Tag: sisters

REVIEW: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

REVIEW: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Emma Wheeler has been given the opportunity of a lifetime – co-write/ghostwrite a screenplay with her idol, Charlie Yates. He’s written a rom-com, and it needs some serious help. But he has to get it written in order to get a pet project produced. Emma has to put her life on hold and go to LA for 6 weeks to work on the re-write. She’s been her father’s daily caregiver for years – it’s a lot to step away from.

But when she gets to LA, Charlie doesn’t know anything about this arrangement – and he’s not interested in anything Emma has to offer.  She’s embarrassed and tempted to flee back home where life is familiar even though it is also soul-crushing at times. Instead, she fights for this opportunity. Taking in some observations of Charlie and recognizing the power of being completely willing to walk away, she negotiates her way into a real chance to write this screenplay and see it get produced. And maybe prove to Charlie – and herself – that she’s not a “failed writer.”

Review

This was excellent! Everything the book describes as essential for a rom-com – the happily-ever-after, the banter, the slow burn, the “sparkle” – is on display here.

I loved Emma and Charlie, both alone and together. Their individual stories are fascinating. And the psychology of how those individual stories impact the relationship between the two writers was delightful. There were many beautifully written scenes that begged to be read out loud. And I laughed out loud often.

Katherine Center’s fans should not hesitate to grab her latest rom-com. It absolutely sparkles, both in the cozy relationship and in the writing. And if you are a rom-com fan in general, you do not want to miss this one! (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Earls Trip by Jenny Holiday

REVIEW: Earls Trip by Jenny Holiday

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Archie, Simon, and Effie are finally off on their annual 2-week Earls Trip when their path crosses that of an old family friend of Archie’s. The Morgans were family friends long ago, but Archie can’t say no to Sir Albert’s request for help.

The Morgan daughters – Clementine and Olive – have gone missing. Olive has run off with Clementine’s fiancé, and Clementine has gone after them. Archie feels compelled to help, and Simon and Effie insist on accompanying him, even though it throws off their annual trip.

Once the ladies are “rescued” and the cad fiancé is sent off with threats of bodily harm, the earls continue on to their getaway “castle,” Olive and Clementine in tow. As long as the ladies keep to themselves, the gentlemen can keep their much-needed escape, and no one will accuse anyone of improper behavior.

Review

This book was both enjoyable and a struggle for me. I was reading it at a time when I felt pressured to “read faster.” And this felt super long without a necessarily “driving” plot. I kept telling myself I would just skim to the end in order to finish. But every time I sat down to read, I got caught up in the conversations and the relationships of the core five characters. I couldn’t actually make myself skim anything.

So the book is great! The writing is enjoyable, and the characters are terrific. But it’s not a particularly fast paced or action packed story.  I needed to be on a beach or some other vacation setting where I felt I had all the time in the world to just let the story unfold without pressure.

If you love character-driven love stories with a found-family sort of cast, I can’t recommend this enough. I loved the three gentlemen and their relationship almost immediately. I don’t often get to enjoy stories with this sort of male friend group (Think Bromance with more gentlemanly esteem and less sass – although there’s still some sass, but appropriate for the time period. The Ted Lasso quote at the beginning also calls to mind the Diamond Dogs). And I grew to love the sisters as they reconnected across the novel. The romance is lovely – one of those “caught by surprise by love” sorts that I found satisfying. But it’s the brotherly/sisterly relationships that really shine here.

Do yourself a favor and let this one unfold on its own timetable. Enjoy the ride. While the book is long, the story is worth savoring. I will absolutely be checking out the sequel, Manic Pixie Dream Earl, in 2025! (Sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great!

REVIEW: Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman

REVIEW: Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman

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

Dr. Christa Barnet is a scientist living on the island nation of Violetta in the middle of the Indian Ocean studying bull raft snails.

Outside of scientific circles, Christa is somewhat famous for having a famous father – a TV personality with a national show – who went missing when she was two and has been presumed dead for decades. But he’s been found, and Christa and her family – and the world – are reeling from the news.

