Milla 's bookshelf: all en-US Sat, 28 Sep 2024 09:51:06 -0700 60 Milla 's bookshelf: all 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg <![CDATA[His to Defend (NOLA Knights, #1)]]> 46038659 Book one of NOLA Knights, the heart-stoppingly sexy spinoff series by Men of Haven author Rhenna Morgan

His world. His rules. Her love.



Though his methods may be rough, when it comes to protecting what’s his, Russian vor Sergei Petrovyh’s heart is always in the right place. That’s never been more true than when the gorgeous Evette Labadie asks him for a job. He knows enough to keep his hands off someone as beloved by the locals as Evie, but there’s something about her that calls to him—no matter how badly he burns to make her his.

Don’t think Evie hasn’t noticed the powerful Russian mafia boss who makes her favorite diner a regular stop. How can she not? He’s as hot as his reputation is dangerous. But everyone in her struggling New Orleans neighborhood knows he’s the man to turn to. And right now she needs money to get her son out of trouble.

Her other needs—needs she knows damn well Sergei can more than satisfy—will have to wait.

Evie soon finds herself playing Cinderella to a man who, despite what people believe, is definitely more prince than villain. She ’t help falling deeper in love with each passing day. But when a turf war between Sergei and a rival brings violence to her doorstep, Evie must come to grips with loving a man who will do anything to defend her…or walk away from her best chance at a happily-ever-after of her very own.

Read it today!

NOLA Knights series

Book 1: His to Defend

Book 2: Hers to Tame

Book 3: Mine to Keep

His to Defend is the highly anticipated spinoff of the Men of Haven series. Order your copies of Rough & Tumble , Wild & Sweet , Claim & Protect , Tempted & Taken , Stand & Deliver and Down & Dirty today!



This book is approximately 88,000 words

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!]]> 384 Rhenna Morgan 1488054150 Milla 4 4.07 His to Defend (NOLA Knights, #1)
author: Rhenna Morgan
name: Milla
average rating: 4.07
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/05/12
date added: 2024/09/28
shelves: mafia, straight-up-romance, tw
review:

]]> Quinn (Undaunted Men, #1) 26234490
*~*~*

He doesn't want to take the job, but he has no choice. He owes a debt to the Moretti mob, and last he checked, they don't take no for an answer.

He takes a moment to soak in the information. A pregnant mafia princess, wanted for murder, and he's supposed to track her down.

The professed father is a childhood friend, yet he's considered a potential enemy of the family. This could get very interesting.

What starts out as a simple task, one that could easily take him one day to execute, has turned into so much more than he bargained for.

They're each fighting their own personal demons, and it's more than just a chase at hand. They both have secrets, hearts are on the line, and he resolves himself to go above and beyond the call of duty for reasons he can't understand.

The last thing he ever intends on finding is an angel.]]> 325 J.C. Cliff 0997159103 Milla 1 nope-awful 2.80 2016 Quinn (Undaunted Men, #1)
author: J.C. Cliff
name: Milla
average rating: 2.80
book published: 2016
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 2024/09/21
shelves: nope-awful
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Warlord Wants Forever (Immortals After Dark, #0.5)]]> 6388558
She eludes him for five years, but he has finally chased her to ground and stolen the jewel which commands her, giving him absolute power over her. While he possesses it, he can make her do anything, and he plans to in order for her to experience firsthand the agonizing, unending lust she'd purposely subjected him to for half a decade. Yet when Wroth realizes he wants more from her and frees her, will she come.

Note: First published in the 2006 anthology, Playing Easy to Get.]]> 163 Kresley Cole Milla 3 4.04 2006 The Warlord Wants Forever (Immortals After Dark, #0.5)
author: Kresley Cole
name: Milla
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 2016/10/10
date added: 2024/09/14
shelves: nice, pnr, straight-up-romance
review:
A whole heck of a lot of world building for a book with 163 pages, and the lines around consent weren't clear enough for me but an enjoyable read none the less!
]]> WarBride (WarBride, #1) 211842868 Ruthless. Bloodthirsty. Killer.
And now? Her husband.

Ilsevel knows exactly how brutal the fae raiders are. She watched them attack the holy shrine of her god, slaughter the priests, and drag her sister away screaming into darkness.

So when she’s forced up onto the auction block to be sold off as a warbride to the highest bidder—and when the chilling warlord, Taarthalor, pushes his way to the front of the crowd and lays down an outrageous bid—Ilsevel fears her nightmare is only just beginning.

Taar took one look at the fiery little human, and something in him sparked. He cannot explain it. He knows only that he will not see her sold off to one of the soulless monsters trying to outbid each other for a chance to use and discard her soft, womanly flesh.

If that means binding himself to her by marriage, so be it.

Can this dark king convince his bride not to murder him in his sleep before he can decide what to do with her? Or do the gods have other plans in store for the captive princess and her terrifying new husband?

WARBRIDE is book 1 of a dual point-of-view (his and hers) forced marriage fantasy trilogy with a dangerous, brooding hero, kiss-or-kill vibes, and swift-to-ignite steam that will leave you begging for more. If you love watching a cold-hearted fae warlord discover his one weakness just might be the spitfire princess who drives him crazy . . . THIS is the book for you.

Perfect for fans of Elise Kova, Laura Thalassa, and Danielle L. Jensen]]> Sylvia Mercedes Milla 0 to-read 3.49 2024 WarBride (WarBride, #1)
author: Sylvia Mercedes
name: Milla
average rating: 3.49
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/06/30
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Iron Will (Lords of Carnage Ironwood MC, #1)]]> 44450739 Biker. Criminal. Bastard.
Rourke Powers is all those things, and more.

To say we come from different worlds is an understatement.
I’m ambitious. Professional. I keep my nose clean and my reputation impeccable.
No bad choices.
No bad boys.
The VP of the Ironwood Lords of Carnage?
Definitely not part of the plan.

But when fate slams us together, to protect someone we both care about
It’s impossible to deny the heat between us.

Whoever said opposites attract? They’re not wrong.
He’s confident and cocky.
Deliciously dangerous. Definitely doable.
He’s fire to my ice.
Bad boy to my good girl.

Unfortunately for me, he’s damn near irresistible.
But I will resist him. I have to.

I know from bitter experience, men in general ’t be trusted.
Even the ones who look squeaky clean can harbor dark secrets underneath.

And Rourke? He doesn’t even try to hide his dangerous side.

I’m so tempted to give him my body.
But I’ll never trust Rourke with my heart.

]]> 256 Daphne Loveling Milla 5
My only gripe is that it was too short, I definitely could live in this world a lil longer.

Merged review:

Finally some good writing in a MC romance novel! Dialogue, chemistry and PLOT were A+

My only gripe is that it was too short, I definitely could live in this world a lil longer.]]> 4.10 2019 Iron Will (Lords of Carnage Ironwood MC, #1)
author: Daphne Loveling
name: Milla
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2020/01/13
date added: 2024/05/24
shelves: funny-as-all-hell, mc-club, straight-up-romance
review:
Finally some good writing in a MC romance novel! Dialogue, chemistry and PLOT were A+

My only gripe is that it was too short, I definitely could live in this world a lil longer.

Merged review:

Finally some good writing in a MC romance novel! Dialogue, chemistry and PLOT were A+

My only gripe is that it was too short, I definitely could live in this world a lil longer.
]]> Yours to Catch 201027146
I used to believe love was easy to find.
My whirlwind romance would begin once I was ready to take the plunge.
Spoiler alert—every failed first date on record suggests otherwise.

Just when I’m beginning to fault my lofty standards, Garrett Foster saunters onto the scene.
The football star turned bar owner is quick to volunteer his services.
He vows to deliver the best version of Mr. Right—just to prove first impressions deserve a second glance.

I’d question these seemingly selfless intentions if Garrett’s reputation didn’t answer for itself.
Shameless flirting aside, it’s well-known that the established bachelor doesn’t plan to settle down. Ever.
He treats commitment like a bad habit he kicked in college.
That makes him a very eligible sidekick.

At least until his actions start speaking louder than words.
Almost to the suggestive tune that he’s making me miss on purpose.
Or maybe I’m just falling for the guy who claims that he’s not the one for me…]]> 336 Harloe Rae 1960561073 Milla 0 to-read 3.66 2023 Yours to Catch
author: Harloe Rae
name: Milla
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/05/20
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Clean Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles, #1)]]> 19090384
And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night....Feeling responsible for her neighbors, Dina decides to get involved. Before long, she has to juggle dealing with the annoyingly attractive, ex-military, new neighbor, Sean Evans—an alpha-strain werewolf—and the equally arresting cosmic vampire soldier, Arland, while trying to keep her inn and its guests safe. But the enemy she’s facing is unlike anything she’s ever encountered. It’s smart, vicious, and lethal, and putting herself between this creature and her neighbors might just cost her everything.]]> 225 Ilona Andrews 1625173431 Milla 0 currently-reading Dina was the flattest character I’ve read so far in an IA book... there was just nothing interesting or dynamic about her. I truly just didn’t care what she was doing and you very rarely got any insight into what she was feeling too. Very difficult to connect with her. And tbh I didn’t want to because she was just BORING.

Also it’s clear who she’s gonna end up with and I don’t like that choice lmao]]> 4.10 2013 Clean Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles, #1)
author: Ilona Andrews
name: Milla
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2013
rating: 0
read at: 2019/10/17
date added: 2024/05/19
shelves: currently-reading
review:
Yeah this just isn’t for me. This didn’t even feel like an Ilona Andrews book. I understand a slow burn but this is mostly just the comings and goings of a very boring girl.
Dina was the flattest character I’ve read so far in an IA book... there was just nothing interesting or dynamic about her. I truly just didn’t care what she was doing and you very rarely got any insight into what she was feeling too. Very difficult to connect with her. And tbh I didn’t want to because she was just BORING.

Also it’s clear who she’s gonna end up with and I don’t like that choice lmao
]]> <![CDATA[When He Dares (The Olympus Pride, #6)]]> 123220703 Join a website for shifters seeking an arranged mating. Check.
Schedule a meeting with a prospective match. Check.

Quinley Bevan doesn’t expect to get smacked in the face by intense sexual chemistry during the meeting, but Isaiah Hale—dark, masculine, rugged—sets off all her hormonal fireworks. More, as a dominant shifter, the enforcer pulls at her submissive nature and calls to her inner cat. Both his power and stabilizing strength are plain drugging.

Their agreement is pretty standard: If they don’t imprint on each other within two years, they’ll dissolve the mating. But with his cat holding back, danger lurking around corners, and her true mate making a reappearance, things might be more complicated than they bargained for.

When he first joined Find Your Match . com, Isaiah wasn’t confident he’d be paired with someone who truly fit him. But he feels a kinship with Quinley. The healer stirs up his protective instincts and ticks his every box. He always envisioned that he’d mate a fellow dominant, but this submissive healer pulls him in like no other.
Still, he doesn’t expect to feel possessive of her so fast—she’s a relative stranger. But as soon as he puts the claiming brand on her neck, everything in him screams Mine.

His cat, though, doesn’t view her as its mate. The animal is still angry at being unable to have the female it was predestined to claim. But when Quinley’s own fated mate comes sniffing around and she becomes a target of their enemies, the cat is finally in agreement with Isaiah on one vital thing: Quinley belongs to them now, and they’ll never let her go.]]> 382 Suzanne Wright Milla 0
i really need to stop reading Suzanne Wright books, because my god, the writing is poor. maybe because i’ve read so many good books and fic lately, maybe because i write fic, but i just ’t stand her awkward way of writing anymore.

and again, since when did we start putting literal pornhub tropes into books and acting like it’s nbd lmao i’m skeeved out man]]> 4.25 2024 When He Dares (The Olympus Pride, #6)
author: Suzanne Wright
name: Milla
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at: 2024/05/19
date added: 2024/05/19
shelves:
review:
what in the free use porn fantasy�?

i really need to stop reading Suzanne Wright books, because my god, the writing is poor. maybe because i’ve read so many good books and fic lately, maybe because i write fic, but i just ’t stand her awkward way of writing anymore.

and again, since when did we start putting literal pornhub tropes into books and acting like it’s nbd lmao i’m skeeved out man
]]> <![CDATA[When He Was Wicked (Bridgertons, #6)]]> 110396 Everything was so much simpler... when he was wicked.

In every life there is a turning point. A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one's life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London's most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.

After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca's surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer—the occasion of their meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin.

But that was then... Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant. Michael dares not speak to her of his love... until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms, and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets...]]> 368 Julia Quinn 0060531231 Milla 4
It only took 2 years on my tbr and season 3 of bridgerton (and the lovely Hannah Dodd cast as Francesca) to force me to finally read this book. And now I have. Second best couple in the series fr. Michael gives show Anthony “I Love My Wife� Bridgerton a run for his obsessive money. ]]> 3.96 2004 When He Was Wicked (Bridgertons, #6)
author: Julia Quinn
name: Milla
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at: 2024/05/17
date added: 2024/05/17
shelves: historical-shit, straight-up-romance, sweet-boy
review:
4.5 stars

It only took 2 years on my tbr and season 3 of bridgerton (and the lovely Hannah Dodd cast as Francesca) to force me to finally read this book. And now I have. Second best couple in the series fr. Michael gives show Anthony “I Love My Wife� Bridgerton a run for his obsessive money.
]]> <![CDATA[The Understatement of the Year (The Ivy Years, #3)]]> 46019064 What happened in high school stayed in high school. Until now.

Five years ago, Michael Graham betrayed the only person who ever really knew him. Since then, he’s made an art of hiding his sexuality from everyone. Including himself.

So it’s a shock when his past strolls right into the Harkness College locker room, sporting a bag of hockey gear and the same slow smile that had always rendered Graham defenseless. For Graham, there is only one possible reaction: total, debilitating panic. With one loose word, the team’s new left wing could destroy Graham’s life as he knows it.

John Rikker is stuck being the new guy. Again. And it’s worse than usual, because the media has latched onto the story of the only “out� player in Division One hockey. As the satellite trucks line the sidewalk outside the rink, his new teammates are not amused.

And one player in particular looks sick every time he enters the room.

Rikker didn’t exactly expect a warm welcome from Graham. But the guy won’t even meet his eyes. From the looks of it, his former� best friend / boyfriend / whatever isn’t doing so well. He drinks too much and ’t focus during practice.

Either the two loneliest guys on the team will self destruct from all the new pressures in their lives, or they can navigate the pain to find a way back to one another. To say that it won’t be easy is the Understatement of the Year.

Warning: unlike the other books in this series, this heartbreaking love story is about two guys. Contains sexual situations, dance music, snarky t-shirts and a poker-playing grandmother.

THIS BOOK IS A STANDALONE. NO CLIFFHANGERS. NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.]]> 308 Sarina Bowen Milla 3
Real “meh� of a read. ]]> 4.04 2014 The Understatement of the Year (The Ivy Years, #3)
author: Sarina Bowen
name: Milla
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2014
rating: 3
read at: 2024/05/11
date added: 2024/05/11
shelves: meh, mm-romance, not-awful-but-not-good
review:
I understand writers want to show not tell but why show me so many plot points and never tell me how they were resolved�?

Real “meh� of a read.
]]> <![CDATA[The Lady Gets Lucky (The Fifth Avenue Rebels, #2)]]> 56817015 Following The Heiress Hunt, beloved author Joanna Shupe continues her new Fifth Avenue Rebels series with a scandalous romance about a good girl desperate to rebel and the rebel desperate to corrupt her.

A first-rate scoundrel.

A desperate wallflower.

Lessons in seduction.

The woman no one notices . . .

Shy heiress Alice Lusk is tired of being overlooked by every bachelor. Something has to change, else she’ll be forced to marry a man whose only desire is her fortune. She needs to become a siren, a woman who causes a man’s blood to run hot . . .and she’s just met the perfect rogue to help teach her.

He’s the life of every party . . .

Christopher “Kit� Ward plans to open a not-so-reputable supper club in New York City, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to hire the best chef in the city to guarantee its success. Even if it requires giving carnal lessons to a serious-minded spinster who has an in with the chef.

Their bedroom instruction grows passionate, and Alice is a much better pupil than Kit had ever anticipated. When the Society gentlemen start to take notice, Kit has to try to win Alice in other ways . . . but is he too late to win her heart?]]> 391 Joanna Shupe 0063045052 Milla 4 4.06 2021 The Lady Gets Lucky (The Fifth Avenue Rebels, #2)
author: Joanna Shupe
name: Milla
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/05/09
shelves: historical-shit, straight-up-romance
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Promise of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles, #1)]]> 29887345 KINGDOMS WILL RISE AND FALL FOR HER�

“Cat� Catalia Fisa lives disguised as a soothsayer in a traveling circus. She is perfectly content avoiding the danger and destiny the Gods—and her homicidal mother—have saddled her with. That is, until Griffin, an ambitious warlord from the magic-deprived south, fixes her with his steely gaze and upsets her illusion of safety forever.

BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT

Griffin knows Cat is the Kingmaker, the woman who divines the truth through lies. He wants her as a powerful weapon for his newly conquered realm—until he realizes he wants her for much more than her magic. Cat fights him at every turn, but Griffin’s fairness, loyalty, and smoldering advances make him increasingly hard to resist and leave her wondering if life really does have to be short, and lived alone.]]> 459 Amanda Bouchet Milla 0 to-read 4.14 2016 A Promise of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles, #1)
author: Amanda Bouchet
name: Milla
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2016
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/04/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Iced Out (Leighton U, #1) 60469260

My path to success never included an enemy as a teammate, especially one as infuriating as Quinton de Haas.

Clawing under my skin is his favorite pastime, only feeding the animosity between us as the years pass.

We’re as completely opposite as two people can be; the golden boy and the black sheep.

Constantly at odds or at each other’s throats.

The only thing we can agree on is hockey is our true love, and we’ll do whatever it takes to come out on top.

I never imagined that drive would lead me to do the unthinkable: falling into bed with my not-so-straight rival.

But athletes are a superstitious bunch, and when our hook-ups lead to victories, we tell ourselves we ’t stop.

Besides, it’s all for the sake of the team, right?


*Iced Out is the first in a five book standalone college sports romance series featuring two misunderstood rival teammates, pages of snarky banter, and more secret spicy times than any book should be filled with. Not suitable for anyone under 18 years of age.*]]> 358 C.E. Ricci Milla 2
i read the reviews that warned me this book was boring and absolutely nothing happens and yet i read it and was annoyed by how boring it was and how little happened lmaoo

Quinn and Oakley didn’t do anything to me yet i’m mad at these boys for being so goddamn boring and wasting my time with zero plot and zero character development. boo. ]]> 4.13 2022 Iced Out (Leighton U, #1)
author: C.E. Ricci
name: Milla
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2022
rating: 2
read at: 2024/04/20
date added: 2024/04/20
shelves: meh, mm-romance, not-awful-but-not-good
review:
1.5 - 2 stars idc

i read the reviews that warned me this book was boring and absolutely nothing happens and yet i read it and was annoyed by how boring it was and how little happened lmaoo

Quinn and Oakley didn’t do anything to me yet i’m mad at these boys for being so goddamn boring and wasting my time with zero plot and zero character development. boo.
]]> Funny Story 194802722 A shimmering, joyful new novel about a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.

Daphne always loved the way her fiancé, Peter, told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it... right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra.

Which is how Daphne begins her new story: stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.

Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned-up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?

But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex... right?]]> 400 Emily Henry Milla 0 to-read 4.21 2024 Funny Story
author: Emily Henry
name: Milla
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/04/18
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Don't You Dare 58511930
A party game. A dare. A single kiss.

That’s all it took to flip my world upside down.

I’ve always classified myself as straight, and as far as I can tell, so has he.

I didn’t think one kiss would change that, but I was so wrong.

Now, I ’t stop thinking about him. In all the ways I shouldn’t.

My best friend.

Aspen.

His taste is branded in my memory, his touch seared in my skin.

And I want more.

This simmering attraction I feel only grows with passing time.

Which is why I start tossing out new dares.

Riskier ones that toe lines we never thought we’d cross.

I’m gambling with our friendship, knowing it could ruin us.

But there’s so much more at stake here.

Like my heart.


*Don't You Dare is a new adult college romance featuring two best friends, too many baseball puns, scorching dirty talk, and a whole lot of bi-curious exploration. Not suitable for anyone under 18 years of age.*]]> 412 C.E. Ricci Milla 0 to-read 4.07 2022 Don't You Dare
author: C.E. Ricci
name: Milla
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/04/18
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Homecoming King (Three Kings, #1)]]> 59639228
Bartender Abigail McNerny is the gal-pal, the wing-woman, the she-BFF. She's dated. Once. And once was more than enough. Privy to all the sad stories of her customers, ‘contentment over commitment� is her motto, and Abby is convinced no one on earth could ever entice her into a romantic relationship . . . except that one guy she’s loved since preschool.

The guy who just walked into her bar.

The guy who doesn’t recognize her.

The guy who is drunk and needs a ride home.

The guy who has a proposition she should definitely refuse.]]> 358 Penny Reid 1942874820 Milla 3
I'm really confused by this book, because I enjoyed it, I really enjoyed it, but it was kinda weird. Almost like it was several stories squashed together to make one single narrative. Rex was so interesting but his characterization was all over the place, at the beginning he's a sweet soft boy, shy and fits the idea of the type of person Abby would have a chush on since kindergarten. Then midway through he's evasive and strange, then BAM huge shift again, it feels like we're waiting for a big truth bomb to drop, it never really drops and then he's a grouchy, scary (to everyone else) guy who's only soft for Abby...

I'm so confused because I actually liked every iteration of Rex, and I liked the different stages of their relationship while it was playing out, but it really felt like this was 3 drafts of characters and a plot that surrounded him, only to be frankenstein'd together into whatever this was.

Strange. But I love Penny Reid so I'll pick up anything of hers and likely have a decent time throughout. ]]> 3.94 2021 Homecoming King (Three Kings, #1)
author: Penny Reid
name: Milla
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2021
rating: 3
read at: 2024/04/18
date added: 2024/04/18
shelves: really-should-have-been-great, relationship-of-convenience, straight-up-romance
review:
3 stars.. I guess.

I'm really confused by this book, because I enjoyed it, I really enjoyed it, but it was kinda weird. Almost like it was several stories squashed together to make one single narrative. Rex was so interesting but his characterization was all over the place, at the beginning he's a sweet soft boy, shy and fits the idea of the type of person Abby would have a chush on since kindergarten. Then midway through he's evasive and strange, then BAM huge shift again, it feels like we're waiting for a big truth bomb to drop, it never really drops and then he's a grouchy, scary (to everyone else) guy who's only soft for Abby...

