Scan barcode
romancedispatch's reviews
284 reviews
Pucked by Helena Hunting
3.0
Even though I enjoyed the book overall, I wasn’t on board with the heroine of the story, and that is a major point for me when reading / reviewing.
As always with such sports romances the hero is a “seasoned” lover, so I expect - er, I wish - the heroine to be a match for him, otherwise why is she standing out among the crowd of women who launch themselves at our main man?
Violet starts out well, what with reading Fielding during a hockey game and with her apparent interest in literature, which sparks a conversation with Alex, but after that there’s only sex-sex-sex, so it was difficult for me to see the credibility of this love story.
Granted, Violet is hilarious (after about 60% of the book) but still, she is also extremely immature, brat-tish and quite frankly mostly acts like a child. Also, let me say this: Word-vomit is NOT always endearing, not when it’s all you can do. I do not understand Alex’s fascination with her.
I will give this series another try, as I’m interested to see what becomes of Buck (often unjustly insulted for his ways AND his appearance -by his sister!- in this book) and Darren. Maybe I’ll be surprised.
As always with such sports romances the hero is a “seasoned” lover, so I expect - er, I wish - the heroine to be a match for him, otherwise why is she standing out among the crowd of women who launch themselves at our main man?
Violet starts out well, what with reading Fielding during a hockey game and with her apparent interest in literature, which sparks a conversation with Alex, but after that there’s only sex-sex-sex, so it was difficult for me to see the credibility of this love story.
Granted, Violet is hilarious (after about 60% of the book) but still, she is also extremely immature, brat-tish and quite frankly mostly acts like a child. Also, let me say this: Word-vomit is NOT always endearing, not when it’s all you can do. I do not understand Alex’s fascination with her.
I will give this series another try, as I’m interested to see what becomes of Buck (often unjustly insulted for his ways AND his appearance -by his sister!- in this book) and Darren. Maybe I’ll be surprised.
Pucked Up by Helena Hunting
No rating because DNF at 49%
Spoilers ahead (from the part I read) because I need to vent!
“”Kale! Stop it! I’m on the phone with Miller! Put me down—”
The call drops; beep-beep-beeping is the last thing I get. I stare at the blank screen, a hot feeling creeping up the back of my neck.
If I was on the ice right now, I’d probably get myself a penalty. I feel like I might be getting fucked around, and I don’t like it.”
Okay, no, I’m not reading this anymore. I’m too angry on Buck’s behalf. Yeah, no, done, I’m done.
I was already enraged when starting this book, because Buck gets trashed regularly in the first book ... BY HIS SISTER.
In fact, he comes across like he is a walking venereal disease who potentially has a sick crush on Violet, his (step)sister. Violet is extremely aggressive towards Buck in the first book, and that’s all the time, and she repeatedly insults him by stating what a manwhore he is, and how ugly and hairy he is.
That’s terrible stepsister behaviour. I mean, you can dislike someone’s ways, but hating on them like that? It’s just horrible on your part.
When this book came out, I thought: finally, we are going to get more insight on Buck that’s going to counteract what we learnt in the first book. WELL. Was I in for a treat.
Here’s what we learn about Buck from the first pages:
- He is really into Sunny, holding himself back for her;
- He is insecure and can’t say no to his deranged, immature friends, which is why he ends up in a whole lot of social media trouble;
- he is dyslexic, which does not help with communication;
- he is self-conscious about his body and hair situation.
And nevertheless....NOBODY is on his side!
His “friends” are a menace and a threat rather than helpful. Violet is hateful and mean to him, ALL THE FUCKING TIME. Violet’s boyfriend even harms Buck during practice.
And last but not least, Sunny.
Ah, Sunny.
Sunny is a arrogant, dictatorial person (who makes him feel bad because he is not vegan!) and never takes his side, very quickly judging him, never hearing his side of the story.
