GHOSTLY.

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I’m honestly a hard sell on paranormal ghost based romances and that was my biggest draw back here. Granted, I thought the way things worked out has me totally intrigued and I will be picking up the next book to see what happens.

It’s a very quick story (honestly thought it could have been one book??). I enjoyed both main characters and that we got dual POV. MY FAV. The dancing and little dates and intensely heated conversations were all great. There’s a lot to unpack throughout.

One of the side characters drove me up a wall and I wish we didn’t have any of his POV or commentary or anything else. It just came off naïve and silly and a page filler.

Otherwise, I’m loving getting the chance to work through Amy Harmon’s back list (I think this is her first released book too). It’s fun to see how writing styles have changed.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Paranormal Romance
- Language: a little
- Romance: make-outs
- Violence: moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: brief gun violence, losing a loved one, physical altercations, bullying 

I’M INTRIGUED.

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The synopsis had me oh so intrigued. And I admit, I did enjoy it. Took awhile to grow on me though.

Our MMC, Valen is very Cardan Greenbriar coded (which could be a good or bad thing for you). The snarky fae who likes to drink a bit too much and has a major chip on his shoulder with the things he has to handle. Enter in, Keltania who’s only job is protect Valen. A very good forced proximity with a bit of enemies to lovers situation. The romance grew on me and I feel invested enough in them to continue this series.

The plot for the most part centers around traveling and seeing other mythical creatures (kelpies, trolls, etc.). Kinda dragged here and there and the villain reveals aren’t anything surprising. There’s some give and take here but I’m not mad I read it. I hope to see some story deviations that feel new in the second book.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: make-outs; light innuendo
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: near death experiences, physical and magical altercations, loss of loved ones 

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

MY NEW FAVORITE EVER.

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I don’t know how to be coherent when I really want to shout I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH GO READ IT RIGHT NOW. It was everything I could have hoped for in closing out this series and I am a puddle of emotions over the ending.

FLINT AND AUDREY. I think what really sells me on an amazing romance is when I love the characters separate AND together. The chemistry was well timed and the banter was on point. AND HE FELL FIRST. AND FELL HARD. Oh my gosh, Flint Hawthorne. And I adored Audrey. She was brave and so very brilliant and I love how these two opposites came together.

The plot had all of the little moments I could have hoped for. And while being closed door/sweet it still brought that little bit of heat you could feel burning off the pages. I love an intense kiss scene and this one had multiple. And the third act was beautifully and realistically handled and I’m all in my feels again just writing this review.

Not to mention I LOVE the whole Hawthorne family. Getting to see where they are, the text conversations and just the SUPPORT.

I love Jenny Proctor’s books! Incredibly excited to see what’s next.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: make-outs
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: unwanted grabbing, harassment by media 

Thank you to Bethany House for the eARC.

LONG-WINDED.

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I enjoyed book one and was excited to read book two. It ended up only being alright though.

I liked both main characters, Adelaide and Gideon. There was a lot of charming banter and a big time slow burn. I loved the Adelaide owned who she was and learned what place in society she was fine with holding. There’s even a ball scene where Gideon is oh so swoony and I fully support having a ball scene in every book.

For the writing style, I struggled. I felt like everything seemed long winded. The dialogue, descriptions, about every paragraph was thick. With all of the cozy mystery vibes I wish things had been a little more paired down.

The mystery aspects were fun. A charming book store and hidden journals. A bit of blackmail and whodunnit moments. I loved that Adelaide kept showing up and helping in unconventional ways.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical Mystery / Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: brief gun violence 

 BEST OF THE BUNCH.

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After not loving the first in the series it was recommended that I try this one, and they were right! I enjoyed this one so much more. Marriage of convenience for the win. ALWAYS.

I really liked the chemistry between Paige and Logan. There’s an immediate heat there and a willingness to help each other out in both of their respective predicaments. I looooved the relationships built between Paige and Logan’s sisters. It felt very true to nature and the ups and downs of emotions and building connections and growing up.

There was something still missing for me in the romance. I think with the short nature I’m missing those last extra pages that build out the romance a little more for me. I did think it had a great slow burn and I loved seeing them finally give in to each other.

It’s a fast read, it has the football content and was exactly the binge listen I needed.

Overall audience notes:
- Sports Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: 2-3 open; moderate/high explicit
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: parental abandonment (side characters), custody battle for children, discussions on weight and modeling career 

LOVELY.

