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mollymccarthybooks's reviews
83 reviews
Wrapped Up in You by Jill Shalvis
4.0
Ivy is starting her life over. She has new friends, is the proud owner of a taco truck, and is saving up for a condo. Kel is a cop on leave due to an injury. He's only planning to be in town for 2 weeks, but he quickly discovers his fondness for Ivy and her tacos (not a euphemism lol). They both have family baggage that they have to work through in order to have a shot at a relationship.
Ivy and Kel's banter gets an A+ from me. I love the "opposites attract" vibe (Kel is patient and steady while Ivy is rushed and impatient) and I adore Kel's nickname for Ivy..."Trouble!"
Ivy and Kel's banter gets an A+ from me. I love the "opposites attract" vibe (Kel is patient and steady while Ivy is rushed and impatient) and I adore Kel's nickname for Ivy..."Trouble!"
Dear Santa by Kristen Granata
4.0
I don’t always like novellas due to lack of plot, but this one had plenty of it! A fake romance that gets real steamy, family baggage, and depression...this book has it all.
Wish List by Sylvia Day
2.0
I found this to be just ok. Nice & steamy, but not enough plot for me (which may not be fair to say since it IS a short story).
All Consuming by Jaci Burton
2.0
This was a sweet story from Jaci Burton.
Kal and Hannah were high school sweethearts and they reconnect at their ten year reunion. Kal became a firefighter and later joined the prestigious TRT - Tactical Rescue Team. Hannah got married, had a son, and subsequently divorced her deadbeat husband. Kal wants to get back together with Hannah and she is understandably hesitant, as she is starting a fresh chapter with her son.
In typical Jaci Burton fashion, there were some deliciously steamy scenes that I enjoyed. However, I only give it two stars because it was a bit slow and, at times, somewhat boring. With Kal working such an exhilarating and dangerous job, I feel like there was opportunity for more action. It definitely wasn't a page turner or a book I was dying to come back to each time I had to leave it.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC!
Kal and Hannah were high school sweethearts and they reconnect at their ten year reunion. Kal became a firefighter and later joined the prestigious TRT - Tactical Rescue Team. Hannah got married, had a son, and subsequently divorced her deadbeat husband. Kal wants to get back together with Hannah and she is understandably hesitant, as she is starting a fresh chapter with her son.
In typical Jaci Burton fashion, there were some deliciously steamy scenes that I enjoyed. However, I only give it two stars because it was a bit slow and, at times, somewhat boring. With Kal working such an exhilarating and dangerous job, I feel like there was opportunity for more action. It definitely wasn't a page turner or a book I was dying to come back to each time I had to leave it.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC!
Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
5.0
Another enthralling Elin Hilderbrand read! Despite technically taking place in the winter, it’s most definitely a beach read because it takes place on an island. As always, Hilderbrand’s use of multiple perspectives keeps the story moving and the reader interested. Ends on a cliffhanger, so be prepared to want to read the whole 3 book series!
The Forever Girl by Jill Shalvis
4.0
I loved Maze and Walker! Having met in a foster home as teens, they have quite a history together. When a meddling friend forces them into close proximity again, old feelings resurface.
Maze's impulsive, stubborn nature juxtaposed with Walker's steady, patient one reminded my of the dynamic between Ivy and Kel in Shalvis' "Wrapped Up In You" - another favorite of mine.
There are actually two other love secondary love stories embedded in this book, as well as lots of friends-who-are-like-family drama. There were some laugh out loud moments and plenty of sweet ones too!
Maze's impulsive, stubborn nature juxtaposed with Walker's steady, patient one reminded my of the dynamic between Ivy and Kel in Shalvis' "Wrapped Up In You" - another favorite of mine.
There are actually two other love secondary love stories embedded in this book, as well as lots of friends-who-are-like-family drama. There were some laugh out loud moments and plenty of sweet ones too!
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
3.0
Oh gosh, where do I start?
Fantasy is somewhat out of my comfort zone, but I'm a huge romance reader. I kept hearing about this book, so I decided to give it a shot.
I was immediately confused by the fantasy world, but chalked that up to lack of experience acclimating to new worlds. There are lots of different types of beings and rituals that take place and are quite complex. I understood more as time went on but never fully grasped the details of the world. Then at the end, everything I thought I knew was brought into question!
Romance-wise, it was a slooooooow burn. Like 300 pages between first and second kiss slow. Which is fine! But I was like...where is all the action? Where is the steam I was promised? Is this actually YA and not adult? But later on, I realized that no, it is most certainly is not! The steam was all packed into a couple of chapters. And, yes, those scenes were worth the wait, and I enjoy a little buildup, but it was a little too long of wait for me personally.
I'm not head over heels in love with this book as so many are, but it was worth the read and I will go on to the second book.
Fantasy is somewhat out of my comfort zone, but I'm a huge romance reader. I kept hearing about this book, so I decided to give it a shot.
I was immediately confused by the fantasy world, but chalked that up to lack of experience acclimating to new worlds. There are lots of different types of beings and rituals that take place and are quite complex. I understood more as time went on but never fully grasped the details of the world. Then at the end, everything I thought I knew was brought into question!
Romance-wise, it was a slooooooow burn. Like 300 pages between first and second kiss slow. Which is fine! But I was like...where is all the action? Where is the steam I was promised? Is this actually YA and not adult? But later on, I realized that no, it is most certainly is not! The steam was all packed into a couple of chapters. And, yes, those scenes were worth the wait, and I enjoy a little buildup, but it was a little too long of wait for me personally.
I'm not head over heels in love with this book as so many are, but it was worth the read and I will go on to the second book.
A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout
4.0
This book has alllllll the tropes:
Enemies to lovers? ✅
Fake relationship? ✅
Only one bed? ✅
I think I enjoyed it more than the first book because it had less world building (thought it still had a good amount), and more plot/story. It also had more Kieran (IFYKYK).
Enemies to lovers? ✅
Fake relationship? ✅
Only one bed? ✅
I think I enjoyed it more than the first book because it had less world building (thought it still had a good amount), and more plot/story. It also had more Kieran (IFYKYK).
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
3.0
There was A LOT going on in this book. It took a few unexpected (and often unrealistic) turns. It often felt like the main characters were going in circles with their issues too, which got tiresome.
However, it was a fun read! I never quite knew what to expect next. There was lots of humor, but also discussion of some very real & heavy issues. It’s the type of story that stays in your mind long after it’s over.
However, it was a fun read! I never quite knew what to expect next. There was lots of humor, but also discussion of some very real & heavy issues. It’s the type of story that stays in your mind long after it’s over.