Tag: Romance

Kill for Me, Kill for You

November 21, 2024

When two strangers are united in their grief and creates a plan for revenge anything can happen. “Kill for me, I’ll Kill for You” written by Steve Cavenagh, takes the reader on a wild ride of heartbreak, revenge and betrayal, and roller-coaster of twist and turns.

Ever since Amanda had suffered the tragic deaths of both her daughter and her husband, she had been on the track of revenge on the person who she believe was the person behind her grief. Then during one of her courts appointed counseling secession she meets a woman, Wendy who had the same goal of seeking revenge on the person that caused her pain years back as well. These two women than create a pact to help each other seek revenge.

This story is not only action packed but there is a deeper meaning hidden with the pages of this novel. The journey of grieving and the length in which loved ones would go to get peace and closure. It all takes us on an unexpected journey. However, if we don’t receive support and guidence, you might go down a dark path and wind up making decisions like the characters in this story. Yes, this story was entertaining entertainment comes a message that we should all hear.

We all grieve in our own ways and no one can tell us what is and what isn’t the right way to grief. There are good days and bad days but if you surround yourself with the support of people that love and support you, you can create a new normal.

Swan Song

July 12, 2024

Do enjoy reading about a missing person mystery thriller? Would you like to read about a drama on the island of Nantucket? Well, do I have a story for you? “Swan Song” It was the finale to her well know Nantucket Series.

When the Richards landed on the island of Nantucket for the summer, they took the island by storm. They quickly became the “It” couple of the island, befriending the island natives, and being invited to all of the big events on top of throwing major rager of parties, at their multi-million dollar coast-side home and on their boat. One party in particular ended in a house fire and their house-helper disappearing.

Honestly, this has been my least favorite of Elin Hilderbrand books and for a book that has been hyped up so much over the last few weeks, I was less than impressed. I believe this has to do with my expectations of the book and the book not fulfilling those expectations. This book is a duel timeline of an investigation of the house assistant going missing during a party on the Richards boat and the backstory and buildup to the party itself. It was the lack of investigation care for the house assistant and all of the hype that was surrounding the Richards in general that got me. Also, the end was rushed, and it felt as though Elin was just trying to wrap things up as quickly as possible without much meaning behind things.

Overall, this story was fine, it was a good summer read that would put the reader in the summer elements of Cape Cod. But it certainly lacked the shocking elements that some of her other books contained.

The Kiss Quotient

June 17, 2024

Have you never had trouble admitting you needed assistance with something, have you ever tried online dating before? Well do I have a story for you. When Stella needs help in the bedroom, she turns to online dating apps for assistance and what could possibly go wrong with that.

Stella who has Asperger’s and has never really dated anyone and had slept with 3 men in her past. Really only for them and never to her satisfaction. So she figured that she turned to online dating/escorting sites for guidance. She made it quite clear she only wanted practice and never a relationship. That’s because she already had someone in mind. She just needed to build confidence. That’s was of course she met Michael. The escort from online.

Michael it turns out was the most down-to-earth patient man for the job. He accepted the fact that Stella had a checklist and that this was only going to be a one time thing. However, he shortly realized that things were going to go slow and that Stella was going to need more than one night to be comfortable.

Like I said in the past, it is the characters that make a story for me and it was no different with this one. Truthfully I wasn’t totally sold on the plot of the story at first. However, once I was introduced to Stella and Michael and got to learn more and more about them, I was sold!

One thing I truly appreciate about Helen Hoang is that she writes about characters with neurological disorders in such a bright light. So many times we read about these people in a bad light. And in Helen Hoang stories they get to shine and I absolutely love that! In this story both Michael and Stella had flaws and stars and they were treated all the same!!

Happy Place

March 15, 2024

Do you have a happy place? Do you believe in 2nd chance love stories? Well do I have a story for you! “Happy Place” by Emily Henry when a group of college friends get together one last time anything could happen.

Harriet and Wyn met in college, fell in love and got engaged. Life got in the way, they grew apart and broke up. However, they have to reunite for the last annual friends week away up in Maine and the thing is no one knows they broke up! So they have to out on happy faces in their happy place!

I related two things in this story. 1.) the fact that Maine was their Happy Place. I also consider Maine one of my happy places. My family and I love to have day trips up to Maine, to have a nice seafood dinner, a little shopping and then a nice walk on the beach. In fact, Maine was the location that we chose to have our last large family vacation right before my dad past away. For that reason alone Maine will always hold a special place in my heart!

And 2.) I related to the fact that Harriet believed that she was going to disappoint her parents when she tells them she doesn’t want to be a Doctor anymore. I am currently working in the financial industry and it is something that my parents have been incredibly proud of. And disappointing them will always be my biggest fear. However, it has left me with anxiety, stress and a severe case of the Sunday scaries. I just feel as though I will never be enough for the institution because I simply don’t have the passion for it.

I have always dreamed of doing something in Journalism, writing a book, talking about books and that is the reason why I started this blog in the first place. As a place to start working on my passion.

I would highly recommend “Happy Place” by Emily Henry if you want a feel good, story that will have you crying, smiling and laughing all the way through! ❤️

King of Wrath

January 31, 2024

Do you enjoy books that involve arranged marriages? How about books about blackmailing and how about reading about high society? If you said yes to any of these, oh how I have a book for you!! “King of Wrath” written by Ana Huang. When plans don’t go has planned, Vivian finds herself in an arranged marriage that once again doesn’t go as planned.

In Vivian’s family, if you are not married and having a family with a man who has been approved by the parents, by a certain age, you will be forced into an arranged marriage. That is exactly what happened to Vivian. Now she finds herself in an arranged relationship with a well-known member of high society Dante Russo. However, Dante is hiding a secret that could hold the potential of ruining everything.

