I rarely say this, but this book would make a great movie! It's funny and sweet and sexy while dealing with serious topics, everything I want in a romI rarely say this, but this book would make a great movie! It's funny and sweet and sexy while dealing with serious topics, everything I want in a romance novel.
Fizzy is a romance writer who is blocked creatively and romantically. Connor is a documentary film maker being forced to make a reality dating show. He convinces Izzy to participate and they fall for each other as he's supposed to be helping her find her soul mate on TV.
The premise here is unique and there's great humor. Izzy is one of my favorite heroines I've ever met. She's smart and strong and crude and honest. I appreciated seeing what it's like to be a romance author, the crap they deal with from people and how they have to defend their profession.
I can't recommend this one enough! Technically it might work as a stand alone but it will be so much better if you've read The Soulmate Equation first....more
Oh my word, this book was an absolute delight! It made me smile from start to finish and resonated with me strongly.
I LOVE that the main characters aOh my word, this book was an absolute delight! It made me smile from start to finish and resonated with me strongly.
I LOVE that the main characters are all in their forties. I could understand where they were coming from and I liked them all. It is a wonderful found family scenario.
Billy is a music teacher and single dad who is pretty happy with his life. When he meets the celebrity crush from his youth, he recognizes this is his one chance to go for it. Margot Hammer is gloomy and not sure what she wants in life. Initially she runs away from Billy (literally) but later she is drawn back to him. I adore the two of them as a couple. They've both had complicated lives and a lot of baggage yet they're curious about the potential between them.
I laughed a lot throughout the book and it made me recall the music from my youth that's been important to me. I also liked how the city of Baltimore is a character too.
Highly recommend.
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley, all opinions are my own....more
I'm not sure what this book is supposed to be. Is it fiction about race and class or is it a romance novel? It's tackling all these things at once andI'm not sure what this book is supposed to be. Is it fiction about race and class or is it a romance novel? It's tackling all these things at once and it doesn't work.
Jess is an unlikable heroine. She doesn't know what she wants and puts up with being treated like crap. Her love interest is Josh who is clearly a racist. He's white and she's black. It's a hot mess. Their relationship feels toxic most of the time.
The writing is fine but there are attempts at humor that fall flat.
I don't recommend this one.
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
This book had a lot of potential that went unfulfilled. It's not really a romance novel, as until 90% in we only have one character's desire for the oThis book had a lot of potential that went unfulfilled. It's not really a romance novel, as until 90% in we only have one character's desire for the other and don't know if her love is reciprocated. This would have worked SO MUCH better as a dual perspective novel. If we had know Rey's feelings throughout the book, it definitely would have been more of a typical romance novel.
I didn't find our heroine El very likable and I never felt emotional attachment to her or her feelings for Rey. El comes off as weak and desperate a lot of the time, in her job, and her relationships.
I liked that the story focuses on a friend group and their adventures in the country were fun to follow. That was my favorite part of the book.
I don't think the author was clear on what she wanted to write- a romance novel or an LGBTQ+ story, so she tried to do both and it didn't work.
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley, all opinions are my own. ...more
I was really excited for this book and hoped it would motivate me to change my morning routine. I'm feeling stuck in a rut. But I was disappointed. I'I was really excited for this book and hoped it would motivate me to change my morning routine. I'm feeling stuck in a rut. But I was disappointed. I've read a lot of personal development material and there wasn't anything in this book that I haven't encountered before.
The book reads like a magazine, with bright photos taking up full pages and little blurbs all over the place. I guess I shouldn't be surprised since the author is the the editor-in-chief of Women's Health.
It was clearly written for moms who work. That should have been on the cover. A lot of the content didn't pertain to me because I don't have kids or a traditional job.
This was a big bummer for me. I don't recommend it. ...more
I don't think I've ever read anything quite like this. The story is beautiful and horrific all at once.
Set in the 1960s, the novel follows Eliza, a mI don't think I've ever read anything quite like this. The story is beautiful and horrific all at once.
Set in the 1960s, the novel follows Eliza, a mute janitor who discovers something she shouldn't in the Research center where she works. We get points of view from favors characters who are on opposite sides of the situation. There is a lot of action and drama and violence throughout the book, yet there is love and tender moments as well.
