Millie Hart writes romance, the happy endings that readers want for themselves, but she knows she can dFind this review and others at Carlene Inspired
Millie Hart writes romance, the happy endings that readers want for themselves, but she knows she can do more. In one last attempt to impress her scholarly father Millie sets out to write the complete opposite of romance, but first she'll need to get somewhere secluded, somewhere moody, somewhere not filled with a lawn of gnomes. Unfortunately, a lawn of gnomes and a cheery cottage is what she's got, so she's going to make the most of it, at least until the hears the 80's music blaring from next door. Drake is all bark no bite, but he needs the music to work and something about his temporary neighbor and her insane pajamas has him growling a bit more often. She refuses to let her neighbor stop her from literary success, but she doesn't plan on their chemistry, their witty banter, the charm of the town, or her brain's natural tendency to write a meet cute into a happily ever after starring herself.
Another instant hint from Tracy Ewens filled with heat and heart! Blow is the realistic love story told from the alternative perspective of Millie and Drake. It's a classic case of small town locals meets big shot out of towner, no one wants to let her in, but Millie seems to be holding the key to Bodega Bay's missing pieces and soon it's just Drake having a hard time opening up. Millie was not my favorite at first, she's all talk and money, but then she opens up and we get to see she's wearing the same armor we all have on, the one we made out of our parent's opinions, our past hurts, our dreams and the struggles we've gone through to get them. Drake is handsome, intimidating, and a bit entitled, but he's got a story behind him too and getting to know it made me fall for him hard. Millie and Drake don't seem to be a pair of puzzle pieces meant to be together, but somehow they fit even if it takes them an entire novel to figure it out. They annoy one another, they bicker, but they understand one another and it makes for such a charming love story.
Like all Tracy Ewens novels, I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with the characters and town that she brings to life on the pages. The A Love Story series consists of several standalone novels that take place in cute northern California towns. They feature relatable characters going through real life situations and finding love along the way. The characters are quirky, the dialogue feels natural, and the writing is just stellar. I am forever a fan of this series and Blow is at the top of that list now.
Millie Hart writes romance, the happy endings that readers want for themselves, but she knows she can do more. In one last attempt to impress her scholarly father Millie sets out to write the complete opposite of romance, but first she'll need to get somewhere secluded, somewhere moody, somewhere not filled with a lawn of gnomes. Unfortunately, a lawn of gnomes and a cheery cottage is what she's got, so she's going to make the most of it, at least until the hears the 80's music blaring from next door. Drake is all bark no bite, but he needs the music to work and something about his temporary neighbor and her insane pajamas has him growling a bit more often. She refuses to let her neighbor stop her from literary success, but she doesn't plan on their chemistry, their witty banter, the charm of the town, or her brain's natural tendency to write a meet cute into a happily ever after starring herself.
Another instant hint from Tracy Ewens filled with heat and heart! Blow is the realistic love story told from the alternative perspective of Millie and Drake. It's a classic case of small town locals meets big shot out of towner, no one wants to let her in, but Millie seems to be holding the key to Bodega Bay's missing pieces and soon it's just Drake having a hard time opening up. Millie was not my favorite at first, she's all talk and money, but then she opens up and we get to see she's wearing the same armor we all have on, the one we made out of our parent's opinions, our past hurts, our dreams and the struggles we've gone through to get them. Drake is handsome, intimidating, and a bit entitled, but he's got a story behind him too and getting to know it made me fall for him hard. Millie and Drake don't seem to be a pair of puzzle pieces meant to be together, but somehow they fit even if it takes them an entire novel to figure it out. They annoy one another, they bicker, but they understand one another and it makes for such a charming love story.
Like all Tracy Ewens novels, I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with the characters and town that she brings to life on the pages. The A Love Story series consists of several standalone novels that take place in cute northern California towns. They feature relatable characters going through real life situations and finding love along the way. The characters are quirky, the dialogue feels natural, and the writing is just stellar. I am forever a fan of this series and Blow is at the top of that list now.
If we're still single at thirty can we promise we will marry each other? That's the promise that ReeseFind this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
If we're still single at thirty can we promise we will marry each other? That's the promise that Reese and Erin make to each other at fifteen, unaware of how quickly thirty would come. There's been significant others, careers, and moves, with the two remaining best friends through it all. The pact was seemingly forgotten, until the call comes that Reese is moving home and thirty is looming. Erin hasn't believe in love or marriage since her parent's divorce, but Reese, who has been harboring a secret crush for years, is determined to change her mind and get the girl he know he's meant to be with.
"My mind wanders to the pact, and if he's thought about it as our thirtieth birthdays neared."
Sweet friends to love romances are some of my favorite escapes, so of course Save the Date was right up my alley. Even better? Carrie Aarons is the author and she has the perfect sense of humor to take this romance into rom-com territory. Erin has just the right amount of sass, with a no-nonsense attitude and an unfortunately negative view of romance. She's smart, driven, and unable to give into any of dreams. That's where Reese comes in, because he's as handsome and sweet as they can come. A pediatric nurse with a love for babies and all things Erin, he's come to follow through on the marriage pact and make the girl he's always wanted his wife. Of course, it can't be easy and the dialogue between these two is fantastic. They work through drama, have the best friendship, and along the way it is revealed that the chemistry between them has always been there, it's undeniable that they're meant to be. Carrie Aarons tells a story that's realistic, yet lighthearted, the kind that anyone can escape into for a while.
If we're still single at thirty can we promise we will marry each other? That's the promise that Reese and Erin make to each other at fifteen, unaware of how quickly thirty would come. There's been significant others, careers, and moves, with the two remaining best friends through it all. The pact was seemingly forgotten, until the call comes that Reese is moving home and thirty is looming. Erin hasn't believe in love or marriage since her parent's divorce, but Reese, who has been harboring a secret crush for years, is determined to change her mind and get the girl he know he's meant to be with.
"My mind wanders to the pact, and if he's thought about it as our thirtieth birthdays neared."
