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.
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!
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!
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!
Story of My Life by Lucy Score Publisher: Bloom Pub Date: 3/11/2025
Thank you Bloom Books for the free advanced copy.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
When Hazel impulsively buys a house in rural Pennsylvania to break through writer’s block, she discovers inspiration in the town’s rugged charm and her grumpy yet attractive contractor, Cam. But immersing herself in small-town drama might complicate more than just her next novel.
Story of My Life is the first book in the Story Lake series. I had mixed feelings about it. I liked the plot which felt like a mix between Things We Never Got Over and Maggie Moves On. Hazel was sweet and I loved learning about her writing process. However, I wasn’t a fan of Campbell’s character. He was immature, ran hot and cold, threw temper tantrums, and needed to communicate like an adult. The romance between Hazel and Cam felt abrupt and awkward which shifted strangely from grumpy interactions to friends with benefits. On a positive note, the quirky supporting characters and charming small-town setting were highlights. Overall, the story’s pace was too slow and uneven for me. I missed the usual element of mystery that Lucy Score typically includes. Even though this book wasn’t my favorite, I’m still looking forward to reading Zoey and Gage’s story next.
The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez Publisher: Amazon Pub Date: 3/1/2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Fall Risk was my February Amazon First Reads pick.
Charlotte, wary from a past stalker, and Seth, freshly divorced, have no interest in romance this Valentine’s Day. But when they get trapped together, their guarded hearts start to soften, leading to an unexpected and humorous connection.
The Fall Risk was such a cute and sweet romance short story. I was amazed at how Abby managed to pack so much depth into a short format while keeping it light and heartwarming even while tackling serious topics. Charlotte and Seth’s backstories were a bit wild, but they made for an entertaining read. I also loved how she tied in John and Holly from The Worst Wingman Ever which was a fun touch. The found family/friend group was endearing. The banter between Charlotte and Seth was a highlight. The ending felt a little too neatly wrapped up and sappy for my taste. Overall, it was a fun and enjoyable read!
Back After This by Linda Holmes Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub Date: 2/25/2025
Thank you Random House for the free advanced copy.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Podcast producer Cecily Foster is reluctantly thrust into the spotlight, hosting a series about her own dating life under the guidance of a controlling influencer. Torn between sparks with a charming photographer and the pressure to follow her mentor’s rules, Cecily must decide whether to trust her instincts or risk losing her shot at real love.
Back After This is the third book I’ve read by Linda Holmes, and the premise initially sounded intriguing. At first, I enjoyed getting to know Cecily’s character especially her personality at work, but the book’s pacing quickly became slow and drawn out. I wasn’t a fan of Eliza’s character and kept hoping she would improve, but she never did. Most of the characters felt underdeveloped, especially Will, whose backstory and personality were barely explored. The conversations between Will and Cecily felt stilted and their connection seemed based more on repeated encounters than genuine chemistry or spark. Cecily, as a protagonist, came across as a workaholic who relied too much drinking and lacked hobbies or interests outside her job. Her friendship with Julie felt one-sided where Cecily seemed to sacrifice unnecessarily for Julie who didn’t ask for such devotion and placed her friend on an undeserved pedestal. By the time I reached the 60% mark, I found myself bored and tempted to DNF, but since I’d made it so far, I pushed through. Unfortunately, the ending was underwhelming and it felt like the author added unnecessary descriptions and filler dialogue to meet a word count. Overall, this book confirmed that Linda Holmes’ style may not be for me.
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone Publisher: Dial Press Pub Date: 3/4/2025
Thank you Dial Press and PRH Audio for the free advanced copy.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lenny, reeling from the loss of her best friend Lou, takes a babysitting job for single mom Reese and her daughter, Ainsley, only to clash with the brusque yet grief-savvy uncle, Miles. As they navigate their respective struggles, an unlikely partnership helps Lenny rediscover herself and find love amidst the healing process.
