Tag: Contemporary Romance

Frayed Book Review – Willow Springs #1 by Laura Pavlov

 

It’s been a while, I know. But I’m back with a new book review! FRAYED by Laura Pavlov was released today and I’m here to tell you why I loved it. I received an ARC (advance reader copy) from the author in exchange for my honest review. My ARCs have been so hit or miss lately that I was a smidge wary going into this read, but this book did not disappoint!

Little Gold Book

Frayed by Laura Pavlov

Genre: Romance – Contemporary (YA)
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Started: March 12, 2021
Date Finished: March 14, 2021
Rating: 4.5/5 star

By Its Cover

If I had to supply a math equation to summarize this book it would be: Bad boy + good girl = beautiful love story. 

Frayed brings us to Willow Springs, TX, a small lakeside town with lots of drama and quite a mix of residents. The main characters are Adelaide Edington – high school senior with straight A’s and her whole life planned for her by her mother – and Jett Stone – star quarterback from the wrong side of town with a chip on his shoulder. Though seemingly opposites, the pair fits together in ways neither imagined possible. 

In My Book

When I read the synopsis for Frayed, I knew I needed to read it. Even though I don’t typically read YA (young adult) romance, something about Adelaide and Jett called to me. They are young, yes, but the love that grows between them is once in a lifetime. 

My favorite male characters are those who are strong yet vulnerable, and Jett fits perfectly in that category. His life hasn’t been easy and it would be easy for him to write off everyone in the town that has treated him and his family poorly for his whole life, but Addy brings out a side in him that is so powerful and honest. 

Adelaide, or Ace as Jett calls her (I love a good nickname!), has always done what her parents, specifically her mother, have expected of her. But as she grows closer with Jett, she realizes the power in chasing her own dreams instead of someone else’s. With Jett by her side, steadily encouraging but never forcing his opinion on her, Adelaide’s confidence grows and she starts to live her life for herself. 

To Close the Book

As with all good romance stories, my one big complaint is that I wanted more! I enjoyed Adelaide and Jett’s love story and I want to see how they continue to grow together over time. The good news is, since this is the first book in the series, we’ll likely see them again!

Check out my other reviews here.

Has my Frayed book review inspired you to read it? Get your copy from Amazon (free if you have Kindle Unlimited!).

From one Wordo to another, thanks for tuning in! See you next time!

 

 

 

Share on Pinterest!

Frayed Book Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love At First Book Review

 

It’s Pub Day for one of my recent reads, Love At First by Kate Clayborn. I received a free advanced copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the publisher Kensington Books in exchange for my honest review. This was a sweet read featuring a lovely cast of characters, though it started off rather slow for me.

Little Gold Book

Love At First by Kate Clayborn

Genre: Romance – Contemporary
Format: eBook
Date Started: 2/16/21
Date Finished: 2/22/21
Rating: 4/5 star

By Its Cover

Sparks. Sabotage. Adorable but nosy neighbors. This enemies-to-lovers romance novel will have you laughing and smiling! When Will inherits an apartment from his estranged uncle, he decides to list it for short-term rental. Little does he know that he’s now part of a unique group of neighbors who have become family over the years. Nora, spokeswoman for the building, plots to ruin Will’s plan before he ruins her adopted family and beloved apartment complex. But is the heat that develops between Will and Nora a result of anger, or perhaps something more?

In My Book

Contemporary romance has been hit or miss for me lately, so I was a bit apprehensive when I started this book. I haven’t read any of Kate Clayborn’s books previously and didn’t have any on my TBR, so she was an unknown to me. Sometimes this doesn’t work out so well, but this time it did! 

Kate Clayborn developed a sense of community in her book, one that I wish I could join! The neighbors were each unique, but I could feel that their love and respect for one another was genuine. Watching Will fall in love with not just Nora but the whole building was heartwarming. 

