bookishlychar's reviews
2224 reviews

Stay by Elle Kennedy, Sarina Bowen

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

 

Matt is a recently divorced dad and Toronto hockey player. He has been using Fetch, a personal assistant app, to get his life in order. Hailey is the co-owner of Fetch and has been assigned to his tasks. She is 99% sure that the anonymous client is her long-time crush, Matt Eriksson. She is enjoying their harmless flirting until she has to meet her client face to face. Cue the nervousness. Both are attracted to each other and can’t seem to resist each other. Is this something that could be more than a crush? 

 

I don’t know that I’ve read a hockey romance where the girl was already a hockey fan. I loved seeing that aspect of it. She already knew hockey and I loved it! Hailey was a super fan and I loved what that brought out of her during games. She was fierce. 

 

The chemistry between Matt and Hailey was top-notch. I loved listening to the silly things Hailey would say when nervous around Matt, and his reaction to it. Both Matt and Hailey are divorced and cautious about entering a new relationship. Matt’s ex did a number on him and he feels so unworthy of love and a relationship. 

 

Hockey romances is one of my favourite subgenres and I have found that Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy write some of the best out there. Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine. 

Second Time's The Charm by Stephanie Rose

challenging emotional funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

3.5

This was a good story about a second chance at love. I enjoyed a lot of the book, especially the first part of it. What I struggled with was the lack of communication throughout the second half and how neither character talked to each other about all the emotions they were feeling. I also struggled to believe there was a 20-year gap between the breakup and reconnection. I would have found it more believable with a 10-year gap.  

There is a lot of emotion in this story, as we are dealing with loss, grief and the feelings of hurt that have been between the two for such a long time. I liked the two characters but didn't feel as connected to them as I could. 

Smug Bastard by S. Marie

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

3.5/5 - I liked this book, but it suffered from the dreaded 3rd act breakup that could have been prevented if they just talked. I liked Smith and Kinsley together and they had major chemistry. I loved how Kinsley got herself into a bunch of crazy situations and watching their feelings develop for each other. This was my first Stacy Marie, and I enjoyed it and will pick up more. 

read if you like: road trips, enemies to lovers, brother's best friend,

Center Ice by Julia Connors

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.0

In college Audry tutored Graham in calculus. They spent one night together, and he left the next day. Now, six years later, Graham is playing hockey back in his hometown and has come face to face with Audrey and a five-year-old little boy who looks exactly like him. Audrey doesn't want Graham involved with their son's life unless he can commit to being a parent. While Audrey and Graham start to navigate how he fits into her and her son's life, they start to have feelings for each other. The only question is can Graham have hockey and his responsibilities?  

I'm not generally a fan of the secret or hidden pregnancy tropes, but it worked in this story. I loved watching Graham fall in love with both his child and Audrey, it hit me right in the feels. It was interesting to watch how he tried to figure out how to manage all the different aspects of his life. I felt for Audrey. She wanted to let Graham in but has been disappointed so many times in her life that she doesn't want to bring that on her son too. 

What I loved most about the book was the family dynamics in it. Both Audrey and Graham come from involved families and I loved how supportive they were of each of them. 

This was my first Julia Connors book, but it won't be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed the start of this series and the chemistry and dynamics between both characters. 

read if you like: second chance, secret pregnancy, single mom, he falls first

Tempt Our Fate by Kat Singleton

challenging emotional funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

Pippa is the owner of a bakery and Camden is the grumpy neighbour that just opened an art gallery. Pippa and Camden have a rocky relationship from the first meeting, and they do everything they can to avoid each other. When Camden needs help with catering his gallery opening, he turns to Pippa and they strike a deal: she will cater his event, if he spends the day with her in Sutten, so she can show him how great of a town it is. In a bind, he reluctantly agrees. What he didn't expect was Pippa mesmerizing him and being unable to get her out of his mind. 

Pippa and Camden are the perfect balance to each other. She isn't afraid to stand up to Camden and challenge him on his grumpy ways and thoughts. Kat Singleton pulled me in with Pippa and Camden's banter and kept me there with their chemistry and the mouth on Camden. I loved how much Pippa loved her town and got Camden to fall in love with it too. 

This was a great story with amazing spice. If you want a grumpy sunshine romance with some awesome banter, this is a perfect book! 

read if you like: grumpy sunshine, enemies to lovers, billionaire, age gap

Ick Factor by Morgan Elizabeth

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.5

4.5/5 - Kat is Theo's assistant. She is able to predict what he needs before he knows it. She is surprised that she has stayed at her job this long, as she usually loses joy in it.  When Theo's boss announces his retirement, the job Theo has always thought was his, he is thrown into limbo when the boss announces he is unsure who the board will choose for the job. To seem more like a "family man" he concocts a fake engagement, without even a girlfriend. Kat agrees to be his fiancee to save the company from his rival, without having feelings. The only problem is, this fake relationship starts to feel real. 