The first thing you must know is that I am a sucker for any books that involve high society, a strong-headed female and a powerful, with a dash of a puppy-like heart for a male character!! And let me tell you, this book had everything!! Including a mixture of a dark and sneaky past from at least one of the main characters!! Between the Twisted Series and now this book, I know that Ana Huang as become one of my go to authors for a good guiltily pleasure romance book!!

One Day In December

December 18, 2023

Romance, Christmas and forbidden romance are three themes that have come to my mind after reading “One Day in December” written by Josie Silver. Imagine falling in love at first sight at the bus station, to find out that, the mystery man is your best friend’s boyfriend.

One day Laurie was getting on the bus when she spotted the most beautiful man she had ever seen. They locked eyes and fell in love without even talking to each other. A year later she finds out the new boyfriend of her roommate and best was the guy from the bus station and the man she had been searching for, for the best year. Laurie decided it was in the best interest of both their friendship and the new relationship not to bring the fact that Jack was the mystery long along.

Even though the concept of this story was great. The execution was just not there.

One of my favorite things about this book was the friendship between the female main character Laurie and her best friend Sarah. They became roommates out of need but became best friends by choice.

One thing I disliked about this book was the male main characters. Besides Luke, Jack and Oliver only really seemed to think of themselves. Jack lied to Laurie just to save a relationship that was going nowhere and he was a crybaby when it came to the accident. Oliver only was a hero on vacation. When it came to reality his job was the only thing that mattered to him. He did not care about what Laurie wanted. He wanted a trophy wife.

Another thing I disliked about this story was the length. Even though this book spans multiple years, it did not need to be as long as it was. There was a lot of unnecessary fluff that made the book drag on.

Overall I would give this book a 3-star rating. It was a cute story that could have ended halfway through.

Twisted Lies

November 21, 2023

Fake Relationships, Lies, and Intense Passion are just three things of many that have come to my mind after reading “Twisted Lies” by Ana Huang. When this landlord and tenant find themselves in a fake relationship, it could only end in disastrous means when the The Twisted Lies come out.

When Stella’s best friend Jules moves out of their joint apartment, it leaves Stella in a tough spot. So she makes a deal with the landlord Christian to help him with his plants and he promises to lower the rent. They soon realize that they could both benefit from being in a fake relationship with each other for their own personal and professional gain.

However, just like every other great fake relationship trope they begin to actually fall for each other. This is until the secret that Christian has been holding onto since the day they met threatens to destroy them both.

Just like all the others in the Twisted Series, Ana Huang did not disappoint with Twisted Lies ,in the steamy, passion and deep relationships and captivated characters and storylines. This entire series was wrapped up perfectly this with a book with following up with the friends and previous couples, from the other books and their storylines. This is certainly a great finish to a great series!!

Twisted Hate

October 13, 2023

Romance, Drama, and Revenge are three themes that have come to my mind after reading “Twisted Hate” ~ Ana Huang. This is not your average best friend-brother troop.

Since Jules Ambrose met her college roommate Ava Chen’s brother Josh, they seemed to be budding heads. Both believed they knew what was right for Ava. They never thought they would find themselves working for the same clinic and starting a wild affair. An affair that consisted of wild sex, lies, and sneaking around behind not just Ava’s back but around each other as well.

I got to be honest Josh has been my least favorite male character in this series so far. However, I am a sucker for the best friend brother troop. and the sweet, sweet revenge that took place in this book, it was well worth it.

I took great sympathy and liking to Jules. Her growth from wanting to deal with the past on her own, to telling the full truth to Josh. It was growth from putting her traumatic past behind her and to really diving full force into her furture.

Although this book has been my least favorite of the series so far. I still enjoyed the storyline. The way that Ana brings all the characters together at the end, reminds me of an episode of Friends. Just maybe a little bit more PG 13.

Twisted Love

October 4, 2023

Trauma, Steamy Romance and Intense Relationships are just three of many things that have come to my mind after reading “Twisted Love” written by Ana Huang. When Alex is left to watch over his best friend’s sister for an extended period of time anything can happen.

Ana Chen and Alex Volkov have this hate/love relationship, but they tolerate each other because Alex’s best friend is Ana’s older brother. And Ana and Josh are extremely close with each other because of their upbringing. However, when Josh accepts a study abroad program, he decides to leave Josh to watch over Ana even though she is a grown adult. You can imagine their bond growing into an intense relationship during this time. However, Alex reason for their closest is not what it seems.

If I could describe this book one way, it would be a tamer 50 Shades of Grey. With the mixture of intense sex scenes and the power dynamic. However, there was a story of true love with a mixture of intense family drama and secrets that will leave you speechless at times. This book is full of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. That’s why it is such a great passionate love storys.

Boyfriend Material

February 6, 2023

Luc is stuck in a bit of a bind when his dead-beat, washed up rockstar starts to make his comeback Luc is stuck being chased and caught up by paparazzi everywhere he goes, and they paint them in the worse of light. And with the most important fundraiser coming up at work, his boss forces him to clean up his act. This translates into a scheme of getting a fake boyfriend.

Now Oliver who is also in need of a fake-boyfriend for an up-coming family event agrees to go in on this scheme with Luc. But happens when these to enemies – fake boyfriends start to actually spend time with each other and get to know each other? And what happens when real families and emotions start to get involved?

Alexis Halls does a beautiful job with the sarcastic and hilarious banter between Luc and Oliver and when real life gets in the middle of this fake-relationship it is most definitely a page-turner of a comic and heartwarming romance.