Tag: romance

REVIEW: What I Like About Me by Jenna Guillaume

REVIEW: What I Like About Me by Jenna Guillaume

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Maisie and her mom are off for the winter holiday. Her dad is working instead of going to the beach. Maisie’s best friend, Anna, is coming along on the trip which is perfect timing. (She recently caught her boyfriend cheating.) Anna’s mom is going away for the holiday, so Anna was going to be alone.

Maisie is excited to be getting away, even if she does have to do a journal writing/self-discovery assignment for school over the break. The family is going where they always go for vacation. Which means Sebastian will be there.

Maisie and Sebastian’s parents have been friends for ages. The two teens have grown up together. And while Sebastian has gotten hotter as the years have gone on, Maisie has only gotten more awkward. And this trip is no different. If anything, the awkward is dialing up a notch or two.

And through it all – the trip, questions about her parents’ marriage, her feelings for Seb, his new relationship, the arrival of Maisie’s “perfect” older sister and her new girlfriend, and Maisie’s entry into a beauty pageant, she’s journalling her thoughts and feelings for school. Who knows what she might discover about herself by the time the vacation is done?

Review

This was so good! I really enjoyed Maisie’s evolution through the story. While it covers about a month of time, a LOT happens for Maisie, her family, and her friends.

The central story is really Maisie’s self-acceptance. As a plus-sized young woman, Maisie feels self-conscious. She won’t wear a swimsuit on the beach. She’s been hurt by others who have judged her by her weight – including people in her own family. And she’s developed a protective response of assuming the worst to defect against her fear of rejection. The pageant pulls all of that to the front of Maisie’s awareness and forces her to deal with some of it.

The other major piece of this is Maisie’s crush on Seb. When he starts dating someone else, Maisie pretends to herself – and to others – that she doesn’t care. She misses the signs that there might be someone interested in her because she thinks her size makes that impossible. While parts of this plot line were predictable, at least to me, I still loved watching it play out.

There’s a lot to enjoy here –  a romance, a body-positive thread, some amazing characters (Leila is my favorite), and tons of family and friendship pieces. Be sure to check it out. (Language, sexual references, underage drinking)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: The Honey-Don't List by Christina Lauren

REVIEW: The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Carey has been working for Melly and Rusty Tripp for ten years. She was 16 when she started working in their shop in Jackson Hole. Now they are nationally recognized celebrities with TV shows and best selling books.

James applied to be the head engineer for the Tripps’ TV show. He needs this job because his last one went up in flames when the arrests started happening. He’s not exactly sure how he went from engineer to personal assistant, but that’s what role he falls into these days.

Carey and James had been looking forward to sending their bosses off on a long book tour so they could get a little break from the work – and the couple. But on the eve of the launch for the Tripps’ marriage and relationship book, Carey and James catch Rusty with another woman. The powers that be decide that Carey and James must go on the book tour, too. They have to wrangle the Tripps and keep the public and the media from discovering how fractured their relationship is. If Carey and James fail at this, everything the Tripps have built could go off the rails and leave the two assistants with nothing.

Review

I thoroughly enjoyed this! The premise is terrific. The Tripps are a hot mess of ego and expectation, manipulation and malice. And at the start, Carey and James feel completely stuck. By the end the reader realizes that Carey is less stuck by her circumstances than she thinks she is. Maybe her issues are more learned-helplessness related. She thinks the abuse and manipulation is what she has to endure because she doesn’t think she has any other choices in her life.

James and Carey are a delight. They might be my favorite Christina Lauren couple from the books I have read so far. They go from strangers to “misery-loves-company” coworkers, before the chemistry between them evolves. And it’s terrific.

There are notes from a police interview scattered throughout the book. I’m not convinced they were essential to the story. They foreshadow that something big is coming. And they also made for something of a division between “before” and “after.” But I think the story would have worked without it, too.

Fans of this writing duo’s work should be sure to check this one out – as should fans of general contemporary romance. This one was a lot of fun to read! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: How to Speak Boy by Tiana Smith

REVIEW: How to Speak Boy by Tiana Smith

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Is it weird to have a nemesis in high school?

