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renae_reads_romance's reviews
880 reviews
Wild River by Laura Pavlov
4.5
Book Title: Wild River Author: Laura Pavlov
Series: Magnolia Falls #2
Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Steam Rating:🔥🔥🔥
God I loved this! I don’t know how Laura Pavlov does it but every book just gets better and better!
River is jaded from his past, Ruby is just home to look after her father. They don’t get off on the right foot when they first meet but that doesn’t stop them from being attracted to each other. What happens when a sixty second dare turns into a little bit more each time?
I loved River and Ruby! The hate to love, the banter, the spice! Obsessed! The way River became so obsessed with her he didn’t even realise it! And Ruby is such a fierce woman! They both don’t have the best pasts but they find solace in each other and without even realising it, they’ve fallen hard for each other.
I loved that the banter/ bickering never stopped with them, it was like their love language!
I absolutely loved getting to see more of Romeo and Demi and the gang! The friendships in this series are some of my favourites! I Love Kingston! He’s such a hoot 😂 can’t wait to see him fall in love!
If you love a boy obsessed, he falls first and harder, tragic/hard pasts, a fiercely independent woman and the best banter and spice, then you don’t want to miss this one!
Catching Feelings by Maren Moore
4.5
Book Title: Catching Feelings Author: Maren Moore
Series: Orleans University #2
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Steam Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book was so much fun! Reese has been pinning for Vivienne for ages, while she hates him but is secretly attracted to him. They spend one explosive night together, which makes Reese fall harder and Viv question her feelings about him.
When Viv ends up needing a place to stay, Reese offers up his spare bedroom, Viv is reluctant but says yes because she has no where else to go. Will Reese convince her they can be more than roommates? Will Viv admit her feelings about Reese?
I had so much fun reading this! The banter between Reese and Viv was so good! And the chemistry between them 🥵 I mean we started off with a bang, that prologue was so hot!
I loved watching their relationship develop, going from somewhat friends, to friends with benefits, to being each other’s comfort and safe space, it was beautiful! I loved how Reese constantly showed up for her in every little way. She needed a safe space and he became that for her while still not smothering her.
Their relationship was beautiful to watch. I loved how he constantly spoiled her and was her biggest fan. I loved how she became his biggest fan, while knowing nothing about baseball.
This book was so good! I definitely recommend it if you want a cinnamon roll hero with a dirty mouth who falls so hard, and heroine who is tough on the outside but soft on the inside, and have the best chemistry!
I will mention that this does deal with mental health issues so please read the CW before starting
Blitz by Devney Perry
4.75
Book Title: Blitz Author: Devney Perry
Series: Treasure State Wildcats #2
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Steam Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Blitz follows Jennsyn and Toren who meet at Toren’s 4th July party and have one magical night together! 2 weeks have passed, neither can stop thinking about the other but haven’t contacted each other. Jump to Jennsyns first day TSU as a senior volleyball player and who does she bump into, Toren! Toren who is one of the university’s football coaches! Relationships between students and coaches are strictly forbidden, will they be able to stay away from each other?
I absolutely loved this! A forbidden relationship between a coach and student, a 12 year age gap and so much mutual pinning and angst, you won’t want to put this down!
I loved Toren and Jennsyn’s journey, as soon as they found out that she was a student athlete and he was a coach, they knew they couldn’t be together. But every time they see each other the chemistry between gets harder and harder to resist! And when they finally cave, it’s electric! I was absolutely living for all the secret moments!
I also loved that it wasn’t just about their love, we really got to see who Jennsyn was and what she wants in life. There was a lot of mystery around her coming into TSU in her senior year but she really discovered herself, found people she could trust and love, and really find out makes her happy.
A definite must read for fans of forbidden/secret relationships!
Coach by Devney Perry
5.0
Book title: Coach
Author: Devney Perry
Series: Treasure State
Star Rating: ♾️
Steam Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️
This is another top favourite! I absolutely adored everything single moment of this book!
A small town, single dad, slightly forbidden, second chance romance that had me smiling from beginning to end! I read this book in 5 hours! I honestly could not put it down! My favourite Devney Perry book to date!
