Happy weekend! I had a wonderful week that included finishing two audiobooks, a book club book, and two books for a reading challenge.
I have had ARCs rolling in, so next week I anticipate at least three ARCs read and reviewed. I almost had one of them finished by this weekend but I didn't quite make it. I hope my reviews help you find some new reads or listens to add to your TBR. Until next week, happy reading!
A French Fling (Love Abroad #2) by Emily Silver
Narrated by Samantha Brentmoor
#FF #Travel #Workplace #Audiobook #ARC
5 STARS
I have had the eBook of this novel on my kindle for quite a while. When I received the audiobook ARC, I knew it was time to push it up the list. This was my first FF romance. As book two in the series, it can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV. I would rate the book at 4 STARS and the audiobook at 5 STARS.
AnnaBelle meets Celine when she is assigned as the driver for the European tour that she is leading for her company. Once they begin to communicate, it doesn't take long to give into their mutual attraction. They share many steamy moments where they are obviously very hot for each other. Meanwhile, their emotion connection is building. As they travel around Europe, they go from a less-than-perfect start to falling in love. I liked both characters, I just felt like I wanted a little more from them. Annabelle has created a very successful business in short amount of time, but I felt like I missed the struggle of the build. It felt easy. Celine seems content in her job and I wanted her to want more somehow. There are some funny and sweet moments with the seniors on her tour and I loved the light-hearted feel they add. I also loved the travel portions of the book.
It felt like I was on the tour seeing the sights with AB and Celine and the group. There are a few low-angst moments then a quick and sweet HEA.
Samantha Brentmoor does an amazing job in the audio narration. She nails the different accents and voices of the characters in a way that felt like duet narration at its best. Her French accent for Celine is divine! She brought the characters to life in a wonderful way that added to the story.
One Night (Lighter Ones #3) by Aleatha Romig
#SingleMom #MistakenIdentity #OneNightStand
5 STARS
I really enjoyed this lighter standalone romance by this author. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV and ends with a HEA.
Mandy is almost ready to start over in dating when her friend convinces her to go on a blind date. Instant chemistry with Malcolm changes her plans and a hot one night ensues. Malcolm is starting a new career in a new town after retiring from the NHL. he is ready to leave his playboy persona and past behind him. When he meets Mandy, the attraction and fascination is instant.
I loved the heat and the sweetness in this book. There are funny moments and also some very real moments. I especially appreciated Mandy's journey to find the woman she used to be before life overwhelmed her. I adored Malcolm's patience with Mandy while she caught up to his feelings. Overall, this was a sweet and steamy low-angst read and I loved it.
Wild (Wolf Ranch #3) by Renee Rose and Vanessa Vale
Narrated by Kylie Stewart
#Paranormal #Shifter #Military #AlphaHero #FatedMates #Audiobook
4 STARS
I listened to this book on audio. The story itself can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
Colton and Marina meet in the middle of a storm. He recognizes her as his fated mate immediately. She is just looking for a good time and she finds it with Colton. They end up with a hot steamy night together. The next time they meet Colton realizes that marina is the younger sister of his brother's new bride-to-be.
This was a hot fated mates read. I loved how protective and OTT Colton is. Marina has to figure out where her boundaries are and what she wants her future to look like before she can be all in with Colton. Hot and steamy, this was an enjoyable story.
The audiobook, narrated by Kylie Stewart was good but not excellent. I would give it 3 stars. I really missed having dual narration because this is just the single narrator. I really like this series, but I am not sure if I will continue with the audiobook versions to read them.
The Test (The List #2) by Tawna Fenske
#Fling #OppositesAttract
5 STARS
Book two in the series can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
Lisa is an interesting character. She has spent her life aiming to be perfect at everything, but she is ultimately unsatisfied with where her life is at the moment. When she spots Dax, who is the opposite of every guy she has ever dated, she considers making some changes to her decision making process. What if she does the opposite of what she would normally do for 30 days?
Dax has fought hard to pull himself out of his past life and into a life where is is content and confident in himself. At first he only sees Lisa's exterior and pegs her for a type just like his ex-girlfriend. He agrees to a fling with Lisa but never expects emotions to be involved or to actually like her.
These two are uber-HOT together. They share some extra-steamy moments during their fling. They also share some laughter and funny moments: sometimes when it is least expected. I loved their story. I adore that they actually turn out to have more in common that either one of them expected. This is a steamy romance, but it is also more. The two characters take a journey of self-understanding and friendship. I loved it.
Keepsake by Amy Oliveira
#AgeGap #BestFriendsBrother #Sports #SlowBurn #BookClub
5 STARS
This book is a standalone and ends with a HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
Readers should be aware that this book addresses some heavy topics. Please check CW/TW before reading.
This book was chosen for book club and it is my first book by this author. I was mesmerized by her writing. This book is so beautifully written and tells a story of heartbreak, grief, love, found family, and growth. I adored the broken and flawed characters. They felt so real to me. I hated to put the book down to deal with my actual life things. Each character is dealing with real life and death issues, lost dreams, hopes, fears, and love. I felt like the heavy topics were handled with care and respect. Logan's relationship with the kids grows from being strangers to love, respect and acceptance. The progression takes time and felt realistic.
I really related to Logan. Her struggles with perfectionism and anxiety hit pretty close to home for me. Her relationship with her biological parents is only important in how it shaped her and her anxieties. Her found family quickly becomes much more important. Alvaro is struggling with his own guilt, rage, and doubts. He deals with it in the fighting ring; taking his aggressions and feelings out on his competitors. He and Logan share scorching chemistry while forming a deep emotional attachment to each other. They are bonded by Sofia, her death, and her children. They help each other and the children along in the process of healing after loss and trauma. Their physical scenes when they get there are hot and emotional. And he is pierced! I really loved that.
There are so many beautiful lines that I highlighted that deal with being broken, yet enough. The characters learn that even though they are imperfect they are exactly what they are supposed to be. They learn that growth and acceptance are a never-ending journey within each of us. I really can't say enough about how much I liked this book. I can tell you right now it will be in my top reads of the year.
CW/TW: Death of a family member, infertility, suicide, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, graphic violence, domestic abuse (off screen).
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