thindbooks's reviews
1102 reviews

Hott Take by Serena Bell

5.0

This is the second book in the Hott Springs Eternal series but each book could be read as a standalone. This story follows Shane who must have a celebrity wedding to save his sister’s business but the wedding he planned failed and now he needs to marry Ivy. I really enjoyed this story and have been waiting for it since book 1. Bell did really well with this book because I loved every moment of it. There was a lot of development, steam, and conflicts to keep the story really entertaining. The pacing was great and I loved seeing more of Springs Eternal and going to LA. I loved the cute moments in this book and finding easter eggs for the upcoming books. This story is told from both Shane and Ivy’s pov. 

Shane is known as a player in Hollywood and trying to do a celebrity wedding is harder than he expected until he meets Ivy. I loved seeing him fall in love and seeing him develop after his past trauma. Ivy quit her Hollywood job but is still known but is focusing on helping theater kids. I loved her story and seeing her side of how Hollywood affected her but she wants to help the kids succeed. They were both just perfect for each other. There were many side characters in this book but mainly they were the same. The romance is fake dating and instant love and I loved the chemistry between the two. The connected they had was amazing and very steamy. 

The ending was well done and I loved how cute it was. We also get an epilogue and a hint of what’s going to happen in the upcoming books which I’m super excited for. Bell is an incredible writer and I recommend checking out this book especially starting with the first one if you have time. 

*this e-arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return* 

Welcome Home, Caroline Kline by Courtney Preiss

3.0

This story follows Caroline whose life just exploded and her dad injured himself so she must go back to Jersey Shore where she had to replace him in the softball league. This wasn’t a bad story but this is another one of the books where it’s categorized as romance but it’s women’s fiction. I enjoyed the meaning behind the book and seeing Caroline develop her story. Priess had a good writing story. I loved how descriptive the details were and how she explained the baseball part of the story. Though I did wish the story went a lot smoother as some scenes were cute short or were too long. The pacing was fast and this book is written from Caroline’s pov. 

Caroline is the FMC of this story and I really enjoyed her character. At her age, her life is chaotic and she wants to find a place for herself but can’t. I love seeing her discover that part of herself and just seeing her grow. There were many side characters in this book and I mainly enjoyed Caroline’s friend who was sweet. There were also the parents who were very involved with the story and were entertaining. I thought this book would be a bit romance-heavy but it was not. The romance is very light and not the main focus even though the book is categorized as romance. 

The romance was well done and I loved the ending for Caroline. She developed so much and found a place for herself in New Jersey. I enjoyed this story though I was expecting it to be a romance book but it was still a great read. I loved seeing the self-development even though the family was not too supporting. I recommend checking this book out if you want to read a young woman joining the men’s softball league and doing well. 

*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return* 

Weekends with You by Alexandra Paige

3.0

This story follows Lucy who moves into an apartment with other roommates and meets a guy who she begins to develop feelings for. I enjoyed the storyline for this book. It was good but not entertaining all the way. This story was a bit tame with not many conflicts and being very light on the romance aspect. I did enjoy how the story was in London and seeing bits of it from Lucy’s pov. I loved the found family part of this story and seeing how they all treat each other. This story is only written in Lucy’s pov but would have loved to get Henry’s. 

Lucy is the FMC of this book who works at a flower shop and wants to keep it open. I enjoyed her character and how willing she was to make sure the shop was running. I liked her development in this book. Then there is Henry who is supposed to be the main side character but I felt that he was MIA half of the story and wouldn’t consider him the main side lead. I wish he was more in the story or it would have been better to get pov. There are many other side characters in this book and I really liked them. The romance in this book is very light and the story felt more like women’s fiction. The romance is forced proximity and friends to lovers with some light make-out scenes. 

The ending was good but with a cute HEA. The story wasn’t bad but it also wasn’t a memorable experience. For me I felt this story was promised something else but instead, we got something different. I did enjoy the found family and Lucy’s story and seeing them development in the story. Though I did wish there was more to the romance. 

*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return* 

This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

4.0

This story follows a woman who realizes her husband isn’t being faithful and now she has to keep the roof over her family’s head. A man begins to enter the picture but she doesn’t know if she could trust herself. I really enjoyed this book. This is the 2nd in the series but you don’t have to read the first book. I was hooked from the beginning of this book. Kennedy did an amazing job writing the story of a woman whose life changed in a second. The story shows woman’s power and I was all here for it. I do wish we got more of Soledad’s respect from the people. Kennedy handled the topics of autism, love, and betrayal so well. I learned so much from this story. 

 

This book is told from Soledad and Judas’s pov. Soledad is recently divorced after a huge betrayal and must protect her family. I really enjoyed her character and seeing her develop and heal. She’s a wonderful role model who never gave up and I loved her for that. Then there is Judas who is such a sweetheart and knows that Soledad is the one for him. He’s supporting and never rushed Soledad. There are also many side characters in this book and most of them I absolutely loved. The romance is friends to lovers, forbidden love, and slow burn. This book had the slowest of the slow burn and let me tell you I waited so long for the couple to end up together. I understood that Soledad was healing but the tension and chemistry was high. 

 

The ending was well done but towards the end, I kind of kind got a bit bored of the story. The book felt very long since it dealt with a lot of healing and the romance was rushed at the end. I think the book should have been a bit shorter but that’s just my perspective. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and recommend checking it out. 

 

*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return* 

The Prospects by KT Hoffman

4.0

This is a great read which is an LGBTQ sports romance that follows Gene who has a former teammate rival, Luis, but there’s tension between them and chemistry is brewing. I haven’t read a LGBTQ+ sports romance book and was excited to find out this was releasing. Hoffman is a fantastic writer and I liked how much sport was involved in this book. The overall storyline was good and exactly what was promised but I do have to say there weren’t any big conflicts. This story is only told from Gene’s pov but I really wanted Luis’s perspective as that would have been amazing. 

 

Gene is the MC of this story and I really enjoyed his story. He’s a trans man and his story is written so well. He had a great character development and you can tell the author really devoted themselves in their MC. There were many side characters, the main one being Luis of course but there were so many others that were amazing. The romance is enemies to lovers and sports romance which was well done as the chemistry was well done. There were steamy scenes that were in this book. 

 

The ending was well done and overall this was a great story. I really enjoyed this story and thought it was well done. I do wish there were more conflicts in the story to keep it entertaining but the romance was still great. Overall, I recommend checking this book because you won’t be disappointed. 

 

*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee

4.0

This story follows the death of a Chinatown Hollywood star in the 1930s where there’s discrimination and police hideup that three sisters decide to solve the crime. I have read Lee’s books in the past and this one was also very interesting. I’m usually not the one who goes for historical fiction books but this one caught my interest. I enjoyed the storyline of the book but I do have to say that the story didn’t feel historical. I felt that the atmosphere was lacking for this story. I did like the conflict in the book and learning about the Chinese culture, especially during the time when there was so much racism. This book is told from dual povs of both Gemma and May. 

 

Gemma is the eldest and May loves to act. I enjoyed both of their characters and seeing them develop but I do wish we got more of their background story. I felt that part was lacking as we truly didn’t know much about them. I enjoyed the side characters and was glad that it wasn’t too overwhelming since this is a murder mystery and once there are so many people, it’s hard to pay attention to the book. There is a bit of romance in this book where both Gemma and May experience a relationship but it’s not the main focus of the story but there because it’s a part of it. 

 

The ending was well done and this book is very long for a YA thriller but still a great read. The story was fun, entertaining, and perfect for those who love to learn about different cultures. I did have some minor problems with the book but overall it was a great story. I recommend checking this book out as you don’t want to miss out on it. 

 

*this book was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return* 

At Her Service by Amy Spalding

4.0

This story follows Max, working in Hollywood, to begin having a crush on a girl and get help from her friend. This is the second book in the series but could be read as a standalone. I enjoyed the storyline of this book and following the MC in Hollywood. The story was good and there was a lot of meaning behind it. The book doesn’t focus on romance like you would think but instead, there is self-development and focusing on friendships. I like the representation in this book and how their lives are in the media world. I do wish this story was told from dual povs as it would have been more interesting. 

 

This story follows Max who is an assistant to a Hollywood agent. I liked her story but I did often find her annoying at times. She did have a development throughout the book but sometimes I wanted to get away from her and read someone else’s perspective. There were many side characters in this book and Chelsey was the main one where without her the story wouldn’t have happened. The romance was cute with f/f friends to lovers and the third act broke up with mild steamy scenes. The romance wasn’t the main part of the story though I wish it was. 

