NJ

3.5 stars This was cute.

In general this was a book I liked.

I loved the heroine's journey. However after reading two books of this author's books and skimming through the other books in this series, it seems her heroines seem to struggle with insecurities while her heroes lean towards emotional distance. I would like to read a book of hers where that formula is flipped. However, I understand that not writing an emotionally distant heroine maybe a business decision on the author's part. In most books I've read where the heroine is emotionally distant, she gets raked over the coals in GR reviews for being a bitch.

It was ok. I felt Dora was a bit too passive at times.

4.5

Loved May and Ben and their respective journeys.

Couldn't get invested in the characters. When is the last time I enjoyed a book? I can't even tell.

Sweet. Loved that she subverted the romantic thriller trope of man saving damsel in distress.

2.5 stars

It was ok. The characters were sweet, I just couldn't get invested in them.

3.5 rounded up to a 4.

This was so sweet. I would have liked it if we got the see about more of them in a relationship though.

2.5 rounded up to a 3. Didn't enjoy it much

3.5-4 stars.

It would have been an easy 4 star but a part of me is a bit uncomfortable that the resolution to the heroine's problems involved a job from the hero. That has probably more to do with my own issues surrounding independence though.

It was very cute. I just wish they had had months-long interactions instead of those 2 encounters after which they were both in love. I know I'm an overly picky reader but for me to believe in the longevity of a relationship I need to believe they had more than a couple of encounters in their adulthood. Otherwise, it was a fun enjoyable read.

I like that MJB's heroes cry. I find it endearing. However, Ash's inability to understand no was concerning. I would have been ok with it because Ash was generally shown to be an inconsiderate jerk and this could be seen as another negative and concerning aspect of his personality. However. There were times when other characters encouraged him, making it seem like all his stalkerishness was really not that bad

This is my 2nd Chloe Liese book, and like the first book of her's that I read this was a disappointment. Her characters actions don't always seem rational to me and the book was boring. I also find that books that have this sort of ‘the characters are crazy/madcap' humor really irritate me. They often strike me as trying too hard to be funny and I struggle to get through them.

Loved the heroine and her journey.

I generally enjoyed this. However, certain aspects made me uncomfortable.

2022: Upon reread, this book book is still such a gem. I found the HRs that were published in 2021 a bit disappointing and after spending the past week reading some of my earlier favorites, I can definitely say its them not me. I haven't gone of HR, its the books that aren't cutting it

Loved this book when I was a teenager. Have to reread to discover whether it aged well.

I had previously only read positive reviews of this book so the narrator's fatphobia really caught me unawares. While he's in the body of the fourth host he spends a ridiculous amount of time describing the disgust he feels towards his host's body. Because I hadn't seen anyone on goodreads mention this, I googled other reviews of this book to ensure I wasn't being ridiculous and this review said it better than I could. I had no inclination to finish this book.

His behavior in the beginning bordered on sexual harassment. Couldn't bring myself to read any further.

Just wasn't captivated. May decide to return at some point.

The characterization of the heroine's ex played into some unfortunate stereotypes

I didn't get past the first few pages. Sorry. I was really ready to get on board as I'm trying to find black romance writers who don't exclusively write interracial romance. However, my main problem with the book was with the editing. She used the word anxiousness on the first page and it really stuck in my craw. I tried to get past that but unfortunately, there was this, not too long after “often disagreeing more often than not on pretty much every subject”. I just couldn't continue after that.

I know I'm a picky reader. I know. But I think in general I'm not too excited about self-published books because I feel most of of them could really benefit from good editing. However, I realize that a black woman writing black romance would probably have a hard time getting published by the major publishing houses, so I'll try this book again when I'm in a better mood.

All the things I love about Lizzie were nowhere to be found.

Boring. Couldn't stand the hero

I have recently been enjoying second chance romance but I skipped to the second to last chapter of this book and came across the heroine proclaiming that she "wasn't a whole person" before she met the hero. Admittedly I was in a very bad mood before I began reading and this may have influenced my emotions, but the heroine's statement irritated me. I have grown tired of romances that suggest that the main characters are not whole without each other. Those sentiments smack of an unhealthy codependence rather than love. I may return to this when I'm in a better mood but I truly doubt it.

I hadn't read any of the previous books but the hero's hypocrisy in the first few chapters infuriated me. Nope.