Break the Ice by Kristen Bailey

 

5*

If you’re looking for a funny, feel good Christmas story, you’ll find it with Break the Ice. When an impromptu road trip in heavy snow finds Josh and Phoebe delivering a new dog (Steve) to her sister’s family, it becomes instantly obvious that these two are polar opposites. Where graduate student Josh is quiet and pretty buttoned-up, Phoebe is a highly energetic, somewhat chaotic talker who loves to help people, projects happiness, and makes friends with a whole host of characters. My favorite scene is at The Guggenheim Museum where she befriends a colorful, elderly firecracker of a native New Yorker. What starts as a madcap adventure through the quaint villages of the UK leads to a New York City New Year’s Eve when Josh invites Phoebe to be his date for a party where he dreads running into his ex. Will this fledging relationship survive the holidays? You’ll have to read it to see.

I loved how many laugh out loud moments there are in this delightful book, especially with Steve. I also appreciate the excitement they each felt when seeing the sites for the first time. The joy Josh exuded when experiencing everything from Stonehenge to a local pub with Christmas Eve revelers was matched by the enjoyment Phoebe exhibited seeing the City’s famous landmarks. Bailey always delivers with her engaging, somewhat steamy Christmas stories and they’re not to be missed. Highly recommend!

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.

Christmas in Belgravia by Stacey Reynolds

 

5*

Book 14 of The O’Brien Tales series by Reynolds is the perfect story to add to a holiday to be read list. It features Cian, whose mother is an O’Brien, and Eira Pritchard, a preservation architect who has been hired by the firm where Cian is COO. Like all of the books in the long and wonderful series, it covers some heavy topics including accidental death of her parents, assault, and more, but central to the story is the proven belief that O’Briens find their soulmates, but only after facing major obstacles.

There is so much to love about this book. It’s set in my favorite city, London, which does Christmas better than anywhere else I have ever been; Eira and her younger brother find chosen family with the Carrington clan and her delightful colleagues; and the descriptions of the gorgeous historic hotel that the firm is restoring with Eira’s expertise is one I wish I could visit in real life.

I highly recommend not only this heartwarming romance but also the entire captivating series. However, it can be read as a standalone. There’s also a bonus novella, A Galway Christmas, featuring minor characters from previous books.

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.

Counting Down to You by Emily Stone

5*

Every Christmas season, I eagerly await Emily Stone’s newest book. Although they all have some pretty deep topics, the beautiful romances manage to balance out the emotional impact. In Counting Down to You, it is grief over the loss of a best friend. Ali is still in mourning when her boss insists she take a sabbatical, so she chooses a ski town in France, one mentioned by her late friend Robyn in a personalized advent calendar that was their holiday tradition. With its daily handwritten prompts, she assigns challenges that help Ali navigate the grief and open her life to new possibilities. She serendipitously meets Leo Brooks in London and is surprised later to find he is the manager of the resort where she has taken a temp job to help stave off time to wallow. Aside from the romance, the calendar is my favorite part of the book, a physical manifestation of a loving friendship and an aid to help with the grief process. If you love Christmas stories with a bit of angst and a bunch of emotion, I highly recommend this steamy, slow burn, grumpy-sunshine romance. Let the countdown begin!

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

The Jezebel List by Alisa Dean

 

5*

This fabulous debut novel from Alisa Dean is, to some extent, taken from real life by someone who also escaped the fundamentalist church. She has drawn her main characters with care and intention and has surrounded them with secondary characters whose individuality really shines. Yes, there is religious trauma that some might need to avoid, but the story is so full of hope, dedication, and love.

FMC Christina “escaped” her oppressive upbringing with the help of therapy and, as a final act of liberation (or defiance, depending on who you’re asking), writes her Jezebel List. “It’s a list of things I was told my whole life that I should not do. Could not do. But I can do them. So, I’m doing them.” Shortly after a serendipitous meeting with MMC Danny, he offers to help her complete the list and thus begins a beautiful romance in which they recognize that they can be their true selves. The maturity and emotional intelligence of these two is astounding. The love between them is selfless, reverent, shamelessly passionate (verrrry steamy), and supportive.

