Tag: Contemporary Romance (Page 12 of 88)

BOOK REVIEW: Icebreaker (Maple Hills #1) by Hannah Grace

February 7, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

Icebreaker (Maple Hills #1)
by Hannah Grace
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Anastasia Allen has worked her entire life for a shot at Team USA. It looks like everything is going according to plan when she gets a full scholarship to the University of California, Maple Hills and lands a place on their competitive figure skating team.

Nothing will stand in her way, not even the captain of the hockey team, Nate Hawkins.

Nate’s focus as team captain is on keeping his team on the ice. Which is tricky when a facilities mishap means they are forced to share a rink with the figure skating team—including Anastasia, who clearly can’t stand him.

But when Anastasia’s skating partner faces an uncertain future, she may have to look to Nate to take her shot.

Sparks fly, but Anastasia isn’t worried…because she could never like a hockey player, right?

Review:

Icebreaker was a steamy NA sports romance that had a reverse grumpy sunshine that was done so well. I laughed so much with this story, like tears pouring down my face gasping for air kind of laughter. Mix that in with some found family and I was hooked. While I felt like the book was longer than what I would have preferred, I still had a lot of fun reading this story!

“Ask me nicely. Let me show you how much I like it when you’re nice.”
“Why would I do that when I don’t like you?” Her words are strong, but her delivery is strained and wispy, giving her away.
“You don’t have to like me to scream my name, Anastasia.”

Anastasia was a tough one for me to connect to, until I was almost halfway through the book. I love me a grumpy character, but my gosh she was so challenging to find that connection with, especially when she was being cold to Nathan. But I still enjoyed my time with her till we finally clicked. She made me laugh so much. Like when she told Ryan and Lola what she did, I couldn’t breathe. She was hilarious without meaning to! And she tried her best to be a good friend, and was dedicated to her goal of making it to the Olympics.

Removing his fingers and mouth, he leans back so he can look up at me properly, wearing the smuggest expression I’ve ever seen as he sucks his fingers into his mouth, not once breaking eye contact.
Oh fuck.

Nathan was such a steamy book boyfriend. He played Hockey in college, and had a professional team waiting for him to graduate. When he did the whole putting his hands on either side of her head while leaning in move, yup, I was done for! I loved how he had no problem proving Anastasia wrong, like when he was on his knees. And I loved that he was a good guy who would step up for his team again and again. I was just sitting here tapping my fingers waiting for Anastasai to catch up with the rest of us!

From now on, she’s going to come to me.

The two of them together were like fire and ice. They were forced to co-exist. And while Anastasia seemed to rally with the enemies to lovers vibe, I never got the enemies vibe from Nathan. He liked her. And as they spent more time together, their moments could be scorching hot. The uber scenes?! *fans face* His dirty talk?! Loved! There were so many steamy, descriptive scenes in this book! I love how they both respected each other physically and mentally, and how they talked a lot of things out, it made my heart happy.

I’m addicted to her when she’s like this. When she forgets about this game we’re playing, when her eyes drink me in, and her hands grip the front of my shirt like she’s scared I’m going to slip away.
Our faces are dangerously close; I feel her breath against my lips.

Their friend groups were phenomenal! I loved Nathan’s group chat with his teammates. I knew each time those popped up, I would be laughing. Lola was a true ride or die bestie. She had Anastasia’s back again and again! And I loved that she got her own little side romance story too! And Henry was my favorite of Nathan’s friends. I’m so excited he got his own story too! The one person who I didn’t like was Aaron. The rage I felt towards him was just another level. And just when he made us think we couldn’t hate him more, nope, he ratcheted it up even higher. He was a toxic douchebag who I kept waiting for something horrific to happen to. Like in my fantasy novels where his heart would get ripped out of his chest haha.

“I can’t believe you think I could ever reject you, Anastasia,” he said in shock. “You have no idea, do you? The lengths I’d go to if you’d let me. What I’d do to make you happy.”

This story ended with a fabulous epilogue that jumped years into the future and made my heart so happy! I love when contemporary books end like that! So while I struggled finding that connection in the beginning, and the book went on a little longer than I would have wanted, I still absolutely adored this story. The steam, friendships, personal growth, family, and storyline were so well done! I can’t wait to read her next book!

