Category: Review (Page 63 of 276)

BOOK REVIEW: Footnote (Busy Bean #9) by Alexa Gregory

BOOK REVIEW: Footnote (Busy Bean #9) by Alexa GregoryFootnote (Busy Bean #9)
by Alexa Gregory
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

A moving second-chance romance where hope can turn history into a footnote.

Sasha Covey needs a rewrite. Or a really big eraser. Her past doesn’t belong in the life she’s trying to rebuild. Her future—and her recovery—depend on a fresh start. Moving to Colebury seems like the perfect test until Penley Brooks waltzes into the Busy Bean. The handsome veterinarian is just as charming as when she fell for him a decade ago. Memories come flooding back, and their connection is as potent as ever.

Trouble is, Sasha has good reason to keep her distance. Her recovery is still new, and the single dad has wounds of his own. After years of being an afterthought, Penley’s goals are finally within reach. As much as she aches to reconnect, Sasha won’t stand in the way of his dreams.

Somehow, that all melts away whenever she’s with Penley. Together, dreaming is a little easier.

But dreams don’t always survive in the real world. Not when the past comes knocking.

Footnote is a standalone small-town romance set in the World of True North.

Review

I always love a good second chance romance, especially when the couple knew each other and had a deep connection when they were younger. At the very beginning of this book, we catch a glimpse of young Penley and Sasha. His dad was dating her mom and they lived together for a short period of time. It was clear that the two had a strong bond, especially when Penley opted to stay in with Sasha to watch movies instead of attending a Halloween party with his girlfriend.

Flash forward a bunch of years and Sasha deferred a year of school to deal with some health issues, (she has dealt with bulimia for some time) is now in recovery and living back in Colebury with her mom and another Step, and working at Busy Bean. As luck and a slight change in routine would have it, Penley walks in to get his daily coffee during of her shifts and BAM. It’s almost like no time had passed.

Only it did. Penley now is divorced with a six year old boy and Sasha has been really through the ringer lately dealing with her illness and the dark space she had been in before her best friend’s family helped her get out of it. Regardless of all that, the two can’t stay away from one another and it’s very evident that the strong connection they once shared NEVER went away.

I really did love how these two interacted. Like they just couldn’t help but be close and touch even while they were dealing with their own issues at different times. I think the only reason I didn’t rate this higher is because there were parts of this that were emotionally hard to read. I am SO glad that so many different illnesses and disabilities are now being portrayed in romances because, well, that’s real-fucking-life. Sometimes though, when I want to read a romance it’s because I want pure, uncomplicated fluff that isn’t going to hurt me lol. Do I know it’s unrealistic in the highest sense? Yes. But I still want it anyway. Despite that though, this truly was a great story and I was so happy when these two finally got their HEA together.


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

BOOK REVIEW: Fireproof (Busy Bean #8) by Delancey Stewart

BOOK REVIEW: Fireproof (Busy Bean #8) by Delancey StewartFireproof (Busy Bean #8)
by Delancey Stewart
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

The newest barista at the Busy Bean is about to steam the place up...

Former Marine Mason Rye can make a cappuccino with military precision, but he finds it much harder to serve up a smile. It’s not that he doesn’t like people. But he knows from experience that once you let someone in, it hurts like hell when you lose them. And Mason’s lost too many people already.

So it’s pretty damn inconvenient when his old Marine buddy shows up on Mason’s goat farm with his younger sister in tow. Heather’s work in Washington D.C. has turned dangerous, and she needs a safe place out of town.

Mason doesn’t need a new roommate, especially not a pretty, single one who insists on rearranging his spice rack and giving his chickens cute names. Although there’s no denying the haunted look in her blue eyes. Every time her fear shows its face, he wants to reach for her.

The problem is that she wants him, too. And when Mason breaks all his rules, they practically burn down his bed together. But her life is in D.C. And the threat against her is over.

Unfortunately, neither of their hearts is fireproof...

Warning: this stand-alone novel contains cute goats, bossy Marines and small town charm.

