Tag: romance

REVIEW: Shipped by Angie Hockman

REVIEW: Shipped by Angie Hockman

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Henley Evans is doing everything she can to get ahead at work – putting in extra hours, working toward her MBA, and developing new marketing ideas for her company’s cruise line. So when she finds out she’s up for a huge promotion, she’s thrilled.

But then she finds out her work nemesis, Graeme Crawford-Collins, is up for the job, too. Graeme has only been with the company a year. He’s abrupt in his communication, and doesn’t always respond to her requests to post material to the company’s social media, which is his job. He took credit for some of her best work. He doesn’t even work in the office! He’s remote from half a country away.

The boss’s brilliant idea is to send both of them on one of the company’s cruises. Whoever returns with the best marketing plan to improve sales will get the job. But Henley didn’t expect that spending time with Graeme face to face would be so distracting – or that he would be so sexy.

Review

This is such a fun, funny story with a unique setting, an electric couple, and a powerful ending. This is a romantic comedy which delivers on both fronts. There are several laugh-out-loud moments, and I enjoyed the chemistry between the two leads.

What really set this apart for me, though, was the setting and the post-cruise events. I loved the unique experience of the Galápagos Islands. At least, it was unique to me. I also enjoyed the way Henley connects with the conservation efforts of those who live and work there.

The post-cruise pieces, though, won me over on this. Henley gets a wake up call on the way she is living her life (all work, no life) just in time to make a stand and make some changes. And I was cheering for her and for her team all the way to the end. Overall I would give the romance three stars, the setting 4, and the ending 5.

This is a fun story with good characters in a fascinating locale with a girl-power ending to tie it all together. Be sure to check it out! (Language, LGBTQ+ secondary characters, mostly off-page sex, references to abusive/manipulative relationship)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥= Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Cast in Firelight by Dana Swift

REVIEW: Cast in Firelight by Dana Swift

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Delacorte Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When she was 8 and he was 9, Adraa met Jatin for the first time. Their parents talked about the betrothal while Adraa and Jatin were talking about magic and getting to know one another. To say that first meeting didn’t go well would be an understatement.

Now, nine years later, Jatin has finished his magical schooling. He has mastered all 9 types of magic. And he loves rubbing it into Adraa’s face when he sends her periodic “love notes” with secret, sarcastic messages in them. Adraa, as a future ruler/maharani of Wickery, can’t rule unless she can master all 9 as well. She has 45 days to get a handle on the last piece of magic.

But Adraa has other priorities than magic practice. She’s been undercover on a mission sanctioned by Jatin’s father, going by the name Jaya Smoke. She can pull it off now because no one really knows she’s the next Maharani. But once she’s 18 that all changes, so she has to work fast if she is going to uncover the seedy things going on in her country.

Jatin has met “Jaya,” but he has no idea she is his betrothed, Adraa. And that’s okay because she thinks Jatin is his own friend and guard Kalyan. And while neither knows who the other is, they team up on Jaya’s undercover mission, one far more dangerous than future royalty should be tackling on their own.

Review

This was fantastic! I loved the secret identity story line even though it was obviously going to cause trouble eventually. I also loved the magic system and the world-building for this. I was completely engrossed, right from the beginning. This is exactly the sort of YA fantasy I love.

I loved Jatin and Adraa, both as individuals and as a potential couple. They are so good with and for each other!

The larger mystery that Jatin and Adraa are investigating takes awhile to develop. And in an instant it becomes  far more than it seems to be early on. I was waiting for some big shift, and got more than I bargained for. There isn’t a cliffhanger per se in this; you get to some level of resolution. But it’s really more of a breathing spot before launching into whatever book 2 will have in store. I can’t wait to read it and see what happens next for these characters. Book 2, Bound by Firelight, is currently scheduled to release in 2022.

I highly recommend this one for fans of YA fantasy!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Enjoy the View by Sarah Morgenthaler

REVIEW: Enjoy the View by Sarah Morgenthaler

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

River Lane’s fledgling career as a producer and director depends on getting this documentary right. But the residents of Moose Springs, Alaska, couldn’t be less cooperative. She can’t get the permits she needs to film, and the townspeople keep selling her out to local law enforcement who runs them off every time.

Easton Lockett thought he was offering to help a stranded tourist when he offered River a ride. How could he possibly know he was “ruining the shot?” But the actress-turned-director is captivating. Before he knows it, Easton is leading River and her crew on a climb of Mount Vail for their documentary.

