Blog Tour: Love In Plane Sight by Lauren Connolly

 

Beth Lundberg has always dreamed of becoming a pilot, but financial barriers and tricky family dynamics prevent her from soaring through the clouds—until George Bunsen flies into her life.

 

Sure, her brother’s best friend may be both a talented pilot and an extremely good-looking man—but Beth can’t stand him. He’s always been frosty towards her, and Beth assumes that George is just another member of the pompous boys’ club that dominates the skies. But when her first ride-along with George dives toward disaster, Beth is horrified to find herself with an adrenaline-fueled crush on the sexy pilot who just saved her life. 

 

Feeling guilty for their near-catastrophe, George offers Beth free flying lessons. The more time the duo spends navigating the sky, the more the turbulence between George and Beth dissipates. But can Beth really take a risk on romance when her pilot career isn’t even off the ground?

 

LOVE IN PLANE SIGHT is the perfect high-flying read for fans of Emily Henry, Carley Fortune, and Beth O’Leary. Connolly’s blend of wry millennial wit, laugh-out-loud humor, and stirring emotional depth will have readers soaring on a fun-filled journey through the pages. In addition to serving up a charming love story, Connolly draws attention to the sexism and inequality that female pilots often face.

Title: Love In Plane Sight

Author: Lauren Connolly

Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group

Publication Date: December 16, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions provided here are my own.

To say I was excited to get a copy of this book to read early is an understatement. I absolutely adored P.S. I Hate You by Connolly and was excited to see what she would write next. And this book was chef's kiss for me. I adored the characters and the plot.

Beth Lundberg is no stranger to her brother's best friend, George Bunsen. For as long as she's known him, he has never liked her, going as far as leaving rooms when she enters. When a ride along flying lesson with him goes horribly wrong, Beth finds herself with an adrenaline fueled crush. And when he offers to give her lessons for free as she struggles to pay her mother's medical bills, she truly cannot say no. As they spend more time together, the walls that have been built between them start to melt and they find themselves bonding and even, maybe, liking each other just a little bit more than they should.

I loved how Connolly built the relationship between George and Beth. Not only is there intense chemistry, but their banter is top notch. I love how sarcastic they are with one another. There were so many laugh out loud moments that had my family looking at me like I was losing my mind. I'm a sucker for a good pining story and this one had that in loads. 

Beth is well developed but I had just a few issues with how often she was trying to convince herself that George just did not like her. That he was only doing things for her because of his guilt due to their emergency landing. That her brother, Shawn, was the one to make him spend time with her. This particular trope drives me bananas. Miscommunication can absolutely be done well but it was a little over the top in this book with how many times the FMC mentioned the MMC not liking her. I understood where it was coming from and why it was being used, but there were so many times I wanted to bonk Beth on her head. I did enjoy her inability to ask for or take help. She wants so badly to be independent she just cannot find it in her to accept when others are truly wanting to help her without her having to give anything in return. The guilt associated with this is palpable throughout the book. It was nice to watch her slowly realize others are happy to assist her when she needs it.

The pacing of the book was great. I didn't want to put it down. I needed to find out how Beth and George's story would play out. And the first chapter truly starts with a bang and pulls you right into the story. I was hooked right from the start!

It was so easy to fall in love with this story and all the characters contained within it. I especially loved Beth and Shawn's relationship. He was such a great support for her. Their relationship was so sweet. You could really feel how much they truly cared for each other. The tricky family dynamics seemed like they would interfere with this relationship, but the characters did not allow it. I absolutely would not mind a story for Shawn in the future because I feel like he truly deserves to be happy.

Overall I was delighted with this book. It was fun and fast paced and touched on some really important topics. If you love Katherine Center, Abby Jimenez, and Carley Fortune, you will be sucked right into Connolly's story. I can't wait to see what Connolly comes up with next!

Author:

Lauren Connolly is an award-winning author of contemporary and magical romance stories. She’s lived among mountains, next to lakes, and in imaginary worlds. Lauren can never seem to stay in one place for too long, but trust that wherever she’s residing there is a dog who thinks he’s a troll, twin cats hiding in the couch, and bookshelves bursting with stories written by the authors she loves.

