One in a Million by. Beverley Kendall | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: One in a Million

Author: Beverley Kendall

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 3/18/25

Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing / Canary Street Press

Categories: Interracial Romance, Contemporary, Co-parenting

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

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing / Canary Street Press for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

She’s got everything planned–including when she’ll have kids. Until something completely unplanned turns her world upside down.

World-famous Whitney “Sahara” Richardson is at the top of her game. With four Grammys, an Oscar nod, and a billion-dollar clothing line, her career is skyrocketing. Even her headline-grabbing dating life is looking up. And if everything goes as planned, marriage and children are just a few years away–and they will come in that order.

That is…until a mix-up at the fertility clinic where her eggs are stored puts the cart before the horse. Oops. Whitney suddenly has a daughter…whose biological father is reluctant to share her.

One in a Million is a fun celebrity rom-com with the poignancy of Abby Jimenez and a modern twist on “surprise baby” for fans of Jasmine Guillory.

+ The premise of this book sounded so intriguing that I had to see how it played out in the story! Myles and his wife have a new daughter, but it’s clear there is a problem. During their IVF procedure, someone else’s eggs were used! Yeah, that’s messy!

+ Whitney is a celebrity – she’s a singer, actor, CEO, billionaire but I liked how she was so down to earth even though she was also strong. The moment she meets her daughter, I felt for her – what a situation to be brought into! But watching her fall in love with her and learn to coparent with Myles was really sweet.

+ The romance is sweet and spicy! Myles’ divorce is almost final when Whitney stepped into his and his daughter’s life. I could definitely see why he would be defensive and not trusting Whitney when she came around to see their daughter. But I love seeing them buttheads, then back down for the sake of their daughter and of course the attraction between these two hot people is undeniable. Once they start their situationship – they can’t keep their hands off one another!

~ The timeline is quick between Haylee being born, Whitney meeting her 6 months later, Myles getting divorced and then Whitney and Myles starting up something between them. I think Whitney was level-headed but I was worried Myles was getting into something way too quick after his divorce and becoming a single father! I mean this was his second divorce. But everything worked out fine and the epilogue was cute.

Final Thoughts:

While I was reading this, I was thinking I can see this made into a rom-com movie. I loved seeing how this messy situation gets fixed when Whitney and Myles decide they will do what’s best for their daughter. It was fun seeing them fall into lust and then love with one another after butting heads in the beginning. Overall, I enjoyed this one and I can’t wait to read more from this author!

I also did a blog tour for this book – here’s the link>> Blog Tour} One in a Million by. Beverley Kendall

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Thunderhead by. Neal Shusterman | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe, #2)

Author: Neal Shusterman

Format: hardcover (own)

Pages: 504

Publication Date: 1/19/18

Categories: Dystopia, Young Adult, Sci-fi/Fantasy, Series

Rowan has gone rogue, and has taken it upon himself to put the Scythedom through a trial by fire. Literally. In the year since Winter Conclave, he has gone off-grid, and has been striking out against corrupt scythes—not only in MidMerica, but across the entire continent. He is a dark folk hero now—“Scythe Lucifer”—a vigilante taking down corrupt scythes in flames.

Citra, now a junior scythe under Scythe Curie, sees the corruption and wants to help change it from the inside out, but is thwarted at every turn, and threatened by the “new order” scythes. Realizing she cannot do this alone—or even with the help of Scythe Curie and Faraday, she does the unthinkable, and risks being “deadish” so she can communicate with the Thunderhead—the only being on earth wise enough to solve the dire problems of a perfect world. But will it help solve those problems, or simply watch as perfection goes into decline?

Content Warning: violence

I finally finished Thunderhead! And I would have been finished earlier if I was reading it as an ebook but that was my fault for letting that expire. Thank goodness I actually have the hardcover books on my shelf huh?😅

There are a lot of things happening in Thunderhead and it follows a bunch of different characters throughout. Rowan’s character goes through a lot whereas Citra is doing well with Scythe Curie at her side. Another character, Greyson, has a big role in the events that transpire in this story.

