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ratetheromance's Reviews (659)
Dayyum! Talk about sexual chemistry! The tagline of this book should be, "The sexual chemistry will set fire to your loins"! (my apologies, "loins" is the grossest word ever).
First of all, THREE CHEERS for a sexy leading man who happens to be blind! And the way this author writes his blindness is perfection. It's a factor to who he is, but it doesn't entirely define him. He never bitches about it and it's never a consideration as far as his eligibility as a love interest.
The female lead may just be a new favorite of mine. Dawn is feisty, stubborn, caring, impulsive, owns loving sex, gentle, and wild! She has a positive attitude, but is not a Pollyanna. I absolutely loved her.
This story is well-written, if a little slow at parts, and you are rooting for these two from page 1 until the end! The only fault to be found was there is a lot of mention of the two leads having had a few sexual flings with each other before, but the reader never finds out why this started, how this started, and why it hasn't continued. It makes no sense based on their behaviors now. It's a part of the story that either needed to be fleshed out or left out completely.
This story had great side characters, a few laughs, seriously steamy scenes, and is a very good read.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
First of all, THREE CHEERS for a sexy leading man who happens to be blind! And the way this author writes his blindness is perfection. It's a factor to who he is, but it doesn't entirely define him. He never bitches about it and it's never a consideration as far as his eligibility as a love interest.
The female lead may just be a new favorite of mine. Dawn is feisty, stubborn, caring, impulsive, owns loving sex, gentle, and wild! She has a positive attitude, but is not a Pollyanna. I absolutely loved her.
This story is well-written, if a little slow at parts, and you are rooting for these two from page 1 until the end! The only fault to be found was there is a lot of mention of the two leads having had a few sexual flings with each other before, but the reader never finds out why this started, how this started, and why it hasn't continued. It makes no sense based on their behaviors now. It's a part of the story that either needed to be fleshed out or left out completely.
This story had great side characters, a few laughs, seriously steamy scenes, and is a very good read.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I love a good Friends to Lovers/Fake Relationship romance. The forced proximity. The subtle (or not so subtle) shift of feelings. That first kiss that ignites sparks.
This book has all of that and a super sweet friendship that feels like the most important part. I loved the years-long relationship between these two characters. You get the feeling that they truly know each other, have seen each other at their worst, and their friendship continues. That makes their romance so much better!
Daisy is a great heroine. She is smart, caring, brave, and an shrewd entrepreneur. I loved her so much. Ben is a great mix of cocky, smart, sexy, and protective. These characters both have flaws that add so much to the story.
TWISTED LOVE has wicked-hot steam! When these friends finally cave and seal the deal it is hot, hot, hot. This is a great story of friendship, business, family relationships, good friends, and being brave enough to let go of your fears and open your heart up to lasting love.
I received and advanced digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
This book has all of that and a super sweet friendship that feels like the most important part. I loved the years-long relationship between these two characters. You get the feeling that they truly know each other, have seen each other at their worst, and their friendship continues. That makes their romance so much better!
Daisy is a great heroine. She is smart, caring, brave, and an shrewd entrepreneur. I loved her so much. Ben is a great mix of cocky, smart, sexy, and protective. These characters both have flaws that add so much to the story.
TWISTED LOVE has wicked-hot steam! When these friends finally cave and seal the deal it is hot, hot, hot. This is a great story of friendship, business, family relationships, good friends, and being brave enough to let go of your fears and open your heart up to lasting love.
I received and advanced digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
DNF
This is the 3rd book in a series. I had not read the first two, but this was billed as a standalone romance. In short, it is definitely NOT a standalone.
The book seems to start in the midst of a story and I never felt like I could really catch on. I was swimming in details and reading through massive internal monologues from the characters as they rehashed previous moments.
If you've read the other books in this series you might like this one as well, but I wouldn't suggest reading it on its own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
This is the 3rd book in a series. I had not read the first two, but this was billed as a standalone romance. In short, it is definitely NOT a standalone.
