This was an adorable witchy read featuring the second chance romance trope.
This book has: -A shy introverted heroine and an extroverted sunshine heroThis was an adorable witchy read featuring the second chance romance trope.
This book has: -A shy introverted heroine and an extroverted sunshine hero -The friends to lovers trope with (seemingly) unrequited love from one of the parties -Forced proximity and the marriage of convenience trope -An “it’s always been you” scene -Betrayal trope in the third act
If you’re looking for a steamy supernatural romance with intriguing family dynamics and an opposites attract couple, this is the book for you!
Thank you to Harlequin for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of those books that should have been funny and charming but instead fell completely flat. I was expecting all of the tension that a Romeo This is one of those books that should have been funny and charming but instead fell completely flat. I was expecting all of the tension that a Romeo and Juliet, star crossed lovers stuck in the middle of a family feud promises but this book sadly didn’t deliver. The family conflict felt immature and dominated the storyline over the romance between the leads. There was no build up or tension between the leads which felt like a missed opportunity since they hadn’t connected since high school. Overall, this book was a miss for me and I struggled to get through it.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that I couldn’t put down and I’m glad to report that this is a book that’s worth staying up for! I devoured tIt’s been a while since I’ve read a book that I couldn’t put down and I’m glad to report that this is a book that’s worth staying up for! I devoured this book and adored the romance between Sally and Noah.
This book has such a unique premise. It’s set on an SNL type late night show and our heroine is a show writer and the hero is the musical guest star. Sally and Noah’s interactions gave me literal butterflies. The chemistry between the pair came right off the page and the banter was so charming.
If you’re looking for a slow-burn romance with the celebrity romance trope, I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A lead heroine in STEM, an artist hero, friends to lovers, and a slow burn??? The premise of this book sounded amazing but unfortunately it missed theA lead heroine in STEM, an artist hero, friends to lovers, and a slow burn??? The premise of this book sounded amazing but unfortunately it missed the mark for me in the romance department.
I feel like this would’ve been better categorized as women’s fiction rather than a romance. I was so much more invested in Lark’s journey and her friendship dynamics than I was in her relationship with Toby. Lark and Toby as a couple fell completely flat to me. There was no tension or pining that I love to see in the friends to lovers trope. Overall, this wasn’t a total miss for me but it’s not what I was looking for in a romance book.
Thank you to Alcove Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love a good historical romance and this book did not disappoint! Poppy and Keane’s relationship was super sweet and seeing them team up to solve theI love a good historical romance and this book did not disappoint! Poppy and Keane’s relationship was super sweet and seeing them team up to solve the mystery of Keane’s attack was a delight. If you enjoy low angst romances and no third act breakup (I mean who doesn’t love that?) then this is the book for you.
This book has: • A meet cute (sort of). He washes up on her beach and she rescues him (this is a reoccurring theme throughout the book and I was HERE for it) • A cinnamon role hero who would do anything to make the heroine happy • Tons of forced proximity • The forbidden romance trope
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’m so glad that this was my first read of 2023 because this book checked all of the boxes for me. This book was laugh out loud funny, had a flirty, oI’m so glad that this was my first read of 2023 because this book checked all of the boxes for me. This book was laugh out loud funny, had a flirty, outspoken heroine, and featured the enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and boy falls first tropes which I adore.
Justine finds herself in small town Polston Falls after a bad breakup with her boyfriend. In need of a change, Justine begins working at a local appliance store when she meets Garrett, a big city developer who poses as an interested buyer. Justine and Garrett have instant chemistry but it isn’t long until Justine finds out that Garrett is aiming to buy out local businesses for his company’s redevelopment plans. Garrett quickly goes from a potential suitor to enemy number one and she sets out to undermine him at every turn.
I love a good workplace rivalry and enemies to lovers and this book delivered on both fronts. The forced proximity made every interaction between Justine and Garrett full of major pining and I couldn’t get enough of them.
Thank you to Valentine PR for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes: brothers best friend, enemies to lovers, and forced proximity.
This book is a cute vacation romance that features a slow burn between two enemTropes: brothers best friend, enemies to lovers, and forced proximity.
This book is a cute vacation romance that features a slow burn between two enemies on a work vacation. Luisa is a career focused copywriter who is the total opposite of her brothers best friend Ed, a photographer who Luisa believes the worst of. The two are thrown together on a work trip and as they spend more time together, Luisa soon questions everything that she ever thought about Ed.
It took me a while to get into it but I’m glad I stuck with it because the romance between the leads was steamy. Luisa and Ed had amazing chemistry and I loved seeing their relationship unfold. While I adored Ed, I unfortunately disliked the heroine and found her to be very immature. In the third act, the characters experience a major miscommunication relating to Luisa’s best friend and her baby which I was not a fan of. Overall, this was a quick read that I didn’t absolutely love but I still enjoyed some elements of the book, mainly the chemistry between the leads.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I came for the gorgeous cover and stayed for all of the angsty witchy romance. This was a fun read featuring the enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine,I came for the gorgeous cover and stayed for all of the angsty witchy romance. This was a fun read featuring the enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine, and opposites attract tropes.
