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The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

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Title: The Happily Ever After Playlist (The Friend Zone #2)

Author: Abby Jimenez

Publisher: Forever 2020

Genre: Romance

Pages: 401

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Modern Mrs. Darcy; Fall TBR

Two years after losing her fiancé, Sloan Monroe still can't seem to get her life back on track. But one trouble-making pup with a "take me home" look in his eyes is about to change everything. With her new pet by her side, Sloan finally starts to feel more like herself. Then, after weeks of unanswered texts, Tucker's owner reaches out. He's a musician on tour in Australia. And bottom line: He wants Tucker back.
Well, Sloan's not about to give up her dog without a fight. But what if this Jason guy really loves Tucker? As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can't deny a connection. Jason is hot and nice and funny. There's no telling what could happen when they meet in person. The question is: With his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around? And is it possible for Sloan to survive another heartbreak?

I didn’t absolutely love the first book in this series. Kristen just wasn’t my favorite character, but I really loved Sloan. So it was really nice to read Sloan’s story after the terrible tragedy from the first book. Right away, I was suck into the story and fell for Sloan and especially Jason. I absolutely adored Sloan and Jason’s growing relationship. And then they hit some pretty big obstacles. If I was reading any other style of book, I would have been really concerned. As this was a contemporary romance, everything ended up just right and Sloan and Jason got their happily ever after. So don’t been too sad in the middle of the book, everything will turn out okay.

The Friend Zone

  • #1 The Friend Zone

  • #2 The Happily Ever After Playlist

  • #3 Life’s Too Short

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Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: contemporary, romance, Abby Jimenez, 5 stars, Fall TBR List, Modern Mrs. Darcy
categories: Book Reviews
Saturday 11.20.21
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren

Title: Beautiful Bastard (Beautiful #1)

Author: Christina Lauren

Publisher: Gallery Books 2013

Genre: Romance

Pages: 321

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He's exacting, blunt, inconsiderate--and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.

Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family's massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who'd been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative--completely infuriating--creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he's never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe's so tempting he's willing to bend the rules--or outright smash them--if it means he can have her. All over the office.


As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they're willing to lose in order to win each other.

You would think that me giving this 3 stars is a terrible rating, but it’s really not. I liked reading this book, but I did have a few issues. First the positives. I loved the more open door nature of this book. The more recent Christina Lauren books are much more closed door. This one was definitely not. I really enjoyed Chloe and her entire character. She’s a great character. And the side characters are great additions to the book. Unfortunately, I had a big issue with the pacing of the novel. The pacing felt more like a porn than a romantic book. As soon as the main characters got into an interesting conversation, they paused to have sex. Ok great, but sometimes, I would have liked a bit more conversation. Despite my lower rating, I’m probably going to keep reading this series.

Beautiful Bastard

  • #1 Beautiful Bastard

  • #1.5 Beautiful Bitch

  • #2 Beautiful Stranger

  • #2.5 Beautiful Bombshell

  • #3 Beautiful Player

  • #3.5 Beautiful Beginning

  • #3.6 Beautiful Beloved

  • #4 Beautiful Secret

  • #4.5 Beautiful Boss

  • #5 Beautiful

Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: Christina Lauren, 3 stars, romance, contemporary
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 11.17.21
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

Title: Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating

Author: Christina Lauren

Publisher: Gallery Books 2018

Genre: Romance

Pages: 318

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Hazel Camille Bradford knows she’s a lot to take—and frankly, most men aren’t up to the challenge. If her army of pets and thrill for the absurd don’t send them running, her lack of filter means she’ll say exactly the wrong thing in a delicate moment. Their loss. She’s a good soul in search of honest fun.

Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved completely incompatible with his mellow restraint. From the first night they met—when she gracelessly threw up on his shoes—to when she sent him an unintelligible email while in a post-surgical haze, Josh has always thought of Hazel more as a spectacle than a peer. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air.

