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rachrreads's reviews
423 reviews
Funny Story by Emily Henry
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I think this may be my new fave Emily Henry book ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
Daphne and Miles have my whole heart.
Daphne has struggled to maintain friendships as she spent her whole life moving with her mom. It wasn’t until college that she made a lasting friendship. After her fiancé, Peter, runs off with his girl best friend Petra, Daphne is absolutely shattered. Daphne gets kicked out and ends up moving in with Petra’s now-ex, Miles. The two could not be more different— Daphne is a children’s librarian, whereas Miles works at a winery. Now, they are together in their grief.
When the two receive invitations to their exes wedding, they drunkenly rsvp yes. Peter calls Daphne the next day saying she doesn’t have to come if it’s too painful and she blurts out she has a boyfriend… and that boyfriend just so happens to be Miles. The two decide to fake date and Miles shows Daphne around the town she’s lived in, but never really made her own.
As the two begin to spend more time together, Daphne realizes that Miles can talk to just about anyone and he’s a fantastic chef. He seems to have a person for everything— from cherries to strawberries to cheese.
Read if you like:
• opposites attract
• fake dating
• sunshine men
• Michigan
Daphne and Miles have my whole heart.
Daphne has struggled to maintain friendships as she spent her whole life moving with her mom. It wasn’t until college that she made a lasting friendship. After her fiancé, Peter, runs off with his girl best friend Petra, Daphne is absolutely shattered. Daphne gets kicked out and ends up moving in with Petra’s now-ex, Miles. The two could not be more different— Daphne is a children’s librarian, whereas Miles works at a winery. Now, they are together in their grief.
When the two receive invitations to their exes wedding, they drunkenly rsvp yes. Peter calls Daphne the next day saying she doesn’t have to come if it’s too painful and she blurts out she has a boyfriend… and that boyfriend just so happens to be Miles. The two decide to fake date and Miles shows Daphne around the town she’s lived in, but never really made her own.
As the two begin to spend more time together, Daphne realizes that Miles can talk to just about anyone and he’s a fantastic chef. He seems to have a person for everything— from cherries to strawberries to cheese.
Read if you like:
• opposites attract
• fake dating
• sunshine men
• Michigan
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Trouble by Meghan Hollie
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to Love Notes PR for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a little long but I still enjoyed every second!
A year ago Indiana (Indie) had spent the summer with Sebastian (Seb) and they fell hard. Seb up and disappeared one day without any contact, leaving Indie alone once again. The two never exchanged last names, so Indie moved on with her life.
Indiana (Indie) has always been the girl who gets left behind. Indie gets a scholarship to her dream school and of course runs into the one man who she never thought she’d see again. Her walls are up and harder to tear down than before. Of course, it’s hard to avoid him when his sister just so happens to be Indie’s roommate. Indie is forced to spend more time with Seb when she starts struggling to pass statistics and he’s her only hope at passing. Can she let him in again without being utterly destroyed?
Seb regrets ever leaving Indie that summer. He thought he’d never see her again and has regretted it every day. Now captain of the football team and starting quarterback, his dreams are coming true. When the girl he never truly got over shows up at his school, it seems like fate. Unfortunately she wants nothing to do with him. He’ll take whatever he can get, even if it’s casual. He hopes he can slowly tear down her walls again and show her he is not the man she thinks he is.
Book 2 is about Seb’s sister and best friend. I CAN NOT WAIT. Sign me up!!!
Read if you like:
• Sports romances
• grumpy x sunshine (FMC grumpy / MMC sunshine)
• Football
• Found family
• inter connected standalones
This was a little long but I still enjoyed every second!
A year ago Indiana (Indie) had spent the summer with Sebastian (Seb) and they fell hard. Seb up and disappeared one day without any contact, leaving Indie alone once again. The two never exchanged last names, so Indie moved on with her life.
Indiana (Indie) has always been the girl who gets left behind. Indie gets a scholarship to her dream school and of course runs into the one man who she never thought she’d see again. Her walls are up and harder to tear down than before. Of course, it’s hard to avoid him when his sister just so happens to be Indie’s roommate. Indie is forced to spend more time with Seb when she starts struggling to pass statistics and he’s her only hope at passing. Can she let him in again without being utterly destroyed?
Seb regrets ever leaving Indie that summer. He thought he’d never see her again and has regretted it every day. Now captain of the football team and starting quarterback, his dreams are coming true. When the girl he never truly got over shows up at his school, it seems like fate. Unfortunately she wants nothing to do with him. He’ll take whatever he can get, even if it’s casual. He hopes he can slowly tear down her walls again and show her he is not the man she thinks he is.
Book 2 is about Seb’s sister and best friend. I CAN NOT WAIT. Sign me up!!!
Read if you like:
• Sports romances
• grumpy x sunshine (FMC grumpy / MMC sunshine)
• Football
• Found family
• inter connected standalones
Love You, Mean It by Jilly Gagnon
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I found myself skimming a lot of the chapter descriptions. There was a lot of detail regarding buildings and food that I did not really care for. I thought the romance between Theo and Ellie had a ton of potential but other than sexual attraction, I did not feel like the two connected all that much. I would have loved to see more of the two building that connection, but most of the book felt more plot-focused than character driven.