Although Christina has had therapy, it isn’t until much later that she realizes she hasn’t processed the grief. She ultimately sees that the only way through is by embracing the traumatized girl she was with the hard-fought jezebel she has become.

“I may have spent a year in trauma therapy exorcising my self-hate, but I now have to grieve everything I lost. Everything I never had. I have to grieve for the younger version of myself and all the trauma she endured.”

There is definitely a villain in Christina’s hypocritical pastor father, the perfectly awful blend of “self-loathing and self-righteousness.” However, after getting closure, Christina realizes that in the process of completing the list, she has found a new family and a home in a loving partner. Highly recommended.

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

Damned If I Do by Alexandria Bellefleur

4*

When I downloaded this ARC, it was because of my love for Bellefeur’s other books, and I shamefully didn’t pay any attention to the description. To say this is a huge departure from her norm is an understatement. Since I’m not a big fan of romantasy, it took me awhile to really get into it, but once I did, I was hooked. Having a queer demon as the FMC (most of the main characters in the book are queer, in fact) is an interesting premise that allows readers to accompany her on her journey of rediscovering her human husband of 400-plus years. It gives a whole new meaning to eternal love (a very steamy one at that). I think readers who are looking to try out romantasy will appreciate this story because it doesn’t require a lengthy commitment to world building as so many heavy tomes in the subgenre do. 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.

You'll Be the Death of Me by Holly Michelle

 

5*

You’ll Be the Death of Me is very reminiscent of the movie Just Like Heaven but with an MMC who is dead and a FMC who is in limbo between real life and the afterlife. When Cole accidentally transitions the wrong Verdella Rogers from life to death, he is tasked with going down to Earth for just 3 days to correct his mistake. All he has to do is follow the rule book. However, Dell has other ideas which break one rule after another. What will it cost them when the spirited higher-ups have had enough of the hi-jinx?

Early in the book is one of the funniest scenes I have ever read as Dell decides to haunt her ex-fiancé. There are many more humorous scenes but they’re balanced with adventure and a number of very poignant passages. Their brief time together gives them both the opportunity to reflect on their life’s choices and consider what they would do if given a second chance. You’ll have to read this delightful romance to find out if they are rewarded with a happy ending.

As a fan of ghostly romances, I was so excited to read Holly Michelle’s novel, and I am happy to recommend it to readers, especially fans of Ashley Poston and Sarah Ready.

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

An Ocean of Longing by Kennedy Kerr (Echoes of Cornwall #2)

 

4*

An Ocean of Longing, part two of the Echoes of Cornwall series was just as compelling and haunting as the first with the added element of a steamy romance between Tegan and William. I just wish it weren’t another cliffhanger which is one reason I only gave it 4 stars. (Be sure to read Book 1 as this is not a standalone.) The other reason for the 4 stars, which I hope was corrected in the final draft, was the number of typos and the misuse of me, myself and I. Every time I stumbled across this grammar pet peeve of mine, it pulled me out of the story. I think there should be trigger warnings for extreme violence and abuse, but it’s still a fascinating romance with time travel, ghostly images appearing in dreams, and visions of beautiful Cornwall in the18th and 19th centuries.

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

Adler has written another winning romance (actually two romances) using a dual timeline featuring a relationship in 1908 between a female ornithologist who fights hard to be taken seriously in a field where women aren’t welcome and a newspaper publisher and wildlife illustrator who helps her discover a rare goose. Cal’s and Annie’s romance picks up over 100 years later when his ex finds the goose in the attic of her new home and asks for his help in discovering its provenance. The lighthearted mystery is the wild goose chase they find themselves in, and the solution is a hoot (or should I say honk).

One of the highlights of the story are the funny and rather poetic analogies Cal uses to compare love to furniture. Annie is quirky and believes in repurposing antiques in disrepair for use by her modern clientele whereas Cal believes that antiques should be restored to their former glory. Their relationship is a combination of the two viewpoints and reflects their personalities.

