Author Archives: ashareads

Review: The Love Haters

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The Love Haters by Katherine Center
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Pub Date: 5/20/2025

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the free advanced copy. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Katie Vaughn takes a job profiling Coast Guard rescue swimmer Hutch Hutcheson, even though she can’t swim. As she spends time with Hutch and his family, she faces her fears, gets caught in a few lies, and starts to fall for him.

The Love Haters had such an intriguing plot. I ended up really enjoying it! The real standout in this book was the amount of research and thought Katherine Center put into the Coast Guard details. I enjoyed the slow burn, the banter, and the quirky side characters as well. Rue, George Bailey, and The Gals were a hoot! Beanie was an interesting best friend and cousin to Katie. Though I didn’t agree with all of her advice and some of it felt harsh, I appreciated that Katie had someone in her corner. The character dynamics in the book were interesting. I loved how Katherine built the connection between Katie and Hutch while also focusing on Katie’s journey of self-healing and self-love. For Hutch, the story centered on healing his relationships. Katie was an interesting main character and I can see how readers might either connect with her or find her frustrating. She tends to overthink and get stuck in her head, but considering her journey, her struggles made sense. Hutch occasionally felt a little too perfect or seemed to act hot and cold, but by the end, I understood why he was the way he was. I really wish we had gotten Hutch’s perspective because it would have been fascinating to see some of the resolutions from his point of view. The last half of the book took some unexpected twists which made things even more compelling. Overall, this was a solid four-star read.

Review: Can’t Get Enough

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Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan
Publisher: Forever
Pub Date: 5/13/2025

Thank you Forever for the free advanced copy. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hendrix Barry has built a successful life, balancing her thriving career and caring for her aging mother which leaves little room for romance. But when charming tech mogul Maverick Bell enters her world, she’s forced to question whether love is worth the risk of disrupting her carefully planned future.

Can’t Get Enough is the third book in the Skyland series. While it can be read as a standalone, it’s best enjoyed after reading the first two books to fully understand Hendrix and her friends. Before receiving the ARC, I had already preordered a personalized signed copy from Kennedy Ryan’s local indie, Page158 Books, because I had a strong feeling this would be another 5-star read for me. Considering both Before I Let Go and This Could Be Us were also 5-star reads, it’s no surprise that Kennedy Ryan blew Can’t Get Enough out of the water! I devoured this book over a weekend. Dare I say, this may be my all-time favorite Kennedy Ryan book! Not only was it refreshing to see a 40-year-old woman finding love, but it was also incredibly meaningful to have a female main character who is childless by choice. I adored Hendrix’s fierce confidence, her unwavering support for her loved ones, and most of all, the softness and vulnerability she allowed Maverick to see. There’s a lot to unpack in this story which made it a heavy yet deeply resonating read. I highly recommend reading Kennedy’s author’s note at the beginning as this helped me prepare for some of the book’s heavy and sensitive themes. There were still moments that caught me off guard and had me in tears. Kennedy has an unparalleled ability to build chemistry and intimacy between characters and the slow burn in this book is absolutely worth it. There were so many powerful quotes and emotionally resonant scenes that I felt deep in my soul and moments where I truly felt seen in ways I never had before. I also loved seeing Yasmen and Soledad show up for Hendrix which just further shows how deep their friendship is and is such goals! The new characters, especially Bolt and Skipper, added a fun subplot that I enjoyed. Plus, the surprise cameo appearances from characters in the Hoops and Grip series were a delightful touch. The scenes between Hendrix, her mom, and her Aunt G tugged at my heartstrings.  I found myself feeling deeply for Hendrix and I just wanted to reach through the pages to give her a hug. The writing, character development, and storytelling were all chef’s kiss! I also appreciated how Kennedy wrapped up the story in a way where it delivers the satisfying romance readers crave while also acknowledging the complex realities of life. I can already see this being one of my favorite reads of 2025. I highly recommend Can’t Get Enough especially if you loved Before I Let Go and This Could Be Us!

