I have no idea who Lindsay Ellis is, so I picked this up solely based on the blurb. I have a definite soft spot for first contact stories, especially ones where the humans involved are not, well, exactly who you’d pick to represent humanity. “Truth is not freely given in our society; it must be taken. Where walls are built, tear them down. Where borders are drawn, erase the line. Where you see wax, break the seal. Truth is a human right.” It’s 2007, and amidst a flurry of revelations that the American government has been holding aliens captive forRead the Post
Review: Something About You – Reese Ryan
There’s something wonderfully relaxing reading about mature adults. It’s not that they don’t have problems, but the problems are different than that of new adults and they tend to have more experience of how to handle them. The characters are each secure in who they are and what they want in life – at least until they meet. This novella is an amazing example of all of that! Lita’s looking forward to seeing her daughter Meeka, who’s just finishing up the spring semester at college. So even if a particularly hot man is flirting with her, she’s eager to talkRead the Post
Review: Her Pretend Christmas Date – Jackie Lau
I love Jackie Lau’s books, especially her Christmas ones. And it’d be hard to beat this one, with its hilarious first-date-gone-wrong, opposites attract, fake dating, just-one-bed tropes – plus a dash of zany family antics, including a surprise gingerbread house competition. I had a big smile on my face the whole time reading this. “And now you’re faking a relationship and inviting him home for Christmas.” Bridget giggled. “It’s perfect. You’re so going to fall in love.” “The man wears paisley ties to first dates at taco restaurants, Bridget. Paisley ties.” In the last Cider Bar Sisters book, Charlotte gotRead the Post
Review: Get It Right – Skye Kilaen
Content warnings: I have my issues with illustrated covers, but when I saw this cover on Twitter I just about melted. And it was absolutely perfect for this book and for Vivi and Finn. This was my first book by this author but will definitely not be my last! “Maybe there would never be a right time for them. Maybe the way they’d started was the way they’d go on, coming in and out of each other’s lives only when all signs pointed to not now and not like this.” I tend to avoid books with ex-cons, just because theyRead the Post
Review: Bitterburn – Ann Aguirre
Content warnings: Hello, my name is Lauren and I am a complete softie for monster boyfriends. I’m going to blame the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast which came out during a pivotal point of my childhood, and I’ve devoured as many BATB retellings as I can find ever since. I adored this one – lushly gothic and the perfect mix of monster and cinnamon roll softie. It’s an absolute treasure trove of some of my favorite tropes. “You’ve remarkable brass to scold the monster lurking in the dark.” “If you’re a monster, I’m a dragon,” I mutter. Amarrah’sRead the Post
Review: His Grumpy Childhood Friend – Jackie Lau
Content warnings: I could go on forever about how much I like Jackie Lau’s books. And this one is fake dating with a childhood friend! Delightful tropes, plenty of humor and wacky situations, and some delicious food, this is another great book. Charlotte hasn’t been on a date in five years, ever since she broke up with her ex-boyfriend after a baseball stadium proposal – literally her worst nightmare. She’s contemplating how to get back into the dating game when she spots her childhood best friend, Mike, at a bar, and is struck by inspiration. Someone as handsome and outgoingRead the Post
Review: The Duke Who Didn’t – Courtney Milan
Content warnings: TLDR: Look, it’s a surprise new Courtney Milan book in 2020. Go buy it, because trust me, you need it. I have sung the praises of Courtney Milan multiple times before, so it’s probably no surprise that I also absolutely loved this childhood friends to lovers book. It’s seriously a masterclass in fluffy banter, while also striking a careful balance with more serious matters (like revenge via a sauce empire, naturally). “The problem had never been how serious Jeremy was about her; it had been how serious she thought he was. She had to convince herself first. HowRead the Post
Review: Her Big City Neighbor – Jackie Lau
Content warnings: I love Jackie Lau’s books and this one has my favorite things – tons of delicious food, plus the “grumpy one falls for the sunshine one” trope. With all that, it’s a pretty good start to a new series. Amy is basically the epitome of the sunshine trope – she’s so excited to explore and essentially eat her way through Toronto. She wears polka dot dresses, has a ladybug umbrella (because more polka dots) and has a collection of cutesy mugs. She’s also a bit of a doormat, something her family took advantage of shamelessly for last minuteRead the Post
Review: Finding Joy – Adriana Herrera
Content warnings: Desta, one of the main character’s names, means “joy” in Amharic, and that’s a very apt description of this heartwarming book. It’s very much a love letter to Ethiopia, its culture, food and people, and an adorably sweet romance between a native Ethiopian and a man with family ties there. There’s a little bit of the workplace romance trope, along with “only one bed,” and it’s just absolutely delightful. “Checking out a colleague within thirty seconds of meeting him definitely did not qualify as proceeding with caution.” After a rough break up, Desta is happy to be back inRead the Post
Review: Bottle Rocket – Erin McLellan
Content warnings: Every time I read another one of Erin McLellan’s novellas, I keep saying that this one is my favorite, and that holds true for this Independence Day-themed one. It’s ridiculously sexy, hilarious and perfect, and a good blend of the second chance and opposites attract tropes. “I’m so tired of being …” “Being what?” “Boring.” He frowned, looking fierce and angry, and she wanted to wipe that scowl off his face with her tits. “Try again. You are not boring.” “Scared. I’m tired of being scared. I want to experience life, rather than letting it pass me by.”Read the Post
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