Tag Archives: New Releases

Review: Not in Love

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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!

Review: The Guncle Abroad

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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.

Review: Lies and Weddings

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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.

Review: How To End A Love Story

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How To End A Love Story by Yulin Kuang
Publisher: Avon
Pub Date: 4/9/2024

Thank you to Leo PR & Avon Books for the free copy and LibroFM for the free audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bestselling author Helen Zhang reunites with Grant Shepard, a screenwriter linked to a tragic accident that has haunted them both for 13 years as they work together on a TV adaption of her young adult novels. Their collaboration forces them to confront their guilt and the potential for healing in their renewed connection.

How to End a Love Story is Yulin’s debut novel and I have Leo PR to thank for putting this on my radar. The plot caught my interest immediately so I was excited to pick it up—especially after hearing that both BOTM and Target had selected it for this month. I was drawn into the storyline which features a mix of frienemies and forbidden romance. I really loved the dual perspectives as the author thoroughly explored both characters’ pasts and present situations. Helen’s relationship with her parents felt authentic and I could truly emphasize for her. While I enjoyed the slow burn romance between Helen and Grant, the pacing felt a bit uneven later in the book. I also wished the narrative had explored some of the pitfalls of Hollywood, not just its glamorous aspects, which would have added depth. Overall, I enjoyed this one and rated it 4 stars.

Review: This Summer Will Be Different

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This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: 5/7/2024

Thank you to Berkley & PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lucy continually struggles to resist the allure of Felix, her best friend’s younger brother, during her annual escapes to Prince Edward Island, despite their undeniable chemistry. Their complicated relationship intensifies when Lucy visits to support her best friend Bridget through a pre-wedding crisis, challenging her resolve and the safety of her heart.

I liked Every Summer After, but Meet Me at the Lake was a DNF for me so I wasn’t sure about how I’d feel regarding This Summer Will Be Different. To my surprise, I loved This Summer Will Be Different and this is my favorite of Carley Fortune’s books to date. The alternating past and present perspectives of Lucy on Prince Edward Island (PEI) were captivating. The tropes of the best friend’s brother and forbidden romance were perfectly executed. Lucy and Felix’s relationship developed naturally and their connection felt genuine. One of the highlights of the book was PEI itself, which was so vividly described that it felt like a character in its own right, and now I want to visit PEI which is a place I never knew existed. I appreciated the blend of the family you’re born into and the family you choose; it’s portrayed beautifully as a balance, not a choice between the two. If you’re looking for a romance that tugs at your heartstrings, I highly recommend this book.

Review: Christa Comes Out of Her Shell

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Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: 4/16/2024

Thank you to Berkley & PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Christa Liddle’s peaceful life studying sea snails is disrupted when her father, thought to be dead, suddenly reappears, leading to widespread media attention and a surprising romantic development with an old friend. As doubts about her father’s story grow, Christa fights to preserve her own identity and continue her research.

I typically love Abbi Waxman’s books, but Christa Comes Out of Her Shell didn’t quite resonate with me. I found the portrayal of ages and the journey through addiction a bit odd, expecting Christa to be in her mid-30s rather than her late 20s. While I enjoyed the evolution of Christa and Nate’s friendship into something more, I struggled to connect with the subplot involving Christa’s estranged father, which felt somewhat disjointed. The pacing was inconsistent, with some moments feeling silly or overly intense in a romantic sense, which seemed out of place within the storyline. Additionally, while some scenes were described in great detail, others were barely touched upon. I wasn’t a fan of Christa’s personality and I ended up skimming towards the end. I ended up rating this book a low 3 stars because the plot sounded interesting, but it isn’t one I could fully recommend.

Review: Funny Story

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Funny Story by Emily Henry
Publisher: Berkley Romance
Pub Date: 4/23/2024

Thank you to Berkley & PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In Funny Story by Emily Henry, Daphne navigates life in Waning Bay, Michigan, after her fiancé Peter falls for his childhood best friend, Petra, leading Daphne to become roommates with Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak. Despite their initial avoidance, Daphne and Miles form a friendship and hatch a plan involving misleading photos, questioning the possibility of love in the tangled aftermath of their broken relationships.

