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869 reviews
The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I never have felt more seen by a book then I have by The Next Best Fling in a very long time. Gabriella’s debut romance novel did not disappoint and I loved it from page one. Featuring a curvy FMC, former football player MMC, best friends brother trope and healing a broken heart, The Next Best Fling brings something to the table for all romance lovers.
I adored Marcela’s character. A a curvy girl myself who also goes through phases of loving their body and then phases of hating it. I understood her struggles in trying to understand why Theo desired her and if he really wanted her. Let me tell you, the way he soothed and proved those thoughts wrong for her 😮💨😮💨😮💨 I also loved that Marcela is a YA librarian, which is so cool to me. YA books are what made me a reader and seeing references from books that I read and loved in the past was almost like a full circle moment for me. I can not express how much I loved the characters in this book and how much I wanted to wrap both Marcela and Theo up in a giant hug and reassure them that everything was going to be okay.
The Next Best Fling does contain open door spice, but to me it wasn’t anything crazy and I feel as if it was used to further the plot and the characters then used for filler. Marcela’s thought process during the spicy scenes and the way she viewed herself I know will be relatable to many readers, I know it especially was for me.
Again, Gabriella’s romance debut did no disappoint, it has been several days since reading and I am still thinking about Marcela and Theo’s story. I am excited to see what Gabriella has in store next, she will definitely be an author to add to my TBR list going forward!
***I received a review copy of The Next Best Fling through NetGalley from Forever. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book!***
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I never have felt more seen by a book then I have by The Next Best Fling in a very long time. Gabriella’s debut romance novel did not disappoint and I loved it from page one. Featuring a curvy FMC, former football player MMC, best friends brother trope and healing a broken heart, The Next Best Fling brings something to the table for all romance lovers.
I adored Marcela’s character. A a curvy girl myself who also goes through phases of loving their body and then phases of hating it. I understood her struggles in trying to understand why Theo desired her and if he really wanted her. Let me tell you, the way he soothed and proved those thoughts wrong for her 😮💨😮💨😮💨 I also loved that Marcela is a YA librarian, which is so cool to me. YA books are what made me a reader and seeing references from books that I read and loved in the past was almost like a full circle moment for me. I can not express how much I loved the characters in this book and how much I wanted to wrap both Marcela and Theo up in a giant hug and reassure them that everything was going to be okay.
The Next Best Fling does contain open door spice, but to me it wasn’t anything crazy and I feel as if it was used to further the plot and the characters then used for filler. Marcela’s thought process during the spicy scenes and the way she viewed herself I know will be relatable to many readers, I know it especially was for me.
Again, Gabriella’s romance debut did no disappoint, it has been several days since reading and I am still thinking about Marcela and Theo’s story. I am excited to see what Gabriella has in store next, she will definitely be an author to add to my TBR list going forward!
***I received a review copy of The Next Best Fling through NetGalley from Forever. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book!***
Well and Truly Pucked by Lauren Blakely
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“Devour her. I bet she’d like it.”
Whew 😮💨 That was such a fun steamy read that left me giggling and so incredibly happy! I’ve never read a Lauren Blakely book, I always hear about them but I’ve only recently have gotten into the Why Choose genre. When I say: I am so excited to go back and read the previous books in this series!
I really loved Blair’s character and the vulnerability and rawness that she had offered to Rhys, Gavin and Hollis. I think the biggest thing I loved about this book was how feral the men were for HER and her pleasure. Yeah, they were getting something out of it. But it was all about Blaire and helping her accomplish reaching an “O” with a partner and what she liked and didn’t like in bed. Most importantly after her failed relationship in the opening of the book, these men truly showered her with the attention and love that she rightly deserved.
There were so many moments in Well and Truly Pucked that made me giggle and blush 🥵 THE SPICE. 😮💨🥵 Lauren did not fail to keep me intrigued and tied in to all of the spiciness that this book brought forward. I enjoyed the boys development throughout helping Blair out. They are complete cinnamon rolls.
Overall Well and Truly Pucked was a wick, steamy, fun read that left me entranced from page one. I’m so excited to see what Lauren Blakely has up her sleeve next for readers, because now I am officially one!
