Voracious Romance Reader • Honest Reviewer
Marriage of convenience between near-strangers for the win, yet again! There's a reason why I love the trope so much, and this was another great example. These two almost had a one night stand before things went south, so they're not-so-friendly when they agree to a temporary marriage that benefits them both. They're also fully... Continue Reading →
It's that time of year again! I like to share my single dad recs around Father's Day, because it's such an evergreen trope and there are so many great ones. There’s just something about a good father that is incredibly sexy, so it’s no wonder why the single dad trope is so popular in romance... Continue Reading →
After loving a book by Ainsley Booth a few months ago, I decided to try out her alter ego, Zoe York. Unfortunately, it didn't go quite as well as I had hoped. These two have an instalove relationship, which is lust-focused in both the past and present storyline. We don't see much between them other... Continue Reading →
What a beautiful cover, and an equally intriguing blurb! There's a good chance you've never read anything by Noir, and it's time to change that. She doesn't release new books all that often, so it's been a few years since I've read a new one, but I loved her Loveless Brothers series. The Two Week... Continue Reading →
It's always the quiet ones! A little shy and a lot grumbly, this hero steals the show in a big way. He's this reserved, gentle giant who rarely speaks to anyone (other than our heroine), and he's convinced that he doesn't have what it takes to keep a woman happy in the long run. Watching... Continue Reading →
For the second month in a row, I am having trouble narrowing down my list of favorites, and that is a phenomenal problem to have! April and May are some of the busiest release months of the year, so it's really no surprise that there have been a ton of awesome new releases. And they're... 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 wasn't for me, but it wasn't bad either. This series has been so easy to jump into whenever the tropes work for me, and some installments are simply better than others. I liked the uniqueness of this one; having a shy, toothless hero certainly felt fresh, and adding in the cam girl/voyeurism aspect was... Continue Reading →
I genuinely adored this from start to finish - it was excellent. With combustible chemistry and some surprisingly SPICY scenes, the intense connection between this couple was apparent right away. I loved the bubbly, vivacious personality of the heroine paired with the steady, quiet dependability of the hero. I also loved how she ruffled his... Continue Reading →
I absolutely adored it! This had me SMILING from start to finish, with a premise that felt like it was tailor-made for me, and a relationship so compelling that I was hooked from the first interaction. I loved the meet cute, and I loved every chaotic minute that followed - every moment that drew these... Continue Reading →
It's easy to see why Asher has become such a popular author, with a debut as strong as this series starter. It was pretty great. After reading and loving the Dreamland Billionaires series, I was excited to check out Asher's first series - especially since it's all being released in audio. I had read enough... Continue Reading →
It was cute! Maybe not my favorite from the author, but definitely an easy, low angst read. Foodie romances are always fun, and I loved how these rivals realized that their feuding had mellowed since culinary school. When bickering turns into bantering, things are going well, and the history between this couple just made their... 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 hot slow burns! I read (and loved) Karla Sorensen's newest this week, and it reminded me of one of my favorites from her - Forbidden. The slow burn storylines, steady... Continue Reading →
Marriage of convenience with a slow, delicious burn? Yes, please! I always look forward to Sorensen's new releases, but the tropes in this one felt like they were made for me. Patient, steady hero - who is also a single dad - paired with a firecracker of a heroine who will surely liven up his... Continue Reading →
So adorable, seriously! Bad boy/good girl is a classic combination for a reason, and I loved watching these two opposites fall hard for each other. It's a little bit fake relationship, a little bit love lessons, and a whole lot of swoony fun. Neither of these characters have been able to shed their reputation, and... 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 →
This caught me on the right day, in the right mood, and I was woefully unprepared for how FANTASTIC it was going to be. I've been meaning to check out this new-to-me author, and this seemed like the perfect place to jump in. It's a spinoff from a series, the start of something new, and... Continue Reading →
