Scan barcode
loveleighreading's reviews
297 reviews
For Her Safety by Dria Andersen
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Title: For Her Safety
Series: The Knight Brothers
# in series: 2
Author: Dria Andersen
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Single Parent, Marriage of Convenience, Protective MMC, Panther Shifters, Mates
Rep: Black Love. Black author.
Pages: 166
Steam: Open door
Spice: 🌶🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Synopsis: In the comments
Review: I loved jumping back into this world. I adored the instant family dynamics between Silas and his daughter, and the love that developed for Mila was beautiful.
Quotes:
- “the security you need, the love you crave; I can give you all that shit, Mila. Just give me your heart and let me worry about everything else.”
- “Oh, don’t worry, I’m finna fuck you six ways to Sunday. If you can walk in the morning, then we’ll start over.”
.
.
.
.
.
.
CW: Violence. Death on page. Maternal death after birth (past). Attempted poisoning.
Pregnancy?: Babylogue
Babies/Children?: 8 year old daughter of the MCs on page.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent
For Her Protection by Dria Andersen
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Title: For Her Protection
Series: The Knight Brothers
# in series: 3
Author: Dria Andersen
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Bodyguard, Heat sex, Fated mates, Stoic MMC, Bear Shifters, Traveling, Scarred MMC
Rep: Black Love
Pages: 153
Steam: Open door
Spice: 🌶🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Synopsis: In the comments
Review: I loved the instant connection this couple had and how much they just wanted to take care of each other. I always love a guy when he looks big a scary but is really squishy on the inside.
Quotes:
- “How do I let him know I’m receptive, Mom?” She asked softly. Therese smiled. “Well, sweetheart. Let me tell you about trapping a bear.”
- He hovered over her mouth, not kissing her, just inhaling. “You smell amazing. I can’t wait to have you in my mouth.”
- “Baby, if we start, you won’t eat until tomorrow, on my life.”
.
.
.
.
.
.
CW: Mentions past CA, and domestic abuse. Past death of a parent mentioned. Mentions of foster care. Gun violence.
Pregnancy?: No
Babies/Children?: Children from the couples in the previous books briefly in the story.
Follow Me to the Yew Tree by Desirée M. Niccoli
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Title: Follow Me to the Yew Tree
Series: Standalone
Author: Desirée M. Niccoli
Genre: Historical Fantasy Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Fated Mates, Forced Proximity, Historical, Insta Love, Magic, Traveling, MMC is former military.
Rep: Own voices disability rep, MMC has Ulcerative Colitis
Pages: 87
Steam: Open door
Spice: 🌶🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Synopsis: In the comments
Review: This was a wonderful introduction to this author and their writing style. For being such a short read I really felt for both of the characters and wanted them to be happy. It was creepy an eerie in just the right way.
Quotes:
.
.
.
.
.
.
CW: MMC has PTSD from war. Attempted SA. Theft. Death.
Pregnancy?: No
Babies/Children?: No
**ARC provided by XXX. All thoughts are my own**
Alight by A.H. Cunningham
3.0
Title: Alight
Series: The Firecracker Cousins
# in series: 1
Author: A.H. Cunningham
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Close proximity, childhood friends to lovers, neighbors, unrequited reunion, work relations.
Rep: Black Love. Demi MMC. Afro-Latine Author and FMC. Fat FMC.
Pages: 322
Steam: Open door
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5
Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5
A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera
4.0
Title: A Caribbean Heiress in Paris
Series: Las Léonas
# in series: 1
Author: Adriana Herrera
Genre: Historical Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Marriage of convenience, Scottish MMC, Work Relations,
Rep: Afro-Dominicana Author. Caribbean FMC
Pages: 368
Steam: Open door
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Synopsis: In the comments
Review: This was a fun new take on historical romance that I haven't read before. It was refreshing to see the FMC as a businesswomen with no fear of knocking the MMC down a peg. They had a wonderful dynamic with “that's my wife” energy.
Audiobook: Wonderful narration.
.
.
.
.
.
.
CW: Racism. Sexism. Parental abandonment. Slavery mentioned. Death of a parent. Gun violence.
Pregnancy?: No
Babies/Children?: Yes, the younger sister of the FMC and children of MMC's sisters
Blind Date with a Book Boyfriend by Lucy Eden
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Title: Blind Date with a Book Boyfriend
Series: Blind Date with a Book Boyfriend
# in series: 1
Author: Lucy Eden
Genre: Contemporary Billionaire Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Cinnamon Roll MMC. Romance Reader MMC. Insta-Love.
Rep: Black author, black FMC, mixed Irish/Columbian MMC.
Pages: 127
Steam: Open door
Spice: 🌶🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Review: Fun, short and cute. But I'm gonna be honest, I wish he had just hired her at his company.
Audiobook Review: Duet narration but all from the FMC's POV. However, epilogues are in MMC POV.
.
.
.
.
.
.
CW: Past death of a family member. Almost work power imbalance.
Pregnancy?: Yes, FMC is pregnant in the epilogues
Babies/Children?: No
Series: Blind Date with a Book Boyfriend
# in series: 1
Author: Lucy Eden
Genre: Contemporary Billionaire Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Cinnamon Roll MMC. Romance Reader MMC. Insta-Love.
