Category: 3.5 Stars

The Naughty, the Nice, and the Nanny by. Willa Nash | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: The Naughty, the Nice and the Nanny (Holiday Brothers, #1)

Author: Willa Nash

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Pages: 165

Publication Date: 11/4/21

Categories: Contemporary, Holiday Romance, Single Dad

One week with one little girl—an angel, according to my staffing agency. Acting as the short-term nanny for a single dad should have been an easy way to make some extra cash. Until I show up for my first day and face off with a demon disguised as a seven-year-old girl wearing a red tutu and matching glitter slippers.

Oh, and her father? My temporary boss? Maddox Holiday. The same Maddox Holiday I crushed on in high school. The same Maddox Holiday who didn’t even know I existed. And the same Maddox Holiday who hasn’t set foot in Montana for years because he’s been too busy running his billionaire empire.

Enduring seven days is going to feel like scaling the Himalayas in six-inch heels. Toss in the Holiday family’s annual soiree, and Christmas Eve nightmares really do come true. But I can do anything for a week, especially for this paycheck, even if it means wrangling the naughty, impressing the nice, and playing the nanny.

I forgot how perfect novella length holiday romances are when it comes to getting straight to the point. This is a cute holiday romance about a nanny, Natalie, who takes a week long job to help take care of the child. The father of the child is a guy she went to school with and had a crush on (like every other girl in school).

The story takes place in Montana which gives it that cozy, small town (but a growing small town) feel. Maddox Holiday, the single dad comes from a tight-knit family and has two other brothers. They are wealthy and successful but still down to earth. Violet, Maddox’s daughter is a terror, but Natalie knows how to charm and connect with her which makes the story heart-warming. Natalie is also down-to-earth and doesn’t let a child terror scare her off, she is determined.

The chemistry between Maddox and Natalie is quick but they have a slight history so they aren’t completely strangers. And when they get to the sexy parts, well…they have so much heat between them they could melt snow.

Content Warnings: divorce

Violet has to deal with an absent and neglectful mother which sucks. But that was another area Natalie could relate with her.

I know it’s a novella so things get crammed in so it’s insta-love because come on, things have to happen in a week since it’s a short story! But at the epilogue a year later, they are married with a baby coming along?! Talk about rushing things lol…I’m just being nit-picky though.

Why you should read it:

  • a super quick holiday romance
  • story of Violet and Natalie bonding is heart-warming

Why you might not want to read it:

  • insta-love but it’s a novella length so it’s expected
  • too short

My thoughts:

This short holiday romance was actually pretty balanced and I enjoyed seeing Natalie and Violet’s relationship grow. Maddox and Natalie was just bonus haha…but it’s a quick read, and gives you all the holiday romance feels. Not sure if I will read the whole series but I’m interested in reading a full length novel from this author.

📚 ~ Yolanda

The Nature of Witches by. Rachel Griffin | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: The Nature of Witches

Author: Rachel Griffin

Format: hardcover (borrowed)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 6/1/21

Categories: Contemporary , Fantasy, Young adult, Romance, Nature, Environmental, Coming of Age

For centuries, witches have maintained the climate, their power from the sun peaking in the season of their birth. But now their control is faltering as the atmosphere becomes more erratic. All hope lies with Clara, an Everwitch whose rare magic is tied to every season.

In Autumn, Clara wants nothing to do with her power. It’s wild and volatile, and the price of her magic―losing the ones she loves―is too high, despite the need to control the increasingly dangerous weather.

In Winter, the world is on the precipice of disaster. Fires burn, storms rage, and Clara accepts that she’s the only one who can make a difference.

In Spring, she falls for Sang, the witch training her. As her magic grows, so do her feelings, until she’s terrified Sang will be the next one she loses.

In Summer, Clara must choose between her power and her happiness, her duty and the people she loves… before she loses Sang, her magic, and thrusts the world into chaos.

I love witch stories and this one sounded very different. The witches in this story are helping with weather disasters and trying to combat climate change – present issues we are dealing with! I thought it was a very unique take on what witches powers could be useful for in our present day.

Clara is an Everwitch – her seasonal powers don’t wane, she is powerful in all seasons as oppose to other witches who are powerful only in their season. But she doesn’t want this gift. People she love have died around her, because she can’t control her gift so she is at a school for witches to learn to control her powers. But what’s holding Clara back is herself. She meets a boy who finally teaches her to calm her insecurities and fears and to control her magic. Her journey comes full circle and we do get to see Clara embrace herself.

