Business or Pleasure

                     

Title: Business or Pleasure

Author: Rachel Lynn Colomon

Published: Berkley, July 4, 2023

Pages: 384

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Chandler Cohen has never felt more like the ghost in "ghostwriter" until she attends a signing for a book she wrote—and the author doesn’t even recognize her. The evening turns more promising when she meets a charming man at the bar and immediately connects with him. But when all their sexual tension culminates in a spectacularly awkward hookup, she decides this is one night better off forgotten.

Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. Her next project is ghostwriting a memoir for Finn Walsh, a C-list actor best known for playing a lovable nerd on a cult classic werewolf show who now makes a living appearing at fan conventions across the country. But Chandler knows him better from their one-night stand of hilarious mishaps.

Chandler’s determined to keep their partnership as professional as possible, but when she admits to Finn their night together wasn’t as mind-blowing as he thought it was, he’s distraught. He intrigues her enough that they strike a deal: when they’re not working on his book, Chandler will school Finn in the art of satisfaction. As they grow closer both in and out of the bedroom, they must figure out which is more important, business or pleasure—or if there's a way for them to have both.

Have you ever met someone and felt the scorching chemistry, then when you finally got them in bed things fell a little flat? Chandler Cohen has. With Drew....or maybe Finn? Sure, she also finds out that he gave her the wrong name when she meets him at a business lunch...the morning after she snuck out of his hotel room...

This was great. Funny and poignant and overall, a good time. Chandler's character arc was rough at times. Like I know that we need to go through it to grow through it or whatever, but this girl did some SERIOUS self-sabotaging all over the place. She got there eventually, but some of the mile markers were harder to rationalize than others.

Finn was cute. His reaction to Chandler telling him that their first night together was less than stellar was way better than what you might expect. Certainly way better than what Chandler expected. I like that he was open to the criticism because he genuinely wanted to improve. Ethan would never have been that cool about it, for sure! 

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 2/5

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

                    

Title: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

Series: Montague Siblings #1

Author: Mackenzie Lee

Published: Katherine Tegen Books, June 27,  2017

Pages: 518

Genre: LGBT Historical Adventure Romance

A young bisexual British lord embarks on an unforgettable Grand Tour of Europe with his best friend/secret crush. An 18th-century romantic adventure for the modern age written by This Monstrous Thing author Mackenzi Lee—Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets the 1700s.

Henry “Monty” Montague doesn’t care that his roguish passions are far from suitable for the gentleman he was born to be. But as Monty embarks on his grand tour of Europe, his quests for pleasure and vice are in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.

So Monty vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.

Witty, dazzling, and intriguing at every turn, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue is an irresistible romp that explores the undeniably fine lines between friendship and love.

This is a cute adventure. Monty is an oblivious rake. Percy is a sweet stoic baby. Felicity is brilliant and has so much potential. They're all so cute and I love them. This was fun, and I enjoyed it very much. It was very much a palate cleansing, "no thoughts only vibes" read for me. Which is exactly what I needed. 

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

There's a Monster in the Woods

                   

Title: There's a Monster in the Woods

Series: Spooky Boys #0.5

Author: Fae Quin

Published: January 1,  2022

Pages: 112

Genre: LGBT Paranormal Romance

There's a monster in the woods.
That's what the stories always say.
With gnashing teeth,
And wind for wings,
Little children are its prey.

There's a monster in the woods.
At night you'll hear its mournful cries.
And off the path,
You'll feel its wrath,
Be wary of yellow eyes.

There's a monster in the woods.
And if you listen close,
You'll hear its cry,
Echo through the sky,
Its call for blood inside its throat.

These boys are spooky! In the best way. They're a little bit spooky, a lot bit sweet, and very very sexy. I love that Ellis is just trying to live his best life on his little homestead. He doesn't care about social media or phones or any of that. He just wants to grow beautiful vegetables, bake delicious bread, and court the monster in the woods. Well, maybe not that last one at first. But ya know, when in Rome, or wherever his little farm is...

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 1/5

Only Love Can Hurt Like This

                    

Title: Only Love Can Hurt Like This

Author: Paige Toon

Published: G.P. Putnam's Sons: April 25, 2023

Pages: 400

Genre: Women's Fiction

When Wren realizes her fiancé is in love with someone else, she thinks her heart will never recover.

