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kerosenelit's reviews
171 reviews
The Favorites by Layne Fargo
hopeful
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This throws you straight into the tension, offering practically no context beyond the fact that something big went down between elite figure skating duo Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha. As the story unfolds, it slowly peels back their incredibly determined yet tumultuous rise to fame.
It’s so easy to forget that Katarina and Heath aren’t real people. The inclusion of documentary segments truly brought the story to life, especially via audio! The sheer intensity of their passion, the politics within the sport, and the way Katarina toes the line between dedication and obsession created such an emotional wreckage that was impossible to look away from.
And let’s be clear, this is not a romance in a conventional sense. There's plenty of tender moments, yes, but also so much scandal, jealousy, and betrayal. It's a very toxic, all-consuming love between Katarina and Heath. It's messy, messy, MESSY. But I love that this story made me feel every single emotion. It was absolutely addictive!
(heat level: closed door + language throughout)
(heat level: closed door + language throughout)
Some Other Time by Angela Brown
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Aw, I really enjoyed this. It’s on the slower side, but there were such thoughtful and insightful discussions on motherhood and marriage. I found myself highlighting so many quotes!
After twenty years of marriage, Ellie is set on divorce. Her relationship with Jonah is filled with constant arguments, and the love they once shared feels distant. With their daughter off to college, Ellie is grappling with a deep sense of loss. Her entire identity has been tied to being a wife and mother. So now, who is she? What is her purpose?
But then Ellie is thrust into an alternate reality, one where she never married Jonah. And of course, everything in her life is completely backwards, forcing her to confront the path she didn’t take!
I loved that it showed that each reality, no matter how different, had its positives and challenges. It’s about Ellie learning to appreciate the simple joys of life and rediscovering a love that might have been buried but never truly left. It was a sweet reminder that it’s also the small, everyday choices that shape our lives!
(heat level: none)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
(heat level: none)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The One Before the One by Emma Cooper
mysterious
4.0
This was quite the wild ride! Seven years ago, Liv's boyfriend went on a hike and never returned, leaving everyone to presume him dead. Fast forward to the present, Liv is madly in love with his brother, and on the morning of her wedding, she is thrust back in time to one week before the disappearance!
I loved the overarching dilemma Liv is faced with. What if she can save Kit? And if she does, who will she ultimately choose to spend her life with? It's all sorts of twisty, mysterious, and wonderful. There's one chapter I had to reread twice, just to make sure I was processing everything correctly. It was such a cleverly plotted and brilliant reveal. Wow!
After so much intensity, I did feel some aspects wrapped up a little too conveniently, but it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. I’m a complete sucker for emotional storylines with a touch of magical realism, and this one was a lot of fun!
(heat level: fade to black)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved the overarching dilemma Liv is faced with. What if she can save Kit? And if she does, who will she ultimately choose to spend her life with? It's all sorts of twisty, mysterious, and wonderful. There's one chapter I had to reread twice, just to make sure I was processing everything correctly. It was such a cleverly plotted and brilliant reveal. Wow!
After so much intensity, I did feel some aspects wrapped up a little too conveniently, but it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. I’m a complete sucker for emotional storylines with a touch of magical realism, and this one was a lot of fun!
(heat level: fade to black)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Wedding Dashers by Heather McBreen
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
The romcom of my dreams! Seriously, I can’t remember the last time I read one that hooked me from the very first chapter and held my undivided attention all the way through.
It was genuinely so funny! An almost one-night stand turns into an unplanned road trip as reluctant travel partners Ada and Jack realize they’re both heading to the same wedding. With 83 hours to spare—and a packed veil that must stay pristine—it’s a literal race against time, filled with chaotic pit stops that constantly threaten to derail their plans.
The banter was its own form of comedy! I was obsessed. Sarcastic, effortless, witty—the kind that leaves you giddy and grinning. Plus, the romance was such a satisfying slow burn!
Ada’s dealing with some lingering heartbreak and career doubts, while Jack is the very definition of a commitment-phobe. It may seem like a typical conflict, I know, but the way everything was explored felt so fresh, heartfelt, and real. The focus on healing, taking the time to work on yourself so you can be the best version of you for someone else, was just so lovely. All the stars!
(heat level: a couple open-door scenes, explicit details)
Thank you Berkley Romance for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It was genuinely so funny! An almost one-night stand turns into an unplanned road trip as reluctant travel partners Ada and Jack realize they’re both heading to the same wedding. With 83 hours to spare—and a packed veil that must stay pristine—it’s a literal race against time, filled with chaotic pit stops that constantly threaten to derail their plans.
The banter was its own form of comedy! I was obsessed. Sarcastic, effortless, witty—the kind that leaves you giddy and grinning. Plus, the romance was such a satisfying slow burn!
Ada’s dealing with some lingering heartbreak and career doubts, while Jack is the very definition of a commitment-phobe. It may seem like a typical conflict, I know, but the way everything was explored felt so fresh, heartfelt, and real. The focus on healing, taking the time to work on yourself so you can be the best version of you for someone else, was just so lovely. All the stars!
(heat level: a couple open-door scenes, explicit details)
Thank you Berkley Romance for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Where the Black Line Ends by Meagan Williamson
(heat level: a couple open-door scenes, mild details)
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Discovering a new author and being completely swept away by their words is the best feeling! This was such a warm and tender romance that’s also incredibly action-packed and informative. It truly immerses you in the heroic lives of wildland firefighters. I couldn’t put it down!
Hired with a crew out of the Payette National Forest, Reed is a wildland firefighter with a lot to prove. You see so much of his impulsive, carefree attitude continually grow and evolve throughout the story. It's an intense career, one that comes with plenty of danger and uncertainty, and I loved the meaningful change it brought within him.
