Heir by Sabaa Tahir Publisher: Penguin Teen Pub Date: 10/1/2024
Thank you to Penguin Teen for the free advanced copy and PR box for Heir.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heir by Sabaa Tahir, the first book in the Heir series, follows the intertwined lives of Aiz, an orphan driven by vengeance and love for her people, Sirsha, a banished tracker hunting a child killer, and Quil, the reluctant crown prince grappling with his tragic lineage. Their paths converge as they face the burdens of power, love, and the consequences of greed. This dark and captivating journey explores the costs of their choices on their lives and hearts.
Heir has been one of my most anticipated reads this year! I was excited to learn that it takes place 20 years after the Ember series, keeping it in the same universe. Although some say you can read this duology as a standalone, I disagree. The references and backstory are linked to Ember, and without that context, it might not make sense.
Heir is told from multiple perspectives and is extremely fast-paced. My favorite perspectives were Sirsha and Quil. The character development and building tension kept me flying through the pages. It was refreshing to see some of the Ember characters as supporting roles and interesting to observe how they fit into this new narrative. I took my time with this book, savoring all the details that Sabaa Tahir sprinkles throughout the story. There were a few twists I anticipated, but not in the way I expected. There are some graphic scenes that made me pause and put the book down for a bit. The only perspective I didn’t enjoy as much was Aiz’s. Her character and actions felt too predictable, but I understood her perspective was necessary to grasp the full depth of the story. The book ends with a cliffhanger, leaving me eagerly awaiting the second book! Overall, I would rate this 4.5 stars and rounded up to 5 stars on Goodreads. If you enjoy high fantasy and loved the Ember series, I highly recommend picking this one up.
The Undermining of Twyla and Frank by Megan Bannen Publisher: Orbit Pub Date: 7/2/2024
Thank you to Hachette Audio for the free copy on LibroFM in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The town of Eternity is surprised when Twyla Banneker, a widowed middle-aged woman, teams up with her neighbor and best friend, Frank Ellis, to become Tanrian Marshals. Eight years later, they stumble upon a mysterious murder and a baby dragon, which leads them into a dangerous conspiracy and makes Twyla realize she might have deeper feelings for Frank.
I enjoyed The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, so I was really excited to read the second book in the series, The Undermining of Twyla and Frank. This was an action-packed and unique rom-com fantasy and it was refreshing to see both main characters in their 50s. The marketing describes it as “When Harry Met Sally” but with dragons, which I’m not sure I completely agree with, but it definitely follows a best friends-to-lovers trope. The world-building, revisiting old characters, and being introduced to new side characters were a few highlights. However, I wasn’t a big fan of how the romantic plot played out and the “mystery” was rather flat and uninteresting. The author’s writing style was entertaining, but it didn’t feel as impactful as her previous book. I was also expecting both main characters to have an equal amount of depth. Twyla’s character was well-thought-out and felt like it was mostly told from her perspective in the third person. Frank was a great love interest, but overall, fell a bit flat. This was a fun read, but it just wasn’t for me.
The Game Changer by Lana Ferguson Publisher: Berkley Pub Date: 7/9/2024
Thank you to Berkley Romance & PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ian Chase’s public divorce jeopardizes his hockey career, but teaming up with Delilah Baker, his best friend’s little sister and baking show host, offers a solution. As their fake relationship helps both their careers, the lines between what’s for the show and real feelings starts to blur.
Lana Ferguson has quickly become one of my favorite romance authors! Her ability to craft compelling stories across various romance tropes never ceases to amaze me and I was thrilled to dive into a hockey and baker romance with The Game Changer. The chemistry between Delilah and Ian was both sweet and spicy, making their connection irresistibly engaging. Their banter was on fire, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to their blossoming romance. What stood out to me was Ian’s character development throughout the story, which added depth and authenticity to the narrative. The dual perspectives from Delilah and Ian kept me thoroughly engaged, allowing me to connect with both characters on a deeper level. The quirky side characters, especially Delilah’s older brother and Ian’s best friend, Jack, brought additional charm to the story. Jack’s dynamic presence has me hoping for his own love story in a future book. The Game Changer is now my all-time favorite book from Lana Ferguson to date. Highly recommend picking this one up!
The Love of My After Life by Kirsty Greenwood Publisher: Berkley Romance Pub Date: 7/2/2024
Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free copy along with the exclusive content from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recently deceased Delphie meets a captivating man in the afterlife waiting room and is given a second chance at life and love if she can find him on earth within 10 days. Embarrassed by her undignified death and eager for a fresh start, Delphie embarks on a heartwarming and magical quest in a bustling city, guided by her heart and the unexpected help she receives along the way.
