Category: Book List 2023

Book List 2023 · Reviews

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano

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Title: Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice
Author: Elle Cosimano
Series: Finlay Donovan
Source: Netgalley. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: Mystery, Thriller.
Trigger Warnings: Violence, death, wouldn’t say too graphic but take care of yourself.
Explicit? Low level spice.
Summary: Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero are in sore need of a girls’ weekend away. They plan a trip to Atlantic City, but odds are―seeing as it’s actually a cover story to negotiate a deal with a dangerous loan shark, save Vero’s childhood crush Javi, and hunt down a stolen car―it won’t be all fun and games. When Finlay’s ex-husband Steven and her mother insist on tagging along too, Finlay and Vero suddenly have a few too many meddlesome passengers along for the ride.

Within hours of arriving in their seedy casino hotel, it becomes clear their rescue mission is going to be a bust. Javi’s kidnapper, Marco, refuses to negotiate, demanding payment in full in exchange for Javi’s life. But that’s not all―he insists on knowing the whereabouts of his missing nephew, Ike, who mysteriously disappeared. Unable to confess what really happened to Ike, Finlay and Vero are forced to come up with a new plan: sleuth out the location of Javi and the Aston Martin, then steal them both back.

But when they sneak into the loan shark’s suite to search for clues, they find more than they bargained for―Marco’s already dead. They don’t have a clue who murdered him, only that they themselves have a very convincing motive. Then four members of the police department unexpectedly show up in town, also looking for Ike―and after Finlay’s night with hot cop Nick at the police academy, he’s a little too eager to keep her close to his side.

If Finlay can juggle a jealous ex-husband, two precocious kids, her mother’s marital issues, a decomposing loan shark, and find Vero’s missing boyfriend, she might get out of Atlantic City in one piece. But will she fold under the pressure and come clean about the things she’s done, or be forced to double down?

Continue reading “Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano” →
Book List 2023 · Reviews

The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong

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Title: The Boy Who Cried Bear
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Haven’s Rock
Source: Netgalley. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: Murder Mystery.
Trigger Warnings: Kidnapping, child endangerment.
Explicit? Not explicit, but gruesome.
Summary: Haven’s Rock is a well-hidden town surrounded by forest. And it’s supposed to be, being that it’s a refuge for those who need to disappear. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton already feel at home in their new town, which reminds them of where they first met in Rockton. And while they know how to navigate the woods and its various dangers, other residents don’t. Which is why people aren’t allowed to wander off alone.

When Max, the town’s youngest resident—taught to track animals by Eric—fears a bear is stalking a hiking party, alarms are raised. Even stranger, the ten-year-old swears the bear had human eyes. Casey and Eric know the dangers a bear can present, so they’re taking it seriously. But odd occurrences are happening all around them, and when a dead body turns up, they’re not sure what they’re up

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Review: Water Under the Bridge
Book List 2023 · Reviews

Review: Water Under the Bridge

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Water Under the Bridge
Series: Perks and Benefits
Authors: Kels Stone, Denise Stone
Genre: Romance
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Books in Series: 4 as of April 2024
Spicy Levels: Fair to High
Tropes: Enemies-to-Lovers, Workplace Romance, Grumpy x Sunshine
Pacing: Fast
Summary:
Avery Soko, a bright-eyed and ambitious do-gooder, is on the cusp of getting her dream fundraising job at the Oceanic Research Organization. Luca Navarro, a former corporate lawyer with an extravagant tie collection and an irritatingly handsome smirk, holds Avery’s future in his very large hands. When he calls with the news of her rejection, Luca seems to revel in crushing her dreams.

But Avery will do anything to pursue her passion, even accept a job at a struggling start-up. Her spell of bad luck finally changes when a competition is announced at a grandiose gala that could save her and her new team from going under. Of course, Avery’s least favorite person, Luca, also joins the running for the multimillion-dollar prize.

At the height of the competition, Avery and Luca realize they’ve met their match. Will the tense moments, absurd attempts to out-do each other, and the string of games and bets they’ve concocted turn into a series of failures, or will it make them into something more than adversaries.

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Book List 2023 · Reviews

Hedging Your Bets by Jayne Denker

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Title: Hedging Your Bets
Author: Jayne Denker
Source: Netgalley. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: Romance, Enemies-to-Lovers.
Trigger Warnings: Fatphobia, Divorce, Toxic Relationships and Body Shaming.
Explicit? No, this is a closed door romance.
Summary: Opposites attract in this enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy of feuding neighbors and dueling hearts from Jayne Denker, the author of The Rom-Com Agenda.