I loved Millie, she’s been in love with Ford from day dot but when he hurts her and then just vanishes, she spends the next 19 years trying to forget him. But that becomes difficult when he comes back and they have to start working in the same university. She’s determined to avoid Ford, as she’s still hurt, but he won’t let her and fights to right his wrongs. She was so stubborn but he’s just as stubborn, especially when it comes to winning back his girl!
Ford Ellis is a top tier book boyfriend! Single parents is one of my favourite tropes and the way Ford was with his daughter was adorable! Love a man who adores his daughter and puts her first. The man is smoking hot too! I don’t know what it is about a tall, strong man just picking his woman up but it gets me every time *swoon* And him being ex footballer turned coach 🥵 I loved his determination to win Millie back and the sneaking around was so hot!
I loved how Ford fought to win her trust back. How he didn’t let her push him away or let her hide from him. And when they finally got together! No words can describe how happy I was! They were such great friends but even better as a couple. I honestly can’t even describe how much I loved them! This book was just everything I needed and more!
Stay With Me by Brooke Montgomery
medium-paced
4.5
Book Title: Stay With Me Author: Brooke Montgomery
Series: Sugarland Creek #2
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Steam Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This had everything I love! A childhood friend’s to lovers, best friend’s brother’s romance with mutual pining (one known and one secretly) and a surprise pregnancy!
Okay I don’t know how to write this without spoiling too much 😅 so if you’ve read Here With Me, you’ll know it ended with magnolia telling Noah that she was pregnant with her exs baby. And we all know Tripp and magnolia have been secretly/not so secretly pining for each other for years.
I was expecting the pregnancy to play a bigger part the story but we start in the past when they are 16-18 and we get to see how their friendship has grown and how their feelings have changed over the years.
I will warn you that prologue is pretty heavy and deals with death so be prepared for that as it does play a big part throughout the story.
I really loved watching Tripp finally admit his feelings for Magnolia! Once he made up his mind he was fully committed and I loved it! Hello was so gone for her! I loved how easily they fell into a relationship, they really were perfect together.
And the chemistry between them was through the roof! I was not expecting Tripp to have such a dirty mouth but 🥵🥵 damn he near melted my kindle😂 the spice was so hot!
And when the pregnancy came into play, Tripp stepped up and showed her how much he really did love her. Even though magnolia didn’t want to burden him with the issue. He did everything she wanted, whether it was to stay friends or help in anyway, he was committed to showing her that he was in this 100%! I mean the way he showed his love was just, I have no words! He literally brought out a whole theatre just so she could have brilliant first date. *Swoon* He taught her stick shift because he remembered she wanted to learn. Tripp is elite boyfriend material!
Unfortunately Magnolia’s ex comes back into the picture bringing danger to her door. That guy was even more of douche bag than I thought he was and I’m happy how it played out 👀
Oh and I loved that even though Noah was her best friend, she was apart of the Hollis family and they loved her so much. Her friendship with Landen was unexpected but I loved reading any moment between them, they were so cute and fun together!
So expect a lot of angst, laughter, tears, a whole lot of spice and a looming threat and you’re in a an amazing ride!
Also I personally would’ve given this 5 stars if the pregnancy played a longer part in the story, I just love pregnancy tropes and I wanted more! But I loved this book either way! Hard to decide which is my favourite yet.
Oh and I can’t wait for the next book! Landen’s gonna have to work hard to get his girl!
Ashes of You by Catherine Cowles
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Book Title: Ashes of You Author: Catherine Cowles
Series: Lost & Found #5
Star Rating: ♾️ Steam Rating:🔥🔥🔥
I didn’t expect to get so emotional but I’ve just finished Hallie and Lawsons story and I’ve got tears in my eyes 🥺 This book was everything I wanted/needed it to be and more! I’m really sad that this series is over, it is hands down my one of my top favourite series ever!
Okay so a quick run down, Lawson is the oldest Hartley sibling, father to 3 boys who are running him ragged. Hallie is new to cedar ridge, she’s been something absolutely horrific but is looking to start fresh. When Hallie applies to be Lawson’s nanny, they had no idea who the other was until meeting for the first time, see Lawson saved Hallie’s life 5 years ago and neither have ever forgotten about each other.
