Bride by Ali Hazelwood Publisher: Berkley Romance Pub Date: 2/6/2024
Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In Bride by Ali Hazelwood, Misery Lark, a vampyre, is thrust into a political marriage with Lowe Moreland, the Alpha of the Weres, to maintain a peacekeeping alliance. Misery navigates this uneasy alliance with her own hidden agenda, determined to reclaim something precious to her, even if it means living in the hostile territory of her mortal enemies.
Ali Hazelwood’s Bride marks an exciting shift to a new genre: paranormal romance. Moving away from her usual style, I was pleasantly surprised that she tried something a bit different. There was an element of mystery in the beginning that intrigued me. I found the subplots to be more interesting than Misery and Lowe’s romantic involvement. The steamy scenes were definitely a plus, but I just couldn’t see Misery and Lowe as a long-term couple. The pacing was a bit off in this book where some scenes dragged out and other scenes were action-packed and kept me engaged. I really liked the way that all the characters were fleshed out. It also made complete sense that this was told through Misery’s POV. The world building was a bit tedious at times and wasn’t necessary since this was more of paranormal romance. I also felt that the third act breakup didn’t make much sense and it wasn’t explained how it was really resolved. It honestly made like Lowe less. Overall, I thought this was a great first attempt into paranormal romance for Ali and can’t wait to see her explore this genre more!
As the holiday season sparkles around us, I’m excited to share my thoughts on three Christmas books I recently read:
A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone Publisher: Avon Pub Date: 10/10/2023
Thank you to Avon for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Holly Jolly Ever After is the second book in A Christmas Notch series and can be read as a standalone, but it’s enjoyed more if you read the first book. This sexy Christmas romance follows Kallum Lieberman, a former boy band member turned pizza chain owner, who seeks to reclaim fame by starring in a Sexy Santa biopic after an explicit tape leak. Meanwhile, Winnie Baker, a former child star with a crumbling perfect life, aims to reinvent herself as his costar, leading to a rediscovery of passion. As the two navigate their roles, they possibly discover more between them.
Overall, this was a cute read, but it wasn’t my favorite. I absolutely loved Part 1 of the book and loved that it had the similar style of A Merry Little Meet Cute, but Part 2 introduced a trope I absolutely hate, which wasn’t mentioned in the summary, yet it surprisingly fit the narrative here. However, I felt that the storyline took an odd turn. I had mixed feelings about Kallum and Winnie as the main leads. First, I loved how distinct their voices were and it was great that Julie and Sierra switched writing characters (Sierra wrote Winnie and Julie wrote Kallum from what I remember saying during a book event last year). Kallum and Winnie frustrated me as they didn’t give each other enough grace. Kallum was a bit too laid back which fit his personality and Winnie was a bit too uptight which fit too, but I didn’t really see them as being fit for each other. This ended up being a 3.5 star read for me but I rounded up to 4 on GoodReads out of appreciation for the authors’ styles and the narrators’ excellent audio rendition that truly brought the story to life.
Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey Publisher: Avon Pub Date: 10/3/2023
Thank you to Avon Books for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
In Wreck the Halls, Melody Gallard and Beat Dawkins reunite their mothers’ rock band amidst chaos and rekindle a romance. Their journey faces a scandal that risks the band’s reunion and their newfound love. However, I struggled to feel the spark between Melody and Beat. While Melody was endearing, I found Beat to be off putting and desperate.
Tessa Bailey’s books are a mixed bag for me so I wasn’t sure what to expect for Wreck the Halls. The cute plot, unique characters, enjoyable banter, and the mystery surrounding the band’s breakup kept me engaged with the story. Their teenage crushes were sweet, but their insta love as adults didn’t seem believable due to the lack of communication. I was expecting the book to have more of a holiday vibe, but it felt like the only festive element was its December setting and a Christmas Eve deadline. Overall, this was a 3-star read for me.
Love Holly by Emily Stone Publisher: Random House Pub Date: 9/26/2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
”Some people you know for a lifetime, but they never really make an imprint on your soul – and some people you only have to know for an instant to know they will be part of you forever.” – Love Holly by Emily Stone.
