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the_love_librarian's reviews
58 reviews
If You Give a Grump a Holiday Wishlist by Ann Einerson
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Finally got around to reading this Christmas novella about Presley and her asshole boss, Jack. She has been his assistant for 3 years, and he has acted like a child on the playground by essentially treating her poorly due to being attracted to her. He invites himself home with her over the Christmas break under the guise of being her boyfriend due to needing her close by for work things. However, Presley's mom plays matchmaker and they end up in one bed for the holiday.
I felt very meh about their relationship. I would say Presley deserved better, but Jack did apologize and her family made sure they got revenge once they realized he is actually her boss. I was relieved that Presley's mom wasn't surprised at all that Jack was her boss, because there's no way my daughter works for someone for THREE years and I have no clue what their boss looks like.
Overall, the author's writing was decent and I'm looking forward to the next book. I think it may be better since it's full-length, because the novella style wasn't a great way to truly see the author's strengths as a writer.
I felt very meh about their relationship. I would say Presley deserved better, but Jack did apologize and her family made sure they got revenge once they realized he is actually her boss. I was relieved that Presley's mom wasn't surprised at all that Jack was her boss, because there's no way my daughter works for someone for THREE years and I have no clue what their boss looks like.
Overall, the author's writing was decent and I'm looking forward to the next book. I think it may be better since it's full-length, because the novella style wasn't a great way to truly see the author's strengths as a writer.
Spontaneous Alignment by Chassilyn Hamilton
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
You must read Silver Lining/Spontaneous Soulmates before reading this novella.
Great epilogue novella for Grant/Gia and Sly/Cammy! Loved the surprise double wedding and so glad these couples got their HEAs they deserved!
Great epilogue novella for Grant/Gia and Sly/Cammy! Loved the surprise double wedding and so glad these couples got their HEAs they deserved!
Spontaneous Soulmates by Chassilyn Hamilton
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I highly recommend reading Silver Lining first, which is the book where you meet Grant and Gia.
Grant and Gia met on a singles cruise while Gia was with her bestie-cousin, Cammy, and Grant was with his best friend, Sly. While Sly and Cammy are connecting, Grant and Gia spend time together and have a few days (and nights) that neither can forget. However, Grant is fresh off a divorce, and Gia is adverse to commitment (we find out why) so she purposefully avoids him when they are back in Florida. Turns out Gia came back with a pregnancy that she is not ready to reveal to the baby daddy yet.
I can see why people were frustrated with Gia. I understand why she kept the pregnancy a secret and why she was afraid of her feelings for Grant. However, once they were living together and it was clear that he was serious about her, the author should've had them reconcile as a couple quicker because the big reveal on Gia's past happened at the end and then it moved into the epilogue after they decided to be together.
Regardless, I love this friend group and seeing Gia as a mother and Grant as a dad again was adorable!
Grant and Gia met on a singles cruise while Gia was with her bestie-cousin, Cammy, and Grant was with his best friend, Sly. While Sly and Cammy are connecting, Grant and Gia spend time together and have a few days (and nights) that neither can forget. However, Grant is fresh off a divorce, and Gia is adverse to commitment (we find out why) so she purposefully avoids him when they are back in Florida. Turns out Gia came back with a pregnancy that she is not ready to reveal to the baby daddy yet.
I can see why people were frustrated with Gia. I understand why she kept the pregnancy a secret and why she was afraid of her feelings for Grant. However, once they were living together and it was clear that he was serious about her, the author should've had them reconcile as a couple quicker because the big reveal on Gia's past happened at the end and then it moved into the epilogue after they decided to be together.
Regardless, I love this friend group and seeing Gia as a mother and Grant as a dad again was adorable!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Abortion
Dr. Intern by Lexie Woods
medium-paced
4.0
Dr. Intern is the second book in the Midtown Memorial series following the staff/friends at an Atlanta hospital.
