Tag: Romance (Page 72 of 122)

BOOK REVIEW: Attraction (Hypothesis #1) by Penny Reid

BOOK REVIEW: Attraction (Hypothesis #1) by Penny ReidAttraction (Hypothesis #1)
by Penny Reid
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

One week.
Private beach.
Invisible girl.
Jerk-faced bully.
What’s the worst that could happen?

Kaitlyn Parker has no problem being the invisible girl, which is why she finds herself hiding in various cabinets and closets all over her college campus. Despite her best efforts, she can’t escape the notice of Martin Sandeke—bad boy, jerkface bully, and the universe’s hottest, wealthiest, and most unobtainable bachelor—who also happens to be Kaitlyn’s chemistry lab partner.

Kaitlyn might be the only girl who isn’t interested in exploiting his stunning rower’s build, chiseled features, and family's billionaire fortune. Kaitlyn wants Martin for his brain, specifically to tabulate findings of trace elements in surface water.

When Kaitlyn saves Martin from a nefarious plot, Martin uses the opportunity to push Kaitlyn out of her comfort zone: spring break, one week, house parties, bathing suits, and suntan lotion. Can she overcome her aversion to being noticed? Will he be able grow beyond his self-centered nature? Or, despite their obvious chemistry, will Martin be the one to drive Kaitlyn into the science cabinet of obscurity for good?

Review:

The Hypothesis Series sucked me in and before I knew it, I had binged all three books about Martin and Katy.   While I did have some hiccups here and there, I didn’t really care because this story was so much fun and kept me entertained.  The first book in this series, Attraction, was emotional, quirky and so easy to devour.  If you love unconventional girls, Alpha males and lots of angst, then this is the series to add to your tbr!

“Haven’t you ever wondered why I come on Fridays?” His fingers curled around my neck and his thumb traced circles along the line of my collarbone. He encouraged my head to tip backward.
“So that we can get a jump start on the weekly assignment?”
He shook his head. “You.”

Kaitlyn Parker, aka Katy, was lab partners with Martin Sandeke.  Martin was tall, gorgeous, smart, athletic, and his family were billionaires.  He truly had it all going for him.  And while Katy’s family was well known too, she definitely felt like they were in very different leagues.  You see, while Martin was popular, outgoing annnnnnnd a total douche, Katy was quiet, timid and liked to hide in closets.  So while Katie was hiding in a closet (see, told you LOL), she overheard a plot to take Martin down.  With her kind heart, she warned him and it set her on a path that would completely change her world.

“You think I’m only interested in you for one thing. You’re wrong,” he whispered against my ear, hot breath spilling against my neck making me shiver, his hand on my stomach inching lower.
“This, what you’re doing now, how you’re touching me, does not give credibility to your words.” My breath hitched, my brain disengaging.

Katy was beyond quirky and cracked me up!  Did she have some growing up and learning how to interact with others to do?  Uh yeah!  But she was so endearing, that I loved watching her journey.  Sometimes her mouth would open and oh my gosh I’d die laughing.  BUT at the same point I just wanted to hug her because you could tell that her upbringing was extremely different than those around her.  She could be so over the top, almost kind of like Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory, but by the second book you get to see how much she grew.  And by the third book, besides her keyword burner, she had changed so much.  I’m glad I was patient with her because she slowly but surely matured and evolved as this trilogy unfolded.

How was it possible I was the most trustworthy person in his life? How heartbreaking was that?

Martin was such an unknown.  He could be extremely demanding and spoiler alert, that doesn’t change at all in the next two books.   But at the same time, he also had this soft side to him that made me melt.  And my heart hurt for how he was raised.  With his charming, seductive and captivating ways I found myself falling for Martin.  So when he invited Katy to take a trip with him to a tropical island, for spring break, I was so excited.  With a beautiful setting and lots of time together, I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough!

