Genre: Contemporary Romance

The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren | Book Review

Posted March 14, 2024 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 0 Comments

The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren | Book ReviewThe Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren
Series: The Improbable Meet-Cute #1
Also in this series: Rosie and the Dreamboat, Drop, Cover, and Hold On
Published by Amazon Original Stories on January 23, 2024
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Pages: 96
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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On February 14, an accidental email to a stranger opens the door to an unexpected relationship in a captivating short story by the New York Times bestselling authors of The Unhoneymooners.

One typo, and a boy and girl connect by chance. Wishing each other a happy Valentine’s Day isn’t the end. In fact, it becomes a friendly annual tradition—with rules: no pics, no real names, nothing too personal. As years pass, the rules for their email “dates” are breaking, and they’re sharing more than they imagined—including the urge to ask…what if we actually met?

Christina Lauren’s The Exception to the Rule is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.

Even though The Exception to the Rule is the first book in the Improbable Meet-Cute series, I chose to read it last because I knew that all the others would pale in comparison. And I was right! This was my favorite of the series, and one I’d be happy to read again.

First off, I recommend you read the Kindle copy and not the audiobook. Most of this story is told through emails back and forth between the two love interests, and I knew within 5 minutes of listening that I could not continue hearing the narrator read the email addresses, dates, times, and subject lines at the top of each email for the next 2 hours. Switching to the Kindle copy was a very good choice, and I came away loving the story! Also, fair warning: this series of novellas focuses on the meet-cute and that’s it. You get that initial spark between two people, and then the story ends. If you go into these stories knowing that you will be getting an incomplete romance (although, this one is the most complete of them all), I think you’ll be happier.

I loved watching this relationship unfold over so many years. I’m a firm believer in falling in love without ever being with someone in person. You can do it without even meeting them. So a quick burst of emails once a year for over 10 years is a very strong foundation to build a relationship on. There was so much more substance to this story than the others in this series, and I loved watching Terra and Callum reach so many milestones in their lives over the course of the story. They grow up, go to college, have multiple relationships, and get careers during this time, and they catch each other up as vaguely as possible so as not to give away identifying information. There’s so much character development for such a short book, and I was so invested in them. It’s so cute, and I know you will love going on this journey with them. Who knew a simple typo in an email address could set off such a romantic chain of events? If you only pick one book from this series to try, please make it this one. I wish it was a full-length novel so we can see how life together goes for these two. I think a sequel is in order! And seriously, Hallmark needs to pick this up for a movie. It would be so cute!


Drop, Cover, and Hold On by Jasmine Guillory | Book Review

Posted March 7, 2024 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 3 Comments

Drop, Cover, and Hold On by Jasmine Guillory | Book ReviewDrop, Cover, and Hold On by Jasmine Guillory
Series: The Improbable Meet-Cute #4
Also in this series: Rosie and the Dreamboat, The Exception to the Rule
Narrator: Aure Nash
Published by Amazon Original Stories on January 23, 2024
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Pages: 40
Length: 1 hour and 5 mins
Format: Audiobook
Source: Audible
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It takes nothing less than a fateful natural disaster to throw two opposites together in a ground-shakingly charming short story by the New York Times bestselling author of Drunk on Love.

This Valentine’s Day, Daisy Murray has her heart set on binge-watching rom-coms. Instead, an earthquake traps her inside a bakery with its impossibly rude and insufferably handsome owner and head baker. They already have a history: she’s always smiled, he’s always scowled. Where better to finally get to know each other than amid the disaster? Then again, they have no choice. Besides, it could have its sweet, undeniable, and unpredictable perks.

Drop, Cover, and Hold On is another book in the Improbable Meet-Cute series, but my least favorite of the ones I finished (I read 4 of them and DNFed 2). As the title of the series suggests, this book is all about two love interests meeting. And then it’s over. So there’s no actual romance in these “rom-coms”. Knowing this before jumping in will most likely help you enjoy the books more because you will go in knowing that the book will end before things get good. lol. This story is about the owner of a bakery and the woman who can’t stand him but keeps coming in because she loves his pastries. Enemies to lovers is one of my least favorite tropes because they’re usually full of contention and sometimes toxic behaviors. If they’re done right, I love them. This… was not done right. The story is just too short to resolve an enemies to lovers kind of relationship. They don’t get to know one another at all, but I feel like I can’t really get into anything specific without spoilers. Let’s just say there was no development and the conversation was extremely shallow. I don’t know how you can go from disliking someone so much to wanting to jump in bed with them in such a short amount of time, especially when there’s just been a major earthquake and maybe you should be checking on your family and your house, perhaps. I loved the pastries and was hungry hearing about them, but other than that I was not a fan. I suggest you skip this one.


