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mells_view's reviews
1750 reviews
Beauty and the Baller by Ilsa Madden-Mills
Absolutely loved Beauty and the Baller so much. It’s been a minute since I’ve read a new Ilsa book, and BatB was exactly what the librarian ordered. Did this book make me want to pack up and move to Blue Belle? 100%! I so easily fell in love with Nova, Ronan and just about every single character in this book.
This is definitely a sweet romance with an interesting meet-cute, and some hot steamy bits, but honestly the meaningful non-romantic relationships and self reflection from both Nova and Ronan really sealed my love for this one. These characters are not in the exact place in life that they planned to be, but they are figuring out that maybe they are right where they need to be anyway. There are some ups and downs between the main couple, but honestly they make sense to the characters and anything else would have been too easy. Ronan messes up a handful of times, but he wins Nova and me over every single time afterward. I felt so many things while reading this book. I cried, I smiled, I got mad, and I laughed my butt off at some parts. I think this was such a well written and well rounded story. It had a little bit of everything and was a definite reminder of why I love Ilsa’s books so much!
Obviously I don’t want to spoil anything, but if you like love after loss, sweet small towns with nosy neighbors, sweet as strawberry jaw sibling relationships, not so fake faking dating, and a love story that’s not easy going, but definitely worth it, then you’ll LOVE Beauty and the Baller!
AVAILABLE MARCH 29th!
*ARC
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
5.0
I want to touch the stars, even if I get burned.
Absolutely loved Beauty and the Baller so much. It’s been a minute since I’ve read a new Ilsa book, and BatB was exactly what the librarian ordered. Did this book make me want to pack up and move to Blue Belle? 100%! I so easily fell in love with Nova, Ronan and just about every single character in this book.
This is definitely a sweet romance with an interesting meet-cute, and some hot steamy bits, but honestly the meaningful non-romantic relationships and self reflection from both Nova and Ronan really sealed my love for this one. These characters are not in the exact place in life that they planned to be, but they are figuring out that maybe they are right where they need to be anyway. There are some ups and downs between the main couple, but honestly they make sense to the characters and anything else would have been too easy. Ronan messes up a handful of times, but he wins Nova and me over every single time afterward. I felt so many things while reading this book. I cried, I smiled, I got mad, and I laughed my butt off at some parts. I think this was such a well written and well rounded story. It had a little bit of everything and was a definite reminder of why I love Ilsa’s books so much!
Obviously I don’t want to spoil anything, but if you like love after loss, sweet small towns with nosy neighbors, sweet as strawberry jaw sibling relationships, not so fake faking dating, and a love story that’s not easy going, but definitely worth it, then you’ll LOVE Beauty and the Baller!
AVAILABLE MARCH 29th!
*ARC
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Car accident, and Death of parent
The Difference Between Somebody and Someone by Aly Martinez
This book. This flipping book. It had me feeling some kind of weird way at that start. Don’t get me wrong I was smitten with Remi and I overall adored Bowen, but some of those flashbacks to his past were getting to me. They were stressing me out, making me emotional, making me angry… but I’m pretty sure that was the point. Anyway, in the end I was won over and now I’m officially obsessed and will be stressed until I get book two.
So if you enjoy being happy, sad, mad, and surprised all at the same time, then this is the book. This book right here.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
They had no clue that beneath those beautiful eyes and bright smile was a tragedy.
This book. This flipping book. It had me feeling some kind of weird way at that start. Don’t get me wrong I was smitten with Remi and I overall adored Bowen, but some of those flashbacks to his past were getting to me. They were stressing me out, making me emotional, making me angry… but I’m pretty sure that was the point. Anyway, in the end I was won over and now I’m officially obsessed and will be stressed until I get book two.
So if you enjoy being happy, sad, mad, and surprised all at the same time, then this is the book. This book right here.
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Grief, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt
This book is about survivors of a plane crash falling in love. That said each of the characters is handling their own personal things as well, so it’s interesting but there is a lot of trauma detailed in flashbacks. It can be hard to read at times.
Consumed by Deception by Rina Kent
Overall this trilogy is enjoyable. The lack of communication between the hero and heroine is spread through all three books, but the heroine starts to finally open up in this one. While I understand why this was three, it did start to feel like rinse and repeat in the romance aspect a tiny bit, but the side plots definitely kept the story interesting and less tedious. All that said give me a Winter/Yan novella for research purposes, and I’m still so ready for Kirill and Damien’s stories. I love this mafia world this author has created. Want to stay here forever.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
“I wish it could’ve been different between the two of us. I wish I were the man you deserve instead of the villain you’ve got.”
Overall this trilogy is enjoyable. The lack of communication between the hero and heroine is spread through all three books, but the heroine starts to finally open up in this one. While I understand why this was three, it did start to feel like rinse and repeat in the romance aspect a tiny bit, but the side plots definitely kept the story interesting and less tedious. All that said give me a Winter/Yan novella for research purposes, and I’m still so ready for Kirill and Damien’s stories. I love this mafia world this author has created. Want to stay here forever.
Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy
If you enjoy the show Outerbanks, then I think you’ll love this book. There isn’t a suspenseful subplot, but there is a small beach town with rich locals and poor locals and then it’s also a college setting. Plus this is rich good girl and poor bad boy. Even though neither lives up to the latter descriptor, but anyway. A friend group who doesn’t like the rich girl infringing into their gang, a rich boyfriend/parents who think the girl is ruining her life. I’ve never watched the show myself, but the entire time I was reading I kept thinking of the promo I’ve seen, and it definitely has a similar vibe.
All that said, if you’re looking for a trope filled romance, then you’ll enjoy this one. It was entertaining and had Elle Kennedy’s classic banter and happenings. I think both main characters were good and likable, but they also made some choices that were so ignorant that it was hard for me personally not to want to choke them a little. Plus while I LOVE the found family vibe of the heroes friend group, I also thought they had some horrible moments as well. One of them in particular.
Oh well. I don’t want to spoil too much, so I’ll just say that if you usually enjoy Elle Kennedy, but were ready for something that wasn’t sports themed, then you’ll enjoy Good Girl Complex. The next one sounds intriguing, but I’m not quite sure yet if I’ll pick it up.
*ARC
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I don’t know when it happened, but somewhere along the way, I started needing her to need me.
If you enjoy the show Outerbanks, then I think you’ll love this book. There isn’t a suspenseful subplot, but there is a small beach town with rich locals and poor locals and then it’s also a college setting. Plus this is rich good girl and poor bad boy. Even though neither lives up to the latter descriptor, but anyway. A friend group who doesn’t like the rich girl infringing into their gang, a rich boyfriend/parents who think the girl is ruining her life. I’ve never watched the show myself, but the entire time I was reading I kept thinking of the promo I’ve seen, and it definitely has a similar vibe.
All that said, if you’re looking for a trope filled romance, then you’ll enjoy this one. It was entertaining and had Elle Kennedy’s classic banter and happenings. I think both main characters were good and likable, but they also made some choices that were so ignorant that it was hard for me personally not to want to choke them a little. Plus while I LOVE the found family vibe of the heroes friend group, I also thought they had some horrible moments as well. One of them in particular.
Oh well. I don’t want to spoil too much, so I’ll just say that if you usually enjoy Elle Kennedy, but were ready for something that wasn’t sports themed, then you’ll enjoy Good Girl Complex. The next one sounds intriguing, but I’m not quite sure yet if I’ll pick it up.
*ARC
Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
I adored this second chance, roommates, childhood besties to lovers sapphic romance! There are many tropes, but there’s also amazing banter, some steam that hits just right, some heartfelt and honest moments, and just a super sweet story of two people figuring out if their second chance is lust or love. Sigh. I love Margot & Olivia. They have a bit of a grumpy/sunshine vibe, but it’s not super pronounced on either side. They do struggle a bit with communication, but it feels very true to their characters and even though miscommunication isn’t my FAVORITE, it definitely worked for me in CYLS. As a side not, the whole cast of characters in this one is just so good. You can tell it’s just this sweet found family and I adore that. I didn’t read the first two books, but now I’m going to need to go back and do so.
Anyway. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys childhood besties and second chance romance that stems from sort of a missed opportunity. I enjoyed this one and can’t wait to check out more from Bellefleur!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I’ve never felt like I’d die if I didn’t touch someone. You make me feel that way.
I adored this second chance, roommates, childhood besties to lovers sapphic romance! There are many tropes, but there’s also amazing banter, some steam that hits just right, some heartfelt and honest moments, and just a super sweet story of two people figuring out if their second chance is lust or love. Sigh. I love Margot & Olivia. They have a bit of a grumpy/sunshine vibe, but it’s not super pronounced on either side. They do struggle a bit with communication, but it feels very true to their characters and even though miscommunication isn’t my FAVORITE, it definitely worked for me in CYLS. As a side not, the whole cast of characters in this one is just so good. You can tell it’s just this sweet found family and I adore that. I didn’t read the first two books, but now I’m going to need to go back and do so.
Anyway. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys childhood besties and second chance romance that stems from sort of a missed opportunity. I enjoyed this one and can’t wait to check out more from Bellefleur!
Forever Devoted by Nichole Greene
This was the perfect novella to give us an update/ extended epilogue on Olivia and the four men she loves. This novella was sweet, steamy, and had me smiling from page one. I love that we get to see Olivia happy and being supported in different ways by Nolan, Grant, Lake and Sawyer. Their relationships are all blossoming and it’s just nice that she’s back with the loves of her life and everything is mostly settled, but there’s some sweet new things going on. You’ll just have to read it and find out! Plus the steam. Love it.