For some inexplicable reason, I felt like crying. Tears stung behind my eyelids and my throat felt tight.
I knew it.
I KNEW IT.
I knew he was going to make me cry.

 Attraction was filled with lots of angst, and as someone who can easily be consumed watching it all unfold, I loved every minute of it!  With side characters that leaped from the pages, two main characters I was fascinated with, tons of chemistry and a romantic tropical setting, this book was an absolute blast!  And spoiler alert….Book 2 is where all the heat is at….just sayin lol.

PS This ends on a cliffhanger and mid scene, so you definitely want to have Heat available, for when you read this book!

 

BOOK REVIEW: Starlight (Speakeasy Taproom #7) by Christine DePetrillo

BOOK REVIEW: Starlight (Speakeasy Taproom #7) by Christine DePetrilloStarlight (Speakeasy Taproom #7)
by Christine DePetrillo
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

He doesn’t trust women. She only trusts dogs. Why can’t they keep their paws off each other?

Darren Reade builds stone walls in Vermont--and around his heart. Women don’t stick around, so it’s better to put up No Trespassing signs and focus on raising his adopted son. Darren is willing to do whatever it takes to help the boy cope with his mother’s death. But doing it alone is a challenge.

Grace Hollings indulges her love of old-school jazz by singing nights at the Speakeasy Taproom, and spends her days training service dogs, connecting small humans with smart pooches. Of course she’d planned to be married already, but a failed engagement has taught her that dogs make better company than men.

One evening, Grace and Darren don’t exchange names, but they do engage in a single night neither of them will forget. Is once all there is? Or can they train their hearts to trust what they’ve built under the starlight?

Review

Thissssss!!!! This is the kind of romance I LIVE FOR. It had steam, it had passion, it had an entire spectrum of emotions, it had service puppies, it had the most adorable family dynamic. IT WAS EVERYTHINGGGGG. The best part about all of these series in The World of True North is catching glimpses of these characters in previous books, wondering if/when you’ll get their story. Darren and his son Kolton were mentioned a few times in Firefly and of course Grace was too as she worked with Melody at Speakeasy.

Getting to learn about Darren and Kolton’s story was so emotional. I won’t go into it as you will find out yourselves pretty early on but the fact that Darren takes care of Kolton like he does and loves THAT DEEP is a beautiful, beautiful thing. The boy suffers from intense bouts of trauma and anxiety and it was recommended to Darren by Kolton’s school that they try getting a service dog from a local place in town.

When he shows up to find Grace, the woman he recently spent a passionate birthday night with, as one of the two employees who trains the dogs, the two are both surprised and excited to have been thrown into one another’s paths again.

My favorite part about this book was how instantaneously Kolton took to Grace. Because of the genuine person she was AND because she has worked with many people with different and special needs at that point, she knew just how to immediately interact with Kolton. Melted my freaking heart, let me tell you.

The drama portion of this book really was through no fault of Darren or Grace’s which was nice, even if it still impacted them and their relationship for a small bit of time. The string of events that led them back together, though? THAT is what made me cry, and in the best way. I am so happy that this series is coming to a finish on such a strong note. I have been so happy to be introduced to so many new authors because of this World of True North project and am so excited for this to be out for everyone to read!

Huge thanks to Heart Eyes Press for allowing me to read an eARC of this in exchange for my honest review!

BOOK REVIEW: Forever Starts Now by Stefanie London

BOOK REVIEW: Forever Starts Now by Stefanie London Forever Starts Now by Stefanie London
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

What happens when two people who’ve given up on forever find it in each other…?

Single men are as scarce in Forever Falls as a vegetarian at a barbecue. That is, until Ethan Hammersmith moves in. After his fiancée gave him an ultimatum, he left Australia and never looked back. He isn’t in America to find a new girlfriend, though. He’s searching for the father he never knew. But now it’s like he has a flashing sign above his head that says “available.” Thankfully, the manager of the local diner is willing to give him cover―if only she weren’t so distractingly adorable.

