Scan barcode
justmevictoria's reviews
469 reviews
Dr. Perfect by Louise Bay
4.0
Being snowed-in with the grumpy boss wasn’t in her plans…
With her sights set on attending Le Cordon Bleu, all Ellie needs to do is work at Dr Zach Cove’s new private practice for nineteen months and then she’s free to finally embark on her life-long dream. But as the weeks go by with no patients, she’s starting to get a little antsy, especially when Zach doesn’t appear to be trying very hard to get his practice up and running, despite spending all day in his office. When Zach dashes off to Scotland unexpectedly, she’s soon tasked with getting some important documents delivered to him within the next day or two. Only problem is, no courier service can get it to him in such a short amount of time - so it’s off to Scotland and the remote island that Zach has holed himself up on. It was meant to be a quick stop to deliver the documents, but with a snowstorm bearing down and the ferry sporadically operating, Ellie and Zach soon find themselves living together in a cozy one-bedroom cottage as they wait for the storm to pass. Having escaped to Scotland to finish writing his first ever novel, having a houseguest wasn’t on Zach‘s agenda. But having Ellie keeping him company and well-fed has been a welcome change to his plans, making is so much easier to write the romance subplot his agent had suggested his book needed. They hardly spoke while in the office together, but now they have all the time in the world to get to know each other, and the snow-covered cottage is exactly what was needed to make the chemistry between them sizzle.
I adored getting to know a little about the rest of the Cove siblings during Jacob‘s story in book one, and Zach was the character I was most excited to get to follow next, so I’m glad he had book two! Although, I’m excited to get to know more about all the Cove family throughout the rest of the series.
Ellie and Zach had some cute chemistry, although I wish there was a little bit more of a build-up in their connection prior to them being confined to a snow-swept cottage - it’s clear they both had a bit of an attraction to one another, but we didn’t really get to see that played out on the page too much before they gave into that attraction. In saying that, once they were together, they had a really great chemistry.
You know what I really want to see? Zach’s hospital murder mystery book as an actual book! From what we hear about the book as Zach works on edits, I’d be pretty interested in actually reading the book - can we please have a Rainbow Rowell moment where the fictional book mentioned in the book actually becomes a real book? It would be much appreciated!
A trigger warning for mentions of previous emotional abuse when it comes to Ellie and her ex, which we do get to see a little of on-page. Louise ensure there is a great moment where Ellie finally stands up for herself against her ex, realising how manipulative he had been and that she never needs to feel that manipulation again.
While there are less Grey’s Anatomy vibes in this installment, if you’re a sucker for doctor and workplace romances, with a generous serving of forced proximity, this is certainly one to slot into your TBR!
With her sights set on attending Le Cordon Bleu, all Ellie needs to do is work at Dr Zach Cove’s new private practice for nineteen months and then she’s free to finally embark on her life-long dream. But as the weeks go by with no patients, she’s starting to get a little antsy, especially when Zach doesn’t appear to be trying very hard to get his practice up and running, despite spending all day in his office. When Zach dashes off to Scotland unexpectedly, she’s soon tasked with getting some important documents delivered to him within the next day or two. Only problem is, no courier service can get it to him in such a short amount of time - so it’s off to Scotland and the remote island that Zach has holed himself up on. It was meant to be a quick stop to deliver the documents, but with a snowstorm bearing down and the ferry sporadically operating, Ellie and Zach soon find themselves living together in a cozy one-bedroom cottage as they wait for the storm to pass. Having escaped to Scotland to finish writing his first ever novel, having a houseguest wasn’t on Zach‘s agenda. But having Ellie keeping him company and well-fed has been a welcome change to his plans, making is so much easier to write the romance subplot his agent had suggested his book needed. They hardly spoke while in the office together, but now they have all the time in the world to get to know each other, and the snow-covered cottage is exactly what was needed to make the chemistry between them sizzle.
I adored getting to know a little about the rest of the Cove siblings during Jacob‘s story in book one, and Zach was the character I was most excited to get to follow next, so I’m glad he had book two! Although, I’m excited to get to know more about all the Cove family throughout the rest of the series.
Ellie and Zach had some cute chemistry, although I wish there was a little bit more of a build-up in their connection prior to them being confined to a snow-swept cottage - it’s clear they both had a bit of an attraction to one another, but we didn’t really get to see that played out on the page too much before they gave into that attraction. In saying that, once they were together, they had a really great chemistry.
You know what I really want to see? Zach’s hospital murder mystery book as an actual book! From what we hear about the book as Zach works on edits, I’d be pretty interested in actually reading the book - can we please have a Rainbow Rowell moment where the fictional book mentioned in the book actually becomes a real book? It would be much appreciated!
A trigger warning for mentions of previous emotional abuse when it comes to Ellie and her ex, which we do get to see a little of on-page. Louise ensure there is a great moment where Ellie finally stands up for herself against her ex, realising how manipulative he had been and that she never needs to feel that manipulation again.
While there are less Grey’s Anatomy vibes in this installment, if you’re a sucker for doctor and workplace romances, with a generous serving of forced proximity, this is certainly one to slot into your TBR!
Four Night Stand by Georgia Moore
3.5
This book was kindly sent to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
What happens at the conference, stays at the conference… right?
For months now, Jules has been swooning over a guy in different department at the publishing house she works at. She’s never met him and doesn’t even know what he looks like. But his voice, humour, and music taste has her crushing on him hard whenever he calls for IT help. When she’s asked to attend a conference to fill in for her boss, she’s excited at the prospect of finding new inspiration in a role she’s starting to feel is becoming stale. And adding to the excitement is meeting her conference buddy, Cam, who just happens to be her unseen office crush. The pair are excited by the prospect of finally getting to know one another, but things take an awkward turn on the drive from Canberra to Sydney when Jules mentions having a ‘conference fling’, a suggestion by her besties to finally get back on the horse. The last thing she expects is Cam to agree to be her fling for the four days of the conference. But between meddling siblings, former colleagues and long-held feelings, it’s not long before the lines between a fling and something more are blurred, and Cam and Jules are soon faced with the reality of leaving the conference bubble.
Office and workplace romances are an absolute VIBE! Georgia’s debut novel serves up everything to love about a workplace romance but make is Aussie! This was such an easy and fun romance, with a healthy splash of spice, as we take the romance out of the office to a conference where anything goes for those four days of the conference…
I was hoping for so much out of this book, but it just didn’t really hit the spot - it felt like it was missing something, but I can’t really put my finger on what that was. Cam and Jules had some sweet chemistry, but I kind of wish we had gotten to see a little of their relationship and connection when they were just flirting over the phone before they met face-to-face. At times, their pairing didn’t quiet hit the mark, but I think it could have been better had we truly seen the evolution of their relationship, rather than just hearing about that initial connection after the fact - two co-workers falling in love over the phone, having never met in person, then they find out they’re spending the week at a conference together? THAT’S the kind of office romance that’s swoon-worthy! We skipped over the feet-kicking fluff that would have added so much more to Cam and Jules’ story.
