Review: Best Enemies Forever by Olivia Hayle

Best Enemies Forever by Olivia Hayle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author, all opinions are my own.

This was so fun!  I love a good enemies to lovers and this delivered.  This also had a little bit of a second chance romance aspect, but the banter between Connie and Gabriel was really what shines through.

Constance "Connie" Connovan is the youngest daughter of a powerful company, likewise Gabriel Thompson is the only son of an equally powerful rival company.  While their companies don't really deal in the same type of business, they have always have a healthy competition as to which business was the most powerful and have tried to play in each other's sandbox a time or two.  Connie and Gabriel both attended the same prestigious prep school, separated for undergrad and were reunited a few years later at Harvard Law.  Connie being the youngest daughter by almost a decade not only had something to prove to her father and brothers, but as a woman in a man's world in general.  She always got perfect grades,  carefully crafted her image, likes to be overprepared, and meticulously plans everything so it is perfect.  Gabriel is her complete opposite, he is great at thinking on his feet, is a little more carefree, and loves to challenge Connie at every possible moment.  The two of them trade barbs like professional boxers.  They both have a competitive nature and neither will back down from a challenge.  This as you can guess leads to a very unexpected and unorthodox Vegas wedding.

I really loved the family dynamics and character development we get to see play out in this book.  I was so frustrated by the way that Connie's family treated her and the way she was treated by the men in her field.  I really feel that the author did a good job of capturing the dynamics of how differently men and women are treated in the workplace.  It is getting better, but it still isn't great.  As Gabriel and Connie play at being husband and wife to save face, they realize that they actually might like each other.  Their banter changes from mean spirited to playful and they find that they have found a support system and respite in each other that they don't have elsewhere.  I really enjoyed getting to know them as they got to really know each other.

I cannot wait for Alec's book.  I can already tell it is going to be a good one!  He was really tough to like in this book and I'm hoping as we get to know him his hard exterior softens a bit.  

View all my reviews

COVER REVEAL: Flame by Adriana Locke

 

Adriana Locke has revealed the gorgeous cover for Flame!

Releasing: November 2, 2023

Wanted: A Marriage of Convenience 

I swore I would only get married if my life depended on it. 

Oh, the irony. 

Because the universe took that as a challenge, I’m now in the market for a husband. But if I’m going to be stuck in a temporary marriage, I want it to be with the right man. 

I might as well try to enjoy this experience, right? 

Considering the circumstances, I need a protector—someone who will throw down for his short-term wife with no questions asked. He’ll be fit. Intelligent. My potential short-term husband will have a dry sense of humor. And, if I’m dreaming big, he’ll be drop-dead gorgeous and a little grumpy. Hot, grumpy men are so attractive. 

I mean, if a marriage of convenience is the only way out of this precarious situation, I may as well look for a perfect, broody bodyguard, right? 

It could be fun. Lots of fun. 

Especially if the one man I know who fits the bill will play along.

But, if Foxx Carmichael does agree to this crazy plan, for better or worse, death might do us part in a whole other way. 

Pre-order your copy today!

Amazon: https://bit.ly/45KjpdL

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/FlameAL

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3QU81HQ

Meet Adriana

USA Today and Amazon Charts Bestselling author, Adriana Locke, writes contemporary romances about the two things she knows best—big families and small towns. Her stories are about ordinary people finding extraordinary love with the perfect combination of heart, heat, and humor.

She loves connecting with readers, fall weather, football, reading alpha heroes, everything pumpkin, and pretending to garden.

Hailing from a tiny town in the Midwest, Adriana spends her free time with her high school sweetheart (who she married over twenty years ago) and their four sons (who truly are her best work). Her kitchen may be a perpetual disaster, and if all else fails, there is always pizza.

 

Connect with Adriana 

Website: www.adrianalocke.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8379774.Adriana_Locke

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Adriana-Locke/author/B00NPBY8FE/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoradrianalocke

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/booksbyadrianalocke

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoradrianalocke

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/authoralocke

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrianalockewrites 

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/adriana-locke

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authoradrianalo

Other: https://www.youtube.com/adrianalocke

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/adrianalocke

   

EWE COMPLETE ME by Susannah Nix & Smartypants Romance RELEASE BLITZ

 

Ewe Complete Me, an all-new forced proximity romance from USA Today bestselling author Susannah Nix, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited!

