(3.5/5) I really loved the first one in this series - and I would definitely read the next book.. HOWEVER... for some reason, this one felt like it dr(3.5/5) I really loved the first one in this series - and I would definitely read the next book.. HOWEVER... for some reason, this one felt like it dragged a little bit.
The first book ended on a fantastic cliffhanger and if I average them out - the series is still pretty good! I think that because I know there's going to be another book coming - it just feels like there's a lot in the middle that I was trying to figure out but still haven't grasped the big picture yet. The adventurous part of this series is the best part- and I liken the writing style to another of my favorite historical fiction authors, Sherry Thomas - both have that long-term mystery vibe, and it's fun to read something longer than interconnected standalone novels.
Some other reasons I've been loving this series: -Mature women's romances - Not an immediate happy-ever-after ending - Real relationship issues - The side characters are making this story! (I love Teddy!!)
**Thank you to St.Martin's Press & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR ...more
Regency romances have been my jam lately - mostly because I'm rolling my eyes at contemporary actual humans I know and the ones in books... :| As the Regency romances have been my jam lately - mostly because I'm rolling my eyes at contemporary actual humans I know and the ones in books... :| As the second book I've read in this series, I'm really enjoying Howard's writing style!
To be completely fair to this work, I read this after coming off of a slump of 4 fairly atrociously written romances... so what I think of this story is most likely dampened by.. shall we say, less than pleasant reading experiences?
What I can say, however, is that I finished this one after that string of DNFs, and that felt like a win!! Not to mention that after reading I know I'll probably somewhat enjoy anything this author writes because her characters have so much depth!! Their motivations/growth are also heartwarming, and even when you're just in a *meh mood*, you still want to champion these characters' relationship!
(3.5/5 - Rounded up to a 4)
**Thank you to Forever & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR ...more
I usually love an enemies-to-lovers romance, but I'm immediately turned off when reading about a person with a fiance romantically noticing other peopI usually love an enemies-to-lovers romance, but I'm immediately turned off when reading about a person with a fiance romantically noticing other people.
I finished this one and immediately started to review it because I’m so glad I gave it a second chance. The first time I picked this up, I was in an aI finished this one and immediately started to review it because I’m so glad I gave it a second chance. The first time I picked this up, I was in an airport, and I actually put it down in favor of my physical read to take a technology break. As soon as I was on the go with work again.. This was exactly what I needed.
I’ve been feeling like I’m in a slump recently with romances and this is one of the few that I’ve read lately that made me smile!!
I usually do like sports romances - and I'd never read one with race drivers before so I was really into the fresh take! Also -- the idea of a hot Romanian is a new character style for me. I haven't read many romances with Eastern European zestiness, so I also loved that. I'm on the hunt for more European / non-British romances now!!
**Thank you to Forever & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR ...more
I’m not usually a big fan of time travel romances but this was admittedly very sweet/ cute. (And I knew I would like it because it's a marriage of conI’m not usually a big fan of time travel romances but this was admittedly very sweet/ cute. (And I knew I would like it because it's a marriage of convenience romance and those are my favorite!!)
A perfect brain candy read about a hockey player recovering from cancer, falling through time, and coming into love with a 19th-century maiden! If you’re busy folding laundry or catching up on work - This is a great pick!
**Thank you to Avon & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR ...more
I didn’t like the main character, Sloane.. and once that happens I feel like I just can’t come back from it ever. I DNFed this at about 20% because...
I didn’t like the main character, Sloane.. and once that happens I feel like I just can’t come back from it ever. I already have to give enough IRL people second chances.. book characters seem like too much work lol
After a few entitled statements , then quitting a job with no backup etc that my brain just was immediately repulsed by.
I’m sure there was some character growth - but I really loved August’s character and felt like he deserved a better heroine....more
(3.5/5 rounded up) - Unexpectedly really cute!! I think I knew I would like this as a brain candy read and that's exactly what it was. What I'm really(3.5/5 rounded up) - Unexpectedly really cute!! I think I knew I would like this as a brain candy read and that's exactly what it was. What I'm really hoping is that Donovan continues this series, but we get to see more of the organization Emily's boss is a part of that takes care of these slightly magical objects throughout the globe.
**Thank you to Berkley & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR ...more
Disability representation in romance novels is becoming increasingly commonplace, but I genuinely feel there should be more of these!!
