Take a photo of a barcode or cover
ratetheromance's Reviews (659)
ALL. THE. FEELINGS.
If you love a Second Chance Romance then RETURN TO US should be on the top of your TBR! Grayson and Jessica are heart-melting, super-sweet, love story, goodness! These two dated in High School and their love was epic, but Jess needed to leave their small town to find herself after growing up on the "poor" side of town. Grayson is obligated to stay in the small town that has always held privilege's and wealth for him.
After a traumatic event, Jess returns home to heal and soon the sparks and memories between Gray and Jess are flying. You will be pining for these two from page 1.
Reading about these two, their broken hearts, the dreams they had for their life, their ties to their families and the expectations that come from those ties, is a sweet journey that will keep you engaged and rooting for a happy ending. This book is also awesomely steamy! Get ready for total panty incineration.
I especially loved the many scenes between Jessica and her therapist in this book. This is something I always look for in books where there has been a trauma. Therapy is absolutely necessary for certain life events. These therapy sessions are very realistic and really contribute to the story. Well done, Corinne Michaels!
I took off a star because this is the beginning of a new series and the sheer amount of characters and back-stories we are introduced to is overwhelming. I wish the author had used a lighter hand when introducing us to this world and all the characters in it.
But, listen, this book is great and you will feel all the feels and leave you with a smile on your face.
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: Plane crash, house fire, parent abandonment, cheating (not Main Characters), head injury
FEELS-O-METER: 4/5 *Lots of feels, you might even tear up*
I an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
BUY IT HERE:
Amazon https://amzn.to/3pTslYY (aff.)
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
If you love a Second Chance Romance then RETURN TO US should be on the top of your TBR! Grayson and Jessica are heart-melting, super-sweet, love story, goodness! These two dated in High School and their love was epic, but Jess needed to leave their small town to find herself after growing up on the "poor" side of town. Grayson is obligated to stay in the small town that has always held privilege's and wealth for him.
After a traumatic event, Jess returns home to heal and soon the sparks and memories between Gray and Jess are flying. You will be pining for these two from page 1.
Reading about these two, their broken hearts, the dreams they had for their life, their ties to their families and the expectations that come from those ties, is a sweet journey that will keep you engaged and rooting for a happy ending. This book is also awesomely steamy! Get ready for total panty incineration.
I especially loved the many scenes between Jessica and her therapist in this book. This is something I always look for in books where there has been a trauma. Therapy is absolutely necessary for certain life events. These therapy sessions are very realistic and really contribute to the story. Well done, Corinne Michaels!
I took off a star because this is the beginning of a new series and the sheer amount of characters and back-stories we are introduced to is overwhelming. I wish the author had used a lighter hand when introducing us to this world and all the characters in it.
But, listen, this book is great and you will feel all the feels and leave you with a smile on your face.
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: Plane crash, house fire, parent abandonment, cheating (not Main Characters), head injury
FEELS-O-METER: 4/5 *Lots of feels, you might even tear up*
I an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
BUY IT HERE:
Amazon https://amzn.to/3pTslYY (aff.)
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
MY BEAUTIFUL NEIGHBOR was a good read, but I can't seem to connect with this author's writing after my much-loved reading of her series, "The Baileys".
This book is set in small town in Alaska and has all of the quirky characters and small-town gossip that you would expect. I like small-town romances for this reason. This book was a very emotional read. There are a lot of twists and turns and ALL THE FEELS. It's heartbreaking in parts, but funny in others.
Presley is a really good lead female. I like her thick skin, work ethic, and I really enjoyed that she wasn't quite sure where her passion lay. We get to see her coming into her own as she "starts over" in a new town with a new secret recently exposed. I like how strong and stubborn she was once she decided what she wanted.
Cade was a bit harder for me to like as a lead male. He's had heartbreak in the past and the theme of this story is entirely Cade not being willing to open himself up to love again. Honestly, I am not a fan of this conflict in romances. Yes, it's human nature to be gun-shy about loving again after heartbreak, but I never feel like it's quite enough to build an entire book around. To a certain extent this is every single person entering a relationship. There's nothing new about this idea that opening yourself to love is a risk. So, when I read it as the only conflict in a book it feels a bit ridiculous.
MY BEAUTIFUL NEIGHBOR also had a decent amount of steam, BUT the descriptions of that steam were oddly skimpy. For example, the build up to the first kiss between these characters is significant and when they FINALLY kiss there is no description of that kiss. As a romance reader I expect the play-by-play. We are aware that they are kissing, but that's it. No description of lips, feelings, internal monolog, nothing. It was really anticlimactic. This happened a few times in this book.