Audio ARC Review: Christmas People by Iva-Marie Palmer

Some people are Christmas people, but Jill Jacobs is most certainly not. She hasn’t been ever since her hometown love broke her heart on Christmas Day three years ago. After that, Jill moved to L.A. to pursue her dream of becoming a screenwriter. She hasn’t been home in years to avoid her ex, but this winter she finds herself back in drab, suburban Illinois for the holidays.

After one very hazy night, Jill wakes up to a hometown that's filled with jolly neighbors, covered in pristine white snow, and shimmering with the smell of nutmeg. She realizes that this is more than just a bad hangover… she's stuck in a Heartfelt movie. One set in her town, starring real people from her life, including her family, her high school crush (uber perfect, owns a bakery, and definitely a Christmas Person), and of course, her ex —handsome as ever and now exclusively clad in plaid flannel.

The only way out of this bizarro world is to complete the plot of the movie, including a holiday bake off and a cookie-sweet love story. To get home in time for Christmas, Jill must act out a picture-perfect holiday romance with the one that got away, all while her ex watches on. Fa la la la freaking la….

Title: Christmas People

Author: Iva-Marie Palmer

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin/Macmillan Audio

Expected Publication Date: September 30, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this title to listen to and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I absolutely love Christmas. So when I say that Patti Murin was narrating this, I just had to give it a try. And I'm so very glad I did. This book made my heart so very happy. 

Think of it as a twist on Scrooge. Jill Jacobs is Scrooge. She doesn't like Christmas or anything that goes with it. So she's the perfect person to get stuck in a dream town where Christmas is all around her. Think of it as a Hallmark movie where everything funny that could go wrong does: splashed with puddles, falling for the wrong guy, and so much more.

First I have to give props to Patti Murin. She can make me fall in love with any character. She absolutely nails rom-coms and there is nothing she narrates I won't listen to. And she does them all so well. I was never confused as to who was speaking. Her tone and inflection are perfect. And she can make me laugh. There were so many moments in this book when I literally laughed out loud and the people around me gave me funny looks.

Jill Jacobs's character was fun and relatable. I didn't love her at first. She was too self-depreciating. But then she slowly grew on me as she started to develop. It was a joy to watch her  transform into someone who could actually believe in the magic of the holiday season. She re-discovers what truly matters to her.

And I loved that it was a second chance romance to boot! I'm really into those right now and I loved how Iva- Marie Palmer made it play out. This is my first book by her but I can tell it will not be my last.

If you're looking for a happy go lucky listen and are in the mood for a little Christmas spirit, definitely give this one a try.

Author:

Iva-Marie Palmer is the author of the young adult novels Gimme Everything You Got and The End of the World as We Know It. She also wrote the Gabby Garcia's Ultimate Playbook series and Oh My Dog! for middle grade readers, as well as the books Romeo, Juliet and Jim and the Edgar Award-nominated The Jules Verne Prophecy with co-writer Larry Schwarz. Christmas People is her first adult novel.

Before writing professionally, Palmer worked as an award-winning community news reporter in Chicago's South Suburbs and as a web editor for the Walt Disney Company. She also got to know many a Christmas person working at a Hallmark store through high school and college.

Palmer now resides in Burbank, California with her husband and two sons.

 

Audio ARC Review: Total Dream Boat by

From the beloved author of Just Some Stupid Love Story, an irresistible rom-com about what happens when a cruise ship romance goes…overboard

Hope Lanover needs a vacation. Her relationship has imploded, her creative ambitions have flatlined, and she can’t seem to locate the badass girl she used to be. So when her best friend invites her on a luxury cruise, she goes along with it, despite decidedly not being a cruise person.

Felix Segrave, a sober, determinedly single, workaholic chef, hates leaving his restaurant and routine. But when his parents surprise him and his sisters with cruise tickets, he can’t say no—he’s disappointed them too many times in his troubled past.

