Tag:

contemporary romance

Behind the Net

by Jill August 12, 2023

written by Jill

Jamie Streicher, pro hockey goalie for the Vancouver Storm, needs an assistant for his busy life. His team assigns him Pippa Hartley, and he’s shocked to see the songbird he had a crush on in high school.

After her long-term boyfriend dumps her while on his (music) tour, Pippa heads home devastated, and with a complete lack of confidence in her own musical abilities. She gets a job as an assistant, and is somehow assigned to the super grumpy hockey player she had a HUGE crush on in high school.

While these two try to resist their attraction and feelings for each other, that doesn’t last long, especially when Pippa moves in.

Book Review:
Behind the Net

Stephanie Archer

Series: Yes (#1)

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 4.5/5

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.

If you’re in your hockey romance era, definitely add this one to your tbr!

This book is a bit of a slow burn, but then it gets SPICY 🥵 both characters are easy to fall in love with.

Jamie is so much softer than his grumpy exterior lets on, and Pippa has an undeniable talent that just needs a little support. I love how they are both there for one another, and bring out the best in each other.

What you’ll find in Behind the Net:
⭐️ Hockey goalie & assistant
⭐️ Grumpy sunshine
⭐️ Forced proximity
⭐️ Roommates
⭐️ Musician fmc
⭐️ High school crush
⭐️ Possessive MMC
⭐️ Slow burn
⭐️ No 3rd act breakup
⭐️ Canadian author & setting
⭐️ Dual POV/first person

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON | READ on KU

August 12, 2023 0 comments

Stuck with You

by Jill August 8, 2023

written by Jill

Jade is newly engaged, to a man she’s only known for 2 months. He proposes (on a whim it seems, to everyone but Jade), without a ring, and immediately moves away for school, going silent on her.

River is just a great guy – an amazing friend and caring of everyone in his life, and a fun person to be around. They meet at the bar where Jade works, and become fast friends.

Everyone is telling Jade she deserves far better than Conner (her fiancé), but River is the one who truly helps her see it. If she can be treated so well as “only a friend,” more can only be better!

Book Review:
Stuck with You

Aimee Brown

Series: Yes (3rd, can be standalone)

Rating: ☆☆☆☆ 4/5

Spice: 0/5 (just a kiss)

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.

Stuck with You is the 3rd book in an interconnected series. Book 1 (He Loves Me He Loves Me Not) is still my fav, and I LOVED seeing Hollyn & Dax, and their wedding prep in this one!

I really liked River in the previous book (Love Notes), and was looking forward to his story. I loved the dynamic between him and Jade. River was a pretty different kind of hero, and that was refreshing.

What I wasn’t a fan of in this book is how Jade was just oblivious, or for some reason fighting so hard against the fact that her fiancé was not really into her. It made her look dumb honestly.
Even though that’s pretty much the whole premise of the story, I still enjoyed reading it.

What you’ll find in Stuck with You:
⭐️ Friends to lovers
⭐️ Bartender & film maker
⭐️ He falls first
⭐️ Slow burn (to a kiss)
⭐️ Clean romance
⭐️ Dual POV/first person

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date: August 9, 2023

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

August 8, 2023 0 comments

Book Reviews Holly June Smith

The Worst Guy Ever

by Jill August 5, 2023

written by Jill

There’s a fine line between love and hate – and Hattie & Rob are walking on it.

Hattie & Rob, Rob & Hattie – what’s the opposite of opposites attract? 😝 That’s what these two are.

“If opposites attract, our similarities explain why I find him so repulsive.”

Neither Hattie nor Rob are looking for a serious relationship – they enjoy their fun, and their lives, without one. They’re brought together by mutual friends (Kara & Luke who we meet in book 1). Rob has his flirt on, and Hattie is determined to resist him.

After making a bet they’re both determined to win, their texting banter & teasing begins. Their chemistry is undeniable, so how long will they fight it?

Book Review:
The Worst Guy Ever

Holly June Smith

Series: Yes (2nd in Sunshine Book Club)

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

Spice: 2/5

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.

