bribreez's reviews
542 reviews

Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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

4.75

*POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD! DON’T READ IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE FIRST BOOK!

4.75⭐️

In a world filled with magic, Gods, war, and lovers being torn apart by the chaos that had ensued, Roman and Iris were once again caught in the middle of a dangerous situation that could mean the end for everyone. The last time Iris saw Roman, it was in the midst of a battle that unfortunately resulted in Roman being taken by Dacre. Now, Iris being back home in Oath was still trying to figure out where Roman was, and still trying to find a way towards preventing more people from getting hurt in the war between the Gods, Dacre and Enva. This story picked up following the events of the first book so, I was quickly immersed in the storyline, and wanting to see how Roman and Iris would find their way back to each other. 

Once again I was thrust back into the world of magic, Gods, and Iris and Roman’s story. Reading this book quickly reminded me why I enjoyed the first book, but also how much I was eager to find out what happened since I last saw Iris and Roman. With the way the first book ended, I was quite surprised to see how Roman was fairing especially since he temporarily had no recollection of who he was or any memories of his life. Iris meanwhile was still trying to figure out where Roman was. This book really showed that the war was only getting closer to Iris’s home, and even with her and Attie’s articles, it seemed like there were Dacre sympathizers among the high society, etc. Not only was I shocked to find out what happened to Roman, but I was sad to see how he LITERALLY HAD NO IDEA WHO IRIS WAS! Nooooooo! Once again, I found Iris and Roman to be the epitome of star crossed lovers being separated, having to deal with wars, and not knowing how the other was…except with the help of those magic typewriters it seemed there was still some hope for them. 

In the midst of all that was happening, the power of the typewriters remained a significant part of the story. The letters that Roman and Iris continued to write to each other showed the power that even with Roman’s memory being temporarily lost, there was still a connection between them. Also, the fact that I momentarily forgot Iris and Roman were married made me realize, my girl Iris not only was separated from the love of her life, but her newly wedded husband!!! Talk about a heartbreaking part of Iris’s story (sigh) got me feeling sad on her part too. 

With each page, each chapter, and each part of the story, I was more invested and at the edge of my seat!!!! Say what you will, but this book was really magical, dangerous, fantastical, and had a deep love. Each part of the story illustrated different aspects of the story from, Iris going back to report in the field (a.k.a. near the front lines), Roman being in Dacre’s forces, and more parts of Dacre’s evil plans coming out. Even the way Dacre and Enva’s past was all coming together really highlighted the important details that would inevitably help Iris and Roman take down Dacre. When in doubt, it’s always up to the young adults to save the world when no one else can. 

Wow…I knew I was going to enjoy this book, but like…it really caught me off guard how much I genuinely became emotional, and cried like a baby especially towards the end! Rebecca Ross’s writing was once again beautifully written, and highlighted the beauty in Iris and Roman’s romance. Truly, nothing could get in the way of Roman and Iris being together, even when battling an evil God, facing imminent danger, and more! Iris and Roman’s romance wasn’t just beautiful, but also heart wrenching especially when they were temporarily separated. I loved seeing more of Attie, and the introduction of Tobias! While the romance still played a role in the story, I felt like the story managed to bring more light to the danger all the characters were faced with when it came to Dacre and his forces. I was truly captivated, immersed, and on edge multiple times hoping Iris, and Roman would manage to stay alive! Phew! This was such a great way to end off Iris and Roman’s story, all that heartbreak, loss, and again danger, Roman and Iris finally managed to have their happy ending! I will say that the climax of the story seemed a bit anti climactic when it came to taking down Dacre, but oh well Iris literally slayed Dacre so that’s all that matters. I would recommend this book if you’re looking for an immersive fantasy book with romance, beautiful writing, lovable characters, magic, danger, friendship, and more! 

The Rule Book by Sarah Adams

funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.25

4.25⭐️/ 1🌶️

Sarah Adams books are always lighthearted, funny, and entertaining so, obviously with this newest release, I was looking forward to diving into more of the lovable characters Sarah knows how to write. This story was a continuation within the team, Nathan Donelson was part of, the L.A. Sharks, but this time the story focused on his teammate and friend, Derek Pender. After suffering a big injury, Derek was ready to make his return to the football field, but when his former sports agent needed to retire due to health issues, he needed a new agent as soon as possible. Nora Mackenzie was an avid fan of fans, and when her chance came to officially become a sports agent, she was ready to tackle her newest assignment, even if it meant becoming the sports agent to her ex boyfriend/ college sweetheart, Derek. This story had second chance romance, enemies to lovers, sports romance, humor, lovable characters, and an endearing story. 

