Tag: contemporary romance

Review: Tumble

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Book CoverTumble by Adriana Locke
My Rating: 4.5-Stars
 Genre: Contemporary Romance
 Release Date: February 26, 2019
 Formats: Kindle Unlimited, eBook ($4), Paperback ($9)

Tumble is a second-chance romance story in the rural town of Dogwood Lane. Neely has lived in NYC for years and returns home after leaving her job, where she is reunited with Dane, her former boyfriend. Their breakup had been bad, and with so much time lost, both characters need to learn to forgive in order to move on.

The romantic part of their reunion took longer than I expected, but after finding out what drove Neely away, I can’t blame her for being hesitant. I also would not have been as forgiving as she was. The biggest hangup in present-day Dogwood is that Neely and Dane had are not talking to each other and not being proactive enough to reach for what they care for the most. Every story needs its conflict, but I was disappointed in these two for their lack of agency (and very disappointed in Dane for what he did in the past, regardless of the result). Continue reading “Review: Tumble” →

Review: Three Little Words

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Book CoverThree Little Words by Jenny Holiday
My Rating: 4.5-Stars
 Genre: Contemporary Romance
 Release Date: January 29, 2019
 Formats: eBook ($6), Paperback ($6)

Three Little Words is book #3 of the Bridesmaids Behaving Badly trilogy. Out of the three books, I found this one to be the best.

Gia and Bennett are strong and likeable characters. They have some great character development throughout the book. Both have realistic battles they need to overcome, and they both needed a shove from someone outside their bubble. Three Little Words is a book about life changes, and what can happen when you upend your world to move onto the next stage of life. The epilogue was a great point to wrap-up the entire series, and left me feeling satisfied about my journey with these bridesmaids. Continue reading “Review: Three Little Words” →

Review: Haunted Hearts

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Book CoverHaunted Hearts by Kimberly Dean
My Rating: 4-Stars
 Genre: Paranormal Romance
 Release Date: October 3, 2018
 Formats: eBook ($4), Paperback ($13)

Callie Thompson has inherited an old house in Shadow Valley and is thrilled for a fresh start in life. Never mind the creepy footsteps, doors that lock themselves, wailing, and flickering lights. Nor the fact that the entire town seems terrified of the place. Or that silly speeding ticket she got her first night from local policeman Carter Landry.

Carter has better things to do than to deal with the new girl in town and her creaking home. As a spurt of oddball mischief occurs leading up to Halloween, and with a federal prisoner on the loose, he doesn’t have the time. Or so he keeps telling himself.

In Haunted Hearts, Carter and Callie make an excellent team as they battle ghosts both real and imaginary. Some of the plot points are easy to guess along the way, while others will leave you pleasantly surprised. Callie makes a positive impact on Shadow Valley as she stands up for what she believes in. The characters are strong, dynamic, and likeable, and the town of Shadow Valley, as well as its quirky denizens, come to life.

This is a paranormal book with a mildly creepy but non-terrifying vibe that won’t keep you up all night—unless you can’t wait to read how this couple’s happily ever after will succeed… and if Callie will ever pay that speeding ticket.

I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: It Takes Two

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It Takes TwoIt Takes Two by Jenny Holiday
My Rating: 3-Stars
 Genre: Contemporary Romance
 Release Date: June 26, 2018
 Formats: eBook ($6), Paperback ($6)

I didn’t read the first book in the Bridesmaids Behaving Badly series, and don’t think I missed much by not doing so. Though there’s a progression to this group of friends finding their true loves, the prior couple was in the current book enough to not make me feel left out of the story. It can be read as a standalone, but I’m guessing it’ll be stronger as a whole series.

Wendy Liu and Noah Denning have known each other for a very long time, as Noah is her best friend’s older brother. At some point, their feelings evolved but neither admitted it to the other. An “incident” occurred during their teenage years that caused Wendy to reject the notion of a committed relationship and hold onto years and years worth of a grudge toward Noah.

Now her best friend is getting married, and Wendy and Noah are thrust together as the wedding draws near. The two have obvious chemistry, but Wendy continues to hold onto a grudge that Noah doesn’t even realize exists.

Continue reading “Review: It Takes Two” →

Review: Emerald

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EmeraldEmerald by Elle Casey
My Rating: 2-Stars
 Genre: Contemporary Romance
 Release Date: available now
 Formats: Kindle Unlimited, eBook ($4), Paperback ($10)

Emerald Collins is a small-town, hippie-esque girl from a community farm, where she lives with her three “moms” and one of her sisters, Rose. Her other sister, Amber, left for NYC and invites Emerald to come visit. On day one of the visit, Sam Stanz—the brother of Amber’s boyfriend, Ty—shows up unannounced, and Amber is pulled away from NYC on business, leaving Emerald and Sam alone.

Along with all that, there’s a ridiculous amount of exposition you need to suffer through at the onset, peppered with Emerald’s childish language and obnoxious musings.

Continue reading “Review: Emerald” →