📖Romance Books: reviews and recommendations📖 - Page 20

Originally posted by: LizzieBennet

Title: The Takeover (The Miles High Club #2)

Author: T.L. Swan

Year published: 2020

Narrative style: First person, dual PoV, linear

Maturity rating: Strictly Adult (Spice level: 4.0)

Personal Rating: 3.5

Tropes: Single mom, Younger MMC, Enemies-to-lovers (I guess, but they don't stay enemies for very long), opposites attract (sorta?)

Triggers: Death/ Grief

Omg, I loved this book and Tristan! He was amazing. I did read the first, loved it as well (can't remember the story, but gave it 4 stars or something) but loved Tristan more than Jameson.

Claire was annoying, I will agree to that. For someone being nearly 40, she seemed childish. I know there's some adults like that but I wish we had mature scenes. I would've appreciated reading a mature relationship between them both. I loved the scene when Tristan came to her house for the first time and the chaos that ensued

I definitely agree on wondering what did Tristan see in her that he couldn't find in another woman? There wasn't anything that Claire does to show she loves him as he loved her

Originally posted by: Queen0fDarkness

Omg, I loved this book and Tristan! He was amazing. I did read the first, loved it as well (can't remember the story, but gave it 4 stars or something) but loved Tristan more than Jameson.

Claire was annoying, I will agree to that. For someone being nearly 40, she seemed childish. I know there's some adults like that but I wish we had mature scenes. I would've appreciated reading a mature relationship between them both. I loved the scene when Tristan came to her house for the first time and the chaos that ensued

I definitely agree on wondering what did Tristan see in her that he couldn't find in another woman? There wasn't anything that Claire does to show she loves him as he loved her

I loved Tris. This was one of those rare books where i loved a character more than the book itself. Does he feature in the other books?

Originally posted by: LizzieBennet

Right? I did laugh like a hyena at some of the scenes- Tris' first meeting with the kids and the whole Tick-tock thing with Harry . But overall i wish he'd gotten a better deal. The part where Tris is telling someone (Jameson I think ) that he wasn't first for Claire- he would come after the kids and the dog and the cat? That broke my heart. And it turned out Claire put him even after her dead husband!

I loved Tris. This was one of those rare books where i loved a character more than the book itself. Does he feature in the other books?

I wouldn't have minded him coming second to the kids, but coming after everyone else and pets... I wish the author hadn't shown it to be like that. In real life, no one would accept that. Not even women would accept coming second or third. It's 2023 not 1900s.

I was told he does feature in the other books just like how Emily and Jameson was featured in this book. Small parts, nothing major. Casanova is on my list to read this month and looking forward to the audiobook for it because I did find them easier to enjoy rather than the reading of it because of some glaring mistakes I can't tend to ignore

Title: The way I hate him

Author: Meghan Quinn

Year published: 2023

Narrative style: First person, dual PoV, linear

Maturity rating: Strictly Adult (Spice level: 3.5)

Personal Rating: 2.75

Tropes: Forced proximity, small-town romance, Older MMC, dysfunctional family, slow-burn

Triggers: Death/ Grief/ Drugs

Book blurb:

Why am I holding a box of stolen memorabilia formerly owned by my ex-boyfriend's boss in my arms? It's called . . . revenge.

After failing my last semester for my masters degree, I decided to come back to my hometown of Almond Bay and wallow in self pity while my boyfriend told me everything was going to be okay. To my dismay, instead of open arms, he greeted me with a box to move my things.

Now I'm not a petty person, but when he told me he broke up with me because I was boring, there's only so much of the higher road I can take. Hence the box of memorabilia I took from him.

The plan? To give it back to his boss, who happens to be my brother's nemesis, and get the ex fired. But plans never go the way you want them, because instead of dropping off the box with a note, I'm pinned with the crime by Hayes Farrow himself.

And because my life is so pathetic, he gives me two options: turn me into the police and press full charges or . . . work it off. How could I possibly work for someone I can't stand? Easy, I don't look good in orange.

But working for Hayes isn't as horrible as I thought it would be. The hate I had for him begins to turn into something else - something deeper, something I never thought I'd feel.