I'm so confused because I actually liked every iteration of Rex, and I liked the different stages of their relationship while it was playing out, but it really felt like this was 3 drafts of characters and a plot that surrounded him, only to be frankenstein'd together into whatever this was.

Strange. But I love Penny Reid so I'll pick up anything of hers and likely have a decent time throughout.
]]> Juniper Hill (The Edens, #2) 59114267
But maybe it takes a little crazy to build a good life. If putting the past behind her requires a thousand miles and a new town, she’ll do it if it means a better future for her son. Even if it requires setting aside the glamour of her former life. Even if it requires working as a housekeeper at The Eloise Inn and living in an apartment above a garage.

It’s there, on the fifth worst day of her life, that she meets the handsomest man she’s ever laid eyes on. Knox Eden is a beautiful, sinful dream, a chef and her temporary landlord. With his sharp, stubbled jaw and tattooed arms, he’s raw and rugged and everything she’s never had—and never will. Because after the first worst day of her life, Memphis learned a good life requires giving up on her dreams too. And a man like Knox Eden will only ever be a dream.]]> 326 Devney Perry 1950692701 Milla 3
Satisfactory! Tbh the best part of the book was Knox� development into being Drake’s (terrible baby name) dad. Otherwise, kinda forgettable. ]]> 4.14 2022 Juniper Hill (The Edens, #2)
author: Devney Perry
name: Milla
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2024/04/17
date added: 2024/04/17
shelves:
review:
2.5 stars.

Satisfactory! Tbh the best part of the book was Knox� development into being Drake’s (terrible baby name) dad. Otherwise, kinda forgettable.
]]> Cut & Run (Cut & Run, #1) 5199022
Special Agent Ty Grady is pulled out of undercover work after his case blows up in his face. He's cocky, abrasive, and indisputably the best at what he does. But when he's paired with Special Agent Zane Garrett, it's hate at first sight. Garrett is the perfect image of an agent: serious, sober, and focused, which makes their partnership a classic cliche: total opposites, good cop-bad cop, the odd couple. They both know immediately that their partnership will pose more of an obstacle than the lack of evidence left by the murderer.

Practically before their special assignment starts, the murderer strikes again this time at them. Now on the run, trying to track down a man who has focused on killing his pursuers, Grady and Garrett will have to figure out how to work together before they become two more notches in the murderer's knife.]]> 376 Madeleine Urban 193519223X Milla 0 4.01 2008 Cut & Run (Cut & Run, #1)
author: Madeleine Urban
name: Milla
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2008
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/04/14
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Southern Hotshot (North Carolina Highlands, #2)]]> 61334611
Emma Crawford became enemy number one the second she stepped foot on Blue Mountain Farm. She might think I’m just a dumb jock, but I know she’s a stuck-up wine snob who believes she’d be a better exec than me.

She can take my position over my dead body.

But with her ridiculous curves and fearless smarts, she’s becoming one giant distraction just when I need to prove my worth most.

Lucky for me that I have a secret internet sext partner to blow off steam with. My nightly dirty chats with V scratch all the itches Emma gives me.

Emma and V couldn’t be more different—except it turns out they’re the same person.

Just when I thought this scenario was enough of a disaster, I’m falling for the co-worker I ’t touch and can hardly stand.

Even a hotshot player like me can see this is a game we’re both gonna lose.

Southern Hotshot is the next STANDALONE novel in the all new North Carolina Highlands Series! This is Samuel and Emma's smoking hot enemies-to-lovers story.]]> 324 Jessica Peterson Milla 3 3.5 stars

i’m procrastinating studying for my finals and absolutely tearing through books these days lmao ]]> 3.92 2020 Southern Hotshot (North Carolina Highlands, #2)
author: Jessica Peterson
name: Milla
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2024/04/14
date added: 2024/04/14
shelves:
review:
3.5 stars

i’m procrastinating studying for my finals and absolutely tearing through books these days lmao
]]> <![CDATA[Southern Sinner (North Carolina Highlands, #3)]]> 61334637 What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Until I brought my fake girlfriend home.

When I took a seat next to the gorgeous brunette at the blackjack table, I had no idea it would be the start of the hottest weekend of my life. By day, Stevie and I dominate the casinos of Sin City.

By night, I dominate her in my penthouse suite.

Then my brother Samuel ruins it by asking me to come home for his engagement party.

Because he’s not just getting married. This isn’t a normal celebration for me. His future bride is my "one who got away." The girl I may or may not still be in love with.

The catch? He wants me to prove I’m over his fiancée before they set a date. So I ask Stevie to double down on our chemistry and pretend to be my girlfriend.

We set our ground rules: lots of sex, plenty of pretend smiles, and no strings.

But we’re not only gambling with the truth. We’re gambling with our hearts.

They say every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future. But Stevie’s past may force us to fold on our future before it’s even begun.

SOUTHERN SINNER is a full-length, standalone novel in the North Carolina Highlands Series.]]> 300 Jessica Peterson Milla 0 to-read 3.98 2022 Southern Sinner (North Carolina Highlands, #3)
author: Jessica Peterson
name: Milla
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/04/14
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Tyrant Alpha's Rejected Mate (Five Packs, #1)]]> 59046399 He rejected me, and then he realized I’m the center of his world. Bummer.

Una
I keep my head down. In this backwards pack, females rank low, and my bad leg makes me damaged goods. It doesn’t help that I’ve never shifted. I don’t mind the late twenties single life, though. No one’s paying any attention as I build an illicit farmer’s market empire.

My roomies and I are doing it for ourselves, and if life under Killian Kelly is stifling, at least it’s predictable. We can deal.

But when biology finally kicks in, I lose my mind. I claim our alpha as my mate. And he rejects me in front of the whole pack.
It’s all good. It only hurts when I breathe. I’ll survive. That’s what I do.

Who wants an arrogant jerk for a mate, anyway? I’ve got a business to run.

Killian
To lead this pack out of the dark ages, I’ve had to be hard. Merciless. I don’t flinch, and I don’t make mistakes.

Una Hayes isn’t my mate.

My wolf might have some kind of strange infatuation, but if she were mine, I’d know it. And I can walk away, ’t I?
And if I keep coming back? If she starts living in my head?

I’m the strongest male in five generations. My pack scrambles to do my bidding. I can bring one quiet female back in line. No one can possibly be as stubborn as I am.

There’s no way I’ve ruined the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

I’m the Quarry pack alpha. I don’t lose.

The Tyrant Alpha’s Rejected Mate is a full-grown shifter romance. No cheating. HEA guaranteed. Intended for adult readers only.]]> 382 Cate C. Wells Milla 3 meh, pnr 3.84 2021 The Tyrant Alpha's Rejected Mate (Five Packs, #1)
author: Cate C. Wells
name: Milla
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2021
rating: 3
read at: 2024/04/14
date added: 2024/04/14
shelves: meh, pnr
review:
gave me the angst i’ve been craving these days but� was as much as you can expect from that title.
]]> <![CDATA[Butcher & Blackbird (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, #1)]]> 196864520

The viral TikTok friends-to-lovers dark romantic comedy full of murder, chaos, and spice—unlike anything you’ve read before—now available in all bookstores.


When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, the two find something elusive—the friendship of like-minded, pitch-black souls. From small town West Virginia to upscale California, from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country.


But as their friendship develops into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than just their newfound love. Can Rowan and Sloane dig themselves out of a game of graves? Or have they finally met their match?

]]> 360 Brynne Weaver Milla 0 to-read 4.00 2023 Butcher & Blackbird (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, #1)
author: Brynne Weaver
name: Milla
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/04/13
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Axel (Carolina Reapers, #1) 52380289 But I’d never leave the Swedish Hockey League�
Not while raising my little brother.
But now he’s grown and the Carolina Reapers show up with my greatest weakness:
Langley Pierce, their new head of PR.

I’ve never been able to say no to her.
She’s fierce, independent, and the sexiest woman I’ve ever met.
She also has a stubborn streak wider than my entire country.

One comment from her smart mouth about never dating again, and I propose.

No, really, I actually propose:
A six-month marriage contract in exchange for signing with the Reapers.
I want to date this woman so badly that I’m going to marry her first.
I’ll use each day to show her how a queen should be treated.

Our wedding day started a countdown I’m powerless to stop,
And the faster the months fly, the harder I fall.
She’s sworn she’ll never choose a man over her career,
And I promised never to ask her to.
Until I’m forced to.

How can we move forward when we started this whole thing backwards?
If I ’t convince her this marriage is anything but fake�
The next document we sign will crush us both.


Welcome to the Carolina Reapers, Samantha Whiskey’s newest hockey series where the chill of the ice meets sultry southern nights.]]> 241 Samantha Whiskey Milla 0 bad. dnf lmao 4.05 2019 Axel (Carolina Reapers, #1)
author: Samantha Whiskey
name: Milla
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at: 2024/04/13
date added: 2024/04/13
shelves:
review:
bad. dnf lmao
]]> <![CDATA[My Phony Valentine (Holidays with Hart, #1)]]> 90589067 A chance meeting. A hunky hockey player. A fake romance.
Hardly an ordinary day in the life of Poppy Hart.

My days usually consist of agonizing over my failing restaurant, worrying about my mountain of debt and nursing my broken heart.

Everything changes when I bump into a man in the coffee shop and claim him as my new boyfriend. To my absolute horror, he turns out to be hockey’s most renowned bad boy, Dallas Burke. To my absolute delight, he goes along with my story.

When his no-nonsense manager and meddling grandmother jump in the picture, they see a win-win solution for my failing restaurant and Dallas’s less-than-stellar reputation.

A full-fledged fake romance complete with contract negotiations, pretend dates and phony PDA.

But as I get to know the real Dallas Burke, who is not the man the press says he is, it becomes clear that if this isn’t real. . . someone better tell it to my heart.]]> 373 Courtney Walsh Milla 0 dnf 4.24 2023 My Phony Valentine (Holidays with Hart, #1)
author: Courtney Walsh
name: Milla
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/04/13
shelves: dnf
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Woman in the Trunk (Costa Family, #1)]]> 55120869 When I was kidnapped and held as collateral for his debt, a lifetime of cleaning up his messes told me I couldn’t count on his help, either.
I would need to save myself.

A woman could only be pushed so far.
And I was finished with being a victim.

There was one problem.
Lorenzo Costa.
Underboss to the most powerful don of NYC’s Five Families.
Powerful.
Cunning.
Ruthless.
And far too sinful for his - or my - own good.

Our attraction grows in a city of old resentments,
boiling tensions,
resurfacing ghosts,
and a shift in power that threatens to spill more blood than the families have seen in generations.
Lives would be lost.
Loyalties would be tested,
And through it all I wondered,
would Lorenzo’s and my new bond weather the coming storm?
Or if we would survive at all…]]> 276 Jessica Gadziala Milla 4 3.75 stars

more plot than romance than i’m used to for a Jessica Gadziala book but still a solid showing. Makes me want to get back into her series they’re always such a good time]]> 4.18 2020 The Woman in the Trunk (Costa Family, #1)
author: Jessica Gadziala
name: Milla
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2024/04/13
date added: 2024/04/13
shelves: mafia, really-should-have-been-great, tw
review:
3.75 stars

more plot than romance than i’m used to for a Jessica Gadziala book but still a solid showing. Makes me want to get back into her series they’re always such a good time
]]> The View Was Exhausting 55898102 Faking a love story is a whole lot easier than being in love . . .

The world can see that international A-list actress Whitman ("Win") Tagore and jet-setting playboy Leo Milanowski are made for each other. Their kisses start Twitter trends and their fights break the internet. From red carpet appearances to Met Gala mishaps, their on-again, off-again romance has titillated the public and the press for almost a decade. But it's all a lie.

As a woman of color, Win knows the Hollywood deck is stacked against her, so she's perfected the art of controlling her public persona. Whenever she nears scandal, she calls in Leo, with his endearingly reckless attitude, for a staged date. Each public display of affection shifts the headlines back in Win's favor, and Leo uses the good press to draw attention away from his dysfunctional family.

Pretending to be in a passionate romance is one thing, but Win knows that a real relationship would lead to nothing but trouble. So instead they settle for friendship, with a side of sky-rocketing chemistry. Except this time, on the French Riviera, something is off. A shocking secret in Leo's past sets Win's personal and professional lives on a catastrophic collision course. Behind the scenes of their yacht-trips and PDA, the world's favorite couple is at each other's throats. Now they must finally confront the many truths and lies of their relationship, and Win is forced to consider what is more important: a rising career, or a risky shot at real love?

The View Was Exhausting is a funny, wickedly observant modern love story set against the backdrop of exotic locales and the realities of being a woman of color in a world run by men.]]> 336 Mikaella Clements 1538734907 Milla 4 3.64 2021 The View Was Exhausting
author: Mikaella Clements
name: Milla
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2024/04/11
shelves: contemporary, drama-mama, couldn-t-put-it-down, relationship-of-convenience, really-should-have-been-great
review:

]]> Bride (Bride, #1) 181344829 A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance.

Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again...

Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was�.

Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she's ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.]]> 410 Ali Hazelwood Milla 4 generally-a-great-time, pnr
Right after i finished it i might have said this was close to 5 stars but after sleeping on it there’s a few things that i really wish were changed that could make it better. Namely Lowe in the last bit, but otherwise a solid read. ]]> 3.98 2024 Bride (Bride, #1)
author: Ali Hazelwood
name: Milla
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/04/10
date added: 2024/04/10
shelves: generally-a-great-time, pnr
review:
Yknow what this was actually pretty good. Been a minute since i tried any ABO with a hetero couple which always feels a bit strange lmao but it wasn’t bad!

Right after i finished it i might have said this was close to 5 stars but after sleeping on it there’s a few things that i really wish were changed that could make it better. Namely Lowe in the last bit, but otherwise a solid read.
]]> <![CDATA[All Folked Up (Good Folk: Modern Folktales, #3)]]> 199272303
Rumor has it that gruff, brooding, and solitary man-of-mystery Isaac Sylvester is back in town, and the only thing folks in Green Valley know for certain is that this prodigal son’s motives are as elusive as he is. He’s been spotted loitering near the old Townsen farm, hanging around the Hill's homestead, and glaring menacingly from the edges of The Donner Lodge’s parking lot. What this hometown-hero-turned-criminal wants, no one knows. Nor can they stop talking about it.

Hannah's last night as an exotic dancer might just be her most memorable.

Hannah Townsen has often been a subject of local gossip. Folks shook their heads when Hannah's daddy ran out on her momma; folks blessed her heart after Hannah's momma had that tragic accident; and folks really talked up a tizzy when Hannah became an exotic dancer in order to pay off her parents' debt and put food on the table. But now, ten years after being dubbed as a hometown-stripper-with-a-heart-of-gold, Hannah has seemingly—and finally—fallen off the gossip mill's radar.

That is, until the enigmatic Isaac Sylvester shows up at Hannah's retirement party wanting so much more than a private dance. . .

'All Folked Up' is the third book in the Good Folk series and is a full-length, small town, contemporary romantic comedy novel.]]> 334 Penny Reid Milla 0 to-read 4.03 2024 All Folked Up (Good Folk: Modern Folktales, #3)
author: Penny Reid
name: Milla
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/03/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Melt for You (Slow Burn, #2) 36564103 A wallflower gets seduction tips from a playboy athlete—until love changes the rules.

Socially awkward Joellen Bixby has a date every Saturday—with her cat, a pint of ice cream, and fantasies of the way-too-handsome Michael Maddox. She’d give anything to win over the unattainable CEO of her firm, but how can she when she blends in so well with her cubicle? The answer may be closer than she thinks.

Cameron McGregor is a cocky, tattooed Scottish rugby captain who just moved in next door. He’s not Jo’s type�at all—but the notorious playboy is offering to teach the wallflower everything he knows about inspiring desire. Though a lot of women have rumpled Cam’s kilt, Jo is special. Far from the ugly duckling she thinks she is, in Cam’s eyes she’s sharp, funny, and effortlessly sexy. Now, thanks to him, Jo is blooming with confidence and has the man of her dreams within reach.

Unfortunately for Cam, he’s just helped to push the woman of his dreams into the arms of another man—and now he’s in the fight of his life to keep this beauty from getting away.

]]> 347 J.T. Geissinger 1503957152 Milla 5 4.5 stars

This book suffers from a case of quirky girl humour and that’s why this sat on my TBR shelf for 3 years until i finally got past the “jokes� enough to read the whole thing and�

Why are Cam and Joellen perfect? I’m not even mad at her thinking she’s in love with her boss for so long, it actually made sense with her self esteem issues. But the minute you look past the weird jokes, you enjoy the couple and their chemistry and all the sudden their weird jokes are funny and you’re rooting for the goofy girl with cringy humour and then i’m sad the book is over!!!

witchcraft]]> 4.27 2018 Melt for You (Slow Burn, #2)
author: J.T. Geissinger
name: Milla
average rating: 4.27
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2024/03/23
date added: 2024/03/23
shelves: best-couples, contemporary, straight-up-romance, sweet-boy, best-in-the-series
review:
4.5 stars

This book suffers from a case of quirky girl humour and that’s why this sat on my TBR shelf for 3 years until i finally got past the “jokes� enough to read the whole thing and�

Why are Cam and Joellen perfect? I’m not even mad at her thinking she’s in love with her boss for so long, it actually made sense with her self esteem issues. But the minute you look past the weird jokes, you enjoy the couple and their chemistry and all the sudden their weird jokes are funny and you’re rooting for the goofy girl with cringy humour and then i’m sad the book is over!!!

witchcraft
]]> <![CDATA[Sin & Chocolate (Demigods of San Francisco, #1)]]> 42196479
Those people usually have a lot of drama in their life. Drama I happily do without. I live in a forgotten corner of nowhere for a reason: there is safety in anonymity. I have enough problems just trying to get by.

But when Kieran, a sinfully sexy demigod at the pinnacle of power, crashes into my life, suddenly my whole world is turned upside down.

He’s harboring a deadly secret, one that could destroy all he holds dear. He thinks I’m the key to his salvation, and he wants me to help him claim vengeance.

He also wants me with a passion that burns my body from the inside out.

To ignore him is impossible, but to give in to my desires, even for a night, would thrust me into danger I might not survive.

Can I resist the temptation?]]> 439 K.F. Breene Milla 5 hell did it take me so long to read this book?!??

I’d seen it floating around my recommendations for months but only paid attention to a few negative reviews. Well I’m kicking myself for that right now because YAY I loved it!

This is the exact kind of PNR I love. I’m getting a lot of Nevada and Connor vibes here and they’re kinda similar stories but just different enough for me to love this book in its own right.


So excited to read the next!]]> 4.28 2018 Sin & Chocolate (Demigods of San Francisco, #1)
author: K.F. Breene
name: Milla
average rating: 4.28
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2024/03/21
date added: 2024/03/21
shelves: kids-kids-kids, ladies-i-love, pnr, straight-up-romance
review:
Why the hell did it take me so long to read this book?!??

I’d seen it floating around my recommendations for months but only paid attention to a few negative reviews. Well I’m kicking myself for that right now because YAY I loved it!

This is the exact kind of PNR I love. I’m getting a lot of Nevada and Connor vibes here and they’re kinda similar stories but just different enough for me to love this book in its own right.


So excited to read the next!
]]> <![CDATA[Rules of Redemption (The Firebird Chronicles, #1)]]> 43954881 The war everyone thought was over is just beginning.

Kira Forrest is a survivor. She’s risen above the pain of her beginnings to become a war hero only to leave it all behind in the pursuit of a simple life. Now a salvager, she makes a living sifting through the wreckage of dead alien ships from a war that nearly brought humanity to its knees.

After her ship takes damage, she’s forced to re-route to a space station where her past and present collide with dangerous consequences.

Kira’s existence holds the key to a faltering peace treaty with the Tuann—a technologically advanced alien race who dislikes and distrusts all humans. Winning her freedom should be easy, but a powerful and relentless Tuann warrior stands in her way. Deceiving him seems impossible, especially when he strays dangerously close to secrets she struggles to hide.

Can Kira reconcile the pain of her past with the possibilities of her future? The fate of two races depends on her success.]]> 420 T.A. White Milla 0 to-read 4.35 2019 Rules of Redemption (The Firebird Chronicles, #1)
author: T.A. White
name: Milla
average rating: 4.35
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/03/15
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Check & Mate 60683957 done with chess. Every move counts nowadays. After the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory's focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious "Kingkiller" Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning bad boy of chess.

Nolan's loss to an unknown rook-ie shocks everyone—especially Mallory. What's even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory's victory opens the door to sorely needed cash prizes and, despite everything, she can't help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist....

As she rockets up the ranks, Mallory struggles to keep her family safely separated from the game that wrecked it in the first place. And as her love for the sport she so desperately wanted to hate begins to rekindle, Mallory quickly realizes that the games aren't only on the board, the spotlight is hotter than she imagined, and the competition can be fierce(-ly attractive. And intelligent...and infuriating...)]]> 347 Ali Hazelwood 0593619919 Milla 3 meh 3.93 2023 Check & Mate
author: Ali Hazelwood
name: Milla
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2023
rating: 3
read at: 2024/03/15
date added: 2024/03/15
shelves: meh
review:
Not particularly exciting or romantic, tbh i kept feeling like i was waiting for the romance to start. to be fair Nolan tried his best, but Mal was the great barrier in this one
]]> <![CDATA[The Exception to the Rule (The Improbable Meet-Cute, #1)]]> 200033357 New York Times bestselling authors of The Unhoneymooners.

One typo, and a boy and girl connect by chance. Wishing each other a happy Valentine’s Day isn’t the end. In fact, it becomes a friendly annual tradition—with rules: no pics, no real names, nothing too personal. As years pass, the rules for their email “dates� are breaking, and they’re sharing more than they imagined—including the urge to ask�what if we actually met?

Christina Lauren’s The Exception to the Rule is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.]]> 101 Christina Lauren 1662519893 Milla 5 4.21 2024 The Exception to the Rule (The Improbable Meet-Cute, #1)
author: Christina Lauren
name: Milla
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/03/14
date added: 2024/03/14
shelves:
review:
oh my god i’m so mad i didn’t realize this was a thing novella before i started reading
]]> <![CDATA[Folk Around and Find Out (Good Folk: Modern Folktales, #2)]]> 61361464 He needs to get her out of his system. Just once...