In saying that, once we got into everything, Cam and Jules did have some sweet chemistry, some very swoony moments, and plenty of spice, which you would definitely expect in a book about colleagues hooking up while at a work conference! Out of the bedroom, the pair have an easy banter and a massive love of 80s synth-pop. Their drawn-out miscommunication about the parameters of their relationship did bring down their chemistry a little, but I enjoyed how their stories came together in the end.
Now, while I read mostly books set in first person, I’m not opposed to romance written in 3rd person. But recently, a tweet went around the book community where someone was complaining about not knowing that a book was written in third person and present tense, and that they couldn’t read and enjoy the book because of it. I hadn’t really given much thought to how a POV is written in terms of person and tense, but I couldn’t help but notice it when reading this, which did annoy me a little - I definitely wouldn’t have given it a second thought had it not been a talking point in the book community recently! I couldn’t totally vibe with the writing, and I don’t know if that’s down to Georgia’s writing style or being overly aware of the person/tense it was written in… I’ll have to give Georgia another go with her next release!
If you’re a sucker for workplace romances and what to get some more romance set in Australia on your TBR, this is one you definitely need to check out!
What happens at the conference, stays at the conference… right?
For months now, Jules has been swooning over a guy in different department at the publishing house she works at. She’s never met him and doesn’t even know what he looks like. But his voice, humour, and music taste has her crushing on him hard whenever he calls for IT help. When she’s asked to attend a conference to fill in for her boss, she’s excited at the prospect of finding new inspiration in a role she’s starting to feel is becoming stale. And adding to the excitement is meeting her conference buddy, Cam, who just happens to be her unseen office crush. The pair are excited by the prospect of finally getting to know one another, but things take an awkward turn on the drive from Canberra to Sydney when Jules mentions having a ‘conference fling’, a suggestion by her besties to finally get back on the horse. The last thing she expects is Cam to agree to be her fling for the four days of the conference. But between meddling siblings, former colleagues and long-held feelings, it’s not long before the lines between a fling and something more are blurred, and Cam and Jules are soon faced with the reality of leaving the conference bubble.
Office and workplace romances are an absolute VIBE! Georgia’s debut novel serves up everything to love about a workplace romance but make is Aussie! This was such an easy and fun romance, with a healthy splash of spice, as we take the romance out of the office to a conference where anything goes for those four days of the conference…
I was hoping for so much out of this book, but it just didn’t really hit the spot - it felt like it was missing something, but I can’t really put my finger on what that was. Cam and Jules had some sweet chemistry, but I kind of wish we had gotten to see a little of their relationship and connection when they were just flirting over the phone before they met face-to-face. At times, their pairing didn’t quiet hit the mark, but I think it could have been better had we truly seen the evolution of their relationship, rather than just hearing about that initial connection after the fact - two co-workers falling in love over the phone, having never met in person, then they find out they’re spending the week at a conference together? THAT’S the kind of office romance that’s swoon-worthy! We skipped over the feet-kicking fluff that would have added so much more to Cam and Jules’ story.
In saying that, once we got into everything, Cam and Jules did have some sweet chemistry, some very swoony moments, and plenty of spice, which you would definitely expect in a book about colleagues hooking up while at a work conference! Out of the bedroom, the pair have an easy banter and a massive love of 80s synth-pop. Their drawn-out miscommunication about the parameters of their relationship did bring down their chemistry a little, but I enjoyed how their stories came together in the end.
Now, while I read mostly books set in first person, I’m not opposed to romance written in 3rd person. But recently, a tweet went around the book community where someone was complaining about not knowing that a book was written in third person and present tense, and that they couldn’t read and enjoy the book because of it. I hadn’t really given much thought to how a POV is written in terms of person and tense, but I couldn’t help but notice it when reading this, which did annoy me a little - I definitely wouldn’t have given it a second thought had it not been a talking point in the book community recently! I couldn’t totally vibe with the writing, and I don’t know if that’s down to Georgia’s writing style or being overly aware of the person/tense it was written in… I’ll have to give Georgia another go with her next release!
If you’re a sucker for workplace romances and what to get some more romance set in Australia on your TBR, this is one you definitely need to check out!
Dr. Off Limits by Louise Bay
4.0
A one-night-stand is probably not the best way to meet your new boss…
With new job jitters, Sutton reluctantly agrees to go on a blind date, set up by her friend, with Beau, a doctor about to head off to Africa. It’s a win for Sutton - she gets to placate her friend while never having to see her date again. The only problem is that the date goes extremely well, ending in the bedroom. If she wasn’t about to start as a Foundation doctor at where she’s determined to give 110% and he wasn’t about to head to Africa, they could probably explore their chemistry more. As if the stress of her new job wasn’t enough, first thing Monday morning she’s greeted by a sight she didn’t think she’d see - her blind date as one of her new bosses. Turns out, Beau asked his brother Jacob to fill in for their date, and now she’ll be working under the man she hooked up with. Jacob’s one rule is to never get involved with someone in the hospital, and now the woman he’s been thinking about since their date is working in the hospital. He’s not about to break his one rule, but try as they might to stay professional, their chemistry is undeniable and the rewards of being together are starting to outweigh the risks.
Did someone say Grey’s Anatomy? This has MAJOR MerDer vibes in all the best ways, and I definitely wanted to start a rewatch once I got to the end of the book! And it’s made all the more better by actual references to Grey’s - very meta and all that! Having never read anything by Louise before, I had no idea what to expect, but this series had my name written all over it and my expectations were well and truly met with this first installment!
Sutton and Jacob had great chemistry right from the beginning and I loved following their relationship develop throughout the book, from trying to keep things 100% professional to ultimately giving into their connection, despite all their best intentions in order to protect both of their careers. The banter bantered, the spice spiced, and the swoon swooned!
I am SO excited to continue with this series and follow the rest of the Cove family - they are such a fun bunch of characters and will no doubt bring lots of laughs and swoon in Louise’s capable hands. Not only that, but I definitely need to go back and read Nathan’s book and the rest of Louise’s backlog - the best part of discovering an author when they’ve got a lot of work published means there’s SO much to catch up on while waiting for a new release!
If you have a soft spot for Grey’s Anatomy and Meridith and McDreamy, this is 100% a book you need to have on your TBR!
With new job jitters, Sutton reluctantly agrees to go on a blind date, set up by her friend, with Beau, a doctor about to head off to Africa. It’s a win for Sutton - she gets to placate her friend while never having to see her date again. The only problem is that the date goes extremely well, ending in the bedroom. If she wasn’t about to start as a Foundation doctor at where she’s determined to give 110% and he wasn’t about to head to Africa, they could probably explore their chemistry more. As if the stress of her new job wasn’t enough, first thing Monday morning she’s greeted by a sight she didn’t think she’d see - her blind date as one of her new bosses. Turns out, Beau asked his brother Jacob to fill in for their date, and now she’ll be working under the man she hooked up with. Jacob’s one rule is to never get involved with someone in the hospital, and now the woman he’s been thinking about since their date is working in the hospital. He’s not about to break his one rule, but try as they might to stay professional, their chemistry is undeniable and the rewards of being together are starting to outweigh the risks.
