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so_many_books's reviews
828 reviews
Elemental Men - The Complete Series by Louisa Masters
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Christmas Beau by Amy Aislin
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
An adorable, lighthearted Christmas story set in a small town obsessed with Christmas.
Christmas Beau is part of the multi-author series, Christmas Falls, and brings all the hallmark holiday romance vibes. I enjoyed Scott and Hank's sweet story immensely smiling all the way, except when I shed a few tears of bittersweet joy.
This romance is quick and cute with very little angst, a lot of humour, doggy play dates, and heartwarming holiday moments. If you need something lighthearted for the season, this is the book for you.
Scott and Hank have been crushing on each other from afar for a long time. Then life, but mostly the holiday activities of Christmas Falls, keep putting them in each other's paths. They just fit from the very first moment as friends, and though none of them are too sure about trying for a relationship any time soon, their feelings don't lie.
I loved both main characters. Scott is this adorable single-dad who doesn't take life too seriously and always has a smile for everyone. He also does not have a brain-to-mouth filter, which makes his crush on Hank hilarious when he keeps blurting out all his thoughts.
Hank's character is a bit more stoic at the beginning, but it's quickly revealed that he's a softy. He has three dogs named after queer hockey players. He makes homemade dog treats as a side hustle. And he has a soft spot for adorable sunshine-y guys.
They shared several sweet moments together, which usually included their dogs or Scott's son, Teddy, in some capacity. The dogs and Teddy obviously ratcheted up the cuteness factor, and I literally felt like I was inside a holiday rom-com.
This holiday romance was what I needed to wind down after work and get into the holiday spirit.
Highly recommend.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book to share my honest review.*
Christmas Beau is part of the multi-author series, Christmas Falls, and brings all the hallmark holiday romance vibes. I enjoyed Scott and Hank's sweet story immensely smiling all the way, except when I shed a few tears of bittersweet joy.
This romance is quick and cute with very little angst, a lot of humour, doggy play dates, and heartwarming holiday moments. If you need something lighthearted for the season, this is the book for you.
Scott and Hank have been crushing on each other from afar for a long time. Then life, but mostly the holiday activities of Christmas Falls, keep putting them in each other's paths. They just fit from the very first moment as friends, and though none of them are too sure about trying for a relationship any time soon, their feelings don't lie.
I loved both main characters. Scott is this adorable single-dad who doesn't take life too seriously and always has a smile for everyone. He also does not have a brain-to-mouth filter, which makes his crush on Hank hilarious when he keeps blurting out all his thoughts.
Hank's character is a bit more stoic at the beginning, but it's quickly revealed that he's a softy. He has three dogs named after queer hockey players. He makes homemade dog treats as a side hustle. And he has a soft spot for adorable sunshine-y guys.
They shared several sweet moments together, which usually included their dogs or Scott's son, Teddy, in some capacity. The dogs and Teddy obviously ratcheted up the cuteness factor, and I literally felt like I was inside a holiday rom-com.
This holiday romance was what I needed to wind down after work and get into the holiday spirit.
Highly recommend.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book to share my honest review.*
The Geography of Happiness by Jay Hogan
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I love this series, mostly because of the setting but also because of the characters. I wanted to read Spencer's story from the very first moment the flirty bisexual vet first appeared in book 1.
The Geography of Happiness (amazing title, by the way) tells Spencer and Terry's story. It's so much fun because Spencer's been the most desirable bachelor of Mackenzie Country for years and has not planned to fall in love and settle ever. Yet, when Terry and his daughter Hannah arrive at Miller Station, the tables turn very quickly for him.
Terry is a single dad caring for a daughter who lives with a disability. It is time-consuming, and he had very little time for himself, focusing on raising Hannah to be strong and independent yet struggling to let her be her own person. He's also demi and has not really had the desire to find someone for himself.
Terry and Spencer build a friendship in a few days that rivals years of connection. Yes, it is rooted in attraction, but it's so much more. Even the inevitability of the distance between their homes once Terry and Hannah go home can't come between them.
Their story felt fast-paced yet slow at the same time. Most of the book is set in the week Terry is at Miller Station, but then there are quite big time jumps when they try to figure out how they can stay friends or more. It's a bit strange pacing wise as I felt the stroy dragged sometimes, and it took me a few days to finish.
Both Spencer and Terry are well-built characters, both with their own stories and struggles, which are explored in great detail apart from their relationship development.
I also adored Hannah, and I appreciated how well her JIA is included in the story. Her struggles are very much interconnected with Terry's doubts and fears. The fact that her disability and the logistical and health challenges coming from it are such a big part of the story is great and well thought out.
Obviously, the country and small-town vibes are as good as ever. Especially because we have double trouble when it comes to small town gossip and antics. Not only the beloved inhabitants of Mackenzie Country but also of Painted Bay are here to give their peace of mind when it comes to Terry and Spencer's lives. They bring the much needed humour and lightheartedness that brings a little light to the more difficult topics discussed in the book.
