Voracious Romance Reader • Honest Reviewer
There might be a few days left in the month, but I'm calling it a wrap - there are already plenty of great candidates for my Best of the Month list (coming soon)! Plus, you know, it's a holiday weekend and there aren't any new releases til Tuesday. May started off a little slow, but... Continue Reading →
I'm a big fan of the concept, it's the execution that I didn't love. Having a second chance romance set in a Survivor-like reality show created some great forced proximity, tension, and the requirement that this couple work out their differences if they want to succeed. I loved that it felt unique, and I was... Continue Reading →
Deliciously weird and super sexy, this single dad romance had me laughing within minutes and smiling the whole way through - exactly the kind of low angst, funny read that I love from Loring. If you're new to the series, then you'll be missing out on some hysterical family moments (and two other great rom... Continue Reading →
I loved the unique storyline of the first book in this series of interconnected standalones, so I'm definitely excited to check out the next brother's book! Am I a little concerned that I won't love this playboy hero as much? Maaaaybe, but sometimes it's the playboys who fall the hardest. This certainly sounds like another... Continue Reading →
Not quite the grumpy/sunshine read I was looking for, this soft and sweet romance still makes a great series starter. I've been meaning to check out Travis' work, and this was the perfect introduction to her writing - it sets up the series nicely while still remaining a total standalone, and it showcased her unique... Continue Reading →
I'm really excited for this one! I always look forward to the newest steamy rom coms from Meghan Quinn, and the first book in this series of interconnected standalones was particularly great - MEGA STEAMY and great. This one promises to be another playful, scorching, emotional read, and I'm loving the sound of the blurb.... Continue Reading →
Unfortunately, this was not a successful reading experience for me, which is really disappointing because I’ve enjoyed Ready’s work in the past. There are a million romance novels inspired by Pride and Prejudice, and I've read some pretty great ones. Getting the hero's personality just right is one of the major requirements, and this hero... Continue Reading →
Now, the title seems a little too on the nose, lol, and I'm not much for second chance romances, but I've gotta admit that I'm intrigued... how exactly do you write a romance based on Sleeping Beauty? I recently checked out this series of fairytale-inspired romances, and I had a lot of fun reading Scarlett... Continue Reading →
If you liked The Ex Talk but wanted more swoons AND more sex, well, then you're gonna love this sexual tension-filled treat! There's something about Nolan's writing that is always so super swoony, with low angst vibes and romance that you can root for. I was expecting this to have stronger enemies to lovers vibes,... Continue Reading →
There are SO MANY new romance novels coming your way in the month of June!!! It can be incredibly difficult to keep track of all of the new releases each month, so I’ve put together a calendar to help you manage your TBR. The following books are the ones that are on my radar –... Continue Reading →
Super cute! After reading a particularly angsty book, I was in the mood for something lighter, easier, and refreshing - and this was just what the doctor ordered. It's a low angst, sexy rom com that takes the fake relationship trope and spins it into something else. I loved how perfectly this couple complements each... Continue Reading →
There's a new single dad/nanny romance on the way from Amy Daws, and it sounds GREAT! Today she revealed not only this gorgeous cover, but also a tease of an excerpt, which has me very excited to get reading. I've been slowly making my way through this series of interconnected standalones backwards, and I can't... Continue Reading →
As a SUPER slow-burning angst fest, I’m having a very difficult time assigning a rating to this forbidden/taboo romance - but it's so well done that I've got to give it points for originality. So let's call this a 5-star with an asterisk read. Hartmann has crafted another complex, bittersweet romance that will rip your... Continue Reading →
This lighthearted debut takes awhile to find its footing, but it started to shine once it did. I couldn’t resist that adorable cover, and it’s actually a great reflection of the vibe - this easygoing romance features a (mostly) confident, curvy heroine and a muscular hero who acts like an alpha but secretly has a... Continue Reading →
Whether it's a best friend's little sister, a bodyguard, a co-worker, or someone else's girl, there are so many different scenarios where a relationship can be forbidden. Not every forbidden romance needs to be super angsty, but the trope inherently has an element of sexual tension and the kind of push/pull dynamic that keeps your... Continue Reading →
