Asia
2.75/5
First of all the writing is dense and not really my style. Especially the comic book panels. I don't like this style. I get it, FMC is obsessed with comics, enough.
Second of all, the forced reminder of a pandemic hit me in the head in every chapter. I get it. It was a time. Stop it already. Move the fuck on. I don't care. I read the books to escape reality, not to relieve it.
Third of all, Sam (FMC) has a friend with benefits with a shitty guy, Hal . Like there's nothing to recommend him,l really, but she pines after him. Let's focus on Nick (MMC) maybe?? Hm?? I mean, seriously, you're supposed to fall in love with Nick, not this other dude who keeps you as a girlfriend material without girlfriend privileges. AND THEN he hooks up with someone else?? AND she only blocks him at 52% (after giving Nick a blowjob btw) but she still doesn't 'officially' break up with him until after the wedding, at like 75%. And I didn't like they they've met again (even if it was just to talk) later.
Fourth, I hated the mother. The mother was so overbearing and heavy-handed, I hated her, holy hell. She's such a nightmare, and then had the gall to try and convince Sam to stop seeing Nick because he had a kid.l Just because your ex-husband was an asshole, doesn't mean Nick will be the same.
Fifth, there was no chemistry between MCs. I thought it could be something on the pool scene at the beginning, but every interaction since then felt forced and awkward. No.
Oh, plus the fact that Nick's 9-year-old daughter had a Discord account, her dad had no idea (since it was against the rules he gave her) but Sam knew about that and didn't tell the dad? Come on!
Sam was supposed to be 26 but had the maturity of a 16-year-old girl who couldn't do anything by herself.
Also, this is a single pov only book, which I'm disappointed about. I love reading male povs when they fall in love and this book didn't deliver it, unfortunately.
At first, Sam was relatable, but she was so 'woe is me' it was annoying. I liked Nick better, and I wish we had seen the events from his point of view and that there was more of him. Instead, we've got more of Hal (the fuckbuddy) than Nick. Nick was MMC! But noooo, Hal was more present in the book.
And then there's this whole issue with her dad, and the book description said that the relationship with Nick will make her confront her relationship with her father... And that doesn't happen. Her father never even appears in the book! There was no one phone call, or a visit, or even letter. Nothing. I don't even know if she ever sold the comic books as a sign she stops waiting for him or something. Like here was this whole "she misses her father who was an asshole and left and she struggles with it as an adult now" but there was no resolution! None at all! Ugh!!
The third-act breakup was annoying. She got a job, cool, and enrolled in a class, that's fun. BUT she was gone for what, a few months? (which I guess, because the way it was written, it could be a few days at most, but it said months) where Sam and Nick had NO contact whatsoever. And Sam wasn't in contact with Kira either. And then suddenly she's back in Ohio out of the blue and sees Nick and tells him she missed him and is still in love with him? While nothing in the book indicated that she was still in love with him or wanted to be part of his family.
The ending was just abrupt. It was just there to create tension, I guess. It feels unfinished. I didn't like it that much. I was dissapointed because I was excited for this book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Tropes:
- single dad
- age gap
- neighbours
Originally posted at www.goodreads.com.
2.75/5
First of all the writing is dense and not really my style. Especially the comic book panels. I don't like this style. I get it, FMC is obsessed with comics, enough.
Second of all, the forced reminder of a pandemic hit me in the head in every chapter. I get it. It was a time. Stop it already. Move the fuck on. I don't care. I read the books to escape reality, not to relieve it.
Third of all, Sam (FMC) has a friend with benefits with a shitty guy, Hal . Like there's nothing to recommend him,l really, but she pines after him. Let's focus on Nick (MMC) maybe?? Hm?? I mean, seriously, you're supposed to fall in love with Nick, not this other dude who keeps you as a girlfriend material without girlfriend privileges. AND THEN he hooks up with someone else?? AND she only blocks him at 52% (after giving Nick a blowjob btw) but she still doesn't 'officially' break up with him until after the wedding, at like 75%. And I didn't like they they've met again (even if it was just to talk) later.
Fourth, I hated the mother. The mother was so overbearing and heavy-handed, I hated her, holy hell. She's such a nightmare, and then had the gall to try and convince Sam to stop seeing Nick because he had a kid.l Just because your ex-husband was an asshole, doesn't mean Nick will be the same.
Fifth, there was no chemistry between MCs. I thought it could be something on the pool scene at the beginning, but every interaction since then felt forced and awkward. No.
