Tag: Adult (Page 22 of 51)

BOOK REVIEW: 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne

July 17, 2023 / Jen / 4 Comments

99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Crush (n.): a strong and often short-lived infatuation, particularly for someone beyond your reach…

Darcy Barrett has undertaken a global survey of men. She’s travelled the world, and can categorically say that no one measures up to Tom Valeska, whose only flaw is that Darcy’s twin brother Jamie saw him first and claimed him forever as his best friend. Despite Darcy’s best efforts, Tom’s off limits and loyal to her brother, 99%. That’s the problem with finding her dream man at age eight and peaking in her photography career at age twenty—ever since, she’s had to learn to settle for good enough.

When Darcy and Jamie inherit a tumble-down cottage from their grandmother, they’re left with strict instructions to bring it back to its former glory and sell the property. Darcy plans to be in an aisle seat halfway across the ocean as soon as the renovations start, but before she can cut and run, she finds a familiar face on her porch: house-flipper extraordinaire Tom’s arrived, he’s bearing power tools, and he’s single for the first time in almost a decade.

Suddenly Darcy’s considering sticking around to make sure her twin doesn’t ruin the cottage’s inherent magic with his penchant for grey and chrome. She’s definitely not staying because of her new business partner’s tight t-shirts, or that perfect face that's inspiring her to pick up her camera again. Soon sparks are flying—and it’s not the faulty wiring. It turns out one percent of Tom’s heart might not be enough for Darcy anymore. This time around, she’s switching things up. She’s going to make Tom Valeska 99 percent hers.

Review:

99 Percent Mine was a hilariously sexy romcom that was laced with deeper moments filled with emotions. Darcy had known Tom Valeska since she was 8, and her twin claimed him as his best friend for life. Tom was now engaged and was overseeing the cottage renovation of the twin’s late grandmother. And usually when things got too emotional for Darcy, she bolted. And flew somewhere distant. Yet this cottage was a piece of her heart, and she was going to try her best to stick around. So she got a say in how it was renovated. So while Darcy and Tom had been friends for a long time, there was definitely a sticky background there. Darcy wasn’t the best with sensitive words or sensitive topics. And she hurt Tom years ago. So nowadays, Darcy was obsessed with what percent she had of Tom and what part belonged to her brother. And each time she won something, she bumped up that percentage a little higher.

I’m the liability he swore to take care of.

Darcy Barrett’s thoughts were absolutely hilarious and so ridiculous at times! While she was rough around the edges, and maybe that’s an understatement, I loved her! With her sugar and sweet wine addiction, the two didn’t go hand in hand with her lifelong heart arrythmia. I will say as someone who’s so conscious of her heart issues, it did bother me that Darcy didn’t take better care of her heart *cries*. Especially when it was obvious that alcohol was messing up her life. She didn’t do photography anymore and seemed to be skating by in life while making some bad choices. Life style choices, not great…alcohol choices, not great…job choices, not great. I couldn’t wait for Darcy to actually face something. And not run away like she always did in the past. Darcy was definitely the queen at bailing on life!

“What do I get in return?”
“You know, heart, soul. The usual.”
“Oh, Darce.” He sighs like I’ve learned nothing. “You’re messing with me again.”

And then there was Tom. Ohhh Tom. He was my favorite. Some of Tom’s words knocked the breath out of my lungs. And I loved how he messed with Darcy and would make the reader laugh too. Especially with the underwear thing! Yet Tom saw so much. So I wanted to cheer when he would hit the mark in regards to Darcy. But at the same time, I wanted to wrap my arms around myself while stating that it was way harsh Tai! As they worked through things between themselves and each other, I was cheering for them each step of the way. That they could love themselves. That they both could heal. And that they would find love together.

He laughs, and the afternoon sunlight turns the floating dust particles into glitter around us. It turns his eyes to whiskey, and they get me drunk. A guy like this? He’s the only one who’s ever made my stomach flip.

