lostcoffeemug's reviews
153 reviews

Whirlwind by Kayla Grosse

adventurous funny 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

4.5

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½

When I see Kayla Grosse is going to be releasing a new book I can’t help but get excited.  If you don’t know her books you should.  She writes strong FMC who don’t fit the world's normal beauty standards as the characters she writes are plus-size. But instead of writing them like they feel that they need to change they are confident and get what they want.  Finley the female lead in Whirlwind is just like that and was such a joy to read.

Whirlwind is a book for all those people who like to watch storm chasers and enjoy the Twister movies.  I have to say the characters reminded me a lot of the original movie cast.  That is so great because that cast of all different people and walks of life blended so well and became a family they made and put together.  Sometimes those families are the best.

I know the main characters Ryker & Finley are great, but the secondary character Joey was so great.  He made me laugh almost every time he was on the page.  And of course, every ship needs a captain and he is the captain of the ship for Ryker & Finley.  I also have to say there is something he said that has stuck with me:

But if you don’t chase the storm, you’ll never know if you’ll catch it or not.

That quote could be used with anything in life not just relationships.

From action to great characters, Whirlwind will be a book you can’t put down.  Whirlwind makes Kayla Grosse the Tessa Bailey in Storm Chasing romance books.  This story alone was great and the spice that was added was great to add another element to the story.

Whirlwind is a 4 ½ star read and I can’t recommend this book enough.  The spice level is a solid 3 chili peppers.  Whirlwind is available where you get your books.  And if you are a Kindle Unlimited Member Whrilswind is included in your membership.

 

The Proposal Play by Lauren Blakely

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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

4.5

Spice Level 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Comeback by Rebecca Jenshak

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? No

4.0

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was my first Rebecca Jenshak book and I have to say I’m now a huge fan of her writing. Comeback is book 3 in the Holland Brothers series.  Normally I am one of those people who likes to read books in order but I did not with this one.  Rebeccas was able to write Comeback so it could be a stand-alone if someone wanted to read it like that.  She also made it so that while you are reading this book you get information about what happened in previous books so you don’t feel lost or confused.

I enjoyed reading Comeback with the main couple Sabrina and Archer during this book.  They were cute and sure had their spicy moments.  The way Sabrina and Archer were written gave them a human eliminate that made it feel like it could be someone you know.  Rebecca made sure to not make the disability the main focus but to help tell the story between Archer and everyone else around his life.  I enjoyed reading that and seeing how normal life is for him.  Sabrina and Archer were also written to seem like they have known each other most of their life but they have only met a few months ago.

These two weren’t the only relationships I enjoyed reading.  Every one of the characters was a treat to read and I loved the relationships everyone was having were so mature and they were able to talk through feelings, fears, and more.  It was great to see this and a breath of fresh air.  Since everything was more mature there was no third act break-up.  Yes, I know a lot of Romance books have that but they are still a bit much sometimes.  It’s just a nice change to see a couple working well together and growing together.

Another relationship that I loved reading was the one between Sabrina and Brogan.  The sibling relationship was just one to put a smile on my face.  They blended so well together for even just knowing each other a few months.  And seeing Sabrina’s adopted parents take him in as their own was also so great to see and made my heart feel full.

Rebecca’s writing with the Comeback was everything I wanted in a book.  The Comeback is a very solid Four-star book, and the spice is written so well to move the story along.  The spice level is 3 chili peppers so just know the pages of this book do heat up.

Comeback is available wherever you get your books and if you are a member of Kindle Unlimited this book along with the other books in the Holland Brothers series is part of your membership.  As of now, this is the last book in the series but I am hoping that this series does continue with Flynn and Olive being the main couple.

