Counting Down with You by Tashie Bhuiyan Young Adult May 4, 2021, by Inkyard Press Review by Melanie I don’t find myself reading too much YA but this delightful book made me want to change that. There’s so much I want to say about this book that I’m a little afraid my review might be all over the place. But before I start in on the actual bones of the review, I just want to address one thing really quickly: I related HARD to this book. Maybe it’s because of the similarities in our Continue Reading
Review: The Road to Rose Bend by Naima Simone
The Road to Rose Bend by Naima SimoneContemporary RomanceApril 27, 2021, by HQN Books Review by Melanie You might suspect, upon glancing at this rather bucolic cover, that this is a quiet, peaceful, drama-free romance...and you’d be wrong. This series starter introduces us to the town of Rose Bend, a charming little town nestled in the Berkshires that has all of the small-town coziness of a Hallmark Channel movie. But that’s really where the similarities end. Unlike the aforementioned Continue Reading
Review: Hot Copy by Ruby Barrett
Hot Copy by Ruby BarrettContemporary RomanceApril 13, 2021, by Carina Press Review by Melanie I genuinely did not know how to start this review, to be honest. I’d heard so many things going into it, I was fully expecting to absolutely love this book and much to my dismay...I did not. First of all, the blurb and the cover do this book no favors. Both give off a lighthearted rom-com vibe but there is a whole heck of a lot of issues addressed in this book that could trigger a lot of Continue Reading
The Psy/Changeling Channel: Caressed by Ice
Melinda: We’re back with a completely new dynamic to explore this time around with Caressed by Ice and I know that we’ve both been really excited to get into this one! The first two books of the series featured male alpha changelings with female Psy but this time we get Judd, an emotionally closed off Psy, and Brenna, a volatile and strong changeling woman. I would not have described either of these two as gentle or easygoing...and yet. Melanie: Judd!!!! I remember loving this book back when Continue Reading
Review: When Tara Met Farah by Tara Pammi
When Tara Met Farah by Tara PammiBollywood Dance & Drama Society Book 1Contemporary RomanceJanuary 26, 2021 Review by Melanie A little bit about me before I delve into this review. I don’t DNF books lightly. In fact, I do everything in my power to resist DNF’ing a book. Ironically, I advise people to DNF on the regular because life is too short to force yourself to read a book that isn’t working for you. But rarely do I ever take that advice for myself. Having said all that, I almost Continue Reading
Review: Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron
Accidentally Engaged by Farah HeronContemporary RomanceMarch 2, 2021Forever Reviewed by Melanie A couple of chapters into this book, I quickly realized that it was maybe not a great idea to read this book on an empty stomach. So if you’re reading this review and contemplating reading this book (which you absolutely should read, btw), then consider this your first and only warning. Of the 38 chapters in this book, 30 of them mention food in some context, either just in passing or because Continue Reading
The Psy/Changeling Channel: Visions of Heat
Melinda: Phew, right out of the gate there is so much to talk about with this one and consent because touch and lack of consent is intrinsic to Faith's story. But I don't know that it could be told differently and still be the same story? Melanie: Wow, what a difference 2 years makes! I read this book for the first time almost exactly 2 years ago and while I didn’t love it as much as I loved the first book of the series even back then, I definitely think rereading it for a second time raised Continue Reading
Review: The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn SolomonContemporary RomanceJanuary 26, 2021Berkley Reviewed by Melanie Normally when choosing my first read of the year, I've never given it too much thought. This year though, I wanted to be intentional with my choice. Begin as you mean to go on, and all that. I can honestly say that beginning my reading year with this delightfully charming novel sets the bar pretty high going forward. The Ex Talk is an unique workplace romance. For one, it takes place Continue Reading
Melanie’s Most Anticipated of 2021
Contemporary: Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron - out 3/2/2021; the cover is gorgeous, the heroine was introduced in Farah's debut novel, The Chai Factor and I'm excited for her story. Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert - out 3/9/2021; I adored the first two books in this series and am eager to delve into the final book. How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole - out 5/25/2021; I mean, just look at that gorgeous cover. I'll pretty much read anything Alyssa writes and this one is Continue Reading
Melanie’s Favorites of 2020
Contemporary: Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert - cinnamon roll heroes were what got me through 2020 and very few authors do it as well as Talia Hibbert. When security guard Zafir Ansari's rescue of PhD candidate Dani Brown during a fire drill gone wrong goes viral (#DrRugbae 4ever), the two decide to fake a public relationship for the sake of Zaf's kids' charity with a side order of sexy times in private. I love the “lets bang to get her out of my system and surely I will not Continue Reading