I enjoyed Gamechanger, but I was on the fence about trying book two. The first was fun but pretty indistinguishable from every other sports romance wiI enjoyed Gamechanger, but I was on the fence about trying book two. The first was fun but pretty indistinguishable from every other sports romance with a closeted lead, and nothing about the writing or plotting stood out as original. I decided to read Heated Rivalry because the premise of rivals having hate sex throughout their careers that slowly develops into an actual relationship sounded awesome.
Again, I did enjoy this book, but there's a lack of oomph to these. I don't feel the characters' passion the way I do when I read a really good romance, so the end result is slightly bland. All the right things happen, but it just doesn't hit me emotionally.
Heated Rivalry is pretty good, cute and fluffy, and Shane's actually even half-Japanese/half-white, though there's not a lot about his diversity in the book. I probably won't read any more Rachel Reid, just because romance is so much about me connecting emotionally, and her books don't seem to do that for me.
Merged review:
I enjoyed Gamechanger, but I was on the fence about trying book two. The first was fun but pretty indistinguishable from every other sports romance with a closeted lead, and nothing about the writing or plotting stood out as original. I decided to read Heated Rivalry because the premise of rivals having hate sex throughout their careers that slowly develops into an actual relationship sounded awesome.
Again, I did enjoy this book, but there's a lack of oomph to these. I don't feel the characters' passion the way I do when I read a really good romance, so the end result is slightly bland. All the right things happen, but it just doesn't hit me emotionally.
Heated Rivalry is pretty good, cute and fluffy, and Shane's actually even half-Japanese/half-white, though there's not a lot about his diversity in the book. I probably won't read any more Rachel Reid, just because romance is so much about me connecting emotionally, and her books don't seem to do that for me....more
I just love Hidden Legacy so freaking much, and I'm so happy with how good this final book of Catalina's arc *sobs in waiting for Arabella's book(s?)*
I just love Hidden Legacy so freaking much, and I'm so happy with how good this final book of Catalina's arc was. It's slightly anticlimactic in the best kind of way (Arabella ily), and emotionally really hit. I could read 30 books about these people easily.
Merged review:
*sobs in waiting for Arabella's book(s?)*
I just love Hidden Legacy so freaking much, and I'm so happy with how good this final book of Catalina's arc was. It's slightly anticlimactic in the best kind of way (Arabella ily), and emotionally really hit. I could read 30 books about these people easily....more
CW: (view spoiler)[grief, death of loved ones (hero's father and brother died in a motor vehicle accident), depression (hero's mom after accident) (hiCW: (view spoiler)[grief, death of loved ones (hero's father and brother died in a motor vehicle accident), depression (hero's mom after accident) (hide spoiler)]
Must Love Dogs...and Hockey is a decent romance. On the plus side, there's very little hockey bro-ness to it. There are some references to the hero having been a player, but there's no evidence in book. There's a cute scene at the start where the hockey guys discuss contraceptives with oral, which admittedly made it weird when that was considered with Lilly. But still, I liked that that conversation happened. Otis is definitely the star of this, though. Lilly and Easton are...fine. It drove me up the wall that Lilly starts a business that is apparently cash-only and not in any way legit. Like, I was just sitting there wondering if she would pay her taxes, and I doubt it.
The writing feels a bit amateurish or perhaps just under-edited. Expect a lot of exclamation points, for example. I was entertained but also didn't like it enough to be planning to read more Jamieson, unless I hear really good things from readers I trust.
I received this book for free from Loveswept via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Merged review:
CW: (view spoiler)[grief, death of loved ones (hero's father and brother died in a motor vehicle accident), depression (hero's mom after accident) (hide spoiler)]
Must Love Dogs...and Hockey is a decent romance. On the plus side, there's very little hockey bro-ness to it. There are some references to the hero having been a player, but there's no evidence in book. There's a cute scene at the start where the hockey guys discuss contraceptives with oral, which admittedly made it weird when that was considered with Lilly. But still, I liked that that conversation happened. Otis is definitely the star of this, though. Lilly and Easton are...fine. It drove me up the wall that Lilly starts a business that is apparently cash-only and not in any way legit. Like, I was just sitting there wondering if she would pay her taxes, and I doubt it.
The writing feels a bit amateurish or perhaps just under-edited. Expect a lot of exclamation points, for example. I was entertained but also didn't like it enough to be planning to read more Jamieson, unless I hear really good things from readers I trust.