Rep: Black author, black FMC, mixed Irish/Columbian MMC.
Pages: 127
Steam: Open door
Spice: 🌶🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Review: Fun, short and cute. But I'm gonna be honest, I wish he had just hired her at his company.
Audiobook Review: Duet narration but all from the FMC's POV. However, epilogues are in MMC POV.
.
.
.
.
.
.
CW: Past death of a family member. Almost work power imbalance.
Pregnancy?: Yes, FMC is pregnant in the epilogues
Babies/Children?: No
One Season with the Duke by Addy Du Lac
emotional
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
4.0
Title: One Season with the Duke
Series: Standalone
Author: Addy Du Lac
Genre: Historical Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Childhood friends to lovers, Cousins best friend, Golden Retriever MMC, Groveling MMC, He falls first, Marriage of Convenience, Protective MC
Rep: Black Trinidadian and Tobagonian author. Half Black African FMC. Scottish MMC.
Pages: 352
Steam: Open door
Spice: 🌶🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️/5
Review:
I'm a little behind in writing my review since I read this back in July. But since finishing this book I attended SteamyLit Con and had a lovely interaction with the author, that was me ranting at her how much I simultaneously loved and hated this MMC. She found my rant hilarious and proceeded to sign a picture of him for me.
Overall I found this to be a wonderfully original historical romance, and I would love to get more books in this world.
Audiobook review: Nneka Okoye, the narrator, has a beautiful narrating voice and was wonderful to listen to.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
CW: Blackmail. Parental abandonment. Past death of a parent(s). Racism.
Pregnancy?: Yes, FMC gets pregnant around 70ish%
Babies/Children?: No
Series: Standalone
Author: Addy Du Lac
Genre: Historical Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Childhood friends to lovers, Cousins best friend, Golden Retriever MMC, Groveling MMC, He falls first, Marriage of Convenience, Protective MC
Rep: Black Trinidadian and Tobagonian author. Half Black African FMC. Scottish MMC.
Pages: 352
Steam: Open door
Spice: 🌶🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️/5
Review:
I'm a little behind in writing my review since I read this back in July. But since finishing this book I attended SteamyLit Con and had a lovely interaction with the author, that was me ranting at her how much I simultaneously loved and hated this MMC. She found my rant hilarious and proceeded to sign a picture of him for me.
Overall I found this to be a wonderfully original historical romance, and I would love to get more books in this world.
Audiobook review: Nneka Okoye, the narrator, has a beautiful narrating voice and was wonderful to listen to.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
CW: Blackmail. Parental abandonment. Past death of a parent(s). Racism.
Pregnancy?: Yes, FMC gets pregnant around 70ish%
Babies/Children?: No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Death of parent
The Breakup Artists by Adriana Mather
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Title: The Breakup Artists
Series: Standalone
Author: Adriana Mather
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Childhood friends =/= lovers, He falls first, Neighbors, Secret Identity, Work relations
Pages: 411
Steam: No door
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2/5
Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Review: I enjoyed this story so much more than I expected to. To hear my thoughts you can listen to this episode of YA Book Chat podcast: https://yabookchat.buzzsprout.com/612...
Note* The 2 main characters in this story are not each other’s love interest.
Quotes:
“Alone isn’t a location, it’s a feeling,” I say to the clouds, but no one answers..
.
.
.
.
.
CW: Death of a close family member recounted. Relationship issues: manipulation, gaslighting, and cheating. After effects of drunk driving. Lying. Secret identity. Parental abandonment. .
Pregnancy?: Mentions of past miscarriages of a side character, and current difficult pregnancy
Babies/Children?: Younger siblings of one of the love interests
Series: Standalone
Author: Adriana Mather
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Childhood friends =/= lovers, He falls first, Neighbors, Secret Identity, Work relations
Pages: 411
Steam: No door
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2/5
Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Review: I enjoyed this story so much more than I expected to. To hear my thoughts you can listen to this episode of YA Book Chat podcast: https://yabookchat.buzzsprout.com/612...
Note* The 2 main characters in this story are not each other’s love interest.
Quotes:
“Alone isn’t a location, it’s a feeling,” I say to the clouds, but no one answers..
.
.
.
.
.
CW: Death of a close family member recounted. Relationship issues: manipulation, gaslighting, and cheating. After effects of drunk driving. Lying. Secret identity. Parental abandonment. .
Pregnancy?: Mentions of past miscarriages of a side character, and current difficult pregnancy
Babies/Children?: Younger siblings of one of the love interests
Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Title: Curvy Girl Summer
Series: Curve
# in series: 1
Author: Danielle Allen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Bar setting, Golden retriever MMC, Groveling, Protective MMC, HFN, Single POV, Self acceptance
Rep: Black Love, Fat FMC
Pages: 362
Steam: Open door
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐1/2/5
Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Review:
This book starts off with a bang, and then we basically have a slow build. I did enjoy the story but I feel that I would have had a stronger attachment if we had also gotten the MMC's POV. I will say this also has some vibes of lit fic since a main focus of the book is the FMC living her life as a fat person, and dating different men.
