Review: Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy

Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy by Caitlin Crews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm a little torn on this one. There was a lot of appeal in the idea of this book: a hero with amnesia that can't remember the heroine and they have to work towards rebuilding their relationship. Sadly, the execution wasn't quite there for me. It felt stagnant at some point and rushed at the others. I had a hard time with Hannah keeping secrets to herself and I didn't quite appreciated some undertone messages around women's sexuality.
The ending, while sweet, felt rushed for me as well. More than anything, I wish there had been more development on Ty's childhood traumas and what he went through and how we can work past it. I felt I was told more than shown the story.
It's not a bad book, the author has a lovely narrative and the descriptions of Colorado were stunning, but it didn't quite work for me, although I did find Brady to be an intriguing character and I'm curious to see if he and the girl from town will get together.

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Review: The Duke Is But a Dream

The Duke Is But a Dream by Anna Bennett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was an interesting read from a new-to-me author. I enjoyed that is not the usual setting between a duke and a wallflower, but there is actually some additional elements the brought a sense of perkiness to the story. The amnesia plot teamed up with the attraction and the individual search each of the characters goes through. I enjoyed both Nash and Lily's honesty and personalities, and how there seemed to be little to no drama originated from their inner conflicts but more from the reality of the time they lived in.
The one thing I would have liked to see in the book was their initial attraction to bloom a little more. Their relationship felt a little rush for me, but it didn't hinder my experience from the book. I really enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Delilah and I hope to see more of her in upcoming books.
*I was given an ARC from the publisher on NetGalley under no obligation*

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Review: Good Guy

Good Guy by Kate Meader
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm a huge fan of the Chicago Rebels series by Kate and I was so excited to hear that she was revisiting the universe with a new set of stories. I was really looking forward to this book and it did not dissappoint. To start, is lovely to see our beloved "old" Rebels pop up into the story (although I always want more of them) and I really liked the idea of the new generation.
Coming 4-5 years after the last book in the previous series, the Rebels are facing the challenge of rebuilding the team after Remy and Bren's retirement and Vadim's close-to-retirement. With a couple of old faces still there (Cade, Ford and Erik), the team has a couple of rookies joining, inluding former Special Ops Sgt. Engineer Levi Hunt, who dropped his very promising hockey career to go serve and now is trying to get back into the NHL at the ancient age of almost 30.
Assigned to shadow him and write a profile on him is Jordan Cooke, the widow of his best friend and the one person Levi shouldn't be thinking of and can't stop thinking of.
I adored this book to pieces, from the strength and backstory of both main characters, to the side stories of the new rookies' challenges and the place of women in pro-sports that are still male dominant.
It's fun, hot, flirty, angsty and serious in the exact doses and where it needs to be. The pace flows wonderfully and you can't help yourself from being invested in an entire new set of Chicago Rebels to love and root for,
10/10 rec and can't wait for Theo's book but also. why in the freaking name of god hasn't Erik found someone yet?!?!?!?
(I was given an ARC on NetGalley under no obligation. My views are my own*

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Review: When a Lady Kisses a Scot

When a Lady Kisses a Scot by Tara Kingston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars... This was as new-to-me author and I found the overall experience of the book good. I liked that it was a romantic suspense but situated in the Victorian age, which gave it an extra twist that I really enjoyed. Topped with a second chance romance, it was a good book to read. Several interesting secondary characters (I assume from previous books and a few for upcoming) made a myriad of independent, strong, career women and men that had no issue with that. I really enjoy the fact that most women on the book had a trade (journalist, singers, etc) that didn't diminish their value and actually added to it.
The two things I wasn't quite fond of were that I felt sometimes the intrigue took the spotlight over the romance piece and that at some parts I did feel that I was missing a lot because I hadn't read the other books in the series.

But a solid book for anyone that likes romantic suspense in historicals!

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Review: Getting Schooled

Getting Schooled by Emma Chase
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars!!!!
This is the first audiobook I've been able to successfully finished and it was great! I enjoyed the narrators a lot and this is a really enjoyable and low key drama second chance romance. I liked how mature both lead characters were in getting back together and how they navigated their relationship.

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Review: The Wedding Party

The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars!!!
Jasmine was a new-to-me author and I really liked this book. Both characters have very distinctive voices and I loved the whole "we don't like each other and it's this *one* time" that kept happening to finish with the "everyone knows but us". I loved the progression from hooking up to hanging out to sharing to comfort each other and how wonderful that is being told in the book. I loved the scenes in which both seek the other for comfort and how it all comes down to a happy ending in the end.
In addition I really liked how the author weaved in some of the challenged that people of color have to face on their jobs: from the unwritten rules on clothes to the remain calm at all times, it really brings an extra layer of reality into the book.
* I received an ARC from the publisher on Edelweiss under no obligation*

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Review: The Pretender

The Pretender by HelenKay Dimon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm so torn about this one... it seems off and I can't really pinpoint why. All the elements are there for a great romance suspense and yet... it really didn't clicked with me. I couldn't get passed the fact that Harris should have come clean earlier and I feel the resolution was a little rushed.
Damon was fantastic, though,


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Review: Part-Time Gods

Part-Time Gods by Rachel Aaron
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars!!!
ahhhh that cliffhanger killed me! You can't leave it there!
fantastic book, for sure. I loved the DFZ's presence in this book so much, and getting to know Opal's family a little more. I admire Opal's resilience and her absolute need to break free but the author does an amazing job showing us her family and Nik's feelings through breadcrumbs in the scenes.
I feel for Nik so badly at the end of this book and I do hope he and Opal get to talk in the next.

When does the next come out?!?!?

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Review: The Kissing Contract

The Kissing Contract by Amy Andrews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a new to me author and I'm on the fence on this one. It was a fun read... a good lighthearted novel even though Marshall does have a difficult childhood backstory. Both main characters are enjoyable, but the book didn't completely wow me. It has good moments, and their chemistry is palpable and well executed (I really enjoyed their scenes together) but some part of pace seemed off for me, especially at the end. It seemed like the author ran of steam at the end and a lot of the last part feels rushed, which is sad because I really wanted to read about them working out those issues.
Not a bad book, but not a 5 star either.
*I voluntarily received and reviewed an ARC copy from NetGalley under to obligation whatsoever"

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