Category Archives: Rated C

May 2, 2023 · 12:01 am

Review: Falling Hard for the Royal Guard by Megan Clawson

Title: Falling Hard for the Royal Guard by Megan Clawson
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 380 pages
Book Rating: C

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Summary:

Love is in the heir in this royally good rom com – perfect for anyone who likes relatable heroines (with great hair), hot and aloof book boyfriends (with great hats), near misses, almost kisses and a corgi or two.

Despite living in an actual castle, happily ever after is evading Margaret ‘Maggie’ Moore.

From her bedroom in the Tower of London, twenty-six-year-old Maggie has always dreamed of her own fairy-tale ending.

Yet this is twenty-first century London, so instead of knights on white horses, she has catfish on Tinder. And with her last relationship ending in spectacular fashion, she swears off men for good.

And then a chance encounter with Royal Guard Freddie forces Maggie to admit that she isn’t ready to give up on love just yet… But how do you catch the attention of someone who is trained to ignore all distractions?

Can she snare that true love’s first kiss… or is she royally screwed?

A right royal rom com, perfect for fans of Red, White and Royal Blue and The Royal We.

Review:

Falling Hard for the Royal Guard by Megan Clawson is a contemporary British romance with a delightfully unique setting.

Twenty-six-year-old Margaret “Maggie” Moore is stuck in a dead-end job and currently living with her dad after finally leaving her ex-boyfriend, Bran. She is easily distracted, anxious and completely lacking in self-worth. Instead of confronting people and issues, Maggie runs away and privately bemoans her fate to her beloved cat. Will an unexpected meeting with a Royal Guard lead to love?

Freddie is the Royal Guard in question and he runs so hot and cold, it is impossible to guess how he feels about Maggie. He does introduce her to his fellow Guards so that is a big plus since Maggie finally ends up with friends her own age (since she usually hangs out with her dad and his friends). They are also instrumental into convincing her to give on-line dating a chance (gah!).

Falling Hard for the Royal Guard and Maggie are a bit of a hot mess. Maggie is a frustrating character with questionable judgment and work ethics. Freddie has a lot of potential but he is dealing with the weight of parental expectations. Maggie and Freddie eventually get their respective lives together but it would have been much more enjoyable if their romance had been given more time on page.  What really saves the book is the characters’ personal growth, the excellent setting and Megan Clawson’s exceptional attention to historical details.

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Filed under Avon, Contemporary, Falling Hard for the Royal Guard, Megan Clawson, Rated C, Review, Romance

March 24, 2022 · 12:01 am

Review: Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

Title: Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
Written in the Stars Series Book Three
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ+ (F/F), Romance
Length: 380 pages
Book Rating: C

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

Following Written in the Stars and Hang the Moon, Lambda Literary Award winner and national bestselling author Alexandria Bellefleur pens another steamy queer rom-com about former best friends who might be each other’s second chance at love…

Margot Cooper doesn’t do relationships. She tried and it blew up in her face, so she’ll stick with casual hookups, thank you very much. But now her entire crew has found “the one” and she’s beginning to feel like a fifth wheel. And then fate (the heartless bitch) intervenes. While touring a wedding venue with her engaged friends, Margot comes face-to-face with Olivia Grant—her childhood friend, her first love, her first… well, everything. It’s been ten years, but the moment they lock eyes, Margot’s cold, dead heart thumps in her chest.

Olivia must be hallucinating. In the decade since she last saw Margot, her life hasn’t gone exactly as planned. At almost thirty, she’s been married… and divorced. However, a wedding planner job in Seattle means a fresh start and a chance to follow her dreams. Never in a million years did she expect her important new client’s Best Woman would be the one that got away.

When a series of unfortunate events leaves Olivia without a place to stay, Margot offers up her spare room because she’s a Very Good Person. Obviously. It has nothing to do with the fact that Olivia is as beautiful as ever and the sparks between them still make Margot tingle. As they spend time in close quarters, Margot starts to question her no-strings stance. Olivia is everything she’s ever wanted, but Margot let her in once and it ended in disaster. Will history repeat itself or should she count her lucky stars that she gets a second chance with her first love?