Definitely my fav Holly June Smith so far!

While I couldn’t relate to them, I was super invested in these two characters. I was rooting for them to figure out their sh*t (for lack of a better expression). Both had absent dads and childhood trauma, leading to fears of abandonment or hurting the ones they love.

This book tackles some other tough issues, like gender double standards in dating, and in the workplace.

The Worst Guy Ever is book 2 in the Sunshine Book Club series, but can be read as a standalone.

What you’ll find in the Worst Guy Ever:
⭐️ “I don’t do relationships”
⭐️ Enemies with benefits to lovers
⭐️ Undeniable chemistry
⭐️ Banter
⭐️ Over 30 MCs
⭐️ Found family
⭐️ Dual POV/first person

Thank you to author Holly June Smith for an advanced copy! All opinions are my own.

Pub date: August 10, 2023

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

August 5, 2023 0 comments

Book Reviews Dylan Newton

Change of Plans

by Jill August 5, 2023

written by Jill

After an unfortunate accident, Bryce becomes guardian for her three nieces. She moves to care for them, and is trying to figure out her new life as a “mom.”

A super sweet meet-cute in the grocery store brings her together with Ryker, a Marine vet. He’s also adjusting to his new life, post-war and with a leg amputation.

They are both trying to find their way as they’ve been thrown a curveball into their life plans. Can they figure it out together?

Book Review:
Change of Plans

Dylan Newton

Series: Yes (3rd but can be read as a standlone)

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

Spice: 1/5

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.

Change of Plans is a story of finding your way when life changes your plan, and finding a person who supports that. While their lifestyles and situations are completely different, they both had a drastic and unexpected alteration to their life course.

Another thing I loved in this book was the normalization of mental health and therapy.

There’s a lot of talking about soup (the fmc is a chef!) so don’t read this too hungry 😝 it really all sounded delicious!

While this is the 3rd book in a series about the Matthews brothers, it can definitely be read as a standalone (I haven’t read the first two and didn’t feel like anything was missing).

What you’ll find in Change of Plans:
⭐️ Single “mom” (guardian)
⭐️ Chef & mechanic
⭐️ Former military hero
⭐️ Disability rep
⭐️ Mental health rep (Grief & PTSD)
⭐️ 3 hilarious kiddos
⭐️ Found family
⭐️ Dual POV/3rd person
*tws: death of parents/sibling (off page), PTSD, war, loss of limb

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

August 5, 2023 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

Book Reviews Courtney Kae

In the Case of Heartbreak

by Jill July 29, 2023

written by Jill

Ben runs his family café and bakes his famous cinnamon rolls daily. He’s entered a reality tv competition to showcase them.

Plans start to fall apart when Ben’s rejected by his long-time crush, Adam, on live tv. He also gets some trouble coming from his father (who abandoned him as a child).

Ben takes off for 2 weeks to Maywell Bay, to see his Grandma for her 80th birthday bash. Of course, Adam is there (as a musician in the band for the party).

Most of the story takes place at Grandma’s, as Ben and Adam figure out their feelings for one another, and Ben figures out one family issue at a time.

Book Review:
In the Case of Heartbreak

Courtney Kae

Series: Yes (book 2 in Fern Falls)

Rating: ☆☆☆☆ 4/5

Spice: 2/5

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.

A really sweet read with a beautiful small town community!
I enjoyed this book, but I wouldn’t really call it a romance. While there was a romantic element as part of the story, it was more about Ben’s journey with his family and past trauma. The romance part was really sweet – seeing Adam and Ben come together, and how much they appreciated the little things they dreamed of doing with one another.

I would love to live in a place like Fern Falls! While I am a straight cis white woman, I appreciate the openness and diversity in this town, and how it’s not a “thing.” Everyone is accepted for who they are, no matter their identity.

I could relate a lot to Ben in his anxiety and insecurities. I was laughing a lot and saying – that’s totally me – often.