Tilda Sherwood is a member of one of the most powerful witch families in the world. She’d have it made, if only she had her magical abilities. Tilda is considered an outcast in the magical community and finds herself being investigated by her enemy Gil Connolly, who is secretly a double agent for both The Council and The Resistance. Gil and Tilda have always been at odds with one another until their magic goes haywire and they find that their true desires can no longer be hidden.
The chemistry between Tilda and Gil was off the charts. Seeing them struggle to fight their undeniable chemistry was ✨angsty✨ and I was SO here for it. I would’ve loved to have gotten flashbacks of the two in the past so we could’ve seen more of their backstory. Overall, I’m a sucker for grumpy heroes who are cinnamon roles for their love interest and this book delivered on that front. This is the perfect escapist read to give you all of the supernatural vibes you need for the autumn season!
Thank you to Netgalley and Valentine PR for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a sweet story about rediscovering ones self. Set in a beautiful Montana national park Cat Cranwell, a former famous NYC socialite, learns to This was a sweet story about rediscovering ones self. Set in a beautiful Montana national park Cat Cranwell, a former famous NYC socialite, learns to embrace authentically living without worrying about social media. She finds herself drawn to Zaiah Smith, a park ranger with a distain for all things relating to Cat’s old life. Cat and Zaiah had the whole opposites attract thing going on and I would’ve loved to see more of a build up to their relationship.
This book is more women’s fiction than romance. If you’re looking for a super romantic read, this may not be the one for you as leads don’t get romantically involved until the latter half of the book. Overall this was a charming read that tackled some heavy topics (the toxicity of social media and the dangers of being overdependent on it). I enjoyed seeing the main characters personal growth and the found family that she found at the park.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A Gen X romance between two introverts??? She’s the grump and he’s a cinnamon role hero??? I ate this book up!!!
This was a sweet, slow-burn romance bA Gen X romance between two introverts??? She’s the grump and he’s a cinnamon role hero??? I ate this book up!!!
This was a sweet, slow-burn romance between Maggie, a divorcée who has recently become an empty nester, and Aiden, a caregiver to his mother who has had his fair share of heartbreak. The pair form a fast friendship after meeting in a online gaming guild and quickly become important to one another despite not meeting in person. After a hilarious miscommunication, Maggie thinks Aiden is a 20 something college student and Aiden thinks Maggie is his mothers age, the pair realize that their IRL connection is just as strong as it is online.
This is a major slow-burn and I appreciated seeing the deep friendship form between Aiden and Maggie before their romance started. Maggie is fierce, strong, and isn’t afraid to stand up for Aiden and I loved seeing her go up against some of the toxic people in his life.
If you like small town romances, reverse grumpy x sunshine, and mature characters who practice honest and open communication (I mean, who doesn’t love that?), then I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really struggled with this one and I had to DNF at 70% in. This books narration is predominately told via emails and texts which just wasn’t my cup I really struggled with this one and I had to DNF at 70% in. This books narration is predominately told via emails and texts which just wasn’t my cup of tea. The narration style and the slow pacing made this read a miss for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
Enemies to lovers??? Grumpy x sunshine??? They’ve known each other since childhood??? He’s her brothers best friend??? Fake dating??? This book had ALEnemies to lovers??? Grumpy x sunshine??? They’ve known each other since childhood??? He’s her brothers best friend??? Fake dating??? This book had ALL of the best tropes and I adored it.
This book was sweet, emotional, steamy, and portrayed mental health and trauma in such a realistic way. Indira and Jude are childhood enemies who grew up alongside each other due to Jude’s friendship with Dira’s brother Collin. Fast forward to present day and Dira, now a therapist, and Jude, a surgeon, find themselves both living at Collin’s house leading up to his wedding.
Dira and Jude were everything and so much more. Seeing them go from bickering to opening up to one another about their struggles and trauma was beautiful. They re-found each other at the exact right time and fit like two pieces of a puzzle. I loved Dira’s determination to never give up on the ones she loved and how she helped Jude realize that his trauma doesn’t mean that he is unloveable. I really appreciated how the author didn’t make the characters go through a third act breakup and instead prioritized Dira supporting Jude through a low point. ALL of the stars for positive communication between these two.
This book was so inspirational and beautiful. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for an emotional read with SO much heart and healing.
4.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I picked this up for the cover and stayed for the angsty second chance romance ✨ Elliot, a talented florist, and Ama, a dedicated wedding planner, areI picked this up for the cover and stayed for the angsty second chance romance ✨ Elliot, a talented florist, and Ama, a dedicated wedding planner, are thrown together for a wedding after going their separate ways years before. This book had dual povs (which I loved) but I wasn’t a huge fan of the dual timelines. This story goes back and forth between the present and past and we unfortunately didn’t see a lot of growth between the leads in the present. Luckily, the flashbacks highlighted the depth of their connection so they largely made up for it.