One thing that stuck out to me was that Darcy was a very sexual being and she had no problem sexualizing everything Tom did. It was so hot and you could just feel the tension electrifying between them! Yet miscommunication was the name of their game. He thought she had a wild night? She was truly at McDonalds lol. And neither seemed to be completely honest with the other. But as the renovation unfolded, they worked together. Helped each other. And threw in a little jealousy here and there. If you love slow burns, this book is for you! Darcy and Tom had the most fabulous slow burn!

Fuck it. If he wants honesty, I’ll give it to him. “I would have undone your belt and got down on my knees, and made you pray to God.”
“Jesus,” he says with no air.

There were also deeper emotional moments within the pages. It shocked me how much it hurt to watch Darcy fight with her twin. They both could be so stubborn. So I loved the relationship Darcy had with her bestie Truly. She told her everything! And I loved that Truly held her accountable and made her realize things. She was the most amazing woman! Yet the writing style wasn’t my favorite. It had very flowery, out there descriptions. Almost purple prose, but that’s not entirely the correct description. Once you read it, or if you already have, then you’ll know what I mean. So while I adored this book, I still had a few issues. But that epilogue was perfect! There was not only a 99 Percent Mine epilogue BUT also one for The Hating Games! And it left me closing this book with a smile on my face and being soooo happy!

His unforgettable eyes are the last thing I see before he pulls me up onto my tiptoes and puts his mouth on mine. Thunder cracks above us and then, the world goes silent.

BOOK REVIEW: Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

July 7, 2023 / Jen / 4 Comments

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The many lives of theoretical physicist Elsie Hannaway have finally caught up with her. By day, she’s an adjunct professor, toiling away at grading labs and teaching thermodynamics in the hopes of landing tenure. By other day, Elsie makes up for her non-existent paycheck by offering her services as a fake girlfriend, tapping into her expertly honed people-pleasing skills to embody whichever version of herself the client needs.

Honestly, it’s a pretty sweet gig—until her carefully constructed Elsie-verse comes crashing down. Because Jack Smith, the annoyingly attractive and arrogant older brother of her favorite client, turns out to be the cold-hearted experimental physicist who ruined her mentor’s career and undermined the reputation of theorists everywhere. And he’s the same Jack Smith who rules over the physics department at MIT, standing right between Elsie and her dream job.

Elsie is prepared for an all-out war of scholarly sabotage but…those long, penetrating looks? Not having to be anything other than her true self when she’s with him? Will falling into an experimentalist’s orbit finally tempt her to put her most guarded theories on love into practice?

Review:

Love, Theoretically was a heartwarming, academic romance. With a smidgen of enemies to lovers, this book was so easy to binge in a day!

I hate that I look at Jack Smith, with his good jaw and his good dimples and those good hands, and find him handsome.

Elsie Hannaway was a theoretical physicist. She wanted to be a researcher, yet she was currently adjuncting at three different colleges. So on the side to help pay for her bills, she was a fake girlfriend. Her favorite client’s older brother was Jack Smith. Who was my favorite *screams*, totally not biased at all haha! Yet when Elsie went on an interview for a dream job, she realized Jack was actually Dr. Jonathan Smith-Turner, the head of the MIT Physics Institute. Elsie hated that man with a passion. His past published work ruined her mentor’s career and undermined her career field. So with her nemesis standing in the way of her dream job, Elsie was determined, focused and set to get that job!

I remember his hands, warm, unwavering around my waist, a hushed settle down murmured against my temple, and I suppress a shiver. Have I mentioned that I hate him?

My heart hurt for Elsie. Her shock at who Jack was, was so palpable. She got it all wrong. And during that interview dinner, I was laughing way too hard. Jack had no problems messing with her and I loved that. But what I loved most of all was that Elsie was finally herself with Jack. With everyone else, she tried to be who they wanted her to be. Even with her best friend. With Jack, she was always true to herself. She let him know she hated him. She let him know what he did to her field and how she has struggled because of that. She let it all out! As she continued to go through the interview process over the days, I loved that she killed it time and again! Yet Elsie could definitely be her own worst enemy. By not being herself. By reading other people wrong. By blinding following along. And at times being clueless and assuming too much.