Monroe Roberts, town misanthrope and divorcée, knocked “forever” permanently off her wish list ever since the love of her life skipped town with the cliché yoga instructor. And good riddance. She’s got this struggling diner to keep her busy, trying anything to boost sales…until a hot Australian strolls in and changes everything. Monroe’s restaurant is packed full of women who aren’t there to order food, unless Ethan is on the menu. This could sink her business faster than ever. So―light bulb―what if they pretend to be together?

It sounds like the perfect plan. Until they realize there is some very real chemistry in this fake relationship. But is it enough to heal two hearts that have been so deeply wounded?

Review:

“Sometimes it takes the right person to shine a light on us so we can see who we’ve become.”

Forever Starts Now was a heartwarming tale of love and finding your way in life.  I absolutely loved the romance and the small town this story took place.  With a story line and characters that quickly hooked me, I couldn’t stop smiling.  If you’re a fan of the fake dating trope, which is one of my favorites!, then you definitely need to add this one to your tbr.

“I know you said I wasn’t your type, but maybe you could fake being attracted to me.”
If only he wasn’t her type. Hell, Monroe would chance it and say that Ethan might be the “type” of every living being with a pulse and a preference for men. Universal hotness, at its finest.

While Monroe Roberts worked at the local Sunshine Diner, her true passion in life was baking.  She had even won a national tv show baking competition.   But with a jaded past involving an ex-husband, trying to help a struggling diner and caring for her dad, Monroe never got to put herself first.  When a stranger walked into town that looked like Chris Hemsworth, her life got even busier.  With women stealing spots at her diner to catch a glance of the movie star doppelganger, and not ordering meals, the diner seemed to struggle even more.

“You’re a little too good at this, you know. Am I your first fake girlfriend? Be honest now.”
His smile was pure sunshine and warmth. Damn.

I heart Ethan Hammersmith.  He was sexy, kind, honest and when he opened up, it was impossible not to fall completely head over heels in love with him.  He too came from a jaded past, and his was filled with lies.  Ethan had been searching the U.S. for the dead father he never knew existed until now.  But with everyone trying to get up in his business or capture a date with the new bachelor, he wasn’t able to discreetly dig for info on his father.  So when Ethan suggested to Monroe that they fake date, so the diner could thrive and he could stop being bothered, I was utterly giddy!

“You’re beautiful,” he said quietly. There was something about the way he said it, low enough that maybe it wasn’t for show. For their act. Or maybe it was the way he looked at her— like he really saw who she was underneath it all. “Inside and out.”

 The story alternated between Monroe and Ethan and they had so much in common.  And from the moment they were near one another, there was instant chemistry.  Flirting and banter was so seamless between them.  So when they started to pretend dating, of course that electricity was still there.  With touches, whispering secret words to each other and even kissing…..this book was SO much fun!  Some of their moments together were hot and I couldn’t get enough of it!  All the while they were fake dating, it sure didn’t look or feel like it!

“For something that’s supposed to be fake, I’m having a hard time drawing a line in my head.”
Her breath caught in her throat.

Forever Starts Now was a sexy and sweet story that was so easy to devour!  With a story line that flowed effortlessly and characters that were a piece of cake to adore, I loved this story!  There were also side characters that felt so real to me!  So if you’re a fan of romance or the fake dating trope, then I can’t recommend this one enough!  Now I need to go check out London’s other books ♥.

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

 

BOOK REVIEW: Wildflower (Speakeasy Taproom #5) by Mae Wood

BOOK REVIEW: Wildflower (Speakeasy Taproom #5) by Mae WoodWildflower (Speakeasy Taproom #5)
by Sarina Bowen
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

When the prize is love, sometimes you get stung. But if you’re lucky, you just might hit the sweet spot…

Juliana Burton needs a medal at Speakeasy's beer festival to push her brand-new brewery into the spotlight. She thinks she knows how to do it, too--with a beer made exclusively from Vermont hops, barley and the best honey in the state. Too bad the only thing standing in her way is a six feet tall, smokin’ sexy, and her secret high school crush.

