Tristan Maroske's Blog

Things We Never Got Over, Lucy Score

Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score: Naomi runs away from her almost-wedding and old life when her estranged twin sister calls and says she needs help. But her sister steals her car, robs her, and leaves her unknown-until-now 11-year-old niece in Naomi's care. So Naomi finds herself with no job, no car, little money, a child that she's never met that she's now responsible for, and in a small town she's brand new to. With the help of the townspeople - particularly Knox Morgan, the grumpy and stubborn, yet helpful and attractive man who Naomi keeps running into - she starts to get the hang of it all. But with custody issues, the potential danger of her sisters new plans, and her increasingly more confusing relationship with Knox, what does Naomi really want? And can she still get it?

There were a lot of things I liked about the book. I liked the small town setting and the variety of side characters that rounded out the story. The relationship between Naomi and her niece, Waylay, was sweet, and I liked learning more about that. And the romance between Naomi and Knox was interesting, but it dragged on with the same issues over and over.

My main frustration was that there was just so much going on all the time. So many big events and things happening. And while they did tie together at the end, it felt like all these subplots took away from instead of enhancing the main story arcs. And it made the book feel like it was dragging on at parts. These extra plot points made the book feel more like a drama or mystery, where I feel like focusing on the relationships instead could have made the story have a better flow. Also, this was dual POV, and I don't mind that, but Knox's inner monologues did get repetitive after a while.

This Spells Love

This Spells Love by Kate Robb: After a break-up with her boyfriend of four years, Gemma is upset - but possibly more at herself for staying in the relationship for four years than about actually breaking up with the boyfriend. After a margarita night with her sister, best friend, and Aunt, the four of them try a love cleanse spell that is supposed to erase the relationship. The next morning, Gemma wakes up in a world where she never dated her boyfriend. Her life is different - the worst part being that her best friend, Dax, is no longer her friend, as they met when she met her boyfriend. And not having him in her life is worse than the break-up. Unfortunately, Gemma has to wait a month until the moon is in the right phase to try and reverse the spell. But, to go back to her normal life, she needs Dax's help. As she tries to befriend him, she realizes that she likes him as more than a friend. And she wonders if this new life is better after all.

This was a pretty interesting read. The story started off a little slow for me, but then the story started to take shape. Stuart, the original boyfriend, isn't a good match for Gemma, but Dax is a great boyfriend in both the regular and alternate universe for Gemma. I wasn't expecting friends to lovers, but I think this was a good spin on the trope because for Gemma, it's a friends-to-lovers romance, but for parallel universe Dax, it's just a regular relationship. I did expect a little more magic throughout the book from the title and synopsis, but beyond the big cleanse to undo Gemma's old relationship, this story read like a regular rom-com. Overall a cute and pretty short read.

The Good Part, Sophie Cousens

The Good Part by Sophie Cousens: 26-year-old Lucy is frustrated - she isn't making progress at work, she's broke, and her dating life is less than good. After one particularly difficult night, she stumbles into a corner store and makes a wish on a wishing machine that she could skip to the good part of her life. The next morning, she wakes up in a beautiful house with a handsome husband, cute kids, and the job she's been wanting. Oh, and she seems to be 16 years older than the day before. Did she really skip ahead to her future, or could she have just forgotten the time in-between? And if she skipped ahead, is that really what she wants?

I've heard good things about this book, and I was happy to say that it exceeded my expectations! Lucy was such an entertaining main character that it was so easy to root for. In some movies or books where the main character jumps to the future or switches bodies with someone, they have a couple funny instances where they don't know what to do and then they transition seamlessly to the role in such a short period of time before learning some big life lesson. But Lucy has a lot more struggles and adjustments in her new life that just makes it seem more realistic.

I also liked that this story focused on so many relationships. Yes, while a major relationship is the one with her (new-to-her) husband, a lot of the story focuses on how she views herself and her life. But there's also the relationship with her friends, her children, her parents, and a few other side characters. These relationships and the focus on Lucy's life outside of her relationship with her husband make Lucy's character more well-rounded and interesting. The story flew smoothly, and I found myself wishing there was even more to read as I got closer to the ending. Overall, this was a fun read with applicable lessons for lots of different readers.

Did you like "The Good Place"? What books are on your TBR for this year?

December 2023 Reads

Hello,

Back with some new reads to share!

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood: This story followed Mallory, a chess prodigy who left chess after it tore her family apart. Now, four years later, she begrudgingly and secretly steps back into the chess world to help her family, and vows that it is just a job. But as she rekindles her love for chess, and finds a kindred spirit in Nolan - the hunky, quiet guy who happens to be the top ranked chess player in the world - she finds that its harder to keep chess both a secret and just a job.