Most everyone is thrilled by the news. Jasper’s agent can’t wait to capitalize on all of the media and money making opportunities. And Jasper is on board for whatever. But everyone wants Christa along for the ride – the scientist daughter experiencing her father almost for the first time. If it means Christa can ultimately keep doing her research in Violetta, she’s reluctantly on board to stay in the States for awhile. It doesn’t hurt that she’s discovered white hot chemistry with an old friend.

But when Jasper’s story develops cracks, it raises questions Christa isn’t sure she wants answered. It might just be simpler to leave everything behind and go back to her snails.

Review

This was fantastic!! I was captivated by the story of the missing and presumed dead husband and father and the fallout for his family. But truly the best parts of this were Christa, her sisters, and their mother – not necessarily in relation to Jasper but as themselves. Their personal growth from what Christa remembers from her childhood to the reality she encounters when she gets home is fantastic. And I adored all of them and their fierce love, fierce anger, and fierce protection of one another.

I tend to associate a “no f-s to give” mentality to middle age, but Christa is already there, and I LOVED her for it! I absolutely adored this. Fans of Waxman’s other works – The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, Adult Assembly Required, I Was Told It Would Get Easier (♥♥♥♥) – should not miss this one! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: The Takedown by Carlie Walker

REVIEW: The Takedown by Carlie Walker

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Sydney knows her work for the CIA has kept her away from her family for awhile. But she never expected to have to hear about her little sister’s engagement from the FBI. But Calla is engaged to Johnny Jones, heir to the Jones crime family. And the FBI wants Sydney to go into spy mode at home for Christmas.

Johnny’s best friend – and bodyguard – is an unexpectedly delicious obstacle for her mission. But Sydney will do whatever it takes to protect her sister. If that means she has to seduce the bodyguard, so be it.

Review

This was a fun little Christmas romp! Syd and Nick are great together. Calla and Grandma Ruby are a great supporting cast. The family pieces, including the abandonment of the girls by their father, is well-woven into the story without ever taking the focus off Johnny and Calla.

There are many laugh-out-loud moments here that I enjoyed a lot. The ending was supremely satisfying. And it’s a stand alone romance which means anyone can drop in and pick this one up. While it doesn’t look like a Christmas book, that is the timing for the story, so it was a perfect November read for me (in 2023). But it’s not so Christmas-y that you couldn’t enjoy the story year round.

If you are in the market for a fun, funny romance with organized crime/spy elements, be sure to give this one a try! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

 

REVIEW: Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Cordova

REVIEW: Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Cordova

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Ariel del Mar and her sisters – Siren Seven – have fulfilled their part of the deal with their record label – and their father. They’ve been performing for years. And now all of the girls get a break to do what they want – to just “be” for awhile. Except for Ariel. Her father wants her to “strike while the iron’s hot” and launch a solo career.

When Ariel meets Eric, lead singer of Star Crossed, as her true self, Melody, instead of her stage persona, he has no idea who she is. And some freedom and anonymity sounds like all she’s been craving. So she signs on to be his band’s merch person on their tour.

With her sisters providing cover with their dad, Melody has a chance to rediscover who she is – what’s really her and what’s just the character she’s been playing on stage. But real feelings start to bloom between Melody and Eric. What will happen when he discovers the truth? Or when her father finally tracks her down?

Review

This is book 3 in the Meant to Be series of fairytale retellings after If the Shoe Fits and By the Book. Each is written by a different author. This is the first one I have read – the plot summary was so amazing I couldn’t pre-order this fast enough. But I will absolutely be checking out the rest.

This was excellent! The author does an excellent job with Little Mermaid touches throughout the book. Yet the story is original and allowed to stand on its own without being forced into a template by the movie.

I loved the characters in this! Melody and Eric are great, and the secondary characters really add a lot to the story. I would have loved to see more of the sisters together – they were great!

I did have to remind myself, often, that the characters here are adults, not teens. There’s a YA vibe to the story that worked for me until something happened (like drinking alcohol) to remind me these were adults.

