“Step aside, Julia Roberts–there’s a new runaway bride in town.”
Where do I even start?! I was an immediate fan of the Appies hockey team and I’ve been“Step aside, Julia Roberts–there’s a new runaway bride in town.”
Where do I even start?! I was an immediate fan of the Appies hockey team and I’ve been dying to feast my eyes on the bad boy of the team–the “Deadpool on the team of Captain Americas with a couple of Wolverines.” Van is what literal dreams are made of because while he may have a mouth on him and push his coach’s buttons, his core is ooey, gooey goodness and I couldn’t get enough and I was there for every electrically magnetic second of this sweet story.
When his coach’s daughter’s wedding comes crashing down around her, Van is there to help Amelia make the escape and move on and what a swoon-filled adventure ensues. In the midst of the crisis, Mills showcases her fun, sweet, spunky nature and is finally permitted to fly and did I mention I was there for it? Because I sure was.
Emma St Clair knows how to write and brings every emotion and romantic feeling to a book, allowing for the most amazing and beautiful story to unfold. Found family? ✅Over protective and hilarious sisters? ✅Sizzling kisses? ✅ Sparks that threaten to combust on nearly every page? ✅
Van is my new favorite Appie and I’m just going to be over here savoring my book hangover for the days to come. Although I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, I also purchased a book for myself.
“I’m pretty sure talking to a spider is a sure sign of madness, but I need to talk to someone, so I’m working with what I’ve got.”
I’m impossibly head-“I’m pretty sure talking to a spider is a sure sign of madness, but I need to talk to someone, so I’m working with what I’ve got.”
I’m impossibly head-over-heels for Hank and Bonnie’s story! This whole series about this rag-tag friend group is on my favorites list.
Bonnie is a big-time actress who is the star in an upcoming movie based on a murder-mystery book written by Henry (aka Hank). The way they meet is a dream come true and their brilliant character personalities come alive so vividly in this story. I was hooked on this shining star and reclusive hermit from the very beginning and desperately craved every single interaction they offered. I LOVE a romance between a celebrity and a normal person and I LOVE a book within a book. See how perfect this one is?
These characters are so multifaceted and it was sweet to see how they each have issues and trauma to work through, yet they are the most beautiful, complementary duo together. Hank’s five friends had me laughing, as did the fake-to-more contract. Text threads and video calls, mysterious set issues and oh, so swoony kisses make this one a story not to be missed. The Hollywood gossip articles made me eager to discover the source and this friend group? They are everything! Although this can be read as a stand-alone, I love how interconnected this author's series are.
I could go on and on and on professing my extreme and undying love for this book.
Content: mild+ romance; talk of off-page grief and neglect
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*...more
“The idea of an almost mathematical formula calculated to choose the perfect woman for him to marry felt…miraculous.”
Nicholas, oh sweet, Nicholas. Thi“The idea of an almost mathematical formula calculated to choose the perfect woman for him to marry felt…miraculous.”
Nicholas, oh sweet, Nicholas. This man had a carefree dalliance in his youth that resulted in extreme consequences and now toes the rules of society meticulously. Although he’s very stoic, I loved the snippets of charm and boyish charisma that threatened to escape as he searches for a wife, and does he ever meet his match with Lady Mercy!
“The amount of effort she had to put into keeping her face bland probably meant she had the frozen look of a taxidermized deer.”
Mercy craves stolen kisses and interludes that ooze romance, and while she agrees to be courted by Nicholas, she’s not convinced she can find love with this rigid man. She’s adorable with her dreamy personality and devious plotting, and it was truly refreshing to discover how she reacts to various situations, especially those with potential scandal.
The way these two clash together with their hopes and dreams for the future left me eager to devour every page, and I will never look at a cravat in the same way again. Dances, hand kisses, flowers…this author does a very fine job of breathing life into these vivid characters and drawing them together like a moth to a flame.