On the other side of the world, Anders lost his wife four years ago and is still struggling to move on.

Wren hopes that spending the summer with her dad and step-family on their farm in Indiana will help her to heal. There, amid the cornfields and fireflies, she and Anders cross paths and their worlds are turned upside-down again.

But Wren doesn't know that Anders is harboring a secret, and if he acts on any feelings he has for Wren it will have serious fall-out for everyone. Walking away would hurt Wren more than she can imagine. But, knowing the truth, how can she possibly stay?

I saw this on bookstagram and I decided to read it because I love the song by the same name by Paloma Faith. Not the worst reason I've ever decided to read a book.

I have quite a few feelings about this book. I'm very glad that it's not really marketed like a romance novel, though it could be. But there was a LOT of heavy themes throughout this book. It's kind of shocking that I read it so quickly because it really is quite sad. But Anders and Wren are very compelling. And Bailey and Jonas are adorable siblings to them. 

Some of the choices that these characters make no sense to me. Even after learning everything, the fact that these 2 people who are so clearly in love think that they can just be friends is incredible. It never works, right? We can all agree that this course of action never actually works.

My biggest feelings are about the ending. It was good. Arguably, the only possible "happy" ending. But it felt very......"let me tie everything into a pretty bow that I hadn't given any indication was coming whatsoever for the past 395 pages." In saying that, it's still a 4 star read and if the heavy themes don't hit your trigger warning list I absolutely recommend. But the ending is definitely what cost a star for me.

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 2/5

Berries and Greed

                   

Title: Berries and Greed

Series: Deep Earth Dating #1

Author: Lily Mayne

Published: June 30, 2023

Pages: 564

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Greid
I may hate everyone, but you can only take being alone for so long. Sooner or later, you get desperate enough to visit a human cult that worships your species as greater beings in the hope of finding a new roommate to fill the lonely void. We’ve all been there… right?

I swear I was only looking for a roommate. Just someone to watch TV and eat dinner with. Nothing… romantic. No way. But when I see all these humans gazing at me with open adoration and blatant lust and other things that make me wildly uncomfortable, I realise what a terrible mistake this is.

Until I spot the one human woman in the group who is definitely not pleased to see me. In fact, she’s scowling at me. She looks really, really annoyed.

I’m kind of into it.

Beryl
I’m not a true follower of The Order of the Greater Beings. I don’t worship the demiurgus—the monstrous species that lives alongside humans. I definitely do not want to become a demiurgus mate.

So when one shows up at the cult’s compound—the first in the entire twenty-five years I’ve been flying under the radar here—I want to make sure he knows that I think he’s a total creep for taking advantage of worryingly adoring humans this way.

Until I realise… I don’t think that’s why he’s here. He’s kind of awkward. And anxious. And wildly out of his depth. And when he offers me the chance to finally escape the cult—to go out into the real world for the first time, to create a life for myself—all for the low, low cost of an easy, platonic friendship… I take it.

Now I’m navigating the outside world, and I’m roommates with a big, awkward demiurgus called Greid who lives in his pyjamas, watches a ridiculous amount of TV and is high most of the time. He’s also the sweetest guy I’ve ever met, and he’s funny and generous and easy to talk to.

But I’ve spent my entire life making sure I didn’t get sucked in to the cult’s fervent worship of the demiurgus—there’s no way I’m going to fall in love with him.

Right?

Berries and Greed is a MF monster/human romcom and is the first in the series Deep Earth Dating, which features a range of diverse pairings and is for an adult audience only. A full list of CWs can be found at the front of the book, but include explicit content, a non-human love interest (with non-human anatomy), an MC initially involved in a cult, recreational use of a fictional drug, and mentions of childhood neglect.

This is a romp from start to finish!!! Beryl and Greid are the most adorable people and friends and couple! They complement one another SO well and I love them!

Beryl grew up in a cult. But don't worry...she's not fully indoctrinated. This cult worships the Demiurgus that emerged from Deep Earth years ago to cohabitate the surface with humans. But Beryl knows they're just regular people, so when Greid shows up to check the cult out. She just knows that he is a creepy perv. But he's really just kind of lonely and wants companionship. Not sex. He knows way more about anatomy than the cult tells its followers and he knows that they are not compatible. 

