Tag: romance

REVIEW: Fake It Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

REVIEW: Fake It Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Donovan Dell – pro football player, baker, and part owner of Sugar Blitz, a San Diego cupcake store. The store is Donovan’s dream – and his back up plan for life after football. But sagging sales are putting his dream in jeopardy. So he lets the sassy customer get to him as he tries to defend his store.

Jada Townsend-Matthews – reality TV star, and target of vicious hate after turning down a marriage proposal on the show My One and Only. Jada only goes into Sugar Blitz because her best friend loves their cupcakes. She doesn’t intend to get into a verbal battle with the sexy staff member. Her day only goes downhill from there, ending with a summons to her grandmother’s office to talk about her “future” and lack of direction in life.

In order for Jada to access her trust fund when she turns 26, her grandmother is requiring her to work a consistent job – and she’s convinced one of her football players to hire Jada. Now Donovan and Jada are thrown together again. But when a reporter shows up at Sugar Blitz and pressures Jada on why she turned down the marriage proposal on TV, Jada panics and says it’s because she is in love with Donovan. And the kiss she springs on him goes viral.

Review

This was excellent! If I wasn’t laughing at something out loud, I had a big grin on my face. This was delightful! Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes, so I was already sold with that part of the story. But the slowly thawing animosity between the main characters was perfectly paced and so satisfying. The dual perspective storytelling gives the reader all the insights about the characters’ thoughts and feelings while still letting the action unfold over time. The chemistry between the two main characters was fantastic, too.

I also loved the dynamic with Donovan and his business partners. I had my fingers crossed all the way through that this would turn out to be just the first book in a series focused on those three men. Judging by the end of this, my wish is coming true. Don’t miss this fun, steamy romance! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Adult Assembly Required by Abby Waxman

REVIEW: Adult Assembly Required by Abby Waxman

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Laura is new in town and trying to get settled before starting grad school when her apartment building burns down leaving her alone in a strange city with no where to live and the clothes on her back. And wet clothes at that since she got caught in a downpour.

She finds herself at Knight’s, an independent bookstore where the staff take her in, helping her get warm and dry – and finding her a place to live.

As Laura gets to know her new housemates and friends, she starts to feel like she might find a “home” in LA. But her past – and her family – keep trying to drag her back to where she’s been

Review

I read The Bookish Life of Nina Hill a few years ago, and I completely fell in love – with the character, the story, and the writer. While I knew this was by the same author, I didn’t realized when I picked this up that I would be going back to this community and the characters I loved. What a treat!

While this is Laura’s story, there are threads woven in about the others living at the house with her. I was impressed with the author’s ability to build such a broad story while never losing the ultimate focus on Laura.

This is a romance, but it’s also a story of friendship, second chances, mental health, adulthood and independence, and so many other things. And I enjoyed every bit of it.

Aside from the fantastic cast of characters here, I loved this book for the humor. I laughed often – and loudly. One scene even left me cackling, with tears rolling down my face. It was a delight to spend a few hours with this collection of folks.

You don’t have to have read Nina to enjoy this, but I highly recommend you read both books, in any order. (Language, PTSD)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton

REVIEW: The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The Wisteria Society (pirates) and the League of Gentlewomen Witches have been at war for centuries. And when the long lost amulet of Black Beryl is discovered and put on display, things heat up as both groups want the artifact for themselves.

But when Charlotte, the future leader of the League, and Alex, a pirate, disappear together while chasing down the amulet, the two societies will team up to be certain the two don’t corrupt one another.

Review

I loved this quirky world when I read book one in the Dangerous Damsels series, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels. The mash up of historical fiction with fantasy elements like flying houses, magic, and then pirates was a lot of fun! That world is expanded a bit here as the pirates return in conflict with their witchy rivals. This unique set up really works for me.

