bookishlychar's reviews
2265 reviews

Power Play by Anastasija White

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

In college Layla and Clay had a connection before he realized that she was his team captain's little sister. Clay eventually made a move and they started dating. When he graduated Layla broke his heart by breaking up with him, worried she would drag him down. Fast forward many years, and Layla now has a daughter, Maya, and Clay is back in the same city as her. He has never stopped loving her and is determined to win her, and Maya’s heart. 

Clay is such a wonderful guy. He waited years for Layla; for him, it would always be her. His only goal was to win back Layla and he patiently set about that, waiting for her to get to where he was. I loved how he immediately included her daughter and developed a relationship with her. Clay also challenges Layla to reach her goals, while supporting her and making her feel loved while she comes around. Layla was tough on herself and she made it difficult to love her. She spent a lot of time self-sabotaging but eventually came around to give the love she had a chance. 

There were a lot of cute and sweet moments between Clay and Layla while tackling some of the struggles both were having where they were in their lives. This book is the conclusion to the Sinners on the Ice series, so we also look at all the characters from the previous books. I had not read the prior books, but I did not feel I was lost or missing out on anything. 

These two were a cute couple and I loved seeing them become a family and being happy. If you like a sweet second-chance romance, this is a great book for you! Thank you to Grey’s PR and the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.

Read if you like: second chance romance, single mom, it’s always been you
She's a Wild One by Kristen Proby

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challenging emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 
Holden broke Millie’s heart eight years ago when he was given no choice. Now that Holden’s father has finally passed away and his reign of terror over the family has ended, he is not going to let anything stop him from getting the love of his life. His father stuck it to him again by requiring him to marry before he could inherit the farm. He knows the only person he wants to marry, the love of his life, Millie. Millie has moved on in the eight years but agrees to the marriage to help Holden’s sisters get what they deserve. The more time they spend together, Millie starts to remember all her feelings. Can she trust Holden not to break her heart? 
 
I have enjoyed every book in this series, and this book was no exception! Millie and Holden’s story was full of emotion and love. Hearing Holden’s backstory was gut-wrenching and painful to hear, but I think it made me love him even more. You could see the connection between these two was deeply connected and I loved that. 
 
This book is a marriage of convenience, and of course, it had to have a favourite marriage line with “my wife.”  I always love when that is dropped in a book. This being the fifth story in the series, we got to look back on the four Wilder brothers and their partners and see where everyone was now. We also got to know Holden’s four sisters, whom I loved to meet, and I hope to hear more from them in the future! 
 
If you love marriage of convenience with a second chance at love, this book is for you! Though it is part of a series, you don’t need to have read the previous books to read this one. Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine. 
Enticing by Bella Matthews

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challenging emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Addie is starting over with her two girls after leaving her ex. Sparks fly when she and Leo meet, but she doesn’t trust men easily, especially with her heart. Leo is the hot hockey player helping with her daughter’s skating class. Addie has sworn off men, as all they do is hurt. However, when funds are short, and the only way to receive her inheritance is marriage, Leo offers to help her. Leo knows Addie is skittish around him but focuses on being there for her and her girls. He is determined to show her that she is someone she can trust and be open to love. 

Leo and Addie were perfect for each other! He was the ideal gentleness for her broken heart. I loved Leo so much! From his first interaction with Addie, he was so gentle. He reminded me so much of Declan. He is so protective, loving and caring of his three girls. He was the perfect man to help mend Addie’s heart and build a relationship with her two girls. Addie has been through so much in her young life, and I just wanted to hug her and her girls. She is fiercely protective of her girls and will do anything to ensure they are safe. 

Again we got to see more of the Sinclair family and I fall in love with them more each time I read about them! I loved how they welcomed Addie and her girls into the family and were there for her when she needed it. Declan and Belle are wonderful parents and take Leo’s sudden marriage in stride, welcoming both Addie’s girls as their own. 

The Kroydon universe gets me every time. I loved this book, the people, the found family and getting to meet new people and revisit all my favourites. This was the perfect single mom, marriage of convenience novel bringing in all the hockey I love to read! Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine. 

Read if you like: marriage of convenience, single mom, hockey romance
King of the Cage by Mila Kane

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challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 
Bran and Giada come from rival families and when Bran sees her at a wedding, he has his sights set on her. He finds her intriguing and beautiful. When he stops a creep from bothering Giada at the weddings, he hopes to claim her as a prize. Giada is the tech person and family member of the Italian mafia. They then find themselves thrown together, working to find a drug ring that is putting some dangerous drugs on the street. When the ring gets a little too close, Bran feels the only way to protect Giada is to marry her. 
 
