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bookishlychar's reviews
2277 reviews
Delicate Escape by Catherine Cowles
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Delicate Escape is the second book in the Sparrow Falls series about Thea and Shep. Thea experienced abuse at the hands of an ex. She ran away and closed herself off from friendships and the world. She works, goes home and has minimal personal relationships. Shep noticed Thea a long time ago, she is the prickly, beautiful woman who works in the coffee shop. He wants to get to know her but doesn’t know how. All Shep does is continue to be friendly and gain her trust. When Thea gets a leak in her house, Shep takes that as an opportunity to prove he can be trusted. Thea finds that after all the running her past has caught up with her. Now she has to choose between giving up the life she has built or running again.
Shep was such a kind, wonderful man. He knew that Thea struggled and was sure to allow her to lead the way in their relationship. He didn’t push her in any aspect, including explaining what happened in her past. I love how Shep made her feel safe. Thea is scared, but so strong. She regained her confidence and when given the opportunity and safety, came out of her shell.
This town and the Colson family are amazing. They accept Thea with open arms and will do anything they can to support her. I’m so excited to see more of the stories that come from this family! The small town of Sparrow Falls was so well written, that I felt transported there.
Catherine Cowles can write heroines that you love and heroes you fall for. There was no exception in this book. I loved Thea and Shep and was rooting for them to get their happily ever after. This is a great book, with a great story. Be sure to check it out! Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.
read if you like: black cat/golden retriever, forced proximity, he falls first, slow burn, romantic suspense
Mad Love by Willow Aster
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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 start of a new series about single dads. Weston has it all, his team just won the Super Bowl and he is excited for the next year. Until one day he receives a call from the hospital letting him know his two-month-old son is there. He arrives at the hospital to find his son, 2-month-old Caleb, and Caleb's saucy aunt, Sadie. Sadie hates Weston, as she thinks he abandoned her when she became pregnant and they have been struggling to provide for Caleb since then. Weston becomes an instant dad and invites Sadie to stay with him and Caleb. He and Sadie learn to trust each other, become friends and eventually more.
I liked this story. Weston and Sadie come together unusually, but as they learn about each other, the relationship they have with Caleb and each other is wonderful. Weston steps into his role as dad so quickly and well. He has the means to hire a nanny but insists on building the bond in the off-season. Sadie and Weston had a lot to work out and they did it maturely and with a desire to look out for Caleb. I loved how he and Sadie agreed to co-parent and put the needs of Caleb before their anger and frustration.
This was a slow, soft relationship. It developed slowly and they both had some trepidation. I liked that there wasn't any big drama or third act break up, it just showed the natural progression of a relationship. I also liked the family aspect of this book. There are the teammates for Weston's as well as his family and Sadie's family. They all came together to help the two, new to parenting, and Caleb. It was truly beautiful.
I look forward to reading more in this series about single dads!
Read if you like: football, single dad, forced proximity, he falls first, found family, surprise baby/child
I liked this story. Weston and Sadie come together unusually, but as they learn about each other, the relationship they have with Caleb and each other is wonderful. Weston steps into his role as dad so quickly and well. He has the means to hire a nanny but insists on building the bond in the off-season. Sadie and Weston had a lot to work out and they did it maturely and with a desire to look out for Caleb. I loved how he and Sadie agreed to co-parent and put the needs of Caleb before their anger and frustration.
This was a slow, soft relationship. It developed slowly and they both had some trepidation. I liked that there wasn't any big drama or third act break up, it just showed the natural progression of a relationship. I also liked the family aspect of this book. There are the teammates for Weston's as well as his family and Sadie's family. They all came together to help the two, new to parenting, and Caleb. It was truly beautiful.
I look forward to reading more in this series about single dads!
Read if you like: football, single dad, forced proximity, he falls first, found family, surprise baby/child
Empire of Hate by Rina Kent
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
Empire of Hate has been my favourite of all the Empire books. Daniel and Nicole had known each other since their childhood. Daniel became best friends with Nicole's stepsister and Nicole wasn't nice to Daniel or her stepsister. After her mother went to prison, Nicole felt she had to leave London for the States. Daniel also left London to practice law. Nicole finds herself in need of a job, and unbeknownst to her, Daniel hires her as a legal secretary at the firm he works at. His plan, to torment her until she quits, doesn't go quite as he wanted, as he doesn't realize just how much Nicole needs the job. As he spends more time with her, their attraction is strong, and they start to realize the things that happened years ago may not have been as it seemed.