I hope we'll have more in the series because I would happily go back to Mackenzie Country for many more stories.
The Geography of Happiness (amazing title, by the way) tells Spencer and Terry's story. It's so much fun because Spencer's been the most desirable bachelor of Mackenzie Country for years and has not planned to fall in love and settle ever. Yet, when Terry and his daughter Hannah arrive at Miller Station, the tables turn very quickly for him.
Terry is a single dad caring for a daughter who lives with a disability. It is time-consuming, and he had very little time for himself, focusing on raising Hannah to be strong and independent yet struggling to let her be her own person. He's also demi and has not really had the desire to find someone for himself.
Terry and Spencer build a friendship in a few days that rivals years of connection. Yes, it is rooted in attraction, but it's so much more. Even the inevitability of the distance between their homes once Terry and Hannah go home can't come between them.
Their story felt fast-paced yet slow at the same time. Most of the book is set in the week Terry is at Miller Station, but then there are quite big time jumps when they try to figure out how they can stay friends or more. It's a bit strange pacing wise as I felt the stroy dragged sometimes, and it took me a few days to finish.
Both Spencer and Terry are well-built characters, both with their own stories and struggles, which are explored in great detail apart from their relationship development.
I also adored Hannah, and I appreciated how well her JIA is included in the story. Her struggles are very much interconnected with Terry's doubts and fears. The fact that her disability and the logistical and health challenges coming from it are such a big part of the story is great and well thought out.
Obviously, the country and small-town vibes are as good as ever. Especially because we have double trouble when it comes to small town gossip and antics. Not only the beloved inhabitants of Mackenzie Country but also of Painted Bay are here to give their peace of mind when it comes to Terry and Spencer's lives. They bring the much needed humour and lightheartedness that brings a little light to the more difficult topics discussed in the book.
I hope we'll have more in the series because I would happily go back to Mackenzie Country for many more stories.
The Fall by May Archer
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
3.5
The Rivals of Copper County by May Archer
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I'm going to rate this 4.5 stars just because nothing can top The Pretenders of Copper County for me.
The Rivals of Copper County is the second book in the newest small-town romance series by the author, and it's just as fun and entertaining as ever.
Jesper and Watt's second-chance, friends-with-benefits story absolutely stole my heart, and I enjoyed every moment of reading about them. Usually, I am not the biggest fan of second chance romances, but as they were still teenagers when they first drifted apart, it truly felt like a new beginning when they reunited 20 years later.
Watt is a Coppeetian for life with his own orchard, a son he's raising, and a life his content with. Up until his teenage crush, who left without a word 20 years ago, returns to Copper County. Watt's life turns upside down, and his feelings come rushing back for the man.
Jesper returns to the town after an awful divorce to take care of the house he inherited and to reconcile with his former best friend.
Their reconnection is intense and awkward and petty and exciting and confusing. The author managed to capture the jumble of emotions the two men feel when they finally have a chance to lay the past to rest and start something new. Their silly bets and dares pick up from when they left them at seventeen years old, and the sparks are flying everywhere.
They share many sweet, nostalgic, and new moments together while coaching the high-school hockey team together and clearing out Jesper's house. It's heartwarming and sweet at the same time.
Obviously, the small-town vibes bring the laughter and the cute moments. The hockey team is precious, the small-town characters are priceless, and the friendships are pure and honest.
This was literally the perfect read for November.
The Rivals of Copper County is the second book in the newest small-town romance series by the author, and it's just as fun and entertaining as ever.
Jesper and Watt's second-chance, friends-with-benefits story absolutely stole my heart, and I enjoyed every moment of reading about them. Usually, I am not the biggest fan of second chance romances, but as they were still teenagers when they first drifted apart, it truly felt like a new beginning when they reunited 20 years later.
Watt is a Coppeetian for life with his own orchard, a son he's raising, and a life his content with. Up until his teenage crush, who left without a word 20 years ago, returns to Copper County. Watt's life turns upside down, and his feelings come rushing back for the man.
Jesper returns to the town after an awful divorce to take care of the house he inherited and to reconcile with his former best friend.
Their reconnection is intense and awkward and petty and exciting and confusing. The author managed to capture the jumble of emotions the two men feel when they finally have a chance to lay the past to rest and start something new. Their silly bets and dares pick up from when they left them at seventeen years old, and the sparks are flying everywhere.
They share many sweet, nostalgic, and new moments together while coaching the high-school hockey team together and clearing out Jesper's house. It's heartwarming and sweet at the same time.
Obviously, the small-town vibes bring the laughter and the cute moments. The hockey team is precious, the small-town characters are priceless, and the friendships are pure and honest.
This was literally the perfect read for November.