Audiobook: I somehow missed the Sarah Dessen books in high school and this one came on my radar with the release of the Netflix movie. This was such a lovely YA romance and coming of age. Both of Auden's parents were horrrrrrible. I felt so bad for her. I also wish she would have spoke up more especially in the beginning. She definitely grew up throughout that summer visiting her dad. I love how the relationship with Eli was not forced and they just enjoyed each other's company so much. I am looking forward to seeing how the movie was adapted! 

If you enjoy Romeo and Juliet retellings, then add this one to you list. 

The book started off with the female MC Mariana Capuleta meeting a guy on New Year's Eve and kissing him at midnight. Fast forward to Angelo Montero scoping out his competition for Battle of the Bands and seeing Marina in the band for the first time since New Year's Eve. 

Angelo and Mariana family hate each other. They are not suppose to associate with one another so it made things difficult to start a relationship that they both desperately wanted. It was actually Angelo's sister and Mariana's foster sister that helped forge the bond between the family.  

I thought this was a cute love story and if it wasn't a book club book I may have only done the audio of it. I love the idea of them both being in mariachi band. I thought that was an element that was fresh to the romance world. And the fact that the Capuletas were an all female band was even cooler. Which I know the theme of this will continue into the next book focusing on Mariana's sister Cat. 

One of my issues with this book is that it was a little long. Amazon has it at 331 pages but it definitely felt longer than that. I also couldn't believe that Angelo's uncle would hold onto a grudge that happened decades ago. 

I was able to attend a Q&A with the author after reading and Priscilla was such a lovely woman. I enjoyed hearing her thought process with writing and the making of this book. It was really inspired by her family. 

Shame on me for not indulging into more Latinx romances. It is something I definitely want to continue to pursue. 

Audiobook: Thank you to Libro.Fm for a copy of this! I thought the concept was great to have it from the perspective of the wife of a professor who is being accused of having inappropriate relationships with his students. And his wife is also a professor. But I have no clue what I listened to. I thought it was going to go one way and then suddenly it went another. 

Audiobook: Cute summer gay romance!  I am not usually a fan of a love triangle and this one teeter the line of being one. I won't say which one Harry picked but I would've screamed if he went with a specific boy. I could have done without the screenplay mixed in but I understand why it was there. I was just more invested in the storyline of the boys and the friend drama. 

"Cooking is serious science. In fact, it’s chemistry."

I needed to see what the Bookstagram and BOTM hype was surrounding this book. 
I really enjoyed it & its one that I am still thinking about. 

The dialogue and banter between the characters were memorable. Bravo to Garmus for the sharp and witty voice that she gave Elizabeth. 

We needed more women like Elizabeth Zott in the 60s and we still need them today.
It made me furious the crap she had gone through and you know it is how women especially those in "male dominated positions" were treated.  This book was a very timely read in light of the SCOTUS ruling. This book did not deal with abortions but the idea of equality & treatment of women was woven throughout the book. 

The book took place over a period of time. 
Elizabeth's life was extraordinary even with all the trauma that had occurred. 

Content Warnings: death, sexual assault, rape, sexism, grief 

I highly recommend this book. 

Favorite Quotes: 
“You can’t fix it because the world doesn’t work that way. Life isn’t fair.”
"No surprise. Idiots make it into every company. They tend to interview well."
"Some days the human race makes me sick.”

Audiobook: Thank you to Harper Collins for a copy of this audiobook! This one started off a little slow for me but then I became more invested as the book went on. I will say there was a moment that left me with an audible gasp. Once again his author's writing made me blush.  I was getting frustrated because of the stubborn miscommunication. 
Tropes: fake dating

Audiobook: Absolutely loved this one! It was excellent on audio.  Definitely was making me blush while listening. Also loved that this had biracial rep. 
Tropes: enemies to lover, workplace relationship

Audiobook - Probably should not have waited months to listen to the 2nd; glad that I was able to follow for the most part. I understand the hype of Rhys. Once I have the energy to handle 25 hours of the same book. 

