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jenngrandreads's reviews
556 reviews
If You Give a CEO a Chance by Ann Einerson
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
10 years ago our MCs, Harrison and Fallon had a one night stand, which ended in a fight. We're not sure what happened, but a decade later, and that anger is still there. Which is why it's super awkward when Fallon shows up at Harrison's penthouse as his new in-home chef, specializing in cooking allergy-free foods.
Neither are happy about it, both are being stubborn, but it's not long until their banter starts up, and the tension becomes so strong you could cut it with a (chef's) knife! We get snippets of what caused the decade-long feud after their one night stand intermixed with present time, and it's fun to slowly figure that out.
This book was so fun, fresh, and cozy, as we can expect from all of Ann Einerson's books! She does banter, spice, tension, and romance like no one else, and this was no different! There was a little overlap from other books' characters, so I would still recommend reading the Aspen Grove series in order, but this CAN be read as a standalone.
All in all, this is a great romance, and one I will be thinking about for a long time!
Neither are happy about it, both are being stubborn, but it's not long until their banter starts up, and the tension becomes so strong you could cut it with a (chef's) knife! We get snippets of what caused the decade-long feud after their one night stand intermixed with present time, and it's fun to slowly figure that out.
This book was so fun, fresh, and cozy, as we can expect from all of Ann Einerson's books! She does banter, spice, tension, and romance like no one else, and this was no different! There was a little overlap from other books' characters, so I would still recommend reading the Aspen Grove series in order, but this CAN be read as a standalone.
All in all, this is a great romance, and one I will be thinking about for a long time!
Play Maker by Piper Lawson
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Play Maker is book 3 of the King of the Court series, and I just love this series so much! I'm so sad there's only 1 book left, I wish it would never end!
This book starts out right as book 2 left off, where Clay finds out he's been traded to LA. Nova decides to move there with him, but life isn't happily ever after for them. Nova makes great connections with new friends, but Clay struggles on and off the court. Their relationship continues to be a rollercoaster, one that Clay has to once again work hard to fix, but as you can imagine with these two, they're end game, so of course they come back to each other.
This one especially has such a great HEA, but the end isn't here YET!! There's still ONE MORE BOOK, and I cannot WAIT to hear how this series ends!! Clay and Nova 4 LYFE!!
AUDIO REVIEW: Once again, the audio is TOP NOTCH. Lance Greenfield & Carly Robins continue to bring Clay and Nova to life in such an enjoyable way!! They're quickly becoming some of my favorite narrators!!
This book starts out right as book 2 left off, where Clay finds out he's been traded to LA. Nova decides to move there with him, but life isn't happily ever after for them. Nova makes great connections with new friends, but Clay struggles on and off the court. Their relationship continues to be a rollercoaster, one that Clay has to once again work hard to fix, but as you can imagine with these two, they're end game, so of course they come back to each other.
This one especially has such a great HEA, but the end isn't here YET!! There's still ONE MORE BOOK, and I cannot WAIT to hear how this series ends!! Clay and Nova 4 LYFE!!
AUDIO REVIEW: Once again, the audio is TOP NOTCH. Lance Greenfield & Carly Robins continue to bring Clay and Nova to life in such an enjoyable way!! They're quickly becoming some of my favorite narrators!!
Story Of My Life by Lucy Score
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book. OMG this book. The first thing that hooked me was that it takes place in a small town near the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, and I grew up about 2 hours from there! Hazel (our FMC) also stops to get gas at Wawa, which is THE best convenience story/gas station, with amazing everything, so I was already donzo for this book when that was brought up! 5/5 stars already!
Lol...but seriously, this book was SUCH a fun ride. You find yourself rooting for Hazel Hart right away. She's a fairly famous romance author who just found out she's being evicted from the Manhattan apartment she shared with her now ex-husband (who cheated on her and is a scum bag of epic proportions!) Zoe, her best-friend-turned-agent just found out she's been fired, so Hazel decides she wants to get some inspiration from moving to the small town of Story Lake, PA.
