The Plight Before Christmas by. Kate Stewart | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Plight Before Christmas

Author: Kate Stewart

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Publication Date: 12/16/21

Categories: Holiday Romance, Adult, Second Chance Romance, Contemporary

Clark Griswold was onto something, at least with his annual holiday meltdown. And since the last three weeks of my life have been riddled with humbug—another breakup, a broken toe, an office promotion I deserved and didn’t get—I’m not at all in the mood to celebrate nor have the happ, happ, happiest Christmas EVER.

When Mom insisted that we all gather at my Grandparent’s ancient cabin for an old school family Christmas, I fully intended to get into the holiday spirit with the help of the three wise men, Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniels, and Jim Beam. But those boys did absolutely nothing to offset the shock or temper the sting of seeing my EX on our doorstep the first day of our holiday soiree.

Apparently, Santa missed the memo, and this elf is pissed.

Stuck for a week with the man who obliterated my heart nearly two decades ago, I did the only thing I could do and put on my game face, thankful for the home advantage.

I knew better than to drink that last cup of eggnog.

I knew better than to get tongue tangled beneath the mistletoe with the only man to ever break my heart.

I knew better than to sleep with Satan’s wingman on the eve of the Lord’s birthday.

I could blame the nog. I could blame the deceitful light blue eyes, thick, angelic hair, and panty evaporating smirk…but mostly, I blame Eli because he always knew exactly which of my buttons to push.

I foolishly thought a family Christmas filled with nostalgia was going to turn my inner Scrooge around, but this year’s festivities went up in flames. Leave it to the ghost of my Christmas past to be the one to light the match.

Fa la la la la la, FML.

I picked this one up before Christmas and I thought it was perfect as a holiday romance. Whitney is in her late 30’s, the single one in her family who has no boyfriend, no kids and just lost the promotion at work.

I really love Whitney’s family in this story. They gather at a cabin for a family Christmas. Her parents are funny and her siblings act like siblings. They love and fight and love some more, it’s so heart warming. Whitney is a wonderful aunt to her niece and nephews and you can just really feel her love towards them. She knows her time to becoming pregnant is ticking down fast and she sees no future in it.

By strange coincidence, her ex-college boyfriend apparent works with her older brother now and has come along to the cabin to be with them for Christmas. Whitney is caught between present day Eli, and the memories of their past. I thought it was interesting how everyone was dealing with their own stuff. Whitney’s older sister, Serena is having a rough patch in her marriage, her brother and his wife seem to be doing well but it’s not all roses and then there is her and Eli. Her parents seem like they have had the perfect marriage (in Whitney and her siblings eyes) but even they had rough times. These issue are so relatable and I’m glad it didn’t paint relationships as this perfect thing – these are what relationships look like after the wedding and maybe a few kids.

Eli and Whitney have a past and there are many flashback memories of that past. It seems like Eli is there to apologize for breaking her heart but Whitney doesn’t want to heart it. There is a happy ending for them though because it’s Christmas! lol…no that isn’t quite the reason why, but Eli being around Whitney’s family makes him realize a lot of things about Whitney.

Content Warnings: death of parents, illness

As far as Whitney and Eli are concerned – they only dated 8 months and that was years ago but it really took a toll on her outlook on relationships. He was her first love and heartbreak. Their flashbacks gives us a good glimpse of their past but my issue with Eli was he couldn’t just tell her what he wanted to say. We learn why near the end of the story and there was so much to unpack about him – but I felt like he and Whitney dragged on a bit too long. We get all of the answers at the end, but most times I was more invested in Serena/Thatch’s relationship because I could relate to being with kids, and being sassy like Serena.

Why you should read it:

fun family Christmas shenanigans – family cabin/snow
second chance romance plus other family relationships in trouble
heart warming story about family and relationships

Why you might not want to read it:

push/pull from Whitney and Eli kind of took too long for me

My thoughts:

I just needed a holiday romance and the cover of this intrigued me! What I got was a heart-warming story about close family, working through and fighting for relationships, fun Christmas traditions and family bickering, a second-chance romance and all the holidays feels. Glad I picked this one up!

📚 ~ Yolanda

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

The Kindred by. Alechia Dow | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Kindred

Author: Alechia Dow

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 1/4/22

Publisher: Inkyard Press

Categories: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance, Sci-Fi

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

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

To save a galactic kingdom from revolution, Kindred mind-pairings were created to ensure each and every person would be seen and heard, no matter how rich or poor…

Joy Abara knows her place. A commoner from the lowly planet Hali, she lives a simple life—apart from the notoriety that being Kindred to the nobility’s most infamous playboy brings.