The story took longer to gel for me in this book. While the worldbuilding propelled me forward, it took awhile for the characters to find a rhythm. By the end, I enjoyed Alex and Charlotte and the way their relationship grew and how it influenced their individual journeys. I just had to stick with the story for awhile until I found my footing with it.

Fans of quirky, magical tales as well as fans of the first book in the series should definitely pick this up and give it a try. I’m eager to see what the author does with this world next! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter

REVIEW: Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

In a life full of embarrassing mishaps and disasters, the latest – she burned down her apartment building while burning love letters from her ex – has left Olivia living with her older brother and his gorgeous yet annoying roommate. She literally has only the clothes on her back after the fire. She needs a job; she needs a break.

The one bright spot in the whole thing is a misdialed text that turns into a funny, flirty, banter-filled relationship with a stranger. But when the “stranger” discovers Olivia’s identity, he knows it can’t go any farther. Olivia is super off-limits. No matter how much he is captivated by her.

Review

This was so fun! The story is, of course, familiar – You’ve Got Mail, Shop Around the Corner. And it’s familiar because it works. And while a familiar plot could feel done or over-done, the execution here is great. The characters are endearing and funny, with great chemistry! I cared about this relationship from the start and was rooting for it until the end. The secondary characters were fun as well. I especially enjoyed the sibling relationships. The various parents were the worst, but they were relegated to something for the characters to push against, so we only had them in thankfully small doses.

If you love romantic comedies that make you literally laugh out loud, and you are intrigued by the set up here, be sure to pick this one up! I loved both the story and the characters in this one. Such a fun read! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Full Flight by Ashley Schumacher

REVIEW: Full Flight by Ashley Schumacher

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Weston is the outcast in the town of Enfield. In a small town, everyone knows your business. So everyone knows about his parents’ divorce, about the year he spent at the rival high school. And the things they don’t know, they make up with rumor and assumption. Everyone but his closest friends thinks he’s weird at best if not actually dangerous.

Anna is an unexpected bright spot in Weston’s life. While they are supposed to be practicing their big duet for marching band, they are finding in each other someone who, surprisingly, GETS them – his struggles after the divorce, her anxiety, his music, her writing.

But since everyone assumes the worst about Weston, Anna feels she has to hide and lie to be with him. But in a small town, no one keeps a secret for long.

Review

I have to be honest. The synopsis for this book did not grab me when I read it. But the author wrote my favorite book of 2021. So reading this one was a given. While I read, my feelings were mixed.

I loved Anna and Weston, both as individuals and together. And the author’s writing is top notch. But I just did not get this story. For so long, nothing was happening. Sure, they grew closer, they faced some roadblocks. But things just kept rolling along. I couldn’t figure out the point of it all.

I’ve described my ideal book a lot here. A big piece of my enjoyment is the puzzle or the quest – something to solve, something to overcome, something to rail against. This just isn’t that sort of book.

I have no idea how to rate this – I was engrossed in the characters and enjoyed the writing. On that alone, I would probably give this 4 stars. But I just couldn’t connect to the plot. And the ending did not help my enjoyment of the story. The whole reading experience was unsatisfying in the end.

Readers who love character-rich stories and don’t care about driving plots are likely a much better audience for this than I was. There’s a lot here to enjoy if you are excited about watching a relationship unfold over time with some fantastic descriptions – especially if you have a soft spot for band stories. (Language, sex, TW: Grief)

Rating: ♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥ = Good, solid, fine

REVIEW: Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik

REVIEW: Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Harper Voyager in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The war with the Valoffs hadn’t been over long enough for Tavi to feel anything but mistrust and skepticism as she watched the team of them go from ship to ship looking to hire a crew. But while she doesn’t trust Torran Fletcher, his money is still good – and her crew and ship could use it.

Octavia Zarola is “the hero of Rodeni.” She and her crew may know how ridiculous that title is. They have no shortage of bitterness over it. But if any other Valoffs catch her in their space, she’ll be killed without question. Torran promises they will be safe.