Quotes:
“There’s got to be an easier way than dating. I want the shortcut. I just want to find my person and start our lives together.”
Existing in my body and not being ashamed of who I was and how I looked was only an act of confidence to people who viewed me as if something was wrong with me.
They said the dating pool had pee in it, but I was convinced there was shit in there, too.
.
.
.
.
.
.
CW: Fat Phobia. Recounted death of a close family member. Parental expectations about grandbabies.
Pregnancy?: Mentions that the FMC's sister dies due to a heart condition while pregnant years ago
Babies/Children?: No
Series: Curve
# in series: 1
Author: Danielle Allen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Bar setting, Golden retriever MMC, Groveling, Protective MMC, HFN, Single POV, Self acceptance
Rep: Black Love, Fat FMC
Pages: 362
Steam: Open door
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐1/2/5
Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Review:
This book starts off with a bang, and then we basically have a slow build. I did enjoy the story but I feel that I would have had a stronger attachment if we had also gotten the MMC's POV. I will say this also has some vibes of lit fic since a main focus of the book is the FMC living her life as a fat person, and dating different men.
Quotes:
“There’s got to be an easier way than dating. I want the shortcut. I just want to find my person and start our lives together.”
Existing in my body and not being ashamed of who I was and how I looked was only an act of confidence to people who viewed me as if something was wrong with me.
They said the dating pool had pee in it, but I was convinced there was shit in there, too.
.
.
.
.
.
.
CW: Fat Phobia. Recounted death of a close family member. Parental expectations about grandbabies.
Pregnancy?: Mentions that the FMC's sister dies due to a heart condition while pregnant years ago
Babies/Children?: No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
The Captain's Midwinter Bride by Liana De la Rosa
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Title: The Captain's Midwinter Bride
Series: The Daltons
# in series: 1
Author: Liana De La Rosa
Genre: Historical Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Forced Proximity, He falls first, Holiday romance, Marriage of convenience, second chance, "single parent", married characters, wedding setting
Rep: Mexican and Puerto Rican author
Pages: 114
Steam: Open door
Spice: 🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Review:
This was such a sweet read about a married couple with adult children learning to love the person they've been married to, when they really haven't gotten to know one another throughout their relationship because of his Naval career.
Quotes:
And not beautiful because she appeared younger than her age, but beautiful for being exactly her age.
“I know your career made it difficult for us to have a normal marriage, but now that you’ve retired, I would very much like to be your friend. I…” She sucked in a breath. “I’ve been lonely.”
“Whatever gave you the impression I wanted to continue on without interruption, as you put it? Perhaps I was hoping to build something new, together,”
“Because someone has taught you that to be a man means you need to be invincible. Omniscient. And that’s simply ridiculous. You are the bravest and kindest man I know.” Her swallow was difficult. “I don’t regret marrying you. Not for one moment. I didn’t need dukes and earls when I could have a dashing navy captain.”
“I want you to want this as much as I do. I have longed to touch you. To taste you. To discover if your skin is as soft as I remember. But knowing you want me to touch you and taste you is enough to drive me damn near out of my mind.”
“You’re softer. Rounder. So utterly beautiful. I’ve always thought you unspeakably lovely, but now, Lise, you’re a goddess.”
.
.
.
.
.
.
CW: Financial deception by trusted family.
Pregnancy?: I don't remember
Babies/Children?: Mentions of the adult children when they were young
Series: The Daltons
# in series: 1
Author: Liana De La Rosa
Genre: Historical Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Forced Proximity, He falls first, Holiday romance, Marriage of convenience, second chance, "single parent", married characters, wedding setting
Rep: Mexican and Puerto Rican author
Pages: 114
Steam: Open door
Spice: 🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Review:
This was such a sweet read about a married couple with adult children learning to love the person they've been married to, when they really haven't gotten to know one another throughout their relationship because of his Naval career.
Quotes:
And not beautiful because she appeared younger than her age, but beautiful for being exactly her age.
“I know your career made it difficult for us to have a normal marriage, but now that you’ve retired, I would very much like to be your friend. I…” She sucked in a breath. “I’ve been lonely.”
“Whatever gave you the impression I wanted to continue on without interruption, as you put it? Perhaps I was hoping to build something new, together,”
“Because someone has taught you that to be a man means you need to be invincible. Omniscient. And that’s simply ridiculous. You are the bravest and kindest man I know.” Her swallow was difficult. “I don’t regret marrying you. Not for one moment. I didn’t need dukes and earls when I could have a dashing navy captain.”
“I want you to want this as much as I do. I have longed to touch you. To taste you. To discover if your skin is as soft as I remember. But knowing you want me to touch you and taste you is enough to drive me damn near out of my mind.”
“You’re softer. Rounder. So utterly beautiful. I’ve always thought you unspeakably lovely, but now, Lise, you’re a goddess.”
.
.
.
.
.
.
CW: Financial deception by trusted family.
Pregnancy?: I don't remember
Babies/Children?: Mentions of the adult children when they were young