Author: baltimorebibliophile

Title: The Dating Dare (A Sweet Mess #2)

Author: Jayci Lee

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Publication date: August 3rd, 2021

320 pages

4/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Jayci Lee, author of A Sweet Mess, returns with The Dating Dare—her next witty, chemistry-filled romantic comedy.

Tara Park doesn’t do serious relationships. Neither does she hop into bed with virtual strangers. Especially when that particular stranger is her best friend’s new brother-in-law. It isn’t an easy decision, though. Seth Kim is temptation personified. His unreasonably handsome looks and charming personality makes him easy on the eyes and good for her ego.

When a friendly game of Truth or Dare leads to an uncomplicated four-date arrangement with Seth, Tara can’t say she minds. But their dates, while sweet and sexy, have a tendency to hit roadblocks. Thankfully, their non-dates and chance meetings get frequent and heated.

Seth is leaving for a new job in Paris in a month and a no-strings attached fling seemed like a nice little distraction for both… But soon Seth realizes that Tara Park doesn’t come in a “nice & little” package–she’s funny and bold, sweet and sexy, and everything he ever wanted and never expected to find. Neither of them are ready for something serious and both have past relationship baggage they’ve been ignoring, but with a shot at forever on the line will they follow their hearts and take a chance on happily-ever-after?

Review

The Dating Dare is the companion novel to A Sweet Mess, following Tara and Seth’s love story. Both have been broken by love before and have vowed to never again give themselves over to that emotion. But after a drunken evening, they begin a dating dare, 4 dates – and no one falls in love. Because Seth is moving to France in a month for work, and there’s no way he’s giving up that opportunity.

This story was absolutely delightful, but also tackled some big issues. The character development was top notch and I loved that Tara runs a brewery – it’s definitely a male dominated field so it was refreshing to see a woman in that position. The banter between the characters caused me to snort a few times and and I loved how they switched from banter/sarcasm to tender moments so quickly.

Even if you weren’t as enthused in A Sweet Mess like me, I encourage you to give this one a try anyway. I resonated a lot more with the characters and the romance than I did in the first book. I was more interested over all in this one, comparatively. The original characters also are not really in the book, it’s really focused on Tara and Seth. Also, I seem to have caught a potential love connection for a third book… which I’m really hoping for!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!

Happy August! I have a lot of books planned for August as I need to catch up on, and stay on top of, ARCs and get through some of my physical books. I have a pretty light month ahead so I should have plenty of time for reading. I also have hopes that my mental health will continue to improve and I will get through my ambitious TBR.

So, see below for all the books I want to read this month!

PHYSICAL

1. The Royal We (Royal We #1), Heather Cocks
2. The Heir Affair (Royal We #2), Heather Cocks
3. Warmaidens (Gravemaidens #2), Kelly Coon
4. King of Scars (King of Scars #1), Leigh Bardugo
5. Rule of Wolves (Rule of Wolves #2), Leigh Bardugo
6. Wings of Shadow (Crown of Feathers #3), Nicki Pau Preto
7. Lore, Alexandra Bracken

EBOOK

1. The Bone Charmer (The Bone Charmer #1), Breeana Shields

ARC

1. Mother of All (Women’s War #3), Jenna Glass
2. The Dating Dare (A Sweet Mess #2), Jayci Lee
3. The Endless Skies, Shannon Price
4. The Dating Playbook (The Boyfriend Project #2), Farah Rochon
5. Every Day in December, Kitty Wilson
6. Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche (Enola Holmes #7), Nancy Springer
7. The Charm Offensive, Alison Cochrun
8. Never Saw You Coming, Erin Hahn
9. Defy the Night (Defy the Night #1), Brigid Kemmerer
10. Her Perfect Life, Hank Phillippi Ryan
11. When Sparks Fly, Helena Hunting
12. As If On Cue, Marisa Kanter
13. Ember of Night (Ember of Night #1), Molly E. Lee
14. Daughter of Lies and Ruin (Tales of the Blackbone Witches #2), Jo Spurrier
15. The Mismatch, Sara Jafari

Happy reading folks!

After not reading for the first two weeks of the month, I managed a solid round up for y’all! I got a lot of ARCs accomplished (even though I got plenty more approved this month that it basically evened out) so I’m feeling great about that. I’m still behind on two ARCs that I just wasn’t feeling this month, but hope to get to them in August.

So, below are my completed books for July!

