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

Audiobook Review: Murder at Raven's Edge by Louise Marley

Author: Louise Marley

Narrator: Christopher Bonwell
Title: Murder at Raven's Edge

Series: An English Village Mystery #1

Genre: Murder Mystery, Thriller, Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published:  May 7, 2024
Where I Got It: Audible 

Summary: 

When Milla Graham returns to her childhood home of Raven's Edge after eighteen long years away, she finds the perfect English village looks much the same – all rose-covered cottages, nosy neighbours, and chintzy teashops full of scones and gossip.

But her nostalgic visit takes a dark turn when the body of a local woman is discovered in an abandoned manor house on the edge of the forest. The murder scene is chillingly close to that of Milla’s own mother, whose death was never solved. As she begins to investigate the connection, Milla realizes this adorable village is guarding some dark secrets.

Handsome, grumpy local policeman Ben Taylor doesn't believe in coincidences, and he doesn’t think mysterious newcomer Milla Graham is as innocent as she seems. Why is she really here in Raven’s Edge, and how come she keeps turning up at his crime scenes, causing trouble? Can he solve this murder case without losing himself – or his heart – to the rather distracting Miss Graham?

When another body is found, everyone becomes a suspect – from the barmaid at the local pub to Milla Graham herself. It seems that in Raven's Edge, not everybody is as friendly, or as innocent, as they first seem...

Review:

This was my pick for book club!

Here we follow Milla and Ben. Ben is a grouchy policeman who doesn't believe in coincidences, and he doesn't trust newcomer Milla Graham. Why is she really here in Raven's Edge? How come she keeps turning up at his crime scenes? There is a murder, and she is connected somehow. Milla returns home to Raven's Edge after 18 years. She is here to figure out who really killed her mother and why. When a body shows up that is eerily similar to her mother's...she knows that her life could be in danger. Can she trust Ben? Can she trust herself? 

It took me a minute to get fully into the story. I didn't like Milla. I didn't trust her. Every other word is a lie. I guess I'm a grumpy man like Ben hahahaha. But once we really got past her web of lies to others and to herself, I grew to like her. I wanted the truth to come out. 

Honestly... my biggest takeaway from this book is that if people told the truth, none of this would have happened! Yes, some lies were meant to protect, but in the end...it made things worse. I wanted to shake everyone. THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREEEEEEE!

I enjoyed the mystery and uncovering it. There were times I was super confused, but then by the end it ALL made sense. The ending made me happy. 

The narrator did an okay job. His voices for characters weren't that different, so you really had to pay attention. 

Overall, I did end up liking this story. The beginning and the one main character were a slow start for me, but it was worth it. Nice mystery and interesting charatcers. I know there was a murder there...but can I move to the town? It sounds like an adorable small town. 

4 stars from me. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #24

Movie Review: Project Hail Mary (2026)

Title: Project Hail Mary

Length: 2h 36m

Released: 2026

Genre: SciFi, Comedy, Drama
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Drive-In Theater

SUMMARY:

A science teacher wakes up alone on a spaceship. As his memory returns, he uncovers a mission to stop a mysterious substance killing Earth's sun, and realizes that an unexpected friendship may be the key.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Whoopsies. Meant to post this last week....eee!

Anyways...

Soooo I wasn't even excited to watch this. I'm so picky with my SciFi, and I feel like so many are just carbon copies of each other. However, the group wanted to stay and watch it, so I stayed too. ANNNND I was pleasantly surprised. 

Okay - so the story takes place in the future-ish. A science teacher wakes up alone on a ship and can't remember where or why he is there. He keeps getting flashbacks of his time on Earth. As he starts piecing together what happened, he realizes... it is up to him to save Earth. He is literally the last chance to figure out how to stop this mysterious substance from killing their Sun. This substance is killing all the stars, but one, and that is where he is headed. Along the way, he will team up with someone...something...unexpected. 

Okay. Okay. I take it back. I thought this was going to be boring and just a carbon copy. This was fresh and fun. Yes, Earth is in peril, but the movie still had some humor. It felt like real life in a weird way. Yes, dark and gloomy and scary, BUT there are good moments.

I LOVED Rocky. Best character of the year. I would burn the Earth for him. 

The cast was lovely. Our main was great...as usual. Awkward and adorable. Adorkable, some might say. 

