NetGalley Review: Once More with Feeling by Elissa Sussman

June 3, 2023

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Summary of book:

This is the story of Kathleen Rosenburg (Katee Rose) and Cal Kirby, who were previously involved in a scandal that resulted in the destruction of her career. Now, Katee has left her pop star image behind and is living an ordinary life as Kathleen Rosenberg. However, Cal reappears in her life with an opportunity to star in a Broadway show he’s directing written by her best friend specifically for her.

As the story unfolds, Kathleen is torn between her desire to pursue her dreams of performing and her apprehension about working with Cal again. Both characters blame each other for their past, creating a tense and ego-driven atmosphere during rehearsals. Despite their reservations, Kathleen and Cal find themselves drawn to each other once again, unable to deny the chemistry between them.

The story’s central question revolves around whether it’s a good idea for Kathleen to rekindle her relationship with Cal, considering their history of being burned by their past choices. This theme explores the complexities of second chances, forgiveness, and the risks involved in pursuing one’s passions.

The story blends elements of romance, drama, and the entertainment industry, delving into the challenges and pressures faced by celebrities. It also explores themes of personal growth, self-discovery, and the pursuit of happiness.

General Review:

I take handwritten notes for my Netgalley reviews, but this book literally has two lines in my notebook. I was so into Sussman’s book that I stopped thinking in terms of a review and just fell into this story. I stayed up until I was finished because I loved these characters so much and the story had so many of my favorite tropes and plot points. I enjoyed the Then/Now structure which gives what happened then tension to the story. Enemies to Lovers and Second Chance romance tropes are done so well here. The anger Kathleen has for a system that punishes her for her choices is so relatable and her anger at Cal for not stepping up for her drives the story in a way that is relatable and believable.

Characters:

Loved the fleshed-out main characters and unlike so many other stories found the secondary characters multi-dimensional and realistic. Harriet’s wrestling with the baggage of her friend and the man who holds her musical’s success in his hands was well done and totally human.

Tropes and Triggers:

Friends to lovers to enemies to lovers, Second Chances / Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Eating disorder

Quotes:

“His mouth found my throat and I found myself thanking whatever lovers he’d had between then and now, because this? This wasn’t a boy unsure of himself.”

“I just wanted you to know. That I love you. Harriet thinks I have been in love with you since we were kids and I think she’s right.”

Stars:

Author ARC Review: Keep Me by Summer O’Toole

May 31, 2023

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Summary of book:

Regenia Cortez worked hard to leave her father’s cartel connections behind. However, fate had other plans for her. As bodies start turning up with connections to her father’s criminal activities, Reggie finds herself pulled back into the treacherous and sinister world she had tried so hard to escape.

Uncertain of whom she can trust, Reggie has to deal with Roan Fox. Roan hired by her father to ensure her safety, has Reggie on edge. The lines between allies and enemies blur, and she struggles to discern his true intentions.

Forced into each other’s lives, Reggie and Roan soon find themselves entangled in a web of deception and danger that runs deep. They realize that the situation is much more complex and far-reaching than they had initially believed.

As tensions rise and the stakes grow higher, Reggie and Roan give in to the pull they have toward each other, even as their own personal demons threaten to tear them apart. Their circumstances make it difficult for them to trust each other fully.

Yet, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, one thing remains constant—Roan’s unwavering determination to keep Reggie safe. He will stop at nothing to protect her, even if it means confronting his own troubled past.

In their fight for survival and justice, Reggie and Roan are pushed to their limits. But their shared strength and resilience allow them to overcome the darkness that threatens to consume them. With their lives hanging in the balance, they are determined to find the truth, protect each other, and finally break free from the suffocating grip of the past.

General Review:

I know this book has all kinds of warnings, but Summer O’Toole means them when she lists them. So before I say anything else about his book make sure you read the TWs/CWs and pay attention.

