The fun thing about romance tropes is that the same general story can be told a million different ways, even by the same author. Denning doesn’t necessarily stretch the boundaries of the “brother’s best friend” trope with her latest book, beyond adding a bit of an age-gap element, but her excellent characterization work elevates this … Continue reading Book Review: Accidentally August by E.M. Denning
Book Review: Heartstrings Series by Erica Montrose
This post includes reviews of the books in the Heartstrings series: Write From the Heart (#1) | Heart For Sale (#2) | Heart Medicine (#3) Write From the Heart (Heartstrings #1) Contemporary romance doesn’t always have to mean a completely realistic setting or characters. In this instance, we’ve got talented, prolific, successful (and self-published) author … Continue reading Book Review: Heartstrings Series by Erica Montrose
Book Review: Enemy Combatant (The Renegades #2) by Cara Dee
Read my review of the first book in The Renegades series, Rogue Launch. This series is designed to stand alone, and the heroes of book 1 were brand new even for long-time readers of Dee’s work. In contrast, book 2 is still accessible for new readers, but I had the pleasure to already start firmly … Continue reading Book Review: Enemy Combatant (The Renegades #2) by Cara Dee
Book Review: Humbled (Trophy Doms Social Club #1) by Kate Hawthorne
This book is the beginning of a new series, but one of the heroes is an important secondary character in previous books by this author. I can confirm that this book does work as a stand-alone, but I was thrilled that Grayson got the metaphorical upgrade to anchor a new collection. I first read Hawthorne … Continue reading Book Review: Humbled (Trophy Doms Social Club #1) by Kate Hawthorne
Book Review: Reactant (Chain Reaction #2) by Aurora Crane
Read my review of the first book in the Chain Reaction series, Catalyst. This book picks up immediately after the first and dives back into the intricate plotting and relationship development that I already loved about this series. This is another long installment, but between all the layers of story, it never feels slow. Crane … Continue reading Book Review: Reactant (Chain Reaction #2) by Aurora Crane
Book Review: Rogue Launch (The Renegades #1) by Cara Dee
I had this crazy idea when this series was announced that all the action would happen concurrently in each book, meaning we’d get full closure for both the external and relationship arcs, with the final installment being an extended wrap-up. I know, I know, totally wishful thinking on my part because Dee is too good … Continue reading Book Review: Rogue Launch (The Renegades #1) by Cara Dee
Book Review: Like I Pretended (Heather Bay #4) by Charlie Novak
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Heather Bay series: Like I Pictured (#0.5) | Like I Promised (#1) | Like I Wished (#2) | Like I Needed (#3) One of my favorite aspects of Novak’s writing is that not only does each series portray a fantastic cast of well-developed primary and secondary characters, but each of … Continue reading Book Review: Like I Pretended (Heather Bay #4) by Charlie Novak
Book Review: Anti-Hero (Wild Heart Ranch #4) by Kelly Fox
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Wild Heart Ranch series: Sworn Enemy (#1) | Good Behavior (#2) | Savior Complex (#3) Fox has been building the potential for a relationship between Ant and Erik from the very beginning of this series, along with centering elements of the series itself on a throughline of Ant’s character … Continue reading Book Review: Anti-Hero (Wild Heart Ranch #4) by Kelly Fox
Book Review: Home Free (Higher Elevations) by Jodi Payne & B.A. Tortuga
It is clear from the very start of this book that Early and Connor are two people who are very much in love and who prioritize each other and their family. Starting on such a high note meant I knew that the dark point would be even more difficult. However, while the plot arc does … Continue reading Book Review: Home Free (Higher Elevations) by Jodi Payne & B.A. Tortuga
Book Review: Affogato (BrewBiz #1) by E.M. Lindsey
I’m really sensitive to second-hand embarrassment, so while I was excited to read this book, I dreaded the inciting incident warned about in the description. Lindsey starts the story by dropping us right into the event, so at least I didn’t have to stress about when it would come. Even better, I felt that they … Continue reading Book Review: Affogato (BrewBiz #1) by E.M. Lindsey
