I spent way too much time scrolling through Twitter this week (there may have been a few interesting news stories, lol), but I actually did get a good amount of reading done. I tried the buzzy The Brightness Light of Sunshine, which I ended up loving. It’s a quiet slow burn, with strangers to friends to lovers vibes and a heartfelt storyline. Definitely a strong debut. I also finished listening to the newest from Meghan Quinn, which was stronger in the second half. The heroine’s personality and lack of chemistry made it a little more difficult to get into than Quinn’s usual, but the fantastic narration and sexual tension in the second half won me over. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about Claire Kingsley’s newest. It simply felt underwhelming and lust-focused, and I never connected with the characters. I also got ahead on a few of my (many) April ARCs, which is already looking like an excellent release month. Finally, I re-shared my review of You Can Have Manhattan, one of my favorite marriage of convenience romances.
Next week, there aren’t a ton of new releases until Thursday, so I’m looking forward to playing catchup and then digging into a few new indie romances before April begins. Then it’s just new release after new release, all month long!
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
A woman ready to move on. A man who can’t afford distractions. An inspiring journey of healing love.
Determined to walk away from a traumatic past, 22-year-old Grace Allen feels ready to take the next step in her healing journey—dipping a toe into the dating pool. Although she should probably start by making a friend or two, right?
Samuel ‘Cal’ Callaghan isn’t who she had envisioned as her first male friend in… well, forever. With an intimidating build, tattoos everywhere, eight years her senior, and a little sister under his care, the last thing she expected was to warm up to him so easily. As their friendship evolves, Grace can’t help but wonder if Cal is exactly who she’s been looking for all this time.
Cal can’t afford to lose sight of his priorities—making sure his tattoo parlor thrives and taking care of his little sister. Especially the latter. He wants to make sure 4-year-old Maddie has a healthy and happy childhood, despite their mother going off the rails and her father’s blatant neglect. There’s certainly no room for love in his life right now. But when a sweet blonde with a veiled past breaks down his walls, he finds it difficult to stick to his guns.
CONTENT NOTES: This book contains themes of sexual assault (there are no explicit scenes depicting sexual assault), profanity, alcoholism, and explicit sexual content. Recommended for 18+.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YXath1
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rocky start, solid finish 🎧
From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Meghan Quinn, comes a new fake dating, standalone sports romance featuring the hockey men you can’t get enough of and love. This steamy, age-gap romantic comedy will bring all the laughs while making your cheeks blush at the same time.
Running into your ex is never ideal.
Running into your ex who is now dating your nemesis is a literal nightmare.
That’s how I found myself in a sheer panic, reaching for the closest guy at the bar and kissing him. And to my delight he was easily the most attractive man I’ve ever seen.
The only problem is, when I tried to walk away after thanking him for his help, he stopped me with three life-changing words . . .“You owe me.”
That’s how I found myself, a college girl, in a fake relationship with a professional hockey player ten years older than me.
At first it was easy.
He helped me with my internship.
I helped keep his ex away from him.
We were becoming fast friends.
It wasn’t until he started staying the night at my dorm did the rules of our arrangement become complicated.
Now my feelings are involved and even though I kissed the right man at the right time, I’m worried he’s just waiting for the clock to run out.
Read the audiobook review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YEF7N6
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Retro review
You are cordially invited to the worst wedding of the century.
Sydney Evans is no stranger to hard work. It’s the one constant in her life. And with no family or friends to speak of it’s been easy to pour everything she has into her career as general counsel for Blackstone Holdings.
She wants for nothing. Until her boss offers her a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. All she has to do in return is marry his good-for-nothing son.
Scott Blackstone used be a party whore. Pardon, party animal. He hasn’t been that guy in a long time though. Not since he moved to Wyoming, bought a failing cattle ranch, and turned it into a profitable business.
All is good. Until a phone call from his father threatens the quiet, simple life he’s built. Marry or lose everything. And to a woman who can’t stand him, no less. Well, Scott is not going down without a fight. He’s never going back to Manhattan. Not if he can help it.
Read the retro review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YXTSKg
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Didn’t love it 🎧
He’ll break all her rules
Nora Lakes is sophisticated, successful, and happily single. Career problems aside, her life is fine the way it is, thank you very much. Sure, her best friends are all moving into a new season of life—full of husbands and babies and white picket fences. But that’s not what Nora wants.
Neither is the gruff, tattooed guy next door.
Tattoo artist Dex St. James has enough trouble on his hands without the distractingly beautiful woman next door. Being a single dad to a teenage girl is no joke. The last thing he needs is a flirtatious new neighbor who makes his blood run hot.
He’ll just avoid her. She’s not his type anyway.
But Nora and Dex can’t seem to stay out of each other’s way. Between a pesky nocturnal visitor, Nora’s blossoming friendship with Dex’s daughter, and their undeniable chemistry, that up-against-the-wall, brain-melting kiss was probably inevitable.
Nora has rules when it comes to men, and she has her reasons. Dex threatens to break every last one of them. She doesn’t want forever. He won’t settle for anything less. But when these two collide, the result is fire.
And maybe even forever.
Author’s Note: opposites attract in this fun, swoony, single dad romcom. A smart, sassy woman meets a rough-around-the-edges tattoo artist with a heart of gold. Daddy/daughter moments, all the banter, neighborly shenanigans, a meddling family, badass lady friendships, and a hero who’s determined to fight the heat between them—until he falls first. Flirting with Forever can be read as a stand-alone.
Read the audiobook review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3T1Lx6M
Check out this week’s new releases here.
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Jeeves Reads Romance 
I also enjoyed Right Man Right Time. Have a great week!
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The audio was excellent! Hope you read some good books this week.
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