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ratetheromance's Reviews (659)
Never have I ever read a romance with less chemistry between the main characters. Neh. Verr.
This book is tragic in that some bits are laugh-out-loud funny! Good friendships. A good set up. But it delivers a tepid telling of a romance with absolutely no romance.
And, holy hell, do you have to drudge through a lot if pages to get anywhere. The breakup at the beginning of the book lasts beyond 25% of the book. It could have been sewn up in one chapter. But it goes on and on and on.
And these two characters pretend to be in a romantic relationship and do not hold hands or kiss once in front of anyone. But even worse is the fact that the author gives us not one hint that these two are attracted to each other or that their fake relationship is producing real feelings. There are no longing glances, no tingling touches, no near kisses, no secret longing. It feels entirely as if we are reading about a lasting plutonic friendship being built over the course of the book.
After all the reading and waiting for these two to finally make some headway, we don't even get a descriptive kiss? Boooo hisssss!
I received an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. They are likely regretting that decision.
This book is tragic in that some bits are laugh-out-loud funny! Good friendships. A good set up. But it delivers a tepid telling of a romance with absolutely no romance.
And, holy hell, do you have to drudge through a lot if pages to get anywhere. The breakup at the beginning of the book lasts beyond 25% of the book. It could have been sewn up in one chapter. But it goes on and on and on.
And these two characters pretend to be in a romantic relationship and do not hold hands or kiss once in front of anyone. But even worse is the fact that the author gives us not one hint that these two are attracted to each other or that their fake relationship is producing real feelings. There are no longing glances, no tingling touches, no near kisses, no secret longing. It feels entirely as if we are reading about a lasting plutonic friendship being built over the course of the book.
After all the reading and waiting for these two to finally make some headway, we don't even get a descriptive kiss? Boooo hisssss!
I received an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. They are likely regretting that decision.
The Magnolia Sisters is a sweet romance with a decidedly "Pride and Prejudice" feel to it. Besides the romantic main story there are great stories exploring family as well as female friendships.
My qualm with this book comes from the lack of chemistry between the main characters. There are no almost-kisses, brushing hands, or longing glances, even as we know they are falling for each other. There is no hint of underlying sizzle or longing.
Not every romance novel needs to be erotica-filled, but this book is so tepid in that department that it was hard for me to believe that these two were truly in love by the end.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback
My qualm with this book comes from the lack of chemistry between the main characters. There are no almost-kisses, brushing hands, or longing glances, even as we know they are falling for each other. There is no hint of underlying sizzle or longing.
Not every romance novel needs to be erotica-filled, but this book is so tepid in that department that it was hard for me to believe that these two were truly in love by the end.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback
3.5 STARS
I really love The Baileys series and this book was a great addition. Stella is a great heroine who is smart, compassionate, and sweet. Kingston is hilarious with his good looks, adventurous spirit, and boyish charm.
This is one of those books where you want to scream, "Just TALK to each other!", but these two do eventually find their way.
Stella is black and Kingston is white and their relationship being mixed-race is mentioned a few times, but I wish the author would gave hone a bit deeper into this topic and the potential challenges they might face.
The chemistry and steam scenes between these two was H-O-T! I loved their sweetness too.
Overall this was a pretty good book and I can't wait for the next one!
I really love The Baileys series and this book was a great addition. Stella is a great heroine who is smart, compassionate, and sweet. Kingston is hilarious with his good looks, adventurous spirit, and boyish charm.
This is one of those books where you want to scream, "Just TALK to each other!", but these two do eventually find their way.
Stella is black and Kingston is white and their relationship being mixed-race is mentioned a few times, but I wish the author would gave hone a bit deeper into this topic and the potential challenges they might face.
The chemistry and steam scenes between these two was H-O-T! I loved their sweetness too.
Overall this was a pretty good book and I can't wait for the next one!
This is the first book in a series by Jennifer Probst called STAY and I love these books!
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THE START OF SOMETHING GOOD follows Ethan, who has recently returned from deployment and has come home to heal, physically and emotionally. Mia is a PR specialist (and City Girl) who must spend the Summer at his animal rescue to keep an eye on her client's troubled daughter.
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This us an enemy to lovers romance and the sparks between these two are off the charts. I laughed out loud at this City Girl trying to adjust to the farm! This story has so much heart and also some seriously steamy love scenes.
I loved this read. It was a great start to a trio of books about love, family, friendships, and romance. Also, sone seriously cute rescue animals thrown in for extra smiles!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
THE START OF SOMETHING GOOD follows Ethan, who has recently returned from deployment and has come home to heal, physically and emotionally. Mia is a PR specialist (and City Girl) who must spend the Summer at his animal rescue to keep an eye on her client's troubled daughter.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This us an enemy to lovers romance and the sparks between these two are off the charts. I laughed out loud at this City Girl trying to adjust to the farm! This story has so much heart and also some seriously steamy love scenes.
