renae_reads_romance's reviews
877 reviews

The Moon & His Tides by Giana Darling

emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫   Steam Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I literally just finished this book and I’m speechless and teary eyed. I loved it so much but I don’t think I have the words to describe it without spoilers. 

Giana is one of my favourite authors ever, she knows how to suck you right in from the beginning. And trust me when I say you won’t want to put this book to end. 

So what happens when a young theatre/chauffeur boy from Italy falls for his married client? Well he never expected the husband to be into him too!  It’s opened up a whole new world for all of them. 

I loved that this mainly started out as lust but the more time they all spent together, the more they slowly fell for each other. They all brought out a different side to each other, Sebastian made them more real, done to earth, made them more open. And they made Sebastian feel loved, they gave him a home and helped him pursue his dreams. 

I loved Sebastian so much! For an 18 year old, he had such confidence and comfort in himself, it was refreshing. And I loved every moment he had with Adam! I needed more!

I loved Adam too, the broody, closed off actor immediately found his way into my heart. Though he broke it at the end 😭 but he’s so broken himself that he doesn’t know what to do. He had me crying at the end 

Savannah, I’ll be real honest sand say I don’t like her. She was extremely selfish and a brat. Like she had some good moments but I wanted more Adam and Sebastian time and she wouldn’t let it happen without her. But I’m hoping to see her grow up in the next book cause they do all make a perfect pairing. 

Oh and I can’t forget to mention the spice because damn!🥵🥵 it was so freaking hot! I definitely wanted more MM scenes but the MMF scenes were, honestly no words to describe it, just know this will have you needing a cold shower afterwards 😂 It was the perfect blend of spice and story. 

I am so curious to see where this goes, it was a devastating ending but it still gives you a little hope. I definitely need to go and read his sisters books now, I’ve only read the Anti-Heroes duet (all time favourite) but I need more of this family!

Steal My Heart by Laura Pavlov

emotional funny lighthearted sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Steam Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️

Laura Pavlov definitely knows how to hook with a new series! I loved this one!

We first met Easton in Beating Heart, he’s Emerson’s twin and a hot shot lawyer in Rosewood River. He’s determined to become a partner at his law firm. So he’s not overly happy that he has to mentor his boss’s daughter. He expects her to be spoiled and have everything handed to her, and their first meeting doesn’t start off on the best foot.

Henley is excited to be starting work at her father’s firm. What she doesn’t expect is the hot and cold attitude from Easton. While they might have started off on the wrong foot, it doesn’t take Easton long to realise he had her all wrong. Henley is super smart, she’s worked hard to get where she is now and doesn’t rely on her father to further her career.

I absolutely loved these two! Easton is a little grumpy but he fell hard and fast for her without even realising it. He’s got a tragic past that has made him swear off relationships and commitment but when he spends every day with Henley she slowly breaks through his walls. I loved that she didn’t take any attitude from him and gave it back just as good.

Their relationship was so sweet! Easton is so protective of her, and that does lead to some intense moments/scenes but I loved his commitment to making himself better for her and I loved that Henley was always there for him when he needed it and vice versa.

I cannot wait for the next book! Actually the whole series! I love the Chadwick family and can’t wait to see them all fall in love!

I definitely recommend this one if enjoy office/workplace romances that are little forbidden but so sweet, fun and have the perfect amount of steam!

All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles

adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️  Steam Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️

This was my last book of 2023 and it did not disappoint!

I read this one day! Once I started I couldn’t put it down! I was hooked!

Ridley runs a podcast out of her combi van, she trys to solve cold cases of missing or deceased people. Colt is the local sheriff the town Ridley is currently in. After a bit of a bad but funny run in with each other, they discover that the case Ridley is working on has to do with his sister. 

Colt is not happy about her being in town and dredging up past trauma but Ridley is determined to solve this one, she has a personal reason that she’s holding close to her heart. 

Ridley and Colt have a quite a few run ins with each other, not all of them good. They definitely have chemistry but Colt is a bit of an ass and keeps putting his foot in his mouth but when Ridley gets hurt, his protective instincts come out and he’ll do anything to protect her. Including dealing with the trauma of his sister’s past. 

Once again I did not predict the villain, I was shocked and disgusted when I found out who it was. Was not expecting it all but man it did make the ending more tense and exciting!

This one definitely packs an emotional punch, it takes a lot to make me cry but this one definitely did. I’m so happy Colt and Ridley found each other, they were the missing piece each of them needed to fully heal. 

