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BOOK REVIEW: Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday

June 27, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Once upon a time teenage Aurora Evans met a hockey player at the Mall of America. He was from Canada. And soon, he was the perfect fake boyfriend, a get-out-of-jail-free card for all kinds of sticky situations. I can't go to prom. I'm going to be visiting my boyfriend in Canada. He was just what she needed to cover her social awkwardness. He never had to know. It wasn't like she was ever going to see him again...

Years later, Aurora is teaching kids’ dance classes and battling panic and eating disorders—souvenirs from her failed ballet career—when pro hockey player Mike Martin walks in with his daughter. Mike’s honesty about his struggles with widowhood helps Aurora confront some of her own demons, and the two forge an unlikely friendship. There’s just one problem: Mike is the boy she spent years pretending was her “Canadian boyfriend.”

The longer she keeps her secret, the more she knows it will shatter the trust between them. But to have the life she wants, she needs to tackle the most important thing of all—believing in herself.

Review:

The audiobook of Canadian Boyfriend was beautifully done! I loved that we alternated between the two main characters within each chapter. That they spoke their own parts. It was how I wish all audiobooks would play out. It made the story effortless to listen to. Plus, Mike’s voice?! Sigh. He easily swept me under his spell!

Canadian Boyfriend was a lot of fun, while also having a deeper emotional side. With panic attacks, healing from the death of someone you love, and more, this story packed an emotional punch. And I even found myself crying when Olivia, Mike’s daughter, confided why she was doing something. But on the other side of the coin, there were so many moments that had me constantly smiling and laughing out loud. I loved Mike and Rory together. The steamy moments, the dancing, even mealtime rounded out this story so wonderfully!

As this pages unfolded, it felt like there was a second chance for so many of the characters. My only hiccup was how many times Aurora said the full name of Mike Martin lol. I wish I had an ebook so I could look that up! But I’m so glad that I listened to the audiobook, it was fabulous to listen to! So if you adore the single dad trope, sports romance, and forced proximity, then definitely add this one to your tbr!

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

BOOK REVIEW: Filthy Rich Fae (Filthy Rich Fae #1) by Geneva Lee

June 25, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Filthy Rich Fae (Filthy Rich Fae #1)
by Geneva Lee
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Cate Holloway knows the unspoken rule of New Orleans: avoid the powerful Gage crime family at all costs. Of course, that was before her brother got caught in their chaos. Now

Cate has no choice but to confront the dark and forbidding prince of New Orleans himself and beg for her brother’s life.

But Lachlan Gage is as lethal as he is beautiful…and the only currency he’s interested in is her soul.

Because Lachlan isn’t just some ruthless criminal. He’s fae. And he has his own secret reasons for binding her to him.

Tricked and desperate, Cate is torn between humanity and the breathtaking Otherworld. A place filled with shadows and secrets, with members of each fae court plotting against her just as her captor’s motives for trapping her become more mysterious.

And if she can’t break this sinister bargain in the next thirty days, she’ll be bound to the inscrutable yet infuriatingly tempting fae prince and his deadly world…forever.

Review:

Filthy Rich Fae was a quick read that was a lot of fun! With a little bit of an enemies to lovers vibe and the heroine being a captive, I flew through this book. The banter and tension was done so well. And I loved that I was already smiling and laughing after a couple of chapters in. Plus, while I thought I knew where the storyline was going, those last few pages had me so excited for what’s to come next!

Unhinged. Vicious. Merciless. That’s what they called him. I’d followed him blindly, and now he had me trapped.

Cate Holloway bargained her life away to save her brother. And she found herself trapped with the fae. Lachlan Gage was a fae, drug lord, criminal, and not someone you would ever want to cross. Yet Cate had a death wish at times. She planned to kill the fae prince, so she could escape. Yet that’s not how her story played out at all!

“Like cute little garden pixies with wings? Is That what you are?”
His upper lip curled to reveal his sharp teeth, a guttural snarl rumbling from him.

Cate was selfless and someone who always wanted to take care of others. Yet she definitely made mistakes. The safety, oh girl, I was laughing at you for that one. But despite her being challenging at times, I liked her. I found myself easily rooting for her! And I wanted to know every single thought she had about Lachlan!

