Knowing that the TV adaptation of Every Summer After had premiered and that most book readers felt it strayed too far from the original, I decided to read the book instead of watching, and I’m so glad I did. Seeing as Christina Lauren’s Love and Other Words is one of my top five romances, it makes sense that I absolutely adored this book that many reviewers have compared it to. My favorite tropes are childhood friends to lovers and second chance romance, so it’s no surprise that I couldn’t put this one down.
As teens, it’s so easy to misinterpret texts and emails and expect the worst, but in hindsight, as adults, realize that decisions were made with incomplete knowledge due to poor communication skills. There were some doozies in this story that further complicated Sam and Percy’s relationship, but after more than a decade’s separation, these two beautiful people finally reunite for his mother’s funeral. They have a lot of baggage, but the hope is that they can find resolution and forgiveness and work their way back to each other.
Fortune has drawn beautiful, flawed characters and uses the setting of the Canadian lake to full effect. The chemistry is palpable, the dialogue flows, and the dual timeline in Percy’s voice works seamlessly. Now I can’t wait to read her other books. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Jove Berkley through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
4*
It was so nice to revisit the Scottish coastal village of Carso and a number of characters from Colgan’s previous books. Once I got used to the British slang and colloquial phrases scattered throughout, I was able to fully immerse myself in this double romance. As with all of Colgan’s books, there’s a big, potentially damaging problem to solve which anyone with even a basic knowledge of finance saw coming a mile away. Luckily, the village came together to make everything right.
Central to the story is the strained relationship between Janey and her daughter Essie who blames her mother for her parents’ divorce rather than her cheating father. It took a considerable amount of growing up for Essie to see the kind, caring woman that everyone else recognizes. I appreciated the mature, slow burn romance between Lowell and Janey and that the smarmy, stuck-up finance bros (including Essie’s (ex) boyfriend) got their comeuppance. Dog lovers will enjoy the subplot of a litter of puppy mutts, too. Recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Avon through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
3*
I don’t know what to think about this story, especially since I’m not a fan of heavy topics in my romances. It’s a dark romance with an MMC, Tyler, who has major baggage and the girl next door/best friend’s sister, Katie, who, despite her own grief and estrangement from her parents, still manages to be positive and bright. Initially, I thought this would be like a few other popular books on the market that feature dueling ghostwriters, but the depth of grief and guilt in Tropesick tended to overshadow the romance. I was surprised by the plot twist at the end, and couldn’t figure out what the point of it was. There are no trigger warnings, but I think there should be for addiction and accidental death. If you like romances in which a main character has a huge redemption arc, you’ll probably enjoy this story, but if you prefer less angst and a faster pace, this may not be the right choice for you.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Avon through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
5*
Gertie always saw herself as half of a whole, not complete without a partner. First, it was her late sister, Josie, and then it was Henry who asked for a “break” from their four-year relationship. Without them, she has ceased to function properly which, as an author, means total writer’s block. When her retired neighbor gets fed up hearing her wailing through the wall, she stages an intervention in the form of a manifestation ceremony. What’s on Gertie’s list? It’s to get past her writer’s block and win Henry back. Who would have guessed that a villainous character from her book series, cowboy River Oakley, would be the answer to her problems?
Is River a hallucination, an actor sent by her agent, a criminal who has broken into her apartment, or a visitor from another dimension or parallel universe? You’ll have to read Romantic Hero to find out, but, regardless of where he comes from, he’s exactly who Gertie needs. She’s quite a doormat who has a problem saying no, who swallows her anger and grief rather than getting emotional, and who bends over backwards to be the person she thinks her “other half” needs. River is just the man to set her straight and build her confidence.
I love a bit of magical realism in my romances, so I was thrilled to learn that Greenwood’s follow-up to her wonderful The Love of My Afterlife also uses the trope. Romantic Hero is a fun story with plenty of steamy scenes and an MMC who defies the stereotypical role Gertie has assigned to him. The neighbor, Mrs. Casablancas, is a hoot, and Henry is a narcissist who gets his comeuppance. Add in an adorable dog and the London setting (my favorite city), and it’s a winning combination. Share this with fans of Sarah Ready and Ashley Poston. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley Romance through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
4*
I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this new addition to the Starshine Cove series, especially since I assumed Book Four ended the series. Although I enjoyed revisiting this quirky, welcoming village, Suzie’s story wasn’t as compelling as those in the previous books. The friends to lovers romance with Guy is a very slow burn, and there is no spice if that’s your thing. They are in their forties, and have each spent their entire adulthood wandering the world solo. Not surprisingly, they consider themselves “flight risks.” Suzie has come home after about a decade and is nervous about her family’s welcome, and Guy, who has never had a family or a stable home, is visiting Starshine Cove for the first time, hoping for a chance to right a wrong. They serendipitously meet while she’s stuck up a tree, and their friendship blossoms.
The best part of the book is the reunion with Suzie’s family and the rest of the villagers. It’s like being wrapped in a warm hug. There are some trigger warnings for miscarriage, cancer, and accidental death, and there’s a big feeling of grief for much of the story. However, there are still plenty of the funny, heartwarming moments which readers of the series will appreciate. Although it could be read as a standalone, I highly encourage you to read the first four books in the series. Recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Storm Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
4*
It’s been awhile since I read one of Galen’s books and I’m glad to be reminded how much I enjoy her writing. It’s a rather unusual romance between a destitute young woman, Tamsin, and Garret, the “spare” heir to a British-Irish Earl who serendipitously meet when he keeps her from being trampled in Covent Garden one night and then buys her crushed violets for his younger sister. Tamsin had never been shown such kindness, and she never forgot him. Fast forward a couple of years and they ran into each other again. Garret found her fascinating, and she had her first impression of him confirmed. However, he’s in need of an heiress to marry, and Tamsin knows she’ll never fit in his world. Their path to happily ever after is far from smooth with run-ins with unsavory sorts, children exploited and forced into laboring as chimney sweeps, and Garret’s lackluster pursuit of a huge dowry. Contrary to what the title says, it is Garret who woos her and she’s not a shopgirl, but this takes nothing away from the story. There are several steamy scenes and some abusive situations, but at its heart, it’s a delightful opposites attract love story that fans of Sarah MacLean, Tessa Dare, and Lisa Kleypas will love. Recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley Romance through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
5*
Road Trip is so much more than I expected, and I loved it. It’s about estranged sisters who fulfill their mother’s dying wish to travel together through Ireland in the hopes they’ll reconcile. It’s also a mystery thriller centered on a painting that has been in the family for generations and determining its provenance. Was it stolen? Is it authentic? The actual story behind it is told in a series of letters between their great-grandmother who fled to America at age 18 and the younger brother she had to leave behind. It’s also a delightful romance between younger sister Maeve and a sexy Irish whiskey distiller named Liam. Who doesn’t dream of discovering love while tracing their roots?
Andrews strikes the perfect balance between the romance, the healing of Therese and Maeve’s relationship, and the sordid and tragic story behind the painting. Her characters are richly-drawn and the various locations perfectly set the stage. This would be a wonderful book to take on your summer vacation. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
