I’ve Got My Mind Set On Brew by Stephanie Jayne – DNF at 14%

DNF at 14% – I could not suffer through this book any further. The names and nicknames given to the characters (for example: Mr. Hottie McWetPants) and the interactions with the characters were awkward. I felt uncomfortable with the forced humor and the plotline has been done before many times. The concept of having an awkward and embarrassing interaction with the hot guy alone at the bar who would eventually be the new boss is unoriginal and basic. I hope this book resonates better with other readers but it is just not the book for me.  Please note: at the time of this review, this book is set to be published on 04/09/2024. An electronic Advanced Reader Copy of this book was given to me for free by the publisher via NetGalley. I am freely choosing to leave this review.

Love, Naturally by Sophie Sullivan – a 2/5 Star Review

Presley Ayers has had a series of disappointments: disappointment in not being where she wants in her career, disappointment in the boyfriend she finally dumped, and disappointment in going on this surprise birthday fishing trip alone when she had planned it for her and her boyfriend. After a bumpy ferry ride, lodging renovations, and a freezing room, can she find anything to warm her heart?

Enter Beckett, who is also on this trip to help out his siblings who have unexpectedly taken on this formerly abandoned fishing lodge. What he also doesn’t expect is the attraction to Presley and the bond he develops with the other guests.

Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. I finished the book in the hopes that there would be some movement, conflict, or some surprise somewhere in the ending. However, I was disappointed. There weren’t any surprises in the plot and instead it felt (to me) like a bland storyline without any memorable conflict. Also, I struggled to find any passion in the sudden romance between Presley and Beckett. I think this is because it felt very technical as far as the description of their dialogues and interactions. There is a lot of focus on who is looking down or up and where the characters’ arms and legs are positioned rather than the intimacy of the conversations and kisses. For readers who prefer clean romances, this may be the book for you as there is mostly kisses in greeting and the passion is distracted by the many projects each character has to take on to get the lodge in order or to accommodate guest requests.

I also found issue with the social media aspect of the storyline. Presley has a social media presence that gets Beckett a lot of attention for his abs and she gains a following for the lodge because of it. It also is used as a reconciliation tactic later in the plot which reminded me of part of the plot of B.K. Borison’s book In The Weeds. The main issue I have with it is how repetitive it gets in referring to Beckett as “hot mountain man”. It is overdone and it didn’t make sense to me as it is not very clear if they are even in the mountains but at a lake.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC! I am leaving this review honestly and voluntarily.

g for the lodge because of it. It also is used as a reconciliation tactic later in the plot which reminded me of part of the plot of B.K. Borison’s book In The Weeds. The main issue I have with it is how repetitive it gets in referring to Beckett as “hot mountain man”. It is overdone and it didn’t make sense to me as it is not very clear if they are even in the mountains but at a lake.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC! I am leaving this review honestly and voluntarily.

Plot Twist (The Hollywood Series #2) by Erin La Rosa – A 1/5 Star Review!

Sophie is a romance writer but has a hard time in the romance department in her own life. She has never been able to say those three words and has decided to go on a journey on TikTok to promote her upcoming book that she hasn’t finished yet. This book is not only going to be motivation for her to finish her book, but also to build a following and to post about conversations she has with previous partners about what might be blocking her from fully falling in love. She gets help from her landlord, who also happens to be her best friend’s brother. Has she been paying rent to her soulmate all this time?

This definitely was not the book for me as I did not feel like I could relate to any of the characters and it felt like the book was dangerously toeing the line of whether it was going to respectfully depict a character struggling to maintain sobriety or fall into ignorance. I would not recommend this book for any reader in recovery.

While I do appreciate the author’s attempt at inclusivity at bringing in BIPOC as well as LGBTQIA+, characters, it also seemed like the author could not decide which trope to use so the author used as many as possible. Best Friend’s Brother, One Bed, Road Trip, Forced Proximity, fame, etc. I also got the impression that the author resents the shift in literary marketing having to use social media in order to promote books. For example, there is a diatribe within a chapter of Sophie, as an author, being forced to use TikTok to gain a following and be relevant instead of her work being able to speak for itself. At times, it seemed like the author was making this book as out of control with the tropes and as basic in writing on character relationship development in retaliation to the publishers for forcing social media marketing.