Oh, plus the fact that Nick's 9-year-old daughter had a Discord account, her dad had no idea (since it was against the rules he gave her) but Sam knew about that and didn't tell the dad? Come on!
Sam was supposed to be 26 but had the maturity of a 16-year-old girl who couldn't do anything by herself.
Also, this is a single pov only book, which I'm disappointed about. I love reading male povs when they fall in love and this book didn't deliver it, unfortunately.
At first, Sam was relatable, but she was so 'woe is me' it was annoying. I liked Nick better, and I wish we had seen the events from his point of view and that there was more of him. Instead, we've got more of Hal (the fuckbuddy) than Nick. Nick was MMC! But noooo, Hal was more present in the book.
And then there's this whole issue with her dad, and the book description said that the relationship with Nick will make her confront her relationship with her father... And that doesn't happen. Her father never even appears in the book! There was no one phone call, or a visit, or even letter. Nothing. I don't even know if she ever sold the comic books as a sign she stops waiting for him or something. Like here was this whole "she misses her father who was an asshole and left and she struggles with it as an adult now" but there was no resolution! None at all! Ugh!!
The third-act breakup was annoying. She got a job, cool, and enrolled in a class, that's fun. BUT she was gone for what, a few months? (which I guess, because the way it was written, it could be a few days at most, but it said months) where Sam and Nick had NO contact whatsoever. And Sam wasn't in contact with Kira either. And then suddenly she's back in Ohio out of the blue and sees Nick and tells him she missed him and is still in love with him? While nothing in the book indicated that she was still in love with him or wanted to be part of his family.
The ending was just abrupt. It was just there to create tension, I guess. It feels unfinished. I didn't like it that much. I was dissapointed because I was excited for this book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Tropes:
- single dad
- age gap
- neighbours
Originally posted at www.goodreads.com.
4.5/5
When Valerie and Grant accidentally perform a magical wedding ceremony - a binding one - they think ignoring it will be easy.
But a year of no communicating left its toll, and now Valerie's magic is gone, and Grant is miserable. Now that they're forced to work together again, they have one mission: to win the magical key that can give them a divorce as soon as possible.
But a haunted (but a cozy!) inn, a grumpy but matchmaking ghost, and only one bed can sometimes change a mind.
I loved this book! It was cozy and magical and fun. The characters were great and I loved their interactions. I wish we knew more of them: their first meeting that was mentioned in one sentence and the references to, what I assume, are things that happened in previous books in the series. As someone who didn't read the previous books, it was irritating that I didn't get everything I wanted in this book.
But I still loved it and had fun reading it! It's a cozy read perfect for a late evening!
Tropes:
- enemies to lovers
- accidental wedding
- workplace romance
- forced proximity
- only one bed
4.5/5
When Valerie and Grant accidentally perform a magical wedding ceremony - a binding one - they think ignoring it will be easy.
But a year of no communicating left its toll, and now Valerie's magic is gone, and Grant is miserable. Now that they're forced to work together again, they have one mission: to win the magical key that can give them a divorce as soon as possible.
But a haunted (but a cozy!) inn, a grumpy but matchmaking ghost, and only one bed can sometimes change a mind.
I loved this book! It was cozy and magical and fun. The characters were great and I loved their interactions. I wish we knew more of them: their first meeting that was mentioned in one sentence and the references to, what I assume, are things that happened in previous books in the series. As someone who didn't read the previous books, it was irritating that I didn't get everything I wanted in this book.
But I still loved it and had fun reading it! It's a cozy read perfect for a late evening!
Tropes:
- enemies to lovers
- accidental wedding
- workplace romance
- forced proximity
- only one bed
3.75/5
I'm torn.
On one hand the writing was amazing and I liked this book. But all of this dubcon (and it was dubcon) was too much and seriously what the hell did they do to my Sebastian. That was entirely out of character and I HATED IT. JUST WHYYYYYY. He was already a rake, Lisa, you didn't have to make him worse!!!
Anyway. I loved it when Hunt caught Westcliff and Lillian together and his comment about “once a week” lmaoo. Yes, throw Westcliff's words back at him!! It was so funny!
Though I really hated that every time Westcliff and Lillian kissed or did more, she was either trying to get out and leave, or SHE WAS DRUNK. COME ON, WESTCLIFF. THINK.
3.75/5
I'm torn.