Review

Sooooooo. I have learned something after reading this and Stargazer….romances featuring grumpy retired/ out-of-active-duty military men are my new bread and butter. I honestly have, up to this point, avoided books involving people in the military (active especially) because I don’t like the thought of danger and them having to leave their S/O. That kind of stress and anxiety just isn’t for me. HOWEVER. When they’re out of active duty or retired and still big and tough and they are….let’s say, watching over their best friend’s sister who may have gotten into a political mess back in D.C. Well. Let’s just say there isn’t much that sounds better.

As of right now, this is standing in as my favorite in the Busy Bean series. I loved everything about Heather’s love of education and how she was an actual ray of sunshine on the farm for both Mason and his uncle. She immediately took to his way of life, helping him harvest fruits and veggies, milking the goats, making cheese, going to farmer’s markets. I know she wasn’t a city girl her whole life but still!

And Mason….well, I was obviously so curious about what event he lived through in order to become the closed off and hard person that he was. What we find out hurt soooo badly and I just wanted to dive into the book to give both young Mason and present day Mason a huge hug. Even though it took him good and long to be able to finally express himself to Heather it didn’t bother me because that kind of change doesn’t just happen overnight in a person, especially one who clearly has a lot of unresolved trauma to deal with. Loved how everything ended up working out for them AND NOW I NEED A BOOK ABOUT KEVIN AND AMELIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Huge thanks to Heart Eyes Press for allowing me to read a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. ♥

BOOK REVIEW: Sidetracked (Busy Bean #7) by R.L. Kenderson

BOOK REVIEW: Sidetracked (Busy Bean #7) by R.L. KendersonSidetracked (Busy Bean #7)
by R.L. Kenderson
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

“Sometimes, not knowing where you’re going will lead you to where you need to be.”

CHARLI

My workplace eliminated my position the same month my relationship ended. With nothing keeping me in Richmond, Virginia, I get in my car and head northeast, unsure of where I’ll end up.

Until I walk into The Busy Bean Café.

With the Help Wanted sign and the quote on the wall meant for me, I know I’ve found my new home.

GABE

I gave up my executive job in Boston to come home to help run my family’s hardware store and to open my own handcrafted furniture business. I have specific plans for my life.

Those plans don’t include the coffee shop’s new flighty barista even if she is cute as hell.

But when I become Charli’s landlord, I find it harder than ever to stay away from her. And soon, I don’t want to.

Review

Lately I feel like I have been reading quite a few romances with the guy being a major ~grump~ and I realized….I eat that shit up. LOL Apparently there is just something about an uber grumpy, rough-around-the-edges type guy meeting a happy, chill, laid back woman that eventually melts said grump into a puddle of molten love that really does something to me. I think a big part of it is that it makes their initial interactions, especially the sexual ones, that much more intense. The guy doesn’t WANT to be feeling these things but BAM, the woman worms her way in and the next thing we know she’s up against the wall, on the receiving end of the most passionate kiss OF HER LIFE. Sounds like a great time to me *shrugs*.

And that’s almost exactly what happens here. Charli leaves home when her job is nixed and her boyfriend breaks up with her. She literally drives until she feels like stopping, walks into Busy Bean, sees the “Help Wanted” sign and apt inspirational quote on the wall and stays. All of that basically goes against everything Gabe stands for as a person. He’s a real dick to Charli at first, especially after finding out she’s going to be living next to him in the other half the the duplex he and his family is renting out.

The one part of this story that I wasn’t sure of was how quickly the end seemed to come. The two obviously had feelings for one another (hello, that bookshelf that was made?!?!?!) but I felt like one minute they were just having sex BARELY any strings attached and then all of a sudden BAM, a certain something happens and then they are like oh….well yeah…we really are attached aren’t we? Obviously I am GLAD it all worked out like it did, it all just really snuck up on me fast (this could also be because I finished while buzzed, putting my kid to sleep during my sister’s wedding this past weekend bahahaha)!

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

BOOK REVIEW: Doubletalk (Busy Bean #6) by Teralyn Mitchell

BOOK REVIEW: Doubletalk (Busy Bean #6) by Teralyn MitchellDoubletalk (Busy Bean #6)
by Teralyn Mitchell
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Basketball has always been his one love, until now . . .