Because Quinn Edwards does – Grayson Hawks. Handsome, smart, son of the governor. Her fiercest competitor in everything since he moved to town. Even when she beats him, he is always hot on her heels. Like with the captaincy of the speech and debate team. She couldn’t just beat him and have it all to herself. Nope, they had to be CO-captains.

Quinn’s best friend, Naomi, thinks Grayson likes Quinn. He flirts with her all the time! But Quinn thinks her friend is delusional. Even if he was flirting, Grayson is NOT to be trusted.

Assignments at their school are done by student ID numbers instead of name. So when Quinn gets someone else’s AP Government assignment, she starts exchanging notes with that person. All business at first, then turning playful. It’s thrilling to have this honest little relationship with a stranger – to say things she would never say to anyone else.

As Quinn struggles in some of her classes and bombs her first speech meet, her notes with #15211 have become a highlight of her day. Should they share who they are? Or is it better to leave things secret for now?

Review

This was darling! It’s You’ve Got Mail set in a high school around speech and debate team. I loved it! The chemistry between Quinn and Grayson jumps off the page. Even when she thinks she hates him, their banter and bickering shows there’s potential for something more.

I loved how the notes played out. At first, Quinn just enjoys them, but eventually she combs through them looking for hints. I loved watching the story unfold, watching her try to figure out who the hints lined up to.

Through the ups and downs, the warm moments and the trials, I adored Quinn and Grayson, both individually and together. They are my favorite sort of YA pair – smart, endearing, and kids you are always rooting for. Don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

BONUS REVIEW: If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane

BONUS REVIEW: If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Laurie and Dan have been together since they were teens. They’re each other’s first and only love. They work together; they live together. And after 18 years as a couple, it’s time to have a family. At least, that’s what Laurie thought. Dan, however, is thinking he wants something else. No only does he not want kids, but he doesn’t want to be with Laurie any more.

After the break up and clear evidence that, instead of pining over her and wanting her back, Dan has moved on, Laurie can’t escape the aggravating scenario. Everyone at work knows. It’s clear that Laurie and Dan are at the top of the gossips’ list of hot topics. And it’s only getting worse.

Jamie Carter has an interesting and cynical view of long term relationships. And it could cost him a big move at work. The partners find his cavalier, different-woman-every-weekend lifestyle unsettling. They’ve actually come out and said he needs to find someone steady and conventional.

When Laurie and Jamie spend a couple hours trapped in an elevator and then go for a drink afterwards, the idea strikes. If they pretend to have a relationship together, he gets the respectable match the partners want, and Laurie can rub Dan’s nose in her own “moving on.” Once they both get what they want, they “break up.” Everyone wins. What could possibly go wrong?

Review

When I started this, I wasn’t a fan. I didn’t care for Laurie or Dan, and we didn’t really get any time with Jamie until the book was 25% done. My expectations for this to be like other fake relationship books did not serve me well either. This isn’t like other fake relationship stories.

This is really more of a self-discovery, self-recovery story for Laurie. And once I realized that, I grew to like it. I enjoyed watching her puzzle out the break up with Dan. Where did it come from? What signs did she miss? What does the break up say about her as a woman and as a romantic partner?

The foreshadowing of the fall out over this fake relationship is blatant. When Laurie’s friend challenges her about the lying and asks how she reconciles a fake relationship at work with her general integrity, it was startling. It put me on edge (in a good way) waiting for things to fall apart. It gave a whole new sense of the story at that point.

I also enjoyed the fact that the fake relationship was not physical. It allowed Jamie and Laurie to process her break up. If this had had a lot of physical moments rather than emotional ones, I think I would have liked the story less.

The change in Jamie’s philosophy of relationships was abrupt for me. The author uses it for the plot well – Laurie doubts the change is real, adding to the conflict between them. But I didn’t feel we got as much of Jamie’s transformation over time as we do Laurie’s. It’s really more HER story than THEIR story.

If you enjoy the fake relationship trope, but you want it to play out in some new ways, don’t miss this one. (Language, sexual references, off-page sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥½

BONUS REVIEW: From Alaska with Love by Ally James

BONUS REVIEW: From Alaska with Love by Ally James

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

It started on a whim. Sara heard a radio announcement about sending letters to deployed soldiers. After a particularly upsetting family event, Sara decides to do something kind for someone else and composes a letter. If it lets her vent a little, and her crazy life amuses someone else, all the better.

