Ingrid

Review: Lost in LA by Amy Craig (2021)

January 10, 2021 Ingrid

Heat Factor: It has a few moments but I wouldn’t say it screams “fire”

Character Chemistry: They just don’t have that connection that leads to a satisfying HEA

Plot: Wylie is a freelance beachside yoga instructor who ends up temporarily homeless after getting kicked out of her sublet. She strikes up an Instagram promotional deal with a food truck vendor and before long she finds herself forging ahead with a new life in a shared house situation, all while falling for Nolan (the food truck secret billionaire).

Overall: This book leaned into Smut Adjacent territory because the couple’s romance ended up taking a back seat to the sub plot.

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Review

Review: Blood and Bone by Paula Dombrowiak (2020)

January 8, 2021January 8, 2021 Ingrid

Heat Factor: It’s steamy but it’s a slow build and it’s a very unique unfolding.

Character Chemistry: There are so many kinds of chemistry here it’s impossible to summarize.

Plot: Jack is a world-famous musician whose career began with his other half, Mia. At perhaps the twilight of his career, Jack is interviewed by Erin, a journalist. Together they unfold a story and also a deep and profound connection.

Overall: This is a two-fer – one romance, smut adjacent but deeply touching. The other, a very sweet HEA. I would not categorize this as a classic romance, but a very well written adult fiction with an engaging romance story line.

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Series Review

Review: Chronicles of a Dancing Heart Duo by Olivia Boothe

January 5, 2021January 20, 2021 Ingrid

Heat Factor: Lots of peppers (and a tad of pepper spray perhaps?)

Character Chemistry: It overpowers all reason and sanity, I think

Plot: Sara was a promising student at Julliard when her whole life fell apart. Four years later, she sees a tall, wealthy, handsome man and they immediately get tangled up in a super intense, emotionally-explosive relationship with a lot of serious issues and roadblocks to happiness

Overall: This book is going to be like catnip for a VERY niche audience–if you thought Gossip Girl was the best, most romantic show around, this might be for you. If your favorite summer memories of love look like they came straight out of an episode of Jersey Shore, this might be for you. If you’ve ever heard that Sex and the City actually modeled fairly unhealthy female friendships and you thought “huh?”, this might be for you.

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Review: The Duke Effect by Sophie Jordan (2020)

November 13, 2020November 12, 2020 Ingrid

The Rogue Files, Book 7

Heat Factor: It didn’t get cracking until about 50% of the way through the book and then it was just nothing to inferno in about one chapter.

Character Chemistry: They’re both a bit straight-laced but with this undercurrent of rebelliousness and it works.

Plot: Nora trained extensively under the tutelage of her now-deceased physician father and has become a talented healer who corresponds with those in need of help under her father’s name in secret. The soon-to-be Duke of Birchwood seeks Dr. Langley’s help only to find out about Nora’s deceit. Desperate to right herself in his eyes and save her reputation, she pushes Constantine to allow her to help him, and then they get all hot and bothered and so will you.

Overall: I was SO CLOSE to writing this one off and then I hit 50% of the way through it and hooooo buddy…Sophie Jordan just lit the whole thing on fire.

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Review: Thief of my Heart by Karla Kratovil (2020)

November 11, 2020 Ingrid

Hearts of Stoneleigh Manor Book 2

Heat Factor: It’s way hotter than my usual fare.

Character Chemistry: So, they kiss in the first few pages and it’s pretty clear from then on they’re a good match.

Plot: Emma has a whole crew of siblings and dogs she’s responsible for after the unexpected death of her father. Her Uncle teaches her how to be a cat burglar, and she steals jewelry from the wealthy to keep their family afloat. HOWEVER. When she tries to steal a ruby necklace from the Duke of Gilchrest’s mother, she finds her plans foiled and then he turns out to be a really strong sort of cinnamon roll (a cinnamon cookie? A ginger snap? Should we make that a thing?) and everything unravels from there.

Overall: This book is so fresh and gripping–I could not put it down.

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