Did someone say Grey’s Anatomy? This has MAJOR MerDer vibes in all the best ways, and I definitely wanted to start a rewatch once I got to the end of the book! And it’s made all the more better by actual references to Grey’s - very meta and all that! Having never read anything by Louise before, I had no idea what to expect, but this series had my name written all over it and my expectations were well and truly met with this first installment!
Sutton and Jacob had great chemistry right from the beginning and I loved following their relationship develop throughout the book, from trying to keep things 100% professional to ultimately giving into their connection, despite all their best intentions in order to protect both of their careers. The banter bantered, the spice spiced, and the swoon swooned!
I am SO excited to continue with this series and follow the rest of the Cove family - they are such a fun bunch of characters and will no doubt bring lots of laughs and swoon in Louise’s capable hands. Not only that, but I definitely need to go back and read Nathan’s book and the rest of Louise’s backlog - the best part of discovering an author when they’ve got a lot of work published means there’s SO much to catch up on while waiting for a new release!
If you have a soft spot for Grey’s Anatomy and Meridith and McDreamy, this is 100% a book you need to have on your TBR!
Burnout by Rebecca Jenshak
4.0
Because the pretty pink girl always falls for the moody black bad boy…
When his bad reputation results in him without a team, motocross racer Knox Holland is unsure of what he’ll do when the new season rolls around. For the time being though, he’s trying his luck at freestyle in the hopes it’ll show his former team manager that he is a team player and deserves another chance. But freestyle isn’t as easy as his friend Colton makes it out to be. When Colton suggests training with college gymnast, with two Olympic medals under her belt, Knox thinks he’s lost the plot - what could a gymnast teach him about performing tricks on a bike. From the moment Knox and Avery met, there’s been tension beneath the surface - he’s a bad boy and she’s a princess. At least according to each other. Neither have any intention of getting into a relationship given their sights are both set on excelling in their own competitions. But as their walls break down the more they train together, they can’t help but give into their feelings and attraction for one another.
I’m ashamed to admit how long it too me to realise that Knox Holland is THE Knox Holland from Tempting The Player… Like, I knew this was another installment in Rebecca’s Valley U universe, but it just did not click for a few chapters that we had already met Knox in a previous book! So then finding out that this was the first book in a series about the rest of the Holland siblings had me every more excited about Rebecca’s books than I usually am!
Knox and Avery were oozing chemistry and sexual tension from the get-go and I could not get enough! They have such fun banter with one another, lots of swoon, and a nice sprinkling of spice. I swear each couple that Rebecca crafts is better than the last (how that is possible, I do not know) and they quickly take the top spot of her pairings. No matter what tropes she throws at her couples, even ones we’ve seen from her before, at no point does her work feel repetitive or rehashed - every couple is fun and unique, and Avery and Knox join the ranks of some of my favourites.
As always, I love getting to see previous leading couples again and seeing what their lives are like now. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times - the Valley U universe is one of my absolute favourite romance universes, and Rebecca continues to expand her world with sweet and swoony couples and a wonderful variety of sports. If you are a lover of sports and college romances, these books are an absolute MUST. I cannot wait for the rest of this series and then whatever new addition Rebecca is cooking up for this world.
Get ready to swoon for the tattooed bad boy and jump on his motorbike for an unforgettable ride!
When his bad reputation results in him without a team, motocross racer Knox Holland is unsure of what he’ll do when the new season rolls around. For the time being though, he’s trying his luck at freestyle in the hopes it’ll show his former team manager that he is a team player and deserves another chance. But freestyle isn’t as easy as his friend Colton makes it out to be. When Colton suggests training with college gymnast, with two Olympic medals under her belt, Knox thinks he’s lost the plot - what could a gymnast teach him about performing tricks on a bike. From the moment Knox and Avery met, there’s been tension beneath the surface - he’s a bad boy and she’s a princess. At least according to each other. Neither have any intention of getting into a relationship given their sights are both set on excelling in their own competitions. But as their walls break down the more they train together, they can’t help but give into their feelings and attraction for one another.
I’m ashamed to admit how long it too me to realise that Knox Holland is THE Knox Holland from Tempting The Player… Like, I knew this was another installment in Rebecca’s Valley U universe, but it just did not click for a few chapters that we had already met Knox in a previous book! So then finding out that this was the first book in a series about the rest of the Holland siblings had me every more excited about Rebecca’s books than I usually am!
Knox and Avery were oozing chemistry and sexual tension from the get-go and I could not get enough! They have such fun banter with one another, lots of swoon, and a nice sprinkling of spice. I swear each couple that Rebecca crafts is better than the last (how that is possible, I do not know) and they quickly take the top spot of her pairings. No matter what tropes she throws at her couples, even ones we’ve seen from her before, at no point does her work feel repetitive or rehashed - every couple is fun and unique, and Avery and Knox join the ranks of some of my favourites.
As always, I love getting to see previous leading couples again and seeing what their lives are like now. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times - the Valley U universe is one of my absolute favourite romance universes, and Rebecca continues to expand her world with sweet and swoony couples and a wonderful variety of sports. If you are a lover of sports and college romances, these books are an absolute MUST. I cannot wait for the rest of this series and then whatever new addition Rebecca is cooking up for this world.
Get ready to swoon for the tattooed bad boy and jump on his motorbike for an unforgettable ride!
Fluffing the Stallion by Stormi Reed
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
When an unexpected job leads to an awakening and true love…
With his final semester upon him, Clay is in desperate need of cash in order to pay his tuition, otherwise the past four years have been for nothing if he can’t finish and get his degree. Seeing his desperation, his roommate Dario suggests a well-paying job with a mate in the video distribution business - a job as a fluffer. Clay has no idea about fluffing cushions, but if it means getting paid, he’ll do anything. Except, the job isn’t the type of fluffing he’s imagining - his job, should he choose to take it, is to keep a top-earning adult film star ready to go while he films. Giving another guy a handjob isn’t something he ever thought about, but when he meets Yuri, aka the Houston Stallion, he’s drawn to this handsome man and the massive goods he’s sporting. Not the mention the hefty paycheck that each session grants him. As he goes about his job, Clay begins questioning what all these new feelings and thoughts mean. What he doesn’t expect is the Stallion to set his eyes on him when he could have any man he wanted.
Stormi has served up a short and spicy coming-out romance that is super low angst - a nice change from the more angst-driven romances that you typically find, particularly those that explore a character’s sexuality and coming out. It’s an easy read that was exactly as anticipated - fast-paced and steamy with the right amount of sweet and swoon to balance things out.