Love defies logic when two polar opposites attract.

Chloe and Brandon have nothing in common. She’s a spontaneous, people-loving fiber artist; he’s an uptight, introverted law student. The only thing they agree on during their blind date is that they hope to never see each other again.

Except they do have something in common—Brandon’s mother Dawn, who happens to be Chloe’s boss and dear friend. Which is how they end up stuck with each other for a six-hour road trip to Dawn’s destination wedding.

But as they get to know each other better, their mutual irritation morphs into an inescapable connection. Maybe these two opposites aren't so mismatched after all. Could Brandon be the yin to Chloe’s yang? The peanut butter to her jelly? The rock to her roll?

Or will their differences tear them apart when they return to their normal lives at the end of the wedding weekend?

'Ewe Complete Me' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #6 in the Common Threads series, Seduction in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Grab your copy TODAY!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/44k2Rbr

Amazon UK: https://bit.ly/3qolAVf

Amazon CA: https://bit.ly/45pQ1ci

Amazon AU: https://bit.ly/45lfAvh

Audiobook: https://bit.ly/4569ezs

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/456rppv

About Susannah Nix

Susannah Nix is an award-winning author of contemporary romances featuring smart women and swoony men, including the Chemistry Lessons series of romcoms about women who work in STEM fields and the Starstruck series of movie star romances. 

Susannah resides in Texas with her husband, two ornery cats, and a flatulent pit bull. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, knitting, watching stupid amounts of television, and getting distracted by Tumblr. She is also a powerlifter who can deadlift as much as Captain America weighs.

Find Susannah Nix online

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B072KHZS5W 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susannahnix/ 

Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/160037207970579/ 

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/susannah-nix 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susannahnixauthor/ 

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16880740.Susannah_Nix 

Twitter: @Susannah_Nix 

Website: https://www.susannahnix.com/ 

Connect with Smartypants Romance

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2kvDnb4

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2lzyduO

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2lGdIMQ

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2kwKsYK

Website: https://smartypantsromance.com/

Newsletter: https://smartypantsromance.com/newsletter/

Review: A Traitor in Whitehall by Julia Kelly

A Traitor in Whitehall by Julia Kelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided both a print and audio ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this! It is the first book in a new mystery series called the Parisian Orphan. This follows Evelyne Redfern, daughter of an English Royal and a French woman who had a very public and scandalous divorce. Now Evelyne is doing her part supporting the war effort working in a munitions factory, when an old family friend offers her a position as a typist working in Winston Churchill's secret underground. She is to report back to him anything strange she notices while on duty, yet on one of her first days one of her fellow typists is murdered and she becomes embroiled in an investigation to solve the murder and find out who is selling secrets to the Germans with one of the Prime Ministers most trusted aides. Evelyne has a way with people, and she is able to get potential suspects and witnesses to divulge information about the victim and potential suspects that the other investigators were not able to uncover. Paired with the aide, David Poole, the two are able to piece together a timeline and list of suspects for the murder and the mole within a few days.

This has a bit of a cozy mystery feel to it which I really enjoyed. It has moments of total convenience that don't always seem plausible. This is fairly common in cozy mysteries, and something you have to accept for the plot to work. This is set during WWII, however it isn't set on the front lines so it isn't quite as bleak as some of the other historical fiction from that time period that I've read. Evelyne and her friends make the best out of their situation and are still able to have a bit of fun here and there despite the conditions in London. This lightens up the mood in the book. There is also a hint at a budding romance between the two main characters in future installments of the series.

Overall, if you enjoy historical fiction and cozy mysteries give this a try. I really liked Evelyne and David as a team and look forward to seeing them team up in the next installment. This mystery wraps up, and gives hints to what David and Evelyne will get up to in their next investigation.