The tension between Nicole and Daniel is thick, and they have such a visceral reaction to each other. I loved how strong-willed Nicole was, never refusing to give up, even when the job seemed insurmountable. I will admit that I hated Nicole previously, but seeing things from her point of view, helped it make more sense. It didn't make what she did right, but I understood it a lot more. I loved how Nicole called Daniel on his crap and when he was being mean and unreasonable.
Daniel and Nicole had some strong hate vibes going on, but at the same time, he was protective. He wouldn't allow anyone to treat her poorly and went to bat for her.
In the end, this book is about two people who don't think they are worthy of the other's love and only capable of hurting the other. They needed to figure out that they were going to work together and do anything to get that way.
The tension between Nicole and Daniel is thick, and they have such a visceral reaction to each other. I loved how strong-willed Nicole was, never refusing to give up, even when the job seemed insurmountable. I will admit that I hated Nicole previously, but seeing things from her point of view, helped it make more sense. It didn't make what she did right, but I understood it a lot more. I loved how Nicole called Daniel on his crap and when he was being mean and unreasonable.
Daniel and Nicole had some strong hate vibes going on, but at the same time, he was protective. He wouldn't allow anyone to treat her poorly and went to bat for her.
In the end, this book is about two people who don't think they are worthy of the other's love and only capable of hurting the other. They needed to figure out that they were going to work together and do anything to get that way.
Things I Wanted to Say, But Never Did by Monica Murphy
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book has so many different things that interest me. There are secrets, lies, passion, hate and chaos. Summer and Whit are very similar, and each feels broken for different reasons. The character growth throughout this book was pretty amazing. We have two teens who move from being selfish and not understanding of themselves to these people who accept themselves and love each other fiercely.
This book has A LOT of smut. Almost every chapter, or second chapter had smut. That is fine, but I would like to have more feelings associated with it.
One thing that I struggled with is there is an on-page near sexual assault and Whit (MMC) blames Summer (FMC) for the SA because of the way she dressed. He made this big speech about no meaning no to the perpetrator, but at the same time, blamed Summer. I didn't get it.
With the negative, there were still things I liked. I want to check out other books by Monica Murphy.
This book has A LOT of smut. Almost every chapter, or second chapter had smut. That is fine, but I would like to have more feelings associated with it.
With the negative, there were still things I liked. I want to check out other books by Monica Murphy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Tempting by Bella Matthews
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
Tempting is the first book in the Red Lips and White Lies series, which are second-generation books in the Kroyden Hills universe. This features Mackenzie and Nixon. They agree to fake date because Kenzie’s boss gives her the creeps and Nixon is nearby. These two have known each other since they were kids and Nixon has had a crush on Kenzie just as long. Through their fake dating, Kenzie admits that she doesn’t have much experience in the bedroom. Nixon agrees to be her teacher and give her spicy lessons. The problem, there is a whole lot of family involved! Nixon’s twin sisters are Mackenzie’s best friends and Mackenzie’s brother is the team captain of Nixon’s hockey team. Can everyone accept their budding feelings for each other? Can Kenzie trust herself to love and let someone in?
I loved Kenzie and Nixon. Nixon was such a spicy, sweet-talking man, who was head over heels for Kenzie. Kenzie wasn’t sure about letting Nixon in, and it took a bit for her to open her heart to letting someone else in. Losing her mom at a young age put her through the wringer and she fears letting others in and them leaving. Kenzie and Nixon were HOT together, I loved the exploration of their relationship and how well they worked together. One thing I would have liked is more tension with the overbearing boss, and having it be more of a big deal. I adored the development of Kenzie and Nixon’s relationship and both of them working out demanding careers and neither having to give up their dreams.
One of my favourite things about Bella Matthews’ books is her writing about found family. I have read many of these characters throughout her various series and I love every one of the characters. I love the group texts between Kenzie and the girls, and Nixon and the guys.
