Scan barcode
erica_flores's reviews
46 reviews
Tumble by Adriana Locke
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
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
Second chance
Single dad
Blue collar
Small town
Dane and Neely dated in high school and things ended badly. She left for college and didn’t come back for years. When she quits her job after not getting the promotion she worked for, she goes back home to Tennessee and runs into Dane again. She wants to still be mad at him, but her resolve slips the more time they spend together. She also finds she missed more than just Dane from this small town she tried to put out of her mind. And she ultimately has to decide what she truly wants her future to look like and where that is, Tennessee or New York.
I really liked this book. You could feel the draw between Neely and Dane even when they didn’t want there to be one. The hurt from their breakup was understandable and the situation was difficult to get passed, but I feel like it gave the story a sense of realism. Why she would want to leave that long and try for a life completely different from what she had. But also learning that the walls she built don’t have to be permanent ones. I also loved the lessons mixed in with Neely trying to figure out what she wants out of life, and that maybe those things don’t always look like accolades on a wall or trophies in a case.
Spoiler alert here!!
I did NOT consider this a cheating story like some others did because they were broken up at the time. Did it hurt? Yes. Was it cheating on her? No. Did he do it to especially hurt her? I don’t think so. That’s definitely not the impression I got. I saw it as he got drunk and one screw up became something bigger than he ever imagined but he had to face it at that point.
Neely and Dane have an undeniable love for one another. I found both of them real and likeable and enjoyed their story, especially the connection that Mia (his daughter) and Neely had with each other. There are 2 more books in the series and I will absolutely be diving into them next!
Tropes:
Second chance
Single dad
Blue collar
Small town
Dane and Neely dated in high school and things ended badly. She left for college and didn’t come back for years. When she quits her job after not getting the promotion she worked for, she goes back home to Tennessee and runs into Dane again. She wants to still be mad at him, but her resolve slips the more time they spend together. She also finds she missed more than just Dane from this small town she tried to put out of her mind. And she ultimately has to decide what she truly wants her future to look like and where that is, Tennessee or New York.
I really liked this book. You could feel the draw between Neely and Dane even when they didn’t want there to be one. The hurt from their breakup was understandable and the situation was difficult to get passed, but I feel like it gave the story a sense of realism. Why she would want to leave that long and try for a life completely different from what she had. But also learning that the walls she built don’t have to be permanent ones. I also loved the lessons mixed in with Neely trying to figure out what she wants out of life, and that maybe those things don’t always look like accolades on a wall or trophies in a case.
Spoiler alert here!!
I did NOT consider this a cheating story like some others did because they were broken up at the time. Did it hurt? Yes. Was it cheating on her? No. Did he do it to especially hurt her? I don’t think so. That’s definitely not the impression I got. I saw it as he got drunk and one screw up became something bigger than he ever imagined but he had to face it at that point.
Neely and Dane have an undeniable love for one another. I found both of them real and likeable and enjoyed their story, especially the connection that Mia (his daughter) and Neely had with each other. There are 2 more books in the series and I will absolutely be diving into them next!
Smoky Darling by S.J. Tilly
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
♦️ small town romance
♦️ age gap (an issue when younger; not as adults)
♦️ possessive/protective hero
Eloise Hall has been infatuated with Beckett Stoleman since she was 7. He was her brother’s bestfriend’s older brother. She ran jnto him several times through her younger years, but felt heartbroken when he didn’t feel the same (she was a child so obviously that’s a good thing, but still hurt!). Beckett never saw her that way because she was so much younger but runs into her again many years later (he is 38; she is 30) and feels drawn to her. She has never gotten over her crush, but can now see he shares the attraction with her. As they try to start to see what exists between them they hit several bumps very quickly but Beckett does a great job working with her through them.
I thought it was a cute, easy read. S.J. Tilly frequently writes insta-love so I expected that going into it and it didn’t bother me. I liked the way the age gap was handled (they were both grown adults before they were together; no barely a legal adult scenarios). I loved Beckett. He was sexy, possessive, protective, sweet, understanding, commanding in a delicious way. A bit of a strange turn of events toward the end, but I get how she was using it within the story to push the “no need to wait just because others might find it too soon” storyline. Overall I liked it. I have already read Maddie’s story and really like it too.