BOOK REVIEW: One More Betrayal (Hidden Secrets Trilogy #2, Carson Brothers #3) by Stina Lindenblatt

February 5, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

One More Betrayal (Hidden Secrets Trilogy #2, )
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Jessica and Troy’s exciting story continues in the second book of the HIDDEN SECRETS TRILOGY as passion and danger collide…

Despite Jess’s initial reluctance to get involved with ex-Marine Troy Carson, her friendship with him is growing to be something more. But love cannot exist without trust, and trust is something she can't afford—not when she needs to cling to the secrets of her past.

Not when she’s hoping to be part of her daughter’s life again. Too much is at stake if the truth gets out.

As Jess tries to put the pieces of her life back together after being wrongfully imprisoned for the death of her abusive husband, she recognizes her past life in a new friend. Refusing to let history repeat itself, Jess is determined to get her friend away from the man who is abusing her.

But in doing so, Jess’s past is at risk of being revealed, costing her everything she holds dear: Troy. Her daughter. Her life…

The dual timeline book is the second novel in Hidden Secrets Trilogy. The books in the trilogy have to be read in order. All other books in the Carson Brother series are standalone.

Review:

One More Betrayal was an emotional story that wove together the past and the present. This is the second book in the trilogy, and you definitely have to start with One More Secret. From there you start the journey of Jessica in the present, and Angelique in the past. And getting to see how their stories wove together in this book was beautiful!

Troy continues holding me and doesn’t push for me to tell him what’s wrong. He’s the stalwart against all my storms, supporting me when my base crumbles.
I’m not sure what I would do without him.

Jessica’s story started out with a bang, and kept at an intense pace until that last page. Accidents, near death experiences, and more will leave your head spinning. She had so much going on and it’ll keep you turning those pages to see not only what happens next, but to find out if she was okay too. Yet the whole time, my heart broke for Troy. He just wanted to love and help Jessica. So when Jessica took that scary step and did open up, there were still things she kept in the shadows and hidden from him. I understood her struggle with trust, and was thankful she had therapy, good friends, and Bailey in her life. But when she told others things before him, it hurt. I struggled deeply with that, and that made me lose the precarious connection I had with Jessica.

Johann steps out of the barn, his expression winter-storm dark. The pistol grasped in his hand is pointed at me.
“Where the hell are they?” Johann’s tone isn’t just angry.

We also spent chapters in the past with Angelique and Captain Schmidt, Johann. Angelique was a SOE agent during World War II. And Johann was forced to become a soldier for the Nazi’s, and now lived in the same house as Angelique and her ‘father’. This book made me love their story even more, since we got to completely learn about Johann.

The kind and compassionate man before me is a juxtaposition to what his uniform stands for.
“Thank you.” Johann’s voice is a whisper, the words meant only for me.

I loved watching Angelique realize what a good heart Johann had. Watching their trust, friendship, and more bloom was intoxicating. Their romance story was beautiful while also beyond impossible. Johann and Angelique felt like star-crossed lovers. So I treasured the moments they had together. The ball, the barn, the pond, her room. Each time they were together my heart soared. Yet I was terrified of what their future held too.

I’m still alive, so I’m holding on tight to that.

Sweaty palms were a given during both of the story timelines. When Angelique was on one of her missions, I was sick to my stomach and absolutely terrified she would get found out. It was torture reading through the pages watiting to see if she was safe or not. And then with Jessica, there were things I can’t mention that left me horrified and in terror for her and her safety. Both women had so much at stake and stacked on their shoulders. At least for Jessica, I was grateful for all of the times Troy stepped up and helped with a situation. I loved that he always had her back!

And with each kiss, tiny pieces of me the war has stolen are restored.

One More Betrayal had so many twists and turns within both of the stories. And those last few chapters I didn’t see coming. It’ll leave the reader desperately wanting to grab that next book now! So if you enjoy your romance with suspense, a little bit of steam, and one that will keep you on your toes, then this series may be perfect for you!

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

BOOK REVIEW: Make-Believe Match (Cherry Tree Harbor Book 3) by Melanie Harlow

January 16, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

Make-Believe Match (Cherry Tree Harbor Book 3)
by Melanie Harlow
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Fall in love with my enemy? No way.

Marry him to save my family’s struggling ski resort? That’s a different story…

Getting hitched is the only way I can inherit Snowberry Lodge, and I’ll do anything to spare my childhood home from the wrecking ball–even wear Devlin Buckley’s ring on my finger.