These two are perfect for each other. Bran loved Giada just the way she was rather than forcing her to change. She is strong and sure of herself, but her family has told her she needs to be more feminine and less strong. Giada sees Bran for the man he is and eventually comes to love him. Bran is so protective and obsessed with Giada, and it was I loved Giada and Bran. 
 
This book had the perfect amount of steam and story. I love it when an author can provide me with tension and passion while giving me a great story too. We also got to meet some great side characters, and hope we get to see them find love too! 
 
This was my first Mila Kane novel, and it won’t be my last! She wrote a compelling story that sucked me in. Thank you to Grey’s PR and the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine. 
Vicious by L.J. Shen

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challenging dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

 
This is a book about hate, love and obsession. Since the day Vicious met Emilia, there was something about her. He carries demons with him and feels undeserving of love. Which is why he sent Emilia away. Now, 10 years later, he runs into Emilia in a bar. He cannot stay away. Emilia may hate Vicious, but she is drawn to him. Now she is working for him and doesn’t know how to manage the feelings she is experiencing. 
 
LJ Shen did a great job writing for Vicious and Emilia, giving them unique and different voices. Vicious is a broken character who holds dark secrets. His feelings for Emilia scare him. Emilia has no clue, though, because everything he has ever done has scared her away.  Emilia is one of those characters you care about. She worked so hard to ensure her sister was taken care of and put so much on hold to make sure she was okay. She endured all the things that Vicious did, and she found her voice and came out stronger. 
 
To say Vicious and Emilia had a complicated relationship would be an understatement. They had so much push and pull in their relationship and their tension and banter was excellent. Every interaction between these two had me wanting more. They were so volatile but so perfect together. 
 
Overall this was a great book, with great characters and great development. This is the perfect angst-filled story that you love. 
Second Down Scrooge by Lisa Suzanne

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 
Austin and Kelly finally get their story in this sweet Christmas novella! Austin and Kelly have a history. That history resulted in their sweet baby girl, Mia, and a broken heart for Kelly. Austin messed up big time, and he is working to make amends. Kelly is finding it harder and harder to say no to Austin, especially when he apologizes to everyone and seems to have turned over a new leaf. Kelly needs to decide if she should risk her heart for Austin again. 
 
Austin has been a hateable character in the Nash Brother’s novels, and I wasn’t sure if Lisa Suzanne would be able to give him redemption and make me like him. Not only did she make me like him, I loved him! This was a cute second chance romance where we get to see Kelly and Austin get a happily ever after. I loved that Austin admitted and recognized his mistakes, owning up to them and working to make amends. I loved Kelly so much and was happy to see her take a chance to forgive Austin and let their love bloom. Both of them worked together so well, even before they were together, as the co-parents to their daughter. I loved getting to see them come together and become a family. 
 
Even though the story was short, the author connected me to both Austin and Kelly, rooting for them the whole way. Although we have already been familiar with both Austin and Kelly from previous novels, it is unnecessary to have read the books before you check out this novella. This would be a great way to check out this author or fall in love again. It will make you want to go back and check out everyone’s stories! 
 
Thank you to Valentine PR and the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine. 
All Folked Up by Penny Reid

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emotional funny lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 
Isaac is undercover and finds himself back in his hometown, and on his last mission. He gets the wrong impression of Hannah at the very start and thinks she is someone she’s not. Once he realizes he was wrong he sets about fixing it. Hannah has always been gossiped about. After ten years of stripping, she has hung up her pasties and is now managing the club. When Isaac shows back up in town, the guy who has been her stand-in forever her life is about to change forever. 
 
I loved Isaac and Hannah. Hannah has been through so much in Green Valley and trusts no one. She is a fighter, who will do anything to protect herself and those at the club. Isaac has to prove that he is real and honest. I loved how controlled Isaac was, but then was so different with and for Hannah, opening up more than ever. Penny Reid is the best at writing humour in her books, giving us laughs mixed with the more serious moments. The “meet cute” with Hannah and Isaac was one of the best! 
 
I loved travelling back to Green Valley and catching up with the Winston family and the cast of characters we have met over the years. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but your experience will be enriched by reading other Green Valley novels. 
 
Penny has written a great, unique love story and included so many wonderful characters. I love to get transported to her world and go along for the ride. Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine. 
 
