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readwatchcrochet's reviews
407 reviews
Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter
📚 second chance romance
📚 dual timeline
📚 dual POV
📚 fake dating
📚 forced proximity
🚫 clean romance
|Thoughts|
For those who loved Better Than The Movies, you may find it difficult to recognise the characters in this book, especially Liz.
It had its sweet moments, which were reminiscent of book 1 and classic romcoms, but just felt like it was fairly light on plot. Mixed feeling about seeing characters that already had to jump through hoops to get together the first time, not be together anymore. Or be communicating!
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Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an eARC in exchange for this honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
medium-paced
3.5
“I, on the other hand, was a 20-year old freshman with a lot to prove. Because two years ago, I’d had everything. Then lost it all”
📚 second chance romance
📚 dual timeline
📚 dual POV
📚 fake dating
📚 forced proximity
🚫 clean romance
|Thoughts|
For those who loved Better Than The Movies, you may find it difficult to recognise the characters in this book, especially Liz.
“In your dreams, Bennett”
“Every damn night, Buxbaum”
I really wanted to love this one and regretfully found this to be a bit of a frustrating read. To break characters up after the book 1 was a love letter to falling in love and then to join up with the characters battling grief and the aftermath of a breakup just felt a bit forced. Felt this would have worked better as Clark & Sarah’s story (did enjoy the cast of College characters).
I really wanted to love this one and regretfully found this to be a bit of a frustrating read. To break characters up after the book 1 was a love letter to falling in love and then to join up with the characters battling grief and the aftermath of a breakup just felt a bit forced. Felt this would have worked better as Clark & Sarah’s story (did enjoy the cast of College characters).
“If we were ever going to have a second chance, I needed to convince her to become my friend first. To let me in again”
It had its sweet moments, which were reminiscent of book 1 and classic romcoms, but just felt like it was fairly light on plot. Mixed feeling about seeing characters that already had to jump through hoops to get together the first time, not be together anymore. Or be communicating!
“I am…the guy who can’t remember a single day in his life when he didn’t love you”
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Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an eARC in exchange for this honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Gravity by Tal Bauer
4.0
This read had me discovering and heavily using the translate feature on my Kindle.
“Hi,” I squeak. “I wear your number.” “Enchanté.” Bryce's grin grows. “I wear your number, too.”
📚 hockey romance
📚 MM romance
📚 French as a love language
📚 forced proximity
📚 French as a love language
📚 forced proximity
📚 found family
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
Couldn’t put this one down it was just so cosy. Biggest gripe was probably it did feel a bit like Insta love, but still a lovely story.
Felt the game itself played a central role in the story as a parallel of their chemistry and also as a large part of the story. I didn’t get bored by the sport in this one.
Did love the friendship and brotherhood formed amongst the players. So sweet to see
Felt the game itself played a central role in the story as a parallel of their chemistry and also as a large part of the story. I didn’t get bored by the sport in this one.
Did love the friendship and brotherhood formed amongst the players. So sweet to see
“Most of all, I want Bryce to know that there is no end to my love.”
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Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean
Thoughts the premise was unique. With 4 siblings, all born on the same day. Only 1 is legitimate but she is a women.
Story revolves heavily around the idea of revenge and the challenges women face in a world where their main focus is on marriage. This was a refreshing take on historical romance.
Enjoyed the romance however, it verge a little on Insta love and a touch of miscommunication.
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
”The adult of Marwick could be yours Felicity Faircloth. And with London never knowing the truth of your lie”
📚 forbidden romance
📚wallflower
📚 marriage of convenience
📚 class difference
📚wallflower
📚 marriage of convenience
📚 class difference
📚 early Victorian romance
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
An historical romance that looks at life in London outside of the artistic and balls (although, we get some of that too).
“Our whole world is built by men. For men. And where simply here for decoration…well I grow tired”
Thoughts the premise was unique. With 4 siblings, all born on the same day. Only 1 is legitimate but she is a women.
Story revolves heavily around the idea of revenge and the challenges women face in a world where their main focus is on marriage. This was a refreshing take on historical romance.
“The world is full of doors”. Lord knew that was true. “I like to open my own doors”.
“It’s quiet illegal to enter anyone’s home without permission Felicity Faircloth”
Enjoyed the romance however, it verge a little on Insta love and a touch of miscommunication.
“You deserve the darkness”
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The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce
📚 second chance
📚 grumpy/ sunshine
📚 forced proximity
📚 one bed
Loved the tension and spice in this one - it’s always the quiet ones.
There is a slight element of miscommunication as they spend a bit of time (especially when they were initially together), not saying how they’re really feeling which is a bit frustrating. However, it all does add to the constant tension between Georgia & Eli. And there is a plethora of sweet romantic gestures that will make you feel giddy.
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
”Eli can’t see my heart, and it’s for the better because he’d see his name everywhere in it”
📚 second chance
📚 grumpy/ sunshine
📚 forced proximity
📚 one bed
🌶️🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
Found this to be an entertaining trip with ex’s who still have plenty of chemistry. Reminds me a bit of Jimenez & Hazelwood stories.
“I can’t say what I really want to…so right now I’m going to say thank you and hug you, because if I don’t get my hands on you in some way I’m going to fucking lose it”
You’ll have to dispel your disbelief at some point, given the sheer number of things that go wrong, in the lead up to their friends wedding. And they definitely go above and beyond the MoH and best man
“Don’t tel Adam, but I think this wedding is going to be even better than the first attempt”
Loved the tension and spice in this one - it’s always the quiet ones.
“I want you to have a second chance so you can stop trying so hard to prove yourself. Because you’re good enough, even after you fall short”
There is a slight element of miscommunication as they spend a bit of time (especially when they were initially together), not saying how they’re really feeling which is a bit frustrating. However, it all does add to the constant tension between Georgia & Eli. And there is a plethora of sweet romantic gestures that will make you feel giddy.
“…you can be messy. The people who love you will accept every single piece of it”
“Sometimes I swear adulthood is staring at your phone and wondering which of your friends has enough time to deal with her latest emotional meltdown, then realising none of them do”
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The Enemy by Sarah Adams
Loved how patient he was with her insecurities. And even more so how he was secretly dating her, so he could get around her ‘one date rule’. Enjoyable light banter and acts of kindness he showed towards her, turned him into such supportive man of her emotions and her career.
Her family was a highlight and do wish we had more from them in this story.
Although it was more focused on characterisation than plot, I still flew through the audiobook and was giddy at the interactions between June & Ryan.
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
A light second chance romance.
“But worst of all. I tipped my chin up to you. And you walked away”
📚 childhood rivals to lovers
📚 second chance
📚 MOH & Best man
📚 MOH & Best man
📚 dual POV & narration
🚫🚪closed door
|Thoughts|
Went into this story without muck knowledge on the plot yet it had me hooked early on.
Went into this story without muck knowledge on the plot yet it had me hooked early on.
“You caught me every single time.”
“Made sure of it. I hated when I had to let go of you”
“In the pool?”
“Then too”
Loved how patient he was with her insecurities. And even more so how he was secretly dating her, so he could get around her ‘one date rule’. Enjoyable light banter and acts of kindness he showed towards her, turned him into such supportive man of her emotions and her career.
“I want to give us a chance. But one date is not going to do it for me”
“Believe me June Bug, you’ll know when it’s a real date”
Her family was a highlight and do wish we had more from them in this story.
“It’s been too long since I’ve been around family. I almost forgot what it was like”
I’m always partial to a second chance romance, but in this case, I wish there wasn’t such a big gap between them seeing each other and reconnecting. A decade seems like an awfully long time to hold a torch for someone without doing anything about it.
“We never talked back then unless we were trying to annoy each other”
“…so many wasted years”
Although it was more focused on characterisation than plot, I still flew through the audiobook and was giddy at the interactions between June & Ryan.
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Thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media & the Author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own personal.
Just Be Cool by Zeebee3
fast-paced
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
Maybe This Time by Cara Bastone
Bastone does like her books to finish when the characters get together, so do feel like we were ending the story just when you want more.
Still have so many unanswered questions at the end.
3.5
Another win for duet narration
“I wonder what it was about me that had him thinking I was so in love. Sure, she’s really cute. And yes, she’s really smart…. I’d jump ant any chance to be with her. Yes, I will completely rearrange my life for her “
📚 fantasy/ paranormal
📚 time travel
📚 time travel
📚 duet narration (sound effects)
📚 dual POV
🚫 clean romance
|Thoughts|
An intriguing premise that had feeling anxious that we’d get out happily ever after.
“Journals of an accidental time traveller”
Bastone does like her books to finish when the characters get together, so do feel like we were ending the story just when you want more.
“Me, I can patient. Me, I can run towards her”,
Still have so many unanswered questions at the end.
“The only good thing about my life.
I’d listen to this simply for the narration.
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A Missing Connection by Dani McLean
medium-paced
3.5
Interesting premise.
““Oh my god, you’re in my head. The hell? I don’t understand…” Beau took a deep breath. “That makes two of us.” He really was hearing voices.”
📚hidden identify
📚magical realism
📚magical realism
📚 novella
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
Being able to talk to each other, sort of like l love letters in real time. It did lead to some humorous and sweet moments.
“To think she could have been running queries tonight, but no, she was on the world’s most awkward three-way date.”
However, for a novella, it did feel like it dragged a bit and the pacing was a bit off. Just wanted them to meet already. There wasn’t much to the plot beyond their conversations.
Nice for quick pallet cleanser.
Nice for quick pallet cleanser.
“You’re different. I wake up wanting to talk to you. I fall asleep dreaming of you. I can’t remember my life before you, and I don’t want a future without you.”
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Smoking Gun by Lainey Lawson
Brothers best friend will always be one of my favourite tropes. This had a nice level of spice and it was so sweet to see Gabe fall so hard for her.
There is even some nice moments where he cares for her and he washed her hair as a micro trope.
The book does take a bit of a turn in terms of tone towards the end, but it’s definitely a page turner.
fast-paced
4.0
Smocking hot
“When it comes to Blythe Farrow, I’m good as gone. She just doesn’t know it yet.”
📚 he falls first & hard
📚 brothers best friend
📚 friends with benefits
📚 suspense
📚 grumpy x sunshine
📚 cowboy x dr
📚 friends with benefits
📚 suspense
📚 grumpy x sunshine
📚 cowboy x dr
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
This was super easy read and I ended up reading it after finishing book 2 in the series.
“It doesn’t matter how beautiful she is or how addicting it was to touch her for even a few moments. She’s my best friend’s sister. And I can’t be into a girl I just met less than ten minutes ago, right?”
Brothers best friend will always be one of my favourite tropes. This had a nice level of spice and it was so sweet to see Gabe fall so hard for her.
“Is there some sort of switch I can flip in my brain that will keep the heart eyes from showing up in my irises while she’s here?
There is even some nice moments where he cares for her and he washed her hair as a micro trope.
“As I lean my head back, I hear the seat belt being pulled. Is he… buckling me in? My eyes widen in shock but I still don’t say anything.”
The book does take a bit of a turn in terms of tone towards the end, but it’s definitely a page turner.
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