I notice it, the amused gleam in his eyes, like he knows exactly what I’m trying to say. I press my lips together, because I don’t want to encourage him, I don’t want to smile, but I’m about to. “I hate you.”
“Sure you do.”

While Jack Smith was closed off with his expressions and feelings, I just knew that time and again Elsie had to be reading him wrong. Her preconceived notions made her see him in a completely different light than who he truly was. I loved how he interacted with his brother. I loved how much passion he had. But most of all, I loved when Jack would mess with Elsie. It felt like he secretly liked her. So when he could see through her BS, facades and called her out on it, I was cheering! He seemed to want what was best for her. Even if he did damage her field of study in the past, but I knew there had to be a solid reason behind it. He didn’t seem like the type to not have reasons behind his actions. So as we got to watch Jack stand up for Elsie and protect her, I continued to fall for him. He not only showed that he cared, but he was smart, kind, compassionate and beyond sexy. And as Jack got vocal, sigh, he completely had me melting into a puddle!

“Bold of you to assume that the real me is my best hand.” That stupid, crooked half smile is back.
“Foolish of you to think it isn’t.”

Jack and Elsie’s progression had me grinning from ear to ear. I loved the banter and sexual tension between them. I loved that it wasn’t aways easy. So as they slowly started to become friends, I loved watching them build that foundation. And when more happened, ohhh their story was so steamy! The side characters were my absolute fabulous too. I adored Jack’s Grandma, his brother and Elsie’s bestie too. AND we got to see Adam and Olive from The Love Hypothesis *cheers*! My only hiccup with this book was I hate being pulled out of a story. I don’t mind pop references, but political people no matter if I adore or hate them are a big no for me. There were multiple references and each time it appeared on the pages I was pulled out of my happy place and put into the real world. I desperately need a break from the real world when I’m reading and this book didn’t fully give me that, sigh.

“You could be my entire world,” he whispers in my ear before moving to my collarbone. “If you let me.”

This was just one of those stories where it’s so easy to sit down and read it in a day. It flowed so quickly and was so much fun! While The Love Hypothesis still holds the spot as my favorite Ali Hazelwood book, this story was so much fun! It’s also a great book to buddy read with a friend and talk about! I loved how binge worthy this story was, and I’m hoping that Ali’s next book will hopefully become my next favorite story ever!

BOOK REVIEW: The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

July 6, 2023 / Jen / 2 Comments

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Felicity “Fizzy” Chen is lost. Sure, she’s got an incredible career as a beloved romance novelist with a slew of bestsellers under her belt, but when she’s asked to give a commencement address, it hits her: she hasn’t been practicing what she’s preached.

Fizzy hasn’t ever really been in love. Lust? Definitely. But that swoon-worthy, can’t-stop-thinking-about-him, all-encompassing feeling? Nope. Nothing. What happens when the optimism she’s spent her career encouraging in readers starts to feel like a lie?

Connor Prince, documentary filmmaker and single father, loves his work but when his profit-minded boss orders him to create a reality TV show, putting his job on the line, Connor is out of his element. Desperate to find his romantic lead, a chance run-in with an exasperated Fizzy offers Connor the perfect solution. What if he could show the queen of romance herself falling head-over-heels for all the world to see? Fizzy gives him a hard pass—unless he agrees to her list of demands. When he says yes, and production on The True Love Experiment begins, Connor wonders if that perfect match will ever be in the cue cards for him, too.

Review:

With a fun and flirty vibe, The True Love Experiment was so easy to devour! This story took place one year after The Soulmate Equation, and I definitely recommend reading that book first! There were so many easter eggs for feelings! This time around, a company was using the dating technology within a tv show. And watchers got to determine who would progress to the next level. Connor was in charge of the show and I loved that he knew he needed Fizzy to be the leading lady. So when Fizzy, an author, threw out that the males had to be tropey oh my heart exploded. I couldn’t wait to see how it all unfolded!

