Thank you to Bethany House fiction for a gifted copy.

COMPASSIONATE.

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First, I know this says it’s the third book in the series but I had zero problems reading this as a standalone!

The plot and setting were one of the best things about this book. I love unique historical dynamics that lead to me learning a lot of times that aren’t heavily discussed. I didn’t think ice (and ice cream) would create such an impactful story, but I love that I stand corrected about that. Filled with a powerful theme of doing the next right thing and showcasing compassion for those around you (and those who deserve it) were some of the highlights.

There’s a sweet romance woven on the sub-side of the major plot. I did like them together and thought that Maggie and Liam had good chemistry. The large gaps between their relationship left some space for the pacing to feel a little off as I had to wait for them to see each and other and communicate again too.

I did love that they worked together and tried to problem solve to the best of their abilities and what would benefit the entire area. I was really fascinated by the villain (who turned out to be based off someone real) and how these kind of business choices affect those who are working the hardest to provide a stable life for themselves.

It was a good read and I happened to listen on audio (and loved the narration!). I would easily be interested in more books by this author.

Overall audience notes:
- Christian Historical Romance
- Language: a little
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: medium
- Trigger/Content Warnings: extortion, bullying, infidelity (side character), near death experiences, chronic illness (stomach ulcers) 

IT WAS SWEET.

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I am officially caught up on Sarah Adams books after having this one sit on my TBR for a few years. It was a quick read that had all of that regency goodness and gave me some good warm fuzzies.

My one thing? I feel like this entire book could have been solved with a conversation. Not necessarily in a miscommunication way, just that…if they’re best friends…why has this never come up in years and years? I don’t know. It’s just something I noticed.

ANYWHO. Perfectly solid read. I loved both of the main characters and everyone on the side too. I liked that there was a lot of plot but that things never felt stilted or forced to move things forward.

Overall audience notes:
- Regency Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: child abuse (recounted), loss of a parent, childbirth, mention of miscarriage (side character)

 

THOUGHTS.

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One on side of the review I enjoyed this. It has an easy writing style that makes for a fast pace. I liked the nods to Mulan (though maybe a little too close at the beginning and end?). It’s a good premise type of set-up that leaves plenty of room for more stories in the world.

What’s missing is the world though. My main issue stems from the fact that there’s no world building. Everything is set at an academy and there’s discussions on the different types of creatures they have to defend against buuuut that’s kind of it. There’s even a Prince! And I know NOTHING about his kingdom??! Or the magic. Everyone seems to have a different type of magic yet there’s no explanation as to why that is or what type of limits there are or why someone’s works better than the next.

The romance is sweet, would have loved even more development, it was cute enough. And the side characters are your typical bunch you find at school: the nice guy, the bully, etc. I’ve heard how the series differs from here so I’m tempted to give the second book a go.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: med-high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: physical and magical altercations, weapons violence, creature attacks, bullying 

PLOT HOLE.

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I wish I could tell y’all what happens with that divorce certificate that was found hidden in a wall, because that felt like the biggest waste of time to me. An entirely huge plot hole in my mind that was never fulfilled.

The premise of this sounded cool. It’s what drew me in. You’re kind of thrown straight into the book without even the smallest build-up. I found my footing pretty quickly though and was initially charmed. House flipping is always fun, there’s a little of bit of mystery and intrigue, some grump x sunshine tropes. Things I’m into.

And then things I was not. The entire plot is boring. Nothing actually happens. It’s like reading about a very basic dating life. Throw in a bunch of random scenes of trying to figure out where the paper comes from and that’s it. That’s all I’ve got. There were a few dramatic points tossed in as well that also really didn’t service the plot either.

I was hopeful, and then those hopes were dashed.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: strong
- Romance: 3 open (med-high explicit)
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a family member, being hit by a car (minor injuries), being kissed without consent, physical altercations 

Thank you to Bethany House Fiction for an ARC and gifted copy.

CHEEKY AND FUN.

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This is the first book I’ve read by Turano and I overall really enjoyed it. I loved the light hearted vibes and how audacious the whole book is. There’s high levels of drama that are fun to lean into and it is wild how intense the match making business became.

I thought all of the different little scenes connected to a solid storyline. I loved how Gwendolyn took charge and reigned in everything that was happening. She was a likeable main character who at her heart wanted the best for those around her (even if they needed a firm talking to first). I adored the three kids. I know not everyone loves them in stories, but I thought they worked beautifully. They themselves were humorous and also in desperate need of true love and intention. They blossomed as much as the rest of the main characters and I loved seeing that transition.

Length wise, I do think it could have been a little shorter. I noticed a good handful of repetitive commentary within a few pages of each other that I didn’t need to hear over and over again. Besides that, it’s a sunny book, with a unique setting (for me, I’ve never read a Gilded Age matchmaking book!), and a cute romance that takes both Gwendolyn and Walter by surprise.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, loss of a spouse (from childbirth) 

Thank you to the authors for an eARC.

DEEPLY LOVED.