No matter how many times Easton warns the group about the dangers of the climb, reality will catch River and her group off guard. And the challenges they face could push each of them to their limits.

Review

This was so awesome! There’s more suspense in this book with the frozen mountain climbing adventure than in the previous books in the series. But there’s also a sweet budding romance that’s delightful to watch. And  SO MUCH HUMOR! This is one of the few series labeled “romantic comedy” that actually delivers on that promise for me. This book made me laugh, out loud and often!

I think newcomers could start with this book, which is the third in the series, without much trouble. There are references to the couples from the other books, but I think readers can enjoy this without having those connections. But after reading this, I think you’ll want to read The Tourist Attraction (♥♥♥♥♥) and Mistletoe and Mr. Right (♥♥♥½).

Easton has been something of a mystery in the earlier books – the burly, silent mountain man. But now that he’s had a book of his own, I think he and his twin sister are my favorite characters in the series. I loved him with River, too. There’s a lovely lack of lying or secrets in this story, which can make for great conflict in a book, but also gets old for me. The mountain in this book makes for plenty of conflict all by itself.

This is a must-read series for me. While book 2’s characters didn’t click for me like in book 1 and this book, I still love the Moose Springs setting and the community in the whole series. And when I feel the need for a laugh, I know this series will always deliver. Be sure to check out the Moose Springs, Alaska series.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Joint Custody by Lauren Baratz-Logsted and Jackie Logsted

REVIEW: Joint Custody by Lauren Baratz-Logsted and Jackie Logsted

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Gatz the dog is convinced The Man and The Woman still belong together. And since he helped bring them together 3 years ago, he figures he can help pull them back together now.

First, he eats the box of chocolates. Yes, Gatz knows it’s dangerous. But he loves The Man and The Woman enough to risk his life for their love.

When that doesn’t work, Gatz settles into their shared custody arrangement, still looking for ways to push them together. But no one is truly happy.

And then The Woman meets New Man.

Review

This is a cute, clever story told by Gatz the dog who loves The Man and The Woman and will do all he can to get them back together.

The authors do an exceptional job with the details of this story – how Gatz understands what is happening, how he knows what happens when he is not present, etc. There were no discernible “holes” in the story, which was impressive from a writing standpoint. Gatz has a terrific “voice” for the story. He’s funny, smart, and surprisingly well-read, and uses dog-appropriate behavior for most of the book to pursue reconciliation for The Man and The Woman.

Sadly, this clever premise created a little too much distance for me to really connect to the human characters enough to get caught up in the romantic pieces of the story. I never felt like I knew, or really liked, either The Man or The Woman. And that made it hard to feel invested in the efforts to get them back together.

I am happy to have read this story. Animal lovers will get a kick out of Gatz. But as a romance, I didn’t enjoy this as much as I had hoped to. (Language, references to sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥ = Fine/solid/good

BONUS REVIEW: Ten Rules for Faking It by Sophie Sullivan

BONUS REVIEW: Ten Rules for Faking It by Sophie Sullivan

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Griffin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When Everly’s 30th birthday starts with finding her boyfriend in the middle of cheating on her, it’s just another in a string of awful birthdays and disappointing life moments. But when the story accidentally gets broadcast at her job on the radio, she realizes it’s time for some changes in her life. Her friend Stacey helps her come up with the Ten Rules for Faking It – ways to push herself out of her comfort zone and build the life she wants.

Chris is Everly’s boss, so his intense attraction to her has to be kept in check. With his dad’s ultimatum about Chris’s future with the company, and the key role the radio station plays, he can’t afford any distractions. He has to push the station to a new, more profitable level.

While Chris’ dad sees the debacle of Everly’s birthday story going out on the air as grounds to fire Everly and Stacey both, Chris sees things differently. First, he doesn’t want to fire either of the women. Aside from his feelings for Everly, both women are great at their jobs. Plus, the “debacle” has turned into ratings and social media gold for the station. This isn’t a crisis, but an opportunity. They can leverage the attention Everly’s birthday disaster has garnered to boost ratings and ad revenue.

Chris develops a plan to build a Bachelorette-style segment for Everly based on listener feedback. She chooses some dates, writes social media posts about how they go, and the public gets to vote on who Everly should see again. It’s a good idea – for the show and for Stacey’s and Everly’s careers. But Everly is going to need every one of her new Rules for Faking It to get through it.

Review

This was so fun! I loved Everly from the start. Her relationship with Stacey is lovely, despite the rocky birthday situation. And her chemistry with Chris is excellent.