The science-y parts were not too science-y, and I appreciated that. I hate when SciFi gets too lost in the details. Sure, I'm sure some science lovers wanted more "details". But meh. They balanced it well. Science stuff and then stuff for non-science people. Everyone can enjoy this. 

Some scenes could've been snipped and trimmed a little bit. Some dragged on a bit too long.

The ending was lovely, and I would've liked to see more. 

All-in-all, I was pleasantly surprised by this film! I went in a negative Nancy and came out wanting to watch this movie again. WHA? Yes! I'll watch it again. It was fun. Some scenes needed a bit of snipping to help the story along, but I liked it overall. 4 stars from me. 

Audiobook Review: Call Me Maybe by Cara Bastone

Author: Cara Bastone

Narrator: Luci Christian & Neil Hellegers
Title: Call Me Maybe

Series: Love Lines #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Humor
Format: Audiobook
Published:  October 20, 2020
Where I Got It: Audible 

Summary: 

Paint your toes. Pick up the wrong coffee and bagel order. Drive from Brooklyn to Jersey in traffic so slow you want to tear your hair out. It’s amazing all the useless things I can accomplish while on hold for three hours with customer service. Three hours when I should be getting the Date-in-a-Box website ready to launch at the big business expo in a few days. Except my shiny new website is glitching, and my inner rage-monster is ready to scorch some earth… when he finally picks up. Not the robot voice I expected but a real live human named Cal. He’s surprisingly helpful and really knows his stuff, even if he’s a little awkward…. in an adorable way.

And suddenly I’m flirting with him? And I think he’s flirting back.

And suddenly it’s been hours, and we’re still on the phone talking and ordering each other takeout while he trouble shoots my website.

And suddenly we’re exchanging numbers and sending texts and DMs every day, leaving voice mails (who even does that anymore?!).

And suddenly I’m wondering if it’s possible for two people fall in love at first talk.

Because I’m falling… hard.

Review:

Been meaning to listen to this little guy, but it kept falling to the back burner for some reason. Finally grabbed it and started it

Vera and Cal are meant for each other, but it will take tech issues and hours on hold before they finally talk. The universe has a funny way of putting people in each other's lives. They connect right away, and the sparks fly....on the phone, of course. 

This was a quick listen. Not super long, and I got this done really quick because I couldn't stop listening. I had so much fun.

Loved the conversations and the talking and them getting to know each other. It was all very sweet. This is extremely clean and sweet. I loved being a fly on the wall for their conversations. It was done well. 

My issue is the ending. The solutions were too quick and clean. I also wanted to see them interact in person more. We needed that to solidify their love. Maybe we'll see them around in book 2 since it is about her brother. We shall see....I have book 2 downloaded and ready to go. 

But yes. Cute. Sweet. I wanted more in-person interaction though, to LOVE this. 

I'll give it a 4. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #21

2-in-1 Book Review: Echo of Silence & Dorian by Nalini Singh

Author: Nalini Singh

Title: Echo of Silence

Series: Psy-Changeling #2.5

Genre: Short Story, Paranormal Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 101

Published: August 23, 2016

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

In a deep-sea station, Tazia Nerif has found her life's work as an engineer, keeping things running smoothly. But she wants nothing more than to break down the barrier of silence between her and her telekinetic Psy station commander . . .

Review:

I love going back and catching some of these shorts and novellas from this series. It's fun! The only way to read this was by borrowing the anthology. It works. 

Here we follow Tazia and Stefan. Tazia is an engineer and likes to keep things running smoothly. Stefan is Psy and has a strong barrier of silence to protect him and everyone around him. Being telekinetic can be powerful, but dangerous. After a disaster strikes, the two work together to save as many people as they can. 

This was lovely. I loved watching these two find common ground. And then friendship. And then more. Not a lot of crazy drama. Some external and some internal, but it was manageable and worked for a short story. 

Loved the depth. Loved the couple. *chef kiss*

5 stars. 

Author: Nalini Singh

Title: Dorian

Series: Psy-Changeling #5.1

Genre: Short Story, Paranormal, UF

Format: ebook

Pages: 39

Published: August 23, 2016

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

A changeling who can never shift lives a life of quiet frustration—until he learns how to let his leopard come out and play . . .

Review:

Yet another one from the anthology that I wanted to read!

