Review: Here for the Right Reasons: A swoonworthy friends-to-lovers rom-com

Here for the Right Reasons: A swoonworthy friends-to-lovers rom-com by Jodi McAlister
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cece is a criminology student. She and her friends (and roommates), Ayo and Flick, enjoy watching a reality show called "Marry Me, Juliet." (Just like the Bachelor). Drunk one night, the three of them apply to be on the show. Cece then loses her part-time job due to the pandemic. So when the show calls to ask if she is interested in being on it, she says yes, because it pays.
Cece has a tragic back story. She is an orphan and she spent her childhood in foster home after foster home, group home after group home. She has Ayo and Flick and that's her support system. She doesn't like to stand out or be the center of attention. She's full of insecurities.
Dylan is the Romeo for the season and he is also full of insecurities. He is on the show to gain attention for his charity (Ties Out) which focuses on men's mental health, he's an Olympic Gold Medalist in Sailing, and he happens to be the first non-white Romeo (he is 1/2 Sri Lankan).
Cece gets eliminated the first night. Her first night was eventful; she gets pushed into the pool, she has and panic attack, and faints. However, the fainting gets the attention of Dylan and lets them have time for a real conversation. Both having confessed their reasons for being on the show, they agree to help each other out and a friendship develops. Since this was also during the lockdowns during the pandemic, they were able to develop a real friendship since they (and her fellow "Juliets" and the crew) were all stuck in the Bubble.
This was so fun to read. I liked the twists and the insight into reality shows. There were moments where I wondered how this would lead to a HEA or HFN. I thought this had some strong secondary characters too; Amanda and Dylan G (aka "super hero nurse") were a handful of people who were nice to Cece. Lilly (Fireball) also stands out as the villain (which was done on purpose). And Murray, one of the producers.
RBSB: Olympics Paris 2024

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Review: The Idea of You

The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Okay this is shelved as romance. It is NOT a romance. I would call this WOMEN'S FICTION. A romance has a HEA (happily ever after) OR a HFN (happy for now). This has neither of those. So, again, not a romance!
Is this a bad book? No. Was I disappointed? Yes. See the above. My expectations would have been different and the rating a bit higher had I known going into this that this was women's fiction. Since I wanted to watch the movie, I got the book to check out first. The movie is BETTER and the why is at the end of this review.
Anyway, an age gap romance (where the woman is the older one) is (almost) always one I want to check out. Solene is in her 30s (39 to be exact) and has a 12 year old daughter (Isabelle). Daughter is a HUGE fan of August Moon (a boy band) and has a HUGE crush on the lead singer, Hayes. Hayes is 20. Solene and Hayes meet when she takes her daughter & friends to meet the band at a meet and greet. After some flirtation, Hayes invites Solene to drinks.
I did like that Hayes pursued Solene and he didn't care about the age gap. I liked Solene owned her sexuality. I wasn't crazy about Isabelle huge crush on Hayes and how Solene handled it. I hated the ending.
What the book got wrong, the movie got right. They aged Isabelle to 16 (if memory serves) and made her a FORMER huge fan of the band. And they changed the ending.
RBSB- art galley

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Review: Text for You

Text for You by Sofie Cramer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Clara and her fiance have an argument.  Before they can make up, he dies.   Grief stricken, she texts his phone number as a way to "talk" to him.  Unbeknownst to her, his number now belongs to someone else, Sven.  Sven is captivated by her messages and eventually wants and sets out to meet her.

I picked this up from my library while browsing.  It sounded interesting.  In reality, not so much.  Clara and Sven do NOT meet (I repeat do NOT meet) until well past the 1/2 point of the book (it's actually closer to 75%).  And then their relationship is way too fast.  Just no.  I didn't 1* this since I actually did finish it.

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Review: Hope Flames

Hope Flames by Jaci Burton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Emma has returned home at 32 to set up her own veterinary practice.  She hasn't dated in years.  She has an abusive ex-boyfriend in her past.  Luke is a police officer and has a canine partner.  He doesn't date either, having no use for women after his ex-wife (well, except for sex and he is a fan of the one night stand- sounds like a gem, right?  And the ex had different goals and wants, so she's a bitch- because of course she is!).  

Anyway, typical small town romance.  Everyone knows everyone's business, gossip is strong.  And if one isn't into the "small town atmosphere" and wants more, well, they are a horrible person or are hiding something!  Well, the women are anyway (Luke's ex Becca, Emma's sister Molly).  No such shade is thrown in Reid's direction (the younger brother of Luke and Logan who left to pursue school and his career).  Emma and Luke are decent enough, if a bit vanilla, bland.  They do have decent chemistry.  The secondary characters (those we "meet"- Logan, Carter, and those we don't- Reid, Molly) didn't jump out at me and I don't have any burning curiosity to read further.  

Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo- Cover has an animal on it

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Review: Take a Hint, Dani Brown

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dani does NOT do relationships. One night stands, friends with benefits, short term with an expiration date? Yes! Dani has been friendly with one of her college's security guards. They have good banter and interact well together (and they seem to have fun while doing it). Zaf has a crush on her. He is a retired rugby player and has his charity work; he runs a non-profit that teaches mental health and rugby to children. Dani teaches and is working on her PhD with a long-term goal of getting tenure. They both go viral when Zaf recuses Dani during a fire drill (she is in an elevator when the drill starts and gets stuck). She thinks Zaf is hot and wants him in her bed and decides to fake a relationship to help his charity.
Both characters compliment each other well. I loved Zaf's love of romance novels and that he was the romantic one in this partnership. I enjoyed Dani's self-confidence and her goals that she set for herself. Of course Feelings develop and Dani learns that isn't a bad thing. I liked the focus on mental health and normalizing that this is something that some people deal with.
I liked the epilogue, it showed growth. I did miss her sisters in this one; Chloe and Eve do have some page time, but not a lot when compared to page time that Dani and Eve had in Chloe's book.