Hank Weller doesn’t help people. He leaves that do-gooder nonsense to his best friend, Beau Winston. Hank does what he wants, when he wants, with whomever he wants—and Hank does not want to hire Charlotte Mitchell to be an exotic dancer at his club, The Pink Pony. Sure, he ’t help noticing the dips and curves of her, how shrewd, smart, and funny she is, the fire in her hazel eyes. He's always noticed. She’d probably draw a crowd and entice the regulars. But after Charlotte's messy, public divorce made Hank’s club out to be the culprit—and made her the single mother of four kids—he doesn’t need or want any additional bad press courtesy of Charlotte Mitchell. Or the distraction. Unfortunately for him, the town’s prettiest charity case doesn’t seem to understand the meaning of the words nope, no, and never.

Charlotte Mitchell doesn’t much like Hank Weller. Once upon a time, she used to. Years ago, she liked him a whole heckofalot despite other folks in town labeling him as “eccentric� and “nonconformist,� which were polite southern alternatives to "filthy rich" and "self-centered douchebag." Her opinion of him changed dramatically after he volunteered to be her date to junior prom and then promptly stood her up. They haven't so much as acknowledged each other in over a decade. But a sudden family emergency means Charlotte needs access to Hank’s club ASAP. Unfortunately for her, the narcissistic fancy-pants doesn’t seem to understand the meaning of the words help, generosity, and compassion.

But he’s about to find himself schooled. Charlotte is going to teach Hank a lesson once and for all about basic human decency, whether he likes it or not.

Spoiler alert. . . he likes it. ;-)
]]> Penny Reid 6978119806 Milla 5 - Hank and Charlotte are very cute and squishy. I love them together.
- The kid's storyline, reading as a single mother, got me choked up. It was perfection.
- Minimal angst (though I was kinda in the mood for something gut-wrenching so back on the hunt)
- The smut... cannot lie... go off Hank ]]> 4.19 2022 Folk Around and Find Out (Good Folk: Modern Folktales, #2)
author: Penny Reid
name: Milla
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2024/03/13
date added: 2024/03/13
shelves: best-fave-roms, contemporary, generally-a-great-time, kids-kids-kids, straight-up-romance
review:
Damn, this was good. Who's got the brain power for real reviews anymore but here's the highlights:
- Hank and Charlotte are very cute and squishy. I love them together.
- The kid's storyline, reading as a single mother, got me choked up. It was perfection.
- Minimal angst (though I was kinda in the mood for something gut-wrenching so back on the hunt)
- The smut... cannot lie... go off Hank
]]> Icebreaker (UCMH, #1) 61767292
Nothing will stand in her way, not even the captain of the hockey team, Nate Hawkins.

Nate’s focus as team captain is on keeping his team on the ice. Which is tricky when a facilities mishap means they are forced to share a rink with the figure skating team—including Anastasia, who clearly ’t stand him.

But when Anastasia’s skating partner faces an uncertain future, she may have to look to Nate to take her shot.

Sparks fly, but Anastasia isn’t worried . . . because she could never like a hockey player, right?]]> 447 Hannah Grace Milla 0 to-read 3.75 2022 Icebreaker (UCMH, #1)
author: Hannah Grace
name: Milla
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/03/12
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> No Saint 61948202
Virtuous. Kind. Patient.

These were words never associated with Gabriel Saint.
He was a monster. The devil that haunted the city of Redhill.

And he had found me.

I’d managed to hide for a while from my past, present and future.
But I should have known they’d come looking, after all I had the heir of the city in my arms, and if there is anything I do know about the ruling crime family of this city, it’s that family comes before all else.

When Gabriel comes for me, I fight but know it’s useless, and when he forces me to be his wife, I vow to make his life as miserable as possible.

But there was something about the man. Something I wanted to unravel, pick apart so I could find all the pieces that made him who he was.

What I found was not what I expected.

He wants my heart.

He wants me to his wife in more ways than just that piece of paper that binds us.

And the more time I spend trapped with the mafia boss in his clifftop house, the more pieces of me he steals.

But with this life comes blood and violence, and there was someone determined to make us pay.

No Saint is a standalone dark mafia romance. It contains kidnap and a forced marriage theme which may make some readers uncomfortable.
This book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.]]> 520 Ria Wilde Milla 0 dnf 3.75 2022 No Saint
author: Ria Wilde
name: Milla
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at: 2024/03/12
date added: 2024/03/12
shelves: dnf
review:

]]> <![CDATA[See Jane Score (Chinooks Hockey Team, #2)]]> 13554291 Sensuality: 8

At long last, Seattle Times columnist Jane Alcott has a shot at a full-time assignment. She badly needs the income, but unfortunately, the opening is for a sports reporter traveling with the Seattle Chinooks hockey team and she knows nothing about the game. To add to her difficulty, the team doesn't want her, especially Luc "Lucky" Martineau, the Chinooks $33 million goalie. The team stonewalls when she tries to interview them and they haze her mercilessly; it isn't until the superstitious Luc decides that she brings good luck that Jane gets a shot at being a real journalist. But when her acceptance by the team leads to spending more time with Luc, Jane finds, to her dismay, that he’s more than a handsome, empty-headed sports jock and her heart is in danger.

For his part, Luc learns that behind "plain Jane's" boring dark clothing and black-rimmed glasses lies a quick wit, nerves of steel, and a personality that charms him. And when Jane appears at a team banquet with a new haircut, makeup, and a killer red dress with matching sexy stilettos, Luc's affection fast-forwards into a major case of serious lust. But if Jane lets herself fall in love, she'll have to find a way to explain the secret she's hiding before it becomes public knowledge and Luc's passion turns to hate. Can she bring herself to tell him the truth? And if she does, will he forgive her?

Set in the rough and tumble world of professional hockey, See Jane Score features an intelligent, likable heroine and a hero with depth beneath his sports jock façade. The layered characters, intriguing setting, and the novel's compelling emotional plot all add up to an excellent contemporary romance. Don’t miss this one. --Lois Faye Dyer]]> 324 Rachel Gibson Milla 1 dnf, nope-awful
Not to mention he’s not attractive in description or personality. That tattoo... I’m revolted lmao.
And she’s not much better so all around bad for me. ]]> 4.11 2003 See Jane Score (Chinooks Hockey Team, #2)
author: Rachel Gibson
name: Milla
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2003
rating: 1
read at: 2020/01/26
date added: 2024/02/21
shelves: dnf, nope-awful
review:
So dated it’s cringy. Homeboy called her a “tease and a prude� for not wanting to fuck at a gross motel. Yuck.

Not to mention he’s not attractive in description or personality. That tattoo... I’m revolted lmao.
And she’s not much better so all around bad for me.
]]> When Gracie Met the Grump 62603994
For most people, finding a half-naked superbeing in their yard might be a dream come true.

Unfortunately for Gracie Castro, it’s the exact opposite.

Especially when he’s grouchy, rude, and shows no signs of leaving anytime soon.

But when a hero of mankind needs you, you do what you have to.

Even if it compromises everything you know.

And totally changes your life.]]> 570 Mariana Zapata 1953262023 Milla 5 3.95 2022 When Gracie Met the Grump
author: Mariana Zapata
name: Milla
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2024/02/20
date added: 2024/02/20
shelves: best-couples, best-fave-roms, enemies-to-lovers, funny-as-all-hell, pnr, straight-up-romance
review:
wait how is this the same book i’ve seen everyone complaining about?!? wtf guys this was so good. rtc
]]> <![CDATA[Yours Truly (Part of Your World, #2)]]> 61918816 A novel of terrible first impressions, hilarious second chances, and the joy in finding your perfect match.

Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin�-seven on Briana’s “pain in my ass� scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game . . . by sending Briana a letter.

And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her “sob closet,� and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable—a kidney for her brother—she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor . . . especially when he calls in a favor she ’t refuse.]]> 416 Abby Jimenez 1538704390 Milla 5 4.29 2023 Yours Truly (Part of Your World, #2)
author: Abby Jimenez
name: Milla
average rating: 4.29
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2024/01/30
date added: 2024/01/30
shelves: best-couples, best-fave-roms, contemporary, funny-as-all-hell, generally-a-great-time, straight-up-romance, sweet-boy
review:
this was SO good i was giggling and kicking my feet. maybe rtc
]]> The Wall of Winnipeg and Me 29367958
But when Aiden Graves shows up at her door wanting her to come back, she's beyond shocked.

For two years, the man known as The Wall of Winnipeg couldn't find it in him to tell her good morning or congratulate her on her birthday. Now? He's asking for the unthinkable.

What do you say to the man who is used to getting everything he wants?]]> 475 Mariana Zapata Milla 3 4.18 2016 The Wall of Winnipeg and Me
author: Mariana Zapata
name: Milla
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2016/03/09
date added: 2024/01/28
shelves: straight-up-romance, meh, not-awful-but-not-good
review:
Time for a re-read! I don’t understand how I have this book 5 stars but absolutely do not look back on it fondly
]]> Identity 61885098 The #1 New York Times-bestselling author's terrifying next thriller about one man's ice-cold malice, and one woman's fight to reclaim her life.

Former Army brat Morgan Albright has finally planted roots in a friendly neighborhood near Baltimore. Her friend and roommate Nina helps her make the mortgage payments, as does Morgan's job as a bartender. But after she and Nina host their first dinner party―attended by Luke, the flirtatious IT guy who'd been chatting her up at the bar―her carefully built world is shattered. The back door glass is broken, cash and jewelry are missing, her car is gone, and Nina lies dead on the floor.

Soon, a horrific truth emerges: It was Morgan who let the monster in. "Luke" is actually a cold-hearted con artist named Gavin who targets a particular type of woman, steals her assets and identity, and then commits his ultimate goal: murder.

What the FBI tells Morgan is beyond chilling. Nina wasn't his type. Morgan is. Nina was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. And Morgan's nightmare is just beginning. Soon she has no choice but to flee to her mother's home in Vermont. While she struggles to build something new, she meets another man, Miles Jameson. He isn't flashy or flirtatious, and his family business has deep roots in town. But Gavin is still out there hunting new victims, and he hasn't forgotten the one who got away.]]> 437 Nora Roberts 1250284112 Milla 4
Also this book made me realize how important speaker tags are in dialogue lmao. It was so frustrating trying to figure out who was talking at any given point, the whole star off is just for that reason ]]> 4.09 2023 Identity
author: Nora Roberts
name: Milla
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2023/08/26
date added: 2023/08/26
shelves: actual-plot, nice, straight-up-romance
review:
I generally love Nora Roberts and her murder mysteries are legendary, but this one felt a bit paint by numbers. No reinventing the wheel here, and sometimes it dragged.

Also this book made me realize how important speaker tags are in dialogue lmao. It was so frustrating trying to figure out who was talking at any given point, the whole star off is just for that reason
]]> <![CDATA[The Unhoneymooners (Unhoneymooners, #1)]]> 42201431
Olive braces herself to get through 24 hours of wedding hell before she can return to her comfortable, unlucky life. But when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning from eating bad shellfish, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. And now there’s an all-expenses-paid honeymoon in Hawaii up for grabs.

Putting their mutual hatred aside for the sake of a free vacation, Olive and Ethan head for paradise, determined to avoid each other at all costs. But when Olive runs into her future boss, the little white lie she tells him is suddenly at risk to become a whole lot bigger. She and Ethan now have to pretend to be loving newlyweds, and her luck seems worse than ever. But the weird thing is that she doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, she feels kind of... lucky.

Alternate cover edition of ISBN 9781501128035.]]> 432 Christina Lauren 1501128035 Milla 5
Uh... is this thing on?


Hello, yes, I have returned from a 2 year long Kanthony-induced drought and I'm back with a 5 star read who'da thunk it?!

I'm actually so shocked I read this whole book in under 3 hours, that I barely have words to write a proper review. I literally went to the bookstore today (so weird, haven't read a physical book in YEARS) and saw this on the shelf and finally, after years of having it on my mental tbr, picked it up. And devoured it.

My god this book was weirdly perfect. Olive? Fan-fucking-tastic. Ethan? this man should be everyone's husband. The set up? So perfectly ideal. Enemies to lovers? Yes please. The angst? So rational and real and not drawn out for a ridiculously long time to pad the page numbers.

You'd think after a year of writing fanfiction I'd be better at words and have an easier time explaining why I loved this so much, but sometimes a book is just so good you get book drunk and all you can say is I LOVED IT!

Should I get back into reading again??? RIP to the current Kanthony fanfic I have going because it might start turning into a Unhoneymooners au real soon lol. I'm so glad I bought a physical copy of this book so I can see it on my shelf every day and remember how freaking awesome it was before diving in and reading again.]]> 3.88 2019 The Unhoneymooners (Unhoneymooners, #1)
author: Christina Lauren
name: Milla
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2023/08/13
date added: 2023/08/17
shelves: best-fave-roms, contemporary, couldn-t-put-it-down, funny-as-all-hell, straight-up-romance, sweet-boy
review:
*taps mic*

Uh... is this thing on?


Hello, yes, I have returned from a 2 year long Kanthony-induced drought and I'm back with a 5 star read who'da thunk it?!

I'm actually so shocked I read this whole book in under 3 hours, that I barely have words to write a proper review. I literally went to the bookstore today (so weird, haven't read a physical book in YEARS) and saw this on the shelf and finally, after years of having it on my mental tbr, picked it up. And devoured it.

My god this book was weirdly perfect. Olive? Fan-fucking-tastic. Ethan? this man should be everyone's husband. The set up? So perfectly ideal. Enemies to lovers? Yes please. The angst? So rational and real and not drawn out for a ridiculously long time to pad the page numbers.

You'd think after a year of writing fanfiction I'd be better at words and have an easier time explaining why I loved this so much, but sometimes a book is just so good you get book drunk and all you can say is I LOVED IT!

Should I get back into reading again??? RIP to the current Kanthony fanfic I have going because it might start turning into a Unhoneymooners au real soon lol. I'm so glad I bought a physical copy of this book so I can see it on my shelf every day and remember how freaking awesome it was before diving in and reading again.
]]> <![CDATA[The Player and the Pixie (Rugby, #2)]]> 27999771 Now a USA TODAY BESTSELLER

How can someone so smokin� hot be so bad in bed? I mean, Sean Cassidy is absolute rubbish. RUBBISH. He is the epitome of walking, talking false advertising and I want a refund! Plus he’s an arsehole. So� what is wrong with me that I ’t stop thinking about him?

THE PIXIE
Lucy Fitzpatrick doesn’t like rugby.
As the little sister of Ireland’s most infamous rugby player, Lucy ’t seem to escape the championship-sized shadow cast by her big brother, or her mother’s frequent attempts to micromanage her future. Her rainbow hair is as free-spirited as her quest for inner peace, yet overbearing expectations keep bringing her down. And when she’s down, her compulsive little problem lands her in seriously big trouble.

THE PLAYER
Sean Cassidy is a cold-hearted brute� or so he’s been told. Frequently. By everyone.
His blonde locks, baby blues, and rock hard bod make ladies the world over drool with desire. As the rugby world’s second most infamous player, he should be basking in his success. But Sean has never been content settling for second place, and his frequent confrontations with Lucy’s big brother leave him cold. And when he’s cold, his compulsive little problem lands him in the lap of Lucy Fitzpatrick.

THE PLAN
Sean has a problem only Lucy can solve. Lucy has a problem only Sean can fix. The solution seems obvious: you scratch my back, and I’ll bail you out of jail. But when their business arrangement unexpectedly leaves Sean scorching hot and Lucy on the precipice of inner peace, can they convince the world—and Lucy’s big brother in particular—that this is the real deal?

Either way, both the Player and the Pixie are about to teach each other some pretty monumental lessons about family, life, but most importantly, love.]]> 326 L.H. Cosway 1942874189 Milla 3
� why did I like this book so much lmao


Original review:
Absolutely amazing!! Possibly my new fave in this series (I’ll have to re-read the 4th book to be sure because I loved that one a LOT).

One thing I found really refreshing was how open and honest these two were with their feelings and shit. Everything was very upfront and mature and I absolutely loved the progression of their relationship.

This book also reminded me how glad I am that I didn’t keep going with Ronan and Annie’s story, first of all it was terrible and not on par with the writing in the rest of the series but also because they’re both so bland and annoying.


But very very happy with this book!]]> 4.06 2016 The Player and the Pixie (Rugby, #2)
author: L.H. Cosway
name: Milla
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2023/08/15
date added: 2023/08/15
shelves: best-fave-roms, best-in-the-series, contemporary, dynamic-as-hell, funny-as-all-hell, straight-up-romance
review:
Aug 2023

� why did I like this book so much lmao


Original review:
Absolutely amazing!! Possibly my new fave in this series (I’ll have to re-read the 4th book to be sure because I loved that one a LOT).

One thing I found really refreshing was how open and honest these two were with their feelings and shit. Everything was very upfront and mature and I absolutely loved the progression of their relationship.

This book also reminded me how glad I am that I didn’t keep going with Ronan and Annie’s story, first of all it was terrible and not on par with the writing in the rest of the series but also because they’re both so bland and annoying.


But very very happy with this book!
]]> Forever Your Rogue 62959414 - The New York Times

He was her last chance. She was his first certainty.

Cora, Lady Dane, gave up her dreams of happily ever after a long time ago. Now newly widowed, the young mother is determined to finally live on her own terms…until a devastating betrayal shatters her hopes for the future. Faced with the prospect of losing her beloved children to overbearing relatives, Cora needs the help of the one thing she swore she’d never have again: a husband.

Nathaniel Travers hasn’t a care—or responsibility—in the world. Content with his wayward lifestyle, the charismatic rogue has no interest in marriage or duty. That is, until the earl cuts off his bank accounts. No stranger to wild escapades, Nate is game for any scheme that keeps him afloat…even a madcap ruse with a stubborn viscountess.

A fake engagement should be a straightforward solution to both of their dilemmas. But a summer at Cora's estate tests their arrangement, and it isn’t long before their simmering attraction escalates to a feverish crescendo. When they are forced to confront the real complications of their faux betrothal, Nate has to make the first worthy gamble of his life…if only Cora can risk her guarded heart.

Forever Your Rogue is a swoony, sexy, and heartfelt Regency romance that can be enjoyed as a standalone.]]> 408 Erin Langston Milla 0 to-read 4.23 2023 Forever Your Rogue
author: Erin Langston
name: Milla
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/08/14
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Collateral 50930057 Gabriela

Stefan Sabbioni showed up uninvited in my bedroom on my sixteenth birthday. He stood in the shadows smelling of whiskey and death and wrapped a broken, blood-crusted necklace around my neck. I thought he'd strangle me with it.

That night, he left a message for my father. He said he'd be back to take something precious.

I never delivered that message, though. I wonder if things would be different if I had because now, two years later, he's back. And he's not hiding in any shadows.

He's come to make good on his promise.
He's back to take that something precious.
Me.

Stefan

Marchese is the manipulator of my family's tragedy. I won't just bring him to his knees. I'll bury him for what he did.

Taking his daughter is only the beginning. I'll do it knowing I'm starting a war. I'll do it knowing my enemies will become his allies. They'll stop at nothing to destroy me and he'll stop at nothing to get her back.

I've never shied away from war, though. I'm not one to play nice and I don't share my toys. I'll demolish you if you touch what's mine.

And she is most definitely mine.]]> 244 Natasha Knight Milla 1
Can we stop with 18 year old heroines with these older ass men!!? 18 year olds are pretty much children. It’s gross and I hate to read that they’re “mature� for whatever bullshit reason the author wants to spew.
Bla bla bla I didn’t like this book, these two were fucking INSANE and had minimal chemistry, no charisma and their trip from lust to love was ?? non existent. From one scene to the next these two couldn’t remember how they previously interacted with each other. For example homeboy, as a “punishment�, BEAT HER WITH A FUCKING BELT. Literally. And they acted like it was on par with the light spanking they’d done in a previously sexual context. He literally beat her with a belt and I’m just supposed to keep reading as if that’s not just straight up domestic abuse.

Fuck you.

Merged review:

Remind me to never read a duet ever again. This marks 4 duets in a row that have been steaming piles of fucking garbage (or at least descended into garbage after a strong start).

Can we stop with 18 year old heroines with these older ass men!!? 18 year olds are pretty much children. It’s gross and I hate to read that they’re “mature� for whatever bullshit reason the author wants to spew.
Bla bla bla I didn’t like this book, these two were fucking INSANE and had minimal chemistry, no charisma and their trip from lust to love was ?? non existent. From one scene to the next these two couldn’t remember how they previously interacted with each other. For example homeboy, as a “punishment�, BEAT HER WITH A FUCKING BELT. Literally. And they acted like it was on par with the light spanking they’d done in a previously sexual context. He literally beat her with a belt and I’m just supposed to keep reading as if that’s not just straight up domestic abuse.

Fuck you.]]> 3.95 2019 Collateral
author: Natasha Knight
name: Milla
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2019
rating: 1
read at: 2019/12/02
date added: 2023/06/06
shelves: can-i-smack-this-girl, nope-awful, this-guy-sucks, mafia
review:
Remind me to never read a duet ever again. This marks 4 duets in a row that have been steaming piles of fucking garbage (or at least descended into garbage after a strong start).

Can we stop with 18 year old heroines with these older ass men!!? 18 year olds are pretty much children. It’s gross and I hate to read that they’re “mature� for whatever bullshit reason the author wants to spew.
Bla bla bla I didn’t like this book, these two were fucking INSANE and had minimal chemistry, no charisma and their trip from lust to love was ?? non existent. From one scene to the next these two couldn’t remember how they previously interacted with each other. For example homeboy, as a “punishment�, BEAT HER WITH A FUCKING BELT. Literally. And they acted like it was on par with the light spanking they’d done in a previously sexual context. He literally beat her with a belt and I’m just supposed to keep reading as if that’s not just straight up domestic abuse.

Fuck you.

Merged review:

Remind me to never read a duet ever again. This marks 4 duets in a row that have been steaming piles of fucking garbage (or at least descended into garbage after a strong start).

Can we stop with 18 year old heroines with these older ass men!!? 18 year olds are pretty much children. It’s gross and I hate to read that they’re “mature� for whatever bullshit reason the author wants to spew.
Bla bla bla I didn’t like this book, these two were fucking INSANE and had minimal chemistry, no charisma and their trip from lust to love was ?? non existent. From one scene to the next these two couldn’t remember how they previously interacted with each other. For example homeboy, as a “punishment�, BEAT HER WITH A FUCKING BELT. Literally. And they acted like it was on par with the light spanking they’d done in a previously sexual context. He literally beat her with a belt and I’m just supposed to keep reading as if that’s not just straight up domestic abuse.

