Voracious Romance Reader • Honest Reviewer
Let’s just say that this book needed a little more time in the oven, but I liked it a lot. I always binge Dangelico's books in one sitting, and I had no trouble devouring this one. It held my attention the whole time, with a laidback vibe, likable characters, and a light, easy feel. I... Continue Reading →
Alright, well, I probably would've rated this higher if there had been ANY sort of buildup before our couple got together, lol! There was not. It was all smoldering eyes and "wanna get out of here?" and then a few pages after meeting... that was it. Together. I'm not joking, it was really that quick.... Continue Reading →
This is one of those books that gets better in the second half, because I really wasn't loving it at the start. Our hero falls in love at first sight, and it was just... a lot. Then we find out that the heroine is "engaged" (a lie she made up years ago), and the hero... Continue Reading →
This book... destroyed me. It's powerful. It's devastating. It's utterly romantic. And it will stay with me for a very long time. It's incredibly unique and wholly captivating, and I felt my blood pressure rising with every unpredictable scene. I loved it. Even my review has the potential to be triggering, so stop now if... Continue Reading →
As with all of Hart's rom coms, this was a low angst, fun read with plenty of banter. It was definitely lacking in the romance department for me, but makes a solid series starter for what could be an interesting series of standalones. This is technically written in British English, but I honestly didn't notice... Continue Reading →
Out of the 200 romance novels I've read this year, this might be my favorite one. Period. This is what I call a ROMANCE; an intimate read with a torturous slow burn that absolutely captivated me and a hero that every woman needs in her life. It’s incredibly romantic, with page after page of quote-worthy... Continue Reading →
Well this sounds interesting, and look at that great cover! I always, always look forward to new releases by Madden-Mills, and this blurb definitely has my attention. A little bit opposites attract, a little bit of fish out of water, a little second chance, and a little fake dating - all rolled into one. It's... Continue Reading →
What I wanted: An emotional story like The Cabin to wreck me What I got: Teenage sex ed class and sugary sweet love at first sight Those are two very different things, and I definitely had to recalibrate my expectations once I got a feel for the vibe. Unfortunately, I felt a little pervy reading... Continue Reading →
There's just something SWOONY about a sweetheart of a hero who shows his fierce, alpha side when his protective instincts kick in. I adored this kind and loving hero; he takes care of everyone but himself, and doesn't hesitate to step in when our heroine is in need. Their marriage of convenience might not have... Continue Reading →
In case you missed it, Jodi Ellen Malpas revealed the cover to The Enigma, the followup to The Brit, last week! The Brit remains one of my absolute favorite books of the year so far, with an INTENSE, compelling mafia romance at the heart of it. I have no idea what to expect from The... Continue Reading →
This sweetheart of a hero deserved a better story, I'm afraid. I love a good holiday novella to get me in the festive spirit, and this quick, steamy story had the potential to do that. It's a sweet treat for fans of the series, a fast-paced peek at how everyone is doing around the holidays,... Continue Reading →
This was slow burn goodness, with a focus on the emotional connection and plenty of sexual tension. I loved the light, easy banter and the opposites attract vibe, though this new-to-me author does an excellent job of showing the parallels between these two seemingly different people. Our broken, playboy of a hero is selfish and... Continue Reading →
Okay, so this is going to be a weird 5-star review, but just bear with me for a minute, lol. I wasn't sure that I even liked this book for the first 30% or so - I was more fascinated than anything, and it definitely took awhile to wrap my head around the characters. This... Continue Reading →
Grinning. I was grinning like a fool while reading this sexy, playful, and SWOONY love story - it is smart and funny and just so completely Loring. I loved every minute of it. Our hero is a sweet charmer, a guy who loves love and always wants to be immersed in it. When paired with... Continue Reading →
What a WILD ride! Geissinger's books are always addictive, and her mafia romances have been particularly compelling - with this being no exception. These two were FIRE together, and I was absolutely hooked from start to finish. I'll openly admit that I had a little more trouble than usual getting behind this particular couple, not... Continue Reading →
A family of hot doctors? Um, yes please! This steamy fake relationship romance makes a very solid series starter - it's got enough appearances by crossover characters to keep returning readers interested, while still feeling like a complete standalone and the start to something brand new. The perfect place for new readers to jump in.... Continue Reading →