PHYSICAL BOOKS

1. Not the Girl You Marry (The Nolans #1), Andie J. Christopher – 4/5 stars (REREAD)
2. Forever With You (Sapphire Springs #1), Barb Curtis – 4/5 stars
3. Only For Us (Sapphire Springs #2), Barb Curtis – 4/5 stars

EBOOKS

1. Accidentally Engaged, Farah Heron – 4/5 stars
2. A Sweet Mess (A Sweet Mess #1), Jayci Lee – 3/5 stars
3. Ivory (Manhattan Ten #1), Lola Dodge – 4/5 stars (REREAD)
4. Temptress (Manhattan Ten #2), Lola Dodge – 4/5 stars (REREAD)
5. Bad Blood, John Carreyrou – 4/5 stars

ARCS

1. The Queen Will Betray You (The Kingdoms of Sand & Sky #2), Sarah Henning – 3/5 stars
2. Up All Night: 13 Stories Between Sunrise and Sunset, Laura Silverman – 4/5 stars
3. The Temple House Vanishing, Rachel Donahue – 3/5 stars
4. These Hollow Vows (These Hollow Vows #1), Lexi Ryan – 4/5 stars
5. Too Good to Be Real, Melonie Johnson – 4/5 stars
6. Hot Under His Collar (The Nolans #3), Andie J. Christopher – 4/5 stars
7. How Sweet It Is, Dylan Newton – 4/5 stars
8. Heartbreak for Hire, Sonia Hartl – 4/5 stars
9. So We Meet Again, Suzanne Park – 3/5 stars

AUDIOBOOKS

1. A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2), Sarah J. Mass – 5/5 stars (REREAD)
2. Fix Her Up (Hot & Hammered #1), Tessa Bailey – 5/5 stars (REREAD)

Happy reading, folks!

I’m still trying to cut down on my book purchases because of wedding costs, but I did manage to grab a few this month. Mostly from Owlcrate if I’m being honest – so I’m not going to break it down like I normally would into sections. But, I want to thank Forever and Grand Central Publishing for sending me a finished copy of The Heir Affair.

I predict I will have a larger August haul, because I’m getting itchy to buy more books!!

1. Sister of the Snake, Sasha Nanua
2. This Poison Heart (This Poison Heart #1), Kalynn Bayron
3. The Heir Affair (Royal We #2), Heather Cocks
4. Wings of Shadow (Crown of Feathers #3), Nicki Pau Preto

What books did you pick up this month?

Happy reading, folks!

Title: So We Meet Again

Author: Suzanne Park

Publisher: Avon

Publication date: August 3rd, 2021

384 pages

3/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

When up-and-coming investment banker Jess Kim is passed over for a promotion, laid off in a virtual meeting, and then overhears why (“she’s already being overpaid anyway for a woman” and “Asians are worker bees, not someone who can drum up new deals”) she delivers an “eff you guys” speech and storms out of the building. Not sure what’s next, she moves back home to Tennessee with her domineering Korean mom, who tries to set her up with her pastor’s son Daniel Choi, an M&A lawyer by day and a successful video game streamer by night. Turns out he’s swoony and smart, not the awkward preacher’s kid she remembers. With his help, Jess launches a Korean cooking YouTube channel focused on easy meal prep for busy professionals.

All is going well until her mom walks on the show mid-live recording and argues about cooking technique. While she hates being berated by her mother in front of the world, it actually works in their favor—they go viral!

Soon her cooking channel becomes an actual media company and brand. When a client is suddenly interested in buying Jess out, she finds herself sitting across the table from the very investment firm she quit not so long ago. But there’s just one other problem: Daniel, the guy whose been helping her and that she’s been falling for, is the firm’s new general counsel.

Review

Sometimes you read a book and you can tell from early on that it is just not going to do it for you. This book was that for me. Overall, there are so many positives to this story – it’s racially diverse with the MC’s being Korean, it falls within the feminist realm with the MC starting her own cooking company after being ousted from her misogynistic Wall Street job. But, there are a lot of missing pieces to the story for me, threads that just weren’t picked up by the end.

I think it’s important to say that I’m not 100% sure if this book can be classified as a romance. It is definitely much more General Fiction with a small romantic subplot, but it is not a true romance. The cover is a bit misleading – matching the illustrated cover tread in true romance novels in recent years. I was personally disappointed that the romance wasn’t a bigger player after this book was classified as a romance on Netgalley.

Whereas this book was not for me, I won’t say I didn’t enjoy parts of the story. I just finished it and felt underwhelmed, where I would normally want to feel more positively – instead of neutrally. I felt similarly with another of the author’s books, so I may just not jive with her writing style, which happens! I also know I generally prefer more romance stories rather than General Fiction, which definitely played a role here.

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!

Title: Circe

Author: Madeline Miller

Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company

Publication date: April 10th, 2018

393 pages

3/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child – not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power – the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.

Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.

But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.

Review

“He showed me his scars, and in return he let me pretend that I had none.”

Madeline Miller, Circe

I’ve seen Circe all over bookstagram and had it on my TBR for awhile, but had never gotten around to it. When I asked friends for recommendations for 12 Friends, 12 Reads, Circe was given as a choice so it made sense to read it in 2021. Circe is based on greek mythology – the legend of Circe, daughter of Helios and her exile to a deserted island. Other greek stories are featured in the book, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and Icarus, and Odysseus.