Hazel spontaneously buys a house overnight that's of course a fixer-upper, so right when they arrive into town, they meet with the town contractor. Enter Campbell "Cam" Bishop, one of the Bishop Brothers, (*cough* hello future books *cough*) who is also the town grump. (But let's be honest, he totally turns into the most delicious of cinnamon rolls by the end.) Hazel's wheels immediately begin turning with ideas on how to get her mojo back with some real-life inspiration right there in Story Lake.
This book was just SO FUN!! I ADORE books about authors, and this one will definitely end up as a top book for 2025. Other than the beloved Hazel and Cam, I ATE UP the hilarious side characters. There's a bald eagle named Goose, who is the town mascot, a teenage mayor, and the rest of the Bishop family. There's even a town text thread that follows Cam and Hazel's romance. SO HILARIOUS!!
The banter is also TOP NOTCH!!! Whether it's Hazel and Cam, or Zoe holding her own against the other (handsome and muscled) Bishop brothers, this book is full of hilarious interactions.
Audio review:
I absolutely LOVED the audiobook!! Lila Winters and Sebastian York were the PERFECT choices for Hazel and Cam. 6 out of 5 stars for sure!!
Lol...but seriously, this book was SUCH a fun ride. You find yourself rooting for Hazel Hart right away. She's a fairly famous romance author who just found out she's being evicted from the Manhattan apartment she shared with her now ex-husband (who cheated on her and is a scum bag of epic proportions!) Zoe, her best-friend-turned-agent just found out she's been fired, so Hazel decides she wants to get some inspiration from moving to the small town of Story Lake, PA.
Hazel spontaneously buys a house overnight that's of course a fixer-upper, so right when they arrive into town, they meet with the town contractor. Enter Campbell "Cam" Bishop, one of the Bishop Brothers, (*cough* hello future books *cough*) who is also the town grump. (But let's be honest, he totally turns into the most delicious of cinnamon rolls by the end.) Hazel's wheels immediately begin turning with ideas on how to get her mojo back with some real-life inspiration right there in Story Lake.
This book was just SO FUN!! I ADORE books about authors, and this one will definitely end up as a top book for 2025. Other than the beloved Hazel and Cam, I ATE UP the hilarious side characters. There's a bald eagle named Goose, who is the town mascot, a teenage mayor, and the rest of the Bishop family. There's even a town text thread that follows Cam and Hazel's romance. SO HILARIOUS!!
The banter is also TOP NOTCH!!! Whether it's Hazel and Cam, or Zoe holding her own against the other (handsome and muscled) Bishop brothers, this book is full of hilarious interactions.
Audio review:
I absolutely LOVED the audiobook!! Lila Winters and Sebastian York were the PERFECT choices for Hazel and Cam. 6 out of 5 stars for sure!!
Never Been Worse by Morgan Elizabeth
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
“I’m just spiraling because Wes was shirtless this morning and he kissed me on the forehead like it was normal and...” I pause, taking a deep breath that is very much needed before finishing. “You guys, I think my husband really likes me.”
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Omg. Wes Holden is my newest, MAJOR book boyfriend. The man is perfection. And since we can’t expect perfection from real, live men, I’ll take all I can get from Wes.
Wes is in the band, Atlas Oakes, (who we first met in Passenger Princess), and he’s been secretly pining for Harper for years. Problem was that she was in a relationship. With a guy who is, without a doubt, one of the WORST, most DETESTABLE human being EVER.
After Harper and her 2 best friends, Ava and Jules, (FMCs from Passenger Princess and If This Was a Movie, respectively) get arrested for glittering Harper’s ex’s pristine lawn Harper feels like life has Never Been Worse.
Enter Wes, and the AMAZING idea of having a fake wedding, which will be mutually beneficial - it would take the limelight off someone else in their band, and it would make Harper’s ex UBER jealous. (Atlas Oakes is his favorite band!)
