Heroine
Part of the Passports to Pleasure Series of standalone romances
Heat Factor: The last bit is a big ole sexathon. On a boat.
Character Chemistry: Instalust becomes instalove
Plot: Hattie goes on vacation and meets an Italian hottie
Overall: There were some gaps and I was left with…questions
Heat Factor: fades to gray
Character Chemistry: Not sure we get enough push-pull when he hates her (but really not) and they hop into bed by 35%
Plot: Mia is a professional reviewer and aspiring writer who wins a spot at Axel’s writing workshop. Axel is furious with Mia for writing a mean review about his alter ego’s book because he needs the extra income stream. They get snowed in.
Overall: Their fight seemed a bit ridiculous when they were so ethically messy from, like, page one
Heat Factor: It’s short and steamy!
Character Chemistry: It’s a pretty sweet and average meet-cute at first, until everything clicks and you realize THEY’RE ONLINE ENEMIES!! Then it’s full steam ahead…
Plot: Megan is a fanfic writer who meets a fellow fan (who is also literally her other half, interests-wise) only to discover that Sarah is her harshest critic online. When she goes to confront her in their writer’s group, they end up stuck together and sparks fly.
Overall: This is short, sweet, witty, and funny—but yes, it does have a lot of niche-specific language that can be kind of confusing if you’re not into online fanfic.
Heat Factor: It’s got its moments of heat but it’s not a rip-roaring fire of a book.
Character Chemistry: They’re very real characters–so their chemistry isn’t overpoweringly “meant to be” but it’s adorable the way they work through things together.
Plot: Adi is desperately chasing a story that could make or break her career–and on the way she stumbles into Finn, a dreamy project manager whose company helps lessen the blow when her whole project falls apart.
Overall: This is a very relaxing and sweet read, which makes sense considering Hallmark movies are an integral part of the plot.
Heat Factor: The door closes early! And I don’t often feel this way, but it’s actually disappointing because there’s a lot of possibility there for building the relationship during those scenes.
Character Chemistry: I honestly didn’t care what else was happening when Finn kept saying “my wife” (swoon!)
Plot: Woke up married (Irish tourist edition) plus Hollywood politics drama
Overall: The epilogue is from the dog’s perspective. 😐
The Smut Report 