Take a photo of a barcode or cover
ratetheromance's Reviews (659)
3.5 STARS
This book had a lot of good parts and elements, but I'm just not sure it all "worked". I should start by saying the premise is so far fetched that it was hard for me to really sink into the story. The Armed Forces creates a program to arrange marriages for civilians and SEAL operatives in order to try and fix the alarmingly high rate of divorce among SEALs. I love the "Fake Marriage" Trope. I love the forced proximity and unwanted feelings developing, but this was a hard scenario to accept.
The writing was good and the chemistry between the characters was super steamy. The sex scenes are definitely NC-17! If you like naughty then you're in the right place.
But, somehow, between the initial marriage ceremony and these two falling for each other I was missing something. They had good conversations and were mostly kind to each other, but I just didn't feel the emotional connection for some reason.
I LOVED the supporting characters and they added a lot to the story. I always like a book where protagonists find "Family" among friends when their blood family is not filling that role. The author did a fantastic job of writing a group of people you wish you were friends with.
I received a complimentary ARC from the author of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book had a lot of good parts and elements, but I'm just not sure it all "worked". I should start by saying the premise is so far fetched that it was hard for me to really sink into the story. The Armed Forces creates a program to arrange marriages for civilians and SEAL operatives in order to try and fix the alarmingly high rate of divorce among SEALs. I love the "Fake Marriage" Trope. I love the forced proximity and unwanted feelings developing, but this was a hard scenario to accept.
The writing was good and the chemistry between the characters was super steamy. The sex scenes are definitely NC-17! If you like naughty then you're in the right place.
But, somehow, between the initial marriage ceremony and these two falling for each other I was missing something. They had good conversations and were mostly kind to each other, but I just didn't feel the emotional connection for some reason.
I LOVED the supporting characters and they added a lot to the story. I always like a book where protagonists find "Family" among friends when their blood family is not filling that role. The author did a fantastic job of writing a group of people you wish you were friends with.
I received a complimentary ARC from the author of this book in exchange for an honest review.
DNF
I got 29% in and it was so painstakingly slow that I gave up. The Hero and heroine have exchanged about 3 sentences so far and the heroine is such a doormat that she is completely unlikable. I don't care about even one character...so I'm out. Sad times.
I got 29% in and it was so painstakingly slow that I gave up. The Hero and heroine have exchanged about 3 sentences so far and the heroine is such a doormat that she is completely unlikable. I don't care about even one character...so I'm out. Sad times.
This book was so slow that I finally gave up. I am literally 46% way through the book (according to my eReader) and there has been not even one spark between the main characters. Not one stolen glance. Not one heated look. Nothing.
And at almost halfway through the book almost nothing has happened. Meet. A makeover. 2 events where they posed as dates with no romance or chemistry. That's it. This much story could have been written in 2-3 chapters, not 13.
I almost never stop reading a book, but this one I just couldn't finish.
I was given a free advanced copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
And at almost halfway through the book almost nothing has happened. Meet. A makeover. 2 events where they posed as dates with no romance or chemistry. That's it. This much story could have been written in 2-3 chapters, not 13.
I almost never stop reading a book, but this one I just couldn't finish.
I was given a free advanced copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
So, this book is okay, with one HUGE problem.
First, the good. I liked the female lead so much! She is genuine and understanding and so sweet and kind. The male lead was a bit frustrating, but I LOVED that he struggled with Depression and we got to see how he deals with it and how it effects his relationships.
Now, the bad. There is a scene in the book in which a mean girl (who the heroine knew from High School) verbally slams her in a local bar. The lead's best friend confronts the mean girl and says, "All you can do is sleep around. You’ve been doing it for so f***ing long all the guys know that’s all you’re good for!"
Ugh. Listen, confronting a female bully when she's awful to your friend is great. BUT slut-shaming her and saying men know she's only good for sex is NEVER OKAY. This is a major feminism fail. Not to mention, the male lead in this story has a reputation for sleeping around a lot and all of the other characters in this book are always saying things like "He just doesn't like to get serious. He's more into casual relationships."
I expect female authors to do better than this. You can't say that a man who sleeps around likes to "keep it casual" and then say that a woman who likes to sleep around "is only good for sex". It's gross and unacceptable.
I love this author, but THIS is incredibly disappointing.
