A Cursed Heart by. Jenny Hickman | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: A Cursed Heart (Myths of Airren, #2)

Author: Jenny Hickman

Format: ebook (KU)

Pages: 429

Publication Date: 5/10/22

Publisher: Midnight Tide Publishing

Categories: Fantasy, Mythology, Romance, Series

Living on an island plagued by magic and mythical monsters isn’t a fairy tale . . . it’s a nightmare.

Aveen is the perfect lady, placid and well-mannered, concealing her discontentment beneath false smiles and gentle nods. As the eldest, her duty has always been to her family legacy and her sister’s happiness. But when she finds herself forced into betrothal to a man she loathes, she swears she’ll do anything to escape. Even if it means bargaining with a wicked fae prince.

Rían is a devious half-fae with a dark secret, concealing his true nature beneath glamours and lies. When a fascinating human accidentally catches his eye, it’s clear he’ll do anything to take her for himself. Including making promises he can’t-or won’t-keep.

Confronting hidden dangers and haunting pasts, the two reluctantly come to rely on each other to survive a world where nothing is what it seems and darkness encroaches from all sides.

Will their tangled web of lies bring freedom they crave . . . or will it unravel them both?

A Cursed Heart is the second book in the Myths of Airren, a series of inter-connected standalone fantasy romances set on the magical island of Airren.

Content Warning: violence, sexual assault

Here is book two in the Myths of Airren series and it’s about Aveen and Rian. I didn’t think anyone could have more chemistry than Tadhg and Keelyn but I was wrong, because here is Aveen and Rian who have a love/hate relationship going on. Here’s what I thought:

+ Aveen took the role of Keelynn’s big sister but also her mother since their own died. She is the oldest and has the responsibility of making a good marriage. Keelynn is her whole world but all Aveen wants is a life where no one tells her what to do, especially where men are concerned. Rian is Tadhg’s brother which means he has the same arrogance and sex appeal as his brother – these boys are such rascals! When Aveen and Rian meet, it’s fireworks…not so much a love at first sight, but oh so much bickering. Their relationship made me laugh!

+ This was an interesting story because it gives a backstory – so it starts before Keelynn and Tadhg story, but also becomes parallel it for some time. So basically this is Aveen’s perspective of what was going on. I found her story fascinating because we barely met her in book one. Here we realize how much earlier she and Rian met.

+ I feel like Aveen and Rian got more time to be friends, compared to Keelynn and Tadhg. I love both romances but Aveen and Rian definitely had more ups and downs and time together. Aveen is supposed to be the more proper of the sisters, the responsible one, so maybe it makes she gets the wilder one of the brothers! She does not fall for his beauty, Aveen is pretty much over men and their demands when she meets Rian, which was fun to see Rian and her fall for one another. And Aveen and Rian had hotter scenes too!

~ I think because we got the story in full from before Keelynn’s story starts…the ending when Aveen and Rian deals with his curse feels rushed. And I wish they had more time to expand on his curse, but the story had to cover so much.

Tropes: falling in love with a monster, breaking curses, sacrifice

Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶

Why you should read it:

Aveen and Rian have so much spark between them, I love how they hate one another haha…makes them falling in love much sweeter
Ruairi is back and I love him!
we get a very full story from beginning to end

Why you might not want to read it:

Finding out about Rian’s curse and fixing it feels rushed at the end because we had the full story of Aveen and Keelynn’s timeline in this one.

My Thoughts:

I’m going to say I love this one as equally as the first book, just in different ways. I still love Tadhg more because he’s softer than Rian, which is surprising because I like the bad bad boys. Aveen and Rian are perfect for one another – she isn’t scared off by him and he needs that. I’m looking forward to reading book three!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A Cursed Kiss by. Jenny Hickman | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: A Cursed Kiss (Myths of Airren, #1)

Author: Jenny Hickman

Format: ebook (KU)

Pages: 411

Publication Date: 11/23/21

Publisher: Midnight Tide Publishing

Categories: Fantasy, Mythology, Romance, Series

Living on an island plagued by magic and mythical monsters isn’t a fairy tale… it’s a nightmare.

After Keelynn witnesses her sister’s murder at the hands of the legendary Gancanagh, an immortal creature who seduces women and kills them with a cursed kiss, she realizes there’s nothing she wouldn’t do to get her back. With the help of a vengeful witch, she’s given everything she needs to resurrect the person she loves most.

But first, she must slay the Gancanagh.

Tadhg, a devilishly handsome half-fae who has no patience for high society—or propriety—would rather spend his time in the company of loose women and dark creatures than help a human kill one of his own.

That is until Keelynn makes him an offer he can’t refuse.

Together, they embark on a cross-country curse-breaking mission that promises life but ends in death.