Greid is a socially anxious stoner. His idea of a perfect day is spending a few hours making jewelry, and then spending the rest of the day smoking and snacking under a huge pile of blankets while watching trashy television. He would just like a housemate to hang out with him while he does that. Not all the time, but making friends is hard and he gets lonely sometimes! He doesn't want the creeps that look at him with adoration from the cult though. Until he meets Beryl's eyes and she looks at him with pure disdain....sign him up. 

They really do balance one another out so well. And the way that they make space for each other's quirks and are totally obsessed with each other (once they get to know one another better) is SO cute. I can't wait to read more about these Demiurgus!

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 5/5

Fourth Wing

                  

Title: Fourth Wing

Series: The Empyrean #1

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Published: Entangled: Red Tower Books, May 2, 2023

Pages: 663

Genre: NA Fantasy Adventure

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.

I'm absolutely obsessed. I've already written 4 fanfics in my brain for this book and I just finished it this morning. I am SO glad that Rebecca Yarros isn't keeping us in suspense for too long. Even though she left us on that cliff hanger!!!! 

Violet is a girl after my own heart. She just wants to hang out in the library reading and transcribing books. But her mom is out here crushing that dream and telling her she has to go outside and train to be a dragon rider. In the riders' quadrant if the assignments don't kill you, your classmates just might! Surely this isn't her mom's way of getting rid of the "weak link" in their family....right?

There is so much intrigue and deception happening in this book. I read it, and I still don't know everything that's going on! I DID know that I enjoyed myself SO much. I could not stop listening! Come on Iron Flame!!!!

Ratings

Stars: 5/5

Spice: 2/5

Pucking Around

                      

Title: Pucking Around

Author: Emily Rath

Published: Emily Rath Books, March 20, 2023

Pages: 750

Genre: LGBTQ Hockey Romance

My name is Rachel Price, and two months ago, I walked away from the perfect man. Sweet and funny, and so hot it should be illegal—we shared one magical night. No names. No strings. I never thought I’d see him again.

I was wrong. It turns out Mr. Perfect is the playboy grinder for the Jacksonville Rays, the NHL’s hottest new hockey team…and I’m his new physical therapist. Oh, and the jerk doesn’t even recognize me!

This fellowship is going to be the longest ten months of my life. Mr. Perfect Mistake will do anything to get back on my good side. Meanwhile, his best friend is the surly new equipment manager always riding my case. Worst of all, I’ve got an uncooperative goalie who thinks I can’t tell he’s hiding an injury!

This is my chance to prove myself, and I’m not risking it for anything. But with one unexpected night, one secret revealed, these men are ready to test all my limits. I can’t fall for a player…let alone three. But if love is a game, these guys are playing to win.

She thicc! I definitely should have started this book earlier in the month. Holy cow! She is a honker and I was really getting down to the wire to finish this before the 30th. Luckily it's so compelling and fast-paced and scorching hot so I did it!! And of course, I am thrilled to have all of those extra pages and relationship development between these babies!!!

What to say about Rachel Price. There is a lot that I really like about Rachel Price. HOWEVER. I hate a martyr. Specifically a "I love you too much to stay in this relationship when I might slightly inconvenience you" martyr. This is her whole vibe. Like starting from the prequel novella until the very end. She was ready to ghost the second things got uncomfortable. Not bad, or hard....uncomfortable. But she does learn, so she's got that going for her.

Jake Compton, Caleb Sanford, and Ilmari Kinnunen are perfect. They're all so different but still so perfect for Rachel and each other. I think watching them figure out how to be together is more compelling than watching them figure out how to be with Rachel. Though that part is really fun too.

And holy cow. The spice. This book doesn't PLAY! It is burn your hands hot!!

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 5/5

BONUS Prequel Novella: 3/5 Stars

It's hot, I loved it. But I'm missing the poly and queer vibes that I'm hoping I'll get in Book 1.

BONUS BONUS Sequel Novella: 4/5 stars

I'm obsessed. I literally couldn't be more obsessed. I'm excited for Pucking Wild, but really only for more Ilmari!!!

BONUS BONUS BONUS Novella:

Titled: Lemongrass

I would absolutely read Harrison and Somchai's entire story. Their meet cute is pretty tricking smooth!! But this was a very cute snippet.