Tropes:
♦️ small town romance
♦️ age gap (an issue when younger; not as adults)
♦️ possessive/protective hero
Eloise Hall has been infatuated with Beckett Stoleman since she was 7. He was her brother’s bestfriend’s older brother. She ran jnto him several times through her younger years, but felt heartbroken when he didn’t feel the same (she was a child so obviously that’s a good thing, but still hurt!). Beckett never saw her that way because she was so much younger but runs into her again many years later (he is 38; she is 30) and feels drawn to her. She has never gotten over her crush, but can now see he shares the attraction with her. As they try to start to see what exists between them they hit several bumps very quickly but Beckett does a great job working with her through them.
I thought it was a cute, easy read. S.J. Tilly frequently writes insta-love so I expected that going into it and it didn’t bother me. I liked the way the age gap was handled (they were both grown adults before they were together; no barely a legal adult scenarios). I loved Beckett. He was sexy, possessive, protective, sweet, understanding, commanding in a delicious way. A bit of a strange turn of events toward the end, but I get how she was using it within the story to push the “no need to wait just because others might find it too soon” storyline. Overall I liked it. I have already read Maddie’s story and really like it too.
Gothikana by RuNyx
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
3.5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes/themes:
🔹dark academia
🔹forbidden romance (teacher/student)
🔹mystery
🔹gothic romance
This book gave me Dracula vibes mixed with Nevermore vibes from the show Wednesday. I haven’t read much gothic romance before but enjoyed this one. There is a certain peace in finding someone who can see your darkness and not only accept it, but help you accept it as well. Feel comfortable with it.
Corvina and Vad were supposed to stay away from each other but continuously found themselves drawn toward one another. A magnetism between them. Each trying to hide their own demons but then finding solace in someone who could see them for who they were really, not the facade they put on for everyone around them. I think anyone who has felt out of place and like they didn’t fit in can absolutely relate to it. And there is certainly a strength in fighting internal battles each day and still finding the beauty and good in the day.
The book dedication:
“To everyone who felt you never fit in, and learned the hard way that you don’t have to. Being different is your double-edged sword. One day, you’ll find your shield to match.”
This is obviously a romance, but there were so many other elements going on. Mysteries, disappearances, paranormal, mental health issues. And a great plot twist at the end. There was a lot going on all the time. I could see it almost as episodes (even more reminiscent of Wednesday on Netflix) with some questions being answered as new ones popped up.
Tropes/themes:
🔹dark academia
🔹forbidden romance (teacher/student)
🔹mystery
🔹gothic romance
This book gave me Dracula vibes mixed with Nevermore vibes from the show Wednesday. I haven’t read much gothic romance before but enjoyed this one. There is a certain peace in finding someone who can see your darkness and not only accept it, but help you accept it as well. Feel comfortable with it.
Corvina and Vad were supposed to stay away from each other but continuously found themselves drawn toward one another. A magnetism between them. Each trying to hide their own demons but then finding solace in someone who could see them for who they were really, not the facade they put on for everyone around them. I think anyone who has felt out of place and like they didn’t fit in can absolutely relate to it. And there is certainly a strength in fighting internal battles each day and still finding the beauty and good in the day.
The book dedication:
“To everyone who felt you never fit in, and learned the hard way that you don’t have to. Being different is your double-edged sword. One day, you’ll find your shield to match.”
This is obviously a romance, but there were so many other elements going on. Mysteries, disappearances, paranormal, mental health issues. And a great plot twist at the end. There was a lot going on all the time. I could see it almost as episodes (even more reminiscent of Wednesday on Netflix) with some questions being answered as new ones popped up.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
♦️ arranged marriage
♦️ enemies-to-lovers
♦️ vampire/werewolf
♦️ fated mates
♦️ found family
Misery Lark, the daughter of a powerful Vampyre councilman, is being used, yet again, as a pawn for peace between the Vampyre, Human, and Were (werewolf) communities. This time, with an arranged marriage to the new Were alpha, Lowe Moreland. Although dangerous, Misery agrees because she doesn’t feel like she fits in anywhere already but wants to use the opportunity to find and get back the only thing she has ever cared about. But along the way she finds she may care about more than one thing and the mystery she was trying to solve originally has more layers than she could have ever guessed.
