All in with A

Book Review: Always Only You by Chloe Liese

Rating: 4.25/5

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Warnings: chronic illness + pain (RA), autism spectrum

Read if you liked: Only When It’s Us or the Kiss Quotient

Steam: 🔥🔥🔥/5

Summary: Via Goodreads

Let’s talk about the book that made me binge the series in a weekend! We are back with another Bergman Brothers novel…have I convinced you to read them yet? Chloe also announced this week a book deal with Berkley Romance. I’m so freaking pumped for her and to read these new books. This is an #ownvoices novel and is super special. We don’t see MCs on the autism spectrum in many romance books, let alone one who also has a chronic illness. Representation is needed, everyone has a love story to be told and Chloe is breaking the stereotypes with this beautiful novel.

We also hit a lot of tropes in this book
💙 Sports romance (yes, I liked a hockey romance)
💙 Grumpy heroine/sunshine hero (big cinnamon roll too)
💙 Autism/chronic illness representation
💙 Workplace romance + forced proximity + friends to lovers + slow burn

Things I loved: Ren is just the most delightful MC I have seen in awhile. Catching up with the characters from the first book. Frankie was unabashedly herself 100% of the time, truly a badass. Pacing was fantastic. Good steam.

Things I didn’t care for: I’m one of those people that really hates pop culture references and there were a lot in here.

Special shoutout to my friend Emma (@emma_not_watson_reads) for mailing me this book but its also available on Kindle Unlimited (which is where I read it).

Love,

Book Review: A Special Place for Women by Laura Hankin

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Thriller

Warnings: Death of a parent, psychological manipulation

Read if you liked: Gossip Girl, Happy & You Know It

Steam: Implied but off page, minimal description

Summary: Via Goodreads

Well, this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2021 and Laura Hankin did it again…she surprised me with a unique twist and I honestly didn’t think it would go there. I’m still kinda not sure if I even liked this book but it was really well written, a fascinating concept and one I didn’t see coming so I’m going to say, “yeah, check it out”.

It’s technically classified as a thriller, it gives off thriller vibes because YOU DON’T KNOW what is going on until 60% in and still, you’re trying to figure out the angle. There’s also a bit of a romance thrown in which of course I enjoyed. The New York vibe is there! The story also shows the bonds of female friendships and the changing dynamics after the loss of a parent.

Big discussion/theme about performative feminism in elite white communities, and how it can be toxic and harmful to women as a whole. It’s literally about a secret society of privileged women in Manhattan…who doesn’t want a peek behind the door to see what happens?

If you’ve read it, how did you feel about it? I’m still not sure and maybe that was the point!

This is a bit different than my normal reviews, but this is a different book.

Love,

Book Review: It Had To Be You by Georgia Clark

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Fiction

Warnings: Death of a spouse, abusive relationship (off page), extramarital affair

Read if you liked: Love Actually or Valentine’s Day

Steam: Implied but off page

Summary: Via Goodreads

This book has a sprawling cast, there is no central love story but a bunch of little love stories (five of them). The group formed by friends/co-workers of wedding planners and their vendors, is told over the course of a wedding season. There a quite a few heavy topics discussed but it is done with a light touch. The writing is witty and delightful. It does take a bit of time to get used to all of the unique voices but you pick it up quickly!

Things I loved: I enjoyed seeing multiple tropes and voices throughout the story. I have a deep desire to eat all the food, such good foodie references. All the weddings! There was a diverse cast in all the ways (race, age and sexuality). How the story wrapped up!

Things I didn’t care for: I wish I got more time with each of the characters so we could fully see their stories….We could have see less of the people getting married and more of them. The drama with Zia and Clay, I really hated the angle with her sister.

I could totally see this as a movie or mini-series…let’s make it happen!

Love,

Week in Review: 6.1-6.7

My week, in review. This is a short and sweet weekly update with ratings and blurb. If they are getting their own review, I’ll share it there!

SEVEN books this week…four of these being be going down a KU series rabbit hole (I still have two more too).

Physical Books

It Had To Be You by Georgia Clark – 4/5 This book was adorable. Love Actually in book format. The multiple narratives gets confusing in the beginning but you catch on! Full review coming.

A Special Place For Women by Laura Hankin – 4/5 Everyone told be this book got weird at about 60% and it did…I’m not fully sure how I feel about it (see my stories) but it was well written, engaging and certainly unique.

E-Books

A Brush with Love by Mazey Eddings – 4.5/5 ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I LOVED it, such a beautiful debut novel can’t wait for the world to read it…only downside is it comes out in March 2022.

Ashes and Embers Series by Carian Cole
There’s a lot going on in their world with multiple series…honestly they were easy to consume and entertaining during a busy work week. You can read them out of order too!

Storm (book 1) – 3/5
Talon (book 4) – 3.5/5
Loving Storm (book 5) – 3/5
Asher (book 6) – 4/5

See you next week!

Love,

Book Review: Only When It’s Us by Chloe Liese

Rating: 4.25/5

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Warnings: Death of a parent, cancer, hearing impairment

Read if you liked: A really good book

Summary: Via Goodreads

Let’s talk about the book that made me binge the series in a weekend! Thank you Chloe Liese for writing books about real humans and their romances…the only thing that’s not relatable is a 7 sibling group of this wonderful of humans…like where are they and how can I become a Bergman? Really, these books are practically perfect!

Things I loved: The banter! Aiden’s meddling (which is ironic considering book 3). Hearing-impaired representation. A delightful slow-burn with so much tension. The way grief/loss was shown and how it can look different for everyone. Ryder’s relationship with Willa’s mom!

