Emily
Am I sad that I have read every book from this series that's available? Yes! I am, however, very happy that the next book, and one that I am excited for, comes out in December. Simply Mine is the fourth installment in the Honey Mountain Series, and it follows Charlotte and Ledger. Ledger is Charlotte's friend, Jilly's, brother, and the tension and attraction between he and Charlotte has always been there. When Ledger comes into town to get ready for his sister's wedding, sparks flare between him and Charlotte. We still get so many bits from our favorite family of Thomas girls and get to see what's going on in their lives, which I love! This is a best friend's brother/friends with benefits romance with so much tension. This entire series has me craving a getaway to a lake in the mountains. Simply Mine is an adult small-town romance, 18+ for sexual content and language.
Ahhhh another win by Laura Pavlov! I'm seriously loving this small town romance rabbit hole. Ever Mine is the second installment in the Honey Mountain series, and it follows Everly and Hawk. Everly is Vivian's older sister and a sports therapist, and Hawk is a professional hockey player and Everly's ex. When their worlds collide, feelings start to redevelop. Both of them have to overcome roadblocks to find their way back to each other. This book is a second-chance romance with some amazing tension! And y'all, Hawk is
Sometimes you just need a feel good, cozy small town romance, and this book definitely delivered. So glad I finally picked this up after being raved about by my sweet friend, @rhiannonbarber
This book follows Vivian and Niko and takes place in the town of Honey Mountain. Niko and Vivian have been friends for as long as they can remember. After a bad experience with an ex boyfriend, she suggests that Niko help her out. Niko has lots of demons he has to overcome, but he is usually clammed up and takes out his frustrations at his job as a firefighter. This is a friends to lovers romance with great tension and payoff. Their romance is just so wholesome and sweet! This book is an adult romance, 18+ for sexual content and themes.
This was such a cute seasonal/holiday read! It was all of the cozy, cheesy, magical, and fun things I love about Halloween. This story takes place in Grave's Glen (the same place The Ex Hex took place) and follows the story of Wells (Rhys's brother) and Gwyn (Vivienne's cousin). This is a rivals to lovers romance with thick sexual tension and fun payoff. Gwyn and Wells are both witches. After moving back to Grave's Glen for a fresh start, Wells opens up a shop near Gwyn's, and that's where the tension sparks. They work together to solve some mysterious things that are happening around town. Such a cute and fun read. Fans of The Ex Hex will like it as it had similar vibes, but it can be read as a stand-alone. This is an adult romance, 18+ for sexual content and language.
Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy
An Avalon Bay Novel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars
Swipe for Synopsis ⏩
Spoiler-Free Review:
If you've been here for a bit, or if you even scroll my feed, it's no secret that I love Elle Kennedy! This is my sixteenth book that I've read written by her, and they're all just so good. She's become one of my favorite auto-buy authors, and her books are some of my favorite comfort reads and places to revisit. With all of that being said, this book was no exception! Bad Girl Reputation follows the story of Genevieve and Evan. Evan is Cooper's twin brother (from Good Girl Complex), and Genevieve is his ex girlfriend. After having to return home for a funeral, the two reconnect and realize the sparks are still there. This book follows their journey trying to repair their bad reputations both as a couple and individually, and I absolutely ate it up! There is classic Elle Kennedy tension and spice throughout the book. I fell in love with how Evan cared for Genevieve and how he grew as a character. This is the second installment in the Avalon Bay series, and have you seen the cover for book 3, The Summer Girl because
N.S. Perkins has my heart in her hands right now. What a beautiful freaking story! The tears in my eyes haven't fully dried yet, but I have to talk about this book! Where Time Stands Still follows the story of Aaron, a man working hard to help his family in any way he can, and Wren, a lawyer running from a genetic predisposition to a disease she may or may not inherit. Aaron's family hires Wren to handle a medical malpractice suit involving his father's medical care. Wren becomes connected to the family and eventually feelings develop. Wren fights an internal battle every day on whether or not to allow herself to experience things, including love. There is so much tension in this story, and the eventual pay off is so good! I love N.S. Perkins's writing, and her stories always tug at my heartstrings. I also love the implementation and proper execution of medical practice and facts. It felt well researched and well representative of the realities of this illness. I love Aaron so much. He is just so tender and patient with Wren throughout the book. I know I won't be able to stop thinking about this story for a while, I absolutely devoured it! Thank you so much, N.S. Perkins for the ARC of such a special story. This is an adult contemporary romance, 18+ for themes and sexual content. Please check trigger warnings. This book releases 11/08/2022 and is available for preorder.
