Review: The only thing that’s problematic is my unhealthy obsession with this book! 

 

“Problematic Summer Romance” follows 23 year-old Maya Killgore and 38 year-old Conor Harkness—a.k.a the man she just can’t seem to get over—after they end up stuck together in a romantic Sicilian villa for over a week. Any relationship between them would be problematic, but a summer fling might be just what they need. 

 

While this book can be read as a standalone, I suggest reading “Not in Love” beforehand, as it not only teases Maya and Hark’s relationship, but also establishes some of the character dynamics. I love how “Problematic Summer Romance” builds off of Eli and Rue’s love story to develop Maya and Conor’s. It was also really fun to reunite with some of my favorite characters from “Not in Love” and see what they were getting up to. 

 

I enjoyed how this story shifts between the past and the present to showcase how Maya and Conor’s relationship started, ended, and was rekindled. What ultimately drove them apart was Conor’s concern for the power imbalance in their relationship, which results from their difference in age. He fights his feelings and puts distance between them under the guise that he is protecting her. I loved watching Maya, who is so sure of herself and her feelings, help him realize that he is worthy of love. The tension born of their initial hesitance to pursue something “forbidden” and their charged back and forth are the driving forces of this story! They also made the moment Maya and Conor gave in to their chemistry that much more satisfying. 

 

This is definitely the romance of the summer!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

Review: There is no world in which this book is not one of my favorite love stories of all times! 

 

“Save Me” follows Ruby Bell, a quick-witted scholarship student, after she stumbles upon a scandalous secret involving James Beaufort—the rich, arrogant, and handsome ringleader of Maxton Hall’s popular crowd. They come from different worlds, yet the more time they spend together planning the school’s annual gala, the more they question if they were meant for each other all along. 

 

Like many others, I picked this book up after watching the television adaptation, Maxton Hall. I fell in love with Ruby and James on the screen, but I fell for them even harder on the page! Kasten alternates between their perspectives, intimately acquainting readers with Ruby and James’ innermost thoughts, motivations, and insecurities. I felt like I really got to know them better, got to see the depths of Ruby’s determination, resilience, and compassion as well as James’ emotions, dreams, and intellect. 

 

Ruby and James’ rivalry turned romance is all consuming! The pacing is deliciously slow as the line between hatred and love begins to blur. The forbidden aspect with James’ dad disapproving of Ruby’s background makes their entanglement all the more satisfying when he pushes back against the confines of his family’s expectations. They go through many ups and downs that threaten to tear them apart. The moment they finally give in to the pull between them is only overshadowed by the cliffhanger at the end! 

 

If you’re a fan of the show, this book is a must-read!

 

Review: Archer brought her A-game to the latest book in her Vancouver Storm series! 

 

“Gloves Off” follows Dr. Georgia Greene and NHL enforcer Alexei Volkov as they enter a marriage convenience for their shared gain. 

 

Georgia and Alexei are everything to me! Their relationship dynamic is captivating, both characters’ intense hatred stemming from preconceived notions of one another. Both put up walls to keep each other at arm’s length, but the circumstances surrounding their fake marriage—Georgia wanting access to her inheritance and Alexei desiring citizenship—eventually result in them being torn down. I loved watching Georgia and Alexei see new sides of one another as they learned to open up. Georgia is extremely driven, funny, and encouraging. Beneath his grouchy exterior, Alexei is caring, protective, and generous. Despite their chemistry, both characters butt heads and engage in verbal sparring matches to fight their attraction. I could not get enough of the sizzling tension and mutual pining! The more time they spend under one roof, the more they wholeheartedly embrace their marriage. Their every interaction—from sharing a bed to worrying over each other’s safety—left me swooning! The slow build up is worth it for the satisfying payoff. I had the best time reading this hate-to-love hockey romance and seriously didn’t want it to come to an end!

Thank you to the author for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review: One last ride to Runaway Ranch…spoiler alert, you won’t want to dismount! 