In Love Holly by Emily Stone, Holly’s journey with the Dear Stranger letter-writing club leads her to a deep connection with Emma and a spark-filled romance with Jack, teaching her lessons in love, healing, and forgiveness.
I’ve been a fan of Emily Stone and her holiday novels are a must-read. I bought Love, Holly a couple of months ago and decided to finally pick it up. Love, Holly delves into strained relationships, beauty of unexpected friendships, healing, and forgiveness. I loved the building of Holly and Emma’s friendship along with unraveling how other characters that are involved in the process. The romance is a bit secondary at first and l a slow burn which works well for the storyline. Highly recommend picking this up if you love Emily Stone’s work, but keep in mind it tackles some intense themes, so check StoryGraph for content warnings!
Happy pub day to The Fake Mate & Technically Yours! Check out my latest reviews for these Berkley Romance novels below:
The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson Publisher: Berkley Romance Pub Date: 12/5/2023
Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free copy on NetGalley and PRH Audio for the free audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mackenzie Carter navigates pressure from her nosy grandmother to find a perfect mate which leads her impulsively claim she’s dating Taylor, a cardiologist hiding his true nature. Could their fake dating arrangement possibly lead to more?
I liked Lana’s debut, The Nanny, so I was excited to see that her sophomore book, The Fake Mate, especially since it went into a different direction. This paranormal romance explores fake dating, grumpy-sunshine, wolf shifters, and set against a hospital backdrop. I was engaged in the two distinct perspectives in this novel. The banter and chemistry between Mackenzie and Noah was a great balance of sweet and spicy. There were a few of cheesy moments which weren’t for me and I wasn’t a fan of the glands concept. I found that Noah’s reason for fake dating was justifiable, but Mackenzie’s reasoning came off as silly. Overall, this was a 3.5 star read for me, but I rounded to 4 stars on GoodReads.
Technically Yours by Denise Williams Publisher: Berkley Romance Pub Date: 12/5/2023
Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free copy on NetGalley and PRH Audio for the free audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pearl Harris navigates her new role as acting director of OurCode amidst a scandal, while grappling with her unresolved feelings for Cord Matthews, a board member and her former flame, whose return threatens both their careers and the future of the nonprofit. Their undeniable chemistry challenges their personal rules against workplace romance, making it difficult to separate their professional duties from the pull of a second chance at love.
Technically Yours has been one of my most anticipated reads! I have been excited to see Pearl and Cord getting together ever since I read The Fastest Way To Fall. This can be read as a stand alone, but Britta and Wes show up as supporting characters which is a pleasant surprise. I had mixed feelings about this book. First, I loved that we got to see Pearl and Cord years later. The dual perspective, combined with flashbacks of their meeting and infatuation, added depth to the story. In the present day, Pearl’s wishy-washy feelings towards Cord irked me, as he gave her no reason for doubt, though I understood this stemmed from her past toxic relationships. Cord was lovable, but he seemed too perfect which kind of irked me. The mentor/mentee relationship between Cord and Ty was sweet. I valued how Denise integrated discussions on the significance of pronouns and addressed issues of racism and sexism in the workplace in her writing. Though this wasn’t for me, Denise is always an auto-read author for me and I can’t wait to read her next book!
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan Publisher: Forever Pub Date: 3/5/2024
Thank you to Forever for the free copy on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Soledad Barnes, a meticulous planner and domestic goddess, faces her life unraveling when disaster strikes, destroying the perfect existence she had with her husband, Edward. Amidst the struggle to sustain her family and herself, Soledad rediscovers her identity and confronts the possibility of new love, questioning whether she can trust again after such significant betrayal.
This Could Be Us is the second book in the Skyland series and is interconnected to Before I Let Go. I highly recommend reading Before I Let Go first so the reader can connect with the supporting characters even more and also see the difference in Soledad from Before I Let Go to This Could Be Us.