First, the good. I liked the female lead so much! She is genuine and understanding and so sweet and kind. The male lead was a bit frustrating, but I LOVED that he struggled with Depression and we got to see how he deals with it and how it effects his relationships.
Now, the bad. There is a scene in the book in which a mean girl (who the heroine knew from High School) verbally slams her in a local bar. The lead's best friend confronts the mean girl and says, "All you can do is sleep around. You’ve been doing it for so f***ing long all the guys know that’s all you’re good for!"
Ugh. Listen, confronting a female bully when she's awful to your friend is great. BUT slut-shaming her and saying men know she's only good for sex is NEVER OKAY. This is a major feminism fail. Not to mention, the male lead in this story has a reputation for sleeping around a lot and all of the other characters in this book are always saying things like "He just doesn't like to get serious. He's more into casual relationships."
I expect female authors to do better than this. You can't say that a man who sleeps around likes to "keep it casual" and then say that a woman who likes to sleep around "is only good for sex". It's gross and unacceptable.
I love this author, but THIS is incredibly disappointing.
You know how sometimes you read a romance and you skim a few scenes because you think to yourself, "I don't really need to know THAT much about these characters. It's just a light romance."? Well, I actually slowed down and took my time, sometimes re-reading passages of BATTER OF WITS because the writing and the details and the characters are SO GOOD that you want to not miss a single word. I found myself wishing this story wouldn't end. THAT'S HOW DAMN GOOD THIS BOOK IS.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Oh, how I loved Grace with her big feelings! And Tucker with his kindness and patience. These two and their fiery beginning was so fun to read! Maybe because I met a guy at work years ago that I instantly disliked. And we just celebrate 17 years of marriage this week.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Of all the @smartypantsromance books I have read, this is my favorite! And the glimpse at the end of the book of the next person to fall into the Buchanan Curse? I'm swooning!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Oh, how I loved Grace with her big feelings! And Tucker with his kindness and patience. These two and their fiery beginning was so fun to read! Maybe because I met a guy at work years ago that I instantly disliked. And we just celebrate 17 years of marriage this week.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Of all the @smartypantsromance books I have read, this is my favorite! And the glimpse at the end of the book of the next person to fall into the Buchanan Curse? I'm swooning!
THE TOURIST ATTRACTION made my heart melt into a happy puddle of goo. Zoey has saved up her money for years, while working as a truck stop waitress, for a once in a lifetime vacation to Alaska. When she arrives her vacation does not go quite as planned, starting with getting insanely drunk at the local hangout, The Tourist Trap. She is carried back to her hotel in her drunken state by Graham, the very grumpy and reluctant owner of the restaurant. Zoey will only be in town for two weeks, but a series of mishaps, foibles, and minor disasters continue to throw her and Graham together and sparks start to fly.
I am a difficult reader to make laugh while reading a book, but this book had me laughing out loud on the very first page and continued for the rest of the book. I cannot say that I can think of another Contemporary Romance with better banter than in THE TOURIST ATTRACTION. It was utterly hilarious and also built a sweet friendship between the two leads before any romance began to grow. I loved their genuine friendship.
This book also boasts a pet dog and a saucy moose that add lightness and laughs to the book.
My only qualm, for which I am removing 1/2 a star, is that this is clearly a first book in a coming series and the author threw so many characters at us that it made the story muddled and hindered the flow of the writing. It felt as if I was hearing physical descriptions and back story on 9 different characters that stayed on the periphery of the story. While I understand that authors like to introduce side characters in the first book of a series, this book was particularly heavy-handed and it bogged down this story.
This is one of the best romances I have read this year and I cannot wait to hear more from this little town in Alaska with it's community of colorful characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I am a difficult reader to make laugh while reading a book, but this book had me laughing out loud on the very first page and continued for the rest of the book. I cannot say that I can think of another Contemporary Romance with better banter than in THE TOURIST ATTRACTION. It was utterly hilarious and also built a sweet friendship between the two leads before any romance began to grow. I loved their genuine friendship.
This book also boasts a pet dog and a saucy moose that add lightness and laughs to the book.
My only qualm, for which I am removing 1/2 a star, is that this is clearly a first book in a coming series and the author threw so many characters at us that it made the story muddled and hindered the flow of the writing. It felt as if I was hearing physical descriptions and back story on 9 different characters that stayed on the periphery of the story. While I understand that authors like to introduce side characters in the first book of a series, this book was particularly heavy-handed and it bogged down this story.