Hope and Felix are prepared to grin and bear it . . . until they lock eyes at check-in. Suddenly ten days in the Caribbean doesn’t seem so bad, if it means a fling with a sexy stranger. But when their romantic demons catch up to them and a huge fight leaves them stranded in paradise, they must work together—not to mention share a bed—to make their way home. Can they navigate the stormy seas of love or will they face romantic shipwreck?

Title: Total DreamBoat

Author: Katelyn Doyle

Publisher:

Publication Date: June 24, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Flatiron Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an audio galley of this title to listen to and give my honest review .The opinions here are mine.

I recently listened to Doyle's Just Some Stupid Love Story and enjoyed it. I was excited to see she had a new title and I loved the idea of two people meeting on a cruise and having a fling that could turn to more. Close proximity is a fun trope!

I really enjoyed the female narrator for this book, Kelli Tager. I'd not listened to anything narrated by her before I she did the main character really well. As for the male narrator, Russ Bain, I really wanted to like him. I always feel like I'd love a British accent but, in all honesty, I just wasn't a huge fan. He was just ok for me. Not enough inflection or feeling in his narration. It fell flat for me and I didn't feel like he really was the character.

That being said, I did enjoy the story. I loved the baggage both Hope and Felix bring to the story. I found it quite easy to connect with their characters. Hope, being someone who couldn't find what she truly wanted for herself. Clinging to others to move her along rather than relying on her true self. And Felix with his addiction. This I really connected to having grown up in that environment. How he travels through his sober life and what that looks like. How hard it is. How he doesn't want to open up past that sobriety for fear it will push him over an edge and back to where he was before. I really felt that pain and how he'd worked so hard on his growth.

The romance was cute, even though it was quick. I get the time constraint seeing as they were on a cruise. So it had to happen fast. I feel like the connection could have been a bit deeper, this would have made the chemistry feel more believable.

I really enjoyed the side characters so much. The narrators gave then all their own unique personalities. I really enjoyed the relationship between Felix and his sisters, Pear and Pru. Lauren was a great friend, even if she did some things that were questionable. She did redeem herself overall. 

I will say the miscommunication trope got a little old for me. I felt like we were running in circles a bit. When they resolved their first conflict about miscommunication they jumped right into another. I needed more growth from this. Why didn't they learn the lesson?

Despite those dips, the pacing held well. I wanted to keep listening to see how the story would resolve and I wasn't disappointed with where it went.

This one is a great summer read. It made me want to pack up and take a cruise (which I have never done). There's something about being on the water that is so romantic and soothing. If you're looking for a fun romantic read that dives into the world of recovery and self-exploration, pick thsi one up and give it a try!

Author:

Katelyn Doyle is the author of contemporary romances Just Some Stupid Love Story and Total Dreamboat. Her work has been called “fun and fresh as hell” by People and “a joy to read” by Kirkus. She also writes steamy, feminist, slightly outré historical romances as the saucy USA Today Bestselling novelist Scarlett Peckham.

Katelyn is a recovering crisis PR executive, a graduate of Columbia University, and a lifelong romance addict who got her start stealing her grandmother’s bodice rippers at the tender age of eleven. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and extremely small cat, and when not toiling away expanding her oeuvre, entertains herself with frivolities such as diamond painting, watching everything on Bravo, and consuming audiobooks at 1.6x speed.

 

Review: Tools of Engagement (Hot and Hammered #3) by Tessa Bailey

Hair, makeup, clothing, decor... everything in Bethany Castle's world is organized, planned, and styled to perfection. Which is why the homes she designs for her family's real estate business are the most coveted in town. The only thing not perfect? Her track record with men. She's on a dating hiatus and after helping her friends achieve their dreams, Bethany finally has time to focus on her own: flip a house, from framework to furnishings, all by herself. Except her older brother runs the company and refuses to take her seriously.

