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bandherbooks's Reviews (3.65k)
Well, meet The Romance Recipe, a perfect blend of ingredients resulting in a simmering, tension filled, and character driven romance full of heat and heart. And whew that
Number one, I was given a heads up by trusted friends/reviewers that this is a very heavy book, so please do take care to check CWs. This straddles the line between a litfic with romance elements and romance. I will spoil the ending at the bottom of the review for those who need to know.
Former child star Fiona St. James had a massive public break down (to me, felt like Britney Spears' televised trauma), ending her career on the hit family show Birds of California. Years later, she is sought out by her former co-star Sam Fox to see if she'd be interested in rebooting the show.
Sam himself has had continued success, but his money is almost gone (he supports many people including his mom) and his newest show has been cancelled. Sam would love to have this opportunity, but Fiona is a firm no.
Despite her no to the show, Fiona still has huge sparks with Sam, who played her older brother on the show, who she once kissed while drunk at a cast party. As they explore their sparks, Fiona's past traumas come back to haunt her, as the tabloids renew their interest in their combined celebrity.
The rest is spoilery -
Thankfully most of the hard stuff is reflected on and not in the moment - and while a tough read the prose was gorgeous and I was absolutely captivated by the story.
I've heard that the author does not want this marketed as a romance, which makes me feel some sort of way, but also the marketing blurbs etc all call this a rom-com. HELLO THIS IS NOT THAT. So negative stars for marketing but overall a book I really liked a whole lot.
I bought this book from B&N.
Former child star Fiona St. James had a massive public break down (to me, felt like Britney Spears' televised trauma), ending her career on the hit family show Birds of California. Years later, she is sought out by her former co-star Sam Fox to see if she'd be interested in rebooting the show.
Sam himself has had continued success, but his money is almost gone (he supports many people including his mom) and his newest show has been cancelled. Sam would love to have this opportunity, but Fiona is a firm no.
Despite her no to the show, Fiona still has huge sparks with Sam, who played her older brother on the show, who she once kissed while drunk at a cast party. As they explore their sparks, Fiona's past traumas come back to haunt her, as the tabloids renew their interest in their combined celebrity.
The rest is spoilery -
Spoiler
Fiona and Sam explore a sexual relationship, she's still just taken out by how sweet he actually is, but she cannot trust him. Fiona was sexually abused/groomed by the actor who played their father on the show, and Sam is still friendly with him and has no idea. Thankfully once that comes to light Sam immediately believes her (I was so worried) and they both grow towards navigating their celebrity and their relationship in a lovely happy for now.Thankfully most of the hard stuff is reflected on and not in the moment - and while a tough read the prose was gorgeous and I was absolutely captivated by the story.
I've heard that the author does not want this marketed as a romance, which makes me feel some sort of way, but also the marketing blurbs etc all call this a rom-com. HELLO THIS IS NOT THAT. So negative stars for marketing but overall a book I really liked a whole lot.
I bought this book from B&N.
So, this had a lot of potential and then a whole lot of tiny things that just irked me. Simon Rutler was a perfect specimen, almost too perfect, and not being in his POV was a bit of a struggle for me.
Naomi was fine, if childish at times, and I really appreciated how horny this was, but whew there's a lot of second hand embarrassment that I personally struggled with.
What I did like was discussing Simon's sex work. He was a cam guy, he's known as the Pussy Whisperer. He's now a couples' therapist, a famous one. He's not embarrassed by his sex work, but he's had relationships end because of it when it comes time to meet the parents if you will. Naomi used to masturbate to him A LOT. I feel this was handled well, but I'm not an expert on these things. These two were SO HORNY for each other, and that was fun to read.
What really irked me was the continuous "we are PROFESSIONAL and I'm the MOST professional" and then ope, we are not being professional at all. We are being friends. Who see each other's parents/grandparents, who go to weddings together, who mutually masturbate together. It got a bit tiring and like, please friends, just bang already.