Kirsty Greenwood is one of my favorite romance authors and I was thrilled to see her picked up by Berkley! The premise of The Love of My After Life sounded intriguing and I loved that it contained magical realism. The Love of My After Life deserves all the stars! Kirsty’s writing is filled with love, laughter, and moments that pull at my heartstrings; it’s like a hug in a book. I absolutely loved the banter, the insane situations Delphie gets herself into, and all the quirky supporting characters. I also loved the ode to wonderful romance authors sprinkled throughout the story. There were some insightful quotes that I adored. The afterlife elements were cozy and sweet, though tinged with sadness. Overall, the book was hopeful and uplifting. I also appreciated the exclusive content that Berkley and Kirsty provided. It was such an immersive reading experience and gaining more insight from Kirsty on specific scenes made me appreciate the book even more. Definitely recommend picking this one up if you like romance with fantasy elements and quirky side characters!
Pardon My Frenchie by Farrah Rochon Publisher: Forever Pub Date: 6/4/2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In Pardon My Frenchie by Farrah Rochon, Ashanti Wright is thrilled about her thriving dog boarding business and dreams of expanding with a doggie bake shop, but her plans hit a snag when the building she wants is sold to the surly Thaddeus Sims. Despite his disdain for dogs, Thad takes in his grandmother’s Poodle, leading to a viral sensation with Ashanti’s French Bulldog and sparking unexpected chemistry between Ashanti and Thad.
I’ve been hooked on Farrah Rochon’s writing since Forever Pub introduced me to The Boyfriend Project series! I still remember meeting Farrah last year at Steamy Lit Con when she was so excited to be in the final stages of finalizing her cover for this book. When she told me what it was about, I was so stoked! Any books involving dogs? Definitely count me in! Pardon My Frenchie checks all the boxes. There are two main characters going through their own struggles who find each other, don’t get along at first, but eventually support each other. I love how Farrah portrays Ashanti and Thad. I have to admit, like Ashanti, I didn’t like Thad at first because he initially didn’t love dogs (red flag!), but he grew on me, and I could see why Ashanti fell in love with him. As for Ashanti, I wanted to give her a hug and tell her she’s doing amazing and everything would be okay. Farrah creates realistic characters while also giving us hope that everything will be okay. The enemies-to-lovers trope, slow burn romance, dog love, and New Orleans setting are the perfect combo for this book! Now I can’t wait for Evie’s book! Highly recommend picking this one up if you’re a dog lover!
I’ve been thinking about unlikable main characters and how they affect the reader’s experience and overall rating of a book. I recently read two romance novels where one of the main leads was unlikable, and both ended up being 3-star reads for me.
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Pub Date: 6/11/2024
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press for the free copy on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emma Wheeler, an aspiring screenwriter, gets a chance to rewrite a script for her idol, Charlie Yates, while her sister takes over caring for their dad. Despite Charlie’s disdain for her and romantic comedies, Emma is determined to prove their value, leading to an unexpected romance that changes everything.
Katherine Center is an auto-read author for me! However, I had mixed feelings about The Rom-Commers. The plot was sweet and had so much potential, but I wasn’t a big fan of Charlie. I empathized with Emma regarding her past and finally being able to pursue her dreams. It didn’t surprise me that she had more of a doormat personality since she had to start taking care of her dad and raising her younger sister at a young age. I liked seeing Emma’s growth throughout the story. Charlie, on the other hand, has to be one of the worst male main characters. He’s a textbook red flag. I hate that whatever he tells Emma is the opposite of what he means. There’s also a major twist at the end that I thought was incredibly messed up. Charlie continues to treat Emma poorly while secretly having a crush on her, but his words are what hurt the most. I couldn’t imagine them being together long after the epilogue due to the initial relationship they have. One part of the book I did enjoy was the cameo appearances of Jack Stapleton from The Bodyguard. Overall, The Rom-Commers had its moments, but it didn’t fully deliver for me.
The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson Publisher: Berkley Romance Pub Date: 6/18/2024
Thank you to Berkley Romance & PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Daphne Brink, newly divorced and unfamiliar with baseball, heckles Carolina Battery player Chris Kepler after one too many drinks. When she later reaches out to apologize without revealing her identity, a connection forms between them, but Daphne struggles to keep her secret as their relationship deepens, leaving her worried about the consequences when Chris learns the truth.
