Tag Archives: 4 stars

ARC — Get Lost with You — Sophie Sullivan — Rock Bottom Love #2

“You’re killing me, Jillian.”
“That’s funny. You have the opposite effect on me. You make me feel more alive than I can ever remember feeling.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Touches on subjects like toxic relationships and unsupportive parents. Contains some romantic content.

“Get Lost with You” follows Jillian, a now-single mom, who’s moved back to her small hometown to help her brother establish a fishing resort of sorts, as she reconnects with her childhood crush. Levi is a renowned chef who’s also just moved back to their hometown. His father is getting surgery and he’s here to help, but honestly, he was done with the traditional culinary scene and was down to settle somewhere familiar. Levi is friends with Jillian’s brothers, and therefore she was always off limits. But they’re adults now, with their own problems and insecurities, hopes and dreams. And what if one of his dreams is finally seeing things through with the ginger girl who’s always warmed his heart? That’s up to Jillian and Levi to decide.

This was such a cozy, swift read. Sophie Sullivan has brought us back to the town of Smile and the Get Lost resort, and I was so here for it. This book, although part of a series, could work perfectly as a standalone. Jillian, and her daughter, Ollie, captivate our hearts from the get-go. And then in came Levi, with his flirty and charismatic personality—it was hard not to fall for them immediately. I loved that they skipped that “will-they, won’t-they” shenanigans and went into it as the adults that they are.

If you’re looking for a small town romance that skips through the slow burn and goes directly to that childhood crushes to lovers: “Get Lost with You” is precisely what you’re looking for.

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

Publication Date: February 11, 2025

ARC — She Doesn’t Have a Clue — Jenny Elder Moke

Genre: Mystery, Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Touches on subjects like cheating and insecurities. Describes murder and murder attempts. Contains explicit sexual content.

Part mystery, part romance, set in a private island off the coast of Seattle? Count me in. (I mean, the Seattle Seahawks already had me crying every Sunday, why not extend that pain into a couple days while reading this book, you know).

“She Doesn’t Have a Clue” follows Kate Valentine, the author of a famous mystery/detective book series, as she agrees to go to her ex-fiancé’s wedding in a lavish private island off the coast of Seattle. What she didn’t expect was that her ex-almost-something, Jake Hawkins, an Australian adventure writer and worldwide excursion guide, would be her plus one and roommate for the whole weekend—and that someone would be actively trying to kill the bride and setting it up to look like what happens in each of Kate’s mystery books.

All I have to say is that Jenny Elder Moke really did deliver both a mystery and a romance, and I’m not sure which part of the story I was captivated by the most. The romance was so sweet and spicy, and the mystery had me not wanting to put the book down, in search for answers. This was a fun, dynamic, and unique read, that I’ll definitely be recommending for years to come.

If you’ve enjoyed shows like “How To Get Away With Murder”, are looking to read a book with some romance involved, and are into Hotstralians, then “She Doesn’t Have a Clue” is definitely worth a read for you.

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

Publication Date: January 21, 2025

Window Shopping — Tessa Bailey

Author: Tessa Bailey
Narrator: Alexa Morden, Sam Rushton

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Narration: 2 mikes
Spicy Meter: 3 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Discusses crime, gun violence, and ex-convict discrimination. Showcases unhealthy family and friend dynamics. Contains explicit sexual content.

“Window Shopping” follows Stella, a recently released ex-convict striving to rebuild her life, and Aiden, a Fifth Avenue store’s optimistic and bowtie-wearing manager. Their chance meeting leads to an unexpected job opportunity for Stella, which she absolutely will take. But as she takes this job, any chance of any romantic intentions Aiden might’ve had are quickly whisked away… or are they?

We read this book for The Book Club HQ, and gosh was it steamy. We were going for a more holiday-forward read, and this wasn’t it, but we still really enjoyed it. Tessa Bailey basically flips the grump x sunshine trope we’re used to seeing, presenting Stella as the guarded pessimist and Aiden as the cheerful optimist.

Apart from being really steamy (as Tessa Bailey tends to be), “Window Shopping” also delves into themes of redemption and self-discovery, as Stella confronts her past mistakes and works towards a better future. Aiden’s support and belief in her potential add depth to their romance, making their connection feel genuine and earned.

I actually had the chance to listen to some of the book, as well as reading it, and I can’t help but point out how shocked I was with Aiden’s southern accent. Nothing against it really, but it was a bit of a jumpscare.