Have you seen In the Heights? This gave me the same kind of vibes, minus the singing and dancing, but add in some steam - lol! We've got our sweet hometown guy, the girl with big dreams who finds herself back home, a strong sense of community/found family, and a focus on inclusivity. Our heroine... Continue Reading →
That cover is deceptively cute - this book is a quick and steamy treat that features a decidedly NSFW storyline involving *ahem* toy parties. The blurb implies that this is a light and sexy best friend's little sister romance (it is), but it forgets to mention the dirty stuff, lol. I had Siri reading this... Continue Reading →
I want more from this series, and that is always good news! Was this perfect? No, but I liked it quite a bit. Flynn's light, easy writing style makes this fly by, and the low angst storyline was a lot of fun. I loved that the premise felt unique and different; I'd have trouble describing... Continue Reading →
Is it HOT in here, or is it just this book? WOW, that was an intense and steamy ride! This rock star/bodyguard romance had me HOOKED from the first page, and easily kept my interest until the very end. I stayed up way, way too late reading - and I have zero regrets. This couple... Continue Reading →
I loved this SO VERY MUCH. It's one of those books that left me smiling like a fool, with a full heart and a strong desire to start reading it all over again. The evolution of these characters from start to finish is intense, and I absolutely loved how everything came full circle by the... Continue Reading →
Small town charm with a side of steam - this was cute! I love a good enemies to lovers romance and a fish out of water story is always a fun time, so this was right up my alley. The story remains light, sexy, and playful throughout, which makes it fly by. It's got humor,... Continue Reading →
I'm not entirely sure how to rate this one: I liked it, but it was SO very short (2000 locations on my Kindle). As a series starter, it works well; the characters are interesting and we get a feel for the team dynamic. I liked the hero quite a bit, and he has some compelling... Continue Reading →
I keep going back and forth between three and four stars for this one, but there are definitely some things that I was unsatisfied with, so I'm leaning towards three. This had an uphill battle from the start, because I really, really hate the main trope - one night stand results in a baby, and... Continue Reading →
I’m a VERY picky lady when it comes to second chance romances, so when one holds my attention throughout - it's a win! The obvious love and connection between these former lovers kept me hooked, and the deeper undertones of the story made it a richer experience. This has the same kind of vibe as... Continue Reading →
Have you seen that old Josh Duhamel movie, Life as We Know It? Then you've got an idea of the concept behind this emotional romance - two people who "hate" each other are bonded by their friends, and become co-parents when those friends pass away unexpectedly. I will openly admit that there are MANY similarities... Continue Reading →
I didn't like it, personally. While I think this is well done in a lot of ways, I never clicked with the characters. There's also a lot that felt outdated and somewhat toxic about the relationship, including the fact that the heroine - for the last few years - has watched the hero take home... Continue Reading →
A smitten bad boy? Yes, please! I absolutely LOVED this hero, a guy who listens to the devil on his shoulder too often. He's moody, broody, tattooed, and talented - and he's a total softie on the inside. This one's a little bit enemies to lovers, a little bit friends to lovers, and a whole... Continue Reading →
I love the Bergmans! This was the sweet treat that I've been waiting for, one of my most highly anticipated reads of the year. It didn't turn out to be QUITE what I was hoping for, but I still enjoyed it immensely. This series of slow burn, neurodiverse romances is heartfelt and emotional without feeling... Continue Reading →
"There weren’t any fireworks or choreographed dance mobs. We didn’t even kiss because she was nursing the baby at the time. It just happened, like everything else we do. We just happen." I think that quote is supposed to be a romantic description of this strangers to friends to lovers romance, but it's more of... Continue Reading →
This hero? One of the BEST I've read about in a long while. I absolutely ADORED this gruff, closed off, alpha fisherman with a heart of gold - he made this opposites attract romance engrossing from the very start, and the steamy scenes were downright combustible because of his intensity. Talk about a slow burn... Continue Reading →
Crackling chemistry from the very first interaction - this couple is absolutely combustible, and watching their cat and mouse game from the sidelines was totally engrossing. I wasn't sure what to expect from this antihero redeemed romance; Finn has been the "villain" throughout this series of interconnected standalones, and his history is somewhat problematic. But... Continue Reading →
