Angela Casella: Falling for Mr. October

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/244868798-falling-for-mr-october

Book Blurb:

He’s the internet’s favorite Shirtless Chef.
I’m the only woman in town who's not impressed.

Bianca
My grandmother invited her former best friend to move in for the month of October and help run our annual pumpkin patch.

To our surprise, she brings her grandson Giovanni—a thirty-something Italian playboy who calls me Doctor Death because I’m a former hospice nurse. (At least he gave me a promotion?)

The whole situation is suspicious. What grown man willingly goes on a month-long walkabout with his grandmother? He and my brother used to be close, but that was years ago.

Then we find out Giovanni isn't just visiting Apple Ridge.

He’s hiding.

Apparently, he’s the anonymous YouTube sensation known as The Shirtless Chef. He was recently unmasked in his hometown and left to escape the chaos.

Unfortunately for him, a reporter tracks him down after a national magazine names him their official Mr. October.

Now tourists are swarming. Women are throwing themselves at him. My grandmother wants him to stay forever.

And Giovanni—who once thrived on attention—suddenly hates it.

He begs me to pretend we’re dating, and against my better judgment I agree. On one he has to help with my seniors’ group.

I tell myself, and my concerned siblings, that it's a harmless agreement.

Except fake dating a secret internet heartthrob in the middle of pumpkin season turns out to be…complicated.

Because I’m starting to see the man behind the brand, and I’m not sure I want to give him back.

Giovanni
Apple Ridge was supposed to be safe and anonymous.

Instead, I’ve been exposed, crowned Mr. October, and chased by every woman within fifty miles.

Once, that would have been my dream. Now it’s my nightmare.

The only person not impressed with my fame?

Bianca.

Which is exactly why I need her.

Except the longer I pretend she’s mine…the less I’m pretending.

Tropes:

*Hambright PR ARC *Small Town Romance *Brother's best friend *Frienemies to more

*fake dating *Fall fling *Rom-Com *Cozy read *Nurse FMC *Social media star MMC 

*hallmark vibes *meddling grandmothers (nonnas) *State Challenge North Carolina (repeat)

*Green Flag MMC *Banter

Thoughts:

This was my first book by this author and it won't be my last, this was a fun feel good cozy, small town fall rom-com and I truly enjoyed this one! 

Bianca (FMC) is a nurse, she's caring and loves her job at the local assisted living facility which has been dubbed "The Rotten Apple", she lives with her Grandmother on their family farm that her brother runs but they could really use the help, sales and visits to the farm have declined especially since her rotten ex-fiance (the Mayor) has taken their business off of the towns website, not only that but he bought her place of employment, he's seriously the worst.

Bianca comes home to a surprise... and it's not a great one, her nonna has decided to invite her ex-best friend and her grandson to stay with them for the season to help out, last time these two nonna's saw each other they were making threats, getting older they have decided to let go of their old grudge and work together, and Bianca really can't be that upset about it because her nonna has been sad since her husband passed away and she could really use the extra support.

Giovanni (MMC) has agreed to come with his nonna for a few different reasons, one being that he told his best friend (Bianca's brother) that he would come in his place and help at the family farm when he isn't able to come himself.  Second reason being that he had a secret online persona as a shirtless chef and had gained thousands of followers but his identity has been uncovered and he figured going to a small town where no one knows him would be a good place to hide out until things settled.

Giovanni is handsome, charming and sweet he loves his nonna and he is willing to do whatever it takes to make her happy even if that means staying to help out at the farm longer than he initially planned.  Even though he is hot he has his own feelings of inadequacy ever since his ex-girlfriend told him he basically would never make anything of himself... but now that he's become famous she of course wants back in his life, that's going to be a no!... she's moved on she's married after all.

Gio and Bianca come to an arrangment that will benefit them both for the season if they are fake dating Bianca can help Gio by getting the women coming after him to back off, and Gio will help Bianca and her family get business for their pumpkin patch... win/win what could go wrong?  

Naturally the closer they get together the more the lines begin to blur between what is fake and what is real... and things are beginning to feel so real, but this has an expiration date Gio and his nonna live in Maine, and Bianca's life is in North Carolina she's where she's meant to be. 

This story mixes back story, family drama, romance, banter and heart and it's just a feel good cozy read.  I also appreciate that the author has given the option for people to have a sweet or spicy version of the story for those that like closed door.  

This had everything I love in a small town, cozy rom-com fake dating, meddling nonnas (and brothers & sisters), Bianca's patients and her bestie that meant well and added to the fun (seriously that hat that her friend got for Gio!).  Add in an irritating ex who uses his power as the mayor to add extra shenanigans to the story.  Was this story ridiculous at times... yes, did I enjoy it... yes!   

