lisaluvsliterature's Reviews (4.19k)

So, I just don't really like either of these characters? Which is crazy because I tend to love ALL things Meghan Quinn writes. But I'm going to move on to the next book in this series at some point because I loved the first one so much. I just don't seem to even want to go back and continue listening to this one, so it's better to DNF instead of getting in a book slump. And I know I'm in the minority on this one as I see so many 5 star reviews on Goodreads, and it probably deserves it, just wasn't working for me.

It wasn't bad, it just wasn't keeping my attention and was kind of a little TOO predictable. I know it is a retelling, but a little more uniqueness in how things were done would have maybe kept me going.

I’ve enjoyed other books by this author in the past and so when she reached out and asked if I wanted to start her new series I was very happy to do that! I do love a good fireman hero and I also love a story featuring a bakery, especially when so many yummy types of sweets are mentioned. And I can definitely say that the types of sweets mentioned in this book did not disappoint!

The history between Nick and Rachel seems like it would be pretty tense, with his having been the person who caused their bakery to burn down when she was younger. However, even with that, I feel that Rachel and her family had their reservations about him, but they were also very realistic in how they realized what happened wasn’t something malicious and that they’d forgiven or gotten over that. But it also made a ton of sense that Nick would be carrying that guilt around with him the way he did. Nick had a not so great family life after losing his mother and then his father just kind of ignoring everything at that point. And while Rachel’s family had that loss with the fire, they were able to rebuild. Now Rachel just has to deal with her mother being overbearing and unwavering or accepting of any help from her. Even though Rachel came back to town to help the bakery stay afloat when their grandmother passed and the family seemed to be struggling to keep it from going under financially. Rachel has the college degree and some great knowledge. But her mother is a creative type/dreamer, and doesn’t want to think anything really needs to be changed, it should just continue to be done the way it always has.

Nick has become such a good guy, the town loves him, and so when he and Rachel kind of get thrown together, they quickly become friends. Both kind of had crushes on the other, but of course never acted on them due to their histories. And Rachel’s ex is wow, not a good guy at all. I was a little upset with how Rachel so easily believed something about Nick that was clearly set up by someone else, even if it was understandable after what Kyle had done to her. But up to that point Nick had done nothing but prove how different he was than Kyle and what a great guy he was.

Overall this was a fun story. There were a few points that dragged for me, and some of the steamy scenes had a few bits that were a little cringey for me – like things that were said to each other, but in the end it was a great start to what looks to be a fun series. I’m assuming since the series is named after the bakery that we’ll be getting Rachel’s sisters’ stories in the next two books!

I am loving getting back into the world that introduced me to one of my now all time favorite authors, Samantha Young. First one was On Loverose Lane, and this time we’re back with the daughter of my favorite couple, Nate and Liv from Before Jamaica Lane. Just like the original series made me want to visit Scotland, this time around, after having actually been there, learning about places I didn’t have time to see, or knowing more where they are talking about makes me want to go back!

Now, Lily is a lot like her mom in some ways. She has some of the same self-confidence issues, only Lily is a bit more equipped to deal with them, with her background in psychology. Although at times even knowing she is wrong to feel the way she does because someone else made her feel that way isn’t always enough to keep those intrusive thoughts from rearing their ugly heads. She is able to use what she is learning in school and hoping to use in her career though, to make sure she takes care of herself. So when she does separate herself when Sebastian can’t seem to overcome his own issues, which she has kind of figured out again because of her education, the pulling away isn’t done as it so often seems to be in romances for drama’s sake. 

Sebastian is 30th in line to the throne, which in our story is not the real royals, but a made up family, much better I think, even when the author includes real music groups in the story. (Yes, I Googled them, lol.). However his connection to royalty is not at all what is keeping him from being ready to have a relationship. His reasons stem back to an incident when he was younger, and Lily correctly diagnoses that after they have some heart to heart talks, sharing their past with each other. However, even when he realizes she’s right, he still won’t let himself have what will make himself happy. It takes the devastation of losing her and others pointing out what is right in his face for him to finally decide to put up or shut up. And he has a wonderful grand gesture to get Lily back. 

When they were able to work things out and get back together, it was soon enough in the book that I was unsure what would be that final dramatic moment they would have to deal with. I thought maybe it would have something to do with her ex, but it was a surprise, especially with who ended up being involved in putting it into action. To me it was also realistic that for Lily to have a bit of a doubt at first, until she was talked down and had a minute to think, as well as having her friend ask her the important questions. The author also made Sebastian not just suddenly being perfect with no hesitation, but to have his moments, and for Lily to be able to stop and let him know it was okay, and he could talk to her, needed to talk to her, when he felt that way. 

Once again we also get to spend time with Lily’s family and friends who we know from the original series. And I even love how we get a bit of a full circle with the library study room – if you know you know. We also got some time with the characters from the first book, specifically Baird who we saw the accident happen to at the end of the first book. And I’m pleased to see that from the synopsis of the next book in the series, we will get to see his story, because I do like him a lot and would love to see him get his own HEA. Although I do now kind of feel the same way about one of Sebastian’s friends, as well as the other siblings and cousins in the story. Another winning romance from Samantha Young!