Here we see Dorian in the early parts of his life. He was a changeling who could never shift until he finally learns how to let his leopard come out and play. 

Awwwww I loved seeing a young Dorian. I wish this was a touch longer. Maybe a scene or two more!! Dorian is a lovely character. Now I want to read his book again. It has been so long. 

But yes. Another short one that gives you a taste of the world and the author. It's such a good series overall. 

4 stars from me. 

Reading Challenges:

- Library Love #12 & 13

Book Review: How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson

Author: Rebecca Philipson

Title: How to Get Away with Murder

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Format: Paperback

Pages: 368

Published: February 24, 2026

Where I got It: My shelf (Goodreads giveaway)

Summary: 

This fresh debut thriller finds a Scotland Yard detective trying to find the author of a self-help book that promises quite literally to teach readers how to get away with murder, which seems to have inspired London's newest murderer.

Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen has been on leave for six months, recovering from a breakdown she suffered at work, but when a fourteen-year-old girl is murdered in a local park, Sam jumps at the chance to return to the job and prove that she's still got what it takes to be the Yard's most successful homicide detective. One of the cases only leads is a copy of a self-help book found in the victim's backpack called How To Get Away With Murder by a man named Denver Brady.

Brady claims to be the most successful serial killer of our time, which is why no one's ever heard of him. Chapter by chapter, he details his methodology and his past victims, and as Sam's investigation progresses and the details of the book go viral, Sam begins to suspect that there’s more to the author than what he’s revealed. But in order to find a killer and get justice for young Charlotte, Sam must learn to trust her instincts once again, before Denver Brady--or someone else--really does get away with murder.

Review:

I was a lucky duck and won this book in a giveaway! I never, ever win, so I was excited! I think for all the ones I have entered...my number of books I've won is at 2% hahaha. But yes, happy to see this pop up in the mail. 

Note - even though I was given this in a giveaway, my review will be honest and unbiased. 

Here we follow Sam Hansen, who has been on leave for a while recovering from a breakdown she suffered at work. When a 14-year-old girl is found murdered in the local park, Sam knows she has to go back. This case leads this team down a dark road when a copy of a self-help book called 'How to Get Away with Murder' is found on the victim's body. The author claims to be the most successful serial killer of our time, which is why no one's heard of him. Sam is put in charge of finding this author and finding out if there is a connection.

I'll admit...I struggled with the first couple of chapters. However, I grew to love our main, and things were a huge tangle. Who, what, why...so many mysteries afoot but somehow all tied together. I loved watching Sam and her team untangle everything. 

The ending was phenomenal. I really was on the edge of my seat. I purposely woke up early to finish the last half of the book. I HAD TO KNOW. 

This would make a great book club book. I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ENDING SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did want to scream with all the times someone was interrupted right when a vital piece of information was about to be shared or thought. Once...okay....twice...errr...more than twice? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? *shakes fist*

But yes, the mystery was good, and I didn't trust anyone except our Sam and her dog, which she saved. THAT ENDING?! I NEED TO TELL SOMEONE!!

I'll give this 4 stars. 

Book Review: Schemes and Scandals by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Title: Schemes and Scandals

Series: A Rip Through Time #3.5

Genre: Mystery, SciFi, Historical Fiction, Novella

Format: ebook

Pages: 159

Published: December 3, 2024

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

It’s Mallory Atkinson’s first Christmas in Scotland. Victorian Scotland, that is. Also, as the twenty-first-century detective learns, Christmas really isn’t a thing in Victorian Scotland. It’s all about Hogmanay. But her boss, Dr. Duncan Gray, treats her to an early gift of tickets to the event of the a Charles Dickens reading. There, they bump into Lady Inglis—the lovely widow who has sent Gray sexy letters trying to entice him back to her bed.

Lady Inglis introduces Mallory to Dickens—the meeting of a lifetime—but in return she wants their help. She’s being blackmailed. Someone stole letters she wrote to another lover and is threatening to publish them.

Mallory isn’t sure what to make of Lady Inglis, but no woman deserves that, so she insists on taking the case with or without Gray’s help. Growing tension between them soon tells Mallory that Gray is hiding a secret of his own. She has until Hogmanay to uncover the blackmailer…and, hopefully, to put things right with Gray so they can enjoy the holiday together.

