renae_reads_romance's reviews
889 reviews

In Good Company by Kat Singleton

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

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

In the mood for a fun summer romance between a billionaire and his private chef, who also happens to be his brothers ex girlfriend?! Look no further!

This gave me such fun summer vibes and I had so much fun reading it! Been ages since I’ve read a billionaire romance and I forget how much I love them!

When Lucy and Cal bump into each other during a private dinner, it sparks something in Cal, especially when Lucy pretends she doesn’t know him. 

When he hears she’s looking for work as a private chef, he offers her a job but she turns him down even though she knows she shouldn’t. Cal isn’t used to hearing no and it has awoken something in him so does everything to convince her to work for him. 

She eventually says yes as it’s an offer she can’t refuse and needs to save all the money she can this summer to help her family’s business. But let’s just say working for the man you’re currently crushing on makes for a fun environment 😏

I loved Cal! I mean we love a confident man who falls so fast and hard that it’s adorable watching him try to rain it in, while also not being afraid to admit his feelings. Man is obsessed with her, head over heels swooning!

I was really enjoying this up until the climax, then it kind of fell apart for me. I think Cal deserved better and Lucy drove me crazy that she wouldn’t tell him why she couldn’t stay after the summer; it’s literally so minor and Cal has more than proven himself and his willingness to be with her. I ended up skimming the last 10 chapters. 

But apart from that it was a fun read, I loved the first 85% and I still recommend it. 

The Rivaled Crown by Holly Renee

adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious 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

4.5

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

The Rivaled Crown picks up right where The Hunted Heir finished. We don’t know if Verena and Dacre will be reunited. Verena is back under her father’s watch and it’s worse than ever before but she still holds out hope that Dacre is coming for her.

I honestly had no idea where this was going to go, but it was an adventure. I read this book in one day cause I couldn’t wait to find out how it ended. I loved Dacre even more in this one! His determination to get back to her, the way he stood by her and lifted her up was just 🥺😍 he would kneel for no one but her. 

It was a fantastic ending. We had moments of doubt, fear for Verena, a heartbreaking reunion, shocking revelations and a beautiful conclusion to their love story. 

If you love fated mates, rival families, a missing princess and a prophecy that could end it all, then you have to read this series!

All 3 books are available and ready for you to binge!

I am also requesting a book for Wren and Kai! I need more of them!

Save Your Breath by Kandi Steiner

emotional funny lighthearted 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

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

One of my absolute favourite tropes is childhood friends to lovers! I mean you can’t tell me it’s not an elite trope, the banter/comardarie of knowing each other for so long, the tension of “does he like me? does she like me?”, the slight misunderstandings and the ultimate fuck it moment after an agonising slow burn!

Save Your Breath had all of that plus a fake engagement between a pop star and NHL! What more could you want!

I did not want this book to end! I could not put it down, while simultaneously making myself stop so I’d have more to read. Was so freaking good! It’s now up there with WYM as my favourites of the series!

I loved Aleks so much! I wasn’t expecting to cry so much but his story broke my heart, the way he thinks and talks about himself 😭 I just wanted to give him a big hug. I loved that Mia was his person, the one he trusted wholeheartedly and would do anything for! They were the perfect match, Mia brought out the happy side of him and he brought out the confident/fierce woman she really is. 

I cannot recommend this book enough! Though please check your triggers as it deals with addiction and the mental struggles around that. 

Also you’ve been wanting a Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce romance then this one you should definitely try, reminded of them in the best way and was so much more!

Beautiful Exile by Catherine Cowles

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious tense slow-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

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

Catherine Cowles has done it again! I have fallen so hard for Arden and Linc!

This book was so beautiful, it had me in a chokehold. I both wanted to finish it asap but I also wanted it to never end!

If you’ve been reading the series, you’ll know Arden is a bit of mystery, we don’t know much about her story but I’ve been intrigued from the beginning. And I won’t say much about her story, but just be prepared to be absolutely heartbroken and devastated for her 😭 but she is such a badass, a true fighter. 

Linc and Arden have the funniest meet cute, she literally held him at knife point 😂 and he was immediately head over heels for her. 