With crackling chemistry and a sexy doctor you'll want to kiss one minute and smack the next, this accidental pregnancy romance hooked me in IMMEDIATELY. I always love strangers to lovers romances, and this adds an element of enemies to lovers that was pure delight. These two don't know anything about each other, but the... Continue Reading →
Whenever there's a new rom com on the way from Kayley Loring, my one-click finger gets ready to go! Good Vibrations isn't available for preorder yet, but it's releasing on May 26th and it's another interconnected standalone in a series that I've been loving. Loring's books are always light and sexy, bingeable reads, and this... Continue Reading →
Exactly the light and sexy read that I was looking for! I read this writing duo's first book a few years ago, and I remember thinking that I'd have to check them out again once they got into a writing groove... and dropped the third person perspective. So I was delighted when I sampled this... Continue Reading →
I've got a lot of (mostly positive) thoughts about this one, so many thoughts that it detracted from my reading experience. However, this is still head and shoulders above most of the books I've read this year. Liese has such a distinctive voice, creating these authentic characters who have real struggles and conflicts. That's what... Continue Reading →
There's a new fake relationship romance on the way from Angela Casella, and it sounds pretty great! I'm currently reading the newest from Angela Denise, the pen name for Casella and Denise Grover-Swank, and so far it's hitting all the right notes for me, so I'm excited to check out Casella's solo work for the... Continue Reading →
I liked the general foundation of this cute rom com, but I HATED the heroine. With a passion. It's as though this 30-something woman is back in high school as soon as her teenage nemesis reappears; she's annoying, untrusting, and childish. And it goes on for MUCH longer than anticipated. So, while I loved the... Continue Reading →
Single dad romance books get most of the love, but is there anything more heart-melting and adorable than a commitment-phobic hero becoming part of a family? Whether it’s a charming playboy falling for a woman AND her kids, a grumpy hero becoming fiercely protective of the family he’d love to call his own, or an... Continue Reading →
I finally, FINALLY, moved this up to the top of my TBR, and it made my love for the rest of the series come rushing back to me - one of my all-time favorites. Often, when you've been anticipating reading a book for so long, you build up unrealistic expectations that it has no chance... Continue Reading →
There's a new hockey romance on the way from Sarina Bowen, and it sounds sexy! I'm not a huge fan of "lessons in seduction" romances, but I've read some pretty great ones, and I really enjoyed the last book in the series (Shenanigans), so I'm excited to check this out. It should be another light... Continue Reading →
The third person perspective doesn't do the story any favors here, because I actually really loved the foundation of the book, but I always felt like I was watching it happen from a distance. There are some GREAT elements to the story, including tons of history between these childhood rivals turned present day frenemies, a... Continue Reading →
Watching an ice queen's heart melt for the right man is as satisfying as it is unexpected. A love note to book lovers, this literary romance stars the villain of everyone else's story. She's the stereotypical "unfeeling" workaholic; a woman who is successful, beautiful, and comes across as ice cold. She's the woman that the... Continue Reading →
There were some AWESOME new romances released in April! While the month was super uneven overall, the books that worked for me really worked, and I'm betting they'll leave a lasting impression. And my favorites were all SO different that it'll probably take a few months before I know which was my absolute top pick.... Continue Reading →
April was kind of a lame release month, but the good books were REALLY good. I'm betting more than one of these will be on my Best of 2022 list at the end of the year. The month started off strong for me, with several 5-star reads in a row, then my enjoyment of the... Continue Reading →
Broken heroes break my heart every single time - it's just so easy to fall for them. That's definitely the case in this small town, enemies to lovers romance. This is my first time reading something by Prince, and it certainly won't be the last. I dove right into the middle of this series of... Continue Reading →
I was HOOKED from the very first page, and I devoured the whole book at an alarming rate - I loved it! There are times when you can tell that an author is having FUN with a story, and this is one of those instances. This couple is drawn together like magnets, and their chemistry... Continue Reading →
I've been meaning to check out Stacy Travis' work, and this series starter might be the perfect book to begin with! If you've been following the blog for awhile, then you know I'm trash for a texting storyline, and I don't know why. This one is also a sports romance with a hero in need... Continue Reading →
