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erica_flores's reviews
46 reviews
Love Unwritten by Lauren Asher
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
♦️ boss/nanny romance
♦️ single dad
♦️ billionaire hero
♦️ small town
I loved Rafael and Ellie’s story so much!! They are introduced in Love Redesigned but you get to know them at a deeper level here. This was a slow burn but they both had to learn to trust and be vulnerable with each other first and that made it all worth it. And the way they could see each other’s hurts and vulnerabilities and be able to accept and love the other was absolutely beautiful and exactly what I wanted for each of them. I think each book I read by Lauren Asher gets better and better! I can’t wait for Love Arranged next!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
♦️ boss/nanny romance
♦️ single dad
♦️ billionaire hero
♦️ small town
I loved Rafael and Ellie’s story so much!! They are introduced in Love Redesigned but you get to know them at a deeper level here. This was a slow burn but they both had to learn to trust and be vulnerable with each other first and that made it all worth it. And the way they could see each other’s hurts and vulnerabilities and be able to accept and love the other was absolutely beautiful and exactly what I wanted for each of them. I think each book I read by Lauren Asher gets better and better! I can’t wait for Love Arranged next!
Forget Me Not by Julie Soto
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
🔹second chance
🔹forced proximity
🔹coworkers
🔹grumpy/sunshine
I really enjoyed this book! This was my introduction to Julie Soto and I am now looking forward to reading her next book when it releases in July.
Forget Me Not was written in dual POV and jumped back and forth in time, but was easy to follow. Ama and Elliot were such a good balance for one another! Ama may have been the sunshine to Elliot’s grumpy but he was the love and support she tried to avoid (and feared) but needed. They may have different approaches to life but they were magnets to each other. I could feel the hurt between them trying to stay apart after their first chance at dating ended. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and loved the sweet ending!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
🔹second chance
🔹forced proximity
🔹coworkers
🔹grumpy/sunshine
I really enjoyed this book! This was my introduction to Julie Soto and I am now looking forward to reading her next book when it releases in July.
Forget Me Not was written in dual POV and jumped back and forth in time, but was easy to follow. Ama and Elliot were such a good balance for one another! Ama may have been the sunshine to Elliot’s grumpy but he was the love and support she tried to avoid (and feared) but needed. They may have different approaches to life but they were magnets to each other. I could feel the hurt between them trying to stay apart after their first chance at dating ended. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and loved the sweet ending!
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
🔹marriage of convenience
🔹forced proximity/one bed
🔹opposites attract
I have been a Christina Lauren fan for a while, but this book is definitely one of their best! I loved it from start to finish! Anne and Liam are opposites on paper but they both offer each other something the other one needs, something that makes a real impact on their lives. It was full of funny, laugh out loud moments but also vulnerable and heartfelt ones that made it feel real and relatable. The ongoing theme of financial wealth versus emotional wealth was so beautifully done. I cannot recommend this book enough!
Tropes:
🔹marriage of convenience
🔹forced proximity/one bed
🔹opposites attract
I have been a Christina Lauren fan for a while, but this book is definitely one of their best! I loved it from start to finish! Anne and Liam are opposites on paper but they both offer each other something the other one needs, something that makes a real impact on their lives. It was full of funny, laugh out loud moments but also vulnerable and heartfelt ones that made it feel real and relatable. The ongoing theme of financial wealth versus emotional wealth was so beautifully done. I cannot recommend this book enough!
The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Tropes:
• Fake Dating (engagement)
• He Falls First
• Small Town
The Fiancé Dilemma is a standalone romance but I would highly recommend you read The Long Game first!!! Elena Armas gives you enough information to enjoy the storyline but most of the characters were introduced in The Long Game and their backstory was built from there. I had already read The Long Game, so I was not only familiar with Josie and Matthew but loved each of them already individually. Together, they did not disappoint in this sweet and sexy Runaway Bride-like story!