If you are looking for your next fall romance add this one to your TBR.  I'm looking forward to reading more in this series! 

Thank you to Hambright PR and the author for this early copy! 

Have you read this one?  What did you think? 

Amy Daws: Nine Month Contract

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219655872-nine-month-contract

Book Blurb:

Help Wanted: Grumpy mountain man seeks baby momma. Job is an incubator position only. Surrogate must be impervious to grunting as the form of communication and nosy brotherly neighbors. Rustic mountain range housing available upon request.

I wanted to pummel my irritating brothers when they posted their own version of a wanted ad to help me with my life.

But I can’t fault the results once the right woman lands in my lap.

Becoming a single father is not a decision I made lightly. In fact, it’s the biggest decision of my entire life.

Which is why when I interview Trista, I know she’s perfect.

She’s wild, she’s opinionated, she wears cowboy boots. Even my pet goat loves her…

She’s the exact type of person I was holding out for.

And to my great horror, I realize on our first night of attempting this baby-making dance—when the lights are low, the cheap wine is flowing and the home-insemination supplies are laid out on the kitchen counter—I want to do a lot more than just make her my surrogate.

I want to make her mine.

Tropes:

*Strangers to More *Mountain Man *7 brides for 7 brothers vibes *Spice *surrogate 

*Rom-Com *State Challenge Colorado *Grumpy x Sunshine *Small Town Romance 

*Age Gap *Curvy FMC *Forced Proximity *Mountain Man MMC *Contracts *Banter

*cute animals *Acts of service *Wealthy MMC

Thoughts:

Wyatt (MMC) our hot grumpy mountain man has been living a solitary (ish)... well as solitary as it can be for living on a mountain in Colorado with a few of his brothers... but he has everything he needs he just feels like his life could use something more he would rather not have a relationship but he would like a baby, with his single status how can he get a baby you ask?  A surrogate.

Only he has gone to an agency and rejected all of the women that they arranged for him as possibilities not having any further options they decide to release him as a client. 

Wyatt's sweet and well meaning neice decides to help him with this process by putting up an ad, at first Wyatt isn't on board with going about things that way until his neice brings him the perfect canidate Trista she is beautiful, outspoken, fierce and best of all she doesn't want any commitment or long term relationship she's perfectly ok with the arrangement of just being there for a short time and then leaving at the end.  

Trista has a boat load of baggage including financial difficulties and a lengthy history of family drama and abandonment issues.  She is used to being self sufficient and it takes her awhile to get used to Wyatt and his gestures he is constantly bringing her food/drinks making sure she is eating, buying her things to make her more comfortable... but she is going to be carrying his child so she can see how he would want the baby to have all the best items for proper growth.

Wyatt... such a grump but so sweet when it comes to her, yes please! 

The story covers a lengthy period of time pre and post pregnancy where Trista moves to the Mountain and stays in the apartment above the barn living in closer proximity to Wyatt and his brothers.  An on going theme is Trista works closely with rescuing animals and wants to have her own sanctuary and often brings home animals without talking to Wyatt first... he does have a large barn after all.  

Naturally the longer Trista is around this hot grumpy man the less able she is to resist him... and she had been doing so well but once it's on... it's on!  And it's about time the tension was thick.

This book is full of humor, spice, and emotional moments that make you fall for Trista, Wyatt and his sweet but at times too involved family... But will they be able to realize that this has been more than a contract for awhile? 

I listened to the audio book and Erin Mallon and Teddy Hamilton were awesome!  

Looking forward to reading more of this series!

Some negatives for this book: 

*The FMC refers to herself as a "cow" throughout the book --> this was just not for me

*Trista is meant to be quirky... but I felt that it was like over the top quirky at times.

*I know Trista bringing more animals to the place was supposed to be fun, but I was kind of irritated with her for that, she didn't ask and she at that time was a temporary guest... he even specifically asked her not to bring home chickens at one point and next thing you know she has several chickens.

*The time line skips around unevenly you'll have several chapters close together in time line then it will skip multiple weeks

*I personally wasn't a big fan of how they went about getting the FMC pregnant it could be a me thing though

Cindy Steel: The One With The Kiss Cam

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/198638176-the-one-with-the-kiss-cam

Book Blurb:

It was just one date.

My friend told me I needed more fun in my life, so I reluctantly said yes. Fun wasn’t exactly in my wheelhouse. After watching my own mother’s love life implode time and time again it’s only natural that I have a few rules to protect myself.

Actually, it’s just one rule…
Avoid relationships with men so I don’t get attached.

I wasn’t worried. Getting attached has never been a big problem for me. This guy was just a warm body in a chair. I was here for the basketball game. I was absolutely NOT here for my date.

Or the kiss cam.
Or the kiss.
Or the impromptu evening with the one man who seems bent on throwing my tidy world off of its axis.

