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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover Publisher: Atria Pub Date: 1/31/2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Just finished Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover because when Olive and June pick a book, you know it’s worth the re-read, right? Back in 2020, I devoured this book in a day, and guess what? It happened again! Like a fine wine, Colleen Hoover’s words have that magnetic pull this time around like it did the first time around even when the story gets heavy.
Beyah was given such a terrible hand at life that I couldn’t help but root for her. Samson’s flaws couldn’t overshadow the empathy he evoked. It’s a Hoover hallmark—crafting characters that stay with you, long after the final page. Despite a whirlwind and rushed ending, my four stars remains as is.
Happily Never After by Lynn Painter Publisher: Berkley Pub Date: 3/12/2024
Thank you to Berkley & PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In Happily Never After by Lynn Painter, Sophie Steinbeck enlists the help of a professional objector, Max, to escape her own doomed wedding, leading them on a series of anti-wedding adventures where they work together to save others from unhappy marriages. As they navigate their unconventional partnership, Sophie and Max confront their own skepticism about love, only to find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other, especially when faced with a job that hits too close to home.
I loved the banter between Sophie and Max; their chemistry was off the charts. The evolution of their relationship from friends to lovers was sweet, yet when they finally came together, it turned spicy. Sophie’s roommates were hilarious, adding even more fun to the story! The only aspect I found less appealing were some of the decisions Sophie and Max made individually, which irked me, but this didn’t deter my overall enjoyment of the book. Overall, this is a fun, lighthearted romance that’s perfect to pick up this spring!
Asha Reads 