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This was really dang good. Am I surprised? Not at all. And shoutout to my favorite audiobook narrators that read all of Sanderson’s books. Y’all are amazing.

I love how this subtly (but firmly) took on AI and the beauty and imagination of genuine artists. I felt this was really a nod to how important and impactful art (in all forms) is to a society.

The romance is sweet and actually at the for front of this story. Now I wouldn’t say this is a ROMANCE, but there is heavy focus on the relationship between Painter and Yumi. I adored these characters and how they both learned about the other, were honest about their struggles and were genuinely trying to do what was best.

Hoid once again narrates and I thought his little snippets were funny and quirky. While not necessarily my favorite aspect, I get the idea behind using this framework for the books that don’t necessarily fit into one of Sanderson’s already built systems.

This can be read as a standalone without prior Sanderson books. The narration might throw you off and you could see some Easter eggs from other parts of the Cosmere, but nothing spoiler based.

Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy / Romance
- Language: a little
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: physical and magical altercations, nightmares, anxiety depiction, -depression depiction, 

AWESOME DEBUT.

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I admit, I am easily influenced by one well created reel that shows up when I’m mindlessly scrolling. This one was an absolute winner.

The fake dating was a lot of fun and I liked the enemies to lovers vibes banter that happened between Alexei and Kennedy. I continually smirked at my screen because I just KNEW THEY WERE FALLING IN LOVE. And that’s the best feeling.

I looooved that this was a slow burn. Really getting to see that build before the spice came into play. Better yet, it happened to be in my spice comfort level and worked well into the story. I loved both of these characters. Battling pasts, finding common ground, and realizing that they may have met their match.

The only thing I didn’t love was that Kennedy’s ex came back into the picture when I didn’t think he was needed to bring in any more conflict. He can get gone.

Fantastic writing and story telling. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Highly recommend for my hockey romance lovers.

Overall audience notes:
- Sports Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: two brief open; low explicit
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: brief hockey fights, loss of a mother (recounted) 

Thank you Bibliolifestyle and Avon books for the gifted copy.

PURE FUN.

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This is outside of my usual romance reads and I LOVED it all the more for that fact. I like mixing it up sometimes and this was the perfect thing I needed.

I thought our two mysterious leads stole the show. I loved the banter. I loved all of the running and hiding aspects. Having to fake date and find safe spots together. Learning more about each other. It’s so good. And you kind of get swept away in the speed of their romance alongside the speed of the plot.

The reveals were awesome. I liked the bit of unreliability that came with the narration and watching the chips fall where they may as the plot thickened. It’s a short book, definitely fast paced and a book I truly adored.

Overall audience notes:
- Mystery / Contemporary Romance
- Language: light
- Romance: closed-door
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, murder, kidnapping, near death experiences 

 ALRIGHT LET’S DO THIS.

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This book has a 3.62 average on Goodreads and I’m convinced I read a different book. GRANTED. I am always here for multiple POV’s, complicated plots and villain story lines. Though I swear if this screws me over like Red Queen I will riot.

I thought this was interesting. It’s a complex world with spindle and magic and immortals and kings and queens and I loved how they all worked together. You have some of the usual tropes mixed in with things I didn’t know I needed: aka, the villain romance. YES PLEASE.

There’s so many characters and I liked the beginning of everyone’s story. I can’t wait to see how these further twist and turn over the series. The banter is great, the subtle possible romances have my attention and the found family is definitely building.

I didn’t feel the length of this (could be due to the audio) but I’m also cool with the big books. Can’t wait to see what book two holds!

Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy
- Language: a little strong
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, battle/war themes 

Thank you to Bethany House for the eARC.

MAYBE FOR YOU?

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I know I gave this a low rating, but I’m also able to see that maybe it’ll work for someone else this holiday season.

What I struggled with most was the mental health representation and how it was handled. It just didn’t sit well with me and I wish a little more exploration would have been written in. I felt like this plot line wasn’t truly finished.

The romance was lackluster. It was trying hard to be sweet and cute, but many of the moments felt forced.

There’s definitely plenty to fulfill anyone looking for a read with holiday spirit. Lots of Christmastime activities and traditions to go around. While I didn’t click with the writing style if you enjoy:

Sweet romance
Heavy faith themes
Workplace romance
Kind friendships
…then maybe it’ll work for you!

Overall audience notes:
Christian Holiday Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Trigger/Content Warnings: FMC’s Mom has Alzheimer’s, mentions of loss of a sibling, social anxiety rep