Tag: Contemporary Romance (Page 1 of 87)

BOOK REVIEW: PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly

February 17, 2025 / Jen / 1 Comment

PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
In this splendidly bittersweet romantic comedy, enemies forced together by a mutual loss are led on a cross-country journey toward a second chance.

Maddie Sanderson would be proud to honor her older brother’s dying wish, that she scatters his ashes over eight destinations that the adventurous 29-year-old never got to visit before he died from cancer. But in his will, Josh assigned her an impossible partner to help complete the mission—Dominic Perry. Seriously, if Maddie weren’t already at her brother's funeral, she would have killed him for this.

Sure, Dom was Josh’s life-long best friend. He’s also the infuriating man who broke Maddie’s heart back when she was naïve enough to give it to him. But since Dom insists on following the rules and Josh didn’t leave much room for Maddie to argue the matter, they embark together on a series of farewell trips that span thousands of miles, exploring new places and revisiting their complicated history along the way.

After a snowstorm leads to a shared bed, Maddie starts to wonder if her brother might be matchmaking from the grave. But when grief also reopens old wounds between them, Maddie will need more than Josh’s ghostly guidance to trust Dom again.

Review:

PS: I Hate You was an emotional powerhouse. With forced proximity and a second chance romance swirled together, I loved the journey this book took us on. It dealt with grief, healing, friendships, forgiveness, and trying to figure out how to proceed with a future that you’re uncertain about. This is a must read if you love adult romance, I can’t recommend this book enough!

My brother is gone.
Forever.
Gone.
I stop breathing.

When Maddie found out that she was supposed to scatter her brother’s ashes in the 8 states he hadn’t visited, she was hit by so many emotions. Especially since she was to do it with her brother Josh’s best friend, Dominick. Their past was challenging, to say the least. There was so much hurt and anger there. So Maddie’s sarcasm could be harsh and cutting. Her anger felt like a living entity inside her. I felt everything she did, and kept hoping it would all lead to her healing. She desperately needed it.

Last goodbye. This is the last goodbye.

I didn’t understand why Dom did what he did in the past, but I wanted to hold out hope there was a good reason. Especially since he could be so kind, compassionate, and thoughtful when it came to Maddie. While he seemed to hold a world of secrets, I loved how loudly his actions spoke. I loved that he always seemed to be thinking about Maddie. And I easily fell head over heels in love with him.

Even though my hands shake, I manage to spray the medication into my airways. But recovery is slow and painful. Especially with no one here to distract me or comfort me or simply reassure me that I’m not alone.
But that’s exactly what I am. What I always seem to be.
Alone.

Their on and off again road trip was filled with all of the bumps. And you’ll run through the gamut of emotions. How can you laugh, feel the most beautiful sexual tension, and cry at the same time?! That was this book time and again. I loved watching Dom work through his grief for his best friend, and Maddie for her brother. It wasn’t an easy process at all. And it made me cry all the tears. I don’t think I could go two chapters without bawling my eyes out. But mixed within that was also happiness and some fabulous steamy moments too.

If I have one day left, or thousands, I want you to be in every one of them.

PS: I Hate You had the perfect combination of joy and heartache. This beautiful journey towards healing will make you laugh, cry all the tears, and even fall in love. With a fabulous epilogue that will leave you elated, this story easily became one of my top favorites. If you’re a fan of romance, definitely add this one to your tbr!

BOOK REVIEWS: Kiss Now, Lie Later (Rival Love #1) & For Now, Not Forever (Rival Love #2) by C.W. Farnsworth

February 12, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Kiss Now, Lie Later Not Forever (Rival Love #1)
by C.W. Farnsworth
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
She’s from one town…

I've heard a lot of things about Alleghany’s quarterback. Weston Cole is popular, conceited, and arrogant. Most importantly, he’s spent the past three years steadily dismantling my family’s football legacy. I should hate him. And I did. Until I ran into him freshman year and discovered he’s also complicated. Considerate. Captivating. When our paths cross again senior year, that awareness becomes more dangerous than his suggestive smirk. Hating him was easy…before I knew him.

…and he’s from the other.

No girl in Glenmont is more untouchable than Maeve Stevens. She lives across enemy lines. Her father is their head football coach. Her twin brother is their quarterback. But one conversation with Maeve makes me forget about the bitter, decades-long rivalry between our two towns. Makes me forget there’s a team of guys relying on me to lead them to another victory. A few forbidden kisses, and there’s only one thing I want to fight for. Her.