Review:

I am simply LOVING this series. I can't get enough of it! The next book is already downloaded and ready to go ;)

We are back in time with Mallory. This is her first Christmas season in Victorian Scotland. Scotland still doesn't really celebrate Christmas, but instead Hogmanay. Dr Gray, her boss and friend, gets tickets to a Charles Dickens show. Mallory LOVES his works and is excited....until a mystery lands in her lap. Lady Inglis is being blackmailed. The letters she wrote to her lover have been stolen, and now she is being threatened with having them published. Inglis was Dr Gray's former lover, but Mallory won't allow this blackmail to go unpunished. She has until Hogmanay to figure it out. 

Sadly, my library didn't have the audio of this, but the ebook was JUST as good. At this point, this narrator's voice is the voice and only voice I hear when I read this story. The ebook did fine enough. EEEE. I should just buy all the audios at this point. I see myself revisiting this series in the future. 

But yes, there is a nasty blackmailer out and about. It's up to Mallory and Dr Gray. We didn't get to see much of the other cast during this. Just a little bit of the one sister and Jack. We did get to meet Charles Dickens and it made my heart happy...but then sad because we know his time is limited before he passes. *cries*

The mystery was easily solvable...maybe a bit too easy. But it is a novella, and we didn't want it too long and stretched out, I suppose. 

I can't wait to get started on the next book. 

100% recommend. 

4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Library Love #10

Audiobook Review: Marriage by Arrangement by Sophia Singh Sasson

Author: Sophia Singh Sasson

Narrator: Sharmila Devar
Title: Marriage by Arrangement

Series: (Nights at the Mahal, Book 1)

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published:  August 1, 2020
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible) 

Summary: 

When a business proposal turns

very personal…

Rule #1: Don’t fall for the client.

Because he’ll rock your world…

Architect Rani Gupta will never let a man compromise her career or freedom again. Which is a problem now that her newest client is irresistible hotelier Arjun Singh—aka the sexiest bachelor in India. A little fling with this gorgeous man would be scandal enough. But a fake engagement might just be more trouble than they bargained for—especially if Arjun has a prior arrangement!

Review:

Randomly stumbled upon this while looking for something else. Yayyyyy! And it fits a challenge? Even better. 

Here we have Rani and Arjun. Rani is an architect, and Arjun needs a firm to help build his newest hotel. There are sparks immediately, but that can never be. Rani will never let a man and his family compromise her career or freedom EVER again. Arjun is supposed to marry a childhood friend, but neither of them wants it, and neither of them can find the courage to tell their families. Nothing can happen between them....nothing at all, but the universe has other plans. 

This was a lot of fun. I liked Rani and Arjun a lot. I loved watching them get to know each other and eventually fall into lust and then love. It was sweet. I did hate that Arjun didn't tell her of his engagement, BUT 1) Arjun and his "fiancé" made a pact they can date whomever and eventually they'll break it off or delay it for as long as they can, and 2) it was just a fling. He should've mentioned it, though, but I get why he didn't. 

I hated their families. Yes, yes, traditional values and etc, but GAH. I wanted to hit them all. They all eventually see the errors of their ways, but man, it killed me seeing Rani and Arjun treated like that. :/ I was very annoyed that there wasn't more resolution and more time for them to try and make it up to them. There needed to be more apologies and more conversation. It didn't sit well with me how quickly that was wrapped up and put to the side. 

The narration was lovely. Great voices and accents. 

All-in-all, I did like this one. It was not your A-typical boy-meets-girls and etc. It had a lot of differences and depth. Lots of twists and turns. 4 stars from me. 

 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #15

- Reading Romance Challenge #12 (Office romance)

Movie Review: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)

Title: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Length: 1h 38m

Released: 2025

Genre: Comedy, Action/Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Theater

SUMMARY:

Mario ventures into space, exploring cosmic worlds and tackling galactic challenges far from the familiar Mushroom Kingdom.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Weeeee! Mario is back with another movie!

Mario and the crew are back. This time, they will have to venture into space and tackle some big galactic challenges. 

Last minute, I made Hubby go with me to the movie. I needed something funny and light. This was precisely what I needed, and I'm so glad we saw this on the big screen. 

Lots of laughs. Lots of action. Lots of references. Lots of awwwwwes. Adorable and def need to see. 