After reading, “The Cheat Sheet”, I enjoyed that book so, to see a new book set within the world of that storyline, I was really looking forward to see how Derek and Nora’s story would be. Before reading this book, I pictured Nora being a bit more cutthroat and sassy considering the field she worked in, as well as having to deal with majority of men who didn’t treat her as kindly in the work place. Despite that initial assumption, I actually liked how bright and kindhearted Nora was. Nora was likable right away and I could see just how much effort she put into everything she did, even when it came to dealing with Derek’s demands as her first client. Derek was different this time around compared to the first book. From what I remember, Derek was more of a playboy and carefree, but with his injury it seemed like he was more withdrawn from his friends and certain insecurities came up more for him. Both, Derek and Nora were in an uncomfortable situation having to work together especially after the way they ended things on a not so nice ending. 

Like most Sarah Adams, there was a lot of humor, quirkiness from her female lead, a man who falls hard, HARDER, and a bit of shenanigans. Derek and Nora found themselves working together even with their history of once being college sweethearts. I could tell that Derek was still very much affected by the breakup, and while I felt bad for him, at times I didn’t necessarily agree with him taunting Nora to quit by making her to errands or other things for him. That being said, even our little sunshine Nora decided enough was enough and took control which I loved by the way, and yet again Derek was reminded of another thing he loved about Nora, her unwillingness to back down. 

Ok, so even with the tropes of second chance romance, and this being a sports romance, I completely forgot about the fact that this also had. ACCIDENTAL MARRIAGE TROPE! OMG! Just when things started to settle between Nora and Derek, a drunken night in Las Vegas turned their lives upside when they woke up MARRIED! I love the accidental marriage trope, I feel like I haven’t really read a lot of books that have that trope, but the way Sarah Adams wrote it was great! Nora and Derek weren’t strangers, they had a past relationship and that added a bit more depth to the marriage they found themselves in. Once Derek and Nora agreed to staying married for the sake of helping each other out, I liked the way Derek started to take charge in his feelings for Nora. Even Nora who felt frazzled and a bit nervous with everything that was happening with Derek, I liked seeing her curl up with Derek, and basically seeing both of them very much still in love with one another despite the years they spent apart. 

I really enjoyed this book! I love Sarah Adams books because, they are always so lighthearted, sweet, funny, and easy to make me feel good. Compared to Sarah’s other books, this was the first time there was actual spice (only one scene) and even without the spice scene, I could see the sexual tension building more and more between Nora and Derek which was equally enticing. Nora and Derek were college sweethearts and despite the rocky start to them working together, they naturally found themselves falling into place with their romance again. The romance was steamy, sexy, loving, and heartfelt. I really enjoyed the second chance romance, and overall just seeing Nora and Derek finally getting their happy ending together! Even seeing familiar faces like, Nathan and Bree was a great part of the story! The sports element of the story highlighted each of what Derek and Nora had to deal with in their respective careers which I found interesting. The accidental marriage trope was a complete surprise for me, but OMG IT WAS GOOD! I was eagerly waiting for the iconic moment when Derek would call Nora his, “wife”, and OMG IT WAS SO SATISFYING TO READ THAT SCENE IYKYK!!! I loved getting to see a more vulnerable side to Derek compared to how he was initially introduced in the first book as being a playboy, carefree type of man. Derek wasn’t perfect and had struggles of his own he was constantly working on throughout the story. Nora was literal sunshine, she had me feeling joyful and smiling with her catchphrases and unique outlook on life. All in all, both Derek and Nora were wonderful characters, I loved their romance, the other characters were lovable (love you Nathan & Bree!), and it was a satisfying take on accidental marriage plus a second chance romance. 

Better Left Unsent by Lia Louis

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

*Thank you to Atria for sending me and ARC, I appreciate it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3⭐️

There have been things we wished we could to say to others. From telling your boss that you didn’t appreciate the rude way he spoke to you, or how a colleague from work talked about your body in a way that was highly inappropriate, to wanting to tell your crush how much you liked them. For Millie Chandler, she had a lot to say, but instead she just relied on writing drafts of emails to let it all out. Until one day, the unthinkable happened…all those emails that Millie wrote ended up being sent out to each and every person she wrote to. Suddenly, Millie found herself in hot waters, and faced with the reality that everyone knew what she really wanted to say. Lia Louis wrote an interesting plot line that showed just what happens when our deepest, most inner thoughts of others are revealed without our say. 

Literally everything that happened to Millie was the worst thing I could ever imagine or at least on some level. Having everything Millie has ever wanted to say to coworkers, family, and even her ex boyfriend unraveled into a bit of a mess for her. At the same time, I think it ended up being a good thing for Millie too. Millie seemed like the type of woman who, usually let things build up in her as opposed to speaking her mind. Majority of the book showed Millie feeling a bit guiltily at the aftermath that ensued with her emails being sent out, but also gradually showing her that maybe it was a good thing certain individuals knew what she really thought. Even outside of work, Millie’s life changed with secrets being discovered within her own family, and subsequently changing the dynamics between her parents. As far as the beginning half of this book went, it was a lot of Millie working through obstacles and bettering herself.