But Torran is less than forthcoming about what he wants from them. They are supposed to recover a stolen item. But no matter how many promises are made, Tavi has to stay on her guard – something is not quite right about this assignment. And she can’t afford to give in to her growing intrigue about Torran and the way he makes her feel

Review

This was awesome! It’s the sort of book where you page count, but because you want it to stretch out as long as possible. The characters and world building are everything I’ve come to expect from Jessie Mihalik from her exceptional Consortium Rebellion series. If I can’t get more of those books, at least this new series launch is just as amazing.

I’m happy to see that two other characters from this book are the point-of-view characters for book 2, Eclipse the Moon. That’s what Mihalik did in the Consortium series, and I loved it. This is exactly the sort of book I am always looking for – science fiction or fantasy with sharp, sassy characters who don’t take any crap and who are trying to solve a mystery or save the day. (See also the Touched by an Alien series, Scarred Earth Saga, Crown of Shards, Gargoyle Queen, Sons of Destiny, etc.)

This is a must read, must buy, must re-read series for me already – don’t miss it! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Will re-read.

REVIEW: Bound by Firelight by Dana Swift

REVIEW: Bound by Firelight by Dana Swift

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Delacorte Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Adraa and Jatin are facing more trouble than they ever have.

Adraa’s kingdom has turned against her, believing the worst. She’s cast into prison at the Dome. She will have to fight for her life as well as for a chance to escape and make things right.

Jatin is supposed to be leading his own country, but he can only think of Adraa and freeing her. He’s pulled together a very small team of allies, but they have no idea what they are truly up against.

Review

Wow! This was a roller coaster! And I really enjoyed the ride.

Adraa and Jatin tell their own stories once again. I feel like Adraa was really the star of this book. All of her chapters were riveting. I truly loved her journey – maybe even more than I loved Cast in Firelight.

While Jatin is fighting his way back to Adraa, I had mixed feelings about the old friend who joined his team. While I appreciated the twists and reveals she brought with her, I didn’t love the attempted love triangle. She was a distraction and left me wanting to skip ahead to an Adraa chapter.

I had thought this Wickery series was going to be a duology. And the main action truly is wrapped up here without any cliffhangers. But there are some unresolved issues that make me wonder if there is a plan for more. If so, I am here for them.

If Jatin had had more of a story here, this would have been a five star book for me. In fact, when I look at the two books together, I truly loved Adraa’s story here more than book one. Don’t come into this book expecting more of the same from book one, though. This is less about secrets and lies, and more about peril and identity and real questions about whether or not the heroes will triumph. Book 1 fans should not miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: A Thorn in the Saddle by Rebekah Weatherspoon

REVIEW: A Thorn in the Saddle by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kensington/Dafina in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Jesse Pleasant is thrilled that his brothers have found love. But his anger and resentment at being the dependable one – the rock – the family caretaker – is starting to feel like too much. In fact, he completely loses his cool when he walks in on his grandmother and her new boyfriend. He knows his response was way over the top.

Lily-Grace is furious that her father got hurt because Jesse had a temper tantrum. And she’s prepared to make him suffer her wrath over it for awhile. But when he takes her chiding to heart and gets a therapist, she wonders if the sweet kid she met in elementary school is still there in the heart of this angry, brooding man.

While things start to thaw  – and then heat up – between Jesse and Lily-Grace, both are at a crossroads in life. Will their choices push them closer in the end or lead them on separate paths?

Review

When I first picked this up, I meant to just start it – a chapter or two before bed. Next thing I knew, I was up way past my bedtime and halfway through the novel. It was worth the loss of sleep to spend time with the Pleasant family again. The therapy-positive focus of this book was awesome. I enjoyed the exploration of Jesse’s anger and his journey through the whole book.

