alliereadsromance's reviews
37 reviews

Fake Flame by Adele Buck

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

I’ve been a long-time Adele Buck fan so I went into her first traditionally published book with extremely high expectations and she met every single one of them and blew me out of the water. The beginning of this book had me cracking up and pumping my fist as Eva threatens to set a piano on fire at the college quad as her cheating ex attempts to woo her back in a big, showy gesture no woman actually appreciates. Sean is part of the team dispatched by the fire department after they receive a call about the crazy lady with the homemade flamethrower. For Sean, it’s instant attraction and he finds himself seeking ways to be around Eva. Including a plan straight out of a romance novel to convince Eva’s ex that she’s moved on. The couple are the very definition of opposites attract with a side of age gap, with Eva being older than Sean. Add in some fake dating and this book hit all of my favorite tropes in one go. Their constant “this is fake, this is fake, this is fake” self-reminders even as they fall for each other amused me and had me screaming at them to just freaking talk about it already. Fake Flame will have you laughing out loud and maybe (if you’re a giant sap like me) crying. I am already chomping at the bit to get my hands on Adele’s next book.

Thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy. 

Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey

fast-paced

3.0

I didn’t much get the holiday vibes from this story. As a long-time Tessa Bailey reader, it served up everything I love about her work: snappy, sassy, and spicy. Evie is a single mom who doesn’t have time or energy to mess around but when Luke offers up a fashion challenge she can’t turn it down. She makes him a pair of bespoke jeans out of pure spite and it leads to getting hot and heavy. Luke, drowning in eldest sibling syndrome, is already ready to go all-in on Evie from the first moment. It was a good quick read but there wasn’t much of a Christmas theme. 

If You Hate Me by Helena Hunting

medium-paced

4.5

 This book was so much fun! From the fun banter and bratting to the excellent spice this book shows up and delivers. Take everything you think you know from Helena Hunting's previous books and turn it up a few notches. Every time you think "She's not going to..." Oh yes, she goes there. More than once I had to stop listening and take a break because I couldn't keep a straight face in public and was NOT interested in explaining my expression to people around me. Do yourself a favor, if you're an audiobook person do the audio on this one. It is excellent. If You Hate Me was a great start to a new series and I'm super excited to see what comes next for the Toronto Terrors. 

Blood Moon by Jillian Graves

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

 Hazel, the 6’ tall gloriously curvy witch, and Vlad, the even taller vampire strong enough to pick her up and worship her like the goddess she is.

After a long, trusting day Hazel shows up at her coven leader’s house only to find a singles mixer of Strange in full swing. A quick shower and a mood potion were meant to revive her but when the tall, sexy vampire walks in on her plans change and Hazel gets exactly what she needed: a wildly hot romp in bed with a stranger.

Except it turns out that the stranger is none other than the manager of the new club across the street from her bar. The same club using aggressive techniques to steal her customers. And thus begins their hormone fueled rivalry.

First off, I love how competent and confident Hazel is. She knows her worth and isn’t afraid to charge tax. She doesn’t shrink away from an issue but dives head in, be it spelling the club to spy on them or wading into burgeoning bar fights. Despite the vicious attraction to Vlad, she was intending to keep it to that one night.

Vlad, on the other hand, had no intention of letting Hazel be just a one night stand and from the very beginning he put them on the same side. Even if Hazel wouldn’t agree with that assessment. He fought back against the investors who were becoming increasingly meddlesome in the club Vlad wanted to run as a safe haven for the Strange. The kind of place that saved him when he was first turned into a vampire years ago.

Blood Moon is absolutely steamy. An amazing addition to the Strange world from the first book. It’s such a fun and interesting universe with fantastic world building. I can’t wait to see what happens next! Many thanks to the author for the ARC! 

Consort of Fire by Kit Rocha

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

 Kit Rocha are one of those authors I’ll follow just about anywhere. Except, apparently, into the realm of fantasy. As much as I wanted to love it as much as I love the rest of their books Consort of Dragons was most definitely Not For Me. There was a lot of great material and great characters, fantastic world building. It had all of the elements of a good book but fantasy isn’t my preferred genre and I found the whole book to be a slog. As I do with pretty much every other fantasy book I’ve read so it’s in no way a reflection on the authors. I do usually do better with fantasy in audio and do plan on eventually going back to see if the narrators can work some magic. As for this book and future ones in the series, I’ll be cheering the authors on and hoping for their success but I’ll be passing.

*******************
UPDATE 2/12/24
I decided to give this one another go on audio because sometimes changing formats can shake it up and I'm so glad I did! This book has everything I have always enjoyed from Kit Rocha. High stakes, high heat, all of the feels. The narrators did a fantastic job and brought the characters to life in a way simply reading it couldn't for me. Absolutely worth the read! 

Deja Brew by Celestine Martin

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.75

 For the last three years, Celestine Martin has been at the top of my spooky season reading list. From the moment I read Witchful Thinking, I knew she was going to be an auto-buy author. There is something so cozy, magical, and wonderful about her stories that keeps me coming back for more. And Deja Brew was no different.

