Sunday Swoonies
Hello hello hello Christine. It me. I’m back at it again with the weekly romance reading recap. This week was, another really solid week of picks and reads and included an ARC of Donna Grant’s new cowboy romance: That Cowboy of Mine. I’ve noticed that my reads still trend toward more historical romances than any other, and this week was no exception. I’m also straight struggle town with my mood reading right now. Sometimes I am super clear on what I want to dig into and other times its like this awful swirl of looking at covers, reading blurbs and trying to buy into the many, many books on my TBR. #romancereaderproblems
Ok ok, getting to the good part now.
Most Eligible Billionaire by Annika Martin
I’ve seen these titles thrown around a lot on r/romancebooks and figured I would see what all the hype / talk was about. This is a wild premise (and reminded me of early aughts rom-coms) that is silly, fun and a little over the top. Billionaire development mogul and broke woman battle it out after she’s awarded a conservatorship over a small dog, named Smuckers. There were definitely some moments that genuinely made me laugh (e.g cock worldwide) and gave me legally blonde vibes in the best way.
It was a nice break from my usual reads, and had me grabbing the second in the series pretty quick.
The Billionaire’s Wake Up Call Girl by Annika Martin
Okay, book two see another Billionaire (this time a reclusive medical luminary) and a baker (who lost everything) connect over her morning wake up calls. I have to say this one was another wild premise that I kept waiting for things get out of hand. But it was fairly low-angst and like book one, had some legitimately laugh out loud moments (e.g. wake up you stupid motherfucker!).
It was enjoyable enough, but left me feeling a little flat and wanting more. Romance readers, we’re hard to please!
That Cowboy of Mine by Donna Grant
Got the goodest news that my friends at NetGalley approved me for an eARC of this one. Overall really easy to read, connect with and get into. And in Classic Grant fashion its earnest, insta-attraction / love, and pairs a gruff and protective hero with a woman who is has all the grit and determination that lots of readers will enjoy. Interested in the full review? Click here.
The Bride by Julie Garwood
I read Honor’s Splendour last year and LOVED it. And after reading The Bride I think what I am realizing is that Julie Garwood has a formula (English lass marries scary Scottish warlord) and you know what I don’t hate it. Her love interests are so cozy to me. And these two are really no different. Alec and Jamie are so stinking adorable. Danger, sweeping highland scenery and a legit (combative) friends to lovers with a marriage of convenience, SIGN me f*ck UP.
The Wrong Marquess by Vivienne Lorret
Oof y’all. This book really really really resonated. For context I have OCD and worrying / rumination on worse case scenarios / death have been present in my life for a VERY long time. So to read a love interest like Ellie was equal parts hard (hello ERP) and really delightful. After her father’s death Ellie is extremely nervous and worried about all manner of terrible ways to have her life end. While her friends have previously met and found the loves of their lives, Ellie is (gasp) inching toward 25 and is going to write a field guide for women trying to find a love match of a husband. Stumbling right into Brandon, the Marquess of Hullworth while observing some engagement and declarations of love, is the PERFECT way for these two to have their meet cute.
Brandon, assuming Ellie is YET another women out to trap him into marriage, is wildly rude. Once he begins to realize jut who she is and what she very much does NOT want from him, the two decide to be friends. The evolution of the relationship between these two warmed every place in my lil heart y’all. Brandon being SO patient with Ellie has she tried to overcome her fears was god-tier shit. Grab this one, you won’t regret it.
Five sighs. Five swoons.
A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon (Free with KU)
This was 350+ pages of unhinged smut. No notes.
The Suite Spot by Trish Doller
Float Plan was one of my top romance reads of 2021, and The Suite Spot, Doller’s follow up has been on my most anticipated reads of 2022. TSS follows Rachel, Annas older sister as she uproots herself and her 3 year old Maisie to Ohio to help run a rustic Hotel / Brewery. This gave me a Motel Makeover (Netflix) vibes and you know what I’m not mad at it.
Did I like this one, yes. It was really soft and sweet. Did I like it as much as Float Plan, no, and that’s ok. Mason, Rachel and Maisie were all really cute, and seeing Mason work through his own grief (which is so brilliantly represented as a non-linear entity) added to the connection these two have.
Only gripe is that it felt a little short to me, especially the 3rd act.