vanislandcircus's reviews
887 reviews

The Girlfriend Zone by Lauren Blakely

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-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? Yes

3.5

While I enjoyed many parts of the story overall, I was very frustrated with how Trista kept referring to herself as a “cow.” It kind of drove me nuts. And there were a few times that I felt that Wyatt lacked some maturity at points. Overall, there was a lot of backstory with trauma that led to how the MCs acted and viewed themselves. I did enjoy the banter and  how Wyatt’s family loved each other. I would be interested to see where all their stories go. 

Stick With Me by Nikki Callan

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

Nikki Callan’s debut novel is Stick with Me, and wow, just wow!

Ryan and Hannah are best friends to lovers in the best possible way.

While Ryan kept his feelings hidden for so long, he really and truly was able to be Hannah’s best friend in every way possible. Their story of friendship had it all. I enjoyed reading how their friendship progressed and how Hannah eventually opened her eyes to her best friend’s true feelings. He always had her happiness first and foremost.

And the paper airplanes, all the feels, I cannot say anymore, you will have to read the book for yourself to find out!

Ryan has now moved to the top of my fictional boyfriend's list!

This story has it all: ups and downs, laughs and tears, hot spice, and let us not forget the hockey!

I can’t wait for the next book in the series; there are characters that I need to see have their happy endings.

Thank you to Love Notes PR and Nikki Callan for an eARC of this book.

If You Love Me by Helena Hunting

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring relaxing 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

If You Love Me is the fourth book in the Toronto Terror series. I have been waiting for Roman’s story since we first met the Terror’s goalie, and he did not disappoint. I knew his overprotective side and deep love for his family and friends would make for a passionate and explosive lover!

The connection and spice with Lexi were there from the start, and they only burned hotter as the story progressed. 

As always, the spice levels in this series make the pages hot; however, there is so much more. Helena writes such deep characters and their lives are so much more than what is on the page. I love how this found family of hockey players, their partners and family all come together to support one another. From found family and best friends to the Badass Babe Bridage and everything in between. They are all there for each other, making reading their stories so good. I appreciate that while they each get their own book, it isn’t the end. They continue to show up in each sequential book, and their story continues to develop in little tidbits here and there. And let us not forget the delicious little easter eggs sprinkled here and there from other book series by Helena.

Roman deserved his happy ending, and while it took a bit to get there, Lexi was it for him. Her story was heartbreaking and resilient, and when she finally let Roman and others in, it was beautiful.

Not only did I read this book, but I also had the opportunity to listen to it, and  Stephen Dexter’s narration brought Roman to life. I have heard his voice in my head since meeting Roman in the first Terror book. His deep voice was Roman to a T. Stella Bloom was a perfect Lexi.

I cannot wait for Flip’s book. If I am being honest, I cannot wait for any book in the Terror series. I don’t want the series ever to end.

I want to thank Good Girls PR and Helena Hunting for my ARC and ALC copy of If You Love Me; I’m not going to lie. I have already listened to it twice!

If You Love Me by Helena Hunting

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

If You Love Me is the fourth book in the Toronto Terror series. I have been waiting for Roman’s story since we first met the Terror’s goalie, and he did not disappoint. I knew his overprotective side and deep love for his family and friends would make for a passionate and explosive lover!

The connection and spice with Lexi were there from the start, and they only burned hotter as the story progressed. 

As always, the spice levels in this series make the pages hot; however, there is so much more. Helena writes such deep characters and their lives are so much more than what is on the page. I love how this found family of hockey players, their partners and family all come together to support one another. From found family and best friends to the Badass Babe Bridage and everything in between. They are all there for each other, making reading their stories so good. I appreciate that while they each get their own book, it isn’t the end. They continue to show up in each sequential book, and their story continues to develop in little tidbits here and there. And let us not forget the delicious little easter eggs sprinkled here and there from other book series by Helena.

Roman deserved his happy ending, and while it took a bit to get there, Lexi was it for him. Her story was heartbreaking and resilient, and when she finally let Roman and others in, it was beautiful.

Not only did I read this book, but I also had the opportunity to listen to it, and  Stephen Dexter’s narration brought Roman to life. I have heard his voice in my head since meeting Roman in the first Terror book. His deep voice was Roman to a T. Stella Bloom was a perfect Lexi.

I cannot wait for Flip’s book. If I am being honest, I cannot wait for any book in the Terror series. I don’t want the series ever to end.

I want to thank Good Girls PR and Helena Hunting for my ARC and ALC copy of If You Love Me; I’m not going to lie. I have already listened to it twice!

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

4.0

Hearts And Glowers by K.M. Gillis

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

An adorable and spicy quick read! Candy and Noel are adorable co-workers opposites until their attraction heats up in the elevator!

Sweet and Spiteful Rivalries by C.K. Darling

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

🌶️ 

 

This was my first book by C.K. Darling. It was sweet, short, and with just the right dash of spice. 

 

The tension between the MMC and MFC has been palpable since their first meeting, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them develop a relationship. While this was a short romance, each character had a nice depth. 

 

It couldn’t be a more perfect small-town romance, with Brittany being a romance author who co-owns a cafe bookstore - oh my! Holt, a tattooed Chef, be still my heart. 

 

My only complaint, and utterly contradictory to loving how fast I could read this novel, was how fast I could read it, and their story was over, lol.

This was book two in the series, and I plan on reading book one and following through with the rest of the stories and the characters that call Peachwood Grove home. 

 

Thanks to Pen Pal PR and C.K. Darling for this adorable little eARC. 

Unmasking Love by Erin Marie Bassett

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

🌶️🌶️🌶️ 

 

Unmasking Love is the first in Erin Marie Bassett’s D.C. Renegades Hockey series. I am currently and probably will be in my Hockey Romance Era forever, and when I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. I was surprised to find a spicy hockey romance and a beautifully written, in-depth exploration of the MMC and FMC. Bassett wove their fears, goals, and desires into a dual POV that I could not put down. 

 

The story was only enhanced with supporting characters from Aiden’s teammates; the “Big Guns” group chat was hilarious, and how could you not fall in love with the team Captain, Felix? Wes and Harper are the best friends relationship that we all want and need. 

 

Last but not least, the spice, and it was HOT! 

 

Harper and Aiden have set the bar high for the rest of my 2025 fictional couples! 

 

Thanks to BookishBubbly PR and Erin Marie Bassett for the eARC. I cannot wait for Book 2. 

The Ice Out by Mina Myles

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

🌶️🌶️ 

 

The Ice Out by Mina Myles was more than just your average hockey romance. 

 

Violet, the FMC, struggled with being a people pleaser and dealt with high levels of anxiety. Her best friend’s brother Mason (MMC), who broke her heart, comes back into her life after sustaining a career-ending injury. His struggle to reconcile the past with his future was well written. We all have moments of imposter syndrome, and how both characters were written exhibited this so profoundly.  Both the characters showed so much growth, weakness and reliance throughout the story; you couldn’t help but love them. 

 

Their struggle was relatable and heartfelt. This was a great second-chance romance story. I was sad when I reached the end, as I wanted to see them continue to grow as individuals and as a couple. 

 

I will definitely be looking for more books from Mina Myles. 

 

Thank you to Love Notes PR and Mina Myles for the opportunity to read this eARC.