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rebeccareadstheworld's reviews
571 reviews
Known by You by Claire Cain
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Kenny: How long do I have you for?
Liz: Um, forever?
It’s the book we’ve been waiting for, when will “Barbie” finally find his love? Kenny tries to keep his crush a secret when Liz comes to town. He had already asked her out, and she said no. So, what’s a guy to do?
Liz needs a friend. She needs community and to feel comfortable. Can she do that in Silverton -- or is she just waiting until her old job is available?
As usual, Claire weaves a wonderful story of found family, new love and a happily ever after.
5/5 stars, 2/5 Spice Level - fade to black
Liz: Um, forever?
It’s the book we’ve been waiting for, when will “Barbie” finally find his love? Kenny tries to keep his crush a secret when Liz comes to town. He had already asked her out, and she said no. So, what’s a guy to do?
Liz needs a friend. She needs community and to feel comfortable. Can she do that in Silverton -- or is she just waiting until her old job is available?
As usual, Claire weaves a wonderful story of found family, new love and a happily ever after.
5/5 stars, 2/5 Spice Level - fade to black
I'll Look for You, Everywhere by Cameron Capello
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
This was a dramatic and often angsty story about childhood friends -- with childhood crushes -- who return to their hometown in Italy for a friend's wedding. Magdalen Savoy was gone for one year at university, and now she's home, trying to find her hiding place among the shadows of her loud family. Theo, her brother's best friend, is back after a seven-year absence; as try he might, he simply cannot resist her. From family drama and past trauma, these two navigate the complications of growing up together and discovering those childhood crushes may not have stayed in the past.
The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Women writers in the 1930s in England were a special group, so they formed one. This group of top-notch mystery writers -- including Mrs. Agatha Christie -- were fast friends and feminists. In The Queens of Crime, they advocate for a missing girl who shows up murdered. They won't stop until they get some answers, and they won't let anything get in their way. This is a wonderfully written story about the power of friendship and curiosity.
Playing Mr Perfect by Melissa Foster
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
While this was my first Melissa Foster book, I was glad it was the first in this new series, The Bradens at Ridgeport.
Clay has been chasing Pepper for as many years as she's been running. But with the help of their family and friends, the two end up the only singles on a Paris trip, and they are forced to spend time together. After a "it didn't happen" night together, they go their separate ways, and Pepper tries to ignore her feelings for Clay. You can probably guess how this ends, but the road to get there is phenomenal. But beware, you'll be hooked and start reading all her books!
Clay has been chasing Pepper for as many years as she's been running. But with the help of their family and friends, the two end up the only singles on a Paris trip, and they are forced to spend time together. After a "it didn't happen" night together, they go their separate ways, and Pepper tries to ignore her feelings for Clay. You can probably guess how this ends, but the road to get there is phenomenal. But beware, you'll be hooked and start reading all her books!
4/5 stars; Spice Level 4/5
The Kiss Lottery by Ilsa Madden-Mills
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was the perfect short read to prepare me for the Valentine's season. When Everyly receives an anonymous invitation to return to her small town and participate in the annual Kiss Lottery, she hesitantly follows through. The tradition and the small-town flair are a perfect match for her podcast. When she arrives and reconnects with some old friends, her secret admirer continues to shower her with attention. Everly hopes it's her childhood best friend Beckett, but they haven't spoken in ten years. As the gifts keep coming and the lottery gets closer, will Everly and Beckett allow themselves a chance at love? You'll have to read to find out.
5/5 stars; Spice Level 3/5 (A few detailed scenes, but not overwhelmingly so).
5/5 stars; Spice Level 3/5 (A few detailed scenes, but not overwhelmingly so).
Stealing Hearts by Lex Martin
emotional
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
5.0
Is there anything better than a cowboy romance? Why yes, one that starts a series that involves 5 brothers. In this series opener, Lex Martin introduces us to the Walker brothers.
Imagine his surprise when Rhett finds his late best friend’s kid sister sleeping in her car one early morning. He scoops her up and brings her to the failing family ranch. A fake wedding follows — to try to save the ranch – and things start clicking into place over the agreed-upon six-month marriage. Will they stay together, and what would that mean? I’m already very excited about the second book, which is out this summer.
Imagine his surprise when Rhett finds his late best friend’s kid sister sleeping in her car one early morning. He scoops her up and brings her to the failing family ranch. A fake wedding follows — to try to save the ranch – and things start clicking into place over the agreed-upon six-month marriage. Will they stay together, and what would that mean? I’m already very excited about the second book, which is out this summer.
My Plus One = You by Angela Haas
funny
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? Yes
5.0
When Rachel and Cameron meet at a wedding they are not excited to participate in, they forge an easy friendship. They quickly learn that they enjoy seeing each other, and when Rachel needs an escape from her mother and her ex, she finds Cam a willing participant. They quickly agree to be the other's "plus one" during wedding season. But when the chemistry builds, will they try dating for real or stay in the friend zone?
If you're looking for a slow burn, lots of flirting and low-spice contemporary romance -- this is it!
If you're looking for a slow burn, lots of flirting and low-spice contemporary romance -- this is it!
Holiday Hostilities by Katie Bailey
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? N/A
5.0
The Cyclones are certainly a team worth drooling over, as Katie Bailey brings us this story of the second player to fall head over heels during the holiday season. When childhood friends turned enemies (kind of?) are forced to spend some time together -- in the same house -- the enemy facade slips away quite quickly. When you've been pining over each other for years, it's hard to resist the mistletoe.
Have Yourself a Married Little Christmas by Claire Cain
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
5.0
Claire Cain did it again. This adorable fake marriage Christmas book sliced right through the busyness of the season, the drama of real life and the mess that can be family relationships. I wanted to jump into the book and declare Andy my new best friend. Well, except for the cats…
She's Not Sorry by Mary Kubica
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I gave it 3 stars because it kept my attention long enough to finish it, but I did not like this book. There was too much detail in areas that didn't need it, and not enough in other areas. Some of the twists were very predictable and there were too many threads that didn't relate at all.