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ratetheromance's Reviews (659)
funny
fast-paced
Olivia Dade is so damn good at writing plus-size heroines. Nobody does it better, in my opinion.
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The thing that really stands out in 𝟰𝟬-𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 is that the very hot, very much younger hero, Lucas, is that he is insanely attracted to Tess. Full stop. Romance books almost always presenting this attraction as a "despite". I read a book with a plus-size heroine recently in which the hero said he "didn't seem to mind" her weight. WTAF? Am I supposed to swoon at that?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A lot of romances take a moment to do the hero introspective, "I've always preferred a woman with curves instead of stick-straight female bodies". It's just...ugh. In 𝟰𝟬-𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 this author just allows attraction to be attraction. No qualifiers. No need to put down thin bodies. No explanation needed. And oh. my. god. thank. you.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I took a star off because the female lead turns 40 in this book and is portrayed as if on death's door in her old age, complete with achy joints and "I just wanna watch Netflix and then go to bed at 9:30pm". And you KNOW how I feel about that (spoiler: I hate it).
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
𝟰𝟬-𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 is a swoony story with CRAZY-HOT sex scenes, meaningful female friendships, sex positive women, lots of laughs, and a great hea!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated R
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: cheating ex, fat-shaming (side character)
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The thing that really stands out in 𝟰𝟬-𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 is that the very hot, very much younger hero, Lucas, is that he is insanely attracted to Tess. Full stop. Romance books almost always presenting this attraction as a "despite". I read a book with a plus-size heroine recently in which the hero said he "didn't seem to mind" her weight. WTAF? Am I supposed to swoon at that?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A lot of romances take a moment to do the hero introspective, "I've always preferred a woman with curves instead of stick-straight female bodies". It's just...ugh. In 𝟰𝟬-𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 this author just allows attraction to be attraction. No qualifiers. No need to put down thin bodies. No explanation needed. And oh. my. god. thank. you.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I took a star off because the female lead turns 40 in this book and is portrayed as if on death's door in her old age, complete with achy joints and "I just wanna watch Netflix and then go to bed at 9:30pm". And you KNOW how I feel about that (spoiler: I hate it).
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
𝟰𝟬-𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 is a swoony story with CRAZY-HOT sex scenes, meaningful female friendships, sex positive women, lots of laughs, and a great hea!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated R
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: cheating ex, fat-shaming (side character)
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.
adventurous
medium-paced
★ 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗢𝗢𝗡 ★
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated R
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: death, held at gunpoint, past death of parent, past parent abandonment
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated R
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: death, held at gunpoint, past death of parent, past parent abandonment
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
emotional
slow-paced
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Please read this review with that audio clip of Lady Gaga in the background, "...brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before..."
𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗢𝗡 is like no contemporary romance that I've ever read before, with a totally fresh premise that hooked me from page one. And the premise never feels gimmicky or forced.
Cass is a wonderful female lead. She is smart, hard-working, relatable, and so damn likable. I adored her. I loved her best friend and their supportive friendship!
I can't expound on the male lead and how much I love him without spoilers so, let me just say, I ADORE HIM SO HARD. You will too.
Because I'm a stingy-star-bitch, I took off half a star from my rating because the steamy scene in this book felt thrown in as an afterthought in a very odd place in the book (and you KNOW I love a steamy scene). It felt like a box to be checked instead of a natural part of the narrative.
But, you know, feel feee to ignore that minor setback because 𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗢𝗡 should absolutely be next on your TBR. It is original, thoughtful, sweet, swoony, unpredictable, and I freaking loved it.
𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗢𝗡 is like no contemporary romance that I've ever read before, with a totally fresh premise that hooked me from page one. And the premise never feels gimmicky or forced.
Cass is a wonderful female lead. She is smart, hard-working, relatable, and so damn likable. I adored her. I loved her best friend and their supportive friendship!
I can't expound on the male lead and how much I love him without spoilers so, let me just say, I ADORE HIM SO HARD. You will too.