Readers can always depend on Adler’s romances to have a unique premise (the opposite of formulaic). In Wild Goose Chase, she’s written yet another witty, engaging story that stands out in a field of contemporaries. 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.

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.

Every Version of You by Natalie Messier

 

5*

This is one of the most well-written and entertaining debut novels I’ve ever read and fans of Kirsty Greenwood and Ashley Poston will eat this up.

On the surface, this is a second chance, enemies to lovers romance that has the added element of postmortem time travel. What would you do if, after dying and finding yourself in a tacky 1970s afterlife waiting room, you were offered the chance for a do-over? That’s what Joey (Josephine) Vasquez is asked when she dies in a car accident after leaving a dinner party thrown by the love of her life who is now married and expecting a baby with his wife. Add to the mix Alex Aquino, another college acquaintance who she hates with a passion, and it’s bound to get messy. Dig deeper though, and it’s also an opportunity to reflect on what different choices you’d make to improve on a former life that made you unhappy and lonely, mostly because they were made because of your parents’ wishes.

Although Messier alludes to the idea that any changes a time traveler makes can have an immense ripple effect, I really enjoyed the idea of a 30-something navigating life again in an 18-year-old body with raging hormones and an under-developed frontal lobe. It was also interesting to see Joey reflect on the idea of friendship, how it grows (or fails to) and how it can fall apart due to distance. Ultimately, though, this is a romance between two people who have a passionate connection that epitomizes the fine line between love and hate. If you like romances in which the MMC has a huge redemption arc and that include the magical realism trope, you’ll love Every Version of You. 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.

Rewrite the Stars by Lindsay Hameroff

 

5*

In a genre that sometimes seems overpopulated with teens to 20-somethings, it’s so refreshing to have a romance with main characters in their late 30s who have the maturity to know what they want, even as their baggage tries to weigh them down. Marissa is a famous actor who has become irrelevant after making the choice to sideline her career to raise her children, one of whom has autism. In order to escape the tabloid frenzy after her unfaithful ex-husband gets engaged just six months post-divorce, she decides to take the kids to the Poconos lake home she’s inherited from her grandmother, a place with positive memories and, as it turns out, handsome contractor Jesse who has had quite the glow-up from when they knew each other as pre-teens. Marissa has been used to putting the needs of everyone before her own, so Jesse is a breath of fresh air who supports her and encourages her to fight for what she wants, both personally and professionally.

Although this steamy romance satisfies in that regard, there’s much more depth to this story of childhood friends to lovers. Hameroff, an autism mom herself, does a wonderful job of portraying the challenges Marissa faces raising her neurodivergent child Levi while also demonstrating how capable, loving, and healthy he is. There’s even a particular bit of dialogue that highlights how misinformed people can be about children on the spectrum. In a nod to Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine Productions and Book Club, Marissa fights to feature female authors’ novels and to give women in the notoriously misogynistic film industry the opportunity to shine. Between this focus and the willingness to make sacrifices to make Jesse’s and her relationship work, she rewrites the stars by forging her own path. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from St. Martin’s Griffin through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Tags: ,

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

 

5*

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.

Tropesick by Lauren Okie

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.

Romantic Hero by Kirsty Greenwood

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.

A Shop Girl’s Guide to Wooing a Lord (Heiress Hunters #1) by Shana Galen

 

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.

 

 

The Summer Share by Jenn McKinlay

 

4*

Although there’s quite a bit of humor (especially with Dude, the Great Dane), this frenemies to lovers romance delves into some deeper themes: facing the fear of abandonment after experiencing it with both parents and ex-lovers, being honest with a near stranger who quickly becomes so much more, dealing with grief over the death of grandparents and the inability to conceive a child, and being surprised by a timeless love story that they never saw coming.