Overall, this book tackles some tough topics and pulls at the heartstrings, but it was a fairly mediocre read for me.
I was gifted an advanced copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
This book is set in small town in Alaska and has all of the quirky characters and small-town gossip that you would expect. I like small-town romances for this reason. This book was a very emotional read. There are a lot of twists and turns and ALL THE FEELS. It's heartbreaking in parts, but funny in others.
Presley is a really good lead female. I like her thick skin, work ethic, and I really enjoyed that she wasn't quite sure where her passion lay. We get to see her coming into her own as she "starts over" in a new town with a new secret recently exposed. I like how strong and stubborn she was once she decided what she wanted.
Cade was a bit harder for me to like as a lead male. He's had heartbreak in the past and the theme of this story is entirely Cade not being willing to open himself up to love again. Honestly, I am not a fan of this conflict in romances. Yes, it's human nature to be gun-shy about loving again after heartbreak, but I never feel like it's quite enough to build an entire book around. To a certain extent this is every single person entering a relationship. There's nothing new about this idea that opening yourself to love is a risk. So, when I read it as the only conflict in a book it feels a bit ridiculous.
MY BEAUTIFUL NEIGHBOR also had a decent amount of steam, BUT the descriptions of that steam were oddly skimpy. For example, the build up to the first kiss between these characters is significant and when they FINALLY kiss there is no description of that kiss. As a romance reader I expect the play-by-play. We are aware that they are kissing, but that's it. No description of lips, feelings, internal monolog, nothing. It was really anticlimactic. This happened a few times in this book.
Overall, this book tackles some tough topics and pulls at the heartstrings, but it was a fairly mediocre read for me.
I was gifted an advanced copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
This book is a JOURNEY. Like, am I even emotionally mature enough to read this book? It's a heavy read for sure, but also a really great read!
Harper is THE BEST female lead. She cones from a tragically bad childhood, yet she is loving, upbeat, hard working, nurturing, and strong. She pulls in those around her to make a "family" wherever she goes.
Luke is a very complex male lead. He is protective and loyal, but also closed off. We watch him struggle and you can't help but love him, even when you know he's being an idiot.
The cast of supporting characters in the small town (and Luke's family) are perfectly written. Everyone feels important to the story and you will love this community.
The steamy scenes in this book are melt-yo-kindle HOT! Hello, kitchen counter sex!
This book is a very emotional ride, but it's a love story that will stay with you long after you finish.
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: Fatal car accident, foster care, death of parents, child abuse, home invasion, domestic abuse, spouse death, combat injury, alcohol addiction, home fire.
FEELS-O-METER: 5/5 *breaks your heart then puts it back together again.
BUY IT HERE: https://amzn.to/3krjD30 (aff.)
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
Harper is THE BEST female lead. She cones from a tragically bad childhood, yet she is loving, upbeat, hard working, nurturing, and strong. She pulls in those around her to make a "family" wherever she goes.
Luke is a very complex male lead. He is protective and loyal, but also closed off. We watch him struggle and you can't help but love him, even when you know he's being an idiot.
The cast of supporting characters in the small town (and Luke's family) are perfectly written. Everyone feels important to the story and you will love this community.
The steamy scenes in this book are melt-yo-kindle HOT! Hello, kitchen counter sex!
This book is a very emotional ride, but it's a love story that will stay with you long after you finish.
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: Fatal car accident, foster care, death of parents, child abuse, home invasion, domestic abuse, spouse death, combat injury, alcohol addiction, home fire.
FEELS-O-METER: 5/5 *breaks your heart then puts it back together again.
BUY IT HERE: https://amzn.to/3krjD30 (aff.)
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
Olivia and Jake. Oh, my heart!
Enemies to lovers.
A pint-sized, red-headed city girl.
A big, muscled, grumpy, farmer.
Baby goats dressed in pajamas.
It's ALL HERE.
Bet The Farm was a perfectly swoony, hilarious, feelsy, 5 STAR read for me!
Olivia is a great female lead. She is driven and kind and stubborn and hard working. She is the perfect balance of strong and soft. Her innovative ideas to bring the farm more profits are met with constant push-back and she continues with her vision, despite one very grumpy farmer.