Gabe has been in the military for a long time. He’s structured his whole life around it. The most long-term relationship he’s had is the one with his dog, Trouble, because a military life can be hard on a family. When someone hands him the letter, his first instinct is to give it to one of the younger, newer guys. But they received so many letters this time, there were plenty to go around. So Gabe gets Sara’s letter.

They exchange emails and then texts. Sara’s are funny and self-deprecating. Gabe’s messages are brief, but honest. And over the course of many months, a relationship grows. When Gabe returns to the States for awhile, he hopes they can meet in person. Sara wants that, too. But is she ready to put herself first for once, or will she let the family who have come to see her as the maid, babysitter, caretaker, and financial planner for their lives convince her their needs are more important than her heart?

Review

This was good! I was thoroughly frustrated by Sara’s family. They used her and had no qualms about doing so. And when she pursued something she wanted for herself, they resented her, punished her, and even bad-mouthed her to her beloved niece. It was infuriating. It was mostly sorted out by the end, but it was aggravating along the way.

Therefore, it was extra delightful when Sara followed her heart and let her family deal with their own dysfunction. Trouble the dog was a fantastic icebreaker for Sara and Gabe, and so, so sweet. I enjoyed the Alaska part of the story the most.

There were a couple frustrations. Structurally, there were moments where Sara’s letters to Gabe were repeated verbatim in the book. The reader saw the letter as Sara was writing and then again when Gabe read it. Definitely not a deal-breaker for enjoying the book, but it was a curious formatting choice. Also, the book description online doesn’t match the story. I was expecting this six-week deadline or timeline that Gabe convinces Sara to give him. That never happens. So my expectations didn’t line up with the story I read. But I was happy with how things went in the book, so other than a curiosity, it wasn’t a big issue.

Contemporary romance fans, especially those who like great animal characters, should check this one out. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Cold Nose, Warm Heart by Mara Wells

REVIEW: Cold Nose, Warm Heart by Mara Wells

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Caleb Donovan was the only one among his brothers who stood by their dad until the end of the trial. At first he took pride in his loyalty. But in the end, he knew what everyone else knew before him. His dad was guilty, and the business empire was finished. But Caleb’s grandfather has a property – the Dorothy. If Caleb can convince his brothers to work with him on it, they could develop the property and start the Donovan real estate business over again.

Riley had built her career at Donovan properties until she was laid off after the trial. She’s been working at her grandmother’s building – the Dorothy – as the building manager, just trying to get her feet under her again.

At least, Riley thought her grandmother owned the Dorothy. But now Caleb Donovan is there, looking all too handsome for her own good, saying he’s turning the Dorothy and the adjacent empty lot the residents call a “dog park,” into his next development deal. Riley’s dog might love Caleb, but Riley is not about to let another Donovan destroy her life again. And the rest of the neighborhood dog owners aren’t letting their dog park, such as it is, go without a fight.

Review

I love romance books with great animal characters, and this is a fun one. The complexity of the housing development situation and the history between Caleb’s and Riley’s families was perfect, creating several moments where everything teetered on the edge of disaster.

I especially liked Caleb. I wanted more for him – a better family situation, more with his brothers, and for him to have all the things in life he always craved. Riley was a great blend of strength and self-sufficiency alongside her own neediness. She lost everything and was still grieving her job and her dreams when Caleb showed up. Caleb was only one piece of her journey to community and connection.

I have to wonder about the cover art chosen for the book as it doesn’t match the main dog. There is a black Lab in the story, but it belongs to a secondary character. The choice to put that dog on the cover of this story was odd. It should have been a toy poodle like LouLou.

This is the first book in the Fur Haven Dog Park series. Book 2, Tail for Two, which will focus on one of Caleb’s brothers, will release this summer. I can’t wait to see what role Riley and Caleb might have in future stories, and I am thrilled to get more information on Caleb’s brothers. If you enjoy romance stories, and stories with great animal characters, don’t miss out on this one. (Sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: A Dozen Second Chances by Kate Field

REVIEW: A Dozen Second Chances by Kate Field

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

When Eve’s sister Faye died, Eve was at the start of her dream life. She had archaeology and her geeky passion for history. And she had Paddy and their plans for a life together.

