Tag:

he falls first

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.

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July 18, 2024 0 comments

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.

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May 9, 2024 0 comments

Book Reviews Stephanie Archer

The Fake Out

by Jill December 10, 2023

written by Jill

Faking it is fun and addictive, though, and beneath the bad boy swagger, Rory’s sweet, funny, and protective.

He teaches me to skate and spends way too much money on me.

He sleeps in my bed and convinces me to break my just-one-time hookup rule.

He kisses me like it’s real.

And now I wonder if Rory was ever faking it to begin with.

The Fake Out is a pro hockey fake dating romance. It is the second book in the Vancouver Storm series but can be read as a standalone.

Source: Goodreads

Book Review:
The Fake Out

Stephanie Archer

Series: Yes
Vancouver Storm series book #2

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.

Insta-fav for me! The history & chemistry between Hazel & Rory was PERFECTION 👌🏼

📖 The Fake Out
📝 Stephanie Archer
🗓️ 12/07/2023
🏒 Sports Romance

Rory Miller (pro hockey player) has had a huge crush on Hazel Hartley since they were teens.
When her horrible ex joins the team & Hazel is assigned as his Physio, she impulsively tells him she’s dating Rory, his nemesis.

Rory’s POV had me constantly tearing up by how cute he is when he talks about Hazel.
I loved how he knew how he felt about her for so many years, and was just patiently waiting for her to catch up 🥰

There were so many incredibly hot moments in this book too – the spice was 🔥 – I’m still thinking about the “fake” FaceTime 🥵

Tropes + topics:
🏒 Fake dating
🏒 Pro hockey player
🏒 Physio/yoga teacher fmc
🏒 Ex’s rival
🏒 He falls first
🏒 Golden retriever hero
🏒 Longtime crush
🏒 Forced proximity
🏒 No 3rd act breakup
🏒 Dual POV/first person

Thank you to author Stephanie Archer for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own!

For my review of Book 1 in the Vancouver Storm series, Behind the Net, click HERE.

Note: Edit is mine, photos are not. Photos found on Pinterest. If there are any issues with any of the photos being posted, please email me and let me know at hello@readinginpjsblog.com

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

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December 10, 2023 0 comments

Book Reviews Piper Rayne

Something Like Hate

by Jill September 25, 2023

written by Jill

Something Like Hate is the story of Bryce Burns & Miles Cavanaugh. Both have recently moved to Chicago, but have known each other for a while. Miles is a pro football player & Bryce is a sports journalist, who has been writing about his career – not always in the most favorable light.

While they don’t generally get along, there is an undeniable attraction & pull between them.

When Bryce is assigned to cover Miles’ team for the season, they’re forced to spend more and more time together.

Book Review:
Something Like Hate

Piper Rayne

Series: Yes (Book 1 in the Chicago Grizzlies series)

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 4.5/5

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.

The chemistry between Bryce & Miles was 🔥🔥🔥

While these 2 claim to “hate” each other, it’s pretty obvious they are just fighting their intense attraction.

Bryce is such a spitfire, both in her job (as a sports journalist) and life (especially her dating life).

Miles is incredible and sweet – not into the player lifestyle often associated with pro athletes, and that was so refreshing to read! ALSO he READS and wears GLASSES to do so 🙃 (yes I’m a sucker for this).

This is the first book in the Chicago Grizzlies series (though there is also a short prequel – On the Defense – that is currently available for free!). It’s totally making me want to go back and read the previous Kingsmen series, to see more of them! You don’t need to have read it to understand their story, but there are definite crossovers between the series.

Tropes & topics:
🏈 Sports romance (football)
🏈 Player + journalist
🏈 Enemies to lovers
🏈 He falls first
🏈 Forced proximity
🏈 Forbidden
🏈 Secret dating
🏈 Only one bed
🏈 First in Chicago Grizzlies series
🏈 Dual POV/first person

Thank you to Valentine PR & author Piper Rayne for an advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own.

