Mini Reviews Archives

An Arranged Marriage, Sports Romance and a Babymoon

Aug 10, 2023

It’s mini romance review time. I haven’t done one of these in a little while so thought it was time to share thoughts on some of the books I have read recently. I’ve been reading a range of books, but today I’m sharing my thoughts on The Unwanted Marriage by Catharina Maura, – a steamy billionaire arranged marriage. Babymoon or Bust by Ava Hunter, – a one-night stand turned surprise pregnancy romance. And Waiting to Score (Pierson U, #1) by Elouise Tynan, a fake-dating sports romance.

I really liked all three of these books and I’m excited to share my thoughts with you. Check out my reviews now.
The Unwanted Marriage (The Windsors, #3) by Catharina Maura

Pages: 374
Publish date: June 2, 2023
Publisher: –
ASIN: B0C5M6YGTM
Purchase: Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

I’ve been waiting to read this one for some time and I finally got around to it. I was looking forward to Dion’s and Faye’s story, we’ve been seeing little hints of them in the previous books.
And we finally got their story. And it was so good.

Both Faye and Dion have known that one day they were going to marry one another, and when the time does come they aren’t ready. Dion has tried to put his distance between them, but now he can’t and it’s about to get interesting.

I loved Dion and Faye together so much. There is so much history, so much angst. There is so much hurt. And as the novel goes on we see these two break down everything between them. I adored seeing these two fall for one another. It was slow going, but also so hot and heavy. There is a lot to unpack between these two. Both about themselves and with each other too.

I loved seeing both Dion and Faye find themselves and each other throughout the book. Faye has been controlled most of her life, and this is the first time she is free of that. But she also doesn’t what to do with herself either.

The only one that I did struggle with, was the time in the book. There were times when things moved really fast, and then there were massive time jumps and I could not figure out what the time jump was.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book as a whole. It’s hot and heavy but emotional to the core. Dion and Faye are made for each other we really get to see it throughout the book. While it isn’t smooth sailing, they get to see each other in a whole new light and it just hits right. If you are looking for a hot and sexy arranged marriage, with a sprinkle of emotional hurt, then this book is for you.

Babymoon or Bust by Ava Hunter

Pages: 406
Publish date: June 1, 2023
Publisher: –
ISBN: 9781737474364
Purchase: Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

I’ve had my eye on this one for a while now, and I just felt like an accidental pregnancy book and this absolutely hit the spot. I didn’t expect to like this one as much as I did, but I loved it. This is a heartwarming, hot and heavy romance with some parts that might make you emotional. But overall it’s a feel-good read that put a massive smile on my face.

After a one-night stand with a grumpy bearded man, Tessie Truelove thought she would never see him again. She didn’t know his name let alone where he was from. Even when she discovers she is pregnant, she doesn’t know where to find him. But life likes to through some curveballs and when Tessie appears on TV, Solomon Wilder finds out that his one-night stand is now heavily pregnant. And what better way to talk about what’s next than crush Tessie’s babymoon?

I loved these two together! Seriously from the start, the reader is able to see the tension, the heat, and the angst. And as the book goes on, we get to see them get to know each other and fall in love with one another. They have both been through some heartbreak in their lives, and that pain is hard to recover from. But we get to see them both slowly heal.

They have a lot of things in their way, but they slowly move through them together and it’s great to see. While the miscommunication trope is used a little in this one, it’s not a big thing. Because otherwise, they do speak to each other about what’s going on. Sometimes it’s not right away, but it doesn’t carry a heavy burden on the story.

Overall, if you are looking for a smutty but fluffy accidental pregnancy with an emotional punch then this one is going to be for you. It might make you cry, but it will also put a massive smile on your face. I’m really looking forward to reading more from this author and maybe more in this world.

Waiting to Score (Pierson U, #1) by Elouise Tynan

Pages: 234
Publish date: December 7, 2021
Publisher: Ardently Romance
ISBN: 9780645376814
Purchase: Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

This is another one that has been on my tbr for a little while now, and I felt like a sports romance to lift my mood. And this was a perfect choice. It’s got fake dating, set in college and a basketball romance. Yes, please.

I didn’t know what I was going to think about this one before I started it. But right away I knew it was going to be a fun read. From the start I liked the banter between all the characters, the romance was already heating up and things were starting to get interesting.

When Monty jumps West in the quad and asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend for a moment, she never thought it would go any further. But a persistent ex makes things a little more interesting between Monty and West and what starts as faking-dating, well it turns into something much more.

I really enjoyed the slow burn, but also the intensity of these two. He falls first for sure and I loved it. He thought he didn’t want more than something fake, but Monty intrigues him and he can’t get her out of his head. For Monty, she didn’t expect to fall for the basketball player. But as they spend time together, she starts to see him and their relationship in a different light.

It’s quite a fast-paced novel, and there were times when I did get lost in how much time has passed, but I quickly got back into it.

There were a few darker elements in this one too, but I wasn’t expecting but I didn’t hate it. It explores the lengths that some people will go to. And it’s not always great.

Overall, Waiting to Score is a great sports novel. The romance is sexy and I love faking dating. Monty and West are fantastic together, they have a great group of friends. And I’m super excited to read their stories. If you are looking for a quick read that is mostly light, but with a few darker elements then this might be the book for you.

And there we go. Those are my thoughts on some of the books that I have recently read. Have you read any of these? What did you think of them? Are you planning on reading any of them? What are you wanting to read next? Let’s chat!

