The follow-up to Donut Fall in Love is an opposites-attract romance with a deeply introverted heroine and a larger-than-life hero. Although it can be read as a standalone, I enjoyed revisiting characters from the first novel. While I loved the romance, the depictions of the hero’s job fell flat, sometimes pulling me out of the story. Quiet, reserved Vivian Lao is going to be a bridesmaid in her roommate Lindsay’s wedding to actor Ryan Kwok. … Continue reading The Stand-Up Groomsman by Jackie Lau →
RECOMMENDED: The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare is $1.99 and a Kindle Daily Deal! There was some debate on how the heroine’s trauma was handled in this one (feel free to check Goodreads and the comments of Carrie’s review). It earned an A- grade:
It’s fun, it has pathos, there are clothes both hilariously awful and droolingly lovely, it contains found family, and it has plentiful humor. A keeper, for sure.
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Content warnings: Loss of a parent, post-partum depression Donut Fall in Love is a funny, flirty, foodie romance which deals with themes of grief and family in a very honest and thoughtful way. I liked the way that it explored serious themes and messy family dynamics while still being a fun, sweet, and often light-hearted read. Ryan Kwok is an actor whose abs regularly trend on Twitter. His most recent film was a flop, and … Continue reading Donut Fall In Love by Jackie Lau →
Thanksgiving is a bit shorted in the romance world. I suppose this is because some people think that fighting with your family, consuming your body weight in pie, and entering a food coma are not romantic activities. To them I say…what kind of pie are we talking about here? After all, one of the most romantic lines in all of literary history refers to Thanksgiving – I refer of course to Rose saying “He ate … Continue reading A Match Made For Thanksgiving by Jackie Lau →
The Professor Next Door is the third book in Jackie Lau’s Cider Bar Sisters series, and it stands alone, though it’s a bit more fun if you have already met Nicole’s friends. Like all the other stories in this series, it will make you want to go to Toronto and eat your entire body weight in desserts. Seriously, the food porn in these books is next level. Jackie Lau appears to subscribe to the idea … Continue reading The Professor Next Door by Jackie Lau →
Her Pretend Christmas Date is a novella comprised almost entirely of Catherine catnip. I am an absolute sucker for White Christmas settings, I love me a Fake Relationship (especially when they come with Only One Bed), I adore a buttoned-up hero who gets completely unravelled by a messy heroine but do you know what I really love? A Christmas gathering that devolves into a gingerbread house making competition that is run, commentated on and judged … Continue reading Her Pretend Christmas Date by Jackie Lau →
He’s Not My Boyfriend by Jackie Lau is $3.99! This book was featured on Cover Awe because seriously, how adorable is that cover. If you want a quick, rom-com read, readers recommend this one. However, others wished the conflict was a bit stronger.
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Both Sarah and Amanda read this book and wanted to review it, so ahoy, it is joint review time, wherein we review your meniscus AND this book. Just kidding. Only the book. Your meniscus is fine as far as we know. Sarah: This book is exactly what it says on the tin, which I have to appreciate. There is a fake boyfriend, and he is indeed a little grumpy, but he’s also consistently kind hearted, … Continue reading Grumpy Fake Boyfriend by Jackie Lau →
Welcome back to Wednesday Links! My brother is currently visiting and has been in town since Saturday. It’s been a pretty casual visit so far, but it’s great to see him. I last saw him when I visited him in Germany over two years ago and the last time he visited me in the Boston area was back in 2016 for the Fourth of July. He lives in Korea and his one request here was … Continue reading Links: Kickstarters, Bookstores, & More →
This Rec League request comes from Briney in the SBTB Patreon Discord: I just finished another book where the male main character was ripped and I’m tired of this being the model for male leads. Give me the dad bods, the bears, the beefy guys. What books should I read for that? Amanda: Our discord recommended: Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade, Role Playing by Cathy Yardley , and Rhythm by Marie Lipscomb Sarah: One of … Continue reading The Rec League: Body Diversity in Heroes →
This Rec League request came from JoVE on our SBTB Patreon Discord: I’m staying with friends. Their daughter (17) would like to avoid all sexual violence in books, including consent violations. I figured people here would understand what that means (their experience is people define sexual violence too narrowly). I know she likes fantasy but possibly other stuff. Any suggestions? Elyse: Legends and Lattes. The sequel comes out next month I believe. If she’s looking … Continue reading The Rec League: Books without Consent Violations →