Content: talk of past scandal; kisses only
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were voluntarily given*...more
“I wonder what she’d look like wearing my jersey…”
I was enthralled with this enemies-to-love sports romance. Cameron is forced to work with feisty Nil“I wonder what she’d look like wearing my jersey…”
I was enthralled with this enemies-to-love sports romance. Cameron is forced to work with feisty Nila to help his bad boy, hotheaded image and he isn’t happy about it. Their interactions ooze with chemistry and their flirtatious connections are full of sparks.
It was a blast watching them forge through the necessities, while allowing themselves a few romantic indulgences. These are two opposites, yet pull together like magnets. They’re characters who have depth and heart, and I loved every moment.
I loved the secondary characters, the hockey moments, and everything else that made up this delightful romcom.
Content: kisses; light innuendo
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*...more
“Based on my current heart rate, a life of crime was not for me.”
The last book in the Falling for Summer series started with a literal bang. An accide“Based on my current heart rate, a life of crime was not for me.”
The last book in the Falling for Summer series started with a literal bang. An accident crashes Ivy back into the life of her high school nemesis, bad boy Dax, and forces them to spend a lot of time together.
I couldn’t stop laughing and swooning. The volatile banter between these two is so entertaining and the way these two complement each other is fascinating. This author writes the exact formula that I love in a romcom: hilarious humor, beautiful banter, charismatic characters, and sassy swoon, but there are also some genuine and deep moments and past hurts that must be dealt with and are done in such a wonderful way. My heart was deeply touched with the healing moments and realizations that allowed for progress and development in many facets of life.
This conclusion is so satisfying and bittersweet. The books about Sunset Harbor intersect so well and can be read in any order, and after I read each one, I declare it my favorite, but this series will always remain a favorite.
Content: mild romance/kisses; very mild language
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given* ...more
Amanda Friday and Andy Harrington are two of my favorite narrators and I loved listening to them bring one of my favorite books of**Audiobook Review**
Amanda Friday and Andy Harrington are two of my favorite narrators and I loved listening to them bring one of my favorite books of the summer to life.
Walker and Jane are such favorites and I really enjoyed listening to some of my favorite romance tropes play out in this adorable romcom. I laughed, I swooned, I melted, and I adored every single minute all over again. Now that I’m almost done reading the series, it was so much fun to go back and listen and recognize characters whose stories come later.
I can’t say enough about Falling for Summer. This is a series that takes me on a fabulous vacation and I’ll be rereading this one often. I love this author's books so much and this one isn't an exception.
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“Walker Collins is a walking romance trope. Nothing has ever been so annoying and so satisfying at the same time.”
I’ve been desperately awaiting the start of this series for months now and the opening book was every single thing I dreamed it would be…and more. This author is a favorite and dare I say? This is her best book yet and at the top of my 2024 favorites list.
Walker is a pro-golf player and goes home to Sunset Harbor to recapture his game. His little sister’s best friend, Jane, is an optimistic romantic who is determined to find love this summer by using allllll the romance tropes to charm her childhood acquaintances. I couldn’t get enough of the results of the trope usage, as they are so completely satisfying and humorous. I loved every single thing about this story, from the sparks to the flirtatious banter to the setting and series character introductions. I laughed and swooned so hard and it fit my lighthearted summer mood perfectly.
This book. I’ll be dreaming of it and awaiting the rest of the beachy vibe series all summer long.
Content: mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*...more
“He’ll learn a lesson I rarely bother teaching: never underestimate me.”
This opposites attract set in the heart of Austin immediately stole my heart w“He’ll learn a lesson I rarely bother teaching: never underestimate me.”
This opposites attract set in the heart of Austin immediately stole my heart with its light-hearted banter, simmering swoon, and dazzling setting. Tech master Oliver has many facets that intrigued me and he surprised me at every turn, while social butterfly, club worker Madison is so carefree that I half expected her to take flight, but I was fascinated by her smooth and slippery character.