When small-town neighbors go head-to-head, better start Hedging Your Bets .

Gillian has been happily divorced for several years and, after trying a few dating apps, prefers to stay that way. Navigating her way through dates with fat shamers and lackluster men has left her with no desire to do anything other than work in her garden in her spare time. Who needs rude comments and awkward first-date conversation when soft roses and vibrant tulips are so much better?

Noah West has just moved to Willow Cove. After a rough breakup that leaves him looking to get far away, he relocates to the same small town he spent summers in as a teen―and moves right next door to Gillian. A big believer in minimalist design and that the best kind of plants are non-flowering, he knows as soon as he meets his neighbor that they are going to clash on just about everything. Now if only he could keep his eyes off her too. That might be helpful.

When a gardening contest brings out the competition in Gillian and Noah, dueling plant arrangements and fiery banter ensues. But is it possible that beneath all their differences, they might just be perfect for each other?

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Book List 2023 · Reviews

Review: The Worst Darcy by Robyn Gynne

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Title: The Worst Darcy
Author: Robyn Gynne
Source: Netgalley. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: Romance.
Trigger Warnings: Low self-worth/esteem, parental neglect/abuse. Further content warnings found on the author’s website here.
Spicy? It is.
Summary:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Brodie Bishop is the worst.

Vivian Trent is desperate. Her family doesn’t approve of her life as a single mom and the small town of Austen still won’t accept her as one of their own four years later. Playing Elizabeth Bennet at the annual Jane Austen Festival is the perfect way to win over the locals and prove that she’s thriving. But when Austen’s favourite festival hero is replaced by his tattooed, metalhead brother, how is she supposed to achieve perfection with such a bad boy playing Mr. Darcy? He’s never read the book. He’s brash and unpolished. He’s… blond?!

You must allow me to tell you how ardently I dislike you.

Brodie’s used to being the town disappointment, so when Vivian turns her nose up at him, he’s not surprised. Hot librarian or not, she’s way too uptight. But once the festival gets underway, they see new sides of each other. When he finds out her dark secret, suddenly she’s much more endearing. She’s vulnerable, but strong. And the way she looks in that gown only blurs the lines between playing the part and falling for her for real.

But when her goal is within reach, can Vivian go off-book and choose Brodie, if it means risking everything she thought she wanted?

Read more: Review: The Worst Darcy by Robyn Gynne

Brodie is not the worst. Brodie is my new book boyfriend, I love him, his angst, his tattoos, his piercings and his love for his heavy metal bandmates. I adore him. Seriously. Fell in love from the first word about him.

He is my type.

So is Vivian.

A librarian obsessed with Austin who wants to consider herself Lizzy? Yes please. Though the people pleasing? I’ve kind of gotten over that part.

This book was so good, I don’t even fully have the words to explain how much I loved it, and how glad I was to get an ARC of iit. I’ve been ruminating about it for weeks, re-reading some of my favourite parts and saving up to buy my very own copy. I’ve recommended it at the two libraries I belong to, and to a complete stranger in Chapters who was dawdling in front of a different book I was there to pick up in the romance section (sadly a present for someone else.)

I love Pride and Prejudice, it is one of the stories I consider to be almost perfect. (Nothing is ever completely perfect).

This book? Also almost perfect, absolutely just what I needed to read in the moment I read it, and I found myself hugging it to my chest.

This book has angst, romance, family, found family, just everything. This author is one who I will keep my eye on for future releases, and not just because she’s Canadian.

Book List 2023 · Reviews

Fun Lessons by Leanne Treese

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Title: Fun Lessons
Author: Leanne Treese
Source: Netgalley. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Spice Level? Not a ton but lots of cotton candy
Summary: Rebecca Chapman, a singer passionate about her craft, has never felt appreciated by her uber-professional family. When she’s selected to try out for a new reality singing show, it’s her chance to prove she can make it in the music world. All she has to do is get chosen by the network. Problem is, she needs to play an instrument for the audition in two months. And she can’t play a thing.

Amazingly, the solution seems to lie with Ian Ledger, the ultra-annoying co-worker she’s been at odds with since day one. Turns out Ian’s a skilled guitar player. He’s willing to teach her, but there’s a catch. He wants to win back his girlfriend at his sister’s wedding. And he wants Rebecca to help him.

Seems like a perfect solution. She gets the music lessons needed to secure her spot on the show; he wins back the girl destined to be his bride. Easy peasy. Except, during the series of ridiculous “fun” lessons and hours of arduous music practice, Rebecca’s feelings for Ian shift.

