Tag: Independent Heroine

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

The Veiled Kingdom | Holly Renee

Posted 03/31/2024 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments
The Veiled Kingdom | Holly Renee
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Spice Level: 3 Flames
Series: The Veiled Kingdom #1
Published by Independent Publisher on 03/19/2024
Format: Kindle (364 pages)
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The Kingdom of Mamoris is ruled by an evil king who covets magic and power. His firstborn and only child, Princess Verena, is the sole heir to Mamoris’ throne. But, despite the king’s many, and often abusive, attempts to draw out Verena’s magic, she remains powerless. When Verena turns ten and is still without magic, the king refuses to acknowledge her as his heir and locks her in one of the castle’s towers because a kingdom cannot be ruled without significant power. After many failed attempts at producing a worthy heir, the queen (Verena’s beloved mother) dies in […]

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 […]

Come As You Are | Jess K. Hardy

Posted 03/24/2024 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments
Come As You Are | Jess K. Hardy
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Spice Level: 3.5 Flames
Series: Bluebird Basin #1
Published by Pinkity Publishing on 11/01/2022
Format: Kindle (318 pages)
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Were you a 90s alternative kid? Do you like small-town feels, 90s grunge, flannel, a good mixed tape, one hell of an epic love story, and adorable St. Bernard puppies? How about a sexy 53-year-old guitar player with tattoos or a badass 46-year-old divorcee who owns a ski resort? No? Well then, we can’t be friends. An ex-rockstar and recovering addict—who now runs a sober living home—helps a divorced, single mom save her beloved ski resort from being bought by her asshole ex-husband.  That simple synopsis does NOT do this book justice. Because Jess Hardy created a relationship […]