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readwatchcrochet's reviews
407 reviews
The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy
The sexual tension and spice in this one was solid, had me just waiting for Diana & Shane to move past their fake dating.
This one will hit you in the feels and get you feeling down strong emotions about family and horrible exes.
Had me actually teary at the end.
Also loved all the extra items in the book (Shane’s application for FWB, group chats and map of their apartment complex. Think all box need maps!). Just wish we got a little more from the epilogue.
emotional
medium-paced
4.5
From spice and tears.
“Diana and I have a love-hate relationship. As in, she hates me, and I love to annoy her.
📚 fake dating
📚 friends with benefits
📚 forced proximity
📚 friends with benefits
📚 forced proximity
📚 hockey x cheerleader
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
|Thoughts|
Over 500 pages made me unsure if I would stick with this one, but it had me hooked fairly quickly. And ironically, I wanted more at the end.
“You stopped to buy my favourite drink?”
“Only the best for my fake girlfriend”
The sexual tension and spice in this one was solid, had me just waiting for Diana & Shane to move past their fake dating.
“Remember we talked about kinks? This is his. He likes to be watched”
The characters within their complex were entertaining and made for some funny little scenes. And loved him agreeing to be her dance partner.
“Hockeys important Lindley, but so is life”
This one will hit you in the feels and get you feeling down strong emotions about family and horrible exes.
Had me actually teary at the end.
Also loved all the extra items in the book (Shane’s application for FWB, group chats and map of their apartment complex. Think all box need maps!). Just wish we got a little more from the epilogue.
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Fire Away by Lainey Lawson
medium-paced
4.0
Wasn’t sure at first, but flew through the last part of the book. Also, read this book (book 2), prior to the first in the series. But after finishing I’m going back to read that one too.
“A rancher and a jailbird. Classic,”
📚 cowboy x lawyer
📚 faking dating
📚 found family
📚 suspense
📚 found family
📚 suspense
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
Was a little skeptical at first, as there were a few decisions made by the FMC, Savannah that just were down right stupid. But I did set up a nice fake dating relationship.
“This is only for one night.” “Says the girl who lied and told my mom that we live together,”
Although the suspense is a little predictable, the declarations of love and dynamics between those in the ranch was endearing. And it’s got some great spicy scenes- won’t look at a tractor the same way again.
Similar to Rebel Blue Ranch & Chestnut Springs series.
Similar to Rebel Blue Ranch & Chestnut Springs series.
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Summer Ever After by Kortney Keisel
📚 small town
📚 sports romance
📚 best friends brother
📚 dual timeline
📚 dual POV & narration
🚫 clean romance
|Synopsis|
Jane decides this summer she is going to try and artificially recreate romance tropes in order to find her happily ever after. She isn’t expecting her best friend’s brother, the pro golfer, to keep on ruining her perfect set ups.
|Thoughts|
This was such a sweet read that had me feeling giddy.
This was the cutest and the way the tropes played out should make all the lovers of romance hearts flutter. With the classics and some micro tropes thrown in too, forced proximity, he cares for her when sick, one bed.
This story left me wanting more of their story.
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Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher & author for an arch in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
4.0
A love story for lovers of all the romance tropes.
“My red flag is that I believe in happily ever after. And the romance tropes that get you there”
📚 small town
📚 sports romance
📚 best friends brother
📚 dual timeline
📚 dual POV & narration
🚫 clean romance
|Synopsis|
Jane decides this summer she is going to try and artificially recreate romance tropes in order to find her happily ever after. She isn’t expecting her best friend’s brother, the pro golfer, to keep on ruining her perfect set ups.
|Thoughts|
This was such a sweet read that had me feeling giddy.
“I’m falling in love this summer. And I’m doing it with all the tropes you think aren’t real”
This was the cutest and the way the tropes played out should make all the lovers of romance hearts flutter. With the classics and some micro tropes thrown in too, forced proximity, he cares for her when sick, one bed.
“You look good wearing my jersey”
This story left me wanting more of their story.
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Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher & author for an arch in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own
Love at First Psych by Cara Bastone
fast-paced
4.25
Adding this to my list of Cara Bastone titles that are just super cute stories about falling in love.
📚 forced proximity
📚 friends to lovers
📚 friends to lovers
📚 duet narration (full cast & sound effects)
📚 dual POV
🚫 clean romance
|Thoughts|
The stories work so well with full surround sound (duel narration, background noise and sound effects). Really helps to immerse you in the love story.
“Well damn…Maybe I’m not being obvious enough”
“From the look on your face, I’d say obvious is not your problem”
This was super cute journey that follows two people on a project who are exploring whether love at first sight truly exists.
Also includes scenes that will make you feel giddy. Including some forced proximity.
Also includes scenes that will make you feel giddy. Including some forced proximity.