I devoured this book, it was so good! Bella Matthews writes characters so well, you love them and feel like you are part of their friend group. I cannot wait to read more books in the Red Lips and White Lies series and get more of these awesome second-generation stories! Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.
read if you like: childhood crushes, fake dating, best friends brother/teammates sister, hockey romance, spicy lessons
Where We Started by Ashley Munoz
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
Wes has loved Callie since she was nine years old. He was always there for Callie, when she was trying to escape the chaos of her home, and the motorcycle club her dad was president of. Callie thought they were forever until Wes betrayed her seven years ago. Now she is back in town after her father died, and she has been willed the property the motorcycle club is on. Wes is now the president of the club and will do anything to stop Callie from selling. Nothing seems to make sense about her father's death and Wes is sure he didn't intend to leave the club to Callie. Now they must work together to figure out what her dad wanted. The more they spend time together, old feelings come back, but Callie cannot allow herself to fall for Wes, who didn't choose her first.
This was a great MC story. All Callie wanted was someone who chose and put her first. She feels Wes did not. I can see why some people may have hated Callie for being selfish, but I saw her as choosing herself. She was sick of everyone picking the club over her and when Wes did that to her she felt betrayed. Wes was so angry and mean when Callie came home, but you could tell he still loved and adored her. He wanted to do everything he could to protect her and has been pining for her since she left.
We were also introduced to some great side characters and I loved getting to know all of them, knowing there are stories about them to read.
There was a bit of miscommunication near the end of the story, which I could have done without, but it didn't wreck the entire book. In the end, with all Wes and Callie went through I enjoyed their story and I look forward to reading more Ashley Munoz books!
read if you like: second chance, pining, love to hate to love, forced proximity, it's always been you
This was a great MC story. All Callie wanted was someone who chose and put her first. She feels Wes did not. I can see why some people may have hated Callie for being selfish, but I saw her as choosing herself. She was sick of everyone picking the club over her and when Wes did that to her she felt betrayed. Wes was so angry and mean when Callie came home, but you could tell he still loved and adored her. He wanted to do everything he could to protect her and has been pining for her since she left.
We were also introduced to some great side characters and I loved getting to know all of them, knowing there are stories about them to read.
There was a bit of miscommunication near the end of the story, which I could have done without, but it didn't wreck the entire book. In the end, with all Wes and Callie went through I enjoyed their story and I look forward to reading more Ashley Munoz books!
read if you like: second chance, pining, love to hate to love, forced proximity, it's always been you
Empire of Sin by Rina Kent
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 is one of Rina Kent's books that can be read standalone. Knox and Anastasia met at the bar one night and had a one-night stand. She was escaping a life she did not want to be in and he was looking for sex. He woke up looking for more, but he was gone. Imagine his surprise when she shows up as a new IT worker at his job and is now going by Jane. The duo reconnect both physically and emotionally. The only problem is, she has some secrets that could hurt both her and Knox.
These two together were intense. Knox is ever the alphahole, dominating Anastasia, but this is what Anastasia is looking for. There was some good tension, but I would have liked more. Knox and Anastasia were interesting, though their relationship was a bit instalovey.
I knew this would have mafia parts in it, but it seemed to come out of no where around the 65-70% mark and then there is so much mafia for the last 30%. I would have liked there to be more from the start. I did enjoy the throwbacks to the Royal Elite series, which has been a favourite of mine, getting to see everyone from that series.
Rina Kent knows how to write possessive, jerkish men. She gets you to like them, and even root for them. I look forward to checking out Daniel's story, which is next!
read if you like: alpha male, one night stand, virgin heroine, office romance,
These two together were intense. Knox is ever the alphahole, dominating Anastasia, but this is what Anastasia is looking for. There was some good tension, but I would have liked more. Knox and Anastasia were interesting, though their relationship was a bit instalovey.
I knew this would have mafia parts in it, but it seemed to come out of no where around the 65-70% mark and then there is so much mafia for the last 30%. I would have liked there to be more from the start. I did enjoy the throwbacks to the Royal Elite series, which has been a favourite of mine, getting to see everyone from that series.
Rina Kent knows how to write possessive, jerkish men. She gets you to like them, and even root for them. I look forward to checking out Daniel's story, which is next!
read if you like: alpha male, one night stand, virgin heroine, office romance,
To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Lucky and Ellis met when they were children and both always accepted each other for who they were. Ellis was different, being autistic and with selective mutism and Lucky liked boys. Ellis has always loved Lucky, but selflessly suggests Lucky to go away for school, and spread his wings. Ellis is finally trying to get over him, and he shows up back home and opens up all the feelings he had before. His heart always belonged to Lucky, and he needs to risk it for a chance at love.