View all my reviews

Review: Peaches and Dreams by Juliette Cross

Peaches and Dreams by Juliette Cross
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author and Smartypants Romance, all opinions are my own.

I actually really enjoyed getting to know Marly and Wade.  They were the perfect opposites attract couple and nicely balanced each other out.  Marly is impulsive and fun, where Wade is logical and has a plan for everything.  I love a good grumpy sunshine trope and they delivered.  This is low angst and has a nice found family vibe to it.  I liked watching Marly go after her dream of becoming a Moonshine maven and Wade and her friends supported her.  Their family dynamic with Jake, Wade's son, was adorable and he was such an awesome kid!

This was a little spicy for my personal tastes.  If you enjoy spicy books with a lot of dirty talk then this is going to be the book for you.  I don't mind a little spice in my books, but we all have our preferences this did not cater to mine.   I did appreciate the character development though.  Marly is going through some growing pains trying to start her own business and gain the approval from her father who does not approve of her life choices.  She doesn't like to be told what to do, and she doesn't like to be criticized for living her best, authentic life on her own terms.  Enter Wade, who is her complete opposite and wants to understand her and her impulsive ways.  Because she is sensitive to people questioning her decisions because of some family issues, Marly is quick to anger when Wade asks her questions.  Wade doesn't really know how to fight in a relationship and isn't sure where his missteps lie when Marly gets upset.  His previous relationship was amicable and void of passion, yet Marly is overflowing with enough passion for both of them,

Overall this was a really fun opposites attract, grumpy sunshine romance.  

View all my reviews

Review: Thank You for Sharing by Rachel Runya Katz

Thank You for Sharing by Rachel Runya Katz
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This is a tough one for me to review because I thought the book was well written and I enjoyed the storyline.  On the other hand I had I really hard time connecting with the main character Liyah.  I felt like she went out of her way to make herself unlikable.  She was rude to her friends and was constantly insulting the love interest under the guise of teasing.  Her character felt over the top and forced at times.  As we get to know her better we learn that it is both a defense mechanism and a coping mechanism that she has developed.  Towards the latter half of the book we learn about some of the experiences and trauma that causes her to act the way she does and some of her actions and reactions begin to make more sense.  On the other hand I did like Daniel.  He was patient and kind and willing to put up with Liyah's antics and support her when she needed..  

I will say I enjoyed the representation in this book.  Not only do we have a diverse cast of characters who have regular lives and jobs, we also get a good representation of therapy and normalizing taking care of your mental health.  The friend group was great!  I loved that the four friends formed their own club to vent about life and work and whatever and they took minutes and had club rules.  

Overall, this is a cute slow burn, second chance romance.  I don't think I'm the target audience for this particular book.  I think I would have really loved it if I had been able to relate to Liyah a bit more.  Someone out there is going to love her character and really love this book.  

View all my reviews

PEACHES AND DREAMS by Juliette Cross & Smartypants Romance RELEASE BLITZ

 

Peaches and Dreams, an all new single dad small-town romance from Juliette Cross, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited!

Marly Rivers is not crazy. No matter what everyone says. They may think her dream is foolish, but she plans to prove them all wrong—one jar of moonshine at a time. 

Single dad Wade Kelley is just fine. No matter what his best friend Jed says. He doesn’t need a woman in his life. But when his son Jake breaks a jar of moonshine, he sets something in motion that neither Wade nor Marly are prepared for. 

A friendly favor turns into late nights, long dinners, and a romp in the woods. And in a deer stand too. By the time Wade realizes he’s fallen hard and deep for Mad Marly, it may be too late to tell her. When she falls into real and sudden danger with poachers, he may not even be able to save her. 

‘Peaches and Dreams’ is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #4 in the Green Valley Heroes series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Reserve your copy TODAY!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3rWYK7p

Amazon UK: https://bit.ly/3KC9s9M

Amazon CA: https://bit.ly/3DRHMdm

Amazon AU: https://bit.ly/3QA6xCG

Goodreads:https://bit.ly/3s9cL20

Audiobook: Coming this fall!