When a television producer gets wind of the Castle sibling rivalry, they’re invited on Flip Off, a competition to see who can do the best renovation. Bethany wants bragging rights, but she needs a crew and the only member of her brother's construction team willing to jump ship is Wes Daniels, the new guy in town. His Texas drawl and handsome face got under Bethany's skin on day one, but the last thing she needs is some cocky young cowboy in her way.

As the race to renovate heats up, Wes and Bethany are forced into close quarters, trading barbs and biting banter as they remodel the ugliest house on the block. It's a labor of love, hate, and everything in between, and soon sparks are flying. But Bethany's perfectly structured life is one kiss away from going up in smoke and she knows falling for a guy like Wes would be a flipping disaster.

In Tessa Bailey’s latest rom-com, two enemies team up to flip a house... and the sparks between them might burn the place down or ignite a passion that neither can ignore!

Title: Tools of Engagement (Hot & Hammered #3)

Author: Tessa Bailey

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: September 22, 2020

Review:

I really enjoy series with cross over characters. And Bailey always does a great job with them. This one was super fun! Think friends to lovers, age gap, and a whole lot of southern boy charm. This makes for great entertainment.

Bethany Castle knows how to deck out a house: both her own and those she helps her family sell. But she's never taken more seriously than the styling she can do. When she wants to do her own flip, her brother laughs it off. That's when she takes matters into her own hands buying a local house and then enlisting the newest kid in town, Wes, to help her out. When a local reality TV show gets wind of the sibling rivalry, they want to air it on TV. Bethany's plan: beat her brother no matter what. But what she doesn't expect is to actually fall for her helper in the process!

I love a good book set in reality TV. I've read a few and they are always fun to watch unfold. I'm always seeking that Survivor type of bond and the rivalry that comes along with it all. So watching Bethany fight to show she can be just as good at flipping houses as her older brother is so much fun.

Bethany is seen as a surface level girl. Hair in place, make up on point, clothing unmarred and unwrinkled. But she's not afraid to get her hands dirty, literally. She fights tooth and nail in this book to show everyone she's more than what is on the outside. I love how she puts her whole heart into it. She's wound a bit tight, but by the end learns that she can loosen in places and relax into who she is. And I also love how she grows and sees she is worthy of not only doing the job, but winning the love she deserves.

Wes, oh Wes! I loved him from the beginning. This kind of side guy who is just a little too cocky for the liking. But, at the same time, he is not at all afraid to go after what he wants. It's kind of endearing. And his cowboy style and drawl had me swooning throughout the entire book. My favorite part of his character is how consistent he is. He provides Bethany with the love and support she needs, even if she doesn't recognize it for what it is until later on in the book. But he also cares for his young niece, Laura, in such a wonderful way. He's thoughtful and generous and he puts others first in so many situations. He provides both Laura and Bethany with the stability they so need.

The banter and chemistry between these two is so much fun. Bethany pushes Wes away over and over again, but he doesn't back down. He's like a dog going after a bone who just won't give up to get what he wants. 

I've seen this one called an enemies to lovers trope. But I don't know that I'd go that far as they barely know each other to be enemies. And he does switch sides to help her with her house project. I would say more of a forced proximity trope applies to this one.

And of course a Bailey romcom would not be a Bailey romcom without some seriously sexy times! Boy can Wes do the sexy talk! I was definitely doing a bit of leg crossing while listening to this one!

I can say this was my favorite book of this series. These two characters were well developed and their growth really shined through. I can't wait to read more from Bailey as she's quickly becoming one of my favorite romance writers.

Author:

New York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. Catch her on TikTok at @authortessabailey or check out tessabailey.com for a complete list of books.

 

Review: Love Her or Lose Her (Hot & Hammered #2) by Tessa Bailey

Rosie and Dominic Vega are the perfect couple: high school sweethearts, best friends, madly in love. Well, they used to be, anyway. Now, Rosie's lucky to get a caveman grunt from the ex-soldier every time she walks in the door. Dom is faithful and a great provider, but the man she fell in love with 10 years ago is nowhere to be found. When her girlfriends encourage Rosie to demand more out of life and pursue her dream of opening a restaurant, she decides to demand more out of love, too. Three words: marriage boot camp.