This book is the second book in a series but I was able to easily read it as a standalone. At the time of this review, the book is set to be published on November 14, 2023. My thanks to NetGalley for early access to this book.

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood – a 5/5 Star Review!

Mallory has a lot on her plate, juggling transitioning to adulthood while simultaneously being the breadwinner of the house and caring for her sick mother and her younger sisters. On top of all of this she is battling her insecurities with her best friend moving away for college and then the cherry on top: her past shows up on pounding on her front door.

I loved Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis and this book also did not disappoint! I loved the story and the unique focus on the competitive chess world. I also loved how every scene, every line, felt like so much thought and strategy were poured into it making it a delightful read for me. I appreciated the strength of Mallory which she shows through her altruism.
 
This story can be triggering for some as it deals with sexism, divorce, and the eldest daughter burden. I do think these topics were handled with extreme care and brought to light in a supportive way. I loved Nolan the best for his patience with her siblings and his support both directly and indirectly when Mallory was being stubborn.

I would recommend this book for adult romance readers, even those who may not be well versed in chess. I am not very familiar with it in the competitive sense, and I was still able to follow along the technical movements and dialogue that were necessary to set the scene.

Thanks to Bookishfirst for an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. At the time of this review, Check & Mate is set to be released on November 7, 20

Mallory has a lot on her plate, juggling transitioning to adulthood while simultaneously being the breadwinner of the house and caring for her sick mother and her younger sisters. On top of all of this she is battling her insecurities with her best friend moving away for college and then the cherry on top: her past shows up on pounding on her front door.

I loved Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis and this book also did not disappoint! I loved the story and the unique focus on the competitive chess world. I also loved how every scene, every line, felt like so much thought and strategy were poured into it making it a delightful read for me. I appreciated the strength of Mallory which she shows through her altruism.
 
This story can be triggering for some as it deals with sexism, divorce, and the eldest daughter burden. I do think these topics were handled with extreme care and brought to light in a supportive way. I loved Nolan the best for his patience with her siblings and his support both directly and indirectly when Mallory was being stubborn.

I would recommend this book for adult romance readers, even those who may not be well versed in chess. I am not very familiar with it in the competitive sense, and I was still able to follow along the technical movements and dialogue that were necessary to set the scene.

Thanks to Bookishfirst for an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. At the time of this review, Check & Mate is set to be released on November 7, 2023.

The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella – a 4/5 Star Review!

Sasha has hit a brick wall. Literally. In an attempt to escape the oppressive leadership and overwhelming amount of work that is constantly piled on to her, she attempts to escape by any means necessary. Just not necessarily through a wall. However, this event sparks the chain of events that lead to her finally taking a break and focusing on herself. Through the power of WetSuit Girl, friends new and old, and the sea, she is well on her way to finding herself again.

Sophie Kinsella is one of my all-time favorite authors and I seek any and every opportunity to read her latest books. She has a masterful way of combining romance and comedy resulting in a fun read every time! I loved this book and the variety of characters in it. My favorite character is the Surf Instructor, Terry, who is celebrated throughout the story for his sound advice that has applied to more than just surfing over the decades.

The setting of Rilston Bay is a quiet pocket of paradise when in the off-season and perfect for burnout recovery. It is also perfect for solitude and relaxation as the waves seem to have a way of soothing the soul. However, so much time is spent in the plot of going to the beach and finding peace that the pace of the book drastically slowed at times.

For those readers currently experiencing burnout with micromanaging bosses and impossibly heavy workloads, this may be triggering for you. For those readers looking for a spicy romance, this book may not have enough heat for you. However, I would recommend this book for adult readers who have memories of summers spent at a beach town. Many thanks to NetGalley for access to an ARC of this book.

