Voracious Romance Reader • Honest Reviewer
There is something about an insecure, vulnerable hero that gets me every time, and this was the perfect example. Our boy puts on a scowling, brave face and keeps his walls up sky high, but he is the softest, sweetest man on the inside. I adored the unique meet cute between these two, their early... Continue Reading →
I like to call myself a "certified second chance romance hater," but every once in a while one comes around that proves I can love the trope when the story is right. This is absolutely one of those times. This couple's backstory may be messy, but it's definitely a case of "right person, wrong time."... Continue Reading →
This felt like a hug - warm, soft, tender, and everything I could want from the conclusion to this beloved series. I loved the roommates to lovers situation, which allowed our couple to slowly deepen their emotional connection and let down the walls around their hearts. They could not be more different in their views... Continue Reading →
Let's be real - this hero carries the love story on his back, and I'm not mad about it. I was fully prepared for this one to go awry because their backstory is so MESSY, but he counteracted that by being so freakin' SMITTEN. He says things like, "I have a wife, I'm just not... Continue Reading →
This week, I watched one of this year's Oscar contenders, and it was easily one of the most intimate and romantic movies I've seen in a long time. It hit all of the right notes for this romance fan, including SO many charged moments, lingering glances, and angst that genuinely got to me. I loved... Continue Reading →
As 2023 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year. My heart still hurts when I think about this book, and it’s been months. It flayed me open with its unrelenting angst, and that is high praise. It’s certainly not the journey I expected to go on with this... Continue Reading →
As 2023 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year. Do you ever have a good feeling about a book before you even get your hands on it? That was me with this debut. I was a little heartbroken when I was declined for an ARC, but I think... Continue Reading →
One of my favorite books of the year just released on audio, so you know I had to check it out! I'm pleased to say that the audio does the story justice, and it brought my warm and fuzzy feelings from the story rushing back. Below you'll find my audio note and my original review!... Continue Reading →
I love a smitten man, especially one who doesn't hesitate to step up to a challenge. This sunshine hero fell for his sharp-tongued, complicated woman the moment he laid eyes on her, and I kinda loved that. It didn't have instalove vibes for me because of the way their love story progressed, but I adored... Continue Reading →
This second chance holiday romance was originally written as a screenplay, and I could totally see it working as a movie. The constant bantering/bickering, fast-paced romance and overall storyline would work well in that format. As a book, I needed a smoother transition from hate to love. The story takes place over a 36-hour period... Continue Reading →
Instalovers, this one's for you! The instalove is STRONG with this one, with our couple falling from the moment they lock eyes with each other. They briefly (very briefly) met when they were teenagers, and their mutual crushes reignite as soon as they reconnect as adults. It's a light and fluffy rom com for the... 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 →
I love a blushing, quiet hero who finds his perfect match in a spitfire of a woman, so this fling to more romance held my attention from the start. Russ is such an absolute sweetheart, and the tender, introspective romance at the heart of this surprised me in the best of ways. Much of the... Continue Reading →
What a way to end the series! I gobbled up the first 400 pages without even feeling like time was passing; the sexual tension and intensity of the story had me completely gripped, and I was caught up in the romance. Going in, I wasn't confident that I was going to love Sloane and Lucian's... Continue Reading →
I was absolutely GLOWING with swoons (and maybe even a happy tear or two) at the end of this book, and I can’t offer higher praise than that. That’s exactly why I read romance, the feeling I HOPE to get from every love story. This book got better and better with every page, until 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 →
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 work... Continue Reading →
We’re already halfway through 2023, so I’m taking the time to reflect back on my 15 favorite books of the year so far. You’ll find my original review and some quotes from the book below! From the moment we met this couple on the page together, I knew this love story was going to be... Continue Reading →
We’re already halfway through 2023, so I’m taking the time to reflect back on my 15 favorite books of the year so far. You’ll find my original review and some quotes from the book below! With angst so heavy that it's physically painful, this second chance romance is not an easy read - but it's... Continue Reading →
Something about Sussman's writing is so very addictive to me, so I was drawn in by the chemistry and complex storyline... even if there were a lot of things that felt toxic and messy to me. I didn't particularly like either character and I had trouble rooting for their relationship, but I was intrigued by... 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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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 →
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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 →
All sugar and SPICE (and everything nice), this low angst/high heat romance is a feel good treat. Our hero was gone for his girl from the moment they met, and he has no intention of letting her get away this time around. It's rare to find a hero who is so ALL IN from the... Continue Reading →
It's no secret that second chance romance is a tough trope for me - nine times out of ten, I get frustrated by the messy histories and struggle through. But when one works for me? It's MAGIC. Whether it's a relationship that unraveled, a marriage that's in trouble, or a fling that becomes more the... 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 →
I've been loving this sweet and swoony series, but I'll admit that I was a little nervous about this particular installment - and I ended up enjoying it much more than expected! We've gotten to know this group of friends pretty well throughout this series of interconnected standalones, so I had already formed some opinions... Continue Reading →
