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readwatchcrochet's reviews
457 reviews
All by My Elf by Olivia Dade
Again, not enough to really work as a novella. Would have potentially worked better as a full story.
fast-paced
3.5
Cute enough.
📚 forced proximity
📚 workplace romance
📚 one bed
📚 novella (55 pages)
📚 one bed
📚 novella (55 pages)
📚 single POV
🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
Interesting premise but kept on forgetting that they are meant to be in their 30s and not 20 years younger. The whole premise is really based on adults not making a move with some miscommunication thrown in.
It was sweet, and I do love a game of ‘never have I ever’. Just wanted a little more from the story.
It was sweet, and I do love a game of ‘never have I ever’. Just wanted a little more from the story.
“Even as a committed introvert, I took a month long job that requires daily crowd control…just to be near you”
Again, not enough to really work as a novella. Would have potentially worked better as a full story.
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The Stopover by TL Swan
Enjoyed their initial meet cute/ one night stand. Once they reconnect, it goes downhill from there. When they have a fight, he unsurprisingly doesn’t even listen or talk to her.
It’s sad to say there is absolutely nothing redeeming about him. Outside of his controlling, aggressive, emotional and hypocritical behaviour, he is never actually nice or affectionate with her. I really found nothing redeeming about him and he’s just continually treats her horribly between their break ups.
He gives off Mr Big vibes from SATC and it’s safe to say, he rests her horribly and surprised she actually wants to stay with him.
She has to baby him because he’s such an emotionally stunted man child.
Don’t have as many quotes as usual because I couldn’t put myself through relistening to my bookmarks.
So disappointed in this reread.
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This reread did not hold up. Way too many red flags for me.
📚 age gap (37m/20sf)
📚 workplace romance
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
Absolute whiplash from this story. They literally taught/ broke up no less than 8 times (yes, you read that correctly).
“ because you pay them…good thing you’ve got lots of money. You’re going to need it. Nobody would put up with your shit for free”
Enjoyed their initial meet cute/ one night stand. Once they reconnect, it goes downhill from there. When they have a fight, he unsurprisingly doesn’t even listen or talk to her.
“I don’t need to worry about you too…. I’m too busy. I don’t have the fucken time to deal with your shit”
It’s sad to say there is absolutely nothing redeeming about him. Outside of his controlling, aggressive, emotional and hypocritical behaviour, he is never actually nice or affectionate with her. I really found nothing redeeming about him and he’s just continually treats her horribly between their break ups.
He gives off Mr Big vibes from SATC and it’s safe to say, he rests her horribly and surprised she actually wants to stay with him.
She has to baby him because he’s such an emotionally stunted man child.
Don’t have as many quotes as usual because I couldn’t put myself through relistening to my bookmarks.
So disappointed in this reread.
Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey
Loved the characters, it’s difficult when it’s a novella, but would have liked to have seen their relationship/ tension grow a bit more before they basically declare their undying love for each other (verging on Insta love). Would probably have worked better as a full length book.
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Christmas and spice.
📚 single mother
📚 insta love
📚 novella (59 pages)
📚 novella (59 pages)
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
This was an enjoyable listen. Maybe verging on more spice than plot (not that I’m complaining). A little more festive than the first edition in the Under the Mistletoe collection.
Loved the characters, it’s difficult when it’s a novella, but would have liked to have seen their relationship/ tension grow a bit more before they basically declare their undying love for each other (verging on Insta love). Would probably have worked better as a full length book.
“I know everything about Luke and he knows everything about me”
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Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood
It was a cute story. Do feel like there story was extremely dragged out and they spent a lot time apart. Story ends sort of where you want it to pick up.
Also, to go from barely talking to wanting to be married was a very fast jump.
Set at Christmas but not much Christmas magic.
Was cute but wanted more from the story. Wish they had more interactions as the timeline seemed a bit spread out. Still a fun listen.
fast-paced
4.0
Insert
📚 friends brother
📚 he fell first
📚 childhood friends
📚 dual timeline
📚 he fell first
📚 childhood friends
📚 dual timeline
📚 novella (73 pages)
📚 single POV
🌶️🌶️ (one scene)
“I’m not the person who spent most of his life in life with you either. And for what it’s worth, you’re still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen”
|Thoughts|
Hazelwood has a talent for writing MMC who are just besotted with the FMC and I love it. Nothing was too surprising but it was a sweet story.
“Because I’m having the time of my life telling my best friend that your fucking gone for her”
It was a cute story. Do feel like there story was extremely dragged out and they spent a lot time apart. Story ends sort of where you want it to pick up.