Ellie was a hard character to connect with as well. She spent so much time focused on her and Theo’s differences when they had so much in common.
Read if you like:
• fake dating
• small town family businesses
• opposites attract
I found myself skimming a lot of the chapter descriptions. There was a lot of detail regarding buildings and food that I did not really care for. I thought the romance between Theo and Ellie had a ton of potential but other than sexual attraction, I did not feel like the two connected all that much. I would have loved to see more of the two building that connection, but most of the book felt more plot-focused than character driven.
Ellie was a hard character to connect with as well. She spent so much time focused on her and Theo’s differences when they had so much in common.
Read if you like:
• fake dating
• small town family businesses
• opposites attract
Heart Match by Allane Milliane
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
I received an eARC from Love Notes PR. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was such a fun read!
Olivia is a fashion designer for a high-end lingerie company and is beginning to feel stuck. After a bad ending to a relationship a few years back, Olivia sticks to one night stands and casual sex. After one terrible night of drinking, she runs into a very attractive man in the elevator… who ends up holding back her hair as she gets sick and gets her to bed in her own apartment.
Frenchman Lucas Lamaire (Luc) is renting the penthouse suite at Olivia’s apartment complex. He’s only staying for a few weeks for work, but the two begin to hit it off and have immediate chemistry. Olivia tries to hold Luc at arms length, but she cannot help but feel drawn to him. But Luc has omitted one of the biggest things about himself and Olivia is about to find out in one of the worst ways possible…
I played tennis in middle school and high school so it was so fun to read a book with a professional tennis player as the male love interest! I honestly wish we had gotten Luc’s POV and more tennis scenes— but I’m probably biased there!
I felt like it was hard to connect with the two of them other than that instant attraction. Luc was a gentleman and cared a ton for Olivia but other than that he felt a little underdeveloped. Overall I’d definitely recommend you pick this up for a fun read!
This was such a fun read!
Olivia is a fashion designer for a high-end lingerie company and is beginning to feel stuck. After a bad ending to a relationship a few years back, Olivia sticks to one night stands and casual sex. After one terrible night of drinking, she runs into a very attractive man in the elevator… who ends up holding back her hair as she gets sick and gets her to bed in her own apartment.
Frenchman Lucas Lamaire (Luc) is renting the penthouse suite at Olivia’s apartment complex. He’s only staying for a few weeks for work, but the two begin to hit it off and have immediate chemistry. Olivia tries to hold Luc at arms length, but she cannot help but feel drawn to him. But Luc has omitted one of the biggest things about himself and Olivia is about to find out in one of the worst ways possible…
I played tennis in middle school and high school so it was so fun to read a book with a professional tennis player as the male love interest! I honestly wish we had gotten Luc’s POV and more tennis scenes— but I’m probably biased there!
I felt like it was hard to connect with the two of them other than that instant attraction. Luc was a gentleman and cared a ton for Olivia but other than that he felt a little underdeveloped. Overall I’d definitely recommend you pick this up for a fun read!
Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Ugh this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I LOVE Mazey’s other books. I was so excited to see a neurodivergent sapphic romance from her! Unfortunately I’m nearly 1/3 of the way in and I have no idea what direction this book is heading in. The characters feel too naive for women in their twenties and I found myself skimming over the last two chapters to see if I could get to a good part. I tried to get over the fact that Opal won the lottery and spent $300,000 on a farm she found on FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE. I really did. Then her family let her go off to this new place alone? Opal is giving me too much anxiety with her life choices 😂
Ugh this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I LOVE Mazey’s other books. I was so excited to see a neurodivergent sapphic romance from her! Unfortunately I’m nearly 1/3 of the way in and I have no idea what direction this book is heading in. The characters feel too naive for women in their twenties and I found myself skimming over the last two chapters to see if I could get to a good part. I tried to get over the fact that Opal won the lottery and spent $300,000 on a farm she found on FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE. I really did. Then her family let her go off to this new place alone? Opal is giving me too much anxiety with her life choices 😂
In Your Wildest Dreams by Rebecca Jenshak
3.0
Honestly this one wasn’t my favorite but I still enjoyed reading! It definitely did exactly what I needed it to— stop me from falling into a slump!
Hockey romance set in Minnesota will always have me running
Read if you like:
• hockey romance
• man falls first
• nurse and hockey player romance
• found family
Hockey romance set in Minnesota will always have me running
Read if you like:
• hockey romance
• man falls first
• nurse and hockey player romance
• found family
The Prospects by KT Hoffman
slow-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
5.0
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
WOW! I recommend everyone pick this up. It was a very slow beginning (I don’t think I was hooked until the end of chapter 8), but man once I got there I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN.
