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chloe_liese's reviews
232 reviews
The Roommate by Rosie Danan
The Roommate was a fresh concept that tackled sex positivity, the adult entertainment industry, and the true work of intimacy in a story that was as sweet as it was original. I enjoyed the steady pace of building interest between Josh and Clara, and I loved that Josh knew his body and wanted to know Clara's in a way that was intimate and personal. For being a book that talked so much about sex and pleasure, it was incredibly focused on what underlies healthy sexual intimacy: trust, communication, a foundation of safety and being known.
The secondary plot really builds with what Josh is facing within the industry, and what he, Naomi, and Clara set off to create together (I don't want to get into details to avoid spoilers) and while I loved that, I was curious if we were ever going to see how this played into Clara's family life and dynamic. That never got developed deeply but its echoes carried through to the end, in which Clara realizes that the safety of what she's known and expected isn't the comfort she expected it to be, but that instead comfort is found in loving the people you take the greatest risks for.
The secondary plot really builds with what Josh is facing within the industry, and what he, Naomi, and Clara set off to create together (I don't want to get into details to avoid spoilers) and while I loved that, I was curious if we were ever going to see how this played into Clara's family life and dynamic. That never got developed deeply but its echoes carried through to the end, in which Clara realizes that the safety of what she's known and expected isn't the comfort she expected it to be, but that instead comfort is found in loving the people you take the greatest risks for.
Written In The Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
5.0
Bridget Jones meets Pride and Prejudice in this sweet, sexy love story about total opposites finding love in the midst of a fake relationship!
I loved Darcy’s and Elle’s chemistry, the character growth, the family dynamics and friendships that were more chosen family than friends. The sexy times were so tender and sensual and they always developed the narrative. I loved the build of tension and the way they both slowly fell head over heels in love. This is a delightful debut and I really canNOT wait to see the incurable romantic himself, Brendon, find his OTP in Alexandria’s next book!!
I loved Darcy’s and Elle’s chemistry, the character growth, the family dynamics and friendships that were more chosen family than friends. The sexy times were so tender and sensual and they always developed the narrative. I loved the build of tension and the way they both slowly fell head over heels in love. This is a delightful debut and I really canNOT wait to see the incurable romantic himself, Brendon, find his OTP in Alexandria’s next book!!
Float Plan by Trish Doller
5.0
Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin & NetGalley for this advance copy. All opinions are my own!
What begins as a woman undertaking a journey by sea that her now-deceased boyfriend planned for them becomes a journey that is so much more than undertaking closure and honoring his life. Anna grieves what she's lost and finds closure, yes, but she finds and discovers so much more about herself, about her resilience, her passions, and her hopes for her future.
This was a beautiful journey through grief and healing, witnessing growth and friendship and new love. I felt so deeply connected to Anna, and I fell for Keane right along with her. It was such a fascinating contrast between the man she'd lost and was learning to let go of and the man who began as a partner on her journey, then a friend, and who she ultimately opened her heart to. Keane was a man of faith, but quite human and imperfect; he was kind and caring and steady and a dreamy Irishman. I also loved the disability rep in his amputation and prosthesis; while I can't speak to the accuracy of the representation, the author note indicates she undertook research and it all felt very respectful, empowering, and plausible, while not skirting the truth that all of us, disabled or otherwise, battle internalized ableism.
From a content warning perspective, having someone close to me who died by suicide, I can say that I felt this was generally a respectful narrative around suicide, and that for anyone for whom this is a triggering subject matter this will definitely be an emotional read. That said, it felt very forward-oriented, not dwelling on grief or railing on the man she lost to suicide. It was a story about how we learn to accept that sometimes we lose and that grieving that loss is nonlinear and complicated and personal and sometimes transformational.
I'm totally enamored with Doller's prose. Her writing is fluid, natural, confident, and incredibly relatable. I felt so easily drawn in, and as I've said deeply connected to Anna's perspective.