Fuck you.
]]> <![CDATA[Iced (Boston Terriers Hockey #2)]]> 48652439
Now, he’s the bartender where I work, and this time, very much single. Night after night I watch the tall, broad, and sexy right winger mixing drinks and being Mr. Personality, while I remind myself how horribly my last relationship ended.

But when Oliver overhears a private conversation, he offers to be the one thing I need more than anything--my pretend boyfriend at a dreaded family reunion.

One weekend was all it was meant to be.

How do I protect my fragile heart when the lines between fantasy and reality blur with our first kiss?

ICED can be read as a standalone.]]> 182 Jacob Chance Milla 0 dnf, not-interested 4.22 2019 Iced (Boston Terriers Hockey #2)
author: Jacob Chance
name: Milla
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/04/27
shelves: dnf, not-interested
review:

]]> Damage 51851793
He took me to exact his revenge. I went from being a pawn to my father to being a pawn to Stefan. The only difference is I have a ring the size of a boulder on my finger and a husband I don’t want.

And the hardest part is I thought he was different. I thought I was falling in love.

I guess my father was right. I’m not a very smart girl.

Stefan is a powerful man. He doesn’t play nice, not if you’re his enemy. But I've learned one thing about my husband.

He takes care of what’s his
And I am his.

His enemies have become my enemies, but he’ll never let anyone hurt me. He’s fiercely protective. It’s the predator inside that scares me.
]]> 336 Natasha Knight Milla 1 3.80 2019 Damage
author: Natasha Knight
name: Milla
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2019
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 2023/03/16
shelves: can-i-smack-this-girl, nope-awful, this-guy-sucks
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Destructive King (Mafia Royals, #3)]]> 53927251
…When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
� Mary Elizabeth Fyre

"I'm sorry for your loss." I would rather be tortured for an eternity than hear those damn words from one more person, as if Claire, my dead fiancé, was a cell phone or car keys.
How about, I'm sorry your life is over.
I'm sorry you want to die too.
I'm sorry you see her in your dreams and wake up only to relive the nightmare.
I'm supposed to be the strongest of them all. Ash Abandonato, ruler, assassin, made man, brother, friend—instead, I hurt everyone I touch in hopes that they'll feel even a sliver of the pain that bears down on my shoulders.
I didn't lose.
It was taken from me.
And it's all her fault, Annie Smith.
I daydream about her death.
And then I close my eyes, and I see her soft smile. I feel her touch, her kiss—it was a mistake what we did that night, but I can't take it back, and now she's under my father's protection—my protection.
My worst enemy.
The woman I'm the most attracted to.
I can't decide if I want to strangle her or kiss her, and now that she's stuck in my life, my only goal is to make her feel the same loss I do and destroy her in the process.
I'll trick her with my touch.
Seduce her with my kiss.
And in the end, when my enemy is at her most vulnerable—I'll bring down an entire Empire and continue my reign as King.
Bow down, I'll say as I bring the Five Families to their knees.
Blood in.
Never out.
Damned.]]> 329 Rachel Van Dyken 1946061549 Milla 1

And hot take of 2021:

*:･ﾟ� *:･ﾟ� abuse isnt romance *:･ﾟ� *:･ﾟ�



Merged review:

Absolute messiness about billionaire teenagers (honestly I have no idea how old they are... sometimes it’s a university story sometimes a late twenties....). Not a single second of this book is mafia related. The writing is messy and goes through mood swings galore.


And hot take of 2021:

*:･ﾟ� *:･ﾟ� abuse isnt romance *:･ﾟ� *:･ﾟ�]]> 4.36 2021 Destructive King (Mafia Royals, #3)
author: Rachel Van Dyken
name: Milla
average rating: 4.36
book published: 2021
rating: 1
read at: 2021/01/16
date added: 2023/02/02
shelves:
review:
Absolute messiness about billionaire teenagers (honestly I have no idea how old they are... sometimes it’s a university story sometimes a late twenties....). Not a single second of this book is mafia related. The writing is messy and goes through mood swings galore.


And hot take of 2021:

*:･ﾟ� *:･ﾟ� abuse isnt romance *:･ﾟ� *:･ﾟ�



Merged review:

Absolute messiness about billionaire teenagers (honestly I have no idea how old they are... sometimes it’s a university story sometimes a late twenties....). Not a single second of this book is mafia related. The writing is messy and goes through mood swings galore.


And hot take of 2021:

*:･ﾟ� *:･ﾟ� abuse isnt romance *:･ﾟ� *:･ﾟ�
]]> <![CDATA[Keeping 13 (Boys of Tommen, #2)]]> 42968173 Until now.

Following a devastating injury that has left him sidelined and stripped of his beloved number 13 jersey, Johnny is struggling to hold onto his dreams. Lost, insecure, and desperately seeking comfort, he sets his sights on unraveling the mystery of the girl with the midnight-blue eyes. With his best friend, Gibsie, by his side, Johnny embarks on his quest of exposing the secrets surrounding the girl who haunts his every waking hour.

Keeping secrets has never been a problem for Shannon. The life she was born into demands nothing less. She knows that demons and evil men don't just exist in fairytales. They exist in her world, too. Traumatized beyond repair after her return from Dublin, and desperate to protect her little brothers, Shannon finds herself falling into the same old cover-up, barely keeping her head above water, as her future unravels before her eyes. Beaten and broken, her walls are up and her trust is shaken. Only one boy has the ability to climb those walls. The boy who owns her heart.

Secrets are exposed and lives are changed forever in Keeping 13, the explosive sequel to the bestselling book, Binding 13. Follow Johnny and Shannon as they try to navigate their way through the aftermath of that fateful rugby match in Dublin.

Falling in love was the easy part, what comes next is the test...

Friendship, first love, rising fame, horrifying secrets, and pain all fuel together as two teenagers from the opposite side of the tracks collide in Keeping 13, the concluding story for Johnny and Shannon.

Based in Ireland, the Boys of Tommen series is bound to captivate and lure you into the world of rugby, love, and teenage heartbreak.


Warning
Some scenes in this book may be extremely upsetting for some readers. Due to its bad language and certain scenes, Keeping 13 is recommended for mature readers.
]]> 938 Chloe Walsh Milla 5 Still flawless but damn....


Now this book gutted me. GUTTED ME. Jesus christ so much went on here. Just heartbreaking shit really.

I almost want to say too much? No, can't commit to that because it was so well written that even the horrible parts were great.


And while I loved the slow burn of the first book, this one almost felt like it dragged a little bit. That being said, maybe it's a good thing it did because we got a shit ton of just cute Shannon and Johnny content to enjoy and I can't complain about that. And because we got so much great shit, I found myself glad that their story had concluded by the end. I got everything I wanted out of these two and can rest very, very happy.



I have to say, I don't think I'll be reading Joey's story. No offense Joey, but if Shannon's stuff broke my heart almost too much... I know yours will destroy me and I can't do it!


Now I DEMAND CLAIRE AND GIBSIE'S STORY RIGHT FUCKIN NOW!!!!!!! I need need need to read that book. A few times in the second half of this story I found myself a little more interested in Claire/Gibsie than Shannon/Johnny. Whoops.

Merged review:

Still flawless but damn....


Now this book gutted me. GUTTED ME. Jesus christ so much went on here. Just heartbreaking shit really.

I almost want to say too much? No, can't commit to that because it was so well written that even the horrible parts were great.


And while I loved the slow burn of the first book, this one almost felt like it dragged a little bit. That being said, maybe it's a good thing it did because we got a shit ton of just cute Shannon and Johnny content to enjoy and I can't complain about that. And because we got so much great shit, I found myself glad that their story had concluded by the end. I got everything I wanted out of these two and can rest very, very happy.



I have to say, I don't think I'll be reading Joey's story. No offense Joey, but if Shannon's stuff broke my heart almost too much... I know yours will destroy me and I can't do it!


Now I DEMAND CLAIRE AND GIBSIE'S STORY RIGHT FUCKIN NOW!!!!!!! I need need need to read that book. A few times in the second half of this story I found myself a little more interested in Claire/Gibsie than Shannon/Johnny. Whoops.]]> 4.51 2018 Keeping 13 (Boys of Tommen, #2)
author: Chloe Walsh
name: Milla
average rating: 4.51
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2020/09/17
date added: 2022/12/02
shelves: actual-plot, best-couples, contemporary, gutted-me, kids-kids-kids, sweet-boy, straight-up-romance, tw
review:
Still flawless but damn....


Now this book gutted me. GUTTED ME. Jesus christ so much went on here. Just heartbreaking shit really.

I almost want to say too much? No, can't commit to that because it was so well written that even the horrible parts were great.


And while I loved the slow burn of the first book, this one almost felt like it dragged a little bit. That being said, maybe it's a good thing it did because we got a shit ton of just cute Shannon and Johnny content to enjoy and I can't complain about that. And because we got so much great shit, I found myself glad that their story had concluded by the end. I got everything I wanted out of these two and can rest very, very happy.



I have to say, I don't think I'll be reading Joey's story. No offense Joey, but if Shannon's stuff broke my heart almost too much... I know yours will destroy me and I can't do it!


Now I DEMAND CLAIRE AND GIBSIE'S STORY RIGHT FUCKIN NOW!!!!!!! I need need need to read that book. A few times in the second half of this story I found myself a little more interested in Claire/Gibsie than Shannon/Johnny. Whoops.

Merged review:

Still flawless but damn....


Now this book gutted me. GUTTED ME. Jesus christ so much went on here. Just heartbreaking shit really.

I almost want to say too much? No, can't commit to that because it was so well written that even the horrible parts were great.


And while I loved the slow burn of the first book, this one almost felt like it dragged a little bit. That being said, maybe it's a good thing it did because we got a shit ton of just cute Shannon and Johnny content to enjoy and I can't complain about that. And because we got so much great shit, I found myself glad that their story had concluded by the end. I got everything I wanted out of these two and can rest very, very happy.



I have to say, I don't think I'll be reading Joey's story. No offense Joey, but if Shannon's stuff broke my heart almost too much... I know yours will destroy me and I can't do it!


Now I DEMAND CLAIRE AND GIBSIE'S STORY RIGHT FUCKIN NOW!!!!!!! I need need need to read that book. A few times in the second half of this story I found myself a little more interested in Claire/Gibsie than Shannon/Johnny. Whoops.
]]> <![CDATA[Everything for You (Bergman Brothers, #5)]]> 59824159 Gear up for an all-the-feels, steamy slow-burn in this enemies-to-lovers sports romance about fighting for love when life’s taught you it’s a losing game.

Gavin

We’ve been teammates for two years, but it feels like a lifetime that Oliver Bergman’s been on my last nerve. A demanding captain and veteran player, I’m feared and friendless, while he’s the beloved rising star, all sunshine smiles and upbeat team spirit. To make matters worse, he’s obscenely attractive. In short: he’s genetically designed to get under my skin.

Avoiding Oliver has been my survival tactic on and off the field. But when Coach drops the bomb that we’re now co-captains, avoiding him becomes impossible, and keeping the truth from him–let alone my distance–is harder than ever.

Oliver

Life was great until soccer legend Gavin Hayes joined the team and proved he’s nothing like the guy I grew up idolizing. Instead, he’s a giant–albeit gorgeous–grump who lives to rain on my parade. I’ve sworn off pranks since entering the public eye, so rather than settle our differences the Bergman way, I’ve had to settle for killing Gavin with kindness. There’s just one problem: killing him with kindness is killing me.

To make matters worse, Coach gives us an ultimatum: put an end to our enmity or say goodbye to being captains. I’m prepared to be miserable while we meet her demands and make nice, but the last thing I expect is to discover an explosive attraction we ’t help but act on, and worse yet, to realize the man hiding beneath Gavin’s gruff exterior is all I’ve ever wanted.

​Everything for You is a grumpy-sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, age gap sports romance about an upbeat rising soccer star with anxiety and his curmudgeonly veteran teammate who lives with chronic pain. Complete with nosy senior citizens, nosier siblings, and a meddling coach, this standalone slow burn is the fifth in a series of novels about a Swedish-American family of five brothers, two sisters, and their wild adventures as they each find happily ever after.]]> 356 Chloe Liese Milla 4 4.08 2022 Everything for You (Bergman Brothers, #5)
author: Chloe Liese
name: Milla
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2022/10/26
date added: 2022/10/31
shelves:
review:
It’s actually embarrassing how long it took me to finish this book but these two are cute I love them.
]]> <![CDATA[The Wrong Mr. Right (Queen's Cove, #2)]]> 61268103 He'll make her a hot girl, but can he make her his girl?

Shy, quiet Hannah is surrounded by handsome, sensitive, swoon-worthy men...who are fictional. As her thirtieth birthday looms, she takes stock of her life: her small-town bookstore isn't making ends meet and she's never been in love. Something needs to change.

She knows exactly who's going to help her.

Women fall head over heels for laid-back, confident Wyatt, but all he cares about is surfing. The only thing holding him back from going pro? His non-existent social media presence. When Hannah offers to run his social media in exchange for lessons, it's too good to pass up.

He'll coax the pretty bookworm out of her shell, but they'll do it his way.

Disastrous surf lessons, dive bar karaoke, a romance-only bookstore and a sparkly dress that makes her feel beautiful--spending time with Wyatt is nothing like Hannah expected. But he's all wrong for her... right?

A spicy, hilarious small-town friends-to-lovers romantic comedy with a guaranteed HEA.

This is the second book in the Queen's Cove series, but can be read as a standalone.]]> 374 Stephanie Archer Milla 0 to-read 4.07 2022 The Wrong Mr. Right (Queen's Cove, #2)
author: Stephanie Archer
name: Milla
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/10/02
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Beauty and the Baller (Strangers in Love, #1)]]> 58661768 An NFL quarterback turned small-town coach gets sacked by a Texas beauty queen in this swoony, passionate romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills.

Gorgeous, talented, and brilliant, NFL quarterback Ronan Smith has the world in his hands. But after losing his career and his fiancée in a car accident, he falls into a pit of grief and bad choices. When a mysterious girl shows up to his party, he feels drawn to her and makes her his…for one night.

Former beauty queen Nova Morgan is on a mission. Scantily clad as a princess from a galaxy far, far away, she sneaks into a high-profile party to capture the attention of her favorite quarterback. But her hopes crash after an awful one-night stand.

Fast-forward two years. Broke and desperate, Nova returns home to Blue Belle, Texas, where, by a cosmic twist of fate, her broody neighbor is none other than Ronan, the shiny new football coach everyone adores. But he has no idea who she is.

The booster club keeps shoving women at Ronan to keep him in town. His solution? He proposes fake dating to Nova. But things heat up for real under these Friday-night lights when he realizes she’s the one who slipped away.

Has this jaded beauty found her forever baller, or will his past keep them apart?]]> 307 Ilsa Madden-Mills 1542034787 Milla 0 to-read 4.07 2022 Beauty and the Baller (Strangers in Love, #1)
author: Ilsa Madden-Mills
name: Milla
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/09/20
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Wreck & Ruin (Tarnished Angels Motorcycle Club, #1)]]> 48746342
And then tall, dark, and dangerous walks into the bar where I work.

Before I know it, I’m in his arms asking him to rescue me.

He’s Colt Weston, President of the Blue Angels MC.

Colt makes me feel alive…and wanted.

The Blue Angels embrace me as one of their own, and when a violent rival threatens to tear us apart, I learn what loyalty truly means.

Family. Sacrifice. Revenge.

There’s nothing Colt won’t do to protect me.]]> 468 Emma Slate Milla 0 dnf, mc-club, meh 3.91 2019 Wreck & Ruin (Tarnished Angels Motorcycle Club, #1)
author: Emma Slate
name: Milla
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at: 2022/08/12
date added: 2022/08/12
shelves: dnf, mc-club, meh
review:
Incredibly basic, bordering on tiring to read. But hey it was a good palette cleanser between nonstop kanthony fics
]]> <![CDATA[The Dating Plan (Marriage Game, #2)]]> 54326395
Liam Murphy is a venture capitalist with something to prove. When he learns that his inheritance is contingent on being married, he realizes his best friend's little sister has the perfect solution to his problem. A marriage of convenience will get Daisy's matchmaking relatives off her back and fulfill the terms of his late grandfather's will. If only he hadn't broken her tender teenage heart nine years ago...

Sparks fly when Daisy and Liam go on a series of dates to legitimize their fake relationship. Too late, they realize that very little is convenient about their arrangement. History and chemistry aren't about to follow the rules of this engagement.]]> 352 Sara Desai 0593100581 Milla 0 to-read 3.61 2021 The Dating Plan (Marriage Game, #2)
author: Sara Desai
name: Milla
average rating: 3.61
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/07/13
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Forever Winter 43690322
Bo has been searching for the woman of his dreams for four long months. When his brother Cory’s fiancée shows up at the family estate pregnant, his world is turned upside down.

Warning: Wrap yourself up in this winter wonderland and stay cozy with us! This secret baby book is everything you want with a side of extra, just the way we love it!]]> 80 Alexa Riley Milla 2 But every once in a while you read one of them and are just like....



That's this one, super cringy start to finish. At least it's only 150 pages on an iPhone so basically 30 mins of feeling uncomfortable and then it's over lmao.]]> 3.87 2019 Forever Winter
author: Alexa Riley
name: Milla
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2019
rating: 2
read at: 2019/02/14
date added: 2022/07/11
shelves: insta-love, kids-kids-kids, not-awful-but-not-good, straight-up-romance
review:
You pretty much know what you're in for with Alexa Riley books, but some are more plausible and real life sounding than others.
But every once in a while you read one of them and are just like....



That's this one, super cringy start to finish. At least it's only 150 pages on an iPhone so basically 30 mins of feeling uncomfortable and then it's over lmao.
]]> <![CDATA[Waiting for a Scot Like You (Union of the Rakes, #3)]]> 53487119
Adjusting to life in peacetime isn’t easy for Major Duncan McCameron. Escorting a lady on her journey north seems like the perfect chance to give him some much-needed purpose. That is, until he learns the woman in question is the beautiful, bold, reckless Lady Farris. She makes his head spin and being alone together will surely end in disaster.

Beatrice, the Dowager Countess of Farris, is finally free of a stifling marriage and she has no plans to shackle herself to any other man. Ready to live life to the fullest, she’s headed to a week-long bacchanal and the journey should be half the fun. Except she’s confined to a carriage with a young, rule-abiding, irritatingly handsome Scottish soldier who wouldn’t know a good time if it landed in his lap. But maybe a madcap escapade will loosen him up...

Between carriage crashes, secret barn dances, robbers, and an inn with only one bed, their initial tension dissolves into a passion that neither expected. But is there a future for an adventure-loving lady and a duty-bound soldier, or will their differences tear them apart?]]> 354 Eva Leigh 0062932446 Milla 0 to-read 3.64 2021 Waiting for a Scot Like You (Union of the Rakes, #3)
author: Eva Leigh
name: Milla
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/07/10
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Cruel Paradise (Beautifully Cruel, #2)]]> 54364041 Anti-hero (noun):
1) A powerful and charismatic man lacking moral character
2) A magnificent bastard
3) Killian Black

You don’t know me.
You think you do, but you don’t.
The only thing you know is my name, and even that’s a lie.

I’m king of Boston, lord of criminals, ruler of an underworld empire. Or am I?

Only one thing’s for sure: I operate alone.

Until I cross paths with a brazen little thief who sets my whole kingdom on fire.

Just as two wrongs don’t make a right, two villains don’t belong together. Especially since she’s the daughter of my most deadly enemy.

Taking her would start a war.
Keeping her would be suicide.
Making her mine would break every code of honor and defy all common sense.

Then again, where’s the fun in following the rules?]]> 320 J.T. Geissinger Milla 5 July 2022

Ruh roh. The audiobook made these two less likeable and the insta love less tolerable ]]> 4.22 2020 Cruel Paradise (Beautifully Cruel, #2)
author: J.T. Geissinger
name: Milla
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at: 2022/07/05
date added: 2022/07/05
shelves:
review:
July 2022

Ruh roh. The audiobook made these two less likeable and the insta love less tolerable
]]> <![CDATA[The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1)]]> 26032825 Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.]]> 370 Holly Black 0316310271 Milla 3 enemies-to-lovers, pnr
I will admit that this is iconic and if there was more of this I would have enjoyed the book more:

“Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It’s disgusting, and I ’t stop.� ]]> 4.01 2018 The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1)
author: Holly Black
name: Milla
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2022/05/27
date added: 2022/05/27
shelves: enemies-to-lovers, pnr
review:
This is like� an ok story with a not great writer.

I will admit that this is iconic and if there was more of this I would have enjoyed the book more:

“Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It’s disgusting, and I ’t stop.�
]]> Book Lovers 58690308 One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn't see coming....

Nora Stephens� life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.

Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters� trip away—with visions of a small-town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.

If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.]]> 377 Emily Henry 0593334833 Milla 4 4.09 2022 Book Lovers
author: Emily Henry
name: Milla
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2022/05/19
date added: 2022/05/19
shelves:
review:
I mean I think we all can agree Emily Henry doesn’t know what enemies-to-lovers means but I still lived.
]]> <![CDATA[Carnal Urges (Queens & Monsters, #2)]]> 57101782 Dark, sexy mafia romance where the fast-paced tension of John Wick meets the high stakes love of Romeo and Juliet.

Carnal (adjective):
1) Relating to the pleasures of the body
2) Given to sensual indulgence
3) The man who kidnapped me

The devil has blue eyes, an Irish accent, and a hatred for me that runs deep.

He blames me for starting a war. Consorting with his enemies. Getting his men killed. Though I’m innocent on all charges, he wants his pound of flesh. With an eye on revenge, he makes me his captive.

But as we’ll both soon discover, there are more powerful urges than that for revenge.

When the devil meets his match but she’s his sworn enemy, that’s when the real war begins.]]> 356 J.T. Geissinger Milla 4 �4 stars�

Well I'll be damned...

Listen, I've basically been on hiatus for the better part of a year because I started watching Turkish soap operas/romances and they're so goddamn addicting I couldn't focus on books anymore. But one area where they don't match romance reading energy: physical relationships.

Turkish shows are very chaste and very modest.