What’s more, she refuses to call him her boyfriend (but he’s good enough to travel to Canada for her, and good enough to have sex with her), she keeps his visit from her parents, and last but not least, goes camping with HER EX with no respect for his feelings whatsoever.
One second she is angry about his Instagram shots with fans (okay, mostly naked fans, which is not okay) - but then she is allowed to go camping with her ex of four years and that is okay? Talk about mind games.
So yeah, I dislike everything about this story, it’s a shame and I’m not reading any more of this BS. Mia OUT.
Spoilers ahead (from the part I read) because I need to vent!
“”Kale! Stop it! I’m on the phone with Miller! Put me down—”
The call drops; beep-beep-beeping is the last thing I get. I stare at the blank screen, a hot feeling creeping up the back of my neck.
If I was on the ice right now, I’d probably get myself a penalty. I feel like I might be getting fucked around, and I don’t like it.”
Okay, no, I’m not reading this anymore. I’m too angry on Buck’s behalf. Yeah, no, done, I’m done.
I was already enraged when starting this book, because Buck gets trashed regularly in the first book ... BY HIS SISTER.
In fact, he comes across like he is a walking venereal disease who potentially has a sick crush on Violet, his (step)sister. Violet is extremely aggressive towards Buck in the first book, and that’s all the time, and she repeatedly insults him by stating what a manwhore he is, and how ugly and hairy he is.
That’s terrible stepsister behaviour. I mean, you can dislike someone’s ways, but hating on them like that? It’s just horrible on your part.
When this book came out, I thought: finally, we are going to get more insight on Buck that’s going to counteract what we learnt in the first book. WELL. Was I in for a treat.
Here’s what we learn about Buck from the first pages:
- He is really into Sunny, holding himself back for her;
- He is insecure and can’t say no to his deranged, immature friends, which is why he ends up in a whole lot of social media trouble;
- he is dyslexic, which does not help with communication;
- he is self-conscious about his body and hair situation.
And nevertheless....NOBODY is on his side!
His “friends” are a menace and a threat rather than helpful. Violet is hateful and mean to him, ALL THE FUCKING TIME. Violet’s boyfriend even harms Buck during practice.
And last but not least, Sunny.
Ah, Sunny.
Sunny is a arrogant, dictatorial person (who makes him feel bad because he is not vegan!) and never takes his side, very quickly judging him, never hearing his side of the story.
What’s more, she refuses to call him her boyfriend (but he’s good enough to travel to Canada for her, and good enough to have sex with her), she keeps his visit from her parents, and last but not least, goes camping with HER EX with no respect for his feelings whatsoever.
One second she is angry about his Instagram shots with fans (okay, mostly naked fans, which is not okay) - but then she is allowed to go camping with her ex of four years and that is okay? Talk about mind games.
So yeah, I dislike everything about this story, it’s a shame and I’m not reading any more of this BS. Mia OUT.
The Wedding Game by Meghan Quinn
5.0
I just love Meghan Quinn! She can do no wrong!
Loved this slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, funny romantic comedy - and surprisingly, it’s not even as steamy as some of her previous works!
As the title of the book gives away, this book is centred on a wedding competition and the main characters are a crafter who believes in love and happily-ever-afters and a disgruntled divorce lawyer who has just given up on anything relationship-related.
I won’t say more so as not to spoiler it, but I really loved the dynamics of Luna and Alec and the side characters are just as entertaining (my favourites being Luna’S brother Cohen and his husband-to-be Declan).
I’m hoping we’ll get to see more of Luna and Alec’s best friends Farrah and Lucas in future books... I kinda think they belong together.
Loved this slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, funny romantic comedy - and surprisingly, it’s not even as steamy as some of her previous works!
As the title of the book gives away, this book is centred on a wedding competition and the main characters are a crafter who believes in love and happily-ever-afters and a disgruntled divorce lawyer who has just given up on anything relationship-related.
I won’t say more so as not to spoiler it, but I really loved the dynamics of Luna and Alec and the side characters are just as entertaining (my favourites being Luna’S brother Cohen and his husband-to-be Declan).