Not that Josh and Hazel date. At least, not each other. Because setting each other up on progressively terrible double blind dates means there’s nothing between them...right?

I went back and forth about what to rate this book. I wanted to give it four stars all the way until the last 25 pages. Then, I wanted to give it 3 stars. But… after more consideration, I decided to bump it back up to 4 stars. I do love the progression of Hazel and Josh’s relationship throughout the book. They are a great non-couple and then sorta-couple. We get some fun will they, won’t they moments throughout. I do love that Hazel was unwilling to compromise her entire identity for a man and that Josh was very much accepting of her. My issue came with the ending. It included a trope that I am really not a fan of and then was very rushed. I wanted to spend more time with Josh and Hazel as a couple. I wanted to see them worked through the big event at the end instead of just rushing through to the epilogue. Le sigh.

Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: romance, Christina Lauren, 4 stars, contemporary
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 11.10.21
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

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Title: In a Holidaze

Author: Christina Lauren

Publisher: Gallery Books 2020

Genre: Romance

Pages: 336

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.

But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.

The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

A lovely fun romance set at Christmas. I know that I’m a bit early for holiday reads, but I got on a contemporary romance kick and decided to read it now. I really did enjoy this novel. It was fairly light and breezy with some fun moments and a sweet romance. I love Maelyn’s chaotic energy throughout her various Groundhog Day days. I really loved many of the side characters and the focus on Maelyn’s found family. I wasn’t completely in love with Andrew myself and kept waiting for some big twist, but it didn’t come. I can’t quite place why I didn’t love Andrew; maybe we didn’t get of his personality? I wasn’t totally there for their romance, but it was a decently fun romance book.

Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: contemporary, romance, Christmas, Christina Lauren, 4 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Friday 09.24.21
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

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Title: Act Your Age, Eve Brown (Brown Sisters #3)

Author: Talia Hibbert

Publisher: Avon 2021

Genre: Romance

Pages: 393

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Eve Brown is a certified hot mess. No matter how hard she strives to do right, her life always goes horribly wrong. So she’s given up trying. But when her personal brand of chaos ruins an expensive wedding (someone had to liberate those poor doves), her parents draw the line. It's time for Eve to grow up and prove herself—even though she's not entirely sure how…

Jacob Wayne is in control. Always. The bed and breakfast owner’s on a mission to dominate the hospitality industry and he expects nothing less than perfection. So when a purple-haired tornado of a woman turns up out of the blue to interview for his open chef position, he tells her the brutal truth: not a chance in hell. Then she hits him with her car—supposedly by accident. Yeah, right.

Now his arm is broken, his B&B is understaffed, and the dangerously unpredictable Eve is fluttering around, trying to help. Before long, she’s infiltrated his work, his kitchen—and his spare bedroom. Jacob hates everything about it. Or rather, he should. Sunny, chaotic Eve is his natural-born nemesis, but the longer these two enemies spend in close quarters, the more their animosity turns into something else. Like Eve, the heat between them is impossible to ignore... and it’s melting Jacob’s frosty exterior.

Ohhh I loved this book so much. It’s become my favorite the Brown Sisters books. I immediately loved Eve and wanted to see her succeed at life. And then she gets herself in a bit of a pickle and loved watching her blossom. I actually really liked that the book was focused on Eve and not her sisters as much. They make a few appearances, but we get a very focused story. On the other side, Jacob is a great leading man. I loved getting to know him through conversations with Mont and Eve. I loved seeing how he viewed the world and the struggles that he endured. Hibbert has definitely increased the steam and I am here for every scene. I will be keeping Hibbert on my watch list for new books.

Brown Sisters

  • #1 Get a Life, Chloe Brown

  • #2 Take a Hint, Dani Brown

  • #3 Act Your Age, Eve Brown

Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: romance, Talia Hibbert, contemporary, 5 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 08.18.21
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Marriage of Inconvenience by Penny Reid

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Title: Marriage of Inconvenience (Knitting in the City #7)

Author: Penny Reid

Publisher: Cipher-Naught 2018

Genre: Romance

Pages: 498

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

There are three things you need to know about Kat Tanner (aka Kathleen Tyson. . . and yes, she is *that* Kathleen Tyson):
1) She’s determined to make good decisions,
2) She must get married ASAP, and
3) She knows how to knit.