Content Warning: violence, sexual assault

I was in the mood for a faerie book and chose this one from Kindle Unlimited and it really did satisfy my craving! Here’s what I thought:

+ My favorite part of this book is Keelynn and Tadhg (how do you say his name?!) and their constant bickering. He is quite the charmer though with his kohl lined eyes, and ready smile. These two clashed but in the best ways – plus their attraction to each other was undeniable. Plus their love story is sweet!

+ Keelynn is going to kill the Gancanagh so she can revive her beloved sister, and bring her back to life. But there are a few twists and turns in this story. I like that it’s a quick read and kept moving!

+ In this world, humans and monsters live among one another but clearly, there is tension between them. Keelynn has been brought up to fear the monsters but when she meets Tadhg and is immersed in his world of Pookas and faeries – she realizes she never really knew anything about monsters.

~ At times Keelynn could be frustrating. I definitely loved Tadhg more between the two of them. It really took her time for her to open her eyes to some things…like Robert!

Tropes: falling in love with a monster, breaking curses

Spice Level: 🌶🌶 (scenes do fade to black though)

Why you should read it:

you like stories about the Fae – there are creatures from mythology in the story and they live among humans, though they deal with racism and prejudice
Keelynn and Tadgh are fun, hot and sweet together
lots of fun twists in the story

Why you might not want to read it:

Keelynn isn’t the most likable – she loves her sister clearly, but sometimes she came off a bit cold – Tadgh is good for her

My Thoughts:

This one is a fun quick read and I wanted it a Fae story with a little bit of spice, tension and humor and it delivered! I think I’m in love with Tadgh. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’m already going to read the second book which is about Keelynn’s sister and Tadgh’s brother – that should be an interesting story!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Last Legacy by. Adrienne Young | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Last Legacy

Author: Adrienne Young

Format: ebook (borrowed)

Pages: 322

Publication Date: 9/6/21

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Categories: Fantasy, Spin Off/Standalone, Romance, Family

When a letter from her uncle Henrik arrives on Bryn Roth’s eighteenth birthday, summoning her back to Bastian, Bryn is eager to prove herself and finally take her place in her long-lost family.

Henrik has plans for Bryn, but she must win everyone’s trust if she wants to hold any power in the delicate architecture of the family. It doesn’t take long for her to see that the Roths are entangled in shadows. Despite their growing influence in upscale Bastian, their hands are still in the kind of dirty business that got Bryn’s parents killed years ago. With a forbidden romance to contend with and dangerous work ahead, the cost of being accepted into the Roths may be more than Bryn can pay.

New York Times bestselling author Adrienne Young returns with The Last Legacy, a captivating standalone about family and blood ties, reinventing yourself, and controlling your own destiny.

Content Warning: violence, abuse

This book is set in the world of the Fable series – which I loved and honestly I feel like this could have been a new duology or trilogy but it is a standalone. Not gonna lie – I love this world of merchants, pirates, traders – it’s so intense and gritty. Let’s take a look at what I thought of the book:

+ I love that this is set in the same world as the last series, Fable. It has the same intensity – the feeling that everyone is playing a dangerous game and it’s not clear who to trust. Since this is a standalone spin-off I felt like it was more high stakes because the story was going to have an ending.

+ Bryn Roth – she’s on the outside looking in and she wants to belong. She’s been waiting all her life to be worthy of the Roth name, but when she finally gets her chance it isn’t as easy as it seems. And she has to make a hard choice at the end…

+ Ezra and Bryn are electric. It’s an attraction that becomes a forbidden love scenario. I wish we had more time for their relationship to grow but it’s a standalone. I just wanted more of them together on the page.

~ I really liked how Bryn is so determined to belong and become a Roth but she isn’t going to take the way how the kids are treated and trained in this family. Her uncle is their leader, and he rules the family with an iron first – and yet the family bond is strong but all around its toxic. Bryn knows she can’t change it though she tries but I’m glad she stands up for herself and others.

Tropes: forbidden love

Spice Level: 🌶

Why you should read it:

You liked the Fable series – this is set in the same world but instead of pirates we learn more about the merchants, trades and guilds.
it’s intense, a quick read with a strong female lead

Why you might not want to read it:

it’s a standalone and I wish there was maybe one more book so that we get more of Bryn and Ezra.

My Thoughts:

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book but I loved the Fable duology so much that it felt great being back in this world with a new family and new characters to root for. Definitely read it if you are a fan of this author’s works. I look forward to reading more from her!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Here are other books by this author that I have reviewed on this blog and books I have read but never reviewed:

Namesake | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Fable | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC Review | The Girl the Sea Gave Back ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sky in the Deep (Sky and Sea, #1) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s Not Summer Without You by. Jenny Han | Book Review | Re-Read

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: It’s Not Summer Without You (#2)

Author: Jenny Han

Format: ebook (borrowed)

Pages: 275

Publication Date: 4/26/10

Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

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

Belly finds out what comes after falling in love in this follow-up to The Summer I Turned Pretty from the New York Times bestselling author of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (soon to be a major motion picture!), Jenny Han.