Sweet friends to love romances are some of my favorite escapes, so of course Save the Date was right up my alley. Even better? Carrie Aarons is the author and she has the perfect sense of humor to take this romance into rom-com territory. Erin has just the right amount of sass, with a no-nonsense attitude and an unfortunately negative view of romance. She's smart, driven, and unable to give into any of dreams. That's where Reese comes in, because he's as handsome and sweet as they can come. A pediatric nurse with a love for babies and all things Erin, he's come to follow through on the marriage pact and make the girl he's always wanted his wife. Of course, it can't be easy and the dialogue between these two is fantastic. They work through drama, have the best friendship, and along the way it is revealed that the chemistry between them has always been there, it's undeniable that they're meant to be. Carrie Aarons tells a story that's realistic, yet lighthearted, the kind that anyone can escape into for a while.
As Long As You Hate Me (ALAYHM) is a second-chance, fake fiance romance. It sounds like a pile of cliches tossed together, but seeing as the author isAs Long As You Hate Me (ALAYHM) is a second-chance, fake fiance romance. It sounds like a pile of cliches tossed together, but seeing as the author is Carrie Aarons you have to know she's going to find a way to put them together well. She doesn't disappoint, making ALAYHM one of the first fake fiance romances I have enjoyed in a very long time. Main characters Kara and Dean were once high-school sweethearts, destined to be together forever with Kara riding out the waves of Dean's stardom as she studied in school. Something quite dramatic happens and they've spend the last several years hating each other, with Dean filling the void left behind with a lot of women and Kara up to her eye-balls in debt as she completes schooling to become a Dermatologist. Dean needs something to fix his image though and that perfect something is Kara. Accepting the money was easy, but neither expects that something more could come of the one-year contracted engagement and neither knows what to do with the feelings they thought they'd once buried.
"I haven't known you for seven years. I don't know who you are anymore, Dean."
Dean and Kara are fantastic characters, I love that they have a history together as youth and that they both worked towards their own individual goals and successes. As adults they're thriving, but they're both also missing something. Dean is handsome, headstrong, and a bit too in-your-face and surly. Kara is sweet, steadfast, and very, very emotional. They have these feelings for one another that they never had a truly proper ending for, so it was obvious from the very start what would happen between these two. Most of ALAYHM is Kara learning the truth of the past and the truth of the words in Dean's song. The rest of the book is made up of their time spent together, the majority of it passionate love or passionate fighting. The dialogue between these two is fantastic, so even when I felt like one of the characters was too over the top I enjoyed how it all was written.
"So, I'd started to write, and every song somehow became about her."
There were moments where I questions Dean's actions. He's the standard rock star, but his emotions are incredibly difficult to connect to. On top of that, he and Kara have these arguments that I just wish she could win for once, because she always give in to him. I struggled with the constant feeling that Kara let her feelings go about things, because she was just so in love. At the same time, Dean gives into his feelings of love over times when I would expect him to argue back to. It's very much so a constant case of F'ing and Fighting between these two.
"I just want one moment to breathe in the space where she and I exist again."
I loved how ALAYHM played out, revealing to the readers and to the characters just why these two were meant to be. It's a romantic novel with some humorous moments, a bit of smut, and a love of drama. Their mistakes and lessons learned were so accurate to real life, even with an over the top storyline, so that was fun to read and connect with. If you're looking for a sweet, second chance romance between a rockstar and a small town girl As Long As You Hate Me is the newest book to grab.
Carrie Aarons can write a believable fake-fiance romance, one that actually fits in with real life.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
As Long As You Hate Me (ALAYHM) is a second-chance, fake fiance romance. It sounds like a pile of cliches tossed together, but seeing as the author is Carrie Aarons you have to know she's going to find a way to put them together well. She doesn't disappoint, making ALAYHM one of the first fake fiance romances I have enjoyed in a very long time. Main characters Kara and Dean were once high-school sweethearts, destined to be together forever with Kara riding out the waves of Dean's stardom as she studied in school. Something quite dramatic happens and they've spend the last several years hating each other, with Dean filling the void left behind with a lot of women and Kara up to her eye-balls in debt as she completes schooling to become a Dermatologist. Dean needs something to fix his image though and that perfect something is Kara. Accepting the money was easy, but neither expects that something more could come of the one-year contracted engagement and neither knows what to do with the feelings they thought they'd once buried.
"I haven't known you for seven years. I don't know who you are anymore, Dean."
Dean and Kara are fantastic characters, I love that they have a history together as youth and that they both worked towards their own individual goals and successes. As adults they're thriving, but they're both also missing something. Dean is handsome, headstrong, and a bit too in-your-face and surly. Kara is sweet, steadfast, and very, very emotional. They have these feelings for one another that they never had a truly proper ending for, so it was obvious from the very start what would happen between these two. Most of ALAYHM is Kara learning the truth of the past and the truth of the words in Dean's song. The rest of the book is made up of their time spent together, the majority of it passionate love or passionate fighting. The dialogue between these two is fantastic, so even when I felt like one of the characters was too over the top I enjoyed how it all was written.
"So, I'd started to write, and every song somehow became about her."
There were moments where I questions Dean's actions. He's the standard rock star, but his emotions are incredibly difficult to connect to. On top of that, he and Kara have these arguments that I just wish she could win for once, because she always give in to him. I struggled with the constant feeling that Kara let her feelings go about things, because she was just so in love. At the same time, Dean gives into his feelings of love over times when I would expect him to argue back to. It's very much so a constant case of F'ing and Fighting between these two.
"I just want one moment to breathe in the space where she and I exist again."
I loved how ALAYHM played out, revealing to the readers and to the characters just why these two were meant to be. It's a romantic novel with some humorous moments, a bit of smut, and a love of drama. Their mistakes and lessons learned were so accurate to real life, even with an over the top storyline, so that was fun to read and connect with. If you're looking for a sweet, second chance romance between a rockstar and a small town girl As Long As You Hate Me is the newest book to grab.