SO coming out of my G rated hiatus to this book, by this author?





I made a great choice.

Actually I made a stellar choice because I listened to the audiobook, and not only was the male narrator actually Irish (which... ]]> 4.23 2021 Carnal Urges (Queens & Monsters, #2)
author: J.T. Geissinger
name: Milla
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at: 2022/05/14
date added: 2022/05/16
shelves: a-is-for-alpha, enemies-to-lovers, funny-as-all-hell, ladies-i-love, mafia, straight-up-romance
review:
�4 stars�

Well I'll be damned...

Listen, I've basically been on hiatus for the better part of a year because I started watching Turkish soap operas/romances and they're so goddamn addicting I couldn't focus on books anymore. But one area where they don't match romance reading energy: physical relationships.

Turkish shows are very chaste and very modest.

SO coming out of my G rated hiatus to this book, by this author?





I made a great choice.

Actually I made a stellar choice because I listened to the audiobook, and not only was the male narrator actually Irish (which...
]]> The Flatshare 36478784 Tiffy and Leon share a flat
Tiffy and Leon share a bed
Tiffy and Leon have never met�

Tiffy Moore needs a cheap flat, and fast. Leon Twomey works nights and needs cash. Their friends think they’re crazy, but it’s the perfect solution: Leon occupies the one-bed flat while Tiffy’s at work in the day, and she has the run of the place the rest of the time.

But with obsessive ex-boyfriends, demanding clients at work, wrongly imprisoned brothers and, of course, the fact that they still haven’t met yet, they’re about to discover that if you want the perfect home you need to throw the rulebook out the window…]]> 394 Beth O'Leary 1787474402 Milla 0 to-read 3.97 2019 The Flatshare
author: Beth O'Leary
name: Milla
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/05/14
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[With You Forever (Bergman Brothers, #4)]]> 57558144 Cozy up for a heartfelt, humorous, sizzling slow-burn in this marriage of convenience romance about finding love—and home—in the most unlikely of places.

Axel

Rooney Sullivan is sunshine incarnate. Warm, bright, always smiling, she’s everything I’m not and the last person I have any business desiring. Desperate to hide a hopeless attraction, I’ve done everything possible to keep my distance...until a charades game gone wrong brought that to a grinding halt.

Since then, steering clear of Rooney has been impossible. In a matter of months, she’s kissed me speechless, commandeered my art career, and infiltrated not only my dreams but my home. The woman who was once avoidable has become the last thing I needed: temptingly within reach.

Rooney

Axel Bergman is a gorgeous grump who doesn’t have the time of day for me. Thankfully, I’ve kept my crush under wraps...well, until I kissed him. Charades got away from me, okay? It was an accident! I haven’t seen him since, which is for the best. My life is a mess, and the last thing I need is to embarrass myself further with the man who avoids me like that’s his job rather than painting modern masterpieces.

It seems the universe, however, has a different plan. When Axel and I unexpectedly find our paths—and problems—converging, a marriage of convenience proves the perfect solution. At least, until I’m facing my most serious problem yet: a once-loveless marriage of convenience that’s inconveniently become a love match, after all.

​With You Forever is a sunshine and grump, marriage of convenience romance about a shy artist on the autism spectrum, and a smiley smartypants who has a chronic IBD. Complete with combustible cooking lessons, interfering family and friends, and a steamy slow burn, this standalone is the fourth in a series of novels about a Swedish-American family of five brothers, two sisters, and their wild adventures as they each find happily ever after.]]> 350 Chloe Liese Milla 0 on-pause-because-reasons
Sorry bout it ]]> 4.13 2021 With You Forever (Bergman Brothers, #4)
author: Chloe Liese
name: Milla
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at: 2022/05/02
date added: 2022/05/02
shelves: on-pause-because-reasons
review:
Putting this on pause because to my utter shock Rooney and Axel are just so goddamn boring I ’t force myself to even skim read this right now.

Sorry bout it
]]> <![CDATA[The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea]]> 58684519 You don’t really know a guy until you’ve vacationed with him�

When Drew Wilson’s ex-boyfriend Joel “Six� Bailey asks her to go on his family trip to Hawaii with him just as her life is falling apart, she decides it's the perfect time to give him another chance.

The hitch? The Bailey family includes Six’s rude older brother, Joshua—a hot-nerd doctor who has hated Drew since the moment they met and once suggested she’d steal the family silver.

Drew is determined to win the Baileys over and give this thing with Six a fair shot…but Joshua is making that difficult. Not simply because he is in her way at every turn, but because—as one tropical adventure leads to the next—she’s beginning to wonder if obnoxious, odious Joshua might be the brother she actually belongs with.]]> 319 Elizabeth O'Roark Milla 4 �4.5 stars�

Wow, hello? Is this the old me?? Starting and finishing a book in one day?! Love to see it, I probably won't read another for a month again lol but I'm glad this is what broke my lil hiatus brain.

I kinda knew this would be great, what with coming onto goodreads for the first time in a while this week and seeing every single person shitting their pants over how much they loved it. But usually I'm in the minority with books, I love the ones everyone hates, and I hate the ones everyone loves.

But not this time!

Admittedly, I didn't really like either character in the first quarter of the book. They either bored me or felt kinda cringy. But by the midway point, when they were calling back those "cringy" things they said at the beginning as flirting/inside jokes, I was sold.


Had a lovely time, this will probably make a great re-read in the future. Yay.]]> 4.36 The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
author: Elizabeth O'Roark
name: Milla
average rating: 4.36
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2022/04/22
date added: 2022/04/23
shelves: contemporary, enemies-to-lovers, generally-a-great-time, gotta-love-angst, straight-up-romance
review:
�4.5 stars�

Wow, hello? Is this the old me?? Starting and finishing a book in one day?! Love to see it, I probably won't read another for a month again lol but I'm glad this is what broke my lil hiatus brain.

I kinda knew this would be great, what with coming onto goodreads for the first time in a while this week and seeing every single person shitting their pants over how much they loved it. But usually I'm in the minority with books, I love the ones everyone hates, and I hate the ones everyone loves.

But not this time!

Admittedly, I didn't really like either character in the first quarter of the book. They either bored me or felt kinda cringy. But by the midway point, when they were calling back those "cringy" things they said at the beginning as flirting/inside jokes, I was sold.


Had a lovely time, this will probably make a great re-read in the future. Yay.
]]> <![CDATA[The Year We Fell Down (The Ivy Years, #1)]]> 46019039 Alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here

The sport she loves is out of reach. The boy she loves has someone else. What now?

She expected to start Harkness College as a varsity ice hockey player. But a serious accident means that Corey Callahan will start school in a wheelchair instead.

Across the hall, in the other handicapped-accessible dorm room, lives the too-delicious-to-be real Adam Hartley, another would-be hockey star with his leg broken in two places. He's way out of Corey's league.

Also, he's taken.

Nevertheless, an unlikely alliance blooms between Corey and Hartley in McHerrin Hall. Over tequila, perilously balanced dining hall trays, and video games, the two cope with disappointments that nobody else understands.

They're just friends, of course, until one night when things fall apart. Or fall together. All Corey knows is that she's falling. Hard.

But will Hartley set aside his trophy girl to love someone as broken as Corey? If he won't, she will need to find the courage to make a life for herself at Harkness -- one which does not revolve around the sport she can no longer play, or the brown-eyed boy who's afraid to love her back.]]> 274 Sarina Bowen Milla 0 to-read 3.85 2014 The Year We Fell Down (The Ivy Years, #1)
author: Sarina Bowen
name: Milla
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2014
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/04/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> All Rhodes Lead Here 57605091 572 Mariana Zapata Milla 5 Updated review - April 2022

Just as sweet as the first time ]]> 4.24 2021 All Rhodes Lead Here
author: Mariana Zapata
name: Milla
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2022/04/22
date added: 2022/04/22
shelves:
review:
Updated review - April 2022

Just as sweet as the first time
]]> <![CDATA[When He's Sinful (The Olympus Pride, #3)]]> 57294254
There is only one person in the world who Camden Priest gives a damn about—Aspen. She’s his best friend, his anchor, his conscience, the very reason he’s sane. There’s only one secret he ever kept from her…he wants more than friendship. Knowing she doesn’t feel the same, he put a chokehold on his need for her. But when some asshole claims to be Aspen’s true mate and danger starts closing in on her, Camden’s control becomes precarious and platonic lines are crossed. He knows what he should do—leave it at a one-night stand to protect their friendship. He’s just not so sure he can.]]> 371 Suzanne Wright Milla 2 4.17 2022 When He's Sinful (The Olympus Pride, #3)
author: Suzanne Wright
name: Milla
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2022
rating: 2
read at: 2022/04/09
date added: 2022/04/09
shelves:
review:
Why do I keep reading these? It’s like bad reality tv, an addicting way to pass the time that you’d rather not think too hard about.
]]> <![CDATA[The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2)]]> 861326 1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, this author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London's most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry.
And in truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better...
—Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1814

But this time, the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn't just decided to marry—he's even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield—the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams...

Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands—and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister—but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony's lips touch hers, she's suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself...]]> 480 Julia Quinn Milla 5 3.98 2000 The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2)
author: Julia Quinn
name: Milla
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2000
rating: 5
read at: 2022/03/25
date added: 2022/03/30
shelves: couldn-t-put-it-down, generally-a-great-time, gotta-love-angst, historical-shit, ladies-i-love, best-in-the-series, best-fave-roms, enemies-to-lovers, straight-up-romance
review:
In anticipation of the new season dropping next week, time for a re-read
]]> The Ex Talk 53382168
When the struggling station needs a new concept, Shay proposes a show that her boss green-lights with excitement. On The Ex Talk, two exes will deliver relationship advice live, on air. Their boss decides Shay and Dominic are the perfect co-hosts, given how much they already despise each other. Neither loves the idea of lying to listeners, but it's this or unemployment. Their audience gets invested fast, and it's not long before The Ex Talk becomes a must-listen in Seattle and climbs podcast charts.

As the show gets bigger, so does their deception, especially when Shay and Dominic start to fall for each other. In an industry that values truth, getting caught could mean the end of more than just their careers.]]> 338 Rachel Lynn Solomon 0593200128 Milla 0 Sorry to this bookbut I'm tapping out.

I think if I had read this rather than listened to the audiobook, I could have actually enjoyed it but damn the audiobook narrator was not for me. I don't know how she managed to turn every single sentene into either super whiny or innaporpriately intimate. I was visibly cringing throuhgout lmao I'm so sorry lady.

Also this is my ageism showing but I'm not one of those people who enjoy a younger hero. Especially not a new grad jesus.
Have you met men?! They're already bad enough, we don't need the added complication of them no having lived enough to be mature and form healthy opinions on things. Sorry to this man-child. But it's a no for me dog.



The running masters joke had me laughing out loud though so I'll give the book that.]]> 3.74 2021 The Ex Talk
author: Rachel Lynn Solomon
name: Milla
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at: 2022/03/15
date added: 2022/03/15
shelves: dnf, contemporary, can-i-smack-this-girl
review:
Sorry to this bookbut I'm tapping out.

I think if I had read this rather than listened to the audiobook, I could have actually enjoyed it but damn the audiobook narrator was not for me. I don't know how she managed to turn every single sentene into either super whiny or innaporpriately intimate. I was visibly cringing throuhgout lmao I'm so sorry lady.

Also this is my ageism showing but I'm not one of those people who enjoy a younger hero. Especially not a new grad jesus.
Have you met men?! They're already bad enough, we don't need the added complication of them no having lived enough to be mature and form healthy opinions on things. Sorry to this man-child. But it's a no for me dog.



The running masters joke had me laughing out loud though so I'll give the book that.
]]> <![CDATA[Act Your Age, Eve Brown (The Brown Sisters, #3)]]> 51824384
Jacob Wayne is in control. Always. The bed and breakfast owner’s on a mission to dominate the hospitality industry—and he expects nothing less than perfection. So when a purple-haired tornado of a woman turns up out of the blue to interview for his open chef position, he tells her the brutal truth: not a chance in hell. Then she hits him with her car—supposedly by accident. Yeah, right.

Now his arm is broken, his B&B is understaffed, and the dangerously unpredictable Eve is fluttering around, trying to help. Before long, she’s infiltrated his work, his kitchen—and his spare bedroom. Jacob hates everything about it. Or rather, he should. Sunny, chaotic Eve is his natural-born nemesis, but the longer these two enemies spend in close quarters, the more their animosity turns into something else. Like Eve, the heat between them is impossible to ignore—and it’s melting Jacob’s frosty exterior.]]> 400 Talia Hibbert 0062941283 Milla 0 to-read 4.07 2021 Act Your Age, Eve Brown (The Brown Sisters, #3)
author: Talia Hibbert
name: Milla
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/03/07
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Reid (Vested Interest, #4) 40718281
Who is Reid Matthews?

A child, abandoned and unloved.
A teen, adrift and disregarded, using his superior tech skills for the wrong intentions.
A young adult, his future overshadowed by his prison record, his life an endless loop of loneliness.
Until he is given a second chance and a new life emerges.
A career he once thought he could only dream of, surrounded by people who show him that family and home aren’t simply words.
And a girl who shows him the greatest, most complex code he could ever write.
Love.]]> 272 Melanie Moreland Milla 0 to-read 4.23 2018 Reid (Vested Interest, #4)
author: Melanie Moreland
name: Milla
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2018
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/03/07
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[King of Thieves (Frat Wars, #1)]]> 58896219 We’re basically Romeo and Juliet. But dudes. And without all the dying.

Chad

Being VP of Sigma Beta Psi is wild. I get all the benefits of being in charge with hardly any of the responsibility.

Parties, pranks, and frat politics—college life has never been sweeter.

Until I meet Bailey Prince.

He has the face of a goddamn angel. I don’t know where he came from or why I’m so obsessed.

But I do know he’s a Kappa.

And our houses have a rivalry that’s written into legend.


Bailey

At Rho Kappa Tau, I’m a legacy.

It’s a lot of pressure, but I’ve always been responsible, never had that rebellious need to rock the boat, and I like it that way.

But after a party at Sigma—the jock frat—I meet Chad Doomsen, and for the first time in my life I want to step outside my square.

Our houses have always had a rivalry, but some of the guys seem to hate Chad specifically, and I don’t know why.

He’s surprisingly sweet and kind. At least to me.

I need to stay away. A relationship with Chad would be betraying the very legacy that brought me here.

But I ’t help myself. And it seems, neither can he.]]> 272 Saxon James Milla 3 4.12 2021 King of Thieves (Frat Wars, #1)
author: Saxon James
name: Milla
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2021
rating: 3
read at: 2021/11/14
date added: 2021/11/14
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1)]]> 57176464
Catalina Martín, finally, not single. Her family is happy to announce that she will bring her American boyfriend to her sister’s wedding. Everyone is invited to come and witness the most magical event of the year.

That would certainly be tomorrow’s headline in the local newspaper of the small Spanish town I came from. Or the epitaph on my tombstone, seeing the turn my life had taken in the span of a phone call.

Four weeks wasn’t a lot of time to find someone willing to cross the Atlantic–from NYC and all the way to Spain–for a wedding. Let alone, someone eager to play along my charade. But that didn’t mean I was desperate enough to bring the 6�4 blue eyed pain in my ass standing before me.

Aaron Blackford. The man whose main occupation was making my blood boil had just offered himself to be my date. Right after inserting his nose in my business, calling me delusional, and calling himself my best option. See? Outrageous. Aggravating. Blood boiling. And much to my total despair, also right. Which left me with a surly and extra large dilemma in my hands. Was it worth the suffering to bring my colleague and bane of my existence as my fake boyfriend to my sister’s wedding? Or was I better off coming clean and facing the consequences of my panic induced lie?

Like my abuela would say, que dios nos pille confesados.

The Spanish Love Deception is an enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating, SLOW-BURN romance. Perfect for those looking for a steamy slow-burn with the sweetest Happily Ever After.]]> 484 Elena Armas Milla 2 Soooo...... I don't want to be the one to say this but let's be honest. This was lowkey a poor mans Hating Game.




Ok listen, if you're gonna try to sell me enemies-to-lovers I better see some fuckin hate! I better see some master level pettiness. I better see a lot of awkward tension. I want an Eric and Sookie style situation where every time they interact you're thinking "ok smack him.... no wait... kiss..."

Don't tell me this is enemies-to-lovers and have it amount to nothing more than a side eye. And you better not have one of the MCs be blatantly and obviously in love with the other lmao and pretend like it's still enemies-to-lovers. Where's the enemies? Where's the hate? Because I don't see it at all. I spent this whole read frustrated that this book was trying to convince me that it's something that it's not, while simultaneously freakin irritated that Catalina apparently goes through the world with blinders on.

I wanted to like this book. I really did.

I love enemies-to-lovers, and I love, love, LOVE fake dating or marriage of convenience shit. That's my catnip forever, I can't get enough. But from the literal opening line of the book, it's clear that our Henry Cavill look alike is obsessed with Lina and goes very far out of his way to do things for her. These tropes only really succeed if the Feels sneak up on the MCs. Or both parties are lovable dummies who don't realize that (in a fictional world... don't let anyone tell you this shit is healthy irl) love and hate share a very fine line.

So what we got here was Lina, a silly girl who internal monologues too much, completely oblivious to Aarons love for her because... reasons. Granted it's a pretty good reason to put someone on your shit list, it's absolutely not enough of a thing to hang an entire trope on.


And while this is entirely subjective, but since there wasn't any true enemies-to-lovers style tension... that meant there was no real chemistry here. Even Lina monologuing the same fuckin content over and over again in her head couldn't sell me on these two. It just draaaaagged...



Not to mention! It took me 5 days to read this. FIVE! This is a day and a half book at best and yet I fuckin struggled and forced myself to read it...


And honestly, if we're getting nit picky here, once Aaron let the 'baby's loose, I knew I was done. And I actually like that term of endearment in books! But coming from him, I cringed every time. His characterization in particular just didn't work for me. Too all over the place.

“Yes. It’s all because of you. It’s you who makes my cock this hard. And it’s you who makes my heart want to plunder out of my chest with a brief touch or a simple look. But it’s nothing to be scared of. We are in this together, remember?�





Sorry y'all. T'wasn't for me. But a ton of other people loved it so what do I know!]]> 4.11 2021 The Spanish Love Deception (Spanish Love Deception, #1)
author: Elena Armas
name: Milla
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2021
rating: 2
read at: 2021/02/28
date added: 2021/11/13
shelves:
review:
Soooo...... I don't want to be the one to say this but let's be honest. This was lowkey a poor mans Hating Game.




Ok listen, if you're gonna try to sell me enemies-to-lovers I better see some fuckin hate! I better see some master level pettiness. I better see a lot of awkward tension. I want an Eric and Sookie style situation where every time they interact you're thinking "ok smack him.... no wait... kiss..."

Don't tell me this is enemies-to-lovers and have it amount to nothing more than a side eye. And you better not have one of the MCs be blatantly and obviously in love with the other lmao and pretend like it's still enemies-to-lovers. Where's the enemies? Where's the hate? Because I don't see it at all. I spent this whole read frustrated that this book was trying to convince me that it's something that it's not, while simultaneously freakin irritated that Catalina apparently goes through the world with blinders on.

I wanted to like this book. I really did.

I love enemies-to-lovers, and I love, love, LOVE fake dating or marriage of convenience shit. That's my catnip forever, I can't get enough. But from the literal opening line of the book, it's clear that our Henry Cavill look alike is obsessed with Lina and goes very far out of his way to do things for her. These tropes only really succeed if the Feels sneak up on the MCs. Or both parties are lovable dummies who don't realize that (in a fictional world... don't let anyone tell you this shit is healthy irl) love and hate share a very fine line.

So what we got here was Lina, a silly girl who internal monologues too much, completely oblivious to Aarons love for her because... reasons. Granted it's a pretty good reason to put someone on your shit list, it's absolutely not enough of a thing to hang an entire trope on.


And while this is entirely subjective, but since there wasn't any true enemies-to-lovers style tension... that meant there was no real chemistry here. Even Lina monologuing the same fuckin content over and over again in her head couldn't sell me on these two. It just draaaaagged...



Not to mention! It took me 5 days to read this. FIVE! This is a day and a half book at best and yet I fuckin struggled and forced myself to read it...


And honestly, if we're getting nit picky here, once Aaron let the 'baby's loose, I knew I was done. And I actually like that term of endearment in books! But coming from him, I cringed every time. His characterization in particular just didn't work for me. Too all over the place.

“Yes. It’s all because of you. It’s you who makes my cock this hard. And it’s you who makes my heart want to plunder out of my chest with a brief touch or a simple look. But it’s nothing to be scared of. We are in this together, remember?�





Sorry y'all. T'wasn't for me. But a ton of other people loved it so what do I know!
]]> <![CDATA[The Unwanted Wife (Unwanted, #1)]]> 17346553
Delicate, titian-haired Theresa Noble has met her father’s associates in the past, but the gorgeous, Italian-born Sandro De Lucci leaves her speechless. Eighteen months into their marriage, however, Sandro has turned to ice. Desperate to escape a relationship that has proven to be as stubbornly passionate as it is cold and hateful, Theresa summons up the courage to ask for a divorce. But before he’ll grant her request, Sandro demands something from Theresa: a son.

The stalemate sickens her. Never mind that Sandro has yet to introduce Theresa to the large family that means so much to him. Or that Theresa overhears her husband on the phone with a mystery woman. Most damning is that Theresa senses, in Sandro’s treatment of her, the behind-the-scenes machinations of Jackson Noble, her cruel father. From the depths of her anxiety, Theresa must seek an empowering truth about the husband who calls her, with such cold affection, his cara, his beloved.

Revised edition: This edition of The Unwanted Wife includes editorial revisions.]]> 247 Natasha Anders 1477868062 Milla 3
I have a thousand thoughts, but Mel's review actually summarized every single one of my feelings so tbh just read that ]]> 3.66 2012 The Unwanted Wife (Unwanted, #1)
author: Natasha Anders
name: Milla
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2012
rating: 3
read at: 2021/11/11
date added: 2021/11/12
shelves: can-i-smack-this-girl, gotta-love-angst, this-guy-sucks
review:
Y'know what, I didn't have a bad time.

