I read and loved this as a fanfic some time ago and I think I loved it even more now. It's a slow burn romance featuring protagonists in their 50's anI read and loved this as a fanfic some time ago and I think I loved it even more now. It's a slow burn romance featuring protagonists in their 50's and 60's.
Stella has recently lost her husband and even though their marriage wasn't great, she's dealing with grief and depression. Her niece, Addie, moves in with her to help her get back on her feet. Addie has become friends with Elizabeth, an old co-worker of Stella's. Stella and Elizabeth don't have the best history. They didn't like each other when they worked together and Stella really doesn't want anything to do with her now.
This is told from Stella's point of view so this isn't always sunshine and roses. She goes back and forth with her depression/grief until slowly...very slowly Addie and Elizabeth (and eventually therapy) help her to move on.
Even though we don't get Elizabeth's pov here, I just adored her. Sometimes I wasn't always so sure why she wanted to be there for Stella so much but I finally figured it out. She's so patient and understanding with Stella, way more than Stella sometimes deserved. There are a couple of times when she gets a little sassy that just made me love her even more.
The longing/pining in this is also top notch!
Merged review:
I read and loved this as a fanfic some time ago and I think I loved it even more now. It's a slow burn romance featuring protagonists in their 50's and 60's.
Stella has recently lost her husband and even though their marriage wasn't great, she's dealing with grief and depression. Her niece, Addie, moves in with her to help her get back on her feet. Addie has become friends with Elizabeth, an old co-worker of Stella's. Stella and Elizabeth don't have the best history. They didn't like each other when they worked together and Stella really doesn't want anything to do with her now.
This is told from Stella's point of view so this isn't always sunshine and roses. She goes back and forth with her depression/grief until slowly...very slowly Addie and Elizabeth (and eventually therapy) help her to move on.
Even though we don't get Elizabeth's pov here, I just adored her. Sometimes I wasn't always so sure why she wanted to be there for Stella so much but I finally figured it out. She's so patient and understanding with Stella, way more than Stella sometimes deserved. There are a couple of times when she gets a little sassy that just made me love her even more.
The longing/pining in this is also top notch!...more
“To Be with You” is TJ O’Shea’s sophomore romance novel. It’s a second-chance romance that quickly moved into the top 10 of my 2022 favorites.
Leah Va“To Be with You” is TJ O’Shea’s sophomore romance novel. It’s a second-chance romance that quickly moved into the top 10 of my 2022 favorites.
Leah Vasquez and Victoria (Tori) Lockwood are high school seniors when they begin a fairly short but intense romance. The meet up again 5 years later when Tori comes home, unfortunately she’s not alone. Her fiancé, Ben has come home with her.
So, this is one of those long romance novels that I absolutely love because you really get to sink your teeth into it and get to know the characters. As a character driven fan, I’m here for it. This is told from the beginning of their romance to when it all comes crashing down. There’s a time jump about half through to when Tori comes back into Leah’s life.
I just adored this book. It’s so well written and I loved the characters. There’s quite a bit of angst and drama but there was also some humor so it wasn’t too heavy. I personally enjoyed the ongoing joke about no one in Tori’s life being able to remember her fiancé’s name. My only complaint was that the main characters are only 22 for their second-chance and I wish they’d been a little older. It didn’t hurt my enjoyment and I was sold on their forever romance by the end of the book.
This is my second 5-star review for TJ O’Shea so I think it’s safe to say she’s moved onto my auto-buy list. I highly recommend this is if you’re a second-chance romance fan.
I received an ARC from Bella Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
“Better Than Expected” is a companion to “When You Least Expect It” but from Hannah’s point of view. It eHannah and Caroline are back (and Abbie too)!
“Better Than Expected” is a companion to “When You Least Expect It” but from Hannah’s point of view. It eventually morphs into a continuation where we get to see what happens after WYLEI ends. “When You Least Expect It” is one of my favorite romances of all time so I don’t even know if saying I was excited to get this covers it lol. It also came with some pretty high expectations…and luckily it lived up to them!