Not that I’ll enjoy it.

Sure, he’s charming and handsome, and that no-last-names one night stand we shared ended with a fantastically big bang (I saw stars I hadn’t seen in six months, if you catch my drift).

But I’ll never trust him–he was working for the company trying to bulldoze my life.

Right up until the day he knocked on my door with an offer I couldn’t refuse.

Marry him, and he’ll help me restore my family’s crumbling resort to its former glory–and get revenge on his ex-boss in the process. Once our goals are achieved, we’ll go our separate ways.

It’s temporary. Strictly business. Purely for show.

Until I realize how much I like it when he says "my wife."

Once we’re sharing a last name–and a bed–our make-believe match starts to feel a little too real.

And if I’m not careful, I could lose everything… my home, my dreams, and my heart.

Review:

Make-Believe Match was a marriage of convenience, forced proximity, adult romance that was filled with all the steam and fun! This is my third book by Melanie Harlow and I am obsessed with her writing. Her stories are so easy to devour, her characters feel like your best friends, and her males are book boyfriend worthy. I’m so glad I stumbled upon her books and I can’t wait to read them all!

He wasn’t the love of my life, but right now he was my only hope.

Lexi’s whole world was caving in. It looked like her family ski resort was going to be sold, yet she desperately wanted to keep it in the family. It meant so much to her. But to inherit, she had to be married. Enter Devlin Buckley. They met and had the steamiest one night stand. But then the next day she found out that he was the one overseeing the property being sold. What unfolded was a heartwarming story that was so easy to devour!

I would not touch myself and fantasize about him. I would not.

Lexi and Devlin’s meet cute was so memorable! I’m a sucker for a good one, and theirs was so fun! And just by page 26, things escalated quickly to their one night stand which extremely hot *fans face*. They had this incredible chemistry where you could just feel the sexual tension thrumming between them. So each time it turned into more, it was impossible not to be obsessed!

“Wife,” I said through clenched teeth.
She took her mouth off me and laughed throatily. “I love when you say it like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you might lose control if I don’t behave.”

Lexi was so easy to click with and like. She was effortless to click with and her thoughts made me laugh, bedeviled me with your magic tongue lmao!. While she definitely trusted too easily, she loved her home, where she worked, her Grandma and she tried her best with her bratty cousin. Watching Devlin step into her world was intoxicating.

As I looked into his blue eyes, the thought struck my heart again, piercing it like an arrow.
We were a family, Devlin and me.
We were a family.

Every single time Devlin called Lexi his wife, I was obsessed. Add to that, he had the most phenomenal filthy mouth, was so smart, motivated, compassionate, and him warning Lexi to help reach her dreams just solidified what a fabulous book boyfriend he was! On top of that, I loved his large family, his ideas to help Lexi and how he had no problems showing Lexi how much he physically wanted her!

I picked up my head and looked down at her. My chest didn’t feel big enough to contain what I felt.
If I was the kind of guy who could make promises, I’d have made one right then and there.

Lexi and Devlin’s moments together were extremely hot, seductive, and I loved all the fabulous details! Yet they both had issues when it came to their pasts and how it shaped them into who they were now. So watching them lean on each other, and start to find the beginnings of trust had my heart soaring! The way their relationship evolved had me so obsessed!

“Nothing matters but you,” I said, brushing my nose and mouth against her pussy, letting her feel my breath and lips and the tip of my tongue.

With a steamy romance, fabulous characters, family that will warm your heart, and a story-line that was a ton of fun, this book was such a huge win! And while you can read this as a standalone, I highly recommend starting back with Runaway Love, which starts with one of Devlin’s brothers. Make-Believe Match made me laugh, smile, shed some tears, and fall in love.

PS The epilogue was everything!

PPS I learned that Winnie, Lexi’s bestie, is from Ignite – Cloverleigh Farm Series, and I’m definitely wanting to read that next!

BOOK REVIEWS: Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn & Almost Like Being in Love by Sariah Wilson

January 9, 2024 / Jen / 3 Comments

BOOK REVIEWS: Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn & Almost Like Being in Love by Sariah Wilson Resting Scrooge Face Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
After a bad breakup, Nola wants nothing to do with Christmas, especially in her quaint hometown of Bright Harbor, Maine. Infuriatingly charming and cheery, Nola’s surroundings only worsen her sour mood.

