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.
This is such a sweet story. It’s a different type of sports romance where the sport of hockey is integral to the plot, and yet not a single game is played.
The Ground Rules Undone is the thrilling conclusion to The Rule Breakers trilogy. When we left off, Mirella was in one hell of a pickle. Told entirely from her point of view, this story focuses on the consequences of Mirella and Weston deviating from the rules. Unlike the previous books, there’s very little sex, yet the chemistry is still insane in this combustive love triangle.
This was kind of meh for me. I didn’t love it; I didn’t hate it. The plot is strong, and I found the first half really intriguing. I got sucked in by Mina’s hardships and Lev becoming her guardian angel. A lot of wonderful conflicts are set up, and I was looking forward to everything coming to a boil.
I don’t read nearly enough romantic suspense/mysteries, which is surprising since it’s a sub-genre I like. This book combines romantic suspense with political intrigue that, in theory, should be right up my alley. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
I’m a huge Kate Stewart fan. I loved Loving the White Liar, and I was so spellbound by The Fall that it made my Top Ten of 2015 list. We are introduced to Rose and Grant in The Fall (the prequel to this book), and I was looking forward to the story of their whirlwind romance. The blurb makes it clear that the book isn’t intended for readers who dislike Insta-love – admittedly, something I’m not crazy about. The romantic in me appreciates the dedication: “For those who still believe in love at first sight.” The cynic in me, though, rejects that notion. Do I believe in attraction at first sight? Absolutely! Love? Not so much.
One day. I devoured this book in one day. Actually, less than a day, and when I finished I wanted to start over the next day and read it again. It’s that good. You could say it’s a friends to lovers story, but it’s so much more. It’s a dramedy with real depth. Don’t expect a light romance where the main characters suddenly hook up in the first five chapters, or a minor conflict is easily resolved. It’s not that kind of book.
“We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.” I officially have a girl crush on Melanie Harlow. I’m in love with her writing style, and in awe of all the original, entertaining characters she creates. I have yet to read a book of hers I haven’t liked, and with Some Sort of Love the streak remains unbroken. It’s the third book in the Happy Crazy Love series, but you don’t need to read the previous books to enjoy the story.