This was so different for Ali Hazelwood but she fit the genre amazingly!!!! It had layers of mysteries and conflicts that kept me guessing and not anticipating the twist near the end. But riddled throughout, Lowe and Misery have great moments of chemistry and understanding of each other that they didn’t anticipate. They both carry burdens with them and find a comfort and trust in one another. And once they do break that sexual tension………. they discover they might enjoy their differences more than they thought they would 😉 . Fantastic read overall! She left the door open for a second book in the series and I REALLY hope she writes it!!
Tropes:
♦️ arranged marriage
♦️ enemies-to-lovers
♦️ vampire/werewolf
♦️ fated mates
♦️ found family
Misery Lark, the daughter of a powerful Vampyre councilman, is being used, yet again, as a pawn for peace between the Vampyre, Human, and Were (werewolf) communities. This time, with an arranged marriage to the new Were alpha, Lowe Moreland. Although dangerous, Misery agrees because she doesn’t feel like she fits in anywhere already but wants to use the opportunity to find and get back the only thing she has ever cared about. But along the way she finds she may care about more than one thing and the mystery she was trying to solve originally has more layers than she could have ever guessed.
This was so different for Ali Hazelwood but she fit the genre amazingly!!!! It had layers of mysteries and conflicts that kept me guessing and not anticipating the twist near the end. But riddled throughout, Lowe and Misery have great moments of chemistry and understanding of each other that they didn’t anticipate. They both carry burdens with them and find a comfort and trust in one another. And once they do break that sexual tension………. they discover they might enjoy their differences more than they thought they would 😉 . Fantastic read overall! She left the door open for a second book in the series and I REALLY hope she writes it!!
Latte Darling by S.J. Tilly
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
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes: age-gap, blue collar
Maddie is looking for a wedding date and tries out a dating app. Instead of meeting the guy from the app, she ends up meeting his dad, Axel. They find an immediate connection and pull to each other, despite the slightly odd situation and age gap.
I found it refreshing to have an age gap that wasn’t bordering 18. They were both grown adults with businesses, it was just an age gap that was noticeable. The story was a bit insta-love, but very sweet. Axel was kind, caring, protective, sexy, and commanding. Someone you could let go with and just trust. It was a cute and sexy read for sure.
Tropes: age-gap, blue collar
Maddie is looking for a wedding date and tries out a dating app. Instead of meeting the guy from the app, she ends up meeting his dad, Axel. They find an immediate connection and pull to each other, despite the slightly odd situation and age gap.
I found it refreshing to have an age gap that wasn’t bordering 18. They were both grown adults with businesses, it was just an age gap that was noticeable. The story was a bit insta-love, but very sweet. Axel was kind, caring, protective, sexy, and commanding. Someone you could let go with and just trust. It was a cute and sexy read for sure.
Nothing But It All by Adriana Locke
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This is a second chance/marriage in trouble romance with a Parent Trap feel to it. Jake and Lauren have slowly drifted apart and started leading almost separate lives to avoid the hurt and arguments that come when they are together. When they decide not to go on the annual summer trip to the cabin, their two kids and Jake’s dad conspire to trick them into going anyway, with several instances of leaving them on their own.
Jake and Lauren’s marriage will be incredibly relatable to anyone who has spent years in a relationship. The small divides and resentments over time coupled with the busyness of every day life (especially with kids!!) was spot on and represented so well. This was real and raw!!! And beautiful!!! It can give hope if you are in one of those difficult times. And if you have made it through them, you will feel that understanding deep down from when you were. I shared several of the quotes with my husband, who is not a reader, and his response was “Damn! That’s good. I might need to read that when you are done.”
So good! Cannot say enough good things about it!
This is a second chance/marriage in trouble romance with a Parent Trap feel to it. Jake and Lauren have slowly drifted apart and started leading almost separate lives to avoid the hurt and arguments that come when they are together. When they decide not to go on the annual summer trip to the cabin, their two kids and Jake’s dad conspire to trick them into going anyway, with several instances of leaving them on their own.
Jake and Lauren’s marriage will be incredibly relatable to anyone who has spent years in a relationship. The small divides and resentments over time coupled with the busyness of every day life (especially with kids!!) was spot on and represented so well. This was real and raw!!! And beautiful!!! It can give hope if you are in one of those difficult times. And if you have made it through them, you will feel that understanding deep down from when you were. I shared several of the quotes with my husband, who is not a reader, and his response was “Damn! That’s good. I might need to read that when you are done.”