Jake is a wonderfully complex leading man. He is passionate and strong and has a rigid sense of right and wrong. He is grumpy for a reason and we can't help but love him. His practicality is the perfect counter to Olivia's big dreams.
The genius of Staci Hart's writing in Bet The Farm is that the reader can clearly see the two sides of this argument and understands BOTH of those points of view. There isn't a "bad guy" in this relationship. just two people, reeling with grief, doing their best to move forward and do what is right. They have the same goal, but different ideas on how to achieve it and the reader GETS IT. As in life, there are some decisions for which both sides have valid arguments. I loved this story because it never took the easy way out. *slow clap for Staci Hart*
This book has laughs, swoon, sparks, and sweetness. You will LOVE it!
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: Immigrant reporting, fatal car accident (not MC), death of family member, fire
FEELS-O-METER: 3/5 *Lots of feels, but won't break you*
I an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
BUY IT HERE:
Amazon https://amzn.to/3aM8OoX (aff.)
Apple Books https://apple.co/2DLEtsM
Kobo https://bit.ly/2RdyL6a
B&N https://bit.ly/3bN6Hji
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
Enemies to lovers.
A pint-sized, red-headed city girl.
A big, muscled, grumpy, farmer.
Baby goats dressed in pajamas.
It's ALL HERE.
Bet The Farm was a perfectly swoony, hilarious, feelsy, 5 STAR read for me!
Olivia is a great female lead. She is driven and kind and stubborn and hard working. She is the perfect balance of strong and soft. Her innovative ideas to bring the farm more profits are met with constant push-back and she continues with her vision, despite one very grumpy farmer.
Jake is a wonderfully complex leading man. He is passionate and strong and has a rigid sense of right and wrong. He is grumpy for a reason and we can't help but love him. His practicality is the perfect counter to Olivia's big dreams.
The genius of Staci Hart's writing in Bet The Farm is that the reader can clearly see the two sides of this argument and understands BOTH of those points of view. There isn't a "bad guy" in this relationship. just two people, reeling with grief, doing their best to move forward and do what is right. They have the same goal, but different ideas on how to achieve it and the reader GETS IT. As in life, there are some decisions for which both sides have valid arguments. I loved this story because it never took the easy way out. *slow clap for Staci Hart*
This book has laughs, swoon, sparks, and sweetness. You will LOVE it!
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: Immigrant reporting, fatal car accident (not MC), death of family member, fire
FEELS-O-METER: 3/5 *Lots of feels, but won't break you*
I an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
BUY IT HERE:
Amazon https://amzn.to/3aM8OoX (aff.)
Apple Books https://apple.co/2DLEtsM
Kobo https://bit.ly/2RdyL6a
B&N https://bit.ly/3bN6Hji
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
Am I dead inside?
Why couldn't I connect with this book?
What's wrong with me?
Why couldn't I connect with this book?
What's wrong with me?
Nicest guy ever.
Filthy mouth in bed.
Hello, Rocco!
(Full review coming soon)
Filthy mouth in bed.
Hello, Rocco!
(Full review coming soon)
I'm not a reader who usually likes romance novellas, but LOCKED IN LOVE is a really great read!
This sweet story combines Enemies to Lovers and Forced Proximity (two of my favorite tropes) and it does it well.
Despite being short in length, LOCKED IN LOVE is a steamy and sweet romance that weaves in topics like workplace inequality, loss, and found family, without feeling like a heavy or sad read.
You should definitely this quick and satisfying read to your TBR!
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: Immigrant reporting, fatal car accident (not MC), death of family member, fire
FEELS-O-METER: 2/5 *some drama, but still a light read.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
BUY IT HERE: https://amzn.to/2PgwVDK (aff.)
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
This sweet story combines Enemies to Lovers and Forced Proximity (two of my favorite tropes) and it does it well.
Despite being short in length, LOCKED IN LOVE is a steamy and sweet romance that weaves in topics like workplace inequality, loss, and found family, without feeling like a heavy or sad read.
You should definitely this quick and satisfying read to your TBR!
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: Immigrant reporting, fatal car accident (not MC), death of family member, fire
FEELS-O-METER: 2/5 *some drama, but still a light read.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
BUY IT HERE: https://amzn.to/2PgwVDK (aff.)
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
First, I need you to completely forget about the book cover. Sadly, this cover almost made me skip the book. Why? It completely ambiguous, tells the viewer nothing about what this story might be, and is also extremely...odd. Not a fan. Now, let me tell you what is INSIDE this book.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
*
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
*