April Asher returns to the supernatural world to finish the Supernatural Singles series. The heroines of the stories are the Maxwell sisters who are wApril Asher returns to the supernatural world to finish the Supernatural Singles series. The heroines of the stories are the Maxwell sisters who are witches and triplets. Olive is the studious sister who enjoys teaching college. Who doesn’t love a witch who wears glasses. At the end of the second book, Not Your Ex’s Hexes (Feb 2023), it is clear she has feelings for Baxter Donovan. Bax is a Guardian Angel, who is tattooed and pierced. He also is Olive’s new roommate.
I love friends to more romance. Bax is trying to salvage his job where he’s accumulated a list of violations. But his new assignment is to guard Olive. She is usually quiet and safe but has taken on the task of doing a Dare list. Bax decides to protect her by joining her doing the tasks. Of course the big rule for guardian angels is not to become involved with the person they are guarding.
I don’t read supernatural/fantasy books often. But I’ve enjoyed this whole series. Yes some of the banter and antics can seem juvenile. But I love the sisters, their mates and friend group. This is a fun and steamy romp with good world building. I was looking forward to Olive’s romance and this did not disappoint....more
(Sept. 18, 2024) The audio book was recently on sale and I couldn't resist. I was extra excited to listen to it again as Haley Case just released a fo(Sept. 18, 2024) The audio book was recently on sale and I couldn't resist. I was extra excited to listen to it again as Haley Case just released a follow up novella for the characters. Yay.
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(March 30, 2024) I finally got to listen to the audio version of this book from my local library. I happily returned to this friendship to more romance between Riley and Gianna. My original review is below and I still stand by it. I think this time around I got more out of the flashback scenes to college where the pair are first roommates. I really felt the life changing impact Riley had on Gianna and could understand not wanting anything to come between that friendship. Lori Prince of course does a great job with the narration, although Gianna’s accent changes between college years and a decade later. I assume that is intentional. I am sure this won’t be the last time I revisit this book. I tend to comfort read favorites and this falls in that category for me. The audiobook is 16 hours long but I didn’t regret any time I spent with the characters.
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(Jan 14, 2024) Oh my stars Haley Cass never disappoints me. This book is so sweet, sexy and fun. Riley Beckett is a producer for news and Gianna Makinen is a top influencer who is about to open her own clothing line. They met as freshman in college and now ten years later they still get together weekly to binge tv shows and have laundry nights. They know everything about each other’s preferences and work goals. Riley is frustrated because she can’t find the one to be in a relationship with and she is missing being intimate with someone. Gianna is very sex positive, but doesn’t date or do relationships. The blurb shares that a mix up sets up a chance to consider taking their friendship to an unexpected level.
I don’t want to say more about the plot, but I freaking loved it. I read it on KU and enjoyed all 468 pages of it. And then I went back and reread my favorite parts. That is always a sign of how invested I am in the characters and plot. When it comes to my public library I’m going to listen to the audio book as well. And I may splurge and just purchase them both.
I read “Down to a Science” (June 2022) when it came out and I recently listened to the audio version. It told the story of Riley's brilliant twin sister Ellie and her slow burn romance with firefighter Mia. Riley and Gianna are both introduced as side characters in that book. I ended my review saying I would love to read a story about Riley. So this book is like a gift from the author to fans like me. Either book can be read as a stand alone but of course Ellie and Mia appear in this story as well. Can’t recommend this enough. Especially if you enjoy toaster oven, friends to more romances. I will absolutely read this again....more
First kudos to the beautiful cover. All three covers in the Rogues to Lovers series have been great. Miss Kitty Beckett is an heiress nearing the timeFirst kudos to the beautiful cover. All three covers in the Rogues to Lovers series have been great. Miss Kitty Beckett is an heiress nearing the time of gaining her inheritance. She was independent enough to apprentice to an architect in her quaint beachside town. Her plans are to use her money and move to London to work as an architect. She wouldn’t mind being married and would like to have children but they would need to accept her goals. Leo Lockland is an architect too and has been working in London. The two started their training together years before. He left town four years ago hurting her feelings by not explaining or saying goodbye.