Can summer be truly summer without Cousins Beach?

It used to be that Belly counted the days until summer, until she was back at Cousins Beach with Conrad and Jeremiah. But not this year. Not after Susannah got sick again and Conrad stopped caring. Everything that was right and good has fallen apart, leaving Belly wishing summer would never come.

But when Jeremiah calls saying Conrad has disappeared, Belly knows what she must do to make things right again. And it can only happen back at the beach house, the three of them together, the way things used to be. If this summer really and truly is the last summer, it should end the way it started—at Cousins Beach.

Content Warning: death of parent, underage drinking

I read this series long ago but decided to do a re-read because it’s now on screen! It’s been interesting re-reading this series as an older person for sure. Here’s what I thought:

+ {spoiler} The boy’s mom was ill in book one and passes but they have no scenes of the actual moment it happens. This sequel is told in memories, whether it’s about Belly and Conrad memories, or one that included Susannah. We see everyone handling their grief in very different ways but for sure they are broken and trying to hang on to one another.

+ No matter the romance drama between Belly, Conrad and Jeremiah – I do love that they have the bond because of how close their families are and the memories they made at the beach house.

+ Belly’s mom is awesome and is handling so much – but Belly being a teenager, doesn’t know how much she is handling. But she really is awesome and loves these kids, hers and Susannah’s.

~ Even though I know this book is about a love triangle, I just cannot believe how Belly goes back and forth between the brothers. I’m just sad they all have to go through this drama while grieving Susannah. It’s messy and it’s the worst kind of love triangle because it’s between brothers.

~ This is all teen drama so Belly comes off as a brat at times.

Tropes: love triangle

Spice Level: 🌶 (there is kissing)

Why you should read it:

You love the first book and want to know what happens next.
you like stories about first loves, first crushes, a love triangle

Why you might not want to read it:

you’re not into teenage romance love triangles
Belly can get annoying

My Thoughts:

The books in this series are really quick reads! It’s mainly about Belly and the two brothers she loves in different ways but it’s definitely not a book for someone who hates love triangles. I don’t mind love triangles but I hate when it’s between two brothers. It’s messy and even more so because it’s young love with so many feelings involved, feelings that hurt easy, intertwined with grief. In my opinion, Belly should lay off dating these guys until she’s older and has a clear head haha…but that’s just me! It’s just full on romance, back and forth drama.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Summer I Turned Pretty by. Jenny Han | Book Review | Re-read ⭐️⭐️⭐️

How do you regret one of the best nights of your entire life? You don’t. You remember every word, every look. Even when it hurts, you still remember.
Jenny Han, It’s Not Summer Without You

Hook, Line and Sinker by. Tessa Bailey | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Hook, Line and Sinker (Bellinger Sisters, #2)

Author: Tessa Bailey

Format: ebook (borrowed)

Pages: 385

Publication Date: 3/1/22

Publisher: Avon

Categories: Romance, Friends to Lovers, Rom Com

King crab fisherman Fox Thornton has a reputation as a sexy, carefree flirt. Everyone knows he’s a guaranteed good time–in bed and out–and that’s exactly how he prefers it. Until he meets Hannah Bellinger. She’s immune to his charm and looks, but she seems to enjoy his… personality? And wants to be friends? Bizarre. But he likes her too much to risk a fling, so platonic pals it is.

Now, Hannah’s in town for work, crashing in Fox’s spare bedroom. She knows he’s a notorious ladies’ man, but they’re definitely just friends. In fact, she’s nursing a hopeless crush on a colleague and Fox is just the person to help with her lackluster love life. Armed with a few tips from Westport’s resident Casanova, Hannah sets out to catch her coworker’s eye… yet the more time she spends with Fox, the more she wants him instead. As the line between friendship and flirtation begins to blur, Hannah can’t deny she loves everything about Fox, but she refuses to be another notch on his bedpost.

Living with his best friend should have been easy. Except now she’s walking around in a towel, sleeping right across the hall, and Fox is fantasizing about waking up next to her for the rest of his life and… and… man overboard! He’s fallen for her, hook, line, and sinker. Helping her flirt with another guy is pure torture, but maybe if Fox can tackle his inner demons and show Hannah he’s all in, she’ll choose him instead?