Review:

Kiss Now, Lie Later was a forbidden young adult sports romance that captured my heart. With town rivalry, friendships, first love, and fabulous angst, this book was impossible to put down. Maeve and Weston’s meet cute at the party was adorable, and I loved how they could be themselves around each other. What started off as a very slow, tentative friendship turned into something so much more.

Only one thought crosses my mind as I make the short journey through the rapidly falling drops of water.
That I hope the possibilities between Wes and me always feel this limitless.

Maeve and Weston had so many beautiful moments, and underneath it all was this fabulous tension. So with trust, practicing together, and pushing each other to be better, I fell in love right along with them. Be prepared to have your heart hurt, but the epilogue at the end jumped years into the future and I closed this book so happy!

For Now, Not Forever (Rival Love #2)
by C.W. Farnsworth
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
One boy. One girl. Two feuding towns.

LIAM

At some point, summer became my least favorite season. It begins the build toward the inevitable highs and lows of football. Losing isn’t a trait anyone looks for in a quarterback, and I never won when it mattered. Arlington University was supposed to be a fresh start. But infamy isn’t easily forgotten— especially when everyone knows my twin sister is dating my biggest rival. Constant reminders of their relationship have me just as on edge about Alleghany as I was in high school. Spending a weekend sleeping across the hall from Natalie Jacobs doesn’t help. The popular, pretty blonde didn’t just celebrate each of my defeats—she literally led the cheer against me. Just my luck the last girl who should pique my interest is also the only one who ever has.

NATALIE

Spending the summer back in Alleghany, dealing with my parents’ problems, is the last place I want to be. I jump at the chance to spend a weekend away, visiting a college friend. I’m not expecting to know anyone else visiting her cottage on the Cape, much less come face-to-face with Glenmont’s infamous former quarterback. Not-so affectionately known as Sergeant Stevens on my side of the lake, Liam is still every bit the stoic, serious rule-follower I watched bark orders on the field for four years. Sure, he’s nice to look at—especially shirtless—but that’s where any interest begins and ends. The one thing Liam and I agree on is the rivalry between our hometowns isn’t a surpassable boundary. And if we did allow ourselves to cross it, it would only be for now…not forever.

Review:

For Now, Not Forever was a new adult sports romance that was so easy to get lost in. And you definitely want to read Kiss Now, Lie Later before this one. We get introduced to Liam and Natalie, plus we get to see the couple from that book in this story too! This is my second book by C.W. Farnsworth, and I will definitely be bingeing the rest of her backlist!

Maybe there’s only so long you can be consumed by something before you risk letting it consume you.

Liam had so much resentment and bitterness eating away at his heart. For always playing second fiddle to his twin sister’s boyfriend, Weston Cole. And then there was Natalie, who seemed to be drowning at times from her home life. From an almost meet cute to the most awkward meet cute, I never knew what was going to happen next. These two people definitely kept me on my toes. With banter that had barbs, jealousy that will have you screaming and clapping, hope that shined brightly, and beautiful confessions, I devoured this story. That angst was done so well. The sexual tension had me wanting to push them together. And the happily ever after left me smiling!

“You’re perfect,” he tells me. “Fucking perfect.” He sounds annoyed about it. Angry, almost.
“I’m the furthest thing from perfect.”
“Not to me.”

BOOK REVIEW: Running Wild (The Simple Wild #3) by K.A. Tucker

January 30, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Running Wild (The Simple Wild #3)
by K. A. Tucker
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
From the internationally bestselling author of The Simple Wild comes the story of a woman at a crossroads in her life, struggling between the safe route and the one that will only lead to more heartbreak.

Veterinarian Marie Lehr knows unrequited love all too well after pining for her best friend, only to watch him marry another woman. It's a mistake she will never make again, especially not when she can practically hear the clock ticking on her childbearing years.

The trouble is, she can't seem to find anyone who appeals to her even a fraction as much as that burly bush pilot did. Competitive musher Tyler Brady certainly doesn't, especially not after the heated altercation with the handsome but arrogant, spiteful man.

Or so she thinks.

While volunteering at the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, Marie discovers that first impressions may have been false, and her attraction to Tyler is very real. But his heart belongs to someone else, leaving him with nothing to offer but friendship. Marie's been down this road before and knows how that ends. Yet, no matter how hard she works to keep from falling for Tyler, it seems she's doomed to follow her own trail once again.