Gene Ionescu is the first openly gay and trans man to play professional baseball. Gene dreams of making it to the major league, and has spent the past few years in AAA playing for the Beaverton Beavers. When Gene’s former teammate and current rival, Luis Estrada gets traded to the Beavers, Gene is moved from shortstop to second base and he is NOT happy about it.
Gene and Luis are unable to hold a conversation off the field and on the field they cannot properly communicate. Their coach forces the two to room together on the road in order to get in sync. The two begin to find a rhythm on the field after starting up one-on-one practices. As they begin to mesh on the field, they also begin to open up to one another off the field. The rivalry they have quickly turns to romantic chemistry they just can’t deny.
Gene may be an optimist on the field, but he has never been good at letting himself truly dream. Can he really have it all— the major leagues and Luis?
Some other things I loved seeing representation of: Luis deals with panic attacks and has a therapy dog, the Beaverton coach is a woman (!!) and sapphic, and Gene’s best friend and fellow teammate is married to a deaf man.
WOW! I recommend everyone pick this up. It was a very slow beginning (I don’t think I was hooked until the end of chapter 8), but man once I got there I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN.
Gene Ionescu is the first openly gay and trans man to play professional baseball. Gene dreams of making it to the major league, and has spent the past few years in AAA playing for the Beaverton Beavers. When Gene’s former teammate and current rival, Luis Estrada gets traded to the Beavers, Gene is moved from shortstop to second base and he is NOT happy about it.
Gene and Luis are unable to hold a conversation off the field and on the field they cannot properly communicate. Their coach forces the two to room together on the road in order to get in sync. The two begin to find a rhythm on the field after starting up one-on-one practices. As they begin to mesh on the field, they also begin to open up to one another off the field. The rivalry they have quickly turns to romantic chemistry they just can’t deny.
Gene may be an optimist on the field, but he has never been good at letting himself truly dream. Can he really have it all— the major leagues and Luis?
Some other things I loved seeing representation of: Luis deals with panic attacks and has a therapy dog, the Beaverton coach is a woman (!!) and sapphic, and Gene’s best friend and fellow teammate is married to a deaf man.
The Rule Book by Sarah Adams
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
ALL THE STARS! Her best work?!
Nora Mackenzie’s career is about to take off and her first big client is Derek Pender, tight end of the LA Sharks. One problem— Derek’s her college ex-boyfriend and she did not end the relationship in the best way. After a ton of pleading, Derek agrees to let Nora be his agent. But first there needs to be some ground rules.
Derek is ready for revenge after Nora broke his heart. If Nora wants to be his agent so badly, he’ll make it miserable for her. Except Nora doesn’t give up so easily and ends up booking Derek a deal with a suit company out in Las Vegas. The two fly out for the weekend and after a wild night of drinking wake up MARRIED. Nora’s job is on the line, so Derek agrees to fake it for a while. Only, after a few days the two begin to wonder —are they really faking?
I’m sad this is the last book set in the LA Sharks world— I love these characters!
Derek is a big grump, except with Nora. I loved seeing him fawn over her any time she was remotely injured or unhappy.
Read if you like:
• Forced Proximity
• Only One Bed Trope
• Football Players
• Strong women
• Second Chance Romance
• Fake Marriage
• Mutual Pining
ALL THE STARS! Her best work?!
Nora Mackenzie’s career is about to take off and her first big client is Derek Pender, tight end of the LA Sharks. One problem— Derek’s her college ex-boyfriend and she did not end the relationship in the best way. After a ton of pleading, Derek agrees to let Nora be his agent. But first there needs to be some ground rules.
Derek is ready for revenge after Nora broke his heart. If Nora wants to be his agent so badly, he’ll make it miserable for her. Except Nora doesn’t give up so easily and ends up booking Derek a deal with a suit company out in Las Vegas. The two fly out for the weekend and after a wild night of drinking wake up MARRIED. Nora’s job is on the line, so Derek agrees to fake it for a while. Only, after a few days the two begin to wonder —are they really faking?
I’m sad this is the last book set in the LA Sharks world— I love these characters!
Derek is a big grump, except with Nora. I loved seeing him fawn over her any time she was remotely injured or unhappy.
Read if you like:
• Forced Proximity
• Only One Bed Trope
• Football Players
• Strong women
• Second Chance Romance
• Fake Marriage
• Mutual Pining
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
I have been doing a small group study of this book with people during Lent and it has really made me think. All my life I’ve been in a constant state of hurry — after all the US praises those who are constantly achieving and moving! But am I living a life centered with Jesus?
If I take one thing away from this book, it’s that hurry is in opposition of love. As John Mark Comer states in the book, when you hurry you get easily annoyed with those around you.
If I take one thing away from this book, it’s that hurry is in opposition of love. As John Mark Comer states in the book, when you hurry you get easily annoyed with those around you.
The People We Keep by Allison Larkin
Did not finish book. Stopped at 49%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 49%.
I really enjoyed the writing but I am incredibly bored at this point. No idea where this story is heading and I don’t really care unfortunately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Abandonment