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bookishlychar's reviews
2270 reviews
Consolation by Corinne Michaels
emotional
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
5.0
I read both books in this duet back-to-back, and I finished both in less than 24 hours. Natalie's husband died while she was pregnant. She felt broken and barely able to move forward. Now her daughter has been born and her husband's best friend, Liam, has moved to town and is helping her wrap up all her husband's affairs. She didn't expect to find herself a widow before she was 30, and she didn't expect to start having feelings for Liam. Now Natalie must decide if she loves Liam or if it was one night.
Natalie is such a strong and courageous woman. She went through so many things, and though she didn't feel she could truly live, she put her daughter ahead of all and continued to move forward. She has an internal struggle through so much of the book. Is she allowed to move forward after her husband's death, and even more, should she move forward with her husband's best friend? I understood and felt her struggle. Liam was so amazing. He was patient, and kind. I loved, not only his relationship with Natalie but his relationship with her daughter.
This book was so heartbreaking. I started crying in the prologue, and then so many times after. There were many times that I laughed, loved the chemistry and cried. Corinne Michaels did a great job writing characters that you loved, and so much emotion and drama. I felt so connected to these characters and am still thinking of them days later.
This book ends on a cliffhanger that made me gasp. I immediately picked up Conviction after reading the last word in this book.
Note - this rating is for both books in this series as a whole, as they have a cliffhanger and were read one right after the other.
Natalie is such a strong and courageous woman. She went through so many things, and though she didn't feel she could truly live, she put her daughter ahead of all and continued to move forward. She has an internal struggle through so much of the book. Is she allowed to move forward after her husband's death, and even more, should she move forward with her husband's best friend? I understood and felt her struggle. Liam was so amazing. He was patient, and kind. I loved, not only his relationship with Natalie but his relationship with her daughter.
This book was so heartbreaking. I started crying in the prologue, and then so many times after. There were many times that I laughed, loved the chemistry and cried. Corinne Michaels did a great job writing characters that you loved, and so much emotion and drama. I felt so connected to these characters and am still thinking of them days later.
This book ends on a cliffhanger that made me gasp. I immediately picked up Conviction after reading the last word in this book.
Note - this rating is for both books in this series as a whole, as they have a cliffhanger and were read one right after the other.
Conviction by Corinne Michaels
challenging
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
5.0
This story picks up right where the previous book left off. The second part of this duet had even more heart and feeling than the first and I did not think it was possible. There was so much emotion and feeling, and I felt like I was right there with Natalie and Liam.
Liam was trying to do the right thing, but it was breaking Natalie. I felt for her all over again.When Aaron showed up again, I wanted to punch him. Him lying about the affair, and all the other stuff with Brittany put Natalie through the wringer and left her floundering. Liam was trying to be the good guy but didn't want to interfere with a family being together. Though this story was heartbreaking, the end of this book worked out exactly how it should have.
Liam was trying to do the right thing, but it was breaking Natalie. I felt for her all over again.
Broken Pact by Penelope Black
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Jasper and Coraline have a history, and their relationship ended before it started. When her ex won't seem to back off, Jasper suggests the two of him fake date to keep him away and make his mom happy. Coraline reluctantly agrees but doesn't realize that Jasper has feelings for Coraline and has to convince her that he's the one.
Jasper and Coraline were great together. They had a little bit of a hate-to-love thing going on, which added to their tension and banter. I felt the connection between Coraline and Jasper and liked watching the two get to know each other, especially Coraline learning who the real Jasper was. I loved how supportive Jasper was of Coraline's dreams; he allowed her to feel safe and loved.
There was a small romantic suspense element in this, adding to the story. Sometimes the suspense feels misplaced, but Penelope Black intertwined it perfectly into the story.
This was a great beginning to a series and an awesome read. I loved so much about this book and think it's a great second chance, fake dating romance.
Read if you like: second chance, fake dating, MC, he falls first, romantic suspense
Jasper and Coraline were great together. They had a little bit of a hate-to-love thing going on, which added to their tension and banter. I felt the connection between Coraline and Jasper and liked watching the two get to know each other, especially Coraline learning who the real Jasper was. I loved how supportive Jasper was of Coraline's dreams; he allowed her to feel safe and loved.
There was a small romantic suspense element in this, adding to the story. Sometimes the suspense feels misplaced, but Penelope Black intertwined it perfectly into the story.
This was a great beginning to a series and an awesome read. I loved so much about this book and think it's a great second chance, fake dating romance.
Read if you like: second chance, fake dating, MC, he falls first, romantic suspense
Losers: Part II by Harley Laroux
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
This is the second part of the Losers duet. These characters came into their own in the second book. They became more sure of their relationships and I felt like Jess became less whiny and pretentious. I liked watching both the individual relationships and group dynamics with these five. The communication between them all was truly wonderful.
