Cait
Tropes:
Second Chance
Best friend's sister
Age-gap (small)
Enemies to Lovers
Single Father
M Robinson never fails to write controlling alpha-men and it's absolutely evident in Second Chance Love.
Caleb and Evie's story starts with a chance encounter at a college party. Their chemistry is great from the beginning, until Caleb finds out that Evie is his best friend's little sister.
With their back and forth banter and anger at each other over the course of 12 years, Evie and Calebs chemistry just bleeds off the pages. You can tell they're meant to be together. Shocking revelations in the present rock Caleb's world, but will Evie stick with him through it?
There is a lot of time jumps in this one. Back and forth between past and present (as the rest of the series is as well) and that is probably why this isn't a 5 star read for me. I enjoy the characters and the story so much, but the time skips drove me crazy and I often forgot details that were “present” while reading about the past. Other than that, the story was great and I definitely recommend reading this second-chance romance series!
Jewel E Ann is quickly becoming a favourite author of mine. I have absolutely loved everything I've read by her, and What Lovers Do was no exception.
This story follows Sophie, a caring optometrist who seems to get in the most frustrating situations, and Shep, a divorcee who just wants to settle down and have a family.
The banter between these two is wonderful and interesting and had me laughing. The chemistry of these two was off the charts. So much lighthearted content with just enough angst thrown in. The spice is also very nice!
And can we just love up on that epilogue?! Best epilogue Ive read!
Seriously, give this one a read!
“Because I ache for you ,” he breathed against my lips next. “And I'll end anyone who touches what's mine.”
Riley is a female football player. After a tragic accident she promises her brother she will take his place on the football team. She has a lot of issues to overcome - being the only female on the football team. But she also has to play with her enemy - Zeke.
Ugh. Zeke. I absolutely love him. He's working through some trauma and while he has amazing self-esteem on the football field, he lacks it in other areas.
The chemistry these two have from the beginning is amazing. You can clearly tell they liked each other before “the incident”.
Forgiveness is a big theme in this book. And I loved the journey. The conflict between the characters was really well done. I loved every page, I didn't want to stop reading. Kandi Steiner always has me hooked, but ugh! This was just perfect.
Charlotte and Damien's story is not just about loving a partner, but also learning to love yourself - and I loved every minute of their journey.
Charlotte and Damien have been enemies since childhood. Damien had unrealistic expectations thrust upon him by his father, and Charlotte's mother added pressure to her life to become a wife and a mother. Neither wanted to be who their parents wanted them to be, and both ended up moving to California in hopes to have a better life. Before their high school graduation Charlotte made Damien promise he would never think of her or look her up, and he did.
12 years later fate seemed to play a role in bringing these two back together. Damien needs a fake girlfriend to get a promotion, and Charlotte agrees because maybe itll finally get her mother off her back.
Watching Damien and Charlotte fall in love is like a spicy hallmark movie. Damien is incredibly sweet, their banter was wonderful, and they brought the spice.
The relationship with Charlotte's friends also played a large roll in the story (as it should with the ladies who brunch!) and frankly, seeing their friendship, was absolutely beautiful. I loved that they played a big supportive role in the story and I can't wait to read about the rest of them.
Beautiful Second Chance!
I read this blind and didn't realize it takes place in Triple Falls and I absolutely loved the little cameo in chapter 25 ❤️.
Such a beautiful story of lovers in the worst time, brought back together years later. This has become my favourite Holiday read !
Always Been You by Q.B Tyler
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taboo/Forbidden, steamy, beautiful.
This was a first for me from QB Tyler, and a first taboo of this nature and I loved it.
I did wish there wasn't so many time jumps in the last bit of the book and I found myself wanting MORE of this story. That's my only complaint...I wanted more and I didn't have it
Hello Mr. Chen.
If you like Christmas...and you have a praise kink, then what are you waiting for? Pick up this book! Because Mr. Chen is literally perfect and absolutely adore how much he cares for Presley.
The only thing I wish was different was the length of this read! It's very short, so it's perfect for Christmas ...but I fell in love with Roman and Presley and wanted so much more!
Bad Intentions -
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Lo is a troubled girl who has had to raise her brother due to parental neglect. After a series of horrible events, her and her brother end up in Rivers Edge. While looking for work to support her and her brother, she meets Dare. Dare has an incredibly rough past as well, and is not looking for a serious relationship. Somehow Dare can't seem to stay away from Lo and wants her to himself.
This book was beautiful. It was the right amount of spice, but honestly the story was amazing. I loved that there wasn't this big dramatic break-up style scene and it was more “you're having a bad time, let's work through this.” Dare and Lo are literal goals and I'm in loooove.
5 BEAUTIFULLY BRIGHT STARS
This has to be one of the best-written stories I've read all year. It' s beautiful, heart breaking, and wonderful all at the same time. I could not put this book down! Every word that was written drew me in! Claire has become one of my all-time favourite writers. This book had so much emotion in it; I just couldn't help but to fall in love.
Jenson and Mia once had the most epic love, one that everyone wished they had. But when Jenson moved to NYC for college, their relationship changed forever.
“And nothing is more haunting than regret.”
Five years later Mia finds herself in New York to temporarily photograph couples for a magazine. The stories she has to capture are all “Second Chance” romance stories of real live people in New York. Mia finds out that Jenson is also working on the same story she is, as a writer. She is determined to stay closed off and to not fall in love with Jenson again.
Jenson has other plans. Since they ended things, Jenson has made some mistakes. But the one thing that hasn't changed was his feelings for her, and he will not let her get away again because “real love stories never end”.
