The Godparent Trap by Rachel Van Dyken

 

4*

A gender-swapping nod to the movie Life As We Know It, The Godparent Trap is all about seeing and seizing the opportunity for love that’s right in front of you if you’re willing to let go of your fears and the need to control everything around you. Like the movie, two frenemies and polar opposites, Rip and Colby, are forced to co-parent after their best friends (and, in this case, Rip’s younger sister) are killed in a car accident. 

Initially, Rip, a Type A accountant, is a real misogynistic jerk, being unintentionally cruel to Colby, a travel blogger, by pointing out her insecurities and threatening her with full custody if she doesn’t start acting responsibly. He demands that she be realistic (e.g., by not telling the kids that their parents are angels looking over them) and keep the house and herself neat and clean. In his mind, following rules keeps people safe. Conversely, Colby wears her heart on her sleeve, openly grieving and caring less about keeping everything in order and more about being present and tuned into the emotional needs of the children.  It’s only with the help of an interfering friend/co-worker and some divine intervention that Rip finally begins to acknowledge that his anger is masking his fear, that life and love are inherently messy, and that, by ceding control, he’ll find comfort and joy.

Although the story is endearing (especially the interactions with 3-year-old Viera and 5-year-old Ben), the character development is lacking and the pacing is a bit scattered. The book begins with a prologue (or glimpse of the future) that is repeated word-for-word where it fits chronologically in the narrative and the transitions between scenes are choppy. Despite this, it’s a worthwhile read for those who like enemies-to-lovers romance and some emotional heaviness as well.

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

 

Bad Girl Reputation (Avalon Bay #2) by Elle Kennedy

 

3*

This second book in the Avalon Bay series is the love story between Evan, identical twin of Cooper from Good Girl Complex, and his on again-off again girlfriend Genevieve. It is all about second chances…and not just the romantic variety. 

 

The main problem with this story is the dynamic between Evan and Cooper which is really off-putting. Their angry, violent reactions to perceived and actual slights (often rooted in jealousy) are not only unattractive but, in my opinion, raise red flags about how they’ll treat the women and children in their lives if they don’t get their behavior under control. It’s hard to imagine how the immature, reckless Evan can redeem himself by the end of the book, but he manages it because he knows he’ll never win Genevieve if he doesn’t clean up his act. One has to wonder if, once the story ends, this very young couple will have the happily-ever-after romance fans expect. 

 

Overall, it’s a good book in terms of writing and character development, but the male protagonists are not easy to like. Fans of the first book are apt to be disappointed. 

 

Trigger warning: bad cops 

 

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.

 

 

Dream On by Angie Hockman

 5*

What happens when the man IN your dreams turns out to be real?

In Dream On, author Angie Hockman explores the idea of whether fantasy can live up to reality in this romance with a twist. Cassidy Walker slowly wakes up from yet another delicious dream featuring her perfect boyfriend, Devin Bloom. So, she’s shocked to learn that she’s in the hospital after a 6-day coma and that Devin doesn’t exist. Despite the detailed conversations and clear vision she has of him (which she fills up a sketchbook with during her year-long recovery), she finally acknowledges the truth and turns her focus to resuming her fledgling law career. However, fate has other plans when she runs into Devin in the flesh at his brother Perry’s florist shop, and he doesn’t recognize her.

Intrigued, he agrees to help her solve the mystery despite Perry’s suspicion of her motives. As they spend more time together, she begins to wonder if the memories are a sign they were meant to meet, if fate brought them together, or if dreams should be left in the realm of fantasy. With the thoughtful and sensitive observations Perry shares with her, she also begins to question if a career in a high-powered law firm will bring her fulfillment and the life she wants.

Although this is a slow-burn, only slightly steamy romance, it also deals with traumatic brain injury, parental interference, sibling rivalry, and betrayal. In a departure from the normal trope, Hockman also ingeniously uses government corruption and the evils of capitalism as vehicles to drive the plot. Add in a twist that observant readers will pick up on early in the books, and you have a delightful summer read which will appeal to fans of Kate Clayborn, Christina Lauren, and Abby Jimenez. 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.

For You and No One Else by Roni Loren

 

5*

Loren really knocked it out of the park with the 3rd (and presumably final) book in her Say Everything series.  Eliza is a marriage therapist and YouTube wellness guru at WorkAround, the shared office space where we first met her in Book 1. She’s best friends with Hollyn and Andi from the first two books, but it’s her budding relationship with Beckham, the hot, nerdy computer wizard in the office next door, that is the focus of For You and No One Else.