All in all, “Window Shopping” is a perfect pick for those seeking a spicy and uplifting holiday read and who enjoy that will-they-won’t-they push and pull.

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ARC — Kilt Trip — Alexandra Kiley

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Touches on subjects like parental death and abandonment issues. Contains explicit sexual content.

“Kilt Trip” follows Addie Macrae, an American travel consultant, and Logan Sutherland, one of the Scottish co-owners of a family-owned tour company that’s struggling to make ends meet. Logan is absolutely against Addie coming and restructuring his hidden gems tours, so they set off on a truce: they’ll experience both sides of Scotland—the touristy and then less traveled—and decide from there which tours stay and which don’t.

Alexandra Kiley did such an amazing job with this book. It truly made me feel like the travel influencer I’ve never wanted to be, and I was there for it. The sexual tension between these enemies to lovers was irresistible, I couldn’t get enough of them.

I would highly recommend this read if you’re looking for a romance book that’ll transport you into the Highlands and are a fan of the enemies to lovers books—because that’s what they are.

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

Publication Date: March 05, 2024

ARC — Till There Was You — Lindsay Hameroff

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Touches on tough or uncomfortable subjects like parental disappointment, parental death, and cancer. Contains some sexual content.

“Till There Was You” follows Lexi Berman, a culinary student in New York City who’s just about to graduate and who dreams of becoming a Michelin-star chef in order to honor her late mother, as she meets Jake Taylor, an aspiring singer-songwriter, at a dive bar. They spend the most wonderful weekend together and then Jake leaves for LA to record his demo. He promises he’ll be back and they’ll keep in touch, but Lexi isn’t expecting much. What neither of them expected really was that he’d become an overnight sensation with a song he wrote for her and that then he’d simply disappear. Lexi is too proud and stubborn to admit she’s heartbroken, and is set on forgetting the whole affair. That is, until a drunk and distraught Jake knocks on Lexi’s door, expressing his regret for how things played out. They agree to be friends and Jake crashed at Lexi’s place as he’s recording his second album. But how can you just be friends with someone you know you could love?

I will drop everything and read a celebrity romance every single chance I get. I will not let my Wattpad dreams die, is all. That being said, this was such a fun read. Were the characters childish at times? Yeah, sure, but they are pretty young to begin with, I just left that off to them being young and foolish and stubborn. I just loved the character arcs and developments, both as individuals and as a couple. The only reason this isn’t a 5-star review is because there was a third act break up that simply didn’t sit right with me. Other than that, I loved this read.

I would highly recommend “Till There Was You” to anyone and everyone that enjoys a good, ol’ celebrity romance.

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

Publication Date: February 20, 2024

ARC — Even If It Breaks Your Heart — Erin Hahn

Genre: Young Adult
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Touches on tough topics like grief, family loss, family abandonment, and chronic illness. Contains some romantic content.

“Even If It Breaks Your Heart” follows nineteen-year-old Case Michaels, grieving the loss of his best friend Walker, as he clings to a list Walker left him, determined to complete it despite struggling to return to the rodeo circuit. Meanwhile, eighteen-year-old Winnie Sutton works tirelessly to support her family on the Michaels’ ranch, sneaking moments to ride horses and dream of something more. Part of Walker’s lists sends Case to befriend Winnie Sutton, but this suggestion turned into something more when Case sees Winnie’s talent for riding. He convinces her to compete for the ranch, sparking an unexpected REAL friendship—and maybe more—that inspires both to chase dreams they never thought possible.

Oh, wow, I’ve read Erin Hahn before but “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” just hit different. With its bittersweet tones but hopeful ending, this book has brought comfort to my heart. With a set of complex characters with even deeper backstories, this book will have you hooked from the start.

If you’re looking for a cozy, cowboy YA read, look no further—“Even If It Breaks Your Heart” is exactly what you seek.

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

Publication Date: February 06, 2024

ARC — On the Plus Side — Jenny L. Howe

“Let yourself be seen.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 3 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Touches on topics like parental abandonment, fatphobia, body shaming, and death of family members and pets. Contains some explicit sexual content.

“On the Plus Side” follows Everly Winters, who is currently a receptionist but aspiring to be a designer in marketing some day, as she is selected to be the subject of her all-time favorite reality TV show: On the Plus Side. This show follows plus-sized participants and helps them find themselves and reach their goals. Everly had never imagined in a million years that could be her, yet here she is. Will she find herself in the process or will she just shut off the world as she’s been doing for the past couple of years after an important loss in her life?