“I’ve been in love with you since I was fifteen. And if I’m being honest, not much has change. Come home with me. Let me take care of you”
Also, to go from barely talking to wanting to be married was a very fast jump.
“I tell that you’re lonely. And honest, so I am I. I’ll never not be until we’re together”
Set at Christmas but not much Christmas magic.
Was cute but wanted more from the story. Wish they had more interactions as the timeline seemed a bit spread out. Still a fun listen.
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Snowed Under by Juliana Smith
This is book 2 in the Aspen Peaks series. This can be read as a standalone.
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
An easy read that will make you feel cosy.
📚 fake dating
📚 friends to lovers
📚 friends to lovers
📚 single parent (aunt)
📚 dual POV
🚫 (closed door)
“If I had to handpick a family to pretend was mine got just one day, I was extreme glad it was this one”
|Thoughts|
A story, that whilst is deals with grief, also highlights some of the joys of life. Loved the dynamic between Cooper and the children, some sweet bonds there. And super sweet that he consider Charlie (Mini Coop), when she starts ‘dating’ - although interrupting her date was also done for selfish reasons.
“I came on behalf of Mini Cooop. He would want me to do background checks”.
Again, we have some horrible parents (and at least one good one).
“Not that my mom hated me or that I hated her. It was that neither of us understood the other. Not since Will died.”
Whilst there wasn’t a whole lot in terms of plot, it was mainly driven by character development and the ‘not dates’ that Cooper and Madeline go on together. It was a generally lighthearted romance with a happy ending.
“I mean it, Madeline. Whatever Kane you’re in, I’m right there behind you”
This is book 2 in the Aspen Peaks series. This can be read as a standalone.
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Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
Didn’t expect the slight suspense at the end but added a nice layer to the story.
The way their initial interactions and the fact she thinks he hates her, all have reasonable explanations.
Love how smart she is, as frustrating as aspects of being a women in STEM must be, this was a satisfying way to show women in the field. How many languages can she speak? Love it.
There are times when Bee is a bit too naive and doesn’t understand Levi’s intentions. But wonder if its obvious as were the reader. Would have loved to have seen this as a dual PoV, yet Levi is the absolute cutest and love how hard he falls for her.
Also love how defensive and supportive she is given how horrible his family are. Wish we saw more of her twin sister.
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
My favourite by Hazelwood so far.
📚 enemies to lovers
📚 women in STEM
📚 workplace romance
📚 women in STEM
📚 workplace romance
📚 secret friends/ pen pals
📚 single POV
🌶️🌶️🌶️
“You really are everything I ever wanted”
“I love you enough for the both of us”
|Thoughts|
There were just so many great things about this story that meant I didn’t want to put it down. The whole he hates her, but secretly likes her but she doesn’t realise. And especially the fact they they’re unknowingly communicating via Twitter, perfection. Especially where he confesses her love for her and neither of them realise who they’re talking about.
“I know the shape of her…wake up and go to work, she is there…she’s brilliant…I want to tell her that she’s luminous. I want to push her against a wall and I want her to push back”
Didn’t expect the slight suspense at the end but added a nice layer to the story.
“You want to belong. You want someone who won’t let go. I’m it.”
The way their initial interactions and the fact she thinks he hates her, all have reasonable explanations.
“Whatever your imagining from the tamest to the most inappropriate thoughts. That’s probably where my mind was at”
Love how smart she is, as frustrating as aspects of being a women in STEM must be, this was a satisfying way to show women in the field. How many languages can she speak? Love it.
“Bee I don’t think this is, English”. I turn the notebook around. Shit. I wrote in German’.
There are times when Bee is a bit too naive and doesn’t understand Levi’s intentions. But wonder if its obvious as were the reader. Would have loved to have seen this as a dual PoV, yet Levi is the absolute cutest and love how hard he falls for her.
“There’s someone in my corner. A guy who loves Star Wars and is too tall for space”
Also love how defensive and supportive she is given how horrible his family are. Wish we saw more of her twin sister.
“I’m pretty sure I like you more”
“Your bathroom will be stained purple forgive”
“It’s everything I ever wanted”
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The Romance Line by Lauren Blakely
A nice conclusion with some karma thrown the way of each of their ‘enemies’.
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
These two have a fascination with what is being worn under their clothes.
📚 hate to love
📚grumpy c sunshine
📚workplace romance
📚grumpy c sunshine
📚workplace romance
📚 sports romance
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
Loved how Max’s love language was gift giving, he is just so thoughtful throughout the story. And such a big softie at heart.
Was invested in her backstory and the progress she made over accepting her body after the accident.
Was invested in her backstory and the progress she made over accepting her body after the accident.
