sarahsbookstack's Reviews (2.55k)

This was a spicy, super fun time.

Before our MC Komal joins her famous mother (a Pollywood actress) in her first ever movie, she wants to be anonymous in the city of London. The only problem might be Huan - hey mother's bodyguard now assigned to her in London.

I love the way these two act with each other! The banter is glorious and Komal is so spirited and I love that she pulls Huan out of his little guarding shell. The sparks are huge flames of heat when these two finally give into each other and their desires. 

I love that Komal truly discovers herself in London and what she truly wants. The scandal that forced her to face her mother and let her know the path she really wants to take felt unnecessary to come out (not saying that it was bad for the author to use this as a plot point but more as to "who CARES if she was" ..... Can't spoil it sorry) in the context of Komal's story. 

I have been anticipating this book for so long and I LOVED. EVERY. MINUTE!

While I was sad that our 3 MCs (Tessa, Corrick, and Harristan) were together for most of the book...I loved getting to see what was happening with them separately. It gave us great insight into each character even more and we got to see different friendships develop with great side characters. Tessa and Erik and Olive, Harristan and Quint (I love their relationship and was so happy for them!) and Corrick and Lochlan.

There is something near the end that seems like a shock (and it initially was) but I knew it wasn't an ending that would stay and I think it's perfect for the end of this trilogy....but I also am so heartbroken that this world is over 😭

This was a super fun backdrop of a reality dating show being filmed in Elk Lake about Paige (Missy-from book 1-'s best friend) and Tim (who dated Missy a bit). Paige signed up to be on the show, Tim didn't, but was a "last minute fill in".

I love the small town people we get to meet and see again. I love the banter between Paige and Tim who make a pact for the show. I liked that Tim agreed to be on the show for one reason and stayed for another. I really liked some of the other contestants and really didn't like others. I hated the underhandedness of the producers of the show. 

Julian and Emily are just two great characters together and apart. I really liked that Julian operated his own theater and that he wanted to change the reputation of it. Even if that means a marriage of convenience to Emily. 

I liked that through her marriage to Julian, Emily learned how to stand up for herself and not let the snobs of the ton dictate her behavior. I love how she got Julian's father to actually come to the theater so he could accept his son's chosen profession.

This was cute but I find it funny that we needed a new timeline to make Gemma and her best friend Dax to fall for each other beyond friends. 

I liked the relationship those two get into in the second timeline but what I really liked was the relationship of Gemma and her sister Kiersten. Kiersten is 10 years older and the things that come out of her mouth just made me laugh every time. Plus their Aunt Livi had no filter either and I was there was even more of her in this book to have enjoyed. 

Case and Winnie are two teens in Texas both dealing with heavy things. Case is trying to move on after the death of his best friend and bull riding competitor by completing a list left by Walker. Winnie by being the matriarch to get two siblings with a mom no longer there and a dad that didn't give any crap. She always has to turn down her own dreams because of it.

But Case sees potential in her when he catches her barrel racing. As they become friends, they help each other in ways no one else can. They have a good connection.

I love this cowboy romance!

Neena had recently lost her brother to an overdose, got out of a mental hospital for panic attacks, and is trying to keep her freelance job secure. She is sent to an Island where JFK Jr married Caroline, away from the public for this article.

What she finds is JFK Jr's Ghost who pleads with her to help him find his love, Caroline so he can rest at peace. She also meets a lovely old man named Gus who has worked on the island forever and Dwight, another guest who might become a romantic interest. All of them will teach Neena lessons and help her let go of the things she's held into that she had no control over.

It was just a lovely and moving story. I can't imagine the guilt that Neena had been carrying around and I'm glad to see her let go of those burdens. 

Alix, our MC, has been reeling since the loss of her best friend. In her memory, Alex marches over to Mille et Une Plume boutique to demand an apprenticeship as it's a dream to work with feathers and create beautiful pieces for beautiful dancers. In this place, she finds a family (as her mother abandoned her long ago and her father most recently) and a love for two boys (not a fan of love triangles but I thought one didn't deserve her).

I liked Alix's growth from a timid girl who's trying to live her best friend's life as a risk taker to a girl who goes after what she wants even at the risk of all she's worked for. I love the magic of the feathers and how they seemed to "speak" to those that worked in this boutique. I did forgive her dad at the end and hope he keeps on the path he changed on. 

I love Deborah's way of weaving a story together. There are 2 POVs and you just know they have to intersect at some point but the fun is in the journey to that discovery! I had a great time piecing things together. This is a story during pandemic lockdown so if that's still a trigger, be aware.

I really like the POV of "A Writer's Thoughts". She has been OBSESSED with trying to figure out the murder (at a very young age) of her mother's best friend. Linda, the other POV, holds a very big clue... You just have to figure it out before it's revealed! (I feel 😊) Linda is also mixed up in several scandals. 

I was super excited to be invited to read Lina's story. Lina has such an energy about her that's just contagious (even if she's at first a bit reserved with new people). Her love for fashion makes her a real asset at the magazine she works for. There's a crazy thing, that could have been worse, from her childhood that leaves her with some PTSD but years of therapy were really good for her.

Jude is a wonderful guy with a complicated history with his father. How I wish he could have had his Grandpa for longer as his Grandpa seemed to be a very smart man. His love for Jude is apparent but it takes Lina for Jude to really see through the lines.

I love their relationship. He takes care of her when she gets sick, he makes her dream come true to attend (4 different) Fashion Week, and gives her a place to stay when her crummy landlord doesn't care. At the end, there is something that happens and it's a bit disheartening to see it happen, but it works out for the best!