Never in a million years did Rosie believe her stoic, too-manly-to emote husband would actually agree to relationship rehab with a weed-smoking hippie. Dom talking about feelings? Sitting on pillows? Communing with nature? Learning love languages? Nope. But to her surprise, he's all in, and it forces her to admit her own role in their cracked foundation. As they complete one ridiculous - yet surprisingly helpful - assignment after another, their remodeled relationship gets stronger than ever. Except just as they're getting back on track, Rosie discovers Dom has a secret... and it could demolish everything.

Title: Love Her or Lose Her (Hot & Hammered #2)
Author: Tessa Bailey

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: January 14, 2020

Review:

Another fun Tessa Bailey romcom added to my pile!

To be honest, I wasn't sure I was going to like this one. I read the first book in this series and met the MMC, Dominic, and I just wasn't a fan. Now, I knew he had some baggage from serving in the military, so I chocked his standoffishness up to that and didn't pay it much mind. But then I saw this book was about him and knew Bailey would do him justice and show me exactly why he is that way. She didn't disappoint.

Rose and Dominic have been together forever. But it seems their marriage is only holding on by a string. Dominic is closed off to Rosie's sparkling personality and she can't take it anymore. Her fix? Relationship rehab with a weed smoking therapist. But will this marriage bootcamp finally bring the two back together or will it show them they are better off apart?

My favorite part of this story were the meetings Rosie and Dominic had with their therapist! He's not only funny, but he knows just the right things to say and just the right tasks to give the couple to lead them back to each other. Were there bumps along the way, of course there were! Rosie wants more from Dominic and he's having a hard time giving it. But, in the end, the relationship is so much stronger than either of them imagined, and this helps them pull through.

Rosie is strong and imaginative. She wants more out of life than just being a housewife who cooks well. She wants to share that passion for cooking with the world. She truly takes the bull by the horns in this story and goes for what she needs. Does she have fear it will leave Dominica behind, she does. But she also knows she cannot go on living a life where she is unhappy with what she does.

Dominic just wants to provide for Rosie. His love for her is very deep but he has a super hard time showing it. He believes giving her a roof over her head and nice things will keep her around. He's a bit pig headed and a lot damaged from his time in the military. He's super rough around the edges.

Let me tell you, these two have super hot sexy chemistry. The scenes Bailey wrote had me swooning and sweating all in one foul swoop (where is my fan???). Their attraction is top notch. But I love how Bailey doesn't use the sex to make up for the other things the relationship lacks. She really makes these characters work hard for each other.

I really enjoyed this wasn't your typical romcom, where the characters pine, then slow burn, then crash together only to fall apart and crash again. Rosie and Dominic's story is a bit more complex given Dominic's background and the fact the two have been together for so long. They both make active choices to better themselves and their relationship and take it to the next level.

Bailey brings a fun and entertaining read leaving me wanting more, more, more!

Author:

New York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. Catch her on TikTok at @authortessabailey or check out tessabailey.com for a complete list of books.

 

Review: Fix Her Up (Hot & Hammered #1) by Tessa Bailey

A brand new romantic comedy from New York Times bestseller Tessa Bailey!

Georgette Castle’s family runs the best home renovation business in town, but she picked balloons instead of blueprints and they haven’t taken her seriously since. Frankly, she’s over it. Georgie loves planning children’s birthday parties and making people laugh, just not at her own expense. She’s determined to fix herself up into a Woman of the World... whatever that means.

Phase one: new framework for her business (a website from this decade, perhaps?)

Phase two: a gut-reno on her wardrobe (fyi, leggings are pants.)

Phase three: updates to her exterior (do people still wax?)

Phase four: put herself on the market (and stop crushing on Travis Ford!)

Living her best life means facing the truth: Georgie hasn’t been on a date since, well, ever. Nobody’s asking the town clown out for a night of hot sex, that’s for sure. Maybe if people think she’s having a steamy love affair, they’ll acknowledge she’s not just the “little sister” who paints faces for a living. And who better to help demolish that image than the resident sports star and tabloid favorite?

