Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur | Sapphic Pride & Prejudice Retelling That is All the Cuteness & Swoon

Written in the Stars
Author: Alexandria Bellefleur
Release Date: November 10, 2020
Publisher: Avon
Get it Here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Synopsis:
With nods to Bridget Jones and Pride and Prejudice, a charming #ownvoices queer rom-com debut about a free-spirited social media astrologer who agrees to fake a relationship with an uptight actuary until New Year’s Eve—with results not even the stars could predict!

After a disastrous blind date, Darcy Lowell is desperate to stop her well-meaning brother from playing matchmaker ever again. Love—and the inevitable heartbreak—is the last thing she wants. So she fibs and says her latest set up was a success. Darcy doesn’t expect her lie to bite her in the ass.

Elle Jones, one of the astrologers behind the popular Twitter account, Oh My Stars, dreams of finding her soul mate. But she knows it is most assuredly not Darcy… a no-nonsense stick-in-the-mud, who is way too analytical, punctual, and skeptical for someone as free-spirited as Elle. When Darcy’s brother—and Elle’s new business partner—expresses how happy he is that they hit it off, Elle is baffled. Was Darcy on the same date? Because… awkward.

When Darcy begs Elle to play along, she agrees to pretend they’re dating to save face. But with a few conditions: Darcy must help Elle navigate her own overbearing family over the holidays and their arrangement expires on New Year’s Eve. The last thing they expect is to develop real feelings during a fake relationship.

But maybe opposites can attract when true love is written in the stars?

Told from the perspectives of Elle and Darcy, WRITTEN IN THE STARS is all heart and swoon. It’s also the first contemporary adult f/f romance I’ve ever read (usually the ones I read are in the Young Adult or Fantasy genre), and I am HERE for it. Who else can see Elle and Darcy in a romantic comedy? WRITTEN IN THE STARS takes us back to the beloved tale of Pride & Prejudice with some extra additions: our outwardly cold Darcy is an actuary who gives off hot librarian energy and our quick-to-speak Elle is an energetic astrologer who’s looking for her soulmate. They both end up disliking their blind date (with each other), but continue with a fake relationship to appease friends and family. What can I say? Sparks fly from the very beginning, and the chemistry is THERE. Now, the characters just need to get their feelings to that spot as well. 

Not that Elle cared about Darcy’s eyes or that the color she wore complemented them. It was a passing observation, that was all. The sky was blue. The grass was green. Darcy was beautiful. Universally acknowledged truths.

Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett Review | Chasing That YA Contemporary Magic

Chasing Lucky
Author: Jenn Bennett
Release Date: November 10, 2020
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Get it Here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Synopsis:

Budding photographer Josie Saint-Martin has spent half her life with her single mother, moving from city to city. When they return to her historical New England hometown years later to run the family bookstore, Josie knows it’s not forever. Her dreams are on the opposite coast, and she has a plan to get there.

What she doesn’t plan for is a run-in with the town bad boy, Lucky Karras. Outsider, rebel…and her former childhood best friend. Lucky makes it clear he wants nothing to do with the newly returned Josie. But everything changes after a disastrous pool party, and a poorly executed act of revenge lands Josie in some big-time trouble—with Lucky unexpectedly taking the blame.

Determined to understand why Lucky was so quick to cover for her, Josie discovers that both of them have changed, and that the good boy she once knew now has a dark sense of humor and a smile that makes her heart race. And maybe, just maybe, he’s not quite the brooding bad boy everyone thinks he is…

Check out my review on GoodReads over here!

Usually I adore anything and everything Jenn Bennett writes, but SAVING LUCKY felt like a weaker version of her usual works. While it maintains the nostalgic, carefree summer high school slice-of-life and romance aspect, I left like there was MORE that could have been done with the characters. Perhaps the fact that the end didn’t feel quite conclusive also added to this feeling. And while I don’t expect coming of age stories to be conclusive, (after all, characters have their whole lives ahead of them) I still felt like something was missing in the story. And that the details we were reading were all a part of a contemporary romance formula.

Rent A Boyfriend by Gloria Chao Review | Fake Dating Between Young Adults? Yes, Here for it!!

Rent A Boyfriend
Author: Gloria Chao
Release Date: November 10, 2020
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Get it Here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Synopsis:
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets The Farewell in this incisive romantic comedy about a college student who hires a fake boyfriend to appease her traditional Taiwanese parents, to disastrous results, from the acclaimed author of American Panda.

Chloe Wang is nervous to introduce her parents to her boyfriend, because the truth is, she hasn’t met him yet either. She hired him from Rent for Your ’Rents, a company specializing in providing fake boyfriends trained to impress even the most traditional Asian parents.