After a very public disaster in Boston, Riggs Lyon is home with his teenage son in tow. Riggs is taking over the family beekeeping business with an eye to offload it and start life over somewhere where "Lyin' Lyon" isn't a joke. Selling honey to Juliana doesn't make business sense. She can't afford the high prices Lyon honey fetches in specialty shops and farmer's markets. But somehow, he’s having trouble saying no to anything she asks for, whether it’s in the hive or in the bedroom.

Review

I am OBSESSED with this one!

I have always been a sucker for those stories when one of the characters has had a crush on the other for YEARS but things didn’t work out and they are able to come back together, years later, and finally connect. And actually even then it’s usually just a few years while they were away at college, whereas with these two it’s been about 20. I’ve actually read a few books/fics lately that feature characters who get a second chance at love when they’re in their 40s and I love it. Even if kids are involved, at that point they usually are old enough that they just want their parent to be happy and for the character themselves, they just know what they want out of life and they usually don’t want to waste time.

The two may get off to a semi-rocky start, mostly involving old family drama, but it doesn’t take long for things to come to a head. And when it does–phew. It’s hot. Again, at this point in both Juliana and Riggs’s lives, they know what they want (in this case in bed) and are not afraid to ask for what they want and give as good as they’ve got. That first scene between them was way hotter than I anticipated and I was very happy about it, lol.

Of course I did also enjoy seeing life on the Lyons’ apiary and Julie’s brewery coming to life and learning about what it means to be a solely woman run business, especially in an area that ALWAYS predominantly features beer-bros. Those ladies were so badass and I loved the process of naming the beers (EXCEPT I WANTED VERMOST TO STICK SO BAD LOL), brewing them, bringing them to the competitions, etc.

Once again a great addition to The World of True North!

Huge thanks to Heart Eyes Press for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion ♥

BOOK REVIEW: The Perfect Play (Southern U O’Brien Brothers #2) by Cookie O’Gorman

BOOK REVIEW: The Perfect Play (Southern U O’Brien Brothers #2) by Cookie O’GormanThe Perfect Play (Southern U OBrien Brothers #2)
by Cookie O'Gorman
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

She’s playing to win.

Okay, so I probably shouldn’t have made that bet with Emmy. But come on! She was challenging me. Attract a guy in seven days? No problem.

Well…maybe just one.

The guy she chooses is her brother, Chase O’Brien aka golden-boy-Virgin and star pitcher for the Wolves. Unlike most guys, Chase seems immune to my charms—but I’ve always loved a challenge.

He’s playing for keeps.

Charlie never should’ve made that bet with my baby sister. But if she uses her magic touch to heal my arm and gets me back in the game? It’s all good.

Actually, the more time we spend together, the harder I fall. I always knew I’d recognize my soulmate when I found her—and Charlie’s the one.

Even if she doesn’t know it yet.

This new adult sports romance features a strong heroine with a soft center, a hot-bookish hero who believes in true love and a sexy set of brothers guaranteed to make you swoon.

Love is always the perfect play.


Review:

The Perfect Play was an instant favorite! With friendship and romance laced throughout the pages, this book was impossible to put down. Cookie’s books always make me laugh and smile, and again this one was such a huge hit! If you’re looking for a romance story that is swoon worthy and will make you fall in love, then look no further, this is your book!

It was the nice guys you had to look out for. They were capable of real damage.
I needed to remember that unless I wanted to get hurt.

When Charlie accepted a bet from her roommate Emmy, she had no idea what was in store for her. Attract a guy in seven days? Piece of cake! Charlie was mesmerizing and knew how to get a guy’s attention in the blink of an eye. But Chase O’Brien? He was a baseball star who was known as a good guy, read books at parties and was a virgin waiting for his soul mate. Charlie definitely had her work cut out for her!