The Bachelorette dates were a smaller part of the story than I expected. I’ve read similar plots before, and the dates are usually a bigger factor. I loved that they weren’t here. It was obvious from the start that Chris and Everly belonged together. The question was how they would pull that off or if Everly would settle for someone else rather than push through the obstacles in her relationship with Chris. So the focus is more on Everly and her list and her personal growth, and that was just right for me.

There’s an inside joke in “Romancelandia” that readers latch onto any and every secondary character, demanding they all get their own book. This story is a perfect example of that. Whether it’s Stacey, or Chris’ siblings, or the friend with the  bakery, if the author decides to turn this into a series with these characters, I am here for every single spin-off book!

Romance fans should not miss this one. It’s a terrific slow-burn with excellent characters and a story that kept me turning pages almost from start to finish. (Language, sexual references, TW: anxiety, panic attack)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

BONUS REVIEW: To Steal a Heart by Jen Turano

BONUS REVIEW: To Steal a Heart by Jen Turano

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Bethany House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. ]

Summary

Gabriella Goodhue grew up a thief on the streets. She used to work with a partner – Nicholas Quinn – but when she was caught at age 12, her street “family” abandoned her. She spent her teen years in an orphanage.

Gabriella is pulling her thieving skills out as an adult to help a friend. Miss Jennette Moore has been accused of stealing her fiancé’s family fortune in jewels. But Gabriella knows that’s not Jennette’s character at all. She’s obviously been framed. When Gabriella’s prime suspect hosts a party, Gabriella uses the opportunity to sneak in and check the woman’s safe.

Instead of finding jewels, though, Gabriella finds Nicholas breaking into the same room. Gabriella is angry and bitter that Nicholas never came after her when she was caught as a child. But Nicholas has his own version of what happened.

The ladies at Gabriella’s boarding house, calling themselves the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency, are determined to use every skill, secret, and connection they possess to clear Jennette’s name. While Nicholas says he is working toward the same end, he has changed so much, Gabriella is not sure she should trust him ever again.

Review

Another excellent book from Jen Turano. I thoroughly enjoyed this “found family” story that kicks off a new Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series. Hopefully, each one of the Bleeker Street ladies gets a book. I am here for every single one of them!

There’s a TON going on here, and I was captivated by all of it. Jennette’s case launches the Inquiry Agency, and also pulls Gabriella and Nicholas back into one another’s orbits. From there the author adds in several other cases for the ladies and their growing ensemble of helpers. The story also includes more information on what happened in the years since Gabriella and Nicholas have seen each other – as well as some secrets neither knew before. It felt like easily three books’ worth of story, in only the best ways. The pacing never dragged, and I never felt like the author didn’t have her various story threads firmly in hand. The faith pieces of the book are subtle and felt natural, something I am a stickler for when I read Christian fiction.

I was invested in every single part of this book. The ending was fantastic and supremely satisfying. I truly can’t wait to read book 2, To Write a Wrong, which is scheduled to release late in the summer of 2021.

Fans of the author should not miss this one. I love finding a terrific series right from the first book. And while you wait for book 2, you can check out the author’s extensive backlist.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Together, Apart

REVIEW: Together, Apart

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Delacorte Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary and Review

This is a collection of 9 romantic stories for young adults about love in the time of Covid and quarantine.

“Love, Delivered” by Erin A. Craig
A family’s move is accelerated due to the pandemic as Millie’s scientist parents are needed at their new jobs ASAP. Thanks to the pandemic, her folks have to report to work right away, but their groceries won’t be delivered for a few days. This leaves Millie ordering a lot of pizza from a local joint – and getting to know the delivery guy.

This was ADORABLE! So sweet. I thought it captured the early days of the pandemic well as people tried to adjust to new masking and distancing requirements. Loved this! ♥♥♥♥½

“The Socially Distant Dog-Walking Brigade” by Bill Konigsberg
After several awkward encounters with a group of dog walkers, a cute boy invites Kaz to join them.

This is a far more serious, angsty story than the first one. Kaz has been burned in relationships before. He’s introverted and shy to begin with, but now he’s also protective. But slowly Daxton gets him to warm up. This was good, although halfway through the book it became clear that the cozy, squishy stories were more my speed than the more serious ones in general. (Language, LGBTQ+, TW: Cutting) ♥♥♥

“One Day” by Sajni Patel
A girl in search of peace and quiet while in lockdown with her family in their apartment starts communicating with a boy playing guitar on his balcony, after she throws her shoe at him and he refuses to return it.

