The Holiday Mix-Up by. Ginny Baird | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Holiday Mix-Up

Author: Ginny Baird

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 352

Publication Date: 10/10/23

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Categories: Romance, Holiday Romance, 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 Sourcebooks Casablanca for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

While You Were Sleeping meets The Wedding Date with a fun Puerto Rican holiday twist in NYT and USA Today bestselling author Ginny Baird’s latest romance, in which a diner waitress agrees to be her patron’s fake date…only for him to land in a coma and her to be stuck playing his sweetheart with his family all week long.

Lonely-hearted waitress Katie Smith has nowhere to go for Christmas, and a huge crush on her gorgeous diner patron Juan Martinez. So when Juan asks Katie to pose as his girlfriend for holiday festivities at his family’s winery, Katie leaps at the chance…that is, until an accident lands Juan in a coma right after giving his folks the “news.” Katie knows she should tell the Martinezes the truth, but when they immediately embrace her, Katie is reluctant to let her fantasy of a family holiday go. And then there’s Juan’s brother, Mateo, whose smile tugs at her heartstrings just right―and who tells her perfect Juan might not be everything he seems. Second son Mateo Martinez loves his brother, but Juan’s plan to “rebrand and expand” Los Cielos Cellars has cost their family too much and put its entire tradition in jeopardy. Katie seems to understand, but she’s still committed to Juan…even when Mateo starts to wish her gentle heart and beautiful smile were committed to him instead. With the winery at stake, secrets on all sides, and Juan due to wake up any day, can Katie and Mateo follow their hearts to a Christmas miracle, or will this mix-up ruin their chances?

Content Warning:

I grew up watching rom-coms like While You Were Sleeping and this book definitely follows the script!

Katie is a waitress who has a crush on her customer, Juan and he asks her to be his fake girlfriend for Christmas. But before they can even carry their plan out, there is a freak accident and Juan is in a coma. Juan’s family believes Katie is his girlfriend and she goes along with it. What she didn’t expect being around Juan’s family was having her fall for his brother Matteo instead.

I got lots of While You Were Sleeping similarities in this book and knew how the story would end but I still thought it was cute. It’s a light hearted read and set leading up to Christmas.

I did like the family themes and the cast of characters in Matteo’s family. As for the romance, though it was cute and I knew how it would end – I kind of wanted more from Katie and Matteo. I just thought they were a little bland. There’s no steam between them, just some kisses but it makes for a wholesome holiday romance.

Tropes: chaste romance, falling for the brother of the guy in the coma, fake girlfriend

My Final Thoughts:

You will definitely like this if you are a fan of the movie While You Were Sleeping. This one was a sweet, light-hearted holiday romance heavy on family themes.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Right Girl, Wrong Side by. Ginny Baird | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

House of War and Bone by. Leia Stone | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: House of Ash and Shadow (#1)

Author: Leia Stone

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Pages: 304

Publication Date: 9/26/23

Categories: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Fae

“And what if I go dark?” I whimpered.
His face sobered. “Then I will jump into the shadows and pull you back to the Light.”

Seventeen-year-old Fallon Bane was born with a a single touch from another person will always cause her excruciating pain. Thus, she has accepted that she will die without ever being kissed, without even hugging her own father.

But when her beloved father falls ill, she breaks into the magical Gilded City to find a healer fae that can save him. When handsome healer Ariyon Madden agrees to help, everything she knows about herself and her curse changes. Because during her father’s healing, Ariyon reaches out and touches her bare skin. She waits for the agony… but it never comes.

For the first time in her life, she imagines a new future for herself. However, that fantasy is short-lived, because not only does Ariyon flee from her in disgust when he learns of her curse; he also reveals her existence to powerful fae who want to hurt her.

Fallon is then swept away to a magical academy, there she learns the terrifying truth about her family history and her dark magic. Her life and the future of fae everywhere hang in the balance, and all the while Fallon is dreaming of being touched by Ariyon Madden one more time before she dies…

Content Warning: violence

I’ve read a few Leia Stone books off and on through the years but I think the last book I read from her made me realize her books aren’t for me anymore. But I wanted to try out this one because I can’t resist the Fae but reading this has reinforced my stance on her books not being for me because I’m not the target audience.

