spell has worked. Not only does it seem that she never dated her ex, but the rest of her life is completely unrecognizable. The worst part: Dax has no idea who she is.

To reverse the spell and get back to her old life, Gemma must convince her once-best-friend-now-near-stranger to kiss her. But as she carries out her plans, she finds herself falling for him—hard. Soon, Gemma begins to wonder whether she even wants to go back to the way things once were. What if Dax was The One all along?

Review:

This Spells Love was an absolutely adorable, addictively fun, steamy friends to lovers romance! I loved the characters, the storyline kept me guessing, and this book captured my heart so effortlessly. Kate Robb is my favorite debut author of 2023, and I can’t wait to read whatever she releases next!

His voice is so firm. Assured. “Stuart was not the guy.”
“You have to say that because you’re my best friend.”
“No.” He looks up at me with a look I cannot decipher. “It’s because I’m your best friend that I shouldn’t say that.”

From that first page, I clicked with Gemma. Her voice made me smile and laugh. She was so easy to like, and I wanted to be friends with her. Her older sister Kiersten was hilarious and I loved how strong their relationship was. They were each other’s best friends. And their Aunt Livi rounded them out in a way that made my heart happy, I loved how strong their bond was with each other. With her best friend Dax in tow, the four of them did a spell which had Gemma waking up in alternate reality. Cleansing her ex from her life truly worked, and her new life was so exciting! Yet….. Dax who was her best friend in the entire world didn’t remember her. With one month counting down to get Dax her to kiss, and back to her old life, everything spiraled in ways Gemma could never imagine!

Logically, I should be over the moon right now. I am living the manifestation of my dream. But yesterday’s fleeting few moments with Dax have me longing for a life where nights like that were the norm and not the exception.
“I want my best friend back.”

I was completely obsessed with the ride this book took us on, while also having so much anxiety for Gemma. She had no clue what the last four years had been like in this realty. There were people who know her, who she sure didn’t know back! Yet thankfully she still had her aunt and sister in her life. Their love and support were beautiful. Yet she didn’t have her best friend Dax to lean on. And not have him even knowing her cut so deep. How was she supposed to get him to kiss her, let alone even hang out with her? It all seemed like so much! As we watch Gemma try her best to get to know Dax, my heart was sinking. She came across in a way that had me laughing out loud, but wouldn’t get her anywhere with Dax. And just when it felt like the planets would align and she could have a hint of relief, nope, something else would shake it all up. The angst in this book was so beautifully done!

And I . . . I don’t know how to feel. The tiny part of my brain not bogged down with beer is screaming, Think about the consequences. The rest of me has been lulled into a dreamy haze by the deepness of his voice and the smell of his damn lotion. Every cell of my body feel like it’s tuned to the highest frequency.
I stop walking.
To catch my breath. Or steady my mind. Or stop my body from vibrating. I don’t know.

Dax was someone I easily liked in her other reality, but in this one we got to see other sides of him. He was so easy to love, and was a sigh worthy book boyfriend! Dax was sweet, kind, charming and stepped in to help others without a second thought. And as he allowed himself to be around or talk with Gemma, my heart would soar with hope! So as they spent more time around each other, it felt like the beginnings of something more than friendship. Almost like there was some heat thrown in there. So while I was laughing, smiling and falling for Dax right along with Gemma, I got her hang up that this was her best friend. She wasn’t supposed to have those types of feelings for him! Or was she?

“If we stop this here. Could you be only my friend?”
Dax closes his eyes, and for a very long moments, I’m worried he’s going to say no. Finally, he opens them. “Yes, I can. But to be very transparent, I don’t want to.”
“I don’t want to either.” The words leave my mouth, and they are so achingly true that I hold my arms out, close my eyes, and I jump.

I loved watching Gemma succeed in this new life. I was so elated for her when she would have the most wonderful day. And when Gemma’s relationship with Dax seemed to go somewhere, I couldn’t be happier for her! Gemma and Dax together were hot, steamy and so seductive! I loved that even when everything could be going wrong around them, there was still this intense desire and chemistry between them that couldn’t be ignored. So as the days went by, it was so easy to get attached to this life. To want Gemma to make the choice to stay here. Yet there was so much going on that I can’t say that also left me wanting for her to go back to her old life. I wasn’t sure how Gemma would proceed. This Dax was everything she never knew she wanted, yet so much hang in the balance so going back felt oh so right too.

