I have had a hard time deciding where I lie on this read. I felt it was a true page turner and within 50 pages I was rather curious how this was going to unfold. Buuuuut there’s some aspects I didn’t love and had a hard time looking past.

The setting was one of my favorites. I love a good lake side story and this small town filled with wealthy people causing all sorts of drama was a good side piece. I didn’t feel like this drama overwhelmed the love story or make me want to roll my eyes repeatedly.

What I mostly struggled with were the cheating aspects. This is a love triangle between two brothers. The love triangle honestly wasn’t what bugged me, it was everything else. I don’t like cheating even when it “makes sense”. I wish a more official break-up had happened prior.

I liked how dark and brooding Fen was. Also how dang passionate this man was about Jane. Wow did he care for her with an intensity that’s been unmatched in my recent reads. I really liked this aspect of his personality and thought it fueled the desire and chemistry.

While it might have been a mixed bag of a read I can’t deny I’m always entertained by Bennett’s books. I was so excited when I won this giveaway and can’t wait for her next enthralling book!

 

SUFFICIENTLY CHARMED.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

I love a good and quick audio book. This was exactly what I was looking for when it was available and I enjoyed it!

Cindy was a great main character. Charming, positive, and I loved her passion for fashion (even if I don’t understand anything about fashion). There was definitely an immediate connection between her and Henry and it made for some solid swoony moments. I really liked them as a couple and how well they complimented each other.

This is the first bachelor/ette based book I’ve read in a few years and it did reiterate the fact that I just don’t love this trope/setting. I feel like it takes away from the main couple getting a chance to further a deeper connection and that’s how it read here. I wanted a few more layers and depth for everyone, but especially Cindy and Henry.

I loved all of the twists of the Cinderella retelling. Having a kind step-mom and step-sisters was exactly what this book needed. I love that kind of support in any read. Besides the superficiality of a few aspects, this was a good read and a strong standalone retelling.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: some
- Romance: closed door
- Trigger/Content Warnings: orphan (Cindy), loss of loved ones, grief 

NOT A BAD START.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

This was a great debut. Even if I struggled with some of it, I truly enjoyed it overall and look forward to checking out book two.

Aoiefe was alright. I felt like she was extremely naïve about everrrrrything. And some repetitiveness to her storyline and thoughts dragged that on longer than necessary. Luckily, I found a pretty swoony character in Declan. I liked him most of the two points-of-view. He was the kind of dashing pirate, searching for treasure that makes you want to jump on the boat and join him.

The world building was a bit shallow. I was confused about why we were after a certain artifact and still wondering how that artifact works and can change the game, so to speak. There’s also fae involved? I don’t know, I need more answers here. I muuuust have good world building in a fantasy book to be wrapped up in here and that’s what lacked the most.

A predictable ending, with a good set-up for book two. I did like a lot of the side characters and there seems to be plenty of opportunity to expand the world and get some deeper character dives.

Overall audience notes:
- NA Fantasy + Romance
- Language: some mild
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: physical altercations, kidnapping, 

DID I JUST READ A HALLMARK MOVIE?

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

The answer to that question would be a resounding YES. That was a positive and a negative for me.

Positive wise it was exactly what I expected and knew going in would bring out all of the Christmas romance vibes. I did like the main characters. There’s even a really cute niece involved. Not to mention, there really were A LOT of dogs and I loved meeting all of them too. I adore a small town set-up and Pine Hollow was what I was looking for.

On the flip side, being Hallmark-esque meant there’d be some come on now issues. One of those being how clueless our love interest was. Ben could not see past his nose about too many things and I wish that hadn’t dragged out so long. JUST KISS HER ALREADY. And the drama was ramped up towards the end when it could have ridden off into the sunset.

The cute pups made me smile and I did enjoy how fast I flew through it. Perfect for the holiday season, and a sweet romance to boot.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: a little
- Romance: kisses
- Trigger/Content Warnings: orphaned child (parents died off page, recounted), single guardian 

SURFACE LEVEL.

BLOG || INSTAGRAM

That’s what this book was missing. A deeper dive into the characters. I thought it was a cute holiday romance that definitely fit the season, but it was nothing memorable enough for me to recommend it to everyone I see.

I did love reading about a book blogger and rock climber. Those were fun anecdotes that were different from the day to day YA contemporary romance. I didn’t ever fully understand the “switch” concept? They traded phones on accident once, buuut that was a super small scene in comparison to everything else that happened.

Lila and Teddy had some cute moments and I overall liked the development of their relationship. A bit dramatic at times with a good conclusion. A simple, lighter read with a bit of holiday flair.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses
- Trigger/Content Warnings: discussion of previous doxing & internet stalking 

 THIS WAS SPECTACULAR.

I can’t think of one bad thing to say about this book. I LOVED IT SO MUCH.

One of the few things I needed from book one was more romance, AND THIS DELIVERED. ROMA & JULIETTE FOREVER. I loooooooooved the development of their relationship in this one. Enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers. Oh it was the ultimate romance for me. It had everything I could ask for. I was even loving on all of the side character romances too. IT WAS ALL GOOD.

What also was amazing was just this entire storyline. The plot had a bit of everything. Politicking and action, gun-slinging and monsters, romance and swoooooon passionate confessions of love. The rotation of these throughout the multi-POV was executed so well.

The audio book was stellar and I think really sold this book for me. I couldn’t get enough and devoured it as quickly as possible. Not to mention that epilogue was *chef’s kiss*. The ending and everything after was exactly as it should be. I loved the turns on Romeo & Juliette and this duology is one of the top ones I’ve read in a long time.