He says he has returned because he has feelings for someone and she offers to help him with rake lessons that will attract the woman. Of course she doesn’t realize it is her he wants. He in return will double check her calculations on her plans for the town competition. This is a very enjoyable, historical romance with a strong heroine. And I love when men fall and profess their love first. This can easily be read as a stand alone but it is fun to see the other books being involved in the story. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review....more
(3.5 Stars) I happily return to Owen Station for another romantic adventure. Owen Station is a small town between the Tuscan and the Arizona border. I(3.5 Stars) I happily return to Owen Station for another romantic adventure. Owen Station is a small town between the Tuscan and the Arizona border. I enjoyed Vintage and Vogue (June 2023) where we got to meet the town and its inhabitants. This is a best friend to more romance. Lace Reynolds, runs a successful adult toy shop. She doesn’t date anyone more than three months and never someone from town. Her best friend is Tessa Williams. Tessa came to Owen Station five years earlier, purchasing a vineyard. She has a 20 year old daughter (I really liked her) and a dog Beau. The vineyard is becoming more and more successful and is 90 minutes from town. Tessa and Lace text and call daily.
There are some funny moments in the story. Visiting a Boot Hill cemetery is a highlight. But the story gets messier as the two realize they may be feeling more than friendship for the other. I liked having a romance with women hitting 40. But I was less clear on Lace’s motivation for her rules or feeling that relationships couldn’t last. Or why she struggled to communicate that to Tessa. But I still had fun reading the story and especially liked the ending. I also like the historical story and how it ties into the modern day one. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review....more
(3.5 Stars) Lorelai Jones was living the life with a rising career in country music and engagement to a superstar. After singing a protest song Nashvi(3.5 Stars) Lorelai Jones was living the life with a rising career in country music and engagement to a superstar. After singing a protest song Nashville cancel culture kicks in and she is back to teaching school. On the night her world crashed she had a one night fling with a backup base player Craig Huckleberry Boseman. Five years later Huck is now a record producer with his own label. When Lorelai reaches out to him with a potential new song he immediately invites her to Nashville and to stay in his guesthouse.
This is a cute, spicy, friends to lovers romance. The miscommunications between the two is off the charts annoying. Somehow they can say things with lyrics and poetry but can’t have an honest conversation. The whole, don’t want to mess up being friends seems silly as they’ve already shared a night of passion. The telling is a little choppy as there are jumping flashbacks to get the whole back story. I’m not a big country music fan but this was light and enjoyable. I thought texting with best friend Shelby was hysterical. This book is a standalone but Shelby is the MC from the author’s previous book, Built to Last (Oct 2022) which I’ve read. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving an honest review. ...more
This is as happy and light read as the cute cover makes it to be. Jenny Lynton is making a living being a social media influencer. When a cancel cultuThis is as happy and light read as the cute cover makes it to be. Jenny Lynton is making a living being a social media influencer. When a cancel culture post hits her numbers she decides to return home to Sapphire Springs for a few months. While home she throws herself into helping with her friends bachelorette party and wedding. (I love the Austin inspired tea party and games.) It puts her working with Dr. Blake Mitchell. Blake is the towns doctor and the two went to HS together. Blake is sweet as the smart and caring doctor who still gets tongued tied around her teen crush Jenny.
The two know their time together is limited as Jenny plans to return to her influencer life but agree their attraction can’t be ignored. I like that although this looks like a friends with benefits story there is run ins and activities that seem like dates before things heat up. This is predictable and I don’t care. This is small town dating, fall hikes, corn mazes and Thanksgiving fun runs. Very enjoyable. I am looking forward to George’s story. Thank you to NetGalley and West Brunswick Press for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. ...more
Robyn Moore is a firefighter, plays the field and has never been in a relationship. Lexi Lynch is an artist and has been roommates for four years. TheRobyn Moore is a firefighter, plays the field and has never been in a relationship. Lexi Lynch is an artist and has been roommates for four years. They are good friends and Robyn has not thought there could be anything more until Lexi tells her I never said I was straight. Small acts of kindness and encouragement bring their simmering feelings to the surface.