Would I recommend: YES
Would I reread: YES
*Thank you so much @good.girls.pr and @laurenblakelybooks for the ARC to review!*
Whew 😮💨 That was such a fun steamy read that left me giggling and so incredibly happy! I’ve never read a Lauren Blakely book, I always hear about them but I’ve only recently have gotten into the Why Choose genre. When I say: I am so excited to go back and read the previous books in this series!
I really loved Blair’s character and the vulnerability and rawness that she had offered to Rhys, Gavin and Hollis. I think the biggest thing I loved about this book was how feral the men were for HER and her pleasure. Yeah, they were getting something out of it. But it was all about Blaire and helping her accomplish reaching an “O” with a partner and what she liked and didn’t like in bed. Most importantly after her failed relationship in the opening of the book, these men truly showered her with the attention and love that she rightly deserved.
There were so many moments in Well and Truly Pucked that made me giggle and blush 🥵 THE SPICE. 😮💨🥵 Lauren did not fail to keep me intrigued and tied in to all of the spiciness that this book brought forward. I enjoyed the boys development throughout helping Blair out. They are complete cinnamon rolls.
Overall Well and Truly Pucked was a wick, steamy, fun read that left me entranced from page one. I’m so excited to see what Lauren Blakely has up her sleeve next for readers, because now I am officially one!
Would I recommend: YES
Would I reread: YES
*Thank you so much @good.girls.pr and @laurenblakelybooks for the ARC to review!*
The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book was so much fun and so steamy, I loved it! I have previously read The Nanny and loved it, so I knew Lana was an author to be on the look out for. I’ve never read an omegaverse novel before, so I was a little hesitant but I’m glad this was my introduction into the omegaverse. (if you aren’t sure what an omegaverse is, @lana has an awesome guide on her Instagram about what it is and things to know!)
I loved the giant grump that Noah is, which is not surprise since grumpy sunshine is one of my favorites tropes. But to watch his growth and character progression through out the book was really amazing. I loved the Noah we got in the beginning but I’m obsessed with the Noah he was in the end. Mackenzie was adorable and I absolutely love her! She’s a young doctor, whose grandmother keeps setting her up on bad dates and to get her off her back tells her she is dating her incredibly hot but grumpy coworker. What could go wrong? (I’m not telling, you got to read to find out 🤐)
THE STEAM. I’m trash for a good spicy book and Lana did not disappoint in this department in the slightest. If anything the steam was essential to the plot considering this is an omegaverse novel and I think it was done very well. I rarely give books 4 stars for spiciness and The Fake Mate exceeded my expectations!
Overall I really loved The Fake Mate and can’t wait to see what Lana has in store for her readers next. I see she has a hockey romance coming out soon, uhhh sign me up!
Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
✨BOOK REVIEW
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
In case you didn’t know, I haven’t read much by Tessa Bailey, but everything I’ve read I have adored. That is no different for Fangirl Down. This by far tops the list as my favorite Tessa Bailey book. Filled with lovable characters, an amazingly done grumpy x sunshine trope and a diabetes rep that was respectfully done it is no wonder everyone is in love with Josephine and Wells.
Thegrowth of both characters in Fangirl Down was fabulously done. I loved especially seeing Wells growth from his rock bottom to being the person he was meant to be. There were so many laugh out loud moments in Fangirl Down but also many moments that made me cry and cheer for their romance. (I’m sensitive, I cry at everything.)
THE SPICE. Tessa Bailey has been known as the “Micheal Angelo of dirty talk” according to interviews and reviews and with Fangirl Down I can 100% confirm that. The spice was well done and not cringey like some romance novels can be. It was real and fun to read, but I do definitely recommend this book to people who love open door spice and are 18+ years old.
Overall I loved Fangirl Down and loved how we got to meet the characters for the next book in the Big Shot series, Burgess and Tallulah. (The hockey play x nanny trope? Sign me up!!) I wish there was more of Josephine and Wells, the epilogue wrapped their story up nicely but I do hope we see cameos of them in The Au Pair Affair!
Would I recommend?: Yes
Would I reread?: Yes