Nisha Sharma books have always been a hit with me and Dating Dr Dil continued that trend. This NJ girl loved the Edison and Jersey City setting of theNisha Sharma books have always been a hit with me and Dating Dr Dil continued that trend. This NJ girl loved the Edison and Jersey City setting of the book (anytime a restaurant was mentioned, I immediately looked it up and added it to my list of food places to try). The family dynamics, the cultural influence that both Prem and Kareena felt as children of immigrants, all made this a richly written story. Take all of that and add the steamy attraction between Prem and Kareena and their witting banter and it makes for a winning story. For a Shakespeare retelling, it did feel a little light on Taming of the Shrew but I actually think that made the book stronger. The antagonism that Kareena feels for Prem is there in their second meeting but it quickly fades in the presence of the burning attraction between them. This book including a fascinating cast of minor characters, from the aunties to both Kareena and Prem’s friend groups, and their families. I even had a moment of thanks at the end of the book that my sister is not at all like Kareena’s sister. Overall, this was an excellent modern adaptation of a problematic Shakespeare play, keeping all the good wittiness and attraction between the main characters without the issues in the play....more
I really enjoyed The Worst Best Man but I think I loved The Wedding Crasher even more. Everything about this book was a delight, from start to finish.I really enjoyed The Worst Best Man but I think I loved The Wedding Crasher even more. Everything about this book was a delight, from start to finish. Dean and Solange were both complex and yet gorgeously crafted characters and I really enjoyed being along from the crazy ride that is their love story. The contrast between Dean and his mapped out life and Solange being at the precipice of a new adventure in hers played at perfectly. Solange interrupting his wedding and then being roped into a fake relationship with Dean was just a rollercoaster of fun to read. And don't even get me started on the Magic Mike scene which had me laughing out loud. Fake relationship aren't always my favorite trope but it was beautifully executed in this book. Both Solange and Dean just worked so well together and the sexual tension between them kept burning brighter and brighter. This book really hit the mark of being sexy and funny. The entire cast of side characters, from Dean's horrible coworker and Solange's noisy cousin to Dean's mom and Solange's aunts and mom, were so beautifully developed and added so much depth to the story. And the food! While reading this book, I was googling Brazilian food near me! I want to try it all! This was just a great read and I had fun with this story! ...more
I’ve enjoyed all three books in the Cowboys of California series but I think this was my favorite one. I wanted Jesse’s story from the beginning and tI’ve enjoyed all three books in the Cowboys of California series but I think this was my favorite one. I wanted Jesse’s story from the beginning and this book was a chance for him to really come to life. He and Lily-Grace, from their adorable childhood to her bursting into his meeting and giving him a piece of her mind, just clicked in the best way. While Lily-Grace was back in town recovering from her own issues, Jesse is really the one who has things to work through and overcome. Their relationship was just everything. From Jesse teaching her how to swim to the intimacy lessons Lily-Grace gave him, the dynamic between the two was just perfect! Overall, I really enjoyed this entire series and Jesse and Lily-Grace’s story was the perfect finish!...more
This is the third book I’ve read in the Cider Bar Sisters series ( I need to back and read book 1) and this is my favorite book so far! The premise ofThis is the third book I’ve read in the Cider Bar Sisters series ( I need to back and read book 1) and this is my favorite book so far! The premise of this book, with Nicole and David being neighbors and David hearing Nicole have sex through their shared wall, is so intriguing! Nicole is the type of heroine I really wish we saw more of in romance. She’s struggled with losing herself in a past relationship and once she freed herself from that, she is now unapologetically herself. She and David develop a friendship at first, with Friday night dinners and the most delicious food ever. Seriously, even if you’re completely full, you will be starving and craving one of the meals and desserts Nicole and David have while reading this book. As they move from friends to friends with benefits, their relationship grows even more. This book is definitely the sexiest of the series so far. There’s a scene where Nicole takes home a man and knows that David is listening on the other side of the wall… wow. There’s sex toys and trust and everything sexy and hot and adorable and sweet all mixed up in this delicious book!
*Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
In a series with two MMF books, I was surprised that Pride and Passion ended up being the steamiest so far! I was so happy to return to Gold Sky and sIn a series with two MMF books, I was surprised that Pride and Passion ended up being the steamiest so far! I was so happy to return to Gold Sky and see Delilah get her Happily Ever After. Initially, she is wary of the matchmaking her mother is trying to do between herself and Elliot. She thought he was first interested in her older sister and decides to write him off. However, her mother and the town have other plans. The sparks between her and Elliot singe the page! First, it’s their “unfriendly” banter which is really just hiding their attraction. This book has more misunderstandings than the previous books and despite outside influence and fun tropes like stranded with only one bed and needing to remove wet clothes, it takes a while for Delilah and Elliot to work things out. The only thing I wish this book had was Elliot’s POV. I’d love to see him start to fall for Delilah and to see her through his eyes. Aside from that, this was a lovely book that even made me tear up at moments! I’m sad that the next book is the last Wickes-Barnes sister but I also can’t wait to read it!
*Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
Kennedy Ryan absolutely slays with most of her books and that's extra true for The Close-Up. Honestly, I finished this book and immediately reread HooKennedy Ryan absolutely slays with most of her books and that's extra true for The Close-Up. Honestly, I finished this book and immediately reread Hook Shot. The Close-Up is a cross over between the Hollywood Renaissance and the Hoops series which means we got to revisit with characters which I always love. But even more so, is the beautiful love story between Naz and Kira. They met as teenagers and had a night that could have been more but life got in the way. When they reconnect, sparks absolutely fly between them and light up the page. Seriously, this book is fire. In a short amount of pages, Kennedy Ryan captures the chemistry and the emotional bond between Naz and Kira and takes us along for the ride. While there are both external and internal challenges trying to keep them apart, the bond between Naz and Kira is so strong that you know they will work things out. This book is a little taste of what makes Kennedy Ryan's writing for addicting and once you have a taste, you want more! ...more
There were so many things I loved about this book. I loved the relationship and support between Trixie and her female friends, and Andre's sister KeisThere were so many things I loved about this book. I loved the relationship and support between Trixie and her female friends, and Andre's sister Keisha too! The sex positivity and the focus of sex toys and women's pleasure were especially important and well-written. The food descriptions, both Vietnamese and Southern, made me starving reading this book. Trixie as a character trying to find her way in the world, with parental expectations and her own desires was an intriguing and complex character. I think my biggest problem was that Andre wasn't. His reasoning behind their initial breakup does make sense but already left me on edge when he was introduced. Perhaps it was the length of time they were together. Ghosting after a month or two might be forgivable but after a two-year relationship is really hard to come back from. Then I felt that he didn't grovel enough and that Trixie forgave him too easily. His automatic judgment of Trixie's sex toy pop-ups didn't help even though their chemistry was steamy. And then, in the end of the book, he makes decision and gives Trixie an unfair choice instead of supporting her. I loved so much about this book but had a really hard time with the central relationship.
*Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
This book definitely needs some trigger warnings: miscarriage, school shooting, death of a child, racist attack.
I went into this story thinking it wasThis book definitely needs some trigger warnings: miscarriage, school shooting, death of a child, racist attack.
I went into this story thinking it was going to be a light read and wow, was I wrong. This book was emotionally rough. It definitely puts the characters and the reader through the wringer. Daniel meets Annika on the worst day of her life and she doesn’t remember him. When they meet again later, the chemistry between them in burning. But Daniel has experienced severe trauma in the past and he hasn’t dealt with it. Annika is understanding and supportive and even willing to stand up to her parents, who want her to marry an Indian doctor and go to medical school herself, for him. This book has some great family moments and a lot of healing but it takes time and the characters need to work for it. It’s certainly not for those looking for a light read. But if you push through the trauma, it is worth it in the end.
*Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
I absolutely loved You Had Me at Hola last year so, of course, I was hyped for the next Primas of Power book! A Lot Like Adiós is a reunion story. MicI absolutely loved You Had Me at Hola last year so, of course, I was hyped for the next Primas of Power book! A Lot Like Adiós is a reunion story. Michelle and Gabe were childhood friends, on the cusp of something more, when he leaves NYC for California and completely abandons their friendship. When they reconnect, around Gabe opening a gym in NY and Michelle being hired to run the marketing campaign, they quickly return to that friendship moving into romance stage. I’ve said in the past that I’m not the biggest fan of flashback scenes but this book does it in an unique way. Like the previous book’s tv show cutaways, this book uses instant messages about the sci-fi fanfiction Michelle and Gabe wrote together as teens to give insight into their past friendship. I felt that this was perfect with how it flowed in the book and into their final story and didn’t take me out of the current storyline like I think usually flashbacks do. Both Michelle and Gabe are Bi and I love how it was addressed in this book. It was so natural and just a part of who they are.
In addition to Michelle and Gabe rediscovering their friendship and attraction, there is the subplot of family that runs through the book. Gabe initially left because of conflict with his parents. While Gabe’s earlier reason for cutting ties was the right move, reconnecting with his family and developing an adult relationship with his parents, who have become more understanding, does seem to happen at the right pace and doesn’t seemed forced. This is a lovely story of friendship, deep love, and the bonds of family, both biological and not....more
Review: There was a little hesitancy in the back of my mind, going into Reel. A director/actress relationship has the potential for being extre[image]
Review: There was a little hesitancy in the back of my mind, going into Reel. A director/actress relationship has the potential for being extremely problematic in terms of power balance. However, I know that, as witnessed in previous books, that Kennedy Ryan handles tough issues with sensitivity and delicacy. And she does so in Reel. The relationship between Neevah as the breakthrough actress and Canon, the director who has been burned by mixing work and personal together before, is handled with such care. The dual perspectives of Neevah and Canon show that both are equally attracted to each other and try to fight it throughout the filming. The timeline helps too as the book spans over a year from their first meeting. Once they do give in to their passion, consent is talked about and a vibrant part of their relationship. Actually reading the story, there was nothing about their power balance that made me uncomfortable. The only time Canon wielded his power as director was in defense of Neevah’s medical needs and it was always in support of her.
There are a lot serious issues addressed in Reel from Neevah’s family to chronic illness (lupus for Neevah, off the page death and MS for Canon’s mom). Kennedy Ryan weaves each into this story and they only add to the beauty of the love story that is Canon and Neevah.
Damn it, Kennedy, how dare you write a book that threatens to overturn Queen Move as my favorite Kennedy Ryan book but Reel just might do that. The intersection of Dessi Blue’s story, the role Neevah plays, adds so much depth and additional heartache and beauty to an already beautiful story. Just the story of Canon and Neevah alone is phenomenal but Dessi Blue takes it a step further into greatness. The unsung story of Black musicians and their influence is one that desperately needs to be told and there is a sadness in my heart that the Dessi Blue movie isn’t actually real. The richness of Kennedy Ryan’s writing is one that is unmatched in literature today, in my opinion. Her words, so carefully chosen, reveal depth of her understanding of her characters and her ability to pull the reader in the intense world she crafted. Reel is truly a masterpiece of romance.
*Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This adorable novella from Jackie Lau features an opposites-attract couple, faking dating, delightful holiday antics and even a gingerbread house makiThis adorable novella from Jackie Lau features an opposites-attract couple, faking dating, delightful holiday antics and even a gingerbread house making contest! Julie and Tom are set up on a blind date where it is clear they are complete opposites. They go their separate ways but Julie realizes that Tom is the perfect boyfriend that her parents’ want for her. To get her parents off her back, she tells them about Tom and pretends he’s her boyfriend. To her surprise, he agrees to the charade and to spend Christmas with her family. I loved the contrast between Tom and Julie and how what initially put them off each other becomes adorable as they grow closer. It was interesting to read a story where the attraction isn’t a first sight but grows the more they get to know each other. I don’t read a lot of holiday romances but this one definitely put me in the Christmas spirit and I greatly enjoyed it!
*Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
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