On the surface, they’re an odd pairing. She created her life plan at age 10 (including a husband and 2.5 kids) and is still mourning the loss of her parents who died in a car accident 2 years prior. Beckham, 7 years her junior, dresses in vintage t-shirts, is covered in tattoos, and is a hacker (usually on the legal side). However, after running into each other in the office on Christmas Day and him recognizing that she needs company more than he needs to work, they begin to see in each other a kindred spirit. Since he’s anti-marriage and kids, they both know their relationship will never go anywhere, but they agree to a friends with benefits arrangement after she has one last disastrous date arranged through an app. Of course, this trope plays out as you’d expect, but the emotional gut punch sets it apart from other similar scenarios. 

In addition to her grief and unwavering commitment to stick to her plan, they’re also (mis)handling his baggage which includes childhood trauma that he thought he’d escaped. Ultimately, the question comes down how well you can know a person when they’re hiding a big part of themselves. 

Loren writes romance laced with some heavy real-life challenges, but her characters are so warm and open that you can’t help but root for a happy ending. Although the themes in this book are heavy, there’s plenty of humor, a couple of really adorable pets, and the female friendship between the heroines of all three books that keep it from sinking into despair. I highly recommend the entire series.

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

5*

Unique premise from Ashley Poston, the author of the highly successful YA series Once Upon a Con. With a nod to the movie, Just Like Heaven, Poston deftly weaves a nearly tragic love story between grieving ghostwriter  (and begrudging ghost whisperer) Florence and her spectral editor, Ben. Between romantic betrayals, the tragic death of a loved one, and the pressure to finish a long-overdue romance novel (the last in a 4 book deal made by the author Florence ghost writes for), we are left to wonder if the ghosts of the past can be exorcised to make room for a forever kind of love. 

It’s so refreshing to read about a heroine who, with the help of loved ones, is able to see that her nasty betrayal and breakup is in no way her fault and a hero who is the epitome of the charming and sensitive book boyfriend. It’s a very slow burn with no steamy sex scenes, but you won’t miss them because the trajectory of their relationship is something you’ve never seen the likes of. Add in an off-beat, loving, misunderstood family of undertakers, and you have a winning ghost/love story for the ages. Highly recommend.

Chef’s Kiss by TJ Alexander

5*

This story is ground-breaking! At a time when trans people (especially youth) are being attacked by power-hungry, inhumane politicians and church leaders playing on the fears of white, “Christian” homophobes, it’s so important to have representation in literature. This isn’t an easy book to read because it highlights the struggles, discrimination, rejection, and hatred non-binary people face in the workplace, their families of origin, and the community at large. However, it’s encouraging that Ray finds a chosen family who loves, supports and champions them.

Fear is often due to ignorance, and it’s not the job of members of marginalized groups to educate people. In order to be allies to the LGBTQ community, we must seek out information, and one of the easiest ways to do this is by reading both non-fiction books and fictional stories that discuss the use of pronouns and define terminology (e.g., dead-naming). Chef’s Kiss is an excellent vehicle for learning about this and for building empathy. It would also be a great choice for bibliotherapy for trans teens and young adults who rarely see themselves portrayed in books.

Beyond the afore-mentioned, this is also a sweetly awkward, slow-burn, workplace romance between kitchen manager Ray and pastry chef Simone. Together, they demonstrate how, even with the best intentions, mistakes can be made and feelings hurt, but that sincere apologies and forgiveness can lead to happiness. Add to this a literary feast for foodies and author Alexander has cooked up a winning romance that deserves a place in every library. Highly recommended.

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

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

5*

Nora, a literary agent in NYC, has a savior complex, sacrificing her own dreams and happiness because of a compulsive need to take care of her sister, her authors, and the memory of her mother. She took on a mothering role while still a child herself because her own cared more about her acting career than she did her daughters. Unfortunately, Nora never gave up parenting her younger sister Libby, a codependent relationship that’s kept her from living her own life and her sister from growing into a capable, independent adult. So when Libby asks her to take a month-long vacation in Sunrise Falls, NC, the setting of her favorite book, Nora can’t say no, despite the fact that her entire life’s focus is her work.

So, imagine her surprise, when morose book editor Charlie, with whom she’s had a contentious relationship for years, keeps turning up. As they get to know each other and the walls they’ve both built up begin to crumble and sexual tension becomes incendiary, they must decide if they’re willing to take the risk and make the sacrifice to be together. In a reflection of the romantic literary trope of big city person who has business in a small town, meeting their soulmate, and deciding to give up their life to start a new one, Nora has been the loser in this scenario 4 times. However, when the tables are turned and Nora is the one who needs to choose between the city she loves or the chance to build a relationship with Charlie in a small town, will she be willing to give up her job and NYC to be with the man she loves or will Charlie find a way to be with her despite family obligations keeping him in NC?

