Tag: Contemporary Romance (Page 25 of 95)

BOOK REVIEW: The Unhoneymooners (Unhoneymooners #1) by Christina Lauren

January 16, 2023 / Jen / 6 Comments

The Unhoneymooners (Unhoneymooners #1)
by Christina Lauren
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Olive Torres is used to being the unlucky twin: from inexplicable mishaps to a recent layoff, her life seems to be almost comically jinxed. By contrast, her sister Ami is an eternal champion...she even managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a slew of contests. Unfortunately for Olive, the only thing worse than constant bad luck is having to spend the wedding day with the best man (and her nemesis), Ethan Thomas.

Olive braces herself for wedding hell, determined to put on a brave face, but when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. Suddenly there’s a free honeymoon up for grabs, and Olive will be damned if Ethan gets to enjoy paradise solo.

Agreeing to a temporary truce, the pair head for Maui. After all, ten days of bliss is worth having to assume the role of loving newlyweds, right? But the weird thing is...Olive doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, the more she pretends to be the luckiest woman alive, the more it feels like she might be.

Review:

The Unhoneymooners was a fun enemy to lovers that was so easy to binge. It was laugh worthy, smile worthy and the majority of the story took place in a beautiful tropical destination. This book would make the perfect beach read!

Ethan slides his gaze to me, clearly unconvinced. “I’m not going to kiss you again, just in case that’s what you were thinking this would lead to.”
Whowhatnow? The jackass. Gaping at him, I whisper-hiss, “I would honestly rather lick the bottom of my shoe than have your mouth on mine again.”

Olive constantly believed she had bad luck. Yet all of that changed on her twin’s wedding day. Olive and her nemesis, who was her future brother-in-law’s brother, were the only ones who weren’t violently ill from the wedding buffet. With an all-expense paid vacation to Maui, Ethan and Olive found themselves jetting off on their sibling’s honeymoon. Together.

“Look.” I nod to the horizon. “We aren’t lost at sea.”
He lets out a quiet “Wow.” And there, for a single breath, we give in to a really lovely moment of enjoying something together. Until Ethan decides to ruin it: “I hope you don’t drown out there.”
I smile down at him. “If I do, the husband is always a suspect.”

I have to talk about Ethan, because I was obsessed with him! Yes even Olive could acknowledge he was gorgeous. But there had always been this hate vibe going on between the two of them. It started from the first moment they met. Yet from the moment he pretended they were married on their vacation and kissed her forehead…. swoon. So when extenuating circumstances led them to continue the charade, I loved every minute of it. Pretending that they didn’t hate each other?! Yes please! Olive herself couldn’t even stop from swooning when Ethan turned on the charm. And in those moments, my heart was so happy when they would click at times. Especially since we would get to see how well he paid attention to her. But behind closed doors….ohhhh their bickering was addictive! They could be so hilarious without even trying!

“I can hear you thinking about that one word and reading more into it than I intended. You look great.” Once inside, he presses the button for the lobby and adds, “You always do.”
These three final words bound around my cranium before they absorb. I always look great? To who? Ethan?

I loved watching Olive go from hating Ethan to second guessing him, when they got along. Their relationship progressed in a way that left the reader more than invested and having to know what happened next. We got this story in just Olive’s voice and I loved watching her change from the beginning of the story to the end. She always seemed to think the worst of everything and I loved how distance from her life, the vacation and even Ethan allowed her to grow and made me so proud of her! Olive had a lot of obstacles on her way to happiness, but I loved how she became her biggest champion and her large family always had her back every step of the way.

Squinting, he says, “You’re a real seductress.”
“I hear that a lot.”
He coughs, and I swear I see Ethan Thomas battling a genuine smile.
And I get it. As much as I hate him… I think I’m starting to like us.

With paintball fights, sexy massages, boat trips, and the beautiful scenery, The Unhoneymooners was a blast and absolutely hilarious! Between their charade, banter and deals made, I constantly found myself laughing every few pages. It was a book that will put a smile on your face, while also having deeper, emotional moments too. But the emotional side of it, ugh it wrecked me. So while this was easily five stars for the majority of the book, I struggled deeply with the conflict. It’s a personal preference and I have an extremely hard time when it happens within books. So hence the four star rating. But I loved the ending! With a grand gesture and an epilogue that gave us a look into the future, this book ended wonderfully.