Review: What Happens In Amsterdam

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What Happens In Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: 5/6/2025

Thank you Berkley Romance & PRH Audio for the free copy. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

After losing her job, Dani Dorfman impulsively moves to Amsterdam and unexpectedly reunites with her high school ex, Wouter. When they agree to a marriage of convenience, old feelings resurface forcing Dani to decide if this second chance is worth the risk.

What Happens In Amsterdam was one of my most anticipated reads! I enjoyed this one! I loved how Rachel brought Amsterdam to life as its own character which worked out beautifully. The storyline was engaging and the pacing was well done. I appreciated how Rachel explored Dani’s unemployment and burnout in a way that felt relatable and allowed us to really empathize with her. The connection between Dani and Wouter was sweet and I enjoyed how their relationship was built up with thoughtful flashbacks. I only wish we had gotten Wouter’s perspective at times. Other than that, I really loved this one.

Review: Shadows of You

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Shadows of You by Catherine Cowles
Publisher: PageSmith LLC
Pub Date: 10/23/2023

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Aspen moves to a small town with Cady to escape a dangerous past and never expected to find protection and comfort in Roan, a gruff but kind-hearted man. As their bond deepens, the threats from her past resurface which forces Roan to risk everything to keep them safe.

Shadows of You is the fourth book in the Lost & Found series featuring Aspen and Roan. I’ve been curious about Aspen since we first met her in Echoes of You. Roan has been a background character from the beginning so I was excited to finally learn more about him. I ended up finishing this book in a day! Shadows of You deserves all the stars! I loved uncovering Aspen’s past which had twists I didn’t see coming. Also I loved getting to know Roan on a much deeper level. The blend of mystery and suspense kept me hooked. While I had an inkling about the culprit, there were still a few surprises that made this such a fun and engaging read. Shadows of You is definitely my favorite book in the Lost & Found series and is my favorite Catherine Cowles book so far!

Review: The Answer Is No

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The Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman
Publisher: Amazon
Pub Date: 12/1/2024

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lucas enjoys his quiet and solitary life, but everything changes when his apartment board insists on investigating a misplaced frying pan. Their relentless meddling turns his peaceful existence upside down in this witty, laugh-out-loud short story.

Overall, I really liked The Answer Is No! It’s a bit silly, but I love how Backman weaves heartfelt and resonant quotes about finding happiness, the importance of community, and protecting your inner peace. I truly felt for Lucas as he was dragged into a situation he never asked for and that had nothing to do with him. That said, I loved his interactions with everyone. I was amazed at how Backman managed to infuse so much depth into his characters in such a short story.

Review: Wild and Wrangled

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Wild and Wrangled by Lyla Sage
Publisher: Dial Press
Pub Date: 4/15/2025

Thank you PRH Audio for the free advanced copy. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

After being left at the altar, Camille Ashwood moves into her dream house only to discover her next-door neighbor is her first love, Dusty Tucker. As old feelings resurface, the two must confront their past and decide if love deserves a second chance.

Wild and Wrangled is the final book in the Rebel Blue series. This has been one of my most anticipated April reads! I found it to be a solid book to the series ending. I loved Cam’s character so much and my heart went out to her. I  appreciated the dual timeline with her past and present POVs which helped explain her history with Dusty and gave us a glimpse on how she met Gus. I really loved how Lyla was able to incorporate the other couples from the series and showed where they are now. While I enjoyed getting glimpses of Dusty’s perspective, I was yearning for more character growth from him. Overall, it was a sweet ending to the series. I’m looking forward to what Lyla writes next!

Review: The Sideways Life of Denny Voss

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The Sideways Life of Denny Voss by Holly Kennedy
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Pub Date: 4/8/2025

Thank you Amazon Publishing & Brilliance Publishing for the free copy. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Denny Voss, living a quiet life in rural Minnesota, finds himself unexpectedly charged with murder after a series of well-meaning but chaotic misadventures. As he awaits trial, he unravels painful family secrets and learns what it means to take control of his future.