Content Warning:

Life has been so busy for me the past few weeks that this book was exactly what I needed to sweep me away for a little bit, fall in love with the characters falling in love and not think about my problems 😅. Let’s get to what I did and didn’t like:

+ I love that we are back in Westport, where the ocean is near, and the Bellinger sisters are together again but this one is all about Hannah, the supporting actress, the one in Piper’s shadow, the sweet sister who has her head all up into music. I loved Hannah from book one because she seems down to earth, she’s more practical about things and even has a normal job. She’s trying to work on being the “leading lady” in certain aspects of her life, like with her job and with Fox.

+ The best part of this whole book was Hannah and Fox’s relationship. They go from friends…and yes I think I can say they are friends even though it’s been only a few months of really texting each other. But it continues when she comes back except the physical attraction is now an issue – they want each other…but the challenge is trying to decide if it’s worth ruining the friendship for and I love that they make it work. I’m more of a lover of the “enemies to lovers” trope…but maybe I’m emotional because of PMS, but this one had me in my feels. I love that they were trying to understand one another, be honest even if it was scary – they listened to one another. Love that because relationships are a long haul and knowing how to get through the bumps are so important. And they have their own way which works for them.

+ Speaking of physical attraction 🔥 – these two were definitely hot for one another. But I like how they tried to talk about things before actually getting to the point of acting on it.

~ I felt like book one had more of an emotional connection between Piper and her dad’s memory, the town and the bar. Sadly Hannah doesn’t have that connection because she doesn’t remember him and that is realistic but she was hardly at her grandma’s place, or connecting to anyone really in the book except for with Fox. BUT…I totally get it, some people just need their space and she even said she liked the idea of moving from Westport to be able to work, and have space so they could figure out their relationship with Fox without people always giving their two cents. So I respected that about her. I just felt like there wasn’t much of Piper in the book or anyone else, this really focused on Hannah and Fox relationship.

~ I think some parts about Fox’s commitment issues got a bit repetitive in the middle of the story. I get it that he had to work through these issues though and actually I think it’s relatable (I grew up with a few guys like this.) There are those guys out there and it’s sad that they think their only worth is their looks and being a F-buddy, which is why I thought it was sweet how he connected with Hannah and how Hannah saw who he really was and was patient enough with him.

Tropes: friends to lovers, forced proximity, afraid to commit, small town

Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

Why you should read it:

Hannah and Fox are perfect for one another, she’s trying to be more confident in her job and he has major insecurities, especially when it comes to his feelings about Hannah – but what I love about them is they try to listen and understand one another. They are each other’s safe space. They grew together which melts my heart!
sweet, steamy, and funny

Why you might not want to read it:

you didn’t like the first book…OR if you did like the first one, just know this one is different because Piper isn’t Hannah and vice versa. Hannah has a lesser connection to the town and her dad’s memory. Hannah is her own person but it would have been nice to have her reconnect more with her sister too – but that’s just me. I like when Hannah and Piper are together because they are the most loving sisters.

My Thoughts:

Overall, this was the perfect book for my current mood – I just wanted to escape and read a book with a happily ever after. I definitely felt all the emotions while reading Hannah and Fox’s love story. They are the cutest together with their shared love of music and wanting to take care of each other. This one gave me all the feels!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

It Happened One Summer by. Tessa Bailey | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I just kind of stand around waiting for things to happen, while other people seem to make them happen so easily. I can help others—I like doing that—but I’m a supporting actress, not a leading lady.
Tessa Bailey, Hook, Line and Sinker

BLOG TOUR} Mr. Perfect on Paper by. Jean Meltzer | ARC Review

Welcome to the blog tour for Mr. Perfect on Paper by. Jean Meltzer!

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Mr. Perfect on Paper

Author: Jean Meltzer

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 8/9/22

Publisher: MIRA

Categories: Romance, Inter-faith Romance, Women’s Fiction, Single Dad, 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 MIRA for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

From the author of the buzzy THE MATZAH BALL, a pitch-perfect romcom about a matchmaker who finds her own search for love thrust into the spotlight after her bubbe outs her list for “The Perfect Jewish Husband” on live television.

Dara Rabinowitz knows a lot about love. As a third-generation schadchan, or matchmaker, she’s funneled her grandmother’s wisdom into the world’s most successful Jewish dating app, J-Mate. Yet, despite being the catalyst for countless Jewish marriages, Dara has never been successful at finding love. Oh, she’s got plenty of excuses—like running a three-hundred person technology company and visiting her beloved bubbe every day. But the real reason Dara hasn’t been on a date in three years is much simpler. Though she desperately wants to meet her bashert, and stand beneath the huppah, she is frozen by social anxiety.

All that single dad Chris Steadfast wants to do is give his daughter stability. But with the ratings for the TV news show he anchors in the gutter, and the network threatening cancellation, Chris’s career – like his life with Lacey in Manhattan — is on the chopping block.