There's also a dangling plot point about Naomi's boss, who would be FURIOUS if she found out they were dating/end Naomi's career over it, and this is why they cannot bone - but then they do and they are dating, and just...nothing? Never mentioned again.
Anyway, the narrator was good, I reviewed for Library Journal s0 thank you for the advance copy.
Naomi was fine, if childish at times, and I really appreciated how horny this was, but whew there's a lot of second hand embarrassment that I personally struggled with.
What I did like was discussing Simon's sex work. He was a cam guy, he's known as the Pussy Whisperer. He's now a couples' therapist, a famous one. He's not embarrassed by his sex work, but he's had relationships end because of it when it comes time to meet the parents if you will. Naomi used to masturbate to him A LOT. I feel this was handled well, but I'm not an expert on these things. These two were SO HORNY for each other, and that was fun to read.
What really irked me was the continuous "we are PROFESSIONAL and I'm the MOST professional" and then ope, we are not being professional at all. We are being friends. Who see each other's parents/grandparents, who go to weddings together, who mutually masturbate together. It got a bit tiring and like, please friends, just bang already.
There's also a dangling plot point about Naomi's boss, who would be FURIOUS if she found out they were dating/end Naomi's career over it, and this is why they cannot bone - but then they do and they are dating, and just...nothing? Never mentioned again.
Anyway, the narrator was good, I reviewed for Library Journal s0 thank you for the advance copy.
A sapphic reinterpretation of Coyote Ugly? Yes, please.
I am falling evermore in love with Lucy Bexley's writing with each book I read. HOWL did not disappoint, giving me all the fun parts of Coyote Ugly (bar dancing! No water! Struggling artists!) plus a meddling grandma, and wall bangin'!
I will not there is a thread of sadness woven into this story, that is full countered by the present love and acceptance the characters have in each other and their future. Lou and her grandma made my heart so happy!! Lou's parents are truly missing out.
And Clem! I always enjoy reading about romance characters who struggle financially, who need to make things work. This is that sort of romance, including Lou's struggle to keep Boston's last historic gay bar alive.
And did I mention it is hot? It is really hot.
I checked this out on KU for #ReadingTheRainbow22 with But Do They Bang! I used it to fit the "friends" square.
I am falling evermore in love with Lucy Bexley's writing with each book I read. HOWL did not disappoint, giving me all the fun parts of Coyote Ugly (bar dancing! No water! Struggling artists!) plus a meddling grandma, and wall bangin'!
I will not there is a thread of sadness woven into this story, that is full countered by the present love and acceptance the characters have in each other and their future. Lou and her grandma made my heart so happy!! Lou's parents are truly missing out.
And Clem! I always enjoy reading about romance characters who struggle financially, who need to make things work. This is that sort of romance, including Lou's struggle to keep Boston's last historic gay bar alive.
And did I mention it is hot? It is really hot.
I checked this out on KU for #ReadingTheRainbow22 with But Do They Bang! I used it to fit the "friends" square.
Talk about a book cover that delivers on the heat! I had the most lusty fun seeing young debutante Katherine Delafield toppling tycoon Preston Clark head over heels in love with her, even after he royally messed up.
This really has it all, a naughty masquerade club, masks, joint self-pleasure scenes, sexy nicknames, and more! Whew.
Katherine, with stars in her eyes, storming into Preston's office demanding he honor the betrothal agreement their fathers set up because she has a crush on his tallness sent me, and he handles it like a whole ass, but wow does she show him later.
Loved the quipping, loved their heat. I need to re-read immediately because I devoured this as a treat on vacation and my face was IN FLAMES.
A quote - from an early copy so could change pre-publication:
"I do hope you've stored those memories in a safe, safe place, my king, because they're all you'll ever have of me. 'Fuck,' he said on a long whisper, sounding tortured."
