jessread_s's reviews
493 reviews

The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce

5.0

Rule Breakers Fall Hardest by Micalea Smeltzer

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? No

4.0

Thanks to the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review: A heartwarming hate to love romance! 

“Rule Breakers Fall Hardest” follows Rosie Thomas as she enters a fake marriage to help Daire Hendricks, her former childhood crush, get custody of his child. Despite their hatred for each other, the benefits of their arrangement are worth it. But what neither of them expects, is when playing house starts to feel a little too real.

The circumstances leading up to Rosie and Daire’s nuptials make their love story unique. I admire Daire’s commitment to being a father and Rosie for helping him be a part of his child’s life. Their fake marriage gave them the opportunity needed to work through past misunderstandings and repair their relationship. Smeltzer does a great job establishing that they still feel deeply for one another and their forced proximity allowed those feelings to flourish. I love how they supported each other as their new lives took shape. I lived for the moments when they became a team, like when they formed a united front to break the news about their hasty trip to the alter to their parents, worked their way through an infant CPR class together, and went shopping for the baby together. They showed up for each other, whether that be at hockey games or wedding dress appointments. Admittedly, I thought that the way Daire’s custody battle was resolved was a little too convenient, but I adore the little family Rosie, Daire, and Sammy became!

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto

5.0

Love Unwritten by Lauren Asher

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? Yes

4.25

Thank you to Valentine PR and the author providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story contains topics that may be sensitive to some readers. CW include: self harm, parental abandonment, mentions of spousal and parental abuse, parental neglect, mentions of death of a parent (off-page), vision loss.

Review: This book is like a song I’d play on repeat! 

 

“Love Unwritten” follows Rafael Lopez, a struggling workaholic, and Ellie Sinclair, a songwriter hired to watch and teach music to his son. For eight months, the two coexist without any issues until a vacation changes everything. Fourteen days. Two islands. And an undeniable attraction that blurs lines whether they like it or not. 

 

Rafael and Ellie’s love story tugged my heartstrings! The two are opposites in every way, but they could not be more perfect for each other. Asher is the queen of writing compelling characters and I could not get enough of reading from their respective points-of-view. I felt so seen by Rafael’s inclination to prioritize the happiness of others and Ellie’s fear of confrontation. 

 

“Love Unwritten” is tonally a little different from Asher’s previous books in that she broaches darker subjects like self harm and parental abandonment. I appreciate her taking great care in capturing Rafael’s trust issues and Ellie’s urge to take her emotions out on herself, detailing where those behaviors stem from and how each character copes. Through their point-of-views, the reader is privy to their internal battles and their respective journeys to healing. 

 

Rafael and Ellie’s relationship development made me so emotional! They find each other when they need each other most. Watching them become more comfortable with themselves, their pasts, and each other made my heart so happy. Throughout the trip, the two confide in each other, letting down their walls so they can love each other fully. Their love also manifests in Nico. I love how Asher dedicates time to establishing a relationship between Rafael, Ellie, and Nico. Ellie’s unconditional devotion to Nico despite having no relation to him is so wholesome and the family unit they create made the ending all the more perfect. 

The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey

4.75

Throttled by Lauren Asher

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Review: This book got me into F1 romance and I’m never looking back! 

“Throttled” follows Noah Slade, Formula 1 royalty, and Maya Alatorre, the sister of his biggest rival. Their efforts to avoid each other throughout the season become futile when press tours, sponsor events, and black-tie galas spark a forbidden attraction. Developing feelings for each other was not part of the plan, but the more time they spend together, the harder it is to stay apart. 

When I say I am obsessed with this book, I mean it. At one point I had to get a composition notebook so I could write down my favorite pages and excerpts so that I could reread them over and over again. I honestly wish I had picked this up sooner because I was giggling, swooning, and kicking my feet with giddiness through each chapter. 

