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ratetheromance's Reviews (659)
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
Nobody writes fat characters like Olivia Dade. This series is such a perfect reflection of that. Each fat lead is different, layered, nuanced. Dade never goes to the fat-trope bucket to pull out "obsessed-with-shoes-because-they-always-fit" or "this-fat-girl-actually-wears-stylish-clothes!" et al.
๐ฆ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ช๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ is a fantastic book in which both leads are fat. It's a part of who they each are, but not the ONLY part and not the main conflict. I cannot tell you how refreshing it is, as a lifelong fat woman, to read a romance whose conflict isn't DO I DESERVE LOVE EVEN THOUGH I'M FAT??
Maria is so strong, feisty, smart, and warm! She is a total badass. And Maria is the perfect sunshine to Peter's grump! I loved Peter and his social awkwardness, his deep feelings, and his beloved silence.
And talk about H-O-T! ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ช๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ delivers. When the first line of a book is, ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐๐ข๐ณ๐ช๐ขโ๐ด ๐ฉ๐ข๐ป๐บ ๐ฃ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฏ ๐ฆ๐บ๐ฆ๐ด ๐ฃ๐ญ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ฃ๐ข๐ค๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐ข๐ง๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ฐ๐ณ๐จ๐ข๐ด๐ฎ๏ผ ๐๐ฆ๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐จ๐ข๐ป๐ฆ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ป๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ณ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ด. you KNOW it's gunna be steamier than a Swedish sauna (see what I did there?).
๐ฆ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ช๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ has all the good things: found family, queer representation, nuanced fat characters, lovable and flawed leads, super-hot sex scenes, female empowerment, and a truly sweat story with a very Happily Ever After.
I did take off one star from my rating because ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ช๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ just does not succeed as a stand-alone book within a series. I have read the first two books and I was still completely overwhelmed and a little lost at parts. There are SO MANY CHARACTERS and most of those characters are actors, so you are also trying to keep track of the characters they play in the fictitious Game of Thrones-esque series.
So start at the first book and definitely read the series in order. If you do that you will likely love ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ช๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ as much as I did.
๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐: Rated NC-17 / 5+ sex scenes, harsh language. *MIGHT* include props/bondage.
๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ: past death of parent, mid-childhood adoption, cheating ex
๐๐๐๐๐ฆ: 3/5 - You will definitely feel some feels.
I received a gifted copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
๐ฆ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ช๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ is a fantastic book in which both leads are fat. It's a part of who they each are, but not the ONLY part and not the main conflict. I cannot tell you how refreshing it is, as a lifelong fat woman, to read a romance whose conflict isn't DO I DESERVE LOVE EVEN THOUGH I'M FAT??
Maria is so strong, feisty, smart, and warm! She is a total badass. And Maria is the perfect sunshine to Peter's grump! I loved Peter and his social awkwardness, his deep feelings, and his beloved silence.
And talk about H-O-T! ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ช๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ delivers. When the first line of a book is, ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐๐ข๐ณ๐ช๐ขโ๐ด ๐ฉ๐ข๐ป๐บ ๐ฃ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฏ ๐ฆ๐บ๐ฆ๐ด ๐ฃ๐ญ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ฃ๐ข๐ค๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐ข๐ง๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ฐ๐ณ๐จ๐ข๐ด๐ฎ๏ผ ๐๐ฆ๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐จ๐ข๐ป๐ฆ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ป๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ณ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ด. you KNOW it's gunna be steamier than a Swedish sauna (see what I did there?).
๐ฆ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ช๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ has all the good things: found family, queer representation, nuanced fat characters, lovable and flawed leads, super-hot sex scenes, female empowerment, and a truly sweat story with a very Happily Ever After.
I did take off one star from my rating because ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ช๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ just does not succeed as a stand-alone book within a series. I have read the first two books and I was still completely overwhelmed and a little lost at parts. There are SO MANY CHARACTERS and most of those characters are actors, so you are also trying to keep track of the characters they play in the fictitious Game of Thrones-esque series.
So start at the first book and definitely read the series in order. If you do that you will likely love ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ช๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ as much as I did.
๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐: Rated NC-17 / 5+ sex scenes, harsh language. *MIGHT* include props/bondage.
๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ: past death of parent, mid-childhood adoption, cheating ex
๐๐๐๐๐ฆ: 3/5 - You will definitely feel some feels.
I received a gifted copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
This is the sweet, only slightly steamy, holiday romance I needed in my life. It was mostly light and funny and I laughed out loud multiple times.