When her bubbe outs Dara’s list for “The Perfect Jewish Husband” when they’re guests on Chris’s live show, Chris sees an opportunity to both find Dara her perfect match, and boost the ratings of his show. But finding Mr. Perfect on Paper may mean giving up on the charming—and totally not Jewish—reporter following Dara’s nationwide hunt…

Content Warning: grief

I read The Matzah Ball from this author last year and I thought to give this new book of hers a try. I’m glad I did! Here’s what did and didn’t work for me:

+ I learned more about what being kosher means. My husband is Jewish but he is definitely not kosher. He follows Reform Judaism and is raising our kids this way. We are also in an inter-faith marriage, something Dara, in the book is totally against at first. I like how she explains why being Jewish and wanting to find a man who is Jewish is important to her. I learned a lot! I also liked how they introduced important Jewish holidays throughout the story.

+ I love the relationships depicted in the story, one between Dara and her Bubbe (grandmother) and the other between Chris and his daughter Lacey. There were very sweet moments between them.

+ Dara has GAD or Generalized Anxiety Disorder and I like that she talked about it and wasn’t afraid to share with people what she felt and went through with GAD. I also like that she is a very successful woman with her dating app J-Mate.

~ I wish there was a little more chemistry between Chris and Dara – there was some, but I wanted more. Obviously Chris was not going to be someone who was perfect for her and she had to work those thoughts out in her head, but she is so steadfast in her faith I almost thought she should pick Daniel because of it.

~ I wanted more scenes with Bubbe in it. She was there in the beginning and the end but no so much in the middle of the book. It would have been nice for Dara to get some insight of her other dates from her Bubbe since she is the most important person in her life.

Tropes: single dad, slow burn

Why you should read it:

a light hearted, rom-com with lots of Jewish representation
Bubbe and her friends are fun ladies and I like how Dara spends lots of time with them
learn about Jewish holidays and faith

Why you might not want to read it:

for me it needed more chemistry between Chris and Dara

My Thoughts:

This is a light-hearted romance story about a Jewish woman Dara, who give us a lot of insight into being Jewish and what she believes it means to her. Dara knows what she wants in a guy so it’s interesting when in the end she chooses the guy who has none of the qualities she wrote down on her list. This story has some funny moments, and touching moments too.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

BLOG TOUR} The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer | ARC Review – ⭐️⭐️⭐️

About the Author:

Author Bio:

Author Jean Meltzer studied dramatic writing at NYU Tisch, and served as creative director at Tapestry International, garnering numerous awards for her work in television, including a daytime Emmy. Like her protagonist, Jean is also a chronically-ill and disabled Jewish woman. She is an outspoken advocate for ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), has attended visibility actions in Washington DC, meeting with members of Senate and Congress to raise funds for ME/CFS. She inspires 9,000 followers on WW Connect to live their best life, come out of the chronic illness closet, and embrace the hashtag #chronicallyfabulous. Also, while she was raised in what would be considered a secular home, she grew up kosher and attended Hebrew School. She spent five years in Rabbinical School. She is the author of The Matzah Ball and Mr. Perfect on Paper.

Author’s Socials: Author Website | Facebook: @JeanMeltzerAuthor | Instagram: @JeanMeltzer | Goodreads

The Wedding Crasher by. Mia Sosa | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: The Wedding Crasher

Author: Mia Sosa

Format: ebook (borrowed)

Pages: 385

Publication Date: 4/5/22

Publisher: Avon

Categories: Romance, Fake Dating, One Bed

Just weeks away from ditching DC for greener pastures, Solange Pereira is roped into helping her wedding planner cousin on a random couple’s big day. It’s an easy gig… until she stumbles upon a situation that convinces her the pair isn’t meant to be. What’s a true-blue romantic to do? Crash the wedding, of course. And ensure the unsuspecting groom doesn’t make the biggest mistake of his life.

Dean Chapman had his future all mapped out. He was about to check off “start a family” and on track to “make partner” when his modern day marriage of convenience went up in smoke. Then he learns he might not land an assignment that could be his ticket to a promotion unless he has a significant other and, in a moment of panic, Dean claims to be in love with the woman who crashed his wedding. Oops.

Now Dean has a whole new item on his to-do list: beg Solange to be his pretend girlfriend. Solange feels a tiny bit bad about ruining Dean’s wedding, so she agrees to play along. Yet as they fake-date their way around town, what started as a performance for Dean’s colleagues turns into a connection that neither he nor Solange can deny. Their entire romance is a sham… there’s no way these polar opposites could fall in love for real, right?

Content Warning: left at the altar

I’ve seen this book all over Amazon but never picked it up until now. Here’s what I liked and didn’t like:

+ I love that pretty pink cover and how this story starts off at a wedding…except things go wrong. The humor for this book is present throughout but you can tell from the first chapter that it was gonna be funny because of Solange.