I will say that this was super action-packed. Maybe a bit TOO action-y. They were shoving a LOT of stuff into one film, and it never seemed to stop. I would've loved to see some more relaxing and chatting between the characters to establish more of the friendship elements, especially with "newer" characters being introduced.

Other than that, I still enjoyed the film. I would for sure watch this again. 

4 stars from me. 

Audiobook Review: Disturbing the Dead by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Narrator: Kate Handford
Title: Disturbing the Dead

Series: A Rip Through Time #3

Genre: Mystery, SciFi, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
Published: May 7, 2024
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Victorian Scotland is becoming less strange to modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson. Though inhabiting someone else’s body will always be unsettling, even if her employers know that she’s not actually housemaid Catriona Mitchell, ever since the night both of them were attacked in the same dark alley 150 years apart. Mallory likes her job as assistant to undertaker/medical examiner Dr. Duncan Gray, and is developing true friends―and feelings―in this century.

So, understanding the Victorian fascination with death, Mallory isn't that surprised when she and her friends are invited to a mummy unwrapping at the home of Sir Alastair Christie. When their host is missing when it comes time to unwrap the mummy, Gray and Mallory are asked to step in. And upon closer inspection, it’s not a mummy they’ve unwrapped, but a much more modern body.

Review:

Yayyy book 3!

We are back at it with Mallory and crew. Mallory has been in this body and this time period for a while now, and she is finally finding her footing. She is loving being the assistant to Dr. Gray and is friends with him and the others. The Victorians have a fascination with death, so Mallory isn't surprised when they are all invited to a mummy unwrapping at Sir Alastair's house. However, things go awry when the host is missing, and something isn't right with the mummy. Mallory and crew are asked to step in. 

You for sure need to have read the last two books for this one. You can skip the shorts, but there are some references and things you will need to understand. 

Ooooooh Mallory. I love her so. I love the whole crew. I'm even warming up to Gray's other sister and Mrs Wallace.

I'll admit something. I was enjoying myself, but it was feeling....stale at first. I wasn't necessarily bored, but it felt like the other two. The mysteries didn't shock me. It's kind of hard to explain. BUT that all changed after a BIG moment. A nice TWIST. I will not say but that was a nice reminder that there is a fantasy/SciFi element to the story. Eeee. I can't wait for the next book. 

The narrator did a lovely job. Great accents. Great voices for everyone. 

What more?

THIS SERIES IS SO GOOD!!! Read it or do the audio like me. 100% recommend. 

4 stars from me. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #13

- Library Love #9

Book Review: Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh

Author: Nalini Singh

Title: Shield of Winter

Series: Psy-Changeling #13

Genre: PNR, Urban Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 448

Published: June 3, 2014

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Assassin. Soldier. Arrow. That is who Vasic is, who he will always be. His soul drenched in blood, his conscience heavy with the weight of all he’s done, he exists in the shadows, far from the hope his people can almost touch—if only they do not first drown in the murderous insanity of a lethal contagion. To stop the wave of death, Vasic must complete the simplest and most difficult mission of his life.

For if the Psy race is to survive, the empaths must wake.

Having rebuilt her life after medical “treatment” that violated her mind and sought to stifle her abilities, Ivy should have run from the black-clad Arrow with eyes of winter frost. But Ivy Jane has never done what she should. Now, she'll fight for her people, and for this Arrow who stands as her living shield, yet believes he is beyond redemption. But as the world turns to screaming crimson, even Ivy’s fierce will may not be enough to save Vasic from the cold darkness . . .

Review:

I've been terrible. I finished this a couple of days ago, but I've been sooooo dang busy. We'll divide and conquer this review. 

Please note that this would not work well as a standalone. You need to read all the others prior. 

The Good:

- So many couples from the past books have popped up! This is a big conclusion to some stuff! It was lovely seeing them. 

- Intense action. I was on the edge of my seat. Will this gamble pay off? 

- Vasic and Ivy make a great pair. I was nervous because it would take someone really special to deserve Vasic. He's been such a great side character. 

- That ending? I had some tears. 

The Bad and the Ugly:

- The pacing was off sometimes. At times, we were moving at a snail's pace, and I wanted to skim through, but then we were off to the races. It was jarring at times. 

