Recommended Read, Review

Review: Diamond Ring by K.D. Casey (2023)

Unwritten Rules, Book #3

Reviews of Unwritten Rules Book #1 and Book #2

Heat Factor: If you’re looking for characters with ED due to medication with partners who are with them 100%, I have a book for you

Character Chemistry: Every time they were gutted, I was also completely gutted

Plot: Jake and Alex had a whirlwind rookie season, glued to each other, until it all crashed and burned. Ten years later, they’re forced back together on their old team for a last chance to win a championship ring.

Overall: I felt like Eeyore until the end, when I had all the warm fuzzies.

Continue reading “Review: Diamond Ring by K.D. Casey (2023)”
Recommended Read, Review

Review: Not Your Valentine by Jackie Lau (2023)

Heat Factor: “We’ll just bang it out, and then I’ll have it out of my system.” Always a solid plan.

Character Chemistry: They do things to make the other one happy.

Plot: Helen asks her long-time friend to be her fake boyfriend so everyone will stop feeling sorry for her after her last break-up goes viral

Overall: So cute. And now I want an anatomically correct heart cake. And a charcuterie chalet.

Continue reading “Review: Not Your Valentine by Jackie Lau (2023)”
Review

Review: Chick Magnet by Emma Barry (2023)

Heat Factor: They go to bed around two-thirds through, but it feels like an extremely slow burn

Character Chemistry: They recognize each other’s sadness

Plot: Vet falls for new neighbor (who happens to be a chicken influencer)

Overall: I’ll be honest, I was feeling kinda down when I finished this one

Continue reading “Review: Chick Magnet by Emma Barry (2023)”
Recommended Read, Review

Review: Heartstopper: Volume 4 by Alice Oseman (2022)

Heartstopper, Book #4

Reviews of the rest of the Heartstopper series: Book #1, Book #2, Book #3

Heat Factor: The only sex is the stuff Charlie’s mom made up in her head

Character Chemistry: Wanting to be there but not knowing how

Plot: Charlie acknowledges his eating disorder and other mental health struggles 

Overall: Well, this one made me all choked up

Continue reading “Review: Heartstopper: Volume 4 by Alice Oseman (2022)”
Review

Review: Before Dawn by Laura F. Murphy (2022)

Heat Factor: It’s closed door, so although the subject matter is really gritty and juicy, you won’t find descriptions of heat here.

Character Chemistry: Max and Smith’s relationship is very steady and tender, which is good for Max considering how intense every other aspect of her life is.

Plot: Max is in a 6 year relationship with a married man who is 14 years her senior. Literally her entire life falls apart, and throughout the fall out and all the repair work, her friend Smith slowly turns into someone really special.

Overall: This is a really intense, smut-adjacent book about a woman going through just the absolute worst life has to offer, but at least she’s got a loving family and a hot boyfriend.

Continue reading “Review: Before Dawn by Laura F. Murphy (2022)”