Drew Chan’s passion is art, but after his parents cut him off for dropping out of college to pursue his dreams, he became a Rent for Your ’Rents employee to keep a roof over his head. Luckily, learning protocols like “Type C parents prefer quiet, kind, zero-PDA gestures” comes naturally to him.

When Chloe rents Drew, the mission is simple: convince her parents fake Drew is worthy of their approval so they’ll stop pressuring her to accept a proposal from Hongbo, the wealthiest (and slimiest) young bachelor in their tight-knit Asian American community.

But when Chloe starts to fall for the real Drew—who, unlike his fake persona, is definitely not ’rent-worthy—her carefully curated life begins to unravel. Can she figure out what she wants before she loses everything?

Check out my review on GoodReads over here!

This cover. That blurb. The Author’s Note. Everything about this book captivated me, so it was no wonder I jumped on the chance to read it! We have Chao’s trademark easygoing humor from the first person perspectives of Chloe and Drew, two Taiwanese-American young adults that find love through a convoluted situation. With a flair of dramatism reminiscent of Taiwanese dramas and the genuine, sweet romance of youth, RENT A BOYFRIEND turned out to be a delight. 

We start the book with Drew first meeting Chloe at her parents’ place for Thanksgiving, where she rented him to act as her fake date! The ultimate goal was to make her parents cut off a betrothal to another Taiwanese boy in her community, who was pretty chauvinistic and unlikable. You can’t help but see sparks fly, and them wanting to text each other even after the ‘assignment’ was over. Drew and Chloe fall very easily into a smooth dialogue with shared interests and struggles. 

Tall, Duke, and Dangerous by Megan Frampton Review | This Felt Long, Drawn, and Tiring

Tall, Duke, and Dangerous
Author: Megan Frampton
Series: Hazards of Dukes #2
Release Date: October 27, 2020
Publisher: Avon
Get it Here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Synopsis:

Megan Frampton returns with the second book in the Hazards of Dukes series, a series that made Sarah MacLean say “Make Megan Frampton your next read!”

He needs a bride…

Nash, the “dangerous” Duke of Malvern, has always bristled against the rules of English society. Hot tempered and fearful of becoming like his brutish late father, he lives a life of too much responsibility and too little joy. And although he’s vowed to never marry, a duke has a duty—and there’s only one way to get himself an heir and a spare. So Nash reluctantly takes a look around at society’s available young ladies to see who might be willing to put up with his one-word answers and frequent glowers.

She longs for love…

After the death of her father and wicked stepmother, Ana Maria goes from virtual servant to lady-in-training, and while society life has its benefits—gorgeous gowns!—its restrictive rules stifle her sprit. And when her independent actions put her in danger, her half-brother insists Nash teach her some self-defense. While most of London’s ladies find Nash intimidating, she only sees a man who needs introducing to all the joys life has to offer. So although officially they are coming together for fighting lessons, unofficially their physical contact begins to blur the line between friendship and begins to grown into something more…

Check out my review on GoodReads over here!

“‘You and I, we’re both of two worlds – me, who never wanted to be a duke, and you, who didn’t have a choice about who you were, whether you were scrubbing kitchen grates or dancing in ballrooms. I want us to be together to create one world – one world in which two people love one another.'”

It’s always nice to start with a lovely quote, yes?

I’m so sorry to say that this book was a huge disappointment, and one of the worst HR’s I’ve read this year. This is a particular shame because I actually really enjoyed book 1 (review here) and had high expectations for the sequel.

This book felt hastily written, with a repetitive narrative that made me so impatient and frustrated while reading. There was less interaction with the couple than I would have liked, and a rushed ending that couldn’t salvage their relationship. I’ve never felt such a disconnect with main characters before, and Nash/Ana Maria were the blandest characters I’ve read in a while, and had superficial characterizations. I honestly could sum up this book within 3 pages rather than the 300-something pages that the book is due to repetition and useless encounters that contributed nothing to the plot, romantic relationship, and character. There is nothing that could differentiate TALL, DUKE, AND DANGEROUS from the numerous Historical Romances out there, and unfortunately I’d recommend romance readers to pass this one. It just felt like the author didn’t care about the characters, and thus I as a reader didn’t care about them.

Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade Review | Fandom Romance at its Finest!! ft. a couple that writes fanfiction

Spoiler Alert
Author: Olivia Dade
Release Date: October 6, 2020
Publisher: Avon
Get it Here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Synopsis:
Olivia Dade bursts onto the scene in this delightfully fun romantic comedy set in the world of fanfiction, in which a devoted fan goes on an unexpected date with her celebrity crush, who’s secretly posting fanfiction of his own. 