After Faye died, Eve took in her orphaned niece, Caitlyn, only a toddler at the time, to raise. She put aside her professional dreams, willingly. And Paddy was on board – initially. But when he left, Eve and Caitlyn were both devastated. Eve decided then and there that she would never let a man into their lives again who could break their hearts.

Caitlyn’s grown now and ready to spend a year in Paris as an au pair. She makes Eve promise she’ll do things to pamper herself as she moves into this empty nest stage of life. She even gives Eve 12 decorated certificates to fill out and mail her, saying what Eve is doing to treat herself.

In the quiet of Eve’s life after Caitlyn leaves, she is forced to take a close look at her life. She’s almost 40 and in a job she chose so she could be close to Caitlyn as she was in school. Without her niece, and with a new, awful boss, is this job really where she wants to stay? Eve’s been dating a guy for a couple years. But he’s never introduced her to his kids, and she realizes he is more around as a distraction than someone she really cares for.

Before she can even think about making any changes, though, Paddy shows up in her life again, reminding her of the dreams she once had. Is it possible to start over, here and now, and reclaim some of those dreams?

Summary

From the first page, I clicked with the empty nest/where-does-my-life-go-now aspect of Eve’s story. I was sad over all the ways she seemed to settle for whatever was readily available rather than pursuing what she wanted. So I loved that Caitlyn’s gift gave Eve permission – and a push – to re-examine her life and her choices.

I read a lot of books for kids and teens, so I’m familiar with the coming-of-age novel, the stories of identity formation, and the books that look at the transitions common to young people. I’ve not read as many “middle age”/empty nest novels with those same themes, but after this I am here for as many of them as I can find. Thankfully this mid-life crisis book doesn’t involve an affair or demolishing a quarter-century marriage or any of those common pieces, because I would not have liked that sort of tale nearly as much. This is more introspective and identity focused. It’s more about Eve’s feelings and about pursuing the dreams she set aside for Caitlyn. And it was great.

There are some nice plot twists in this to ramp up the tension and keep the characters interesting. And it all wraps up in a satisfying way in the end. Be sure to check this one out. (Some language, off-page sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

BONUS REVIEW: My Great Ex-Scape by Portia MacIntosh

BONUS REVIEW: My Great Ex-Scape by Portia MacIntosh

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Thanks to some unexpected twists in an otherwise ordinary day, Rosie finds herself center state on the live quiz show One Big Question.  And she’s done an amazing job. She’s down to her final lifeline – calling someone from her speed dial – on the final question. That final question is about dinosaurs. And Rosie’s boyfriend is a paleobiologist!

When she calls to ask him the “big question,” he interrupts her and breaks up with her on live television. Stunned, she still asks the dinosaur question which he answers. In one moment, she loses her boyfriend, wins £50,000, and goes viral.

The next day isn’t much better. Her social media has blown up in awful ways. Her ex feels entitled to some of her winnings. And a catty co-worker is chomping at the bit to write a newspaper article about her shame. The one bright spot is the flower arrangement on her doorstep. The unsigned card says, “I love you. I should never have let you go. I want you back.”

Thinking maybe her future can be found in her past, Rosie decides to track down all her exes and see who sent the flowers. Maybe he’s someone she wants back, too.

Review

This has a great premise, and it’s well executed. I enjoyed Rosie. The journey back to past relationships has been done before, and I love the trope. I enjoyed how it played out in this book. I didn’t expect the bulk of this to focus on only two of her past relationships (the other 3 were addressed early on) and to take place on a cruise ship. But the cruise pieces were fantastic. I enjoy cruise stories. And there’s a great balance here with the travel experience and Rosie’s re-connections with her exes. The main story stayed the main story, but there were delightful – and some aggravating – side stories that kept me engaged in the journey.

The characters really made this story for me. The gay-best friend can feel cliched, but I liked Rosie’s relationship with Eli. He was a good “wing-man” at times and a sounding board for her as she processed her past and her present. Rosie’s parents on the cruise were a hoot! I adored them.