I received this book for free from Loveswept via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review....more
Once again, I picked up a book based on a cover. Sure, contemporary romances hold a lot of appeal, but, to be honest, I’m skeptical of ebook 4.5 stars
Once again, I picked up a book based on a cover. Sure, contemporary romances hold a lot of appeal, but, to be honest, I’m skeptical of ebook only imprints, which probably isn’t fair. However, the cover is so cute, and I have auto approval and an itchy download finger. Well, the good news is that Song of Summer is adorably fluffy but also deep, and I really loved it. The bad news is that I can’t be a copy for my physical shelves. Seriously, though, give Song of Summer a chance. I know that an ebook only book isn’t likely to get much hype, so I’m going to do my damnedest to convince you to read it.
SHIP SHIP SHIP, guys. But wait! I actually fell in love with this book pre-ship. That’s serious stuff right there. Song of Summer opens with Robin working her job at a diner. She’s talking with two older waitresses, lifers, about her breakup; her boyfriend, Trent, dumped her because he wants to be a free agent senior year. Fannie and Violet immediately begin dreaming of making a match, finding someone better for Robin. They make a list of qualities her perfect man should have: tall, handsome, intelligent, funny, etc. Robin adds one last qualification: a love of music. What I fell in love with was the banter between the three and the fact that Vi and Fannie feel like real people, not just convenient plot points. Also, I do love myself some shippers.
Enter two wealthy teens. They’ve come to the diner from the exclusive summer community down the road. Barry and Carter are just here for the summer, and they’re not thrilled to be stuck in this small town. Carter’s so hot that Robin momentarily forgets how to waitress. Fannie and Vi are convinced they’ve got their guy. Then Barry orders for them both, and all mourn the fact that the gorgeous guy is gay. Before they leave, though, Robin learns the truth: Carter’s not gay but deaf, which is why Barry ordered.
I immediately adored Carter because in his first POV chapter (they alternate), one of the first things he thinks is “I was happy when she thought we were gay.” A straight boy who’s not offended to be thought gay is a boy that I love. What he loved was the freedom of it. He was able to be more forward and flirt with Robin, because he knew she thought he wasn’t into girls. The whole thing was just so cute.
As I mentioned with Vi and Fannie, Anderson builds out all of the characters, not just the two leads. I have so much affection for their families and friends. Well, okay, I’m not a fan of Trent. Even he, though, isn’t a total asshole, and it’s sort of refreshing that no one gets totally run through the dirt, even the exes. Barry didn’t impress me in his first scene, but you learn there’s more beneath the surface and end up caring about his summer romance. Also, the fact that two teens have a happy summer fling and it doesn’t have to be a forever big deal love thing is awesome.
On top of that, both Carter and Robin have really happy loving families. Both families remind the teens to keep the door open if they’re going to be alone in a bedroom together. The parents insist in both cases to meet the new person their kid is dating. Carter’s family is so open and it’s really sweet. His parents adopted three deaf children of different races, and, my god, families that have been built give me so many feels. I can’t even.
The romance between Robin and Carter is definitely instalove, but it’s one of those cases that gets it really right. I buy their feelings completely, and I continued to ship them. They’re so cute. Carter thought she was attractive enough that he went back to the diner; she made an effort to communicate with him, and he asked her out. When, for their date, she’d learned a little bit of ASL, he was basically a goner. Throughout the book, they have a lot to work out, particularly prejudices they hold, knowingly or not. The openness of the ending is a bit frustrating, but I also like it.
The one thing that rubbed me the wrong way in Song of Summer was the unnecessary jealousy plot. Carter and Robin are doing perfectly until his sister and ex-girlfriend come to visit. Robin already had an ex hanging around, but Trent caused only very minor tension. Carter hadn’t told Robin that Jolene was his ex, and so that obviously ends up causing problems. Given how short the book is and how much they had to work out anyway, I really don’t feel like Jolene really needed to be in the book at all. I just think jealousy, though realistic, is really boring as a plot.
Despite some issues towards the end, I really loved this book, and I urge all of you who like adorable contemporary romances to give it a shot. Millions of bonus points for the beautiful treatment of deafness. Love love love.
Merged review:
4.5 stars
Once again, I picked up a book based on a cover. Sure, contemporary romances hold a lot of appeal, but, to be honest, I’m skeptical of ebook only imprints, which probably isn’t fair. However, the cover is so cute, and I have auto approval and an itchy download finger. Well, the good news is that Song of Summer is adorably fluffy but also deep, and I really loved it. The bad news is that I can’t be a copy for my physical shelves. Seriously, though, give Song of Summer a chance. I know that an ebook only book isn’t likely to get much hype, so I’m going to do my damnedest to convince you to read it.