I have a thousand thoughts, but Mel's review actually summarized every single one of my feelings so tbh just read that
]]> <![CDATA[Heartache and Hope (Heartache Duet, #1)]]> 45457966 She just doesn’t know it yet.
Just like she doesn’t know a thing about the boy she sits next to on the first day of senior year.
He thinks she’s a brat.
She thinks he’s entitled.
Maybe first impressions don’t always last�
Because Connor Ledger’s about to save her.
He just doesn’t know why.]]> 324 Jay McLean 1922796271 Milla 3 4.10 2019 Heartache and Hope (Heartache Duet, #1)
author: Jay McLean
name: Milla
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2021/11/10
date added: 2021/11/10
shelves:
review:
I should have just reread The Boys of Tommen�..
]]> <![CDATA[Marrying Winterborne (The Ravenels, #2)]]> 26242354 A ruthless tycoon.

Savage ambition has brought common-born Rhys Winterborne vast wealth and success. In business and beyond, Rhys gets exactly what he wants. And from the moment he meets the shy, aristocratic Lady Helen Ravenel, he is determined to possess her. If he must take her virtue to ensure she marries him, so much the better . . .

A sheltered beauty.

Helen has had little contact with the glittering, cynical world of London society. Yet Rhys’s determined seduction awakens an intense mutual passion. Helen’s gentle upbringing belies a stubborn conviction that only she can tame her unruly husband. As Rhys’s enemies conspire against them, Helen must trust him with her darkest secret. The risks are unthinkable . . . the reward, a lifetime of incomparable bliss.

And it all begins with . . . marrying Mr. Winterborne]]> 380 Lisa Kleypas 0062371843 Milla 3 meh, not-awful-but-not-good �3 stars�

"I can't be a gentleman," he said hoarsely. "Not even for you."
"You don't have to be a gentleman. Only gentle."


Yeah, so uh....



This 't'wasn't for me folks! I wanted to like this, I really did. I've been on a HR kick these days and I'm having a great time. Historical romances are almost always the same, and we've got two options for the hero: a playboy rogue who never wants to get married for reasons. Or a brutish dark haired low-born entrepreneur who worked so hard and is now the richest bitch ever.

And the heroines are either a snarky not-like-other-girls, book learning, smart feminist, or she's a mouse who somehow in all her quiet nature seems to ensnare this larger than life man who always takes up all the space in the room lmao.

These days I'm enjoying reading books where I know exactly what I'm getting so I don't have a problem with this formula. And I'm fine with a soft spoken, naive, shy heroine. So Helen was fine for me. I had absolutely no issues with her, in fact, I almost liked her!

But our hero, Rys... he was giving "what you order from wish vs. when it arrives". Very that. I'm told he's this big brute of a Welshman, with a foul temper, cannot be refined wolf of a man. What I got was... a pussy tbh lmaooo

We all love a hero who gets soft for a heroine, but that needs to be a journey. You can't just start page one and have him waxing poetic about her hair, loving her so much he'd die for her and how he's getting a semi looking at her gloveless, fragile wrists and shit! This meant there was absolutely no development in their their relationship. No peaks and valleys, no journey whatsoever.

Every single plot point, in terms of them getting together, started in the first chapter and ended by chapter 5. And all this "plot" took place within an hour lmao

Which brings me to my other frustration, I'm not a fan of being dropped into a relationship that's almost entirely developed. And maybe that's my fault, and we saw the beginning stages of their relationship in the first book and I'm just the stupid bitch who reads every series out of order. But I thought this would be a standalone, and I have a feeling that we didn't really see much of them getting together in the first book.

However, I gave this book a chance and thought "I survived getting dropped into a relationship after it's already been established for a long time and I missed the whole falling in love part with Connor and Rose, I can make this work!"




Dumb bitch status solidified.

That's Connor and Rose. Easily one of the best pairings of all time. What happened with their book can't just be replicated and miraculously work every time.

So yes, I think I could have benefited from potentially reading the first book (if it had a lot of Rys/Helen content). And the book would have benefited from at least not starting when they're breaking up over a misunderstanding ]]> 4.07 2016 Marrying Winterborne (The Ravenels, #2)
author: Lisa Kleypas
name: Milla
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2021/10/21
date added: 2021/10/21
shelves: meh, not-awful-but-not-good
review:
�3 stars�

"I can't be a gentleman," he said hoarsely. "Not even for you."
"You don't have to be a gentleman. Only gentle."


Yeah, so uh....



This 't'wasn't for me folks! I wanted to like this, I really did. I've been on a HR kick these days and I'm having a great time. Historical romances are almost always the same, and we've got two options for the hero: a playboy rogue who never wants to get married for reasons. Or a brutish dark haired low-born entrepreneur who worked so hard and is now the richest bitch ever.

And the heroines are either a snarky not-like-other-girls, book learning, smart feminist, or she's a mouse who somehow in all her quiet nature seems to ensnare this larger than life man who always takes up all the space in the room lmao.

These days I'm enjoying reading books where I know exactly what I'm getting so I don't have a problem with this formula. And I'm fine with a soft spoken, naive, shy heroine. So Helen was fine for me. I had absolutely no issues with her, in fact, I almost liked her!

But our hero, Rys... he was giving "what you order from wish vs. when it arrives". Very that. I'm told he's this big brute of a Welshman, with a foul temper, cannot be refined wolf of a man. What I got was... a pussy tbh lmaooo

We all love a hero who gets soft for a heroine, but that needs to be a journey. You can't just start page one and have him waxing poetic about her hair, loving her so much he'd die for her and how he's getting a semi looking at her gloveless, fragile wrists and shit! This meant there was absolutely no development in their their relationship. No peaks and valleys, no journey whatsoever.

Every single plot point, in terms of them getting together, started in the first chapter and ended by chapter 5. And all this "plot" took place within an hour lmao

Which brings me to my other frustration, I'm not a fan of being dropped into a relationship that's almost entirely developed. And maybe that's my fault, and we saw the beginning stages of their relationship in the first book and I'm just the stupid bitch who reads every series out of order. But I thought this would be a standalone, and I have a feeling that we didn't really see much of them getting together in the first book.

However, I gave this book a chance and thought "I survived getting dropped into a relationship after it's already been established for a long time and I missed the whole falling in love part with Connor and Rose, I can make this work!"




Dumb bitch status solidified.

That's Connor and Rose. Easily one of the best pairings of all time. What happened with their book can't just be replicated and miraculously work every time.

So yes, I think I could have benefited from potentially reading the first book (if it had a lot of Rys/Helen content). And the book would have benefited from at least not starting when they're breaking up over a misunderstanding
]]> Brooklynaire (Brooklyn, #1) 35053870
For seven years Rebecca has brightened my office with her wit and her smile. She manages both my hockey team and my sanity. I don’t know when I started waking in the night, craving her. All I know is that one whiff of her perfume ruins my concentration. And her laugh makes me hard.

When Rebecca gets hurt, I step in to help. It’s what friends do. But what friends don’t do is rip off each others� clothes for a single, wild night together.

Now she’s avoiding me. She says we’re too different, and it can never happen again. So why ’t we keep our hands off each other?]]> 298 Sarina Bowen Milla 2 2.5 stars.

"... are you pissed off about the kiss? Or are you pissed that I stopped?"
"That's not an easy question!" Obviously.
His handsome forehead wrinkles with confusion. "But it's multiple choice!"


I think I must have read a different book than everyone else because why the hell does everyone love this book and I spent the entire time rage reading? And the only negative reviews I saw were for things I was totally fine with lmao so obviously I read the wrong thing and I feel offended.

Alright is going to be a full rant review. With a lot of run on sentences. You've been warned.




First of all, the title of this book, and the cover, are misleading. I really thought I was in for a goofy, fluffy, mostly porn without plot book based on the title alone. I mean c'mon? Brooklynaire?? That doesn't strike me as a fount of literary wonder and realism. And that cover. I have no words.

I was promised a goofy but good time. And I had neither! I had a bad and serious time!

I had two main issues with this story, and the first is in the title. Why on earth would you write a story about some tech hottie billionaire in Brooklyn and then try to somehow factor in realism in terms of office workplace romance ethics? Who on earth reads a billionaire story to read about the moral and ethical ramifications of doin it with your billionaire boss? The heroine lost her shit at the hero, who she's been close friends with for 7 years, because he paid off her $3,000 medical debt for an injury she sustained AT WORK.
What the hell is going on here. The heroines in billionaire stories should be pissed about accidentally walking around with $250,000 worth of diamonds on for dinner at a taco stand because her billionaire babe of a boyfriend said it was "vintage" and she took that to mean bought at the thrift store she frequents because she's lower middle class and relatable.

I very rarely read books about billionaires on purpose anymore. A) there's really no more ground to cover in terms of unearthing new facets of what it means to be a hotter than a model cool sexy guy with a stern brow who can't keep a girlfriend because childhood trauma or a dead mom or something and has too many zeros in his bank account. Been there done that. B) They're usually hella goofy to make up for the ridiculous reasons I just listed.
But I had just read a few more somber books so I thought why not read the book with the goofy title and goofy cover. It'll be a nice distraction! ]]> 4.06 2018 Brooklynaire (Brooklyn, #1)
author: Sarina Bowen
name: Milla
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2018
rating: 2
read at: 2021/10/12
date added: 2021/10/12
shelves: can-i-smack-this-girl, contemporary, not-awful-but-not-good, we-like-sports
review:
2.5 stars.

"... are you pissed off about the kiss? Or are you pissed that I stopped?"
"That's not an easy question!" Obviously.
His handsome forehead wrinkles with confusion. "But it's multiple choice!"


I think I must have read a different book than everyone else because why the hell does everyone love this book and I spent the entire time rage reading? And the only negative reviews I saw were for things I was totally fine with lmao so obviously I read the wrong thing and I feel offended.

Alright is going to be a full rant review. With a lot of run on sentences. You've been warned.




First of all, the title of this book, and the cover, are misleading. I really thought I was in for a goofy, fluffy, mostly porn without plot book based on the title alone. I mean c'mon? Brooklynaire?? That doesn't strike me as a fount of literary wonder and realism. And that cover. I have no words.

I was promised a goofy but good time. And I had neither! I had a bad and serious time!

I had two main issues with this story, and the first is in the title. Why on earth would you write a story about some tech hottie billionaire in Brooklyn and then try to somehow factor in realism in terms of office workplace romance ethics? Who on earth reads a billionaire story to read about the moral and ethical ramifications of doin it with your billionaire boss? The heroine lost her shit at the hero, who she's been close friends with for 7 years, because he paid off her $3,000 medical debt for an injury she sustained AT WORK.
What the hell is going on here. The heroines in billionaire stories should be pissed about accidentally walking around with $250,000 worth of diamonds on for dinner at a taco stand because her billionaire babe of a boyfriend said it was "vintage" and she took that to mean bought at the thrift store she frequents because she's lower middle class and relatable.

I very rarely read books about billionaires on purpose anymore. A) there's really no more ground to cover in terms of unearthing new facets of what it means to be a hotter than a model cool sexy guy with a stern brow who can't keep a girlfriend because childhood trauma or a dead mom or something and has too many zeros in his bank account. Been there done that. B) They're usually hella goofy to make up for the ridiculous reasons I just listed.
But I had just read a few more somber books so I thought why not read the book with the goofy title and goofy cover. It'll be a nice distraction!
]]> Silent Blade (Kinsmen, #1) 6395945
On Meli Galdes' home planet, the struggle for power is a bloody, full-contact sport--in business and on the battlefield. For years her lethal skills have been a valuable asset in advancing her family's interests. She's more than earned her right to retire, but her kinsmen have one last favor to ask.

Kill the man who ruined her life.

Celino Carvanna's razor-sharp business acumen--and skills with a blade--won him the freedom to do as he pleases. There's only one thing he can't seem to control--his reaction to the mysterious woman who tantalizes his senses. Her eyes alone set his blood simmering, stirring ridiculous adolescent fantasies about breasts and honey. With a few words she dissects his soul. Who is she? And how does she slide so easily under his well-guarded skin?

It's almost too easy to draw Celino within the kill zone. Meli plans to revel in him. Drink him in. Wring every drop of pleasure out of every moment.

And when she's sure he belongs to her, she will finally repay a decade's worth of pain--in a single, brutal dose of reality.]]> 42 Ilona Andrews 1605045748 Milla 0 to-read 3.90 2009 Silent Blade (Kinsmen, #1)
author: Ilona Andrews
name: Milla
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2009
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/10/11
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> She Drives Me Crazy 52515987 High school nemeses fall in love in this queer YA rom com perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Casey McQuiston.

After losing spectacularly to her ex-girlfriend in their first game since their break up, Scottie Zajac gets into a fender bender with the worst possible person: her nemesis, the incredibly beautiful and incredibly mean Irene Abraham. Things only get worse when their nosey, do-gooder moms get involved and the girls are forced to carpool together until Irene’s car gets out of the shop.

Their bumpy start the only gets bumpier the more time they spend together. But when an opportunity presents itself for Scottie to get back at her toxic ex (and climb her school’s social ladder at the same time), she bribes Irene into playing along. Hijinks, heartbreak, and gay fake-dating scheme for the ages. From author Kelly Quindlen comes a new laugh-out-loud romp through the ups and downs of teen romance.]]> 295 Kelly Quindlen 1250209153 Milla 3 enemies-to-lovers, meh, wlw �3 stars�

I was in the mood for a high school romance for the first time ever, and while this didn't really hit the spot, I think this book would be great for someone else.

The MCs were cute, but their romance didn't really pack a punch for me. This felt more like a story about grieving the end of relationships with toxic partners, rather than of Scottie and Irene getting together.

]]> 4.02 2021 She Drives Me Crazy
author: Kelly Quindlen
name: Milla
average rating: 4.02
book published: 2021
rating: 3
read at: 2021/10/10
date added: 2021/10/11
shelves: enemies-to-lovers, meh, wlw
review:
�3 stars�

I was in the mood for a high school romance for the first time ever, and while this didn't really hit the spot, I think this book would be great for someone else.

The MCs were cute, but their romance didn't really pack a punch for me. This felt more like a story about grieving the end of relationships with toxic partners, rather than of Scottie and Irene getting together.


]]> <![CDATA[The Charm Offensive (The Charm Offensive, #1)]]> 56898248 Ever After. As the most successful producer in the franchise’s history, Dev always scripts the perfect love story for his contestants, even as his own love life crashes and burns. But then the show casts disgraced tech wunderkind Charlie Winshaw as its star.

Charlie is far from the romantic Prince Charming Ever After expects. He doesn’t believe in true love, and only agreed to the show as a last-ditch effort to rehabilitate his image. In front of the cameras, he’s a stiff, anxious mess with no idea how to date twenty women on national television. Behind the scenes, he’s cold, awkward, and emotionally closed-off.

As Dev fights to get Charlie to connect with the contestants on a whirlwind, worldwide tour, they begin to open up to each other, and Charlie realizes he has better chemistry with Dev than with any of his female co-stars. But even reality TV has a script, and in order to find to happily ever after, they’ll have to reconsider whose love story gets told.

In this witty and heartwarming romantic comedy—reminiscent of Red, White & Royal Blue and One to Watch—an awkward tech wunderkind on a reality dating show goes off-script when sparks fly with his producer.]]> 354 Alison Cochrun 1982170719 Milla 0 to-read 4.11 2021 The Charm Offensive (The Charm Offensive, #1)
author: Alison Cochrun
name: Milla
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/10/11
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Ivan (Underworld, #1) 57520096
She crept into my room with a syringe full of poison.

Now she’s my prisoner.

She refuses to tell me who sent her or why.

But I’ll get every last secret out of her. Through pleasure or through punishment.

I captured her and now she belongs to me�

“Ivan� is a dark and dominating mafia romance, Book 1 in the Underworld series. It’s a stand-alone novel, full of intrigue, danger, and sexy bedroom scenes. Contains spanking, so if such material offends you, do not read.]]> 219 Sophie Lark Milla 4 3.78 2020 Ivan (Underworld, #1)
author: Sophie Lark
name: Milla
average rating: 3.78
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2021/10/10
date added: 2021/10/10
shelves: generally-a-great-time, insta-love, mafia
review:
This was slightly goofy but gave big Jessica Gadziala vibes so I had a great time.
]]> <![CDATA[Because You're Mine (Capitol Theatre, #2)]]> 114172 "I don't care about your conscience. All I want is for you to kiss me again."

Lady Madeline Matthews would rather shame herself than sacrifice her freedom—which is why, to avoid a marriage to an aging, lecherous lord, she seeks out the company of Logan Scott. A torrid affair with the notorious womanizer would surely condemn her in the eyes of good society.

Though a legend in the bedchamber, Logan is, in truth, an intensely private man tormented by past betrayals. Now a forward little minx is disrupting his life with her vibrant charm and unspoiled beauty, a high-spirited enchantress completely at sea in London's sophisticated whirl. But when what begins with a kiss threatens to blossom into something more rapturous and real, will Logan and Madeline have the courage to drop the masks they hide behind in the name of love?


Librarian's Note: this is an alternate cover edition - ISBN 10: 0380781441; ISBN 13: 9780380781447]]> 376 Lisa Kleypas Milla 0 to-read 3.94 1997 Because You're Mine (Capitol Theatre, #2)
author: Lisa Kleypas
name: Milla
average rating: 3.94
book published: 1997
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/10/06
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Suddenly You 6481157
Jack Delvin′s determination to possess Amanda became greater when she discovered his true identity. But gently-bred Amanda craved respectability more than she admitted, while Jack, the cast-off son of a nobleman and London′s most notorious businessman, refused to live by society′s rules. Yet when fate conspired for them to marry, their worlds collided with a passionate force neither had expected...but both soon craved.]]> 384 Lisa Kleypas 0061793094 Milla 4 �4.5 stars�

"But someday, peaches, your romantic side will triumph over your practical nature. And I hope that I'm there when it happens."


Yeah, I loved this story. I really wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as it did, especially when it has such mixed reviews. And honestly it wasn't even the blurb or the little misunderstanding hook that made me love it. Something about Amanda and Jack just really got to me. I loved each characters individually (Amanda is definitely an autistic headcanon for me), I loved their banter, and I love the way their relationship progressed.

The angst deffs got to me though lmao I have to admit I may or may not have shed a tear.

Tbh I don't know why I said RTC... head empty, too happy.]]> 4.09 2000 Suddenly You
author: Lisa Kleypas
name: Milla
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2000
rating: 4
read at: 2021/10/06
date added: 2021/10/06
shelves:
review:
�4.5 stars�

"But someday, peaches, your romantic side will triumph over your practical nature. And I hope that I'm there when it happens."


Yeah, I loved this story. I really wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as it did, especially when it has such mixed reviews. And honestly it wasn't even the blurb or the little misunderstanding hook that made me love it. Something about Amanda and Jack just really got to me. I loved each characters individually (Amanda is definitely an autistic headcanon for me), I loved their banter, and I love the way their relationship progressed.

The angst deffs got to me though lmao I have to admit I may or may not have shed a tear.

Tbh I don't know why I said RTC... head empty, too happy.
]]> <![CDATA[Written in the Stars (Written in the Stars, #1)]]> 51179990 With nods to Bridget Jones and Pride and Prejudice, a charming #ownvoices queer rom-com debut about a free-spirited social media astrologer who agrees to fake a relationship with an uptight actuary until New Year’s Eve—with results not even the stars could predict!

After a disastrous blind date, Darcy Lowell is desperate to stop her well-meaning brother from playing matchmaker ever again. Love—and the inevitable heartbreak—is the last thing she wants. So she fibs and says her latest set up was a success. Darcy doesn’t expect her lie to bite her in the ass.

Elle Jones, one of the astrologers behind the popular Twitter account, Oh My Stars, dreams of finding her soul mate. But she knows it is most assuredly not Darcy... a no-nonsense stick-in-the-mud, who is way too analytical, punctual, and skeptical for someone as free-spirited as Elle. When Darcy’s brother—and Elle's new business partner—expresses how happy he is that they hit it off, Elle is baffled. Was Darcy on the same date? Because... awkward.

When Darcy begs Elle to play along, she agrees to pretend they’re dating to save face. But with a few conditions: Darcy must help Elle navigate her own overbearing family over the holidays and their arrangement expires on New Year’s Eve. The last thing they expect is to develop real feelings during a fake relationship.

But maybe opposites can attract when true love is written in the stars?]]> 370 Alexandria Bellefleur 0063000806 Milla 4 3.85 2020 Written in the Stars (Written in the Stars, #1)
author: Alexandria Bellefleur
name: Milla
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2021/09/30
date added: 2021/10/02
shelves: dynamic-as-hell, generally-a-great-time, wlw
review:

]]> The Love Hypothesis 56732449
That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor--and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford's reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive's career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding... six-pack abs.

Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.]]> 356 Ali Hazelwood 0593336828 Milla 5 �4.5 stars�

"It hit her then what was so special about Adam. That no matter his reputation, or how rocky their first meeting, since the very beginning, Olive had felt that he was on her side. Over and over, and in ways that she could never have anticipated, he had made her feel unjudged. Less alone."





I absolutely blew through this book.

I was actually terrified that I wasn't going to like it, based on how most hyper anticipated contemporary romances never live up to your expectations (*cough cough* The Spanish Love Deception).
But this book got everything right.

� fake dating!
� chemistry af
� grumpy one and a snarky but sunshine one
� mutual pining
� forced close quarters
� great banter
� fake! dating!!!

I loved Olive. I loved Adam. I loved them separately and together. I couldn't help but draw comparisons to TLSD while I was reading for some reason and this book succeeded in a lot of ways that the other decidedly did not. And one shining example of that were the sex scenes. When Adam gets down to it (pun intended), he doesn't lose his personality. When he starts talking, it feels very much like a reveal. Like �tadaaaa Adam is secretly super sexy underneath all that brooding� without it feeling out of left field.

Also tell me a pet name/ term of endearment better than "smart-ass". We're so lucky. After a year of hearing "baby" (used poorly) "buddy" and all manner of stupid shit, smart-ass killed me dead.

.5 stars off though for the warp speed wrap up of an ending. *ahem* attention all contemporary writers! I don't know if this slipped your notice at some point, but us romance readers are, shockingly, in it for the romance. I wanna see the couple actually together. I don't want to infer what happens after "I love you". We're specifically here to see that shit!!! Why are you holding out on me?!?]]> 4.11 2021 The Love Hypothesis
author: Ali Hazelwood
name: Milla
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2021/09/20
date added: 2021/09/24
shelves: contemporary, generally-a-great-time, relationship-of-convenience
review:
�4.5 stars�

"It hit her then what was so special about Adam. That no matter his reputation, or how rocky their first meeting, since the very beginning, Olive had felt that he was on her side. Over and over, and in ways that she could never have anticipated, he had made her feel unjudged. Less alone."





