- friends to lovers - business partners - fake dating - he falls first (it's always been you) - forced proximity (one bed) - slow burn - no breakup - closed- friends to lovers - business partners - fake dating - he falls first (it's always been you) - forced proximity (one bed) - slow burn - no breakup - closed door - dual pov
This was cute and read very much like an early Sarah Adams book (circa The Match). Brooks is the golden retriever down bad for his best friend since college turned business partner, Molly. When she finally breaks up with her ex and needs a date for her sister's wedding, it's his time to show her what she's been missing.
It's a slow-burn, kissing-only romance with no breakup. But don't go into it thinking it's a holiday romance as I did because there's very little holiday fanfare. It's basically a romance that takes place in December ...more
- Enemies to lovers - Donut shop owner x Michelin star chef - Childhood best friends are getting married - It's always been you - No breakuRating: 3.75/5
- Enemies to lovers - Donut shop owner x Michelin star chef - Childhood best friends are getting married - It's always been you - No breakup - Slow burn - Closed door - Dual POV - Dual narration
Premise: you've hated Ryan ever since he rejected you in high school. But when you're brought back together in your childhood best friends's wedding, old feelings resurface for both of you.
If there's one thing Sarah does well, it's writing relatable FMCs. June's ex-fiancee didn't treat her well, and to avoid getting hurt again, she has a one-date rule.
But Ryan wants so much more, and he has enough charm to convince her to give him a second chance. He's incredibly patient and honest, not taking more than June wants to give and showing her she can trust him.
I really love how open they are with each other once their relationship progresses (and they move past the animosity and pranks of their past). There's no breakup, just a little wobble!
The epilogues are the perfect ending(s), and I love seeing how their story ends in the future.
Thank you to Dreamscape for the early audio copy!...more
"Ford, this is a once in a lifetime…once in a universe, type of love."
- Hockey romance (NHL team captain) - Marriage of convenience - Childhood best fri"Ford, this is a once in a lifetime…once in a universe, type of love."
- Hockey romance (NHL team captain) - Marriage of convenience - Childhood best friends to lovers - Single mum - He falls first/it's always been you - Mental health rep (MMC has Aspergers) - Found family - Closed door - Slow-burn romance with no breakup - Dual POV - Narrated by Alex Picard & David Bendena
Premise: you need surgery, but you don't have health insurance, so you fake-marry your rich NHL captain best friend.
What to expect in Betrothal or Breakaway: - The biggest softie sweetheart MMC ...more
"I was starving for her and everything she was. Every part of her. Inside and out. I wanted to fight all her battles. I wanted to give her all her smi"I was starving for her and everything she was. Every part of her. Inside and out. I wanted to fight all her battles. I wanted to give her all her smiles and make her laugh and snatch her away from the rest of the world and keep her all to myself. I just wanted her. For keeps."
- Irish high school setting - Shy, new girl & the popular rugby player - Kissing only - Check TWs - Dual POV
Premise: you finally get to go to a private school after being severely bullied at the public school. Yet, on your first day, you get hit in the head by a rogue rugby ball… and fall for the player who kicked it.
Here are my spoiler-free Binding 13 thoughts: - It took me a LONG time to get into the book. The first 40% was like a 3-star slog, and I wanted to give up. But then Johnny started getting protective, and I started getting invested. But there's 100% no reason for this book to be this long. I would've edited so much of the rugby talk from the beginning (and I'm a rugby girlie!). - Your heart will break for Shannon multiple times. My god, she's put through it again… and again… and again! I'm so glad she found safety with Johnny and a person she could finally be vulnerable and herself with. I can't wait to see how their relationship develops in the next book and where the future takes them. "Put your head up, Shannon like the river. No one's going to hurt you." - Prepare to fall for many of the side characters. I'm already a fan of Joey and Gibsie, who was the perfect humorous sidekick (when humour was much-needed to balance the heaviness). - This is Mariana Zapata-levels of slow burn with so much tension. They kiss maybe three times, and the first kiss isn't until the final third. You've been warned. - I listened to a bit of the audiobook (from Chapter 40 onwards is available on Hoopla), and the accents are glorious ...more
“I want Jake and Evie. Stupid kissing profile pictures. Cute ringtones for the other person. I don’t want anything less than planning months out for a“I want Jake and Evie. Stupid kissing profile pictures. Cute ringtones for the other person. I don’t want anything less than planning months out for a vacation and obnoxious Christmas cards that have you, me, Sam, and the dogs on the front. Can you handle that?”