The Sideways Life of Denny Voss is the first book I’ve read by Holly Kennedy. This gave me strong Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and The Maid vibes. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I devoured it. I ended up finishing it in a single day and absolutely loved it! Andrew Eiden did a fantastic job narrating. He truly brought the story to life! Holly Kennedy did an exceptional job capturing Denny’s perspective. I felt so much empathy for him.  I loved how certain characters showed their love for him in quiet but powerful ways. I also really enjoyed the multiple subplots and how well-developed each of the supporting characters were. I didn’t anticipate any of the twists and I had no idea how the story would turn out which made the reading experience even more engaging. There was one chapter near the end that made me cry which is something that rarely happens when I read so be prepared with tissues and maybe give your fur baby an extra cuddle. Overall, this was a 5-star read for me and I highly recommend it!

Review: Swept Away

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Swept Away by Beth O’Leary
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: 4/1/2025

Thank you Berkley Romance & PRH audio for the free copy. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Zeke and Lexi wake up lost at sea after their houseboat drifts away. As they work together to get home, their unexpected time together sparks a deeper connection that neither of them saw coming.

I’ve read all of Beth O’Leary’s books so I was really looking forward to Swept Away. I enjoyed it and ended up finishing it in a day because it had the perfect blend of romance, adventure, and a touch of mystery. I loved how the author built a genuine connection between Lexi and Zeke even though their relationship started as a one-night stand. While their physical attraction to each other is undeniable, it was great to see their deeper layers unfold as they worked together to survive. The forced proximity of being stranded at sea added tension and excitement which kept the story engaging. There’s a surprising twist at the end that completely caught me off guard and the author kept me on my toes the entire time. Overall, I highly recommend picking this one up!

Review: Count My Lies

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Count My Lies by Sophie Stava
Publisher: Gallery
Pub Date: 3/4/2025

Thank you Simon Audio and Libro.FM for the free audiobook copy. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Sloane Caraway, a habitual liar, lands a nanny job with a wealthy New York family after a small deception. But as she gets closer to them, she realizes she’s not the only one keeping dangerous secrets.

Count My Lies is GMA’s March pick. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. The premise sounded promising, but the execution fell flat. The writing felt more like telling than showing which lacked depth though it was slightly entertaining. This book was essentially a bland mix of The Last Mrs. Parrish and The Housemaid, but without the intrigue that made those stand out. The characters were one-dimensional and the Taylor Swift references felt overused. I found the twists along with the ending to be predictable and underwhelming. The ending was especially unrealistic. Overall, it left me surprised that this was chosen as a book club pick. I would not recommend picking this up. 

Review: Wild Side

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Wild Side by Elsie Silver
Publisher: Bloom Books
Pub Date: 3/4/2025

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In Wild Side by Elsie Silver, Tabitha marries Rhys, the man she swore to hate, to keep custody of her nephew, Milo. But as they live together, Tabitha sees a different side in Rhys which she can’t resist.

Wild Side is the third book in the Rose Hill series which features Rhys and Tabitha. It can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the previous books first for the best experience. I’ve noticed a pattern in Elsie Silver’s books where the third book in a series becomes my favorite like Powerless in the Chestnut Springs series and The Front Runner in the Gold Rush Ranch series. Wild Side deserves all the stars! This is my favorite in the Rose Hill series so far. I loved how Elsie built up Tabitha and Rhys’s backstories, allowing us to see their individual healing journeys as well as their growth together. She also seamlessly integrated Milo, Tabitha’s parents, and other Rose Hill characters while keeping the story moving. The slow burn in this book was chef’s kiss! The epilogue was beautifully written. Now I can’t wait for the final book in the Rose Hill series, Wild Card!