This is one of the best romances I have read this year and I cannot wait to hear more from this little town in Alaska with it's community of colorful characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Imagine we are sitting around a campfire and all of the sudden I lean forward and whisper, "Come in close and let me share the secret to happiness". Three simple words: Read. This. Book.
Sometimes these cute, graphic, covers and the promise of a "Romantic Comedy" make me worry. Will this be too sweet? Too slow? Not steamy enough? Never fear, bitches. This book is ALL THE THINGS you hope it will be.
Smart. The author takes us into a competitive office setting without this book ever feeling weighed down and stodgy (can books even be "stodgy" or is that exclusively a cold oatmeal thing?). The office/business part of this romance hits the exact right spot.
Steamy. Oh, the steam. Seriously...by the time these two get steamy you are begging for it to happen. The steamy scenes are just perfectly R Rated. Enough smut to make it a payoff without going too far and making the entire story feel more sex-driven than it is.
Funny. At one point I had to set down this book because I was howling with laughter and coming perilously close to peeing my pants. (REAL TALK: I have 5 kids. Pants peeing at the slightest hint of humor is like my JOB now). It was hilarious! In the best, quirkiest, smartest, and most endearing way possible.
Sweet. Man, these two are seriously awful to each other. So biting and acerbic that you're grinning with an evil smile. But when they are sweet they are SO SWEET that you will get light headed from all of the swoony sighs that pass your lips.
I gave this book a smart, sexy, funny, sweet, and swoony 5 STARS.
Sometimes these cute, graphic, covers and the promise of a "Romantic Comedy" make me worry. Will this be too sweet? Too slow? Not steamy enough? Never fear, bitches. This book is ALL THE THINGS you hope it will be.
Smart. The author takes us into a competitive office setting without this book ever feeling weighed down and stodgy (can books even be "stodgy" or is that exclusively a cold oatmeal thing?). The office/business part of this romance hits the exact right spot.
Steamy. Oh, the steam. Seriously...by the time these two get steamy you are begging for it to happen. The steamy scenes are just perfectly R Rated. Enough smut to make it a payoff without going too far and making the entire story feel more sex-driven than it is.
Funny. At one point I had to set down this book because I was howling with laughter and coming perilously close to peeing my pants. (REAL TALK: I have 5 kids. Pants peeing at the slightest hint of humor is like my JOB now). It was hilarious! In the best, quirkiest, smartest, and most endearing way possible.
Sweet. Man, these two are seriously awful to each other. So biting and acerbic that you're grinning with an evil smile. But when they are sweet they are SO SWEET that you will get light headed from all of the swoony sighs that pass your lips.
I gave this book a smart, sexy, funny, sweet, and swoony 5 STARS.
You know when it comes out that some celebrity said something horridly racist and afterwards, in their well-crafted, PR-written, apology they say, "I'm not racist. I said those words, but they're not reflective of who I am as a person."? And you think to yourself, "If you weren't a racist those words NEVER would have come out of your mouth in the first place". That's this book.
I am sure being an author is hard. You want so much to create characters that grow and progress during the course of your book, but just how much growth should there be? In this book, that idea of starting with a low bar so the main character can change was taken too far.
Let me explain. Sure, I like a cocky playboy who becomes reformed. But the male lead, Tanner, is such a misogynistic, heartless, bastard at the beginning of this book that I found it impossible to root for him to find love and "reform". Because when certain things come out of a character's mouth it becomes impossible for me to un-know that those horrid words are a part of who they are on a fundamental level. In the very first chapter of this book, our "hero" (yeah, those air quotes are filled with disgust) is sleeping with a stranger. During sex he calls her by her sister's name. When she gets angry for him having previously slept with her sister he tells her that her sister is better at blow jobs than she is and then propositions her for a sister threesome.
No. Just no. I don't care if this character later gets awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, or if he later realizes what am "arse-hole" he was (which he does), he is fundamentally a gross and wildly sexist jerk who I find it impossible to root for. When he later expresses that he loves that the female lead, Belle, is a smart doctor and he would never expect her to give up her career if she marries & has kids I simply refuse to believe it. He has shown us for the first half of the book that he has a complete disregard for women and only cares about using their bodies for his own pleasure. By that point NO amount of personal growth can erase what the author so clearly illustrated about his thoughts on women.