I found Thunderhead’s thoughts really fascinating especially because in our real world we are on the verge of AI being everywhere. I also found what was going on in the Scythedom really interesting because of the power plays taking place and how I feel like it represents the Vatican. It really is amazing to imagine the world becoming the way it is portrayed in this book. The medical science and convenience of some things – like not needing to work – sound amazing. But the story explores the other side to this conversation too. The story is complex and the world-building is great.

The book is long and I was bummed Rowan and Citra was apart for almost all of it! But overall I was entertained.

The ending was unexpected and crazy. I’ll be jumping into book three hopefully next month.

Quotes from the book:

“I have pondered the records of the mortal age and long ago determined the two sides of the coin. While freedom gives rise to growth and enlightenment, permission allows evil to flourish in a light of dat that would otherwise destroy it.”
Thunderhead by. Neal Shusterman

Final Thoughts:

What a sequel to Scythe! I love reading the Thunderhead’s thoughts and I really wasn’t expecting the story to take the turn it did. It was great to be in Rowan and Citra’s world again but it’s one that is collapsing under the strain of what’s happening in the Scythedom. I can’t want to see how this story ends.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Book Review | Scythe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This Time it’s Real by. Ann Liang | Audiobook Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: This Time it’s Real

Author: Ann Liang

Narrator: Mimi Chang

Format: audiobook (borrowed)

Pages: 352 / Audio Reading Time: 4 hours 13 minutes

Publication Date: 2/7/23

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

When seventeen-year-old Eliza Lin’s essay about meeting the love of her life unexpectedly goes viral, her entire life changes overnight. Now she has the approval of her classmates at her new international school in Beijing, a career-launching internship opportunity at her favorite magazine…and a massive secret to keep.

Eliza made her essay up. She’s never been in a relationship before, let alone in love. All good writing is lying, right?

Desperate to hide the truth, Eliza strikes a deal with the famous actor in her class, the charming but aloof Caz Song. She’ll help him write his college applications if he poses as her boyfriend. Caz is a dream boyfriend — he passes handwritten notes to her in class, makes her little sister laugh, and takes her out on motorcycle rides to the best snack stalls around the city.

But when her relationship with Caz starts feeling a little too convincing, all of Eliza’s carefully laid plans are threatened. Can she still follow her dreams if it means breaking her own heart?

Get ready to fall in love in this hilarious romcom about a girl who begins a fake relationship with the famous actor in her class, perfect for fans of Meg Cabot and Jenny Han.

Content Warning: bullying

Eliza has been hopping from school to school internationally because of her mom’s job but now she is back in Beijing and at a new school. She writes a fake love story that goes viral and she’s unprepared for all the companies trying to get interviews with her and she sees it as an opportunity. Now she needs a fake boyfriend and there is Caz Song – he is popular, he’s an actor and of course gorgeous. They make a deal to help one another.

I thought this was a really cute fake-dating young adult story but with depth. Eliza is always questioning her relationships (friendships, etc…) – due to the fact she’s always moving so when she and Caz starts having feelings, she pulls away. There is also the issue of her lying with this fake relationship. Also she’s very anxious and awkward compared to Caz. Caz is much more carefree but he has his own problems. His parents are doctors and never home, he is lonely even though adored by the public.

I also liked Eliza’s point of view of being Chinese and yet feeling not Chinese enough in Beijing because she doesn’t speak the language well and she’s been away. I enjoyed all the cultural references and theme of family, which I could relate to even though I’m not Chinese.

Final Thoughts:

I thought the narrator did a great job with telling this story. This was a cute, fake-dating romance set in Beijing, China that explores themes of family, friendship and love. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from this author.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

A Song to Drown Rivers by. Ann Liang | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Under the Surface by. Diana Urban | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Under the Surface

Author: Diana Urban

Format: hardcover (borrowed)

Pages: 354

Publication Date: 8/13/24

Categories: Young Adult, Contemporary, Thriller, Suspense, Paris

An epic survival-thriller about four teens who get lost in the Paris catacombs for days—a gripping and propulsive story of love, danger, betrayal, and hope… even when all seems lost.

Ruby is terrified to cave to her feelings for Sean and risk him crushing her heart.