Josie is so sweet, caring, quirky, and charming but she has many insecurities she tries to hide underneath it all. She cares deeply for her town and the people around her, going out of her way to help. This has often led to her losing her own sense of self in being what she needs to be for others. Now that her father is in the picture, her own history is not just small-town news now. It gets splashed in the tabloids, amplifying all those insecurities for her and the world to see.
Matthew was top notch book boyfriend material!! He was playful, loyal, protective, patient, and so incredibly supportive of Josie. And the man knew exactly when and how to bring the spice!! I loved Matthew to begin with, but this book brought it to a whole new level. The only true expectation he had for Josie was that she be herself no matter what anyone else thought about it. He wanted her just as she was and helped her slowly realize it.
Their connection and chemistry were perfect throughout. Josie tries to fight it throughout the book, trying to keep to their fake arrangement, so this slow burn took a minute to heat up but the way they learned to rely on each other and read each other on the way there made it worth the wait.
Thank you to Elena Armas, NetGalley, and Atria books for the chance to read this advanced copy so I could share my honest review!
• Fake Dating (engagement)
• He Falls First
• Small Town
The Fiancé Dilemma is a standalone romance but I would highly recommend you read The Long Game first!!! Elena Armas gives you enough information to enjoy the storyline but most of the characters were introduced in The Long Game and their backstory was built from there. I had already read The Long Game, so I was not only familiar with Josie and Matthew but loved each of them already individually. Together, they did not disappoint in this sweet and sexy Runaway Bride-like story!
Josie is so sweet, caring, quirky, and charming but she has many insecurities she tries to hide underneath it all. She cares deeply for her town and the people around her, going out of her way to help. This has often led to her losing her own sense of self in being what she needs to be for others. Now that her father is in the picture, her own history is not just small-town news now. It gets splashed in the tabloids, amplifying all those insecurities for her and the world to see.
Matthew was top notch book boyfriend material!! He was playful, loyal, protective, patient, and so incredibly supportive of Josie. And the man knew exactly when and how to bring the spice!! I loved Matthew to begin with, but this book brought it to a whole new level. The only true expectation he had for Josie was that she be herself no matter what anyone else thought about it. He wanted her just as she was and helped her slowly realize it.
Their connection and chemistry were perfect throughout. Josie tries to fight it throughout the book, trying to keep to their fake arrangement, so this slow burn took a minute to heat up but the way they learned to rely on each other and read each other on the way there made it worth the wait.
Thank you to Elena Armas, NetGalley, and Atria books for the chance to read this advanced copy so I could share my honest review!
Pulse by Adriana Locke
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
♦️grumpy/sunshine
♦️workplace romance
♦️bodyguard romance
♦️forced proximity
Synopsis:
Troy works as a bodyguard for Landry Security and Dahlia is his assistant. They have worked together for a while, but constantly deny any sexual tension and feelings between them for the sake of keeping everything professional. Dahlia learns someone has been stalking her and breaking into her house after receiving a threatening email with pictures of her. Troy takes off with Dahlia to keep her safe while their boss works to find out who is behind it. But time alone on a secluded island in a house with one bed blurs those lines and breaks down the walls they had kept up over the years.
"You feel like the only thing in my life that was bound to happen."
"I'll be whatever you want me to be as long as it means you're mine."
Pulse is an interconnected standalone in the new Landry Security series. You don't have to read anything before this book, but as anyone who loves the Locke universe knows, there are always cameos we live for from characters we love. Troy has been in the background of so many of Adriana's books and now we finally get to see his story told! We have all known him to be stoic, loyal, dependable, protective, and a hero, but now we get to see the funnier and deeper sides of him as well (not to mention the possessive side he finds when it comes to Dahlia). The banter between Troy and Dahlia was perfection. I loved the way he pretends to be annoyed and teases her, yet she seems to be the only thing that brings him happiness throughout his day. And Dahlia is just the playful, sassy counterpart he needs that loves to tease him back and push his buttons, but ultimately is someone who can actually understand him and allow him to be vulnerable. And her dark humor to deal with stress is probably most of us!
