Category Archives: Uncategorized

ARC — The Barista’s Guide to the Perfect Steam — Valerie Pepper — Guided to Love #2

“She is heaven. My own personal heaven. And she has no clue.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 3 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Mentions death of a sibling. Involves a house electrical fire. Contains explicit sexual content.

“The Barista’s Guide to the Perfect Steam” is the second installment in the Guided to Love series, yet it works just as well as a standalone. Set in a small town in Alabama, this novel follows Jodi Bristol, a small coffee shop owner, and Price Joseph, a local firefighter and presumed playboy. Jodi has had a crush on Price since pretty much forever, but they’re just friendly acquaintances, you know?? But that’s until Jodi’s house has a small electrical fire and is forced to move into Price’s new Bed and Breakfast while insurance fixes up her place, and Price and Jodi realize they have more than their love for coffee in common.

Words cannot describe how much I loved this book. Told through two points of view, I fell for both Jodi and Price and their dynamic and their insecurities. It was amazing to see them both grow into themselves, and recognize their worth, while both supporting and cheering each other on along the way. This wasn’t a slow burn, which I appreciated, and the small town setting was just so endearing in general.

I cannot recommend this book enough. If you’re looking for a small town, forced proximity romance with a ton of spice, then “The Barista’s Guide to the Perfect Steam” is just for you.

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ARC provided by the author, Valerie Pepper, in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: September 8, 2023

ARC — The Long Game — Elena Armas

“I’ll always give you more than what you ask, love. Even when you don’t know what you want.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Describes a stalker, infidelity, and toxic relationships. Contains explicit sexual content.

“The Long Game” follows Adalyn Reyes, an executive reporter for the Miami Flames Football Club, after she is sent to live in a small town and coach a girls soccer team pro bono after causing a scene back in Miami. The only reason she wasn’t fired was because her father is the owner of said soccer club. What she did bot expect was to find Cameron Caldoni, an acclaimed professional goalkeeper that retired out of the blue and escaped the public eye, also coaching this soccer team in this remote town. This was supposed to be her thing, and she isn’t willing to take it on as a team… until they have to.

I have never simped after a fictional man, but I will simp for Cameron Caldoni. Enemies to lovers, when done well, can be some of the funniest and most enjoyable tropes. Watching Adalyn and Cam be as stubborn as they come was downright comical, but also watching them care for one another was literally heartwarming.

I wouldn’t change a single thing about this book. “The Long Game” would work wonders for a romance book club, as some of the actions and stances both main characters take at different points of their story can be great sources for fruitful discussions. I would highly recommend this read, no questions asked.

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ARC provided by Simon & Schuster/Atria Books, through their S&S Book Club Favorites program, in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: September 5, 2023

ARC — Do You Remember Being Born? — Sean Michaels

“A perfect poem, (…) a perfect poem can change the world.”

Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: N/A

“Do You Remember Being Born?” follows Marian Ffarmer, a 75 year old poet, as she is invited to collaborate with a new AI called Charlotte to write a new long poem. What starts as a simple premise turns out to be a deep insight on what it means to be human and up to what point can AI emulate us.

What made this book even more remarkable was finding out in the end that the actual book was written with the help of AI in real life, but I can’t say I am completely surprised—Charlotte’s parts were deeply unsettling at times. As this book is about a poet, the prose and body of this book is pretty poetic in and of itself, not necessarily only during the actual poem-writing, making it a very peaceful and contemplative read.

I empathized with this AI, Charlotte, more than I though I would. Books about AI tend to freak me out, but Charlotte didn’t. It just made me sad to think of Charlotte “living” forever and Marian never coming back to chat with it.

I would recommend this book if you’re looking for an introspective science fiction book that feels so close to non-fiction it’s uncanny. AI are now at the touch of our keyboards, and this scenario is more than possible–it actually happened through and thanks to this book.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: September 5, 2023

ARC — The Clementine Complex — Bob Mortimer

“To describe me as anonymous would be unfair, but to notice me other than in passing would be a rarity.”

Genre: Fiction, Mystery
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Spicy Meter: N/A
Content Warnings: Touches on drugs and illegal dealings. Revolves around a disappearance.

“The Clementine Complex” follows Gary Thorn, a 30-year-old legal assistant, as he sets off to look for a virtual stranger, a beautiful woman whose name he never caught but is calling Clementine, because she was reading a book titled “The Clementine Complex.” Why, you may ask—well, perhaps because his coworker, who he met her with, is suddenly missing so she’ll probably make a good alibi. Or well, perhaps because he simply wants to reconnect with her. Either way, Gary’s journey will be unique throughout this book.