The book seems to start in the midst of a story and I never felt like I could really catch on. I was swimming in details and reading through massive internal monologues from the characters as they rehashed previous moments.
If you've read the other books in this series you might like this one as well, but I wouldn't suggest reading it on its own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Holy moly. I LOVED this book! It was just what I needed this week! Max Monroe gives this book plenty of laugh out loud moments, some steam, and a sweet single dad story with a fresh premise that had me engaged from beginning to end.
Jake's teenage daughter enters him into a local newspaper's dating competition behind his back. And we he is chosen as the "Bachelor", it's up to newspaper reporter, Holley, to help him plan the dates with 5 eligible single women and then report on each date.
Jake is an amazing single dad, former SEAL, and is freaking hilarious! But the star of this book, for me, was Holley. So often I read contemporary romances with a sweet female lead and an alpha male to balance her out. But Holley is way more than that! She is quirky, clumsy, prone to accidents, snarky, a bit uptight, funny, and smart! She is so genuinely human and hilariously flawed that I fell in love with her and only liked her more and more as the book progressed. She tips over, snorts when she laughs, and has a wildly inappropriate father who texts her at the most inopportune times.
My #1 pet peeve in Single-Parent Romance novels is impossibly perfect children/teens. But-hooray!!!-Chloe is an actual teenager! She can be sweet and caring, but also dramatic and moody. Yes, people, YES! *does lap around my living room, pumping my fists in the air like Rocky*
SINGLE DAD SEEKS JULIET is one of the best books I've read in 2020 and you should slide this book to the top of your TBR immediately.
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: PG-13
TRIGGERS: cheating ex, death during childbirth
Jake's teenage daughter enters him into a local newspaper's dating competition behind his back. And we he is chosen as the "Bachelor", it's up to newspaper reporter, Holley, to help him plan the dates with 5 eligible single women and then report on each date.
Jake is an amazing single dad, former SEAL, and is freaking hilarious! But the star of this book, for me, was Holley. So often I read contemporary romances with a sweet female lead and an alpha male to balance her out. But Holley is way more than that! She is quirky, clumsy, prone to accidents, snarky, a bit uptight, funny, and smart! She is so genuinely human and hilariously flawed that I fell in love with her and only liked her more and more as the book progressed. She tips over, snorts when she laughs, and has a wildly inappropriate father who texts her at the most inopportune times.
My #1 pet peeve in Single-Parent Romance novels is impossibly perfect children/teens. But-hooray!!!-Chloe is an actual teenager! She can be sweet and caring, but also dramatic and moody. Yes, people, YES! *does lap around my living room, pumping my fists in the air like Rocky*
SINGLE DAD SEEKS JULIET is one of the best books I've read in 2020 and you should slide this book to the top of your TBR immediately.
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: PG-13
TRIGGERS: cheating ex, death during childbirth
This never happens to me. I can't decide how I feel about this book. I can't even really decide if I liked it or not. Welcome to my personal bizarro world.
WHAT I LIKED:
- The premise was refreshingly original.
- The ending was very good.
WHAT I DISLIKED:
- The female lead was very immature to me. A grown-ass woman who is obsessed with hedgehogs and wears them on her clothing is a bit too childish.
- The male lead was a complete a**hole for literally 90% of this book.
- I felt a bit uncomfortable at what I perceived was an imbalance of power between the leads.
- The first 2/3 of this book was extremely slow. Like, glacially slow. You could cut 100 pages and not miss anything important.
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: Lots of lying, death of parent to cancer, alcoholism, parent abandonment
WHAT I LIKED:
- The premise was refreshingly original.
- The ending was very good.
WHAT I DISLIKED:
- The female lead was very immature to me. A grown-ass woman who is obsessed with hedgehogs and wears them on her clothing is a bit too childish.
- The male lead was a complete a**hole for literally 90% of this book.
- I felt a bit uncomfortable at what I perceived was an imbalance of power between the leads.
- The first 2/3 of this book was extremely slow. Like, glacially slow. You could cut 100 pages and not miss anything important.
