Tag: Second Chances

Mistakes We Never Made | Hannah Brown

Posted 06/07/2024 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 05/17/2024 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 […]

Always Been You | Alex Taylor

Posted 04/29/2024 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments
Always Been You | Alex Taylor
Star Rating: 3 Stars
Spice Level: 4 Flames
Series: Destined Love #1
Published by Independent Publisher on 03/14/2024
Format: Kindle (398 Pages)
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It’s a tale as old as time. A younger sister develops feelings for her older brother’s best friend, who eventually develops feelings. They keep their feelings hidden from each other for years, convinced they can never be together. As adults, they are thrown together by external forces and finally give in to their feelings. Keeping their romance a secret, they fall deeply in love. No one is surprised when they finally reveal their relationship, as everyone around them knew they were in love long before they did. Olivia has harbored feelings for Josh since childhood. On the other […]

Given Our History | Kristyn J. Miller

Posted 03/29/2024 by Hilarye in ARC Review, Book Reviews / 0 Comments
Given Our History | Kristyn J. Miller
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Spice Level: 3.5 Flames
Published by St. Martin’s Griffin on 08/27/2024
Format: DRC (336 Pages)
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Seventeen years of friendship. Thirteen years of loving each other. Six years of heartache. And one year to finally get it right. Teddy and Clara meet one rainy afternoon at a summer camp for homeschooled kids. Their friendship is forged over a game of Trivial Pursuit, a 3-legged race, a sprained ankle, and a can of Pepsi. Phone numbers are exchanged, many phone calls are made, mixed CDs are burned, and The Long-Distance History Club is formed — two adorably nerdy kids who quickly become best friends. I was not expecting this to be such an angsty, wonderful, […]

Right Where We Left Us | Jen Devon

Posted 03/11/2024 by Hilarye in ARC Review, Book Reviews / 0 Comments
Right Where We Left Us | Jen Devon
Star Rating: 3.5 Stars
Spice Level: 3.5 Flames
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 […]

Loathe to Love You | Ali Hazelwood

Posted 10/02/2023 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments
Loathe to Love You | Ali Hazelwood
Star Rating: 3 Stars
Spice Level: 3.5 Flames
Series: The STEMinist Novellas
Published by Berkley on 01/03/2023
Format: Kindle (382 Pages)
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‘Loathe to Love You’ is comprised of a trio of STEMinist novellas: Mara, Sadie, and Hannah are friends first, scientists always. Though their fields of study might take them to different corners of the world, they can all agree on this universal truth: when it comes to love and science, opposites attract and rivals make you burn… ❖ UNDER ONE ROOF ❖ A scientist should never cohabitate with her annoyingly hot nemesis—it leads to combustion. As an environmental engineer, Mara knows all about the delicate nature of ecosystems. They require balance. And leaving the thermostat alone. And not […]