Tag:

meghan quinn

So This is War

by Jill July 18, 2024

written by Jill

Book Review:
So This is War

Meghan Quinn

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

I dropped EVERYTHING to read this one the second it hit my kindle – it did NOT disappoint

I loved seeing another side to Posey, and seeing him meet his perfect match in Wylie

We’ve got – age gap, coach’s daughter aka FORBIDDEN big time, boss/assistant, & they become roommates – the tension is
Agitators fans – you’re gonna LOVE it!

So This is War
Meghan Quinn
06/25/2024
sports romance
read on kindle (arc)
book 5 • Vancouver Agitators series

overall thoughts:
This was HILARIOUS and sweet, and just the perfect *ending* to this series – though I will miss these boys so much!
Ready for OC’s spinoff series

There were so many things I loved about this book!

First off, the “erotic torture” – I was constantly laughing out loud with how they were with one another.

It reminded me a lot of that episode of Friends (MQ even mentions it) – the “they don’t know we know they know” one.

The group text chat with the ladies of the Agitators made me so happy. I love the boys shenanigans, but their women are flat out AMAZING.

The spice was spicing too – that scene in the s3x club iykyk

I hope this isn’t too much of a spoiler but… Wylie LOVES BOLOGNA!
Could anyone BE more perfect for POSEY?!

“I love bologna sandwiches,” she whispers.
“So do I,” I whisper back.
“That’s how I know we’re meant to be together.”

Aside from the romance, we also get the struggles of a complex father-daughter relationship between Wylie + her dad (Posey’s coach). That was a bit of a struggle to read, the way he thinks about her and treats her for most of the book is heartbreaking (they do work things out, but it feels sort of toxic for a lot of the story).

tropes + topics:
age gap (22/32)
coach’s daughter
pro hockey player
roommates
boss/assistant – workplace
forbidden
found family
dual 1st person pov

books with similar vibes:
♡ Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren (workplace, intense physical chemistry)

Thank you to Meghan Quinn for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

July 18, 2024 0 comments

He’s Not My Type

by Jill July 18, 2024

written by Jill

Book Review:
He's Not My Type

Meghan Quinn

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Oh Halsey.. I was waiting for his moment I love a broken boy pining & crushing so hard.

This book is hilarious and sweet, and so spicy

thoughts:
This one is probably my fav in the series, but I honestly love them all.
I think they’re best read in order, to really get the found family dynamics + the build up to this story!

story:
We learn in the previous books that for Halsey it was pretty much love at first sight when he meets Blakely, but unfortunately, she has a boyfriend.

Following their breakup and her having an incident in her new apartment, they become roommates at Halsey’s place – this is one of my absolute fav tropes!! I love the forced proximity of living together

Halsey is still very much grieving the loss of his twin brother, and through friendship, and then more, Blakely helps bring him back to life

tropes + topics:
roommates
opposites attract
he falls first
pro hockey player
workplace
only one bed
found family
dual 1st person pov

books with similar vibes:
♡ Always Only You by Chloe Liese (hockey/workplace, roommates, he falls first)

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

July 18, 2024 0 comments

Book Reviews Meghan Quinn

Right Man, Right Time

by Jill July 18, 2024

written by Jill

Book Review:
Right Man, Right Time

Meghan Quinn

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

My goodness this book was so HOT

After kissing a stranger (Silas) at a bar to show her ex she’s *fine,* Ollie + Silas realize they can help each other in more ways than one.

She needs help with her internship (writing about hockey), and he needs a buffer to keep his ex (now working with the team) away from trying to get back together.

But what happens when feelings get in the way?

overall thoughts:
I’m pretty obsessed with this whole series, and I feel like the books get better and better!

MCs:
Silas – I love how he’s totally a relationship guy, and definitely did not deserve how his ex treated him! He’s a sweet broken boy, who struggles to trust again.

Ollie – little spitfire! 10 years younger than Silas & a college student. I love how she goes after what she wants.

story:
I love fake dating, I don’t think this was particularly unique there but doesn’t bother me!

