Voracious Romance Reader • Honest Reviewer
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and Thank You For Listening is one of the subtler picks. I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of the audiobook, and it blew me away - I think that I may have been one of the... Continue Reading →
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year. I don't assign these specific rankings, but... Consider Me is definitely up there! I loved this playboy tamed romance so much that I happily ate up a 20+ hour audiobook by a new-to-me author and wanted more at the... Continue Reading →
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and this debut surprised me in the best of ways - I loved it from start to finish. It's a great romance with a side of women's fiction, and the storyline felt fresh and authentic. Plus, roommates to lovers... Continue Reading →
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and that list wouldn't be complete without the finale to J.T. Geissinger's deliciously addictive mafia romance series. I have loved EVERY book in this series - and the spinoff series too - so it was no surprise that Brutal... Continue Reading →
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and that list includes Funny Feelings, a humorous and heartfelt friends to lovers romance by new-to-me author Tarah DeWitt. I knew very little about the plot when I decided to sample Funny Feelings, but it took only a few... Continue Reading →
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and Heartless is definitely one of them. When it comes to these lists, I try my best to honor 20 different authors, but I honestly could not choose between the first two books in Elsie Silver's Chestnut Springs series.... Continue Reading →
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and Flawless is certainly among them. When it comes to these lists, I try my best to honor 20 different authors, but I honestly could not choose between the first two books in Elsie Silver's Chestnut Springs series. I... Continue Reading →
It's a mini review! I'm clearing out my review queue of all the books I can't seem to convince myself to finish, for one reason or another. That doesn't mean these are negative reviews, it simply means that something isn't compelling me to keep reading at the moment. Maybe I'll go back to them another... Continue Reading →
It's the time when I ponder my top reads of the year, and that makes me nostalgic about books that have made the list in the past. One such love story is the Wicked Ways duet, my first experience with K. Bromberg's writing. Her books made my list in 2019, 2020, AND 2021, so I... Continue Reading →
Quick and SUPER cute, this has everything you could ask for in a holiday novella. It packs a punch in a small package, diving right into a road trip between co-workers. There's a great grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and a hero whose thoughts are fun to puzzle out. It's just Christmasy enough to feel like a holiday... Continue Reading →
I am such a sucker for a playboy whose entire life changes once he meets the right girl, and that is exactly what this beefy book is all about - I absolutely loved it! It reminded me a lot of one of my other favorites, Consider Me, though this felt fresh and different in its... Continue Reading →
Such a great, feel good, holiday romance - I can see why everyone is raving about it this year! The vibe is lighthearted, Christmasy enough to give those holiday feelings, and adorably romantic. I loved the concept, and I could totally see this as a movie. One that I would watch without hesitation. The hero... Continue Reading →
It's a mini review! I'm clearing out my review queue of all the books I can't seem to convince myself to finish, for one reason or another. That doesn't mean these are negative reviews, it simply means that something isn't compelling me to keep reading at the moment. Maybe I'll go back to them another... Continue Reading →
It's prime time for holiday romances, so it seemed like the perfect time to re-share my review for Pippa Grant's hysterical AND hot holiday romance, Humbugged. I read this back when it released, and the book is a great combination of holiday vibes, humor, and heat. It's got just enough swoon to feel super romantic,... Continue Reading →
This couple is FIRE together, and the first half is all sugar, spice, and everything not-so-nice. I loved their initial meeting, and the forbidden element felt fresh, new, and very intriguing. They didn't know about the connection until they'd already crossed all sorts of lines, so there was no forgetting the way they felt together.... Continue Reading →
I loved this SO MUCH. I've been hearing nothing but good things about this book for months, but - as a second chance romance hater - I just couldn't bring myself to dive in. Finally, I decided to give it a try... and I couldn't stop once I started reading. The crackling tension, playful banter,... Continue Reading →