Zeke Armstrong never imagined he’d be back in Vermont, but here he is, living in Colebury and trying to rehab an injury that could mean an early retirement from pro basketball. Running into his former classmate, Mallory Barrett, shouldn’t be a distraction. It shouldn’t mean anything, so why is he accidentally on purpose showing up at the coffee shop where the beautiful writer spends her time?

Mallory Barrett has met a guy. Well, she hasn’t met him yet, except for on the dating app she almost refused to download. “Coby” sparks her interest and gets her jokes--and gives the romance-novel heroes she loves so much a full-court run for their money. When their first date doesn’t work out, she decides to give him another shot . . . just as a man she despises reenters her life. While her interest in the mystery man on the app grows, she clashes constantly with Zeke in real life. She can’t forgive him for humiliating her in high school, yet she can’t deny she’s drawn to him now.

She’s somehow gone from confirmed bachelorette to the tie-breaker between two men. Meanwhile Zeke has a secret--one that will cost him the game if Mallory finds out . . .

Review

I am SUPER bummed to say this book was a case of ~it’s not you, it’s me~. You see, when I went to request the final books in both the Busy Bean and the Speakeasy series, I became so nostalgic thinking about how we were finally coming to a close in The World of True North, that I requested ALL of the final books without reading their summaries. Honestly, most of the time that has worked out in my favor because then you go into them not knowing what to expect and every little thing is a wonderful surprise. This one though had be wishing I would have checked first.

The trope in this book that I personally am not a fan of is where the two find each other on a dating app with fake names and click instantly. One of them finds out who the other person is in real life but keeps that secret until it’s too late and the whole thing momentarily blows up in their faces. I did like that this one had an added layer of complexity due to the fact that Mallory and Zeke had actually known each other since they were little kids but had a falling out in high school and haven’t talked since then. Mallory is one to not forgive easily so it made things even more hard when she DOES finally forgive Zeke only to eventually find out that he had been keeping this secret. It was actually a little funny because in my last review for Safeguard I talked about how I can’t handle that kind of drama anymore and then I started this and went, oops. lol IT’S FINE

Mallory and Zeke did have good chemistry, I enjoyed their characters as a whole, and I liked the writing so I’m sure most other people who read this will love!

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

BOOK REVIEW: The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

BOOK REVIEW: The Soulmate Equation by Christina LaurenThe Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Single mom Jess Davis is a data and statistics wizard, but no amount of number crunching can convince her to step back into the dating world. After all, her father was never around, her hard-partying mother disappeared when she was six, and her ex decided he wasn’t “father material” before her daughter was even born. Jess holds her loved ones close but working constantly to stay afloat is hard...and lonely.

But then Jess hears about GeneticAlly, a buzzy new DNA-based matchmaking company that’s predicted to change dating forever. Finding a soulmate through DNA? The reliability of numbers: This Jess understands.

At least she thought she did, until her test shows an unheard-of 98 percent compatibility with another subject in the database: GeneticAlly’s founder, Dr. River Peña. This is one number she can’t wrap her head around, because she already knows Dr. Peña. The stuck-up, stubborn man is without a doubt not her soulmate. But GeneticAlly has a proposition: Get ‘to know him and we’ll pay you. Jess—who is barely making ends meet—is in no position to turn it down, despite her skepticism about the project and her dislike for River. As the pair are dragged from one event to the next as the “Diamond” pairing that could launch GeneticAlly’s valuation sky-high, Jess begins to realize that there might be more to the scientist—and the science behind a soulmate—than she thought.

Review:

The Soulmate Equation is a book that romance readers should not miss!  If you love moments that give you butterflies, characters that feel like your friends and a story that plays out like a movie, then definitely add this one to your tbr!  This story swept me away and easily landed on my favorites list!

He reached up, running a hand through his hair. “Biological compatibility is independent of whether or not we like each other.”
A horrified laugh ripped out of her. “Is that the company slogan or your best pickup line?”

I loved Jess Davis right away.  She was a single mom who was barely struggling to stay afloat.  Thankfully her life was filled with caring grandparents, an inquisitive and sweet daughter and a romance writing bestie that was like a sister to her.  After submitting her test on a whim, to a dating company called GeneticAlly that matched people through their DNA, Jess found herself in uncharted waters.