This is a young adult romantasy and I can usually enjoy anything young adult but for some reason this just felt too young for me. It’s perfect for younger readers, but I’m too old for this one – I kept rolling my eyes and Fallon giggling and falling so easily for cute boys. The romance drama is very much something teenagers will love. It’s full of angst and there’s kind of a love triangle with two brothers but kind of not also because only one of them can touch her without activating her curse so we know who she is going to end up with.

Fallon is a cursed girl, who everyone loves but her mother was a dark magic wielder who hurt and killed people and they are afraid Fallon will be the same. But there are people on her side determined not to let her “go dark”. She goes to an academy where she’s supposed to learn about magic and how to control her powers. The story is pretty predictable and I skimmed through the halfway point to the end. My favorite character surprisingly was a bird name Yanric!

My Final Thoughts:

I’m giving it 3 stars because I would have devoured this book in my 20’s. But at my age now I want a little more depth to the characters and story. This one is good for a quick read, and if you are in the mood for some teenage romantasy. But it’s not for me and I won’t be continuing the series.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Dark Bite (Vampire Hunter Society, #1) by. Leia Scott | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Dark Bond by. Leia Stone | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Vampires of El Norte by. Isabel Cañas | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Vampires of El Norte

Author: Isabel Cañas

Format: ebook (borrowed)

Pages: 371

Publication Date: 8/15/23

Categories: Historical Fiction, Horror, Paranormal, Adult Fiction, Romance

Vampires and vaqueros face off on the Texas-Mexico border in this supernatural western from the author of The Hacienda.

As the daughter of a rancher in 1840s Mexico, Nena knows a thing or two about monsters—her home has long been threatened by tensions with Anglo settlers from the north. But something more sinister lurks near the ranch at night, something that drains men of their blood and leaves them for dead.

Something that once attacked Nena nine years ago.

Believing Nena dead, Néstor has been on the run from his grief ever since, moving from ranch to ranch working as a vaquero. But no amount of drink can dispel the night terrors of sharp teeth; no woman can erase his childhood sweetheart from his mind.

When the United States attacks Mexico in 1846, the two are brought abruptly together on the road to war: Nena as a curandera, a healer striving to prove her worth to her father so that he does not marry her off to a stranger, and Néstor as a member of the auxiliary cavalry of ranchers and vaqueros. But the shock of their reunion—and Nena’s rage at Néstor for seemingly abandoning her long ago—is quickly overshadowed by the appearance of a nightmare made flesh.

And unless Nena and Néstor work through their past and face the future together, neither will survive to see the dawn.

Content Warning: violence

I loved this author’s book The Hacienda so I was excited to read Vampires of El Norte and I was not disappointed. I love how this author blends historical fiction and gothic horror together. Her writing is beautiful and I just get so swept away in the story.

There are many things I love about this book. I mentioned the writing, which only makes me want to read more of her work. But I love the historical aspects of the story. This takes place in 1837 and at the border of what is Texas and Mexico. The Yanquis (yankees) are trying to take land from the Mexicans that already own land there. So there is a war between them and the yankees are also described as vampires as well. I was expecting vampires (the kind with fangs) and horror, but I can say that this wasn’t scary at all. I love the setting of the ranchero and how I never realized how creepy and isolated a ranch could be. I also love Abuela’s ghost stories that she tells the children. I could envision a dark ranch, lands for miles, and pitch dark nights as Abuela told her stories. If I was a kid living there, I’d be terrified of the night! And there are vampires but I like the different take on them, where they don’t necessarily kill but can leave a person in susto – a shock to their aura – almost like they are spiritually dead but can be revived by calling them back, calling their spirit forth. I thought that was really fascinating! They do have the fangs in this story and there were some gruesome scenes but not anything that scared me.

