riley

Oop.

The first chapter called thick thighs “ear muffs” like 3 times, and gave me the ick.

Low angst, full of fluff and a hint of spice.

I liked the “later in life” aspect (30s and 40s)

It was cute and fun, but have read better! New to me author, I didn’t mind this book but I wasn’t blown away.

Fun, but forgettable.

The “cheating” was a grey area, kind of sort of but not really cheating.

But it was hiding the truth from someone who was under the impression, so it kind of counts.

Both MC’s are different but basically the same.

Holden is a golden retriever play boy jock, with a hidden emo music side.

Phoenix is a broody jock, not hidden emo music side.

The forbidden aspect was fun, the pining looks. Holden and phoenix trying to get under each others skin.

Sem and Magnus were cute!

I’m enjoyed the over the top opposites attract in this series.

Sem is a broody redneck with stalker tendencies but he just wants Maggie to be himself, and I like how supportive and encouraging he is to not change himself to make others comfortable.

If Lizzie has no haters, then I am dead.

While this was supposed to be about Gibsie and Claire, Lizzie’s arc took up a lot of this book. While her and gib’s story is intertwined, it was still a lot. And I am not sure where she got off telling Claire how to live her life and trying to dictate who she should date.

Lizzie was absolutely awful. I get the pain and the hurt she had but that was truly truly terrible. She acted awfully the entire time.

ANYWAY.

Gibsie is adorable and precious and must be protected at all cost. The co-parenting with Claire and their animals. He was so sweet and sincere. He really did love Claire a lot. She is his safe place.

This felt like a book leading up to something, and not the entire story dedicated to Gibsie and Claire. (I heard or read

This is the only book for them) I needed more. We had so much of their friendship but not enough of their typical antics we saw in the previous books. Not a lot of them being together as a couple. I need a second book for them that’s dedicated to them as a couple and being their goofy selves.

I loved the little bits and pieces we saw of Johnny and Shan, Joey and Aoife.

While as a whole the story was decent, I needed more grovelling for how poorly Alec treated Flora during the “secret hookup in the woods and school” era. He never really explains or apologizes.

And Flora; just kind of accepts it as is?

While I liked that she was plus size, and kind of handled the bullies and tormentors in her own way; and yes Alec always saw her as soft and pretty, he doesn’t make sense to me.

While I did enjoy the angst in this, I don’t love the cheating.

The woman who got cheated on, did absolutely nothing wrong and didn’t deserve what happened to her.

We knew in the prologue that one of the MC’s was married, and that they still kissed and knew it was wrong but did it anyway.

I thought I could look past it, but the woman, didn’t deserve it.

I also found that between the prologue and first couple of chapters I kept getting confused on who was who. Both were sort of similar, but I couldn’t get it straight in my head which personality belonged to who.

We later find out that pierce is married to will’s sister. So pierce had a thing for both siblings without the other knowing.

It was a very grand and shocking reveal, but generally knocked a star down because the sister did nothing wrong and I don’t love cheating.

Cheating is never ok in real life but in the fantasy of books it’s only rarely ok.

I devoured this. It was so cute!!! It was angsty, but charming.

Caleb was a total red neck golden retriever himbo. He was desperate for human touch, and needed to be cuddled at all times.

Whit was grouchy and stand offish. Never letting people close to him. He reluctantly allowed this cuddling after helping take care of Caleb when he was sick.

These two could not have been more opposites but they were so sweet together.

I loved every character, and I’m looking forward to continuing the series to find out more.

This book is amazing!!! And for a debut novel?

I absolutely loved it.

It was fun, it had great mental health rep, it shows both characters working on themselves and their flaws. And the spice was excellent.

It was a fun teacher/principal workplace romance. Throw in an age gap with some good banter and opposites attract. Chefs kiss.

Oliver’s family was overwhelming but great. I loved every character, the found family in the school, as well as overs extended family dynamic including Georgia in it.

I do really enjoy this series, this book was a bit mid.

Nothing spectacular but nothing really that bad about it.

Big age gap, (I think 18 years or something) he knew they were mates but stayed away because she is really young.

A lot of excusing his behaviour, for whatever reason.

It’s a fun relatively low angst shifter fated mates read and were just along for the ride

This was very heartfelt; and emotional.

I liked that we already had an established relationship between both MC’s.

Their relationship was so kind, patient, and tender. I thought Sam was so precious, and how he handled Ollie’s past assault was as perfect as I could have expected. Obviously a traumatic incident, but it was always treated with such patience and respect.

Very low spice, almost none. It was pure heart and warmth. It’s a beautiful journey for handling trauma, grief, and wading through relationship struggles together.

While this was cute and fluffy, and I liked both MC’s it was nothing spectacular.

I liked how Juliet owned her chronic illness and was still strong and mindful of her ability.

Will’s autism/neurodivergent was spoken about well.

I liked the characters separately but I didn’t feel their chemistry.

The fake dating/relationship practice whatever they called it seemed a little random and all of a sudden.