I have not had a lot of experience with greek mythology, it’s not a topic I’ve spent time learning or reading about and it really wasn’t taught in any of my school classes. But, I’ve determined that it just might not be the best topic for me in terms of reading as I was simply bored through it. I didn’t enjoy the representation of the Titans and gods as they were extremely conceited, thoughtless, selfish, and downright mean to everyone. I just don’t get enjoyment from reading personalities like that – though I of course understand that there are reasons why it’s written that way.

So, I’m sure if you know you’re a fan of greek mythology this book will be for you. Based on all the recommendations from people who loved it I feel confident saying that even if it wasn’t my favorite.

Happy reading, folks!

Title: Heartbreak for Hire

Author: Sonia Hartl

Publisher: Gallery Books

Publication date: July 27th, 2021

416 pages

3.5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Brinkley Saunders has a secret.

To everyone in the academic world she left behind, she lost it all when she dropped out of grad school. Once a rising star following in her mother’s footsteps, she’s now an administrative assistant at an insurance agency—or so they think.

In reality, Brinkley works at Heartbreak for Hire, a secret service that specializes in revenge for jilted lovers, frenemies, and long-suffering coworkers with a little cash to spare and a man who needs to be taken down a notch. It might not be as prestigious as academia, but it helps Brinkley save for her dream of opening an art gallery and lets her exorcise a few demons, all while helping to empower women.

But when her boss announces she’s hiring male heartbreakers for the first time, Brinkley’s no longer so sure she’s doing the right thing—especially when her new coworker turns out to be a target she was paid to take down. Though Mark spends his days struggling up the academic ladder, he seems to be the opposite of a backstabbing adjunct: a nerd at heart in criminally sexy sweater vests who’s attentive both in and out of the bedroom. But as Brinkley finds it increasingly more difficult to focus on anything but Mark, she soon realizes that like herself, people aren’t always who they appear to be.

Review

Heartbreak for Hire is definitely a unique concept, with the MC working for a company that is paid to get revenge on men that harm women in 4 different ways – Egos, Cheaters, Grifters, and Players. Four women take out their targets and head up each division based on the way they were hurt before as a form of therapy. Brinkley’s newest target doesn’t seem like the typical Ego she deals with, and when he finds herself breaking all the rules and hooking up with Markus, she has no idea what’s going on. And further, when Markus shows up as her new work partner, things get really interesting…

I overall enjoyed this romance, which is a bit heavier than your typical rom com. However, I feel like too much was tackled within this book – from Brinkley’s issues with her mom, dad, Margo, and her career goals – there was so much happening and the plot flitted back and forth without much structure. The concept was totally cool, and I loved the relationship scenes and the somewhat insta-love connection between Brinkley and Markus – and the oh so steamy scenes – but there were definitely side plots that could have been cut.

I also really wanted Margo to be taken down a notch and for there to be an epilogue. I personally feel that epilogues are required in romance books. Again, I really enjoyed this book outside of the critiques listed, it was entertaining and kept my attention even with the back and forth.

Thank you to Gallery Books and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!

Title: Spoiler Alert (Spoiler Alert #1)

Author: Olivia Dade

Publisher: Avon

Publication date: October 6th, 2020

416 pages

4/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Marcus Caster-Rupp has a secret. While the world knows him as Aeneas, the star of the biggest show on TV, Gods of the Gates, he’s known to fanfiction readers as Book!AeneasWouldNever, an anonymous and popular poster.  Marcus is able to get out his own frustrations with his character through his stories, especially the ones that feature the internet’s favorite couple to ship, Aeneas and Lavinia. But if anyone ever found out about his online persona, he’d be fired. Immediately.

April Whittier has secrets of her own. A hardcore Lavinia fan, she’s hidden her fanfiction and cosplay hobby from her “real life” for years—but not anymore. When she decides to post her latest Lavinia creation on Twitter, her photo goes viral. Trolls and supporters alike are commenting on her plus-size take, but when Marcus, one half of her OTP, sees her pic and asks her out on a date to spite her critics, she realizes life is really stranger than fanfiction.

Even though their first date is a disaster, Marcus quickly realizes that he wants much more from April than a one-time publicity stunt. And when he discovers she’s actually Unapologetic Lavinia Stan, his closest fandom friend, he has one more huge secret to hide from her.

With love and Marcus’s career on the line, can the two of them stop hiding once and for all, or will a match made in fandom end up prematurely cancelled?

Review

“But I’m not looking to be fixed. I want to be loved and liked and desired not because of my size, not despite my size, but because I’m ME”

Olivia Dade, Spoiler Alert

As a fat woman, I don’t often get to read romances about other fat women who are happy and content with their bodies exactly how they are. It’s refreshing to see more of my body type in literature and romance novels especially, because often fat women are seen as not worthy of love or that their partners are with them despite their weight. And that just isn’t the case.