Hot grandparents, cougars, and flings are all things I tend to avoid when reading romance, but I couldn’t resist a trip back to Summersweet, so… here we are! Did I find these characters relatable? Not in the slightest. This couple is the same age as my parents, so I might be a little mentally scarred... Continue Reading →
Too much playboy talk and not enough actual communication drag this otherwise light and easy fake relationship romance down. Also… I have no idea what the title has to do with the story, lol. I was expecting a roommate element at some point. I’m typically a big fan of Monroe’s low angst, trope-tastic rom coms,... Continue Reading →
There are SO MANY new romance novels coming your way in the month of May!!! It can be incredibly difficult to keep track of all of the new releases each month, so I’ve put together a calendar to help you manage your TBR. The following books are the ones that are on my radar –... Continue Reading →
Pride, prejudice, and flip-flops... well, that says it all! The newest beachy rom com from Sarah Ready is a new spin on a classic story, and it's sure to have plenty of lighthearted humor, memorable moments, and a unique feel. I'm still becoming acquainted with Ready's work - Josh and Gemma Make a Baby was... Continue Reading →
Why did I wait so long to read this? It was SO good, and such a feel good read! I've been a big fan of Pippa Grant's work for years, but I've also been reading every series completely out of order, so this just got lost on my TBR for a long time. It's the... Continue Reading →
In case you missed it! There's been some... ah, lively discussion... of this cover (and others) on social media, but I'm focused on how excited I am to read the book! This is Liese's first with a major publisher, and I can't wait to see what the vibe is like. I've been a big fan... Continue Reading →
They say opposites attract, but can they make it work? That's the question here! As always with Jimenez's love stories, there's a richness and layered feel that builds and develops throughout, slowly cranking up the angst until our couple's worlds seem so far apart. This is probably her least "fun" book so far; typically her... Continue Reading →
Such a sweet, feel good romance! Even my husband - a man who loves horror movies and sci fi - loved this light and playful rom com. I trapped him in a car for a road trip, and we listened to the audio edition together. This is definitely meant to be enjoyed in audio, with... Continue Reading →
This is basically its own trope in romance novels - the (typically grumpy or broody) hero harbors deeper feelings for the heroine than he'd care to admit, the playboy is stopped in his tracks by the right girl, or the regular guy is smitten from the start. Whatever the situation, there's something so immensely swoony... Continue Reading →
You know what? I almost forgot that this was a fake relationship romance, because this couple is basically already in love when the book begins. It's a light and sexy small town romance with chemistry that's apparent from the first scene, great family dynamics, and plenty of banter to keep things interesting. I loved the... Continue Reading →
I focus on new releases in romance the rest of the week, so Throwback Thursdays revisit book recommendations from years past. This week’s topic is fake relationship romance! I read a LOT of fake relationship romances (I can't seem to get enough of them), so I've got tons of recommendations featuring the trope. I posted... Continue Reading →
Light and playful, this started strong before fizzling along the way. There just wasn't enough time spent with our couple together, with too much telling and not enough showing. I loved the easy, lighthearted vibe and I'm always up for a marriage of convenience where opposites attract, but there also needs to be time spent... Continue Reading →
Well. Ahem. So this was nothing like I expected, but more than I could've hoped for - I LOVED it! If you loved the torturous slow burns of The Spanish Love Deception and Marriage for One, or the nerd-centric love story of The Love Hypothesis, then you're gonna love the vibe of this one-of-a-kind romance.... Continue Reading →
Kindle Unlimited readers, this one's for you! We just finished the first quarter of 2022, so it seems like the perfect time to look back on the best books I've read in Kindle Unlimited so far this year. There is a GREAT selection of romance books in the program, and some of my favorite books... Continue Reading →
She’s the grump. He’s the sunshine. Well... at least he is once he starts chasing his girl, lol. I loved the absolutely hysterical, banter-filled dynamic between this couple and the nonstop comedy that follows them on their adventures. This hero is a reformed playboy who openly admits that he used to be a tool -... Continue Reading →
It’s not that I didn’t enjoy this, it’s just that it was WAY too short to do the topic justice. The overall tone is super light and low angst, with a quick, easy vibe that almost felt wholesome. That's in complete contrast to the topics at hand - famous rock star who is grieving the... Continue Reading →