- Single dad - FMC and his daughter have epilepsy - Charleston setting - Age gap (he’s seven years older) - Found family - Closed door - Dual POV
Premise: Evie works for a service dog company and meets Jake and his daughter while helping her pick and train her own service dog!
The Match is filled with Sarah’s signature cuteness, but you can also tell her writing has developed beautifully since its initial release.
What can you expect in The Match? - two cute dogs! - a chaotic but sunshine-personified FMC you kind of can’t help but want to be friends with, a.k.a. the quintessential Sarah Adams female character. - a charming and organised single dad who’d do anything for his daughter. The moment he and Evie shared where he brushed her hair and painted her nails to learn for his daughter was PRECIOUS ...more
"I wanted the old parts of our hurts to be drowned by the new discovery of our happiness. I wanted him. All of him. Every piece, every drop. I wanted "I wanted the old parts of our hurts to be drowned by the new discovery of our happiness. I wanted him. All of him. Every piece, every drop. I wanted to drown in his love."
Rating: 4.5/5
- Small town - Grumpy (him) x sunshine (her) - Hate to love - Fake dating - Black FMC & Latine MMC (grew up in Spain) - Doggy daycare & restaurant owners - He calls her Goldie - Slow burn - Kissing only - No breakup - Dual POV
I am OBSESSED with Brittainy Cherry. Everything she writes is just magic ✨. The Problem With Dating follows successful chef Alex, who moves to small-town Honey Creek when his beloved great-aunt passes and leaves him a restaurant space next door to Yara's doggy daycare.
They do NOT get off on the best foot. Alex is so grumpy and closed-off, bordering on rude. His friend literally says, "Alex isn’t much of an open book. Honestly, I’m pretty sure he superglued his pages shut." But you know that underneath is a man grieving the loss of the one person who loved and saved him.
Meanwhile, Yara is all sunshine and understanding, bordering on being a pushover, which rubs him the wrong way. The pair clash, but Alex brings out Yara’s fire, and it's fun to see! They lean into this dynamic, with Yara referring to him as Mr. Black (a black cat) and Alex calling her Goldie because she reminds him of a golden retriever.
As the pair reluctantly become friends, fake dating enters their relationship so they can show their exes they've moved on. I love how the fake dating smoothly transitions into a real relationship without any drama or breakup.
Gah, they were just so cute! While this is very much a slow-burn, closed-door romance, there was enough simmering tension and tender moments that you won't miss the spice, I promise.
You'll be too busy enjoying the amazing character development, and seeing Alex let Yara in and act all protective. Meanwhile, he gives Yara the confidence to stand up for herself with both customers and her ex.
"Being around her was making me better. Being near her was making me whole again."
This was also meant to be a more lighthearted romance for Brittainy, but we all know I teared up at the end ...more
"Because when we kiss, it feels right. Because when you smile at me my world feels whole."
Rating: 4.25/5
- Sports romance: football player x agent - Acc"Because when we kiss, it feels right. Because when you smile at me my world feels whole."
Rating: 4.25/5
- Sports romance: football player x agent - Accidental marriage in Vegas - Second chance: college sweethearts - Forced proximity & one bed… on their Mexico honeymoon! - He has a tattoo for her! - Closed door (with one scene) - Slow burn - No breakup - Dual POV
There’s just something about Sarah’s writing that’s so comforting.
Nora is sunshine personified – from her outlook on life to her clothing. Derek… is not ...more
“You are a rush to me. Every time I make you smile, my heart rate goes through the roof. Let’s not even talk about what your laugh does to me. But you“You are a rush to me. Every time I make you smile, my heart rate goes through the roof. Let’s not even talk about what your laugh does to me. But you’re not just my dopamine hit. You’re my soft place to land when I come back down.”
Rating: 4.5/5
- Holiday romance - English teachers - Dislike to love - Fake dating - Forced proximity - Closed door - Single POV
Olive does not like the new English teacher at her high school. But things get complicated when she tells her family they’re dating, so they can’t set her up with her ex during their week-long Christmas vacation at a Vermont lodge… the Vermont lodge Miles’s family owns. They agree to continue the ruse so his parents also get off his back.
Miles was the quintessential golden retriever. He was so genuinely kind, and nothing seemed to phase him. All he wanted was for Olive to stop being so nice and putting everyone else’s feelings above hers.
I love how he slowly got Olive to open up to him as she opened herself to new experiences. Seriously, they were so cute! Plus, this was fake dating done right. Miles didn't dance around his feelings and was always straight with Olive: “I would never fake date somebody I didn’t already want to be dating.”
