renae_reads_romance's reviews
880 reviews

Forbidden King by Laura Pavlov

4.5

Book Title: Forbidden King Author: Laura Pavlov  

Series: Magnolia Falls #3

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

I don’t know what Laura Pavlov puts in her books but they are crack! I flew through this book without even realising I got so far, it was that good!

Saylor is Hayes’ little sister and she’s back home to home open her romance bookstore. King is one of Hayes best friends. When Hayes has to go out of town for a bit he asks king to look out for sister cause their stepfather is a real douche. 

Saylor and King have had a connection since they were teenagers and she lived with his family. But now that’s she home for good they both start spending more time together and realise that they like each other as more than friends. King is adamant about not crossing that line as it’s his best friend’s little sister and he doesn’t want to ruin their friendship. 

I loved king and Saylor so much! They were so cute and fun together! I loved that King was such a loyal friend to Hayes but when he realised how deep his feelings were for Saylor he couldn’t stay away. 

If you like brothers best friend/best friends sister, friends to lovers, some angst and a bit of sneaking around then I definitely recommend this book!

Fall With Me by Brooke Montgomery

5.0

Book Title: Fall With Me Author: Brooke Montgomery

Series: Sugarland Creek #3

Star Rating: ♾️ Steam Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book was everything I wanted it to be! I cannot remember the last time I started and finished a book in one day but I could not put this down! 

Please check your trigger warnings before reading. 

Spoilers Ahead!

Ellie is trying to become one of the best Barrel Races, so she turns to Noah, one of the best trainers to help her, unfortunately that help also includes Noah’s brother Landon who Ellie despises for reasons we find out later on. 

Landon is the middle child of the Hollis group, he oversees all the breeding at the ranch and also helps his sister Noah out with her training. And he is absolutely smitten with Ellie from the beginning even though the hate coming from her is as clear as anything 😂

One thing I love about Brooke’s writing is that she takes you back to the beginning of every relationship, so if you’ve read Stay With Me you know that it ended with a 😱 moment and I have been dying to find out what happens next. Little run down; Ellie gets sick at one of her events and falls off her horse and hits her head. She wakes up in hospital with no memory of Landon at all! 

But Landon is there the moment she wakes up and she immediately gets a crush on him. The whole situation was so funny, Landon was so unsure what to about but Ellie was determined to know him, since she literally has no memory of him. And I loved watching them become actual friends. It was such a slow burn for them but once they got closer and gave into being in a relationship, Landon was hesitant because he knows old Ellie hates him and he doesn’t want to get his heart broken again if her memory comes back. Honestly the amnesia was a blessing Ellie because she finally got to see who Landon really is and it makes her question why she would’ve hated him the first place. 

I know I’ve probably given too much away but there is so much more to their story and I could go on and on but please just read it! It has the perfect hate to love, the best banter, an amazing slow burn that goes heats up deliciously! I honestly wish the book was longer, I loved them so much!

Crossroads by Devney Perry

4.0

Book Title: Crossroads Author: Devney Perry  

Series: Haven River Ranch #1

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

I enjoyed this so much! Devney Perry definitely knows how to suck you into a new series! I couldn’t put this down. 

Indya is moving to Montana to take over running a resort/ranch. It’s not the first time she’s been there though, having spent quite a lot summers there growing up and falling for the owners son. 

West is the son of the former owner of his ranch/resort and he is not happy to hear or see the new owner. 

There’s a lot of hate, hurt and past feelings that come up for Indya and West but neither could keep denying those feelings when they have to constantly see each other all the time. My heart was hurting for Indya, you could see she bottling everything up and she had no one to turn to. 

I loved that we got to see how their friendship/love started with the past chapters, they really added so much to the story as we got to see how they fell for each other and what happened to them in the end. 

There was a lot of mystery surrounding why she brought the ranch and the deal that was made with Wests father. I had my suspicions and I was somewhat right but it was so fun to watch West and Indya fall in love again. 

I don’t want to give too much away but I loved this! It was a fantastic start to a new series and the ending was perfect!

Burnout by Rebecca Jenshak

4.5

Book Title: Burnout Author: Rebecca Jenshak  

Series: The Holland Brothers #1

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

Burnout follows Knox, a motocross racer who is needing to up is image. Avery is the gymnast who he reluctantly turns to for help. 

This was so much fun! I wasn’t really sure what to expect but we get a little hate to love, some forced proximity (shirtless gym scenes 🥵) and of course opposite attracts. 

While they definitely were polar opposites they had instant chemistry but neither wants to act on it now that she’s helping him. But each day they spend together brings them a little closer and they start to become friends and learn things about each other. 

I absolutely loved their training scenes. I loved that Avery didn’t take his shit and that he could admit when he was in the wrong and apologise. I loved how supportive they were of each other’s careers. 

One of my favourite scenes is when he takes her riding! That scene was so sweet and he just know he’s fallen hard her! Honestly there were so many sweet moments! If you loved the Sk8ter Boy song and wished there was a book like it, this is the book!

