bookrecsbyjess's reviews
1038 reviews

Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank by Elle Cosimano

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adventurous funny
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

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emotional funny inspiring
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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A Wager with the Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the ARC of A Wager with the Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund. All opinions are my own. 

I’ve yet to find a Jody Hedlund book I didn’t like, and this book was no different. I just really appreciate the way that this author writes romances with so much longing while also still keeping them closed door. 

A Wager with the Matchmaker is book three in A Shanahan Match series. It can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the books in order for the best experience. The first two books in the series follow two of the Shanahan daughters, but this third book follows their brother. 

As with the other books in this series, I really appreciated Bellamy, who is the matchmaker. His parts always make me laugh, and I can’t wait until he gets his own story. In this book, he makes a wager with Kiernan Shanahan, a wealthy businessman who’s trying to live up to his father’s successes. Bellamy also makes a wager with Alannah Darragh, a maid that’s trying to hide from a dangerous man that’s determined to marry her. Both wagers are different, but they are ultimately that Bellamy will be able to find each one a match within a couple months’ time. 

The character growth in this story was excellent. Kiernan starts off his search for a bride thinking he knows everything he wants in a future wife, but by the end, he realizes what’s really important in a spouse. Alannah, starts off determined to not get married anytime soon but is instead just wanting to have a good job that will allow her to save money to one day return to Ireland. Her world changes when things become more dangerous, and when she realizes that getting married is something that she might actually want sooner rather than later. 

The sweetness of these characters and their romance really made me love this story. I loved their connection to each other with books, and I appreciated how they became friends before they ever became more. I also liked that they were both willing to sacrifice things to have the chance to be with each other. 

There are some Christian faith elements throughout the story that I appreciated. It was cool to see these characters, especially Alannah, grow in their faith. 

Overall, I would recommend this book if you want a sweet romance with some danger and depth. 
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Lucky Charm by Anne-Marie Meyer

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lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

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Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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The Mixtape by Brittainy C. Cherry

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
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If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for the ARC of If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair. All opinions are my own. 

I’ll honestly read anything this author writes, but wow does this book stand out as one of my favorites from her. I read the book in two days because I just didn’t want to put it down. 

If I had to describe this book with one word, it would be tender. I don’t use this word a lot, but the character interactions and romantic moments were so tender, and It really made me love this story. 

This book follows Wyatt, a professional hockey player that is supposed to be recovering from an injury. Instead, he has become reclusive and is staying in a beach house left to him by his late uncle. His agent Jacob is worried about his mental and physical health, so he decides to send his own sister to go stay with Wyatt. Jacob’s sister Josie is an elementary school nurse, and she has no idea that she’s been sent to get Wyatt back on his feet. She thinks she’s going on a sibling summer vacation with her brother. 

Because Wyatt and Josie aren’t expecting to see each other, their first interaction is hilarious. There’s also so many other funny moments between them (especially the pigs!). Besides the humor in this book, the author did a fantastic job creating emotional depth between these characters. 

Each of these characters is dealing with different issues, so it was beautiful to see how each character grew to not only accept themselves but to not settle for the situations they found themselves in. I loved the vulnerability these characters shared with each other, and it was so nice to see them lean on each other through their difficult circumstances. 

This story has a slow burn romance that is so sweet because the characters build a friendship before they’re finally ready to share their feelings with each other. I loved seeing Josie and Wyatt learn from each other, and their sailing trip was such a fun part of the plot. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this book enough! If you want a heartfelt and tender romance between two hurting people, this is the book for you. 
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Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

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To Catch A Suitor by Sarah Adams

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funny
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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