Week in Review: 4.13-4.19

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!

Happy Monday! I really don’t know how I read this much in the last week…I’ve been on a hot streak of great books (knock on wood). I have also been trying to finish all of TJR’s books (two more left!). I might actually be in love, I knew she was the queen and now I want to sponsor her fan club. Friends to Lovers Podcast also did a really great episode ranking all of her books.

Fight or Flight- 4.25/5 Um, Hi I’m Amelia and why have I never met a handsome Scotsman on a flight? I was actually in an airport when I read this book (which was quite ironic) and I can report, I did not fall in love with another human but I did fall in love with this book. Full review here!

Meet Me in Paradise – 4/5 Join Marin and Lucas on the beautiful island of Saba…This one was delightfully unexpected and my full review is on the blog and last post! 

After I Do – 5/5 After I Do has been on my TBR for a while. I happened to join #bottomsupbuddyread this month for it and I’m so glad it prompted me to start. I love this book, it was honest and real…totally had my heartstrings pulled in all places and I wish I had tissues. Full review here!

Perfect Tunes – 2.5/5 I should have listened to Goodreads and not been distracted by the pretty cover. I loved the concept of this book, especially after reading Daisy Jones & the Six but the execution was poor and I ended up not enjoying it.

One True Loves (not pictured) – 5/5 Continuing to make my way though TJR’s backlist…Like all of her books, this one really wrecked me in the best way possible and the story really could go anyway in the end. Another one that should require all the tissues. Full review here!

It Happened One Summer (not pictured) – 3.5/5 ARC from NetGalley, thank you for providing for my honest opinion. It Happened One Summer will be released on July 13th 2021, full review coming in June! But…maybe some thoughts are already on my Goodreads. 

Hot Under His Collar (not pictured) – 2.5/5 ARC from NetGalley, thank you for providing for my honest opinion, Hot Under His Collar will be released on July 20th, 2021. Full thoughts on my Goodreads as well.

See you next week!

Love,

*This post is being reposted on 4/26 after it was deleted by accident

Book Review: Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Rating: 4.25/5

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction

Warnings: Miscarriage, car accident, external marital affairs

Read if you liked: The Two Lives of Lydia Bird or In Five Years

Review: Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She’s about to be 30, has lived in too many cities to count, and had had endless jobs since graduating college. After deciding New York is not the city for her, she moves back to her hometown of LA to live with her best friend Gabby. Soon after getting back, Hannah runs into the “one who got away” Ethan.

When having to make the choice of who to go home with Gabby or Ethan, she must make a choice that will change her life forever…who does she choose? And what does that choice look like? In concurrent storylines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. These parallel universes have very different stories but yet similar enough to make you question fate and true love. Is there anything meant to be? Does one choice change the rest of our life?

We all know Amelia LOVES a TJR novel, hence the binge reading and reviewing all of her backlist. I think this one sits firmly at 4 or 5 out of the 6 right now. It was better than your average book because TJR really knows how to make you question life and the universe in a unique way.

There were some major lessons that life is always going to turn out how it’s supposed to even when you make different choices…the journey just looks different. Both Hannah’s were happy at the end of the book and living a similar journey. But…I will say I was mildly disappointed with the ending, I know right? Possible spoiler? Not really sure if I call it that, but I didn’t know which life was “real” at the end and the rational part of my brain wanted to know but I guess the point was…both could be real.

Things I loved: Gabby is seriously the most amazing friend and the way she phrases things is pure gold. I love a multiverse to see what different decisions look like. Forever and always ~ the thought provoking writing that send me into a life spiral thinking hard about my feelings.

Things I didn’t care for: Loving cinnamon rolls and high buns are not personality traits but these little things didn’t bother me enough to not love the book but I did really want cinnamon rolls after hearing about the SO much.  Hannah’s family dynamic, it felt so weird to me…why would you leave one kid in the states by herself and not take her?

Love,

A

Book Review: One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction

Warnings: Death of spouse

Read if you liked: The Two Lives of Lydia Bird or After I Do

Review: Emma married her high school sweetheart, Jesse. They build a life for themselves, far away from the expectations of their parents in California…living life to the fullest, traveling the world and leading a very adventurous life together. But tragically, on their first anniversary, Jesse goes missing on a helicopter over the Pacific and is pronounced dead.

