Ciao, Bella

Ciao, Bella (Love Always, #3) by Belinda Mary Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: November 01, 2023 Publisher: H&J Publishing Pages: 261 ISBN: 9780645694246 Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads

Synopsis: Bella is in search of new adventures so she moves from her small town in Italy to Melbourne, where her brother is. When she shows up at her brother's house to surprise him, she finds out that he is away on vacation and instead, she is left alone with his grumpy roommate Daniel.

Daniel is still grieving the death of his mother and has no interest in romance or dating. Scared to let anyone get too close to him for fear that they too will leave, he puts up walls to keep Bella at a distance but she is determined to make Daniel like her and break down those walls.

Review: I was so excited when this book was announced! I loved the first two books in the series (though these can all be read as stand-alones) and I couldn’t wait to dive into Bella and Daniel’s story.

I loved both of these characters. Bella is a ball of sunshine who just radiates happiness and joy wherever she goes. She wants to experience everything the world has to offer. And then there is Daniel. Oh sweet broken Daniel. I couldn’t help but have so much affection and empathy for him. I just wanted to wrap him up in a hug and tell him everything was going to be okay. He has no surviving family members but finds refuge in his friendship group and then with Bella’s family.

This book also mentions Formula 1 racing several times. Everyone that knows me knows that I am a huge F1 fan, specifically Ferrari, and seeing as Bella is from Italy, she is a die-hard Ferrari fan as well. I loved the references and discussions around the sport and laughed at Bella yelling at the TV during a race. That part felt 100% relatable.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Witchever Way You Go

Witchever Way You Go by Anne William Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: October 22, 2023 Publisher: Indie Pages: 156 ISBN: Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads

Synopsis: Oliver and Emma signed up to swap houses for a few months. Emma’s house fits her vibe, it’s Gothic with witchy vibes and an impressive candy stash. Oliver’s house is decked out for Christmas, even though it’s not even Halloween yet. Their personalities are nothing alike, Oliver is obsessed with Christmas, he has a collection of ugly Christmas sweaters and an unhealthy obsession with hot cocoa. Emma doesn’t do the Christmas thing, she spends her time watching Halloween movies and drinking pumpkin spice lattes.

Review: This was the cutest holiday novella! It’s the perfect book to read as we transition from Halloween to Christmas. I was expecting this to be a bit cheesy but nope! It’s just a really sweet and cozy holiday romance.

It is a novella so the romance happens really quickly but Anne is a pro at making it feel seamless and realistic. We learn quite early on that these two characters aren’t as different as they may appear on the outside. I love the relationship that develops between them and the little tricks and magic Emma uses on Oliver.

There are so many adorable references in this book to Christmas/Halloween movies, famous witches, Gilmore Girls, and seasonal treats like gingerbread, Halloween candy, and pumpkin spice lattes.

I’d love to see a follow-up of these characters in the future, just a little glimpse into their lives a year down the line. There is also a bit of found family for Emma because Oliver’s family accepts her right away and welcomes her in with open arms.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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The Forever Pact

The Forever Pact (The Bachelors of Paradise Valley, #1) by Jaimie Casey Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: October 07, 2023 Publisher: JMC Creations Pages: 366 ISBN: 9781940218441 Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads

Synopsis: Pippa and TJ were best friends growing up and made a pact to be there for one another whenever they needed each other, no exceptions. So when Pippa finds her fiancé cheating and flees NYC to visit TJ at his Montana ranch, it doesn’t matter that TJ and Pippa haven’t talked in over 10 years, TJ puts aside his feelings and welcomes her in.

Review: This is book number one in a brand new series that’s a closed-door sweet cowboy romance.

What I loved: I loved the storyline! I love a good friends to lovers, but then when the author makes them estranged, adds in a handsome cowboy, endearing town folk, quirky pets, and I am sold. I love a good city-girl-to-country-girl romance.. high heels to tractor wheels!

What I didn’t like: The miscommunication was more than I was expecting. The word giggle was overused. Pippa giggled the entire book and I found it to be rather annoying and it took away from her character, making her seem shallow and ditzy. The communication between the two MCs was a bit juvenile considering they were both supposed to be around 30. I also felt like the ending was rushed and it seemed like the characters just accepted it and everything was fine. I would have liked to see more emotion with the big reveal.