Read if you like: grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, small town, opposites attract, virgin hero, found family 
The One I Stood Beside by Piper Rayne

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emotional funny hopeful slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 
Jude and Sadie secretly pined for each other forever. Both are worried that acting on their feelings could ruin their amazing friendship. Jude and Sadie are forced into a fake marriage to help save her family’s farm. Only then does the real love for each other come out. Can both fight their worries and be together happily ever after?  
 
Jude had his inner demons, worried that he wasn’t enough for all that Sadie was. I loved how he would do anything and everything for her, though he struggled to show his love. I loved Sadie. She was so strong and fierce. She is so patient and gentle with Jude while he learns to express his feelings. These two together were awesome! They had amazing chemistry and an unbreakable bond. I loved the moment they realized the other had feelings for them; it was so beautiful. I did struggle with Jude and Sadie’s lack of communication. They could have talked years ago, to prevent so much pain for both of them. 
 
With Jude and Sadie, there was also a cast of awesome characters. We had Jude’s family, which is large and involved. They all love Jude and Sadie and work to get them together. There were many scenes between Jude’s brothers and dad that had me laughing out loud. 
 
This book was a joy to read. I loved Sadie and Jude together and can’t wait to read the third book in the series! 
 
Read if you like: fake marriage, grumpy/sunshine, best friends to lovers, it’s always been you, forced proximity 
Broken Harbor by Catherine Cowles

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dark emotional funny hopeful sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 
Sutton is a single mom to her seven-year-old son, Luca. She came to Sparrow Falls to rebuild her life two years ago. She has opened her bakery and lives above the shop. She has fought hard for everything and is barely scraping by. Her son loves hockey, and she enrolls him in summer camp. Imagine Luca’s surprise when his favourite player, Copeland Colson, is teaching the camp. Cope needs some time away from his team after a rough end to the season and comes home to rest and visit with his family. Hoping to improve his image, he agrees to help with the local hockey camp. He meets Sutton on the first day of camp, where she is having a horrible day. Both Sutton and Cope have painful pasts they would rather keep there. As each begins to let their walls down, their pasts come crashing down, will they allow happiness to prevail after all? 
 
Cope and Sutton were perfect together. They helped each other heal from their past and believe in loving again. Sutton has been through so much and is committed to giving Luca a better life, free of fear. Cope is also dealing with a lot. He carries guilt over the death of his brother and dad and the stresses of being a professional hockey player. We see that he is immediately interested in Sutton and wants to protect and care for her, but at the same time, he does not feel that he is good enough for her. 
 
Catherine Cowles does an excellent job connecting me with her characters and letting me feel what they feel. There were times I cried, and times I laughed. I loved the relationship that Cope built with Luca and how Sutton and he fit perfectly in with the family the Colson’s have created. As with other Catherine Cowles books, we get a touch of suspense that helps build the story and develop our closeness to the characters even more. 
 
Once again, this book did not disappoint! I loved Sutton, Cope and Luca so much! I loved escaping to Sparrow Falls to be with this family I love reading about. Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine. 
 
read if you like: small town, single mom, romantic suspense (a touch), professional hockey player, forced proximity, hurt/comfort, touch her and die, found family 
Braving the Storm by Elliott Rose

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dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Briar’s life comes to an impasse when her father dies. She escapes to Crimson Ridge and the home that was left to her. Imagine her surprise when she finds that her Uncle Storm has been living there for the past ten years. Both Briar and Storm have an instant connection, even though they are technically uncle and niece (her dad and he are adopted siblings). Add that the cabin is small, and they are practically on top of each other, they soon realize the initial attraction is not going away.  

I read a bit about Storm in Chasing Wild and he immediately intrigued me. This book starts with a bang and we see the chemistry between these two is immediate, but there is a sense of forbiddeness. As the tension between the two grows, you begin cheering more and more for them to give in. 

All through this spiciness (and there are lots) and dancing around each other, we are given a story of two people who have been carrying baggage with them their whole lives and find someone who deeply loves and cares for them. I loved that Briar found herself again while in Crimson Ridge, with Storm giving her a safe place to land. I also loved that we saw a sweet side to Storm when he was around Briar while being protective and building Briar’s trust. These two were two people who were truly meant to be. 

This was a well-written story with the perfect amount of smut and story that kept me turning the page. I look forward to reading more of the books in this series when they are out! Thank you to Luna Literary and the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine. 

read if you like: forbidden, age gap, forced proximity, only one bed, free use