I want to start by saying this is more angsty than WYLEI. Hannah is getting over a terrible marriage when it starts so she isn’t in a very happy place. She doesn’t trust anyone, including herself, and spends a good amount of time not trusting what/how she feels.
Because of that, I love how Caroline earns her trust little by little by just showing up and being there. Hannah’s arc is just so lovely and she has my heart, along with Caroline.
This is absolutely recommended!
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
“Mabel and Everything After” by Hannah Safren is a new adult coming-of-age romance that highlights how important timing is with love.
Emma and Mabel a“Mabel and Everything After” by Hannah Safren is a new adult coming-of-age romance that highlights how important timing is with love.
Emma and Mabel are seniors at different colleges when they meet and shortly thereafter start a summer fling. Their romance ends when summer does, however, their feelings don’t seem to get the memo. This follows Emma and Mabel’s journey over the next four years. After their summer fling, they both move on to other relationships and try to move on with their lives. Fate has other ideas and keeps throwing them back into each other’s lives.
I really loved this book. Like I said before, it’s all about timing. When they first meet, they’re at different stages in terms of being out and the plans for their future. Emma knows what she wants but Mabel is more uncertain about things. They keep running into each other but something always holds them back from being together. Even still, they never are quite able to let go of the other completely.
This is told from Emma’s point of view so we get to know her a lot better and see how everything affects her. Safren also uses journal entries for Emma as well to highlight some of her feelings that we really wouldn’t know otherwise. Mabel is more of a mystery, but we get to see her go through her journey the same way Emma does, from the outside through mutual friends of theirs. I normally don’t like single points of view in a romance but I actually preferred it here.
This is a heartwarming romance but has some bittersweet moments as well. They both have a lot of growing up to do and must go through some painful truths before they’re able to find their happily ever after. This really touched my heart and I was on pins and needles wanting them to finally get together. I highly recommend this and can’t wait to see what Safren does next.
I received an ARC from Bella Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
This was so fun! Benson deals with some heavy stuff with one of the characters but she offsets that with humor so it never felt too heavy. I loved howThis was so fun! Benson deals with some heavy stuff with one of the characters but she offsets that with humor so it never felt too heavy. I loved how this really got me to feel all the feels!
It's a long romance, I think it was 519 pages but it didn't feel that way at all for me. I flew right through it. I loved that we got to really delve into these characters and get to know not only them but the side characters as well.
This is very tropey and I absolutely loved that Benson did that. It's got enemies (sort of) to friends to lovers, medical romance, fauxmance, celebrity and the list goes on, probably.
I loved this so much! It’s a friends-to-lovers, toaster oven romance and basically, if you enjoyed When You Least Expect It, you’ll love this too. It I loved this so much! It’s a friends-to-lovers, toaster oven romance and basically, if you enjoyed When You Least Expect It, you’ll love this too. It does get a little angsty so be prepared for that. Highly recommend! ...more
Oh man, I really loved this! It's funny because it has several things that usually annoy but they just didn't here.
Ellie and Jack have a meet-cute onOh man, I really loved this! It's funny because it has several things that usually annoy but they just didn't here.
Ellie and Jack have a meet-cute one Christmas Eve and end up spending the day together and fall in love. However, something happens the next day that separates them and they move on. The following Christmas Ellie agrees to fake-date and marry Andrew so that he can get his inheritance. When he takes her home for Christmas he meets his sister, who is none other than Jack.
Normally I hate single pov in a romance but it really worked here. This is told from Ellie's pov but it's written in such a way that Jack's feelings shine through. I'm also not a fan of falling in love so quickly but after reading about their dates, I kinda fell in love with Jack too so I get and ain't mad about it lol.
This has some amazing laugh out loud moments but there's also some very sad moments. I won't lie, I cried in certain parts but it was worth it. I usually have a clear favorite character but I can't say that here. I loved both Ellie and Jack and things that made them flawed yet perfect together.
