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the_love_librarian's reviews
58 reviews
Love at First Spite by Alexandra Warren
medium-paced
3.5
Love at First Spite is one of the author's earlier books. Neither Maxwell or Nori were looking for love. Nori was looking for a good time at a lounge, but was not impressed. Maxwell, the owner of the lounge, is a perfectionist and couldn't let her leave without figuring out what she didn't like. This leads to a night of talking, laughter, and a surprising connection that leaves them both wanting more. Despite her reservations about love and how fast things seem to be moving, Nori can't ignore the signs that Maxwell may indeed be the one to finally capture her heart.
I understood the chemistry between Nori and Maxwell, but it also felt rushed and underdeveloped. Though it was supposed to follow a love at first "sight" storyline, I think they spent more time trying to convince Nori to give the relationship a try than to actually be together. A lot of their intimate time spent together (both in and out of the bedroom) seemed to happen off page and we were told about it more than shown it.
I know this being one of the author's earlier works adds to what I felt was lacking, which is fine, because I've read some of her later works and they've all been great reads, which just shows me this author's writing just needed time to develop!
SN - the family drama was ridiculous, but hilarious at the same time lmaooo, I loved Nori's mother
TROPES: love at first "sight", black romance, opposites attract, family drama, he says "i love you" first
I understood the chemistry between Nori and Maxwell, but it also felt rushed and underdeveloped. Though it was supposed to follow a love at first "sight" storyline, I think they spent more time trying to convince Nori to give the relationship a try than to actually be together. A lot of their intimate time spent together (both in and out of the bedroom) seemed to happen off page and we were told about it more than shown it.
I know this being one of the author's earlier works adds to what I felt was lacking, which is fine, because I've read some of her later works and they've all been great reads, which just shows me this author's writing just needed time to develop!
SN - the family drama was ridiculous, but hilarious at the same time lmaooo, I loved Nori's mother
TROPES: love at first "sight", black romance, opposites attract, family drama, he says "i love you" first
Say Yes by Lucia Franco
fast-paced
5.0
More James and Aubrey is just what I needed after the end of Hush Hush! Say Yes is the perfect title, because what happens when James can’t get to the root of why Aubrey is afraid of marriage? He just wants to hear yes, and she wants to say yes, and together they have to work through that little hurdle to get down the aisle.
I can’t get enough of this couple and would read this duet all over again if I could.
Now Natalie’s book is what I’m ready for, and I can’t wait to see how her “situation” came to be!
I can’t get enough of this couple and would read this duet all over again if I could.
Now Natalie’s book is what I’m ready for, and I can’t wait to see how her “situation” came to be!
Hush Hush by Lucia Franco
medium-paced
5.0
Man, I ate this book UP. Age gap, escort, best friend’s dad, the sex….I just couldn’t stop reading.
Aubrey isn’t shy about how much she likes sex. So imagine finding out from her best friend that she can make thousands as a high end lady of the night??
It’s all fine and dandy and she’s making that bank…until she meets JAMES MF RIVIERA. A silver fox looking for a connection he’s never found….until Aubrey. And boy that chemistry was FIRE. Every intimate scene between them hit right, but the obvious love and emotional connection they had made their intimacy that much better.
Of course, there’s plenty of drama to go around, and I just read it all like a good soap opera. This was such a fun read, and reminder why I enjoy Lucia’s writing. Their journey wasn’t perfect but it worked for them in the end. Before I could complain about wanting more at the end, I had already downloaded the novella, Say Yes!
Aubrey isn’t shy about how much she likes sex. So imagine finding out from her best friend that she can make thousands as a high end lady of the night??
It’s all fine and dandy and she’s making that bank…until she meets JAMES MF RIVIERA. A silver fox looking for a connection he’s never found….until Aubrey. And boy that chemistry was FIRE. Every intimate scene between them hit right, but the obvious love and emotional connection they had made their intimacy that much better.
Of course, there’s plenty of drama to go around, and I just read it all like a good soap opera. This was such a fun read, and reminder why I enjoy Lucia’s writing. Their journey wasn’t perfect but it worked for them in the end. Before I could complain about wanting more at the end, I had already downloaded the novella, Say Yes!
Blood & Roses by Madeleine Eliot
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
This series should be read in order, since there is an overarching plot throughout each sister's novella.