Duke Felix Hamdi has a plan. He will exasperate his noble family to the point that they agree to let him choose his own future and finally meet his Kindred face-to-face.

Then the royal family is assassinated, putting Felix next in line for the throne…and accused of the murders. Someone will stop at nothing until he’s dead, which means they’ll target Joy, too. Meeting in person for the first time as they steal a spacecraft and flee amid chaos might not be ideal…and neither is crash-landing on the strange backward planet called Earth. But hiding might just be the perfect way to discover the true strength of the Kindred bond and expose a scandal—and a love—that may decide the future of a galaxy.

This is the second Alechia Dow book I’ve read and the premise of her stories always intrigue me because her stories combine sci-fi with the contemporary issues of today, love of music and romance. The Kindred follows two Monchurians, Joy and Felix who are kindred – paired since birth not to be married, but to be a sort of support system to one another as they grow up. Felix is a royal and Joy is not but that doesn’t stop their connection from growing into something more. Personality wise, Joy is calm and level headed, Felix is more flamboyant and seeks attention – together they balance one another.

Felix and Joy flee their home after he is accused of murder and land on Earth. They meet a human, Rashid, who befriends them and gives them shelter. I thought it was fun seeing them assimilate with the humans for the short time they are there. They learn some human music and go to the mall and shop. They even go to Rashid’s school to attend cheer practice. We get to see how technologically advance Monchurians are compared to humans with the gadgets they have on them. I did enjoy the action in space a lot, especially when the humans come a long for the journey, that was fun! The world building is wonderful.

The romance between Felix and Joy is so intense because they have been in each other’s minds for the most of their lives. It’s a forbidden love because he’s a royal and she is not. You could definitely feel the love and longing between them, it was undeniable.

I thought it was interesting how Joy did mention her social status, body size and skin tone made her feel lesser on her own planet. She related to what the humans, more specifically African American humans, were going through on Earth with the Black Lives Movement and protests. The story does pull from current events when Felix and Joy are on Earth.

Content: racism

I thought Felix and Joy falling to Earth was fun but I do wish we stuck with just being on Monchuria and get fully immersed in their world. But I get it was to compare issues like racism, colonialism, and class because they were similar even though they are completely different planets and civilization.

There is a lot of pop references in this one, because like I said, music is a big unifier in this author’s books.

There are flashbacks in this story and some were informational, but mostly I wasn’t a fan of it. I’m not usually a fan of flashbacks because I think they disrupt the flow of the story.

Why you should read it:

it’s different and a sci-fi romance story
instead of fated we get two people who are paired
good world building, some action

Why you might not want to read it:

not into sci-fi romance/aliens (nothing seemed alien about them, they look like humans)

My Thoughts:

This was a fun foray into sci-fi romance which for me was a nice break since I like to read a lot of fantasy. The romance between Joy and Felix is sweet and intense, you can really feel their closeness which is beautiful. Their adventure to Earth was fun for me to read, but very eye-opening for Joy and Felix when they learn of the societal issues happening on Earth. Overall, this was an entertaining read and look forward to reading more from this author.

📚 ~ Yolanda

XOXO by. Axie Oh | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: XOXO

Author: Axie Oh

Format: eBook (own)

Pages: 352

Publication Date: 7/13/21

Categories: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult, Teen, K-Pop, Music

Cello prodigy Jenny has one goal: to get into a prestigious music conservatory. When she meets mysterious, handsome Jaewoo in her uncle’s Los Angeles karaoke bar, it’s clear he’s the kind of boy who would uproot her careful plans. But in a moment of spontaneity, she allows him to pull her out of her comfort zone for one unforgettable night of adventure…before he disappears without a word.

Three months later, when Jenny and her mother arrive in South Korea to take care of her ailing grandmother, she’s shocked to discover that Jaewoo is a student at the same elite arts academy where she’s enrolled for the semester. And he’s not just any student. He’s a member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world—and he’s strictly forbidden from dating.

When a relationship means throwing Jenny’s life off the path she’s spent years mapping out, she’ll have to decide once and for all just how much she’s willing to risk for love.

Bought this one on a whim because it the ebook was on sale for $1.99 on Amazon and I was craving a light hearted, cute romance and this one delivered.

