Tag: Friends to Lovers

BOOK REVIEW: Lovelight Farms (Lovelight #1) by BK Borison

March 1, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Lovelight Farms (Lovelight #1)
by BK Borison
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Two best friends fake date to reach their holiday happily ever after in this first romantic comedy in the Lovelight series.

A pasture of dead trees. A hostile takeover of the Santa barn by a family of raccoons. And shipments that have mysteriously gone missing. Lovelight Farms is not the magical winter wonderland of Stella Bloom’s dreams.

In an effort to save the Christmas tree farm she’s loved since she was a kid, Stella enters a contest with Instagram-famous influencer Evelyn St. James. With the added publicity and the $100,000 cash prize, Stella might just be able to save the farm from its financial woes. There’s just one problem. To make the farm seem like a romantic destination for the holidays, she lied on her application and said she owns Lovelight Farms with her boyfriend. Only…there is no boyfriend.

Enter best friend Luka Peters. He just stopped by for some hot chocolate and somehow got a farm and a serious girlfriend in the process. But fake dating his best friend might be the best Christmas present he’s ever received.

Review:

Lovelight Farms was a beautiful friends to lovers romance that was so easy to devour. The found family was everything, the storyline was adorable, and the characters warmed my heart. This book became an instant favorite and I’m excited to binge the rest of BK Borison’s stories!

I thought about a lot of things when it comes to Luka. Things you shouldn’t think about your best friend.

Stella and Luka were the bestest of friends. Ten years ago, Luka’s mom moved to the tiny little town where Stella lived. And it created the most adorable meet cute! From that moment on, they had been inseparable. But there was always that line that neither of them would cross. They were just friends. Even though Stella had been in love with Luka forever. So when Stella was forced to fake date someone, in order to save her failing farm, I couldn’t wait for the lines between her and Luka to get blurry!

But with Luka, it’s easy. The way we touch each other, the way we breathe and move together. It’s so easy.

I absolutely adored Stella! She had such a kind soul, and yet she was so nervous to ask Luka to be her fake boyfriend. Which of course he would do without a second thought! So when the two of them announced to their tiny town that they were dating, I couldn’t stop laughing. Small town shenanigans were at their best in this story! And as Luka and Stella pretended to date, oh my heart I was so nervous for Stella. She was getting everything she wanted, except it wasn’t real. Right?

He steps back, but his hand holds against my hip, fingers slipping away with reluctance. I look up at him in the dim light of my kitchen, and for a single breath, I see a wild, ferocious hunger. But he blinks and it’s gone. He’s my Luka again, the change so quick I think I’ve imagined it. Brown eyes soft, smile crooked, hair a wild mess.

Luka was such a fabulous book boyfriend! He was thoughtful, kind, and cared so much for Stella! Yet unlike Stella, I had no problem finding all the little clues that he liked her. So the moments when he agreed to go to ‘Thanksgiving’ with her dad, and everything else in between showing him step up….sigh. It just made me love Luka that much more!

It’s hard to think about the consequences when his palm is warm on the small of my back, dragging up my spine. He tangles his hand lightly in my hair and tugs gently, just once, a flash of something decadent in amber eyes when I make a small noise in the back of my throat. He likes that noise, I can tell. He wants to hear it again.

The tension between Stella and Luka was intense and left me desperately needing for them to do more than just have a look or a touch. It seemed like Luka could take Stella right there in her kitchen, and then you blink and he’s back to her Luka again. Just friends. The will they or won’t they played out fabulously in this story! With missed kisses, tension simmering, and pretending to date, there were so many favorite moments. When they woke up together *fans face*, after Thanksgiving, and so many more that were deliciously steamy!

The line defining fiction and reality is obliterated.

This book also made me cry. There were some tears here and there, but when found family became prevalent, I was sobbing my eyes out! And then again when there was a heart to heart. Lovelight Farms creeps up on you, and the emotions are so hard to ignore! So if you’re looking for a friends to lovers romance, I can’t recommend this one enough. It was steamy, heartfelt, and made me smile so much! I can’t wait to read Beckett’s story next!

It’s hard to think of Beckett as anything other than stoic, but I recognize the shades of loneliness in him the same as me and Luka. It’s another reason I’m grateful for this farm and the weird little family we’ve pieced together. We’re all a little less alone.