They were cute and happy but I didn’t feel it.

While I love the Dalton family, and this was a good “redemption/coming of age” ARC for Emmett, it fell slightly flat.

I enjoyed it, I liked it, but something was missing.

Jonah was great and I’m glad we finally got to see the professor/sort of student tension we heard so much about in Benny’s story.

I love the twins and the dalton clan, and seeing West and Asher again was sort of bitter sweet

This was so effing good!!!!

It was so funny, but also dark and tense and sexy.

Josh was hilarious, I loved the banter and sharp/witty dialogue.

The plot took a weird detour, but along for the ride and had a great time.

It was cheesy, and sweet, and charming.

Was it all realistic? No. But I signed up for fluff and that’s what I got.

I don’t think this is legit “method acting” but who cares.

Chase was doofy, somewhat childish, but it was in a cute charming silly way.

Amos was broody and handsome, and didn’t fall for Chase’s charming smile or teasing annoying attitude.

They were silly and it worked.

“You said, ‘you’re insufferable,’ but what I heard was, ‘I love you and you’re my one person, my forever person, Chase Soria, and the more you annoy me, the more I will love you.’ That’s what I heard because it’s basically the same thing.”

This was awesome! It was spicy, and emotional. Xander had immediate zaddy energy and was chefs kiss. So so kind and sweet to Teddy and her kids.

Lots of grief topics, spousal and parental.

Teddy and Xander are a good fit. She had lots of hang ups and issues with moving on and being a widowed single mother but honestly, she was great. She was raw and real, and the perfect little family for Xander.

I can’t believe it’s actually the end. I loved the Bertha boys; and it’s bitter sweet to see this series finish.

I had a love/annoyed relationship with Xander through the series, but I think he finally got his redemption arc.

I liked that this book talked about his mental health, and we saw him get better and struggle through that journey. It wasn’t a quick fix, he didn’t get a boyfriend then all of a sudden his problems went away. It felt authentic!

The tension was so good, the temptation but all the will power Derek needed to resist Xander. He’s soooo pure and wants to protect Xander but can’t be his health care person professionally. So while he wants to, he can’t. So much need and want, but resistance.

Everyone got a happy ending 🤍

My beef with this series is that nothing about the world building is explained. You kind of just have to go with it and eventually it will make sense. But when they start talking about Bogs and Nobs I was soooo confused and just along for the ride.

That being said!!!

The series is entertaining, I loved the end of this but it did take a bit for me to get into the story as a whole.

Rosie was sweet, Cadoc was an asshole who eventually redeemed himself. Would have like a bit more grovelling but fated mates can’t stay mad for too long.

So while this is an opposites attract, best friends to lovers (don’t worry - you won’t forget this because they mention it in the book every other page) I did NOT been the chemistry.

Both MC’s are gay but “never saw the other in a romantic way” which can be plausible enough but it all just felt very forced.

I loved coffee cart Austin and he was charming in a cute introverted shy way, but the book made it feel like that was something negative he needed to work on.

Oh I loved this!! A wonderful second chance, brothers best friend romance.

Add in single mom, fire fighter, a dash of tattoos, and dirty talk. You’ve got yourself a cute small town romance.

It had its emotional moments, it was sweet and spicy. Really good dirty talk and praise 🫠

Checked a lot of boxes and I enjoyed this a lot

The ribbon dance was so cringe I couldn’t deal.

Aside from that, the forbidden professor/TA student (who is also a stripper) was so good.

Both MCs were so hot for each other, couldn’t keep their eyes away. Had to keep it professional but it (and other things) got harder as each day passed.

It was fun, it was hot, I loved the age gap and the chemistry.

I needed like 1 more chapter on them a little later in life but I’ll take what we got.

I really really liked this! The shifter world was simple, but still exciting.

I loved Una our FMC. She was underestimated her entire life but still brave and strong, despite her injury/disability.

She didn’t take shit from the Alpha, Killian.

Despite his public rejection from her, she didn’t give into his apologies or grovelling. He had to work for her forgiveness and we love that. Killian had to earn her forgiveness and convince her how wrong he was because he feels the bond and this protectiveness over her even though she doesn’t really want or need it.

Very much looking forward to future books in this series

I liked that it was different, while still having the same roots of beloved CR.

The jobs and environment was different, and the past trauma as well.

The entire thing was really well written and I had a good time.

Also the SPICE!!!! The praise! The pussy slapping 🔥

I love whatever this author puts out so definitely interested in the rest of the series by other authors!

Unfortunately this did not do it for me.

The entire conflict was weird, and then the conclusion at the end felt SO rushed I was very shocked when the epilogue came next. Like that was it?

Oh Gianpaolo 🥺

I loved this. It was suspended, intense, lusty, and charming.

The Vitale family is addictive and I cannot get enough.

York the FBI lead, and Gianpaolo / Paul the secret FBI agent but actually the Vitale.

This was forbidden but passionate. Paolo is obviously crazy (he is who he is but we love him) but he snuck his way into his boss’ heart.