Waiting for a Scot Like You by Eva Leigh (The Union of Rakes #3)February 23, 2021 by AvonHistorical Romance Review by Kate I will admit, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from Waiting for a Scot Like You, the third book in the Union of Rake series. My Fake Rake was too bland for me, and Would I Lie to the Duke was too anxiety-inducing - but Leigh consistently made me fall in love with the characters so I kept at it. Plus, Waiting for a Scot Like You has my favorite trope - a road Continue Reading
Review: Would I Lie to the Duke by Eva Leigh
Would I Lie to the Duke by Eva Leigh(The Union of Rakes #2)July 28, 2020, by Avon Review by Kate Would I Lie to the Duke is a book I was looking forward to in 2020 (remember 2020? seventeen years ago?). I'll admit, I was lukewarm on My Fake Rake, the first book in The Union of Rakes series. It felt somewhat bland to me, but the Duke of Rotherby was a standout character, so I was very excited to read his happily ever after. Look - I have four highlights from My Fake Rake, and all of them Continue Reading
Kate’s Favorites of 2020
Historical Romance The Duke Who Didn't by Courtney Milan: I'm not entirely sure what I can say since I feel like everybody has already read and loved this book. The Duke Who Didn't is a fluffy romance with a side of food porn. I fell in love with Chloe and her lists and board clip, her dad and his spicy food for Jeremy, and Jeremy and his endearing goofiness. I can't wait to visit Wedgeford again. The Beast of Beswick by Amalie Howard: I read The Beast of Beswick near the beginning of Continue Reading
Books with Ted Lasso Vibes
If you're one of the many people on my Twitter timeline who have discovered Ted Lasso over the past few months, you know that it is the perfect pandemic TV. It's an excellent combo of positivity, humor, and wholesomeness and the minute I finished watching the season, I started it at the beginning again. All of that is to say, I started to wonder where I could get similar feelings elsewhere, and of course where did I turn but romance novels? Below is a collection of romance novels (plus a Continue Reading
Review: Wrapped Up in You by Talia Hibbert
Wrapped Up in You by Talia HibbertContemporaryNovember 16, 2020Kobo Originals Reviewed by Kate Favorite quote: "Oh, sex? You think we're having sex? We've never had sex. Although I should be clear, I am hoping we will eventually have sex." He paused. "If she's into that." He paused again. "But that's, like, stage six of the plan. We're still in pre-season, Jase. Stay with me." As much as I have absolutely loved some of the Talia Hibbert that I have read, her books tend to be hit Continue Reading
Kate’s Minis – Daddy Crush by A. Anders and His Beauty by Jack Harbon
Daddy Crush by A. AndersContemporaryNovember 27, 2020Self-publishedKindle Unlimited Daddy Crush begins with an excellent hook - a woman being pressured by her date to let him in, big "scary" next door neighbor comes over and scares off lesser man, kisses ensue. And I am here for it. But overall, did I feel that Daddy Crush was lacking something? Yes. In my opinion, so much page time was spent on Karl's feelings for Jerusha, plus the fact that her personality shone through so much - full Continue Reading
Review: Bitterburn by Ann Aguirre
Bitterburn by Ann AguirreGothic Fairytales #1Fantasy RomanceOctober 31, 2020, Self-published Review by Kate With Bitterburn, I came for the Beauty and the Beast retelling and stayed for the story of two broken people finding each other and falling in love. Bitterburn has all of the typical Beauty and the Beast story beats - the beastly hero, the enchanted castle, a curse, a library, a heroine who loves to read, and doesn’t know her own beauty. However, there were also differences Continue Reading
Top Ten November 13, 2020
It's Friday the 13th! I am writing this from Lincoln, NE where it is a balmy 27 degrees right now. BOOOOO Cold weather I am not ready for you! The romance world has been busy this week! I hope I have room to share some cute animals with you this week :) 10. Perhaps you noticed some new reviewer names on the Smexy site recently? We are so happy to officially announce we have some new friends joining the Smexy team! Welcome to Melinda, Jen, Kate, Melanie, and Isabelle. All are long time Continue Reading