To make matters worse, Caleb, the boy who broke her heart years ago, is all grown up and still living in town. While doing her best to avoid him, Nola bumps into the local mailman, who gives her a mysterious letter. And when she finds that the writer is a fellow Scrooge, she can’t help but feel her spirit lifting.

Nola writes back to her new pen pal—who, unbeknownst to Nola, is none other than Caleb. When Caleb gets a response hand delivered by the mailman, he’s intrigued by the mystery sender. A friendly correspondence develops—and quickly turns flirtatious.

Although Nola and Caleb claim they can’t stand each other, they can’t deny the simmering attraction that brought them together in the first place.

Can these nameless pen pals write their own love story—or will they be too caught up with the ghosts of their Christmases past to find a future together?

Review:

Resting Scrooge Face was such a fun Christmas novella to listen to! With lots of small town cheer, secret letters, snow, and a Christmas vibe, I adored this second chance romance story! And it made me want to pick up another book by Meghan Quinn!

“What?” she responds. “That’s what you’re going to say to me? What?”
No, what I really want to say is how beautiful you are.
How I’ve missed staring into your eyes.
Or hearing your laugh.

The story alternated between Nola and Caleb and I loved listening to both of their thoughts! I would have loved for this book to be longer and for their regular lives to be interspaced within this story instead of some of the letters being back to back. I felt like there was so much more that could have been there. But for novellas, this one was still done beautifully. They were high school sweethearts, who went their separate ways and hurt one another in the process. Not seeing each other in years, Christmas time and some little helpers created the perfect opportunity for a second chance!

“Even during our time apart, even when our hearts were both shattered, it’s always been you. Always and forever.”

It was so easy to like Nola and Caleb and their banter was laugh out loud hilarious and so much fun! Add into the mix Grandma Louise, who was an absolute hoot! And I adored Arden too, he delivered the mail and decided to play matchmaker. With fun letters and heartwarming scenes, this story was fabulous. If you’re looking for a quick and festive book to get you in the mood for the holidays, or even something fun to listen to, I can’t recommend this one enough!

BOOK REVIEWS: Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn & Almost Like Being in Love by Sariah Wilson

Almost Like Being in Love by Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
A modern-day Ohio woman and a seventeenth-century Scottish laird fall in love at first sight in a magical holiday romance by Sariah Wilson, the bestselling author of The Chemistry of Love.

Maren Kelly and her friend Penny may be lost in the Scottish Highlands, yes. They may be caught in the blizzard of the century, sure. But despite their dire straits, Maren is going to honor her ailing mother’s wish for them to experience all the magic, mystery, and whimsy Scotland has to offer, even if she freezes to death trying. When they’re rescued by the dashing Duncan Campbell, who seems like he walked straight out of the seventeenth century, Maren is more than a wee bit bewildered.

Their shelter is Duncan’s castle in Highglen, a captivating village that feels somehow familiar…as does the laird himself. Brimming with holiday cheer and friendly, boisterous family members, Highglen is a safe haven in the frigid winter storm. Maybe it’s the carolers and the warm hearth—or Duncan’s comforting brogue and stolen kisses—but Maren feels as though she’s come home. And in Duncan, she may have found her long-awaited soulmate.

But is this a miracle that could last a lifetime?

Review:

Almost Like Being in Love was a whimsical, heartwarming romance filled with magical realism. This story had characters that were so easy to like, and a storyline that was a lot of fun. The found family and friendships were done realistically. And the romance was very insta love. I adore Sariah Wilson’s full length novels, and I feel like this book would have worked better for me being longer, so the romance could have been explored more. But regardless, I adored the holiday setting in Scotland. And this was a very sweet Christmas story left me feeling happy. I’m hoping we’ll see more stories in this world!

Maybe it was Christmas, maybe it was Duncan, but Highglen was a place of pure magic. For the first time, I understood why my mother had told me to search for it.
I didn’t want to let it go.