I feel like this book brought some good old MQ ridiculousness I was missing from the other books!
This one had me in stitches, especially whenever Ollie would tell the story of “how they met”

tropes + topics:
age gap
fake dating
pro hockey player
college student – journalism
found family
broken mmc
dual 1st person pov

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

July 18, 2024 0 comments

Book Reviews Meghan Quinn

Those Three Little Words

by Jill July 18, 2024

written by Jill

Book Review:
Those Three Little Words

Meghan Quinn

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Ummm I think accidental pregnancy is becoming one of my favorite tropes!
It’s fun, I love how they often end up living together and trying to figure it all out

overall thoughts:
I loved the dynamic between Penny & Eli, how badly he wanted her from the start, and watching them grow + learn more about each other as they navigated bringing a baby into the world

“I know you have more important things to do⁠—”
“Penny, you are the most important thing in my life right now.”

MCs:
Broken boy Eli – we got bits of him in the first book but there was so much more to discover! My heart hurt for the broken boy and his past.

Penny is soooo weird and hilarious, and I absolutely love that! Her pregnancy hormones made that even better all her rambling, ESPECIALLY in front of her parents, totally had me in stitches

story:
Accidental pregnancy gets a bad rap, but it’s really just another reason for a forced proximity situation, and bringing out vulnerability.

I love how these two got together, and all the aftermath of that one night.

side characters:
The BOYS! And Winnie! I love how these books can be standalones, but are so much better read as a series

tropes + topics:
one night stand
accidental pregnancy
pro hockey player mmc
team social media manager fmc
brother’s teammate
roommates
forced proximity
found family
dual 1st person pov

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

July 18, 2024 0 comments

Book Reviews Meghan Quinn

Kiss and Don’t Tell

by Jill May 9, 2024

written by Jill

Book Review:
Kiss and Don't Tell

Meghan Quinn

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

overall thoughts:
PERFECT start to the series! I loved the main couple, and also how well Meghan set up the rest of the series – I can’t wait for each and every one of their books
(I’ve read them since writing this, and they’re all so good!)

MCs:
Pacey – what a secret softie. I loved that he never really had a girlfriend because no one felt “right” for him – until Winnie came along

Winnie – love her sense of adventure and taking chances, and felt for her in her fear of trusting and letting others in.

story:
Imagine being stranded and stumbling upon a house full of professional hockey players?! I’m not sure if I’d walk right in, or run the other way

Thankfully the guys all end up being super sweet to Winnie, quickly taking her in as one of their own.

My tiny hesitation in giving this 5 stars is that at a certain point I was debating if Pacey was pushing Winnie TOO much to be with him, when she was very much in a vulnerable state. She definitely cared for him and maybe needed that push, but I had a moment where I was feeling a bit uncomfortable.

tropes + topics:
temporary roommates
professional hockey goalie
hidden identity (ex’s half brother)
strangers to lovers
forced proximity
he falls first/boy obsessed
dual 1st person pov

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

May 9, 2024 1 comment

Book Reviews Meghan Quinn

A Long Time Coming

by Jill January 4, 2024

written by Jill

Blurb:
With wedding planning underway and a short timeline, my best friend, Lia, has recruited me to help her battle the snarly beast that is Mrs. Beaver. Not scared at all, I accept the challenge as her man-in-waiting–aka, man of honor–and take matters into my own hands.

The only problem is, with every second we draw closer to the wedding, I’m starting to see my best girl in a different light.

She’s always been beautiful to me, but now . . . I find myself staring a touch too long. My hand lingering for one more minute. And when she’s upset? Allowing her to sleep in my bed.

And before I know what’s happening, it hits me like a ton of bricks. I’m in love with my best friend. Not just in love, but infatuated.

No one compares to her and nothing seems to distract me from that realization.
Not the girl I try to date while I help plan Lia’s wedding.
Not her angry fiancé who thinks I’m growing too close.
And not the looming deadline of her nuptials.

