Tag: Funny

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 […]

The Love of My Afterlife | Kirsty Greenwood

Posted 04/14/2024 by Hilarye in ARC Review, Book Reviews / 0 Comments
The Love of My Afterlife | Kirsty Greenwood
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Spice Level: 3.5 Flames
Published by Berkley on 07/02/2024
Format: DRC (384 pages)
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Delphie Denise Bookham is dead. She never thought choking would lead to her demise, but here she is—done in by a cheap microwave hamburger. And to make matters worse? She’s dressed in her most atrocious pajamas—green fuzzy socks and a ratty t-shirt with a cartoon star saying, “Honey, it’s Time to Sparkle and Shine!” Things can’t get much worse, can they? Oh, they most certainly can. You see, Delphie is all alone (let’s be honest, she’s preferred it that way until this whole choking thing); she’s got The Tinder Swindler paused on her TV, and the lone browser tab she […]

Catching Feelings | Maren Moore

Posted 04/11/2024 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments
Catching Feelings | Maren Moore
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Spice Level: 5 Flames
Series: Orleans University #2
Published by Independent Publisher on 03/22/2024
Format: Kindle (356 pages)
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Reese Landry is not what he appears to be. Sure, he’s Orleans University’s all-star catcher and the number one MLB draft pick. And there is no question that he’s devastatingly handsome, my-family-owns-a-private-jet rich, and stupidly charming. But underneath that silver-spoon playboy appearance, he’s sweeter than honey, the kindest soul you’ll ever meet, and much to his chagrin, the bane of Vivienne Brentwood’s existence. Vivienne Brentwood is an introverted extrovert who’s obsessed with all things spooky. When Viv was in 11th grade, her dad passed away, and her mom has been consumed by depression ever since. Viv has had […]

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank | Megan Bannen

Posted 04/07/2024 by Hilarye in ARC Review, Book Reviews / 0 Comments
The Undermining of Twyla and Frank | Megan Bannen
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Spice Level: 3 Flames
All-Time Favorite
Series: Hart and Mercy #2
Published by Orbit on 07/02/2024
Format: DRC (464 pages)
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Did I drop everything to read this book the second I was approved for the ARC? Yes, yes, I did. Did I lose countless hours of sleep finishing it faster than I should? Also, yes. Did I enjoy every single second of this story? 100% YES!  The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy was hands down my favorite read of 2023. Hart and Mercy destroyed my heart, put the shattered pieces back together better than before, and then lovingly wrapped me in the softest blanket while handing me a mug of hot cocoa. When I saw ‘The Undermining of […]

Lips Like Sugar | Jess K. Hardy

Posted 03/28/2024 by Hilarye in ARC Review, Book Reviews / 0 Comments
Lips Like Sugar | Jess K. Hardy
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Spice Level: 4 Flames
Series: Bluebird Basin #2
Published by Pinkity Publishing on 03/28/2024
Format: DRC (364 pages)
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Jess K. Hardy has done something miraculous. She made me love Cole Sanderson more than I already loved Matthew Madigan. I was sure it couldn’t be done, but alas, here we are. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I want to live in Red Falls. It has small-town energy, beautiful scenery, a delicious bakery, a fantastic bar named Jimmy O’Callaghan’s Irish Public House (with a jukebox), and insanely hot 50-some-odd-year-old rockstars. What’s not to love?  Cole Sanderson is the epitome of the ‘golden retriever’ MMC, and I’m pretty sure my heart grew three sizes while reading […]

Midnight Duet | Jen Comfort

Posted 03/21/2024 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments
Midnight Duet | Jen Comfort
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Spice Level: 4 Flames
Published by Montlake on 01/10/2023
Format: Kindle (347 pages)
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Erika Greene (Phantom reference #1) was once a Tony-nominated Broadway star, and playing Fantine in Les Misérables was her crowning achievement. A diva at heart, Erika loved performing. She loved being in the spotlight, she loved being adored by her fans, and she especially loved being the center of attention. But all that disappeared after a tragic accident left her face badly scarred (Phantom reference #2), her reputation ruined, and her career over. While Erika is recovering in the hospital, she learns she’s inherited an early-twentieth-century theater from her late grandmother, and it’s in Paris…Nevada. Feeling like a […]

Rootbound | Tarah DeWitt

Posted 03/10/2024 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments
Rootbound | Tarah DeWitt
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Spice Level: 4 Flames
All-Time Favorite
Published by St. Martin’s Griffin on 05/02/2023
Format: Kindle (336 pages)
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Tait and Henry’s relationship is so wholesome and healthy—from strangers to friends to lovers. I loved everything about them. Tait is creative, strong, and independent. Henry is patient, loyal, and gentile. Both carry baggage they’ve needed to put down for much too long. But this book is so much more than Tait and Henry’s romance. This book is about facing your fears, finding your footing, breaking through the limitations you’ve imposed on yourself, opening your heart, untangling your roots, and finally letting yourself grow. “When you buy a new plant, you often have to cut the roots when […]