One thing I will say that I enjoy about Lia Louis’s writing is how light, and relaxing I find it to be. I’ve also read, “The Key To My Heart”, also written by, Lia Louis, and I actually enjoyed that book as well if not more than this story. Lia Louis has a way of focusing her stories being more character driven with some plot. Millie was the main character, but alongside her friends, coworkers, and family there was other story lines that branched off the main one of Millie’s main dilemma. 

Initially, this book seemed like it would be good, but towards the halfway mark I started to lose interest. I do think this story had good parts to it from the way Millie grew and learned that speaking her mind wasn’t necessarily a bad thing despite how it began at the beginning. Another thing I liked about this story was Jack. Jack was a likable character and I love the way Lia Louis writes her fictional male characters. Towards the end, I found myself skimming the pages, and looking for major plot points instead of feeling fully invested in the characters. Like I said, this book had good points to it, but unfortunately it didn’t hit its mark for me. Maybe for other readers they’ll enjoy this book with the unique plot line of Millie’s story, but yeah this just ended up not being much of a story for me. 

Under Your Spell: A Novel by Laura Wood, Laura Wood

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

3.75

*Thank you to Atria for sending me an ARC of this book, much appreciated! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.75⭐️/ 1🌶️

What’s a girl to do when her life has seemingly gone downhill? Well in Clementine’s case, she and her sisters decided to enact their old, “Breakup Spell”. This story followed, Clemmie as she navigated through the ups and downs of her life, but eventually found her way back and better. With three wishes for Clemmie to have a better life, each sister hoped something such as, a steamy under the sheets session, a soulmate level of love, and a job Clemmie loved. This story was sweet, endearing, and featured the themes of family, sisterhood, and the multitude of things adults still face when trying to get their life together. 

When I read that this story featured something along the lines of a, “rockstar” dad, I imagined this story very differently. I imagined that maybe Clemmie also went into the music business like her famous rockstar Dad, but that was the furthest thing Clemmie wanted. In terms of Clemmie’s career, she went the academic route of becoming a professor of sorts, and lived a fairly normal life compared to her Dad and sisters. Clemmie at the start of the story was going through it, and honestly I don’t blame her. First impression, Clemmie was a bit of an introvert, and stayed within the confines of her comfort zone. 

Clemmie’s life started to seem moving forward especially when she met an incredibly handsome man and had her first one night stand. A memorable passionate night that honestly Clemmie can’t stop thinking about, but alas she had bigger things to worry about such as, finding a new job and a new place to live. When Clemmie found herself face to face with the man she had an incredible night with I thought, “omg! Clemmie was met to be reunited with that guy!”, although when Clemmie found out who he was, it was LITERALLY the last thing or type of guy she saw herself with. I thought the way Clemmie and Theo seemingly found themselves having to be around each other was ironic considering they had a one night stand, but also the fact that Theo was a big time rockstar made Clemmie conflicted with her feelings towards him. So far just from the beginning there was, rockstar romance, one night stand, forced proximity, and a bit of boss/ employee dynamics since Clemmie was essentially working as Theo’s assistant. 

Clemmie and Theo (the man Clemmie had a one night stand with) were literally living together while Theo had to finish his album for his label, and with all that time together, it only heightened the feelings that were already there. I think the way Clemmie and Theo were together was sweet and equally funny how they just got along, but also couldn’t forget about how they felt about each other. I also really loved the part when Theo took care of Clemmie when she got sick, and then subsequently Theo got sick which in turn Clemmie cared for him. If you love the “taking care of you when you’re sick” trope, then you’ll love it. 

In terms of romance, it was a lot of Clemmie trying to overcome her fears and Theo trying to show Clemmie that he genuinely cared for her. Don’t get me wrong, there was some sweet moments between Clemmie and Theo, but at the root of things, Clemmie was also dealing with the fear that Theo was like other rockstars such as, her father and ex boyfriend. I liked seeing how Theo always put Clemmie’s needs first, and reassured he whenever she felt doubtful. Theo was a kind man, and despite his rockstar fame, he was a pretty laidback man. Plus, later once the romance picked up between Clemmie and Theo, there was some great moments in which Theo organized a sweet birthday surprise, and the occasional attempt of Theo cooking for Clemmie, but bless that beautiful man, he wasn’t the best at cooking. 

Overall, this was a sweet romance. I liked Clemmie, her sisters, and Theo. The rockstar trope in this book was good, I got to see a little bit of how Clemmie dealt with having a famous Dad as well as how she handled things when it came to Theo’s fame. The sense of sisterhood in this book was really endearing, and you could tell that no matter what, Clemmie and her sisters were always there for one another. Looking back at the book, I liked certain aspects of it, but I wasn’t completely obsessed with it. I do think the story had an interesting plot line, likable characters, and I would recommend this book if you’re looking for a story with a rockstar storyline, with a fairly low spice level, endearing, unique characters, and some sweet romantic moments. 

The Palace of Eros by Caro De Robertis

emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

4.5

*Thank you to Atria for sending me this ARC, I greatly appreciate it! 