Another thing I loved was the romance between Nestor and Nena. They are childhood sweethearts, torn apart by an incident that left both of them broken hearted and now they have a second chance at romance. I love their story and how they have to learn to trust and fight for one another.

I would have liked a little more horror factor to the story just to get some chills and thrills but even without it, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

My Final Thoughts:

I think this author is about to be put on my must-read list! I love her writing and the historical fiction aspect of her stories which I feel makes her books so exciting to read. I do think this one was more historical romance than historical gothic horror but I was entertaining regardless and look forward to her next book!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Hacienda by. Isabel Cañas | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Jasad Heir by. Sara Hashem | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: The Jasad Heir (The Scorched Throne, #1)

Author: Sara Hashem

Format: ebook (borrowed)

Pages: 523

Publication Date: 7/18/23

Categories: Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Political Intrigue

Ten years ago, the kingdom of Jasad burned. Its magic outlawed; its royal family murdered down to the last child. At least, that’s what Sylvia wants people to believe.

The lost Heir of Jasad, Sylvia never wants to be found. She can’t think about how Nizahl’s armies laid waste to her kingdom and continue to hunt its people—not if she wants to stay alive. But when Arin, the Nizahl Heir, tracks a group of Jasadi rebels to her village, staying one step ahead of death gets trickier.

In a moment of anger Sylvia’s magic is exposed, capturing Arin’s attention. Now, to save her life, Sylvia will have to make a deal with her greatest enemy. If she helps him lure the rebels, she’ll escape persecution.

A deadly game begins. Sylvia can’t let Arin discover her identity even as hatred shifts into something more. Soon, Sylvia will have to choose between the life she wants and the one she left behind. The scorched kingdom is rising, and it needs a queen.

In this Egyptian-inspired debut fantasy, a fugitive queen strikes a deadly bargain with her greatest enemy and finds herself embroiled in a complex game that could resurrect her scorched kingdom or leave it in ashes forever.

Content Warning: violence, trauma, death

The Jasad Heir is an adult fantasy novel with wonderful world building and the slowest slow burn enemies to lovers romance ever. Maybe not EVER…but it sure felt like it. And it will probably be even slower in book two!

Sylvia is the lost heir of a kingdom that was ruled by magic. It’s a kingdom that is no longer one because the surrounding kingdoms put an end to their magic use. Now having and using magic is a crime, so Sylvia stays undercover because if people found out she was the heir to Jasad who supposedly died in the uprising, well – that wouldn’t be good news for the kingdom of Nizahl. I really enjoyed the world building and learning about the different kingdoms. I like that there was two sides to the story of Jasad’s demise. I also love the political intrigue.

I really liked the cat and mouse game between Sylvia and Nizahl’s own heir, Arin. He is cold, doesn’t show much emotion, always steps ahead everyone else and constantly planning traps. Sylvia is his opposite in every way. It’s hard for her to hide her emotions and she is constantly in conflict about her situation. Her people are looking for her, they want someone to lead them but she wants nothing to do with it. She also has powers that are hindered by the magic cuffs her grandparent put on her when she was younger. So she’s constantly questioning her role and responsibilities, if she has any, to her people. I like that she’s not perfect, and wonders if she is truly a horribly selfish person and how being a leader is not something she wants. She’s been traumatized and comes from a scary place of hurt and fear. She can’t even stand people touching her. There is growth for her in the book though as she remembers more of her past, hears recollections of the massacre from both conflicting sides and starting to care for people in her life.

The romance between Arin and Sylvia is such a slow burn. For an adult book, I was hoping for more steam but I can see they have a few things to work between them since they are from rival kingdoms. Arin abhors magic, but Sylvia has tons of magic – so where does this leave them? We’ll see in book two but I really love the tension between them!

It is a long book, coming in at 529 pages so sometimes when a new character’s name would appear I would try to remember who that was because there is a lot of information about the different kingdoms, and many names to know. I think there is some pacing issues also because there was also a lull in the middle and that’s when I put it down to finally go to sleep and picked it up the next day again.