Wrong. It was so wrong. Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew that, but I didn’t care. Not as his hands swept up to cradle my neck and his fingers tangled in my hair. Not as I lost myself to him. Not as the line between my anger and my attraction to him blurred.

Lachlan messed with Cate so beautifully! I loved the sexual tension between them, and it was so much fun. But most of all I loved when Lach showed us that yes, he did have a heart. Yet there were so many secrets swirling around him, and at times he seemed to speak in riddles. I couldn’t help but be intrigued, just like Cate.

My soul was on the line, and I didn’t care. Not when the touch of his skin seared me to the bone. Not when I only felt alive kissing him.

I was fascinated with their world and felt like we only got little peaks here and there. For not only their magic but what is beyond the veil too. I’m excited to learn more in future book(s)! And my favorite side character was Lach’s sister, Ciara. I could easily read a book just from her point of view! I’ll definitely be reading the next book!

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

BOOK REVIEW: Tower of Tempest (Stolen Crowns #3) by Tee Harlowe

June 21, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

Tower of Tempest (Stolen Crowns #3)
by Tee Harlowe
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
I might be sheltered, but I’m smart enough to know that I can’t fall for the playboy prince—or his charms.

I’ve spent my life locked in a tower with nothing but books and my gran to keep me company. Until the day she disappears. Despite Gran’s warnings about never leaving, I’ve finally discovered a way out, and I’m going to find her.

At least that’s the plan. Until some idiot decides to rescue me. Instead, he almost gets us both killed. Worse, I discover he’s Lochlan Aster, the famous playboy prince, one of the most eligible bachelors on the continent and a shameless flirt.

I don’t trust him, but his offer to help find my gran is too tempting. I know nothing about this magical—and dangerous—world around me, nothing about myself. As Lochlan and I work together, pieces of my past click together, and I learn more about who put me in that tower—and why. Yet the biggest danger might be the prince’s reason for helping me—a secret that won’t just break the trust I’m finally learning to build, but my heart along with it.

Tower of Tempest is book three in Stolen Crowns, a series of steamy standalone but interconnected fairytale retellings. This Rapunzel meets Anastasia retelling is perfect for fans of banter, (very) snarky heroines, and slow-burn romance.

Review:

Tower of Tempest was an adult romance retelling of Rapunzel mixed with Anastasia! If you adore adventure, found family, Disney meets romantasy, and some steam, then definitely add this one to your tbr! And while this can be read as a standalone, I can’t recommend reading the previous books in this series enough!

You couldn’t help but want to be around him just to bask in his light, that some of it might guide you out of your own darkness.

Poppy was a winged heroine who lived an extremely sheltered life. She had spent her life in a tower with her Gran. And if you have read the previous books, you’ll know that Gran having shadow magic was a huge red flag. While Gran may have loved her, there had to be more to the story. Of why Poppy was hidden away and Gran’s backstory. As the story unfolded, I loved trying to put the clues together to figure it out!

“Loch,” I whispered, his face so close to mine, “thank you for coming for me.”
“I’ll always come for you,” he said. “Haven’t you learned that by now?”

Lochlan Aster, the cinnamon roll playboy prince, had been dreaming of a woman trapped in a tower. When he finally came across that tower, I loved how his rescue of Poppy played out. I was laughing and smiling so much! Yet Poppy didn’t make Loch’s life easy. She was unsure of who she could trust, whereas Loch was used to women falling at his feet. He was so sure of himself, and I loved that Poppy made him work for it every step of the way!

“I think I might want to do that again,” I said. “At some point, I’m pretty sure I saw actual stars.”
“Give me a minute.” I felt his mouth curve into a smile against my head. “And I’ll show you every damn constellation in the sky.”

Poppy and Loch were absolutely adorable together. They were a sunshine x sunshine, and their banter was so much fun! Yet Poppy’s lack of trust made me struggle with her from time to time. Granted I grew attached to Loch in the last book, and I wanted Poppy to see all that I saw. Watching their friendship grow was heartwarming. And the carriage scene was one of my favorite moments in this story! Rounding out this story were Driscoll and Leoni and I am keeping my fingers crossed that Driscoll gets his own story! I love him so much!