Being a billionaire heiress isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Determined to live a quiet life, Kat Tanner changed her identity years ago and eschewed her family’s legacy. But now, Kat’s silver spoon past has finally caught up with her, and so have her youthful mistakes. To avoid imminent disaster, she must marry immediately; it is essential that the person she chooses have no romantic feelings for her whatsoever and be completely trustworthy. Fortunately, she knows exactly who to ask. Dan O’Malley checks all the boxes: single, romantically indifferent to her, completely trustworthy. Sure, she might have a wee little crush on Dan the Security Man, but with clear rules, expectations, and a legally binding contract, Kat is certain she can make it through this debacle with her sanity—and heart—all in one piece. Except, what happens when Dan O’Malley isn’t as indifferent—or as trustworthy—as she thought?

I absolutely love Dan! He is hands-down the absolute best character in this entire series. I have been waiting many many books to see more of Dan and get his love story. Finally we get there. Overall, I absolute loved his story. But I really don’t love Kat as a separate character. Some of her choices really made me angry. Thankfully. Dan really saved this story for me. Plus it was a nice wrap-up to the entire series. Now I have to contemplate reading Reid’s other series…

Knitting in the City

  • #1 Neanderthal Seeks Human

  • #1.5 Neanderthal Marries Human

  • #2 Friends Without Benefits

  • #3 Love Hacked

  • #4 Beauty and the Mustache

  • #4.75 Ninja at First Sight

  • #5 Happily Ever Ninja

  • #6 Dating-ish

  • #7 Marriage of Inconvenience

Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: romance, Penny Reid, contemporary, 5 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 08.04.21
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Dating-ish by Penny Reid

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Title: Dating-ish (Knitting in the City #6)

Author: Penny Reid

Publisher: Cipher-Naught 2017

Genre: Romance

Pages: 356

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

There are three things you need to know about Marie Harris:
1) She’s fed up with online dating,
2) She’s so fed up, she’s willing to forego the annoyance and consider more creative alternatives, and
3) She knows how to knit.

After the most bizarre first date in the history of dating, Marie is looking for an alternative to men. With the help of her friends, she quickly identifies a few possibilities: Need a cuddle? Use a professional cuddler. Need affirmation? Get yourself a life coach. Need an orgasm? Try orgasm meditation! Why does she need the hassle of a romantic partner when she can meet all her needs with paid services? But then her irritating date resurfaces. And he’s not at all the person she thought he was. And he suggests a different—and crazier—solution to her dilemma...

Not my absolute favorite, but I really did enjoy Marie and Matt’s love story. I really loved the sorta “meet-cute” they experience and ensuing reveal. Seriously made me laugh out loud. Once the story really gets going, I was a bit impatient for them to actually get together. Thankfully we get a good story and actually see two characters connect and explore their relationship. And then we get to the sexy times and they were surprisingly dirty. These sexy scenes were much better written than previous ones in the series. Lots of fun! And I loved the little glimpses into the other Knitting Circle’s members.

Knitting in the City

  • #1 Neanderthal Seeks Human

  • #1.5 Neanderthal Marries Human

  • #2 Friends Without Benefits

  • #3 Love Hacked

  • #4 Beauty and the Mustache

  • #4.75 Ninja at First Sight

  • #5 Happily Ever Ninja

  • #6 Dating-ish

  • #7 Marriage of Inconvenience

  • #8 Neanderthal Seeks Extra Yarns

Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: romance, Penny Reid, contemporary, 5 stars, 4 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Tuesday 08.03.21
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Beauty and the Mustache by Penny Reid

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Title: Beauty and the Mustache (Knitting in the City #4)

Author: Penny Reid

Publisher: Cipher-Naught 2014

Genre: Romance

Pages: 438

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

There are three things you need to know about Ashley Winston:
1) She has six brothers and they all have beards,
2) She is a reader, and
3) She knows how to knit.