On one hand the writing was amazing and I liked this book. But all of this dubcon (and it was dubcon) was too much and seriously what the hell did they do to my Sebastian. That was entirely out of character and I HATED IT. JUST WHYYYYYY. He was already a rake, Lisa, you didn't have to make him worse!!!
Anyway. I loved it when Hunt caught Westcliff and Lillian together and his comment about “once a week” lmaoo. Yes, throw Westcliff's words back at him!! It was so funny!
Though I really hated that every time Westcliff and Lillian kissed or did more, she was either trying to get out and leave, or SHE WAS DRUNK. COME ON, WESTCLIFF. THINK.
2.5/5
The FMC is frustrating. She's what, 25? And she acts like a 16-year-old child.
So she wants to get married after first date because her best friends are in love and she doesn't want to be a third wheel. jesus. Okay, fine. It's stupid and I rolled my eyes more than once, but fine, okay.
BUT. She wants to marry for convenience, doesn't want to fall in love, and wants the marriage to help her get customers for ehr small business. But when MMC proposes that marriage, when he tells her that he needs a wife of convenience and his popularity will bring those customers to her, she's suddenly no longer interested... Why? Because he doesn't want to fall in love with her?
And she thinks he's lying. Even though he has evidence that he's telling the truth that his family is Kardashian kind famous, she's like "you're lying! You're only trying to make fun of me!" It came compeltely out of nowwhere and she really acted like a 5 year old child, So annoying and frustrating, ughhhhh.
Like he even told you his famous sister is pregnant! Something he wouldn't have done as a joke because he loves his sister and she wants to keep it a secret! And you still think he's lying to you?? What the hell??
It's like the book starts one storyline or the idea and then doesn't follow through. Oh, they're suppsoed to be lovey-dovey for the cameras but they're not and for like 20% of the book nobody finds it weird or comment on it, until the author finally rememebrs "hey, this is a fake relationship romance". They click at her instead of talking to her and Jordan is super angry but the book ignores this and doesn't explain it at all even when it's from his point of view.
Most of the book ios also "tell, don't show" which I hate. There's a lot of talk bout what happened, but in past tense - none of these things happen on screen, especially in the second half when they're home. We need to see Jordan and Zinna get closer and start merging their life and spend time together in order to believe their fake relationship becoming real, but none of them is on screen. Except for one short grocery scene, everything else is mentioned in one sentence. Makes no sense whatsoever. How am I supposed to believe that they're falling in love for real when you don't even give me any scenes of them together?
The OW drama came out of nowhere and had no leg to stand on. The ending was so stupid too, because what do you mean that the man who left his family because he hated the reality show and only came back temporarily to protect his sister is now considering having his own reality show?? Are you kidding me??? And Zinna ALSO hated being recorded and now she's suddenly all in? Fuck that shit.
Also, Zinnia's obsession with her friends being together was so tiring, jist give it up already for heaven's sake.
I didn't believe their love story at all. So much was all unsaid or happened off-screen, it was stupid. Even the reality show aspect was bad and it never felt real. When they finally confessed their love at the end, I didn't feel anything and didn't believe that because there's no foundation for them. They're suddenly in love but where was this earlier? Where was the taking care for each other and quiet moments and anything at all? Not in this book.
Tropes:
- fake relationship
- marriage of convenience
- reality show
- opposites attract
- grumpy and sunshine
2.5/5
The FMC is frustrating. She's what, 25? And she acts like a 16-year-old child.
So she wants to get married after first date because her best friends are in love and she doesn't want to be a third wheel. jesus. Okay, fine. It's stupid and I rolled my eyes more than once, but fine, okay.
BUT. She wants to marry for convenience, doesn't want to fall in love, and wants the marriage to help her get customers for ehr small business. But when MMC proposes that marriage, when he tells her that he needs a wife of convenience and his popularity will bring those customers to her, she's suddenly no longer interested... Why? Because he doesn't want to fall in love with her?
And she thinks he's lying. Even though he has evidence that he's telling the truth that his family is Kardashian kind famous, she's like "you're lying! You're only trying to make fun of me!" It came compeltely out of nowwhere and she really acted like a 5 year old child, So annoying and frustrating, ughhhhh.
Like he even told you his famous sister is pregnant! Something he wouldn't have done as a joke because he loves his sister and she wants to keep it a secret! And you still think he's lying to you?? What the hell??