This is a highly recommended book from me! ...more
“Count Your Lucky Stars” by Alexandria Bellefleur is probably one of my most anticipated reads for 2022. It’s the conclusion to her ‘Written in the St“Count Your Lucky Stars” by Alexandria Bellefleur is probably one of my most anticipated reads for 2022. It’s the conclusion to her ‘Written in the Stars’ series and features a second chance romance, my favorite trope.
I’ve loved Margot Cooper since we were introduced to her in “Written in the Stars”. She’s funny and even though she’s kind of broody she really loves her friends and would do anything for them. She’s one of those characters that’s hard on the outside but a marshmallow inside. She’s not interested in a relationship despite both of her best friends coupling up. She’s in for a complete surprise when she runs into her childhood best friend and first love, Olivia Grant, while helping Brendon scope out wedding venues. Margot and Olivia haven’t seen or spoken to one another since high school. Olivia is the girl-next-door type of character that is just so sweet and will do anything for someone will she loves.
Margot and Olivia fit so well together and their chemistry was apparent from their first re-introduction. They really just get each other and are the perfect foil for the other. They were childhood best friends and had a week-long fling in their senior year of high school which neither one is completely over. Once they’re back in each other’s orbit, they quickly fall back into their friendship with old and new feelings in play.
I really loved the majority of this book! It’s steamy, cute, and hilarious. There were several scenes that had me laughing out loud and I love when that happens. Bellefleur brought back everyone including Elle and Darcy and Brendon and Annie and I enjoyed being able to catch up with everyone.
So, while I absolutely loved this, I do have two complaints that tainted my enjoyment overall. Miscommunication/lack of communication happens all over the place and the rushed ending. Margo is having an internal conflict about feeling like a 5th wheel in her friend group but she never says anything. There’s also lack of communication between Margot and Olivia that goes back to their high school relationship and follows them into their new relationship. There were several times that I wanted to yell “just talk” to everyone involved. There’s a black moment that happens and it’s so late that there’s almost no time for a real happy ending without the epilogue and that frustrated me. With it being the ending of the series, I was really hoping for a better ending of the book beyond the epilogue.
Despite those two issues, I still really loved this and highly recommend it. It’s truly funny and fun and is a terrific second chance rom-com. There is some light angst but nothing major. I will also say that this is really steamy so if that isn’t something you’re into you may want to give this a pass or plan on doing some skipping ahead.
I received an ARC from Avon and Harper Voyage via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
“Plain English” by Rachel Spangler is the third book in the ‘English’ series. I should start off by saying that I have not read the two previo 5 Stars
“Plain English” by Rachel Spangler is the third book in the ‘English’ series. I should start off by saying that I have not read the two previous books but I believe these can be read as standalone because I wasn’t missing out on anything except the backstory of some of the side characters here.
Claire Bailey is living above her art gallery trying to make a living as an artist when she meets Pip. Pip, otherwise known as Lady Phillipa Farne-Sacksley of Mulgrave, crash lands into the fence around Claire’s property while out on a scenic drive on her motorcycle. (This meet-cute was also probably one of my favorites I’ve read in a while.) The two have an immediate attraction and chemistry but both have reasons for ignoring said attraction and chemistry.
Claire and Pip are opposites in many ways and I really loved how those differences complemented each other when they were together. There’s a lot of fun and flirty dialogue that kept me smiling while reading. Claire is an artist and while I don’t know if she’s a poor artist, she does mention having to eat a lot of noodles for her meals. Pip, on the other hand, is an aristocrat and has a charmed life and money is no object for them.
This is one of those “oh we’re just gonna be together for a short amount of time but oops we developed feelings” and it was amusing to see just how quickly they developed those feelings. They were very firm about not being serious and then got quite serious almost from the very beginning. This also has a fairly slow build on the romance which I loved. Although they’re together for a short amount of time, it’s the quality of time that’s important. They talk and are open and honest and really get to know one another. So, though it’s only been six weeks, it feels like they’ve been together much longer.