Former beauty queen, Ashley Winston’s preferred coping strategy is escapism. She escaped her Tennessee small town, loathsome father, and six brothers eight years ago. Now she escapes life daily via her one-click addiction. However, when a family tragedy forces her to return home, Ashley can’t escape the notice of Drew Runous—local Game Warden, bear wrestler, philosopher, and everyone’s favorite guy. Drew’s irksome philosophizing in particular makes Ashley want to run for the skyscrapers, especially since he can’t seem to keep his exasperating opinions— or his soulful poetry, steadfast support, and delightful hands— to himself. Pretty soon the girl who wanted nothing more than the escape of the big city finds she’s lost her heart in small town Tennessee.

Thank goodness! We’re back to a very enjoyable, sufficiently steamy romance. I immediately fell for Ashely, her family, and Drew. I loved their back and forth between all the characters. I loved that we moved the setting to Ashley’s hometown in Tennessee. As much as I enjoy the various members of the knitting group, it was a good change of pace. As for the romance itself, these two characters are perfectly suited to each other. I was rooting for them from page one. So good! And we do get some great teases into Reid’s other romance series, Winston Brothers, detailing the adventures of Ashley’s brothers. As much as I dislike some of the names (seriously, Cletus?), I will probably end up reading that series also.

Knitting in the City

  • #1 Neanderthal Seeks Human

  • #1.5 Neanderthal Marries Human

  • #2 Friends Without Benefits

  • #3 Love Hacked

  • #4 Beauty and the Mustache

  • #4.75 Ninja at First Sight

  • #5 Happily Ever Ninja

  • #6 Dating-ish

  • #7 Marriage of Inconvenience

  • #8 Neanderthal Seeks Extra Yarns

Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: romance, Penny Reid, contemporary, 5 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Saturday 07.24.21
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Neanderthal Marries Human by Penny Reid

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Title: Neanderthal Marries Human (Knitting in the City #1.5

Author: Penny Reid

Publisher: Cipher-Naught 2014

Genre: Romance

Pages: 392

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

There are three things you should know about Quinn Sullivan:
1) He is madly in love with Janie Morris,
2) He’s not above playing dirty to get what (or who) he wants, and
3) He doesn’t know how to knit.

After just five months of dating Janie, Quinn—former Wendell and unapologetic autocrat—is ready to propose marriage. In fact, he’s more than ready. If it were up to Quinn, he would efficiently propose, marry, and beget Janie with child all in the same day—thereby avoiding the drama and angst that accompanies the four stages of pre-matrimony: engagement, meeting the parents, bachelor/bachelorette party, and overblown, superfluous wedding day traditions. But Janie, much to Quinn’s dismay, tosses a wrench in his efficacious endeavors and challenges him to prove his devotion by going through the matrimonial motions, no matter how minute and mundane.

Will Quinn last until the wedding day? Or will he yield to his tyrant impulses?

After a miss in this series (I really did not like Greg and Fiona’s storyline), we are back to good contemporary romance fun. Janie and Quinn aren’t my absolute favorite, but their story is delightful to read. And we finally get to learn more about Quinn’s past and family. Thank goodness! He’s not just a man of mystery anymore. The entire scene in Vegas is worth the entire book. I was so very excited to see Nico and Elizabeth’s wedding! They are my favorite couple so far. It was nice to see how Janie and Quinn got to the next stage in their relationship. I’m excited to dive back into this series.