Sang is amazing and I loved his Spring affinity and talent with plants. He was the balance Clara needed and I loved watching their relationship go from friendship to more. The romance is so sweet. Clara is bisexual and we also get to meet her ex, another witch, Paige. There is some hard feelings between them but there is closure at the end also.

Content Warnings: death, grief

Clara is deep into her self-loathing and it takes up much of the story and it got repetitive – this whole story is about her journey to break through her fears and insecurities…I just wanted something more to happen. It would have been cool to see more severe weather events that affect shaders (non-witches) and the witches helping out. But this story is about Clara’s journey and it just takes too much of the first part of the story. The second half is much better because we see Clara grow and learn to control her power finally.

With Clara’s doubts and insecurities she lashes out a lot at her instructions and superiors. Everyone was an enemy to her and it got a little tiresome.

Even though the beginning lagged for me, there were some really good moments in the books. One of my favorites were how she and Sang communicated after they were in the middle of a break from one another. I thought in the essence of the romance story, Sang and Clara’s relationship was beautiful.

Why you should read it:

  • unique contemporary fantasy witch story – the witches are helping to combat climate change and maintain the environment – they tackle natural disasters
  • sweet, emotional romance story
  • Clara’s journey ends on a happy note

Why you might not want to read it:

  • Clara’s attitude – she’s going through a lot of emotional turmoil but she comes off selfish and stubborn
  • some parts are repetitive, especially when it comes to training Clara

My thoughts:

I keep going back and forth on my rating of this one. I loved the ending and the romance Clara has with Sang. I totally love how this is a unique witch story because they help with climate change which is a very important issue right now. I understand Clara’s grief and reluctance to use her power because it’s killed people she loves but I also wanted to shake her to see that a gift like hers cannot be wasted. She is the chosen one who doesn’t want to be chosen but it got tiresome. Despite my issues with it, I look forward to reading the next book from this author.

📚 ~ Yolanda

When You Get the Chance by. Emma Lord | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: When You Get the Chance

Author: Emma Lord

Pages: 320

Publication Date: 1/4/22

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Categories: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Wednesday Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Nothing will get in the way of Millie Price’s dream to become a Broadway star. Not her lovable but super-introverted dad, who after raising Millie alone, doesn’t want to watch her leave home to pursue her dream. Not her pesky and ongoing drama club rival, Oliver, who is the very definition of Simmering Romantic Tension. And not the “Millie Moods,” the feelings of intense emotion that threaten to overwhelm, always at maddeningly inconvenient times. Millie needs an ally. And when a left-open browser brings Millie to her dad’s embarrassingly moody LiveJournal from 2003, Millie knows just what to do. She’s going to find her mom.

There’s Steph, a still-aspiring stage actress and receptionist at a talent agency. There’s Farrah, ethereal dance teacher who clearly doesn’t have the two left feet Millie has. And Beth, the chipper and sweet stage enthusiast with an equally exuberant fifteen-year-old daughter (A possible sister?! This is getting out of hand). But how can you find a new part of your life and expect it to fit into your old one, without leaving any marks? And why is it that when you go looking for the past, it somehow keeps bringing you back to what you’ve had all along?

Emma Lord has lately become a must read author for me. I enjoy her young adult contemporary stories very much! This book cover totally grabbed me with the colors and when I saw it was an Emma Lord book, I had to request it.

This one is for the broadway lovers. I love broadway shows but Millie Price LOVES broadway because her dream is to be a Broadway star – and this girl is not taking no for an answer. Millie is bold, vivacious and just so full of energy – her character pops off the page. Millie takes an intern job but she has an ulterior motive – she’s trying to find her mom. Yes…this is definitely like the broadway show Mamma Mia!, except instead of finding a dad, she tries to find her mom and has three candidates in mind because yes….she read her dad’s journal. Ha! I thought it was fitting.

The romance between Millie and Oliver is really cute. Oliver can’t quite stand Millie and vice versa but they are thrown together for the internship. It takes some time but the relationship grows into a truce, a friendship and then something much more. By the end I was invested in their relationship.

Millie’s search for her mom is the main part of the story and I thought the reveal was great and emotional. Not in that there were tears and what not between them, but there are a lot of revelations and a lot that Millie learned about her dad, her aunt, her bio mom and herself.

It took me awhile to get into this one and I can’t pinpoint why. It might be that I wasn’t in a Broadway kind of mood? I love Mamma Mia! and broadway but for some reason I couldn’t connect to Millie at first. But I’m glad I kept reading – I’m just bummed that I was struggling to get into the story because in the end, I did enjoy the second half of the book!

Why you should read it:

  • you love theater and broadway
  • a cute romance
  • reverse gender Mamma Mia!