I'm a huge fan of second chance romances. And this one probably takes the top. Jenson is swoony, and Mia is a beautiful independent women. I loved that we got to see what the characters from Kaleidoscope Hearts were up to during the time gap. I have nothing else to say that won't give out spoilers, but I'll leave you with this one last quote from Jenson.
“Some say I loved her to the point of madness, bordering on obsession. She said I put her on a pedestal that her real self couldn't attain. Perhaps they're all right. Perhaps I am mad. And if that's the case, to be frank, I don't give a damn. What I know is that she sets me on fire, and if you were to perform an intradermal test on me, you'd know when she was in it because you'd see the trails of blaze she left behind. Because that's what I feel at the mere thought of her, and I'd rather live my life in flames than be numb without her.” He paused, and I let out a breath, but then he said one last thing. “Come back to me, my little Road Runner, my world is cold and boring without you.”
Loved this extended epilogue!
I loved going back into the world of Madison Kate and I loved the storyline here! I loved the multiple POVs that we didn't get in the full series as well. It really had me connecting to each of the guys in a deeper way! Fantastic read again! This series is one of my favourites!
Equally Funny, Sweet and Sexy!
It's been an awfully long time since Ive had a book that made me cackle with laughter, and this book hit that. In between laughing, I thoroughly enjoyed the story between Huxley and Lottie. A forced Proximity, fake relationship book at its finest! I loved seeing Huxley learn what was most important in his life, and I loved seeing Lottie challenge him! Definitely recommend reading this one!
Beautiful rom-com by the queen!
Meghan Quinn never fails to write a fantastic book...and Put Me In Detention is no exception.
Cora is in Vegas on a divorc-ation. After finally divorcing her horrible ex, she is determined to endulge in the single life.
Pike is in Vegas for a golf tournament. Of course, he's also there to spite his father.
Since Pike and Cora know each other from Chicago, they end up drunk in Vegas, and leave as Mr and Mrs.
Pike and Cora are amazing. The chemistry, the banter, the pranks and the love...all of it was perfect.
Watching these two come together was beautiful...and seeing them fall apart was heart breaking. The forced Proximity in this book was just amazing! I was so glad to see them happy at the end ❤️.
Queue emotions. The fear and pain I felt through these characters is something else. The level of writing you have to have to make my heart stopz break, shed tears, etc... SJ Sylvis has reached it.
This book had me flipping pages so fast, I read it like my life depended on it. I don't want to give too much away, but this book brought so many answers that come up from the first book, and I absolutely loved every minute of it. I love Isiah so much, and Gemma, this strong wonderful girl. I miss them already
Another great Holiday Brother read!
I love this festive world Willa has created with the Holiday Brothers. I can't wait to read the next one!
Stella and Heath are very cute! I loved the addition of keeping it a secret and having it blow up in Heath's face. Stella's brother grovelling was amazing as well!
Festive and fun!
This is my first Willa Nash book, and while it's a short holiday read, it was phenomenal! I loved the relationship between Maddox and Natalie...but even more I loved how they became a family. Definitely suggest this one for a nice holiday, feel-good, story!
All wrapped up with a nice little bow on it!
I loved this little second chance romance! I absolutely adored Tobias!
Thanks Willa for this wonderful little holiday series that has me falling in love with all things Christmas again!
4.5 stars !
Holy character development! The Lost Fisherman takes place 5 years after The Naked Fisherman and follows Reese and Fisher as they fall in love for a second time. I absolutely loved the development of both characters... Reese found herself and her voice, and Fisher found this sweet side to him that was hidden from everyone. This duet was absolutely beautiful and I'm so sad it's over.
Beautiful Forbidden & Age Gap Story!
Ugh. What a beautiful intro to Reese and Fisher. I absolutely love this story and it is bringing me all the feels. I was a little weary, but all those worries disappeared very quickly.
Reese is a good Christan girl, and Fisher is her moms landlord and, now, Reese's boss. Their relationship is built on banter and teasing, and it felt so real and natural. 4.5⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
“For once in my goddamn life, I'm trying to be the good guy, and you're not making it easy.”
“I like you better when you're bad.”
The book started a little weird for me, if I'm honest...but once I got passed the age gap that wasn't really an age gap, I loved it. Asher is Briars brothers best friend. Asher has blamed Briar for one of the biggest issues he faced and when he came back after 3 years of being gone, he swore he wouldn't go near Briar again. In his mind, she had betrayed him.
Unfortunately that doesn't work well for him considering Briar is all grown up and looks
Could not put this book down. Marieke is an amazing story teller, and she tore my heart out in million pieces with this story! Tackling an important issue today, gun violence, Marieke tells the story of the students at Opportunity High, who are going through one of the most tragic things that could happen to someone - a school shooting. This story keeps you on the edge of your feet, and breaks your heart in half. A must read!
Hooked by Emily McIntire
“The greatest thing I've ever done in my life was to love you, Wendy, darling.”
Let me start this by saying I did not expect to like this book. I am not a fan of retellings, and I'm not a fan of Hook. But this book blew me out of the water. Emily McIntire has such a way with words, and she draws you into this little universe she's created and leaves you wanting more. I did not want this book to end.
This book is a dark romance, that does have a HEA. Some themes may be hard for some readers. I like to go in blind and some of the scenes were
Johnathan and Kennedy are beautiful. I loved the character progression, especially in Johnathan's case. The story of overcoming addiction, finding yourself after losing yourself, and giving love a second chance, was just absolutely breathtaking. The words just draw you in and you forget you're reading, you start to live these characters and feel these characters...and that speaks to the quality of writing here.
Thank you JM Darhower for writing such a lovely story.