Overall I still rated this four stars because I think it was enjoyable and I can see others enjoying it, especially if they are looking for a clean, sweet, romcom.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Falling in Love with My Vampire Cat

Falling in Love with My Vampire Cat (That's (Para)Normal, #1) by Camilla Evergreen Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: September 12, 2023 Publisher: Indie Pages: 282 ISBN: Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads

Synopsis: Willow is a barely functioning adult living alone in a little cottage in the woods. One day on a quest into town she comes across a black cat who follows her home. For five years she takes care of him, squishing his toe beans and calling him her itty bitty stinky kitty baby. Then when a near-death experience happens and her cat transforms she realizes that he isn’t just a cat but an actual vampire and he is in love with her.

Review: This was such a fun and quirky read! It’s not at all like I expected. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between Willow and Zylus, and I loved the references to tropes and romance stories. All of the side characters were fun and interesting, I’m looking forward to reading their stories in the future.

Camilla is known for addressing heavy topics in her books but she does it in a way that is meaningful and honest. She takes things that are perceived negatively (mental health) and spins them to focus on the positive aspects.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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The Wedding Menu

The Wedding Menu (Love & Other Recipes, #2) by Letizia Lorini Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: September 15, 2023 Publisher: Indie Pages: 484 ISBN: 9789198853308 Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads

 

Synopsis: Amelie's dreams for a perfect life are beginning to come true. She's engaged to her high school sweetheart, she has had her wedding planned since she was a little girl, and she is in the running to be the head chef at her dad's famous restaurant. But then Amelie meets Ian and suddenly her path isn't quite as clear.

The last thing Ian ever wants to do is be in a committed relationship, let alone get married. But when Ian meets Amelie he begins to see things from a different point of view and he may be changing his mind on what and who he wants in his life.

Review: Be still my heart. This book is absolute perfection! It's the second in the series but can be read as a stand-alone. Ian is completely perfect. If you look swoon up in the dictionary you'll see a picture of Ian. He puts all other book boyfriends to shame.

I loved Amelie. She was so likable and I couldn't help but root for her the entire time. I found myself relating to her quite a bit and I thoroughly enjoyed watching her growth chapter by chapter.

Ian and Amelie as a couple are legit couple goals. The slow burn, the tension, the chemistry, the butter (iykyk), and the humor. I loved their banter back and forth. There were many parts where I laughed out loud because Letizia's dialogue was humorous but also charming. I truly wish I could read this book again for the first time.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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The Tuna Fish Diaries

The Tuna Fish Diaries by Katie Warren Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: September 12, 2023 Publisher: Wild One Press LLC Pages: 151 ISBN: Genre: Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads

Synopsis: Fishsticks has been "abandoned" by his human James and is now stuck with living with the most horrid human ever, James's husband Jules. Fishsticks has never liked Jules but now he can't stand the man, all he does is blubber and cry. Fishsticks doesn't understand where James went but he decides to put a plan in motion to find another human to serve him and give him chin scirtches.

Review: As a self-proclaimed cat lady, I knew I had to read this book as soon as I saw the author looking for arc readers. Fishsticks became a fan favorite in The Right Wrong Number and now he has his own book that covers his point of view. I was laughing out loud during several parts though there were a few parts that made me tear up. I loved the quirky charm of this book and I enjoyed that some other points of view were sporadically tossed in. I never read The Right Wrong Number but was still able to fully enjoy the plot and understand the story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Kilt to Order

Kilt to Order by Susannah Nix Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: July 25, 2023 Publisher: Haver Street Press Pages: 340 ISBN: 9781950087204 Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads

 

Synopsis: Casey is a 28-year-old bookish virgin who shares a house with her brother and his two best friends, Darius and Gareth. Gareth splits his time between being a firefighter and competing in the Highland games. He can have any girl he wants but he doesn’t do relationships. Desperate to lose her virginity, Casey proportions Gareth for lessons. Worried that she will find another guy instead, Gareth agrees to do it as long as can maintain their friendship.

Review: I had no idea what to expect going into this but holy smokes! I had in my head that this was closed-door but that is definitely not the case! Every single scene was absolute magic. The chemistry was perfection, the slow burn was perfectly executed, and the tension between the characters was exquisitely written.

I am a sucker for a good friends-to-lovers romance and then sprinkle in a secret relationship and my heart is melting.

I love how gentle and kind Gareth is with Casey. He is so cautious about losing his friendship with her so he desperately tries to put his feelings aside so that he doesn't destroy everything. You can feel his love for her so much in the writing.

I liked that Casey was very level-headed. She didn’t jump to conclusions about Gareth and tried to remain calm and supportive, even when everything started to go sideways.