Review:

Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur is an entertaining second chance romance. Although this newest release is the third romance in the Written in the Stars series, it can be read as a standalone.

Margot Cooper is the last of her friends to find love. Although she is mostly happy with her life, she is feeling like a fifth wheel and occasionally left out. Margot is the best woman for her friend Brendon’s upcoming wedding and she is shocked when the new events planner walks in. She knows Olivia Grant very well since they were best friends until their friendship ended after they spent one steamy week together a decade earlier. When Olivia needs a place to stay after a problem at her apartment, Margot invites her to stay with her. But her plan to keep things platonic between them is immediately tested once Margot realizes she is still intensely attracted to her former bestie. Will she be able to resist acting on her attraction?

Olivia is well aware Brendon’s wedding will either make or break her career. So, she is not going to allow her feelings for Margot get in the way of planning the perfect wedding. Since Olivia does not have anyone to stay with, she accepts Margot’s offer to become her roommate. Olivia has many wonderful traits but she is a bit of a pushover and a people pleaser. Will this come back to haunt her as she and Margot decide to give in to their very mutual desire?

Count Your Lucky Stars is a funny romance with a great cast of characters. Margot and Olivia are interesting characters but their unresolved issues continue to plague them. The storyline is engaging but the continued miscommunications become frustrating. The pacing is also rather slow. The love scenes between Margot and Olivia are blazing hot, very detailed and take place over several sizzling pages. Old and new fans of Alexandria Bellefleur’s Written in the Stars series will enjoy this laugh out loud romance.

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Filed under Alexandria Bellefleur, Avon, Contemporary, Count Your Lucky Stars, F/F, LGBTQ, Rated C, Review, Romance, Written in the Stars Series

February 14, 2022 · 12:01 am

Review: Anthem by Noah Hawley

Title: Anthem by Noah Hawley
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Action, Adventure
Length: 449 pages
Book Rating: C

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

What does it take to change the world? The “epic adventure” (Booklist) of a band of unlikely heroes on a quest to save one innocent life who may end up saving us all.

For decades, Judge Margot Burr-Nadir has worked tirelessly, case by case, to administer justice from the federal bench of the Eastern District of the United States. Her position already seems like the highest possible honor. So she is surprised when a call comes from the President of the United States inviting her to accept his nomination to the Supreme Court—not least because in choosing her, in an unprecedented attempt to heal a divided nation, the President has reached across party lines.

For Margot, this should be among the brightest spots of an already charmed existence. But the call comes on a family trip to visit their oldest daughter, Story, who has, without warning, vanished as if spirited away in the middle of the night by forces unseen. Margot soon finds herself thrust onto the national stage in the middle of every parent’s worst nightmare.

The desperate search for Story’s whereabouts soon intersects with the mission of teenagers Simon Oliver, Louise Conklin, and a young man known only as the Prophet. Together, they have escaped from the Float Anxiety Abatement Center in Chicago on the trail of man known as The Wizard: an unimaginably wealthy, almost mythical figure of unspeakable evil who has for years been taking whatever he wants without reaping the consequences. Stopping him, this band of young people hopes to accomplish what their elders can’t or won’t do: fix a broken world.

Noah Hawley’s new novel is an adventure that finds unquenchable lights in dark corners. Unforgettably vivid characters and a plot as fast and bright as pop cinema blend in a Vonnegutian story that is as timeless as a Grimm’s fairy tale. It is a leap into the idiosyncratic pulse of the American heart, written with the bravado, literary power, and feverish foresight that have made Hawley one of our most essential writers.

Review:

Anthem by Noah Hawley is a complicated action/adventure novel.

The premise is incredibly intriguing but the novel is an overall slog to get through. A wave of teen suicide is the catalyst for the plot but too many characters and numerous story arcs make for difficult reading. The beginning is quite promising but the novel soon gets bogged down with long-winded paragraphs and extraneous story arcs that really do not add much to the original plot. Readers will recognize the fictionalized versions of real-life people and events that are peppered throughout Anthem. The epilogue is interesting but it takes way too long to get there.