Call this what you want, either a wild imagination or magical realism, but either way this book was absolutely bewildering. Told through the first person, you really get into Gary Thorn’s peculiar mind. I mean, we’re talking to squirrels right up from the first chapter, it’s something for sure.

The only reason I didn’t give it a higher rating is because the narration and the main character in general wasn’t really for me. I enjoyed Gary’s curiousity but the way he described the world that surrounded him? Not so much.

Either way, grab this book if you’ve liked books with peculiar characters like “The Maid” by Nita Prose. And well, if you’re looking for a magical realism read written by a true English legend or just looking for a cozy mystery, then “The Clementine Complex” is for you.

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ARC provided by Simon & Schuster, through their S&S Book Club Favorites program, in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: September 5, 2023

Happiness for Beginners — Katherine Center

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Touches on sibling death and degenerative diseases. Contains some romantic content.

“Happiness for Beginners” follows Helen Carpenter, a 32-year-old recent divorcee, as she embarks on a long and dangerous hiking trip to find herself again. What she did not plan for was that her brother’s best friend, Jake, would be coming along for the trip.

I think Katherine Center’s books are some of the few, closed-door, clean romances I truly enjoy and look forward to. I re-read this title looking forward to watching the movie based on it, which recently premiered in streaming services, and I must say I even liked it more this second time around.

Helen and her complicated relationship with her ex and her past, Jake and his secrets, and the secret pining? It’s to-die-for. In the end, you can totally understand why both of them were being stubborn about being together. I cannot recommend this book enough if you’re looking for clean romance in the great outdoors.

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ARC — First Impressions of You — Gabriela Graciosa Guedes

“As long as you’re joking, that means you probably don’t hate me that much anymore.”

“I don’t think I could hate you if I wanted to.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 4 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Deals with discrimination against race and weight, and living as an immigrant. Contains explicit sexual content.

“First Impressions of You” follows Luiza Bento, an aspiring actress working in a theme park on a temporary work visa, and Winter Davis, a child star that’ll be working in said theme parks next big theater production. Here’s the thing: Winter doesn’t even want to be there, and least of all with an inexperienced actress that just works in a theme park—and oh, does Luiza overhears that.

I mean, this book had me at “Pride and Prejudice retelling”, but what really made me stay was Luiza’s wit and stubbornness and Winter’s, well, everything.

Told through Luiza’s point of view, we get a glimpse at what it is like to start paving your way through the acting scene in LA, with none other than a well-established child star that doesn’t seem to be too keen on newcomers as a costar.

Sometimes in romance novels I don’t seem to understand where connections and chemistry come from, but oh was this not the case in “First Impressions of You.” Through this debut novel, we feel the tension building and that slow burn giving out slowly as the characters let go of their past frustrations and let themselves feel. I am absolutely in love with this super unique retelling, I will literally never shut up about it.

Are you a sucker for enemies to lovers and hold a little love for “Pride and Prejudice”? Well, this book is literally for you.

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ARC provided by the author, Gabriela Graciosa Guedes, in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: August 25, 2023

“You’re the sunshine I’ll always want in my winter.”

ARC — In Charm’s Way — Lana Harper — The Witches of Thistle Grove #4

“Asking for help isn’t a weakness, (…) but being too proud to accept it is. Believe me, I know.”

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, LGBTQ+
Actual Rating: 5+ stars
Spicy Meter: 3 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Showcases panic attacks, violence, magical injuries, and toxic relationships. Contains explicit sexual content.

“In Charm’s Way” follows Delilah Harlow as she deals with the aftermath of being hit by a god-tier oblivion spell. Her whole identity revolves around her good memory, so when she sees traditional methods aren’t working on remediating said oblivion spell, she decides to go with some good, ol’ forbidden magic instead. And oh, does it work. It works so well, in fact, that now her power is bringing into town a bunch of supernatural creatures, including a half-fae that’s apparently here to help her. Not knowing who to trust, Delilah has got to weigh her options: either keep wrecking havoc on Thistle Grove or let go of the spell and go back to dealing with her oblivion-ed self.

How do these books keep getting better? The Witches of Thistle Grove series has captivated my heart for the past 3 years and my favorite book in the series is forever changing—as the last book published is usually the one I highly regard as my favorite, and “In Charm’s Way” is no exception to this rule.

In this fourth installment we go back into the Harlow family, this time through Delilah, and I really think this is one of the only Thistle Grove books that wouldn’t work as well as a standalone novel—we’ve seen Delilah through various of the previous installments and you just wouldn’t be able to empathize with her if you haven’t seen her through Emmy Harlow’s and Nina Blackmoore’s lens.

Now, I would highly encourage you to grab a hold of this series. The author, Lana Harper, refers to this book as “Delilah’s Book of Rage” and it gives just that. This book carried the heaviest character to live life through, with deep resentments and huge trust issues; nonetheless, it’s easy to see why Delilah reacts the way she does and it’s even easier to see where her rage comes from.