I don’t know if there are going to be more books in this series or if it's a standalone but I really hope there is more to come!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Things We Left Behind

Things We Left Behind (Knockemout, #3) by Lucy Score Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: September 05, 2023 Publisher: Bloom Pages: 592 ISBN: 9798886439298 Genre: Romance | Contemporary  Source: ARC Add to Goodreads Available for Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Synopsis: Sloane is a feisty Librarian with a lot of wit and sass. The last thing she wants to deal with at her father's funeral is her nemesis and neighbor/childhood ex-friend, Lucian. Lucian's feelings towards Sloane are mutual and even though he has no interest in being in the same room as Sloane, his loyalty to Mr. and Mrs. Walton requires him to make an appearance.

Lucian exudes wealth and power. He spends every waking moment running his empire with an iron fist and has no time for the ghosts of his past that emerge when he is back in Knockemout. He trusted Sloane with his life but she betrayed him and some things are just too hard to forgive no matter how much time passes.

Review: Omg this book! When I first started this series I was instantly drawn into Lucian's character and I've been impatiently waiting for this book so I could finally read his story. The wait was worth it! I am obsessed! I absolutely loved the witty banter between Lucian and Sloane. Every time she called him Lucifer made me chuckle. I also adored his nickname of Pixie/Pix for her.

The character growth in this book was perfection. My heart broke for Lucian and I am so happy that he finally got his happy ever after and the family that he deserves. The chemistry between the main characters was written to perfection. Seriously, there isn't one single flaw in this book. *Chefs kiss*

This book has adventure, lots of sass and witty banter, and a delicious amount of steam. Lucy sure knows how to write about intimate moments in a way that can make grown women blush and swoon. Be still my beating heart. I was torn between wanting to binge-read this and never put it down, and wanting to savor every single second so it would never end. I hate that this book is over. I hate that the series is over! I need more Knockemout in my life.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Love on the Byline

Love on the Byline (Plays and Players, #1) by Xio Axelrod Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: August 29, 2023 Publisher: Blue Box Press Pages: 292 ISBN: 9781957568683 Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads Available for Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Synopsis: Blake has dreamed of following her grandfather's footsteps of becoming a famous journalist. Unfortunately, the only job she can get is writing about celebrity gossip. So it’s no surprise when Blake gets assigned to interview and write an in-depth profile on an up-and-coming film star. Blake decides to go into the interview without any bias so she is shocked to find out that the celebrity is none other than her college classmate who she despises. What’s worse is that Oliver, her college love interest and the one who got away, is working as his manager.

Oliver never thought he would see Blake again and now that she’s walked back into his life he will stop at nothing to keep her from leaving, even if that means owning up to his feelings.

Review: I loved how this was not only a romance story but also a bit of a mystery. While the main focus is on Blake and Ollie, Blake is also working on uncovering a shady management company that seems to be exploiting and possibly trafficking children.

I loved Blake’s tenacity and perseverance. She is a go-getter and extremely focused. I loved how Ollie was the complete opposite and more go-with-the-flow. He has a gentle personality and is extremely loyal to those in his corner.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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How to Kiss a Movie Star

How to Kiss a Movie Star (Hawthorne Brothers, #4) by Jenny Proctor Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: August 18, 2023 Publisher: JPC Publishing Pages: 363 ISBN: Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads Available for Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Synopsis: Audrey is a wildlife biologist studying the migration path of elusive white squirrels. How is she supposed to know that the property she’s on belongs to a famous Hollywood actor? She’s never even heard of Flint Hawthorne until she’s almost arrested for trespassing.

Flint may be a famous Hollywood star but he has moved back to his hometown in Silver Creek, NC looking for a quieter and simpler life. Now he is looking for a date to the premiere of his new movie and Audrey would make the perfect fake girlfriend, except Flint’s feelings for Audrey are anything but fake.

Review: This is my favorite Jenny Proctor, ever! I love the entire Hawthorne Brother series but Flint’s story is probably my favorite out of them all. I was so bummed to see this series end but it went out on a high note.

Audrey is one of my favorite JP characters to date. I love her nerdy biologist side and how she doesn’t care about celebrity gossip. She is incredibly smart and loyal to her friends and family.

Flint’s character was hard to get a read on in the other stories so I enjoyed getting to see his true personality in this book. He may be a famous actor but he doesn’t care about any of the fame and fortune that comes with it.

