What I read this week:
Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren
Contemporary Romance
September 4, 2018 by Gallery Books
Favorite Quote:
“But at the end of the day,” she says, and puts her hand outside the open window, letting the wind pass through her fingers, “being myself is enough. I’m enough.”
The friends to lovers trope is one of my absolute favorites. I love that moment when best friends realize that their relationship has deepened into something more and they totally want to jump each other’s bones. As soon as I read the blurb for this book I was in gimme mode.
I will admit that in the beginning I wasn’t too sure if I would love this book as much as I have so many of this author duo’s other titles. The heroine in this romance is Hazel and she is uninhibited, free-spirited, and quirky. When she is first introduced these qualities kind of come off as too much. Like the authors wanted her to feel overwhelming and crazy to readers so they just threw all the overwhelming and crazy traits they thought a person could possibly have onto the page and said THIS IS HAZEL. Although, she never felt crazy to me, just maybe a little loud and chaotic.
Then Josh is introduced and he plays the straight guy to Hazel’s manic, zaniness. Hazel decides they are going to be friends and Josh kind of just goes with the flow and falls into Hazel’s orbit. They quickly go from acquaintances to friends to best friends. They learn each other’s habits, and likes and dislikes. They go on unfortunate double dates and text back and forth and become each other’s shoulder to lean on. Hazel is awesome because she totally embraces who she is and isn’t about to change for anyone. No matter who they are. Josh is quiet and steady and dependable and the perfect partner for Hazel.
I liked these two together so much. Once I got past the first few chapters and Hazel and Josh began their friends to lovers journey I kind of fell in love with them as a couple. Their relationship is sweet and sexy and absolutely lovely. Also, I adored the epilogue that showed them several years in the future. I enjoyed very much.
Final Grade- B-
What I read in KU:
Whiskey Chaser by Lucy Score and Claire Kingsley
Bootleg Springs #1
Contemporary Romance
April 13, 2018 by That’s What She Said Publishing
I finally finished! I opened this one and then my eye started wandering and then some review books hit my Kindle that I’ve been desperate for and then I got behind on my review schedule and this book got pushed to the side. I kind of wished I hadn’t done that because this book was hella cute.
The hero is a state representative who discovers his wife cheating on him and promptly punches the guy out. The only problem is that the guy was another state rep and now Devlin is in a bit of trouble. So he heads to his grandmother’s house in Bootleg, West Virginia for some downtime to try to figure out what his future will look like.
Scarlett Bodine is a native Bootlegian. She is smart and capable and 100% honestly herself 100% of the time. She kind of sweeps Devlin off his feet and forces him to get out of the house and get back to living. She’s fun and real and I loved her. The relationship between her and Devlin builds and grows slowly, but steadily and was so well done. I enjoyed them together so much.
Scarlett has a big, extended family and I am itching to read their stories. I’ve got the second book in this series, Sidecar Crush, sitting on my Kindle as we speak. I can’t wait to see Jamison Bodine fall head over heals in love.
Final Grade-B
Available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited
My TBR and what’s up next:
Hot Pursuit by Kay Marie– Art thief vs. FBI agent contemporary romance labeled as How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days meets White Collar. Review will post next Monday.
For the Duke’s Eyes Only by Lenora Bell– I always enjoy this author. This is book two in the School for Dukes series and I am so excited for India’s story. Review will post next Monday.
Island Captive by Jane Henry– I have never read this author and BDSM/super dark romance isn’t always my thing, but….. the blurb got me and I’m totally here for that cover. I’ll report back.
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