Sirena and Gus were the relationship that never happened. They knew each other, sure, but their lives were so different and distant in their younger years that they never connected. Honestly, this is the only type of second-chance romance I enjoy and this one was lovely. Sirena is burnt out and on the edge, trying to keep it together. While Gus is burnt out on fun and just wants to settle into his quiet little life and not go back to show biz. But when Sirena asks for help at having fun, Gus can’t say no. Their lessons heat up quickly and become something more, something neither of them expected.

This book is full of cozy fall vibes, a small amount of family drama, girl friendships and family support. I love my annual trip to Freya Grove and I hope everyone takes the chance on the Caraways. 

Hot Hex Boyfriend by Carly Bloom

funny medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 “You don’t fall in love [...] It’s a decision.” From this paragraph, I knew this book would be for me. Sure, the sections leading up to it with the magic soup that never did any good, the elderly oddballs that insisted they were witches, and the sweet but long-suffering female lead happy to play along with the madness were all great. But the moment Max said these words, I knew I was going to have fun watching him fall. And lord was I right.

While I don’t usually go for books with one character overtly lying to the other, in this case, I couldn’t help but like Max despite his omissions and obfuscations. He was so stupid about all things love and human emotion, about happiness and joy. About the very idea of enjoying unserious things that I couldn’t help but like him. Paired with Delia, who was rarely very serious and loved most things ridiculous despite not believing in it, it was a perfect match.

Hot Hex Boyfriend included so many of my favorite things from the Grumpy/Sunshine trope, a man too dumb in love, meddling and outrageous family members, down to the cat familiar. There was not one thing I did not enjoy about this read. I very rarely take a chance on ARCs by authors I don't know but this was one case I was very happy I made the exception. 

Fake Dating a Witch by Brigid Hunt

medium-paced

4.5

 If small town romance with a side of magic is your vibe this book is for you. This bi for bi fake dating romance gives the most paper thin excuse for a burnt out witch and her high school crush who comes to her seeking a magical way to heal his injured hand to join forces in fake dating. Even they know their excuses are paper thin. Sirona is lying to herself that pretending to date him will help break an old family curse while Grant, who is feeling like a loser after his injury puts him behind in his residency, gets to have company at the class reunion coming up soon. Their lame excuses turn into something real pretty quickly and the they burn hot and heavy. The scene in the middle of the festival now lives rent free in my head. Both Grant and Sirona are so dumb in love it's frustrating, though Grant wins for being dumb in general, so blinded by what he thinks his life should be rather than what it could be. I spent a lot of time yelling at him in my head while reading because the big dummy deserves love and happiness and has it right there and can't see it. But don't worry, this is a true romance and does delivery a very happy ending for everyone.

Things I loved:
The richness of the magical world
Magic being an integrated and accepted part of the town
The quirky characters and vast family dynamics setting up for chances at a lot of interconnected sequels

I'll definitely be picking up the next book in the series. Many thanks to the author for the advanced copy. 

The Anti-Social Season by Adele Buck

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 I’m the first to admit I’m an Adele Buck fan girl. So when Harlequin offered me an advanced copy, there was no way I couldn’t jump on the opportunity. I adored Fake Flame and knew Anti-Social Season would be just as good. And I was absolutely right.

First off, I got my favorite flavor of grumpy/sunshine in which one of them (in this case Simon) is a buttoned-up stickler for the rules and the other (Thea) is a giant goofball willing to do anything to make him crack. The balance of stiff and chaotic energy feeds my chaotic gremlin soul and I am 100% here for it every time. The fact that Simon was an undercover smex god who worked hard for his gold stars definitely didn’t hurt my love for him.

I will admit I would have loved a deeper dive into Thea’s anxiety issues. I think the topic was handled well but not given the depth of exploration that I would have liked from someone so bold and brash on the surface.

I’ve been reading Adele for years and I’ve loved watching her talent change and grow and I cannot wait to see what comes next from her. Whatever it is, I’m here for it! 

Dirty Dare by Mira Lyn Kelly

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 I’m not usually one for second-chance romances, especially ones where someone messes up big time. In this case, I’ll make an exception. After playing his first season of professional hockey with the Chicago Slayers, Trevor heads back to his hometown. His spot on the Slayers isn’t guaranteed and his life with the Chicago farm team is rocky at best. Everything in his life is uncertain from where he’s going to be playing to where he’ll end up living. He just wants some peace and quiet.

Of course, being a hometown hero hockey star doesn’t lend to much quiet and running into your secret ex-boyfriend, the one you were willing to dump your entire future for, doesn’t leave much room for relaxation.

Kelly managed to pack a lot of emotional angst, longing, and spice into such a short novella. You can’t help but root for them, or roll your eyes when Cam insists it’ll be okay because this relationship has a set end date and he couldn’t possibly fall and get hurt (laughs at poor, poor silly Cam). This story has all of the humor and heart as the rest of the Slayers Hockey series and is a great peek at a character we don’t actually get to see in previous books. All of that, plus no third-act breakup makes this one of my favorites in the series.