What you’ll find in In the Case of Heartbreak:
⭐️ LGBTQ+ romance (mm)
⭐️ Childhood friends to lovers
⭐️ Longtime crush
⭐️ Forced proximity
⭐️ Cinnamon rolls & cinnamon roll heros
⭐️ Mental health rep (anxiety)
⭐️ Sex positive Grandma (G-ma)
⭐️ Found family
⭐️ Small town
⭐️ Disability rep
⭐️ Single POV/first person
*make sure to check trigger warnings!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

July 29, 2023 0 comments

Becka Mack Book Reviews

Unravel Me

by Jill July 27, 2023

written by Jill

All Adam wants is to find his person – someone who loves him for who he is, and not his wealthy, star hockey player side.

After the MOST ADORABLE meet-cute, thanks to his pup Bear, he meets Rosie, and her laughter immediately draws him in.

Rosie isn’t looking for anything, but she dreams of someone who loves her, and her son Connor, unconditionally. She’s used to being let down, and trusting doesn’t come easy, but she opens up to Adam. It’s an instant connection for all 3 of them 🥰

Book Review: Unravel Me

Becka Mack

Series: Yes (book 3 in Playing for Keeps)

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.

Becka Mack did NOT disappoint – this lived up to and surpassed all my expectations!

Adam & Rosie + Connor are EVERYTHING 💕

Sorry Gare-bear – you’ve been bumped from #1 fictional hockey player spot 🙃
ADAM LOCKWOOD 🫠🫠
He’s just perfection.
And just what sweet Rosie deserves 🥰

I couldn’t put this book down, I loved it so much. Being the 3rd book in the series, we get a lot of the previous characters as well – which is amazing! We’re also introduced to some new side characters, who are the perfect support for Rosie.

What you’ll find in Unravel Me:
💖 Single Mama
💖 Hidden identity
💖 Hockey player
💖 Vet student
💖 Insta connection
💖 Group chat shenanigans
💖 The sweetest little toddler
💖 Lots of pups & kitties
💖 Found family
💖 Mental health rep (anxiety)
💖 Dual POV/first person
*check trigger warnings if you have any.

Looking forward to Jaxon & Lennon’s story next! I love that we got to see more of his softer side.

Thank you so much to Wordsmith Publicity & Becka Mack for allowing me the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON (link to come!)

July 27, 2023 0 comments

Book Reviews Sarah Ready

The Space Between

by Jill July 24, 2023

written by Jill

Andi and Jace have known since the moment they met that they were meant to be together, even though they were only seventeen at the time.

Coming from different worlds, this is nearly impossible. Andrea (Andi) is from a wealthy family, where she feels like a pawn in their games – and never love. Jace’s life is completely opposite, filled with love of family and friends, but without money.

Jace is the first person to see Andi for who she is, and love her for it. Andi is the one to help pull Jace’s music out of him, something that was lost when his parents died.

Book Review:
The Space Between

Sarah Ready

Series: No

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆♾️ 5/5

Spice: 1/5

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 Space Between is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. This is a book that had me so immersed in the characters and their love story, I never wanted to put it down. It will be on my mind and in my heart for a long time!

We see their lives, their love, and love lost and found over several time periods. This was such an emotional journey for me. It ripped my heart out several times, and thankfully eventually put it back together. My heart is heavy, but full.

I tandem read this – ebook and audiobook – and both were wonderful! The narrators (James Fouhey & Rachel F. Hirsch) did a phenomenal job at capturing the depth and emotions of this love story.

What you’ll find in The Space Between:
🎶 Different Worlds
🎶 Soulmates
🎶 First love
🎶 Musician
🎶 Song lyrics
🎶 Rich girl/poor boy
🎶 Found family
🎶 Emotional read
🎶 Multiple timelines
🎶 Dual POV/first person

Thank you to NetGalley, W.W. Crown publishing (IBPA), and author Sarah Ready for advanced copies. All opinions are my own.

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

July 24, 2023 0 comments

Book Reviews Rebecca Jenshak

Tutoring The Player

by Jill July 22, 2023

written by Jill

Daisy is a “good girl” – quiet, studies hard, and enjoys time with her friends.