The chemistry and tension between Flint and Audrey was perfection. There was not a single thing I disliked about this book. It’s definitely going on my favorites list.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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How to Make Your Enemy Fall for You

How to Make Your Enemy Fall for You (How to Rom-Com, #6) by Camilla Evergreen Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: August 01, 2023 Publisher: Indie Pages: 306 ISBN: 9798396443242 Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads Available for Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Synopsis: Melanie and Desmond have known each other since grade school but as far as Melanie is concerned, Desmond has always been her enemy even though Desmond has been hiding his secret feeling for Mel the entire time. 

Melanie is recently divorced and recovering from her abusive marriage. Not only is she struggling in her personal life, but she is also in breach of her contract to write one more self-help book. Now her enemy Desmond, who also happens to be her editor, is pestering her to get it done and the only inspiration she has is to make the book about him.

Review: This is a satirical rom-com but also includes mentions some heavy topics. This is the second book I have read in the series and I am definitely becoming a Camilla fangirl. I love the brutal and raw personalities that these characters have. It's more of a dark romance because the characters are flawed and often have some really heavy mental baggage they are dragging along. While this story had tons of witty banter and laugh-out-loud humor, it also had raw parts that made me cry. My heart hurt at times reading this but it was well worth it to go on this journey of self-discovery with Melanie.

I thought Camilla did a fantastic job talking about consent, and her portrayal of Melanie's mental state as a victim of abuse and sexual assault felt realistic. My only wish is that therapy would have been mentioned and included as part of Mel's treatment. Having a best friend and a boyfriend who are understanding and supportive is great but it's not enough to help Mel work through the actual trauma she experienced. 

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Wild About My Neighbor

Wild About My Neighbor (Wild About You, #4) by Anne William Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: August 08, 2023 Publisher: Indie Pages: 194 ISBN: 9798856011769 Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads Available for Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Synopsis: Nova has lived her entire life on the safe side, always too apprehensive to make big decisions. When Nova ends up with her heart broken, she decides to move to a small town to open up a bakery instead of moving to the city to be a prestigious chef. When Nova meets her handsome neighbor, Luke, the local veterinarian, she can't help but feel an instant attraction. To protect her heart, Nova goes out of her way to avoid Luke at all costs, that is until she finds herself in a pickle and Luke is the only one who can help her.

Review:This was my first book by Anne William and it did not disappoint. This is book 4 in the series but can be read as a stand-alone. I genuinely enjoyed it, so I will be going back to read the others.

I love the relationship Nova and Luke have with their friends and town folk. It’s very endearing and sweet. I love a good “he falls first” romance but parts of this felt a bit rushed. However, it is a shorter story, more like a novella, so of course things are going to move at a faster pace. I just wish there was a bit more build-up between the characters but I understand why there wasn’t.

I enjoyed the witty banter between Luke and Nova. I also really liked Anne’s writing style and her attention to detail. Her flow was very enjoyable and it made this a quick and fun read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Holly vs. Mr. Ivy

Holly vs. Mr. Ivy (Christmas in Connecticut, #3) by Amanda P. Jones Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: July 5, 2023 Publisher: Indie Pages: 291 ISBN:  Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads Available for Purchase: Amazon

 

Synopsis: Holly is an executive chef at a notable restaurant who is also caring for her sick mother. Her staff sees her as nothing but an ice queen, but Holly has a strict rule not to be friendly with her staff because she knows they’ll take advantage of her niceness.

Rhett is a happy-go-lucky general manager at the restaurant, looking to prove himself to his uncle so that one day he can open his own business. When his uncle tasks him with improving the restaurant’s revenue by the end of the year, Rhett must try and get on Holly’s good side, or else they both might end up out of a job.

Review:I am a sucker for a holiday romance! Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year. I was so excited to read this; look how adorable the cover is! This book exceeded my expectations, and I had a really hard time putting it down!

I found Holly’s character to be really relatable. She has a hard time letting people get too close to her, and that can often come across as standoffish and icy to other people. I love how throughout the story, she was open to change and worked really hard on being a better person. She saw so much growth throughout the book!

Rhett’s character was really sweet and endearing. Even though he comes across as this carefree, happy-go-lucky guy, I could still feel the pain inside him that he kept hidden. Like so many of us, he hid away his darkest parts out of fear of rejection.