Sean is pumped to spend a week with Ruby in Paris on their senior class trip, and he’ll wait however long until she’s ready to take things further.

But when Ruby’s best friend sneaks out the first night to meet a mysterious French boy, Ruby goes after her with two classmates, but caves to another temptation: attending mystery boy’s exclusive party in the Paris catacombs, the intricate web of tunnels beneath the city, home to six million long-dead Parisians. Only they never reach the party.

Underground, as something sinister chases them, they get lost in the endless maze of bones, uncovering dark secrets about the catacombs… and each other. And if they can’t find a way out, they’ll die in the dark beneath the City of Light.

Aboveground, Sean races to find the girl he loves as a media frenzy over the four missing teens begins.

From award-winning author and rising YA star Diana Urban comes a twisty tale of four teens lost in the dark beneath the City of Light and the race to find them.

Content Warning: claustrophobia, death, murder, violence

I’ve read two of Diana Urban books and honestly, she’s definitely who I turn to if I want to read a young adult thriller!

Ruby is on a class trip in Paris and right away, we are immersed in the sights of the Eiffel Tower, and friend drama with some of the other kids on the trip. The story moves quickly and one minute these kids are having drama, Ruby is crushing on her friend Sean and wondering if something will happen between them and then Boom!- four of these girls on the trip are lost in the catacombs under Paris!

I love how fast moving this story is – I read it in a few hours. I also enjoyed the history about the catacombs which is really the perfect place to right a thriller! It’s dark, makes the reader feel claustrophobic, it’s 200 miles long and as these four girls and their guide, Julien, come to found it – it’s so easy to get lost in there. There were a few twists and turns I didn’t expect and honestly I was just along for the ride, and what a ride it was!

There were times I felt like I was holding my breath in this book, which means it did the job when it came to the thrilling part! The ending is bittersweet though .

Final Thoughts:

If you like YA thrillers, you might enjoy this one. It’s dark, intense, got lots of friendship drama and it is fast-paced! Can’t wait to read more from this author.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Lying in the Deep by. Diana Urban | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

These Deadly Games by. Diana Urban | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beneath These Cursed Stars by. Lexi Ryan | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Beneath These Cursed Stars

Author: Lexi Ryan

Format: hardcover (borrowed)

Pages: 422

Publication Date: 7/30/24

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Series, Young Adult

Princess Jasalyn has a secret. Armed with an enchanted ring that gives her death’s kiss, Jas has been sneaking away from the palace at night to assassinate her enemies.

Shape-shifter Felicity needs a miracle. Fated to kill her magical father, she’s been using her unique ability to evade a fatal prophecy.

When rumors of evil king Mordeus’s resurrection spread through the shadow court, Jasalyn decides to end him once and for all. Felicity agrees to take the form of the princess, allowing Jas to covertly hunt Mordeus—and starting Felicity on the path that could finally take her home.

While Jasalyn teams up with the charming and handsome Kendrick, Felicity sets out to get closer to the Wild Fae king, Misha. Kendrick helps Jasalyn feel something other than anger for the first time in three years, and Misha makes Felicity wish for a world where she’s free to be her true self. Soon, the girls’ missions are at risk right alongside their hearts.

The future of the human and fae realms hangs in the balance as fates intertwine. Between perilous tasks, grim secrets, and forbidden romances, Jasalyn and Felicity find that perhaps their stars are the most cursed of all.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lexi Ryan comes a romantic fantasy in which a human princess armed with death’s kiss and a fae shifter on the run become unlikely allies when a mission to assassinate an evil king collides with a fatal prophecy.

So I was approved for the arc for the fourth book of this series without having read this third one, and I had to fix that – thank goodness my library had it!

I read the first two books of this series but vaguely remember what happened, but my reviews on my blogs helped me refresh my memory and I guess I didn’t totally love Brie, and the love triangle? Which is fine because this story is about her sister, Jasalyn! Brie of course makes appearances here and there but this is about Jas, and another girl, Felicity.

This story is told between two POVs because Jas, is with a a group trying to get back to Elora and restore the kingdom. Whereas Felicity, has the power to impersonate Jas, so she goes to the Wild Fae kingdom with Misha in order to look for a portal that will help them get to Elora to complete their task.