So bingeable, with a hero who is the sweetest man underneath his frosty exterior, this made for the perfect introduction to this small town series. Yes, I skipped right to the book with the tropes I was most interested in, lol, and I have no regrets. It's clear that the series is tied together enough... Continue Reading →
Featuring the SWOONIEST hero I've read in a long time (complete with sweet alpha vibes, a man bun, and a dad bod), this friends to lovers romance is filled with great moments. I absolutely adored the hero. I loved trying to puzzle out his feelings without his perspective, I loved the road trip aspect, and... Continue Reading →
My first Ana Huang, and it was a good one! I can see why this author has become so popular - this was soapy and spicy, with a compelling marriage of convenience/forced engagement romance that develops between two strangers who are not very enthusiastic about the arrangement. Their relationship is a slow burn, especially emotionally,... Continue Reading →
I had to contemplate my rating for a few days, which is not quite how I expected this to go. I'm a big, big fan of Liese's work and I was very excited for her first book with a major publisher. However, most of my issues lie with the narration - and that's not something... Continue Reading →
I went through a few different stages with this book, from "but I'm not Gen X," to "oooh I love the sound of that complex backstory," to "well this is surprisingly easy breezy." Through it all, the main thing that stood out to me is that I really enjoyed the story and the writing style,... Continue Reading →
Featuring a plot right out of a Hallmark movie, this sweet second chance romance has all of the holiday vibes. It's laidback and easygoing with a slightly boring feel - it was more plot-driven and less romance-focused than I was hoping, but there's a lot to like about the story. It definitely has that Christmasy... Continue Reading →
Devastatingly brutal yet poignant and hopeful, this marriage in trouble romance put me through my paces emotionally - and I loved it! Switching between past and present, we see the highs and lows in this couple's relationship, with the chemistry and connection in their early days punctuating the loss of a love that was once... Continue Reading →
It's mini review week! I'm clearing out my review queue of all the books I can't seem to convince myself to finish, for one reason or another. That doesn't mean these are negative reviews, it simply means that something isn't compelling me to keep reading at the moment. Maybe I'll go back to them another... Continue Reading →
It's mini review week! I'm clearing out my review queue of all the books I can't seem to convince myself to finish, for one reason or another. That doesn't mean these are negative reviews, it simply means that something isn't compelling me to keep reading at the moment. Maybe I'll go back to them another... Continue Reading →
It's mini review week! I'm clearing out my review queue of all the books I can't seem to convince myself to finish, for one reason or another. That doesn't mean these are negative reviews, it simply means that something isn't compelling me to keep reading at the moment. Maybe I'll go back to them another... Continue Reading →
My favorite holiday romance is on sale for just 99 cents right now (as of this post!), so it seemed like the perfect time to share my review again. Kayley Loring has delivered SO MANY 5-star reads for me, but this one remains my absolute favorite. The sexual tension, playfulness, and holiday vibe just took... Continue Reading →
There's just something so absolutely delicious about peeling back the layers of a prickly grump, figuring out what makes him tick and finding that gooey marshmallow center hiding beneath his beautiful but thorny exterior. And that is where this playful grumpy/sunshine romance shines! This one came on my radar out of nowhere, so I went... Continue Reading →
Quick and spicy, this wedding-themed romance is focused as much on the small town drama as it is on the love story. It's a slightly different vibe than Landish's usual, still heavy on the spice, but a little easier and more laidback than expected. Our couple has instant chemistry before the heroine realizes who she's... Continue Reading →
As the year comes to a close, I want to make sure I’ve read the best releases 2022 had to offer. Browse the books in this post to see every 5-star romance released in 2022 that I’ve read so far. So… what did I miss? Tell me YOUR favorite romances of 2022! What do I... Continue Reading →
For me, this didn't deliver in the romance OR the festive department, which is all I ask from a holiday novella. It brings the spice though, if you're looking for something more naughty than nice. I've been meaning to check out this new-to-me author, so this quick and sexy holiday romance seemed like the perfect... Continue Reading →
So cute! This hero is more grumbly than grump, falling hard and fast for his girl - and her adorable son. I jumped right into the series and had no trouble keeping up, but the family-oriented farm setting added a special something to the story. It's light and exceedingly low angst, with an easygoing, feel... Continue Reading →
