Runaway Bride and Prejudice

Runaway Bride and Prejudice (Appies, #5) by Emma St. Clair Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: August 28, 2024 Publisher: Indie Pages: 418 ISBN: 9798989027651 Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads

Synopsis: Van and Amelia have instant chemistry when they meet in a bar. But when Van finds out Amelia is his coach’s daughter, he hightails it out of there and spends the next several months trying to forget she exists until he receives an invitation to the wedding. On the day of the wedding Van ends up finding the groom with his pants down and the maid of honor blushing. Van may be the mouthy bad boy but he doesn’t tolerate cheating and demands the groom come clean to Amelia before the ceremony. The day doesn’t turn out quite as he expected because he finds himself driving the getaway car with the bride as his passenger princess.

Review: I have been a huge fan of the Apples since book one in the Sweater Weather series. Van has been a favorite character of mine because I loved his bad boy image and sassy mouth. When I found out Emma was writing Van’s story and I was finally going to dive into Van’s world, I was beyond ecstatic.

Emma did not disappoint with this book! It had everything I want in a romance; witty banter, swoon-worthy moments, and amazing chemistry between the characters. I laughed-out-loud at many moments and had tears in my eyes during others. The sweet moments and vulnerability makes this book an absolute joy to read.

The storyline kept me hooked from beginning to end and is a must-read for anyone who loves the bad boy x good girl trope.

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

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Actually Yours

Actually Yours (All Yours, #1) by Belinda Mary Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: June 28, 2024 Publisher: H&J Publishing Pages: 261 ISBN: 9780645694291 Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads

Synopsis: Amelia Anderson is tired of being the only single girl in her friend group. Unfortunately, Amelia has never had good luck when it comes to dating but her friends have a plan for that, they’re going to set her up on a bunch of dates so she can find Mr Right. Each date seems more disastrous than before and Amelia finds Jake coming to her rescue every time.

Jake Johnson has been interested in Amelia since the very first day he met her. Unfortunately, Amelia only had eyes for his brother. But now Amelia is single again and back in his life stirring up all those feelings from before. She should be off-limits but he can’t help jumping to her rescue when she needs him.

Review: This story is a total delight! I found the writing fun, engaging, and full of heartwarming moments that hit just right. Amelia’s journey is super relatable, and you can’t help but cheer for her! The side characters are awesome, adding lots of color and fun to the story. The romance is sweet and just the right amount of swoon-worthy.

Jake is charming, and kind, and has a way of making Amelia (and readers!) swoon. Their chemistry is electric, and watching their relationship grow is a true highlight.

Belinda’s storytelling is a joy, capturing the magic of love and friendship perfectly. This is a must-read if you want a feel-good book that’s also full of life lessons.

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

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Not Safe for Work

Not Safe for Work (California Love, #2) by Lindsey Lanza Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: June 18, 2024 Publisher: Indie Pages: 354 ISBN: 9798218370442 Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads

Synopsis: Olivia Diamond may be the heiress to a wine vineyard but her life working on the sales team of a tech startup could not be duller. She’s the only female on her team and the promotion she has been working so hard for may not come unless she agrees to date a client to close a deal.

Gavin Scott has had his eyes on Olivia since he first interviewed her for the position. He’s kept his feelings under wraps but when he finds out Olivia’s client keeps asking her out, he steps up to be her fake boyfriend so the client will back down.

Review: Lindsey became an auto-buy author for me after I read her first book, Speechless. This is her third book and it did not disappoint! It was engaging from start to finish. The chemistry between the characters was absolute perfection. There are some really sweet scenes and some deliciously spicy moments. I really enjoyed all of the humor and banter.

This is my very first women-in-tech read but I loved Lindsey’s depiction of female struggles in male-dominated workplaces/industries. The boys-club culture was really toxic but necessary for the storyline. Olivia is such a strong character, I really enjoyed seeing how she navigated the work culture and never gave up.

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

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Over the Limit

Over the Limit Full Throttle, #3 by K. Bromberg Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: June 13, 2024 Publisher: JKB Publishing, LLC Pages: 328 ISBN: 9781942832768 Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads

Synopsis: Lachlan Evans is an Australian F1 racer (total honey badger vibes - iykyk) who has spent his career with one ideology, the team comes first. This is a huge year for Lachlan as his contract is up for renewal and Apex Racing has not had a great start to the season. He needs to put his head down and focus if he hopes to have a seat next season. Normally focusing wouldn’t be a problem but tensions are high within the team and with his teammate. It also doesn’t help that he has his eyes on the beautiful curvy Blair Carmichael. There’s only one problem, Blair is his teammate’s ex and also the event coordinator for Apex Racing, and being together could ruin both of their careers.

