Tag Archives: Romance

Review: Knockemout Series (1 &2) by Lucy Score

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I started reading the Knockemout series by Lucy Score and I’m obsessed! Below are reviews for Things We Never Got Over and Things We Hide From The Light! I can’t wait for the third book, Things We Left Behind, to release in September!

Things We Never Got Over (Knockemout #1)

Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score
Publisher: Bloom Books
Pub Date: 1/12/2022

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

GoodReads Synopsis: Bearded, bad-boy barber Knox prefers to live his life the way he takes his coffee: Alone. Unless you count his basset hound, Waylon. Knox doesn’t tolerate drama, even when it comes in the form of a stranded runaway bride.

Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin to Knockemout, Virginia, a rough-around-the-edges town where disputes are settled the old-fashioned way… with fists and beer. Usually in that order.

Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected. The niece Naomi didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck in town with no car, no job, no plan, and no home with an 11-year-old going on thirty to take care of.

There’s a reason Knox doesn’t do complications or high-maintenance women, especially not the romantic ones. But since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. And just as soon as she stops getting into new trouble he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life.

At least, that’s the plan until the trouble turns to real danger.

Review: After seeing Things We Never Got Over all over bookstagram and booktok, I decided to pick this one up. Things We Never Got Over is a steamy romance exploring themes of strained family relationships, grump vs. sunshine trope, small town life, and friendship. This romance novel features Naomi, a runaway bride who arrives in town to discover a stranded 11-year-old niece, and Knox, a grumpy lottery winner who owns several places in town. Although I found the book to be a bit long, I loved all the characters and subplots. I especially loved the depth and sass of the author wrote for Waylay’s character. Overall, I enjoyed the book and can’t wait for Things We Hide From The Light which will feature Nash (Knox’s brother)!

Things We Hide From The Light (Knockemout #2)

Things We Hide From The Light by Lucy Score
Publisher: That’s What She Said Publishing
Pub Date: 2/21/2023

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

GoodReads Synopsis: Nash Morgan was always known as the good Morgan brother, with a smile and a wink for everyone. But now, this chief of police is recovering from being shot and his Southern charm has been overshadowed by panic attacks and nightmares. He feels like a broody shell of the man he once was. Nash isn’t about to let anyone in his life know he’s struggling. But his new next-door neighbor, smart and sexy Lina, sees his shadows. As a rule, she’s not a fan of physical contact unless she initiates it, but for some reason Nash’s touch is different. He feels it too. The physical connection between them is incendiary, grounding him and making her wonder if exploring it is worth the risk.

Too bad Lina’s got secrets of her own, and if Nash finds out the real reason she’s in town, he’ll never forgive her. Besides, she doesn’t do relationships. Ever. A hot, short-term fling with a local cop? Absolutely. Sign her up. A relationship with a man who expects her to plant roots? No freaking way. Once she gets what she’s after, she has no intention of sticking around. But Knockemout has a way of getting under people’s skin. And once Nash decides to make Lina his, he’s not about to be dissuaded…even if it means facing the danger that nearly killed him.

Review: Things We Hide From The Light by Lucy Score is the second book in the Knockemout series which features Nash (Knox’s younger brother and Knockemout’s chief of police) and Lina (Knox’s best friend/college ex). This book is a true sequel to Things We Never Got Over. Nash Morgan, a police chief recovering from a gunshot wound, is struggling with panic attacks and nightmares. When his new neighbor, Lina, sees his struggles, they form a strong physical connection, but Lina has secrets that could end their relationship, and she’s not looking for anything long-term. However, Nash is determined to make Lina his, even if it means confronting danger. Things We Hide From The Light was one of my most anticipated February reads and it did not disappoint! I loved this book even more than Things We Never Got Over. I love the way that Lucy Score features main characters in their late 30s/early 40s instead of the typical mid to late 20s main characters. The character development for Nash was incredibly well done. Watching the kind-hearted heartthrob chief of police attempt to overcome recent events with the mysterious “bad girl” Lina was such a perfect match! I absolutely loved how badass Lina was and that she had this no BS attitude but underneath it all, she was such a sweet and caring individual. I loved that Nash’s recently found dog, Piper, was a fantastic addition to the book! Lucy Score’s incorporation of dogs into her stories is a lovely touch as they showcase a nurturing side of the main characters. I also appreciated the appearances of our favorites from the first book, including Knox, Naomi, Waylay, Sloane, and Lucian. I devoured this book and now I can’t wait for the final book, Things We Left Behind, which features Lucian and Sloane!