Quotes from the Book:

“When you choose who you are willing to fight for, you choose who you are.” ― Sara Hashem, The Jasad Heir

“You think your mind is a blank slate, where you can build your own networks of information from scratch, through pure logic and reason. You ignore that each child enters a completely unique world, founded on different truths. We build our reality on the foundation our world sets for us. You entered a world where magic is corrosive and Jasadis are inherently evil. I entered one where turning a shoe into a dove made my mother laugh. Have you considered, in that infinite mind of yours, that the truly brilliant people are the ones who understand the realities we build were already built for us?”
― Sara Hashem, The Jasad Heir

Tropes: enemies to lovers, slow burn

My Final Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this debut book and I’m glad I picked it up. I was very much into the political intrigue, world building and characters. The enemies to lovers slow burn was full of tension and that is one thing I’m crazy about in a fantasy with romance is tension! There were some pacing issues but I was still entertained and am looking foward to book two!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Unholy Terrors by. Lyndall Clipstone | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Unholy Terrors

Author: Lyndall Clipstone

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 10/17/23

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

Categories: Young Adult, Series, Dark Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal

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

Thank you to Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A bloodstained tale of a girl torn between her vows and her heart, where falling in love may be the deepest sin of all…

Everline Blackthorn has devoted her life to the wardens—a sect of holy warriors who guard against monsters known as the vespertine.

When a series of strange omens occur, Everline disobeys orders to investigate, and uncovers a startling truth in the form of Ravel Severin: a rogue vespertine who reveals the monsters have secrets of their own.

Ravel promises the help she needs— for a price. Vespertine magic requires blood, and if Everline wants Ravel to guide across the dangerous moorland, she will have to allow him to feed from her.

It’s a sin for a warden to feed a vespertine— let alone love one— and as Everline and Ravel travel further across the moorland, she realizes the question isn’t whether she will survive the journey, but if she will return unchanged. Or if she wants to.

Content Warning: self harm, violence

I was wary going into this book because I just finished Forestfall, the conclusion to Lakesedge, and didn’t love it. But whereas Forestfall disappointed me, this new book, Unholy Terrors, is really amazing. I might love it even more than Lakesedge!

Here we are with another book about vespertines, and I’m always wondering what a “vespertine” is now that more books are including them. But in this book, they are monsters. And Everline is a warden, a holy warrior, but one and maybe the only one who doesn’t have magic – which her half-sister, Briar, likes to always remind her of at every chance she gets. Everline wants answers about her birth, the death of her mother, and why her father treats her differently. All she wants is his love and attention, but she feels like a burden instead.

This author does such a great job with dark fantasy. The setting, the lore, the magic, Everline’s search for truth, the boy who is a monster, and the fight against evil are some of the things I love about this book. I loved the romance too which is an enemies to lovers, forbidden romance. There are hard choices to be made between them because of who they are and how they were raised. But I love how in the end they choose one another.

Tropes: forbidden romance, enemies to lovers

Why you should read it:

dark vibes, dark fantasy perfect for Fall
romance between a girl and a monster

Why you might not want to read it:

not into dark stories

My Thoughts:

This one will be perfect for Fall and releases just before Halloween. It’s a dark romance fantasy with monsters, warriors and a love that unites both sides.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Nobles

Lakesedge by. Lyndall Clipstone | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Forestfall by. Lyndall Clipstone | Book Review ⭐️⭐️💫

Woke Up Like This by. Amy Lea | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Woke Up Like this

Author: Amy Lea

Format: ebook (borrowed)

Pages: 300

Publication Date: 9/5/23

Categories: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Rivals To Romance, Time Travel, 13 Going on 30

Planning the perfect prom is one last “to do” on ultra-organized Charlotte Wu’s high school bucket list. So far, so good, if not for a decorating accident that sends Charlotte crash-landing off a ladder, face-first into her obnoxiously ripped archnemesis J. T. Renner. Worse? When Charlotte wakes up, she finds herself in an unfamiliar bed at thirty years old, with her bearded fiancé, Renner, by her side.