About Juliette Cross

JULIETTE is a multi-published author of paranormal and fantasy romance & the co-host of the podcast, Smart Women Read Romance. As a native of Louisiana, she lives in the heart of Cajun land with her husband, four kids, her labs, Kona and Jeaux, and kitty, Betty. When she isn’t working on her next project, she enjoys binge-watching her favorite shows with her husband and a glass (or two) of red wine.

Find Juliette Cross online

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliettecrossauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Juliette__Cross

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Juliette-Cross/e/B00MQ18Z1W/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliettecrossauthor/

Website: https://www.juliettecross.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7795664.Juliette_Cross

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/crossjuliette/_saved/

Connect with Smartypants Romance

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2kvDnb4

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2lzyduO

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2lGdIMQ

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2kwKsYK

Website: https://smartypantsromance.com/

Newsletter: https://smartypantsromance.com/newsletter/

Review: The Cage of Dark Hours by Marina J. Lostetter

The Cage of Dark Hours by Marina J. Lostetter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an audio ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.  Full disclosure, after after having listened to the first book I did purchase the e-book which I found helpful to have available when listening.  The e-book also has some graphics that I found useful.  This is a long audiobook (20+ hours) and it has a ton of characters and the world is complex.  It is nice to have the print version to refer to when needed.  The audiobook is really enjoyable, I really enjoyed the three piece narration.  Each of the narrators did a good job with their specific characters and chapters.  I appreciated having 3 narrators, one for each of the character perspectives.  It really helps to keep focus on which part of the plot is the focus and which part of the timeline you are in depending on which character is telling the story.

This follows three characters, Krona who we met in book 1, Mandip a noble and new character, and Thalo child an acolyte in a strange religion and also a new character.  We also get to see many characters that we met in the first book and Krona is grieving the loss of her older sister and still coming to grips with the information learned in the previous book.  I would not recommend reading this as a standalone, though if you do start here the author does do a  good job giving recaps of necessary information. I read book 1 recently so the information was still fresh, but they were published about 2 years apart.  Through Krona, Mandip and Thalo Child we come to understand that there is a war brewing and there are many unknown factors at play and many of the players have their own agendas.  This installment delves deeper into the magic system, the religion of the Thalo, and the gods that are worshipped in the universe the book takes place in.  We also come to understand how all three characters are tied together and how the events that occurred in the previous book link everyone together.

This isn't as violent and bloody as book 1 but it is dark and does have violent moments.  There are a few battles and the Thalo are not kind to their charges.  Much like the first book, there is a bit of a horror, mystery, mixed into this fantasy.  I love a good genre mashup, and this delivers.  

As with the first book, I can't believe more people aren't talking about this series.  The covers are stunning and the storyline is action packed.  I do feel that this book like the last one was a bit on the long side and there are a lot of things to keep track of, but that is to be expected with an epic fantasy.  I haven't been able to find any release information for the next book, but a quick look at her blog indicates that she is working on edits for book 3.  I am so exited to find out what happens next!

View all my reviews

Review: The Forest Grimm by Kathryn Purdie

The Forest Grimm by Kathryn Purdie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided both a print and audio ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

I really liked the premise of a darker twist on some of our favorite fairly tales.  I think the author did a good job of using some of my favorite tales and putting a nice twist on all of them to make them all a little bit darker and more sinister.  If you have ever read the original fairy tales they all lean on the darker side in an attempt to teach children a lesson and deter them from doing certain actions or going certain places.  I think the author did a good job staying true to the darker side of the original tales, while still putting her own fresh spin on them.

This follows Clara on quite and adventure to find a lost book as well as the villagers who were lost in the magical and dangerous forest that borders her village.  The book holds the secrets to reverse the curse on the village and Clara is determined to find the book, save the village, and find her mother.  You see Clara's grandmother is a fortune teller, and she has foretold that Clara is going to meet and untimely death in the Forest Grimm.  Clara driven by the cards her grandmother has drawn, enters the forest aided by her best friends Axel and Henni to find what was lost.  There they encounter a forest with a mind of it's own, dangerous creatures, and unexpected enemies.

