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clairetrellahill's reviews
3229 reviews
When a Dragon Comes Courting: A Romantic Fantasy Novella by Claire Trella Hill
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
I'm excited to share my first novella, When a Dragon Comes Courting! It's set in the same world as my larger fantasy novel series (the first of which published in April). This is a great quick read for anyone who likes dragon shifters, romantic fantasy, and sweet closed door romance.
Preorder here: https://books2read.com/whenadragoncomescourting
Preorder here: https://books2read.com/whenadragoncomescourting
What Monstrous Gods by Rosamund Hodge
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In recent years I’ve avoided books about writers because tbh it feels a little navel gazey. Also they’re usually about the kind of writer I am not, and the added heightened unreality of their situation irks me. That’s why I put off reading this ARC a while even though I love the author’s work. I thought, “mm, maybe I’ll just wait a bit.”
I’m very glad I was wrong.
In a world of books incorrectly billed as romcoms when they are low on both rom and com, The Rom-Commers was a massive delight. Center writes deadpan humor with rapid back and forth banter, inner dialogue that slays, and amazing chemistry. Her books are just READABLE. The voice is engaging and delightful. But even through the humor, her book packs a powerful emotional punch.
Emma set aside her writing dreams to care for her invalid father after a family tragedy and only gets small jobs that a former boyfriend sends her way. But this job he sends her is a doozy—rewrite a script from a massive screenwriting legend that is abysmally bad. After much coaxing, Emma travels to LA to find out that he doesn’t want her there, he didn’t agree to this—but she’s not giving up. She’s going to get this script written—even if she has to teach him how to love again.
I absolutely loved this book. 5 stars.
Heat level: 0. Kissing only!
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC.
I’m very glad I was wrong.
In a world of books incorrectly billed as romcoms when they are low on both rom and com, The Rom-Commers was a massive delight. Center writes deadpan humor with rapid back and forth banter, inner dialogue that slays, and amazing chemistry. Her books are just READABLE. The voice is engaging and delightful. But even through the humor, her book packs a powerful emotional punch.
Emma set aside her writing dreams to care for her invalid father after a family tragedy and only gets small jobs that a former boyfriend sends her way. But this job he sends her is a doozy—rewrite a script from a massive screenwriting legend that is abysmally bad. After much coaxing, Emma travels to LA to find out that he doesn’t want her there, he didn’t agree to this—but she’s not giving up. She’s going to get this script written—even if she has to teach him how to love again.
I absolutely loved this book. 5 stars.
Heat level: 0. Kissing only!
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Cancer
CW: death of a parent (past), caretaking of a dependent parent (current), cancer diagnosis (past)
The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
First of all, dayum.
Second of all, DAAAYYYYUUUMMMM. This book is worth TEN stars!! The THEMES!!! THE NARRATIVES!!!! After her sister contacts a podcast behind her back with info about a renowned con man who disappeared with their mother ten years ago, Jess sets off on a reluctant road-trip with the host, her sister, and Adam, a journalist, a man who in another era would be a chevalier who would do anything for the woman he loves, and in this era it’s Jess.
So much of the fantasy of romance novels is being SEEN. Being indelibly known by the other person and love because of—or even in spite of—that knowing. Clayborn takes this a step further with her explorations of how people we love can disappear and how we can disappear when we are in love. And how the best person to love us is the person who will never let us disappear for them. This book is so deft and packs such a punch as the siblings search for their mother’s trail—one desperate to find her with the hope and hurt or youth and the other entirely closed off from the possibility because of her pain from being left. I LOVED Jess. If she’s not an enneagram 9 I’ll eat my socks. There’s something so powerful about seeing a character both hold all their emotions tight to them and then realize they don’t have to—but then not know what to do with what you’ve been holding back for so long.
Both the emotional arcs AND the con man arcs were so interesting and so well done. I so enjoyed this book. Again. I would give it ten stars if I could. I don’t think anyone is doing emotional contemporary romance like Kate Clayborn. It’s truly a work of art. Ten stars.
Heat level: 2.5 (2-3 on page scenes)
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC.
Second of all, DAAAYYYYUUUMMMM. This book is worth TEN stars!! The THEMES!!! THE NARRATIVES!!!! After her sister contacts a podcast behind her back with info about a renowned con man who disappeared with their mother ten years ago, Jess sets off on a reluctant road-trip with the host, her sister, and Adam, a journalist, a man who in another era would be a chevalier who would do anything for the woman he loves, and in this era it’s Jess.
So much of the fantasy of romance novels is being SEEN. Being indelibly known by the other person and love because of—or even in spite of—that knowing. Clayborn takes this a step further with her explorations of how people we love can disappear and how we can disappear when we are in love. And how the best person to love us is the person who will never let us disappear for them. This book is so deft and packs such a punch as the siblings search for their mother’s trail—one desperate to find her with the hope and hurt or youth and the other entirely closed off from the possibility because of her pain from being left. I LOVED Jess. If she’s not an enneagram 9 I’ll eat my socks. There’s something so powerful about seeing a character both hold all their emotions tight to them and then realize they don’t have to—but then not know what to do with what you’ve been holding back for so long.