+ Solange is Brazilian-American and she comes with a big Brazilian family which I love. Her personality is fun and easy-going. She’s smart, and very confident in herself. She’s always telling jokes and I’m glad because Dean is the opposite (unless he is drunk lol). We were treated to Brazilian foods and Portuguese words and I love it!

+ A lot actually happens in this book while Solange and Dean are fake dating. Some very surprising events but again, it made the story very entertaining because it was unexpected! I like how the story keeps moving whether it’s Solange and Dean going on fake dates, or hanging out with Solange and all her family members.

+ I thought the romance was cute. Right away there is physical attraction and it builds up nicely. They both have relationship issues so it was about being on the same page for them and how to get there. But it’s a steamy book, lot of spice! Also, there was a side F/F couple in the story.

~ Dean is handsome and smart, he’s a lawyer and ambitious but he didn’t quite cut it for me. He was a little too stiff for me, until that karaoke bar scene lol (which made me laugh!). I mean he danced to Pony! Of course Solange loosens him up a bit but still I guess I wanted a bit more from him in the beginning.

+~ I read that there is a first book in this series called Worst Best Man where Dean makes his debut. So I don’t know if you need to read that book. I didn’t read it and still was engaged in the story.

~ A little bit of a lull after their fake-dating agreement comes to an end, but it’s also when they finally act on their attraction (so that keeps in interesting)…but their interactions aren’t as funny as when they were fake-dating.

Tropes: fake dating, one bed, opposites attract

Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

Why you should read it:

it’s got some fun tropes like fake dating and one bed
Solange is fun and her family is amazing
funny and steamy

Why you might not want to read it:

you didn’t read Worst Best Man, but you don’t have to…I didn’t get lost in this one
too steamy?

My Thoughts:

This one was cute and fun, the spice and steam just added to it. I love Solange and her vibrant Brazilian family – we were treated to some of the culture and that was lovely. I think Dean was a little too stiff for me, but that was the point since Solange is who loosens him up. Overall, I liked this one a lot!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

One thing’s clear: Not being in a relationship is better than being in a bad one. Because one bad relationship can change your life forever.”
Mia Sosa, The Wedding Crasher

“Here’s the thing about detours, though: Sometimes they become the destination.”
Mia Sosa, The Wedding Crasher

On the Subject of Unmentionable Things by. Julia Walton | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: On the Subject of Unmentionable Things

Author: Julia Walton

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 320

Publication Date: 8/23/22

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Categories: Young Adult, Teen Reader, Romance, Contemporary, Sex Education, Politics

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

Thank you to Random House Books for Young Readers for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A girl rewrites sex education, one viral post at a time, in this fiercely honest and delightfully awkward novel by the award-winning author of Words on Bathroom Walls.

Phoebe Townsend is a rule follower . . . or so everyone thinks. She’s an A student who writes for her small-town school newspaper. But what no one knows is that Phoebe is also Pom—the anonymous teen who’s rewriting sex education on her blog and social media.

Phoebe is not a pervert. No, really. Her unconventional hobby is just a research obsession. And sex should not be a secret. As long as Phoebe stays undercover, she’s sure she’ll fly through junior year unnoticed. . . .

That is, until Pom goes viral, courtesy of mayoral candidate Lydia Brookhurst. The former beauty queen labels Phoebe’s work an “assault on morality,” riling up her supporters and calling on Pom to reveal her identity. But Phoebe is not backing down. With her anonymity on the line, is it all worth the fight?

Julia Walton delivers a brutally honest novel about sex, social media, and the courage to pursue truth when misinformation is rife. Who knew truth could be so scandalous?

Content Warning: vandalism, cyberbullying

This book comes at the right time when current events in the USA are heightened because of the overturning of abortion rights. So reading this feels very relevant!

+ sex positivity. Phoebe is a high school student and a great writer. She writes for her school newspaper and she also has a blog that gives out information about sex. No one knows it’s her behind the blog but it’s a space where she can help others who need help finding answers to such a taboo topic. I wish I had all this information when I was young. We did have sex education class in the 5th grade, 7th grade, and even in the 9th grade because there was a high rate of teenage pregnancy going on in those days – but kids didn’t ask any questions because it really was a taboo topic.

+ I liked seeing all these high school kids with such different passions – Phoebe with journalism and science, Jorge with botany or planting crops, and others with their involvement in school and even politics.

