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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Thank you Berkley for the Free Digital ARC! š«¶š¾š«¶š¾
I enjoyed the idea of a vice principal and a teacher who have a crush on one another working together in a space simulation! Sign me up for all the Forced Proximity.š¤
I love that Bri was able to find a job that matched her passion. She was able to combine her love for books and helping kids. I adored the little crumbs in the story that talked about reading and books. Of course I did as a book lover, not surprising! I also smiled to myself when Kimberly Lemmingās book series was mentioned. AHHH!! One of my favs. What I found really heartwarming was the journal entries from Roman, especially the last one. š„¹š„°
NEXT PART IS A SPOILER!!!
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Lastly, I enjoyed the epilogue so much! The whole simulation team coming back together, being friends and creating a book club together was everything I needed. I was happy that Bri got her library and that Roman had it named after her.š„¹š„¹
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SPOILER OVER:
NEXT PART IS A SPOILER!!!
š¤«š¤«š¤«š¤«š¤«š¤«š¤«š¤«š¤«
Lastly, I enjoyed the epilogue so much! The whole simulation team coming back together, being friends and creating a book club together was everything I needed. I was happy that Bri got her library and that Roman had it named after her.š„¹š„¹
š¤«š¤«š¤«š¤«š¤«š¤«š¤«š¤«
SPOILER OVER:
The only reason I did not rate this higher is because I found myself craving and wanting more throughout the book. Especially in the Romance aspect between Roman and Bri. Donāt get me wrong, Iām a slow burn girl. But I like it when the author gives us bits and pieces along the way. You know, like tension and banter. It builds the relationship along the way and makes me really root for them to get together. I think the romance fell a little short for me. There wasnāt enough between the MCs for me to die hard root for them to get together.
I still hope to read more from Etta Easton in the futureš«¶š¾š. I absolutely adored The Kiss Countdown and it seems that Etta has a talent for coming up with unique storylines.
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Brianna joins a Mars simulation team to win prize money for her schoolās library. She clashes with Roman, the principalās son, whoās also on the team. Their rivalry turns to romance, but Brianna suspects Roman is hiding somethingāforcing her to choose between the school and her growing feelings for him.
I really enjoy this authorās writing style. The plot is interesting if a little slow-paced. The characters are likeable and well-developed.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I really enjoy this authorās writing style. The plot is interesting if a little slow-paced. The characters are likeable and well-developed.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Thanks so much to @berkleypub @berkleyromance @acebookspub for the free book!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very cute read. Brianna is always looking out for others but she is also looking to make her mark in her profession as Vice Principal. Roman is the science teacher who she has a crush on but is also the principals son, who is putting a block in her plans. The story is a slow burn, great message about learning and finding your passion in life and it even had some funny moments. I loved the simulation aspect of the story and I love that it was about teachers and trying to save the school library. Definitely would recommend for cute and charming read. 3.5 āļø
Release Date: March 4, 2025
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very cute read. Brianna is always looking out for others but she is also looking to make her mark in her profession as Vice Principal. Roman is the science teacher who she has a crush on but is also the principals son, who is putting a block in her plans. The story is a slow burn, great message about learning and finding your passion in life and it even had some funny moments. I loved the simulation aspect of the story and I love that it was about teachers and trying to save the school library. Definitely would recommend for cute and charming read. 3.5 āļø
Release Date: March 4, 2025
Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for the advance copy of this & the free book #BerkleyPartner!
This book will be out in March 4th.
The Kiss Countdown was Etta Easton's debut book and was absolutely charming! I was not sure if this book was going to be its own new story or set in the same universe as TKC. Turns out our female lead is the little sister of the male, Vincent, from The Kiss Countdown.
Just like with the first one, this was just also enjoyable!! Brianna is a Vice Principal with a very difficult principal and is upset when he chooses to use funds to redo the football field instead of a new library, she takes matters in her own hands. There was this cool opportunity to be a part of a Mars simulation with other staff members for a chance to a good chunk of money that would be used to upgrade the library.
Six weeks in a Mars simulation? Should be no issue but what Brianna was not expecting is to be trapped with her workplace crush and the principal's son Roman. She already is nervous around him but this is going to have them force to work together. I felt kind of bad for Roman because Brianna thought the worst of him. She thought he was there to jeopardize her chance at getting the funds. And this was throughout majority of the book.
Then you have Roman who never gave her any reason to doubt him besides being the son of her boss. He was doing his best in achieving the different missions. He was very open with his crush on Brianna. It was hard for her to navigate their mutual feelings for one another. She was technically his superior and even though they weren't in school, it still was a school event and was with other peers. No matter how much she tried, she just could not resist him. I know they were in this simulation and its not like they could properly date but I would have love to have seen them get to know each other more. It kind of was like "oh I like you, let's sleep together." Which yes happens but we usually get to see the couple get to know one another and build an intimacy.
Easton did not spend too much time with giving insight into the first book. But just enough of VIncent (he is a astronaut) and Amerie to give insight into their lives currently. Also got to see some of Brianna's relationship with her sister Camille who seems like such a wonderful person.
i love the concept of being in this controlled environment away from everyone over the summer. In my head I just picture the movie The Martian and the different space tasks that they had to do.
I started this book doing tandem reading but ultimately ended up just reading with my ears. Sisi Aisha Johnson did such a great job with narration! She gave just enough sass and confidence that was needed for Brianna. I also like how she embodied the other cast of characters that were in the simulation.
Looking forward to see if Easton sticks with space theme books (which I would be here for) or where she would pivot too!
This book will be out in March 4th.
The Kiss Countdown was Etta Easton's debut book and was absolutely charming! I was not sure if this book was going to be its own new story or set in the same universe as TKC. Turns out our female lead is the little sister of the male, Vincent, from The Kiss Countdown.
