Sing Anyway by Anita KellyContemporary June 1, 2021, Self PublishedPurchased Review by Melinda This is a powerhouse of a novella from what I think is a debut author. Discovering an author at the beginning of their career can be so fun to follow them on their path and I hope to do so with Anita Kelly. I love a good fluffy romance which I define as one that is soft and without heavy conflict. I need those kinds of romance constantly and I alternate often between angsty or Continue Reading
Review: What if You & Me by Roni Loren
What If You & Me by Roni LorenContemporary RomanceJuly 6, 2021, by Sourcebooks CasablancaAudio ARC Review by Melinda I really love parts of this book so much. This continues the Say Everything series and examines mental health, trauma, and disability in really interesting, yet romantic, ways, and I love all of that. I love that both Andi and Hill felt like real characters, they were fully fleshed out with realistic issues and flaws. Messy characters are my favorites, and these two Continue Reading
Audible Original Review: What the Hex by Alexis Daria
What the Hex by Alexis DariaContemporary PNRJuly 1, 2021, by AudibleAudio ARC Review by Melinda Another well-done Audible Original with a fantastic narrator, Jacqueline Grace Lopez. Basically audiobooks can live or die entirely on who narrates them, and Jacqueline added so much to this experience. It’s even more impressive that when I looked her up to see what else I could find that she narrated this was her debut! Her Spanish added a lot to the context of the book. This is a Continue Reading
Backlist Review: You First by J.C. Lillis
You First by J.C. LillisLGBT Contemporary PNRMay 23rd, 2019 - Self-PublishedPurchased Reviewer: Melinda You First by J.C. Lillis is not exactly a genre Romance in my opinion because it doesn’t exactly have the typical HEA. But I still really enjoyed and recommend this book but I always want readers to know what they’re getting into! The blurb uses the word bittersweet and I think there isn’t a more perfect word to describe both the romance and the book. Levon Ludlow is a D-level Continue Reading
Audiobook Review: Reel by Kennedy Ryan
Reel by Kennedy RyanContemporary06/08/2021 Self PublishedARC Review by Melinda Reel is a story that at first I had difficulty putting my finger on what time period it was taking place in, and I think that was because the story felt timeless, something that I loved about this book. When Neevah is cast as the star in a new biopic that Canon Holt is directing, everything changes for her. We can tell from the beginning that both Neevah and Canon are passionate people. Canon is a famous Continue Reading
Pride Giveaway!
Happy Pride everyone! Smexy wanted to celebrate by giving away a fun pack of prizes. You could win: Rainbow notebook with lined pagesebook of Learned Behaviors by Jayce Ellisebook of Get It Right by Skye Kilaen1000 piece Pride themed puzzle by Cobble Hill, the puzzle has various queer history facts along with various Pride flags sprinkled throughout * Please comment with your favorite LGBT romance for a chance to win. Contest will be open from today, Monday June 7, 2021, and will run Continue Reading
Review: One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
One Last Stop by Casey McQuistonLGBTQ Contemporary RomanceJune 1, 2021, by St. Martin's Review by Melinda I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It’s delightfully queer and set in New York, which combined was just one of the best experiences to listen to, although since I can’t travel right now did leave me feeling a little melancholy. August has just moved to NYC, and the atmosphere felt incredibly accurate. While I don't live there, I have visited yearly for about 10 years, and the descriptions Continue Reading
Melinda’s Minis: The Wreckage of My Presence by Casey Wilson and Anne of Manhattan by Brina Starler
The Wreckage of My Presence by Casey WilsonNon-Fiction May 4, 2021, by Harper Review by Melinda I’m familiar with Casey Wilson because I’m an unapologetic Real Housewives watcher, which also makes me an unapologetic Bitch Sesh listener, Casey’s podcast, alongside co-host with Dana Schneider. I listened to an audio ARC of this one, and I would highly recommend listening to it, rather than reading it. Casey obviously is a talented actress and from her time doing the podcast is Continue Reading
Melinda’s Minis: Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur & The Anatomy of Desire by L.R. Dorn
Hang the Moon by Alexandria BellefleurContemporary RomanceMay 25, 2021, by AvonAudio ARC Review by Melinda This was such a delightful book to read! Brendon was a side character in Written in the stars - the brother to the main character there. Brendon is basically a hopeless romantic, who believes in love, and is working to improve his dating app. And Annie is the best friend of the other main character, who thinks that true love is a farce and the everyone leaves, because that’s what Continue Reading
Review: Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall
Rosaline Palmer Takes the CakeContemporary RomanceMay 18, 2021, by Forever Review by Melinda Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake is the start of a new series for Alexis Hall with Forever. The setup is one pretty much designed with me in mind because I love reality television and don’t mind saying it out loud. And my favorite category is competition reality shows, and even better are the soft ones. Give me GBBO, Pottery showdown, the Great Sewing Bee, Project Runway...you name it, I’m watching Continue Reading