I absolutely loved this book. It caught my attention right off the bat and I loved all the characters. The spark between the main love interest was slow but worthwhile and honestly made sense. The one thing is I was left wanting so much more by the end, I just wasn’t ready to let go of this story quite yet—the ending all felt too sudden for me.

That being said, this book is for the girlies that enjoy reality TV shows—think Queer Eye meets plus-size representation. This book was just highly entertaining all throughout.

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

Publication Date: December 26, 2023

ARC — This Spells Love — Kate Robb

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Describes an injury by fire and panic attacks. Contains explicit sexual content.

I can’t believe “This Spells Love” by Kate Robb is a debut. This novel follows Gemma, a 28-year-old who, after a painful breakup, drunkenly casts a spell to erase her ex from her past. To her astonishment, she awakens in an alternate reality where her ex never existed, but neither does her close friendship with Dax, her best friend. As Gemma navigates this new world, she must rebuild her relationship with Dax, leading to unexpected romantic developments.

Kate Robb’s writing is engaging, with snappy dialogue and endearing characters that drew me in right away. The friends-to-lovers trope is executed perfectly, making Gemma and Dax’s evolving relationship both believable and heartwarming. The novel also touches on themes of self-reflection and the consequences of altering one’s past, adding depth to the lighthearted romance.

A sassy and smart read, “This Spells Love” is the book you’re looking for if you’re (like me) constantly obsessed with the “what if” scenarios. This debut novel offers a fresh take on second chances and the complexities of love and friendship. I wouldn’t change a thing.

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

Publication Date: December 05, 2023

ARC — Artifacts of an Ex — Jennifer Chen

Genre: Young Adult, Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Mentions dementia. Contains some romantic content, but no explicit sexual content.

“Artifacts of an Ex” follows Chloe Chang, a budding art curator, as she channels the pain of a breakup into “Heartifacts,” an art exhibit showcasing mementos of past relationships (both hers and others). And in comes Damoel Kwak, to shake things up. He crushed on Chloe and Chloe claims to be over her ex, but he’s sure she’s not—and he’s not willing to become just another rebound, not when it comes to her. With a clever mix of humor, emotional depth, and cultural nuances, the book explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery.

So, I’m not the only one with an “Ex Box” apparently. “Artifacts of an Ex” strikes the perfect balance between comedy and deeply emotional times, making it a memorable read. Fans of Jenny Han and Emily Henry will appreciate the mix of romance and personal evolution—I know I did.

With its themes of artistic expression and rediscovering love, “Artifacts of an Ex” is an ode to the transformative power of creativity. It’s a perfect read for anyone who’s ever held on to a keepsake from the past, wondering what it still means.

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

Publication Date: November 14, 2023

ARC — Holiday Star — Dr. Melissa Dymond

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Touches on heavy subjects like addiction, loss and grief, and losing a parent. Contains explicit sexual content.

“Holiday Star”, set against the backdrop of a cozy December, follows Gwen Wright, a disciplined doctor house-sitting for her family, and Caleb Lawson, a brooding Hollywood star hiding from scandal (who just so happens to be Gwen’s stepdad’s nephew). Filled with forced proximity, this holiday read will warm up your heart without a doubt.

With the perfect mix of festive charm, celebrity allure, and emotional depth, this was such a fun, holiday read. Balancing witty banter with deeper, healing moments as both characters confront personal insecurities, this book will have you wishing for more. Gwen’s down-to-earth nature contrasts beautifully with Caleb’s chaotic life in the spotlight, and their chemistry is undeniable. The “celebrity meets ordinary girl” trope is handled with fresh sincerity, making their journey to love feel authentic rather than overdone.

For readers sensitive to content, Dr. Melissa Dymond thoughtfully offers two versions of the book: one “sweet” (closed-door) and another “spicy” (open-door) with mild explicit scenes. I chose the spicy edition and found the intimate moments to be tasteful, enhancing rather than overshadowing the emotional arc.

If you’re a fan of enemies-to-lovers with a forced proximity twist, “Holiday Star” will make your holiday season a little brighter. It’s the perfect read to cozy up with a cup of hot chocolate and dream of your own celebrity meet-cute.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and Melissa Dymond DO in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: November 01, 2023