Why you might not want to read it:

  • you don’t care for broadway
  • slow first half of the book

My Thoughts:

This one is not my favorite Emma Lord book but if you can get past the slow first half, it finishes off strongly with emotion and romance.

📚 ~ Yolanda

Vespertine by. Margaret Rogerson | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Vespertine (#1)

Author: Meghan Quinn

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 10/05/21

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Spirits, Saints, Magic

The dead of Loraille do not rest.

Artemisia is training to be a Gray Sister, a nun who cleanses the bodies of the deceased so that their souls can pass on; otherwise, they will rise as spirits with a ravenous hunger for the living. She would rather deal with the dead than the living, who trade whispers about her scarred hands and troubled past.

When her convent is attacked by possessed soldiers, Artemisia defends it by awakening an ancient spirit bound to a saint’s relic. It is a revenant, a malevolent being that threatens to possess her the moment she drops her guard. Wielding its extraordinary power almost consumes her—but death has come to Loraille, and only a vespertine, a priestess trained to wield a high relic, has any chance of stopping it. With all knowledge of vespertines lost to time, Artemisia turns to the last remaining expert for help: the revenant itself.

As she unravels a sinister mystery of saints, secrets, and dark magic, her bond with the revenant grows. And when a hidden evil begins to surface, she discovers that facing this enemy might require her to betray everything she has been taught to believe—if the revenant doesn’t betray her first.

I love the world building with the nuns (Gray Sisters) and other clergy wielding relics that contain spirits in them. The story gave me a sense that the setting was in some place that resembled France in a time when the clergy was in power, game me Joan of Arc vibes at times. We learn about how the relics, spirits and revenants (spirits) are used and contained. There is also some history about the spirits as well and information about their ranking or order. The spirits are listed in order in the book if you get confused, I only saw it at the end of the book but it is helpful! There was a good amount of action in this story and the story moved quickly.

Artemisia is not an open character at first. She comes off as someone who wants to be alone and not good in social situations. People think she is different because of her past and how she survived being possessed by an ashgrim. It left her with burned scars on her hands, a tendency to not want to be close to people and with a high tolerance to handling a relic. When things take a turn for the worst she is entrusted with the care of a relic that holds a highly powered revenant and she has no training with it whatsoever. But she trusts her instincts and for the most part she finds ways to work with her revenant to help defeat other spirits. Also she learns how to let others in to help her when things get too tough.

Her revenant, Rathanael, is mean, grouchy but hilarious. At least, he was funny to me even as he was berating and insulting Artemisia every chance he could get. Their partnership is unconventional but they are perfect for one another.

Leander was poised as a villain but we don’t understand his motivations until way later in the book. He is a very private guy as well and it was hard to get a good read on him in the beginning other than him trying to control Artemisia. Is there a potential for a romance there? I’m not sure. This whole book didn’t have any romance in it but I felt like it hinted at something between Leander and Artemisia. We shall see.

Content Warnings: self harm, violence, death, PTSD, anxiety

It took me a few days to get through the first chapter because I needed to get into a nun mood? If that makes sense haha! But once I grasped what was going on and was immersed into the world-building, I found my bearings. I will say it can get confusing with the relics and revenants and unfamiliar terms, so use the spirit order/ranking list in the book.

There is no romance, and I was hoping for some but it was okay without too. The main relationship is between Artemisia and her revenant and it’s pretty entertaining.

Why you should read it:

  • fascinating world building
  • lots of action with nuns, soldiers, and knights trying to fight spirits
  • good character growth

Why you might not want to read it:

  • sometimes confusing, with the ranking or classification of spirits, unless you keep checking the list
  • nuns fighting spirits isn’t appealing to you 🤷🏻‍♀️

My thoughts:

Once I got into the story I was hooked and love the world-building (might be the Catholic upbringing in me). I enjoyed Artemisia’s growing, if reluctant, relationship with her revenant. I found them entertaining. I’m also interested to see where book two goes and if Leander comes back into the story a changed man! I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

📚 ~ Yolanda

A Not So Meet Cute by. Meghan Quinn | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: A Not So Meet Cute

Author: Meghan Quinn

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 404

Publication Date: 11/02/21

Categories: Contemporary, Romance, Fake Dating

How did you two meet?

The quintessential question asked to every couple. And the answer is usually some bubbly, lovey dovey tale of being struck in the bum by Cupid’s arrow.

My meet cute (well not so meet cute) is slightly different. I was trolling a wealthy neighborhood in Beverly Hills, searching for someone to take me as their bride, you know, to make my arch nemesis jealous who consequently just fired me.