Do you actually believe our result could be real? That we could be soulmates? she wanted to ask, but the words felt too enormous to push past her lips.

Jess’s results came back with an unheard 98% match with the founder Dr. River Peña.  River was a guy she saw in passing at the local coffee shop.  He was handsome but he definitely gave off cold vibes.  There was no way they could be that compatible!  But when GeneticAlly made Jess a monetary proposition she couldn’t afford to pass, she pushed her pride aside and started spending more time with River.

Fizzy’s voice glimmered with wonder: “What did you do to him?”
“We did not—”
“He’s smil—”
“I know,” Jess snapped. “It’s weird. Shut up.”
She did not shut up: “When you two actually—”
Leaning in, Jess hissed: “Shhh!”

While Jess had a huge heart, was responsible, focused and logical, River was such an unknown.  He came across as such a cold asshole, albeit a smart one since he was the founder and top scientist at GeneticAlly.  So those that love guys who have a gruff, brooding exterior, you’re going to fall hard for River!  He was dark, mysterious and when he showed that he could have a conversation lol and that there was a heart in there, I was obsessed!

“I’d suspect most people comment on your eyes,” he said quietly, running a fingertip across her collarbone. “That startling, bright blue.”
Surely he could feel her heart scaling her windpipe. He didn’t seem to remember there was anyone else in the room.
“But I prefer your mouth.”
“You do?” Jess managed.
“I do,” he said, and bent, kissing her forehead. “You don’t give those smiles away for free.”

Jess and River had a connection and chemistry that came so easily.  Sparks flared when they were just talking to even when they were at public events for his company *fans face*.  Their build up was deliciously seductive and their interactions were smile and laugh inducing.  The steamy scenes weren’t overly descriptive, but still a lot of fun.  But in the back of Jess’ mind she knew that River had a lot of money to make if their relationship bloomed and that she had a daughter to think about and protect.

Unraveled and bare, Jess knew in her bones that he was her ninety-eight.
“I wanted to see you.”

Jess is easily one of my favorite heroines and River is definitely being added to my book boyfriend list!  And I have to say, I’m not one for books with kids, which is funny since I have two of my own that I love lol.  But Juno, Jess’s daughter, was one of my favorite side characters ever.  Watching her and River interact, OH MY HEART!  I fell for him even harder.

“I want to be here to bring you coffee. I want to take you out to dinner and order the same food and hear you recite the odds that we would have met. I want to hate-attend fancy social events together.” Jess laughed, a surprised burst of sound, and his tone softened. “I want you to call me for help—without an apology already on the tip of your tongue. I want to feel like I can kiss you again by your car at the end of the night.” He swallowed. “I want you in my bed.”

The Soulmate Equation captured my heart so easily!  With characters that shined so brightly and a story-line that was a ton of fun, I’ve already read this book twice so far.  Seriously lol.  I wanted to go through the laughter, sighing, heartfelt moments and tears all over again and it was just as fabulous the second time around!

“You have to admit you don’t look at Dr. River Peña and think, ‘Now, there’s a romantic soul.’ ”
“No,” Fizz conceded, “but I do look at him and think, ‘I bet he’s got a fantastic penis.’ Did you see the size of his hands? He could carry me by the head, like a basketball.”
A throat cleared, and they looked up to find River Peña standing not two feet away. “Well, you two sure didn’t waste any time.”
Jess’s stomach fell through the floor, and the words creaked out of her: “Oh shit.”
“Did you hear what I just said?” Fizzy asked.
He let out a slow, controlled exhale. He’d totally heard. “Hear what?” he managed, finally.
Fizzy stood, pulling Jess up with her. “Excellent.” She gave River a dainty curtsy. “Take us away.”

PS I loved Jess’ bestie Fizzy!  She was absolutely hilarious and had such a way with words.  I loved how she was such a good friend and supported and cheered Jess on.  And the fact that she wrote down things, to use in her stories, that played out between Jess and River had me laughing so hard!

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