This author does a phenomenal job of bringing these two to life and in a way that left me desperate to discover more. I enjoy her writing style immensely and the romantic tension was everything. That first kiss had me melting in a gigantic puddle on my couch. Throw in a secret identity, all things 7-11 for a wedding of convenience, and a kindle of kittens, and my heart was stolen completely. I really can’t say how much connection I felt to this story and its cast of found family. This is definitely a story I’ll be savoring and randomly thinking about for a very long time.
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*...more
“It’s been two days since I kissed a stranger. And I’m still as annoyed as ever. And possibly still dreaming of that kiss.”
This is my first book by th“It’s been two days since I kissed a stranger. And I’m still as annoyed as ever. And possibly still dreaming of that kiss.”
This is my first book by this author and I was impossibly captivated from the very first page to the very last sentence. I couldn’t get enough of the vivid chemistry between this unlikely grumpy/sunshine duo and the antics that ensued from their accidental meeting. I laughed so hard, swooned even harder, and was mesmerized by the elements of danger, intrigue, suspense, and intricate tangles of connections.
I didn’t want to put this book down and started telling anyone around me who even gave me half a listening ear all about it. I’m officially obsessed and need to clear my schedule to read everything this author has written. Her writing style has me bewitched and I loved every single drop of this story. Caleb and Amelia are my new favorite couple and I didn’t want this to end.
“You want to get married so you can buy a bakery. Do you have any idea how crazy that sounds?” “People get married for far less.”
Dana LeCheminant kick“You want to get married so you can buy a bakery. Do you have any idea how crazy that sounds?” “People get married for far less.”
Dana LeCheminant kicks this series off with a fantastic bang to the heart. Willow Cove, located on the coast of South Carolina, gave me all the small town beachy vibes and I couldn’t get enough, especially of the deep connection to family and tradition. An enemies-to-love involving a bakery, plays on royal names, a persnickety swimming pool dwelling llama, and a marriage of convenience won me over from the very first chapter.
This author knows just how to write the perfect balance of prickly resistance and swoony banter, and the introduction to future books characters was the filling of a macaron. I laughed at so many things, but others pierced my heart just a little, and overall, I was completely satisfied. I loved swimming in these pages and can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Content: mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*...more
I think I say this after every book in this series, but Miles Bailey has got to be my favorite Bailey brother. Not only does he have chocolatey curly I think I say this after every book in this series, but Miles Bailey has got to be my favorite Bailey brother. Not only does he have chocolatey curly hair and the most amazing eyes, but he’s kind and genuine to the core. He feeds sad girls chocolate in his apartment and is a selfless artist/teacher who loves his family more than anything. And he marries a rockstar on a complete and total whim–and this aspect was a fun reversal. Talented singer and bass guitarist Delaney (aka Laney or Lane) has more hair than Elsa (with a streak of blue) with steel blue eyes and pouty lips that can win her anything, but she’s got a true heart of gold, despite her daring ways.
This fake relationship/marriage of convenience had me flying through the pages that were full of tender moments, giant sparklers of attraction, and the best and messiest connection ever. I couldn’t get enough of these characters and their families–good and bad–and the way this marriage and plot played out. This story is everything I dreamed it would be.
A Provincial Peer is the sweetest way to end the Georgian Gentleman series.
Caroline returns home widowed and scarred with a young, precocious daughteA Provincial Peer is the sweetest way to end the Georgian Gentleman series.
Caroline returns home widowed and scarred with a young, precocious daughter and rekindles a childhood friendship with Benedict. This slow-burn, tender tale not only captures snippets of real life in rural 1790s England, but also delivers stunning character transformations.
The history is rich, the lessons are powerful, the terrors of disease are vivid, but it’s the joy, hope, love, and peace that all types of love reveal that fully planted this lovely story into my heart. From the cows to that beautiful first kiss, and everything in between, this is a story worth devouring.