The Trail of Lost Hearts by Tracey Garvis Graves | Book Review

Posted March 1, 2024 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 0 Comments

The Trail of Lost Hearts by Tracey Garvis Graves | Book ReviewThe Trail of Lost Hearts by Tracey Garvis Graves
Published by St Martin's Press on March 26, 2024
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Women's Fiction
Pages: 304
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher (Edelweiss)
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New York Times bestselling author Tracey Garvis Graves takes readers on a life affirming journey, where two lost souls find the unexpected courage to love again.

Thirty-four-year-old Wren Waters believes that if you pay attention, the universe will send you exactly what you need. But her worldview shatters when the universe delivers two life-altering blows she didn’t see coming, and all she wants to do is put the whole heartbreaking mess behind her. No one is more surprised than Wren when she discovers that geocaching―the outdoor activity of using GPS to look for hidden objects―is the only thing getting her out of bed and out of her head. She decides that a weeklong solo quest geocaching in Oregon is exactly what she needs to take back control of her life.

Enter Marshall Hendricks, a psychologist searching for distraction as he struggles with a life-altering blow of his own. Though Wren initially rebuffs Marshall’s attempt at hiker small talk, she’s beyond grateful when he rescues her from a horrifying encounter farther down the trail. In the interest of safety, Marshall suggests partnering up to look for additional caches. Wren’s no longer quite so trusting of the universe―or men in general―but her inner circle might argue that a smart, charismatic psychologist isn’t the worst thing the universe could place in her path.

What begins as a platonic road trip gradually blossoms into something deeper, and the more Wren learns about Marshall, the more she wants to know. Now all she can do is hope that the universe gets it right this time.

When it comes to Tracey Garvis Graves’s books, I’ve come to expect a unique story, well-developed characters you can’t help but grow attached to, drama, romance, and a few twists and turns along the way. The Trail of Lost Hearts is filled with all of this and more. I’ve never read a book of Tracey’s I didn’t enjoy, and my winning streak continues!

We start out with Wren, who has gone through two major losses recently. She’s feeling adrift and sad and doesn’t know how to pull herself out from under this heavy pile of life that’s been dumped on top of her. She finds solace in the outdoors, and geocaching becomes her therapy. She decides to set out on a solo geocaching adventure and runs into Marshall along the way. Marshall, a psychologist, is also grieving a loss of his own and invites Wren to join him on his adventure. She’s adamantly against it at first, but changes her mind when she begins to understand what kind of person he is. Neither one of them loves the idea of traveling and hiking alone, so they team up. They go from strangers to friends quite quickly, and I really loved watching them get to know one another, laugh together, and start to catch feelings for one another. I loved seeing them both happy after being so sad. I loved traveling with them from location to location as they shared meals and eventually hotel rooms while hunting for caches in some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the USA. Tracey’s descriptions of the scenery were some of my favorite parts of the book. I loved reading about the places they went and what they looked like. Eventually, the trip ends and they return to their respective lives. But, of course, their minds continue to return to their time together.

Both Marshall and Wren go on very personal and individual journeys towards healing, but this book is predominately about Wren. I found myself weighed down at times by Wren’s pain. I’m an empath, and apparently even fictional characters send my empathetic feelings racing. She’s been through a lot, and is still going through a lot throughout the book. I craved those moments when she recognized her worth and her strength, and rejoiced as she made those leaps. Marshall was a bright light in this story. He’s one of the most caring and understanding men I’ve read about, and I would like to find a Marshall for myself. He never pushes Wren, never forces her to do or talk about anything she’s not ready for. He’s such a good listener, incredibly protective, and downright kind. He helps Wren wrestle with her thoughts, yet the more she opens up to him the more he closes himself off. He goes into therapist mode, focusing only on her and not participating in the conversation. This made me scream a little bit, but I get it. Everyone grieves differently, and sometimes it’s hard to apply your own advice in your own life. I was proud of him for taking the steps he needed to find healing in his own life. He’s such a sweetheart. Marshall’s and Wren’s story is quite complicated, yet realistic. It shows us that healing isn’t linear, nor is it the same process for everyone. It also shows us that placing the right people in our lives at the right time can change us in ways we never knew possible. Even though it was difficult for me at times, I loved watching Wren and Marshall find happiness in their own lives and in their life together. Their story is filled with twists and turns, bombshells, and ultimately growth. I’m glad I was along for the ride.