One of the criticisms I have about the book is that the author often repeats certain phrases over and over as if you forgot them from the previous chapters.  The other thing I wasn't a fan of is that our main character Clara is an act first think later kind of person and it felt like she had no agency of her own.  All of her actions were driven by what she thought was her fate based on the cards drawn for her, and I felt like she lacked common sense much of the time because of it.  After some reflection, I think that means I'm not the target age group for this book.   It read a bit too juvenile for my taste, and I love a good middle grade or YA book.  The characters were a bit too impulsive for my taste and the book lacked the world building and character development that I personally like to see in a book despite the target age group.  I do think younger readers are really going to enjoy this.  The magic system isn't overly complicated, there is a decent amount of action, and the plotline is entertaining.

This is the first book in a duology from what I've read, I am looking forward to finding out where the series goes next.  This does end on a slight cliffhanger, but the main storyline of this book does end and I felt we got closure on this installment and brief preview of where the next book is headed.  

View all my reviews

Review: Perilous Times by Thomas D. Lee

Perilous Times by Thomas D. Lee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley, I did however opt to listen to the final published version of the audiobook which I borrowed from the library.  As always all opinions are my own.

This was a really creative Arthurian retelling.   I love a good King Arthur retelling, and this had all of the key players present, but it was not what I was expecting.  This takes place in the present day or the near future and is set in the "real world" versus the fantasy version of Avalon or Britain that many King Arthur tales are told.  While it does have fantastical elements, the main focus is more on climate change and politics.  This is not your typical Knights of the Round Table adventure, so if you are looking for a more traditional fantasy adventure like I was, this is is not that.  This does focus on the very real issues of corporate greed, climate change, pollution, and other environmental issues but you wouldn't know that from the synopsis.  

This follows Kay, Arthur's brother, who look a vow to protect the realm from peril and he and the other Knights of the Round table resurrect periodically when the realm needs defending.  He has fought in every major conflict since Arthur was king and again he has been awoken to protect the realm, but he is tired and doesn't quite understand the world he has woken up in.  Miriam is member of a feminist extremist group whose goal is to save the environment and fight climate change.  She meets Kay when she sets off a massive explosion at a fracking facility, releases a dragon, and sets off a series of events that changes both of their fates.  You have to read the rest to find out what happens.  I think to tell you more would spoil things.

As as I mentioned I borrowed the audiobook from the library, mainly because this is close to 500 pages long.  The audio came in around 20 hours long, but I listened to it at 2x speed and probably could have sped it up a bit more without losing any comprehension (I listen to most books between 1.5 and 1.8 normally).  The narrator had a pleasant voice, but the pacing was a bit slow for my taste overall.  The plot is slow paced in general and in my opinion the book was a bit too long.   I personally prefer faster faced fantasy with a well developed magic system and lots of action, but this is more reminiscent of court politics set in the modern day. 

Overall this was a fine read, I just felt mislead by the synopsis.  One of the reasons I like to read fantasy is to escape reality, and this had too much reality in it for my taste.  If you like more realistic reads that have a magical or fantastical element to them I'd give this a try.

View all my reviews

Cover Reveal: My Darling Bride by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Ilsa Madden-Mills has revealed the

cover for My Darling Bride!

Releasing December 5, 2023

In a sizzling romance that sparkles with wit and depth, two wounded souls meet by chance in the desert and agree to get married, and their lives will never be the same.

On a normal day, Emmaline Darling isn't a car thief. She's just a simple girl who runs a bookstore and adores cats. But when she's stranded in the desert and needs to get away from her dangerous ex-boyfriend, she picks her only option: swiping the keys to a famous football player's Lamborghini and speeding away.

Football star Graham Harlan is in chaos. First he took a hit on the field that left him with a near-death experience, and now he's promised his brother he'll get married to secure the family inheritance. Trouble is he isn't even seeing anyone.

Then a mystery woman steals his car. With his usual stubbornness, he tracks her all the way to Manhattan and gives her an ultimatum: marry me or I'll press charges.