Girl meets boy and off in Los Angeles and then off to South Korea we go! I love that this mostly took place in South Korea, the author did a great job transporting my mind there. Jenny can handle herself in South Korea pretty well because she’s taken Korean language courses since she was young. I like that she’s independent, talented and she’s nice. Jaewoo is a member of rising K-Pop group XOXO and he’s what girls dream the perfect boy to be: gorgeous, talented, charming, responsible, follows the rules and a super star. The two hit it off in the most innocent way possible and when Jenny moves to South Korea and coincidentally to the school Jaewoo goes to – it’s hard for them to fight their attraction.

There are some family issues discussed in this book, especially with the issue of responsibility. Jaewoo is his family’s breadwinner – anything he does in public could jeopardize his career. Jenny is trying to reach her goals and get into her top choice music school and be a cellist. Her mom tells her the only path to succeed is no distractions (no friends, and especially no boyfriends). Yet Jenny finally finds out the truth about her mom and grandma’s strained relationship.

The romance is so super cute and sweet, I usually like some fighting and angst in romances but this was adorable. I felt like they gave each other enough space – Jenny was making new friends at her school and Jaewoo being in a k-pop group had many things to do with school and the group. I can’t say there was too much drama except the usual – how does a k-pop star date a normal girl? So even their little moment of a break-up it was short-lived.

Fun side characters like XOXO member, Nathaniel. I liked Jenny’s new friends also.

Content Warnings: bullying

I’d like to see this one as a k-drama, it would be so good!

Jaewoo remained the perfect boy in this story – would have like to see him break more rules like Nathaniel haha but everyone has their own role in the group it seemed and Jaewoo was the mysterious, song writer. Speaking of Nathaniel…do we get a book on him? Because I’d read it! Actually make one for each of the other guys in the group also haha.

I’m not a huge k-pop fan, I only know the popular ones like Black Pink and BTS (of course) so for me I thought it was fascinating learning about how they audition to be in a group and then how they are marketed. This becomes their lives and way of supporting their families so it’s a big deal!

Why you should read it:

super cute, forbidden romance between a K-pop star and a Korean-American girl
relatable issues about family responsibilities
a fun, quick, light romance

Why you might not want to read it:

not into the pop star and regular girl trope

My thoughts:

This one made me feel happy at the end and that’s what I really needed so it hit the mark for me. Would have love to see Jaewoo be a little imperfect but hey for what this story was about, he and Jenny were perfect for one another. XOXO had a good combination of friendship, family, romance and fun. I look forward to reading more 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

The Upside of Falling by. Alex Light | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Upside of Falling

Author: Alex Light

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 288

Publication Date: 2/18/20

Categories: Contemporary, Romance, Fake Dating, Young Adult, Teen

It’s been years since seventeen-year-old Becca Hart believed in true love. But when her former best friend teases her for not having a boyfriend, Becca impulsively pretends she’s been secretly seeing someone.

Brett Wells has it all. Being captain of the football team and one of the most popular guys in school, he should have no problem finding someone to date, but he’s always been more focused on his future than who to bring to prom. When he overhears Becca’s lie, Brett decides to step in and be her mystery guy. It’s the perfect solution: he gets people off his back for not dating and she can keep up the ruse.

Acting like the perfect couple isn’t easy though, especially when you barely know the other person. But with Becca still picking up the pieces from when her world was blown apart years ago and Brett just barely holding his together now, they begin to realize they have more in common than they ever could have imagined. When the line between real and pretend begins to blur, they are forced to answer the question: is this fake romance the realest thing in either of their lives?

This is a very light young adult romance book. I think the writing is more for teens than young adults with some cursing here and there (not a lot).

It’s a typical fake dating scenario: Becca is pretty unknown on campus, she loves losing herself in romance books (even though she is a cynic about real life love) and Brett is the star football player so they decide to get together for their own reasons – not very serious reasons, but they seem to think fake dating would be a good idea.

Becca doesn’t believe in love because her parents got divorced. Brett believes in marriage and true love because his parents have the perfect one – or so it seems. This is the only time the book gets heavy when Brett finds out his perfect life isn’t so perfect. Also Becca deals with some issues about her dad and his new family as well. In this aspect, Becca and Brett had each other for support, dealing with the mistakes of their parents.