Also, this quote: "He was my wings, and I was his nest." STOP IT RIGHT NOW ...more
"She’s the spicy cinnamon to my roll. The book to my worm. The angel to my… demon?"
- Pro hockey player - History professor - He falls first - Golden retr"She’s the spicy cinnamon to my roll. The book to my worm. The angel to my… demon?"
- Pro hockey player - History professor - He falls first - Golden retriever hero - He calls her Angel - Dating lessons - Closed door - Dual POV - Narrated by Alex Picard & Neill Thorne
Goodness, this series is just SO cute! This time we focus on Colby, the cocky golden retriever playboy hockey player. As soon as he locks eyes on his teammate’s wife’s best friend, his playboy ways are over.
It takes some time for him to convince Noel to give him a shot though and believe he’s changed, but he’s a patient man. When she asks him to be her dating coach to help her land a date with a fellow professor, he thinks this is his time to show her how great they could be together.
Between lessons, he also might read (and annotate!) her favourite books, surprise her at a fantasy convention, win over her family and speak to some disruptive students in her class.
He’s such a cinnamon roll and I adored him. But I also adored how he didn’t try to change Noel. He loved her and her nerdiness exactly as she was. She was a very relatable FMC and she deserved a softie like Colby.
Once again, while there was no spice, I got so absorbed in the story that I didn’t miss it. Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Leah & NetGalley for the early copy ...more
"The Grinch’s heart grew three times on Christmas Day. Mine? I wouldn’t know. It belongs to Tom. And always has."
Rating: 4.5/5
- Holiday romance - Divor"The Grinch’s heart grew three times on Christmas Day. Mine? I wouldn’t know. It belongs to Tom. And always has."
Rating: 4.5/5
- Holiday romance - Divorced couple - Second chance - Grumpy (her) sunshine (him) - Dual POV - Slow burn & no spice - Narrated by Tim Paige & Brianna Cohen
Katherine and Tom divorced four years ago. But when he gets a phone call two days before Christmas that his ex-wife has been in an accident and he’s still her emergency contact, he goes to help her like the good guy he is. Because she suffered a concussion, he drags her from NYC to Chicago to spend Christmas with his family. But it's not an easy journey to get there. Like everything that could go wrong? It goes wrong.
First off, I was sceptical about the premise of this book, but it surprised me in the best way. Like a book focusing on a divorced couple that's set over less than two days? With the slowest of slow burns imaginable and no spice? Who knew I'd eat it up and listen to the audiobook in less than two days? Not me! There was just something about the way they knew each other intrinsically (even though they didn’t want to admit it) that I couldn’t get enough.
The writing was also SO good. You’ve got witty banter that will make you LOL. An opposing dynamic between pragmatic Katherine ("A softie with a hard candy coating") and charming planner Tom that will just make you instantly fall in love with them. Emotional moments woven into the story that perfectly balance out the humour (yeah, I teared up). Plus, a deep dive into being female and unlikeable that will instantly make you see Katherine in a different light.
"I think I’ve spent my entire life in the dark, until Andie stomped her way in and lit up my entire world."
- Hockey romance - Pro hockey player x criti"I think I’ve spent my entire life in the dark, until Andie stomped her way in and lit up my entire world."
- Hockey romance - Pro hockey player x critical care nurse - Single guardian - Grumpy/sunshine - Dislike to love - Therapy rep - Found family - No breakup - Dual POV
Simply put, Desire or Defense is stinking CUTE! Like if Sarah Adams wrote a hockey romance, this would be it. Mitch is a suspended NHL player and to reform his image he begins coaching younger kids... including Andie's little brother, who she's now the guardian of following their parents' death. While they immediately butt heads, Mitch takes Noah under his wing and Andie sees a different side to the broody hockey player.
Here’s everything I loved: - The AMAZING therapy rep and how openly Mitch talked about it with Noah. The unlikely pair had a kinship that will melt your heart. - Mitch’s character development. He was locked up tighter than a safe. But through Andie, Noah and therapy, he came to realise he was worthy of love and slowly let them all in. - The HUG (I know, I swooned over a hug but Mitch’s speech hits you in the feels ...more
“I swear the sunlight hits this woman differently than other people. It seeps into her skin, makes her glow.” >>Are you kidding me?
- Small-town romanc“I swear the sunlight hits this woman differently than other people. It seeps into her skin, makes her glow.” >>Are you kidding me?