The world seems intent on beating us down, and I don’t remember the last time I was genuinely happy.

Fizzy was so different then I perceived her in The Soulmate Equation. She came across as bubbly, happy and fun in the previous book and in listening to her thoughts in this story she was cynical, jaded and could be harsh on men. She was stuck in a writing block, didn’t know if true love was for her and hadn’t had sex in a year. My heart hurt for her. But I struggled connecting with her at first. She could be so harsh and was quick to judge Connor without blinking an eye. She had no problems assuming and painting others as a villain. I was so thankful when I got to page 58 because then I finally saw the Fizzy I had fallen in love with! She started to mess with Connor and I loved that her playful ways were coming out! And I love that her friends were horrified when they learned that her first impression of him was soooo wrong *cheers for Connor!*. While Fizzy wasn’t one my favorite Christina Lauren character, I was so happy to see that she grew in leaps and bounds. And I loved her by the end of this story!

You’re going to be setting her up with other men. The reminder crashes into the forefront of my thoughts, and I blink away.

I loved Conor within those first few pages. I loved that he would agree to her outlandish terms! I loved how he had such an open and honest relationship with his ex, the mother of his daughter. That warmed my heart how he could confide and talk to her. She was such an amazing best friend for him. And I loved how they co-parented their daughter. Connor was sexy, good hearted, kind and loyal. The company Connor worked for was making a major pivot from socially conscious programming to reality television. And Connor was in charge. I was happy to know that he wasn’t aware of who Fizzy’s true match was, so I kept trying to guess as the pages unfolded. But at the same point, I was wondering how Connor would match up with her since there was a definite spark between them. And as Connor was in the background during the shoots, Fizzy couldn’t ignore him. She was pulled to him, as strongly as he was pulled to her!

I know what love looks like— and I’ve written it so many times— but I’ve never felt it myself.

I loved watching Connor and Fizzy form a true friendship as the story progressed. It was so effortless, once they got past their beginning hiccups. And we got to alternate this story between the two of them! Yet Fizzy wanted more. And I loved seeing how Connor wasn’t capable of compartmentalizing his feelings like Fizzy. He knew he couldn’t get his heart invested. So with Connor being the voice of reason, I wondered how long that would last haha. Because lines were crossed. And they both made not the best life decisions. Especially with contracts dictating behavior ack. So while their times were hot, they were also a recipe for disaster. And I kept waiting for it all to blow up in their faces. I loved them together, but it left a bad taste in my mouth that she wasn’t being in good faith for the show.

“This is a plot twist I should have expected,” I grumble.

So while I had so much fun devouring this story, I still had my hiccups. I struggled with Fizzy’s behavior at times, I didn’t like an aspect of Connor’s past, and their struggle later in the book just showed me that they could both be dumb at times *shrugs*. But things have a way of working out the way it should, and I loved the ending of this story! If you’re looking for a beach read and don’t have some of my issues, then this book is definitely will be it!

The sneakiest of thoughts escapes, unguarded: As great as these Heroes are, none are him.

BOOK REVIEW: Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

May 23, 2023 / Jen / 6 Comments

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Sam Brandis was Tate Jones’s first: Her first love. Her first everything. Including her first heartbreak.

During a whirlwind two-week vacation abroad, Sam and Tate fell for each other in only the way that first loves do: sharing all of their hopes, dreams, and deepest secrets along the way. Sam was the first, and only, person that Tate—the long-lost daughter of one of the world’s biggest film stars—ever revealed her identity to. So when it became clear her trust was misplaced, her world shattered for good.