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

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September 25, 2023 0 comments

Book Reviews Julia Jarrett

Promise to Marry You

by Jill September 14, 2023

written by Jill

Everyone Cam has every loved has left her – except her best friend since university, Beckett. She’s terrified of love and relationships, and stays clear of them.

Beckett knew Cam was the one the second he met her. When she needs to be married to access her inheritance, he immediately proposes.

Cam moves in with Beck, in his small town of Dogwood Cove. She feels at home, with Beckett, in the town, and with the Donnelly’s – but will she stay?

Book Review:
Promise to Marry You

Julia Jarrett

Series: Yes (Book 4)

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.

I LOVED this book! I’ve read this and book 3 in the series, and I really need to go back to the beginning soon. I love the dynamic between the entire Donnelly family.

Beckett is such a perfect book boyfriend – sexy nerdy accountant – WITH GLASSES – who is a total cinnamon roll. Oh AND he has a dirty mouth in the bedroom 🤭

Cam is a tough one, but also so broken. Beckett is so patient with her, waiting for her to catch up to him in feelings.

What you’ll find in Promise to Marry You:
⭐️ Marriage of convenience
⭐️ Best friends to lovers
⭐️ He falls first
⭐️ Opposites attract
⭐️ Roommates/forced proximity
⭐️ Cinnamon roll hero with a dirty mouth
⭐️ The most wonderful, loving Donnelly family
⭐️ Small town
⭐️ No 3rd Act Breakup
⭐️ Dual POV/first person
⭐️ Canadian author & setting

Thank you so much to author Julia Jarrett for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

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September 14, 2023 0 comments

Aimee Brown Book Reviews

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.

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August 8, 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.

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July 22, 2023 1 comment

Our Ride to Forever by Julia Olivia - Romance Book Review

Book Reviews Julie Olivia

Book Review: Our Ride to Forever by Julia Olivia

by Jill July 15, 2023

written by Jill

Orson and Theo start out as no commitment – just two friends, who are attracted to each other, having a little fun. Neither wanted anything more, and especially not to be in a relationship.

When Theo needs insurance, and Orson is looking for a tax break, they decide to get married, in secret. Their friends are not in the loop on this one!

They end up as roommates, and as they get to know each other better, outside of their physical relationship, they can’t help but fall for each other.

Book Review:
Our Ride to Forever

author

Series: Yes (3/4)

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.

Do you ever read a book and think – wow, I could totally be bff with this author??
That’s Julie Olivia for me.

This was my 2nd read of hers (my first was the Fake Santa Apology Tour), and I immediately went back and read the rest of this series. For all her books I just felt like the way she writes just makes sense to me! The humor, the references, the dialogue, everything.

Theo & Orson – seriously, so darn cute & fun to watch their relationship develop! Two humans looking for fun & non-commitment, who just happen to be absolutely perfect for one another.
There were so many parts to this book that I just loved so much – I was smiling through a lot! The steam was also perfection 👌🏼

Read if you enjoy:
⭐️ Marriage of convenience
⭐️ Cinnamon roll hero
⭐️ Roommates/forced proximity
⭐️ He falls first
⭐️ Friends with Benefits to more
⭐️ Dual POV/first person

Thank you SO MUCH to Julie Olivia for an advanced copy! All opinions are my own.

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
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July 15, 2023 0 comments

Book Reviews Madison Wright

Book Review: Just Friends by Madison Wright

by Jill July 13, 2023

written by Jill

Hazel & Alex meet through their respective siblings (who are dating, then married), and instantly hit it off. Hazel, however, has a boyfriend. Their undeniable connection then leaves them with one relationship – best friends.

After Hazel’s boyfriend cheats on her, and she packs up and moves to Nashville (where her brother Cam, his wife Ellie, and her BEST FRIEND Alex live). After another year passes, Hazel decides she’s ready to date again, and asks Alex to team up with her and for them to set each other up on blind dates.

Book Review: Just Friends

Madison Wright

Series: Yes (3rd in series but can be read as a standalone novel)

Rating: ☆☆☆☆⋆ 4.5/5

Spice: 1/5 (some kissing)

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.