4.5⭐️/ 2-3🌶️

As a lover of all things Greek mythology, I would say I have a good understanding and appreciation for the subject. In all the books I’ve read about Greek mythology, I haven’t read anything pertaining to Psyche and Eros. Sure, I’ve read them as side characters in other reimaginings/ retelling, but never Eros and Psyche as the main characters. This story was a reimagining on Eros and Psyche, but with Eros as a nonbinary character. This story had LQBQT+ representation, strong characters, interesting dynamics, and fantasy elements. 

If you’ve read the tale of Eros and Psyche then you’ll be familiar with what happened between them. Quick summary, with Psyche’s beauty becoming more and more known to all, suddenly people were saying that her beauty was greater than that of Aphrodite herself! Now, there’s one thing that the gods do not like, and that’s having their egos be put down. For Aphrodite, to hear that her beauty was basically nonexistent compared to a mortal girl, she was angry and fuming! Like any god, Aphrodite decided that was unacceptable and there needed to be a punishment for Psyche. Calling upon (in this case) her daughter, Eros, Aphrodite wanted Eros to make Psyche fall in love with the most monstrous, ugliest creature of all as punishment. Eros was more than ready to comply with her mother’s demands, but when she laid eyes on Psyche for the first time, it was like love at first sight. 

This reimagining was so fascinating and I really loved it! Psyche’s life before she met Eros was one that limited her to life, she wasn’t able to be free, and was basically out on display for the pleasure of others. Although the circumstances that brought Psyche to Eros was unexpected, it ended up being a happy surprise for her. I could tell that early on even with Psyche feeling unsure of Eros, she felt a sense of freedom living in Eros’s palace as well as having the opportunity to explore her sexuality. For Psyche to be living with Eros, it also allowed her to shed the “normal” expectations that she would have had to abide had she been married off to a mortal man. When it came to the gods, their rules were different and essentially free for all. I also liked seeing how Eros gave Psyche the choice of what she wanted whenever, and that simply in itself was pretty significant in my opinion since Psyche had always lived according to what others wanted not for herself. 

Now, in the midst of this fantastical story telling, at its core was also seeing Eros and Psyche fall in love. (Sigh) I’m a sucker for romance and I really loved the way Eros and Psyche slowly but surely became a couple. Eros was patient and understanding considering she basically whisked Psyche off to her palace. For Psyche, she literally was opened to a whole new world, she experienced love for the first time, and the sense of freedom in different ways. There was some pretty meaningful quotes that I loved in this book that when you read them yourselves, you’ll just how much Eros and Psyche cared for one another. I could feel the genuine love between Psyche and Eros and simply out, I thought it was beautiful.

This story was eye opening to me not only because I got to see Psyche’s journey through exploring herself and her desires, but also Eros’s identity. Eros wasn’t just one single identity, the way she described herself was more than just a woman. I don’t know how to word it exactly, but when I read Eros explaining her identity it just made sense to me. I think the way this story covered Eros’s nonbinary identity was illuminating and revealed a lot about Eros’s life how she came to learn more about herself. As a reader, I felt like I got to learn about Eros and how she wasn’t set in one mold of a gender, she was more than that, she was simply Eros. 

This was a very intriguing story filled with eye opening moments, and a fascinating reimagining of Eros and Psyche’s story. As an avid fan of Greek mythology/ literature, I’m always excited to dive into the different stories of the gods, and to see Eros’s story unfold in the way it was told this way was illuminating and great. Psyche’s growth over the course of the story was equally inspiring as she went from a young girl faced with the unknown for her future, and at the end became a stronger woman. Eros and Psyche’s romance was beautiful, heartfelt, and a couple of times had memorable quotable moments that made me swoon. Like any Greek story, there was tragedy, heartbreak, trials, and the chaos that ensued in the lives of gods. I really think if you enjoy reading about Greek mythological stories, especially when they have reimagining’s, I think you’ll enjoy reading Eros and Psyche’s story. 

The Unraveling by Vi Keeland

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

*Thank you to Atria for sending me an ARC of this book, as always much appreciated! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5⭐️/ 2🌶️

I decided to dip my toes into the thriller genre and with this story, I went in knowing not a single thing! I’ve heard of Vi Keeland, but never read a book by her so I was really curious to see what this book was about. From what I’ve gathered especially when it comes to thriller books, it’s best to go in blind, and that was my approach when reading this book. This story followed, Meredith and how she experienced an event that involved her husband and that was as much as I could gather from the beginning. Told in “now” and “then” chapters, the story illustrated the vast difference in Meredith’s life. All I will say without giving away too much is that if I could describe this book in one word it would be, obsessive!

Ok, so I’m going to try to explain this story without giving any any spoilers, but keep in mind certain details. Ahem, so with the story being told in the past and present, Meredith obviously experienced a traumatic experience that involved her husband, but also apparently other people were involved too. From that specific event, it not only changed Meredith’s life, but she was trying to regain her routine of working as a psychiatrist. Meredith wasn’t completely healed after all that she went through, but she was managing…kind of. When Meredith found herself following a man that she recognized, it immediately threw me in for a loop like, “excuse me, Meredith, how do you know this man, and…WHY ARE YOU FOLLOWING HIM?!” Suffice it to say, Meredith didn’t make the best decision to follow said person on a daily basis. 