Distraught, Emma quits her job and moves back to her hometown to put her life back together. Years later, now in her thirties, Emma runs into an old friend, Sam, and finds herself falling in love again. When Emma and Sam get engaged, it finally feels like Emma’s second chance at happiness arrived. And then, Jessie is found, alive and has been trying to come home to her the whole time. Now Emma has to figure out who she truly is and what/who she wants. Jesse or Sam.

Who is her one true love? What does it mean to love truly?

The more time I spend with TJR novels, I find myself becoming introspective. The author weaves simplistic (on the surface) and difficult choices we make in life…and then you sit with it for a bit, in the major emotional chasm created, and think…what would I do? Love doesn’t have to last forever to be to be important in your story. It comes in all different ways and changes over time (like you do). I’ve come to the conclusion that I will always find comfort in a TJR novel; I am always satisfied and, generally, have minor issues with content. I left One True Loves wanting more of everything, I wanted to sit with these characters longer and be in the world created.

You felt Emma’s joy, turmoil, satisfaction, love and growth in her love of these two different but equally amazing men…and you didn’t know who she was going to choose. It could have been either of them and you would have been okay with that. Basically, GO READ THIS BOOK. It will wreck you and you’re welcome.

Things I loved: Honestly, Sam…can I marry him? This book has so many lesson about growing up, love, soulmates and finding who you are. The portrayal of grief was so accurate; showing the unbearable emptiness it creates.

Things I didn’t care for: The dynamic between Emma and her sister in the beginning. How much I cried…seriously, some moments where so freaking heartbreaking.

Love,

A

Book Review: Fight or Flight by Samantha Young

Rating: 4.25/5

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction

Warnings: Abuse and infidelity in romantic relationships, parental neglect

Read if you liked: Much Ado About You or Tools of Engagement

Review: Ava Breevort is having a bad day, on the heels of burying her estranged childhood friend, her flight home to Boston is delayed…because of a volcano and the arrogant Scotsman, Caleb Scott, who stole her first class seat isn’t helping matters. Over the course of their journey home, their antics somehow land them in bed for the steamiest of layovers. And that’s all it was–until Caleb shows up in Boston…stranded and they agree to “enjoy” each other while he’s in the States. Which is fine, because they hate each other right? When his stay in Boston becomes permanent, Ava and Caleb must decide whether or not to do something with their newly found feelings.

Um, Hi I’m Amelia and why have I never met a handsome Scotsman on a flight? I was actually in an airport when I read this book (which was quite ironic) and I can report, I did not fall in love with another human but I did fall in love with this book. High drama and high steam in this one…I was here for it! I’m not normally an enemies to lovers person (simply because they normally act like children in this trope) but this was more I disliked you at first but now friends with benefits kind of thing. Samantha Young also did a great job creating hidden depth in the characters. While Ava’s surfaces earlier on, Caleb’s takes a bit to get to. Overall, I can’t wait to see what Young comes up with next.

Things I loved: Such great banter + chemistry, the dialogue was seriously A+ in my book! I loved how the characters developed over time. I finished it in one sitting and it was also the right level of cheesy.

Things I didn’t care for: While he redeemed himself, the original Caleb was pretty horrible in the beginning. There was a lot of high drama in their past, maybe a few too many layers for me in one sitting or just another Gossip Girl episode. I’ll let you decide!

Love,

A

Book Review: After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction

Warnings: Marriage/relationship conflict

Read if you liked: One True Loves or In Five Years

Review: Lauren and Ryan’s marriage has reached a breaking point, they have been together for over a decade and things have shifted. So they come up with an unconventional plan, they decide to separate for a year in the hopes of finding a way back to each other. The only rule is, they cannot contact each other but other than that, anything goes. Lauren embarks on a journey of self-discovery and finds that the people around her all have their own ideas about what marriage means. In her own healing process and with the challenges of living apart from Ryan, Lauren’s views on monogamy and marriage begin to change. What do you value? What are you willing to fight for? 

Okay, this book might be one of the best I have ever read that explores human emotions with raw honesty. It is such an incredibly simple concept but so profoundly important in our everyday lives. I was so “in my feelings” the whole time reading this, if you have ever been married, are married or have even been in a longer-term relationship…you will feel all your feels (I was having major flashback into my own life/relationships the whole time). TJR really has a way of exploring character narratives that are just so profoundly human and beautifully broken.