Review: Oh gosh, I love this series so much! I have read a couple of other F1 romances but K. Bromberg writes the best ones! This book is perfect for both F1 fans and those who have never watched it. A Majority of the book is focused off-track so you don’t have to be a racing fan to enjoy the storyline.

Lachlan and Blair are extremely lovable - you want to root for them right from the beginning. I loved Lachlan’s soft vulnerable side, it was refreshing because typically F1 drivers have alpha personalities. My favorite thing was witnessing Blair’s growth throughout the story.

There are some really sweet scenes, some laugh-out-loud moments (golf cart racing!), and some deliciously spicy moments. This is the third book in the Full Throttle series but can be read as a stand-alone.

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

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Riding the Sugar High

Riding the Sugar High (Love & Other Recipes, #3) by Letizia Lorini Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: May 24, 2024 Publisher: Indie Pages: 484 ISBN: 9789198853315 Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads

 

Synopsis: Primrose Bellevue is a vegan candy influencer known as Sugar High. She is curvy, confident, and loves all things pink. Struggling with a very public break-up, Prim decides to confront her ex but ends up accidentally setting his yard on fire. Terrified of going to jail or being known as a stalker, she takes off into the woods and ends up stumbling into a mysterious man she met earlier in the day. 

Logan Coleman may be a known bad boy and criminal but the last thing he wants is to get caught stealing his neighbor's piglets. There’s no way he will be able to talk himself out of this one and stay out of jail. But when a real-life Barbie comes running into his life, he starts to hatch a plan that may just save both of them.

Review: This book perfectly captures the magic of opposites attracting. The story follows the eternally cheerful Prim who brightens the world around her, and Logan—a grumpy but lovable character who can’t help but be charmed by Prim’s personality.

The chemistry between the characters is electric, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and touching scenes that tug at your heartstrings. The witty banter and sweet moments of vulnerability make this book an absolute joy to read.

The storyline kept me hooked from beginning to end and is a must-read for anyone who loves the grumpy sunshine trope. The spicy romance will have you fanning yourself and eagerly turning the pages. This story perfectly balances steamy scenes with emotional depth and I enjoyed seeing the character development throughout the series.

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

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On the Edge

On the Edge Full Throttle, #2 by K. Bromberg Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: January 18, 2024 Publisher: JKB Publishing, LLC Pages: 320 ISBN: 9781942832751 Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads

Synopsis: Cruz Navarro is a famous F1 driver who is also known as being a bit of a playboy. Terrified of commitment, Cruz has never been serious about any relationship and is just here to have a good time. But when a huge sponsor considers walking away, Cruz will do anything to close the deal, even if that means securing a fake girlfriend and putting his partying days behind him.

Maddix is trying to seek approval from her boss with big dreams of working for an advertising firm in the city. When she begs her supervisor to let her sit in on a huge meeting, the last thing she expects is for the famous F1 driver to choose her as his new fake girlfriend.

Review: F1 and fake dating? Heck yeah! This was the absolute perfect book to read in the off-season. The characters are very lovable and well-developed, they both show tremendous growth over the storyline.

There are some really sweet scenes, some laugh-out-loud moments (lawnmower racing!), and some deliciously spicy moments. This is the second book in the Full Throttle series but can absolutely be read as a stand-alone.

This book is perfect for both F1 fans and those who have never watched it. I've read other books with F1 and the author made up tracks, put races in January, and had very little accuracy. Thankfully, this book is not like that! The author does a great job of explaining the basics without it being overwhelming but for those who love the sport, it was refreshing to read something that was accurately written.

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

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Claus and Effect

Claus and Effect by Piper Rayne Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: November 14, 2023 Publisher: Indie Pages: 253 ISBN: 9798887142371 Genre: Romance | Contemporary Source: ARC Add to Goodreads

Synopsis: Tessa and Tre are complete opposites. Tre is trying to get home to Portland to see his family for Christmas. Tessa has no family but sets off across the US in the hopes of finding true love and her forever family. When a series of mishaps put a wrench into their plans, the duo are forced to rent a car together in the hopes of driving to Portland. It seems like everything that can go wrong does or maybe it’s just the universe working to keep these two together long enough so they go from strangers to lovers.

Review: I love a cheesy holiday romance! Toss in a strangers-to-lovers trope and a road trip to get home for the holidays, and I am hooked. I could see this playing out in my head like a Hallmark Christmas movie and there were a lot of hilarious parts that made me chuckle.

What I liked the most: I loved the witty banter between the main characters. Tessa was a very lovable character. It was impossible not to root for her and wish for that happy ever after.

What I didn’t like: The ending felt very rushed. It started with the scene of them together in Portland at the hotel and then sped up fast. I wish it was a bit slower with more details and background. It seemed to take forever to get to Portland but then suddenly when they made it, everything went fast.

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

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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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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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