Either they’ve lost their minds or they’ve been drop-kicked into adulthood, forever trapped in the thirty-year-old bodies of their future selves. With each other as their only constant, Charlotte and Renner discover all that’s changed in the time they’ve missed. Charlotte also learns there’s more to Renner than irritating-jock charm, and that reaching the next milestone isn’t as important as what happens in between.

Navigating a series of adventures and a confounding new normal, Charlotte and Renner will do whatever it takes to find a way back to seventeen. But when―and if―they do, what then?

Content Warning:

I read one book of Amy Lea, Exes & O’s, and loved it so when I saw she wrote a YA book I had to get my hands on it. If you like the movie 13 Going on 30, you will love this book. I love that movie so I was kind of scared that the time travel wouldn’t work so well in this story because time travel in some books always throw me off unless it’s done well. I think it’s done well in this one. And even though they do go into the future for a little bit and become 30 years old – this is mainly a young adult book.

Charlotte and J.T. are high school rivals. They are always competing, and Char can’t stand it. But she used to like him and he maybe he used to like her but the rivalry between them clouds everything until they are transported into the future and realize they are engaged.

I thought this story was so cute. I love the rivalry between Char and J.T. but I also like the other things going on like Char and her relationship with her estranged dad. She’s also questioning some of her friendships and I just found all of this Senior year angst about the last few weeks, prom, college, family, friends, and the future so relatable.

There was lots of sparks between Char and J.T. when she let her guard down and saw him for more than just someone she loathes. Char could be a little bit high strung and type-A but J.T. is her opposite and they made a cute couple eventually. I liked how going into the future made Char see that she had to enjoy the present instead of worrying about the future.

Quote from the Book:

“For some reason, I always thought adults made decisions with purpose. That they knew what they were doing all the time. But maybe adults are just like teens, bumbling around aimlessly, unsure if they’ve gotten it right.”

Tropes: rivals to lovers

My Final Thoughts:

This was a fun book to read and I love how it’s inspired by a sweet rom-com like 13 Going on 30. If you like that movie and books like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, you will enjoy this one.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Exes & O’s by. Amy Lea | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Love in Winter Wonderland by. Abiola Bello | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Love in Winter Wonderland

Author: Abiola Bello

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 312

Publication Date: 10/03/23

Publisher: Soho Teen

Categories: Young Adult, Romance, Holiday 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 Soho Teen for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

‘The Sun Is Also a Star’ meets ‘You’ve Got Mail’ in this YA Christmas love story set in a London Black-owned bookshop.

Charming, handsome Trey Anderson balances the pressures of school popularity with a job at his family’s beloved local bookshop, Wonderland.

Quirky, creative Ariel Spencer needs tuition for the prestigious art program of her dreams, and an opening at Wonderland is the answer. When Trey and Ariel learn that Wonderland is on the brink of being shut down by a neighborhood gentrifier, they team up to stop the doors from closing before the Christmas Eve deadline—and embark on a hate-to-love journey that will change them forever.

Heartwarming and romantic, this read is the gift that keeps on giving, no matter the season.

Content Warning: binge eating, fat shaming, grief

My favorite part of these young adult holiday romance novel is the Wonderland bookshop and everyone pitching to coming in and save it. I also love that this was set in England, so we get the Black British perspective on things. And it’s fantastic that Wonderland is a black owned, indie bookstore! Indie bookstores need more love. The play list songs before every chapter was a cute touch also! Trey’s family has had the bookshop in the family for years so losing it is not an option he or his family wants to face. Not only is he dealing with the bookshop woes but his relationship with his girlfriend Blair has been a bit rocky. They’re both the popular kids on the college campus but lately Trey needs to focus on his family and the shop, which Blair is not happy about.