Thank you so much Ava Wilder, Random House Publishing & NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This book will be published on June 14th. 

What a stellar debut from Ava Wilder! Hollywood romance is one of my top tropes for 2022 and I am here for it! 

Quick take: Coming off of a six year stint on the show "Poison Paradise" the roles weren't coming in hot for Grey Brooks. She is hoping that she kills her audition for possibility a multi movie deal with the upcoming movie "Golden City". Her publicist Audrey had a brilliant idea of having Grey fake date a recluse actor Ethan Atkins in hopes this would up her chance of getting the role. The couple have a contract drawn out that specifies where they need to make appearance and how often they need to be seen at each other's houses. Naturally sparks are there between the two characters. Without major spoilers, the couple goes through many highs and many many lows that are displayed throughout the book. 

The idea of PR relationships is still so fascinating to me. I am big on pop culture including follow blind items and its very often that the blind items deal with PR relationships. I just am always in denial that a couple would fake date. ESPECIALLY when it's a long time frame. I just want everyone to be in happily in love. I really love the quote in this that said "Everyone knew celebrities' developed permanently arrested the age they became famous." I have heard this so many the times over the years and I truly this does happen to many celebs especially those that start as child stars. 

"Maybe that was what fame did to you: made you paranoid that none of your private moments would ever be private again." 

This is one that the cartoon cover fooled everyone who read this. Yes there was romance but beyond the romance was a story of a man suffering from alcoholism while dealing with grief and the woman who didn't know how to help. The chemistry between the two actors was felt off the page and you rooted for them. But you also couldn't avoid the serious issues that Ethan was dealing with.  One moment in the book where Ethan was on a panel for the 15th anniversary of Dirtbags that reminded me of a scene in A Star is Born where Bradley Cooper peed himself on stage during the Grammys. Just made me so sad to think of how the power of alcohol has over some. 

I can't pinpoint why I loved this book so much. I think the Hollywood aspect of it was a big drawn, fake dating is always fun, age-gap (okay it's only 10 years but still!) and the fact that neither party was perfect. There was even some slow burn element as well. I love their banter and with that brought the sexual tension. They just worked so well together in through conflict. 

I am looking forward to what is next for Ava!  

Thank you to Carola Lovering, NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review,

This will be published on June 14th.

Holy cow I loved this book!!!  I did not look at the description of what this was about but I was a fan of Carola Lovering's 2021 Too Good To Be True so I knew what I was in for but didn't know I was going to be this invested. 

In similar fashion to Too Good To Be True, this was told from 3 point of views - Molly, Jake and Sabrina. And within those 3 point of views it goes from past to present. 

Molly a young aspiring writer who falls for an upcoming musician Jake and they embark on (what I think) is an epic love story that last for approximately 2 years but 6 years later after they broken up, Jake emerges back into Molly's life through her new bestie Sabrina. 

Sabrina is the most complex character that I read in a long while! She was the villian right off the back and I hated but loved her at the same time.  She definitely kept me on my toes & wondering what she was doing to do next. 

"Everything about him intoxicated me." 

I absolutely love Molly and Jake together. They had such a connection and you could really get a sense of how much they loved one another. That first love that just never goes away, that is buried deep within you but then something sparks that memory.  In the same vein, I also love Molly and Hunter. Hunter was the man that Molly needed & is such a strong good person. 

I really connected with this book as I have fertility issues and thought Lovering did a great job with digging into the emotional toll fertility has on a couple  without making it too graphic and triggering.  And also with my love of music and going to concerts, that also kept me intrigued.

I really thought the 3 point views going between the past and present really worked for this. And I hope Lovering continues to do more 3 point of view storylines in her future books.

The reason why I did not rate it a solid 5 is that I wanted something else big to happen.

Maybe Hunter somehow be involved in Sabrina's scheme (even though I was glad he wasn't)? Or had Molly get pregnant with Hunter's baby during the hookup? 

I am pretty certain I will be thinking of this book for quite sometime and recommending it to my romantic thriller friends. Also on a book note, I think I really am into romantic thrillers. 

4.75 though I may change it to 5