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canyonmoonreads's reviews
265 reviews
First Comes Forever by Kay Cove
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
I stayed up until 2:30 a.m. to finish the book only to be left extremely underwhelmed.
I loved Adam's spoiling of Amani, but that was about all I loved. Them falling in love was underdeveloped. Just suddenly they loved each other, and we didn't see it. You only heard about all the time they spent together. Amani's fertility journey never went too in-depth, and Adam's issues with his mother and ex-wife were wrapped up on a couple pages. I think this story had potential to be really good, but it fell flat in the end. Just a lot of talking and not enough action.
It is mentioned that this could be read as a stand-alone, but I didn't find that to me true. From my understanding, a lot of events with the group of girl friends happen over the same time period so you miss A LOT of context when involving side characters. I'd say you need to read all these books to really appreciate everyone in the story.
I loved Adam's spoiling of Amani, but that was about all I loved. Them falling in love was underdeveloped. Just suddenly they loved each other, and we didn't see it. You only heard about all the time they spent together. Amani's fertility journey never went too in-depth, and Adam's issues with his mother and ex-wife were wrapped up on a couple pages. I think this story had potential to be really good, but it fell flat in the end. Just a lot of talking and not enough action.
It is mentioned that this could be read as a stand-alone, but I didn't find that to me true. From my understanding, a lot of events with the group of girl friends happen over the same time period so you miss A LOT of context when involving side characters. I'd say you need to read all these books to really appreciate everyone in the story.
Out On a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is by far my favorite HBY book. Out on a Limb was hilarious and made you fall in love with Bo.
I loved the disability representation. They mentioned and explained their limb differences and then the story went on. Their disabilities weren't the main topic of the story, it was just a part of their lives and I appreciated that.
There wasn't too much conflict, but I loved that. Sometimes you need an easy, fluffy romance to mend the soul. I normally don't like the accidental pregnancy trope, but their love and respect for each other made me love the story. I do wish authors would write about bringing the child home/how they navigate becoming new parents together. So many pregnancy trope books I've read only lead up to the pregnancy, only to have the baby at the end and in the epilogue fast forward a few years and now the child is a toddler.
Win and Bo's love was sweet and a joy to read them fall in love. We would all be so lucky to find a love like that, and to get spoiled by a hot man. And I personally wouldn't object any gift he wanted to buy me either😂😂
I will note - I hated their names. Bo and Win (Winifred) are not good or sexy names. Also the child's name, I did not find it to be gender neutral like they wanted but that might be due to the fact that I have a cousin with the same name and think of them.
I loved the disability representation. They mentioned and explained their limb differences and then the story went on. Their disabilities weren't the main topic of the story, it was just a part of their lives and I appreciated that.
There wasn't too much conflict, but I loved that. Sometimes you need an easy, fluffy romance to mend the soul. I normally don't like the accidental pregnancy trope, but their love and respect for each other made me love the story. I do wish authors would write about bringing the child home/how they navigate becoming new parents together. So many pregnancy trope books I've read only lead up to the pregnancy, only to have the baby at the end and in the epilogue fast forward a few years and now the child is a toddler.
Win and Bo's love was sweet and a joy to read them fall in love. We would all be so lucky to find a love like that, and to get spoiled by a hot man. And I personally wouldn't object any gift he wanted to buy me either😂😂
I will note - I hated their names. Bo and Win (Winifred) are not good or sexy names. Also the child's name, I did not find it to be gender neutral like they wanted but that might be due to the fact that I have a cousin with the same name and think of them.
Next to You by Hannah Bonam-Young
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I cannot hype up the diversity in HBY books more than I already do. There was Samoan representation, which made me realize I've never read a book with a Samoan character. Like what the hell?!
Lane and Matt are a friends to lovers match made in heaven. Their personalities complimented each other so well and I loved watching them fall in love. There is a 3rd act break up of sorts, which I didn't care for, but their coming back together was heartwarming.
Lane and Matt are a friends to lovers match made in heaven. Their personalities complimented each other so well and I loved watching them fall in love. There is a 3rd act break up of sorts, which I didn't care for, but their coming back together was heartwarming.
Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I absolutely LOVED Next of Kin. The diversity added so much to the story. I don't see how others don't seek these types of books.
Chloe's birth mother unexpectedly gives birth to her new sister and becomes guardian of the child. She's freshly out of college, trying to find herself and how she wants to live her life and becomes a parent over night. Warren has become guardian to his deaf 15 year old brother and trying to give them the life they didn't receive in foster care. Both Chloe and Warren have to prove to CPS that they can care for their siblings, but money is an issue. A new program brings them together, living in Chloe's apartment.
I found this story to be romance fluff with a hint of drama. There weren't any high intense moments, so I found the story easy to read and exciting. Warren is such a sweetheart, despite his hard shell. Chloe lives with her heart on her sleeve, wanting to help everyone. Their qualities create a sweet, sweet love between each other and it was so nice to read an easy romance. Something doesn't always have to be at stake to fall in love and live happily ever after.
Chloe's birth mother unexpectedly gives birth to her new sister and becomes guardian of the child. She's freshly out of college, trying to find herself and how she wants to live her life and becomes a parent over night. Warren has become guardian to his deaf 15 year old brother and trying to give them the life they didn't receive in foster care. Both Chloe and Warren have to prove to CPS that they can care for their siblings, but money is an issue. A new program brings them together, living in Chloe's apartment.
I found this story to be romance fluff with a hint of drama. There weren't any high intense moments, so I found the story easy to read and exciting. Warren is such a sweetheart, despite his hard shell. Chloe lives with her heart on her sleeve, wanting to help everyone. Their qualities create a sweet, sweet love between each other and it was so nice to read an easy romance. Something doesn't always have to be at stake to fall in love and live happily ever after.
Keep Me by Carlie Jean
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5⭐️ | Spice🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 | eArc from GoodGirls PR
Tropes:
Runaway Princess
Forced Proximity
Spicy
Baseball Player MMC
Grumpy/Sunshine
Sports Romance
A secret princess and grumpy baseball player fall in love. What more could you want?!
This is the third book in the RLU series, but I believe this could be read as a standalone. I didn't feel like I missed any important information from the previous books as I didn't read the first two. There was emphasis a couple of times on certain couples that it seemed like I should know aka read the previous books so I did look it up to see what number Keep Me was in the series. I went into this book with no knowledge.
Camille is a princess in hiding at university just trying to make a life for herself. She didn't like the royal life, and dreamed of working in baseball, her favorite sport. One of her older brothers even plays professionally.
Ryker is a grump baseball player solely focused on making it into the draft to play professionally after graduation. He was hurt as a child when his father left their family, making him believe love doesn't exist and that he only needs baseball in his life. Obviously that is proven wrong.
Camille and Ryker had such a sweet love story. I love when the grumpy mmc gets the girl and immediately goes into Best Boyfriend category. Once Ryker realized he was falling for Camille, he treated her like the royalty she was. To be honest he did it before that too. This is a spicy baseball romance. Not too many scenes, but pretty descriptive and a few times unbelievable in terms of thats not even possible in real life.
Overall I really enjoyed the swoony romance. It was a quick read and very fairytale-esque.
Tropes:
Runaway Princess
Forced Proximity
Spicy
Baseball Player MMC
Grumpy/Sunshine
Sports Romance
A secret princess and grumpy baseball player fall in love. What more could you want?!
This is the third book in the RLU series, but I believe this could be read as a standalone. I didn't feel like I missed any important information from the previous books as I didn't read the first two. There was emphasis a couple of times on certain couples that it seemed like I should know aka read the previous books so I did look it up to see what number Keep Me was in the series. I went into this book with no knowledge.
Camille is a princess in hiding at university just trying to make a life for herself. She didn't like the royal life, and dreamed of working in baseball, her favorite sport. One of her older brothers even plays professionally.
Ryker is a grump baseball player solely focused on making it into the draft to play professionally after graduation. He was hurt as a child when his father left their family, making him believe love doesn't exist and that he only needs baseball in his life. Obviously that is proven wrong.
Camille and Ryker had such a sweet love story. I love when the grumpy mmc gets the girl and immediately goes into Best Boyfriend category. Once Ryker realized he was falling for Camille, he treated her like the royalty she was. To be honest he did it before that too. This is a spicy baseball romance. Not too many scenes, but pretty descriptive and a few times unbelievable in terms of thats not even possible in real life.
Overall I really enjoyed the swoony romance. It was a quick read and very fairytale-esque.
The Problem with Players by Brittainy C. Cherry
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have never been so frustrated with a character! Avery needs a therapist ASAP!
Avery has a lot of abandonment issues and has a had time feeling/expressing her feelings. I could relate to that so much, I'm just not as bad as she was. There were a few moments where I thought it hit a little too close to home, and while I HATE being called out on the page, stories like these really make you reflect on your actions and feelings. I really needed to hear some of the advice coming off the page. I think I related to her so much and that made her so frustrating!
Nathan was such a sweetheart and definitely the light to Avery's dark. We love an emotionally intelligent king. I truly don't know how Avery would've ended up without Nathan's love and support. He was her strength when she was weak. Everyone deserves a love like that.
This was a slow burn, second chance romance that kept you emotionally from start to end. You don't see a lot of black baseball players, so it was refreshing to read a black couple in baseball. Spice: 1.5/5 (scenes might be considered graphic if you're someone who doesn't like spice) I really enjoyed this story of sweet gentle love and redemption for one's heart and soul.
Avery has a lot of abandonment issues and has a had time feeling/expressing her feelings. I could relate to that so much, I'm just not as bad as she was. There were a few moments where I thought it hit a little too close to home, and while I HATE being called out on the page, stories like these really make you reflect on your actions and feelings. I really needed to hear some of the advice coming off the page. I think I related to her so much and that made her so frustrating!
Nathan was such a sweetheart and definitely the light to Avery's dark. We love an emotionally intelligent king. I truly don't know how Avery would've ended up without Nathan's love and support. He was her strength when she was weak. Everyone deserves a love like that.
This was a slow burn, second chance romance that kept you emotionally from start to end. You don't see a lot of black baseball players, so it was refreshing to read a black couple in baseball. Spice: 1.5/5 (scenes might be considered graphic if you're someone who doesn't like spice) I really enjoyed this story of sweet gentle love and redemption for one's heart and soul.