Technically, this wrap-up covers two weeks, since last week was filled with end of the month posts! Things really started looking up at the end of this week – after nearly a month of abandoned books and 3-4 stars reads, I was definitely getting frustrated. I went almost a month without a 5-star read (Heartless was the last one in mid-October), which is unheard of for me. So I was very, very excited when one of the responses to my “Vote” post earlier this week lead me to a book I’d never heard of by an author I’m not familiar with… and I loved it! Honestly, I’m Totally Faking It was an EASY 5-star rating for me, a playful, quirky yet complex read. I loved that it was laugh out loud funny with depth lurking beneath the surface, and it was also spicy enough to bring the heat. I received several other intriguing recommendations from the post as well, so I’ve added new books to my 2022 TBR. And I’m excited about what’s to come!
Prior to that, the last book that almost got 5 stars from me was How to Kiss Your Grumpy Boss, a low angst and easygoing single mom romance. It’s my first time reading a solo book by Jenny Proctor, and I really enjoyed her writing style. A couple minor things bugged me, nothing major, and it was a cute read.
I also listened to two audiobooks, which made the reading experience better for two 3.5-star romances. The newest from Lauren Landish is a small town romance that was quick and steamy, revolving around a wedding week. I liked it as I was reading, but there was probably too much focus on the community and not enough on the couple. The newest from Harloe Rae was a laidback single parent/brother’s best friend romance that had a unique concept. The relationship development didn’t completely work for me in either, but I liked the stories overall.
Next are the holiday romances! To kick off the season, I re-shared my review of my favorite holiday romance, A Very Bossy Christmas. It’s banter-filled, sexy, and so much fun – and it was so good that it made my Best of 2020 list, so I highly recommend it! I also reviewed a fun Christmas novella from Maren Moore, a new-to-me author I’ve heard good things about. I didn’t love it – it didn’t deliver on the romance or the holiday feels – but I could see myself reading more from her in the future.
Next week is a BUSY release week, so we’ll see what I end up reading! Too many of my favorite authors are releasing new books the same week, so it’ll all depend on my mood.
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.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Loved it
Rach is a down-on-her-luck, happy-go-lucky kind of lady … Sure, she may be an assistant to personal assistants, crashing on her ex-boyfriend’s couch, and have a whole secret past, but mostly, things are great.
Until she:
- Meets Pres — an aspiring politician, certified Capricorn, and a definitely “unlikable” dude (He knows, he had a poll done on it), and
- Accidentally goes viral at the same time. (The internet is calling it “Boobgate.”)
His PR person says they should capitalize on the fame. Pres only wants to win an election. And Rach, well, she really just wants to keep her job.
Now she must decide if she can be herself and get the guy, too, or if faking it until you make it is all it’s cracked up to be…
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3A1EmDu
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Retro review
What’s the actual last thing you’d ever want your executive assistant to see you doing the morning after you had hot, drunk, angry sex with her in a terrible hotel room? Dancing around your terrible hotel room to “Come and Get Your Love” like Star-Lord in 𝐺𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑥𝑦—naked? Yeah. Me too.
And yet, here we are.
This isn’t even the most unprofessional thing that’s happened between us in the past couple of weeks.
The first was when I agreed to let her have Christmas Day off, but only if she goes with me to three family gatherings as my fake girlfriend.
The second was when she caught me belting out a Christmas song on stage in the awful hotel bar.
The third was the hot, drunk, angry sex that followed, but I do not regret it.
And she hasn’t even found out the real reason I need her by my side this holiday season.
I need to pull it together before I do the dumbest, most unprofessional thing of all—fall head over heels in love with the only assistant who’s lasted more than a month at the job and claims to hate me and my moods more than she hates eggnog.
𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝐼’𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑠ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑒𝑔𝑔𝑛𝑜𝑔.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TB3Rm8
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Light and cute
Perry Hawthorne is my boss. Only my boss. And I do NOT have a crush.
When one of THE Hawthorne brothers—known by their chiseled jawlines and their family-run farm and event center—hires me to be his virtual assistant, I do everything I can to keep him firmly in the work zone.
His grumpy demeanor helps.