Funny Story was one of my most anticipated spring reads! I was thrilled to hear that Julia Whelan was going to narrate, so I knew I had to listen to this on audio as much as I could. Despite the summary suggesting a typical trope, I found the story to be unexpectedly profound. Narrated entirely from Daphne’s perspective, this approach adds a special depth, allowing readers to intimately experience her journey of self-discovery and resilience following a broken engagement. It was also fascinating seeing the evolution of Miles’s character and the gradual unveiling between him and Daphne The supportive and encouraging characters in the story made it even more endearing. What I loved most were the insightful quotes, true nuggets of wisdom, woven into the narrative thought and care. Funny Story has become my all-time favorite book by Emily Henry and deserves all the stars. I’m glad I accidentally pre-ordered two different editions of this book before reading it, something I have NEVER done before!

Review: Darling Girls

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Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Pub Date: 4/23/2024

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the free copy on NetGalley and Libro.Fm for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth tells the story of three foster sisters, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, who grew up under the strict care of their foster mother on a farm, hiding dark secrets beneath a seemingly perfect upbringing. Their past comes back to haunt them when a body is found under their childhood home, turning them from witnesses into potential suspects in a disturbing case.

Sally Hepworth’s books have been hit or miss for me so I wasn’t sure what to expect from Darling Girls. The intriguing premise initially excited me, however, I didn’t anticipate the heavy subjects being described in such graphic detail. While I expected the thriller to be dark and twisted, the story turned out to be more sad and heartbreaking. It unfolds through three distinct POVs, but the audiobook’s single narrator made it challenging to differentiate between them—I would have preferred multiple narrators for a more immersive experience. The narrative alternates between the present and the characters’ childhoods, with the present timeline being more slow paced and the past providing a faster pace. Unfortunately, I found the ending somewhat predictable. I gave this three stars and I recommend taking a look at the trigger warnings beforehand.

Review: Just for the Summer

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Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Publisher: Forever
Pub Date: 4/2/2024

Thank you to Forever for the free copy on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Justin and Emma, both cursed in love, come up with a plan to date and then break up, hoping to end their bad luck and find true love next. Their simple summer romance fling gets complicated as they face with personal challenges and start having feelings for each other, making them wonder if they were meant to be together after all.

Just for the Summer is one of my most anticipated spring releases! I’ve read all of Abby’s book so far and I’m a huge fan of her writing. Her skill in crafting complex characters who evoke empathy, intertwined with beautifully developed slow-burn romances and intimate moments, always leaves me cheering for the protagonists. Just for the Summer has got to be in my top 3 now and deserves all the stars! Slightly different from Abby’s previous books, Just for the Summer excels by intricately weaves the challenges of life with laughter, tears, and bringing the power of hope all into one. I loved seeing Emma and Justin’s personal growth through their own perspectives and how they intertwine in each other’s lives. The supporting characters really made this book shine and loved the support system that Emma and Justin received through their found families. Abby was able to address heavy topics with sensitivity in a way that was thoughtful and also added another layer of depth to her writing. There are so many other things I want to say, but I want to keep this review spoiler free! If you’re an Abby fan or new to her writing, pick this one up on release day!

Review: Good Half Gone

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Good Half Gone by Tarryn Fisher
Publisher: Graydon House
Pub Date: 3/19/2024

Thank you to Graydon House & Harper Audio for the free copy on NetGalley & LibroFM in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Iris, having narrowly avoided the tragic fate of her kidnapped and trafficked twin sister, seeks proof of what happened to her by interning at the creepy Shoal Island Hospital for the criminally insane. She quickly discovers that the hospital harbors deep, sinister secrets, realizing the danger extends beyond its patients and into the very essence of the institution itself.

Tarryn Fisher’s books can be hit or miss for me, and, unfortunately, this one didn’t quite hit the mark. The beginning of the book started strong, capturing my interest with its intriguing storyline. However, I guessed the major twist early on which was a disappointment. I hoped the journey towards this twist would keep me engaged, but I found Iris, especially her present-day portrayal, to be boring. The segments showing her as a teenager were more interesting to read. I felt the story lacked the suspense needed to make the predictable twist compelling. I ended up rating this three stars because even though I finished this book in a day, I found the overall story to just be okay.