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?

CAN THIS BOOK NOT? To be quite honest, I loved every aspect of this book and found a new author to look out for. Marcus and April are absolutely adorkable, and reading from their perspectives made my heart ache in the BEST of ways. Whether it’s because of April’s strong exterior/soft interior persona, or Marcus’s insecurities and fake celeb personality, these characters have really struck my heart. I love them both individually, and I love how they are as a couple. Full of sparkling wit and fun modern references, SPOILER ALERT pays homage to fandom culture through a romance between a fanfiction-writing celebrity and his beta-reading writer friend and fan. Let the fun begin!

Beauty Tempts the Beast by Lorraine Heath Review | Historical Romance + Beauty and the Beast Vibes = All the Feels

Beauty Tempts the Beast
Author: Lorraine Heath
Series: Sins For All Seaons #6
Release Date: September 29, 2020
Publisher: Avon
Get it Here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Synopsis:

She wants lessons in seduction

Althea Stanwick was a perfect lady destined to marry a wealthy lord, until betrayal left her family penniless. Though she’s lost friends, fortune, and respectability, Althea has gained a scandalous plan. If she can learn to seduce, she can obtain power over men and return to Society on her terms. She even has the perfect teacher in mind, a man whose sense of honor and dark good looks belie his nickname: Beast.

But desire like this can’t be taught

Benedict Trewlove may not know his parentage but he knows where he belongs—on the dark side of London, offering protection wherever it’s needed. Yet no woman has ever made such an outrageous request as this mysterious beauty. Althea is out of place amongst vice and sin, even if she offers a wicked temptation he can’t resist. But as the truth of his origin emerges at last, it will take a fierce, wild love to overcome their pasts.

Check out my review on GoodReads over here!

“The world in which she’d grown up lacked magic, depth, satisfaction. Only now did she realize it, only now did she understand that without him, her world had been an arid place where she never would have truly come into herself.”

Amazing! BEAUTY TEMPTS THE BEAST is a gentle, sweet, quieter romance that is low in angst but high in attraction. I’ve tried reading previous Heath’s books and couldn’t get into them, but I decided to take a chance with this one, since I’m weak for anything involving Beauty and the Beast. This book delivers, and more.

Although this is the last of a series, it was easy for me to follow, and the cameos made by previous characters in the series are minimal. Usually I get annoyed when it feels like there’s a push for other characters’ stories, but it wasn’t overt in BEAUTY TEMPTS THE BEAST and didn’t take away from the story, which I appreciated.

All Scot and Bothered by Kerrigan Bryne Review | Grumpy Heroes + Sweet Heroines = Heartwarming Story

All Scot and Bothered
Author: Kerrigan Bryne
Release Date: September 29, 2020
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperback
Get it Here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Synopsis:

They are a dangerous duke, a fierce lord, and an infamous earl—dark, bold, brave men who know exactly what they want. And there is only one woman who can bring them to their knees…

He is first and foremost—at everything. A man who’s made his own way in the world through ruthless cunning and sheer force of will. A strong and imposing Scot who can turn on the charm but does not suffer fools. His title: Lord Chief Justice of the High Court. His name: Cassius Gerard Ramsay. His mission: To investigate the goings-on at London’s most notorious gaming hell, owned and operated by one of the most intriguing and desirable women he’s ever met.

IN THIS GAME OF LOVE, THE RULES DO NOT APPLY

Cecelia Teague was an orphan facing a rather dire future—until a secret benefactor from her mother’s scandalous past swept into her life. Sent to prestigious boarding school and later to university, Cecelia believed high society was at her fingertips…Then, from out of nowhere, she became the inheritor of a gambling establishment. Now Cecelia must live two lives: one as a proper lady who finds herself undeniably drawn to Lord Ramsay and the other as a savvy gaming hell owner trying to save her business from the very same man. He has no idea she is both women…and Cecelia would like to keep it that way. But what happens when consuming passion and escalating danger threaten to reveal the truth?

Check out my review on GoodReads over here!

“Every time she smiled at him, with every kiss or intimacy they shared, a little light had ignited within that dark void inside him. He felt less empty. What would a lifetime of her smiles do?”

““I do believe that’s the first time I’ve ever witnessed a smile on your face,” she said in a hushed tone. “It’s quite . . . brilliant.” Her fingers reached out and traced his mouth before she settled her soft lips against his.
At this, Ramsay made a silent vow to smile more.”

Sigh. There’s something about characters that treasure their significant others’ smiles that makes my heart swell.