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Filed under Action, Adventure, Anthem, Contemporary, Grand Central Publishing, Noah Hawley, Rated C, Review

January 20, 2022 · 12:01 am

Review: Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly

Title: Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Lesbian, Nonbinary, Romance
Length: 285 pages
Book Rating: C

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The first openly nonbinary contestant on America’s favorite cooking show falls for their clumsy competitor in this delicious romantic comedy debut that USA Today hailed as “an essential read.”

Recently divorced and on the verge of bankruptcy, Dahlia Woodson is ready to reinvent herself on the popular reality competition show Chef’s Special. Too bad the first memorable move she makes is falling flat on her face, sending fish tacos flying—not quite the fresh start she was hoping for. Still, she’s focused on winning, until she meets someone she might want a future with more than she needs the prize money.

After announcing their pronouns on national television, London Parker has enough on their mind without worrying about the klutzy competitor stationed in front of them. They’re there to prove the trolls—including a fellow contestant and their dad—wrong, and falling in love was never part of the plan.

As London and Dahlia get closer, reality starts to fall away. Goodbye, guilt about divorce, anxiety about uncertain futures, and stress from transphobia. Hello, hilarious shenanigans on set, wedding crashing, and spontaneous dips into the Pacific. But as the finale draws near, Dahlia and London’s steamy relationship starts to feel the heat both in and outside the kitchen—and they must figure out if they have the right ingredients for a happily ever after.

Review:

Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly is an intriguing romance that takes place during filming of a cooking show.

Dahlia Woodson is divorced, heavily in debt and sort of lost. She really has no idea what she wants to do career-wise. She does not know where she would like to live. While her marriage was in steadily going downhill, Dahlia discovered cooking shows and she is now a contestant on cooking show, Chef’s Special. She is bubbly, outgoing and a bit of a klutz which are endearing (but sometimes irritating) traits. However, her emotions swing wildly between high and low as she tries to figure out who she is and what she wants out of life.

London Parker is nonbinary and a bit on the serious and grumpy side. They are close to their twin sister Julie whose drunken dare is the reason they tried out for Chef’s Special. While the rest of the family is accepting of London, their father continually uses the wrong gender. London is open about being nonbinary but they run into prejudice from one of the competitors.

Love & Other Disasters has a cute premise but it is a little angsty. Dahlia and London are reflective so there are long passages of inner monologue from both characters. While they bring out one another’s best qualities, there is a lack of communication between them. The romance is sweet and steamy but neither Dahlia or London discusses what happens to them after filming of Chef’s Special concludes. The storyline is interesting but the pacing is slow and the romance has an insta-love vibe. Both characters undergo growth which is  wonderful to watch play out over the course of the novel. Anita Kelly brings this entertaining romance to a satisfying conclusion.

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Filed under Anita Kelly, Contemporary, Forever, Lesbian, Love & Other Disasters, Nonbinary, Rated C, Review, Romance

December 28, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: A Little Hope by Ethan Joella

Title: A Little Hope by Ethan Joella
Publisher: Scribner
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 288 pages
Book Rating: C

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A Read with Jenna Bonus Selection

An “immersive…illuminating” (Booklist) and life-affirming novel following the residents of an idyllic Connecticut town over the course of a year, A Little Hope explores the intertwining lives of a dozen neighbors as they confront everyday desires and fears: a lost love, a stalled career, an illness, and a betrayal.

Freddie and Greg Tyler seem to have it all: a comfortable home, a beautiful young daughter, a bond that feels unbreakable. But when Greg is diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, the sense of certainty they once knew evaporates. Throughout their town, friends and neighbors face the most difficult of life’s challenges and are figuring out how to survive thanks to love, grace, and hope.

“A quietly powerful portrait of small-town life…told with wisdom and tenderness” (Mary Beth Keane, author of Ask Again, Yes) A Little Hope is a deeply resonant debut that immerses the reader in a community and celebrates the importance of small moments of connection.

Review:

A Little Hope by Ethan Joella is an interesting novel featuring stories of interconnected lives.