This was another cute, flirty story – right up my alley. I loved how all of these stories so far have taken a different angle on the lockdown, in this case, a small apartment with four people at home. ♥♥♥♥

“The Rules of Comedy” by Auriane Desombre
Harper gets her older sister’s help with a funny TikTok video to get her crush’s attention. But when it works, Harper thinks she’s not funny enough on her own to keep up with the conversation.

I enjoyed the relationship with the sisters here. For me that was the more interesting, and in the end, satisfying, relationship addressed in the story. Covid was the context for why Harper was connecting with Alyssa through devices rather than at school in person, but otherwise it wasn’t a big factor in this story. (LGBTQ+) ♥♥♥

“The New Boy Next Door” by Natasha Preston
Quinn’s new neighbor is gorgeous – and brooding. But she’s determined to break down his walls and get to know him – from a safe distance.

This was delightful! The flirty banter is exactly what I love in stories. I also enjoyed the glimpse at how the fictional neighborhood was dealing with Covid and staying connected. ♥♥♥♥½

“The Green Thumb War” by Brittney Morris
Two teens growing herbs on their balconies devise a contest to see who can do something amazing with them.

This starts with antagonists, not unlike “One Day,” although with a cat and dog fight as well as an injury instead of just a thrown shoe. But I enjoyed the awkward, quirky characters and their back-and-forth banter. The set up for this one was clever, as was the resolution. ♥♥♥♥½

“Stuck with Her” by Rachael Lippincott
Allie’s roommate, Mia, is making her crazy, eating all her food and playing loud music at 3am while they are stuck together in lockdown.

This may be the most relatable regarding Covid for me, reading this in December. This shows some of the wear and tear of constant togetherness, the question of whether things will ever get back to normal, etc. Allie’s coming out story is heartbreaking. The description of her panic attack felt realistic, and the way Mia cares for her and responds is endearing. The coming out story and panic attack could be triggering for some readers. (LGBTQ+) ♥♥♥♥½

“Masked” by Erin Hahn
When Covid cancels prom, Gray decides to use the material she bought to make her dream dress to make masks instead. She meets Jude on a neighborhood app when he reaches out to have her make masks for his uncle’s business.

This is my favorite story from the collection! Not a surprise because I already love the author. There’s a fun music component to this, like in a lot of her work. I was devastated for Gray to sacrifice her dress and her dreams for prom. I felt like the author did a great job demonstrating that piece of the early part of the pandemic. That she used her sewing skills and her precious material to do something to help others was endearing. And then she met Jude. *swoon* ♥♥♥♥♥

 

This whole collection is a delight. Don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Notorious by Minerva Spencer

REVIEW: Notorious by Minerva Spencer

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Secretly, Drusilla Clare has been in love with her best friend’s step-brother, Gabriel Marlington, for years. He makes her pulse race – and her temper flare. He goads her, and before she knows it, they are bickering. She never expects him to end up challenged to a dual over her honor.

When Drusilla’s aunt fell sick at the party, Gabriel became the responsible chaperone for Drusilla and his step-sister Eva. When he went looking for the women after an absence, he found Drusilla alone with the foul Lord Visel. And he was NOT acting like a gentleman. Things only went down hill from there.

In the end, though, the only way to salvage the situation for Drusilla – besides the duel – was for Gabriel to marry her. But each of them bring burdens and expectations to this new marriage. Assumptions and Lord Visel piled on top could derail their relationship before it even has a chance.

Review

This is the first book in a new Rebels of the Ton series. (Book 2, Outrageous, is scheduled to release in the summer of 2021.)

This starts primarily with Eva, Drusilla, and Gabriel. The villain is more of an annoyance than a true threat until after Drusilla and Gabriel become engaged. I expected a bigger, larger story to start the novel, and then for that larger story to carry all the way through the book. The larger story eventually comes, but in the second half of the book.

I struggled to feel connected to the characters and the story early on. I didn’t have a good feel for Drusilla or Gabriel. And in some ways that made sense for the story. They had serious trust and communication issues. And as they slowly worked through those, I got a better sense of both of them. But that meant for the first 1/3 or so, I wondered why there wasn’t “more.” I loved Eva, but she shifted into the background (probably in part because of the set up for book 2), which left me with Gabriel, who I didn’t really like, especially early on, and Drusilla. It took longer than in some other books for me to get a good feel for them.

