exlibrisfrancis's reviews
441 reviews

emotional funny hopeful sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

⭐️ 5/5
🌶️4/5
😭 Crying at 1:30 am with my dog/5

Tropes:
🏁F1 romance
🏁Forced proximity
🏁She falls first, but he falls harder
🏁No third act break up 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Wow!
I didn’t really know anything coming into this book. I just thought, okay, romance, but with fast cars 😅
But Kayla James! Miss ma’am… your debut novel??

So we first meet Ryder, a talented F1 driver with a past filled with pain and loss. He’s trying his best to secure his place back into his sport after time off recovering from an injury. Ryder is plagued by memories of his family and the burden of living up to his father’s legacy.

Blake is an up and coming F1 driver trying to find her place in a sport dominated by men. She’s used to fighting against the prejudices and the sexism surrounding her, but her insecurities try to make her second guess her abilities.

I loved seeing Blake and Ryder’s growth both together and independently. They loved each other fiercely and they were a solid team. I love seeing it!

There’s a lot going on in the book! I didn’t know that I was going to be crying like a baby during this, so fair warning!

Burnout by Rebecca Jenshak

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emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

⭐️ 4/5
🌶️ 3/5

🖤Motocross rider x gymnasts
🎀Grumpy x sunshine
🖤Bad boy x good girl
🎀He falls first
🖤He calls her princess 😍
🎀Hate to lovers

Sooooo good!

I didn’t realize that we were going to get a book for Knox! I didn’t realize at first until he called Jane Hollywood lol

Even though Burnout is a standalone, it has to be my favorite of Rebecca’s Vally U series.

We got a taste of the broody and grumpy Knox in Tempting a Player, but get to really get to know him more in Burnout.

Knox and Avery’s relationship is so beautiful. Their bickering and banter was hilarious especially because of the obvious desire they had for each other. I was happy when they both finally gave into their feelings.
They both share a need to prove themselves in their own perspective sports. Knox is the bad boy who got kicked off his team after a 5 year hiatus and Avery is recovering for a past injury. I love how they both lean on each other’s strengths and support to follow through with goals.

Learn Your Lesson by Kandi Steiner

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

⭐️ 5/5
🌶️5/5
🥹♾️/5

Single dad/nanny
Forced proximity
GrumpyxSunshine
Lessons 😏
Found family
Hockey romance

I absolutely loved this book!
You will fall in love with Chloe, Will and Ava and all the side characters, especially the asshole cats!

My heart was clenching following Chloe navigate through this friends/not friends with benefits situation while also connecting and building relationships with Will’s daughter Ava. Chloe grew up learning that men are trash and they always leave. Will is still mourning the loss of his wife and best friend. They both are fighting a loosing battle to stay apart and not grow feelings.

I loved the journey of discovery!

And can we talk about that popsicle scene?? 👀👀👀

Favorite quotes:

“you might lose her. But hell, we could all lose someone. It’s a possibility every single day. That’s why they stitch shit on pillows about hugging everyone you love and making the most of every moment”

“One day, I was just a shadow of a man going through the motions, surviving. And the next, I had you. Suddenly, I was awake. Suddenly, I was smiling, and laughing, and longing for someone in a way I didn’t know was possible. You… you altered my fucking chemistry, Chloe. You obliterated the dark haze I’d existed in for years. You brought in the sun.”

“this family would have a happy ending — but not for a very, very long time. We had too many happy beginnings to have first.”

Wild Love by Elsie Silver

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Ugh, I really enjoyed this book and wish it wasn’t over.
Rosie and Ford are so good together. Their banter was funny and their love was intense.

Never Have I Ever by Stephanie Alves

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Sicko by Amo Jones

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This was a WILD ride! Definitely not for the faint of heart!

Taboo romance
MC
A whole lot of twists and turns
Trauma like no other (10000% check the trigger warnings because it’s rough)

I was on the edge of my seat the whole entire time. I read this in one entire sitting. I devoured this book. I was on a roller coaster ride I was on while reading this book! I felt all the things! Uncomfortable, a little icky, confused, mad, sad, more confusion, super mad, and finally relieved.

This book is spicy spicy, but it doesn’t take away from the book!

Some of my highlights:

He embedded himself into my heart and I sewed my name across his limbs. We fight a lot, but we love hard and when it comes to him and me, one cannot exist without the other.