Contemporary & Fluffy Romance

 

  As a fan of Elle Kennedy’s hockey romances, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on "The Mistake," the second book in the series. After giving the first book a natural 5-star rating, I had high expectations, and while it wasn’t perfect, it definitely delivered an enjoyable read.  Plot Overview John Logan, one of the campus’s hockey stars, isn’t living the dream. Instead of basking in glory, he’s struggling with unrequited feelings for his best friend’s girlfriend. To escape this emotional turmoil, Logan dives into partying, alcohol, and casual flings. One night, while on his way to another party, he stumbles upon Grace, a quiet, pretty girl who prefers a cozy movie night over wild parties. What starts as an impromptu movie date ends in disappointment, but it leaves Logan thinking about his choices. Grace, the quintessential good girl next door, always follows her father’s rules. She’s a diligent student, but she’s ready to break out of her shell and start living for herself, not...

My Review   The Deal is a delightful dive into the world of college romance, blending humour, heart, and a touch of hockey in a way that keeps you hooked from start to finish. From the moment I picked up this book, I was captivated by the characters, their chemistry, and the well-crafted story that had me laughing, swooning, and cheering for more. The story centres around Hannah Wells, a smart and confident woman dealing with past traumas that make sex and seduction a complicated territory. Her solution to get noticed by her secret crush? She enlists the help of Garrett Graham , the annoyingly charming captain of the hockey team. Garrett, desperate to boost his slipping GPA to secure his professional hockey dreams, agrees to a fake date arrangement with Hannah in exchange for tutoring. What starts as a mutually beneficial deal quickly spirals into an unexpected friendship and a sizzling connection neither of them anticipated. Garrett Graham is your typical college heartthrob, ...

When I picked up this book, I did so with a fair amount of skepticism. The book had been hyped up to the heavens, and I couldn't help but wonder if it would live up to its lofty reputation. Emotional impact was the buzzword surrounding this novel, and while it's not my usual genre, I can't resist a good tearjerker when I'm in the mood. Initially, my doubts seemed justified. The story started off with an almost sickening sweetness—think sugar-coated fluff with extra sprinkles. However, that initial saccharine facade quickly gave way to a narrative that grabbed my heart and refused to let go. It wasn't long before the emotional freight train hit me, and I was utterly lost in the world Cole had crafted. The intensity of the emotions was palpable, and despite my initial misgivings, I found myself deeply invested. The emotional damage this book inflicted was real, and I say that with a strange sense of appreciation. The story was magical, drawing me into its sad and weep...

Blurb Seventeen-year-old Noah Morgan loves her quiet, normal life in Toronto. But when her mother returns from a cruise unexpectedly married to a billionaire and announces they are moving to L.A., Noah is suddenly shoved out of her comfort zone and into a glittering world of illegal street races, lavish pool parties, and spoiled rich kids. And her new stepbrother Nicholas is the most spoiled of them all. Arrogant, aloof, and viciously attractive, Nick is everything she hates, especially when she learns his bad boy persona isn't just a façade. She's spent her life running from danger, and Nick is danger incarnate. Yet neither of them can prevent the powerful attraction that flares between them--enough to turn their worlds upside-down and tempt them beyond all reason. But Noah's past may be even more dangerous than their forbidden romance. And if he wants her, Nick will have to decide if he's willing to risk everything . Tropes/ Triggers Contemporary teen romance, Forbidd...

 

  My Review  In "It Starts with Us," Atlas and Lily try to rekindle the love they felt for each other as teenagers, now dealing with the complexities of their adult lives. This sequel picks up right after "It Ends with Us" and explores life after divorce and domestic abuse. While this book is a lighter read than its predecessor, this difference actually bothered me. It lacked the spice, passion, and drama that made the first book so captivating. Honestly, the entire story could have been condensed into a few extra chapters at the end of "It Ends with Us." The rekindling of Atlas and Lily's relationship and the soft storyline felt drawn out and never-ending. I had high expectations for this book, but it didn’t deliver. Atlas, who seemed like an interesting character in the first book, came across as a bland lovesick puppy. His perspective needed more dynamic characters around him to be engaging. The introduction of the "little crouton thief" f...

My Review  "It Ends with Us" is an exceptional piece of contemporary romance that captivated me from start to finish. My relationship with Hoover's work has always been mixed, with some books falling flat and others striking a chord. This novel, however, is a standout—it absolutely stole my heart. What sets this book apart is its refusal to fall into repetitive romantic clichés. Instead of a predictable love story, Hoover delves into challenging themes like domestic abuse and abandonment. The powerful and impactful message within the book is both unexpected and deeply moving. By addressing these tough issues, Hoover sheds light on the grey areas of human experience, emphasizing that life is rarely black and white. Her portrayal of these themes is both heart-wrenching and enlightening, leaving a lasting impact on the reader. At the center of this novel is Lily Bloom, whose strength and resilience are truly inspiring. The story is told entirely from her perspective, allowin...

 

 

 

Blurb Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. Every move counts nowadays; after the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory's focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious " Kingkiller" Nolan Sawyer : current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of chess. Nolan's loss to an unknown rook-ie shocks everyone. What's even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory's victory opens the door to sorely needed cash-prizes and despite everything, she can't help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist.... As she rockets up the ranks, Mallory struggles to keep her family safely separated from the game that wrecked it in the first place. And as her love for the sport s...

Blurb Misery Lark , the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast - again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold an historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange - again . . .

Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It's clear from the way he tracks Misery's every movement that he doesn't trust her. If only he knew how right he was . . .

Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she's ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what'...