Ariel goes to the same college as Trey and Blair, but she’s an artist. She needs a job to help pay for possible entry into the art school of her dreams and luck so has it that Wonderland hires her even though they are in dire straits. Ariel and her friends come up with a great idea to save Wonderland and their hard work really pays off. I thought it was very sweet to see the community come together especially during Christmas time. I thought Ariel was a cool character. She’s talented in her art and she’s plus-sized, which for the most part she is comfortable about until Blair makes her feel less than and Ariel binge-eats when she feels down. And not only is she feeling down about when people comment on her size but she’s also dealing with losing her dad. So she’s going through some things but she has her art and her support system of family and good friends!

As far as the romance goes? Trey has a girlfriend for most of the book. Ariel has had a crush on him for awhile now but even with them working close together – I didn’t feel any sparks between them. It felt forced. Trey was just dealing with too much and at times I didn’t even like him. He was always mad at Ariel for something! And I think the story had enough Christmas themes – I think the ending is where most of it comes in with the Wonderland showcase, but if this were a Hallmark or Netflix Christmas movie I can already picture the bookstore and everyone walking around in their coats and scarves.

Tropes: close proximity

My Thoughts:

Strangely enough I didn’t love the holiday romance in this story but I loved the storyline of saving Wonderland because it is a Black-owned indie bookstore! In that sense it definitely gave me You’ve Got Mail vibes – a bookstore in winter just scream Christmas vibes. And the community comes together to help save this bookstore so that was heartwarming. I loved the supporting cast like Trey’s family and Ariel’s friends but I just felt like the romance was missing something – chemistry or even some sparks. Overall, it was an entertaining holiday story.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Wreck the Halls by. Tessa Bailey | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Wreck the Halls

Author: Tessa Bailey

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 368

Publication Date: 10/03/23

Publisher: Avon

Categories: Adult, Romance, Holiday 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 Avon for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey delivers a sexy, hilarious standalone holiday rom-com about the adult children of two former rock stars who team up to convince their mothers to play a Christmas Eve concert…

Melody Gallard may be the daughter of music royalty, but her world is far from glamorous. She spends her days restoring old books and avoiding the limelight (one awkward tabloid photo was enough, thanks). But when a producer offers her a lot of money to reunite her mother’s band on live tv, Mel begins to wonder if it’s time to rattle the cage, shake up her quiet life… and see him again. The only other person who could wrangle the rock and roll divas.

Beat Dawkins, the lead singer’s son, is Melody’s opposite–the camera loves him, he could charm the pants off anyone, and his mom is not a potential cult leader. Still, they might have been best friends if not for the legendary feud that broke up the band. When they met as teenagers, Mel felt an instant spark, but it’s nothing compared to the wild, intense attraction that builds as they embark on a madcap mission to convince their mothers to perform one last show.

While dealing with rock star shenanigans, a 24-hour film crew, brawling Santas, and mobs of adoring fans, Mel starts to step out of her comfort zone. With Beat by her side, cheering her on, she’s never felt so understood. But Christmas Eve is fast approaching, and a decades-old scandal is poised to wreck everything–the Steel Birds reunion, their relationships with their mothers, and their newfound love.

Content Warning: blackmail, parental abandonment

Tessa Bailey does it again with her spicy rom-coms, but this time I felt like it had a Daisy Jones & the Six inspiration which I loved.

Beat and Melody’s mom hate one another. The two women were bandmates decades ago and recently with their song going viral again years later, everyone wants a band reunion. Beat and Melody only met once when they were teenagers and basically it was love at first sight, especially for Melody. The next time they meet they are adults, and Beat signed up to do a reality show about reuniting the band, so he could make some money.

I was invested! I never read Daisy Jones & the Six but I did watch the show and Beat and Melody’s moms being part of a band made me think of Daisy Jones for some reason. I think because both women had a reputation and so much drama between them, it is such the typical rock star problems and it makes for a great story. So I wanted to see how the reunion would take place! Also I love Octavia and Trina as characters, their bickering made me laugh. Octavia the lead diva and Trina the wild child, they were great!