Reading is subjective. This book is well written and the author is talented. Yes, I will read more of her books. Some female readers LOVE this story-line and I respect that. But, for me, I just couldn't get past what I felt was the foundation of a main character being so grossly anti-female.
I am sure being an author is hard. You want so much to create characters that grow and progress during the course of your book, but just how much growth should there be? In this book, that idea of starting with a low bar so the main character can change was taken too far.
Let me explain. Sure, I like a cocky playboy who becomes reformed. But the male lead, Tanner, is such a misogynistic, heartless, bastard at the beginning of this book that I found it impossible to root for him to find love and "reform". Because when certain things come out of a character's mouth it becomes impossible for me to un-know that those horrid words are a part of who they are on a fundamental level. In the very first chapter of this book, our "hero" (yeah, those air quotes are filled with disgust) is sleeping with a stranger. During sex he calls her by her sister's name. When she gets angry for him having previously slept with her sister he tells her that her sister is better at blow jobs than she is and then propositions her for a sister threesome.
No. Just no. I don't care if this character later gets awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, or if he later realizes what am "arse-hole" he was (which he does), he is fundamentally a gross and wildly sexist jerk who I find it impossible to root for. When he later expresses that he loves that the female lead, Belle, is a smart doctor and he would never expect her to give up her career if she marries & has kids I simply refuse to believe it. He has shown us for the first half of the book that he has a complete disregard for women and only cares about using their bodies for his own pleasure. By that point NO amount of personal growth can erase what the author so clearly illustrated about his thoughts on women.
Reading is subjective. This book is well written and the author is talented. Yes, I will read more of her books. Some female readers LOVE this story-line and I respect that. But, for me, I just couldn't get past what I felt was the foundation of a main character being so grossly anti-female.
DNF
I made it halfway through this book before giving up.
By 31% there had ONLY been chapters and chapters of gymnastics training and pages worth of really unnecessary back story about the female leads last relationship. Zero meaningful conversations, banter, or even flirting between the lead characters.
I kept reading and only got a handful of awkward kisses, zero chemistry, and a very odd sex scene in a gymnastics gymnasium in which the leading man stopped what he was doing in the heat of foreplay and put back on ALL OF HIS CLOTHES to go into another room and retrieve a condom. Imagine how unsexy that disruption would be in real life...it's the same to read about it in a book.
I finally gave up. This book was not for me. You might like it if you're really into gymnastics and like a very tame romantic timeline.
I received and ARC of this title from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I made it halfway through this book before giving up.
By 31% there had ONLY been chapters and chapters of gymnastics training and pages worth of really unnecessary back story about the female leads last relationship. Zero meaningful conversations, banter, or even flirting between the lead characters.
I kept reading and only got a handful of awkward kisses, zero chemistry, and a very odd sex scene in a gymnastics gymnasium in which the leading man stopped what he was doing in the heat of foreplay and put back on ALL OF HIS CLOTHES to go into another room and retrieve a condom. Imagine how unsexy that disruption would be in real life...it's the same to read about it in a book.
I finally gave up. This book was not for me. You might like it if you're really into gymnastics and like a very tame romantic timeline.
I received and ARC of this title from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Maybe I am a grump or I need to steer more towards Romantic Comedies, but this book felt like hard work. Yes, it was fairly well written and the characters were likable. But there was just no joy or even moments of lightness. From beginning to end this story is all sadness and past trauma. It's not that a romance has to be all "meet cutes" and "love's funny foibles", but I was left wishing for better balance. Some light to go with the dark.
I also felt there was some character development missing. We don't dive very deep into these characters and what makes them who they are (besides their past traumas). Why does the female lead love animals and want to be a vet? Why is her son seemingly passionate about the army? What does the male lead like or have interest in BESIDES the Army? Where did he learn to build? It feels like we get a lot about their trauma and not much else.
This wasn't a bad book, but it was not for me.
I also felt there was some character development missing. We don't dive very deep into these characters and what makes them who they are (besides their past traumas). Why does the female lead love animals and want to be a vet? Why is her son seemingly passionate about the army? What does the male lead like or have interest in BESIDES the Army? Where did he learn to build? It feels like we get a lot about their trauma and not much else.
This wasn't a bad book, but it was not for me.