I like that the author has each struggling with their own issues. Robyn has daddy issues from his dying on the job as a firefighter and feeling it is easier to shut out love. I was more invested in Lexi’s struggling with ADHD. Her half-sister Sam from Truly Wanted (Oct 2022) helps her realize that ADHD may have gone on undiagnosed and impacting her art career. Sam also struggles with ADHD. I was disappointed slightly that we never know if she seeks out an official diagnosis or medication. Although other helps and strategies are included.
The switch to romance is an easy step and bumps to steamy quickly. Good communication skills help avoid easy mis-steps. This is the second in the Truly series and while I enjoyed the first one I liked this one more. I like that Sam and Brooke from the first book feature in the story too. I did miss some of the Irish words that popped up more in the first book. Other than the word hob (top of cooking stove), I wouldn’t have know the setting is in Ireland. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review....more
Cat Sebastian delivers a strong mid-century romance. Her descriptions of NYC in the late 1950’s brings every scene to life. I felt like I was in the nCat Sebastian delivers a strong mid-century romance. Her descriptions of NYC in the late 1950’s brings every scene to life. I felt like I was in the newsroom, bar, subway, rooftop party or at an Italian family gathering. Nick is 25 and works the city desk at the New York Chronicle. There he meets Andy who is the same age and takes him under his wing. Andy is endearing and bumbling as he is trying to learn about the Chronicle. He isn’t a writer but instead will be running the family paper soon and feels overwhelmed at the prospect. His mother was a Pulitzer prize winning correspondent and father runs the business leaving him growing up alone at boarding schools. Nick comes from a warm and traditional Italian family and his brother is a cop. When Andy's fiancee calls off their engagement Nick takes the broken hearted man home to his apartment and lets him stay to recover.
This m/m romance moves slowly and carefully. There are things you can’t say or ask in the time period. The growing affection from friendship to longing to more is subtle and sweet. Nick is careful in his queerness and has never contemplated being in a relationship or even thought what that could look like. His life to this point has been about guarding his secret for fear of being arrested or exposed. Andy’s new discover that he is bisexual and his more wealthy background means he hasn’t experienced the same fears as Nick. He also knows he could be happy with a woman (like his fiancee) so choosing Nick is a big choice.
I missed some of the humor the sarcastic humor that Sebastian includes in her more recent historical fiction books. But I found this story more powerful and striking just the write tones. The characters have depth the setting is perfect. Please sign me up for whatever the author writes next. Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving a voluntary review. (4.5 Stars)...more
This delightful series continues with its fifth full length story. (There are also two novellas.) Theodosia Astley is at her own engagement party whenThis delightful series continues with its fifth full length story. (There are also two novellas.) Theodosia Astley is at her own engagement party when a scandal unfolds regarding her fiancee. She flees into the first carriage she sees. She eventually recognizes it as belonging to Dashiell (Dash) Campbell. She helped him previously as he wrote a popular book about gambling. He runs a gaming hell and is friends with her brother in law who is a duke. Dash catches up with her and helps her to an inn. Unfortunately, just being together is compromising and a wedding is in the making.
Dash and Theo are friends and before the wedding they discuss friendship as the basis for their marriage which they want to be real including children. Dash and Theo also share very rough backgrounds. She grew up in the rookery until her half sister finds her and moves her to Mayfair. Because of her background she is on the edge on society. Dash grew up in a brothel but his probable half brother is an earl. His brother is his mentor and they have profitable whiskey ventures and other businesses in addition to his book and gaming rooms. He would be shunned by the ton except for the power of his friend group that includes two dukes and other titles. These friends are the romances from the previous books and it is fun to see most make appearances in this story. (I’ve read them all.)