Unfortunately there are still old grudges and family drama to deal with. And what happens when my brother finds out that I'm working for the guy he hates more than anyone else in the world? Will I be able to follow my heart or will the way I hate him blind me from the love I feel?

Review:

I'd gotten so many recs for this author on my FB group so I wanted to try her. I think this is her latest release. I did not like it much.

The MMC was a jerk. I mean, yeah, he had issues (who doesn't?) but that 3rd act break-up was pure BS, and you cannot tell me otherwise. I felt so bad for Hattie, she was being rejected by everyone around her - her family, her boyfriend (her ex at first and then Hayes), even her dead sister! Only Maggie - her BFF stayed loyal to her. I loved Maggie and I loved their dynamic, their silly texts and Maggie fawning over Hayes was hilarious!

But the premise of the book was weak imo. It's a small town romance which I usually love. Hayes and Ryland (Hattie's brother) were thick as thieves in school, but then a major misunderstanding caused them to fallout. Hayes left town and became a big rock star while Ryland was left in Almond Bay picking up the pieces of his life. Hence everyone in Hattie's family hates Hayes. Okay, but this is where I had to suspend disbelief. Like it's 10 years (or something). Wouldn't anyone say anything? Wouldn't Hayes want to come clean? Wouldn't Abel (their common friend) set the record straight? How was it okay for everyone to keep thinking Hayes did what they thought he did?

And then the whole Cassidy thing. It felt like manipulation. Hattie was being manipulated by her dead sister from beyond the grave and guilt-tripped. And her siblings, Aubree and Ryland did it too. Just an apology didn't do it for me. Aubree may have had her reasons but the way they pushed Hattie away? It hurt! It was uncalled for. I don't think I will be reading the next one in this series if it's about Aubree and Abel (which I think it might be). And I hope to God she does not put Maggie with Ryland (my girl Mags deserves better!).

TL;DR: I should not have started Meghan Quinn with this book.

Title: A not so meet cute (Cane Brothers # 1)

Author: Meghan Quinn

Year published: 2021

Narrative style: First person, dual PoV, linear

Maturity rating: Strictly Adult (Spice level: 3.5)

Personal Rating: 3.25

Tropes: Fake relationship, forced proximity

Triggers: There's one disturbing scene that I would absolutely put as Dubcon, Plus a lot of pregnancy related stuff that could be triggers in an icky way maybe?

Book blurb:

How did you two meet?

The quintessential question asked to every couple. And the answer is usually some bubbly, lovey dovey tale of being struck in the bum by Cupid’s arrow.

My meet cute (well not so meet cute) is slightly different. I was trolling a wealthy neighborhood in Beverly Hills, searching for someone to take me as their bride, you know, to make my arch nemesis jealous who consequently just fired me.

He was stomping around the block like some sort of gorgeous ogre, mumbling about a business deal gone wrong and attempting to finagle his way out of it.

And that’s when we bumped into each other.

There were no sparks.

Not even a hint of blossoming love.

But next thing I knew, I was scarfing down free chips and guac, listening to this man lay out all of his problems which led to his big ask . . . he wanted me to be his Vivian Ward, you know, from Pretty Woman--minus the frisky behavior.

We’re talking about living in a mansion, intimate double dates, and pretending we were head over heels in love . . . and engaged. Can you imagine?

The absolute audacity.

But people do crazy things when they’re desperate. And I reeked of desperation. So, I struck up a deal.

My one big mistake, though . . . big . . . HUGE? I accidentally fell for the incomparable Huxley Cane.

Review:

So I decided to give MQ another chance since the FB group goes so ga-ga over her. This series in particular was recommended highly so I decided to start with Book # 1 for a change .

This one was much better.