Which means, there’s only one thing left for me to do. Prove to Lia I’m the one she should be with instead. But with the pressure of her engagement, the stress from her soon-to-be mother-in-law, and the breath-stealing nerves running through me, I’m finding it a lot harder to claim the girl than I would like to admit.
Source: Goodreads

Book Review:
A Long Time Coming

Meghan Quinn

Series: Yes
Book 3 in the Cane Brothers series

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

Spice: 3/5

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Is this my new fav Meghan Quinn book?!

️

After meeting in college at a secret scrabble society, Lia & Breaker immediately become best friends, who are basically inseparable.

Now, years later, Lia is about to marry someone else, which is the catalyst they need to realize how much more they mean to one another.

Breaker Cane is amazing, a humble billionaire and the perfect best friend for Lia. I loved how Lia grew throughout the book, as she figured out what she wanted/needed and how to stand up for that.

Their dynamic & banter was PERFECTION – they were basically already the perfect couple before *actually* becoming one

Book 3 in the Cane brothers series, and my absolute favorite – possibly my favorite Meghan Quinn I’ve read so far!

Tropes + topics:
Best friends to lovers
He falls first
Neighbors
Billionaire
Runaway (almost) bride
Geeky MCs
Slow burn
3rd Cane brothers book
Dual POV/first person

Thank you to NetGalley & Bloom Books for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own!

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

January 4, 2024 0 comments

Book Lists

Top 23 Romance Books of 2023

by Jill January 2, 2024

written by Jill

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Since it’s absolutely impossible to pick a favourite book of the year when you’ve read around 250 books, I went with a top 23 of 2023!

I mostly read contemporary romance, so these all fall under that category.

Caught Up by Liz Tomforde

I’m completely obsessed with this book. I was so incredibly invested in both Miller & Kai, I loved their dynamic and their individual healing journies.

Caught Up is book 3 in the Windy City series, and is a romance between single dad & pro baseball player Kai & his nanny, Miller, a pastry chef who happens to be his coach’s daughter.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

The Right Move by Liz Tomforde

I LOVE a roommates romance! Throw in fake dating & sports, and I’m super happy.

The Right Move is a grumpy sunshine/forced proximity romance between flight attendant Indy Ivers & her best friend’s brother, pro basketball player Ryan Shay.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

The Space Between by Sarah Ready

This was an incredibly emotional journey that sucked me in from the first pages! I tandem read this one on ebook and audio, and Sarah Ready is incredible at choosing her narrators.

The Space Between is a book about soulmates from different worlds finding their way back to each other, while so many forces are tearing them apart.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

Because of Us by Nina Arada

I read this one in January 2023 and it’s still on my mind.

Because of Us is a second chance romance between Josie & her brother’s best friend, Wes. Told through dual timeline, we see what broke them apart, and how they find their way back to each other.

Links:
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

Next to You by Hannah Bonam-Young

Mattheus Tito-Jones is probably my top book boyfriend of the year. He’s incredibly sweet, just an all-around good guy. Lane is super relatable to me as well, and the anxiety rep is spot on.

Next to You is book 2 in the Next series (following Next of Kin), and is a friends to lovers, opposites attract romance.

Links:

Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently only on pre-order since new covers are coming!)

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

I’ve loved mixing it up a bit this year with sci-fi elements/magical realism in some books.

The Seven Year Slip is about a magical apartment where inhabitants can slip 7 years in the past or future. This is a beautiful forced proximity time travel romance.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

Some Kind of Blunderful by Livy Hart

This was my first Livy Hart book, and definitely won’t be my last! I can’t wait to read more from her in 2024. I was smiling throughout this entire book.

Mia & Alex are enemies(ish) who end up in a forbidden, secret relationship, where they really don’t WANT to like each other, but can’t help it!

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

When I finished reading this one, I declared it my favorite Christina Lauren book – I’m not sure if it’s because it’s my most recent, but it’s definitely in my top 5! They are my absolute favorite duo, and I really loved this one.