I absolutely blew through this book.

I was actually terrified that I wasn't going to like it, based on how most hyper anticipated contemporary romances never live up to your expectations (*cough cough* The Spanish Love Deception).
But this book got everything right.

� fake dating!
� chemistry af
� grumpy one and a snarky but sunshine one
� mutual pining
� forced close quarters
� great banter
� fake! dating!!!

I loved Olive. I loved Adam. I loved them separately and together. I couldn't help but draw comparisons to TLSD while I was reading for some reason and this book succeeded in a lot of ways that the other decidedly did not. And one shining example of that were the sex scenes. When Adam gets down to it (pun intended), he doesn't lose his personality. When he starts talking, it feels very much like a reveal. Like �tadaaaa Adam is secretly super sexy underneath all that brooding� without it feeling out of left field.

Also tell me a pet name/ term of endearment better than "smart-ass". We're so lucky. After a year of hearing "baby" (used poorly) "buddy" and all manner of stupid shit, smart-ass killed me dead.

.5 stars off though for the warp speed wrap up of an ending. *ahem* attention all contemporary writers! I don't know if this slipped your notice at some point, but us romance readers are, shockingly, in it for the romance. I wanna see the couple actually together. I don't want to infer what happens after "I love you". We're specifically here to see that shit!!! Why are you holding out on me?!?
]]> <![CDATA[The Lie (The Wolves: A Football Dynasty, #1)]]> 58675126
Especially not hotheaded tight ends with tattoos and impulse control problems.

That’s why Dominic Walker is completely off my radar. Sort of.

Babysitting the team troublemaker when he’s forced to volunteer for the foundation where I work means I ’t exactly avoid him.

I wish I had though. Because once I get to know Dominic, it’s almost impossible to ignore the feelings he brings out in me.

Pretty soon, I’m breaking all my rules. I just have to hope he doesn’t break my heart in the process.]]> 296 Karla Sorensen Milla 0 dnf 4.16 2021 The Lie (The Wolves: A Football Dynasty, #1)
author: Karla Sorensen
name: Milla
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at: 2021/09/21
date added: 2021/09/21
shelves: dnf
review:

]]> <![CDATA[It Happened One Summer (Bellinger Sisters, #1)]]> 55706166 Tessa Bailey is back with a Schitt’s Creek-inspired rom-com about a Hollywood “It Girl� who’s cut off from her wealthy family and exiled to a small Pacific Northwest beach town... where she butts heads with a surly, sexy local who thinks she doesn’t belong.

Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When too much champagne and an out-of-control rooftop party lands Piper in the slammer, her stepfather decides enough is enough. So he cuts her off, and sends Piper and her sister to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar... in Washington.

Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. So what if Piper ’t do math, and the idea of sleeping in a shabby apartment with bunk beds gives her hives. How bad could it really be? She’s determined to show her stepfather—and the hot, grumpy local—that she’s more than a pretty face.

Except it’s a small town and everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The fun-loving socialite and the gruff fisherman are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them. Piper doesn’t want any distractions, especially feelings for a man who sails off into the sunset for weeks at a time. Yet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. LA is calling her name, but Brendan—and this town full of memories—may have already caught her heart.]]> 379 Tessa Bailey Milla 5 �4.5 stars�

"He'd come to find the high-maintenance-socialite aspect of her personality...well, adorable. She owned it. Wasn't apologetic about hating manual labour or her love of overpriced shoes and selfies."


Well damn. I think I wrote Tessa Bailey off a long time ago as just a smut writer and didn't bother reading any of her proper novels. And what a moron I was, because this was incredible!




Ok let's be honest, Piper stole the whole damn show here.

What an icon. Truly I love her. And the audiobook narrator totally brought her to life.
You cannot tell me Piper isn't the absolute star of the book and I'm glad that every damn character fell in love with her the same way I did. The character growth! The loyalty! The determination! Kinda shows how much of a wizard Tessa Bailey for writing a character that 99% of romance readers usually hate and wrote her in a way that made it impossible to feel anything other than an urge to protect this girl from any meanies.


This book also served the ultimate small town fantasy that so many other authors try but don't always successfully execute. All the side characters were freakin adorable and you really got a good feel for how the town runs without spending too much time on side plots.

There are a few things that I would have changed, like not having everything happen in 6 weeks rather than at least 3 months, having the audiobook be a duet narration, and completely removing that stupid fuckin conflict at the end. But those are small gripes and did nothing to truly detract from how great this was.




And finally.... I never forgot how Tessa Bailey is the queen of smut but still... omg ]]> 4.05 2021 It Happened One Summer (Bellinger Sisters, #1)
author: Tessa Bailey
name: Milla
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2021/07/17
date added: 2021/09/20
shelves: contemporary, couldn-t-put-it-down, generally-a-great-time, ladies-i-love, straight-up-romance, enemies-to-lovers
review:
�4.5 stars�

"He'd come to find the high-maintenance-socialite aspect of her personality...well, adorable. She owned it. Wasn't apologetic about hating manual labour or her love of overpriced shoes and selfies."


Well damn. I think I wrote Tessa Bailey off a long time ago as just a smut writer and didn't bother reading any of her proper novels. And what a moron I was, because this was incredible!




Ok let's be honest, Piper stole the whole damn show here.

What an icon. Truly I love her. And the audiobook narrator totally brought her to life.
You cannot tell me Piper isn't the absolute star of the book and I'm glad that every damn character fell in love with her the same way I did. The character growth! The loyalty! The determination! Kinda shows how much of a wizard Tessa Bailey for writing a character that 99% of romance readers usually hate and wrote her in a way that made it impossible to feel anything other than an urge to protect this girl from any meanies.


This book also served the ultimate small town fantasy that so many other authors try but don't always successfully execute. All the side characters were freakin adorable and you really got a good feel for how the town runs without spending too much time on side plots.

There are a few things that I would have changed, like not having everything happen in 6 weeks rather than at least 3 months, having the audiobook be a duet narration, and completely removing that stupid fuckin conflict at the end. But those are small gripes and did nothing to truly detract from how great this was.




And finally.... I never forgot how Tessa Bailey is the queen of smut but still... omg
]]> Exposed (VIP, #4) 44418486 Brenna

There are some people in life who know exactly how to push your buttons. For me, it’s Rye Peterson. We ’t spend more than ten minutes together before we’re at each other’s throats, which makes working together that much harder. Rye is the bassist for Kill John, the biggest rock band in the world, and I am his publicist. It doesn’t help that the man is gorgeous, funny, talented, and…never takes anything seriously. Avoidance is key.

But everything changes when he overhears something he shouldn’t: a confession made in a moment of weakness. Now the man I’ve tried so hard to ignore is offering me the greatest temptation of all—him.

Rye

Brenna James is the one. The one I ’t have. The one I ’t get out of my mind. Believe me, I’ve tried; the woman loathes me. I managed well enough—until I heard her say she’s as lonely as I am. That she needed to be touched, held, satisfied. And I could no longer deny the truth: I wanted to be the one to give her what she craved.

I convinced her that it would just be sex, mutual satisfaction with nothing deeper. But the moment I have her, she becomes my world. I’ve never given her a good reason to trust me before. Now, I’ve got to show Brenna that we’re so much better together than we ever were apart.

Things are going to get messy. But getting messy with Brenna is what I do best.]]> 313 Kristen Callihan Milla 5 �5 stars�

Yes, five. Saying the following with my whole chest: this is the best book in the series. Brenna and Rye shit on every other couple periodt.





"We've been like two magnets facing south, repelling because we can't do anything else. Then I overheard what you needed, and I flipped north. Toward you."



I didn't sleep last night (mostly because I was reading this book but also because my stupid baby thinks 4am is a great time to want to spend time together), so I can't get my scrambled thoughts together enough to explain why I loved this so much, but just know that I did. Loved it. So much.

✔️Enemies to lovers?
✔️Mutual pining?
✔️Fuck buddies premise that immediately dies because they've lowkey been in love for a decade?
✔️Rye being a soft sweet boy angel?
✔️Brenna being a bad ass with a marshmallow center?
✔️Minimal angst without being fluff?

Yes, please, thank you, I love you. Bye I'm taking a nap]]> 4.03 2021 Exposed (VIP, #4)
author: Kristen Callihan
name: Milla
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2021/08/03
date added: 2021/09/20
shelves: best-couples, best-fave-roms, best-in-the-series, couldn-t-put-it-down, generally-a-great-time, straight-up-romance, enemies-to-lovers
review:
�5 stars�

Yes, five. Saying the following with my whole chest: this is the best book in the series. Brenna and Rye shit on every other couple periodt.





"We've been like two magnets facing south, repelling because we can't do anything else. Then I overheard what you needed, and I flipped north. Toward you."



I didn't sleep last night (mostly because I was reading this book but also because my stupid baby thinks 4am is a great time to want to spend time together), so I can't get my scrambled thoughts together enough to explain why I loved this so much, but just know that I did. Loved it. So much.

✔️Enemies to lovers?
✔️Mutual pining?
✔️Fuck buddies premise that immediately dies because they've lowkey been in love for a decade?
✔️Rye being a soft sweet boy angel?
✔️Brenna being a bad ass with a marshmallow center?
✔️Minimal angst without being fluff?

Yes, please, thank you, I love you. Bye I'm taking a nap
]]> <![CDATA[Enemies with Benefits (Loveless Brothers #1)]]> 45838076
I don’t love him. I don’t even like him. I just want him.

Eli Loveless was my nemesis from the first day of kindergarten until we graduated high school. Everything I did, he had to do better - and vice versa. The day he left town was the best day of my life. Ten years later, the day he came back was the worst. Now he’s my co-worker. Grown-up Eli Loveless is sexy as sin. He’s hotter than asphalt in the summer. The irritating kid I once knew is gone, and he’s been replaced by a man with green eyes, perfect abs, and a cocky smile. It’s bad that I want him. It’s worse that he wants me back. There are looks. There are smirks. There are smiles that make my panties burst into flame. And then there’s a shared kiss that leads to the hottest night of my life. This is no office romance. This is a five-alarm fire. What’s a girl to do when the man I ’t stand is the one I ’t stop lusting after? Enter into a friends-with-benefits agreement, of course. No dates. No relationship. Just blisteringly hot sex, because if there’s one person I could never fall for, it’s Eli.... right?

Enemies with Benefits is the first book in the Loveless Brothers series, and can be read as a total standalone. It's for fans of high-heat, low-angst romantic comedies and anyone who enjoys a rivals-to-lovers story. This book also has tons of sibling banter, a workplace romance that smolders, and a small town with tons of charm and quirk. It's steamy, hilarious, and of course it's got a guaranteed HEA. (And yes, it bangs.)]]> 434 Roxie Noir Milla 4 4 stars!

Well, "friends". It'll have to do as a moniker, because I don't know another word for "person who irritates the living daylights out of me until she takes her clothes off, at which point she becomes my own personal sex goddess, custom-built to satiate my physical desires."



Solid enemies to lovers outing here folks. More specifically this was enemies-to-lovers-to-romantic-lovers. They were great as enemies, and even better in a relationship, I really enjoyed this couple. It took these two idiots a while to realize that their "fuck buddy" situationship was just a full blown relationship but I'll give them a pass because anytime they're near each other they revert into 10 year olds mentally.

This wasn't as funny or charismatic as I was hoping it would be, it felt a little dry despite the plot points being interesting but it wasn't bad enough to ruin the whole read for me. I may read the future books... (may not because if the spiciest set up of enemies to lovers was dry I can't imagine what a regular relationship would be like).]]> 4.01 2019 Enemies with Benefits (Loveless Brothers #1)
author: Roxie Noir
name: Milla
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2021/08/11
date added: 2021/09/20
shelves: contemporary, straight-up-romance, enemies-to-lovers
review:
4 stars!

Well, "friends". It'll have to do as a moniker, because I don't know another word for "person who irritates the living daylights out of me until she takes her clothes off, at which point she becomes my own personal sex goddess, custom-built to satiate my physical desires."



Solid enemies to lovers outing here folks. More specifically this was enemies-to-lovers-to-romantic-lovers. They were great as enemies, and even better in a relationship, I really enjoyed this couple. It took these two idiots a while to realize that their "fuck buddy" situationship was just a full blown relationship but I'll give them a pass because anytime they're near each other they revert into 10 year olds mentally.

This wasn't as funny or charismatic as I was hoping it would be, it felt a little dry despite the plot points being interesting but it wasn't bad enough to ruin the whole read for me. I may read the future books... (may not because if the spiciest set up of enemies to lovers was dry I can't imagine what a regular relationship would be like).
]]> <![CDATA[Broken Vow (Brutal Birthright, #5)]]> 55313082 I’ll Protect Her� Whether She Likes It Or Not.

Riona Griffin is gorgeous, intelligent, and iron-willed. My perfect woman, except she hates my guts.

She thinks she doesn’t need anybody. But she needs me.

She’s being hunted by an assassin who never misses his mark.

I’m going to stay by her side, day and night, keeping her safe. Riona thinks that’s a fate worse than death but I know she’ll learn to love me.

If this hitman wants to kill her, he’ll have to go through me first.

“Broken Vow� is the wild and dangerous fifth installment in the "Brutal Birthright" series. It's a standalone Bodyguard Mafia Romance, with a HEA and no cliffhanger. Contains steamy scenes.

The Lark Notes:

I knew I needed someone hot as hell to melt Riona’s icy heart. Raylan is a rancher, a soldier, and a southern boy with charm to burn. Best of all, he loves a challenge. My favorite parts to write were the fish-out-of-water scenes, when uptight Riona ends up on Raylan’s ranch. I loved finding creative ways for Raylan to use his riding crop...]]> 446 Sophie Lark Milla 5 �5 stars�

“I don’t want to trap you,� I say to Riona. “I want to unleash you. I want to set you free. I want to show you what you really are . . . �


I knew it. I knew this was a 5 star read.

Within the first few chapters I had a feeling this was gonna be good, and godDAMN the book did not disappoint.




Feels good to be right.

Broken Vow truly ticked all my boxes, it gave me everything I wanted and then some.

☑️Mafia romance
☑️Hard, take-no-shit heroine
☑️Sunshine and grumpy trope
☑️Forced contact
☑️Actual plot without stealing focus from the romance
☑️A sweet boy who's always rotating between
]]> 4.15 2020 Broken Vow (Brutal Birthright, #5)
author: Sophie Lark
name: Milla
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at: 2021/08/26
date added: 2021/09/20
shelves: actual-plot, best-couples, best-fave-roms, generally-a-great-time, ladies-i-love, mafia, straight-up-romance, enemies-to-lovers
review:
�5 stars�

“I don’t want to trap you,� I say to Riona. “I want to unleash you. I want to set you free. I want to show you what you really are . . . �


I knew it. I knew this was a 5 star read.

Within the first few chapters I had a feeling this was gonna be good, and godDAMN the book did not disappoint.




Feels good to be right.

Broken Vow truly ticked all my boxes, it gave me everything I wanted and then some.

☑️Mafia romance
☑️Hard, take-no-shit heroine
☑️Sunshine and grumpy trope
☑️Forced contact
☑️Actual plot without stealing focus from the romance
☑️A sweet boy who's always rotating between

]]> Rock Hard (Rock Kiss, #2) 23514316 In New York Times Bestselling author Nalini Singh’s newest contemporary romance, passion ignites between a gorgeous, sinfully sexy man who built himself up from nothing and a shy woman who has a terrible secret in her past�

Wealthy businessman Gabriel Bishop rules the boardroom with the same determination and ruthlessness that made him a rock star on the rugby field. He knows what he wants, and he’ll go after it no-holds-barred.

And what he wants is Charlotte Baird.

Charlotte knows she’s a mouse. Emotionally scarred and painfully shy, she just wants to do her job and remain as invisible as possible. But the new CEO—a brilliant, broad-shouldered T-Rex of a man who growls and storms through the office, leaving carnage in his wake—clearly has other plans. Plans that may be equal parts business and bedroom.

If Charlotte intends to survive this battle of wits and hearts, the mouse will have to learn to wrangle the T-Rex. Game on.]]> 387 Nalini Singh Milla 5 �5 stars forever and ever�

"If he was right, he had an even harder road ahead than he'd realized. Giving up, however, was simply not an option. He had decided on Charlotte.





This book gets better every. single. time. How is that possible? God I'm on my 4th re-read and I still love it as much as the first go around.

Let's get into that.

First things first we gotta give it up for trauma informed writing! As romance readers we see a lot of shitty things happen to heroines. Either for the plot, the backstory, the motivation, the determination of the character whatever. What we very rarely see though is authors who give a shit about their characters who've been brutalized as if they were a real person. Because guess what! The reader is. If 1 in 4 women has been sexually assaulted, you might wanna write your books with a little bit of care and show your reader that you give a shit that they might be that 1.

And Nalini Singh fucking gets it. Because damn, Charlotte felt like a real person who'd gone through something so traumatic and wanted desperately to move on, but just couldn't because these things stain you. Charlotte said broken but I won't use that term because I don't think we're broken at all. I think we're marked by what's happened to us, but we're whole.

Anyway! You can see all throughout the book how trauma informed the writing is. There's discussions of multiple rounds of therapy, how your brain will blame you for your assault even when you logically know it wasn't your fault, how PTSD can affect you in a thousand stupid ways you wouldn't imagine, how you can carry your scars and grow from them, and most important - that love doesn't heal all wounds. I know I complain about a lot of shit in books lmao but that one has the be the realest. Why the fuck authors act like someone could be traumatized out of their mind, but then out of nowhere she's able to put her trauma in her past simply by a hot guy giving her a good dicking.




That's some bullshit, Mary.

If it were that simple I'm pretty sure PTSD wouldn't exist lmao but luckily none of that to be found here! This book addresses Charlotte's trauma and very slowly over time shows how she actively works on healing. And more than that, Gabriel isn't the person who "fixes" her.

Charlotte was already doing the fucking work!

"It was a crutch, but as Molly had said, so what? If having the phone within reach allowed her to function, to step outside into the world, to not live in a cage, then no one had any right to judge her. It had taken Charlotte time, but she'd stopped judging herself for the need too."





Charlotte did the damn work and healed herself, but Gabriel gave her confidence to be strong. He gave her a safe space to fight back in small ways, until she felt big enough to fight the scarier stuff. And excuse me?? Is that not the ultimate dream of a hero?? ]]> 3.97 2015 Rock Hard (Rock Kiss, #2)
author: Nalini Singh
name: Milla
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2021/09/03
date added: 2021/09/20
shelves: a-is-for-alpha, best-couples, best-fave-roms, ladies-i-love, nice, straight-up-romance, tw, sweet-boy, enemies-to-lovers
review:
�5 stars forever and ever�

"If he was right, he had an even harder road ahead than he'd realized. Giving up, however, was simply not an option. He had decided on Charlotte.





This book gets better every. single. time. How is that possible? God I'm on my 4th re-read and I still love it as much as the first go around.

Let's get into that.

First things first we gotta give it up for trauma informed writing! As romance readers we see a lot of shitty things happen to heroines. Either for the plot, the backstory, the motivation, the determination of the character whatever. What we very rarely see though is authors who give a shit about their characters who've been brutalized as if they were a real person. Because guess what! The reader is. If 1 in 4 women has been sexually assaulted, you might wanna write your books with a little bit of care and show your reader that you give a shit that they might be that 1.

And Nalini Singh fucking gets it. Because damn, Charlotte felt like a real person who'd gone through something so traumatic and wanted desperately to move on, but just couldn't because these things stain you. Charlotte said broken but I won't use that term because I don't think we're broken at all. I think we're marked by what's happened to us, but we're whole.

Anyway! You can see all throughout the book how trauma informed the writing is. There's discussions of multiple rounds of therapy, how your brain will blame you for your assault even when you logically know it wasn't your fault, how PTSD can affect you in a thousand stupid ways you wouldn't imagine, how you can carry your scars and grow from them, and most important - that love doesn't heal all wounds. I know I complain about a lot of shit in books lmao but that one has the be the realest. Why the fuck authors act like someone could be traumatized out of their mind, but then out of nowhere she's able to put her trauma in her past simply by a hot guy giving her a good dicking.




That's some bullshit, Mary.

If it were that simple I'm pretty sure PTSD wouldn't exist lmao but luckily none of that to be found here! This book addresses Charlotte's trauma and very slowly over time shows how she actively works on healing. And more than that, Gabriel isn't the person who "fixes" her.

Charlotte was already doing the fucking work!

"It was a crutch, but as Molly had said, so what? If having the phone within reach allowed her to function, to step outside into the world, to not live in a cage, then no one had any right to judge her. It had taken Charlotte time, but she'd stopped judging herself for the need too."





Charlotte did the damn work and healed herself, but Gabriel gave her confidence to be strong. He gave her a safe space to fight back in small ways, until she felt big enough to fight the scarier stuff. And excuse me?? Is that not the ultimate dream of a hero??
]]> <![CDATA[Here With Me (Adair Family, #1)]]> 56336433
After narrowly escaping death, police officer Robyn Penhaligon leaves behind her life in Boston in search of some answers. Starting with Mac Galbraith, the Scottish father who abandoned her to pursue his career in private security. To re-connect with Mac, Robyn will finally meet a man she’s long resented. Lachlan Adair. Hostility instantly brews between Robyn and Lachlan. She thinks the head of the Adair family is high-handed and self-important. And finding closure with Mac is proving more difficult than she ever imagined. Robyn would sooner leave Ardnoch, but when she discovers Mac is embroiled in a threat against the Adairs and the exclusive members of the estate, she finds she’s not yet ready to give up on her father.

Determined to ensure Mac’s safety, Robyn investigates the disturbing crimes at Ardnoch, forcing her and Lachlan to spend time together. Soon it becomes clear a searing attraction exists beneath their animosity, and temptation leads them down a perilous path.
While they discover they are connected by something far more addictive than passion, Lachlan cannot let go of his grip on a painful past: a past that will destroy his future � if the insidious presence of an enemy lurking in the shadows of Ardnoch doesn’t do the job first.]]> 528 Samantha Young Milla 5 �4.5 stars�

I'll make you see me. And I'll be the last thing you ever see. xoxo

Robyn the message out loud.
"Well, that makes me feel better"
Lachlan frowned. "What does?"
"Knowing I'm not the only one you piss off."