I have only one real complaint. The pacing in Will & Nora’s relationship was slow to start, with the romance not starting until halfway through the book. This left the rest of the book feeling a bit rushed, as I would have liked to see them find their way in the fledgling relationship more. I also didn’t fully understand their pasts and fears of relationships until they started exploring their relationship’s romantic side. Sometimes, I felt a bit annoyed with the characters because their motives were unclear to me. Now that I know this, it wouldn’t bother me so much during a re-read, so don’t let it stop you! 

This was a sweet romance novel well-balanced in romance, humor, trauma, and growth. It felt realistic, like these could be your neighbors or friends. A great read when you need a laugh and a pick-me-up mixed together. 

To Close the Book

This is a book that I would love to see as a series so that the characters can come to life. I can picture them each in my head so perfectly, as the author did an excellent job of developing a backstory for each character, even the more minor ones. 

Check out my other reviews here.

Has my Love At First book review inspired you to read it? Get your copy from Bookshop.org.

From one Wordo to another, thanks for tuning in! See you next time! 

 

 

 

Enjoyed this post? Please share!

Love At First Book Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Choosing You Book Review

 

It’s pub day for Choosing You by Stacy Finz! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC (advanced readers copy) of this book through NetGalley last month. This was a great first experience with NetGalley because I absolutely adored this book. Keep reading for my full Choosing You book review. 

Little Gold Book

Choosing You by Stacy Finz

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: eBook
Date Started: January 17, 2021
Date Finished: January 18, 2021
Rating: 4.5/5 star

By Its Cover

Set in small-town Nugget, CA, about an hour west of Reno, Choosing You tells a beautiful story of finding love after loss and despair. Widowed Bryann and divorced Ethan are brought together when Brynn’s son Henry becomes Ethan’s pediatric orthopedic patient. Despite coming from very different worlds and a taboo stigma on their relationship, Brynn and Ethan fall deeply in love and help each other heal from their painful pasts. 

In My Book

In Choosing You, you follow two people who come from such different worlds yet fall utterly in love with one another. The build-up to their romance is slow but full of sparks between the main characters, Brynn and Ethan. There is plenty of conflict, but realistically so, not overdone. I recently read an article that said something along the lines of the best romance writers make you think there’s no way the central couple could end up together, even though readers pick up the book knowing they will. The author did exactly that, and in a beautiful, heart-wrenching way.

I don’t often read romance novels in which one of the main characters is a parent, so the fact that both Brynn and Ethan had children added an additional element of complexity to this story. Not only did they have to make decisions based on their feelings toward each other, but they also had to keep the best interests of their children in mind. This is especially true for Ethan, as he struggles with whether or not to reconcile with his ex-wife. 

This was my first time reading a Stacy Finz novel, and I was a little nervous about hopping into the 11th book of the Nugget series. Those nerves were for nothing, though – I was able to dive into life in Nugget without needing to have the backstory of the previous books. There were hints to other stories, but that just made me want to read the rest of the series! Finz also hinted at a possible next story without letting it take away from the current one. In fact, it drew me in yet again.

I honestly don’t have any negative things to say about this book. The pacing felt right, the story felt realistic, and of course, there was a happy ending, as is generally the case in the romance genre. I’ll surely re-read it in the future when I need a little pick-me-up of a beautiful love story. 

To Close the Book

Most of my romance reading may be relegated to historical periods, but it is nice to visit the modern world of love from time to time. I am grateful to have found NetGalley, as I may not have stumbled upon this book otherwise. I may even check out some of the other books in the series since Nugget sounds like a special place full of love and strong characters. 

Check out my other reviews here.

Has my Choosing You book review inspired you to read it? Get your copy from Bookshop.org.

From one Wordo to another, thanks for tuning in! See you next time! 

 

 

 

 

Did you like this review? Consider sharing on Pinterest!

Dark pink background with the book cover of Choosing You by Stacy Finz, along with 5 stars and the words BOOK REVIEW