A Billionaire, Monster & Hunter | Mini Reviews

Mar 19, 2023

It’s time for another mini-review time and today I’m sharing my thoughts on a few of my recent reads with billionaires, monsters and hunters. I had a little slump in the middle of April but I finally feel like I am out of it and I’m trying to read as much as possible. I feel like reading and I know what I want to read at the moment.

So today I’m sharing my thoughts on a new release from an author I love and then 2 books from new-to-me authors. I really liked all the books that I’m sharing with you today and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts. So let’s get right into it, here are my thoughts on Final Offer (Dreamland Billionaires, #3) by Lauren Asher, Luxuria (Shades of Sin, #1) by Colette Rhodes and Death Wish (Reaper Reborn, #1) by Harper A. Brooks.

Final Offer (Dreamland Billionaires, #3) by Lauren Asher:

I knew going into this one I was going to be hurt. All I heard even before it came out was how emotional this would be and they weren’t wrong.

The Final Offer follows the last of the Kane brothers; and for me, it was the most emotional and impactful of the three. This is a second chance, ex-friends to lovers with a single mum and forced proximity.

I adored both Callahan and Alana, they have both been through some shit and both aren’t ready for each other. My heart broke so many times for Cal, he just needed help. and he needed to do it himself.

The romance was hot and heavy, but also slow and sexy at the same time. It was nice seeing these two fall in love again.

This was a perfect ending to this series and wrapped up everything nicely. I’m excited to see what Lauren Asher does next.

Luxuria (Shades of Sin, #1) by Colette Rhodes:

I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading this one. I’ve been slowly reading more and more monster romances and this one caught my eye. And I’m so happy that I picked it up.

I loved the arranged/forced marriage situation here, it made the dynamics between Ophelia and Allerick so enjoyable and intriguing. You can tell from the start that they don’t like each other on principle. Which gives off small hate-to-love vibes.

There was also a great set-up for the world here, and I want to know even more. the monsters in this world were interesting and I can’t wait to find out more.

Overall, I really enjoyed this smutty, sexy and sexy monster romance and I’m excited to read more of this series.

Death Wish (Reaper Reborn, #1) by Harper A. Brooks:

I didn’t know if I was going to like this one, I picked it up as the author is going to be at one of the events I’m going to this year. And I’m really glad that I did. It wasn’t what I was expecting but I was surprised nonetheless.

Jade Blackwell is a little lost. She doesn’t know much about her past only that now is a reaper. When her latest target isn’t really dead things are about to get much more interesting.

It’s got that 2000, paranormal romance kind of vibe which I adore. The romance is very low and there are just a few parts here are there that got steamy, but it’s a very slow burn.

While a lot did happen in this one, it has also set up the rest of the series really well, and I’m super excited to continue. With monsters and paranormal creatures, this one hits the spot.

And there we go. Those are my thoughts on some of the books I’ve read recently. Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Are you planning on reading any of these? Have you read any monster romances? What about paranormal romances? Let’s chat!

Mini Indie Romance Book Reviews

Feb 16, 2023

I haven’t shared some mini reviews in quite some time, so I thought now would be a perfect time. What I have been reading so far this year is all over the place but it has been all indie romance. Which shouldn’t surprise anyone. And today I’m sharing my thoughts on three of the books that I have read so far this year.

Overall I really liked all three of these books for different reasons, so let’s get into it. The books that I am sharing my thoughts on today are The Wrong Bride (The Windsors #1) by Catharina Maura, Where Good Girls Go To Die (Good Girls #1) by Holly Renee and Sticks and Stone by Grace McGinty. Let’s Go.

The Wrong Bride (The Windsors #1) by Catharina Maura.

This book has been popping up all over my social media lately and the next thing I knew I was reading it and I am so glad that I did.

It’s a romance that is messy and angsty but works oh so well. When Raven’s sister doesn’t show up for her wedding, Raven has no choice and takes her sister’s place. One major issue, Raven has always loved Ares.

The Wrong Bride is full of so many ups and downs. not only between Raven and Ares but family situations. If you don’t like drama then this book may not be for you.

However, there are also many sweet parts, sexy parts and parts where you don’t want to stop reading. it’s one of those books that you are either going to love or hate.

Where Good Girls Go To Die (Good Girls #1) by Holly Renee.

This second-chance romance is sexy and gritty. Where Good Girls Go to Die follows Parker and Olivia as they are bought together again after years of being apart.

It’s angsty to the tea and that is why I loved it so much. There is so much history between the pair and the attraction is there even after all this time.

Holly Renee knows how to create characters that are real and flawed, but you cannot but love.

If you are looking for a steamy, second-chance romance that is messy then this is the book for you

Sticks and Stone by Grace McGinty.

Grace McGinty has been on my tbr for a while now but I’ve never known which book to pick up. But her newest release caught my eye right away. A why choose ice hockey romance? Umm yes, please!

And while I didn’t love it, I still ended up really enjoying it. It’s complicated, heartwarming and sexy all at the same time.

Nova has been through some shit, and when life throws even more at her she knows she needs to stand up and take it in full force. But she isn’t doing it alone, now that River, Devan and Rigby are in her life.

Overall, the writing was okay, there were a few things that didn’t stand out to me. But I did have a fantastic time reading it and looking forward to reading more books from Grace McGinty soon.

And there we go. Those are some mini indie romance reviews. I enjoyed each of these books or different reasons and I am so excited to read more from each author. Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Let’s chat!