Potentially spoilery review if you haven't read DNGD:
Wow, @allison Carr Waechter that ending! The last 20% of this book had be in an absolute chokehold! This story picks up where Dark Night Golden Dawn left off, and continues telling Harlow's story. The romance and spice in this book is so good! I love the journey that Finn and Harlow go on in this book, both together as a couple and individually. Finn and Harlow had some absolutely swoon worthy moments. I love how the author weaves modern day issues into this story. There is an amazing cast of fun side characters that play big roles in the story. This story is full of so many secrets and surprising betrayals. I cannot wait for the third installment of this trilogy to see how it all plays out. This is an adult modern fantasy, 18+ for sexual content and themes. I'd like to thank the author for sending me an ARC of this book. Beneath the Alabaster Spire will release 10/18/22 and is available for preorder now.
Spoiler-Free Review:
What a fun and festive read! This is my first book I've read by Sarah Blue that wasn't an omegaverse, and it didn't disappoint! This story follows Blair, a witch who doesn't feel like she is a part of her coven, and Dax, a demon on the hunt for evil wreaking havoc on Earth. What starts out as a revenge plot, quickly turns into a spicy romance, and y'all, it is SPICY. The author has a full list of content warnings on her website, which I appreciated. Some themes, actions, etc may be triggering so check that out. Overall, my month of seasonal reads is starting out strong! If you want a spicy, witchy, ex's dad story, definitely check out Charming Your Dad! This is an adult paranormal romance, 18+ for themes and sexual content
Spoiler-Free Review:
Kicking off Spooky Season with another fun novella from Jack Whtiney. This is a Bloody Mary inspired erotic novella, and y'all she's a spicy one! Jack has a very thorough warnings/kinks page which I appreciate as a reader. Damon, a demon hunter, summons Mary to kill, but instead they spend an evening worshiping each other's bodies. This is a dark erotic novella, 18+ for sexual content and language. If you want a story with plot, then this may not be for you. Break the Glass releases 10/14/22
Elsie Silver never ceases to amaze me, and every book I read from her gets better and better! Cade Eaton, y'all! Cade freaking Eaton! Every time I think the men Elsie writes can't get more dreamy, I fall in love with another one. This book is the second installment in the Chestnut Springs series and follows Cade Eaton (Rhett's brother) and Willa (Summer's best friend). Cade needs a nanny for his son and when Summer suggests Willa, they agree to give it a try. This is a single dad romance with forced proximity, age gap, amazing sexual tension, and all the steam and spice! This book had me cackling at moments because the banter is top tier— some of the best I've read! Cade is such a grump, and he has hardened his heart because of his past. Willa is a sassy and confident younger woman who turns his world upside down. This was such a fun read! I loved every bit of it— the story, the romance, the banter, the characters— all of it. This book is an adult small town romance, 18+ for sexual content and themes.
Potentially Spoilery Review (if you haven't read The Witch Collector yet):
Holy Moly, Charissa Weaks! What have you done to my heart? What have you done to my brain? I am BEGGING you all, if you haven't read The Witch Collector yet, please please please read it! This series has everything I love about adult high fantasy. Complex world building with twists, turns, and connections you don't see coming, action scenes that had me holding my breath, spicy romance, and it's multi-POV. If y'all have been here a bit, you know I love a multi-POV story. I love how much more rounded out the story feels by seeing it on all sides. When I wrote my review for The Witch Collector, my only critique was that I wanted more from Alexus, and boy do you get more of him in City of Ruin— so much more! The story continues where it left off in TWC. The pacing for me was pretty fast , but I am also super invested in these characters' stories. We meet more amazing side characters which include many strong females and diverse characters, which I loved. Charissa upped the spice in this book, and I was here for every bit of it! There's a one horse moment (underrated trope in my opinion and on of my favorites) and a ‘good girl' moment
My love for Adrienne Young only grows stronger after finishing Spells for Forgetting. The woman can write so beautifully y'all! This story is unlike anything of hers that I've read. It was mysterious and haunting and eerie. So many questions, lies, secrets, and betrayals. I put off this book for a while because I didn't know how I'd feel about a mystery, and now I am wishing I'd read it sooner. Spells for Forgetting is a multi-pov story about an island in the PNW called Saoirse. This island is rooted in magic. 14 years prior to this story, tragedy struck the island: a fire and a murder. These events scarred the town and made the residents' trust in each other waver. Our FMC, Emery... I loved her and my heart broke for her when the questions began to be answered and she finally understands why things unfolded the way they did. Our MMC, August, is the town scapegoat for the events 14 years ago. When he comes back to town to settle some business affairs, the town becomes uneasy. I loved this story so much. I wanted all of the questions answered and for justice to be served, and for me, that kept the pages turning. There's a second change romantic element, but it definitely isn't the central theme. There is tension and steam/spice, and while some of it is on page, I found it to be more tame and not explicit. The twist I didn't see coming shocked the hell out of me! I really was so shook. The story had a great balance of being both plot and character driven in my opinion. This is a New Adult novel, 18+ for themes, language, and sexual content.