Things I didn’t care for: It’s part of the story but the miscommunication between Ryder and Willa…I just wanted to shake them! Also, Willa’s mom hiding the severity of her illness (not sure how much of a spoiler this is).

I can’t wait to review them all because I loved them so! And I pre-ordered the 4th. These are available on KU as well…my library just got the first two but I’m purchasing them all!

Love,

Book Review: The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall

Rating: 3/5

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Warnings: Drug Overdose, Bullying

Read if you liked: The Devil Wears Prada

Summary: Via Goodreads

This is NOT a romance…100% a case of mismarketing. This is totally a contemporary fiction book with focus on personal development and female friendships. That being said, I am so meh on this book.

Things I loved: The concept was super cool! Cara was a great character in this book, I love a side character that adds depth. The banter kept things interesting. The silly text conversations Sophie had with wedding venue people.

Things I didn’t care for: Sophie is a doormat. I kept thinking “stop” the whole time. It’s frustrating to read and there was very little personal development here. The “ex” angle for Sophie felt forced and annoying. The book felt like we were justifying mean girl behavior as a way to “test people” and “protecting” ones’ self…nope, this isn’t okay.

Am I raving for people to read this book? Not really but I’m certainly not telling you it’s horrible. I just left with the feeling of what was the point of this.

Love,

Book Review: Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Rating: 4.25/5

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Sad Romance

Warnings: Death of a spouse/child

Read if you liked: One True Loves or Evvie Drake Starts Over

Summary: Via Goodreads

This book was the perfect summer treat! I’m so glad the some of the #

We all know Amelia is a TJR stan (did I use this right?) over here…she can do know wrong and even her average books are above average. Forever, Interrupted was her debut novel published in 2013 and I saved it for the weekend before Malibu Rising was released…and I felt ALL my feelings!

Reid has a unique way of capturing human emotion in it’s rawest forms and pulling you into her storylines…every time I read one of her books I know I’m going to love it for some reason, even if I don’t know what it is yet.

Things I loved: The relationship Elsie created with Susan. Seeing Ben and Elsie’s early relationship. Ana’s deep caring for Elsie in their friendship. Their first date. Ben’s desire to only have new books. Mr. Callahan ❤️

Things I didn’t care for: While I loved the relationship Elsie and Susan formed, the change happened quickly (it felt like) and I was a little surprised after the initial entry. Elsie did act like a brat at times but also her husband died so I get it. The pregnancy scare…not cool!

This was a debut, and I did love it but I can also see the evolution of character development and plot in her later books.

PS. I’ll be doing a full ranking of all her books once I finish Malibu Rising.

Love,

Week in Review: 5.25-5.31

My week, in review. This is a short and sweet weekly update with ratings and blurb. If they are getting their own review, I’ll share it there!

How is it the last day of May? I read 30 books this month, I don’t normally count for the month, as I am a weekly update person, but that’s kinda crazy when you think about it. It’s a book a day…Mind you the weekends really help this number. Let’s get on to this weeks’ 5!

Physical Books

The Secret Bridesmaid – 3/5 This isn’t a romance as advertised…I’d say more contemporary fiction. 100% the Devils Wears Prada in wedding format.

Forever; Interrupted – 4.25/5 This was my last backlist before Malibu Rising arrives tomorrow. Like every TJR book, it gave me all the feels. Full review coming soon plus my full ranking of all her books.

The House in the Cerulean Sea – 4.25/5 Everyone had told me to read this book, definitely a case of “bookstagram made me do it” because I would never have picked up a fantasy book…. This book was truly a delight, I’m so glad I read it. It held important lessons about life, love, and acceptance. Full review coming soon!

E-Books

For Vacation Only – 3/5 ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Cute, light vacation romance with upstairs/downstairs vibes. I’ll be posting a full review soon.

Intercepted – 3.5/5 This is the first book in Alexa Martin’s Playbook series, I can’t believe I didn’t pick it up until now. Overall a fast easy read that handles some serious topics but the stretched out ending was not my favorite. I downloaded the rest of the series!

Looking forward to finishing the Battle Royal ARC…To be honest, it’s been SLOW. Hopefully it picks up soon.

See you next week!

Love,

Book Review: Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Warnings: Death of a parent/spouse, drugs, fraud

Read if you liked: Schitts Creek + Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Summary: Via Goodreads

This book was the perfect summer treat! I’m so glad the some of the #trianglebookstagals suggested this for a buddy read and look forward to discussing it with them soon!

Things I loved: I loved getting to know the multi-generational family and hearing their unique voices…multiple points of view can get precarious at times but this one was pretty well. Nostalgia is big in this book along with some minor family secrets (nothing too big) but there was DRAMA…give me all the drama in a book about families. I loved the Jewish representation! I enjoyed the ending and how the next generation made their mark.

Things I didn’t care for: I can say at times the story felt a big choppy, there wasn’t always a clear time jump or some context was missing for me. I did have to reference the family tree to remember, “who was who” because there where a lot of POVs, while I enjoyed that, it did take a minute to adjust. The ending was a bit rushed in my opinion, I would have spent less time in the beginning of the book to provide a less rushed ending.

Honestly, I did love this book and will be suggesting it to friends this summer! Thanks @bookofthemonth for releasing it early so we could enjoy before the release date…but really who else keeps refreshing BOTM to see if the June picks are up?

Love,

Most Anticipated June Releases

I am really excited about some books being released this coming month. I have have been able to read some of these, others have been pre-ordered forever and the rest I am on the list at the library for!

June 1