rachrreads's reviews
444 reviews

I received an eARC from Love Notes PR. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


Riley Huntington, star player of the New York Falcons, is in need of a PR fix. After another fight breaks out in a bar, Riley’s career is in jeopardy. In walks Liora James.

Liora James was once the best figure skater in the world until she dropped out of the Olympics and disappeared without a word. Liora is back and competing in the new reality show Grace on Ice, where figure-skaters team up with celebrities for the chance of one million dollars. Liora is in need of a cheap place to stay in New York City.

Riley and Liora enter into an agreement— Liora has a free place to live as long as she pretends to date Riley to repair his image. Liora also will get the added publicity and votes from being linked to one of the hottest hockey players in the league. It’s a win-win situation.

I really loved this idea and instantly was hooked with this story. Fake dating and hockey/figure skater? Oh sign me up! Unfortunately, the book felt a bit long and at times like there was almost too much going on. I would definitely recommend picking this up if you’re a fan of a wild ride from start to finish!

Read if you like:
• hockey/figure skater
• fake dating
• reality tv shows (competition based)

I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


ALL THE STARS.

I was so incredibly excited when I heard we were getting a second Rowan and Neil book. This book is set during their first year of college and the two are in a long distance relationship—with Rowan in Boston and Neil in NYC. Rowan and Neil are learning how to be adults while also learning how to be in a relationship.

I love that this book wasn’t just a fluff book (don’t get me wrong, I love fluff and would gladly read a Rowan and Neil fluff book!). Past Present Future focuses on love while growing into your own person, as well as the struggles of becoming an adult. Further, it dives into the topic of mental health and depression.

I received an ARC of this book via the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such a cute and fun read! Luca Morelli has such a beautiful heart ugh!

Catherine is finally getting the life of her dreams. A tenure track position in mathematics at the university? Check. A place to call her own? Check. 

Unfortunately, when Catherine shows up to orientation they inform her that she could not be found in any database. Catherine immediately heads to the Social Security office to clear this up, only they inform her that she is no where to be found and she does not exist. Further, her birth certificate is a copy and they need the real thing. Only, Catherine’s father doesn’t have it and Catherine never knew her mother. Luca Morelli, the doorman at her building, offers to help her find her birth certificate (and consequently her mother). Over the course of a few weeks Catherine begins to learn more about where she came from and begins to realize there’s more to life than work.


Read if you like:
• magical realism
• found family trope
• intelligent FMCs
• MMCs with a heart of gold
• community

This was a fun read, it just dragged a bit for my liking

Read if you like:
• brother’s friend romance
• forbidden romance (FMCs brother is MMCs captain and friend)
• hockey romance
• college romance
• reformed player

I received a copy of the book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

So I’m incredibly late to this one… whoops! While I had a fun time and the book dealt with some great topics, the dialogue at times was cringey. Also I don’t fully understand how the title fits into the story 

Nick was the sole survivor of a plane crash that killed his best friends (and teammates). His team wrote him off after the accident and he moved to Detroit to play for the Red Wheels. While physically, Nick heals from his injuries, mentally he is struggling.  When his teammate finds out Nick is living in an apartment with essentially no furniture (other than a mattress on the floor and a chair in the living room), his coach orders him to either furnish his apartment or go to therapy.

Alyssa is an interior designer and loves what she does. Unfortunately her boss is an absolute witch, but Alyssa puts up with her to build up her reputation. She plans to open her own business one day. When Nick’s teammate recommends Alyssa, Nick hires her to design his apartment. As the two spend time together, sparks begin to fly.  

Some minor spoilers for future books but still a fun read. Polin feature!!

The show was better (first time I’ve said that in regards to a book lol). But I still ate this up (minus that one scene… yikes)

I received an eARC from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Shutout is the third book in the St. Cloud series and follows the third Rodriguez sibling, Olivia. 

Olivia and Brooklyn have been best friends since they were kids, but for the last year and a half they haven’t spoken a word. Olivia was ready to tell Brooklyn how she felt, only to overhear a conversation that crushes her heart. 

When Brooklyn catches Olivia’s boyfriend cheating on her, he steps in and begs for Olivia to talk to him again. The two rekindle their friendship and Olivia realizes the feelings she’s had for Brooklyn never really went away. 

Read if you like:
• golden retriever boyfriend / black cat girlfriend
• hockey romance
• best friends to lovers
• mutual pining
• dual pov romance 

I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


I met Ellie at a MN bookstagrammer event earlier this year and was so excited to read this one— it did NOT disappoint!!!

Alison Mullally arrives at her ex boyfriend Sam’s funeral, only to find out he never told anyone he dumped her. In order to help the grieving family and friends, Alison plays the part— it’s only for a day after all. Only, Alison agrees to pack up Sam’s apartment with Sam’s grumpy best friend, Adam. Over the course of four weekends the two grow closer and Alison isn’t sure how much longer she can continue to pretend…

This book was a great mix of humor, fun, and seriousness. Alison had a double mastectomy after finding out she has the BRCA1 mutation. After finding out that she “cheated” death, she vowed to live her life more adventurously… only Alison doesn’t really like camping or hiking or anything outdoors really. She started dating Sam in the hopes his enthusiasm for adventure would rub off on her. Sam soon realized she was faking and dumped her. 

Read if you like:
• Grumpy/sunshine
• Minnesota 
• Guy falls first
• Fake (does it count if he’s dead?) dating
• Forced proximity 
• Trivia

I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When Marcela Ortiz’s best friend, and unrequited love, announces his engagement to his girlfriend of a decade, she realizes it is officially time to get over him. In walks Theo Young, ex- NFL player and brother of the man she’s in love with. On the night of his brother’s engagement party, a drunk Theo is ready to announce his feelings to his brother’s fiancée and Marcela puts a stop to it. Theo crashes on Marcela’s couch and when the two show up to brunch the next morning everyone assumes they spent the night together. Marcella and Theo enter into a mutually beneficial agreement— they’ll have a fling to get over who they’re in love with. Only, Theo isn’t aware that the guy Marcela needs to get over is his brother…

Theo is an absolute sweetheart and I loved seeing him and Marcela together. I loved seeing their character growth through the book and their friendship blossom into something greater. 

Marcela is a librarian and a fellow booknerd. I adored seeing her passion for books and Theo’s willingness to listen.