Monthly Romance Reviews: June 2019
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So I actually read quite a few “other” books last month, which means I only have a few romance reads to share with you. And by a few, I mean nine. Which to me is only a few! There were quite a few highs and lows this month so be ready for the gamut!
Highland Crown by May McGoldrick: So this book was in my first Bae Crate, which I plan on sharing and reviewing with you at some point in the foreseeable future. For the most part, I enjoy Highland romances because I love Outlander and I am into anything that captures some of the magic of book one for me. But in general, I felt this book was just meh. I enjoyed some of the action, but the characters felt a little surface level and underdeveloped. I didn’t walk away from this wanting to read more from the author. I gave it 3.5 stars.
The Key to Happily Ever After by Tif Marcelo: Okay, so technically this isn’t a romance, but it mostly is. I really enjoyed this book and it was a cute, fun read. However, the main characters are wedding planners and I should have known better than to pick up a book about wedding planners. There were definitely some moments when I was like yeah, that’s not how that happens. But to be fair, there were definitely some moments that were highly accurate too. I don’t know if I’m the only one who finds it hard to read about her profession (and of course, weddings and romance go together like love and marriage), but it does tend to take me out of the book. With that said, I loved the voice and the characters and the relationship between the sisters. So overall, I gave it 4 stars.
Tempting Fate by Jane Green: Again, I don’t think you could technically classify this as a romance, but I’m going for it. First, I have to say that Jane Green has had a huge impact on my writing. Honestly, it’s probably her and Christina Lauren who have influenced me the most, and I have been reading Jane Green’s books for most of my adult life. So she’s an auto buy for me. Over the years her books have turned from romance to women’s fiction, but I still always find myself identifying with her characters and her stories. This book was eeeeemotional. There were some moments that were really hard to read, but in a good way. And I found myself sympathetic to a character who does something I am so dead set against that I kind of surprised myself. If you’re in the mood for a darker, more realistic love story, I wholeheartedly recommend this one. I gave it 4.5 stars.
Blue Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas: It’s been really interesting to see how quickly the times change in Romancelandia. So many things that were okay just a few years ago would cause a major uproar now. One thing to mention right off the bat with this book is that there is domestic violence on the page and in great detail. There are also (for me) some problematic moments with the way the hero responds to the heroine in regards to the violence. That being said, considering this is an older book, I think the topic was handled fairly well and it seems like the author did her research and due diligence as far as that is concerned. But I have yet to read a book that’s more than ten years old that doesn’t give me some ick moments. Overall, this one is 4 stars.
One Night with You by Sophie Jordan: Again, a book that’s more than ten years old, and some problematic moments. For the most part, I liked the characters in this one. I found the heroine to be spunky and enjoyable. But on top of the problematic moments, this one relies on an accidental pregnancy to bring the main couple together and that’s just not my jam. I always feel like this trope leaves me wondering what would have happened had she not gotten pregnant. And of course, as a more contemporary reader, a pregnancy isn’t a reason for a couple to be together anymore and so it kind of leaves me feeling unsatisfied at the end. The quality of the writing was enough to get this one 4 stars.
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez: This one is a head scratcher. The first two-thirds of this book are absolutely delightful. I laughed out loud multiple times and found myself reveling at Abby’s masterful voice. I fell in immediate love with the characters (despite the heroine being a “cool girl”) and I really loved their banter and wit with each other. The heroine also deals with intense period pains, which I loved seeing on the page (also, some infertility issues, if that’s a trigger for you). But then all of the sudden toward the end of the book, there is a major, devastating event that totally threw me for a loop. It came out of nowhere and the end of the book, while technically is a HEA, is seriously depressing. It was such an odd choice for such a funny book with such a light tone and deft voice. When I started reading, I thought I had found a new must buy author, but by the end, I was questioning. I’m not sure whether or not I will pick up her next book (though I probably will, because I’m all for second chances). The masterful first two-thirds managed to earn this one 4 stars overall.
Mine Til Midnight by Lisa Kleypas: So should I even bother to mention there are some problematic moments in this one? I liked the characters, and I liked the plot overall, but these moments keep pulling me out of the story. Also, there is some random ghostyness in this book that weirded me out. Just because I don’t expect to find ghosts in an historical romance. But there it was. Overall, 3.5 stars.
Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon: Ugh, I so wanted to love this book. I mean, what could be hotter than a sexy, buff, ginger male nanny? Not much. Rafe and his relationship with his charges absolutely melted my heart and I loved him and them. However, there is no conflict in this book. Once the couple gets together, they stay together. Her ex-husband is a dick and there’s an unpleasant scene with him, but there is no break up then get back together moment. Which is fine, I guess, it just makes for an anti-climatic ending. But the characters were great so I gave it 4 stars.
Hot Head by Damon Suede: Mixed feelings about this one. I thought the two heroes discovery of their love for each other was fantastic (and hot). But there is a porn aspect to it that I found to be too much (for me). I mean, if two consenting adults want to make some porn together, by all means, have at it, but for me personally, that’s not where I want my romance novels to go. However, I liked the writing and the sex was hawt so I would read something else by this author in the future. 4 stars for good writing.
Yikes. I just realized my only read this month over 4 stars was one that isn’t even technically a romance. Luckily, I think July is shaping up to be a stronger month of reads!
