bandherbooks's Reviews (3.65k)

Drew's fiancee jumped out of a window to flee from their wedding, with not a world to tell him why, well no words until she published her tell-all memoir/self-help book entitled "Embrace Your Inner Ice Cream Sandwich." A book that lambasts Drew for "melting her ice cream sandwich" and for being a cross between Eeyore and Oscar the Grouch on steroids." Ouch.

So now Drew hates ice cream. Can't stand it. Not even if the owner of the ice cream shop his foodie niece is currently obsessed with is also super cute and super intent on changing his mind.

Ginger Scoops has been Chloe's dream since her mother died, even if her father doesn't believe it is a smart career choice. Chloe is intent on proving her father wrong and honoring her Chinese-Canadian mother's heritage, a heritage her White father seems intent on ignoring, with her Asian flavored delicacies.

So when the deliciously grumpy Drew starts showing up with his adorable niece, Chloe doesn't much have time to spare for someone who is a self-described ice cream hater. But there just something about Drew, something about his instance he's a grump and not worth a relationship, that makes Chloe also want to prove him wrong. Even if it cuts into her time owning a small business.

Lau does an amazing job of bringing these two melancholy souls together. Don't let the breezy title and cover fool you, this story has some angst and tackles tough subjects, including death of a parent, parental disappointment, and racial blindness that hurts. But, through the darkness shines so much sparkling light, including Drew's coming to realize he's lovable through his relationship with his six-year-old niece (much more than plot moppet), and a series of unicorns.

There's also fabulously delicious sex scenes, and a celebration of Chloe's use of toys to achieve maximum pleasure (huzzah)!

I always look forward to the next Lau tale!

I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review.

Love breaks your heart, fucks you up—perfect, all-consuming chaos. I didn’t know what to do with that. It felt safer to walk.” He wraps me up in his arms, his eyes on mine. “But it’s also this. Peace, and warmth, and so fucking beautiful, you’ll risk anything to keep it.

Gosh, this book. I've read a few rock star romances in my time but I do believe this is one of my absolute favorites. Everything about the writing, the geeky Star Wars references, the slowburn delicious romance, the characters, basically everything, just hit my sweet spot.

Killian and Liberty Bell's love story was basically a superior version of the A STAR IS BORN trope. Libby finds Killian passed out on her front lawn with a wrecked motorcycle, and is so pissed at this hungover asshole who dares to end up on her property and reminding her of how her parents died. She has no idea who he is, and is aghast to discover he's her neighbor on the small NC island she calls home.

Libby has withdrawn from the world, working from home on book cover design, and scared to ever connect or love anyone, lest she lose them too. She misses her parents, she misses the music her parents brought into her life, she misses human interaction, but isn't sure she wants it from the grumpy man who suddenly invades her space.

But as he invades her space and insinuates himself into her routines, she can't help but see that Killian is also a lonely soul looking to connect, a man who made a mistake and suffered a trauma, a man who is a talented musician and may be more than he even seems. A man who can change her life in so many more ways than one.

Gah, more Kristen Callihan for me please and thank you! I've heard rumors Managed is even better, and I've met Scottie here and hellllooooo.

The Pleasure Chest is absolutely bonkers and bananas, and never takes itself to seriously.

I live-tweeted my reading experience which, in my opinion, is the best review ever. Check it out here:
Sweet Betsy Ross! Pleasure Chest live!

Oh gosh this book is everything Sarah MacLean promised and more.

I've been reading the IAD books along with the FatedMates podcast and having an absolute blast, if you haven't listened/read, what are you waiting for?

On to Sweet Ruin. This MAY be my favorite IAD book (I only have one left before we are out of published material *sob*). I really connected with Jo. Her lonliness. Her desire to belong. Her care for her baby brother Thad.

Rune is the type of hero you want to throttle but maybe while you are fucking him? So arrogant, so sexy, needs to grovel so hard.

I know there are a lot of complaints about Rune being promiscuous, but I tried to look through the lens of understanding that Rune really thinks using sex to get information is his job. He's been a sex slave. He was forced to perform sexually for eons. He has no emotion tied to it. Yes, Rune is still an asshole for what he did and said to Josie, but I found it far easier to forgive than a hero who uses sex to get what HE wants. To get off. Just for the fun of it.

There is SO MUCH going on in this story and it really is hard to get all my jumbled thoughts together (I'll definitely do a re-read at some point) but I loved it. Also, Petkoff's narration is A+ and I'm still not over it.

What's Callie to do when she's suddenly single a week before finally getting to take the tropical vacation of her dreams AND be on her favorite reality TV show Island Match? Maybe ask her totally beautiful but totally infuriating coworker Thomas to be her fake boyfriend, even if he's a big part of the reason she needs to get away?

Thomas, in love with Callie ever since she started working with him at the Colonial Marysburg Research Library, jumps at the chance to show her how good they could be together under the guise of pretending to be the perfect boyfriend for the cameras.

But as much as Thomas wants everything with Callie, Callie needs to come clean about her very real work problems she has with Thomas in real life.

