Book Review: A Rivalry of Hearts

Title - A Rivalry of Hearts 

Author - Tessonja Odette 

Genre - Contemporary, Romance, Historial Fiction 

Format - Arc-ebook 

Publication date: June 12th 2024

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Synopsis

Two rival writers.

One prestigious publishing contract.

A bargain of hearts and seduction.

They say never bargain with the fae. They also say don’t get drunk on fae wine. Yet romance author Edwina Danforth has managed a blunder with both on her first visit to the infamous faelands. Now she's trapped in a magic-fueled bet she barely remembers with a man she’d be happier to forget. The terms? Whoever can bed the most lovers during their month-long dueling book tour wins a coveted publishing contract.

The win should be easy for Edwina. She’s known for penning scintillating tales of whirlwind romance. There’s just one her imagination vastly exceeds her bedroom experience. But when failure means plummeting her career back into obscurity, losing isn’t an option.

Her handsome fae rival, William Haywood, poses an even greater challenge. Not only are his looks as aggravatingly perfect as his track record behind closed doors, but he has his own reasons for playing to win, and he won’t go down without a fight. Unless, of course, it’s a different kind of going down. In that case, he’s fair game.

Edwina and William clash in a rivalry of romance. But what happens when their objects of desire…turn out to be each other?

A Rivalry of Hearts is a spicy standalone adult fantasy romcom in the Fae Flings and Corset Strings series. Every book in the series can be read on its own in any order and ends with a HEA. If you like academic rivals, enemies to lovers, and quirky heroines, then you’ll love this sizzling tale.

The Fae Flings and Corset Strings series is set in the same world as The Fair Isle Trilogy and Entangled with Fae . Journey back to this beloved fae world or fall in love for the first time.

Review

I received A Rivalry of Hearts in return for an honest review from The Nerd Fam. 

I love Edwina she's such a great character to rival William as they are thrust into competition for the publishing contract. They have instant spark and banter that had me giggling throughout the story. I enjoyed the connections with our supporting characters they just enhanced the story they. I really felt like I could connect with Edwina which I really enjoyed she was my favorite but I also really liked William's story. 

A Rivalry of Hearts is a sweet rom-com that I throughly enjoyed and ended up devouring over one long afternoon. The characters are engaging and I just loved them all. The story is a perfect balance of story with just the right amount of spice that kept me swooning through the book. The author has done a lovely job creating a captivating beautiful story. 

When I saw this one I knew I had to sign up for it as I've been on a historical romance kick add in the fae and I was sold. I loved every moment of it and struggled to put it down so I finished it in one day. This is my first book by the author but I'm hooked on her storytelling it was easy to get drawn into Edwina and Williams story. This is perfect for fans who enjoy a rom-com with great character banter and swoon worthy fae. I can't wait to read the next one in the series, and explore the authors other books. 

Can't Wait Wednesday!

 

 Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by  

Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

New week book sounds exciting. I mean look at the cover it screams read me. I can't wait! 

Love and Other Conspiracies 

by Mallory Marlowe

Expected Pub Aug 20th 2024

(Goodreads)(Amazon) 

Synopsis

The hardest thing for a paranormal conspiracy theorist and a web series producer to believe in is finding love in this swoony debut romantic comedy.

 

Hallie Barrett's life has imploded after she's dumped by her hotshot ex, who also happens to be her coworker and the star of the online series she was producing. Without a new show to present for the company competition, she’ll be out of a job. But inspiration can come from the strangest places . . . like the most handsome guy she’s ever seen passionately discussing Bigfoot on a late-night docuseries.

 

Hayden Hargrove made a name for himself as a cryptid expert on his hit podcast, and is intrigued by the plucky, blue-haired producer who offers him the opportunity to lead his own web show. When the production team sees that Hayden’s solo on-screen presence is bad enough to make a ghost blanch, Hallie jumps on camera too, hitting him (and his cryptids) with a healthy dose of skepticism—and enough chemistry to electrify their show to the top of the competition.

 

As Hayden and Hallie investigate the unknown, they unearth feelings for each other that shake their beliefs to the core. In their search for Mothman, aliens, and the truth, the most elusive discovery might just be learning to love again.

What's a book you are excited for? 

Book Review: One Summer Knight

Title - One Summer Knight 

Author - Melissa Naatz 

Genre - Contemporary, Romance

Format - Arc-ebook 

Publication date: May 14th 2024

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Synopsis

At thirty-eight-years-old Elise White doesn’t believe in happy endings. Just endings.

After her husband of nineteen years surprises her with an anniversary gift that will fulfill all of his dreams, Elise finally accepts her marriage is over and sets out to rediscover what makes her happy. She never expected to find that happiness in the form of a knight at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival.

Coaxed into playing the role of a damsel in distress, Elise agrees to let twenty-seven-year-old Rhys fight for her honor. She thinks her chance encounter with the handsome knight will end once she leaves the fair. However, it’s just the beginning. Rhys shows Elise a side of life she forgot exists.