And what follows is just the BEST of the marriage-of-convenience trope, (which happens to be one of my FAVE,) where Wes spoils Harper, protects her, and woos her into falling in love with him. If this is the last of the Evergreen Park series, I cannot WAIT to see what Morgan comes up with next!!
Audio Narration Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jason Clarke & Angelina Rocca do an FABULOUS job of bringing Wes and Harper to life! I loved every minute of this audiobook!!!
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Omg. Wes Holden is my newest, MAJOR book boyfriend. The man is perfection. And since we can’t expect perfection from real, live men, I’ll take all I can get from Wes.
Wes is in the band, Atlas Oakes, (who we first met in Passenger Princess), and he’s been secretly pining for Harper for years. Problem was that she was in a relationship. With a guy who is, without a doubt, one of the WORST, most DETESTABLE human being EVER.
After Harper and her 2 best friends, Ava and Jules, (FMCs from Passenger Princess and If This Was a Movie, respectively) get arrested for glittering Harper’s ex’s pristine lawn Harper feels like life has Never Been Worse.
Enter Wes, and the AMAZING idea of having a fake wedding, which will be mutually beneficial - it would take the limelight off someone else in their band, and it would make Harper’s ex UBER jealous. (Atlas Oakes is his favorite band!)
And what follows is just the BEST of the marriage-of-convenience trope, (which happens to be one of my FAVE,) where Wes spoils Harper, protects her, and woos her into falling in love with him. If this is the last of the Evergreen Park series, I cannot WAIT to see what Morgan comes up with next!!
Audio Narration Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jason Clarke & Angelina Rocca do an FABULOUS job of bringing Wes and Harper to life! I loved every minute of this audiobook!!!
Shot Taker by Piper Lawson
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? No
4.5
To be honest, when I began reading Game Changer, I thought this series was a series of interconnected standalones. But I was pleasently surprised when I found out the books are all the same storyline and MCs! You don’t find that a lot in romance series, so I’m loving it!
I LOVED Game Changer, as you can see in my review, so book 2 had a lot to live up to! But in usual Piper Lawson form, book 2 was just as good as book 1!! Each one ends on a HUGE cliffhanger though!! So right now I’m DYING for book 3!!!
I LOVE these MCs, Clay and Nova!! They are both so amazing in their own right, and together, they’re even better. They build each other up, encourage each other, believe in each other, and make each other better in ways no one else could.
And the audio? OMG the audio is AMAZING!!!! Lance Greenfield and Carly Robins really bring to life Clay and Nova, and I’m obsessed. I’m an audio NUT, and narrators really make or break a book, and these two are fabulous. I would highly recommend these books on audio!!!
Now onto book 3...I hope soon cause I’m DYING to find out how Clay and Nova get out of their situation this time!!!!
I LOVED Game Changer, as you can see in my review, so book 2 had a lot to live up to! But in usual Piper Lawson form, book 2 was just as good as book 1!! Each one ends on a HUGE cliffhanger though!! So right now I’m DYING for book 3!!!
I LOVE these MCs, Clay and Nova!! They are both so amazing in their own right, and together, they’re even better. They build each other up, encourage each other, believe in each other, and make each other better in ways no one else could.
And the audio? OMG the audio is AMAZING!!!! Lance Greenfield and Carly Robins really bring to life Clay and Nova, and I’m obsessed. I’m an audio NUT, and narrators really make or break a book, and these two are fabulous. I would highly recommend these books on audio!!!
Now onto book 3...I hope soon cause I’m DYING to find out how Clay and Nova get out of their situation this time!!!!
Mr. Swoony by Piper Rayne
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Piper Rayne does it again. Every single time I read a book in this series, I like it better than the last, and I can’t imagine how it could get any better. Well, here you go. Conor and Eloise’s book is my new favorite in The Nest series.