Blood & Roses is Isolde and Rowan's novella! Isolde is the eldest Nightshade sister. Though Isolde and her sisters have "retired" from their assassin activities, Isolde can't tell Rowan no when she stumbles across him in the woods. Rowan desires her services for a task that is dangerous and may be impossible to complete...so of course, Isolde decides to assist him!
Rowan and Isolde's chemistry was clear from their first meeting. Given it's a novella, the author definitely sells the idea of fated mates/some kind of fated partners. So far Gold & Shadow is still my favorite, but I'll have to continue with the series to see where the mystery plot goes next!
TROPES: Snow White retelling, novella, shifter hero, one bed/one tub
Blood & Roses is Isolde and Rowan's novella! Isolde is the eldest Nightshade sister. Though Isolde and her sisters have "retired" from their assassin activities, Isolde can't tell Rowan no when she stumbles across him in the woods. Rowan desires her services for a task that is dangerous and may be impossible to complete...so of course, Isolde decides to assist him!
Rowan and Isolde's chemistry was clear from their first meeting. Given it's a novella, the author definitely sells the idea of fated mates/some kind of fated partners. So far Gold & Shadow is still my favorite, but I'll have to continue with the series to see where the mystery plot goes next!
TROPES: Snow White retelling, novella, shifter hero, one bed/one tub
I Wish We Had Forever by Jessica Peterson
fast-paced
4.0
I've been looking forward to Jen and Abel's book since the end of I Wish You Were Mine.
Jen and Abel are best described as childhood friends. Abel's father was abusive, and ultimately spent a lot of time with Jen, her brother and their father, who basically raised him. Jen and Abel have always had a crush on each other, but never made it known, though it was obvious to everyone around them. Years later, Jen and Abel are thrown for a loop when they find out Jen's father is diagnosed with cancer, and his wish is that he hopes to see both of them happy one day with their own families. And what better way to give her father what he wants than to pop out with a surprise "elopement"?
This had all the things I like about marriage of convenience, which usually includes two characters that have been pining after each other, along with forced proximity due to Jen moving into Abel's beautiful home. Their time living together gave them a chance to explore their chemistry and finally cross that line from friends to lovers. Jen and Abel brought out the best in each other. Jen helped Abel realize that he is capable of love and family, despite how he grew up. Abel helped Jen break free of her inner people pleaser trait, allowing her to feel comfortable in her own skin and ask for what she wanted.
If you want a sweet, lil spicy contemporary romance, this author's books fit the bill. They are quick reads but, like Jen and Abel's story, still have enough depth to keep me interested. I can't wait to see what the author does with her next series!
Jen and Abel are best described as childhood friends. Abel's father was abusive, and ultimately spent a lot of time with Jen, her brother and their father, who basically raised him. Jen and Abel have always had a crush on each other, but never made it known, though it was obvious to everyone around them. Years later, Jen and Abel are thrown for a loop when they find out Jen's father is diagnosed with cancer, and his wish is that he hopes to see both of them happy one day with their own families. And what better way to give her father what he wants than to pop out with a surprise "elopement"?
This had all the things I like about marriage of convenience, which usually includes two characters that have been pining after each other, along with forced proximity due to Jen moving into Abel's beautiful home. Their time living together gave them a chance to explore their chemistry and finally cross that line from friends to lovers. Jen and Abel brought out the best in each other. Jen helped Abel realize that he is capable of love and family, despite how he grew up. Abel helped Jen break free of her inner people pleaser trait, allowing her to feel comfortable in her own skin and ask for what she wanted.
If you want a sweet, lil spicy contemporary romance, this author's books fit the bill. They are quick reads but, like Jen and Abel's story, still have enough depth to keep me interested. I can't wait to see what the author does with her next series!
Older by Jennifer Hartmann
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Older is the perfect title for this book. Halley is about half the age of Reed, the hero. I won't say what the ages are, as that is important to the overall story and how everything unfolds. So age gap aside, it also doesn't help that Halley is best friends with and lives with Reed's daughter and his ex, the mother of their child. Their connection is not ideal for anyone, including themselves. As much as they try to ignore the bond they established during their meet cute, inevitably they end up growing closer and tumble into an intimate relationship that they both know will end in them being together or being broken up and hurting everyone they love.
The forbidden nature of their relationship is what I enjoyed the most. The author had me entranced with Halley and Reed's interactions, each one purposeful and intended to build towards things turning physical and creating a "love" connection. That aside, Halley as a heroine was strong and resilient, given what she'd gone through. Both with and without Reed's help, Halley was able to become an independent, successful women in spite of circumstances that used to hold her down.
