Tag Archives: Romance

In a Holidaze — Christina Lauren

“The only person whose expectations you have to live up to is yourself.”

Genre: Romance, Comedy
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Content Warnings: None that I can think of.

Have you ever seen a time-loop kind of movie? Like Groundhog Day or Before I Fall? Well, this is just that but in a book, and surrounding the holidays. This book follows Maelyn Jones as she is stuck reliving her Christmas holiday week after wishing for a shot to find happiness. And oh, does she find it.

“In a Holidaze” did not take the path I thought it would. Maelyn does not end up with who I thought she would end up with, but good for her, I guess. I liked it anyways.

This is a light, funny read, set in a cozy cabin in the middle of Utah. It’s literally a perfect holiday read. It’s surrounding Christmas but isn’t solely about the holiday, and it’s short and snappy. I mean, what can I say? The duo Christina Lauren never disappoints.

I would recommend this book to people who’ve read other Christina Lauren books and loved them. I would not necessarily recommend this be your first exposure to the authors, as they have longer, better-constructed books (like “The Unhoneymooners” or “The Soulmate Equation”), but “In a Holidaze” is a good holiday-y read.

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If I Never Met You — Mhairi McFarlane

“She thought there was a lot of truth in the closest friendships being unconsummated romances.”

Genre: Romance, Comedy
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Content Warnings: Mentions pedophilia, but isn’t a prominent topic.

This book follows Laurie and Jamie as they embark on a fake relationship that benefits both parties. Laurie is newly single after being in a relationship for more than 15 years and is in a rather uncomfortable position, as her ex is her coworker and said ex has conveniently knocked up his girlfriend of less than a month. Jamie, on the other hand, doesn’t believe in relationships but his boss thinks he should be in a stable one in order to get his dream promotion. Will the fake relationship follow its course and serve its purpose? Or will it evolve into something more?

Holy hell, did I enjoy this book. I already had high expectations because one of my friends (who’s a rather harsh reviewer) gave this book a 5-star rating, and oh did this delivery. Mhairi McFarlane brilliantly illustrated this rather complicated story. There is so much depth in the characters as individuals and the way their unlikely friendship grows. It’s astounding. I want to start this book over again. Right now. Erase my memory so I can relive all the emotions and feel all the heartache and butterflies and nervousness.

I would recommend this book to anyone into romance, especially if you like authors like Emily Henry and Sally Thorne. Well, you know what? Even if you don’t like authors like Emily Henry and Sally Thorne, STILL GIVE THIS BOOK A TRY. You won’t regret it. It’s a fun (and funny) easy-going book, it won’t be life-changing but it won’t be a waste of your time either.

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ARC — Bet on It — Jodie Slaughter

“To her, it didn’t seem fair that someone could be in your life for such a short amount of time but still upend it completely.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Content Warnings: Discusses mental illness, panic attacks, drug abuse, and child endangerment (These were stated at the beginning of the book, 10/10 for that).

This book follows Aja Owens, who just moved to the small town of Greenbelt, and Walker Abbott, who swore he would never come back to his hometown of Greenbelt. Walker is the grandson of Aja’s bingo partner and has moved back to Greenbelt temporarily, as he helps his grandma recover from a fall. As Aja and Walker bond over bingo (and their undeniable chemistry), they unintentionally form a pact: they will have sex if and only if one of them wins in bingo… Because they can’t and won’t fall in love. What would be the point? Walker will be leaving soon and Aja still hasn’t found what she’s looking for in small-town living. “Bet on It” is a story of friendship and understanding, bingo and luck. You will be left hanging from your seats, willing for a bingo as soon as possible.

“Bet on It” has been one of the most entertaining books I’ve read this year. If it hadn’t been for other commitments, I would’ve most certainly read it in one sitting. Both Aja and Walker were such related characters for me. They were really well written and I just loved how Jodie Slaughter went out of her way to show how anxiety and panic attacks could look different for different people and how different coping mechanisms are still valid.

I fell in love with the potential Aja and Walker had. They truly complimented each other. It wasn’t just the raw sexual tension between them that tied them together, no. They bonded over their most personal experiences and they tried to be there for each other and be open with each other. Their friendship and relationship was truly amazing to witness.

I would recommend this book to people who like romance books like The Hating Game and who aren’t afraid of some seeeerious sexual tension and restraint. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book.

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ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: July 12, 2022

Head Over Heels — Hannah Orenstein

Genre: Sports Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Content Warnings: Discusses mental health, eating disorders, and verbal, physical, and sexual abuse.

“Head Over Heels” follows retired gymnast Avery Abrams, who almost made it to the Olympics—but didn’t due to an injury just weeks before the world-class event. Seven years later, after dealing with a rough breakup and moving back in with her parents in her hometown, she is offered the opportunity to help train a rising gymnastics star who is set to make it to the Olympics herself. What she could not fathom was that she’d be training this new gymnast alongside one of her childhood crushes. Will she let herself fall in love again and will she ever come to peace with her past? I guess you’ll have to read the book to find out.