I’m hoping we’ll get to see more of Luna and Alec’s best friends Farrah and Lucas in future books... I kinda think they belong together.
See Me After Class by Meghan Quinn
4.0
Ok, let me just start off with a general statement: covers like this one are *awful*, and I mean really, utterly awful. They give off a cheap vibe and this one in particular is not even in line with the book‘s main character Arlo, who mostly wears cardigans.
BUT if you bypass the cover, the book is actually not bad: the school context is actually well thought and realistic, the banter is real, the enemies to lovers trope well executed, and there’s a couple surprising moments in the story.
All in all an enjoyable read, plus there’s Jane Austen, and who am I to shun a book with Pride and Prejudice in it?
Though I will say this: the line „You have bewitched me, body and soul“, is NOT Jane Austen! It‘s a line of the 2005 movie. And what with Arlo being a „classic literature“ kinda guy, it doesn’t make sense at all that he would use a line of the Movie instead of quoting the book!
Sorry, just had to get that off my chest...
BUT if you bypass the cover, the book is actually not bad: the school context is actually well thought and realistic, the banter is real, the enemies to lovers trope well executed, and there’s a couple surprising moments in the story.
All in all an enjoyable read, plus there’s Jane Austen, and who am I to shun a book with Pride and Prejudice in it?
Though I will say this: the line „You have bewitched me, body and soul“, is NOT Jane Austen! It‘s a line of the 2005 movie. And what with Arlo being a „classic literature“ kinda guy, it doesn’t make sense at all that he would use a line of the Movie instead of quoting the book!
Sorry, just had to get that off my chest...
Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams
5.0
The bros are BACK!
And I’m so happy that there is yet another adventure of my favourite book club for me to read.
However, for me this book was slightly less “swoony” than Gavin’s or Mack’ ones. I can’t quite put my finger on it, maybe it was the abundance of themes, which quite ended up being too much to focus on the romance at the core of the story; or maybe it was the way Noah reacts to the book club... I don’t know. But though I loved the story, it isn’t staying with me the way Gavin and Thea’s is.
BUT Nevertheless, long live the Bromance book Club!!!
I’m looking forward to Vlad’s and Colton’s stories now!
And I’m so happy that there is yet another adventure of my favourite book club for me to read.
However, for me this book was slightly less “swoony” than Gavin’s or Mack’ ones. I can’t quite put my finger on it, maybe it was the abundance of themes, which quite ended up being too much to focus on the romance at the core of the story; or maybe it was the way Noah reacts to the book club... I don’t know. But though I loved the story, it isn’t staying with me the way Gavin and Thea’s is.
BUT Nevertheless, long live the Bromance book Club!!!
I’m looking forward to Vlad’s and Colton’s stories now!
Boss Man Bridegroom by Meghan Quinn
5.0
Once again, another hit from Meghan Quinn! I *adore* her!
This contemporary romance focuses on grumpy, stern CEO Rath (brother of the heroine in the first book of this series) and a sunshine Executive Assistant who will upturn his life.
I don’t want to spoiler, so I’ll just say this: the heroine is HILARIOUS - possibly the funniest of all of Meghan Quinn’s books I’ve read so far (only Three blind dates can maybe compare).
This book is a gorgeous mix of sassy and funny and swoony and now I understandably so many of Ms Quinn’s readers find this to be their favourite. I Love Meghan Quinn!
This contemporary romance focuses on grumpy, stern CEO Rath (brother of the heroine in the first book of this series) and a sunshine Executive Assistant who will upturn his life.
I don’t want to spoiler, so I’ll just say this: the heroine is HILARIOUS - possibly the funniest of all of Meghan Quinn’s books I’ve read so far (only Three blind dates can maybe compare).
This book is a gorgeous mix of sassy and funny and swoony and now I understandably so many of Ms Quinn’s readers find this to be their favourite. I Love Meghan Quinn!