Now, here’s where the story started to get interesting for me. With each chapter I read, it got a little more detailed in what Meredith was dealing with whether it was in the past with her husband or in the present with the man she had been following. I will say that even from the beginning, I quickly became immersed in Meredith’s story, but also constantly wondering, “WHAT’S GOING ON??” This was the kind of story that left me feeling a bit anxious and often times anticipating something to throw me for another loop, which it did! 

Gabriel had an “interesting” connection to Meredith, and despite the twisted truth that banded them together, there was something more I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Gabriel was also a fascinating character because, at first glance I assumed he was a well adjusted man even after what he experienced, but similar to Meredith, there was more hidden underneath him that left him questioning his behavior and motives at certain parts of the story. I was also taken aback by the flirtatious tone that Gabriel would talk to Meredith even during their therapy sessions like, “Sir, that’s your therapist! Maybe DON’T flirt with her!!”  But I guess, in this story it didn’t matter especially when the lines crossed way beyond Doctor and patient.

WHAT. DID. I. JUST. READ?!!! This whole story took me on different routes of thinking certain individuals were the one at fault, but then also surprising me with plot twists that I didn’t see coming! The connection between Meredith and Gabriel was unconventional and by far pass what would normally constitute a doctor/ patient relationship. The lines not only blurred, but became a dangerous game of who really was the cat and the mouse. Towards the ending, the mystery of what was really happening started to come together, but again just as I thought I was getting some answers, it turns out THAT WASN’T THE ENTIRE STORY! OMG! By the end of the book, that chapter, and very last sentence made me question basically everything I just read, and had me going back to analyze it all! I think for this being Vi Keeland’s thriller debut, she did a wonderful job of crafting a storyline with intriguing plot lines, constantly having me on edge, and basically worried for Meredith the whole time! I’m not much of a thriller girlie, but dang the way this story was, I could definitely see myself reading more books by Vi Keeland especially in the thriller genre. I feel like I’m not going to stop questioning this book nor thinking about it so it’s safe to say I’m going to be scouring the internet for answers as to WHAT HAPPENED! Would highly recommend reading this if you’re looking to step into the thriller genre or even a quick read that has a lot of interesting parts of a story that will hook you in from the beginning. 

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.0

4⭐️

Being an artist was what Sadie loved. From painting portraits to expressing her creativity, it was all Sadie had loved for the longest time. Until, one day when an accident occurred, suddenly Sadie’s life turned upside down when she was left with temporary face blindness. With Sadie’s livelihood centered around painting portraits, it was quite the sticky situation for herself especially since she was a finalist in a big art competition that she needed to create a portrait for as her entry. An interesting plot line for a story that I hadn’t heard of before, and with Katherine Center’s writing she put me in the thick of everything Sadie dealt with. 

Sadie’s work as a portrait artist was not only her livelihood, but also played an important role for her in the competition she was part of. With Sadie dealing with temporary face blindness, it really put into perspective how much Sadie relied on looking at people’s faces not just in her portraits, but also day to day interactions with people. I’ve never read a story with a character having face blindness, but seeing things through Sadie’s point of view really gave me a sense of how much she was struggling with especially at the beginning. 

Sadie tried to navigate this new unfamiliar territory that came with face blindness, but again it wasn’t all sunshine’s and rainbows for her. Imagine having to constantly figure out who you were talking to, and only being able to see mixed jumbles of a person’s face? That was basically what Sadie had to deal with throughout the book, but with some subtle hints such as, distinct clothing items, or other key items helped in determining who Sadie was interacting with like her neighbor, Joe. 

You know, in the beginning with Sadie not necessarily liking Joe, he quickly became someone she enjoyed spending time with. I thought it was kind of funny how Sadie thought Joe was some kind of womanizer, play boy when in reality he was the nicest guy ever just wanting to help in any way possible. Always wanting to help others, and occasionally finding himself helping Sadie throughout the story was also endearing. I even found myself changing my tune towards Joe, and thinking, “mmm ok I think I like you Joe.” Goes to show you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover because, Joe was literally nothing like Sadie had imagined. Plus, little by little with the kind of interactions Sadie and Joe had, I could still the sprinkles of attraction that started to form between the two! 