Also - I'm biasDisability representation in romance novels is becoming increasingly commonplace, but I genuinely feel there should be more of these!!
Also - I'm biased regarding Mimi Matthews because I've always loved her books. However, one of the reasons I love her and the reason you'll love the fourth book in the Belles of London series is that her characters have SO much depth. Their relationships are unconventional but in a lovely, inspiring way.
- The first book in the series was The Siren of Sussex where the main couple was interracial during the Victorian Era. - The second book, which I haven't read yet, although I have a physical copy waiting for me - Is a marriage of convenience romance and I will 100% be reading that while at the beach in a few weeks!! - The third book in the series tackles overcoming serious self-doubt issues. **The Muse of Maiden Lane is the fourth book, and one of the characters was an artist in a wheelchair - not the gentry at all, and I loved their characters all the more for it!!
(4.3/5) - I'll pretty much read anything that Mimi Matthews writes and most likely fall in love with her characters!! The one thing I was thinking throughout all of this though is that the MMC was very young? 24 seems like a really young little lad lol But overall - I still really enjoyed the story!
**Thank you to Berkley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR ...more
Anytime we have a heroine in historical fiction who loves books—and tawdry reads at that—I'm pretty much destined to enjoy the story! In the case of NAnytime we have a heroine in historical fiction who loves books—and tawdry reads at that—I'm pretty much destined to enjoy the story! In the case of Ne'er Duke Well, there's something irresistible about a woman who loved spicy romance back in the day—mostly because I sometimes forget that this style of book has been around forever!!
As for Selina & Peter - there's something truly delectable about a relationship that starts off because one needs help from the other. It's innocent and absolutely something I could see happening! From movies like Made of Honor with Patrick Dempsey - where he realizes that he loves her only after he's about to lose her, etc - these are the stories I like to read whilst laying in a pile of chocolate wrappers, ya know? Nothing major on the line, and two utterly likable characters falling in love.
**I liked this so much that when I was majorly cleaning out my Kindle for storage purposes - I realized I had accidentally deleted it and had it sent to myself again. I'll probably end up re-reading this one!! ...more
3.5/5 (rounded up to a 4) - I laughed quite a bit while listening to this, and I love the sweetness of the ending. These were easy characters to get a3.5/5 (rounded up to a 4) - I laughed quite a bit while listening to this, and I love the sweetness of the ending. These were easy characters to get along with while on a long road trip!!...more
I don't understand what's happening with the romance publishing industry sometimes.. this feels like you told ChatGPT to write a book as if 'Emily HenI don't understand what's happening with the romance publishing industry sometimes.. this feels like you told ChatGPT to write a book as if 'Emily Henry and Hallmark had a baby'.
After both being dumped in particularly embarrassing/painful ways, these ex-high school best friends (who were almost something more) decide to make the world think they're dating... and really, their lives can only go up from where they're both at.
I DNFed this at around 30%. It had all the makings of something cute but I just had a hard time connecting with the characters. I'm not sure why but 'failing tea shop owner and a bored New York finance bro decide it's time to make their exes jealous - all while set in a lovely seaside town with a Bridgerton-esque tea shop as the backdrop' should've been much more cute than it felt the whole time.
(If I didn't read so many romances - I would probably have finished and loved this but I didn't realize it was a fake-dating romance and I REALLY loathe those.)...more
Explorations of grief are challenging - but I love books like this when I'm trying to be mentally calm.
Reasons I Loved It: - Mellors does a great job Explorations of grief are challenging - but I love books like this when I'm trying to be mentally calm.
Reasons I Loved It: - Mellors does a great job with character studies. I know exactly who our four main characters were at 10% of the way in. - The character growth? *phenomenal* - Sisterhood described, explained, wrenched from the universe? Unparalleled. I highlighted so many sections while reading, but I couldn't get enough.
My favorite quote of the whole book: 'True sisterhood...You don't chose each other, and there's no furtive period of getting to know the other. You're part of each other, right from the start.' - It's hard to explain this if you're not a woman with a sister.. but it's so true. I don't remember a single day without my sister in my life. Almost 3 decades of love wrapped in catfights, shared Polly Pockets, forced cuddles and ridiculous jokes all wrapped in one relationship that I couldn't explain better if I tried.
