Tag Archives: 2 fire emojis

ARC — 10 Things That Never Happened — Alexis Hall — Material World #1

Genre: General Fiction, LGBTQIA+, Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Revolves around a fake amnesia. Describes a head injury and discusses grief, death of parents, and toxic relationships. Contains some sexual content.

Obviously, faking amnesia is never good, yet it made this book truly hilarious. “10 Things That Never Happened” follows Samwise (Sam) Becker, the manager of a bed-and-bath retailer branch, and Jonathan Forest, the owner of said bed-and-bath retailer stores. Sam’s branch is underperforming and that’s got to change—until, well, Sam has a tiny, little accident, bumps his head, and forgets any of their troubles existed? I mean, he didn’t, but he’ll say he did.

This audiobook had me giggling, alright? First off, the narrator, Will Watt, was absolutely amazing. His voice really held my attention and I couldn’t help but binge this audio. All the lying made me anxious, not gonna lie (no pun intended), but watching Sam and Jonathan get to know and accept each other was truly heartwarming.

This book is perfect if you’re looking for a queer romance book for the Holidays! Get it as a stocking stuffer or a full-blown gift (to others or to yourself), you won’t regret it.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

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

Publication Date: October 17, 2023

Stars Collide — Rachel Lacey

“(…) It came down to the age-old dilemma: Do I want to be her or be with her? In this case, it was a little of both but mostly the latter.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Discusses dysfunctional families, divorce, emotional abuse, and bad past relationships. Contains explicit sexual content.

Super pop stars meet sexual identity crisis in “Stars Collide”. This novel follows Eden Sands, a recently divorced superstar with more than 20 years thriving in the industry, and Anna Moss, an up-and-coming pop star that hasn’t been able to shake off the childish persona the media wants her to be. In the hopes to boost the sales for Eden’s upcoming world tour, Eden and her management invite Anna to perform in the Grammys with her and they just about perfectly fit. Perhaps even more perfectly than they had originally anticipated.

Told in the third person, we get to experience both Eden’s and Anna’s points of view, really giving a fresh and wonderful dive into the lives of pop stars and artists in the limelight. It was also a beautiful ode to finding yourself in your later years—there’s nothing wrong with exploring and discovering your sexuality after 30.

This sapphic romance is both unique and entertaining. Eden’s and Anna’s slow burn will have you wondering when one of them will finally confess or make a move. I would highly recommend this read if you’re looking for a sweet, queer, celebrity romance.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

“Star Collide” by Rachel Lacey is also available through Kindle Unlimited!

ARC — Time to Shine — Rach Reid

“It’s just hockey. (…) And we’re good at hockey. If they wanted us to go out there and do, like, opera, I’d be fucked. But hockey? Pfft. No problem.”

Genre: Sports Romance, LGBTQIA+
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Touches on heavy subjects like death, drug use, and mental illness. Describes a car crash. Contains explicit sexual content.

Good ol’ queer and winter-y hockey romances are few and far between, so I was extremely excited when I saw this book come up in my feed. “Time To Shine” follows Landon Stackhouse, a hockey goalie that’s just been called in to a Calgary professional team, and Casey Hicks, the team’s superstar young winger. Landon is a bit shy and reserved, and everyone seems to catch up on that except Casey. He treats Landon like an old friend, and when Landon is looking for a place to stay and Casey has just bought a huge house with a bunch of extra room, it only made sense they’d be housemates, right?

This book was the literal representation of the “and they were roommates” meme about queer people in the 1800s.

Even if you’re not a fan of hockey or perhaps don’t even know how hockey works, you can still quite enjoy “Time to Shine”. Take it from me, as I’ve only seen hockey because of the vibes and know absolutely nothing about the rules that go into it, yet this book had me hooked.

If you’re looking for a queer hockey romance with some close proximity trope sprinkled in, then look no further—“Time to Shine” is just for you.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

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

Publication Date: September 26, 2023

ARC — Maybe Once, Maybe Twice — Alison Rose Greenberg

“Maggie, you have to at least look like you care. It’s your thirty-fifth birthday, not your funeral.”

“Feels a little like my funeral.”

Genre: Women’s Fiction
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Touches on heavy subjects like sexual assault, death, infertility, and suicide. Contains some sexual content.

What are the chances that you’d be promised true love not once, but twice? “Maybe Once, Maybe Twice” follows Maggie Vine, an aspiring singer, as she reconnects with two very important men in her life—men that, at different points of her story, she promised to marry if she turned 35 and they were both still unwed.

Told through shifting timelines, we get to see life through Maggie’s eyes at different stages of her adulthood—and even childhood. Alison Rose Greenberg’s writing is engaging and entertaining while not getting the timelines so tangled up you get confused; the back and forth just feeds your curiosity to see how it will all turn out in the end.

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed it so much, actually, that I read it in less than 24 hours, I just couldn’t put it down wondering who Maggie would end up with. I would highly recommend this book if you’re a reader that enjoys your romantic fiction with heavy subjects, lots of flashbacks, and alternating timelines.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: October 3, 2023

“I was thirty-five, and the road less traveled was officially a dead end.”

ARC — Trading Places — Emily Duvall

“I thought not kissing you would be easier. Turns out, it’s harder.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Contains some sexual content.

“Trading Places” follows Lexi North, a spoiled millionaire’s daughter, after she agrees to swap places with the blue collar mechanic she rear-ended, Evan Bailey. Evan is just a hard working man who’s looking to support his niece and not let his mechanic business fail—but give as much power as Lexi used to hold can change anyone. In a similar manner, learning the worth of putting your hands to work can humble even the meanest of heiresses.