Content: mild romance; mild effects of disease
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were voluntarily given*...more
“I found my prince charming, but sometimes happily ever after doesn’t exist no matter how hard you try.”
This is Book 2 in The Vals series and while it“I found my prince charming, but sometimes happily ever after doesn’t exist no matter how hard you try.”
This is Book 2 in The Vals series and while it can stand alone, there were a lot of characters and it took a minute for me to sort out who was who, especially as there are two Vals. I think reading the first book might have helped with that, and once I got things sorted, I loved these characters.
When Val’s happily ever after flops, she tries to move on–with a broken heart. As she comes together with Ethan to help plan the other Val’s wedding and learns he’s suffered similarly, a solid bond of friendship forms, as neither are in the market for a relationship.
This story is a sweet journey of healing with a nice dose of swoon (I especially loved the first kiss), but I was a little confused. The book starts with the breakup, which was completely all Val’s doing, giving no thought or concern to her fiance, yet she’s the one who is devastated and heartbroken, struggling to move on with life. I did love that Ethan was in the place of her fiance in his relationship and I felt it made the character growth perfect and everything came full circle. I also really liked the author’s writing style.
With a sweet storyline, loads of music elements/references, wonderful characters, and an engaging plot, this book was very enjoyable.
Content: mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*...more
It’s not a secret that I love a celebrity and “normal person” romance, as well as a solid forced proximity and Moonstruck totally delivered. DeliveredIt’s not a secret that I love a celebrity and “normal person” romance, as well as a solid forced proximity and Moonstruck totally delivered. Delivered…hah! Kasey delivers food for a living, which leads to her first meet with superstar musician Liam and that whole encounter had me laughing so hard. Soooo hard!
I was completely starstruck by Liam’s friend group and the way most of the story took place in the confines of his Malibu home. The way that Liam and Kasey connected left me breathless. I loved the way their physical closeness resulted in both an emotional connection and sizzling attraction, but it also allowed them to work through past hurts and current issues.
“Smitten? Yup. Distracted? One hundred percent. Regretful? Zero percent.”
This is my first leap into a Kerry Evelyn book and I was VERY pleasantly surp“Smitten? Yup. Distracted? One hundred percent. Regretful? Zero percent.”
This is my first leap into a Kerry Evelyn book and I was VERY pleasantly surprised. Hello to a new favorite author! I’ve read a few of the Coffee Loft series stories and it’s brilliant the way they are lightly tied together, but also connected to each individual author’s style and characters.
It’s no secret that I’m deep into my hockey romance era and the combination of real protagonists and hockey, swirled up with some lucky toffee coffee, Ieft me completely smitten. Xavier and Penny have a dream exclusive, each with challenges to overcome, but not without a journey full of emotion–I was completely engrossed and invested.
All the tropes, some of which are my very favorites, left me swooning. Home games? Away games? Hockey lingo and teammates? Check. Lucky charms? Attraction? Harp playing? Check again. Fake engagement (or is it)? Kissing practice? Falling in deep? Double and triple check! I couldn’t get enough of this sweet story and I took a “biscuit” to the heart…over and over again.
Content: off-page death of extended family member; speech impediment; kissing!
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*...more
I’m a sucker for a royal romance and this one was full of humor and mishaps.
Prince Oliver wants to sabotage his upcoming arranged marriage, so who betI’m a sucker for a royal romance and this one was full of humor and mishaps.
Prince Oliver wants to sabotage his upcoming arranged marriage, so who better to bring in than the cursed wedding planner from America–Grace? It’s so funny how she thought his proposal was fake and a way to embarrass her further, but the prince goes to great lengths to secure her services. And once she’s in Verdana, the real fun begins.
This story is one ride after another, with so many difficulties and mysterious misfortunes, which lead to the queen intervening. I quivered a tiny bit in fear with the way Grace stood up for herself, but it was refreshing to see that she could finally speak up for herself. I love when characters can be true to themselves and go for their hearts desires.