Jas has gone through some trauma when she was Mordeus’ captive and she’s filled with anger and hate for him. I liked seeing her with Kendrick’s group and almost having a found family with them. It was interesting to see how her torture still tied her up with Mordeus even though he supposedly died in book two.

As for Felicity, she’s doing such a good job at playing Jas, that she forgets that this all has to come to an end. Both girls, have their own romance stories but with whatever is going on right now with Mordeus, the mission has to be the number one priority over love. Which means, there are a few broken hearts in this story.

I like how quickly the story moved and I enjoyed both POVs. I like the world building too with the Fae, Elves, goblins and humans. But what kind of ending was that?! It was definitely a cliffhanger but wow, so abrupt! Good thing I have the next book on hand.

Final Thoughts:

Book two in this series came out 2 years ago, so I didn’t remember much but I felt like that didn’t hinder my reading experience. I got to know Jas and Felicity and enjoyed both their challenges and journeys and will promptly be reading the next book to see what happens next because that abrupt, cliffhanger ending is not it!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

These Twisted Bonds by. Lexi Ryan | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

These Hollow Vows | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by. Adriana Herrera | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke (Las Leonas, #3)

Author: Adriana Herrera

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 432

Publication Date: 2/4/25

Publisher: Canary Street Press

Categories: Series, Historical Fiction, Historical 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 Canary Street Press for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

He’s not like other dukes…

Paris, 1889

Physician Aurora Montalban Wright takes risks in her career, but never with her heart. Running an underground women’s clinic exposes her to certain dangers, but help arrives in the unexpected form of the infuriating Duke of Annan. Aurora begrudgingly accepts his protection, then promptly finds herself in his bed.

New to his role as a duke, Apollo César Sinclair Robles struggles to embrace his position. With half of society waiting for him to misstep and the other half looking to discredit him, Apollo never imagined that his enthralling bedmate would become his most trusted adviser. Soon, he realizes the rebellious doctor could be the perfect duchess. But Aurora won’t give up her independence, and her secrets make her unsuitable for the aristocracy.

When a dangerous figure from their past returns to threaten them, Apollo whisks Aurora away to his villa in the French Riviera. Far from the reproachful eye of Parisian society, can Apollo convince Aurora that their bond is stronger than the forces keeping them apart?

Can’t get enough of the Las Leonas?
Book 1: A Caribbean Heiress in Paris
Book 2: An Island Princess Starts a Scandal
Book 3: A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke

+ I was gifted this arc even though I didn’t read any of the two previous books in this series. And I found as I was reading, I didn’t feel lost. It reads as a standalone. which is nice.

+ I love the romance between Aurora and Apollo. The two of them together are spicy and oh so sensual! I love their chemistry. She’s always slapping his arm or nipping him-I love when characters can do that because I feel like it’s playful and they were so fun together.

+ Aurora is an amazing character because she’s a doctor who is providing women’s health! I love that she’s a strong woman in a challenging time. I also love the author’s note in the back explaining her inspiration for the story, the history and challenges of Latina women in the medical field.

Final Thoughts:

I haven’t read a historical romance in a long, long while even though that was my first love that got me into reading books. But this book is exactly how I would want historical romance to be written right now – a strong, female character, and something about history I can learn, plus a spicy, sensual romance! Really enjoyed this one!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Thriftbooks

Other Books I’ve Read By This Author:

BLOG TOUR} Here to Stay by. Adriana Herrera | Review + Excerpt ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The Exception to the Rule by. Christina Lauren | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Exception to the Rule

Author: Christina Lauren

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 101

Publication Date: 1/23/24

Categories: Romance, Novella

On February 14, an accidental email to a stranger opens the door to an unexpected relationship in a captivating short story by the New York Times bestselling authors of The Unhoneymooners.

One typo, and a boy and girl connect by chance. Wishing each other a happy Valentine’s Day isn’t the end. In fact, it becomes a friendly annual tradition—with rules: no pics, no real names, nothing too personal. As years pass, the rules for their email “dates” are breaking, and they’re sharing more than they imagined—including the urge to ask…what if we actually met?