I honestly thoroughly enjoyed this book, it took quite a few turns I wasn’t expecting. Yes, it’s a romance book, but at the same time it’s so much more than that. There are so many important and relevant topics addressed in this book, like eating disorders and abuse within the sports community, and how Olympic athletes lack the resources to work on their mental and sometimes even physical health.

I would recommend this book to anyone who ever dreamed of going to the Olympics (even if they didn’t practice an Olympic sport) or just anyone who’s up for an interesting romance book that’ll tackle more than just sexual tension and romantic relationships.

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Roomies — Christina Lauren

“I’ve never done this before. I just know I’m falling for the girl I married.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Content Warnings: None than I can think of.

“Roomies” follows Holland, an aspiring author who’s working in a Broadway show thanks to some lowkey nepotism, and her subway crush Calvin, a talented classical guitarist who’s overstayed his student visa and is trying to make ends meet in New York City. One thing leads to another, and they end up in a marriage of convenience, where Holland is helping her uncle and Calvin is getting his green card. But after real sparks fly, will they follow through on their plan or will they listen to their hearts?

Oh, wow. I love the Christina Lauren duo. Their writing has always engulfed me, bringing me into whatever world they build. This time around they didn’t disappoint, but at the same time, I think I’ve never been this frustrated with two of their characters before. I’m not sure who messed up more, Calvin or Holland, but HOLY did they mess up. Continuously. Consistently. Making each mess up increasingly worse. The only reason why I’m not giving it a higher rating is because of all the stress and frustration I suffered thanks to their fuck ups. But oh well, it’s a good romance novel when all’s been said and done.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy romance novels, especially if you’ve enjoyed books by authors like Colleen Hoover, Emily Henry, Sally Thorne, or Alexis Daria.

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“Maybe the reason I can’t write about fictional life is because I haven’t actually lived.”

ARC — Someone Else’s Dream — Janet Pywell

“You have to be a friend to have a friend.”

Genre: Romance, LGBTQIA
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Content Warnings: Covid-19, mentions suicide and death, mentions racism and homophobia

This book follows Amber, a lawyer that’s moved away from London in order to fulfill her girlfriend’s dream…only to then have her girlfriend leave her. Essentially stranded in a harbor town, she starts meeting the locals, setting up a business she did not want, and perhaps, just maybe, finding love again.

This is a true tale of friendship and new beginnings. I loved this book beyond what words can describe. Would I call this a love story? No. But I enjoyed every word of it.

I grew up in a big, busy city and then moved to a small town for uni, and I must say I fell in love with the quaintness of it all. The author has perfectly described the feeling of community and claustrophobia that can be born from small-town living. Amber’s inner voice is my inner voice, our way of thinking is very similar and I felt connected to her pretty much right away. Rarely do I ever read a bisexual/queer character that resonates so much with my own identity.

I can’t end my review without pointing out how weird it was to start reading a book and realizing it’s set in the present-day, where Covid-19 is a thing. Every time lockdowns or face masks were mentioned, it caught me off-guard, but I honestly liked it; this is the reality we’re living in and it was bound to show up in literature eventually, right?

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a light read that’s not predictable in the slightest. “Someone Else’s Dream” will transport you to a small town, with all its people and all their mosaic opinions and beliefs. It will serve you love in so many ways, maybe just not so much in a romantic way.

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ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: November 30, 2021

Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything — Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

Genre: Coming-of-age, YA Romance
Actual Rating: 3 stars
Content Warnings: Sexual assault, death

I thought I would like this book more than I did, and, honestly, may this review not discourage you from reading this beauty of a book. It is truly so wonderfully written. There were just so many little things about that plot that didn’t sit well with me, so I couldn’t, in good conscience, give it a higher rating.

This book follows Sia Martinez through her high school experience, having lost her mother to a desert after she had been deported and had decided to walk back. Having also been sexually assaulted. Having been paired up with a cute boy who she’ll eventually get to love.

What didn’t sit well with me was how hyper sexualized the narrative was (after she had been recently sexually assaulted). I could not relate with how Sia reacted after the death of one of the characters. But good for her for getting over things so quickly, I guess?

I would recommend this book to sci-fi lovers and people interested in space and alien life.

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You Had Me at Hola — Alexis Daria

Genre: Steamy, red-hot romance
Actual Rating: 5+ stars
Content Warnings: None I can think of right now

This book follows Jasmine, a latinx actress, as she starts filming a series with her grandmother’s favorite telenovela star, Ashton.

You Had Me at Hola gave me LIFE. As I type up this review, I already have A Lot Like Adios waiting for me at home. The storyline was pretty straightforward; it was not really a slow-burn but it wasn’t instant-love either. It was just right. And oh, did this book bang.

With her honest narrative, Jasmine wins over your heart in the first few chapters. I can’t wait to see where the sequel will take us.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance books (and who isn’t afraid of a book getting real spicy, real quick).

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