This was the most fan fiction-ish book I’ve read in a while, because, let’s be honest, in what universe would this ever even happen—yet it was still quite entertaining. Told through two points of view, this book really gives off that Lady and the Tramp vibes, wrapped up with some tension-filled enemies to lovers.

If you’re looking for a life-swap situation in a slow burn romance novel, then look no further, “Trading Places” is most definitely for you.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

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

Publication Date: September 26, 2023

ARC — Ghosted — Sarah Ready — Ghosted #1

“(…) the reason Daniel hadn’t moved on was because of unfinished business. (…) Is love unfinished business? Or can you just keep loving someone even if you’re not together and they don’t know that you do. Is that the end of it? Is that finished business?”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Touches on death. Contains some sexual content.

“Ghosted” follows Jillian Nejat, a socially awkward Trekkie that hasn’t been able to speak coherently to men in the past 10 years—that is, until she moves into a sketchy apartment in NYC that isn’t as vacant as was originally advertised. But, I mean, how can you advertise an apartment with a very physical haunting? Daniel is a man-ghost of sorts who isn’t sure about his past or his future, but he’s pretty sure he’s stuck in the in between in order to help Jillian find true love. But what if true love is between the impossible and improbable? What if Daniel is lingering on for reasons bigger than either of them can fathom?

This novel, full of twists and turns, is Sarah Ready’s newest murder attempt against me and my fragile emotions. “Ghosted” absolutely devastated me. I’ve read quite a few of lovable characters brought to life by this author, but none as lovable as Jillian and Daniel. I was rooting for their happiness and peace from the start.

Do not grab this book if you’re not willing to cry in public, because, trust me, you will. I cannot recommend this book enough, specially if you’re looking for a book with really palpable sexual tension but not so much of the in-page spice. “Ghosted” will be amongst my favorite reads for 2023, I can feel it.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: September 26, 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.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

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 — Magnolia Parks — Jessa Hastings — Magnolia Parks Universe #1

“How many loves do you get in a lifetime?”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Describes drug use, abuse, and overdose. Touches on child death, emotional abuse, and panic attacks. Contains some sexual content.

“Magnolia Parks” is the first book in the Magnolia Parks Universe series and, well, it follows Magnolia Parks, to no one’s surprise. These books are being re-published with new covers through Dutton, but I bet you’ve heard all about them, I know I had. This book follows Magnolia Parks and her childhood sweetheart, BJ Ballentine, as they continuously shatter their own hearts over and over again. Through rebounds and way too much back and forth, they’ll take you on a wild ride in London’s luxurious scene.

Look, I hate cheating. I hate books about cheating, I hate songs about cheating, it’s my big no no for tropes. So tell me, why did I love Magnolia Parks? But well, I did. This book is for the Gossip Girl girlies that love that toxic Blaire and Chuck romance arc. It wasn’t as explicit as I thought it would be, but that tension really brought me through.

If you’re looking for a book that’ll give you a glimpse on the scandalous lives of Manhattan’s London’s elite, then “Magnolia Parks” is it. As part of a series, I’m glad to find out this isn’t the last we’ll see of Magnolia, as the third installment is back on with her point of view, I legit can’t wait to see where this mess will lead her to.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

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

Publication Date: August 8, 2023

ARC — Text Appeal — Amber Roberts

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Touches on subjects like workplace sexism and having anxiety about job security. Contains explicit sexual content.

As soon as I saw this book marketed as one for Olivia Dade fans, I knew I had to get my hands on it—and I must say, Amber Roberts did not disappoint. “Text Appeal” follows Lark, the only woman programmer at a firm, in the aftermath after she accidentally projects an unsolicited, scandalous picture in front of her coworkers during a presentation. Now unemployed and needing that cashflow, she starts sexting for pay, at the suggestion of a friend. But how is she supposed to come clean to her best friend (and unrequited crush) Toby? That’s a problem for future Lark, perhaps.

I know some say this book was a bit of a slowburn, but I absolutely loved the pacing of this romance. And so, while the story’s pacing was engaging and quite funny at times, a few plot points felt predictable. The inevitable third-act conflict (you’ll see it coming a mile away) leans a little too hard into the classic miscommunication trope, which isn’t it for me. Still, the chemistry between these characters is just so intoxicating. I was giggling, kicking my feet, that’s all I’ll say.

“Text appeal” is for anyone who’s ever overanalyzed a text (or twenty-two), secretly fallen for someone online, or just needs a feel-good escape filled with laughs and swoony moments.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

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

Publication Date: August 08, 2023

ARC — Someone Just Like You — Meredith Schorr

“What if this has been a prank all along? His biggest one yet. Making Molly ‘Mole’ Blum fall for him so he could break my heart.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Discusses parental divorce and parental separation. Talks about life-changing physical injuries after an accident. Contains sexual content.

“Someone Just Like You” follows Molly Blum and Jude Stark, two childhood frenemies who now, a decade later, have to cooperate through the planning of their parent’s conjoined wedding anniversary celebration. But what if their rivalry and dislike came from a place of love and not so much of hate? That’s for them to decide.

This was a fun and relatively fast-paced read, yet I couldn’t look past how immature the main characters were most of the time. They were supposed to be in their late twenties/early thirties but it felt more like late teens to me. There is just no way someone my age would act the way they were acting, is all. This made it a little harder to read along but all in all it wasn’t a bad read.

Definitely grab this book if you’re a fan of the childhood enemies to lovers trope, you won’t regret it.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

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

Publication Date: July 25, 2023