Book Review: The Deal by Elle Kennedy

Author: Elle Kennedy

Title: The Deal

Series: Off-Campus #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 342

Published: February 24, 2015

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice…even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date.

...and it’s going to be oh so good

All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he’s worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he’s all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn’t take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn’t going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.

Review:

This FINALLY arrived from the library! I think with this becoming a show, it has become very popular again. 

Here we have Hannah and Garrett. The two couldn't be more different. He's a hockey player and doesn't date. He only cares about hockey... school is secondary. Hannah is in the music program and has a lot of baggage from her past that she thought she left behind. Garrett needs help passing a test to stay on the college hockey team. Hannah helps if he can help her bag the cute boy. 

The beginning was a little rough for me. It took me a few chapters to get sucked in, but once I was sucked in, I couldn't stop reading. I adored our two mains here...esp Hannah. Awww.

I loved watching them go from strangers to study-partners to friends to lovers to more. It was lovely, and the transition worked for them. They needed the time to find love. 

There is some drama, especially with what happened to Hannah in High School and with Garrett's asshole dad. However, it felt naturally dealt with. It wasn't a soap opera or swept away quickly; I appreciated how the author dealt with these issues. They are serious but didn't derail the story. 

There are some cringe dialogue, but not as much as the spin-off. This felt more natural. I wonder if she was trying too hard in the other one? 

But yes, I really liked this one. I am tempted to keep going. I might even watch the show! ;)

4 stars. 

Reading Challenges:

- Library Love #16

Book Review: Nanny for the Neighbors by Lily Gold

Author: Lily Gold

Title: Nanny for the Neighbors

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Paperback

Pages: 476

Published: June 7, 2021

Where I got It: My shelf (Xmas)

Summary: 

‘To the boys in apartment 5A. Congratulations. You have a kid.’

That’s what the note attached to the abandoned baby carrier says. And now my three gorgeous neighbors are in deep trouble. None of them have a clue how to look after the baby that’s been left on their doorstep.

Luckily, there’s a nanny in the building. I can barely believe my eyes when the sizzling boys next door come knocking for my help. The truth is, I’ve been secretly crushing on the guys in 5A for years—and now I finally have an excuse to meet them all.

There’s Jack, the sweet, nerdy game designer with the infectious smile.

Cyrus, the flirty dancer whose smooth moves melt my brain into goo.

And Sebastian, the ripped businessman with the smoldering stare.

Every day, I go to their apartment to take care of the baby.

And every night, they take care of me. It doesn’t take long for our arrangement to get steamy. Soon, I’m falling for all three of them.

It’s a dangerous game. These men are my bosses, not my boyfriends, and I’ve already told them that romance isn’t in the cards—but every molten look and stomach-fluttering kiss makes it harder for me to stay strong. And when work threatens to tear our fragile family apart, one thing becomes very clear:

I’m sick of being the girl next door.

It’s time this nanny got a promotion.

Review:

I was given this during a book exchange for Xmas. :D 

Here we follow Beth, who needs a job. She's been struggling to find her next nannying or babysitting gig. One day, the boys upstairs receive a little present on their doorstep with a note saying, "You have a kid." Whose baby? Who knows, but they need help. They hire Beth to help them as they figure things out. There is Jack, who is sweet and nerdy. Cyrus, who is flirty and smooth. Seb... who is a bit reserved and an atypical cold businessman. 

I wasn't expecting a SERIOUS story here. Yes, smut with some drama. Always nice. However, there was a depth here that I didn't expect, and it was nice. We got to deep dive into all four of our characters. They all have family issues. I loved deep diving into this and them all helping each other out. 

Yes, the smut was lovely. But I really did love watching them go from neighbors, to friends, to lovers, to a foursome couple. It was beautiful. 

Cami is adorable, and I would burn the world for her. She will grow up spoiled, and she deserves it!!!!

But yes. This book had all the feels. Happiness, humor, sadness, joy, anger, and well... spiciness of course. 

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I really liked this book. 

