Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey – 8/10

The third and final instalment in the Hot and Hammered series, and it didn’t disappoint! I really enjoyed getting to Wes and Bethany’s story, after a home run with Fix Her Up and a slightly uncomfortable second book in Love Her or Lose Her, this one brought me back on board with these funny and lovable characters.

Wes is a 23 year old bull rider who is forced to uproot his life and move to Port Jefferson to take care of his young niece. Bethany is the picture perfect, type A personality that has been running the show for her family’s house flipping business. To Bethany her flaws and weaknesses need to be bottled up and forced out of sight, so why does this younger dude in a cowboy hat seem to undo her perfect facade and poke at her vulnerabilities?

Wes’ charm and Bethany’s sass are the perfect combination! I’m sad to say goodbye to the world of Port Jefferson, but I would totally recommend this uber steamy series 🔥

This one’s for Dani Brown and her crystals 🔮💎🔮💎 QOTD: do you believe in fate?

I loved the uniqueness of this romance. The characters are so fun and well developed, with a classic fake dating to romance trope. Dani Brown is a black, bisexual professor who runs from commitment and Zafir is a Pakistani ex-rugby pro/security guard at the university, who coaches kids and is a total grump on the outside but a mushy romantic on the inside. 💕

I’ve seen nothing but great reviews for this one and now I know why! What did shock me was the level of steam in the sex scenes!!! 🔥 I was not prepared for how…descriptive…it was. But damn they make a great couple. I’m giving this one a 7.5/10

Brazen and the Beast (book 2 of the Bareknuckle Bastards series) by Sarah Maclean

“I know it sounds mad. Like the wild dreams of a girl with no sense. But it’s not mad, I don’t need protection from it. I need a partner for it. I want it all.”

Hattie is the daughter of an earl who runs the docks. At 28 and over 6 ft. tall, she sees herself as too big, with too many ideas, but undoubtedly clever. She’s decided she’s taking control of her life, claiming this the year of Hattie with 5 goals in mind; Business, Home, Fortune, Future and Body (aka sexy times). What she didn’t plan for was the un-talkative and stoic Beast, otherwise known as Whit, to fall into her life unconscious in a carriage, ultimately interrupting all her plans.

Another point scored in my books for historical romance! I am so hooked on this series. Although it’s got a similar formula to the first book, I still really enjoyed Hattie and Whit’s story. 8/10

The Switch 👵🔄👩 by @betholearyauthor

I’m trying my best to soak up the last few days of (what feels like) summer. To me, this time of year always gives me that “Sunday” feeling, until Autumn arrives and I snap out of it because the fall is my favourite time of year.

The Switch has been the perfect relaxing, feel-good read for this transitional time. It feels like it fits perfectly with my mood at the moment and I love when that happens!

I feel like my heart grew three sizes while reading. It was such a funny, thoughtful story with some good romance, but mainly a story about forgiveness and the relationship of grandmother, mother and daughter. I laughed, I cried, I considered picking up and moving to rural England, befriending a group of quirky seniors and joining the neighbourhood watch.

I can’t recommend this one enough 9/10 💕

You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle. One of the strangest romance novels I’ve ever read, but also one of the funniest. 9/10 🌺

This is a backwards story of lovers who have fallen out of love in the year leading up to their wedding. Naomi and Nicholas begin plotting the demise of the other, each pushing away in the hopes that the other will call it all off.

I don’t think I’ve ever laughed out loud/cackled this hard while reading (at least not since I read Me and Earl and the Dying Girl). Naomi is certifiably insane and Nicholas is a total nerd. 🤓 Not to mention the pure evil that is Naomi’s mother-in-law, the descriptions of their run-ins were some of my favourite pages.

The start of the story had me anxious and reminded me of a quote I read once, where a couple could tell they weren’t in love anymore when they realized they stopped asking the other if they wanted a cup of tea, instead only making one for themselves. I loved how their story goes from pure nemesis to friends again and then comes back around. It shows how two people can learn to see each other again.

😈 Wicked and the Wallflower 😈 by Sarah MacLean 8.5/10

“Here is something true Felicity Faircloth, wallflower, lock pick and wonder; there isn’t a single thing about you that is flawed”.

The Devil may be powerful, but in the darkness he still needs the light. Felicity Faircloth is a 27 year old spinster of Mayfair, still unwed and her family is counting on her to marry a duke for convenience and to restore their once proud family name. Quick witted and strong minded, what Felicity wants now is a man to love her madly, even though she’s “plain”. The Devil (aka Devon) is the king of the rookery in convent garden, with a traumatic past, the Devil plans to use Felicity after a chance encounter, to get back at his brother, the duke. Soon enough, his plan begins to backfire as he falls for Felicity himself, but refuses to drag her into his world of darkness.