Hux and Lottie's first meeting and his subsequent 'wooing' of her to get her to agree to the fake dating was hilarious. Idk what went wrong with Hux once Lottie agrees. He seemed to lose all his personality. Lottie keeps saying the 'Chipotle' guy was back (where they first meet and have a sort of impromptu date) but I couldn't see it. He became a colorless person all of a sudden. Lottie was a lot more likeable but again, the 3rd act BS came from her. (I think I've come to hate the 3rd Act conflict trope! )

Overall, this was a decent read. There are some hilarious moments - that so-called Lamaze class had me cracking up - but the breast pump shopping expedition made me go ewww! What was that? Also, Hux was so humorless after that Heaven-sent prenatal class (pun intended, if you read the book you'll get it ) I'd have liked him more if he had let his hair down and laughed a bit of the ridiculousness of the whole thing.

Also the entire fake dating premise broke down too easily and resolution was way too easy imo.. but then when the 3rd act conflict comes about you're already almost 90% into the book and there's really not much exposition left except some groveling and making up.

I find her characters aren't too well-threshed out. I felt I did not know Hux and Lottie (especially Hux) at the end of the book and MQ tends to make her characters behave the way she wants the plot to go - which is a contrivance that is also very annoying for me.

Alright, I'm giving MQ a break now

Title: Yours Truly (Part of your world Book # 2)

Author: Abby Jimenez

Year published: 2023

Narrative style: First person, dual PoV, linear

Maturity rating: Adult but minimal spice (1.0)

Personal Rating: 4.75

Tropes: Fake relationship, forced proximity,

Triggers: mental health issues, other medical issues, organ donation (not a trigger I guess but yeah)

Book blurb:

A novel of terrible first impressions, hilarious second chances, and the joy in finding your perfect match.

Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s “pain in my ass” scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game . . . by sending Briana a letter.

And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her “sob closet,” and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable—a kidney for her brother—she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor . . . especially when he calls in a favor she can’t refuse.

.

Review:

GAHHHH!!

I am in love with Jacob and Briana and their love!

But mostly Jacob because he's perfect! Perfect man, perfect match, perfect everything.

(Wait- are men named Jacob going to be the perfect book boyfriends now? Move over, Sebastian! )

This author came up in the recs when I was looking for inter-racial romances and boy, she did not disappoint.

The writing is sooo good! I mean really good. She makes you connect with the leads and that is such a good thing. She does a deep dive into their heads and what they're thinking and why they're thinking what they're thinking which makes it so much more relatable.

The tiniest niggle I had with this book was the almost tame spice in it. I did not mind the slow-burn (well, I tried not to mind it too much ) because there was so much delicious build-up. Yes, they connected emotionally but there was also the promise of something good happening physically. When it did, it was anti-cilmactic (there's just one sex scene and it was a let-down)

But everything else? *Chef's kiss* I actually took notes while reading (I never do that. y'all!) But I had to stop in places and squee and gush over how perfect they both are and how constantly and meaningfully they show up for each other. The conflict is in their own heads and it was frustrating, but also understandable because the author does such a good job of setting up the story. Of who they both are. We know about J's anxiety. We know about B's painful divorce and her cheating ex. We get it. We get why they are wary and we also get why they are vulnerable around each other.

I loved J from the get-go. B took a little warming up but she has so much trauma. My poor girl!

J is such a good person - so generous . That contrast was good too. He does not feel vengeful against his ex. But Bri does and that's what makes her her. And they're both lovable. I wanted to cuddle them both in a warm blanket and protect them from all evil.

I loved how they both 'show up' for each other which is the underlying theme of the book. J's thing is his anxiety and B does all she can to help him. But I liked that J is not the only one needing help. B has trust issues and J does a lot (and I mean a LOT) to help her overcome it. The 3rd act break-up is heartbreaking (especially because them getting together was so delayed thanks to the issues they both had) but the way it was done and the way it was overcome (ugly crying ) was beautiful.

I was surprised at some of the turns this story took but in the end, it all made sense.

I loved this one! Definitely going to read more of her books.

Originally posted by: MochaQueen

Hey Lizzzz, I started It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey. Does this series only have 2 books?

Originally posted by: LizzieBennet

Did you finish this one? How did you like it?

No. I read like 11 chapters of the first one. Nothing much is happening. It's just a typical love story. Nothing new. I guess after reading dark romance, these kind of books seem bland to me. I will finish it though, just dunno when