I think this is one of my favorites in the series. Both Theo and Dash are smitten with each other long before they can see it themselves. And I love how important the word home is to both of them. Sumner usually is the medium heat range with scenes fading to black. But being newlyweds the heat level picks up a notch. Sumner’s writing is easy to read and enjoyable. There is at least one more story coming and I’ll be waiting for Jasper to get his romance.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tracy Sumner and Wolf Publishing for the ARC and I’m leaving a voluntary review....more
This is a redemption story that still falls into a fun and flirty category. Peyton Lane, the stronger and more interesting character, is a felon. At 1This is a redemption story that still falls into a fun and flirty category. Peyton Lane, the stronger and more interesting character, is a felon. At 19 she serves four years for crime where someone gets injured. After her release, a retail store owner takes a chance on her, giving Peyton a job after rejection from others. Jump forward a few years and Peyton is moving to her hometown in Ohio and opening her own lingerie store. She has perfected the easy going, flirty, extrovert persona that hides her deeper fears. Her biggest reason for returning home is to reconnect with the only family she has left.
A stationary store next to Payton’s is owned and run by Juliette Jennings. She lives in her world of order and predictability. Juliette hangs out weekly with her best friend and ex husband and isn’t sure how much longer she’ll be able to keep her store afloat. She is bowled over by the easy going charm of Payton. They are not opposites, but I think after observing Peyton, Juliette makes herself take baby steps of risk. She is the one rebranding her store (Peyton’s suggestion), speaking up to a bar owner and letting in her delightful stepmother Delores. I see this as a friends to lovers relationship. And I love that while encouraging each other the authors throws in a lot of her trademark friend-speak banter.
Juliette seems like the weaker character only because her story arc isn’t as dramatic. But I love her turning her business around with her art and her interactions with Delores. The BF and ex storyline felt more like filler or a small excuse for an evening of drinking. But you can’t see Payton’s shine without seeing Juliette as the constant strength beside her. You know there is going to be an angst moment and it is predictable only because of Payton’s history. And I’m glad it resolves quickly.
I’m seeing some lower ratings for this book and can understand other readers POVs. But I’m a Brayden fan and this one works for me. I love that Juliette goes all Veronica Mars to get the girl of her dreams. And I enjoyed getting to know these characters as they find their person. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
There is something lovely about childhood friends to more romances. Elizabeth Wu doesn’t like change. She works multiple jobs so that she can work on There is something lovely about childhood friends to more romances. Elizabeth Wu doesn’t like change. She works multiple jobs so that she can work on her art. She likes not being tied down to anything. The biggest constant in her life is her best friend and roommate Graham Lewis. Graham is ready for a change and planting roots. He surprises Elizabeth with the news that he has purchased a house on Mulberry Street with plans to move there. The other major storyline is that Elizabeth wants to organize an arts festival as a chance to showcase her art and others. But she needs the backing of the town council. She needs to overcome a reputation of impulsiveness to show she can be dependable to pull off such a large project. In the middle of so much change Graham impulsively kisses Elizabeth causing a shift from the friend zone.
I have loved this entire series of featuring three Chinese minority sisters in a small Carolina town. I knew that I would enjoy Elizabeth’s story as I have a soft spot for the child that doesn’t always fit the family mold or get the praise. That angst of wanting parental approval and never quite getting it tugs on me every time. Graham and Elizabeth both fall into that category. Throw in a boy who has loved one person since middle school and who is now almost thirty and I know I’m going to swoon. Chin creates complex characters and with realistic reactions and emotions. And she tells the story from both POV so you get Graham’s longing and Elizabeth’s anger and confusion.
I love the sisters all have appearances too as I’ve connected with them from the previous books. I’m not sure I got satisfaction for the MC’s for their parental recognition issues. Graham’s fathers forced apology feels especially weak for building a new understanding. The sisters are partnered up so this may be the end of the series or setting. But if Chin wants to write their wedding stories or use the setting again for other books I will happily line up for the read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for a review. ...more
This is the third in the Sunshine Corner series and I’ve read and liked the previous two. The series focuses on a family and friends in the small townThis is the third in the Sunshine Corner series and I’ve read and liked the previous two. The series focuses on a family and friends in the small town of Heart’s Hope Bay on the Oregon coast. This can be read as a stand alone but I would read in order to avoid surprises. All the previous couples make appearances and the current MC’s are siblings of previous main characters.