WOW! I wasn't sure that I was going to like this smooth-talking player at the start, but I was feeling the swoons in such a MAJOR way by the end. This book is a JOURNEY; a slow tearing down of walls and insecurities. MQ carefully navigates the complexities of a hero who honestly doesn't know... Continue Reading →
At the heart of this is a laugh out loud, sexy romantic comedy, but I wasn’t invested enough in the relationship to feel the love. Essentially, our couple finds themselves in a series of outlandish situations, but the story is more about those situations and the characters responding to them rather than growing together as... Continue Reading →
"Oh fu..." (and a little gasp) was my reaction to the first chapter, and I immediately knew that I was going to be in for a devourable read, the kind where you sit back and enjoy the show. And this is definitely that. I binged this in one sitting with zero regrets - the story... Continue Reading →
There are certain tropes that are like catnip to me, and I'll ignore any red flags that pop up in the blurb. Am I a fan of second chance romances, especially ones with so much time since the breakup? Not at all. Do I absolutely love reality show romances and forced proximity? YES and YES.... Continue Reading →
Redemption seemed to be the theme of the month, and I'm not complaining! This is one of those months where I would've anticipated a completely different group of books making my Best of the Month list, so the surprise discoveries were that much sweeter. I've got two new-to-me authors, two newer-to-me authors, and two rising... Continue Reading →
There's a new romance on the way from Jennifer Hartmann, and I honestly have no idea what it's about... but I can't wait to dive in! Her unpredictable, unusual love stories are usually twisty and all kinds of forbidden, and I'm betting June First will be as well. The blurb is super vague, the premise... Continue Reading →
What a month! There were a TON of new releases in March, and for a few weeks it felt like more quantity than quality. After a strong start to the month, I felt myself getting pulled into a slump mid-month because I was reading so many new books, but not finding a lot of 5-star... Continue Reading →
Instalovers, this one is for you! The title makes complete sense, because this couple breaks the speed limit on how fast a relationship can progress. Our loving and protective hero is smitten at first sight, and he will stop at nothing to show his girl all of the love that she's been missing in her... Continue Reading →
Have you ever read a book, and it just... completely starts off on the wrong foot? That initial stumble flavors your entire reading experience, and then suddenly all of these other little things start to bug you. That's how this went for me. There's a lot of good stuff going on in the story -... Continue Reading →
This reformed antihero just wants someone to love him for who he is, and I couldn't help but swoon over the vulnerability. The man needed a hug, and a little lightness in his life. I loved how perfectly these two complement each other - they're both broken, with complicated pasts that leave them running scared... Continue Reading →
This has been an uneven series for me, but the most recent installment was EXCELLENT, so here's hoping that The Secret is too. Am I kinda nervous about this playboy-tamed romance? Oh yeah. But Max Monroe certainly has the skill to make me laugh, swoon, and fan myself while watching this manhoe fall. Also... this... Continue Reading →
Maybe I’m getting too old for teenage drama, or maybe the bully to instalove transition gave me whiplash, but this just didn’t do anything for me. It’s the first time I’ve disliked a book by Nathan - the other five I've read from her have been great. We'll call this one a fluke! Our introduction... Continue Reading →
Well. Shame on me for having this in my library for literal years without reading it - it was PHENOMENAL! My eyes were absolutely glued to every single page once I got a feel for the story. I don't know exactly what I was expecting the plot to be about, but this surprised me in... Continue Reading →
Compared to the craziness of March, April is looking like a positively quiet release month, but that can change in an instant, lol! That also has nothing to do with the quality of the books releasing in April, many of which are looking pretty great. It can be incredibly difficult to keep track of all... Continue Reading →
It was an exploratory reading week for me, and with that came mixed results! None of my one-click authors released new books this week, so I checked out the work of several new-to-me or newer-to-me authors. My favorite was the easy, sexy Say Yes to the Boss, which made me think it might be time... Continue Reading →
The banter-filled, playful vibe had me hooked from the start, but my enjoyment took a nosedive somewhere along the way. It's a bright, cheerful, opposites attract romance that showcases how life doesn't always go according to plan. I loved that our sunshine heroine shows the grumpy hero that he's been missing out on the best... Continue Reading →
Jeeves Reads Romance 