This was a good week of reading. I had a five star week despite working 50 hours and every books was just what I needed to relax and celebrate the holidays. His Heart by Claire Kingsley has been on my list for a while. I knew I would want to reread Heart of Hope by Lucy Score when I did so that I could also read the heart of Christmas follow up stories together. I finally got my chance this week. I cannot recommend reading these enough! I also was finally able to read the merry Ever After anthology and a short novella by Roxie Noir. Both were available for free through the author's newsletters. These short holiday reads were perfect for keeping a merry spirit. I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. Happy Reading!
His Heart by Claire Kingsley
#Sports #NewAdult
5 STARS
I am not sure where to start with this review of a book that is like no other. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV. It is a standalone. It does have a HEA, though at times I was not sure how they were going to get there.
The book is divided into three parts. Part one tells the story of Brooke and her life with Liam from the time they meet in high school. I love Liam and his sweet character and the way he loves Brooke. Their young love is special and deep. Part one also tells a concurrent story of Sebastian and how his illness began and progressed. I really appreciated the detail of how his illness affected him and his outlook on life in general. The main characters do not meet in part one and that breaks the norms of a romance novel. However, I believe that the structure is 100% necessary to this story. There is some heartbreak as the story unfolds. I recommend some tissues.
Part two begins four years later. The reader learns how tragedy has shaped each of them. I love Sebastian. I admire his focus, his strength, and his determination. He is still figuring out how to live the life he didn't think he would have and it felt very real. Brooke has not handled things well. She is spiraling near rock bottom. My heart was broken for her. The author's words made me feel her grief, her despair, and her emptiness. When she and Sebastian meet there is some awkwardness, some fear, and some magic. I love the friendship and the love that builds between them in part two of the book.
Part three is where things get real. Sebastian must deal with making decisions about how he plans to live his life. Brooke struggles with her past and her present while trying to decide if she wants to pursue a future that is not empty. I really appreciated that the relationship between Sebastian and Brooke is separate and different from the relationship Brooke had with Liam. I love the depth of love that they build together and the trust that is there from the very beginning.
The secondary characters of this book are incredible. Charlie is the best friend every guy should have. I love the way the reader gets to see his relationship with Sebastian evolve over several years. I loved Charlie's steadfastness and his support of Sebastian through the whole book. Their bromance was a secondary story that was well-developed and perfect. I also really appreciated Olivia throughout the book. There were times that her relationship with Brooke was rocky, yet they make it back to each other with deeper understanding. I love the no-nonsense attitude that Olivia has and the romantic storyline her character has as the story develops. Her romantic arc is also an important part of the story as the two couples develop relationships at the same time yet they are very different. There are also family dynamics at play that are well-developed and important to the story.
This was an excellent read. I really cannot say that enough. It is beautifully written and even poetic at times. I know some readers shy away from this book because it is emotional at times. I can only say that the emotions are a necessary part of this story. There were times where I was angry with Brooke. There were moments when my heart was broken for all of them. There were moments that are s3xy and light. There are happy times. And there were moments when I wasn't sure how Brooke and Sebastian would get to where they needed to be, or even if they should get there. Ultimately they do, and they are both better for it.
The things that happen to us in life and how we react to them shape our character in ways we often do not dwell on. This book tells a story of people shaped by tragedy but who still unite in love. It is one of my favorite reads of the year.
I am not sure where to start with this review of a book that is like no other. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV. It is a standalone. It does have a HEA, though at times I was not sure how they were going to get there.
The book is divided into three parts. Part one tells the story of Brooke and her life with Liam from the time they meet in high school. I love Liam and his sweet character and the way he loves Brooke. Their young love is special and deep. Part one also tells a concurrent story of Sebastian and how his illness began and progressed. I really appreciated the detail of how his illness affected him and his outlook on life in general. The main characters do not meet in part one and that breaks the norms of a romance novel. However, I believe that the structure is 100% necessary to this story. There is some heartbreak as the story unfolds. I recommend some tissues.
Part two begins four years later. The reader learns how tragedy has shaped each of them. I love Sebastian. I admire his focus, his strength, and his determination. He is still figuring out how to live the life he didn't think he would have and it felt very real. Brooke has not handled things well. She is spiraling near rock bottom. My heart was broken for her. The author's words made me feel her grief, her despair, and her emptiness. When she and Sebastian meet there is some awkwardness, some fear, and some magic. I love the friendship and the love that builds between them in part two of the book.