Ethan and I are starting to build more of these good moments than bad; it sends the balance swinging into an unfamiliar direction.
And I think I really like it.
Which makes me incredibly uneasy.
“I still hate you,” I tell him, pushing a dark curl of hair off his forehead.
He nods. “I know you do.”

BOOK REVIEW: Under One Roof (The STEMinist Novellas #1) by Ali Hazelwood

December 22, 2022 / Jen / 2 Comments

Under One Roof (The STEMinist Novellas #1)
by Ali Hazelwood
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
A scientist should never cohabitate with her annoyingly hot nemesis—it leads to combustion.

Mara, Sadie, and Hannah are friends first, scientists always. Though their fields of study might take them to different corners of the world, they can all agree on this universal truth: when it comes to love and science, opposites attract and rivals make you burn…

As an environmental engineer, Mara knows all about the delicate nature of ecosystems. They require balance. And leaving the thermostat alone. And not stealing someone else’s food. And other rules Liam, her detestable big-oil lawyer of a roommate, knows nothing about. Okay, sure, technically she’s the interloper. Liam was already entrenched in his aunt’s house like some glowering grumpy giant when Mara moved in, with his big muscles and kissable mouth just sitting there on the couch tempting respectable scientists to the dark side…but Helena was her mentor and Mara’s not about to move out and give up her inheritance without a fight.

The problem is, living with someone means getting to know them. And the more Mara finds out about Liam, the harder it is to loathe him…and the easier it is to love him.

Review:

In his sleep. I swear I’m going to kill him in his damn sleep. When he least expects it. And then I’ll celebrate by throwing empty bottles of creamer at his corpse.

Under One Roof was an enemies to lovers with a fabulous forced proximity! While they were both mesmerized by each other at first sight, once they knew who the other was Liam’s walls went up ridiculously high. You see, Liam didn’t want Mara in the house they were now supposed to share. And while he tried to buy her out multiple times, Mara was determined to keep her portion of the house she had inherited from an old professor. She loved it there! Even if Liam was the worst, sexiest roommate ever!

“And I guess I could lay off with the Disney soundtracks?”
“Could you?”
“Yeah.”
“Even The Little Mermaid?”
“Yes.”
“What about Moana?”
“Liam, I’m really trying, here. If you could please—” I am ready to storm out of the kitchen when I realize that he’s actually smiling. Well, sort of. With his eyes. Oh my God, was that a joke? He jokes? “You’re not as funny as you think.”

Liam was the king at being cold towards Mara. He was also talented at antagonizing and messing with her too. I felt guilty laughing at some of the scenes, but I just couldn’t help it lol. Plus I adored Liam! So when push came to shove, Mara got her hands dirty too. Their banter and fighting was so much fun! And I loved that they had quirky moments of peace watching The Bachlorette.

He is going to ruin me for anyone else. He is going to destroy me in each and every possible way.
“Please,” he murmurs.
I don’t really have a choice: I want to say yes, so I nod. Whatever you want, you can have, Liam.

From their first meeting I was constantly searching for clues that Liam liked Mara. Especially since we got the story only in her point of view. Yes their work was oceans apart, yes they had a strong hate vibe going on but there was also so much more simmering between them too! And when things got steamy, my heart was so happy! I would have loved to read a full length novel with these characters though. We got little snippets here, and other moments in time as the weeks go by, but I wanted to be able to see all the moments and more of their lives! Under One Roof was still a ton of fun, and I can’t wait to read the next two novellas!

BOOK REVIEW: The Plight Before Christmas (Holiday Hijinx Series #1) by Kate Stewart

December 21, 2022 / Jen / 4 Comments

The Plight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Clark Griswold was onto something, at least with his annual holiday meltdown.
And since the last three weeks of my life have been riddled with humbug—another breakup, a broken toe, an office promotion I deserved and didn’t get—I’m not at all in the mood to celebrate nor have the happ, happ, happiest Christmas EVER.

When Mom insisted that we all gather at my Grandparent’s ancient cabin for an old school family Christmas, I fully intended to get into the holiday spirit with the help of the three wise men, Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniels, and Jim Beam. But those boys did absolutely nothing to offset the shock or temper the sting of seeing my EX on our doorstep the first day of our holiday soiree.

Apparently, Santa missed the memo, and this elf is pissed.

Stuck for a week with the man who obliterated my heart nearly two decades ago, I did the only thing I could do and put on my game face, thankful for the home advantage.

I knew better than to drink that last cup of eggnog.

I knew better than to get tongue tangled beneath the mistletoe with the only man to ever break my heart.