Her light blue eyes were intent on mine. “I was wondering when you’d get here.”
As she stopped in front of me and threw her arms around my neck, she whispered quickly, “Don’t read anything into this. It’s nothing. I just need you for a second.”
But it wasn’t nothing.
The thought flitted in and out of my head as her lips landed on mine.

Charlie was fun, passionate and cared deeply, I wanted to be best friends with her! I loved that she knew how to get what she wanted. Like getting the attention of the opposing school’s pitcher, so her home team could make a comeback lol! She made me laugh so much! But Charlie was hesitant about letting the opposite sex in. She’d been burned in the past, so the moment a guy started to show any interest in her, she checked out. Thankfully Charlie wanted to win that bet and Chase was stubborn and wasn’t about to let Charlie get away.

“Not going to lie though. Every now and then when I need a confidence boost, I look in the mirror and tell myself I’m pretty.”
Chase grinned. “That’s tragic.”
“You have something against good self-esteem?” I asked.
“No,” he said. “What I have a problem with is you calling yourself ‘pretty’ when you’re one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever seen in my life.”
My breath hitched.

Chase was the ultimate book boyfriend! He was intoxicating and swoon worthy! At the end of The Best Mistake, he injured his arm. He hadn’t been able to play baseball, and his team desperately needed him since he was their pitcher. It was suffocating that he couldn’t just heal. That everyone from his fans, to the team to even his family who loved him, made it seem like the teams whole future rested on his shoulders. I just wanted to reach into the book and give him a hug because he made me cry, my heart hurt for him. So when Charlie stepped into the picture, she was a breath of fresh air and made sides of Chase come out that had me smiling and sighing out loud!

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt anything, let alone actual electricity, with such an innocent kiss. I’d die before admitting it. To Chase or to anyone. But there had been something…

I loved watching Charlie and Chase form a friendship. It felt so real! Their moments together made me obsess over every single word or touch between them. They were so addictive together and I loved that we got to alternate each chapter between them! But you guys….Chase had this sexy, intense side and I. Was. Obsessed! So then when he stood up and defended Charlie’s honor, I didn’t think I could fall any harder for him but I did. I couldn’t get enough of the two of them together. They were the best of being endearing and oh so hot, they became one of my favorite couples ever. I was rooting for them every step of the way!

“The truth is I’ve been thinking about you every hour of every day.”
He bit his lip, shook his head once before continuing.
“My mind is full of you,” he said. “I want to run my fingers through your hair …to know what that feels like. I want to talk to you for hours until we’re both too tired to move, and we fall asleep right next to each other. I want to feel you in my arms. And if that sounds too romantic, well, I have other thoughts, too.”
“Do you?” I breathed.

While you can easily read this as a standalone, I can’t recommend the book before this enough. The Best Mistake was just as fabulous! That story was about Charlie’s bestie, Honor, and Chase’s brother, Archer. And in this story we got to spend time with other favorites too like Baylor, June and so many more! This has become one of my favorite romance series and I can’t wait to see who the next book is about! The Perfect Play was a swoon worthy story that romances lovers will fall hard for! I can’t recommend it enough!

“Hey Charlie,” I said.
“Yeah?”
Putting my hand against the doorframe, leaning down so I was speaking into her ear from behind, I said softly, “You don’t have to worry. When I find my soulmate, there won’t be any hesitation on my end. My girl will know she’s the one for me. I’ve waited a lifetime to meet her. When I do, I’m never letting go.”
Charlie swallowed.
“That intense enough for you?” I asked.
“Yeah. That was…yeah,” she said again.

PS Who knew spooning could be so hot?! *fans face*

I was having difficulty denying what my heart had been telling me for days.
Her.
She’s the one.
You are hers, and she is for you.

PPS I love the list!!!!!!!

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

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