You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
If Sons of Anarchy and Hart of Dixie had a book baby, it would be Darlin’.
This was my first read by E.L. Lewis, but it definitely won’t be my last. From the very first chapter, I was kicking my feet laughing, biting my nails from the tension, and fully hooked on every single page.
The banter between the characters? Top tier. It felt so real, like I was eavesdropping on my own family’s conversations. The main characters pulled me in right away, but what really stood out was how well the side characters were written—they weren’t just filler; they had depth, heart, and purpose that made the whole story feel richer.
Darlin’ is a lighthearted, fast-paced, and refreshingly fun read that still packs an emotional punch. It’s the kind of book that makes you smile even after you’ve turned the last page. Highly recommend for fans of small towns, sass, and stories with a whole lot of heart.
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
HOLY MOLY THIS BOOK!! If you’re looking for a rom com that brings ALL the giggles & steam, look no further. I laughed hysterically, I sweat, I swooned, I had my heart break & be put back together. Savannah - princess, queen, southern peach… well she just went and lassoed my heart! A pure hearted spit fire! And Jesse…. Omg Jesse (insert heart eyes & drooling all over myself) …. JP, Darlin, Daddy (hehe iykyk) …. Well he went and shot his way into my heart as well! And the banter between these two ahhhh! I loved all of the characters involved in this story, I want Marlow to be my bestie too!! My only wish is for a second book where we get Jessie’s POV.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I thought this was a really good lighthearted read. It's funny and has a grumpy sunshine vibe. The side characters added to the story. However, Savannah's immaturity at times annoyed me.
I definitely recommend this book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Gun violence, Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent
Darling !
👑Forced Proximity
👑Grumpy x Sunshine
👑Slow Burn
👑Romance Comedy
A Sons of Anarchy meets Hart of Dixie in a hit summer romance . Savannah a southern belle beauty queen from Alabama , goes in search of her lost brother only to find him in an unlikely place. Headed to SoCal so save her brother from a biker club , she finds more than she bargained with Jessie the vice president of Sons of Sorrow .
A fun flirty romantic comedy perfect for the summer . Loved the banter! The tension with Jessie and Savannah had me giggling and kicking my feet. The plot was great I ate it up . I loved the side characters so much .
Such a fun and charming twist on opposites attract and enemies-to-lovers! Sunshiny southern belle and beauty queen Savannah heads to California to find her brother. She stumbles upon grumpy, gruff Jesse, a member of a motorcycle club. A slow burn romance develops but the growth of the characters starts immediately as Savvy learns to get out from her parent’s wings and Jesse learns to open up his heart. It’s been a while since I’ve read a romance from a single point-of-view, I loved the inside dialogue and southern nature of Savannah. There’s a small bit of suspense to the plot which I think is always a nice addition to romances. I’m looking forward to reading more trope fusions from this author!
Thanks to the author for the eARC.
Thanks to the author for the eARC.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
When you read a lot of dark romance, it never hurts to toss a romcom into the mix and this delivered. A southern belle pageant queen x grumpy biker? I mean... what could possibly go wrong?
This was definitely the comedic relief that I needed. Savannah, our sunshine pageant queen, running away to California to find her MIA brother, Beau, who as it turns out, has become part of the SOS Biker gang. Cue JP, the grumpy biker and SOS VP. Two polar opposites collide, and I couldn't help but laugh. Through all the laughs, there are still emotional moments - found family is a big theme and trope throughout this book and for good reason. Lewis writes it well.
The supporting characters are also a riot. Sometimes you love a plot and the MCs, but a sidekick will make or break it. The supporting characters (here's to Pippa and Andy!) round it out well and only add to the story rather than detract.
If you're looking for a quick enjoyable read that will have you laughing, I'd recommend checking this one out!
Thank you to the author for the gift copy!
This was definitely the comedic relief that I needed. Savannah, our sunshine pageant queen, running away to California to find her MIA brother, Beau, who as it turns out, has become part of the SOS Biker gang. Cue JP, the grumpy biker and SOS VP. Two polar opposites collide, and I couldn't help but laugh. Through all the laughs, there are still emotional moments - found family is a big theme and trope throughout this book and for good reason. Lewis writes it well.
The supporting characters are also a riot. Sometimes you love a plot and the MCs, but a sidekick will make or break it. The supporting characters (here's to Pippa and Andy!) round it out well and only add to the story rather than detract.
If you're looking for a quick enjoyable read that will have you laughing, I'd recommend checking this one out!
Thank you to the author for the gift copy!
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️
Savannah is over being controlled by her mom so she sets off to find her brother. Just a broke pageant princess her bother has joined an MC and she has no idea what she is getting into.
But soon she finds a real family and friends that she never knew could be. But when secrets come out can she forgive them for taking her help?
#darlin #ellewisauthor #mcromance #princessanddaddy #princessandthwbiker #romcom #booklover #bookboyfriendsdoitbetter
funny
When pageant queen Savannah Kingsley sets off from Alabama to find her runaway brother, she ends up in California face-to-face with Jesse Paxton, the rugged and reluctant Vice President of the Sons of Sorrow MC.
What begins as a rescue mission quickly turns into something much more layered. Savannah is strong-willed, sassy, and refuses to be underestimated. Jesse is rough around the edges but surprisingly thoughtful, and their chemistry is instant. The grumpy and sunshine dynamic between them makes for some fantastic banter and a believable slow-burn romance.
The setting is vibrant, the side characters are full of personality, and the dialogue—especially Savannah’s inner voice—feels authentic and genuinely funny. The story also offers emotional depth, particularly in the sibling relationship and Savannah’s discovery of who her brother has become.
This is a well-paced, entertaining read with a perfect mix of humor, heart, and just the right amount of heat. Darlin’ is a feel-good romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still delivers all the emotion and charm I hoped for.
4.5⭐
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ARC REVIEW
3/4 stars
3/5 spice
I have mixed feelings about this book; it wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. I didn't relate to either of the characters, which is something I always look for in books. The lack of maturity in the FMC was hard to move past sometimes, especially when she demanded things from people who had never met her before. The banter between Jesse and Savannah felt overplayed and got slightly boring to me. However, I did find myself laughing more often than not, and all the side characters had personality.
The third act break-up wasn't needed, in my opinion. It felt like a filler to add to the drama of the book. Everyone overreacted, including Savannah, when she was the one lying to everyone for a hot second, so her being upset didn't make sense to me.
Again, this wasn't a bad book, it just wasn't a book for me. That's not to say not to give this one shot if you want Hart of Dixie mixed with Sons of Anarchy.
Thank you to the Author for eARC.
3/4 stars
3/5 spice
I have mixed feelings about this book; it wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. I didn't relate to either of the characters, which is something I always look for in books. The lack of maturity in the FMC was hard to move past sometimes, especially when she demanded things from people who had never met her before. The banter between Jesse and Savannah felt overplayed and got slightly boring to me. However, I did find myself laughing more often than not, and all the side characters had personality.
The third act break-up wasn't needed, in my opinion. It felt like a filler to add to the drama of the book. Everyone overreacted, including Savannah, when she was the one lying to everyone for a hot second, so her being upset didn't make sense to me.
Again, this wasn't a bad book, it just wasn't a book for me. That's not to say not to give this one shot if you want Hart of Dixie mixed with Sons of Anarchy.
Thank you to the Author for eARC.