He smiles when he sees me.
And suddenly, I know. We are the same here. The universe could make us live a thousand different lifetimes, and we’ll always find a way to be there for each other.

Sacrifice, love, friendship, and thoughtfulness laced through the pages creating a beautiful, memorable story. This friends to lovers romance is one of my favorite reads for this year! And it’s also one that I will definitely be re-reading again and again. I loved this story, the characters were so real, and that ending wow I did not see that coming at all. It made me want to jump up and down and cheer at the top of my lungs. I loved it so much! So if you love adult romance, definitely put this one on your tbr! I can’t recommend it enough!

PS I love Frank!

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

BOOK REVIEWS: The Holiday Mix-Up by Ginny Baird, Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber & The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews

December 15, 2023 / Jen / 4 Comments

The Holiday Mix-Up by Ginny Baird
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
While You Were Sleeping meets The Wedding Date with a fun Puerto Rican holiday twist in NYT and USA Today bestselling author Ginny Baird's latest sweet romance, in which a diner waitress agrees to be her patron's fake date...only for him to land in a coma and her to be stuck playing his sweetheart with his family all week long.

Lonely-hearted waitress Katie Smith has nowhere to go for Christmas, and a huge crush on her gorgeous diner patron Juan Martinez. So when Juan asks Katie to pose as his girlfriend for holiday festivities at his family's winery, Katie leaps at the chance…that is, until an accident lands Juan in a coma right after giving his folks the "news." Katie knows she should tell the Martinezes the truth, but when they immediately embrace her, Katie is reluctant to let her fantasy of a family holiday go. And then there's Juan's brother, Mateo, whose smile tugs at her heartstrings just right―and who tells her perfect Juan might not be everything he seems.

Second son Mateo Martinez loves his brother, but Juan's plan to "rebrand and expand" Los Cielos Cellars has cost their family too much and put its entire tradition in jeopardy. Katie seems to understand, but she's still committed to Juan…even when Mateo starts to wish her gentle heart and beautiful smile were committed to him instead. With the winery at stake, secrets on all sides, and Juan due to wake up any day, can Katie and Mateo follow their hearts to a Christmas miracle, or will this mix-up ruin their chances?

Review:

The Holiday Mix-Up was an over the top heartwarming, but also awkward, Christmas romance. Katie went along with one of her restaurant patron’s wishes that she be his fake girlfriend for Christmas. She had been falling for him the last few months, yet moments later he ended up in an accident that left him in a coma. Katie found herself conflicted, but played along with the Martinez family that she was Juan’s girlfriend. So with picking out a Christmas tree, meals at their house, horse rides, to even trying on something that made me gasp, Katie quickly found herself wrapped up in the Martinez’s lives. I wasn’t sure if Katie was extremely lonely or if she was incapable of saying no? But regardless, the family’s antics were entertaining. And the more time she spent with them, Katie couldn’t deny she was falling for her fake boyfriend’s brother. I really enjoyed the beginning, while the latter half of this book seemed to stall for me. But still, it was so easy to listen to, was festive, and I’m going to try another book by this author.

Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Friendly and bubbly, Julia Padden likes nearly everyone, but her standoffish neighbor, Cain Maddox, presents a particular challenge. No matter how hard she’s tried to be nice, Cain rudely rebuffs her at every turn, preferring to keep to himself. But when Julia catches Cain stealing her newspaper from the lobby of their apartment building, that’s the last straw. She’s going to break through Cain’s Scrooge-like exterior the only way she knows how: by killing him with kindness.

To track her progress, Julia starts a blog called The Twelve Days of Christmas. Her first attempts to humanize Cain are far from successful. Julia brings him homemade Christmas treats and the disagreeable grinch won’t even accept them. Meanwhile, Julie’s blog becomes an online sensation, as an astonishing number of people start following her adventures. Julia continues to find ways to express kindness and, little by little, chips away at Cain’s gruff façade to reveal the caring man underneath. Unbelievably, Julia feels herself falling for Cain—and she suspects that he may be falling for her as well. But as the popularity of her blog continues to grow, Julia must decide if telling Cain the truth about having chronicled their relationship to the rest of the world is worth risking their chance at love.