As the festival winds down and Rhys gets ready to leave, Elise realizes her summer fling has turned into something more, something she never expected. Love. Now faced with losing Rhys and returning to a life that no longer fits, Elise will learn that sometimes a happy ending isn’t really an ending at all.

This is a contemporary romance that explores the complicated and sometimes messy relationships of these fictional characters. This book also contains on the page sexual content between consenting adults.

Review

I received One Summer Knight in return for an honest review from The Nerd Fam.

I really liked Elise she's such an interesting character and I'm so glad she saw that it was time to call it quits. Rhys is just what she needed he swept her off her feet because he is a Knight after all. I really loved the romance between Elise and Rhys they have this sweet adorable connection that you don't even notice the age gap. 

I've not read very many age gap romance where the woman is older so I was super excited to read this one and I enjoyed the story. I admit that I had a few minutes as everything seemed to come crashing down for Elise that I wanted to throw my e-reader across the room because her ex made me so mad. I love that we get to know Rhy's friends who are a family and they all accepted Elise. 

I've sat on this one holding off on the review for a while because I was so torn on my rating. I enjoyed the story it's sweet, gritty and steamy. I loved that the story felt so real and raw with emotions I ended up teary eyed a few times. I loved the ending but I wasn't ready to say goodbye just yet to Elise and Rhys's story. This is my first book by the author and I loved her story telling she hooked me from the start and keep me addicted till the very last page. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next. 

It's Monday! What are you Reading?

 

 Hosted by The Book Date 

New week new stack of books. I'm a huge mood reader so I'm kind of all over for reading but it keeps me from being burned out. 

I've got a decent stack for the week considering I read a bunch of manga off my libby it was a great week. 

Finished Last Week 

Wild for You by Kristen Proby 

Secret Vendetta by Kathy Lockwood

Earthquake at the Mall Siva Prakash

Off Duty Doctor by Siva Prakash

The Pizza Delivery Guy Siva Prakash

On My list to start off the week. I'm planning more but this is my current starter list. 

What are you reading? 

Book Review: Hate

 Title - Hate 

Author - Tate James 

Genre - Contemporary, Romance, Dark, Why Choose

Format - Arc-ebook 

Publication date: May 8th 2024

Buy it on (Amazon) 

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Synopsis

“Madison Kate Danvers was murdered tonight.”

Those words changed my life, and not for the better.

They were wrong, of course. I wasn’t dead. But I was set up.

After being charged with a string of offences--and made an example of by my political minded father--I’m eventually released back into Shadow Grove with one thing on my mind.

Hate.

Someone is going to pay for derailing my carefully laid out future. Someone is going to catch the full force of my hate. How very convenient that someone just moved into the bedroom down the hall from me.

Archer D’Ath and his boys messed with the wrong chick and they’re about to learn just how cold Madison Kate’s hate can run.

HATE is a full length mature college/new adult romance with enemies-to-lovers/love-hate themes. This is a reverse harem novel, meaning the main character has more than one love.

Review

I received Hate in return for an honest review via Netgalley. 

Madison Kate was murdered or at least that's what everyone though, and now she's back in her dad's house but everything had changed. Now she's living with her step brothers who work for her dad and he's avoiding her. She wants revenge for what happened to her and they are living down the hall. However, the more time she spends with the guys the more she see things may not be as they seem. 

I liked Madison Kate right from the start she's a great character and I love her guys but I'm a sucker for a morally grey man. I truly enjoyed the banter and chemistry between Madison Kate and the men. Each one is unique and brings something different and I hope as the series progress things work it's way out.

This isn't my first book by Tate James she's one of my favorites and I can't believe I haven't read this series yet. I love the author's writing style she tells a captivating beautiful story that kept me hooked till the very last page.  I'm not a huge fan of Cliffhangers but talk about the way to end the story. I need the next one now, and since they are all out I'm going to devour them all because I'm hooked. Highly recommend because Hate was amazing and I loved every moment of it. 

Book Review: Endless

Title - Endless 

Author - Rosie Flint  

Genre - Contemporary, Romance, Dark 

Format - Paperback 

Publication date: May 17th 2024

Buy it on (Amazon) 

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Synopsis

Madeline is cursed with the unrelenting ability to survive, and this has made her a valuable prize to those who want to control her. Deep within the confines of a secretive facility, she lives her days as a lab rat and the intellectual property of Omni Biomedical. Nearly two decades of torture and brutal experiments have numbed her to the depths of humanity’s depravity.

Until a daring rescue mission by four enigmatic men shatters the world as she knows it, and lays the promise of freedom at her feet. The only catch: in order to secure that freedom she has to help these men with a dangerous heist.

Will she be able to evade capture by Omni Biomedical? Will she earn the freedom she’s longed so desperately for? Or will she lose everything as quickly as she gained it?

Endless is a Why Choose Romance filled with action, adventure, and simmering tension. Between dark pasts, secrets, and deadly encounters, Endless will leave you on the edge of your seat with your heart in your hands.

Review

I received Endless in return for an honest review from the author. 