I knew better than to sleep with Satan’s wingman on the eve of the Lord’s birthday.

I could blame the nog. I could blame the deceitful light blue eyes, thick, angelic hair, and panty evaporating smirk…but mostly, I blame Eli because he always knew exactly which of my buttons to push.

I foolishly thought a family Christmas filled with nostalgia was going to turn my inner Scrooge around, but this year’s festivities went up in flames. Leave it to the ghost of my Christmas past to be the one to light the match.

Fa la la la la, la FML.

The Plight Before Christmas is a full length, second chance, Christmas themed romance and most definitely on SANTA'S NAUGHTY LIST!

Review:

Fa la la la la, la FUCK MY LIFE.

The Plight Before Christmas was my favorite Christmas book of the year! It was heartwarming, hilarious, sexy and so much fun! If you’re looking for a book to bring you some Christmas cheer, while also causing a tear or few, you need this one in your life. The angst, relationships and story-line were beyond addictive and I couldn’t put this book down! This was my first story by Kate Stewart and I will be definitely checking out all of her backlist books!

Eli wasn’t the guy you were supposed to plan a future with. He was the guy to break your heart and break it in well. I didn’t realize it until it was too late.

At first, I wasn’t the hugest fan of Whitney. She came across as bitter and pessimistic in the very beginning. She didn’t hold back and let us know ALL of her thoughts! But the moment she interacted with her family, I saw that we met her on a truly horrific day. I started laughing in that second chapter and kept laughing till the end. Her family was absolutely hilarious and I fell in love with them and her the moment they started emailing each other about their Christmas vacation at the cabin. And when we met them?! I was obsessed. I loved how close Whitney was with all of her family! She fought with them, was brutally honest and loved them with her whole heart and soul. Whitney was such a good, kindhearted person. She even let her niece destroy her with makeup lol. And looking like that, was exactly how her ex Eli first saw her again. After all of these years.

For me, she was the one woman who never really left my thoughts. Over the years, some of the memories have faded. There’s been a lot of spacing between personal relationships, but Whitney? Unforgettable.

I had so many questions when it came to Eli. Whitney’s brother brought him along to spend the holidays with them, since he had no one. And I wanted to know everything! From how he could have been so cold in the past and walked away from her, to wondering if he knew that Whitney would be there. Because my gut was saying YES he did! So while I wanted to hate Eli, that’s not how it played out at all. I loved Eli. From the moment he interacted with Whitney’s nephew Peyton, I was a goner. Their mornings together were so adorable! But Whitney’s family firmly had her back. Serena, her sister, made it clear what she thought of Eli and even their mom slayed him with stating she knew who he was lol! Eli had an uphill battle, but he kept charging up that and winning hearts left and right. Much to Whitney’s dismay. I loved how he partook in all of their family actives and cared so deeply for the kids, sigh.

Echoes of my time with him remain in the room as I wrap my arms around myself, surrounded by nostalgia and the feel of the sweatshirt on my naked skin.

We got flashbacks to Eli and Whitney’s past and they were done so fabulously. With pieces here and there from how they met, fell in love, to what ultimately separated them made me even more invested. I loved those little glimpses of the past because they held so much emotion! And the chemistry they had back then was still going strong nowadays. Because the electricity between them oommmmmggggg. It was intense! And the more time they spent around each other, we saw moments that showed they still cared. Words, actions, you guys I was obsessed! They still knew the other person. But they both had walls that needed to be knocked down. And at times when they would let their guard down, it was everything!

The girl I fell in love with nearly two decades ago is standing right in front of me, gifting me with a rare glimpse of the part of her heart that’s remained untainted by life, time, by me. A part of her that rings hopeful. A heart that once belonged to me.

One of the things I didn’t expect was to be so invested in Whitney’s family. They were so deeply ingrained into this story. The family dynamics and relationships were done beautifully. And some of my favorite moments in this book were when they were sitting down and eating meals. They were intense, hilarious and beyond entertaining! But her siblings’ relationships were going through pivotal moments and I felt their joy and heartache too. I became just as invested in her siblings marriages as I was with Eli and Whitney. So it was impossible not to shed tears and hold out all of my hope that they would get their happily for evers too!

“You can pretend all you want that I haven’t been inside you, but I refuse to.”
She gapes at me, her eyes widening. “You did not just say that.”
“I did. Don’t you think we’re a bit old for games?”
“I’m not playing games, you ass. I just don’t see the point in talking about it. It’s a little late, Eli, don’t you think?”
“We’re still breathing, and our hearts are still beating. So, no, I don’t think it’s too late.”