HOLIDAY ROMANCE is a then-and-now romance (is there an actual term for this?) that is a roommate's boyfriend TO enemies TO friends TO lovers.
I loved Andrew and Molly and the glimpses of their holidays past, mixed with the present. I loved that she was the grumpy to his sunshine. I loved the gift exchanges, both meaningful and funny. And I loved how different their families were, but each great in their own way.
HOLIDAY ROMANCE is cozy and charming and filled with sizzling friends-to-lovers chemistry! This is definitely going on my Holiday Romance faves list!
๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐: Rated PG-13 / Only 1 descriptive sex scene, may have harsh language.
๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ: none
๐๐๐๐๐ฆ: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.
HOLIDAY ROMANCE is a then-and-now romance (is there an actual term for this?) that is a roommate's boyfriend TO enemies TO friends TO lovers.
I loved Andrew and Molly and the glimpses of their holidays past, mixed with the present. I loved that she was the grumpy to his sunshine. I loved the gift exchanges, both meaningful and funny. And I loved how different their families were, but each great in their own way.
HOLIDAY ROMANCE is cozy and charming and filled with sizzling friends-to-lovers chemistry! This is definitely going on my Holiday Romance faves list!
๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐: Rated PG-13 / Only 1 descriptive sex scene, may have harsh language.
๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ: none
๐๐๐๐๐ฆ: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
I am absolutely NOT normally a paranormal romance reader. I only read contemporary romances and I'm such a square that I can barely tolerate stories that revilive around a ridiculous inheritance stipulation.
But damned if I didn't end up loving THE KISS CURSE!
I loved the enemies-to-lovers hate banter.
I loved the fiesty, quirky, badass heroine, Gwyn.
I loved the slightly stuffy, uptight, Wells.
I loved the story and the magic and the epically hot steamy scenes.
I loved the super sweet HEA.
Even if paranormal isn't your usual read, you should give THE KISS CURSE a read! Maybe it will convert you too. Now, lemme finish up this book review so I can go back and read the first book in this series! Am I....am I into witchy romances now? *cue: identity crisis*
๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐: Rated R / 1-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ: past death of parent
๐๐๐๐๐ฆ: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.
But damned if I didn't end up loving THE KISS CURSE!
I loved the enemies-to-lovers hate banter.
I loved the fiesty, quirky, badass heroine, Gwyn.
I loved the slightly stuffy, uptight, Wells.
I loved the story and the magic and the epically hot steamy scenes.
I loved the super sweet HEA.
Even if paranormal isn't your usual read, you should give THE KISS CURSE a read! Maybe it will convert you too. Now, lemme finish up this book review so I can go back and read the first book in this series! Am I....am I into witchy romances now? *cue: identity crisis*
๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐: Rated R / 1-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ: past death of parent
๐๐๐๐๐ฆ: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Opposites Attract
+ Girl-Grump
+ Enemies to Lovers
= ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ก๐-๐จ๐ฃ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ก
Mel and Vivian start as enemies, after a disastrous first encounter, but reading these two finally come together was a freaking delight! I love an Opposites Attract when the reader just sees exactly how these two puzzle pieces need each other and actually fit together perfectly and ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ก๐-๐จ๐ฃ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ก did it perfectly!
Vivian is the "grump" of this relationship and I loved her buttoned-up pant suits and laser focus. And this girl loves relationship boundaries and I love to see it! She is likable, even while a bit rigid. But Mel...MEL, people. He is heart-meltingly whimsical and warm and funny! I adored him and his wild karaoke singing. And if you love a dad-bod in your romance heroes, you will love Mel!
One of the best parts of ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ก๐-๐จ๐ฃ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ก is an ending that is unexpected and unusual, but perfectly Mel and Vivian. So much of this love story is about compromise in relationships, and I love how it played out at the end of this book.
I took off one star from my rating, because the first half of this book was pretty slow for me. There are A LOT of pages dedicated just to Mel's stand-up routines and it really made the story drag, especially in the first half. I almost put this put down a few times but I'm glad I kept going (mostly based on my friends' glowing reviews of it here on Goodreads).
๐ง๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ก๐-๐จ๐ฃ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ก was a great book that is totally worth pushing through a sometimes slow beginning. Consider this your glowing review to help you if you also find the first half a bit slow. I ended up loving it!
๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐: Rated R / 1-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ: past parent abandonment
๐๐๐๐๐ฆ: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read
+ Girl-Grump
+ Enemies to Lovers
= ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ก๐-๐จ๐ฃ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ก
Mel and Vivian start as enemies, after a disastrous first encounter, but reading these two finally come together was a freaking delight! I love an Opposites Attract when the reader just sees exactly how these two puzzle pieces need each other and actually fit together perfectly and ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ก๐-๐จ๐ฃ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ก did it perfectly!