By the second half of the book things clicked into place. The larger story took center stage, and Drusilla and Gabriel started to thaw towards one another. And at that point I was engaged in seeing what would happen in the end.

If you enjoy historical romance with brooding heroes and an antagonists-to-lovers story line (They are never really “enemies.”), be sure to check this one out. There’s a nice teaser in the end for the next book! (Language, sex, LGBTQ+)

Rating: ♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥=Good/Fine/Solid

 

BONUS REVIEW: The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman

BONUS REVIEW: The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Over 200 years ago, when Filomena’s boyfriend stole a kiss from her younger sister, Maria, an enraged and jealous Filomena cursed Maria and every second-born daughter the family would ever have to never find love.

Emilia is the second-born daughter in her family. She lives and works around her family – her widowed father, her married older sister, her perpetually disapproving grandmother, her beloved great-uncle, and tons of cousins.

Out of the blue, Emilia receives a note from her great-aunt Poppy, the second-born daughter of her generation. Poppy is the one family member Emilia is forbidden to contact. Poppy is headed to Italy for her 80th birthday, and she wants Emilia to go with her. But Nonna Rosa would never allow it, even though Emilia is an adult of almost 30.

But Poppy is a force to be reckoned with, too. She insists if Emilia – and her cousin, Lucy, who is also a second daughter – come with her to Italy, they will throw off the family curse once and for all.

Review

Wow, this was good! I loved the personal growth for Emilia and Lucy. And Poppy’s story, told through periodic flashback chapters, was captivating! I wanted more, in all the best ways – more chapters, more time in Italy, more time with these characters. And I can’t stop thinking about the twists and turns and the way things turned out for these women.

Emilia’s family is infuriating. I was incensed, grumbling and cursing on her behalf any time her sister or grandmother was on the page. The writing here is so good I wanted to defend Emilia right from the beginning, before I really even knew her. The evolution of the family stories and curse pieces was excellent. While everything didn’t work out perfectly, the resolution was supremely satisfying.

I loved that Lucy was part of this journey. While she isn’t a point-of-view character, I enjoyed her development over the trip to Italy. She has a different reaction to the curse from Emilia. That contrast was fascinating!

I assumed from the curse that this would be a romance. There are elements of that, but really this is a journey with these three women. It’s about their self-concepts and identities as well as their family relationships. And every bit of it was fantastic! Do not miss this one! (Language, references to sex, LGBTQ+)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

BONUS REVIEW: If the Boot Fits by Rebekah Weatherspoon

BONUS REVIEW: If the Boot Fits by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

On the night he wins his first Oscar, Sam Pleasant hooks up with a beautiful woman. She doesn’t give him her name, and when he wakes up in the morning, she is gone.

Amanda Queen is assistant to an up and coming diva in Hollywood. She knows exactly who Sam is when they first meet. She also knows there is NO future for them together. So after a great night, she grabs her Oscars swag bag and leaves.

Except it’s Sam’s bag, not hers, and his Oscar is still inside it.

Amanda has the Oscar returned and expects to never see Sam again. But they keep crossing paths, first at a wedding on his family’s ranch. And then in a weak moment after a disaster with her boss. Next thing she knows, Sam has invited her back to the ranch to get away from the stress, even though he still has no idea what she does for a living or who she works for.

The ranch is beautiful and peaceful. Amanda adores every animal she meets. Sam’s family is lovely and welcoming. And the heat between Amanda and Sam is as scorching as that first night. But can this go any way other than towards disaster?

Review

This is book two in the Cowboys of California series, after A Cowboy to Remember (♥♥♥♥). And it’s a clever twist on the classic Cinderella story.

I love the Pleasant family! This was a terrific addition to the series. I liked Sam a lot, and Amanda is a delight. Her self-acceptance, the strength she shows in dealing with her horrendous boss, and her affinity for animals made her such a fun character to spend time with.

The other piece of this I especially loved is that the major conflict at the end wasn’t between Amanda and Sam (like you would find in most Hallmark movies and many standard romances), but focused against them. This allows them the opportunity to decide if they are going to stand together or let this push them to go their separate ways. The final scenes of the book were excellent.

This is a don’t miss/must read series for me. This book teases a lot at the third brother, Jesse’s story. I can’t wait to dig into it and find out what has been going on with him. And I am eager to see if the author has stories planned for other members of the Pleasant family.

Fans of the first book in the series should not miss this one! But if you are new to the Cowboys of California, I think you can start here, but you will want to pick up the first book as soon as you can. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥=Great! Might re-read.