Solid 4.5 stars, might round up to 5 as I think about it more. This is a great thriller (not as much mystery as many of her other books) that has greaSolid 4.5 stars, might round up to 5 as I think about it more. This is a great thriller (not as much mystery as many of her other books) that has great pacing, a twist I didn't totally see coming, and an ending I was happy about. It's very Lord of the Flies set on an island-based reality show, so anyone who loves Love Is Blind or even Survivor will likely enjoy it. Very fun summer read if you want a good time, not necessarily something super unsolvable or highbrow. ...more
There's a lot to like about this book! I loved the basic setup for the book, and I appreciated how well the author discussed grief and moving on afterThere's a lot to like about this book! I loved the basic setup for the book, and I appreciated how well the author discussed grief and moving on after loss without forgetting about your past love. I love fake dating books partially to see the tension between both characters understanding what they're supposed to be there for and realizing that they have feelings that run deeper. This book definitely has that! This book is also a great option for readers who want to dip their toes into things like primal play but also want the option to skip past it (just one scene) if they aren't feeling it.
I think that the writing shows a tremendous amount of promise, but the dialogue was a little bit robotic and awkward at points. I think calling each other husband might be part of the issue, since it felt shoehorned into sentences at times (“Please, husband, touch me. I need you.” or “Alright, husband, time to make the purchase.”). I also knew that this would be a fairly sex-heavy book, but I wish that at least 1-2 scenes made the cutting room floor in favor of more development of their relationship. This is personal preference, as I know plenty of reviewers love how spicy it was, but I wanted to see a little less in the bedroom.
Altogether this was an enjoyable quick read and I will definitely pick up book 2! ...more
This was definitely not for me. It is interesting how a novella in the hands of some authors can feel like a complete story and in the hands of othersThis was definitely not for me. It is interesting how a novella in the hands of some authors can feel like a complete story and in the hands of others it just doesn’t feel quite right. I can’t justify a one star, but this was not a good read for me and it did lead me to delete all books by this author from my TBR because I can just tell it’s not a fit!
Also I know this is extremely extremely petty but Ambien is a pink oval and aspirin is typically a white circle, I have ZERO idea how you would not think twice, but I’m just a boring person who doesn’t take other people’s prescriptions lol...more
dnf at 26%. I was doing okay with the instalove and the awkward dialogue, but the (view spoiler)[crisis strategically inserted in the middle of their dnf at 26%. I was doing okay with the instalove and the awkward dialogue, but the (view spoiler)[crisis strategically inserted in the middle of their first couple of kisses (hide spoiler)] was the last straw in OTT-ness for me....more
I mean this as the most sincere compliment: Tal Bauer can write the pants off a romance to the point my mind is totally okay accepting many handwavey I mean this as the most sincere compliment: Tal Bauer can write the pants off a romance to the point my mind is totally okay accepting many handwavey things that make almost no sense when I take a step back. Five stars from me, but totally understand anyone who can't get along for the ride.
This is a cute summer book for when you want to turn your brain off for a bit. It's very fluffy, very instalove-y, and requires a heavy suspension of This is a cute summer book for when you want to turn your brain off for a bit. It's very fluffy, very instalove-y, and requires a heavy suspension of disbelief around how the real world works. However, it was ok for what it was! The dirty talk was a little awkward for me and any intimate scenes often felt so repetitive I found myself skimming through them (which isn't normally the case for NR Walker!).
It would have been a three star book until the last 20% or so, when things happen that are so ridiculous they feel like a fake Reddit post written for attention. Disappointed :(
This is pretty short and sweet (I would really only recommend if you have KU). Because of the length, there is a lot of action packed into a short booThis is pretty short and sweet (I would really only recommend if you have KU). Because of the length, there is a lot of action packed into a short book. I think the brief length also makes some aspects of the book feel totally over the top and sappy, where they might feel a bit more appropriate and real with some space to breathe. I wish that we got to learn more about the couple and what they were like before (even though obviously a central theme was moving on). I am going to read this series and normally enjoy this author's books, but this definitely felt like a prequel....more
This is a great summer read. I read through some of the more critical reviews, and I can totally see where they were coming from. Y3.5 rounded up to 4
This is a great summer read. I read through some of the more critical reviews, and I can totally see where they were coming from. You really need to be in the mood to kind of turn your brain off and binge read this to get the most out of it. Thankfully, it is compulsively readable. I really enjoyed the characters in the book, and I didn’t see the twist coming for a long time. Best enjoyed on a warm summer day with a glass of limoncello!...more
Oh I absolutely adored this! I've read some Lily Morton in the past but have been making it my mission to give her catalog a more thorough try and I'mOh I absolutely adored this! I've read some Lily Morton in the past but have been making it my mission to give her catalog a more thorough try and I'm so pleased I did. This is one of the best examples of kids in romance novels that actually feel like kids, not just set dressing or some idealized version of a child. I adored Asa and Jude and getting to watch their relationship develop. Perhaps most shockingly, the banter was fantastic and not at all the banter that normally gets passed off as "funny" in many romance books. Can't wait to read the rest of the series. ...more
This was great! It definitely is angsty and dramatic (and you do need to suspend your disbelief throughout), but EM Lindsey's writing, as usual, carriThis was great! It definitely is angsty and dramatic (and you do need to suspend your disbelief throughout), but EM Lindsey's writing, as usual, carries it. I really loved this story, and I cannot believe how much I ended up loving one of the villains of a previous story in the series.
tags/tropes: instalove but kinda a slow burn til they get together comparatively, sports/baseball, disability rep (cataplexy, narcolepsy), death/grieving/terminal illness (neither MMC dies), France/Paris, vacation, hurt/comfort, found family...more
This is classic NR Walker, something that I have been really missing with the newer releases. Lovely couple, whirlwind romance, some fluff and cheese,This is classic NR Walker, something that I have been really missing with the newer releases. Lovely couple, whirlwind romance, some fluff and cheese, really fabulous summer read.
I really enjoyed this! Lily has a way of writing that either works for you or doesn't, and it worked well for me here. It was funny, sweet, and (at tiI really enjoyed this! Lily has a way of writing that either works for you or doesn't, and it worked well for me here. It was funny, sweet, and (at times) frustrating, but I'm glad it all worked out in the end. Excited to read the rest of this beloved series!...more
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