The connections and interactions between Prince Oliver and Grace are so sweet and exciting, but it was the whole cast of characters coming together, especially as the slight mystery is resolved, that really won my heart over. I was engaged with these characters on a surface level and this royal romcom definitely emits Hallmark vibes.
Light, fluffy, and silly with some swoon–this story is pure fun and entertainment with a kingdom full of smiles and laughs.
Content/TW: mild romance (kissing, (view spoiler)[an emotional connection between two characters while one is technically engaged to another person (hide spoiler)])
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*...more
I feel like I just escaped to the warm and dreamy Amalfi Coast in beautiful Italy, which is actually somewhere I would love to see in real life.
AmeriI feel like I just escaped to the warm and dreamy Amalfi Coast in beautiful Italy, which is actually somewhere I would love to see in real life.
American Larisa is visiting with her friends for a few weeks while staying in a private hotel and she has an unfortunate misunderstanding and encounter with Gianluca, an Italian superstar–unbeknownst to her. My first impressions of each were less than stellar at the very first, but as I came to know and understand them better with each explosive meet, I fell about as quickly as they each did, especially because I’m a huge fan of a celebrity and a “normal person” romance.
I adore a sweet and swoony romcom and this one delivered in sometimes excessive ways, but that only added to the humor and lightness. The kissing was glowing with chemistry and attraction, easily making these scenes my favorites.
The plot zipped along towards character growth and a fantastic grand gesture, which left me mesmerized. I felt the characters were true to their individual personalities and this story is pure high-spirited fun.
Content: mild+ kissing (some passion)
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*...more
Eloise and Gray have the best grumpy/sunshine story out there!
I loved the way they met, with a swoony New Year’s kiss, but it was the way the story uEloise and Gray have the best grumpy/sunshine story out there!
I loved the way they met, with a swoony New Year’s kiss, but it was the way the story unfolded that won my heart. This series about the Hart sisters is so much fun, especially as they connect in different ways with hockey players and this story can stand alone.
Eloise is pure sunshine, as she is so optimistic, carefree and truly knowing and caring about everyone around her. Gray lives up to his name, with his cloudy, stoic and oh-so-cranky-with-a-side-of-temper attitude. But don’t let him fool you–he was easy to forgive as his reasons came to light and I couldn’t get enough of this duo.
Courtney Walsh writes in a way that leaves me eagerly turning the pages and connecting with the characters in such a real way. I love the hints of sizzle with no spice, the charming connections, the team camaraderie, and the way I fell head-over-heels for these characters and their swoonworthy kisses.
From the very first kiss to the very last page, this story is as sweet as a snack of Lucky Charms and a Dr Pepper.
Content/TW: swoony kisses
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*...more
I love a well done friends-to-love story, since that’s one of my own personal love story tropes and this author does a phenomenal job with this trickyI love a well done friends-to-love story, since that’s one of my own personal love story tropes and this author does a phenomenal job with this tricky trope.
There’s often so much longing and very little action, but I was immediately drawn to the fact that their best friends' status is rock solid. Or is it? Owen is a 7th grade science teacher (bless him) with such a happy-go-lucky, easy to please attitude while Annie, with her outgoing, no nonsense personality, runs an advice column–and she’s very good at it. Their interactions and traits complement each other so well and the sparks and snaps of chemistry pop in unexpectedly and are off the charts.
The obvious-to-everyone attraction between the two of them, combined with an influx of letters to Ask Annie, added with a bunch of meddling family members and nosy students, produces such a delightfully sweet and funny story, and I just couldn’t get enough.
The Bailey family is the best and it was so much fun to see Levi and Meredith take such a great role in this book and a spunky grandma mixed into this family…well, the cupid arrow has but no choice to gravitate towards the bullseye. I can’t wait for more of this series!
Content: mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*...more
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