Dark Devotions MUST be read prior to reading Forever Devoted.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Nothing feels like she does, a chaotic combination of heaven mixed with every sin.
This was the perfect novella to give us an update/ extended epilogue on Olivia and the four men she loves. This novella was sweet, steamy, and had me smiling from page one. I love that we get to see Olivia happy and being supported in different ways by Nolan, Grant, Lake and Sawyer. Their relationships are all blossoming and it’s just nice that she’s back with the loves of her life and everything is mostly settled, but there’s some sweet new things going on. You’ll just have to read it and find out! Plus the steam. Love it.
Dark Devotions MUST be read prior to reading Forever Devoted.
Tempted by Deception by Rina Kent
Adrian and Lia’s story gets more wild as it goes. I can’t help, but feel bad for both of them. It’s kind of hilarious to me though that all of their problems are essentially miscommunication. Like if they actually were vulnerable and laid out their feelings, then they’d be happy. Well, many things in this book sort of shook me. It’s enjoyable and I’m just ready for book three to see how this all resolves, because the ending here was something else.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If I have to destroy the world and everything in it to keep them safe, so be it.
Adrian and Lia’s story gets more wild as it goes. I can’t help, but feel bad for both of them. It’s kind of hilarious to me though that all of their problems are essentially miscommunication. Like if they actually were vulnerable and laid out their feelings, then they’d be happy. Well, many things in this book sort of shook me. It’s enjoyable and I’m just ready for book three to see how this all resolves, because the ending here was something else.
Vow of Deception by Rina Kent
I can’t lie, I’m sort of obsessed. I have no time to write a full review because all I want to do is read the next book, so goodbye.
If you like mafia romance with a dash of mystery and a lot of heat, then this will do you well!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Don’t go. I scream in my head. She’s not me. Don’t go to her.
I can’t lie, I’m sort of obsessed. I have no time to write a full review because all I want to do is read the next book, so goodbye.
If you like mafia romance with a dash of mystery and a lot of heat, then this will do you well!
How to Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan
Overall How to Love Your Neighbor was a cute enemy neighbors to lovers read. There’s a bickering neighbors dynamic, and two people who are focused on everything and anything but love. Grace is an up and coming interior designer, working a handful of jobs, and trying to make the house she inherited, from grandparents she wasn’t able to know, a home. Noah is an established name in New York real estate, but he’s moved to California to try to distance himself from his fathers name and to find what makes him feel fulfilled.
Mainly Noah and Grace are trying to do big things, reach their goals in life and prove to themselves that they are not their parents. Love isn’t part of their immediate plan, but it always finds a way doesn’t it? There’s some hard to read parent/child dynamics in this one, but they were also very relatable. I think what makes this book good for me is that there’s found family and life lessons weaved in that I adored. I did have some issues connecting to Noah as the hero and to these two as a couple. I just didn’t FEEL it, but I think if you’re looking for a sweet romance that means heavily on the tropes and feel good messaging then you’ll enjoy this book.
*Note it is a fade to black read. Only mentioning it because I normally read higher heat romance, and don’t want assumptions made.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Lean into the fall, Grace. You’ve got this and you’re not alone.
Overall How to Love Your Neighbor was a cute enemy neighbors to lovers read. There’s a bickering neighbors dynamic, and two people who are focused on everything and anything but love. Grace is an up and coming interior designer, working a handful of jobs, and trying to make the house she inherited, from grandparents she wasn’t able to know, a home. Noah is an established name in New York real estate, but he’s moved to California to try to distance himself from his fathers name and to find what makes him feel fulfilled.
Mainly Noah and Grace are trying to do big things, reach their goals in life and prove to themselves that they are not their parents. Love isn’t part of their immediate plan, but it always finds a way doesn’t it? There’s some hard to read parent/child dynamics in this one, but they were also very relatable. I think what makes this book good for me is that there’s found family and life lessons weaved in that I adored. I did have some issues connecting to Noah as the hero and to these two as a couple. I just didn’t FEEL it, but I think if you’re looking for a sweet romance that means heavily on the tropes and feel good messaging then you’ll enjoy this book.
*Note it is a fade to black read. Only mentioning it because I normally read higher heat romance, and don’t want assumptions made.
Making Her Mine by Monica Murphy
Beck and Addie were so dang cute. Talk about long term longing! These two have been crushing hard on each other since they were in middle school and FINALLY senior year is their year. Anyway. If you love high school romance with all the drama (even if it isn’t all Addie and Beck’s) and the sweet romance, then you’ll definitely want to pick up Making Her Mine.
funny
medium-paced
4.0
It’s hard to put into words my feelings for Addie, when my emotions for this girl are so vast.
Beck and Addie were so dang cute. Talk about long term longing! These two have been crushing hard on each other since they were in middle school and FINALLY senior year is their year. Anyway. If you love high school romance with all the drama (even if it isn’t all Addie and Beck’s) and the sweet romance, then you’ll definitely want to pick up Making Her Mine.