Review:

Running Wild was a beautiful story of hope, friendship, love, and easily became a top favorite! But, I definitely went into this story with skepticism. I wasn’t a fan of Marie in the previous books. I loved Jonah and Calla, and Marie didn’t work for me. Call me petty and bitter, but I held on tightly with Calla’s uneasiness towards her in the beginning. I truly didn’t think I was capable of liking her. And guess what? I ate my words. I loved Marie and this story with my whole heart!

Jonah may have been it for me, but I am never going to be the one for him.

I was floored with the prologue. We were taken back in time to when Marie first met Calla, and got to hear all of her thoughts. Then that next chapter we were in the present, and I was shocked that Marie started to wiggle into my heart. I didn’t want to be sad for her. But her logical, rational side called to me. I understood her, and found myself rooting for her happily ever after too.

I have a heart that aches when dreams are shattered, and emotions that can pull a river of tears when hope proves false.

Marie entered Tyler’s life with a bang. And they got off on the wrong foot that left me glued to the pages. The fact that they were going to see each other during the Iditarod Sled Dog Race had me so giddy! She was volunteering, and he was aiming to win the race. While there was a definite spark there, I loved how they had the ability to just talk to each other, and just be.

I watch the number on the back of his bib fade into the darkness. Maybe Tyler Brady isn’t so bad after all.

With his quiet confidence and integrity to do the right thing, Tyler became my new favorite book boyfriend. I loved that he was able to fluster Marie, who always seemed calm, cool, and collected. I loved watching him be a good guy. Yet my heart shattered into a million pieces for him. His past, I just can’t even. It ate away at him, and he seemed to be punishing himself by not allowing happiness in the future. Tyler was the ultimate of tortured souls.

How did I misread everything so epically… again? I was so sure there was something more between us than friendly banter.

Yet Marie had a way of getting to Tyler. So I couldn’t stop smiling anytime they were near each other. And as I was falling for Tyler, I found myself loving Marie too. Her love for animals earned my respect. Her heart was so big and the lengths she went to, to help them, how could you not like her? I loved that we also got to see her surrounded by her family, and their love and struggles. It truly shown her in such a different light. Plus, I adored her relationship with her dad. So as the story progressed, I felt everything Marie felt. And couldn’t help but cry too.

“Oh, would you look at that,” Dad murmurs as we watch Tyler collect their leashes and give them each a friendly pat. “Dogs know the good ones, Marie. Dogs always know.”

KA Tucker has a knack for creating characters that own pieces of your heart. This beautiful story had so much heart, fabulous steam, and will make you feel a myriad of emotions. I cried all the tears. Again. And we got to see so many of our favorites too, and see what they were up to. This is a must read if you loved Calla and Jonah’s story. And I can’t wait to binge the rest of Tucker’s books!

He leans in to press his forehead against mine, his mouth inches away. “Please don’t give up on me yet.”

PS Can Reed and Mabel get a story, possibly together in the future? Please. *Fingers crossed*!

BOOK REVIEWS: Beneath His Stars & In Her Space (The Stars Duet #1 & #2) by Amie Knight

January 23, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

Beneath His Stars (The Stars Duet #1)
by Amie Knight
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
I met Adam Nova under the twinkling lights of a nighttime sky.
He was hiding, but that gorgeous boy didn’t belong in the dark.
Nevertheless it was where he lived; a different world than mine.
I was Livingston Montgomery, Southern debutante.
With the world at my fingertips, I was well on my way to being another spoiled socialite.
But I didn’t want money.
I didn’t want social status.
I wanted him; tattoos, sarcastic smirk, bad boy reputation and all.
It didn’t matter that he was from the wrong side of the tracks.
It didn’t matter that my family forbade me from seeing him.
I just wanted to be Beneath His Stars.

Review:

Beneath His Stars was a young adult, star-crossed romance that so sweet. I loved watching the tentative friendship blossom between Adam and Liv. But they were from different areas of life. No one from her world would accept him, even if those in his would. So as they grow closer, under the stars, I loved how their beautiful moments together were hidden away. For just the two of them. And watching this slow burn, first love blossom was so captivating. But make sure you have the next book in the duology on hand, because that ending was brutal.

A star was realized.
A dream was born.
But even stars and dreams die.

