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chloe_liese's reviews
232 reviews
I Kissed an Earl by Julie Anne Long
5.0
This book was a wild ride! So much intense action and intrigue, I loved how Asher and Violet fell in love in spite of themselves, the bittersweet irony of their conflicting goals, and the drama that unfolded as they pursued their hearts’ desires. Watching those desires morph through the story, as truth came to light and love transformed their path, was so satisfying.
Since the Surrender by Julie Anne Long
For those who enjoy more plot- (rather than character-) driven stories, this hits that mark. I have loved the more character-driven stories in the Pennyroyal Green world and so I missed that prioritization of building the nuances of the relationship vs action (solving a mystery which is basically what Chase and Rosalind spend most of their time doing). As always this story was engaging and well written and sexy. Phew! The chemistry between Chase and Rosalind was fiiiiire and I was here for it.
Between the Devil and Ian Eversea by Julie Anne Long
5.0
Tansy and Ian aren’t terribly likable people when we meet them, which seems to be some of the critique leveled at this story. To me, however, their character “flaws” are powerful lessons in how people may seem “fine” when they are anything but, “functional” when they’re barely staying alive. Sticking with their unlikableness is a lesson in both empathy and patience, an exercise I felt deeply rewarded for as a reader. Both Tansy and Ian have undergone loss and trauma, and they don’t handle it like angels, but that only renders them more human and their character growth more profound. I read this whole story with a lump in my throat. I frequently teared up. They felt so real, and the manner in which they figured each other out and by the same token gave each other permission to be their imperfect selves was so emotionally satisfying. By the end of this story, I loved Tansy and Ian as much as they loved each other.
On a final note: I want to see more romance novels that normalize people who are struggling—to heal, to be sincere, to trust, to believe—and show that with the right person, with honesty and understanding, trust and laughter, they can find their happy ending, too.
On a final note: I want to see more romance novels that normalize people who are struggling—to heal, to be sincere, to trust, to believe—and show that with the right person, with honesty and understanding, trust and laughter, they can find their happy ending, too.
What I Did for a Duke by Julie Anne Long
5.0
Is anyone shocked? Another Julie Anne Long book I loved?
Alex and Genevieve were a sizzling duo of equally formidable yet very different personalities. I loved watching their relationship unfold and the passion that built between them in just a week-long house party. This is some of JAL’s most beautiful writing; I soaked up every vivid turn of phrase.
Also, the grand gesture in this one: TEARS!!!
Alex and Genevieve were a sizzling duo of equally formidable yet very different personalities. I loved watching their relationship unfold and the passion that built between them in just a week-long house party. This is some of JAL’s most beautiful writing; I soaked up every vivid turn of phrase.
Also, the grand gesture in this one: TEARS!!!
A Lady's Revenge by Edie Cay
CW: rape of a minor, discussion of STDs, descriptions of blood & fist-fighting.
This came recommended to me because I wanted to read a HistRom that felt outside the box, and on that, this delivered. Mired in the intricacies of pugilism, this was intriguing from that standpoint. Add on that we have a lady boxer, and I was here for it! Where it was a bit more complicated for me was the romantic arc and the heroine's journey to understand that being raped did not make her "broken" as she repeatedly says up until very late in the story. It makes sense for the time in a way but her family is all aware of what happened, supports her boxing and doing what she needs to feel safe and heal, so it rang hollow that this "I'm broken" discussion wouldn't have happened sooner. John was such a likable hero and I was rooting for Lydia, yet I would have valued seeing their chemistry given a bit more air and page time to really spark and catch. There were romantic moments but it teetered on really truly being a romance to me and I wish I'd gotten more from these two (I think this speaks to how well the Ms. Cay wrote them and got me invested in their connection!). There were a lot of names to keep track of in this story and the secondary characters weren't very fleshed out, but I still wanted to know how it turned out and enjoyed the ending.