Review:

Twelve Days of Christmas was a grumpy sunshine holiday romance. This book made me laugh out loud at times. And I loved watching Julia try to bring out Cain’s kind side each day they got closer to Christmas. Yet I had a hiccup when she visited someone special in his life. I felt like that was a little backhanded with how she learned information about him. But regardless of that, this was a very cute, sweet and quick book to listen to. There was lots of Christmas cheer, cheesy goodness and an epilogue set in the future that will leave you smiling.

The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
When newly-divorced Ivy Perkins buys an old farmhouse sight unseen, she is definitely looking for a change in her life. The Four Roses, as the farmhouse is called, is a labor of love—but Ivy didn't bargain on just how much labor. The previous family left so much furniture and so much junk, that it's a full-time job sorting through all of it.

At the top of a closet, Ivy finds an old Santa suit—beautifully made and decades old. In the pocket of a suit she finds a note written in a childish hand: it's from a little girl who has one Christmas wish, and that is for her father to return home from the war. This discovery sets Ivy off on a mission. Who wrote the note? Did the man ever come home? What mysteries did the Rose family hold?

Ivy's quest brings her into the community, at a time when all she wanted to do was be left alone and nurse her wounds. But the magic of Christmas makes miracles happen, and Ivy just might find more than she ever thought possible: a welcoming town, a family reunited, a mystery solved, and a second chance at love.

Review:

This was an adorable small town romance. Ivy Perkins was so easy to like, and she had just bought a farm house to get her new start. Newly divorced and with only her dog, who was the cutest, I loved watching her settle into the small town. With a Christmas letter that added a little bit of holiday mystery, to making new friends, to even finding love, this book had all of it. Plus I was pleasantly urprised that everyone got a happy ending. The romance in this story was most definitely instalove, so I didn’t feel a strong connection between the two characters. But I always seem to struggle with that trope. So if you’re looking for a light and sweet heartwarming Christmas story, that is a Hallmark movie in a book, this may be it if you like instalove!

GRINCHY BOOK REVIEWS: One Day in December by Josie Silver & A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

December 13, 2023 / Jen / 2 Comments

One Day in December Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Two people. Ten chances. One unforgettable love story.

Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn’t exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there’s a moment of pure magic . . . and then her bus drives away.

Certain they’re fated to find each other again, Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him. But she doesn’t find him, not when it matters anyway. Instead they “reunite” at a Christmas party, when her best friend, Sarah, giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie. It’s Jack, the man from the bus. It would be.

What follows for Laurie, Sarah, and Jack is ten years of friendship, heartbreak, missed opportunities, roads not taken, and destinies reconsidered. One Day in December is a joyous, heartwarming, and immensely moving love story to escape into and a reminder that fate takes inexplicable turns along the route to happiness.

Review:

I DNFed this book at 27% because of cheating. She kissed her best friend’s boyfriend, or her best friend’s boyfriend kissed her…whatever, semantics. But regardless, they were both cheaters. What a horrible best friend and boyfriend. They probably do deserve each other in the end, but I was too upset to continue. On top of cheating, this story moved so slowly. And Laurie rambled at times. I felt like there could be a lot taken out of this story to move it along, such as not caring about her food specials or the exact science to it. So with a boring story and cheating characters, I happily DNFed this book! I won’t be reading anymore books by this author.

A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone by Julie Murphy, Sierra Simone
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Bee Hobbes (aka Bianca Von Honey) has a successful career as a plus-size adult film star. With a huge following and two supportive moms, Bee couldn’t ask for more. But when Bee’s favorite producer casts her to star in a Christmas movie he’s making for the squeaky-clean Hope Channel, Bee’s career is about to take a more family-friendly direction.

Forced to keep her work as Bianca under wraps, Bee quickly learns this is a task a lot easier said than done. Though it all becomes worthwhile when she discovers her co-star is none other than childhood crush Nolan Shaw, an ex-boy band member in desperate need of career rehab. Nolan’s promised his bulldog manager to keep it zipped up on set, and he will if it means he’ll be able to provide a more stable living situation for his sister and mom.