Hallie fitted in right at home with Lawson and his boys, Drew and Charlie took an immediate liking to her, while Luke took a bit to warm up. The relationship between them all was so beautiful, Hallie was everything they needed and they were everything she didn’t know she needed.
I absolutely loved seeing Law and Hallie slowly fall for each other. Law was trying to stay away and be respectful because he’s her boss, he’s 13 years older and she’s been through a big trauma, but when she constantly shows up for him and his boys, his resolve starts fading. And the way he was constantly there for her too had me melting. He was so sweet, and kind to her but he also showed her how strong she is. I just loved them so much. They are total couple goals/family goals!
Now it wouldn’t be a CC book without a serial killer, and OMG! I knew there was something off about a certain character but I never expected how truly awful this person was.
The ending had me in tears, both sad and happy. Sad because those climax chapters had me on the edge of my seat with nerves, and because it was ending. Happy because those final chapters, and the bonus chapter, just had me so ridiculously happy for them. Everything they’d been through was worth it in the end to see them all so happy.
God I’m getting all emotional writing this review 🥺 Thank you for this beautiful series Catherine!💜
Weak Side by S.J. Sylvis
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Wasn’t in the mood, will come back to it later
Loving Romeo by Laura Pavlov
medium-paced
5.0
Book Title:Loving Romeo Author: Laura Pavlov
Series: Magnolia Falls #1
Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Steam Rating:🔥🔥🔥
One of my most anticipated books and it definitely lived up to my expectations! First 5 ⭐️ read of the year!
This definitely gave me modern day Romeo and Juliet vibes but obviously with a happy ending!
Romeo is the ‘bad boy’ of Magnolia Falls and Demi is the Princess. Both run in different circles but when they start working next door to each other they can’t help but bump into each other.
Romeo comes off a little rude to Demi when they first meet but we come to learn there’s some bad history with her family, which he soon realizes that Demi knows nothing about. Demi is the complete opposite of Romeo, always happy and sees the best in everyone, which is why his behavior doesn’t deter her.
These two were everything! The way they couldn’t get enough of each other, even though Romeo was determined to stay away from her, he couldn’t resist her!
These two just make me so happy and giddy! I just love them so much! The build up to their relationship was perfect! There was so much drama surrounding them but they never let it get to them, they were such a strong couple!
I loved Romeo’s friends, the way they instantly welcomed Demi into their group. And I absolutely loved Beefcake! Just wait till you meet him, he’s adorable!!
This book could not be more amazing! A definite must read! Drop everything to read it, you won’t regret it!
Here With Me by Brooke Montgomery
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Book Title: Here With Me Author: Brooke Montgomery
Series: Sugarland Creek #1
Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Steam Rating:🔥🔥🔥
I throughly enjoyed this one! Once I started I didn’t want to put it down!
Noah and Fisher first meet at a rodeo, they have this instant chemistry and end up getting together later that night. It was the first time for either of them to be with someone so much older/younger but when Noah finds out who Fisher is, that he’s her ex’s dad! She ghosts him. What she doesn’t know is that he’s about to start working at her family’s ranch!
My god this was so good! Their chemistry was just so good! And that first scene where they meet again was so funny 🤣 The short time they’ve been apart has dulled their feelings at all but now that they know who each other is they try to just be friends. But being around each other everyday has them pushing those limits. When they finally decide to be together, in secret, it’s all going well until Fisher finds out his son still has feelings for Noah and he’s trying to mend his relationship with him after years of hurt. My heart hurt for them, never have 2 people been more perfect for each other but they weren’t willing to risk hurting Fishers son.
While there wasn’t a whole lot of spice, what we did get was 🥵🥵 but I actually liked that we got to see more of them building their relationship instead of it being just spice.
While all that’s happening there’s been a threat against Noah that not only put her in danger but the ranch too. I didn’t know there was a suspense plot in this book but I love it!
I also loved that we got to see a fair bit of Nash’s family and friends, loved reading all the scenes with them together. Her brothers are crazy and their books are gonna be so good!
I won’t say much else but just know the ending was perfect and this review does not give this book the justice it deserves. I cannot wait for the next book!