If there’s one Catherine Cowles book that should be a movie, it’s this one! It has everything, the suspense, the captivating story, the fantastic chemistry and tension and amazing side characters who I loved!

I really hope we get a book on 2 certain people 👀👀 cause I need them to have a HEA!🥺

Visions of Darkness by A.L. Jackson

4.0

Forever the Highlands by Samantha Young

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

📖Review📖

Book Title: Forever the Highlands Author: Samantha Young 

Series: The Highlands #6

Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️   Steam Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️

The 6th and final book in the Highlands in almost here! I had the pleasure of reading this early, which I’m so grateful for, but I’m so sad the series is over!😭

I have been dying to read this one from the moment Samantha Young teased us with this pairing and it did not disappoint!!

This one follows Eilidh and Fyfe. Eilidh is Lewis’s sister and Fyfe is his best friend. They’ve known each other since early teens Eilidh has been in love with Fyfe all that time. Fyfe has always known about her crush but she’s his best friend’s little sister, he could never go there. But when the two of them start talking and texting privately after a chance encounter, they become so much closer. We get to see their friendship grow over 8 years. We see the tension build, the hurt, the fun moments and the missed moments. The “will they, won’t they” tension had me on the edge of my seat! 

Fyfe and Eilidh went through so much throughout this book, not just in their childhood but as adults too. Eilidh struggled a lot with being a young and famous actress. Learning how cruel the world can be really affected her mental health but I loved seeing her growth through the book. 

Fyfe has always said never wants a relationship, after being abandoned by his mother at a young age, he thought he could never love or commit to someone like that. But when he unexpectedly becomes a single dad, and Eilidh puts her feelings aside to help him, he sees that fatherhood has changed his perspective on who he can love. But will he be able to convince Eilidh that he loves her for her and not for helping him with his daughter?

I loved that Fyfe and Eilidh started off as friends, that they were there for each other in ways others couldn’t be. There’s just something so sweet about being childhood friends and having that trust in someone. 

I won’t say much about the suspense but just when you think it’s over something else happens, couldn’t predict it all 🤣

While I’m sad this series is over, it was a beautiful ending. Those epilogues were perfect!

This one also reiterated my love for Thane & Regan (Eilidh’s parents) I just love those two so much and I loved that we got to see so much of them again!

Losers: Part II by Harley Laroux

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

📖Review📖

Book Title: Losers Author: Harley Laroux

Series: Losers #2

Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️   Steam Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Okay I think I have a new all time favourite! I am so in love with duet! Read both books in about 48 hours! Could not put them down!

I honestly don’t have words for how amazing this is!

While some might have an issue with how long these books are, I think they were the perfect length! When you have 5 main characters and POVs, you can’t skimp on anything. I loved that we POV on all of them, I loved being in their head and learning more about them. 

I loved that while the sex was even more spicer in this one, we got more scenes with them just bonding, together and as couples. I honestly don’t have a favourite guy, I love them all so much!🥺 My little broken boys found their happiness with their perfect match!

Jess grew so much in this one, she really came into herself and became more confident and comfortable with what she wanted. I loved that the boys helped her discover her true self. 

There was one scene in particular that had me tearing up, when Manson was dealing with a big part of childhood trauma, what he said in that scene got to me so much cause I’ve felt and sometimes still feel that way. While I don’t have the trauma they do I’ve definitely experienced those mental health battles and I really loved the way they all supported each other if they  were struggling. 

Definitely a lot more drama in this one but I loved every minute of it! The ending was perfect and karma really is a bitch 😏

Honestly if you love found family, why choose romance with lots of ⚔️🍆, that’s sweet, funny and heartfelt then you need to read this book!

Don’t forget to check the trigger warnings!

Losers: Part I by Harley Laroux

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

📖Review📖

Book Title: Losers Author: Harley Laroux

Series: Losers #1

Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️   Steam Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I have been looking for a books/series that gave me Fast & Furious vibes and this one certainly ticked all the boxes! Cause if you know me at all you know I’m obsessed with the movies, I rewatch all the time and cars are my biggest turn on! This is definitely darker and more kinkier but it still had the street racing, the hotted up cars and the found family closeness that I absolutely love! 

Okay so this one starts about 3 years after The Dare, which I highly recommend reading first! While all of them have sort of gone on with their lives, no one has forgotten that night. So when Jess has to move back home temporarily and she runs into the boys, all those feelings come rushing back. 

