The word I’d use to describe this week: disappointing. I was really looking forward to a few of these books, and they just didn’t go the way I’d hoped. I had three 3-star reads, one 4-star, and only one 5-star read. But the good news? That 5-star read was GREAT. I loved What If You & Me, an emotional and sexy slow burn. I also enjoyed the exceedingly low angst and nostalgic Too Good To Be Real. The other three just didn’t live up to my (admittedly very high) expectations.
If you read my Teaser Thursday post (found here), you know that there are some exciting books on the way soon! I’ll have reviews going up throughout the week.
If you missed any of this week’s reviews, I’ve got the blurb and rating for each below. There’s also a link to my new release list.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ So Good
New York Times and USA Today bestseller Roni Loren blends heat and heart in this emotionally charged story of:
- A frightened woman longing to break free
- A wounded man searching for his purpose
- An unexpected friendship turned sizzling hot connection
- And an emotional climax that’ll have them both learning to let go
The world can be a scary place. At least, that’s what Andi Lockley’s anxiety wants her to believe. It doesn’t help that she narrowly escaped a dangerous man years ago, or that every relationship since has been colored with that lingering fear. But things are better now—she’s channeling everything into her career as a horror novelist and true crime podcaster, and her next book may be the breakthrough she needs.
If only her grumpy new neighbor would stop stomping around at all hours of the night.
Former firefighter Hill Dawson can’t sleep. After losing part of his leg in a rescue gone wrong, he’s now stuck in limbo. He needs to figure out what he’s supposed to do with his life, and he can’t let himself get distracted by the pretty redhead next door. But when someone breaks into Andi’s place, Hill can’t stop himself from rushing in to play the hero. Soon, a tentative bond forms between the unlikely pair. But what starts out as a neighborly exchange quickly turns into the chance for so much more…if Andi can learn to put aside her fear and trust in herself—and love—again.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3uNXpwC
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Low angst and charming
In her trade paperback debut, Melonie Johnson brings her signature humor, sexy romance, and strong female friendships in this hilarious romantic comedy about finding perfectly imperfect love, Too Good to Be Real.
She plans to prove there’s a dozen reasons why life isn’t like a romantic comedy, only to discover the one reason it is…
While her friends wish for meet cutes worthy of their favorite rom-coms, Julia is ready to give up on love. Swiping right has replaced getting swept off your feet and good old-fashioned romance has become, well, old-fashioned.
A writer for a popular website, love becomes the last thing on her mind when impending layoffs threaten her job. As Julia searches for the ultimate pitch to impress her boss, she stumbles upon a resort offering guests a chance to live out their romantic comedy dreams. Real life dating is so bleak, who wouldn’t want to spend a week in a fantasy rom-com world with your best friends?
At the resort, Julia literally falls into a not-quite-meet-cute involving an aggressive seagull and an adorably awkward guy named Luke who is also participating in the rom-com experience. Julia hides the fact she is there to do a story, but Luke harbors a few secrets of his own. Among further encounters with thieving seagulls, a gaggle of corgis, kisses in the rain, and even a karaoke serenade, their feelings deepen quickly. But could their love be real when they haven’t been honest about their true identities? Once the fantasy is over, can they have a relationship in the real world?
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jSZBQy
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Disappointing
An enemies-to-lovers / sports / grumpy-sunshine / neighbor romance
I, Tillie Jean Rock, am not in love with my brother’s teammate. Sure, he might have those biceps and that “I am the grouchiest of grouchy bears” smolder, and he might shovel snow off his driveway next door wearing nothing but boxer shorts and rubber boots, and he might be running a side business feeding all the stray goats in town, but studliness is only skin-deep.
And I might flirt with him every chance I get, but I swear it’s only to annoy my brother.
And him.
Because Max Cole?
Under all of those glorious muscles and chiseled cheekbones and searing glares beats the heart of a heartless devil.
I could no sooner fall in love with a guy who treats me like a kid, and judges me at every opportunity, and sets an army of garden gnomes loose on my yard, than I could fall in love with my grandfather’s pet parrot.
But I can definitely annoy him. I can one hundred percent get on board with annoying him.
That’s what you do when you don’t like your neighbor, right?
But you know what they say about love and hate…
It’s a very thin line.
Especially when the real reason I’m not in love with Max Cole—that he’s incapable of love—might not be true at all.
The Grumpy Player Next door is a fun-filled enemies-to-lovers romcom featuring a ray of sunshine on a mission, an athlete who’s only grouchy around her, and an epic prank gone wrong. It stands alone and comes complete with small-town shenanigans, a goat who’s not nearly as wise as his name suggests, and proof that sometimes, love is the best kind of vengeance.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3e3oMft
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Just okay
Goldilocks has gotten a bit off track. I found her in my room, my bathroom and my bathtub to be precise.
Sabrina Mason is my new roommate. My new unwelcome roommate. Not that I have a say about it since I’m babysitting my Grandma’s apartment, which means Sabrina’s here to stay. But we’d agreed my room was off limits.
It’s bad enough my nightmares are getting worse, but having her around me makes holding it together. Her smell, smart mouth and sexy a–anyway. I can’t let her get under my skin although it might be too late. In her sloppy bun and pajamas curled up on the couch, she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. But a relationship isn’t what I need right now.
It’s hard to remember that when she’s glowering at me when I’m being an ass. We’re forced to live together for only a few more month, I can hold out until I can’t.
She’s in my bathtub and she’s not telling me to leave. So I ask the question, “do you want me to go?”
And I’m shocked as hell when her answer isn’t ‘no’.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3639GT3
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Didn’t love it
One night will never be enough.
We made a pact. One night.
No strings.
No attachments.
No numbers exchanged.
I caved and gave Harrison Decker my number anyway. He just chose not to use it.
Four years later, his job brings him back into my world looking more handsome than ever and now making an effort to befriend me. Is my heart willing to take another chance on that man?
Call me crazy or crazy in love. Either way, I’m not falling for him. Again.
Author’s Note: Crazy in Love is an Emotional Enemies to Lovers, Billionaire, Second Chance Romance with a Surprise Pregnancy and Independent Heroine. Basically, all the good things. Happy Reading!
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2V9TrRG
Check out this week’s new releases here.
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