I was super excited to see a sports romance book about baseball! Based on the premise, I was a bit hesitant since it involves catfishing and miscommunication tropes. I had mixed feelings about The Art of Catching Feelings. While the premise sounded promising, the execution fell short. First, I was not a fan of Daphne at all. Not only did she withhold her identity, but she also barely grew as a person throughout the story, essentially implying that lying to Chris was acceptable without any repercussions. As for Chris, I felt downright sorry for him, given everything he was going through and his interactions with Daphne. Although Chris’s character showed growth, the author’s handling of mental health issues felt more like telling rather than showing, making it less effective. The ending was too corny for me, and I couldn’t see Daphne and Chris being a long-term couple after the story ended.
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood Publisher: Berkley Romance Pub Date: 6/11/2024
Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rue Siebert’s stable world is upended by a hostile takeover led by the alluring yet off-limits Eli Killgore, starting a secret and temporary romance with an expiration date tied to their competing companies. Rue and Eli navigate the challenges of the collide of their professional and personal worlds.
Not in Love is unlike any of Ali Hazelwood’s previous books. I absolutely loved the dual POV, which worked exceptionally well. The angst and forbidden romance added a thrilling dynamic, and the pining between Rue and Eli was captivating. Despite their differences, it made perfect sense for them to be together. I appreciated the mystery surrounding Eli’s role and the unpredictable ending. Both the romance and the plot kept me engaged throughout the story. This is definitely Ali’s steamiest book yet and truly deserves all the stars!
The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley Publisher: Putnam / Random House Pub Date: 5/21/2024
Thank you to Random House and PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Patrick O’Hara revives his acting career with a new sitcom after his time taking care of his niece and nephew. While at his brother’s wedding in Italy, Patrick navigates family tensions and reflects on his own life and happiness.
I’ve read all of Steven Rowley’s books and loved The Guncle so I was looking forward to reading The Guncle Abroad. The story picks up five years after The Guncle ended, making it a true sequel. It was great to revisit beloved characters like Patrick, Maisie, and Grant, and to meet new ones as well. Steven has a talent for crafting heartfelt, meaningful moments and sprinkling nuggets of wisdom throughout his stories which I really appreciate. I found the first half of the book a bit slow, particularly the travel sections. The second half truly stole the show though I wish some parts had been explored more deeply or that there had been flashbacks to the intervening five years for better context. Overall, it was an entertaining read! I would give this 3.5 stars but rounded up to 4 stars.
I recently finished the Chestnut Spring series by Elsie Silver. Here’s my ranking of the books from most to least favorite along with my reviews of each:
Flawless (Book 1)
📖: Rhett Eaton, a former star bull rider who needs to fix his bad reputation, is under the strict supervision of his agent’s rule-abiding daughter, Summer Hamilton. As they navigate close quarters and undeniable chemistry, Rhett and Summer learns that some rules are meant to be broken especially when it comes to matters of the heart.
💭: Since reading Wild Love, I’ve been excited to dive into Elsie Silver’s backlist books. I’ve heard great things about the Chestnut Spring series and have already bought the first three books!
Flawless masterfully combines enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity tropes. Elsie excels at creating flawed characters with complex backstories and introduces supporting characters who later become the stars of their own stories. Summer and Rhett’s relationship developing through the story is engaging and the texts at the beginning of each chapter add a charming touch. The dual perspectives are also distinctively well-done.
However, I had some major issues with the book. It bothers me how Kip is glorified as a great dad and the “good” guy, despite his infidelity which causes his wife and Winter to resent Summer. It’s unfair that Summer, who is innocent, is mistreated due to circumstances beyond her control, while her dad seems to escape blame and the women are vilified, especially Winter. Additionally, I found it cringy that both Kip and Rhett call her “Princess” in different contexts; Rhett’s usage is endearing, but Kip’s feels off.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series Rank: 4th
Heartless (Book 2)
📖: Willa Grant becomes the nanny for Cade Eaton’s son, Luke, during her summer stay at their ranch. After a game of truth or dare sparks romance between Willa and the rugged, single dad Cade, she begins to wonder if their short-term arrangement could turn into a lasting love.
