Voracious Romance Reader • Honest Reviewer
I liked the heart of this one, so I'm choosing to round up - even if it wasn't the perfect fit for me. With a brightly colored cover and a playful, punny name, I kinda expected this to be more of a rom com, and it's really not. There are definite small town vibes, with... Continue Reading →
I've got Meghan Quinn on my mind, so I thought I'd re-share my review for one of her older rom coms - the grumpy/sunshine, boss/assistant, wedding-related romance, Boss Man Bridegroom. I haven't been able to convince myself to dive into Quinn's newest, A Long Time Coming, yet(!), because friends to lovers drives me crazy 75%... Continue Reading →
What a gorgeous love story! This is EASILY my favorite of Clayborn's romances (so far), and the bar was already pretty high. I loved the instant zap of connection I felt towards these characters, from those awkward first encounters to the subtle shifts in their relationship. I loved this grumpy hero - a man who... Continue Reading →
The banter and sexual tension in this he falls first/one-sided enemies to lovers romance made it such an engaging read; I loved watching these two bicker, and the attraction that sparked between them was palpable. It's also got a playful feel that makes the pages fly by, paired with an undercurrent of emotion that digs... Continue Reading →
There was bound to be a miss in this otherwise-fantastic series at some point, and... this is it, unfortunately. I could tell something was off from the first chapter, when these two were (off-page) banging within the first few minutes of me picking up the book. We miss the initial banter and spark of attraction... Continue Reading →
For a debut? Pretty solid, and I can definitely see this writing duo growing into authors on my one-click list. While I thought that the heroine overreacted to every little thing and the writing felt drawn out at times, I sincerely enjoyed the core of this office rivals romance and the playful feel. It gave... Continue Reading →
I'm torn between 4 and 5 stars, but the ending had me absolutely SWOONING, so I'm choosing to round up. There's a lot to love about this room-ance - a strangers to roommates to friends to lovers slow burn with fun, slightly off-kilter vibes and a hero whose feelings I wanted to figure out. The... Continue Reading →
Putting a whole new spin on one of my favorite tropes, I loved that this fake relationship romance felt fresh and different. This couple moves in together and enters a fake relationship as complete strangers undergoing an experiment, which added a level of unpredictability and interest to the beloved trope. There's a great opposites attract... Continue Reading →
Such a great series! After reading and absolutely LOVING the second book in this series (one of my favorites of 2022), I decided to go back and start the series from the beginning. And I'm glad that I did! There's a lot to love about this office romance, from the strong and resilient heroine to... Continue Reading →
Am I disappointed that this ended up being more women's fiction than romance, and that the true crime aspect was not a major element? Absolutely. However, I enjoyed the journey, and I happily binged it in one sitting. So I can't say that I didn't like it - this was a solid 3.5-star read for... Continue Reading →
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and Love on the Brain certainly makes this list! The Love Hypothesis was one of my favorite books of 2021, so Hazelwood had a lot to live up to with her sophomore effort - and this did not disappoint!... Continue Reading →
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and Next of Kin was such an unexpected delight! On a night when nothing on my TBR was calling my name, I stumbled upon this newly-released debut. I'd never heard of the book, but the cover was adorable and... Continue Reading →
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and Honestly, I'm Totally Faking It is one of those books that came out of nowhere for me. Typically, I'm either anticipating a release myself or I get a recommendation and put it on my TBR for "sometime." With... Continue Reading →
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What a gorgeous love story! This is EASILY my favorite of Clayborn's romances (so far), and the bar was already pretty high. I loved the instant zap of connection I felt towards these characters, from those awkward first encounters to the subtle shifts in their relationship. I loved this grumpy hero - a man... Continue Reading →
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and that list includes Meet Me Halfway, the slow-burning, single mom romance that put Lilian T. James' writing on my radar. I'd heard some good things about this book prior to reading, but it blew me away once I... Continue Reading →
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and that includes the banter-filled playboy tamed romance, Mile High. This is one of those books that I heard about months ago and let sit on my kindle for just the right day. It's nearly 500 pages long and... Continue Reading →
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea definitely makes the list. The Devil series has been fantastic as a whole, but I sincerely enjoyed this angsty, forbidden romance - it might be my favorite of the Devils. It's... Continue Reading →
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It was great to be back in Knockemout - this sequel did NOT disappoint! I think I liked it better than the first one, and that was very tough competition. There was just something immensely compelling about this wounded and vulnerable hero; he's a genuinely good guy who is in a dark place, and... Continue Reading →
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and 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 hero is a manhoe are not... 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 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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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 →
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 →
"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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