 

The ending was great and everyone has their HEA. I believe I can tell who the next book will be about if there is one but I’m excited. I recommend checking out this Hollywood-themed book with a light on the romance but more on the found family. This is perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Alexis Hall. 

 

*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return* 

Sanctum by Jane Henry

4.0

This story is the second in the series which follows Harper who has to marry Aleks to please her family but she has secrets she can’t tell Aleks. I really enjoyed this story. I’m a huge fan of mafia romances and can say that Henry is a great mafia romance writer. I enjoyed the storyline of the book and the different conflicts throughout the story. There aren’t many plot conflicts but more to do with the FMC and her healing. I liked the family aspect of the story and seeing the kindness of the mafia household. I did feel like there was the world part missing in the book as this book could be read as a stand-alone but it felt as though I needed to read book 1 to know more about it. 

 

Harper is the FMC of the story and I really liked her character. She wants to be loved and cared for and has so much trauma from her past. I loved seeing her heal and grow in the book. Then there is Aleks who is the MMC of the story. I loved how kind but an alpha hole throughout the story. His care for childrens are also so cute. There are many side characters in this book and I’m excited to read about the other brothers. The romance is arranged marriage and forced proximity with some steamy scenes and great chemistry. 

 

The ending was well done and overall I really enjoyed this book. I’m not sure who the next book will be about but I’m excited to see what Henry has in store for us. I recommend checking this mafia romance out especially if you love Pipe Rayne and Rina Kent. 

 

*this e-arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return* 

Pulling Her Resources by Mia Sivan

4.0

This story follows Dana who is divorced and meets a man at the bar for a one-night stand for him to end up working at her workplace. Sivan is a great writer when it comes to romance and I loved the story of this book. The story takes place in Tel Aviv and I enjoyed the references the author put in the book. The pacing of the story was great and enjoyed the workplace setting. I do have to say that the dialogues were a bit hard to figure out. This book is told from dual povs but when other characters spoke, it was hard to figure out who said what. 

 

Dafna is good at her job but with her divorce, she doesn’t know if she can be with someone again. I liked her character and seeing her develop throughout the book. Then there is Ezra, a single father and is an accountant at Dana’s work. He’s such a sweetheart and I really liked his character. There were many side characters in the book and I hope to see their stories in the future. The romance is forced proximity, reverse age gap, and a nightstand with some great chemistry and steamy scenes. 

 

The ending was good but I do have to say that the ending conflict kind of didn’t make sense to me. I didn’t think it was needed in the book and could have been more about the couple. Overall this was a great story and loved reading a well-written reverse age gap story. I recommend checking out this book that you don’t want to miss out on. 

 

*this book was sent to me by the author to give an honest review in return* 

Tryst Six Venom by Penelope Douglas

4.0

Another great Penelope Douglas book which follows two teenage girls who are in high school. Everyone knows Liv is gay and part of the Tryst Six Venom fam and makes fun of her life including Clay. Clay is obsessed with Liv and would do anything to ruin her life. I was really excited to read this book. I’m a huge fan of Douglas and would read anything they write. This book was great and deals with a lot of sensitive topics which I recommend reading the triggers. I liked the small-town vibe and the conflicts that brewed in the town. The pacing was great for the most of the book but I felt the ending was rushed. This book is told from both Liv and Clay’s pov. 

 

Liv isn’t rich, is out of the closet, and keeps to herself wishing to get out of town. I really liked her character and seeing her find love. Then there is Clay. She doesn’t know who she is, everything is messed up at home, and she’s trying to keep her reputation safe. I liked how strong of a character she is but I have to say that I didn’t like her bullying part. I see her pain but there were so many moments she knew she was wrong. There were many side characters in this book and I can’t wait to learn more about some of them in the next book. The romance is f/f with enemies to lovers and forbidden love which includes a lot of steamy scenes. The chemistry between the couple was good but very rough. 

 

The ending was rushed but readers get a HEA. There are two epilogues taking place at different points of time. Overall this was a great book and I really enjoyed the story. I’m super excited to read the next book following the brothers. I recommend checking this book out but please do read triggers as there are a lot of sensitive topics mentioned. 

 

*this book was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*