Rebecca Hayes is raising her four year old daughter on her own and enjoys her stable career at job at a credit union. She hasn’t dated since having her daughter and thinks it is time to dust off her lady parts. Besides her girlfriends her best friend is Jackson Lowe. They’ve known each other their whole lives. He’s 31, a free spirit who works for his fathers landscape business and lives to surf and play. Jackson takes Becca to a wedding out of town and one night together turns into a pregnancy. (Disclosed on blurb not a spoiler.)
He is all in for their friendship’s sake but rather clueless about what his support can and will look like. Security and stability are very important to Becca as she grew up with an alcoholic father. They aren’t opposites, but she needs to see him as someone she reliable. The friends and sibling connections are a lot in this book. But I instantly remembered the previous couples and am happy for their progress.
One trigger concern I’ve had about the whole series is the focus is very much on babies. One characters grandmother is considered the baby whisperer and she tells women they are pregnant before they may know themselves. I don’t know of another series I’ve read where babies are so much the focus. So if that topic is in anyway a trigger for you, this may not be your series.
This is for readers who enjoy closed door romances with very little cursing. There is little steam factor beyond kissing and some ogling. Both characters POV is reflected, which is helpful. I find it funny that I happened to read two accidental pregnancy books almost back to back . It isn’t a trope I read more than a few times a year. I recommend this series and like both Jackson and Becca.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an eARC in exchange for an honest review....more
I love second chance romances especially when decades haven’t been wasted not being together. This is also a best friends to more romance as their friI love second chance romances especially when decades haven’t been wasted not being together. This is also a best friends to more romance as their friendship is what they miss from each other. I love the idea of a quarter life crisis. My daughter is 28 and I think mid to late 20s is a realistic time to think about whether you are on the path that you really want.
Brooklyn is artist living in Washington DC with two friends. She is making money with her art and supports herself bar-tending events. At an event for a Presidential contender she sees her former best friend and college roommate Arlette. They haven’t seen each other for five year. They had briefly gone to more than friends in college before Arlette’s life got in the way and Brooke feeling hurt blocks her and doesn't look back. Arlette is now working for a congresswoman on capitol hill.
Both Brooke and Arlette are wonderful characters. They are kind, have their own insecurities, and issues with families. Miller wrote one of my favorite YA books, That Infinite Summer (Dec 2021), which I’ve read more than once. And as in that book it is the extra things the author adds that elevates the book. I love the story takes place over several months and isn’t instant reconnection. Arlette gets positive attention when she lives up to family expectations and that guides her especially in the few years. Her relationship with her beloved grandfather is charming. Brooke doesn’t gets as much of a back story. Supportive mom, abandoned by her father when young. And you don’t know if she’s had other relationships since college.
I love the friendship memories are simple; Cheetos, watching jeopardy, ghost stories. I could relate to those. I’m glad that money is a difference but not an issue between them. My heart melts hearing Brooke list Arlette’s quirks and tells. Her artist eye catches everything. Together they are playful, lightly steamy and caring. This is beautifully written and I can’t recommend it enough.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review....more
3.5 Stars. Angie and Morgan are roommates and best friends. Both have feelings towards the other but neither wants to make a move in case it changes t3.5 Stars. Angie and Morgan are roommates and best friends. Both have feelings towards the other but neither wants to make a move in case it changes their friend dynamic. Morgan invites Angie to spend Christmas with her family upstate. Morgan’s family assumes and treats them like they are already a couple. Mom is especially pushy but in a an all’s fair in love way. This is as light and sweet as can be. No drama other than some sibling rivalry mixed with some guilt about the family business. Another new to me author....more
This book is a wonderful addition to an already delightful series. All three are solid 5 stars and the beautiful covers enhance the experience. The riThis book is a wonderful addition to an already delightful series. All three are solid 5 stars and the beautiful covers enhance the experience. The rivals are members of two Welsh families who have been feuding for 500 years. In this generation the rivalry keeps turning to love. Morgan and Harriet spent their youth challenging and daring one another. When she sends him off to sea to fight Napoleon she bets him three kisses that he wont survive, giving him the desire to return at collect on his bet. I love that at the beginning of the book he already knows he is smitten with Harriet. The story is really him wooing her into choosing him. Of course that choice was made as children and neither realizes it.