I absolutely loved this book! It’s so well-written and I loved both of these characters so much that I was sad when this ended. I also want to mention that Pip comes out as non-binary and it figuring things out in the book. They start out with she/her pronouns and progress to they/them as the story involves. I loved to see their progression and it had my heart from the beginning.
I highly recommend this book and I’m looking forward to going back and reading the two previous books, especially as both of those couples show up here.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
*also my apologies to Rachel Spangler as this was supposed to be posted literal months ago. I'm so sorry!! ...more
“Beyond the Blue” by T.J. O’Shea was a lovely age-gap, toaster-oven romance that I enjoyed tremendously! I was really impressed that All of the stars!
“Beyond the Blue” by T.J. O’Shea was a lovely age-gap, toaster-oven romance that I enjoyed tremendously! I was really impressed that this was a debut novel, I don’t know if O’Shea has written other things but she definitely has talent when it comes to romance.
The characters were interesting and fun and had me right from the beginning. There’s a lot of humor and heart and there are parts that will tug on your heartstrings. Both main characters, Mei and Morgan, are dealing with issues that have an effect on their relationship and I loved how they grew separately and together to move on from those issues.
This is a romance where the romance is the star of the show, there’s not a mystery or exciting action going on. So, it’s always nice when the authors remember the main characters don’t live in a bubble and add more to the story to keep it interesting. Mei and Morgan’s family and friends were a benefit that added drama to the story in a way that felt natural.
I enjoyed this so much I was actually quite disappointed there wasn’t a back catalog of books from O’Shea to read. I hope we don’t have to wait too long for a follow up from her.
I received an ARC from Bella Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more
“The Raven and the Banshee” by Carolyn Elizabeth is a historical action/adventure pirate book featuring a second chance romance.
Pirate books are not “The Raven and the Banshee” by Carolyn Elizabeth is a historical action/adventure pirate book featuring a second chance romance.
Pirate books are not my first choice but when I saw that Elizabeth was writing one, I knew I had to read it. I’ve enjoyed the other two books I’ve read by her and assumed this one would be no different and I’m so glad I was right. This was really fun and gory and I just about read the whole thing in one sitting.
Branna Kelly and Julia Farrow have been life-long best friends. At 16, their relationship has progressed to more but is eventually ended by Julia. Fifteen years later they are reunited on the seas when Branna, now living life as a pirate captain, comes across Julia’s seemingly abandoned cargo ship.
One of my favorite things about this are the characters. Branna and Julia are both such interesting and different characters. This is set in the 1700’s so they’re busy breaking all kinds of barriers with Julia running her family’s trading company and Branna being the captain of a pirate ship. They’re opposites but have a lot in common as well. They’ve both dealt with a lot and are stronger women because of it. All of the side characters were just as fun and interesting to read too. They all have important roles and I loved how Elizabeth uses them instead of just being there to prop up the main characters.
There is plenty of action on the seas for all the action/adventure fans out there. This has a bit of a revenge plot with Branna hunting a certain pirate and Elizabeth does a fantastic job with all the details in describing the settings and the action that it’s very easy to imagine. There’s fighting and gore and if you love pirates doing piratey things, you’ll love this.
Also, there is a 5,000-word short story that was previously released that follows this. It’s available on Bella Books website and I recommend it just as a fun follow up to this terrific read.
I have my fingers crossed that we get more of Branna and Julia in the future!
I received an ARC from Bella Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
This is another book i had to read twice because I read it in March but didn’t get around to reviewing.
“The Roads Left Behind Us” by Kat Jackson is aThis is another book i had to read twice because I read it in March but didn’t get around to reviewing.
“The Roads Left Behind Us” by Kat Jackson is an age-gap romance set mainly on a college campus. This isn’t a student-teacher relationship but it is between a graduate teaching assistant and a professor, though not a professor she’s assisting.