I started listening to the audiobook, which has fantastic narration. I switched to my physical copy about half way through because I was eager to get through it faster. I was hooked from the first page to the last. The writing is strong and the science is heavy at times. That made it feel believable.
This is a compelling, emotional read and I highly recommend it for fiction readers looking for something different....more
This is an absolutely fantastic book, I loved everything about it.
YA thrillers aren't my usual genre but I do enjoy them. I picked this one because iThis is an absolutely fantastic book, I loved everything about it.
YA thrillers aren't my usual genre but I do enjoy them. I picked this one because it was highly recommended by a friend. What she hadn't mentioned was how freaking funny our narrator Bianca is, and that was my favorite part!
Bianca is a 16 year old lesbian who has a long list of fears and lives a pretty quiet life. She just happens to witness a murder and gets drawn into a bizarre twisted search for the killer. While all this is going on, she's also questioning her gender identity. it's woven into the story beautifully so that no one plot point takes the focus away from another. I learned a lot about what a non-binary person goes through before they come out. It was eye opening.
The thriller part of the story is unique and suspenseful, but not too scary, which I liked. I also enjoyed the cast of side characters, they're diverse and compliment Bianca well.
I highly recommend this for readers who want something engaging and a little different....more
This is a very sweet, low drama romance. It doesn't feel like new adult because the characters are a little older and have been through a lot in life.This is a very sweet, low drama romance. It doesn't feel like new adult because the characters are a little older and have been through a lot in life.
I liked how their fake dating started all of a sudden and there was money involved. It gave the arrangement more weight and there was a lot at stake for them.
There were a couple areas where a story thread didn't follow all the way through. Otherwise this is a great novel. Highly recommend. ...more
This book was recommended by my new therapist and I'm blown away by how relevant it is to my life. Through therapy I've learned how my childhood has aThis book was recommended by my new therapist and I'm blown away by how relevant it is to my life. Through therapy I've learned how my childhood has affected my current self, but this is a totally new way of looking at it.
We all regress emotionally at different time for different reasons. I learned here what my triggers are and how to respond so that I don't regress. I appreciate the repetitive advice of choosing to act like an adult and not a child.
I will refer to this book again and again. I'm so glad it came into my life.
Holy cow, this is one heck of a book! I've never read anything quite like it.
This is the story of a man who is swallowed by a whale while scuba divinHoly cow, this is one heck of a book! I've never read anything quite like it.
This is the story of a man who is swallowed by a whale while scuba diving and only has one hour's worth of air in his tank. I suspected this would be an intense read but I couldn't have imagined just exactly how much. I could barely put it down while reading and found myself gasping and exclaiming out loud in multiple spots.
The writing gets pretty graphic (aka disgusting) at times describing the situation Jay has found himself in. While this was tough to read at times, it added to the intensity of the story and made it believable.
The entire book takes place in less than two hours and is fast paced. And while the current story is taking place, we get flashes back to Jay's childhood and his relationship with his dad. This is also a book about suicide and grief.
I highly recommend this book for readers who want a thriller that is different from the typical stories out there. It's a story about the sea and about being human.
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley, all opinions are my own. ...more
A very sweet fake dating story. There were a few unresolved threads that kept it from being five stars but otherwise it was pretty close.
Rebecca is aA very sweet fake dating story. There were a few unresolved threads that kept it from being five stars but otherwise it was pretty close.
Rebecca is a big deal attorney who has put work first her entire life and doesn't have time for anything else. Hudson is an upbeat furniture maker who just might make her see life differently. The two have great chemistry and fabulous banter. I just wish he had a personal journey like she did.
This book has everything I love about the romance genre: hot sex, humor, and heavy subjects such as loss of a parent/grief, and managing familial expectations.
It's a very enjoyable read and I highly recommend it....more
I love Adriana Herrera's books! They are exactly what romance novels are supposed to be. This one is smokin' hot and swoony.
Alba leaves her job as ThI love Adriana Herrera's books! They are exactly what romance novels are supposed to be. This one is smokin' hot and swoony.
Alba leaves her job as Theo's assistant and moves across the country. Soon he is there, finally able to be open about the feelings he has for her. The two work together in a different capacity than before and things get spicy!