“Tends to happen when you’re full, and drunk and happy. I’m always happy with you”
Bastone always has a nice reveal that ties the story together, and she has a sweet reveal at the end of this was one.
“Instead of everything going terrible. It’s actually really nice. Then a really handsome boy fills you up with really yummy food and listens to your long winded theories about nothing. And then the two of you fall asleep on the floor. Have you ever had a day like that?”
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I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own
Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Newly inherited Duke of Stanhope, is in need of a respectable wife, in order to secure the guardianship of his siblings. Lady Selina is determined to use her skills to find him the perfect match, she just doesn’t expect it to be herself.
📚 regency romance
📚 match maker
📚 found family
📚 dual POV (single audio narrator)
🌶️🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
Was an enjoyable historical romance and particularly the role Selina secretly played in society, being the publisher of scandalous books for women.
Loved the banter and chemistry between Selena and Peter and his interactions with his siblings were a highlight for me.
“He’d been afraid if he did get them…How could someone like him deserve the keeping of two small, fragile, beloved children?”
Glad that strong communication was prominent amongst the conflict in this story. And felt it had a strong ending.
“I will follow you…you are the heart of us Selina. There is no family without you”
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
🟢 For more bookish content follow me instagram.com/read_watch_crochet
📚 regency romance
📚 match maker
📚 found family
📚 dual POV (single audio narrator)
🌶️🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
Was an enjoyable historical romance and particularly the role Selina secretly played in society, being the publisher of scandalous books for women.
Loved the banter and chemistry between Selena and Peter and his interactions with his siblings were a highlight for me.
“He’d been afraid if he did get them…How could someone like him deserve the keeping of two small, fragile, beloved children?”
Glad that strong communication was prominent amongst the conflict in this story. And felt it had a strong ending.
“I will follow you…you are the heart of us Selina. There is no family without you”
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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Breath mints / Battle scars by
Although it was predominantly Hermione’s PoV, though the diary entries from Draco at the beginning of most chapters was a great device to get us into the mindset of the trouble character.
However, not everything you read or see him do, really makes him a loveable character. It was probably more so because of the character development of Draco in other fanfics that I could never truly hate him or wish for anything but a HEA.
However, he is extremely toxic, abussice (verbally and physically) and only shows some slight softening towards the end. Just as my buddy reading partner pointed out, I like my Draco to at least be gentle with Hermione, if not so to other people (Christmas markets).
The Slytherins actually become decent supporters of Hermione. And Theo & Pansy’s role and ending was the part that probably moved me the most in the story.
If you like a toxic Draco, this is the one for you.
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Post war Wizarding world & trio is back at Hogwarts for their 8th year.
“You’ll hate yourself in the morning. I hate myself every morning”
📚 enemies to lovers
📚 dark/ toxic romance
📚 Dramione
🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
Since I’ve started my Dramione journey, I’ve wanted to explore an 8th year fic. The had a lot of the things I love about this genre, my only real struggle was just how toxic Draco is (and he doesn’t really show too much growth).
“I think he’s going to hurt you”
Although it was predominantly Hermione’s PoV, though the diary entries from Draco at the beginning of most chapters was a great device to get us into the mindset of the trouble character.
However, not everything you read or see him do, really makes him a loveable character. It was probably more so because of the character development of Draco in other fanfics that I could never truly hate him or wish for anything but a HEA.
“I want to fucking kill her almost as much as I want to kiss her”
However, he is extremely toxic, abussice (verbally and physically) and only shows some slight softening towards the end. Just as my buddy reading partner pointed out, I like my Draco to at least be gentle with Hermione, if not so to other people (Christmas markets).
“I couldn’t just stand there…not like I did before”
The Slytherins actually become decent supporters of Hermione. And Theo & Pansy’s role and ending was the part that probably moved me the most in the story.
“Don’t need to knock anymore”
“You saved him. You kept your promise”
Harry is truly great and supportive in this fic. As horrible as Ron is in this story, Draco also makes some terrible choices in the face of revenge.
“You’re nothing. You’re nothing”
If you like a toxic Draco, this is the one for you.
“We’re volatile. Toxic. Pointless”
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Mile High by Liz Tomforde
Loved the communication (up to a certain point, then we have the dreaded third up breakup) and the addition of loveable dogs is always something I love in a story.
All the issues around Z maintaining his public image and not being able to negotiate his contract, all felt a little too convenient. Did enjoy the dynamics with Zander’s, his friends and their family.
Keen to pick up the other books in the series. I’ve noticed they aren’t as long.
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
”an arrogant athlete that’s in love with himself. I know his type. I’ve dated that type, and I’ll never do it again.”