💭: Going into this book, I knew it featured a few tropes I typically dislike, such as the age gap and the nanny-boss dynamic, so I set realistic expectations. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed it! I even found that the twist, which I usually dislike in romance novels, worked exceptionally well for this story. The highlight for me was the relationship between Willa and five-year-old Luke. I loved watching Willa’s bond with Luke deepen and her character evolve throughout the story. I also liked gradual romance between Willa and Cade. Their banter and chemistry were off the charts and the steamy scenes sizzled. I felt that Cade could have been portrayed as younger, as his maturity didn’t quite match his age, but aside from that, it was well-written. It was great to see Summer and Rhett return as supporting characters and getting to know the other supporting characters better was a treat. Now, I can’t wait to read Powerless!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series Rank: 3rd
Powerless (Book 3)
📖: Childhood friends, hockey player Jasper Gervais and ballerina Sloane, find themselves on an impromptu road trip that changes their relationship from friends to something more. As they deal with personal crises and confront their feelings, they explore the possibility of a future together beyond the friend zone.
💭: Powerless deserves all the stars! It’s my favorite in the Chestnut series so far and I see why it won the Goodreads Choice Award for Romance last year. I absolutely loved the pining, longing, slow burn, and development of Sloane and Jasper’s relationship. It was wonderful to see them not only find comfort in each other but also uplift one another and help each through their personal journeys. Jasper’s backstory is heartbreaking, and the toxic people in Sloane’s life are infuriating. I was pleasantly surprised to see characters from other series appear in this book which I haven’t read yet and discover how they’re all connected.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series Rank: 1st
Reckless (Book 4)
📖: Winter Hamilton, nearly free from her toxic marriage, tries to resist the persistent charm of notorious bull rider and ladies’ man, Theo Silva, despite her vows to avoid men. Their strong attraction leads to an unforgettable night together, but complications arise when Winter finds out she’s pregnant, turning their secret affair into a situation they can’t ignore.
💭: I was a bit hesitant on what I would think of Reckless when there’s a trope in here that I absolutely hate and after reading Powerless which was a 5-star read. Surprisingly, Reckless was a 5-star read for me! I absolutely loved Winter’s character. In Flawless, she’s introduced as Summer’s evil half sister, but in Reckless, we really get to know why Winter is the way she is and what she does to grow in a better person. I never hated Winter and thought it was unfair how men thought of her as an ice queen when in reality she was trying to protect herself. Theo is such a sweetheart and the perfect compliment for Winter. Though Theo is all sunshine, I like how Elsie cracks that facade and we get to see his true colors and also see how he grows. This book deserves all the stars for its character development and growth alone. Reckless is a definitely my second favorite book in the series.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series Rank: 2nd
Hopeless (Book 5)
📖: Military hero Beau Eaton and shy bartender Bailey Jansen start a fake engagement to get his family off his back and to improve her reputation. As they navigate their fake engagement, their relationship unexpectedly becomes real, challenging Beau’s vow never to love and changing both their plans and hearts.
💭: Hopeless contains a couple of tropes that I don’t particularly enjoy so I didn’t have high expectations for this one. It was my least favorite in the series, but Elsie Silver still managed to have me speed reading through it. Honestly, I found Beau and Bailey to be an odd pairing. It was sweet to see Bailey caring for Beau in ways that he needed and others didn’t understand. However, I hated how Beau financially supports Bailey enough for her to leave town and eventually falls in love with her as it felt like there was little character development and it felt superficial and more for control. The age gap was off-putting in this book whereas it felt natural and well-executed between Willa and Cade in Heartless. I also found Bailey to be a bit too naive and crass which didn’t sit well with me. Additionally, the third act breakup struck me as a red flag. Although I wasn’t a fan of the main romance, I loved seeing characters from previous books in the series and their progress toward their HEAs. In the Bloom versions of the series, I enjoyed reading Harvey’s bonus epilogues which felt like a novella and wrapped up the series nicely. I would rate this 3.5, but rounded it up to 4 stars on Goodreads!
Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan Publisher: DoubleDay Pub Date: 5/21/2024
Thank you Random House and PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rufus Leung Gresham, a future duke facing immense familial debt, is pushed by his mother to marry a wealthy woman at his sister’s lavish wedding. When a volcano eruption and a scandal shake up the wedding, Rufus faces a tough choice between his family’s expectations and his own happiness, as secrets come out that could change his family’s future forever.
I enjoyed the dramatic and stylistic writing in this book. The main story and its subplots make for an entertaining read, and I appreciated how everything came together in the end. However, I felt the character development was lacking; many characters, including Rufus and Eden, did not evolve much from beginning to end, which was disappointing. I absolutely disliked Annabelle’s character, but I understood her necessity in the plot. If you enjoyed the Crazy Rich Asians series, you might like this one as well.
Asha Reads 