Author: Hilarye

Mistakes We Never Made | Hannah Brown

Posted 05/12/2024 by Hilarye in ARC Review, Book Reviews / 0 Comments
Mistakes We Never Made | Hannah Brown
Star Rating: 2.5 Stars
Spice Level: 3.5 Flames
Published by Forever on 05/07/2024
Format: DRC (329 pages)
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This review was tough to write. I didn’t hate Mistakes We Never Made, but I can’t say I enjoyed it either. It was just thoroughly…meh. On paper, this rom-com had all the ingredients of a story I would normally love. A forced proximity road trip, high school friends-to-enemies-to-lovers, and a second chance romance. There were flashes of brilliance here and there, but when all was said and done, the story fell flat. The worst part was the ending—more on that later. The story centers on Emma and Finn, high school friends and debate partners whose relationship slowly blossomed […]

Casket Case | Lauren Evans

Posted 05/05/2024 by Hilarye in ARC Review, Book Reviews / 0 Comments
Casket Case | Lauren Evans
Star Rating: 3 Stars
Spice Level: 3 Flames
Published by Dell on 09/10/2024
Format: DRC (400 pages)
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Casket Case is one part exploration of grief, two parts romantic comedy, a dash of self-discovery, and a heavy helping of magical realism. Its unique and intriguing premise captures your attention, but its execution falls short, preventing it from being a higher rated read. Despite its flaws, it has a certain charm that keeps you invested in the story and curious about what comes next. After her parents’ death, Nora reluctantly returns to her teeny tiny hometown of Rabbittown, Alabama, to run Rabbittown Casket Company, her family’s casket business. It’s not an easy or glamorous job, but somebody’s got […]

Starstruck | Ivy Dawes

Posted 05/02/2024 by Hilarye in ARC Review, Book Reviews / 0 Comments
Starstruck | Ivy Dawes
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Spice Level: 4 Flames
Series: Starlight Studios #1
Published by Flower & Bear Books on 05/21/2024
Format: DRC (328 pages)
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Overall, this was a fantastic little love story. Kat and James were adorable together, and although I typically dislike a third-act breakup, the writing of this one was superb. It’s not a breakup as much as a “we need to work on ourselves independently before this relationship can work” situation. It’s much better than miscommunication or, even worse, not communicating at all. Kat and James approached challenges maturely and made relationship choices that set a solid foundation for the future. It was a breath of fresh air to read a romance novel featuring a “healthy” couple, as opposed […]

For the Plot | Katie Van Brunt

Posted 04/21/2024 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments
For the Plot | Katie Van Brunt
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Spice Level: 5 Flames
Series: All for Love #1
Published by Independent Publisher on 03/15/2024
Format: Kindle (400 pages)
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For the Plot is a deliciously spicy, star-crossed lover, second chance rom-com. It’s filled with so many tropes—one bed & he falls first & forced proximity, OH MY!—and it ticked absolutely every one of my boxes. Joey and Cam are amazing together and watching them dance around their feelings for each other was just, chef’s kiss. And the setting—Greece—you couldn’t ask for a more romantic backdrop.  Katie Van Brunt has written a book filled with comedy, heart, healthy relationship goals, and a whole lot of spice. She also touches on some difficult topics and traverses them with grace and empathy. Joey’s […]

Butcher & Blackbird | Brynne Weaver

Posted 04/18/2024 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments
Butcher & Blackbird | Brynne Weaver
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Spice Level: 5 Flames
Series: Ruinous Love #1
Published by Zando on 10/23/2023
Format: Kindle (355 pages)
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Butcher and Blackbird is a dark romantic comedy about two serial killers who only kill other serial killers. Think: a sweet, protective Dexter meets an artsy, sassy female Dexter—but make it a rom-com. There’s pining and piercings, a little light stalking, some cooking, and, of course, killing, dismemberment, elaborate crime scenes, lobotomized butlers, and mildly inappropriate use of a mummified corpse. Basically, it’s a lot of messed-up serial killer chaos. It’s pretty awesome. Oh—and every year, they play a rousing game of who-can-identify-hunt-and-kill-the-serial-killer-first—you know, for funsies.  Sloane and Rowan, our serial killer couple, meet by chance when they unknowingly go […]