HEEEE
If you can handle it - do the audiobook. WOW the narrator really sold the banter and dirty talk. How dare Joanna Shupe make me feel like a powdered wig and knee breeches a la king louis are SEXY?? Rude (thank you ma'am).
Thank you to Andrew at HarperAudio for the ALC.
Kat is definitely a young and slightly bratty heroine, but I adored her anyway, especially as she made Preston lose his mind and heart.
CW: death by train to a secondary character (in the past, discussed, complications grieving of), discussion of alcoholism and gambling addiction (secondary characters), smoking cigarettes, drinking
This really has it all, a naughty masquerade club, masks, joint self-pleasure scenes, sexy nicknames, and more! Whew.
Katherine, with stars in her eyes, storming into Preston's office demanding he honor the betrothal agreement their fathers set up because she has a crush on his tallness sent me, and he handles it like a whole ass, but wow does she show him later.
Loved the quipping, loved their heat. I need to re-read immediately because I devoured this as a treat on vacation and my face was IN FLAMES.
A quote - from an early copy so could change pre-publication:
"I do hope you've stored those memories in a safe, safe place, my king, because they're all you'll ever have of me. 'Fuck,' he said on a long whisper, sounding tortured."
HEEEE
If you can handle it - do the audiobook. WOW the narrator really sold the banter and dirty talk. How dare Joanna Shupe make me feel like a powdered wig and knee breeches a la king louis are SEXY?? Rude (thank you ma'am).
Thank you to Andrew at HarperAudio for the ALC.
Kat is definitely a young and slightly bratty heroine, but I adored her anyway, especially as she made Preston lose his mind and heart.
CW: death by train to a secondary character (in the past, discussed, complications grieving of), discussion of alcoholism and gambling addiction (secondary characters), smoking cigarettes, drinking
I read this back in 2013 or 2014 and remember enjoying the series, but not sure if I liked it because it was good or because it was super hot.
First is in KU so I will check it out again.
First is in KU so I will check it out again.
Zoe York really did that thing. That thing where I ate up this steamy, slow-burn second chance between former high school sweethearts who reconnect as they edge toward their 40s. He was the bad boy, she was the tutor, he left her to chase his air force dreams and she stayed in their hometown and put down roots.
They share a deep connection and memories of what might have been, no regrets about what actually was, and dreams of a future they maybe could have.
This book - with its abortion rep (not a trauma, something both characters chose, but a secret they shared only with each other) is so important.
I love this entire series, and cannot say enough about each one.
Thank you to the author for the early review copy.
Content notes: Seth is a cis, white man & a veteran of the Canadian Air Force. He owns a small private plane charter business. January is a white, cis white woman & a teacher at the local school. She's caretaking her niece and nephew while her sister is deployed and running her and her sister's harbor business. Discussion of abortion, in the past, sick bed scene, drinking, baby epilogue.
More in depth, slightly spoilery:
I was aching for these two to kiss by the time we finally got one, and the way Seth edged January along to some self-less oral wow. The man giveth, and he giveth good. I'm such a sucker for former high school sweethearts second chance, because there's all those sweaty first memories, and then you get to remake them with someone who you loved in your way then, but now as an adult it is all the sweeter, and scarier. They also know the hurt.
I really appreciated how Seth supported January through an abortion, how they shared that secret only with each other, but it wasn't what broke them up. They don't have regrets about it, but they have those bittersweet memories of the turmoil. I was also especially glad to see all of the characters and family members they told about it later, during their new courtship, were 100% supportive and only said you COULD have told us, but we understand why you didn't. Especially Seth's oldest brother who did have a child as a teenager.
Seth's military service (along with January's sister's) doesn't feel as rah rah as USA set books with military characters, which is good for me. York also doesn't sugar coat small town life - showcasing the real struggles as the town changes, how businesses can struggle too.
All in all, this series has fit my sweet spot as a reader, and I was both in love with and SO MAD about the author for that cliff-hangy ending featuring the next Kincaid brother and his love interest. SCREAM.