Her choice is obvious, only neither of them expect the sparks that ignite between them.

As the end of their arrangement looms, will Graham take a chance on love or let his darling walk away forever?

Cover Designer: Letitia Hasser, RBA Designs 

Preorder today on Amazon!

https://mybook.to/mdb

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3R4d1tw

Meet Ilsa Madden-Mills

#1 Amazon Charts, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills pens angsty new adult and contemporary romances.

A former high school English teacher and librarian, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero.

She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

 

Connect with Ilsa

Website | www.ilsamaddenmills.com

Goodreads | http://bit.ly/2EESfM9

Amazon | http://amzn.to/2nY2pxT

Facebook | www.facebook.com/authorilsamaddenmills

Facebook Group | https://bit.ly/44pq5Nc

Instagram | www.instagram.com/ilsamaddenmills

TikTok | www.tiktok.com/@ilsamaddenmills

Bookbub | http://bit.ly/2GaR6cn

Newsletter | www.ilsamaddenmills.com/contact

Text Updates | Text ROMANCE to (877) 207-0713

Review: Gender Is Really Strange by Teddy G. Goetz

Gender Is Really Strange by Teddy G. Goetz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This was a really creative way to present non-fiction topics.  This is the first book I've read in the Really Strange Series, but the concept is fascinating.  It takes everyday topics that we talk about or should be talking about and puts them into graphic novel format backed up with factual information.   The format makes the information approachable and easy to digest.

This installment focuses on gender obviously, and addresses when the concept of gender norms were accepted by society and presents and interesting points for nature vs nurture.   I enjoyed the various facts presented around science, various cultures, and society with relation to gender.  I learned quite a bit from this small book.

I really enjoyed the art in the book and would have loved more pages.  There is only so much that can be delivered in around 40 pages and I would have happily consumed more.  I'm a data person so I would have loved more charts, figures, and data.   You can tell from the citations/endnotes that a ton of research went into the creation of this novel, I  would have loved to see more of it come to life on the pages.

The creators did a great job in portraying that gender is complex and strange when you think about it.

View all my reviews

Review: Someone Somewhere Maybe: Poems by Sophie Diener

Someone Somewhere Maybe: Poems by Sophie Diener
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This was a lovely poetry collection.  I found the poems to be relatable and easy to follow.  I don't read poetry often, but when I do I prefer that it be something I can easily follow and understand.  Deiner's poems are just that.  You know what she is saying and you can feel the emotion behind each of them which is exactly what I want from a poem. 

This collection really leans into the author's own experiences with love and heartache as well as other topics.  

Overall, I enjoyed this collection and look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

View all my reviews

Review: Fly with Me by Andie Burke

Fly with Me by Andie Burke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this boo via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This was a really cute Sapphic romance.  It follows an ER nurse and a pilot through the trials and tribulations of dating and relationships.  Relationships are something they both carry some baggage around, but having a relationship is something that looks good for both of them right now.   Olive saved a man's life on her flight, and it is generating big news for Stella's airline.  Stella desperately wants to make Captain in her male dominated pilot profession.   It just so happens that  Olive and Stella have a connection, and Stella proposes that they use it to their advantage by fake dating.

This was a bit on the angsty and dramatic side for my tastes.  While I loved Olive and Stella together, there were a bit too many dramatic plotlines and tropes in the mix.  You had Olive's brother, her family, her ex, her mental health, and her relationship with Stella and I think a few of them were a bit underdeveloped and left unresolved.  Alone these are all great topics to explore, but I wish the author had chosen one or two to really dig into in addition to the romance  I would have liked to see a resolution with the ex and the family, but I personally didn't feel like we really got closure on those items.  I also wanted more of Stella's dad, he was delightful!  I did however feel like her relationship with Stella had great development and we really got to see Olive and Stella grow both as individuals and as a couple as their relationship went from fake to something more.

Overall I thought this was well written and loved the main characters.  This does deal with some heavy topics.  I also appreciated that this was written by a nurse (my mom is a retired nurse) and that she didn't shy away from the tough topics.  This is a solid debut and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

View all my reviews