Carrie Aarons can write a believable fake-fiance romance, one that actually fits in with real life.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review....more
Bridget is determined to make a name for herself without the help of her parents or her sisters. She's always been the shadow, but it turns out her fiBridget is determined to make a name for herself without the help of her parents or her sisters. She's always been the shadow, but it turns out her first big job isn't working out how she planned and when she lands on the steps of The L she doesn't have a choice but to work for the one family she doesn't want to work for. Except, her boss is the man she met one lonely, drunken night and found herself enjoying his lips, and fingers, in some alley by a dumpster. He's the kind of guy you're supposed to forget, the kind that leaves you hanging and even angrier, but working with him reveals another side to him. She finds herself desperate to help him and soon she's under his spell. Grant Lancaster is the outcast of his family, his success dependent on his own hard work, if only someone else wasn't trying to ruin everything along the way. He may be estranged from his family, but he doesn't wish any harm on them and he's trying to save them and his new hotel as best he can. When the beautiful, sassy girl from the alley becomes his right hand woman he becomes even more insufferable, but she proves there's more to her than some rushed kisses. He finds himself being better because of her, his hope for his hotel returning, and his hope for a future with her by his side encouraging him along. Things aren't that easy though and there's one woman desperate to ruin it all, for everyone.
"If she get's too close, I'll cave. The flowery smell of her hair, the mint on her breath, I'll come undone."
My first Ava Harrison book, y'all, and I'm giving it 5 stars! I've been wanting to branch out and after seeing a lot of love for Ava Harrison I decided to give Sordid a try and I am so glad I did. I was completely caught up in this book, I loved every single part of it. It's classic boy meets girl, their connection instant, but they're unable to be anything more thanks to a number of things. The chemistry between these two is palpable, the sizzling looks they share and non-PG thoughts giving away just how much they want each other. I love boss employee relationships, especially when there's more to the story than just the relationship between the two. Grant is handsome, unbearable, and the keeper of a pile of secrets that weigh him down day in and day out. I love that our first glimpse of him is the honest Grant, because overtime it was really easy to hate him and I had to remind myself he was being held back from who he truly was. Bridget, on the other hand, is likeable in every single way. She's smart and determined, with the usual little sister syndrome. She's also the thing that brings out the best in Grant, but she does that by not giving in and by giving him her best attitude. Though their connection is instant, it's how they work together at both work and at some semblance of a relationship that makes the book so good.
"I don't mean them to be anything other than an offer of help, but they sound like so much more."
Things definitely get messed up in this novel, there's some moments of shock, some ultra sexy moments, and some really huge moments that will make you angry. Grant's past isn't pretty, but Ava Harrison sells you on him and even with all the ugly you find yourself loving him and cheering his change along. There are a handful of secondary characters, they each move the story along in their own way, but obviously Chelsea, who you will meet, is the worst. I struggled through every scene that involved her, angry at Grant and also angry for him. I felt like I was Bridget the entire time I read, my reactions mirroring hers in the books. Her decisions were similar to the ones I would've made in a similar situation and I had a lot of compassion for her as she dealt with Grant and Chelsea. The struggle she goes through is hard, but worth it in the end and definitely makes for the perfect HEA.
"As if I'll save him. As if I could."
I loved Sordid and I am so glad it was my first Ava Harrison book. The characters were complex and Ava's writing is so descriptive and emotive. I loved this entire book, front to back, and I definitely think it's a must read for romance readers. Also, there's sexy times in the office, it is impossible not to enjoy that!
ARC provided.
Merged review:
Bridget is determined to make a name for herself without the help of her parents or her sisters. She's always been the shadow, but it turns out her first big job isn't working out how she planned and when she lands on the steps of The L she doesn't have a choice but to work for the one family she doesn't want to work for. Except, her boss is the man she met one lonely, drunken night and found herself enjoying his lips, and fingers, in some alley by a dumpster. He's the kind of guy you're supposed to forget, the kind that leaves you hanging and even angrier, but working with him reveals another side to him. She finds herself desperate to help him and soon she's under his spell. Grant Lancaster is the outcast of his family, his success dependent on his own hard work, if only someone else wasn't trying to ruin everything along the way. He may be estranged from his family, but he doesn't wish any harm on them and he's trying to save them and his new hotel as best he can. When the beautiful, sassy girl from the alley becomes his right hand woman he becomes even more insufferable, but she proves there's more to her than some rushed kisses. He finds himself being better because of her, his hope for his hotel returning, and his hope for a future with her by his side encouraging him along. Things aren't that easy though and there's one woman desperate to ruin it all, for everyone.
"If she get's too close, I'll cave. The flowery smell of her hair, the mint on her breath, I'll come undone."
My first Ava Harrison book, y'all, and I'm giving it 5 stars! I've been wanting to branch out and after seeing a lot of love for Ava Harrison I decided to give Sordid a try and I am so glad I did. I was completely caught up in this book, I loved every single part of it. It's classic boy meets girl, their connection instant, but they're unable to be anything more thanks to a number of things. The chemistry between these two is palpable, the sizzling looks they share and non-PG thoughts giving away just how much they want each other. I love boss employee relationships, especially when there's more to the story than just the relationship between the two. Grant is handsome, unbearable, and the keeper of a pile of secrets that weigh him down day in and day out. I love that our first glimpse of him is the honest Grant, because overtime it was really easy to hate him and I had to remind myself he was being held back from who he truly was. Bridget, on the other hand, is likeable in every single way. She's smart and determined, with the usual little sister syndrome. She's also the thing that brings out the best in Grant, but she does that by not giving in and by giving him her best attitude. Though their connection is instant, it's how they work together at both work and at some semblance of a relationship that makes the book so good.
"I don't mean them to be anything other than an offer of help, but they sound like so much more."
Things definitely get messed up in this novel, there's some moments of shock, some ultra sexy moments, and some really huge moments that will make you angry. Grant's past isn't pretty, but Ava Harrison sells you on him and even with all the ugly you find yourself loving him and cheering his change along. There are a handful of secondary characters, they each move the story along in their own way, but obviously Chelsea, who you will meet, is the worst. I struggled through every scene that involved her, angry at Grant and also angry for him. I felt like I was Bridget the entire time I read, my reactions mirroring hers in the books. Her decisions were similar to the ones I would've made in a similar situation and I had a lot of compassion for her as she dealt with Grant and Chelsea. The struggle she goes through is hard, but worth it in the end and definitely makes for the perfect HEA.
"As if I'll save him. As if I could."
I loved Sordid and I am so glad it was my first Ava Harrison book. The characters were complex and Ava's writing is so descriptive and emotive. I loved this entire book, front to back, and I definitely think it's a must read for romance readers. Also, there's sexy times in the office, it is impossible not to enjoy that!