I loved Knox’s family, so gals they’re all getting books! They immediately warmed to Avery and she just fit in with them so well!

This was my first Rebecca Jenshak book and it won’t be my last!

Fragile Sanctuary by Catherine Cowles

5.0

Book Title: Fragile Sanctuary Author: Catherine Cowles  

Series: Sparrow Falls #1

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

God I don’t think I words to tell you how much I love this book! It was everything!

Fragile Sanctuary is the first book in Catherine Cowles new series and it hit all the marks!

Rhodes has dealt with a lot of trauma in her life, but she’s finally ready to start taking back her life. And that starts with rebuilding the home she grew up in and that means facing the memories that come with it, good and bad. 

Anson is someone we met briefly in Ashes of You, even from that small glimpse you could see he was living in a world of hurt. He recently moved to Sparrow Falls to get away from his demons and try to forget his past life and the damage it caused. 

They both met when Rho is exploring her old house and Anson finds her in there and scares the shit out of her. Both don’t get off the right foot, Anson is grumpy, broody guy who wants nothing to do with anyone. But when they constantly bump into each other they can’t help but discover a shared pain. 

I loved these two so much! Both have been through the worst of the worst but are still living each day, Rho more than Anson who is locked up tight. But I loved that Rho didn’t let Anson’s grumpiness get to her too much, she was intent on seeing the good in him and making him see that too. 

But when both of their pasts come back to hurt them they find comfort and safety in each other. The way Anson was always there for her, I mean sleeping on her couch just so she wouldn’t have to be alone?! So sweet! He could not resist her sunshine personality. I adored the way they were there for each other, and the chemistry?! 🥵🔥

While this definitely has its heavy moments, there’s a lot of love and laughter. I loved Rho’s family! They were a hoot especially Lolli 🤣

Also trust no one, suspect everything and everyone! I thought I knew who it was, was so wrong 😅 Catherine definitely kept me on my toes and edge of my seat!

I won’t give anything else away as you really need to just dive in but this was the perfect start to new series! Already can’t wait for the next one!!

Skies Over Caledonia by Samantha Young

5.0

Book Title: Skies Over Caledonia Author: Samantha Young 

Series: The Highlands #4

Star Rating:♾️   Steam Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book was everything I hoped for and more! My new favourite of the series!

This was a small town romance set in the highlands of Scotland. We have a marriage of convenience with some unrequited love and a hint of suspense!

Allegra is the daughter of a wealthy film director, she spends majority of her time in Scotland with her sister when she wasn’t in art school in the US. On a visit back to Scotland she finds out that her entry may denied next time due to them thinking she’s living here on a tourist visa. Scotland feels like home to her and she’ll do anything to stay, including marrying a guy she’s had feelings for ages but he’s never shown any interest in her. 

Jared loves working and owning his late grandfathers farm but when he has a bad season and his deadbeat father comes back to town to dispute the will, he’s looking for anything to get his father off his back and to save his farm. When he drunkenly tells Allegra one night she comes up with a solution for both of them, they’ll get married so she can help his farm with her inheritance and by being his wife she can stay in the country. 

This is one the best marriage of conveniences books I’ve read in ages! We get so many “my wife” moments that had me squealing like a school girl! While Allegra has always had feelings for Jared, Jared has been hiding his attraction to her but when weeks of living together constantly put them together he can no longer resist! That moment when he say “fuck it” was amazing! They had amazing chemistry both in and out of the bedroom. They make such an amazing couple!

I could go on and on about how much I love this book but honestly you just need to read it for yourself! Once I started I could not put it down! 

Oh and I was not expecting the next book to be about certain couple but I am now even more excited for it!

Through the Glen by Samantha Young

4.5

Book Title: Through the Glen Author: Samantha Young 

Series: The Highlands #3

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

Sarah is the shy housemaid we’ve seen around Ardnoch, I wasn’t really sure what to expect from her but I was pleasantly surprised. She’s been hiding a big secret, she’s a super popular crime author. 

Theo is a cynical, arrogant but famous director, who I really wasn’t expecting to like but he’s got this hidden soft side that has me falling for him immediately. When Sarah approaches him about him bringing her book series to life, it doesn’t go well. 

Sarah ends up moving out to a little cottage to get a fresh start. She never expected Theo to show up, after reading and loving her books, at her doorstep with the intent to write her screenplay together. But what happens when after weeks spent in their cozy cottage, they go into the real world? Will they be able to maintain their relationship or will their pasts come back to threaten their lives?

I absolutely loved watching these two fall for each other! I never expected Theo to have such a soft side but he could be so sweet! And I loved that Sarah came more out of her shell because of Theo and his teasing. They had great banter, she wasn’t going to take his shit and I loved that!

The chemistry between them was 🔥🥵 so hot! Sarah was very inexperienced but Theo was more than willing to show her everything. 