Utterly delightful, and a perfect summer novella to read by the pool. I highly recommend! So many bonus points for great anxiety representation and for having a plus-sized heroine who's weight isn't the focus of the plot. Reading how Thomas appreciates Callie's body was so hot.

Here's my other blurb:
A clumsy, sexier than he knows it librarian with a heart of gold woos a heroine who is badass yet struggles with anxiety when she asks him to be her fake boyfriend for a reality vacation show.

Koviye of the Fellamana is an actual sex god. He uses his powers for good, helping heal and satisfy his people. He believes monogamy is impossible...until he meets human Jeni, a General fighting against their common enemy.

Trapped on a sex planet, Jeni is destined to be forever mated to the next person she has sex with, and she wants Koviye but doesn't trust him. And the clock is ticking.

If you enjoy sex planets, space, and sexy times on a SPACE FAINTING COUCH, this book is just entirely right for you. Bananas in the best ways possible, what a treasure!

I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review.

She flew with her own wings, and I had to let her. She’d come back to me in due time, and she’d come home, too.

Just when I thought I couldn't love an audio book more after listening to The Walshes #5, the Spire featuring Shannon and Will, boom, Dr. Nick Acevedo and Erin Walsh's story hits me right in the heart.

If you haven't listened or read any of the Walsh books yet, stop right here. Massive spoilers ahead.

Content warning behind spoiler

Spoiler

Erin was repeatedly raped by her father as a child. Erin tried to commit suicide by cutting her wrist and taking pills. Erin's accused her sister Shannon of pawning her off to her father to rape so he wouldn't rape her anymore. Erin's brother Sam tried to commit suicide. Erin used to cut. Erin asks Nick to never spank her (he listens and agrees) or to allude to "little girl" as a sex fantasy (he listens and agrees).

Okay - ready for this?

Throughout the Walsh books, we've kind of known Erin and Dr. Nick have a thing. What that thing is besides Nick having his hand up Erin's skirt at Matt and Lauren's wedding I did not know.

WELL - as Canterbary so craftily does, she gives a big hit right in the prologue. Nick asks Erin to come home for the birth of Shannon's first baby and says he needs HIS WIFE to finally come home. WHAT. HEAD EXPLODES.

Then Canterbary shuttles us back to Will and Lauren's wedding, where Dr. Nick immediately falls for Erin, love at first sight. Erin, despite her wary ways, is also enchanted. She dares him to marry her on a lobster boat. He says yes. They do!

What commences is the hottest, most drawn out courtship that starts with marriage and ends with forever for two people who are absolutely perfect for each other, but are willing to accept they can't be together just yet.

Nick loves Erin with his whole heart, but he allows her to find her way home, allowing her choices, allowing her to use him as her true north. He demands, but only ever enough to make sure she knows he'll always be there. Super hot texts and video chats, and emotional weekends together.

I stayed up way to late finishing this one and I'm just in love. Also-the narrator's southern accent for Dr. Nick is just, yes.

2nd Listen
My gosh this story just hits me in all my feelings and it makes me so happy and makes my heart ache, and just hearing the Nick say "darling" to Erin makes me want to weep with joy and my ovaries explode. The way Nick loves our prickly Erin is absolute perfection, and Erin's coming to terms with her past, with her family, and with herself is such a great journey. Plus, these two's chemistry is off the charts. I could listen to their emails all day long, and that's saying something. Perennial favorite, and the narrators are AMAZING too.

Hello book, you are my new favorite!

Utterly enchanting, Red White & Royal Blue is the world I wish were true.

Alas, Alex and Henry are fictional, but they will soon become characters of your heart. I just adored every line of this book, every messy character, every pop-culture reference. I highlighted the heck out of my ARC copy and can't wait to get my hands on a finished one.

I'll try to form a better review closer to the publication date, but here is the blurb I submitted to the LibraryReads campaign:

An utterly delightful romance chock full of witty banter, queer characters, and deliciously explicit scenes. Don't let the cartoon cover fool you, Prince Henry of Wales and First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz will charm your pants off. A perfect choice for those waiting for the sequel to [b:The Royal We|22875451|The Royal We|Heather Cocks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1421107274l/22875451._SY75_.jpg|42439906] by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan!

Second read July 26-Aug 2, 2019 AUDIOBOOK

Just as charming as my second time around, although I noticed the sort of awkwardly faded to black sex scenes a lot more. There were so many "d*cks" flying from the mouths of these characters yet to never have their body parts named during sex was a bit...odd? BUT that said I'm enchanted by Alex and Henry and all of the cast of secondary characters (MORE NORA AND JUNE PLEASE) and just love this story so much.

So. I have read this and I had BIG EYES for most of it, and I couldn't put it down. I don't know how I feel yet, as I just want the whole story and I should maybe have waited knowing myself? There is SO MUCH that the characters know but aren't sharing with me the reader. Stop it with your loaded glances and TELL ME WHAT IS HAPPENING.

Bonus points for the filthiest game of spin the bottle ever and for making me feel some way. *throws flowers in the air*