It's time for me to (finally) read Fake Empire, because this blurb has me VERY intrigued! I actually sampled Fake Empire back in December when I was checking out all of the books that had the potential to make my Best of 2022 list, and I really enjoyed the portion I read. It wasn't quite... Continue Reading →
There's something about Jimenez's writing style that makes it easy for me to devour her words, and this was another great example of that. Also another great example of her very specific formula frustrating me, lol. We're five books in, and by now I am FULLY aware that her romances are rom coms in the... Continue Reading →
Low angst and super cute, this is easygoing and lighthearted. It's got tons of small town charm, a great cast of characters, and a grumpy/sunshine dynamic that is always a win. Add in a single dad who also happens to be a doctor, and you can't go wrong with any of the components. I found... Continue Reading →
I can see why this became so popular all of a sudden - it reminded me a lot of Meet Me Halfway and The Brightest Light of Sunshine, which were both easy 5-star ratings for me. And this was definitely a solid 4-star read. I always love the combination of gruff, tattooed hero with a... Continue Reading →
Whether it's a brother's best friend, a best friend's little sister, a best friend's brother, or some other similar scenario, "sibling's best friend" romance books always make for great reads. It's a versatile trope that encompasses a variety of situations, and the combination of history and tension makes each love story a little more interesting.... Continue Reading →
Bingeable in the best of ways, I absolutely DEVOURED this fling to more, black cat/golden retriever romance. The constant forced proximity and crackling chemistry made it such an engaging read, and I loved the contrasts between the scorching sexual tension and the undercurrent of emotion that runs throughout the whole story. These two are both... Continue Reading →
Like a bowl of vanilla ice cream, this hit the spot - even if it didn’t bring anything new to the table. With small town vibes and a grumpy single dad, this felt lighter and cozier than some of Harlow's other work. It still featured a hearty dose of spice, with sexual tension that probably... Continue Reading →
Solid but not sensational, Liese has set the bar so high for herself that I can't help but feel like there were some missed opportunities in this fake friendship romance, even if a lot of it is very good. There have been a couple of STELLAR books in this series, so I eagerly await each... 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 →
A slow-burning treat, this exceedingly low angst romance is easily one of my new favorites from this writing duo. The hero is one of the biggest cinnamon roll sweethearts I've ever had the pleasure to read about, and the forced proximity was a major win. Not that either of these characters really had to be... Continue Reading →
With a great cover and an intriguing blurb, I'm even more excited to read this than I was before! Bonam-Young's first two books made quite the impression on me, so I am very much looking forward to checking out her next book. I love a good one night stand to more romance, and there's a... Continue Reading →
I had a particularly great reading month filled with stellar rom coms, and I can't seem to narrow down my favorites - so I'm not going to! Each book on this list delivered a 100% unique, 5-star reading experience, and they each have very different vibes and personalities. The most emotionally devastating of the bunch... Continue Reading →
My FAVORITE holiday romance (yes, my #1 Christmas romance!) is getting a follow-up, and I'm excited! I'm typically a reader who doesn't want to read much beyond the HEA, but I loved A Very Bossy Christmas a whole lot, and I would not mind reading a Father's Day-themed novella featuring the same couple. And that's... Continue Reading →
With an adorably sexy hero and tropes that felt like they were tailor-made for me, it took no time at all for me to devour this Vegas wedding romance. I was immediately drawn in by the unique setup, and the chemistry kept me turning the pages. These two strangers have one intense moment together that... Continue Reading →
With angst so heavy that it's physically painful, this second chance romance is not an easy read - but it's certainly an impactful one. I loved it. It's very rare that I'm so engrossed in a book that I ache right along with the characters; that I cry when a broken hero utters a single... Continue Reading →