Because I'm a stingy-star-bitch, I took off half a star from my rating because the steamy scene in this book felt thrown in as an afterthought in a very odd place in the book (and you KNOW I love a steamy scene). It felt like a box to be checked instead of a natural part of the narrative.
But, you know, feel feee to ignore that minor setback because 𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗢𝗡 should absolutely be next on your TBR. It is original, thoughtful, sweet, swoony, unpredictable, and I freaking loved it.
medium-paced
DNF 51%
The female lead in this book is 42 years old and a U.S. size 16—and this entire book is about how OLD and FAT she is.
Every physical description of her includes "round", "soft", or "ample". As a plus size woman, I very much appreciate seeing curvy women in romance. This book's take on it just didn't feel genuine or even complex. It felt a bit like a thin author trying to write a larger heroine. It just wasn't successful for me.
The heroine also complains about pre-menopausal hormones. Bitches, SHE'S 42. There is a lot of talk about her aging out of dating and family life. Sure, there definitely ARE women who experience pre-menopause symptoms at this age, but the whole vibe of this book felt like this heroine is 80 years old. Again, maybe this is just my 44 year old self balking at this portrayal of the lead, but it didn't ring true for me.
A quirky, bibliophile, 40+ heroine who has a lot of pets, and treats those pets like children, has been DONE TO DEATH. I am so ready to read a kick-ass, 40+ woman, with a thriving career who is driven, put together, and not going to bed at 9:00pm every night with cats and The Great British Bake-Off on Netflix. PLEASE, AUTHORS. I AM BEGGING YOU.
Besides that, I felt almost no chemistry between the leads. I absolutely LOVED the first two books in this series, but this one just did not work for me.
The female lead in this book is 42 years old and a U.S. size 16—and this entire book is about how OLD and FAT she is.
Every physical description of her includes "round", "soft", or "ample". As a plus size woman, I very much appreciate seeing curvy women in romance. This book's take on it just didn't feel genuine or even complex. It felt a bit like a thin author trying to write a larger heroine. It just wasn't successful for me.
The heroine also complains about pre-menopausal hormones. Bitches, SHE'S 42. There is a lot of talk about her aging out of dating and family life. Sure, there definitely ARE women who experience pre-menopause symptoms at this age, but the whole vibe of this book felt like this heroine is 80 years old. Again, maybe this is just my 44 year old self balking at this portrayal of the lead, but it didn't ring true for me.
A quirky, bibliophile, 40+ heroine who has a lot of pets, and treats those pets like children, has been DONE TO DEATH. I am so ready to read a kick-ass, 40+ woman, with a thriving career who is driven, put together, and not going to bed at 9:00pm every night with cats and The Great British Bake-Off on Netflix. PLEASE, AUTHORS. I AM BEGGING YOU.
Besides that, I felt almost no chemistry between the leads. I absolutely LOVED the first two books in this series, but this one just did not work for me.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2nd Chance meets Romance Audio narration with a freaking firefighter? HOT DAAAAMMMNN.
The first half of 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗠𝗘 was good, but really slow for me. I loved these main characters! Piper is funny and likable and caring! I loved her ambition. And Sam is SO FREAKING SWOONY. He is so busy serving others and trying to be a good man!
Besides the slow first half, I had a really hard time with the dynamic between Piper and her mother. Piper's mom has NINE children and Piper drops everything to move home and care for all the kids, something it is mentioned often that she also did the entire time she was growing up. I am in no way opposed to people having lots of kids. I am very much opposed to those people forcing their older kids to raise the younger ones. This aspect of the story really bothered me.
However, 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗠𝗘 had all of the best parts of Second Chance Romance I love. Glimpses at the couple's past relationship, that old spark bursting into sexual chemistry, the feeling that these two were MEANT to be together. This book excelled at all of that.
𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗠𝗘 also had lovable side characters, serious steam, and...drum roll....there was only one bed. Seriously so good!
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated R / 1-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: pregnancy complication (side character)
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.