This was an interesting story especially with Sadie’s journey with having acquired face blindness. I liked how in the end, the way Sadie’s outlook on life changed in a more positive way, and in some ways I think we can all take a note from her that we shouldn’t take things too personally in life, some things in life just happen. I also liked seeing Sadie come into her own person artistically and finding her own place in the world. This wasn’t a straightforward situation where girl meets guy, and happy ending. This was a story more focused on Sadie and along the way she found love with someone she had ironically enough had always passed, but with her face blindness never really saw. Towards the half way mark, I had my suspicions on how the story was going to play out, and funny enough I ended up being right haha. Joe was a great guy, sweet, endearing, and literally the most helpful person to all especially with Sadie. While I’ll still have a special place in my heart for, “The Bodyguard”, Katherine Center’s first book I read, I did enjoy this story for what it highlighted and it was good. Katherine Center did a great job illustrating Sadie’s story and highlighting the topic of face blindness and all it entailed. A good book to check out if you’re looking for an interesting plot line. 

Savor It by Tarah DeWitt

funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing sad 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? Yes

4.25

*This book was kindly sent to me, and I greatly appreciate it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Please check Trigger Warnings Before reading.

4.25⭐️/ 2-3🌶️

I feel like I’ve always heard a lot about Tarah Dewitt’s books so, when I read part of the synopsis for this book being set within a small town, and seeing the cover, I had a feeling this book would be right up my alley. Right away, I loved the relaxed vibe I felt while reading especially with the picturesque setting of, Spunes (name of the small town) Oregon. This story followed, Sage Bryd and Fisher Lange. Sage had lived her whole life in the small town of Spunes, whereas Fisher was from the city and was going to working on consulting for a restaurant being built in Spunes. Fisher and Sage were complete opposites and yet they had an easy going and lighthearted connection from the start. With the small town vibes, a bit of the single parent trope (Fisher became the legal guardian for his niece), fake dating, and grumpy/sunshine, this was the perfect book to also give me summery vibes as well as a look into Tarah’s wonderful story.

For being in a small town, there was a lot going on from the beginning of the story. With Sage going about her daily routine of caring for her animals, home, and hanging out with her best friend, Wren, it seemed like a good life she had. Although, if you asked Sage about her love life, she’d probably say that was the last thing she was thinking about. With her ex boyfriend also living in Spunes, Sage just wanted to focus on herself as opposed to him and his upcoming nuptials to her former friend. Even with some things going on in her life, Sage was an overall optimistic, bright, lovable person that radiated kindness which I adored about her. 

Fisher wasn’t having the best of times either. Between the loss of his sister, feeling burnt out, losing his job, and becoming the legal guardian of his niece, Fisher had a lot of changes happen to him. Not everything was as simple as Fisher had once hoped for, and so, with the need to kick back up inspiration for his passion in cooking, he came to Spunes to help curate and prepare a menu for the new restaurant opening up in Spunes. All while being in Spunes, Fisher not only met the nosey and close knit group of townspeople, but also met his sunshine of a neighbor, Sage. With Fisher dealing with a lot of things both mentally and emotionally, when it came to meeting Sage, he found himself liking the way they spoke and obviously sparks started to happen! 

You know what’s always a good idea when living in a small town?…ASKING SOMEONE TO FAKE DATE YOU!!!! OMG! The fake dating trope in this book was a little gem that gave Sage and Fisher the perfect opportunity to use to their advantage. I like the way Sage and Fisher just kind of fell into agreeing to fake date each other. When Fisher was faced with some roadblocks in getting the restaurant ready and Sage needing some help in the yearly competition Spunes holds, the two found themselves eagerly “working” together. Come on, you can’t tell me that when it comes to fake dating, it’s so cute and satisfying to see the real feelings come through! Because, even before fake dating, the chemistry between Sage and Fisher was only the beginning of what would later become STRONGER! 

AWWWW THIS WAS SUCH A LOVELY STORY! By the end of the book, the meaning behind this story really hit me, and I absolutely adored it! Fisher and Sage’s story was sweet, endearing, loving, and meaningful. I think in particular the way Fisher started out in the beginning dealing with so many life changes to the way he slowly became part of the town of Spunes really highlighted how much growth he developed. Even Sage slowly but surely came to the realization that taking a risk was better when she finally took the chance to make her dream of selling flowers and creating beautiful displays. The romance was really endearing and I loved how Sage and Fisher became not only good friends, but also how they were supportive of one another. The townspeople of Spunes were a rowdy bunch of lovable people, and close knit together. This was my first time reading a book by, Tarah DeWitt, and the thing I most enjoyed about her writing was not only the significance she put into Fisher and Sage’s story, but also how much I felt at ease and entertained throughout the whole book. Even with some heavy topics being discussed throughout the book, I felt relaxed, absorbed in taking in the details, and ultimately seeing how Fisher and Sage were. Perfect summer book, a great start for me to read even more books by Tarah DeWitt, and I really adored Fisher, Sage, and even the wide variety of animals Sage owned haha. I’m hoping this will eventually become a series because, I would love to read more about the other characters in this book! Great story, lovable characters, and a well written story! 

The One-Night Scrimmage by Mariah Dietz

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad 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? Yes

4.25

*Thank you to Mariah Dietz for providing me with an ARC of this book, I greatly appreciate it! All thoughts and opinions are my own. Also, please check Trigger Warning before reading.