But things heat up quickly in Christmas Notch, Vermont, when Nolan recognizes his new co-star from her ClosedDoors account (oh yeah, he’s a member). Now Bee and Nolan are sneaking off for quickies on set, keeping their new relationship a secret from the Hope Channel’s execs. Things only get trickier when the reporter who torpedoed Nolan’s singing career comes snooping around—and takes an instant interest in mysterious newcomer Bee.

And if Bee and Nolan can’t keep their off-camera romance behind the scenes, then this merry little meet cute might end up on the cutting room floor.

Review:

I DNFed this book at 37% because I didn’t feel anything. For such a steamy story, I was beyond bored. The spicy moments didn’t contain any heat behind them. There wasn’t a meet cute that was memorable. For filming a Christmas movie in a Christmas perfect town, I didn’t feel any Christmas vibes. And while the characters were easy to listen to and help pass the time, I couldn’t ever find anything in me to care about them. I did love how sex positive this story was, but how many times can I listen to a man jerk off using gingerbread lotion yet again? LOL. On to the next Christmas audiobook…..

BOOK REVIEW: Start Us Up (Park Avenue Promise #1) by Lexi Blake

December 2, 2023 / Jen / 2 Comments

Start Us Up by Lexi Blake
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Three young women make a pact in high school—
to always be friends and to one day make it big in Manhattan.

She’s a high-tech boss who lost it all…

Ivy Jensen was the darling of the tech world, right up until her company fell apart completely after she trusted the wrong person. Her reputation in tatters, she finds herself back in the tiny apartment she grew up in, living with her mom. When a group of angel investors offer her a meeting, she knows she has to come up with the new big idea or her career is over.

He’s an up and coming coder…

Heath Marino has always been fascinated with writing code. He’s worked on a dozen games and apps and is considered one of the industry’s more eccentric talents. But now he’s back in New York to spend time with his grandmother. She was known as one of the city’s greatest matchmakers, and he wants to know why. Surely there’s some kind of code in his grandmother’s methods, and he’s going to find them.

When Ivy meets Heath it’s instant attraction, but she’s got a career to get back to and he just might be her on-ramp. It could be a perfect partnership or absolute heartbreak.

Review:

Start Us Up was an adult romance that was a wonderful blend of family, friendship, love and finding yourself. Ivy had been successful, but let her boyfriend destroy her business in the tech world out in California. Back home in New York, and living with her mom, she was trying to find herself again. What her next project would be. How she could fix her name. And how to find happiness again. She had two best friends from childhood that she was still close with, and a struggling relationship with her mother. This book dove deeply into the relationships in Ivy’s life. And with strong found family vibes, I enjoyed reading this story.

I realize I’ve spent the last year so focused on getting back to the top that I haven’t let myself want anything else.
I want him. I want everything he can give me.

My favorite person in this story was Heath. From their first interaction, I was intrigued by him. He was kind, caring, patient, and when Ivy decided to go into business with him, I loved their negotiations. But the moment I realized how much I loved him was when he stepped in to protect Ivy. And sneak a dog a little goodie to make her like him haha. Ivy and Heath had a lot in common. They both worked in the tech world, were loving people and fascinated in the AI project they were working on together. Also they both didn’t want to fail their families. On top of Heath, I liked Ivy. She was so relatable and easy to click with. Together, they felt like the perfect match.

He leans forward and kisses my forehead, the gesture making my heart squeeze.
“I…I’ve given you every reason to push me away.”
He winks. “And still I didn’t. And that’s why you should speciously consider door number three.”

The side characters in this book were definitely shining stars. Between Heath’s grandma and roommate who I both loved. To Ivy’s best friends who felt so real. To even Cece and Ivy’s mom. They rounded out the story so wonderfully. But I did struggle with two things. While tech fascinates me, those parts about work felt dull. And there was almost too much talk about feelings. Yet while there were some lags in this story, at the base of it was wonderful friendships, and a love story that had a little bit of steam. This was an interesting book to discuss with my book club, and I am interested in trying another book by Lexi Blake!