3.8 ⭐️ absolutely got sucked into this book. Was definitely an emotional ride and I loved that it could make me feel all the things. I’m not usually one that is for the love triangles but this book? I’ll let it pass. All I can say is, that the male love interest is PERFECT in all the ways, I swear 😉. Ultimate book boyfriend material right there.
“For the record, that about killed me, and it was a one-time thing that will never replay itself.” His lips pull into a one-sided grin. “So next time you ask, be sure because I won’t deny you again.” “Say you swear.” A laugh flies from him, and he nudges my leg with his own, shaking his head as he turns back to his food. “I swear.”
Book Blurb: RYAN
She’s a distraction, that’s what she is.
I’m the newest Captain of the Devils, Chicago’s NBA team, and the last thing I needed this year was for Indy Ivers, my sister’s best friend, to move into my apartment. She’s messy, emotional, and way too tempting.
But when the team’s General Manager vocalizes his blatant disapproval of my promotion to Captain, referring to me as an unapproachable lone wolf with no work-life balance, I can’t think of a better way to convince him otherwise than pretending to date my outgoing roommate.
The only problem? Faking it feels far too natural.
Having a fake girlfriend wasn’t supposed to be messy but having Indy under my roof and in my bed is complicated, especially when she wants all the romantic parts of life that I could never give her.
INDY
I never imagined I’d be living with my best friend’s brother, NBA superstar Ryan Shay. Even more unbelievable? He needs me to act as his loving girlfriend who’s suddenly changed him into a friendly and approachable guy.
Because, well…he’s not. He’s controlling of his space and untrusting of others.
Our arrangement isn’t one-sided, though. I’m in a wedding coming up, one where every one of my childhood friends, including my ex-boyfriend, will be in attendance, and there’s no better date than my ex’s celebrity hero.
Blurred lines make it almost impossible to separate real from fake. Falling for my roommate was never part of the deal, especially when Ryan is quick to remind me that he doesn’t believe in love.
I’m a romantic and can’t help fantasizing that he’ll change, but soon enough, I find myself questioning if sharing a roof with my best friend’s brother was the right move after all
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Holy dang…If you are looking for another ultimate book boyfriend…look no further! Ryan is so unbelievably swoon-worthy. He’s going in as a favourite. The best part is the fact he is so quiet in his love…which in all honesty, only makes it all the louder. He is the kind of guy that does all these touching things without the MC girl (Indy) being any the wiser (she obvi works it out but yeah). For eg. he learns sign language because her dad is deaf…But he does this behind the scenes where she has no clue (and my words when she finds out he’s learning, it’s such an emotional moment for her because no one had done that for her before). There are so many other things he does that show he cares all without saying it…because both these characters are carrying scars from past relationships, and words only mean/carry so far. So it might start out as a pretend fake-relationship…but let me tell you, not one minute could those two fake it, not even for a second. Their relationship is just so wholesome and beautiful. They both find their feet after past hurts and help each other to be their best selves and grow. Just like any real and true partner should be with you.
Book Blurb: The Sister Between Us is a second-chance contemporary romance.
One night is all it takes to change everything.
Leah
He was my best friend’s brother. My neighbor. The one person I was never supposed to fall for, until lines got blurred – stolen kisses and lies told to the people we loved most.
Jake
When the secrets we’d been keeping came out, broken hearts weren’t the only casualties. Though I’ve spent years chasing my dreams of being a professional soccer player, I’ve never forgotten the one who got away.
A chance encounter brings me back face to face with the only person I’ve ever loved.
Can we repair what's been broken?
Has time healed the scars that run deeper than the surface?
Will the sister between us bring us back together or push us apart yet again?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
WOW. This was quite the emotional journey. But it was done so beautifully. This is an easy 4.5 stars. I loved the characters that pulled me into their own heartbreak, making it as if it were my own. This honestly tore at my heart and whilst the journey was an emotional rollercoaster the balance of finding healing, made that hurt all the much sweeter once it was found. And one thing I really want to commend with this book was how it was actually finished. I’m a fussy book finisher and if the ending isn’t feeling right for me, it does have an impact on how I view the book as a whole. But this one was finished beautifully and felt perfect for this couple and the characters within. This story sure knows how to pull on all the heartstrings. Don’t let that cover fool you though. I was not prepared for the heart-hurting I was in for. It’s worth it for sure but just be prepared to be made to feel some things.
I definitely recommend, if you love a beautifully crafted second chance romance that brings tears to your eyes and finds the love that got away…but can it really get away, if the tether was never broken?
I do have to thank my friend Danie for recommending this second-chance sports romance. And I apologise for bombarding you with messages with my crazy heart ramblings lol. I was not okay and there’s very good reason for that. Duuuude.
Again this book does contain some TW’s so read with care…but the author does list the content on her website.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, including Amazon, and I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through my links.
Book Blurb: Seth is fine with the friend zone. Well, he would be okay with being gutted every time his best friend, & love of his life, Jenny, swooned at the star quarterback if it wasn’t a constant reminder that it should have been him.
The big guy on campus. Pro scouts.
The girl of his dreams looking his way.
His identity. His future. All ripped away by a freak hit that shattered his knee & his dreams in an instant. Even his high school sweetheart left. So when the quirky bookstore owner offers him a world where that hit never happened, the least a guy can do is humor her.
It’s just a bonus that when he wakes up, the mean girl on campus, who ditched Jenny for a sorority, is his tutor & she fumbles around like some lovestruck, blushing fool whenever he flashes a smile her way.