But when my life takes a nose dive, he’s also the man who seems bent on proving to me that good men do exist, dreams can come true, and sometimes throwing out the rule book is when the magic really starts to happen.

Tropes:

*Rom-Com *Closed Door *Strangers --> more *Friends --> more *Kiss Cam 

*a night to remember *2nd chance for romance *Golden Retriever MMC *He falls first

*family drama *State Challenge Utah *Hallmark vibes 

Thoughts:

Nora against her better judgement decides to take her friends advice and go out on a date... she says yes to going to a basketball game which is fine... but the date turns into a total disaster pretty quickly the guy is a self centered toolbag.

Thankfully there is a handsome guy sitting on the other side they spend their evening flirting and when her "date" goes to get another snack and the kiss cam centers on her and her handsome stranger... then keeps coming back to them they decide "why not" and go in for a kiss... shortly after after her date makes a move that makes her uncomfortable and her Knight in the next seat says he will take her home.

They go on to have a night to remember but after go their separate ways while they share social media with each other Nora figures it would be better to forget that night where she felt all of her dreams could come true, he has a girlfriend now and her life is the opposite of dream like with her mounting debt and her child like mother constantly coming to her to bail her out of her financial problems.... doesn't her mom realize she isn't in a financially sound place either?  

Nora is selfless, a hard worker and a people pleaser she started working at a young age to help her mom and support her younger sisters so they wouldn't have their dreams crushed too.  She had to drop out of school but she still has dreams of returning something is bound to turn around for her soon... surprisingly it comes in the form of getting a job at her aunts cleaning company.

When she arrives at work she ends up in the elevator with her handsome stranger Duke and his friends that she met at the basketball game a few years earlier at this point... maybe he won't remember her.

Naturally he does he never forgot her either and he and his friends run a company... that she happens to be cleaning for... great just when she thought things couldn't get any lower now she's going to have to clean way later so she doesn't run into him after hours... but of course she does.

Duke (MMC) happens to mention that his company is doing an internship program for a period of time that pays they are selecting three interns to work for them and prepare a project... if they win at the end they will be hired and it comes with a college scholarship... Even though she knows it would probably be a bad idea it's something she can't refuse she needs this.

Even though Duke is now her essentially her boss, he's drawn to Nora and can't help but seek her out to spend time with her, they grow closer together and when Nora finds out that he's suddenly single could she throw caution to the wind and go for what she truly wants for once?  

To add additional drama one of the other interns selected is a mean girl and upset that Duke has noticed Nora and not herself she begins to taunt Nora it would be a shame if HR Found out about any inappropriate relationships.

This book was so cute, a little corny throughout but over all a light fun and cozy read, I enjoyed this one and happy I found it for my 50 states challenge for Utah.  

Some negatives for this book:

-Nora talked about setting better boundaries with her mom but if she called would give in and pay for her past due bills

-The MMC is so sweet but later in the book makes a comment about his 3 year relationship being "the rebound" it just seems out of character

-the FMC talks about doing a lot for her mom & sisters... but the mom is the only one she interacts with in the book, what are the sisters doing?  Do they know what she gave up for them?

-MMC what he does in the epilogue... just no 👎

-FMC is so stubborn it becomes pretty repetitive --> she's stressed out about her student loan, lack of money and having a wayward mom who makes poor choices with men who use her and leave --> she doesn't want to accept help... from anyone.

Holly Michelle: You'll Be The Death of Me

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243817596-you-ll-be-the-death-of-me

book blurb:

Cole is spending the rest of his eternity as an overworked Afterlife Clerk, reaping souls for the Afterlife Administration. But when he accidentally reaps the wrong Verdella Rodgers, Cole and Verdella must race to fix his cosmic blunder—and try not to catch feelings along the way. A swoony and whimsical romp, You'll Be the Death of Me is a romance to die for.

Verdella “Dell” Rodgers is at the top of her game. As the chef de cuisine at San Francisco’s hottest new restaurant and on the cusp of marrying the mayor’s son in the social event of the season, her life is perfect. That is until the week before her wedding when she wakes up and find herself very much dead.

Enter Cole, a charming but bumbling entry-level clerk in the Afterlife Administration who accidentally confuses Dell for a 95-year-old woman in Kansas with the same name, reaping the wrong soul. When Cole tries to fix his mistake, their worlds collide in life- and death-changing ways.

Now walking the city as a ghost only visible to Cole, Dell is frantic to get back to her perfect life but soon learns that it wasn’t what it appeared to be, particularly when it came to the man she was about to marry and his high-profile family.

Meanwhile, Cole has no memory of who he was before working for the Afterlife Administration. As they try to uncover Cole’s past and remedy Dell’s future, they realize the mistake that brought them together might just be a twist of fate. With time running out to bring Dell back to the land of the living, she’ll have to decide if the life she left behind is truly what she wants, or if Cole’s untimely appearance could lead to an unexpected change that she didn’t know she needed.