I wouldn’t change a single thing about this book or this series as a whole. I literally cannot recommend it enough. If I go down as anything, I hope I go down as someone who spread the good word on Thistle Grove and the beautiful, witchy stories Lana Harper has been sharing since 2021.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: August 22, 2023

ARC — Daisy Haites — Jessa Hastings — Magnolia Parks Universe #2

“You made me fall in love without you.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 3 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Dives deep into criminal activity and emotional manipulation. Contains very explicit sexual content.

If “Magnolia Parks” had my attention, then “Daisy Haites” absolutely captivated it. Where “Magnolia Parks” felt like stepping into an overly dramatic CW series drenched in luxury, “Daisy Haites” takes a grittier turn. Daisy, with her quiet strength and vulnerability, offers a fresh perspective. Her life isn’t just about complicated love—it’s laced with crime, family loyalty, and the weight of being tied to the wrong people in the right ways.

Jessa Hastings does it again and again. She has this way of making every scene feel cinematic, and “Daisy Haites” is no exception. The fashion is sharp, the London setting is moody and alive, and the dialogue is equal parts biting and tender. Daisy’s relationship with her brother, Jonah, is particularly moving—a reminder that the bonds of family can be just as complicated as romantic love. And while the book is undeniably dramatic (hello, heartbreak on every other page), it never feels overwrought. Daisy’s grounded, pragmatic voice balances out the wild lives of the people around her.

“Daisy Haites”, in all its emotional glory, is less a sequel and more a companion piece to “Magnolia Parks”—a story about family, sacrifice, and what it means to choose love even when it’s messy. If you loved “Magnolia Parks”, or the TV show Gossip Girl, then “Daisy Haites” and this series in general is a must-read. And if you’re here for more emotionally charged drama with morally complex characters, Jessa Hastings is still delivering.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and Dutton in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: August 8, 2023

ARC — Skip To The End — Molly James

“I’m welcoming a man’s attention one minute and rejecting him in the harshest manner the next. They already think I’m half psycho. When the truth is, I’m half psychic. Well, not even half. And not exactly psychic. It’s complicated.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Describes dementia. Contains some romantic content.

“Skip to the End” follows Amy Daniels as she travels through life having inherited her mother’s gift: being able to see the future when and only when she kisses a person–she sees how their relationship will transpire, and most importantly, how it’ll end. That is until one very drunken night where she kisses someone and a fairytale ending is finally on the table. The one problem? She kissed three people that night and can’t quite remember who it was. Will she be able to find her one, true, happily ever after?

The premise of this book seemed like something I would really enjoy and I was honestly even scared to grab it and have it disappoint me, but I am joyous to report this wasn’t the case. I couldn’t get enough of this book. Was Amy annoying at times? Yes. Was I still rooting for her at all times? Also yes.

But the real question is: Would you still date someone even if you knew how it would end? What a harsh way to walk through life, buy that’s ultimately what “Skip to the End” is all about.

Grab this book if you’re looking for a relatively mild romance, that’ll give you all the giddy feelings of going on a first date.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and Forever Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: August 15, 2023

ARC — Sideline Confidential — Brooke Bentley

“There sure are a lot of egos around here.” (…)
“The biggest ones aren’t even on the field.”

Genre: Sports Fiction, General Fiction
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Touches on subjects like workplace inequality, double standards, and misogyny. Describes workplace harassment and discrimination.

“Sideline Confidential” follows Blake Kirk, a recent journalism masters graduate, as she starts on her dream job: being a reporter for her hometown professional football team. She expected some resistance from this male-dominated field, but not as much as she ultimately received—as a whole set of rules have been made just for her, with her superiors always second guessing her reliability and professionalism. Because why would a woman want to work on the sports field other than to get with a football player, right?

This was such an eyeopening read—but as a huge football fan, I can’t say I’m completely surprised. I, too, work in a male-dominated field (yay for all my STEM girlies, we’ve got this) but what I’ve experienced is nothing to the extent to what Blake had to face working for her hometown’s football team. It wasn’t just that she wasn’t allowed around the players in private, it was how fraternizing was encouraged for male employees but condemned for female employees. It was how the author of this book was a female sports reporter as well, and how the things depicted in this book, although fiction, hold a thread of truth.

PSA: You don’t need to know much about football to enjoy this book. What you do need to know is that it touches on hard topics, focused on workplace inequality and discrimination based on gender. If you’re looking for quick read that tackles heavy subjects for women, then “Sideline Confidential” is exactly what you’re looking for.

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ARC provided by PR by the Book and Green Leaf Book Group in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: August 15, 2023