Knitting in the City

  • #1 Neanderthal Seeks Human

  • #1.5 Neanderthal Marries Human

  • #2 Friends Without Benefits

  • #3 Love Hacked

  • #4 Beauty and the Mustache

  • #4.75 Ninja at First Sight

  • #5 Happily Ever Ninja

  • #6 Dating-ish

  • #7 Marriage of Inconvenience

  • #8 Neanderthal Seeks Extra Yarns

Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: romance, Penny Reid, contemporary, 4 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 07.21.21
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Happily Ever Ninja by Penny Reid

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Title: Happily Ever Ninja (Knitting in the City #5)

Author: Penny Reid

Publisher: Cipher-Naught 2016

Genre: Romance

Pages: 312

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

There are three things you need to know about Fiona Archer… I would tell you what they are, but then I’d have to kill you.

But I can tell you that Fiona’s husband, the always irrepressible and often cantankerous Greg Archer, is desperately in love with his wife. Yet as the years pass, Greg has begun to suspect that Fiona is a ninja. A ninja mom. A ninja wife. A ninja friend. After fourteen years of marriage, Greg is trying not to panic. Because Fiona’s talent for blending in is starting to resemble fading away. However, when unexpected events mean Fiona must take center stage to keep her family safe, her response stuns everyone—Greg most of all. It seems like Greg’s wish has come true. Except… not.

Due to the library randomness, I ended up reading #5 before reading #4 in the series. While I usually read series in order, this one wasn’t terrible to read slightly out of order. I was very intrigued by Fiona and Greg and we very excited to read a romance centered on a married couple. Usually we get the beginnings of a relationship, so I was excited to see the middle of one. Unfortunately, this one really did not land for me. My biggest problem with this story is that the two characters did not actually resolve the core issues in their relationship. A silly twist at the end of the book brushed those issues under the rug. I was not happy at all. I wanted to see a healthy relationship come out of the book, but it was not resolved in any way that made me happy. This volume really fell flat for me. I really hope the rest of the series works better.

Knitting in the City

  • #1 Neanderthal Seeks Human

  • #1.5 Neanderthal Marries Human

  • #2 Friends Without Benefits

  • #3 Love Hacked

  • #4 Beauty and the Mustache

  • #4.75 Ninja at First Sight

  • #5 Happily Ever Ninja

  • #6 Dating-ish

  • #7 Marriage of Inconvenience

  • #8 Neanderthal Seeks Extra Yarns

Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: romance, Penny Reid, contemporary, 3 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Friday 07.16.21
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

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Title: People We Meet on Vacation

Author: Emily Henry

Publisher: Berkley 2021

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 382

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Modern Mrs. Darcy; Seasonal TBR

Poppy and Alex. Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. She’s a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay home with a book. And somehow, ever since a fateful car share home from college many years ago, they are the very best of friends. For most of the year they live far apart—she’s in New York City, and he’s in their small hometown—but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together.

Until two years ago, when they ruined everything. They haven't spoken since.

Poppy has everything she should want, but she’s stuck in a rut. When someone asks when she was last truly happy, she knows, without a doubt, it was on that ill-fated, final trip with Alex. And so, she decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together—lay everything on the table, make it all right. Miraculously, he agrees.

Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong?

I’ve seen so many mixed reviews of this book. As in, if you liked Emily Henry’s first book Beach Read, you won’t like this one and vice versa. Somehow I fall into the very tiny camp of really really loving both of them. At first glance, we get a straight up romantic comedy with flawed but lovable characters and a slightly exaggerated plot. Seems on par with the rest of them. But then Henry really infuses her characters with very real insecurities and problems. We see two people who, on paper, shouldn’t be together and yet we know that they should. We see them struggle with events and people from their past. We see them attempt to communicate, but often do it wrong or make some missteps that lead to more obstacles. And finally, we know that their story will have a resolution. It may not be a HEA, but I don’t always need those anyway. We get some kind of understanding with the characters. I read my fluffy romances that I know will end in a HEA. But I also really love these real romances where we everything (well, almost everything) could happen in our world. Emily Henry is definitely going on my must-read list.

