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cmcintyre's reviews
1134 reviews
The Wrong Heart by Jennifer Hartmann
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
The Wrong Heart is my first Jennifer Hartmann book. I'd been told by friends that it is not your typical fluffy, heart warming romance. It's heartfelt and honestly kind of heavy- but in the best way.
After losing her husband in their anniversary, Melody spirals into the darkness of depression and attempts to take her life. Parker is going through life just trying to get through day by day. He has lived through some of the worst things life can deal you. Both end up in the same suicide prevention support group. He can't stand her. She's the physical embodiment of sunshine and it grates on him. He is dark, broody, and sharp tongued. But she's drawn to him.
Trying to make it through the dark days, Melody reaches out to the person who received her husband's heart, trying for any connection to her deceased husband. He replies and becomes a lifeline for Melody. Until everything comes crashing down around her.
This book weighed on my heart. It took me longer to finish than I typically would read a book. I had to keep pausing and giving myself the space to process. Having gone through my own darkness, I really felt for both Melody and Parker but I needed to take care of me as well.
Take care of yourself while reading this book. Trigger warnings for self harm, suicide ideation, suicide attempts, suicide, and child abuse.
After losing her husband in their anniversary, Melody spirals into the darkness of depression and attempts to take her life. Parker is going through life just trying to get through day by day. He has lived through some of the worst things life can deal you. Both end up in the same suicide prevention support group. He can't stand her. She's the physical embodiment of sunshine and it grates on him. He is dark, broody, and sharp tongued. But she's drawn to him.
Trying to make it through the dark days, Melody reaches out to the person who received her husband's heart, trying for any connection to her deceased husband. He replies and becomes a lifeline for Melody. Until everything comes crashing down around her.
This book weighed on my heart. It took me longer to finish than I typically would read a book. I had to keep pausing and giving myself the space to process. Having gone through my own darkness, I really felt for both Melody and Parker but I needed to take care of me as well.
Take care of yourself while reading this book. Trigger warnings for self harm, suicide ideation, suicide attempts, suicide, and child abuse.
Training the Heart by Paisley Hope
hopeful
fast-paced
3.5
The spice in this book delivered at every turn. Whew mama! However, I feel like this could have been such an epic and emotional storyline. It has all the components: crappy manipulative exes, grumpy sunshine, workplace, family drama, and emotional twists. For me, these weren't flushed out enough or done as thoroughly. I don't want to give spoilers, but for example Ivy has a narcissistic and manipulative ex and he does come around and harass her etc but it didn't feel as compelling as with CeCe's ex in book one. And the stuff with her mom was nice. We love a good full circle moment. Everything felt a little rushed to me
All that said, I still had a great time and am looking forward to book 3! Cole and feisty Ginger? Gimme it!
All that said, I still had a great time and am looking forward to book 3! Cole and feisty Ginger? Gimme it!
Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
Now listen, everyone knows I am an absolute sucker for a hockey romance. There's just something about them that hits different, every single time. On the other hand, cowboy romances are also pretty high on my face tropes list. I didn't think that I would ever find a book that somehow incorporated both of those things. Until Holding The Reins.
Nash Carter is a retired NHL hockey player, part-time cowboy, part time bartender, full time owner of the community ice center. Reformed playboy and never one to settle down, his world is thrown off when the little sister of his 2 best friends comes back to town after a bad breakup. She's all sass and Kentucky fire. Suddenly he doesn't just see her as the pseudo little sister.
I loved Cecelia. She really is fiery, sassy, and strong. She's also incredibly smart and creative. All around well rounded. While heavy topics are discussed and mentioned in the story, it was still so warm hearted and really made me feel for the characters. Also, hot damn this book has some spicy scenes. Buckle up for Nash the epic dirty talker. Have mercy.
Nash Carter is a retired NHL hockey player, part-time cowboy, part time bartender, full time owner of the community ice center. Reformed playboy and never one to settle down, his world is thrown off when the little sister of his 2 best friends comes back to town after a bad breakup. She's all sass and Kentucky fire. Suddenly he doesn't just see her as the pseudo little sister.
I loved Cecelia. She really is fiery, sassy, and strong. She's also incredibly smart and creative. All around well rounded. While heavy topics are discussed and mentioned in the story, it was still so warm hearted and really made me feel for the characters. Also, hot damn this book has some spicy scenes. Buckle up for Nash the epic dirty talker. Have mercy.
Unloved by Peyton Corinne
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.75
I honestly might need several business days to process this book. From the cover and the blurb, you would never expect the depth and beauty that is this story. Ro and Freddy just .. gosh. I don't have the words. Peyton's writing is so well done. The story is captivating and moves along at a good pace. None of it feels like filler. The petty person in me would have absolutely loved to see Tyler and Carmen get their comeuppance somewhere in the story, but I'll happily settle for him getting roughed up by Freddy several times.
The vulnerability from Ro right out of the gate is so endearing. It made me root for her and be so fiercely protective of her. My heart hurt for her and raged at her stupid narcissistic piece of poo boyfriend. Freddy has my whole heart. That boy went through more in a 4 year span than anyone should. I'll add his dad to the list of people I need to see get the "find out" portion of FA&FO. I love how their relationship helped both of them. Ro got more confident and steady in her self talk. So did Freddy to be fair, but his journey was more a realization that he had more to offer than his body, and that his learning disorders did not make him stupid. I could literally go on and on. Suffice to say that I love this freaking book!
The vulnerability from Ro right out of the gate is so endearing. It made me root for her and be so fiercely protective of her. My heart hurt for her and raged at her stupid narcissistic piece of poo boyfriend. Freddy has my whole heart. That boy went through more in a 4 year span than anyone should. I'll add his dad to the list of people I need to see get the "find out" portion of FA&FO. I love how their relationship helped both of them. Ro got more confident and steady in her self talk. So did Freddy to be fair, but his journey was more a realization that he had more to offer than his body, and that his learning disorders did not make him stupid. I could literally go on and on. Suffice to say that I love this freaking book!