This should've been right up my alley, but it was just SOOO social media-focused that I got bored after awhile with all of the technical details. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this First Reads selection actually is a true contemporary romance - it's a slow burn, opposites attract love story that features some... Continue Reading →
Softer and sweeter than her usual style, this slow-burning love story is the kind of low angst read that I love to dig into. While the first third leaned more towards chick lit - with a heavy focus on our heroine and her interactions with the royals next door - the book slowly transitions into... Continue Reading →
I can't say that this is one of my favorites from MQ, but it still has plenty of her signature humor - and that made it a pretty fun read. This has got the same "mainstream," toned down feel as The Wedding Game, though The Highland Fling kicks the steam up a notch. I'd ALMOST... Continue Reading →
If you can believe it, this doesn't release until March! Sometimes I get ARCs a day or two before release, sometimes I get them months ahead of time - it all depends on the book. This one hit my Kindle recently, and I thought, "well that sounds interesting!" I, of course, set aside the multiple... Continue Reading →
There are two very different ways of looking at this storyline, so I'm going to give you the "sexy" description and the "serious" description, then we'll reconvene with my thoughts: Sexy description: Adrian, a confident and powerful businessman, officially assumes the role of CEO of the company he purchased recently. He's been monitoring business operations... Continue Reading →
What is Bookstore Romance Day? According to its planners, Bookstore Romance Day is "a day designed to give independent bookstores an opportunity to celebrate Romance fiction—its books, readers, and writers—and to strengthen the relationships between bookstores and the Romance community." And it's happening this weekend! An easy way to support indie bookstores is by shopping... Continue Reading →
A former football star who is kind and caring? Sign me up! I loved the hero in this laidback sports romance. He is sweet, sexy, and easily the best part of this book. I'm having a tough time with my rating for this one, because it had all of the ingredients of a great book...... Continue Reading →
This one didn't go quite the way I was hoping, but it was a pretty adorable romance. After reading the blurb, I was really hooked on the letter-writing concept, falling in love from a distance (and that GORGEOUS cover reeled me in). It just... didn't play out the way I anticipated, lol. This is 100%... Continue Reading →
Everybody loves a sexy, grumpy nerd - right? I certainly do! That made it easy to fall for this slow-burning, science-filled romance. I'd like to make a joke that this book has as much chemistry as a science textbook, but that seems like a step too far, lol. Our couple does have a definite connection... Continue Reading →
Well, this was a surprise! I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book, but it turned out to be an intimate little treat. I'd consider this to be along the lines of an American version of The Flatshare - if you liked the focus on personal growth and slow burn women's fiction-turned-romance feel... Continue Reading →
There's something about Martin's writing style that just WORKS for me, and this was another great example. I loved the light, quirky feel and the grumpy/sunshine dynamic. I've also never read a book quite like this one - it's an interesting mix of tropes, with a dash of enemies to lovers, second chance, fake relationship,... Continue Reading →
Light and steamy with a side of action, I'd describe the plot of this rom com as "quirky romance writer is thirsty for a bad boy." lol, our heroine doesn't seem to mind all of the red flags popping up around her guy - even when he warns her away (repeatedly). It's low angst and... Continue Reading →
While the writing is a little rough around the edges, the soapy quality of this light(ish) mafia romance held my attention. It’s not a storyline that I have EVER read before, which is always a huge plus for someone who reads as many romance novels as I do. There was something about that blurb (and... Continue Reading →
One of my favorite books of 2020 is on sale for just 99 cents right now, and it's the perfect kind of sexy rom com to brighten up your day! I loved this light and steamy grumpy/sunshine romance, and it was my introduction to Annika Martin's work. I've since read and enjoyed some of her... Continue Reading →
I'll openly admit that I was hoping this would be more of a romance (given Rockaway's other books), but it's definitely women's fiction with a side of (closed door) romance. Our heroine is the star, and the story is very much about her personal journey - coming to terms with the fact that her job... Continue Reading →