BOOK REVIEW: Just One of the Groomsmen (Getting Hitched #1) & Always a Bridesmaid (Getting Hitched #2) by Cindi Madsen

February 23, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

Just One of the Groomsmen (Getting Hitched #1)
by Cindi Madsen
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Addison Murphy is the funny friend, the girl you grab a beer with―the girl voted most likely to start her own sweatshirt line. And now that one of her best guy friends is getting married, she’ll add “groomsman” to that list, too. She’ll get through this wedding if it’s the last thing she does. Just don’t ask her to dive for any bouquet.

When Tucker Crawford returns to his small hometown, he expects to see the same old people, feel comfort in the same old things. He certainly doesn’t expect to see the nice pair of bare legs sticking out from under the hood of a broken-down car. Certainly doesn’t expect to feel his heart beat faster when he realizes they belong to one of his best friends.

If he convinces Addie to give him a chance, they could be electric…or their breakup could split their tight-knit group in two.

Hiding the way he feels from the guys through bachelor parties, cake tastings, and rehearsals is one thing. But just as Tucker realizes that Addie truly could be the perfect woman for him―he was just too stupid to realize it―now she’s leaving to follow her own dreams. He’s going to need to do a lot of compromising if he’s going to convince her to take a shot at forever with him―on her terms this time.

Review:

Just One of the Groomsmen was a heartwarming, friends to lovers romance. Set in a small town in the south, with characters that will make you smile, I absolutely adored this story! There was spice. Angst. And all the feels! Addie was a tomboy surrounded by her best friends, Tucker, Shep, Ford and Easton. And when Tucker came back to town, sparks flew between them. While they both tried their best to deny their feelings for each other, it was impossible!

The push and pull between them was intoxicating! And when they did toe the line, their moments together were steamy! Add in characters that will make you laugh, like Nona, and friendship that runs so deep and this story had everything I love about small town romances. This was my first Cindi Madsen, and I listened to the audio which was phenomenal, so I can’t wait to binge read all of her other stories!

Always a Bridesmaid (Getting Hitched #2)
by Cindi Madsen
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Violet Abrams may have been a bridesmaid no less than seven times, but her wedding day was near—she could feel it. Until her longtime boyfriend left her for someone else. That’s just fine—she has her photography and a new project redesigning her sister’s bakery to keep her happy and fulfilled. Fast-forward to the day of his wedding, though, when Violet might have accidentally, totally not on purpose, started a fire. And... Officially the worst day ever.

Firefighter Ford Maguire thought he’d seen it all. Until he’s called out because someone tried to set the local bakery on fire…with a wedding magazine? The little arsonist might be the cutest woman he’s ever seen, but he’s too career-focused to consider something serious. Still, Violet seems like a great person to help him navigate his upcoming “man of honor” duties in his best friend’s wedding.

Pretty soon, not only is Violet giving him lessons on all things weddings, she’s helping him train his latest rescue-dog recruit puppies and weaving her way seamlessly into his lone-wolf lifestyle. But forever is the last thing on Ford’s mind, and if there’s one thing a perpetual bridesmaid knows, it’s the importance of a happily ever after.

Review:

Always a Bridesmaid took us back to the small town we love, and there were all the familiar faces. Yet this one hit deeper. It was emotional. And heartfelt too. Both Violet and Ford thought that they were not worthy of love. Their pasts and families had created doubts in their minds. So it was heartbreaking that they thought they weren’t good enough. Watching them fight their way to their happily ever after, will have you cheering them on!

Violet and Ford’s meet cute was beyond memorable! And the cake testing, the bar, playing pool, to even the coffee house scene all slowly started to build a friendship between these two people. Mix that all in with characters we love, friendships that run deep, and the most adorable puppies ever and this book was so easy and fun to listen to! I loved how the story transported me to another world. It was so vivid and colorful! So if you adore small town romances with steam, then definitely put this one on your tbr! I’m so happy I listened to it!

BOOK REVIEW: The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

July 18, 2023 / Jen / 2 Comments

The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The friend zone is not the end zone for Bree Camden, who is helplessly in love with her longtime best friend and extremely hot NFL legend, Nathan Donelson. The only problem is that she can’t admit her true feelings, because he clearly sees her as a best friend with no romantic potential, and the last thing Bree wants is to ruin their relationship. But those abs . . .

Nope! Nothing but good old-fashioned, no-touching-the-sexiest-man-alive, platonic friendship for Bree. In any case, she has other things to worry about. After a car accident ended her chance at becoming a professional ballerina, Bree changed paths and now owns her own dance studio, with big dreams to expand it. But one more rent increase could mean the end of the studio entirely.