I loved Jesse and Lily-Grace together. There are some great one-liners here to balance out the more serious moments. Fans of re-imagined fairytales should enjoy this take on Beauty and the Beast. I have really enjoyed how the author has taken these well-known stories and made them her own. The connections are clear if you are looking for them, but they are also super subtle and nuanced so that it’s possible you won’t even notice the parallels. Series fans should NOT miss this latest installment of the Cowboys of California series. I don’t believe these have to be read in order to be enjoyed, but it does help establish the relationships in the family. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo

REVIEW: Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Raven has trapped her demon father and is desperate to keep him out of her life. Desperate enough to hop a train to Nashville to meet up with a guy who says he can help.

Raven’s foster sister, Max, is following her in secret to protect Raven from whatever trouble she might run into.

Garth is still adjusting to his recently un-suppressed powers. He’s on a bus to Nashville to meet a guy who says he has the answers Garth is looking for.

And there’s someone else who is supposed to be meeting up with Slade Wilson. He’s the smart one – observing, wary. And as he watches, he sees what happens next.

Review

EEEEEK! I love these books! This was fantastic! I loved Gar and Raven together. It was great to see them connect. I also loved Max’s presence – as well as the other person who is watching. The only complaint I have about this series is that the books are TOO SHORT. I finish each one begging for more. (There’s a cover reveal for the next book at the back, and I am HERE FOR IT.)

I enjoyed the balance here between the character development and the budding romance along with the next bits in the Slade story. Is it enough? No, not for me. But I was satisfied with the balance between the two aspects.

I don’t know that readers have to go back to read Raven and Beast Boy first, but it will certainly help fill out the backstories for Raven, Max, and Gar. And now that readers can slam all three books in one go, it might feel more satisfying than when I read each one and then had to wait a year for the next installment.

I highly recommend these – for graphic novel fans, and for DC fans. (Demons/ghosts)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer

REVIEW: Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Bloomsbury YA in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The kingdom of Kadala is suffering. A deadly fever has taken root, and the only treatment that makes any impact is Moonflower petals. Only two sections of the kingdom can grow the flower, so it’s limited, rationed, and expensive. Only the privileged can get any. And the poor are becoming desperate.

Tessa and Wes are among a rare few who are trying to help the poor. Tessa’s background as an apothecary has led her to learn that a smaller dose could be equally effective, which means more people could receive the elixir. Wes helps her steal Moonflower petals, mix the elixir, and distribute it to those in need.

But the cruel King Harristan and his brother, the brutal King’s Justice enforcer, Prince Corrick, are clamping down on “smugglers.” When Wes disappears, Tessa fears the worst – that Corrick has killed him and made an example of him. And that fear makes her reckless. But when she sneaks into the palace, she discovers things aren’t exactly as she expected.

Review

Brigid Kemmerer is a master of writing compelling characters. I have adored her previous books like Letters to the Lost, More Than We Can Tell, Call It What You Want, and her Elementals series. And this book is no exception. I really enjoyed the characters in this one. They were what kept me flipping pages. I wanted to know what happened to them.

But at the same time that I was turning page after page in search of the full story of these characters, I was also wondering what exactly the goals were to the story. I need my books to have a goal – a villain to fight, a quest to complete, a mystery to solve. Other kinds of books are fine, but these are the sorts that most appeal to me. But for the early part of this book, as the character pieces are being developed, I wasn’t clear on the goal. I knew Tessa wanted answers and revenge for Wes. I knew Corrick was trying to protect his brother and their kingdom. But it wasn’t until closer to the end that an external villain/problem became clear.

While I was content to keep reading to see what happened to the characters, and eventually was caught up in who was lying and sneaking and causing trouble, that “quest” of the book took too long to develop for me. I might pick up a sequel to see what happens with Tessa and the rest. But this sense of not really knowing where things were going is hanging over this one for me. If that sense is still there when book two releases, I might not pick it up. While this was good, it wasn’t as great as some of the other Kemmerer novels I have loved in the past. (Violence)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+