This was just like a breath of fresh air. I loved it so much! Sometimes you wants something light, fluffy, and sweet, and this was all of those things. This book was my first Sarah Adams book, but it definitely won't be my last (I have Cheat Sheet sitting on my shelf). First, I'd like to thank Netgalley for sending me an eARC of this book. I've been sitting on it for a few months now, and I wish I'd read it sooner. Fans of clean adult romances will love this book. While that's not normally something I would pick up, I think my palate was in desperate need of cleansing, and this did the trick. This story follows Amelia and Noah. Amelia is a famous singer who runs away to a small town to decompress from celebrity life. She is also obsessed with Audrey Hepburn, and honestly, I love that because same. Noah is a grumpy small town guy who has an extreme soft spot for his family. When Amelia's car breaks down in front of Noah's house, he offers her a place to stay for the night. This leads to all the things we love— forced proximity, tension, fun banter. This book made me laugh, but also tugged hard on my heart strings. Such a fun and sweet romance. This is an adult romance, 16+ for some themes.
Spoiler-Free Review:
This book was the August/September pick for the Up All Night book club. I enjoyed reading it and found it thought provoking and deep— maybe a bit over my head. I enjoyed the writing style and how the story read like a memoir. This book follows the story of Alex Green. Alex is a young girl when she sees her first dragon— too young to really understand. The story is about how some women began spontaneously “dragoning” and how society changed and adapted with these events. This is a story of the harmful impacts of prejudice, societal change, the importance of talking about the past, and longing for more out of life. The pacing of this book started off a little slow for my taste, but it picked up around half way. The author talks about true events that inspired bits of the story in the acknowledgements, and it definitely sparked my curiosity to do some research. This is adult contemporary fiction, 16+ for themes and topics.
This was such a fun and sweet novella. It was originally published in an anthology, and I'm so glad she decided to publish it on its own! I loved Celestia and Aura's story, and as usually my only complaint is that I wish there was more! This is a sapphic mermaid/human romance that gave me little mermaid vibes with a touch of betrayal and mystery. There isn't any spice, but it's got tension. I don't feel like this novella needed the spice though as the romance was great on its own. This is an adult romance novella, 16+ for violence/gore.
Spoiler-Free (ish) Review:
Jessa Hastings, what have you done to me?! I am so in love with this world and these characters. I need the next Magnolia book like right now! The saga of Magnolia Parks and Bj continues in this book. The banter continues to be top tier, but I found this book to be heavy on the emotions. I got emotional at so many parts, and I just need more. I am absolutely feral for the next installment in this series. Dual storyline cliffhangers— my heart can't take it. I loved Magnolia's journey in this book— the healing that took place for both her and BJ warmed my heart. The last 20% of the book has me on the edge of my seat and unable to stop reading. Ugh I love this series so much, it is definitely going on my mental book shelf of favorites (and probably my physical one too) This is a New Adult Romance, 18+ for language, sexual content, and themes.
Spoiler-Free Review:
Oh my goodness... My heart, my soul, my brain, literally my entire body. Jessa Hastings has me in a choke hold with this series. It's so addictive, I literally can't stop. In this book, we get 3 POVs: Daisy, Christian (swoon), and Julian (Daisy's brother). I loved being inside their heads and the overlapping of some of the events of Magnolia Parks but from their POV. Daisy's story is so heartbreaking, but I love how she tries to rise above the deeds of her family. Julian is so damaged, and I don't know where he is heading in the next book or what we will see from him. Christian is probably my favorite of the men in this world. He (like the others) is also broken, but the way he loves is so sweet and so strong. All three of them are deliciously toxic. There is amazing banter and tension, and like in Magnolia Parks, there is a lot of sex but not explicit or on page. This is a new adult romance, 18+for sexual content, language, and themes. Thanks again, @Bookish.Teresa for peer pressuring me into reading this series... it's going to be a favorite.
Spoiler-Free Review:
Sorry not sorry to everyone I now beg to read this book! Also sorry not sorry for the plethora middle of the night dms and voice notes I sent to @bookish.Teresa raving over this book! If you're a fan of the gossip girl universe and books of the like, you will love Magnolia Parks. Magnolia Parks is set in London and the characters are young adults in their 20s, and they're toxic in the best way! This is book one in this series, and the story follows BJ and Magnolia. It's dual POV and has a few time jumps, but I love that we get this from both sides of their story. The writing style is so unique. I explained it to Teresa as like a stream of conscious thoughts from the characters. It reads exactly how I imagine the characters talking and thinking. Magnolia is a very wealthy young woman who has been in love with BJ since she was 14. Certain events broke up their romantic relationship, but they remain friends and are essential like a crutch for each other. They need each other in times of stress and sadness but are also so toxic to one another. This book is full of angst and tension. There is a lot of talk of sex, but none of it is on page or explicit. Lots of drug use and lots of drinking that is definitely on page. There's so much love, so much betrayal, so many things. I absolutely ate this up, and will be starting book 2 tonight. This is a new adult romance, 18+ for themes, language, sexual content.
