Tag Archives: Romance

November Favorites 📖💅🏽

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How did November go by in the blink of an eye? It’s wild that we are already in December. This year has somehow felt both impossibly long and unbelievably fast. For reading and nails, November was a great month. I had one standout holiday read that earned a full five stars and I also discovered a new nail brand that has me questioning if I ever want to go back to anything else.

📖 Favorite read of the month: Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon

Thank you Dell Romance, Random House, PRH audio for the free copy of Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman.

After losing their spouses, Grace and Henry are pushed together by their well-meaning mothers but neither is ready to date. Instead, they form a gentle friendship through a Christmas movie marathon that helps them heal and wonder if love might be possible again.

Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon deserves all the stars! I absolutely loved how Matthew integrated beloved holiday movies into the storyline. Grace and Henry were wonderful characters and I appreciated that we got to see both of their perspectives. It was moving to watch how each of them navigated grief and began finding their way forward. Their banter and growing friendship were so sweet and tender. I especially loved how Henry connected with Grace’s children, Ian and Bella which was truly touching. The moments when Henry reminisced about his late wife, Brynn, and when Grace spoke to her late husband were both heartbreaking and beautifully written. The story flowed seamlessly. The supporting characters, including both families, added so much warmth. I also definitely recommend listening to the audiobook! The narrators did a fantastic job bring Grace and Henry to life. I highly recommend picking this one up, but keep a tissue nearby while reading! 

💅🏽 Favorite manicure: Dazzle Dry Heart’s Caress

I discovered Dazzle Dry in mid-November and wow it is a total game changer! I’m genuinely unsure if I’ll go back to my other brands anytime soon. It is easy to apply, everything you need comes in the kit, and the top coat dries in under five minutes. Once it is dry, you can literally go on with your day. It lasts a full week on me which means I can switch colors when I want to instead of when my manicure chips. It also helps my nails grow without any strengthening treatments and leaves them feeling strong overall. It looks like gel but applies and removes like regular polish. I quit gel back in May and finally found a regular polish system that lasts beyond 4-5 days. This one has been a great find and can’t wait to try other shades!

October Favorites 📖💅

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October flew by and I can’t believe we’re already in the final month of fall! This month came with some truly stellar reads, but it was also when I had the most DNFs. I’ve learned that if I’m not hooked within the first few chapters or first 30 pages, it’s best to move on, and it has made reading so much more enjoyable overall.

📚 Favorite Reads of the Month

Instead of choosing just one, I wanted to highlight my three five-star reads from October. Full reviews can be found on Goodreads:

The Mating Game by Lana Ferguson – Thank you Berkley Romance for the free ARC, releases December 2.

Mate by Ali Hazelwood – Target edition

Secret Haven by Catherine Cowles

💅 Favorite Manicure

Lights Lacquer The Restricted Section

Lights Lacquer’s The Restricted Section is a deep gray-green polish with a fine shimmer finish. I was surprised by how much I loved this one since shimmers are usually out of my comfort zone, but it perfectly captured the fall and spooky vibes this month.

Sparrow Falls Inspired Bookish Crafts

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The Sparrow Falls series by Catherine Cowles has become one of my all-time favorites. Each book blends small-town romance, healing, and just the right touch of suspense. While waiting for the final book, Secret Haven, to release later this month, I decided to create something special inspired by the series.

This is the first book-inspired Kindle insert and charm set I’ve created, and I loved every part of the process. It felt like the perfect way to say farewell to a series that’s meant so much to me.

✨ The Charm Set

Each charm represents one of the books in the series:

  • 🐾 Fragile Sanctuary • Rhodes’ dog
  • 🌸 Delicate Escape • Thea’s garden
  • 🧁 Broken Harbor • Sutton’s bakery and Colt’s love for her cupcakes
  • 🥊 Beautiful Exile • Arden and Linc’s boxing gloves
  • 🎀 Chasing Shelter • Keely’s bow
  • 🖋 Secret Haven • Kye’s tattoo machine pen

It was so fun choosing details from each story. I also added mountain and heart charms to represent the full series as a whole.

Here’s another photo including my favorite pop socket featuring my dog and dust plug (I purchased both of these):

September Favorites 📖💅

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It’s officially spooky season! 🎃 The first day of fall 🍂 and my birthday 🎂 both passed last week so it feels like the perfect time to share a few September favorites. Instead of spotlighting just one book, I’m highlighting a whole series I devoured this month along with the mani I loved most.