Tropes:

*Netgalley ALC *Fantasy *strangers --> More *mystery *Life/death *after life 

*Feisty/driven FMC *timid/shy MMC *supernatural elements *Some spice (light)

*State Challenge California (repeat) *forced proximity  *magical elements

Thoughts:

Dell (FMC) is living the dream, well from the outside looking in... she is owner and head chef at a new prominent restaurant in the Bay area, she is from a wealthy family, and she is soon to be married to the Mayor's son in a very lavish ceremony what else could she want?  Only a week before the wedding the worst thing happens. 

Cole (MMC) is working as a clerk in the afterlife administration as a rule follower who doesn't take risks this job suits him... so when he makes a mistake which leads to the Death of young Dell in California and not 90+ year old Dell in a totally different state he is beside himself with worry there has to be a way to reverse this mistake... thankfully his boss is giving him some time to reverse this error all he has to do is find where Dell took a wrong turn in life and then she will get her life back with no harm done... or not much harm anyways.

Cole lands in the real world shortly after Dell wakes up and finds her new situation at first understandably angry with Cole that fizzles out fairly quickly as she needs him to find her way back to his body... she just needs to figure out where her wrong turn was that should be easy enough right?  She's getting married in a week. 

The pacing was slower at times with discussions on what happens at the after life administration office and all the rules and regulations that Cole wants to continue to follow while Dell steam rolls right over those plans she is determined to get her life back.

There is a bit of a mystery going on as they work together to find the "wrong turn" and she learns things that she never expected from the people closest to her as she is able to listen in unnoticed some good and some not so good but along the way she learns that maybe once she gets back to her life she could make some changes, perhaps she has been so focused on her own goals and being successful that she hasn't been paying as much attention to whats happening around her. 

Naturally having forced proximity thrust upon them working towards the same goal they begin to know each other better, Cole having been in his current limbo state for as long as he has been has forgotten a lot of his prior life and Dell is able to help him as well with the support of some friends.  

Dell shows Cole that he can let loose and doesn't always have to follow rules by the book and it's fun to watch him get a bit bolder throughout the book.

I would have liked to have Cole's POV as well, I listened to this one and thank the author and Netgalley for this early listen copy it was single narration and she did a good job with the characters.  

This was a cute romance and I enjoyed how the story played out, it kind of reminded me of that movie from the 90s heart and souls in the way that the "spirits" have to have the help of a human to complete some of their tasks.  

Have you read this one?  What did you think? 

Meghan Quinn: Rules for the Summer

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243359903-rules-for-the-summer

Book Blurb:

He clicked "yes" on a dare. She bought a failing candy shop. Now they're neighbors for the summer―and neither is ready for what comes next.

Renley Gossage has one shot to prove she's more than Cape Meril's favorite cautionary tale: restore her favorite candy shop before the town writes her off like they did her father. No help, no shortcuts, and definitely no rich men wielding engagement rings and making things messy.

Theo Williams never planned on ending up in Cape Meril. A drunken game of truth or dare turned into a botched online engagement, and now he's across the ocean, escaping his father's control with nothing but designer shoes, misplaced confidence, and a rental next door to Renley.

She's practical, stubborn, and covered in paint. He's posh, persistent, and willing to use a sander if it means earning her trust.

Between collapsing drywall, gossiping neighbors, and the chaotic schemes of Renley's aunt, their forced proximity turns into something dangerously close to real.

But Renley's future depends on standing on her own two feet, and Theo's past isn't done with him yet. By the time the candy shop doors open, they'll have to decide if this is just a summer fling―or the happily ever after neither of them saw coming.

Tropes:

*Rom-Com *British MMC x American FMC *Strangers --> More *Shenanigans 

*Quirky side characters *Small town romance *Big Dreams *Oppressive Family 

*Wealthy noble MMC *he falls first *neighbors (for the summer) *reverse grumpy x sunshine

*Opposites attract *State Challenge Mass (Repeat) *slow burn *Spice *Supportive MMC

Thoughts:

Renley (FMC) wants to prove to everyone (including herself) that she can be a successful business woman.  The small town she lives in occasionally will auction the rights to open a store to a local as opposed to giving it to a big chain to keep the small town charm and Renley feels that maybe her luck is finally changing for the better when she wins the former candy shop, she plans to renovate and refresh the shop and re-open it to allow children to build some memories like she had of the place when she was a girl... there is only one problem and it's a big one.