Driscoll’s eyes widened. “Plot twist.”

Tower of Tempest painted a beautiful story that was so effortless to follow and enjoy. I loved how elements of the original tales were twisted into this tale. It made it exciting and fun! And while a few of my guesses were correct, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story. So, if you’re looking for a retelling story that you can fly through while smiling and laughing, definitely give this book and series a try. I can’t wait to see what happens next, and I have all the guesses for who it’ll be!

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

BOOK REVIEW: The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer

June 18, 2024 / Jen / 1 Comment

BOOK REVIEW: The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
In 1942, Europe remains in the relentless grip of war. Just beyond the tents of the refugee camp she calls home, a young woman speaks her wedding vows. It’s a decision that will alter her destiny…and it’s a lie that will remain buried until the next century.

Since she was nine years old, Alina Dziak knew she would marry her best friend, Tomasz. Now fifteen and engaged, Alina is unconcerned by reports of Nazi soldiers at the Polish border, believing her neighbors that they pose no real threat, and dreams instead of the day Tomasz returns from college in Warsaw so they can be married. But little by little, injustice by brutal injustice, the Nazi occupation takes hold, and Alina’s tiny rural village, its families, are divided by fear and hate.

Then, as the fabric of their lives is slowly picked apart, Tomasz disappears. Where Alina used to measure time between visits from her beloved, now she measures the spaces between hope and despair, waiting for word from Tomasz and avoiding the attentions of the soldiers who patrol her parents’ farm. But for now, even deafening silence is preferable to grief.

Review:

The Things We Cannot Say was an emotional powerhouse that intertwined the past and the present. I listened to the audiobook, and it was phenomenally done. Both narrators made you feel every part of this story, and whisked you away into the lives of these two brave women. I can’t wait to see what Rimmer releases next!

It costs our ancestors too damned much for us to have this life – the best thing we can do to honor them is to live it to its fullest.

Alina Dziak lived in Poland, and her story seeped into my heart so effortlessly. She saw the world beautifully, and while she could be naïve at times, her rosy colored glasses started to color over as the story unfolded. As the Nazi soldiers slowly started to occupy her town, life changed. And what felt like carefree moments started to be filled with moments that would cause terror to pool in my stomach. We watched as their lives drastically changed. The conditions they were put in were horrific and gut wrenching. The consequences they faced were beyond unthinkable. Life could never be the same, and so many they loved died from the hands of monsters.

“Life doesn’t work that way, Alina. Hatred spreads – it doesn’t burn out with time. Someone needs to stand up and stop it.”

We alternated between Alina and Alice, with Alice being from the present. She was married with two kids, and her Grandma was in the hospital from a stroke. She seemed to be drowning in her life at times. The tension between her and others was acute…..I’m not saying more than that, other than watching her grow from that first page to the last was a journey! I was so proud of the woman Alice became in those final chapters. I loved watching her find her place, her happiness, and not being afraid to use her words to convey what she wanted. I was cheering her on every step of the way!

“We are meant to be together,” he whispered, trailing his finger down the side of my face. “We were made for each other, and everything else in the world will just have to figure itself out because we are going to be together. I love you.”

With the last third of the story, I couldn’t stop crying. Especially when something clicked, then the sobs were hysterical. And I kept crying while listening to this book for the next hour, on and off. There were tears of heartache, tears of healing, and so many more too. So make sure you have all the tissues next to you, because they are definitely needed. Alina’s story was powerful, and a must read! This is one of those books that will stick with you for years to come. The history will settle itself into your heart, and you’ll feel every emotion and plight these characters felt too. This is a must read if you are a historical fiction lover!

BOOK REVIEW – Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

June 17, 2024 / Jen / 2 Comments

BOOK REVIEW – Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout Obsidian (Lux #1)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring...until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don't kill him first, that is.