📖 Favorite Series I Read: Tattered & Torn by Catherine Cowles

This series has been sitting on my TBR for ages. I finally dove in after realizing I already owned the first two books (one of them signed!), and I’m so glad I did. Honestly, I’m kicking myself for waiting so long. Tattered & Torn might just be my favorite Catherine Cowles series yet, tied closely with Sparrow Falls.

Here’s how I’d rank the five books, from favorite to least favorite:

  1. Tattered Stars (Book 1)
  2. Fractured Sky (Book 5)
  3. Shattered Sea (Book 4)
  4. Hidden Waters (Book 3)
  5. Falling Embers (Book 2)

If you’ve enjoyed Catherine Cowles’ Sparrow Falls series or like romantic suspense that balances swoony romance with page-turning tension, the Tattered & Torn series is a must-read.

💅 Favorite Manicure: Lights Lacquer Clueless & Cherry Wine

This month I was all about deep red manis. For my birthday, I decided to go with a red French tip using Lights Lacquer polishes. The base is Clueless and the tips are Cherry Wine. I used the Lights Lacquer nail stamper to get the look. The tips were created easily though cleanup was trickier since Cherry Wine is a bit more liquid than expected. Still, I love how it turned out and it felt so fitting for a birthday mani.

📚Falling Into Romance: Berkley’s September New Releases

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Fall is less than a week a way, spooky season is starting to creep in, and it’s my birthday month! With so much happening, it feels like the perfect time to dive into September’s popular Berkley romance releases. Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free books!

The Princess and the P.I. by Nikki Payne
Pub Date: 9/16/25

Fiona Addai, a famed Reddit detective, finds herself accused of murder when her attempt to expose a ruthless corporation goes wrong. With P.I. Maurice Bennett reluctantly by her side, she has to clear her name while picking up some real detective skills and maybe catching unexpected sparks along the way.

When I heard that Nikki Payne had a new book coming out, I was so excited! I loved her modern Jane Austen retellings and couldn’t wait to see her take a different direction with The Princess & the P.I. I didn’t realize until after finishing the book that Maurice was the younger Bennett brother which made the cameo appearances from the Bennett family even more fun. Fiona was such a great FMC. I really enjoyed watching her character grow as she navigated her strained family relationships. The audiobook narration by Arissa Evans and Jaime Lincoln Smith was fantastic and they truly brought the story to life. The only part that didn’t quite work for me was the chemistry between Fiona and Maurice, but I still thought they made a great team as partners in solving the mystery. As for the mystery itself, Nikki Payne did a terrific job tying everything together with a satisfying ending. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’Clover
Pub Date: 9/23/25

Reeling from heartbreak and unable to afford her Colorado home after a breakup, Louisa Walsh convinces her landlord Henry to let her stay by turning it into a bed-and-breakfast for the heartbroken. As the Comeback Inn opens its doors, Lou and Henry are drawn together even as secrets threaten their fragile new beginning.

The Heartbreak Hotel is the first book I’ve read by Ellen O’Clover. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. The story started off strong, but by the midpoint the pacing slowed and the plot took an odd turn. I did enjoy the vivid Colorado setting and the cozy details of the house which gave the book some charm. The story is told entirely from Lou’s perspective. Her chemistry with Henry is nonexistent. Lou’s character growth is nonexistent which was frustrating. I wanted much more depth from Henry. The supporting characters and their personal journeys were the only aspects that held my interest. This book should also come with clear content warnings which were noticeably absent. Overall, this one is skippable.

Soul Searching by Lyla Sage
Pub Date: 9/30/25

Collins Cartwright returns to Sweetwater Peak to help save her parents’ antique shop, but the ghosts she has always relied on have suddenly gone quiet. When she rents a room from newcomer Brady Cooper, their growing connection and a little push from the spirits make her wonder if home might be exactly where she belongs.

Soul Searching is the first book in the Sweetwater Peak series. When Lyla mentioned that this would take place in a neighboring town to Rebel Blue Ranch and include paranormal elements, I was super excited. I loved how she kept the familiar charm of a western small town while also expanding her writing style in new ways. The duet narration by Jason Clarke and Samantha Brentmoor was fantastic and really brought the story to life. Collins and her family were fascinating. I enjoyed seeing the world through her perspective. I just wish there had been more interaction with the ghosts and more depth in that aspect. It was also fun to see cameo appearances from some of the Wilder family. I was glad to get Brady’s perspective, but his character felt underdeveloped and his chapters did not land as strongly for me. I was craving more insight into his personality. While the natural chemistry between Collins and Brady was sweet, the tension I was hoping for was missing. Overall, I would rate this 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars on Goodreads. I am excited for the next book in the series and really hope it features Collins’ twin sister, Clarke.