There is an interesting side story of Harriet being a cartographer and making inaccurate maps to fool the French. She runs her fathers shop and Morgan and his brothers help her deal with someone plagiarizing her maps. This book has playfulness, family feud fun, and steamy passion. I love that there are no angst moments or miscommunications. Just challenges and dares with romance as the theme.
This book can be read on its own but to have background on the families enjoy all three of the stories. The couples, Harriet’s cousins and Morgan’s siblings, make appearances in this story. And the prologue sets up Morgan’s brother as the next one to get a romance. I can’t wait to read it.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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December 25, 2022
In addition to reading the book I enjoyed listening completely to the audio book a few weeks later. Beverley A. Crick is the narrator and she brings the characters to life. There are so many times that the word "wicked" is used in this book and her emphasis whether playful or exasperated delights me every time. Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the audio book in exchange for a review....more
Sam McKenna becomes best friends with Brooke Fields while attending college. She sees her through her marriage, birth of her son Finley and widowhood Sam McKenna becomes best friends with Brooke Fields while attending college. She sees her through her marriage, birth of her son Finley and widowhood at a young age. Now two years after her husbands passing she’s beginning to date again. Sam is still there for weekly lunches, to tend Finley and to binge tv shows. It takes the two a while to see what everyone else around them already knows. They may be perfect for each other. There is a side story, Sam who has ADHD being raised in foster care and not knowing why her parents left her. Sam’s story provides some angst to an otherwise friends to more love story.
This is gentle romance with caring and supportive people. Finley is a very adult three year old sometimes acting beyond his years. Also I swear he was always eating sweets, pizza or pancakes. The author is from Ireland and although the story could be set in any city, I enjoyed a few less American words like creche for nursery or day care. The lack of communication for fear of changing the friendship is frustrating. If you can read every eye movement you should be able to talk. I did also wonder how Sam is coping with her ADHD in adulthood as it seems to drop from the story after being mentioned in college. Overall a nice story and while there is nothing wrong with it there isn’t anything that stands out for me either. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. (3.5 stars)...more
This is appropriately marketed as (Women’s) General Fiction with a slow burn romance. Harriet Hatley is a successful wedding photographer in Leeds. AsThis is appropriately marketed as (Women’s) General Fiction with a slow burn romance. Harriet Hatley is a successful wedding photographer in Leeds. As the story begins she is breaking off with her boyfriend of the last few years. She decides to rent a room from Cal Clarke who it turns out was a run away groom at a wedding she worked. But romance isn’t the focus of the story. Told from Harriet’s POV she has to navigate her life. She needs to deal with an ex who doesn’t want things to be finished. It includes coming out about a past abusive relationship even when it costs her personally and professionally. It is the story of strong female friends that support one another. And along the way Cal changes too. At first nervous about what he hears about her he turns out to be supportive and helpful in moving forward. You don’t get to see his journey as much but some snippets add to the storyline.
I enjoyed the British setting and there were some phrases that were new to me. I found myself very invested in her Harriet’s story. Parts were funny but this has a more serious tone. And I was appropriately frustrated at the social media treatment of her. All in all this is a women’s fiction that covers some darker sides of relationships. People who are manipulative and emotional (not physically) abusive. And then somehow the author ties it up nicely with a sweet potential HEA. There is some language and only one off the page intimacy moment. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Collins for an eARC in exchange for an honest review....more
I enjoyed the authors debut book The Layover and was happy to read her next novel. The entire story is from the POV of Liv Bakersfield. She counts as I enjoyed the authors debut book The Layover and was happy to read her next novel. The entire story is from the POV of Liv Bakersfield. She counts as her family of choice her best friends who she met in college. It been eleven years since the group met up up and they gather once a month to catch up with one another. Liv is being successful doing graphic design work for a company that she doesn’t love. She is professional and people pleasing until the day that she says no. That starts off a series of events that changes her life.
First she joins her friends on their annual trip something she never allowed herself to do before. She realizes that while she sees them monthly they get together more often and have ongoing connections. I see a lot of reviews loving the friend group where I thought they treated Liv poorly. Only one has been to Liv’s apartment or knows she owns a cat. For the reader layers are peeled back exposing the real Liv. She is someone that did not have financial or home stability while growing up. She has known poverty that would shock her so called friends. Her friends can be bossy, domineering and lacking empathy calling her the “Ice Queen”.