He was stomping around the block like some sort of gorgeous ogre, mumbling about a business deal gone wrong and attempting to finagle his way out of it.

And that’s when we bumped into each other.

There were no sparks.

Not even a hint of blossoming love.

But next thing I knew, I was scarfing down free chips and guac, listening to this man lay out all of his problems which led to his big ask . . . he wanted me to be his Vivian Ward, you know, from Pretty Woman–minus the frisky behavior.

We’re talking about living in a mansion, intimate double dates, and pretending we were head over heels in love . . . and engaged. Can you imagine?

The absolute audacity.

But people do crazy things when they’re desperate. And I reeked of desperation. So, I struck up a deal.

My one big mistake, though . . . big . . . HUGE? I accidentally fell for the incomparable Huxley Cane.

The best thing I liked about this fake dating romance is the humor especially when it came to the fake pregnancy – the pregnancy classes were just too funny! I did laugh out loud. It kind of had a Pretty Woman (the movie) vibe except Lottie is not a prostitute, etc…but Lottie does reference the movie a lot.

Lottie is desperate – she got fired. She is 28 and still lives at home with mom and step/dad but they hint at every chance they get that she needs to basically move out. Her sister Kelsey is already living on her own and has a small business that is about to take off and Lottie has no prospects except maybe finding a rich husband? Maybe?

Huxley Cane is a rich businessman who deals in real estate and he wants a certain property but the owner won’t cut a deal with him. Hux isn’t relatable enough so what does he do? He lies to get an in with the guy but the lie involves having a pregnant fiancee on short notice. What a predicament. That’s where Lottie runs into him and a plan and contract is set. They will fake date until Hux wins the contract.

These two are opposites attract in a nutshell. Lottie talks and babbles a lot, she says what is on her mind. Her emotions can be all over the place, especially when it comes to Hux who has tunnel vision on this deal like a man obsessed. He doesn’t show any emotions, he likes to be in control and in charge. It worked for the most part and the physical attraction between them was definitely there. When they finally cross the fake dating line, the scenes are steamy.

Kelsey, Lottie’s sister is what keeps her grounded. Same as Hux who has brothers that nag him to loosen up. I liked that they had supportive family. Their siblings are their besties.

I think this book was a tad bit too long. I don’t know why but I thought I could finish this in one sitting, it was funny, Lottie and Hux had sparks, in and out of the bedroom, the story was moving a long…or so I thought. At the 80% mark I was like…this isn’t over yet? lol…by then Lottie and Hux were getting it on, yet it was taking forever for Hux to close the deal with Dave.

It’s an opposites attract relationship but Lottie at first seemed like this lost soul, kind of a doormat because her toxic friend fires her from her job and she doesn’t fight back. Then she turns into this sexual spitball, but only when she is around Huxley. Guess he made her work extra hard to open him up because let’s talk about Huxley. He’s rich and handsome and underneath his cold gaze he actually cares about his workers, his companies and mostly his brothers but seriously…I was irritated with him demanding Lottie be a certain way when it was his big lie in the first place. 🤦🏻‍♀️ He got on my nerves sometimes. They both did, haha.

Why you should read it:

  • there are some pretty funny moments
  • lots of steamy scenes between Lottie and Hux
  • opposites attract and fake-dating tropes

Why you might not want to read it:

  • at times the couple got on my nerves, mostly Huxley
  • this story could have ended at the 80% mark…so pacing is an issue

My thoughts:

This one was almost a hit and then it was a miss at some parts so I think my rating is a happy medium with how I felt after I read it. I wish Hux could’ve lightened up a bit sooner in the story because I wasn’t feeling it by the time he had to fix things and make everything better. I enjoyed the humorous parts of the story a lot and that’s what will make me remember the book.

📚 ~ Yolanda

BLOG TOUR} The Christmas Escape by. Sarah Morgan | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: The Christmas Escape

Author: Sarah Morgan

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 352

Publication Date: 10/26/21

Publisher: HQN Books

BUY HERE: BookShop.org | Harlequin | Barnes & Noble | Amazon |Books-A-Million | Powell’s 

Categories: Contemporary, Romance, Friendship, Marriage, Family

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

This Christmas, be whisked away by USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan in this uplifting novel of friendship, the festive season, and risking everything for the biggest gift of all…

Christy and Alix are forever-friends. Not even Alix’s well-meant but badly-timed intervention the night before Christy’s wedding has put a dent in their bond. There’s nothing Alix won’t do for the woman who helped fill the hole in her heart left by her own family’s rejection. But taking Christy’s boisterous little daughter Holly on holiday to Lapland, days before Christmas, is a huge ask. Marketing whizz Alix might know how to turn toys into million-dollar Christmas bestsellers, but the responsibility of parenthood terrifies her. And unfortunately, she’ll have a witness to her ineptitude, in the annoyingly delicious shape of Zac, Holly’s father’s best friend, who will also be there…

Christy had hoped this year would be her dream Christmas, in her dream new family house. Instead, it’s turning into the nightmare before Christmas, with a frightening list of household repairs, no money, and a make-or-break crisis in her marriage. Even worse, it’s a crisis of her own making, and one that is on her shoulders to fix. With best friend Alix coming to the rescue and looking after Holly, Christy will finally have time to focus on rebuilding her relationship.