July Favorites 📖💅

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This is my first time doing a monthly wrap-up here. On Instagram, I used to share book wrap-ups, but I wanted to go in a different direction this time. Each month, I’ll keep it simple and share two favorites: a book I loved and a manicure that stood out. Here’s what made July special:

Favorite book I read: Chasing Shelter by Catherine Cowles

Chasing Shelter is the fifth book in the Sparrow Falls series. It’s an interconnected standalone, which means you can start with this one, but it’s best enjoyed in order since there are spoilers for couples from the previous books. I was so excited to see Trace finally get his love story with Ellie. These two are perfectly matched, and this book deserves all the stars.

Ellie’s bond with Trace’s daughter, Keely, was one of the sweetest parts of the story. Watching their relationship grow made every scene with them even more heartwarming. It was also great to learn more about Trace’s past and what shaped him into the man he is now. I loved that we still got the fun sibling group chat, Loli’s antics, and the warmth of the found family dynamic. The suspense element was a nice touch too. I predicted one part but not the other and it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. The epilogue was absolute perfection. Now I’m counting down the days for Fallon and Kyler’s book. I know Catherine will wrap up the series in the best possible way and I’m thrilled that Dex will get his spotlight in the new series!

I also read the sneak peek of Secret Haven and that prologue had me in tears. I can already tell it’s going to be incredible. Plus, I was so happy to see a preview of Across the Vanishing Sky in the KU version. From what I read, it sounds amazing!

Favorite manicure: Lights Lacquer Cherry Wine

Part of July’s Cherry Coated Trio launch, this vampy red shade was the perfect color to transition from summer to fall vibes. I loved wearing it and know it will stay in my regular rotation. I’m already planning to reach for it again soon.

3-Star Reads: Pub Day Edition

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It’s pub day and I’ve got three new releases to talk about. All three ended up being 3-star reads for me. Nothing terrible, but nothing I’m rushing to recommend either. If you’re curious about what didn’t quite hit, keep reading.

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown
Publisher: Random House

Thank you PRH Audio and Random House for the free advanced copy. 

What Kind of Paradise is about Jane, who grows up in an isolated Montana cabin, believing her father is her whole world. But when she uncovers a terrible truth, she runs to San Francisco searching for answers and starts to question everything she thought she knew about her past, her parents, and herself.

I loved Janelle’s previous books so I was really looking forward to What Kind of Paradise. I had mixed feelings about this one. The premise was interesting, but the execution felt meh. It’s not really a thriller as it leans more toward general fiction with a hint of suspense. The pacing was uneven where the beginning drew me in, but the second half dragged and felt way too slow. All the tech talk made me lose interest. I just couldn’t connect with Jane as she felt too emotionally distant for me to feel much empathy toward her. The ending also wrapped up a little too neatly. Overall, this one just didn’t work for me the way I hoped. 

Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Publisher: Hyperion Ave

Thank you Leo PR & Hyperion Ave for the free advanced copy. 

To save her father’s hedge fund deal, Mulan pretends to be him and heads to a whiskey ranch run by Shang and his old-school, misogynistic family. She’s determined to close the deal, but falling for Shang was never part of the plan.

Worth Fighting For is the fifth book in the Meant To Be series and a modern Mulan retelling. I had mixed feelings about this one. I loved the sentiment behind the story and what it clearly meant to the author. The way iconic scenes from the movie were seamlessly integrated into a contemporary setting was one of the highlights. Mulan’s personality was what I expected. It didn’t surprise me that she altered her name for the Lis, but it did stretch believability that they fell for it considering her dad is the managing partner and owner of the firm. Also with how involved Shang was in social media, it was hard to believe he didn’t know who she was.

The part I struggled with most was Shang’s character. He was really underdeveloped. While I appreciated that he wasn’t as blatantly misogynistic as the rest of his family, we never got to see his leadership in action or feel his passion for Wutai Gold, his family’s high-end whiskey company. Mushu was a firecracker and I had mixed feelings about her. I loved how loyal and supportive she was to Mulan, but she could be a bit too out there at times. The ranch portion of the story was easily my favorite. It brought out everyone’s personalities and felt the most engaging. Unfortunately, the ending didn’t work for me. Too much happened too fast, it felt rushed and anticlimactic, and then it just abruptly stopped. I’m curious to see what the next retelling in this series will be!

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for the free advanced copy. 

Olivia Dumont is a ghostwriter hiding her identity as the daughter of infamous horror author and murder suspect Vincent Taylor. When she agrees to ghostwrite his final book, long-buried family secrets and haunting truths resurface.