Jess was Manson, Lucas, Vincent and Jason’s bully in high school, she would torment them, along with her so called friends but what they don’t know, and what she’s been hiding secretly, is that she has always been drawn to them, they bring out her darkest fantasies and deepest feelings. 

When an incident occurs that causes her to really question who her real friends are and what she really wants/needs, it leads to a night of “punishment”. That brings back all those feelings from Halloween night and when the next day arrives none of them really want to go there separate ways. This then leads to a deal being made, they’ll help her with her current situation and she becomes their free use toy until they’ve fixed her problem. This deal opens her eyes to a world she never imagined she could be in and she loves every moment of it all!

Manson, Lucas, Vincent and Jason have my whole heart! I love them all so much, I honestly don’t have a favourite. I adore their relationships with each other. They are all together, which is so hot but I love that it’s not just about that, they’ve made themselves into family. Almost all of them have grown up with horrible, traumatic pasts but it’s bonded them together for life. 

I don’t think I realised how dirty this book was going to be but OMG I have never been so turned on 🥵 the sex scenes were so fucking hot! I never thought I was much into BDSM but after this, I think I have new kinks 🤣😏And this is barely scratching the surface on the spice, I know there’s still so much more to come and I can’t wait! And there’s just something about MM relationships that have me 🥵🥺 and not even the spice, just the way they are with each other has me swooning. 

I absolutely loved every moment of this book! It’s dark, it’s sweet, it’s funny, it’s emotional, it’s so kinky it’ll make you question yourself, and it’s got that hint of suspense/danger that I love! What more could you want!

What started as a deal has lead to real feelings for each other, that they’re all a little too scared to admit it to, but Jess was the missing piece to the puzzle that never knew was missing. I loved that it was multiple POV, that we got to really know them all and see them one on one outside of the spicy times. I’m curious and nervous to see how everything plays out!

Honestly I could go on and on about this book but I don’t want to spoil too much, going in kind of blind is the best way, though please check the trigger warnings! This is not for the faint of heart. 

I want to end this by saying that I have rewritten this review so many times, I can’t seem to put my thoughts into proper words, that actually make sense, about how much I truly loved this book! But if this tickles your fancy in way, then read it! You won’t be disappointed! 

The Dare by Harley Laroux

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫   Steam Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Okay why haven’t I read this sooner! I think I’m about to be obsessed with this series!

For a prequel novella it hit all the spots! Dark, twisted and kinky as fuck 🥵 definitely had me questioning myself but damn did I enjoy it!

The popular girl losing a dare to one of the losers she used to bully and being his slave for the night?! 

Jessica was a horrible bully to Manson and his friends so when the opportunity arose to push her past her limits, he couldn’t turn it down! God this was so fun! I loved that Jess kept trying to come up with a good reason not to do the things he wanted but boy did he know all her dark fantasies and he brought them to life, whether she was willing to admit she loved it or not!

I’m so curious to see how this plays out in the next books! And I need more group scenes!🥵

Definitely check your trigger warnings for this one as it’s definitely not for everyone.  

Trick Shot by Kayla Grosse

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️   Steam Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Okay this was just what I needed! This wasn’t even on my radar until I saw that a book box was doing a spicy SE of it and now I absolutely need it!

This was a short but fun, extra spicy and a little emotional, holiday romance about mistaken identity, a night full of discovering your true fantasies and an adorable polyamorous relationship blooming!

I loved the representation/diversity, a plus size heroine, a Polynesian, and 2 bisexual men! 

I haven’t read many MMF books but after this need to read more! The spicy was phenomenal! Like you’ll need a cold shower after 🥵 but man did I love all the sweet moments!

This is a perfect holiday read! A must read for anyone looking for something sweet, fun, a whole lot spicy with just the right amount of emotional moments. 

Gifted To His Dad by J. Wilder

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️   Steam Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Looking for something short and filfthy to add to your reading goal? Then definitely check this one out!

As the title suggests this is a MFM holiday romance novella and it is oh so good!

It starts off sweet but it’ll have you 🥵🥵 by the end!

Cole and Griffin are not related, griffin is Cole’s stepdad who came into his life when he was 19 and they’ve always had a special bond, nothing romantic but they love each other and have been looking for the perfect girl to complete their lives. 

Enter Eve, Cole’s girlfriend, who joins him on small vacation to meet his stepdad. After an embarrassing first encounter the sparks start to fly and will they be able convince Eve that they both want her forever? 

I highly recommend this book! It was so fun! And absolutely filthy, in the best way!