The Thing About Love by Kim Karr

REVIEWED BY

Monique Cashmere 

The Thing About Love by Kim Karr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First impressions can leave a mark, and that is exactly what happened when Juliette met Jack! She is a gal that will stand up for herself, but also has a softer side which helps with her business of being a Wedding Planner. I felt Juliette was a well rounded character, she had a few flaws, but that just made me feel more connected with her. Jack also wasn't perfect, but he came close! These two had a lot more in common than what they expected on their first encounter, it went very deep. I adored the way Jack was with his Mimi (thinking of stealing this if I ever become a grandma) and his sister Rory. They have a staunch family connection bought about by sorrow and hardship. He was also an ardent doctor, following in his fathers footsteps.

I enjoyed the story line of this book, and I even got a kick out of the secondary characters! I am definitely no prude, but sometimes the intimacy in these books are repetitive and tiresome. I like a good build up, slow burn and all, but sex scene after sex scene is too much. I just end up skimming through it. This contemporary romance is told in dual POV and it sets up nicely for two extra standalone novels to be released at a later date.


*I am grateful for an early copy that was provided by the author for an honest review.
**Reviewed by Monique for JoandIsaLoveBooksBlog.

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Sex, Not Love by Vi Keeland

REVIEWED BY

Monique Cashmere

Sex, Not Love by Vi Keeland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Sweet Pea Stars!

Again, this is another book that I was looking forward to, and was hoping that the hype was going to match the story. Have no fear, it is that good. This is classified as a contemporary romance, but believe me, it is also a rom-com. It is told in dual POV, mostly the heroine but enough of that gorgeous hero to keep us happy.

Natalia Rossi has had it tough but she has found her zen with her new career. Even though she is still living on the East Coast to raise her step daughter, she keeps in contact with her bestie in California constantly. I loved the vibe these two had together, it was effortless and hilarious at the same time. Nat was loyal and devoted to Izzy and her family. If a guy was to come into the mix, he had to be special and respective. And Hello Hunter Delucia! OMGoodness this man had me at the get go. He had manners and a wicked sense of humor with a dirty mouth. He was sincere and unpretentious. And in the words of Nat... "he's lewd, forward, persistent....... sexy as hell". He had me sighing and swooning when I wasn't laughing or giggling. I think I embarrassed myself in a waiting room with the biggest smirk while reading, then snorted out loud! Nat and Hunter had instant chemistry and it was authentic and believable what these two experienced together or previous to their union. Hunter's backstory is very touching and will melt your heart. Nat too made me want to give her the biggest hug, her ex husband was an utter douchebag.

Argh..... I just want more of these two, I am having a huge book hangover. I want to escape into their world again and indulge some more, I am so infatuated with them both. So in case you didn't get it, I highly recommend you read this one.

*I am grateful for the copy provided to give my honest review.
**Reviewed by Monique for JoandIsaLoveBooksBlog.

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Bad Dad by Sloane Howell

REVIEWED BY

Melinda Lazar 

Bad Dad by Sloane Howell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Bad Dad by Sloane Howell
2.5*

I'm feeling very confused after finishing this book. It wasn't quite what I expected and I think the major part of that was the plot and it's implausibility. I also feel like there were too many things happening throughout and it became a bit of a hodgepodge of elements which caused some confusion. I liked the book and it's humorous parts. I actually had to put the phone down at one point just to laugh. I did struggle to connect with Cora. Frankly, she got on my nerves more than just a tad: I wanted to give her a shake to just make up her damn mind. Are you in this or out, love?! There was too much back and forth in that regard and it got a bit tiresome. On the other hand, I really enjoyed Landon's character. He was such a great, loving father, solid and strong in all aspects. However, he needed to tone down the 'you're mine' and 'who do you belong to?' questions. We get it. You're an alpha male. She belongs to you. Cue eye roll.

For me, the book was okay-ish. The highlights of this book were Landon and Joe and their relationship along with the humorous parts. Honestly, I'm not sure that I'd rush to recommend Bad Dad unless you're after something left of center.

*arc received in exchange for honest review.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.

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Three Blind Dates by Meghan Quinn

REVIEWED BY

Melinda Lazar 

Three Blind Dates by Meghan Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Three Blind Dates by Meghan Quinn

I've read a handful of Quinn's books previously but stopped after I felt the level of humor was a tad too immature for me. Which is fine. We all enjoy and find different things funny. Anyway, when I saw the blurb for Three Blind Dates, it appealed to me immediately and I just had to try it.

