Glow Job by Kristen Bailey

 

4*

Both Ben and Chloe are workaholics in careers they love but which are wearing them down. When Ben inherits his uncle’s Spanish villa, his sisters convince him to host a retreat which turns out to be less than expected (What, no goat yoga?), but much more than Ben and his stressed out first guests could have ever hoped for. Situated on the gorgeous island of Ibiza (which the author describes so beautifully), this friends to lovers romcom had me alternating between envy, because Ben is such a perfect book boyfriend, and hilarity. There is goat-wrangling, tussles with mean girls at a beach party, DIY face masks gone wrong, and startling discoveries at a tucked away beach complete with natural mud baths. There’s also the sweet and steamy budding relationship that any red-blooded fan of the genre will thoroughly enjoy.

If you’re looking for a light-hearted, laugh out loud romance to read this summer, look no further than Kristen Bailey’s Glow Job.

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.

The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren

5*

As always, writing duo Christina Lauren have written a multi-faceted romance I couldn’t put down. If I’m recollecting correctly, this is the first time they’ve delved into science fiction (I don’t count The Soulmate Equation) and I found the premise fascinating. Workaholic Emery meets landscaper (and perfect book boyfriend) Luca at her cousin’s wedding, and it’s love at first sight despite them being polar opposites. Two months later they’re married and the story picks up on their third anniversary. It’s not until tragedy strikes that Emery realizes how out of whack her work-life balance has become, but they’re given a second chance (thanks to the invention Emery has spent her entire adult life developing), if only Luca could remember her.

For the most part, this is a relatively light-hearted romance, but there is the challenge of reconnecting & repairing their marriage, the top-secret medical research, and a compelling mystery thriller involving corporate espionage and murder. The authors have struck a perfect balance between a marriage in trouble, steamy romance, nosy neighbors, unforgettable friends (who I hope get their own book), and the villains who will stop at nothing to get their hands on Emery’s discovery. Luca is an absolutely swoonworthy cinnamon roll and Emery is a dedicated scientist and former child prodigy who chose (motivated by the grief over losing her parents) to put her work ahead of the husband she loves with a passion. My favorite parts of the book are the scenes where they realize how much they love each other and the tenderness between them. Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Gallery Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

 

5*

Every year, I eagerly anticipate Monaghan’s next romance because she has such a way of featuring mature main characters who approach love with open hearts and a degree of trepidation. (Who over the age of 30 isn’t carrying some baggage?) In Dolly All the Time, Dolly Brick and Stewart Whitfield don’t seem like the most likely couple. She’s a single mom who grew up as a townie and he’s the golden child of the wealthy family for whom the town is named. Dolly, who had to grow up too fast after her mother’s abandonment, has always put herself last, focusing her attention on her teenage son and her disabled brother, as well as helping out in the family fish market and doing necessary house repairs. Although her primary job is a kindergarten teacher, she holds down other odd jobs to ensure her son has a good life. Stewart is a workaholic who has a compulsive need to continue his family’s legacy, sacrificing a social life and any chance at love. After an adorable meet cute, he asks Dolly to fake a relationship with him to prove to his family that he is responsible and settled enough to run the company after his father’s retirement. What could possibly go wrong?

Stewart, despite his questionable choices in the third act, is the perfect book boyfriend. I love the way Monaghan built their relationship and gave Dolly such strength of character, even as she doubted she would ever fit into his world. Secondary characters like their family and Dolly’s friend Naomi are well-drawn and are an integral part of the romance-building. As someone who “summered” in Rhode Island, I appreciate the seaside setting as well. If you like mature romances with a hint of fairy tale, I highly recommend this delightful book.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from G.P. Putnam’s Sons through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.