These characters really explore what happens when you start to no longer communicate your needs, desires and emotions to your partner…as well as, every marriage looks different. But ultimately, that love is a choice…You don’t need someone to want them in your life. There’s no perfect formula to love, and this book explores that “life” happens no matter what in all of our lives.

Things I loved: Lauren’s best friend Mila was such a good influence and gave amazing advice (as well as her grandmother and mother). You didn’t know what was going to happen to their marriage, it really was up in the air but I was up for the journey of it all. The emails (if you know, you know) and I would totally do this.

Things I didn’t care for: This really was a perfect book for me, nothing I would change about the story. I just want everyone to read this book so we can talk about it!

Love,

A

Book Review: Meet Me In Paradise by Libby Hubscher

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction

Warnings: cancer, death of parent, anxiety

Read if you liked: The Float Plan or In Five Years

Review: When her journalist mother died on a dangerous assignment, Marin became a shell of a person, determined to live in the safety of her home state and not taking a single risk that could put her in danger. Younger sister Sadie, took a different approach, trotting all over the world as a photographer, living her best ~wild~ child life. Determined to spend some time with her sister after her most recent trip, Marin reluctantly agrees to a girl’s weekend on the beautiful island of Saba.

Marin’s worst nightmare comes true when she has to fly alone, after Sadie misses their flight, in turbulence…but this lands her in the lap of handsome stranger, Lucas Tsai. For the first time in a decade, Marin is outside of her comfort zone and it might be the best thing for her. She reluctantly agrees to explore the island with Lucas, with each breathtaking new experience, Marin gets closer to what she has been missing out but it in a single moment she realizes the truth about why she is their in the first place and it is in no way an accident.

I just want to say, I was not prepared for this book…I thought I was getting a cute RomCom (the cover is dreamy FYI) and what I got was a massive plot twist in the best way.  Similar vibes to the Float Plan with not being emotionally prepared for a vacation romance book with some major grief themes…grab the tissues! This was such a heartfelt, lovely, and beautiful story about love, sacrifice and self-discovery…Hubscher’s debut novel was glorious and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

Things I loved: The description of the island was so dreamy, I could see it all and I wanted to be transported there ASAP! The story between the love of two very different sisters and the lessons they taught us. The people on the island were so kind and were the “gold star” of side characters. Lucas was the unexpected hero we needed.

Things I didn’t care for: How fast the story changed directions and there didn’t seem to be a realistic length of relationship/interactions in order for them to fall in love…I can see them caring for each other but not really the love/marry you vibe.

Love,

A

Book Review: Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction

Warnings: Mental Illness (depression)

Read if you liked: The Dating Plan and the Trouble Hating You

Review: Reena hates her finance day job; meddling family and most of all her single status…there were a lot of ex-boyfriends. What she does however love is her sourdough starters and baking to drown out the noise. But then her sexy new neighbor, Nadim, with his British accent turns out to be the next man her parents are trying to set her up with…She likes the dude but refuses to marry him on principle. Soon they become friends, lovers and fake engaged so she can enter the cooking competition of her dreams. What could possibly go wrong?

I was reading on this on the heels of the Dating Plan…I loved them both but this one might have a slight edge simply because of all the foodie references. If you know me, you know I am a sucker for a foodie plot and I LOVE to bake. Going gluten-free in the last year has been super hard for me because baking is very different…I am honestly scared to even try to make bread but now I feel the need to try. I’ve also really been jamming on the Own Voices romances. Accidentally Engaged kept me laughing and I highly recommend it.

Things I loved: Baking, all the bread references made me so hungry. There was clear chemistry between Reena and Nadim. The family secrets were so funny…like they all knew but they would not talk about it. They covered some mental health topics. Side characters were gold!

Things I didn’t care for: Don’t yell, I know it was the plot and I love the faking dating trope, but it got a bit confusing at times…the fake engagement for the tv show, the real dating, but not talking because her parents wanted her to marry him.

Love,

A

Book Review: Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction

Warnings: Discussion of parental abandonment, addiction, mental health (OCD/hoarding), death of a parent, ALS

Read if you liked: The Friend Zone series or My Oxford Year

Review: Popular travel vlogger, Vanessa Price lives her life to the fullest. She isn’t willing to waste a moment of her life because it might be cut short by her family’s history with ALS and likely death before 30 like all the women in her family. However, life has different plans when Vanessa’s half-sister leaves her infant niece in her custody…now she’s housebound, a mom and totally out of her element.