Fourteen years later, Tate, now an up-and-coming actress, only thinks about her first love every once in a blue moon. When she steps onto the set of her first big break, he’s the last person she expects to see. Yet here Sam is, the same charming, confident man she knew, but even more alluring than she remembered. Forced to confront the man who betrayed her, Tate must ask herself if it’s possible to do the wrong thing for the right reason… and whether “once in a lifetime” can come around twice.

Review:

Twice in a Blue Moon was an enchanting tale of second chances. With beautiful scenery, characters that were easy to love and a story-line that was hard to put down, this story was so much fun! The only thing it was missing was either an epilogue or a few more chapters. Things moved pretty fast towards the end of this story, and I desperately needed to have more. That’s the only thing that prevented this from being 5 Stars.

Sam kissed me one more time and then hesitated. His cheeks flushed just before he admitted, “I think I’m falling in love with you. Is that crazy?”
Biting my lips was the only way to hold in my elated scream. Finally, I managed, “No. It isn’t crazy. Because, me too.”

Tate met Sam when they were both vacationing in Europe with their grandparents. I loved Sam and his grandpa right away! They were warm, kind and they felt like people you had known your whole life. I loved watching how Tate and Sam easily formed their friendship. They bonded over their similarities, like not being able to do things in life that were their passion. And it wasn’t long before they would confess everything to each other. And when there were touches, kisses and watching what felt like first love unfold, it was butterfly inducing! Their moments together in London felt magical. And I was excited for what could be when they got back to the states, even though there was so much distance between them. The first 100 plus pages of this story, I fell in love with them. Only to have the rug pulled beneath Tate and the readers’ feet. She was betrayed, and her life would never be the same.

It was only two weeks of my life, a long time ago, but I loved him. I remember the feeling; it’s still the only time I’ve ever felt it.

Tate was the daughter of one of the most famous actors and her identity had been given away. Her life had been a whirlwind since she got back from London. Now she was an actress, and was to be the star of a movie that was supposed to skyrocket her career even further. The script was beautiful, the role was life changing and there was something about the storyline that spoke to her. Yet when Tate arrived on set in Northern California, north of where she grew up, Sam was there. All of her feelings rushed back to her. Consuming her. And threatened the potential for her to nail this job. It was impossible not to be nervous with Sam and Tate around each other again. I didn’t know where they could go. But I was secretly hoping they could fix what destroyed them in the past. Or at least get answers so Tate could move on.

Charlie steps in front of me, blocking my view. I am so busted. “Why are we staring at Satan?”
“I wasn’t.”
“You were. Are you feeling nice things, Tate Jones?”
“I wasn’t— I just…” I lean to the side to peek again. “Is he crying?”
She doesn’t even turn around. “We don’t care if it cries. We aren’t even sure it has feelings, remember?”
“I remember,” I say dutifully, straightening and grinning at her.

I loved Tate! She could be so black and white, and harsh. But it made sense, her whole life had been taken away from her. She wasn’t able to hide anymore. So I got her anger and hurt towards Sam. I got her nerves over whether this would affect her ability to work. She never seemed to have solid footing. Especially with Sam back in the picture. And Sam? Well, I had already fallen in love with him when he was 21. And as an adult, I desperately wanted to watch him redeem himself. For there to be such a solid answer for why he did what he did. Or that we put the clues together wrong. So anytime he was around Sam, it was hard to ignore the electricity between them. What they had built in a few weeks couldn’t be ignored all of these years later. So I struggled with my feelings right along with Tate.

I shove him once and he stumbles back, landing against the side of the truck. My hands come to the front of his shirt, pulling the cotton into my fists, and I want to tear it off, dig my hands into the skin underneath and pull his heart free.

The other characters filled in the story perfectly. Tate’s dad, sigh. Even though I didn’t like him, it got to the point where it was impossible to separate my feelings from Tate. When she wanted to find that connection with her dad, I wanted that for her too. Probably my favorite side character was Charlie, her best friend. I adored her! Ohhh and Nick her co-worker and main lead in the movie. He helped Tate so much, he was impossible not to love! I wish he got his own story. And the setting felt like its own character. I grew up not that far from where parts of this story took place. So hearing about Guerneville, where I went to camp and drove through countless times, to The Coddingtown Mall I would frequent with friends and my mom, to even the area the movie was north of Point Arena, wow that one knocked the wind out of me because that area holds such a special place from my late teens to early 20s. So this story was so vivid! I felt like I was walking back through those locations and it made my heart so happy!