Renley was told by her Aunt Kitty that she could help with this endeavor and had the funds to do so... only she doesn't actually have the money.  Aunt Kitty is a dreamer and while her head is in the clouds chasing her dreams of becoming a hobby horse social media star... Renley's feet are firmly placed in reality where she needs at least 20 grand to revamp the store and open in the time frame, simple enough Aunt Kitty after a night of drinking places her request on a Financier website this will solve the problem there has to be someone out there willing to make this investment.

Theo has been living the life of privilege while he doesn't want the title he has been trained from an early age and is next in line for the title, his father is over bearing and bossy and fully intends for Theo to do what he says when he says it.  Theo while he doesn't want the title doesn't want to cause waves either so after a night drinking with his best mate Rupert and a game of truth or dare lands him on a match making site for a fiance he goes with it he has matched with several women... but only 1 looks remotely tolerable and he is set to prove his father wrong his father thinks he's wasting his life and never follows through with anything... well he will prove his father wrong... next thing he knows he is spending the summer in Cape Meril right next door to his future bride.

After arrival Theo finds that Renley was in fact not looking for a fiance but a financier... why are those words so close?  Determined to continue with his plan since his dad has said if he doesn't get married by the end of the summer he will choose his bride for him... and that is 100% not happening he begins to court Renley... Renley is not having it and demands rules be drawn up so that their interactions remain as infrequent as possible she has a lot of work to do to get her shop up and running in the time allowed by the town and she doesn't need this extra issue in the form of the most handsome man she's ever seen in person with a sexy accent.

While it took them awhile to get there and maybe a few of their rules got changed a long the way... How can Renley believe that this is anything more than a summer fling he has to return home for lord duties doesn't he?  Theo is falling for this girl and hard but how can he prove that he won't be another disappointment in her life when he knows that he is going to mess up at some point? 

To be honest with this one it took me a bit to get on board with it while it was fun and quirky I did find myself struggling with the plot of Renley not realizing sooner about the financier/fiance situation and Renley spent so much time keeping Theo at arms length that besides their internal monolog of both finding each other attractive I didn't see much chemistry on page, the slow burn was slow burning I don't think they kissed until after a few hundred pages.  

That being said after the kiss I began to get more on board with this couple, Theo was so sweet and showed time and time again that he could and would show up for Renley which meant a lot since she had been let down by so many who were close to her in the past.  In fact throughout the book Theo was there for her when she didn't even have the support she thought she would have from her closest relative this caused a lot of additional issues for Renley since she struggled to open up and share her feelings.  

Once the spice started it was fairly frequent throughout the rest of the book and in that way I don't know if the book needed to be over 500 pages or if some stuff could have been trimmed... The rules got repeated and edited several times along the way.

Rupert and the mouse was hilarious, and Aunt Kitty while she was fun I did find myself growing irritated with her at times throughout the book... she said she would help Renley with the store but instead she was spending her days working on her hobby which was not making any money to help herself or Renley while Renley was doing repair jobs around town for income during the day and then going to work later days after hours to prepare the candy shop.

I kind of at some point wished that Renley would decide to open up a store in a different town... if most of the town wanted her to fail why should she stay there with that kind of negative energy?  I get she grew up there but maybe a fresh start elsewhere with nicer people could work too(?) 

I did enjoy this book over all.  If you are looking for a rom-com with a lot of over the top shenanigans this might be the one for you... also do yourself a favor if you are an audio book lover and get the audio for it Shane East, Stella Hunter, Gary Furlong & Cassandra Medcalf did an amazing job with the story.  

Meghan Quinn: Till Summer Do Us Part

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227081370-till-summer-do-us-part

Book Blurb

I got what I wanted. I became buddy-buddy with my boss in an instant. But the cost will be hefty . . . finding a husband by tomorrow.

Scottie Price just started a new job, and it's a real sausage fest. She's the only woman on a team filled with Brads and Chads. Expecting a bachelor pad atmosphere, she is quickly corrected when she finds out everyone is happily married.

In an effort to impress her boss, Scottie mentions her non-existent husband in a company meeting. But eagle-eyed Chad points out her lack of wedding ring. Panicked, Scottie creates a story about her unhappy marriage. Unfortunately for Scottie, her boss has a solution - a one-on-one session with the best marriage counsellor in the Northeast, who happens to be her boss's husband.

With no way out of her lie, Scottie agrees to see him. Frantic, she calls in help from her best friend who sets her up with his brother, an improv-obsessed millionaire.

Enter Wilder Wells. More than happy to take on the job, he teaches Scottie the main rule of always say yes. But the rule backfires during the session when Wilder signs them up for an eight-day summer marriage camp with all of Scottie's co-workers where she'll have to share a cabin with her way-too-handsome fake husband.