Both Fizzy & Connor are loveable characters, though total opposites, who fall for each other slowly with the BEST chemistry! They have complete open and honest communication which is super refreshing.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

Rock Bottom Girl by Lucy Score

This is my favorite Lucy Score book I’ve read so far! I found the characters super relatable in that even though they are in their late 30s, they (and I) really have no clue how to really be an adult .

Marley returns to her hometown and gets a job teaching & coaching at the local high school, and reconnects with Jake, fellow teacher & coach who broke her heart as teens.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

Forget Me Not by Julie Soto

This was probably my most surprising read of the year! I grabbed an arc off NetGalley based on the cover alone, and the story completely blew me away. It’s shocking that this was a debut for Julie Soto, and I can’t wait to get my hands on her 2024 release.

Forget Me Not is a second chance romance between sunshiney wedding planner Ama & grumpy florist Elliot, who are forced into proximity by working together on a celebrity wedding.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

Powerless by Elsie Silver

I think everyone has a different fav in Chestnut Springs, and this is mine. I’m definitely a sucker for childhood friends to lovers, which I think is what pushes this one to the top spot for me. The entire series has been 5 star reads, so I highly recommend them all!

Powerless is a spicy, childhood friends to lovers between hockey player Jasper & ballerina Sloane, where they head on out on a road trip and finally give in to their feelings for one another.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

Their Freefall at Last by Julie Olivia

I’m honestly emotional while typing this, as this book tore me apart and (thankfully) put me back together!

This is book 4 in the Honeywood series, and really shouldn’t be read as a standalone. We get bits and pieces of Ruby & Bennett in the previous books, and in this one we finally get these best friends to become so much more.

Links:
Review of Their Freefall at Last
Review of the Honeywood series
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

Exes and O’s by Amy Lea

Roommates is one of my absolute favorite tropes, and this book made me so happy! I related a lot to Tara, and was rooting for her to get her happily ever after.

Exes and O’s is a forced proximity, slow burn, friends to lovers romance between nure/bookstagrammer Tara & firefighter & reformed playboy Trevor.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young

I’m currently doing a reread of this one on audiobook as I write this, and it’s reminding me why this book is on this list.

This is a really special one. Don’t let “accidental pregnancy” deter you, it’s done in such an incredibly beautiful way.

Wyn & Bo meet at a Halloween party, and after the most phenomenal night of their lives, end up having a baby together. They are one of the sweetest couples I’ve ever read, as they navigate this huge change in their lives.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

The Fake Out by Stephanie Archer

I knew from the first chapter that this one would be a fav for me.

The history & chemistry between Rory and Hazel was PERFECTION. I loved how he had been pining for her since FOREVER, and how cute and patient he was.

The Fake Out is a fake dating, he falls first romance between pro hockey player Rory and physiotherapist & yoga teacher, Hazel.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

Play with Me by Becka Mack

Garrett Anderson is another top tier book boyfriend for me, and I absolutely adored Jennie too!

This is book 2 in the Playing for Keeps series, and I’d definitely read book 1 (Consider Me) first.

Jennie is Carter’s (from Consider Me) little sister, and Garrett is his (hockey) teammate and best friend. They become neighbors, which leads to a friends with benefits situation, which leads to so much more.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

A Long Time Coming by Meghan Quinn

Book 3 in the Cane brothers series, and my absolute favorite – possibly my favorite Meghan Quinn I’ve read so far!

Breaker Cane is amazing, a humble billionaire and the perfect best friend for Lia. They meet in college and have an incredible dynamic. Lia being engaged to someone else is the catalyst they need to realize how much more they mean to one another.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison

I’m torn whether this or book 1 (Lovelight Farms) is my favorite in the series – I love both so much!

In Mixed Signals, Caleb has had a crush on Layla for forever, finding excuses to frequently visit her bakery to see her. They end up sorta fake dating – or more like temporarily dating – which slowly turns into more.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

Caught on Camera by Chelsea Curto

Shawn Holmes sets such a high standard for fictional men! This is one of my favorite best friends to lovers stories I’ve ever read. Something I loved about it was that they their feelings developed during the story, instead of one pining secretly for the other – they just naturally fell in love with the person that was perfect for them.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

Tempting the Player by Rebecca Jenshak

This one is book 4 in the Campus Wallflowers series, which I highly recommend – it’s a lot of fun! College sports romances where the mmc is an athlete and the fmc is somewhat of a shy wallflower.

