Tag: Adult (Page 34 of 62)

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!

BOOK REVIEW: Luck of the Demon & Demon’s Advocate (Deals With Demons #4 & #5) by Staica Stark

April 6, 2023 / Jen / 2 Comments

Luck of the Demon (Deals With Demons #4)
by Stacia Stark
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Within a matter of days, Samael will turn to ash.
And there’s a high chance I’ll die with him.

To save both our lives, I’m calling in every favor and debt owed to me.

I’ll travel through realms.

I’ll tussle with mythical creatures.

And I’ll hand over the things I value most– even if it means playing right into Lucifer’s hands.

I never could have imagined I’d risk everything for a demon. But what Samael and I have will always be worth fighting for. Even if it means ending treaties, severing friendships, and alienating our allies.

Because Samael is mine now.

And I protect what’s mine.

Review:

I was Alice, and I’d fallen down the wrong damn rabbit hole.

Luck of the Demon was an emotional book about sacrifice and love. Debts were called in and traded. Prophecies graced the pages. We saw lots of familiar faces from the previous books. Friendships formed I didn’t see coming. And there were new alliances made that had me on the edge of my seat having to know what happened next! This series continues to keep me entertained, obsessed and needing to know what happens next!

Lucifer had known exactly where to strike. I was the chink in Samael’s armor. His blind spot. The weakness Lucifer had been searching for.

Luck of the Demon hurt. I had so much anxiety for Samael. What he was going through was horrific. And his fate fell completely on Danica’s shoulders. Her tasks were unfathomable. The deals she made just seemed to dig her even deeper into what had to be done. I was so nervous for her, yet love drove her to never give up! And play some very dangerous games with those in great power. Yet Danica also sacrificed more than we could ever imagine. I cried for her. For what she had to lose. And then her emotional moment with Scylla, I just couldn’t. I was a blubbering mess. This book definitely held me in the palm of its hands!

Whatever it took. I’d do whatever it took to make sure he lived.

With time running out, the intensity of this book felt through the roof. And with enemies at every turn, I just wanted them to have some type of break. One that didn’t exist. Danica traveled through realms, was given tasks that seemed impossible and met creatures she didn’t even know existed. All the while Samael’s life was on the line. So I was beyond terrified and sometimes didn’t want to turn the page because I needed those I loved to be okay. And that definitely wasn’t guaranteed. But there was an addition of a new character who I loved! We also got some answers to questions back from that first book! But there was also tears, I had so many tears! Even happy ones. Then those last few pages left us again on another epic cliffhanger and I started that next book asap!

PS When she said MY people! OMG, I got chills!

Demon's Advocate by Stacia Stark
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Lucifer Morningstar took everything from me.

My memories. My freedom. My powers.

Now it’s my turn to take everything from him.

I’ll make alliances with former enemies. I’ll hunt those who betrayed me. And I’ll make my grandfather regret ever learning of my existence.

As Samael prepares for war, I’m learning there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect those I love. And this is our chance to free the underworld from Lucifer’s evil.

The underking thinks he can hold me prisoner in his castle. But he’s about to learn why he should have guarded his world from me.

Because I’m going to burn that world down.

Even if I burn with it.

Review:

My breaths sawed in and out of lungs that felt like they were filled with cement.
I threw my head back and roared.

Demon’s Advocate pulled out all the stops. We got answers that went back to the first book and also ones in between. And we were given the most beautiful happily ever at the end of this story! Plus we were setup for Vas and Mer’s book and her sister’s spinoff. There is so much going on in this world and I’m so thankful we don’t have to say goodbye, yet! But again, it was such a rough road to get to that happily ever after.

“Tell me then,” she eyed me. At least she was curious.
I smiled. But my hands were shaking with the effort it took not to touch her. “Well, witchling, the first thing you should know is that our love? It is the stuff of legends.”

This story was filled with lies and deceit. The extent that her Grandfather would go to, to get what he wanted. Wow. No lines existed for Lucifer. He stole her memories and put false ones in there instead. So I kept waiting for it all to click in place! And for Danica to punch and kill someone and for Samael to get them back. I couldn’t wait until he would make the skies rain with the blood shed he would bring to their realm and to those that stood by Lucifer’s side. But as the story unfolded, there were those characters that I didn’t know where they stood. Whose side they belonged to. So even when I thought I knew where this book was going, there were still surprises that kept me on my toes and turning those pages faster and faster!

“You likely shouldn’t join this battle. You have younglings to protect.”
He grinned at me, his sharp teeth flashing in the light. “I’ve named you and Danica as godparents.”
I stared at him, speechless. His grin widened. “Yeah. She had the same reaction. Guess you better keep me alive.”

Hannah, Finvarra, Gary, and so many more from the previous books graced these pages. I loved it! It was so fabulous seeing everyone come together and play there part. But there were also moments with betrayal and scenes that made me scream and jump. And death bled through the pages. I wasn’t prepared for all of those that died. I cried tears for those we lost. Even if the battle was epically vicious and I loved all of its twists and turns. But those last few pages. Sigh. This series took us on a beautiful journey filled with tons of heart and soul. I loved the morally grey love interest, the kickass female, the fond family, the sacrifices that were made. Love and friendship were such intricate elements in this well crafted series. And Stacia has definitely created a fan for life with this series. I’m excited to binge the rest of her books and read whatever she releases next!