I really loved how they were there for each, Sarah was still grieving over her grandfather and Theo was hiding his pain from his mother’s death and horrible treatment from his father, but they were able to confide in each other and start to heal. Though it took a lot more for Theo to work through his issues and he definitely fucked up a few times but you could see how much Sarah meant to him. And Sarah held her own during those moments, she knew her worth and made Theo work to get her trust back. 

And it wouldn’t be a SY book without some suspense. I enjoyed how this one played out,  kept me guessing till the end!

A definite must read for any lovers of small town romance with the perfect amount of suspense! 

I am kicking myself for not reading this sooner! I had totally meant to but life and my mood readerness got in the way 🙄😅

Tame the Heart by Ava Hunter

4.0

Book Title: Tame The Heart Author: Ava Hunter  

Series: Runaway Ranch #1

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

This my first Ava Hunter book and it was so good! 

Ruby is our heroine. She’s lived a sheltered life to a medical condition but she has a bucket list that she wants to complete. So she goes on a road trip and just so happens to end up in a small town called Resurrection, Montana!

Charlie is the owner of Runaway Ranch. He’s your typical grumpy farmer but he has his reasons for being closed off. 

When they both meet at a bar one night, it’s instant chemistry! But Charlie is not looking to hook up with anyone. 

But she ends up coming to his rescue after learning that he’s been getting some bad press about his ranch, and Ruby is a marketing guru and offers to help him get positive publicity in exchange for living on the ranch. 

When I tell you the chemistry between these two was 🔥🔥🥵🥵 the way neither of them wanted to admit or do anything about it had me going crazy! But once they got together! Damn 🥵

I loved that Ruby was the sunshine to Charlie’s grump, she literally lite up his world. He was so gone for her he didn’t even realize it. 

My only little frustration was the whole secrecy around her medical condition, I really wished it had come out sooner but I did enjoy the drama/issues it brought up. Charlie was so protective of her, it was so sweet!

So if you’re in the mood for a small town, cowboy, grump and sunshine romance with a little bit of suspense then I definitely recommend! 

I can’t wait to read the next book!

Learn Your Lesson by Kandi Steiner

4.5

Book Title: Learn Your Lesson Author: Kandi Steiner  

Series: Kings of The Ice #3

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

This book was everything I hoped it would be and more! I know how Kandi does it but every book just gets even more amazing!

What happens when the single dad, NHL goalie starts catching feelings for his daughter’s teacher turned nanny?

I had so much fun reading this one! I’ve been dying for Daddy Ps books since the beginning and it exceeded my expectations!

I absolutely loved Chloe! When she starts teaching Wills daughter, she never expected to become the nanny he desperately needed but she was the perfect pimento help him out. 

The chemistry between was through the roof! Will was determined not to overstep boundaries but when they spend every day together, almost all day and night, the feelings become harder to resist. And when they finally combust! 🥵 I think my kindle damn near melted with the heat between them. 

Both Will and Chloe had their own issues and reasons for not wanting relationships but I loved their journey to discovering that what they thought they wanted/needed wasn’t really true. 

I loved that Chloe brought lightness and fun and happiness into Will & Ava’s lives, honestly the father/daughter duo were two peas in a pod, permanent scowls, no real happy moments. But Chloe brought so much happiness into their lives that and it was so beautiful to see them both happier and enjoying life. 

I’m so happy Chloe, Will and Ava now have the perfect happily ever after. They are the cutest little family! I loved every single moment of this book and everyone needs to read it!

Wild Love by Elsie Silver

5.0

Book Title: Wild Love Author: Elsie Silver  

Series: Rose Hill #1

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

This book was everything! I didn’t think anything could top Chesntnut Springs but this going right up there with them! 

Wild Love is a small town, brother best friend, single dad romance with the best banter and spice! It’s not your typical single dad romance and I loved that about it, was refreshing and so sweet!

Rosie and Ford have been friends for a long time, first meeting in their teens, well I guess they’re more frenemies with all the constant bickering between them, they really knew how to push each other’s buttons. 

 But when Rosie comes home sad and unemployed, Ford secretly vows to do whatever he can to get her back to her old self and employed, by hiring her as personal assistant. What could possibly go wrong when two people who have been secretly pinning for each other now have to spend every day working together? 😏

This book has my whole heart and I couldn’t love it more! The pinning and angst between Rosie and Ford, the banter, the moment he says f**k it and kisses her! Had me squealing like a school girl! And the spice was excellent 🥵

And seeing Ford as father was the absolute sweetest thing ever! I won’t go much into that as I liked the unexpectedness of that situation. But the moments he had with his daughter were the best and sweetest. Both ere thrown into this unexpected situation but they both embraced each other. It was so sweet seeing them act cautiously around each when they both were so smitten. 

Loved the friendship between Ford and West, Rosie’s brother, I mean the dude is hilarious and has a single dad bowling team!😂 what’s better than that! Can’t wait for his book!

If you loved Chestnut Springs, you are going to this first book in the Rose Hill series! I mean each book is a single dad! So excited for them all!