McKinlay does a wonderful job depicting the Outer Banks and painting the scenes in and around the dilapidated cottage that Hannah and Simon inherit together. I love how the romance between them organically unfolds as they open up to each other while sifting through the mementoes from their grandfathers’ lives. In the process of clearing out the house, Simon comes to realize that he no longer has to sacrifice the passion he has for his art after spending years in a boring insurance job he took to support his siblings, and Hannah, who has been living and sharing her van life on social media, finds that she no longer wants the solitude and loneliness that come with it, especially when she can spend her days with Simon and the unique set of neighbors who quickly become friends.

If you’re looking for a delightful summer read, check out The Summer Share. 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.

The Last Page by Katie Holt

 

5*

Although it touches on grief, guilt and depression, The Last Page is mostly a humorous story with a steamy workplace romance and one of the most eccentric and endearing cast of characters (The Last Page bookstore’s staff) I’ve ever read. The theme of chosen family is central to the story, and I couldn’t help reflecting on the idea of New York, with its huge population, being one of the loneliest places on earth. Ella and Henry, through the power of reading and shared love of books, managed to foster a sense of belonging and family for a hefty slice of the city’s denizens, including Henry himself. One of my favorite elements of the book are the “Staff Picks” at the start of each chapter. (My overwhelming TBR list has grown.)

As I read the passages where Ella shares her favorite parts of her city as only a native can, I couldn’t help thinking of Kate Clayborn’s wonderful book, Love Lettering, which I called “a love letter to NYC” when I reviewed it several years ago, as well as Cole and Layla Are Just Friends by Bethany Turner. All three have their protagonists fall in love while exploring the city. If you know readers who love NYC and/or bookstores, please share this delightful enemies-to-lovers romance. Highly recommended!

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

How to Fake it in Society by KJ Charles

 

5*

This is the first book by KJ Charles that I’ve read, but I now look forward to reading more.

I loved both the leads for different reasons. Titus is honest, people-pleasing, and in definite need of a break after his landlord/ex-lover raises his rent beyond what he can pay. In desperation, he agrees to a wild scheme put forth by one of his best customers. In juxtaposition, Nico is charming, also desperate but for different reasons, and a surprisingly sincere French aristocrat who befriends Titus in the hopes that he’ll help him stave off a vicious loan shark. What starts as a friendship becomes so much more as each of them learns from the other: Titus, to not put everyone else’s needs before his own to his detriment and Nico, that there are good people in the world willing to overlook some morally questionable motivations that don’t truly reflect the good person he is. It’s no wonder that romantic feelings start to grow.

I read this in one sitting and found quite a bit of humor juxtaposed against some true villains and the absurdity of primogeniture. The chemistry between Titus and Nico was slow-burning but heartwarming. In a time when homosexuality was illegal, it’s so refreshing to read a romance in which. despite having to keep it hidden from society, the leads welcome the opportunity to turn their backs on the haute ton with their judgment and compulsive need to find rich husbands for their daughters. A delightful read!

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



Tags:

Down with the Ship by Chloe Jory

 

4*

With a nod to Pride and Prejudice, Jory’s debut novel hits all the high points: grumpy male lead, classism, enemies-to-lovers, the relationship between sisters, and first world problems of the rich. She sets her story in Fiji, on a yacht owned by a billionaire media family, where Stella (an uptight, recently suspended PhD art history fellow) has joined her sister Jules, her fiancé Harry and his family for a two-week cruise. Imagine her surprise when she finds out the charming, handsome first mate who came to her rescue after being injured on the beach is actually the ship’s captain, who is none too happy to see her. Although they’re at odds with each other from the outset, the chill between them thaws as they face down killer sharks, discover a romantic bioluminescent lagoon, and escape near death falling down a cliff. In the process, Stella begins to question if she even likes the life and career she’s built, especially as it’s taken her far away from the art she enjoyed making for most of her pre-college life. As Caleb observes, it’s never too late to change the course of your life to find happiness with your chosen profession.

This lighthearted, adventurous romance makes a fantastic beach read with its gorgeous Fijian setting, many humorous moments, and just enough yearning and spice to make it interesting. An added bonus is Jory’s focus on conservation efforts to save the coral reefs. Fans of Katherine Center and Christina Lauren will thoroughly enjoy this. Highly recommended.

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