As their lives unfolded, there was a deepness to this story I didn’t see coming. It explained so much and gutted me. But there were also so many moments of lightness and laughter. The spying had me screaming with laughter. The family secrets. The messing with one another. And the times that led to more were scorching hot! I shed so many tears. They were a mixture of happiness and sadness, and I loved how much this book made me feel. So if you’re looking for a romantic Christmas story that will keep a smile on your face and is filled with all the emotions, this is it! The epilogue gave us the most wonderful happily ever after! And I can’t wait to read the rest of Stewart’s books!

I’m standing here, seventeen years later, because I never forgot you—and in discovering you again—I want to know you, I want to kiss you.

PS The texting mishap, I still am laughing about that!

BOOK REVIEW: The Stocking Was Hung (The Holidays #1) by Tara Sivec

December 13, 2022 / Jen / 4 Comments

The Stocking Was Hung (The Holidays #1)
by Tara Sivec
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
What happens when your life goes to crap the week of Christmas? You invite a hot Marine you met in an airport bar to come home with you for the holidays, to distract your crazy family from the truth.

With a handsy aunt, a meddling mother, and a father concerned for the wellbeing of his daughter's eggnog, there's no chance Sam and Noel will have time to fall in love...or will they?

The Stocking Was Hung is the first of three books about The Holiday family. It's a full-length Christmas novel that will make you laugh, make you HOT, and maybe even make you say, "Awwwww" a few times.

Review:

I had so much fun reading Christmas Cliche, so I had to try another book by Tara Sivec. The Stocking Was Hung was over the top, laugh out loud hilarious. While I adored the main characters, Sam and Noel, the rest of the characters didn’t mesh so well with me. So I won’t be continuing on with this series, but I’ll still be picking up another book by Tara Sivec down the road.

I’m happy for the first time in a long time, and something about that scares the shit out of me. How could a guy I just met make me feel this way?

When Noel’s boyfriend proposed to her, she bolted. Afraid to tell her parents she “failed” at something else, she ended up bringing another guy home for the holidays. Noel and Sam met at the airport and there was definitely an instant attraction. When she suggested for him to pretend to be her ex, and to come home with her for the holidays, I was addicted. The chemistry between them was smile inducing and I was so giddy that Sam went along with Noel’s crazy plans.

He smile, her laugh, her smell, her skin…I need her. Just her. I realize how crazy that sounds when we haven’t even known each other for twenty-four hours, but I don’t give a fuck. This woman has turned me inside out in less than a day and I just. Don’t. Give. A. Fuck.

Noel was so down to earth and easy to connect with. And Sam was the sweetest guy ever. And while he agreed to pretend to be Noel’s ex, the man was not altruistic lol. He definitely had an end game of hooking up with Nicole. Their moments together had me glued to the pages and the chemistry between them was scorching hot! But the more time they spent around each other, they both started to see that there was so much more than just a physical attraction between them. I loved watching how kind Sam was to Noel, he defended and helped her. And Noel gave Sam the possibility of a true family, something he never had.

“Mom, do you have pot hanging from the ceiling?” Noel asks.
“You know your father needs it for his arthritis,” her mother sighs. “Pot—mistletoe, potato—potahto. It’s green and it’s festive, and you have to kiss under it.”

My hiccup with this story was Noel’s family. Her mom would say things so seriously it horrified me. Telling her daughter that her father doesn’t believe in oral before breakfast, that’s a little tmi for even me lol. And her dad’s analogy with milk and his daughter was just a little too awkward. So when you throw in her Aunt Bobbie’s comments, drinking and drug use, plus groping Sam…I’m sad to say I struggled. Her family was way too much for me.

I want to tell him to never leave. I want to tell him this stupid charade stopped being a charade the moment he kissed me under the pot mistletoe. I want to ask him if he’ll be my boyfriend for real and not for a fake show for my family.

But here’s the thing, Tara Sivec writes characters that are so vividly real and the story flows so seamlessly that it’s all so easy to devour. And again we got an over the top story with an adorable romance, crazy side characters and a happy ending that made me smile. It pains me that I struggled with her family, especially since I adored the main characters so much. I’m hoping the next book I pick up by her will be a much better fit.