I should start this review by saying that this is, hands down, my favorite Christina Lauren novel ever and I am so very grateful they listened to us aI should start this review by saying that this is, hands down, my favorite Christina Lauren novel ever and I am so very grateful they listened to us and wrote it. The world is a better place now that it has Fizzy's story.
Felicity "Fizzy" Chen writes the romance novels everyone reads and dreams of coming true. Except, her own true love story has yet to happen and now she's in a slump to end all slumps. When a producer approaches her about a dating show a-la The Bachelor using the dating app DNADuo from The Soulmate Equation, she's totally put out, but she sees an opportunity to play the game her way. Fizzy expects Connor Prince to walk away when she puts in requests like having a Vampire and The One Who Got Away on the show, but he takes the challenge in stride. Together they create a romance-readers dating show, one that Fizzy will hopefully find her True Match on, except there's part of her that wants Connor on the show, not the other heartthrobs. Christina Lauren take readers on a laugh out loud, emotional journey as Fizzy breaks down the walls of humor she's built around her heart.
I am a melty puddle still, three weeks on, after reading The True Love Experiment. Fizzy is such a real character, one all readers can identify with, and her use of humor to protect herself is relatable and realistic. This isn't the angsty, mean hardened heart we usually see, but one of fun and laughter. It's not what we usually see and that makes it all the better. Fizzy is all of us readers, all of us dreamers, all of us girls that believe in true love, but also that it can't possibly be as true as the books we read and write. Connor Prince is also the perfect hero; the heartthrob with a past, the single dad, the untouchable boss. The True Love Experiment is made up of all our favorite character tropes and it's just so dang good. Plus, the reality show backdrop was just so perfect, something we all know, with the drama we love.
It's Christina Lauren, so I know I'm going in for laughs and love, but wow did they take me on a journey this time. I didn't actually know what might happen, sure Fizzy would get her love story, but which one? Will it be the one she wants, the one she needs, the one she let get away? I truly could visualize every scene, every interaction, and even the show as it played out on the paper. We get tons of Jess and River from TSE, piles of flirtatious charm, true to life dating (we all don't find the one and end with them, with find a lot of frogs first), and Connor gives us the 80's movie grand gesture we all dream of having. The True Love Experiment just hit every nail on the head for me, it checked every romance read checkbox I could think of, and it was written phenomenally. I will be coming back to this book again, because I want to smile and cry with Fizzy and make her my best friend. Don't put this one off, it's a must read.
Deceit's plot line is exactly as the title suggest, a story about a relationship based on lies, the deFind this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
Deceit's plot line is exactly as the title suggest, a story about a relationship based on lies, the deceit of one character to another, all signs pointing at disaster. Only in this novel you want the deceit to be forgiven, Ava Harrison sees to that with compelling characters and the royal bloodline us readers are flocking to right now. It's the sort of novel that even deceives the reader, leaving you wondering if this romance has the ability to last or if it'll burn in flames. There's twists and turns and scenes that almost made me riot, and yet Ava Harrison had me hanging on to this fascinating story with everything in me.
"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all."
Addison, Addy, doesn't want to hold the fake smile on her face while she watches her ex say I do to the new woman of his dreams, even if it was her doing. Instead she chooses to use work as an excuse, setting off for the English countryside to view a plot of land with a confusing bit of history. Small countryside towns don't have a lot to offer though, with just a single bar and one handsome man willing to go scotch for scotch. Oliver, Olly, is back at his estate to help his mother, but he can't deny himself the fun of spending time with the gorgeous Addy. He only wants to help her live a little, no mess, no relationship, and so he keeps his true identity to himself. Like all no-strings attached relationships, what starts as a bit of fun and a lot of lust turns into something more. As they take off an adventures and explore their emotions Olly and Addy find that maybe living is the key to happiness, at least until the lies are uncovered and the deceit is revealed.
"The door slams. It closes on the lie. It closes on the deception. It closes on the deceit. It closes on us."
Deceit is angsty and romantic, an instant win for me. Plus I loved Oliver just as much as Addy does, even if he is the biggest womanizer in the royal family and has no idea how to apologize and win a woman back properly. I loved the journey I was taken on in Deceit. I'm not typically big on relationships built on lies and I admit I struggled a bit with Olly's natural inclination towards sex over words, but I found myself swayed to love the journey by the character growth, the lessons in the words, and the off-the-charts chemistry shared by the hero and heroine. Both Olly and Addy make some poor choices through out the novel, but it made Deceit feel more realistic and it made their relationship develop in a way that many romance novels gloss over. Ava Harrison is still a fairly new to me author, but she's slowly becoming a solid must-read for me, especially with this new release.
Deceit's plot line is exactly as the title suggest, a story about a relationship based on lies, the deceit of one character to another, all signs pointing at disaster. Only in this novel you want the deceit to be forgiven, Ava Harrison sees to that with compelling characters and the royal bloodline us readers are flocking to right now. It's the sort of novel that even deceives the reader, leaving you wondering if this romance has the ability to last or if it'll burn in flames. There's twists and turns and scenes that almost made me riot, and yet Ava Harrison had me hanging on to this fascinating story with everything in me.
"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all."
Addison, Addy, doesn't want to hold the fake smile on her face while she watches her ex say I do to the new woman of his dreams, even if it was her doing. Instead she chooses to use work as an excuse, setting off for the English countryside to view a plot of land with a confusing bit of history. Small countryside towns don't have a lot to offer though, with just a single bar and one handsome man willing to go scotch for scotch. Oliver, Olly, is back at his estate to help his mother, but he can't deny himself the fun of spending time with the gorgeous Addy. He only wants to help her live a little, no mess, no relationship, and so he keeps his true identity to himself. Like all no-strings attached relationships, what starts as a bit of fun and a lot of lust turns into something more. As they take off an adventures and explore their emotions Olly and Addy find that maybe living is the key to happiness, at least until the lies are uncovered and the deceit is revealed.
"The door slams. It closes on the lie. It closes on the deception. It closes on the deceit. It closes on us."