Vivian is the "grump" of this relationship and I loved her buttoned-up pant suits and laser focus. And this girl loves relationship boundaries and I love to see it! She is likable, even while a bit rigid. But Mel...MEL, people. He is heart-meltingly whimsical and warm and funny! I adored him and his wild karaoke singing. And if you love a dad-bod in your romance heroes, you will love Mel!
One of the best parts of ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ก๐-๐จ๐ฃ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ก is an ending that is unexpected and unusual, but perfectly Mel and Vivian. So much of this love story is about compromise in relationships, and I love how it played out at the end of this book.
I took off one star from my rating, because the first half of this book was pretty slow for me. There are A LOT of pages dedicated just to Mel's stand-up routines and it really made the story drag, especially in the first half. I almost put this put down a few times but I'm glad I kept going (mostly based on my friends' glowing reviews of it here on Goodreads).
๐ง๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ก๐-๐จ๐ฃ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ก was a great book that is totally worth pushing through a sometimes slow beginning. Consider this your glowing review to help you if you also find the first half a bit slow. I ended up loving it!
๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐: Rated R / 1-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ: past parent abandonment
๐๐๐๐๐ฆ: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read
funny
slow-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Oh, how I loved this book! Ever since I finished it yesterday, I've been thinking about why it is so freaking great. And I've decided that what is truly fantastic about THE BODYGUARD is that it defies your expectations at every turn...in the BEST way possible.
Hannah is a badass bodyguard/security specialist. She is very petite, but could kill you with a corkscrew. She can take down a tall, muscly guy (and does). Expectation defied.
Hannah is also repeatedly described as plain, average looking, a dull dresser. At one point the story sets you up for the impending makeover in order to pass as a movie star's girlfriend. And then...she refuses. She never gets a makeover. Never waxes her eyebrows or embraces make-up. Expectation defied.
This freaking sexy movie star and his badass security guard evolve and grow in this book, but never change to suit the other. They stay themselves, but fit together. He stays a messy slob. She stays make-up free and "plain". Expectation defied.
Even the final chapters and a scene of conflict turn out to be both funny and meaningful and flawed and hopeful and just...perfect. Expectation defied.
I loved this book even though I wanted to rip the door off of this closed-door romance and revel in a pages-long, steamy, sex scene. But, I loved this book, closed-door and all. Expectation defied.
THE BODYGUARD is refreshing and funny and sweet and truthful and real and I fucking loved it.
๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐: Rated PG / Kissing and awareness that characters sleep together. Closed Door.
๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ: cancer, past death of family member, death of parent, cheating ex, past drunk driving
๐๐๐๐๐ฆ: 3/5 - You will definitely feel some feels.
Hannah is a badass bodyguard/security specialist. She is very petite, but could kill you with a corkscrew. She can take down a tall, muscly guy (and does). Expectation defied.
Hannah is also repeatedly described as plain, average looking, a dull dresser. At one point the story sets you up for the impending makeover in order to pass as a movie star's girlfriend. And then...she refuses. She never gets a makeover. Never waxes her eyebrows or embraces make-up. Expectation defied.
This freaking sexy movie star and his badass security guard evolve and grow in this book, but never change to suit the other. They stay themselves, but fit together. He stays a messy slob. She stays make-up free and "plain". Expectation defied.
Even the final chapters and a scene of conflict turn out to be both funny and meaningful and flawed and hopeful and just...perfect. Expectation defied.
I loved this book even though I wanted to rip the door off of this closed-door romance and revel in a pages-long, steamy, sex scene. But, I loved this book, closed-door and all. Expectation defied.
THE BODYGUARD is refreshing and funny and sweet and truthful and real and I fucking loved it.
๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐: Rated PG / Kissing and awareness that characters sleep together. Closed Door.
๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ: cancer, past death of family member, death of parent, cheating ex, past drunk driving
๐๐๐๐๐ฆ: 3/5 - You will definitely feel some feels.
funny
slow-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
JUST LIKE MAGIC is a book that is absolutely going to divide readers. So you may be surprised that I gave it a middle-of-the-pack score of three stars, but the reason is because I finished this book yesterday and I still can't decide if I loved it or...didn't.
โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
JUST LIKE MAGIC has all of the features of a Sarah Hogle book: whip-smart dialogue, tons of snort-laughs, and a unique premise. But, like, a VERY unique premise.
โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
The author herself described this story as BONKERS and I heartily agree with that assessment. But I still can't decide: was it good bonkers or bad bonkers? The only thing I can say for certain is that the pace was definitely slow. I think based on how unusual this plot is, coupled with how very slowly the story moves along, a lot of readers will lose interest and DNF.
โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
I think this book is worth giving a try if you are open to a truly bonkers holiday read!
I received a gifted copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐: Rated G / Kissing only.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
JUST LIKE MAGIC has all of the features of a Sarah Hogle book: whip-smart dialogue, tons of snort-laughs, and a unique premise. But, like, a VERY unique premise.
โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
The author herself described this story as BONKERS and I heartily agree with that assessment. But I still can't decide: was it good bonkers or bad bonkers? The only thing I can say for certain is that the pace was definitely slow. I think based on how unusual this plot is, coupled with how very slowly the story moves along, a lot of readers will lose interest and DNF.
โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
I think this book is worth giving a try if you are open to a truly bonkers holiday read!
I received a gifted copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐: Rated G / Kissing only.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
OB. SESSED.
This book, people. This freaking book.
Yes, I have loved a lot of Sarah Adams' books, but WHEN IN ROME is my absolute favorite. It's got everything: small town charm, grumpy+sunshine, hilarious hate-banter, a hot hero who is a pie baker, snort-laughs, insane chemistry, and a swoony hea.
Okay, not EVERYTHING, since this book is Rated PG. There is kissing and the awareness that the main characters sleep together, but it is a Closed Door romance. But even if you usually prefer an open door romance, I highly recommend giving this book a chance because this author absolutely succeeds in infusing so much chemistry that the closed-door scenes won't give you Cranky Kootchโข๏ธ (the girl version of blue balls).
Amelia is a sunshiny people-pleaser with so much heart that I fell in love with her! And Noah is the grumpy-but-secretly-sweet hero I needed in my life.
WHEN IN ROME is so perfectly, sweetly satisfying. I almost never re-read books (my TBR list is too ridiculously long for that), but I will 1000% be re-reading this book in the future. It's just so damn good. You NEED this story in your life.
๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐: Rated PG / Kissing and awareness that characters sleep together. Closed Door.
๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ: cheating ex, past death of parents, past parent abandonment
๐๐๐๐๐ฆ: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book, people. This freaking book.
Yes, I have loved a lot of Sarah Adams' books, but WHEN IN ROME is my absolute favorite. It's got everything: small town charm, grumpy+sunshine, hilarious hate-banter, a hot hero who is a pie baker, snort-laughs, insane chemistry, and a swoony hea.
Okay, not EVERYTHING, since this book is Rated PG. There is kissing and the awareness that the main characters sleep together, but it is a Closed Door romance. But even if you usually prefer an open door romance, I highly recommend giving this book a chance because this author absolutely succeeds in infusing so much chemistry that the closed-door scenes won't give you Cranky Kootchโข๏ธ (the girl version of blue balls).
Amelia is a sunshiny people-pleaser with so much heart that I fell in love with her! And Noah is the grumpy-but-secretly-sweet hero I needed in my life.
WHEN IN ROME is so perfectly, sweetly satisfying. I almost never re-read books (my TBR list is too ridiculously long for that), but I will 1000% be re-reading this book in the future. It's just so damn good. You NEED this story in your life.
๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐: Rated PG / Kissing and awareness that characters sleep together. Closed Door.
๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ: cheating ex, past death of parents, past parent abandonment
๐๐๐๐๐ฆ: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
funny
medium-paced
You. Guys.
The unthinkable has happened.
Blum's Bees is a 3-book series...and I rated all three books 5-STARS each. ME, the stingy-star bitch.
So, let's just take a moment and send adoring vibes through the universe to Staci Hart. You are a magical unicorn and I thank you for writing these books.
RUN FOR YOUR HONEY stars the kinda mouthy, super ballsy, fiery, and stubborn Poppy. I freaking love her. And Duke is so perfectly torn and trying his best to do everything right and...just...bless his misguided heart. The sweet teenage love, happy memories, and eventual heartbreak between Poppy and Duke just seeped into my soul.
I love a romance in which the reader sees no clear or easy answer to the main conflict. RUN FOR YOUR HONEY perfectly shows how complex and difficult relationships can be. Such. Great. Storytelling.
Now, besides chemistry for days and plenty of snarky hate-banter, RUN FOR YOUR HONEY serves freaking steam like no other. The sex scenes in this book will set your panties aflame. I'm sweating just writing this review.