Ultimately, this enemies-to-lovers romance is about the meaning of home…is it a place or people? Can a person be happy anywhere if they’re with those they love or can a place be an all-consuming love? Henry has written another wonderful, intelligent story that strikes a perfect balance between snarky, witty banter and serious issues. She’s quickly becoming one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. Fans of Christina Lauren will love this one!

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

In a New York Minute by Kate Spencer

 

4*

Strangers on a train! In one of the best meet-cutes ever, Hayes Montgomery literally offers Franny Doyle the coat off his back when her dress is ripped apart after getting caught in a subway train door. Thanks to a series of Instagram posts that go viral and serendipitous run-ins, they slowly get to know each other and like what they see. This is a case of opposites attract, but, like all good romances, the protagonists bring out the best in each other. Franny has just been laid off from her job at a design firm and is thinking of starting her own company. Hayes and his business partner Eleanor are moving offices and are in need of an interior designer. Working together is a win-win situation, but will the budding relationship last once the job is done?

Franny’s character is well-developed, including her relationship with her family and friends and life circumstances that help explain her personality , but Hayes is a bit of a mystery. It would help if Spencer had given us some sense of his background beyond his short-lived marriage, why he’s so awkward, and whether he has any friends beyond Eleanor and his cousin Perrine. This is relatively low angst, communication between the two is easy and honest, and sex scenes are mild. There are both queer and BIPOC characters, and the New York City locales are used to good advantage. Overall, this is a very fun, sweet romance that would appeal to fans of Kate Clayborn, Katherine Center, Christina Lauren, and Lauren Layne.

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

Something Wilder by Christina Lauren

5*

Christina Lauren have taken a huge departure from their usual style by enfolding this second-chance romance in an action-adventure mystery set in the desert southwest. Ten years prior, Lily Wilder had just taken over her family’s Wyoming ranch with plans to run it with her new love, New Yorker Leo Grady. Her father Duke is a famous treasure hunter whose main focus has been to find outlaw Butch Cassidy’s hidden loot. This obsession led to Lily’s mother’s abandonment and her father’s casual neglect. So, no one is more surprised than Lily when, years later, she is running a wilderness adventure camp that offers horseback riding through the Utah Canyonlands with the added lure of finding (fake) treasure.

When Leo joins a group of friends on their annual trip, he finds himself face-to-face with Lily for the first time since disappearing from her life with no explanation a decade earlier. It’s obvious that they’ve both suffered heartbreak, and know that bitter truths will need to be revealed if they have any hope of forgiving each other and perhaps giving into the attraction that still simmers between them. However, when the trip takes a sinister turn, the two find themselves fighting for survival while following a series of clues left by her father that will either lead to the actual treasure or cost them their lives.

It’s clear that the authors have done their research by how accurately they depict the barren, beautiful but dangerous desert landscape and offer a glimpse of the criminal element of the Wild West during and following the Gold Rush. As usual, they’ve done a masterful job of building tension in the couple’s relationship, in this case with the added element of terror. If you like your romances full of intrigue and heart-pounding thrills, you can’t go wrong with Something Wilder. 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.

Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy

4*

Lovely new adult romance between star-crossed lovers…the townie bad boy and the rich girl. The relationship between Mac and Cooper starts with a lie, an act of revenge that puts Mac in the middle. Her long-time boyfriend, Preston, is the stereotypical rich asshole who uses his daddy’s money to threaten and try to destroy people he feels are trash (which is everyone outside his wealthy circle). Like the real-life rapist Brock Turner, he tries to force himself on a friend of Cooper’s and when Coop defends her, Preston has him fired. The best and only way to get back at him is through the girlfriend. No surprise that what starts out as a revenge plot turns into much more. Of course, as these things go, he’s bound to get caught in his lies. The question is whether or not Mac is the forgiving kind.

Although it’s a familiar trope, the complexities of their lives, including a negligent childhood lacking in love, and their drive to prove themselves despite their parenting elevate this book. Kennedy has written a story that plumbs emotional depths and gets to the heart of what it means for two young people to break from the constraints imposed by falling in line with the expectations society has formed based on their parents’ selfish choices. In the case of Mac and Cooper, they really see each other and, with each other’s support and encouragement, gain the clarity and courage to break from these restraints to pursue their goals and dreams. 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.