As a couple, I thought Becca and Brett were cute and somewhat innocent about dating. Neither of them have dated before so they take things really slow. I like that they become friends, even as they are fake-dating, before admitting their feelings had grown.

Content Warnings: cheating, divorce

One thing that I thought was cheesy was Brett always pouting haha – I guess some girls would find that cute. It made me feel like I was too old to be reading this story, probably because I am! lol…but I read it anyway, it’s nice to reminisce.

Becca and Brett did get along very well, even if she was new to being in the spotlight or a fake relationship. I think they got together on the fake-dating plan way too quick – there was no real lead up and bam, they agree it’s a good idea. It would’ve been nice if that scene was developed a bit more because Becca and Brett weren’t exactly strangers to one another, but they had no history with one another at all. I can’t say I connected to either of them but the parental issues are very relatable.

The story is predictable and doesn’t have any big surprises. The story is short, under 300 pages, so I finished this rather quickly.

Why you should read it:

very quick, cute, light teen romance
fake-dating
relatable issues

Why you might not want to read it:

predictable, nothing that stands out
more for teens than young adults or adults

My thoughts:

There isn’t much that makes it stand out but I did like that Becca and Brett each had different family issues to deal with. The fake-dating part was easy compared to the family drama, which was sad to see for both of them. But the problems sort of work themselves out in their own different ways and Becca and Brett are stronger because of it. If you like a light contemporary romance with a fake-dating trope that’s under 300 pages then you will fly through this one.

📚 ~ 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

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

BLOG TOUR} Meet Me in London by. Georgia Toffolo | ARC Review

Welcome to the blog tour for Meet Me in London by. Georgia Toffolo!

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Meet Me in London

Author: Georgia Toffolo

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 9/28/21

Publisher: HQN

Categories: Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Fake Engagement

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

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

What do you do when your fake engagement starts to feel too real…

Aspiring clothes designer Victoria Scott spends her days working in a bar in Chelsea and her evenings designing vintage clothes, dreaming of one day opening her own boutique. But these aspirations are under threat from the new department store opening at the end of her road. She needs a Christmas miracle, but one is not forthcoming.

Oliver Russell’s Christmas is not looking very festive right now. His family’s new London department store opening is behind schedule, and on top of that his interfering, if well-meaning, mother is pressing him to introduce his girlfriend to her over the holidays—a girlfriend who does not exist. He needs a diversion…something to keep his mother from meddling while he focuses on the business.

When Oliver meets Victoria, he offers a proposition: pretend to be his girlfriend at the opening of his store and he will provide an opportunity for Victoria to showcase her designs. But what starts as a business arrangement soon becomes something more tempting as the fake relationship starts to feel very real. But when secrets in Victoria’s past are exposed, will Oliver walk away, or will they both follow their hearts and find what neither knew they were looking for…?

I definitely get the holiday romance vibes in this story with the setting of London and the department store. I can picture Christmas in London being very romantic!

Victoria as a character has some sad history, she’s struggling to make her dreams come true as a fashion designer. On the other hand, Oliver is a wealthy business man who conveniently is helping his family open up a new department store – I think you can guess how this one plays out!

The romance is predictable because it’s a fake dating story so we already know what happens there but they had good chemistry in and outside of the bedroom. You definitely see the attraction grows since they have to pretend to be engaged.

Content Warnings: accident trauma

I didn’t connect to the characters and the story was quite predictable but it’s a quick, holiday romance read so I took it for what it was.

Why you should read it:

holiday romance story
fake dating trope
Christmas setting in London

Why you might not want to read it:

predictable

My Thoughts:

This one wasn’t for me even though I think it would make a really good holiday romance movie on Hallmark channel or Netflix. It’s got the setting and story right for a holiday romance, I just wish I could connect more to the characters.

📚 ~ Yolanda

About the Author:

Georgia Toffolo is a broadcaster and TV personality. She has been a firm favourite with the public right from the start of her TV debut, Made in Chelsea, all the way to winning over the hearts of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2018.

Georgia turned her eye to fashion and has curated two sell out collections with fashion retailer Shein. An ambassador for many British brands, both large and small, Georgia has also collaborated with Dyson, Baileys, Emma Bridgewater, Great British Racing, Foreo and Malibu amongst many more.

Most recently, Georgia has dived into the world of fiction by publishing her debut novel Meet Me in London with publishing house Mills and Boon. This is the first of an original series of four books following a group of lifelong friends and bringing personal anecdotes to life with humour and charm.