The romance is hot and spicy. And Beat’s kink? He likes to come to the edge of pleasure and be denied. I don’t know how I felt about it! The lead up and build up is great but I was feeling Melody’s confusion and feelings of loneliness about it when everything was said and done. But the reason for Beat’s preferences have a deeper meaning and I think that’s why I love them even with the whole insta-love, love at first sight situation because they see each other next as adults where a lot has happened to them both. They’ve grown in ways, some good and bad, but I love that they feel so familiar to one another without really knowing each other. I was rooting for them hard!

Now did it give me Christmas vibes? No, it’s definitely not Hallmark movie worthy, it doesn’t have all the holiday cheer and cheese that I expect out of a holiday romance. The band reunion is set to happen during the holidays and there is an epic snow fight but other than that I felt like there wasn’t enough to remind me the story was taking place in December.

Tropes: insta love, forced proximity, one bed, strangers to friends to lovers

Why you should read it:

you like a hot and spicy holiday romance
to see if the band reunion happens, Octavia and Trina’s drama

Why you might not want to read it:

I had to get used to Beat’s name lol…I get it’s because his mom is a musician (Beat and Melody) but I kept asking “why?”

My Thoughts:

Not quite the holiday romance I was expecting meaning I wanted more holiday themes in it but I was fully invested in the band reunion because Octavia and Trina’s drama was classic rock star drama! There was a lot of spice in this one but I like that it was balanced with Beat and Melody’s love story even if it was insta-love. I think they would naturally be curious about one another because their mothers had such a public past so maybe meeting one another felt familiar because of the limelight. Overall, I did love them together and that this has a happy ending.

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Secretly Yours by. Tessa Bailey | ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

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

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

Forget Me Not by. Julie Soto | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Forget Me Not

Author: Julie Soto

Format: ebook (borrowed)

Pages: 352

Publication Date: 7/11/23

Categories: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary, Chick-Lit, Romance, Second Chance Romance

An ambitious wedding planner must work with her grumpy florist ex, whose heart she broke, on the most high-profile wedding of her career, in this spicy and emotional romance from popular fanfic author Julie Soto.

He loves me; he loves me not…

Ama Torres loves being a wedding planner. But with a mother who has been married more times than you can count on your fingers, Ama has decided that marriage is not the route for her. But weddings? Weddings are amazing. As a small business owner, she knows how to match her clients with the perfect vendor to give them the wedding of their dreams. Well, almost perfect…

Elliot hates being a florist, most of the time. When his father left him the flower shop, he considered it a burden, but he’s stuck with it. Just like how he’s stuck with the way he proposed to Ama, his main collaborator and girlfriend (or was she?) two years ago. But flowers have grown on him, just like Ama did. And flowers can’t run off and never speak to him again, like Ama did.

When Ama is hired to plan a celebrity wedding that will bring her business national exposure, there’s a catch: Elliot is already contracted to design the flowers. Things are not helped by the two brides, who see the obvious chemistry between Ama and Elliot and are determined to set them up, not knowing their complicated history. Add in a meddling ex-boss, and a reality TV film crew documenting every step of the wedding prep, and Ama and Elliot’s hearts are not only in jeopardy again, but this time, their livelihoods are too.

Content Warning: fear of commitment

I was so excited to read Forget Me Not because I was seeing it every on blogs and I was seeing good things about it! Now that I’ve read it I can see why people loved it so much.

This one is a second chance romance and I love how we are introduced to Ama and Elliot then get peeks into their past. I like how the past scenes built with the tension going on between them in the present day. Also, I love a wedding planner kind of story because it reminds me so much of the movie, The Wedding Planner, which was such a cute rom-com! This story is obviously different from that, but I love the whole wedding planner thing.

And I really love Elliot as a florist! I don’t blame Ama for falling for this guy who is so knowledgeable about flowers and so talented with installations. Yes, he is Mr. Grumpy and she’s Miss Sunshine and I love how she got past his defenses. Their past story is so cute and the heartbreak was sad but I could totally understand both their point of views. I think it makes their second chance romance story even more sweeter! The sparks are there between them and never really went away. They do have some spicy scenes which just adds to their chemistry – but I love the little awkward scenes between them too – I had some laugh out loud moments.