If you’re looking for a hockey romance, this is one of the very first series I would recommend. These men are rough and tumble, but for their ladies, they’re soft and empathetic. And Conor. OMG Conor. He is simply I don’t even know what. He’s perfection! From their meet cute, when he goes over to say hi to Eloise because she’s the “Bride-to-be,” but she’s sitting alone at her own bachelorette party. And from there it just gets swoonier and swoonier.
And Eloise. She had found herself in the ULTIMATE people pleaser life. She realizes that nothing she does is for herself. Her dad liked Tristan, so she’s marrying him. Her future mother-in-law picked out her wedding dress, and she’s wearing it, despite not even liking it. So after meeting Conor, and getting a taste of what it looks like to make her OWN decisions, she decides enough is enough, and IT’S THE BEST EVER!!!!!!
Audio Narration Review:
Also, let’s talk about the narration...IT’S FULL CAST Y’ALL!!! Every single one of these audiobooks have been FANTASTIC. The narrators are some of my very favorite, TOP NOTCH narrators, and it makes all the difference. Connor Crais and Luci Christian Bell are FABULOUS in bringing to life the emotions of Conor and Eloise. Then you have a full cast of other amazing voices as the other characters. 6/5 stars. FAB!!
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Piper Rayne does it again. Every single time I read a book in this series, I like it better than the last, and I can’t imagine how it could get any better. Well, here you go. Conor and Eloise’s book is my new favorite in The Nest series.
If you’re looking for a hockey romance, this is one of the very first series I would recommend. These men are rough and tumble, but for their ladies, they’re soft and empathetic. And Conor. OMG Conor. He is simply I don’t even know what. He’s perfection! From their meet cute, when he goes over to say hi to Eloise because she’s the “Bride-to-be,” but she’s sitting alone at her own bachelorette party. And from there it just gets swoonier and swoonier.
And Eloise. She had found herself in the ULTIMATE people pleaser life. She realizes that nothing she does is for herself. Her dad liked Tristan, so she’s marrying him. Her future mother-in-law picked out her wedding dress, and she’s wearing it, despite not even liking it. So after meeting Conor, and getting a taste of what it looks like to make her OWN decisions, she decides enough is enough, and IT’S THE BEST EVER!!!!!!
Audio Narration Review:
Also, let’s talk about the narration...IT’S FULL CAST Y’ALL!!! Every single one of these audiobooks have been FANTASTIC. The narrators are some of my very favorite, TOP NOTCH narrators, and it makes all the difference. Connor Crais and Luci Christian Bell are FABULOUS in bringing to life the emotions of Conor and Eloise. Then you have a full cast of other amazing voices as the other characters. 6/5 stars. FAB!!
Game Changer by Piper Lawson
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Omg this book was the perfect short and sweet (but spiiiiilicy) beginning of a great love story! Clay and Nova meet on a plane when Nova is sitting in Clay's seat due to being extremely anxious while flying.
Clay ends up letting her have his seat, sensing her immense anxiety.
Nova, not being a sports person, has no idea that she's sitting next to basketball king, Clayton Wade, which he finds incredibly refreshing.
From there, their relationship kept making me smile, giggle, and blush a little of course!)
The ending leaves on a cliffhanger...just know that going in. Some readers have expected this to be a standalone, but it is NOT that. This whole series will be about Clay and Nova, and I'm HERE FOR IT!!
Audio Narration Review:
Lance Greenfield and Carly Robins aren't as familiar to me as some audio narrators, but I thought they did an excellent job of bringing Clay and Nova to life!
I look forward to listening to the rest of the series, and other books that these two narrate in the future!!
Behind the Scenes by Kathryn Austin
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️.5
This book was super entertaining! Which I guess is a good thing, since part of the book’s setting is the business of entertainment!
Our MCs are Ginger and Elliot. Elliot is the main contestant on a Bachelor-like finding-love type reality show, and Ginger is in charge of helping him find love. Problem is, they had a one-night-stand a year ago after the previous season wrapped and Elliot didn’t get chose. And now, even though Elliot is on the show as the one looking for love, their chemistry hasn’t gone anywhere.