Deceit is angsty and romantic, an instant win for me. Plus I loved Oliver just as much as Addy does, even if he is the biggest womanizer in the royal family and has no idea how to apologize and win a woman back properly. I loved the journey I was taken on in Deceit. I'm not typically big on relationships built on lies and I admit I struggled a bit with Olly's natural inclination towards sex over words, but I found myself swayed to love the journey by the character growth, the lessons in the words, and the off-the-charts chemistry shared by the hero and heroine. Both Olly and Addy make some poor choices through out the novel, but it made Deceit feel more realistic and it made their relationship develop in a way that many romance novels gloss over. Ava Harrison is still a fairly new to me author, but she's slowly becoming a solid must-read for me, especially with this new release.
I just don't think it's possible for me to give this a normal review, because I jusFind this review and others at Carlene Inspired and on bookstagram.
I just don't think it's possible for me to give this a normal review, because I just want to buy 100,000 copies of the audiobook of Acts of Violet and give it to everyone I know. While the book itself is just phenomenal, an instant 5 star for me, the audiobook takes it into the ten star category. It's like listening to an actual podcast, one that I would have instantly subscribed to and waited impatiently for.
Violet Volk is a famous, elusive magician and Sasha is her normal sister. Only, nothing is normal about the Volks, not since Violet performed her final magic trick, disappearing into thin air, never to be seen again. The ten year anniversary of her final trick is coming up, it's a time that Sasha dreads and Violet's fans, included Sasha's daughter, look forward to with endless hope for her return. With the anticipation heightened and the date looming, someone has started a hashtag that alludes to Violet's return and it brings up all the feelings Sasha has long buried. With a podcast covering her disappearance and the search for her after, Sasha must confront her feelings about the past and the magic within her she's long denied.
Acts of Violet was one of the most joyful audiobooks I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. There's music, multiple narrators, and, of course, Margarita Montimore's incredible story at the heart of it all. The plot is unique, the characters fully developed, and the storyline told through multiple formats, which kept me engaged from start to finish. Switching between present, past, podcasts, and emails, Montimore takes readers through a memorable journey about Violet, told by those closest to her. We see the everlasting impact she's left on their lives and the hole that her leaving has left. While it seems quite ominous, the heart of the story is what really moved me as I read and it's one you must discover yourself.
With lighthearted humor and familial relationships that moved me to tears, Acts of Violet is a multifaceted story that I will never forget. It's the kind of book that feels like you could read again and again, it could never get old. Even better, for those, like me, who want something fresh and new, Montimore has done that with Acts of Violet. It's realistic and fantastical, with incredible references to slight of hands and magic tied in with the real life magic of self, love, family, and friendships. I cannot say enough good things about this book, I am just so flabbergasted by how fun it was. Acts of Violet is impossible to forget, impossible not to love, and a truly standout 2022 release.
Presley and Sebastian have a long standing agreement, they share a romance in the summers when PresleyFind this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
Presley and Sebastian have a long standing agreement, they share a romance in the summers when Presley is in town. It's been a little over four years though and Presley isn't just in town for the summer, she's calling the small Texas town home. Clad in a pink diner outfit with her daughter and mother in tow, Presley turns to her cousins for help as they find their way back on their feet. She isn't prepared to see Sebastian again, to discover the feelings are still burning strong, to have another summer romance. They've grown up though and this summer becomes their chance to open their hearts and reveal their secrets.
Friends with Benedicts was so darn cute, a lighthearted friends with benefits romance that was just the read I needed. With a small town atmosphere, incredible secondary characters, and a romance that is full of chemistry, I could picture this book playing out right before my eyes. Staci Hart's writing is descriptive, the dialogue is authentic, and the romance feels so real. With Elvis Presley nods and a sassy heroine falling for a heroic male protagonist, plus a stubborn little girl, this book had me laughing through every page. It's sweet and really made for an excellent, quick read. As a long standing Staci Hart fan I really enjoyed the nods to other novels, but it is a standalone as well so don't wait to pick this one up!
Skye Falling felt like meeting up with my friends and sharing our life updates. It's somehow a comfortable read, while also addressing the important tSkye Falling felt like meeting up with my friends and sharing our life updates. It's somehow a comfortable read, while also addressing the important topics of Black culture, family dynamics, racism, queerness, gentrification, love, friendships, and police presence. It's loaded, but Mia McKenzie writes Skye in a way that allows you to hear her thoughts in your head and her voice out loud when she's speaking. It feels like you know her and even though I personally do not have the experiences Skye does, or that many who read this novel do, I felt like I was there and being given a perspective I would not know otherwise.
Skye faces things with humor, snark, or by running, but life has caught up to her, tagged her it, and now she's free falling through it. I weirdly loved Skye, in all her messiness she owns it and as she recognizes the messes she's made she begins to face the traumas that have shaped her. Besides Skye, McKenzie gives readers an incredible set of secondary characters. Viva could have her own whole novel, I'd read it in a second, and Vicky is so herself at such a young age that I can't help but want to see her again when she's older. West Philly itself feels like a character too, not just a setting. The streets are alive, the most minor of neighbors plays an important role in highlighting the gentrification of Skye's home, the racism that persists.
Skye Falling is an incredible novel, filled with humor and heart. A bit of a coming of age story, but for a grownup, with an impactful, relevant storyline.
I had no idea what I was getting into this book, someone should have warned me that I would need an enFind this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
I had no idea what I was getting into this book, someone should have warned me that I would need an entire box of tissues to get through it. This book is gosh darn BEAUTIFUL. Heartbreaking, deep, hard, and beautiful. A story of identity, family, and self-love, Little Pieces of Me by Alison Hammer is one of those books that sits inside you.
Paige took a free DNA test as part of a previous job campaign, she never expected the email that came in telling her a new match had been found and not just any match, a parent match. A parent match after the father she loved so dearly had passed. The email upends Paige's already frail life path, the only thing holding together is her two best friends and her fiance. What follows is a journey of discovery, both in the past and the present. Told from multiple perspectives and dual timelines, Alison Hammer weaves a compelling story of friendship, secrets, and truth, by taking readers into the past of Paige's mom, her best friend, and the man who just might be her father.
I cannot say enough good things about Little Pieces of Me, honestly I could ramble about it forever, but I would give way too much away. The DNA test may have turned her life upside down, but it gives Paige a chance to get to know the unflappable mother she believes she's never had a connection to. It gives her a chance to get to know who her parents and who she really is. This is a complex family drama with relatable characters and so much emotional depth that yes, you do need to be prepared with tissues.