As the wedding nears, Rebecca doesn’t want Ian to succeed in his quest for love. But a deal is a deal. They both have dreams to chase. And a dream come true is everything.

Isn’t it?

Continue reading “Fun Lessons by Leanne Treese” →
Book List 2023 · Reviews

You & I, Rewritten by Chip Pons

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Title: You & I, Rewritten
Author: Chip Pons
Source: Kindle
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Trigger Warnings: Parental Abuse, Parental Death, Alcoholism.
Explicit? Yes.
Summary: Not to jinx it or anything, but the stars seem to finally be aligning for Will Cowen. After accepting a dream promotion at one of New York City’s most renowned publishing houses and moving in with his oldest friend, he’s ready to dive headfirst into this new chapter and take the literary world by storm – that is, until he crosses paths with Graham Austin.

No matter how hard he tries, he can’t help but put the wrong foot forward in front of the all-business and inconveniently gorgeous heir to the publishing empire.

So, when a heartbreakingly beautiful manuscript lands on his desk, Will seizes the opportunity for a win. Could this prized new author be his big break or, his downfall?

Will’s confidence and hope for his professional future is obliterated when the author ghosts him at an important publishing event. Fueled by insecurity and an open bar, he finds himself in need of comfort, which comes from the least likely person, the normally cold and distant Graham. This small glimpse behind Graham’s icy exterior is the spark that sweeps these two up in an epic and unforeseen romance.

As his author’s manuscript begins to take shape, the words that initially brought them together become more and more tangled, making it painfully obvious to Will that despite your best efforts, there is truly no hiding from the past.

But can it be rewritten?

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Book List 2023 · Reviews

A Little too Late by Sarina Bowen

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Title: A Little Too Late
Author: Sarina Bowen
Source: Kindle
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Trigger Warnings: Miscarriage, Parental Death, Alcoholism
Explicit? Yep.
Summary: How to behave when the guy who broke your heart two thousand miles away turns up in your office:

One: Don’t drop your lucky coffee cup in shock, even though it’s been ten years.

Two: Don’t get defensive when he asks how you ended up working his family’s ski mountain… and why you kept it a secret.

Three: Give him the worst room in the resort. He deserves it for suddenly waltzing back in like he owns the place. (Which he kind of does.)

Four, five, six, seven, eight and nine: Do not kiss him in the hot tub.

Ten: Try to keep your heart intact after you break all of your rules.

Because Reed is leaving again. Hate can’t turn back into love. And it’s a little too late…

Continue reading “A Little too Late by Sarina Bowen” →
Book List 2023 · Reviews

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

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Title: Boyfriend Material
Author: Alexis Hall
Source: My shelves.
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Trope: Fake Dating, Found family
Trigger Warnings: Parental abandonment, homophobia and verbal abuse.
Explicit? Yep
Summary: Wanted:
One (fake) boyfriend
Practically perfect in every way

Luc O’Donnell is tangentially–and reluctantly–famous. His rock star parents split when he was young, and the father he’s never met spent the next twenty years cruising in and out of rehab. Now that his dad’s making a comeback, Luc’s back in the public eye, and one compromising photo is enough to ruin everything.

To clean up his image, Luc has to find a nice, normal relationship…and Oliver Blackwood is as nice and normal as they come. He’s a barrister, an ethical vegetarian, and he’s never inspired a moment of scandal in his life. In other words: perfect boyfriend material. Unfortunately apart from being gay, single, and really, really in need of a date for a big event, Luc and Oliver have nothing in common. So they strike a deal to be publicity-friendly (fake) boyfriends until the dust has settled. Then they can go their separate ways and pretend it never happened.

But the thing about fake-dating is that it can feel a lot like real-dating. And that’s when you get used to someone. Start falling for them. Don’t ever want to let them go.

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Book List 2023 · Reviews

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

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Title: Red, White and Royal Blue
Author: Casey McQuiston
Source: My own shelf.
Genre: Contemporary Romance.
Tropes: Enemies to lovers, secret relationship.
Trigger Warnings: Internalized homophobia, forced outing.
Explicit? Yes, yes it is.
Summary: First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations.

The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Alex is busy enough handling his mother’s bloodthirsty opponents and his own political ambitions without an uptight royal slowing him down. But beneath Henry’s Prince Charming veneer, there’s a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him.

As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. And Henry throws everything into question for Alex, an impulsive, charming guy who thought he knew everything: What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?

Continue reading “Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston” →