Opening with the discovery that Greg Tyler has cancer, the chapters then vary between a variety of different characters. Each of the chapters detail that particular character’s issues which range from long standing grief, brief infidelity, drug addiction and regret over ending a relationship. While each individual stories are intriguing, readers looking to witness Greg Tyler and his wife Freddie’s journey after his cancer diagnosis might be disappointed.

A Little Hope is a well-written novel that takes place in a small Connecticut town. The characters are well-developed but some are definitely not easy like. The individual chapters are emotional and it is difficult watching them try to navigate their personal losses. As the title suggests, there are glimpses of hope for some of the characters. Some of the stories resonate more than others and Ethan Joella brings this debut novel to a heartwarming conclusion.

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Filed under A Little Hope, Contemporary, Ethan Joella, Fiction, Rated C, Review, Scribner

December 20, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath

Title: Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath
The Merriwell Sisters Series Book One
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Historical, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: C

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The first in a new historical rom-com series, a handsome earl hires a fake fiancée to keep his matchmaking mother at bay, but hilarity ensues when love threatens to complicate everything.

The last thing Hugh Standish, Earl of Fareham, ever wants is a wife. Unfortunately for him, his mother is determined to find him one, even from across the other side of the ocean. So Hugh invents a fake fiancée to keep his mother’s matchmaking ways at bay. But when Hugh learns his interfering mother is on a ship bound for England, he realizes his complicated, convoluted but convenient ruse is about to implode. Until he collides with a beautiful woman, who might just be the miracle he needs.

Minerva Merriwell has had to struggle to support herself and her two younger sisters ever since their feckless father abandoned them. Work as a woodcut engraver is few and far between, and the Merriwell sisters are nearly penniless. So when Hugh asks Minerva to pose as his fiancée while his mother is visiting, she knows that while the scheme sounds ludicrous, the offer is too good to pass up.

Once Minerva and her sisters arrive at Hugh’s estate, of course nothing goes according to his meticulous plan. As hilarity and miscommunication ensue while everyone tries to keep their tangled stories straight, Hugh and Minerva’s fake engagement starts to turn into a real romance. But can they trust each other when their relationship started with a lie? The first book in the Merriwell Sisters series, Never Fall for Your Fiancée is a hilarious, sparkling historical romantic comedy from Virginia Heath.

Review:

Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath is a lovely historical romance.

Hugh Standish, Earl of Fareham, evades his mother’s matchmaking by fabricating a romance with the mythical Minerva. He is able to keep the fake romance going only because she lives in America with her second husband. Hugh is charming and easygoing, but he does not reveal much about himself even to his best friend, Giles Sinclair. When Hugh receives a letter from his mother announcing she is coming for a visit, he is in a panic about finding someone to play his fake fiancée. A chance encounter with Minerva Merriwell is an unexpected gift if only he can convince her to take him up on his offer.

Minerva has sole responsibility of her two younger sisters, Diana and Vee. They are barely making ends meet but she is initially reluctant to become involved in Hugh’s scheme. Although she eventually agrees, Minerva is uncertain she made the right choice. She is a sensible young woman with a strong moral compass and it does not feel right to carry out such a charade. Additionally, her sisters are not exactly fully on board with her decision.

Minerva, Diana and Vee are fish out of water once they arrive at Hugh’s estate. But Minerva is committed to following through with her agreement so she gamely readies herself for Hugh’s mother’s arrival. Minerva and Hugh are unexpectedly attracted to each other, but there is no future for them. But as they spend weeks together, will their growing feelings for one another turn their fake engagement into a real one?

Never Fall for Your Fiancée is an engaging historical romance with great cast of characters. Hugh and Minerva are a marvelous couple. Diana and Vee are a bit annoying but the secondary cast of characters more than make up for their irritating tendencies. The storyline is interesting but predictable and relies on miscommunication for the conflict between Hugh and Minerva.  The pacing is a little uneven due to some long, meandering passages. Virginia Heath brings this first installment in The Merriwell Sisters series to a heartwarming conclusion.

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Filed under Historical, Never Fall for Your Fiancée, Rated C, Review, Romance, St Martin's Griffin, Virginia Heath