Travis Ford was major league baseball’s hottest rookie when an injury ended his career. Now he’s flipping houses to keep busy and trying to forget his glory days. But he can’t even cross the street without someone recapping his greatest hits. Or making a joke about his… bat. And then there's Georgie, his best friend’s sister, who is not a kid anymore. When she proposes a wild scheme—that they pretend to date, to shock her family and help him land a new job—he agrees. What’s the harm? It’s not like it’s real. But the girl Travis used to tease is now a funny, full-of-life woman and there’s nothing fake about how much he wants her...

Title: Fix Her Up (Hot & Hammered #1)

Author: Tessa Bailey

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: June 11, 2019

Review:

I really enjoy Tessa Bailey's romcoms and this was no exception.
Imagine your family owns a home renovation company but you decide to branch out and do something you love only to find they don't take you seriously. In order to fix their opinion of her. But she needs help. She enlists her brother's best childhood friend, Travis, to fake date her to get her family off her back. It's all in good fun, right? Until feelings get involved...
This romcom was so much fun. I enjoy knowing there will be fun and build up, a little bit of stress, and then a happily ever after. Is it predictable? Sure. But it's also so much fun to see how it plays out. Bailey does a great job developing her characters and making them relatable.
Georgie is a really fun character. She's sweet and is really good at her job. She's also a bit naive at 23 and hasn't yet experienced much of life (both professionally and personally). Aside from the fact that her job is as an actual clown (honestly, clowns are so creepy for me), she also has a wicked sense of humor. She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to pursue it, though she does let what her family thinks of her chosen profession get in her way a bit. But she learns over the course of the book what makes her happy and how to stand up for that. She has a lot of growth.
Travis is a swoon worthy MMC. He's trying so hard to put his past behind him but people remind him every step of the way how he messed up his career. He pushed hard to move forward during the course of the story. He's also tender and loving.
There's a lot of sexy times in the second half of the book. Personally, I like the sexy times in a romance but I know it's not for everyone.
Is the plot unpredictable, not really. I love that we get to know Georgie's family and friends (for future books I'm sure as Bailey likes to have cross over characters). But I was ok with it being just a fun and satisfying, easy read.
If you love a good fake dating, friends to lovers story, pick this one up!

Author:

 

New York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. Catch her on TikTok at @authortessabailey or check out tessabailey.com for a complete list of books.

ARC Review: The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

Christina Lauren, returns with a delicious new romance between the buttoned-up heir of a grocery chain and his free-spirited artist ex as they fake their relationship in order to receive a massive inheritance.

Anna Green thought she was marrying Liam “West” Weston for access to subsidized family housing while at UCLA. She also thought she’d signed divorce papers when the graduation caps were tossed, and they both went on their merry ways.

Three years later, Anna is a starving artist living paycheck to paycheck while West is a Stanford professor. He may be one of four heirs to the Weston Foods conglomerate, but he has little interest in working for the heartless corporation his family built from the ground up. He is interested, however, in his one-hundred-million-dollar inheritance. There’s just one catch.

Due to an antiquated clause in his grandfather’s will, Liam won’t see a penny until he’s been happily married for five years. Just when Liam thinks he’s in the home stretch, pressure mounts from his family to see this mysterious spouse, and he has no choice but to turn to the one person he’s afraid to introduce to his one-percenter parents—his unpolished, not-so-ex-wife.

But in the presence of his family, Liam’s fears quickly shift from whether the feisty, foul-mouthed, paint-splattered Anna can play the part to whether the toxic world of wealth will corrupt someone as pure of heart as his surprisingly grounded and loyal wife. Liam will have to ask himself if the price tag on his flimsy cover story is worth losing true love that sprouted from a lie.

Title: The Paradise Problem

Author: Christinas Lauren

Publisher: Gallery Books

Expected Publication Date: May 14, 2024

Review:

Thank you to Gallery Books and Edelweiss for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Christina Lauren are back at it again with another romcom about a two people who marry for convenience that ends and the couple later fakes their relationship to receive a huge inheritance. 