My final praise is how vividly this evokes the power of community, the joy of relationships, and the truth that some people are in our lives for finite times but unforgettable ways, even when their moment with us is brief. I highlighted a number of passages that I know will stick with me, but here are a few of my favorites (please note this is an ARC and thus content is subject to change):
“I reckon if you stay in one place too long, you might start taking it for granted... But if you keep moving, everything holds its wonder."
and
"The stages of grief are not linear. They are random and unpredictable, folding back on themselves until you begin mourning all over again. I have bargained with a universe that is not listening. I have cried myself hollow. I have leaned into the belief that I can’t live without [him] but kneeling here in the sand on a beach four hundred miles from home says maybe I can—and that terrifies me."
FLOAT PLAN is out March 2. If you're ready for a story that draws you right in on a journey of healing, growth, and love, look no further.
What begins as a woman undertaking a journey by sea that her now-deceased boyfriend planned for them becomes a journey that is so much more than undertaking closure and honoring his life. Anna grieves what she's lost and finds closure, yes, but she finds and discovers so much more about herself, about her resilience, her passions, and her hopes for her future.
This was a beautiful journey through grief and healing, witnessing growth and friendship and new love. I felt so deeply connected to Anna, and I fell for Keane right along with her. It was such a fascinating contrast between the man she'd lost and was learning to let go of and the man who began as a partner on her journey, then a friend, and who she ultimately opened her heart to. Keane was a man of faith, but quite human and imperfect; he was kind and caring and steady and a dreamy Irishman. I also loved the disability rep in his amputation and prosthesis; while I can't speak to the accuracy of the representation, the author note indicates she undertook research and it all felt very respectful, empowering, and plausible, while not skirting the truth that all of us, disabled or otherwise, battle internalized ableism.
From a content warning perspective, having someone close to me who died by suicide, I can say that I felt this was generally a respectful narrative around suicide, and that for anyone for whom this is a triggering subject matter this will definitely be an emotional read. That said, it felt very forward-oriented, not dwelling on grief or railing on the man she lost to suicide. It was a story about how we learn to accept that sometimes we lose and that grieving that loss is nonlinear and complicated and personal and sometimes transformational.
I'm totally enamored with Doller's prose. Her writing is fluid, natural, confident, and incredibly relatable. I felt so easily drawn in, and as I've said deeply connected to Anna's perspective.
My final praise is how vividly this evokes the power of community, the joy of relationships, and the truth that some people are in our lives for finite times but unforgettable ways, even when their moment with us is brief. I highlighted a number of passages that I know will stick with me, but here are a few of my favorites (please note this is an ARC and thus content is subject to change):
“I reckon if you stay in one place too long, you might start taking it for granted... But if you keep moving, everything holds its wonder."
and
"The stages of grief are not linear. They are random and unpredictable, folding back on themselves until you begin mourning all over again. I have bargained with a universe that is not listening. I have cried myself hollow. I have leaned into the belief that I can’t live without [him] but kneeling here in the sand on a beach four hundred miles from home says maybe I can—and that terrifies me."
FLOAT PLAN is out March 2. If you're ready for a story that draws you right in on a journey of healing, growth, and love, look no further.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
5.0
This was an easy to read story in the best way. Henry's prose is accessible, her storytelling well-paced, and her characters deeply developed. While this did not read as a romance in the traditional sense, I found myself enjoying it as an absorbing fiction with strong romantic elements done well.
A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby by Vanessa Riley
After having gone on a recent historical romance spree, I was thrilled to be approved for an early review copy of Vanessa Riley's forthcoming A DUKE, THE LADY, AND A BABY. I loved the description/synopsis that hinted at a West Indies mother pressed to the point of desperation, fighting against the unfair machinations of Colonialist England's racism, prejudice, and sexism in the early-nineteenth-century.