I loved this read. It was a great start to a trio of books about love, family, friendships, and romance. Also, sone seriously cute rescue animals thrown in for extra smiles!
I love the SWOON series by J.H. Croix and STEAL MY HEART is absolutely swoon-inducing.
Ashley is hitchhiking across the country towards home after a failed relationship left her penniless and without a car. Along the way she plays and sings at bars to earn money. One night, far from home, her brother's best friend spots her at a bar performing and they road trip back home together.
This road trip turns molten as the sexual tension between these two simmers. I loved the build up and this author is so good at a slow burn with just enough tension along the way to make the payoff scorching hot.
This book is steamier than the others in this series (no complaints here!) and I loved the chemistry between the leads. The story did lull a bit in the middle where we had a replay of the same scenario a few times as these two were on the road, but not so much that it got frustrating. There is also a situation towards the end of the book that seemed to not fit the story and rushed a decision I would have rather the main characters come to on their own. But this book is SO GOOD that my minor qualms are no reason to worry. STEAL MY HEART is hot, sweet, and utterly satisfying!
I received an ARC from the publisher of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Ashley is hitchhiking across the country towards home after a failed relationship left her penniless and without a car. Along the way she plays and sings at bars to earn money. One night, far from home, her brother's best friend spots her at a bar performing and they road trip back home together.
This road trip turns molten as the sexual tension between these two simmers. I loved the build up and this author is so good at a slow burn with just enough tension along the way to make the payoff scorching hot.
This book is steamier than the others in this series (no complaints here!) and I loved the chemistry between the leads. The story did lull a bit in the middle where we had a replay of the same scenario a few times as these two were on the road, but not so much that it got frustrating. There is also a situation towards the end of the book that seemed to not fit the story and rushed a decision I would have rather the main characters come to on their own. But this book is SO GOOD that my minor qualms are no reason to worry. STEAL MY HEART is hot, sweet, and utterly satisfying!
I received an ARC from the publisher of this book in exchange for my honest review.
DNF 36%
I got through 36% of this book before giving up because
1. How many times can I read about this woman's post-break up life of working out and getting coffee? Do I need to read about it 4-5 times?
2. How many times is this 35 year old woman going to allow her mother to treat her like a child and verbally abuse her?
3. I'm 36% in and she has exchanged a handful of meaningless convos with the male lead. Talking about scone flavors is not setting my panties ablaze.
I just don't know what the author was going for here. We don't need an entire chapter dedicated to linch with her awful mother. Or another full chapter dedicated entirely to packing up the ex's stuff. Or a chapter of coffee and spin class followed by a chapter of coffee and barre class.
This book lacked focus, engagement, a strong female lead, and a good editor.
I received an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.
I got through 36% of this book before giving up because
1. How many times can I read about this woman's post-break up life of working out and getting coffee? Do I need to read about it 4-5 times?
2. How many times is this 35 year old woman going to allow her mother to treat her like a child and verbally abuse her?
3. I'm 36% in and she has exchanged a handful of meaningless convos with the male lead. Talking about scone flavors is not setting my panties ablaze.
I just don't know what the author was going for here. We don't need an entire chapter dedicated to linch with her awful mother. Or another full chapter dedicated entirely to packing up the ex's stuff. Or a chapter of coffee and spin class followed by a chapter of coffee and barre class.
This book lacked focus, engagement, a strong female lead, and a good editor.
I received an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.
*raises pointer finger in the air* "Pardon me, waiter, but you seem to have forgotten my side of delicious smut."
Guess what? It's my very first DUAL START RATED romance! So, here's the deal. This book is definitely more in the Chick Lit genre than a straight Romance. Just like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine isn't really a romance, but it kinda is, so is this book.
As a Romance it only gets 3 STARS from me.
As Chick Lit it gets 4-1/2 STARS.
This is a well-written, if sometimes slowly-paced, story of first love, loss, betrayal, secrets, self esteem, family dynamics, and more. The author tackles these topics with thoughtfulness and care and it makes for a very meaningful read. And, somehow, this author literally wrote my mother into the book as the main female character's mother. There is nuance and complexity in every single one of the characters and I loved the writing.
And the ending is just swoon-face-5000! It almost makes up for the lack of a steamy sex scene...almost.
Trigger Warning: There is a very explicit retelling of a sexual assault in this book.
Guess what? It's my very first DUAL START RATED romance! So, here's the deal. This book is definitely more in the Chick Lit genre than a straight Romance. Just like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine isn't really a romance, but it kinda is, so is this book.