5 stars from me. 

Audiobook Review: Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez

Author: Abby Jimenez

Narrator: Andi Arndt, Zachary Webber

Title: Worst Wingman Ever

Series: Valentine's Day #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella, Short Story

Format: Audiobook 

Published: January 23, 2024

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

Holly is dealing with the impending death of her grandmother and still reeling from a bad breakup. One bright spot: a Valentine’s Day card on Holly’s windshield—even if it wasn’t meant for her. An amusing mistake soon turns into a lovely exchange of anonymous notes, little acts of kindness, and a growing affection between two strangers. What happens when one of them has to say goodbye?

Review:

Reading this again! A couple of people I know read it, and it was calling me, so I downloaded it. 

Holly is dealing with big life stuff. John is getting over a bad breakup. John accidently put a card on her car meant for someone else. He is the worst wingman ever. Whoopsies. An amusing mistake soon turns into a lovely exchange of anonymous notes, little acts of kindness, and a growing affection between two strangers. 

Awwwwwwwwww this was so sweet. I loved Holly and John. 

I loved the gifts. The notes. The dog.

The sad moments were sad but beautiful at the same time. 

There is some humor, but it felt real. 

AND THAT SECRET? How did I forget???

Great narrators. 

Great short. Now I kinda wanna read the rest of the series..............

5 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #25

 

Book Review: The Chase by Elle Kennedy

Author: Elle Kennedy

Title: The Chase

Series: Briar U #1

Genre: Sports Romance, Contemporary, New Adult

Format: ebook

Pages: 374

Published:  August 4, 2018

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Everyone says opposites attract. And they must be right, because there’s no logical reason why I’m so drawn to Colin Fitzgerald. I don’t usually go for tattoo-covered, video-gaming, hockey-playing nerd-jocks who think I’m flighty and superficial. His narrow view of me is the first strike against him. It doesn’t help that he’s buddy-buddy with my brother.

And that his best friend has a crush on me.

And that I just moved in with them.

Oh, did I not mention we’re roommates?

I suppose it doesn’t matter. Fitzy has made it clear he’s not interested in me, even though the sparks between us are liable to burn our house down. I’m not the kind of girl who chases after a man, though, and I’m not about to start. I’ve got my hands full dealing with a new school, a sleazy professor, and an uncertain future. So if my sexy brooding roomie wises up and realizes what he’s missing?

He knows where to find me.

Review:

I had a couple of people recommend this book, and it was available at the library (after waiting in line for a couple of weeks). Why not? Love hockey romances! This is technically a spin-off (methinks) from a different series. I still need to read that series. One day!!!!!!

Here we follow Fitz and Summer. The two couldn't be more different. Summer loves fashion and tries to look at the positives in life. She messed up big, but she has been given a second chance! Fitz is a grumpy and gruff hockey player. There is a spark between them, but she overheard him calling her superficial and just "fluff". She won't chase a man, so she'll just have to ignore him even though he is one of her roommates. 

This started off......meh. I struggled the first 50 pages-ish. I don't want to say it but I can't think of a better word(s)...it was so awkward and cringey. Some of the dialogue made me roll my eyes and made me appreciate not being in my early 20s. However, things leveled out and did get better. I think the author stopped trying so hard to sound like a college kid.

I didn't like Fitz or Summer at first either, but I warmed up to them once we got past the surface-level. Still found them mid by the end. Eh. I think they are side characters in the original series, so maybe I would've liked them more there? Mmmmm. I finally got the first book from the original series from the library, so we shall see. 

I also didn't buy Summer's insta-friendship with Bee. I warmed up too that as we went along. But it still felt so sudden.

But yeah. This was entertaining enough, and it did keep me up one night, so that's a plus? It all felt......shallow? Don't get me wrong, I like a carefree romance, but the author tried to make this deep, but it just didn't strike. Maybe I am getting too old for college romances. 

Overall, 3 stars from me. It was entertaining enough, and I ended up warming up to our mains. 

Reading Challenges:

- Library Love #15