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Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: 5 stars, Spring TBR List, Emily Henry, romance, contemporary, Modern Mrs. Darcy
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 07.14.21
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

I Was Told It Would Get Easier by Abbi Waxman

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Title: I Was Told It Would Get Easier

Author: Abbi Waxman

Publisher: Berkley 2020

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 346

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer Reading Challenge

Jessica and Emily Burnstein have very different ideas of how this college tour should go.

For Emily, it's a preview of freedom, exploring the possibility of her new and more exciting future. Not that she's sure she even wants to go to college, but let's ignore that for now. And maybe the other kids on the tour will like her more than the ones at school. . . . They have to, right?

For Jessica, it's a chance to bond with the daughter she seems to have lost. They used to be so close, but then Goldfish crackers and Play-Doh were no longer enough of a draw. She isn't even sure if Emily likes her anymore. To be honest, Jessica isn't sure she likes herself.

Together with a dozen strangers--and two familiar enemies--Jessica and Emily travel the East Coast, meeting up with family and old friends along the way. Surprises and secrets threaten their relationship and, in the end, change it forever.

A cute little story about a mother and daughter on an identity finding trip. Waxman has a breezy style of writing that sucks you into the story. The characters are definitely relatable and likable, even when they do something silly. I found so many interactions so familiar as a mother of teenagers. I don’t have a daughter, but many of the same things apply to sons. The storyline was propulsive. You just needed to see how this particular mother and daughter connected (or didn’t) through the trip. I liked the addition of the side characters. My favorites were Will and Casper. If you need a feel good story, pick this one up.

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Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: Abbi Waxman, fiction, contemporary, Modern Mrs. Darcy, 4 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 03.10.21
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman

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Title: The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany

Author: Lori Nelson Spielman

Publisher: Berkley 2020

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 378

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf Project; UnRead Shelf Reading Challenge - Recent Acquisition

Since the day Filomena Fontana cast a curse upon her sister more than two hundred years ago, not one second-born Fontana daughter has found lasting love. Some, like second-born Emilia, the happily-single baker at her grandfather’s Brooklyn deli, claim it’s an odd coincidence. Others, like her sexy, desperate-for-love cousin Lucy, insist it’s a true hex. But both are bewildered when their great-aunt calls with an astounding proposition: If they accompany her to her homeland of Italy, Aunt Poppy vows she’ll meet the love of her life on the steps of the Ravello Cathedral on her eightieth birthday, and break the Fontana Second-Daughter Curse once and for all.

Against the backdrop of wandering Venetian canals, rolling Tuscan fields, and enchanting Amalfi Coast villages, romance blooms, destinies are found, and family secrets are unearthed—secrets that could threaten the family far more than a centuries-old curse.

I had such high hopes for this book and it just fell flat for me. Most of the book is set in modern times and full of what seemed to be a travelogue for Italy. That’s fine, but it didn’t really grab my attention. I really fell for the chapters detailing the romance between Poppy and Rico. I wanted a book just of them. Emilia and Lucy were complete wet blankets in comparison. I just couldn’t seem to get myself to root for either of them. So, I wasn’t super excited about the book and then we get to the revelations and secrets about Poppy and Rosa. And I wanted to throw the book across the room. I was so incredibly mad at Rosa and her entire attitude and actions throughout the story. And we don’t really get any real apology from her. For that matter, I was very disappointed that Emilia’s sister never truly apologies for her behavior toward Emilia. For a book that was touted as being full of family and forgiveness, I felt it was sorely lacking in the forgiveness part. Boring.

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Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: Lori Nelson Spielman, 3 stars, contemporary, historical fiction, Unread Shelf Project, UnRead Shelf Project RC, Book of the Month
categories: Book Reviews
Saturday 02.27.21
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

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Title: Take a Hint, Dani Brown (Brown Sisters #2)

Author: Talia Hibbert

Publisher: Avon 2020

Genre: Romance

Pages: 400

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook

Danika Brown knows what she wants: professional success, academic renown, and an occasional roll in the hay to relieve all that career-driven tension. But romance? Been there, done that, burned the T-shirt. Romantic partners, whatever their gender, are a distraction at best and a drain at worst. So Dani asks the universe for the perfect friend-with-benefits—someone who knows the score and knows their way around the bedroom. 