This was a great start to the Landry Security series and I can’t wait for the next book! In the meantime, I need to go back and reread the Landry Family books because I forgot just how fun the Landry brothers were!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
♦️grumpy/sunshine
♦️workplace romance
♦️bodyguard romance
♦️forced proximity
Synopsis:
Troy works as a bodyguard for Landry Security and Dahlia is his assistant. They have worked together for a while, but constantly deny any sexual tension and feelings between them for the sake of keeping everything professional. Dahlia learns someone has been stalking her and breaking into her house after receiving a threatening email with pictures of her. Troy takes off with Dahlia to keep her safe while their boss works to find out who is behind it. But time alone on a secluded island in a house with one bed blurs those lines and breaks down the walls they had kept up over the years.
"You feel like the only thing in my life that was bound to happen."
"I'll be whatever you want me to be as long as it means you're mine."
Pulse is an interconnected standalone in the new Landry Security series. You don't have to read anything before this book, but as anyone who loves the Locke universe knows, there are always cameos we live for from characters we love. Troy has been in the background of so many of Adriana's books and now we finally get to see his story told! We have all known him to be stoic, loyal, dependable, protective, and a hero, but now we get to see the funnier and deeper sides of him as well (not to mention the possessive side he finds when it comes to Dahlia). The banter between Troy and Dahlia was perfection. I loved the way he pretends to be annoyed and teases her, yet she seems to be the only thing that brings him happiness throughout his day. And Dahlia is just the playful, sassy counterpart he needs that loves to tease him back and push his buttons, but ultimately is someone who can actually understand him and allow him to be vulnerable. And her dark humor to deal with stress is probably most of us!
This was a great start to the Landry Security series and I can’t wait for the next book! In the meantime, I need to go back and reread the Landry Family books because I forgot just how fun the Landry brothers were!
Love Redesigned by Lauren Asher
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
Small town romance
Friends to Enemies to Lovers
Second chance romance
He falls first
Love Redesigned was such a cute read! The banter between Dahlia and Julian was amazing. Whether they were being rivals, playful frenemies, or just challenging each other, their chemistry and quips were so much fun. Along with all the fun pranks and comments, Lauren Asher also included heartfelt moments and struggles with mental health, especially grief. Lauren did a wonderful job expressing not only how different they can look between people but how those struggles can truly feel. You get to know and love both the Muñoz and Lopez families in this book and I hope to see them in the future. I can’t wait to read Rafa and Ellie’s story in the next book in the Lakefront Billionaire series (Love Unwritten)!!
Tropes:
Small town romance
Friends to Enemies to Lovers
Second chance romance
He falls first
Love Redesigned was such a cute read! The banter between Dahlia and Julian was amazing. Whether they were being rivals, playful frenemies, or just challenging each other, their chemistry and quips were so much fun. Along with all the fun pranks and comments, Lauren Asher also included heartfelt moments and struggles with mental health, especially grief. Lauren did a wonderful job expressing not only how different they can look between people but how those struggles can truly feel. You get to know and love both the Muñoz and Lopez families in this book and I hope to see them in the future. I can’t wait to read Rafa and Ellie’s story in the next book in the Lakefront Billionaire series (Love Unwritten)!!
Bridesmaid for Hire by Meghan Quinn
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Tropes:
🔹enemies to lovers
🔹brother’s best friend
🔹fake dating
🔹forced proximity
🔹one bed
Bridesmaid For Hire can be read as a standalone but in true Meghan Quinn fashion, there are fun cameos and mentions! This book technically takes place between the first two books in the Almond Bay series (The Way I Hate Him and The Reason I Married Him). Maggie makes an appearance in both Almond Bay books, while Brody makes an appearance in The Reason I Married Him.
This was definitely a fun romcom surrounded by mishaps and hilarious banter at a destination wedding they have to pretend to be dating at. If you liked the movie Anyone But You, you will love this story! It had the same energy and fill of embarrassing situations. Brody and Maggie have obvious chemistry from the beginning but have shut down their feelings for years already and it became easier to be hostile and bicker than admit how they actually felt. Their banter was hilarious and the situations Brody kept finding himself in kept me laughing or cringing (sometimes both!!). These two were great! Loved them both individually and together. Beyond their relationship, we were also introduced to several new characters that I really hope get their own books! (Two of them will in the second book in the series, Bridesmaid Undercover!!!!!).