Then, as usual, Nathan comes to the rescue and buys the entire building. A stubborn Bree is not happy about it and decides to rebel with a couple—okay, maybe more than a couple—of tequila shots. Then her plan backfires as she spills her deepest, darkest secret to a TMZ reporter. One viral video later, the world thinks Nathan and Bree are the perfect couple. Before they can really talk about her confession, Nathan’s publicist proposes a big opportunity that could mean financial security for Bree. The catch? They have to pretend to be in love. For three whole weeks.

What will happen when Bree gives in to the feelings she’s been desperately hiding for so long, and could she be imagining that Nathan is actually enjoying it? Sarah Adams scores more than touchdowns in this exciting romantic comedy.

Review:

The Cheat Sheet was a friends to lovers sports romance that was a lot of fun. With slow burn romance and fake dating mixed together, this book ended up being so adorable. If you’re looking for a romance story that’s sweet and low on angst, definitely add this one to your tbr!

To my left is a floor-to-ceiling three-million-dollar view of the ocean, but to my right is the view I would give my soul to see every day for the rest of my life. Obviously, Bree doesn’t know I feel this way about her.

Bree and Nathan had been friends since high school and she had been in love with him for forever. Yet Nathan treated her as just his best friend, while he dated everyone else. Although I had some guesses when it came to Nathan. He would pause when saying something or the things he did to help her out were sigh worthy. I loved trying to look for clues to see exactly how he felt! So I was surprised that after a couple of chapters we also got his POV! I was squealing with giddiness! Especially since we got to know a tiny bit of how he felt in that first paragraph! But there was still a lot of things to piece together, since we spent a lot more time with Bree. So when drunk Bree admitted to a reporter her feelings, she found herself fake dating her best friend. At least until the Super Bowl, since they were doing an ad together. And the lines of what was real and fake definitely started to blur!

What’s happening?! Why am I reacting this way? It changes nothing really—except I feel like everything I knew has changed tonight. My foundation is shaking.

I loved Bree! Her thoughts cracked me up and it was impossible not to laugh out loud at her. Plus she was such a kind hearted soul. She loved the students she taught dance to and would sacrifice for them, so they could dance. Even if that left her scrambling for rent money. And she didn’t want to rely on her bestie to help her. I understood her need for wanting to make it on her own. Especially when she pictured her bestie married to some other woman in the future. So she tried her best to remain strong when it came to Nathan. My heart hurt that she was jaded from the accident in her past. She didn’t think she got to keep the good things in her life, and still struggled with that years later. So the moments she would cave, or allow help from Nathan warmed my heart! But Bree was in total denial that Nathan could ever want her. Even though there seemed to be clues everywhere. So of course Bree was nervous about crossing the lines of friendship while fake dating. She didn’t think she could ever go back to normal after she crossed those lines!

I watch with a sinking feeling as Nathan’s head tilts ever so slightly and a grin tugs at the corner of his mouth. It’s a look I’ve never seen before, like I just got duped by a card shark when I thought I was playing Go Fish against a toddler.
He hands me the pen. “Oh, it’ll definitely be fun. I’ll make sure of it.”

While there were some cheesy moments and miscommunication, it worked perfectly with the low angst in this story. I did want to shake them and tell them just to be honest with each other. To be brave. To take a chance! And for Bree to not run away when he was practice flirting with her. They had to make it seem real, since he was in the public eye. So I was glad that Nathan stood his ground, one of them needed to be more mature about it. And when Nathan started to test the waters to see if she was interested, ohhhh I was so happy! I loved that he used his friends to help him figure out how to get out of that friend zone. Their brainstorming session was one of my favorite scenes! And Jamal was definitely my favorite friend of his! I loved that his friends were rooting for them to get together, just as much as Nathaniel was!

That’s not me and Nathan in this picture. This is a couple who’s head over heels for each other.
I know why I see that blissful look on my face, but why is it on his too?

With scenes that are forever etched in my brain, I’m looking at you brownie batter! Failed attempts at seduction. Jealousy becoming amusing. Stress and anxiety brought about in an honest way. I loved how this book continued to have a light and fluffy feel to it, even though it covered heavier topics. And it made me so happy! The Cheat Sheet was an absolutely adorable closed door romance. I will definitely be checking out other books by Sarah Adams!

BOOK REVIEW: 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne

July 17, 2023 / Jen / 4 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

Review:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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