A Cosmic Kind of Love by Samantha YoungContemporary RomanceARC ReviewBerkleyOctober 18, 2022Review by Iby Samatha Young is a hit-or-miss author for me, but the premise of this book seemed right up my alley. I requested the ARC, and I have lots of thoughts about the book. Let’s do this thing. Event planner Hallie Goodman receives party inspiration from the bride of her latest client couple, she unexpectedly finds digital videos from the bride’s ex-boyfriend, Chris Ortiz. Chris is an Continue Reading
Iby’s Minis: Reviews for books by Mariana Zapata, Lauren Layne and Elizabeth Cadell
When Gracie Met the Grump by Mariana ZapataUrban FantasySeptember 15, 2022Kindle Unlimited Mariana Zapata is a stealthy author - she just randomly announces on instagram that she is dropping a book that day, and everyone rushes to read it. If you like Zapata’s writing, this book will definitely work for you. Highly slow burn, over 600 pages long, lots of dialogue between the two main characters. What’s different about this book is that it’s not contemporary romance - it’s a superhero Continue Reading
Review: Do You Take This Man by Denise Williams
Do You Take This Man by Denise WilliamsContemporary RomanceSeptember 6, 2022, by BerkleyARC Review by Iby Denise Williams is an auto-buy author for me, and I was eager to get my hands on her latest release. The premise promised everything I love in a book: bad-ass woman divorce lawyer who happens to moonlight part-time as a wedding officiant meets cinnamon roll party planner hero who has secret pain. They instantly dislike each other, but have pants feelings, and are stuck at Continue Reading
Review: Soul Taken by Patricia Briggs
Soul Taken by Patricia BriggsMercy Thompson #13Urban FantasyAugust 23, 2022 by AceARC Review by Iby Mercy Thompson fans - rejoice! We have a new installment to dig into. In this thirteenth book in the series, the vampire Wulfe is missing - which is concerning, as his most recent past-time has included stalking Mercy. When he disappears, the mistress of the seethe informs Mercy that the pack must produce Wulfe, or their alliance would be in jeopardy. Besides Wulfe disappearing, Mercy Continue Reading
Review: Just Another Love Song by Kerry Winfrey
Just Another Love Song by Kerry WinfreyContemporary RomanceAugust 2, 2022, by BerkeleyARCReview by Iby Kerry Winfrey writes romcoms with small town, Hallmark-movie vibes. Even when she writes about cities, they seem to be written in the style of Gilmore Girls - there are lots of props, quirky secondary characters, and a twisty way to a happily ever after. This latest book is no exception to the rule. Sandy has spent her whole life in Baileyville, a small town in Ohio. She knows Continue Reading
Review: For You & No One Else by Roni Loren
For You & No One Else by Roni LorenSay Everything #3Contemporary RomanceJuly 5, 2022 by Sourcebooks CasablancaARC Review by Iby Roni Loren writes contemporary romance books with real characters that have heart. For You & No One Else is the third in her latest interconnected stand-alone series set in a co-working space in New Orleans. Even though these could technically be read as stand-alones, I would recommend starting at the beginning, as the epilogue in this book is really Continue Reading
Review: Big Wild Love Adventure by Julianna Keyes
Big Wild Love Adventure by Julianna KeyesContemporary RomanceJune 20, 2022Self-PublishedARC Review by Iby Emmy Shaw is having a terrible year. Her fiancé leaves her at the alter - after announcing that he got his girlfriend pregnant - and Emmy has sunk her life savings into a failing food truck. After another professional catastrophe, Emmy is drunkenly persuaded to enter a reality dating show set in the jungle with the potential to win $250,000, and to her own shock, is accepted. The plot Continue Reading
Review: The Missed Connection by Denise Williams
The Missed Connection by Denise WilliamsContemporary RomanceAudiobook - May 3, 2022Print/Ebook - June 21, 2022Berkley Review by Iby Let me start by saying - I will read anything that Denise Williams writes, and I’ll probably love it. Her writing style just works for me, and I love her nuanced characters. When an ARC became available for an upcoming novella, I quickly volunteered to read and review. This is the second in a series of three interconnected novellas that all take place in Continue Reading
Review: Maggie Moves On by Lucy Score
Maggie Moves On by Lucy ScoreContemporary RomanceJune 21, 2022, by Forever Review by Iby Lucy Score is known for her small-town romances, featuring smoldering sex scenes and charming banter. It’s her formula - but it definitely works for her, so I’m not complaining. Maggie Moves On is about Maggie, a YouTube influencer who flips houses, and just landed in Kinship, Idaho to work on her biggest project yet- a dilapidated mansion, the Old Campbell Place. She arrives with a lean crew of Continue Reading
Review: My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey
My Killer Vacation by Tessa BaileyContemporary RomanceJune 6, 2022Self-Published Review by Iby I am admittedly a Tessa Bailey fan, especially her newer works. I love the banter and the steam - she has great dynamics between her main characters, and her books tend to be lighthearted and eminently enjoyable. When she said she was writing a murder mystery romance, I knew that I’d be all-in. The set-up: Careful, cautious second-grade teacher Taylor has saved for years to take a vacation in Continue Reading