+ Phoebe’s voice was great because she didn’t have all the answers but she tried to do her research and she really did reply respectfully to all the people making comments on her blog. Her blog really caused an uproar because people in on the internet believed her blog encouraged teens to have more sex. I know this can be a hot topic in politics with one side thinking no one should have sex until marriage but in my life experiences, reality doesn’t happen that way. People have sex. Teens have sex. Why is it bad for them to be informed on how to stay safe? So I understood Phoebe’s stance. What was horrible was the backlash that came when they revealed her identity. People really can be atrocious to one another.

+ The romance was sweet and I liked that when Phoebe finally had her own experiences with kissing and more, she was informed and took her time. The scene is a fade to black moment and perfect for this story. I like that the romance wasn’t the main focus of this story but a nice way to show Phoebe’s new experiences with boys.

~ Phoebe gave information about sex on the blog but when it finally came to a gay person asking a question and she had no clue how tot respond, she acknowledged that about herself – and realized she didn’t have information on that. She went and did research and I applauded her for that. It would have been nice to have some LGBTQ+ characters in this story because EVERYONE has questions about sex.

~ The election events in this book gave me minor ptsd – it’s so stressful these days but like I said, stays current to the times we are living in, sadly.

Why you should read it:

this is a sex positive, smart, eye-opening story
Phoebe has a great voice – she’s mature, coming of age and dealing with emotions and standing up for things she believes in
coincides with the political atmosphere going on in America today

Why you might not want to read it:

doesn’t have much LGBT+ rep – even with the sex information

My Thoughts:

This is really a fantastic book and one perfect for teens and young adults to read. I felt like it was open, positive (except for the negative reactions to Phoebe and her blog), hopeful and eye-opening. With so much happening to women’s rights in America right now, I feel like this book is timely and makes us realize nothing is wrong with trying to learn more and be safe. I wish I had a blog like this when I was young and dating. I do wish there was more LGBT+ rep in the story but I can understand that Phoebe was still learning and growing. Overall I think this story is very relevant and Phoebe is a brave character for standing up for what she believes in.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Love & Olives by. Jenna Evans Welch | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Love & Olives

Author: Jenna Evans Welch

Format: ebook (borrowed)

Pages: 512

Publication Date: 11/10/20

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Coming of Age

Liv Varanakis doesn’t have a lot of fond memories of her father, which makes sense—he fled to Greece when she was only eight. What Liv does remember, though, is their shared love for Greek myths and the lost city of Atlantis. So when Liv suddenly receives a postcard from her father explaining that National Geographic is funding a documentary about his theories on Atlantis—and will she fly out to Greece and help?—Liv jumps at the opportunity.

But when she arrives to gorgeous Santorini, things are a little…awkward. There are so many questions, so many emotions that flood to the surface after seeing her father for the first time in years. And yet Liv doesn’t want their past to get in the way of a possible reconciliation. She also definitely doesn’t want Theo—her father’s charismatic so-called “protégé”—to witness her struggle.

And that means diving into all that Santorini has to offer—the beautiful sunsets, the turquoise water, the hidden caves, and the delicious cuisine. But not everything on the Greek island is as perfect as it seems. Because as Liv slowly begins to discover, her father may not have invited her to Greece for Atlantis, but for something much more important.

Content Warning: almost drowning, illness, abandonment

I’m not reading the books in these companion novels to Love & Gelato in order. I don’t think there is an order because they are standalone books but I hope to read Love & Luck soon! Love & Olives made me want to take a plane to Santorini ASAP. It’s always been my dream to go, but since I can’t go at least there is this book which is set there! Here’s what did and didn’t work for me:

+ Santorini, Greece is the setting of this story and wow did I learn about the islands that make up Santorini and all these theories from Atlantis hunters or seekers. This book only made me want to visit Santorini even more than I already did. Do you think we’ll get a Netflix movie like they did for Love & Gelato? I’d love a movie because then we get to see Santorini on the screen!

+ Olive has only memories of her dad – so when he asks her to join him in Santorini it comes with a lot of emotions and feelings that is hard for her to deal with. When he left her years ago, she coped in the only way she could and realizes on this trip that it was time to look at the truth about everything that happened to her dad, to her broken family and I loved how she had to look at it full on, even though it’s painful. It starts the healing in their relationship. But the truth of the past is really important to this story, I did love that reveal.

+ Olive has the perfect boyfriend at home, but she meets Theo in Santorini and its undeniable they are attracted to one another. He was an interesting, intense character with his own issues about relationships. They don’t do anything scandalous while she has a boyfriend but it is a slow burn – although…this story does take place over the span of 10 days! So it’s as slow as it can be I suppose.

~ As much as I was entranced with Santorini, Atlantis and Olive’s relationship with her dad, the story is too long at 500+ pages. It’s definitely an emotional journey for Olive, but still, there was a lull in some places and I think it was too long.

~ I wish Olive’s dad could have communicated better with Olive about everything. Miscommunications hurt Olive a lot in this book.