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This feels exactly like that the type of books I have come to expect (and love) from these authors. BUT this one also had this extra layer of deep that really resonated with the story and the character dynamics. Merritt and Hunter are both in lower places than they expected when they meet again and that takes time to crawl out of and see the future before them.

There’s definitely still some comedic antics that had me smiling and chuckling along. Though I keep turning back to all of the meaningful conversations that were brought to the table. I loooove that both of them worked hard on trying to communicate with each other. There’s past grievances, many questions, and a sense of will they stay? that bring out the feels as the pages go by.

Merritt was a fantastic FMC and very much relatable to my modus operandi. The oldest child seeking constant perfection and an escape from her parent’s divorce. WOW THAT HITS. Slowly and surely she connects back with her true self and acknowledges that she can be a combination of all the Merritt’s she’s tried to be and I LOVE THAT. + the addition of a super swoony Hunter who is short on words and big on trying. He makes mistakes too and finding that I need to set boundaries moment was critical to the story.

I loved this story and could continue gushing about it. It was everything I hoped for and my excitement for book three is off the charts.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: make-outs
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of childbirth, divorce, loss of a grandparent, cheating (recounted – NOT between main couple) 

AN ENJOYABLE READ.

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It sounds counterintuitive to say that I don’t feel like I have many words to say for this review. But to me, that’s not a bad thing either. I just really liked this book and had a good time picking it up randomly from a friend’s recommendation. It’s not my go-to genre. Yet it worked out and I am thinking of picking up more from this series.

I did read this without reading the others in the series and had no issues (that I noticed).

The banter between Alexander and Genevieve was fiery and I loved the way that Alexander worked for Genevieve’s attention. Not in an over bearing manner. It made me smile and they started to connect over true things they had in common which slowly started to bring the heat. It is a slow burn (with a little innuendo) and I live for slow burns.

Plot wise I’m not always that big of a fan of house party style historicals. Some of that was fine, and other times it felt like simple games as fluffer to add a scene to fill the story.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical Romance
- Language: some
- Romance: 3-4 open; high explicit
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a wife (asphyxiation), loss of a baby (recounted) 

LACKING.

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I truly did want to love this, and it started out pretty interesting, then things kind of fell flat for me.

With memories being wiped, I initially thought that was a really cool idea. Discovering what’s what and who Collins truly is. All good things. But it also felt like I was continually watching flashback moments and being told a lot of things rather than showing since multiple people were trying to remember what had happened to them.

I liked the commentary of dark vs. light and finding that light within yourself. It had an air of working through depression and the shadow periods of our lives. Plenty of good sentiments there that I easily connected to and understood.

Romance missed me too. While at the start I was meh about how things started, then they flipped (which I admittedly do love), I guess I once again had that show/tell problem. I can’t go into much detail because it would probably venture to spoiler territory.

Overall audience notes:
- NA Fantasy Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: medium
- Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, torture, memory loss, physical altercations, loss of loved ones, loss of parents

 

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.

LIKED BY THE END.

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This wasn’t quite what I was expecting. The Hating Game tagline felt like a misnomer (so if someone can point out where that was, please let me know). But the Mission Impossible vibes were there at least! I like this trend of a more romantic comedy + suspense. It’s a mood I am here for.

There wasn’t as much romance as I was hoping for. Though the second half did a better job of adding to those elements. I would have loved to have seen them be able to connect more and not just about the job they were on. I liked both Sydney and Winter as standalone characters. There were some flashbacks that helped flesh out their personalities and I think there’s going to be some great development in book two for both of them.

The antagonist was painfully obvious so don’t expect to be surprised by necessarily that piece. Action wise, I definitely enjoyed those scenes. High intensity, not quite sure what was going to happen. Waiting for the next page kind of on edge.

I do have plans to read the next book and I’m curious to see what the next adventure will bring!

Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary Romantic Suspense
- Language: very little
- Romance: make-outs
- Violence: med-high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: near death experiences, gun violence, kidnapping, poisoning, loss of a parent 

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for an eARC.

LET ME TELL Y’ALL.

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This is my new favorite Cleeton book. I have continually enjoyed her books over the years and this is once again, no different. I devoured this in two sittings because I could NOT put it down. I love the way the author put together this fast paced story yet with gorgeous writing had me completely connected to the characters and wondering what was going to happen next.

The plot follows a bit of a murder mystery on a ship vibe. With a swoony gem thief and an heiress with a secret. I loooved the way all of these secrets started coming to light. They were well timed pieces that would have me trying to read even faster not knowing how it would all end. I loooved both Elena and Catherine. I love anything that has a women supporting women vibe and these two + their tight friendship helped bring necessary justice to many wrongs.

Historical wise, I had never heard of this ship and one of my favorite parts of historical books is reading the note at the end about the specifics the author drew from. This felt fresh and unique in the historical fiction genre and I know is one of the best books I’ve read recently.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical Fiction + Romance
- Language: a little
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, multiple attempted murders, drownings, arson, loss of parents (recounted)