Spicy and sweet, this brother's best friend/single parent romance is cute but ultimately a little forgettable. I liked the concept of two single parents who are brought together by the death of the man who connected them. Suddenly business partners after years of barely knowing each other, these two are both grieving and not in... Continue Reading →
It's been three years since I read this duet, and my chest still feels tight when I think about it. Angst-filled and complicated, this rock star romance will play with your emotions. We meet this couple when they fall hard and fast as young adults, before our hero ever became a star. I loved the... Continue Reading →
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Featuring the SWOONIEST hero I've read in a long time (complete with sweet alpha vibes, a man bun, and a dad bod), this friends to lovers romance is filled with great moments. I absolutely adored the hero. I loved trying to puzzle out his feelings without his perspective, I loved the road trip aspect,... Continue Reading →
Definitely not my favorite in the series, but it was cute. This series has consistently been light and sexy, easy and playful - and this installment is too. It's character-driven, with so much banter and conversation. I was delighted to hear that the flirt on the team actually still has his v-card, and it was... Continue Reading →
The tension snaps and crackles, sparking off the page in such a delicious way - I could FEEL the unresolved issues between these two, and I couldn't wait for them to figure things out. As a certified second chance romance hater (but big fan of DeWitt's work), I was both excited and nervous to dig... Continue Reading →
Laidback and easygoing, this small town/single mom romance is soft and a little sweet. I loved the concept of two people finally getting to truly know each other after years of being reluctant acquaintances. There was just enough history between them to keep things interesting without bogging the story down, and that added a richness... Continue Reading →
Unconventional meet cutes, falling before meeting face-to-face, and texting in romances are all like catnip to me, so this had me completely hooked in the first half. After reading and enjoying Curto's debut, An Unexpected Paradise, I had an idea of how this playboy-tamed romance would go. We knew that the hero is relationship-adverse but... Continue Reading →
Hogle recently released her third novel (her third 5-star read for me!), and it's got me thinking about the book that started my love for her work - You Deserve Each Other. It has such a unique concept, and the execution is so, so good. Sort of like enemies to lovers dialed up a notch,... Continue Reading →
Not at all what I was expecting, but in a good way! The blurb made this sound like it was going to focus more on the matchmaking side of things, and it also minimizes the relationship that this former couple had in the past. I am not a fan of second chance romances, so I... Continue Reading →
"The last few threads holding him together snap before my eyes. I can almost hear the pinging of them flying apart like a popped guitar string." I was crossing my fingers that this would live up to the excellence of Flawless, and now I'm really not sure which book I adored more - it was... Continue Reading →
Interestingly enough, I was one of the ARC readers for Heart Bones back in 2020 when it released with a super vague blurb, a totally different cover, and an indie vibe. I'd only read one other book from Hoover at the time (Regretting You), and it didn't resonate with me. Hoover was CoHo back then,... Continue Reading →
"I’ve had to work so goddamn hard for those smiles, and now I’m fucking greedy for them. And nothing has changed, not really. I just want you worse. And it hurts." ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The tension snaps and crackles, sparking off the page in such a delicious way - I could FEEL the unresolved issues between these... Continue Reading →
I'm a big fan of the series, but this particular installment did absolutely nothing for me. One of the best parts about the series is that it's easy to pick up the books in any order and know that you're in for a super lighthearted, playful read with unpredictable moments and plenty of heat. Unfortunately,... Continue Reading →
This was quick and bingeable, but ultimately a little unfulfilling. Bromberg is a one-click author for me, someone who delivers 5-star reads time and time again. So there was a lot of good stuff going on - some great sexual tension, an engaging meet cute, and a romance that mixes light and sexy moments with... Continue Reading →
What a debut! After absolutely loving Funny Feelings, I couldn't resist checking out DeWitt's debut novel, and it exceeded expectations. Quieter and more introspective, Rootbound is the story of a woman who (accidentally) reconnects with her estranged family, finding all kinds of love in the process. It's got the same kind of layered feel as... Continue Reading →