First off isn't that cover just stunning! I loved Madeline she has such an interesting unique story that I was drawn in right from the start. I don't know if I would call it a curse because it's given her a second chance to have a family. I love all of her men each one brings something to the relationship Dane, Ray, Silas and Tucker who may be my favorite.

Endless is action packed right from the start it's a whirlwind adventure sprinkled in with romance and just the right amount of spice. I loved the characters I was really able to connect with them all and cheer them on through the story. I was so invested in the characters that they pulled at my heart strings enough to get some tears a few times. 

This is my first book by the author but I'm obsessed. Endless is a beautifully written captivating story that hooked me right from the start till the very last page. I'm a sucker for a reverse harem and this one just works so perfectly. I truly enjoyed Endless and ended up devouring it in one more because I had to know what was going to happen to Madeline and her men. I loved the book and every moment it just kept getting better and better it was impossible to put down. I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next. 

Book Review: Almost Pretend

Title - Almost Pretend 

Author - Nicole Snow 

Genre - Contemporary, Romance, 

Format - Paperback 

Publication date: Jan 30th 2024

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Synopsis

Opposites attract in this sizzling, feel-good, grumpy sunshine romance about a lively illustrator and the brooding billionaire she literally falls for.

Eleanor Lark is an upbeat illustrator plagued by headaches and unruly strawberry blonde hair. After a grueling cross-country flight, she blacks out cold. The brooding stranger who sat next to her grumping his way through the flight catches Elle as she falls. Neither expects the sweet chaos that happens next.

August Marshall is stonehearted, insanely rich, and a master of corporate cleanups with major baggage of his own. The last man alive who needs a media frenzy after his airport heroics steal headlines. But August has a plan—ask Elle to marry him so their trouble disappears.

Elle almost faints again. They just met! But it’s hard to say no when August tells her she might be the key to saving a children’s book series she adores. And it’s even harder to remember it’s only pretend as sparks fly, hearts fall, and two perfect strangers try to remember life before make-believe…

Review

I received Almost Pretend in return for an honest review from the author. 

I adore Elle she's such a wonderful character who happens to find herself sweep into a whirlwind fake relationship with broody August. He in his own right is exactly how I pictured him and perfect for Elle. I loved the chemistry these two have as they attempt to pretend it's a fake relationship. Neither one can deny the attraction as they spend more time together. 

Almost Pretend was sweet is a sweet story with just the right balance of spice. There is just a touch of mystery involving Augusts aunt's story that kept me wanting to know more. I truly enjoyed every moment of Elle and Augusts romance as I'm addicted to fake dating and the author did a fantastic job with it. 

This is my first book by the author but I'm hooked as Almost Pretend was a perfectly created romance that captured my heart as well as my imagination. I love the characters and really felt like I could connect with them through the story. I ended up devouring this one in just a long afternoon because I had to know how it would play out. The author has a beautiful gift with storytelling and I can't wait to fall in love all over with her other books. She's going on my must read them all list. 

Book Review: Whispers of Devotion

Title - Whispers of Devotion 

Author - K.T. Maddan 

Genre - Contemporary, Romance, Dark  

Format - Ebook Arc  

Publication date: May 22nd 2024

Buy it on (Amazon) 

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Synopsis

She’s been mine since the moment I saw her. My demons called out to hers, recognizing her darkness

Matt

When my low-life dad passed I didn't expect my inheritance to be his small-town dive bar. On that first night when I met Aria - she consumed me. The way she held her own. I studied her and she secretly became a part of me. I’m fearful for her to discover the devil that stalks the shadows. I’ve always been a drifter, following odd jobs and payouts, but I can’t seem to let her go.

Aria

When Matt showed up claiming his stake in The Bar, I didn’t believe him. Jimmy never mentioned having a son. It wasn’t terrible working for Matt but he was closed off and quiet. I never expected something would ignite between us or that a mutual connection would lead me down a path that I thought I laid to rest years ago.

Review

I received Whispers of Devotion in return for an honest review. 

Whispers of Devotion is the second in the Whispers of Cedarbrook series this one features Aria and Matt. I adored Aria in the first book we only had little snippets of her but I was fingers crossed that the second book would be her story. I just loved her and getting to see more of Matt was exactly what I was hoping for. They have this steamy connection that just works so perfectly. 

I loved the first book so much that Whispers of Devotion had some high expectations to meet and it blew them out of the water. While I loved Tierney and Elias I think Matt and Aria are my favorite duo I just connected with them so much more. I loved seeing their side of the story play out. I ended up devouring this one right after the first one reading them back to back over 2 days and I couldn't put it down till the last page. 

This is a beautiful story that captured my heart as well as my imagination right from the start till the very last page. I wasn't ready for it to end and hope that we get more books in the series because I'm not yet ready to say goodbye. The author has done a stunning job creating characters to fall in love with and a story that draws the reader in making it easy to lose all track of time. Her storytelling is stunning a perfectly balance story with just the right amount of spice. This is hands down my favorite duo of the year. Can't wait to read more from the author as I'm obsessed!!!