Promise Me Sunshine is the first book I’ve read by Cara Bastone. I have mixed feelings about it. The premise was unique and intriguing. The themes of grief and moving on were portrayed well. Lenny and Miles’s relationship seemed promising. I enjoyed watching their friendship develop and evolve into something more, but it didn’t seem strong enough. The second half of the book took an odd turn. The pacing felt uneven, with some scenes dragging unnecessarily, and some of the dialogue came off as cringey. While I appreciate a slow-burn romance, the way Lenny and Miles eventually came together felt disjointed. Lenny’s grief over her best friend was understandable, but at times her behavior seemed overly immature and frustrating. Her character development didn’t align well with the overall story. As for Miles, I found myself wanting more insight into his perspective as his character didn’t seem like fully fleshed out. In fact, many of the characters felt underdeveloped which detracted from the overall experience. Overall, I found it to be a decent read. People who are fans of friends-to-lovers might enjoy this.
Merry Christmas Eve! Here are two Christmas books I enjoyed this month:
Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey Publisher: Avon Pub Date: 10/1/2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey is a Christmas romance about Stella, a woman with a tough past, who gets a chance to design window displays for a department store. As she works with Aiden, the cheerful owner, their growing connection turns into a sweet and steamy love story about second chances.
I found a signed copy of Window Shopping at The Ripped Bodice in Brooklyn last month so it already felt special even before I started reading. Overall, I really enjoyed this short holiday romance! The grumpy vs. sunshine, opposites attract, and forced proximity tropes were all wonderfully done. Aiden is a bit corny and dorky, but he’s such a sweetheart. Stella’s troubled past makes her guarded, but I love how Aiden brings out the best in her. While insta-love doesn’t usually work for me, it fit the story perfectly here. There are a couple of spicy scenes sprinkled throughout, adding just the right amount of heat. If you’re looking for a fun, heartwarming holiday read set in New York City during Christmas, I definitely recommend picking this one up!
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter Publisher: Avon Pub Date: 9/24/2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter, cozy mystery author Maggie Chase and thriller writer Ethan Wyatt must put aside their rivalry to solve the disappearance of a famous author from a locked room during a snowbound Christmas party. As they unravel the mystery, they uncover unexpected truths—and possibly love—while navigating twists, turns, and each other’s sharp edges.
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year was on sale on LibroFM so I decided to purchase the audiobook. This was my first book by Ally Carter and I enjoyed it! The story is written in third person, primarily from Maggie’s perspective, with occasional police recordings and a few chapters told through Ethan’s POV. There’s a great balance between the slow-burn romance and the locked-room mystery, both of which were well-written and fast-paced. The author did an excellent job building the chemistry between Maggie and Ethan evolving their relationship from enemies-to-lovers as they worked together to uncover Eleanor’s disappearance. I highly recommend picking up this holiday read!
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams Publisher: Dell Romance Pub Date: 1/7/2025
Thank you to Dell Romance for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emily Walker’s life is thrown off track when her rival, Jack Bennett, moves back to town as her neighbor and coworker. When Emily accidentally sends her secret romance manuscript to their principal, Jack agrees to help her get it back, sparking an unexpected connection between the two.
Beg, Borrow, or Steal is the third book in the When in Rome series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. While I read When in Rome and wasn’t a fan, I didn’t realize Beg, Borrow, or Steal was part of the series until I was halfway through the book, as I hadn’t read Practice Makes Perfect. That said, I devoured this book in just 24 hours! I absolutely loved Emily and Jack—their personalities and chemistry were spot-on. Sarah Adams did a fantastic job developing their relationship from enemies to friends to lovers in a way that felt sweet, endearing, and natural. The banter between them was off the charts and the texts and emails interspersed between chapters showing moments from 10 years ago to the present added depth and kept the story engaging. It was also wonderful to see both characters grow and learn more about themselves and each other. Emily’s quirks might not appeal to everyone, but given her past, I found them relatable and understandable. I especially appreciated getting inside Jack’s head as his perspective felt unique and introspective. Seeing the previous couples from the series as supporting characters was a delightful touch. Overall, this was a solid 5-star read for me! I’m hoping for Madison and James to get their own book because their chemistry seemed electric!
Asha Reads 