However, this isn't going to be a 5 star for two reasons: (1) the meet cute was weird. All I'll say is Reed had no reason to go back to that house party, and I couldn't get over that, and (2) though the characters became intimate and spent time together, it was under the cloak of being forbidden. When their secret blew up in their face, the ending was a bit rushed, and the epilogue was a typical time jump that shows the HEA in the future. Due to how long they weren't an actual couple, I would've loved to see Reed and Halley together more in the open, as they finally deserved. These issues aside, it was still a solid release from this author, and I'd recommend it!
TRIGGER WARNINGS (there were none listed in the ARC, but hopefully they'll be listed in the final version): domestic abuse (father is physically and verbally abusive of heroine, on page), parental neglect (mother doesn't stop the abuse)
The forbidden nature of their relationship is what I enjoyed the most. The author had me entranced with Halley and Reed's interactions, each one purposeful and intended to build towards things turning physical and creating a "love" connection. That aside, Halley as a heroine was strong and resilient, given what she'd gone through. Both with and without Reed's help, Halley was able to become an independent, successful women in spite of circumstances that used to hold her down.
However, this isn't going to be a 5 star for two reasons: (1) the meet cute was weird. All I'll say is Reed had no reason to go back to that house party, and I couldn't get over that, and (2) though the characters became intimate and spent time together, it was under the cloak of being forbidden. When their secret blew up in their face, the ending was a bit rushed, and the epilogue was a typical time jump that shows the HEA in the future. Due to how long they weren't an actual couple, I would've loved to see Reed and Halley together more in the open, as they finally deserved. These issues aside, it was still a solid release from this author, and I'd recommend it!
TRIGGER WARNINGS (there were none listed in the ARC, but hopefully they'll be listed in the final version): domestic abuse (father is physically and verbally abusive of heroine, on page), parental neglect (mother doesn't stop the abuse)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Colliding With Fate by A.E. Valdez
emotional
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
4.0
Colliding with Fate was an emotional story that I did not expect. We met Kyrell and Quinn in All I've Wanted, All I've Needed (the heroine's best friends). Kyrell has made it clear he's not interested in relationships, his stance stemming from an abusive past with his mother and a father who traveled for work and was gone too much. On the opposite end, we have Quinn who is constantly being pushed to settle down, but she hasn't found the right one, and she'd rather continue her career as a nurse rather than be a trophy wife. The chemistry between these two was clear, and they had more in common than they thought. It's no surprise their friends with benefits situation turned into more as time went on.
Though this was about Kyrell and Quinn's romance, I do feel at times the book focused heavily on Kyrell and his family drama. A big plot point is that Kyrell finds out his father has terminal cancer, and wants the chance to reconnect with his son before his death (NOTE - his dad had no clue about the abusive mother). Kyrell's level of hurt and resentment is beyond measurement, so it takes him some time to adjust to the idea. I love when authors show heroes who go to therapy and work on processing their past hurts so they can break toxic habits. We do see him and his father reconcile, with Quinn's help, which was beautiful to see given his dad's diagnosis.
This one definitely took me off guard with how emotionally traumatized the hero was, so content warnings would be helpful for readers who prefer to avoid certain topics in this book. That aside, it was another successful read for me from this author.
TROPES: black romance, friends with benefits, hero with emotional trauma, rich hero, reformed player
TRIGGER WARNINGS: parent with terminal illness/cancer (on page), death of a parent (on page), mental health rep (suicidal ideation), parental abuse/neglect
Though this was about Kyrell and Quinn's romance, I do feel at times the book focused heavily on Kyrell and his family drama. A big plot point is that Kyrell finds out his father has terminal cancer, and wants the chance to reconnect with his son before his death (NOTE - his dad had no clue about the abusive mother). Kyrell's level of hurt and resentment is beyond measurement, so it takes him some time to adjust to the idea. I love when authors show heroes who go to therapy and work on processing their past hurts so they can break toxic habits. We do see him and his father reconcile, with Quinn's help, which was beautiful to see given his dad's diagnosis.
This one definitely took me off guard with how emotionally traumatized the hero was, so content warnings would be helpful for readers who prefer to avoid certain topics in this book. That aside, it was another successful read for me from this author.
