Grin & Beard It by Penny Reid

The Winston Brothers have me hooked! Grin & Beard It by @reidromance is the 2nd in the series and is Jethro’s story.

Sienna is a young a-list actress shooting her new film in small town Green Valley, Tennessee. She’s been so busy lately she was looking for a break but was not expecting park ranger Jethro to come knocking. Jethro has put his dangerous past behind him and is finally looking to settle down but it seems the new girl in town isn’t looking to stick around.

I enjoyed this story almost as much as the first, I’m so so glad I came across this series, it makes me so happy! Jethro is so thoughtful and manly while Sienna is bubbly and funny. Jethro has become a better man since being manipulated into a life of crime by his own father, he deserves all the happiness that Sienna brings along. I loved how he took care of her and everyone around him, oh ranger Jethro 💕 I’m giving this one an 8/10.

#smalltownromance #winstonbrothers #grinandbeardit #romancebooks #bookshelf #bookobsessed #readingincanada #goodbookscanada #goodbookstoread #romancenovels #romancereader #torontoreader #readingromance #bookreview #tbr #readeveryday #bookaddict

Daisy Jones and the Six 💿 By Taylor Jenkins Reid

Daisy Jones & The Six 💿 8.5/10

This month’s Wine & Book Club pick with the girls, and one of the many reasons I love book club, I end up reading outside my favourite genre and try something new!

Daisy Jones definitely lived up to the hype. It made me want to time travel to the 70’s. I loved how badass Daisy was, the drug use and rock and roll vibe may be romanticized but it still radiates cool throughout the book. Like all I’ve read so far by @tjenkinsreid the characters are so well developed they feel like real people jumping off the page. I loved all the different dynamics from Billy and Camila to Karen and Graham.

There was so much heartache, as a Romance Reader it takes some getting used to that it’s not all sunshine and roses but I really liked the unique way the story was told.

Truth Or Beard (Winston Brothers #1) by Penny Reid

Do the books you read ever remind you of a song? 🎵

⭐️9.5/10 I loved this story, the small town Tennessee setting, the bearded red head with an attitude, childhood friends / enemies to lovers, lifelong pining? The best combination!!

When I started this book I’d just heard the song Kinfolks by Sam Hunt the same day and it was so fitting I now think of Duane and Jessica when I hear the song.

The Winston family is adorable, all the brothers’ personalities were fun to read, especially Cletus’ eccentric humour, I was laughing out loud at just about everything he said.

Duane’s broody attitude begins to thaw around Jessica and it’s such a romantic notion that he sees her as his one and only and his harsh exterior is simply out of self preservation. There was a great amount of steam in this one too, and right from the get go!

I waited 5 weeks for this book and it did not disappoint, I’ve already placed a hold on the rest of the series via the Libby app and the @torontolibrary

Misadventures of a College Girl 🎭🏈 by Lauren Rowe

Misadventures of a College Girl by @laurenrowebooks 🏈🎭

9/10 🔥 Gimme the smut! This one was sitting on the shelf at my local library and I thought I’d take a chance.. I think I’ve stumbled on an entire series of gold with the “Misadventures”.

Zooey is a freshman at UCLA for theatre and is determined to lose her virgin status as soon as possible, following her roommate’s advice to go for a womanizer not a “nice guy”. After meeting Tyler the lead defensemen of the football team (and major ladies man) at a party, she thinks she’s found her target. The two make a pact to have no strings attached fun for only a couple weeks because he can’t help himself and Zooey is eager to learn. But can they go back to being just friends after time runs out?

I was worried at the start that the “virgin” trope was going to be tired, but it wasn’t a major aspect of the story. Tyler is hilarious and their relationship is super hot 🔥 while also having some heartwarming moments. I am definitely going to be checking out some other Misadventures real soon 😈 .

Intercepted 🏈 By Alexa Martin

Intercepted by Alexa Martin 🏈

6.5/10. Marlee’s boyfriend of 10 years is an NFL star and apparently has been cheating for most of their relationship. At the same time Gavin Pope is the new quarterback of the team, and is the only other man she’s been with, one night years ago. Now that she’s single and finding herself, Gavin tries to pursue her, amidst drama with the team, the football wives, a crazy ex and jealous best friend.