If you enjoy stories with fun, quirky characters, be sure to check this one out. There are some great lines and some laugh-out-loud moments. And at the time of this writing, the book is available for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers. (Language, LGBTQ+)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: The Princess Plan by Julia London

REVIEW: The Princess Plan by Julia London

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

The Crown Prince of Alucia has come to England for two reasons – to forge a trade agreement and to find a wife. And at the masquerade ball, he also finds a few… distractions. A redhead who distracts him for a few hours and another woman who flirts with him in a secret passageway.

Eliza is in the passageway to hide from the matron who wanted to fill up her dance card with what would probably be horrible dance partners. Spinsters like her were hardly the top prospects at these events. Eliza is happy to enjoy the rum punch  in peace while she tries to meet the Crown Prince.

While Sebastian and Eliza meet at the ball, they are thrown together more forcefully when Sebastian’s friend and personal secretary is murdered. Eliza was paying attention to the man at the ball because he’d been kind to her. Prince Sebastian is determined to have all the details she can provide. But Eliza isn’t like the simpering, acquiescing women he’s used to meeting. She won’t be cowed by his title or his attitude. And Sebastian finds he likes that about her.

Review

Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a mystery. While there is a murder, and Sebastian and Eliza go looking for clues to the killer, that is secondary to the romance plot. I would have liked this to be both, frankly. It would have been great to see Eliza and Sebastian take down the killer together AND sort out their romantic woes. But while the killer is unmasked, it is revealed in a detached, distanced way, and the reader is clued in later on the details.

Romance fans who are less attached to the mystery likely will not care. Sebastian and Eliza have great friction early on. He’s arrogant and entitled, and she’s old enough and experienced enough not to kowtow to him. I loved how direct and sassy she was with him. The relationship is pretty typical for a romance between royalty and a commoner. Once they connect, how will they go on because of his obligations and her lack of status? The finagling of those issues made for a decent and happily ever after ending. (Sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

BONUS REVIEW: Abraham by Jennifer Beckstrand

BONUS REVIEW: Abraham by Jennifer Beckstrand

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Alfie and Benji Petersheim are still on their quest to see their three older brothers married so they can move out of the cellar and back into a room at the house. (Their grandparents have moved in which bumped the twins to the cellar.) They helped Andrew and Mary get together (Andrew – ♥♥♥♥♥). Now it’s time to help their brother Abraham find a girl.

The girl is the easy part. Abe stares at Emma all the time. The issue is that Abe is so quiet and never speaks to ANY girl, much less to Emma.

So the twins start scheming, using Abraham’s affinity for animals along with a stray dog and Emma’s chickens to bring the two young people together. But Emma couldn’t be less interested in Abraham. She knows him from the community. Their families are neighbors. But Abe is like a blank wall. Emma’s having too much fun playing the field and flirting with other boys who make her feel special. And she makes her disinterest pretty plain right up front. But the twins are tired of sleeping with spiders. They aren’t giving up on this match any time soon.

Review

This is the second book in the Petersheim Brothers series. I read book one, Andrew, this summer and adored it. That was my first introduction to the author, Jennifer Beckstrand. Then I read two of her Honeybee Sisters books and loved them, too. (You can read my review of book one, Sweet as Honey, here.) It wasn’t until I started Abraham, though, that I realized these two great series are connected.

I fell in love with Abraham in this book. I have some strong introverts in my life whom I adore, so I felt for him early on. It was sad how little he thought of himself because he wasn’t at ease with others like Emma or his younger brother, Austin.  Abraham was resigned to being alone, and he thought that meant he would be a disappointment to his family.

Emma was harder to like. At first she comes across as breezy and fun. And I liked that she was up front with Abe about her feelings even if it did break his heart. But over time I started to see the difference between her public personality – flirty, bubbly, keeping her options open and her focus on fun – and who she was when she was alone with Abraham. When she chose the public personality over the private one, I was incensed for Abraham’s sake.

With Andrew, book one in the series, I loved the faith questions at the center of the story. Andrew wrestles with questions about sin, and I was 100% engaged in that wrestling with him. With Abraham, the wrestling is more with self, for both Abraham and for Emma. And I enjoyed that exploration, too.

I have adored everything I have read so far from Jennifer Beckstrand. She is now part of my must-read authors list. Pair her books with my favorites from Sarah Price for some fun, romantic Amish fiction. This one was romantic and funny and riling – and everything I hoped it would be. Do not miss out on this series! Book 3, Austin, releases in the summer of 2020.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½