As Alix confronts her fears and finds unexpected romance under the Northern Lights, and Christy fights to save her marriage, could it be that their Christmas holiday opens their eyes, and their hearts, to what they’ve always wanted?

I got a little more from this story besides a Christmas romance story. It was more complex with issues like friendship, marriage and family being touched on.

Christy and her family are supposed to go to Lapland which is this winter, and secluded destination in Sweden. Christy has always loved Christmas and in Lapland she is looking forward to a winter wonderland and to meet her estranged aunt. But nothing goes as planned when problems arise with Christy and her husband, Seb, before the trip. She asks her best friend Alix to take her daughter, Holly on schedule and Christy and her husband will meet up with her. Sounds simple but it isn’t because Alix doesn’t know much about babysitting and to make things worst, Seb’s best friend Zac is going to go ahead with Alix. Alix has been avoiding him since Christy’s marriage to Seb! And that isn’t the only drama, Christy’s aunt has some issues she has to work out with Christy as well…so there is a lot going on.

I loved the setting of Lapland which is really a winter wonderland. For Holly, the child, in this story, it really is a dream come true.

A lot of things do get resolved in this story: Christy and Seb’s marriage problems, Alix and Christy’s friendship, Christy and her aunt’s relationship and the romance part of the story…Alix and Zac are the star of the book with their banter and attraction. I like that all the problems between these people are real and relatable. Obviously communication was the key in fixing a lot of the problems and it works out in the end.

The romance between Alix and Zac is fun because they are opposites who are quite attracted to one another. The romance between Christy and Seb is one about finding the lost spark between them that got lost along the way of having a child, moving and other life challenges. But they all do that in the winter beauty that is Lapland.

I was expecting a light read but this isn’t because of all the issues taking place with the characters.

It took awhile in the beginning to introduce the characters, their problems, and their back stories – the story got better when they were in Lapland.

Why you should read it:

  • Christmassy vibes especially when they are in Lapland – beautiful setting
  • relatable problems in marriage, friendship and communication
  • a happy ending

Why you might not want to read it:

  • too much drama between everyone going on
  • slow beginning

My Thoughts:

The setting of Lapland with all the winter activities like dog sledding, snow shoeing, and seeing the Aurora Borealis, sounded divine. I would love to spend Christmas like that. The story was slow in some parts because the characters have backstories and history together that needs to be told. Also I did gravitate more towards Alix and Zac’s story. Despite all the drama going on with everyone in the book, it was an uplifting story about marriage, friendship and family.

📚~ Yolanda

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe and three RITA® Awards from the Romance Writers of America. Sarah lives with her family near London, England, where the rain frequently keeps her trapped in her office.

Author Website

Facebook: @AuthorSarahMorgan

Instagram: @sarahmorganwrites

Twitter: @SarahMorgan_

Goodreads

The Highland Fling by. Meghan Quinn | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Title: The Highland Fling

Author: Meghan Quinn

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 349

Publication Date: 8/24/21

Publisher: Montlake

Categories: Romance, Contemporary, Adult

In this steamy tale by USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn, an American searching for her purpose escapes to a Scottish town but finds more questions than answers when she meets a brooding yet handsome handyman.

Freshly fired from her third job in a row, Bonnie St. James has lost her way. So when she and her best friend stumble upon a “help wanted” post to run a coffee shop in the Scottish Highlands, they apply on a whim. Who knows? Maybe traveling to a new place is just what she needs to figure out her next move.

When the friends arrive in the tiny idyllic town of Corsekelly, they instantly fall for the gorgeous Highland landscape and friendly townspeople. But Bonnie finds a less-than-warm welcome in Rowan MacGregor, the rugged local handyman. Busy wrestling his own demons, Rowan’s in no mood to deal with the quirky American—even if she is a bonny lass.

As Bonnie and Rowan’s paths inevitably cross, insults—and sparks—fly. Can the pair build on their similarities to help each other find purpose and direction…and maybe romance too? Or will their passionate tempers fling them apart?