Jenny is the endgame.
But it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if, along the way, he made Madeline Finch beg for him in the stacks of the library, or the locker room, or his bedroom….
In the spirit of giving, & all that jazz, am I right?
Mean Girl Madeline Finch is officially desperate. Her star quarterback boyfriend just dumped her for his tutor & her ex-best friend & in the aftermath, she made a few—or several, who’s to judge here—mistakes.
With the fear of losing the crown she worked tirelessly for, Madeline would do anything for a do-over. So when a bizarre bookstore owner starts yelling about a rewrite and offering her a too-good-to-be-true deal: get some alleged soulmate of hers to fall in love w/ her by Christmas, and she can have ten mins of her life back, who is Madeline to say no?
But when Madeline wakes up in a world ripped straight out of a Christmas display window, as the not-like-other-girls-girl of her nightmares and finds the “soulmate” she has to woo is none other than thorn-in-her-side, Seth Aarons, Madeline may find herself learning a lesson or two.
Like when making a deal w/ a faerie, always read the fine print.
It’s never too late to start becoming a good person. & the most important lesson of all, Seth Aarons has a particularly lovely mouth when he’s not using it for talking.
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
I thought this would be a great book to share some thoughts on, especially since this month is Adenomyosis Awareness (cousin of Endometriosis). This book sheds some, much-needed, awareness on Endometriosis but in a way that the book’s whole focus isn’t purely surrounding it…but it was done in a way that I appreciate because it keeps the disease realistic and always there at the same time. So there are small drops throughout the whole story and does include instances of Endo flares. If that sensitive subject matter isn’t for you and you want or need to know more, the author does include a list of potential TW’s for those unsure.
I will admit, I actually didn’t go into this book having read the blurb. I stumbled across this book when looking for information about Finding Gene Kelly, another book by this author (another great awareness book and a story I thoroughly enjoyed, that touched my heart in more than one way!). When I saw this book, I just instantly bought it and dived in. It’s such a quirky cute romance and I’ll be honest, I was hella confused when I first started reading lol but I still enjoyed this short story. It has a touch of magic sprinkled into the pages (literally) – that bookstore owner had me laughing at her bizarreness. This is a true, light, finding-your-soulmate-romance read and fixing your mistakes along the way, so you can find and accept the other piece of your heart. Nothing like I expected but oh so adorable and quirky. I do have to say her flare-up scene really hit me in the feels but it was also one of the scenes I felt most connected to the character. 💞
Favourite quote:
It’s official. I shouldn’t be allowed to socialise. Bad things happen when I try to people.
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Book Blurb: A contemporary romance about hope, mental health, and the healing power of love.
After surviving a suicide attempt, Phoenix Bridges has been given a second chance at life—one she isn’t sure what to do with. When she’s released from a psychiatric treatment center, she moves into her family’s old shore house in New Jersey to figure out how to start over. She expects the town to be desolate in the winter months.
What she doesn’t anticipate is the gorgeous, brooding cop who lives next door.
James Russo blames himself for being unable to save his mother years ago. Now he’s made it his life’s mission to help everyone he can. So when he catches a glimpse of his beautiful new neighbor crying through her bedroom window, he’s determined to be her refuge.
Sparks fly as they grow close and share their tragic pasts. But when danger unexpectedly strikes, James is helpless to stop it as Phoenix gets caught in the crossfire.
Will Phoenix fight for the life she never wanted, or will James lose the one he loves all over again?
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I would just like to first say, please be warned that this book could potentially be very triggering. It does cover a lot of deeper and emotionally stirring content. So please keep that in mind prior to reading, to make sure it’s okay for you.
Whilst the content of this book was raw and emotionally moving, I loved the healing journey it also led me on. It showed that even from the darkest moments in life you can turn it around and begin again; Heal and find love and happiness in the most unexpected of places. The one thing I particularly liked within this story, is that it showed all different angles and POV’s on mental health and its effects on all sides. I also loved how the romance side of things was slow-building, focusing on a budding friendship first (which kept the story realistic in this particular regard) and how as things grew healing began – not just on one side but the whole family dynamic as well (found family). It was truly touching and definitely pulls at all the heartstrings. As a person that has/does suffer from anxiety and depression it was at times extremely emotional but it does go full circle.
If you are after a heartbreakingly beautiful story of love and healing and second chances at finding your place in the world…Give this contemporary book a chance. I loved a lot about it and it really did speak to my heart. And the romance was so raw and beautiful, that it literally melted my heart with little “aww” moments.
I’m just going to leave this here. One of the many quotes that truly touched me. If you are struggling, I really do prompt you to really focus on these words below. Don’t just read them…try and feel and believe them, to the best of your abilities.
“A phoenix rises from the ashes. It’s a symbol of strength.” “So, what’s wrong with that?” “I’m not strong.” Ah, there’s the truth. “Most strong people don’t actually feel like they’re strong. Doesn’t make it any less true.” “Trust me, I’m not. I don’t know what my father was thinking when he picked this name. It’s just a constant reminder of how un-phoenixlike I am.” I roll onto my side to face her. “That’s not what I see.” She peeks at me from under the ice pack. “And what do you see?” “I see someone who’s still here. Someone who makes the choice to wake up and live every single morning…. …Regardless of what you’ve been through, you’re still standing. That seems pretty damn strong to me.”
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, including Amazon, and I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through my links.
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