ALL SCOT AND BOTHERED is book 2 of Byrne’s series of three rambunctious redheads who manage to defy society, I enjoyed book 1 (you can find my review here), although I think this book left more of an impression on me! I’d say it’s still a 3.5 stars, but rounded up because the heroine Cecilia was just so sweet. The common factor of these books is the sweet and pure friendship of the women, and their willingness to defend each other. I thought their relationship was wonderful and it ties the series together really well. You don’t have to read book 1 to understand this book, but there will be spoilers about the previous couple.

My Kind of Earl by Vivienne Lorret Review | My Kind of Historical Romance That Has Tarzan in London Energy

My Kind of Earl
Author: Vivienne Lorret
Series: The Mating Habits of Scoundrels #2
Release Date: September 29, 2020
Publisher: Avon
Get it Here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Synopsis:

USA Today bestselling author Vivienne Lorret continues her charming new trilogy with a bluestocking whose search for information on the mating habits of scoundrels has her stumbling upon the missing heir to an earldom… in the London underworld.

Jane Pickerington never intended to start a brawl in a brothel. She only wanted to research her book. Yet when her simple study of scoundrels goes awry, she finds herself coming to the rescue of a dark, enigmatic stranger… who turns out to be far more than an average rake out for a night of pleasure. He’s positively wild!

Only the most feral and cunning could have survived foundling homes and work houses. Orphaned as an infant, Raven never had another name. At least… not until he meets her. Now he’s face-to-face with the one person who recognizes the strange birthmark on his arm and can reinstate him to his blue-blooded birthright.

All at once, Raven’s life takes a turn. His knowledge of dark alleys and gaming hells never prepared him for gilded ballrooms. So Jane becomes his tutor. Yet, the more lessons in decorum she offers, the more this untamed scoundrel wants to teach her all the ways to be wicked.

I originally was super excited for this book because 1) I really enjoyed the first book in this series where we first met Jane, who was spectacularly spunky and curious, and 2) We met the hero Raven in the author’s previous book trilogy (The Rogue to Ruin) and he was so mysterious yet loyal. I loved seeing familiar characters while learning more about Jane and Raven. The dialogue was full of wit, and the chemistry was utterly delectable. Lorret has quickly become one of my favorite historical romance writers, and her books keep getting better. If you’re looking for a quirky heroine who values research and discovery, look no further, because Jane has got you covered.

‘I knew from the moment we met that your curiosity would be my undoing.’

Well Played by Jen Deluca Review | Well, That Was Super Soft and Sweet!

Well Played
Author: Jen DeLuca
Series: Book 2
Release Date: September 22, 2019
Publisher: Berkley
Get it Here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Synopsis:

Another laugh-out-loud romantic comedy featuring kilted musicians, Renaissance Faire tavern wenches, and an unlikely love story.

Stacey is jolted when her friends Simon and Emily get engaged. She knew she was putting her life on hold when she stayed in Willow Creek to care for her sick mother, but it’s been years now, and even though Stacey loves spending her summers pouring drinks and flirting with patrons at the local Renaissance Faire, she wants more out of life. Stacey vows to have her life figured out by the time her friends get hitched at Faire next summer. Maybe she’ll even find The One.

When Stacey imagined “The One,” it never occurred to her that her summertime Faire fling, Dex MacLean, might fit the bill. While Dex is easy on the eyes onstage with his band The Dueling Kilts, Stacey has never felt an emotional connection with him. So when she receives a tender email from the typically monosyllabic hunk, she’s not sure what to make of it.

Faire returns to Willow Creek, and Stacey comes face-to-face with the man with whom she’s exchanged hundreds of online messages over the past nine months. To Stacey’s shock, it isn’t Dex—she’s been falling in love with a man she barely knows.

Book 1 | Well Met – 3.5 stars – Review Here

In WELL PLAYED, DeLuca brings readers back to Willow Creek, and the lovely Renaissance Faire that’s such a hit with its residents. It’s an insular story, in which the energy is VERY ‘small-town.’ We follow the bright and bubbly Stacey, who finds herself wanting… more, in life. At 27 years old, she can’t help but think: what if she could leave the small town of Willow Creek? All her friends from college are starting families, but her one true love is her cat. What if she can pursue her dream at something she’s good at, like fashion, rather than the receptionist job she has? What if…

DeLuca brings Stacey alive in her first-person POV, with an honest narrative. It was easy to empathize with her and understand her feelings. First, she feels responsible for her mother’s health, so she stays in Willow Creek rather than pursues a life elsewhere, despite having plans to work in New York after she graduated college. Next, she feels at odds with herself. While she is active on social media and goes out frequently, she doesn’t find solace or meaning behind those things. I also appreciated seeing her insecurities of being plus-sizes, as in our society we normalize ‘skinny/fit’ figures (which she doesn’t have). Overall, she just feels listless in her life. This ennui galvanizes her to send a text to her casual hook-up partner: Dex MacLean, who performs at the Faire. She’s embarrassed, since she did it while wine-drunk, but he responds back! And then… let the fun begin.