The dynamic between Kat and Theo was great. You could see these two cared for each other, it just took them a while to figure it out. They had insane chemistry and worked so well together. Kat had never been in a relationship without feeling "the ick" and she was sure it would come up with Theo, almost like waiting for the other shoe to drop. Once Theo decides he loves Kat, he sets about proving to her that she won't get "the ick" by just being there for and supporting Kat. It was so kind and wonderful. 

Another great part of this book is the female friendship in this group. Kat has her own girl gang, and they are there to have her back. Their antics made me laugh, and I loved seeing the wrap-up for everyone in the series. 

This was a wonderful book, with great writing. I will need to make sure I go back through the other books to read those stories.

Read if you like: fake engagement, grumpy/sunshine, workplace, boss/employee,

Sugar by Mandi Beck

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Beau is the bad boy of country music. His girlfriend died several months ago, and since then he has gotten even worse. His label has fired him and his agent is looking for a new label to sign with. His agent turns to his friend Addy Mae and Hard Candy Records. She agrees to work with him, but Addy Mae is put in charge of babysitting him, ensuring he stays on the straight and narrow. As they spend more and more time together the tension between them grows and they know that at some point it has got to burst. Addy Mae doesn't know if the feelings Beau has is real, or if he is just a giant flirt. 

I unexpectedly loved this book. I thought this would be a simple enemies-to-lovers story, but the romance was solid making it a great read. Beau is a bad boy but falls head over heels for Addy Mae. The tension between these two could be cut with a knife and Mandi Beck writes it so well that you are seeking more. 

This was my first Mandi Beck book, but it will not be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this low-stakes, low-angst, high-tension romance. 

Read if you like: rockstar romance, bad boy & good girl, 

The Single Dad by Marni Mann

funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I thought Everly and Ford were great together. I did find that I missed some of the angst and yearning that I look for in my books. The circumstances of Everly applying to be the nanny were odd, and thought it didn't fit with the story. 

I did find it weird that Ford had been living for four years with support from his family only and suddenly needed a nanny.

I loved the premise of the story, but the execution just wasn't perfect for me. It was my first Marni Mann books, but it will not be my last. I want to see more of what she can write. 

Read if you like: single dad, nanny, boss and employee, age gap, friends to lovers

The Three Night Stand by Roxie Noir

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

 

Javi and Madeline met at a bar 2 years ago that ended in a one-night stand Javi cannot stop thinking about. His life was not in a good place, just a short time out of addiction treatment, he had agreed not to make any changes in his life, so he left the next morning without a word. Flashforward two years and Javi is about to meet his mom’s new fiance and daughter. The daughter is none other than Madeline. Both try to stay away from each other, but when they cannot, they agree to have another couple of nights together before the wedding, and then leave it there. Of course, feelings come into play and they are stuck with what to do when you fall in love with someone that is becoming your step-sibling. 

 

Javi is a complicated guy who wants nothing more than to stop causing pain for his family. Having a long history of drug addiction has led to hurt of the ones he loves. Javi’s addiction issues were handled with a great deal of care, exploring the guilt and worry that exists for an addict, and also how it impacts different family members. Madeline was a complicated person, trying to manage her feelings while worrying that Javi didn’t want her enough for a relationship. I thought the banter between these two was great and they made me laugh many times throughout the book. 

 

Roxie Noir does a great job mixing complicated life with love, allowing the characters to find love even with flaws. Both characters are incredibly unsure of where they stand in their relationship. We also got throwbacks to other characters in this series and The Loveless Brothers. I loved seeing where everyone is at and seeing this found family gather together. 

 

Javi and Madeline are a great couple who bring laughs and sincerity. These two are a great couple that start as a one-night stand that leads to something more. I love Roxie’s writing and ability to get me to connect with the characters. Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine. 

 

Read if you like: one night stand, forbidden (becoming step-siblings), friends to lovers 

Delicate Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan

challenging emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

This book had a lot going on and I think there was just too much thrown into the story. I liked the different storylines, but I wished that they could have been broken down into more than one story. This was a mostly dual-perspective book, but a few times we had a different person's perspective and it seemed out of left field for me. I even looked to see if I was still reading the same book. It was confusing. 

I can see other people enjoying this book and series, but it just wasn't for me.