Even from the beginning Marcus was clearly interested in April for herself and was attracted to her exactly how her size was, even if people were confused by that as he is a famous actor. The body diversity representation was my favorite part of this book. Though of course, no body positive book can be presented without *someone* who wants to change you – and this book is no exceptions. April’s mother triggered me to the moon and beyond with her comments about April’s weight. I look forward to a time when fat women are represented without having to have ~emotional trauma~ from a family member in reference to their size. But I digress.

Outside of the body image plot line, I enjoyed the general romance to this book. It was fun and steamy and included fan fiction which I don’t really read or write but find to be very interesting. I really enjoyed the background characters as well, and the journey that both Marcus and April had with their families.

I especially look forward to reading Alex’s book with Lauren, All The Feels publishes in October of this year!

Happy reading, folks!

Title: How Sweet It Is

Author: Dylan Newton

Publisher: Forever

Publication date: July 13th, 2021

352 pages

4/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

Event planner Kate Sweet is famous for creating the perfect happily-ever-after moment for her clients’ dream weddings. So how is it that her best friend has roped her into planning a bestselling horror writer’s book launch extravaganza? But the second Kate meets—or rather, accidentally maims—the drop-dead-hot Drake Matthews, her well-ordered life quickly transforms into an absolute nightmare.

Drake Matthews is tired of the spotlight and tired of his reputation as the Knight of Nightmares. He’s really a nice guy! But he’s not prepared for Kate, a fearless agent of chaos in steel-tipped stilettos, or for that sweet sting of attraction he feels for her. She’s inspiring him to take his writing in a whole new direction—one that no one expects. Because now Kate and Drake are changing up the rules, and this plot twist might just surprise everyone . . . including themselves.

Review

Looking for a light, summer romance featuring an event planner and horror author falling in love? Then look no further because How Sweet It Is provides all of that plus more. As the title suggests, this book is super sweet, but also super sexy and features a bit of an insta-love trope (but not completely). You’ve got small town vibes, hot brothers, and content in the publishing industry – which I personally enjoy reading about, it feels very meta.

Kate and Drake’s connection and attraction leap off the page as they get to know each other. They have an insanely awkward but hilarious meet cute and their relationship just snowballs from there. They are supportive of each other and go out of their way to help each other, as it they just can’t help it. Also, at one point they willingly get locked in a mausoleum for an hour and I can’t say I’ve ever read a romance that included that!

I honestly have no critiques about this book, it flowed wonderfully and I absolutely loved the characters. I hope the author gets to write romances for the other two brothers and I would happily read them. Even though one of the characters is a horror author, this definitely hits more on the light side and would be a great beach read for this summer.

Thank you to Forever Publishing and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!

Title: Hot Under His Collar (The Nolan’s #3)

Author: Andie J. Christopher

Publisher: Berkley

Publication date: July 20th, 2021

304 pages

4/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

He’s forbidden fruit and she’s a rule follower, but their connection is something to believe in.

Father Patrick Dooley joined the clergy to fulfill his mother’s dying wish. While it once gave him purpose, he not so sure it’s his calling anymore. But it’s all he’s ever known and he’s not sure what he wants to do with his life if he decides to leave the priesthood. How can he reconcile his faith with his growing desire to live a different life?

Sasha Finerghty was content to admire Patrick from afar while she dated men who were perfect on paper and wrong in real life. But with Patrick’s church in need of funding to keep a community program afloat, she’s just the girl to solve their fundraising problem. Spending more time together only fuels Sasha’s crush on him, who finds a kindred soul in her.

The more Patrick gets to know Sasha, the easier it is for him to see a future unfolding for them. But it will take a leap of faith to turn their friendship into something more, and neither of them are quite ready to make the jump.

Review

I have read the first two Nolans book by Andie and I have to say this one may be my favorite so far! Clearly, she employs the hot priest trope which may be controversial for people, but is right up my alley. As a woman who grew up Catholic my first instinct is to balk at a frocked priest finding love but as an adult I am here for it.

I adored Sasha and Patrick’s story. It was so intense and intimate and fiery compared to the other books. It was all stolen glances and heated stares and some covert fantasizing. The characters were magnetic, they couldn’t stay apart from each no matter how hard they tried. I enjoyed seeing cameos made by the characters from the first few books and the updates into their lives. It was also a breeze to get through, very quick to read and kept me up at night. And the scene in the bar!!! IYKYK!!

I would’ve loved to see more page time spent on Patrick’s growth with his family, past, and decision to join the priesthood, mostly at the end of the book. It’s talked about of course, but I feel like it needed to be more at the end. There was plenty of time spent with Sasha and her family but Patrick was more glossed over in my opinion.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading, folks!