There was great chemistry between Clay and Yuri from the outset and it was great to follow their deepening connection throughout the story. Their story is very much an insta-love one with very low angst, which is refreshing to read about. However, considering Clay was coming to terms with his sexuality, something that he had never questioned previously, it did seem a bit much that he’d be going from 0 to 60 so quickly. Had the story been a tad longer, it would have been nice to slow down and allow the characters to explore this new territory for Clay. But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed a queer coming out story being so carefree and positive.
Stormi shone a really positive light on sex workers - no one was ashamed of the work and Clay was super supportive of Yuri’s work, even when they started dating. Even as those outside of Clay and Yuri’s circle recognised or found out, they were all really positive about their work. The only thing I wish we had actually seen more was Clay in his role as fluffer - it didn’t really as large of a part in the development in their relationship as I was expecting it to.
There was a really fun cast of characters that we got introduced to in terms of Clay and Yuri’s friends and colleagues, so I’ll be interested to see if Stormi has any plans for them or if this is entirely a standalone. Stormi also writes as RS McKenzie, so I definitely want to go check out more of her stuff in the meantime!
If you’re looking for your next spicy m/m romance, look no further than this swoony and spicy read!
With his final semester upon him, Clay is in desperate need of cash in order to pay his tuition, otherwise the past four years have been for nothing if he can’t finish and get his degree. Seeing his desperation, his roommate Dario suggests a well-paying job with a mate in the video distribution business - a job as a fluffer. Clay has no idea about fluffing cushions, but if it means getting paid, he’ll do anything. Except, the job isn’t the type of fluffing he’s imagining - his job, should he choose to take it, is to keep a top-earning adult film star ready to go while he films. Giving another guy a handjob isn’t something he ever thought about, but when he meets Yuri, aka the Houston Stallion, he’s drawn to this handsome man and the massive goods he’s sporting. Not the mention the hefty paycheck that each session grants him. As he goes about his job, Clay begins questioning what all these new feelings and thoughts mean. What he doesn’t expect is the Stallion to set his eyes on him when he could have any man he wanted.
Stormi has served up a short and spicy coming-out romance that is super low angst - a nice change from the more angst-driven romances that you typically find, particularly those that explore a character’s sexuality and coming out. It’s an easy read that was exactly as anticipated - fast-paced and steamy with the right amount of sweet and swoon to balance things out.
There was great chemistry between Clay and Yuri from the outset and it was great to follow their deepening connection throughout the story. Their story is very much an insta-love one with very low angst, which is refreshing to read about. However, considering Clay was coming to terms with his sexuality, something that he had never questioned previously, it did seem a bit much that he’d be going from 0 to 60 so quickly. Had the story been a tad longer, it would have been nice to slow down and allow the characters to explore this new territory for Clay. But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed a queer coming out story being so carefree and positive.
Stormi shone a really positive light on sex workers - no one was ashamed of the work and Clay was super supportive of Yuri’s work, even when they started dating. Even as those outside of Clay and Yuri’s circle recognised or found out, they were all really positive about their work. The only thing I wish we had actually seen more was Clay in his role as fluffer - it didn’t really as large of a part in the development in their relationship as I was expecting it to.
There was a really fun cast of characters that we got introduced to in terms of Clay and Yuri’s friends and colleagues, so I’ll be interested to see if Stormi has any plans for them or if this is entirely a standalone. Stormi also writes as RS McKenzie, so I definitely want to go check out more of her stuff in the meantime!
If you’re looking for your next spicy m/m romance, look no further than this swoony and spicy read!
Runaway Love by Melanie Harlow
4.5
Turns out interviewing for a nanny job in your wedding dress could just be the answer…
Moments before walking down the aisle, Veronica Sutton finds that her soon-to-be husband has been cheating on her. It’s the final straw for a relationship that has resulted in Veronica losing so much of who she is. So, still dressed for saying “I do”, she hightails it out of the wedding venue and finds herself at a diner in Cherry Tree Harbor. The locals welcome her with open arms, going so far as to offer her a job - nannying for single dad Austin Buckley. Unfortunately, Austin isn’t about to hire a woman with zero childcare experience who rocks up on his doorstep wearing a wedding dress. But with his sister heading off on an archaeological excavation for the summer, an inability to let his dad do all the work in their business, and literally zero other prospective nanny’s lining up, he agrees to hire her, especially once he learns that she literally has nothing now that’s she’s left her fiancé. There’s an undeniable attraction between the two of them, but neither are going to cross the boss/employee line. Until the kids are off visiting their mother for a week and suddenly all bets are off. With Veronica heading back to New York at the end of the summer, they have to make their time together count and figure out if this is truly for forever, or just a casual summer fling.
There’s something about the single dad/nanny trope that I just ADORE, and Melanie gave it her all with this introduction to Cherry Tree Harbor and the Buckley family! I’ve never read any of Melanie’s books before but I was instantly sucked into the lives of these characters and could not put this book down - had it not been 3am and my sleepy eyes betraying me, I 100% would have finished this in one sitting!
Austin and Veronica had instant chemistry that really just oozed off the page. I loved their romance from the get-go, with all the forced proximity and the grumpy dad who melts for his children. Their relationship is sweet, spice and all things nice, all wrapped up in a nice grumpy/sunshine ribbon! The swoon was swoony and the spice was spicing, and there was plenty of little feet kicks!
One of the things I love about the single parent/nanny trope is watching the single parent fall more and more in love with the nanny as they watch the nanny fall in love with their children. Veronica had such a fun relationship with Austin’s 7-year-old twins from the moment they met, and getting to see their connections grow throughout the book was just as fun as the romance.
And obviously, this whole series centres around the Buckley family, and we got a nice little introduction to the rest of the siblings, especially Mabel and Xander, who will be getting the next book. Definitely excited to continue exploring all that Cherry Tree Harbor has to offer and get to know more of all these characters - the personalities of Cherry Tree Harbor are certainly interesting!
For all my small town romance girlies, this is certainly one to add to your list, especially if you LOVE single dads, the nanny, and grumpy/sunshine!
Moments before walking down the aisle, Veronica Sutton finds that her soon-to-be husband has been cheating on her. It’s the final straw for a relationship that has resulted in Veronica losing so much of who she is. So, still dressed for saying “I do”, she hightails it out of the wedding venue and finds herself at a diner in Cherry Tree Harbor. The locals welcome her with open arms, going so far as to offer her a job - nannying for single dad Austin Buckley. Unfortunately, Austin isn’t about to hire a woman with zero childcare experience who rocks up on his doorstep wearing a wedding dress. But with his sister heading off on an archaeological excavation for the summer, an inability to let his dad do all the work in their business, and literally zero other prospective nanny’s lining up, he agrees to hire her, especially once he learns that she literally has nothing now that’s she’s left her fiancé. There’s an undeniable attraction between the two of them, but neither are going to cross the boss/employee line. Until the kids are off visiting their mother for a week and suddenly all bets are off. With Veronica heading back to New York at the end of the summer, they have to make their time together count and figure out if this is truly for forever, or just a casual summer fling.