I have never read a Meghan Quinn book even though I see her all over Amazon! I was in the mood for a romance and one on kindle unlimited since I pay for a subscription. I’m glad I gave this one a try.

The first thing I loved was the friendship between Bonnie and Dakota. You get the impression right away they are more than best friends, more like sisters. They are in their mid-twenties, Bonnie is trying to find her path but Dakota is pretty much set in hers. At Dakota’s insistence they apply for a job in the highlands of Scotland to run a coffee shop for six months. What seems like a joint venture becomes something more of a growing experience for their friendship, they grow apart and then come back together even stronger. I also liked the LGBT+ representation with Dakota. She meets someone and has her own growth with overcoming her past relationship that really hurt her.

As for the main romance of the story, Bonnie meets Rowan, who is this gruff Scotsman who aggravates her! But we get two perspectives here, so we can see how Bonnie gets under his skin also. Their back and forth teasing and antagonizing is a slow burn, with some funny moments, but when they finally get together, it’s hot! They do face some challenges in their new relationship but this is where the story brings us to an emotional level I wasn’t expecting.

Bonnie and Rowan can relate to one another because they are both people who are trying to figure out their future. Both want more out of their lives. Bonnie wants to find out what she’s good at, Rowan knows what he is good at but never had his father’s approval – actually he deals with a lot of family emotional drama under the surface. I thought the book was just about two people flirting and aggravating one another until the story got deep with Rowan’s family history and on the other side of the coin Bonnie goes through some really challenging moments with her friendship with Dakota. I enjoyed the growth from all of them a lot.

Content Warnings: illness, grief

Bonnie was a bit too much at times – she loves cake and she hasn’t had sex in awhile. She’s very quirky, very much Dakota’s opposite. I like that she loves to have a good time but at times she just doesn’t know how to back off so her personality could get cringy at times.

For the most part of the book, the story is light hearted, Bonnie is trying to find her way and keeps running into Rowan. But the end gets into a sad mood when Rowan goes through some personal stuff. I was not expecting it. I enjoyed the second half of the book much more than the beginning.

Why you should read it?

  • hot scotsman and beauty of the highlands
  • enemies to lovers romance
  • it’s starts off light hearted but story gets emotional

Why you might not want to read it?

  • Bonnie’s quirky personality may turn you off

My Thoughts:

I thought this story was cute, once I got used to Bonnie’s personality. I enjoyed Bonnie and Dakota’s friendship and adventure in Scotland. And it’s awesome that Dakota’s love life could share in the spotlight too because it is a F/F relationship. Bonnie and Rowan’s relationship was also fun especially when they were aggravating one another, but their romance definitely faces challenges when they face their personal demons. I didn’t expect this to be very emotional but I was surprised by the ending and how much the main characters grow. I’d definitely read another book from this author in the future.

📚 ~ Yolanda

How Not to Fall in Love by. Jacqueline Firkins | ARC Review

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Title: How Not to Fall in Love

Author: Jacqueline Firkins

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 239

Publication Date: 12/21/21

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Friends to Lovers, Contemporary

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to HMH Books for Young Readers for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A hardened cynic and a hopeless romantic teach each other about love in this swoony and heartfelt contemporary romance that’s perfect for fans of Tweet Cute and The Upside of Falling.

Harper works in her mom’s wedding shop, altering dresses for petulant and picky brides who are more focused on hemlines than love. After years of watching squabbles break out over wedding plans, Harper thinks romance is a marketing tool. Nothing more. Her best friend Theo is her opposite. One date and he’s already dreaming of happily ever afters. He also plays the accordion, makes chain mail for Ren Festers, hangs out in a windmill-shaped tree house, cries over rom-coms, and takes his word-of-the-day calendar very seriously.

When Theo’s shocked to find himself nursing his umpteenth heartbreak, Harper offers to teach him how not to fall in love. Theo agrees to the lessons, as long as Harper proves she can date without falling in love. As the lessons progress and Theo takes them to heart, Harper has a harder time upholding her end of the bargain. She’s also checking out her window to see if Theo’s home from his latest date yet. She’s even watching rom-coms. If she confesses her feelings, she’ll undermine everything she’s taught him. Or was he the one teaching her?

How Not to Fall in Love is a really quick, light hearted, young adult romance story. It’s about a girl named Harper who works at her mom’s bridal shop, helping her alter dresses for excited and stressed out brides. Being in the bridal industry has made Harper a cynic about love. It doesn’t help that her quirky best-friend and next door neighbor, Theo, falls in love easily and gets his heart broken often. So she tries to help him not fall so fast by giving him lessons in dating.

As for Harper she finally talks to Felix, her crush, and tries to show Theo how to keep things casual except it’s a bit challenging for Harper because Felix is perfect. Theo and Harper both date other people but it’s clear that the person Theo really likes is Harper. She’s pretty clueless about it until she thinks it’s too late for them.

I think I should note the boys in this book – cry! Yes, they both do and that’s rare to see in books. Theo is sensitive, very quirky, dorky, so smart and oh so cute. I can definitely see why Harper started falling for him – he seems to give really good hugs, emotional support and vocab lessons! They have such a cute friendship filled with affection. Felix, on the other hand is perfect as well, it just came down to who knew Harper the best, and that was Theo.

Harper has to pick between two boys so if you aren’t into love triangles then you might not be into this love story.

I think the “lessons” Harper was supposed to help Theo with was kind of lost in the story. I didn’t see too many lessons going on, just some advice she’d give him about when to call a girl back and such. Also I thought it was weird that Harper was giving lessons when she only had one ex-boyfriend and wasn’t the dating type – it took her awhile to talk to Felix. For awhile all she did was stare at him from the shop window.

It’s a sex positive book which was nice because yes, teens do have intercourse. I’m glad Harper’s mom was there for her to talk about her love life.

I’m not a fan of this book cover! I really think they could make it as cute as the story is, at least.

This one is a really quick read and I think it’s such a sweet love story between two best friends. I enjoyed Harper and Theo’s relationship a lot. I thought the love triangle was handled pretty well considering Felix was a good guy too and it was no fault of his that things didn’t work out – sometimes, that’s just the way it is in young love. If you like a friends to lovers romance story, you may enjoy this one.

📚 ~ Yolanda

With Dagger and Song by. Helen Scheuerer | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: With Dagger and Song (Curse of the Cyren Queen, #2)

Author: Helen Scheuerer

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 378

Publication Date: 11/13/21

Publisher: Alchemy

Categories: Fantasy, Series, Young Adult, Adventure

An empty crown. A perilous journey. Will she answer when darkness calls?

Against all odds, Roh survived the harrowing Queen’s Tournament, but now something far deadlier awaits her: a formidable quest for the three magic birthstones of Saddoriel.

The gems have been scattered across the realms – and only when Roh retrieves them can she take her place as queen. But surrounded by hostile companions and tormented by the dangerous secret she carries, Roh begins to realise that the pursuit of power may prove more destructive than she ever imagined.

Nothing can prepare her for the nightmares that fester in the shadows of Akoris, a fanatical cyren territory, or the twisted games of its cunning leader…

Can Roh win the first birthstone without sacrificing everything she holds dear – and without losing herself?

Packed with heart-pounding action and layers of intrigue, With Dagger and Song is the second epic instalment in Helen Scheuerer’s Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet. 

This is book two of the Curse of the Cyren Queen series and it picks up from book one. Roh survived the Queen’s Tournament and we find out she’s a future queen, not just a bone cleaner. Of course they won’t let her be Queen until she goes on a quest to get the three magic birthstones of Saddoriel. Then and only then will it prove she is worthy.

Roh chooses her companions on this quest – Odi is a given but Harlyn was a curious choice since Har hates Roh with a passion after learning about Roh’s deception. Also Roh picks warriors Yrsa and Finn to come along. Finn is another one that hates Roh. A lot of people hate Roh! haha…but at least being thrown together on this journey, we get to learn more about Yrsa and she’s a good person. Finn, well…we shall see what happens there, it seems he’s warming up to Roh. It’s Harlyn and Roh’s relationship that I was hoping would be repaired somehow in this sequel. It’s rough but they get there.

The group travels across Saddoriel to Akoris, where the fanatical cyrens reside and their ruler, Adriel is pulling the strings. So somehow Roh has to appease Adriel by passing more tests in order to be acknowledged as queen. I am really enjoying the journey they are taking through these different lands though. I also like that the story moves forward with Roh trying to get the birthstone plus doing her best trying to find out more about her mother’s past. We find out a bit more about Roh’s mysterious background as well.

I think Roh has a lot of character growth in this sequel. She still has trouble trusting people with her secrets, even though secrets are what messed up her friendship with Harlyn and Orson, the two people who knew her best. But Roh is starting to learn that she needs allies and good advice. I’m sure Roh will make more mistakes before we get to the end of this series, but seeing progress is a good thing.

Content Warnings: drugged, violence

They did a bunch of traveling but once they were in Akoris they stayed put for the bulk of the story. Akoris was an interesting place but I thought Adriel would have been more sinister – Roh handled him quite well I believe.