Christina Lauren’s The Exception to the Rule is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.

This book was so cute! It starts off with a mistake in an email address between two people and basically 80% of the book is them emailing one another through the years.

They eventually meet of course but really this was a cute, fun, sweet novella.

Final Thoughts:

Want something short and sweet? Definitely try this one!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

The Paradise Problem by. Christina Lauren | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The True Love Experiment by. Christina Lauren | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Something Wilder by. Christina Lauren | Audiobook Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Soulmate Equation | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In A Holidaze | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Book Review | The Unhoneymooners ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ARC Review | The Honey-Don’t List ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Everything I Promised You by. Katy Upperman | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Everything I Promised You

Author: Katy Upperman

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 1/28/25

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Categories: Young Adult, Grief, Contemporary, 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 Sourcebooks Fire for giving me a chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

An emotionally raw and romantic YA novel perfect for fans of Laura Nowlin’s If He Had Been with Me.

Their love was written in the stars, but how is Lia to move on when death trumps fate?

When Lia’s mom was 17, she had her fortune told and learned her only daughter was fated to fall in love with her best friend’s son. Life unfolded exactly as predicted, and despite the army-brat lifestyle bringing them in and out of each other’s orbit, Lia and Beckett were meant to be. Or so they thought.

When a freak heart attack steals Beck’s life, Lia is devastated and unmoored. She lived her life by her mom’s old fortune; if she was fated to be with Beck, and Beck is gone, who is she supposed to be? And is there room in her broken heart for life, let alone another love?

Content Warning: death, grief, foster care

Likes:

+ Lia (Amelia) is grieving. The love of her life has died and she doesn’t know how to go on. Being an Army brat, she’s attended more schools than most kids but now at this new school she has to deal with new changes, new friends and her grief.

+ I thought this was such a heart-warming story because of how close Beck and Lia’s mom’s were close throughout their lives (soulmates) and that’s how Beck and Lia had been in each other’s lives since birth. The story portrays the different people feeling grief, not only Lia, and I like that. Her grief is painful and relatable. I also love how this story starts with a fortune teller and her mother. And it really questions what happens when the plans you’ve made are destroyed and how you get back up and forge a new plan and path.

+ Lia is not only dealing with grief. It is her senior year, so she has some hard decisions to make about her plans after high school. But she does try hard to make friends, and she meets a really good group of girls who support her immediately. She even finds her heart opening to someone new, who is really a great guy. I love that even through all the pain, she is ready to live her life again.

+ The romance is slow and sweet! There are flashbacks about her relationship with Beck, but her new relationship with Isaiah is so different and I love that for her. I like how he gives her space. Isaiah has had a hard upbringing too and foster care is a topic discussed in this book. These two broken people come together and it’s a wonderful love story.

Dislikes:

~ I’m not a fan of flashbacks but I like how this showed how young and sweet Beck and Lia’s love is but also was flawed in hindsight.

~ Lia’s relationship with her parents is strained but I can understand why because grieve is a chaotic place to be. I just wish she let her mom in more, but I get it. I totally get it.

Final Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this story. I like how it takes a look at young love and grief. My heart broke for Lia because I can relate to her story – how do you move on when the plans for your future is destroyed in one moment? It’s a hard journey and Lia’s story reflects how sometimes it’s bittersweet but also how there is hope for the future, and there is more life and love to give and receive if you are open to it.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Rival by. Emma Lord | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Rival

Author: Emma Lord

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 320

Publication Date: 1/21/25

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Categories: Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult, Rivals to Lovers, Coming of Age

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!

Rivals-to-lovers gets an academic send-up in this charming and irresistible romantic comedy from Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author of Tweet Cute and Begin Again!

At long last, Sadie has vanquished her lifelong academic rival — her irritatingly charming, whip smart next door neighbor, Seb — by getting the coveted, only spot to her dream college. Or at least, so she thinks. When Seb is unexpectedly pulled off the waitlist and admitted, Sadie has to compete with him all over again, this time to get a spot on the school’s famous zine. Now not only is she dealing with the mayhem of the lovable, chaotic family she hid her writing talents from, as well as her own self doubt, but she has to come to terms with some less-than-resentful feelings for Seb that are popping up along the way.