Beau is an orthopedic surgery intern and the best friend of Parker, the hero from Dr. Resident. Claire is Parker's sister. In Dr. Resident, we learned that Claire's mother had cancer, which led to her death early on in this book. Claire was her caregiver in the end stages so her mother's death hit her the hardest. Prior to this, Claire and Beau had a one night stand and don't see or realize who the other is until the funeral. Claire is spiraling, and Beau needs a place to stay so Parker asks him to move into the spare room in his old condo to keep an eye on Claire. Of course, this only leads them to dancing around their chemistry until they pick up where their one night stand left off.
This author's books feel like Grey's Anatomy, in that the sex and light drama is fun to read. The friend group is supportive of each other, but also the author uses her background as a nurse to ensure that the hospital setting and the characters' jobs feel realistic. I'm a sucker for an author doing their research!
I will say I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room with the way the book ended because I flipped the page expecting more, but it is clearly a cliffhanger and reintroduction to an old character that we won't learn more about until the next book!
Beau is an orthopedic surgery intern and the best friend of Parker, the hero from Dr. Resident. Claire is Parker's sister. In Dr. Resident, we learned that Claire's mother had cancer, which led to her death early on in this book. Claire was her caregiver in the end stages so her mother's death hit her the hardest. Prior to this, Claire and Beau had a one night stand and don't see or realize who the other is until the funeral. Claire is spiraling, and Beau needs a place to stay so Parker asks him to move into the spare room in his old condo to keep an eye on Claire. Of course, this only leads them to dancing around their chemistry until they pick up where their one night stand left off.
This author's books feel like Grey's Anatomy, in that the sex and light drama is fun to read. The friend group is supportive of each other, but also the author uses her background as a nurse to ensure that the hospital setting and the characters' jobs feel realistic. I'm a sucker for an author doing their research!
I will say I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room with the way the book ended because I flipped the page expecting more, but it is clearly a cliffhanger and reintroduction to an old character that we won't learn more about until the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, and Grief
Call and Response by Christina C. Jones
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Back in the Heights with Audra and Noble! She’s a songwriter and he’s a performer trying to find his groove again. These two make magic together, both in the sound booth and in the bedroom.
That ending, though. Compared to how the previous two novellas in this series were tied up, the ending on this one was abrupt as heck. Like it was a 5 star read until I got there. I don’t think the author has plans to give this couple a full length book, but the potential would definitely be there to see where they go with exploring their chemistry!
That ending, though. Compared to how the previous two novellas in this series were tied up, the ending on this one was abrupt as heck. Like it was a 5 star read until I got there. I don’t think the author has plans to give this couple a full length book, but the potential would definitely be there to see where they go with exploring their chemistry!
Mantras & Minotaurs by Ashley Bennett
funny
relaxing
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Pam finally got the love she deserved! Pam is the mom of two of the main characters from the first two books. A retired widow, Pam’s marriage wasn’t all that great and her daughter convinces her to join a dating app. Alistair, a minotaur, is also around Pam’s age (early 50s) and joined the dating app looking for something casual. Yet when these two meet and hit it off on the first date (and night) together, casual gets tossed out the window quick.
Pam and Alistair were perfect for each other. Alistair encouraged Pam to explore her sensual side while Pam showed Alistair that retirement can be fun and that there’s more to life than working.
I loved Pam’s self-love journey. Her mantras and daily yoga were completely relatable because in order to fully be comfortable with Alistair, she had to be comfortable with herself first.
These two were the definition of it’s never too late to find love and hot sex!
Pam and Alistair were perfect for each other. Alistair encouraged Pam to explore her sensual side while Pam showed Alistair that retirement can be fun and that there’s more to life than working.
I loved Pam’s self-love journey. Her mantras and daily yoga were completely relatable because in order to fully be comfortable with Alistair, she had to be comfortable with herself first.
These two were the definition of it’s never too late to find love and hot sex!
Hans by S.J. Tilly
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.5
I've been intrigued by Hans' character since the beginning of the series, and he didn't disappoint. His motivation for taking down human trafficking rings stems from not being able to save his sister, and subsequently watching his parents pass away from their grief.