Exactly Me by Ingrid Voss – a 2/5 Star Review

Nora is making a big move from Norway to London to advance her career and Jake is making a big move from America to London for the same reason. They both happen to sit next to each other on the plane and sparks fly. Nora very eagerly wants to pursue Jake and he is especially hesitant once he finds out that they are working for the same company. Is this a new beginning for their careers and for love?

This story is told in dual POV between Nora and Jake and, quite frankly, I couldn’t connect to either one. The writing style was similar to a screenplay as it was very dialogue heavy. There are so many characters in the story that it was hard for me to keep track of who is important to the story and who is just a filler. For example: Nora goes on several dates through an online dating app and there is dialogue with each date, in addition to her roommate, landlord, parents, Nora’s mom, Jake’s family members, and colleagues in the office. Also with the writing style, the interactions between Nora and Jake felt awkward and erratic at times. The greatest example of this for me is in their public interactions like on the airplane or at a company party with the frequent mention of “tenting” whether it was Nora’s nipples hardening every time she was physically near Jake and Jake had a “tent” in his pants that was frequently commented on in their dialogue.

Currently, this book is set to be released on September 28, 2023. I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks to BookSirens for access to this Advanced Reader Copy.

A Winter In New York by Josie Silver – a 5/5 Star Review!

Iris is finding her footing in New York City, far away from the grief and trauma of her old life in London. While she is not at the culinary level she would like to be in her chef career, she finds comfort and friendship in the local noodle shop where she works. Still reeling in grief from the loss of her mother, she finds her identity through her mother’s past. A chance run-in with an iconic gelateria present in her mother’s scrapbook, what lies behind the front door will turn her new world upside down.

I really enjoyed this deep story of love in its many forms: intimate, parental, friendship. I loved the slow build of her found family in New York City and how often she is reminded that she is important to the group and the dependability of the member of the group when she feels very isolated. I personally enjoyed the family and friend bonding over food and wine. If you are a fan of romantic movies set in New York City, this book is for you. It mentions Moonstruck, When Harry Met Sally, Pretty Woman, and many others that have slipped my mind. My favorite character is Gio, especially with a scene in a storage unit where he demands maturity and communication with respect and basic human dignity. I literally cheered out loud as I read that part! I also enjoyed how fiercely loyal he is to his family and his willingness to compromise in order to make those he cares about happy. I would recommend this book for adult readers who enjoy a story that travels between past and present. I would also recommend it for those who love to read about found family as this story slowly builds on this to band together for a victorious defeat over a despicable villain.

On the other hand, I would not as enthusiastically recommend and more give a warning to those who may be triggered by relationship abuse, parental loss (especially maternal), and homelessness as some scenes may be difficult to read through.

Please note: at the time this review has been posted, the current release date is set for 10/03/2023. Many thanks to Dell, Ballantine Books, Penguin Random House, Goodreads Giveaways, and Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

Fateful Path: A Paranormal Shifter Romance (Fated Moments Book 2) by Kristyn DeMaster – a 4/5 Star Review!

Lacey is a human in a world with full and demi-shifters which can come in handy when you are stranded in your car in a heavy snowstorm and need someone to catch your scent. Reclusive Jackson happens to be a bear shifter in the area who does exactly that and rescues our heroine, Lacey. Forced to stay in his cabin in the woods to ride out the snowstorm, it’s not only snow that is falling fast.

I liked the fast-moving plot and the characters in this story. I appreciated that Lacey would not put up with Jackson’s sometimes stony and grumpy nature. I also appreciated that they shared a love of reading. It has a common romance trope volleying between “I shouldn’t be with him/her” and “I can’t stay away from him/her” with a misunderstanding as the main conflict. At times I felt that Lacey and Jackson’s relationship reminded me of Belle and Beast in Beauty and the Beast where she gently tames his mercurial nature – and I loved it!

