Voracious Romance Reader • Honest Reviewer
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 →
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 →
Started as a 5, shifted into a 4, then fizzled to a 3 - I liked a lot of this, but the push/pull overshadowed the actual romance after awhile. The good news? It's the kind of book that makes me want to read more from this new-to-me author, because I enjoyed the writing style and... Continue Reading →
I loved it from start to finish - this was a sweet and swoony treat, featuring an adorable grump of a hero and playful, lighthearted vibes. I've been meaning to check out both of these authors individually, so I jumped at the chance to read their first team-up, and it was more than I could've... Continue Reading →
Leading with one of the most memorable meet cutes I've read was the PERFECT introduction to this new-to-me author's work. I'm jumping into the series with the final book, and I am just fine with that - this was easy to read as a standalone, and such steamy, tension-filled fun that it kept me turning... Continue Reading →
Just like the first book in the series, this has a completely unexpected storyline that keeps you on your toes while reading - making the reading experience that much more immersive and unique. I was a little skeptical of a plot that revolves around a fashion-obsessed, Harry Styles-like hero who pretends that he's gay in... Continue Reading →
The spiciest book in the series yet, this is sexy but not particularly satisfying in the romance department. Told in flashbacks and present day, the story follows two people who had one steamy and memorable two-night stand a few years ago, before they realized that sleeping together would jeopardize both of their jobs. I could... Continue Reading →
It started off strong, but my interest had fizzled by the end. This is something a little different from Quinn, though it still feels like one of her steamy rom coms. I really enjoyed the first 30ish%, with its crackling chemistry and TONS of sexual tension. Our hero is intense and loyal to a fault,... Continue Reading →
Getting kneed in the balls is perhaps not the meet cute this good guy hero was hoping for, but it was an effective one! When a case of mistaken identity leads our heroine to take her frustration out on her evil boss's identical twin, neither one could've predicted where they'd end up later on. I... Continue Reading →
Intelligent, lighthearted, and full of romance, this was exactly what I was hoping for... though I wouldn't have minded some steam, lol! It's my first from the author, so I wasn't sure if the vibe would be more women's fiction or romance, but it ended up being a great combination of the two. The romance... Continue Reading →
Sister swap romances are not a favorite of mine by any means, but I can be won over by the right book. This wasn't it. Since I loved the first book in this series of interconnected standalones, I decided to take a chance on this installment. Unfortunately, the first 40ish percent is all about the... Continue Reading →
Charming and poignant, this ghost story is a little bit romance and a little bit women's fiction. Our hero is a ghost, so that causes plenty of tension, naturally. But as someone who exclusively reads romance novels, I wasn't making an exception for this. There's a sweet and swoony love story wrapped up in the... Continue Reading →
Flawless is right - I absolutely LOVED this from start to finish. I'll admit that I'm a cover hoe and that's the primary reason I checked out this new-to-me author's work, so I had no idea what was in store for me when I started reading. But this gripped me from the first few pages,... Continue Reading →
We're already halfway through 2022, so I'm taking the time to reflect back on my 15 favorite books of the year so far. Kayley Loring knows how to write funny, one-of-a-kind romances that I can devour in one sitting - and Good Vibrations gave me the exact vibes I wanted from a book with that... Continue Reading →
We're already halfway through 2022, so I'm taking the time to reflect back on my 15 favorite books of the year so far. If you'd asked me six months ago, this probably wouldn't have been the Meghan Quinn book that I expected to make this list! She is an excellent writer who usually has a... Continue Reading →
We're already halfway through 2022, so I'm taking the time to reflect back on my 15 favorite books of the year so far. One of my top picks is the playboy tamed romance, Hook, Line, and Sinker. I'll admit to being very hesitant to dive into this romance initially. Friends to lovers romances where the... Continue Reading →
We're already halfway through 2022, so I'm taking the time to reflect back on my 15 favorite books of the year so far. 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... Continue Reading →
We're already halfway through 2022, so I'm taking the time to reflect back on my 15 favorite books of the year so far. While all three books in the Devil series have been great, my favorite just might be The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. It's an angsty, forbidden romance with sexual tension that... Continue Reading →