What I liked:
- References to huge inequities and injustices in 19th-century England: Bedlam's corruption, the dismissal, and racialized hatred of POC, the deep financial deprivation of women (the entailing of estates, naming of children, male control of assets)
- The portrayal of an empowered, determined WOC, a strong core female friendship, and a gritty depiction of how hard it must have been back then to survive and battle injustice.
- The portrayal of war-wounds, costs, and the resulting disabilities; Busick was depicted as dealing with pain and challenges, but he was never a pitied character and was quite empowered.
- I loved the baby, and how he was the fulcrum for the Duke and Patience's budding romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for this advance complimentary review copy. All opinions are my own.
What I liked:
- References to huge inequities and injustices in 19th-century England: Bedlam's corruption, the dismissal, and racialized hatred of POC, the deep financial deprivation of women (the entailing of estates, naming of children, male control of assets)
- The portrayal of an empowered, determined WOC, a strong core female friendship, and a gritty depiction of how hard it must have been back then to survive and battle injustice.
- The portrayal of war-wounds, costs, and the resulting disabilities; Busick was depicted as dealing with pain and challenges, but he was never a pitied character and was quite empowered.
- I loved the baby, and how he was the fulcrum for the Duke and Patience's budding romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for this advance complimentary review copy. All opinions are my own.
Paradise Cove by Jenny Holiday
5.0
This small town romance felt real and raw and lived in. I loved the realistic portrayal of intimacy and bodies (hello stretch marks and a man coming first!) and I deeply appreciated this book’s caring exploration of grief.
Jake and Nora have great chemistry and such an organic arc from acquaintances to friends-with-benefits to lovers. I’m a sucker for a strong silent type but I liked that Jake was more verbal with her and she was while very caring toward others and him, she was also very pragmatic and unfazed by tough dialogue about Jake’s last. It felt believable and deep and wonderfully gratifying to see them grow in their collection via that dynamic.
Finally, I throughly enjoyed the ensemble cast and connection I felt to Moonflower Bay and its townspeople. I’m looking forward to Law and Maya’s story next!
Jake and Nora have great chemistry and such an organic arc from acquaintances to friends-with-benefits to lovers. I’m a sucker for a strong silent type but I liked that Jake was more verbal with her and she was while very caring toward others and him, she was also very pragmatic and unfazed by tough dialogue about Jake’s last. It felt believable and deep and wonderfully gratifying to see them grow in their collection via that dynamic.
Finally, I throughly enjoyed the ensemble cast and connection I felt to Moonflower Bay and its townspeople. I’m looking forward to Law and Maya’s story next!
The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
5.0
Rachel's writing is some of the most natural, mature, and engaging I've read in so long. THE EX TALK was sexy, smart, tender, and absolutely pitch-perfect romance. Her prose flowed organically, and I felt immersed in this story—this is my favorite: writing so consuming I'm simply *there* in this world an author has created. No clunky tags saying who said what, no overwrought descriptors, just perfectly paced plot, ideal description/dialogue balance, and a vulnerability in these characters’ depths that feels so human and real and relatable.
I really can't say enough wonderful things about THE EX TALK. So I'll simply say, if you love contemporary romance, if you enjoy enemies-to-lovers and fake relationship tropes, if you enjoy multifaceted characters with compelling flaws and strengths, and slow-burn, crackling chemistry THIS is a book you *must* read in 2021. I promise you won't regret it.
Thank you to the author for this complimentary review copy. While it was gifted to me, my opinions are entirely my own and are in no way influenced by this. THE EX TALK is out January 26! Pre-order your copy today.
I really can't say enough wonderful things about THE EX TALK. So I'll simply say, if you love contemporary romance, if you enjoy enemies-to-lovers and fake relationship tropes, if you enjoy multifaceted characters with compelling flaws and strengths, and slow-burn, crackling chemistry THIS is a book you *must* read in 2021. I promise you won't regret it.
Thank you to the author for this complimentary review copy. While it was gifted to me, my opinions are entirely my own and are in no way influenced by this. THE EX TALK is out January 26! Pre-order your copy today.