Review: The Love Wager by Lynn Painter

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The Love Wager by Lynn Painter
Publisher: Berkley Romance
Pub Date: 3/14/2023

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

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

GoodReads Synopsis: Hallie Piper is turning over a new leaf. After belly-crawling out of a hotel room (hello, rock bottom), she decides it’s time to become a full-on adult.

She gets a new apartment, a new haircut, and a new wardrobe, but when she logs into the dating app that she has determined will find her new love, she sees none other than Jack, the guy whose room she’d snuck out of.

Through the app, and after the joint agreement that they are absolutely not interested in each other, Jack and Hallie become partners in their respective searches for The One. They text each other about their dates, often scheduling them at the same restaurant so that if things don’t go well, the two of them can get tacos afterward.

Spoiler: they get a lot of tacos together.

Discouraged by the lack of prospects, Jack and Hallie make a wager to see who can find true love first, but when they agree to be fake dates for a weekend wedding, all bets are off.

As they pretend to be a couple, lines become blurred and they each struggle to remember why the other was a bad idea to begin with.

Review: The Love Wager is the second book in the Mr. Wrong Number series which can be read as a standalone. This book features Jack (Olivia’s older brother) and his love interest, Hallie (the wedding bartender). Hallie Piper tries to become an adult after leaving a hotel room, and while looking for love on a dating app, she finds Jack, the guy whose room she left. They agree not to pursue each other romantically but become partners in their quest to find true love, often meeting for tacos after their dates. However, things get complicated when they make a bet to find true love first and pretend to be a couple at a wedding. The Love Wager features friends-to-lovers and fake dating tropes. I love the way that Lynn Painter successfully develops the growing friendship between Jack and Hallie with delightful texting banter and sizzling chemistry. The narrators chosen for the audiobook were perfect and kept me engaged in the story. This book is an entertaining, lighthearted, and enjoyable read. I can’t wait to read more from Lynn Painter!

Review: The Neighbor Favor

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The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest
Publisher: Berkley Romance
Pub Date: 2/28/2023

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free book and PRH Audio for the free audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

GoodReads Synopsis: Shy, bookish, and admittedly awkward, Lily Greene has always felt inadequate compared to the rest of her accomplished family, who strive for Black excellence. She dreams of becoming an editor of children’s books but has been frustratingly stuck in the nonfiction division for years without a promotion in sight. Lily finds escapism in her correspondences with her favorite fantasy author, and what begins as two lonely people connecting over e-mail turns into a tentative friendship and possibly something else Lily won’t let herself entertain–until he ghosts her.

Months later, still crushed but determined to take charge of her life, Lily seeks a date to her sister’s wedding. And the perfect person to help her is Nick Brown, her charming, attractive new neighbor, whom she feels drawn to for unexplainable reasons. Little does she know that Nick is an author–her favorite fantasy author.

Nick, who has his reasons for using a pen name and for pushing people away, soon realizes that the beautiful, quiet woman from down the hall is the same Lily he fell in love with over e-mail months ago. Unwilling to complicate things even more between them, he agrees to set her up with someone else, though this simple favor between two neighbors is anything but–not when he can’t get her off his mind.

Review: The Neighbor Favor is Kristina Forest’s adult romance debut. Lily Greene feels inadequate compared to her accomplished family and dreams of becoming an editor of children’s books, but she finds solace in corresponding with her favorite fantasy author until he ghosts her. Months later, she has a bet with her sisters to find a date to her sister’s wedding and turns to her hot charming new neighbor, Nick, who is actually the same fantasy author she fell in love with over email. Their simple favor of setting her up with someone else becomes complicated when they can’t stop thinking about each other. This contemporary romance novel is set in New York and explores themes of family dynamics, career aspirations, and self-discovery. The author has done an excellent job of creating complex characters, each with their own subplot, and building the chemistry between the main characters, Lily and Nick. The audiobook narrators also did a phenomenal job of bringing the story to life and capturing the emotions of the characters. I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of Lily and her sisters’ tight-knit relationship as well as Nick’s contrasting family dynamic and how it affected him. Overall, I found this to be a well-written debut novel from Kristina Forest. I can’t wait for the next book in the series featuring Violet!