The tension and push and pull of their feelings for each other are so delicious, as most forbidden romances are. And they really do try to stay away from each other...but you know, forced proximity and all!
This is a great book for fans of reality TV watchers, but as someone who no longer watches reality TV, it was actually super fun to READ about it!!
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️.5
This book was super entertaining! Which I guess is a good thing, since part of the book’s setting is the business of entertainment!
Our MCs are Ginger and Elliot. Elliot is the main contestant on a Bachelor-like finding-love type reality show, and Ginger is in charge of helping him find love. Problem is, they had a one-night-stand a year ago after the previous season wrapped and Elliot didn’t get chose. And now, even though Elliot is on the show as the one looking for love, their chemistry hasn’t gone anywhere.
The tension and push and pull of their feelings for each other are so delicious, as most forbidden romances are. And they really do try to stay away from each other...but you know, forced proximity and all!
This is a great book for fans of reality TV watchers, but as someone who no longer watches reality TV, it was actually super fun to READ about it!!
The Trials of Darkness by Kathryn Breaux, Kathryn Breaux
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.0
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book was an adventure to read! It feels like the most perfect mash up of Brave, Shadow & Bone, and The Hunger Games. With a little Goblet of Fire thrown in! 😜
I loved Briar’s bada$$ery. She’s an amazing FMC, strong, courageous, and not afraid to fight for what she believes to be right. Even if it means defying her father, the King.
She’s been hidding away for years in order to keep her dark, shadow magic suppressed. However, when she comes out of hiding, she finds out there’s a lot of corruption happening in the castle. In addition to that, her father has enacted deadly trials for her hand in marriage, while having his own innocuous intentions.
My favorite part was the found family between her and some of the other trial participants. Not often do the side characters become so special to me!!
And if you need more convincing, just know that the building is IMMERSIVE, with a super unique magic system! There’s intense action, the literal DEADLIEST of trials, and did I mention lots, and lots of magic!! I absolutely loved this book and with that crazy cliffhanger at the end, I cannot WAIT for book 2!!!
Penn by Jennifer Millikin
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
“Of course it’s Penn, Daisy. For you, it’s always been Penn.”
“I was meant to love Daisy. I've loved her as a friend, and then I loved her in memory, and now I want to love her as a woman. A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are meant for.”
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️.5
Penn is the first book in author, Jennifer Millikin’s new series, Olive Township. And let me tell you, what a beginning it was!!!
Daisy St. James is all set to marry for convenience. Transactional, actually. She doesn’t think she can every truly love again, after her first true love, Penn, walked away 15 years ago.
But then, a stranger named, Peter, walks into town. And he seems very familiar to Daisy.
This book was just so incredibly wonderful, sweet, and storytelling at its finest! You will fall in love with Daisy, who is trying her best to live up to everyone else’s expectations, and Penn, who is the most cinnamony golden retriever you’ve ever met.
Their chemistry is clear from the moment Daisy meets “Peter,” and this childhood best friends to lovers fairytale will make you swoon, and giggle, and cry.
“I was meant to love Daisy. I've loved her as a friend, and then I loved her in memory, and now I want to love her as a woman. A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are meant for.”
Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️.5
Penn is the first book in author, Jennifer Millikin’s new series, Olive Township. And let me tell you, what a beginning it was!!!
Daisy St. James is all set to marry for convenience. Transactional, actually. She doesn’t think she can every truly love again, after her first true love, Penn, walked away 15 years ago.
But then, a stranger named, Peter, walks into town. And he seems very familiar to Daisy.
This book was just so incredibly wonderful, sweet, and storytelling at its finest! You will fall in love with Daisy, who is trying her best to live up to everyone else’s expectations, and Penn, who is the most cinnamony golden retriever you’ve ever met.
Their chemistry is clear from the moment Daisy meets “Peter,” and this childhood best friends to lovers fairytale will make you swoon, and giggle, and cry.