I'm pretty sure there is nothing these two can write that I won't love. To say I look forward to their books being published is an understatement. There is just something about how their characters grow together and bond that gets me every single time. It's a slow burn with tons of tension and tense moments. And you just know there will be a happily ever after, even if there is some hell to get through to that finale. Their formula just works for me!

Anna Green is a starving artist who was married to West to secure easy housing during her time in college. But she and West divorced three years ago. Or at least she thought they did. When he shows up on her doorstep telling her otherwise, you can bet she's surprised. But even more surprising is that his family still thinks they are together! Anna is fun but quirky character. She has great sass and she is totally relatable. And her heart is so big. She wants to give and give and give and never takes for herself. She also has no idea how beautiful she is or what effect she can have on men.

Liam "West" Weston is heir to a fortune, but only if he meets his grandfather's clauses for the inheritance. He's desperate to get his hands on that money, but not at all for the reasons you might think. Enlisting Anna is the only way to do it. How could he know he'd fall for his wife during the process? I love Liam. Yes, he comes from wealth. And, yes, you definitely can see it. But he's so much more under that fancy clothing and car that he drives. 

Who would turn down the chance to go to a wedding as a fake wife on an exclusive island for a ton of money when you can't afford to pay your rent? I don't think there are many who would not want to step into the role. Lauren not only brings together two unlikely to fall in love characters but they do it with great finesse. It's a slow burn that has you rooting for the characters to just get together already! And they do it with humor, as well. I had so many laugh out loud moments. It's sweet how the characters learn about each other in playful ways.

Lauren definitely rips out the emotional in me. I'm always on edge with their books because I know eventually there will be a third act whoops before the characters finally realize they are meant to be. Pretty sure I create that tension in myself. But I love how they do it because it's never this huge scene and the authors are masters at making it realistic.

Another thing these author do so well is the description of the world they build. This book primarily takes place on a tropical island. The descriptions truly made me feel like I was right there (also they made me a little jealous because who doesn't want to be on an exclusive island with a hut over the water?). 

And the side characters! Some are totally fabulous. You want to them be on Anna's side, and they are. While others are just downright mean and you'd be more than happy to throw the off the pier into shark infested waters!

If your looking for a fun romantic book where the characters aren't likely to be a perfect match but end up complimenting each other, this one is that book. So grab this one and your favorite cold cocktail, it's the perfect Summer read.

Authors:

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced nineteen New York Times bestselling novels. Their books have been translated into 30+ languages. (Some of these books have kissing. Some of these books have A LOT of kissing.)


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Most Anticipated Releases 3/19/2024

 

Happy Tuesday March 19, 2024 release day! 

These are my picks for most anticipated releases this week.

Flirty Little Secret by Jessica Lepe

School counselor Lucy Galindo has a secret.

To her coworkers, friends, and even family, she’s shy, sweet, and constantly struggling to hold off disaster (read: manage her anxiety and depression). But online? She’s bold, confident, and always knows what to say—it’s how she’s become the wildly popular @TheMissGuidedCounselor. It’s also why she keeps her identity anonymous. Her followers would never trust the real Lucy with their problems.

History teacher Aldrich Fletcher thought a new job would give him some relief from his drama-filled family. Instead, he’s dodging his ex-girlfriend and pining over his new co-worker—who only ever seems to see him at his worst. Thankfully, he can count on his online confidant for advice . . . until he discovers @TheMissGuidedCounselor is Lucy.

Now Fletcher has a secret too. And while Lucy can’t deny there’s something between them, she’s not sure she can trust him. Can they both find the courage to share the truth and step out from behind their screens?

I love a good romcom and especially one with secrets! This one seems really cute so I cannot wait to pick it up and give it a try. The author is new to me, as well, and I love finding new auhors!

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

Being single is like playing the lottery. There’s always the chance that with one piece of paper you could win it all.

From the New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years and One Italian Summer comes the romance that will define a generation.