Review: Ruby Spencer’s Whiskey Year

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Ruby Spencer’s Whiskey Year by Rochelle Bilow
Publisher: Berkley Romance
Pub Date: 2/14/2023

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

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

GoodReads Synopsis: Ruby Spencer is spending one year living in a small cottage in a tiny town in the Scottish Highlands for three reasons: to write a bestselling cookbook, to drink a barrelful of whisky, and to figure out what comes next. It’s hard to know what to expect after an impulse decision based on a map of Scotland in her Manhattan apartment–but she knows it’s high time she had an adventure.

The moment she sets foot in Thistlecross, the verdant scenery, cozy cottages, and struggling local pub steal her heart. Between designing pop-up suppers and conversing with the colorful locals, Ruby starts to see a future that stretches beyond her year of adventure. It doesn’t hurt that Brochan, the ruggedly handsome local handyman, keeps coming around to repair things at her cottage. Though Ruby swore off men, she can’t help fantasizing what a roll in the barley might be like with the bearded Scot.

As Ruby grows closer to Brochan and the tightly held traditions of the charming village, she discovers secret plans to turn her beloved pub into an American chain restaurant. Faced with an impossible choice, Ruby must decide between love, loyalty, and the Highlands way of life.

Review: Ruby Spencer’s Whiskey Year is a contemporary romance lover that explores self-discovery, friendship, small town life, and loyalty. Ruby Spencer moves to a small cottage in Scottish Highlands town for a year to write a cookbook, drink whisky, and discover what’s next in life. As she falls in love with the scenery, locals, and a handsome handyman named Brochan, she discovers a plan to replace the local pub with an American chain, forcing her to choose between her love for the Highlands and her relationships. The plot and original premise of the novel were captivating, but I found the writing style to be quite dull in comparison. I really liked how intriguing small small village community, but I wasn’t a fan of the main characters who seemed uninteresting and lacked depth. Ruby came across as immature and airheaded. This romance is definitely a slow burn. I found the pace of the book to be inconsistent which I didn’t like. Overall, this book didn’t work for me and I wouldn’t read the rest of the series.

Review: Georgie, All Along

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Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn
Publisher: Kesington
Pub Date: 1/24/2023

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

GoodReads Synopsis: Longtime personal assistant Georgie Mulcahy has made a career out of putting others before herself. When an unexpected upheaval sends her away from her hectic job in L.A. and back to her hometown, Georgie must confront an uncomfortable truth: her own wants and needs have always been a disconcertingly blank page.

But then Georgie comes across a forgotten artifact—a “friendfic” diary she wrote as a teenager, filled with possibilities she once imagined. To an overwhelmed Georgie, the diary’s simple, small-scale ideas are a lifeline—a guidebook for getting started on a new path.

Georgie’s plans hit a snag when she comes face to face with an unexpected roommate—Levi Fanning, onetime town troublemaker and current town hermit. But this quiet, grouchy man is more than just his reputation, and he offers to help Georgie with her quest. As the two make their way through her wishlist, Georgie begins to realize that what she truly wants might not be in the pages of her diary after all, but right by her side—if only they can both find a way to let go of the pasts that hold them back.

Review: Georgie, All Along is the first book I’ve read from Kate Clayborn and was my main February BOTM pick! This contemporary romance novel explores family dynamics, small town life, self-discovery, and healing. Georgie Mulcahy, a personal assistant, returns to her hometown and finds a “friendfic” diary she wrote as a teenager filled with possibilities she once imagined. With the help of Levi Fanning, a former town troublemaker, she starts to realize that what she truly wants might not be in the diary but by her side, if only they can both let go of their pasts.i loved all the characters in this book and the author did an excellent job of creating each of them deeply complex. The author’s portrayal of Georgie’s inner turmoil and sense of being stuck at a turning point in life was especially well done. The exploration of Levi’s struggles with his past and efforts to reconcile with his family really had me rooting for him. I was invested in the building relationship between Georgie and Levi, as they both go through self growth throughout the novel. Overall, I adored Georgie, All Along and highly recommend!