From the moment we met this couple on the page together, I knew this love story was going to be something special. The TENSION snaps and crackles immediately, and it's obvious that there is both a lot of love and HURT between them. This (anti)hero is perhaps the most "broken" man I've ever rooted for... Continue Reading →
Sometimes you start reading a book and get a great feeling about it almost immediately - there's something that pulls you in and lets you know that it's going to be a good one. That's how I felt about this. It was clear from the first few pages that the dynamic was WORKING for me,... Continue Reading →
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ From the moment we met this couple on the page together, I knew this love story was going to be something special. The TENSION snaps and crackles immediately, and it's obvious that there is both a lot of love and HURT between them. This (anti)hero is perhaps the most "broken" man I've ever rooted... Continue Reading →
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and the wonderfully unique Funny You Should Ask makes the list. As a self-proclaimed second chance romance hater, I think it's hysterical that a few wildly different second chance romances made my Top 20 list. When they work, they... Continue Reading →
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and this debut easily makes the list! I'm such a second chance romance hater that it took about a dozen other readers recommending this to me before I finally dove in. And I'm so glad that I did! It's... Continue Reading →
As 2022 comes to a close, I’m celebrating my 20 favorite romance novels of the year, and no book put me through my paces emotionally like Untying the Knot. Meghan Quinn is no stranger to my Best of the Year lists, because she swings for the fences with every release, and creates magic every so... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
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 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 →
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 →
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 →
"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 →
Sometimes it takes a second chance to get things right, and the result is even sweeter because of the struggle. I'm talking about the couple in this book (which I LOVED!), but I'm also referring to my own reading experience. Back when this first released, I tried jumping into the series without reading the first... Continue Reading →
As a general rule, I HATE second chance romances... but I LOVED this. I was hesitant to pick this up because of the couple's complicated past, but that all faded into the background as I became immersed in this truly unique love story. Told in flashbacks, present day, and snippets of articles that fill in... Continue Reading →
Sitting squarely between 3 and 4 stars for me, the best part of this suspenseful romance is its unpredictable storyline. I've read amnesia romances before, but never has one played out quite like this one - and that definitely kept me on my toes. I liked the teases and the guessing, and it certainly gets... 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 →
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 →
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 →
The second time's the charm - for this couple, AND for me with this book. I'm new to the series, so I was expecting a sweet cinnamon roll hero (as the series title describes) and a rom com (as the cover implies), so I was... taken aback... by the level of hostility between these two.... Continue Reading →
The only thing cuter than that punny title is the sweet, cinnamon roll of a hero in this light and sexy second chance romance. I loved him! I'm new to this series, but I had no trouble jumping right in and getting caught up on the family drama, which has me itching to read more... Continue Reading →
Fantastic writing from Wolf, as always, but the hero wasn't a great fit for me and I had some definite issues with this. After an EXCELLENT first book in the series, I was so excited to dive into Callum's story. He's a silent, broody, rock star whose mysterious nature had me so intrigued. And he... Continue Reading →
Small town, slow burn goodness with a hero whose self-doubt made my chest ache; this is quite the series starter. I went into this with an interesting perspective - I've read a few of Reid's books, but it's been 3 years since the last time and I certainly don't know all of the inner workings... Continue Reading →
A second chance romance that I actually liked? It must be the holiday cheer in the air! I'm always a little wary of second chance romances, but a book buddy recommended this Christmas read, and I decided to give it a shot. I'm glad that I did! It's longer than a novella, shorter than a... Continue Reading →
It... wasn't great. Not terrible, but not all that good either. I've been enjoying this series because each novella is a fun little under-100-page Christmas treat, but this year's installments definitely miss the mark in the romance department. This hero goes from a total jerk to a total sweetheart in the blink of an eye,... Continue Reading →
This sweetheart of a hero deserved a better story, I'm afraid. I love a good holiday novella to get me in the festive spirit, and this quick, steamy story had the potential to do that. It's a sweet treat for fans of the series, a fast-paced peek at how everyone is doing around the holidays,... Continue Reading →
I’m a VERY picky lady when it comes to second chance romances, so when one holds my attention throughout - it's a win! The obvious love and connection between these former lovers kept me hooked, and the deeper undertones of the story made it a richer experience. This has the same kind of vibe as... Continue Reading →
Such an original storyline! I loved the concept of a guy so desperate to win his wife back that he’s willing to read romance novels to figure out all the ways he went wrong. I can honestly say I’ve never read a romance quite like this one before, and the journey was both hysterical and... Continue Reading →
Sexy, sweet, and sensual, this is a love story in two parts. It’s half vacation fling and half second chance romance as these two deal with the aftermath of the secrets between them. It’s got plenty of humor but focuses on the emotional aspects of the story. I loved the chemistry between RJ and Lainey... Continue Reading →
Jeeves Reads Romance 