4.25⭐️/ 3🌶️

I have quickly found myself obsessed and loving this interconnected series! Each book has made me fall in love with the characters, and keeps getting better! I thought the last book was great, but when I saw this book was going to be focused on COREY! OMG YEASSSSSS! I’m telling you, Mariah just knows how to leave you wanting more of this fictional guys!!! (Sigh) and the tropes in this book were fantastic! From billionaire hero (YEAH YOU READ THAT RIGHT!), to both leads being athletes, found family, one night stand, and more! 

A one night stand between Fallon and Corey wasn’t enough for those two, there was still that lingering connection they couldn’t stop thinking about! You would think that with Corey and Fallon having a one night stand would be the end, but NOPE, that was just the beginning! I actually liked the way the one night stand trope played out not only with seeing Fallon just take the initiative, but how Corey and Fallon reconnected soon after. Corey and Fallon immediately had a connection that was undeniable, and it only grew stronger as they spent more time together since Fallon transferred over to Camden University. Plenty of forced proximity, being around one another provided plenty of opportunities for Corey and Fallon to spend time together which was entertaining and fun to see. 

Fallon was new to Camden University and having to start off fresh wasn’t easy. Between juggling her feelings for Corey, and trying to find her place on the soccer team, that was only the tip of the iceberg of what Fallon dealt with. I liked Fallon right away, I thought she was nice, kind, at times able to times sassy when necessary, but also a bit of a people pleaser. Fallon was by no means perfect, and seeing her deal with a variety of things made her relatable. Obviously I couldn’t relate to every single aspect of Fallon’s life such as, her chronic illness, but I did feel empathetic towards her. I also liked seeing the chronic illness representation because, one it’s always important to see a different range of characters, and two, I got to see exactly the challenges Fallon dealt with when it came to her illness as well as learning more about it. Fallon was a tough girl who deal with a lot, and I admired her for it. 

Corey, my beautiful, handsome, dark haired stranger, (sigh) he was so dreamy. Just like the previous male characters within this series, I didn’t know much about Corey, but through each book, I got to see bits of him that left wanting to read his book a.s.a.p.! Corey was an amazing friend, hard worker, and an overall great guy who everyone loved. I initially expected Corey’s story to be straightforward, but with the added background of his family and namely his sister, Anna, there was a bit of an emotional arch in his story that made me equal parts sad and sympathetic towards him. As much as Corey put everything into football, when it came to Anna, if it ever came down to it, he was willing to give it all up for her. While there was some angst to Corey’s part of the story, I did enjoy seeing him brighten up whenever he talked or spent time with Fallon. Corey was so head over heels for Fallon that it showed in how he paid attention to the smallest details about her. 

Family doesn’t just mean the people you share blood with, but also the people that have your back, and welcome you with open arms. If I’ve said it once, twice, and multiple times, I’ll say it again, THE FOUND FAMILY IN THIS SERIES IS AMAZING! Fallon dealt with a lot especially when it came to her new teammates being horrible towards her, ugh IT MADE ME FURIOUS! Needless to say, the team camaraderie wasn’t good, and Fallon suffered the brunt of her team treating her disrespectfully. Luckily, with Corey and his group of friends, they quickly found themselves protective over Fallon too, and WERE SO FLIPPING NICE TO HER! It was heartwarming to see Fallon join the friend group and see her enjoying herself as opposed to feeling uncomfortable around her team. Over the course of this series, the friend group has grown and welcomed new people, and it just keeps getting better. With Fallon, not only did she gain a supportive and attentive guy like Corey, but also a new group of friends who quickly became her family too. 

Awww Corey and Fallon were great together. This series has quickly captured my attention with the deep connection of family within the friend group, and how each set of couples has made me adore them even more. Corey like the other guys in his respective friend group left me wanting to know more him, and it was great to see. Fallon was a new character in the series, but I quickly liked her, and her tenacity when it came to soccer and anything she put her mind to. The one night stand quickly became more with the way Corey and Fallon couldn’t stop thinking about each other! SOOOOO GOOD! The found family was once again a thing I obsessed over! Get you some friends that will have your back like the ones in this series!!! This story was also eye opening in seeing the misunderstandings and judgement that Fallon faced when it came to her type one diabetes. I don’t know much about diabetes, but the way Mariah wrote it showed how knowledgeable she was about the topic. Fallon and Corey were both great characters and I once again found myself enjoying the story. If you’re looking for a sports romance series with unique plot lines, close friend groups, romance, spice, and lovable characters then definitely check out this book as well as the others in this interconnected series!!!

Cold Hard Truth by Eva Simmons

dark emotional hopeful sad tense 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? Yes

4.75

*Thank you to Wordsmith Publicity and Eva Simmons for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

*PLEASE CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING.

