Since it was Valentines, lets talk romance books! here are 5 that I read this month:
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Goodreads blurb: In this clever and swoonworthy YA debut from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis, life’s moving pieces bring rival chess players together in a match for the heart. Mallory Greenleaf is 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. 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 brighter than she imagined, and the competition can be fierce (-ly attractive. And intelligent…and infuriating…)
My Take: 4 out of 5. I really enjoy Ali Hazelwood and this foray of hers into YA was super cute. even though it says its YA its very adult friendly, its just not open door as some of her others. I am not a chess person, but i kind of want to be, and this book, like the Queens Gambit does in the show, makes Chess cool. I was a bit alarmed at how grown up all the 18 year olds in this book had to be, but that’s trauma for another day. Their story is sweet and everything you might want in a romance
Why did I choose it: It’s Ali Hazelwood, at this point she is an automatic read author for me
Read this if you like(d): The Queens Gambit, Disney Channel Original Movies
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Goodreads blurb: 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.
My Take: 4 out of 5. Ok this was a strange one. Another day, another Ali Hazelwood book but this book has nothing in common with the previous one. This is a total departure for her. I kind of loved it and was also kind of confused by it. As someone that dips her toe in the fantasy world and not really goes very deep into monster/vampire etc romances I feel this was a book for me. I think it was a great introduction into fantasy romance without being too much. The fantasy aspects where just right for me. I feel it might have critic, some saying it does too much whilst others too little, it will definitely be a Goldilocks kind of situation. I liked the concept and the politics of it all, and that side story to the romance was interesting in a whodunnit kind of way. There were however things that were a bit weird – and without spoiling it, there were some graphic scenes that were just strange and a bit much. I really enjoyed it as I do most of Ali’s book as her writing is amazing. I read this in a sitting, which is always the case with her, but something in this book just made it feel good but not great like it wasn’t as fully settled as her others. However I do have to say I loved the ending. Leaving the start of a potential next book open like that was great, although might it not be a complete repetition of this one?
Why did I choose it: It’s Ali Hazelwood meets fantasy – it was a must read. Also its our March book club selection
Read this if you like(d): ACOTAR, Vampire Diaries, Twilight. This feels very 90s vampire fare. Also in the vein of Interracial politics a la Discovery of witches
The Break up Pact by Emma Lord
Goodreads blurb: Two best friends who haven’t spoken in ten years pretend to date after break-ups with their respective exes go viral, in this delightfully fun and deeply emotional new novel from New York Times bestselling author Emma Lord. June and Levi were best friends as teenagers—until the day they weren’t. Now June is struggling to make rent on her beachside tea shop, Levi is living a New York cliché as a disillusioned hedge fund manager and failed novelist, and they’ve barely spoken in years. But after they both experience public, humiliating break-ups with their exes that spread like wildfire across TikTok rabbit holes and daytime talk shows alike, they accidentally make some juicy gossip of their own—a photo of them together has the internet convinced they’re a couple. With so many people rooting for them, they decide to put aside their rocky past and make a pact to fuel the fire. Pretending to date will help June’s shop get back on its feet and make Levi’s ex realize that she made a mistake. All they have to do is convince the world they’re in love, one swoon-worthy photo opp at a time. Two viral break-ups. One fake relationship. Five sparkling, heart-pounding dates. June and Levi can definitely pull this off without their hearts getting involved. Because everyone knows fake dating doesn’t come with real feelings. Right?
This is an ARC review thanks to a gift from the publisher. it comes out April 2, 2024.
My Take: 3.25 out of 5. It was a little too predictable and perfect. Sweet and easy to read, but it lacked in either substance or inventiveness to be rated a bit higher. Very Hallmark Movie like (which for me its a good thing) I think the level of turmoil at the beginning was a bit much like rally all of this happened in the same week. But suspending my disbelief which I was happy to do for the great opportunity of good romance, it all just kind of flowed too smoothly afterwards. I was loving the story and yet also wanted it to end. This in between state means its in between in my ranking and appreciation. I did appreciate the character development June goes through and how the both help each other figure out their next steps and how to go forward after heartache, that might have been my favorite part.
