Midnight Lily started out as a really strong 4.5 star read for me. I loved Holden’s struggle, the mystery surrounding Lily, and the way her love gave him the motivation to heal. Somewhere around the 70% mark though, the story seems to lose its way.
Hello, Book Hangover. I haven’t seen you in awhile. I don’t know whether to be thankful I indulged in this book crack—also know as Paper Princess—or mad that I have to wait until late summer for the next book in this addictive trilogy. I’ve really enjoyed the work of Elle Kennedy and Jen Frederick in the past. Put them together, add the pseudonym Erin Watt, and you have one dynamic duo. This book has a little something for everyone, and I’m glad I had a free day where I could devour it from cover to cover.
Best Friends With Benefits is a friends to lovers story set against a backdrop of a high school reunion. I like to live vicariously through stories about unpopular kids who make good, and then attend their class reunion only to find fawning, jealous former bullies. Toss in an unexpected hookup and it seems like the perfect combo. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel like the story lived up to its potential.
When Tillie Cole says A Thousand Boy Kisses is a tearjerker she certainly isn’t lying. I had to keep my box of tissues on hand throughout the majority of the book. Honestly, there was one point where I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue. I’m so glad I did, however, because despite my initial misgivings, the book is quite touching.
Alessandra Torre FTW! Love, Chloe is like the beautiful love child of a Sex and the City, The Devil Wears Prada, and The Nanny Diaries orgy.
Hawke combines two of my favorite tropes: sports romance and second chance romance. It definitely hits the right notes in regards to the sports angle, even though it’s not a romantic comedy – which I tend to gravitate towards.
Brooke Blaine’s L.A. Liaison series is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I didn’t love this book quite as much as I enjoyed Licked, but it’s still a huge win. In Hooker, Ryleigh, Shayne, Quinn, and Paige are back and sassier than ever! This time around, it’s Shayne’s turn to find love.
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my friends friends for clogging my Goodreads feed with updates of binge reading books by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Because of them I just may have found a new favorite author. I definitely discovered a delightful sports romance to add to my favorites bookshelf.
It seems like I’ve been waiting forever for this sequel to Him, and overall Us is a success. Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy do an admirable job of integrating endearing protagonists, humor, and steam—with a smidge of angst on the side—into an enticing storyline.
The truth is I tend to be more lenient in my reviews of novellas. There’s just no way you can pack enough character development and storyline complexity into a book that is under 150 pages. I dive in knowing that it won’t measure up to a full-length novel, so it’s unfair of me to judge it by the same standards. That said, Hearts in Darkness is a well-done, sexy little story.
The Baller has everything I look for in a sports romantic comedy: a ballsy heroine, a cocky athlete, banter up the wazoo, real integration of the sport, and a mature relationship. Placing a checkmark in all those columns makes it seem formulaic; however, the characters really help elevate this story.
Licked is the first book I’ve read by Brooke Blaine, and I’ve got to say I love her writing style. It’s very reminiscent of Alice Clayton in its sexy humor, but with a quirky, irreverent flair.