The ending was a bit abrupt, and I would have really loved an epilogue. I spent so much time with these two and then poof, the book was basically over without warning. I wish more time had been spent on Wren’s current relationship with Marshall rather than on her past relationship. I feel like I know more about her ex and their relationship than I know about hers and Marshall’s relationship. And I’m being so careful to not post spoilers, so this comment might not even make sense until you’ve read the book. Regardless of my small complaints, I really enjoyed The Trail of Lost Hearts! Tracey Garvis Graves is so good at grabbing you and sucking you in, and she had me from the first page. There was no warm-up, no gradual incline. The book begins, and you are in it. And I love that about her books. The writing is beautiful, like always, and I couldn’t read the pages fast enough. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to go on a journey, both in the literal sense and the figurative sense.


Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne | Book Review

Posted February 24, 2024 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 0 Comments

Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne | Book ReviewRosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne
Series: The Improbable Meet-Cute #3
Also in this series: Drop, Cover, and Hold On, The Exception to the Rule
Narrator: Bailey Carr
Published by Amazon Original Stories on January 23, 2024
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Pages: 44
Length: 1 hour and 14 mins
Format: Audiobook
Source: Audible
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For a hopeful and hopeless romantic, it’s love at first sight—with a little twist.

Rosie Whittaker and her sister are up for some Galentine’s pampering at a day spa. Getting locked inside a flotation tank is so Rosie. Enter a firefighter hero determined to pry this luckless pearl out of her high-tech shell. All Rosie has to go on is a dreamy voice and a flirty sense of humor. Remain calm, Rosie. This could be what you’ve been waiting for. Is this the man she’s waited for her whole life?

 

I really thought Sally Thorne was going to be a one-hit wonder for me. I loved The Hating Game, and have DNFed the other two books of hers I’ve tried since. But Rosie and Dreamboat was really fun! It’s a little wacky and pretty unbelievable, but that’s why I enjoyed it. I was in mood to be entertained with a story that wouldn’t take much out of me and wasn’t a huge time investment, and this fit the bill.

One thing I didn’t really consider before jumping into this series (they’re all standalones, so don’t worry about reading them in order), is that the story focuses solely on the meet-cute. That’s it. There’s no watching a romance play out, you’re strictly reading the meeting between the two love interests and the story ends with a happy for now. As such, I found myself a little disappointed that things kept ending right as things were about to get good. But if you can come to terms with that, there are some real gems in this series! Rosie and Dreamboat follows Rosie and her sister, who go to a wellness spa for some pampering. Rosie isn’t at all interested in the flotation tank, which is basically like crawling naked into a dark cave and then being locked in. She decides to be a good sport about it, but when her time is up the tank won’t open. The fire department shows up to help, but the spa says they are not allowed to damage the tank in any way to get her out. And thus begins Rosie’s meet-cute with the adorkably charming cinnamon roll hero, Leo. He’s incredibly sweet and silly, and I really loved him. I loved that they spent hours talking through the wall of the tank while trying to figure out how to get her out, really getting to know one another without the initial physical attraction being the driving force behind their interest in one another. Their conversation was meaningful and I hope they really do live happily ever after!

For being a super short novella that’s essentially cut off mid-story, Rosie and Dreamboat was really well done! The characters were developed enough that I cared about them, and the storyline was unique and kept me listening to find out how Rosie gets out of that tank. lol. I listened the the audiobook version, and thought Bailer Carr did a great job. The production itself was crystal clear, and I felt like a fly on the wall listening to this entire story unfold. I swooned a few times at how wonderful Leo is, and you know how I love the swoons! If you’re looking for something quick and playful, this is a good choice!