Why did I choose it: I got an ARC review for it, and I really enjoyed her previous book the Getaway List
Read this if you like(d): The Getaway List, The Burnout
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
Goodreads blurb: An epic love story one hundred years in the making… Leap years are a strange, enchanted time. And for some, even a single February can be life-changing. Ricki Wilde has many talents, but being a Wilde isn’t one of them. As the impulsive, artistic daughter of a powerful Atlanta dynasty, she’s the opposite of her famous socialite sisters. Where they’re long-stemmed roses, she’s a dandelion: an adorable bloom that’s actually a weed, born to float wherever the wind blows. In her bones, Ricki knows that somewhere, a different, more exciting life awaits her. When regal nonagenarian Ms. Della invites her to rent the bottom floor of her Harlem brownstone, Ricki jumps at the chance for a fresh beginning. She leaves behind her family, wealth, and chaotic romantic decisions to realize her dream of opening a flower shop. And just beneath the surface of her new neighborhood, the music, stories and dazzling drama of the Harlem Renaissance still simmers. One evening in February as the heady, curiously off-season scent of night-blooming jasmine fills the air, Ricki encounters a handsome, deeply mysterious stranger who knocks her world off balance in the most unexpected way. Set against the backdrop of modern Harlem and Renaissance glamour, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a swoon-worthy love story of two passionate artists drawn to the magic, romance, and opportunity of New York, and whose lives are uniquely and irreversibly linked.
My Take: 4.75 out of 5. This book was beautiful, romantic mysterious and magical all in one, a total romantic balm. It was weird and lovely all at the same time. Ricki was such an enthralling character, and the cast of characters around her were super cool. Side note: what is wrong with her family!!. The writing was super effective, I was doing the audiobook and just because of the writing I could tell which era we were in, even if it wasn’t stated previously. I also loved the descriptions I felt like I could see the flowers she was making an smell the night lavender. You will fall in love with this book, and devour it in one night like I did (i went to bed way too late as I could not put it down!) The only thing not going for it is that I knew how it was going to end for a while, but still the ride was thoroughly enjoyable. The choice of angels speaking the epilogue, epic and a chef’s kiss. Sometimes you might be disappointed in the second book you read by an author you loved, but here there was no disappointment, she exceeded my very high expectations.
Why did I choose it: I absolutely loved her previous book, Seven Days in June, which if you have not read you should go pick it up, its as fabulous as this one
Read this if you like(d): Seven Days in June obviously, but also The Last % years, any of the Ashley Poston books and a little bit of New Orleans magic
The Rule Book by Sarah Adams
Goodreads Blurb: College sweethearts meet again years later, in this highly anticipated romance and companion story to the viral TikTok sensation The Cheat Sheet. Nora Mackenzie’s entire career lies in the hands of famous NFL tight end Derek Pender who also happens to be her extremely hot college ex-boyfriend. Nora didn’t end things as gracefully as she could have back then, and now it’s come back to haunt her. Derek is her first client as an official full-time sports agent and he’s holding a grudge. Derek has set his sights on a little friendly revenge. If Nora Mackenzie, the first girl to ever break his heart, wants to be his agent, oh he’ll let her be his agent. The plan is make Nora’s life absolutely miserable. But if Derek knows anything about the woman he once loved—she won’t quit easily. Instead of giving in, Nora starts a scheme of her own. But then a wild night in Vegas leads to Nora and Derek in bed the next morning married. With their rule book out the window, could this new relationship be the thing to save their careers?
This is an ARC review thanks to a gift from the publisher. it comes out April 2, 2024.
My Take: 4.5 out of 5. I read this on my way to the Super Bowl and really it could have not been a more perfect book. A beautiful romance starring a perfect NFL tight end! its def giving Travis Kelce vibes and I was here for it. The only mistake is that this should have come out right now and we should not have to wait until April, its the perfect football postseason companion for Swifties who love football like me. But onto the story, its actually really good. An original second chance romance and those are hard. I felt that the reasons why they were not together were not just swept aside to start a new romance, they were thoroughly examined and even felt like a little book therapy. Also the chemistry was oozing off the page. Go get this one as soon as its out.
Why did I choose it: Practice makes perfect and When in Rome are gorgeous books, so I of course jumped at the change of reading the ARC of her new book .
Read this if you like(d): The Cheat Sheet, all the Taylor And travis videos that came after the Super Bowl, Elena Armas The Long Game, All the Hallmark Sport Romance movies
Tati's Tidbits 