Tropes:

*Rom-Com *Fake Relationship *Best Friend's Brother *Strangers --> More

*Camp Vibes *Marriage counseling *Work trip *Cute Nickname *Forced proximity *one bed

*Spice  *Divorced FMC *Wealthy MMC *Pierced 👇 MMC *Summer Romance

*Spice *State Challenge New York (Repeat) *emotional baggage from prior relationship

*Golden retriever MMC *Reverse age gap

Thoughts:

Scottie (FMC) has started her life over in NYC after moving across the country, newly divorced and finding it hard to fit in at her new job with a bunch of adult frat bro's but... what's worse is that they all are all happily married.  Feeling bad about her failed relationship and looking to grasp onto anything when everyone is talking about what they are doing in their world of love... she brings up that she will also be doing "Coupleish" things with her husband.

Thinking that people will just drop it after it's said... she ends up in a bad situation after she doubles down on her lie and says that she's not wearing her ring because her and her husband have been having a rocky time,  next thing she knows her boss is pulling her into the office and saying that she's in luck her husband is sought after to help marriages in trouble... and he can fit her and the hubs in the next day.

Now Scottie needs to just find a husband... a real live guy to go with her to this appointment.  In comes her best friend to the rescue he happens to have a single, hot, wealthy younger brother who has been looking for "experiences" and just might be the guy for the job since he has been taking improv acting classes and looking to enhance his skills.

So next thing Scottie is meeting Wilder... why didn't her friend tell her how hot his brother was?... and then he goes totally off script at their "counseling appointment" next thing she knows he has them signed up for an 8 day counseling session retreat, which apparently her whole office is going to... why didn't her friend mention how his brother is unhinged?  

This is terrible how are they going to hold it together for 8 days pretending to be married when they just met 2 minutes ago... this is going to be a disaster.

Was this book over the top ridiculous?  Yes and there were some definite unethical things happening at this counselor's camp.... But as our couple continues to get into situations and learn more about each other as a "couple" you truly see them begin to develop feelings for each other based on trust, honesty and understanding... well honest with each other anyways.

Scottie has a lot of emotional baggage from her toxic relationship with her ex and Wilder is a fun and free spirit that helps her come out of her shell and shows her throughout the whole book how she should have always been treated in a relationship.  Scottie has been through it she deserves a sweetheart like Wilder.

I really enjoyed this book it had me laughing so hard.  I switched back and forth between reading and the audio book but I truly enjoyed the narrators and they did a great job with the humor and heart of this book.  

I enjoyed this book but have put together some Negatives from other peoples reviews:

*too much cringey spice

*no chemistry between the main characters

*MMC is immature, FMC is too uptight

*Too many tropes, trying too hard to be funny --> feels forced

*Whole Marriage counseling trip was an HR nightmare

Sarah Adams: The Cheat Sheet

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58100280-the-cheat-sheet

Book Blurb:

Is it ever too late to leave the friend-zone?

Hi, my name is Bree Camden, and I’m hopelessly in love with my best friend and star quarterback Nathan Donelson (so is half of America, judging by the tabloids and how much the guy dates). The first step is admitting, right? Except, I can never admit it to him because he clearly doesn’t see me that way, and the last thing I want is for things to get weird between us.

Nothing but good old-fashioned, no-touching-the-sexiest-man-alive, platonic friendship for us! Everything is exactly how I like it! Yes. Good. (I’m not crying, I’m just peeling an onion.)

Our friendship is going swimmingly until I accidentally spill my beans to a reporter over too much tequila, and now the world seems to think me and Nathan belong together. Oh, and did I mention we have to date publicly for three weeks until after the Super Bowl because we signed a contract with...oops, forgot I can’t tell anyone about that!

Bottom line is, now my best friend is smudging all the lines and acting very un-platonic, and I’m just trying to keep my body from bursting into flames every time he touches me.

How am I going to make it through three weeks of fake dating Nathan without anything changing between us? Especially when it almost-sort-a-kinda seems like he’s fighting for a completely different outcome?

Send help.
XO Bree

*Sports Romance (Football)  *Wealthy MMC x poor FMC  *Football star x ballet dancer 

*Best friends forever --> more  *long term pining (both sides)  *rom-com  *Light and fluffy

*Cozy read  *Fake dating *Girl next door  *Green Flag boyfriend  *no spice 

*miscommunication/no communication *State Challenge California (Repeat) 

Thoughts:

So I haven't really read a lot of the more "popular" books of recent years but picked up this one since I had it in my audible library and hadn't had a chance to get to it yet and needed it for a book bingo card spot for a team competition I'm doing "New Release 2021" while I'm not upset about listening to this book and I think that the narrator's did great... you can't do wrong with listening to Teddy Hamilton (iykyk)... I had a like/dislike time with this book.

Things I enjoyed were the friends to more, while there was no spice in it was a cute and flirty time since our couple had a long term friendship and had both been in love with each other since forever... but both of them were too stubborn/afraid to talk about their real feelings essentially both putting each other in the long term friend zone.  