This story is full of love and heart, but it is also dark. All of these characters have dealt with abuse and terrible situations. They have learned to cope with these in their ways, with the support of others.
This book has a lot of sex, and it more erotica than romance. Though there is a lot of story there, with both feeling and emotion. I recommend looking into trigger warnings if you need them before going into this book.
This story is full of love and heart, but it is also dark. All of these characters have dealt with abuse and terrible situations. They have learned to cope with these in their ways, with the support of others.
This book has a lot of sex, and it more erotica than romance. Though there is a lot of story there, with both feeling and emotion. I recommend looking into trigger warnings if you need them before going into this book.
Fall for Him by Andie Burke
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is a MM rom-com about Dylan and Derek. Dylan falls through the ceiling of Derek’s apartment, while he is renovating upstairs. Of course, his downstairs neighbour had to be the ultra-hot, unapproachable Derek. When they find out the problem stems from his apartment, and it will be expensive to fix, he doesn’t know what to do. Dylan wants to keep the problem quiet from his family, he offers to fix the damage himself. Add in some ADHD hyperfixation, a whole lot of family drama, and plenty of misunderstanding and these two can’t possibly fall for each other, can they?
This book delves into many things including grief and loss, anxiety and ADHD. There are tough topics and they can be painful. I did find Dylan’s ADHD difficult to read, as I felt like I was on a chaotic journey of neurodivergence. It, however, allowed me to see ADHD through the perspective of an adult and one of the ways it works in their life. I thought it was good to see mental health represented in not trying to fix it, but learning to live life with ADHD. Derek has his struggles dealing with family dynamics and knowing how to care for his family, while also letting them make mistakes. His desire to protect his family is beautiful, but I did understand his siblings’ feelings too.
The banter between Dylan and Derek is great and they seemed to work together with similar senses of humour. They were the perfect opposites, and I loved that Derek didn’t try to change some of Dylan’s ADHD tendencies, but rather worked with it.
The book is dual POV and written in third person. I did find myself struggling at times with whose perspective I was reading. I also felt that though this isn’t dubbed as a sequel if I had not read Burke’s first book, I may have been lost on some of the things that had happened in the past, especially Derek.
Though this story is written as a love story, and it is that, it is also so much more. It is about figuring out who you are, caring for yourself and learning to cope with grief, loss and mental illness. I loved the story and the messages in it. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.
Read if you like: hate to love, forced proximity, neighbours, mental health rep
Pucks and Books by Toni Aleo
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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
Louisa saved her sisters and herself, escaping a cult. She has taken time to heal and has now opened her own business, her sisters are doing well and life is going well. She is, however, looking for her own happily ever after. She meets Ciaran, who is not only a hot hockey player, but also a lover of her favourite book genre, romance. Sparks fly on the first meeting, and they are drawn to each other. Both having experiences in their past make them a little gunshy, they have to decide if they are going to give each other a chance or let the past control their future.
At its heart, this book is about learning to love and trust. But there is some mega instalove in it. They hit it off upon first meeting, and are in love quickly after. Ciaran is the perfect person for Louisa, loving, patient and kind. Even more, Louisa is working hard to overcome the pain of the cult she was in, and Ciaran just loves her so much.
I loved Louisa and her sisters. They have all experienced the cult they were in in different ways. Louisa was the protector and loves her siblings so much and did everything she could to protect them.
This was a great story, with great character development. Though the two struggled at times, they were able to overcome the obstacles standing in their way and get their happily ever after.
Read if you like: instalove, hockey,
At its heart, this book is about learning to love and trust. But there is some mega instalove in it. They hit it off upon first meeting, and are in love quickly after. Ciaran is the perfect person for Louisa, loving, patient and kind. Even more, Louisa is working hard to overcome the pain of the cult she was in, and Ciaran just loves her so much.
I loved Louisa and her sisters. They have all experienced the cult they were in in different ways. Louisa was the protector and loves her siblings so much and did everything she could to protect them.
This was a great story, with great character development. Though the two struggled at times, they were able to overcome the obstacles standing in their way and get their happily ever after.
Read if you like: instalove, hockey,
The One I Want by Chelle Sloan
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
Wes comes home from announcing his retirement from professional football to find his wife packing her bags and leaving him. She doesn't want the kids or anything to do with him, she is done. Wes is taken by surprise and left to pick up the pieces. Turning to the help of friends and family he decides to move back to the town he grew up in, so it is easier to get the help he needs. Knowing he can't continue to rely only on family, he hires a nanny, Betsy. Betsy is undeniably attractive, but as Wes sees her with his kids more and more feelings develop. They both agree that they cannot get involved, for the kids and the mess a break-up could cause.