This was such a super cute best friends to lovers story! 🥰

I’m a sucker for a hidden crush, especially when it’s the hero pining over the heroine for years 🥰
He TOTALLY falls first here, and it’s so adorable. I love the texting banter between Hazel & Alex, his conversation with her best friend Lucy about “how to get the girl,” and how their relationship continues to grow to Hazel finally seeing Alex as more than a friend.

This was so close to being a 5-star read for me, but I felt it was just a bit too long. It kinda dragged on with them not getting together, and I really just wanted to smack some sense into Hazel 😂

“You and me and ice cream.”

What you’ll find in Just Friends:
⭐️ Best friends to lovers
⭐️ He falls first
⭐️ Texting
⭐️ Sunshine & sunshine
⭐️ Only one bed
⭐️ No third act breakup
⭐️ Slooooow burn
⭐️ Dual POV/first person

Thank you so very much to Victory Editing Netgalley Co-Op and author Madison Wright for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
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July 13, 2023 0 comments

Book Reviews Katherine Center

Book Review: Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

by Jill July 8, 2023

written by Jill

Sadie Montgomery never saw what was coming . . . Literally! One minute she’s celebrating the biggest achievement of her life—placing as a finalist in the North American Portrait Society competition—the next, she’s lying in a hospital bed diagnosed with a “probably temporary” condition known as face blindness. She can see, but every face she looks at is now a jumbled puzzle of disconnected features. Imagine trying to read a book upside down and in another language. This is Sadie’s new reality with every face she sees.

But, as she struggles to cope, hang on to her artistic dream, work through major family issues, and take care of her beloved dog, Peanut, she falls into—love? Lust? A temporary obsession to distract from the real problems in her life?—with not one man but two very different ones. The timing couldn’t be worse.

If only her life were a little more in focus, Sadie might be able to find her way. But perceiving anything clearly right now seems impossible. Even though there are things we can only find when we aren’t looking. And there are people who show up when we least expect them. And there are always, always other ways of seeing.

Book Review: Hello Stranger

Katherine Center

Series: No

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

Spice: 0/5

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.

I can’t believe this was my first Katherine Center read! I loved it so much 😍

Sadie is a portrait artist, who is about to get her “big break,” when she gets into an accident that leaves her with a *hopefully* temporary condition, face blindness (causing faces to be blurry).

Joe is Sadie’s neighbour, who becomes her friend, and a pleasant distraction. She doesn’t explain her condition to him, but he helps her out nonetheless.

A lot of this book sends the message that things aren’t always as they seem. People aren’t always who we think they are, based on first impressions or external factors.

This definitely had some predictable moments, but that’s part of the fun of it. Definitely read/listen to the author’s note, she explains a lot there.

I tandem read this book – audio and ebook – and really enjoyed the narration! Patti Murin did a wonderful job at capturing Sadie, and all the side characters.

What you’ll find in Hello Stranger:
🌼 Artist heroine
🌼 Cinnamon roll hero
🌼 He falls first
🌼 Romcom
🌼 Friends to lovers
🌼 Forced proximity
🌼 Slow burn
🌼 Miscommunication
🌼 Single POV/first person

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

Find it on Goodreads HERE.

Buy the Book:
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July 8, 2023 0 comments

he falls first

Book Review: He's Not My Type

Meghan Quinn

Book Review: Kiss and Don't Tell

Meghan Quinn

Book Review: The Fake Out

Stephanie Archer

Book Review: Something Like Hate

Piper Rayne

Book Review: Promise to Marry You

Julia Jarrett

Book Review: Stuck with You

Aimee Brown

Book Review: Tutoring the Player

Rebecca Jenshak

Book Review: Our Ride to Forever

author

Book Review: Just Friends

Madison Wright

Book Review: Hello Stranger

Katherine Center

Book Review:
He's Not My Type

Book Review:
Kiss and Don't Tell

Book Review:
The Fake Out

Book Review:
Something Like Hate

Book Review:
Promise to Marry You

Book Review:
Stuck with You

Book Review:
Tutoring the Player

Book Review:
Our Ride to Forever