I’ll be generous with my rating, because this wasn’t a good fit for me, but it’ll be just the kind of soft, magical romance that some readers are looking for. This is the first adult romance by the author, and that could explain why it had such YA vibes. Yes, these are adult characters (31/36),... Continue Reading →
With great chemistry and a memorable meet cute, this absolutely started off on the right note. I love a good strangers to lovers romance, and these two are FIRE together right away. The closed-off, cynical hero complements the upbeat, optimistic heroine in a way that makes him a better man - and I loved how... Continue Reading →
Entertaining (but also a little ridiculous), this office rivals romance felt like it was strongly influenced by two of my favorite books - The Hating Game and The Spanish Love Deception. Which is good, because I loved those books... but there were also perhaps too many familiar components. That being said, this spins the office... 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 →
No sophomore slump here! Love on the Brain is as deliciously swoony and addictive as The Love Hypothesis, with characters who are equally compelling. I devoured it in one sitting and LOVED it the whole way through. It's quirky and science-filled, with a relationship that's layered and nuanced. I loved trying to figure out our... 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 →
Quick and steamy, this makes a great series starter, and a very solid introduction to this new-to-me author's work. I've been meaning to check out Whiskey for awhile now, so I jumped at the chance to start a new series - and the vibe sounded right up my alley. Which it was! This opposites attract... 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 →
Conceptually, this is a win... but the execution isn't quite there. That interesting, fun cover caught my eye, and the upbeat blurb had me excited to read a rom com with a little bit of bite. And it started off well; our hero makes a terrible first impression, and it was clear that bickering with... Continue Reading →
An EASY 5-star rating for me - I loved it! When I stumbled upon this debut romance, I had zero expectations, so I couldn't have predicted the level of SWOONS or the plethora of heartfelt moments. I've never read a storyline quite like this one, and the near-constant forced proximity made for a book that... Continue Reading →
We all need a sexy nerd like this one in our lives - this hero is adorable... and also kind of a caveman. I loved him, and I loved this refreshingly low angst rom com from start to finish. While the whole Summersweet series has been great, this is easily one of my favorite installments.... 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 →
I haven't devoured a book this quickly in a long time, so that deserves a full 5-star rating... even if there were a few things I would've changed. It's the CHEMISTRY between these characters that seals the deal; from the moment they met, I could feel that ZAP of connection, and I was reminded why... Continue Reading →
I went in expecting Life As We Know It in book form, and that's what I got - so I can't really complain. Though this was shorter and more surface-level than I was hoping, I did like the overall story and it was easy to binge in one sitting. If you've watched the classic rom... Continue Reading →
With fan-worthy steam, a playful feel, and tons of sexual tension, this grumpy/sunshine romance absolutely flies by. It's an office romance with a side of fake relationship, pairing up two total opposites who have never really gotten to know each other. Once this boss and his assistant interact outside of the office, their entire dynamic... Continue Reading →
Instead of laughing like I usually do while reading a Pippa Grant rom com, I found this to be kinda tedious. It never felt "romantic" to me in any way, and the relationship felt incredibly surface level - especially for a book that's NOT short. This series starter is Grant's first traditionally published work, and... Continue Reading →
There's a new sexy rom com on the way from Tara Sivec, and I'm already loving the sound of the blurb. Opposites attract, unexpected roommates, a shy & nerdy hero - I'm in! This series of interconnected standalones has been so good, and I can't wait for the next installment. Details below - you've got... Continue Reading →
It’s lust over love for this couple, but that makes for a fast-paced, sexy read. While I think there were a few missed opportunities (especially in enhancing the emotional connection), I enjoyed this overall and had no trouble bingeing it in one sitting. The hero is a sweetheart of a guy who gives off bad... Continue Reading →
Super cute! I'm someone who will read all heat levels when it comes to romance, but I've gotta admit that there was something so soft and wholesome about the vibe of this strangers to lovers rom com. With a very slow burn and only some sexy kisses, the story focuses on the feels and 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 Ten Trends to Seduce Your Bestfriend, one of the more unique and memorable books I've read this year. It's beefy and a little brilliant, with 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. 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 →
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 Love on the Brain doesn't release until August, I've already posted my sneak peek review, and it certainly makes this list! The Love Hypothesis was one of my favorite books of... 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 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,... 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 includes the office rivals romance, Rival Radio. I adored the sexual tension that snapped and crackled between these characters, and Nolan really played up the opposites attract dynamic. It's sexy... 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 steamy small town romance, Things We Never Got Over. It's a beefy beast of a book that slowly simmered into something truly memorable, and my... Continue Reading →
Light and easy, this fake relationship romance is low angst fun. It plays up the tropes for a lighthearted, laidback read, and I loved the hero. He's a cinnamon roll sweetheart who knows his pro football career will end at some point, so he's opened a bakery with his two best friends. This certainly felt... 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 →
Jeeves Reads Romance 