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: Lots of lying, death of parent to cancer, alcoholism, parent abandonment
Helena Hunting is a pretty sure bet with me so I snagged this book and I'm glad I did!
Wren and Lincoln. WREN AND LINCOLN. Where do I begin? They are perfection. I swooned all the swoons.
Wren is such a total badass female lead. She is smart, strong, capable, caring, and can put a man in a headlock while wearing a pencil skirt and heels. And Lincoln was grumpy and hot and philanthropic and funny!! I just fell in love with him right away.
This book is a great read with complex characters, meaningful female friendships, and a lesson on changing how we see members of our own family. The villain in this book was very one dimensional and I wish they had more varied writing. Not often is someone ALL bad. That was my only minor complaint. Otherwise I loved this book!
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: Cheating
Wren and Lincoln. WREN AND LINCOLN. Where do I begin? They are perfection. I swooned all the swoons.
Wren is such a total badass female lead. She is smart, strong, capable, caring, and can put a man in a headlock while wearing a pencil skirt and heels. And Lincoln was grumpy and hot and philanthropic and funny!! I just fell in love with him right away.
This book is a great read with complex characters, meaningful female friendships, and a lesson on changing how we see members of our own family. The villain in this book was very one dimensional and I wish they had more varied writing. Not often is someone ALL bad. That was my only minor complaint. Otherwise I loved this book!
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: Cheating
This is a perfectly sweet romance (see what I did there?). It's true though.
Ronan and Blaire are both new business owners and their businesses happen to share a wall. Blaire owns a cupcake + cocktails shop while Ronan has a bar with axe throwing. Can they get along with as neighbors? No. And the sparks, fights, and pranks between these two are AMAZING.
I loved buttoned-up Blaire. She is driven and hard working and insanely enthusiastic about her business. And easy-going Ronan is the perfect counter-part to her! His calm demeanor and hipster look drives Blaire crazy and it leads to sparks and sexual tension galore! These two are so perfect and the sizzle between them is hot.
But, like all good contemporary romances, besides the steam and sizzle, we get a great story of ambition, family, loss, meaningful friendships, and romance. I loved the slow burn and sweet unfolding of this enemies-to-lovers story. Helena Hunting does a great job of showing the progression of these two from mortal enemies to romance in a way that feels genuine, unrushed, and meaningful.
The only thing I wish this book had was a bit more complexity/or conflict to this relationship once it turned romantic. As soon as these two decided to get together there was pretty much no conflict, no adjustment, no issues, and I found myself wishing that there was a relationship obstacle that they had to overcome together. Also, I have a really hard time when men refer to their junk as an individual with a name/identity. It just feels supremely juvenile no matter what. But, hey, those minor issues are in no way a deal-breaker to how wonderful this book is.
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
Ronan and Blaire are both new business owners and their businesses happen to share a wall. Blaire owns a cupcake + cocktails shop while Ronan has a bar with axe throwing. Can they get along with as neighbors? No. And the sparks, fights, and pranks between these two are AMAZING.
I loved buttoned-up Blaire. She is driven and hard working and insanely enthusiastic about her business. And easy-going Ronan is the perfect counter-part to her! His calm demeanor and hipster look drives Blaire crazy and it leads to sparks and sexual tension galore! These two are so perfect and the sizzle between them is hot.
But, like all good contemporary romances, besides the steam and sizzle, we get a great story of ambition, family, loss, meaningful friendships, and romance. I loved the slow burn and sweet unfolding of this enemies-to-lovers story. Helena Hunting does a great job of showing the progression of these two from mortal enemies to romance in a way that feels genuine, unrushed, and meaningful.
The only thing I wish this book had was a bit more complexity/or conflict to this relationship once it turned romantic. As soon as these two decided to get together there was pretty much no conflict, no adjustment, no issues, and I found myself wishing that there was a relationship obstacle that they had to overcome together. Also, I have a really hard time when men refer to their junk as an individual with a name/identity. It just feels supremely juvenile no matter what. But, hey, those minor issues are in no way a deal-breaker to how wonderful this book is.