I enjoyed the first one in this series, All’s Fair in Love and War, and was excited to get the next protegee’s story! So when the publisher reached out with a link to an e-galley of this, I went ahead and grabbed it.

I did enjoy this story. I liked Lottie a lot. She was fun and knew what she liked and didn’t like, and knew who she was. Sure there was the problem of Guy being a Lord and she was just a farmer’s daughter and former governess/companion to his aunt now. It was obvious it was a grumpy sunshine romance, and while it was understandable that Guy was a little bit gun-shy of falling in love after his humiliation as a young man in love years before, I did like that he kind of came around to the idea of the two of them before she did.

Guy was a nice guy, the things he did for his family, the people who lived around his lands and how he wanted to make sure to help them get fair profit from their crops. His mother was such a meddler though, and it was easy to see why he was so frustrated and tended to stay away to save himself from her matchmaking. When Guy and Lottie did give in, it was just one somewhat open door scene in the story, other than a few kisses and a little making out before that. I was also a bit shocked when his mother and especially his aunt sent Lottie away because of the other prospects catching the two of them from a distance together kissing or him leaving her room. Especially with the way both of them had earlier acted about things they’d heard. However in the end, I was glad that was the drama that came between them instead of a misunderstanding for drama’s sake. And I loved the letter Lottie got right when Guy showed up for that big grand gesture to get her back.

Another fun addition to the series, and I look forward to seeing which protegee will get her HEA next!

I wasn’t sure if I was going to get an early copy of this, but I did, and I did a little dance when it showed up in my email inbox! I adore these characters, this whole series really, and the fact that we get other characters from other series that I love by this author made it that much better! And of course my love of all things Scottish/Outlander, and I was texting my sister who lived in Scotland to ask about all the words and meanings as they talked about, such as chuff, because of the dog named Chuffy. And of course the fact that Hamish is from Glasgow, where my sister now lives with her Glaswegian boyfriend made it fun to read and ask her about things they said.

So this isn’t our first foray into Hamish and Amy’s romance/relationship. Which could be obvious from the title having the word elopement in it. We know these two are in love. But the things they are put through in this story from deciding to get married puts a huge strain on them. First is the disaster that is Hamish’s proposal at his exhibition game. Then there is the craziness that surrounds both the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom who each have exactly how and where they want the wedding all planned out, and there’s no way to combine it seeing as how the wheres are in two different countries. As mentioned in the blurb, there are cameos from other series by this authors. Series I’ve read all the books in, and series I still have a few to get through. But I knew the people and it was fun getting back into those worlds. I love when authors cross over in their worlds like this!

I also love how even when things get rough and there are events or things people say that could totally come between Hamish and Amy, nothing changes their minds about wanting to be together. The drama doesn’t cause a riff between them. Most of the drama in this is hilarious in its own right, even when it is so frustrating to see the wedding plans just being hijacked and ruined left and right. But the love these two have for each other is exactly what they both need and neither will give it up, and neither will let the other not know exactly how they feel.

Now, because they are together already for the story, the amount of steam in this story is WAY up there. The only thing keeping it from a full 5 on that aspect for me was there wasn’t anything too crazy in what they did. But there is a lot of sex. And it is pretty much all on the page, no fading away, no closed doors.

And finally I just want to say that Hamish is one of my top book boyfriends. Yes, the fact that he’s Scottish plays into it, but more than that it is his sense of humor, his happiness, those are the things that I want in a significant other. There are a few bits in the story that make me think of some other romances I’ve read recently. One thing, the scrunchie, and a recent Helena Hunting story. I can’t remember the other part right now? But I adored this one. I’m so glad I got the opportunity to read it. All I need now is time to go back and fill in all the stories in the other series that I’ve missed to fill in all I need to know about these characters.

I really enjoyed the first book by this author, The Love Match, and when I heard about this one, I was so excited to get an advanced copy to read! I was not let down either, as this had so much fun, family, and new culture for me to learn. Like I didn’t even know that tea was brought to the area, and that originally they drank coffee! I also once again have so many new foods that I want to try. And I wish we had a Royal Fried Chicken restaurant to eat at as well.

I have to say that like the author says in her acknowledgement section at the end, I can’t necessarily relate to Bibi as I am also the older, responsible daughter/sister in the family. However it was easy to fall in love with Bibi, and unlike in other stories where the character like that might annoy me, I totally still understood all the things she was feeling. I mean kind of. Bibi had to deal with the cultural aspect of parents who wouldn’t even let her date until her older sister got married, which gets the story started off, because she is currently grounded and having to work the summer at her father’s restaurant because she got caught trying to meet up with a boy. Nothing salacious, she just wanted to get her first kiss, and even just spend time with the cute boy she had a crush on, who also seemed to like her back.