Both the emotional arcs AND the con man arcs were so interesting and so well done. I so enjoyed this book. Again. I would give it ten stars if I could. I don’t think anyone is doing emotional contemporary romance like Kate Clayborn. It’s truly a work of art. Ten stars.
Heat level: 2.5 (2-3 on page scenes)
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC.
Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn
4.0
I think I might’ve liked this book the best out of the series. There was enough plot with Maren’s broken engagement and her brother’s hang ups and Joe’s kids and her semi-stalker to give it some oomph that I thought was lacking in previous installments. I really enjoyed Joe’s kids and their relationship with Maren, I think that was the heart of the books.
There were also things I was never truly sold on but I know were established previously, like Maren being both a pageant Queen and being obsessed with fishing (and with a YouTube name like Musky Maren :/ ) so I just had to move past. I also think Joe was a little too guilty over his ex, but I did appreciate his growth in that area.
Overall enjoyed, 4 stars.
Heat level: 3.5
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this arc.
There were also things I was never truly sold on but I know were established previously, like Maren being both a pageant Queen and being obsessed with fishing (and with a YouTube name like Musky Maren :/ ) so I just had to move past. I also think Joe was a little too guilty over his ex, but I did appreciate his growth in that area.
Overall enjoyed, 4 stars.
Heat level: 3.5
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this arc.
Viscount in Love by Eloisa James
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
I enjoyed this book through I think the hero’s character arc could’ve used a little more building out in the first half (and the misunderstanding middle felt a little too over the top to be believed—hit that man over the head with a rock)but I really enjoyed that Torie couldn’t read.
So many historical heroines have a little “not like other girls” about them because of the way we perceive the past. Women were barred from higher education and their mental capacity poo-pooed, but THIS heroine is different! She’s a bluestocking and thinks fashion is silly and Of Course can converse on any topic. But Torie isn’t like that. It is never explicitly stated in the text but she cannot read and has something akin to dyslexia, where the words run off the page. And as a result everyone thinks she’s a fool. But she’s not, she is brilliant at her chosen art. She’s also never “fixed” or miraculously taught. She just has people read to her.
The children were also the bright part of this book; they were hilarious and I enjoyed them on page so much. I just think that the book felt a bit uneven arc-wise for the main characters. It took a while to get going and then all of the heavy character stuff came later. But an enjoyable read.
3.75 stars.
Heat level: 4
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this arc.
So many historical heroines have a little “not like other girls” about them because of the way we perceive the past. Women were barred from higher education and their mental capacity poo-pooed, but THIS heroine is different! She’s a bluestocking and thinks fashion is silly and Of Course can converse on any topic. But Torie isn’t like that. It is never explicitly stated in the text but she cannot read and has something akin to dyslexia, where the words run off the page. And as a result everyone thinks she’s a fool. But she’s not, she is brilliant at her chosen art. She’s also never “fixed” or miraculously taught. She just has people read to her.
The children were also the bright part of this book; they were hilarious and I enjoyed them on page so much. I just think that the book felt a bit uneven arc-wise for the main characters. It took a while to get going and then all of the heavy character stuff came later. But an enjoyable read.
3.75 stars.
Heat level: 4
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this arc.
A Groom of One's Own by Emma St. Clair
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I am always a sucker for a marriage of convenience, and this one was sweet and funny, as all Emma St. Claire books are. I enjoyed these two cinnamon rolls defrauding the government but then actually falling fast for each other. Helps when you start with a crush.
And can I say I am On Board for Van’s book.
Heat level: 1. Closed door
And can I say I am On Board for Van’s book.
Heat level: 1. Closed door
Lady Scandal by Laura Lee Guhrke
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Absolutely delightful! I so enjoyed this story about a confident countess who works and finds joy in it and her grumpy new boss, the secret auditor sent in to find the fraud happening in her hotel. I thought they were perfectly matched and LOVED that he celebrates and supports her in her work. That ending got me real good. It bumped this up to a 4.5.
And do I sense the next couple of book 3 waiting in the wings??? Very excited to find out!
4.5 stars
Heat level: 2. One and a half scenes that you could cruise over.
And do I sense the next couple of book 3 waiting in the wings??? Very excited to find out!
4.5 stars
Heat level: 2. One and a half scenes that you could cruise over.
The Erlking's Daughters by Claire Trella Hill
I think this book is pretty great because I wrote it! Surprise!
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Torture, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault
Lips Like Sugar by Jess K. Hardy
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lips like Sugar brings us back to Bluebird Basin, the Montana ski town we first encountered in Come As You Are. This romance features Mira the town baker and Cole, the drummer buddy of the hero from book one. This was a great romance in the same way the first was, focusing on Gen X-aged characters in their 50s going through the stage of life with children and aging parents but still having a great romance. We got to see the couple and sober recovery group from book 1 again (and I think got an inkling of perhaps book 3?) as a wedding and a chance encounter with Mira's ex makes our hero and heroine collide in a fake dating scheme that Cole is extremely enthusiastic about. I really enjoyed this book!
4 stars!
Heat level: 4🌶️
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. This book comes out March 28.
4 stars!
Heat level: 4🌶️
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. This book comes out March 28.