It's like the book starts one storyline or the idea and then doesn't follow through. Oh, they're suppsoed to be lovey-dovey for the cameras but they're not and for like 20% of the book nobody finds it weird or comment on it, until the author finally rememebrs "hey, this is a fake relationship romance". They click at her instead of talking to her and Jordan is super angry but the book ignores this and doesn't explain it at all even when it's from his point of view.
Most of the book ios also "tell, don't show" which I hate. There's a lot of talk bout what happened, but in past tense - none of these things happen on screen, especially in the second half when they're home. We need to see Jordan and Zinna get closer and start merging their life and spend time together in order to believe their fake relationship becoming real, but none of them is on screen. Except for one short grocery scene, everything else is mentioned in one sentence. Makes no sense whatsoever. How am I supposed to believe that they're falling in love for real when you don't even give me any scenes of them together?
The OW drama came out of nowhere and had no leg to stand on. The ending was so stupid too, because what do you mean that the man who left his family because he hated the reality show and only came back temporarily to protect his sister is now considering having his own reality show?? Are you kidding me??? And Zinna ALSO hated being recorded and now she's suddenly all in? Fuck that shit.
Also, Zinnia's obsession with her friends being together was so tiring, jist give it up already for heaven's sake.
I didn't believe their love story at all. So much was all unsaid or happened off-screen, it was stupid. Even the reality show aspect was bad and it never felt real. When they finally confessed their love at the end, I didn't feel anything and didn't believe that because there's no foundation for them. They're suddenly in love but where was this earlier? Where was the taking care for each other and quiet moments and anything at all? Not in this book.
Tropes:
- fake relationship
- marriage of convenience
- reality show
- opposites attract
- grumpy and sunshine
/5
This was incredible. I love this book. I was hesitant at first because I don't read paranormal romance often, but I trusted Becs and I'm so glad I did.
This was such a wholesome, cozy, heartwarming romance. Nolan and Harriet were both very interesting, rounded characters with jagged edges. Nolan was tired of being a ghost, long given up the idea of moving on. Harriet, a people pleaser, who just wanted to make everyone happy, forgot how to fight for her own happiness. Together, a perfect match who pushed the other to be a better version of themselves, individually, and together.
Harriet gave Nolan hope again, while Nolan made Harriet realize she's enough and worthy of love. I loved their bickering and flirting and everything. I loved the trips into the past, the bond that grew between them, the adventures they had together. They both taught the other to live. I loved that.
While I'm disappointed that Harriet gave her sister a chance - I think she'd be better off without any of her toxic family around - I loved the book. I loved how both Harriet and Nolan grew, and they both helped each other. I love how in love they were with each other and how they decided to give each other a chance even knowing the risk.
And the spice? Very hot, I loved it! And I loved how everything came together at the end, all the clue and references finally made sense.
This was definitely one of my favourite 2025 reads. I can't wait for more from the author and the series! After all, there's a Reaper on the loose!
Tropes:
- paranormal
- Christmas
- grumpy and sunshine
- Ghost of Christmas Past
- retelling
- candy canes
- cozy and wholesome
- opposites attract
- he's a ghost but she's haunting him
- soulmates
/5
This was incredible. I love this book. I was hesitant at first because I don't read paranormal romance often, but I trusted Becs and I'm so glad I did.
This was such a wholesome, cozy, heartwarming romance. Nolan and Harriet were both very interesting, rounded characters with jagged edges. Nolan was tired of being a ghost, long given up the idea of moving on. Harriet, a people pleaser, who just wanted to make everyone happy, forgot how to fight for her own happiness. Together, a perfect match who pushed the other to be a better version of themselves, individually, and together.
Harriet gave Nolan hope again, while Nolan made Harriet realize she's enough and worthy of love. I loved their bickering and flirting and everything. I loved the trips into the past, the bond that grew between them, the adventures they had together. They both taught the other to live. I loved that.
While I'm disappointed that Harriet gave her sister a chance - I think she'd be better off without any of her toxic family around - I loved the book. I loved how both Harriet and Nolan grew, and they both helped each other. I love how in love they were with each other and how they decided to give each other a chance even knowing the risk.
And the spice? Very hot, I loved it! And I loved how everything came together at the end, all the clue and references finally made sense.
This was definitely one of my favourite 2025 reads. I can't wait for more from the author and the series! After all, there's a Reaper on the loose!
Tropes:
- paranormal
- Christmas
- grumpy and sunshine
- Ghost of Christmas Past
- retelling
- candy canes
- cozy and wholesome
- opposites attract
- he's a ghost but she's haunting him
- soulmates