So good! Cannot say enough good things about it!
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was so much funnier than I expected!! I knew it was a dark serial killer romance so I wasn’t bothered by that. Read your trigger warnings if you are squeamish, but they are serial killers so come on. Their playful banter had me laughing much more than I thought I would though. It was fun, dysfunctional, sweet, and sexy all wrapped up together!! Rowan Kane is an absolutely perfect fit for the story and top notch boyfriend material. I cannot wait for the second book in the series to be released!!
Crank by Adriana Locke
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Tropes:
*Blue Collar Romance
*Grumpy Sunshine
Crank is the first of the Gibson Boys series but ties in with one of the youngest daughters in the Landry Family series.
Sienna Landry accidentally breaks Walker's truck headlight and they decide to have her work off the damage in his shop. the more time they spend together, the more sparks fly, even if he wants to pretend they don't. He is broody and sexy but keeps his guard up. She is fun, sassy, and determined to get to know him better. The banter between them and the other Gibson boys was hilarious. I loved all the brothers but their cousin Peck was top tier! And their Nana was the absolute best!! A fun read and a fun family series.
*Blue Collar Romance
*Grumpy Sunshine
Crank is the first of the Gibson Boys series but ties in with one of the youngest daughters in the Landry Family series.
Sienna Landry accidentally breaks Walker's truck headlight and they decide to have her work off the damage in his shop. the more time they spend together, the more sparks fly, even if he wants to pretend they don't. He is broody and sexy but keeps his guard up. She is fun, sassy, and determined to get to know him better. The banter between them and the other Gibson boys was hilarious. I loved all the brothers but their cousin Peck was top tier! And their Nana was the absolute best!! A fun read and a fun family series.
The Relationship Pact by Adriana Locke
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Tropes:
*College Sports Romance
*Fake Dating
*Found Family
The Relationship Pact is part of the Kings of Football series but also part of the Mason Family series.
Larissa needs a fake boyfriend for a few minutes and Hollis is happy to play along. They feel an instant attraction to one another that leads to them coming up with more reasons to see each other. I have read this book multiple times and Hollis will always hold a special place in my heart!! He is playful, protective, kind, fun, and sexy but tries to hide his deep hurts and feelings of being lost and unsure.
I laughed, I cried, and I will never hear Adele's Hello the same way again. You will love Hollis and the entire Mason family (they are all worth the read!).
*College Sports Romance
*Fake Dating
*Found Family
The Relationship Pact is part of the Kings of Football series but also part of the Mason Family series.
Larissa needs a fake boyfriend for a few minutes and Hollis is happy to play along. They feel an instant attraction to one another that leads to them coming up with more reasons to see each other. I have read this book multiple times and Hollis will always hold a special place in my heart!! He is playful, protective, kind, fun, and sexy but tries to hide his deep hurts and feelings of being lost and unsure.
I laughed, I cried, and I will never hear Adele's Hello the same way again. You will love Hollis and the entire Mason family (they are all worth the read!).
More Than I Could by Adriana Locke
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Tropes:
*single dad
*blue collar romance
*boss/nanny
*forced proximity (she moves in with him to work)
More Than I Could was a sweet and sexy introduction to the Marshall Family series. Chase is a grumpy single dad that needs help with his teenage daughter. Megan is the sassy and heartfelt heroine that fits them both. The banter between Chase and Megan was amazing! I laughed so many times throughout. Megan had such a kind and understanding approach to his daughter as well. I cannot wait for Gavin's story in the series! His ability to stir the pot kept me cracking up. Adriana's family series are always great and the Marshalls are no exception. Loved it!!
*single dad
*blue collar romance
*boss/nanny
*forced proximity (she moves in with him to work)
More Than I Could was a sweet and sexy introduction to the Marshall Family series. Chase is a grumpy single dad that needs help with his teenage daughter. Megan is the sassy and heartfelt heroine that fits them both. The banter between Chase and Megan was amazing! I laughed so many times throughout. Megan had such a kind and understanding approach to his daughter as well. I cannot wait for Gavin's story in the series! His ability to stir the pot kept me cracking up. Adriana's family series are always great and the Marshalls are no exception. Loved it!!