Scan barcode
bookishlyhaley's reviews
371 reviews
Pulse by Adriana Locke
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
”You can panic because I won’t”
Pulse is the first book in the Landry Security series. It follows Troy and Dahlia in their thrilling adventure of two co-workers falling in love under the most stressful of situations.
I literally love every book that Adriana Locke has written, and this book was no exception! Right off the bat, I was HOOKED. This book was packed with romantic suspense with a touch of spice throughout!
I really loved the grumpy/sunshine aspect and how he gave off “I would burn the world for you” vibes. The characters didn’t tip toe around their feelings for each other it was straightforward, which was a very. The banter between Troy and Dahlia was one of my favorite aspects of the book! Also, I won’t spoil any details, but there was a scene in the last half of the book with Lincoln Landry that had me literally laughing so hard.
I have loved Troy since the Landry Family series and am so happy that he received his very own book! I can’t wait to see what the rest of the series has in store for us!
Thank you so much to Adriana Locke and Valentine PR for the gifted copy!
Pulse is the first book in the Landry Security series. It follows Troy and Dahlia in their thrilling adventure of two co-workers falling in love under the most stressful of situations.
I literally love every book that Adriana Locke has written, and this book was no exception! Right off the bat, I was HOOKED. This book was packed with romantic suspense with a touch of spice throughout!
I really loved the grumpy/sunshine aspect and how he gave off “I would burn the world for you” vibes. The characters didn’t tip toe around their feelings for each other it was straightforward, which was a very. The banter between Troy and Dahlia was one of my favorite aspects of the book! Also, I won’t spoil any details, but there was a scene in the last half of the book with Lincoln Landry that had me literally laughing so hard.
I have loved Troy since the Landry Family series and am so happy that he received his very own book! I can’t wait to see what the rest of the series has in store for us!
Thank you so much to Adriana Locke and Valentine PR for the gifted copy!
Angel Eyes by Ellie Jennings
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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? No
4.5
Angel Eyes is the debut novel by author Ellie Jennings and is the first book in the Paris in a Heartbeat series. It follows Juliet and Gabriel on their love adventure in Paris!
This could not have been a better beginning! Right from the start I was hooked! I am actually not one for insta love tropes but this one was written right to where yes they fell instantly but there was a deep connection and understanding right from the start that was swoon worthy.
The story line was phenomenal and kept me on my toes the whole time. The characters meshed really well together and were really well written. Like I hated Gabriel’s cousin Cristian at first then by the end I was so in love with his character (cannot wait for more on him!!)
You will love this book if you enjoy insta love, one bed, he falls first, found family and so much more!
I need a book on Cristian but also need a book on professor Benoit and Lily because I sense something is brewing!!
Thank you so much to Ellie Jennings, Inverlea Press, LLC & Netgalley for the gifted copy.
The Rival by Maisey Yates
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the gifted copy.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Rival is the seventh book in the Four Corners Ranch series. It follows Levi and Quinn who both appear to dislike each other after Quinn and her family propose building a new road through the town to easily access their farm and their brand new venture a farm store.
I really enjoyed the banter that went on between Levi and Quinn. In the beginning they both seem to have a strong dislike for one another and grossly misjudged each other. Eventually they found their footing and eventually learned to trust each other. Both of them really helped each other grow and heal from their tragic pasts.
Can I also say him calling her “carrot” as a pet name kind of made me swoon. I don't know why but I found it really cute.
This book moves quickly and is written in a third person POV which took me a bit to get into it. I really enjoyed the author's writing style and can see myself checking out her other books.
The Rival can be read as a standalone or as part of the series. If you love a third person POV, enemies to lovers, and slow burn cowboy romance, I think you might enjoy this book!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the gifted copy.
Best Laid Plans by Emily Silver
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
Cash is a hockey player with a bad attitude, which is a PR nightmare. This causes him to need a fake girlfriend to clean up his image. Which he is strongly against in the beginning.
Piper is a PT intern for the team. One day, she walks in on her boyfriend cheating on her with her roommate (RUDEEE). Soon after, she was presented with an opportunity to help Cash clean up his image. At first, she was reluctant to help Cash because of his attitude, but after Cash helped her out, she ended up saying yes to being his fake girlfriend.
The more they got to know each other, the more they realized just how different their images are to the people they really are. They ended up falling in love and having their happily ever after.
My thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book. I will admit I did judge these characters at first, but I honestly fell more in love with Cash & Piper the more I got into the book. The bad boy of hockey turning out to be a freaking teddy bear made me so happy. Also, having a dog named Puck is so freaking adorable!! I really liked how easily Cash and Piper opened up to each other. You could really tell their connection was instant and genuine. They are couple goals for sure!!
You will love this book if you love hockey romance, fake dating, brother’s teammate, grumpy/sunshine, bad boy, and the hero falls first.
You will not regret picking up this book! Best Laid Plans can be read as a standalone or as part of the series.