Conclusion:

Overall, I really did enjoy this conclusion to this arc of the story. There is more to follow, but all the past books of this series have been building up to this moment. The pacing was a little off in spots, but overall....this was good. I'll give it 4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Library Love #8

- Reading Romance Challenge #9 (TBR 2+ years)

2-in-1 Audiobook Reviews: A Match Made for Thanksgiving & The One Night

Author: Jackie Lau

Narrator: Khristine Rivière
Title: A Match Made for Thanksgiving

Series: Holidays with the Wongs #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella
Format: Audiobook
Published: October 8, 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Advertising executive Nick Wong enjoys living in Toronto. He loves late nights partying and taking women back to his penthouse. And so it is with great reluctance that he returns to his boring hometown of Mosquito Bay for Thanksgiving.

This year, however, is even worse than usual. His interfering parents and grandparents, frustrated with the lack of weddings in the family, have invited blind dates for him and his three siblings. Nick’s brother Greg has been set up with Lily Tseng, who just so happens to be Nick’s latest one-night stand, the one he can’t get out of his mind.

Although Nick has never been interested in settling down, Lily has him reconsidering. Perhaps he’s good for more than a single night of sex, dumplings, and bubble tea after all. But first, he has to get through this painful weekend with his family and convince her that she should be with him, not Greg…

Review:

I meant to read this at Thanksgiving, but I totally forgot all about it. I then meant to save it for Thanksgiving later this year, BUT I couldn't resist. I needed a nice and spicy read for March. Weeee!

Here we follow Nick and Lily. Nick has loved his bachelor's life and doesn't plan to change now. Until he meets Lily. After a wonderful one-night stand with her, he can't get her out of his head. It's Thanksgiving, and he returns to his small hometown to his loving but interfering family. Enter his family, who set up some blind dates for him and his siblings. Lo and behold, Lily walks in, but she is set up with his brother. He will need to spend the weekend convincing her that she should be with him. 

I had a lot of fun with this one. It was cute and sweet. Love watching a womanizer and rogue finally settle down. It's always fun. 

I liked Nick and Lily. You could see the chemistry right away. I loved how different but similar they were at the same time. They are adorable. 

Nick's family was very sweet. Yes, they are a LOT to handle, but they love him, and they fall for Lily, too. So sweet.

My biggest issue was the narration at times. There were times it felt and sounded so robotic. The performance was so stiff at times. It took me out of the story a couple of times because of how stiff and robotic it was.

I really want to read the next book, but I might have to settle for either the ebook version or the physical version. The same narrator reads that one too. 

All-in-all, I did like this a lot. Loved the set-ups. Loved the characters. The spiciness was well done. My only issue was that I struggled at times with the narrator. 

I'll give this 4 stars.  

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #11

- Reading Romance Challenge #8 (Non-Christmas Holiday)

Author: Meghan Quinn

Narrator: Laurie West & Teddy Hamilton
Title: The One Night

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella
Format: Audiobook
Published: December 14, 2021
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Recently divorced Cooper Chance knows he’s officially in a rut when his parents take him barhopping in the hope of resuscitating his love life. At first, he’s skeptical. How could a gritty dive bar possibly solve his problems? But then he runs into Nora McHale.

Nora isn’t at the bar looking for love. She’s there to unwind after yet another exhausting day at her bakery. And even if she were hoping to meet someone, it sure wouldn’t be Cooper—her best friend’s ex-husband.

According to the unwritten rules of romance, Cooper and Nora are completely off limits to each other. But after a fun, flirty night at the bar, they can’t ignore the wild attraction between them.

Is this the beginning of something real, or will their passionate night together be their one and only?

Review:

I needed a Meghan Quinn book, and I picked up this little guy. I'm glad I read a review or two because this is technically a prologue to the next book. Oooo

So Cooper and Nora have known each other for years. They are completely off limits to each other. After a flirty night at a bar and a funny situation....the two realize that their is not just lust between them but something more. However, will their passionate night be their only one? 

This was fun. Cooper's parents were the stars of this little number. I love them so much. I can't wait to see what shenanigans they cause in the next book. Hilarious!!!!!!!!!

I did like Cooper and Nora. The ending was sad. Super sad. I wonder how this will all be resolved. 

The narration team was amazing. I hope they do the next book. 

But yes, adorable with an ending that really isn't an ending. It is a teaser to make you read the next book. And yes, I have it downloaded already. 