His smoking hot profile picture does not.
But even if I do have a crush (a very tiny one), I can’t catch real feelings for a million different reasons.
Besides the whole business part of our relationship, I’m a single mom. I have to think about what’s best for my son, Jack. And my grumpy, divorced, humorless boss isn’t exactly giving me “ready to be a stepdad” vibes.
When Perry upgrades me from virtual to in-person assistant, I wonder if I’ve gotten him all wrong. He’s actually pretty great with Jack. And with me? Let’s just say the chemistry crackling between us might vaporize all my reasons for keeping my distance.
Trouble is, after his messy divorce, I’m not sure Perry’s ready to bet on a new relationship. But it isn’t just my heart that’s on the line. It’s Jack’s, too. And after everything we went through before my husband died, I’m not sure that’s a gamble I’m ready to take, no matter how desperate Jack is for a daddy.
How to Kiss Your Best Friend is a sweet romantic comedy with all the sizzling kisses you want in a closed-door romance but no explicit scenes.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CT6Pf9
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Quick and spicy 🎧
Opposites don’t just attract—they ignite—in a flirty against-all-odds romance by Wall Street Journalbestselling author Lauren Landish.
Wyatt Ford hightailed it out of Cold Springs to get away from his influential family and the unwanted privilege that came with it. Returning for his brother’s wedding dredges up every reason he left. One unexpected bright spot: a curvy knockout who slings burgers, hustles pool…and hates the last name Ford.
Hazel Sullivan is fiercely independent and happy to be maid of honor for her best friend’s wedding, but she isn’t looking for romance. Especially not with a man whose family is dividing her town into a battleground with their development plans. Fighting the family is easy. Fighting Wyatt? Not so much. Why does the enemy have to be so drop-dead gorgeous?
The sparks that fly between Hazel and Wyatt might start out as combat, but one kiss and it’s total surrender. How is a happy ever after even possible for two people with so little in common? Except, of course, for an overwhelming attraction and that growing temptation to say “I do” themselves.
Read the audiobook review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fNPa0X
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cute and spicy 🎧
USA Today & Amazon Top 5 best-selling author Harloe Rae delivers an unforgettable romance packed with heart, emotion, and steam. Meet Rhodes Walsh—a broody single dad/bar owner—while he clashes with Rylee Creed—a grief-stricken single mom determined to fulfill lost dreams—on their road to happily ever after.
I didn’t expect to see Rylee Creed after her brother’s funeral.
That’s the initial reason my jaw hangs slack when she walks into Bent Pedal a month later.
The loss of my friend hit me hard, but that’s nothing compared to the crash she’s endured.
Grief and misery still shadow her every move.
But she’s not alone.
A little boy about the age of my daughter clings to her side.
Their shared pain is too ripe, salt in my raw wounds.
I assume we’re about to make a deal and go our separate ways.
But this bar was Trevor’s pride and joy.
She wants to honor his final wishes.
How can I possibly stand in her way?
Simple. I don’t.
Our paths collide after that point.
The journey forward is messy and complicated, much like us.
Maybe there’s an exchange to be made after all.
Rylee just has to willingly accept the wager.
Then I’ll trade her broken heart for mine.
Read the audiobook review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3U9OHET
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Disappointing
Everyone says “there’s no place like home”… well not for me.
When I’m forced to spend the holidays at home with my family in Strawberry Hollow, I have no idea how I’m even going to survive the week, let alone make it through my least favorite holiday… Christmas.
That is until I run into my childhood crush, and my brother’s best friend, Parker Grant.
Now, he’s the sexy, off-limits doctor in our small town, and nothing like the man I left behind six years ago.
While I hate the holidays, there is nothing that he loves more.
Well, other than a good bet.
Which is exactly what happens when we end up together under the mistletoe.
A bet that changes everything.
He asks for the next seven days to change my mind about Christmas.
But seven days alone with Parker is more than either of us bargained for.
Now, there’s much more at stake than a silly mistletoe bet.
The Mistletoe Bet is a complete standalone Christmas novella with lots of banter, even more laughter and a heartwarming HEA.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DNOSPU
Check out this week’s new releases here.
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