The first half of 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗠𝗘 was good, but really slow for me. I loved these main characters! Piper is funny and likable and caring! I loved her ambition. And Sam is SO FREAKING SWOONY. He is so busy serving others and trying to be a good man!
Besides the slow first half, I had a really hard time with the dynamic between Piper and her mother. Piper's mom has NINE children and Piper drops everything to move home and care for all the kids, something it is mentioned often that she also did the entire time she was growing up. I am in no way opposed to people having lots of kids. I am very much opposed to those people forcing their older kids to raise the younger ones. This aspect of the story really bothered me.
However, 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗠𝗘 had all of the best parts of Second Chance Romance I love. Glimpses at the couple's past relationship, that old spark bursting into sexual chemistry, the feeling that these two were MEANT to be together. This book excelled at all of that.
𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗠𝗘 also had lovable side characters, serious steam, and...drum roll....there was only one bed. Seriously so good!
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated R / 1-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: pregnancy complication (side character)
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Pregnancy
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really loved HOW SWEET IT IS by this author so I was so excited to get an advanced copy of 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗨𝗣 and, bitches, it delivered!
This book is opposites attract, forced proximity, small town, ex-soldier, steamy and swoony GOODNESS.
Now, listen. I was getting my Stingy Star Bitch cap outta the closet and getting ready to take a star off my rating because Zander was just a bit too good to be true. But this author pulled it out and made Zander have a serious flaw in the 3rd act and—all was right with the world!
Imani is also a wonderful and complex character. She is so loyal and hard-working and she needs Zander's easy demeanor to balance her uptightness.
𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗨𝗣 had wonderful side characters, funny moments, life lessons, and great friendships. Oh, and sex. Seriously steamy sex. Lest we forget the important things.
And, let me just say, that I am FOAMING AT THE DAMN MOUTH for the next book in this series starring the third grumpy, sad, and kinda broken brother. Preparing myself to feel the feels on that one!
I loved 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗨𝗣! You can totally read it as a standalone, but I love it even more having read HOW SWEET IT IS. Read them BOTH and thank me later.
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated R
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: brief mention of suicide, mention of past combat injury (side character)
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 3/5 - So will definitely feel some feels
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is opposites attract, forced proximity, small town, ex-soldier, steamy and swoony GOODNESS.
Now, listen. I was getting my Stingy Star Bitch cap outta the closet and getting ready to take a star off my rating because Zander was just a bit too good to be true. But this author pulled it out and made Zander have a serious flaw in the 3rd act and—all was right with the world!
Imani is also a wonderful and complex character. She is so loyal and hard-working and she needs Zander's easy demeanor to balance her uptightness.
𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗨𝗣 had wonderful side characters, funny moments, life lessons, and great friendships. Oh, and sex. Seriously steamy sex. Lest we forget the important things.
And, let me just say, that I am FOAMING AT THE DAMN MOUTH for the next book in this series starring the third grumpy, sad, and kinda broken brother. Preparing myself to feel the feels on that one!
I loved 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗨𝗣! You can totally read it as a standalone, but I love it even more having read HOW SWEET IT IS. Read them BOTH and thank me later.
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated R
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: brief mention of suicide, mention of past combat injury (side character)
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 3/5 - So will definitely feel some feels
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Gaaaahhhh! I loved this book!
𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥 is a freaking delight. Boone and Eve are EVERYTHING. Evie is hardworking, sweet, and relatable. I loved reading about her growth in this book as she goes from being kind of lost in her life to choosing a direction and purpose and then getting at it! And Boone was so insanely sexy. He's such a cinnamon roll hero and if you like guy-takes-care-of-sick-girl trope then buckle up, bitches!...because it is so damn good.
I really loved that Boone is a character who has been in an emotionally abusive relationship in the past. This is so often relegated to female leads. His experience was handled with realism, honesty, and compassion. So well done! I really wish therapy had been part of his healing process because I think we need more male characters in therapy.
The steam in 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥 was melt-yo-kindle hot and the slow burn of this fake-relationship really amps up the chemistry. Book sex is so much better when we have been nibble horny breadcrumbs for a hundred pages first. Just sayin'.