4.75⭐️/ 4🌶️

Omg we are back in the world of Twisted Roses, with morally gray characters, intriguing storylines, spice galore, and bad boys to steal the golden girl or bad girls heart. Eva Simmons always creates such great stories with the elements of darkness that vary from really dark to just enough darkness that is enough at least for me haha. This followed another friend from Jude’s friend group, but with the added fun of being part of an MC club and falling for the MC’s president’s daughter!!!! OMG! Sage was on his way to becoming an even more prominent member within the MC club he grew up in, but with the forbidden aspect of the MC’s daughter, Lyla constantly on his mind it became more glaring he couldn’t avoid her any longer. For Lyla, she grew up around things most kids shouldn’t see, but with the protection of Sage always keeping an eye on her, she always had feelings for the dark haired, tattooed MC prospect. This story was dark, spicy, focused on the ever growing connection between Lyla and Sage, and more! 

I’ve only ever read one MC romance story before so, when I read that Eva Simmons next book was going to revolve around an MC president’s daughter and forbidden romance, I was so EXCITED! I liked seeing how Sage was when it came to the Twisted Kings (MC club name) and it was slightly different compared to when he was at the tattoo shop his friend, Jude ran. Sage had a lot of responsibilities when it came to the club, but namely making sure Lyla didn’t get into trouble which was most of what he dealt with throughout his life. Lyla was a bit of a fiery person who wanted adventure and often times trying to get into trouble that resulted in Sage dealing with. Lyla and Sage had grown up together, but as much as Lyla had a crush on Sage, there was always something that prevented them from fully being together. 

OMG! The way this book started was both very intriguing, but also showed the level of darkness that both Sage and Lyla experienced. Having the book start off in the past really highlighted the way Sage and Lyla grew up in the Twisted Kings club, but also how their relationship became much more over the course of years. Yes, Sage started off as a prospect for the Twisted Kings, but seeing the protectiveness he had over Lyla was great as well as seeing him unable to deny the deep chemistry they had. As much as I had high hopes for Lyla and Sage in the beginning, I just KNEW something was bound to happen that would break the little moments of happiness they had. With that in mind, please check trigger warnings before reading this book because, it isn’t all sunshine’s and rainbows and more so dark, heavy, and twisted. 

Nonetheless, with the first part of the story, I was hooked and safe to say I was unable to put it down! You know a books is good when you refuse to stop reading, and you’re trying to keep your eyes open in order to see what’s going to happen next! That was literally me the whole time while reading! Reading this story made me remember why I’ve enjoyed reading Eva Simmons stories before. The way Eva Simmons writes about morally gray men, how obsessed they are over the women they love, and how absolutely unhinged they are makes me adore them! I had such a great time reading this story, and for it being my second MC (motorcycle club) romance to read, THIS WAS AMAZING! 

When it comes to Eva Simmons’s male character’s in her books, from the ones I’ve read I’ve loved them, but my goodness Sage was another level of OBSESSED! A few times I threw my feminism OUT THE DOOR, and it was all for SAGE! Sage was a man on a mission determined to keep Lyla safe, but also ensure she never left him again. Sage dealt with a lot from Lyla leaving after the events in part one to the losses he experienced, and feeling like his life wasn’t the same in the years following. I liked how Sage wasn’t just a certain type of man, he was unhinged when the occasion was “appropriate”, and when it came to Lyla’s wellbeing, he did anything to protect her. If you love a fictional man who gives off, “I will burn the world for you” vibes or, “I’ll unalive anyone who tries to harm you”, then you’ll definitely love Sage. 

My poor sweet Lyla suffered so many losses and traumatic experiences, but despite all that she rose from the ashes and found her strength again. Throughout the whole story, Lyla was faced with the reality her nightmares weren’t over, and without putting an actual face to those trying to harm her, she felt unsafe. The only person who did make Lyla feel safe was, Sage, MC enforcer, and the man who still held Lyla’s heart. Lyla was a lovable character and seeing her over the course of the story I saw her grow stronger and find her place in the world, even in the place she never really imagined herself ending up, it made sense when she was alongside Sage. 

Overall, this was a highly addictive story! Eva Simmons just knows how to write morally gray men, but also showing how far men like Sage will do in order to protect their  loved ones like Lyla. The chemistry between Lyla and Sage was crystal clear from the moment they met, and it was nice to see how far they had come from growing up to becoming adults and finding their ways back to each other. The spice was hot, and oh my, Sage had a DIRTY MOUTH! All in all, if you’ve read Eva Simmon’s spicy scenes before, you’ll enjoy the ones Sage and Lyla have. My favorite part of this story was seeing the deep love Lyla and Sage had for each other. From being back in each others lives, to facing danger, and almost death, nothing was going to stand in the way of Lyla and Sage getting their happily ever after. This story had suspense, danger, spice, romance, overprotective ML, found family, heartbreak, grief, and an interesting look into an MC club. Throughly loved Sage and Lyla, loved the way the book ended on an amazing note, but also that cliffhanger in the epilogue left me with questions/ theories on the next book!!!! Can’t wait to read more within this series, and IT KEEPS GETTING BETTER!!!!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Blood, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Gun violence, Murder, and Sexual content