TROPES: black romance, friends with benefits, hero with emotional trauma, rich hero, reformed player
TRIGGER WARNINGS: parent with terminal illness/cancer (on page), death of a parent (on page), mental health rep (suicidal ideation), parental abuse/neglect
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Cancer, and Suicidal thoughts
Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I have been waiting for the Fletcher brothers series since we met them in Last on the List! The series starts out with Wyatt, the reclusive brother of the bunch who has decided he wants a baby, minus the wife. After countless surrogate interviews, he still hasn’t found a woman he feels he can trust to carry his child. Meanwhile, his meddlesome matchmaking teenage niece, Everly (who was a child in Last on the List), refuses to let her uncle give up. In a fated (and funny) encounter, Everly meets Trista. Her desire to be a surrogate and have a stable home the next few months, coupled with Wyatt’s gut feeling, leads to her becoming his surrogate.
These two fought their feelings for so long, even after Trista was pregnant with the baby. Trista isn’t used to a family like the Fletchers, or help in general, so it takes her a minute to trust Wyatt. I did sigh in relief when they finally decided to give an actual relationship a try, though I felt like it was a little rushed given how late in the book it happened. I think the book lagged so much in the middle that it had to play catch up. Yes, they’d been intimate, but I would’ve enjoyed seeing more of them actually together as a couple.
I will say, I always appreciate this author for her curvy, tall heroines. I don’t see women like me a lot in romance so I related to the heroine’s thoughts, both good and bad. I definitely can’t wait for the other books because each brother is intriguing and this family is hilarious!
These two fought their feelings for so long, even after Trista was pregnant with the baby. Trista isn’t used to a family like the Fletchers, or help in general, so it takes her a minute to trust Wyatt. I did sigh in relief when they finally decided to give an actual relationship a try, though I felt like it was a little rushed given how late in the book it happened. I think the book lagged so much in the middle that it had to play catch up. Yes, they’d been intimate, but I would’ve enjoyed seeing more of them actually together as a couple.
I will say, I always appreciate this author for her curvy, tall heroines. I don’t see women like me a lot in romance so I related to the heroine’s thoughts, both good and bad. I definitely can’t wait for the other books because each brother is intriguing and this family is hilarious!
All I've Wanted All I've Needed by A.E. Valdez
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and this one was done so organically! Harlow moves to Seattle to get a fresh start after ending her engagement. She’s able to discover her passions and meet new people. One of those people is Acyn, a local tattoo artist and brother of one of her newfound friends. Harlow finds him less than charming on their first run in, but the connection between these two couldn’t be ignored.
One of my favorite types of friends to lovers journeys is when the friends basically act like a couple without the label. Harlow and Acyn became essential parts of each other’s lives, truly supporting each other as friends in all aspects before their friendship developed into more. And when they finally crossed that line, they didn’t turn back!
Romance aside, the support of their family and friend group was a great backdrop to the story. The author has a way of writing that makes all the characters feel relatable and like family. The book did start off a teeny bit slow, but I was able to ignore that once the book picked up and really did its thing!
TROPES: friends to lovers, black romance, tattooed hero, great friend group/found family, he pampers her, hero is a cat owner
One of my favorite types of friends to lovers journeys is when the friends basically act like a couple without the label. Harlow and Acyn became essential parts of each other’s lives, truly supporting each other as friends in all aspects before their friendship developed into more. And when they finally crossed that line, they didn’t turn back!
Romance aside, the support of their family and friend group was a great backdrop to the story. The author has a way of writing that makes all the characters feel relatable and like family. The book did start off a teeny bit slow, but I was able to ignore that once the book picked up and really did its thing!
TROPES: friends to lovers, black romance, tattooed hero, great friend group/found family, he pampers her, hero is a cat owner
Hoops Shorts: A HOOPS Novella Collection by Kennedy Ryan
fast-paced
5.0
The HOOPS novella collection includes Full Court Press (Avery + Deck's story) and Fast Break (Quinn + Ean's story). I recommend reading Full Court Press after you've read Long Shot and Block Shot. Fast Break can be read before or after Hook Shot.
Fast Break - I loved Quinn's character when she was introduced in Block Shot. She held out for the type of love she deserved, and Ean more than showed her how devoted and interested he had been for years. It was quick and to the point, but the author was still able to deliver emotions, intimacy and a great epilogue with a time jump that made me smile!
Fast Break - I loved Quinn's character when she was introduced in Block Shot. She held out for the type of love she deserved, and Ean more than showed her how devoted and interested he had been for years. It was quick and to the point, but the author was still able to deliver emotions, intimacy and a great epilogue with a time jump that made me smile!