There were a series of funny events throughout and I really enjoyed Nathan's team mates lending a hand to give ideas to help him finally get his dream girl who has been right there the whole time waiting for him to say that he wanted more.  A large chunk of this book was both of them wanting the other one to "make the first move" or show them that they wanted more than just being in the friend zone... 

So I don't mind a small amount of miscommunication/no communication I'm a big fan of historical romance and that's a big trope for those types of books... but through at least 80% of the book it is back and forth on both sides with the dual POV showing that they both have been so in love with the other one they can't even catch feelings for anyone else longer term and now that they are finally both single and happen to now be in a fake dating situationship after the FMC has a drunken tell your feelings in the bathroom to a reporter of all people... they are now using this as their chance to maybe see if there is something more but doing it covertly like "how would she react if I got closer to her and held her hand" ...  all of this was while still not talking about their true feelings gah!  someone just tell the other one you love them already so this story can move forward.

The book is over 300 pages and while it was a cute, fluffy and sometimes funny read/listen I think it would have worked much better as a high school rom-com both the lead characters I think were meant to be quirky but came off as in the 13-17 range instead of being almost 30.  I could go on more about some other things but this book has over 40,000 reviews so I'm sure that everything possible has already been said about this book.

To finish this one I honestly just started imagining them as 10 years younger and I enjoyed it a lot better 😅 it became one of those cute Disney rom-com's that I used to enjoy when I was in high school.  

The only real conflict was one that they were both inflicting on themselves by not having  any real conversations about how they felt about each other.  But if you are looking for something on the light and easy side you might enjoy picking this one up!

If you've read this one what did you think?  

M.C. Vaughan Romancing Miss Stone

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/185394684-romancing-miss-stone

Book Blurb:

His perfectly planned life is about to go wild.

By-the-numbers Bo Ferguson has his future all planned. Then his archaeologist fiancée dumps him. Via text. From Belize. Navigating the rainforest to win her back is way out of Bo’s comfort zone, but so is the idea of starting over. Fortunately, he’s secured a tour guide willing to lead him into the unmapped jungle. Unfortunately, she’s annoying, impulsive—and attractive as hell.

Jungle expert Alexandra Stone is in no position to turn down a job after her regrettable ex stole everything from her family business and ran. Sure, Bo might be frustratingly uptight, but Alex needs the money. And besides, there’s something…fun about pushing the guy’s adorably rigid buttons, especially when it clearly gets a rise out of him.

But the close confines of their shared camp make it hard to ignore the tension beneath the bickering, prompting the sweltering heat between them to erupt into sweaty, wild passion. Bo can’t deny his brief time with Alex has been the most exciting of his life. But the journey they’re on still leads to one place—his ex-fiancée—forcing Bo and Alex to confront their pasts, their fears and the question of just where this adventure will take them…

*Netgalley ALC  *Adventure Romance  *opposites attract  *State Challenge: Maryland

*Fish out of water  *Forced proximity  *Rom-Com *Travel romance  *tour guide FMC *Witty banter

*insta lust/love  *spice  *cozy read  *Grief (loss of father FMC prior to start of story)  *panic attacks

Thoughts:

Bo is a rules guy, he actually reads the instructions manual to things and he lives a no nonsense set in stone life... next on his list is marrying the love of his life, they have been together for 7 years and have known each other since they were kids... so when she decides to apply for an archaeology dig thousands of miles away from their home in Maryland he's surprised but lets her go if that's what she feels she needs to do to advance her career... but when she stops accepting his calls and dumps him over a text message then ghosts him he has to find out what's going on with her their relationship can't end this way.

Alex (FMC) is an abrupt no nonsense tour guide, she loves living in Belize where she worked with her father to build his tour guide business and things had been going well until her father passed away, thankfully at the time she had her boyfriend to help pick up the pieces... only he was a wolf in sheep's clothing since he worked for her company as the accountant, got her in debt to a lot of different creditors took out a loan from a loan shark and then stole any proceeds from her business before falling off the face of the planet.

Bo needs a guide to get him to (ex) fiance... he just knows she's made a mistake and they are meant to be together and he will show he can be impulsive and isn't so uptight about everything... just look at him now he's left the comfort of his home and he's going to rough it across a foreign country... he can be adventurous too!  In comes Alex she needs the money to pay this loan shark... and this hot nerd needs all the help he can get.

Naturally Bo and Alex come together for this adventure as complete opposites while Bo prepares for everything Alex has prepared (partially) for their trip but is more of a live in the moment and change plans on the fly kind of girl.  Alex helps Bo see that he can live a little more and come out of his shell while Bo helps Alex see maybe she could stand to be slightly more organized.  