Years later, he's a vigilante that no one likes to hear or see coming, but to Cass across the street, he is simply the recluse who eats all the baked goods she leaves on his steps. I'll be honest, I wasn't completely into them as a couple, but I could see why they worked for each other. Unlike the other couples in the series, Hans needed someone to tell him he was worthy of love and a second chance, which is what Cass gave him.
The best part about this book though were the epilogues. I loved getting all the characters' POVs and seeing how they've progressed as families. I did feel a bit of nostalgia because found family vibes always hit me in the chest so I really enjoyed that.
HOWEVER - I still don't know what the Alliance does, and I still think the author doesn't either.
Years later, he's a vigilante that no one likes to hear or see coming, but to Cass across the street, he is simply the recluse who eats all the baked goods she leaves on his steps. I'll be honest, I wasn't completely into them as a couple, but I could see why they worked for each other. Unlike the other couples in the series, Hans needed someone to tell him he was worthy of love and a second chance, which is what Cass gave him.
The best part about this book though were the epilogues. I loved getting all the characters' POVs and seeing how they've progressed as families. I did feel a bit of nostalgia because found family vibes always hit me in the chest so I really enjoyed that.
HOWEVER - I still don't know what the Alliance does, and I still think the author doesn't either.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Trafficking and Death of parent
Hold Me While You Wait by Kimberly Brown
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Gold & Shadow by Madeleine Eliot
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This was a spicy, yet cozy, Goldilocks retelling featuring Lis, a hired thief sent to steal a valuable object from a home. Unbeknownst to her, the home belongs to bear shifter, Orson. In the midst of getting caught and thrown out, Lis is almost killed by wolves and who better to be her caretaker than the cuddly bear shifter who can’t stop sniffing her?
For a short read, the author did a great job of establishing Lis and Orson’s bond, including how the fated mates trope played into their instant attraction to each other. I read this in one sitting and can see the author set up an underlying plot to continue throughout the series with the sisters’ books!
For a short read, the author did a great job of establishing Lis and Orson’s bond, including how the fated mates trope played into their instant attraction to each other. I read this in one sitting and can see the author set up an underlying plot to continue throughout the series with the sisters’ books!
The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Between the cover and the blurb, I was excited to pick up my first book by Kristina Forest!
Xavier and Violet are high school sweethearts whose relationship ended in a breakup not long after they started college. Years have passed and Xavier is the basketball coach at their old high school and Violet is living her dreams as a celebrity fashion stylist. They cross paths in Vegas where they spend a drunk night together, ending in “I do” at the altar. Their alleged marriage has benefits for both of them, and they decide to use it to their advantage.
Xavier and Violet clearly missed each other and you could tell no other partner could measure up for them. They’d needed the time to mature because even now, they both had insecurities they needed to confront before pursuing their lost love.
It did take me awhile to get into the story and finish it because I wasn’t as invested as I thought it would be. The plot was a bit of a stretch. While the author’s writing was great, but sometimes 3rd person POV makes it harder for me to connect unless the story is beyond phenomenal that I don’t even notice.
I am definitely ready for Iris and Angel’s story!
Xavier and Violet are high school sweethearts whose relationship ended in a breakup not long after they started college. Years have passed and Xavier is the basketball coach at their old high school and Violet is living her dreams as a celebrity fashion stylist. They cross paths in Vegas where they spend a drunk night together, ending in “I do” at the altar. Their alleged marriage has benefits for both of them, and they decide to use it to their advantage.
Xavier and Violet clearly missed each other and you could tell no other partner could measure up for them. They’d needed the time to mature because even now, they both had insecurities they needed to confront before pursuing their lost love.
It did take me awhile to get into the story and finish it because I wasn’t as invested as I thought it would be. The plot was a bit of a stretch. While the author’s writing was great, but sometimes 3rd person POV makes it harder for me to connect unless the story is beyond phenomenal that I don’t even notice.
I am definitely ready for Iris and Angel’s story!