I really enjoyed this book! I don't know much about chess, but that didn't take away from the story. The story has a great pace, and I felt like I was rooting for both Mallory and Nolan throughout the entire book. There were also some interesting side plots - Mallory's relationship with her family, her best friend Easton, the game of chess - that were strong additions to the book. An overall really strong story that I would recommend!

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren: After a few embarrassing encounters in college, Hazel and Josh are reunited when Josh turns out to be the brother of Hazels (new) best friend. Josh and Hazel are complete opposites - Hazel a bright, fun-loving free-spirit while Josh is reserved and laid-back. Hazel is convinced the two are meant to be best friends, and after a tough break-up, Josh agrees to Hazel's plan to go on double dates they set up for each other. As the double dates get weirder, and their friendship grows stronger, the two find that there may be more feelings there than they are willing to admit.

This was a fun read. Hazel is a little eclectic and lacks a filter, but she has good intentions and is kind and full of sunshine. Josh is reserved and quiet, but the two of them are such a good match to balance each other. Their double dates are funny and the side characters are a great addition. The ending felt a little abrupt to me, but at least there was an epilogue. Overall a pretty good read.

I'm pretty excited about some new books I got for the holidays. What's on your TBR for this year? What book releases are you looking forward to?

November 2023 Reads

Hello,

I'm trying something new here and drafting the blog post after I finish a book in hopes that I will not get plots or characters mixed up. Hope this gives you some new ideas to add to your TBR!

The Christmas Fix by Lucy Score: Cat King is a home renovation reality TV star that's decided for her Christmas special, she wants to help revamp a town in Connecticut that was wrecked by a hurricane. But her plans get frequently opposed by city manager Noah Yates. The two reluctantly work together, but as they learn more about each other, they find that they might be working towards the same thing after all.

This was a really great Christmas read. Festive, small town charm, likable main characters, and very "Hallmark After Dark" vibes. I think this was an absolutely great mix of contemporary romance with that classic Christmas spirit. I would highly recommend this around the holidays (or honestly, anytime!).

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren: Maelyn Jones is having a not-so-great end to her family's annual Christmas vacation. But after making a wish, Mae finds herself in a time loop where she returns to the beginning of the vacation. Can she figure out how to stop the time loop, tell the family friend she's been crushing on since they were teenagers that she loves him, and save the vacation house?

This was a different take on a holiday read. The time loop element was interesting, but the story still felt festive, and the romance was sweet. It did feel like the time loop was the main focus at the beginning while the romance became the main focus for the second half of the book, but overall it was a good read. Lots of holiday activities, a cozy setting, and a satisfying ending.

Do you like holiday-themed books? What are you reading next? Let me know!

October 2023 Reads

This October I finished four books, but I was also busy starting promotion for my novel, "Home For Just The Holidays". I wanted to share about the books I read to maybe help someone else find something new to add to their TBR.

Queen Charlotte by Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes: This Bridgerton series prequel follows Charlotte and her arranged marriage to King George of England. Charlotte is not happy about the move and marriage, but once she meets George, she thinks she might actually enjoy it. Until he starts avoiding her, and she suspects there's a secret that's being kept from her.

This book follows closely to the story in the show "Queen Charlotte" on Netflix. The main difference is that the show alternates between two time periods, while the book focuses on Charlotte when she first moves to England, with only a short flash-forward at the end. The book is fairly interesting, but as I watched the show first, it felt a little repetitive. It's a good read if you are a fan of the Bridgerton novels or are interested in historical romances.

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace: Stassie has goals of Olympic gold, but something seems to be standing in her way: Nate Hawkins (and his hockey team). But Stassie seems to find herself with Nate time and time again, and her dislike for him is harder and harder to keep up.

This book had some interesting characters, funny scenes, and an overall light, rom-com feel. Stassie was stubborn to the point of irritation somtimes, but she was a strong and complex character that really added to the story. I did think the plot was a little over the place, but as a fun read, the book is a good choice.

Wildfire by Hannah Grace: The second book in the Maple Hill series follows Russ and Aurora who, after a one-night stand, find themselves as co-workers at a summer camp. They agree to work amicably as coworkers, and maybe even friends, as they both need their jobs as they work through personal issues. But as the summer goes on and they find themselves growing closer, will their agreement to a platonic relationship stay in tact?

I think that overall this was a good second book in the series. Summer camps just have this nostalgic feel, even for people who didn't go to summer camp. And I like that characters from the first book were involved, but it didn't feel like it was too reliant on previous characters. Rory was a bit annoying, but I think that was the point, at least at the beginning of the book, so she could grow. I was a little less interested in the plot of this story overall, but a good option for those summer-time romance feels.

Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey: Melody and Beat are the children of a famous former rock duo that split up at the height of their popularity. They're approached by a producer with a pitch for a live show trying to reunite the band for a Christmas Eve concert. The show is out of their comfort zones and a reunion is far-fetched, but Melody needs a change and Beat (secretly) needs money. They quickly realize their feelings towards each other, but will a secret come between the reunion and their new connection?

I think readers who regularly like Tessa Bailey will like this book. I liked that while Mel and Beat were the main story, there were also a lot of sub-stories like with the Steel Birds, Beat's secret, and Danielle and Joseph. But I did not feel like the story was really a holiday story, except for the fact that it took place near Christmas. I was just expecting more holiday feels with the description and cover. So, overall an interesting story but just not a festive holiday one.

What are you reading? What's next on your TBR?

September 2023 Reads

Hello!

I appreciate good book recommendations, so I want to share some of my own recommendations with you, too. Here are books I read in September:

The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling: This was a re-read, as I first read the book last year. It's the second book in a series, which starts with The Ex Hex. In "The Kiss Curse", Gwyn is enjoying her life in Graves Glen when her nemesis (and cousin's husband's brother) Wells comes to town and starts his own magic shop across the street from hers. Gwyn is determined to beat him, or at the very least ignore him and try to forget he's even there. But when Gwyn's cousin and mother are out of town, and a mysterious group of witches arrive and Gwyn's powers are impacted, Wells may be her best ally.

The witchy, fall vibes from the book are just a great way to embrace September and all things fall. Gwyn is fiery and hilarious, the plot is interesting, and Sir Purrcivial is my favorite.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry: Literary agent Nora is surrounded by books, and somtimes she feels like she is the trope of a book - just not the heroine. She's the "uptight city girl" that her boyfriends leave to be with someone else. And she's fine with it, mostly. When her younger sister and BFF Libby asks her to go on a trip to a small town for a month, Nora reluctantly agrees. While there, she runs into book editor Charlie, someone she had a brief but not great work meeting with years ago in NYC. But her time in Sunshine Falls with Charlie and Libby might help Libby realize that her story might be different than she thinks it is.

Nora and Charlie had great chemistry, and it was interesting to see how Nora and Libby's relationship also unfolded throughout the story. Emily Henry does a really good job of weaving other plots and relationships into the story without detracting from the main romantic relationship.

The Long Game by Elena Armas: After an incident at the pro soccer club she works for in Miami, Adalyn is sent to a small, rural town to turn-around a local soccer team. But when she arrives, she realizes how rural and small the town is, and that the team is a group of nine-year-old girls. To add to her challenges, Cameron - a former professional soccer player that no one in town seems to recognize and who was roped into coaching - seems determined to get to Adalyn to abandon the project. But with neither backing down, working together might be their best option.

This book was a good slow-burn romance. I do think that both Adalyn and Cameron could be a little annoying somtimes (Adalyn is very strong-willed to the point of being unnecessarily stubborn, while Cameron seems to abruptly shift at times from moody and broody to sweet), but they are a good match with good chemistry.

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas: Lina is heading back to Spain soon for her sister's wedding. The only problem is, she told her family (and ex-fiancee) that she would be bringing her boyfriend - but she doesn't have one. When her work-nemesis Aaron offers to be her date to the wedding, she laughs it off. But when she realizes she doesn't have other offers, she begrudgingly accepts Aaron's offer. It turns out, Aaron might not be so bad after all.

This is a re-read, but after reading The Long Game, I wanted to read The Spanish Love Deception again. This book is just so good - enemies-to-lovers and fake-dating all rolled into one. And the book is long, but it doesn't feel like the story drags on. It just gets more interesting. And Aaron and Lina just fit.

Maybe you will find a new book to read from here! What books have you been reading recently?

"Home For Just The Holidays"

Hello everyone!

My first book, "Home For Just The Holidays", is now available on Amazon! I love reading romance stories and watching cute rom-coms, and I decided to try writing a book myself. I wanted this story to feel warm and cozy, and to get the reader into the holiday spirit.

Writing a novel was a new challenge. Even when I had an idea for the story, I didn't really know what to all include in the plot, or if my ideas would be too short or too long to fit in a story. It took multiple rounds of re-reading and editing to figure out the story I wanted to share. There is still a lot to learn, but I am proud of the book.

Here is the synopsis: "Years after a devastating fight where her best friend and first love, Theo, left her to move thousands of miles away, Holly is finally hitting her stride. She has a good job at her dad’s company, great friends and family, and a tight-knit community she loves. But this holiday season is full of surprises - being in charge of town events, the attention of an attractive new man in town, and - wait - Theo? Now, Holly’s questioning what she wants. Is fate giving her a second chance at love, or are some distances too far to overcome?"

You can find the story in ebook or paperback format here: https://www.amazon.com/Home-Just-Holi...