The Bookshop of Second Chances was the slowdown read I needed in my life. Thea and her adventures in BFind this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
The Bookshop of Second Chances was the slowdown read I needed in my life. Thea and her adventures in Baldochrie, Scotland are charming. She finds herself divorced, the owner of an old lodge and a collection of new books, and the center of the small town's gossip mill. Intent on finding herself and a path for her future, Thea takes on a summer in the lodge, filling her time with a job in the local bookshop owned by the surly Edward. Only, he's far kinder to her than she heard he might be and alongside him she discovers she has room for so much more in her life.
Reading Jackie Fraser's novel is like taking a stroll down a scenic path. It's full of descriptive writing, fantastic Scottish dialect, and a romance that is just the right amount of slow. Thea discovering herself at forty-ish and after 20 years of marriage is so authentic, I loved her rediscovery of her own personal joys, hobbies, and friendships. Plus, it helps that Ed, for all his grumpiness, truly is a charmer. Their interactions are funny, flirtatious, and downright adorable. I know, funny word for romance, but this isn't the in your face angsty, heart pounding you're used to, this just feels almost normal. I loved the naturalness of it all, the pacing is just perfect, and while there are some small plot holes, they're forgettable, allowing me to just relax and read.
The Bookshop of Second Chances is the kind of book you can loll about with by the pool, bake in the sun with on the beach, or snuggle up into a warm blanket with as it rains outside. It's a lazy read that delivers on its promise of second chances and following your heart.
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No, of course I didn't snivel my way through this book while on an airplane. How can just one bookFind this review and an excerpt at Carlene Inspired.
No, of course I didn't snivel my way through this book while on an airplane. How can just one book be such a cute, thoughtful, poetic, coming-of-age story? It seems impossible, but I think Morgan Rogers pulled it off with Honey Girl. It's a classic Las Vegas love story, but this time featuring a Black queer astronomer who comes from a dysfunctional family. Y'all, if you were looking for a book that features realistic themes, this is it. More coming-of-age than romance, Honey Girl follows Grace as she upends her life to move to New York City to get to know her now wife, Yuki, as well as finally face the pressures of life that led to where she is today.
Found family? Check. Therapy? Check. Needing a break after school? Check. Not knowing what to do next? Check. Diverse? Check. Dysfunctional family? Check. I mean, somehow Morgan Rogers took these TOTALLY NORMAL qualities of real life and made them feel normal in a book. Like, this just felt real to me and I am convinced during my four hours of reading Grace must have been right there besides me, because I was such a mess and the book isn't even really sad. It's just...real and beautiful.
I know, this is one of those reviews that rambles, it was a good book, okay? While I did want more romance and wish it hadn't been billed as such, we just don't get enough Yuki, the rest of this book is just so darn perfect. Grace is an incredible protagonist, I love that she is queer, successful, and still figuring things out. We spend a lot of time being spoon fed perfection and I think Grace not having it all together really is what should be considered perfect. She has a powerful voice, she and Yuki share some poetic, emotional dialogue, and Rogers gives Grace and Yuki an incredible set of diverse friends and family. Rogers spends a lot of time deep diving into the exhaustion and mental health that comes from striving for perfection, she shows Grace running from her problems, struggling to find the right therapist for her, learning how to open up, and recognizing that it isn't always all going to be together, but that doesn't make it any less right.
I have a hard time believing this is Morgan Rogers' debut novel, because Honey Girl was just such a bright spot in my reading list. It checked all the boxes for a contemporary coming-of-age fiction and I loved how authentic it was.
I already want to read/listen to this again. It's just that good. 1980's California is a dream, but thFind this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
I already want to read/listen to this again. It's just that good. 1980's California is a dream, but the Riva family's past isn't. With the party of the year happening that night, the Riva siblings grapple with the past and figuring out who they really are under their father's stardom and the fading memories of their mother. Taylor Jenkins Reid takes us into the past, into the love story of Mick Riva and innocent June. We meet the four Riva siblings as they are brought into the world and with each present day chapter we catch up on where they are and the decision they have to make as the party draws near. Everyone who is anyone comes to the party, but the Riva siblings have lost control of it as it grows like wildfire.
Let's be real, I read anything TJR writes, but I wasn't sure Malibu Rising would hit the same as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo did and I couldn't imagine celebrity characters without thinking of Daisy Jones and the Six. It's a more present history, but the story is just as impactful, the characters so well developed, and it remains just as relevant as the previous two novels did. TJR writes about history that captures the momentous moments (ha) that have created ripples and waves of change today. Malibu Rising may be about the Riva family, their secrets, their anguish, their bond, but it is also about the changing tides of the 1950's to the 1980's, about feminism and liberalism. These characters are divorced, have multiple partners, are raising children who aren't their own, and are female business owners.
Like other readers, I loved Nina's story arc the most, she's roughly my age and her desire to be respected for more than her body is so painful, but so true for most women. I also related to her role in the household, she grew up before she should have and in growing up she lost the ability to think for just her. Watching her discover that, with the rowdy party raging around her, is a really powerful few chapters. Then there's Kit, oh Kit, and Hud, and Jay, and the sibling love they have for one another even when none of it makes sense. Malibu Rising is somehow both complex and lighthearted. A beach read with a bit more to it. It's the sort of read I can return to, but also one that is influential in many ways. It more than lived up to the hype for me.
It's Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake was just such a joy to read. Noni Blake is here, she's queer, she's lFind this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
It's Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake was just such a joy to read. Noni Blake is here, she's queer, she's loud, and she's not really proud yet, but she's getting there. Noni's journey of self discovery, of learning to own her emotions and who she is, was beautiful and so authentic. She's been so bereft since the dissolution of her marriage that she's not paid attention to that fact she's unhappy, that she's been unhappy. Happiness is not as easy as love though, it's not as easy as following a list you make, it's not checking boxes, and Noni's figuring that out. She's doing the what ifs, quite literally, and making up some more along the way. What ensues is a hilarious, sometimes serious, adventure in sexuality, happiness, grief, and love. I read It's Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake in one sitting and if I could read it for the first time again I would, I just loved it so much.