I actually got to read an early copy of this book and enjoyed it. I like how Serle incorporates magical realism into her books but still keeps them contemporary.

Under This Red Rock by Mindy McGinnis

Neely’s monsters don’t always follow her rules, so when the little girl under her bed, the man in her closet, and the disembodied voice that shadows her every move become louder, she knows she’s in trouble.

With a history of mental illness in her family, and the suicide of her older brother heavy on her mind, Neely takes a job as a tour guide in the one place her monsters can’t follow—the caverns. There she can find peace. There she can pretend to be normal. There . . . she meets Mila.

Mila is everything Neely isn’t—beautiful, strong, and confident. As the two become closer, Neely’s innocent crush grows into something more. When a midnight staff party exposes Neely to drugs, she follows Mila’s lead . . . only to have her hallucinations escalate.

When Mila is found brutally murdered in the caverns, Neely has to admit that her memories of that night are vague at best. With her monsters now out in the open, and her grip on reality slipping, Neely must figure out who killed Mila . . . and face the possibility that it might have been her.

Award-winning author Mindy McGinnis delivers a powerful psychological thriller, deftly exploring the dark places in the earth and the human mind, where what is real and imaginary isn’t so easily distinguishable.

McGinnis has long been a favorite author of mine ever since I read A Madness so Discreet. I got to meet her long ago at a book festival in Easton PA and have a singed copy of A Madness so Discreet on my shelves. I also love a good psychological thriller and I'm hoping she treats the mental health issues with good hands.

The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le

The tantalizing romance of These Violent Delights meets the mechanical wonders of Cinder in The Last Bloodcarver, the first in a two-book debut -- with a riveting medical magic system and lush Vietnam-inspired fantasy world.

Nhika is a bloodcarver. A cold-hearted, ruthless being who can alter human biology with just a touch. In the industrial city of Theumas, she is seen not as a healer, but a monster that kills for pleasure.

When Nhika is caught using her bloodcarving abilities during a sham medical appointment, she's captured by underground thugs and sold to an aristocratic family to heal the last witness of their father’s murder.

But as Nhika delves deeper into their investigation amidst the glitz of Theumas’ wealthiest district, she begins to notice parallels between this job and her own dark past. And when she meets an alluring yet entitled physician's aide, Ven Kochin, she’s forced to question the true intent behind this murder. In a society that outcasts her, Kochin seems drawn to her...though he takes every chance he gets to push her out of his opulent world.

When Nhika discovers that Kochin is not who he claims to be, and that there is an evil dwelling in Theumas that runs much deeper than the murder of one man, she must decide where her heart, and her allegiance, truly lie. And -- if she's willing to become the dreaded bloodcarver Theumas fears -- to save herself and the ones she's vowed to protect.

I love that I am seeing more and more own voices books. This one is based on Vienamese lore which I know nothing of. But the description sounds amazing and I'm wanting to see what it's all about!

The Floating Hotel by Grace Curtis

This cozy debut science fiction novel tells a story of misfits, rebels, found family—and a mystery that spans the stars

Welcome to the Grand Abeona home of the finest food, the sweetest service, and the very best views the galaxy has to offer. All year round it moves from planet to planet, system to system, pampering guests across the furthest reaches of the milky way. The last word in sub-orbital luxury—and an absolute magnet for intrigue. Intrigues such Why are there love poems in the lobby inbox? How many Imperial spies are currently on board? What is the true purpose of the Problem Solver’s conference? And perhaps most pertinently— who is driving the ship?

Each guest has a secret, every member of staff a universe unto themselves. At the center of these interweaving lives and interlocking mysteries stands Carl, one time stowaway, longtime manager, devoted caretaker to the hotel. It’s the love of his life and the only place he’s ever called home. But as forces beyond Carl’s comprehension converge on the Abeona, he has to face one final when is it time to let go?

This one just looks fun. I love a good sci-fi and this one has misfits, rebels, a found family, and more. I cannot wait to check it out!

What are your most anticipated releases for today?