One of my favorite books of 2022 is now available on audio, and the audio is great! Funny Feelings was my first experience with Tarah DeWitt's work, and I have since devoured two other 5-star reads from her. This one holds a special place in my heart though, and it's one of the best friends... Continue Reading →
Something new is on the way from Lauren Asher, and I am so excited! Love Redesigned kicks off a brand new spinoff series, so it's the perfect place to start for anyone who still hasn't checked out her work yet. It also includes a setting that we came to know in the final book of... Continue Reading →
Classic Pippa is back, and I am all for it! Quirky, funny, playful, and swoony, this best friend's brother, good girl/bad boy romance felt like the rom coms that made Grant a one-click author for me. I loved that it felt like the start of something new too, so there weren't a million characters to... Continue Reading →
I find myself unexpectedly intrigued by this blurb! I used to be a pretty big Vi Keeland fan, but my interest dwindled as her storyline conflicts became more formulaic. I've taken enough of a break from her writing that this blurb has definitely caught my eye. Unconventional meet cute, exchanging messages before meeting, strangers to... Continue Reading →
What kind of blurb gives away things that happen 90% of the way into a book? This author literally spoils her own book by detailing every major plot point in the blurb, and I am genuinely confused by that. So it’s not that I didn’t like this strangers to instant enemies rom com, but the... Continue Reading →
Banter-filled and playful, this was super cute. After seriously enjoying Holiday Romance over the winter, I was excited to check out Walsh's next book. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I figured it'd be similar in vibes to the rom com that stole everyone's hearts during the holiday season. And while the two... Continue Reading →
We've got two great covers and a fantastic blurb for Karla Sorensen's upcoming release, so I'm excited! Opposites attract, marriage of convenience, roommates - all winning tropes for me. This sounds right up my alley and the covers (particularly that gorgeous couple!) have me excited to dig in. It's been awhile since I've read something... Continue Reading →
This was so much FUN! Taylor calls it an "adventure romcom," and I wasn't exactly sure what that would entail, but it quickly became apparent that it was right up my alley. She's a new-to-me author who I've been meaning to try, and the striking cover paired with the intriguing blurb had me feeling like... Continue Reading →
Light and SUPER spicy with plenty of personality, this rom com debut had me hooked from the start. I loved the concept - single dad's new nanny realizes that he used to be her biggest OnlyFan - and I was definitely curious how it would all play out. It only took a few pages for... Continue Reading →
An underrated trope, hidden identity romance books add tension and conflict to stories. The reader is often in on the secret, or they know that there's something yet to be revealed, so they anticipate the moment when the other shoe drops. That adds to the bingeable quality of these romances, and makes them more dynamic,... Continue Reading →
Check out this GORGEOUS cover! Every book in this series has had a showstopper of a cover, and Reckless is no exception. I've been absolutely loving this series, and I'm just as excited about this installment. Normally I steer clear of secret baby romances, but this is Elsie Silver, so that doesn't seem to be... 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 →
With a fresh spin on a familiar trope, this sexy debut holds a lot of promise. I loved the first half in particular, which saw these strangers becoming instant enemies. Our hero gets the heroine fired, then she is forced to take a job as his maid/cook... and they both pretend not to recognize each... Continue Reading →
With a strong focus on mental health and a romance that feels rich in its history, this quiet, contemplative love story surprised me - and I'm okay with that. I enjoyed Eddings' debut, A Brush With Love, and remember thinking that there was a ton of potential in her writing. While I'm not the biggest... Continue Reading →
With a stunning cover like that, how could I resist checking this out? I openly admit that it was the cover that drew me in, and I was intrigued once I read the blurb. But it only took a few pages before I was hooked - the premise is unique, the characters are compelling, and... Continue Reading →
It feels like it's been forever since I've read a new Pippa Grant rom com, so I am excited! This one has tropes that are right up my alley, and I'm loving the focus on it being an "only one bed" rom com. I'm hoping this has the classic Pippa humor that I know and... Continue Reading →