BOOK REVIEW: Two Wrongs Make a Right (The Wilmot Sisters #1) by Chloe Liese

November 29, 2022 / Jen / 4 Comments

Two Wrongs Make a Right (The Wilmot Sisters #1)
by Chloe Liese
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Opposites become allies to fool their matchmaking friends in this swoony reimagining of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, Much Ado About Nothing.

Jamie Westenberg and Bea Wilmot have nothing in common except a meet-disaster and the mutual understanding that they couldn't be more wrong for each other. But when the people closest to them play Cupid and trick them into going on a date, Jamie and Bea realize they have something else in common after all—an undeniable need for revenge.

Soon their plan is in place: Fake date obnoxiously and convince the meddlers they’re madly in love. Then, break up spectacularly and dash everyone's hopes, putting an end to the matchmaking madness once and for all.

To convince everyone that they’ve fallen for each other, Jamie and Bea will have to nail the performance of their lives. But as their final act nears and playing lovers becomes easier than not, they begin to wonder: What if Cupid’s arrow wasn’t so off the mark? And what if two wrongs do make a right?

Review:

It’s a text. Just a text.
But it feels like so much more.

With humor, romance and heart, Two Wrongs Make a Right was so easy to love! Enemies to lovers was mixed with fake dating, and it played out beautifully! The characters were vivid and ones that you will be rooting for, the story-line was so much fun and I left this book knowing I had to read all of Chloe Liese’s books!

He grins. A crooked, soft Jamie grin that once again fills my heart to a shimmering, golden pop. “I have a feeling you’re going to be a bad influence, Beatrice.”
“Ah, James,” I tell him through the buttercream sweetness lighting up my tongue. “Now you’re catching on.”

Beatrice Wilmot aka Bea and Jamie Westenberg didn’t get off on the right foot. They rubbed each other the wrong way and Bea had no problem slaying Jamie with her words. It didn’t matter that something was there and that the chemistry could be felt. That first impression did them in. But when their friends wouldn’t give up and set them up on a blind date, that was when they realized they could finally agree on something. Revenge. So what’s a little fake dating to trick their friends into thinking they did what was best, and then breaking up once their friends were truly invested. It was a solid plan, yet feelings don’t always seem to go the way you want them to.

Holding me close. He turns his face so slightly, until his mouth brushes the shell of my ear.
And for a moment, I forget why this is happening.

I adored Bea! I loved listening to her thoughts and watching how she saw the world. She was an artist who had a twin sister and a wonderful group of friends. She claimed they were her sister’s friends, but you could tell they loved her just as much too! And I loved how much fire Bea had in her! Her words and even her flying carrots had me cracking up! Ohhhh and her second hand embarrassment was all of mine too.

Being in a fake relationship isn’t supposed to be complicated. Kissing isn’t supposed to make me think foolish, ridiculous thoughts about Bea actually wanting me when she kissed me, too. This situation is terrifyingly beyond me.

Through Bea’s eyes, Jamie came off as so cold. But we also got chapters in his voice and Jamie was definitely one of the good guys! He could be so thoughtful and sensitive, it was heart melting. As we spent more time with him, you realize that there was a whole lot more going on with Jamie then meets the eye. Anxiety clung to him at times. That representation was so relatable to me, so Jamie was so easy to click with and love.

You’re the best thing in my life, I want to tell her. You’re safe and real and perfectly imperfect . We started as a lie, and now we’re the truest thing I’ve ever known.
But I don’t say it, don’t speak those fragile words into the delicate space between us.

Bea and Jamie fought and bantered so fabulously! Yet they both had a lot more in common than they thought. They had been burned in the past and hearts will hurt listening to their stories. So they both lied to themselves for how felt towards the other, even though they wanted each other! I loved watching how they both surprised one other with kindness, insight, understanding, and generosity. It was impossible for them not to become friends with the path they were going down. Especially when you have to tell each other personal stuff. True boyfriends and girlfriends would talk about that right?! *smirks* Eeps, their fake dating was a ton of fun. And when emotions got involved it was difficult not to be giddy!

“My fake boyfriend isn’t supposed to ruin me for everyone else,” I whisper.
Jamie’s eyes fall shut as he drops his forehead to mine. “Sometimes, Beatrice, I want to ruin you for everyone else.”

With friendships that were strong and beautiful, self-doubt, pushing the line and fabulous date nights, this book was so much fun! There were sentimental moments that made tears gather in my eyes, and steamy moments that fit so well together. And even watching wrong choices being made, I was cheering them on! Two Wrongs Make a Right was lovable, entertaining and such a fabulous mix of enemies to lovers and fake dating!

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