mollyreadsandcrafts's Reviews (978)


Lex is funny, but I lived for the Emery moments. These people are just all sorts of crazy. 
It was all around just okay. Probably my least favorite out of the series so far. I thought Lex would be a little more wild.

April 2024 reread & audiobook: 

Lex befriended a few older ladies at a nursing home and has taken them under his wing. When William, one of their grandson's, comes back into the picture, Lex is protective of his ladies and won't give them up. But William is nothing like what Lex expected, in the best of ways. When William moves back home after a work assignment and visits his grandma he's immediately caught in the whirlwind that is Lex. He's never felt these types of feelings before, and can't help but fall under Lex's spell. 

These two could not be more different on the surface, but underneath it all they are two guys with horrible pasts who find comfort and love with one another. There's the usual silly antics you expect from a Cora Rose book, but I thought Lex would be more crazy. I think William helped tame his wild side a bit, while Lex brought quiet, stoic William out of his shell.  Though they had a fast, instant connection, they were there for each other when things got hard and were such a good match. 

My favorite part were all the Emery moments, I loved seeing him and August being all cute. All these characters are just so wild and it's fun to read about them even after their stories are done. There are so many different directions the series can go next, so many characters left to find their own love!

Read if you like: 
• opposites attract 
• insta-feels    
• light hurt/comfort 

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More just cute fluff, funnier than the previous two but it lacks some of the more naturally romantic parts. Charlie is the cutest most oblivious good hearted character, and I love that he loves Liam for who he is and how Liam supports him. I would say besides the smut scenes it was low key on the romance, but good funny banter for sure. I gotta know what this "cult" is that Matt and Ian are from 

April 2024 reread & audiobook: 

Liam is Mr. Romance, the romantic guy who sets up perfect dates for everyone but himself. Charlie keeps finding himself in different misunderstandings where his friends thought they were dating so he decides to hire Liam to help him realize why this keeps happening - an almost anti-Mr. Romance. As they become close friends, Liam finds it hard to stop falling for Charlie while Charlie is out to prove how perfect they are together. 

Charlie is such a lovable idiot. He's such a good guy and so giving, but also doesn't always pick up on social cues because he's just so nice. While he's very friendly and sociable, he does have his own insecurities. Liam doesn't make him feel judged or dumb and is always there for him when he's struggling. Liam has never been someone's person. He has friends, but Charlie gives him his undivided attention and shows he cares in so many ways. My love language is an acts of service, so basically everything Charlie did I swooned over. It took them a second to stop being silly and realize their feelings, but I loved how cute they were. 

When I first read this I liked it, but wasn't too impressed. I'm not sure if it was because the audio was great or I'm just a bigger sap these days but I really enjoyed it a second time around. Louisa Masters definitely got me interested in her other books that are more paranormal. Excited to read her next book in FU 2!

Read if you like: 
• friends to lovers 
• opposites attract   
• idiots in love 

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After some unfortunate events, Marcos finds himself needing a place to stay. Chance, being the upstanding guy he is, offers his spare room to Marcos even though Marcos does nothing but sass him on a daily basis. They are both a little wary because they couldn't be more opposite of each other. However through all the snark, early morning hikes, and close quarters, those differences start to be more endearing, charming both of them. 

I was really looking forward to these characters! Marcos is sassy, strong-willed, and loves fashion. While Chance, that's right - Ethan's Chance - is, as Marcos puts it, "a tree hugging, bearded, hippie". They really couldn't be more different, yet they have undeniable chemistry. Chance is a solid and steady presence is Marcos's life when he's in a rough patch, and Chance admires his strength and authenticity. Marcos brings new life to Chance's world and helps him establish those roots he's ready to put down. They show each other the world from a different perspective that allows them appreciate everything more.

I was waiting so impatiently for the Ethan/Chance reunion. Their world is so connected I couldn't figure out exactly how it would happen. Ethan is happily in love, but I still wanted the drama of the moment. Of course they were mature adults about everything but I loved the emotion. I liked being able to see from Chance's POV what happened and how he felt. I'm glad they were able to accept everything and where they are now, and to have the closure on that relationship. 

It's always sad when you finish a series, and I truly loved all of these books. It's such a great set of characters and I'm so happy they all found their happily ever afters. I'm holding out hope for the Syrus and Clay (For Him #3.5) spin off and for them to have a cute bookstore series. 