I have repeatedly talked about tropes and/or themes that I generally do not like except when a singular author writes them. Super dark and degradation are included on this list. Summer O’Toole’s Fox Family Syndicate Series is my exception. This third installment in the series is so very good. I think the key for me is that O’Toole writes a dark romance with an interesting and compelling mystery. I want to know about the bodies. I want to know who The Warden is. And creating a story that expands beyond the DR in a way that is equally interesting makes this story (and series) a favorite.

Additionally, I was not sold on the idea of incorporating a playlist into the actual book. But it is done in a way that works and adds to instead of distracting from the story.

Finally (and maybe this is not fair), Roan not being Finn cost it a star. Finn4Eva! 😊

Characters:

Roan Fox is not a cinnamon roll or even an alphahole. The term I have been using is that he a burnt marshmallow. Crispy and hard on the outside with a soft gooey inside that can still burn you. Reggie Cortez is tough and smart and wary. And mostly the secondary characters are just that. Interesting but not distracting.

Tropes and Triggers: From the author’s page: Dead bodies, Parental Loss, PTSD, Night terrors, Mentions of off-page suicide, Pregnancy (not between main characters), Off-page death of a pregnant woman, Parental neglect/abuse, Near death experience, Mentions of off-page alcohol abuse, Smoking, Physical abuse, Graphic violence/murder against women, Allusions to rape, Human trafficking, Bombs/Explosives, Guns, Graphic consensual sex, Mutual masturbation, Gunplay, Breath play, CNC

Quotes:

“So no, Cortez, I don’t want to touch you – I want to fuck you, own you, ruin you.”

Show spoiler

“Wake up, please I need you. If you wake up for me I swear I’ll fucking marry you. I’ll take you skydiving. I’ll love you with every breath I breathe, every second of my life. Please just come back to me –”

“I’ll always be your monster, you only have to be my light.”

“Little Menace.”

Stars:

Thanks to Summer O’Toole for the ARC review opportunity.

Netgalley Review: The Book Proposal by K.J. Micciche

April 18, 2023

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Summary of book: Gracie Landing, a romance writer, is going through a difficult time with a recent breakup and writer’s block. To cheer herself up, she turns to alcohol and ends up emailing her high-school crush, Colin Yarmouth. To her surprise, Colin responds with a friendly and flirty message, sparking an unlikely friendship between the two. As they get to know each other, Gracie becomes inspired by Colin’s own experiences with heartbreak and with his encouragement incorporates his story into her work-in-progress. However, she has no idea that borrowing Colin’s story could have negative consequences on her life, career, and chances at finding love. How this impacts Gracie’s relationship with Colin and how her use of his story affects her writing and personal life is the crux of the story. Will she be able to navigate these challenges and find happiness, or will her actions lead to further complications?

General Review: For me, this book would have been better if there had been more of our couple and less of the secondary plots and characters. In the beginning I really didn’t like Gracie and I think that in trying to make her relatable Micciche made her a TMI mess. As the story progresses and you get less of that and more insight into her career development and Colin’s family life the better the story gets. I also wish there had been more focus on developing their relationship before they were lovers. As the story progresses you begin to root for them more and more and I really liked the third act resolution was not immediate.

Characters: Everyone is a hot mess. Gracie grows on you as the focus is less on her TMI screw ups and more on the character flaws. Colin is pitiable and pretty much from the start you want him to walk away from his friends and family. Which leads me to my biggest complaint about this book. I hated all the secondary characters. Not in the good way but in the “I wanted to skip over pages that included Dom and Colin’s Dad and the rest” kind of way.

Plot: I liked the plot of the story, struggling writer finds story with her childhood crush and it leads to romance and chaos. Literary plots are a favorite of mine, but I would have liked more of this and less flashbacks and softball.

Tropes and Triggers: Second chance (sort of), Divorce, cheating (not MCs), bullying, emetophobia warning

Quotes:
“He laughs. ‘You’re ridiculous.’
‘You love it,’ I say.
‘I just might,’ he says.”