This came recommended to me because I wanted to read a HistRom that felt outside the box, and on that, this delivered. Mired in the intricacies of pugilism, this was intriguing from that standpoint. Add on that we have a lady boxer, and I was here for it! Where it was a bit more complicated for me was the romantic arc and the heroine's journey to understand that being raped did not make her "broken" as she repeatedly says up until very late in the story. It makes sense for the time in a way but her family is all aware of what happened, supports her boxing and doing what she needs to feel safe and heal, so it rang hollow that this "I'm broken" discussion wouldn't have happened sooner. John was such a likable hero and I was rooting for Lydia, yet I would have valued seeing their chemistry given a bit more air and page time to really spark and catch. There were romantic moments but it teetered on really truly being a romance to me and I wish I'd gotten more from these two (I think this speaks to how well the Ms. Cay wrote them and got me invested in their connection!). There were a lot of names to keep track of in this story and the secondary characters weren't very fleshed out, but I still wanted to know how it turned out and enjoyed the ending.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
5.0
Thank you to Berkley & NetGalley for the advance review copy—all opinions are my own! Full review to come closer to Pub Day, September 14, 2021. For now...
This was a lovable, funny, banter-loaded RomCom that unabashedly embraced its STEM in academia setting with humor, playfulness, and tender honesty. Olive was thoroughly likable, her backstory incredibly sympathetic, and her character arc was deeply satisfying. Because this is single POV, we don’t see much of Adam’s interiority, especially because he’s very reserved through the first 50% of the book, but I still enjoyed watching him open up and show his super-soft-spot for Olive.
Chock full of fake dating shenanigans, this also features cute meta-aware nods to RomCom tropes, spot-on Star Wars references, and delightfully quirky characters who felt like friends by the time I read THE END. I can’t wait to see what Ali gives us next!
CW: parental death - cancer (in the past, off-page), sexual harassment in the workplace (on page), portrayal/discussions of social anxiety.
This was a lovable, funny, banter-loaded RomCom that unabashedly embraced its STEM in academia setting with humor, playfulness, and tender honesty. Olive was thoroughly likable, her backstory incredibly sympathetic, and her character arc was deeply satisfying. Because this is single POV, we don’t see much of Adam’s interiority, especially because he’s very reserved through the first 50% of the book, but I still enjoyed watching him open up and show his super-soft-spot for Olive.
Chock full of fake dating shenanigans, this also features cute meta-aware nods to RomCom tropes, spot-on Star Wars references, and delightfully quirky characters who felt like friends by the time I read THE END. I can’t wait to see what Ali gives us next!
CW: parental death - cancer (in the past, off-page), sexual harassment in the workplace (on page), portrayal/discussions of social anxiety.
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
As one expects from CLo, this was smoothly written and an original premise. I loved Jess, our heroine, and I loved her relationships with her daughter, Juno, her best friend, Fizzy, and her grandparents who've raised her. Her connection with River began with definite Pride & Prejudice Lizzie/Darcy vibes and I enjoyed seeing how the science behind GeneticAlly appealed to both her and River's data brains, making them push past their rough start and give each other a chance.
The balance of dialogue, description, and metaphor (lots of science & geeky puns!) was top-notch like always, and I felt there were some really shining moments of physical chemistry (the kisses: yowza!). In keeping with their more recent writing, the on-page physical intimacy was kept fairly brief, featuring one brief love scene and a few fade-to-black scenes, too.
As a mother and a woman in her thirties, the complexity of Jess' life and emotions, the daily tasks all stacking up against her inclination to take time for herself, the mom-guilt of choosing anything for herself that didn't somehow directly benefit the people she loved, really resonated. I think many readers will feel seen in her journey.
CW: parental addiction, parental abandonment
The balance of dialogue, description, and metaphor (lots of science & geeky puns!) was top-notch like always, and I felt there were some really shining moments of physical chemistry (the kisses: yowza!). In keeping with their more recent writing, the on-page physical intimacy was kept fairly brief, featuring one brief love scene and a few fade-to-black scenes, too.
As a mother and a woman in her thirties, the complexity of Jess' life and emotions, the daily tasks all stacking up against her inclination to take time for herself, the mom-guilt of choosing anything for herself that didn't somehow directly benefit the people she loved, really resonated. I think many readers will feel seen in her journey.