When big, brooding security guard Zafir Ansari rescues Dani from a workplace fire drill gone wrong, it’s an obvious sign: PhD student Dani and former rugby player Zaf are destined to sleep together. But before she can explain that fact to him, a video of the heroic rescue goes viral. Suddenly, half the internet is shipping #DrRugbae—and Zaf is begging Dani to play along. Turns out his sports charity for kids could really use the publicity. Lying to help children? Who on earth would refuse? 

Dani’s plan is simple: fake a relationship in public, seduce Zaf behind the scenes. The trouble is, grumpy Zaf is secretly a hopeless romantic—and he’s determined to corrupt Dani’s stone-cold realism. Before long, he’s tackling her fears into the dirt. But the former sports star has issues of his own, and the walls around his heart are as thick as his... um, thighs. 

The easy lay Dani dreamed of is now more complex than her thesis. Has her wish backfired? Is her focus being tested? Or is the universe just waiting for her to take a hint? 

Definitely better than the first book in terms of characterization. Dani is much more interesting and exciting character than Chloe. I really enjoyed her relationship with Zafir throughout the book. And Zafir was a great leading man. Their banter was delightful and kept me coming back for more. On the flip side, there were a few deficiencies. I needed more steamy scenes. There were hardly any at all in this volume! A travesty! And I would have liked to have seen more of Gigi. Still a nice fun contemporary rom com for my week.

Brown Sisters

  • #1 Get a Life, Chloe Brown

  • #2 Take a Hint, Dani Brown

Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: romance, Talia Hibbert, contemporary, 4 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Friday 09.25.20
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

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Title: Get a Life, Chloe Brown (Brown Sisters #1)

Author: Talia Hibbert

Publisher: Avon 2019

Genre: Romance

Pages: 387

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook

Chloe Brown is a chronically ill computer geek with a goal, a plan, and a list. After almost—but not quite—dying, she’s come up with seven directives to help her “Get a Life”, and she’s already completed the first: finally moving out of her glamorous family’s mansion. The next items?

  • Enjoy a drunken night out.

  • Ride a motorcycle.

  • Go camping.

  • Have meaningless but thoroughly enjoyable sex.

  • Travel the world with nothing but hand luggage.

  • And... do something bad.

But it’s not easy being bad, even when you’ve written step-by-step guidelines on how to do it correctly. What Chloe needs is a teacher, and she knows just the man for the job.

Our book club selection for July. It was a nice, light, and fluffy contemporary romance that was an enjoyable read for a few days. I liked Chloe, but Red was my favorite character in the book. He had such great comebacks and wit. I loved it. The romance was fun and steamy at all the correct points. I wouldn’t call it my favorite romance of the last few years, but this was a good one. I’m interested in reading the sequel.

Brown Sisters

  • #1 Get a Life, Chloe Brown

  • #2 Take a Hint, Dani Brown

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Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: romance, Talia Hibbert, 4 stars, ebook, contemporary
categories: Book Reviews
Thursday 07.02.20
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

A Curve in the Road by Julianne MacLean

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Title: A Curve in the Road

Author: Julianne MacLean

Publisher: Lake Union 2018

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 266

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; Women Authors;

Abbie MacIntyre is living the dream in the picturesque Nova Scotia town she calls home. She is a successful surgeon, is married to a handsome cardiologist, and has a model teenage son who is only months away from going off to college.

But then one fateful night, everything changes. When a drunk driver hits her car, Abbie is rushed to the hospital. She survives, but the accident forces unimaginable secrets out into the open and plagues Abbie with nightmares so vivid that she starts to question her grip on reality. Her perfect life begins to crack, and those cracks threaten to shatter her world completely.