I am of the perspective that her queerness was not looked over, rather Claire Christian writes it matter of fact. You know, the way we should treat it, rather than as some big difference. Why yes, I am queer in case you were wondering, and I do think I should just be treated equally and reading a book where the MC is treated that way was so nice. I am also of the belief that owning our sexuality is our business and what we do with it is personal and not up for discussion, so good for Noni for doing what she wanted sexually. It wouldn't be what I do, but I sure loved reading about it and the power it gave her. Oh, you don't think sleeping around should give people power? Good thing it isn't up to you. It helped things click for her and it made her face good and bad parts of her life, her choices, her thoughts. I was ALL ABOUT IT.
Noni Blake is the kind of character you grow to love, just like she grows to love herself. What is once embarrassingly awkward and painful self-criticism turns to embracing that awkwardness and learning to cheer for oneself. She finds joy in making choices for herself, in putting herself first, and in learning how saying yes, and sometimes no, are the key to happiness even if it doesn't make others happy. It's Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake is a satisfying, profound read about self love and empowerment and I cannot recommend it enough.
Well, it should come as no surprise that Staci Hart has once again hit a home run with Mum's the Word.Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
Well, it should come as no surprise that Staci Hart has once again hit a home run with Mum's the Word. As the final novel in the Bennet Brothers series I had high hopes, but Marcus is well...Marcus, and I admit I wasn't sure of the romance Staci could create for him that I would believe. She absolutely exceeded every thought I had though, giving readers a beautiful, touching, believable forbidden romance that put hope in my heart and tears in my eyes. Maisie turns Marcus' life upside down, in such a way that all his plans and numbers and trusted life lessons can't help him. The beautiful Bower daughter should be his enemy and he hers and yet they cannot fight the pull. A chance meeting, an explosive reveal, and a love that will be put through the test of their families longstanding rivalry.
"I wanted to see her again as desperately as I hope it'd never happen."
Marcus has been the sure-footed Bennet brother, the middle child who thrived on order and numbers. Independent, somber, and uninterested in the short-lived affairs his brothers once partook in. Marcus is so different than his siblings, but my word does Staci Hart give him a romance that, in my opinion, rivals the others. It is passionate, forbidden, a true alignment of the stars. Maisie is the opposite of everything her mother wants, a true romantic with a desire to help humans. Made of compassion, charm, and the flowers she's been raised around Maisie is everything Bower is not and yet she is swept up in a battle of wills with her mother. But with Marcus comes a new passion, one that doesn't rely on her mother's power to succeed. These two are literally an actual match made in heaven, there is no doubt in my mind that they were meant to be. I know, I know, I totally got over invested in the story, but it's like the world had aligned for it all to happen just so for them. Sure, it wasn't without bumps, but my word do these two just bring out the best in one another.
"Because this was the beginning of something-I knew it in my marrow. Hang the rest. Because Maisie was mine. And I wasn't about to let her go."
Family oriented, sweet sweet romance, and some smutty love too? Mum's the Word had it all and them some. Maybe it was a bit less garden-y, but all the aspects of the Bennet family chaos was there and seeing the Longbourne Flower business change and grow and thrive was just the icing on the romantic cake. This story unfolds in such a beautiful, floral way. I mean, quite literally, the words Staci uses are gorgeous and so descriptive it all unfolded in front of me like a movie. Mum's the Word is a story within a story and it's one I could not put down. I've loved the Bennet brothers and I cannot wait to see this world expand.
Time has passed, but Kate's wounds are not healed. She's returning to Miami, to school, but Find this review, buy links, and more at Carlene Inspired.
Time has passed, but Kate's wounds are not healed. She's returning to Miami, to school, but the embarrassment, the fear, the judgement she knows is awaiting her makes the return difficult. Running would only last her so long though, so she's forcing herself to face what she left behind. Repairing the broken relationships she misses makes her realize she hasn't repaired things with herself and she must choose between healing or running again.
"I was a battleground of love and fear, of silence and rage."
I knew The Truths We Told was going to be heavy, but my word does E.K. Blair takes us through the ringer. Our once bright, confident, tom-boy Kate now holds her insecurities in front of her like a shield. She struggles to accept that her friends are not judging her and struggles even more with believing them when they say it wasn't her fault. I already loved Kate, but I loved her even more in this book. Facing your fears, overcoming something that has changed the course of your life is so difficult. I think E.K. Blair wrote Kate and her experience so incredibly well. Her healing is so powerful, especially as she learns to lean on her friends and family again, accepting that not everyone will judge her or hurt her. Of course, we get a romance and she so deserves one. It isn't an easy romance, Kate's healing comes first, but it is a profound and beautiful relationship. It's impossible to say much without giving it all away, but let's just say that this book features all the secondary characters you loved in the first.
"All her cracks and broken parts expose themselves, setting me on fire like a thousand suns, and there's nothing I wouldn't do for this girl."
Emotional, heart-wrenching, and written in such a personal way, The Truths We Told is an incredible final novel in the Secrets and Truths Duet. I highlighted so many passage; the setting, the characters, the dialogue ringing so true to real life. I love E.K. Blair for always being willing to write the realities of life, no matter how hard, and her characters aren't broken, but rather putting their pieces together in beautiful new ways. I loved this duet and I cannot wait to see what's next from E.K. Blair.
Henley is doing it all for Catherine; the college, the bucket list, the boy, it's all for her, to finiFind this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
Henley is doing it all for Catherine; the college, the bucket list, the boy, it's all for her, to finish what she couldn't when cancer took her away too soon. They seem like easy tasks, especially with her aching heart and her angry grief. The list, her memories of Catherine's hurt about being dumped by Lincoln though, they don't prepare her the enigma that is the future football star on campus. Their chemistry is instant, the banter and wit they share makes it seem possible, but when emotions get involved it gets harder for Henley to mark the final item on the list off. Lincoln can't take his eyes off the girl, no college party, no football game, no ball bunny compares to her, but he doesn't know that the guarded look in her eyes is meant to be his undoing. When the task is complete it will be the ultimate test of their hearts.
"Unfortunately for Lincoln Kolb, he has no idea the door her just openly invited me to walk through."