They share a deep connection and memories of what might have been, no regrets about what actually was, and dreams of a future they maybe could have.
This book - with its abortion rep (not a trauma, something both characters chose, but a secret they shared only with each other) is so important.
I love this entire series, and cannot say enough about each one.
Thank you to the author for the early review copy.
Content notes: Seth is a cis, white man & a veteran of the Canadian Air Force. He owns a small private plane charter business. January is a white, cis white woman & a teacher at the local school. She's caretaking her niece and nephew while her sister is deployed and running her and her sister's harbor business. Discussion of abortion, in the past, sick bed scene, drinking, baby epilogue.
More in depth, slightly spoilery:
I was aching for these two to kiss by the time we finally got one, and the way Seth edged January along to some self-less oral wow. The man giveth, and he giveth good. I'm such a sucker for former high school sweethearts second chance, because there's all those sweaty first memories, and then you get to remake them with someone who you loved in your way then, but now as an adult it is all the sweeter, and scarier. They also know the hurt.
I really appreciated how Seth supported January through an abortion, how they shared that secret only with each other, but it wasn't what broke them up. They don't have regrets about it, but they have those bittersweet memories of the turmoil. I was also especially glad to see all of the characters and family members they told about it later, during their new courtship, were 100% supportive and only said you COULD have told us, but we understand why you didn't. Especially Seth's oldest brother who did have a child as a teenager.
Seth's military service (along with January's sister's) doesn't feel as rah rah as USA set books with military characters, which is good for me. York also doesn't sugar coat small town life - showcasing the real struggles as the town changes, how businesses can struggle too.
All in all, this series has fit my sweet spot as a reader, and I was both in love with and SO MAD about the author for that cliff-hangy ending featuring the next Kincaid brother and his love interest. SCREAM.
Julie Anne Long writes such romantic romance books. I know that sounds silly, but she's truly writing poetry with these simmering, so horny I could simply faint, and so in love with you but I'm so unworthy of you heroes who grovel so prettily for these tempestuous misses.
Big #Kanthony vibes minus the whole love triangle thing (I'm speaking solely of the show as I know not about the book). Hugh Cassidy, son of an actual bastard, Revolutionary War veteran, American self-made man and Lady Lillias are literally panting at each other across the drawing room of the The Grand Palace of the Thames from the moment we meet them. It is a wonder the rest of the guests aren't incinerated between their gazes.
And holy heck the author makes us seethe right along with them as the bear wrestling Cassidy with the scar on his chin and Lillias try their best to get the other to call uncle on their horny horny innuendo laden banter. They really should not be even tempting fate but like magnets they cannot help themselves.
I love how Long balances the power imbalance between the two, as Lillias does long for the life she always thought she wanted while also realizing it might no longer be what she needs. The allusions to the sunsets and the rugged American landscape to Lillias's beauty was so poetic, and while Cassidy could be kind of rogue-ish, I loved him all the more for it.
The moment with the new velvet curtains and the handful of ass will live forever rent free in my mind, along with the debauchery against and tree and the use of Cassidy's boot knife as a mirror to fix hair pins.
Buddy read at the suggestion of my pal WhenFunmiMeetsRomance and others.
I had an earc, but read a finished paperback I checked out from the library.
Big #Kanthony vibes minus the whole love triangle thing (I'm speaking solely of the show as I know not about the book). Hugh Cassidy, son of an actual bastard, Revolutionary War veteran, American self-made man and Lady Lillias are literally panting at each other across the drawing room of the The Grand Palace of the Thames from the moment we meet them. It is a wonder the rest of the guests aren't incinerated between their gazes.
And holy heck the author makes us seethe right along with them as the bear wrestling Cassidy with the scar on his chin and Lillias try their best to get the other to call uncle on their horny horny innuendo laden banter. They really should not be even tempting fate but like magnets they cannot help themselves.