The Reason I Removed One Star: - I felt that the sections from 60-80% of the way through were sluggish and I wanted to quit. I'm glad I didn't, but something about that was just almost an overload of sadness and I desperately wanted it to get better. Thankfully it did but I can't handle THAT much sad.
*We leave for a road trip in 8 days and I'm excited but MUCH to do until then! Getting through my ARCs at record speed so be prepared to be peppered with reviews.
**Thank you Ballantine for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts are my own. - SLR...more
DNF'ed this at 40%. I really wanted to like this because so many people gave it great reviews, but both of the main characters were a bit annoying, ANDNF'ed this at 40%. I really wanted to like this because so many people gave it great reviews, but both of the main characters were a bit annoying, AND there's a little too much of EVERYTHING thrown into this suspenseful plot.
- Remote Greek estate setting near the sea - A newly married wealthy couple who now have money problems and like to invite others into their bed - A random couple that were shaping up to be con artists - A young lawyer who's best friends with the newlywed bride - WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO BE RECEIVING THREATENING 'I KNOW WHAT YOU DID' style emails *gasp*
The thrillers I like best have more nuanced development. Not a kitchen sink approach.
I really liked this series and I wanted to love this book but I spent way too much time eye-rolling the fact that after a whole series the main characI really liked this series and I wanted to love this book but I spent way too much time eye-rolling the fact that after a whole series the main character is still a reactive emotional hot mess. You know those character's that you just want to scream at for consistently making silly decisions... ?
That's our main girl Lor - and somehow everything still works out even though she never takes a calm moment in the entire book.
If you loved the TOG series - and you love Aelin's cool confidence.. you'll get what I mean. Other than that - this continues to be one of my favorite series because of it's darker themes and the world building. I do wish this had had a stronger finish - but overall I think it would be a good new adult series.
**Def not young adult.
**Thank you to Forever & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR ...more
This started slow for me, but by the end, I really loved it! Second-chance romance is one of my bread-and-butter favorites - and DeWitt is an auto-buyThis started slow for me, but by the end, I really loved it! Second-chance romance is one of my bread-and-butter favorites - and DeWitt is an auto-buy author for me!
I loved these character's growth and ability to work hard - and I loved the epilogue even more!
**Thank you to St.Martin's Press & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR ...more
I really didn't know I was going to like this as much as I did. It was heart-wrenching at times, to the point that I had to skip through some pages beI really didn't know I was going to like this as much as I did. It was heart-wrenching at times, to the point that I had to skip through some pages because I knew they were going to be too agonizing for me to read. Check content warnings - but this is truly a great book!
It's one of those books that make you want to hug a character and never let go!! Lenny is a deeply traumatized woman living a shallow existence trying to get by.. and the ending is something I didn't see coming, but when I did, I felt an extreme sense of justice. A great all-around read to remind us to be compassionate to one another. You just never know what people are going through.
Content Warnings: Child Abus3, Trauma Repsonses, Suicid3 attempts etc.
**Thank you to St.Martin's Press & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR ...more
I was not expeccting to lov this so much but I suppose I shouldn't be surprised after reading Soto's other work - 'Forget Me Not'!! 'Not Another Love I was not expeccting to lov this so much but I suppose I shouldn't be surprised after reading Soto's other work - 'Forget Me Not'!! 'Not Another Love Song' is a great look into a style of romance I haven't read before!
With rockstars and professional musicians - I had no idea there was so much ugliness and pettiness.. but in reality, it makes sense that any time there's a talent to be exploited, it would be!! I wasn't expecting to receive an ARC of this, but when I did, I just had a feeling I would love it. Having finished it while sitting in an airport - I quite literally had to contain the lil-fist-bumps-of-joy dance that I always do when I get to the end of a particularly good romance!
I really wanted to like this, but I DNFed at 20%. I'm just not a stay-at-home/part-time mom going through a divorce, etc.. and I felt like I couldn't I really wanted to like this, but I DNFed at 20%. I'm just not a stay-at-home/part-time mom going through a divorce, etc.. and I felt like I couldn't really connect to the main character at all other than my obsessive need to organize. And the talking to her dead mom thing.. a little strange and felt kitschy.
I just need this book to pull me out of a contemporary romance slump. I haven't liked very many of them I've read recently....more
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