The Roommate by Rosie Danan Review | Let’s Topple A Porn Empire Together?!

The Roommate
Author: Rosie Danan
Release Date: September 15, 2020
Publisher: Berkley
Get it Here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Synopsis:

House Rules:

Do your own dishes

Knock before entering the bathroom

Never look up your roommate online

The Wheatons are infamous among the east coast elite for their lack of impulse control, except for their daughter Clara. She’s the consummate socialite: over-achieving, well-mannered, predictable. But every Wheaton has their weakness. When Clara’s childhood crush invites her to move cross-country, the offer is too much to resist. Unfortunately, it’s also too good to be true.

After a bait-and-switch, Clara finds herself sharing a lease with a charming stranger. Josh might be a bit too perceptive—not to mention handsome—for comfort, but there’s a good chance he and Clara could have survived sharing a summer sublet if she hadn’t looked him up on the Internet…

Once she learns how Josh has made a name for himself, Clara realizes living with him might make her the Wheaton’s most scandalous story yet. His professional prowess inspires her to take tackling the stigma against female desire into her own hands. They may not agree on much, but Josh and Clara both believe women deserve better sex. What they decide to do about it will change both of their lives, and if they’re lucky, they’ll help everyone else get lucky too.

When I first saw THE ROOMMATE, I was immediately amused by the cover. It drew my attention in a not-so-good way with its ultra pink title and ultra pink background, and the models on the cover reminded me a little of Barbie. BUT, reader friends were raving about this one, and I found myself curious about the hero’s occupation. So I figure I would try it out, and I fell in love.

THE ROOMMATE has a strong voice, wit, and a romance exploding with chemistry. We start with Clara moving across the country, from her life as an East-coast socialite to a more laid-back West-coast vibe, to follow her childhood crush. The moment she comes, though, the crush sets off for a band tour and – surprise! – she has a new roommate. He’s pretty charming and sweet (think, golden retriever energy), but she’s thinking of her next steps. She moved to LA expecting her crush to help her transition, and now she’s left without a plan. Clara ends up getting lunch with her black-sheep-of-the-family aunt, gets a job, and finds out that her roommate is a well-known porn star. How’s that for a spontaneous move across the country?

I loved both Clara and Josh’s characters, as well as their relationship dynamics! Clara had a pretty privileged lifestyle growing up, and she’s enjoying the anonymity that California offers. She finds herself exploring a career path she’s passionate about, and deviating beyong the plans laid out for her by her rich family. I loved seeing her character find herself in that way, and resolve to keep relations with her family as well (which is something I would’ve loved to see more of!). She’s uptight and academic (with a doctorate in art history), and a perfect foil/contrast to Josh’s more carefree personality. Josh found himself working multiple jobs in his 20’s, and decided to make a career in the adult entertainment industry – a rather successful one. However, recently he’s been in a contract dispute with a major entertainment corporation that is lowballing and trying to blackmail him. He shows Clara how to open up more, while she supports him and sees his potential, despite his internalized stigma of working as an adult performer. Through action movies, breakfast in the middle of the night, and working together on a new business endeavor, we see them falling in love.

Josh Conners and Clara Wheaton didn’t make sense on paper, but what if somehow, impossibly, two wrongs made a right? At least under the covers.

I love how easy it is to see them together, and how they complement each other. Their sexual tension was also off the charts, and I loved seeing the sex positivity going on among all the characters. What else can I say? I love soft heros who pine, and Josh’s “I’m not good enough for her” created some delicious tension with Clara’s “I’m not as experienced/knowledgable as him” thoughts.

All he knew was that he always wanted her to be happy. When she smiled or laughed, he felt powerful and good. If something hurt her, he wanted to Hulk smash.

Ahh, the way Josh thinks about Clara just makes my heart go ba-BUMP.

There were a lot of strong women in the book as well, from Josh’s ex to the DA that Clara was working for, that I loved to see. In general, THE ROOMMATE was the perfect feel-good read for me, and I really recommend it for romance readers! The romcom energy is strong in this one, and the premise takes well-loved tropes into a new dimension.

Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for the review copy!