There was something about this one that just seemed pretty immature. I liked Marlee’s independent nature and her relationship with Gavin but the writing style and humour wasn’t for me. The hashtags throughout were so distracting! #WeGetIt #HipAndModern #Hashtagsarecool

I think my favourite parts throughout were the cat fights! The insults were so entertaining and fierce that I was actually nervous for Marlee and angry on her behalf.

Maybe because it’s the first in a series the style improves? Have you read the others in the series?

One Day In December ❄️ By Josie Silver

One Day In December by @josiesilverauthor ❄️ 9/10

MY HEART! This right here is the stuff that gets to me.

Sure a little death, illness or scandal is one thing in a romance and may have me in tears, but this… 10 years of longing and lost love?! I can’t.

I liked this book very much, it was so heartfelt and the characters were so lovable; Laurie, Sarah and Jack. You feel like you watch them grow up together in this.

There’s something about stories that take place over many years, decades even, that do something to me. It’s like they remind me how fast time passes and give me this anxious but nostalgic feeling.  

It reminded me of when I read Rosie Dunne (aka Where Rainbows End aka Love, Rosie) it feels like a romantic tragedy with a HEA that will probably be on my mind for weeks to come. While I’m normally not a fan of storylines with cheating/unfaithfulness, you can’t help but root for all three characters to find happiness. I would absolutely recommend this one! .

I Flipping Love You by Helena Hunting

I Flipping Love You by Helena Hunting ❤️🏚🔨

7.5/10. My cinnamon donut is a nod to Rian and Pierce’s love of Cinnamon Toast Crunch ❤️ From what I’ve read so far of the Shacking Up series, this one wasn’t my absolute favourite couple. I wasn’t a fan of Rian’s tough outer shell and Pierce started out with very little personality. I liked the flipping houses aspect of the story, not so much the other unrealistic scenes (car crashes, running into each other on a date, he’s the lawn guy at the house she’s staying at, etc.).

Even still, it was a great read! Eventually as they warm to each other I became a fan, just not as much as Bancroft & Ruby or Wren & Lincoln. Next up is Amalie and Lex!

Shacking Up by Helena Hunting

Shacking Up by Helena Hunting – 9/10

Have you ever started reading a book and not realized it was part of a series?? I HAVE! I have no idea how it took me 3/4 of the book to realize this was the first in a series and that I’d actually read book 4 in the Shacking Up series a month ago (Handle With Care). What finally clued me in was the douchebag named Armstrong. I just knew he sounded familiar!

Shacking Up starts up with Ruby trying to make something of herself without her father’s financial support (even though her family is extremely wealthy). But she’s not having much luck as an actress, living on credit card debt she has a tryout that could keep her afloat. But the night before the big audition a complete stranger sneak attacks her with a make-out and she ends up with the flu. She later learns the man who kissed her (in his own cough-med induced daze) is a friend of a friend and also a hottie who needs a pet-sitter. Ruby moves in and looks after the pets while also getting to know Bancroft and liking what she sees.

It comes as no surprise that this book is hilarious. Helena Hunting creates these lovable weirdo characters and she is a MASTER OF TENSION! The build up between Bancroft and Ruby was perfect. Bancroft’s love of animals and over protective nature plus Ruby’s quirky sassiness made for great banter.

And just like Handle With Care (book 4) I’m giving this one a 9/10. I loved it and will definitely be reading the rest of the series.

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren 🧡

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren is the first of four books in the Wild Seasons series. Another 9/10 for me!

I just finished this fantastic book and immediately I wish I could read it for the first time again.

ANSEL IS AMAZING! Literally the ideal boy, he is so sweet to Mia, and at the same time so dang sexy. This frenchman definitely has a way with words 😉

There were so many moments that made me an Ansel fan. His taking care of Mia when she was sick right off the bat, the way he would talk about her to other people, him telling his guy friends he’s head over heels in love. His tentativeness over whether Mia cared about him with the “So do you like me?” SO CUTE!!

Mia was also such an easy character to get behind. Having social anxiety, and a stammer you root for her to take these big risks with Ansel and see her grow throughout the story.

I also really appreciated that Christina Lauren let things be awkward! These two characters barely knew each other, and in most story lines even strangers seem to have zero awkwardness especially in the steamy scenes which is so unrealistic, with this one we cringe along with them until they get it right.