Just like with the first one, this was just also enjoyable!! Brianna is a Vice Principal with a very difficult principal and is upset when he chooses to use funds to redo the football field instead of a new library, she takes matters in her own hands. There was this cool opportunity to be a part of a Mars simulation with other staff members for a chance to a good chunk of money that would be used to upgrade the library.
Six weeks in a Mars simulation? Should be no issue but what Brianna was not expecting is to be trapped with her workplace crush and the principal's son Roman. She already is nervous around him but this is going to have them force to work together. I felt kind of bad for Roman because Brianna thought the worst of him. She thought he was there to jeopardize her chance at getting the funds. And this was throughout majority of the book.
Then you have Roman who never gave her any reason to doubt him besides being the son of her boss. He was doing his best in achieving the different missions. He was very open with his crush on Brianna. It was hard for her to navigate their mutual feelings for one another. She was technically his superior and even though they weren't in school, it still was a school event and was with other peers. No matter how much she tried, she just could not resist him. I know they were in this simulation and its not like they could properly date but I would have love to have seen them get to know each other more. It kind of was like "oh I like you, let's sleep together." Which yes happens but we usually get to see the couple get to know one another and build an intimacy.
Easton did not spend too much time with giving insight into the first book. But just enough of VIncent (he is a astronaut) and Amerie to give insight into their lives currently. Also got to see some of Brianna's relationship with her sister Camille who seems like such a wonderful person.
i love the concept of being in this controlled environment away from everyone over the summer. In my head I just picture the movie The Martian and the different space tasks that they had to do.
I started this book doing tandem reading but ultimately ended up just reading with my ears. Sisi Aisha Johnson did such a great job with narration! She gave just enough sass and confidence that was needed for Brianna. I also like how she embodied the other cast of characters that were in the simulation.
Looking forward to see if Easton sticks with space theme books (which I would be here for) or where she would pivot too!
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed The Kiss Countdown, and so had high hopes for The Love Simulation. Mars mission simulation with forced proximity mixed with enemies to lovers? Sign me up! But.... it wasn't as good as The Kiss Countdown. And I really didn't like how the author glossed over the issues with the MFC sabotaging the MMC's suit and "killing" him within the simulation . If that wasn't bad enough, he forgave her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you for the free book, Berkley Romance! #berkleypartner #berkley #berkleybookstagram
Brianna is a vice principal who takes her role very seriously. Sheās determined to earn money for the school library by participating in a teacher challenge to last for the whole summer in a Mars simulation. When she arrives, sheās shocked to see the her arch rival, the principalās son, Roman there. She is sure he plans to sabotage her and ruin the mission, but Roman proves himself to be trustworthy. They find themselves falling for each other, but Brianna may have to make an impossible choice.
This was my first book from Etta Easton, and I really enjoyed it! Brianna was such a likable and relatable character. As a teacher, I appreciated her commitment and dedication to her students. The STEM and space aspect was a fun twist on the rom com, and a new spin on forced proximity. The chemistry between the two was palpable and created delicious slow building tension. I will definitely be looking forward to the authorās next book!
Brianna is a vice principal who takes her role very seriously. Sheās determined to earn money for the school library by participating in a teacher challenge to last for the whole summer in a Mars simulation. When she arrives, sheās shocked to see the her arch rival, the principalās son, Roman there. She is sure he plans to sabotage her and ruin the mission, but Roman proves himself to be trustworthy. They find themselves falling for each other, but Brianna may have to make an impossible choice.
This was my first book from Etta Easton, and I really enjoyed it! Brianna was such a likable and relatable character. As a teacher, I appreciated her commitment and dedication to her students. The STEM and space aspect was a fun twist on the rom com, and a new spin on forced proximity. The chemistry between the two was palpable and created delicious slow building tension. I will definitely be looking forward to the authorās next book!
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Bri is the vice principal struggling to get a new library approved for her school. Roman is the science teacher and son of the principal. He seemingly has his eyes set on Briās position. They agree to participate in a Mars Simulation to win money for the library remodel.
I loved that we got more space information in this book. š©š¾āšThat was something I really wanted in book 1. I also enjoyed the simulation aspect of the story line. It felt like a reality tv show but with out the unnecessary drama. I really feel like this book could have benefited from dual pov. Not having Romanās inner thoughts was frustrating. There were moments where our FMC would pretend to know what he was thinking, as if they were having these telepathy conversations. It would have been more enjoyable to know his actual thoughts and feelings. Also only getting Briās thoughts really made my girl seem thirsty! There were so many times where I wanted to tell her to STAND UP! If those thoughts were reciprocated from Romans POV it wouldnāt have felt so one sided. This was definitely a case where it felt like she was feeling him more than he was feeling her.
Overall I love this authors writing style. Something about this book gave me abbott elementary vibes and I loved that. š„° I would recommend to anyone who wants a fun sweet romance.
I loved that we got more space information in this book. š©š¾āšThat was something I really wanted in book 1. I also enjoyed the simulation aspect of the story line. It felt like a reality tv show but with out the unnecessary drama. I really feel like this book could have benefited from dual pov. Not having Romanās inner thoughts was frustrating. There were moments where our FMC would pretend to know what he was thinking, as if they were having these telepathy conversations. It would have been more enjoyable to know his actual thoughts and feelings. Also only getting Briās thoughts really made my girl seem thirsty! There were so many times where I wanted to tell her to STAND UP! If those thoughts were reciprocated from Romans POV it wouldnāt have felt so one sided. This was definitely a case where it felt like she was feeling him more than he was feeling her.
Overall I love this authors writing style. Something about this book gave me abbott elementary vibes and I loved that. š„° I would recommend to anyone who wants a fun sweet romance.