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velsbooknook's reviews
251 reviews
Maybe Yours by Claire Raye
5.0
While I was browsing reddit for some lighthearted romance recs I came across Maybe Yours and was sold immediately.
Penny and Tommy, both working at a winery, try a new dating app their friend suggested and the twist with this app is that you don't share any pictures and avoid the standard small talk. You don't know with whom you end up talking. I LOVED this idea and it was so fun to follow Penny's and Tommy's interactions on the app but also in real life. I loved how they really got to know each other on the app and also had a good time bonding over their "bee-project".
I enjoyed both MCs from the beginning. I loved their banter. I loved the tension. There are several open door scenes and some in public and it got steamy very early on. I really like that they also had some laughs while getting intimate and it was just a pleasure seeing those characters fall in love. This is a real feel-good-romance and if you have no problem with open door romance I think this is a real hidden gem. I enjoyed every minute of it!
What to expect:
🖥️ work place romance
⌚ age gap
💗 open door romance
🔥 very spicy
🍷 set in a beautiful winery in Napa, California
🐝 bee keeping
📱 online dating
The Love Wager by Lynn Painter
5.0
I. Love. Fake. Dating.
Lynn Painter's writing is so fun and light hearted it's always a good time.
After a one night stand Hallie & Jack match again on a dating app. They decide to become eachother's wing-man/woman on the hunt of finding love on the dating app.
The banter and chemistry between the two main characters was so good. They quickly become friends and both are often having dates at the same time so they can get failed-date-tacos together afterwards. Jack becomes Hallie's plus one at her sister's wedding and with only one bed, the lines of fake dating become very blurry.
This book had the right amount of spicy imo and the tension was perfection.
There has to be some kind of conflict at the end of course and I did not really vibe with it. The ending felt a little rushed and it didn't make sense for the characters in my opinion. Nevertheless I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to all romance-lovers!
The Love Wager was so funny, sweet and spicy!
All That's Left in the World by Erik J. Brown
4.25
The story follows the two teen boys Jamison and Andrew on their way through post-apocalyptic America, which was almost completely eradicated by a virus called the "super-flu". They hope to find a new civilization and the beginning of a new life.
This book was amazing. It's a queer, dystopian novel and I loved the characters and the journey they had to take. Some parts were very dark and are definitely not for everyone but the author did a great job at balancing out the rather gruesome moments of the book with humour and wholesome interactions of the characters. There is some mystery around Jamie's and Andrew's journey and I enjoyed to see those parts unravel. The story has some amazing side characters and the character growth in general was very good in my opinion. It's a ya-novel and I would have loved it as a teen but be aware that some parts are very graphic and heavy so check TW before picking this book up yourself or gifting it to a young adult. I usually don't like pandemic books but Brown did a great job in building this fictional story. Covid got mentioned, but only briefly and it didn't make me uncomfortable like other books did.
The ending got me very emotional and I can't wait to read the sequel later this year. I highly recommend especially if you enjoyed The Last of Us but don't need zombies in an apocalyptic setting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Pandemic/Epidemic
A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross
3.75
I read the Elements of Cadence duology over the course of two months and I had a very good time. I read both books as audiobooks and I think it made me enjoy the story even more. Both books are rather slow so I'm not sure if I would have been as invested in the story as I was if I had read a physical version.
I loved the atmosphere of the book. The vibes were amazing and I enjoyed the magic of this world.
I liked book two a little better because I got to know the characters and world better and I felt more connected to them and their conflicts.
The writing was so well done and made it easy to follow the journey of those characters.
I was happy that the romance was very subtle and I also appreciated it more in book two aswell.
It's a beautiful duology which is filled with very loveable characters and a beautiful, unique and magical world. I will miss Cadence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
3.75
I read the Elements of Cadence duology over the course of two months and I had a very good time. I read both books as audiobooks and I think it made me enjoy the story even more. Both books are rather slow so I'm not sure if I would have been as invested in the story as I was if I had read a physical version.
I loved the atmosphere of the book. The vibes were amazing and I enjoyed the magic of this world.
I liked book two a little better because I got to know the characters and world better and I felt more connected to them and their conflicts.
The writing was so well done and made it easy to follow the journey of those characters.
I was happy that the romance was very subtle and I also appreciated it more in book two aswell.
It's a beautiful duology which is filled with very loveable characters and a beautiful, unique and magical world. I will miss Cadence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
The Stolen Heir by Holly Black
3.5
After reading and loving The Folk of the Air series it was only a matter of time until I needed to start The Stolen Heir. Welcome back to Elfhame and the story of Oak and Wren.
I read this book back in March and just realised I never posted a review. I love Elfhame, the characters & Black's writting. But now roughly two months later I realise that this story didn't stick with me as The Cruel Prince did. I almost have no memory of the plot (I definitely have to read a summary before jumping into book two) but I remember that while reading I was not as invested in the book as I would have anticipated. The pacing was much slower than what I was used to. I know it's always bad to compare BUT The Folk of the Air series has a very special place in my heart and I just thought I would love this one more. Don't get me wrong it was a good book but it was missing some action and memorable moments between the characters. I'm still excited to pick up book two because this world is just too good and I want to see more of Wren.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Violence, Blood, and Abandonment
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
4.5
The main characters Daniel and Alexis couldn't be more different. She is a renowned doctor with a glamourous life, he is a carpenter living in a small town. One night their worlds collide and both realise that they enjoy eachothers company a lot even though they don't have much in common.
This was super sweet and enjoyable. Daniel and Alexis had amazing chemistry from the moment they met eachother. Their moments felt so easy I had a blast reading about them. I think I never read a romance novel before that was not a slow burn but I think I really enjoyed it. Daniel really seems like the perfect book boyfriend. Not only does he have a baby goat, he also is so sweet, caring and supportive. Alexis on the other hand gave me a hard time sometimes because the people who surround her were all horrible (except for Bri) and the life she is living is rather sad.
This book is about finding out what really is important in your life and that you sometimes need a few arrangements to get a happy and fulfilled life.
I loved this book a lot and I can't wait to read Yours Truly soon!