This book has: -Dual povs -A grumpy, tattooed hero who would do anything to protect the sunshine heroine -Tons of forced proximity -He falls first AND harder
Overall, this was such a cute read. If you want a fast-paced and steamy second chance romance, this is the book for you.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
**spoiler alert** Tropes: good girl x bad boy, grumpy x sunshine
This is a new adult romance with the second chance romance trope between two former h**spoiler alert** Tropes: good girl x bad boy, grumpy x sunshine
This is a new adult romance with the second chance romance trope between two former high school classmates, Claire and Aiden. It took me a while to get into this book, mostly because the pacing was really quick and we weren’t given the chance to get to know the leads as individuals (they take off to Florida together on the same night they run into each other). The third act breakup was due to a major miscommunication and it led to my least favourite trope ever, cheating. IMO this trope is always used so unnecessarily and it’s frustrating because the miscommunication would’ve been conflict enough without adding that element to it.
Overall, some aspects of this book were enjoyable but by the end of the story I wasn’t rooting for the couple so this book definitely didn’t do it for me.
2 stars
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
I love a good witchy romance and with the gorgeous cover, I couldn’t not request this book.
Essie is a witch living in Essex in a place called Beldam I love a good witchy romance and with the gorgeous cover, I couldn’t not request this book.
Essie is a witch living in Essex in a place called Beldam House, a magical disappearing house that everyone forgets about. Enter Josh, an American who has recently inherited property in Essex and is now the landlord of Beldam… if only he could locate it. Throw in a centuries old supernatural threat, time travel, and a quirky coven of witches and this book was a fun time.
While I enjoyed this book, I found myself more invested in the supernatural conflict than the romance between Essie and Josh. This book was heavy on the magical/fantasy elements and less on the romance which I was not expecting. Had the relationship between the couple been more fleshed out and not so back and forth (keep in mind the book takes place over a few weeks), I probably would’ve been more invested.
Overall, this was an interesting, spooky, and fast-paced read but the romance itself missed the mark for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes: one night stand to lovers, opposites attract, forced proximity, and good girl x bad boy
Rose Maxwell, the former Prima Apparent (basically the Tropes: one night stand to lovers, opposites attract, forced proximity, and good girl x bad boy
Rose Maxwell, the former Prima Apparent (basically the future Supreme Witch for any AHS lovers) is looking to find her new path in life after giving up her position. When she has a one night stand with Damian Adams, a grumpy half demon veterinarian, neither party thinks that they’ll cross paths again. Fast forward to Rose’s attempt to ‘rescue’ some horses from Damian’s animal sanctuary and the two are thrown together due to Rose’s mandatory community service.
Rose and Damian have magnetic chemistry from the moment they meet and they fight it at every turn which makes the angst SO good. There’s nothing I love more than characters agreeing to have a no strings attached fling only to fall head over heels in love.
This is the perfect spooky season rom com and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a fun supernatural romance!
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes: fake dating, forced proximity, and second chance romance.
This was such a fun fall read! It features a witch heroine, a merman hero, and a magTropes: fake dating, forced proximity, and second chance romance.
This was such a fun fall read! It features a witch heroine, a merman hero, and a magical little town in New Jersey where all types of supernatural beings live.
Lucy Caraway is a powerful witch who’s increasingly unsatisfied with how routine her life has become. She wishes for excitement and gets it in the form of Alex Dwyer, a merman who returns to town a decade after breaking her heart. Alex doesn’t want to settle in one place and isn’t planning to stay in town until his parents surprise him with a house that just so happens to be directly across from Lucy’s. Lucy and Alex can’t seem to stay away from each other and they soon realize that saying goodbye to one other this time around may be impossible.
This book gave me all of the spooky vibes that I needed to kick off fall and I enjoyed every minute of it!
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a second chance romance with the friends to lovers trope. I was immediately drawn in by the stunning cover but sadly this book didn’t do it foThis is a second chance romance with the friends to lovers trope. I was immediately drawn in by the stunning cover but sadly this book didn’t do it for me.
Avery and Josh were childhood best friends until Josh moved across the world and left Avery heartbroken. Fast forward ten years and Josh is suddenly back in Toronto and trying to re-enter Avery’s world. Despite being upset and questioning if Josh can be trusted to stick around, Avery forgives him in no time and their friendship quickly begins to turn romantic. IMO the lack of grovelling from the hero was a missed opportunity. The ‘will they, won’t they’ aspect of second chance romances and the tension that builds is my favourite and that just wasn’t there in this book. The characters got together so early on that the back and forth between them quickly got boring and it was difficult to stick with the story.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.