Merritt and Her Childhood Crush

Merritt and Her Childhood Crush (Oakley Island, #2) by Emma St. Clair & Jenny Proctor Emma: Website | Twitter | Instagram Jenny: Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: January 31, 2023 Publisher: Independently Published Pages: 324 ISBN: 9798374821864 Genre: Contemporary | Romance Source: ARC (ebook) Add to Goodreads Available for Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Synopsis: Merritt hasn't been back to Oakley island since she was a teenager, well technically not since That One Night but she doesn't talk about that. Merritt was perfectly happy in New York, being a strong no-nonsense woman with a nice apartment, work friends, and her boyfriend. But when her life suddenly implodes, she finds herself heading back to Oakley Island to oversee the renovations of her late grandmother's house.

Hunter hasn't seen Merritt since he was a teenager and she dropped a bombshell on him, broke his heart, and then never came back or looked back. 

Review: This story is so incredibly sweet and charismatic. It's a closed-door romance, with no swearing, and very little steam/heat (though the interest is there - they just keep it PG), and it's told with a dual POV. I really enjoyed getting to see both Merritt's and Hunter's sides of the story. 

Also, how adorable is this cover? I mean, it's pink! Of course, it's adorable! I love pink covers so much and then add in cartoon characters and I'm here for it. This is also a second-chance romance, who doesn't love a second-chance romance with a HEA? 

As for the characters, Merritt is such an interesting character. I really felt like I could relate to her, and I saw so much of myself in her. That fierce drive and determination while also hiding away vulnerable parts of yourself. There was one part at the beginning of the book when Merritt is picturing (hearing) her late grandmother's words and her grandmother describes Merritt as a turtle, a hard exterior shell to protect her vulnerable insides. That part of the story was so relatable to me.

"I would rather risk everything for a chance than live another moment without you in my arms."

        - Emma St. Clair & Jenny Proctor, Merritt and Her Childhood Crush

This was my first Emma St. Clair book but not my first Jenny Proctor Book. I really enjoy Jenny's (and Emma's) writing style and found this book to be really sweet with well-developed characters and idyllic scenery. 

Overall I give this book 4 stars because I loved the plot, I enjoyed the characters, and the storyline was very engaging. I can't wait to see what happens next in this series, I am going to go back and read Eloise's story and I am excited to read about Sadie's story when book three comes out next year. 

I received this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Love, Lilly

Love, Lilly (Love Always, #1) by Belinda Mary Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: March 21, 2023 Publisher: H&J Publishing Pages: 292 ISBN: 9780645694215 Genre: Contemporary | Romance Source: ARC (ebook) Add to Goodreads Available for Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Synopsis: Lilly has had a secret crush on Oliver, her best friend Amy's older brother since she was a kid. But Lilly will never act on that crush because Oliver is also her best friend and completely out of her league. Oliver is kind, reliable, organized, and knows what he wants from life. Lilly is quirky, messy, disorganized, and flies by the seat of her pants. She's often finding herself in predicaments that end with Oliver having to rescue her.

Oliver has been pining for Lilly ever since he was a teenager, but he knows his sister's best friend is totally off-limits. Plus, Lilly and Oliver are nothing alike. He never makes rash decisions but whenever he is around Lilly, he finds himself making rash decisions. That's how he ended up being Lilly's fake date/boyfriend to her ex's wedding. What could possibly go wrong?

Review: I first came across this book and it drew me in because of the cover, it's adorable! I am a complete sucker for books with pink covers, romance books with cartoon characters, and hello - this is a book about baking which is also a favorite hobby of mine. Then bonus points, this book has all of my absolute favorite tropes; fake dating, friends to lovers, best friends brother, and one bed. Sign me up!

As for the characters, Lilly is such a fun character! She is like a ball of sunshine and yes, her life is messy but she is so sweet and trying her best. You can't help but wish she was your best friend and root for her to get the guy. Oliver is the absolute most perfect book boyfriend, ever. He is so sweet, so caring, and super supportive. Seriously, we all need a Lilly and Oliver in our lives.

I loved all the baking, and the entrepreneur Lilly becomes. I love how she finds herself and needs to learn to love herself before she can let someone else love her. Perfect messaging! 

“If you don't feel you deserve love, then you won't be able to receive it either." 
― Belinda Mary, Love, Lilly

        “I wish you could see the person I see when I look at you."
         ― Belinda Mary, Love, Lilly

I can't even adequately explain how much I enjoyed this book. This is Belinda's first book, and definitely not her last. It's a closed-door romance with no steam but lots of swoon. 

Overall I give this book 4 stars because I loved the plot, I enjoyed the characters, and the storyline was very engaging. I can't wait to see what happens next in this series, I am really excited to read about Amy and her very own McDreamy (or is it McSteamy? I never watched Grey's!).

I received this eARC from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.

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Speechless

Speechless by Lindsey Lanza Website | Twitter | Instagram Publication Date: January 17, 2023 Publisher: Independently Published Pages: 328 ISBN: 9784088044377 Genre: Contemporary | Romance Source: Kindle Unlimited Add to Goodreads Available for Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Synopsis: Lucy Gold may write fairy tales for a living but her life is anything but one. Looking for a fresh start after her divorce, she sets out to Los Angeles with her service dog. Right before boarding the plane, her living arrangements fall through and just when Lucy begins to realize she is now homeless, a handsome stranger comes to her rescue and offers her a place to stay at his Malibu mansion.