I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a love story featuring reverse grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers, and forbidden romance, that takes place in the fall leading up to Christmas.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Rainbow State

Rainbow State by Mariah Ashley Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: June 27, 2023 Publisher: Indie Pages: 404 ISBN: 9798988141709 Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads Available for Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Synopsis: Jade may be growing up on a gorgeous Hawaiian island, but her life has been anything but paradise. Grieving the death of her mother and blaming her father for the accident, Jade has resigned herself to a life of loneliness. To make matters worse, Jade is a social outcast, so the very last thing she wants is for her crush, DJ, and bully, Laila, to know just how weird she is. But then weird things start to happen; secret notes, visits from a ghost, and the startling realization that 15 years ago, her parents were survivors of a shipwreck, and not all of the deaths were drownings. Jade will need to team up with DJ and Laila to help uncover the truth, but sometimes it feels easier if the truth remains hidden.

Review:Omg, I loved this book!! I wasn’t sure what to expect going into it, and then I was hooked and could not put it down. I loved the mystery and magical realism. The whole time I kept saying, “Just one more chapter” because I NEEDED to know what happened. I got sort of Now & Then vibes mixed in with a little bit of We Were Liars. This book is the perfect summer read! I’m also still in shock that this is a DEBUT novel.

Jade is such a strong and mature character! She’s only 15 but has been through so much. Her decision-making was questionable at times - because she’s a kid and still learning, but her growth over the summer makes it all worth it.

I loved every single character in this book, but Benny and Kileona stole my heart. ❤️ I also loved that this story really focuses on friendship, learning how to be a friend, and self-acceptance. Adding in an element of first love for the MC and a second chance romance for two other characters was a bonus.

Mariah is going on my auto-buy author list; that’s how amazing this book is!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Blurred Lines

Blurred Lines by Marion De Ré Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: June 29, 2023 Publisher: Indie Pages: 319 ISBN: 9798392419180 Genre: Romance | Contemporary | Adult Source: ARC Add to Goodreads Available for Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Synopsis: Estranged from her father for over 20 years, Mel doesn’t do relationships to protect her heart. When she meets a gorgeous man named Braden, who suggests they become friends with benefits, Mel jumps at the chance. But the lines start to blur when Mel ends up on bedrest, and Braden starts showing up at her house with food. To shake things up further, Mel’s dad is trying to get back into her life, and his right-hand man at work is none other than Braden.

Review:I really enjoyed this book!! It’s definitely a rom-com in the truest sense of the term - there is a lot of witty banter! The romance was swoony, but don’t let that fool you - some weightier topics are discussed. Mel works as a professional dancer and has famous friends, so her life feels very Hollywood. It’s the perfect mental escape into the land of the rich and famous.

This book is deliciously steamy but with fade-to-black scenes. There are lots of innuendos and discussions around sex, but we never see anything except kissing. I loved the chemistry between Mel and Braden. *Cough* Bathroom scene. *Clears throat*

I loved Mel. Having had a rough relationship with my father, I really could relate to Mel’s feelings and the emotional rollercoaster she experienced when her father tried to get back into her life.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Emma and the Grumpy Baker

Emma and the Grumpy Baker (Amelia Island Sisters, #1) by Nova Avery Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: June 21, 2023 Publisher: Indie Pages: 192 ISBN: 9798399346700 Genre: Romance | Contemporary | Adult Source: ARC Add to Goodreads Available for Purchase: Amazon

 

Synopsis: Emma has dreamed of owning a bakery for as long as she can remember. Finally, after years of hard work, her dream is coming true! But then the unthinkable happens - another bakery opens RIGHT next to hers, and as if that isn’t bad enough - the owner is her ex!

Liam considers Emma the one that got away. It was her love of baking that ignited his. He decides to open a cookie bakery in homage to Emma and the memories he has of baking together. If he had known another bakery was going in next door and that it belonged to Emma, he never would have opened his in the first place.

Review: How adorable is this cover?! I’ve read so many romance books lately that involve baking that I think it’s time I quit my job and open a bakery.

Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but I didn’t really find Liam to be all that grumpy. He seemed like a nice, caring guy and felt genuine. Sometimes he was a little snarky with Emma, but that was usually in reaction to her words and behavior.

Emma was a fun character! She is so quirky and adorable. I wish I could bake with her; she makes it sound so fun and enjoyable.

Miscommunication is one of my least favorite tropes, but it worked for this book. It was just a short part of the storyline and not the entire book.

This book is super lighthearted and fun. It’s a quick read with really amazing characters. It’s a clean romance (Oh my ganache!) and only has kissing.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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