This one is my favorite mostly because I was waiting for Jane’s story, and also because Hendrick is the sweetest protective mmc. His brothers as side characters are such a fun addition to the story!

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

First Down by Grace Reilly

Bex needs someone to help her get rid of her pushy ex (by fake dating), and James desperately needs a tutor to pass his writing class. Neither is looking for a relationship, since their main focus is on their goals – without distractions. Obviously, they quickly become that for one another, as their chemistry is undeniable.

First Down is book 1 in the Beyond the Play series, and I’ve loved the rest too!

Links:

Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon (currently available on KU)

The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

Gahhh Best friends to lovers is such an auto-buy trope for me!

I love the dynamic and mutual pining between Bree & Nathan.

Yes, another fake dating sports romance – but it’s just so so good! The mental health rep is so well portrayed, showing behind the scenes of panic attacks.

Links:
Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

The Love Wager by Lynn Painter

This book had me smiling throughout the whole story! I LOVE texting banter, and Lynn Painter is seriously the banter queen.

Also, Jack & Hallie are one of my favorite couples ever. After a one night stand, they reconnect and become best friends, and support each other in their quests to find “the one.” But duh, they’re obviously meant to be!

Links:

Full Review
Goodreads
Amazon

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January 2, 2024 0 comments

Book Reviews Meghan Quinn

The Way I Hate Him

by Jill July 30, 2023

written by Jill

Returning to her hometown after failing her semester for her masters degree, Hattie Rowley is dumped by her boyfriend Matt. Matt was working as an assistant for rockstar Hayes Farrow, and stealing from him.

Hattie returns the stolen items to Hayes, a man she hasn’t seen in years and has been taught growing up to hate, due to a rival with her older brother. The second Hayes sees Hattie, he needs to get to know her, so he hires her to sort through fan-mail for him.

As they spend more and more time together, neither is as the other suspected. They are both there for each other as they deal with various things – Hayes with past trauma and trying to write new songs, and Hattie with the death of her sister to cancer.

Book Review:
The Way I Hate Him

Meghan Quinn

Series: No

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

Spice: 3/5

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

The Way I Hate Him is a book filled with laughs, spice, and heart. Maggie, Hattie’s best friend, is absolutely hilarious and I hope she gets her own book! The spice is a bit slow to show up, but then when it hits, it hits SPICY

As for the heart – there are some heavy topics in this book, so make sure to check trigger warnings if they apply to you.

While this book is a standalone, I really hope we see more of these characters! I would love books for Maggie, Ryland & Aubree

What you’ll find in The Way I Hate Him:
Enemies to lovers
Age gap
Rockstar
Forced proximity
Boss/employee
Forbidden
Brother’s rival
Only one bed
Small town
Grief and loss
Dual POV/first person

*tws: death of a sibling, cancer, parental abandonment, childhood trauma

Thank you to author Meghan Quinn for an advanced copy! All opinions are my own.

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON | FREE on KU

July 30, 2023 0 comments

meghan quinn

Book Review: So This is War

Meghan Quinn

Book Review: He's Not My Type

Meghan Quinn

Book Review: Right Man, Right Time

Meghan Quinn

Book Review: Those Three Little Words

Meghan Quinn

Book Review: Kiss and Don't Tell

Meghan Quinn

Book Review: A Long Time Coming

Meghan Quinn

Book Review: The Way I Hate Him

Meghan Quinn

Book Review:
So This is War

Book Review:
He's Not My Type

Book Review:
Right Man, Right Time

Book Review:
Those Three Little Words

Book Review:
Kiss and Don't Tell

Book Review:
A Long Time Coming

Book Review:
The Way I Hate Him