The serendipitous connection with Hailey, the crew's EMT, was the softest, most deeply romantic slow burn. Both carry emotional walls, afraid to let others in, and I loved how their personal conflicts were shown through individual dual timelines, revealing the lasting scars of their past. I now need to go back and read book one!
Hired with a crew out of the Payette National Forest, Reed is a wildland firefighter with a lot to prove. You see so much of his impulsive, carefree attitude continually grow and evolve throughout the story. It's an intense career, one that comes with plenty of danger and uncertainty, and I loved the meaningful change it brought within him.
The serendipitous connection with Hailey, the crew's EMT, was the softest, most deeply romantic slow burn. Both carry emotional walls, afraid to let others in, and I loved how their personal conflicts were shown through individual dual timelines, revealing the lasting scars of their past. I now need to go back and read book one!
"And sometimes, with a stoke of luck or fate or however you'd describe the magic of serendipity when someone steps into your world at the exact turning point you need them to, you find the people who are there for a lifetime. They're your parachute. The ones you hang on to in good times and bad. Because, like a wildfire, life can change in a second. And they'll be the ones who carry you home."
(heat level: a couple open-door scenes, mild details)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death
Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This opening rescue mission might be one of my very favourite meet-cutes! It perfectly set the tone for a story full of adventure, with a headstrong heroine and a disgruntled hero who clash in the best way. Lydia, in particular, was a wonderful character! As the second-richest unmarried heiress in London, she spends her time anonymously writing political pamphlets filled with radical ideas. I absolutely loved her bravery, wit, and determination!
When Lydia arrives at the Earl of Strathrannoch’s door expecting to meet the intellectual kindred spirit she’s been corresponding with, she’s shocked to discover it wasn’t the Earl she’d been writing to, but his brother! The twist deepens when it’s revealed that this traitorous brother is missing, along with a very important invention—a reveal that sends Lydia and the Earl, Arthur, on a thrilling mission to find him!
The mystery surrounding Arthur’s brother was a lot of fun! There was plenty of intrigue and clue unraveling, all of which led to some unexpected relationship developments. That said, I wish I had enjoyed the romance more. While I liked these characters a lot, it focused heavily on their physical attraction. Much of their interactions were driven by lust and their constant need to jump into bed together. Sigh. Still, they were undoubtedly a fiery pairing I know others will enjoy!
(heat level: multiple open-door scenes, explicit details)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
(heat level: multiple open-door scenes, explicit details)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Pick-Up by Nora Dahlia
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.0
This started off a bit slow and confusing, but the witty writing quickly won me over! Aside from Sasha and Ethan, there's a mysterious third POV that initially seems unnecessary, but just stick with it. It will all make sense! Its purpose was really clever, and I loved how everything tied together!
Sasha was such a frantic yet lovable mess. Her struggles with parenting were both painfully funny and deeply relatable. There's a strong focus on her figuring out what exactly she wants in life. Does she even know? And if she does, can she have it? I adored her.
During the chaos of school pick-up, Sasha meets Ethan Jones, aka Demon Dad, a fellow divorced parent who immediately strikes her as arrogant and entitled. But little does she know, she's got Ethan all wrong. As they continue to cross paths—including unexpectedly landing a job together at a private Caribbean resort—the banter and pining becomes even more flirty and fun!
I also really liked the commentary on parenthood, especially the mental load and the disparity between being a divorced mom versus a divorced dad. It added such a unique, realistic conflict to the romance!
(heat level: a couple open-door scenes, mild details)
Sasha was such a frantic yet lovable mess. Her struggles with parenting were both painfully funny and deeply relatable. There's a strong focus on her figuring out what exactly she wants in life. Does she even know? And if she does, can she have it? I adored her.
During the chaos of school pick-up, Sasha meets Ethan Jones, aka Demon Dad, a fellow divorced parent who immediately strikes her as arrogant and entitled. But little does she know, she's got Ethan all wrong. As they continue to cross paths—including unexpectedly landing a job together at a private Caribbean resort—the banter and pining becomes even more flirty and fun!
I also really liked the commentary on parenthood, especially the mental load and the disparity between being a divorced mom versus a divorced dad. It added such a unique, realistic conflict to the romance!
(heat level: a couple open-door scenes, mild details)
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity
Colton Gentry's Third Act by Jeff Zentner
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
You wouldn't know from the cover, but this was a truly amazing second-chance romance. Jeff Zentner has a way with words. He vividly captured the intensity of first love, heartbreak, and the all-encompassing emotions that come with them.
The story opens with Colton, a country music star deeply grieving the loss of a friend who died onstage during a mass shooting. This traumatic experience ignites a fire in him, pushing him to openly speak out against gun violence—a moment that unfortunately causes his career to take a nosedive in the country music scene.
I really loved the distinct tones of the past and present timelines. Beyond being a love story, this is a story of addiction, resilience, redemption, and embracing unexpected turns. A reminder that you are not defined by just one path or failure.
Without giving too much away, part two kind of lost me with the excessive food descriptions, but overall I'd highly recommend this. It's not just a story about second chances, but third chances—and however many you need to find happiness!
(heat level: mostly closed door + one very brief open-door scene towards the end)
Without giving too much away, part two kind of lost me with the excessive food descriptions, but overall I'd highly recommend this. It's not just a story about second chances, but third chances—and however many you need to find happiness!
(heat level: mostly closed door + one very brief open-door scene towards the end)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Gun violence, and Grief
Minor: Mass/school shootings