There are a bunch of fun side characters too – the couple who is getting married, Hazel and Jackie area cute couple. And I love how yes, Ama’s mother has had 14 marriages so she’s had a multitude of ex step-siblings, some that she employs! I especially love Mar.

Tropes: second chance romance, grumpy/sunshine

My Final Thoughts:

I love Ama and Elliott’s second chance romance. He’s grumpy, she’s sunshine and the sparks fly between them. I thought their love story was sweet and I love that there was a big wedding to plan while they tried to not bring up their past with one another. If you like wedding planner type of romance stories, you will definitely enjoy this one. I look forward to reading more from this author!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Bittersweet in the Hollow by. Kate Pearsall | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Bittersweet in the Hollow (#1)

Author: Kate Pearsall

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 10/10/23

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Categories: Young Adult, Murder Mystery, Urban Legend, Romance, Thriller, Witches, Paranormal

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

Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In this beautifully dark and enthralling YA, four sisters with unusual talents investigate a mysterious disappearance in their secluded Appalachian town. For fans of House of Hollow and Wilder Girls!

In rural Caball Hollow, surrounded by the vast National Forest, the James women serve up more than fried green tomatoes at the Harvest Moon diner, where the family recipes are not the only secrets.

Like her sisters, Linden was born with an unusual ability. She can taste what others are feeling, but this so-called gift soured her relationship with the vexingly attractive Cole Spencer one fateful night a year ago . . . A night when Linden vanished into the depths of the Forest and returned with no memories of what happened, just a litany of questions–and a haze of nightmares that suggest there’s more to her story than simply getting lost.

Now, during the hottest summer on record, another girl in town is gone, and the similarities to last year’s events are striking. Except, this time the missing girl doesn’t make it home, and when her body is discovered, the scene unmistakably spells murder.

As tempers boil over, Linden enlists the help of her sisters to find what’s hiding in the forest . . . before it finds her. But as she starts digging for truth–about the Moth-Winged Man rumored to haunt the Hollow, about her bitter rift with Cole, and even about her family–she must question if some secrets are best left buried.

Content Warning: violence, vandalism, threats

There is so much I loved about this book. I love the Appalachian history of the small town that is Cabal Hollow. And the James women, especially the sisters, Sorrel, Rowan, Linden and Juniper, who have powers, but they are a tight knit group and I loved the sisterly bond between them. My favorite has to be Rowan, who has an outspoken personality. I thought Linden was a great character too though since the murder mystery revolves around her. I like how the suspect was hard to figure out and the explanation for their motives were interestingly tied to an urban legend, the Moth-Winged Man. Coincidentally, this is the second book this year I’ve read about a mothman!

I was intrigued with how curses, trades, magic, and consequences play a big role in this story. It starts off with one plea for life that ends up being a bargain that devastates people and families.

I also thought the childhood romance between Linden and Cole was so sweet. There was something creepy, yet heartwarming about this story once everything is revealed. I love the James family. And although they had powers and were known as witches, there isn’t a lot of witchcraft in this book but I thought it was a nice balance. I was really immersed in the story and I hope book two is about Rowan and Hadrian because the sparks between the two are off the charts!

Tropes: slow burn romance

Why you should read it:

the James women and their family bond – love how they are strong, capable women
the witchcraft and urban legend about the Moth-Winged Man, creepy vibes
intrigued from beginning to end

Why you might not want to read it:

this is being compared to House of Hollow but that book was darker than this one. I’d say this one is mild compared to House of Hollow and was more a mystery thriller. No body horror in this one.

My Thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book even though sometimes I struggle with mysteries. I like the pacing of this story, it wasn’t as slow as most mysteries and I love the James women. I love the sisterly bond, and how strong these women are. I also adored the slow burn romance between Cole and Linden even though it wasn’t a main focus of the story. I was invested in the urban legend and I hope we get more of Rowan and Hadrian in book two!