But there are redeeming and growth moments that save the book for me. Deiss welcomes her when she comes to Africa and again when she needs a place to land when returning to LA. Being with Deiss allows her the freedom to interact with her friend group more and work on projects she likes. This reads more like women’s fiction \ with so much focus on the friends and Liv’s personal growth. The friend to lover trope is there but it isn’t the main focus of the story. This wasn’t a laugh out loud book for me. There were sweet moments but a lot of underlying sadness in Liv and for the life she been living. I guess it depends on which character you relate to.
I will continue to look for future books from Lacie Waldon. The first took me to Belize and now I’ve gone on safari to South Africa with her. I wonder what the next destination will be. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. (3.5 stars)...more
Finishing this book I sighed and thought meh. There are funny moments in this workplace romance but the main couple didn’t win me over. Cadence Lim isFinishing this book I sighed and thought meh. There are funny moments in this workplace romance but the main couple didn’t win me over. Cadence Lim is a fantastic numbers crunching analyst for Prism Realty in San Francisco. Her cubicle neighbor is Matt Escanilla, an ambitiously driven top broker. She crushes on him but never shows it. Matt is up for a large promotion and to clinch it he must close a big deal. It requires him to go to Southern California. Cadence is also going to SoCA for her mom’s death anniversary and to visit her brother and aging father. Matt says he needs Cadence numbers crunching skills so Prism agrees to pay for her hotel and work time while there.
Sharing a hotel suite (forced proximity) allows them to have conversations and get to know each other more than they have before. There are cultural experiences and expectations as they meet each others families too. But even though romance heats up I’m not sure they really know or understand each other very well. Matt doesn’t always come off as a nice guy and Cadence can be harsh.
The story to me was a little all over the place. Cadence work and family issues gets overshadowed by Matt’s story. I’m still not sure I understand why she wouldn’t really consider taking the job that Percy offers her. I didn’t see this as a fake dating troupe either as they were actually being intimate. And Matt even annoyed me when they were being close when he complained about her underwear. Superficial much?
I found it disappointing that it took a client to complain about the Cadence’s misogynistic co-worker. Sadie tells Matt to write up the episode and send it to HR. Why didn’t he do that in the first place? Also nothing happens to Cadence boss that dumps all his work on her. I want comeuppance if you’re in the position to get it.
I enjoyed the author’s debut book The Donut Trap and like learning cultural traditions that are less familiar to me. But for a romance I want to be more invested in the couple and cheer for their HEA. In this case I’m still at meh. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for an eARC in exchange for an honest review....more
In the spirit of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series comes the story of four friends that share a perfect little black dress. Millie Ward loses hIn the spirit of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series comes the story of four friends that share a perfect little black dress. Millie Ward loses her PR job in NYC and decides to visit her friend and college roommate Quincy in the small surfer town of Peacock Bay, California. The town is home to social media influencers who want to promote the town and lifestyle as idyllic no matter the reality. Quincy’s brother Pete runs the family hotel and Millie has crushed on him since college. While visiting she tries to grow her own social media following.
There is a lot more about the social media aspect than I was expecting. Pete is anti sharing everything, some things are given a false narrative and yet everyone goes along with anything as long as the town is promoted. I found that whole aspect a little odd. Especially when a major influencer is really the enforcer and yet no one calls her on it and just accepts she knows best. The whole story takes place in only a few weeks but the romance feels less instant because of their back relationship in college. I like that Millie talks about her ADHD and her character certainly demonstrates the behavior in some of her impulsive actions. Pete is great as the laid back surfer boyfriend. But I had issues with the lack of real communication between Millie and Pete. And I’m not sold on the potential HEA. I get that she gets the guy but she drops a potential real job to go do something I envision as part-time retail work. I’m not sure I’m happy with that.
The characters and friends are fun and enough to have me looking forward to the next installment. I want to see what luck the dress can bring to the next friend. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. (3.5 stars)...more