This book is the second in a series, however, can be read as a standalone as I had done. It is abundantly clear that the couple established in the first book are still madly in love and the author does a good job briefly summarizing points from the first book for context. However, I do wish I had read these books in order as it would have helped establish the rules of the pack and of the human world. There was a scene where Lacey is asked by a friend what she is going to do as she is 27 and “the clock is ticking”. Which I immediately made a note “the clock is ticking?? at 27??”. It was later clarified that marriage by 28 is a requirement for firstborn wealthy human children to receive their inheritance.

I took a star away because I did not appreciate the comments about weight within the plot. For example: there was a scene where Lacey is making it abundantly clear that she does not think Jackson (a strong bear shifter) can pick her up because she is “twenty pounds overweight”. The author also made it clear in a scene where she is sharing a meal with other shifters from Jackson’s pack that she had a small plate while the others piled on their plates and even got second helpings. These comments primarily come from Lacey’s point of view about herself and not from other characters, however, it seemed to me that it could easily be triggering for readers who struggle with weight and/or eating disorders.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Practice Makes Perfect (When In Rome #2) by Sarah Adams – a 5/5 Star Review!

The first 15% was especially difficult to get through as it just hammers in the sweet innocence of the main character, Annie, who is a virgin and needs practice with dating. The innocence is drilled in so much so that she keeps a running tally of each person’s cursing around her, as a grown adult. And she has exclamations such as “What the helicopters were you two doing here?” and “What in the Mary Poppins do you think you’re doing?!”. Along with the overwhelming amount of the innocence of Annie, the small town drama over non-issues also irritated me. For example: there is a scene where Will is running shirtless and almost gets run out of town for the “scandal”.

While on the subject of Will, he is the reason why the book makes a turn for the better. Swoonworthy is an understatement and he gives other book boyfriends a run for their money. His character is so well written and I have a major crush on him. He finds the pirate romances that Annie secretly reads and not only reads them himself, but highlights parts he wants to play out with her! His character development is so strong and he finds a new family with this small town while battling scars of his childhood in a dysfunctional family. I absolutely adored him and I will read more stories in this series just for glimpses of him. I also loved the playful banter and mischief that he and Annie got into and I was hanging on every word hoping for their Happily Ever After.

This book is great for those with siblings as the sibling dynamic overcomes miscommunication and finding their own individual voices with their combined support. It also shows their sibling group expanding with the addition of their new sister-in-law with Amelia’s upcoming wedding to their brother Noah.

I was not aware when I started Practice Makes Perfect that it was the second book in a series. I read it easily as a standalone and it does make a lot of suggestions of another couple in the book (Amelia and Noah) whose storyline is continuing on the side in this plot. I will definitely be reading their story, When In Rome, based on Noah’s character in this book and how completely smitten he is with Amelia. I can’t wait!

Please note: an electronic Advanced Reader Copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Charming by Jade Linwood – a 2/5 Star Review!

Prince Charming is on the run. Again. He narrowly escaped with the treasures he stole from the broken heart he left behind on his journey. Many stops made, many proposals, many broken hearts. How long can he go before the past catches up with him and his small crew?

The narration was written in a fun style similar to the narration in The Princess Bride. I mainly kept thinking Charming was a mix of the charm and humor of Disney’s Flynn Rider from Tangled and the greed of Hans from Frozen. To quote Queen Elsa, “you can’t marry a man you just met”.

Some advice the three princesses in this book would have done well to follow. These scorned women take up the first half of the book individually recounting their tale of betrayal. This made it hard to follow what the point of the book was other than to set up that Prince Charming is an awful scoundrel. It made it clear in each story which princess the character is based off of but it seemed to hammer the point of Charming’s foul character more than necessary. There were several points where the dialogue was so dry and the plot barely moving that I was tempted to throw in the towel and mark it as a DNF. Only in the final chapters did the plot finally come together and gain speed, but it did not have the Happy Ever After as often tied to a fairy tale involving a Prince Charming.

Thanks to NetGalley for this Advanced Ready Copy ebook. As of the date of this review, this book is set to be released on 07/18/2023.