As a Romance it only gets 3 STARS from me.
As Chick Lit it gets 4-1/2 STARS.
This is a well-written, if sometimes slowly-paced, story of first love, loss, betrayal, secrets, self esteem, family dynamics, and more. The author tackles these topics with thoughtfulness and care and it makes for a very meaningful read. And, somehow, this author literally wrote my mother into the book as the main female character's mother. There is nuance and complexity in every single one of the characters and I loved the writing.
And the ending is just swoon-face-5000! It almost makes up for the lack of a steamy sex scene...almost.
Trigger Warning: There is a very explicit retelling of a sexual assault in this book.
This is my first book by this author and WOWEEEE!...I will definitely be back for more.
Maggie is such a smart, compassionate, and hardworking female lead. She knows what she wants and she works hard to get it. I love that she still has insecurities that she fights, even though she is now a powerful and successful woman. Because, don't we all?
Dylan is so very swoony! I really enjoyed seeing his transformation as the book went on as he came into his own power and cut loose from those who try and control him.
These two have so much chemistry and the steamy scenes in this book are AMAZING! Soooo hot. I usually don't go for Second Chance Love stories, but this one is a favorite. It is so well done and makes you really root for these two to get their happily ever after.
This book also has wonderful female friendships, which I am always looking for in romances. Women who are smart, driven, and supportive no matter what. I cannot wait to read more of this series and more from this author!
Maggie is such a smart, compassionate, and hardworking female lead. She knows what she wants and she works hard to get it. I love that she still has insecurities that she fights, even though she is now a powerful and successful woman. Because, don't we all?
Dylan is so very swoony! I really enjoyed seeing his transformation as the book went on as he came into his own power and cut loose from those who try and control him.
These two have so much chemistry and the steamy scenes in this book are AMAZING! Soooo hot. I usually don't go for Second Chance Love stories, but this one is a favorite. It is so well done and makes you really root for these two to get their happily ever after.
This book also has wonderful female friendships, which I am always looking for in romances. Women who are smart, driven, and supportive no matter what. I cannot wait to read more of this series and more from this author!
I read book 3 in this series first and liked it so much I decided to backtrack and start from the beginning. I am glad I did because I loved TAMING HOLLYWOOD'S BADDEST BOY.
When a book opens with the male lead completely naked and meeting the female lead for the first time, while he yells at her to get off his property, you KNOW it's gunna be good.
Billie is such a fantastic female lead. She is hard working, hilarious, stubborn, sweet and so relatable. And her adjusting to the wilderness when she is a total City Girl was freaking hilarious and had so many laugh out loud moments. I also really love her relationship with her sister.
Luca is so grumpy and pissed that you can't help but fall in love with him! I loved the amount of torture he put Billie through as they trekked through the mountains together, but he was also sweet and caring towards the end.
The sparks and sexual tension between these two is melt-your-panties-off hot. Holy hell. If you're here for steamy sex scenes then buckle up, bitches. This book will flood. your. basement.
Now excuse me while I change my skivvies and download the next book in the series!
When a book opens with the male lead completely naked and meeting the female lead for the first time, while he yells at her to get off his property, you KNOW it's gunna be good.
Billie is such a fantastic female lead. She is hard working, hilarious, stubborn, sweet and so relatable. And her adjusting to the wilderness when she is a total City Girl was freaking hilarious and had so many laugh out loud moments. I also really love her relationship with her sister.
Luca is so grumpy and pissed that you can't help but fall in love with him! I loved the amount of torture he put Billie through as they trekked through the mountains together, but he was also sweet and caring towards the end.
The sparks and sexual tension between these two is melt-your-panties-off hot. Holy hell. If you're here for steamy sex scenes then buckle up, bitches. This book will flood. your. basement.
Now excuse me while I change my skivvies and download the next book in the series!
What to say about this book...?
- No chemistry between the leads.
- Overdone and tired female librarian tropes. (at one point she decides she can't turn in a teen who committed a serious crime because "I could never betray one of my patrons!" *insert eyeroll*
- A very convoluted mystery that rambled and took forever to conclude.
- Molly repeatedly criticizes John and the way he does his job as sheriff even though her sum experience is watching true crime tv shows.
This book was just not for me.
I received an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.
- No chemistry between the leads.
- Overdone and tired female librarian tropes. (at one point she decides she can't turn in a teen who committed a serious crime because "I could never betray one of my patrons!" *insert eyeroll*
- A very convoluted mystery that rambled and took forever to conclude.
- Molly repeatedly criticizes John and the way he does his job as sheriff even though her sum experience is watching true crime tv shows.
This book was just not for me.
I received an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.