Read if you like: 
• opposites attract
• age gap   
• slow burn 

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After divorcing his wife, Donovan aka Mr. Brody is finding himself and taking the chance he didn't have before to explore his sexuality. Parker is ex-military and taking college courses in writing, including a class with the gorgeous Mr. Brody. They meet blindly through a dating app where their connection is undeniable. When they realize who the person on the other side of the phone is, they have to decide if taking a chance on their relationship is worth the potential blow back.  

My favorite part of their relationship is the mutual support they have for each other. They want the other to succeed and be happy, even if it makes things difficult. Van has so much faith in Parker's writing talent and gives Parker the courage to push for his goals that he didn't believe he could achieve. Even though he's younger, Parker is more experienced and gives Van exactly what he was looking for after his failed marriage - a patient and thoughtful partner to explore this side of his sexuality. There are so many sweet and tender moments between them. It's the perfect example of finding love when you least expect it. 

While I liked it a lot, I don't think it had the same impact as the previous books in the series. I kept waiting for something a little more dramatic to happen near the end and while I'm glad they had smooth sailing, I just wanted a little more angst. I loved the first half, when they met up for the first time off the app I was so excited to see what would happen. It just kind of slowed down for me after that. I also kept waiting for an Ethan/Chance encounter, which maybe will happen in book 4? 

Loved the writing, as always. I'm looking forward to the little novella next, but am really intrigued how the last book in the series is going to play out.  

Read if you like: 
• student/professor
• secret(ish) relationship   
• single dad     

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After breaking up with his boyfriend, Ethan moves back to Atlanta to start a new phase of his life. Through Wilder (book 1), he gets a part time job working as Anders assistant. These two have clashed in the past and love to antagonize the other, but working close together they begin to see that all of this tension might not just be hate. 

Anders is very closed off but of course Ethan was able to wiggle his way past all his walls. Even with different upbringing and lifestyles, they both were romantics who found a perfect partner in each other. It took a bit to move past the scars of their past relationships, but they were there for each other when it mattered the most with unconditional support. When they were finally able to relax and be themselves, they had amazing banter that led to steamy chemistry. 

The relationship development from dislike to mutual love and respect was done so well and was my favorite part of the book. I'm not saying this book is like Pride & Prejudice, but it could've been an alternative title with how much pride and prejudice played a role in their early relationship. They both had these preconceived notions of the other, and once they were able to move past those ideas they could see how well they fit together. 

I've said many times that my favorite part of reading a series is watching previous characters live out their happily ever afters. Wilder and Jax, being close friends to Ethan and Anders, played a big supporting role. They made me smile every time and I'm still so happy for them. After book 1 I wanted these two, especially Ethan, to find that perfect love and this was such a satisfying ending for them. 

Read if you like: 
• dislike to love 
• opposites attract   
• slow burn    
• workplace romance 

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Almost ten years ago Jax left college for his hometown and never came back, cutting off all communication with Wilder. Now Wilder, still hurt and angry, releases his first book based on his relationship with Jax. When Jaxon finds the book, all his feelings come rushing back. He's weighed down with guilt and responsibility, but takes this as a sign that he needs to speak with Wilder. And just maybe, win back the love of his life. 

I was rooting for this couple so hard the whole time! My favorite part of these characters is they're both imperfect. Wilder is extremely dramatic, see: his internal monologue about the fate of an author's signature in a book. He often makes a big deal out of something simple. Jax made a huge mistake when he left. He was young and didn't see any other way, but it doesn't make up for the hurt he caused. When they reunite, it's emotionally difficult to move past these hang ups they both have. But they are truly the love of each other's lives, and there's no one else for them. Their time apart, while heartbreaking, made it easier for them to make their relationship a priority now and do what it takes to make it work. 

All of these side characters were so endearing. I loved June. I feel a lot of the time these characters that are put in to push the plot and make the MCs realize their feelings are cliche and shallow, but she was more of the "get your shit together, life's not about you" variety. It was perfect for someone like Wilder who can get so caught up in his own dramatics. Ethan and Jason had such a cute friendship, and I love that Jax was able to make a friend like Ethan who also cared about his brother. 

This was a perfect mid angst book for me. I do think the first half was better than the bit before the epilogue but I honestly just loved it all around. I've read some A.M. Johnson before but in this book especially I loved the writing. We share the same love of commas. I already peeked to see who the next book is about because there were some characters that I needed to see have their own happy endings. Can't wait to see how the next story plays out. 

Read if you like: 
• hurt/comfort 
• second chance   
• light religious themes   

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