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
I've decided I am just not a Sophie Kinsella fan. I have only ever liked one of her books (My Not So Perfect Life), but I keep reading them expecting to like them and I just...don't.
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So, I'm sure you can guess that I didn't like this book. It's got a great premise: two strangers meet at a weeklong retreat, where they are not allowed to share personal details about themselves, and they fall in love. When they get back to their real lives the realize they are complete opposites.
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First, these two fall in love (and profess their love) after spending ONE DAY together. They go cliff-diving, eat dinner, have sex, and BAM!!! They are in love. I just....no.
Second, I didn't like the female lead, Ava. She was flighty and very immature. The male is similarly unlikable. He's extremely judgmental and kind of a snob.
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Soon I found myself slogging through and finally gave up at 40%. This book just wasn't for me and I think I'm gunna finally realize the this author isn't my cup of tea either.
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RATING:⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated PG
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
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So, I'm sure you can guess that I didn't like this book. It's got a great premise: two strangers meet at a weeklong retreat, where they are not allowed to share personal details about themselves, and they fall in love. When they get back to their real lives the realize they are complete opposites.
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First, these two fall in love (and profess their love) after spending ONE DAY together. They go cliff-diving, eat dinner, have sex, and BAM!!! They are in love. I just....no.
Second, I didn't like the female lead, Ava. She was flighty and very immature. The male is similarly unlikable. He's extremely judgmental and kind of a snob.
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Soon I found myself slogging through and finally gave up at 40%. This book just wasn't for me and I think I'm gunna finally realize the this author isn't my cup of tea either.
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RATING:⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated PG
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
4.5 STARS
Well, this book grabbed my heart, twisted it, ripped it from my chest, shredded it into tiny pieces, put it back together again, and then shoved it back in my body. I am gutted.
Listen up, this is not a beach read. In case you can't tell by my opening paragraph, this book will make you feel ALL THE FEELS and leaving you thinking about these characters long after you close the cover.
I legitimately scared the $h!t out of my poor husband when I gasped loudly and maniacally towards the end of the book. It's sooo good, people.
Archer is a loner in his small town because he cannot speak, having damaged his voice box as a child. Everyone assumes he is "feeble minded" or deaf and leave him alone. Archer is more than happy to remain isolated in his late Uncle's house. Until Bree comes to town, running from her own demons and looking for some peace.
Having a Mute leading man is pretty amazing and the author perfectly weaves a narrative where his inability to communicate is both vital to his story, but also wholly unimportant when it comes to what really matters: who he is inside.
I'm taking off a half of a star because the "bad guys" in this story are all-bad. There is no complexity or nuance when, so often in real life, "bad guys" have layers.
Get ready to laugh, cry, sob, and swoon!
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: alcoholism, spousal abuse, attempted sexual assault, murder, heart attack, PTSD
Well, this book grabbed my heart, twisted it, ripped it from my chest, shredded it into tiny pieces, put it back together again, and then shoved it back in my body. I am gutted.
Listen up, this is not a beach read. In case you can't tell by my opening paragraph, this book will make you feel ALL THE FEELS and leaving you thinking about these characters long after you close the cover.
I legitimately scared the $h!t out of my poor husband when I gasped loudly and maniacally towards the end of the book. It's sooo good, people.
Archer is a loner in his small town because he cannot speak, having damaged his voice box as a child. Everyone assumes he is "feeble minded" or deaf and leave him alone. Archer is more than happy to remain isolated in his late Uncle's house. Until Bree comes to town, running from her own demons and looking for some peace.
Having a Mute leading man is pretty amazing and the author perfectly weaves a narrative where his inability to communicate is both vital to his story, but also wholly unimportant when it comes to what really matters: who he is inside.
I'm taking off a half of a star because the "bad guys" in this story are all-bad. There is no complexity or nuance when, so often in real life, "bad guys" have layers.
Get ready to laugh, cry, sob, and swoon!
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: alcoholism, spousal abuse, attempted sexual assault, murder, heart attack, PTSD