So we know she’s probably in hiding from whatever happened to her but when she meets Linc, who really sees her, she’s decided she’s done hiding, she wants to live but her past is about to catch up to her in a devastating way. I had my suspicions about the villain, though I thought it was a wild guess, but I was actually right for once! And my god was it a 😱 moment!

Linc is the perfect boyfriend! The way he was always there for Arden, the way he could see exactly what she needed and gave her that, whether it was space to deal or to comfort her, the way he didn’t let her hide away from him or lie about her feelings. The man was obsessed with her in the best way and I loved him so much!

There are so many moments I want to gush about but my favourite is him buying her flashlights and solar lights because he knew she was terrified of the dark 🥺 I mean is that not the sweetest thing ever!

I cannot recommend this book enough! This is hands down my favourite Catherine series! The sibling banter and love is unmatched and has me wanting to be apart of the family!

The ending had me smiling with tears in my eyes, it was utterly perfect!

Sin With Me by Brooke Montgomery

emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.5

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

The final book in the Sugarland Creek series is here and I’m so sad it over! This one of my favourite series! It has everything, excellent spice, hilarious family banter and a touch of suspense. 

What happens when the guy you’ve been secretly crushing on, admits he’s been crushing on you too and you end up drunkenly getting married in Vegas?

Delilah and Wilder known each other for 9 years, first meeting when he calls a crisis hotline and she answers but he gave her a fake name. But when she ends up dating his twin brother they both immediately know who the other is but never tell each other. 

Wilder has struggled with his mental health for majority of his life but calling the crisis hotline changed his life for the better, she becomes his safe haven and he pushes himself to be better because of her. 

Delilah is still struggling with the unexpected death of her father but through her grief she finds happiness with Wilder. 

When she ends up kissing him one night, it unravels their relationship and Wilder is now determined to be with her now that he knows she feels the same way. But Delilah is hesitant because of her grief and Wilders past history with women. 

Throw in a jealous cop determined to ruin them, a Vegas marriage and crazy family antics, the fun of being in a new relationship and you’re in for a fun time!

I I loved this one so much! Wilder was the sweetest, I loved how much he showed Delilah that they were meant to be together when she was hesitant. The man was so down bad for her 😍 calling her his wife all the time, being there for her in any way she needed. Let’s just say it didn’t take long for Delilah to head over heels for him too!

I do recommend reading Only With You before this as Wilder and Waylon’s stories overlap and intertwine more than the others in the series. You see more of Wilders past and how it affected them both.  

Wild Side by Elsie Silver

emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-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 is the first book I’ve read in over a month that had me so giddy! Literally giggling and kicking my feet!I I didn’t want the book to end!

Rhys and Tabby were everything I wanted and more! I think it might even beat out Wild Eyes as my favourite if the series (so far)!

Rhys and Tabby first met years ago when Rhys became her sister’s landlord. Fast forward a few years and Tabby sister has passed away, leaving behind her 3 year old son, Milo. When tabby learns that Rhys evicted her without warning, she cannot stand him but then she learns that her sister left custody of her son to Rhys. And that hate grew even more. 

But despite her hatred towards him, they both want what’s best for Milo and form an unlikely alliance to put him first. With that Rhys ends up staying with them in Tabby’s basement. Now forced to be in each other’s proximity, they start to see different sides of each other, realising that tabby’s sister may not have been entirely truthful to either of them. 

Now while Tabby currently hates Rhys, the two were kind of smitten with each other upon their first encounter and those feelings haven’t gone anywhere. Living in such close proximity has lead to a few little moments. And now that Tabby has brought up the idea of them getting married, for Milo’s sake and so Rhys can stay in the country, it pushes them even closer. 

I over this book with my whole heart! Tabby is such a courageous, fierce and loyal woman, exactly the kind of person Rhys needs. Rhys is quiet, fiercely protective of those he loves but he’s had a rough life, being orphaned at a young age has left him lonely and untrusting of others. 

I loved seeing Tabby show up and support Rhys in any way she could. I loved that the two of them were very big on the acts of love, while they didn’t communicate the best they showed up in other ways.

And the slow burn! Fuck me I ate the slow burn up! The moment they got together 🥵🔥 wow! No words but so damn hot! And every time Rhys said “my wife” I melted in to a puddle 😍

I cannot recommend this book enough! It may feel like I’ve given a lot away but I’ve barely touched the surface, there is so much to this book and I couldn’t go on and on but just read it! If you love small towns, marriage of convenience, forced proximity, an adorable kid and a delicious slow burn  then this is the book for you!