“You’re absurd.” It comes out sounding like You’re adorable.“You’d love it.” He grins. “Don’t lie.” When you're fake dating the, ah, literal Holiday Spirit, things are bound to get complicated. This chaotic, charming, one-of-a-kind story is filled with holiday fun that put a smile on my face. I've been a huge fan of Hogle's work... Continue Reading →
These co-writes have been a bit uneven for me, and the streak continues with this one. As a long-time fan of Loring's work, it's easy to see Crais' influence, and that has its pros and cons. Pros include getting the dude's perspective right, making this series feel like true sports romance, and (of course) the... Continue Reading →
This will be a weird review, because I enjoyed it so much that a 5-star rating was the obvious choice, but I can also identify several things that bugged me - and I understand why it's been such a polarizing read. The important thing: this was an EXCELLENT debut, and I'm excited to read more... Continue Reading →
From the Embers is enjoying a sudden surge in popularity, and I'm very happy about that... because it was one of my Top 20 of 2021 picks! In case you missed my review at the time, I'm sharing it again now. I still think back on the book very fondly, and hope many new readers... Continue Reading →
It's always a little terrifying to read the sophomore effort from an author whose debut you loved, hoping that it will live up to the weight of expectation. And, honestly, this didn't at first. The beginning is MUCH weaker than the second half, and it takes awhile to find its footing - but it definitely... Continue Reading →
I've been putting off writing this review because I really had to mull over how I wanted to rate it. The book is not bad, but it was not at all a successful reading experience for me. For some reason, McFarlane's books continue to be marketed as rom coms, with cute covers and blurbs that... Continue Reading →
Loved it, loved it, LOVED it! You know things are going VERY well when the 20-hour runtime on an audiobook doesn't faze me, and I spend time doing math to determine whether it's physically possible for me to stay up late enough to finish before going to bed (sadly, no). I really wasn't sure what... Continue Reading →
A blend of women's fiction and romance, this heroine-centric story features its own unique combination of ingredients. I wasn't sure what to expect from this new-to-me author, but I quickly discovered that her writing style and voice worked well for me. I loved the offbeat quality of the story, as well as the fresh and... Continue Reading →
Lighthearted fun, this was just as bingeable as the first book in the series, with plenty of sparring that felt like sparks of attraction. It's low angst and easygoing, featuring a theme park princess and her best friend's brother - the one who infuriates her by existing. These two had great chemistry, and it was... Continue Reading →
This is the kind of debut that gets me excited about what's next from an author, because there was so much good stuff going on with the story. It's ideal for fans of Elena Armas and Chloe Liese, sort of the perfect combo of both of their vibes - featuring a deliciously smitten hero, bickering... Continue Reading →
You know what? I liked it, but I also think it should've (and could've) been about 200 pages shorter. Zapata is known as the queen of slow burn romance, and I love the way she writes the subtle shifts in relationship dynamics, these tiny moments that build up the intimacy. That's all still here in... Continue Reading →
You can't go wrong with a secretly sweet, grumpy hero who owns a bakery and gets his defined forearms from making sweet treats all day. Throw in plenty of small town charm, a fish out of water romance, and several troublemaking community members, and there's a lot to love about this easygoing romance. It's closed... Continue Reading →
Did I read this because of that adorable cover? 100%, but I don’t regret it. Absolutely FILLED with playful banter, this low angst rom com gets the chemistry right. I loved how much texting and conversation there was between the characters, which made it easy to see all of the reasons they’re perfect together. There's... Continue Reading →
Once these two cross the line, they practically combust into flames - this is a smokin' hot installment to the series, one that is full of electric chemistry from start to finish. I jumped back into the series just in time for the conclusion, which was both easy to read as a standalone and also... Continue Reading →
Heavier and steamier than the cover implies, this was another solid addition to the series. I loved the hero, who is a genuinely good guy secretly yearning for love that he doesn't believe he'll ever have. And I also kinda loved the fact that both characters were older, with a successful, confident, 45-year-old heroine and... Continue Reading →
This series just keeps getting better and better, swoonier and swoonier. Maybe steamier and steamier too. Zero complaints about any of that - I loved this! It’s easiest to appreciate this series to its fullest when you read it in order, so I was already so excited to dig into Caleb and Layla’s story before... Continue Reading →
Jeeves Reads Romance 