4 stars from me. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #11

- Reading Romance Challenge #8 (Non-Christmas Holiday)

Audiobook Review: Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare

Author: Tessa Dare

Narrator: Neil Hellegers
Title: Goddess of the Hunt

Series: The Wanton Dairymaid Trilogy #1

Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published: July 28, 2009
Where I Got It: Borrowed from Library

Summary: 

Every earl knows the one lady he shouldn't seduce is his best friend's little sister . . .

Lucy Waltham is hunting for a husband, but she needs some target practice. She turns to her brother's cold-as-ice best friend, Jeremy Trescott, the Earl of Kendall, to test her seductive wiles on him before setting her sights on another man. But her practice kisses spark a smoldering passion-one that could send all her plans up in smoke.

Jeremy has an influential title, a vast fortune, and a painful past full of secrets. He's always kept a safe distance from his own emotions—and from Lucy, who wears her heart on her sleeve. But to save his best friend's little sister from certain heartbreak, he can't stay at arm's length anymore. Their sensual battle of wills is as forbidden as it is delicious. The closer Jeremy gets to taming his temptress . . . the nearer he comes to losing all control.

Review:

Love me some Dare! Been slowly going through all her works. She certainly has a lot, and I'm not complaining!!!!

Here we follow Lucy and Jeremy. Jeremy is friends with Lucy's brother. Lucy has been in love with her brother's friend for a long time, but it isn't Jeremy. It's another friend who is in love with someone else. However, things don't go as planned, and Lucy finally realizes maybe, just maybe, Jeremy is the one for her. He's been the one who has always been there for her. Sure, he is cold, but there is a secret warmth there.

This was adorable and entertaining. I loved Lucy and Jeremy. Both are so different but at the same time so similar. Stubborn and love to vex each other. Loved it!!!

Jeremy has some demons, so he keeps his emotions close to his chest. He is a tough wall to climb, but Lucy loves a challenge. You could tell they were meant for each other in their first interaction. 

I loved watching them finally get on the same page and stop being so stubborn. It was lovely!

They get married fairly quickly, and I loved watching them deal with marriage and finding their love. It was nice. 

The narrator was lovely. The men's voices all sounded similar sometimes, but they worked if you are paying attention. Little difference. 

My only issue is the subplot with the tenants. I hope that is resolved later, because it certainly was not resolved fully here. Jeremy has a lot to do. 

But yes. I was entertained from page 1 until the very end. I want to read book 2 asap. I need to see where our side character ends up. She wormed her way into my heart! I did want more of a resolution with the subplot that seemed to be left dangling and not fully resolved. Maybe we'll see it later on.

4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #10

- Library Love #7

- Reading Romance Challenge #7 (Sunset/Sunrise on the cover)

Audiobook Review: A Change of Plans by Dennis E Taylor

Author: Dennis E Taylor

Narrator: Neil Hellegers
Title: A Change of Plans

Genre: SciFi, Fantasy, Short Story
Format: Audiobook
Published: October 22, 2019
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

Earth is dying, and humanity is scrambling to set up colonies in other star systems. But the search process for habitable planets is not perfect, as the crew of the Ouroboros discover on arrival at their new home.

Review:

Gotta love a nice short SciFi. It's how I like 'em. Short, sweet, and to the point. 

Humanity is scrambling to set up colonies in other star systems because Earth is dying. The crew of Ouroboros has arrived to their new home, but it's not.........perfect. 

I've heard of the author, and I've been curious, so I decided to give this little short a chance. A little bit of a taste, ya know?

It sounds like this universe is set up. There seems to be more stories out there, but this story did fine alone. I was never confused, and that is a def a bonus for SciFi stories. Some authors get too stuck in the weeds of details. The author did a good job, so I may check out a full-length someday. If you like this author, give me a recommendation! I'm so dang picky with SciFi. 

So yes....we have a crew out on adventure. They are tasked to find other planets that might work for the humans. Earth is dying, and we need to colonize. Typical. The crew was nice, but I couldn't tell you any of their names, so they were slightly forgettable. Not bad, just atypical. 

The little battle was fun. 

The ending was nice. 

The narrator is a gem. I really like his voices. I've heard an audio or two of his and know his voice. It's nice, and he does well even with lady voices. 

Overall, this was a nice taste of SciFi. Perfect while working on an Excel for work. Quick and intense. 4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #9