Rom-Com – Page 2

2020 ARCs, Enemy-To-Lovers, March 2020 Review, MUST READS!, Rom-Com, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Own The Eights by Krista Sandor

March 20, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

Bookshop owner, Georgie Jensen, is done with shallow jerks. Her Own the Eights blog dishes out advice on how to steer clear of egotistical creeps only concerned with looks and status. Her focus is finding one’s true soulmate—not the superficial ten but the solid, reliable eight.
Jordan Marks is the city’s top fitness trainer who won’t settle for anything less than the best. His blog promotes working hard, playing harder, and striving to always be—you guessed it—a ten.
When these two opposites are forced to team-up for an online competition, opinions clash and mouse pads fly.
The twist: there can only be one winner, and if Georgie wants to keep her shop open, that winner needs to be her.
But the more time this eight and this ten spend together, the more they learn that, when it comes to love, a number might not be what matters the most.

Own the Eights is a steamy rom-com full of heart, heat, and oodles of laugh out loud moments!

RELEASE DATE: March 19, 2020

Not my first read by the author and she is one of my new/favorites! I have read every single book by Krista from the beginning and it only gets better and better. She can write HEART and now she can also write rom-com’s in the sweetest ways! This author is and will always be a one-click for me!

Rom-Com with SO MUCH HEART! You throw in enemy-to and a sassy but beautiful heroine, not to mention the sexiest hero ever…you got yourself a GAME ON who’s going to win! Jordan was so much fun, I fell in love with him right away, he thinks of himself as a ten and vows to help people reach their max potential to also become ten’s. Throw in Georgie who has had a little bit of a bad luck streak with dating and men, who states firmly an 8 is perfect as well. How she ended up with Jordan a “ten” having to not only work together but compete…she will show him that a eight outshines a ten!

A MUST READ!
Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #1 of Series
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY!
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2020 ARCs, Enemy-To-Lovers, Forbidden Romance, Friends-To-Lovers, March 2020 Review, MUST READS!, Rom-Com, Sizzling, Small Town Romance, Suspense Romance, Uniform Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Maybe Swearing Will Help by Lani Lynn Vale

March 4, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

Ford Spurlock has known Ashe Trammel since they were babies.
He’s also done his level best to stay away from her because every time he gets to within five feet of her, they’re fighting like cats and dogs.
Ashe is the apple of her father’s eye. The motorcycle club princess that was never to be harmed in any way—or touched for that matter. And he’s always resented the fact that she could get away with things that he couldn’t. Things that she then blames on him and he always gets punished for.
Fast forward to adulthood, and Ashe is still off limits. Still driving him insane. Still…beautiful.
She never misses an opportunity to give him hell, either.
That has to be why he agrees to do a photoshoot for KPD SWAT that’ll benefit her charity even when he’d rather shoot himself in the foot with his duty weapon.
Ashe never thought he’d agree.

Honestly, she thought she’d ask him, he’d say no, and that’d be the end of it.
She never realized that she’d leave his photo up in her cubicle, and it’d be the last thing that she saw every night as she locked her office door.
When they were kids, Ford used to be that boy that threw dirt at her and pulled her hair.
Now, he’s the same Ford Spurlock, only a whole lot sexier. And a lot harder to say no to.
When he challenges her to one date, she has no other recourse but to agree.
What she didn’t agree to was falling in love with Mr. March. Or wanting to give him everything she had to give.

RELEASE DATE: March 10, 2020

Not my first read by the author and I have read the first book in this series. This one, from the blurb I KNEW I would love because Ford and Ashe were an anticipated couple by me, ever since book one. This did NOT disappointing!

These two were unforgettable. They have know each other since they were little, always used to hate on one another, yell, push, shove…the typical kids stuff. When they got to the teenage years, things started to change for Ashe and every girl Ford went through, she felt that. Until that one girl, that kind of changed everything for Ford too. Going on as they did, always bickering, fighting, daring each other, getting into trouble until a bet. A bet that turns it all around.

Watch these two skirt around each other only to realize that the love part of their love/hate relationship out-wins. I really loved this from the beginning, it’s one of those reads that sticks with you for a long time. I am looking forward to more in this series for sure.

MUST READ
Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #2 of Series
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY!
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2020 ARCs, February 2020 Review, Firefighter Romance, Friends-To-Lovers, New To Me Author, Rom-Com, Sizzling, Slow Burn

R E V I E W ➠ Send Me Crazy by T. Gephart

February 4, 2020February 4, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

A note, a pair of panties and a date.
When Quinn’s efforts to set up her best friend go awry, she finds herself with a crazy blind date. Could the mystery man be her soul mate? Nothing like an adventure, and at the very least, she was going to have some fun with it.

RELEASE DATE: February 7, 2020

NEW to me author & books! I was also lucky to have received a cute little package from the author that contained the gorgeous paperback and more.

I was going in blind with new authors and I really really enjoyed the main characters, very much! They were mature which are my type! This was all the types of cute meets rom-com and friends-to…very very sweet. The hero and heroine get together after a wrong package was send with some rather intimate items, which was half the fun of the story. The other half is the main characters being together, and without giving away too much….I will say that there are a lot of twist and turns and surprises, it kept me engaged the whole time. Would definitely read more by the author.
P.S. SEXY FIREFIGHTER ALERT!!

Rating: 4.5★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #1 of Series
Recommended: ☑
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2020 ARCs, Enemy-To-Lovers, Forbidden Romance, January 2020 Review, MUST READS!, Rich/Poor Romance, Rom-Com, Single Dad, Sizzling

R E V I E W ➠ Doughn’t Let Me Go by Teagan Hunter

January 30, 2020March 22, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

It was just supposed to be one night.
No kissing. No feelings. A wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am tangle in the sheets and we go our own ways.
Only it’s a small town, and I was bound to run into the irresistible Porter Jones again.
I just didn’t expect it to be at my job interview…which he’s conducting.
Now the live-in nanny to his adorable seven-year-old daughter, I’m doing my best to avoid falling for his charms.
Except it’s much harder than either of us anticipated.
What’s a few romps between friends?
No kissing. No feelings. Just fun.
Sounds simple, right?
Right…

RELEASE DATE: February 6, 2020

“Tell me about it. All I wanted last night was some pizza.”
“And all you got was a pizza this ass?”
Her face scrunches up. “I can’t believe you just said that. I can’t believe I slept with a person who would even think that.”
“You liked sleeping with me and you doughn’t regret it even though I just said something cheesy.“

It’s been over twenty-hour hours since I last saw him but only a minute since I last thought about him.
-Dory

Not my first read by this author, she is one of my absolute favorites! I also have read Book 1 & 2 in this series, LOVED both of them!! Been excited about this one!! You know when you read Teagan that you will get to be like part of the story, she transforms you in it…and laughter…lot’s of laughter…oh and cursing hahaha! In this case you also get an amazing little girl who will win your heart over in just a page. Well, to be fair she won my heart over in Book #2!

Porter, the hero is funny, handsome, arrogant, broody, so sexy and a great man. You get a little glimpse of him in the previous book and that is why I was so excited for his story. He is a man that never had anyone stick…therefore when he uprooted his whole life to be closer to his friends he isn’t expecting to find a woman who gave him a night of his life and also an employee…..again!

Doris aka Dory (yes like the fish) is a young woman fighting in the big world. She has been having some bad luck until one night at her favorite pizza place she runs into a stranger, well not run more like she stared really hard at him until he called her out on it. One night. No feelings. No kissing under any circumstance. Just sex. And well a job, but not because of the sex I promise *smirk*

This is a story of two people who both don’t trust themselves but have a pull to one another that they consciously don’t ignore but still in the back of the mind, they know that this can only lead to heartbreak. I don’t want to give out to much, honestly it was such a fun read. I loved all of them and especially them three together. The daughter is probably one of my favorites in this series along with Porter, something about his grumpy-handsome-ness…and all! Just in love with all this, if you want lighthearted read with a lot of laughter, banter and romance (and also the sexy time, good gosh there is no disappointment here on that *sizzling*)

A MUST READ!
Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #3 of Series
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY!
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2020 ARCs, Angsty, Brother's Best Friend, Enemy-To-Lovers, Forbidden Romance, Friends-To-Lovers, January 2020 Review, Rom-Com, Second Chance Romance, Sizzling, Slow Burn

R E V I E W ➠ That Secret Crush by Meghan Quinn

January 20, 2020February 3, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

What happens when your secret crush isn’t so secret anymore?
I’ve had feelings for Eve Roberts for as long as I can remember, but because she also happens to be the twin sister of my best friend, Eric, I’ve never acted on my feelings and long ago resigned myself to keeping my crush under wraps.
But after a terrible falling-out with Eric involving a failed restaurant venture and plenty of blame on both sides, I’m back in Port Snow without my best friend and without any direction. But can you guess who’s here? Eve. And my attraction to her is as strong as ever.
As old feelings rush back, Eve and I find ourselves pulled together, whether we like it or not. Lines are crossed, secrets are kept, and we soon discover that the difference between love and friendship may not be so black and white, after all.
Everyone wants that secret crush to love them back…but will I be ready when she does?

RELEASE DATE: February 11, 2020

“Hopelessly optimistic would be the last way I’d describe you. More like sarcastically pessimistic.”
-Eve

Not my first read by the author and i have read the previous books in this series. loved every single one. that said, unfortunately this was not my cup of tea. Don’t get me wrong the story and words were fantastic because this authors knows how to write but the events, let me explain. I wont go into too much detail because i don’t want anyone to think I’m bashing anything, just simply not my taste in hero and heroine.

The hero is actually the oldest of the brothers. he is a man that had it all and lost everything including himself in one night. forwards years later he is now so low on himself that he doesn’t think he deserves anything. the heroine is actually the hero’s best friends little sister, therefore they have know each other since they were 10. she is someone who knows sacrifice and hard work, and always kept going even when times felt hard. when lines get crossed as this is a brothers best friend and friends to lovers romance, thing heat up…you know what they say. if you cant stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. now the reason i was not fond of the characters is because, although they are older in age their actions just didn’t vibe with me. the hero deflects his past and pain with humor and therefore this is a rom-com all on its own and its funny but its just a lot in some sections of the book. the heroine is touch and go 50/50 one minute i am on my toes but then she does something like forgive easy and lets him off the hook. one particular part that turned me off, was the indecisiveness, it was over baring for me. on both ends. i cant say much without giving out the book but that played a huge part to me. all that said, these are my opinions and feelings. when i read i really read with the whole me and what kind of reader would i be if i didn’t voice the truth on those feelings while reading. i hope no one takes it the wrong way because i truly truly love this series, just this was a miss for me.

Rating: ★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #3 of Series
Recommended: ☑
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

Getting Lucky Series

2020 ARCs, Fake Relationship, Firefighter Romance, Forbidden Romance, Friends-To-Lovers, January 2020 Review, Rom-Com, Sizzling, Slow Burn

R E V I E W ➠ Hard Work by BJ Harvey

January 18, 2020February 3, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

Having watched his brothers meet their match, Cohen Cook is feeling something he never anticipated—envy.
With a demanding job, and helping his brothers with their biggest flip project yet, he doesn’t have time to sleep with, let alone date, anyone.
Skye Rossi is a free spirit. She’s a take-her-as-you-see-her woman who works hard and plays hard, but the person she wants to play with friend-zoned her the minute they met.
When sparks fly between Cohen and Skye, the only way forward is to propose a mutually beneficial arrangement that no one knows about.
Besides, what’s the harm in a few orgasms between best friends?

RELEASE DATE: January 30, 2020

Not my first read by author & I have read all the ones in the COOK BROTHER’S SERIES and loved every single one!! Super excited when I got the chance to early read this beauty!!

This one was a SWEET and FEISTY one because the hero is the ever so sexy Cohen EMT & his new partner the heroine the sister of two of the firefighters, Skye Rossi. She is feisty, outgoing, smart, sexy and down to earth, not to mention beyond gorgeous! Both of them are here to do one thing….a job, a very important job. But when you put two people together in a small proximity for a period of time, what can go wrong? Well, an agreement that a normal person may not have thought of but these two strictly have it handled, of course. “of course”

As light-hearted this was and fun, it was still in depth and you get to see sides of two souls that hurt for different reasons but find solace in one another, even for a short time being. Something about these two drew me closer to the series, maybe even thought me a lesson or two. And to end it with I CAN’T WAIT NOW FOR EZRA AND GILLY’S STORY, this should be an amazing story too!!

Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #4 of Series
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY!
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

COOK BROTHERS SERIES

2020 ARCs, Friends-To-Lovers, January 2020 Review, Marriage Of Convenience, Rom-Com, Sizzling, Slow Burn

R E V I E W ➠ Boss Man Bridegroom by Meghan Quinn

January 18, 2020February 3, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

“Will you do me the greatest honor of all time and be my bridegroom?” she asks, hope in her eyes . . .
How did I get here? My assistant, bent on one knee, holding my hand, her expectant face waiting for an answer.
Just . . . how?
How did I go from being insulted by Charlee Cox to hiring her to be my assistant? How is it that she’s chaos in color – making me crazy and my life better at the same time?
I never thought I would be staring down at her bright blue eyes begging me to go along with this ridiculous scheme I suggested.
Yes, I suggested. Like the idiot I am, I thought hey, why not start an HR nightmare and have my assistant ask me to marry her?
Confused? Don’t worry, so am I.
But try to follow along, because this is how I became Boss Man Bridegroom.

RELEASE DATE: January 23, 2020

And I want to cup her jaw in my large hand, pass my mouth over her cheek, her eyes, her nose, and then settle on her lips where I’d finally steal a kiss from her, a kiss I’ve wanted ever since I hired her.
-Rath

Not my first read by the author. I have to say that this one was a on a whim for me meaning, I signed up because I love Meghan’s books and did not even read the blurb. I decided to then just go ahead and read it and mid-way i went back to read the blurb and I will say that even though I love her books, I am not 100% sure I would have signed up after reading the blurb not because it’s bad, heck no this is fantastic but because it didn’t seem like something I’d like reading. Most times the blurb and author determine my choice of requesting an ARC. That said, I was pleasantly surprised that I liked this very much. It was a light hearted, fun, sexy and sweet story!

Rath and Charlee were AMAZING CHARACTERS! Charlee at times was over the top but Rath kind of balances her out. This is an adventure for sure where marriage of convenience is played along with some sizzling and sweet scenes. Like I said earlier a lighter read for my taste, but still pretty decent.

Rating: 4.5★
Romance: ♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Standalone
Recommended: ☑
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2020 ARCs, Friends-To-Lovers, January 2020 Review, Rom-Com, Slow Burn

R E V I E W ➠ A Cowboy In Essex by Lesley Jones

January 16, 2020February 3, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

If you add two strangers to a cabin in the middle of a snowstorm, the obvious is bound to happen…

When Essex lifestyle blogger and fashionista, Gracie Elliott crash lands into the life of Colorado mountain man Koa Carmichael in the middle of a snow storm, fists, chemistry and sexual banter ensue.

After the punk rock Tinker Bell and semi-retired country rock star share some sweet, emotional as well as laugh-out-loud moments, they find it impossible to deny that they might have just discovered what neither of them knew they were looking for.

RELEASE DATE: January 16, 2020

“I plan to tell you beautiful things every day.”

Not my first read by the author and I was a little confused at the beginning because of the different covers and names because the link took me to a cover named CowSex and I was lost because the information was for a cowboy in Essex . So after that little glitch I decided to give it a go hehehe.

I had a little hard time connecting to the story but was able to instantly catch the characters and honestly I totally understood why the original title CowSex title haha lot’s of laughter in this one. Basically it’s a fun book with romance and sweetness! It really was beautiful especially between the two main characters!!

Rating: ★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Type: Standalone
Recommended: ☑
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2020 ARCs, Angsty, Enemy-To-Lovers, Fake Relationship, Forbidden Romance, January 2020 Review, Rom-Com, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Sport Romance, Sports Romance, TOP 2020 MUST READ

R E V I E W ➠ A Favor For A Favor by Helena Hunting

January 13, 2020February 3, 2020by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

When I joined Seattle’s NHL expansion team, I thought it was the start of something great. But nothing ever goes the way you expect. Take my introduction to my new neighbor. She came rolling in on the hot mess express at midnight, making a racket while she tried to get into my team captain’s apartment. Did I mention that he’s married to a woman who definitely was not her?

Imagine my surprise when I end up with an injury that has me out of the game for weeks, and she’s the one to offer to help me. I should probably add that she’s not the captain’s mistress. She’s his sexy, pastel-haired younger sister.

So we come up with an arrangement: she rehabs me so that I can get back on the ice sooner, and she can add a professional athlete that isn’t her brother to her client list. Seems simple enough. As long as I can keep my hands to myself and my hormones in check.

RELEASE DATE: January 28, 2020

“His man stick is pretty much broken. I’m not getting a ride out of this,
if that’s what you’re thinking.”

Not my first read by this author and have read many many of Helena’s books. This is the most perfect ENEMY-TO-LOVERS romance I have read in a while! Everything about this from the words to characters…L O V E D!!

Stevie is a woman living in a shadow, meaning her older brother who is the NFL star has always out shinned her and when he wanted the attention, Stevie did everything to be out of it. Living a life to prove to herself that she can make it on her own and not the help of her famous brother (who btw has his own book in Book #1 a lie for a lie) that said, I was excited and happy to see that Stevie was getting her own story.

The hero is Bishop who is not only a Hockey player in the same team as Stevie’s brother but neither of them know of one another. When they meet is a night that Stevie will never forget although she’d love to and Bishop was throwing out assumptions left and right. In his boxers….ONLY his boxers. That’s how it continues….only Stevie has a few tricks up her sleeve too.

When they both realize how one another is, things change and some of the clearing comes out. What happens after I DON’T WANT TO SPOIL so, I will say that there is a lot of laugh out loud moments, lots of hate to, mystery, sweetness, and the sweet sweet romance, not to mention the sexy scenes WOW on those. Everything came together so well and I couldn’t get enough!

TOP 2020 MUST READ!
Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #2 of Series
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY!
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2019 ARCs, Fake Relationship, Friends-To-Lovers, November 2019 Reviews, Rom-Com, Sizzling, Slow Burn

R E V I E W ➠ Everything’s Better With Lisa by Lucy Eden

November 17, 2019by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

Lisa Betancourt has been my neighbor for months, but I didn’t know she existed until the night she threatened me with a baseball bat. To be fair, I kinda had it coming. That was also the night my entire life changed—my biological mother passed away suddenly and mysteriously, leaving behind a surprise baby. The moment I laid eyes on CJ’s chubby face, I knew I would do anything for him. What I didn’t know was how to take care of him. Fortunately, Lisa turned out to be my salvation in more ways than one. She stepped in and changed everything. The more time I spend with her, the more I hope the change can be permanent. Unfortunately, the pressure at work and unraveling the mystery of my mother’s past makes me wonder how that could be possible…
Cole Simmons lives in the brownstone next to mine and was an insensitive jerk, or at least I thought he was until he got custody of his baby brother, who’s just as adorable as he is. As the oldest child in a big family, I couldn’t resist stepping in to help when I realized my handsome neighbor was in over his head when it came to babies, though I’ve learned the hard way that handsome men can’t always be trusted. I moved to New York to start a new life, adjust to my new normal and heal from heartbreak. Unfortunately, my heart didn’t get the memo, and the more time I spent with Cole and the impossibly sweet CJ, the more I start to wonder if Cole isn’t the only one in over his head…
This full-length novel can be read as a standalone but is the third book in the Everything’s Better series. You’ll see friends from Everything’s Better with You, Everything’s Better with Kimberly & Cherishing the Goddess. Cole & Lisa’s love story is chock full or Enemies to Lovers, Single Parent, Secret Baby (or two), Nanny (no power imbalance) & Fake Engagement goodness and is safe with NO cheating.

RELEASE DATE: November 25, 2019

Not my first read by the author and I also have read Book #1 & #2 in this series!

Cole and Lisa had one of the most fun and funny meet. It really set the mood for me for the book. This author really knows how to address the heavy life topics with a beautiful story where the characters bosom together and the romance is just so BEAUTIFUL! I will say that have tissues ready and also expect all the issues to be address with respect and accurately, that’s a huge things to me, where if there are triggers I want them to be addressed in a way that explains and processes. Aside form that this was another very sweet, fun and romantic STORY that will have you falling in LOVE with Cole and Lisa!

Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #3 of Series
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY!
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