Oh and if Wild Card has the trope I think it will, FUCK ME DEAD ☠️ I AM ALREADY OBSESSED!

Cross My Heart by Shae Ruby

emotional lighthearted sad 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

4.5

This was my first Shae Ruby book and I am throughly impressed! 

Cross my Heart follows the long, emotional journey of Noah and Tyler finding happiness. 

Noah and Tyler first meet when they’re 13. It was practically love at first sight but they were young p, inexperienced and scared, and there was also Scarlett, Noah’s long time best friend and soon to be Tyler’s friend too. 

Okay I’m struggling to write this (have rewritten this so many times) without spoiling too much, while still trying to entice you, and for it to make sense. I’ll try to give you a small break down. The main thing I will tell you is that friendships get tangled, feelings get hurt and you will probably cry. 

Noah, Scarlett and Tyler are the bestest of friends. Noah and Scarlett have been friends since birth and Tyler was new to town but fits in with them immediately. 

We know that Noah is gay. Tyler has never had feelings for a boy before but he falls for Noah instantly while still being confused and scared about it. 

As they grow up, the feelings become stronger but both are scared to admit it to each other. But Scarlett isn’t and makes a move on Tyler first, all while knowing how Noah feels. 

What ensues is a decade long battle of Noah wanting Tyler, Tyler wanting Noah and nothing but stolen moments between them behind Scarlett’s back. Tyler is scared to admit his feelings, he doesn’t want to hurt Scarlett or lose his friends but he can’t stay away from Noah either. Noah constantly pushes Tyler away in order to protect himself when Tyler won’t commit to anything. But when Noah gets hurt, it forces Tyler to make a choice between them and who he really wants. 

This book put my emotions through the wringer! My heart hurt so much for these two! You can see how much they love each other but they both keep doing the wrong thing and hurting each other. I did not like Scarlett at all, yes I felt bad about them going behind her back but she knew how Noah felt and basically did everything with Tyler as some sort of spite to Noah. She had this “pick me” energy that I hated. 

This book also deals with military ptsd after a devastating loss, so check your triggers before reading as it gets quite confronting and graphic. 

All in all I loved it! Noah and Tyler had me gripped and while it was a slightly toxic situation, the love they had for each other was beautiful and their happy ending was everything I wanted it to be!

Skate the Line by S.J. Sylvis

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Under An Endless Moon by A.L. Jackson

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious 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

4.0

Playbook by Rebecca Jenshak

emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.5

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

“It turns out I don’t mind not being the center of the party as long as I can be the center of her attention.“

This book was everything I wanted it to be! It was fun, it was sweet, it was steamy and had just the right amount of tension!

London and Brogan don’t meet under the best circumstances. She’s been receiving his fan mail and she’s over it, especially after opening one package by mistake and finding used panties. So when she finally sees him at a bar one night she gives him what for. Brogan is super apologetic and immediately smitten. Determined to apologise he sends her hand written notes and they start communicating that way for bit. 

One thing leads to another after a few letters and encounters and they both realise they can help each other out. London needs a date to her sister’s wedding because she may have told her ex (who is her sister’s fiancées brother) that she was seeing someone when she isn’t, whoops. And Brogan is needing to fix his reputation with his football team. So Brogan convinces her that they should fake date. 

I loved everything about this fake dating relationship! Brogan and London are so different from each other, she’s a bit of black cat and he’s this sunshine, cinnamon roll who is always happy. I loved seeing them to know each other, both became such big supporters of each other and it was so sweet. And while both were adamant that this relationship was strictly fake and no funny business was going to happen, one kiss leads to more and before they know it they’re falling hard for each other!

I also enjoyed that while 90% of this book was fun and light, we got to see Brogan and London deal with some heavier issues. Brogan’s past has come back in way he never thought it would and he doesn’t know what to do or feel. It was great to see how supportive London was for him during this. I absolutely loved how Brogan stood up to London’s family when they constantly put her dreams down, he really became her biggest fan!

Okay I think I could go on and on about this book but if you love football romances, a cinnamon roll hero and all the fake dating tension then you need to read this one!