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Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hadley is flying to London for her father's wedding. She's never met his intended. And she misses her flight. While waiting for the next one, she meets Oliver. He is flying home to London. They spend time together and happen to sit together on the flight. After landing, they lose track of each other.
A lot happens in 24 hours. Hadley does manage to reconcile with her father. Things happen. It's like they are supposed to happen. Very sweet, no insta-love. Pleasantly surprised.

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Review: The Woman in Me

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have a new admiration for Brittany after reading this.  She has been through so much shit I had no idea, none, things were this bad.  She does a good job of covering growing up, dating (she talks about Justin Timberlake when they were together- she also got pregnant and had an abortion because Justin wasn't ready; after reading this I have no respect for him- the way he was treated after their breakup to the way she was is night and day.  It's ridiculous.), her marriages, to her conservatorship and relationships to her family.  She was a prisoner for 13 years- she had to have permission to go out to her friends, she couldn't eat what she wanted, her phone had child locks on it, she couldn't freely see her kids, but she was still supposed to work and make money (that her father and others took).    

This also points out how men and women are treated (think sex, drugs, rock and roll - how many men who had addictions and/or mental illness got put away in a conservatorship).  Men can pretty much get away with whatever they want.  

The Nation has a good article from 2021: https://www.thenation.com/article/society/conservatorship-iud-britney-spears/

Women's Media Center from 2022: https://womensmediacenter.com/fbomb/how-britney-spears-conservatorship-highlights-the-role-of-guardianship-law-in-womens-oppression

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Review: Out of Body

Out of Body by Suzanne Brockmann
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I decided to check this out after the news of RWA (Romance Writer's of America) bankruptcy filing (they are blaming DEI for their money problems). Ilona Andrews has an excellent write-up on their blog; complete with a like to Suzanne Brockmann's speech at the 2018 Ritas.
Now on to the book. Henry and Malcolm met in college, but never were anything more than friends. Henry has always had feelings for him. After years of pining, Henry decides to make a move and they share a kiss. After that Mal disappears. Except he didn't. He is right there and Henry is unable to see him.
My first thought was, a ghost romance where one of the characters is dead?! But no, a demon is possessing Mal. This had some funny moments with Mal desperately trying to get Henry's attention. A nice, fun friends to lovers with a nice ending.

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Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having enjoyed the Hunger Games trilogy, I was leery about a book about Coriolanus Snow. For those who may not remember (or the rare person who hasn't read or seen the books/movies); Snow is a villain. Did he (of all the characters) really need a backstory? (The answer would be no). Am I glad I picked this up? Sure. I enjoyed reading about the world and we got some backstory on Panem/the Games.
Now I just need to get around to watching the movie.

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Review: The Bookbinder's Guide to Love

The Bookbinder's Guide to Love by Katherine Garbera
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5* rounded up
Serafina (Sera) was a foster kid. She now co-owns a business with her 2 best friends; Liberty and Poppy. Sera's part of the business is a Bookstore (in a new age type store since Poppy's sells and makes teas, Liberty does tarot readings) and she handmakes journals (her hobby) to sell. Her journals seem to be special; good things happen to those that buy them and the store gets popular after someone famous buys one and comes to new success. Sera also found a close friendship with an older gentleman, Ford, who was a bookbinder and fixed old books. He told her new techniques for her journals.
This picks up after Ford's death when he leaves her some of his old books. Except Ford's estranged grandson Wes, is mad because he thought he should have been left the books. Wes was an utter asshole when they first met. Thankfully, he does realize that and apologizes. I liked their interactions and how they gradually opened up; she had issues due to being in foster with numerous different placements. He had an issue with abandonment (his parents divorced and his mother took he and his brother Oz and they didn't;t get to see their dad. Then, suddenly they could and their mom left with no further communication. Once in father's custody, they didn't see him because he was working all the time). Both characters were in mid to late 20s and had no previous serious relationship experience. The misunderstanding was stupid, but luckily didn't drag on too long.

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Review: Dark Prince

Dark Prince by Eve Silver
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Jane is sold by her father to Aidan to pay off his debt.  They live on the coast and it is rumored that Aidan is a pirate and smuggler.  And..gasp!  A murderer!

However things are not as they seem.  I thought this was disappointing.  There was not much to the mystery and it was a bit of a let down.  I didn't like the dynamic between Aidan and Jane at the beginning; he wasn't clear on expectations he had and I just felt the "romance" was icky (re: the indentured servitude).  

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Review: Betrayals

Betrayals by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Picks up where Deceptions leaves off.  Olivia (Matilda), Gabriel (Gwynn of the Tylwyth Teg), and Ricky (Arawn of the Cwn Annwn- the Huntsmen) are all aware of their roles in the folklore.  They are, but at the same time are each individual personalities that are their own.  

This starts with Ricky being questioned about the disappearance of someone who was apparently stalking him and taking pictures.  There is a mystery to be solved.  Someone is killing Lamiae (a Greek type of fae) and it might be the person who is missing.  There also might be a rogue Huntsman and hound (which are not supposed to happen!).  

Gabriel trying to show he cares once he realizes he is in love with Olivia.  He does cherish his friendship and is trying to nurture it.  She finally shares who his father is (he isn't surprised).  Ricky comes to a realization about he and Olivia's relationship.  

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He wants to take a step back.  He knows that Gabriel is in love with Olivia and wants to give her a chance to explore something with Gabriel if she wants too.  He wants to make sure she didn't pick him because he was easy (for lack of a better why to describe it).

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