I don't know where to even begin. This book moved me in a way that I haven't been moved in a long time. It was truly unlike any romance I've ever read, and it doesn't fit the typical formula at all. I loved it so much, and I need everyone to read it right now so I can have people to share in these feelings with. This story follows Will, a man who is starting a new job with his bestie, Klair, at a publishing house. On his first day of work, he meets Graham swoon. The friendship between Klair and Will is the definition of found family, and they are truly friendship goals— hilarious banter included! This book is a workplace romance with exquisite tension and spice. The romance between Graham and Will is so incredibly sweet, I just love them and their love so much. Their consideration for each other's feelings is so evident in the way they speak to each other— despite their grumpy/sunshine introduction. The twist... gosh the twist I never saw coming. I haven't cried in a book in so long, but this book did me in. I was so incredibly moved by the gravity of the story. You can tell as you read that the author is deeply connected to this story and how it is told. I love being able to feel the author's connection to a story while reading it— it's just something so special. This is an adult contemporary romance, 18+ for sexual content, themes. Check the trigger warnings because there are some heavy themes. Thank you so much, Chip for sharing this story with us. I know I won't be able to stop thinking about it for a while.
When I saw this book on a friend's story, I got excited because I loved Faking with Benefits by this author. This book, however, missed the mark a bit for me. This story follow Beth who is an unemployed single woman who has been eyeing one of her neighbors. One day she gets an interesting visit from one of the guys and ends up being their nanny (for a baby that got dropped off at their door step with a note stating it was one of theirs). The guys: Jack, Cyrus, and Sebastian all have skeletons in their closets, but they find themselves with a common interest: Bethany. There was so much miscommunication between the group, I felt like no one ever openly talked to the FMC about what she was feeling or how she felt about things. There was also a fair bit of drama and some of it felt so forced and unnecessary. The spice was okay but definitely not up to par with Faking with Benefits. The ending was sweet and I appreciated the resolution and epilogue but it didn't make up for all the unnecessary miscommunication and drama. The guys each had some endearing qualities as did Bethany, but for the other reasons, I took off 2 stars. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it
Merged review:
When I saw this book on a friend's story, I got excited because I loved Faking with Benefits by this author. This book, however, missed the mark a bit for me. This story follow Beth who is an unemployed single woman who has been eyeing one of her neighbors. One day she gets an interesting visit from one of the guys and ends up being their nanny (for a baby that got dropped off at their door step with a note stating it was one of theirs). The guys: Jack, Cyrus, and Sebastian all have skeletons in their closets, but they find themselves with a common interest: Bethany. There was so much miscommunication between the group, I felt like no one ever openly talked to the FMC about what she was feeling or how she felt about things. There was also a fair bit of drama and some of it felt so forced and unnecessary. The spice was okay but definitely not up to par with Faking with Benefits. The ending was sweet and I appreciated the resolution and epilogue but it didn't make up for all the unnecessary miscommunication and drama. The guys each had some endearing qualities as did Bethany, but for the other reasons, I took off 2 stars. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it
Spoiler-Free Review:
I went into this book mostly blind and I really enjoyed it! Based on the cover, I could tell it was going to be a love triangle which I don't always hate. I really loved the ending of this book! I cannot go into details without being spoilery, so if you're curious, and want spoilers, just shoot me a message. This story follows Molly. She is returning home for the summer before college after spending her senior year at a boarding school. She is not met with a warm welcome from her peers after the events that happened before she went to the boarding school. Gabe and Patrick are brothers and both enamored with Molly. So hard to not be spoilery here. Both guys play games with Molly's heart and mind. If you like a YA contemporary or coming of age, I say this is for you. This is pretty firmly YA, 16+ for mentions for mentions of sexual content (there are no explicit scenes) and language
I enjoyed this so much! This book was so funny. I found myself laughing at the dialogue and banter often. The murder mystery aspect of it definitely had me turning pages and trying to predict who committed the crime. I devoured this in one sitting because I simply couldn't stop. This story follows Taylor, a teacher on vacation, who like to play it safe (well for the most part). Things go awry when she finds a body in her vacation rental. Enter Myles, ex-detective now bounty hunter, who is a grump with a mushy center. There is a ton of sexual tension between them, which we love, and the payoff was so worth the wait!