Wow, this book packed a punch. Ellis and Lucky's story is about love, acceptance and finding your dreams. I was not prepared to pick this book up and not be able to put it down. I was captured by this novel. Lucky always accepted Ellis for who he was and vice versa. They both had always loved each other, but never acted on it. I thought the author did a great job developing these two characters who had unique personalities and were their own. I loved both of them so much, but Ellis latched on to my heart. Maybe it was his neurodiversity or his kindness in the love he gave.
This book was a balm for my soul and I think anyone could read this and love it. There is so much heart and soul in this novel and I will be sure to pick up more of Emmy Sanders's books in the future!
read if you like: childhood best friends to lovers, mutual pining, slow burn
Wow, this book packed a punch. Ellis and Lucky's story is about love, acceptance and finding your dreams. I was not prepared to pick this book up and not be able to put it down. I was captured by this novel. Lucky always accepted Ellis for who he was and vice versa. They both had always loved each other, but never acted on it. I thought the author did a great job developing these two characters who had unique personalities and were their own. I loved both of them so much, but Ellis latched on to my heart. Maybe it was his neurodiversity or his kindness in the love he gave.
This book was a balm for my soul and I think anyone could read this and love it. There is so much heart and soul in this novel and I will be sure to pick up more of Emmy Sanders's books in the future!
read if you like: childhood best friends to lovers, mutual pining, slow burn
Mine to Take by Jennifer Sucevic
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
This book is book 5 in the Western Wildcats series, but they do not need to be read in order. Maverick is a hockey player who has his eyes set on making the NHL. One night at a game, he sees a beautiful woman, the only problem is she is wearing his rival’s jersey. He is set on taking her away from him at all costs. Little does he know, that the beautiful woman is the sister of his rival, not his girlfriend. Willow knows exactly who Maverick is, but is drawn to him regardless. This relationship can only end in disaster, right?
I haven’t read other books in this series, but I enjoyed this book and will be going back through the series. Willow is a sweet girl struggling to reclaim who she is after beating cancer. Her family is overprotective now. She is torn between her brother, and his rival, Maverick. She loves that Maverick doesn’t know her history and treats her like she is breakable. Maverick is struggling, because all his friends seem to have found relationships and is feeling some loneliness.
I think that Maverick and Willow meet at the perfect time in their lives and seem to connect on so many levels. I struggled with Maverick and him still sleeping with Willow, thinking she was in a relationship. Cheating is a no-go for me in books, and this got a little close to this.
This was a great book and relationship that had some bumps along the way. I enjoyed getting to know Willow and Maverick and can’t wait to read more by Jennifer. If you like hockey romance featuring a brother’s rival, this is the perfect book for you! Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.
read if you like: one-night stand, brother’s rival, hockey, mistaken identity
Rally by Devney Perry
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
We have been teased about Rush’s story since the first book in the Treasure State Wildcat series and it did not disappoint. From the moment Rush and Faye met, their lives were intertwined. Helping her change a tire on the side of the road, and later one night of passion, led to a life of consequences. Faye is pregnant and keeping the baby, and Rush wants to be there for her. How can she trust him, when she has never been able to depend on anyone in her life?
Trust Devney Perry to write an accidental pregnancy that I loved! Faye was sometimes her own worst enemy, but she comes from a life of being unwanted. She struggles to believe that anyone would ever choose her. This led to an interesting progression of Rush and Faye’s relationship. Rush was putting in tons of effort, and Faye was doing everything to test him and send him away. He was just there, waiting for her to approach him. I had so many emotions throughout this one as Faye and Rush learned to navigate this life they were thrust into.
This book was a total slow burn. After the initial hook-up, we were teased with banter and pining to perfection. You could feel the chemistry between the two from the first chapter and knew sparks would fly when they got together. I found myself rooting for them and cheering them on.
This was a great, heartfelt book. I loved this book, as I have all of the series. If you like a good golden retreiever/black cat romance with two people who are learning to love, this is the perfect book for you! Thank you to Valentine PR for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.
read if you like: accidental pregnancy, one night stand, golden retriever/black cat, forced proximity