I am excited to see what is in store for us next with Best of the Best!!
Piper is a PT intern for the team. One day, she walks in on her boyfriend cheating on her with her roommate (RUDEEE). Soon after, she was presented with an opportunity to help Cash clean up his image. At first, she was reluctant to help Cash because of his attitude, but after Cash helped her out, she ended up saying yes to being his fake girlfriend.
The more they got to know each other, the more they realized just how different their images are to the people they really are. They ended up falling in love and having their happily ever after.
My thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book. I will admit I did judge these characters at first, but I honestly fell more in love with Cash & Piper the more I got into the book. The bad boy of hockey turning out to be a freaking teddy bear made me so happy. Also, having a dog named Puck is so freaking adorable!! I really liked how easily Cash and Piper opened up to each other. You could really tell their connection was instant and genuine. They are couple goals for sure!!
You will love this book if you love hockey romance, fake dating, brother’s teammate, grumpy/sunshine, bad boy, and the hero falls first.
You will not regret picking up this book! Best Laid Plans can be read as a standalone or as part of the series.
I am excited to see what is in store for us next with Best of the Best!!
Cruel Castaways - Cold Hearted by L.J. Shen
4.0
Cold Hearted Casanova is the third and final installment in the Cruel Castaways series. It follows Riggs and Daphne “Duffy” who meet in the most unconventional way.
From the very first page of this book I knew I was in for a treat and honestly Duffy blackmailing Riggs to get a green card was so freaking smart it had me screaming “GET IT DUFFY”.
The banter in this book had me crying from laughing so hard but I also ended up crying because there were some really freaking sad parts. So get your tissues ready. There were several times I said “I knew it” but also a couple times where I screamed “WHAT?!”.
I liked both of the main characters at the end but I actually disliked both of them in the beginning. Duffy was cold and a bit annoying with the whole “I need to marry up”. Riggs was too much of a man child and was way too old to be couch surfing. Over the course of the book both of them grew so much and it made them much more relatable which had me falling in love with them.
The ending of this book was an absolutely perfect way to end the series but I honestly wish there was more!
You will love this book if you love age gaps, slow burn, enemies to lovers, marriage of confidence, my wife, billionaire romance, forced proximity and so much more.
Cold Hearted Casanova can be read as a standalone or as part of the series. I highly recommend reading the entire series! You will not regret picking up this book!
Thank you so much to L.J. Shen, Montlake & Netgalley for the gifted copy!
From the very first page of this book I knew I was in for a treat and honestly Duffy blackmailing Riggs to get a green card was so freaking smart it had me screaming “GET IT DUFFY”.
The banter in this book had me crying from laughing so hard but I also ended up crying because there were some really freaking sad parts. So get your tissues ready. There were several times I said “I knew it” but also a couple times where I screamed “WHAT?!”.
I liked both of the main characters at the end but I actually disliked both of them in the beginning. Duffy was cold and a bit annoying with the whole “I need to marry up”. Riggs was too much of a man child and was way too old to be couch surfing. Over the course of the book both of them grew so much and it made them much more relatable which had me falling in love with them.
The ending of this book was an absolutely perfect way to end the series but I honestly wish there was more!
You will love this book if you love age gaps, slow burn, enemies to lovers, marriage of confidence, my wife, billionaire romance, forced proximity and so much more.
Cold Hearted Casanova can be read as a standalone or as part of the series. I highly recommend reading the entire series! You will not regret picking up this book!
Thank you so much to L.J. Shen, Montlake & Netgalley for the gifted copy!
Avalon Tower by Alex Rivers, C.N. Crawford
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
My thoughts:
Avalon Towers is book one of the fey spy academy series. I really loved this book, but the beginning does start off a bit confusing. I honestly had to re-read it multiple times to make sure I wasn’t missing anything, but as I continued through the book, the beginning parts started to be pieced together.
This slow burn romance has Arthurian lore, fae, Demi-fae, magic, brooding male (who is really a sweetheart), “enemies” to lovers, and one bed trope (hello swoon). I could not put this book down, and it had me wanting more. THAT ENDING!! I audibly gasped!! I need to know what happens next!
Thank you so much to C.N Crawford, Alex Rivers, Netgalley & Victory Editing for the gifted copy!
🌶🌶
My thoughts:
Avalon Towers is book one of the fey spy academy series. I really loved this book, but the beginning does start off a bit confusing. I honestly had to re-read it multiple times to make sure I wasn’t missing anything, but as I continued through the book, the beginning parts started to be pieced together.
This slow burn romance has Arthurian lore, fae, Demi-fae, magic, brooding male (who is really a sweetheart), “enemies” to lovers, and one bed trope (hello swoon). I could not put this book down, and it had me wanting more. THAT ENDING!! I audibly gasped!! I need to know what happens next!
Thank you so much to C.N Crawford, Alex Rivers, Netgalley & Victory Editing for the gifted copy!