~ Why did I not vibe with Theo? He is good looking, seems to click with Olive but I felt like he came off too much of a jerk sometimes especially when pushing Olive about her dad. I wanted him to back off because but like I said, he’s intense. I didn’t feel the romantic connection between them.

Tropes: overseas romance

Spice Level: 🌶 (barely any spice)

Why you should read it:

the setting of Santorini
Olive and her dad trying to heal their relationship, forge a bond
Olive’s growth

Why you might not want to read it:

too long

My Thoughts:

This whole story is an adventure from Olive visiting Santorini, seeing her dad against after so many years, and filming a documentary on hunting for the mythical island of Atlantis. I loved the setting of Santorini and I learned so much about theories about Atlantis. I didn’t expect this story to be long and a very emotional journey for Olive who is trying to come to terms about the dad who left her, and how to move past her pain. What she has to do is confront and she does just dad by the end of the story. There is romance too but Olive is someone with a boyfriend until the very end, so I think the romance with Theo was put in the friend zone – I wish they had more chemistry or he wasn’t so pushy but it was a slow burn with a cute ending.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Love & Gelato by. Jenna Evans Welch – read but never reviewed on my blog – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spells for Lost Things by. Jenna Evans Welch – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – (arc) Review Coming Soon

Book air is the best air…”
Jenna Evans Welch, Love & Olives

Trust your instincts. The world is run by people who have no idea what they’re doing.”
Jenna Evans Welch, Love & Olives

My mom once told me that it’s difficult for kids to recognize their parents as anything but supporting cast members in their own feature films, and here it was true.”
Jenna Evans Welch, Love & Olives

Sometimes moving forward is as simple as admitting what you already know.”
Jenna Evans Welch, Love & Olives

The Hearts We Sold by. Emily Lloyd-Jones | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Hearts We Sold

Author: Emily Lloyd-Jones

Format: paperback (own)

Pages: 416

Publication Date: 8/8/17

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Dee Moreno is out of options. Her home life sucks (to put it mildly), and she’s about to get booted from her boarding school–the only place she’s ever felt free–for lack of funds. But this is a world where demons exist, and the demons are there to make deals: one human body part in exchange for one wish come true.

The demon who Dee approaches doesn’t trade in the usual arms and legs, however. He’s only interested in her heart. And what comes after Dee makes her deal is a nightmare far bigger, and far more monstrous than anything she ever could have imagined. Reality is turned on its head, and Dee has only her fellow “heartless,” the charming but secretive James Lancer, to keep her grounded. As something like love grows between them amid an otherworldly ordeal, Dee begins to wonder: Can she give James her heart when it’s no longer hers to give?

In The Hearts We Sold, demons can be outwitted, hearts can be reclaimed, monsters can be fought, and love isn’t impossible. This book will steal your heart and break it, and leave you begging for more.

Content Warning: alcoholism, addiction, parental neglect, emotional abuse

What drew me to this book first was the cover – which is so pretty. Then I realized it’s written by Emily Lloyd-Jones and I loved her book The Bone Houses, so that’s what made me buy it on sale from Book Outlet! Here is what did and didn’t work for me:

+ Very interesting and unique world building. Demons walk the earth and if you want something from them you can trade with them. Dee decides to trade her heart. But not all is what it seems with the demons – the tasks her demon or Daemon has her do is to enter these voids that appear and destroy them. She learns what the voids are and wonders if her trade was worth it.

+ Dee has a sad home life. She’s at boarding school to get the best education she can so she can get out from her parents . Her parents are alcoholics and their family life is toxic. I liked all the characters were meet in the story, like James who traded his heart for art. They all had an interesting story to tell. I like how they became a found family.

+ The romance is a slow burn because Dee knows she’s broken inside. But James is patient, he understands being broken and the two of them together and how it ends broke my heart unexpectedly! I didn’t know I was invested until this story took a different turn. It’s bittersweet.

~ Thought I was very interested in the world building I still felt like I needed more details about the void. It didn’t seem like a concrete image I had in my head about the monsters in the void and what they wanted.

~ Sad ending, but hopeful too.

Tropes: found family

Spice Level: 🌶 (barely any spice)

Why you should read it:

it’s got a sweet romance
the characters being a found family
good questions about what people would give up to get what they want
Dee overcoming a lot of issues with her family and herself

Why you might not want to read it:

sad ending
needs more world building

My Thoughts:

I’m glad I read this book even though it wasn’t quite what I expected. The ending was touching and sad, and overall I think it was a solid book. It makes me more of a fan of this author!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Bone Houses by. Emily Lloyd-Jones – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I like to think that I was the one who made the choices that brought me to this moment. They may have been bad or good choices – I don’t know.”
Emily Lloyd-Jones, The Hearts We Sold