Thank you book gods, for sending me an almost 5 star read when I really needed it. I swear I've had a run of bad luck lately with books that I should love turning out duds. So I'm berry happy right now that this one worked out so well for me.

And honestly I would have given this 5 stars if it weren't for how goddamn annoying Lachlan was for the first half of the book lmao. I LOVE enemies-to-lovers. It's good for my soul, but that man tested my patience and if Robyn weren't so amazing I would have given up on this story.
Thank god this book was so long because at one point I actually found myself actively rooting against this guy. He was so mean to Robyn, and for what?

That's what bothered me the most, his "reasons" for hating Robyn made absolutely no sense. He was mad at her that... she was mad at her dad for abandoning her as a child? Huh??

At first I thought maybe there was some big revelation that would explain Mac's (dad) side of the story that would in turn justify Lachlan's hate. But nope! Once everything is explained, if anything, his hatred makes even less sense. He's outwardly antagonistic to a girl who's making an effort to get to know the father who left her behind. Which???? SHE is the one going out of her way to repair this relationship, but she gets absolutely no grace from Lachlan from that. [spoilers removed] Lachlan gets another point off too for constantly kissing Robyn to shut her up or because he's decided out of the blue it's a very correct thing to do right now. Maybe other people are into that but it drives me nuts.

Luckily Robyn is my favourite kind of heroine so I guess it all balanced out in the end. I loved watching her personal growth and the way she learned to be vulnerable with the people she loved because life's too short bla bla bla. It was lovely, she's a lovely girl and deserves the world.

But my favourite part of this book is the angst. And Here With Me has it in spades. We've got a heroine trying to recover from the trauma of her fathers abandonment. We've got dad desperate to have his daughter forgive him. Once Lachlan's bullshit reasons are out of the way, we've got enemies-to-lovers with too much chemistry. We've got everyone threatening to abandon a relationship to save another relationship lmao. We've got even more abandonment for Robyn and her drive to only accept people who will treat her as a priority. We've got Lachlan's childhood trauma. And to wrap it all up, we've got a fucking stalker who's tryna kill everyone lmao.

"Don't act like I'm making this up in my head. Here are the facts: You are sleeping with me. This person came after me too. He actually killed someone. And I've barely seen you. I've been alone in my room every night since. While you were taking care of her."
He looked winded. "I... I didn't think you needed anyone to take care of you. You're stronger than Lucy."
I laughed bitterly. Because that said it all.
"Haven't I already told you? There's a difference between needing and wanting."


The angst is *chefs kiss*.

Imma thank my autism for this because I'm incapable of reading between the lines, but I'm almost never able to guess whodunnit. And I love that for me because then it means I always get a big surprise when it's finally revealed. I had absolutely no inkling that it was this specific person going after everyone on the estate and I'm kinda glad because their reasons... I feel like they didn't fully match up with the tone of the threats but! that's only upon reflection. While I was reading I was fully engrossed with the shock of the reveal. SO yay for me.


And all's well that ends well because Lachlan and Robyn are actually pretty fuckin cute together. I enjoyed their banter, even when they hated each other, and I enjoyed their cutesy shit once they started boinking.
[spoilers removed]


Now I can't decide if I want to read the Regan's book right away or wait a bit because she was an off page asshole throughout this one and I can't tell if freshly remembering that'll make her story better or worse...

I have no impulse control, I'll probably start it right away lmao]]> 4.14 2021 Here With Me (Adair Family, #1)
author: Samantha Young
name: Milla
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2021/09/14
date added: 2021/09/20
shelves: actual-plot, funny-as-all-hell, generally-a-great-time, gotta-love-angst, ladies-i-love, straight-up-romance, enemies-to-lovers
review:
�4.5 stars�

I'll make you see me. And I'll be the last thing you ever see. xoxo

Robyn the message out loud.
"Well, that makes me feel better"
Lachlan frowned. "What does?"
"Knowing I'm not the only one you piss off."


Thank you book gods, for sending me an almost 5 star read when I really needed it. I swear I've had a run of bad luck lately with books that I should love turning out duds. So I'm berry happy right now that this one worked out so well for me.

And honestly I would have given this 5 stars if it weren't for how goddamn annoying Lachlan was for the first half of the book lmao. I LOVE enemies-to-lovers. It's good for my soul, but that man tested my patience and if Robyn weren't so amazing I would have given up on this story.
Thank god this book was so long because at one point I actually found myself actively rooting against this guy. He was so mean to Robyn, and for what?

That's what bothered me the most, his "reasons" for hating Robyn made absolutely no sense. He was mad at her that... she was mad at her dad for abandoning her as a child? Huh??

At first I thought maybe there was some big revelation that would explain Mac's (dad) side of the story that would in turn justify Lachlan's hate. But nope! Once everything is explained, if anything, his hatred makes even less sense. He's outwardly antagonistic to a girl who's making an effort to get to know the father who left her behind. Which???? SHE is the one going out of her way to repair this relationship, but she gets absolutely no grace from Lachlan from that. [spoilers removed] Lachlan gets another point off too for constantly kissing Robyn to shut her up or because he's decided out of the blue it's a very correct thing to do right now. Maybe other people are into that but it drives me nuts.

Luckily Robyn is my favourite kind of heroine so I guess it all balanced out in the end. I loved watching her personal growth and the way she learned to be vulnerable with the people she loved because life's too short bla bla bla. It was lovely, she's a lovely girl and deserves the world.

But my favourite part of this book is the angst. And Here With Me has it in spades. We've got a heroine trying to recover from the trauma of her fathers abandonment. We've got dad desperate to have his daughter forgive him. Once Lachlan's bullshit reasons are out of the way, we've got enemies-to-lovers with too much chemistry. We've got everyone threatening to abandon a relationship to save another relationship lmao. We've got even more abandonment for Robyn and her drive to only accept people who will treat her as a priority. We've got Lachlan's childhood trauma. And to wrap it all up, we've got a fucking stalker who's tryna kill everyone lmao.

"Don't act like I'm making this up in my head. Here are the facts: You are sleeping with me. This person came after me too. He actually killed someone. And I've barely seen you. I've been alone in my room every night since. While you were taking care of her."
He looked winded. "I... I didn't think you needed anyone to take care of you. You're stronger than Lucy."
I laughed bitterly. Because that said it all.
"Haven't I already told you? There's a difference between needing and wanting."


The angst is *chefs kiss*.

Imma thank my autism for this because I'm incapable of reading between the lines, but I'm almost never able to guess whodunnit. And I love that for me because then it means I always get a big surprise when it's finally revealed. I had absolutely no inkling that it was this specific person going after everyone on the estate and I'm kinda glad because their reasons... I feel like they didn't fully match up with the tone of the threats but! that's only upon reflection. While I was reading I was fully engrossed with the shock of the reveal. SO yay for me.


And all's well that ends well because Lachlan and Robyn are actually pretty fuckin cute together. I enjoyed their banter, even when they hated each other, and I enjoyed their cutesy shit once they started boinking.
[spoilers removed]


Now I can't decide if I want to read the Regan's book right away or wait a bit because she was an off page asshole throughout this one and I can't tell if freshly remembering that'll make her story better or worse...

I have no impulse control, I'll probably start it right away lmao
]]> <![CDATA[Face Offs & Cheap Shots (CU Hockey, #2)]]> 54866923 JACOBS

For the last three years, I’ve lived and breathed hockey with one goal: team captain.

There’s only one thing standing in my way. TJ Beckett.

Beck is irresponsible and immature, and I’ve hated him since the moment we met freshman year.

Yet, the coaches see something in him I obviously ’t, and they refuse to choose between us. The captain spot is going to a team vote, and the team thinks that what we need are a bunch of challenges to prove our worth. Challenges that have nothing to do with hockey. Challenges that are throwing me and Beck together.
And he’s still as infuriating as ever.


BECK

I have no idea why Christopher Jacobs hates me, and I ’t say I care. I like pushing his buttons, but the guy needs to loosen up. I’m going to win these stupid challenges easily and spend my senior year as hockey king on this campus.

Tormenting Jacobs at the same time will just be a bonus.

Even if I’m getting confusing feelings toward him, I won’t let it hold me back.

When it comes to competing, I’m all in, and nothing will get between me and the W.]]> 302 Eden Finley Milla 3 enemies-to-lovers, mm-romance 4.19 2020 Face Offs & Cheap Shots (CU Hockey, #2)
author: Eden Finley
name: Milla
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2021/09/19
date added: 2021/09/20
shelves: enemies-to-lovers, mm-romance
review:

]]> <![CDATA[There with You (Adair Family, #2)]]> 57691449
Determined to make amends for her mistakes, Regan plans to repair her relationship with Robyn by staying close. And when an offer of help comes from Thane Adair, Regan gratefully accepts.

Widower, Thane, needs a new nanny housekeeper for his two young children and when they bond with Regan Penhaligon, he offers her the job. But as the weeks pass and the complex American reveals who she really is, Thane struggles with his growing attraction to her.

Regan never expected to feel so intensely for Thane, but she ’t deny her passion for him or her love for his children. When someone from Thane’s past threatens his family, Regan wants to be his pillar of support. However, his continued inability to trust her might just destroy their chance at future happiness� and the person who drove Regan to Ardnoch might snuff out her chance for any future at all.]]> 462 Samantha Young Milla 3 gotta-love-angst, nice
- Lachlan > Thorne
- The angst was SO strong in this mostly because Thorne is an idiot
- Seeing the Robyn/Regan situation from a different perspective was great
- Thorne gave me whiplash
- Regan was a lil bit desperate and way too into Thorne sometimes
- The Adair family really needs to learn to mind their business. They get so up in arms ready to defend over situations they have limited knowledge in. It’s frustrating to read and also sad because someone’s always being punished by them over things the Adair’s don’t even understand.
- Eilidh’s monster voice made the whole book.]]> 4.24 2021 There with You (Adair Family, #2)
author: Samantha Young
name: Milla
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2021
rating: 3
read at: 2021/09/16
date added: 2021/09/16
shelves: gotta-love-angst, nice
review:
Stayed up way too late last night reading this book so now I’m too tired to review properly so here’s some scattered thoughts:

- Lachlan > Thorne
- The angst was SO strong in this mostly because Thorne is an idiot
- Seeing the Robyn/Regan situation from a different perspective was great
- Thorne gave me whiplash
- Regan was a lil bit desperate and way too into Thorne sometimes
- The Adair family really needs to learn to mind their business. They get so up in arms ready to defend over situations they have limited knowledge in. It’s frustrating to read and also sad because someone’s always being punished by them over things the Adair’s don’t even understand.
- Eilidh’s monster voice made the whole book.
]]> The Wrong Game 42379672 One genius idea.
Zero interest in a relationship.

The plan is simple: a brand new, hot, preferably funny, definitely single male will fill one of those seats for every Bears game at Soldier Field. And I’ll fill the other.

I ’t think of a better way to use the season passes I’d bought for my ex-husband. I am a woman of plans, and this one’s foolproof.

Until Zach Bowen offers to be my practice round.

He’s infuriating. Presumptuous and overbearing. And absolutely, undeniably gorgeous. Any woman with a heartbeat would be attracted to him, and mine picks up speed every time he speaks.

But as I said, I’m a woman of plans � and I’m not backing down on this one.

One night. One game. And then, his time’s up.

He can try to change the rules, but here’s the truth: he ’t win if he’s playing the wrong game.

The Wrong Game is a stand-alone, angsty, enemies-to-lovers sports romance. ]]> 393 Kandi Steiner Milla 0 to-read 3.85 2018 The Wrong Game
author: Kandi Steiner
name: Milla
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2018
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/09/15
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> The Friend Zone (Game On, #2) 23122175 Gray doesn’t make friends with women. He has sex with them. Until Ivy.

The last thing star tight-end Gray Grayson wants to do is drive his agent’s daughter’s bubblegum pink car. But he needs the wheels and she’s studying abroad. Something he explains when she sends him an irate text to let him know exactly how much pain she’ll put him in if he crashes her beloved ride. Before he knows it, Ivy Mackenzie has become his best texting bud. But then Ivy comes home and everything goes haywire. Because the only thing Gray can think of is being with Ivy.

Ivy doesn’t have sex with friends. Especially not with a certain football player. No matter how hot he makes her�

Gray drives Ivy crazy. He’s irreverent, sex on a stick, and completely off limits. Because, Ivy has one golden rule: never get involved with one of her father’s clients. A rule that’s proving harder to keep now that Gray is doing his best to seduce her. Her best friend is fast becoming the most irresistible guy she’s ever met.

Which means Gray is going to have to use all his skills to get himself out of the friend zone and into Ivy’s heart. Game on]]> 309 Kristen Callihan Milla 4
I love Ivy and Gray. I don't care that his name is Gray Grayson. I don't care that the first chapter is embarrassing text conversations. I don't care about the trope of friends-to-lovers, because Ivy and Gray are fucking amazing!!

They're both so damn respectful to each other and hold their friendship/relationship above everything else and it's so healthy and amazing.
There's not even a reason to get any more into it other than to say that it's fantastic and sweet and a wonderful read (even better when re-read)]]> 4.10 2015 The Friend Zone (Game On, #2)
author: Kristen Callihan
name: Milla
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2015/12/26
date added: 2021/09/10
shelves: straight-up-romance, ladies-i-love, kids-kids-kids, tw
review:
*Heavy, happy, contented sigh*

I love Ivy and Gray. I don't care that his name is Gray Grayson. I don't care that the first chapter is embarrassing text conversations. I don't care about the trope of friends-to-lovers, because Ivy and Gray are fucking amazing!!

They're both so damn respectful to each other and hold their friendship/relationship above everything else and it's so healthy and amazing.
There's not even a reason to get any more into it other than to say that it's fantastic and sweet and a wonderful read (even better when re-read)
]]> <![CDATA[Anything but Minor (Balls in Play, #1)]]> 31116984 “H!�
“Okay, she’s a flight instructor.�
“Bٳٱ.�
“He’s a ballplayer.�
“The best that ever was.�
“Technically, you aren’t according to MLB stats.�
“See? Total nerd. She also has no filter.�
“He’s no southern gentlemen.�
“I had one last season to prove my worth.�
“I’d never seen a game.�
“He told me he was a player.�
“She told me she was a lesbian.�
“But you fell in love with me anyway.�
“Yeah, baby, I totally did.”]]> 273 Kate Stewart Milla 4 sweet!!!!

Seriously, if I had one word to describe this book it would be sweet. I felt warm about both characters and their relationship the whole way through the book.

Alice was hilarious, smart, loud, ridiculous and a huge fuckin nerd. She's probably one of the most endearing characters I've ever read. So often in romances, the character traits are introduced and then lost once the plot or any conflict starts, but not Alice. Girl stayed true to her character every minute of this book. I mean, she peed when she was excited or nervous for heaven's sake! How is she not the cutest fucking thing you've ever heard of?!

Rafe was absolutely amazing too, all strong and confident, sweet and steady, and hot as all hell. I even loved that his character flaws, like being jealous and possessive, were countered with a good sense of self and ability to pull himself out of situations and take a minute to check his behaviour.

This was such a healthy, fun-to-read relationship and honestly I wish I read more books with relationships and characters like these.

Contemporary romances often use really shitty misunderstandings to create conflict in an effort to make the plot more complex and, in my opinion, it never works - it just unnecessarily mucks things up for longer than need be. But Kate Stewart went the opposite route - introducing drama that happens in typical contemporary romances and then avoiding them or resolving them with smart characters actually using their brains and rational thinking to resolve conflicts!!!! (seems like a ridiculously obvious choice but it never fucking happens) These two were quick to call each other out on bad behaviour and quick to see the error of their ways, it was absolutely refreshing and heartwarming to read.

I'm so glad I pushed through my book slump and read this book because I swear I was smiling the whole way through!!
4.5/5 !!]]> 4.01 2016 Anything but Minor (Balls in Play, #1)
author: Kate Stewart
name: Milla
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/08/10
date added: 2021/09/10
shelves: ladies-i-love, straight-up-romance
review:
How. fucking. sweet!!!!

Seriously, if I had one word to describe this book it would be sweet. I felt warm about both characters and their relationship the whole way through the book.

Alice was hilarious, smart, loud, ridiculous and a huge fuckin nerd. She's probably one of the most endearing characters I've ever read. So often in romances, the character traits are introduced and then lost once the plot or any conflict starts, but not Alice. Girl stayed true to her character every minute of this book. I mean, she peed when she was excited or nervous for heaven's sake! How is she not the cutest fucking thing you've ever heard of?!

Rafe was absolutely amazing too, all strong and confident, sweet and steady, and hot as all hell. I even loved that his character flaws, like being jealous and possessive, were countered with a good sense of self and ability to pull himself out of situations and take a minute to check his behaviour.

This was such a healthy, fun-to-read relationship and honestly I wish I read more books with relationships and characters like these.

Contemporary romances often use really shitty misunderstandings to create conflict in an effort to make the plot more complex and, in my opinion, it never works - it just unnecessarily mucks things up for longer than need be. But Kate Stewart went the opposite route - introducing drama that happens in typical contemporary romances and then avoiding them or resolving them with smart characters actually using their brains and rational thinking to resolve conflicts!!!! (seems like a ridiculously obvious choice but it never fucking happens) These two were quick to call each other out on bad behaviour and quick to see the error of their ways, it was absolutely refreshing and heartwarming to read.

I'm so glad I pushed through my book slump and read this book because I swear I was smiling the whole way through!!
4.5/5 !!
]]> Tap (Lovibond, #1) 27423150
A faceless name. That’s all she was when I agreed to play a part in deceiving her. But then the unplanned happened.

We met. And all I wanted from her was a dirty weekend . . . until that wasn’t enough and I longed for so much more.

Lawrence Thorn suddenly means the world to me. And that’s a problem. She’s my business partner’s sister. Forbidden fruit. Pursuing her can mean trouble for me at Lovibond Brewery. But I don’t care.

I yearn for her skin against mine.
I crave her smell on my body.
I want to make her laugh and then hear her moan my name.
And she does for a brief moment in time.

But Lawrence wants more than I’m able to give. And it’s a damn shame because there’s no one on earth I want more than her.

An epic love.
A miserable ending.
Unless it’s not.]]> Georgia Cates Milla 4 straight-up-romance fucking. awesome. 3.91 2015 Tap (Lovibond, #1)
author: Georgia Cates
name: Milla
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2016/01/27
date added: 2021/09/10
shelves: straight-up-romance
review:
fucking. awesome.
]]> Big Rock (Big Rock, #1) 26252659
And I've got both firing on all cylinders. In fact, I have ALL the right assets. Looks, brains, my own money, and a big c*&k.

You might think I'm an a*&hole. I sound like one, don’t I? I'm hot as sin, rich as heaven, smart as hell and hung like a horse.

Guess what? You haven't heard my story before. Sure, I might be a playboy, like the NY gossip rags call me. But I’m the playboy who’s actually a great guy. Which makes me one of a kind.

The only trouble is, my dad needs me to cool it for a bit. With conservative investors in town wanting to buy his flagship Fifth Avenue jewelry store, he needs me not only to zip it up, but to look the part of the committed guy. Fine. I can do this for Dad. After all, I’ve got him to thank for the family jewels. So I ask my best friend and business partner to be my fiancée for the next week. Charlotte’s up for it. She has her own reasons for saying yes to wearing this big rock.

And pretty soon all this playing pretend in public leads to no pretending whatsoever in the bedroom, because she just ’t fake the kind of toe-curling, window-shattering orgasmic cries she makes as I take her to new heights between the sheets.

But I ’t seem to fake that I might be feeling something real for her.

What the fuck have I gotten myself into with this…big rock?

BIG ROCK is a standalone, dirty romance novel written from the guy’s POV by NYT Bestselling author Lauren Blakely�]]> 235 Lauren Blakely 0692572031 Milla 4
Very good, A+ and now I'm excited to read the follow up Mr. Oragsm! ]]> 3.86 2016 Big Rock (Big Rock, #1)
author: Lauren Blakely
name: Milla
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/01/30
date added: 2021/09/10
shelves: straight-up-romance, best-couples
review:
I was waiting for this book for-what feels like -ever! And it was better than I even expected. Super fucking funny. [spoilers removed] 5/5 Very good. No irritating drama. No annoying 'break up sad cry cry - but we get back together at the last minute trope.

Very good, A+ and now I'm excited to read the follow up Mr. Oragsm!
]]> <![CDATA[Ten Thousand Words (Ten Thousand #1)]]> 28943567 350 Kelli Jean Milla 4 3.76 2016 Ten Thousand Words (Ten Thousand #1)
author: Kelli Jean
name: Milla
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/29
date added: 2021/09/10
shelves: straight-up-romance, tropes-in-an-annoying-way
review:
holy shit this book was so good. honestly I don't even want to properly review it because you should just read it for yourself.
]]> <![CDATA[Charged (Saints of Denver, #2)]]> 26040605 From the New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men books comes the second installment in the Saints of Denver series featuring a bad girl and a by the book attorney who could be her salvation...or her ruin.

Avett Walker and Quaid Jackson’s worlds have no reason to collide. Ever. Quaid is a high powered criminal attorney as slick as he is handsome. Avett is a pink-haired troublemaker with a bad attitude and a history of picking the wrong men.

When Avett lands in a sea of hot water because of one terrible mistake, the only person who can get her out of it is the insanely sexy lawyer. The last thing on earth she wants to do is rely on the no-nonsense attorney who thinks of her as nothing more than a nuisance. He literally has her fate in his hands. Yet there is something about him that makes her want to convince him to loosen his tie and have a little fun…with her.

Quaid never takes on clients like the impulsive young woman with a Technicolor dye job. She could stand to learn a hard lesson or two, but something about her guileless hazel eyes intrigues him. Still, he’s determined to keep their relationship strictly business. But doing so is becoming more impossible with each day he spends with her.

As they work side-by-side, they’ll have to figure out a way to get along and keep their hands off each other—because the chemistry between them is beyond charged.]]> 361 Jay Crownover Milla 4
wowza this was so fantastic!!]]> 4.03 2016 Charged (Saints of Denver, #2)
author: Jay Crownover
name: Milla
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/06/16
date added: 2021/09/10
shelves: straight-up-romance, a-is-for-alpha, ladies-i-love, actual-plot
review:
wow ok!!! I absolutely loved this which is so weird because I thought Jay Crownover's Marked Men series was horribly boring and just plain bad.

wowza this was so fantastic!!
]]>