It was really cute to see them get closer together on their trip which got side tracked a few times and led to more days spent together in close proximity.  But Bo is on a mission to get back together with his ex, isn't he?  and Alex can't give her heart over to some guy who she is helping to get to his ex and lives in another country... her last relationship really did a number on her.

This might be just a me thing but I felt that it was a bit too soon for our couple to completely fall for each other over the course of less than a week only shortly after (like a few weeks) our MMC was dumped via text... even if his ex is a jerk. 

This was a cozy rom-com, while there was some adventure I thought there would be more to it than off roading after some transportation issues and visiting a few sites, I would have liked a little more "adventure."  

Over all I enjoyed this one it had fun and flirty vibes and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.  Thank you to the author and netgalley for this ALC copy the narrator did a great job bringing these characters to life!  

Evie Rose: Accidentally Marrying the Mafia Don

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250473047-accidentally-marrying-the-mafia-don

book blurb:

One tiny oops, and I’m married to a mafia boss.

I’m the stand-in maid of honour, he’s the silver fox uncle of the groom who saves the day when the wedding becomes a disaster, with a fluffy ring-bearer gone rogue, a drunk priest, and a child with perfect comic timing. But the dream Italian wedding continues, and the uncle—Dante—and I sign as witnesses. And if I try to flirt with him, I blame the romantic setting and the fact that although he’s twice my age, he’s the hottest man I’ve ever met. His edge of danger, with his tattoos and the way everyone is nervous of him, gossiping that he’s a morally gray billionaire, only makes me want him more. He turns me down with a touch to my cheek and a hoarse murmur that I’m too young and innocent for a man like him. Back at home, my dull little life doesn't compare. Then a wedding certificate arrives at my door. There’s been a mix up, and I’m married. To him.

Accidentally Marrying the Mafia Don is a sweet and spicy instalove romance with fluffy mafia romcom vibes and sizzling chemistry.

Duet narrated by gruff and growly Brandon Francis and light and relatable Zara Hampton-Brown.

*Netgalley ALC 2026 (2/12)  *Duet *Mafia Rom-Com  *Novella *"My Wife" *touch her and 💀

*Age Gap *spice  *quick read  *Insta Love/Lust  *Accidental Marriage *forced proximity *One Bed

*Young, Naive, inexperienced FMC x Experienced older man *Billionaire MMC *possessive MMC

Thoughts:

Ruby (FMC) is working as a hairdresser for a special client at a destination wedding in Italy when things begin to go downhill quickly with the wedding she manages to step into a new role as Maid of Honor since she can fit in one of the extra dresses and the other ladies are not well enough to stand.  She quickly finds herself wanting to do everything she can to give the bride and groom a perfect day... including keeping their dog from ruining the wedding photos... It also doesn't hurt that the brides handsome but dangerous looking Uncle is standing with her in her quest to make this day magical.

The story really falls to "Fluffy mafia romcom" but spent too much time on certain "funny" parts like I don't think in a story under 150 pages there needs to be this many pages about keeping a dog from licking their business... we get that it's a dog that's what they do.  

Ruby and Dante are pretty much immediately in love with each other after this brief encounter at the wedding but Dante is too ancient and his life is too dangerous to be with this sweet, younger woman who is around the same age as his niece in her early twenties.  (I joke about the ancient part as while this is addressed multiple times the guy is younger than me at 40).  

After going their seperate ways a few months later Ruby gets a surprise in the mail... after a mix up at the wedding venue she has received a marriage certificate... she was recorded in Italy as married to her handsome older gentleman and when she goes to the address listed she interrupts a "mafia boss" meeting due to the danger she is now in from her declaration Dante quickly requests she stay with him to keep "safe" while they work on getting their marriage annulled... only he doesn't want that it was love at first sight for him and he might just have to keep her with him until she realizes that they were made for each other.

This book was cute with flirty banter in places and a quick read/listen I didn't dislike the lead characters but there is not enough time for an actual build up of any back story everything feels on the rushed side.  Dante calls her by her nick name or "My Wife" 700 times (I didn't really count this), a lot of corny/cheesy scenes (including in the bedroom).  The FMC also spends too much time worried about being a "Perfect little wife"... girl just be you he loved you the way you are 3 minutes after meeting you.  

While not a bad read this one just missed the mark for me in a lot of places we only really have story with the lead couple with occasional other characters showing up but it's only surface level for everyone and I just didn't feel like I could get invested with the story or the characters.  

I felt the narrators did a good job for the most part the MMC while he has a nice voice it felt like he was doing his sultry/steamy/breathy voice for the whole book... kind of took me out of it at times I've never heard someone talk like that all the time and it didn't feel like a natural speaking voice.  

Have you read/listened to this one?  what did you think?  Have you read this author before?