 

The Turnover by Piper James

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

2.0

Spice Rating  🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 

Scored by Lili Valente

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.5

Spice Level 🌶🌶

A Very Friendly Valentine's Day by Kayley Loring

funny lighthearted fast-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? N/A

3.0

Spice Level 🌶🌶🌶

Coming Home by Melissa Whitney

emotional funny lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

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

4.5

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½

We all had that one crush growing up that we thought about even as an adult. Melissa Whitney was about to write about that in Coming Home. But the reality of what Coming Home is about is about two people coming home to each other.

There have been a lot of books lately that have been giving me vibes of shows and Melissa did just that when she was writing Coming Home.  If you are a fan of either Hart of Dixie or Virgin River, you will love this book from start to finish.  Coming Home did have a serious tone with Mental Health and PTSD.  As someone who has struggled with mental health, I appreciate how Melissa wrote about this very serious topic.  She showed that there are good and bad days and there is no quick fix for Mental Health.  It’s something you work on every day.

The romance in Coming Home had sweet and spice to it.  I have to say how people found out about Nat and Noah made me laugh. Each person found out differently and how Nat’s brother found out was funny.  The nice thing about Coming Home was there was no third act break up.  Yes, there was a fight between Noah and Nat but it did not break them up. Later that night they talk and go through the fight like adults.  Since I enjoyed Nat and Noah’s story so much I do hope this series continues with the telling of Summer and Todd’s relationship.

With all this goodness coming Home is a true 4-and-a-half-star read.  Don’t worry about it being too sweet as it has 3 peppers on the Spice Level.

I really think everyone should pick up Coming Home and if you have Kindle Unlimited there is good news.  Coming Home is part of the membership.  If you use this link to get a copy you will be helping support the site.

 

Dashing for Love: A Small Town Sister's Best Friend Romantic Comedy by Valerie Pepper, Valerie Pepper

funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dashing for Love was actually a book that took a whole different turn than I thought it would.  That is only due to the title I kept thinking one of the main characters would be a chef.  Spoiler they are not but the FMC’s sister is a chef in the family restaurant.

There is a lot going on with the world and news right now, and for me, books are my escape to be in a world where none of this is going on.  Valerie was able to create that world and was able to give it a Gilmore Girl vibe.  The small town and the great cast of side characters are all anyone would ever need in a book.  And let’s not forget the MMC in this book is a vet with dogs, cats, and a hedgehog.

Now Dashing for Love is the second book in the Lucky in Love series but I have to say I didn’t feel lost one bit. I got enough information about what happened in the last book to make me not feel lost but in fact, it makes me want to pick up that first book. Not just for the story that was told but to also be able to go back into this town.

Dashing for Love is a four-star book that will have you chuckling and really enjoying the love story that was told and make you want more.  The Spice Level is a 3 so that means there are a few open-door scenes and trust me those are adding a bit of a kick to the book.  Please don’t worry because that spice is just right.

 

Runaway Groomsman by Meghan Quinn

funny 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

3.5

Spice Level  🌶️🌶️ 

Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter

funny 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? Yes

4.5

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½

I have been a huge fan of Lynn Painter for a while now, so when I got the ARC of Accidentally Amy, I did a little dance. Just like her past book, the writing was witty and made me chuckle. The pop culture references were woven into the book so well.

Now I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve been doing a re-watch of Gilmore Girls or what, but the way Lynn wrote Izzy the main female to me seemed like Lorelai.  Izzy loves coffee and is top of her game with pop culture references and comes back to what people say.  I have to say having Izzy be klutzy is something I feel like all of us could relate to. With Lynn's writing, she made Blake the total opposite and someone who follows the rules to the T.

Having these two get together and try and figure everything out really made Accidently Amy a great read.  And having the book start off with the favorite Fall drink PSL it feels like a great Fall read.  That means between Gilmore Girls episodes you can pick up Accidentally Amy and still have that great Fall feeling.

Accidentally Amy is a great read and gets 4 and a half stars for a rating and has a spice level of 3 chilli peppers.  Between the spice and the romance, this is a read you’ll love from start to finish.  Accidentally Amy is out now and available wherever you get your books.