I should mention that this book doesn't quite succeed as a standalone. The only reason I came to realize it wasn't the first book in the series is because I got to a point where I thought "who are all of these characters and what are these half-told back stories about them? I will definitely go back and read the series from the beginning because this book was great!
I absolutely loved 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥! It had meaningful friendships, complex characters, tackled some tough issues, and provided a decidedly wonderful HEA to Boone and Eve. Now I'm off to start this series from the beginning!
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated R / 1-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: cheating ex, emotionally abusive ex
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 3/5 - So many feels you might tear up a little.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥 is a freaking delight. Boone and Eve are EVERYTHING. Evie is hardworking, sweet, and relatable. I loved reading about her growth in this book as she goes from being kind of lost in her life to choosing a direction and purpose and then getting at it! And Boone was so insanely sexy. He's such a cinnamon roll hero and if you like guy-takes-care-of-sick-girl trope then buckle up, bitches!...because it is so damn good.
I really loved that Boone is a character who has been in an emotionally abusive relationship in the past. This is so often relegated to female leads. His experience was handled with realism, honesty, and compassion. So well done! I really wish therapy had been part of his healing process because I think we need more male characters in therapy.
The steam in 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥 was melt-yo-kindle hot and the slow burn of this fake-relationship really amps up the chemistry. Book sex is so much better when we have been nibble horny breadcrumbs for a hundred pages first. Just sayin'.
I should mention that this book doesn't quite succeed as a standalone. The only reason I came to realize it wasn't the first book in the series is because I got to a point where I thought "who are all of these characters and what are these half-told back stories about them? I will definitely go back and read the series from the beginning because this book was great!
I absolutely loved 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥! It had meaningful friendships, complex characters, tackled some tough issues, and provided a decidedly wonderful HEA to Boone and Eve. Now I'm off to start this series from the beginning!
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated R / 1-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: cheating ex, emotionally abusive ex
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 3/5 - So many feels you might tear up a little.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Her souvenir from her trip to Ireland is a husband? I am SOLD.
𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗬 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗣 𝗗𝗔𝗬 is a fun, light, read with a seriously hot husband and a sweet HEA. This is a low-steam romance that somehow feels steamy. It would be a great book to recommend to your aunt or neighbor if you don't want to let them know how steamy you REALLY like your smut books. 😉
Cara is a great female lead. She was relatable, likable, and hard-working. I loved seeing her vulnerability and watching her learn to take what she wants in life.
And swoony Finn was honestly a little TOO perfect. His character has zero flaws. While that is very swoony, I like more complex lead characters.
Cara and Finn had instant chemistry, lots of swoony moments, and a solid foundation of friendship that made their happily ever after that much sweeter! 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗬 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗣 𝗗𝗔𝗬 is a great read, especially if you want a lighter book and sizzle without steam.
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated PG / Kissing and awareness that characters sleep together. Closed Door.
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: cheating ex
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 1/5 - Light and funny, with little to no drama.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗬 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗣 𝗗𝗔𝗬 is a fun, light, read with a seriously hot husband and a sweet HEA. This is a low-steam romance that somehow feels steamy. It would be a great book to recommend to your aunt or neighbor if you don't want to let them know how steamy you REALLY like your smut books. 😉
Cara is a great female lead. She was relatable, likable, and hard-working. I loved seeing her vulnerability and watching her learn to take what she wants in life.
And swoony Finn was honestly a little TOO perfect. His character has zero flaws. While that is very swoony, I like more complex lead characters.
Cara and Finn had instant chemistry, lots of swoony moments, and a solid foundation of friendship that made their happily ever after that much sweeter! 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗬 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗣 𝗗𝗔𝗬 is a great read, especially if you want a lighter book and sizzle without steam.
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated PG / Kissing and awareness that characters sleep together. Closed Door.
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: cheating ex
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 1/5 - Light and funny, with little to no drama.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.