- Small-town romance - Friends to lovers - Good girl x bad boy - Stern brunch daddy (IYKYK) - Flower shop owner x bodyguard - Fake dating with a twist (he becomes her dating coach) - Fade to black
For me, the sign of a 5-star book is immediately wanting to re-read it as soon as I finish. This is how I felt when I hit the end of this audiobook, which is AMAZING btw. Both narrators truly capture Annie and Will.
Suffice it to say, I absolutely ADORED this book. I adored sweet Annie as she took the time to figure out what she truly wanted in life. I resonated with her from the first page: from her dating woes to her love of romance books (of course) to her shyness>> "The thing about quiet people is, we’re only quiet because our brains are so busy overthinking everything.” It's me, hi ...more
"You kiss like you dance." "Terribly?" "Like someone waiting to be asked. You can just dance, Lemon. You can take the lead." "And you'll follow?" "To the "You kiss like you dance." "Terribly?" "Like someone waiting to be asked. You can just dance, Lemon. You can take the lead." "And you'll follow?" "To the moon and back." ...more
"I've wanted this for so long. It's like I'm dreaming. But if this is real, and it's actually happening, I'm taking my f*cking time."
- Childhood frien"I've wanted this for so long. It's like I'm dreaming. But if this is real, and it's actually happening, I'm taking my f*cking time."
- Childhood friends to lovers - Marriage of convenience - Forced proximity (roommates) - Mutual pining - Chronic illness rep - Dual POV - Fade to black
Would You Rather follows childhood best friends Mia and Noah, who work together at his father's architecture firm. Mia gets the opportunity to go back to school to become a dietitian, but can't accept it because she needs her work's health insurance for her kidney treatments. Along comes Noah with the grand idea of getting married. What could go wrong?
This book was just stinking cute! From the beginning, Noah and Mia had this amazing friendship built on trust, honesty, a mutual love for chicken wings and pranks! I loved their banter and the depth of their friendship. I also appreciated the dual POV so we could feel their mutual pining for each other. The chemistry and tension between them were electric and I just loved their mutual admiration and support for one another.
I also felt the characters were really well-developed. Because this book was about their romance as well as their separate healing journeys. For Noah, it was about accepting his brother's death and moving on. For Mia, it was about accepting her past and forgiving her parents.
Overall, if you like friends-to-lovers stories or are looking for a romance with minimal spice, I would highly recommend checking out Would You Rather. The audiobook also only had one narrator but the dual POV was really well done....more
The Matzah Ball is told from both Rachel's and Jacob's perspectives. Rachel is a secret Christmas romance novelist, but her publishers have asked her The Matzah Ball is told from both Rachel's and Jacob's perspectives. Rachel is a secret Christmas romance novelist, but her publishers have asked her to write a Hannukah romance. Lacking inspiration, Rachel realises Jacob's upcoming Matzah Ball is the perfect inspiration. However, the only way to gain access is to volunteer and work closely with Jacob, her archenemy from summer camp some 18 years ago.
I think The Matzah Ball had such good potential, as the Jewish and chronic illness rep was fantastic. However, I found the romance to be extremely underwhelming. The "enemies" part of the enemies-to-lovers situation dragged on for too long, especially when they were enemies over a misunderstanding when they were children and hadn't seen each other since.
From the few interactions they had together, I just didn't think there was any chemistry. Rachel also wasn't the most likeable FMC. She lied to Jacob about both her chronic fatigue and her job, she was mean to him when he tried to be kind and she really only slightly redeemed herself when she "saved" the Matzah Ball. The author continually told us how thoughtful she was but this wasn’t reflected in her actions.
As with every other traditionally published romance, there was also a 3rd act "breakup"... but they weren't even in a relationship? Liked at that point they'd kissed... once. So ultimately, this book was a miss for me....more
“I don’t want to be your friend.” “You don’t?” “I want to be your everything.”
Here's what you can expect in Just Another Love Song: - Celebrity romance (“I don’t want to be your friend.” “You don’t?” “I want to be your everything.”
Here's what you can expect in Just Another Love Song: - Celebrity romance (musician) - Small-town romance - Second chance romance (high school sweethearts reconnecting 15 years later). - Single dad - It’s always been you - A slow slow burn (and fade to black).
I really enjoyed Just Another Love Song. It has everything I love in a small-town romance... without the spice ...more
Molly and Max have a meet-cute to remember in the small town of Turtle Beach, when Molly saves Max from drowning. However, things take a turn the nextMolly and Max have a meet-cute to remember in the small town of Turtle Beach, when Molly saves Max from drowning. However, things take a turn the next day when Max, the new director of the aquarium that's financially struggling, fires Molly the mermaid. The pair continue to clash until Max asks Molly to help him save the aquarium.
Let's start with what I did like. I loved the town of Turtle Beach, with its meddling senior citizens, bingo nights, sandcastle building competitions, delicious cupcakes and interesting coffee concoctions from Turtle Books. I also loved the unique setting of the aquarium and how the book primarily focuses on the town's sea turtle population. Finally, who wouldn't love cute little Ursula?
I guess the main thing I didn't love was the underdeveloped romance. I just didn't feel a strong connection between Molly and Max except for their obvious physical attraction to one another. It was basically a slow burn without the chemistry and tension. I also don't think Max treated Molly that well for someone apparently in love. ...more
Cinder-Nanny follows Diana, a broke 23-year-old who lies her way into becoming a nanny for a wealthy family li"I will always choose you."
Rating: 3.5/5
Cinder-Nanny follows Diana, a broke 23-year-old who lies her way into becoming a nanny for a wealthy family living in Aspen for a few months. The reason? To get enough money to pay for her sister's kidney transplant. While in Aspen, Diana unexpectedly meets Griffin, an actual English Earl. The pair are instantly attracted to one another and while Diana tries to remain friends with him, her resolve falters as they spend more and more time together. But will he run away when he learns the truth?
Cinder-Nanny didn't quite capture my attention as much as I'd hoped. Firstly, it was very much a slooooow burn, with Griffin being the shining light. He was infatuated with Diana from the beginning, even as she slowly revealed secret after secret. I appreciated his dedication and love for her, even when she repeatedly said she just wanted to be friends.
I actually really liked all the side characters. Alice was such a fun big sister and they had a strong sisterly bond. Meanwhile, Milo was such a cute and misunderstood kid and I liked how Diana used her skills to teach him things in his own way. But in general, I just didn't feel a strong connection to Diana.
Overall though, if you like your romance with a side of escapism, this modern-day Cinderella retelling might do the trick....more
“When you’re not around, even for a little while, I feel like I have to go find you. I just feel this pull to be near you... I want to memorize you—to“When you’re not around, even for a little while, I feel like I have to go find you. I just feel this pull to be near you... I want to memorize you—to learn you like a song. I feel like I’ve been lost all my life until now—and somehow with you I’m just found.”
The Bodyguard follows executive protection agent Hannah, who's tasked with keeping world-famous actor Jack Stapleton safe from his stalker. Jack has one condition though... they must fake a relationship in front of his sick mother and family so they don't stress.
Here's what to expect: - a different kind of workplace romance: bodyguard x actor - forced proximity when they move to his family ranch and share a bedroom. - fake dating - opposites attract - closed-door ("he kisses you like it's destiny ❤️") - laugh-out-loud moments and excellent banter (Hannah's the only one to make Jack laugh ...more
"Tyler is a sarcastic comment followed by a warm smile. A salty bowl of popcorn paired with a sugary soda."
On Schedule is the perfect ending to this s"Tyler is a sarcastic comment followed by a warm smile. A salty bowl of popcorn paired with a sugary soda."
On Schedule is the perfect ending to this series and is definitely tied for my favourite with It's Just Business (you can't make me choose between Tyler and Austin). This time we're focused on wedding planner, Avery and photographer, Tyler. The pair have to work closely when one of their clients asks Tyler to take photos of all the behind-the-scenes and preparations before the big day. While they get off to a rocky start, they soon become friends even though they secretly both want to be more.
In the other books, Avery was always the organised straight-shooter out of the three main characters, but in On Schedule, we learn more about her upbringing and how this affects her adult life and relationships. I adored her chemistry with Tyler, which is apparent from the beginning thanks to the pair's tension and banter. I'm so glad we get to hear from his point of view as well.
This slow-burn romance is filled with swoony moments, as Tyler is a total charmer and definitely book boyfriend material. My favourites were basically every moment with Elvis the rescue dog and Thanksgiving dinner.
"Every ounce of female hormones in my body is being shot to my heart. Like a firing squad of estrogen or something." I feel you, Avery.
Overall, prepare to be swept off your feet by Summer's fun writing style. This is a closed-door romance perfect for fans of Sarah Adams and Emma St. Clair.
Thank you to Summer Dowell for the ARC in exchange for this honest review....more
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