Scan barcode
thesummerbaker's reviews
355 reviews
The Summer Escape by Jill Shalvis
4.0
I love trying to solve a mystery or crime while also reading a romance. Best of both worlds. Ruby and Owen have both experienced tremendous loss, grief and hurt and have built their lives and relationships or lack thereof through those experiences…meaning they protect themselves in their own way at all costs.
Their banter, their independence, their support of each other while also trying to deny or avoid and very much not avoiding their feelings/attraction for each other. Throw in Ruby’s very pregnant sister, Wendy and her husband, Hayden and there were a ton a hilarious moments.
I really enjoyed this closed (cracked) door romance. Sweet, funny, meaningful.
🌶️
Their banter, their independence, their support of each other while also trying to deny or avoid and very much not avoiding their feelings/attraction for each other. Throw in Ruby’s very pregnant sister, Wendy and her husband, Hayden and there were a ton a hilarious moments.
I really enjoyed this closed (cracked) door romance. Sweet, funny, meaningful.
🌶️
Nice Work, Nora November by Julia London
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
TW: depression, anxiety, suicide
As someone who has persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder and spent months in a deep depression this book was relatable, raw, real, heartbreaking, and heart healing.
I’m glad this book doesn’t have a switch flip where everything is immediately better or easy for Nora. The reality of the struggle is there. The exhaustion that comes with fighting to keep hope. But the joy in finding that hope. The desperation to grab hold of it.
The writing explains that feeling of being able to believe in hope and joy again. That there will be bad days where the pull to fall back into hopelessness is strong but now that you’ve experienced the breath of fresh air that hope gives you fight like hell to keep going.
The first chapter of this book describes Nora’s experience with afterlife/death/heaven…and I hope that’s what it is like. Full of the best memories, the people we love and reconnection with ourselves and the ones that went before us. This book gripped my heart from the beginning and didn’t let go until the end.
As someone who has persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder and spent months in a deep depression this book was relatable, raw, real, heartbreaking, and heart healing.
I’m glad this book doesn’t have a switch flip where everything is immediately better or easy for Nora. The reality of the struggle is there. The exhaustion that comes with fighting to keep hope. But the joy in finding that hope. The desperation to grab hold of it.
The writing explains that feeling of being able to believe in hope and joy again. That there will be bad days where the pull to fall back into hopelessness is strong but now that you’ve experienced the breath of fresh air that hope gives you fight like hell to keep going.
The first chapter of this book describes Nora’s experience with afterlife/death/heaven…and I hope that’s what it is like. Full of the best memories, the people we love and reconnection with ourselves and the ones that went before us. This book gripped my heart from the beginning and didn’t let go until the end.
Snowbound by Catherine Cowles
4.0
Emery and Cooper 😍. Best friend’s little sister, heroine in danger. Romantic suspense like you only get from Catherine Cowles. This sweet little novella packs a punch and covers a lot in a small amount of words.
🌶️🌶️
🌶️🌶️
Chasing Wild by Kristen Proby
5.0
This book got me all in the feels. Chase and Summer are perfection. Cop and florist - they are both equally obsessed with each other and I adore it. They show up for each other. 😍 There is banter and smoking hot tension. Yep…so good!
The friend group and dynamic is unmatched - the way the women come together and help each other and lift each other is beautiful.
I love the Wild family - there’s real life tension between some of the siblings but they want to work it out. They care for each other, show up for each other and it’s wonderful.
There’s also crimes to solve that add in a little suspense which is one of my favorite combinations. Romantic suspense is so good!
🌶️🌶️
The friend group and dynamic is unmatched - the way the women come together and help each other and lift each other is beautiful.
I love the Wild family - there’s real life tension between some of the siblings but they want to work it out. They care for each other, show up for each other and it’s wonderful.
There’s also crimes to solve that add in a little suspense which is one of my favorite combinations. Romantic suspense is so good!
🌶️🌶️
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
5.0
I am freaking obsessed. I picked it up at the beginning of the month and put it down only a few chapters in because I got busy. Picked it back up last night and stayed up until 3am. Just finished it. So good.
Dystopian, hunger games + red queen series, vibes. Enemies to lovers. Elites vs Ordinaries.
Kai & Paedyn….the banter, the tension, the way they are drawn to each other, how they help each other, how they are opposites but similar in so many ways.
The book is intense and beautiful. LOVE.
Dystopian, hunger games + red queen series, vibes. Enemies to lovers. Elites vs Ordinaries.
Kai & Paedyn….the banter, the tension, the way they are drawn to each other, how they help each other, how they are opposites but similar in so many ways.
The book is intense and beautiful. LOVE.
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
5.0
Ok. So much happens in this book and I am OBSESSED with the ending. I found myself drawn to Lydia, Ruhn and Ithan’s stories in this book. So emotional, gut wrenching, healing, crazy, unexpected and beautiful. I truly enjoy this book so much but the last 200 pages have my heart. Tears through all of them.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Worst Best Man by Lucy Score
4.0
Ok this was super fun. I love me a strong, confident, take no shit FMC. Frankie is spectacular! Aiden falls hard for her. It’s precious. This story had me giggling and cheering on a strong, empowered woman.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Riley Thorn and the Corpse in the Closet by Lucy Score
5.0
OMG this book was so freaking fun. Psychics, private investigators, a house full of spunky old people, gambling rings, corruption and so much more! The main characters are amazing! Riley and Nick are hilarious, stubborn, unique, hard working people. Loved this whole thing.
🌶️🌶️
🌶️🌶️
Wild River by Laura Pavlov
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I am OBSESSED with River and Ruby. *insert screaming*
This story, this couple is amazing. They are both confident, guarded humans who are careful about who they love. But when they let people in they take care of them, nurture them, cheer them on.
The friend group is hysterical and unmatched. Their love, loyalty and support of each other mixed with giving each other shit is perfection! Love it.
I’m stealing the sticky note idea. 😜
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This story, this couple is amazing. They are both confident, guarded humans who are careful about who they love. But when they let people in they take care of them, nurture them, cheer them on.
The friend group is hysterical and unmatched. Their love, loyalty and support of each other mixed with giving each other shit is perfection! Love it.
I’m stealing the sticky note idea. 😜
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Taken Home By The Grizzly by Ariana Hawkes
3.0
Ok…so insta-love grizzly shifter stories might not be for me but it was a fun experience. It’s a super quick read with a growly, obsessed grizzly, an unsuspecting nanny who finds herself taking care of 3 kids.
🌶️🌶️
🌶️🌶️