I love it when a guy finds himself in over his head within minutes of meeting the right girl, and that is definitely the case here! I finally made room at the top of my TBR for this girthy office romance, and it was well worth the wait. It's intensely sexy, banter-filled, and full of... Continue Reading →
A sexy single dad who is a genuinely nice guy, but also kind of a possessive caveman? Yeah, that works for me! This hero steals the show with his combination of sweet and alpha/businessman and caveman, but I also loved the vibrant heroine who has unexpected sides of her own. The two make for a... Continue Reading →
A solid series starter, this steamy office rivals romance flies by. I learned a little more about stockbroking than I wanted, lol, but it's got a light and sexy vibe that works for the story. What starts as strangers to instant enemies quickly transitions into instalove kind of vibes, and that worked because of the... Continue Reading →
All kinds of adorable and just the low angst read I was in the mood for, this made for a great introduction to Olivia's work. The grumpalicious hero paired with a sunshiney heroine made for a fun dynamic, and the story deftly tackles heavier subjects while maintaining a light and easy feel. It's got small... 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 →
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 →
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 →
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 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 →
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 →
"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'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 →
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 →
There's a new rom com from Meghan Quinn on the way soon, and I'm never gonna complain about that, lol! This one is an accidental pregnancy/best friend's sister romance that is sure to have forbidden vibes... even though they've clearly already crossed a few lines. It's also got a roommates element that's got me excited,... Continue Reading →
With such an outlandish meet cute, I kinda expected this to be funnier, quirkier, more carefree - but this hero's lack of trust and penchant for jealousy put a damper on it for me. I'm a fan of Gephart's work, and I always look forward to whatever crazy idea she's come up with for her... Continue Reading →
"This was supposed to be a release. A bandage for the ache. But now, as she holds my face, with our noses pressed together, I let her watch as she tears down the barrier between us, her body taking my demons and burying them inside." This earns its 5 stars for being so BINGEABLE and... Continue Reading →
Well this certainly takes the steam up a couple of notches! This starts out STEAMY and stays that way throughout, with palpable sexual chemistry sparking between these characters. For me, it was more of a sexual relationship than anything else, which left me feeling a little disconnected from their emotional relationship - but that makes... Continue Reading →
Definitely more lust-focused than anything else, this office romance wastes no time in getting steamy and staying that way throughout. Whenever I dive into a book by Bay, I kind of already know what I'm going to get - British businessman who heats up the sheets before slowly simmering into love - and that's the... Continue Reading →
If you thought the first book in this series of interconnected standalones was STEAMY, well, this might've been even hotter. It's a scorching hot fling to more romance with a side of forbidden, age gap vibes. I didn't find either character even remotely relatable - they're rich, beautiful people with a very slow-to-burn emotional connection... Continue Reading →
Well, that was something alright, lol. Endlessly entertaining, that’s for sure. Not all that romantic, but certainly one of a kind and pretty hysterical. Shocked bursts of laughter shot out of me on several occasions, and I definitely couldn't predict where the story was going. Easton is a new-to-me author, so I had no idea... Continue Reading →
Whenever one of Sorensen's books hits my Kindle, I dive right in because I know I'm in for a great read. And this was definitely bingeable! I absolutely devoured the first half, loving this jaded hero and the grumpy/sunshine dynamic. Though, really, Erik is a complete teddy bear. There's tons of chemistry, some fantastic banter,... Continue Reading →
Easiest 5-star rating I've given in awhile - I absolutely loved it! This was nothing like I was expecting and everything I wanted all at once; an unpredictable, bingeable ride that had me turning the pages all day long. I loved the chemistry between these two, and I love peeling back their layers bit by... Continue Reading →
Sign me up for more from this writing duo - this was a great series starter. I’ve been a longtime fan of Loring’s writing and Crais’ voice, so I couldn’t wait to see what their first book together was like. And it was good! This definitely felt like it had a little more male influence,... Continue Reading →