I’m looking forward to see what happens with Finn and Roh. An enemies to lovers thing? Or not? Haha…I like seeing them bicker as potential friends or lovers. I’m also eager to see what happens with the water drake egg that Roh has in her possession! That ending made me wish book three was going to be out soon.

Why you should read it?

  • story about betrayal and forgiveness
  • you like an underdog story
  • Roh’s character development – she has a lot of things to fix and I”m glad she’s facing it head on

Why you might not want to read it?

  • not into fantasy
  • wait until the whole series is out

My Thoughts:

I thought this was a good sequel as we follow Roh and her companions to Akoris. We learn about the water warlocks and their beef with cyrens. Also, we get to know more about Roh’s background. I’m looking forward to more adventure in book three and I hope we get more of Finn and Roh and the water drake egg!

📚 ~ Yolanda

The Best Laid Plans by. Cameron Lund | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: The Best Laid Plans

Author: Cameron Lund

Format: eBook (borrowed)

Pages: 368

Publisher: Razorbill

Publication Date: 4/7/20

Categories: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Romance, Contemporary

High school senior Keely Collins takes on firsts, lasts, and everything in between in this sweet, sex-positive rom-com for fans of Meg Cabot and Jenny Han.

It seemed like a good plan at first.

When the only other virgin in her group of friends loses it at Keely’s own eighteenth birthday party, she’s inspired to take things into her own hands. She wants to have that experience too (well, not exactly like that–but with someone she trusts and actually likes), so she’s going to need to find the guy, and fast. Problem is, she’s known all the boys in her small high school forever, and it’s kinda hard to be into a guy when you watched him eat crayons in kindergarten. 

So she can’t believe her luck when she meets a ridiculously hot new guy named Dean. Not only does he look like he’s fallen out of a classic movie poster, but he drives a motorcycle, flirts with ease, and might actually be into her.

But Dean’s already in college, and Keely is convinced he’ll drop her if he finds out how inexperienced she is. That’s when she talks herself into a new plan: her lifelong best friend, Andrew, would never hurt or betray her, and he’s clearly been with enough girls that he can show her the ropes before she goes all the way with Dean. Of course, the plan only works if Andrew and Keely stay friends–just friends–so things are about to get complicated.

Cameron Lund’s delightful debut is a hilarious and heartfelt story of first loves, first friends, and first times–and how making them your own is all that really matters. 

First times are so awkward and I think the author captures that perfectly in this story. Keely is a virgin, and she thinks she’s the only one left at school who hasn’t done it. But when she meets a college guy who she wants to lose her virginity to, she doesn’t know how to go about it and asks her best friend Andrew to help her out.

Keely has a pretty good high school life. She’s part of the “in” crowd and gets invited to all the parties. Andrew’s best friends even consider her one of the guys. Her group of girlfriends are varied, Hannah, she totally clicks with, and Danielle not so much. These kids party, hook up a lot (except Keely) and they are soon going to graduate and get out of there – they definitely have that last hurrah vibe going on.

Keely and Andrew’s relationship is super cute. They are best friends but when things get hot and heavy, they try and go back to being best friends but it’s hard because Keely is starting to have feelings. It doesn’t help that Andrew is liking a new girl every week!

I like how the story shows how different everyone’s first time experience is with sex. It’s also awkward, and hopefully not humiliating (like Danielle’s experience), but no one wants to seem inexperienced even though they are! Also the story delved into the double standards of what happens when a girl loses their virginity, versus a guy losing theirs – totally not fair that right away a girl can be called a slut and a guy a stud.

Content Warning: slut shaming, underage drinking, misogyny

I wished Andrew and his friends stood up for Danielle more when someone was writing stuff about her on school walls. Or when Ryder was mouthing off and saying stupid things. It doesn’t seem like the girls at that school did much to defend her either, which was interesting so both guys and girls were slut shaming her. A lot of the guys in this book got away with being players and boy behaviors, which was annoying but I guess that was the point – to show the double standards between guys and girls.

Why you should read it:

  • sex positive
  • best friends to lovers
  • high school dating dramas

Why you might not want to read it:

  • high school dating dramas
  • the boys are so annoying 🤦🏻‍♀️
  • slut shaming and virgin shaming

My Thoughts:

The guys in this book are getting it way too easy. I liked how the story showed the double standards that girls face when it comes to sex. I thought Keely and Andrew’s friends to lover arc was cute. I found Keely’s concerns about being a virgin something that girls can relate to and all the other girl’s thoughts about sex was something I heard over the years from friends growing up as well. So overall I enjoyed the story and all the high school drama going on.

📚~ Yolanda