“All I’m trying to say is that I really care about you, Gracie. I feel like I screwed up the chance to get to know you in high school, and I don’t want to screw it up now.”
“That’s the thing, Gracie.” He looks deep into my eyes. I’m hoping it never ends.”

Stars:

Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC review opportunity.

Review: Fake it Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

March 7, 2023March 7, 2023

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This book, a library loan, was a slow start that never really clicked for me. The characters were OK, the story was OK, but nothing was standout.
Perhaps it is unfair to judge anything after finishing Bohemian, my year to date favorite read.

Series: Sugar Blitz

CW: cyber-bullying, blackmail, strained parent-child relationship

Jamie Wesley

Review: Bohemian by Kathryn Nolan

March 6, 2023March 6, 2023

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Summary: When Calvin Ellis’ life of routine and structure is overturned with the death of his grandfather and his inheritance of a beloved yet troubled bookstore in Big Sur, California. A bookstore once famous for its literary gatherings and rebellious tendencies is now in danger of closing its doors.
When Lucia Bell shows up to a photo shoot at a bookshop located in the middle of nowhere, her glossy lifestyle as a supermodel is abruptly brought into sharp focus. She unexpectedly finds herself captivated by the mild-mannered, geeky proprietor. Calvin and Lucia explore their innermost hopes and dreams when a storm traps her in Big Sur for a few extra days. When the storm finally dies down, they face a moment of truth; the path ahead will involve making a choice, but the answer is uncertain as to whether their future will involve one another.

Review: This book is my favorite read of 2023 so far. Nerdy, awkward, book-loving Calvin (with a strong hot alpha hidden away) pairs with his opposite, Lucia, who is a secret poet. I loved the setting. Book lovers and publishing plots are my kryptonite; this one has books, poetry, and flirting using both.

Characters: I have read many reviews that think these main characters are unrealistic. For me, that was part of their charm. If I wanted realism in my reading, I would focus on non-fiction. A book-loving computer nerd who comes to terms with his sexual kinks, swoon. A supermodel who really was a pawn of her family and always wanted to be a poet, swoon. Add into this secondary characters who have me running to follow up books (I see you, Gabe and Nia) is why Kathryn Nolan is on my list of authors to complete their whole bibliography this year.

Tropes and Triggers: Forced Proximity, Opposites Attract, Soft Dom; BDSM, Explicit Sex, Death of a loved one, and grief

Plot: I loved the Central CA location, which allowed for a wild small-town feel, exactly what this story needed. The plot of scholarly vs. Hollywood worked in this location because of the inclusion of the infamous bookstore and its literary glamour vs. the modeling photo shoot and its Hollywood glamour. The whole plot of this book is the juxtaposition between things, scholarly vs. glitzy, introvert vs. extrovert, dom vs. sub, etc. And KN worked it supremely well.

Quotes:
“But the stars were bold and big, and the ocean was roaring against the shore, and I felt, so clearly, the rightness of the universe.”

“This bookstore—Calvin’s bookstore—was like something out of my wildest dreams. When I was little, before modeling became my life, all I wanted was for my parents to drop me off at a bookstore like this one, where I could lose myself in words for hours.”

“You bring joy and love to my life. I love your supposed imperfections. I should have told you I believe in you, and I want you to do the same. I should have told you that you have so much to offer to the world, and I want a front row seat to your continued blossoming.”

Stars: This book broke my star rating system. 5-stars are not enough.

Review: The Right Man by Michelle Mankin

March 5, 2023March 6, 2023

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These last few books have me rethinking my opinions on tropes. I have not really enjoyed rockstar romances, but I am a sucker for a Pretty Woman retelling. My one major issue was that Jewel deserved a better grovel.
#BigMistakeBigHuge #SuperShortReviews #FebruaryReads

Series: Once Upon a Rockstar

CW: Prostitution, Multiple Partners (Opening Scene); Death of a Parent; Grief;

Michelle Mankin