Both characters have very complex internal conflicts that we see play out through dual povs. Noah struggles to live up to the impossible expectations set by his famous father, who is constantly breathing down his back. His parents’ marriage is volatile and because that’s all he’s ever known, Noah gravitates towards a playboy lifestyle. I love how his negative mindset changed when Maya became a constant in his life. She put him in his place and reminded him of what kind of relationship she was looking for whenever he overstepped. This led to him seeking out help to work through what healthy, long term relationships look like and how to set boundaries with his parents. He does this not only for a shot with Maya, but more importantly for himself. 

Maya’s dream is to step out of her older brother’s shadow and make a name for herself. At first she is unsure of what kind of career she wants to pursue, but with Santi’s support she finds her passion. Their sibling relationship is so wholesome and I enjoyed their dynamic. 

Noah and Maya as a couple are everything! They tried their darnedest to keep their distance and I smiled every time they failed. I adore how they uplifted each other, kept an open line of communication, and was captivated by their flirtatious banter. I got a feel for Sophie and Liam’s dynamic in this one and l am looking forward to seeing how it develops in “Collided”. 

Icon and Inferno by Marie Lu

adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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

4.5

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Review: Lu delivers on a thrilling and romantic follow up to “Stars and Smoke”! 

 

“Icon and Inferno” follows Sydney Cossette and Winter Young as they reunite to rescue a compromised agent, uncover an assassination attempt, and prevent a war from happening. To make it out alive, they’ll have to figure out how to be partners again—and if they can resist something more. 

 

The stakes are higher in this book with the threat of a world war on the horizon. I found myself holding my breath at all times as I tried to anticipate what would happen next and what forces would tear Sydney and Winter apart. The action sequences, fast-paced narrative, and jaw-dropping cliffhangers made it impossible to put this one down. What’s more, with Sydney and Winter having grown attached to each other after their mission in London, there is an added layer of pressure as they try not to let their feelings get in the way of their objective. The introduction of both Sydney and Winter’s exes only amplifies the tension between them. Their partnership is tested, but they ultimately come out stronger than ever in the end. Despite how different their lives are with Winter in the spotlight and Sydney in the shadows, they can’t help but gravitate towards each other and I could not get enough of their relationship. 

 

I should have known better than to think I wouldn’t shed a couple tears…this is a Marie Lu book after all. I’ve grown so attached to Sydney and Winter as characters across both serials, so watching them experience hardships and undergo growth made me so emotional. In this book, we get more on their respective backstories with Winter’s manipulative father trying to blackmail his way back to into his life and Sydney reflecting on her own abusive father as her father figure prepares to retire from Panacea. Marie Lu handles tough subjects with care and manages to mold her characters into real people. 

 

The Warcross easter eggs in this book made me so happy, but perhaps not so much as the ending! I hope another installment is in the works. Keep them coming!

If We Ever Meet Again by Ana Huang

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Review: I DEVOURED this opposites attract, study abroad romance! 

 

“If We Ever Meet Again” follows 19-year-old Farrah Lin as she falls a cocky blond athlete with the world’s biggest ego during her time abroad in Shanghai, all while knowing she's leaving in less than a year. 

 

This duet is tonally different from her “Twisted” and “Kings of Sin” series and I loved it all the more for that! 

 

Huang masterfully develops Farrah and Blake’s relationship from strangers-to-friends-to lovers across the span of seven months. The pacing was so natural with Huang skipping overly mundane moments in favor of focusing on the most integral parts of their relationship as it formed—like their first kiss, their first moment of physical intimacy, and the first time they said “I love you.” In doing so, Huang kept me engaged and further invested me in Blake and Farrah’s sweeping romance. Huang also perfectly balances steamier scenes with more wholesome ones, which I really appreciated. 

 

Just as I entered a stated of bliss, everything crumbled right before my very eyes. I knew it was coming (as made clear by the prologue), yet it still snuck up on me and left me feeling heartbroken. So much of the book is dedicated to their friendship and romantic chemistry that it just felt so wrong for everything to come undone as quickly as it did. The brief chapter written from Sammy’s point-of-view is what really wrecked me. Now I have no choice but to cling to Huang’s promise that there will be a happily ever after for Blake and Farrah when they meet again in “If the Sun Never Sets” because I’m convinced they are soulmates!

One Night by Lena Hendrix

4.25

Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose

5.0