But the longer they compete, the more Sadie and Seb notice flaws in the school’s system that are much bigger than any competition between them. Somehow the two of them have to band together even as they’re trying to crush each other, only to discover they may have met their match in more ways than one.

Likes:

+ I love a rivals to lovers romance and this offers all the fighting and chemistry between two people who are trying to ignore the attraction between them. I especially love that Sadie and Seb have known one another since they were little! I loved seeing them go from frenemies to lovers.

+ This is a coming of age story as well as a romance. Sadie and Seb both are in their first year of college and though Sadie knows what she wants, she’s not sure what her family would think of her dreams of being a comedic writer. As for Seb, he’s not sure what path is right for himself but though he and Sadie are rivals, they definitely do push one another to be better versions of themselves – usually.

+ I thought the college experience was captured really well in this story – I loved all the antics, campus life, and shenanigans with the clubs. Also, Betty was awesome.

Dislikes:

~ There were times I wished Sadie would let up on the competition with Seb and their little falling out felt a bit overdramatic on Sadie’s part.

Final Thoughts:

I enjoyed this one because I loved the college campus life portrayed in the story. The rivals to lovers romance was full of fighting, banter and chemistry. Overall, I thought it was a fun story!

Find me here: Instagram (bookstagram📚) | Instagram (crafts🎨) | Twitter (X) | Etsy (Shop)

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

The Break-Up Pact by. Emma Lord | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Getaway List by. Emma Lord | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Begin Again by. Emma Lord | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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

Yes No Maybe by. Jessica Sherry | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Yes No Maybe

Author: Jessica Sherry

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 330

Publication Date: 4/30/24

Categories: Romance, Contemporary, Slow Burn, Chick Lit

Teacher and fix-it queen Rowan Mackey avoids attention. Afflicted with serious burns as a teenager, she gets too many unwanted stares already. Consequently, her difficult dating history has taught her to dislike romance, too. So, it’s no surprise when her boyfriend’s extravagant public proposal goes sideways.

Longing for a safe, quiet life with Dean and believing his “independent together” arrangement is her best hope for companionship and a family, Rowan buys the perfect little house to fix things.

Problem is… she shares a property line with Jack Graham, a bestselling romance writer and party-centric playboy, who quickly becomes her next door nemesis. He makes it very clear—he doesn’t want a new neighbor. But when clashes with Rowan end his year-long writer’s block, he must explore his creative fascination with his reluctant muse under atypical Neighbor. Engaged. Off-limits.

These opposites attract, forging a surprise connection. Boundaries vanish as tension rises between them, and they face emotionally charged choices.

Will Rowan risk her safe life with Dean for a chance with the grumpy playboy next door? And will Jack change everything to find the inspiration he craves with the one woman he shouldn’t?

Content Warning: grief, trauma, memories of assault

I picked this book to read for my Spell the Month tbr challenge because the title starts with a Y, so I can fulfill that letter for the month of January. And I was so pleasantly surprise with this book!

Rowan lives with mental scars but very physical ones too – which came from an incident from childhood. It puts some people off so she’s had to struggle with dating and just putting herself out there in general but I really liked Rowan. She’s a teacher, and you know how kids can be cruel but she shows throughout this story how tough she is and caring. I like how she willingly takes in a foster kid even when it’s a challenge. She’s strong, and generous and I like that about her.

Jack is her neighbor and he’s a playboy. He’s also a famous romance writer and at first they do not get along. But what I loved about this story is that we get to watch their relationship progress from enemies, to friendship and ultimately to lovers but it’s not a rush. It’s definitely a slow burn.

The found family scenario with Rowan, Jack and the neighbors was so cute and heartwarming. I love how they had a newsletter.

There was a lot of issues when it came to Rowan and relationships but it was totally understandable. Jack made a few mistakes trying to show her how he felt but I liked seeing what these two people do to make things work.

Final Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this romance and I’m glad I picked it up even though I didn’t know anything about it or the author. I look forward to reading more books from her!