After being ditched by her lab partners, she’s paired up with hockey players Liam (her “good guy” super crush) and his best friend Jordan, who is the exact opposite of everything she’s ever wanted. Jordan is fun, loud, and has a reputation for being a playboy.

As they get to know each other, Jordan realizes Daisy is not all he assumed her to be. Wanting to get closer to her, he asks her to tutor him. With time, Daisy begins to see Jordan’s not all she thought either.

Book Review:
Tutoring the Player

Rebecca Jenshak

Series: Yes (book 1 in Campus Wallflowers)

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

Spice: 2/5

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.

“Those sparks and flutters I was waiting for finally arrived. Oh sh*t. I went and fell for the wrong guy.”

Tutoring the Player is the first book in the Campus Wallflower series. I previously read the 3rd and loved it so much I’m back for the rest!
I love the premise of this series – hot athletes falling for the shy, wallflower girls.

This was simply adorable! What started with flirtatious emails (I LOVE when a connection is formed by text), soon became so much more than either of them expected.

I listened to the audiobook for this one – both narrators were awesome!

What you’ll find in Tutoring the Player:
⭐️ Opposites attract
⭐️ Hockey player
⭐️ College
⭐️ Good Girl/Bad Boy
⭐️ Tattooed Hero
⭐️ He falls first
⭐️ Reformed playboy
⭐️ LGBQT+ rep
⭐️ Slow burn
⭐️ Dual POV/first person

Grab a free 2-month trial to listen to it on Scribd HERE.

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

July 22, 2023 1 comment

The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy - Romance Book Review

Book Reviews Elle Kennedy

Book Review: The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy

by Jill July 18, 2023

written by Jill

Cassie comes to Avalon Bay for the summer, visiting her grandmother (and father and his family) who still live there. She’s looking for a fling before heading back to college in the Fall.

Her first night in town she meets the incredibly gorgeous, funny and sweet Tate, and thinks she’s found the perfect hookup guy.

They get along so well that they decide to just stay friends – or rather Tate puts Cassie in the friend zone, not wanting to risk breaking her heart. Their attraction to one another can’t be denied, and soon they can’t ignore it anymore.

Book Review:
The Summer Girl

Elle Kennedy

Series: Yes (#3 in Avalon Bay)

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

Spice: 2/5

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.

Oh my gosh I LOVED this! Both main characters were so easy to fall in love with, it was no surprise they did with each other! Cassie is this adorable rambler, and Tate is considered a f*ck boy who everyone still loves, since he treats them all with respect and honesty.

The tension in this book is yummy, and that window scene 🥵

I totally didn’t expect to be in tears with this one, but I was! There was also a twist I didn’t see coming, which I love.

I tandem read this book – ebook and audio – and Caitlin Elizabeth and Teddy Hamilton did a fantastic job on the audio!

This is the 3rd book in the Avalon Bay series, but can be read as a standalone. Good Girl Complex (the 1st book) does set up some things that happen in this one though.

What you’ll find in the Summer Girl:
☀️ Friends to friends with benefits to more
☀️ Cinnamon roll hero
☀️ Neighbors
☀️ Virgin FMC
☀️ Lovable MCs
☀️ Beachside town
☀️ Dual POV/first person

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
AMAZON

July 18, 2023 0 comments

Newer Posts

Older Posts

contemporary romance

Book Review: Behind the Net

Stephanie Archer

Book Review: Stuck with You

Aimee Brown

Book Review: The Worst Guy Ever

Holly June Smith

Book Review: Change of Plans

Dylan Newton

Book Review: The Way I Hate Him

Meghan Quinn

Book Review: In the Case of Heartbreak

Book Review: Unravel Me

Becka Mack

Book Review: The Space Between

Sarah Ready

Book Review: Tutoring the Player

Rebecca Jenshak

Book Review: The Summer Girl

Elle Kennedy

Book Review:
Behind the Net

Book Review:
Stuck with You

Book Review:
The Worst Guy Ever

Book Review:
Change of Plans

Book Review:
The Way I Hate Him

Book Review:
In the Case of Heartbreak

Book Review:
The Space Between

Book Review:
Tutoring the Player

Book Review:
The Summer Girl