But then, surprise surprise, her sister shows up and guess what, she’s getting married! Of course this thrills Bibi, knowing that hopefully she’ll get to start dating soon. This wedding is going to happen quickly though, and they even are going to fly almost right away to Bangladesh, their families’ home country. And while Bibi thinks it will just be a big vacation, nope, that’s not what happens.

First she runs into a surly boy who says he works on the tea garden, only to show up at the dinner that night and find out he is her future brother-in-law’s younger brother. Her future in-laws are not very nice. They are very wealthy, old money, and they are very snooty and look down on Bibi and her family, and even let rude, cutting remarks slip around her sister. Then, because Sunny, her sister’s fiance, is now coming home to learn how to run the tea garden/estate, both Bibi and her sister Halima are told they need to learn how the estate runs as well. So now Bibi is still working, and this is a lot of outdoor work, and Bibi, sooooo not an outdoorsy girl. She’s really into fashion, which of course her thoughts on a gap year to travel and then going to fashion school also do not endear her or her family to the Rahmans.

But, after hearing she can now date, all of a sudden all the aunties and people in the family have a book full of eligible bachelors, or the Big Book of Biodata as they call it. She goes out on a few dates. The first one being with a really rich boy that she of course develops a crush on. And also as you might expect, he isn’t about calling/texting her right back or setting up another date right away. He is a cousin of Sohel and Sunny, and Sohel does not like him, says he is a player and Bibi shouldn’t date him. And it does turn out to be true, although not quite in the way I expected!

Sohel, the younger son, really is the one who has always wanted to run the estate, to take it over, so he has a bit of anger issues with his brother now coming back and seeming to take away what he’d thought could be his. Not in a bad way though, just that he had been the one who wanted it, and his brother was only coming back because his family told him if he did come back to take over, they would approve of this marriage. Sohel has so many changes he wants to make in this still colonialist type of world. He already makes sure the people working there are getting paid better and that they are treated fairly. He is friends with the people from the villages around, and they all appreciate what he does.

Of course being in another country and dealing with all of the family drama, the wedding, suddenly/finally getting to date, Bibi has all sorts of chances to get into trouble/cause more drama. Not that she’s trying to, it just follows her as she is someone who stands up for those around her and doesn’t let people talk to her unfairly. I love the way this author can keep me hanging to see what is actually going to happen. How things will be solved in the end, as well as what types of obstacles might pop up that are unexpected, or if expected – still so different from the norm. And I also loved all the cultural aspects of the story, learning so much that I didn’t know.

This is another book that I can’t wait to share with my students next school year, and I am definitely highly recommending it to everyone else as well!

These sexy mountain men from the imagination of Amy Daws are so much fun to read and fall in love with. I loved the first book, Nine Month Contract, and honestly, I might even have loved this one more! Calder was a grumpy tattooed kinda bad boy, the lovable middle brother of the 3 that live on the mountain together. Dakota we met back earlier with their first brother's story, Last on the List. She is friends with Cozy the heroine in that tale. Dakota inspired me and made me wish I was willing and able to start a bookstore, my passion, the way she started her t-shirt shop.

I don't remember a ton about her and her husband from before, but that's okay as we get flashes back to it in this story, and that may be the only actual times we got it, they may not have been any more in the other books. Once again Everly, Max from the 1st book's daughter, was busy trying to matchmake her uncles. She's got two left when this story begins. And she gets started with Calder and Dakota right away. 

It starts with the one bed trope when they go away for Wyatt and Trista's wedding in Mexico. As you'd expect, eventually the two of them have to give in. Even if they have also started the book with their enemies to lovers trope, because they are enemies after things that happened when Calder did the renovations on Dakota's house and had a bunch of things go wrong. Things that I love getting more details about at the end when things start to get cleared up in our big dramatic act. They take it and turn their connection into an enemies with benefits relationship and set up a list to help Dakota get moved on from her divorce. 

Their first run in for the story is at a sex club. One that Calder frequents, and Dakota has just decided to check out after her ex-husband called her boring in bed. And when Calder sees her there, he wants to know why. But of course she is embarrassed and doesn't want to let him know, which his trying to find out leads them down the path to hooking up and more. Through their enemies with benefits relationship, obviously things start to change. They talk more, share personal things, and both definitely catch feelings. But both are too stubborn to either share THOSE feelings, or believe things said or done by the other could mean they might feel the same way. Of course that is what led me here on my blog to drop it to a 4.5 stars instead of a full 5 because that always bugs me.

It also though, leads to Calder having to figure out a way to tell her and get her to believe him. And one thing I love about the way the author brings all that about, is that there is still yelling and irritation between the two. Even though they can solve it, it is done realistically based on how their personalities and relationship has always been. And I mentioned things we learned about the renovation and some of the wedding troubles when things are getting sorted at the end, and those things made me fall in love with Calder more.

I am adoring this series, and am so ready for book 3. I need to see Luke get his HEA and I'm wondering if it will be with the girl he spent time with in this story, or if there is someone else on his horizon! And I still need to find and watch Seven Brides for Seven Brothers!