Review: Exes & O’s

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Exes & O’s by Amy Lea
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: 1/10/2023

Thank you to Berkley for the free advanced copy on NetGalley and PRH Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

GoodReads Synopsis: Romance-novel connoisseur Tara Chen has had her heart broken ten times by ten different men–all of whom dumped her because of her “stage-five clinger” tendencies. Nevertheless, Tara is determined to find The One. The only problem? Classic meet-cutes are dead thanks to modern dating apps. So Tara decides to revisit her exes in hopes of securing her very own trope-worthy second-chance romance.

Boston firefighter Trevor Metcalfe will be the first to rush into a burning building but the last to rush into a relationship. Love just isn’t his thing. When his new roommate Tara enlists him to help her reconnect with her exes, he reluctantly agrees. But Tara’s journey is leading him to discover his own new chapter.

The more time they spend together, the more Tara realizes Trevor seems to be the only one who appreciates her authentic, dramatic self. To claim their happily-ever-after, can Tara and Trevor read between the lines of their growing connection?

Review: Exes and O’s is the second book in The Influencers series and can be read as a standalone which features Tara (Crystal’s older sister) and Trevor (Scott’s best friend/former roommate). This contemporary romance novel contains forced proximity room-ance. I enjoyed this one! I loved the storyline and loved how funny, tender hearted, and swoon worthy this was. It was wonderful to see Tara’s growth throughout the book. I also loved the depth of Trevor and why he acts the way he does. Tara and Trevor’s chemistry is a sweet slow burn and love how the author builds up their chemistry. Highly recommend picking this one up! Now I can’t wait for Mel’s story!

Review: Kiss Her Once For Me

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Kiss Her Once For Me by Alison Cochrun
Publisher: Atria Books
Pub Date: 11/1/2022

Thank you to Atria Books for the free book in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

GoodReads Synopsis: 

One year ago, recent Portland transplant Ellie Oliver had her dream job in animation and a Christmas Eve meet-cute with a woman at a bookstore that led her to fall in love over the course of a single night. But after a betrayal the next morning and the loss of her job soon after, she finds herself adrift, alone, and desperate for money.

Finding work at a local coffee shop, she’s just getting through the days—until Andrew, the shop’s landlord, proposes a shocking, drunken plan: a marriage of convenience that will give him his recent inheritance and alleviate Ellie’s financial woes and isolation. They make a plan to spend the holidays together at his family cabin to keep up the ruse. But when Andrew introduces his new fiancée to his sister, Ellie is shocked to discover it’s Jack—the mysterious woman she fell for over the course of one magical Christmas Eve the year before. Now, Ellie must choose between the safety of a fake relationship and the risk of something real.

Perfect for fans of Written in the Stars and One Day in December, Kiss Her Once for Me is the queer holiday rom-com that you’ll want to cozy up with next to the fire.

Review: Kiss Her Once For Me is a queer Christmas romance that takes place in Portland, OR. This romance novel contains fake dating, forced proximity, and forbidden romance. I really loved The Charm Offensive so I had high exceptions for this one! I loved the music and pop references in the book. I think there should have been a playlist at the end of the book or something! The biggest part that didn’t work for me was the storyline The plot seemed interesting, but the storyline was an utter mess. There were too many subplots going on and the flashback section was so drawn out. I couldn’t get onboard with Ellie and Jack’s insta-love connection and the miscommunication of it all. There were so many times where one of the characters could have come clean and they didn’t. This wasn’t for me. I’d recommend skipping this one.

Review: Two Wrongs Make a Right

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Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese
Publisher: Berkley Romance
Pub Date: 11/22/2022

Thank you Berkley Romance for the free finished copy and PRH Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

GoodReads Synopsis: Opposites become allies to fool their matchmaking friends in this swoony reimagining of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, Much Ado About Nothing.

Jamie Westenberg and Bea Wilmot have nothing in common except a meet-disaster and the mutual understanding that they couldn’t be more wrong for each other. But when the people closest to them play Cupid and trick them into going on a date, Jamie and Bea realize they have something else in common after all—an undeniable need for revenge.

Soon their plan is in place: Fake date obnoxiously and convince the meddlers they’re madly in love. Then, break up spectacularly and dash their hopes, putting an end to the matchmaking madness once and for all.

To convince everyone that they’ve fallen for each other, Jamie and Bea will have to nail the performance of their lives. But as their final act nears and playing lovers becomes easier than not, they begin to wonder, what if Cupid’s arrow wasn’t so off the mark? And what if two wrongs do make a right?