I loved The Last Flight, but found The Lies I Tell to be just okay so I wasn’t sure what to expect from The Ghostwriter. The premise was intriguing and felt unique which is what drew me in. However, I wasn’t a fan of the writing style or execution. The first half of the book is an extremely slow build while the second half picks up slightly with more flashbacks that help move the story along. I found Olivia to be a dull and unengaging protagonist with no real character growth. Of all the perspectives, Poppy’s was the most compelling. Vince’s chapters, on the other hand, read more like a teenage girl than a boy which pulled me out of the story. It was frustrating how often information was repeated as if the reader couldn’t connect the dots on their own. Many side characters seemed to appear out of nowhere and felt underdeveloped. The last 15% of the book is where the action finally kicks in and the ending was decent. Overall, I don’t think Julie Clark’s writing style is for me.

Ranking All of Neely Tubati Alexander’s Books

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I’ve read all of Neely Tubati Alexander’s books and each one brings something unique to the table whether it’s slow-burn romance, self-discovery or forced proximity that reignites old feelings. If you’re wondering where to start or curious about my thoughts, here’s my ranking based on personal vibes, favorite tropes, and the emotional ride each story took me on:

Love Buzz (#3 in my ranking)

Pub Date: 5/2/23

Quick Summary: Serena meets a mysterious, charming stranger during a chaotic New Orleans bachelorette trip and becomes determined to find him once she’s back in Seattle. As she searches with only a few clues, she starts to question whether the carefully planned life she built is truly what she wants or if love might be worth the risk.

Thoughts: I had mixed feelings about it. The plot was intriguing and I didn’t mind that the romance took a backseat. I actually appreciated that the story focused more on Serena’s journey which was letting go of a job that no longer fulfilled her and ending a relationship she had clearly outgrown. It was empowering to watch her find a career she felt passionate about and even when she stumbled, she learned and moved forward. The part that didn’t work for me was the romance. I was fine with the insta-love setup between Serena and Julian, but her obsession with finding him after a brief encounter felt a bit unrealistic and hard to buy into. While the story centers on self-discovery and we do eventually learn how great Julian is, I wish they had reconnected earlier so we could actually see their relationship develop. The ending felt too rushed to fully enjoy the spark between them.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Courtroom Drama (#2 in my ranking)

Thank you to the author for the free ARC and to LibroFM & Harper Audio for the free ALC.

Pub Date: 5/20/25

Quick Summary: Sydney Parks thinks jury duty might finally bring some excitement to her life, especially when it involves a reality TV star on trial for murder. But things get messy fast when she realizes her long-lost childhood best friend is also on the jury, and old feelings start bubbling up at the worst possible time.

Thoughts: The plot felt original and intriguing. I loved how Neely balanced two subplots: Margot’s trial and the slow-building connection between Sydney and Damon. The character development was exceptionally well done. I don’t usually love single POV stories, but it worked perfectly here where each character felt deeply flawed yet relatable. The banter between Sydney and Damon was top-notch. The trial scenes were surprisingly engaging and kept me hooked all the way through. I also appreciated that the book included content warnings at the beginning of both the print and audio versions and the sensitive topics were handled with care. My only gripe was the pacing. I adored the slow burn and the pining between Sydney and Damon, but I wish we got to see more of their relationship after the trial wrapped up. Overall, I highly recommend picking this one up!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In a Not So Perfect World (#1 in my ranking)

Pub Date: 3/19/24

Quick Summary: Sloane Cooper, a video game designer focused on landing her dream job, agrees to pose as her neighbor Charlie’s fake girlfriend on a trip to Turks and Caicos. As sparks fly between them, Sloane struggles to stick to her career-first plan and avoid falling for someone who’s supposed to be winning back his ex.

Thoughts: I really enjoyed it! Some readers might not like how discriminatory the company Sloane interviews for is portrayed and while it may feel extreme, there is definitely some truth to it in the gaming world. I had a lot of empathy for Sloane and I could tell she was trying to prove something to herself. Charlie was a fun character although I thought he could have used more time to recover from his breakup before getting involved with Sloane. The banter between Charlie and Sloane was off the charts and the slow burn was perfect for their story. I loved all the activities they did during their vacation and how their connection gradually deepened. I appreciated that Sloane stayed focused on landing her dream job and that we got to see justice served at the end regarding the company. What did not work for me was the ending where everything felt tied up a little too neatly especially in terms of their work situations and how the third-act breakup was resolved.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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!