Callie Lewes is 34 when she decides to go back to her alma mater to get a PhD. In her interview to become a teaching assistant she meets new faculty member, Kate Jory. Kate is 50 and very mysterious as she’s more private than the other English professors, who Callie already knows from her previous time at the school.
I absolutely loved this book! This a character driven book so it was all about the characters for me. I loved Callie and Kate and all the side characters that surround Callie. This is told from her point of view and by the end of the book she felt like a friend. Everyone felt real and imperfect and I just really enjoyed them. (Jackson has also revealed she’s writing Dr. Renee Lawler’s story and I can’t wait.)
However, I think my favorite thing about this was the writing. Jackson is gifted and knows how to bring a story to life, there were several instances where I would go back and reread a sentence just because I loved it so much.
There was one thing that I didn’t love and that was how mysterious Kate was. She’s a very private person and Callie (and the reader) doesn’t get a whole of insight into her. Things are either left unsaid or vague and when we do learn stuff, it’s not a lot. I still very much enjoyed her character but I would’ve liked to know more about her past and what led to her moving to New Hampshire.
I loved this and would highly recommend it to fans of character driven stories that are beautifully told.
I received an arc from Bella Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
I honestly loved this book so much! Which was awesome because it was one of my most anticipated releases this year.
“Mistakes Were Made” is called the I honestly loved this book so much! Which was awesome because it was one of my most anticipated releases this year.
“Mistakes Were Made” is called the MILF book on Twitter and it’s a very fitting title. This is the story of Cassie Klein and Erin Bennett who meet at a bar and have a casual one-night stand. It’s fine until the next morning when Cassie goes to breakfast with her best friend, Parker, only to realize they’re meeting Parker’s mom, Erin, the same Erin from the previous night.
I’ll be honest, this started off a little rocky and slow for me. I was worried I wasn’t going to like it because this starts with a literal bang and that’s just not my favorite. I also found Cassie hard to like at first. She comes across as very cocky and that’s my least favorite personality type. However, either Cassie’s personality changed a bit or something because after a while she really grew on me.
This is told from both main characters point of view so it was fun to see how they each reacted to the reveal of who they slept with. I really enjoyed the extra tension the “forbidden” aspect added to the tension and chemistry that was already between them. They have outstanding sexual chemistry and I loved the slow progression of their emotional connection.
I’ll also mention for all the smut lovers out there that you’ll probably really love this one. There is a ton of steam! I didn’t count how many sex scenes there were but I would guess around at least 8? If you blush easily in public while reading smut, I suggest reading this one at home.
This wasn’t the perfect book. There were some pacing issues that caused me to have to re-read a line or two. I also eventually had issues with both Erin and Cassie at times for continuing to keep their relationship a secret. But alas, it is a taboo relationship so it is what it is. It obviously wasn't enough to take away my five stars but I wanted to at least acknowledge them.
I enjoyed this so much and highly recommend it. Not only is it well written it’s just a lot of fun to read. I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
This was such an incredible book. The emotions and angst were next level and it just floored me.
This is a coming out story set in Louisiana and dealsThis was such an incredible book. The emotions and angst were next level and it just floored me.
This is a coming out story set in Louisiana and deals with accepting your queerness while also being religious. It really resonated with me as I was raised in a Christian church where I was told over and over that homosexuality is a sin that would send me straight to hell. This took me right back to being a teenager in a small town and dealing with my internalized homophobia.
This is also a book about best friends realizing their feelings for one another are not purely friendly. Most of the time this isn't an angsty time, just a surprising one. Here, it was devastating for Hannah and Baker to realize their feelings and it ends up not only affecting them but their friend group. I did like the different spin, even if it was such a painful reading experience lol.
This book was written in 2014 and while a lot has changed since then, so much is still the same for a lot of small towns here in the U.S. Unfortunately, for that reason, this really doesn't feel dated.
I don't know what else to say about it. I loved it and can't imagine reading anything else right now.
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