After loving Float Plan and enjoying The Suite Spot, I went into this with a certain set of expectations... and it took less than two chapters to shatter them to pieces, lol. It's not that the story was "bad," but a major part of the charm of the first two books in the series is... Continue Reading →
Pretty stellar for a debut, that's for sure. With Tis the Season for Revenge, The Hating Game, and You've Got Mail vibes, this lighthearted romance is such an interesting mix of tropes. Our sweetheart of a heroine gets herself in quite the sticky situation, and she's most certainly not always in the right. I'm don't... Continue Reading →
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ With angst so heavy that it's physically painful, this second chance romance is not an easy read - but it's certainly an impactful one. I loved it. It's very rare that I'm so engrossed in a book that I ache right along with the characters; that I cry when a broken hero utters a... Continue Reading →
We're wrapping up the first quarter of the year, so it seemed like the perfect time to look ahead to books I'm excited for later in 2023! There are some really awesome books on the way in the next several months, with new releases from some incredible authors. I don’t know about you, but my... Continue Reading →
In case you missed it! Hannah Grace revealed the cover for her upcoming book, Wildfire, this week, and it is fabulous! I absolutely love the personality, and the blurb has me excited to dig in. Icebreaker has been such a huge hit over the last several months, and I'm interested in seeing more from the... Continue Reading →
As much as I struggled in March, I did end up reading some EXCELLENT books! There may have been more misses than usual, but the hits were really good. I loved the playboy and playgirl roommates romance, The No-Judgment Zone, which was another phenomenal read from new author Ellie K. Wilde. The sexual tension and... Continue Reading →
I'm looking forward to this one! I'm still a new Ana Huang reader, but I very much enjoyed the first book in this series, King of Wrath, and I've been eagerly awaiting the next book. Well, it's finally on the way soon, and I am intrigued by this blurb! The cover is great too, and... Continue Reading →
Easy, sexy, funny - this is the kind of rom com you can binge like popcorn. I feel like single dad romances are everywhere recently, and I'm not complaining. I loved Duke's sweetness with his daughter, and there were some fun family moments. I also liked the meet cute, with an unexpected fake relationship sparking... Continue Reading →
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What a great debut! I was really hoping this was going to live up to the promise of that GORGEOUS cover and the stellar recommendation from Ali Hazelwood, and it definitely came pretty close. Told in a mix of flashbacks and present day, we see the strained relationship of these former lovers as they... Continue Reading →
Wildly entertaining, this strangers to frenemies to lovers romance held my attention with ease. It kept me on my toes, and the chemistry just built and built with every scene, until it pulled me in like a magnet. I generally consider "boring" books to be the worst ones, because I'm reading to be entertained. And... Continue Reading →
Little bit of a bumpy start, but this had no trouble winning me over by the end. This heroine has quite the personality, lol, and her over-the-top brashness and overt sexuality had me uncomfortable with the age gap (21/31) for awhile, and also feeling like these two were decidedly in the friend zone. Which, yeah,... Continue Reading →
I've been loving marriage of convenience romances lately and they seem to be more popular than ever, so it's got me thinking about one of the more memorable ones I've read - You Can Have Manhattan! I fell in love with P. Dangelico's writing back in 2019, and this book remains one of my favorites... Continue Reading →
A brand new series from Melanie Harlow - I'm excited! I'm a fan of Harlow's spicy romances, and I've been waiting for her next series to kick off. And we finally have an idea of what it's all about! I'm loving the sound of this blurb - runaway bride turned nanny - and I'm sure... Continue Reading →
It's tough to develop an emotional connection to a couple when their entire relationship is physical, and that's where I struggled with this one. While I've been a fan of the series, this particular installment didn't strike the same chord with me. Nora is known as being a man-eater and an overtly sexual woman, which... Continue Reading →
This was an unexpected delight! I really wasn't sure what I was getting into with this debut, but I was willing to give it a try - and I'm so glad that I did. Quiet and heartfelt, this strangers to friends to lovers age gap romance is a stellar slow burn. I loved how Cal... Continue Reading →
Jeeves Reads Romance 