I have a mixed bag of reviews this time. All were good reads, just so VERY different! From mafia and historical fiction to contemporary rom com-ish. First, I discovered Rina Kent last year and devoured her Royal Elite series. All were “A” books for me. When I saw that her newest duet was a mafia theme, I was all in. Throne of Power and Throne of Vengeance feature Rai, who is the twin sister of Reina from Kent’s Lies & Truths duet. You don’t need to read those books ahead of Continue Reading
Joint Review: Love at First by Kate Clayborn
Love at First by Kate ClaybornContemporary Romance02/23/2021 by Kensington Joint review by Melinda and Melanie Melinda: Kate Clayborn has become one of the top contemporary authors for me that I look to for emotion and character development. I’ve come to appreciate the love and care that comes through with her writing so much. However, Love at First strikes an uneven tone for me and had flashes of that brilliance that I expect from her, but it didn’t feel like it was carried all Continue Reading
Melinda’s Minis: Just Like This by Cole McCade & The Beautiful Things Shoppe by Philip William Stover
Just Like This by Cole McCadeAlbin Academy #2LGBT Contemporary RomanceNovember 24, 2020 by Carina Adores The follow-up to Just Like That takes place at the same academy for young boys as the previous one. What I love about McCade’s writing is the emotional development between the characters. Rian and Damon are extremely different teachers with different backgrounds coming together to try to help a student in trouble. Their relationship is both steamy and a bit of slow-burn simmering Continue Reading
Review: First Comes Like (Modern Love #3) by Alisha Rai
First Comes Like by Alisha RaiContemporary RomanceFebruary 16, 2021, by Avon Review by Melinda I'm a big fan of Alisha Rai's Forbidden Hearts series but was so torn on First Comes Like. What I loved was having a Muslim hijabi protagonist who was not having sex for religious reasons. Jia Ahmed has a story I'd been waiting to hear as she was a beauty influencer, which isn't something I'm exactly interested in IRL, but I wanted to see how she dealt with her Muslim family's expectations. And Continue Reading
Melinda’s Minis: Learned Behaviors by Jayce Ellis & We Could be Heroes by Mike Chen
Learned Behaviors by Jayce EllisHigher Education #1LBGT Contemporary RomanceNovember 9, 2020 by Carina Press I’m generally not a reader who gravitates to single father stories but this cover drew me in because it’s gorgeous. This story has so much going on, but all of it works together. Two single men, with families, both with heavy work loads, working together and fighting their growing attraction. I really enjoyed the subplot there is with their two daughters also being in love Continue Reading
Melinda’s Minis: This is Not the End by Sidney Bell & How to be Good by Chace Verity
Thi is Not the End by Sidney BellContemporary Romance/Menage/PolyamoryJanuary 11, 2021, by Carina Press I am always looking for more polyam books, especially ones with heat and emotion. This one delivers on both sides. Anya and Zac are married and have a son, and what works for them in their marriage is for them to have sex - together - with other men. Other people may not understand this but it works for them. Zac’s bandmate, Cal, definitely cannot understand this but both the emotion and Continue Reading
Angela’s Minis- Shipped by Angie Hockman and Mistletoe and Mr. Right and Enjoy the View by Sarah Morgenthaler
Shipped by Angie HockmanContemporary RomanceJanuary 19, 2021 by Gallery As soon as I saw this book compared to both The Unhoneymooners and The Hating Game I knew I had to read. I can see the comparisons. Shipped is a mix of enemies to lovers and forced proximity trope. It wasn't quite as funny as The Unhoneymooners and not quite as angsty as The Hating Game, but for a debut author it's very good and I really enjoyed my time spent reading. The heroine of Shipped is Henley Evans and she 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
Jen’s Mini-Reviews- Reviews for books by Ilsa Madden-Mills, Saffron A. Kent, and Garrett Leigh
The Revenge Pact by Ilsa Madden-MillsContemporary RomanceDecember 3, 2020 Self Published What to read when you’re trying to distract yourself from an insurrection? My book club chose The Revenge Pact by Ilsa Madden-Mills weeks ago and it was the perfect happy distraction. I discovered Madden-Mills this year and was thrilled to immerse myself in this latest book. It is part of a series, with each book being written by a different author. The series centers around three college football Continue Reading
Review: The Unrequited by Saffron A. Kent
The Unrequited by Saffron A. KentNew Adult and College RomanceJuly 17, 2017Self Published Review by Jen This book was recommended to me by my book club. It's a few years old, but sounded intriguing! My very quick, first thought on Goodreads was, “Excellent and awkward. Loved it, review to come…” I stand by that early assessment. Eeeekkk…what did I just read? Layla is a new student in college and sees a handsome, somewhat quirky, older guy on campus. Layla follows him to a classroom Continue Reading