There’s something about the single dad/nanny trope that I just ADORE, and Melanie gave it her all with this introduction to Cherry Tree Harbor and the Buckley family! I’ve never read any of Melanie’s books before but I was instantly sucked into the lives of these characters and could not put this book down - had it not been 3am and my sleepy eyes betraying me, I 100% would have finished this in one sitting!
Austin and Veronica had instant chemistry that really just oozed off the page. I loved their romance from the get-go, with all the forced proximity and the grumpy dad who melts for his children. Their relationship is sweet, spice and all things nice, all wrapped up in a nice grumpy/sunshine ribbon! The swoon was swoony and the spice was spicing, and there was plenty of little feet kicks!
One of the things I love about the single parent/nanny trope is watching the single parent fall more and more in love with the nanny as they watch the nanny fall in love with their children. Veronica had such a fun relationship with Austin’s 7-year-old twins from the moment they met, and getting to see their connections grow throughout the book was just as fun as the romance.
And obviously, this whole series centres around the Buckley family, and we got a nice little introduction to the rest of the siblings, especially Mabel and Xander, who will be getting the next book. Definitely excited to continue exploring all that Cherry Tree Harbor has to offer and get to know more of all these characters - the personalities of Cherry Tree Harbor are certainly interesting!
For all my small town romance girlies, this is certainly one to add to your list, especially if you LOVE single dads, the nanny, and grumpy/sunshine!
Lassoed Love by Elle Mariah
4.5
A second chance with the grumpy cowboy with a heart of gold…
Returning to her hometown of Wattle Creek, Isla Thompson is ready for a fresh start back home when she takes over the local vet clinic. Reacquainting herself with small-town life, spending time with her bestie Imogen, and building up the courage to reconnect with her estranged father, the last thing she expects is to see Xavier Mitchell quiet so soon when he arrives at the clinic with his horse. Isla has always had a bit of a soft-spot for Xavier, but he and his friends were dicks to her in highschool, so no matter how gorgeous he looks, even twelve years later, she’s not interested in him more than treating his sick horse. For Xavier, he’s always seen Isla as different to the rest of the girls, and that’s still the case all these years later. She’s as snarky and sassy as ever, and despite his best intentions, he can’t help but want to get to know her. Isla doesn’t want a bar of of Xavier, but she too is drawn to this grown version of the boy she crushed on. Constantly drawn into each other’s orbits, there’s no denying their connection as they both open themselves up to second chances and finding love and happiness where they least expect it.
Elle absolutely knocked it out of the park with this debut! Y’all know I’ve been in my yeehaw era this year, and I loved getting all the swoony & spicy small-town vibes that US authors churn out with an Aussie twist. Elle delivered the best of both worlds when it comes to traditional Aussie rural romance and spicy US small-town & cowboy romance, and I need more Australian authors to deliver some swoony Aussie goodness!
Xavier and Isla had some sizzling chemistry, even when they both tried to ignore one another, and constantly bickering. Their progression into a relationship, and the road bumps they had to overcome felt so real and natural, and I loved following them throughout the book. Frenemies to lovers can be a tricky trope to balance, and while I struggled a little in the beginning with Isla and Xavier’s dynamic, their chemistry soon won out and I was sucked into their world and their love story.
The rest of the cast of characters were also so fun, and I really enjoyed getting to know them through Xavier and Isla’s eyes. In particular, I loved seeing Xavier’s relationship with his siblings and friends, and how easily Isla slotted into that dynamic, adding another layer to their relationship. With another four books coming in this series, I am very excited to get to know all these characters better, while also getting to spend more time in Wattle Creek.
And the spice? Oh the spice spiced EXTREMELY well. When you start things off with a “fuck it” moment, you know you’re in for the good stuff! Oh and speaking of language, I appreciate Elle cramming a “fuck” into conversations as much as possible, because it’s very Australian to use the f-bomb to emphasise everything, rather than it being a derogatory term. Also there’s a very on-point see you next Tuesday. The Australian-isms Australianed hard too, which I also loved!
As someone with experience of a family member suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia, I really appreciated seeing Elle portray that on-page, and the heartache that comes with seeing someone you love suffering that way. Things got super emotional near the end of the book, and I really wasn’t anticipating crying as much as I did - I know I cry easily in books, but it made me realise that I haven’t cried that much in the books I’ve read this year, until now.
Also Elle’s playlist for this book is stellar and really helps embodies the vibe of the Xavier and Isla’s story - more authors need to not only include a playlist (linked to Spotify, obvs) at the beginning of the book, but also songs attached to each chapter! It was a really nice touch and added another layer to the whole story.
If you LOVE small town and cowboy romances, get ready to dive into the Australian farming community for everything you love about swoony cowboy romances with the heart that only comes from Aussies. I cannot wait to return to Wattle Creek and the fall in love with even more of these fun characters.
Returning to her hometown of Wattle Creek, Isla Thompson is ready for a fresh start back home when she takes over the local vet clinic. Reacquainting herself with small-town life, spending time with her bestie Imogen, and building up the courage to reconnect with her estranged father, the last thing she expects is to see Xavier Mitchell quiet so soon when he arrives at the clinic with his horse. Isla has always had a bit of a soft-spot for Xavier, but he and his friends were dicks to her in highschool, so no matter how gorgeous he looks, even twelve years later, she’s not interested in him more than treating his sick horse. For Xavier, he’s always seen Isla as different to the rest of the girls, and that’s still the case all these years later. She’s as snarky and sassy as ever, and despite his best intentions, he can’t help but want to get to know her. Isla doesn’t want a bar of of Xavier, but she too is drawn to this grown version of the boy she crushed on. Constantly drawn into each other’s orbits, there’s no denying their connection as they both open themselves up to second chances and finding love and happiness where they least expect it.
Elle absolutely knocked it out of the park with this debut! Y’all know I’ve been in my yeehaw era this year, and I loved getting all the swoony & spicy small-town vibes that US authors churn out with an Aussie twist. Elle delivered the best of both worlds when it comes to traditional Aussie rural romance and spicy US small-town & cowboy romance, and I need more Australian authors to deliver some swoony Aussie goodness!
Xavier and Isla had some sizzling chemistry, even when they both tried to ignore one another, and constantly bickering. Their progression into a relationship, and the road bumps they had to overcome felt so real and natural, and I loved following them throughout the book. Frenemies to lovers can be a tricky trope to balance, and while I struggled a little in the beginning with Isla and Xavier’s dynamic, their chemistry soon won out and I was sucked into their world and their love story.
The rest of the cast of characters were also so fun, and I really enjoyed getting to know them through Xavier and Isla’s eyes. In particular, I loved seeing Xavier’s relationship with his siblings and friends, and how easily Isla slotted into that dynamic, adding another layer to their relationship. With another four books coming in this series, I am very excited to get to know all these characters better, while also getting to spend more time in Wattle Creek.