 

“Ride the Sky” follows Fallon McGraw after she runs from her small hometown in search of a. Fresh start. When it all comes crashing down, it’s Wyatt Montgomery—the one person who gets under her skin—that is there to pick uptime pieces. Forced to live under one roof together, it gets harder and harder to deny the spark between them…and that there someone else who wants to put it out. 

 

Hunter has been laying the groundwork for Fallon and Wyatt since book one and let me tell you, the wait was definitely worth it! Their loathe-to-love relationship development is immensely satisfying, spanning years. Hunter does a great job filling readers in with flashbacks that provide context for Fallon’s hatred for Wyatt and their trademark push-pull dynamic. 

 

In the present, Fallon’s demons catch up to her. She doesn’t want to be a burden to anyone, keeping the pain surrounding her kidnapping locked up. When Wyatt brings her home following her riding accident, she tries to push him away by showing him her worst. Wyatt, the charming cowboy that he is, refuses to walk away and takes care of her without fencing her in. The way he fusses over her by cooking her meals, massaging her hip, and taking her to PT had me in a chokehold. Fallon takes care of him too, giving him a safe space to open up about his own trauma. Throughout the weeks they spend together as Fallon heals inside and out, they slowly but surely confront the past, let go of their stubbornness, and act on four years of pining! I seriously could not get enough of their chemistry and the way helped each other find happiness. As afraid as I was when Fallon’s stalker came out of the woodwork, I knew that nothing could tear her apart from Wyatt. When they have each other, there is no storm they can’t weather. I could not have asked for a better book to conclude the Runaway Ranch series!

Review: A travel romcom you’ll end up consuming in one sitting! 

 

“Never Thought I’d End Up Here” follows Leah Zhang, a former model determined to get revenge on the boy who ruined her life while they are on an intensive two-week travel program in China together. 

 

Whatever Ann Liang writes, I’ll read because she somehow manages to put everything I love and find relatable into her books. “Never Thought I’d End Up Here” is no exception. 

 

Before embarking on her trip to China, Leah is lost, trying to live up to society’s expectations of her. I think that it is really easy to get caught up in caring too much about appearances and overthinking how we are perceived by others, as is the case with Leah. I found pieces of myself in the way Leah just wants to be liked and really enjoyed watching her reconnect with herself the more she learns to let go of this want. 

 

No one can write childhood enemies to lovers quite like Ann Liang! While Leah’s history with Cyrus initially serves as a source of pain, his actions throughout the book ultimately cause her to abandon her revenge plot. From applying Band-Aids to her blisters to setting flower crowns on her head, my heart melted alongside Leah’s. He helps her come back to herself and loves her unconditionally. Their relationship arc is Liang’s best yet, playing out against the backdrop of China’s most beautiful cities. 

Thank you to Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for the free copy for review

Review: Lynn’s romantasy debut is a Hell-of-a-good time!

“For Whom the Belle Tolls” follows Lily after her death sends her to the Afterlife. With eternity on her hands, she carves a job out for herself amongst Hell’s demons by opening a Hellp Desk. A chance meeting at that very desk has her falling for Bel, a demon general with a distractingly sexy voice, but something catastrophic is brewing, threatening to destroy everything unless they put a stop to it.

I experienced a full range of emotions while reading this one! Lynn blends themes of love, loss, and healing while also sprinkling in more humorous elements. Despite the Afterlife being under siege by enemy forces, I couldn’t contain my laughter when I came across Lily and Bel’s banter or Lily’s more colorful exchanges with the nastiest souls at the Hellp Desk. 

I really enjoyed reading from both Lily and Bel’s points-of-view. Lily’s character is very layered, her past rife with religious trauma that she unpacks during her time in the Afterlife. Bel, though very much a cinnamon roll mmc, experiences trauma of his own on the battlefield. The two find solace in their friendship, which was incredibly heartwarming. I love a good friends-to-lovers romance and Lynn comes through, taking her time in developing their relationship. Over the course of the novel, they have honest conversations, get to know each other in and out, and accept one another fully. When they finally act on their feelings after establishing a strong foundation, I couldn’t stop swooning. 