Please, please, please buy and read the entire BLUM'S BEES series. I love it so much and I need you to have it in your life. Just...shut up and go read these books!
๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐: Rated R / 1-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ: addiction (side character), mention of past suicide attempts (side character), auto accident
๐๐๐๐๐ฆ: 3/5 - You will definitely feel some feels.
The unthinkable has happened.
Blum's Bees is a 3-book series...and I rated all three books 5-STARS each. ME, the stingy-star bitch.
So, let's just take a moment and send adoring vibes through the universe to Staci Hart. You are a magical unicorn and I thank you for writing these books.
RUN FOR YOUR HONEY stars the kinda mouthy, super ballsy, fiery, and stubborn Poppy. I freaking love her. And Duke is so perfectly torn and trying his best to do everything right and...just...bless his misguided heart. The sweet teenage love, happy memories, and eventual heartbreak between Poppy and Duke just seeped into my soul.
I love a romance in which the reader sees no clear or easy answer to the main conflict. RUN FOR YOUR HONEY perfectly shows how complex and difficult relationships can be. Such. Great. Storytelling.
Now, besides chemistry for days and plenty of snarky hate-banter, RUN FOR YOUR HONEY serves freaking steam like no other. The sex scenes in this book will set your panties aflame. I'm sweating just writing this review.
Please, please, please buy and read the entire BLUM'S BEES series. I love it so much and I need you to have it in your life. Just...shut up and go read these books!
๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐: Rated R / 1-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ: addiction (side character), mention of past suicide attempts (side character), auto accident
๐๐๐๐๐ฆ: 3/5 - You will definitely feel some feels.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Medical content, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Hot pro football players and cupcakes?
YES. PLEASE.
FAKE IT TILL YOU BAKE IT was the grumpy+sunshine romance I needed in my life this month.
Jada is a heretofore spoiled and mostly aimless rich girl with an inheritance on the line and a flair for fun, brutal honesty, and changing careers. Donovan is a grumpy football player who is all about spreadsheets and the bottom line and gas no patience for "bougie attitudes".
The. Sparks. Between. These. Two. ๐ฅ I was here for it all!
What I really loved about FAKE IT TILL YOU BAKE IT was its realness. This never felt like a crazy inheritance stipulation that was completely unrealistic but made for a good plot point. The set up of Jada's job in the cupcake shop felt plausible.
I also loved that neither of these characters had an instant transformation. They each stay who they are at the beginning of the book while also progressing and changing in necessary ways to find happiness.
FAKE IT TILL YOU BAKE IT had meaningful friendships, complex family relationships, humor, chemistry, and fun! A great light read for a summer vacation.
RATING: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
STEAM: Rated PG-13 / Only 1 descriptive sex scene, may have harsh language.
CONTENT WARNING: unsupportive parents, gambling addiction
FEELS: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light
medium-paced
This is the third and final book in this series and while I absolutely and wholeheartedly loved the first two books, FOR YOU & NO ONE ELSE just didn't quite do it for me.
This is a reverse age gap office romance. And while I really bought in to the friendship aspect between these main charactersโI didn't feel like they had enough sexual chemistry.
Eliza is a therapist and her character engages in some fairy morally questionable things. There are four phd-level therapists in my immediate family so I can get a bit over-irked when that happens in a book.
Beck's religious trauma also seemed a bit over-the-top for me. I liked his character fine, but he also does a few things that just seem really assholey.
SPOILER: setting a female colleague up with a friend of yours and then having sex with that colleague when you know those two are going on dates is a real assholey move.
In the end, FOR YOU & NO ONE ELSE was okay, but I expected so much more.
RATING: โ โ โ 1/2
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R / 1-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
TRIGGERS: religious trauma, alcoholism, past death of parents, family estrangement
FEELS: 4/5 - Tackled some seriously tough topics.
This is a reverse age gap office romance. And while I really bought in to the friendship aspect between these main charactersโI didn't feel like they had enough sexual chemistry.
Eliza is a therapist and her character engages in some fairy morally questionable things. There are four phd-level therapists in my immediate family so I can get a bit over-irked when that happens in a book.
Beck's religious trauma also seemed a bit over-the-top for me. I liked his character fine, but he also does a few things that just seem really assholey.
SPOILER:
In the end, FOR YOU & NO ONE ELSE was okay, but I expected so much more.
RATING: โ โ โ 1/2
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R / 1-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
TRIGGERS: religious trauma, alcoholism, past death of parents, family estrangement
FEELS: 4/5 - Tackled some seriously tough topics.