Tropes:
🔹enemies to lovers
🔹brother’s best friend
🔹fake dating
🔹forced proximity
🔹one bed
Bridesmaid For Hire can be read as a standalone but in true Meghan Quinn fashion, there are fun cameos and mentions! This book technically takes place between the first two books in the Almond Bay series (The Way I Hate Him and The Reason I Married Him). Maggie makes an appearance in both Almond Bay books, while Brody makes an appearance in The Reason I Married Him.
This was definitely a fun romcom surrounded by mishaps and hilarious banter at a destination wedding they have to pretend to be dating at. If you liked the movie Anyone But You, you will love this story! It had the same energy and fill of embarrassing situations. Brody and Maggie have obvious chemistry from the beginning but have shut down their feelings for years already and it became easier to be hostile and bicker than admit how they actually felt. Their banter was hilarious and the situations Brody kept finding himself in kept me laughing or cringing (sometimes both!!). These two were great! Loved them both individually and together. Beyond their relationship, we were also introduced to several new characters that I really hope get their own books! (Two of them will in the second book in the series, Bridesmaid Undercover!!!!!).
The Infinite Light of Dust by Anna Todd
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
The Infinite Light of Dust is the conclusion of The Brightest Stars trilogy. It follows the story of Kael Martin, a soldier just coming back from deployment and getting discharged, and Karina Fischer, the daughter of an Army officer and best friend to his best friend’s wife. This is NOT a standalone. I would suggest reading the first two books back-to-back before this one, so you don’t lose the details. This book picks up immediately after the major revelation at the end of book 2. Karina and Kael have worked past the problems that initially plagued their relationship and are trying desperately to make it work now. They have an undeniable longing for each other but the world around them keeps throwing new things in the way. Although they have worked hard to build this new foundation, stress comes to an all-time high in this book. Secrets, omissions, family/friend drama, struggles with anxiety and PTSD, all come barreling together for these two. I have loved Kael and Karina’s romance from the beginning and couldn’t wait to get my hands on the conclusion to their story. But beyond their romance, I have also grown to care about so many other characters in this series along the way. They have all formed this broken, found family that cares about each other and is just trying to make it through their own struggles. I was a military wife myself so I could absolutely relate to the closeness you form with the families on base around you because sometimes all you have is each other. I really loved most of this book. I have been a fan of Anna Todd’s for a while now. I devoured the After books and Landon’s two companion novels. And I have followed this series from the beginning. It was well written and kept me on the edge of my seat. I will say I was surprised by the ending and left a little confused by it. I wanted another chapter or an epilogue to really feel complete with their story. You can make some assumptions moving forward but I was hoping for something a little more concrete. Maybe that is just me. I still enjoyed it and loved this series as a whole. Thank you Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group, Netgalley, and Anna Todd for a chance to read this ARC!!
Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 🌶️
Tropes:
🔹sports romance (athlete and fan)
🔹grumpy sunshine
🔹close proximity
🔹disability representation (diabetes)
I loved this one like I loved the Bellinger sisters! Josephine and Wells were a fun, sexy, and heartfelt match for one another. Tessa Bailey is a queen of sexy banter but there was so much heart in this as well. Wells had rarely had someone in his corner in his life and Josephine didn’t want to be seen as a burden or a charity case because of her diabetes or financial situation. They each learned how to not only support one another but accept that support as well. What unconditional love could actually look like. I flew through this book and didn’t want to put it down. And the setup for the second book (The Au Pair Affair) was amazing. I cannot wait to continue this series! This is one of my new Tessa Bailey favorites.