And the spice? Oh the spice spiced EXTREMELY well. When you start things off with a “fuck it” moment, you know you’re in for the good stuff! Oh and speaking of language, I appreciate Elle cramming a “fuck” into conversations as much as possible, because it’s very Australian to use the f-bomb to emphasise everything, rather than it being a derogatory term. Also there’s a very on-point see you next Tuesday. The Australian-isms Australianed hard too, which I also loved!
As someone with experience of a family member suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia, I really appreciated seeing Elle portray that on-page, and the heartache that comes with seeing someone you love suffering that way. Things got super emotional near the end of the book, and I really wasn’t anticipating crying as much as I did - I know I cry easily in books, but it made me realise that I haven’t cried that much in the books I’ve read this year, until now.
Also Elle’s playlist for this book is stellar and really helps embodies the vibe of the Xavier and Isla’s story - more authors need to not only include a playlist (linked to Spotify, obvs) at the beginning of the book, but also songs attached to each chapter! It was a really nice touch and added another layer to the whole story.
If you LOVE small town and cowboy romances, get ready to dive into the Australian farming community for everything you love about swoony cowboy romances with the heart that only comes from Aussies. I cannot wait to return to Wattle Creek and the fall in love with even more of these fun characters.
More Than Clickbait by Philippa Young
4.5
This book was kindly sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
A fresh start on a cruise ship leads to some unforgettable experiences…
After being given the extreme villain edit on a reality dating show, Gemma Harvey has escaped to cruise ship crew life alongside her brother Oscar and his girlfriend Eliza. It’s world’s away from her life as an influencer and she hopes that none of the guests recognise and expose her. Plus, being on the Neptune finally puts her in the path of Eliza’s friend Tom Parks, who she’s been crushing on since the moment he popped up in Oscar’s photo stream. Delaying his return to the ship, Tom is immediately drawn to Gemma - or Megan - and after an unforgettable first night together in the most unexpected place, he knows this is a women he needs to get to know. When Harvey offers Gemma’s social media services to Tom, who is trying to maintain a comedy presence on TikTok while on the ship, it’s the perfect chance to spend quality time with her. But Gemma, rightfully, has some walls up, and Oscar isn’t afraid to tell Tom to not hook up with his sister. No matter the obstacles though, Tom knows that Gemma is it for him, he just has to prove that to her, no matter what anyone says.
When the first chapter features an orgy, you know damn well you’re in for an unputdownable read! I absolutely ADORED More Than Shipmates and the swoony and spicy crewmate shenanigans that Philippa put the characters through, and she followed all that up with another fabulous romp on what has to be the horniest ship sailing the high seas! THIS is what cruiseships need to be using as advertisements to get people to apply to be crewmates, because they’d be inundated with applications in the blink of an eye!
After everything that Tom went through in book one, I was very excited to see him get the happily ever after he deserves. And as we got to learn about Gemma and her backstory, it was clear that she too deserved the love and HEA just as much as Tom. Both had intense chemistry from the get-go, spurred on by Gemma finally having a chance to explore her sexuality and experiences with Tom. There was so much love and care between them, especially on Tom’s part from the beginning, and the spice only intensified that. And yes, the spice was spicing real damn good - I did say this whole thing started with an orgy, and it only got better from there!
Once again, I ADORED the setting of a cruise ship, which is the perfect fodder for the forced proximity trope. And again, I was VERY close to uprooting my entire life and embarking on a new journey working on a cruise shop, despite the fact that I’m an introvert and my social battery would NEVER be able to handle it! While we didn’t get to see as much of the crew activities like we did with the previous book (the scavenger hunt still lives rent-free in my head), we got to explore more off-shore locations. And while there was also less focus on the larger friend groups, there was strong focus on the stronger friendships, like between Tom and Jack.
Not going to lie, I was lowkey VERY invested in a potential throuple situation, and I would have been very satisfied if that was the route Philippa had taken with Tom and Gemma. But the group activities that we did get with these two were *chefs kiss* and I definitely could have done with more! And although Philippa ended the book with Jack seemingly getting his happy ending, I do kind of want to see him get his own book so we can explore that more - he was such a great inclusion in this story, and I loved his friendship with Tom, and eventually Gemma, so it would be so fun to follow his own HEA after everything he’s been through.
If you love Below Deck and want to experience all the drama that comes with living on a cruise ship for six months, this book and this series NEEDS to be at the top of your TBR! You’ll 100% be itching to apply for cruiseship jobs the moment you start reading, and you’ll be packing your bags by the time you reach the final page!
A fresh start on a cruise ship leads to some unforgettable experiences…
After being given the extreme villain edit on a reality dating show, Gemma Harvey has escaped to cruise ship crew life alongside her brother Oscar and his girlfriend Eliza. It’s world’s away from her life as an influencer and she hopes that none of the guests recognise and expose her. Plus, being on the Neptune finally puts her in the path of Eliza’s friend Tom Parks, who she’s been crushing on since the moment he popped up in Oscar’s photo stream. Delaying his return to the ship, Tom is immediately drawn to Gemma - or Megan - and after an unforgettable first night together in the most unexpected place, he knows this is a women he needs to get to know. When Harvey offers Gemma’s social media services to Tom, who is trying to maintain a comedy presence on TikTok while on the ship, it’s the perfect chance to spend quality time with her. But Gemma, rightfully, has some walls up, and Oscar isn’t afraid to tell Tom to not hook up with his sister. No matter the obstacles though, Tom knows that Gemma is it for him, he just has to prove that to her, no matter what anyone says.
When the first chapter features an orgy, you know damn well you’re in for an unputdownable read! I absolutely ADORED More Than Shipmates and the swoony and spicy crewmate shenanigans that Philippa put the characters through, and she followed all that up with another fabulous romp on what has to be the horniest ship sailing the high seas! THIS is what cruiseships need to be using as advertisements to get people to apply to be crewmates, because they’d be inundated with applications in the blink of an eye!
After everything that Tom went through in book one, I was very excited to see him get the happily ever after he deserves. And as we got to learn about Gemma and her backstory, it was clear that she too deserved the love and HEA just as much as Tom. Both had intense chemistry from the get-go, spurred on by Gemma finally having a chance to explore her sexuality and experiences with Tom. There was so much love and care between them, especially on Tom’s part from the beginning, and the spice only intensified that. And yes, the spice was spicing real damn good - I did say this whole thing started with an orgy, and it only got better from there!
Once again, I ADORED the setting of a cruise ship, which is the perfect fodder for the forced proximity trope. And again, I was VERY close to uprooting my entire life and embarking on a new journey working on a cruise shop, despite the fact that I’m an introvert and my social battery would NEVER be able to handle it! While we didn’t get to see as much of the crew activities like we did with the previous book (the scavenger hunt still lives rent-free in my head), we got to explore more off-shore locations. And while there was also less focus on the larger friend groups, there was strong focus on the stronger friendships, like between Tom and Jack.
