Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault Accusation (minor characters)
I love books with good mental health representation and Saved by Love is one of them. EvaTrigger Warning: Sexual Assault Accusation (minor characters)
I love books with good mental health representation and Saved by Love is one of them. Evan struggles with his anxiety to the extent that, prior to this book, he leaves professional hockey. His mental health and the role it plays in his life is all too familiar and really hits home. His big supportive family, most of whom have their own books, can sometimes feel too much and add to much pressure to him. Evan ends up joining the University of Bellevue as athletic trainer for the women’s gymnastics team where he meets Callie. Callie’s sister also has a book and, though I’ve read Toni Aleo’s entire backlist, I feel like I need a family tree to keep everyone straight! Despite my confusion, I do like cameos from other characters and the additional mental health rep from Nico.
Callie and Evan hit it off right away and their growing relationship is beautiful to watch. Because the age of the characters and the college setting, I’d call this book New Adult and at times, there were communication issues between Callie and Evan that stemmed from their age. Despite that, their chemistry was fire and I really loved seeing them fall for each other.
*There was something about this book that did make me a little uncomfortable and that was the alleged sexual assault by one of the hockey players. The story has that the event wasn’t sexual assault , and to me it wasn’t, but how the storyline played out with the woman being portrayed as wrong about the SA and that the event was unfair to the hockey player just left a bad taste in my mouth....more
It's been a while since I read a good friends-to-lovers romance and Spiked by Love is definitely that. Both Asher and Ally are children of previous chIt's been a while since I read a good friends-to-lovers romance and Spiked by Love is definitely that. Both Asher and Ally are children of previous characters and childhood best friends. Asher returns to Nashville after a broken engagement and looking to figure out the next step in his life. Ally is finishing college and is happy to be reunited with her old friend. Both are hesitant to take the step from friends to more for fear of ruining their friendship. However, that friendship is what I like most about the book. They just click on a deeper level. Both have made bad relationship choices in the past and are afraid that will carry into their budding romantic relationship. However, the beautiful relationship they can make from their friendship just might be worth the risk. ...more
Fool Me Once is a beautiful secret baby romance! Secret baby romances are my guilty pleasure but I especially like ones where it's logical that the baFool Me Once is a beautiful secret baby romance! Secret baby romances are my guilty pleasure but I especially like ones where it's logical that the baby is a secret. In the case of Blakely and Keegan, they have a spring break hookup and when there's a surprise afterwards, Blakely has no way of getting in touch with Keegan, despite her best efforts. When they run into each other years later, they have to learn how to be a family and whether they should have a romantic relationship. The bond between Blakely, Keegan, and Zane is so sweet and everything I wanted in a story like this!
Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
It's been a while since I've read a New Adult/college romance and I forgot how much I enjoyed them. Chass has escaped a cult and is learning to be norIt's been a while since I've read a New Adult/college romance and I forgot how much I enjoyed them. Chass has escaped a cult and is learning to be normal college student. Dylan is her neighbor from home who she always had a big crush on and is trying to introduce her to the college world. This story is sweet and sexy and even has caramel making! Heartland reminded me that my first introduction to Sarina Bowen was her New Adult books and why I loved them so much. The chemistry between Dylan and Chass is so steamy and I adored every minute of it! ...more
Guarding Her Heart was an emotional rollercoaster. Elle and Conor both had trauma in their past that they need to work through. Friends and coworkers,Guarding Her Heart was an emotional rollercoaster. Elle and Conor both had trauma in their past that they need to work through. Friends and coworkers, Conor becomes Elle’s protector as life changing and they become roommates. Throughout the book, both Elle and Conor’s past catches up with them, both with emotions they need to address and in reality. Guarding Her Heart is the story of two very broken characters learning to embrace each other and patch the holes in their hearts. The relationship between Elle and Conor becomes more than friends when she asks him to take her virginity. They both have desires that fit one another and their friendship becomes something far more as they begin a sexual relationship. Guarding Her Heart addresses serious issues including domestic abuse, in a tactful manner and shows the characters dealing with their trauma in healthy ways. While Elle does lean on Conor as her protector, she also learns how to protector herself. Guarding Her Heart is beautiful and sensitive and skillfully crafted. ...more
Loading...