BOOK REVIEWS: Sleighed by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward and The Holiday Trap by Roan Parri

January 8, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

Sleighed by Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Get Sleighed
When my ex dumped me right before Christmas, I was left with a luxury, all-expense paid trip for two to Cabo—private jet and all. Somehow, my best friend roped me into giving away the other half of the trip as a contest prize on her podcast. Kelly won the “World’s Worst Dump Story.” She and I didn’t meet until we arrived at the airport, which was when I discovered she was actually a he. Apparently we’d forgotten to include open to women only in the rules. My trip to Cabo started as a disaster, but as time went on Kelly and I grew close. Until someone unexpectedly showed up…

Lights out Love
Cole is utterly annoyed by his neighbor Josie’s obnoxious Christmas display. When she blows out power on the street, he marches over and lets her know what he thinks of the mess she’s made. But when the only generator in town brings the two nemeses together…the Christmas display isn’t the only thing burning bright.

Hot Item
Getting into a fight with a sexy stranger over the last hot toy on the shelf was not the way I intended to spend Christmas Eve. And I certainly didn’t plan on spending hours more trying to win a contest to decide who would get to buy it. But when our time is up, would the toy be the only hot item I wanted to take home?

Review:

Sleighed was filled with three short holiday stories that were a quick, fun read! Here’s my quick thoughts on each story….

Get Sleighed
Rating: 4 stars

We sat there with our battery- operated Santa playing music and sipped our eggnog while munching on cookies. Despite being too hot, this was my favorite Christmas in a very long time.

This was my favorite and I wish it was a full length novel. It was fun, flirty and made me smile so much! I adored Kelly, who was a quirky book boyfriend that was impossible not to fall in love with. He added so much joy. I loved his dancing Stanta playing music haha. And the necklace ohhhh so sweet! This was a cute story and while there was talk of sex, there was no steam on the pages.

Lights Out Love
Rating: 3.5 stars

“Cole here is going to help us lift out those heavy nutcrackers.”
I smirked at him. “Cole? Is that your real name or what old Saint Nick leaves in your stocking because you’re such a scrooge?”

This story dealt with a scroogey man named Cole, who was jaded from his ex. And then there was Josie who had all the Christmas joy in the world. I loved how she started to help Cole find the Christmas spirit. And his manger scene was absolutely hilarious! Their story was cheesy, adorable goodness, and will warm your heart!

Hot Item
Rating: 3 stars

Out of the three stories, this one had the best banter that was also so much fun! This story was about a single mom and a man who brought joy to her family. Their story is one I felt like could have benefited the most with a longer story. But it was still heartwarming.

The Holiday Trap by Roan Parrish
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Greta Russakoff loves her tight-knit family and tiny Maine hometown, but they can't seem to understand what it's like to be a lesbian living in such a small world. When an act of familial meddling goes way too far, she realizes just how desperately she needs space to figure out who she is.

Truman Belvedere's heart is crushed when he learns that his boyfriend has a secret life including a husband and daughter. Reeling, all he wants is a place to lick his wounds far, far away from Louisiana.

Enter a mutual friend with a life-altering idea: swap homes for the holidays. For one perfect month, Greta and Truman will have a chance to experience a whole new world…and maybe fall in love with the partner of their dreams. But all holidays must come to an end, and eventually these two transplants will have to decide whether the love (and found family) they each discovered so far from home is worth fighting for.

Review:

I think I need to make a resolution not to read books that have below a 3.6 rating on Goodreads. I felt like this book dragged on, I wasn’t a huge fan of some of the characters, and I couldn’t ever find it in me to care.

I wasn’t ever a fan of Greta or Carys. Greta was awkward and as someone who doesn’t mind cussing, here’s a heads up that she cusses and says wow a lot. I wish I wasn’t listening to the audio format so I could have searched how many wow’s there were in this book lol. But one of the things I struggled with the most, was I kept wondering what Greta ever saw in Carys. Yes she was pretty and there was passion between them, but that’s it. And while Carys could be kind, when she wanted to, she was finicky more times than not. Her explanations could be seen as condescending and she could be rude without even trying. Also I have to say that being pressed up to a tomb is not hot imo. That gave me a huge ick factor.

We also got a second romance in this book, which was Truman’s story. And I adored his romance, it was sweet and charming. When he met Ash, oh my heart it was so adorable and the two of them together balanced each other out so perfectly. They were kind, thoughtful and truly wanted the best for each other. But, here’s where the huge but comes in. Truman did something at the end of the story that is a huge NO in my world. Stalking is never okay! Imagine if you did what he did?! And then for it to be cheered for? That was not okay. I lost all the respect and love I had for Truman.

So this Christmas romance story, filled with two love stories, was not a hit for me. I won’t be reading any more of Roan Parrish’s romance stories.