Why I Didn’t Finish The Rule Book by Sarah Adams

Posted January 29, 2024 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 2 Comments

Why I Didn’t Finish The Rule Book by Sarah AdamsThe Rule Book by Sarah Adams
Published by Dell on April 2, 2024
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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Nora Mackenzie’s entire career lies in the hands of famous NFL tight end Derek Pender who also happens to be her extremely hot college ex-boyfriend. Nora didn’t end things as gracefully as she could have back then, and now it’s come back to haunt her. Derek is her first client as an official full-time sports agent and he’s holding a grudge.

Derek has set his sights on a little friendly revenge. If Nora Mackenzie, the first girl to ever break his heart, wants to be his agent, oh he’ll let her be his agent. The plan is make Nora’s life absolutely miserable. But if Derek knows anything about the woman he once loved—she won’t quit easily.

Instead of giving in, Nora starts a scheme of her own. But then a wild night in Vegas leads to Nora and Derek in bed the next morning married. With their rule book out the window, could this new relationship be the thing to save their careers?

I thought that surely I would love this one because it’s in the same world and has the same characters as The Cheat Sheet, but unfortunately I DNFed The Rule Book at 20% because I cannot stand these characters and the repetitive storytelling.

Nora’s quirkiness is obnoxious, annoying, and unbelievable. Instead of recognizing Derek’s feelings, she railroads over him with fake perkiness. She comes off as so immature and lacking in awareness. She’s also incredibly shallow, which is something I’ve noticed is a hallmark of this author’s books. I got so tired of reading the repetitive statements like: Derek is so huge. Derek is so big. Derek is so much bigger than he was in college. How can Derek’s t-shirt stretch enough to contain his muscles? Derek’s hugeness is stretching his shirt so much that I can see his tattoos through it. Is this man 8 feet tall and 700 pounds of pure muscle or something? Is Nora actually Thumbelina? His size is so overly discussed every time that they are in the same room together (and then later again when she reflects on their time together) that I’m picturing a comic book character like the Hulk.

Derek is very unlikable. I understand how much Nora hurt him. He’s allowed to be hurt, but he’s looking for revenge. He’s aiming to manipulate her and control her and then ruin her career because she broke up with him with no explanation. I just don’t understand how someone can act like this. Hulk is throwing a tantrum, and it’s hard to empathize with someone who is this hostile. He is so unbelievably rude and I can’t find anything good about his personality right now. Nora is just as manipulative in her own way, but not outright rude like this. She’s trying to be nice, even if it’s fake. But seriously, is she so downright clueless that she doesn’t realize how much she hurt him? Does she really not understand why he “hates” her? When I start trying to figure out which character sucks less that’s when I know I’ve got a problem. I hate these two individually and together.

The writing flows nicely and keeps you turning the pages, but maybe this author’s humor just isn’t my humor. Things that I can tell were written to be funny aren’t funny. And hopefully the repetition is edited out before the final printing. How many times is Nathan referred to as Nathan Donelson, quarterback of the Sharks? Not once is Nathan referred to as only his first name, even though anyone who is paying any attention will know who the book is referring to after reading his last name and who he is the first time. Nobody else in the book is referred to by their entire name and job title every time they’re talked about. Bree, from The Cheat Sheet, is “Bree, Nathan Donelson’s wife” multiple times. Perhaps this is done in an effort to help people who haven’t read The Cheat Sheet know what’s going on, but neither character is important enough in this book to need this kind of attention placed on them over all the other secondary characters. I also feel like I read way too many repetitive details about Nora’s and Derek’s shared past. I got tired of reading about both of them reflecting on their prior relationships. I got tired of reading the internal musings of these two after their meetings. I’d read about the actual meeting, then I’d read about Nora thinking about it and recounting things that happened, and then I’d read about Derek thinking about it and recounting things that happened. Then one of them would talk to someone about what happened, and before you know it I’ve basically read the same thing four times.

I’m so disappointed, because The Cheat Sheet is one of my favorite books ever (I re-read it each year) and I wanted a sequel so badly because the guys on Nathan’s team are amazing. I’m sure it’s overwhelming to write a follow-up to such a popular and well-loved book and I commend the author for trying, but this book is trying way too hard.