I loved how this book had characters and story from the previous one. I especially appreciate how found family is strong theme in this series.
My favorite Rachel Hawkins novel by far. This is a dual timeline story with both taking place in an Italian villa with a sordid history.
I listened toMy favorite Rachel Hawkins novel by far. This is a dual timeline story with both taking place in an Italian villa with a sordid history.
I listened to the audiobook and the two narrators did a great job giving personality to each character and timeframe.
The story is twisty and compelling. When I was listening, I kept looking for more things to do so I wouldn't have to stop it! There's a true crime/podcast element that was fun too.
I highly recommend this one for readers of thrillers and audiobook listeners. ...more
DNF page 74. I gave this my best effort but it I wasn't drawn into the story at all. I didn't connect to any of hte characters. In fact I found the maDNF page 74. I gave this my best effort but it I wasn't drawn into the story at all. I didn't connect to any of hte characters. In fact I found the main character Phoebe to be pretty annoying. I realize her obsession with the neighbor being a serial killer will somehow turn into them in a relationship but I just can't see it and don't care enough to keep going....more
Whew, the secret identity can be stressful! But it's done really well here. This is a sweet story and I enjoyed it from start to finish.
Lily and NickWhew, the secret identity can be stressful! But it's done really well here. This is a sweet story and I enjoyed it from start to finish.
Lily and Nick get to know each other through emails though she never knows his true identity. My only problem with the book is that I didn't find the emails deep enough to believe they fell in love that way. They shared a lot yes, but it didn't seem exceptional.
Otherwise, I loved that fate played a role in them finding each other again in real life. They have great chemistry which makes for some swoony, sexy scenes.
I've never read a forbidden romance before, they've never held appeal, but I had to find one for a reading challenge I'm doing this year.
This is a neI've never read a forbidden romance before, they've never held appeal, but I had to find one for a reading challenge I'm doing this year.
This is a new adult book so I realize that I'm not the target audience. However I found it entertaining and I devoured it in two sittings. I did find some parts hard to believe and big chunks of the story are repeated when we later get them from Elec's point of view after already seeing them from Greta's.
While technically the two are step-siblings, so their relationship is forbidden, they only live together for a few months and this isn't quite as taboo as I thought it would be going in.
This is a beautiful unique story about accomplishing your dreams and being true to yourself.
Prudence is a former child prodigy pianist who hasn't plaThis is a beautiful unique story about accomplishing your dreams and being true to yourself.
Prudence is a former child prodigy pianist who hasn't played professionally in decades. She decides winning a reality show piano competition is the way to be relevant again (and winning the cash prize will help.) Alexie is her competition on the show, he's a young Russian pianist who has a lot of the line and needs to win.
From the blurb, I thought there would be a romance between the two main characters but there isn't. This is a chick lit book, not a romance novel.
I loved how important music was to all the characters. Even the side characters were interesting and relevant to the story. There was humor throughout as well as heavy subject matter such as child abuse and abandonment by a parent.
Highly recommend!
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
This was a delightful second chance romance, which is my favorite trope. It's a unique spin on it as well because the couple has a child together.
JanThis was a delightful second chance romance, which is my favorite trope. It's a unique spin on it as well because the couple has a child together.
Jana and Anil have been co-parenting their daughter for almost 5 years with minimal interaction. This is her wish because she doesn't want to get hurt by him again. When they end up together on a huge trip to Africa for mutual friends' wedding, they are in case proximity for weeks.
I loved all the characters, especially the side ones. There is a lot of great humor in this book and some sexiness, while still delving into heavy topics such as infidelity, familial expectations, sexism, and single parenting.
The setting of Africa (and several animal watching drives) was so much fun. I really got a feel for the place and loved the moments involving animals.
Highly recommend. I received an advanced copy from NetGalley, all opinions are my own....more
One of the best medical memoirs I've read. Despite not being able to remember large chucks of what went on, Susannah writes clearly and it flows well.One of the best medical memoirs I've read. Despite not being able to remember large chucks of what went on, Susannah writes clearly and it flows well. I liked how she used family members' memories and medical notes to fill in the pieces.
While it has a hopeful ending, this is a terrifying book. She does a great job of pointing out places where the medical system is lacking as well as where her privilege is part of the reason she survived.
