Audiobook Review – Love on the Brain


So, I really enjoyed the Love Hypothesis, and this book got a TON of hype so I was definitely looking forward to it but… I don’t think this one really delivered. I thought I was going into an enemies-to-lovers type of story, but… it’s more of just one big misunderstanding, the MC was leaning a little too hard into denial for me, and the reveal of the villain in the end seemed a bit moustache-twirley. The writing style was light and fun, but the characters and some scenes read *very* similarly to the ones in Love Hypothesis. So, I guess this one wasn’t really for me, but it might be for you! (3.5/5)

⭐⭐⭐½

Ehhh not really for me.

Thanks for reading!

Audiobook Review – In a Holidaze


So, this is obviously a Christmas romance, and if you’re picking it up, I assume you’re in the mood for a cute Christmas romance. If so, good news, this is a really cute groundhog-day Christmas romance! Mae makes a huge mistake and wishes the universe would show her what would make happy, and she gets stuck in her very own groundhog-day-style time loop. The voice is fun, the characters are cute, I think the childhood friends-to-lovers is done really well here, and I liked the message of finally going after what you really want. Would totally watch the movie. I didn’t think there was anything mind-blowing here, but if you’re looking for a cute Christmas romance with a cozy vibe, this one totally fits the bill.

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

A super cute Christmas romance. Netflix, I’m ready for the movie!

Thanks for reading!

Audiobook Review – Weather Girl


I loved Today Tonight Tomorrow, so I definitely wanted to try another one of Solomon’s books, but Weather Girl was lukewarm for me. (Ack! A pun!) It’s very much like the movie Set it Up (which is amazeballs) but in a news station, not quite as funny, and with a sprinkle of cringey dirty talk. I didn’t find the characters or hijinks as charming as Set it Up, and the couple’s climactic fight felt a manufactured to me. Overall, I just thought it wasn’t super memorable. I’d still read another book by Solomon, but I don’t think this one was really for me.

⭐⭐⭐½

Eh… this one’s a pass for me.

Thanks for reading!

Audiobook Review – It Happened One Summer


This one wasn’t my cup of a tea, so it’s a little tough for me to review.

I love a good dual-POV romance, and I loved Legally Blonde, so I thought this would be a good fit. Piper is definitely your “Legally Blonde” type, but I don’t think she’s quite as lovable or redeeming as Elle Woods. She comes a long way though, and I was definitely cheering for her at the end.

Meanwhile, Brendan is kind of your standard brooding, romance hero / sea captain, but their relationship seems to be based on 90% physical attraction. Which I think I could have rolled with, but there is a *lot* of smut in this book. Like I felt like most of the second half is just smut… which, personally, kind of bores me when it doesn’t advance the plot in any way. I once heard someone use the term anatomy-level smut, and that seems pretty accurate for this book. Plus there’s also a lot of dirty talk, which for me, is kind of like including original song lyrics in a book. They don’t seem to ever come across the page right, and it just comes out cringe. Or maybe that’s because I was listening to the audiobook?

Either way, the ratio of smut to plot was too high for me, but if you’re into all that though, this could definitely be the book for you!

⭐⭐⭐½

Eh… this one’s a pass for me.

Thanks for reading!

Audiobook Review – Life’s too Short


Five glowing stars. This is one of the audiobooks that made me HAPPY to get stuck in traffic. Officially a Abby Jimenez fan.

Okay so I read Jimenez’s The Friend Zone #1, and I liked it well enough, but I *loved* this book. The premise was thought-provoking, the characters are so loveable and grow so much, and Jimenez’s writing style and dual-POV voices are incredibly fun. I was SO worried how this book was going to end, and the pay off (while maybe a tad convenient) was amazing. The only thing I’m extremely concerned about it is that there are currently only 5 Abby Jimenez books in the world right now and that is not NEARLY enough. The audiobook is excellent, but PLEASE, someone make this movie.

(Also this book totally stands alone. I’ve read #1, but haven’t read #2 yet.)

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

HUGE heart for this one. Definitely one of my favorite reads this year so far.

Thanks for reading!

Audiobook Review – The Soulmate Equation


Loved this one! Totally sucked me in. The voice is fun and light, and I loved the main characters, Jess and River. Their romance unfolds naturally, and the premise of the science-based matchmaking company added with the fake-dating trope was so fun. I saw the twist coming from a mile away, but it does pose an interesting question that got me thinking and the ending was capital-A Adorable. I liked (but not loved) some of Christina Lauren’s other books (like the Unhoneymooners and Josh & Hazel) but this has by far been my favorite, and had me scrambling for more books by her. 100% recommend to anyone looking for a cute romcom, and I’m SO here for a movie adaption – just saying.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I am HERE for a good romance, and that last scene? SO friggen cute.

Thanks for reading!

Audiobook Review – Something Wilder


 So after loving The Soulmate Equation, I jumped for more Christina Lauren audiobooks at the library. This second-chance romance didn’t really do it for me though. The characters were cute, but the circumstances of their initial parting were very convenient. Everything just felt a little to cliché for me, and I feel like the big reveal at the end wasn’t as satisfying as I would’ve liked. Overall, a decent listen to pass the time, and if you enjoy western adventure vibes in your romances, you might want to give this one a try, but it felt like there wasn’t a whole lot that set this one apart.

⭐⭐⭐½

I love me a good trope… but this one was too cliche for me.

Thanks for reading!

Book Review – The Future Bride


I picked up The Future Bride by J.G MacLeod as the winner of my little free library contest when it totally hooked me with the tagline, “For adventure. For love. For kilts. (And strong gin)” and I absolutely love when a book is exactly what I think it’s going to be.

This is like a lighter, more fun Highlander. Brigid is a spunky, present-day barista (with martial arts skills) thrown into old Scotland, and she does not back down from the rough and tumble highlander life. The story moves really fast and I couldn’t believe I inhaled it in two days! I liked the interactions between

Brigid and Ferghus and found the portrayal of the old Scottish Gaelic language and culture really interesting. My only real critique was that I wish Brigid had been a little smarter/stronger in the final act. Overall though, really enjoyed this fun, romantic read and would totally recommend for anyone looking  for a romcom twist on Highlander!

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Someone’s definitely going to love this find!

Thanks for reading!

Audiobook Review – The Fastest Way to Fall



This was *such* a cute rom com! The Fastest Way to Fall is about Britta, a journalist that’s reviewing a fitness app, and her fitness coach, Wes, as they do everything they can to resist crossing professional lines and falling for each other.

There’s so much to love here. The MCs are super likeable and were totally brought to life in the audiobook. Britta is funny and lovable, Wes is sweet and sincere, their predicament is traditional romcom goodness, and I was cheering for them the whole time. Their relationship growth and chemistry felt super natural and even the side characters felt real. I also loved the body positivity in this book as well as the growth of the female coworker relationship. Honestly Britta’s fictional journey had me alternatively smiling and wanting to hit the gym. (Although, full disclosure, I am a gym rat, so I may be biased.) Also, speaking of disclosure, there is one steamy scene, and also trigger warnings stated in the beginning for eating disorders, addiction, and fat phobia.

This book was heartfelt, sweet, fun, and it just felt super real. Honestly, now that I’ve read it, I’m surprised I hadn’t heard of it before I picked up the audiobook from the library. Since it’s near the end of the year, I can say with confidence that this is my favorite romance of 2021 (and… I have read quite a few), and I *highly* recommend it for anyone looking for feel-good fun.

Now, someone make the movie please!!! 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This one definitely left me with a big smile! Reading slump: Vanquished!

Thanks for reading!