Their love also extends to Sharkie, the little girl they adopt into their family. Before her death, Sharkie went through unspeakable things. I love how Lily made her feel safe and slowly but surely coaxed her out of her shell so that she could spread her wings. I truly latched onto these characters and cannot wait to see what they get up to in the next installment!

Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review: A breathtaking gothic fantasy you won’t be able to put down. 

 

“The Knight and  the Moth” follow Sybil Delling, a young prophetess, after she is forced on an impossible quest with a rude, yet handsome knight whose future is beyond her sight. 

 

Gillig’s atmospheric writing effortlessly transports readers to her fictional world of Traum and the five hamlets that make up the Stonewater Kingdom. I love how distinctive each region is in term of environment, but also similar in terms of customs and beliefs. Her magic system is wholly unique and deeply entangled with religious elements, which I found fascinating. Power lies not with the monarchy, but instead with Aisling Cathedral. This hierarchy creates complications for her rich cast of characters when startling revelations are made about the true identities of the Omens they once worshipped. 

 

I absolutely adore Gillig’s characters! With the story being told from Sybil’s perspective, you watch her discover in real time that everything she ever believed in as a Diviner is a lie. Her internal struggle to let go of the person she once was the more her faith in the Omens unravels is extremely relatable. I really enjoyed watching her step into her strength in her quest for the truth with Rory at her side. 

 

Sybil and Rory’s relationship is a slow burn with the most rewarding payoff. Their every interaction is full of intense yearning and their verbal sparring matches lighten up the darker parts of the story. My favorite relationship, however, is Sybil’s friendship with the gargoyle! The gargoyle is both humorous and wise. He is such a lovable character that I vow to protect at all costs!!! 

 

The family Sybil finds in Rory, Maude, Benji, and the gargoyle after feeling so alone made my heart happy. Much to my chagrin, the final chapter threatens to upend everything, so I’m in desperate need of book 2! 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Review: A haunting, dark fantasy that will captivate you cover to cover. 

 

“Rose in Chains” follows Briony Rosewood after she is captured and stripped of her magic by enemy forces. She, alongside other survivors, are quickly put up for auction. Facing a life of servitude and imprisonment, she is sold off to none other than Toven Hearst, Scion of a family known for their cruelty. All hope seems lost…until it arises in the most unlikely of places. 

 

Please make sure to check the trigger warnings before reading. The topics are very heavy. Take care of yourself. 

 

Above all else, this is a story of the strength found in female friendship and resilience in the face of adversity. Despite all Briony has suffered at the hands of her oppressors—the loss of her brother, freedom, magic, and bodily autonomy—she is a character that exudes determination. For her, resistance is strategic. It looks like strengthening her mental defenses, reminding women in her situation that they aren’t alone, and absorbing as much information as she can about her captors. It is this “quiet” resistance, her intelligence, and resilience that makes her character so compelling. 

 

Toven Hearst is a very complex character that constantly had me questioning his motivations. It is hard to reconcile the man who treated Briony so coldly during their school years and later purchased her in the auction with the man who returns her magic to her, protects her from harm, and gives her the tools she needs to evade mind control. 

 

Their relationship is just as layered, the line separating friend from foe blurring as the tension and yearning heightens. Soto incorporates a dual timeline in the narrative to help readers piece together which aspects of their past impact their present. 

 

At the same time, Soto weaves in political and fantastical elements to add depth to the story. The world she creates with her lyrical prose is immersive. While it took a moment to take everything in, once I did so, I was gripped by Soto’s plot and grew invested in the lives of her characters. 

 

I eagerly await book 2 as I recover from the criminal cliffhanger the last chapter left off on.