I absolutely loved Before I Let Go so I was excited for Soledad’s story in This Could Be Us. This beautiful story is woven with themes of self love, healing, motherhood, and forbidden love. Wow what an incredible story! Soledad was portrayed as such a fascinating female main character, transitioning from a lonely stay-at-home mom with the ‘perfect’ life to embarking on a journey of self-discovery. Judah, a complex male main character, offers a compelling look into parenting children on different parts of the autism spectrum, shedding light on challenges I hadn’t fully grasped before. The refreshing portrayal of Judah’s co-parenting contrasts starkly with Soledad’s situation, adding depth to the narrative. To avoid spoilers, I’ll just say that the book explores really heavy subject matter so take a look at StoryGraph for the content warnings and take care while reading. The story focuses mainly focuses on Soledad’s journey of self love and healing while the romance is an extremely slow burn enhancing the story rather than dominating it. The author skillfully integrates the subplot of Yasmen and Hendrix’s friendship, underscoring the significance of adult friendships. I appreciated that everyone was very mature in the book and focused on situations that were very realistic. Now I can’t wait for our girl, Hendrix, to get her story!
Wildfire by Hannah Grace Publisher: Atria Books Pub Date: 10/10/2023
Thank you to Atria Books & Book Club Favorites (Simon & Schuster) for the free finished copy and Libro.FM for the free advanced audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wildfire is the second book in the Maple Hills series. Russ and Aurora have a one-night stand at a party, only to reunite as counselors at a summer camp. They are each seeking an escape from their complicated lives. As they navigate camp rules and their own desires, they must grapple with the question of whether their one-night encounter has sparked something more between them.
I wasn’t a fan of Icebreaker, but I decided to give Wildfire a chance due to the interesting premise and I’m glad I did! I adored this book. Russ and Aurora’s perspectives were captivating and I appreciated that the story was so much more than their love story but it also dove into their respective complex family dynamics. Watching their relationship evolve from a passionate one-night stand to a deeper connection was a highlight. It was also great to see familiar characters like JJ and Henry return while being introduced to new ones. Highly recommend picking this up! I can’t wait for the third book!
Better Hate Than Never by Chloe Liese Publisher: Berkley Romance Pub Date: 10/10/2023
Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free copy on NetGalley and PRH Audio for the free audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Childhood enemies, Katerina and Christopher, rediscover their fiery connection when Kate returns home as an adult. Despite their initial animosity, they must navigate their complex feelings and decide if it’s worth risking their hearts for a chance at love.
Better Hate Than Never is the second book in The Wilmot Sisters series. While I loved Bea and Jamie in Two Wrongs Make a Right, Kate and Christopher’s love story fell short for me. Both main characters came across as immature, their reasons for hating each other remained unclear, and their chemistry felt choppy. The mix of past and present emotions didn’t make sense. The book’s pacing was off with some chapters feeling like fillers. All in all, this isn’t one I could recommend and I’m not sure how I will feel about Jules’s story.
Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova Publisher: Hyperion Avenue Pub Date: 8/1/2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova is the third book in the Meant to Be series and can be read as a standalone. The Meant to Be series is adult fiction reimagining of classic Disney stories. Kiss the Girl is a modern retelling of The Little Mermaid and dives into identity, familial expectations, pursuit of dreams, and yearning for independence.
Ariel del Mar, a famous singer in the band Siren Seven, yearns for a normal life as their farewell tour concludes. When she meets Eric Reyes, the lead singer of another band, she embarks on a summer adventure, questioning her father’s plans for her solo career and seeking her own path.
I read and enjoyed If the Shoe Fits (Cinderella retelling) and By the Book (Beauty and the Beast retelling) so I was excited to dive into Kiss the Girl! This unique retelling of “The Little Mermaid” set in the modern music industry was a delightful surprise. I admired how the author captured Ariel’s princess-like qualities while giving her a fresh purpose in the world of music behind the scenes. Ariel’s journey to find her true voice by not singing anymore and venturing her voice through songwriting was a powerful and endearing twist. Witnessing her character evolve through throughout the story was a highlight for me. The relationship between Ariel and her six sisters with their unwavering support and love added depth into the narrative. The author’s transformation of Ursula into Vanessa (Eric’s friend) and Odelia (Vanessa’s mom and the band’s manager) was a captivating choice, especially delving into Odelia’s past. I appreciated the use of radio interviews, blogs, and headlines sprinkled between chapters which made it even more exciting and progressed the story. Scuttle’s character transformation was an interesting element in the story. While I found Eric’s character to be off-putting, his hopeless romantic side and optimism felt true to the story. The decision to make all the other band members/Eric’s friends all female was an interesting twist. However, the main part that didn’t work for me was the pacing of the story. Some issues felt repetitive and certain chapters felt like filler pieces. Though I understood the need for the slow burn between Ariel and Eric’s relationship, it felt way too slow and the final 20% of the book was way too rushed and wished it was more fleshed out. Kiss the Girl was a cute read and would recommend this if you’re a fan of Little Mermaid retelling or the Meant to Be series. I can’t wait for Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren (Tangled retelling) which will release next year!
Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score Publisher: Bloom Books Pub Date: 9/5/2023
Thank you to Bloom for the free ebook copy on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lucian Rollins, a driven mogul seeking vengeance, crosses paths with the determined small-town librarian, Sloane Walton. Despite their initial dislike for each other, a passionate one-night stand ignites a complicated relationship, but Lucian’s fear of endangering Sloane keeps them at an impasse.
Things We Left Behind, the third book in the Knockemout series and it’s a continuation in the series so I recommend reading the other two before you get to this. Lucy’s writing always draws me in and I was thrilled to revisit familiar characters like Naomi, Knox, Lina, Nash, and Stef. My favorite aspect of this book was the flashbacks that provided insights into Lucian and Sloane’s teenage years and how they’ve evolved over the years. One of the highlights was finally getting answers to the mystery surrounding Hugo. Though I loved Sloane in the first two books, I was disappointed in her character in this book. Her character seemed to undergo a drastic transformation and she came across as a somewhat desperate heroine in an unfavorable light. Lina remains my favorite FMC. As for Lucian, he was as grumpy and possessive as I assumed he would be, but I didn’t like his complete switch in character towards the end of this book. There was an additional legal case introduced in the story that I didn’t find as engaging. While the book was fun to read, I couldn’t help but feel that it could have been shorter by about 200 pages. Overall, I had mixed feelings about this one and it was 3 stars for me. Nevertheless, the Knockemout series as a whole is great and I loved the characters.
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck Publisher: Random House Pub Date: 9/12/2023
Thank you to Random House for the free ebook copy on NetGalley and PRH Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In You, Again by Kate Goldbeck, Ari and Josh start off as bitter enemies, both with vastly different dating philosophies. However, as they navigate heartbreak and forge an unexpected friendship, their once-hostile relationship evolves into something more, blurring the lines between friendship and romance in this witty debut romantic comedy.
When I heard that You, Again can be described as a modernized version of When Harry Met Sally, I was immediately drawn to it! This book deserves all the stars! I ended up listening to the audiobook which had me easily envision the story being adapted into a movie. What truly stood out to me was the beautifully messy and complex characters of Ari and Josh. Watching them evolve and mature over the course of the story and through the time lapses was a delight. The supporting characters, particularly Radhya, Briar, and Gabe, added depth and charm to the narrative. I loved that Kate was skillfully able to progress Ari and Josh’s relationship from enemies to acquaintances to friends to lovers in an exceptional way which kept me throughly engaged. I appreciated that the book didn’t just focus on love but also delved into the struggles of career growth, nurturing friendships, and family responsibilities. There were moments when I wanted to shake some sense into Ari or Josh, yet other times I found myself sympathizing with their dilemmas. For anyone who has a soft spot for When Harry Met Sally, I highly recommend giving You, Again a read. I can’t wait to see what Kate writes next! I’m hoping for Radhya to have her own love story explored in a future book!
The Name Drop by Susan Lee Publisher: Inkyark Press Pub Date: 9/12/2023
Thank you to the author for the free advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Name Drop by Susan Lee is a story about Elijah and Jessica, interns at Haneul Corporation who share the same Korean name. They switch identities to escape their circumstances, and as they navigate their charade, a romantic spark ignites while they strive to protect their secrets and futures.
I was really excited about reading The Name Drop after loving Susan’s debut, Seoulmates! Young Adult books aren’t usually my go-to, but I was intrigued by the premise. The dynamic between Jessica and Elijah, complete opposites, captured my interest. The book tackled important themes like social disparities, privilege, familial expectations, and authenticity. The author skillfully made New York City feel like a character in itself. I enjoyed the alternating chapters. If you’re looking for a charming and fast read, I’d recommend picking this up!
Asha Reads 