Review:

*I reread this book and updated a few parts of my review from a decade ago ♥*

The Lux Series is what made me become obsessed with the enemies to lovers trope. This book was everything! Whether it was the infuriating, smug, sexiness that was Daemon, or the strong-willed Katy, or the energetic lovable Dee, or the duo that was Ash and Andrew, I LOVED all of the characters in this book. And the story-line? Not only did it have me grinning from ear to ear, but I kept finding myself saying “oh, just one more chapter”, and you know how that usually ends. Hours later and I couldn’t put this book down. JLA created the perfect world that I wanted to get lost in again and again.

For a moment, all I could do was stare at him. He was probably the hottest guy I’d ever seen in real life, and he was a total douche. Go figure.

Katy’s father passed away, and her mom was in desperate need of a fresh start. So they moved from Florida, to a small little town in West Virginia. And in need of getting directions to the local supermarket and a place to buy plants, Katy had one of the most memorable meet cutes. That had no part of cute in it lol. Daemon was sexy, shirtless and beyond exasperating. He seemed to know how to push Katy’s buttons without a second thought. From there I was glued to the pages. I loved following Katy on her journey to discovering that Daemon and his lovable sister, Dee were aliens. And how being friends with aliens can most definitely turn your life upside down and scrambling just to stay alive!

Okay. That was it. “You know, you’re right. How wrong of me to call you a douchebag. Because a douchebag is too nice of a word for you,” I said, smiling sweetly. “You’re a dickhead.”
“A dickhead?” He repeated. “How charming.”
I flipped him off.

Katy is by far one of my favorite heroines. She never backed down from a challenge, didn’t take any of the garbage Daemon was constantly throwing at her, she tried her hardest to be fearless, while also being the best friend ever! She was an admirable girl that anyone would be lucky to call their friend. But my favorite thing about her? Her sassiness! She was one of the few people who took a stand against Daemon, and put him in his place. Her comebacks were hilarious, yet at the same time I couldn’t help but have my heart break each time Daemon was cold to her. What did she ever do wrong? Why couldn’t she be friends with his sister Dee? And why does he radiate so much pain when he lets his guard down for two seconds?

My lips pressed into a hard line. “You’re such an ass. Has…anyone ever told you that?”
He flashed a genuinely amused smile. “Oh, Kitten, every single day of my blessed life.”

Daemon was the ultimate book boyfriend! He made aliens sexy, and I never thought that was possible. Daemon had the weight of the world on his shoulders. He alone felt responsible for past horrific events, taking care of his sister, and sending Katy running away as far as humanly possible. Yet, Daemon’s feelings towards Katy were a conundrum, that at times felt like whiplash. You never knew if you were going to get the cold Daemon, or the one that had you begging for more. Daemon will lull you into his web, and even if you want to hurt him, it’s impossible. His heart shines through in moments that will have you clamoring for more. Plus he was the embodiment of infuriating sexiness. And heaven help me, but I fell so hard for him.

Holding my breath, I reached up and brushed back a strand of hair. My fingers barely grazed his skin, but he sucked in a sharp breath and closed his eyes. I pulled my hand away, not sure why I’d done that.

The characters were addicting and impossible to get out of my head! The chemistry between Katy and Daemon was through the roof hot. I found myself smiling so much at their passionate banter! And the story progressed at a perfect pace that always kept me intrigued and begging for more. Obsidian was an enchanting story that effortlessly captured my heart. And a decade later, this is still one of my top favorite series ever!

Then I shifted my gaze, and my eyes locked with Daemon’s. Even though several tables separated us, my breath caught. There was something…wicked in those emerald-colored eyes. Consuming. I couldn’t look away, and he didn’t either. The distance between us seemed to evaporate.

PS I highly recommend reading Shadows (A Lux Novel) by Jennifer L. Armentrout before reading this book!

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Shadows #0.5 Reviews: Jen	Obsidian #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Onyx #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea
Opal #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Origin #4 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Obsession (Companion novel) #4.5 Reviews: Jen Chelsea
Opposition #5 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Oblivion #Companion Novel OBSIDIAN, ONYX & OPAL Told by Daemon Black Reviews: Jen