Part three is where things get real. Sebastian must deal with making decisions about how he plans to live his life. Brooke struggles with her past and her present while trying to decide if she wants to pursue a future that is not empty. I really appreciated that the relationship between Sebastian and Brooke is separate and different from the relationship Brooke had with Liam. I love the depth of love that they build together and the trust that is there from the very beginning.
The secondary characters of this book are incredible. Charlie is the best friend every guy should have. I love the way the reader gets to see his relationship with Sebastian evolve over several years. I loved Charlie's steadfastness and his support of Sebastian through the whole book. Their bromance was a secondary story that was well-developed and perfect. I also really appreciated Olivia throughout the book. There were times that her relationship with Brooke was rocky, yet they make it back to each other with deeper understanding. I love the no-nonsense attitude that Olivia has and the romantic storyline her character has as the story develops. Her romantic arc is also an important part of the story as the two couples develop relationships at the same time yet they are very different. There are also family dynamics at play that are well-developed and important to the story.
This was an excellent read. I really cannot say that enough. It is beautifully written and even poetic at times. I know some readers shy away from this book because it is emotional at times. I can only say that the emotions are a necessary part of this story. There were times where I was angry with Brooke. There were moments when my heart was broken for all of them. There were moments that are s3xy and light. There are happy times. And there were moments when I wasn't sure how Brooke and Sebastian would get to where they needed to be, or even if they should get there. Ultimately they do, and they are both better for it.
The things that happen to us in life and how we react to them shape our character in ways we often do not dwell on. This book tells a story of people shaped by tragedy but who still unite in love. It is one of my favorite reads of the year.
Heart of Hope by Lucy Score
#SingleMom #Holiday #Sports #ReRead
5 STARS
I can't say enough about this book. Lucy Score writes strong, complex, lovable characters that I can't get enough of. Bristol is tough but struggling with the grief over losing her sister. Beau has a secret. Their chemistry is off the charts. Her family is 100% the kind of family I want to spend more time with. This story is a deep one that moved me to tears of joy. I can see myself re-reading this many times and I really want to read the rest of the Hope Falls series. This small town is so easy to love.
You NEED to read this book.
Rereading this book this holiday season reinforced my initial review. It is a moving story that will melt your heart.
You NEED to read this book.
Rereading this book this holiday season reinforced my initial review. It is a moving story that will melt your heart.
Heart of Christmas by Claire Kingsley and Lucy Score
#Holiday #BonusContent
5 STARS
| Two short follow up stories from Lucy Score and Claire Kingsley to their Heart of Hope and His Heart books respectively. These shorts offer a happy look into the futures of Beau and Bristol and Sebastian and Brooke. Both are heartwarming, steamy, and happy holiday stories that let us see into the HEAs the couples deserve. |
Merry Ever After (Holiday Anthology)
by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward, Lucy Score, Tijan, Kennedy Ryan, and Marie Force
#Holiday #Paranormal #SingleMom #Rockstar #BWWM #Anthology
5 STARS
This was a wonderful Christmas anthology of short novellas.
This compilation by some of my favorite authors has everything from single moms, to a paranormal demon/angel story, to finding unexpected love at a swinger's party. I really enjoyed all of the stories.
Lucy Score delivers what may be my favorite silver fox book to date. Vonn Barlowe is kind, hot, and everything a rock god should be and more. Brooke is a lucky lady to get her HEA with him. Definitely an anthology worth reading.
This compilation by some of my favorite authors has everything from single moms, to a paranormal demon/angel story, to finding unexpected love at a swinger's party. I really enjoyed all of the stories.
Lucy Score delivers what may be my favorite silver fox book to date. Vonn Barlowe is kind, hot, and everything a rock god should be and more. Brooke is a lucky lady to get her HEA with him. Definitely an anthology worth reading.
Redneck Santa Saves Christmas by Roxie Noir
#FakeRelationship #SecondChance #Holiday
5 STARS
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this spin off from the Loveless Brothers series tells how Adelina and Grady find their HEA.
I love how Grady has such a good heart. I love that Adeline is willing to go along with things when she meets his family. I appreciated the misunderstanding that nearly prevented their second chance and the co=incidence that allows them to find each other again. Humor and heat are in abundance in this quick holiday read. I loved it.
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