“I love them (your scars) so much. Because they mean you’re alive…alive and here with me”
Makes me want to try pole dancing again.
It was a fun story with some great chemistry and heat filled scenes. Nothing overly unique though about the particular story but enjoyed it all the same.
It was a fun story with some great chemistry and heat filled scenes. Nothing overly unique though about the particular story but enjoyed it all the same.
A nice conclusion with some karma thrown the way of each of their ‘enemies’.
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The Boyfriend Goal by Lauren Blakely
They’re just so sweet with each other and give just what the other needs. The little letters they leave each other is a sweet touch.
Enjoyed the secondary plot of her completing the list left by her late Aunt.
Another story with some problematic parents, and nice little way to add some minor conflict to the story.
Love all the little parts of this story. Even something simple, him washing his hands when he comes home and them going to the wc afterwards. Seems more realistic and considerate on his behalf.
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Perfect combination of tension, plot and spice.
📚 one night stand
📚forced proximity/ roommates
📚forced proximity/ roommates
📚 forbidden romance
📚 brothers teammate
📚 epistolary romance
📚 mutual pining
📚 brothers teammate
📚 epistolary romance
📚 mutual pining
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
Feel like this book was written specially for me, it just ticks so many boxes. Even as I was reading (listening in this case), made me feel so giddy and just loved all of the little acts Wes does for Josie.
Just loved the whole premise of a one night stand, where they were secretly trying to find the other afterwards. Yet, turns out they’re thrust together as roommates. Perfection.
Just loved the whole premise of a one night stand, where they were secretly trying to find the other afterwards. Yet, turns out they’re thrust together as roommates. Perfection.
“Bend the rules, not break them…”
They’re just so sweet with each other and give just what the other needs. The little letters they leave each other is a sweet touch.
“I like your notes. They’re a window into you…they’re kind of my favourite thing to read”
Enjoyed the secondary plot of her completing the list left by her late Aunt.
“Like a blueprint for becoming your happiest self’
Another story with some problematic parents, and nice little way to add some minor conflict to the story.
Love all the little parts of this story. Even something simple, him washing his hands when he comes home and them going to the wc afterwards. Seems more realistic and considerate on his behalf.
“He stopped to wash his hand before he came to me. And this thoughtful gesture makes me…”
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My Rules by TL Swan
medium-paced
3.5
Generally enjoyed this story but some of the red flags and the dreaded tropes detracted from mg enjoyment.
📚 friends to lovers
📚 second chance romance
📚 doctor x teacher
📚 doctor x teacher
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
Felt so much whiplash from this story. One moment he is being super sweet and support after her split from her cheating ex husband. Next he is acting the a walking red flag. Storming out, refusing to communicate even when he admits to seeing a future with her.
The dreaded third act breakup was long and really tarnished their relationship in my eyes. Would have loved to have seen a different conflict at the forefront of the story, potentially something to do with her ex.
Still, was an enjoyable listen but really just wish I liked the main characters a little more/ wish they wouldn’t make so many stupid decisions.
The dreaded third act breakup was long and really tarnished their relationship in my eyes. Would have loved to have seen a different conflict at the forefront of the story, potentially something to do with her ex.
Still, was an enjoyable listen but really just wish I liked the main characters a little more/ wish they wouldn’t make so many stupid decisions.
“Yet I sat here through breakfast feeling like an outsider…coming here was a mistake. Falling for Blake was a monumental mistake”
All because she hears some strangers talking shit about her- and she’s meant to be in her 30s…
Also feel like there could have been more backstory given the need to have a home on her part, but that was never explored.
Listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the listening experience.
Also feel like there could have been more backstory given the need to have a home on her part, but that was never explored.
Listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the listening experience.
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That Second Chance by Meghan Quinn
That tent scene…a great take on the one bed trope. And the way both their families continue to interrupt them, makes for some great humour.
medium-paced
4.0
Quinn know how to write the best meet cures.
📚 second chance romance
📚 friends to lovers
📚 one tent
📚 friends to lovers
📚 one tent
📚 small town
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
Griffin & Ren’s story is super cute. Just love a good story that follows a group of siblings, who so lovingly support each other as they look for love. His siblings and the town play such a cute role in getting them together (and sometimes delaying them).
That tent scene…a great take on the one bed trope. And the way both their families continue to interrupt them, makes for some great humour.
Shame his past prevents him from accepting their connection and does lead to dreaded third act break up.
Would have loved to have seen more of them together.
Would have loved to have seen more of them together.
“New girl breaks the curse. I’d rather hold this moment close to my heart. Keeping it just between us…tonight is only for us.”
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