Henry Turner is at the peak of his career as an award-winning composer but his crippling anxiety prevents him from living the life he wants. On a whim and in a moment of compassion, he steps outside his comfort zone and invites Lucy (a complete stranger) to stay at his house with him and his bandmates. 

Review: Omg! I am OBSESSED with this book. Seriously, obsessed! I feel like I can't actually form a coherent sentence when it comes to describing the magic that is Speechless - how ironic. It has so many wonderful tropes: meet cute, forced proximity, mental health representation, chronic illness representation, Jewish representation,  slow burn, dual point of view, and found family.

The chemistry between the characters is absolute perfection. Speechless is such a beautiful story about healing, overcoming insecurities and fear, and the relationship/love between friends, family, and lovers. This book features some heavy topics (chronic illness and mental health) but it leaves the reader with a sense of optimism and empathy.

"I'm starting to realize that finding the perfect partner or having the perfect family isn't an ending at all. It's more like the prologue. What happens next is the story. And I'm finally feeling like my story isn't over, that maybe it hasn't even begun." - Lindsey Lanza, Speechless

This is Lindsey's debut novel and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. I have a feeling she will be an auto-buy author for me! I had to give this book 5 beautiful stars. That's how much I loved it. I had the hardest time putting this book down to go to sleep because I enjoyed it so much. Thank you to my book club, Matzah Book Soup, for choosing this amazing novel as the February read. I may not have read this book otherwise and that would be a real shame because it's easily one of my favorite books ever.

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How to Kiss Your Best Friend

   

How to Kiss Your Best Friend
(Hawthorne Brothers, #1)

by Jenny Proctor

Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: May 24, 2022
Publisher: Four Petal Press
Pages: 307
ISBN: 9798830887472
Genre: Contemporary | Romance
Source: ARC (ebook)

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Available for Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Synopsis: Kate and Brody have been best friends forever. They were practically inseparable as kids but then Kate took off to travel the world and be a journalist. Brody has finally decided to move on once and for all but then Kate shows up back in town (temporarily) and his old feelings start to surface. Can Brody convince Kate to stay once and for all?

Review: Omg!  This is just the cutest love story ever. I am a sucker for friends-to-lovers and small-town romance. This entire story gave me total Hallmark movie vibes. I love the dual POV, I find that makes the story more relatable when you can see inside both characters instead of it being just one-sided.

I love the relationship Brody has with his brothers. His family felt very relatable and I was instantly drawn into their dynamic. The fact that there is going to be an entire series with his brothers makes me giddy. Can those all be available now? Mmkay, thanks! I couldn't put this book down, I just devoured it and it gave me all the feels. Seriously, could Brody be any sweeter?! He is just adorably perfect.

“I thought about you every day, Kate,” he says softly into my hair. "I never stopped thinking about you."
― Jenny Proctor, How to Kiss Your Best Friend

I can't even adequately explain how much I love this book. The story might be closed-door romance but it is not lacking in steam. This was my first Jenny Proctor book and it definitely won't be my last, I will read anything she writes, that's how good it is.

Overall I give this book 4 stars because I loved the plot, I enjoyed the character development, and the storyline was very engaging. I can't wait to see what happens next in this series.

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The Fate She Sees

      

The Replacement Wife

by Allie Davies

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Publication Date: Mar 9, 2022
Publisher: Alison Glossop
Pages: 315
ISBN: 9781739727918
Genre: Thriller | Suspense | Psychological
Source: ARC (ebook)

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Available for Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Synopsis: Emily is struggling. She has been dealing with something traumatic while also trying to salvage her fractured marriage. She knows her husband is withdrawing more and more so she hires a private investigator to follow him and uncover his secrets. But then strange things start to happen to her. Late one night on the Tube, Emily encounters a man who claims to be psychic and asks to read her palm. At first, Emily is reluctant but then at the last minute, she changes her mind. The psychic predicts that within a month three people will betray her and that he mentions that he sees a gun pointed at her head. Emily originally doubts the man and his predictions, that is until they start coming true.

Emily starts trying to put the pieces together to figure out what her husband is really up to, who is the mysterious person that seems to be following her and hanging outside her house, and who is this psychic really?

Review: I'm shocked that this is Allie's debut novel. The writing is really good, what a fantastic debut novel. I ended up plowing through this book because every time I got to the end of one chapter, I had to keep going to see what the next chapter would bring.

I love when the narrator is unreliable. Especially when other factors come into play such as alcohol or in this case, going off anti-depressants cold-turkey. It makes it incredibly hard to trust the character and as a reader, you spend a lot of time wondering what is real and what isn't. I spent the entire time trying to figure out and guess what was happening, trying to put all the pieces of this puzzle back together to see the full picture. This is one of those books where you think you understand the connections and bigger picture, but when you get to the end you realize you had it very wrong. 

“They whisper in hard tones, probably hoping they cannot be heard over the thunderous rumble of the Tube. It's obvious they are in the midst of a heated discussion. He's staring into her eyes. I recognise the forced expression that appears on his face when he says, 'There's no one else.' Yes, I know that look.”
― Allie Davies, The Fate She Sees

I really enjoyed Emily's character. She was very relatable and it was easy to get sucked into her mind and experience her feelings. 

Overall I give this book 3.5 stars because I loved the plot, I enjoyed the character development, and the storyline was very engaging. I can't wait to see what Allie writes next.

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