I didn’t receive a 2016 RITA® Reader Challenge review for this book, so I’m compiling quotes from reviews online and using the grade average from Goodreads as a substitute. This book has a 4.21 average, which I’m interpreting as an A-. And here are the review quotes, linked to the original sources. There is also only one Goodreads review with comments, so I’m using other sources besides Goodreads: Phyllis wrote: …This is a wonderful story of … Continue reading Romancing Miss Right by Lizzie Shane →
T/W: past rape/sexual assault; slut-shaming The experience of reading this book was like dating a really hot guy. In the beginning all I saw was the potential. And the sex? Yes, please! I overlooked his flaws and knew it likely wouldn’t be long-term, but who cared because I was up late at night with his scorching hot kisses and nothing else mattered. A+! Some time went by – I had to sleep at some point … Continue reading Once Pure by Cecy Robson →
This was my first book by Elizabeth Hayley. I never heard from this author before but I chose this book mainly because the hero is a cook. As a former cook myself I like to read books about cooks – does anybody do that? Like lawyers or teachers or spies? You know, you want to see if they got it right. Only me? Well, so here I go. The story is about Tim and Quinn … Continue reading Just Say Yes by Elizabeth Hayley →
FINALLY! That is my reaction to this book. I have been sitting through three books to get to this story and it was totally worth it! The book follows Chelsea as she draws up the list for her perfect man and the characteristics that he will possess. None of them are physical traits – it’s more about lifestyle and personal beliefs that concern Chelsea. She doesn’t want someone with a crazy-ex, works nights or weekends, … Continue reading Love After All by Jaci Burton →
Trigger warning: Various kinds of sexual abuse are referred to in this story. When we were told that there were grey places the RITA spreadsheet I looked to see if there was anything I wanted to review. I went to Amazon to read the description of this book and somehow clicked on “Buy with 1 click” instead of the title. Sneaky Amazon. I was upset because the cost is above what I allow myself to … Continue reading Once Pure by Cecy Robson →
When I signed up to read Not a Fairy Tale, I was really excited about it. Celebrity scandal, “awkward wardrobe malfunction,” hot stunt man? Sounds great to me. But no. I hate to say this about any book, but it was completely unmemorable. I found myself skimming more than reading and I had a hard time convincing myself to come back to the book each day. It’s even harder to write a review about an … Continue reading Not a Fairy Tale by Romy Sommer →
This book showed me that I can really like contemporaries. I’ve been bouncing off them as the conflicts kept feeling too contrived . For this one, the reviews made me curious so I had grabbed a copy before the RITAs that I hadn’t read yet. Once I started reading, I was squeezing in as many chapters as I could when I had time. I loved how Teague and Callie’s story was one in the midst … Continue reading The Marriage Contract by Katee Robert →
You might have heard that Google is feeding its artificial intelligence romance novels to enable it to move from its stiff, factual communication style to something more realistic and conversational. Let’s hope that this novel isn’t on the menu, because it would not help the machine seem more human. The story itself is lightweight – more of a sketch of a story than an actual story. Guy from California comes to Twee Wee Town with … Continue reading A Cold Creek Christmas Story by RaeAnne Thayne →
Maybe I shouldn’t have read the three books in this series that come before this book? But because I like to read series in order and the first book had been sitting on my bookshelf for months, I thought I would read the others before I read and reviewed this one. My main problems with this book are the same I had with the others in the series. But first let me tell you what … Continue reading Love After All by Jaci Burton →
“Milk,” Mimi suggested. “Soaks up some of the sweetness.” Falling for Mr. Wrong by Lizzie Shane, is a finalist for Best Mid-Length Contemporary. It is the third book in Shane’s Reality Romance series. Book two, Romancing Miss Right, is also a finalist in this category. Caitlyn is the winner of the reality television show Marrying Mr. Perfect. In accordance with her contract with the show, she returns home after the final episode is filmed and is … Continue reading Falling for Mister Wrong by Lizzie Shane →
TL;DR: If you want to pretend that you’re getting fuzzy warm equality feels, but actually like stereotyping gay men, this is an A+ gold star book. The story is competent. There are cute moments. It’s hot. I get why this is a RITA finalist and why there are a bunch of squeeing reviews on Amazon. If you’re at all remotely anywhere on the queer spectrum, or, you know, if you’re an actual ally? You might … Continue reading Him by Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen →
