jenngrandreads's reviews
558 reviews

Santa Monica Baby by Kelly Reynolds

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

If you’re looking for a fun, fluffy, spicy, holiday read that can be read in one sitting, this is a great one! It’s the third book in Kelly Reynolds’ “Holidays in LA” series, and it has realistic characters you’ll love, sizzling steam, and holiday fun! It was a great time for sure!! 

The Christmas List by Maren Moore

emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

Maren describes her Holiday Novella series, Strawberry Hollow, as “Hallmark after dark.” And I couldn’t love this description more!! 

I can’t believe this was my FIRST Maren book, but it definitely won’t be my last! I loved everything about this book...the characters, the second chance romance, the chemistry, the single dad, did I mention THE CHEMISTRY?! Whew! Maren knows how to write GOOD sizzle!! These characters were so wonderful, I wish they were real!! 

This will definitely be a holiday novella I go back to year after year!!

Lion of Zarall by Eddy Rose

adventurous dark emotional 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

5.0

Eddy Rose’s debut gladiator fantasy, Lion of Zarall is AMAZING. It’s different from anything I’ve ever read before…low romance, high action and intensity, but I loved every page!

Lion is a “purebread” slave…bred specifically for complete and utter obedience and arena fighting.

He’s a brute, but you will still fall in love with him. I don’t want to give anything away, just trust me when I say Eddy Rose is one to keep your eye on. She’s going to go places with her writing!!! She’s also one of the sweetest and nicest authors I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know while reading/hyping her book.

This is such an intriguing book! It’s very different from anything I’ve ever read before, and I loved it! It’s Gladiator meets Crescent City, and even though the romance isn’t the main story, I ate it up. Not to mention that Eddy Rose has quickly become one of my most favorite Aussies!! I love rooting for books when I can call the author friend!! This book is FABULOUS, and I cannot WAIT for more!!!

Merry Kissmas by Piper Rayne

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? No

4.0

I’m in my Hallmark-movie book era, and Merry Kissmas was a FABULOUS choice!! This is a one-night-stand, 6 years later second chance romance! Brynn is a witty, sassy, firecracker of a girl, while Pierce is everything you’d want in a British MMC. Basically, a total heartthrob!! (And even better with his British accent on audio!!!!)

This book is the cozy, Christmas, feel-good novella we all need this time of year!!

Broken Harbor by Catherine Cowles

emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective tense 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

There is not enough space here to tell you just how much I adored this book. Catherine is the QUEEN of romantic suspense, a genre I had previously read very little of. 

This is the 2nd book in the Sparrow Falls series I’ve read, and I’ve been obsessed with them both!! (Yes I skipped book 2 so I could listen to this ALC, don’t tell Catherine ;) ) 

Cope and Sutton’s story is so sweet. Cope is Sutton’s son, Luca’s hockey coach and it just gets better from there. Cope is so protective of Sutton, loves Luca like his own right off the bat, and Sutton is simply the best ever. 

The found family aspect of this book is probably one of my very favorite ever of that trope.

Other tropes:
- Romantic suspense
- Single mom
- Hockey hero
- Hilarious grandma
- He spoils her
- Woman on the run

If you haven't read Catherine Cowles yet, DO IT NOW!!!!!!

Forever Wild by Rebecca Jenshak

emotional funny 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

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Don’t judge me, but this was my first Wildcat Hockey book. BUT now I’m OBVIOUSLY going to go back and read books 1-4 IMMEDIATELY!! In addition to all of Rebecca’s other books!! She’s amazing!!! 

And this book is no different. I absolutely LOVED Jack and Everly’s chemistry, banter, and grumpy/sun-shininess were EVERYTHING. 

If you love hockey romances, or just sports romance, or heck, ROMANCES in general, you NEED to read this series!!! Do it. NOW!

First Light by Elizabeth Hunter

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I don’t even know where to start with this book. I loved everything about it! The Celtic mythology, the love triangle, the parallel worlds, and my favorite, THE DRAGONS. I mean really that should be all you need to know to be convinced to pick this up NOW and read it NOW!!!

Tropes: 
- DRAGONS!!!!!
- Love triangle
- Celtic mythology
- Portal fantasy/parallel worlds
- He falls first
- Forbidden love
- Crazy twist ending!!

SUCH a fun book!! Everyone needs to read this!!!!

Until We Touch by Lilly Henderson

funny 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

I think this might be my favorite of the “Until” books!! Both MCs are flawed and relatable, and their chemistry is OFF THE CHARTS!! I also love when authors hint at future characters in previous books, which we got with Jack in previous Until books!! Definitely recommend this book, and the whole “Until” series!!

Finding Hayes by Laura Pavlov

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

Finding Hayes was the most perfect conclusion to this amazing Magnolia Falls series! Savannah and Hayes have amazing chemistry, and I’m always a sucker for grumpy x sunshine! I haven’t read the whole series, but I definitely will now! Laura Pavlov has won over my heart with Beating Heart and Finding Hayes!

Make My Heart Malt by Gia Stevens

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

"While I couldn't catch the ball to win the championship, maybe I can finally catch the girl. The one who should have been mine all those years ago."

This was my first Gia Stevens book, but now I want to read the first book in the series, as well as EVERY OTHER book she's written!! It was everything you'd want in a sweet romcom...best friend's brother with a twist, tension, banter, spice, and an HEA of course :) 

Dessa and Garrett's story is similar to some, childhood best friends, with one of them (Garrett) having unrequited feelings for the other. But then his brother kisses Dessa, and all his plans go awry. Now, a decade later, he realizes his feelings have never gone away, however, if he wants Dessa to be his, he has a LOT to make up for. 

Seriously such a sweet and fun read. I would highly recommend!!