Review: Two Wrongs Make a Right is the first book I’ve read from Chloe Liese. This romcom contains a fake dating trope and dives into family, friendship, healing, and taking chances. Overall, I enjoyed this one! I really loved the relationship between James and Beatrice. I really liked the way that the author built the relationship between the two main characters. Two Wrongs Make a Right is the first book I’ve read from Chloe Liese. This romcom contains a fake dating trope and dives into family, friendship, healing, and taking chances. Overall, I enjoyed this one! I aapreciated the touching note from the author giving the reader a heads up about content warnings and to read with care. I really loved the relationship between James and Beatrice. I really liked the way that the author built the relationship between the two main characters. I also really loved the dual POVS. The audiobook narrators also did a fantastic job! Now I can’t wait for Kate’s story!

Review: Before I Let Go

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Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
Publisher: Forever
Pub Date: 11/15/2022

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

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

GoodReads Synopsis: Their love was supposed to last forever. But when life delivered blow after devastating blow, Yasmen and Josiah Wade found that love alone couldn’t solve or save everything.

It couldn’t save their marriage.

Yasmen wasn’t prepared for how her life fell apart, but she’s is finally starting to find joy again. She and Josiah have found a new rhythm, co-parenting their two kids and running a thriving business together. Yet like magnets, they’re always drawn back to each other, and now they’re beginning to wonder if they’re truly ready to let go of everything they once had.

Soon, one stolen kiss leads to another…and then more. It’s hot. It’s illicit. It’s all good—until old wounds reopen. Is it too late for them to find forever? Or could they even be better, the second time around?

Review: Before I Let Go is the first book in the Skyland series. book features Yasmine and Josiah This contemporary romance novel explores divorce, co-parenting, small business life, mental health representation, struggle, and hope. The author addresses some heavy subjects in here: grief, death of a loved one, child death, mental illness to name a few. Overall, I loved this one and it deserves all the stars. This is the first Kennedy Ryan book I read and definitely won’t be my last. I’m typically not a fan of second chance romance trope, but this was so well written. The storyline tugged at my heart strings and I truly felt empathetic towards each main character. One of the other aspects I loved about the novel was Yasmine and her best friends. It was refreshing for the main character to have best friends that she met in the last couple of years after her divorce than with friends she’s known for years. Hendrix and Soledad were so supportive of Yasmine and I’m really hoping each of them have their own books! Highly recommend picking this one up if you’re a romance reader!

Review: Partners in Crime

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Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai
Publisher: Avon
Pub Date: 10/18/2022

Thank you to Avon for the free ebook and audiobook copy on NetGalley and from LibroFM in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

GoodReads Synopsis: At thirty-five, with a stable job as an accountant, Mira Chaudhary wants nothing more than to find a boring man to spend the rest of her life with. Having had enough excitement in her younger days and desperately trying to escape her dysfunctional past, she turns to a matching app specializing in Indian American singles to help her find someone to settle down with.

Enter Naveen Desai. An English professor with an uneventful, normal, and—dare she say it, boring—life, Naveen is perfect.

But just when things are going well, Mira receives news that her aunt has died. Suddenly a trip to Las Vegas to settle her aunt’s affairs turns into a mad dash to escape kidnappers, evade art thieves, and consorting with hackers who can decipher just what it was Mira’s aunt was involved with. Mira just hopes that Naveen isn’t chased away by the very same life of “excitement” that she’s been trying to get away from. But maybe, over the course of one wild night, Mira and Naveen will find the love connection that neither expected.

Review: Partners in Crime is a romantic suspense novel that has a second chance romance and takes place in Las Vegas. This romance novel explores a jewelry heist, family drama. strained relationships, and troubled pasts. This was a fun  and suspenseful story! I loved that it was action-packed and the story kept my interest throughout. I didn’t see the twists coming which was a pleasant surprise. The only part I didn’t like was how a couple of things at the end were resolved so quickly when there was resentment or tension about it for years – I found that part to be odd. As for the audio, I thought the male narrator chosen was perfect. The female narrator was okay, but I found her voice to be a bit too whiny at times. This was a 3.5 for me, but I rounded up to 4 stars on GoodReads. I’d recommend picking Partners in Crime if you’re looking for a combo of mystery, suspense, and romance!