Not going to lie, I was lowkey VERY invested in a potential throuple situation, and I would have been very satisfied if that was the route Philippa had taken with Tom and Gemma. But the group activities that we did get with these two were *chefs kiss* and I definitely could have done with more! And although Philippa ended the book with Jack seemingly getting his happy ending, I do kind of want to see him get his own book so we can explore that more - he was such a great inclusion in this story, and I loved his friendship with Tom, and eventually Gemma, so it would be so fun to follow his own HEA after everything he’s been through.
If you love Below Deck and want to experience all the drama that comes with living on a cruise ship for six months, this book and this series NEEDS to be at the top of your TBR! You’ll 100% be itching to apply for cruiseship jobs the moment you start reading, and you’ll be packing your bags by the time you reach the final page!
You're The Boss by Emma Hart
4.0
This book was kindly sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Falling for the boss was never on the cards, but here we are I guess…
For a month now, Chloe St James has been trying to hand in her resignation to her boss Theodore Black, Vice President of Black Ink Corporation and future Duke of Ruxleigh. And for a month now, Theodore has refused to accept it, truly emphasising why she wants to quit in the first place. Theodore may be passionate about his job, but he’s an ice-cold boss and Chloe is sick of being at his beck-and-call 24/7. Just when she thinks she’s going to be stuck as Theodore’s assistant for the rest of her life, she’s finally handed her out. But it comes at a cost - her resignation will be processed after she returns from a six week business trip with Theodore as they establish a new branch of the company. Oh and to top it all off, they’ll be living together in one of his family’s cottages. It’s not the most ideal of situations, but Chloe takes it in her stride. Living in such close quarters, Chloe starts to see a completely different side of Theodore as he begins to show her that he’s not just the cold-hearted boss she comes to know. But whatever happens between them at the cottage isn’t necessarily going to translate to life back in London…
Y’all know I can’t say no to another romp in Emma’s Aristoverse! And while I always say to read companion series/universes in publication order, Emma has made it really easy to dive into any of the books (outside the original trilogy) without feeling totally lost about the world she’s created. In fact, this installment feels the least connected to the previous books because there are very few mentions and references to previous characters. And to be honest, I totally forget it was part of the Aristoverse until I started reading it!
I’ll admit, it took me a little bit to get into Chloe and Theodore in terms of their feelings towards one another and their boss/employee dynamic - it kind of felt like Emma threw us in the deep end and didn’t throw the life ring out quiet far enough for us to reach. But once I got into the flow of things, I really enjoyed following these two break down each other’s walls and getting to know one another outside the office. They had really great chemistry from the get-go, and once they were stuck in each other’s orbits 24/7, that sexual tension and flirty banter increased tenfold, although it was a bit of a slow burn.
One of the things I always love about Emma’s rom-coms is the inclusion of a quirky/fun/nosey grandparent, and here we had Theordore’s grandfather, the Duke of Ruxleigh, who was an absolute riot! The dynamic between Theodore, his father and his grandfather was really fun, and I loved how invested the Duke was at playing matchmaker to officially have Chloe as part of the family. Nosey and slightly overbearing parents/grandparents can sometimes ruin the flow of a good romance, but Emma always finds a balance with these characters, and they’re always a joy to get to know.
While I’m 100% still in my yeehaw era, I’m very much enjoying entering a mini-era of workplace boss/employee romances! It’d be a HR nightmare IRL, but I am LIVING for them when it comes to the world of fiction! The forced proximity, the tension, the subtle flirty banter, the underlying attraction - it’s all here in spades!
If you’re ready to dive into the world of the British aristocracy, you won’t want to miss out on the world that Emma has crafted! Whether you start here or back at the very beginning, you’ll love every minute of the upper class drama and swoony dukes/future dukes that we are introduced to.
Falling for the boss was never on the cards, but here we are I guess…
For a month now, Chloe St James has been trying to hand in her resignation to her boss Theodore Black, Vice President of Black Ink Corporation and future Duke of Ruxleigh. And for a month now, Theodore has refused to accept it, truly emphasising why she wants to quit in the first place. Theodore may be passionate about his job, but he’s an ice-cold boss and Chloe is sick of being at his beck-and-call 24/7. Just when she thinks she’s going to be stuck as Theodore’s assistant for the rest of her life, she’s finally handed her out. But it comes at a cost - her resignation will be processed after she returns from a six week business trip with Theodore as they establish a new branch of the company. Oh and to top it all off, they’ll be living together in one of his family’s cottages. It’s not the most ideal of situations, but Chloe takes it in her stride. Living in such close quarters, Chloe starts to see a completely different side of Theodore as he begins to show her that he’s not just the cold-hearted boss she comes to know. But whatever happens between them at the cottage isn’t necessarily going to translate to life back in London…
Y’all know I can’t say no to another romp in Emma’s Aristoverse! And while I always say to read companion series/universes in publication order, Emma has made it really easy to dive into any of the books (outside the original trilogy) without feeling totally lost about the world she’s created. In fact, this installment feels the least connected to the previous books because there are very few mentions and references to previous characters. And to be honest, I totally forget it was part of the Aristoverse until I started reading it!
I’ll admit, it took me a little bit to get into Chloe and Theodore in terms of their feelings towards one another and their boss/employee dynamic - it kind of felt like Emma threw us in the deep end and didn’t throw the life ring out quiet far enough for us to reach. But once I got into the flow of things, I really enjoyed following these two break down each other’s walls and getting to know one another outside the office. They had really great chemistry from the get-go, and once they were stuck in each other’s orbits 24/7, that sexual tension and flirty banter increased tenfold, although it was a bit of a slow burn.
One of the things I always love about Emma’s rom-coms is the inclusion of a quirky/fun/nosey grandparent, and here we had Theordore’s grandfather, the Duke of Ruxleigh, who was an absolute riot! The dynamic between Theodore, his father and his grandfather was really fun, and I loved how invested the Duke was at playing matchmaker to officially have Chloe as part of the family. Nosey and slightly overbearing parents/grandparents can sometimes ruin the flow of a good romance, but Emma always finds a balance with these characters, and they’re always a joy to get to know.
While I’m 100% still in my yeehaw era, I’m very much enjoying entering a mini-era of workplace boss/employee romances! It’d be a HR nightmare IRL, but I am LIVING for them when it comes to the world of fiction! The forced proximity, the tension, the subtle flirty banter, the underlying attraction - it’s all here in spades!
If you’re ready to dive into the world of the British aristocracy, you won’t want to miss out on the world that Emma has crafted! Whether you start here or back at the very beginning, you’ll love every minute of the upper class drama and swoony dukes/future dukes that we are introduced to.
Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage
4.5
Finding heart and home in the place you least expect…
The night before her biggest design gig yet that will finally get her out of California, Ada Hart finds herself at Meadowlarks’ dive bar - the Devil's Boot - and making out with the gorgeous cowboy who just walked through the door. But before their heated moment gets too physical, they’re interrupted and reality kicks in, leading to Ada leaving behind her bag and leaving her unprepared for her first meeting at Rebel Blue Ranch. Weston Ryder hasn’t been able to stop thinking about the mysterious woman from the bar, and is very surprised to find out that she is the woman he’s been conversing with for months about his renovation project, and she will be living on Rebel Blue Ranch for a few months to oversee the project. Despite their chemistry and mutual attraction, Ada has drawn a line in the sand - nothing can happen between them. Coming off the back of a short-lived marriage and not wanting to rely on a man, Ada puts up walls and locks her feelings for Wes away. But as Wes chips away at those walls, and she begins to feel at home at Rebel Blue and in Meadowlark, it becomes harder and harder for her to deny her attraction and fight her urge to run.
Book one? Fabulous! Book two? Fabulous! Again, the hype around this series is very real, and Lyla has once again delivered on all fronts when it comes to the setting, the characters, the chemistry, and the spice! The Ryder family are quickly becoming my favourite romance novel families, and I LOVED getting to dive back into the lives of the Rebel Blue family!
The INSTANT chemistry between Wes and Ada was exactly what I was looking for, and I was immediately hooked on their story from the get-go. I really enjoyed following their relationship develop, from both agreeing to keep things professional, to Wes slowly helping Ada open up to him and showing her how serious he was about forever. Both had been denied loving relationships in the past, and together they had everything they wanted and so much more. For Ada in particular, Rebel Blue meant not only finding love but also finding friends and family that she had been without for so long.
Once again, Lyla had some fantastic mental health rep when it came to Wes and his depression. It was amazing to see her give Wes a very open discussion on his mental health and his journey with managing his depression, which is something you don’t always see from male characters. As someone who’s grown up and lives in a small farming town where men, particularly farmers, genuinely struggle to open up about their mental health struggles, Lyla’s positive portrayal was really refreshing to see explored. On top of that, Ada had her own issues to deal with and overcome in terms of having been in a manipulative marriage that forced her to set boundaries and ideals when it came to any form of relationship, whether romantic or platonic.
PSA: Amos Ryder is a freaking LEGEND! This man is all-knowing about the lives of his children, despite their best efforts at keeping secrets, and he isn’t afraid to play matchmaker - give this man his own book so he can have a second chance of love! Also, I’d just love to get inside his head and see first-hand his thoughts on all his children and the relationships they’ve gotten themselves into.
Once again, I ended up listening to a majority of this as an audiobook (yay for a 4-hour round roadtrip!) Teddy Hamilton and Vanessa Edwin were fabulous as Weston and Ada, and I am VERY excited to keep listening to this series if the first two sets of narrators are anything to go by! I definitely recommend checking the audiobooks out if you’re looking to listen on-the-go!
Now that Lyla has officially confirmed that Cam is getting her own book, I’m really excited to see more of her in the next two books. She seems like such a fun character and a great part of the Rebel Blue family, and I’m excited to see where Lyla takes her story - the little teaser of her connection with Dusty alone has me hooked! Not only that, but I am VERY keen for the enemies-to-lovers that is Gus and Teddy in the next book! Is it November yet?
Absolutely ADORE this series so far, so make sure you dive into some swoony small-town cowboy romance before book three drops later this year! There’s a reason you’ve seen these books all over your feed, so believe the hype and jump on board the Rebel Blue Ranch bandwagon!
The night before her biggest design gig yet that will finally get her out of California, Ada Hart finds herself at Meadowlarks’ dive bar - the Devil's Boot - and making out with the gorgeous cowboy who just walked through the door. But before their heated moment gets too physical, they’re interrupted and reality kicks in, leading to Ada leaving behind her bag and leaving her unprepared for her first meeting at Rebel Blue Ranch. Weston Ryder hasn’t been able to stop thinking about the mysterious woman from the bar, and is very surprised to find out that she is the woman he’s been conversing with for months about his renovation project, and she will be living on Rebel Blue Ranch for a few months to oversee the project. Despite their chemistry and mutual attraction, Ada has drawn a line in the sand - nothing can happen between them. Coming off the back of a short-lived marriage and not wanting to rely on a man, Ada puts up walls and locks her feelings for Wes away. But as Wes chips away at those walls, and she begins to feel at home at Rebel Blue and in Meadowlark, it becomes harder and harder for her to deny her attraction and fight her urge to run.
Book one? Fabulous! Book two? Fabulous! Again, the hype around this series is very real, and Lyla has once again delivered on all fronts when it comes to the setting, the characters, the chemistry, and the spice! The Ryder family are quickly becoming my favourite romance novel families, and I LOVED getting to dive back into the lives of the Rebel Blue family!
The INSTANT chemistry between Wes and Ada was exactly what I was looking for, and I was immediately hooked on their story from the get-go. I really enjoyed following their relationship develop, from both agreeing to keep things professional, to Wes slowly helping Ada open up to him and showing her how serious he was about forever. Both had been denied loving relationships in the past, and together they had everything they wanted and so much more. For Ada in particular, Rebel Blue meant not only finding love but also finding friends and family that she had been without for so long.
Once again, Lyla had some fantastic mental health rep when it came to Wes and his depression. It was amazing to see her give Wes a very open discussion on his mental health and his journey with managing his depression, which is something you don’t always see from male characters. As someone who’s grown up and lives in a small farming town where men, particularly farmers, genuinely struggle to open up about their mental health struggles, Lyla’s positive portrayal was really refreshing to see explored. On top of that, Ada had her own issues to deal with and overcome in terms of having been in a manipulative marriage that forced her to set boundaries and ideals when it came to any form of relationship, whether romantic or platonic.
PSA: Amos Ryder is a freaking LEGEND! This man is all-knowing about the lives of his children, despite their best efforts at keeping secrets, and he isn’t afraid to play matchmaker - give this man his own book so he can have a second chance of love! Also, I’d just love to get inside his head and see first-hand his thoughts on all his children and the relationships they’ve gotten themselves into.
Once again, I ended up listening to a majority of this as an audiobook (yay for a 4-hour round roadtrip!) Teddy Hamilton and Vanessa Edwin were fabulous as Weston and Ada, and I am VERY excited to keep listening to this series if the first two sets of narrators are anything to go by! I definitely recommend checking the audiobooks out if you’re looking to listen on-the-go!
Now that Lyla has officially confirmed that Cam is getting her own book, I’m really excited to see more of her in the next two books. She seems like such a fun character and a great part of the Rebel Blue family, and I’m excited to see where Lyla takes her story - the little teaser of her connection with Dusty alone has me hooked! Not only that, but I am VERY keen for the enemies-to-lovers that is Gus and Teddy in the next book! Is it November yet?
Absolutely ADORE this series so far, so make sure you dive into some swoony small-town cowboy romance before book three drops later this year! There’s a reason you’ve seen these books all over your feed, so believe the hype and jump on board the Rebel Blue Ranch bandwagon!