This shouldn't be labeled as a romance novel, it's chick lit. And while it does have a romantic element, it isn't clear who the love interest is untilThis shouldn't be labeled as a romance novel, it's chick lit. And while it does have a romantic element, it isn't clear who the love interest is until over 50% through the book and the relationship between them isn't well developed.
I thought I'd enjoy this book because I love music (and romance novels) and while there is quite a bit of music throughout the story, it's mostly about Hazel's experience on the reality show called Sing Along.
Hazel isn't a likable heroine, she's a liar and selfish. The side characters around her aren't much better, and in some cases are much worse. The author tried to tackle too many storylines in one book. Is this about the #metoo movement or the dangers of celebrity or family estrangement or a romance? All those things are going on which means none of them are fully explored.
If you want to read about what it's like to be on American Idol, you'll like this book. Otherwise, skip it and read a romance of higher quality.
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley, all opinions are my own. ...more
The more I read the fake dating trope, the more I like it. Here it's done perfectly!
Alexis wants to get out of her comfort zone by having a one night The more I read the fake dating trope, the more I like it. Here it's done perfectly!
Alexis wants to get out of her comfort zone by having a one night stand. Though it doesn't quite pan out. She's photographed with the super hot Logan, who just so happens to be running for governor. His campaign decides the best approach is to pretend they're in a relationship. So Alexis gets caught up in his campaign and they both develop feelings along the way. It was truly delightful to follow along on their adventure.
I usually wouldn't 5 star a book that doesn't have sex until 93%, but it totally fit with these characters and their story. Plus they're was tons of tension along the way and the two have tons of chemistry.
This book captures everything I love about the romance genre: humor, sexiness, and heaviness. The characters deal with grief and loss in different ways.
I highly recommend this one. I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own....more
This wasn't a fast paced thriller, like I was expecting. Instead, it's slow paced and suspenseful. It's less about the IRA and The Troubles in IrelandThis wasn't a fast paced thriller, like I was expecting. Instead, it's slow paced and suspenseful. It's less about the IRA and The Troubles in Ireland and more about this one woman's experience.
Tessa is a producer at the BBC and a single mom. Her beloved sister goes missing and the police suspect Marian has joined the IRA. Tessa doesn't believe this and becomes determined to find out what really happened to her. When the truth comes out, Tessa is stunned and her loyalty to her sister gets her involved in risky activities.
This is a story about espionage but also about family. While it doesn't give a lot of details about The Troubles, it does paint a picture of what life was like during that time.
I'm not sure who I'd recommend this for. It's not a mystery or a thriller and it's not exactly historical fiction. I guess if you like spy stories, this will appeal to you....more
This started out great but about 3/4 through, it got real weird and lost me.
Bea is an unlikable narrator, which was kinda fun. We get a lot of backgrThis started out great but about 3/4 through, it got real weird and lost me.
Bea is an unlikable narrator, which was kinda fun. We get a lot of background on how she was raised by her con-artist mother. I can understand why she's so horrible, and it made me want to root for her to find happiness, even though she might not deserve it.
The woman vs woman drama throughout the book was tough to handle. I know it's probably realistic.
I listened to this audiobook and the narration was good, it added to the story. If the description sounds good to you, give it a try, but there are far better thrillers out there.
I didn't like this quite as much as the first in the series but it's still a thoroughly enjoyable read.
This is a relatively low angst story that dealI didn't like this quite as much as the first in the series but it's still a thoroughly enjoyable read.
This is a relatively low angst story that deals with neurodiversity in an open, honest way. I love how Dave and Sabine accept each other for exactly who they are.
It was fun to be back in the recording studio and see characters from the previous book. Piper was my favorite-she's a hoot!
I hope this series continues because I'll definitely read them!...more
**spoiler alert** This book was a disappointment compared to the author's other books. It was a quick easy read but it reminded me too much of "Little**spoiler alert** This book was a disappointment compared to the author's other books. It was a quick easy read but it reminded me too much of "Little Big Lies." I didn't like that there's this big mystery event "the bbq" that is mentioned over and over but by the time you find out what happened it's a let down. I was expecting something much more shocking and while what happened is certainly tragic, it felt forced. ...more
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