SHIP SHIP SHIP, guys. But wait! I actually fell in love with this book pre-ship. That’s serious stuff right there. Song of Summer opens with Robin working her job at a diner. She’s talking with two older waitresses, lifers, about her breakup; her boyfriend, Trent, dumped her because he wants to be a free agent senior year. Fannie and Violet immediately begin dreaming of making a match, finding someone better for Robin. They make a list of qualities her perfect man should have: tall, handsome, intelligent, funny, etc. Robin adds one last qualification: a love of music. What I fell in love with was the banter between the three and the fact that Vi and Fannie feel like real people, not just convenient plot points. Also, I do love myself some shippers.
Enter two wealthy teens. They’ve come to the diner from the exclusive summer community down the road. Barry and Carter are just here for the summer, and they’re not thrilled to be stuck in this small town. Carter’s so hot that Robin momentarily forgets how to waitress. Fannie and Vi are convinced they’ve got their guy. Then Barry orders for them both, and all mourn the fact that the gorgeous guy is gay. Before they leave, though, Robin learns the truth: Carter’s not gay but deaf, which is why Barry ordered.
I immediately adored Carter because in his first POV chapter (they alternate), one of the first things he thinks is “I was happy when she thought we were gay.” A straight boy who’s not offended to be thought gay is a boy that I love. What he loved was the freedom of it. He was able to be more forward and flirt with Robin, because he knew she thought he wasn’t into girls. The whole thing was just so cute.
As I mentioned with Vi and Fannie, Anderson builds out all of the characters, not just the two leads. I have so much affection for their families and friends. Well, okay, I’m not a fan of Trent. Even he, though, isn’t a total asshole, and it’s sort of refreshing that no one gets totally run through the dirt, even the exes. Barry didn’t impress me in his first scene, but you learn there’s more beneath the surface and end up caring about his summer romance. Also, the fact that two teens have a happy summer fling and it doesn’t have to be a forever big deal love thing is awesome.
On top of that, both Carter and Robin have really happy loving families. Both families remind the teens to keep the door open if they’re going to be alone in a bedroom together. The parents insist in both cases to meet the new person their kid is dating. Carter’s family is so open and it’s really sweet. His parents adopted three deaf children of different races, and, my god, families that have been built give me so many feels. I can’t even.
The romance between Robin and Carter is definitely instalove, but it’s one of those cases that gets it really right. I buy their feelings completely, and I continued to ship them. They’re so cute. Carter thought she was attractive enough that he went back to the diner; she made an effort to communicate with him, and he asked her out. When, for their date, she’d learned a little bit of ASL, he was basically a goner. Throughout the book, they have a lot to work out, particularly prejudices they hold, knowingly or not. The openness of the ending is a bit frustrating, but I also like it.
The one thing that rubbed me the wrong way in Song of Summer was the unnecessary jealousy plot. Carter and Robin are doing perfectly until his sister and ex-girlfriend come to visit. Robin already had an ex hanging around, but Trent caused only very minor tension. Carter hadn’t told Robin that Jolene was his ex, and so that obviously ends up causing problems. Given how short the book is and how much they had to work out anyway, I really don’t feel like Jolene really needed to be in the book at all. I just think jealousy, though realistic, is really boring as a plot.
Despite some issues towards the end, I really loved this book, and I urge all of you who like adorable contemporary romances to give it a shot. Millions of bonus points for the beautiful treatment of deafness. Love love love....more
Like the first, Master of Iron totally hit the spot. This series is just so fun. The banter is great. The way the characters work through their disagrLike the first, Master of Iron totally hit the spot. This series is just so fun. The banter is great. The way the characters work through their disagreements feels both realistic and healthy. The anxiety rep is great, and it's still fully present at the end of the series, though Ziva does figure out some better coping strategies. The ending does feel a bit easy tbh, but aside from that thoroughly enjoyed every moment.
Merged review:
Like the first, Master of Iron totally hit the spot. This series is just so fun. The banter is great. The way the characters work through their disagreements feels both realistic and healthy. The anxiety rep is great, and it's still fully present at the end of the series, though Ziva does figure out some better coping strategies. The ending does feel a bit easy tbh, but aside from that thoroughly enjoyed every moment....more
Christina (A Reader of Fictions)
>
Books:
egalley
(1466)
Loading...