I love how Long balances the power imbalance between the two, as Lillias does long for the life she always thought she wanted while also realizing it might no longer be what she needs. The allusions to the sunsets and the rugged American landscape to Lillias's beauty was so poetic, and while Cassidy could be kind of rogue-ish, I loved him all the more for it.
The moment with the new velvet curtains and the handful of ass will live forever rent free in my mind, along with the debauchery against and tree and the use of Cassidy's boot knife as a mirror to fix hair pins.
Buddy read at the suggestion of my pal WhenFunmiMeetsRomance and others.
I had an earc, but read a finished paperback I checked out from the library.
I dug The Girl Next Door out of my deep, far back TBR pile and I'm so glad I did. What a fantastic character study of a reforming rich-white boy who's learning to become a man in his own right and finding his work, passions, and relationships along the way. Cash could have been such a BRO but he's very cognizant of his privileges, and is very open about both his desires and wants. He's been pining for the one who got away, his friend Steph, who introduced him to many desires he never even imagined for himself. And now Steph has moved back to Chicago, and they reunite and resume their casual 'friends with benefits' arrangement, even if they are afraid they will both get hurt again.
From the SURPRISE threesome, the delicious sexy times, Cash's sweet nature especially as he tends to the youth he coaches soccer for and his recently out cousin, this was super great. I do wish we had gotten a Steph POV, or at least a bit more with Steph, as she remained an enigma for me, and only centered in Cash's POV.
That said, this was great. Highly recommend.
Content notes; biphobia (countered), homophobia (countered, secondary character's parents concerns), drinking
From the SURPRISE threesome, the delicious sexy times, Cash's sweet nature especially as he tends to the youth he coaches soccer for and his recently out cousin, this was super great. I do wish we had gotten a Steph POV, or at least a bit more with Steph, as she remained an enigma for me, and only centered in Cash's POV.
That said, this was great. Highly recommend.
Content notes; biphobia (countered), homophobia (countered, secondary character's parents concerns), drinking
okay I dipped my toes probably where they don't belong (stretching my limits here) so I'm rating based on the readability (great), steam level (great), and wtf-ery (high). That said this is a cliffhanging mafia story, which I'm assuming will end in an HEA in subsequent books.
Fausto is a fucker, I hate him, I don't care that he's sexy. I'm imagining a 40 something Jeremy Irons for him. He's Italian, a total asshole, and fucks whoever he wants, including the 18 year old he KIDNAPPED for his son to marry. Whoops.
Francesca just turned 18, she's all boobs and butt, the most beautiful blonde to ever grace Canada and now Italy, and she's HORNY all the time, even when she's having a panic attack in a dungeon. Not a fun dungeon. A real, I've been thrown into the castillo's dungeon dungeon.
There's also a lamb named Lamborghini, a horsey gift, so much sex and so many Italian pet names.
If you love mafia romances go for it, if not, skip it. The ending, when Francesca discovers she's pregnant and Fausto does not "allow" her to get an abortion did make my head explode in rage today, of all the days.
read for my Fight Club 2022
Fausto is a fucker, I hate him, I don't care that he's sexy. I'm imagining a 40 something Jeremy Irons for him. He's Italian, a total asshole, and fucks whoever he wants, including the 18 year old he KIDNAPPED for his son to marry. Whoops.
Francesca just turned 18, she's all boobs and butt, the most beautiful blonde to ever grace Canada and now Italy, and she's HORNY all the time, even when she's having a panic attack in a dungeon. Not a fun dungeon. A real, I've been thrown into the castillo's dungeon dungeon.
There's also a lamb named Lamborghini, a horsey gift, so much sex and so many Italian pet names.
If you love mafia romances go for it, if not, skip it. The ending, when Francesca discovers she's pregnant and Fausto does not "allow" her to get an abortion did make my head explode in rage today, of all the days.
read for my Fight Club 2022