In Her Space (The Stars Duet #2)
by Amie Knight
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
I was reunited with Livingston Montgomery in the broad sunshine of a Carolina morning, right where she belonged; in the light.
It’d been too long since I’d seen her face.
She had changed, but so had I.
I was Adam Nova, reformed bad boy. Now, successful business man.
I had it all, except for the one person I’d always wanted, and now I was back to claim her.
She was living in the shadows, just a shell of the former girl I knew.
But it didn’t matter that she tried to hide from me in the dark.
I’d follow her into the deepest depths of hell.
I just wanted to be In Her Space.

Review:

In Her Space took us ten years into the future, and the emotions within these pages was intense. This was the final book in The Stars Duet, and it definitely can’t be read as a standalone. I loved watching Adam and Liv fight for their happily ever after. They hit so many road bumps along the way. Not only because of those that surrounded them, but also by keeping stuff from one another. Adam could be his own worst enemy at times. But with heartfelt tattoos, secrets, all of the drama, and a climatic ending, this book was a lot of fun to listen too. Especially since we got a look at the happily ever after down the road that was so beautiful!

“Close your eyes, Nova,” I whispered to her.
She looked over at me and grinned. “Why?”
“Because you can’t dream with your eyes open.”

BOOK REVIEWS: The First Score & The Final Play (The Summerville Sports Series #2 & #3) by Amie Knight

January 22, 2025 / Jen / 0 Comments

The First Score (The Summerville Sports Series #2)
by Amie Knight
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
There was something about that first score, and not just on the football field.

I loved all of life's firsts, which was why I’d been saving mine for one girl, my older sister’s best friend—Hazel Jones.

She was tough and sarcastic with walls around her heart as tall as a football stadium, but I knew she was the one for me.

Desperate times called for desperate measures and I’d have done anything to make her mine.

Like create a fake online persona.
Lie about my age.
Pretend I wasn’t some naive virgin.

And catfish the hell out of the love of my life.

Review:

The First Score was an older sister’s best friend’s sports romance. With the virgin trope and slow burn wrapped together, I loved how this story played out! Oliver and Hazel were emotional, steamy, and made my heart so happy. Especially since the angst was done fabulously. Plus, if you adore nicknames, they were some of my favorites!

I’d wait for her as long as she needed. Time was measured in such a small number compared to the sheer volume of my love for Hazel.

We were given little snippets of their past when they were younger, and it added so much depth to their story. And I loved that this book had one of my favorite micro tropes ever……when the guys takes care of the girl in a certain situation, swoon! So with a fabulous happily ever after, The First Score was a fun and flirty book to listen to! Also, if you’ve read The Red Zone, know that this story starts out before that one, catches up to the end of that book and explains why he was hiding haha, and then proceeds to go into the future from there. This could be read as a standalone, but I loved the previous book, and can’t recommend it enough too!

The Final Play (The Summerville Sports Series #3)
by Amie Knight
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The Final Play isn’t always the end. Sometimes, it’s the beginning of something far more beautiful.

As a professional linebacker, I lived and breathed football.

The only thing I loved as much as the game was my twin brother, Max, who kept me almost as busy cleaning up his messes.

The most recent of which landed him behind bars.

So, it shouldn’t have surprised me when a beautiful woman showed up on my doorstep, claiming to be pregnant with Max’s baby.

Glory was unexpected, infuriating, and flat-out crazy most of the time.

But no matter how hard I tried to deny it, that tiny spitfire slammed into my boring life with the strength of a Category 5 hurricane, blowing through my defenses until she’d carved her name in my heart—permanently.

I feared we would never work. She was a single mom, my brother’s ex, and one more chance for me to fail yet another person I loved.

But if football was my church, then Glory was my heaven.

Review:

The Final Play was an age gap, forced proximity, sports romance that will tug at your heart. With pregnancy and a twin thrown into the mix, this book took us on an emotional journey with a sprinkling of forbidden love. Mason and Glory together were a beautiful thing to watch unfold. They were both so independent, but at the same time needed one another too. And I loved their steamy moments together, especially that bathroom scene! With nicknames that I loved again, Tink is the cutest! And a look into the future with the most wonderful happily ever for all, I adored this book! This was another fun one to listen to, that I thoroughly enjoyed!

I felt like this might be the final punch and it was a knockout. Because I had a feeling that Mason Stark was my person. And I couldn’t even have him.