Genre: Contemporary Romance

The Rom-Commers | Katherine Center

Posted 03/18/2024 by Hilarye in ARC Review, Book Reviews / 0 Comments

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Published by St. Martin’s Press on 06/11/2024
Format: DRC (321 Pages)
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This was my first book by Katherine Center, and it will definitely not be my last. I was hooked from the first page and voraciously devoured Emma & Charlie’s story. I was pleasantly surprised how Center effortlessly spun a fun and epic love story but managed to sprinkle in bits of tragedy, hardship, and perseverance. The more somber moments didn’t detract from the levity of the story. They, in fact, made it better; more believable & real. Just two wonderfully flawed characters, trying their best to deal with the tragedies of their past. All while hoping for a […]

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Right Where We Left Us | Jen Devon

Posted 03/11/2024 by Hilarye in ARC Review, Book Reviews / 0 Comments

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Published by St. Martin’s Griffin on 06/18/2024
Format: DRC (359 Pages)
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Temperance & Duncan fell deeply in love when they were 18. They spent one secret, inseparable summer together and then a plethora of insanely crappy things happened that inevitably led to their breakup. In the 14ish years since, whenever they entered each other’s orbit, they were drawn together like magnets. But years of miscommunication, misunderstanding, and guilt meant they never could get it right. Now, Duncan is helping build his family’s winery, and Temperance is a pediatrician at a local clinic. When Duncan’s brother proposes to Temperance’s best friend, the couple who has tried to deny their feelings […]

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Eternal, Everywhere, With You | Sherry Rossman

Posted 03/08/2024 by Hilarye in ARC Review, Book Reviews / 0 Comments

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Published by Darwin House on 02/04/2024
Format: DRC (245 Pages)
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I have to say, I was immediately attracted to the cover of this book. It is absolutely gorgeous. I would hang that sucker on my wall in a heartbeat and call it art. 10/10 cover. Then I read the synopsis, and it sucked me in further. Totally sealed the deal. Time travel, romance, mystery, fantasy & memory loss? Sign. Me. Up. I was excited to dig in. Overall, I enjoyed the characters, and the story, but as I read two things became glaringly obvious: 1) Most of the time I had no idea what was going on; and […]

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Can I Tell You Something | Holly June Smith

Posted 01/29/2024 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments

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Series: Snowbound Secrets #1
Published by Independent Publisher on 11/09/2023
Format: Kindle (234 Pages)
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Waiting for Christmas | Cynthia Eden

Posted 01/26/2024 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments

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Published by Hocus Pocus Publishing on 11/14/2023
Format: Kindle (135 Pages)
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Eh, it was ok. Honestly, I feel kind of icky now that I’ve finished it. The FMC’s name is Christmas (Chrissy). Because she was born on Christmas Eve. Her brother is Forth. Because he was born on the Fourth of July. Seriously, I can’t make this shit up. Really, REALLY cheesy. I feel like MMC, Wyatt, threw up red flag after red flag. I just didn’t like him. He was too protective & alpha. In a creepy way. Maybe it’s because this is a novella & there wasn’t time to develop the characters as much. Or maybe it’s […]

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Matching All the Way | Veronica Eden

Posted 01/15/2024 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments

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All-Time Favorite
Published by Independent Publisher on 12/18/23
Format: Kindle (384 Pages)
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Eve Lombard is a quirky, neurodivergent (ADHD), creative, who hyper-focuses, forgets to eat, & buys planners with the intent to get organized only to forget about them soon after. She has a deep love of crafting & wants to start a small business making handmade earrings, stickers & stationery. Recently dumped by a jerk who criticized & shamed her for being neurodivergent, her confidence is shaken & she’s ripe with imposter syndrome. Cole Kincaid is Eve’s older brother’s best friend. He’s the full package. Sweet, supportive, protective, intelligent, understanding, patient, & kind. A former Heston U hockey player […]

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A Kilt for Christmas | Tricia O’Malley

Posted 01/08/2024 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments

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Series: Enchanted Highlands #3
Published by Lovewrite Publishing on 10/24/2023
Format: Kindle (240 Pages)
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This was my first read by Tricia, and it definitely won’t be my last. The story was cute & well-written. MMC, West, was smart, nerdy, sweet & 100% swoon-worthy. FMC, Maisie, was quirky, strong-willed, relatable & adorably grumpy. The addition of magic & Scottish folklore was chef’s kiss, but I’m just not a huge fan of insta-love. Which is why I only gave this 3 stars. I need a little more will they/won’t they to tick all my boxes. I’d say this is a solid 3.5-star read. Well worth the time, just not my favorite trope.

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The Burnout | Sophie Kinsella

Posted 12/25/2023 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments

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All-Time Favorite
Published by The Dial Press on 10/10/2023
Format: Kindle (416 Pages)
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This book resonated with me on so many levels. I fully identify with Sasha & her burnout. Sophie Kinsella was writing directly to me/about me when describing Sasha’s state of mind about work & how it was affecting her mental health & personal life. Have I tried to join a convent & run into a brick wall while escaping my horrible office & coworkers? No, no I haven’t. But the landslide of emails, the constant inescapable workload & the irritation with useless colleagues/upper management? Yup. The lack of desire to cook, see friends & have fun? Yes, 100%. […]

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