Now. I want you to get out your crayolas and color me surprised because this book was fucking hilarious. I could not put it down even when I woke my husband up because the bed was shaking FROM MY LAUGHTER. And let me tell you, I have a tempur bed where you can roll around and the other person will be none the wiser - THAT's how hard I was laughing.

I'm not going to get into the storyline; all you need to know is that this is Noely's journey to finding love. There's no need for more detail and I don't want to give anything away. But I'll just say that if you like a good RomCom, this is one I heartily recommend. I'm already looking forward to reading this all over again and I'm beyond thrilled that Noely's unsuccessful dates get their own stories down the track. Gimme, gimme!

*arc received in exchange for honest review.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.



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Most Likely To Score by Lauren Blakely

REVIEWED BY

Melinda Lazar 

Most Likely To Score by Lauren Blakely
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Most Likely to Score by Lauren Blakely

Blakely gives us a brand spanking new forbidden romance featuring the lovely Jillian, publicist to the San Francisco Renegades and the delicious Jones, star receiver of the same team. We met these two characters in Most Valuable Playboy and I was positively Jones-ing for their story. Yes, that was my poor attempt at humor.

Jillian is up for a huge promotion and there is nothing that will stop her from getting it, certainly not the pesky feelings she has for a certain receiver....feelings she's had for a very long time but has squashed down into the never to be entertained zone. Jones has always been a player and not just of the sporting variety and unfortunately, he's got the reputation to support that. A reputation that needs work with the help of a certain publicist. Oh, yes. You know where this is going, don't ya?

The tension between Jones and Jillian was literally there on every single page of this book. More than that, it was evident in Most Valuable Playboy and it did not abate. I mean, when they finally kissed, I'm sure the angels wept and that shower scene? iPhone on fire. Repeat, iPhone on fire. Scorching, sizzling, steamy! Everything. Blakely perfectly delivers sexy forbidden romance without the drama that can typically ensure. Jillian and Jones were just made for each other and the way their story played out was perfection. Blakely kept it real and didn't rush or sugar-coat the ramifications of what could go wrong if they were discovered. I'm a huge fan of Blakely's heroes and heroines and J&J are no exception to this. I'm soooooo looking forward to her next book, Wanderlust but at the same time hoping that she writes additional books for the Renegade family.

*arc received in exchange for honest review.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.

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Man Card by Sarina Bowen

REVIEWED BY

Melinda Lazar 

Man Card by Sarina Bowen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Man Card by Sarina Bowen and Tanya Eby

Ahhhhhhhhh! Ash and Braht! The Ash-kicker and Brahtwurst! Freaking loved it!

I was sooooooo looking forward to this book and I'm beyond thrilled that it did not disappoint! We met these characters who love to hate each other (but do they????) in Man Hands and given that Ash could barely stand the sight of Braht and that he seemed to live for needling her, I knew their story would be a fun ride and clearly, I was right. Having said that, I wasn't prepared for the serious side of Brahts personality to shine so bright and I also wasn't expecting some of the issues they had to deal with both together and separately.

I loved every single thing about this book: the characters were fun and the love/hate relationship provided much entertainment. I absolutely adored Braht's more serious side and I love how the authors created Ash's character. I think at times female characters can come across as bitchy and not in a 'you go, girl!' way but Ash was just perfect: a smart-ass, assertive, not backwards in coming forward and she rounded all that out with her huge heart.

You don't *have* to read Man Hands before reading Man Card but I would strongly suggest that you do in order to have a better understanding of all the characters and the different dynamics. This book was fantastic and I'm quite looking forward to what Bowen & Eby will give us next.

*arc received in exchange for honest review.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.

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Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

REVIEWED BY 

Micky Barnard 

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I’m shocked by how little enjoyment this book brought to my brain and heart considering it’s high ratings/review. I was completely underwhelmed by the storyline and by Eleanor herself. This was a tragic and depressing read that didn’t bring any joy or warmth to my reading soul either through chinks of light or quality of writing.

I struggled with this book from the off. The book is narrated solely from Eleanor’s point of view and considering its clear that she has a cognitive problem of initially undetermined origin, in particular with social interaction, her train of thought was jarring and difficult to follow. This didn’t make for good narrative flow and it felt like walking through sludge at times.

There are two elements of the storyline that piqued my interest, Eleanor’s mother and Raymond. They were the only elements that kept me reading and Raymond in particular was everything normal and decent in terms of friendship. The mother element was just something I needed answers on.

The cover is clever, once I realised the connection, I really think it was excellent.

I am clearly in the minority on this book but I am also very happy to stand by my opinion on it. It didn’t capture me in any way and I feel deflated at the end.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in return for a honest review.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

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