“Can you believe me, though?” he asks quietly. “That the worst thing I ever did was for the best reason I ever had?”

I loved how we not only got first love in a NA setting, but an Adult second chance romance too. It was very similar in that vein to Love and Other Words, which is one of my favorite books by them! So if you’re wanting a romance story that will make you fall in love. Have characters that are so easy to click with. And a storyline that makes it so easy to binge, definitely add this one to your tbr. Just make sure you’re okay with not getting a peak into the future, because that was my only hang-up!

BOOK REVIEW: Help Me Remember by Corinne Michaels

May 22, 2023 / Jen / 4 Comments

Help Me Remember by Corinne Michaels
Purchase on: Amazon

Synopsis:
In one second, my life disappeared.

My past. My memories. My future.

The only certainty I have from the last three years is that my older brother is dead, and I am the only eyewitness.

In order to protect the case, the lawyers demand that no one give me any information about my life . . . I must remember on my own. My only help comes from my brother’s best friend and world-renowned investigative reporter, Spencer Cross.

He has no idea how many nights I’ve spent dreaming of his name—and his body—next to mine.

Now we’re a team and our goal is to recover my memories and retrace my past. But each day we spend together, he’s looking at me as more than his friend’s little sister and I find it harder to want my old life back. Instead I’m wishing for a new one—with him. His kiss feels like home. His arms make me feel safe, and I never want this to end.

As my memories return, forcing me to face my future, everything falls apart... especially when I find an engagement ring hidden in my apartment. I have no idea who gave it to me, or what it means about my past.

I may have asked Spencer to help me remember, but now I wish I could forget.

Review:

Help Me Remember was an adult romance that had so much potential. This story had me instantly liking the characters, story-line and suspense. When Brielle woke up in the hospital, she learned that her brother was murdered and she was the only eye witness. She couldn’t remember the last 3 years of her life, and those around her weren’t allowed to tell her anything to fill in the gaps. So as not to compromise the case. I loved the premise and that we got to piece the clues together with Brielle. I already had so many guesses within the first few chapters. Spencer was her brother’s best friend who was always around. His actions and words made it seem like he cared for her more than her brother’s other best friends. So my heart broke for Spencer. For the loss he was currently consumed with. By not only losing his best friend but possible the woman he loved forgetting him. Or at least that’s how I was hoping the pieces would land together.

“You were never forgotten. Not by the people who loved you.”
“I know that.”
“Not by me,” I say softly.
His eyes find mine, and the way he’s staring at me has my throat going dry. I would swear he wants to kiss me, which is crazy because Spencer doesn’t look at me that way and we have never kissed . . . well, not like that.

The sexual tension between Brielle and Spencer was sigh worthy. They felt right together, it was as though they were meant to be together. And Spencer was someone who readers will adore. He was protective, caring, kind and oh so patient. So as Brielle’s got flashes and moments of her memory trickling back to her, I was so excited. I desperately wanted to know how Spencer fit into her past. And what they truly were to each other. Plus I was scared that the killer was still out there and could target her. But by two thirds into this story, my struggles became too glaring. I understood that those around her weren’t allowed to answer questions about her past. But I wish they would have evaded or said I can’t answer that question, instead of just lying to her face. Every single time that happened, it bothered and hurt me. And by then I also struggled with some of the choices that Brielle made. While I wanted to shake her a few times, when she pulled a TSTL move I knew I was done trying to make excuses for why she did what she did. There was no coming back from that. And my heart was sad because this was a story I could get lost in. So while Help Me Remember didn’t work for me, hopefully it’ll be a better fit for you!