I loved Betsy. She came off as a bit chaotic, but her love and devotion to Wes's three kids were amazing. She gave them exactly what they needed and built them up strong. I did struggle a bit with Wes, he was completely blindsided with his divorce and that left some trauma. He transferred some of his feelings of being abandoned onto Betsy and that was not fair to her. It was clear why he did that, but unfair to Betsy. That said, these two seemed to be great for each other. They were what the other needed where they were in their lives. Wes gave Betsy unconditional love, and family while Betsy broke him out of his stress bubble.
I never thought I could hate the ex-wife as much as I did. She not only abandoned her husband by blindsiding him but left her kids and moved to another state. She barely had any contact with them. My heart ached for these poor little ones. That said, Betsy was amazing for them! She brought out the best in each of them.
This was such a heartfelt romance that was full of laughter, pain and healing. I love that we got to meet the future characters of the other books and can't wait to read them!
Read if you like: single dad/nanny, football, found family
I loved Betsy. She came off as a bit chaotic, but her love and devotion to Wes's three kids were amazing. She gave them exactly what they needed and built them up strong. I did struggle a bit with Wes, he was completely blindsided with his divorce and that left some trauma. He transferred some of his feelings of being abandoned onto Betsy and that was not fair to her. It was clear why he did that, but unfair to Betsy. That said, these two seemed to be great for each other. They were what the other needed where they were in their lives. Wes gave Betsy unconditional love, and family while Betsy broke him out of his stress bubble.
I never thought I could hate the ex-wife as much as I did. She not only abandoned her husband by blindsiding him but left her kids and moved to another state. She barely had any contact with them. My heart ached for these poor little ones. That said, Betsy was amazing for them! She brought out the best in each of them.
This was such a heartfelt romance that was full of laughter, pain and healing. I love that we got to meet the future characters of the other books and can't wait to read them!
Read if you like: single dad/nanny, football, found family
Corruptor's Claim by Meg Anne, K. Loraine
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book picks up right after Sinner's Secrets ends. You need to read these books in order, as they are interconnected. This was a twisted read, with lots happening. Like the previous, this book ends on another cliffhanger. I binged these three books over two days, as I just needed to know what happened.
Deadly Debt by Meg Anne, K. Loraine
challenging
dark
tense
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
4.0
This book picks up right after Corruptor's Claim ends. You need to read these books in order, as they are interconnected. This was a twisted read, with lots happening. There is lots that happens in this book to tie up loose ends, but don't worry, everyone gets a HEA!
As in the previous, there are many trigger warnings. Please check them out if you need them.
As in the previous, there are many trigger warnings. Please check them out if you need them.
Sinner's Secret by Meg Anne, K. Loraine
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
This story and series has so many twists and secrets. River left home ten years ago, after she slept with her best friends older brother, Cross. He left her heartbroken and she left for Alaska. Now she has been summoned back to the ranch she grew up on, because the owner (and dad of her best friend) has left her half the ranch, with the stipulation she must live there. Knowing it's not safe for her Cross is worried that the secrets of the ranch will be unfolded and leave her at risk again.
I will admit that I was a little scared going into this, I am pretty particular about reverse harems and have to understand the reasons behind it. This book pulled me in and I read the entire series in two days. I couldn't put it down, I had to see what would happen next, what secrets would be uncovered. I thought the three men, Cross, Walker and Bishop all had their own ways, and catered to River's every need. I cannot pick which leading man was the best, they were all deliciously awesome. The spice was definitely spicing in these books!
If you pick up this book, know there are cliffhangers. Lucky for us, all three books are out already, so you can easily binge them like I had to! There are many triggers in this book, be sure to check the warnings if you need them!
read if you like: why choose/reverse harem, hate to love, second chance, he falls first, friends to lovers, forced proximity
I will admit that I was a little scared going into this, I am pretty particular about reverse harems and have to understand the reasons behind it. This book pulled me in and I read the entire series in two days. I couldn't put it down, I had to see what would happen next, what secrets would be uncovered. I thought the three men, Cross, Walker and Bishop all had their own ways, and catered to River's every need. I cannot pick which leading man was the best, they were all deliciously awesome. The spice was definitely spicing in these books!
If you pick up this book, know there are cliffhangers. Lucky for us, all three books are out already, so you can easily binge them like I had to! There are many triggers in this book, be sure to check the warnings if you need them!
read if you like: why choose/reverse harem, hate to love, second chance, he falls first, friends to lovers, forced proximity