Happy weekend! I read five books this week. One new release, one book for book club, and three ARCs. Mika Jolie's new book is a steamier version of a small town Hallmark love story and was a quick, fun read. Kayley Loring released her new book with a unique setting in the hilarious world of stand-up comedy. Max Monroe's new release gives readers at the first of the long-awaited Winslow brothers when Jude finds his happily ever after. Tia Louise's new book, releasing next week, pairs Daisy's fiery red headed cousin, Joselyn, with the uptight and oh-so-proper, Spencer. And I read a new-to-me author, Eden Finley, for an online book club read. I really enjoyed the fake relationship trope used in a male/male romance. The variety was good in this week's reads and I believe there is something for everyone to add to their TBR.
#SmallTown #BWWM
3.5 STARS
Love is worth the risk.
Set in the small town of Cherry Falls, Oregon, this book
follows Cora and Grayson as they decide to put aside their fears and give love
a try. Their story is written in first
person from an alternating dual POV.
Cora (33) is a coffee shop owner who ran from a bad
relationship four years ago and landed in Cherry Falls. Grayson (28) is the new owner of a
recreational area featuring water sports and skiing. He has always avoided relationships because
his parents’ relationship was so toxic.
I love the instant attraction between them. I understood why they were both wary. They are both likable characters. This was a short read, with a lot of
Hallmark-like moments and a little bit of heat. It was a good small town read.
#WorkplaceRomance #ForcedProximity #EnemiesToLovers #FamilySeries
#SingleDad #ARC
4 STARS
Frankie and Owen are both stand-up comedians. Owen has had success, while Frankie is still
struggling to get her start. She is
quick to criticize him and his jokes on Twitter and even from an audience
once. When she becomes the nanny for his
son for a month-long stand-up tour, sparks fly between them. Their story is written in first person from
an alternating dual POV.
I appreciated that the book is set in the stand-up comedy
world, making it a unique read. There
are a lot of stand-up jokes woven with in the story as well as excerpts from
the joke notebooks they each keep. Some
of them are very funny. There are also
times when I felt like those interludes bogged the story down. The first 15-20% of the book, I struggled to
get into the story. I had a hard time
connecting with the characters and the motivation for their actions. Once the story picked up, I liked the book a
lot more. Owen and Frankie have
chemistry and brought some hot scenes to the book when they finally get together. Owen’s son is adorable, and I loved the
relationship he forms with Frankie. I
was a little frustrated by their black moment, because it could have been
avoided entirely with a little communication.
I did love when they finally get back together for a sweet HEA and
epilogues with wedding vows that are completely unique to this couple. Overall, I liked the book and I think readers
will enjoy the laughs they get from reading it.
#Fling #RomanticComedy #FamilySeries #ARC
5 STARS
The Bet is the first book in the new Winslow Brothers
series. It is a standalone and ends with
a HEA. It is written in first person
from an alternating dual POV. In
addition to Jude and Sophie’s perspectives, we are treated to one chapter from
the perspective of Jude’s brother, Flynn.
It is set in New York City and readers will recognize cameos from previous
books written by this author duo.
Jude is a player. At
36, he is determined to never fall in love.
He works, has a good time in his life, and cherishes his family. Sophie (28) is an event coordinator who wants
love, family, and her person more than anything. When they meet at her twin sister’s
bachelorette party, sparks fly. I love
how Sophie lets go with Jude. She really
stretches herself emotionally to go with the flow and have fun. She willingly goes out of her comfort
zone. She cannot help falling hard for
Jude, despite her efforts to make it only fun. Jude is all about a good time
and does not even realize he is developing feelings for Sophie until it is too
late.
I laughed at many moments in this book. I love it when the hero falls hard but is
oblivious. I love the family
moments. I will say, this book is kindle
melting hot: I advise reading with a fan and a glass of something cold to
drink. There are a few very romantic moments.
Jude messes it up badly, and I love that Sophie makes him work to get
her back. This was a completely
enjoyable read. I have been waiting for
the Winslow brothers for a while and I m beyond excited that their time has
come.
Trouble by Tia Louise
ARC: Release Date- 7/19/2021
#Fling #Billionaire #EnemiesToLovers #ARC
5 STARS
The feisty redhead is what Spencer needed.
Spencer and Joselyn are finally together! Their story is book three in a series of
interconnected standalones and has a HEA.
It is written in first person with an alternating dual POV.
I noticed in a previous book how sparks flew for these two
and I was so excited to read their story. I adored Joselyn. She is a fiery red head who has confidence in
everything but love and men. Spencer has
a lot of baggage from his childhood, and I love that he opens up to Sly about
it. I really like that she is there for
him, but when he hurts her, she is strong enough to walk away. I love the heat between the two of them. I especially love the tenderness and
protectiveness Spencer has for her without even realizing how far he has fallen
for her. They also have a witty banter between
them that was great fun to read.
This was a wonderful read that I found completely enjoyable. Sly’s friend Courtney and her son Oliver add
a sweet dynamic to the story, especially the relationship Spencer forms with
Ollie. I also enjoyed cameos from
characters from previous books. I definitely recommend.
Fake Out (Fake Boyfriend #1) by Eden Finley
#FakeRelationship #MMRomance #BookClub
4 STARS
| Maddox and Damon meet initially through Damon's sister Stacy. Maddox finds himself, a straight man-whore, in need of a fake boyfriend to attend the wedding of his high school sweetheart ex-girlfriend in his hometown. Stacy convinces her big brother, a gay man, to play the role. Their story is written in first person from an alternating dual POV. I loved the premise of the story. I love how bi-sexuality is approached and explained. I love how easy going Maddox is when he accepts that he has a serious attraction to Damon, yet I also understood Damon's hesitation to getting involved with Maddox. Both of these guys have some baggage. There is a lot going on in their story, and some subplots that could had been eliminated. That said, I really enjoyed the way they learn to communicate with each other. I love the scenes of their physical initimacy which are tender, consensual, and smoking hot. I really appreciated the supportive way their families handle who they are and the couple they become. Overall, I really liked this book. I think the storyline has the ability to spark discussions and create better understanding in our world. This was my first book by this author, and I will be reading more. |
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