CW: parental addiction, parental abandonment
Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne
5.0
Ruthie and Teddy were the softest, goofiest, lovable opposites-attract couple I’ve read in a long while. Sigh. That was a good one.
More thorough review to come.
More thorough review to come.
Love Scenes by Bridget Morrissey
5.0
Thank you Berkley & Edelweiss for the advance review copy—all opinions are my own!
LOVE SCENES was a delight. A fresh concept, perfectly-paced romantic fiction, this story is about Sloane, actress, daughter of a Hollywood power-couple with a star-studded family, who’s experiencing what many 30-something’s do: a crossroads in life, leaving the wilder 20’s behind, searching for security & depth in her career & in the people she gives her heart to.
Struggling professionally, Sloane finds herself unable to say no to starring in her mother’s production that her sister’s directing. But when she realizes it requires acting with Joseph, her hunky Irish nemesis, she really wants to back out. The last time they acted together, Joe was a hot mess of a jerk on set. Little did she know, he was actually in the throes of grief & struggling deeply with alcohol addiction. What comes from their second chance is true friendship, intimacy, healing & chemistry. If you like BEACH READ, but make it Hollywood with the bonus of a punchy ensemble cast, I think you’ll really love this one.
Though LOVE SCENES is only in Sloane’s POV, Joe’s character arc & journey was so rich, too. I felt his sobriety, the work he did to make amends, was portrayed realistically & compassionately. The humility & patience Joe showed Sloane as she forgave & learned to trust him again was so swoony good.
This closed-door romantic fiction was just what my heart needed. A touching, sharply written portrayal of growing through what we’ve gone through & finding that person with whom you can’t imagine not sharing the vulnerable, rewarding work of life & love, LOVE SCENES is out June 22!
CW: past alcoholism, current sobriety (no relapse), discussions of sexual harassment
LOVE SCENES was a delight. A fresh concept, perfectly-paced romantic fiction, this story is about Sloane, actress, daughter of a Hollywood power-couple with a star-studded family, who’s experiencing what many 30-something’s do: a crossroads in life, leaving the wilder 20’s behind, searching for security & depth in her career & in the people she gives her heart to.
Struggling professionally, Sloane finds herself unable to say no to starring in her mother’s production that her sister’s directing. But when she realizes it requires acting with Joseph, her hunky Irish nemesis, she really wants to back out. The last time they acted together, Joe was a hot mess of a jerk on set. Little did she know, he was actually in the throes of grief & struggling deeply with alcohol addiction. What comes from their second chance is true friendship, intimacy, healing & chemistry. If you like BEACH READ, but make it Hollywood with the bonus of a punchy ensemble cast, I think you’ll really love this one.
Though LOVE SCENES is only in Sloane’s POV, Joe’s character arc & journey was so rich, too. I felt his sobriety, the work he did to make amends, was portrayed realistically & compassionately. The humility & patience Joe showed Sloane as she forgave & learned to trust him again was so swoony good.
This closed-door romantic fiction was just what my heart needed. A touching, sharply written portrayal of growing through what we’ve gone through & finding that person with whom you can’t imagine not sharing the vulnerable, rewarding work of life & love, LOVE SCENES is out June 22!
CW: past alcoholism, current sobriety (no relapse), discussions of sexual harassment
Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams
5.0
Don’t mind me, sniffling and blinking away tears, because I’ve got a smile on my face, too. This one snuck up on me, sort of like Noah’s and Alexis’ love for each other, and it balanced humor and heartfelt storytelling so well. I loved the Bromance Book Club antics, the growth arc for both leads, and the tender emotional subplots those arcs developed. Also, so much love for how faithfully and romantically Adams writes consent. Consent is hot folks, and this book is here to remind you.
CW: parental death (past), survival of sexual harassment and assault, parental illness (portrayed), grief.
CW: parental death (past), survival of sexual harassment and assault, parental illness (portrayed), grief.