Book Review: Reluctant Renegade (Rebel Kings MC #5) by Garrett Leigh
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Rebel Kings MC series: Devil’s Dance (#1) | Saint’s Song (#2) | Forgive Me Father (#3) | Love Thy Brother (#4) We’re a few books deep into this relatively interconnected series by this point, and readers are at least a little familiar with the main characters of this particular installment. … Continue reading Book Review: Reluctant Renegade (Rebel Kings MC #5) by Garrett Leigh
Book Review: Riehse Eshan Series by Adelaide Blaike
This post includes reviews of the following books in the Riehse Eshan series: A Knife and a Blade (#1) | A Whisper and a Breath (#2) | A Shadow and a Storm (#3) A Knife and a Blade (Riehse Eshan Book 1) This novel is the first in a series that looks like it will … Continue reading Book Review: Riehse Eshan Series by Adelaide Blaike
Book Review: Bloodlines by A.E. Lister
Vampires are still my first love in the urban fantasy and paranormal romance genres, but I’m to the point of being so picky about how they’re portrayed that I was originally hesitant to volunteer to read an advanced copy of this book. However, Lister does an excellent job leaning into the vampire tropes that are … Continue reading Book Review: Bloodlines by A.E. Lister
Book Review: Luck of the Devil (Reckless Damned #4) by Lark Taylor
Read my reviews of previous books in the Reckless Damned series: Devil’s Mark (#1) | Devil May Care (#2) | Deal With the Devil (#3) Though this review is being posted long after the book launched, that’s because I’m fighting a backlog of reviews, not because I didn’t immediately dive into this series finale the day it was … Continue reading Book Review: Luck of the Devil (Reckless Damned #4) by Lark Taylor
Book Review: Brick and Brass (Hammer and Fist: Lextalion #2) by Jennifer Cody
Read my review of the first book in the Hammer and Fist: Lextalion series, Sledge and Claw I optimistically decided on my own that this series was a duology. Of course, this meant I got to about 85% through the book and panicked because I could tell the major storylines were nowhere close to complete. … Continue reading Book Review: Brick and Brass (Hammer and Fist: Lextalion #2) by Jennifer Cody
Book Review: An Embrace to Hearten Me (Magi Accounts #3.5) by Michele Notaro
Read my reviews of the previous books in the Magi Accounts series: Our Hearts That Tie Us (#0.5) | The Scars That Bind Us (#1) | A Kiss to Revive Me (#1.5) | The Shackles That Hold Us (#2) | A Date to Impress Him (#2.5) | A Purpose That Restores Us (#3) | A Holiday to Sustain Us (#3.4) This side … Continue reading Book Review: An Embrace to Hearten Me (Magi Accounts #3.5) by Michele Notaro
Book Review: DragonRider (DragonKin #1) by S. Rodman
Rodman hooked me on this urban fantasy setting within the first pages of the book, using quick, subtle details to set up the broad scope of the secret fantasy elements without resorting to direct explanation. Once Kirby arrived at the castle and learned the true reason for his presence, I knew I was in for … Continue reading Book Review: DragonRider (DragonKin #1) by S. Rodman
Book Review: Take the Plunge by Colette Davison
Limited new ways exist to start a novel, regardless of genre, and contemporary fiction is even more constrained in options. “Waking up hungover and handcuffed to my best friend’s little brother while stranded in the middle of the woods” is pretty unique, especially when for the beginning of a contemporary romance instead of, say, a … Continue reading Book Review: Take the Plunge by Colette Davison
Book Review: A Gentle Way to Love (Ways to Love #1) by Abrianna Denae
I joke that I read polyamory romances because you get more relationships for the price of one, but the reality is that I truly enjoy the intricacies that can develop out of the traditional storyline arc when three (or more) people are involved. The general premise of this book was entirely novel to me, as … Continue reading Book Review: A Gentle Way to Love (Ways to Love #1) by Abrianna Denae
Book Review: Underdog (In Vino Veritas) by L.A. Witt
Read my reviews of previous books in the In Vino Veritas series: Wildfire by Garrett Leigh | Counterpoint by J.E. Birk | Unmanageable by Leslie McAdam Read my reviews of the previous series set in the same world, Vino & Veritas. This book has the feel of elements of an opposites-attract romance, but differing circumstances in life don’t necessarily … Continue reading Book Review: Underdog (In Vino Veritas) by L.A. Witt