I'm sad to see the series end, but this was a great way to go out. This light and steamy, tension-filled romance makes for a quick, bingeable read that easily stands on its own. I had no trouble devouring it one sitting, and I had fun the whole time. It's an interesting combination of enemies... Continue Reading →
Sorry to say that this bored me - from start to finish. I typically love HH's books and jumped at the chance to read this series starter, but if I didn't know that it was written by her, I wouldn't have known. And I would've DNF'd it without hesitation. Unfortunately, this has a VERY laidback,... Continue Reading →
I'll admit it: the marketing sold me on this one, and the writing just didn't live up to the promise. That fun, vibrant cover and catchy title definitely caught my eye, and I was looking forward to a sexual tension-filled romance, likely a slow burn. Because that's what you expect from a romance where the... Continue Reading →
This was unexpected in the BEST of ways. The nuanced storyline had me hooked from start to finish - I absolutely LOVED it! I loved how distinctive and unique it felt, with a story that gets richer and more complex as it progresses. It's funny and sexy, lighthearted and subtle - while still packing an... Continue Reading →
I always enjoy checking in on this close-knit group of hockey players, but I knew going in that this trope wasn't a good fit for me, personally. And it wasn't. The whole sex "without feelings" arrangement/bringing out condoms before they've kissed just isn't a favorite of mine, so I was as emotionally detached from the... Continue Reading →
Lately, it seems like there are more misses than hits from this author, so I’m unsurprised that this was just okay (since I loved the last book). It’s not bad - it’s the kind of light, easy read that I was craving - but it IS pretty unremarkable. I'll probably have trouble remembering the plot... Continue Reading →
Well, this certainly gets points for originality! It's a completely fascinating storyline that - let's be honest here - you're either going to love or hate. The concept is not for everyone, but it makes for an interesting, unique read that I had no trouble bingeing in one sitting. I really loved this hero; he... Continue Reading →
I don't know about you, but a 36-year-old, commitment-phobic playboy who makes women doubt their self worth, doesn't stick around long enough to leave a phone number, never promises exclusivity, and has zero interest in developing an emotional connection... is not appealing to me. That's the biggest problem with this otherwise scorching hot romance. It's... Continue Reading →
The lightest, funniest book I've read all year certainly deserves a 5-star rating... even if it's not a cut and dry one. I loved the playfulness of this exceedingly low angst romance, and I loved the sexual tension. It's got likable characters and such a unique vibe; it's so, so easy to tell that it's... Continue Reading →
For a debut? Very solid. This light, cute romance was not a perfect fit for me, but I can definitely see the potential in the writing and look forward to future books from the author. It's low angst and sweet, a slow burn romance with just a touch of steam. Pairing a horror novelist with... Continue Reading →
Please note: this is the conclusion of a romantic suspense duet, and it picks up right where the first book left off. If you haven't read The Spy in 3B yet, you can check out my review here. If the first half of this duet is the slow burn, then this one is the SIZZLE,... Continue Reading →
So, I know this will probably be an unpopular opinion, but... I didn't like it. At all. I fully, 100%, expected to LOVE this book - and I just didn't. We get frequent reminders that our hero has been screwing around for years while fighting his feelings for the off-limits heroine (yuck), the storyline is... Continue Reading →
If we're being honest here... I'd have difficulty articulating any one thing that I liked about this, other than the sweet hero. I'm a fan of the writing style, but the storyline failed to pull me in - from start to finish. We never see the meet cute or any of this couple's chemistry from... Continue Reading →
This sweet yet sexy rom com put me in such a nostalgic mood. It's got so many great references to the rom com movies of years past, and I liked the easygoing, laidback vibe. It's perhaps a little too long and a little TOO laidback, but I enjoyed the story as a whole. This one... Continue Reading →
Not the story I was hoping for, unfortunately. While I usually enjoy Hughes' work, this one didn't strike a chord with me. Most of the relationship development happens inside the hero's head - as in, he doesn't vocalize any of his thoughts or feelings, and just acts like a jerk 95% of the time. So,... Continue Reading →
Why is there something so absolutely swoon-worthy about a grumpy werewolf of a hero showing his vulnerable side? I loved the raw intimacy in this neighbors to lovers romance, which features two broken people healing together. It pairs a fierce and resilient heroine with a lovable and hurting hero, and the combination makes for one... Continue Reading →