Tropes:
🔹sports romance (athlete and fan)
🔹grumpy sunshine
🔹close proximity
🔹disability representation (diabetes)
I loved this one like I loved the Bellinger sisters! Josephine and Wells were a fun, sexy, and heartfelt match for one another. Tessa Bailey is a queen of sexy banter but there was so much heart in this as well. Wells had rarely had someone in his corner in his life and Josephine didn’t want to be seen as a burden or a charity case because of her diabetes or financial situation. They each learned how to not only support one another but accept that support as well. What unconditional love could actually look like. I flew through this book and didn’t want to put it down. And the setup for the second book (The Au Pair Affair) was amazing. I cannot wait to continue this series! This is one of my new Tessa Bailey favorites.
This Much Is True by Adriana Locke
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
*small town
*second chance
*first love
*runaway bride
*forced proximity
*found family
Synopsis:
Laina Kelley is a pop star that decides to run away from her wedding after realizing she should have never let it get this far in the first place. She needs a safe place to go, away from paparazzi and an ex-fiancé. The only place she knows to go is the home of her ex-boyfriend, Luke Marshall. After coming home and finding Laina on his couch in a wedding dress, Luke has some questions but agrees to let her stay as long as she helps him work in the barn. The more time they spend together, the more they realize they should have never let each other go.
"I'm not walking away from you again, Laina. Even if you take me to the edges of the earth and demand we stay there, I'll pack your favorite snacks."
"She's doing just fine on her own. That's the thing that neither of you understand. She doesn't need to be saved. Laina is strong and smart, and she can make her own decisions. She can certainly handle the two of you. If she needs me, I'm right here, ready to kill a motherf*cker."
This was the second book in the Marshall Family series but can be read as a standalone (although knowing the other family members makes it better). I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! It was such a sweet, fun, and easy read that I didn't want to end. Luke and Laina's banter kept me laughing throughout (Chapter 11 was the best Adriana!). Laina was a sassy heroine that found her strength throughout this book to stand up and make hard choices for herself. I absolutely loved Luke! He has clearly never stopped loving her. He was playful, sexy, and so supportive of Laina and what she needed to do for herself. They were hilarious. They were steamy (Luke and those ropes!). They were a perfect match for one another. And the cameos from the other series were a nice surprise!! I loved this story and hope to see more of them in the rest of the series! Adriana writes the best family series, and the Marshalls are quickly becoming one of my favorites.
Thank you Valentine PR and Adriana Locke for this ARC to review!!
Tropes:
*small town
*second chance
*first love
*runaway bride
*forced proximity
*found family
Synopsis:
Laina Kelley is a pop star that decides to run away from her wedding after realizing she should have never let it get this far in the first place. She needs a safe place to go, away from paparazzi and an ex-fiancé. The only place she knows to go is the home of her ex-boyfriend, Luke Marshall. After coming home and finding Laina on his couch in a wedding dress, Luke has some questions but agrees to let her stay as long as she helps him work in the barn. The more time they spend together, the more they realize they should have never let each other go.
"I'm not walking away from you again, Laina. Even if you take me to the edges of the earth and demand we stay there, I'll pack your favorite snacks."
"She's doing just fine on her own. That's the thing that neither of you understand. She doesn't need to be saved. Laina is strong and smart, and she can make her own decisions. She can certainly handle the two of you. If she needs me, I'm right here, ready to kill a motherf*cker."
This was the second book in the Marshall Family series but can be read as a standalone (although knowing the other family members makes it better). I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! It was such a sweet, fun, and easy read that I didn't want to end. Luke and Laina's banter kept me laughing throughout (Chapter 11 was the best Adriana!). Laina was a sassy heroine that found her strength throughout this book to stand up and make hard choices for herself. I absolutely loved Luke! He has clearly never stopped loving her. He was playful, sexy, and so supportive of Laina and what she needed to do for herself. They were hilarious. They were steamy (Luke and those ropes!). They were a perfect match for one another. And the cameos from the other series were a nice surprise!! I loved this story and hope to see more of them in the rest of the series! Adriana writes the best family series, and the Marshalls are quickly becoming one of my favorites.
Thank you Valentine PR and Adriana Locke for this ARC to review!!