I knew within 10% that this book was different and it sure was; Fool Me Twice is Carrie Aarons' very best. A new adult standalone filled with heart, Fool Me Twice is the story of Henley and Lincoln and the relationship that wasn't so much up to fate as it was planned. Somehow Fool Me Twice is just the right combination of sweet romance, college hilarity, and heart-wrenching grief, it's pages of authentic college experience marked by the poignant loss of a best friend. Henley is so loyal to her friendship with Catherine, it's honest and real feeling, but it also means that she isn't loyal to her own heart. Henley's individual story, her perspective, is one of the best coming-of-age stories I've ever read and the romance with Lincoln, and his perspective of the whole thing, really brought it to life for me. 18 and losing a best friend, starting college, trying to follow a list that has stayed young while one has matured. It was just incredible, I felt like I was there, I fell for Lincoln and Henley just as they fell for one another, and I fell for this book.
"Because Henley Rowan is going to be a hard nut to crack ... though she was smooth as velvet in my bed."
Carrie Aarons captured that feeling of the college experience, of falling in love, of picking up yourself after hitting the ground so perfectly. There's no insta-love, no love-triangles, no classic over-the-top college scandal to rock the couple, just an honest love story that felt like it could happen in real life. I devoured this book in one sitting and I think you'll find you will too, it's just that good.
Starting this review just makes me want to go back and read the book again, I really dFind this review and others at Carlene Inspired Buy now on Amazon
Starting this review just makes me want to go back and read the book again, I really don't think there are any words I can put to paper...well, screen, that can do this book justice. It's the most unexpected love story you will ever read. It's heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once, a romance that's hard-hitting and realistic. A book about love and friendship, In Five Years is the unputdownable story of Dannie Cohan and the dream that shakes her entire life up.
Dannie has a five year plan and so far it's going to schedule, she knows just when her boyfriend is going to propose and she has a vision for how all the rest will fall into place. Then she has a dream, the man in her dreams is not her boyfriend and yet he is unforgettable even when she awakes. Though she tries to forget the man in the dream her five year plan begins to crumble, then four-and-a-half years in she sees the man again, this time in person. What she thought was a dream she now suspects might be destiny.
In Five Years is just magical and I knew it would be when I saw it was Rebecca Serle who authored it; her novel The Dinner List is such a fantastic book. Dannie Cohan is a corporate lawyer, she isn't the warm and fuzzy type and she's not the most relatable character, but she does have heart and she's surrounded by some of the greatest secondary characters. It's through her interactions with her fiance, her best friend, her boss, and her best friend's beau that we really get to know Dannie. While she's driven to a fault, we see her relax, we watch her care, and we learn about why her rigid five-year-plan is so important to her. It's through flashbacks and a few tumultuous turns of events that we get the true romance of the story. It's complex, it's heartbreaking, it's thoughtful, and it makes for one of the best books I've had the pleasure of reading. I felt like I was part of the story, I cried when the characters cried, I felt the gut-wrenching pain alongside them, and I was equally shocked by the twists Rebecca Serle wrote. The storytelling in this novel is just magnificent.
Rebecca Serle tells a story of love, friendship, the unexpected moments, and the magical plans destiny just might have in store for you. A clever, read-in-one-sitting novel, In Five Years is the unexpected love story you need to have in your life.
Lila knows she wants to use the Bennet families business, Longbourne, for flowers for the wedding she Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
Lila knows she wants to use the Bennet families business, Longbourne, for flowers for the wedding she is working on. Not only is it for THE celebrity family you see on TV nightly, it's her chance to prove that she is ready to be on top in the wedding planning biz. Too bad her boss and the youngest celeb sister are out to get her and she doesn't need daily interactions with Kash and his stupid t-shirts on top of that. Everything seems to be going great until her perfectly curated life comes tumbling down. The only stress relief she really needs is a good rebound and Kash is there with his easy charm and offer of no-strings fun. She never realized how good looking he is, how smooth, how complicated this could make things.
Kash is the easy brother, the one who likes his greenhouse work and feels more connection with the flowers and dirt than with the sassy Lila and her white suits. Nevermind that he's pictured her all mussed up, relaxed, and beneath him. Working together is one thing, even being her rebound is alright, but when his feelings just can't be buried anymore he challenges Lila for more. What he isn't ready for is just how different their lives are and just how much he doesn't fit in. With wedding season underway and a family crisis bubbling to the surface, Kash and Lila must decide whether opposites truly do attract or if the blossoming romance is destined to wilt.
"And I had to admit it was nice to be handled just a little."
Talk about not only an incredible retelling, but just an incredibly well-written, magical book. Staci Hart absolutely knocked it out of the park with Gilded Lily, it's just beautiful to read. Like a bouquet, this is a romance that blossoms with time; Kash and Lila's story is an opposites attract story line filled with character growth and emotions that reach out and touch you. It's filled with chemistry, heart, and life. Kash and Lila are easy to like, their goals, dreams, and struggles are so relatable and the added elements of the Bennet business just bring it all together. Plus, somehow Staci Hart managed to write the most beautiful smut scenes I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Seriously, they are works of art.
"The longing and quiet envy I felt struck me in the softest of places."
Gilded Lily is a story of passion, both for one's dreams and for another human. Kash and Lila are both so intense, but in such different ways. Despite their differences they fit together very well. Their coming together is certainly a choice made of convenience, but in time their intensity overflows and along with it their emotions. It's a chaotic time though and Staci Hart brought the wild ride that is a celebrity wedding to life, I even had anxiety. The dialogue in this book felt natural, the settings so easy to picture, and the characters are just so perfect. I love how the characters, including the secondary characters, band together to tackle issues. There is no issue too big for the Bennet clan to tackle and those friends and loves they've added along the way are just as much a part of the family.
"It was anything but casual. And I didn't know just what to do about that."
With the Bennet Brothers series, a Pride & Prejudice retelling, Staci Hart has given us characters with family values, realistic issues, and love stories that play before your eyes like a movie. Gilded Lily had just enough heat, heart, and quirk to keep me turning the pages long after I should have been asleep. I even cried, yes, that's right I cried and no one is surprised at all. I was that attached to this book, it's not even angsty, but it sure did feel like I was physically there! I absolutely recommend this book, this series, and always, always this author.
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