Review: All by My Elf

All by My Elf by Olivia Dade
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Nina and William are both adjunct professors at the local college. Together, with another friend, they take a job during the holidays while on winter break. Nina has a crush on Williams and vice versa. Each finds out about the mutual attraction while stuck together in the company van during a snow storm.
This was kinda boring and for awhile there I thought Claudia had a thing for William too. Thankfully, that wasn't the case. And did I say this was kinda boring?

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Review: Merry Ever After

Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


vie, a single mom from Chicago, decided to settle in a town that she and her mom visited once while she was growing up. She works at the local thrift store and lives above it. The owners also let her sell her clothing there that she makes from recycled clothing. It is there that she meets Luke, a local farmer who happens to be super tall. Unable to find jeans that fit him, Evie makes him a pair.
Evie and Luke's relationship goes from zero to 180. Nicely, there is an epilogue that gives a glimpse 7 years in the future which was nice.

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Review: Just for the Holidays...

Just for the Holidays... by Adriana Herrera
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I've enjoyed this author's Dreamers series.  In the mood for a holiday themed romance, I selected this one.  I was a bit disappointed.

Perla is from a family involved in the entertainment business (her dad owned a production company).  When her father died, things became strained with her mother and brother since her dad gave his company to Perla's half sister and she got close to her (Esmeralda).  Perla is now VP of global casting and talent acquisition.  Her ex, Gael is a world famous movie star and in the running for the lead in a production they are doing.  They meet again since Perla is in charge of casting a part that would be perfect for him.  

Full disclosure; I don't mind second chance romances, but they aren't my favorite.  I really don't think Gael groveled enough or owned the reason why he originally split from Perla.  He broke up with her at his uncle's (Manolo) urging because was too shy, plain, and would hold him back from a fabulous movie career.   What a shitty reason.  

Even more annoying, he goes on to said fabulous movie career and dating life.  While Perla does grow into herself and finds herself, no other guy will do, so she's remained celibate and rarely dated.  Yeah.  Fuck that.  Why couldn't she happily date too?

So, yep, this didn't really work for me.  

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Review: Cruel Winter with You

Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This was okay.  Jamie is a pediatrician in her residency and is home for Christmas.  Her dad sends her to their neighbors to borrow a pan.  Said neighbors are long-time friends; only Marc is the only one home as his parents and sister (and Jamie's best friend) are away somewhere warm.  Marc has been in love with Jamie since he was a teenager (and vice versa).

I had issues with both characters.  Jamie was too insecure and too much of a people pleaser (she walked over in a snowstorm to borrow a fucking pan because daddy dearest told her too).   Marc was an asshole as a child (and was brushed off because he was smart & being a guy; I doubt had it been his sister doing these things, it wouldn't have been tolerated).  Anyway, about several months ago, he confessed his feelings to Jamie and she shot him down (insecure).  They talk and are together by the end of this.  The pacing was good and we learned what we needed to know in flashbacks.  

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Review: Heartstopper: Volume Five

Heartstopper: Volume Five by Alice Oseman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Charlie is doing better after getting treatment for his eating disorder.  Nick is struggling with what university to apply to; he wants to stay close to Charlie.  Charlie struggles with the possibility that after this next school year, he and Nick might be doing the long distance thing.  

They also want to take things further in their relationship and start to experiment with what they like.   Charlie learns that he doesn't only need Nick, but he can rely on others too.  He gains some confidence with being asked to play drugs in a band and apply for head boy at school.  Nick, too, realizes that he needs to think of himself and go to the university that best fits him.  

Charlie's sister Tori, has a confession in this one.

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Review: Act Your Age, Eve Brown

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Eve is the youngest Brown sister.  She hops from job to job when things get difficult.  As a result, she sees herself a a failure.  Her sisters are settled into jobs/careers that they like and that fit them.  When her parents give her an ultimatum, she runs and applies for a chef job on a spur of the moment.  Further complicating things, she hits her soon-to-be boss, Jacob, with her car (accidentally of course).

Eve gradually finds herself and something she loves to do.  Jacob, who was abandoned as a child by his parents (and raised by an aunt (if I remember correctly) and has autism, tells things like they are and has a tendency to make other people uncomfortable.  He finds a soul mate in Eve, he doesn't have to censor himself or worry about her.  She accepts him for who he is.  And Eve finds her self-confidence and someone who accepts her, just as she is.

I also liked Chloe and Dani's (and their partners) appearances in this too.  

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Review: A Classic Case

A Classic Case by Alicia Thompson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Audrey decides to check in on the welfare of an older gentleman she always sees on the same day and same time at her local video rental store. Because on this particular day, he was not there. She was worried about him.
Interesting mystery. No one is killed or harmed. Mr Hoffman's "disappearance" has a normal, logical reason (and no, it isn't he is at the hospital). Hint of romance between Audrey and Grant (who owns the video store).

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