📚 forbidden/ workplace romance
📚 hockey romance
📚 flight attendant
📚adorable dog
📚 flight attendant
📚adorable dog
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
Understand why this one is so popular. However, the main gripe for me was just its behemoth length. There is really no reason a hockey romance needs to be over 600 pages. At about the 70% mark, I was checking to see how much longer I had left as it felt a bit dragged out.
“You’re in love with yourself”
“Someone’s got to be”
Loved the communication (up to a certain point, then we have the dreaded third up breakup) and the addition of loveable dogs is always something I love in a story.
“Bee, get over here…I need all my girls together”
All the issues around Z maintaining his public image and not being able to negotiate his contract, all felt a little too convenient. Did enjoy the dynamics with Zander’s, his friends and their family.
“You usually don’t lie, but you lie about what a good man you are? It doesn’t make sense”
Did enjoy the portray of how Stevie copes with body image issues. As a result of society but also from her mother. Loved to see Zander’s be so emotionally supportive. And also some strong consent in here.
“It’s as if I need to police for existing in this space. For being the size I am”
“You following me?”
Keen to pick up the other books in the series. I’ve noticed they aren’t as long.
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Fragile Sanctuary by Catherine Cowles
Love the dynamics amongst all the siblings, I do generally enjoy interconnected standalones, especially when they follow siblings (The Edens, Bridgerton, The Hathaways).
I’m a sucker for a nickname and this one delivers.
The romance is nicely balance with some suspense and mystery. No one seems safe.
Looking forward to picking up the other siblings stories once they’re released.
fast-paced
4.0
Fast paced and engaging read.
“Happiness was the greatest torture of all because it could be all taken away - and it was so much worse than if you’d never experienced it at all”
📚 brothers best friend
📚 suspense/ mystery
📚 grumpy
📚 found family
📚 cute dog
📚 he falls first
📚 grumpy
📚 found family
📚 cute dog
📚 he falls first
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
Hooke in the first chapter. This follows a very similar formula to Cowels other books, but it works!
“Don’t do people. Love dogs”
Love the dynamics amongst all the siblings, I do generally enjoy interconnected standalones, especially when they follow siblings (The Edens, Bridgerton, The Hathaways).
I’m a sucker for a nickname and this one delivers.
“you shouldn’t hide a damned thing, Reckless. Especially not something that proves how strong you are”
The romance is nicely balance with some suspense and mystery. No one seems safe.
“You didn’t sneak past my defences, you bulldozed them. Reckless to the bone. And maybe you made me brave enough to be reckless, too.”
Looking forward to picking up the other siblings stories once they’re released.
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Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey
And don’t even get me started on Bethany’s brother (Steven) and his unhinged wife. They all just felt a bit over the top and one dimensional.
This was fine as a light read but is not memorable or Bailey’s strongest.
medium-paced
3.0
“We could still pretend to hate each other. If you makes you feel better about accepting my help”
📚 enemies to lovers
📚 workplace romance
📚 workplace romance
📚 age gap (30f/ 23m)
📚 slow burn
📚 slow burn
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
Was looking forward to the conclusion to the Hot & Hammed trilogy, but it just all fell a bit flat.
The chemistry between Bethany & Wes was good, if maybe a little Insta love.
The side plot of Wes looking after his niece was probably a highlight. Although, some of the drama surrounding that was a bit off (see house inspection).
The chemistry between Bethany & Wes was good, if maybe a little Insta love.
The side plot of Wes looking after his niece was probably a highlight. Although, some of the drama surrounding that was a bit off (see house inspection).
And don’t even get me started on Bethany’s brother (Steven) and his unhinged wife. They all just felt a bit over the top and one dimensional.
“What is wrong with everyone in this town. No one can just say what’s on their minds…your wife is pregnant you moron…and I’m sure he or she will grow up completely stable”.
This was fine as a light read but is not memorable or Bailey’s strongest.
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Tell Me How You Hate Me by Cali Melle
There were scenes that had be giddy but overall, it wasn’t a memorable story.
Read this one if you’d like some spice and with a side of ice skating.
medium-paced
3.5
📚 brother's best friend
📚 rivals to lovers
📚 figure skaters
📚 mutual pining
📚 one bed
📚dual PoV
📚 mutual pining
📚 one bed
📚dual PoV
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
One of my favourite things to do is ice skate, and that is what got me to pick this one up. It was one area where I thought the book really shined.
I’m also a sucker for enemies to lovers, and whilst that is the main tension in this one, there really never seems to be a well developed reason why they’re not together. Reasons were given, but I didn’t really feel them.
I’m also a sucker for enemies to lovers, and whilst that is the main tension in this one, there really never seems to be a well developed reason why they’re not together. Reasons were given, but I didn’t really feel them.
“If I didn’t plan on being alone forever, I’d consider making you mine.
There were scenes that had be giddy but overall, it wasn’t a memorable story.
Read this one if you’d like some spice and with a side of ice skating.
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