This is my second historical romance and I can confirm it’s not a fluke, this sub genre is freaking AMAZING and has been missing from my life. I love how over the top, romantic, empowering and funny this book was. I’ve already put a hold on the rest of the series, and I can’t wait to start the next!

#booksharks #readeveryday #bookaddict #romancebooks #bookshelf #bookobsessed #readingincanada #romancenovels

❣️Romance readers❣️ Do you think romance can give readers false expectations of love and sex?

I’m torn over this one, because I obviously adore romance and mainly for its perpetual happy endings, steamy connections and humour. But not all relationships and sexual experiences are this perfectly perfect.

The sex scenes in particular sometimes have me rolling my eyes with how over the top and “mind blowing” every first time is, or the fact that the characters never experience normal bodily functions. I’ve never read about a character having a UTI, being in pain or not being able to go all night long lol. At the same time, do we really want to read a hyper realistic sex scene? Maybe not…

In terms of relationships however, there is a common theme of the characters changing their behaviours or learning from the error of their ways and improving the relationship, which can send a message that people can change if you give them another chance (often it is a male protagonist who hurt their partner previously and is looking for redemption or was too controlling and then changes, etc.), which again, is not always a great message for those in abusive relationships. Sometimes behaviour patterns don’t change.

Ultimately, do we read romance for an ideal escape or for realism?

I’m really enjoying that writers in 2020 are being more real with characters that express their frustrations and go against toxic masculinity (e.g. The Bromance Book Club) and so much more.

What do you think? ❣️

If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane 💜💛 9/10

After 18 years with her partner Dan, and approaching 36 years old, Laurie is picturing their life ahead and what that will look like. When suddenly, Dan doesn’t see kids or marriage or even Laurie in his future anymore. Devastated, she quickly learns that Dan has moved on insanely quickly with another woman, which makes the fact that she works with Dan everyday unbearable. Cue Jamie Carter, the office hunk/player. The two strike up a deal to pretend to date so Laurie saves a little face (while trying to get back at Dan) and Jamie improves his player image for a promotion. Soon lines become blurry and the lies start piling up, but are they only lying to themselves?

I officially adore Mhairi’s literary voice, her writing is amazing. This book 80% hilarious wit and 20% heartfelt and endearing. Laurie has quickly become my new favourite leading lady. She’s smart, badass and there wasn’t a single moment where her character irritated me (which rarely happens), it’s almost like you couldn’t tell she was falling in love because the focus was on the rediscovery of herself, the romance was secondary.

In true Mhairi style, the supporting characters were fabulous and took on a life of their own (I feel like I am now friends with Emily and Bharat). If you like fast paced banter and a pretend romance, you’re in for a treat.

Scoring Wilder ⚽️ by R.S. Grey

Guys I feel old… I’m no longer relating to characters in stories when they’re in high school or even college (I mean except for Outer Banks 💁‍♀️). BUT when I finally accepted that fact and actually got into this story, boy was it a good one 🔥 7/10

For that reason I chose to picture Liam Wilder as John B. It’s been a while since I’ve read a forbidden romance, and it was super satisfying. Complete with an evil jealous girl gang, this was a quintessential American college story.

Kinsley is starting her freshman year at UCLA on a soccer scholarship and is the number one Olympic hopeful on her team. Her last two relationships ended in being cheated on, so she is nothing but focused on her goal. That is until her assistant soccer coach turns out to be Liam Wilder, LA Stars soccer star and hunky dreamboat. The two seem to be unable to stay away from each other and soon they have a secret romance that could end both their careers. Is love worth risking it all?

Okay so I splurged on myself and bought the paperbacks of Beard Science and Truth or Beard by @reidromance 💕 I figured after reading the digital versions 3 times each, it was time I ordered the hard copy and I’m so so happy I did!

I’m a self proclaimed re-reader, and when it comes to my favourites I’ll reread until the end of time. I think it’s partly why I love to read romance, I enjoy a guaranteed happy ending. I read for enjoyment so when I know for a fact that I will totally enjoy a book (because I’ve already read it) it’s like watching the Office for the billionth time, I still enjoy every minute.

The Winston Brothers is my favourite romance series (Pucked coming in at a close second). If you haven’t been introduced to the wonderful world of Green Valley yet, you’re missing out. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again Cletus is my favourite Winston, but Duane and Jessica’s story was what had me hooked on the series from the beginning.

When Duane looks at Jessica like he’s “making plans”

Bethany Winston’s advice that “Everybody loves the Beach Boys and pie”

No matter where they go Duane is always “home” for Jessica. Her dream is to see the world and his is to be with her.

I just love a small town romance theme.