Well my resolution is done. LOL.
I’m already behind on my book reviews and blog. I am working on them just not super great at posting them, and for someone reason I cannot get into the habit of pre-scheduling them. So here goes what I have read so far this year.
Bankrupt Love: CL Rain
I liked the plot. The idea of riches to rags is always appealing. In this case, Harper is our upper-crust spoiled socialite with a PR firm that caters to the ultra-wealthy. Until her scandalous fiance is arrested for money laundering, she is ousted from her elite circle faster than a New York minute. She finds herself with no money, no friends, and the career she had built gone all in a split second. Harper has no choice but to flee.
Harper drives until she comes across the small town of Wishing Springs on a stop for food. After days on the road, some fresh southern cooking is just the ticket. While indulging in her bucket of chicken on a nearby park bench, she is unceremoniously arrested for having a picnic. Yep. You read that right. (You’ll have to read more to find out how that works)
This book sounded super cute, and the town antics were fabulous, but I hated Harper. I had difficulty connecting with her story ARC. I found her character spoiled, annoying & immature. The character arc for her came far too late in the story for me to start liking her.
One thing that didn’t make sense was there was ZERO spice, not even hand-holding, a kiss, or anything. I don’t have an issue with no-low-spice books, but this didn’t fit the ending, and there were so many opportunities to have a little something.
Enemies with Benefits- Roxie Noir
Childhood rivals that are now competitive co-workers! The banter and enemies to lovers were great.
Eli Loveless is a hot-as-sin catering chef who landed a job at the town’s most elite event space. Where his childhood rival Violet happens to be the event planner. Their history is long-standing, and they would do nothing to stop the other person from winning. When their boss announces that this year’s bonus for the MVP is a whopping 20 grand, you bet these two are willing to stoop to some low measures.
Except, someone else is also trying to win the cash, and setting them both up to fail. Eli and Violet need to work together if they don’t want to lose their chance of winning the cash or losing their jobs.
SPICY! He falls first. The banter was right on for them, and I love how ruthless they were but then caved for each other.
I loved the idea of them being tampered with, but it felt like a thrown-in storyline and not focused on.
O.M.G the ending! It was a little predictable, but I loved it. It was the way I would have ended it also.
Love Hops- Christine Layne
This was my latest read and it was fantastic. Tropes Mc’s in their 40s! Starting over, second chance, age gap, boss/ employee & spicy.
Our FMC is celebrating her 40th birthday alone, indulging in some wine while floating out in a canoe. Let’s just say it wasn’t a celebration she had planned, but since her boyfriend dumped her, she was fired from her fancy LA interior design job and lost her mother, she found herself with nowhere to go and no plan, back in Colorado.
To add insult to her lonely birthday she was flipped over by a jet ski wave. Thankfully a handsome saviour named Del was there to rescue her.
Del and Lena spend a bit of time getting to know each other so when he offers her a job at his brewery she is rather reluctant. Although she can’t live on her savings forever, she decides a job is better than no job. The only problem might be that Lena doesn’t know anything about brewing, or beer, she doesn’t even drink it!
I loved how they instantly had an attraction and that everyone was supportive. The characters had a great storyline and the twist at the end! Although the 3rd act break up had me screaming at the book. I can’t even tell you about it.
I enjoyed this book, the only thing I’d maybe question was Lena’s age versus actions. At some points in the book, there was a lot of referencing clubbing, and drinking like it was an everyday happy hour, but she was 40. Now I don’t know about you but as someone in their 40s clubbing was long ago and aside from a few special events or vacations it’s not an everyday occurrence.
One Night with a Billionaire- Noelle Stone
Tropes: One night stand, surprise pregnancy, small town, billionaire.
This was my 1st ARC read! I’ve decided to join Book Sirens since it was invaluable to me when I was looking for my ARC readers and there’s nothing more I wanted to do than help fellow indie authors. Let’s get started.
Our FMC is on a weekend girls’ trip to Vegas when she meets a devilishly handsome stranger who spends an incredible night and then vanishes before he wakes. Turns out all is not left in Vegas when she comes face to face with him at her parent’s investment firm where is the potential buyer. The problem is his investors aren’t so keen on the small-town portfolio he has an eye for, and convincing them and her family to sell has its own challenges.
There are a few inconsistencies in the story but overall it was a cute read that didn’t take me a lot of time.
What’s on my bookshelf?
Challenge by Amy Daws
A doctor and a patient who’s also one of the biggest soccer players around- and did I mention hot as sin with a dirty mind to match?
Join the club and read with me!
Madyn Rose 
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