If you like fairytale retellings like I do, don’t miss this one. This is a stand alone story, so you don’t have to have read any of the others to enjoy this. (Language, off-page sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read

REVIEW: The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter

REVIEW: The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

A woman wakes up on the snowy ground, looking up at the Eiffel Tower.  But  she doesn’t remember her name, how she came to be in Paris, or even why her head hurts. It’s all troublesome. But nothing compared to the men with guns. One of them calls her Alex. That must be her name. But it doesn’t ring a bell or bring back anything else.

Jack Sawyer is a spy – an “operative” – and he’s worked with Alex for years. She’s supremely competent (and annoying), so it doesn’t take long for him to figure out this is NOT Alex.

Alex is a spy gone rogue, and everyone is after her – her bosses at the CIA, and the bad guys. And Jake didn’t manage to find Alex like he was trying to – he found her twin sister. A person he always assumed didn’t actually exist. And now everyone after Alex will make the same mistake he did. So Alex’s twin – whatever her name and story is – is in life-ending kinds of trouble.

Review

I had a lot of fun with this one. I laughed often and read funny sections to my husband. I enjoyed the banter and got a kick out of the bumbling-into-success way of the main character. I would read this again and will definitely give the sequel a try – although with some hesitation. The hinted POV character was not a favorite for me in this one.

That said, this felt more like my favorite YA stories (Prince in Disguise, 10 Blind Dates) than my favorite adult romances (The Bodyguard, Undercover Bromance) – and not just because this is a “closed door” romance. The main character comes off as young. And my favorite banter-y moments at times felt like a different book when compared to the parts where f-bombs are dropping and bullets are flying.

So, YA fans – especially fans of the author’s YA and Older Middle Grade novels – who are not looking for a spicy romance may find a lot here to enjoy – I did! But for die hard adult romance fans, YMMV.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: The Comeback Summer by Ali Brady

REVIEW: The Comeback Summer by Ali Brady

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Libby and Hannah inherited a PR firm from their beloved grandmother, but they are struggling to keep it afloat. Then Lou, a self-help guru, walks in.

Lou is vetting PR firms for the launch of a new product line. In order to compete, Hannah and Libby have to follow Lou’s system to break out of comfort zones so they can work from that experience if they get the job. Hannah is challenged to go on 12 first dates, and Libby has to do a fitness challenge.

While both women work on their programs – with significant help from one another – the process leads them to revelations, and love, they weren’t expecting.

Review

This was excellent! I usually enjoy dual point-of-view books, and this does an excellent job with the voices and insights of both sisters. And the set up with the 12 week challenges was fantastically done.

I liked both Hannah and Libby and was completely engrossed in their surface stories – the lost love/reconciliation, the physical challenges, the business challenges. But when both women get to the deeper parts of their individual journeys, I was riveted. I didn’t want to put the book down.

This was a delight from start to finish. I loved every bit of it. This was the perfect book to kick off my summer reading season – I recommend you give it a try. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Moorewood Family Rules by HelenKay Dimon

REVIEW: Moorewood Family Rules by HelenKay Dimon

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Jillian Moorewood is newly released from prison. Crashing her family of con artists’ big garden party by arriving – unannounced – in a helicopter was a stroke of genius. They were nearly apoplectic.

She had told them all they needed to go straight while she dealt with her prison sentence. But with her out of the way, they doubled down on their schemes. Now Jillian is going to wrangle this family onto the straight and narrow, no matter what it takes.

Jillian’s allies insist she have a bodyguard because the rest of the family won’t go down without a fight. And Beck the bodyguard is committed to keeping Jillian safe – and finding all the evidence they need to keep her that way. The banter and steamy interactions between them is just a bonus!

Review

This was so fun! I couldn’t read this as quickly as I wanted to – these last few weeks have been just too busy. But this was never far from my mind in the long gaps. I remembered everything in the interim while I waited to pick this back up again (something that rarely happens when I have to take a break from a story). I longed to curl up with it. Once I carved out some time, I blitzed through to the end.

This was a perfect fit for me. I loved Jillian. Her revenge fantasies – and realities – were right up my alley. I couldn’t wait for her family to get their comeuppance, but at the same time, I also didn’t hate them when they were on the scene. The author does a masterful job of walking the fine line between making the reader want to see them get theirs while also not making readers despise them. The choice to give one of them a few POV chapters really helped with this too.

I enjoyed Jillian’s personal journey as she wrestled with her responsibility for and to her family. There were some Enneagram 2-ish vibes to this part of the story that I enjoyed. I highly recommend this book – super satisfying story with great characters!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes by Manda Collins

REVIEW: A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes by Manda Collins

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

There’s never a good time for a purse snatching. But Poppy’s sister has been arrested for murder. And just as Poppy’s about to purchase a train ticket to her sister’s side, a villain snatches her purse holding almost her entire meager savings. Poppy takes off after the thief. But a literal run in with her least favorite Lord means the thief – and her purse – are out of her reach.

Joshua Fielding, Duke of Langham, happens to be heading in the same direction for a house party and cajoles Poppy to accept his help to her destination. And his help for her sister. Poppy feels so guilty over her sister’s plight, she will agree to almost anything.

Even the duke’s asinine plan to say she’s his fiancée.

Having Poppy play fiancée puts her – and her sister by extension – under the protection of his title. In turn, Poppy becomes a shield between Langham and the single women his grandmother has invited to the house party. It’s a win-win!

Review

This was fantastic!

I am always up for a fake relationship story, so of course I requested the ARC for this. But I had forgotten how much I loved the first book in this Ladies Most Scandalous series, A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem (♥♥♥♥). (Somehow I missed book 2, but I corrected that oversight immediately after I finished this book.)

Not only is this a great romance. The mystery here is also excellent. I could not put this down. I finished it in two sittings – my lunch hour and then the minute I got home from work.

This is now a must-read series for me. I have my fingers crossed that a certain character from the Foreign Office might star in book 4. If you enjoy historical fiction and romance with a solid, fascinating mystery, be sure to pick up this book and the whole series! I think these books can stand alone easily – I had no issues reading this after missing book 2. (Sex, Language, an occultish ceremony which was a bit much)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great!  Might re-read.

REVIEW: Stardust in Their Veins by Laura Sebastian

REVIEW: Stardust in Their Veins by Laura Sebastian

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Beatriz, Daphne, and Sophronia – triplet princesses, born to both rule and ruin. Each left for their assigned country and prince; each expected to marry and then enact their mother’s plan. But nothing has gone as expected.

Beatriz has discovered unexpected powers while also facing betrayal. She’s sequestered in a nunnery under charges of treason.
Daphne has been the target of several assassination attempts, but not from the corners she might have expected.
And Sophronia….

The triplets have gone off course from their mother’s plan – but the Empress has been working her own scheme all along. And she’s not the only one.

Review

AMAZING! This was fantastic! The minute I finished, I sat, stunned. What a ride.

In some ways this is the sort of mid-trilogy book that mostly serves to set up the big action of book 3. There’s not a ton of ground gained here. That being said, there were some fantastic moments and fascinating reveals. The book is completely engrossing, and I loved it! But at the same time, I feel like it mostly kept me in a holding pattern for book 3.

There’s some great character development going on in that “holding pattern,” though. We continue to learn about the triplets and their mother as well as other friends – and villains – from book 1, Castles in Their Bones. Once I finished the last page, I was ready to start over again. Sadly, I have fallen behind in my reading, so a re-read will have to wait. On the plus side, once my personal print copy arrives, (hopefully with the UK cover which matches book 1 better than the US cover), I’ll be able to book tab this like I did book 1.

This was a fun book annotation practice I tried in January. I really missed the ability to continue tabbing with my e-ARC.

Fans of book one should immediately pick up the sequel – and carve out time because you won’t want to put it down. Fans of the author’s Ash Princess series should definitely check this series out asap – I think you will love it!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ – I loved it! Would re-read.