This is where she meets her neighbor, hot lawyer, Adrian Copeland…at 4am when her baby is screaming at their shared wall and he offers to help. She barely knows him, but what does she have to lose? Adrian and Vanessa soon become the most unlikely of friends…Could it lead to more? Does Vanessa break her rule to not fall in love for the ever kind and dependable Adrian?

Honestly, Abby Jimenez has become an auto pre-order for me…Like I don’t even read the description and I purchased it. Life’s Too Short was honestly perfect…I finished it in one sitting. I had zero complaints (I’d have to look really hard) and Abby just keeps getting better! Really, go buy this book and laugh/cry/fall in love…feel all the things. This is really less of a review and more like a blog post to say…Hey, go buy the book and then let’s talk about how amazing it was. Jimenez is a master with language, weaving in humor and turmoil in the most beautiful way.

Things I loved: The friendship to love dynamic, living life to the fullest message and the chemistry between Vanessa and Adrian. Vanessa is also so generous and kind, I loved that she was so vested in taking care of her family and donating to ALS research. The brief cameo with the other series characters was so cute!

Things I didn’t care for: Um, I’d have to look really hard to find something. So, Adrian’s semi girlfriend in the beginning added zero value for me…there I came up with something.

Love,

A

Week in Review: 4.6-4.12

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!

Happy Monday! Y’all it was such a good weekend…except for the flying (people have zero personal boundaries and I am not okay with it). I got to spend some time with my family and read some awesome books in the last week. I technically read six books this week, but I am saving one for next week to talk about!

Accidentally Engaged – 4.25/5 I won a giveaway for this one in the BBBC’s 2nd Annual Friends to Lovers Romance Challenge…It was already on my list and I was so excited to get it in the mail and read it. Loved + now I want to eat all the homemade bread. Full review coming later this week.

Daisy Jones and the Six – 4.5/5 I listened to this on audio and I was the right move…There’s literally a whole cast of people reading and it gives it a totally different vibe. Worth all of the praise it had gotten and TJR really is a queen. BRB, I need to buy all her other books now.

Life’s Too Short – 5/5 Let me just say, this lived up to the hype…Abby Jimenez is auto-buy author for me and this one knocked it out of the park. Full review coming tomorrow!

People We Meet on Vacation – 4.5/5 Y’all this book…It won’t be released until May 11th but if you have BOTM you can get it now! I know the world loved Beach Read but PWMOV was so much better in my opinion. Friends to lover, multi-year plot. Read if you liked One Day or 28 Summers.

Love Scenes (not pictured) – 3.5/5 Hollywood family royalty + one big family movie project + falling in love with you co-star…what could possibly go wrong? ARC from NetGalley, thank you for providing for my honest opinion. Love Scenes will be released on June 22nd, full review coming in May!

See you next week!

Love,

A

Book Review: The Dating Plan by Sara Desai

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction

Warnings: Discussion of abuse, alcoholism and abandonment

Read if you liked: Accidentally Engaged or The Marriage Game

Review: Daisy Patel is a software engineer (yay for STEM ladies) who loves lists and logic. She has no interest to fall in love and marry like her family expects…which is hard with her meddling aunties always trying to set her up. So the obviously solution is to ask your childhood crush and the guy who stood you up for prom ten years ago to be your fake fiancé. Liam Murphy is a venture capitalist constantly trying to prove to his family he has grown up. When he learns that his inheritance is contingent on being married, Daisy might just be the perfect solution. Daisy and Liam go on a series of dates (very organized ones with objectives and everything) to legitimize their fake relationship…and maybe their history and chemistry lead to something very real.

Okay, fake dating/engagement + second chances + best friends sibling + family… so many tropes and it totally worked! Mildly unpopular opinion, I wasn’t a big fan of the first novel in the series but I loved this one! This was the perfect feel good, make you laugh out loud, brings you joy kind of book that you finish in a weekend. I loved the quirky, intelligent, diverse and adorable characters all throughout the book  + some pretty sexy love scenes. Desai really mastered the deeply connected and mildly invasive love that comes from a close-knit family. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

Things I loved: Daisy was quirky/nerdy and I loved it! There was such great banter in this book and I loved the theme of family + second chances.

Things I didn’t care for: I get that Liam stood her up for prom 10 years ago and that majorly sucks…but Daisy brought it up A LOT and it was bit annoying after the 3rd time.

Love,

A