Not one of my favorites from the author, but the main reason this isn't getting a higher rating from me is that the blurb gives away the ENTIRE plot. If something happens 75% of the way into a book, it really shouldn't be in the blurb. Here I was expecting a one night stand/accidental pregnancy... Continue Reading →
As 2021 comes to a close, I’m revisiting my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and that includes the swoony single dad romance, Forbidden! When I read Forbidden back in May, I was already pretty confident that it'd be making this list. I loved the dynamic between these two, and the book manages to... Continue Reading →
As 2021 comes to a close, I’m revisiting my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and the sexual tension in Falling in Reverse earns its spot on the list! Julia Wolf is always excellent at writing tension, angst, and longing. Her books come in a variety of moods and settings, but you can always... Continue Reading →
As 2021 comes to a close, I’m revisiting my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and the quirky, tension-filled The Love Interest is definitely a part of that list! I can rely on Kayley Loring for light and sexy romances with compelling characters and love stories that are one-of-a-kind. The Love Interest is a... Continue Reading →
Who doesn’t love a good trope? Everybody’s got a favorite, from tense enemies to lovers reads to playful fake relationship romances. I’ve always got certain expectations when I start reading a story that plays up a trope, and the books on this list all exceeded those expectations. I’ve selected the two books that I think... Continue Reading →
As 2021 comes to a close, I'm revisiting my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and J.T. Geissinger is an author whose work easily made my list. Every book in her steamy and intense mafia romance series, Queens & Monsters, has been excellent, but Savage Hearts might just be my favorite. Read on for my book review, details on the series, a spotlight on the author, and plenty of quotes to give you a feel for the vibe!
As 2021 comes to a close, I'm revisiting my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and Meghan Quinn is a repeat offender. As in, her books often fly to the top of my list - and The Perfect Catch is one of my all-time favorites from her. Read on for my book review and plenty of quotes to give you a feel for the vibe!
As 2021 comes to a close, I'm revisiting my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and From the Embers by Aly Martinez is one of the more unique books on the list! It's heavy and emotional, but the uplifting tone towards the end made the journey so worth it. Read on for my book review and plenty of quotes to give you a feel for the vibe!
Well this was a little tease of a novella! I listened to the audio version, and it was a quick, playful introduction to the full-length story that will follow in The Reunion - meaning you do NOT get a happy ever after or any sort of resolution to the story, but this makes it clear... Continue Reading →
"It hit like a bullet to the gut, but I smiled through the pain." Phenomenal. There were goosebumps on my arms, tears in my eyes, and a knot in my throat when I turned the final page - and my eyes had been glued to EVERY SINGLE page before that. And there are a lot... Continue Reading →
I absolutely loved this swoony hero, but the whole book is about the age gap, and that's just tedious after awhile. This series starter kicks things off with a forbidden romance that's VERY slow burning, angsty, and almost laidback. It's Kandi taken down a notch - yes, there's angst and drama, but I didn't feel... Continue Reading →
There’s a reason why I’ve been one-clicking J.T.’s books without hesitation for years, and she just keeps getting better and better. I never know where the story will lead, but I’m always eager to hang on for the ride. This series has been blazing hot and immensely compelling, so this had a lot to live... Continue Reading →
"She’s toxic. But to me, she’s a balm. And I’m fatal. But to her, I’m life." Whoa boy, this was a lot to handle - and I absolutely LOVED it! I completely ignored real life for two straight days and just dove into this immersive, intense, hot, violent, and exhilarating read. I don't know how... Continue Reading →
Surprisingly, I was cool with this age gap romance. I'll be honest and say that I was a little skeptical when I realized it was a daughter's best friend romance, but these two were sweet (and sexy) together. Our heroine is nearly thirty, our hero is pushing fifty, and they've had years to get to... Continue Reading →
Someone grab a fire extinguisher - these two are HOT together. While I didn't swoon over the emotional connection in this rock star romance, I definitely felt the physical connection. It's tense and steamy with some great moments, and Rowe's excellent writing shines throughout. This rock star doesn't know what hit him when the girl... 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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Jeeves Reads Romance 