The search for answers will test her strength in every way—as a wife, a career woman, and a mother—but it may also open the door for Abbie to move forward, beyond anger and heartbreak, to find out what she is truly made of. In learning to heal and trust again, she may just find new hope in the spaces left behind.

This isn’t a bad book, but I definitely think this book is just not for me. I wasn’t a fan of the first person narration that, at times, seemed to move back and forth throughout the timeline. Abbie and Zack were decent enough characters. I just didn’t get a great feel for Abbie beyond the trauma. I may have liked this book if it started before the accident to allow for the reader to get to know our main character. But most of all, I wasn’t a fan of all the coincidences and reveals. Too much. It made the entire storyline much too unrealistic for me.

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Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: Julianne MacLean, contemporary, fiction, For the Love Ebooks, Women Authors, 3 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 05.22.19
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Prince Charming (Royals) by Rachel Hawkins

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Title: Prince Charming (Royals #1)

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: 2018

Genre: YA

Pages: 297

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Women Authors; Monthly Motif - One Sitting Reads; Romance

Meet Daisy Winters. She's an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair, a part time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who's nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond. 

While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince's roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes, and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown--and the intriguing Miles--might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself.  

This novel was originally published as Royals, which is the copy I borrowed from the library. I went into this book with extremely low expectations. It’s just that I don’t usually read contemporary romance and definitely not Young Adult contemporary romance. But apparently, I’ve been on a streak lately. This story ended up being a delight romp through the royals of Scotland from the perspective an average American. I loved Daisy from page 1 and kept rooting for her throughout the story. I would have liked to have seen a bit more between Daisy and and Ellie, but did enjoy her interactions with all of the Royal Wreckers. Light and fun. Just what I needed. And I put the second book, Her Royal Highness, on hold at the library.

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Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: Rachel Hawkins, 4 stars, contemporary, romance, young adult, Monthly Motif, Women Authors
categories: Book Reviews
Saturday 05.18.19
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Title: Big Little Lies

Author: Liane Moriarty

Publisher: Berkley 2014

Genre: Contemporary fiction

Pages: 492

Rating: /5 stars

Reading Challenges: Popsugar - Becoming a movie in 2017; New to Me; I Love Libraries

A murder...A tragic accident...Or just parents behaving badly? What’s indisputable is that someone is dead.

Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She’s funny, biting, and passionate; she remembers everything and forgives no one. Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare but she is paying a price for the illusion of perfection. New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for a nanny. She comes with a mysterious past and a sadness beyond her years. These three women are at different crossroads, but they will all wind up in the same shocking place.

TV Series:

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Next up on the TBR pile:

jujutsu21.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: Liane Moriarty, contemporary
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 07.19.17
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Title: The Fault in Our Stars

Author: John Green

Publisher: Dutton's Children 2012

Genre: YA Contemporary

Pages: 337

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: US of YA; NPR Teen; Books to Movies; ebook; New Author

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning-author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

Our first book club selection of 2014!  I have heard absolutely amazing things about this book.  That's why I put it up for consideration for our January club selection.  The reality of the book didn't live up to all the expectations.  It's a good book.  I might even say it's a great book.  But, I think it's a great book for someone else.  I think if I had read this when I was 16 it would have been great.  As I am now 31, it's just a good book.  The love story seemed a bit too teenagey for me.  I wanted a bit more depth to the romance.  The sections about life and death are really what kept me sucked into the book.  Gus and Hazel's look at life was interesting and thought-provoking.  I especially loved the eulogies at Augustus's pre-funeral.  I would love to be remembered that way instead of some empty platitudes about living a good life.  I would love the real me to appear at my funeral.  Overall, I think TFiOS is a really really good book.  I just couldn't give it 5 stars.

tags: 4 stars, Books to Movies, contemporary, ebook, John Green, New Author, NPR Teen, US of YA, young adult
categories: Book Reviews
Sunday 01.12.14
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 
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